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Township achieves sustainable development with abandoned coal mines

09:20, September 29, 2024 By Tan Yingzi and Deng Rui ( China Daily

Once a bustling hub of coal mining activity in Southwest China, Lutang township in Chongqing's Pengshui Miao and Tujia autonomous county, has achieved sustainable development in recent years by fruit planting and rural tourism.

Pengshui, situated in the Wuling Mountains area in southeastern Chongqing, boasts rich mineral resources. The area's three largest coal mines, one fully situated and one partially situated in Lutang, used to collectively produce up to two million tons of coal annually, according to local authorities.

However, excessive mining activities have resulted in environmental degradation  leading to the accumulation of thick layers of coal ash on neighboring plants and rooftops. In 2016, all local coal mines were shut down due to environmental concerns. As the local coal mines started to close down one by one, they encountered a formidable challenge  the barren mountains offering little to the villagers, coupled with outdated infrastructure, inadequate arable land, and the outflow of local talent.

"At that time, a lot of people in our village left home and made a living elsewhere," said Mao Tingbing, Party chief of Lutang's Leyuan village.

To address these issues, in the same year, the village established a cooperative  making full use of the abandoned land to develop orange and grapefruit cultivation. Later, the village led the planting of sweet potatoes throughout the village on over 153 hectares of land  achieving an average income of over 2,000 yuan ($285) for each household. To add diversity, the village introduced tea planting, and sika deer raising.

The village collective economic organization adopted a rotation mode of growing sweet potatoes, rice, sorghum, corn, and rapeseed, benefiting 1,459 villagers in 451 households  with an average income increase of over 3,000 yuan per household.

The village has also become a hot destination for returning migrant workers.

Fifty-seven-year-old local Wang Liehui is anticipating a bumper harvest in his oranges and grapefruits orchards next year. Seven years ago, Wang gave up his previous business and contracted over 40 hectares of land to establish the fruit orchards. He said the annual production is expected to be 500,000 kilograms, generating profits of 2 million yuan.

After coal mines have gradually been completely shut down in Pengshui, clean energy projects such as hydropower, wind energy, and tourism, as well as ecological industries, have been steadily growing.

Last year, Pengshui ranked first in the city's GDP growth with a growth rate of 8.2 percent, data from the local authorities showed.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
A top chef has weighed in on the Tesco hummus row after MailOnline exclusively revealed that the supermarket giant removed the much loved dip's lid and replaced it with a 'flimsy' cover as part of 'ongoing efforts to tackle plastic waste'.

Itamar Srulovich, co-owner of the Middle Eastern restaurant Honey & Co, revealed that people should not even be eating Tesco's attempt at the eastern Mediterranean dip - whether it has a lid on it or not.

Srulovich, who has worked in London's hottest kitchens including OXO Tower and Yotam Ottolenghi's famous first site in Notting Hill, slammed the supermarket version of hummus as 'atrociously bad'.

'Even compared to other pre-prepared foods, this is really down there,' he told the Times. 'I'm not one to preach but this gives me a little twist in the heart.'

With a successful Middle Eastern restaurant franchise and multiple bestselling cookbooks to his name, Srulovich urged all hummus lovers scorned by the lid fiasco to try and make their own.

Tesco's new packaging for hummus replaces the plastic lid for a 'flimsy' cover

Top chef Itamar Srulovich (right) advised shoppers not to eat Tesco's version of the Middle Eastern delight but to make their own. Pictured: Sarit Packer (left) and Itamar Srulovich (right) stand in their restaurant Honey & Co

'I promise it's so easy,' the top chef said. 'It takes seconds.'

Simply take chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic and whip it up in a food processor.

Srulovich's advice comes after Tesco made the drastic call this month to ditch the plastic lid on their hummus, replacing it with a 'flimsy plastic cover'. Shoppers slammed the supermarket for making what they deemed a 'hum-ungous error'

While a spokesperson for the British supermarket said the move would 'remove more than 31 million pieces of plastic' from their stores, some customers are vehemently opposed to the new packaging.

Author Laura Pearson took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to say: 'I'm so baffled about Tesco removing the plastic lid from hummus and replacing it with a flimsy plastic cover which requires me to now cover it with clingfilm or similar.

'How is that helping anyone?'

One man commented: 'I don't find this change to hummus hummourous at all!'

Another shopper agreed and said: 'The removal of the plastic lid means a) I have to put secondary cling film on b) the food slops around and is wasted c) the food goes off faster and is wasted whoever thought this was good for the environment was entirely wrong.'

A spokesman for Tesco insisted that the change had no impact on shelf life and that the hummus should still be consumed within two days of opening as before.

And some seemed to take Tesco's side, praising the supermarket for their 'green' packaging change in light of global warming.

Srulovich (right) shared his 'easy' hummus recipe consisting of just four ingredients: chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic. Pictured: Husband and wife Srulovich and Packer prepare Middle Eastern food in their kitchen

There are some strong critics of the move by Tesco to replace hummus lids with a plastic cover but a spokesperson for the supermarket insists the product's shelf life will not be affected

MailOnline took to the streets of London to speak to shoppers and find out what they really think about the controversial change.

Cameece Maddis, 32 and Adrian Holloway, 28 suggested they were not a fan of the move and questioned the logic behind the new packaging.

Ms Maddis said: 'I have to now wrap it with foil instead because it always goes off quicker.

'It is a good reason (environmental) but I actually wouldn't mind paying extra to have the lid.'

Mr Holloway added: 'It definitely doesn't last as long without a re-sealable lid where you can reseal it or keep it fresh longer.

'It still works against making it fresh so it doesn't really make sense in the long-run.

'We'd have to hurry up and eat it before it goes off. You'd definitely have to rush instead of enjoying it as you'd like.'

Allaister, 28, a businessman who was out in London with his friend, aged 35, questioned the 'scientific method' Tesco had used to test out the hypothesis that hummus freshness was unaffected.

Allaister said: 'It is a pressing thing because unless you eat the whole hummus tub in one sitting then that packaging thing is a bit defective really, isn't it?'

His friend went so far as to say if they had changed the lid they may well have 'changed the whole thing' and 'made it out of wood'.

A YouGov poll earlier this year revealed that hummus was the UK's favourite dip, so it is no wonder this packaging change has sent numerous shoppers into a rage.

But Tony Spar, a 71-year-old retiree, who MailOnline spoke to appeared to support the move.

Cameece Maddis, 32 and Adrian Holloway, 28 suggested they were not a fan of the move and questioned the logic behind the new packaging

Allaister, 28, spoke out too despite Tesco insisting the change has no impact on product quality or shelf life and added the hummus should still be consumed within 2 days of opening

Tony Spar, a 71-year-old retiree, was a rare person MailOnline spoke to who appeared to support the move.

Mr Spar said: 'It's better  the lid didn't go on very easily. The lid was quite tight whereas with this the film it just flicks back.'

But he added he thought Tesco were 'not going far enough.'

'The other day when I did my shopping at Tesco I had this great pile of plastic.

'I think they can do a lot more - I notice that Tesco now do a cardboard base with a top like that on their meat. It's a step in the right direction but it's not far enough,' he said.

Responding to the controversy, a Tesco spokesperson said: 'We have recently removed the lids on our hummus pots as part of our ongoing efforts to tackle plastic waste. This latest change will remove more than 31 million pieces of plastic  equivalent to 157 tonnes of plastic a year.'

In the search for chickpea-ce, MailOnline has approached the supermarket for further comment.
More than 20 Hezbollah members were killed alongside their terror boss Hassan Nasrallah in Friday's airstrike, Israel says.

The deadly bombardment killed two close associates of Nasrallah, one of whom was in charge of his security detail.

The Israeli military said earlier that Ali Karaki, the head of the terror group's Southern Front, was killed in the airstrike.

Among those 'eliminated' include the head of Nasrallah's security unit, Ibrahim Hussein Jazini, and Samir Tawfiq Dib, who the IDF described as 'Nasrallah's long-time confidant and adviser'

'Due to their proximity to him, they served a significant role in the day-to-day operations of Hezbollah and Nasrallah in particular,' the IDF said.

And today the Israeli military announced it had killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike - Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollah's central council.

Nasrallah, seen addressing supporters in Lebanon's capital Beirut in November 2013, was killed by an Israeli air strike on the city on Friday

Today the Israeli military announced it had killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an air strike - Nabil Kaouk (pictured), the deputy head of Hezbollah's central council

A picture reportedly of Ali Karaki, the head of the terror group's Southern Front, circulated on social media after the IDF confirmed he had been killed in Friday's airstrike

Iranian demonstrators have been celebrating outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington, west London, the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah

There were also jubilant scenes on the streets of the northern Syrian city of Idlib, which is held by rebels against the country's president Bashar al-Assad who has been helped by Hezbollah

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Israel's airstrikes had 'wiped out' Hezbollah's command structure, but he warned the group will work quickly to rebuild it.

'I think people are safer without him walking around,' Kirby said of Nasrallah during an appearance on CNN today. 'But they will try to recover. We're watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership vacuum. It's going to be tough. Much of their command structure has now been wiped out.'

The announcement of more targeted air strikes came as Syrians and Iranians celebrated following Nasrallah's death in Lebanon's capital Beirut on Friday.

There were jubilant scenes in the northern Syrian city of Idlib, where people took to the streets honking horns, handing out sweets and thanking Israelis.

Anti-Iranian regime demonstrators also gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington, west London, to welcome Nasrallah's assassination.

In contrast to the scenes of joy outside the Israeli embassy in London, Iran's embassy to the UK in the capital has lowered its flag to half-mast following Nasrallah's death.

The move came as Iran began five days of official national mourning, announced yesterday by the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Kaouk had been thought to be among the main contenders to replace Nasrallah, who had led Hezbollah for 32 years.

The Lebanese group's role supporting both the Iranian and Syrian ruling regimes helps explain why many opponents of both have welcomed Nasrallah's demise.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

Hezbollah has also aided Syria's President Bashir al-Assad in his crackdown on rebels in that country's civil war which has been raging since 2011.

Syria's government condemned Nasrallah's killing in Friday's strikes, in contrast to the jubilant response in rebel-held Idlib where people waved Syrian flags, cheered and handed out treats.

One person wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'I'm in Idlib right now and the Syrians are out on the streets celebrating rumours of the death of Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, aka Hezboshaytan!

'Just a few days ago Hezboshaytan bombed a village here, today we buried a one-year-old baby and his mother that were killed.'

Another video posted on social media showed women in Iran, covering their faces, welcoming the news of Nasrallah's death.

A speaker said: 'The children of Iran send a congratulatory message to everyone for the death of Hassan Nasrallah and congratulate the Iranian nation.'

In contrast to the scenes of celebration outside the Israeli embassy in London, Iran's embassy in the British capital has lowered its flag to half-mast following the death of Hassan Nasrallah

The lowering of the flag comes as Iran begins five days of mourning following the killing

People celebrating Nasrallah's death in London on Saturday waved Iranian flags and well as placards bearing the message, 'I stand with Israel'

People taking to the streets in the Syrian city Idlib handed out sweet treats

The strikes targeting Hezbollah have been welcomed by many in Syria, following the militant group's support for the ruling regime during the civil war raging there since 2011

A woman is seen walking past a billboard showing late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah at Enghelab Square in Iran's capital Tehran - his group has been an ally of the Iranian regime

They also thanked Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran's rulers have faced protests in recent years for their crackdown on women's rights.

Hundreds of people shot dead by the country's security services during the nationwide fallout following the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022.

The government had that year ordered tighter enforcement of Iran's 'hijab and chastity law' restricting women's dress and behaviour.

It was under these orders that 22-year-old Ms Amini was detained in September 2022 by Iran's 'morality police' for wearing 'improper' hijab and died three days later in hospital, sparking mass unrest.

Hundreds of people were killed, according to rights groups, including dozens of security personnel who were part of a fierce clampdown on the demonstrators - with Hezbollah, under Nasrallah's command, providing forces supporting the Iran regime.

The Iranian celebrations outside the Israeli embassy in London yesterday included people waving flags, setting off flares trailing smoke coloured red, white and green, and holding placards bearing the message, 'I stand with Israel'.

Also shared on social media were videos showing beachgoers in Israel cheering and applauding when public announcements of Nasrallah's death were made.

This is the moment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the green light to 'unprecedented' strikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut, Lebanon, while still in New York

A man is shown taking a photo of graffiti depicting slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv today

The news prompted jot in some parts of the Middle East though mourning in others

The IDF issued a statement on Saturday explaining that the strikes had targeted weapons manufacturing sites and routes being used to smuggle weapons into Lebanon from Syria

Smoke is pictured over the site of an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs yesterday

In contrast, thousands of people gathered across Iran today to protest against the killing of Nasrallah.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities, while at the parliament in the capital Tehran, politicians chanted 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel'.

Also today, an Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon killed 11 people - with Lebanon's state news agency saying the early morning attack destroyed a home.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

In a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, about senior Hezbollah figure Kaouk's death, Israel's national military the IDF said: 'Fighter jets of the Air Force, under the precise direction of Aman, attacked and killed the terrorist Nabil Kaouk.

'The terrorist Kaouk is considered to be close to the top of the terrorist organisation Hezbollah, and was directly involved in promoting terrorist acts against the State of Israel and its citizens, even in recent days.

'Kaouk often appears in the media, represents Hezbollah before the Shia population and expresses himself in political, military and strategic fields.

'The IDF continues to attack and eliminate the commanders of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, and to act against anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel.'

The death of Nabil Kaouk (pictured in September 2006), a member of Hezbollah's central council, was announced today by Israel's national military the IDF

Flames rise after an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut in Lebanon yesterday

Israel launched fresh strikes again yesterday after confirming the death of Hezbollah boss Hassan Nasrallah. Pictured: Large explosions witnessed over Khiam, Lebanon

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country.

Hezbollah had begun low-intensity cross-border strikes on Israeli troops a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged its unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 last year, triggering war in the Gaza Strip.

Mr Netanyahu has said that targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was 'an essential condition to achieving the goals we set'.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: 'He wasn't another terrorist. He was the terrorist.'

He said Nasrallah's killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days would bring 'significant challenges' and warned Iran against trying to strike.

Israeli soldiers stand next to and on their tanks at a gathering point in northern Israel as military forces continue to strike infrastructure sites of the Hezbollah organisation in Lebanon. Pictured yesterday

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the Shiyah neighbourhood of Beirut's southern suburbs on September 28

Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday, said that Hassan Nasrallah was the main engine of Iran's axis of evil

'There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israel's long arm cannot reach,' he said. 'Today you know how much that is true.'

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollah's Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah - who led the group for more than three decades - had 'joined his fellow martyrs'.

The group vowed to 'continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine'.

In its first statement since the killing of Nasrallah, Lebanon's military called for calm among its citizens 'at this dangerous and delicate stage'.

Government officials fear the country's deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence.

'The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese,' the military said.

Tens of thousands of people have had to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beirut's southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

Israeli army soldiers stand next to a mechanised vehicle while deployed in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel on September 28

A portrait of Hezbollah's former leader Hassan Nasrallah hangs on a street in Iraq's capital Baghdad, as the country's government declared a three-day national mourning period

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant has this weekend held talks over the possibility of expanding Israel's military offensive.

Tanks and troops were pictured on the border with Lebanon yesterday, and the IDF said three more battalions of reserve soldiers were being mobilised on top of the two brigades already sent to northern Israel.

Israel's Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, said yesterday that the elimination of Nasrallah was 'not the end of our toolbox'.

He said that the strike targeting Hezbollah leadership was the result of a long period of preparation and they would 'reach' anyone who threatens Israel - adding that the army was 'at full readiness in all of our fronts'.

And military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told an online press briefing: 'There's still a way to go. Hezbollah still has rockets and missiles and has the capability of shooting many of them simultaneously,'

Experts have suggested Israel appears to be 'softening' Hezbollah ahead of a ground invasion.

Professor Fawaz Gerges, chair of contemporary Middle Eastern Studies at the London School of Economics, told Sky News: 'What we have now is all-out war. We have been warning about it in the last 12 months.

Hassan Nasrallah, seen speaking during a banquet in Beirut in December 2000, was leader of the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah for more than three decades

A hole in the ground is seen near the site where Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah was killed

'Israel has been trying to systematically destroy the leadership structure of Hezbollah  and there are hundreds of leaders who could replace him [Hassan Nasrallah].

'But this is Israel trying to soften that structure in preparation for a ground invasion.'

And he has warned that Iran could respond to the attack either by launching a direct attack, sending weapons to Lebanon or sending thousands of fighters to Hezbollah.

It comes as the IDF released a graphic on social media showing the Hezbollah senior figures who had so far been 'eliminated' - adding that they had 'dismantled' the group.

Friday's air strikes were launched shortly after Mr Netanyahu vowed to continue the fight against Hezbollah in his United Nations General Assembly address in New York, insisting: 'My country is at war, fighting for its life.'

He told delegates: 'We must defend ourselves against these savage murderers. Our enemies seek not only to destroy us, they seek to destroy our common civilization and return all of us to a dark age of tyranny and terror.

In a message he addressed to 'the tyrants of Tehran', he added: 'If you strike us, we will strike you. There is no place in Iran where the long arm of Israel cannot reach. And that is true for the entire Middle East.

Mr Netanyahu's speech made no mention of the 21-day ceasefire proposal made last Wednesday by the US, France and other allies, which seeks to cool tensions and allow space for talks.

A protester holds up a photograph of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during a Pro-Palestine rally for Gaza and Lebanon at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia

Demonstrators burn an Israeli flag in front of the parliament building in the Moroccan city of Rabat yesterday, following Hassan Nasrallah's assassination

There have also been protests against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, urging him to sign a proposed ceasefire agreement to end the ongoing war in Gaza

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz previously rejected the push, vowing to keep fighting Hezbollah militants 'until victory'.

Mr Netanyahu's office said he had 'not even responded' to the proposal, and that he had ordered the military 'to continue the fighting with full force'.

Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed more than 41,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 96,000 others, according to the latest figures released on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Britons in Lebanon are being urged to leave by the Foreign Office, which told MailOnline: 'The safety of British nationals is our number one priority and the situation in Lebanon is deeply concerning.

'Our travel advice is to leave Lebanon and we are doing everything we can to work with commercial airlines to maximise capacity.

'We continue to plan for a range of scenarios whilst working with our allies to de-escalate tensions and call for an immediate ceasefire.'

Foreign Secretary David Lammy repeated a plea for calm in the Middle East and said he had spoken with Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati yesterday.

Mr Lammy, who twice called for a ceasefire last week, said: 'We agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the bloodshed.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, pictured at the UN Security Council meeting in New York this week, said he had spoken with Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Saturday

A plane flies over Lebanon'#s capital Beirut today - at least 700 people have been killed, thousands injured and almost 120,000 people displaced in recent months

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the Shiyah neighbourhood of Beirut's southern suburbs on September 28

A poster depicting late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah top commander Fuad Shukr is seen in Wadi El Zayni, Lebanon, today

'A diplomatic solution is the only way to restore security and stability for the Lebanese and Israeli people.'

In another development today, the World Food Programme said it had launched an emergency operation to provide food to up to 1million people displaced by violence in Lebanon.

The UN agency announced it needed $105million (80million) to help it continue the work until the end of the year and has urged the international community to support the humanitarian response.

Corinne Fleischer, the agency's regional director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, said: 'Lebanon is at a breaking point and cannot endure another war.'
Regarded alongside the Colosseum and St Peter's Basilica as one of the 'souls' of Rome, the famous Spanish Steps are considered a global landmark.

But a cultural row has erupted after a report revealed the iconic staircase may not be Italian after all, nor indeed Spanish, but French.

Europe's most famous staircase, which leads from the church of Trinita de' Monti down to Piazza di Spagna, has now become the subject of an international dispute between old rivals.

It was ignited after France's top auditor of public bodies earlier this month briefly mentioned the steps in a 107-page report into the management of France's 200 million portfolio of property in central Rome.

In the report they claimed that the Spanish Steps, which were helped to fame in the United States by the 1953 film 'Roman Holiday' starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, were built with French money in the 1720s.

A cultural row over the Spanish Steps has erupted after a report revealed the iconic staircase may not be Italian after all, but French

Europe's most famous staircase, which leads from the church of Trinita de' Monti down to Piazza di Spagna, has now become the subject of an international dispute between old rivals. Pictured in 1927

The Spanish Steps were helped to fame in the United States by the 1953 film 'Roman Holiday' starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck

Apparently unaware that it might be controversial on the other side of the Alps, the Court of Accounts said the status of the UNESCO site would 'benefit from being clarified'.

But the claim has caused a public outcry among many Italians, who treasure the landmark and want to see it protected as a public space.

In 2019 a law was passed that banned tourists from sitting on the steps, with fines of up to 370 handed out to rule-breakers.

The vice-president of the lower house of the Italian national parliament Fabio Rampelli labelled the French claim 'laughable'.

He then threatened to send experts to the Louvre to 'make an up-to-date reconnaissance' of the assets taken from Italy throughout history, referring to the paintings of Italian origin, most famously the Mona Lisa, that reside in France.

The French-Italian battles over art have a long history, with Napoleon's men taking part in one of the largest single displacements of art in history during his reign.

Meanwhile the president of the report's author the Court of Accounts, Pierre Moscovici, told an Italian news agency he was 'really very astonished' by the reaction to the report.

View of the Spanish Steps, Italy, 1749. This print by John Wilton-Ely depicts an imagined architectural feature from an etching by the Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi

In 2019 a law was passed that banned tourists from sitting on the steps, with fines of up to 370 handed out to rule-breakers

Rome also barred visitors from eating or drinking on the marble staircase

A police officer asks a girl not to sit on the Spanish Steps on August 7, 2019

The cast of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One stand together on the Spanish Steps on June 19, 2023

He said: 'I want to reassure our Italian friends  there is no intention to privatise or to empty the meaning that those properties have.'

To solve the dispute, historical experts have been called in, such as Gael de Guichen who worked at the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, an intergovernmental body from 1993 and 2017.

He told The Times: 'Between France and Italy, it's a bit like France and England. We don't like each other very much, but we like each other anyway.'

Guichen explained that in the late 15th century King Charles VIII of France bought a hill in Rome's northernmost edge.

It was there he and his son and successor Louis XII built France's first royal convent on foreign soil and a church, the Trinita dei Monti or Trinity of the Mounts.

But the walk to the convent became muddy and steep, so between 1723 and 1726, France built a grand set of steps to make the journey cleaner and easier.

They were designed by an Italian architect Francesco de Sanctis but were adorned with the traditional coat of arms of France the fleurs-de-lys and marked with two plaques declaring their Gallic origin.

Tourists cool off in the Barcaccia fountain at the bottom of the Spanish Steps in July 2023

And as king, Louis XIV had planned to mount a statue of himself there, but the Pope scrapped the idea as too much of a French incursion.

The steps were primarily for French nuns and monks to climb the steps to the church, but in time, everyone started to use them.

The Spanish embassy was at the foot of the steps in the Piazza di Spagna, or Spanish Square, but they grew angry to see the great monument to an old enemy towering over them every day.

So they claimed the entire quarter for their own and sent police to guard the steps, causing English speakers to begin to refer to them as the 'Spanish Steps' over the centuries.

However the steps are not an isolated case and de Guichen claims 'perhaps the majority' of properties in the medieval centre of Rome are owned by other European countries.

Spain still owns properties valued at around 1 billion including about a quarter of the famous Piazza Navona (pictured in March 2020 lockdown)

The truth of that fact has long angered some Italians including Benito Mussolini who tried to seize them back.

This was because communities from around Christendom built villages of churches and hospitals in the area over the centuries.

Smaller nations built outposts, but richer ones like Spain built more. It still owns properties valued at around 1 billion including about a quarter of the famous Piazza Navona.

The English Venerable College, an old English Catholic seminary, still exists on the site of an English pilgrims' house founded in the 14th century.
A former Labour frontbencher has slammed the 'theft' of the Elgin Marbles and insisted Keir Starmer is looking to resolve the standoff with Greece.

Thangam Debbonaire, who lost her Bristol seat to the Greens at the election, said the statues did not belong in the British Museum.

The comments, in an interview with Greek newspaper Ta Nea, comes amid continuing wrangling behind the scenes over the Parthenon sculptures.

The dispute has been running for centuries, with Rishi Sunak and his Greek counterpart clashing bitterly on the issue last year.

Tory former chancellor George Osborne has been trying to negotiate a deal in his role as chair of the British Museum's board of trustees.

That could involve the Marbles being sent to Greece for a decade - although it is unclear Athens will agree as it would mean tacitly accepting the Museum's legal ownership.

A former Labour frontbencher has slammed the 'theft' of the Elgin Marbles (pictured a section of the sculptures at the British Museum

Thangam Debbonaire, who lost her Bristol seat to the Greens at the election , said the statues did not belong in the British Museum

Ending the saga could boost Sir Keir's efforts to 'reset' relations with Europe, which he has made a priority for his premiership.

Culture minister Chris Bryant raised eyebrows over the summer by praising the British Museum's attempts to resolve international disputes - such as over the Parthenon sculptures.

Ms Debbonnaire, who served as shadow culture secretary under Sir Keir, described the removal of the marbles more than 200 years ago as an act of 'theft'.

'The way the Parthenon sculptures came to this country was, at best, unacceptable. I think we all know it was theft,' she told Ta Nea.

'If you stand in front of any of them in the British Museum, you are struck by what's missing.'

Ms Debbonaire admitted she had not discussed the issue directly with Sir Keir, but said she was confident the marbles would be returned in her lifetim.

'Keir wants a solution. He wants a solution because we're allies. Greece is the home of democracy. We are great celebrators of democracy in the Labour Party,' she said.

The fifth-century BC Parthenon sculptures were moved from Athens between 1801 to 1812 by the Earl of Elgin, when it was still part of the Ottoman Empire.

The peer, who was the British ambassador, planned to set up a private museum before transferring them to the British Museum.

Greece insists the artefacts were obtained illegally by Lord Elgin, but the UK is adamant that they were legally obtained by Lord Elgin with the permission of the Ottoman authorities.

A 1963 law prevents the British Museum from permanently disposing of key items from its collection, although it would not stop a loan deal.

In November last year, a diplomatic spat broke out between the UK and Greece with the Elgin Marbles at the centre.

Mr Sunak cancelled a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London after he said Britain keeping the marbles was like 'cutting the Mona Lisa in half.'

Ending the saga could boost Sir Keir's (pictured) efforts to 'reset' relations with Europe, which he has made a priority for his premiership

Another part of the Parthenon sculptures at the British Museum

The UK insisted that had broken a commitment from the Greeks not to use the visit for 'grandstanding' on the long-running spat.

In March 2023 Mr Sunak underlined his stance that such relics should stay in Britain.

'The UK has cared for the Elgin Marbles for generations,' he said. 'Our galleries and museums are funded by taxpayers because they are a huge asset to this country...

'We share their treasures with the world, and the world comes to the UK to see them.'
This is the moment the Russian army bombed its own soldiers with a drone as they tried to surrender to Ukraine.

Harrowing footage shows an assault group of seven clearly holding their hands up as they come out from the cover of foliage before lying face down on the ground.

They had advanced into territory held by the Ukrainian army on the Donetsk frontline but decided to give up when they got cornered.

But it seems Putin's commanders were not prepared to let the soldiers, who may have been forcibly conscripted to fight, walk into Ukrainian territory to safety.

The distressing video, which has been released by the Ukrainian armed forces, then shows a kamikaze drone exploding - killing all but one of the men who is seen running for his life.

Harrowing footage shows an assault group of seven clearly holding their hands up as they come out from the cover of foliage

The soldiers had advanced into territory held by the Ukrainian army on the Donetsk frontline but decided to give up when they got cornered

The soldiers were then seen lying face down in the ground

The distressing video then shows a kamikaze drone exploding - killing all but one of the men who is seen running for his life

It is not clear if the bombing was deliberate, but the alleged war crime could be seen as an escalation of recent reports that Russian snipers have been shooting deserting soldiers.

In the video the Ukrainian drone commander told the UAV pilot: 'Don't throw, don't throw.' This was an instruction not to drop bombs on them.

'You'll overtake them and lead them to the south,' he was ordered.

The Ukrainian drone then started directing them towards positions of Kyiv's 33rd separate mechanised brigade.

It was at this point that the Russian kamikaze drone struck and began bombing the surrendering Russian soldiers.

Such action is considered a war crime since by surrendering the soldiers are covered by the Geneva Conventions.

The attack seems to have been carried out by a Russian kamikaze drone

One man is seen on the footage running ahead of the drone strike and manages to escape the ambush from his own side

One man is seen on the footage running ahead of the drone strike and manages to escape the ambush from his own side.

The brigade indicated that of the seven surrendering, he was not the only one to flee.

Explaining the footage, the brigade said: 'The Russian visitors made the right decision - to surrender. Seven of them emerged from the grove [but there was] a catch.'

They added sarcastically: 'As soon as [our drone] pilots began withdrawing with the captives, the Russian army carried out a courageous shelling..

'They accurately took down several [men] - not all made it safely into the hands of our brigade'

The release of the footage comes after a frontline soldier, known only as 'Viktor', said morale among Russian troops has dropped to an all-time low and he is not alone in his sentiments.

Russian reservists drafted during the partial mobilisation attend a ceremony before the leave for military bases, in Sevastopol, Crimea September 27, 2022

Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin issued Order No. 227 during the Second World War - known for its famous line: 'Not a step back!'

His thoughts were conveyed in an intercepted message provided to I Want To Live, a project set up in 2022 by Ukraine's military intelligence, which helps Russian soldiers safely surrender, Kyiv Post reported this week.

Stalin's Order No. 227: 'Not a step back!' During the first stages of the Second World War on the Eastern Front, the Soviet forces suffered from heavy losses - but also from mass retreat and desertion - as Nazi Germany advanced towards Moscow. In an attempt to counter this, on July 28, 1942, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin issued Order No. 227 - known for its famous line: 'Not a step back!'. The order commanded each front (or Soviet military formation) to create up to three penal battalions made up of 800 middle-ranking commanders and high-ranking commanders accused of disciplinary problems. These battalions were sent to the most dangerous sections on the frontlines. From 1942 to 1945, more than 422,000 Red Army personnel were sentenced to join penal battalions. The order also established 'blocking detachments' at the rear, tasked with shooting 'panic-mongers and cowards' within the Red Army's ranks. In the first three months, blocking detachments killed 1,000 penal troops and sent 24,000 more to penal battalions. Records from October 1942 show that 15,649 soldiers were picked up having fled the Stalingrad Front. Of these, 278 were shot dead. By October 1942, the idea of regular blocking detachments were quietly dropped by Soviet leadership. Advertisement

He also said commanders had been known to abandon their units without food, water or means of communication.

In a message to his wife, Viktor wrote: 'Today someone tried to leave, and they were shot dead.

'A sniper is watching from the corner. There's no way through.

'Commanders bailed, so survive however you can... Nothing good here, I wish they'd kill me sooner, it's all f**ked up.'

He added that some soldiers have contemplated blowing themselves up with grenades so that they will be taken off the battlefield to recover in hospital, but - having anticipated this - Russia's military commanders are no longer evacuating the wounded.

In a previously intercepted call, a Russian commander was said to have threatened soldiers and his comrades with death if they refused to participate in an assault on the Kharkiv region.

Reports that Russian snipers are turning against their own troops have been circulating since the early months of the invasion, which began in February 2022.

Nine months into the conflict, UK government defence chiefs revealed that Putin would deploy special units to shoot his own military if they retreated from the war in Ukraine.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said Russia would deploy so-called 'blocking units' which 'threaten to shoot their own retreating soldiers in order to compel offensives'.

Stalin similarly used 'barrier troops' in the Second World War as part of his 'No One Turn Back' order.

Last June, shocking footage emerged of Russian 'barrier troops' appearing to shoot their fellow soldiers as they attempted to flee the field of battle.

Captured by a Ukrainian drone and posted to online messaging platform Telegram, the footage shows three Russian soldiers aiming weapons in the direction of at least seven comrades, and seemingly firing off rounds.

The latest revelations about the state of morale among Russian soldiers comes as military experts estimate some 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded during the Ukraine invasion.

Military experts estimate Putin's war has caused some 600,000 Russian soldiers to have been killed or wounded

A shocking video released in June 2023 showed Russian barrier troops appearing to shoot their fellow soldiers as they attempt to flee the field of battle

Ukrainian Emergency Service workers clear the rubble after Russia attacked the city with guided bombs overnight in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on Sunday, September 29

In addition to this, more than 35,000 civilians have been killed or injured, six million forced to flee and almost 20,000 Ukrainian children forcefully deported.

Russian forces have been creeping forward on the battlefield this year, but the progress has been costly.

The UK Defence Ministry estimates more than 1,000 Russian troops are being killed or wounded each day.

Closing his visit to the United States, Zelensky released a statement on Saturday thanking US President Joe Biden for the latest military aid package of $8 billion, and the US Congress for its 'unwavering' support.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned European countries against seeking confrontation with Moscow in a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York.

Western countries 'hope to defeat Russia using the illegitimate neo-Nazi Kyiv regime, but they're already preparing Europe for it to also throw itself into this suicidal escapade,' he said.

'I'm not going to talk here about the senselessness and the danger of the very idea of trying to fight to victory with a nuclear power.'
A female comedian has claimed her upcoming gig at a pub has been canned because of her controversial views and jokes about gender and trans people.

Biddy O'Loughlin was due to perform at the Cranker Comedy show on October 15 at the Crown & Anchor Hotel in Adelaide.

But the stand-up performer, whose mother is famed comedian Fiona O'Loughlin, has since been kicked off the line-up following a complaint made by a pub staff member.

It's understood the complaint was made regarding Ms O'Loughlin's comedy material and social media presence which often centres around those who identify as transgender.

'I know some of the bartenders see me as a TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist) but I don't consider myself a feminist,' she told The Advertiser.

She added she'd signed a petition for the pub when it was facing being turned into student housing, saying she 'loved' the venue.

Ms O'Loughlin's Instagram involves clips of her making jokes about trans women, along with photos of her in a red cap with the slogan 'Make Women Female Again', a reference to Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' catchphrase.

'Fighting for you, ladies. And for your daughters,' she captioned one photo.

Biddy O'Loughlin said she had been cancelled from a comedy show because of her views and jokes about trans people

'Even if you don't think it's an issue and you wanna call me a hateful bigot. I'll take the hit.

'The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Men are not women.'

She also posted a photo performing at a previous Cranker Comedy show.

'They call me the JK Rowling of the Adelaide comedy scene, which is weird because I've never written a book,' she wrote in the caption, referring to the Harry Potter author who has sparked controversy over her comments against trans people.

Ms O'Loughlin also recently shared a clip from one of her stand-up gigs where she responded to a heckler.

'I don't think trans women are women, I think they are p***ies,' she said.

'I saw a trans comedian once and he was so bad that I thought for a second he might actually be female inside.'

The comedian stressed her jokes weren't all trans-related, but added her views had cost her friends in her personal and professional life.

'I used to go along with it but the ramifications of bowing out are not worth it,' she told the publication.

'The principles are wrong. Women are women.'

The Crown & Anchor has been contacted for comment.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

The ex-wife of a disgraced crocodile expert who raped and tortured dozens of dogs has broken her silence over her partner's sickening crimes.

British zoologist Adam Robert Corden Britton, 53, was sentenced to 10 years in jail in Australia in August after pleading guilty to 63 charges including bestiality, animal cruelty and possessing child abuse material.

Britton, who worked on programmes for the BBC and even welcomed Sir David Attenborough to his home, was arrested in April 2022 after police raided the property he shared with his wife and fellow biologist Erin in Darwin's outskirts.

He had filmed himself as he raped, tortured and killed as many as 42 pet dogs in the 18 months prior to his arrest - and sickeningly posted footage online for others to watch.

Erin was away from home on a work trip at the time of Britton's arrest and learned for the first time what he'd been doing when she received a call from his lawyer.

'When she told me bestiality (charges)  my brain was in denial,' she told 60 Minutes.

'It was so shocking and I felt sick, I couldn't speak.'

Britton was given a non-parole period of six years, backdated to his April 2022 arrest, and had been contacting his wife from behind bars in the lead up to his sentencing.

The ex-wife and fellow biologist of depraved animal abuser Adam Britton, Erin (both pictured), has revealed the moment his lawyer revealed his vile acts following his arrest

The once-celebrated zoologist (pictured centre alongside David Attenborough and Erin) raped, tortured and killed as many as 42 dogs in an 18-month period leading up to his arrest

Shockingly, Britton wrote to Erin, asking her to send him books on dog domestication, breed history and behaviour.

She said the 'disturbing' request 'messed' with her head, considering the charges he had just recently pleaded guilty to.

'He's writing about this as if he can, sort of, continue his fantasies in his mind, and it makes me really angry,' she said.

Erin has since divorced Britton - they hadn't slept in the same room or been romantically involved for years - but still can't fathom the extent of his sickening acts.

'I cannot comprehend still how someone can be so depraved, so evil,' she said.

'He's just destroyed my entire life.'

Police understand Britton escalated the depravity of his acts while Erin was away from home for work.

'That's the question I've been asking myself every day is, "Why did I not know? What did I miss?",' she said.

'Scratching my head, trying to look, trying to play back events of the last few years to see if there's any detail or anything, but there's nothing.'

Britton was calculated in his offending, having sourced the dogs from online marketplace Gumtree under the guise of giving them a loving home.

Erin was away on a work trip when police raided their home on the outskirts of Darwin in August, 2022, leading to his arrest and guilty pleas for bestiality, animal cruelty and possessing child abuse material

Britton was calculated in his offending, having sourced the dogs from online marketplace Gumtree under the guise of giving them a loving home

He also never showed his face in the extensive videos and photos and used the usernames 'Monster' and 'Cerberus' - known as the three-headed hound of hell in Greek mythology.

'He is a psychopath,' Erin said.

'He doesn't have any consciousness of what is right or wrong, I feel like I've lost so much of my life and I feel like I've been completely duped.

'I'm angry and I'm upset and there's nothing I could have done, it's very disturbing.'

The distraught ex-wife has instead used Britton's horrific acts as motivation to 'fight harder' for animal rights.

'There's quite a sense of energy about me, of fury. I will do something with my life, and that's fight for wildlife, fight for animals,' she said.

'(This) just does not represent who I am and I know that I'll fight harder with every endeavour I do.

'If there's such darkness in the world, then there also has to be light, and I believe we have to fight for the good things.'

Daily Mail Australia earlier revealed details from a 42-page document from NT Chief Justice Michael Grant about Britton's privileged childhood which was marred by his depraved sexual fantasies - such as sneaking into paddocks at the age of ten to hug horses and eat their hair.

Britton told court-appointed psychologists he was chronically depressed before he started making home movies of himself raping, torturing and murdering dogs at the age of 49.

Adam Britton (pictured with his ex-wife) was jailed for more than 10 years

He also falsely claimed similar twisted perverts online, where he posted on Telegram, threatened to expose him if he didn't create the content they requested.

Britton also tried to tell psychologists that he exaggerated his offending for the benefit of his online friends.

But the judge ruled those arguments out. He said there was no evidence to suggest Britton was depressed - he did not tell anyone about it, he didn't write it down, nor did he seek medical help.

The judge also said there was no evidence to suggest Britton was blackmailed by Telegram users.

He said it was evident from the fact that he described his torture videos in great detail to his online friends - while saying things like, 'I just love hurting dogs'.

The sentencing remarks also outlined Britton's lifelong struggle with the socio-sexual disorder, paraphelia and zoosadism.

Britton was never attracted to humans and struggled to have proper relationships with women when he was a university student in Hong Kong and the UK. He had two female partners, but they were not sexual relationships.

After graduation, the judge said he had a 'brief' sexual relationship with a woman who worked in the animal industry.

Britton also tendered to the court a short, hand-written apology detailing his struggles with paraphelia, for which he was too ashamed to seek help.

Pictured is the now abandoned compound where Britton carried out his obscene acts

The apology read: 'I take full responsibility for the demeaning crimes I perpetrated on dogs. I deeply regret pain and trauma that I caused to innocent animals, and consequently to my family, friends and members of the community I affected.

'I let you all down, and I'm truly sorry.

'I now acknowledge that I've been fighting a rare paraphilic disorder for much of my life, and that shame and fear prevented me from seeking the proper help I needed.'

Britton said he was determined to seek long-term treatment to prove he was better than his horrific crimes, and to 'find a path towards redemption'.

'Please give my family the space they deserve to heal. They were not aware or involved in any way,' he added.

Britton will never be allowed to own a pet again.
Fire chiefs have issued an urgent warning to e-bike owners after a lithium battery exploded and caused a fire to rip through a house within seconds.

Flames engulfed a property in Leicester yesterday evening after the lithium battery in an e-bike overheated.

Dramatic pictures posted on Facebook showcase the charred remains of the e-bike and the staircase of the property.

One person was rescued from the first floor of the house and no one was killed, firefighters confirmed.

But they warned e-bike owners to allow the battery to cool completely before using the correct charger and to never leave the device unattended.

Dramatic pictures posted on Facebook show the charred remains of the e-bike which caused the house fire in Leicestershire as well as the burned out staircase

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service warned that a lithium-ion battery fire can take mere seconds to rip through a property

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Green Watch attended a house fire on Saturday involving an e-bike which was on charge.

'One person was successfully rescued from the first floor. Great team work alongside colleagues from Western, Eastern and Wigston stations.

'It takes seconds for a lithium-ion battery fire to spread.'

E-bike battery fires increased by 70 per cent in 2023, with 270 lithium-powered machines burning in the last year.

Fire and rescue services responded to 48 per cent more blazes from all lithium ion battery-powered devices last year than in 2022.

Serious incidents include a bike that burst into flames at Sutton station in south London during the rush hour a couple of months ago.

The two wheeler set alight on a station platform on March 21 at 5pm.

Another horror incident involving an e-bike with a faulty battery saw a whole home engulfed in flames in Caerphilly, south Wales.

The family and their four dogs managed to escape to safety, but their home was left destroyed by the inferno.

A third of lithium ion battery related fires started in e-bikes, of which 160,000 were sold in the UK in 2021, the Telegraph reported.

But dangerous e-bike fires have been reported further afield than the UK.

Gut-wrenching CCTV footage captured the moment two backpackers narrowly escaped being incinerated by an exploding e-bike at a hostel in Sydney.

While in Mexico a man was seen trying to use Coca-Cola to put out a fire on his cargo bike.

A serious fire involving an e-bike on a platform at Sutton station, south London in March

One incident saw a whole home in Caerphilly, south Wales burnt to a crisp due to a fire started by an e-bike with a faulty battery

In February Ian Potter, assistant coroner for Inner North London, issued a warning over the lack of regulation on e-bike conversions and the potential risk of fires, which are caused by a build up of heat when charging.

It came after a pensioner, Bobby Lee, 74, died in a house fire caused by an overcharged battery.

Coroner, Mr Potter, warned that batteries sold in e-bike conversion kits are often 'significantly inferior quality and construction' in comparison to the ones installed on purpose built electrical bikes.

He said: 'There is currently no British or European standard specific to e-bike conversion kits and/or chargers and consequently:

'It is relatively easy for people to buy, particularly from online marketplaces, e-bike conversion kits and/or lithium-ion batteries that are not of sufficient quality or otherwise not of an appropriate standard to charge safely.

'There is an increased risk of people mixing and matching lithium-ion batteries with chargers that carry a different voltage rating.

'It is clear to me though that there is a substantial existing, ongoing and future risk of further deaths while it continues to be the case that there are no, or insufficient, controls and/or standards governing the sale in the UK of lithium-ion batteries and chargers for electric powered personal vehicles and e-bike conversion kits.'

Mr Potter has written to the Chief Executive Officer of the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) warning about the dangers of charging e-bikes.

Firefighters tackle a blaze at the home of Bobby Lee, 74, who later died as a result of 'severe burn injuries' and the inhalation of 'toxic smoke' in August 2023

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recovered this burnt out e-bike after it caught fire in a building in August 2023

Aside from concerns over the risk of fires caused by the batteries that power them, there have also been warnings over the safety of the public when e-bikes are used by carless riders.

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, which pose a lethal threat to their riders and pedestrians.

This was demonstrated to frightening effect when pedestrian Sakine Cihan, 56, was knocked down and killed by a rider who had been travelling at 30mph in London in 2018.

City of London Police confiscated 295 e-bikes between August 2023 and 2024 - more than any other force that provided data - although they were unable issue a total for the previous 12 months and therefore were not included in the overall figures.

The force recently seized one e-bike capable of reaching 70mph, which featured an electronic display indicating it had covered more than 6,000 miles.

Twenty-seven out of 46 police forces provided data in response to several 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.

E-bikes are also regularly being used by criminals to snatch people's phones whilst walking along the street.

A member of the City of London Police Cycle Team takes part in a police operation to confiscate illegally modified ebikes near Bishopsgate Police Station in London

Sakine Cihan (pictured) died after being knocked down by an e-bike rider in London in 2018

E-bikes are regularly being used by criminals to snatch people's phones out of their hands whilst walking along the street, including this instance

Shocking dashcam footage from last year showed one brazen thief using an e-bike as a getaway vehicle after snatching a man's phone as he waited for the pedestrian crossing in South Kensington.

Another video shows a man obliviously taking photos in central London when all of a sudden a thief motors past on an e-bike and takes the phone from his grasp.

Acting Sergeant Chris Hook, who is part of the leadership team within the force's 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 they're ideal for riders to come in, take the phone and get away before the victim knows what's happened.'
One person is dead and two others are injured after a triple stabbing attack in Clapham early this morning.

Paramedics rushed to the scene in Wandsworth Road on the Clapham and Battersea border shortly after 4am this morning.

London Ambulance Service says one victim died at the scene, while another was urgently rushed to hospital.

Wandsworth Road remains closed between Queenstown Road and Lambourn Road while emergency services attend the incident and a police cordon is in place.

One person has been killed and two others are injured after a triple stabbing attack in Clapham early this morning

Wandsworth Road remains closed between Queenstown Road and Lambourn Road while emergency services attend the incident and a police cordon is in place

Traffic between Clapham Junction station and Clapham Old Town has been affected - with three London bus routes diverted.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 4:07am today to reports of a incident in Wandsworth Road.

'We sent a number of resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, paramedics in fast response cars, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and London's Air Ambulance.

'Our crews treated three people at the scene. Sadly, despite the best effort of emergency services, one person died at the scene. One person was conveyed to a major trauma centre and another was conveyed to hospital.'
Seeing the young girl standing at the gloomy side of a remote Brazilian motorway, Matt Roper's first instinct was to stop and ask if she needed help.

It was 1.20am and the waif-like girl looked lost and alone, and - just inches from trucks rolling past - in real and imminent danger.

But the British journalist - on the last day of a road trip with a friend - was about to find out the harrowing truth, and it would change his life forever.

Eleven-year-old Leilah was selling her body to passing truckers. And far from needing to be reunited with her worried parents, they were back home waiting for their young daughter to arrive with the money they had sent her out to earn.

Each thing the girl told them hit him 'like a hammer blow,' writes Matt in his new book, Before The Night Comes, which is out now.

How truckers would throw her out of their cabin when they had finished with her, how she got picked up five or six times a night, how she never charged less than 25 reals, or 5 - the price she tragically thought she was worth.

BR-116 is a federal route of highways of Brazil and the longest highway in the country stretching for 2822 miles

Eleven-year-old Leilah (pictured) was selling her body to passing truckers on the notorious highway

British journalist Matt Roper speaking to the girls as he researches the exploitation on the BR-116

A young Brazilian girl walks towards a truck on the BR-116 where girls are abused and forced into prostitution

'The last moments were the worst of them all,' Matt remembers. 'I told her to go home, that she was worth more than she could ever imagine, that she deserved so much more.

'Just leaving a vulnerable child, who we now knew was in so much danger and might not even make it home at all, out there on a dark highway went against every instinct we had.'

Matt drove off along the BR-116 motorway - a merciless 2,700-mile stretch of road cutting through some of Brazil's poorest regions - in a state of shock and disbelief.

And as he investigated further and discovered there were thousands of girls like Leilah and even younger being cruelly bought and sold along the notorious highway, he decided to document their plight - then do something to help them.

Today, 13 years since that chance encounter in January 2011, the projects he has set up in towns blighted by child prostitution work with over 500 girls like Leilah every day and have saved hundreds from abuse and exploitation.

The five 'Pink Houses' situated along the highway offer the girls a place of safety and friendship, using dance and other activities to help girls discover their inner strength, worth and potential.

Beginning that night, today his charity, Meninadanca, is known throughout Brazil and was last year named as one of the country's ten most innovative social projects, using dance and the arts to empower and enrich vulnerable girls' lives.

Significantly, one of Brazil's biggest haulage firms has also got involved, supporting one of its Pink Houses and training up its army of 7,000 truck drivers to be the girls' 'agents of protection' on the highway.

And last year the charity's work was even showcased in the Houses of Parliament when a group of girls from the Pink Houses performed a dance musical in front of MPs and VIPs.

Matt taking a selfie with a group of girls who joined one of his Pink Houses to find safety

Matt with Lorene who is one of the workers at his charity, Meninadanca, which helps the girls

Girls in front of Pink House Medina which is one of the five 'Pink Houses' situated along the highway

Rany, Moany and Maluiza performing their dance musical in the UK for MPs and VIPs

The dance group at the Pink House Medina pose for a picture together with beaming smiles

The Pink Houses offer the girls a place of safety and friendship, using dance and other activities to help girls discover their inner strength, worth and potential

It is something Matt admits he couldn't have imagined as he stood on the side of the motorway that night, hearing Leilah talk about the horrific reality of her life.

'She spoke quite matter-of-factly, as if it had been drummed into her that what she did was normal for any girl her age,' he recalls.

'It was heartbreaking, but I wanted to know why I'd never heard or read about this. Was she the only girl, or were there more? I imagined it might make a shocking investigative story, but never the tragedy that I found.

'Every small town I went to I found hundreds of girls, some as young as ten, trapped in a life of sexual exploitation, often pushed into it by their own families, while all around them everyone either encouraging it or turning a blind eye to it. These girls had no-one to protect them or even tell them it was wrong.

'I later came across a Brazilian government report in the motorway which had been quietly released, which had identified 262 places along the BR-116 where children were known to be sold for sex - that's one, on average, every ten miles. It was clearly the worst road in Brazil for child sexual exploitation, and probably the world. Yet no-one had heard about it.'

A year after meeting Leilah, Matt gave up his job and moved with his family to Brazil, initially thinking he would document the plight of girls like her.

But after seeing many of them quickly fall into the hands of traffickers or drug gangs, or go missing after taking a truck on the motorway, the charity opened its first Pink House in Medina, a town on the BR-116 in the north of Brazil's state of Minas Gerais.

Matt saw many of the girls quickly fall into the hands of traffickers or drug gangs, or go missing after taking a truck on the motorway

Matt crouched down speaking to some of the girls on the street who were victims of abuse on the highway

Girls pose together in their matching T-shirts outside a Pink House in Ponto dos Volantes

Some of the young girls pictured with charity workers at the Pink House in Ponto dos Volantes

Matt says: 'The idea was to create a safe space where girls could find people who cared for them and who they could trust.

'We envisaged it as place where inside was the opposite of everything they lived on the outside, where they heard positive and affirming messages, be empowered to live differently and overcome their traumas.

'That's why the focus of the houses is dance. It's what so many girls I spoke to told me they loved the most, and it is a really powerful way of bringing hope.

'Often when the girls walk into the Pink House dance studios for the first time and see themselves in the mirror they run out straight away, their self-esteem and confidence is so low. But as they learn to dance and start to see how they are capable of producing something beautiful and powerful, their lives are transformed.'

Girls whose stories are told in Before The Night Comes include Bia, who Matt first met in a roadside brothel aged 13.

Abused as an initiation into prostitution before puberty, she was put to work on the motorway by her own mother aged just ten, when she also feel pregnant. By the time the charity found her, selling her body was all she ever knew.

Bia started coming along to the first Pink House in Medina, and quickly found the love and affection she had always craved. Against the odds, she found the strength and motivation to change and today works as a beauty salon teacher in the Pink House, persuading other girls to strive for a different life.

Matt's book describes an emotional moment when de discovers that Bia was the girl he thought he had missed the chance to rescue, only to find out that the Pink House team of women had bee showing her the love and care she needed for many months.

Matt Roper's book Before The Night Comes details the story of finding and helping the girls

Girls in Medina on protest march against the exploitation, abuse and prostitution of young girls

In Medina, the father of one girl was jailed for 47 years for abusing her. The charity also successfully hauled an abuse ring comprising of outwardly respectable local businessmen before the courts

Matt was shocked to find a local culture around the BR-116 in which people thought sending their daughters to make money on the motorway was normal and acceptable

Remembering how her life has changed, she says: 'Sexual exploitation was part of my life since the very beginning of it. My alcoholic mother used to send me to sell my body on the motorway from the age of 10. She would beat me if I didn't come home with enough money.

'When a truck driver got me pregnant I was so young I didn't even know what being pregnant was.

'Just when I thought there was no point in living anymore the Pink House found me. It became the light that illuminated my path. I would always start crying when it was close to leaving time because that place had become my safe place, my home and my family.

'Today I live a healthy life, I earn my own money with dignity and I'll never let my daughter suffer like I did. I'm very thankful, because if Meninadanca hadn't entered into my life I'm sure I wouldn't be here today. Today I can finally say that I am happy.'

But as Matt got to know the impoverished region, he was increasingly shocked to find a local culture around the BR-116 in which people thought sending their daughters to make money on the motorway was normal and acceptable.

In one case he found that mother of two sisters aged 11 and 13 had been paying her rent by handing over the eldest to be abused by her landlord once a month.

'I'd often hear mentioned how someone had taken their daughter or niece on a trip with them, inferring hat it was so they didn't need to pay for the ride, or could exchange her for money or food. Mothers grumbling about how disappointed they were with their daughters, not because they hadn't done their schoolwork, but because they weren't bringing home as much money as they were expected to,' he writes.

Yet when Matt and the Meninadanca team tried to stand up for the girls, they were often met with indifference or even hostility, as well as local authorities, police and a justice system which turned a blind eye to child abuse and exploitation.

Hiring a team of lawyers, they began to bring the girls' abusers before the courts, once even filing a lawsuit against an entire town for failing to protect one girl who was being viciously exploited by prostitution and drugs gangs.

In Medina, the father of one girl was jailed for 47 years for abusing her. The charity also successfully hauled an abuse ring comprising of outwardly respectable local businessmen before the courts.

Girls at one of the Pink Houses along the highway gather in a circle to talk in a safe space

When Matt and the Meninadanca team tried to stand up for the girls, they were often met with indifference or even hostility, as well as local authorities, police and a justice system which turned a blind eye to child abuse and exploitation

Hiring a team of lawyers, they began to bring the girls' abusers before the courts, once even filing a lawsuit against an entire town for failing to protect one girl who was being viciously exploited by prostitution and drugs gangs

In one case he found that mother of two sisters aged 11 and 13 had been paying her rent by handing over the eldest to be abused by her landlord once a month

Matt says: 'More girls started to open up, telling us about things that were happening to them that they never dared tell anyone'

Girls posed together looking happy and safe in one of the Pink Houses in Candido Sales

With each court victory, the intrenched attitudes in the towns began to change.

Matt says: 'More girls started to open up, telling us about things that were happening to them that they never dared tell anyone.

'And because of everything they were absorbing at the Pink House, they were increasingly empowered and sure of their rights, wanting to go out tell people that they need to see and treat girls differently. All of the Pink Houses now do regular outdoor performances in which the girls themselves send a powerful message to their towns, demanding that the local culture of exploitation changes.'

One significant moment came last October, when three girls, Rany, 13, Moany, 14, and Maluiza, 15, took that message to the Houses of Parliament. Choreographed themselves, their dance, called Stones & Flowers, tells the story of childhoods robbed on the motorway and hope arriving when all seemed lost. The girls are returning to tour the UK with the dance musical next month.

Matt, who has plans to set up more Pink Houses along the BR-116, says: 'Thinking back to the day I met Leilah on that dark night, it was incredible to see those girls dancing so beautifully and confidently in the British parliament. For years they were known as the invisible girls, because nobody saw them or listened to them, but at last they were finally being seen and heard, by the people with the power and influence to bring about lasting change.'
A Labor insider has claimed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was set up to look foolish amid scrutiny over rumoured changes to negative gearing.

Lobbyist Cameron Milner - who was once former Labor leader Bill Shorten's chief-of-staff - claims the leaked story that Treasury was considering negative gearing tax changes 'was a very well-placed political hit on the PM'.

Milner claims the leak to Nine newspapers journalist James Massola was carefully timed to come out when Treasurer Jim Chalmers was on a 10-hour plane trip to China, while other senior Labor ministers were also abroad leaving Mr Albanese completely exposed.

'The PM is never good under pressure, even the slightest of pressure,' Milner wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

'Labor MPs watched on in horror as the PM slipped and slided, then snarled and chided reporters for the impunity of asking about yet another broken Albo promise.'

When Mr Albanese took over as Labor leader from Mr Shorten, he said changes to negative gearing were off the table.

In interviews last week, Mr Albanese was asked repeatedly if Labor would consider changes to negative gearing, and he repeatedly tried to dodge the question which led to some heated confrontations with interviewers.

In a particularly testy interview, Sky News anchor Peter Stefanovic accused Mr Albanese of previously 'lying' about not changing the promised Stage Three Tax Cuts, which the government altered at the start of this year.

Lobbyist Cameron Milner - who was once former Labor leader Bill Shorten's chief-of-staff - claims the leaked story that Treasury was considering negative gearing tax changes 'was a very well-placed political hit on the PM' (pictured is Treasurer Jim Chalmers and wife Laura)

With his fixed grin rapidly fading, Mr Albanese told Stefanovic the promise was broken because there was a 'massive change of circumstances' with a cost of living crisis, adding 'hopefully you have noticed'.

In another sour interview, Mr Albanese accused Radio National host Patricia Karvelas of asking 'not terribly clever questions' when she queried the government's negative gearing plans.

'The PM was a disaster as he melted before our eyes. He kept using the 'not our policy, not my plan' language when previously he had been able to rule out the negative gearing change unequivocally,' Milner wrote.

Milner claimed the 'political hit job' went better than expected, and in turn Dr Chalmers 'looked like a leader on the world stage'.

He claimed the 'clincher' and the 'clearest sign it was all planned' was that Dr Chalmers let Mr Albanese 'twist and turn in the breeze' for a full 48 hours before confirming he had indeed requested a review of negative gearing.

Dr Chalmers on Wednesday said his department was examining possible policy changes including negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount.

Milner claimed the 'political hit job' on Mr Albanese went better than expected, and in turn Dr Chalmers 'looked like a leader on the world stage'

'Treasury looks at all kinds of policy options all of the time,' he told reporters.

'It's not unusual for the public service, and in my case my department, to examine issues that are being speculated about in the public or in the Parliament, that's how a good public service operates.'

On his two-day trip Dr Chalmers announced China was lifting bans on importing Australian lobster and was implementing a stimulus package that would benefit Australian mining exports.

'Chalmers looked like a leader on the world stage this week, while back home Albanese just looked like a liar,' Milner wrote.

Mr Shorten's plan to get rid of negative gearing contributed to him losing the 'unloseable election' to Scott Morrison in 2019 and the issue remains a sore point with many in Labor.

Negative gearing policies allow property investors to claim tax deductions when the costs of owning and maintaining their investment properties, such as loan interest and maintenance expenses, exceed the rental income they earn from them.

This tax benefit can reduce the property investor's taxable income and is used by investors to lower their tax bills.
Senior members of the British Army joked about the murder of a Kenyan mother with her alleged killer, it has been claimed.

Agnes Wanjiru, 21, was last seen alive with British troops at a hotel in Nanyuki in March 2012, before her mutilated naked body was found with stab wounds dumped in a septic tank three months later near an army base.

Soldiers who took part in the drunken and debauched night of group sex with local prostitutes said they were shown her body that evening by her alleged killer, known as Soldier X, it has previously been reported.

A British soldier, known as Soldier Z, claims the identity of Agnes' murderer is widely known and one senior member of the force would even joke with her killer saying: 'OK [Soldier X] no strangling people this weekend.'

The sickening revelation is made in a new ITV documentary The Base: A British Army Scandal which airs tonight at 10.20pm.

Agnes Wanjiru, 21, was last seen alive with British troops at a hotel in Nanyuki in March 2012, before her mutilated naked body was found with stab wounds dumped in a septic tank three months later near an army base.

Agnes was last seen leaving a bar at the Lions Court Lodge (pictured) with a British soldier in 2012

Members of Soldier X's regiment allege the name of her killer was an open secret, with five different soldiers identifying the same person to the Sunday Times.

An inquest was held in Kenya in 2019 in which a judge ruled the mother was 'murdered by British soldiers' but no subsequent action was taken by the army.

Soldier Z served in Kenya with the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment in 2012 and left in April that year, a month after Agnes' killing.

He says in the documentary the murder was an 'ongoing joke' and he remembered being in his army camp when Sky News that British troops were being linked with her death, reported The Sunday Times.

'I remember everyone watching it,' Soldier Z said. 'I think Soldier X might have even been there when it came on the news.'

The defence secretary, John Healey, has said he will meet Wanjirus family.

British troops were banned under the previous government of paying for sex. But further allegations emerge in the documentary that soldiers had flouted the rules and continued to do so.

It hears from previous Defence Secretary Ben Wallace who says: 'I was very clear, in my time as secretary of state, that the use of brothels by soldiers had to stop.'

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation into the new allegations that soldiers were using sex workers in Kenya.

An MoD spokeswoman said: 'We take these allegations extremely seriously, and the army will launch an inquiry into the conduct of those who have been deployed to Kenya.

General Mark Carleton-Smith, then head of the army, said in October 2021 he was 'determined' to support Kenyan local authorities to 'establish the facts as quickly as possible'

'We expect the highest standards from our personnel, are committed to preventing sexual exploitation in any form and, through our zero-tolerance policies, will hold to account anyone found to be involved.'

In May this year, a landmark parliamentary public inquiry in Kenya heard allegations of human rights violations by British troops.

The inquiry was largely sparked by Agnes' brutal killing and heard claims that the British army's Batuk base and Kenyan authorities were involved in a 'cover up', reported the BBC.

Ms Wanjiru's niece Esther Njoki told one of the hearings: 'We want closure, we are demanding justice.'

General Mark Carleton-Smith, then head of the army, said in October 2021 he was 'determined' to support Kenyan local authorities to 'establish the facts as quickly as possible'.

Another soldier, known as Soldier Y, recalled in 2021 Soldier X bursting into the bar where the other soldiers were partying and appeared visibly distressed, saying: 'Help me, help me.... I've killed her'.

He then escorted a group of them to the septic tank behind one of the hotel's lodges where he opened the lid and showed the young mother's body.

Soldier Y says he returned to the bar and told others about what he'd seen before the evening was cut short by RMP who turned up and scolded the soldiers for sneaking out of their base.

He claims that when he returned to camp, he told senior officers about what had happened at the hotel while Soldier X remained silent.

Rose Wanyua, sister to Agnes Wanjiru, shows journalists pictures of her sister at her home in Majengo Slums in Nanyuki in Kenya in 2021

He said: 'Everyone. All the lads, all the senior command that were there. I went to higher up, hierarchy, people that should have dealt with it. I got called a liar. They basically just said, 'Shut up and get out.''

Another in the regiment, Soldier Z, said Soldier X told colleagues he had killed Agnes by accident during sex after choking her.

The belief that it was an accident may have led to other soldiers keeping quiet about the incident because of the 'code of silence' in the army.

It later transpired that Agnes had been stabbed to death, and she also suffered blunt force injury to her chest and her lungs had collapsed.

Soldier Z said: 'We thought she choked during sex, that it was an accident. That's completely different from stabbing someone to death and putting them in a septic tank.'
The suspected killer of a California woman who was found strangled to death in her bedroom has finally appeared in court more than three decades later.

Alfredo Hernandez, 66, is accused of killing his on-again off-again girlfriend Terri Bistodeau, then 39, at her home in the Emerald Hills neighborhood of San Diego on August 4, 1991.

Prosecutors said he was arrested 3,000 miles away from the crime scene in El Salvador in 2021 after the country accepted an extradition request from the US.

He was arraigned in California court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to murder.

Hernandez was connected to the killing by DNA and fingerprint evidence left at Bistodeau's home on Geneva Avenue, according to police.

The suspected killer of California woman Terri Bistodeau (pictured), who was found strangled to death in her bedroom in 1991, has finally been arrested more than three decades later

Alfredo Hernandez (pictured), 66, is accused of killing his on-again off-again girlfriend Terri Bistodeau, then 39, at her home in San Diego

Bistodeau was discovered strangled to death at her home (pictured) on Geneva Avenue in the Emerald Hills neighborhood of San Diego in August 1991. A suspect has finally been arrested

Deputy District Attorney Chris Lindberg said Hernandez had been a suspect at the time of the killing, but there was insufficient evidence to arrest him.

The case went cold for three decades as subsequent attempts to refresh the investigation in 2002 and 2006 hit dead ends.

But the use of modern DNA testing in 2019 led to a breakthrough, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's office.

Lindberg said Hernandez twice admitted to killing Bistodeau when interviewed by investigators following his arrest, according to NBC San Diego.

The suspect could face life behind bars in state prison if convicted.

He remains in custody without bail following Thursday's court appearance.

Bistodeau was discovered strangled to death at her home on Geneva Avenue in the Emerald Hills neighborhood of San Diego in August 1991. A suspect has finally been arrested

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan released a statement about the long-awaited arrest this week.

'The family and friends of Terri Bistodeau have waited 33 years for the moment when her killer was linked to the crime through DNA evidence and returned to San Diego to finally face justice,' she said.
A couple who got engaged after meeting on a delayed cruise have shown off their matching tattoos after being 'marooned' together for four months.

The worldwide voyage of the Villa Vie Odyssey, which hopes to set sail this week, has been long set back - leaving its guests stuck exploring Northern Ireland instead.

Cruisegoers could rent rooms for between 35 and 120 days, or purchase villas ranging from 90,000 to 260,000.

Owning a villa on board guarantees the room for a minimum of 15 years, but the ownership stays valid for the entire operation of the ship.

However, the start of the dream stay boasting an 'ever changing backyard' was delayed for four months due to unexpected repair works, meaning the cruise ship has been stranded in Belfast.

Gian Perroni, from Vancouver in Canada, and Angie Harsanyi, from Colorado in the US, first met in Belfast four months ago having bought cabins on the ship.

They previously told MailOnline how they fell in love with Belfast, and each other, and have now received matching trinity knot tattoos.

Gian Perroni, from Vancouver in Canada , and Angie Harsanyi, from Colorado in the US, first met in Belfast four months ago having bought cabins on the ship

The pair are seen on the Lagan Weir, near where Gian proposed to Angie earlier this month

They previously told MailOnline how they fell in love with Belfast, and each other, and have now received matching trinity knot tattoos

The couple have gone for a pink engagement ring rather than a more traditional clear diamond

Mr Perroni said the two are 'made for each other', adding: 'We found our soulmates.'

With love blossoming in Northern Ireland, the pair recently announced their engagement following a proposal on the Lagan Weir Bridge under a supermoon.

Ms Harsanyi, who says she loves Mr Perroni from the bottom of her heart, added: 'I can't imagine spending another day of my life without him.'

On being unexpected waylaid in Northern Ireland, Mr Perroni quipped: 'I don't think we'd consider it stranded as much as ... marooned?'

He said the Villa Vie Residences company has been 'great and diligent' in making sure the vessel is safe and ready, as well as covering their expenses during the extended shore excursion.

'We've all had the opportunity to travel and go home as needed. So we've learned patience and perseverance - and learned how wonderful the people of Belfast have been.'

Ms Harsanyi said visiting Belfast for the first time has been 'absolutely lovely', with the pair, who got matching tattoos to commemorate their time in the city, almost ready to start giving their own tours after soaking up the central area.

'We enjoy the people, the pubs, the architecture, and a lot of the nature around here.

The Odyssey, a US cruise liner operated by Villa Vie Residences, docked at Harland & Wolf ship repair facility in Belfast Harbour on August 30

Captain the Cruising Kitty (pictured) is travelling on the ship with his owner

The pair believe they are soulmates after meeting in Belfast when the cruise ship suffered engine problems

The couple are happily engaged after meeting just weeks ago in Belfast

'The hospitality and the kindness has been awesome.'

Mr Perroni, who is half Irish, said they have been able to travel around Northern Ireland to destinations like the Giant's Causeway: 'I don't think we could have picked a better place to end up. It is always going to be close to our heart.'

However, he admits: 'We've enjoyed the pubs - my liver is crying a little bit.'

Ms Harsanyi, who is also travelling with her sister, is looking forward to the cruise's community outreach programme around the world.

Mr Perroni, who has spent the last six years in Costa Rica, said the idea of the cruise 'really struck a chord' with him. He is able to continue his work on board 'while seeing the world'.

The ship's captain will marry the new couple as part of a 'gigantic wedding' on board in April, between Costa Rica and Panama.

Also waiting to board, Florida native Holly Hennessy said passengers were informed over the weekend that the ship has passed all certifications.

'It was an arduous four-month process but we get to board on Monday and then we get to perpetually sail around the world.'

She reflects fondly on her time in Belfast: 'What you lack in warmth of temperature, the people make up for. 'It has been a remarkable experience.'

As for the delay, she believes the cruise will be 'worth the wait.'

The luxury cruise liner includes cabins that are worth between $92,000 and $920,000

Holly Hennessy, of Florida, (pictured) has enjoyed her stay in Belfast with her cat Captain the Cruising Kitty

She paid 329,000 US dollars (275,000) for her balcony mini-suite: 'I'm going to be incredibly comfortable.'

She added: 'When I see her (the Odyssey), my heart goes pitter-patter. I have a genuine affection for this ship.'

Ms Hennessy said the experience on board will be 'an actual community'. At her side is her yachting companion, Captain 'the cruising kitty'.

The Siamese cat is used to life on deck, having spent every winter of his eight-year life on a boat.

However, Ms Hennessy knows that hotels are not always accommodating of pets.

Therefore, as part of what she describes as a 'generosity of spirit' in the city, she said the Europa Hotel and others have been 'heroes' by creating exceptions for Captain.

'I'm abundantly grateful for what could have been a much worse situation for me - and Captain!'

The cat has made friends all over Belfast, even being invited to the Lord Mayor's office.

Ms Hennessy, who said Belfast was her favourite part of the island when she last toured Ireland five years, said her shipmates are renting out three 'beer bikes' as part of their last full day in the city.

'We are going to make a grand statement saying goodbye to Belfast!'
Arizona's Democratic leaders were recorded on a secret call worried about a shocking discovery that could see them accused of rigging the upcoming election and question the results of the last two.

'When this goes public, it is going to have all of the conspiracy theorists in the globe  in the world  coming back to re-litigate the past three elections, at least in Arizona,' Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs said on the call, a recording of which was obtained by The Washington Post.

As they game planned scenarios on how to respond, it became apparent it was about 100,000 Republican voters who would be affected, to the betterment of Democrats.

'If we do what you're talking about, we're talking about disenfranchising probably tens of thousands of Republican voters,' Democratic Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said.

The state leadership held the crisis call after learning tens of thousands of residents had been registered to vote for decades, even though there was no record they had provided proof of citizenship, which is required under Arizona law.

'When this goes public, it is going to have all of the conspiracy theorists in the globe  in the world  coming back to re-litigate the past three elections, at least in Arizona,' Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs said

The revelation could have resulted in thousands of voters being thrown off the ballot, multiple lawsuits on the issue and many questions about the legitimacy of the results in Arizona - a key state that could decide the winner of November's presidential election.

It turns out to be a problem that had gone unaddressed for 20 years.

In 2004, Arizona passed a law requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship to vote. However, about 10 years later the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a federal law that prevented the state from requiring proof of citizenship to vote for president and other federal offices.

In order to comply with the new federal ruling, Arizona adopted a dual-registration system.

Those who provided proof of citizenship receive full ballots that include local, state and federal races. Those who did not received ballots with only races for federal offices.

But a discovery this month revealed tens of thousands of voters had been marked as eligible to receive full ballots even though there was no record of them having provided citizenship documents.

And that led to the Democrats' dilemma: Changing these people's voting status risked disenfranchising legitimate voters six weeks before the election. Letting them vote as they had in the past could violate the law.

Originally, state leaders worried the problem affected about 148,000 voters.

But the final tally ended up being about 98,000 - nearly of whom leaned Republican and nearly all of them appeared to be citizens.

Hobbs argued one way to deal with the politically explosive situation was to give these voters only the ballots with the federal races.

But Mayes, the attorney general, and Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes argued they couldn't disenfranchise so many voters this close to the election.

Fontes also pointed out federal law bars states from making massive changes to their voter registration lists fewer than 90 days before an election.

Mayes noted that trying to get the proper proof of citizenship into the system would be a logistical nightmare.

'Think about all of the 82-year-olds in wheelchairs who are not going to be able to make it to the polls and sure as hell aren't going to, like, be able to find their f***ing driver's licenses or birth certificates in time,' she said.

'If we do what you're talking about, we're talking about disenfranchising probably tens of thousands of Republican voters,' she said.

In the 2020 contest Arizona was ground zero for conspiracy theories - above a hand recount in Maricopa county looked for proof of Chinese electioninterference by searching for bamboo in the paper ballots

In addition to the presidential race, voters in Arizona will also decide on a constitutional amendment to ensure a woman's right to an abortion and decide which party controls the state legislator.

Mayes, the attorney general, worried that their Democratic trio would be accused of disenfranchising Republicans to gain an advantage in those contests.

'We can't do that,' she said.

Fontes, the secretary of state, summed it up: 'They're going to beat us up no matter what the hell we do, no matter what the hell we say.'

And the bigger problem was faith in the system.

'It's going to validate all of their theories about illegal voting in our elections, even though we all know that's not true,' Hobbs, the governor, fretted on the call, according to The Washington Post.

Mayes worried about the outcome if they removed the voters from the ballot: 'The reality is that if we let this happen, all of these elections are challengeable. They're going to be calling for a new election.'

Hobbs replied: 'They're going to be calling for new 2020 and '22 elections as well.'

The leaders came up with a solution: a friendly lawsuit to give them legal cover.

The state announced computer issues at the division of motor vehicle brought about the glitch, which had been fixed.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, a Republican, sued Fontes. The state Supreme Court ruled the voters' eligibility to cast full ballots should remain in place.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (left) and Attorney General of Arizona Kris Mayes (right), both Democrats, were on the call with Gov. Katie Hobbs

Contractors working for Cyber Ninjas examine and recount ballots from the 2020 general election in Arizona

But the details from the call reveal how worried state leaders are about the November 5th election and the reaction to whatever the outcome may be.

Republicans are already laying the ground work to file lawsuits in several battleground states should Donald Trump lose, including in Arizona.

Arizona was ground zero for conspiracy theories and recounts in the 2020 contest where Trump falsely claimed the election was stolen from him.

Several counties conducted hand-count audits and found no evidence of voter fraud. An investigation into Maricopa County's ballots - which cost millions of dollars - found no proof of claims there Chinese ballots with paper containing bamboo.

At the time, Hobbs was the secretary of state and faced death threats as she oversaw the process. Fontes was the recorder for Maricopa County.

And several top Trump allies face charges in the state for their alleged actions in Arizona after the election. Mayes leads that prosecution.
Kemi Badenoch was forced to deny suggesting maternity pay is 'excessive' today as the Tory leader battle ramped up.

The shadow housing secretary came under furious attack from Labour after she was asked about the benefit during an interview at party conference this morning.

Ms Badenoch was arguing that businesses face too much red tape and the tax burden is too high when she was pressed on maternity pay.

'Maternity pay varies depending on who you work for, but it is a function, where it's statutory maternity pay. It is a function of tax,' she said.

In other developments as candidates mount their charm offensive on the Tory faithful today:

Robert Jenrick said the immigration system was at the top of his list to address if he wins the contest;

James Cleverly blamed 'constant infighting' and 'bickering' for the Tories' defeat and argued he had been a 'team player' in government;

Tom Tugendhat insisted his public school background was not a drawback to him being the next Tory leader;

Contenders have all weighed in behind Rosie Duffield after she quit Labour and slammed Keir Starmer over sleaze.

Kemi Badenoch was arguing that businesses face too much red tape and the tax burden is too high when she was pressed on maternity pay

There was a time when there wasn't any maternity pay and people were having more babies.@KemiBadenoch suggests statutory maternity pay is "excessive".@KateEMcCann | @AdamBoultonTABB pic.twitter.com/j21Vaw7nXN  Times Radio (@TimesRadio) September 29, 2024

Ms Badenoch posted a slightly fuller version of the clip online insisting she had not labelled maternity pay 'excessive'

Ms Badenoch and rival Robert Jenrick were both interviewed on the BBC this morning

Labour MPs gleefully seized on reporting of the comments from Ms Badenoch

'Tax comes from people who are working. We're taking from one group of people and giving to another. This in my view is excessive... the burden of regulation is too high...'

Pushed by presenter Kate McCann if she was saying maternity pay was 'excessive, Ms Badenoch seemed to continue making her point, saying: 'I think it's gone too far the other way in terms of general business regulation.

'We need to allow businesses, especially small businesses, to make more of their own decisions.

'The exact amount of maternity pay in my view is neither here nor there. We need to make sure that we are creating an environment where people can work and people can have more freedom to make their individual decisions.'

Ms Badenoch went on to say that mothers made choices based on all sorts of factors. She said: 'We need to have more personal responsibility. There was a time when there wasn't any maternity pay and people were having more babies...'

When McCann said that was 'because women often had to not work', the former Cabinet minister accused her of 'putting words in my mouth'.

'The point I'm making, Kate, is that we have got to a point where government isn't working anymore and it's tinkering everywhere,' she said.

'Me giving you an exact amount of what maternity pay should be when circumstances are different everywhere is not where we're starting from.'

Aides stressed that Ms Badenoch had not been trying to suggest maternity pay is too high, but had been referring to 'general business regulation'.

And post a slightly fuller video of the interview on X Ms Badenoch insisted: 'Contrary to what some have said, I clearly said the burden of regulation on businesses had gone too far of course I believe in maternity pay!

'Watch the clip for the truth. Back to conference'

Women who are employed and earn at least 123 a week are eligible for statutory maternity pay.

Mums are paid 90 per cent of their salary for six weeks, and then whichever is lower of 90 per cent of their salary or 184.03 a week for the next 33 weeks.

Many companies voluntarily offer more generous packages on top of the statutory payment.

Ms Badenoch, Mr Jenrick, Mr Cleverly and Mr Tugendhat are laying out their cases at the party's annual conference in Birmingham.

A survey of grass roots by ConservativeHome has underlined that Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are the favourites to take the crown from Rishi Sunak after his humiliating defeat at the election. But there are signs Mr Jenrick is whittling away his opponent's advantage.

They have both been focusing their fire on immigration - with Ms Badenoch claiming too many people with anti-Israel views have been allowed to migrate to Britain. She insisted that 'not all cultures are equal', suggesting child marriage and women's rights as topics that were non-negotiable.

'When you go to other countries they demand that you believe in it,' she told Sky News.

A survey of grass roots by ConservativeHome has underlined that Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are the favourites to take the crown from Rishi Sunak after his humiliating defeat at the election . But there are signs Mr Jenrick is whittling away his opponent's advantage

Ms Badenoch accused Kuenssberg of 'trying to get me to say' that the problem was Muslims coming to the UK

Mr Jenrick said the immigration system was at the top of his list to address if he wins the Tory contest

James Cleverly (pictured holding merchandise at conference today) blamed 'constant infighting' and 'bickering' for the Tories' defeat and argued he had been a 'team player' in government

Her combative stance was underlined in a separate interview with the BBC, where she accused Laura Kuenssberg of 'trying to get me to say' that the problem was Muslims coming to the UK.

Ms Badenoch also said she would 'congratulate' Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on strikes that killed the Hezbollah leadership in Beirut, and the country was showing 'moral clarity' in taking out 'terrorists'.

And she warned critics such as Doctor Who star David Tennant - with whom she rowed about trans rights: 'If you swing at me I will punch back.'

Describing her appeal to voters, Ms Badenoch said: 'I am something that is just different and unique.'
Sales of tumble dryers are decreasing as Brits turn to cheaper ways of drying their clothes such as dehumidifiers.

A study by Lakeland and Toolstation found that dehumidifier sales are rocketing, which implies Brits are looking for a cost-effective way of drying their clothes.

Just over half of the UK's 28million households own a tumble dryer but with running costs averaging 200-a-year, cash-strapped Brits are looking to make savings.

One of the most popular ways of drying clothes - apart from simply hanging them out to dry - is to put them by a humidifier, many of which have a 'laundry setting'.

The setting allows the dehumidifier - which pulls moisture out of the air - to run for a certain time at a certain temperature, before switching itself off when the clothes are dry.

A study found that Brits were using dehumidifiers rather than tumble dryers as they are cheaper to run (Stock Image)

Dehumidifiers cost just 5p-an-hour compared to around 85p-an-hour for a tumble dryer, making them 17 times cheaper to run amid a cost of living crisis (Stock Image)

It costs around 5p-an-hour, compared to around 85p-an-hour for a tumble dryer, making it 17 times cheaper to run.

Mum-of-three Carly Bunton, 43, of Stoke, said she had seen her energy bills plummet since ditching her tumble dryer for a dehumidifier last year.

She said: 'I got a smart meter installed last year and could see the difference as soon as I stopped using the tumble dryer.

'Sometimes I have very, very heavy loads of washing as my children are all teenagers, so it was costing a pretty penny to use the tumble dryer, which I've not used now for over a year.

'I've probably saved myself a few hundred quid - and I only paid 180 for the dehumidifier, so it's paid for itself already.'

Toolstation said it had seen sales of dehumidifiers - which also help homes get rid of mould as well as reduce dust in the air - triple in the past year.

Homewares firm Lakeland also revealed that sales of heated airers increased by 51 per cent in the past year (Stock Image)

A spokesman for the retailer said: 'They [dehumidifiers] are quickly becoming a must-have during the winter months.

'Many have a laundry function to help indoor drying of clothes, which has no doubt contributed to an increase in demand, and a subsequent drop in the number of people using tumble dryers.'

Homewares firm Lakeland also revealed that sales of heated airers had shot up by 51 per cent in the past year.

A Lakeland spokesperson said: 'Heated airers and dryers have become part of many people's routine.'
Toyota recalled thousands of its newer model vehicles over faulty brake pedal that can cause a crash.

The recall affects 42,000 Corolla Cross Hybrid vehicles in the United States produced from June 2022 to September 2024.

A software error in the skid control electronic control unit (ECU) may result in a loss of power brake assist when turning a corner, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

'In certain situations, during brake application when turning a corner, a driver may temporarily experience a hard brake pedal that can cause the stopping distance to be more than expected. This can increase the risk of a crash,' Toyota said.

Approximately 51,000 vehicles in North America are included in the recall and owners of the vehicles will be notified by late November 2024.

Toyota recalled 42,000 Corolla Cross Hybrid vehicles in the United States produced from June 2022 to September 2024 (Pictured: 2022 model)

The NHTSA said Toyota dealers will update the skid control ECU software, free of charge.

Earlier this month the automaker recalled 43,395 of its 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrids in the US after identifying a potential issue with the vehicles' tow hitches.

A tow hitch is a device on the rear of a car used to connect a trailer to the car in order to tow it.

'The subject vehicles are equipped with a resin tow hitch cover held in place by molded clips to the rear bumper,' Toyota explained.

'Due to the design of the attachment structure between the tow hitch cover and bumper, there may be insufficient retention of the cover.'

The covers on the tow hitches may therefore detach and become a road hazard while driving, increasing the chances of a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Toyota dealers will update the skid control ECU software, free of charge

The Japanese carmaker recalled more than 100,000 pickup trucks and Lexus cars in June.

Approximately 102,000 2022-23 Tundra and LX vehicles in the US over concerns dangerous machine debris may have been left in their engines during production.

The manufacturing fault occurred during the assembly process for the V35A-FTS engine where debris may not have been removed.

'During a specific production period, there is a possibility that engine machining debris of a particular size and amount may not have been cleared from the engine during manufacturing' the company explained.

The issue may cause the engine to knock, run rough, fail to start or lose power, it said in a statement.
Police are desperately hunting for two mental health patients who are on the run in London as the public are warned not to approach them.

Trevor St Martins, 56, absconded on September 14, while on an escorted visit to the shops from a mental health facility in Kingsbury.

Police attended the scene around 3pm and detectives have since made 'extensive' efforts to find him.

St Martins is described as 6ft tall and of medium build. When he escaped, he was wearing a black top, black jeans and a black hat.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Members of the public are advised not to approach him. For an immediate sighting call 999.'

Trevor St Martins, 56, absconded on September 14, while on an escorted visit to the shops from a mental health facility in Kingsbury

St Martins is described as 6ft tall and of medium build. When he escaped, he was wearing a black top, black jeans and a black hat

Terrence Mayes, 41, has been on the run since September 22 after he absconded from a secure mental facility in Southall, London

Mayes has links to Wembley, and it is thought likely that he will be in the west London or north-west London areas

The hunt comes as another dangerous mental health patient Terrence Mayes, 41, escaped from a secure facility.

Mayes has been on the run since September 22 after he absconded from a secure mental facility in Southall, London.

He had been detained at the facility under the Mental Health Act.

Despite an extensive investigation, officers have been unable to locate Mayes and are now appealing for the public's help.

He has links to Wembley, and it is thought likely that he will be in the west London or north-west London areas.
Pope Francis wrapped up a troubled visit to Belgium by demanding that sexually abusive clergy be judged and their bishops stop covering up their crimes.

Speaking to a crowd of 30,000 at King Baudouin stadium in Brussells today, the Pope said: 'Evil must not be hidden. Evil must be brought out into the open'.

Francis deviated from his prepared speech in order to respond to a meeting he held with 17 abuse survivors on Friday night where he heard first-hand their suffering and trauma they endured  and the tone-deaf response of the church when they reported the crimes.

Belgium has had a wretched legacy of abuse and cover-up, none more symbolic of the church's hypocrisy than the case of Bruges Bishop Roger Vangheluwe.

He was allowed to quietly retire in 2010 after he admitted that he had sexually abused his nephew for 13 years.

Francis only defrocked him this year  14 years later  in a move clearly seen as finally dealing with a problem before his arrival in Belgium.

The Pope has struggled to escape criticism during his three-day visit, given the country's history of clerical sexual abuse  and due to comments made about women during a visit to one of Belgiums Catholic universities.

Pope Francis greets the public during mass at King Baudouin Stadium today

People stand in the stadium to welcome Pope Francis today as he holds a Holy Mass

Pope Francis leads mass at King Baudouin Stadium today

Pope Francis is driven into the stadium as he waves at people gathered in the stands (pictured)

People cheer as they welcome Pope Francis for a Holy Mass at King Baudouin Stadium

In a remarkable dressing-down, Belgium's king demanded the church work 'incessantly' to clean up the abuse scandal, while the prime minister insisted victims' needs be placed first.

'In the church there is room for everyone, everyone, but everyone will be judged and there is no place for abuse. There is no place for the covering up of abuse,' Francis said in his homily.

'I ask the bishops not to cover up abuse. Condemn the abusers and help them to recover from this disease of abuse.'

It comes after the Pope was sharply criticised by one of Belgium's catholic universities over his stance on women's role in society, after he claimed it is 'bad when the woman wants to be the man' while speaking at the college.

Staff and students at UCLouvain, where the 87-year-old made a speech yesterday afternoon, distributed a statement afterwards in which they expressed their 'incomprehension and disapproval' at his views.

'UCLouvain  deplores the conservative positions expressed by Pope Francis on the role of women in society,' said the statement.

He had been at the educational institute, which has around 38,000 students studying across 20 faculties, to celebrate its upcoming 600th anniversary.

His speech largely called for global action on climate change, but he also responded to a letter to him from students and professors that had asked about the Catholic Church's teaching on women.

Pope Francis shakes hands with outgoing Belgian Minister of Interior Annelies Verlinden before a farewell ceremony at Melsbroek air base today

Pope Francis talks with outgoing Belgian Minister of Interior Annelies Verlinden during a farewell ceremony at Melsbroek air base today

Pope Francis has been slammed over his stance on women's role in society, after he claimed it is 'bad when the woman wants to be the man'

Students at a Belgium catholic university, where the 87-year-old made a speech yesterday afternoon, distributed a statement afterwards in which they expressed their 'incomprehension and disapproval' at his views

He had been at the educational institute, which has around 38,000 students studying across 20 faculties, to celebrate its upcoming 600th anniversary

'UCLouvain  deplores the conservative positions expressed by Pope Francis on the role of women in society,' said the statement

The Pope said: 'We must remember that women are at the very heart of salvation history. It is thanks to the 'yes' of Mary that God himself came into the world.

'The woman is a fertile welcome, care, vital dedication. That is why the woman is more important than the man. But it is bad when the woman wants to be the man.

'No, it is the woman. And this is heavy, it is important. Let us open our eyes to the many daily examples of love, friendship, work, study, social and ecclesial responsibility, from marriage to motherhood, to virginity for the Kingdom of God and for service.'

In response the catholic university of Louvain rector said: 'We cannot agree on this position for sure. We are fighting against discrimination for women, and we would like women to have another role in the society and in the church also.

'We are happy that he agrees on other points of our brief, but, regarding the place of the woman in the society, we cannot agree with his position.'

'It's very conservative, and it's not the way we want to do in Louvain. We want to be open that everybody can develop in our university; women, men, whatever their sexuality or their sexual orientation.

'It's really not our position. So we we are we are not agreeing with him on this point.'

Pope Francis greets the public as he meets with students and members of the Catholic University of Louvain within the his 3-day visit in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Pope Francis attends a private meeting with Jesuit brothers during a visit at the Collage Saint-Michel, a Jesuit school on September 28, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium

In response the catholic university of Louvain's rector said: 'We cannot agree on this position for sure. We are fighting against discrimination for women, and we would like women to have another role in the society and in the church also'

Pope Francis kisses a child during the Hope Happening youth festival at the Brussels Expo, Belgium yesterday

The Catholic Church has an all-male clergy and although Pope Francis created two commissions to consider whether women could serve as deacons, but this issue has still not yet moved forward.

However, during his 11 years as pontiff, Francis has also changed the Vatican's primary governing document to allow women to lead departments, and has also allowed women to vote at major global meetings of bishops, known as synods, for the first time.

Victoria Coppin, a 21-year-old civil engineering student said: 'I am quite disappointed and deeply shocked by the statements of the Pope on the place of women.

'We can see that he is separating the roles of women and men in society by reducing women to their roles of motherhood, being wives and 'fertile welcome.'

'For me, that's extremely problematic right now, especially when we here that just a couple of hours ago, he deemed the position on abortions as a deadly position.

'When we hear him talk about dignity, the dignity that is in the flesh, in his speech, for me, this (comments on women) is a direct attack on the dignity of women to have this discourse on abortions because their bodies are directly being seen as instruments, and that's quite shocking to me.'
A Syrian suspect has been arrested following chaos in Germany, with fires tearing through two blocks of flats leaving 30 people hurt - including eight children.

Two of the children who were hurt are in a life-threatening condition after inhaling smoke, according to local media.

They were reportedly thrown from windows to escape the flames, landing on cushions placed on the street in the city of Essen.

Neighbours tried to reach up with ladders to help people escape, but they weren't long enough to reach the upper floors so brave residents worked together to lower children from the roof.

Footage posted on X shows a van ramming through two shops a short time after the fires in a rampage, allegedly targeting people connected to his wife who had left him.

The van caused damage but no injuries and a 41-year-old Syrian man was arrested at the scene on Saturday.

A 41-year-old Syrian suspect has been arrested following chaos in Germany

Neighbours tried to reach up with ladders to help people escape, but they weren't long enough to reach the upper floors so brave residents worked together to lower children from the roof

The boarded up windows of a food shop are seen, where a man rammed a van into it, in Essen, western Germany

A destroyed entrance door of a commercial and apartment building is pictured in Essen

The damaged entrance door of a commercial and apartment building is pictured in Essen

A police cordon outside one of the blocks of flats which were set on fire

Pictures show shattered windows in the residential buildings in Essen

A police officer patrols in front of a food shop where a man rammed a van into it in Essen

Initial investigations indicated that the suspect's alleged motive was that his wife had left him, the police said.

He had gone out armed with 'knives and fire accelerants' intending to target homes and shops in Essen connected with people who had supported his wife.

The Bild daily reported that the suspect had threatened passers-by with a machete.

According to German media, the suspect first set fire to a residential building, then another house on a different street.

He then crashed into the window of a vegetable shop before driving to another store, where he exited the van and brandished a machete.

The suspect allegedly threatened people with weapons, but several men managed to push him back with shovels and poles until the police arrived.

Police said the suspect was a 41-year-old Essen resident with Syrian citizenship.

According to the Germany Press Agency, his lawyer Volker Schroder said he had no political motive and that it was a 'purely tragic family story'.

The rampage comes at a time of heated debate in Germany over migration after a spate of suspected Islamist attacks.

This photo shows a stairwell of a residential building after a fire

The boarded up windows of a food shop in Essen following the incident

A police officer patrols in front of a food shop where a man rammed a van into it

The broken glass of a door is seen at the food shop after the incident

A police cordon is seen in front of an apartment building in Essen, which was set on fire

The damaged entrance door of a commercial and apartment building

A cordon by the destroyed entrance door of an apartment building is pictured in Essen

Three people were killed and eight wounded in a knife attack at a street festival in the western city of Solingen in August, allegedly carried out by a Syrian asylum seeker and claimed by the Islamic State group.

An Islamist motive is also suspected in the killing of a police officer in a knife attack on the market square in the city of Mannheim in May.

Germany has responded to the attacks by taking steps to tighten immigration controls and knife laws.

The government has introduced new checks along all of its borders and promised to speed up deportations of migrants who have no right to stay in Germany.

Germany took in more than a million asylum seekers in 2015-2016 at the height of Europe's migrant crisis - a deeply divisive influx that has fuelled the popularity of the far-right AfD.
The Tory leadership was already descending into outright war today as Robert Jenrick allies lashed out at Kemi Badenoch for suggesting maternity pay is 'excessive'.

Tensions between the two frontrunners have escalated dramatically after Ms Badenoch was embroiled in a row within hours of the conference kicking off in Birmingham.

Ms Badenoch was arguing during an interview that businesses face too much red tape and the tax burden is too high when she was pressed on maternity pay.

She was accused of suggesting that the benefit was 'excessive', and insisted that women had 'more babies' before it was introduced. As the spat gathered pace, Ms Badenoch was forced to make a statement denying she supported reducing maternity pay.

However, an ally of Mr Jenrick said: 'It's quite special to go Kemi-kazi on the first day of conference. Which group of potential Tory voters is she going to try to alienate next?'

And at a Centre for Policy Studies event Mr Jenrick went openly on the attack. 'I don't agree with Kemi on this one,' he said. 'I'm a father of three young daughters, I want to see them get the support that they need when they enter the workplace.

'Our maternity pay is amongst the lowest in the OECD. I think the Conservative Party should be firmly on the side of parents and working mums who are trying to get on.

'I know how difficult that is, we should be supporting them and not making their lives more difficult.'

A source close to Ms Badenoch hit back by accusing her opponent of 'scoring points'. 'We need to be better, we need our politics to be better. Kemi obviously supports maternity pay and was making a case for lower regulation - something she always aimed for as business secretary,' they said.

'For other leadership campaigns to be seeking to use selective quotes from an interview to score political hits, shows they're still wedded to the old politics and simply aren't serious about getting back to government.'

In other developments as candidates mount their charm offensive on the Tory faithful today:

Robert Jenrick said the immigration system was at the top of his list to address if he wins the contest;

James Cleverly blamed 'constant infighting' and 'bickering' for the Tories' defeat and argued he had been a 'team player' in government;

Tom Tugendhat insisted his public school background was not a drawback to him being the next Tory leader;

Contenders have all weighed in behind Rosie Duffield after she quit Labour and slammed Keir Starmer over sleaze.

Kemi Badenoch was arguing that businesses face too much red tape and the tax burden is too high when she was pressed on maternity pay

At a Centre for Policy Studies event Mr Jenrick went openly on the attack over the maternity pay row, saying: 'I don't agree with Kemi on this one.'

There was a time when there wasn't any maternity pay and people were having more babies.@KemiBadenoch suggests statutory maternity pay is "excessive".@KateEMcCann | @AdamBoultonTABB pic.twitter.com/j21Vaw7nXN  Times Radio (@TimesRadio) September 29, 2024

Ms Badenoch posted a slightly fuller version of the clip online insisting she had not labelled maternity pay 'excessive'

Ms Badenoch and rival Robert Jenrick were both interviewed on the BBC this morning

Labour MPs gleefully seized on reporting of the comments from Ms Badenoch

During her interview on Times Radio, Ms Badenoch was asked whether mothers were getting enough help.

'Maternity pay varies depending on who you work for, but it is a function, where it's statutory maternity pay. It is a function of tax,' she said.

'Tax comes from people who are working. We're taking from one group of people and giving to another. This in my view is excessive... the burden of regulation is too high...'

Pushed by presenter Kate McCann if she was saying maternity pay was 'excessive, Ms Badenoch seemed to continue making her point, saying: 'I think it's gone too far the other way in terms of general business regulation.

'We need to allow businesses, especially small businesses, to make more of their own decisions.

'The exact amount of maternity pay in my view is neither here nor there. We need to make sure that we are creating an environment where people can work and people can have more freedom to make their individual decisions.'

Ms Badenoch went on to say that mothers made choices based on all sorts of factors. She said: 'We need to have more personal responsibility. There was a time when there wasn't any maternity pay and people were having more babies...'

When McCann said that was 'because women often had to not work', the former Cabinet minister accused her of 'putting words in my mouth'.

'The point I'm making, Kate, is that we have got to a point where government isn't working anymore and it's tinkering everywhere,' she said.

'Me giving you an exact amount of what maternity pay should be when circumstances are different everywhere is not where we're starting from.'

Aides stressed that Ms Badenoch had not been trying to suggest maternity pay is too high, but had been referring to 'general business regulation'.

And post a slightly fuller video of the interview on X Ms Badenoch insisted: 'Contrary to what some have said, I clearly said the burden of regulation on businesses had gone too far of course I believe in maternity pay!

'Watch the clip for the truth. Back to conference'

Women who are employed and earn at least 123 a week are eligible for statutory maternity pay.

Mums are paid 90 per cent of their salary for six weeks, and then whichever is lower of 90 per cent of their salary or 184.03 a week for the next 33 weeks.

Many companies voluntarily offer more generous packages on top of the statutory payment.

Ms Badenoch, Mr Jenrick, Mr Cleverly and Mr Tugendhat are laying out their cases at the party's annual conference in Birmingham.

A survey of grass roots by ConservativeHome has underlined that Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are the favourites to take the crown from Rishi Sunak after his humiliating defeat at the election. But there are signs Mr Jenrick is whittling away his opponent's advantage.

They have both been focusing their fire on immigration - with Ms Badenoch claiming too many people with anti-Israel views have been allowed to migrate to Britain. She insisted that 'not all cultures are equal', suggesting child marriage and women's rights as topics that were non-negotiable.

'When you go to other countries they demand that you believe in it,' she told Sky News.

A survey of grass roots by ConservativeHome has underlined that Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are the favourites to take the crown from Rishi Sunak after his humiliating defeat at the election . But there are signs Mr Jenrick is whittling away his opponent's advantage

Ms Badenoch accused Kuenssberg of 'trying to get me to say' that the problem was Muslims coming to the UK

Mr Jenrick said the immigration system was at the top of his list to address if he wins the Tory contest

James Cleverly (pictured holding merchandise at conference today) blamed 'constant infighting' and 'bickering' for the Tories' defeat and argued he had been a 'team player' in government

Her combative stance was underlined in a separate interview with the BBC, where she accused Laura Kuenssberg of 'trying to get me to say' that the problem was Muslims coming to the UK.

Ms Badenoch also said she would 'congratulate' Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on strikes that killed the Hezbollah leadership in Beirut, and the country was showing 'moral clarity' in taking out 'terrorists'.

And she warned critics such as Doctor Who star David Tennant - with whom she rowed about trans rights: 'If you swing at me I will punch back.'

Describing her appeal to voters, Ms Badenoch said: 'I am something that is just different and unique.'
Boris Johnson suspected Emmanuel Macron was weaponising the small boats crisis to undermine Brexit.

In his sensational memoir, the former Prime Minister says the French President was so alarmed by the threat to his beloved EU project that there were a host of issues where, given the chance, he would not hesitate to put his Cuban-heeled bootee into Brexit Britain.

Mr Johnsons new book Unleashed, which is being serialised in the Daily Mail, details his fractious relationship with Mr Macron, who saw Brexit as a terrible snub to the EU and to his view of the world.

Despite efforts to win him over, Mr Johnson says it became clear he really meant it when he said Brexit Britain must be punished.

Boris Johnsons new book Unleashed details his fractious relationship with the French president Emmanuel Macron

In an incendiary accusation he suggests Mr Macron was even prepared to turn a blind eye to the people smuggling gangs plying their evil trade across the Channel in order to undermine the UKs efforts to make a success of life outside the EU.

He writes: It seemed at least possible to me that he was weaponising the problem.'

The book chronicles the fraught negotiations with the EU as Mr Johnson battled to rewrite a deal pursued by Theresa May which he dubbed Brexit in name only.

Mr Johnson also reveals that David Cameron deployed a crude carrot and stick approach as he tried to persuade him to back Remain in the 2016 referendum campaign.

The then PM offered to give him a top five Cabinet job if he agreed to join forces and campaign to keep Britain in the EU.

But he later warned Mr Johnson he would f*** you up for ever if he campaigned for Leave. Mr Johnson reveals, in colourful terms, that he was alarmed by the threat from his long-time friend and rival, but says it ultimately galvanised his decision to campaign for Leave.

Mr Johnson also reveals how his long-time friend and rival David Cameron issued a threat to back Remain in the 2016 referendum campaign

He also discloses that he was sounded out by the then Chancellor Philip Hammond about leading coup against Theresa May when she lost her majority after a disastrous campaign at the 2017 election. He rejected the idea, deciding he would face a furious political backlash.

It follows the disclosure in the Mail on Sunday that Mr Johnson now believes Covid started with a leak from a Chinese laboratory. In other extracts published by the Mail, Mr Johnson revealed he considered ordering a military raid on the Netherlands to retrieve Covid vaccines kidnapped by the EU  and mounted a passionate defence of his conduct during the Partygate affair.

His new book also reflects on the Tory machinations that led to his downfall  and promises to reveal what he really thinks of Rishi.

Mr Johnson writes that when he finally became PM in 2019 he says Brexit was stuck, with Parliament, the courts, his own MPs and EU leaders all working to frustrate efforts to deliver on the vote to leave the EU.

As the pressure built, he describes realising that failure would make him look ridiculous, nothing but Theresa May in a blond wig  and I would be swept aside in a torrent of public indignation

He says Mr Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel wanted to rope-a-dope us, to see how long I could last. They were in an immensely strong position, and they knew it.

Mr Johnson writes that he never wanted a No Deal Brexit, but became convinced that threatening it was the only way to get the EU to budge.

He says that controversial measures at home, such as his attempt to prorogue Parliament and his decision to boot out 21 pro-Remain Tories, helped to finally convince EU leaders he might actually be mad enough to leave without a deal unless they gave way.

Mr Johnson reveals he later got a form of revenge on Mr Macron by signing the secret Aukus pact with the US and Australia, which led to the collapse of a deal for France to supply nuclear submarines to Australia  and which sent the French tonto.

Mr Johnson says Mr Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were united in trying to exploit their immensely strong position in the Brexit talks, with the French President in particular apparently bent on giving the UK a punishment beating.
Hundreds of inflatable boats, rubber rings and engines have been seized in Bulgaria to stop them being used to smuggle migrants into Britain.

A joint operation by British and Bulgarian authorities resulted in 33 separate interceptions and the seizure of 125 inflatable boats, 128 engines, 300 rubber rings and more than 700 pumps.

Law enforcement experts predict the seizures will have denied the organised crime networks around 16.6 million in profit they would have made from crossings using the equipment.

The haul of goods was seized after a 12-month-long joint effort with the National Crime Agency (NCA), alongside the Home Office and Foreign Office, and the Bulgarian National Customs Agency and Bulgarian Border Police.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle welcomed the seizure, as Labour looks to carry out its plan of dealing with illegal migration by smashing the people smuggling gangs after it scrapped the Tories' Rwanda plan.

A joint operation by British and Bulgarian authorities resulted in 33 separate interceptions and the seizure of 125 inflatable boats, 128 engines, 300 rubber rings and more than 700 pumps

Law enforcement experts predict the seizures will have denied the organised crime networks around 16.6 million in profit they would have made from crossings using the equipment

The haul of goods was seized after a 12-month-long joint effort with the National Crime Agency (NCA), alongside the Home Office and Foreign Office, and the Bulgarian National Customs Agency and Bulgarian Border Police

A British Border Force vessel picks up an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants in front of the white cliffs of Dover in the English Channel on May 4, 2024

She said: 'This work shows what can be achieved through international cooperation to go after the criminal smuggling gangs making millions out of small boat crossings.

'Our Border Security Command will turbocharge these efforts, with investigators stationed throughout Europe and additional resources to support operations like these.'

Earlier this month a taskforce of officers went to the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing point in southern Bulgaria to carry out targeted searches.

The crossing is one of the busiest land borders in Europe and the busiest land border in Bulgaria, making it a key point targeted by human traffickers and criminal smuggling gangs.

Officers carried out a joint exercise with Bulgarian partners, carried out training and searched vehicles and freight using dogs and specialist equipment.

The day after the conclusion of the exercise another 10 Chinese-made outboard boat engines were seized in a vehicle driven by a Bulgarian national who declared that he was transporting furniture for personal use.

But the engines were found among the load and the driver was issued with a fine.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle welcomed the seizure, as Labour looks to carry out its plan of dealing with illegal migration by smashing the people smuggling gangs after it scrapped the Tories' Rwanda plan

Border Force arriving at Dover Docks after picking up over 700 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel on September 22

Migrants wrapped in towels after they were picked up in the English Channel by British Border Force on September 22

British Border Force officials escort migrants into Dover Docks in Kent on September 22

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Angela Eagle added: 'We will not stand by while criminals' prey on vulnerable people, including women and children.

'Thanks to the efforts of the NCA, Border Force and other Home Office staff, working in lockstep with our Bulgarian allies, our borders are more secure and more lives have potentially been saved.

'By seizing the equipment used for dangerous and flimsy boats, we are also striking a major blow to the smugglers' operations and cutting off millions in profits.'

In October 2023 and again in November 2023 a statement between Bulgaria and the United Kingdom was signed on enhancing cooperation and combatting organised immigration crime.

NCA Director of Intelligence Adrian Matthews said: 'Bulgaria is a key location on the supply route for the criminal people smuggling networks involved in organising dangerous Channel boat crossings.

'Taking this equipment out before it can reach them not only disrupts their activities and hits their profits, but it also prevents these lethal boats and under-powered engines being used at sea where lives are at risk.

'As close partners and allies, the UK and Bulgaria work together to tackle organised crime and illegal migration, strengthening the border security of both countries.

'And together we are determined to continue doing all we can to disrupt and dismantle the people smuggling networks profiting from misery, wherever and however they operate.'

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to smash the criminal gangs that run the crossings, but dinghies have continued to enter British waters since his electoral victory on July 5

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The Government have promised the public decisive action on dealing with the people smuggling gangs, after previously describing the Rwanda plan as a 'gimmick' costing 700million.

The highest number of arrivals in one day this year has so far been 882 in 15 boats on June 18.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced this month that 75 million would be used to boost the number of border security officers amid the Government's bid to crack down on people smugglers, using money redirected from the scrapped Rwanda deportation plan.

The cash will also pay for hidden cameras and better monitoring technology as the Home Office sets up its new Border Security Command, led by a former police chief, as it aims to speed up investigations and increase the likelihood of successful prosecutions.

Earlier this year, it was also announced that an extra 100 specialist investigators will be allocated to the National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of efforts to curb Channel crossings.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to smash the criminal gangs that run the crossings, but dinghies have continued to enter British waters since his electoral victory on July 5.

The PM's plan involves creating a new Border Security Command, bringing together existing immigration units given new 'counter-terrorism style' powers (file image)

Georgi Gospodinov, Head of Customs at Kapitan Andreevo BCP, said: 'The joint exercises with partners from the UK law-enforcement authorities are extremely important for us.

'Sharing good practices is a guarantee for good results in tackling efficiently the contraband and illegal human trafficking channels.'

The NCA has a network of international liaison officers based at strategic locations around the world, covering more than 130 countries.

The network works alongside international partners to help disrupt criminal networks impacting the UK, including those involved in organised immigration crime, sharing intelligence and co-ordinating law enforcement action.

Following Labour's General Election victory, Sir Keir and France's President Emmanuel Macron pledged to strengthen 'cooperation' in handling the surge in undocumented migrant numbers.

The PM's plan involves creating a new Border Security Command, bringing together existing immigration units given new 'counter-terrorism style' powers.

He has also denied that scrapping the Rwanda scheme had made the situation worse, previously saying there was 'no link' between ditching the plan and the number of arrivals.
King Charles has revealed why his late mother Queen Elizabeth II 'chose' to spend her final days at her 'treasured' Balmoral home in Scotland.

He reminisced fondly about her time there during a speech at Holyrood in Edinburgh marking the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament - in which he revealed how the country held a 'uniquely special place in the hearts of my family'.

Elizabeth died aged 96 on September 8 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, which has been a royal residence since 1852.

Charles has now suggested that his mother was intent on the property being where she would see out her life, following the death of husband Prince Philip in April 2021.

The King, Elizabeth's eldest child and who had his coronation in May last year, described Balmoral's importance to her in his speech yesterday.

The late Queen Elizabeth II 'treasured' her Balmoral Castle home in Aberdeenshire, her son King Charles has told the Scottish Parliament - she is seen there in September 1952

Married couple the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II are seen here in the grounds of Balmoral Castle with children (left to right) Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Charles

Charles and Anne - seen here arriving ahead of their mother's state funeral in September 2022 - have both spoken about how important Balmoral Castle was to the late Queen

He said: 'My late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there, in the most beloved of places, where she chose to spend her final days.'

She traditionally spent summer breaks at the castle and was there when she passed away, with Charles and her daughter Princess Anne by her side.

The cause of death was officially registered as 'old age'.

Flanked by his wife Queen Camilla, the King told the Scottish Parliament yesterday: 'We are all, at the end of each day, united by our love of Scotland.

'Because of its natural beauty, of course, but also because of its strength of character, based as it is on the extraordinary diversity of its peoples, whose range of ideas, skills, energy, passions, and frequently deeply-held beliefs, never cease to inspire me.'

And he asked: 'Who, I wonder, could not fail to be moved by this complex Caledonian kaleidoscope?'

He also referred to the mace his mother presented to Scottish parliament 25 years ago following devolution.

He described it as being engraved with 'the qualities to which we all aspire and that represent the very foundations of the relationship we share - wisdom, justice, compassion, integrity'.

Charles added: 'In those intervening years, much has changed in our world, but those most Scottish of values have remained steadfast.

The late Queen and her husband Prince Philip are pictured here beside Balmoral's flower walk

The couple are seen at Balmoral on their silver, 25th, wedding anniversary in November 1972

The late Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire on September 8 2022

She is seen here with children Anne (left) and Charles (right) in September 1952 at Balmoral

'We are often told that we live in an era of polarisation and division. If that is so, then it is perhaps even more important, not less, that in the vital areas of representation, of political debate, of policymaking and of discourse, these values - together with hope, civility, and generosity of spirit - are never far from the heart of even the most difficult of issues.'

His sister the Princess Royal has also spoken of how her mother felt happiest at Balmoral yet also appeared to have concerns that dying there would prove more problematic than if she was in London or at Windsor.

Anne told a BBC documentary last year: 'I think there was a moment when she felt it would be more difficult if she died at Balmoral.

'I think we did try to persuade her that shouldnt be part of the decision-making process. So I hope she felt that was right in the end, because we did.'

While in Balmoral in September 2022, the Queen wore a tartan dress when saying farewell to Boris Johnson - and then welcome Liz Truss as new Prime Minister, just two days before Elizabeth II's death.

The Queen had been at Balmoral since July after arriving on the Royal Train.

In his speech to the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Charles also hailed sitting MSPs for their public service - adding that the institution had thrived over the past quarter of a century.

He also urged people to come together to address the challenges shared inhabitants living on the same planet, especially climate change.

The King and Queen at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh yesterday

King Charles smiles as he chats to presiding officer Alison Johnstone

The King and Queen appeared moved by a warm welcome from Scots and tourists as they travelled a short distance by car to Scotlands corridors of power.

The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay - as they are known in Scotland - were preceded by a procession of the Royal Honours of Scotland, otherwise known as the Scottish crown jewels.

These jewels, the oldest in Britain, were escorted by a Guard of Honour of youngsters representing 12 youth organisations including Girlguiding Scotland, the Scottish Youth Parliament and Scouts Scotland.

Charles, 75, is expected to stay at Birkhall, his home on the Balmoral estate, until Wednesday before returning to London where he continues to be treated for cancer.
Hunters on the Great Plains may find they're no longer top of the food chain as the approach of winter sends nature's predators into a frenzy.

Hundreds of hairy omnivores face a life-or-death struggle to fatten up before they spend months in hibernation and they are not about to let anyone stand in their way.

Key food sources are in short supply this year, naturalists have warned, sending the bears ever closer to human populations and heightening the risk of aggression to any hiker or hunter who strays across their path.

'They can eat pretty much anything,' said retired federal ecologist Chuck Neal.

'It's not a question of what, but how much they get their jaws around.'

A Brown Bear may weigh up to 1,300 pounds by the time it has finished its feeding frenzy

Photogrpaher Shayne Patrick Burke, 35, from Massachusetts nearly bled to death after being attacked by a mother bear in Grand Teton National Park earlier this year

The nation's population of Brown and Grizzly Bears are currently enduring a state of 'hyperphagia' - an insatiable appetite that kicks in ahead of their winter hibernation.

They have to consume around 20,000 calories a day  and they're not fussy about where they get them.

'They can actually consume more than that, depending on the food source,' Neal told the Cowboy State Daily.

'They can put on 200 to 300 pounds from July to November. It's their biology. It's what they evolved to do in preparation for the winter sleep.'

But 10 people are known to have been killed in bear attacks across the US in the last five years  half of them during the winter feeding season.

'The whitebark pine has been decimated, primarily by outbreaks of mountain pine beetles,' Neal said. 'But they're very adaptable, so they've had to switch to other foods.'

Georgia hunter Landon Clement said he felt like he had been 'hit by a train' when he was tackled by a hungry Grizzly in Wyoming's Upper Green River Basin on Thursday.

The 31-year-old from, Blue Ridge was archery hunting with a friend when he saw a mother and two cubs feeding in the woods.

'When those bears cut down that trail and veered toward me, I knew I was probably going to have an issue,' he said.

'I was still backed up against a rock, and when I realized that they were coming my way, I just backed up even further against that rock, I was practically glued to it.'

The bears stopped in their tracks when they spotted the hunter before the mother decided to attack.

'She just leaped. She just charged right at me with her mouth wide open,' Clement said.

'I've never seen anything move that fast, she covered that 10-12 yards in less than a second.'

There are thought to be more than 1,000 Grizzlies and up to 650 Black Bears in Wyoming all of which are currently feeding for up to 22 hours a day

'They can eat pretty much anything,' said retired federal ecologist Chuck Neal.

The hunter tried to fire his semiautomatic pistol at it only to find that its mechanism had jammed.

'It bit into my left thigh, and it would not let go,' he explained. 'It just bit into my thigh and starting shaking its head.

'As the bear was still clamped onto my leg, I was finally able to look down and see that my gun was jammed.

'Once I cleared the jam, I put the gun as close to its head as I could and shot a couple of more times. It let go and rolled off me. I knew that I had killed that bear.'

A disabled Army vet nearly bled to death after being attacked by another momma bear in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park earlier this year.

Shayne Patrick Burke, 35, from Massachusetts had traveled to the reserve to take photographs when he was attacked on Signal Mountain.

He was only saved when he shoved a can of bear spray in the animal's jaws and it bit down, causing the container to explode.

There are thought to be more than 1,000 Grizzlies and up to 650 Black Bears in Wyoming all of which are currently feeding for up to 22 hours a day.

And their numbers have been boosted by animals straying in from Yellowstone National Park.

'That's when we often see bears in lower elevations,' Neal said.

'They may show up in a cornfield outside of Powell or the Shoshone River bottoms eating silver buffaloberries.

'They're searching for all the calories they can possibly pack on, and sometimes that takes them onto the periphery of their currently occupied range.'

And with their feeding season coinciding with hunting season, many hope to win a share of the spoils and the 'gut piles' hunters leave when disemboweling their kills.

'Hunters have a special obligation to be vigilant because they're putting dinner on the ground,' Neal said.

'Bears are seeking out gut piles. That is highly nutritious food, but it also places bears in proximity to hunting groups and men with guns.

'The mortality rate for bears has gone up due to run-ins between man and beast over gut piles.'

Georgia hunter Landon Clement said he felt like he had been 'hit by a train' when he was tackled by a hangry Grizzly in Wyoming's Upper Green River Basin on Thursday.

'They can put on 200 to 300 pounds from July to November. It's their biology,' Neal said. 'It's what they evolved to do in preparation for the winter sleep.'

The clock starts ticking for the bears as soon as the days start shortening in July, and they will cover as much ground as they need to before retiring for the winter in November.

'The point to remember is that Wyoming was always an occupied range for bears,' Neal said.

'The bears have been pushed back into the Yellowstone country over the last century or so due to the expansion of human populations, and they are simply trying to recolonize what they always occupied.

'The possibility of more confrontations between man and beast do exist as they're looking for more calories during hyperphagia.'
The Pearly Kings and Queens society have descended on London for their annual charity Harvest Festival event today in their sparkling buttoned outfits.

Members of the charitable society donned black collard jackets adorned with hundreds of pearlescent buttons, badges and glitter as they paraded the streets.

It is a tradition which dates back to 1875 and has been kept alive by 30 London families who were out in force for their annual Harvest Festival.

The organisation has raised millions of pounds for the capital's charities since it was founded in Victorian times.

The Pearly Kings and Queens society was founded in the 19th century by Henry Croft, who was born on the May 24, 1861 in a Victorian workhouse.

Pearly Kings and Queens sing traditional songs during the annual harvest festival at the Guildhall in London today

John Scott Pearly King of Mile End waits as Pearly Kings and Queens gather before their annual harvest festival

Donna Maria, Queen of the Maypole, leads dancing during the Pearly Kings and Queens annual harvest festival at the Guildhall in London on September 29

Pearly Kings and Queens attend the annual harvest festival service at St Mary-Le-Bow church

As a young man who worked to raise money for other orphans, Henry began wearing a suit adorned with flashy buttons to attract attention and increase donations.

His clever thinking proved so successful that soon other charities were asking for his help and so began the society of Pearly Kings and Queens.

Today the tradition is still being passed down through the families, and London's streets are frequently lit up with rays of selfless charity.

The Pearly Kings and Queens gathered at the Guildhall Square today as they paraded to St Mary-le-Bow church to celebrate the harvest festival which marks the beginning of autumn.

There was even a pearly pug dressed up in a harness covered in pearly buttons seen at the event.

Pearly Kings and Queens dance around the maypole during the annual harvest festival

There was even a pearly pug dressed up in a harness covered in pearly buttons seen at the event

The Pearly Queen of Old Kent Road speaks with Revd Dan Warnke ahead of the festival

Huge lines of fundraisers were seen dressed from head to two in bejeweled outfits as they marched through the city for a charitable cause.

The tradition began more than a century ago as a way to raise money and add a dash of cheer and cheekiness to ordinary London life.

Pearly Kings and Queens have become icons of working class culture with 'royal families' now in every borough in the capital.

There are even pearly princes and princesses who are often the children or grandchildren of the kings and queens and wear mini black jackets covered in pearly buttons.
The four Tory leadership contenders are engaged in a battle of free merchandise on the opening day of the party's conference in Birmingham.

Campaigners for Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat are attempting to woo party members with various gifts.

Proving that not only Sir Keir Starmer and senior Labour ministers are fond of freebies, conference delegates have been gladly accepting a variety of wares.

As well as the usual campaign T-shirts, there are also some less traditional items being handed out.

These include bottles of fake tan dubbed 'Tugend-tan', water bottles to be filled with 'Keir's tears', and sweets emblazoned with each contender's campaign slogans.

Mr Tugendhat's allies are fully exploiting their candidate's surname by also handing out 'Tugend-tart' cakes, 'Tugend-tote' bags, and 'Tugend-hat' headgear.

More bizarrely, party members are being encouraged to transfer temporary 'Tom' tattoos in support of Mr Tugendhat onto their skin.

Meanwhile, Mr Jenrick's team are attempting to push their man's key messages by issuing a 'Jenrick Post' newspaper.

One ally sniped that the pamphlet included a sudoku puzzle for conference delegates to complete during 'Tom Tugendhat's boring speeches'.

The four Tory leadership contenders are engaged in a battle of free merchandise on the opening day of the party's conference in Birmingham

Campaigners for Kemi Badenoch , James Cleverly , Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat are attempting to woo party members with various gifts

Party members are being encouraged to transfer temporary 'Tom' tattoos in support of Mr Tugendhat onto their skin

Mr Tugendhat's campaign are also handing out water bottles with the slogan: 'For Keir's tears when Tom is elected leader', as well as bottles of 'Tugend-tan'

Mr Jenrick's team are issuing a 'Jenrick Post' newspaper. One ally sniped the pamphlet included a sudoku for delegates to complete during 'Tom Tugendhat's boring speeches'

A water bottle being handed out by Mr Cleverly's team promises 'no leaks here'

A supporter of Ms Badenoch dons a 'Kemi' hat

Mr Cleverly is promising 'lower taxes' as part of his pitch to Tory members

Mr Tugendhat's allies are fully exploiting their candidate's surname by also handing out 'Tugend-tart' cakes, 'Tugend-tote' bags, and 'Tugend-hat' headgear

The Tory gathering in Birmingham, which lasts until Wednesday, has effectively been turned into a prolonged audition for the four leadership rivals.

One of Ms Badenoch, Mr Cleverly, Mr Jenrick and Mr Tugendhat will be elected as Rishi Sunak's successor in a ballot of party members next month.

This will come after the four contenders are whittled down to a final pairing through voting by Tory MPs.

As well as the free gifts being handed out by the various campaign teams, there is official Conservative Party merchandise on sale in Birmingham.

This includes scarves, hats, ties, umbrellas and Margaret Thatcher or Winston Churchill Toby jugs.

Party officials are also selling blank notebooks, which are titled as 'Labour's plan for the country'.
A man is being quizzed by police after an eight-year-old boy died after being shot in the face while 'targeting rabbits' near a farm.

Emergency services raced to the Warcop area of Cumbria at 2.05pm on Saturday after a child had sustained 'serious and life-threatening injuries' from a firearm.

The young boy, who was not a local, was taken to hospital by air ambulance, but he sadly passed away overnight.

A man in his 60s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault. He was later put under arrest on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter but was bailed on Sunday night.

A firearm was recovered from the field, which is close to Wheatsheaf Farm, near Warcop, by officers.

Sources told The Sun that the man, who was also not a local to the area, was shooting rabbits on the field with the landowner's permission when the tragedy occurred.

An eight-year-old boy has tragically died overnight after he was shot on a farm. Photos show crime scene investigators at the scene near a field

One police car was parked on a field at around 3pm yesterday after rushing to the scene

Rabbiting is legal on private land in the UK, provided the gun owner has the correct firearms licence and written permission from the landowner.

The hillsides surrounding the farm are grazed by sheep but the area is not used for game bird shoots.

A Ministry of Defence firing range is also adjacent to the field but a spokesman said the incident was not linked to any of their properties.

Councillor Heidi Strong, of Warcop Parish Council, said it was 'a horrible, horrible tragedy.'

'People are really shook up about it,' she said. 'All I can say is it was definitely an accident but we don't know the ins and outs of what happened.'

Mrs Strong said she thought the boy was not local to Warcop and speculated that he had been with a shooting party out 'shooting rabbits.'

The tiny village of Warcop is home to around 500 people, with two churches and a small primary school.

A view of the fields and road which runs through the farm where the boy was shot

One mother in the village said she had received an email from her children's school, Warcop Church of England Primary School, to say the boy was not a pupil.

'It's a very tight knit community,' she said. 'We all have kids at that school so there was panic this morning that it may have been someone we knew.

'I read an e-mail from our school saying the victim didn't go there so we don't know where they were from.

'It is quite shocking, you really feel for the family. It is terrible news.'

A video posted online showed several emergency vehicles parked at the farm, which lies right next to the busy A66 and a short distance to Warcop village itself, around 3pm.

Local Frank Chalmers, 73, said he saw five police cars and an air ambulance as he drove to his home in nearby Brough.

'I was just passing by in the car when I saw the police and an air ambulance,' he said. 'It is the most awful tragedy for the family and the community.'

One tenant said it was rumoured that the boy had been attending the Brough Hill travellers horse fair, which is held on the last weekend in September.

One young man in the village found out the news from a friend who lives outside the area.

He said: 'I heard what happened and it's terrible.

'This is all word of mouth but apparently it was an accident.

'The guy has been arrested on gross negligence manslaughter so that's what we think has happened. One of my friends told me the news and I didn't believe them at first.

'It's very sad. It's so quiet around here and not a lot goes on. I want to send my condolences to them because it is a horrible thing that has happened.

'But even if it is an accident it is horrible because he has to live with that.'

A third man, who was also a parent, said: 'I've had my friends ask me this morning about it.

'It's a sad thing to happen here but but I don't know the family. It's a quiet village but people have been quiet about it so far today.'

Emergency services raced to the scene in the Warcop area of Cumbria after being called at 2.50pm yesterday

The village of Warcop, in Cumbria, is pictured today following the boy's death

In a statement, Cumbria Police said: 'Emergency services were called at around 2.50pm on Saturday to a farm in the Warcop area following a report that a child had been seriously injured by a firearm at the property.

'The firearm was secured at the scene by police and an eight-year-old boy was taken to hospital by air ambulance having suffered serious and life-threatening injuries to his head and face.

'Sadly, the boy died overnight.

'Officers arrested a man in his 60s at the scene on suspicion of assault GBH. He remains in police custody but is now under arrest on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.'
A ceramic mug marking the coronation of King George VI which sat and gathered dust in a loft for over 20 years has been sold for 13,500.

The 87-year-old cup was designed by British artist Eric Ravilious for Wedgwood to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937.

It had sat undisturbed in the vendor's attic since the late 1990s before they had the souvenir mug's value estimated at at Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough, Leics.

The auctioneers estimated the mug to be worth a respectable 800 however it smashed that estimate when it went under the hammer and sold for a whopping 13,500 - more than 16 times its guide price - to a private buyer.

Gildings director Will Gilding said: 'We're thrilled to achieve this astonishing result for this very special mug which although highly collectable, is still intrinsically just a mundane household item.

The 87-year-old cup had sat undisturbed in the vendor's attic since the late 1990s before they had the souvenir mug's value estimated at at Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough, Leics

The cup's design was adapted from a previous version intended to mark King Edward VIII taking the throne . It is said to be a rare example because of its unique yellow and green detailing

King George VI and Queen Elizabethat their coronation in May 1937. The 87-year-old cup was designed by British artist Eric Ravilious for Wedgwood to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937.

'We were unable to find any other examples of this particular colourway, which also has a slightly differently shaped rim to the other mugs in the sale, so this one may well be unique.

'As a result, we knew it had the potential to soar far beyond its guide price.

'But for the hammer to go down at 13,500 is truly remarkable and just goes to show the magic that can happen when two determined collectors identify a must-have treasure.

The cup's design was adapted from a previous version intended to mark King Edward VIII taking the throne before his abdication, the design features celebratory fireworks and the royal coat of arms.

It is said to be a rare example because of its unique yellow and green detailing

The cup was from a collection of five of Ravilious's 1937 Wedgwood coronation mugs. Three of the mugs are more commonly seen but still sought-after.

Recently the turquoise, blue and pink-based colourways sold for 270, 360 and 2,700 respectively.

Another blue version made for the planned coronation of Edward VIII fetched 480.

Born in 1903, Eric Ravilious was a highly regarded Sussex-based painter, designer, book illustrator and wood-engraver.

He is best known for his modernist watercolour interpretations of English landscapes and World War II scenes, some of which are displayed in the Imperial War Museum in London.

The cup was from a collection of five of Ravilious's 1937 Wedgwood coronation mugs. Three of the mugs are more commonly seen but still sought-after. Recently the turquoise, blue and pink-based colourways sold for 270, 360 and 2,700 respectively

The cup was designed Eric Ravilious for Wedgwood. He is best known for his modernist watercolour interpretations of English landscapes and World War II scenes, some of which are displayed in the Imperial War Museum in London

In December 1939 Ravilious became an official World War Two war artist with the rank of Honorary Captain in the Royal Marines.

On September 2, 1942 he joined one of three aircrafts dispatched on a search and rescue mission for a plane that had failed to return to RAF Kaldadarnes in Iceland.

The aircraft he boarded failed to return, and he and the four-man crew were recorded as lost in action four days later, making him the first of three British war artists to die in active service during World War Two.

Mr Gilding said: 'This vanishingly rare example of a striking design by a renowned artist who suffered a tragic wartime death was sold in very good condition given it's age and ceramic nature.

'Such is the power of its scarcity, and the demand for works by Ravilious, this high quality but relatively inexpensive souvenir has taken on a previously unimagined value several decades later.

'When I brought the gavel down, I think everyone in the room felt like we needed a cup of tea to calm us all down - not least the buyer - but in a slightly more affordable mug.'
Saturday Night Live fans have flocked to praise comedian Maya Rudolph's impressions of Kamala Harris as the show returned for its 50th season this weekend.

SNL alumni Rudolph, 52, rejoined the cast as the White House hopeful, bringing back her 'fun aunt' aka the 'Funt' persona as the Democratic presidential candidate doing a mock speech at the podium.

Fans of the show have shown a flurry of support on social media - with one viewer going as far as saying the skit was 'literally the best thing SNL has done in like a decade'.

Saturday Night Live fans have flocked to praise comedian Maya Rudolph 's impressions of Kamala Harris as the show returned for its 50th season this weekend

'Best Ive seen. And Ive seen every SNL episode,' another person agreed.

'More Maya Rudolph on tv for the next eight years should be a campaign talking point for Kamala,' one commenter wrote on X.

'One of the best political impersonators SNL has had, and there are a lot of good ones.'

Others praised Rudolph's attention to detail - down to the way Harris, 59, arranges her hands while she's standing at the podium.

'She even has the clasped hands perfected, Miss Rudolph has been STUDYING. a true artist,' one person wrote on X.

'Maya Rudolph has gotten Kamalas voice DOWN now. She deserves job security for the next four years, thanks,' another person said.

SNL kicked off its 50th season with a series of dry gags, only gently poking fun at both Kamala Harris' and Donald Trump's 2024 election campaigns.

The famously Democratic-leaning show has long been soft on the Biden Administration, and true to form saved its strongest punches for Donald Trump.

The skit hardly had to do any heavy lifting of its own as it reenacted the former president's recent comments about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs.

The beginning of the broadcast saw Andrew Dismukes as news anchor David Muir cracking a joke about the ABC News debate being 'biased toward the Democrats, which  duh.'

Fans of SNL have shown a flurry of support on social media for Rudolph's Harris impression

SNL alumni Maya Rudolph rejoined the cast as Kamala Harris bringing back her 'fun aunt' aka the 'Funt' persona as the Democratic presidential candidate

But the biggest jabs were reserved to James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump who at a rally claimed he noticed people were heading for the exits

'The Funt has been rebooted,' Rudolph's Harris said during her appearance. '2 Funt, 2 Furious.'

Harris said she was campaigning in 'WisconsinaPennsylvaGeorgia' - referring to the crucial swing states necessary for a Democratic victory.

'I am so happy to be campaigning in whatever swing state I'm in, which I will just refer to as Wisconsin-Pennsylv-Georgia because I am going to protect your Va-Georgia', referring to Harris' promise to protect women's rights to an abortion.

'You see, my campaign is like the Sabrina Carpenter song 'Espresso,' Rudolph's Harris joked. 'The lyrics are vague but the vibe slaps.'

She added: 'Now this election is about moving forward. You see, Donald Trump is stuck in the past, but it's like I say to my husband Doug when he leaves his phone at the Chili's, "We are not going back."'

Jim Gaffigan was introduced next as Minnsota Governor Tim Walz

Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, was portrayed by Andy Samberg who decreed himself to be the 'Second Gentlemensch' as he made a joke about decorating the White House for Christmas: 'The theme is Hanukkah.'

Meanwhile, Jim Gaffigan played Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, James Austin Johnson portrayed Republican candidate Donald Trump, and Dana Carvey appeared as President Joe Biden.
Alexei Navalny, 47, died in February with new evidence suggesting poisoning

New 'leaked' evidence shows Vladimir Putin's most charismatic political foe was 'poisoned to death' in his hellhole Arctic jail.

Alexei Navalny, 47, died in February and was widely seen to have been killed on the orders of the Kremlin autocrat.

The new evidence indicates poisoning is likely the way his alleged assassination was carried out.

The suspicion is that Russian hitmen used Novichok - the deadly nerve agent they earlier failed to kill him with.

The Insider independent news outlet disclosed documentary evidence that Navalny had complained to warders of a 'sharp pain in the stomach' while locked up as a political prisoner in Polar Wolf jail.

Russia has officially claimed the case 'does not have a criminal nature' and that that Putin foe and anti-corruption campaigner died of 'natural causes'.

Alexei Navalny's 'Don't give up!' message to the people of Russia before his death

If poisoning is correct, it is not the first time Vladimir Putin (pictured) has sought to assassinate a politician who mocked him

But The Insider has revealed an alleged cover-up over the agonising symptoms Navalny reported in his last hours.

The sensational documents claim Navalny 'felt a sharp deterioration of his health condition while in the exercise yard' on February 16.

One day earlier, a video showed him looking and sounding healthy despite his incarceration - as he mocked the judge in charge of his latest bogus trial.

After reporting acute abdominal pain, Navalny was taken from the exercise yard, the leaked documents claim.

'Navalny lay down on the floor and began to complain of sharp pain in the abdominal area,' one leaked document states.

'He started reflexive ejection of his stomach contents, had convulsions, and lost consciousness, which was immediately reported to the medical staff of the correctional facility.'

Alexei Navalny and Yulia Navalnaya pictured with their children in 2021

Flowers laid out at Navalny's grave in Moscow after his sudden death aged 47

People stand in long queues, waiting for their turn to lay flowers and bid farewell to Navalny two days after he was buried

This was 'consistent with those that would have been expected had Navalny been poisoned', said the report.

Yet later versions of the report removed 'all mention of abdominal pain, vomiting, and convulsions', indicating censorship by Putin's regime.

Navalny's wife had earlier insisted that 'in the last minutes before his death, [Alexei] complained of acute pain in his stomach.' The new leaked documents indicate she was right.

If poisoning is correct, it is not the first time that Putin has sought to assassinate a politician who relentlessly mocked him.

Earlier, a botched bid to kill him with radioactive nerve agent Novichok sprinkled in his underpants had failed.

The Insider has revealed an alleged cover-up over the agonising symptoms Navalny reported in his last hours

Alexei Navalny and Yulia Navalnaya pictured with their children before his death aged 47

A medic who had treated Navalny, Alexander Polupan, said of the latest disclosures: 'The official cause of death - a heart rhythm disorder - would in no way explain the symptoms.sharp abdominal pain, vomiting, or seizures.

'These symptoms can hardly be explained by anything other than poisoning.

'The short interval between the abdominal pain and the convulsions suggests the possibility of exposure to an organophosphorus agent, for instance - the same class of substances as Novichok, but in this case it may have been applied internally.'

Putin's first reaction on hearing news of Navalny's tragic death was to smile.

Navalny's widow has accused Putin of being her husband's 'murderer'.

She raged: 'His place is in prison, and not somewhere in The Hague, in a cozy cell with a TV, but in Russia - in the same colony and the same 2-by-3-metre cell in which he killed Alexei.'
At least 170 people have died after Nepal was hit by flash flooding which left locals 'buried alive' after landslides swept the country.

Residents have told harrowing stories of how they were forced to wade through 'chest-deep' water as they scrambled to safety.

Nepal has been battered by record amounts of rain over the weekend leading to deadly floods and landslides across the country.

At least 170 people had been killed and a further 42 remain missing - according to the Nepalese government.

Entire neighbourhoods in Nepal's capital of Kathmandu were left submerged after rivers coursing through the capital burst their banks and caused extensive damage to highways connecting the city with the rest of the mountainous nation.

A rescuer carries an injured woman to safety in Kathmandu. Nepal has been battered by record amounts of rain over the weekend leading to floods and landslides across the country

A man wades through a flooded street in Nepal's capital. Residents have told harrowing stories of how they were forced to wade through 'chest-deep' water as they scrambled to safety

Aerial image of Kathmandu after the flooding. Entire neighbourhoods in Nepal's capital of Kathmandu were left submerged after rivers coursing through the capital burst their banks

Distressing details are emerging of how at least 35 of those killed were buried alive in their vehicles after a landslide hit a highway in Kathmandu.

Nepalese Home Ministry spokesperson Rishi Ram Tiwari said that bulldozers were being used to clear several highways that had been blocked by debris, cutting Kathmandu off from the rest of the country.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said preliminary data from stations in 14 districts recorded record-breaking rain in the 24 hours to Saturday morning.

A station at the Kathmandu airport recorded about 240 millimetres (9.4 inches) of rain, highest since 2002, it said. Local media had earlier suggested the rainfall was the highest since 1970.

The Bagmati river and its numerous tributaries which cut through Kathmandu broke their banks, damaging nearby homes and vehicles after midnight on Saturday.

Residents struggled through chest-deep water to get to higher ground.

Bishnu Maya Shrestha, who lived in another affected area of Kathmandu, said they had to cut the roof of their homes to escape.

Mr Shresthi said: 'We jumped from one roof to another to safety and finally they came with boats to rescue us.'

An overturned lorry in Nepal. Distressing details are emerging of how at least 35 of those killed were buried alive in their vehicles after a landslide hit a highway in Kathmandu

Flooded areas of Kathmandu near the Bagmati River. Nepalese Home Ministry spokesperson Rishi Ram Tiwari said that bulldozers were being used to clear several highways that had been blocked by debris, cutting Kathmandu off from the rest of the country

Rescue teams drag a raft full of survivors through a residential street in Kathmandu. So far more than 3,000 people have been rescued

More than 3,000 security personnel were deployed to assist rescue efforts with helicopters and motorboats.

Rescue teams were using rafts to pull survivors to safety. So far more than 3,000 people have been rescued.

Humanitarian organisations are also helping with search and rescue operations, as well as providing relief.

Jagan Chapagain, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said in a post on X that staff and volunteers 'are distributing non-food items, providing hygiene kits, and setting up evacuation centers'.

Domestic flights resumed in and out of Kathmandu by Sunday morning after weather forced a complete stoppage from Friday evening, with more than 150 departures cancelled.

The summer monsoon brings South Asia 70-80 percent of its annual rainfall.

Monsoon rains from June to September bring widespread death and destruction every year across South Asia, but the number of fatal floods and landslides has increased in recent years.

Damaged houses following the flash flooding. Domestic flights resumed in and out of Kathmandu by Sunday morning after weather forced a complete stoppage from Friday evening, with more than 150 departures cancelled

Experts say climate change has worsened their frequency and intensity.

A landslide that hit a road in south west Nepal in July pushed two buses with 59 passengers aboard into a river.

Three people were able to escape alive, but authorities managed to recover only 20 bodies from the accident, with raging flood waters impeding the search.

More than 260 people have died in Nepal in rain-related disasters this year.
This is the horrific moment terrified residents lowered young children from the roof of buildings in Germany after an attacker with a machete set fire to homes.

A Syrian suspect has been arrested following chaos in Essen, with fires tearing through two blocks of flats leaving 30 people hurt - including eight children.

Neighbours tried to reach up with ladders to help people escape, but they weren't long enough to access the upper floors so brave residents worked together to lower children from the roof.

Horrifying photos shows a small child - seemingly a little girl - being held by one arm while reaching down to a man on a ladder in a desperate bid to escape the smoke and flames.

Another man stands on a window ledge to help support the child while terrified people remain trapped at the top of the building.

Two children who were hurt are in a life-threatening condition after inhaling smoke, according to local media.

They were reportedly thrown from windows to escape the flames, landing on cushions placed on the street.

Neighbours tried to reach up with ladders to help people escape, but they weren't long enough to reach the upper floors so brave residents worked together to lower children from the roof

A 41-year-old Syrian suspect has been arrested following chaos in Germany

Footage posted on X shows a van ramming through two shops a short time after the fires in a rampage, allegedly targeting people connected to his wife who had left him.

The van caused damage but no injuries and a 41-year-old Syrian man was arrested at the scene on Saturday.

Initial investigations indicated that the suspect's alleged motive was that his wife had left him, the police said.

He had gone out armed with 'knives and fire accelerants' intending to target homes and shops in Essen connected with people who had supported his wife.

The Bild daily reported that the suspect had threatened passers-by with a machete.

According to German media, the suspect first set fire to a residential building, then another house on a different street.

The boarded up windows of a food shop are seen, where a man rammed a van into it, in Essen, western Germany

A destroyed entrance door of a commercial and apartment building is pictured in Essen

The damaged entrance door of a commercial and apartment building is pictured in Essen

A police cordon outside one of the blocks of flats which were set on fire

Pictures show shattered windows in the residential buildings in Essen

A police officer patrols in front of a food shop where a man rammed a van into it in Essen

He then crashed into the window of a vegetable shop before driving to another store, where he exited the van and brandished a machete.

The suspect allegedly threatened people with weapons, but several men managed to push him back with shovels and poles until the police arrived.

Police said the suspect was a 41-year-old Essen resident with Syrian citizenship.

According to the Germany Press Agency, his lawyer Volker Schroder said he had no political motive and that it was a 'purely tragic family story'.

The rampage comes at a time of heated debate in Germany over migration after a spate of suspected Islamist attacks.

This photo shows a stairwell of a residential building after a fire

The boarded up windows of a food shop in Essen following the incident

A police officer patrols in front of a food shop where a man rammed a van into it

The broken glass of a door is seen at the food shop after the incident

A police cordon is seen in front of an apartment building in Essen, which was set on fire

The damaged entrance door of a commercial and apartment building

A cordon by the destroyed entrance door of an apartment building is pictured in Essen

Three people were killed and eight wounded in a knife attack at a street festival in the western city of Solingen in August, allegedly carried out by a Syrian asylum seeker and claimed by the Islamic State group.

An Islamist motive is also suspected in the killing of a police officer in a knife attack on the market square in the city of Mannheim in May.

Germany has responded to the attacks by taking steps to tighten immigration controls and knife laws.

The government has introduced new checks along all of its borders and promised to speed up deportations of migrants who have no right to stay in Germany.

Germany took in more than a million asylum seekers in 2015-2016 at the height of Europe's migrant crisis - a deeply divisive influx that has fuelled the popularity of the far-right AfD.
Jen Psaki has been slammed for fawning over Doug Emhoff - and claiming that his role as the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris has 'reshaped the perception of masculinity.'

Psaki's farcical comment comes just months after DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Emhoff's first marriage ended when he got his children's nanny pregnant.

Emhoff, 59, had an affair with Najen Naylor, a teacher at his children's school who also moonlighted as a nanny for then-eight-year-old daughter Ella.

The affair cost him his first marriage, leading him and his first wife Kerstin, now CEO of 'creative think tank' Prettybird, to divorce in 2009.

Now, just about a month away from the 2024 presidential election, the MSNBC political reporter and former White House Press Secretary said Emhoff is 'an incredibly supportive spouse.'

Jen Psaki has been slammed for fawning over Doug Emhoff claiming that his role as the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris has 'reshaped the perception of masculinity'

'It's funny, I've started to think a lot about this. I've always been like this, my dad was like this, and to me it's the right thing to do, you know, support women - it's mutual, with Kamala and I,' Emhoff said

'Something that has always - there has also been an important part, an interesting part of how people have talked about your role here is - how your role has reshaped the perception of masculinity,' Psaki said.

Emhoff immediately smiled at her and laughed as she added: 'And I'm not sure you've planned on that but you are an incredibly supportive spouse.

'Has that been an evolution for you, and do you think that's part of the role you might play as first gentleman?'

Emhoff responded: 'It's funny, I've started to think a lot about this. I've always been like this, my dad was like this, and to me it's the right thing to do, you know, support women - it's mutual, with Kamala and I.

'We support each other, we have each other's back, and I've said it many times, when we lift up women, we support women, whether it's pay equity, childcare, family leave, and all these issues.

He added that even when he was in the business world, he 'lifted up' the organizations he was involved in, just like Psaki 'lifted up the White House' when she was there. (pictured: Harris and Emhoff embracing at the DNC in August)

'Women should not be less than, women should not have less rights and be treated differently, that's not the American way,' he added.

Emhoff added that even when he was in the business world, he 'lifted up' the organizations he was involved in, just like Psaki 'lifted up the White House' when she was there.

Psaki then referred to Emhoff as 'a proud wife guy' before asking him how he felt about his wife's opponent, Donald Trump, who 'is not as comfortable with fierce women.'

'He's also refusing to agree to a debate, which she [Harris] has already agreed to. Do you think he's scared of debating her?'

'Yes, he should be,' Emhoff replied.

Commenters quickly reacted to Psaki's shock description of Emhoff as one person said: 'Emhoff was married at the time too. Lets be clear about that. Hes without morals just like Kamala.'

'Im failing to find anything masculine about him,' wrote another.

'There is no man alive who believes Doug Emhoff, of all people, reshaped the "perception of masculinity",' a commenter said.

Someone else argued that 'this is the craziest thing' Psaki has said.

'Are you really discussing the perception of masculinity Ms Psaki . You must have more important things to do,' said another.

News broke about Emhoff's affair with his ex-wife just hours after his name and face was thrusted into the limelight, when his wife's campaign unveiled new coffee mugs emblazoned with an image of a handsome - noticeably younger, thinner and fuller-haired Second Gentleman, for sale on kamalaharris.com.

Within hours, the Harris campaign was on the defensive with Emhoff admitting the affair, and claiming he had told Kamala years ago and had also revealed the affair to Joe Biden's camp when it was vetting candidates for the vice-presidential candidate in 2020.

Emhoff, 59, (middle-right) and movie producer ex-wife Kerstin, 57, (middle-left) ended their 16-year marriage in 2009 when she discovered the affair, the sources said. Their daughter Ella (right) was 10 and son Cole (left) was 15 at the time

When DailyMail.com approached Naylor she would not comment about her relationship with Emhoff or the baby. 'I'm kind of freaked out right now,' she said

'During my first marriage, Kerstin and I went through some tough times on account of my actions,' Emhoff admitted sheepishly after DailyMail.com's exclusive.

'I took responsibility, and in the years since, we worked through things as a family and have come out stronger on the other side.'

But even though Harris, 59, is said to have known, it still left her 'unnerved and humiliated' just two weeks after it became clear she would be the Democrat's 2024 presidential pick, according to one insider.

'She's trying to focus on rebranding her image and this is the last thing she wanted right now.

'Put bluntly it's not a good look and Harris and her team know it. News of the affair has dominated coverage of the candidate over the weekend and sparked panic in her camp,' they said.

Even a statement from his first wife supporting him didn't help much.

'Doug and I decided to end our marriage for a variety of reasons, many years ago,' Kerstin, 57, said.

'He is a great father to our kids, continues to be a great friend to me and I am really proud of the warm and supportive blended family Doug, Kamala, and I have built together.'

Naylor, now 47, moved from California to the east coast shortly after the affair ended.

She now lives in the millionaire's playground of the Hamptons, New York.

She did not attempt to deny the affair when approached by DailyMail.com at her home.

Sources told DailyMail.com that Naylor (far left) was Ella's nanny at the time she got pregnant. She was working, first as a teaching assistant and then a teacher, at the Willows

Her only comment was that she was 'kind of freaked out right now.'

But a close friend with direct knowledge of the affair and pregnancy told DailyMail.com that Naylor did not keep the child, while CBS has since reported that the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage.

Another friend, Stacey Brooks, who mothered twin boys around the same time as Naylor was expecting, also did not deny any of the claims  but said she would not divulge further information without Naylor's permission.

Emhoff and movie producer ex-wife Kerstin, 57, ended their 16-year marriage in 2009 when she discovered the affair, the sources said. Their daughter Ella was 10 and son Cole was 15 at the time.

Sources told DailyMail.com that after the affair Naylor had to leave her job at the children's swanky private school, The Willows in Culver City, California, where she worked first as a teacher's aide and then as a teacher.

Emhoff met Harris, then California's Attorney General, three years later in 2013 when he was set up on a blind date by one of her friends. They married the following year.

It is not clear whether he confessed his affair to Harris before his second wife was undergoing vetting to become Vice President or if that was the moment it came to light.
A top lung surgeon has been suspended after a 'squeezing' a junior female colleague's bottom and 'brush[ing] his body against her breasts' twice, a tribunal heard.

Dr Rajesh Shah, who was a consultant thoracic surgeon at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, was found to have sexually harassed his co-worker by a tribunal.

The 61-year-old also confessed to calling female members of staff 'birds' when he forgot there names, and also had colleagues do sections of his mandatory training.

Allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards two female co-workers, which occurred between 2005 and 2021, was placed against the lung doctor.

It was claimed that some of that behaviours 'constituted of sexual harassment. The tribunal later found that allegations made by one co-worker were not proved.

Dr Rajesh Shah as been suspended after a 'squeezing' a junior female colleague's bottom and 'brush[ing] his body against her breasts' twice

The consultant thoracic surgeon at Wythenshawe Hospital (Pictured in 2019) has been suspended for 12 months after being found guilty of serious misconduct

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found him guilty of serious misconduct and he was suspended for 12 months.

After a complaint was lodged against the lung surgeon, the Trust began an investigation into Dr Shah in 2021.

By the following April, the consultant was dismissed with the incident also being referred to the police.

There was an 'imbalance of power' between Dr Shah, who qualified at Bombay University in 1988, and the complainants, the tribunal said.

On October 11, 2014, Dr Shah put his arm around a female staff member, known as Colleague B, and 'steered her towards the coffee room'.

There he gave her a hug and touched and squeezed her bottom.

On October 2, 2019, Dr Shah is said to have started a conversation with Colleague B, during which he 'brushed his body against her breasts' and 'squeezed her right buttock'.

Colleague B told the tribunal: 'I recall telling Dr Shah that he... could not touch me like he did there as I did not like it and never to do it again.

'I recall he apologised and said he wouldn't do it again. He wasn't surprised or shocked that I had approached him,

'I got the impression that he knew what he did was wrong. The conversation was very quick.'

Dr Shah denied any wrongdoing, dubbing himself as 'tactile by nature' and stating there may have been 'social touching.

Following the incident, Colleague B lodged a formal complaint, to which Dr Shah responded to her in a written format, the tribunal heard.

'I am writing to apologise for making you feel uncomfortable,' he wrote.

'I understand that I hurt you by compromising your personal space and by touching you in a way which you felt was inappropriate. For this I am truly sorry.'

The tribunal ruled that any well-informed member of the public or colleague would find Dr Shah's conduct towards Colleague B 'deporable', concluding he was guilty of 'serious misconduct'

The tribunal ruled Dr Shah's conduct constituted sexual harassment because it created an 'intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment'.

Rosalind Emsley-Smith, representing the General Medical Council, said his 'grossly inappropriate' behaviour meant Dr Shah should be struck off.

A file image of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service

Representing Dr Shah, Stephen Brassington, argued that would be disproportionate, adding that while the lung surgeon 'let down the profession' his 'conduct towards his patients had always been appropriate and proper.'

'A right thinking reasonable member of the public would want him back at work as soon as possible in an effort to make amends,' Mr Brassington continued.

The tribunal, chaired by Gerry Wareham, suspended Dr Shah for a year, concluding that while his misconduct was a 'serious breach it 'fell short of being fundamentally incompatible with continued registration'.

Several other allegations against Dr Shah, made by a different woman referred to as Colleague A, and spanning between 2005 and 2021, were found not proved.

They included claims that he masturbated in her presence, put his hands up her skirt, touched her genitals over her underwear, 'rubbed his penis up and down her legs' and touched her bottom and breasts while she was sat in his office.
A tycoon's claims she is selling her Highland castle because the area is not ready for a transgender owner were yesterday rubbished by locals who insisted she had alienated the community.

Locals said they were delighted when self-styled lady of the manor Samantha Kane bought Carbisdale Castle, near Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, in 2022 with plans to bring the 29-bedroomed property back into use.

But they claim the relationship turned sour when she started putting up fences and signs preventing them from accessing forestry pathways they had helped clear around the 117-year-old building.

The barrister, who named herself Lady Carbisdale after buying the property for 1.2million, is believed to be the only person in the UK to have changed genders three times.

She claims she has put the property on the market for 5million because of hurtful comments made about her gender identity, claiming the area is not ready for a transgender custodian of the castle.

Tycoon Samantha Kane lives in 5m Carbisdale Castle near Bonar Bridge, Sutherland

Ms Kane looks out on the Highland countryside she now calls home. She sold off property in London to fund the refurbishments at Carbisdale Castle

Carbisdale Castle near Ardgay in the Scottish Highlands

However, locals also accused Ms Kane of putting up fences to stop them getting access to public land surrounding the castle.

One local businesswoman, who did not want to be named, said: It wasnt a case of not being ready [for her]. Its got nothing to do with that.

Local Ronnie MacNeill said Samantha Kane had 'fallen out with everyone'

Ms Kane behind the bar at Carbisdale Castle. She was restoring it at a reported cost of 10million and plans to welcome paying guests

Sadly she didnt get the locals onboard. Everyone was delighted when she bought the castle and were really looking forward to it being used again. But unfortunately she alienated them by pushing them out instead of welcoming them.

She stopped people getting to some of the accesses. A lot of locals helped clear paths away - they just wanted to use the area. But she alienated the locals, the locals didnt alienate her.

Another said: She was stopping people walking on land that was supposed to belong to the forestry. Anyone can walk there but she was putting up fences and putting up signs saying it was private property. She was chasing people off the land and taking benches away.

Paul Whittock, who owns Ardgay Garage, also hailed Ms Kanes claims about the Highlands not being ready for someone who has changed gender as absolute rubbish

Its got nothing to do with that whatsoever, he said. I deal with a lot of people and Ive never heard anyone say anything about that. Its got more to do with her behaviour.

She wasnt doing anything for anybody, just herself

When she came up it was all nicely, nicely, saying what a great place it was to live and she mingled with the locals. But then she wanted to expand the area around the castle. Thats when the cracks started to appear. She was doing all sorts of crazy things.

Other locals, many of whom refused to give their name for fear of reprisals from the multi-millionaire barrister, told how she joined the community council when she wanted plans put through. Months later, the rest of the members resigned en mass because of her nasty behaviour.

Samantha in a photoshoot at the age of 38 - prior to transitioning back to a man in 2004

Barrister Ms Kane ploughed millions of pounds of her fortune into restoring Carbisdale Castle

One of the grand rooms of Carbisdale Castle which has gone on the market for 5million

The snooker room at Carbisdale Castle, which has gone on the market for 5million

There were angry recriminations and a visit from the police last November when she faced the wrath of locals over her proposals for land surrounding the castle.

Locals are now in the process of electing a new committee to take the community forward.

Taxi driver Ronnie MacNeill said: Shes fallen out with everybody. Shes just trying to take over everything.

Ive never met her but Ive experienced speaking to her on the phone. She called to order a taxi.

When she eventually gave him her name he felt he had no option but to tell her to find someone else to collect her, as he said she was ranting and raving.

One woman who moved from overseas ten years ago said it was sad that she couldnt be happy here. And believed she had missed an opportunity to work with the community.

Ms Kane in 2022. She now says Samantha is 'here to stay' after changing gender three times

Ms Kane appeared on This Morning to discuss her journey to becoming comfortable in her skin in October 2022

She believed Highlanders were quite open to newcomers and said: We need people to come here - the Highlands needs fresh blood. Its sad this has turned out this way and I hope she has a happy life, its just sad she couldnt be happy here.

Local councillor Michael Baird, however, said there was an element of truth to what Ms Kane was saying and claimed the same small community around the castle had hounded out a previous developer nine years ago.

Ms Kane last night refuted the claims made by locals.

She said: All of these people are obviously motivated by some sort of hate or jealousy or prejudice. Its complete lies and utter nonsense.

I try my very, very hardest to renovate the castle, I offer jobs to the local community, I open up the castle for the local community. I have done everything in my power to be friendly and nice. But the castle is being disrespected. I am leaving the place and I am still being hounded by lies and nonsense.
He is only 11 years old - but rookie climber Aden Thurlow is already heading for the top.

The Scottish primary school kid has become the youngest person to lead a climb up two intimidating giant sea stacks, one after the other.

He was joined by his dad Alan and climbing instructor Jim Miller as they scaled the 180ft Am Buachaillie followed by the 197ft Old Man of Stoer, off the remote Sutherland coast in the northeast of Scotland.

As lead climber he was responsible for ensuring that the correct safety gear was placed in the rock cracks to protect them against a fall.

Sea stacks are the names given to towering pillars of sandstone set in the water. The first recorded climbs of Am Buachaille and Old Man of Stoer were made in the 1960s.

Rookie climber Aden Thurlow scaled two sea stacks, the Am Buachaillie and the Old Man of Stoer

The youngster, aged 11, said the climb had taken massive chunks of flesh out of his fingers

The Old Man of Stoer (Pictured) is 60-meter high sea stack off the Sutherland coast of Sunderland

Am Buachaille (Pictured) is another rock formation also made up of Torridonian stone found on the Sutherland coast in Scotland

Am Buachaille is the most challenging of the two because climbers must swim there and back.

Aden, who lives in Angus, said the climb had taken massive chunks of flesh out of his fingers and left him with no feeling in his hands.

He added: It hasnt sunk in yet, but it feels like a big deal.

The youngster was inspired to tackle the sea stacks after researching blind British climber Jesse Dufton, whose feats include leading an ascent of Orkneys Old Man of Hoy.

Aden has set his sights on making a lead climb of the same 449ft sea stack in the coming months.

Watched by proud mum Lynn, Aden completed his two sea stack climbs last weekend.

Dad Alan said: To do that at his age is phenomenal.

Im very humbled and very proud.

Aden is raising money for the Guide Dogs charity from his two climbs.
This week Russell Findlay begins the work of making the Scottish Conservatives face up to the general election results.

They were truly dire. That the party managed to retain five of its six seats masked the catastrophic nature of its electoral implosion, but five numbers in particular lay the problem bare.

12.7 per cent: the Tories share of the vote across Scotland, the lowest in the partys two-century history.

Forty five: number of seats where they failed to secure even 20 per cent of the vote.

Sixteen: number of seats where they lost their deposit.

Twenty five: number of seats where they finished behind Reform.

Ten: number of seats where they finished behind the Greens.

There is no sugar-coating numbers like these, and no one sensible would try. Russell Findlay certainly wouldnt. As he told Tory conference yesterday: We have to accept the enormity of the challenge ahead of us. We need to face some hard truths.

Russell Findlay newly elected Scottish Tory leader is making no predictions about an election two years away

Hard truths like those election statistics, which read like the vitals of a political party on life support. In order to lead the Scottish Conservatives, Findlay must first secure the partys survival at the next Holyrood elections.

Reckon Im being overly dramatic? Since the general election, a number of MSPs have confessed their fears about 2026 to me. Not that the Conservatives could fall back into third place  that is largely factored in now  but that on an especially bad night the party might finish behind the Greens.

It couldnt happen. Could it?

I make no predictions about an election two years away. The prescription in my crystal ball isnt that strong. But if the Conservatives continue their slide and Reform builds on the seven per cent it managed in July, the Tories could find themselves relegated to the fringes of Holyrood.

This underscores the scale of the task that stands before Russell Findlay.

He has to coax back Tories who went to Reform but he will have to do so in a way that doesnt alienate One Nationers, who have always been more prominent in the Scottish partys support.

He has to make the Conservatives a viable alternative to the SNP but he will have to do so at an election where much of the anti-SNP sentiment and momentum will be with Labour.

He has, in short, to replicate what Ruth Davidson did for the party but he will have to do so without her secret weapon: independence.

That is rather a lot of doom and gloom, but there is time to turn things around. Party members have indicated emphatically that they want to see a turnaround, with 62 per cent giving their vote to Findlay, a more resounding victory than even his most ardent supporters expected. Findlay stood on a platform of change and the membership handed him a thumping great mandate. Change there must now be, and his authority, which flows from the membership, must be respected by everyone on the MSP benches.

But what does change look like?

In the first instance, it looks like Findlay himself. He is an oddity at Holyrood in that hes not a career politician. Most of his professional life was spent as a journalist specialising in crime and investigations. He made a name for himself by digging into the dealings of Scotlands criminal underworld, exposing the gangs and crimelords who had used fear to deter scrutiny of their illicit enterprises.

And so they sent a hitman after him. During Christmas 2015, an assailant appeared at the Findlay familys front door, posing as a delivery man, and threw acid in his face before lunging at him with a knife. As Findlay fought off the attacker, his ten-year-old daughter ran to a neighbour for help.

The doctors saved his sight and the hitman was sentenced to ten years in prison, but the threat doesnt go away. In July, in the middle of his leadership bid, two police detectives visited Findlay to warn him of a potential threat on his life. For the remainder of the campaign, the location of his speeches and other events was kept under wraps until the last minute for security reasons.

All this speaks to the mans character. The fact he chose to go after the crime gangs in the first place. The fact he was undeterred by a savage attack on his doorstep. The fact he has chosen public service even as the threat of violence looms over him. You neednt concur with Findlays politics to respect his pluck and grit.

This is more than just a colourful backstory. Having arrived in politics later than most and via a route other than the typical university-bag carrier-candidate path, Findlay is something of an outsider and that is reflected in his approach to Holyrood. He has no patience for its self-regard, for its insider priorities, for how hermetically sealed it is from the perspectives and preferences of the average Scot.

Nowhere was this more evident than in his stance on Nicola Sturgeons Gender Recognition Reform Bill. Findlay opposed the legislation on the grounds that its relaxed rules could be exploited by bad faith actors. He was a clarion voice against the Bill and made his case in clear, common sense terms, shorn of political jargon and poll-tested soundbites. If you go back and read his speeches from those debates, you hear something uncommon at Holyrood: an MSP speaking about policy in the same language and with the same instincts as the majority of Scots.

The leadership election revealed Findlays determination, earthy charm and a strong communications operation, which punched well above its modest size. It also brought forward a suite of policy proposals focussed on prosperity, housing, education and public safety. Since Baroness Davidsons departure in 2019, the Scottish Conservative policy offering has been the thinnest of gruels.

The Tories have become as fixated on independence as the SNP, and while opposing the break up of the UK is a good and noble thing, it cannot be all the party has to say. Yet for some time now, opposition to independence has been the Tories primary brand, to the exclusion of all other issues. The voters were concerned about growth, tax, waiting times and the attainment gap, but all the Tories wanted to talk about was indyref2.

Findlay is on a mission to change that. He wants to make a comprehensive policy pitch to the general public, putting the Conservatives on their side in areas where the SNP and Labour are similarly minded. His outlook is firmly conservative, rooted in concepts like sound money, free enterprise, increased opportunity and law and order. If that sounds awfully familiar, I would merely note that his launch speech quoted Margaret Thatcher: There is no such thing as public money; there is only taxpayers money.

There is an electorate out there for mainstream, conservative policies and it will be Russell Findlays challenge to tap into it. Though the odds might appear stacked against him, he has something crucial going for him: opposition. Whatever happens at Holyrood or Westminster in the next two years cannot be blamed on the Tories. Findlay should use this opportunity to make his party the natural choice for anyone scunnered after two decades of the SNP but wholly unimpressed by Sir Keir Starmers already stumbling government. Scotland needs a new political direction and it falls to Russell Findlay to chart it.
The beleaguered head of Rape Crisis Scotland is under increasing pressure to resign after it emerged that she knew in 2019 that the Edinburgh branch was not providing women-only spaces for survivors.

Charity chief executive Sandy Brindley had claimed she was unaware that Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) was not following national standards by failing to offer female-only spaces until last October.

But she held a meeting in October 2019 with traumatised women, including survivors of rape and sexual assault and the mother of a teenage girl who had been gang-raped, where it was acknowledged that services were open to any individual who said they identified as a woman.

Women from the Heal Survivors Group  who self-excluded from services offered by Rape Crisis Scotland over fears they might encounter biological males - were left distressed and worried that those in charge at the ERCC felt that they cannot and therefore will not provide a female-only service for females.

Yesterday the feminist campaign group For Women Scotland again called for Ms Brindley, who has said she will leave her post in the next year, to resign.

Chief Executive of charity Rape Crisis Sandy Brindley is under increasing pressure to resign

The chief executive is already under pressure to quit after being forced to apologise unreservedly over the failings at ERCC, which a review found had failed to offer female-only spaces over a 16-month period.

The review also criticised the centres transgender former chief executive Mridul Wadhwa, who was appointed in 2021 and resigned earlier this month after being found to have failed to set professional standards of behaviour and to understand the limits on her roles authority.

Susan Smith of For Women Scotland said: We share the anger and frustration of the survivors who met with Ms Brindley five years ago.

Throughout the intervening period, she continued to back Wadhwa even as he openly talked about bigoted victims or of sacking members of staff who know sex is real.

It is beyond the realm of possibility that she failed to notice these atrocious comments or failed to see that such opinions would be put into practice to the detriment to women who needed a safe haven.

As it happens, ERCC was failing women even before Wadhwas tenure. The rot goes deeper, and a culture shift is needed at RCS and other centres across Scotland, which are also in hock to this pernicious anti-woman ideology.

Details of the October 2019 meeting are available on the Scottish Parliament website after the survivors group wrote to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee in 2022 while the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was being considered.

The letter to convener Joe Fitzpatrick stated: Our stated purpose was to seek reassurance that female survivors of male sexual violence would not encounter men, including men with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, in the female-only therapeutic environment and to share our concerns about including any men, including those with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, in this environment.

It also included a follow-up email sent to Ms Brindley and Caroline Burrell, the then manager of ERCC, who both attended the meeting.

The email, dated December 1 2019, said: Although we left the meeting feeling distressed and worried by your clarification of your policies and the fact that you feel you cannot and therefore will not provide a female-only service for females, we hope that we may continue to engage with you with the aim of finding a compromise that meets the needs of female survivors of male violence, as well as your own as providers and those of your trans-identifying service users, volunteers and staff.

One woman who was sexually abused as a child and was present at the meeting told the Sunday Mail: When we were asking about women-only spaces, Sandy wouldnt give us a straight answer.

When she talked about women she was including trans-identifying males in that, but when we asked her to confirm that this meant there was no female-only space, she refused to answer.

We were forced to go the route of saying people with a penis and people with a vagina to try to find a common language.

Ms Brindley was also criticised by the author JK Rowling, who campaigns for single-sex spaces, for allowing a trans activist to be present at the meeting.

A Rape Crisis spokeswoman said: The independent review of ERCC found that between October 2022 and February 2024, there were no protected women-only spaces available through ERCC unless they were specifically requested.

Prior to October 2022, ERCC operated women only provision which was inclusive of all women as defined by ERCC, who operate independently of RCS.

This account of the meeting referred to was provided to RCS on December 1, 2019.

We responded to the note of the meeting on December 6, 2019, to say we didnt recognise the account provided. This remains the case.
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), delivers a speech at a reception to celebrate the upcoming 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 28, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Saturday called for consolidating and developing the broadest possible patriotic united front to rally the people's support, foster consensus, and pool their strength to advance Chinese modernization.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at a reception held in Beijing to celebrate the upcoming 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"To accomplish Chinese modernization, it is essential for all Chinese people to unite and collaborate collectively," he said.

On Hong Kong and Macao, Wang stressed the determination to continue to fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems, see that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots, inspire more people in Hong Kong and Macao to love both the country and their own regions, and support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating themselves into the country's overall development.

On Taiwan, Wang stressed adherence to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, expressing the willingness to promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance integrated development in all fields.

He called for efforts to resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and foreign interference and unswervingly advance the cause of national reunification.

About 2,000 representatives from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese communities attended the reception.
A teenage gang is marauding through Scotlands high streets using free bus passes to go on violent shoplifting sprees.

The band of criminals is reckoned to be 42 strong and have stolen 37,000 worth of stock in around 160 separate incidents.

Marching into stores without bothering to hide their faces, they have been captured on camera sweeping high value goods off the shelves and into bags.

Russell Findlay, the newly elected Scottish Conservative leader, said it was suspected the group were working under adult organised criminals.

Although the gang remains active Police Scotland told the Mail yesterday that a number of charges had been brought.

Shoplifters have been using free bus passes to travel to stores (File image)

Although the gang remains active Police Scotland told the Mail yesterday that a number of charges had been brought (stock image)

Revelations of the gangs exploits follow alarming figures which show a dramatic increase in retail crime across Scotland. Shoplifting cases have risen by 35 per cent in the last year and Co-op boss Kate Graham has described the situation as anarchy.

What we are seeing is blatant looting, she said.

Reels of CCTV footage capture the gang of youths doing just that. Reports and video evidence of their activities are collated by the organisation Retailers Against Crime whose managing director Maxine Fraser says store security staff present no deterrent to them.

She said: There are 42 of them, the majority of them are under 18 and theyre really marauding throughout Glasgow division, Central Scotland and Edinburgh - and theyre fearless.

They are so brazen. They walk into stores and when the security officers say you cant take that they turn around and say you cant touch me.

Ms Fraser added: They are extremely violent. They have thrown bottles at staff and customers - because there are no consequences.

She said the gang was based in Glasgow but travelled by bus around the Central Belt for their shop raids in which their prime target was alcoholic spirits.

The majority, she said, were believed to be using free bus passes which the Scottish Government has allowed to be issued to those aged five to 21 since 2022.

Thus far they have hit stores in areas including Edinburgh city centre, Stirling, Falkirk, Dumbarton and Prestwick.

Ms Fraser said the police should be given statutory powers to remove free bus passes from people using them to engage in criminality. Currently they would be able to confiscate travel passes only under the direction of a court.

Shoplifting in Scotland has rocketed by 35 per cent to a total of 38,674 cases in 2023-24 (An inident of shoplifting captured on CCTV in Scotland)

Thieves plunder items from stores safe in the knowledge there will be few consequences (An inident of shoplifting captured on CCTV in Scotland)

A suspected shoplifter captured by a Scottish store security camera helping himself to goods in a corner shop. Shoplifting offences have rocketed in recent years

She added that increasingly lenient treatment of young people by the police and the courts in Scotland was helping gangs like this one to thrive.

She said: Whoever decided on these laws has no idea what is going on out in the retail world because they dont listen, and they need to listen to the retailers.

Its very serious and parliament needs at act immediately. They need to do something now.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Findlay said retail violence was now rife and some staff had already been killed. He suggested the shoplifting figures were now largely irrelevant - due partly to under-reporting.

He said: Retail crime is out of control in Scotland. And its not me saying that, its the retailers and the police.

Mr Findlay added: If retailers call the police and they dont attend there is no consequence. If a thief is caught but given a recorded police warning instead of being charged there is no consequence - and if they are charged the chance of a conviction has become close to non-existent.

By deliberately and systematically removing consequences there is no deterrent and this leads to the inevitable consequence of criminals who believe they can act with impunity.

Referring to the youth gang targeting towns around Central Scotland Mr Findlay said: Its targeted and its organised. The gang members are brazen. They make no attempts to hide their faces and they sweep high value items from the shelves.

He said he had seen numerous sickening CCTV videos of them spitting on staff, punching them, threatening them, doing what they want.

He added: Its inevitable that more people will end up dead. The police tell the retailers that their hands are tied and I speak with police officers who often feel powerless and frustrated.

Conservative MSP Mr Russell Findlay said retail violence was now rife and some staff had already been killed whilst speaking to Holyrood

Co-op operations director Kate McCrae Graham (Pictured) warned earlier this month that stores in Scotland were descending into anarchy

The Scottish Government (Pictured: St Andrew's House) has urged shops to inform police of crimes (file image)

It seems the Scottish Government is content to sub-contract retail security onto the shoulders of the retailers.

The Scottish Grocers Federation Scottish Crime Report for 2023/24 suggested cases of shoplifting had doubled in the last year. The report also highlights that many retailers were reluctant to report cases of shoplifting to the police due to slow response times.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: We are aware of a number of recent reports of shoplifting in the central belt which appear to be linked.

Following targeted enforcement, there have been 170 charges in relation to these crimes and reports have been submitted to the relevant authorities.

Officers continue to pay particular attention to areas and premises known to be targeted by crime groups. Were working with retailers and partner agencies to advise on prevention measures.
A former Idaho teacher who had sex with a teenage boy then made him drive her home while she was drunk has been sentenced in court.

Jessica Lawson, 36, was jailed on Thursday for a minimum of two years and a maximum of 20 years for felony sexual battery of a minor who was 16 or 17.

Under Senior District Judge Stephen Dunn's ruling, Arizona-born Lawson will be required to register as a sex offender and attend treatment during her jail time and afterwards.

The former South Fremont High School teacher and mother is subject to a 20-year no-contact order with the victim, who had only recently been adopted by his new parents when she took advantage of him.

Lawson's sordid crimes were exposed on November 6 when police pulled the victim over during a traffic stop because the vehicle had no visible headlights.

Jessica Lawson (pictured), 36, was jailed on Thursday for a minimum of two years and a maximum of 20 years for felony sexual battery of a minor who was 16 or 17

Authorities discovered that the car belonged to Lawson, whom the boy said allowed him to drive because she was too drunk.

Court documents detail how the boy was also in possession of marijuana at the time.

Police drove him home that night before speaking with his parents the next morning, who said he had grown up in foster homes and they had only adopted him days before.

The teen's parents said Lawson picked the boy up at 11pm on November 6 and drove him to her house in Saint Anthony, Idaho.

They added that the teacher had raped the boy after they drank booze and got high together.

Lawson initially pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony rape of a victim who is 16 or 17, felony delivery of a controlled substance and misdemeanor dispensing alcohol to a minor.

But as part of a court agreement, she pleaded guilty in August to two counts of felony sexual battery of a minor in exchange for the Attorney General's office dropping all other charges.

It was wrapped into another case where Lawson was charged with infraction for permitting an unauthorized minor to drive.

Deputy Attorney General Madison Allen, outlined the details of the case in court.

Lawson, 36, an Arizona native, taught at South Fremont High School from 2021 until 2023

The former teacher at South Fremont High School (pictured) is subject to a 20-year no-contact order with the victim, who had only recently been adopted by his new parents

'Jessica Lawson, who was 36 years old at the time, had an unlawful sexual relationship with a 16-year-old minor male victim when she picked him up from his home secretly without his parents' permission,' she said.

'She took him to her house where the two began to drink alcohol and then they engaged in sex acts together.'

Lawson apologized to the victim and his family after making a self-pitying speech broadcast by East Idaho News, blaming a previous 15-year 'toxic relationship' for her crimes.

'I alone am responsible for my actions, but I believe (a prior) relationship was the catalyst that set me down the path to where I am today,' she told the court room.

'I want to apologize to the victim and his family for any pain that I have caused,' she added while sobbing. 'I want to apologize to the community and anyone I've let down.'

Judge Dunn dismissed Lawson's excuses, telling her: 'I understand you've been through some difficult times.

'There hasn't been one of these cases where I haven't had a female in front of me, a defendant who hasn't told me a similar story, frankly, about usually an abusive marriage and low self-esteem.'

The victim's father lamented the harm that Lawson had brought to the vulnerable young boy.

'It takes a village to raise a young man, especially a young man that has been in and out of foster care, that has never known what it's like to have a mom and a dad,' he told the court.

'My son is going to take a long time to heal and he doesn't even know the wounds that he has yet.

'He's not going to understand those wounds until he's a parent and he's sending his daughter or sonto the house of a parent that he trusts.'

Jessica Lawson, a former Idaho teacher who had sex with a teenage boy then made him drive her home while she was drunk, has been sentenced in court

The teenager's mother also told the court people in their local community had lashed out at her over the case.

'We brought (the victim) in because he needed somebody, and he didn't have anybody,' she said.

'It was pretty quick that we realized this is a really great kid, and he's wonderful and he should be in our family.

'He's got a lot of problems because he didn't have a mom and dad that taught him how to recognize safe people.'

'You took advantage of that,' she added, addressing Lawson.

Lawson's lawyer Allen Browning told the court his client wanted to apologize to the victim.

He added that she understood that her jail time was 'in the interest of justice'.
Eight years on from the worst experience of her career Natalie Lightfoot is still trying to heal. She lost 35,000 in two raids on her convenience store in the space of 20 days and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

That resulted in her losing the child she was carrying.

Her confidence was lost too. For a time she was too fearful to open her shop on her own.

My whole world fell apart, she told a group of Scottish politicians a few days ago. And to this day the pain never goes away. At this point I wanted to quit but, as an independent retailer, this isnt an option.

So Ms Lightfoot still owns and runs the store in Glasgows Baillieston which she bought as an ambitious 24-year-old with a first class honours degree in business management and organisation.

Natalie Lightfoot says shoplifters are becoming increasingly brazen

Ms Lightfoot's Londis Convenience Store in Baillieston in Glasgow

Now 42, she has learned qualifications and business nous count for little in the face of a rising tide of retail crime and violence variously described by traders as an epidemic and anarchy.

MSPs sat in thoughtful silence as Ms Lightfoot schooled them on the realities that shop owners and workers throughout Scotland are facing.

You could have heard a pin drop when I was talking, she later told the Mail. Im not a public speaker, but I think they needed to hear it.

The mother of three described another dismal day when she watched two men march into her store, lift a crate of lager each, and walk out again. She was seven months pregnant at the time but still gave chase.

As she shouted at one of the men to return the stolen goods to the shop, she said he stopped, turned to her and screamed: Stay the f*** away from me or I will kill you.

She played the MSPs videos captured by her 11 CCTV cameras of thieves helping themselves to goods off her shelves at Londis Solo Convenience. Some are furtive; others brazen. Violence, threats and abuse may follow when they are challenged.

Heres a culprit in action she said as she rolled her first clip for the Scottish Parliaments cross-party group for independent convenience stores. Theres no real consequence  thats why they repeat offend.

She added: What am I supposed to do? I contact the police after discovering the theft but nothing happens. I spend hours trawling CCTV footage to burn, I arrange and give my statements. But bottom line essentially [is] my money is gone. It makes me feel so angry; it feels personal. The first thing I say to shoplifters caught is you are stealing off my kids. I ask you how is this any different from you having your purse or wallet stolen?

It was Co-op operations director Kate Graham who, earlier this month, warned that stores were descending into anarchy.

Thieves plunder items from stores safe in the knowledge there will be few consequences

Shoplifting in Scotland has rocketed by 35 per cent to a total of 38,674 cases in 2023-24

She told BBC Radio Scotland: What we are seeing is blatant looting  people just coming in with a large bag and taking what they want because they are recognising the lack of consequence. We are seeing repeat offenders and we are seeing prolific shoplifting. People are stealing to order so this is absolutely not about the cost-of-living crisis.

Figures released by the Co-op this week show the cost of shoplifting in its stores has surged by almost a fifth to 40 million in the first half of the year alone. Four Co-op staff a day are attacked.

According to Scottish Governments own figures, the crime rocketed by 35 per cent in a single year to a total of 38,674 cases in 2023-24. The figure represents a 41 per cent rise on a decade ago  yet only includes incidents reported to the police.

Many shopowners have now given up telling the police about them  believing nothing will be done.

The Scottish Grocers Federation puts the cost of retail crime across the land at 62.9 million for 2023-24 and says nine out of 10 stores are reporting violence against staff at least once a week.

The deterrent is all but non-existent - a point which arises again and again in the Scottish retail industry. The justice system is so weakened under the SNP that shoplifting has been decriminalised by stealth, said Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay.

Unlike many shop owners, Ms Lightfoot still reports every incident to Police Scotland.

She told the Mail: They are honest with us that their hands are tied.

A suspected shoplifter captured by a Scottish store security camera helping himself to goods in a corner shop. Shoplifting offences have rocketed in recent years

Conservative MSP Mr Russell Findlay said retail violence was now rife and some staff had already been killed whilst speaking in Holyrood

They come in and we report it, and we see in their eyes that we are wasting their time, which is why a lot of shopkeepers dont report it.

As for the 2021 Holyrood law making it a statutory offence to assault, threaten or abuse staff, no one is really getting prosecuted on it, said Ms Lightfoot. It is just another law that is sitting there unused.

If the consequences for the criminals are minimal, they can be life-changing for shop owners and staff.

In April 2016, Ms Lightfoot opened her business to find it had been raided overnight. The thieves, believed to be part of an organised crime gang, cleaned out the shops tobacco supplies, broke into the safe and stole cash, took lottery scratchcards and, before they left, ripped out the CCTV hard drive.

Ms Lightfoot, who relocated from Bedford to run the store, told MSPs: The insurance did not make a pay-out. I had to borrow money from family to help us keep going. In a matter of weeks I had gone from what was an amazing situation and enjoying the result of my hard work to losing what felt like everything.

Yet worse was to come. She made huge outlays on additional security measures which took 21 days to instal fully. Yet on day 20 it was raided again  the new roller shutter she had just installed peeled back like the top of a can of tuna.

They knew what awaited them on the other side, so they were determined, she said. This time they took more tobacco along with bags full of spirits.

As MSPs watched, Ms Lightfoot rolled the CCTV tape of this second raid, which again was not covered by insurance as the security installation was not quite complete.

No one was brought to justice for either raid.

Co-op operations director Kate McCrae Graham (Pictured) warned earlier this month that stores in Scotland were descending into anarchy

She said: I had lost in total around 35k due to damage, stock and cash loss over the two break ins. I suffered severe PTSD from opening the store and just doing my job. During the two break-ins my husband was made redundant and I was the sole breadwinner.

I had a three-year-old girl I had to keep going for. But the stress from being responsible for everyones job, saving my business, paying all my bills and getting myself out of debt finally came out in my body. I was blessed to fall pregnant with my little girls sibling, but the stress was too much, and I miscarried.

Throughout her attempts to heal, shop crime has carried on unabated. Behind the alarming statistics, real lives blighted; staff living in fear.

Much more recently, one of her shop assistants was attacked by two sisters who had been asked to leave because staff suspected they were planning to rob customers of their purses or wallets.

They followed a staff member and charged at her whilst she was waiting on a bus home, Ms Lightfoot told MSPs. Who needs this from their job?

That night, the employee rang to say she could no longer work in the evenings. I cant do this any more, she told her boss.

Ms Lightfoot concluded: Crime has greatly affected me and my business over the last 17 years. The reason I wanted to speak today is to express and convey exactly how much.

So many injustices served. Eight years later, and I dont think I am healed. There is more than just financial loss to the crime we face as independent retailers. Just like the postmasters, it impacts our personal lives in irreversible ways and this needs to be recognised.

Kate Yule's Corner Shop in Hawick in the Scottish Borders confessed she rarely tells authorities when shoplifters steal from her store

At Kats Corner Shop in Hawick in the Scottish Borders, owner Kat Yule admits she now rarely informs police when shoplifters strike.

That dates back to an armed robbery a few years ago when she was held at knifepoint by a young woman. She called the police and they arrived in numbers. Within hours she was arrested.

The next day, she walked past the shop, so she was let out, said Ms Yule. That sort of set the scene for me. It doesnt matter what they do. They can hold a knife to you, they can try to stab you, but the next day theyll be out on the street.

I dont feel its worth the polices time either because what are they going to do? I know fine well myself that nothing is going to be done.

Among the shop thieves contributing to the startling surge in the crime are vulnerable women and children trafficked from Eastern Europe specifically to shoplift.

RAC has been tracking the Glasgow-based group since 2019 and Ms Fraser confirmed it remains operational, shoplifting to order across the UK.

She said it was clear from video footage captured in stores that they were using very young children.

Theyre still very active and theyre selling stock on at local markets. Some of it is very high value stock. Two of them walked out with a TV one day.

Although many have been arrested for shoplifting, they are quickly released  especially if they are children  and the cycle continues.

Indeed, many assert that shoplifting is rocketing partly as a result of the kid gloves with which Police Scotland must treat young offenders.

Current Scottish Government guidance makes no bones about its agenda to keep children out of the justice system.

Under 18s have additional rights in police custody and sentencing of those under 24 must recognise that their culpability may be lower than an older person because their brains are still developing.

For Ms Fraser it all leads to the conclusion the justice system is a mess.

She said: Im quite happy to say that because we know some defendants have maybe got 40 cases and theyre still out there. Incarceration isnt the answer to everything, however it is the answer for many of them. When you have someone who is violent and uses weapons they should be in a secure place.

A Police Scotland spokesman told the Mail: While we have seen an increase in reports of thefts by shoplifting, there has also been an increase in detection of this type of crime. Charges have been brought in nearly half of all reported incidents.

We work closely with the retail and business sectors to deter, prevent and investigate retail crime. Where we identify businesses which are being targeted by shoplifters, we have trained officers who can attend and carry out security surveys and offer advice around prevention.

The Scottish Government said it recognises the significant harm retail crime and encouraged stores to report all of them to the police.

The Scottish Government (Pictured: St Andrew's House) has urged shops to inform police of crimes (file image)

'While we have seen an increase in reports of thefts by shoplifting, there has also been an increase in detection of this type of crime,' a Police Scotland spokesperson said (stock image)

A spokesman added: While decisions on policing crime are operational matters for the Chief Constable, our Budget this year includes record police funding of 1.55 billion  an increase of 92.7 million. This will enable Police Scotland to increase officer numbers up to around 16,500-16,600.

The evidence on the ground is many have already given up on an effective police response.

I wish for tougher consequences on criminals, said Ms Lightfoot. I wish for the police not to have their hands tried when it comes to shoplifters.

More realistically, perhaps, she is calling for an online portal for reporting shoplifting crimes without involving the police in the first instance  and grants for extra security.

If the thin blue line can no longer defend them, it seems they must defend themselves.
A grieving son has accused Oregon authorities of not 'giving a s***' after it took them nearly two months to find his mother lying dead in the wreckage of her car.

Kathleen Wilson was last seen alive on August 5 after setting off on a 230-mile trip to see a friend in Chiloquin and staying overnight at an RV park in Myrtle Creek.

As the days passed the Myrtle Creek Police Department said the 69-year-old widow had disappeared in the 'vast wilderness off of 138 East' (sic).

It was September 25 before she was found dead in her maroon 2012 Chevy Cruz near milepost 53, just six miles from where she was last seen.

'She was like 15ft off the road,' son Darreld Carey told DailyMail.com.

Kathleen Wilson, 69, disappeared on August 5 during a 230-mile road trip across Oregon

The grandmother was caught on camera at a gas station in one of the last sightings

The grandmother from McMinnville had left the RV park at 6am on August 5 to drive the last 140 miles to Chiloquin.

At 7.34am she was seen driving through the Dry Creek area on Highway 138 East, about six miles from where her car was eventually recovered.

The alarm was raised when she failed to appear at her destination that evening and Myrtle Creek PD began their search.

Within days the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, Forest Service Law Enforcement, and local firefighting crews were involved in an 'extensive search' for the missing woman.

On August 8 Oregon State Police brought in a plane to help in the search but that attempt was soon abandoned.

'Unfortunately, due to the smoke from the fires being thick and at a low altitude, they were unable to continue the search,' MCPD said later that day.

Carey said there was no reason for not resuming the air search when the air cleared.

'Maybe at the beginning but I honestly don't think they gave a s***,' he added.

'My niece is over there and she says there were clear blue skies. She was literally six miles from where she was last seen on camera.'

'At this point in the investigation, it has been determined that more likely than not, Wilson drove out the North Umpqua Highway from Roseburg and became lost somewhere in the vast wilderness off of 138 East,' Myrtle Creek PD posted on August 13.

'We would like to make sure we are clear; this case is not closed and the investigation is ongoing. This case will not be closed until Wilson is found.'

The widow from McMinnville was seen driving through the Dry Creek area on Highway 138 East, about six miles from where her car was eventually recovered

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, Forest Service Law Enforcement, and local firefighting crews were involved in an 'extensive search' for her red Chevy

It was not until 9.27am on Wednesday that an Oregon Department of Transport staffer working on Highway 138 East near milepost 53 saw the remains of the car down a 'steep embankment'

Twenty-eight days after the grandmother disappeared hey wrote: 'We will be checking with the Oregon State Police this week for an update on the likelihood that a search by plane could be productive.'

It was not until 9.27am on Wednesday that an Oregon Department of Transport staffer working on Highway 138 East near milepost 53 saw the remains of the car down a 'steep embankment'.

'The vehicle was in a location that could not be seen by anyone driving by,' Myrtle PD insisted.

'Preliminary information from the scene indicate that Wilson was driving eastbound on Highway 138 East when her vehicle, for an unknown reason, traveled across the roadway and over a steep embankment on the opposite side of the highway.

'The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office responded and took possession of the body.'

Carey said his brother David arrived at the scene and found that their mother had survived the crash and had undone her seatbelt in a bid to get out.

'The day she went missing I was going to go down and look for her and I was told there wasn't any need, they were going to take care of it,' he added.

'I truly believe if I had ignored them mother would still be alive today.'
Norway is considering plans to install a fence along part or all of the 123-mile border it shares with Russia in a move inspired by a similar project in Finland.

In an interview with the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK published late Saturday, Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said: 'A border fence is very interesting, not only because it can act as a deterrent but also because it contains sensors and technology that allow you to detect if people are moving close to the border.'

She said the Norwegian government is currently looking at 'several measures' to beef up security on the border with Russia in the Arctic north, such as fencing, increasing the number of border staff or stepping up monitoring.

The Storskog border station, which has witnessed only a handful of illegal border crossing attempts in the past few years, is the only official crossing point into Norway from Russia.

Should the security situation in the delicate Arctic area worsen, the Norwegian government is ready to close the border on short notice, said Enger Mehl, who visited neighboring Finland this summer to learn about how the entire 830-mile Finnish-Russian land border was closed.

The location of the proposed fence on the border between Norway and Russia

Finland 's 300 million fence along the Russian border installed as a security measure after Putin's invasion of Ukraine

Finland hopes to guard against a repeat of events on the EU's eastern frontier in Poland in winter 2021, when Belarus - a staunch Russian ally - engineered a crisis by flying in migrants from the Middle East, giving them visas and pushing them across the border. Pictured: Construction of another section of the fence earlier this year

The Finnish government was prompted to close all crossing points from Russia to Finland in late 2023 after more than 1,300 third-country migrants without proper documentation or visas - an unusually high number - entered the country in three months, just months after the nation became a member of NATO.

To prevent Moscow using migrants in what the Finnish government calls Russia's 'hybrid warfare,' Helsinki is currently building fences with a total length of up to 124 miles in separate sections along the border zone that makes up part of NATO's northern flank and serves as the European Union's external border.

Finnish border officials say fences equipped with top-notch surveillance equipment - to be located mostly around crossing points - are needed to better monitor and control any migrants attempting to cross over from Russia and give officials time to react.

The fence in Finland was built close to the Pelkola crossing point in Imatra

Norwegian Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl said that such a fence could also be a good idea for Norway

Inspired by Finland's project, Enger Mehl said that such a fence could also be a good idea for Norway. According to NRK, her statement was supported by police chief Ellen Katrine Htta in Norway's northern Finnmark county.

'It's a measure that may become relevant on all or part of the border' between Norway and Russia, Enger Mehl said.

The Storskog border station is currently surrounded by a 660-foot-long and 12-foot-high fence erected in 2016 after some 5,000 migrants and asylum-seekers had crossed over from Russia to Norway a year earlier.

Norway, a nation of 5.6 million, is a NATO member but isn't part of the European Union. However, it belongs to the EU's Schengen area, whose participants have abolished border controls at their mutual borders, guaranteeing free movement of citizens.
The SNPs independence dream is dead and Scottish politics must move on, Russell Findlay has said.

Declaring victory for the Union in his first conference speech as Scottish Tory leader, he said it was time to leave years of bitter arguments over the constitution behind.

Voters want politicians to knuckle down and improve crumbling public services, not waste time on slogans and radical ideology, he said and added: We will leave the SNP to look backwards and instead turn our eyes to where they should always be focused - on our countrys future, not its past.

Mr Findlay was cheered loud and often during a confident speech as he urged activists to rebuild trust with voters through the power of common sense.

Newly-elected Scots Tory leader Russell Findlay spoke at the Conservative conference in Birmingham

Scottish First Minister John Swinney taking questions at Holyrood on September 26

Nicola Sturgeon was Scotland's longest serving first minister between 2014 and 2023

Rather than dreading the 2026 Holyrood election, he said it was an opportunity to show how Tory values of optimism and aspiration connected with peoples daily lives.

He also denounced Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as an absolute chancer and demanded John Swinney grow a backbone and overhaul education in the face of union resistance.

And he promised to move heaven and earth to stop an arrogant Scottish Labour walking into power at Holyrood.

Speaking at the Scottish fringe on the opening day of the UK Conservative conference in Birmingham, Mr Findlay stressed the Scottish Tories were unionists to our core.

But as the party embarked on a new chapter it could do things differently, appealing to people on a broader range of issues that chimed with the instincts of everyday Scots.

He said: For a decade, our politics has been dominated by the bitter divisive arguments about breaking up the United Kingdom.

The SNP are still at it. Theyre down, but they are far from out.

John Swinney has said hes never been more convinced of the case for independence.

Nicola Sturgeon says shes absolutely certain that Scotland will be independent in her lifetime.

Humza Yousaf has called for - get this - international mediation to secure independence. For goodness sakes this is Scotland, not Sudan.

Alex Salmond has said famously and continues to say that the dream shall never die.

Well let me tell you Salmond, Sturgeon, Swinney and Yousaf: the dream is dead.

He added: I dont want to spend my time as a politician only talking about the Union.

The Scottish Conservative Party rightly stood up against the SNP year after year and to great effect and to our benefit electorally.

But now we need to put that to one side and talk about the issues that matter to people.

Talk about education, talk about housing, talk about the economy, and show people that after 25 years of this failed socialist consensus at Holyrood, that a Conservative future is in the best interests of Scotland.

Mr Findlay, a former crime reporter who was elected a West Scotland MSP in 2021, said the Scottish Tories must offer bold proposals to change lives.

He continued: We must celebrate success - not sneer at it. That means junking the high-tax, high-spend agenda favoured by the Holyrood consensus.

Cutting personal tax rates so business can recruit and retain talented people.

The party leader said the SNP and Scottish Labour had become co-conspirators in socialist conformity, leaving the Scottish Tories as the sole voice of mainstream Scotland and he went on: We have such an exciting opportunity in the months and years ahead. Scotland has seen through the SNPs pathetic posturing, feeble excuses and catastrophic failures.

And the new UK Labour government is already on the slide as voters remorse bites hard.

So our opportunity is to put forward a positive vision for change in Scotland.

Going into 2026 we need to be in every single community. We need to not cede ground to any party.

Humza Yousaf resigned as first minister after just 398 days in office in April

I find it sickening, frankly, the thought that Labour under Anas Sarwar [has] this arrogant assumption that theyll walk back into power.

I will move heaven and earth over the next year and half to prevent that from happening.

Refusing to back a candidate for UK Tory leader, Mr Findlay said he would work on achieving progress, prosperity and security UK-wide with whoever won.

But he also said the Scottish Tories would stand up for themselves, adding: Where we and Scottish Conservatives disagree with the policies or actions of the UK party, we will say. This will be mutual and it will always be respectful.

The Scottish Tories held five of their six seats at the general election but their vote share halved to 12.7 per cent, with Reform UK outpolling them in around half the country.

Russell Findlay replaced Douglas Ross (pictured in Holyrood) as Scottish Conservative leader this week

Mr Findlay said: We have to accept the enormity of the challenge ahead of us.

Our party let down those who voted for us. We lost our way and our sense of purpose.

Nigel Farage I believe to be an absolute chancer and an imposter. Hes not the answer to peoples problems.

Hes not interested in fixing peoples problems - I am.

An SNP spokesman said: Russell Findlay and the Tories have no ambition for Scotland.

And Alba Party general secretary Chris McEleny said Mr Findlay was living in dreamland.
It is the last bastion of observing the Sabbath in the UK.

But now a supermarket giant plans to open its Hebridean store on Sundays stoking the wrath of the strictly religious community.

Until now, Tesco has respected the Lewis tradition of keeping the shutters down on the day of rest since opening its Stornoway branch in 2008.

However, it is now consulting with staff about working on the Sabbath - sparking outrage among religious leaders who say the tradition should not be wiped out.

The retailer is keen to bring the store, in Stornoway, in line with the rest of its UK operations which sees shops operating seven days a week.

Aisle wars: Supermarket giant Tesco hopes to open on a Sunday in the strictly religious community of Stornoway

But Rev Kenneth Stewart, of the towns Reformed Presbyterian Church, said Tesco should respect the way of life in the Hebrides and told the Sunday Mail: This is a place which has historically observed the Lords Day.

Its something woven deeply into the fabric of the place and heritage of the people. A feature of life here that even those not committed Christians or churchgoers still value the distinctive nature of the Lords day.

All Ive heard is that staff are not wanting this. As far as Im aware there is universal opposition amongst staff.

Rev Stewart said he would make representations to the store about the plans to open.

Its understood the proposals are being looked at by a new manager in the store.

The local planning authority has advised that there is no restriction on Tesco opening on a Sunday and confirmed they had a seven-day license to sell alcohol.

Rev Greg MacDonald, of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), added: My view is, please dont open. Its quite simple. Im a minister and I believe that everyone not only benefits from but is entitled to a day thats different. I know there will be opposition to it.

Co-op, the other large supermarket in Stornoway - also remains closed on Sundays although some campaigners fear it could copy Tesco if their plans go ahead.

Western Isles Labour MP Torcuil Crichton said: In the 24/7 world we inhabit, the peace of Lewis on Sunday is something many appreciate.

Tescos head office did not respond when approached for comment.

The islanders were up and arms in 2009, when ferry operator CalMac started its Sunday service between the mainland and Lewis.

Protesters warned it would lead to a further erosion of the observance of the Sabbath and celebrated when the vessel developed an engine problem ahead of the first sailing saying it was an act of God to ensure the day remained holy.

In 2018 church leaders opposed to plans to open the cinema in Stornoway in a trial which saw films projected on the big screen the last Sunday of the month.

The initiative was so successful the art-centre behind the move has continued to show blockbusters at the weekends.
A bitter battle has erupted over the fate of a derelict church after a local businessman submitted plans to transform the Grade II-listed building into a mosque.

The historic St John the Evangelist church in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, has not been used as a place of worship since the tower was declared unsafe in the 1980s and it now faces an uncertain future.

The building, which dates back to 1788, was last used as an antiques centre and cafe but the pandemic forced it to close its doors once again in 2020.

However, there is one man who is ready and willing to restore the church, but only on the condition that it becomes a mosque. Last year, it was purchased for 140,000 by Darul Falah Mosque, a community interest company and run by Zabihullah Zamir.

Last month, the Church Commissioner blocked the plan - and while the Church of England has sold the building, there is a covenant that prohibits it becoming a place of worship for another religion.

The historic St John the Evangelist church in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, has not been used for worship since the tower was declared unsafe in the 1980s and it now faces an uncertain future

In another twist, Stoke-on-Trent council approved the plans in August before being vetoed by the CofE, raising fresh questions over the future of Britain's abandoned churches, The Telegraph reports.

Thousands of disused churches have closed in the past decade, with many that are sold by the CofE going on to become houses, flats, shops, restaurants or community centres.

It comes amid a decline in the number of Christians in England and Wales, with the last census revealing the number of Brtons who said they were Christians falling below 50 per cent for the first time to 46.2 per cent.

This was a 13 per cent decrease in a decade and a major drop from the 72 per cent figure in 2001.

At the same time, the number of Muslims in England and Wales is rising, with a 2021 census revealing 6.5 per cent are Muslim, up from 4.9 per cent in 2011.

The proposed church-mosque conversion on Hanley's Town Road has flared tensions with the building becoming a target for vandalism.

Outside is littered with broken bottles and its historic stained glass windows have been boarded up. There are also security guards parked outside.

Residents have been left divided by the proposals, with one telling The Telegraph: 'It's a nice building just standing empty, so get it back into use, I say. There's no animosity.'

Stoke-on-Trent council approved the plans in August before being vetoed by the CofE, raising fresh questions over the future of Britain's abandoned churches

But others in Hanley object to the plans, with one saying: 'There are far too many churches being taken away.'

Another revealed that his grandparents got married at the church and to see it stop being used as a church 'just seems so wrong'.

A spokesperson for the Church Commissioner said: 'We support former churches being used for community purposes, but a restrictive covenant prohibits the use of the building as a place of worship other than as a church.'

The former church was at the centre of the violent disorder that rocked Hanley last month, as two groups of protesters clashed in Town Road.

The disorder came as riots and anti-immigration riots engulfed Brits on following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport in July. The unrest was fuelled by false rumours online that the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker.

There was also misinformation about the church project, with some accusing the new owners of desecrating the graveyard and damaging and removing headstones.

A video circulated on social media which appeared to show stacks of gravestones, some of them damaged, as work was being carried out on the site.

But council officials found 'no evidence' of graves being disturbed .

A spokesman said at the time: "We are aware of the video which has recently resurfaced on social media and appears to date from September 2023. The concerns raised in this video are historical.

'Officers have visited the site and found no evidence of further works being carried out or any public health or safety concerns. It should be noted that St John's Church ceased operation in 1985, having had uses other than as a place of worship since.

"Although it is probable that graves are present within the area around the church, there is no evidence to indicate that any have been disturbed.

'If any illegal activity is identified, including a non-permitted use of the building, we will ensure that appropriate action is taken.'

Speaking about converting the church, Mr Zamir told The Telegraph: 'We believe that transforming this historic building into a vibrant community hub will bring immense benefits to the local area.

'Both parties agree that the current state of the church  a once sacred space that has stood empty and unused for far too long  deserves better.'
A fugitive who escaped from prison spent nine years living in plain sight under his own name and paying tax in Britain.

In a shocking indictment of the criminal justice system, drug dealer Robert Fitzgerald, 38, evaded capture for the best part of a decade - despite making no attempt to hide his identity.

He had been sentenced to seven years and four months for supplying cocaine and was moved to HMP Ford in East Sussex for the last 18 months of his term before absconding on November 8, 2015.

Sussex Police launched a manhunt and a public appeal at the time, but Fitzgerald was not detained until August - despite spending years working and paying taxes under his own name.

Detectives warned the public not to approach him and said it was thought he would head to London, where he had connections - but it has emerged he had been living and working in Oxford.

Drug dealer Robert Fitzgerald evaded capture for nearly a decade  despite making no attempt to hide his identity

The former fugitive admitted absconding from lawful custody at Oxford Crown Court on Friday and will be sentenced on October 8 after more information about his time on the run has been gathered.

He told the court: I have been working in my own name and paying tax since 2018.

A Sussex Police spokesman said that when Fitzgerald initially vanished it explored all reasonable lines of enquiry until the investigation was scaled back in 2016.

He came to the attention of the financial authorities last December and police arrested him in August, the spokesman added.

Fitzgeralds lawyer Gordana Austin said: Mr Fitzgerald is someone who has been at large for a significant period of time, almost nine years.

He was living and working in Oxford using his name. He understands what type of sentence he is likely to receive.

Fitzgerald will serve the rest of his original sentence for dealing cocaine at HMP Bullingdon and will likely receive an additional custodial period on top of that sentence for fleeing.

Judge Nigel Daly admitted he was baffled by the case, remarking: Well, quite clearly I am going to need something about him, in particular what he has been doing for the last eight and a half years and why he has not been found before now.

Fitzgerald was moved to HMP Ford (pictured) in East Sussex for the last 18 months of his term before absconding in November 2015

One of the things I am going to have to consider is his conduct while was in prison. I know he was transferred to Ford open prison and they do not send people there unless they are doing particularly well.

You have pleaded guilty to this matter which obviously goes to your credit, but you should be aware that it is almost inevitable that you will get a custodial sentence which is likely to be added to your current sentence.

We are going to find out what you have been doing for the intervening years and how you got on in prison before you disappeared.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: Absconding from prison is a serious offence and Sussex Police carried out an intensive investigation, alongside its partners, to locate this individual as soon as he absconded in 2015.

All reasonable lines of enquiry were explored - including financial checks - and in 2016 the investigation was scaled back pending new information coming to light.

Efforts to locate this individual have been kept under constant review for a number of years, which included collaboration with a range of agencies and police forces and assessment of any potential risk to the wider public.

In December 2023, the individual came to the attention of financial authorities, who alerted Sussex Police.

Attempts were made to locate and bring him into custody, with our partners, and he was ultimately detained by Thames Valley Police in August, 2024.
A pregnant Brit who fled Lebanon amid the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has revealed she hid in the bathroom while explosions went off around her.

Alaa Ghalayini, 28, of north London, moved to Beirut in August last year after getting married to her husband, who she has been forced to leave behind.

The mother-to-be, who is two months pregnant, arrived at Heathrow Airport via a Middle East Airlines flight with two suitcases on Sunday morning.

Speaking to the BBC, Mrs Ghalayini said she 'can't sleep' due to the 'guilt' of abandoning her husband and the trauma she has suffered during the war.

'I feel terrible and guilty that I have been able to leave,' she said. 'I didn't want to leave my husband.'

Mrs Ghalayini added: 'I can't sleep. I still hear the bombs in my head.'

Alaa Ghalayini, 28, (pictured) of north London, moved to Beirut in August last year after getting married to her husband, who she has been forced to leave behind in Lebanon

The mother-to-be is two months pregnant and has gone back to London to escape the fighting

Describing the situation in Lebanon, Mrs Ghalayini said she has been 'hiding in the bathroom' out of fear of being killed.

'I live on the 23rd floor, so I was seeing my city burn. You feel helpless,' she said.

It comes as more than 20 Hezbollah members were killed alongside their terror boss Hassan Nasrallah in Friday's airstrike, according to Israel.

The deadly bombardment killed two close associates of Nasrallah, one of whom was in charge of his security detail.

The Israeli military said earlier that Ali Karaki, the head of the terror group's Southern Front, was killed in the airstrike.

Among those 'eliminated' include the head of Nasrallah's security unit, Ibrahim Hussein Jazini, and Samir Tawfiq Dib, who the IDF described as 'Nasrallah's long-time confidant and adviser'.

'Due to their proximity to him, they served a significant role in the day-to-day operations of Hezbollah and Nasrallah in particular,' the IDF said.

On Sunday, the Israeli military announced it had killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike - Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollah's central council.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Israel's airstrikes had 'wiped out' Hezbollah's command structure, but he warned the group will work quickly to rebuild it.

'I think people are safer without him walking around,' Kirby said of Nasrallah during an appearance on CNN today. 'But they will try to recover. We're watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership vacuum. It's going to be tough. Much of their command structure has now been wiped out.'

Hassan Nasrallah, seen addressing supporters in Lebanon's capital Beirut in November 2013, was killed by an Israeli air strike on the city on Friday

Iranian demonstrators have been celebrating outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington, west London, the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah

The announcement of more targeted air strikes came as Syrians and Iranians celebrated following Nasrallah's death in Lebanon's capital Beirut on Friday.

There were jubilant scenes in the northern Syrian city of Idlib, where people took to the streets honking horns, handing out sweets and thanking Israelis.

Anti-Iranian regime demonstrators also gathered outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington, west London, to welcome Nasrallah's assassination.

In contrast to the scenes of joy outside the Israeli embassy in London, Iran's embassy to the UK in the capital has lowered its flag to half-mast following Nasrallah's death.

The move came as Iran began five days of official national mourning, announced yesterday by the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Kaouk had been thought to be among the main contenders to replace Nasrallah, who had led Hezbollah for 32 years.

The Lebanese group's role supporting both the Iranian and Syrian ruling regimes helps explain why many opponents of both have welcomed Nasrallah's demise.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

Flames rise after an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut in Lebanon yesterday

Israel launched fresh strikes again yesterday after confirming the death of Hezbollah boss Hassan Nasrallah. Pictured: Large explosions witnessed over Khiam, Lebanon

Hezbollah has also aided Syria's President Bashir al-Assad in his crackdown on rebels in that country's civil war which has been raging since 2011.

Syria's government condemned Nasrallah's killing in Friday's strikes, in contrast to the jubilant response in rebel-held Idlib where people waved Syrian flags, cheered and handed out treats.

One person wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'I'm in Idlib right now and the Syrians are out on the streets celebrating rumours of the death of Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, aka Hezboshaytan!

'Just a few days ago Hezboshaytan bombed a village here, today we buried a one-year-old baby and his mother that were killed.'

Another video posted on social media showed women in Iran, covering their faces, welcoming the news of Nasrallah's death.

A speaker said: 'The children of Iran send a congratulatory message to everyone for the death of Hassan Nasrallah and congratulate the Iranian nation.' They also thanked Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
You are here: China

President Xi Jinping on Sunday called on the Chinese people to learn from heroes and role models to form a mighty force to build a strong China.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a ceremony awarding the country's highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

China is in a crucial period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, Xi said.

Xi emphasized the need to bear in mind the aspirations, hone the skills, and make contributions to building a strong China.

He encouraged the Chinese people to strive for extraordinary achievements at ordinary job posts.

He also urged them to make contributions to resolving challenges to development and reform, and safeguarding social harmony and stability.
President Joe Biden said Sunday he would speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and believes that an all-out war in the Middle East must be avoided.

'It has to be,' Biden told reporters as he boarded Air Force One for Washington. 'We really have to avoid it.'

His comments come as Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon killed dozens of people on Sunday. He would not say when he planned to speak with Netanyahu.

The Hezbollah militant group sustained a string of deadly blows to its command structure, including the killing of its overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The White House sees the death of Nasrallah as a huge blow to the group.

At the same time, the administration has sought to tread carefully as it has tried to contain Israel s war with Hamas, which, like Hezbollah, is backed by Iran, from exploding into an all-out regional conflict.

'We really have to avoid it,' {resident Joe Biden said of war in the Middle East

On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon killed dozens of people as the Hezbollah militant group sustained a string of deadly blows to its command structure

Hezbollah confirmed Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of the militant group's Central Council, was killed Saturday, making him the seventh senior Hezbollah leader slain in Israeli strikes in a little over a week. They include founding members who had evaded death or detention for decades.

Hezbollah had earlier confirmed that Ali Karaki, another senior commander, died in Friday's strike that killed Nasrallah. Israel says at least 20 other Hezbollah militants were killed, including two close associates of Nasrallah, one of whom was in charge of his security detail.

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes and drones carried out deadly strikes across Lebanon on Sunday. Two consecutive strikes near the southern city of Sidon, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Beirut, killed at least 32 people, the Lebanese health ministry said. Separately, Israeli strikes in the northern province of Baalbek Hermel killed 21 people and injured at least 47.

The Israeli military said it also carried out another targeted strike on Beirut, but did not immediately provide details.

Lebanese media reported dozens of strikes in the central, eastern and western Bekaa and in the south, besides strikes on Beirut. The strikes have targeted buildings where civilians were living and the death toll was expected to rise.

In a video of a strike in Sidon, verified by The Associated Press, a building swayed before collapsing as neighbors filmed. One TV station called on viewers to pray for a family caught under the rubble, posting their pictures, as rescuers failed to reach them. The Lebanese health ministry reported at least 14 medics were killed over two days in the south.

One TV station called on viewers to pray for a family caught under the rubble, posting their pictures, as rescuers failed to reach them. The Lebanese health ministry reported at least 14 medics were killed over two days in the south.

Meanwhile, wreckage from the strike on Friday that killed Nasrallah was still smoldering. AP journalists saw smoke over the rubble as people flocked to the site, some to check on what was left of their homes and others to pay respects, pray or simply to see the destruction.

In response to the dramatic escalation in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Hezbollah significantly increased its attacks in the past week, from several dozen to several hundred daily, the Israeli military said. The attacks injured several people and caused damage, but most of the rockets and drones were intercepted by Israels air defense systems or fell in open areas.

The army says its strikes have degraded Hezbollahs capabilities and the number of launches would be much higher if Hezbollah had not been hit.

Also on Sunday, the Israeli military said dozens of aircraft struck Houthi targets in Yemen in response to a recent attack on Israel. The military said it targeted power plants and sea port facilities in the city of Hodeida.

The Houthis launched a ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion airport on Saturday when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arriving. The Houthi media office said the Israeli strikes hit the Hodeida and Rass Issa ports, along with two power plants in Hodeida city, a stronghold for the Iranian-backed rebels. The Houthi-run Health Ministry said the strikes killed four people and wounded 40 others.

The Houthis claimed they took precautionary measures ahead of the strikes, emptying oil storages in the ports, according to Nasruddin Ammer, deputy director of the Houthi media office. He said in a post on X platform the strikes wont stop the rebels attacks on shipping routes and on Israel.

Biden says he plans to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

A man walks on rubble at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs

Meanwhile, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Israel's airstrikes in Lebanon had 'wiped out' Hezbollahs command structure, but he warned the group will work quickly to rebuild it.

'I think people are safer without him walking around,' Kirby said of Nasrallah. 'But they will try to recover. Were watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership vacuum. Its going to be tough. ... Much of their command structure has now been wiped out.'

Kirby, who spoke on CNNs 'State of the Union,' sidestepped questions about whether the Biden administration agrees with how the Israelis are targeting Hezbollah leaders.

The White House continues to call on Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a 21-day temporary cease-fire that was floated by the U.S., France and other countries last week as world leaders gathered for the U.N. General Assembly.
A man in his 60s has been released on bail after an eight-year-old boy was shot in the face while 'targeting rabbits' near a farm.

Emergency services raced to the Warcop area of Cumbria at 2.05pm on Saturday after a child had sustained 'serious and life-threatening injuries' from a firearm.

The young boy, who was not a local, was taken to hospital by air ambulance, but he sadly passed away overnight.

A man in his 60s, from West Cumbria, was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, but Cumbria Police have confirmed that he has now been bailed.

A firearm was recovered from the field, which is close to Wheatsheaf Farm, near Warcop, by officers.

Sources told The Sun that the man, who was also not a local to the area, was shooting rabbits on the field with the landowner's permission when the tragedy occurred.

An eight-year-old boy has tragically died overnight after he was shot on a farm. Photos show crime scene investigators at the scene near a field

One police car was parked on a field at around 3pm yesterday after rushing to the scene

Rabbiting is legal on private land in the UK, provided the gun owner has the correct firearms licence and written permission from the landowner.

The hillsides surrounding the farm are grazed by sheep but the area is not used for game bird shoots.

A Ministry of Defence firing range is also adjacent to the field but a spokesman said the incident was not linked to any of their properties.

Councillor Heidi Strong, of Warcop Parish Council, said it was 'a horrible, horrible tragedy.'

'People are really shook up about it,' she said. 'All I can say is it was definitely an accident but we don't know the ins and outs of what happened.'

Mrs Strong said she thought the boy was not local to Warcop and speculated that he had been with a shooting party out 'shooting rabbits.'

The tiny village of Warcop is home to around 500 people, with two churches and a small primary school.

A view of the fields and road which runs through the farm where the boy was shot

One mother in the village said she had received an email from her children's school, Warcop Church of England Primary School, to say the boy was not a pupil.

'It's a very tight knit community,' she said. 'We all have kids at that school so there was panic this morning that it may have been someone we knew.

'I read an e-mail from our school saying the victim didn't go there so we don't know where they were from.

'It is quite shocking, you really feel for the family. It is terrible news.'

A video posted online showed several emergency vehicles parked at the farm, which lies right next to the busy A66 and a short distance to Warcop village itself, around 3pm.

Local Frank Chalmers, 73, said he saw five police cars and an air ambulance as he drove to his home in nearby Brough.

'I was just passing by in the car when I saw the police and an air ambulance,' he said. 'It is the most awful tragedy for the family and the community.'

Wheatsheaf Farm has not been a working livestock farm since the 1980s and instead tenants rent the land for sheep grazing.

One tenant said it was rumoured that the boy had been attending the Brough Hill travellers horse fair, which is held on the last weekend in September.

One young man in the village found out the news from a friend who lives outside the area.

He said: 'I heard what happened and it's terrible.

'This is all word of mouth but apparently it was an accident.

'The guy has been arrested on gross negligence manslaughter so that's what we think has happened. One of my friends told me the news and I didn't believe them at first.

'It's very sad. It's so quiet around here and not a lot goes on. I want to send my condolences to them because it is a horrible thing that has happened.

'But even if it is an accident it is horrible because he has to live with that.'

A third man, who was also a parent, said: 'I've had my friends ask me this morning about it.

'It's a sad thing to happen here but but I don't know the family. It's a quiet village but people have been quiet about it so far today.'

Emergency services raced to the scene in the Warcop area of Cumbria after being called at 2.50pm yesterday

The village of Warcop, in Cumbria, is pictured today following the boy's death

In a statement, Cumbria Police said: 'Emergency services were called at around 2.50pm on Saturday to a farm in the Warcop area following a report that a child had been seriously injured by a firearm at the property.

'The firearm was secured at the scene by police and an eight-year-old boy was taken to hospital by air ambulance having suffered serious and life-threatening injuries to his head and face.

'Sadly, the boy died overnight.

'Officers arrested a man in his 60s at the scene on suspicion of assault GBH. He remains in police custody but is now under arrest on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.'
Robert Jenrick is closing the gap with Kemi Badenoch in the Conservative leadership race, a poll of Tory members shows.

The former immigration minister is up seven points to 25 per cent, according to ConservativeHome.

Shadow housing secretary Ms Badenoch remains in the lead at 36 per cent, up two points, in the bellwether survey.

Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverly, the two centrist candidates, are both on 13 per cent.

A further 13 per cent of respondents to the poll of 812 Tory members, carried out from September 26-7, said they did not know.

Robert Jenrick is hot on Kemi Badenoch's (Pictured on a BBC One current affairs programme) heels as he closes the gap between them in the run up to the race for the top spot in the Conservative party, a poll shows

While Badenoch remains in the lead by 35 per cent according to the poll of Tory members, 13 per cent said they would vote for James Cleverly (Pictured after appearing on the Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips show)

His fellow centrist candidate Tom Tugendhat (Pictured waving at the Conservative Party conference) also sits neck and neck with Cleverly

The results came on the first day of Tory conference in Birmingham in which four candidates will battle to be selected by MPs to reach the final two.

Party members will then choose between whichever candidates are selected, before a new leader of the party is chosen.

Mr Jenrick is expected to announce in a campaign rally today that he will give more power to Tory members and hold a review of where the Tories went wrong in the last election.

He will vow to end nepotism in the selection of new MPs by abolishing the centrally-approved candidates list and give the grassroots more power to choose future MPs.

If elected, he will pledge to give members more power to shape policy so that the party values their ideas not just your wallets, he will say.

An election review will be held with a hard rain for those who have disrespected the membership, he will add.

This has gone on too long. The period of disrespect is over. The era of the party members has come, he is expected to say.
People already feel taxes are too high, Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged as he warned it would be too costly to build controversial new power lines underground.

The Prime Minister said the 'one consistent theme' during the election campaign was that the public already believe they are giving too much of their money to the state.

His comments come just a month before his Government's crucial Budget, at which his Chancellor Rachel Reeves is widely expected to hike levies such as Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax or fuel duty in order to fill what she claims is a 22billion black hole in the public finances.

The PM made his comments as he expanded on claims made in his speech to the Labour party conference last week that it was time for politicians to level with the public about the trade-offs needed to deliver 'national renewal', including more overground pylons to deliver cheaper electricity.

There is huge anger in East Anglia about a 112-mile-long line of electricity pylons that is set to be built across the countryside to connect to offshore wind farms, which would help Labour achieve its promise of delivering 'clean power' by 2030.

The Prime Minister (pictured) said the 'one consistent theme' during the election campaign was that the public already believe they are giving too much of their money to the state

Sir Keir's comments come just a month before his Government's crucial Budget, at which his Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) is widely expected to hike levies such as Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax or fuel duty

The PM made his comments as he expanded on claims made in his speech to the Labour party conference last week

Sir Keir was asked if rural campaigners were right to say he was throwing them 'under a bus' and ignoring environmentally friendly alternatives, and replied: 'No they're not, but that section of my speech was intended to be and was a sort of honest levelling with the country, which is to say "if you want XYZ, then we've got to face up to the fact that there are a number of consequences for that".

'Obviously, one example was if you want a justice system to work properly and you want prison places to be there, then some people are going have to have a new prison near them.

'If you want lower energy bills, we're going to have to have pylons above the ground.'

Speaking to reporters on his trip to New York last week, he went on: 'Yes, there is the option to put them below the ground - it costs much more money, and if there's one consistent theme into and out of the last election, it's that most people feel they're already paying too much tax, and I don't think many would put their hand up to pay more tax in relation to that.

'These are the sorts of trade-offs.'

Sir Keir added: 'It's same with housing - if we want people to be actually able to buy their own homes, then we are going to have to accommodate that in communities.

'I think we just shied away from these trade-offs for too long. We've got to be serious about it.

There is huge anger in East Anglia about a 112-mile-long line of electricity pylons that is set to be built across the countryside to connect to offshore wind farms (file image)

Labour's manifesto vowed to build 1.5million new homes in five years, with planning rules relaxed to make it easier for applications to be approved and town halls forced to stick to targets (file image)

'Now, of course, we will consult with people, there are always options, but I do want to be clear: these are serious trade-offs that we're going to have to make and we're going to have to take those decisions.'

Labour's manifesto vowed to build 1.5million new homes in five years, with planning rules relaxed to make it easier for applications to be approved and town halls forced to stick to targets.

Ministers will also be given the final say on proposals for new prisons, to stop them being blocked by local councils, with an extra 14,000 places promised to prevent further early release of criminals to ease overcrowding.
Harrods will not enforce non-disclosure agreements signed by Mohamed Al Fayed's silenced victims, the luxury department store has confirmed.

More than 100 women are said to have accused the former Harrods and Fulham FC owner of sexually abusing them during his 25-year reign of terror since a BBC documentary about his alleged attacks was aired.

Lawyers representing the victims have called on Harrods to reveal how many women have been silenced by NDAs, which would prevent them disclosing sensitive information they agreed not to share at the time.

However, Harrods has now confirmed that it will not enforce any NDAs related to Al Fayed's alleged abuse.

A spokesman told The Telegraph: 'There are no NDAs attached to settlements made under the current ownership and Harrods would not seek to enforce any NDAs that relate to alleged historical sexual abuse by Fayed that were entered into during the period of his, Fayed's, ownership.'

Harrods will not enforce non-disclosure agreements signed by Mohamed Al Fayed's silenced victims, the luxury department store has confirmed

Lawyers representing the victims have called on Harrods to reveal how many women have been silenced by NDAs

It comes after fresh claims were made about an indecent proposal which Al Fayed, who died last year aged 94, made to the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

The predatory billionaire, who owned Harrods from 1985 until he sold it in 2010, is said to have told Diana he wanted to sleep with her, leaving her 'shaking' in disgust, according to her ex-butler Paul Burrell.

Diana, who died in a Paris car crash with Al Fayed's son Dodi in August 1997, dubbed the older man a 'creep' and also 'Yoda', after the Star Wars character, Mr Burrell said.

The former butler, who worked for Diana between 1987 and 1997, told of being 'disgusted' by Al Fayed's behaviour - and said that, if still alive, she would support the women now accusing the late tycoon of sexual assault.

A BBC investigation last week revealed five female ex-employees have accused Al Fayed of raping them, with several others alleging sexual abuse. MailOnline revealed yesterday another 23 women have come forward with allegations about him.

The Egyptian-born businessman is alleged to have carried out the attacks during his time in charge of the outlet between 1984 and its sale in 2010.

The corporation says more than 20 female former workers at Harrods have come forward to accuse him of sexual abuse and presiding over a 'culture of fear' at the department store.

Some of those involved claim they were coerced into undergoing invasive medical exams in which they were tested for sexually transmitted diseases, with the results being sent directly to Al Fayed himself.

It comes after Mohamed Al Fayed, pictured with Princess Diana at a charity dinner at Harrods in February 1996, was accused of making an 'indecent proposal' towards her

The late tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed (right) is seen here with the then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana at a Harrods-sponsored polo event in Windsor, Berkshire, in July 1987

Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell has been speaking about how she was left 'shaking' after Al Fayed's comments towards her

Harrowing details of the accusations, including vivid descriptions of the alleged rapes by the women, were shown on a new programme called Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods.

The store's current owners have now told of being 'utterly appalled' by the accusations and have apologised to the women affected.

The alleged attacks are said to have happened not only in London including at his Mayfair flat in the capital but also in Paris, at the Ritz hotel which he owned, and St Tropez in France as well as Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Now Mr Burrell has shared details about what he says Diana told him of her encounters with Al Fayed, who she first met at a Harrods-sponsored polo match in 1986 when she was married to then-Prince Charles.

The ex-royal butler told the Sun On Sunday: 'I was in the car when she came running out from his office shaking and told me, and these are her exact words, that he said, "I want you to marry my son because in Egyptian tradition, the father goes first".

'He said, "I'm going to sleep with you". She then said in shock, "Can you imagine making love to Yoda?" That's what she called him. I was disgusted by his behaviour.

Mohamed Al Fayed, who died in August last year, has been accused in a new BBC investigation of raping and sexually assaulting female employees

Former royal butler Paul Burrell says the late Princess Diana (pictured) called Mohamed Al Fayed 'creepy' and 'slimy'

Diana also likened Al Fayed to Star Wars character Yoda (pictured), according to Mr Burrell

'Diana was repulsed by the thought of having to surrender to him. By making that comment, he was setting the stage for that encounter and he was serious.

'He thought that was his right and that it would actually happen - that he would actually sleep with the Princess of Wales. And that was always in her mind all through her romance with Dodi.'

Mr Burrell described how Al Fayed lavished Diana with gifts including gadgets and computer games arriving at Kensington Palace only for her to send them back.

He also allowed her to use a secret entrance to his Harrods store in Knightsbridge, west London.

Diana and movie producer Dodi started dating after Al Fayed invited her and her sons William and Harry to his 30-bedroom mansion in 1997.

The couple were photographed kissing that summer on board the luxury yacht owned by Dodi's father, the Jonikal.

Mr Burrell last night said: 'We all concentrated on Dodi and the Princess. But, really, the puppet-master was Fayed.

'What he wanted above everything else was to be related to the Royal Family. Fayed bought the boat before that holiday for Dodi to be able to entertain her in private.

'He spent millions trying to court her and his son was just a pawn in his game.'

Princess Diana and Mohamed Al Fayed's son Dodi are pictured in the French Riviera resort of St Tropez on August 22 1997, nine days before both died in a Paris car crash

Mohamed Al Fayed (right) with son Dodi at a party for the film Hook in 1992

Mohamed Al Fayed with the Queen in 1997. His business connections and charity work saw him mixing with high society despite his complaints about what he saw as establishment bias

Mr Burrell also said he witnessed Al Fayed touching women inappropriately, adding: 'His hands would wander. He would literally put his hands on ladies without asking.

'With Diana, he couldnt go too far. She always had the upper hand because he could not afford to lose her. Unfortunately, most of the ladies that worked for him didnt.

'She would say how Fayed was always putting his hands on her. People dont touch members of the Royal Family but I saw him stroke her arm and linger too long, kiss her hand almost like a pet, and put his arm around her waist.'

Mr Burrell added: 'I dont think she would be surprised by these allegations because she knew he was creepy towards women.

'If Princess Diana was here, shed have stood with them, united, and said: "Well, it could have happened to me. It didn't. Thank God. But Ill be with you all the way."'

In the new BBC documentary some women claim they were coerced into undergoing invasive medical exams, in which they were tested for sexually transmitted diseases with the results sent to Al Fayed himself.

The corporation said it heard testimony from 13 women who say they were sexually assaulted at Al Fayed's 60 Park Lane property in London, four of whom allege they were raped there.

Harrods began settling claims with women who came forward alleging to have been sexually abused at his hands in July last year.

Harrods said in a statement to the BBC: 'The Harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010.

A BBC documentary says the Egyptian-born businessman - who died in London aged 94 in August last year - carried out attacks while Harrods boss between 1984 and its sale in 2010

The corporation says more than 20 female former workers at Harrods have come forward to accuse Al Fayed (pictured) of sexual abuse

Current owners of the Harrods department store (pictured) in Knightsbridge, west London, have been settling claims made by women alleging they were assaulted by Al Fayed

'It is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.

'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. This process is still available for any current or former Harrods employees.

'While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organisation, driven by the values we hold today, while ensuring that such behaviour can never be repeated in the future.'

The Ritz hotel in Paris, formerly owned by Fayed, told the BBC it 'strongly condemns all forms of behaviour that do not align with the values of the establishment'.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on Mr Burrell's claims.
Axing winter fuel payments for 10million pensioners may save as little as half the amount Rachel Reeves thought it would, according to new analysis.

The Chancellor announced the controversial move to means-test cold weather payments shortly after Labour won the election, sparking accusations the party deceived voters because it was not included in the manifesto.

The cut, initially projected to save 1.4billion a year, was necessary to help fill a 22billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, Ms Reeves has claimed.

But new analysis suggests less than half the savings could be realised due to a surge in the number of people expected to start claiming pension credit.

Under the overhaul, only people who qualify for pension credit can continue receiving the subsidy - worth up to 300 on energy bills - from this winter.

The Chancellor (pictured) announced the controversial move to means-test cold weather payments shortly after Labour won the election

The cut, initially projected to save 1.4billion a year, was necessary to help fill a 22billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories , Ms Reeves has claimed

It means all but the country's poorest pensioners will no longer receive it.. However, this includes pensioners on incomes as low as 14,000 a year.

Analysis by consultancy Policy in Practice found that, on current trends, as many as 158,000 more claims for pension credit than anticipated may be lodged by December because of the announcement.

Analysis based on official government data suggests there have already been 45,000 extra claims.

However, because claiming pension credit allows access to a string of other benefits, the analysis, reported by The Observer, found that total costs could be up to 700million more than expected.

This suggests as little as half the savings projected may be realised.A Treasury source claimed it did not recognise the figures.

The winter fuel payments move has sparked widespread fury among voters on both the Left and Right of the political spectrum.

Last week Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was left humiliated as unions and Labour members demanded he halts the cut.

In an embarrassing revolt at the party's annual conference in Liverpool, delegates backed a union motion calling for a U-turn on the plan.

However, Ms Reeves doubled down, saying during her conference speech that she would not duck tough decisions in order to repair the public finances.

Baroness Altmann, a former pensions minister in David Cameron's government who is calling for a re-think, said: 'It is simply not the case that those pensioners most in need will continue to get it.

The winter fuel payments move has sparked widespread fury among voters on both the Left and Right of the political spectrum

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'The Winter Fuel Payments are not being targeted to ensure the poorest pensioners will not lose the money they need for winter heating. Millions of the lowest income pensioners do not get Pension Credit.

'The majority of MPs know this decision is wrong because of the timing and lack of protection for the poorest.'When governments make this kind of inadvertent but potentially dangerous policy error, there should be no shame in reconsidering.'

Ploughing ahead on the basis of false assurances and inadequate analysis is the wrong choice.

'Insisting on defending the indefensible to show ministers are tough is equally wrong.

'Delaying it to next year would give an opportunity to plan proper protections to mitigate the danger of pensioners being unable to afford their heating and putting their health at risk.'

A government spokesperson said: 'We want people to get the benefits they are entitled to, which is why the government is working hard to drive up pension credit uptake.

'We are committed to supporting pensioners - with millions set to see their state pension rise by 1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

'However, given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it's right that we target support to those who need it most.'
Daily commuting times will double today, as a Sydney train line closes for upgrades - and won't reopen for at least 12 months.

The conversion of the 130-year-old T3 Bankstown line to a metro will force thousands of commuters onto buses and lengthen their trips into the city's CBD.

A fleet of pink buses, known as the South West Link, will replace trains across south-west Sydney and the inner west for the duration of the upgrades.

The difficulty involved in the conversion could see the upgrade take even longer than its scheduled year, too.

Wearing pink as she spoke on Sunday, NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen acknowledged the closure will be tough for affected commuters.

'The line's closure marks the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one,' she said.

'This T3 transformation will see the line continue to serve our city throughout the century to come.'

Ms Haylen added: 'There's no sugar-coating it  this closure will be an incredibly tough time for these communities, and we've been upfront that it could take longer than a year.'

'Please allow plenty of extra travel time, check your trip planner apps, or transportnsw.info,' she said.

Daily commuting times will double from tomorrow, when a very busy Sydney train line closes for upgrades - and won't reopen for at least 12 months (stock image)

The final T3 service will run out of Circular Quay at 12.06am and be replaced by free bus services.

The carriages are expected to be packed with hundreds of train enthusiasts to mark the final journey.

The SW1 all stops service will cover Sydenham, Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Canterbury, Campsie, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl and Bankstown.

The SW2 limited stops service will cover Sydenham, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl and Bankstown.

And the SW3 limited stops service will cover Sydenham, Canterbury and Campsie.

Travel will take longer, especially in peak hour  doubling journey times in some cases, according to modelling.

When it's finished, the Metro service will be known as the M1 Northwest & Bankstown Line, connecting 30km between Bankstown and Tallawong.

Ms Haylen said 'The Bankstown line has been a stalwart of NSW railways  faithfully serving communities for over a century.

'Today we want to honour the past, as we look to our city's bright public transport future.

'We've seen this line move from steam trains, to electrification  now it's time for its latest upgrade to allow for modern metro trains.

But the conversion of the 130-year-old T3 Bankstown line to a metro involves difficult upgrades, meaning it could be closed for even more than the scheduled one year (stock image)

The conversion of the T3 Bankstown line (coloured orange) to a metro will see all stops between Bankstown and Sydenham closed for at least 12 months

'T3 deserves a fitting farewell and we know many Sydneysiders will be taking one last heavy rail ride today.'

Though the Transport Minister is upbeat about the changes, some commuters are very unhappy at how long it's going to take, with one suggesting Sydney Trains employees spend too much time on social media.

'How long is the Bankstown line closing for again? 2 years, is it? Stop meming and do your jobs,' they wrote.

While the exact cost of the free replacement bus service has not been revealed, when unions previously threatened to delay the plans, Ms Haylen said that would cost an estimated $100million per month, or roughly $3.6million a day.
The surviving family members of a chauffer and a seven-year-old flower girl who were killed in a 2005 crash with a wrong-way drunk driver have blasted the 'liberalism' of New York after the driver was released on parole.

Martin Heidgen, 43, was convicted on second-degree murder charges for the deadly crash on the Meadowbrook Parkway that who decapitated young Katie Flynn, along with limo driver Stanley Rabinowitz, after her aunt's wedding on Long Island.

He served 19 years behind bars. But on Wednesday, Heidgen was released from prison after being granted parole in August - much to the dismay of his victim's families.

'This liberalism is a bullet into the back of the families who suffer the loss of their loved ones,' Joyce Rabinowitz-Schuster, the limo driver's widow, told the New York Post.

'There is no accountability in New York State anymore. Murder should be 25 years minimum,' she argued. 'Crime is rising in New York State because of these dismissive attitudes and it must stop.'

Martin Heidgen, 43, was released from prison on Wednesday after serving 19 years behind bars on second-degree murder charges for the July 2, 2005 crash on the Meadowbrook Parkway

The wrong-way, drunk driving crash killed seven-year-old Katie Flynn and limo driver Stanley Rabinowitz

Heidgen had driven his pickup truck the wrong way for nearly three miles before slamming head on into the limo as it returned from a beach-front wedding in Bayville, Newsday reports.

An ensuing trial found Heidgen had downed more than a dozen alcoholic beverages before getting behind the wheel, and his blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit when he crashed.

'My family and the Flynns and the Tangney families [Katie's maternal grandparents] realize this crime every day and the hundreds of other friends and family members of the victims involved in this murder,' the widow argued.

'Shame on the parole board, who released a murderer.'

Rabinowitz-Schuster's eldest son, Keith Rabinowitz, agreed.

'I don't think it's enough time,' he said. 'It's not fair.

'He should have never gotten out. It should have been two life sentences,' Keith argued.

He had driven his pickup truck the wrong way for nearly three miles before slamming head on into the limo as it returned from a beach-front wedding in Bayville

Flynn's parents, Neil and Jennifer Flynn, told Newsday that the state parole board's decision to release their young daughter's killer has a 'profound impact' on the family.

'We ask that the public may know our sadness and feel our pain,' Jennifer said.

'Katie was murdered as a seven-year-old girl; where her murderer lives, imprisoned or paroled, makes no difference in our lives.

'We realize that our news cycle is over, but it is our hope that your readers think of us and that we influence their choices,' she said.

The still-grieving widow, meanwhile, expressed outrage over the parole board's decision.

'How could the parole board not listen to what the district attorney said - don't release him - and all the families?' she asked, incredulously. 'The Flynns lost their daughter, my sons lost their father.'

Flynn's parents, Jennifer and Neil, said the state parole board's decision to release their young daughter's killer has a 'profound impact' on the family

Heidgen, who was 24 at the time of the crash, was convicted of two counts of murder, three counts of first-degree assault and tampering with physical evidence in October 2006.

He was then sentenced to 19 years to life behind bars, and tried to appeal the verdict, but New York's highest court rejected it - saying the horrific nature of the case showed he formed the necessary state of mind to be convicted of murder by 'depraved indifference' to human life.

Nassau County District Attorney - whose office prosecuted Heidgen under a prior DA - also called the defendant a 'risk to society.'

'I strongly oppose Martin Heidgen's release after only serving the minimum sentence for his crime and am disappointed in the Parole Board's decision,' she said in a statement to Newsday, adding that the convict demonstrated a 'lack of sincerity and remorse' over the fatal crash.

'Despite causing this carnage and heartbreak, Heidgen still suggested he would continue to drink after his release, exposing a flawed character and complete disregard for the lives he tore apart,' she said.

'He has not demonstrated true accountability for his actions and remains a risk to society.'

Heidgen's attorney, however, disputed those claims.

'Both Marty and his family are grateful to the parole board [for] recognizing that it is appropriate for Marty to be released on parole,' lawyer Stephen LaMagna said.

'He is and remains forever remorseful for all of the pain he has caused to so many and continues to pray for them and their families,' he said.
A man has been stabbed in the back while walking near a light rail stop in central Sydney.

Emergency services were called to Darling Road in Haymarket about 4.20pm on Sunday after reports of an assault.

Police were told a 22-year-old man was walking near the Chinatown light rail stop in the southern part of the CBD when he was stabbed in the back.

A man allegedly fled the scene and ran towards Darling Drive.

The 22-year-old was stabbed in the back near a light rail stop. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Paramedics treated the 22-year-old at the scene and he was taken to St Vincent's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The man police want to speak to about the incident was captured on CCTV and is described as being about 40 or 50-years-old of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance.

He is about 170cm tall of medium build, balding with dark hair and a trimmed beard.

At the time he was black track top with Nike insignia on the back and white lettering on the front, black pants and white joggers.

Police are hoping to speak with a man who may be able to assist following the incident. Picture: NSW Police.
An academic who secretly filmed women's bottoms using a camera disguised as a vape has appeared in court.

David Cloarec, 34, used the hidden camera while walking behind the women in Kingston-upon-Thames town centre.

The University of Surrey PhD researcher was then detected by members of the public, Wimbledon magistrates' court heard.

Jack Williams, prosecuting, told the court: 'He was using the camera to observe [women's] bottoms as he walked around behind them.

'He was detected by members of the public and the police were called and there was an attempt to escape, but that was not successful.

'There was a substantial amount of footage that was taken at the time.'

David Cloarec, 34, (pictured) used a hidden camera to film women's bottoms in Kingston-upon-Thames town centre

The University of Surrey PhD researcher was detected by members of the public, Wimbledon magistrates' court heard

Cloarec, of Aldershot, Hampshire, told the court he was 'ashamed' of his behaviour, adding that he has 'betrayed [his] professors' through the acts.

He is a graduate of the University of Bordeaux, in France, where he completed degrees in social and human sciences, as well as law and economy management, The Telegraph reported.

The professor was found guilty of attempting to operate equipment underneath the clothing of another, without their consent on June 10 last year, contrary to the Sexual Offences Act.

He said: 'I am sorry for what I have done. It was a one-time event and it was out of curiosity that I did it.'

Cloarec was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 120 hours community service work, by District Judge David Bolton.

The professor must also carry out 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement, pay 650 in costs, as well as a 114 victim surcharge and sign the sex offenders register.
They were words which, had they been uttered in a different era, would have been tantamount to treason.

Senior Palace courtier Sir Alan 'Tommy' Lascelles told prime minister Stanley Baldwin in private that it would be the 'best thing' if his boss, the future King Edward VIII, were to 'break his neck'.

The astonishing statement was made in 1927 during Edward's trip to Canada with the PM.

By then, Lascelles had by then served for seven years as assistant private secretary to Edward, who was then the Prince of Wales and would go on to reign for just 11 months before he abdicated so he could marry divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Lascelles's view of Edward began positively, to the extent that he wrote that he had 'great affection and admiration' for him.

King Edward VIII with his assistant private secretary, Sir Alan Lascelles, in Vancouver in 1924

Alan Lascelles began his royal career as an assistant private secretary for the then Prince of Wales in 1920. In 1927, he told prime minister Stanley Baldwin in private that it would be the 'best thing' if his boss were to 'break his neck'

But he resigned from the royal's service in 1928 after being left in despair at his 'unbridled pursuit of wine and women'.

He went on to serve him briefly again as assistant private secretary after he became the King in 1936, having performed the same duty for Edward's father, George V.

Lascelles' memoir was republished in 2020 under the title of King's Counsellor: Abdication And War, The Diaries Of Sir Alan Lascelles.

The entry concerning his discussion with Baldwin in Government House, Ottawa, read: 'In his little sitting room I told him that, in my considered opinion, the Heir Apparent, in his unbridled pursuit of wine and women, and of whatever selfish whim occupied him at the moment, was going rapidly to the devil, and unless he mended his ways, would soon become no fit wearer of the British Crown.

'I expected to get my head bitten off but Baldwin heard me to the end, and after a pause, said he agreed with every word I had said.

'I went on: "You know, sometimes when I sit in York House waiting to get the result of some point-to-point in which he is riding, I can't help thinking that the best thing that could happen to him, and to the country, would be for him to break his neck."

Edward abdicated in December 1936 so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Above: The couple on their wedding day in Monts, France, in June 1937

'"God forgive me," said S.B. "I have often thought the same."

Whilst the famously combative Lascelles came to view his boss with disdain, the feelings were similar in the other direction.

Edward later described him as 'that evil snake', when he read John Wheeler-Bennett's 1958 official biography of his brother, King George VI.

He believed that Lascelles had influenced Wheeler-Bennett to ensure that he was presented 'in as bad a light as possible', whilst George VI emerged with his reputation intact.

Lascelles resigned from his role shortly after a trip to Kenya and Uganda in 1928 that Lascelles described as 'the last straw on my camel's back'.

He wrote: 'It was finally broken by his incredibly callous behaviour when we got the news of his father's grave illness.'

Lascelles went on to be appointed to serve George V and remained in the role when Edward succeeded the throne in January 1936.

King Edward VIII, then the Prince of Wales, seen with with Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin in the 1920s

Archbishop Cosmo Lang with Edward VIII on Maundy Thursday in 1936

The King making his abdication broadcast to the nation on December 11, 1936

When Edward abdicated in December that year, Lascelles said he was 'like a child in the fairy stories who had been given every gift except a soul'.

Another key figure who had a dim view of Edward was the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Gordon Lang.

In 2012, the emergence of letters and files held in Lambeth Palace's archives revealed how Lang colluded with the then editor of The Times, Geoffrey Dawson, to threaten Edward over his affair with Mrs Simpson - telling him that the relationship would be revealed in public unless he abdicated.

At the time, relationships outside of marriage were taboo. The fact that Edward was the King and head of the Church of England made his situation all the graver.

Edward pictured with Captain Alan Lascelles (second from right), Brigadier General Trotter (left) and David Boyle in America in 1924

Former prime minister Winston Churchill with Alan Lascelles in 1949

Lang falsely alleged that the King was mentally ill, telling the Times's editor: 'My dear Dawson, I have heard from a trustworthy source that His Majesty is mentally ill and that his obsession is due not to mere obstinacy but to a deranged mind.

'More than once in the past he's shown symptoms of persecution-mania.

'This, even apart from the present matter, would lead almost inevitably to recurring quarrels with his ministers if he remained on the throne.'

In a letter sent to the then Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin at the height of the abdication crisis Lang also said Edward must give up the crown immediately.

The bad blood went both ways, with Edward later writing that Lang was 'more interested in the pursuit of prestige and power than the abstractions of the human soul.'

Lascelles went on to serve as private secretary to both George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, before retiring from royal service aged 66 in 1953.
Queen Elizabeth's jewellery collection was so vast that it had to be stored in a room the size of an ice rink, located 40 feet beneath Buckingham Palace.

Tiaras were the highlight of her collection, varying from diamond-encrusted bands to headpieces decorated with precious stones.

They would be presented to her on a tray with a lace cover, hand-sewn by her grandmother Queen Mary and bearing her 'M' monogram. The tiara was always the final piece of jewellery she selected.

The late Queen mastered the art of securing these tiaras to her springy curls using a satin band or hairclip.

And she generously loaned several designs to members of her family, including Princess Diana, Princess Anne, Princess Margaret and Kate Middleton.

Since Elizabeth's death in 2022, Kate and Queen Camilla have continued to dip into her tiara collection.

Queen Mary Fringe tiara

Queen Elizabeth II wore the Queen Mary Fringe tiara, comprising 47 graduated brilliant and rose-set tapering bars separated by 46 narrower spikes, on her wedding day in 1947

The Queen Mary Fringe tiara is the most-worn wedding tiara by Windsor brides.

Queen Elizabeth chose the gleaming design, comprising 47 graduated brilliant and rose-set tapering bars separated by 46 narrower spikes, for her wedding in 1947.

It had been given to the Queen Mother by her mother-in-law, Queen Mary.

Originally a diamond necklace, made by Collingwood, the accessory was Queen Mary's wedding gift from Queen Victoria.

Mary wore the convertible jewel in various forms, including as a headpiece, before having it dismantled to create a new diamond fringe tiara.

Princess Anne chose the stunning Queen Mary Fringe tiara for her wedding to Captain Mark Phillips in 1973. Bride and groom are accompanied by Prince Edward and Lady Sarah Chatto. Princess Beatrice then wore the accessory for her wedding in 2020

In 1919, she asked Garrard to create a new design in the style of a kokoshnik (a russian headdress) with diamonds that could be removed to form a necklace.

Elizabeth's daughter, Princess Anne, also selected the stunning piece for her wedding to Mark Phillips in 1973.

Princess Beatrice later borrowed the tiara for her private Windsor wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, during the Covid pandemic in 2020.

She paired it with her grandmother's vintage Norman Hartnell dress, remodelled by Angela Kelly and Stewart Parvin.

Belgian Sapphire tiara

In November 2022, just two months after the Queen Elizabeth's death, Camilla wore her late mother-in-law's Belgian sapphire tiara during a state banquet held for South Africa's leader, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Camilla teamed the piece with her elegant Bruce Oldfield gown and completed the look with a diamond-trimmed pendant, containing a photograph of the former monarch.

Queen Camilla paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II by wearing her Belgian Sapphire Tiara to a state banquet

The Belgian sapphire tiara was acquired to complement a Victorian-era sapphire necklace and earrings that were gifted by Elizabeth's father, King George VI, on her wedding day in 1947.

In 1963, Queen Elizabeth purchased a nineteenth-century sapphire necklace that once belonged to Princess Louise of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

As per her request, it was set on a frame and turned into a tiara.

Cartier halo tiara

The glittering Cartier halo tiara was an 18th birthday gift to Queen Elizabeth from her parents, although she never wore it publicly.

It dates back to 1936, when King George VI commissioned Cartier to create a tiara using the diamonds and platinum he had purchased for his wife three weeks before their wedding day.

After a few decades in the royal vault, the Queen loaned the tiara to Kate Middleton for her nuptials to Prince William in 2011.

The glittering Cartier Halo tiara served as Kate Middleton's 'something borrowed' for her wedding to Prince William in 2011

George VI commissioned Cartier to create the tiara using diamonds and platinum he had purchased for his wife (left) three weeks before he became King George VI and she became Queen Elizabeth. Princess Anne (centre) and Princess Margaret borrowed the tiara on various occasions

The 739 brilliant cut diamonds and 149 baguette diamonds shimmered magnificently against Kate's traditional ivory ensemble.

In her youth, Princess Anne frequently wore her mother's tiara, including on a visit to New Zealand in 1970. Its understated design complemented the bouffant hairstyles that were fashionable at the time.

Princess Margaret also borrowed her older sister's tiara on various occasions, notably for an official portrait by royal photographer Cecil Beaton in 1965.

Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara

Camilla paid homage to the late Queen by wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara for a reception and dinner in October 2023.

The exquisite tiara dates back to 1893, when it was gifted to Mary of Teck, on the occasion of her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York, later King George V.

The headpiece is named after the committee of young women who raised money for its creation through a subscription.

It features festoon and fleur-de-lis motifs, comprising diamonds set in silver and gold. Originally, it also incorporated fourteen pearls.

Camilla (left) chose the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara for a reception and dinner in 2023

The piece can we worn as a tiara, coronet or necklace.

Queen Mary showcased the tiara on many occasions, including the coronation of her father-in-law, King Edward VII, in 1902.

Mary gifted her beloved tiara to her granddaughter, Elizabeth, when she married Prince Philip.

Elizabeth reportedly referred to the diadem as 'Granny's tiara', and it become central to her wardrobe, both as a Princess and as a Queen.

Burmese ruby tiara

While the majority of tiaras worn by Queen Elizabeth were inherited from her relatives, there are a few pieces that she added to the collection.

In 1973, she asked Garrard to create a ruby tiara to round out her colourful collection.

Like many designs, the Burmese ruby tiara was created using stones from another headpiece that had been dismantled.

In this case, it was the Nizam of Hyderabad tiara, a diamond floral style that the Queen had received as a wedding gift from an Indian prince.

In 1973, Queen Elizabeth asked Garrard to create a ruby tiara to round out her colourful collection. Queen Consort Camilla made her first appearance in the tiara at the South Korean state banquet at Buckingham Palace in November 2023

Thought to reflect Elizabeth's personal style, the result was a wreath of roses, each with a ruby centre, separated by rays of diamonds.

The rubies were set in gold and the diamonds in silver, intended to look like giant gems from afar.

Under the guidance of her dresser Angela Kelly, who believed that rubies should only be worn with white, the Queen memorably paired the headpiece with an ivory gown at a Silver Jubilee gala in 1977.

Queen Consort Camilla made her first appearance in the tiara at the South Korean state banquet, held at Buckingham Palace, in November 2023.

Diamond diadem

The diamond diadem has been passed down from monarch to monarch since George IV's coronation in 1821, making it the oldest tiara in the royal vaults.

It is reserved for official events, such as the State Opening of Parliament.

Crafted by royal goldsmiths Rundell & Bridge, the diadem boasts four crosses alternating with bouquets, each symbolising a part of the United Kingdom: roses, thistles and shamrocks.

The striking design contains 1,333 diamonds - Queen Alexander removed 11 stones in 1902 when she had it resized, and the Queen Mother also made adjustments to fit her head.

Originally designed for a man, the diadem is likely the heaviest piece in the royal collection.

The Diamond Diadem has been passed down from monarch to monarch since George IV's coronation in 1821, making it the oldest tiara in the royal vaults

Queen Mary's diamond bandeau

Shortly before the wedding of Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018, the Queen invited the couple to view a selection of tiaras.

Meghan was honoured to choose Queen Mary's diamond bandeau, which Harry remembered as the one that 'stood out' to the couple.

'It was beautiful, seemingly made for Meg,' Prince Harry recalled in his memoir, Spare.

The dazzling piece features a diamond brooch that Mary of Teck, later Queen Mary, received as a wedding gift from the County of Lincoln in 1893.

When presented with a selection of tiaras, Meghan Markle chose Queen Mary's diamond bandeau for her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018

The brooch boasts a large collet-set diamond, surrounded by nine brilliant diamonds, with several smaller stones placed between these.

'The gift was most graciously received and greatly admired by Her Serene Highness, who expressed her warm appreciation of the kind and loyal feeling which prompted the gift,' The Chronicle wrote at the time.

Mary wore the brooch on several occasions before deciding to transform it into something more versatile.

In 1932, she commissioned Garrard to create a diamond and platinum bandeau-style tiara, placing the County of Lincoln brooch at its centre.

The eleven sections are pave set with large and small brilliant diamonds in a geometric design.

Additionally, the cluster style of the brooch is mirrored in a smaller set of diamond clusters placed on either side of the tiara.

The brooch is detachable and Mary continued to wear it as a standalone jewel after the tiara had been completed.

Lover's Knot tiara

Arguably the most famous of the royal tiaras, the Lover's Knot has been worn by generations of royal women.

Queen Mary commissioned Garrard to create the exquisite tiara, drawing inspiration from a piece owned by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse.

Mary provided jewels from her own collection, which included elements from her dismantled Some Ladies of England tiara, pearls from the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, and pearls from her favourite brooches.

Arguably the most famous of the royal tiaras, the Lover's Knot has been worn by generations of royal women

The finished design originally featured a row of upright pearls, but these were later removed by Mary, who returned them to her brooches.

Following her death, the tiara was inherited by Queen Elizabeth and she was frequently seen wearing the accessory at various locations worldwide, including a tour of the Commonwealth.

Upon marrying Prince Charles in July 1981, Diana received the tiara as a gift from the Queen and she debuted it at the state opening of parliament later that year.

Although the tiara reportedly gave Diana headaches due to its weight, she wore it on many occasions, notably with her 'Elvis dress' by Catherine Walker during an official visit to Hong Kong.

Similar to her late mother-in-law, the tiara has become one of Kate's preferred pieces and she has worn it at several diplomatic receptions since.

Grand Duchess Vladimir tiara

The Grand Duchess Vladimir tiara perhaps holds the most intriguing story of all.

Made by Russian imperial court jeweller, Bolin, for Maria Pavlovna, wife of Grand Duke Vladimir of Russia, it was presented on her wedding day in 1874.

The diamond and pearl design could be worn in a variety of ways since the pearls were detachable, along with part of the structure.

When the Russian Revolution erupted in 1917, the family fled and the tiara was left behind.

But, after the assassination of Tsar Nicholas II and his family in 1918, the tiara was smuggled out of Russia by a British antiques dealer.

Queen Elizabeth wore the Vladimir tiara in various ways - with the pearls, the emeralds or neither - throughout her reign. Poignantly, it was the last diadem that Elizabeth was pictured wearing in public, during her final Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2019

It suffered on its journey and had to be rescued by Garrard, who polished it 'as far as possible' and replaced two missing diamonds for the princely sum of 26 15s.

Following Maria's death in 1920, her daughter, Elena, sold the tiara to Queen Mary.

Mary commissioned Garrard to make several changes. In 1924, she introduced a third setting, a series of 15 cabochon drops from the Cambridge emerald collection.

However, she kept the original pearls so that both styles could be worn interchangeably.

Around the time of her marriage, the Russian imperial court jeweller, Bolin, made a diamond and pearl tiara for Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna

The stones are kept in numbered pouches to mark their position on the tiara and it takes an hour to change them.

Royal dresser Angela Kelly once said: 'I always ensure that I take my time to do this quietly and without interruption, as you cannot afford to put the jewels in the wrong pouches.'

Queen Elizabeth, who inherited the tiara on her grandmother's death in 1953, wore it in various ways - with the pearls, the emeralds or neither - throughout her reign.

Poignantly, the Vladimir tiara was the last diadem that Elizabeth was pictured wearing in public.

She teamed the emerald setting with the Greville emerald earrings and necklace for her final diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2019.
As a member of the Royal Family it can often be difficult to go unnoticed, but it is not impossible.

The Prince of Wales used a fake name at university - a time when he was trying to avoid the attention of the media and experience some normality during his studies.

At St Andrews in Scotland, he went by the pseudonym of 'Steve' around his friends, Robert Jobson told in his new book, Catherine, The Princess of Wales.

The media had struck a deal with the Palace and agreed to give him privacy for the duration of his course, but William did consent to some photos and interaction - such as on his first day at university in September 2001.

Prince William and Kate on their graduation day at St Andrews in June 2005

Prince William, pictured here in his student accommodation, went by the name 'Steve' at university around his friends

Kate and William would later go on to use fake names together, including Mr and Mrs Smith

He had to be selective over his friends too and chose people he knew he could rely on.

William officially enrolled on his course as 'William Wales', but among friends used fake name.

Mr Jobson wrote: 'Among friends he decided to use the pseudonym "Steve" in a bizarre attempt to stay under the radar.'

The Prince was keen to avoid people who just wanted to know him because of his background.

Mr Jobson told how William said: 'People who try to take advantage of me and get a piece of me, I spot it quickly and soon go off them. I'm not stupid.'

Steve wouldn't be the last name William would adopt, however.

Later on, as his relationship with Kate was growing at university, the couple would enjoy trips away together.

'For weekends and holidays, he'd often whisk Catherine off to Highgrove or Sandringham or to a cottage on the Balmoral Estate,' Mr Jobson wrote.

However, they wouldn't always stick to the royal residences and when they ventured out the pair would attempt to use another identity.

'Occasionally they checked into hotels, using the names Mr and Mrs Smith - which doubtless fooled no one,' Mr Jobson added.

The young prince buying stamps as a student from a newsagents in St Andrews in December 2003

Kate chatting with her university friends while watching William play rugby in April 2005

The couple enjoy a tender moment on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour in June

When the couple rekindled their relationship in 2007 after a brief split, they went on holiday to the Seychelles.

William and Kate used fake names in this instance too and checked in to the hotel under Martin and Rosemary Middleton, journalist Marcia Moody wrote in her 2013 biography of the Princess.

Their plan to remain low profile seemed to work and William and Kate enjoyed kayaking and snorkelling in the coral reef.

When the couple married in 2011 and received the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their royal aides and security began using code names.

The names, 'Danny Collins' and 'Daphne Clark' were reportedly used in their aides' phone contact lists to help keep their details private, the Daily Star previously revealed.

It meant that if the mobile phones were ever misplaced, anyone who tried to access the phone wouldn't realise who they were.

The initials 'DC' in the secret code names alluded to the royal couple's title  the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Prince William and Charles greeting members of the public ahead of William's first term at St Andrews in 2001

Kate in her graduation gown during the ceremony in June 2005

The couple laugh with one another during a visit to the Bahamas in March 2022

Secret names and code words are commonly used in the Royal Family to keep important information under wraps.

Royal expert Laura Windsor told Reader's Digest: 'Royal code names are used for security reasons.

'These switchboard [operators] could hear in on every conversation, so royal code names were used to prevent them from finding out any important news before the royal family did themselves.'

She added that the use of code words avoids 'suspicion' and allows the royals to go about their travel arrangements without attracting attention.
With Hurricane Helene wreaking havoc and causing misery for millions, a new book warns that such terrifying storms are only the beginning.

Warming seas will bring 'near-constant natural disaster to North America' in coming decades and into the next century, according to its author  a journalist and lifetime sailor who spoke to oceanographers, meteorologists and disaster relief crews.

But the data speaks for itself: weather-related natural disasters now plague Earth at five-times the frequency that such 'freak storms' once did back in the 1970s.

And an international team of over 60 scientists calculated last year that the burning of fossil fuels has poured the equivalent energy of 25 billion nuclear bomb blasts into the Earth's systems, heralding a dark new era of 'mega-hurricanes.'

The new book, Category Five: Superstorms and the Warming Oceans That Feed Them, comes with a prophetic warning of an 'Ultra-Intense Category 6' hurricane.

'The most powerful storm ever seen on Earth,' its author, Porter Fox, contends, 'will form from a cluster of convective supercells sometime around 2100.'

Here's the forecast for what that likely mega-hurricane will do.

A new book, 'Category Five: Superstorms and the Warming Oceans That Feed Them ' by Porter Fox comes with a prophetic warning of a coming 'Ultra-Intense Category 6' hurricane - describing how this coming mega-storm will likely wipe out the city of New York by 2100 AD

Above, flood waters from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 as they surge into a Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) station connecting New York and New Jersey. The expected arrival of an 'Ultra-Intense Category 6' would overwhelm this 'intricate substructure of Manhattan,' Fox says

Fox's prediction for this hypothetical 2100 mega-hurricane, which he calls 'Hurricane Dannielle,' derives in part from government scientists' data and modelling efforts.

But he also spoke to salvage ship crew and tugboat operators, like Joey Farrell Jr and Stu Miller, who clean up after hurricanes year-after-year with their vessels.

When Hurricane Michael, a Category 5, hit northwest Florida, Miller remembered: 'It looked like the hand of God went in there and just wiped the earth completely clean.'

'It didn't matter whether it was a steel building, a brick building, a wood building  there was nothing left standing,' Miller told Fox. 'The air pressure was so low it sucked the oil out of the giant Chevron storage tanks down by the marina.'

'Hurricane Danielle' arrives

Fox's hypothetical 'Hurricane Danielle' would be no less devastating, as it surges through a familiar path, like 2012 mega-storm Hurricane Sandy before it, through the slim channel between Staten Island and Brooklyn's Dyker Heights.

As this future storm enters New York Harbor, Fox argues, its punishing wind shear will rattle the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, snapping its three-foot-thick suspension cables and 'sending both levels of the roadway into the lower bay.'

'Destruction will be on a scale never seen in the Northeast,' he writes, 'more like a cyclone on the floodplains of India or Bangladesh than wind events in the tristate.'

'If Superstorm Sandy had occurred in 1912 instead of 2012, it would have likely not flooded Lower Manhattan,' Fox discovered while writing his book. Above, locals use a small boat to wade through flooded streets in Queens' Breezy Point neighborhood during Sandy

A truck (right) slides over a flooded road in Southampton, New York, during Hurricane Sandy

The US has been struck by 11 disasters which came at a loss of at least $1 billion each, amounting to more than $25 billion

As this 'Ultra-Intense Category 6' enters New York Harbor, the whole of Governors Island will be subsumed in 'a wall of whitewater.'

'Most windows in the Freedom Tower, built to withstand gusts up to two hundred miles per hour, will blow out,' according to Fox, ironically 'reducing its windage and likely saving the building.'

Retaining walls built around Battery Park, as part of the ongoing $1.7 billion-plus Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency climate adaptation plan, will be overwhelmed.

'Ocean and river water will mix at the eastern edge of Tompkins Square Park as water flows freely through the streets of Chinatown, Little Italy, and the chic boutiques and bistros of NoHo and SoHo,' Fox writes in Category Five.

The city's vulnerability to this deluge will be a consequence not just of the storm, but rising sea levels: an example of what the author calls the 'compounding forces of climate change.'

'If Superstorm Sandy had occurred in 1912 instead of 2012,' Fox learned, 'it would have likely not flooded Lower Manhattan.'

Right now, Earth's oceans are the hottest that they have ever been, since at least the 1800s when humanity first started taking detailed measurements, according to NASA.

'Most of the added energy is stored at the surface, at a depth of zero to 700 meters [or 2,300 feet deep],' the US space agency reported late last year.

As much as melting glaciers or the sliding of Antarctic ice sheets into the sea, the simple fact of these warming waters has put coastal cities, like New York, at risk.

'Heat stored in the ocean causes its water to expand,' NASA determined, 'which is responsible for one-third to one-half of global sea level rise.'

A news crew (pictured) wades through sea foam blown onto Jeanette's Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina on October 28, 2012 - when wind and rain from Hurricane Sandy hit the area

Above, a pedestrian looks up after a crane partially collapses - hanging from a high-rise in Manhattan as Hurricane Sandy makes its approach into New York on October 29, 2012

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that as much as 360 zettajoules of energy has been added to the world's oceans since 1955.

'A zettajoule,' according to Dr John Abraham, a professor of thermal sciences at the University of St. Thomas, 'is 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 joules.'

'The amount of heat we are putting into the oceans,' he explained, 'is equivalent to about five Hiroshima atom bombs of energy every second.'

But this early flooding of lower Manhattan  in which Canal Street 'will be reclaimed as a canal once more, channeling water, cars, driftwood, and unfortunate pedestrians southeast'  is just the beginning, Fox warns.

Manhattan, under the deluge

After landfall, Hurricane Danielle will wage a 48-hour siege on the Big Apple, as denser, more saturated superstorms will come to slog through a hotter atmosphere.

'Hurricanes will have slowed by 15 percent by 2100 and will be saturated with 20 percent more water vapor,' Fox explains.

'Still to come from the right quadrant of the storm are gusts topping 220 mph, strong enough to blow the roof off the Metropolitan Museum of Art,' he predicts.

With 'rows of plane and oak trees in Central Park' uprooted, windows shattered across the city, and more bridges collapsed, the hurricane's force will then splinter into 'up to fifty tornadoes.'

'This swarm of cyclones will cause unthinkable damage in tiny swaths of the city,' Fox says, 'leaving furrows carved through parks, neighborhoods, and streets.'

Natural disaster statistics have revealed that severe storms and tornadoes are occurring with more frequency and more intensity due to climate change. Pictured: Coastal flooding in Hampton, New Hampshire this past January in early 2024

NOAA estimates that as much as 360 zettajoules of energy has been added to the world's oceans since 1955 - 'equivalent to about five Hiroshima atom bombs of energy every second,' according to Dr John Abraham, a professor of thermal sciences at the University of St. Thomas

The explanation for this incredible intensity comes from the predictable, but nevertheless complex and chaotic forces, that come from the heat energy packed into Earth's oceans and its skies by the greenhouse gas effect.

'To laypeople,' he writes, 'storms are an atmospheric disturbance, detached from the Earth except for the damage they cause.'

'In fact, much of a hurricane's power arises from the border between ocean and air,' according to Fox, 'what scientists refer to as the "planetary boundary layer."'

Porter Fox - a journalist and lifetime sailor - spoke to oceanographers, meteorologists, hurricane salvage ship crew and more for his new book, 'Category Five'

This fact is crucial to understand in order to accurately extrapolate just what carnage a future mega-storm like Danielle will one day be capable of.

Wind friction from a tropical cyclone does not just 'float over the sea,' Fox discovered, 'they lean on it, drag it, and drive it forward.'

When water vapor pulled up into this process rises, he writes, 'it cools and condenses into rain, releasing latent heat that fuels convection and grows the storm system.'

The journalist and sailor, who has written up his travels for National Geographic Adventure and Men's Journal, alongside the occasional fictional stories, drew a probable and chilling scenario of countless New Yorkers trapped in skyscrapers.

'Those lucky enough to live in a modern, structurally sound skyscraper on high ground in Midtown or upper Manhattan will watch from upper floors as foaming brown channels of water rush through the streets,' he writes.

'Water will soon overwhelm the city's gutters and storm drains, invading the intricate substructure of Manhattan, knocking out power, internet, and cell service.'

Fallout: New York

Fox estimates that the death toll of an 'Ultra-Intense Category 6' hitting Gotham will approach something close to 42,000 human lives.

'Thousands of families torn apart,' he writes. 'Hundreds of neighborhoods erased.'

'Industries gone. Transit crippled. The character and viability of America's largest city shattered [...] In the weeks and months that follow, residents and officials will grapple with the impossible question of whether or not to rebuild.'

The widespread devastation to the city's infrastructure, its ravaged communications cables and fiber optics, its roads and bridges will make rescue operations in the wake of the story 'nearly impossible.'

New York City is just one of America's most well-known coastal metropolises, Fox notes, with many others at risk of similar or worse fates.

'One silver lining: Miami residents will no longer have to worry about superstorms, seawalls, building codes, or insurance lapses in 2100, as the city will no longer exist.'

Hurricane Helene is expected to cause flooding up to 15 feet high in some areas this weekend

A man rows a boat in flooded streets after Hurricane Helene blitzed Cuba on Sep. 25, 2024. 'Tropical Storm Helene' became a hurricane mid-morning Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico

Major cities in wealthy countries like the United States, of course, are nevertheless likely to be some of the best-protected from this apocalypse of mega-storms.

The United Nations estimates that 91 percent of the deaths already associated with today's rise in weather-based natural disasters befall those in the developing world.

But the most troubling feature of this growing crisis  to judge from what Fox's scientist sources told him  is what we don't know.

At the UN's Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) last November and December, NOAA oceanographer Dr Adrienne Sutton blasted government policymakers over the 'black hole of data' in the world's oceans.

While global seas have acted as a climate buffer for decades, absorbing about 90 percent of the heat created by increased carbon emissions, as well as over 30 percent of that carbon dioxide itself, the full consequences of that remain unknown.

A resident of the coastal town of Guanimar, southwest of Havana, Cuba wades through a flooded street after the passage of Hurricane Helene this Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Above, people on a flooded street after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Cancun, Quintana Roo State, Mexico, on Wednesday assess the damage outside a grill and daiquiri bar

Above, a United Nations-prepared table of the world's worst multi-billion dollar, weather-related natural disasters. Most of the top ten have occurred in the 21st Century

'We are currently measuring about 2 percent of the ocean,' as Sutton's colleague, carbon-modeler Dr Galen McKinley told Fox.

'So how do we fill in the gaps?'

A variety of oceanic scientific experiments with fleets or drones, buoys and other data-collecting sensors have been proposed, but only a few have been funded  like Saildrone whose first instruments were installed by NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory.

But the federal funding for NOAA and other ocean research comes to only a tiny fraction, 1/250th or 0.4 percent, of what NASA receives to explore space.

And it took prior disasters from the more nascent phases of global climate change, like 2005's infamous Hurricane Katrina, for the current level of funding to arrive.

'The 2005 hurricane season in the Atlantic set everything off,' Dr Greg Foltz of NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) told Fox.

'It was such a destructive season, and it got all this attention, so more money came in and we got more funding for things like ocean observation, which really hadn't achieved any kind of scale yet.'

There was this appreciation that hurricanes are important,' as Dr Foltz recalled it, 'and they're gonna get worse.'
People often misinterpret signs from dogs, thinking a wagging tail or lick of your face always means your pooch is happy.

But these can actually portray signs of stress in your canine companion.

Veterinarian and dog expert Dr Joanne Fernandez-Lopez said her childhood friends described her as 'the dog translator' long before she even went to vet school.

Now, as the director of veterinary affairs at ABCs Puppy Zs, a Texas Goldendoodle breeder, and associate veterinarian at animal care company Dutch Pet, Inc., Dr Fernandez-Lopez has more than a decade of experience working with dogs.

She told DailyMail.com there are 'hundreds' of behaviors a dog acts out that owners regularly misinterpret.

The vet said: 'I could literally write a book of hundreds of signs! But here are just a few of them.'

Wagging tail

The above shows a dog with their tail in a neutral position, meaning they aren't particularly excited or stressed

Anyone who has ever come home to their dog after a long day has experienced the happy tail wag when they walk through the door, or seen their pup's caboose shake when the treat jar is opened.

But a wagging tail isn't always a sign of happiness or excitement, Dr Fernandez-Lopez told DailyMail.com.

The position, speed and even direction of a dog's tail is more complex than that.

She said: 'It seems like people think a wagging tail means happiness but that slow stiff wag can show uncertainty, at best, if not potential caution.

'Consider also the context and vigor with which the tail is wagging.'

The faster a tail wags, the more 'aroused' the dog is, but that could mean in a good or bad way. A wag when the tail is straight up signifies a dog on high alert or possibly in an aggressive state of mind.

A tucked tail signifies fear and stress.

And a study on dog tail-wagging showed the animals tend to wag more to the right with positive arousal and more to the left with negative arousal.

Ignoring you

A dog may lean away or ignore a person when they are fearful

It is easy to misinterpret the moment when a dog turns its head away from you.

Dr Fernandez-Lopez said: 'A dog that turns its head away or avoids making eye contact isn't rude.

'This is a calming signal, proving that they are not dangerous but wish you well as opposed to breaking up the party.'

When you approach or reach for your dog and they turn their head or lean away from you, they are signaling they are stressed, and it may be a good idea to observe the surroundings to see what set them off.

A dog may also lean away or ignore a person when they are fearful.

What's important, experts say, is to not force affection onto or contact with a dog exhibiting these signs because it could lead to aggressive behavior.

Yawning and licking lips

Could this be a sign of stress?

Dogs may yawn after a long game of fetch or lick their chops after dinner, but they could also do these things when they're stressed out.

Dr Fernandez-Lopez said: 'Commonly confused for being sleepy or hungry, a sheepish yawn and lip-lick are definitely potential leading indicators of stress or discomfort with their present setting.

'The former being a way that the dog comforts itself and the latter having to do with its discomfort.'

A stress yawn, according to VCA Animal Hospitals, is usually more prolonged and more intense than a sleepy yawn. Dogs may also experience drooling.

In addition to licking their lips, stressed out dogs may also excessively lick their paws or another body part because licking is a self-soothing action.

Stretching

If your dog is stretching, it might look relaxed, but there is more to this behavior

If you find your pet in downward dog, it could signify more than just your average stretch. It can actually be a warning sign of stress, Dr Fernandez-Lopez said.

She added: 'Though stretching may appear to be a common, comfortable behavior, canines also perform it as a calming signal.

'Dogs who react by stretching may be trying to reduce their anxiety.'

Just like people, dogs may stretch to relax tension in their body brought on by stress.

Excessive stretching where their head is down and butt is up in the air could also signify physical pain, including life-threatening health complications. So it is important to visit your vet if you notice your dog exhibiting this behavior a lot.

Lifting a paw

Lifting a paw can mean a dog isn't comfortable with the current situation

Maybe you taught your dog the command 'paw' or 'high five,' so when they lift their leg you think your training was successful.

But, a raised paw could actually signify a dog is scared, stressed or uncomfortable with their current surroundings.

Dr Fernandez-Lopez told DailyMail.com: 'If a dog is lifting one of his paws, it will often indicate that he/she is uncertain of something in the environment.

'Particularly if the eyes show an expression of curiosity or concentration.'

Some dog breeds are known for their paw raise when hunting, but outside of this context, a lifted paw can indicate a dog is uncertain or feeling insecure about a situation, the American Kennel Club (AKC) said.

Whale eye

If a dog shows the whites of its eyes, it can be a sign of stress

Dogs showing the whites of their eyes, what is known as 'whale eye,' is a common indicator of stress or agitation.

Dr Fernandez-Lopez said: 'When dogs show the whites of their eyes, it can be a sign of stress or that they feel uncomfortable.

'It is a dog version of "I do not feel ok and I might need some distance."'

The AKC said people may observe this behavior if they touch the head of a shy dog or if someone - or another animal- comes too close to them when eating or chewing on a toy.

Giving the whale eye may indicate the dog is scared or stressed that they may have their food or toy taken away.

Lowered head and ears

Body, head, ear and tail positioning can reveal a lot about how a dog is feeling

If your dog seems to be cowering with its head and ears low, they are likely stressed out.

Dr Fernandez-Lopez told DailyMail.com: 'Though some owners may know to interpret alert ears perked up, ears that are held back or lowered can indicate fear, anxiety, and submission.'

Pulled back ears indicate dogs are concerned, suspicious or defensive. 'Seal ears,' when the ears are pinned almost completely back against the head, signal extreme fear.

A lowered head often means the dog is anxious and they may also have a tucked tail or furrowed brows.

Lowering their head or cowering makes the dog seem smaller, which a nervous animal may do so as not to draw attention to itself.

A lowered head and cowering posture also makes the dog appear submissive to whatever the animal is threatened by.

Sniffing the ground

Sniffing can sometimes be an avoidance or displacement behavior

A dog's sense of smell is up to 100,000 times more powerful than a human's and sniffing is how your pet interprets the world around them. So it is natural to think anytime your dog's nose is to ground they're just being curious.

However, Dr Fernandez-Lopez said this isn't always the case: 'Dogs may start to sniff the ground when you ask them a question too "intrusive" or in other situations that makes dogs stressed or uncertain.

'It is a method to keep conflict at bay and defuse tension.'

Sniffing can sometimes be an avoidance or displacement behavior, according to VCA Animal Hospitals, meaning the dog may sniff to 'escape' a stressful situation by redirecting their attention onto something else.

Other displacement behaviors include licking genitals, scratching, shaking or turning focus onto anything other than the current situation.
Anna Delvey has spoken out after being eliminated from Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday, during week two of the competition.

The 33-year-old formerly incarcerated socialite  who was recently criticized by Maksim Chmerkovskiy  feels she wasn't given a 'fair chance' as she trained alongside professional dancer Ezra Sosa.

Speaking to NBC News, Anna said: 'I feel that the show so obviously used me to drive up the ratings, that they never had any plans to give me any chance to grow and only cared about exploiting me for attention.'

Furthermore, she called the popular dance series 'predatory.'

'It was predatory of them to try [to] make me feel inadequate and stupid all while I did get progressively better, yet they chose to disregard that,' Delvey opined.

Anna Delvey has spoken out after being eliminated from Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday, during week two of the competition

The 33-year-old formerly incarcerated socialite feels she wasn't given a 'fair chance' as she trained alongside professional dancer Ezra Sosa

On Tuesday night Delvey and Sosa performed a quickstep routine to KT Tunstalls 2024 hit song Suddenly I See.

After she got the boot from the contest, she shared with NBC: 'It felt like I was never really given a fair chance by the viewers or some of the judges given their nonsensical scoring.'

The previous week she also failed to impress the panel of judges after dancing a cha-cha to Sabrina Carpenters catchy hit Espresso.

Anna and her partner earned just 18 out of 30 possible points.

'Its supposed to be a dance competition and not a popularity contest,' the star, who was recently released from prison, emphasized.

Igniting even more backlash, the influencer had a shocking reply when co-host Julianne Hough asked what she'd take away from the experience.

'Nothing,' she answered plainly before breaking out in laughter.

The following day she said on Good Morning America that her favorite part of the experience was 'getting eliminated.'

After she got the boot from the contest, she shared with NBC: 'It felt like I was never really given a fair chance by the viewers or some of the judges given their nonsensical scoring'

The previous week she also failed to impress the panel of judges after dancing a cha-cha to Sabrina Carpenters catchy hit Espresso

Tori Spelling was also eliminated from the dance trials this week.

Anna later joined her on her podcast Misspelling to discuss their time on the show.

When announced as a dance contender on DWTS in late August, she received a wave of backlash for being included in the latest season following her criminal past.

She is known for swindling people out of money while she posed as a German heiress.

The scammer, who was portrayed by actress Julia Garner in the Netflix miniseries Inventing Anna, was jailed in 2019 for her crimes.

Tori Spelling was also eliminated from the dance trials this week. Anna later joined her on her podcast Misspelling to discuss their time on the show

Former DWTS pro Chmerkovskiy was among the naysayers.

Last week while appearing on The TMZ Podcast, he unleashed a wave of criticism against Anna, dubbing her a 's****y dancer.'

'There's so many other people you could choose from,' he said about the producers' decision to cast the media fixture.

When asked how many weeks he thought she'd last on the long-running competition show, Maksim said, 'I don't care. She's not somebody I tune in to watch.'
A Coronation Street legend will return to the Cobbles next week in a surprising comeback.

John Thomson, 55, will join Weatherfield again, 14 years after quitting the ITV soap.

The TV alum, who played hapless children's entertainer Jesse Chadwick from 2008 to 2010 will appear on screens just as his ex Eileen Grimshaw returns from a holiday in Thailand.

Eileen is stunned to see him, but even more shocked when she discovers that he has not come to see her, and is in fact looking for her neighbour and nemesis Gail Platt.

And the surprises keep coming when Gail and Jesse reveal that they met each other when Gail was travelling a few years ago and have kept in touch.

John Thomson who played hapless children's entertainer Jesse Chadwick will return to Coronation Street next week in a surprising comeback

The TV star who appeared on the long standing soap from 2008 to 2010 will roll into town just as his ex Eileen Grimshaw returns from a holiday in Thailand

Jesse reveals that he heard about Gails granddaughter Bethanys Turkish cosmetic surgery nightmare and so seemingly worried about his friend, decided to pay a visit.

However, conflict could be in store for the cobbles as even though Gail is delighted to be reunited with her travelling buddy, her family are suspicious of his motives, especially given his past history with Eileen.

Revealing what his character has been up to since he left the show, John added: 'He did remarry, but that didnt work out.

'He was also badly let down by a friend which culminated in him being left in some dire circumstances. So as a means to reinvent himself he started to travel the world to, as they say, find himself.

John added: '[Jessie's] not really prepared to see Eileen after things ended so badly between them.

'When Jesse left hed been spreading his bets over two sisters, which is slightly morally bankrupt to say the least. Hes changed dramatically because hes very remorseful for that behaviour, so for him to think that Eileen would even contemplate having him back after he made a play for her sister is not on his radar.

'I don't think the new Jesse could possibly entertain that there would ever be anything with Eileen again because of his actions in the past.'

Viewers first saw Jessie arrive in Weatherfield in 2008 where he started a relationship with Eileen a year later.

And the surprises keep coming when Gail (pictured) and Jesse reveal that they met each other when Gail was travelling a few years ago and have kept in touch

Jesse (pictured in 2008) return comes after he heard about Gails granddaughter Bethanys Turkish cosmetic surgery nightmare and so worried about his friend, decided to pay a visit

Viewers first saw Jessie arrive in Weatherfield in 2008 where he started a relationship with Eileen a year later

He left the show after he took himself on holiday without her and the pair split, but upon returning Jesse made pass at her half-sister Julie Carp, before being found out (all three pictured)

In 2010 Jesse had a big win at the bookies with Eileen hoping he would treat her.

Instead, he spent the money on a holiday for him and his parents and a furious Eileen told him to leave.

Jesse later returned and believing that there wasn't a future for him and Eileen, he attempted to make a pass at her half-sister Julie Carp.

A shocked Julie told Eileen just as she decided to get back with Jesse. Eileen and Julie gave him his belongings and chased him out of the Rovers, after which he left the area for good.

John's replacement comes after a 'frantic rewrite' following Sean Wilson's axing.

The actor, 59, was set to reprise his role as Martin Platt in October as part of his ex-wife Gail's happy exit storyline as actress Helen Worth, 73, prepares to retire, but now John Thomson's, 55, character Jesse Chadwick will be the one doing the wooing.

A source told The Sun: 'It's been an absolutely frantic, incredibly stressful past couple of weeks for Corrie bosses and scriptwriters.'

'So many new departure storylines for Gail were mooted but they were set on a love interest one  which proved tricky as she buried five of her six ex-husbands. And the remaining living one, Martin, was obviously axed in real life.'

'They wanted a recognisable name and plumped for John as his character was popular with viewers and a real blast from the past.'

It comes after John said he would never return to the cobbles saying: 'I don't want to be known as Jesse Chadwick, children's entertainer, for the rest of my life'

Telling Metro in 2012: 'I've been fortunate. I've had a varied career and like popping in and out of things. I was in it for ten months and felt I'd run my course.'

Sean was reportedly axed from the show two weeks before the news broke with lawyers becoming involved, as the mystery on the cobbles deepens.

But reports suggested he suddenly departed the show after being 'summoned to head office' before quitting for 'personal reasons' forcing Gail's entire exit storyline to be frantically rewritten.

Coronation Street bosses reportedly replaced axed Sean Wilson (pictured) with John Thomson in a 'frantic rewrite' after Sean suddenly departed for 'personal reasons' forcing Gail's entire exit storyline to be frantically rewritten

Sean had returned to Corrie in July to film his first scenes, and had already recorded episodes with a large number of stars in the soap.

After The Sun first reported the news, a source revealed he secretly left weeks ago, leaving cast and crew shocked and bosses barred from discussing the matter.

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Sean Wilson has stepped down from filming for personal reasons.'

Sean's agent told the publication: 'Neither he nor I will be making any further comment or statement.'
She is the daughter of Hollywood A-listers who have been married for 24 years.

But now she is forging her own career in Hollywood with a starring role in a new short film executive produced by the legendary filmmaker Spike Lee.

While her career may just be starting, this rising 21-year-old star has already walked many red carpets, recently attending the premiere of the documentary America's Burning with her father and brother.

Showbiz clearly runs in her family - one of her older brothers is also a well-known actor.

Can you guess who this showbiz nepo baby is?

She is the daughter of Hollywood royalty starring in her first major film - can you guess the latest showbiz nepo baby?

It's Carys Douglas, the daughter of Michael Douglas and his wife Catherine Zeta Jones!

Douglas shares Carys and son Dylan with his wife Catherine and also has son Cameron, 45, from his first marriage to Diandra Luker.

Cameron himself is an actor and even starred opposite his father in the 2003 film It Runs In The Family.

While Dylan has a short resume on IMDb, he still remains in the spotlight - he hosts Young American with Dylan Douglas, a 'Gen Z powered political talk show.'

Cary's IMDb only has four credits thus far but her work includes the short film Shell and working as a second assistant director on the short August.

Her latest film, another short called F*ck That Guy, is now heading to the PROOF Film Festival in Los Angeles and sees Spike Lee serve as an executive producer.

'1992 Connecticut. Desperate to keep the attention of her intoxicating older best friend, Frankie sets out to prove that sex is no big deal,' the film's plot reads.

Carys shared snaps from the project along with various behind-the-scenes photos as she gushed about the movie's upcoming film festival screening.

Carys Douglas is the daughter of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones; pictured with her father and brother Dylan at the premiere of America's Burning

While her career may just be starting, this rising 21-year-old star has already walked many red carpets

She promoted her upcoming short film, F*ck That Guy, on Instagram

The post included behind-the-scenes shots from the movie

Spike Lee serves as an executive producer on F*ck That Guy

'Some moments from a project I am so proud to be a part of!! :)) F*CK THAT GUY is heading to L.A for @prooffilmfestival by @am_cinematheque to screen Oct. 18-20 !! Honoured to have worked with @hannaorganschi @then0t0ri0usvip Micheal Nesson and Dagmara Dominczyk,' she wrote in the caption.

In 2021, Catherine revealed both Carys and Dylan are determined to get into acting.

Catherine said on The Drew Barrymore Show: 'Their love of the craft of acting is so strong that even when Michael, their brains they are doing politics and history in school, but their passion is acting.

'And they've never done anything professional, but they would like to go into acting.'

Carys shared this sweet snap with her famous father

Carys has even been warned by her father, whose dad was Kirk Douglas, that if she pursues Hollywood she will always be referred to as 'the daughter of.'

The mother-of-two said: 'In fact one has to prove oneself more, so even with that deterrent my kids are like, "No, sorry we still want to do it."'
Adolf Hitler was past caring, but on the day he killed himself with a single gunshot to the head, a 38-year-old American woman brazenly climbed naked into his bathtub, having first wiped her dirty boots on his fluffy white bathmat, and sat there having her photograph taken.

It was a perfectly-timed show of disrespect, and a vivid metaphor both for Hitler's crimes and his downfall. The dirt that Lee Miller left on his bathmat had been picked up that morning at Dachau, the death camp liberated by US forces only the day before.

In Lee, the new film featuring Kate Winslet in the title role, the bathtub episode is meticulously re-created. Winslet is a decade older than Miller was, but the image in the film is a perfect match for the one captured on April 30, 1945.

It was Miller's close friend David Scherman, a photographer for Life magazine, who took the snap of her in Hitler's bath. But she was a brilliant photographer herself, employed by the fashion magazine Vogue to cover the conflict from many different angles.

Before the war, she had also been a renowned model, a singular beauty who had an intoxicating effect on her many lovers. Regrettably, Lee the film does not really do justice to Miller and her amazingly eventful life. Nor, even, does it do justice to that single remarkable day.

Lee Miller's close friend David Scherman took this portrait of her cleansing herself after she witnessed the horrors of the Dachau death camp that morning. She symbolically dirtied the white bath mat with the mud of Dachau from her boots

Miller arrived at Dachau from Nuremberg, about 100 miles north, on the morning of April 30. She had been tipped off that divisions of the US Seventh Army were heading to Germany's 'first and worst' concentration camp.

Although she had already photographed another liberated camp, Buchenwald, not even the appalling sights there prepared her for Dachau. But by then she at least knew how horribly real it all was. Some of the Allied troops, unable to accept the evidence of their own eyes, at first thought the camps were propaganda stunts, faked by their own side.

'Dante's Inferno seemed pale compared to the real hell of Dachau,' wrote Lieutenant-Colonel Felix Sparks, commander of the 45th Infantry Division.

The sun was shining as Miller and Scherman drove through the town of Dachau, north-west of Munich. Outside the camp there was a stationary train shrouded by clouds of flies.

As Allied forces closed in, the Nazis had hurriedly started to transport inmates from Buchenwald and elsewhere to Dachau. There were more than 2,000 corpses inside the train and about 800 people still alive. The stench of death was overpowering.

Miller documented the ghastly spectacle quickly but meticulously. Among the posse of photographers she was the only woman, yet she went about her grisly task more efficiently than most of the men sent to record the aftermath of liberation. 'Lee took the pictures I could not take,' a Frenchman, Jacques Hindermeyer, recalled years later.

But Dachau left an emotional scar that never fully healed. In later years, she found refuge from her memories in vast quantities of whisky.

Miller had some military-issue chocolate on her that day and offered it to the camp's newly liberated inmates, an admirably human gesture but an unwise one, because she soon found herself mobbed. It was dangerous in more ways than one to give food to those who had been denied it for so long. Some of them died because what was left of their digestive systems could not cope.

Miller didn't just take pictures, she also took the trouble to talk to people and coax their terrible stories from them. But the camera was her main instrument of record.

For the image - meticulously recreated by Kate Winslet in the movie Lee - Miller placed a picture of the Fuhrer on the bath, unaware that he would shoot himself that day

One biography describes how in just a few hours she documented the entire fabric of the camp, from the women prisoners who had 'volunteered' to work in the Dachau brothel to the captured SS guards, many of whom had, contemptibly, tried to disguise themselves as inmates.Afterwards, Miller described the experience in a letter to her editor at Vogue, Audrey Withers.

Dachau 'had everything you'll ever hear or close your ears to about a concentration camp', she wrote, describing 'the great dusty spaces that had been trampled by so many thousands of condemned feet  feet which ached and shuffled and stamped away the cold and finally became useless except to walk... to the death chamber'.

That afternoon, 'gulping for air', she and Scherman drove into Munich, which had just been captured by the US Army. First they found a guide who showed them some of the city's macabre landmarks, such as the site of Hitler's failed 1923 coup, the 'Beer Hall Putsch'.

Next they went to the command post hastily established by the 45th Division's 179th Regiment, the house at 16 Prinzregentenplatz (Prince Regent Square) where Hitler had lived since the 1920s. His half-niece Geli Raubal had shared his second-floor apartment from 1929 to 1931 when she was found there, aged 23, shot dead. The bullet had been fired from Hitler's own revolver.

She was rumoured to have been in a sexual relationship with her uncle, quite possibly non-consensual, and her death was ruled to be suicide. Whether or not Miller knew what had happened to Raubal, she was well aware of the significance of the Prinzregentenplatz building in the narrative of Nazism and the war. 'It was,' she said, 'Hitler's real home... physical as well as spiritual.'

She was duly delighted when the American officers there invited her to stay in the apartment and enjoy what she described as its 'super modern comforts' for as long as she wanted to remain in Munich. The apartment had been refurbished in 1935 at the cost of 120,000 Reichsmarks, ten times the annual salary of a doctor.

Hitler paid for it personally, out of the royalties that continued to flow in from sales of Mein Kampf.

Several British visitors described the flat as 'unpretentious', despite paintings by the Flemish Renaissance master Pieter Breugel, among others, and a lavish Persian reproduction of an enormous 16th-century royal carpet known as the Paradise Carpet.

Hitler was enormously proud of his Munich home, and in April 1935 gave a dinner there, on china initialled 'AH', for one of his most ardent female admirers, the British aristocrat Unity Mitford. 'When one sits beside him it's like sitting beside the sun,' she wrote to her father, Lord Redesdale.

Lee Miller with two US soldiers in a shot captioned 'Me with smallest and tallest'

The German Chancellor also hosted Neville Chamberlain in his apartment, when the British Prime Minister visited Munich in September 1938. It was there that Hitler signed a joint agreement declaring that the Munich Accord and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement from three years earlier were, as Chamberlain put it, 'symbolic of the desire of our two countries never to go to war with one another again'.

Less than seven years later, a single photograph would symbolise a great deal of what had happened since. By the time Miller lowered herself into Hitler's bath that evening, she had not bathed properly for weeks. After Dachau she was more than ready to be cleansed, but she found time for artifice as well as indulgence.

She propped up a picture of Hitler by the bath, and made sure that her boots were visible in the foreground, along with the dirty bath mat.

She also placed a classical statuette of a naked woman on an adjacent table, turning towards it and echoing the woman's posture.

Carolyn Burke, author of the authoritative book Lee Miller: On Both Sides Of The Camera, suggests that this was a deliberate nod towards her own modelling career, and her role as muse to surrealists Jean Cocteau and her former lover Man Ray.

Burke also notes that Miller was only too aware that she would have emphatically met Hitler's aesthetic standards of Aryan womanhood. As her only son, Antony Penrose, put it: 'I think [in the bathtub picture] she was sticking two fingers up at Hitler... She is saying she is the victor.'

She was also, metaphorically, sticking two fingers up at the US Army lieutenant hammering on the door while she took her leisurely bath.

But the drama of that day was not yet over. At around midnight, the BBC broke the news that Hitler was dead, after its monitoring service picked up a solemn announcement on German state radio, which declared that their Fuhrer had 'fallen fighting Bolshevism'. They didn't say that, drug-addled in his Berlin bunker, he had killed himself.

Later, Miller recalled her emotions on learning, not long after stepping out of his bath, that the 'monster' was no more.

'He'd never really been alive for me until today,' she wrote.

Touching what he had touched, on the very day that she recorded the abominations he had overseen, was in some ways the defining experience of her extraordinary life.
Allison Holker is happy to have found love again after the tragic passing of her husband Stephen 'tWitch' Boss.

The So You Think You Can Dance judge, 36  who was recently spotted on a driving range with her new boyfriend  opened up to Us Weekly on Saturday about feeling 'grateful' of her newfound love after being a widow for nearly two years.

'I never knew that I could have this again. I actually feel like I found such a great love and support system from someone,' she told the outlet of her new boyfriend, Adam Edmunds.

The professional dancer added: 'We understand each other and we're so supportive of each other. He's just someone that stepped into my life, and it's been so beautiful and lovely.'

Boss tragically died of suicide in 2022 at the age of 40. The pair shared son Maddox, 8, and daughter Zaia, 4.

Allison Holker is happy to have found 'great love' again with Adam Edmunds two years after the passing of her husband Stephen 'tWitch' Boss; Allison and Adam seen in September 2024

Holker added that the best part of her relationship is that her children are 'happy' to have Edmunds taking on a parental role in their lives.

Earlier this week she told the outlet that dating Edmonds feels like 'walking on a cloud.'

'It's really lovely. It's amazing,' Holker gushed.

She shared that although there has 'always been a stigma of being a widow and life after,' she wants to prioritize herself and her children.

The blonde beauty said, 'I'm proud to be a part of change and growth that we can find love and support and a new way for ourselves after [loss].

'I hope to continue on that journey to maybe inspire other women to continue in their own lives.'

Holker and Edmunds made their romance official earlier this month while walking the red carpet at New York Fashion Week for Alice + Olivia's Spring 2025 show.

DailyMail.com revealed that Edmunds is CEO of Entrata, a software firm focused property management and is from Salt lake City, Utah.

Last June, the reality star told PEOPLE she was open to getting herself back on the dating market in the wake of grieving her late husband.

She said: 'I still would want to have love, would still want to travel the world. I still want to see and experience new things with new people, new energy, my friends, my family, a loved one - a potential - and my kids.'

'I want them to see that they can still learn to trust and love again. It doesn't have to go away. I would embrace it.'

'I never knew that I could have this again. I actually feel like I found such a great love and support system from someone,' she told Us Weekly of Edmunds; Allison seen in March 2024

Boss tragically died of suicide in 2022 at the age of 40. The pair shared son Maddox, eight, and daughter Zaia, four

Holker added that the best part of her relationship is that her children are 'happy' to have Edmunds taking on a parental role in their lives

Boss was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room at the age of 40 on December 13, 2022 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

He was known as a former DJ for Ellen DeGeneres and regularly appeared on her hit talk show.

At the time of his passing, they pair had just celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary and Holker told officers she and her husband had no 'issues.'
Al B. Sure! has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Amazon and the publisher of a book purported to be the late Kim Porter's memoir

The 'fake' book, called Kim's Lost Words, was released in wake of her ex-husband Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking arrest and includes a variety of wild, unsubstantiated claims.

Now, Sure!  who was married to Porter back in 1989  is making an effort to put a stop to the sale of the literary work.

It was self-published under the alias Jamal T. Millwood on Amazon this month by a man named Todd Christopher Guzze.

Guzze, who also uses the name Chris Todd, claims to have investigated other salacious celebrity stories including those of JonBenet Ramsey, the Zodiac Killer and Kurt Cobain, per Rolling Stone.

Al B. Sure! has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Amazon and the publisher of a book purported to be the late Kim Porter's memoir; pictured in 2023

The 'fake' book, called Kim's Lost Words, was released in wake of her ex-husband Sean 'Diddy' Combs ' sex trafficking arrest and includes a variety of wild, unsubstantiated claims; Porter and Combs seen in 2005

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and CEO Andy Jassy were sent the cease-and-desist by Sure!'s lawyer, Robert J. Hantman, on Friday.

The letter notes that he has been 'defamed by false and malicious statements published,' and seeks to put a stop to ongoing book sales.

'Should you fail to comply with these demands within ten days, we will have no alternative but to pursue all legal remedies available, including filing a lawsuit for defamation,' the correspondence warns, per Page Six.

The publication described Todd as an 'investigative producer, author and journalist.'

Elsewhere in Al's legal letter, he states that the Amazon best-seller 'falsely portrays Mr. Brown as engaging in fabricated sexual conduct, particularly with Sean Combs and the mother of his son, Quincy.'

'By misrepresenting his personal life and fabricating serious, false accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior, these defamatory claims have caused significant damage to Mr. Brown's reputation,' the message continues.

Sure! told Page Six, 'The part with me, I have nothing to do with any activity of that nature. It's the most disgusting, heinous lie I have ever heard of in my life.'

Porter died in 2018 at age 47 due to lobar pneumonia. Now, her loved ones feel her legacy is being tainted by the contents of the mysterious book.

Al pictured in July 2023

The cease-and-desist letter further demands that in addition to halting book sales, the author issue a public apology that 'must be clear, unequivocal, and widely circulated.'

Hantman told Page Six, 'Amazon should be held to a higher standard,' adding, 'As if a fake memoir is not enough, it is shocking that Jeff Bezos' Amazon would distribute it without any investigation of its validity or accuracy.'

Todd told Rolling Stone that he has sources who 'had [Porter's] flash drive' and that he 'didn't ask too many questions about how they got it [or] where did it come from.'

He also divulged, 'If somebody put my feet to the fire and they said, 'Life or death, is that book real?' I have to say I don't know. But it's real enough to me.'

He continued, 'Sometimes you have to just put it out there. Maybe not 100% of the book is true, but maybe 80% is.'

Kim and Diddy share son Christian, 26, and twin daughters Jessie and D'Lila, 17; Porter and Combs pictured in 2015

This past week Sure! took to social media to share excerpts of the 'fake' memoir in hopes to draw law enforcement to investigate the publisher.

Porter's four children  Quincy, 33 (whom she shares with Al), Christian 'King' Combs, 26, and twins D'Lila Combs and Jessie Combs, 17  have also spoken out against the book, insisting it is full of 'hurtful and false rumors.'

'Claims that our mom wrote a book are simply untrue. She did not, and anyone claiming to have a manuscript is misrepresenting themselves,' they wrote in a joint social media post.

Porter and Sure! were married from 1989 to 1990, meanwhile she and Combs were in an off-on relationship from 1994 until 2007.
Valerie Bertinelli is still relishing in her alcohol-free lifestyle as she approaches nine months sober on October 1.

And while the actress and TV personality maintained that she never had a problem with alcohol, she was initially inspired to go sober when the clock turned to 2024 as she partook in Dry January as an experiment.

Now the former Food Network star, who has since joined The Drew Barrymore Show as a 'Drew Crew' expert, is revealing the main motivator behind her decision to stop drinking alcohol while attending Food & Wine Classic in Charleston on Saturday.

'I actually think a lot of it has to do with aging,' Bertinelli, 64  who is in a happy relationship  confessed to People.

I think the older you get, the less you really want to really be putting that in your body. I mean, anybody can do whatever the heck they want, but I feel better.'

Valerie Bertinelli is still relishing in her alcohol-free lifestyle as she approaches nine months sober on October 1

She revealed the main motivator behind her decision to stop drinking alcohol while attending Food & Wine Classic in Charleston on Saturday

Since going sober, Bertinelli claims she rarely craves wine or spirits.

'I don't miss it because I don't miss how it actually made me feel either after having it or the next day,' the former wife of late rock legend Eddie Van Halen said.

The Charleston, South Carolina event is part of Valerie's trip with Ross Mathews as expert reps for The Drew Barrymore Show that also included the 2024 State Fair Of Texas in Dallas, Texas the previous day.

The former One Day At A Time star would also take to her Instagram page on Saturday to share a mirror selfie of herself dressed in white overalls over a white t-shirt and a big brown cowboy hat over her long dark locks.

'LA->Dallas->Charleston->LA,' she wrote in the caption, in a reference to her travel itinerary in recent days. 'Three days. Two events.'

She added, 'More fun stuff coming for @thedrewbarrymoreshow.

As one the newest Drew Crew members Bertinelli will make regular appearances on The Drew Barrymore Show to dish on various lifestyle segments.

So far, her favorite topics have been those related to health and wellness.

'Drew tackles subjects that I wish I had heard about 10 years ago, like menopause alone,' the Wilmington, Delaware native said of Barrymore. 'She tackles subjects that not a lot of people do, and she does it with such grace and such vulnerability and authenticity to her and that all of us can relate to. I love being there.'

The actress went on to confess that she loves being on the talk show to learn and get informed on issues like menopause just like the audience and viewers at home.

'I love being able to talk about it because things are happening to my body. I ask my doctor but he's just, like, "I don't know,"' she says. 'So it's fun to talk to other women that are going through the same thing and we can relate and we can say, "Oh my God, [I] don't feel alone."'

The Valerie and Ross tandem documented their rime at the State Fair Of Texas in Dallas on Friday, where they dressed in their best cowboy and cowgirl ensembles

There's also a video posted on Bertinelli's Instagram Story showing their arrival

Bertinelli has been updating fans on her sobriety via social media, including this post when she hit six months without alcohol on July 1

The Valerie's Home Cooking star will now ben a regular on The Drew Barrymore Show as an expert Drew Crew member alongside the likes of Ross Mathews

Earlier in this past summer, Bertinelli shared about the changes she's noticed since incorporating an alcohol-free lifestyle.

'I feel good when I wake up in the morning. I'm not groggy. I'm not tired. I'm not: What did I do last night?"' she revealed to People.

The mother of one has seen what heavy drinking can do to a person, so she considers herself 'one of the lucky ones' who havsn't had to struggle with addiction over her lifetime.

'I don't think I ever really had a problem [with alcohol] and that's why it was a bit, I don't want to say easy, but it was an easier path for me to start with dry January,' she said, adding, 'And then go, "Well, I'm halfway through February, now I might as well just keep going.' And now for me, I kind of make a game of it.'

And by making a game of it Valerie Bertinelli will celebrate nine months sober living on October 1.
Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks and pro partner Jowita Przysta sent fans wild after almost kissing during their passionate performance on Saturday.

The TOWIE star, 36, and stunning dancer, 30, have found themsleves embroiled in romance rumours for weeks amid their intense rehearsals.

Now fans have branded them the 'fittest couple ever' after they took to the floor with a sensual American Smooth that saw Pete drawing Jowita in close and their lips just millimetres apart.

The dance also ended with them leaning in for a kiss before the lights cut out, and while it appeared choreographed some viewers were positive a true romance was brewing between the pair.

Judge Motsi Mabuse even spotted their connection saying: 'I think both of you, you had such a beautiful, flirty, romantic atmosphere, and I believed it was authentic'.

Strictly Come Dancing's Pete Wicks, 36, and pro partner Jowita Przysta, 30, sent fans wild after almost kissing during their passionate performance on Saturday

Now fans have branded them the 'fittest couple ever' after they took to the floor with a sensual foxtrot that saw Pete drawing Jowita in close and their lips just millimetres apart

Judge Motsi Mabuse even spotted their connection saying: 'I think both of you, you had such a beautiful, flirty, romantic atmosphere, and I believed it was authentic'

Taking to X viewers gushed: 'Jowita has hearts in her eyes': 'How long before Pete tries to kiss Jowita properly?': 'Yay pleased for Pete and Jowita': 'Jowita really wants to stick it on Pete, she fancies the pants off Pete But i don't think Pete is into her unfortunately': 'Pete and Jowita almost kissing?!'.

The pairs routine saw them score 22 out of a possible 40 and ended up in joint tenth place on the leaderboard with Nick Knowles.

Elsewhere in the episode Tasha Ghouri left father Tarek in tears as she topped the leader board and made history after scoring the highest ever for a Viennese waltz in week two.

The Love Island star, 26, performed with pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec, 34, in what the judges branded the 'dance of the night'.

Anton Du Beke gushed that he 'couldn't find anything bad' in the performance, while Motsi Mabuse agreed: 'That was the best dance of the night! I absolutely loved it!'.

Tasha's father who was sat in the audience appeared visibly emotional as his daughter also struggled to choke back tears following the feedback.

When preparing to hear their scores host Claudia Winkleman said: 'What made it more emotional was watching your dad, sobbing, watching you'.

'I did say he was going to cry' Tasha laughed, as the camera cut to Tarek who was wiping tears from his eyes.

The dance also ended with them leaning in for a kiss before the lights cut out, and while it appeared choreographed some viewers were positive a true romance was brewing

Taking to X viewers gushed: 'Jowita has hearts in her eyes': 'How long before Pete tries to kiss Jowita properly?'

Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard: Week 2 1. Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec - 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35 + 30 = 65 2. Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola - 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 32 + 30 = 62 3. JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE - 7 + 7 + 6 + 7 = 27 + 31 = 58 4. Wynne Evans and Katya Jones - 7 + 7 + 8 + 8 = 30 + 26 = 56 5. Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe - 8 + 7 + 7 + 8 = 30 + 26 = 56 6. Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell - 6 + 7 + 8 + 8 = 29 + 23 = 52 6. Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu - 7 + 8 + 8+ 8 = 31 + 21 = 52 7. Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas - 6 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 27 + 23 = 50 8. Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin - 4 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 22 + 23 = 45 9. Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova - 3 + 6 + 5 + 6 = 20 + 23 = 43 10. Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk - 5 + 5 + 5 + 6 = 21 + 18 = 39 10. Pete Wicks and Jowita Przysta - 3 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 22 + 17 = 39 11. Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez - 4 + 5 + 4 + 5 = 18 + 19 = 37 12. Paul Merson and Karen Hauer - 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 = 15 + 17 = 32 13. Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones - 3 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 18 + 12 = 30 Advertisement

'And it's not a gentle cry' Claudia joked.

Following their gushing comments, Craig scored them eight out of ten, followed by Motsi, Anton and Shirley who all gave a whopping nine.

Meanwhile Pro Nadiya Bychkova, 36, kicked off the show as she and Olympian Tom Dean, 24, strutted their stuff in sequins to a disco inspired Cha Cha, only for her skin-tight sequinned jumpsuit to rip between her legs.

Following the performance they faced the judges where host Tess Daly, 55, pointed out the awkward gaffe saying: 'Her costume! we had a costume malfunction it ripped on her leg!'.

Elsewhere Tasha Ghouri left father Tarek in tears as she topped the leader board and made history after scoring the highest ever for a Viennese waltz in week two

The Love Island star performed with pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec, 34, in what the judges branded the 'dance of the night' (Dad Tarek pictured)

As Nadiya giggled, judge Shirley , 64, couldn't help but heap praise on Tom and gushed how 'coped and carried on carried on' during the mishap.

Elsewhere Neil Jones, 42, took a savage dig at partner Toyah Wilcox, 66, after the pair found themsleves at the bottom of last week's leaderboard with just 12 points.

After JB Fletcher's perfomance saw him score a whopping 27 out of 40, partner Amy Dowden revealed she'd kept him from making mistakes, by charging him a pound every time.

Hitting back Neil quipped: 'If we did the same with [last week's] tango, I'd be a millionaire by now!'.

Earlier this week Pete was said to be 'in love' with his professional dancing partner Jowita, his best pal Sam Thompson revealed.

His podcast co-host revealed that he believes the two are in love and that the reality TV star 'cares about her so much'.

When appearing on Friday's This Morning, Sam was quizzed by show hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary about their relationship.

The presenter said: 'I think they are in love,' but quickly added that he actually believes their relationship is 'platonic.

Sam added: 'He cares about her so much, the way he looks at her, I've never seen it before.

'I just want to see him happy, he is one of the best people I know.'

Sam's confession comes after the pair put on a very cosy display as they looked into each others eyes and confessed they have a 'code' to communicate without talking.

On Monday, Jowita appeared alongside Pete and Sam on their Staying Relevant podcast, where they confessed that they know what each other is thinking just by looking at one another.

Their close display appeared to rattle his co-host pal Sam as he tried to deny his jealousy over the pair's growing connection.

In the clip, Jowita revealed that Pete called her his 'little ray of sunshine', which prompted her to wear his yellow waistcoat for their time on the show.

The pair were then seen whispering to each other before Jowita rested her head on his shoulder.

Before revealing their non-verbal code, they gave each other an 'Eskimo' kiss in the air.

Earlier this week Pete was said to be 'in love' with his professional dancing partner Jowita , his best pal Sam Thompson revealed

His podcast co-host revealed that he believes the two are in love and that the reality TV star 'cares about her so much'

When appearing on Friday's This Morning, Sam was quizzed by show hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary about their relationship

The presenter said: 'I think they are in love'

On Monday, Pete and Jowita starred on Sam's Staying Relevant podcast, where they confessed that they know what each other is thinking just by looking at one another

Earlier on Monday, Jowita took to her Instagram to post a slew of friendly snaps at Strictly Takes Two of them both, sending fans into a frenzy as they highlighted their obvious chemistry.

In one snap, the pair looked snug as Pete put his arm around Jowita's waist while she kicked her leg in the air in a playful pose for the camera.

They also posted a series of cute selfies, with Pete using Jowita's hair to mimic a moustache in the photographs.

Fans took to the comment section of the post to gush over them both confessing they 'look good together' and have 'major chemistry'.

One fan gushed: 'There couldnt be more chemistry if you chucked a Bunsen burner between them!'; 'I know I shouldn't say this, but you guys have major chemistry.'

'Both look sooooo good together really hope this is the start of more than just Strictly. Would love to see Pete find happiness and Jowita is beautiful inside and out.'

Their close display appeared to rattle his co-host pal Sam as he tried to deny his jealousy over the pair's growing connection

In the clip, Jowita revealed that Pete called her his 'little ray of sunshine', which prompted her to wear his yellow waistcoat for their time on the show

The pair were then seen whispering to each other before Jowita rested her head on his shoulder

Before revealing their non-verbal code, they gave each other an 'Eskimo' kiss in the air

Earlier on Monday, Jowita took to her Instagram to post a slew of friendly snaps at Strictly Takes Two of them both, sending fans into a frenzy as they highlighted their obvious chemistry

Pete was spotted getting very cosy indeed with the Polish beauty at the National Television Awards earlier this month.

In fact, their intimate conversations set tongues wagging amongst fellow guests that they might just strike up a romance during this years series.

The long-haired lothario, who has previously dated Megan McKenna, Chloe Sims, and Ella Rae Wise, was seen with Jowita after in a corridor at Londons O2 Arena where the star-studded ceremony took place.

One onlooker said: Pete was admiring Jowita outfits and told her she looked stunning. They were deep in conversation, and were both leaning in close. It got people talking and wondering if there might be a Strictly romance this year after all.

There was a lot of affection between the pair. He was whispering in her ear which really made her smile.

At one point, Pete placed a protective hand on Jowitas shoulder, it all looked very lovey dovey.

Theyve clearly formed a very close bond during their time on Strictly.

Pete was spotted getting very cosy indeed with the Polish beauty at the National Television Awards earlier this month

The pair of them both had busy evenings at the NTAs. Pete hosted the red carpet for the first time alongside Jungle King Sam Thompson, while Jowita took to the stage to accept Best Talent Show alongside her Strictly castmates.

Jowita, who won the glitterball trophy in 2022 with celebrity partner Hamza Yassin, has previously dated the former Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice, and has recently been linked with choreographer Arduino Bertoncello.

In Petes newly-released memoirs, Pete writes that people have called him the arrogant Lothario. The grumpy git. The bad boy.

To be honest, most of that is true, he confessed.
The Kid Laroi has opened up about the pressures of stardom and what it is really like to be a young artist navigating life in Hollywood.

The Aussie star, 21, whose real name is Charlton Howard, was 14 years old when he recorded his first EP and then skyrocketed to fame with his 2021 hit Stay alongside Justin Bieber.

Now, Laroi has detailed what it was really like being given so much 'responsibility' at such a young age, admitting it made him feel a lot older than he actually is.

'I've felt older for a long time, but this year, more than any other year, I'm appreciating how 'young' I am,' he confessed to Stellar Magazine this week.

'I do have a lot of life responsibility, I do have all this crazy, real, grown-up stuff. A lot of people my age are going to uni or college. I don't want to feel a need to grow up too quickly.'

After feeling pressure to grow up quickly, Laroi is now shifting gears, attempting to reconnect with the youth he feels he missed out on during his meteoric rise to fame.

'I spent a lot of my teenage years thinking I had to be grown up, you know what I mean? I'm trying to take time to appreciate how young I am before it's gone.'

The Kid Laroi has opened up about the pressures of stardom and the complex emotions he faces as a young artist navigating life in Hollywood

Laroi is no stranger to performing in front of huge crowds and is soon set to take to the stage once again in front of thousands of fans all around Australia.

In November, he will bring his rescheduled The First Time tour to the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart before wrapping up with two shows at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.

The Without You hitmaker will be taking US rapper Quavo and controversial Australian drill rap group OneFour along for the ride for all of his shows, except Hobart and the Gold Coast.

Laroi was initially due to kick off his tour in February but was forced to postpone the dates due to 'logistics beyond his control.'

The Aussie star, 21, whose real name is Charlton Howard, was 14 years old when he recorded his first EP and then skyrocketed to fame with his 2021 hit Stay alongside Justin Bieber

Speaking about the postponement at the time, Laroi said: 'I have a really big surprise and special guest that we just couldn't finalise in time for February, among a bunch of other logistical stuff.'

'I wanna give you the best show that I possibly can and make everyone back home proud,' he continued.

'I promise that it will be worth it, and I will keep you guys posted on the special guests and everything else that is to come.'

He had initially planned to make up the shows in October, but the announcement of a November run left some fans out in the cold.
An attorney for one of Diddy's accusers has claimed that a 'high-profile person' had been present during 'pornographic' acts at the disgraced rapper's Atlanta house.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 54 - who has been denied bail by a judge - was indicted for sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution earlier this month in New York City.

Ariel Mitchell-Kidd, a lawyer for one of the music artist's accusers, appeared during Friday's episode of Banfield on NewsNation and stated that someone had reached out to her regarding the 'sale of one of the Diddy tapes.'

She alleged that the person was 'more high-profile' - but did not reveal the name of the individual that could be seen in the tape.

'There already have been tapes leaking around Hollywood being shopped around, but one particular person contacted me to shop a particular video.'

An attorney for one of Diddy's, 54, accusers has claimed that a 'high-profile person' had been present during 'pornographic' acts at the disgraced rapper's Atlanta house; seen in 2022 in Hollywood

The attorney further told the host that, 'I can tell the video was pornographic.'

'This was in his Atlanta home, and it does seem like the person isn't looking into the video. To me, it doesn't seem like that person knows they're being videotaped,' Ariel claimed.

While also on Banfield, the lawyer discussed one of her clients who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Combs in 2018.

According to Mitchell-Kidd, the accuser had also filed a police report after being able to allegedly 'escape' at the time.

'She reached out to me a few weeks ago. She called me and told me about her assault and her escape,' Ariel said.

'She was at a friend's house who had industry ties, and Diddy decided to come to the house.'

However, it wasn't until Diddy had arrived to the home that she realized he allegedly had plans for sex trafficking her.

'It led to her being served a drink. She started to feel woozy. Combs sexually assaulted her with an inanimate object,' Mitchell-Kidd claimed.

Ariel Mitchell-Kidd, a lawyer for one of the music artist's accusers, appeared during Friday's episode of Banfield on NewsNation and stated that someone had reached out to her regarding the 'sale of one of the Diddy tapes'; seen in 2023 in New Jersey

'This was in his Atlanta home, and it does seem like the person isn't looking into the video. To me, it doesn't seem like that person knows they're being videotaped,' Ariel claimed; Diddy seen in Atlanta in 2022

'And then directed another gentleman to sexually assault her while he watched and pleasured himself.'

However, Ariel's client allegedly was able to escape and made her way onto the streets near the house, with a neighbor also witnessing the moment.

It comes shortly after Diddy's own attorney made a shocking statement about a plea bargain for his client.

The embattled rapper has no plans to take a plea bargain, according to his attorney Marc Agnifilo.

Combs insists that he is innocent and plans to fight in the trial until the end, Agnifilo told TMZ for the outlet's new documentary on the case.

His attorney also shared that Combs strongly believes that this is a 'racially motivated prosecution' and that he is being targeted because he is a 'successful Black man.'

This comes after his attorney previously told the outlet that Combs 'can't wait' to testify in court.

Agnifilo, a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney, told the outlet that Combs plans to 'fight this case not just for himself, but for others in a similar position,' who are also facing government persecution.

While also on Banfield, the lawyer discussed one of her clients who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Combs in 2018; seen in 2023 in Washington D.C.

His attorney also said that Combs has his family on his mind and wants to prove to them that he is 'the same man they've always known.'

Agnifilo previously said that the Bad Boy Records founder is 'eager' to testify.

'I don't know that I could keep him off the stand,' he said. 'I think he is very eager to tell his story. And I think he will tell every part of his story.'

He shared that Combs also wants to tell his side of the story in regards to the 2016 hotel security footage of him attacking his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

'He has his story and he has a story that I think only he can tell in the way he can tell it in real-time,' Agnifilo told the outlet. 'And it's a human story. It's a story of love. It's a story of hurt. It's a story of heartbreak.'

He is also expected to be questioned about his 'freak-off' parties.

On September 16, Combs was indicted in New York City and charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

He pleaded not guilty to all three charges and was denied bail.

Combs insists that he is innocent and plans to fight in the trial until the end, Agnifilo told TMZ for the outlet's new documentary on the case; Diddy's attorney seen above earlier this month

The judge who will preside over his case agreed with prosecutors that he was a serious flight risk and that he posed a danger to others.

This comes after Agnifilo explained the alleged reason behind the '1,000 bottles' of baby oil and lubricant authorities found in Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles.

'I don't think it was 1,000. I think it was a lot. I mean, there is a Costco right down the street. I think Americans buy in bulk, as we know,' he told the New York Post.

Later, Costco chimed in and slammed the allegations in a statement to TMZ, saying they do not carry baby oil in any of their U.S. retail locations.

Last week, Combs was placed on suicide watch after he was denied bail.

According to the US Department of Justice National Institute of Corrections, suicide watch is when 'supervisory precautions [are] taken for suicidal inmates that require frequent observation.'

However, Combs is remaining positive, according to his attorney. 'His state of mind is actually remarkably positive,' Agnifilo said.

'I don't know that I could keep him off the stand,' he said. 'I think he is very eager to tell his story. And I think he will tell every part of his story'; seen in 2023 in London

Later, Costco chimed in and slammed the allegations in a statement to TMZ, saying they do not carry baby oil in any of their U.S. retail locations; seen in 2022 in Hollywood

'I spend several hours with him every day. His resolve is strong. He's engaged,' he continued.

'He's focused on his defense,' he said before adding that Combs has 'come to terms with the fact that this is where he is for now.'

Agnifilo also said that he is working on setting a trial date as soon as possible.

TMZ Studios' new documentary, The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment, is now available to stream on Tubi.
Amelia Gray Hamlin left very little to the imagination as she went braless at the Business Of Fashion event during Paris Fashion Week on Saturday.

The model, 28, exposed her bare breasts beneath a sheer burgundy gown while joining in the celebrations for The BoF 500 Class Of 2024 at the Shangri-La Hotel Paris.

Despite the star-studded guestlist, Amelia ensured all eyes were on her for the evening as she struck a fierce pose while flaunted her figure in the see-through ruched dress.

The beauty teamed her daring ensemble with a thin black belt and pointed black heels, while her raven locks were swept into a wet look style.

Amelia oozed confidence as she posed this way and that on the red carpet, with her daring ensemble bund to garner plenty of attention.

Amelia Gray Hamlin left very little to the imagination as she went braless at the Business Of Fashion event during Paris Fashion Week on Saturday

The model, 28, exposed her bare breasts beneath a sheer burgundy gown while joining in the celebrations for The BoF 500 Class Of 2024 at the Shangri-La Hotel Paris

The stunner was in good company on the night as Kylie Jenner was in attendance alongside a plethora of high profile models.

The influencer, 27, flashed her toned pins in a the thigh-skimming, strapless champagne number as she posed up a storm at the celebration.

Amelia's daring display comes after she once again made heads turn while attending the Saint Laurent show during Paris Fashion Week.

The model  who recently vacationed with her parents Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin in Canada  flashed her chest the crowd while wearing a see-through lowcut top on Tuesday.

She teamed her racy look with a faux-leather skirt and carried a brown faux-fur coat.

Her raven locks were tied back in a slicked-back ponytail as she strutted her stuff on the red carpet.

The five-foot-ten looker accessorized with a black designer belt and matching heels.

Prior to the show, the starlet gushed about feeling 'amazing' and expressed her excitement while flaunting her X-rated look.

Despite the star-studded guestlist, Amelia ensured all eyes were on her for the evening as she struck a fierce pose while flaunted her figure in the see-through ruched dress

The stunner was in good company on the night as Kylie Jenner was in attendance alongside a plethora of high profile models

Amelia's daring display comes after she once again made heads turn while attending the Saint Laurent show, flashing her chest the crowd while wearing a see-through lowcut top

'I feel amazing,' she said in a video posted by TikTok user @Taoualitamar. 'I don't think I've ever felt so amazing. I'm so ready for the show. I cant wait.'

It comes after Amelia sparked romance rumours with Romeo Beckham after they were pictured sneaking out of a boozy Fashion Week party, just a day after he enjoyed a night out with American social media influencer Sophie Julia.

In images obtained by The Sun, Romeo was pictured leaving the Perfect Magazine x Grey Goose Altius vodka party through a back door.

Model Amelia, who dated Scott Disick from 2020 to 2021, was seen heading down the street with Romeo and a female pal before jumping into a car, which headed to Twenty Two Hotel in London's trendy Mayfair district.

Amelia is the daughter of US TV star Lisa Rinna and actor Harry Hamlin, and has been making a name for herself as a model and influencer.

It comes as Romeo Beckham has been pictured on a night out with Amelia (third left), days after hanging out with her and his new love interest, infleuncer Sophie Julia (third right)

The former Brentford star was pictured sneaking out of a Fashion Week bash party with Scott Disick's ex (pictured at the BOSS show during Milan Fashion Week this month)

Showing that he's thrown himself back into dating, Romeo's cosy outing came just days after he set tongues wagging by enjoying an evening with Sophie

Showing that he's thrown himself back into dating, Romeo's cosy outing came just hours after he was seen enjoying an evening with Sophie.

The two women themselves are no strangers to one another, as social media snaps showed them enjoying lunch alongside Romeo and a group of others in the capital.

Romeo also appeared in another cosy selfie with Sophie, after she gushed that her trip to London was 'the week of a lifetime.'

While Romeo's outing with Amelia may seem to be a low-key affair, it appeared that the model has already crossed paths with his famous father David.

Earlier this month, Amelia took to the runway for the BOSS show at Milan Fashion Week, with images from the show revealing that David himself was watching on from the front row.
Oasis have sent fans into frenzy as they teased an unexpected announcement ahead of their world tour in 2025.

The iconic rock band - which includes brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher - shared snaps of giant billboards showing the siblings, with a headline reading 'be careful what you wish for'.

It also read 'MONDAY, 8AM ET', hinting at the announcement date and time, and adding #OasisLive25 in their latest X post.

The upcoming news might refer to additional dates - although nothing has been confirmed just yet.

UK and Ireland dates were subject to 'unprecedented' demand when tickets went on sale last month, with fans left enraged by prices skyrocketing due to Ticketmaster's 'dynamic pricing' - or by being kicked off the site once they had queued for hours to secure a spot.

Oasis have sent fans into frenzy as they teased an unexpected announcement ahead of their world tour in 2025 (pictured in 2008)

The iconic rock band includes brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher (pictured in 1998) - but was originally formed in 1991 with ex members Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll (pictured in 1998)

Because of the heavy demand on the first sale, fans were sent into overdrive after Saturday's announcement, and rushed to X to comment, with plenty trying to guess the cities' from the snaps.

Some guessed: 'yessss for my US/abroad friends!!';

'CHICAGOOOOOOOOOOOOO OMG';

'Where is Toronto?'.

While other accounts wrote: 'Getting super excited for you to announce your US shows';

'Will this be the same as in the UK where we pay twice as much as the person standing next to us?';

'Lets have some Europeans dates please!';

'Whats happening? More tickets?????';

They shared snaps of giant billboards showing the siblings, with a headline reading 'be careful what you wish for'

Because of the heavy demand on the first sale, fans were sent into overdrive after Saturday's announcement, and rushed to X to comment, with plenty trying to guess the cities' from the snaps

'Let's rock with Oasis Live25 on Monday at 8 AM ET! It's gonna be epic!';

'Oo that's great i can't wait';

'We are waiting';

'Sets Alarm!!!';

'LETS GOOO';

'Eagerly waiting Oasis'.

It comes just days awat from the band's announcement that they will bring their sold out reunion tour to two major Australian cities next year.

The Gallagher brothers will play shows in Sydney and Melbourne, reports NME.

It will be the first time the Wonderwall hitmakers have toured the country in 19 years, after last playing Down Under in 2005.

Concert dates will soon be announced and tickets will be available for purchase by the general public.

Last month, the band announced they were reuniting for the first time since 2009 after Noel and Liam Gallagher finally put their differences aside.

The news prompted a ticket buying frenzy across the UK, as die-hard fans fought to score a spot to see their favourite band.

Many devastated Oasis fans were left empty-handed when the hotly-anticipated 17-date UK reunion tour sold out in a matter of hours in an online fiasco.

Around 14million fans faced eight-hour queues in a bid to get their hands on the highly-sought-after tickets to see the rock band live, with many still missing out.

It comes just days awat from the band's announcement that they will bring their sold out reunion tour to two major Australian cities next year (pictured in 2008)

Last month, the band announced they were reuniting for the first time since 2009 after Noel and Liam Gallagher finally put their differences aside (pictured in 2003)

This year marks 30 years since the band released their debut studio album, Definitely Maybe, which sailed to the top of the UK charts earlier in the month again in occasion of the anniversary (pictured in 2009)

While other lucky fans managed to nab tickets, many were forced to splash out huge amounts on them after dynamic pricing saw costs soar to almost double within mere hours.

The Gallagher brothers have since announced two further Wembley shows and tickets will be made available via a staggered invite-only ballot to select fans who missed out the first time around on Ticketmaster.

Other fans were angry and disappointed after being left empty-handed, having battled website issues, being mislabelled as bots and waiting in an online queue for hours to buy tickets.

This year marks 30 years since the band released their debut studio album, Definitely Maybe, which sailed to the top of the UK charts earlier in the month, bolstered by the release of a deluxe edition celebrating its anniversary.

Oasis released two live records during their heyday back in the 2000s.

They released Familiar To Millions in November 2000 - four months after Oasis debuted at Wembley.

Their first release sold more than a million copies.

Knebworth 1996 was their second release, and this was recorded across two shows at the Hertfordshire venue and was released in September 2021.

It got to No4 in the albums chart.
Katie Holmes was spotted enjoying a casual solo outing in New York City on Saturday.

The Dawson's Creek star, 45  who recently received positive reviews for her Broadway play, Our Town  took a casual stroll on her day off as her daughter as Suri Cruise, 18, enjoys her first semester of college at Carnegie Mellon University.

The ex-wife of Tom Cruise looked comfortable in a colorful sweater and baggy sweatpants while chatting on the phone.

She wore her brunette locks in a ponytail and carried a Tribeca Festival tote bag.

Holmes accessorized with a pair of sunglasses and threw a white designer purse over her shoulder.

Katie Holmes was spotted enjoying a casual solo outing in New York City on Saturday

The Dark Knight actress appeared to be in good spirits as she enjoyed her Big Apple outing all by herself.

It seems as though the brunette beauty is holding up well with an empty nest after dropping off her only child, who she shares with the Mission Impossible star, at college in Pennsylvania back in August.

Tom and Katie were married from November of 2006 until calling it quits in August of 2012, citing 'irreconcilable differences'.

Cruise was absent for his daughter's move in day but his ex-wife was there to support their daughter  and Suri's classes began on August 26, according to the school's website.

And the child of Hollywood movie stars will have accommodations that are very different than what she is used to in New York City, as Suri is sharing a dorm room with another female student.

'Suri wants the full college experience so she is giving the dorm rooms a try and she will have a roommate,' an insider told DailyMail.com at the time.

'She is excited for a new chapter in her life.'

Instead of mom Katie's three-bedroom high-rise luxury apartment, the teenager is living in a bare-bones dorm room.

It has been previously hinted by Katie that Suri may be studying acting and dance at Carnegie Mellon.

Holmes told Town & Country magazine that after college, her only child wants to enter showbiz.

The ex-wife of Tom Cruise looked comfortable in a colorful sweater and sweatpants while chatting on the phone

The outing comes just weeks after the actress moved her daughter Suri into her dorm at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University; Suri seen in 2024

Holmes shares Suri with ex-husband Tom Cruise, who has been estranged from his daughter since their 2012 divorce; the family seen in 2006

The magazine claimed that Suri 'is said to be interested in pursuing a career in fashion or acting.'

It does not sound off base as Suri starred in a high school production of The Addams Family.

Katie has already put Suri to work on some of her own projects.

Suri contributed vocals to songs in two of Holmes' films  the 2023 drama Rare Objects and 2022 romantic drama Alone Together.

'I'm proud of my daughter,' Holmes told Town & Country of her daughter.
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Jacob Elordi and his girlfriend, Olivia Jade, soaked up the warm sun during a relaxing getaway with her family in Sardinia, Italy on Saturday.

The Euphoria actor, 27 - who has been embroiled in Wuthering Heights casting drama - joined the media personality, 25, as well as her mother, Lori Loughlin, father, Mossimo Giannulli, and sister Isabella on a lavish yacht.

The Australian-born star showed off his chiseled frame wearing a pair of black swim trunks as he took a dip in the cool water.

Olivia could be seen sporting a purple bikini top with a scooped neckline as well as a pair of matching bottoms.

The YouTuber's locks were parted in the middle, and flowed down naturally past her shoulders after getting dampened by the water.

Jacob Elordi, 27, and his girlfriend, Olivia Jade, 25, soaked up the warm sun during a relaxing getaway with her family in Sardinia, Italy on Saturday

Later in the day, Elordi was seen donning a white sweatshirt as well as tan shorts as he lounged on the boat.

He also sported a pair of stylish, black shades and held a big smile on his face as he held a lighthearted conversation with his girlfriend.

Olivia also opted to wear a gray sweatshirt after spending time in the water and combed her damp hair with a pink brush.

When they weren't taking a dip, the couple enjoyed the warm weather as they rested on a deck area towards the front of the yacht.

Jade and her sister, Isabella, had a blast by snorkeling and the actor could be seen showing off his diving skills. Olivia's sibling opted for a vibrant, blue bikini top and matching bottoms for the daytime excursion.

Elordi was also spotted holding a camera in his hands as he took memorable snaps that captured special moments from the early fall vacation.

Lori Loughlin flashed a cheerful smile as she accompanied her family and Elordi on the trip to Sardinia.

The Full House alum showcased her toned figure wearing a strapless, black bikini top with white floral details, as well as matching bottoms.

The Saltburn actor and Jade were first romantically linked back in December 2021 - and have since maintained an on-and-off again relationship

The Australian-born star showed off his chiseled frame wearing a pair of black swim trunks as he took a dip in the cool water

Olivia could be seen sporting a purple bikini top with a scooped neckline as well as a pair of matching bottoms

Later in the day, Elordi was seen donning a white sweatshirt as well as tan shorts as he lounged on the boat

When they weren't taking a dip, the couple enjoyed the warm weather as they rested on a deck area towards the front of the yacht

Jade and her sister, Isabella, had a blast by snorkeling and the actor could be seen showing off his diving skills

Olivia's sibling opted for a vibrant, blue bikini top and matching bottoms for the daytime excursion

Elordi was also spotted holding a camera in his hands as he took memorable snaps that captured special moments from the early fall vacation

She sported a straw hat on top of her locks which were styled into a messy up do on top of her head.

Lori accessorized the look with a few necklaces as well as a dainty bracelet on her right wrist and fashionable sunglasses.

While sipping on a refreshing glass of wine, Loughlin lounged next to her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, who also joined in on the fun.

Back in 2019, both Lori and Mossimo were arrested after they allegedly paid $500,000 to give their daughters entry into USC as recruits for the crew team, although the two had never played the sport.

Loughlin notably spent two months in prison while Giannulli was sentenced to five months.

The star was also fined $150,000 and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service while the fashion designer was fined a larger amount of $250,000 and ordered to complete 250 hours of community service.

The Saltburn actor and Jade were first romantically linked back in December 2021 - and have since maintained an on-and-off again relationship.

After being publicly spotted together on different occasions, a source told Us Weekly in May 2022 that the pair were officially dating at the time.

Lori Loughlin flashed a cheerful smile as she accompanied her family and Elordi on the trip to Sardinia

The Full House alum showcased her toned figure wearing a strapless, black bikini top with white floral details, as well as matching bottoms

She sported a straw hat on top of her locks which were styled into a messy up do on top of her head

Lori accessorized the look with a few necklaces as well as a dainty bracelet on her right wrist and fashionable sunglasses

While sipping on a refreshing glass of wine, Loughlin lounged next to her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, who also joined in on the fun

Back in 2019, both Lori and Mossimo were arrested after they allegedly paid $500,000 to give their daughters entry into USC as recruits for the crew team , although the two had never played the sport

Loughlin notably spent two months in prison while Giannulli was sentenced to five months

After being publicly spotted together on different occasions, a source told Us Weekly in May 2022 that Jacob and Olivia were officially dating at the time

In August 2022, Elordi and Jade reportedly split after they 'enjoyed spending time together,' a separate insider told Us Weekly

However, the insider explained to the publication that the two, 'both got out of relationships recently, so they're not rushing into anything serious.'

'So far it's going well and there's sparks between them,' the source noted of their chemistry.

In August of that year, Elordi and Jade reportedly split after they 'enjoyed spending time together,' a separate insider told Us Weekly.

The actor was said to have been 'completely focused' on his career and was 'not looking for a serious relationship' at the time.

Despite going their separate ways, Jacob and Olivia were spotted together on multiple occasions - such as going on a trip to Idaho in July 2023.

Later that same month, a source informed People that the pair had officially rekindled their romance and were also 'getting serious.'

Earlier this year in January, it was reported that the two stars had broken up for a second time - but it was soon revealed Elordi and Jade were still a couple.

At the time, the media personality was seen accompanying The Kissing Booth star to Saturday Night Live rehearsals in NYC as they shut down split rumors.

The actor was said to have been 'completely focused' on his career and was 'not looking for a serious relationship' at the time

Despite going their separate ways, Jacob and Olivia were spotted together on multiple occasions - such as going on a trip to Idaho in July 2023

Later that same month, a source informed People that the pair had officially rekindled their romance and were also 'getting serious'

Earlier this year in January, it was reported that the two stars had broken up for a second time - but it was soon revealed Elordi and Jade were still a couple

Earlier last week, Jacob and Olivia were seen stopping by Funke restaurant in Beverly Hills to celebrate her sister, Isabella's, 26th birthday, per E! News

Earlier last week, Jacob and Olivia were seen stopping by Funke restaurant in Beverly Hills to celebrate her sister, Isabella's, 26th birthday, per E! News.

The media influencer donned a sparkling, ruffled tank top as well as dark denim pants and a leather jacket.

Elordi was also stylishly casual wearing a black, leather jacket as well as a pair of loose-fitting, tan trousers. For a finishing touch, the actor also sported a Los Angeles Dodgers cap on top of his head.

While attending the birthday dinner, the couple were spotted sharing a sweet embrace at the eatery, per the outlet.

Jacob was recently revealed to have been cast in the upcoming adaptation of Emily Bronte's classic, Wuthering Heights.

He will take on the leading role of Heathcliff while Margot Robbie will portray the character of Catherine Earnshaw.

However, shortly after the casting of Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation was announced, fans soon slammed the decision.

While attending the birthday dinner, the couple were spotted sharing a sweet embrace at the eatery, per the outlet

Elordi was also stylishly casual wearing a black, leather jacket as well as a pair of loose-fitting, tan trousers at the party

Jacob was recently revealed to have been cast in the upcoming adaptation of Emily Bronte's classic, Wuthering Heights

He will take on the leading role of Heathcliff while Margot Robbie will portray the character of Catherine Earnshaw; seen earlier this month in Toronto

Some took to social media over the 'whitewashing' of the leading role of Heathcliff - who is described as 'dark skinned' in the novel.

One wrote, 'Guys I can ONLY assume that Emerald Fennell isn't actually adapting Wuthering Heights...'

'She's just using it as inspiration and it's loosely based on and the only similarities are the characters' names and it's set in this time period and it's a different story entirely right?'

Another added, 'Truly the worst casting I've ever perceived, I'm gagged by how Emerald Fennell is committed to never serving.'
Nina Dobrev made heads turn as she rocked the red carpet at the Elie Saab runway show during Paris Fashion Week on Saturday.

The Vampire Diaries star, 35  who we last saw at the Paris Olympics with her boyfriend Shaun White  looked elegant in a white one-shoulder gown with stunning floral embellishments on the neck and waist.

Her brunette locks were styled in an elegant bun up-do and her blunt bangs framed her heart-shape face.

She teamed her look with a small designer purse and white pointed heels.

The star studded event was held at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, France.

Nina Dobrev made heads turn as she rocked the red carpet at the Elie Saab runway show during Paris Fashion Week on Saturday

The Love Hard actress looked glamorous in a full face of makeup that showed off her eyes and blush toned cheeks.

This year, Paris Fashion Week will run from Monday, September 23 to Tuesday, October 1.

Elie Saab's Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection was put on display at the City of Light's bash and boasted an impressive 62 looks.

The stunning ensembles consisted of both neutral and earthy tones. And according to the brand's website, the theme was 'The Allure Of The Wild.'

The company, which was founded in 1982 by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, called the their attire 'an expedition of intricate textures and airy materials accentuates feminine silhouettes in tranquil earthy tones.'

'It's an extension of the terrain, a harmony of chic refinement and the thrill of new adventure,' the press release says of the spring/summer collection.

She looked elegant in a white one-shoulder gown with stunning floral embellishments on the neck and waist

She teamed her look with a small designer purse and white pointed heels

Her brunette locks were styled in an elegant bun up-do and her blunt bangs framed her heart-shape face

Devon Windsor made jaws drop as she rocked the red carpet in an elegant ensemble.

The 30-year-old model wore a long sleeve white button-up paired with a high-waisted forest green skirt.

She teamed her look with a small black designer purse and a thin belt that cinched her waistline.

Windsor added cream colored cowboy boots for an added chic touch.

Her bleach blonde locks were styled in a side braid as her face framing layers fell out.

The five-foot-ten beauty looked incredible in a full face of makeup that showcased her full pout and hazel eyes.

Devon Windsor made jaws drop in an elegant ensemble

The 30-year-old model wore a long sleeve white button-up paired with a high-waisted forest green skirt

She teamed her look with a small black designer purse and a thin belt that cinched her waistline

Olivia Palermo also made a special appearance at the event and looked glamorous upon her arrival.

She modeled a stunning black woven blazer with gold trim and a long skirts with a sexy slit and feathers.

Her blonde locks were let loose and sat above her shoulders as she rocked a gold headband.

She accessorized with a gold bracelet and silver ring that brought out her black manicure.

The Britain's Next Top Model alum tied her look together with a pair of pointed toe heels with calf-length stockings as she posed up a storm.

Olivia Palermo also made a special appearance at the event and looked glamorous upon her arrival

She modeled a stunning black woven blazer with gold trim and a long skirts with a sexy slit and feathers

Her blonde locks were let loose and sat above her shoulders as she rocked a gold headband

She accessorized with a gold bracelet and silver ring that brought out her black manicure

The Britain's Next Top Model alum tied her look together with a pair of pointed toe heels

Though best known for her work in The Vampire Diaries, Dobrev has also previously starred in major films, including Flatliners, Then Came You, Love Hard and The Out-Laws.

Windsor has modeled for various high profile brands, such as Victoria's Secret, Chanel, Dior, Prada and Jason Wu, since she got her start in the fashion industry at age 14.

As for Palermo, the style icon runs her own self-titled fashion brand and famously starred in the Whitney Port-led reality TV series The City from 2008 to 2010.
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left 'feeling sick' at a particular moment in Saturday night's show.

The BBC Latin and ballroom show has just made it into its second week of its 20th anniversary year, and things seemed to be going swimmingly until judge Craig Revel Horwood made a certain comment.

Just before Love Island's Tasha Ghouri and her professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec to perform their Viennese Waltz, Craig chatted with host Tess Daly about the pair's previous dance.

Tess said: 'There's only really one way to describe our social media star, isn't there, Craig?'

Craig replied: 'Skibidi rizz, darling. Ski-bi-di rizz!'

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left 'feeling sick' at a particular moment in Saturday night's show

Tess seemed clueless as to what the term meant, as she introduced the VT of the contestants in rehearsals

Tess seemed clueless as to what the term meant, as she introduced the VT of the contestants in rehearsals.

According to Urban Dictionary, the phrase is the 'is the second-highest level of Rizz', a Gen-Z diminutive version of the word 'charisma'.

Other definitions include the 'charisma displayed by a male to a female' at the start of a conversation, whilst the whole term seems to just be a nonsense joke.

But viewers were not impressed with the show's apparent attempt to appeal to younger members of their audience as they flooded social media with reactions.

One viewer wrote on X/Twitter: 'This is the worst thing the show has ever done. Gen Z just turned to dust.#scd #strictly'

Another fumed: 'my poor gran loves strictly but shes sick and has enough to contend with without having to hear tess daley say skibidi rizz' (sic)

A third dramatically declared: 'craig saying skibidi rizz on strictly is the worst thing to happen the this society' (sic)

A fourth said: 'First we got demure, now we got skibidi rizz... What the f***is going on with strictly? This is literally them rn'

But viewers were not impressed with the show's apparent attempt to appeal to younger members of their audience as they flooded social media with reactions

Tasha Ghouri left her father Tarek in tears as she topped the leader board and made history after scoring the highest ever for a Viennese Waltz in week two on Saturday

Anton Du Beke gushed that he 'couldn't find anything bad' in the performance, while Motsi Mabuse agreed: 'That was the best dance of the night! I absolutely loved it!'

The Love Island star performed with pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec, 34, in what the judges branded the 'dance of the night' (Dad Tarek pictured)

Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard: Week 2 1. Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec - 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35 + 30 = 65 2. Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola - 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 32 + 30 = 62 3. JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE - 7 + 7 + 6 + 7 = 27 + 31 = 58 4. Wynne Evans and Katya Jones - 7 + 7 + 8 + 8 = 30 + 26 = 56 5. Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe - 8 + 7 + 7 + 8 = 30 + 26 = 56 6. Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell - 6 + 7 + 8 + 8 = 29 + 23 = 52 6. Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu - 7 + 8 + 8+ 8 = 31 + 21 = 52 7. Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas - 6 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 27 + 23 = 50 8. Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin - 4 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 22 + 23 = 45 9. Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova - 3 + 6 + 5 + 6 = 20 + 23 = 43 10. Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk - 5 + 5 + 5 + 6 = 21 + 18 = 39 10. Pete Wicks and Jowita Przysta - 3 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 22 + 17 = 39 11. Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez - 4 + 5 + 4 + 5 = 18 + 19 = 37 12. Paul Merson and Karen Hauer - 2 + 4 + 4 + 5 = 15 + 17 = 32 13. Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones - 3 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 18 + 12 = 30 Advertisement

Once the moment had passed, Tasha left her father Tarek in tears as she topped the leader board and made history after scoring the highest ever for a Viennese waltz.

Anton Du Beke gushed that he 'couldn't find anything bad' in the performance, while Motsi Mabuse agreed: 'That was the best dance of the night! I absolutely loved it!'.

Tasha's father who was sat in the audience appeared visibly emotional as his daughter also struggled to choke back tears following the feedback.

When preparing to hear their scores host Claudia Winkleman said: 'What made it more emotional was watching your dad, sobbing, watching you'.
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Australian actor Jack Thompson has been quizzed on his infamous three-way romance with two sisters back in the 1970s and 1980s.

The 84-year-old was in polyamorous relationship with siblings Leona and Bunkie King - before Bunkie, who was just 15 when the romance began, fled when she was in her 30s, leaving Leona to continue on with Thompson alone.

Jack was quick to shut down host Michael Usher while appearing on Seven Spotlight on Sunday night when asked about the unusual arrangement, which lasted 15 years.

'You had come out of a period of your own life, controversially, in a relationship that was not of the norm, at all. Tell me about that' Usher ventured.

'I won't. I don't discuss it. It's like, will I talk to you about a failed marriage? No, I won't. Don't want to' Thompson was resolute in his reply.

However, the actor was drawn on what the polyamorous experience taught him - and how it has led to a long life with his now wife, Leona.

'It taught me about love. It taught me to be true to your heart' Thompson said.

'And I have been. I'm still there with one of those women, who loves me and I love her'.

Australian actor Jack Thompson (quizzed) has been quizzed on his infamous three way romance with two sisters back in the 1970s and 1980s

The 84-year-old was in polyamorous relationship with sisters Leona (left) and Bunkie King (right) - before Bunkie fled when she was in her 30s, leaving Leona to continue the romancr

In 2015, after many years of speculation, Bunkie laid to rest rumours about the nature of relationship with Thompson and her older sister, Leona.

King shocked and intrigued the Australian public when she entered into a relationship with Thompson, who was twice her age, while he was also involved with Leona  who is nicknamed Le.

The 68-year-old's first meeting with Thompson was when she was 15 years old Sydney school girl, and later revealed the salacious details of their 15-year affair and unconventional arrangement.

Speaking with A Current Affair about her book, Somebody I Used to Know: Love, Loss and Jack Thompson, King said she decided to pen a novel during an argument with her son.

King also appeared with Thompson in 1975 movie Scobie Malone, had a 15-year affair with the womanising actor

At one point, he shouted: 'I'm not proud that my mother had sex with her sister.'

This was the moment King realised there were many misconceptions about her relationship with the womanising actor.

'That really shocked me because that wasn't our relationship,' she said.

'It never entered my head [that's what people thought], so I put it down warts and all.'

King, who has two children with her ex-husband, also revealed how she shared one man with her sister, then 20.

'I won't. I don't discuss it. It's like, will I talk to you about a failed marriage? No, I won't. Don't want to' Thompson was resolute in his reply

From the start the siblings made it clear they were not going to sleep with him in the same bed.

When King first moved in with Le and Thompson she was 'allocated one night a week' with the actor.

Then they relocated to Collaroy - on Sydney's North Shore - and the sisters would see him on alternating nights.

King said she had never close to Le and there were times where she felt her sister, who she is now estranged from, wished she had Thompson all to herself.

It was all or nothing with Thompson, who starred in Spyforce - an action series following Australian Military Intelligence operatives in the South West Pacific during World War II.

The actor was drawn on what the experience taught him - and how it has led to a long life with his now wife, Leona. 'It taught me about love. It taught me to be true to your heart' Thompson said. 'And I have been. I'm still there with one of those women, who loves me and I love her'

In 2015, after many years of speculation, Bunkie (pictured in 2015) laid to rest rumours about the nature of relationship with Thompson and her older sister, Leona

'I was happy for whatever crumbs came off the table. It did cause problems with jealousy and things like that. I don't think either of us would have chosen it that way,' King said.

Talking to New Idea, King said their relationship in many ways was 'quite old-fashioned'.

'We had separate bedrooms. He was just sleeping with both of us,' she said.

In her interview with ACA, King said her relationship was not a 'unique situation'.

'It is in western society but it's not a unique situation for a man to have more than one wife,' she said.

'In western society, a man generally speaking has a wife and a mistress or maybe a couple of mistresses.'

Despite his commitment to two women, King claims Thompson still had time to be unfaithful to her and Le.

When King first moved in with Leona and Thompson she was 'allocated one night a week' with the actor. Pictured in 1980

As Jack's fame grew, journalists clamoured for details about the nature of his threesome relationship

She said what hurt her the most about his alleged infidelities was the fact he was not open, honest and upfront about it.

King also revealed her sister did not know about her regular afternoon visits from Thompson at their mother's house when he started to court her.

She writes: 'One night, he and I are kissing and cuddling in their bedroom when Le [Leona] bursts in the door yelling, 'What the hell are you doing?'

'He jumps up off the bed and tries to calm her down. I bolt out of the room, down the stairs, through the front door and out into the street.

'I know there's something wrong with what we've been doing. He's obviously Le's boyfriend and I feel bad for her, but I don't know how to give him up.'

It was the same for Jack too and, with his popularity at its height in the mid-1970s, the Wake In Fright star bought a rambling farm in the hills above Coffs Harbour, on the NSW mid-north coast, and convinced the sisters to share an 'open' and 'honest' relationship with him.

They moved in together, King confined to the smaller room, while Leona shared the master bedroom with the actor, now dubbed 'Jack The Lady Killer' by the media.

In her book, she also speaks frankly about her drug use, ranging from marijuana to acid to heroin.

But she did not classify her drug use as 'hardcore'.

'Hardcore to me is someone who is basically mainlining. It was the 60s and the 70s,' King said.

They moved in together, King confined to the smaller room, while Leona shared the master bedroom with the actor, now dubbed 'Jack The Lady Killer' by the media

Jack claimed that he occasionally felt 'like a bone being fought over by two dogs'

During the early years of their relationship, Cleo magazine featured Thompson reclined on a sofa in a pose emulating a classic nude, Titian's Venus d'Urbino, catapulting him to sex symbol status overnight.

In 1972, King revealed she fell pregnant for the first time, having forgotten to take the Pill, and underwent the first of three terminations over 15 years.

As Jack's fame grew, journalists clamoured for details about the nature of his threesome relationship and in October 1974, he granted Sydney's Daily Telegraph an interview.

Published under the headline 'Jack and his Jills', he claimed that he occasionally felt 'like a bone being fought over by two dogs.'

The truth, however, no doubt lies somewhere in between.

King says a serious showdown in Spain forced her to finally flee and maintains throughout her 15 years as Jack's lover, she never knew if she was genuinely wanted or was 'just an interloper.'

Today she works in nursing and is divorced with a son Stephan, and daughter, and lives a quiet life south of Sydney.

And for his part, Jack remains with Leona, with whom he shares a son Billy, and the pair lead a reclusive life in Ulong in New South Wales.

The visits in the 1970s increased to three a week and, after months of spending time together, she fell hopelessly in love knowing he was with Le.
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He's one of Australia's most iconic actors.

But 84-year-old Jack Thompson, who was once the country's first male centrefold, is not as healthy as he used to be.

The veteran actor has been struggling with kidney disease for several years now, and requires dialysis to continue to live.

Thompson undergoes the procedure about three times a week due to his kidney failure, which developed as a result of prostate cancer.

Before he received treatment, the beloved actor was 'days away from death.'

Thompson appeared on Channel Seven's Spotlight on Sunday to reflect on his condition.

'I'm in end stage renal failure, on dialysis. Dialysis keeps me where I am, on this side of the ground. I'm very grateful for it,' he admitted.

'When I was diagnosed, my wife said to the nephrologist, "is there an alternative to dialysis?"

Jack Thompson (pictured) has been struggling with kidney disease for several years now, and requires dialysis to continue to live. Thompson appeared on Channel Seven's Spotlight on Sunday to reflect on his condition and saying he was 'very grateful' for dialysis

'And he said "well, Mrs Thompson, you can have a dialysed Jack or you can have a dead Jack,"' the acting legend added.

Thompson added that he'd be dead 'without that friendly robot behaving as a kidney'.

In an interview with the ABC in 2019, Thompson discussed how he incorporated the demands of dialysis between shooting scenes on the set of High Ground.

'I would finish the day of filming around six o'clock and go to dialysis,' he said.

Before he received treatment, the beloved actor was 'days away from death'

'Finish about midnight, get to sleep about one [o'clock], get up again about five o'clock the next morning and back to filming. But I was a very happy man doing that,' he confessed.

Thompson made his mark on Australian cinema often playing Aussie 'blokey' types, lending a rugged masculinity to his roles.

He played the horseman Clancy in the classic The Man From Snowy River, a soldier in Breaker Morant, and even had small roles in the Star Wars prequel films.

More recently, Thompson has starred in outback crime film, Mystery Road, alongside Aaron Pedersen.
The fallout from revelations that a team on The Block has had previous renovation experience has continued.

Newcomers Maddy and Charlotte, who joined the cast last minute after the dramatic departure of Jesse and Paige, were exposed in footage found by Haydn's wife Chelsea.

The promotional video for a building company shows the pair admitting to flipping houses, despite telling their fellow Blockheads they're accountants.

And on Sunday's episode, Haydn decided to grill the two young women about the footage.

'I was watching videos of you girls last night,' he said.

'I don't know how they found that. How did they put two and two together,' they said.

Haydn then asked if the girls were the ambassadors for the company, to which they answered no.

'Yeah I think they danced around it a bit,' Haydn told producers later.

The fallout from revelations that a team on The Block has had previous renovation experience has continued. Newcomers Maddy and Charlotte (pictured) were exposed in footage found by Haydn's wife Chelsea

'They've lied about what background they've got, the experience they've got and who knows what else?'

The Blockheads last week responded to the revelations.

Speaking to TV Week, several of the contestants unleashed on their co-stars while admitting they feel betrayed.

'They flat out lied! They told us they were accountants  they didn't mention they'd flipped houses,' Haydn said.

On Sunday's episode, Haydn decided to grill the two young women about the footage. 'I was watching videos of you girls last night,' he said. 'I don't know how they found that. How did they put two and two together,' they said. All pictured

Haydn then asked if the girls were the ambassadors for the company, to which they answered no. 'Yeah I think they danced around it a bit,' Haydn told producers later

'They asked for advice on how to do things within a build, yet they obviously knew it all.'

Haydn's wife Chelsea discovered the video of Maddy and Charlotte on Google, and his Blockhead partner Ricky also felt the Sydney sisters had an unfair advantage.

'Me and H have never flipped a house together. It takes weeks to get to know each other's strengths when it comes to renovating,' the plumber, 34, said.

Despite the backlash, the sisters were defiant in their choice not to disclose their past experience.

'We never lied. If the others had asked about our experience, we would have shared it, but they never did. It's not on us to tell them the nitty-gritty,' said Maddy, 25.
Good Morning Britain's Alex Beresford has announced wife Imogen McKay is pregnant with the couple's first child.

The weather presenter, 43, took to Instagram with a gushing post as he lovingly rested his hand on the 30-year-old entrepreneur Imogen's blossoming bump.

Alex, who shares 14-year-old son Cruz with ex wife Natalia Natkaniec, gushed the news was the greatest gift.

Writing: 'The greatest gift. In awe of my beautiful wife growing Baby B. We can't wait to meet you. x'.

Fans and famous friends rushed to the comments section to congratulate the couple including a whole host of Alex's GMB colleagues.

Good Morning Britain 's Alex Beresford has announced wife Imogen McKay is pregnant with the couple's first child

The weather presenter, 43, took to Instagram with a gushing post as he lovingly rested his hand on Imogen's blossoming bump

Writing: 'The greatest gift. In awe of my beautiful wife growing Baby B. We can't wait to meet you. x'

Susanna Reid gushed: 'The best news - huge congratulations to you all' while Charlotte Hawkins wrote: 'Ahh massive congratulations!!!'.

Adil Ray added: 'Congratulations you two'.

This Morning's Ben Shephard agreed: 'Ahhh what wonderful news'.

Meanwhile Loose Women's Charlene White commented: 'So excited for you both!!!' alongside Judi Love who said: 'Congratulations'.

Imogen is the co-founder, with business partner Nathan Cole, of luxury gifting service Colford.

According to the brand's website they 'Source the finest, sustainably-made gifts and wrapping materials, COLFORD is a bespoke service that elevates corporate and private gifting'.

Alex married Imogen in a stunning Mallorca ceremony in September 2022 after he previously got down on one knee on the island.

And at their wedding his son Cruz acted as ring bearer and his mini best man, while his brother and cousin performed the role of ushers, and his best friends  both called Leon  were his best men.

Fans and famous friends rushed to the comments section to congratulate the couple including a whole host of Alex's GMB colleagues

Alex shares 14-year-old son Cruz with ex wife Natalia Natkaniec

Susanna Reid gushed: 'The best news - huge congratulations to you all' while Charlotte Hawkins wrote: 'Ahh massive congratulations!!!'

Imogen's sisters, Helena and Georgia, were bridesmaids and led the bridal procession down the aisle to the foot of the white marble temple.

Alex popped the question on New Year's Day while the pair were holidaying on a beach in Deia, Mallorca after two years of dating.

A mutual friend set the lovebirds up on a blind date in August 2020 and the rest is history.

To mark their special moment, the happy couple returned to the Spanish island to tie the knot at the picturesque Son Marroig estate.

Before Alex and Imogen met, she recalled that she had never seen him on television before meeting him and refrained looking him up before their date as she wanted to find out first hand what he was like.

Recalling their first date in Bristol, where Beresford lives, she said: 'When we met, it felt as if we'd known each other for ages. Holding hands and laughing together just came naturally.'

The couple had a long-distance relationship moving between Bristol and London before their engagement.

Meanwhile Alex HELLO! magazine: 'I'd been on my own for a while and was ready for a new relationship. But I was adamant I didn't want to try a dating website.

'I'm of an age where before social media, you met a girl, took her phone number and called to invite her out.'

He explained that he asked a friend if she knew anyone he would get on with, to which she replied: 'I do - but she's way too good for you'.

The presenter said he laughed along and told her "She's the one that I want!"

Reflecting on the beginning of their relationship, he said: 'We hit it off from the start. We talked every day about our shared values and goals, and our love for our families. We've always been on the same page.'

Last year Alex left his wife at home to partake in this year's Celebrity edition of Race Across the World - and she's not happy, according to Radio Times.

Alex, decided to take his dad Noel on the taxing adventure, saying his wife Imogen wanted to tag along with him.

Imogen is the co-founder, with business partner Nathan Cole (pictured) of luxury gifting service Colford

According to the brand's website they 'Source the finest, sustainably-made gifts and wrapping materials, COLFORD is a bespoke service that elevates corporate and private gifting'

Alex married Imogen in a stunning Mallorca ceremony in September 2022 after he previously got down on one knee on the island

Before Alex and Imogen met, she recalled that she had never seen him on television before meeting him and refrained looking him up before their date as she wanted to find out first hand what he was like

Last year Alex left his wife at home to partake in this year's Celebrity edition of Race Across the World with dad Noel

The ITV presenter sweetly told Times Radio the reasoning behind his decision.

Alex said: 'You don't get to spend this sort of time with your parents as an adult.

Imogen was upset, as she loves travelling and she's a fan of the show but, as much as I love her and spending time with her, I'm not sure this was the honeymoon she'd want!

'With hindsight, I think I made the right decision.'

Alex has worked on Good Morning Britain since 2014 and made his Dancing On Ice debut in 2018.

In 2021, Alex criticised Piers Morgan on GMB for his comments regarding Megan Markle's interview with Operah.
Strictly Come Dancing fans were left reeling after Claudia Winkleman made a surprise announcement on Sunday's show.

The BBC show is in its second week and as the contestants who had made it through to the next round sat on the blue sofa in the 'Clauditorium', host Claudia dropped a huge bombshell about what would be happening the following week.

She revealed that for week three of the competition, which is the Movie Week theme, that professional dancer Gorka Marquez and celebrity partner Dr Punam Krishan would be doing the first Couple's Choice routine of the series.

Introduced to the show in 2018, the Couple's Choice allows the professional and their partner to perform a freestyle routine not restricted to a particular style of Latin or Ballroom.

Yet fans were left in shock at the announcement, given the Couple's Choice is not usually introduced until later in the series.

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left reeling after Claudia Winkleman, who wore a pre-loved YSL dress from Hardly Ever Worn It on Luxury Stores at Amazon, made a surprise announcement on Sunday night (right, with Tess Daly)

She revealed that professional dancer Gorka Marquez and celebrity partner Dr Punam Krishan would be doing the first Couple's Choice routine of the series

Turning to Gorka and, Dr Punam, Claudia revealed: 'Gorka, you two are doing the first couples choice of the series.'

Gorka, who has been dating former Strictly contestant Gemma Atkinson for six years, answered: 'What we are doing, it's for the first time. This dance style has never been done before'.

Refusing to give anymore away, the other contestants shared their delight with a flurry of gasps.

However, not everybody was happy with the couples choice being allowed so early in the competition, and some viewers took to X to vent their frustration:

'No. Absolutely no need for a couples choice in week 3 #SCD #Strictly'

'Couples choice is just a blank canvas to hand out high scores and save somebody. It needs binned. #strictly'

'Couples choice in the 3rd week. Ridiculous. #StrictlyComeDancing'

The couples choice category was first introduced in series 16 where couples were originally given a choice between three different styles of dance to perform - contemporary, theatre/jazz and street/commercial.

Those three styles were used until Series 19, where the couples choice then became a freestyle dance and no longer restricted to a specific style of dance.

Also in the results show, viewers were also left reeling after Olympic swimmer Tom Dean was the first celebrity to be eliminated from the dancing competition.

Revealing that the couples choice would be returning with Spaniard and his partner doing it for week three, Gorka revealed their dance choice 'has never been done before'

Some viewers were not happy that the couples choice was being allowed so early in the competition and took to X to vent their frustration

The couples choice category was first introduced in series 16 where couples were originally given a choice between three different styles of dance to perform but changed in series 19 to a freestyle dance (pictured: Punam and Gorka on Saturday night)

Olympic swimmer Tom Dean was the first celebrity to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2024 during Sunday night's results show

Triple Olympic gold medallist Tom, 24, and his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova, 35, have left the competition following a tense dance off against Toyah Willcox and professional Neil Jones

The triple Olympic gold medallist Tom, 24, and his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova, 35, left the competition following a tense dance off against Toyah Willcox and professional Neil Jones.

After both couples performed their routines again, the judges delivered their verdicts with Craig Revel Horwood choosing to save Toyah and Neil.

Motsi Mabuse chose to save Toyah and Neil while Anton Du Beke chose to save Tom and Nadiya.

With two votes for Toyah and Neil, and one vote for Tom and Nadiya, head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and chose to save Toyah and Neil.

When asked by host Tess Daly about his time on the show, Tom said: 'I've had the best time the last few weeks and getting to work with Nadiya has been incredible.

'I wish I could have gone further and done more dances.

'I've had the most fun and I wish we could keep going longer and longer. We'll still go out for loads of brunches I'm sure.'

Tom's professional dance partner Nadiya added: 'To get to know him, he's not just a three-time Olympic champion he's a true gentleman and he taught me how to work really hard and how to put everything in.

Both couples performed their routines again; Tom and Nadiya took on their Cha Cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire then Toyah and Neil performed their Jive to Nutbush City Limits by Ike & Tina Turner

With two votes for Toyah and Neil, and one vote for Tom and Nadiya, head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote and chose to save Toyah and Neil

When asked by host Tess Daly about his time on the show, Tom said: 'I've had the best time the last few weeks and getting to work with Nadiya has been incredible'

'And you know what? On this programme, sometimes to win, you don't need to win, and that's how I feel this year.'

It comes after some viewers were left 'feeling sick' following a bizarre comment made by judge Craig Revel Horwood.

During Saturday night's performances, iust before Love Island's Tasha Ghouri and her professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec perform their Viennese Waltz on Saturday night, Craig chatted with host Tess Daly about the pair's previous dance.

Tess said: 'There's only really one way to describe our social media star, isn't there, Craig?'

Craig replied: 'Skibidi rizz, darling. Ski-bi-di rizz!'

According to Urban Dictionary, the phrase is the 'is the second-highest level of Rizz', a Gen-Z diminutive version of the word 'charisma'.

It comes after some viewers were left 'feeling sick' following a bizarre comment made by judge Craig Revel Horwood on Saturday night

The remaining 14 couples will take to the dancefloor next week for the Movie Week Special.

Other definitions include the 'charisma displayed by a male to a female' at the start of a conversation, whilst the whole term seems to just be a nonsense joke.

But viewers were not impressed with the show's apparent attempt to appeal to younger members of their audience as they flooded social media with reactions.

Tom and Nadiya will be joining Fleur East and Janette Manrara for their first exclusive televised interview live on Strictly: It Takes Two on Monday.
Giving a clarion call for reform of the United Nations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said it cannot remain anachronistic and it is "essential" for the world body to be more representative and fit for purpose in the contemporary era.

The global order is inherently pluralistic and diverse. The UN began with 51 members. We are now 193. The world has changed profoundly, and so have its concerns and its opportunities, Jaishankar said in his address to the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

He said for the UN to address both the concerns and challenges of the world, and to strengthen the order itself, it is essential that the UN be the central platform for finding common ground.

Jaishankar, however, cautioned that the UN certainly cannot be such a platform by remaining anachronistic".

Large parts of the world cannot be left behind when it comes to deciding the key issues of our times. An effective and efficient UN, a more representative UN and a UN fit for purpose in the contemporary era is essential, he said.

He called on the international community to send out a clear message from the UN General Assembly session that we are determined not to be left behind. By coming together, sharing experiences, pooling resources and strengthening our resolve, we can change the world for the better.

Jaishankar also underscored that reforming multilateralism is an imperative.

"The urgency of this call is highlighted by the theme of this Session. Leaving no one behind means advancing peace, ensuring sustainable development and strengthening human dignity. This cannot be delivered by a UN paralysed when faced with division, conflict, terrorism and violence. Nor can it be advanced if access to food, fuel and fertiliser is jeopardised," he said.

The minister said when capturing markets lacks restraint, it damages the livelihood and social fabric of others. Evasion of climate action responsibilities by the developed undermines the growth prospects of the developing.

"If the world is in such a state, this body must ask itself: how has this come to pass? The problems arise from a combination of structural shortcomings, political calculations, naked self-interest and yes, disregard for those left behind," he said.

Jaishankar said it is natural to feel overwhelmed by "what we confront now. After all, there are so many dimensions, different moving parts, issues of the day and the changing landscape.

"But every change must begin somewhere. And there is no better place than where it all started. We, the members of the United Nations, must now seriously and purposefully address ourselves to that task. Not because it is a competition for influence or squabble for positions. But because, if we carry on like this, the state of the world is only going to get worse. And that could mean that more of us are going to be left behind."

India has been at the forefront of years-long efforts calling for reform of the Security Council, including expansion in both its permanent and non-permanent categories, saying the 15-nation Council, founded in 1945, is not fit for purpose in the 21st Century and does not reflect contemporary geo-political realities. New Delhi has been 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.

Experts opine that a polarised Security Council has also failed to deal with current peace and security challenges with the Council members sharply divided on conflicts such as the Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has also noted that the United Nations had 51 member states when it was established nearly 80 years ago, and today it is made up of 193 nations.

In his address to the Summit of the Future last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that for global peace and development, reforms in global institutions are essential and underlined that reform is the key to relevance.

World leaders on Sunday had adopted by consensus the Pact of the Future in which they promise to reform the Security Council, recognising the urgent need to make it more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable. UN officials have described the language in the Pact of the Future on the long-pending Security Council reforms as groundbreaking.

In the Pact of the Future, world leaders agree to redress the historical injustice against Africa as a priority and, while treating Africa as a special case, improve the representation of the under-represented and unrepresented regions and groups, such as Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean. They also agree to enlarge" the Security Council in order to be more representative of the current United Nations membership and reflective of the realities of the contemporary world.

The pact speaks about intensifying efforts to find an agreement on the question of the categories of membership, taking into account the discussions held in the intergovernmental negotiations process. The total number of members of an enlarged Council should ensure a balance between its representativeness and effectiveness, it states.
The situation remained volatile in several parts of Kashmir after sporadic protests broke out over the killing of Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike in Lebanon.

People took to the streets in Srinagar and Budgam to condemn Nasrallahs death, chanting anti-Israel and anti-US slogans.

Political leaders Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference Member Parliament from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Shia leader and former cabinet Minister Imran Reza Ansari also suspended election campaigns to condole the killing. The gesture, however, triggered sharp reactions.

Reacting strongly to the developments the BJP on Sunday lashed out at PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti for shedding crocodile tears and indulging in vote bank politics after the former Chief Minister cancelled her poll campaign over the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Vice President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Omar Abdullah condemned the actions of Israel and called for world support to end the ongoing massacre of innocent people in Gaza and Lebanon.

Another Shia leader and former Minister Imran Reza Ansari labelled him as a Lion. Ansari posted a message on X, A lion has fallen, his roar remains. In every heartbeat his struggle sustains. I am suspending all campaigning activities to honour the supreme sacrifice made by Shaheed Sayed Hassan Nasrallah.

Meanwhile, the security forces deployed on ground zero have been asked to exercise utmost restraint to prevent any flare-up ahead of the third and final round of polling on October 1.

Labelling her as pro-militant, BJP national spokesperson RP Singh said, By cancelling her campaigning, she has shown she is shedding tears over the death of terrorists. It is her habit to call terrorists martyrs. She had similarly wept for Burhan Wani some time back.

However, she is not alone in expressing solidarity with terrorists, he said.

Sonia Gandhi too shed tears for the terrorists killed in Batla House. All leaders of the INDIA alliance do this for vote bank politics. For them, the country doesnt come first. She is doing this for the vote bank, he charged.

Former deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta also condemned Mehboobas stance, asking, What problem does Mehbooba Mufti have with the death of terrorist Nasrallah? When Hindus are killed in Bangladesh and Pakistan, there is a grave silence from them.
A 30-year-old Delhi Police constable was crushed to death in a road rage incident late Saturday night in the Nangloi area after asking a driver to move his car in the national capital. The constable was reportedly dragged for 10 metres before being hit by another vehicle. The incident occurred when the constable was monitoring the area due to a rise in burglaries, dressed in civilian clothes.

In another shocking display of road rage, a dozen men engaged in a violent brawl on a busy road in Ghaziabad, after one of the vehicles they were travelling in began driving on the wrong side of traffic on Saturday. The incident, captured on video and shared widely on social media, unfolded as two groups clashed over a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the traffic.

According to police, the deceased constable, identified as Sandeep, joined the force in 2018 and was posted at the Nangloi police station. He is survived by his mother, wife, and a five-year-old son. The incident occurred around 2.15 am near Veena Enclave when Sandeep was going towards Railway Road from Nangloi Police station during duty hours dressed in civilian clothes. Upon noticing a car being driven recklessly, Sandeep told the driver not to do so, the Delhi Police said in a statement. He was on his bike when a WagonR car tried to overtake him.

Suddenly, the vehicle increased its speed and hit the constables motorcycle from behind and dragged him for about 10 metres before hitting another car, it said. CCTV footage revealed that Sandeep had taken a left turn into a narrow lane and indicated the Wagon R to slow down when the vehicle suddenly sped up and hit his bike. The impact caused Sandeep to be dragged along with his bike for about 10 meters before the Wagon R hit a parked car. The cop is seen gesturing to the car driver to slow down. But the car picks up speed and hits him.

Sandeep sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to Sonia Hospital, then transferred to Balaji Hospital in Paschim Vihar, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Jimmy Chiram stated, Constable Sandeep was going towards the railway road from Nangloi Police Station during duty hours, dressed in civilian clothes due to the increased incidents of burglary in the area.

According to the DCP, Sandeep observed a WagonR being driven recklessly and attempted to alert the driver. He saw that a WagonR was being driven recklessly and subsequently pointed out to the driver not to drive harshly, the DCP explained. Prima Facie it looks like road rage but once the accused is apprehended we will know further, he added further. The car has been seized, but the driver is currently absconding, according to officials.

According to police, the car had two occupants. The driver of the car fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle. Authorities have recovered the car and registered a case under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the accused. The investigation is ongoing. Some sources have claimed that one of the cars occupants was involved in the illegal liquor trade, but police have not confirmed this.

The incident has raised concerns about road safety and the increasing pressure on law enforcement officers dealing with illegal activities. There has been an alarming rise in cases of road rage in the national capital region. Altercations over road accidents have led to serious injuries and even death in many of these cases.

Earlier, another hit-and-run case was registered in Delhi on September 25. In the Ghazipur area of East Delhi, near the Murga Mandi, when a lawyer was killed by an unidentified vehicle.

The 45-year-old lawyer, Mithilesh Chaubey, was returning home on his bike around 11 pm when a vehicle hit him.

In another road rage incident a dozen men were seen engaged in a violent brawl on a busy road in Ghaziabad. The incident, captured on video and shared widely on social media, unfolded as two groups clashed over a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the traffic. The video depicts a chaotic scene where slaps and punches are exchanged amid shouting and screaming. One participant grabs a plank of wood from the roadside and pursues another individual, striking him on the back. As the confrontation escalates, men grapple with one another, attempting to shove each other to the ground. In response to the viral footage, the Ghaziabad Police Commissioners X account confirmed that six individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at Masuri police station, and further legal proceedings are underway, the post stated.
A braveheart of Jammu and Kashmir police, Head Constable Bashir Ahmad, who sacrificed his life in the line of duty after neutralising a Pakistani terrorist in the Billawar tehsil of Kathua district late Saturday evening, was eagerly waiting to come home to finalise the marriage arrangements of his elder daughter and son.

On Sunday his mortal remains, draped in the tricolor, reached home after a formal wreath-laying ceremony at the police lines. A large number of close relatives and family friends were assembled at their residence to pay their last tributes to him.

Only recently the family had finalised the marriage proposal of their elder daughter. Before returning to his duty, Bashir had promised his elder brother to firm up the marriage proposal of his son before decide the dates.

My brother wanted to throw a big party after finalising the marriage proposals of his daughter and son, Barkat Ali, elder brother of the martyred head constable, told The Pioneer at his residence in Channi Himmat.

My brother was very brave. He made a supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. We are proud of him. He leaves behind his four children and wife. He said that when my brother was shifting one of his injured colleagues he too received bullet injuries and sacrificed his life.

Meanwhile, DGP J&K RR. Swain has also condoled the martyrdom of the braveheart HC Bashir Ahmad of J and K Police, who sacrificed his life in an encounter with foreign terrorists in Kathua district.

Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Anand Jain said the search operation was launched in the village on Saturday following information about the presence of three to four foreign terrorists.

Head constable Bashir Ahmad laid down his life and two officers - a DSP and an Assistant Sub-Inspector - were injured in the encounter, he said, adding both the officers are stable.

A terrorist was also killed in an ongoing operation.

The body of the terrorist was recovered from the scene of the encounter at Kog-Mandli in Billawar tehsil this afternoon, the officials said.

A massive search operation is underway in the village for the second day. Talking to reporters near the scene of the encounter, Anand Jain said the whole area is under a tight security cordon and an operation is underway to neutralise the three to four foreign terrorists hiding in the area.

Asked about the interception of the terrorist group ahead of the third phase of polls on October 1, the police officer said the operations against terrorists are going on and will continue.

We are getting continuous information about terrorists and subsequently conducting operations with an endeavour to neutralise them as soon as possible, he said.

He said adequate security arrangements have been put in place in all poll-bound areas to ensure that there are no terror-related incidents and a violence-free third phase.

Meanwhile, another encounter broke out in the Thannamadi area of Rajouri on Sunday. According to a police spokesman, a joint search operation was launched by the security forces at Manial Gali under the jurisdiction of Thanamandi, Rajouri. Contact has been established and a few rounds have been fired from both sides. Area is cordoned off.
 Flash

China's rapid development and economic achievements have brought new opportunities to Mongolia and created a new platform for cooperation between the two countries, Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene said.

Oyun-Erdene made the remarks during a reception hosted by the Chinese embassy in Mongolia on Friday evening, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

In his speech, Oyun-Erdene highlighted that, over the past 75 years, China has experienced remarkable growth and now plays a significant role in global peace, stability, and economic development.

"The traditional friendly relations between our two countries have become a model for international and regional neighborly relations," he said.

Oyun-Erdene noted that in 2023, bilateral trade between Mongolia and China reached 17 billion U.S. dollars, which is an achievement of the active cooperation between the two sides.

He expressed confidence that, within the framework of Mongolia's "Vision 2050" long-term development policy, the New Revival Policy, a medium-term development program, and joint initiatives like Belt and Road cooperation and the Mongolia-China-Russia Economic Corridor, Mongolia and China will achieve even greater success in major project collaborations. He wished for the continued flourishing and robust development of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Shen Minjuan said at the reception that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Mongolia, the 30th anniversary of the revision of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty between China and Mongolia, and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Shen emphasized that looking back, the most valuable asset of China-Mongolia friendship has been mutual trust, close high-level exchanges, deep people-to-people friendship, and understanding and respect for each other's major core interests.
The Israeli military said Sunday that it killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike as the Lebanese militant group was reeling from a string of devastating blows and the killing of its overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The military said Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council, was killed on Saturday. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah, and it was not known where the strike took place. Hezbollah has confirmed that one of its senior commanders, Ali Karaki, died in the Israeli airstrike that killed its top leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday. Israel has killed several top commanders in the Lebanese militant group in recent weeks in a series of strikes.

The Israeli military said it carried out another targeted strike on Beirut later on Sunday. In Syria, 37 militants affiliated to the extremist Islamic State group and an al-Qaeda-linked group were killed in two strikes, the United States military said Sunday. Two of the dead were senior militants,

it said.

Hezbollah has also been targeted by a sophisticated attack on its pagers and walkie-talkies that was widely blamed on Israel. A wave of Israeli airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon has killed at least 1,030 people - including 156 women and 87 children - in less than two weeks, according to Lebanons Health Ministry.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been driven from their homes in Lebanon by the lastest strikes. The Government estimates that around 2,50,000 are in shelters, with three to four times as many staying with friends or relatives, or camping out on the streets, Environment Minister Nasser Yassin told The Associated Press.

Hezbollah has continued to fire rockets and missiles into northern Israel, but most have been intercepted or fallen in open areas. No Israelis have been killed since the latest wave of strikes on top Hezbollah leaders began on Sept. 20.

Kaouk was a veteran member of Hezbollah going back to the 1980s and served as Hezbollahs military commander in southern Lebanon during the 2006 war with Israel. He often appeared in local media, where he would comment on politics and security developments, and he gave eulogies at the funerals of senior militants. The United States had announced sanctions against him in 2020.

Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel after Hamas October 7 attack out of Gaza triggered the war there. Hezbollah and Hamas are allies that consider themselves part of an Iran-backed Axis of Resistance against Israel.

Israel has responded with waves of airstrikes, and the conflict has steadily ratcheted up to the brink of all-out war, raising fears of a region-wide conflagration.

Israel says it is determined to return some 60,000 of its citizens to communities in the north that were evacuated nearly a year ago. Hezbollah has said it will only halt its rocket fire if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, which has proven elusive despite months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.

The US Central Command said it struck northwestern Syria on Tuesday, targeting a senior militant from the al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Deen group and eight others. They say he was responsible for overseeing military operations.

They also announced a strike from earlier this month on September 16, where they conducted a large-scale airstrike on an IS training camp in a remote undisclosed location in central Syria. That attack killed 28 militants, including at least four Syrian leaders.

The airstrike will disrupt ISIS capability to conduct operations against US interests, as well as our allies and partners, the statement read.

There are some 900 US forces in Syria, along with an undisclosed number of contractors, mostly trying to prevent any comeback by the extremist IS group, which swept through Iraq and Syria in 2014, taking control of large swaths of territory.

US forces advise and assist their key allies in northeastern Syria, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, located not far from strategic areas where Iran-backed militant groups are present, including a key border crossing with Iraq.
Poet Laureate Rabindranath Tagore once called tram a link between life and literature even as he described in his Sahaj Paath how the roads of Kolkata have become like a snake on which the Tram hurtles, down.

Tram was also a central topic in poet Jibanananda Dass iconic work, Banalata Sen. Ironically he died in a tram accident in 1954. Decades later a famous modern Bengali writer likened the iconic Tram of Kolkata with a pre-historic reptile even as he called it a Prak Oitihasik Sorisreep.

No more these literatures: As the Bengal Government has decided to derail the space guzzling vehicle -- arguably the only surviving environment-friendly transport service of Kolkata, nay the entire country.

Dwelling on the issue Bengal Transport Minister Snehashis Chakrabarty said that the Government had decided to discontinue the tram services as it was not only slow but also consumed huge space.

Trams are the part of Kolkatas heritage ever since it started its journey in 1873, but one has also to consider the operational costs, its low speed and not lest the space it consumes all considering the fact that unlike Delhi or Mumbai which have more than 20 per cent of their surface areas comprising roads Kolkata has only six per cent.

This leads to congestion of traffic particularly in North Kolkata. To ensure that people dont get late to office during peak hours due to traffic jams, these difficult measures are taken, he justified.

The Minister however hurriedly supplied two rejoinders: First a short (3 km) route -- from Esplanade to Maidan -- however will be allowed to survive for heritage purpose and tourism and second a date has not been fixed as we are not going to end it today or tomorrow. He said the decision was in contemplation for quite some time (years) when several tram routes in North Kolkata were phased out without notice fearing public backlash.

Despite the idea being in contemplation from as early as the Left regime it was the TMC Government that set out to bell the cat sand hastened up the speed of trams withdrawal particularly after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told in one of her public speeches how tram tracks had become a nuisance on thoroughfares like the Hazra Road that leads to her Kalighat residence making it risky for the bikers who may any moment skid off their vehicles due to the tram lines.

Kolkata was the first to get trams on February 24, 1873, with horse-drawn cars running on tracks. A big horses stable was set up at Raja Bazaar off Sealdah to supply the horses for trams. Subsequently tram was modernised with steam power in 1882, whereas first electric-powered tram was introduced in 1900 a few years after Madras (presently Chennai) got its own electric tram. More recently AC trams were introduced in 2013.

Trams ran in colonial towns like Mumbai, Delhi , Madras, Patna, Nashik too but they were discontinued with time and as more modern and faster modes of transport appeared but for Kolkata. The city clung on to its heritage and cultural icon, for decades until the present Government decided to discontinue it.

We tried to restore tram to its former glory often by offering schemes like AC restaurants on tram as also proposing offers for wedding on trams  but nothing was taken seriously by the authorities as they had decided to discontinue it, a member of tram users association said adding at Rs 6 and 7 tram is perhaps the cheapest service in the city which this Government is trying to discontinue and which we will not let happen.

We have seen tram transform a from wooden to a steel carriage in the early 1980s,  we loved tram so much and offered our service whole-heartedly but the Government should also have understood the importance of tram which is not only environment friendly but also cheap, said Naresh Singh a 90-year-old former tram pilot.

Such was the popularity of tram in 1960s and 70s that a mere one paisa increase in its fare led to a massive unrest in Kolkata that saw several trams being torched by the agitators, he said.

Meanwhile the Calcutta High too has offered its suggestion while dealing a public interest litigation asking the State Government to explore a public-private partnership mode to allow the vehicle of the past to survive. The PIL was filed in 2022 and is still continuing. In the PIL Sulagna Mukherjee, the petitioner pointed out that at time different cities of the world were increasingly embracing tram services for its green attributes the State Government is going to discontinue it.

We will go for a bigger movement and will not allow this Government to kill tram  they are doing this in order to reclaim the sprawling lands housing tram depots on prime areas where the politicians will allow the builder lobby to make malls  we will not let that happen  rather we will even force them to reintroduce the double-decker buses which they have discontinued a decade ago, said Archishman Chatterjee a college student who was a part of a recent agitation at Shyambazar crossing.
Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday urged them to be mindful of the forthcoming festive season and to achieve membership drive targets ahead of Dussehra.

Yadav was reviewing the progress made by the membership drive in Madhya Pradesh at the party's state headquarters.

Party workers should work in such a way during the second phase of the membership campaign that the targets are achieved before the weapon worship on Dussehra. He added that the campaign should gain momentum during Pitrapaksha and Navratri.State party unit chief and Khajuraho MP Vishnudatt Sharma spelled out the achievements of the membership campaign. He informed that the success of the campaign in the state may be gauged by the fact that three constituencies in the state figure in the top 20 list for enrolling a maximum number of new members.

Sharma said that 10.5 million people in Madhya Pradesh were enlisted through missed calls, and over 9.8 million formally filled out party membership forms to join the party.With 70% of the target achieved, Madhya Pradesh stands third in the country and first among large states for running the most successful campaign for the party, he added.

State in-charge Mahendra Singh noted that the success of the campaign was made possible by a large number of party officials and representatives who threw their weight behind the party enrollment drive.

State Organisation General Secretary Hitanand Sharma emphasized that workers must unite and strive to oust the Congress from every booth.

He urged party workers to dedicate even more time and energy to the campaign during the second phase and ensure that achieving party targets can help realize this historic feat.State Minister Rajneesh Agarwal noted that the achievement of the magical figure of one crore (new members) is nothing short of a miracle.The review meeting was conducted by Bhopal MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani, who is also in charge of the membership campaign in the state.

In his address, Chief Minister Yadav congratulated party workers on their performance and underlined the need for discounting during the festive season while formulating strategy for the second phase.

Listing the challenges that lie ahead, Yadav said that party workers should try to ensure that the campaign peaks during Pitrapaksha and Navratri so the targets may be achieved ahead of the Shastra Pujan on Dussehra.

He said that the target of 1.5 crore new members is not a daunting one, as BJP popularity in the state is well reflected in its clean sweep of 29 Lok Sabha seats during the general elections earlier this year and the huge party victory in the assembly elections of 2023.

Highlighting the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yadav said that after taking over in 2014, the BJP government formulated a new Intellectual Property policy, which clarified misconceptions in the earlier version, halted brain drain, and enabled industrialists to minimize the incubation period for new production facilities.

Yadav stressed the need for party workers to stay updated with time and utilize technology to achieve targets for the membership campaign.
Out of 20,632 polling stations, 144 designated as model polling stations

Chandigarh: Of the total 20,632 polling stations established across the State for Haryana assembly polls, 144 are designated as model polling stations. Sharing information, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal on Sunday said that among these, 115 polling stations will be entirely managed by women staff, 114 by youth employees, and 87 by PwD employees. Webcasting will be conducted at all polling stations on the election day.

The home voting process for voters aged 85 years and above, as well as for disabled voters, will be completed on September 30Voters, aged above 85 years and Persons with Disabilities (PwD), had submitted applications to the concerned Returning Officer. Upon approval by the ROs, home voting facilities are being provided to 9,596 voters over the age of 85 and 2,600 PwD voters, he said.

Agarwal said that including reserved units, a total of 27,866 Electronic Voting Machines (ballot units) will be used in the elections. Along with this, 24,719 control units and 26,774 VVPAT machines will be used during the election process. Voters can verify their vote on VVPAT machine after casting it. For security, 225 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have already been deployed for the election. Apart from this, 500 flying squad teams and 461 state surveillance teams are also on duty, the CEO added.

No illegal mining in Yamunanagar after formation of Cong Govt: Hooda

Yamunanagar: Stating that there has been massive illegal mining in Yamunanagar district over the last 10 years, former Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday said that after the formation of Congress government, illegal mining would be curbed as it had ruined natural resources in Yamunanagar and other districts of the state. Congress Government would allow only legal mining, so theres no loss of natural resources and people get employment, he said while addressing an election rally organized by Congress candidate Raman Prakash Tyagi.

Voters should not waste their votes on BJP, Cong: Mayawati

Chandigarh: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday called upon the people of Haryana to vote for the BSP, highlighting the purported neglect and disdain shown by both the Congress and BJP towards Dalits. She urged voters to be mindful of this historical neglect when casting their votes in the forthcoming elections. Mayawati, in a post on X, stated, The continuous neglect and contempt of Dalits by the Congress during the Assembly elections in Haryana shows that things are not right within the party. If things are not right now, what can be expected in the future? Dalits should not waste their vote on the Congress or the BJP. She further accused the Congress of consistently opposing reservation, asserting, Dalits should vote unanimously for BSP because it is the only party that continuously fights to protect their interests, ensure their welfare, and secure their constitutional rights.

No govt can be formed in Haryana without AAP's support: Kejriwal

Gurugram: Stating that Haryana wants change and development, AAP convener and Delhis former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that the government cannot be formed in Haryana without AAPs support. Addressing a rally in Badshahpur in support of AAP candidate Beer Singh alias Beeru Sarpanch, Kejriwal said: Haryana wants change and development. The government cannot be formed in Haryana without AAP's support. Alleging that he was intentionally put behind bars in a false case, Kejriwal appealed to voters to throw the BJP out of powerBJP targeted me because of my honesty. AAP Government developed better schools and provided better health facilities in the national capital, which the BJP did not like.

BJP Expels Eight Rebel Leaders in Haryana

Chandigarh: BJP on Sunday expelled former minister Ranjit Singh Chautala and seven other rebels for six years after they decided to contest the October 5 state Assembly polls as independent candidates. Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli has expelled these leaders for a period of six years with immediate effect. Besides Chautala, Sandeep Garg (contesting the polls from Ladwa), Zile Ram Sharma (Assandh), Devender Kadian (Ganaur), Bachan Singh Arya (Safidon), Radha Ahlawat (Meham), Naveen Goel (Gurugram) and Kehar Singh Rawat (Hathin) have been expelled from the party. Earlier, Haryana Congress expelled 13 leaders on Friday for anti-party activities over their decision to contest the polls as independent candidates.

Nadda assures smart city status for Panchkula

Panchkula: BJP national president and Union Minister JP Nadda on Sunday assured an increase in the health cover under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya scheme from Rs five lakh to up to Rs 10 lakh upon formation of BJP-led State Government in Haryana. Nadda, speaking during a convention organized in support of BJP candidate Gian Chand Gupta, assured that if brought to power, the BJP will focus on making Panchkula a smart city. Nadda said that BJP has brought about fundamental changes in the country. Referring to Gian Chand Gupta, Nadda said that Panchkula MLA has shared his report card of the last 10 years. He has worked extensively for the people and delivered projects. BJP's manifesto is a vision document for the next five years, he added.
A case has been registered against Ghazipur MP and Samajwadi Party leader Afzal Ansari for his statement on legalising ganja.

This case was registered against the MP by Gora Bazaar police outpost in-charge Rajkumar Shukla. The FIR was registered against Afzal Ansari under Section 353 (3) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Afzal Ansari had recently given a statement on legalising ganja. Taking cognisance of his statement, an FIR was registered in Sadar Kotwali. Sadhus and saints are very angry over the statement given by the Samajwadi Party MP.

Afzal Ansari had recently raised the demand for legalisation of ganja. He had said that ganja should be legalized as lakhs of people smoke it openly. He said ganja was smoked openly in religious events by calling it god' prasad and herb. He also said that if ganja was sent to kumbh in a cart, it would be consumed.

While demanding legalisation of ganja, Ansari had said that when licence was given for Lord Shankars prasad bhang, why there was no licence for ganja.

He added that people say that smoking ganja increases hunger and also keeps one healthy, so our demand is that it should be given the status of law.

Reacting to Afzal Ansaris statement, Swami Jitendrananda Saraswati of All India Saint Committee said whatever the Samajwadi Party MP said was indecent.

The committee said that the Maha Kumbh was a festival of Sanatan and making indecent comments about it would not be tolerated.

Mahamandaleshwar Atuleshanand Maharaj of Ujjain said Afzal Ansaris intellect had become corrupted.
Appealing to the people not to hesitate to send their sons to the Army, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that Agniveers will be given a pensionable job. Delivering a fiery speech while addressing a Jan Aashirwaad Rally at village Dhorka Sector-95 in Gurugram in support of BJP Badshahpur candidate Rao Narbir Singh, Shah said: Every Agniveer will get pension benefits. The Agniveer scheme was meant to make the Army young.

Targeting Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Shah said that the Congress leader is a lying machine. Rahul Gandhi says that Agniveer Yojana has been brought because the government does not want to give pensionable jobs. I am telling you that every Agniveer will be given a pensionable job.

Also criticizing Congress, he said: There was a Congress government in Haryana, it ran on cuts, commissions and corruption. The rule of dealers, brokers and sons-in-law was prevalent. In the BJP government, neither dealers nor brokers are left, there is no question of sons-in-law.

He said that during the Hooda Government, the Congress had only developed one district and one caste, but after the BJP gained power, the party had developed the entire state equally. The party has given jobs based on 'Kharchi and Parchi' system while the BJP has given five lakh jobs without any 'Kharchi and Parchi, he said.

The Home Minister said that the UPA government gave Rs 41,000 crores to Haryana whereas the Modi Government gave Rs 292,000 crores for development to Haryana in 10 years. PM Modi loves Haryana the most among all the states, he added.

He said that the Congress could not fulfil the promises it made in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. This is their false guarantee, but the BJP has fulfilled the promises it made.

He said that people are raising pro-Pakistan slogans from Congress platforms. Why is Rahul Gandhi silent? Why doesn't he speak? Congress has become blind in appeasement. Congress and Rahul Gandhi want to bring back Article 370 in Kashmir. Even their three generations cannot bring back Article 370. India's flag has to be hoisted in Kashmir, he said.

He added that as long as the Modi Government is there, only the Tricolour flag will fly in Kashmir.

While attacking the Hooda Government, the Home Minister said that brokers, dealers and damaad auctioned Gurugram land. In a public meeting, the Congress candidate says that he will give 50-50 jobs to his supporters. If they give jobs to their supporters from where will the common man get a job," he said. He added that Haryana is such a state where every tenth man is in the army.
The All India Institute Mdical ciences here on Saurday announced that Dean (Academics) Dr. Rajneesh Joshi, Professor of Medicine at AIIMS Bhopal, secured first place in two categories at the District Level Philately Exhibition Bhopal 2024, held on September 26 and 27 at the Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Auditorium, Dak Bhawan, Bhopal.

Dr. Joshi's exhibition featured two unique themes. The first showcased the medical colleges and institutions of India under the theme "Developed India," while the second focused on public health challenges related to TB and HIV. His remarkable achievement highlights the diverse interests and knowledge of AIIMS Bhopal faculty members, furthering the institute's tradition of academic excellence.

The exhibition saw participation from over 45 philatelists, displaying more than 126 frames on a variety of subjects. Dr. Joshi's efforts have not only brought recognition to AIIMS Bhopal but also contributed to the awareness and appreciation of philately as an enriching hobby.

On this occasion, AIIMS Bhopal ED Prof Ajai Singh congratulated Dr. Joshi for his outstanding achievement. In his message, he emphasized the value of stamp collection as a means of knowledge enhancement, particularly for the youth. He stated, "Philately opens doors to learning about diverse subjects, from history to science. It is an enriching hobby that fosters curiosity and broadens one's understanding of the world. Prof. Singh also appreciated the efforts of the Postal Department, under the leadership of CPMG Shri Vineet Mathur of Madhya Pradesh Circle, in promoting philately and encouraging the younger generation to develop an interest in this timeless hobby.

"The Postal Department is playing a commendable role in keeping the spirit of philately alive and in making it appealing to children and youth alike," Prof. Singh added.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that the Madhya Pradesh government will take steps to formulate positive arrangment based on the conclusions drawn from the two-day intellectual property seminar held in Indore.

He emphasized that there are numerous challenges in the field of intellectual property law in the future. In this context, organizing such a symposium by the High Court is a commendable initiative. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav assured that there will be no lack of coordination with the judiciary to ensure accessible and impartial justice for all. He was addressing the seminar on intellectual property rights at the Brilliant Convention Center in Indore.

The two-day seminar was attended by Supreme Court Justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court Suresh Kumar Kait, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, Advocate General Prashant Singh, Director of the Madhya Pradesh State Judicial Academy Krishnamurti Mishra, South Asia Representative Officer of INTA Gauri Kumar, and UK Intellectual Property's Deputy Director of International Policy Sarah Roberts Favel. The seminar was inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp by the guests.

Yadav quoted "Yato Dharma: Tato Jaya:" and mentioned the justice system of Ujjain's King Vikramaditya, which has always been inspiring. The Chief Minister added that the determination of intellectual property will bring many challenges in the future, and such events will be useful in finding solutions to these challenges. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2016 policy for the promotion of justice. Dr. Yadav also highlighted how the judiciary remained functional even during the tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Justice Sushrut Dharmadhikari delivered the welcome address and provided an overview of the sessions that will take place over the two days. South Asia representative Gauri Kumar, sharing information about her organization, stated that there are organizations operating in around 187 countries working in the field of intellectual property. She emphasized that India plays a leading role in the protection of intellectual property.

Madhya Pradesh Advocate General Prashant Singh, in his address, mentioned that the judiciary is confidently progressing in the field of intellectual property protection. Sarah Roberts Favel, Deputy Director of the International Intellectual Property Office, dressed in Indian attire, presented vital information related to intellectual property rights. Administrative Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, discussed the strong aspects of intellectual property rights.

Supreme Court Justice Sharma and Justice Maheshwari, in their scholarly addresses, elaborated on the possibilities and challenges of intellectual property rights. Justice Maheshwari highlighted the strong functioning of Madhya Pradesh's judicial system, where the state government plays a crucial role. He expressed hope that the state government will continue providing resources to ensure the accessibility of justice, enabling the judiciary to carry out its duties with determination. Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Suresh Kumar Kait, explained the various aspects and objectives of the event.

The seminar is being organized by the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the Madhya Pradesh State Judicial Academy, in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom and the International Trademark Association. The event was also attended by Water Resources Minister Shri Tulsi Ram Silawat, Indore Mayor Shri Pushyamitra Bhargav, and various legislators.

On Sunday, Supreme Court Justice Maheshwari will preside over the seminar as the chief guest. Judges from the Jabalpur, Gwalior, and Indore benches of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, along with judges from all districts of the state, are participating in the symposium.
Dabwali assembly constituency is poised for a high-stakes electoral battle in October 5 Haryana Assembly elections as three key contestants from the clan of the legendary farmer leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal are up against each other. This assembly segment comes under the jurisdictional limit of Sirsa Lok Sabha Constituency where senior Congress leader Kumari Selja had recently defeated Ashok Tanwar of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with a margin of about 2.68 lakh votes.

Besides rising unemployment due to lack of industries and inadequate infrastructures including irrigation facilities, the issue of easy availability of narcotics (drugs) emerged as a key electoral issue in this assembly seat.

Situated on the Punjab-Haryana border, the Dabwali constituency boasts a significant Sikh voter base and is regarded as a stronghold of the Chautala family. Notably, the Chautala village lies within the Dabwali assembly seat, which has approximately two lakh voters.

From the crucial seat, Congress party has fielded sitting MLA Amit Sihag and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has nominated Aditya Devi Lal against Digvijay Chautala of Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) from this seat. Digvijay is the nephew of Aditya and Amit Sihag.

Aditya is Devi Lals grandson, while Digvijay is great-grandson of the former Deputy Prime Minister. Amit Sihag is also from Devi Lals clan in Chautala village, with his father being the uncle of Ajay and Abhay Chautala.

Aditya, who is the son of Devi Lals younger son Jagdish Chander, had left the BJP ahead of the beginning of nomination process and joined the INLD. Earlier, he had served as district president of Sirsa BJP and had also served as chairman of Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board (HSAMB). In 2019 assembly polls, Aditya, then a BJP nominee, was defeated by Amit Sihag of Congress by a margin of around 15,000 votes. In August 2020, Aditya was made the president of the BJPs Sirsa district unit. Interestingly, 47-year-old Aditya had defeated Abhay Chautalas wife Kanta Chautala in Zila Parishad elections in 2016.

So far, INLD won seven times in this constituency, while Congress has managed to win five times.

A look at Dabwalis electoral history shows that this seat had mostly elected the INLD or erstwhile Samata party or Lok Dal candidates in the total 13 assembly elections held since 1967. Dabwali seat was also represented by Digvijay Chautalas father Ajay Singh Chautala in 2009 and his mother Naina Chautala in 2014 as INLD MLAs. Later, Ajay Singh formed his own outfit, JJP, in December 2018 after a split in the INLD.

In the 13 assembly elections held till now, INLD won seven times, Congress five times, and an independent candidate had registered victory only once. INLD held the Dabwali seat from 2000 to 2019. However, in the 2019 elections, the constituency saw a significant shift when BJPs Aditya lost to Congress Amit Sihag.

The voter turnout was high, with 1.57 lakh out of total 1.99 lakh registered voters casting their ballots, resulting in a turnout of 78.85 per cent. Sihag had secured 66,885 votes while Aditya got 51,238 votes. JJPs Sarvjit Singh Masita secured 23,002 votes. In 2014 polls, Naina Chautala won the election by securing 68,029 votes followed by Congress Kamalvir Singh with 59,484 votes, and BJPs Dev Kumar Sharma finishing third with 22,261 votes.

Cong Terms INLD as BJPs B-team; Says JJP Has No Ground

Sitting MLA of the predominantly rural segment and Congress nominee Amit Sihag, considered as the strongest contender, is banking upon the role of his father Dr KV Singh  a veteran Congressman who built a political base against his cousin and former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, besides his direct connection with the electorate. He termed the INLD as the B team of the BJP, while claiming that the JJP held no ground in the area.

Sihag, talking to reporters, said: People will repose faith in me for the second consecutive term. I am pursuing a political battle started by my father against the autocratic style of politics practiced by Chautala and his sons for decades. The candidates of the INLD and JJP did nothing even when they were part of the BJP government.

INLD candidate Aditya is a turncoat, who stayed with the BJP for 10 years before switching sides early this month after the saffron party denied him a ticket. I am meeting people to seek votes in the name of Tau Devi Lal whose pro-farmers political ideology is being pursued on the guidance of former CM OP Chautala, said Aditya.

JJP candidate Digvijay Chautala is the younger brother of former Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala. Digvijays father Ajay Chautala, founder of the JJP, earlier remained a parliamentarian and MLA before he was convicted in teachers recruitment scam.

Digvijay, talking to reporters, said: The INLD has a vote bank of the affluent classes whereas the underprivileged section acknowledges the leadership of (his father and the JJP patron) Dr Ajay Singh Chautala. The JJP will again play an important role in the new government and we are committed to the welfare of the poor and working class. I have opened libraries from my personal resources and people appreciate our vision.

Admitting facing criticism of going with the BJP, Digvijay said that he is confident that people will vote for JJP again. Dushyant, during his deputy chief ministership, worked a lot for the people, especially for this region, he added.

Political observers believed that Dabwali assembly election is shaping up to be a highly competitive and closely watched battle, with multiple candidates from prominent political families and parties vying for dominance. It is equally true that the Chautala family, deeply rooted in Dabwalis political landscape, is at the centre of this contest. The INLD and the JJP candidates are facing flak in the agrarian-dominating segment of Sirsa Lok Sabha seat of their previous political association with the BJP. It will be interesting to see how voters exercise their vote here, observers added.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, said that investment flourishes only in a secure environment, and if people dont feel safe, their capital wont be either. He pointed out that the states strong security environment and its zero tolerance policy towards crime have disturbed those who once saw crime as a profession.

The chief minister was speaking at the inauguration of a new soft drink bottling and dairy product plant of Varun Beverages, a franchisee of PepsiCo, which has been set up with an investment of Rs 1,170 crore in Sector 27 of Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority, near the Gorakhpur Link Expressway.

He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the youth to focus more on entrepreneurship instead of jobs. Entrepreneurship is the most important medium to get more opportunities for employment.

The chief minister pointed out that developed countries have prioritised entrepreneurship, research and innovation. He added that investment creates crucial job opportunities for youth and helps fulfill the aspirations of the people. He also shared that in the past seven years, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as an excellent destination for investment, thanks to its improved security and law and order policies.

The government is dedicated to maintaining zero tolerance towards crime because ensuring safety now is essential for securing a better future, he said.

The chief minister shared insights on his governments investment initiatives since assuming office for the first time in 2017. He recalled that a dedicated team was constituted to explore investment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh, and it initially projected that the state could attract Rs 20,000 crore in investments but skeptics questioned it.

Accepting this skepticism as a challenge, Chief Minister Yogi resolved to transform Uttar Pradesh into a desirable destination for both domestic and international investors. His administrations efforts resulted in attracting investment proposals totaling Rs 40 lakh crore during the Global Investors Summit held in February 2023. During the recent groundbreaking ceremony attended by Prime Minister Modi, the foundation for investment proposals worth Rs 10 lakh crore was laid. Chief Minister Yogi mentioned that another Rs 10 lakh crore in investment proposals are in the pipeline, ready to be implemented.

The chief minister stated that increasing investment is a sign of rising industrial development and job creation in Uttar Pradesh. Citing the Varun Beverages unit in GIDA as an example, he noted that the administration facilitated this progress by providing 48 acres of land for the project, resulting in employment for over 1,500 individuals. Notably, 90 per cent of these employees are from Uttar Pradesh, with more than 70 per cent hailing from Gorakhpur and its surrounding areas.

Previously, many young people were compelled to seek job opportunities in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, or even abroad in places like Thailand and Singapore. Now, they can find jobs and employment opportunities closer to home. But, this change has not taken place overnight, Chief Minister Yogi stated.

He pointed out that after the foundation stone of GIDA was laid, there were no signs of industrial development until 1998, largely due to protests and incidents like lathi-charges and firings that deterred investment. However, by addressing these challenges and improving communication with investors, Uttar Pradesh has successfully attracted Rs 12,000 crore in investments to GIDA over the past three to four years, he added.

Establishing a solid land bank, improving infrastructure, and ensuring ease of doing business are essential for bringing investment to the ground in Uttar Pradesh. The government has focused on these areas, creating digital platforms to streamline business processes, Yogi said.

He pointed out that the Nivesh Mitra portal serves as a single-window system for over 450 No Objection Certificates (NOCs) while investment memorandums of understanding are monitored through Nivesh Sarathi. An online incentive system is also in place for investors, and CM Fellows have been appointed to address any issues faced by them.

The chief minister mentioned several companies, including IGL, Gallant, Ankur Udyog, Keyan Distillery, Gyan Dairy, and Tatva Plastic that have invested in GIDA. Additionally, work on a Plastic Park, Flatted Factory, and Readymade Garment Park is being pursued vigorously by GIDA, he added.

He pointed out that a CBG plant has been established in Dhuriyapar marking a significant step toward green energy through the production of ethanol from agricultural stubble and efforts are also underway to transform Dhuriyapar into a major industrial area.

Regarding Varun Beverages, Chief Minister Yogi acknowledged the companys excellent dairy products but pointed out the current challenge of insufficient local milk supply, requiring sourcing from outside the region. To address this, the government has approved Rs 20 crore to establish a womens cooperative similar to the Balini Milk Producers in Bundelkhand.

He urged immediate action to enable Varun Beverages to source milk from Gorakhpur, Basti and Azamgarh divisions, which will significantly increase farmers income and support livestock. He also encouraged the management of Varun Beverages to invite progressive farmers to visit their plant.

Describing UP as the best destination for investment, Chief Minister Yogi said, The government is giving continuous encouragement to start-ups and industries along with jobs. Youth are getting proper opportunities in every field. Six and a half lakh youth have been given government jobs in the state while two crore have secured employment in micro, small and medium enterprise-industry and 60 lakh youth have been linked to self-employment.

He highlighted the success of the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, which has generated significant employment opportunities across the state.

After inaugurating the Varun Beverages unit in GIDA, Chief Minister Yogi made a thorough inspection of the bottling plant. He observed the entire process from the manufacturing to packaging of carbonated soft drinks and explored various PepsiCo brand products. During his visit, Varun Beverages officials showcased their state-of-the-art high-tech machinery and the innovative bottling processes in place.

On this occasion, UPs Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Nepals Krishnanagar MP Abhishek Pratap Shah, Mayor Dr Manglesh Shrivastava, MLA Pradeep Shukla, Fateh Bahadur Singh, Vipin Singh, Mahendrapal Singh, Shriram Chauhan, Sarwan Nishad, MLC and Bharatiya Janata Party state Vice-President Dr Dharmendra Singh, MLC Bagish Pathak, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, Medanta Group Chairman Dr Naresh Trehan, GIDA Chief Executive Officer Anuj Malik, BJP district president Yudhishthir Singh, M/s Varun Beverages Chairman Ravikant Jaipuria, Varun Beverages Executive Director Kamlesh Jain, and others were present.
Cross-border travel projected to rise 18.5 pct during China's National Day holiday

Xinhua) 09:22, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Driven by a surge in demand for cross-border tourism, China is projected to see 1.75 million inbound and outbound trips per day during the upcoming National Day holiday period, up 18.5 percent year on year, authorities said on Friday.

Traffic peaks are expected to fall on Oct. 1 and Oct. 6, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said, adding that passenger flow is climbing at major international airports, while remaining high at land ports adjacent to Hong Kong and Macao.

The NIA has asked border officers to strengthen their monitoring of traffic and port operations and to release traffic updates early to help travelers plan their trips.

Additionally, guidance and organization will be enhanced, with sufficient personnel deployed and extra inspection lanes opened to accommodate the surge, according to the NIA.

China celebrates its National Day on Oct. 1. The holiday runs from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
 Flash

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed in the Israeli airstrikes targeting the militant group's command headquarters a day earlier in Dahieh, Beirut's southern suburbs.

Previously, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Saturday that the Hezbollah leader was killed in an airstrike on the Lebanese organization's target in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

The statement said that Ali Karki, commander of the southern front in Hezbollah, and other commanders in the militant group were also killed in the massive airstrike.

"Warplanes of the Air Force under the precise intelligence guidance of the Military Intelligence and the defense system, attacked the central headquarters of Hezbollah, located underground, under a residential building in Dahieh in Beirut," according to the statement.

It added that the attack was carried out while top commanders of Hezbollah were at their headquarters.

Israel has intensified its airstrikes across Lebanon since Monday, marking the most extensive military action in the region since 2006.

This marks the latest escalation of the ongoing clashes that began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah started launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel's retaliatory artillery fire and airstrikes into southeastern Lebanon.
Jamshedpurs Kanishka, a distinguished officer of the 2021 IAS batch, Karnataka Cadre, currently serving as Assistant Commissioner and Sub Divisional Magistrate in Karwar, has been awarded the prestigious Best Revenue Officer of the Year 2024 award. The accolade recognises his exceptional service and exemplary performance in the field of revenue administration.

The award was presented by the Revenue Minister, Krishna Byre Gowda, at a grand ceremony held in Bangalore. Several senior bureaucrats and officials from the Government of Karnataka were in attendance to witness the event, lauding Kanishka's commitment to public service and his innovative approach to resolving revenue-related issues. Kanishka is a former student of Loyola School, Jamshedpur.

Since his appointment as Assistant Commissioner, Kanishka has been instrumental in implementing policies aimed at improving public access to revenue services, streamlining land records management, and ensuring prompt grievance redressal. His dedication and leadership have not only benefited the citizens of Karwar but have also set a high standard for revenue administration across the state.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a remarkable display of resilience and dedication, transitioned into action mode just hours after being discharged from Fortis Hospital, Mohali, on Sunday. Having been diagnosed with a bacterial infection, leptospirosis, during a routine check-up, Manns swift recovery has highlighted his unwavering commitment to the people of Punjab. Following a thorough evaluation by medical staff, he was discharged on Sunday afternoon, marking his return to governance with remarkable promptness.

Wasting no time, Mann convened a crucial meeting at his official residence to strategize the paddy procurement process, a matter of utmost importance for the farmers of Punjab, while convening another meeting regarding stubble burning on Monday.

With the harvesting season approaching, he underscored the need for seamless coordination among district collectors to ensure that all necessary preparations were in place across grain markets. His proactive approach was further reflected in a social media post, where he assured that both farmers and traders would receive the support they need, including timely payments for their harvested crops.

The Chief Minister also placed emphasis on another pressing issue  stubble burning. With cases of farmers burning their paddy residue escalating, Mann has scheduled another high-level meeting to tackle this environmental challenge on Monday afternoon. The governments concern is to curb pollution caused by stubble burning while ensuring farmers are provided with sustainable alternatives.

Prior to his hospital discharge, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Harjot Singh Bains, and Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, besides Congress MLA Pargat Singh visited Mann, conveying their well wishes. The health bulletin issued by Fortis Hospital confirmed that all parameters of the Chief Minister had returned to normal, thanks to prompt medical treatment.

The Chief Ministers recent health scare began past week following a trip to Delhi, where he experienced health issues upon returning to Chandigarh. Hospital reports indicated inflammation in a pulmonary artery, leading to fluctuating blood pressure. However, after two days of treatment and observation, he showed significant improvement, prompting his discharge.

While hospitalized, Mann remained engaged with state affairs, addressing concerns from the protesting students at Patiala Rajiv Gandhi National Law University via phone, assuring them of government support.

Punjab Ready for Kharif Marketing Season with 185 LMT Paddy Target: CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced that the state is fully prepared for the upcoming Kharif Marketing Season (KMS), set to begin on October 1. During a high-level meeting to review the paddy procurement process, the Chief Minister revealed that the state expects to procure 185 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of paddy from farmers across 32 lakh hectares under cultivation.

Mann confirmed that the Reserve Bank of India has released a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs 41,378 crores for KMS 2024-25, ensuring a smooth procurement process.

The Government of India has set a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2,320 per quintal for Grade 'A' paddy this season. State procurement agencies, including Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup, and PSWC, in collaboration with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), will facilitate the procurement process. We are committed to a seamless and hassle-free procurement experience for farmers, ensuring their paddy is purchased as per government specifications, said Mann.

He highlighted that the Government has developed a mechanism to guarantee immediate payment to farmers directly into their bank accounts. Farmers will receive on-the-spot payment for their produce, preventing any delays or inconveniences, Mann assured. With the elaborate preparations in place, the government aims to lift every grain promptly, alleviating concerns of grain stockpiling in mandis.

Chief Minister Mann also emphasized the need for efficiency in the procurement process, instructing Deputy Commissioners to ensure smooth operations in their districts. Any negligence in handling the procurement process is unacceptable. Officers must ensure that paddy is purchased and lifted swiftly to avoid any hindrance to farmers, he warned. The Deputy Commissioners were directed to visit seven to eight mandis daily to oversee the ground-level operations and report back for regular monitoring.

In a notable decision, Mann offered a significant incentive to rice millers. The first 750 millers who apply for allotment of custom milling for KMS 2024-25 will receive 25 percent more paddy than their standard entitlement, providing much-needed relief to the milling sector.

Cheema Dismisses Rumours of Leadership Change Amid Mann's Hospitalization

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday firmly addressed the swirling rumours about a potential leadership change in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government following Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns recent hospitalization. Mann spent three days at Fortis Hospital, leading to speculation that he might be replaced by Cheema or Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan.

After visiting Mann at the hospital, Cheema reassured the public of the Chief Minister's recovery, stating, He is absolutely fit now. He emphasized that even during his hospitalization, Mann remained dedicated to his duties, signing crucial files.

Labeling the rumours as baseless, Cheema attributed them to the Opposition attempts to destabilize AAP's leadership. There is no truth to these rumours. Bhagwant Mann will continue to serve as the Chief Minister of Punjab, he affirmed.
TRAI RO Kolkata recently organized a seminar on Digital Connectivity Infrastructure for QoS improvement in Building & Housing Complexes at Hotel Green Horizon, Ranchi. The seminar has been organised in the backdrop of providing conducive digital communication infrastructure and maintaining telecom quality of service in indoor environment in housing and building complexes.

The seminar has been inaugurated by Sh. Ashok Kumar, Additional Director General (Telecom), Department of Telecom, GOI, the Chief Guest of the event, which was well attended by senior officers of TRAI, Department of Telecom (DoT), Government of Jharkhand & Bihar, academia, Telecom Service Providers (TSP), Consumer Advocacy Groups, students and general consumers.

Dr. S. K. Samanta, Advisor, TRAI delivered the welcome address and introduced the distinguished guests of the inaugural session. Sh. Apurb Minz, VP, IIA, Jharkhand Chapter and Prof. Manjari Chakraborty, Department of Architecture, BIT, Mesra were the other distinguished guests of the inaugural session. Sh. Ashok Kumar, Additional DG Telecom, Chief Guest delivered the keynote address of the event.

The deliberations in the seminar were divided in three sessions (the Schedule is annexed). The forenoon session focussed on the role of planners and policy makers for the provision of next generation DCI in buildings and housing complexes. Eminent speakers of the session were Prof. Manjari Chakraborty, Sh. Manoj Mishra, Director, Indus Tower Limited and Sh. Chakrapani K, Nokia Limited. The session was moderated by Dr. S. K. Samanta.

The second session covered the role of real estate developers and RWAs for the provision of DCI in buildings and housing complexes. The session was moderated by Sh. Dilip Kumar, DDG, DoT, Bihar LSA. Sh. Gajanand Ram, VP, Council of Architecture, New Delhi, and Sh. Mrinal Kant, CTO, Airtel, Jharkhand were the speakers of the session.

The third session was a panel discussion on the roles of the concerned stakeholders for the provision of DCI in buildings and housing complexes, moderated by Sh. V V Prasad Pandey, DDG (DoT), Ranchi in which the domain experts deliberated on a no. of contextual issues.

The speakers on this occasion deliberated on wide range of issues pertaining to provision of DCI in buildings and housing complexes.

The seminar was organised in the spirit of pro-active role of TRAI to work in collaboration with the industry, academia and other stakeholders and ensure that regulatory framework fosters new technological developments and trends. From that perspective the seminar concluded successfully.
The 62nd Half Yearly Conference of Tata Main Hospital Clinical Society was held from September 27-29, 2024, at JRD Tata Auditorium Jamadoba.

The conference brought together around 95 doctors from Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur and Raw Materials locations like West Bokaro, Noamundi, Joda, Jharia Division, Meramandli and medical experts from Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon, NRS Medical College and Hospital Kolkata, HCG Cancer Centre, Kolkata. The main purpose of the conference was to share knowledge and latest techniques in medical science amongst all. This year's theme was "Basics and Beyond, Bridging the gaps."

The conference was graced by Chanakya Choudhury, Vice President Corporate Services, Tata Steel as Chief Guest and D B Sundara Ramam, Vice President, Raw Materials, Tata Steel as Guest of Honour at the inaugural function. Sanjay Rajoria, General Manager, Jharia Division, Tata Steel, Dr Sudhir Rai, General Manager Medical Services Tata Steel, Dr Aloke , Chief Medical Officer, Tata Main Hospital, Jamadoba and Dr Ashok Sunder President Clinical Society TMH , Dr Sangita D Kamath Chairperson scientific committee ,TMH Clinical Society were present on this occasion.

The conference was extremely beneficial to the doctors associated with Tata Steel in all its operating locations. The conference helped in understanding the issues and bridging the gap between Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur and hospitals in other operating locations of Tata Steel.

The two-day conference started with a keynote address by Dr Sudhir Rai, General Manager, Medical Services, Jamshedpur. He spoke on a very interesting topic on Reminiscences of a Surgeon from the Line of Action. Dr Shandip K Sinha, Director Pediatric Urology, Medanta Hospital Gurugram, spoke on optimal timing for intervention in Pediatric urological problems. Dr Soumik Goswami from NRS Medical College Kolkata discussed in detail on obesity and diabetes and their management amongst Indian patients. This was followed by presentation of MBBS papers, DNB posters, specialist presentations and a symposium on various controversies, interesting and rare clinical cases, and emerging treatment protocols.

Eminent guest speaker, Dr Gaurav Agarwal HOD Uro Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, Kolkata spoke on the use of robot assisted uro- oncological surgical procedures. The conference included presentations from eminent doctors from Tata Main Hospital, on various burning issues.
City-based V Umesh Naidu, Principal Consultant at Vs Vision & Ventures, has earned national recognition by winning the prestigious Quality Connect Competitions Fiesta 2024, organized by the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH). Naidu emerged as the top winner in the highly competitive Category-1: Healthcare Quality Pitch Competition, showcasing his expertise and innovative solutions in healthcare quality management.

The competition, held on June 14, 2024, was designed to bring together hospitals and quality professionals from across India to demonstrate their talents, skills, and insights in improving healthcare standards. Participants were invited to submit a five-slide PowerPoint presentation addressing real-world challenges in healthcare, along with creative solutions. Naidus entry, submitted on June 21, focused on the hard-packed ground realities faced by healthcare centers and presented groundbreaking solutions aimed at improving healthcare quality in India.

The results were announced on September 11, 2024, via LinkedIn, where Naidus name topped the winners list. What made this victory even more remarkable was the fact that no other participant from Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, or Odisha was named in the winners' list in this top category.

Upon receiving the award, Naidu expressed pride in not only achieving personal success but also in putting Jharkhand on the national map of healthcare quality professionals. The QCI-NABH congratulated him with the message: Your creativity and passion for quality healthcare have set a new benchmark. Thank you for making a difference and paving the way for a healthier and more prosperous future!

Naidu, a Jamshedpur native, is a renowned quality professional specializing in Total Quality Management (TQM) services for healthcare and educational institutions. His expertise includes facilitating hospitals in obtaining NABH accreditation, as well as working with educational institutions to achieve national certifications. He is also an active member of several global professional bodies, including the Quality Council of India and the International Society for Quality in Health Care.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday, said that in todays world, true freedom from anarchy can only be achieved through integration of education and spirituality.

He encouraged the revival of the traditional Arya Samaj practices of 'yajna' and havan in gurukuls, saying that the customs helped maintain a spiritual and disciplined atmosphere in gurukuls in the olden times leading to better academic results.

The chief minister inaugurated a new auditorium, five classrooms, and an administrative building at Mewalal Gupta Gurukul Vidyalaya. He praised the efforts of the Gorakhpur Gurukul Society for reviving the gurukul stating, The construction work has been completed on time by the Gorakhpur Development Authority with a CSR (corporate social responsibility) fund of Rs 1 crore 5 lakh.

Chief Minister Yogi also emphasised the need to introduce skill development and entrepreneurship training alongside education at gurukuls, ensuring that no child is left without access to learning. He underlined the importance of making every child self-reliant, adding that these efforts in education will contribute to making India a developed nation.

The chief minister, during his visit to the Gorakhpur Gurukul Vidyalaya, shared the schools rich history, noting that it was established in 1935. He revealed that the British government had shut down the Gurukul for five years due to its involvement in spiritual and political activities.

Despite this setback, the school later reopened and is currently operating as a higher secondary institution. Over time, however, a lack of resources led to a decline in student numbers, but with new construction and resources, the school is now being revived.

During the event, Chief Minister Yogi reiterated the state governments commitment to ensuring quality education for every child and improving health facilities for all citizens.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modis National Education Policy (NEP), he highlighted that it was designed for the holistic development of students and was aligned with modern needs.

He also mentioned that under the Ayushman Card Scheme, free healthcare services are being provided to 10 crore people across the state.

Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi toured the Gurukul Vidyalaya, observing classroom activities and interacting with the students. He also planted saplings on the school premises and witnessed a cultural performance, where girl students presented a beautiful rendition of Ganesh Vandana to begin the programme.

On this occasion, MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Mayor Manglesh Shrivastava, Gorakhpur University Vice-Chancellor Prof Poonam Tandon, Gorakhpur Gurukul Society President Pramod Kumar, Mahant Ravindra Das of Kalibari, UP State Commission for Women Vice-Chairperson Charu Chaudhary, Bharatiya Janata Party metropolitan president Rajesh Gupta, Sitaram Jaiswal, Councilor Pawan Tripathi, Shivshankar Gupta, Parmeshwar Prasad Gupta, Indradev Vidyarthi, Jagdish Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Anil Dhingra along with administrative officers, teachers and others were present.
The Congress hit out at the BJP on Sunday after a case was lodged in Karnataka against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others on a complaint relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme, demanding her resignation and seeking an objective probe under the supervision of courts.

Addressing a press conference here along with Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh, AICC spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said his party hopes that that through the judicial process, those involved in this "corruption" will be summoned, their statements recorded and on that basis, they will be arrested.

"All the agencies, all the official organs know very well how to proceed because they have been proceeding against a large number of political opponents (of the BJP) in the last 11 years. They do not have to be told how to proceed.... We would certainly demand an objective probe under the courts' control but more importantly, ultimately supervised either by the Supreme Court or an SIT of the Supreme Court," Singhvi said.

"The first need of the hour is for the legal process started by this court order to take its course and to be supervised by courts -- both the high court and ultimately, the Supreme Court -- to prevent any interference or distortion or subordination," he said.

The opposition party reiterated its demand for a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry through a special investigation team (SIT) into the electoral bonds scheme.

Ramesh alleged that four ways were used to extort money through the "conspiracy of electoral bonds -- prepaid bribery, postpaid bribery, post-raid bribery and through shell companies".

He said the finance minister should immediately resign on political, legal and moral grounds as she is "guilty".

Ramesh said the FIR was lodged following court orders and the Congress has nothing to do with it.

He said his party has been demanding a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry through an SIT into the electoral bonds scheme and it reiterates that demand.

Singhvi also accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre of "undermining democracy".

"The finance minister cannot do this on her own. We know who is number one and number two (in the government) and this was done on whose directions," he said.

"The larger issue is the level-playing field, which is necessary for free and fair polls. Free and fair polls are critical for democracy. This is an attack on our democratic system," Singhvi said while terming it "EBS -- Extortionist BJP Scheme".

A case was registered against Sitharaman and others on Saturday on the directions of a court in Bengaluru, following a complaint relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme.

According to police, the FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 384 (punishment for extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention) against Sitharaman, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and office-bearers of the BJP at the state and national levels, based on the order of the special court.

Karnataka BJP chief B Y Vijayendra and party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel have also been named in the FIR.

The complaint was submitted to police by Adarsh R Iyer, co-president of the Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath (JSP), alleging that the accused "committed extortion under the guise and garb of electoral bonds" and benefitted to the tune of more than Rs 8,000 crore.

The complainant has further alleged that Sitharaman, through the clandestine aid and support of ED officials, facilitated the extortion of thousands of crores of rupees for the benefit of others both at the state and national levels.

"The entire extortion racket under the garb of electoral bonds has been orchestrated hand in glove with officials of the BJP at various levels," the complaint has said.

The Supreme Court struck down the electoral bonds scheme in February, saying it violates the right to information and the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution.
Launching a vitriolic attack on the main opposition party, BJP national president and Union Minister J P Nadda on Sunday alleged the Congress means 'kushasan' (misgovernance), corruption and criminalisation as he urged the voters to bloom the lotus' for a third time in Haryana.

Nadda also pointed towards Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh, targeting the grand old party for not keeping its poll promises despite being in power there for two years.

He was holding a poll rally in Haryana's Rohtak.

Lashing out at the previous Congress regime in Haryana, the BJP president alleged that there were land scams and poor farmers' lands were usurped.

Slamming the previous regime for corruption in government jobs, he alleged that jobs were given with 'kharchi-parchi' (bribe and favouritism) system and the promising youths used to stand in a queue of unemployment.

"Which scam did the Congress not commit? There was a coal scam, submarine scam, rice scam, tank scam, helicopter scam, 2-G, 3-5 scam. These Congressmen left neither the earth nor the water nor the sky in committing corruption," said Nadda.

"Do you want those days back", he asked the gathering.

"On one side is the 'ghotalon ki sarkar' (previous Congress government of scams), 'ghotala pe ghotala' (scam after scam). Congress means 'kushasan' (misgovernance), Congress means corruption, Congress means criminalization. Congress means pitting brother against brother, caste against caste. It is the 'dharam' of the Congress to do vote bank politics. It is the Congress way of doing work," said the Union minister.

On the other side is the "double engine" government -- Central government under the leadership of Narendra Modi and the state government here, he said.

Nadda said on one side, there were people who want to do 'parivarvad', who want to indulge in land scams while on the other side is the BJP which is committed to development.

Accusing the Congress of having "failed" to keep its poll promises after coming to power, Nadda said, " 'Kaath ki handi baar baar nahin chadti (One can deceive a person once but not always). They had promised Rs 1,500 to women every month.

Nadda said the women in Himachal Pradesh have been waiting for Rs 1,500 for the last two years.

"The state (HP) exchequer is empty. Employees are not getting salaries on time. They are not getting DA," he added.

Escalating his attack, the BJP president alleged that no development took place in Congress-ruled Karnataka. He also raised the issue of the Karnataka chief minister facing land scam accusations.

"Congress party's record is of corruption," he alleged.

Nadda alleged, "The exercise of the Congress to bring its government is only an ATM. To take out money from here and give it to the 'shahi parivar' in Delhi."

Taking on Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on reservation made in the US, Nadda said the Leader of Opposition said that they will end reservation.

"I want to say that there was reservation, there is reservation and there will always be reservation," he said.

Nadda said the economies of the US, Australia, China and Japan were facing challenges while India is forging ahead as a bright spot under the leadership of Modi.

India was called a corrupt country ten years back, said Nadda adding, but under Modi's leadership, the country scaled from 11 position to the fifth spot in terms of economy.

India will become the third economic power in the world, he added.

Speaking about the 10-year rule of his party in Haryana, Nadda said the per capita income of the state which is Rs 3.25 lakh is highest in the country.

A sum of Rs 12,500 crore was given as crop compensation in the state, he said.

The BJP government is procuring 24 crops at minimum support price, he said.

If there is any government which is pro-farmer, it is the Modi government and Nayab Singh Saini government, he added.

Haryana goes to polls on October 5 and the results will be declared on October 8.
National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday said the Union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should put pressure on Israel to end the "bloodshed" in Palestine and Lebanon.

"What has happened yesterday (killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah), it looks like war is hovering around the region. The Government of India and the prime minister along with other international leaders should put pressure on Israel to stop the killings so that peace is established in the region," Abdullah told reporters on the last day of election campaign in Baramulla.

Asked about some political leaders like PDP president Mehbooba Mufti suspending their election campaign following Nasrallah's killing, Abdullah said he would not like to comment on that.

"(However), we have condemned the Israeli aggression on Palestinians, we have demanded that the international community should pressurise Israel to stop killing people whether it is in Palestine or Lebanon," he added.

On the security situation in the Jammu region, the former chief minister said the ruling dispensation was responsible for the "deteriorating" situation.

"Militancy has raised its head in Jammu again. Today, the news of attacks in various parts of Jammu keep coming every other day. There was laxity on their (BJP's) part. The situation has deteriorated during their term," he added.

Responding to BJP's criticism of the NC and the Congress in its elections campaign, Abdullah said the ruling party has "nothing to show" in terms of development of Jammu and Kashmir.

"As they have nothing to show for their tenure of government, they will blame the NC-Congress," he said.
Power Assets Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:HGKGY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 200 shares, an increase of 100.0% from the August 31st total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Power Assets Price Performance

HGKGY stock traded down $0.07 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $6.54. The stock had a trading volume of 313 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,937. Power Assets has a 52 week low of $4.51 and a 52 week high of $7.18. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $6.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.02. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03.

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Power Assets Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.0801 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 12th.

Power Assets Company Profile

Power Assets Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Australia, Mainland China, and internationally. It generates energy from thermal, renewable energy, and waste sources. The company also transmits and distributes oil and gas; and provides trust administration and management services.

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The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, on Saturday claimed responsibility for two drone attacks on Israeli targets.

The group said in separate statements that its fighters launched two drone attacks on vital sites in Israel's Tel Aviv and Eilat, without specifying the affected sites or reporting any casualties.

Earlier in the day, the group claimed four drone attacks on Israeli targets -- three at dawn on sites in northern Israel, including one in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and a fourth attack on a site in southern Israel.

The attacks come following the latest devastating Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital Beirut, during which Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed.

Since the onset of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has conducted multiple attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets in the region to show its support for the Palestinians in Gaza.

The group has recently escalated its attacks on Israel amid ongoing intensive Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon.
PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (OTCMKTS:PTBRY  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 200 shares, a growth of 100.0% from the August 31st total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 7,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days.

PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Stock Down 3.4 %

OTCMKTS:PTBRY traded down $0.65 on Friday, reaching $18.35. 8,017 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,978. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $16.91 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.08. PT Bank Negara Indonesia has a 12 month low of $11.08 and a 12 month high of $22.63.

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PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services in Indonesia, New York, Europe, and Asia. It operates through, Corporate & International Banking, Institutional Banking, Enterprise & commercial Banking, Consumer Banking, Treasury, Head Offices, and Subsidiaries segments.

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Piper Sandler upgraded shares of Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report report published on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have $395.00 price target on the information technology services providers stock, up from their previous price target of $329.00.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on ACN. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Accenture from $375.00 to $350.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, June 21st. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Accenture from $293.00 to $321.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, September 12th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Accenture from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $400.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Wedbush decreased their price target on shares of Accenture from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley downgraded Accenture from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $382.00 to $300.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Accenture presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $364.64.

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Accenture Price Performance

ACN opened at $349.70 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $219.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.02, a PEG ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.24. Accenture has a 1 year low of $278.69 and a 1 year high of $387.51. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $333.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is $320.81.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 26th. The information technology services provider reported $2.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.78 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $16.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.37 billion. Accenture had a net margin of 10.79% and a return on equity of 27.48%. The businesss revenue was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.71 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Accenture will post 11.95 EPS for the current year.

Accenture Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 10th will be issued a $1.48 dividend. This is a boost from Accentures previous quarterly dividend of $1.29. This represents a $5.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 10th. Accentures dividend payout ratio is presently 47.25%.

Accenture announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, September 26th that authorizes the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the information technology services provider to buy up to 1.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at Accenture

In other news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 8,145 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $331.05, for a total transaction of $2,696,402.25. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 22,849 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,564,161.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 8,145 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $331.05, for a total transaction of $2,696,402.25. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 22,849 shares in the company, valued at $7,564,161.45. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.82, for a total value of $1,649,100.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 8,989 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,964,751.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 21,421 shares of company stock worth $6,912,635. Company insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Accenture

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp raised its holdings in Accenture by 18.7% during the second quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 172,199 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $52,247,000 after purchasing an additional 27,168 shares during the last quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board lifted its stake in shares of Accenture by 11.9% in the 1st quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 36,750 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $12,393,000 after purchasing an additional 3,900 shares in the last quarter. Platform Technology Partners grew its holdings in shares of Accenture by 7.0% during the 4th quarter. Platform Technology Partners now owns 1,996 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $733,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 13.3% during the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 183,446 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $63,584,000 after acquiring an additional 21,516 shares in the last quarter. Finally, M&G Plc purchased a new stake in shares of Accenture during the 1st quarter valued at about $19,007,000. 75.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Accenture Company Profile

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Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:KSANF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 878,400 shares, a drop of 20.3% from the August 31st total of 1,102,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Kansai Paint Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:KSANF traded up $0.15 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $17.55. The business has a fifty day moving average of $16.19 and a 200-day moving average of $15.97. Kansai Paint has a one year low of $13.93 and a one year high of $17.55.

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Kansai Paint Company Profile

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Kansai Paint Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells paints and coatings in Japan, India, Asia, Africa, Europe, and internationally. The company offers decorative coatings for protecting exterior and interior of buildings; automotive refinish coatings for dents and scrapes; and industrial coatings that are used in agricultural machinery, special-purpose vehicles, exterior building materials, metal products, beverage cans, and precoated metals used in metallic building materials and home appliances.

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Mesa Royalty Trust (NYSE:MTR  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 14,700 shares, a decline of 21.0% from the August 31st total of 18,600 shares. Currently, 0.8% of the companys stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 9,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days.

Mesa Royalty Trust Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of MTR traded down $0.03 during trading on Friday, reaching $5.76. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,690 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,197. The company has a market cap of $10.74 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.76 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a fifty day moving average of $6.86 and a two-hundred day moving average of $8.47. Mesa Royalty Trust has a twelve month low of $5.60 and a twelve month high of $18.92.

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Mesa Royalty Trust (NYSE:MTR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 14th. The energy company reported $0.12 earnings per share for the quarter. Mesa Royalty Trust had a net margin of 76.94% and a return on equity of 28.92%. The company had revenue of $0.31 million during the quarter.

Mesa Royalty Trust Cuts Dividend

About Mesa Royalty Trust

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.0018 per share. This represents a $0.02 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. Mesa Royalty Trusts payout ratio is currently 3.31%.

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Mesa Royalty Trust owns overriding royalty interests in various oil and gas producing properties in the United States. It holds interests in properties located in the Hugoton field of Kansas; and the San Juan Basin field of Northwestern New Mexico and Southwestern Colorado. The company was founded in 1979 and is based in Houston, Texas.

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Whitecap Resources Inc. (OTCMKTS:SPGYF  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Saturday, September 21st, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 1st will be paid a dividend of 0.0447 per share on Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a yield of 6.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. This is a boost from Whitecap Resourcess previous dividend of $0.04.

Whitecap Resources Stock Performance

Shares of SPGYF stock opened at $7.37 on Friday. Whitecap Resources has a fifty-two week low of $6.02 and a fifty-two week high of $8.73. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.49.

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Whitecap Resources Company Profile

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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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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sept. 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in New York on Friday that China is willing to join Egypt in pushing their comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, bilateral ties have maintained a sound momentum of development, he said.

China, Wang said, is ready to work with Egypt to implement the consensus reached by the two presidents, carry forward the fine tradition of strong support for each other, advance mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation in various fields, and jointly stride toward the direction of building a community with a shared future.

The Chinese side is ready to closely coordinate with Egypt within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the BRICS mechanism and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries, he added.

For his part, Abdelatty said Egypt is willing to work with China to implement the consensus between the leaders of the two countries, and deepen cooperation in various fields.

He also said that Egypt welcomes continuous participation by Chinese enterprises in Egypt's modernization.
According to some US tabloid magazine, Ashley Hansen, Head of PR for the Montecito, California celebrity, said she was treated by Meghan with the love and care a parent would give to her children.

The Head of PR, would of course put out a statement as crass and false as that, who wouldnt if they were being paid shedloads of money by Meghan Markle? If anyone at the Daily Squib were being paid that kind of wonga we would attest that singing white doves fly out of Meghan Markles arse every half an hour along with bright rays of sunshine lighting up the entire universe.

Isnt it great that the news is now being flooded by story after story praising the Mother Theresa virtues of Meghan Markle? Naturally, this fantastic love bombing fluff session is being forcibly ejaculated out after a plethora of horrific accounts of bullying and nastiness committed by the errant Duchess of Sussex upon former employees somehow leaked out.

The accounts that former employees have been telling the press are indeed very colourful, and portray the narcissist grifter Markle as we all know her as a manipulative vindictive bully and a prima donna.

This is why the media has now been flooded by anonymous former employees extolling the virtues of Markle about what a fucking sweetheart she is. This unfortunate deluge of cringeworthy fake praise will most probably be ongoing for the next few months, so batten down the hatches.
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Annandale Capital LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL  Free Report) by 1.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 26,500 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 363 shares during the period. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF accounts for about 0.8% of Annandale Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position. Annandale Capital LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF were worth $4,525,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of QUAL. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 28,038,014 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,787,771,000 after buying an additional 999,735 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 5.6% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 13,774,967 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,352,213,000 after purchasing an additional 727,760 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 21.9% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 4,808,994 shares of the companys stock worth $821,412,000 after purchasing an additional 863,219 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 5.9% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 3,106,475 shares of the companys stock worth $530,462,000 after purchasing an additional 172,340 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,372,410 shares of the companys stock valued at $405,113,000 after purchasing an additional 73,653 shares in the last quarter.

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Trading Down 0.2 %

BATS:QUAL opened at $178.69 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $173.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $168.38. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 12 month low of $71.96 and a 12 month high of $88.63. The company has a market capitalization of $47.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.03 and a beta of 1.03.

About iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks, selected and weighted by high ROE, stable earnings growth and low debt\u002Fequity, relative to peers in each sector.

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Barratt Developments plc (OTCMKTS:BTDPY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,500 shares, a drop of 19.6% from the August 31st total of 5,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 7,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.6 days.

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Barratt Developments Price Performance

Barratt Developments stock traded up $0.04 during trading on Friday, reaching $12.89. The company had a trading volume of 3,181 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,397. Barratt Developments has a 12-month low of $9.45 and a 12-month high of $14.85. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $13.39 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $12.62.

Barratt Developments Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be paid a $0.2582 dividend. This is a positive change from Barratt Developmentss previous dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 27th.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Citigroup raised Barratt Developments to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 5th.

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Barratt Developments Company Profile

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Barratt Developments plc engages in the housebuilding business in the United Kingdom. The company acquires and develops land; plans, designs, and constructs homes, apartments, penthouses, and communities, as well as undertakes mixed-use regeneration schemes; and develops retail, leisure, office, industrial, and mixed-use properties.

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BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DCF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 13,000 shares, an increase of 91.2% from the August 31st total of 6,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 51,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund by 14.0% during the 1st quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 17,383 shares of the companys stock worth $150,000 after purchasing an additional 2,138 shares during the last quarter. Heron Bay Capital Management boosted its holdings in shares of BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Heron Bay Capital Management now owns 749,245 shares of the companys stock worth $6,631,000 after purchasing an additional 9,055 shares during the last quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund by 157.5% during the 2nd quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 64,369 shares of the companys stock worth $570,000 after purchasing an additional 39,376 shares during the last quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $395,000. Finally, Choreo LLC acquired a new position in shares of BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $422,000.

BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund Trading Up 0.7 %

DCF stock traded up $0.06 during trading on Friday, hitting $9.22. The stock had a trading volume of 20,137 shares, compared to its average volume of 40,165. BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund has a twelve month low of $7.47 and a twelve month high of $9.22. The companys 50-day moving average price is $9.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.79.

BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund Announces Dividend

BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund Company Profile

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 9th will be issued a $0.035 dividend. This represents a $0.42 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 9th.

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BNY Mellon Alcentra Global Credit Income 2024 Target Term Fund, Inc operates as a closed-end investment fund. The funds investment objective is to seek high current income and to invest in credit instruments and other investments. The company is headquartered in New York, NY.

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Investment analysts at StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Concord Medical Services (NYSE:CCM  Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Sunday. The brokerage set a sell rating on the stock.

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Concord Medical Services Stock Performance

Shares of CCM opened at $6.50 on Friday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $6.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $6.74. Concord Medical Services has a 12-month low of $3.82 and a 12-month high of $26.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14.

About Concord Medical Services

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Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates a network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers in the People's Republic of China. It operates in two segments, Network and Hospital. The company's services include linear accelerators and external beam radiotherapy, proton therapy system, gamma knife radiosurgery, and diagnostic imaging services.

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Omni Financial Services (OTCMKTS:OFSI  Get Free Report) and Comerica (NYSE:CMA  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability, risk, earnings and valuation.

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Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Omni Financial Services and Comericas gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Omni Financial Services N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Comerica $3.29 billion 2.40 $881.00 million $5.03 11.81

Comerica has higher revenue and earnings than Omni Financial Services.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Analyst Recommendations

80.7% of Comerica shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Comerica shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Omni Financial Services and Comerica, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Omni Financial Services 0 0 0 0 N/A Comerica 2 11 8 0 2.29

Comerica has a consensus target price of $58.24, indicating a potential downside of 1.92%. Given Comericas higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Comerica is more favorable than Omni Financial Services.

Risk and Volatility

Omni Financial Services has a beta of 3.26, suggesting that its stock price is 226% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Comerica has a beta of 1.23, suggesting that its stock price is 23% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Omni Financial Services and Comericas net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Omni Financial Services N/A N/A N/A Comerica 12.15% 15.01% 1.00%

Summary

Comerica beats Omni Financial Services on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Omni Financial Services

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OMNI Financial Services, Inc. provides various financial products and services to individuals, professionals, and business owners. The company offers deferred annuities, fixed annuities, and immediate annuities; and group medical, key employee, survivor life, disability, fixed life, long term care, and term life insurance products. It also provides college funding, retirement, and estate planning services. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida.

About Comerica

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Comerica Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services. The company operates through Commercial Bank, Retail Bank, Wealth Management, and Finance segments. The Commercial Bank segment offers various products and services, including commercial loans and lines of credit, deposits, cash management, payment solutions, card services, capital market products, international trade finance, letters of credit, foreign exchange management services, and loan syndication services for small and middle market businesses, multinational corporations, and governmental entities. The Retail Bank segment provides personal financial services, such as consumer lending, consumer deposit gathering, and mortgage loan origination; and various consumer products that include deposit accounts, installment loans, credit cards, student loans, home equity lines of credit, and residential mortgage loans. The Wealth Management segment offers products and services comprising financial planning, trust and fiduciary services, investment management and advisory, brokerage, private banking, and business transition planning services for affluents, high-net worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, business owners, and executives, and institutional clients. The Finance segment comprises securities portfolio, and asset and liability management activities. It operates in Texas, California, Michigan, Arizona, and Florida, the United States; and Canada and Mexico. The company was formerly known as DETROITBANK Corporation and changed its name to Comerica Incorporated in July 1982. Comerica Incorporated was founded in 1849 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Peruvian Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer Salcedo on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sept. 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in New York on Friday China is ready to work with Peru to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during talks with Peruvian Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer Salcedo on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

China-Peru relations have long been at the forefront of China-Latin America relations, he said, adding that China values its relations with Peru.

Wang also said that the Chinese side firmly supports Peru as the host of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November.

He called on both sides to strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs and take China-Peru relations to a new level in the new era.

For his part, Schialer said Peruvian companies are optimistic about the Chinese market, and look forward to strengthening cooperation with China.

He added that his country welcomes more investment by Chinese businesses in Peru.
Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 11,380,000 shares, an increase of 81.8% from the August 31st total of 6,260,000 shares. Currently, 1.9% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 6,260,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days.

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Edwards Lifesciences Trading Up 1.2 %

Shares of EW stock traded up $0.81 on Friday, hitting $66.58. The stock had a trading volume of 5,167,078 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,490,077. The companys 50 day moving average price is $67.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $82.02. Edwards Lifesciences has a 1 year low of $58.93 and a 1 year high of $96.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 3.71 and a quick ratio of 2.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.70, a P/E/G ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 1.13.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The medical research company reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.65 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 24.55% and a return on equity of 22.35%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.66 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Edwards Lifesciences will post 2.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

EW has been the topic of a number of research reports. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the company from $85.00 to $70.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. Daiwa Capital Markets raised Edwards Lifesciences from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $101.00 to $85.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $107.00 to $91.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $105.00 to $106.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $79.82.

View Our Latest Stock Report on EW

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.77, for a total transaction of $333,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 46,936 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,133,916.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Edwards Lifesciences news, VP Daveen Chopra sold 1,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.95, for a total value of $87,437.50. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 29,333 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,051,843.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.77, for a total value of $333,850.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 46,936 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,133,916.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 16,250 shares of company stock valued at $1,218,138 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. First Community Trust NA acquired a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences during the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Pingora Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Webster Bank N. A. purchased a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter valued at about $39,000. 79.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Edwards Lifesciences

(Get Free Report)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names.

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Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:IMPUY  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 32,800 shares, a growth of 86.4% from the August 31st total of 17,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 449,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

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Impala Platinum Price Performance

Impala Platinum stock traded down $0.34 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $5.84. The companys stock had a trading volume of 255,606 shares, compared to its average volume of 249,238. Impala Platinum has a 12-month low of $3.09 and a 12-month high of $6.30. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 3.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The firms fifty day moving average price is $4.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $4.90.

Impala Platinum Company Profile

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Impala Platinum Holdings Limited engages in the mining, processing, concentrating, refining, and sale of platinum group metals (PGMs) and associated base metals. The company produces platinum, palladium, rhodium, nickel, and by-products, as well as ruthenium, iridium, and gold. It has operations on the PGM-bearing orebodies, including the Bushveld Complex located in South Africa; and the Great Dyke situated in Zimbabwe, as well as the Canadian Shield.

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Investment analysts at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR  Get Free Report) in a report issued on Sunday. The firm set a sell rating on the aerospace companys stock.

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Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $37.25 target price (up previously from $36.00) on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a report on Friday, July 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a research note on Monday, July 8th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Spirit AeroSystems from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, July 1st. Barclays restated an equal weight rating and set a $37.00 price target (down from $40.00) on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a research report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Finally, Susquehanna reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $37.00 price objective (down previously from $40.00) on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $35.38.

View Our Latest Report on SPR

Spirit AeroSystems Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of SPR stock opened at $33.11 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $34.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $33.19. Spirit AeroSystems has a 12-month low of $15.45 and a 12-month high of $37.08. The firm has a market cap of $3.86 billion, a P/E ratio of -3.81 and a beta of 1.85.

Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, August 5th. The aerospace company reported ($2.73) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.98) by ($1.75). The company had revenue of $1.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.57 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned ($1.46) EPS. Spirit AeroSystemss revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Spirit AeroSystems will post -5.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Spirit AeroSystems

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of SPR. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Spirit AeroSystems by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,954,485 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $395,128,000 after acquiring an additional 109,632 shares in the last quarter. Pentwater Capital Management LP boosted its position in shares of Spirit AeroSystems by 18,132.0% during the second quarter. Pentwater Capital Management LP now owns 9,016,000 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $296,356,000 after purchasing an additional 9,066,000 shares in the last quarter. Steadfast Capital Management LP grew its stake in Spirit AeroSystems by 1,274.6% in the first quarter. Steadfast Capital Management LP now owns 4,714,874 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $170,066,000 after purchasing an additional 4,371,874 shares during the period. Maple Rock Capital Partners Inc. raised its holdings in Spirit AeroSystems by 7.2% in the first quarter. Maple Rock Capital Partners Inc. now owns 4,423,000 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $159,538,000 after purchasing an additional 296,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Earnest Partners LLC raised its holdings in Spirit AeroSystems by 2.6% in the second quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 4,096,268 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $134,644,000 after purchasing an additional 105,350 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.59% of the companys stock.

About Spirit AeroSystems

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Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc engages in the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Defense & Space, and Aftermarket. The Commercial segment offers forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems, floor beams, nacelles, struts/pylons, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, flaps and slats flight control surfaces, wing structures, and wing systems.

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Yiren Digital (NYSE:YRD  Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Sunday.

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Yiren Digital Price Performance

Shares of NYSE YRD opened at $5.19 on Friday. Yiren Digital has a one year low of $2.16 and a one year high of $5.80. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $4.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $4.80. The company has a market capitalization of $451.19 million, a P/E ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.69.

Yiren Digital (NYSE:YRD  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 20th. The technology company reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $205.93 million during the quarter. Yiren Digital had a net margin of 37.05% and a return on equity of 24.38%.

Institutional Trading of Yiren Digital

Yiren Digital Company Profile

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in YRD. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its position in Yiren Digital by 63.9% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 407,139 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,817,000 after purchasing an additional 158,772 shares during the last quarter. RFG Advisory LLC bought a new position in Yiren Digital during the first quarter valued at about $715,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Yiren Digital by 9.8% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,021,035 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $4,626,000 after acquiring an additional 90,726 shares in the last quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Yiren Digital in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $310,000. Finally, Banco BTG Pactual S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of Yiren Digital during the 1st quarter worth approximately $223,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.99% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Yiren Digital Ltd. provides financial services through an AI-powered platform in China. Its platform provides a suite of financial and lifestyle services. The company offers financial services, which provides a portfolio of loan products to borrowers; insurance brokerage services; and consumption and lifestyle services, including non-financial products and services to meet various consumer needs.

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The funeral has taken place of a pensioner who died following a two vehicle crash in County Derry last week.

Joyce Taggart, who was from the Ballykelly area, passed away after her car was involved in a collision with a bus on the Clooney Road on Thursday afternoon.

The 84 year-old mother-of-two was laid to rest this afternoon (Sunday) following a service in Ballykelly Presbyterian Church.

Minister Rev Phil Houston said it was 'amazing that a little woman like Joyce could have so many here today' to pay their respects.

A native of Derry city and the eldest of six children, Joyce attended Carlisle Road Primary School as a child.

While working as a seamstress in a local shirt factory, Joyce met her late husband Joe.

One day she missed her bus and Joe Taggart gave her a ride home on the back of his motorbike and that's where the romance started, the minister told the congregation.

The couple married in 1960 in Ballyarnett Presbyterian Church and went on to have a son and daughter.

Minister Houston said it was 'unfair' that the devoted grandmother and great-grandmother's life had been cut short.

Joyce's life was cut short much too abruptly, he said, continuing: somehow at 84 years-old she still seemed in her prime. With her active body and mind, she was younger than a lot of us. It feels unfair, unnatural and so very difficult for you and for others that were caught up in what happened on Thursday, yet she was spared some of the difficulties of ageing that some others have to endure. Her life was full right to the end. Processing what has happened is difficult. Taking the time to add to this tribute by telling stories and sharing memories over refreshments today and in the days and weeks ahead will help that process.

Joyce was renowned for her dressmaking and baking skills and loved singing.

Her dressmaking skills were unmistakable and if anyone in the family was getting married, Joyce made all the bridesmaid dresses, said Minister Houston.

Joyce continued to be creative with her knitting, dressmaking, cooking and baking skills and her brooches were famous from Limavady to Nepal.

Joyce and Joe joined Ballykelly Presbyterian Church in 1979 where they soon made friends through the bowling club. Joyce joined the church choir and her love for singing progressed to Foyle Presbytery Choir, now the North West Gospel Choir.

The minister said Joyce continued to learn new skills over the years  she learned to drive and play the piano in her fifties.

Joyce had a full and active social life. She loved people and loved being in the company of others. She had such a warm personality, so generous with her time and affections. She will be deeply missed at the many clubs and groups she was involved with, including the lunch club here at the church that she was promoting only last Sunday, the Open Door Cafe, the WI and of course the choirs that she loved singing in so very much.

Joyce's baking certainly wasn't the reason that we loved her but it did help She did a Saturday run with all the scones she baked. She had a God given gift of brightening people's day with her personality as well as her treats, as her neighbours will attest.

Describing the pensioner as 'colourful and outgoing', the minister said faith also played a major role in her life.

Joyce had many friends and each of you will have unique connections to her, he said.

Joyce was funny, colourful and outgoing. She loved a laugh, she was so much fun. Everyone knew how glamorous a granny she was. Her hair was always her crown.

Joyce's faith played a major role in her life through socialising and church activities and engaging others to join them but also so much more than that.

That love for Jesus was Joyce's defining feature. She loved him and his church. It was her spirit filled life that meant people met Joyce once and remembered her, that's why so many of you are here today. She will be deeply missed in this church family and by everyone, including her minister, he added.
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Mary Lou McDonald has insisted she has never considered quitting as leader of Sinn Fein.

Earlier this year, Ms McDonald announced that Sinn Fein had conducted an internal review after performing well below its own expectations in the local and European elections.

She revealed senior figures in Sinn Fein were disappointed with her engagement with the partys base.

On a personal level, Ms McDonald took several months off last year while recovering from hysterectomy surgery.

A short time later, her husband became seriously ill while on a family holiday in France. He went through surgery and was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Also, the Sinn Fein leaders father died almost two months ago.

During an interview on RTEs The Week In Politics, Ms McDonald said she had not considered stepping down.

I never considered that for a moment, absolutely not.

Asked if that belief had never wavered even on the hardest day of her difficult professional and personal year, she added: Even on the hardest day  and some of the days were very hard  no.

Because I know in my heart of hearts that quitting actually isnt an option.

I know in my heart of hearts that we can make incredible progress. We can make this country even better than it is.

Pressed on whether she would step down if the party does not win the next general election, Ms McDonald said she had just been re-elected as party president at the Ard Fheis on Saturday.

I carry this role mindful of its responsibility  and responsibilities can be onerous  but very proudly as the Uachtarain of Sinn Fein.

Im here for the long haul, Im not a quitter.

Im at this a while now, Ill be at it a while longer, and well be at it until we get to a position where Ireland is transformed to an equal and full republic  and, in time, a 32-county one at that.
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South African police have launched an urgent manhunt after 17 people were shot and killed in the Eastern Cape Province of the country, said authorities Saturday.

The Eastern Cape provincial government confirmed in a statement that the "catastrophic incident" occurred in the town of Lusikisiki in the early hours of Saturday morning.

"In one house, 13 people were killed which include 12 women and one man. In another homestead, four people were also killed," said Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson of the South African Police Service (SAPS), in a separate statement.

"The eighteenth victim is in a critical condition in hospital. In total 15 women and two men were killed," said Mathe. "The South African Police Service has launched an extensive search to bring those responsible for these brutal killings to justice. We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities."

In addition, the spokesperson told Xinhua that "police have deployed forensic experts and a team of detectives to collect evidence which will assist in cracking the case."

In the provincial government's statement, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane condemned the "senseless acts of violence in the strongest possible terms" in the incident.

"The loss of life on this scale is a devastating blow to our province, and we mourn the passing of these innocent lives. We stand in solidarity with the families and communities affected. The brutal and senseless killing of innocent people is a heinous act that has no place in our society," said Mabuyane. "We call on all Eastern Cape residents to stand together in condemning violence and work towards creating a safer, more peaceful province."
An Bord Pleanala has given the go ahead for a new housing development at the Dublin Road in Dundalk, following an appeal against Louth County Council's decision to grant planning permission in 2023.

Molaris Limited was granted planning permission in September 2023, for the development on a site bound by the Dublin Road (R132) to the west, an existing dwelling to the north and an existing dwelling known as St Cecilia's to the south and by an open ditch to the east.

The development would see the demolition of an existing derelict structure on site and the construction of 39 dwellings, comprising six one-bed; 12 two-bed and 21 three bed homes, in a combination of houses and duplex apartments ranging in height from two to three storey. The duplex apartments are provided with balconies.

A new vehicular access is also planned from the R132 as part of the development, as well as all associated site development works.

Louth County Council sought further information on the proposed development in February of this year. Significant further information was provided to the local planning authority on 28 July, which included proposals to reduce the number of homes from 39 to 37.

Third party appeals were lodged with An Bord Pleanala, against Louth County Council's decision in October 2023 by Brian McElarney and Helen O'Connell. An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission on 19 September 2024, subject to revised conditions.
Leading Irish Business Process Outsourcer (BPO) Uniquely, a company based in Dundalk. has been named as one of Irelands Best Managed Companies, the leading business awards programme led by Deloitte.

Demonstrating superior business performance for the eighth year and achieving Platinum Standard (for being a Best Managed Company for seven years or more), Uniquely was recognised at an awards ceremony this month in the RDS, Dublin.

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.

Commenting on the award, Ger Teahon, CEO of Uniquely said: We are delighted to receive the Best Managed Company 2024 award for the eighth year in a row. It is a fantastic accolade in recognition of the quality and professionalism displayed by our Dundalk team every day.

With a strong emphasis on innovation and excellence, our mission is to elevate standards in customer support and engagement, and this means having the right people interacting with the customer. What sets Uniquely apart is our people and our consistent drive to be even better.

Brian Murphy, Lead Partner for Irelands Best Managed Companies Awards Programme, said: The Irish economic growth story has been extraordinary, and we see this evidenced in the success of Irish indigenous businesses and the confidence shown by Best Managed Companies. Ensuring Irelands entrepreneurs and the companies they start get the support they need to grow and scale is crucial.

Established in 2006, Uniquely boasts a wealth of experience in diverse markets, collaborating with various organisations to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction. Its expertise spans service solutions in sectors such as Financial Services, Energy, Medical Technology, Telecoms, Media, and Retail.

Uniquely has Customer Engagement Centres in Galway and Dundalk, field sales teams operating nationwide, as well as offices in Manchester - these locations were all chosen to optimise service delivery, foster collaboration and support local economies. The company partners with large Irish and International businesses such as AIB, Bord Gais Energy, Sky, Pinergy, SSE Airtricity and the Irish Red Cross.

Uniquely has also been awarded the Guaranteed Irish symbol for its commitment to excellence and innovation, local jobs and communities.
Clogherhead RNLI came to the aid of a fisherman yesterday after their razor boat broke down near Gyles Quay nine miles north of Clogherhead.

The volunteer crew were requested by the Dublin Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to go to the fishermans aid shortly before 8am on Wednesday 25 September. The boats engine had failed.

The all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, the Michael O'Brien, was launched under Coxswain Tomas Whelahan with mechanic Barry Sharkey and crew members Brian Sharkey, Carol Holcroft, Derek Shevlin and Paraic Costell onboard, on what was a crisp autumn morning with calm sea conditions.

On arriving on scene near Gyles Quay, nine miles north of Clogherhead, the crew proceeded to assess the situation. The fisherman was safe and well but due to the boat having sustained engine failure and unable to make any safe onward progress, a decision was made that the best course of action was to establish a towline and bring the vessel to the nearest safe place, at Port Oriel.

Read Next: Huge increase in shop thefts in Louth

Speaking following the call out, Clogherhead RNLI Coxswain Tomas Whelahan said: "This was a straightforward call out in good weather conditions and we were happy to help the fisherman as the boat had lost all power and they wouldnt have made it back to shore safely unaided.

"We would remind anyone planning a trip to sea to go prepared checking weather and tide times, ensuring your vessel is maintained and has enough fuel for the trip and that you wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity.

"Let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back and carry a means of communication should you get into difficulty. If you do get into trouble or see someone else in need of help, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard."
Oireachtas members from Louth heard of the impact Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are having in their local communities, and what campaigners say is the need for a renewed government commitment to increase core funding to enable them to deliver the services that are needed.

The call was made as part of an AV Room briefing at Leinster House this week, held by the Family Resources Centre National Forum (FRCNF).

For Budget 2025, the FRCNF has identified the required level of funding per FRC as 240,000, for them to be able to adequately provide the support and services required of them and to realise the full potential impact of the National FRC Programme.

Read Next: Fraud offences on the rise again in Louth

Representatives from Louth that attended the event included Ged Nash TD.

Commenting on their pre-Budget submissionFergal Landy, CEO of the FRCNF said, We are renewing our call to Government ahead of Budget 2025 to maximise the potential of the FRC National Programme to increase its capacity to deliver for children, families, individuals, and communities throughout Ireland, and in doing so, provide additional supports to both urban and rural communities coping with many challenges such as the housing crisis, poverty, the cost of living, and promoting inclusive communities for all. Our 121 FRCs cannot continue to deliver for communities without adequate funding.

When FRCs are adequately funded, they are extremely effective at leveraging up to three times more funding from other government and philanthropic sources and can then involve the community in the planning of integrated supports to meet the diverse range of needs.

In every corner of the country, from Louth to Donegal, the FRC National Programme plays a vital role in providing support to communities. However, FRCs have long experienced a reduced level of core funding, in comparison to similar organisations, and we are now urging the Government to put communities at the heart of Budget 2025 and invest where it is needed most.
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A chartered helicopter crashed in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday afternoon, killing six people on board while injuring ten others, police officials said.

The incident happened at about 1:00 p.m. local time when a helicopter chartered by a private oil exploration and production company Mari Petroleum crashed in the Shewa area of North Waziristan district of the province, District Police Officer Rokhanzeb Khan told Xinhua.

Six people, including two Russian pilots of the aircraft, were killed in the unfortunate incident, said the official, adding that ten others sustained injuries, including staff of the private company.

The incident occurred due to a technical fault in the aircraft immediately after it took off, according to local government officials. The engine of the helicopter caught fire before it hit the ground and crashed, officials added.

The cause of the technical fault is still unknown and is being investigated by the relevant authorities.

Following the incident, rescue teams and security personnel reached the area and cordoned it off.
Progress has been made on ambitions to develop a library in Mahon with a site secured for the proposed development.

The facility is earmarked for development on the campus of Nagle Community College, chairman of the colleges board of management, Fianna Fail councillor Terry Shannon, told The Echo.

The church is on one corner so the library now will be opposite it on the other corner within the parameters of Nagle Community College.

A memorandum of understanding between the ETB [Cork Education and Training Board] and city council was signed so basically what that means is that the land in question, which is the car park essentially, has been transferred into ownership of Cork City Council, he said.

Itll be a library, itll be a youth resource centre and a public space then like a lot of libraries where you could have meetings and other types of things were looking at a cost of about 13m.

Such as facility, he said, has been spoken of for a long, long time, adding that the new library would be a welcome amenity in the locality as well as a great boost for the school.

Cork City Council, Mr Shannon said, is in the process of applying for funding to progress the project.

As part of the planning there will be a notice to the public for them to get involved and Id encourage people to do that, he continued.

The South East ward councillor said the proposed facility could take some time before it is developed but that he hoped it could be achieved within the term of the existing council.

Being realistic with the way things work, it wont be breaking ground in the immediate future, but my ambition is that it will be built and operational within the lifetime of this council, Mr Shannon said.

I want to thank members of the ETB and Cork City Council who have been working on this, beavering away quietly, and Ive been interacting with them then as chairman.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council said:

Cork City Council and Cork Educational and Training Board have signed a memorandum of understanding that agrees a site for the future development of a public library and youth facility, in a shared building on the grounds of Nagle Community College.

No specific design or costs can be defined at this point though a building of the size of 2,000 m2 is anticipated.

The development is subject to a four-stage approval process by the Libraries Development Unit of the DRCD.

Following the signing of the MOU the next step is to submit the Stage 1 application in this process.
LATEST 7.15pm

Power has now been restored to more than 1,000 ESB Networks customers in Cork who were without power for a time today.

Outages remain in just two areas; Crosshaven and Ringaskiddy where in the region of 70 properties remain without electricity.

A spokesperson for ESB Network said that crews are mobilised and are working towards restoring power, as quickly and safely as possible.

"Real-time information on power outages and restoration times is available on www.PowerCheck.ie," the spokesperson told The Echo.

The orange rain warning that was in place in Cork has passed and conditions, a yellow rain warning is in place until 8pm.

Met Eireann says winds and rain will ease later this evening.

It said it will be mostly cloudy tomorrow morning with patchy light rain and drizzle pushing from the west to all areas, but there will be some scattered and heavy showers tomorrow afternoon.

LATEST 5pm

Power has been restored to hundreds of people across Cork this evening, however, many still remain without electricity.

Geese feeding on grass beside the road at The Lough, Cork. Surface flooding on Lough Road, Cork and on footpaths around The Lough during the heavy rain and high winds on Sunday afternoon. Pic Larry Cummins

According to ESB Networks, outages are currently being reported in Skibbereen (282), Carrigaline (43) and Lee Bridge (70).

EARLIER

Over 1,500 people in Cork are currently without power as wet and windy conditions continue to sweep the county.

A total of 1,550 customers remain without power this afternoon, according to ESB Power Check.

41 customers are affected in Whitechurch, 1,172 customers are affected in Macroom, 43 customers are affected in Carrigaline, 12 customers are affected in Clonakilty and 282 customers are affected in Skibbereen.

A fault in Ballydehob which affected 13 customers was restored at 12.14pm.

Meanwhile, the heavy rain and gusty winds have caused some travel disruption and trees to fall across the county.

Difficult conditions for pedestrians in Cork City centre during the heavy rain and high winds on Sunday. Pic Larry Cummins

There have been multiple reports today of fallen trees in Cork, with trees down near the bridge on Kilcully Road close to the junction with Glenville Road, on the R600 between Belgooly and Riverstick, on the R612 Crosshaven on approach to the village, on the R585 between Cappeen and Beal na Blath, on the R612 near Holy Trinity in Crosshaven and on the Old Youghal Road near Bells Field in the city.

The R612 near the townlands of Hoddersfield and Knocknagore is currently impassable due to a fallen tree.

Spot flooding in areas across the city has also been reported, including at The Lough.

The status orange rain warning issued for Cork will remain in place until 6pm. Met Eireann has said that rain will gradually ease from the west tonight, becoming mainly light and patchy with occasional clear breaks developing.

Lowest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees are forecast with winds becoming light to moderate northwest overnight but remaining fresh near the southwest coast.
An urgently needed school traffic warden has been designated to a Gaelscoil in Ballyphehane, a move described as welcome.

Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire received confirmation from Cork City Council that a school traffic warden has been earmarked for Gaelscoil an Teaghlaigh Naofa.

The appointment timeframe has yet to be confirmed.

Mr O Laoghaire said: Im delighted that the appointment of a school warden has been progressed now.

The school community has been fighting for this for years. It is urgently needed, given the traffic pressures and safety concerns, he said.

Because of the lack of pedestrian crossings and the fact that there are so many cars parked at the shops and so on, it is a very dangerous area. It is very clear that there has been a need for more, in terms of safety.

I have been in contact with the council this week and I understand that they are awaiting council engineers doing an assessment of the location very shortly, in advance of the warden being deployed, and I expect it will be in place in the coming weeks, he added.

The Cork South Central TD was informed by the council that the appointment timeframe would depend on the requirements of the assessment and that he would be kept updated.

Mr O Laoghaire praised the school community for their efforts to secure a school traffic warden, saying: Congratulations to the school community on the campaign. There are other issues that need to be addressed, such as the pedestrian crossings, both at Tory Top Road and Friars Walk, as well as increased signage, but this is a welcome step forward.
 Flash

This photo taken on Sept. 28, 2024 shows displaced people from the southern suburbs of Beirut due to Israeli airstrikes in Tripoli, Lebanon. [Photo/Xinhua]

Countries and anti-Israel factions in the Middle East on Saturday strongly condemned a previous Israeli attack that killed Hezbollah Leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon.

On Friday evening, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Hezbollah's main headquarters in Dahieh, which Israeli military said killed Nasrallah along with some other group commanders. Hezbollah on Saturday confirmed Nasrallah's death.

In a statement, the group mourned Nasrallah, describing him as "a great martyr" and "a heroic, bold, brave, wise, insightful, and faithful leader" for nearly 30 years, who lately led in "the battle for Palestine, Gaza, and the oppressed Palestinian people."

According to Lebanon's MTV TV channel, Friday's raids on Beirut killed at least six people, injured 91 others, flattened several residential buildings, and caused huge damage to infrastructure in the neighborhood.

Shortly after Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah's death, Hamas issued a statement condemning the Israeli airstrikes on Dahieh as "a cowardly terrorist act, a massacre, and a heinous crime" that proved once again Israel's "bloodiness and brutality."

Hamas held Israel fully responsible for "this heinous crime and its serious repercussions on the security and stability of the region," and condemned the U.S. administration's "continued support" for Israel.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned on social media platform X Israel's "brutal" and "inhumane" attacks that killed many Lebanese, including children, and called on the international community to "act swiftly" to ensure global peace, stability and security.

While also slamming Israel's "utter disregard for innocent human life," Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif vowed on X that "The Resistance will continue as long as the cause -- aggression and occupation -- persists."

In the meantime, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning over the "martyrdom" of Nasrallah.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi also mourned the death of Nasrallah.

In a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, Araghchi described Nasrallah's death as a great loss for Lebanon, West Asia, and the Muslim world.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani called Nasrallah's killing "a new sinful attack and a crime that confirms Israel's crossing of all red lines," saying it expresses Israel's "reckless desire to expand the conflict at the expense of all the peoples of the region." The prime minister announced Saturday a three-day national mourning in honor of the "martyrdom" of Nasrallah.

Also on Saturday, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry condemned the "brutal aggression" against Lebanon, and called on the UN Security Council to adopt a "decisive and firm position to stop the bombings against the Lebanese people and put an end to the violation of their sovereignty and the threat to their security."

Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi group described Nasrallah's passing as a "huge loss" and "a curse that haunts Israel until it is uprooted." The group declared three days of mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast.

In a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry, the Syrian government strongly condemned the "criminal Israeli aggression," which it described as another example of Israel's "treachery, cowardice, and terrorism." The ministry accused Israel of disregarding international law and held it fully responsible for the consequences of the attack.

In a post on X, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed his country's "solidarity with Lebanon and its people," reaffirming "support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security, stability, cohesion, and peace."

In a phone call with Mikati, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi vowed to stand by Lebanon, especially during these critical circumstances. Sisi also stressed "the need for an immediate, comprehensive, and permanent ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza."

Israel has intensified its airstrikes across Lebanon since Monday, marking the most extensive Israeli military action in the country since 2006.

Israel's latest escalation further fuels its ongoing clashes with Hezbollah that began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah started launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas, prompting Israel's retaliatory artillery fire and airstrikes in southeastern Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry on Saturday, 1,640 people in Lebanon, including 104 children and 194 women, have been killed and 8,408 more injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since Oct. 8 last year.
Folks, gather around, because today were diving into a tale that's part comedy, part drama, and entirely eggcellent. This is the story of Mohamed Hassan, a man whose journey from the bustling streets of Alexandria, Egypt, to the sheep-spotted hills of Wales reads more like a blockbuster script than a photographers biography.

Lets set the scene: Mohamed lands in Wales, a place where the sky is apparently bluer than a Smurf convention and the grass greener than a St. Patricks Day parade. Coming from Egypta country known more for its pyramids than its pasturesMohamed was understandably gobsmacked. He found himself in a land so picturesque, even the sheep probably pause to take selfies.

The Struggle: A Universal Blockbuster

But our protagonist didnt just waltz into Wales and start snapping award-winners. No, he faced the villain of many a great story: adversity. Picture this: Mohamed, grappling with a new language while flipping burgers at McDonald's and stacking shelves at Lidl. And if navigating minimum wage jobs wasn't tough enough, he also encountered the dastardly foe of racism, which did a number on his social confidence and English skills.

But like any good hero, Mohamed found his magical sword: a smartphone camera. Thats right, not a mystical blade or an ancient artefact, but the modern millennials weapon of choice. With a tap and a swipe, he began capturing the Welsh wilderness, from the eerie expanses of the Brecon Beacons to misty mornings in Cwmystwyth. And thus, his transformation began.

The Mentor: Enter David Hurn

Every heros journey has that wise old mentor, and Mohameds was no different. Enter David Hurn, the Yoda of Welsh photography. When Mohamed met Hurn, it wasnt just a handshake; it was the passing of the torch. Inspired by Hurn's wisdom, Mohamed switched his camera to black and white, seeing the world through a lens that turned everyday scenes into slices of time, captured forever in grayscale.

The Quest: Beyond the Viewfinder

Mohameds quest led him to the hallowed halls of the Welsh Parliament, where his exhibitions now hang. Thats right, from fast food to fine art, our heros journey saw him rise like a well-timed souffle. But the path wasnt just about capturing landscapes; it was about capturing souls. Mohamed began photographing the people of Wales, focusing on those who, like him, felt a little out of place, a little unseen.

And lets not forget the magical realism of Wales that seeped into his work. He didnt just shoot photos; he shot dreams. Rainy drives and foggy hilltops became ethereal through his lens, turning Wales into a land that Tolkien might have penned if hed gone on a bender with Dylan Thomas.

The Moral of the Story

What can we learn from Mohamed Hassans cinematic rise from the checkout aisle to the gallery wall? That art can be a sanctuary, a saviour, and a pretty solid career move if you can swing it. It teaches us that sometimes, the best way to tackle a new chapter is to capture it, one click at a time.

So, the next time you find yourself in a new land, whether its the valleys of Wales or just the weird side of town, remember Mohamed. Grab your camera (or your phone), and start framing up your own blockbuster. Who knows? Maybe youll find your own David Hurn around the corner, ready to tell you that all you needed was to switch your settings to black and white.

In the end, Mohamed doesnt just show us Wales through his photographs; he shows us the universal power of finding your calling, no matter how many eggs youve got to fry along the way. And that, dear readers, is a wrap!
Saturday, September 28, 2024

GOP Lawmakers Demand Immediate Federal Action Amid Haitian Migrant Surge

In an urgent plea for federal intervention, six Republican congressmen from Ohio are calling on the Biden administration to provide emergency funding to Springfield, as the small town faces unprecedented challenges from a massive influx of Haitian migrants. Citing the administration's immigration policies as a direct catalyst for the crisis, these lawmakers warn that the situation is nearing a breaking point.

The representativesMike Turner, Michael Rulli, Mike Carey, Brad Wenstrup, Robert Latta, and Warren Davidsonhave sent formal letters to the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, and Education, urging immediate federal support. In their communication, they stress that Springfield is grappling with an overwhelming number of new arrivals directly linked to the Biden administration's Haitian Parole Program and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals.

"Programs like TPS allow Haitian nationals to remain in the country indefinitely," the lawmakers argue. "This has created a surge of migration to communities like Springfield, which simply do not have the resources to manage such an influx."

Michael Levine, widely regarded as America's leading media expert, warns that Springfield, once a thriving town, is on the verge of collapse without immediate federal action. "The Biden-Harris administration's mishandling of immigration policy has set the stage for a crisis of epic proportions," Levine states. "Springfield is just one of many towns across America on the brink, struggling to cope with the unintended consequences of these policies."

As Springfield braces for further challenges, local officials and residents await a federal response, hoping to avert a full-blown humanitarian crisis.
Residents of Nepal's flood-hit capital returned to their mud-caked homes on Sunday to survey the wreckage of devastating floods that have killed at least 170 people across the Himalayan republic.

Deadly rain-related floods and landslides are common across South Asia during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity.

Entire neighbourhoods in Kathmandu were inundated over the weekend with flash floods reported in rivers coursing through the capital and extensive damage to highways connecting the city with the rest of Nepal.

Kumar Tamang, who lives in a slum area by a riverbank, told AFP he and his family had to flee after midnight on Saturday as waters rushed into his shack.

"This morning we returned and everything looks different," the 40-year-old said.

"We couldn't even open the doors to our house, it was jammed with mud," he added. "Yesterday we were afraid that the water would kill us, but today we have no water to clean."

Nepal's Home Ministry said 170 people had been killed across the country with another 42 still missing.

Ministry spokesman Rishi Ram Tiwari told AFP that bulldozers were being used to clear several highways that had been blocked by debris, cutting Kathmandu off from the rest of the country.

"More than 3,000 people have been rescued," he added.

At least 35 of those killed were aboard three vehicles and were buried alive when earth from a landslide careened into a highway south of Kathmandu, Nepal Police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki told AFP.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said preliminary data from stations in 14 districts measured record-breaking rain in the 24 hours to Saturday morning.

A station at the Kathmandu airport recorded about 240 millimetres (9.4 inches) of rain, highest since 2002, it said.

- Chest-deep water -

The Bagmati river and its numerous tributaries which cut through Kathmandu broke their banks, inundating nearby homes and vehicles after midnight on Saturday.

Residents struggled through chest-deep water to get to higher ground.

Bishnu Maya Shrestha, who lived in another inundated area of Kathmandu, said they had to cut the roof of their homes to escape.

"We jumped from one roof to another to safety and finally they came with boats to rescue us," Shrestha told AFP.

More than 3,000 security personnel were deployed to assist rescue efforts with helicopters and motorboats.

Rescue teams were using rafts to pull survivors to safety.

Humanitarian organisations are also helping with search and rescue operations, as well as providing relief.

Jagan Chapagain, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said in a post on social platform X that staff and volunteers "are distributing non-food items, providing hygiene kits, and setting up evacuation centers".

Domestic flights resumed in and out of Kathmandu by Sunday morning after weather forced a complete stoppage from Friday evening, with more than 150 departures cancelled.

The summer monsoon brings South Asia 70-80 percent of its annual rainfall.

Monsoon rains from June to September bring widespread death and destruction every year across South Asia, but the number of fatal floods and landslides has increased in recent years.

Experts say climate change has worsened their frequency and intensity.

A landslide that hit a road in Chitwan district in July pushed two buses with 59 passengers aboard into a river.

Three people were able to escape alive, but authorities managed to recover only 20 bodies from the accident, with raging flood waters impeding the search.

More than 260 people have died in Nepal in rain-related disasters this year.

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Wales has recorded its first ever case of bluetongue virus, as the whole of the east of England remains in a 'restricted zone' due to surging cases.

Vets have identified bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) in three sheep moved to Gwynedd, in north-west Wales, from England.

This is the first ever time the virus has been found in Wales,. It is thought that over 100 farms across Britain have now recorded a case BTV-3.

The UK government recently extended its bluetongue 'restricted zone', which now covers the entire east of England from Lincolnshire to West Sussex.

Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep, deer and camelids, with case numbers now increasing dramatically in northern Europe.

Symptoms include fever, lethargy, ulcers or sores in the mouth or nose, and reduced milk yield.

Following confirmation of Wales's first case, the Welsh government called on farmers to be vigilant and to practice safe sourcing of livestock.

It said further investigations were taking place on the farm affected to determine whether additional controls were needed.

The Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Gavin Watkins said the cases identified in Gwynedd were from animals brought into Wales.

We will apply measures to stop the disease spreading from these three sheep and our aim remains to keep Wales free of bluetongue," he said.

It is important to talk to your vet and practice safe-sourcing of livestock, to protect our herds and flocks and keep any further disease out of Wales.

I would urge all farmers and others who keep ruminants and camelids to be vigilant for the signs of Bluetongue and to report any suspect cases to APHA immediately.

We have been raising awareness of the disease with vets and industry and appreciate their help in communicating the risks to animal keepers in Wales.

It comes as Defra recently permitted the use of the currently available unauthorised BTV-3 vaccines, subject to licence.

The department recommends farmers and animal keepers to work with their veterinarians to decide if vaccination is right for their animals.

To prioritise initial supplies, a general licence allows those in high-risk counties of England to use the vaccine.

Specific licences can be applied for through APHA by animal keepers elsewhere in England who wish to use the vaccine

BTV is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of BTV in animals in England must be reported to APHA on 03000 200 301, 03003 038 268 in Wales or a local Field Services Office in Scotland.
Elizabeth Olsen has nightmares where she is murdered.

Elizabeth Olsen has nightmares where she is shot and killed

The 35-year-old actress eloped with Robbie Arnett, 32, in 2019 and they now live in a rural part of northern California but she admitted that she has "died in a lot of dreams" and ends up thinking she is in "darkness" as she sleeps.

She told The Observer: "Ive died in a lot of dreams. Ive been shot in the head and killed. And its like, now I have cold blood rushing down my head, and its darkness."

The 'His Three Daughters' star - who is the sister of former actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - admitted that she feels "calm" whenever she leaves her home country and arrives in the UK because she is "always worried" about violence in the US, where laws on guns are a lot more relaxed.

She said: "I got in [to central London] last night and this morning, the immediate moment I stepped outside and had a coffee, Im just calmed. Were always worried about random acts of violence in the United States without even really processing that. And I know theres violence everywhere, not everywhere is perfect, and there are certainly things to be angry about and to be scared of, but there's just a calm I feel here."

The 'WandaVision' star has dealt with her fair share of anxiety in the past and has had to learn how to find "some control" in how she deals with it.

She said: "I've gone through phases of [anxiety]. No one talked panic attacks in the mid-2000s. I thought it meant you just write a list and check things off and get over it. I didnt realise it was something you had no control over, but I had to figure out how to have some control."
 Flash

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivers a speech at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 28, 2024. [Photo/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered a speech at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday.

Wang warned against any expansion of the Ukraine crisis. "The top priority is to commit to no expansion of the crisis, no escalation of the tension and no provocation by any party," he said, urging efforts to push for the de-escalation of the situation at an early date.

He said China is committed to playing a constructive role, as well as engaging in shuttle mediation and promoting peace talks regarding the crisis.

On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Wang said there must not be any delay in reaching a comprehensive ceasefire in the Middle East, and the fundamental way out lies in the two-state solution.

China always supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights and supports Palestine's full UN membership, he said.
Harry Hamlin didn't eat cheese until he was "famished and broke" in college.

Harry Hamlin has also recalled what he ordered on his first date with Lisa Rinna

The 72-year-old actor considers himself to be a bit of a foodie but admitted that it wasn't until his years prior to fame as as a student that he sampled the common dairy item for the first time.

He told UsWeekly: "I didnt eat one morsel of cheese until I was a sophomore in college. I was famished and broke, and the only thing in the fridge at the frat house was a two-pound block of cheddar!"

The 'Clash of the Titans' star is now a big fan of most cheeses, but noted that he still avoids the "the stinky stuff" to this day.

The Hollywood actor is married to 'Real Housewives' star Lisa Rinna and has Delilah, 26, and Amelia, 23. with her and recalled that on his first date with his now-wife, he ordered a dish that led the waiter to proclaim that they were destined for one another.

Harry - who also has son Dimitri, 44, with Ursula Andress - said: "[I ordered] s paghetti with garlic and oil at Toscana in Brentwood. The waiter told us we were soulmates!"

Harry has launched the new cooking show 'In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin' andrecently explained that he often takes on the main kitchen duties in his house so is able to rustle up things that are to his tatste.

He said: "I cook every day in my house mainly because I like what I like and I want to eat what I like, and if somebody else is cooking, its not going to be what I like. So its very selfish of me to cook for myself and for the family."
Josh Brolins life has always been romantic with his wife.

Josh Brolins life has always been romantic with his wife

The Goonies actor, 56, got hitched to partner Kathryn Boyd Brolin, 36, in 2016 after two divorces and on Saturday (28.09.24) paid a poetic tribute to her and their relationship on Instagram just after their eighth wedding anniversary and a total of 10 years together.

He said alongside a photo of his wife smiling at the camera on a street at night somewhere in Europe: This is the anniversary Im celebrating. Over a decade with this then fledgling, now veteran from under the circus tent.

This Europe on us, the pride to be able to roam and wander and wake up before the sun came up, sober and in heat.

The sweet charity of our stupid reigned  the worse decisions, the better  and fun captured us in its talons.

This life has always been romantic with you. Let us not become too practical with it all.

The stale Medusa politics that turn our dance to stone we must be weary of, for without our sense of wonderment we grow older and older and closer to the chuckle that might even define us by the end.

To you. To us. Amen.

Actress Kathryn also shared a photo of her and Josh on their wedding day to mark their anniversary.

Their official wedding anniversary was 24 September, and Kathryn wrote in her post commemorating the landmark: 8 Years... (planet and star emojis.)

She then quoted the poem Lines for Ponce de Leon by Myron H Broomell, adding in her caption: Ageless at 40, as at 80 fade. The virgin kiss and the approaching spade, the lovers of their past in thought behold.

Each ravished hope bestowing happy gold  Knowing so well what it was like to live, they still would have what now no death can give.

Josh and Kathryn  who have daughters Westlyn, five, and three-year-old Chapel  took their romance public on a trip to Rome in 2014, after reportedly meeting on set when she was an assistant the year before.

Father-of-four Josh also has son Trevor, 26, and actress daughter Eden, 29, with his first wife Alice Adair, who he married in 1988 and divorced six years later.








Indian parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor reacted to the submission on social media calling it "utterly astonishing" for the UK to send a Hindi-language film with an Indian cast. Filmmakers, including Leena Manimekalai, have praised the film, with Manimekalai expressing how deeply moved she was by the emotions conveyed in Santosh. The film has already made waves after its Cannes Film Festival premiere earlier this year.





With the Oscars shortlist set to be announced on 17 December , Santosh will compete against Kiran Raos Laapataa Ladies, India's official entry. Sandhya Suri is known for her previous work, including the BAFTA-nominated short The Field. The film's success marks a significant moment for UK cinemas global representation.

The UK has submitted Santosh, a Hindi-language crime thriller directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, as its official entry for the 2025 Oscars International Feature Film category. The film stars Shahana Goswami as a recently widowed woman caught up in a young girls murder investigation. Set in Lucknow, Santosh has gained international praise for its gripping storyline and emotional depth.
Education must come first in our global efforts to defeat poverty, defend the planet and demand equity.

NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At this weekend's Global Citizen Festival, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Executive Director Yasmine Sherif lit up the stage in New York's Central Park with her passionate call to expand support for education for crisis-affected girls and boys around the world. Sherif joined Rachel Brosnahan onstage in calling for expanded action to ensure education for all - especially children and adolescents impacted by armed conflicts, climate-induced disasters and protracted crises.

ECW's partnership with Global Citizen and other key champions has brought together citizens from across the globe to accelerate ECW's resource mobilization efforts, resulting in over US$1.6 billion mobilized to date. Leading up to the festival, thousands of individuals took action through Global Citizen's campaign to support education for all through Education Cannot Wait. Throughout the day, a wide range of world leaders, celebrities and advocates - including headliners such as LISA from Blackpink, Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, RAYE, Hugh Jackman and Dr. Jane Goodall - took to the Global Citizen stage with a common goal to defeat poverty, defend the planet and demand equity.

"Every child deserves a future irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity or politics - no matter who or where they are. This is a human imperative. Every child deserves an education. Every child deserves to reach their potential in safety, be it in Ukraine, Gaza, Afghanistan or Chad," said Sherif. "We are proud today to be committing US$90 million towards quality education for children in Ukraine, Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Iraq and Syria to ensure that they are equipped to realize their dreams and build a future, just like all of us. We are also committing US$27 million for emergency education support for the children of Haiti, Gaza, Lebanon, Eastern Congo and Sudan. Thank-you Global Citizen - and all of you - for being part of our mission to deliver education to children in crisis, for making the world a better, fairer and more humane place."

When Education Cannot Wait was founded in 2017, it was estimated that 75 million crisis-impacted children needed ECW's support in accessing quality, holistic education opportunities. That number has tripled to 224 million today - that's more than the populations of Australia, France, Italy and the United Kingdom combined.

Brutal wars have exacerbated the issue, stretched foreign aid budgets, and derailed progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Without additional measures, by 2030 an astonishing 300 million children will lack basic numeracy and literacy skills worldwide. Just as concerning, 1 in 4 young people are either out of school, out of a job, or out of a training programme to join the work force, and girls are twice as likely as boys to be impacted by this critical situation.

The challenges are especially strong in the world's forgotten crises. Approximately half of all out-of-school children in emergencies are concentrated in only eight countries: Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sudan. In Nigeria alone 20 million children are out of school; in Sudan, 18 million children are out of school. Without the safety and protection of a quality education they face an uncertain future, recruitment into armed groups, child marriage and other grave violations of their human rights. Even when they are in school, millions more children are falling further behind.

Despite the growing needs, overall humanitarian funding for education dropped for the first time in over a decade last year, decreasing by 3%, from US$1.2 billion in 2022 to US$1.17 in 2023, according to ECW's Annual Results Report.

Against all odds, ECW and its strategic partners are achieving significant results. Since ECW became operational in 2017, ECW's investments have reached 11 million children and adolescents, including 5.6 million girls and boys in 2023 alone. The global fund is calling on world leaders, businesses, philanthropic foundations and high-net-worth individuals to provide US$600 million in urgent funding to reach 20 million children through the Fund's four-year strategic plan. Financing education is an investment in all of humanity without discrimination.

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SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 6G Conference held in Istanbul, on September 24, 2024, Dr. Wen Tong, Huawei Wireless CTO, delivered a keynote speech on 6G standardization and innovation. With the release of the ITU-R 6G vision framework, the 3GPP will start 6G standardization in 2025. "6G is a new generation of mobile technology, not a simple upgrade of 5G, it should bring new value to users," said Dr. Tong, "6G is a true intergenerational technological disruption. 6G standard, key technologies, and network architecture should be re-defined based on application scenarios and requirements from 2030 to 2040. 6G should not be another way to implement 5G. Instead, 6G should embrace the AI revolution with a quantum leap and generate new values for the consumers. In this way, 3GPP standards can truly realize the 6G vision and create greater value for the entire industry."

Centered "6G Standardization Direction" and "6G Innovation Driving Force", Dr. Tong shared important views on the future architecture, terminal development, and key technologies of 6G.

In terms of architecture design, 6G should go beyond Service-Based Architecture and move towards Application-Driven Network.

5G has already achieved market success and continues to evolve towards 5G-Advanced. 6G will not simply reuse 5G network architecture, without generational and fundamental innovations, which will limit the mobile industry's aspiration and imagination to dive the innovation in the 6G era. 6G must have obvious cross-generational characteristics and technical breakpoint.

On the core side, reusing the 5G core network will hinder the innovation in AI. We should use Agentic-AI based technology to re-architect 6G Core that goes beyond 5G Service-Based Architecture and support the foundational capabilities of AI, Sensing and NTN , and thus evolve towards the Application Driven Network .

In terms of terminal evolution, 6G user device calls for a breakthrough to lead the success of the entire industry chain.

It is the law of the mobile industry to drive the evolution of the market with the pioneering technology. The 6G networks and 6G terminals must meet the requirements of consumers and vertical industries in the 6G market phase from 2030 to 2040.

Currently, smartphones are evolving to AI terminals to usher in the mobile AI era. In post-MBB era, breakthroughs in terminal technologies will be the key to the evolution of the mobile industry. Therefore, 6G user device calls for a breakthrough towards "Full-AI", thus to drive 6G network upgrade and the success of the entire industry ecosystem.

In terms of technology development, AI will become a key enabler for 6G with network paradigm shifting.

Twenty years ago, the Internet was the enabler of the technology innovations. Mobile communications embraced the Internet and achieved great business success. Today, AI maybe the disruptive enabler of the latest technology innovations.

6G should embrace the AI revolution with a quantum leap. However, 6G networks should not be limited to generative AI, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Embodiment-AI are the main directions of future AI development. Therefore, AGI should run through the whole process of sensing, reasoning, decision, and action of terminals, wireless networks, and core networks of 6G, to welcome the arrival of a new network paradigm.

At the end, Dr. Tong Wen emphasized the relationship between 5G and 6G: "The global 5G deployment is on the rise and evolving to 5G-Advanced, which not only meets the current requirements of operators, but also protects their investment. Therefore, 6G technologies should not overlap with 5G in technologies and market space. The specifications, technologies, and architecture of 6G must be based on the scenarios and requirements from 2030 to 2040. We should focus on true generational technology disruption, embrace the new opportunities brought by AI, expand the mobile industry in the next generation."

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syte, a Munster, Germany-based AI powered real estate startup, raised approx. 5M in Seed funding.

The round was led by the companies of the Schwarz Group, with participation from Vantage Value and vent.io, as well as existing investors High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF), Moritz Luck and Fabian Axthelm.

The company intends to use the funds to digitise and decarbonise the real estate industry through an AI-based data platform and B2B SaaS.

Led by CEO Matthias Zuhlke and CTO David Nellessen, syte provides banks, estate agents, developers, and planners with an AI-based data platform featuring property data in real-time. The platform gives access to data related to property searches, construction potential, project calculations, and energy efficiency.

In addition to the investor funds, syte secured 800K for the ENERsyte project as part of the Grune Grundungen.NRW funding competition.

FinSMEs

29/09/2024
In a video, shared by a papparazzo, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was seen holding Aaradhyas hand as they walked out of the Mumbai airport. read more

After attending the IIFA Utsavam Awards, where Aishwarya Rai bagged the Best Actress award for her performance in Ponniyin Selvan 2, the former Miss World is back to bay as she was spotted at the Mumbai airport along with daughter Aaradhya.

In a video, shared by a papparazzo, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was seen holding Aaradhyas hand as they walked out of the Mumbai airport.

In the last night, at the IIFA Utsavam green carpet, when a journalist asked Aishwarya about Aaradhya accompanying her at the events, she replied, Listen, you are a mother, and you know best. We are all human beings, we are not gonna sit and advise each other or share with each other. There is no notebook or rulebook were all born with. So you do you, and you are incredible with your daughter. Blessings and love.

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While one fan praised Aaradhya and commented, culture is bigger than her age, another commented, Even though she is a kid she has lot of attitude on her face.

Aishwarya Rai has arrived with her daughter Aaradhya and her manager Archana Sadanand for Le Defile LOreal Paris 2024 Paris Fashion Week.#AishwaryaRai G.O.A.T. 

AV courtesy - https://t.co/wlDP8na8ye

Watch the event live in 26 hours at https://t.co/R7FLnjAPZ9 pic.twitter.com/QsuHRhjbAj  Aishwarya Rai Adorer Arijit Bhattacharya (@Aishusforever) September 22, 2024

Recently, the Ponniyin Selvan 2 actress took the social media storm with her grace and style at Paris Fashion Week 2024.

Camila Cabello com Eva Longoria e Aishwarya Rai no Le Defile, de LOreal Paris pic.twitter.com/wUCKXtoXDK  Portal Camila Brasil (@portalcamilabr) September 23, 2024

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In the viral video, Aishwarya and Aaradhya are seen walking down the steps twinning in black outfits. While Aishwarya donned a long blazer coat paired with black stilettos, Aaradhya mirrored her mothers vibe with an all-black outfit accented with gold details.
Afghanistan is one of only two countries, alongside neighbouring Pakistan, where polio has continued to spread. So the news that the Taliban have suspended polio vaccination will probably have major consequences for the control of the disease in the country and the surrounding region read more

The suspension is temporary, according to the Taliban, and is due to security fears and the fact that women are involved in administering the vaccine. Reuters

The Taliban recently announced that they are suspending its polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan. The announcement was made shortly before the campaign was due to start.

The suspension is temporary, according to the Taliban, and is due to security fears and the fact that women are involved in administering the vaccine.

Poliovirus is a highly infectious virus that mainly affects children under the age of five, but anyone who is unvaccinated can be infected. The virus spreads from person to person mainly through traces of contaminated faeces on peoples hands getting into their mouths or, less commonly, through contaminated food or water.

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It initially infects the intestines, leading to symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache and vomiting in the early stages of the disease. But, as the infection progresses, the virus can invade the nervous system, often leading to paralysis. In the worst cases, affected children will die as the paralysis spreads to the muscles that control breathing.

Polio was a major global childhood health concern in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, the development of polio vaccines has given us the ability to prevent polio-induced paralysis. There are two main types of polio vaccine: live-attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), made from weakened poliovirus, and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV).

Following the introduction of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, OPV and IPV have nearly eliminated the disease. Yet polio remains a global threat, as was seen recently with the emergence of polio in the Gaza Strip.

Vaccination drive in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is one of only two countries, alongside neighbouring Pakistan, where polio has continued to spread. So the news that the Taliban have suspended polio vaccination will probably have major consequences for the control of the disease in Afghanistan and the surrounding region.

Afghanistan is one of only two countries, alongside neighbouring Pakistan, where polio has continued to spread. Reuters

Earlier in 2024, Afghanistan had used a house-to-house vaccination strategy, recommended by the WHO, for the first time in five years. This tactic ensures that most children have access to the vaccine. However, in the southern Kandahar province, the Taliban used a mosque-to-mosque vaccination campaign, which has been proven to be less effective. So Kandahar is believed to have a large number of unvaccinated children who are now susceptible to infection.

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Locally, this setback in vaccination not only poses a risk to the children of Afghanistan, but also poses a risk to children in bordering Pakistan. This is due to the high levels of movement across the borders between the two countries.

Afghanistan is the only neighbour from where Afghan people in large numbers come to Pakistan and then go back, Anwarul Haq, the coordinator at the National Emergency Operation Centre for Polio Eradication, told Associated Press.

Wider spread in the country

Afghanistan has already seen an increase in paralytic polio cases in 2024, rising from six in 2023 to 14 confirmed cases in 2024 so far. Paralysis occurs in about one in 200 infections, so this increase in paralytic polio suggests a much wider spread of infection in the region. This includes Pakistan, which has reported 13 cases so far this year.

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With the reduced number of vaccinations and an increasing number of children vulnerable to polio infection, we are likely to see an increased number of paralytic polio cases in the near future. This potential increase in viral spread coupled with the number of people travelling in and out of the region may lead to the spread of polio beyond Afghanistan and Pakistan and into areas such as India and Iran.

Unfortunately, those who are not vaccinated will also be susceptible to vaccine-derived poliovirus. This is where the OPV vaccine, which contains a weakened version of the virus, has been able to spread in areas with low vaccination coverage, allowing the virus to return to virulence.

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This has seen new vaccine-derived outbreaks seeded across several countries in Africa, Asia and West Asia, which now accounts for most paralytic polio cases worldwide.

Lee Sherry, Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
While adressing countrymen on the Mann Ki Baat program, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also urged the countrymen to join the campaign for cleaniness under Swachh Bharat Mission read more

As Prime Minister Narendra Modis radio show Mann ki Baat is set to complete ten years on October 3, he thanked the listeners of the program for being the real anchors.

On 114th episode of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, PM Modi said, The listeners of Mann Ki Baat are the real anchors of this program. A commonly held belief has become so ingrained that as long as there are no spicy or negative conversations, it does not receive much attention. But Mann Ki Baat has proved that how hungry the people of the country are, for positive information. People like positive stories, inspiring examples, encouraging stories very much.

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On 10 years of Mann Ki Baat program, he said, The 10 year long journey of Mann Ki Baat has created a garland of sorts in which, every episode encompasses new sagas, new records; new personalities get added to it. Whatever work is taking place in our society with a sense of collectiveness, it gets recognition through Mann Ki Baat. My heart also swells with pride when I read the letters that come for Mann Ki Baat.

While adressing countrymen on the Mann Ki Baat program, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also urged the countrymen to join the campaign for cleaniness under Swachh Bharat Mission.

We have to connect as many people as possible with the ongoing campaign for cleanliness. And this is not a campaign for one day or one year; it is a task to be undertaken continuously for ages. This is work to be done until cleanliness becomes our nature. I request all of you to take part in the cleanliness campaign along with your family, friends, neighbours or colleagues, PM Modi said.

He also congratulated the countrymen on the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Due to the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission the Waste to Wealth mantra is becoming popular among people. People have started talking about Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, PM Modi added in the 114th episode of Mann Ki Baat.
In recent months, Israeli intelligence outfits and their firepower with precision strikes appear to have redeemed themselves since the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas, whose unprecedented success not only derailed the pace of rapprochement between Arab states and the Jewish state but also raised questions about the much-acclaimed, even if spurious and clandestine yet highly successful operations.

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with his hawkish political bedfellow, could never have tolerated it, as it would have been a last nail in his political coffin. Hence, he took the risk of alienating even his closest allies, making it an issue of the very existence of Israel, and went all out in Gaza, flattening it out unmindful of thousands of civilian casualties and leaving humanitarian disaster questions unheeded.

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Netanyahu did not care much for the domestic discontent and international concerns, including the International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court rulings and warrants, or for that matter, UN General Assembly and UN Security Council resolutions, as one of its ambassadors even wanted it to be bombed, and the other one called the ongoing UNGA a circus. He unflinchingly went on in Gaza, decimating and destroying Hamas capabilities to the extent that they no longer remained a major threat while finding excuses with any ceasefire deals.

Reports indicated that after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, in Tehran (which openly Israel did not own up so as not to give Tehran a pretext of violation of its sovereignty and hence direct retaliation), new leader Yahya Sinwar and family were offered an exit as the precision and random bombings continued. Sinwar appears to have been incommunicado.

In the near term, Bibi may have redeemed himself, and being a political fighter, he may face the Commission of Enquiry with some credibility while the Palestinian lives did not matter. The fact that the international community became a mute spectator to this mayhem with anodyne statements is a testament to the pervasive unilateralism not only among the superpowers but the middle and smaller powers can also get away with it. Only fall out of the mayhem is that Palestinian issue is back on the burner even though resolution may be way off.

For over a year, Hezbollah was continuing to maintain pressure on the Northern Front of Israel, forcing around 70,000 Israelis to leave their homes, which became a priority once Netanyahu sailed through Gaza. He adopted the decapitation strategy to deal with Hezbollah. In the meantime, skirmishes remained below a certain threshold. But Israeli intelligence agencies were working overtime to identify and locate and, with exemplary precision, kill the military leadership of Hezbollah to debilitate their capacity and coordination matrix.

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As the international pressure kept on mounting, especially at the UNGA delegates after delegates accused Israel of provoking a regional escalation and war as Iran tried to play a good boy by maintaining strategic patience as far as its direct intervention was concerned, Netanyahu signed off in New York itself, in consultation with his American benefactors, the death warrant for the Hezbollah leaders, including its head, Hassan Nasrallah, which is the biggest blow to them and some relief to the Lebanese government as well as other Arab states that had no love lost either with Hamas or Hezbollah.

They might feel a sense of elation as the proxy power of Iran may have been impacted, as in the wake of Hezbollah assassinations, the Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamanei was taken to a secured location. He eulogised the slain leader Nasrallah, stating, The wicked entity of the Zionist regime has not achieved victory in this incident, for Sayyed of Resistance was not merely an individual; he was a path and a school of thought, and this path will continue.

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The Iranian Foreign Ministry followed up with a warning: The consequences of Seyed Hassan Nasrallahs assassination are directed at Israel and America. Israels actions will never go unpunished. Iran will use all its capacities to support the people of Palestine and Lebanon.

Although, overtly, Netanyahu warned that his tirade was against the non-state actor and terrorist organisation Hezbollah and not against Lebanon, the collateral casualties and violation of sovereignty of a helpless state are a big question mark for the so-called rules-based order, which is trying to stand on its crippled legs.

The fact that the command and control matrix of political and military leadership of the most powerful of the 4HsHamas (Gaza), Hezbollah (Lebanon & Syria) , Houthis (Yemen), and Kataib Hezbollah (Iraq)has been decimated, and the ease with which they have been eliminated clearly points to their strategic weakness internally and attests to the exceptional capability of Mossad and others to infiltrate.

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Technology has been a game changer as the chaos and fear that was engineered when a few weeks ago hundreds of Lebanese were killed and thousands injured in the blasting of pagers and handsets. This also provoked fear across the world and was condemned widely since using communication devices and networks as IEDs has unprecedented security ramifications.

As President Joe Biden bids farewell at the UNGA and Future Summit, he has asked Netanyahu to accept the ceasefire deal so that the plight of Gazans could be relieved and around the remaining hundred Israeli hostages are released. Of course, day-after scenarios in Gaza and Lebanon will be of equal importance. Hopefully, Netanyahu will not indulge in ground invasion and further adventurism in Southern Lebanon, which will be far more disastrous and dangerous even for the Jewish state, although the IDF Chief of Staff, General Herzi Halevi, claims that this is not the end of our (Israels) toolbox.

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Peace is the only security at the end of the day.

The author is the former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta and is currently a Distinguished Fellow with Vivekananda International Foundation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Sri Lankas newly elected Presidents predicament is clear: Marxism may galvanise the dissatisfied, but it cannot substitute for sound economic policy read more

Caught between domestic desperation and the manacles of foreign debt, Sri Lankas Marxist leader and newly elected president Anura Kumara Dissanayake finds himself in a predicament that Karl Marx never envisaged. As the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Dissanayake champions a red-tinted vision of social welfare, redistribution, on anti-capitalist afterburners. However, Sri Lankas fiscal realities stall the engine.

Bereft of capital reserves and plagued by an anaemic foreign exchange situation, the island nation faces a bitter truth: ideological fervour cannot replenish the coffers. Its a classic Catch-22 situation where Dissanayakes Marxist agenda promises populist appeal but risks exacerbating the very economic malaise it seeks to cure. Far from a solution, his leftward lurch risks consigning Sri Lanka to an even deeper quagmire.

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Marxist Ambitions, Economic Realities

The appeal of Marxism in Sri Lanka is understandable, given the historical inequities and public disillusionment with market-orientated policies only fattening the elite. Dissanayakes rhetoric taps into a deep ocean of discontent.

Yet Sri Lankas current fiscal environment renders such promises dangerously utopian. The nations depleted foreign reserves, which oscillate perilously close to insolvency, offer no cushion for grandiose social spending.

The promised cancellation of contracts, including port concessions to India, will unsettle foreign investors and set back desperately needed growth.

Sri Lanka exports goods worth $6.7 billion to India, dwarfing the mere $2 billion exported to China. This asymmetry underscores a broader economic imbalance: India, with its proximity and complementary market dynamics, offers Sri Lanka a far more viable trading partner than China.

Tamil Nadu has a nominal GDP of $200 billion, dwarfing Sri Lanka at $80 billion. Its a no-brainer.

Then there is the debt. Sri Lanka owes China a staggering $20 billion over the last decadefour times the amount owed to India. These debts are not merely figures on a balance sheet; they are the hangmans noose around the nations neck, tightening with every missed repayment and restructuring.

So Dissanayakes ascent to power also comes with the unenviable task of navigating the delicate geopolitical tightrope between India and China.

Another major problem is that without foreign direct investment, the nation cannot grow on the organic path. There is simply not enough sophistication in its financial market nor a big enough consuming class.

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For Sri Lanka, the path to organic growth is riddled with roadblocks. The nations key industriestextiles, tourism, and agricultureare under severe strain. The tourism sector, once a buoyant source of foreign exchange, has been decimated by years of political instability, the 2019 Easter bombings, and the pandemic. Textile exports, though still a significant economic driver, face stiff competition from regional players like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India.

Dissanayakes predicament is clear: Marxism may galvanise the dissatisfied, but it cannot substitute for sound economic policy. For Sri Lanka, the only viable route out of its malaise lies in market integration, particularly with India. This path, though unpalatable to Dissanayakes ideological base, offers access to a vast, growing market and the potential for economic synergy that Chinese debt simply cannot replicate. India can wait it out.

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When the tsunami hits, heading to higher ground is the only option, as Sri Lanka well knows.

The writer is a senior journalist with expertise in defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
From the outset, the manner in which the accused were listed, is clearly indicative of the fact that the complainant did not intend to plead for justice but rather aimed to score a political brownie point read more

In a rather perplexing turn of events, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bangalore passed an order directing an FIR to be registered for extortion and criminal conspiracy against the Finance Minister of India (Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman); unknown officials of the Enforcement Directorate, the President of the Bhartiya Janata Party (Shri J.P. Nadda); other office bearers of the Bhartiya Janata Party at the national level; Shri Naleen Kumar Kateel and two other accused.

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In a nutshell, the complaint accused the above mentioned accused of entering into a criminal conspiracy to extort money from corporate entities by coercing them to purchase electoral bonds. However, on a mere glance at the complaint two aspects stand out. First, it was of no surprise that the complainant chose to file the complaint in the State of Karnataka, a rather friendly regime for the Congress party. Second, the allegations mentioned in the compliant are so vague and ludicrous, that no reasonable man would believe that the contents of the complaint make out any criminal case against the accused. In fact, what was further interesting is the manner in which this matter proceeded before the trial court.

From the outset, the manner in which the accused were listed, is clearly indicative of the fact that the complainant did not intend to plead for justice but rather aimed to score a political brownie point. This in itself, I would argue should merit the dismissal of this complaint. Further, since the complaint was filed on April 15, 2024, the matter was listed eighteen times What appears to be striking is that for these months, both the complainant and his advocates were conspicuously absent. Notably, in September alone, on the 9th, 19th, and 26th, the court records plainly stated, complainant is absent; no representation.

Thereafter, on September 27, 2024, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, passed an unreasoned order directing the registration of an FIR. If one were to analyse the order of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, any lawyer would fairly concede that such a complaint ought to have been dismissed on the mere ground that no officials from the Enforcement Directorate were named and the term office bearer of the BJP remains vague and defined. Simply put, there is no place for a fishing and roving enquiry of this nature in the criminal jurisprudence of our country. If we were to further analyse the claim of the complainant that it appears accused no. 1 pressed the services of accused no. 2 to conduct raids, seizures, and arrests of various corporations, their CEOs, MDs, etc, it is evident that such a claim is baseless and it lacks any substantive evidence. Rather, the order passed by the judicial officer gives the impression that a conspiracy is being hatched, the other way round, to subjecting the entire BJP leadership to an investigation based solely on vague and baseless accusations. I would argue that such an approach to justice is not only deeply flawed but also concerning as it has received the stamp of a judicially trained mind.

Another aspect that stands out in this situation is that the allegations in the complaint were levelled at two companies: Aurobindo Pharma and Vedanta. Neither of these companies have filed any complaints nor is there an iota of a whisper of any case of extortion. In such a case, the question that arises is on the locus of the complaint. Is he a part of any of these companies or is he merely a political person aiming to shoot a bullet through the shoulders of a friendly regime in the State of Karnataka.

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At this juncture, if we are to take a step back and view the issue of electoral bonds vis-a-vis allegations of quid pro quo, we can turn our attention to the recent decision of the Supreme Court of India in the case of Common Cause & Anr vs. Union of India (W.P. (Civil) No. 206/2024), dated 02/08/2024. In this case, the Petitioner filed a plea seeking court-monitored investigation into the electoral bonds scheme based on allegations of quid pro quo between corporate houses and political parties. The Supreme Court of India categorically rejected such an argument as it dismissed the petition by observing that constituting a Special Investigation Team under Article 32 of the Constitution of India would be unnecessary when remedies under ordinary criminal law were available. Moreover, even if the judicial officer in the State of Karnataka sought to have relied on this decision, he failed to apply his mind to conclude as to whether the allegations constituted a cognizable offence or emboldened a fishing and roving inquiry that would please a set of compulsive contrarians.

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Therefore, when we view this issue in its entirety, there are few takeaways. First, little is left to be said regarding the contents of the criminal complaint, the manner in which the judicial officer applied his mind and the manner in which he passed such an unreasoned order. Second, this issue further reflects the underlying trend where disgruntled political workers who have been defeated time and again in the arena of the public are turning to courts of law to achieve their ends. Third, this case also calls for reflection by the Supreme Court of India, albeit on a wider scope, as to how judicial restraint is necessary especially at a time when our criminal courts are being clogged with politically flavoured cases.

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The author is a Managing Partner at Parinam Law Associates and is the Vice President of Mumbai BJP. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The Falcon 9, with a reduced two-man crew, was launched on a flight to the International Space Station on Saturday read more

SpaceX launched what soon turned out to be a rescue mission to retrieve two stranded astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. The Falcon 9, with a reduced two-man crew, was launched on a flight to the International Space Station on Saturday. The spacecraft launched along with supplies and a pair of two empty seats for the Starliner astronauts who are waiting to come back home in February.

It is pertinent to note that the mission is running two days late because of high winds, rains, and clouds that engulfed the skies by Hurricane Helene. Falcon 9 roared to life and blasted off from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The rocket was launched at 1:17 pm (local time), climbing away on a northeasterly trajectory directly into the plane of the space stations orbit.

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Falcon 9 launches Crew-9, the first human spaceflight mission to launch from pad 40 in Florida pic.twitter.com/BYpPPtaKqm  SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 28, 2024

Falcon 9 launches Crew-9, the first human spaceflight mission to launch from pad 40 in Florida, the commercial space company headed by billionaire Elon Musk wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. The mission comprised of commander Nick Hague, a veteran NASA astronaut, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, making his first flight.

A mission to rescue Williams and Wilmore

It is pertinent to note that Crew Dragon was supposed to launch with four crew members. However, two Crew-9 astronauts  Stephanie Wilson and Zena Cardman, the original commander, were removed from the flight in August in order to make space for Williams and Wilmore. The astronauts are stranded in space for eight-and-a-half months after the Boeing Starliner witnessed a malfunction and was deemed not fit to carry astronauts back home.

The Saturday launch was also the first piloted space flight from pad 40 and the first ever from the Space Force station for SpaceX. The company has already launched 14 previous Crew Dragon missions from the historic pad 39A at the nearby Kennedy Space Center.

The Crew Dragon will be welcomed by Wilmore and Williams, who is now serving as the commander of the International Space Station, along with Soyuz MS-22 commander Aleksey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, and NASA astronaut Don Pettit, who were launched to space on September 11.
Austrian voters handed a first ever general election victory to the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) on Sunday, vote projections showed, underlining rising support for hard-right parties in Europe fueled by concern over immigration levels. read more

The leader of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), Herbert Kickl, attends the party's final election rally in Vienna, Austria, on September 27, 2024 - Reuters

Austrias far-right was ahead of the ruling conservatives in Sundays national vote, according to projections published by public broadcaster ORF, setting them up for a historic win.

According to projections based on postal voting and vote counts from stations that closed earlier Sunday, the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) stood at 29.1 percent of votes, against 26.2 percent for the conservative Peoples Party.

The Eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPO held a slim lead in opinion polls for months over Chancellor Karl Nehammers ruling conservative Austrian Peoples Party (OVP) in a campaign dominated by immigration and worries about the economy.

Led by Herbert Kickl, the FPO was projected to secure 29.1% of the vote, ahead of the OVP on 26.2%, and the centre-left Social Democrats on 20.4%, a projection by pollster Foresight for broadcaster ORF showed after polls closed.

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A separate projection by pollster Arge Wahlen also had the FPO coming first, winning by around 4 percentage points. The winner will fall short of an absolute majority, but will claim the right to lead a coalition.

If confirmed, Kickls victory may prove pyrrhic, as the 55-year-old is a polarising figure under whom other party leaders have refused to serve. He has given no indication so far he could step aside to ensure his party leads the government.

Whats at stake is whether the FPO will appoint the chancellor or not, Kathrin Stainer-Haemmerle, political science professor at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.

Should that happen, then I have to say the role of Austria in the European Union would be significantly different. Kickl has often said that (Hungarian Prime Minister) Viktor Orban is a role model for him and he will stand by him.

With inputs from agencies.
In February, Denmark sealed a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine, following similar deals by Germany, Britain and France. read more

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, paramedics give first aid to injured Emergency Service workers after Russian attacks on a medical center in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Photo- AP

Denmark will allocate 1.3 billion kroner ($194 million) to help Ukraine bolster its under-pressure arsenal against Russias aggression.

The Danish defence ministry said in a statement said that the weapons and equipment will be produced in Ukraine but financed by Denmark and frozen Russian assets.

The Scandinavian country, a steadfast backer of Ukraine since the war broke out in 2022, also announced the creation of a joint defence hub in Kyiv designed to help develop of new partnerships. Wars are not only won on the battlefield, but also in industry, Trade and Industry Minister Morten Bodskov said in a statement.

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Meanwhile, on Sunday, the management of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station said that Ukrainian forces had launched a new attack on a nearby electricity substation, destroying a transformer.

The Zaporizhzhia station, Europes largest with six reactors, was seized by Russian forces in the early days of Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Each side regularly accuses the other of attacking or plotting to attack the plant.

The plants management, writing on Telegram, said an artillery strike had hit the transformer at the Raduga substation in the town of Enerhodar in southeastern Ukraine.

It described the incident as yet another terrorist act aimed at destabilising the situation in the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plants satellite city.

Also posted was a photograph showing smoke billowing from the top of a building. It said power supplies to Enerhodar had not been interrupted.

The plants management accused the Ukrainian military on September 20 of attacking a second substation in Enerhodar.

The following day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha accused Russia of planning strikes on Ukrainian nuclear facilities before the winter. He provided no detailed explanation.

In another development, two consecutive Russian attacks on a medical center in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Saturday killed at least nine people, officials said.

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The first strike killed one person. Russia attacked again while patients and staff were evacuating, said Ukraines Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

Local officials in Sumy said Shahed drones were used in the attack. Twenty-one other people were wounded, Sumy Acting Mayor Artem Kobzar said.

Sumy lies some 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Russias Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops have made a surprise incursion since Aug. 6 in a bid to divert the Kremlins military focus away from the front line in Ukraine.

In Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region, a Russian airstrike on the village of Slatyne on Saturday killed three people and wounded three more, Kharkiv regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said.

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Syniehubov also said one person was killed in a drone attack in the nearby village of Kozacha Lopan.

Ukraines air force said it shot down 69 of 73 Russian drones launched overnight into Saturday as well as two of the four missiles. City authorities in Kyiv said around 15 drones had been shot down over the Ukrainian capital and its outskirts.

In Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys home city, local officials said Saturday that a mans body was found under the rubble of an administrative building hit by a Russian missile on Friday, bringing the death toll from that attack to four.

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In Russia, the Defense Ministry said Saturday that air defenses overnight had shot down four Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod region and one over the Kursk region, both areas bordering Ukraine.

One person was killed in Ukrainian shelling of the Russian border city of Shebekino on Saturday, Belgorod regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Two other people were wounded.

With inputs from agencies.
Israeli air strikes on Yemen killed four people on Sunday and wounded more than 30, Huthi media reported, after the Israeli military said it struck targets in the Iran-backed rebels territory including Hodeida. read more

Smoke plumes billow following Israeli bombardment on south Lebanon from a position along the border in northern Israel on September 29, 2024 Photo- AFP

Lebanons health ministry on Sunday said Israeli strikes killed nearly 50 more people after Israels military said it kept up its bombardment of Hezbollah targets there and also struck Yemen.

The bombing comes after an air strike on Beiruts densely populated southern suburbs on Friday killed Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Lebanons Hezbollah group which has been engaged in cross-border fire with Israel for almost a year.

The Lebanese health ministry said preliminary tolls showed 24 killed and 29 wounded in an Israeli strike near the main southern city of Sidon Sunday.

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It later reported that Israeli air raids on the Baalbek-Hemel area of eastern Lebanon killed 21 people and wounded 47, another provisional toll.

Four more died in a raid targeting Joub Jenin in the Bekaa area, the ministry said.

Israel also launched strikes at Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday after the Houthi militants fired missiles at Israel over the past two days, marking a fresh exchange in another front of the regional conflict.

The Israeli military said in a statement that dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets, attacked power plants and a seaport at the Ras Issa and Hodeidah ports.

The strikes caused power outages in most parts of the port city of Hodeidah, residents said.

Over the past year, the Houthis have been operating under the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias in order to attack the State of Israel, undermine regional stability, and disrupt global freedom of navigation, the statement said.

Yemens Houthi militants have fired missiles and drones at Israel repeatedly in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians, since the Gaza war began with a Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

In their latest attack, the Houthis said they had launched a ballistic missile on Saturday toward the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, which Israel said it intercepted. Israel also intercepted another Houthi missile on Friday.

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The Houthi movement earlier mourned Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, its ally in an Iran-backed alliance opposing Israel, following his death in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

With inputs from agencies.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Jewish nation had settled its score by killing Hezbollahs chief Hassan Nasrallah. On Saturday, the Israeli military confirmed that they managed to kill the militant groups chief following their strikes in Beirut. The death marked the end of the 37-year-long reign of Nasrallah over the Lebanese militant group.

While several nations hailed Israel for killing a terrorist, Iran vowed to take revenge for the assassination. Amid all the chaos, many expressed concerns about whether the Middle East crisis is spiralling down. We settled the score with the one responsible for the murder of countless Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French, Netanyahu said in his first statement since Nasrallahs death.

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It is pertinent to note that Israel launched strikes in Lebanon after Netanyahu in his address to the United Nations General Assembly, dismissed the ceasefire proposal and insisted that Israel will keep on fighting. During his recent address, which came a day after the Hezbollah chiefs death, Netanyahu alluded to the 1983 bombings in Beirut that killed 63 people at the US embassy and 241 US marines and 58 French paratroopers at their barracks.

  .  >> pic.twitter.com/pOdJS5Jl5k  Benjamin Netanyahu -   (@netanyahu) September 28, 2024

The Israeli Prime Minister said that as long as the terrorist (Nasrallah) was alive, he would quickly restore the capabilities we had eroded from Hezbollah in a series of recent operations. So, I gave the order  and Nasrallah is no longer with us," he remarked.

Israel is at a turning point

Commenting on the wider conflict in the Middle East, the Israeli premier insisted that his country is at the cusp of what appears to be a historic turning point in the fight against its enemies. Netanyahu, who has been facing criticism over his aggressive war policy at home and around the world, stated that the killing of the Hezbollah leader was essential for Israel to achieve its overall goal.

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Nasrallahs elimination is a necessary condition for achieving the goals we set: the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes and the long-term alteration of the balance of power in the region, he said. Netanyahu emphasised that the killing of Nasrallah would also help facilitate the return of hostages seized by Hamas during the October 7 attack.

The more (Hamas leader Yahya) Sinwar sees that Hezbollah will no longer come to his aid, the greater the chances of returning our captives," the Israeli leader averred. We are winning. We are determined to continue striking our enemies, returning our residents to their homes and bringing back all our hostages. We do not forget them for a moment, he concluded.

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Iran vows revenge

Meanwhile, shortly after Nasrallahs death, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel that its assassination of Nasrallah would not go unavenged. Khamenei also announced five days of mourning in Iran and called for an emergency meeting of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Not only this, Tehran also called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

In a letter to the UNSC, Irans envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, wrote that Tehran strongly warns against any attack on its diplomatic premises and representatives in violation of the foundational principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and reiterates that it will not tolerate any repeat of such aggression. Meanwhile, Russia also condemned the killing of Nasrallah and called it a political murder urging Israel to stop hostilities in Lebanon.

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It is important to note that the death of Nasrallah also throws the fate of the Lebanese state into question. Hezbollah is deeply embedded in the Middle Eastern nation and controls a key share of the parliament. The militant group exercises influence over several ministries, such as the directorate of general security. Lebanons foreign policy is largely dictated by the group, particularly when it comes to neighbouring states such as Israel.

With inputs from agencies.
The Finnish government was prompted to close all crossing points from Russia to Finland in late 2023 after more than 1,300 third-country migrants without proper documentation or visas  an unusually high number  entered the country in three months, just months after the nation became a member of NATO. read more

Norway may put a fence along part or all of the 198-kilometer (123-mile) border it shares with Russia, a minister said, a move inspired by a similar project in its Nordic neighbor Finland.

A border fence is very interesting, not only because it can act as a deterrent but also because it contains sensors and technology that allow you to detect if people are moving close to the border, Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said in an interview by the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK published late Saturday.

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She said the Norwegian government is currently looking at several measures to beef up security on the border with Russia in the Arctic north, such as fencing, increasing the number of border staff or stepping up monitoring.

The Storskog border station, which has witnessed only a handful of illegal border crossing attempts in the past few years, is the only official crossing point into Norway from Russia.

Should the security situation in the delicate Arctic area worsen, the Norwegian government is ready to close the border on short notice, said Enger Mehl, who visited neighboring Finland this summer to learn about how the entire 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) Finnish-Russian land border was closed.

To prevent Moscow using migrants in what the Finnish government calls Russias hybrid warfare, Helsinki is currently building fences with a total length of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) in separate sections along the border zone that makes up part of NATOs northern flank and serves as the European Unions external border.

Finnish border officials say fences equipped with top-notch surveillance equipment  to be located mostly around crossing points  are needed to better monitor and control any migrants attempting to cross over from Russia and give officials time to react.

Inspired by Finlands project, Enger Mehl said that such a fence could also be a good idea for Norway. According to NRK, her statement was supported by police chief Ellen Katrine Htta in Norways northern Finnmark county.

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Its a measure that may become relevant on all or part of the border between Norway and Russia, Enger Mehl said.

The Storskog border station is currently surrounded by a 200-meter (660 feet) long and 3.5-meter (12 feet) high fence erected in 2016 after some 5,000 migrants and asylum-seekers had crossed over from Russia to Norway a year earlier.
Hezbollah on Saturday confirmed Nasrallahs death, and on Sunday said Ali Karake, the groups top commander in south Lebanon, were killed in the Friday attack. Other names listed by the Israeli military include Abed al-Amir Muhammad Sablini and Ali Naaf Ayoub. read more

An Israeli walks past a graffiti depicting Hassan Nasrallah, the late leader of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, on a street in Tel Aviv on September 29, 2024. Image- AFP

More than 20 other members of the Lebanese armed group along with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah killed in an Israeli strike this week in Lebanons Beirut.

More than 20 other terrorists of varying ranks, who were present at the underground headquarters in Beirut located beneath civilian buildings, and were managing Hezbollahs terrorist operations against the state of Israel, were also eliminated, the military said in a statement that listed some of them.

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According to the statement, Ibrahim Hussein Jazini and Samir Tawfiq Dib who were among Nasrallahs closest associates had been killed. Due to their proximity to him, they served a significant role in the day-to-day operations of Hezbollah and Nasrallah in particular, it said.

Earlier today, Israel struck more targets in Lebanon on Sunday, pressing Hezbollah with new attacks after killing the Iran-backed groups leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and a string of its other top commanders in an escalating military campaign.

The attacks have dealt a stunning succession of blows to Hezbollah after almost a year of cross-border fire, killing much of its leadership and revealing gaping security holes. Israels defence minister is now discussing widening the offensive.

Following the death of Nasrallah - killed in a massive airstrike in Beirut on Friday - Hezbollah launched new fusillades of rockets into Israel, while Iran said his death would be avenged.

Israels intensifying bombardment has increased fears the conflict could spin out of control, potentially drawing in Iran as well as the United States, Israels closest ally.

Nasrallah had not only made Hezbollah into a powerful domestic force in Lebanon during his 32 years as leader, but helped turn it into the linchpin of Irans network of allied groups in the Arab world.

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Nasrallahs body was recovered intact from the site of Fridays strike, a medical source and a security source told Reuters on Sunday. Hezbollah has not yet said when his funeral will be held.

Supporters of the group and other Lebanese who hailed its role fighting Israel, which occupied south Lebanon for years, mourned him on Sunday.

We lost the leader who gave us all the strength and faith that we, this small country that we love, could turn it into a paradise, said Lebanese Christian woman Sophia Blanche Rouillard, carrying a black flag to work in Beirut.

The fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, their latest round of warfare in four decades of on-off conflict, has been waged in parallel with Israels war in Gaza against Hamas since the Iran-backed Palestinian groups attack on Israel last Oct. 7.

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Israels stated goal is to make its northern areas safe from Hezbollah rocket fire and allow thousands of displaced residents to return, but its strikes have also had a devastating impact on civilians in Lebanon.

Lebanons Health Ministry said more than 1,000 Lebanese were killed and 6,000 wounded in the past two weeks, without saying how many were civilians. The government said a million people - a fifth of the population - had fled their homes.

In Beirut, some displaced families spent the night on the benches at Zaitunay Bay, a string of restaurants and cafes on Beiruts waterfront. On Sunday morning, families with nothing more than a duffle bag of clothes had rolled out mats to sleep on and made tea for themselves.

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With inputs from agencies.
Protest rallies were also held in other parts of the country, with thousands of people taking part in them to condemn Israels action. The people who attended the rallies raised slogans against Israel and its long-time ally, the United States. read more

A woman holds a picture of Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as she attends a protest following the announcement of his death. - Representational Image- Reuters

Stone-throwing protesters in Pakistans southern city of Karachi clashed on Sunday with police who stopped them from reaching the U.S. consulate during demonstrations over Israels killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

The protesters were participating in a rally organised by the religiopolitical party Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) to condemn Israels killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.

Pakistani police used tear gas and batons to disperse protesters marching towards the US Consulate in Karachi. According to Karachi Police, the protesters deviated from their agreed-upon route and attempted to march towards the US Consulate on Mai Kolachi road. Senior Police official Asad Reza said that police intervened to maintain law and order after the protesters turned violent.

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When stopped by the police and reminded of their agreed route to peacefully protest, some of them turned violent and started pelting stones at the police in which some policemen were injured, Raza said.

According to eye-witnesses, several protesters began their rally from the Old Numaish roundabout and marched along the main MA Jinnah Road. When they descended from the Native Jetty Bridge and attempted to approach the US Consulate, police contingents stationed there prevented them from moving further. They later used tear gas shells and also baton-charged protesters to disperse them.

The police had already set up containers and created temporary barriers, which were removed by some of the protesters, including women and children.

Journalists covering the rally in Karachi said some of their reporters and photographers were also beaten and injured by the protesters.

Also, the Foreign Office on Sunday condemned what it called the growing Israeli adventurism and unbridled attacks against unarmed civilians in West Asia.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said that the reckless act of killing the Secretary General of Hezbollah constituted a major escalation in an already volatile region and pledged to stand in solidarity with the people of Lebanon.

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It also urged the United Nations Security Council to restrain Israel from its adventurism in the region and violations of international law and to restore peace in the Middle East.

Following the death of Nasrallah - killed in an airstrike in Beirut on Friday - Hezbollah fired new fusillades of rockets into Israel, while Iran said his death would be avenged.

With inputs from agencies.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a post on the Telegram messaging app that several residential buildings, the citys infrastructure, and railways were damaged in the strikes. read more

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out the fire after Russia attacked the city with guided bombs overnight in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. - AP

Russia on Sunday launched multiple guided bombs on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, resulting in at least 16 injuries and causing significant damage to railways, infrastructure, as well as residential and commercial buildings, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ivan Fedorov, the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, said that Russian forces hit three city districts with a total of 13 guided bombs between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. The strikes injured at least 16 people, including two children aged 8 and 17 years old, he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that the Zaporizhzhia attack had damaged the citys transport links. Today, Russia struck Zaporizhzhia with aerial bombs. Ordinary residential buildings were damaged and the entrance of one building was destroyed. The citys infrastructure and railway were also damaged, Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

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The Ukrainian military warned Saturday that Russian forces may be preparing for offensive operations in the wider Zaporizhzhia region. Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraines southern military command, said that Russia was amassing personnel in this direction.

Ukraines air force also reported that 22 Russian drones were launched over the country overnight. It said that 15 were shot down in Ukraines Sumy, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions and that five more were destroyed using electronic defenses. The fate of the remaining two drones was not specified.

The southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, an important logistical and industrial hub located about 50 km (30 miles) from the frontline, has been the target of intensified Russian-guided bomb strikes in recent weeks. Moscows troops partially occupy the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, which is also home to Europes largest nuclear power plant.

With inputs from agencies.
Lavrovs warning came just three days after Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at the countrys shift in nuclear doctrine read more

In a fiery speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned the West that they are trying to fight to victory with a nuclear power as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate. The speech from the Russian diplomat was packed with condemnation of what Russia sees as Western machinations in Ukraine and even in the UN.

Lavrovs warning came just three days after Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at the countrys shift in nuclear doctrine. During his address on Saturday, Lavrov accused the West of using Ukraine as a tool to try to defeat Moscow and preparing Europe for it to also throw itself into this suicidal escapade.

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Im not going to talk here about the senselessness and the danger of the very idea of trying to fight to victory with a nuclear power, which is what Russia is, the Russian diplomat averred.

Russia boasts about its nuclear prowess

It is pertinent to note that Putins recent announcement and Lavrovs address came at a time when Ukraine is seeking help from the West to launch long-range weapons into Russian territory. The surprise Kursk invasion by Ukraine in recent months also did not sit well with the Kremlin.

Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden met with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced an additional $2.7 billion in military aid for Ukraine. However, this did not include permission to use the type of long-range arms that Zelenskyy was seeking.

Whether or not they will provide the permission for Ukraine for long-range weapons, then we will see what their understanding was of what they heard, Lavrov said at a news conference following his speech on Saturday. On Wednesday, Putin stated that if attacked by any country supported by a nuclear-armed nation, Russia would consider it a joint attack.

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However, he did not specify whether that would bring a nuclear response, but he stressed that Russia could use nuclear weapons in response to a conventional assault that posed a critical threat to our sovereignty. Soon after the warning, the United States and the European Union referred to Putins statement as irresponsible.
Democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its territory, keeps a close watch on Chinese military drills given Beijings regular activities around the island, but only rarely releases details of what it sees taking place inside China. read more

This handout photograph taken on September 25, 2024 shows China launching an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. (Photo by AFP)

Taiwans Defence Ministry said on Sunday that it was on alert after detecting multiple waves of missile firing deep within inland China. This development comes days after China reported a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Taiwan, which is democratically governed and viewed by China as its territory, closely monitors Chinese military drills due to Beijings frequent activities around the island. However, Taiwan rarely releases details of what it observes taking place within China.

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The ministry said that starting from 6:50 a.m. (2250 GMT on Saturday) it had detected multiple waves of firing by Chinas Rocket Force and army in the provinces and regions of Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang, which all lie at least 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Taiwan.

Taiwans forces are continuously monitoring relevant developments, and air defence forces have maintained a high level of vigilance and strengthened their alert, the ministry added in a statement.

On Thursday, Taiwans Defence Ministry raised the alarm over a renewed surge of Chinese military activity around the island and live fire drills, accusing Beijing of policy instability.

Chinas military responded by saying its activities around Taiwan were legitimate and its drills would continue.

A day earlier, China said it had successfully conducted a rare launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, into the Pacific Ocean.

In August 2022, China fired missiles into the waters around Taiwan during war games to express anger at a visit to Taipei by then-Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

Taiwan operates powerful radar stations on some of the peaks of its central mountain range that can look far into China, according to security sources.

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With inputs from Reuters.
Of the seven competitive states that both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic rival, have a realistic shot at winning, Pennsylvania is the most populous and awards the most votes in the Electoral College, which in turn is used to select the overall winner of the election. read more

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate is set to hold a rally in Pennsylvania today, his fourth campaign stop in the state this month. Erie, located in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania, will host the former president at 2 pm local time.

This rally comes one month after his running mate, US Senator JD Vance held a similar event in the same city. Trump has another rally scheduled in western Pennsylvania for October 5.

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Pennsylvania has emerged as a crucial battleground state in the 2024 election, with many of Trumps allies considering it the most important state to win. The states significance stems from its large population and the substantial number of electoral votes it awards, making it a critical factor in determining the overall winner of the election.

In fact, among the seven competitive states that both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have a realistic chance of winning, Pennsylvania stands out as the most populous and electorally valuable.

Trump allies broadly believe that if the former president beats Harris there, he is likely to return to the White House. But if Trump loses to Harris in Pennsylvania, the vice president has the inside track, in their opinion.

In a reflection of the stakes, Harris and Trump have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on ads in Pennsylvania in the months before the election, more than any other state in both gross and per capita terms.

Erie, the site of Trumps rally, is a battleground inside a battleground. Erie County is one of two Pennsylvania counties that favored Trump in the 2016 election against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton before favoring President Joe Biden against Trump in 2020.

Trump narrowly won the state and the election overall in 2016, before losing both in 2020.

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This time around, Pennsylvania is again competitive, according to surveys. Harris leads Trump by 1.6 percentage points in the state, according to an average of polls maintained by polling and analysis website FiveThirtyEight. That difference is well within almost all polls margin of error.

Trumps next rally in Pennsylvania, on Oct. 5, will take place in Butler, about 100 miles (160 km) south of Erie. That town was the site of a failed assassination attempt on Trump in July. A bullet grazed the former presidents ear.

With inputs from agencies.
It looks like a bomb went off, said Georgias governor, Brian Kemp, after surveying the damage from the storm read more

Waves impact a house seawall as Hurricane Helene intensifies before its expected landfall on Floridas Big Bend, in Eastpoint, Florida, U.S. September 26, 2024. REUTERS

At least 64 were killed and 3.5 million people were left without electricity as massive rains from powerful Hurricane Helene pounded southeastern states of the US. The treacherous conditions left hundreds of people stranded, without homes and waiting to be rescued.

Historic flooding engulfed parts of the southern Appalachians on Saturday, as first responders worked to reach stranded communities in trying conditions. It looks like a bomb went off, said Georgias governor, Brian Kemp, after surveying the damage from the rains on Saturday, The Guardian reported.

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To say this caught us off-guard would be an understatement, said Quentin Miller, sheriff of Buncombe County, North Carolina, where part of Asheville is underwater and multiple cell towers remain down, hampering rescue and recovery efforts. While the emergency services have declined to confirm the fatalities until communication outages can be restored, the tallies from local news outlets give a picture of the havoc wreaked by Helene.

Biden, Harris extend support

In a statement issued on Saturday, US President Joe Biden said that the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Deanna Criswell, is travelling throughout the south-east to assess the damage caused by the storm.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by Hurricane Helene across the south-east  My administration is in constant contact with state and local officials to ensure communities have the support and resources they need, he said. Were not going to walk away. Were not going to give up.

Meanwhile, US Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris also expressed her sorrow over the matter. My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene, Harris said. President Biden and I remain committed to ensuring that no community or state has to respond to this disaster alone. Federal personnel are on the ground to support families that have been impacted so that critical resources like food, water, and generators are available.

Estimated damage caused by the hurricane - $95bn and $110bn

On Thursday, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Floridas Big Bend region as a category 4 storm. Heavy rains and flooding moved quickly through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, blowing roofs off homes, sweeping away cars, testing dams and flooding rivers  leaving entire communities without escape.

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Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather, estimated that the cost of damage in the southeastern state is to cost between $95bn and $110bn, potentially making this one of the most expensive storms in modern US history.

With inputs from agencies.
Bill Clintons presidency was marked by both triumphs and scandals. His time in office saw economic growth and welfare reform in the US, but also the shadow of impeachment over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. As a skilled communicator, Clinton left office with high approval ratings, yet his legacy remains a topic of debate read more

Then US President Bill Clinton addresses journalists during a White House East Room press conference on April 23, 1993. File Image/Reuters

Editors Note: This profile is part of a series taking a closer look at US presidents ahead of the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

William Jefferson Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States was born on August 19, 1946, in Hope, Arkansas. Raised in a working-class family, Clinton was marked by ambition early in life, famously shaking hands with US President John F Kennedy as a teen during a trip to Washington, DC.

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His education path took him through Georgetown University, where he graduated in 1968, to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and finally to Yale Law School, where he met Hillary Rodham, his future wife and political partner.

Clinton began his political career as Arkansas Attorney General in 1976, and just two years later, at age 32, he became one of the youngest governors in the nations history. After losing his re-election bid in 1980, he staged a comeback in 1982 and served as governor of Arkansas for another decade.

Clintons rise to power

In 1992, Clinton ran for the presidency, portraying himself as a New Democrat who could combine liberal social policies with moderate economic approaches. Despite facing allegations of marital infidelity and questions about avoiding the Vietnam draft, his campaign gained momentum.

With a platform centered on economic recovery, healthcare reform, and balancing the budget, Clinton emerged victorious in a three-way race against incumbent US President George HW Bush and independent candidate Ross Perot.

Clintons victory made him the first Democratic president in 12 years. At 46, he became the third-youngest president in US history.

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A successful first term

Clintons first term was a period of both promise and difficulty. His administration passed key legislation like the Family and Medical Leave Act and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

US President Bill Clinton, seen through a window behind his desk in the Oval Office, works the telephones lobbying for last-minute votes to support the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), November 17, 1993. File Image/Reuters

However, his ambitious push for healthcare reform, led by US First Lady Hillary Clinton, ended in failure after it faced opposition from both Republicans and Democrats.

By 1994, Clintons political fortunes took a sharp hit when Republicans, under Newt Gingrichs Contract with America campaign, took control of Congress for the first time in four decades.

This forced Clinton to recalibrate his administration, embracing a more centrist approach known as triangulation, which helped him recover politically.

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A scandalous second term

In 1996, Clinton won a second term, defeating Republican Bob Dole in a landslide. His second term saw major achievements, including welfare reform, a balanced federal budget, and a booming economy during the late 1990s tech bubble.

However, Clintons second term is most remembered for the scandal involving White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Clinton initially denied any improper relationship with Lewinsky, but in 1998, he admitted to the affair after further investigation.

US President Bill Clinton on his first trip as President of the United States aboard Airforce One, February 11, 1993. File Image/Reuters

The scandal led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

Clinton was acquitted by the Senate in 1999, allowing him to complete his second term. Despite the scandal, his approval ratings remained high, buoyed by the strong economy, and he left office with high public support.

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Post-presidency Clinton

After leaving the White House in 2001, Clinton remained a prominent figure in American and global politics. He established the Clinton Foundation, which focused on global issues such as public health, education, and climate change.

His post-presidency saw him serving as a UN envoy and working closely with former US President George HW Bush on disaster relief efforts.

Clinton also played a significant role in the political career of his wife, Hillary, who served as US Senator from New York and US Secretary of State before running for president in 2016. Bill Clinton was a key campaigner during her run.

Clintons legacy

Bill Clintons presidency is often remembered as one of contradictions. On one hand, he presided over a period of economic growth, job creation, and budget surpluses. His presidency is credited with modernising the Democratic Party and ushering in an era of pragmatic governance.

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On the other hand, his personal scandals, particularly the Lewinsky affair, left a cloud over his legacy, marking him as one of only three presidents to be impeached.

Clintons political skill, charisma, and ability to connect with voters remain his enduring traits. He is often remembered as a brilliant communicator who could pivot from setback to success with ease. But his presidencys controversies ensure that history will always debate the full impact of his time in office.

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China to hold ceremony awarding highest state honors

Xinhua) 09:27, September 29, 2024

The motorcade carrying recipients of national medals and national honorary titles is accompanied by motorcycle escorts on the way to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China will hold a high-profile ceremony on Sunday morning to award the highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

Escorted by a motorcade, the recipients of national medals and national honorary titles are en route to the Great Hall of the People, where the ceremony will be held.

The motorcade carrying recipients of national medals and national honorary titles is accompanied by motorcycle escorts on the way to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

The motorcade carrying recipients of national medals and national honorary titles is accompanied by motorcycle escorts on the way to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

This photo taken on Sept. 29, 2024 shows the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

This photo taken on Sept. 29, 2024 shows the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

This photo taken on Sept. 29, 2024 shows the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

The motorcade carrying recipients of national medals and national honorary titles is accompanied by motorcycle escorts on the way to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

The motorcade carrying recipients of national medals and national honorary titles is accompanied by motorcycle escorts on the way to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Members of the Chinese Young Pioneers prepare to welcome recipients of national medals and national honorary titles at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Members of the Chinese Young Pioneers prepare to welcome recipients of national medals and national honorary titles at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Huang Zongde, a recipient of the Medal of the Republic, heads for the Great Hall of the People aboard a motorcade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Huang Zongde, a recipient of the Medal of the Republic, heads for the Great Hall of the People aboard a motorcade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Huang Zongde, a recipient of the Medal of the Republic, is prepared to leaves Jingxi Hotel for the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Huang Zongde, a recipient of the Medal of the Republic, arrives at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Dilma Rousseff, a recipient of the Friendship Medal, arrives at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Xu Zhenchao, a recipient of the title of People's Craftsman, arrives at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Musirikale Rasta Marcel one among the only three remaining vocal refugee leaders advocating for the rights of refugees in Uganda: Refugee Human Rights continue to suffer in silence and highly ignored by human rights defenders

Marcel is one among the few remaining Vocal Refugee Activists highly involved in the protection of refugees in Uganda, especially advocating for the protection of Rwandan refugees in Uganda. Marcel joined this struggle when he realized that Rwanda security services operating in Uganda was killing, and deporting Rwandan refugees back in 2008, Marcel then formed a group of activists working on the protection of Rwandan refugees. However the environment has been hostile towards their advocacy up to now.

In the process of this work, Marcel received warnings from UNHCR officers and from the Government of Uganda mainly the Office of the Prime Minister Department of Refugees known as (OPM) and asked him to stop his activism which he did not, as consequences Marcel was denied first of all services especially relief aid in order to discourage him, later on they attacked his family and promised better opportunities to his wife to separate with him in order to weaken him, later on they attacked his small businesses in Kampala in order to force him to quit advocacy, later on they put him to various forms of threats, intimidations and arbitrary arrests, then they blackmailed him and black listed him everywhere and now they denied him the Refugee Identification Card, so, much as he is recognized he does not have a Refugee ID which exposes him to all forms of risks and this limits his movement and activities.

However Marcel has remained firm and strongly engaged in the protection of Refugee rights in Uganda, he is one among the three still existing in Uganda, and we must protect him so that this noble cause does not fade. These three vocal refugee leaders must feel our support otherwise if they are left alone, then refugee rights in Uganda will be compromised. It is about the survival of whole refugee population in Uganda.

All the attempts Marcel had tried to make in order to leave Uganda have been frustrated by the regime which monitors all his movements and actions. Security services have been deployed to follow up him and attempts to assassinate him physically have not yet been successful.

The cause of Marcel arrest

While in difficult situation Marcel managed to get in contact with another Rwandan refugee in Uganda with whom they became friends and this person helped Marcel so much in difficult situations to the point that Marcel could no longer doubt about this person. Last year 2023 this Rwandan refugee borrowed money to some people in Uganda which is estimated at 3000$, in the process he failed to pay the money, so they came to arrest him, as he was at the Police he called Marcel to come and help him out, Marcel then stood as a surety for him in order to be released, as he promised to look for the money and pay.

Instead of looking for them money, the man disappeared and returned back to Rwanda where he is hiding up to now. That is how the Police came and arrested Marcel so that he can help to trace the man and if not pay the money. Despite Marcel good will to cooperate and share all information to the Police about this man, still the Police did not spear him out.

We are so much concerned about the arrest of Marcel in case in which he only facilitated when there are options to trace this man to Rwanda, we do observe that the Government of Rwanda has used the same strategy in order to deport refugees back to Rwanda generally in DRC, Malawi, Zambia and in other countries. We are preoccupied that Rwanda may use the same tricks, and the Police Station where he is detained from is another issue which has played various roles in the deportation of Rwandan refugees, yet there is Old Kampala Police Station where refugees are supposed to be detained from,

Basing on the above we urge

The Government of Uganda to ensure that Marcel is safe and he is not deported back to Rwanda,

The UNHCR to offer him the necessary legal representation and urgent social assistance especially food during this time,

We call upon Human Rights Defenders to quickly intervene in this case and help Marcel to be free, at the same time make an assessment on the security situation of Marcel for appropriate responses,

We call upon people of good will to support our fundraising drive which focuses of urgent interventions to refugee human rights defenders at high risks,

We call upon the Uganda Police to transfer Marcel from Natete to Old Kampala Police Station which is in-charge of refugees in Kampala.

Thanks

Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos

Executive Director/ Global Refugee Leaders Forum
Representatives from the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority along with Galveston city officials gathered to honor island native Jessie May McGuire Dent with the unveiling of a new historical marker Saturday at the recreation center bearing her name.

Born in 1892, McGuire Dent, a Galveston educator and civil rights activist, spearheaded the efforts to obtain equal pay for African American teachers in Galveston.

McGuire Dent was also a founding member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

 Stuart Villanueva

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by Xinhua writer Zhang Zhuowen

NANNING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- As I stepped into the expansive venue of the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, the capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, I was struck by the bustling atmosphere and the vibrant exchanges occurring across various fields between the two sides.

Wearing comfortable sneakers, I explored the 21st CAEXPO, which spans approximately 200,000 square meters and ran from Sept. 24 to 28. The event welcomed over 3,000 enterprises from home and abroad.

Sniffing a medley of aromas, a dazzling array of exhibits including durian, coffee and essential oils drew my attention.

I squeezed into the crowd in front of an exhibition booth at the Malaysian pavilion, stretching my arm to reach for samples of a variety of durian delicacies, from velvety ice cream to freshly baked pizza.

As I savored the distinct flavor of the pizza, I had a brief chat with Chay Hong Choong, a Malaysian exhibitor participating in the expo for the first time. He asked whether his products would be well-received in the Chinese market. I could sense his genuine desire for my perspective as a Chinese consumer, as well as his ambition when he mentioned that his company has opened a durian-themed restaurant in China this year.

He needn't worry about the restaurant being overlooked -- with a population of over 1.4 billion, China's appetite for this pungent fruit continues to grow.

Customs data indicates that China imported around 1.43 million tonnes of fresh durians in 2023, a year-on-year increase of over 70 percent. The country has green-lighted fresh durian imports from Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia, to its vast markets.

While visiting the Vietnamese pavilion, I encountered Chen Yingxiu, a 73-year-old Chinese visitor inquiring about the price of a pair of slippers. As a regular visitor over the past five years, she is well-acquainted with the household items on display.

However, she might not be as familiar with this year's new section that is dedicated to strategic emerging industries. This new section showcased the latest trends in digital technology, new energy, and intelligent connected vehicles.

In this area, I saw many high-tech elements: an elegant robot recited ancient Chinese poetry while skillfully interacting with the audience, a four-legged robotic dog designed for patrolling hazardous environments, and a saucer-shaped manned aircraft, among others.

More exhibition zones featuring digital technologies, ASEAN countries' high-tech products, China-ASEAN cultural exchange, green and low-carbon products and innovative enterprises, were set up for the first time at this year's expo.

Wang Longlin, a staffer from a low-altitude economy investment company called Beitou, told me that the aircraft can take off and land vertically on water.

"It might become a common vehicle for low-altitude transportation in the future," said Wang, adding that their products can adapt to a wide range of complex terrains, including islands, mountainous areas and jungles, and his company is expanding into ASEAN markets.

In front of several train models, I met Bunjong Polkhun from Banphai Industrial and Community Education College in Thailand. Bunjong told me that since 2012, their students have been coming to China to acquire vocational skills in transportation. The students aim to enhance connectivity between China and ASEAN countries after graduation.

After attending the China-ASEAN Expo, I was truly impressed by the vibrant energy pulsating between China and ASEAN countries. The dynamic economic cooperation and cultural exchanges were evident everywhere.

It was inspiring to witness how China and ASEAN countries are fostering collaboration, sharing ideas and building lasting partnerships. The expo not only showcased diverse products but also highlighted the deep connections that continue to thrive, reflecting a shared commitment to growth and mutual prosperity. 
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.
The remains of a factory on Saturday after it was hit by an Israeli strike in the Lebanese town of Chouaifet
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Larry Robinson/The Daily Sentinel

Tanner Wrast, from left, Shervin Bunch and Reed Elliott walk through Colorado Mesa Universitys campus during a break between classes on Thursday. Because of a 35% increase in new students, CMU had to adjust its class schedule to ensure that all students could register for the classes they needed to take. To make this adjustment happen, the school hired 17 new full-time professors at both the four-year campus and at CMU Tech.
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Fri Friday

85 /57

More clouds than sun. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the upper 50s.
Patrick Fung, the global ambassador of OMF International reminded delegates at the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (Lausanne 4) in Incheon, Korea, that God used and still uses suffering and persecution to reach the unreached.

Referencing the book of Acts chapter 11, Fung illustrated how the great persecution sent believers out of Jerusalem to far flung places such as Phoenicia, Cyrene, Cyprus and Antioch telling both Jews and gentiles about the good news about the Lord Jesus.

He argued that God has used persecution repeatedly as a means of growing the Church. For persecution never kills the church, but a compromised gospel will, observed Fung.

Fungs view is an encouragement to millions of Christians living in hostile environments in Africa and beyond. According to Open Doors World Watch List 2024, over 317 million Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecution and discrimination. 4,998 Christians were killed in 2023, 82% from Nigeria which remains the deadliest place to follow Jesus.

Fung noted that, just like the first church, it is unnamed, unknown Christians on the run who will carry the gospel to unforeseen and unplanned territories.

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These are named disciples, certainly face uncertainty in an instability, and yet they were on fire for the gospel. Basically, they gossip (about) the gospel wherever they went. And so here is a gospel movement by God's people, the unnamed, unknown, and the uncelebrated ordinary disciples. Thus, a mission movement without borders was started by these unknown people of the early church, he said.

Quoting the Bible scholar, Michael Green, Fung told the delegates that the early church movement did not grow through master plans, charismatic leaders or fantastic strategies, but by unnamed committed, radical, fearless disciples of Jesus.

The courage, noted Fung, was first demonstrated by Peter and John who were unschooled, ordinary men defied the Sanhedrin and vowed to continue to preach in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 4:19). The disciples in Acts 4:29 asked God for great boldness and healing in miraculous ways.

Similarly, today, as the church faces opposition or even persecution of various kinds, may we seek the sovereign Lord that his word will continue to be declared and his mercy be displayed to bring healing to a broken world, he said.

He reminded the delegates that the memory of the 20 Egyptian Coptic Christians and a Ghanaian that were beheaded by ISIS militants in 2015 still lives on the minds of many people.

The world will never forget the image of those 21 men dressed in distinctive orange jumpsuits along a beach in Libya, said Fung. There is one crucial element of what is now recognized as the martyrdom of the 21, the faithful, peaceful, and resilient utterance of the Lord's name from their lips as they have waited for imminent death. This declaration of their faith has led to a revival of courage and a confirmation of what it means to witness as a Christian around the world.

Fungs grounded argument confirms the recent happenings across Africas Sahel region, a vast area traversing 10 countries from Eritrea and Sudan in East Africa to Mauritania and Mali in the West. Despite the expansion of Islamic terror groups and numerous political coups, anecdotal evidence shows Christians in this hostile region are holding on to their faith and the gospel is spreading.

Yet persecution in many parts of the world has been taking different shapes and forms, as Fung acknowledged. In the majority world, legislation and societal shifts have resulted in restrictions on religious expression and practice, challenging the church to respond with wisdom and engagement.
Probe finds Beijing seeking to mislead, sow distrust ahead of US election

By Lin Yang September 28, 2024

U.S. intelligence agencies this week emphasized that Russia, Iran and China remain the primary external forces attempting to influence American voters ahead of the November presidential election.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence reported that the Kremlin is the most active player, using artificial intelligence, fake accounts and fabricated images to promote narratives favorable to Donald Trump's candidacy.

In contrast, China has not sought to directly influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential race. Sarah Cook, an independent analyst specializing in disinformation, noted that this restraint stems partly from a strong bipartisan consensus in Washington regarding the threat posed by China's authoritarian government.

With less than 40 days remaining until the U.S. elections, what narratives is China promoting on social media, and how might these affect American voters?

Amplifying polarization

A joint investigation by Voice of America and the Doublethink Lab, a Taiwanese social media analytics firm, is tracking 201 China-related accounts on the social media platform X. One of the main themes of these accounts is amplifying controversial domestic issues in the United States, aiming to deepen societal polarization and sow distrust.

Through both genuine and AI-generated images and videos, Chinese operatives are intensifying divisive social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, immigration, race, gun control and crime rates.

One prominent account, CongCong, frequently originates posts that are then shared by others, describing herself as "a sweet and salty little girl who takes life seriously and shares positive energy."

However, her posts are far from positive. One pinned post features a provocative image of a gun pointed at Gaza, captioned with claims of genocide, depicting Israel as the gunman, the U.S. as the weapon, and the EU as the silencer.

The post was amplified by 40 accounts in the network of China-related accounts VOA is tracking.

Another so-called seeder account, Little Sister Muxi, shared a comparative graphic highlighting the burdens faced by Americans, such as student loans and health care costs, versus the benefits enjoyed by Israelis.

The Israel-Gaza conflict has become a sharply polarizing issue in the U.S. Some Americans support Israel's right to self-defense, while others express strong discontent with what they see as excessive violence.

Recently, the network has sought to amplify discussions surrounding Intel's announcement of a 15% workforce reduction, with seeder account CongCong asserting, "This is the decline of the United States, a recession created by the United States itself." This message was shared by 36 accounts.

Other examples include sharing cartoons from China's state-owned Global Times that mock the U.S. for its financial support of Ukraine.

AI-generated images depict homeless Americans, implying that U.S. citizens are neglected while the government spends billions on overseas conflicts.

Fake videos illustrating America's drug epidemic are also common, pushed by the Spamouflage network a a much larger state-sponsored operation aimed at supporting the Chinese government while undermining critics.

This approach mirrors Russia's tactics during the 2016 U.S. elections, employing information warfare to fracture Western alliances and deepen societal divisions.

MAGAflage

Our investigation has uncovered two "MAGAflage" networks consisting of a total of 25 accounts posing as supporters of Republican candidate Trump, seeking to engage with real American voters.

One network, labeled MAGAflage 1 and consisting of 10 accounts, began sharing pro-Trump content extensively following a July 13 assassination attempt. Using stolen bios and sourced photos, these accounts focused on pro-China content and polarizing U.S. issues while promoting Trump as the savior of America. After VOA's report, X suspended these accounts for "violating X's rules."

Whereas the seeder account in the MAGAflage 1 network aggressively posted pro-China content and frequently cited state media outlets, the seeder of MAGAflage 2 takes a more careful approach. Apart from a few exceptions, this person rarely posts about topics directly related to China and stays closer to U.S. election topics.

All accounts use emoticons in their usernames. Twelve of the 15 accounts use the American flag as one of the emoticons.

They criticize the Biden administration's immigration policy, promote conspiracy theories and claim that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is responsible for the January 6 Capitol riot.

"These accounts are noteworthy because they go to a great extent to pretend to be American citizens and tried to hide their connection to China," Jasper Hewitt, a digital intelligence analyst at Doublethink Lab, told VOA Mandarin.

Notably, these accounts do not promote anti-Israel content that other trolls frequently share. Trump recently touted himself as Israel's "protector," warning Jewish voters against supporting Vice President Kamala Harris.

"I think this shows that the people behind these operations have a good understanding of the type of content that might resonate with the users they are trying to interact with," Hewitt added.

Meanwhile, researchers continue to uncover accounts attacking candidates from both parties. Microsoft recently reported a Chinese-linked threat actor, Storm-1852, which has engaged with election-related content on social media, emphasizing a highly interactive approach that includes reposting content, replying to comments and polling users.

This network does not appear to favor any specific candidate.

"It is true that most of the Spamouflage content we have seen so far expresses criticism for both candidates. However, the fact that we found two MAGAflage networks and have not yet encountered any similar accounts that support Harris is still very relevant," Hewitt from Doublethink Lab added.

Local candidates

In their latest assessment, the U.S. intelligence officials have said most Chinese efforts are aimed not at Trump or Harris, but at state and local candidates perceived as hostile to Beijing.

Our investigation identified a TikTok video criticizing Republican U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, mocking his persistent questioning of Intel executives about forced labor in Xinjiang and labeling him an "anti-China senator." Hawley is up for re-election this year.

Another video ridicules Democratic U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler from New York, suggesting he appeared to doze off during a hearing while victims' families testified.

Alongside the presidential election, all 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats will be contested this year. Lawmakers critical of China are likely to become targets of online influence campaigns.

These include members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, or CECC. Its chair, Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern, has been outspoken about human rights abuses in China and was barred from entry to China this past July.

New Jersey Republican Representative Chris Smith, co-chair of the commission, has long focused on human rights and religious freedom in China.

In the Senate, Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is seeking re-election this year and has faced attacks from Chinese state media for advocating a ban on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

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Middle East: Speech by the High Representative at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

European External Action Service (EEAS)

27.09.2024

New York

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Thank you.

Ms President,

Everybody knows the figures. Since the start of the war, about [more than 41,000] Palestinians have been killed, maybe more below the rubble of Gaza. Most of them are innocent civilians, including over 11,000 children. And this after 1,200 Israelis were killed and hundreds taken hostages.

Many of them still are being kept in captivity, while Gaza has been reduced to rubble. A place where life is no longer possible.

This week I met families of hostages. I already did during my last visit to Israel, and I see their agony.

And two weeks ago, I was at the border of Gaza. I heard the bombing behind me, and I saw large supplies of humanitarian aid, which could be life-saving, but are not allowed to enter into Gaza.

And it is difficult for me to add anything to what Commissioner General [Philippe] Lazzarini of UNRWA said yesterday "Gaza is a place that horrifies even the most seasoned humanitarians."

And I want to use this opportunity to pay tribute to UNRWA, of which 222 staff members have been killed.

The European Union keeps calling for an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of all hostages, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, which is really needed. And we support the United States, Qatar, and Egypt in their ongoing efforts.

It has already been said. The escalation in the region is driving it into the abyss of a full-blown war across the Blue line and in the region.

While we are talking, bombs are again falling in Beirut, and civilians are paying an unbearable price.

The Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, which I am proud to represent here, supports the French and American efforts for an urgent ceasefire in Lebanon, and implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 by all parties. It is essential - but allow me to remind you that this resolution was adopted 20 years ago, and we are still asking for it to be implemented.

Also, the West Bank, including Jerusalem, is about to fall off a cliff. The European Union continues condemning [the] violence, all kinds of terrorism and settlement expansion.

We have adopted sanctions on terrorist organisations, such as Hamas, but also on some of the extremist settlers.

And, as many have said, sorry, but the West Bank is becoming another Gaza. You can see the videos of bulldozers destroying roads, destroying water supply systems, destroying sewage - all that in the name of fighting against terrorism, of course.

Israelis, Palestinians, Lebanese and all people deserve security and the protection of international law. For Israel's sake, as well as for the Palestinians, we need a strong, legitimate and effective Palestinian authority.

Therefore, we support its reform and, on that basis, we provide emergency support worth 400 million, and we will work with key partners on further support.

Finally, it is vital not to just focus on the many crises of today, but as my Norwegian friend has said, we have to work to resolve this underlying conflict.

Therefore, yesterday we co-hosted a high-level event with the Arab League - and I want to thank everyone who made this event possible, the OIC contact group and Norway - thank you very much to Norway - open to all United Nations members. all, no exclusions. Some decided not to come, but many did.

It was a big event; a constructive, positive event.

Under the chairmanship of Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia, we launched this global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution. Well, in fact, for the implementation of the Palestinian state, because the other state has already been implemented.

Under its umbrella, all states and international organizations can bring together their practical measures to bring about a free Palestine next to a secure Israel.

And I want to stress, we want the security of Israel. We Europeans, we ask for a free Palestine next to a secure Israel.

Taking responsibility means that we must not only say what we oppose.

"I do not want this solution." Okay, then what is your solution? If you do not want the two-state solution, which is the solution? Someone knows a better one that can be explained and implemented? We have to act if we want to achieve.

We will do this work with the whole world, quickly, because everyday costs lives. But in the end, it is up to Israelis and Palestinians to make their own peace.

And I know that both people experience this conflict as an existential one. Both fear the other one to destroy them.

The Israelis fear to be thrown to the sea, and the Palestinians to be thrown to the desert.

Extremist forces do their worst to fan the hate, the hate that killed [Yitzhak] Rabin, [former Prime Minister of Israel]. The hate that killed Rabin and the same voices that are pushing for killing Rabin now are being heard again.

So, all of us must help the societies to speak to each other. Understanding the suffering of the other is certainly the most difficult challenge, the most difficult thing to be done by people in conflict. But it has to be done.

We, Europeans, can maybe present an example of [how] this has been. [Some will say] that this is not the time for the two-state solution.

When was the right time? What will be the right time? How many more people have to die before it is the right time?

The Palestinians are a people that refuse to die. Le peuple palestinien est un peuple qui ne veut pas mourir.

And there is nothing more absurd than anti-Semitism. There is nothing more absurd than to hate and to kill a human being because he belongs to another group, another ethnic group, or professes another religion.

And anti-Semitism has brought humanity to the worst crimes. So please, do not let this word to be banalised. We refuse any anti-Semitic approach to this problem.

And, on this basis, it is time to act. Let's go to work.

The bombs continue falling.

We are living in a world of resolutions, meetings, speeches. Out of this room, the real world is made of war, people being killed, misery, [and] hate.

Let's make this world approach the real world. And let's make our world have the capacity to change it.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-261423

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Today's challenges are 'opportunities for transformation', Somali leader tells UN

27 September 2024 - In his address to the UN General Assembly's annual debate, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre of Somalia highlighted the multitude of challenges facing the world today, including transnational conflicts, humanitarian crises, and the existential threat of climate change.

Underscoring the theme of this year's Assembly session, he said that these challenges come with "an opportunity for transformation" that can only be realized through "closer cooperation, collective resolve, and an unwavering commitment to the principles of humanity and multilateralism."

The Prime Minister addressed the urgency of escalating global conflicts, notably the humanitarian crises in Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine. Denouncing the violence in Sudan, where ongoing conflict has displaced millions and led to severe food insecurity, he urged a cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians, emphasizing the need for humanitarian access and inclusive dialogue.

Turning to Gaza, Mr. Barre said, "The ongoing conflict has not only destroyed the physical infrastructure of Gaza but has also crushed the hopes of an entire generation," and called for an unconditional ceasefire and the lifting of the inhumane blockade, advocating for a political process that respects the rights of the Palestinian people.

He also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, again calling for a ceasefire and adherence to international humanitarian law. He stressed the importance of dialogue to achieve a lasting political settlement and prevent further escalation.

The Prime Minister noted that while global conflicts demand attention, regional threats should not be overlooked, particularly highlighting the threats posed by Ethiopia's recent actions, which he described as violations of Somalia's territorial integrity. He condemned Ethiopia's attempts to annex parts of Somalia and called for international support to uphold Somalia's sovereignty.

He went on to emphasize the critical need for sustainable funding for peacekeeping, particularly in Somalia, where African Union forces have played a vital role in combating terrorism. He urged the international community to support innovative funding solutions to ensure the success of these missions.

Climate change was another focal point of Mr. Barre's address. He highlighted the severe impacts of climate change on Somalia, including droughts and floods. He noted, "For many developing countries, the reality is that the complex bureaucracy, rigid criteria, and lack of necessary resources often stand in the way of receiving the help they so desperately need" and called for simplified access to international funds to help vulnerable nations build resilience.

Mr. Barre also advocated for reforming the UN Security Council to better reflect today's geopolitical realities, supporting the 'Ezulwini Consensus' for a more inclusive Council. He also called for reforms in international financial institutions to create a more equitable global economy, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency.

Highlighting Somalia's progress, PM Barre celebrated recent milestones, including the completion of debt relief and accession to the East African Community, and emphasized Somalia's potential for economic growth and development, citing natural resources and a strategic location for trade.

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Canada provides funding for humanitarian needs in Lebanon

Global Affairs Canada

News release

September 28, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Canada is deeply concerned by the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a terrorist organization, in Lebanon, which has caused a rapid increase of humanitarian needs. More than 90,000 people have been displaced within Lebanon since early September.

Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced that Canada is providing $10 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of civilians in Lebanon. This funding will help provide food, water, emergency healthcare (including sexual and reproductive healthcare), protection services and other life-saving assistance.

This funding is in addition to the US$10 million already allocated to the crisis in Lebanon by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, to which Canada is a key donor.

Alongside our partners, we call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement consistent with UNSCR 1701, and the implementation of UNSCR 2735 regarding a ceasefire in Gaza.

Canada urges all parties involved in the conflict to protect civilians, including humanitarian workers, from harm, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Canada continues to monitor the situation and remains in close contact with humanitarian partners to assess and respond to evolving needs.

Quotes

"With the funding announced today, Canada's partners will be able to scale up their efforts to help people in urgent need. We call for an end to the violence in Lebanon and for all parties to protect civilians and humanitarian workers from harm and to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law." - Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development

"Canada stands in solidarity with the people of Lebanon affected by this conflict, and we're committed to helping provide them with the humanitarian assistance they need. We are calling for an immediate ceasefire and will continue to support our humanitarian partners in the country." - Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

Today's announcement brings Canada's total contribution in humanitarian assistance funding for Lebanon to $37 million in 2024.

Canada provides its funding for humanitarian assistance based on need, through experienced and trusted humanitarian organizations that have the necessary on-the-ground operational capacity to respond.

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September 28, 2024

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Calls 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 twice with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant yesterday about events in Lebanon. The Secretary expressed full support for Israel's right to defend itself and its people against Iranian backed terrorist groups. Secretary Austin stressed that the United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict. The Secretary made it clear that the United States remains postured to protect U.S. forces and facilities in the region and committed to the defense of Israel.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3920255/

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Baltic States and Poland seek EU funding for Baltic Defence Line

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence

28. September 2024 - 10:44

The defence ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland met on Friday in Daugavpils to discuss the possible financing of the Baltic Defence Line from the European Union budget.

"The Baltic Defence Line initiative has gotten off to a good start because the need is shared among the allies in the Baltic Sea region. For us, it is extremely important to coordinate our activities with Poland, but we also see potential for cooperation with northern allies, especially Finland. The need for a defence line stems from the security situation and supports NATO's new forward defence concept. At the same time, it strengthens the security of the European Union and the military defence of its borders, which is why we clearly see that the European Union could also financially support the project," said Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur.

Earlier this year, the defence ministers signed an agreement, under which Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will establish a defence line along their borders with Russia and Belarus in the coming years. The line will consist of various defensive structures with the aim of deterring and, if necessary, defending against military threats. On 18 May, Poland announced a similar project called the Eastern Shield. In parallel, the European Union is considering joint defence initiatives aimed at enhancing the security of its member states. During the meeting, the defence ministers also received an overview of Ukraine's experience in building defensive structures and visited Latvia's defence installations in the Silene region.

The establishment of the Baltic Defence Line in Estonia is planned in three stages. In the first two stages, 40 support points and 12 storage areas with full infrastructure will be constructed. In the third stage, eight additional support points will be built. The concept for these defensive structures follows the agreement made at the NATO Summit in Madrid, which emphasizes that allies must be defended from the first meter, in line with the new regional defence plans. The Baltic Defence Line is essentially a complex of obstacle and field fortification measures designed to support the activities of defensive units at support points, with the goal of halting the advance of aggression forces if necessary. These elements will be dispersed in the landscape, taking into account both the enemy's movements and environmental analysis, as well as the battle plans of the Defence Forces.

The Estonian Centre for Defence Investment has currently signed contracts for the procurement of barrier materials such as cutting wire and dragon's teeth, and the development process for bunker prototypes is underway.

Joint statement (PDF)

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PLA holds drills near Huangyan Dao 'in response to foreign exercises'

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Sep 28, 2024 09:02 AM

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Saturday conducted drills near China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea to safeguard sovereign security and maritime rights, which is believed to be a response to a joint maritime activity by the Philippines, the US, Australia, Japan and New Zealand on the same day, experts said.

The PLA Southern Theater Command deployed naval and air forces to carry out routine exercises including reconnaissance, early warning and sea-air patrols in waters and airspaces near China's Huangyan Dao on Saturday, the PLA Southern Theater Command said in a press release on the day.

Certain non-regional countries are stirring up trouble in the South China Sea and creating unstable factors in the region, the PLA Southern Theater Command said.

China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its surrounding waters, and theater troops will remain on high alert, resolutely defend national sovereign security and maritime rights, and firmly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, the press release reads.

Hours later, the PLA Southern Theater Command issued a second press release about the routine exercise.

These drills were conducted to assess the mission troops' capabilities in reconnaissance, surveillance, alert patrol, combat readiness and joint strike operations in real combat environments, the second press release reads.

Any attempts to stir up trouble in the South China Sea or create hot spot issues are under firm control, and the command troops remain on high alert, ready to counter any collusion acts that threaten regional peace and stability, said the PLA Southern Theater Command.

While the PLA Southern Theater Command did not elaborate on the actions by the certain countries from outside of the region, Reuters reported on Saturday that the Philippines, the US, Australia, Japan and New Zealand conducted a joint maritime activity "in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines."

The PLA's exercise is routine, but its objective and aim are clear, that is to display China's determination, will and capabilities in defending its territorial sovereignty as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea, while sending a warning to the countries that are making waves in the South China Sea, Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Saturday.

The joint maritime activity by the five countries will not significantly disturb the situation in the South China Sea, nor can it affect China's position, but it can encourage the Philippines to become more adventurous in making provocations on Chinese islands and reefs, Ding warned.

The increasing gatherings of non-regional countries with military activities in the South China Sea will raise concerns among ASEAN member states and coastal countries in the region, and it has become clear which forces are sabotaging peace and stability in the South China Sea, Ding said.

Military activities and media hype by non-regional countries are causing tensions and harming freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, observers said.

The Philippines-US-Australia-Japan-New Zealand joint maritime activity is said to be held in the Philippines' "exclusive economic zone," meaning it will likely enter sensitive areas where China and the Philippines have overlapping claims, Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times.

Waters near Huangyan Dao are important because the island is located close to the Mindoro Strait and the Bashi Channel, both of which are strategic pathways the US military seeks to control in the event of a conflict, Chen said. He said that the PLA's exercise also served to practice the defense of the strategic lanes near Huangyan Dao.

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Statement by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide at the 79th UN General Assembly

Government of Norway

Speech/statement | Date: 28/09/2024

By Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide (The 79th UN General Assembly, 28 September 2024)

President, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Our United Nations was born as the Second World War ended.

Shattered by the experiences of two devastating wars, with their unspeakable atrocities, wise people came together to write the United Nations Charter and to establish the United Nations organisation.

The Charter codifies the key principles of international law, including the prohibition of the use of force, but in self defence or upon the authority of the Security Council.

Effectively, wars of aggression were outlawed, whereas the inherent right to self defence was reconfirmed.

In the Charter, and flowing from it in the years to come, we also established the other key principles that codify international humanitarian law as well as international human rights law.

This is the quintessential set of principles that shall govern international relations.

However, our Secretary General was perfectly right when he pointed out that if violations and abuse is allowed to continue with impunity, the very foundations of the UN Charter is under threat.

And indeed, they are under threat.

President,

For the first time in 79 years we have a major, inter-state war in Europe.

In its war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia is in blatant violation of the very essence of the Charter. It violates the principle of sovereignty, inalienability of borders, and the prohibition of use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of another Member State. These principles safeguard the equality of all states, large and small, always and everywhere and are fundamental for member states' security.

Norway stands by Ukraine. Like so many friends of a free and independent Ukraine, we contribute significant military and civilian assistance and we are determined to do so as long as it takes. We want Ukraine to prevail.

We want peace in Ukraine. But, it must be a just peace, in line with the key principles of the UN Charter. An unjust peace would imply that we, once again, are living in a world where might makes right and where borders can be changed by force.

We must all reject such an outcome. It would set a terrible precedent.

My fellow delegates,

Even wars have rules. International humanitarian law, as embodied in the Geneva Conventions, lays out the key principles of distinction and proportionality. Warring parties are obliged to follow these rules irrespective of whether the war itself is legal.

Every member of this Assembly is bound by the Geneva conventions. They are as much a part of our common commitment to a rules-based order as the Charter itself. The principles under international humanitarian law are obligatory. Not optional.

For the rules to work we have to be consistent in their application. We must treat similar cases similarly, irrespective of the context.

We must speak out if our adversaries violate these rules.

It is equally important that we speak out if our traditional friends violate them.

In fact, it is in the latter case that we demonstrate that we do see the rules as universal.

President,

Almost a year has passed since Hamas's heinous terror attack on Israel on October 7. Its effect on Israeli society can hardly be overestimated. We condemn these horrific acts in the strongest possible terms. The hostages that are still in Hamas' captivity must be released, immediately, and without conditions.

There is no doubt in our mind that Israel, like any other state, has a right to defend itself against terrorism.

At the same time, Israel, like any other state, is bound by international humanitarian law.

President,

The immense suffering inflicted on the Palestinian population in Gaza is beyond comparison. Much of Gaza has been turned into rubble. At least 41000 people have been killed, and many more are injured and maimed for life. I echo the Secretary General when he says that nothing can justify such collective punishment.

Norway was among the very first Western countries to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. We have condemned the violations of international humanitarian law. We have expressed great concern about the severe limitations on humanitarian access, and the shocking number of UN staff, aid workers, and journalists killed.

We stood on UNRWAs side when it was subjected to smear and defamation. While so many countries suspended their funding, we increased ours and we reached out to co-donors to encourage them to return. I am pleased to see that almost all donors are now back.

President,

The Middle East is going through one of its darkest hours.

In the West Bank, illegal Israeli settlements are expanding at an alarming pace. Settler violence is rampant.

As we have gathered at the UN this very week, Lebanon has seen its deadliest days in decades. We are at the brink of a major regional war. Even neighbouring countries that long ago entered into peace agreements with Israel, are under immense pressure. The situation is worsening by the hour.

And make no mistake: the conflicts in the region are deeply intertwined.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed this assembly. His core message was that we all have to choose - either we are with Israel, or we are with Iran and its proxies. He also stated that there could only be peace once Hezbollah and Hamas were totally defeated.

President,

We have seen this film before. I didn't like the ending.

22 years ago, in response to the terrorist attacks on this very city, another leader stated that we were either with him, or with the terrorists.

This division into a simplistic notion of black and white, leaving no space for nuance and complexity, let alone impartiality, and with an excessive trust in military force alone, is utterly dangerous.

And indeed - it did not end well. We need to learn from past mistakes.

However, President, in every crisis lies an opportunity.

I remain convinced that there is no credible alternative for lasting peace other than a two-state solution.

While ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon are most urgently needed, ending hostilities must not be confused with lasting solutions. Serious thinking is required, here and now, to prepare for the day after.

Two days ago, almost a hundred Member states took part in a meeting called by Saudi Arabia, the EU and Norway, launching a Global Alliance to implement the two state solution. Three decades after the Oslo Accords, more and more states are realising that endlessly waiting for the right moment to negotiate will not work.

I call on those states that have not yet has done so, to recognise the State of Palestine and to allow it to become a full member of this organisation. We call on everyone who can, to help to build Palestine's institutions, and on regional actors to help embed a political settlement in a broader regional framework.

President,

We are witnessing, from the front row, the shortcomings of the institutions that we established in 1945.

The adoption of the Pact for the Future is a major success for this United Nations.

With this, we have resolved to update our institutions and our practices, across the three pillars of peace and security, development, and human rights. We also opened our conversation about the critically important issue of how to make artificial intelligence a force for good.

President,

Norway supports a reform of the Security Council that makes it both more representative and more efficient. Both permanent and elected seats should be added, and the historical injustice to Africa mended. The use of the veto should be limited, rather than expanded.

When the UN Charter was drafted, Norway was an early proponent of the principle that "no state should vote in its own case".

And indeed, this principle is enshrined in Article 27, 3 of the Charter.

This principle is, however, repeatedly ignored by the Security Council.

But again: this principle is an obligation. It is not an option.

To make our development efforts more efficient, we need to reform the international financial architecture.

And in order to enhance the ability of states to provide essential services to their populations, it must be possible for them to tax their citizens and their companies. Norway will continue to be a driving force for international tax cooperation, including by supporting a UN framework convention.

Central to the Pact of the Future are robust commitments to gender equality and women's rights. Inclusion must be at the forefront, not because it's the right thing to do, but because it's the smart thing to do. We need equitable societies. We must build more effective and accountable institutions, including this very organisation.

President,

The triple planetary crisis is mankind's most daunting challenge. To save our planet, we must adapt our economies. The future must be renewable, circular and nature friendly.

There is good news, President.

Despite increasing political divides, the last few years have seen that multilateralism can deliver when it comes to the relationship between us - as mankind - and our physical environment. In Dubai, we agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, in a just, orderly and equitable manner. In Montreal, we agreed to reset our partnership with nature. In Nairobi, we launched a negotiation process towards a treaty to end plastic pollution. And here in New York, we agreed to take better care of our common oceans.

What is true for all these agreements and the Pact for the Future alike, is that the real verdict lies in our ability to implement them. We must act. Now.

President,

As we approach the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we must step up our efforts to develop the organisation so as to make it more transparent, inclusive and representative of the world we live in today.

Norway fully supports the integrity and independence of the Secretary-General and his reform agenda. Reform will not be achieved through micromanagement. We, the Member States, must provide the Secretary-General with input and guidance. But we must also show trust and allocate resources to enable him to lead.

When a new Secretary-General shall be elected, we must ensure that she has the tools she needs to help us strategically deliver the noble goals we have agreed upon.

Thank you for your attention.

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Texas Department of Public Safety officials said they arrested over 20 suspected Tren de Aragua members in El Paso on charges that include human smuggling and drug possession. James C Hooper/Getty Images

More than 20 members of the Tren de Aragua gang were arrested in El Paso on charges of human smuggling, prostitution, possession of illegal drugs, and other crimes, according to a CBS Austin report.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials said the arrests stem from incidents at the Gateway Hotel in downtown El Paso this month. The arrests come after more than 100 suspected Tren de Aragua members were arrested on riot charges in connection to an incident near the El Paso border crossing gate in March, officials said.

According to documents obtained by CBS Austin, the Gateway Hotel has operated the last six years without a valid certificate of occupancy while also violating other city requirements. The building has failed at least three inspections by the El Paso Fire Department since July.

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In the last two years, 693 calls for police to investigate the hotel have been made, the news report states. Records show the hotel has had habitual criminal activity and it's been known to be in a deplorable state inside.

A video from inside the hotel showed dozens of people partying on the hotel's third floor while drinking, smoking and dancing provocatively. Children also were present, the document states. As the video continues, at least one gun is shot and another is used to threaten. It also shows men holding knives and a hatchet assaulting people and causing damage to the hotel in front of a security guard.

On Monday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information that can lead to arrests of Tren de Aragua members who have been involved in criminal activity or pose an increasing danger to the public's safety.
Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari- September 28, 2024

IDF Press Release

September 28, 2024

28.09.24

IDF

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the terrorist army Hezbollah, was killed by the Israel Defense Forces in a precise strike in Beirut last night, while he was in Hezbollah's Central Headquarters commanding more imminent attacks against the people of Israel.

For decades, Hezbollah, under the command of Hassan Nasrallah, orchestrated countless attacks against innocent people. Hassan Nasrallah had the blood of thousands of men, women and children on his hands. Israelis. Jews across the world. Lebanese. Americans. British. French. Syrians and other countless victims across the Middle East and beyond.

Hezbollah, under the command of Hassan Nasrallah, joined Hamas in attacking Israel on October 8th...just one day after Hamas's massacre on October 7th.

For almost a year, Hezbollah, under the command of Hassan Nasrallah, has been firing thousands of rockets, suicide drones full of explosives, anti-tank missiles and ballistic missiles at Israeli towns and cities. 60,000 Israelis fled their homes in northern Israel.

Hezbollah has openly declared that it has a plan to carry out its own October the 7th massacre on Israel's northern border, but on an even larger scale. They call this plan "Conquer the Galilee." Hezbollah has been planning to do in northern Israel what Hamas did in southern Israel on October 7th: invade Israel, infiltrate civilian communities, and massacre innocent civilians. The Israel Defense Forces has a duty to foil their plans.

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of an evil terrorist organization; the senior terrorists eliminated with him, and the central headquarters they were in, were legitimate military targets under international law. Nasrallah intentionally built Hezbollah's central headquarters under residential buildings in Dahiya, Beirutbecause Hezbollah intentionally uses Lebanese civilians as human shields. While Hezbollah seeks to maximize civilian harm, Israel seeks to minimize it.

Our war is not with the Lebanese people; our war is with Hezbollah. Hezbollah, under the command of Hassan Nasrallah, chose to join the war that Hamas started.

There are consequences for that decision.

Hezbollah is not just a threat to Israel; Hezbollah is not just a threat to the State of Lebanon; Hezbollah is a threat to the world, backed by the regime in Iran.

As of last night, Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, will no longer be able to terrorize the world.

For Nasrallah's many victims over the decades, whether in Israel, Argentina, Bulgaria, Syria, or Lebanon itself, justice has been served.

We warned the world countless times: Hezbollah is dragging the State of Lebanon and the entire region into a wider escalation. Israel does not seek a wider escalation.

We seek 2 things: to bring our hostages home from almost a year in Hamas captivity, and to make sure that our borders are safe and secure for our citizens.

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UN credibility is badly at stake, Iran FM says after Nasrallah assassination

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the Israeli regime's assassination of the leader of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has badly hurt the credibility of the United Nations and its Security Council.

"The UN's credibility is badly at stake unless the UNSC acts to stop the occupying regime's aggression. Global action must be mobilized to counter this scourge before it's too late," said Araghchi in a post on his X page.

The post came after the top Iranian diplomat held a meeting in New York with President of the UN General Assembly Philemon Yang.

"In my talks with UNGA President, I underscored the UN's responsibility with regard to peace and security. I underlined the need for decisive action regarding Israeli regime's continuing aggression against Lebanon and its genocide of Palestinians," said Araghchi in the post.

UNSC inaction cause of Israeli adventurism

In another post on the X, Araghchi said he had criticized the UN Security Council's inaction on the ongoing conflicts in the West Asia region during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The Iranian foreign minister said that in the meeting, he had "stressed that Security Council's inaction - due to obstructions of US and other Israel supporters - is a major cause of ongoing atrocities and adventurism by the illegitimate Israeli regime."

He also reminded the UN chief of the role played by the US in the Israeli regime's assassination of Nasrallah.

"... the US is certainly complicit in Israel's crimes and aggression in Gaza and Lebanon. I noted specifically that Lebanese resistance leader Seyed Hassan Nasrallah was martyred in an operation involving US-gifted 5000-pound bunker-busters," said Araghchi.

Hezbollah on Saturday confirmed the martyrdom of its secretary general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike a day earlier, which targeted buildings in south of the Lebanese capital Beirut.

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Yemen launches missile attack on Tel Aviv; Zionists escape to shelters

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Media sources reported Yemen's missile attack on Tel Aviv and its surrounding areas.

Zionist media sources announced that sirens have sounded in Tel Aviv and occupied Jerusalem.

These media also announced that the danger sirens sounded at Ben Gurion Airport during the presence of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime.

Palestinian sources also reported hearing explosions in Tel Aviv, occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank.

These media announced that Tel Aviv was the target of a missile attack.

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Iranian officials, ex-presidents extend condolences over Nasrallah martyrdom

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Senior Iranian officials and former presidents have condemned the assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of Hezbollah in Lebanon's capital city, Beirut.

In a condolence message following the martyrdom of Nasrallah and his companions on Friday, former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani emphasized that Nasrallah's pure blood, his living name, and his path will pave the way for the expulsion of the occupiers from Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

Former President Mohammad Khatami also expressed his condolences for the martyrdom of Nasrallah, noting, "The martyrdom of the secretary-general of the Lebanese Hezbollah has pained the hearts of all freedom seekers and seekers of truth."

Ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issued a message of condolence as well, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of Nasrallah.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf issued a message of condolences on the martyrdom of Nasrallah.

Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib said in his message of condolence that Nasrallah spent his whole life defending the oppressed people, adding that his martyrdom will make the resistance front liberate Al-Quds and annihilate the Israeli regime.

Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafarqandi also extended his condolences, calling Nasrallah's assassination another crime which was committed by the Israeli regime under support of the countries claiming to defend human rights.

Additionally, the Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, offered his condolences on the martyrdom of Nasrallah, emphasizing that the path of Martyr Nasrallah will continue more powerful.

The Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Erbil, Nasrollah Rashnoudi, stated that the martyrdom of Nasrallah, the prominent leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah, will undoubtedly lead to the continuation of the path of fight and resistance, and will raise the flag of resistance even higher.

Additionally, Iranian Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani issued a message of condolence, emphasizing that the martyrdom of Nasrallah, who bravely and wholeheartedly stood against the genocide of the evil Zionist regime for many years, is a loss for the Islamic world.

In a condolence message, the custodian of the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini (RA), Hassan Khomeini, stated that the path of Nasrallah will continue, like the path of Sayyed Abbas Mousavi and all the commanders of the Resistance.

In addition, Iranian judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i expressed his condolences for the martyrdom of Nasrallah in a message, emphasizing that the heroic Hezbollah will be more steadfast in the path of resistance.

Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh offered his condolences as well, saying that the brutal actions, which Israel has taken over the past months and with the support of global arrogance, indicate that "this cancerous tumor" does not put any limit to its crimes and resorts to any barbaric action to survive.

Major General Hossein Salami, the top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), also issued a message of condolence over Nasrallah's martyrdom and strongly condemned his assassination. Salami said that Hezbollah and Palestine's Hamas resistance movement will definitely be victorious in the fight against the Israeli regime.

Major General Abdurrahim Mousavi, the top commander of the Iranian army expressed his condolences in a message, saying that the martyrdom of Nasrallah, his companions and the innocent people of Beirut is added to terrorist acts by the Israeli regime which the Iranian army official said is collapsing. Mousavi said that the assassination will strengthen people's determination and will increase the power of the Hezbollah resistance movement.

The Iranian foreign ministry issued a statement, saying that the continuous crimes being committed by Israel are indicative of the terrorist and criminal nature of the regime's officials and their supporters, stressing that those crimes will not go unanswered. The ministry emphasized that Iran's basic and strategic stance to firmly support the resistance front in Palestine, Lebanon and the whole West Asia region will continue with full strength until the occupation ends and the right to determine the fate of Palestine and Al-Quds is upheld.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council issued a statement, extending condolences over Nasrallah's martyrdom, whom it described as a role model of resistance.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London issued a message regarding the martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, stating that the assassination would not bring security to the Zionist regime.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Iraq, while condoling the martyrdom of Nasrallah, announced that the Lebanese Resistance does not rely on individuals and will immediately emerge more powerful than before.

The Iranian government declared five days of public mourning for Nasrallah's martyrdom, beginning of Sunday.

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Hezbollah targets Zionist settlement with 50 missiles

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Hezbollah of Lebanon has launched a massive attack against a Zionist settlement in the occupied territories, targeting it with 50 missiles.

In a statement on Saturday, the resistance group said that the strike happened in support for the oppressed people of Gaza and in defense of Lebanon and its people which had been under a widespread air attack over the past week.

The Hezbollah attack also comes a day after its leader Hassan Nasrallah was martyred in the Zionist airstrikes on the suburbs of Beirut.

In another statement on the same day, Hezbollah said that it has fired a number of missiles on another Zionist settlement.

The media of the Zionist regime reported power outages in some Zionist settlements in the occupied West Bank after a Hezbollah the area.

Also, the media reported that Lebanon's Hezbollah has targeted occupied al-Quds with a radar-evading ballistic missile for the first time.

Yediot Aharnot news site also wrote that the south and north of the occupied Palestinian territories were attacked by drones and missiles from Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen at the same time.

According to media sources, one Zionist was killed and several others injured as a result of a drone attack on the Zionist settlement of Nahariya.

Earlier, news sources reported that following the penetration of resistance drones, the alarm sounded in the occupied towns of Nahariya, Ras al-Naqoura and Shlomi.

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World reacts to Israel's assassination of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Countries in West Asia and elsewhere in the world have condemned the assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement in an Israeli airstrike in the capital Beirut.

Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of Iraq's Sadrist movement, in a message on Saturday, offered condolences over the martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of Lebanon's Hezbollah, who was martyred along with a group of his companions in an Israeli regime's aerial aggression on the movement commander center in the south of the Lebanese capital.

In a related reaction, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani voiced condolences over the incident. He announced three days of public mourning across Iraq.

Al-Sudani added that the Zionist regime's criminal actions in targeting southern Dahiya in Beirut demonstrate its reckless desire to spread conflict throughout the region, jeopardizing its security and stability.

Also, Sheikh Khalid al-Mulla, head of the Iraqi scholars' community, said in a condolence message that Nasrallah was martyred with courage.

The leader of Iraq's National Wisdom Movement, Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim, expressed his condolences over the martyrdom of Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Iraq's top cleric Ayatollah Seyed Ali Sistani offered condolences for the martyrdom of Nasrallah, describing him as a "unique leader" and emphasizing his significant role in liberation of the occupied territories of Lebanon.

Also in Iraq, the Secretary-General of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Akram al-Kaabi, offered his condolences over Nasrallah's martyrdom and emphasized the need to avenge his blood.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Hamas Resistance Movement expressed its condolences to the Palestinians, the Arab and Islamic Ummah, and the free people of the world on the martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and a group of his brotherly commanders.

The spokesman for Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, expressed his condolences for the martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and his companions, thanking their sacrifices for the cause of Quds.

In addition, in a statement, the Islamic Jihad of Palestine offered condolences on the martyrdom of Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and slammed the terrorist action of the Zionist Israeli regime.

The Supreme Political Council of Yemen and the Yemeni government issued statements, expressing their condolences on the martyrdom of the late Secretary General of Lebanon's Hezbollah. They added that this martyrdom will increase the motivation and will to continue the fight against the enemies.

In a statement, the Chairman of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, Mahdi al-Mashat, announced three days of public mourning in Yemen due to the martyrdom of Nasrallah.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement described Nasrallah's martyrdom as a great loss for the Islamic Ummah. Al-Houthi extended condolences to Lebanese and Palestinian nations as well as Supreme Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The Lebanese government has also announced three days of public mourning over the martyrdom of Nasrallah.

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri issued a message, extending his condolences over the martyrdom of Nasrallah. Berri, in his message, hailed Nasrallah for his steadfastness, and expressed deep sorrow over his loss.

Former Lebanese President Michel Aoun reacted as well, emphasizing that the country has lost a prominent and honest leader with the martyrdom of Nasrallah. Former Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri expressed his condolences over the martyrdom of Nasrallah, condemning the Zionist regime's actions as cowardly.

Syria strongly condemned Israel's "criminal aggression" against Beirut's Dahieh neighborhood, which led to the martyrdom of Nasrallah. The Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement that the Israeli regime bears full responsibility for the dangerous consequences of the assassination, expressing condolences to the Lebanese people and government over his loss. Damascus also announced three days of public mourning for Nasrallah.

In Turkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the recent attacks by the Zionist regime on Lebanon and called for global action against the regime. Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus denounced Nasrallah's assassination as well, saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the assassination while he was at the UN, saying that this is a sign of the collapse of the international security system. Kurtulmus also said that those who continue to support Netanyahu will eventually be accountable for such assassinations.

Fazal-ur-Rehman, the president of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam political party slammed Nasrallah's assassination as a cowardly act, and praised him as a symbol of persistent resistance.

The Russian foreign ministry strongly condemned "political assassination" of Nasrallah by the Israeli regime, saying that the violent act will bring more repercussions for Lebanon and the whole region. The ministry urged Israel to end hostilities to pave the way for the diplomatic resolution of the conflict.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the Zionist regime's assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah a cowardly act.

In a statement, Diaz-Canel wrote on X social media: We condemn the cowardly assassination of the Secretary General of Hezbollah in an Israeli attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut. We strongly condemn the attack on residential buildings and the death of innocent civilians.

In the continuation, Diaz-Canel emphasized the complicity of the US with the Zionist regime in this crime, saying Israel's cowardly action seriously threatens the peace and security of the region and the world.

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Martyrdom of resistance leaders will make it stronger: Iran president

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered condolences on the martyrdom in the hands of the Zionist regime of Israel of Hezbollah leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, saying the Resistance will become stronger if its leaders are martyred.

In a message issued on Saturday, President Pezeshkian said that Nasrallah had achieved his life-time dream to become a martyr in the path of sacrifice and bravery after he was killed in an Israeli regime airstrike a day earlier in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

He said no one will forget that the order for assassination of Nasrallah had been issued by the Israeli Prime Minster Benjaim Netanyahu when he was in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly.

The Iranian president said this was a sign that the United States government was complicit in the crime committed by the Israeli regime.

Pezeshkian said that Hezbollah will continue to shine in the path of fighting oppression despite Nasrallah's absence.

Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref also offered condolences on the martyrdom of Nasrallah and said that the blood of martyrs like him will accelerate the collapse of the Zionist regime of Israel.

Aref said the Iranian government and people will continue to support the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon and in the wider region.

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Zarif says resistance against Israeli aggression to go on more forcefully

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif has said the resistance against the Israeli aggression will continue more forcefully after the martyrdom of Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The chaotic plan of Netanyahu and Israel for the region and the world will undoubtedly fail, Zarif wrote on his official X account on Saturday hours after Hezbollah confirmed the martyrdom of its leader in Zionist airstrikes against Beirut suburbs a day earlier.

Referring to Nasrallah as the "symbol of the fight against oppression and a refuge for the oppressed people in Lebanon and the whole region", Zarif said that he was saddened to hear the news of his martyrdom.

He condoled Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the people and government of Lebanon and all the resistance forces, as well as the freedom-seekers across the world over the martyrdom of the Hezbollah leader.

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Hezbollah confirms Hassan Nasrallah martyred in Israeli strike

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Hezbollah has confirmed the martyrdom of Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of the Islamic resistance movement in Lebanon.

"His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, has joined his great and immortal martyr comrades who have led their path for nearly thirty years," Hezbollah said in a statement on Saturday.

According to reports from the resistance media, Nasrallah was assassinated in a massive Israeli attack in southern Beirut Friday evening.

The Israeli army launched a series of extensive assaults on what it described as the "central headquarters" of Hezbollah in the southern suburb of Dahieh.

The strike came amid heightened tensions between Hezbollah and the Israeli regime over the genocidal war in the Gaza Strip.

In its statement, Hezbollah vowed to continue its struggle against the enemy, supporting Gaza and Palestine, and defending Lebanon and its steadfast, honorable people.

The resistance movement hailed Nasrallah as a heroic, wise, insightful, and faithful leader, who succeeded the Master of Martyrs of the Islamic Resistance in 1992 and led the movement through the liberation of Lebanon in 2000 and the glorious victory in 2006 and all the battles of honor and sacrifice in support of Palestine, Gaza, and the oppressed Palestinian people.

Israeli regime sources said as many as a dozen Israeli fighter jets dropped 2,000-pound American bunker-buster bombs in the Friday attacks.

In the aftermath of the airstrike, Lebanon's Ministry of Health reported that the bodies of 6 martyrs and 91 injured individuals were pulled from the rubble of the destroyed buildings.

Hezbollah has launched multiple rocket attacks targeting Israeli military positions and settlements in northern occupied Palestine since Friday night.

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Iran warns inaction on Israeli crimes will have global repercussions

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has said that "the monster of Zionism" poses a serious threat to the world, warning that international inaction in the face of Israeli crimes will have worldwide repercussions.

Nasser Kanaani made the comment on Saturday in a post he shared on his X account.

He criticized the inaction of governments and international organizations, particularly the United Nations Security Council, in addressing the horrific crimes committed by Israel in Palestine and Lebanon, as well as the US's military, political, and economic support for the Israeli regime.

In the wake of the inaction, the role of nations in supporting Palestine and Lebanon is crucial and decisive, Kanaani said.

He warned that the consequences of this global inaction will pose threats to all people worldwide in the near future.

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Historic Preservation Specialist Charles Gentry, PhD, poses for a portrait outside Washington-Irving Academy, where he and the city recently installed a historical marker dedicated to African-American schools on the West Side. Clint Datchuk A historical marker placed by the San Antonio Office of Historical Preservation resides outside Washington-Irving Academy on the city's West Side. Clint Datchuk Earl J. Bullock, chairman of the Grant-Dunbar Historical Preservation Interest Group, speaks at the unveiling of a History Here marker at the corner of Delgado and Elmendorf streets. The marker describes the African American schools that were once a fixture on the West Side. Photo courtesy of Fred Gonzales/City of San Antonio Photographer Earl J. Bullock, chairman of the Grant-Dunbar Historical Preservation Interest Group, joins dignitaries and community members to unveil a History Here marker at the corner of Delgado and Elmendorf streets. It describes the African American schools that were once a fixture on the West Side. Photo Courtesy Of Fred Gonzales/City Of San Antonio Photographer Historic Preservation Specialist Charles Gentry, PhD, poses for a portrait outside Washington-Irving Academy, where he and the city recently installed a historical marker dedicated to African-American schools on the West Side. Clint Datchuk

When Earl J. Bullock left to study at Prairie View A&M University, he never forgot his formative years at Grant Elementary School. He grew up in the 1400 block of Delgado Street, not far from Grant.

His home was also close to Dunbar Junior High School, where he learned to type without looking at the keys and measure with ease in wood shop, skills he still uses.

Educators there taught more than book learning, they taught responsible citizenship, Bullock said, lessons that stayed with him into adulthood.

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In 1969, the San Antonio Independent School District consolidated the two once-segregated schools as Grant-Dunbar Elementary. But it didn't last long. During one visit home from college, he saw a disturbing sight  the school had been largely demolished.

Two years ago, to keep memories of his alma maters alive, Bullock formed the Grant-Dunbar Historical Preservation Interest Group, which drove a petition to SAISD for a historical marker to recognize both institutions, urging a nomination to the city's Office of Historic Preservation.

Now, a History Here sign explaining the legacy of African American schools on the West Side has been installed at the corner of Delgado and Elmendorf streets before a sprawling, inspirational mural that celebrates education and the Hispanic culture of the community.

We are very elated and excited we were able to do that, Bullock, 73, said by phone. Its been an opportunity to share historical information with others.

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Recently, Bullock, former students, families and dignitaries helped dedicate the Grant-Dunbar School marker. District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo and Charles Gentry, a historic preservation specialist at the city office, spoke at the ceremony.

Gentry, a historic preservation specialist, has a doctorate in American culture from the University of Michigan. He talked about how St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church, the citys first AME church, supported the school as part of a commitment to education, civil rights and public service.

The site of the church, founded in 1867, was discovered on the east bank of San Pedro Creek four years ago during construction of its Culture Park and the stone foundation is being preserved.

This is part of our larger work on African American heritage and preservation, Gentry said. Part of that goal is to dispel the myth that Black people only lived on the East Side of San Antonio.

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Gentry said research included maps of neighborhoods where Black schools and churches existed in the city. He recalled that in 1936, Abraham S. Grant Elementary was the latest incarnation of several schools that had different locations dating back to 1890. It was named for one of St. James AME Churchs early pastors, who later became an AME bishop.

In January 1924, Washington Irving Academy, named for the 19th century author, opened at 2215 Morales St. In 1973, the school moved to its current location, built on the former site of the combined Grant Elementary School and Dunbar Junior High School, which SAISD had demolished a year earlier.

The marker is the third of the History Here program  one stands at the original Churchs Chicken on Alamo Street and another is at Rinconcito De Esperanza Historic District at 816 S. Colorado St. Its part of the historic preservation offices ScoutSA program that includes Theres a Story Here, a mapping and crowd-sourced story sharing project with small markers and stickers installed at each site.

Residents can nominate sites for History Here markers. The office reviews nominations for possible approval by a community-based committee. Theres no nomination fee, but if it's approved, nominators must cover the $250 cost of a plastic, weatherproof sign to be set at the site.

After the dedication, Gentry brought a pop-up exhibit to the Frank Garrett Multi-Service Center that gives an overview of African Americans in San Antonio history. Over the coming months, he plans to take the display to public libraries and each of the citys council districts.

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Gentry said the importance of Grant-Dunbar Elementary is reflected in the alumni who sought to memorialize it.
Hezbollah fires 75 missiles at occupied territories

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Sources reported that Lebanon's Hezbollah has targeted the occupied territories with 75 missiles.

According to Al-Masirah, Israeli media reported that 75 rockets have been fired from Lebanon towards occupied Palestine since Friday night.

The sources emphasized that Lebanon's Hezbollah has targeted the occupied Safed in a massive missile attack.

The Israeli army also admitted that Hezbollah missiles have reached Safed.

On the other hand, alarms sounded in the settlements east of Jaffa.

These missile attacks were carried out in response to the Zionist army's attacks on various areas of Lebanon, including the Dahieh in the south of Beirut and the Baqaa in the east of Lebanon.

The Zionists bombed Dahieh more than 30 times last night.

Also, the Israeli army announced that a surface-to-surface ballistic missile was fired from Lebanon to the center of the occupied territories on Saturday morning.

The Israeli army claimed that the missile landed in an open area and no one was injured.

According to the Zionist sources, this missile hit Tel Aviv. At least 5 explosions were heard near Haifa.

Al Jazeera announced on Saturday that Hezbollah fired its fifth wave of rockets at the Zionist positions and settlements in northern occupied Palestine.

At the same time, Al-Mayadeen reported on Saturday that five people were martyred and 5 others were injured in the attack of the Zionist army's attack on Shmustar.

Israeli warplanes targeted a house between the Kfarchouba and Shebaa in southern Lebanon on Saturday.

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Lavrov reminds Israel of 2006 failure, urges stop to war on Lebanon

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has condemned the Israeli operations which continue despite the UN ceasefire-calling resolutions.

"This is evidenced by the experience of the Israeli campaign of 2006, when even the entire arsenal of the most advanced military equipment and weapons did not help Israel to achieve its objectives," Lavrov was quoted by Russia's TASS news agency as saying on Friday.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council meeting, he stressed that Russia strongly condemns actions of the Israeli regime that violate Lebanon's sovereignty.

In his remarks, Lavrov termed Lebanon "friendly" to Russia, and added, "Indiscriminate attacks, whose victims are civilians, are categorically unacceptable. The path of war that West Jerusalem has chosen will not help it return internally displaced persons to the north of the country or ensure security in the Lebanese-Israeli border area."

Some news outlets have already reported that multiple big explosions were heard during the Israeli regime's aggression against the Dahieh suburb in the south of Beirut, Lebanon.

Media outlets also reported that the Zionist regime bombarded southern Lebanon thirty times in the past 24 hours.

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US, Iraq agree to end anti-Daesh coalition mission

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The United States and Iraq have announced in a joint statement that a US-led international coalition fighting the Daesh terror group will end its military mission in the Arab country by September 2025.

The US formed the coalition in 2014 under the pretext of fighting Daesh, which at the time swept through parts of Iraqi and Syrian territory. Washington has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in neighboring Syria as part of the coalition, according to Reuters.

The statement did not mention how many US troops would leave Iraq or from which bases. However, Reuters cited a senior US official who said on Friday that the move was "a transition from a coalition military mission to an expanded US-Iraqi bilateral security relationship."

The US mission in Syria would continue, said the news agency citing officials.

The presence of US forces in Syria and Iraq has been a source of public discontent in both countries, especially in Iraq where anti-American sentiments have been growing since January 2020 when the US assassinated top Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and senior Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhanddis, two anti-terror icons who played a key role in defeating Daesh.

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Israeli army attacks southern, eastern Lebanon

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli regime claims that it has attacked south of Lebanon and Beqaa in the east of the country simultaneously.

In a statement early on Saturday, the regime's army said it targeted some targets in those areas, claiming that they were affiliated with the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, according to Al Mayadeen.

Earlier, news outlets reported that multiple big explosions were heard after the regime's aggression against the Dahiyeh suburb in the south of Beirut.

Media outlets also reported that the Zionists bombarded southern Lebanon thirty times.

In retaliation, Hezbollah targeted settlements in the north of occupied Palestine with missiles and rockets. The attacks caused great damage to those areas.

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New Zealand joins 4th multilateral maritime cooperative activity

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

September 28, 2024, 11:26 am

MANILA -- New Zealand will be joining the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia in the fourth multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) in the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Saturday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the fourth MMCA will demonstrate the five states' collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The AFP did not provide further details on the location and military assets deployed.

"The naval and air force units of participating nations will operate together, enhancing cooperation and interoperability between our armed forces," it said.

"The activity will be conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other States."

The AFP said the joint sail underscores the countries' commitments to upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The first multilateral MMCA, composed of the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, was held within the country's EEZ in the West Philippine Sea in April.

This was followed by the second and third sails joined by the Royal Canadian Navy in June and August, respectively.

Japan, PH drills

Also on Saturday, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced the upcoming 2024 Doshin-Bayanihan joint training exercise with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on Oct. 2 to 6.

Over 150 participants from the PAF and JASDF will join the drills at Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu to deepen cooperation in the area of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response.

The exercise will cover simulated airdrop flight training, load/offload training, aeromedical evacuation exercises and subject matter expert exchanges.

Both forces will also deploy one C-130 Cargo Aircraft each.

"Doshin-Bayanihan is a testament to the growing bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Japan," the PAF said. "By working together, the PAF and JASDF are demonstrating their commitment to peace, security, and the well-being of their respective nations." (With reports from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)

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FM: Nasrallah's blood to further invigorate resistance

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 9:24 PM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the recent martyrdom of Secretary General of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah will be followed by further invigoration of the regional Axis of Resistance.

"Undoubtedly, the blood of this great man will further strengthen the already robust resistance," the top diplomat said during a telephone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Rashid Bou Habib on Saturday.

Araghchi hailed Nasrallah as a "courageous personality and an influential scholar," who served an unparalleled role in stabilizing and developing the school of resistance against the oppressive and occupying Zionist regime.

The resistance leader was assassinated during the most recent stage of the regime's escalation against Lebanon that saw it conducting dozens of airstrikes against the southern suburbs of the country's capital Beirut.

The Iranian official expressed condolence on the part of the country's people and administration to the Lebanese nation and government, considering Nasrallah's martyrdom to be a great loss for the people of Lebanon, the region, and the world.

He described the assassination as a "cowardly" and "bestial" war crime that featured egregious violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Araghchi laid emphasis on the need for informing the international public opinion about the "ignominious atrocity" and documenting it at international and legal organizations.

The Islamic Republic's diplomatic apparatus at home and abroad was prepared to help communicate the various aspects of this "sinister crime" as well as the aspects of the martyr's significant personality to the international community, he concluded.

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Yemeni forces target Ben Gurion airport during Netanyahu's arrival

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 8:32 PM

Yemen's Armed Forces have announced targeting the Ben Gurion airport in the central part of the occupied Palestinian territories concomitantly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's arrival from a New York visit.

"The missile force of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a targeting operation on Yaffa Airport, called 'Ben Gurion' by the Israeli entity, during the arrival of the criminal Benjamin Netanyahu," the forces said in a statement on Saturday.

The operation was carried out using a Palestine-2 ballistic missile, they added.

The strike came "in support of the oppressed Palestinian people and in response to the crimes of the Zionist enemy in Gaza and Lebanon," the statement read.

The operation came amid the Israeli regime's October-present genocidal war on the Gaza Strip and deadly escalation against Lebanon, which have respectively claimed the lives of at least 41,586 Palestinians and hundreds of Lebanese. Women and children comprise the majority of the victims.

The most recent stage of the escalation against Lebanon has seen the regime conducting dozens of airstrikes against the southern suburbs of the country's capital Beirut. The attacks led to the assassination of Secretary General of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, besides causing hundreds of other casualties.

Since the onset of the Israeli aggression against Gaza and Lebanon, the Yemeni forces have been conducting numerous retaliatory strikes against the occupied territories.

Complementing the statement, they vowed to "continue to respond to the crimes of the Israeli enemy and not hesitate to escalate in accordance with the requirements of the stage in the defense of Gaza and Lebanon."

They pledged to sustain the operations "until the aggression on Gaza and Lebanon ceases."

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Israel can't break resistance front's will by assassinating its leaders, says Houthi

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 7:11 PM

The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement has offered his sincere condolences over the martyrdom of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, stating that Israel is gravely mistaken to think it can break the resistance front's will by assassinating its leaders and commanders.

"The Muslim world is mourning with immense sorrow, grief and pain the loss of our dear brother and formidable warrior Nasrallah. We extend our condolences to his family, Hezbollah, the Lebanese nation as well as Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Palestinians and all freedom-loving people of the world," Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said in a televised speech broadcast live from the Yemeni capital Sana'a on Saturday evening.

He described the loss of the late Hezbollah chief as a great tragedy for the entire Muslim world, stating that Nasrallah was a great and successful leader who embodied the values and ethics of Islam.

"The path of Nasrallah will continue. Hezbollah keeps up the spirit of faith, and continues the legacy of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam, in the course of struggle against Israel.

"The Zionist enemy is gravely mistaken to think it can break the will of the Axis of Resistance through killing its leaders. Israeli assassinations of resistance leaders have consolidated resistance fighters' determination," Houthi noted.

The Ansarullah leader noted that the Axis of Resistance is resolute to step up its anti-Israel operations, no matter what the extent of sacrifices would be.

"The Zionist enemy will not manage to achieve its ambitions, and its collapse is inevitable," Houthi said. "We will not abandon Palestinian and Lebanese nations. I give them assurances that we will remain steadfast and their blood will not go in vain," he added.

On Friday, Israeli warplanes carried out a large strike against Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut's densely populated southern suburb of Dahiyeh, flattening at least six residential buildings.

The attacks came as part of the regime's escalation against Lebanon that has been targeting the country since October 7, when Tel Aviv launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

Nasrallah led Hezbollah for more than three decades. He was elected secretary-general of Hezbollah in 1992, aged 32, after an Israeli helicopter gunship killed his predecessor, Sayyed Abbas al-Musawi.

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Over 50,000 flee for Syria amid Israel's attacks on Beirut: UN

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 6:36 PM

The UN refugee chief says more than 50,000 people have fled Lebanon to Syria amid Israel's bloody massacre of people in southern Beirut.

"More than 50,000 Lebanese and Syrians living in Lebanon have now crossed into Syria fleeing Israeli air strikes," said Filippo Grandi, the chief of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

He said in a message on X that "well over 200,000 people are displaced inside Lebanon."

The total number of displaced in Lebanon has reached 211,319, including 118,000 since Israel launched its deadly airstrikes on Lebanon on Monday.

The UNHCR warned earlier that the region "cannot afford a new displacement crisis."

Israel's barbaric bombing of Beirut, the fiercest in years, has claimed the lives of more than 700 people, including at least 50 children, since Monday.

The UN agency for children, UNICEF, says the regime's air attacks on Lebanon in recent days have already killed more children per day than the 2006 war, which lasted for 33 days.

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Resistance will deal more crushing blows to 'decaying body' of Israel: Ayatollah Khamenei

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 4:00 PM

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the resistance front will deal more crushing blows on the "dilapidated and decaying body" of the Zionist regime.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the statement in a message of condolences on Saturday over the martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the longtime leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement, who was assassinated in a massive Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut on Friday.

The Leader declared five days of national mourning following the martyrdom of the Hezbollah chief.

The Leader said the foundation that Nasrallah established in Lebanon and provided direction to other centers of power will not disappear with his loss but will be strengthened by blood of the Hezbollah chief and other martyrs of the Beirut attack.

Ayatollah Khamenei described Nasrallah as a great fighter, the bearer of the resistance in the region, a religious scholar and a wise political leader who was martyred in the last night events in Lebanon.

The Leader stated that Nasrallah was martyred as he was planning to defend the defenseless people living in the Dahiyeh area in the south of Lebanon's capital Beirut and their destroyed homes.

Nasrallah fought for decades to defend the oppressed Palestinian people, their occupied cities and villages, destroyed homes, and their slaughtered loved ones, Ayatollah Khamenei added.

"The blessing of martyrdom was his undeniable right after all these efforts," the Leader emphasized.

"The Muslim world lost a great personality, the resistance front lost a prominent flag-bearer, and Lebanon's Hezbollah lost a unique leader," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader, however emphasized, the blessings of decades of Nasrallah's prudence and jihad will never be lost.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the evil Zionist regime failed to achieve victory in this incident.

The Leader said the Hezbollah chief "was not just a person, but rather he was a path and a school of thought and this path will continue."

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An off-duty San Antonio Police officer fatally shot his department-assigned K-9 while trying to stop an attack by a neighbor's three dogs Saturday afternoon, police said. Ajax9/Getty Images/iStockphoto

An off-duty San Antonio Police officer fatally shot his department-assigned K-9 while defending it from an attack by a neighbor's dogs Saturday afternoon, police said.

An off-duty police K-9 handler told officers three of the neighbor's dogs had broken through a fence and came into his backyard, where they attacked his police K-9, according to a preliminary police report. The incident happened around 12:25 p.m. in the 9300 block of Lands Point.

After unsuccessfully attempting to separate the dogs, the officer shot multiple rounds at the attacking canines, striking two of the animals, the report states. The police K-9 also was shot and later died from its injuries at a veterinary clinic.

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Police did not say what happened to the two dogs that were shot or the third dog involved in the attack. The neighbor was cited by Animal Care Services for numerous violations, police said.

The officer, who has served 16 years in law enforcement, will be placed on administrative duty. The SAPD shooting team and internal affairs unit will independently investigate the incident.

Police did not say what charges, if any, the neighbor faces.
World reacts to martyrdom of Hezbollah chief Nasrallah in Israeli strike on Beirut

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 3:55 PM

Messages of condemnation and condolences have been pouring in over the assassination of the secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in massive Israeli airstrikes targeting residential apartment buildings in southern Beirut on Friday evening.

Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani said in a statement on Saturday that the Zionist entity crossed all red lines after perpetrating this heinous act of aggression.

"The criminal act that targeted Dahiyeh neighborhood [in southern Beirut] yesterday exposes Israel's reckless desire to expand the conflict at the expense of regional nations' security and stability," the statement added.

He emphasized that international organizations, five permanent members of the UN Security Council and all key regional powers have a responsibility to take decisive action to halt the aggression and prevent the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, which the usurping Tel Aviv regime has been committing for decades.

"This aggression has ramped up in the aftermath of the bloody onslaught against Gaza in early October last year, and has recently extended to Lebanon, where indiscriminate killings have claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent people in a matter of few days. Whose interests are served by the expansion of this brutal ferocity?" Sudani pointed out.

He went on to reaffirm Iraq's principled stance in standing with Palestinian and Lebanese nations and announced three days of national mourning over the assassination of Nasrallah.

Iraq's prominent Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani also offered his condolences over the martyrdom of the late Hezbollah leader.

"The great martyr was an unmatched role model. He played a distinguished role in the victory over the occupying Zionist regime by liberating occupied Lebanese lands, and supported Iraqis with everything he could to help them free their homeland from the clutches of Daesh terrorists," the top Iraqi cleric said in a statement.

Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani also prayed that Nasrallah's soul rest in peace, and asked God Almighty to bestow patience and solace to his family and all those who are grieving his loss.

Additionally, Qais al-Khazali, the secretary general of Iraq's Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq resistance group, said Nasrallah scored outstanding victories in the course of struggle against Israel and inflicted heavy defeats on Zionists.

Iraqi Shia Muslim clerics and politicians Muqtada al-Sadr and Seyyed Ammar Hakim, for their parts, offered their sincere condolences over assassination of the Hezbollah chief in an Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut.

Meanwhile, Lebanon and Syria have also declared 3 days of national mourning over the Hezbollah leader's martyrdom.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said the killing of Nasrallah is "yet another political assassination."

"This forceful action is fraught with even greater dramatic consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East... The Israeli side could not fail to recognize this danger, but took the step of killing Lebanese citizens, which would almost inevitably provoke a new outburst of violence. Thus, it bears full responsibility for the subsequent escalation," the ministry said in a statement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned Israel's recent military actions in Lebanon.

"Israel's policy of genocide, occupation, and invasion, which has been ongoing since October 7, now targets Lebanon and the Lebanese people," Erdogan said on X after the martyrdom of Nasrallah.

He expressed deep concern over the loss of Lebanese lives, including children, in what he described as "brutal attacks."

Erdogan criticized the international community for enabling Israel's actions, saying that as Tel Aviv continues to receive "weapons and ammunition support from its backers," it becomes "increasingly reckless, defying all humanity, humanitarian values, and international law."

He stressed that Israel's "politics of madness," already seen in Gaza and Ramallah, must not be allowed to spread to Lebanon and other countries in the region.

The Turkish president called on global organizations, particularly the UN Security Council and human rights groups, to take swift action in response to Israel's aggression.

Israel carried out a large strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday evening, which it said targeted the Hezbollah leader, flattening at least six residential buildings.

On Friday, Israeli warplanes carried out a large strike against Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut's densely populated southern suburb of Dahiyeh, flattening at least six residential buildings.

The attacks came as part of the regime's escalation against Lebanon which has been targeting the country since October 7, when Tel Aviv launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

Nasrallah led Hezbollah for more than three decades. He was elected secretary-general of Hezbollah in 1992, aged 32 after an Israeli helicopter gunship killed his predecessor, Sayyed Abbas al-Musawi.

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UNRWA chief: Lebanon's displaced 'traumatized by bombardment'

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 3:29 PM

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has reported widespread trauma among Lebanon's displaced population, stemming from relentless bombardment and the uncertainty of ongoing Israeli offensives.

Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, shared his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), urging the international community to ensure the "protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure" amid Israel's continued airstrikes on Lebanon.

"We have opened seven shelters for the displaced, currently hosting 1,600 people, including Lebanese, Palestinians, and Syrians," Lazzarini posted.

His remarks came in the wake of Israeli airstrikes on Friday, which leveled several residential buildings in Beirut.

He highlighted that for many of the displaced, this situation is a "re-lived trauma", given Lebanon's long history of repeated cycles of conflict.

Lazzarini warned that an escalation of the war would only worsen the suffering of civilians.

The ongoing Israeli bombardment has left Lebanon and its citizens in a dire humanitarian situation.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Lebanon, "humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels that have exhausted current efforts and resources," and additional support is urgently required.

OCHA emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and aiding the government in assessing and meeting the growing needs.

Late Friday, thousands of residents took to the streets of Beirut following evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army for the city's southern suburbs, compounding an already severe displacement crisis.

The city has seen an influx of people fleeing airstrikes in southern Lebanon in recent days.

On Saturday, the Israeli military announced that its jet fighters had targeted "dozens" of positions in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon, with airstrikes continuing into the following day.

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Profiles: Top Hezbollah leaders martyred on the path to al-Quds since Oct. 7

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 2:43 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is the top Lebanese resistance leader to be assassinated by the Israeli regime since the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood last October.

The charismatic leader of the Hezbollah resistance movement was assassinated in a deadly attack targeting residential buildings in the southern suburb of Beirut on Friday.

The Lebanese resistance movement confirmed his assassination in a statement on Saturday, which drew widespread condemnation across the world.

Before Nasrallah, many other high-ranking Hezbollah commanders were also assassinated in recent months on the path to al-Quds by the Israeli apartheid regime.

Ibrahim Aqil (September 20):

Israeli fighter jets targeted a residential area in the southern suburbs of Beirut on September 20, assassinating one of the top-ranking commanders of the Hezbollah resistance movement.

Ibrahim Aqil, a high-profile Hezbollah leader was born on December 24, 1962, in Bednayel, a settlement in the Baalbek district of the Beqaa Valley in northeastern Lebanon.

In the early 1980s, he was one of the founders of the Islamic movement in Beirut. Following the invasion of Lebanon by the Israeli regime in 1982, Aqil spearheaded numerous heroic battles and operations against the occupying entity that ultimately resulted in its disgraceful defeat and withdrawal.

He took charge of Hezbollah's central training in the early 1990s, playing a pivotal role in developing the resistance's human resources. After that, he was appointed chief of staff for the Islamic Resistance.

From 1997 until the final war victory in 2000, he led several significant operations in Jabal Amel, a region from the Hula Valley to the Mediterranean Sea in southern Lebanon.

In 2006, he played a prominent role in the war against the Israeli regime, from which Hezbollah again emerged victorious after a month of fierce fighting.

In 2008, he founded the Radwan Force, a unit named after the celebrated Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh and derived from Hezbollah's earlier special forces.

Ahmad Mahmoud Wehbe (September 20):

In the same attack that led to the assassination of Aqil, the Israeli regime also assassinated senior Hezbollah commander Ahmad Mahmoud Wehbe alias 'Hajj Abu Hussein Samir'.

Wehbe was born in the southern Lebanese village of Adloun in 1964 and joined the resistance front in Lebanon when it came into being, playing a key role in the operations against the Israeli regime.

In 1984, he was captured by the Israeli occupation but that did not dampen his spirit. In 1997, Wehbe was at the forefront as a field commander in the Ansariya ambush.

The slain commander also held several high-profile leadership positions in Hezbollah's central training unit until 2007, when he was appointed in charge of military training in the Radwan Force.

He was also one of the main resistance leaders who took on extremist terrorist groups on Lebanon's eastern border and across many Syrian provinces.

Before his martyrdom, he played a key role in the Radwan Force's military operations alongside Aqil.

Fuad Shukr (July 30):

A top-ranking Hezbollah military commander, Fuad Shukr was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike on July 30 in the suburbs of southern Beirut, becoming the first high-profile resistance leader to be martyred since the events of October 7 last year.

The airstrike targeted a building in a congested neighborhood of Haret Hreik. His martyrdom was confirmed by the Lebanese resistance movement a day later after sifting through the rubble.

Shukr was a high-value target for the Israeli occupation regime and its Western allies. In 2019, the US government offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.

In its statement, Hezbollah hailed the slain military commander as "a distinctive force for resistance."

Born on April 25, 1961, in Nabatieh in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, Shukr was also known by the alias "al-Hajj Mohsen." He was one of the top-ranking military strategists of Hezbollah.

He had the distinction of being among the founders of Hezbollah after an Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and served as a military advisor to the movement leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

He was also a close friend of Hezbollah's former military commander Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated by the Israeli military in February 2008 in Syria.

The slain commander played a key role on the battlefield during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in the early 1980s and was wounded in clashes with the regime forces in Khalde in 1982.

He rose through the ranks to become Hezbollah's first central military commander, overseeing the planning and execution of operations against Israeli occupation forces through the 1990s.

Shukr served on the group's central leadership council and led the movement's operations against the apartheid regime in the aftermath of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm in October 2023.

Mohammad Nehme Nasser (July 3):

Mohammad Nehme Nasser, alias 'Hajj Abu Nehme' was one of the most prominent Hezbollah commanders, who was assassinated by the Israeli occupation in Tyre on July 3.

Born on May 6, 1965, in the southern Lebanese town of Hadatha, he was among the first fighters to join the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon in 1986 when he was still in his early 20s.

He took an active part in several important military operations against the Zionist entity to liberate the occupied Lebanese towns and villages during the invasion of Lebanon.

In one such operation, he spearheaded an infiltration attack on the Israeli military site in Beit Yahoun, a village that neighbors Hadatha near Beit Jbeil.

According to a statement by Hezbollah's military media unit, he was injured many times in operations to throw out Israeli regime forces from Lebanon, which was finally achieved on May 25, 2000, ending nearly 18 years of Israeli occupation.

In 2016, Nasser became the commander of one of Hezbollah's territorial units named the Aaziz unit.

During his resistance career spanning 40 years, he was recognized for his battlefield heroics. He continued those heroics since October 7, 2023, as well, leading and overseeing many operations.

On July 3, 2024, he was assassinated with his aide in the al-Haouch area in southwest Tyre.

Taleb Sami Abdallah (June 12):

Talib Samir Abdullah alias 'Abu Talib' was assassinated on June 12 while carrying out his duties as a senior Hezbollah commander against the Israeli occupation forces.

Abu Talib was born in the town of Adchit in southern Lebanon on March 20, 1969. He joined the ranks of the Lebanese resistance in 1984 and had the distinction of being among those fighters who defended Muslims in Bosnia between 1992 and 1994.

A seasoned commander, Abu Talib played a key role in the resistance against Israeli occupation of south Lebanon, which proved instrumental in the liberation of Lebanese territories in May 2000.

During the Israeli war on Lebanon in July 2006, he led heroic battles in Maroun al-Ras, Bint Jbeil, and the Liberation Square, the juncture point between Maroun al-Ras, Bint Jbeil, Ainata, and Aitaroun, according to a statement issued by Hezbollah.

During Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Abu Talib was active on the frontlines, overseeing operations against Israeli military installations, and deployment sites in the eastern part of the Lebanese-Palestinian border, extending to the occupied Syrian Golan.

Wissam Hassan Tawil (January 8):

Wissam Hassan Tawil, hailing from the town of Khirbet Selem in southern Lebanon, was martyred in the line of duty by the Israeli occupation forces on January 8, becoming the first high-profile Hezbollah commander to be martyred since October 7, 2023.

In a statement published by Hezbollah following his assassination, several photos showed him alongside prominent resistance leaders, including Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Imad Moghniyeh, Mostafa Badreddine and Qassem Soleimani.

He rose through the ranks of the Lebanese resistance movement to become one of its celebrated commanders who ultimately achieved his goal of martyrdom on the path of Al-Quds.

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Profile: How Nasrallah rose through ranks to become Axis of Resistance backbone

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 2:13 PM

By Maryam Qarehgozlou

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, a visionary leader and a backbone of the Axis of Resistance, was assassinated in a massive Israeli attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Friday.

Israeli airstrikes on the Haret Hreik neighborhood, the main stronghold of Hezbollah in southern Beirut, leveled several residential buildings, with hundreds of civilians, including children, feared dead.

In a statement on Saturday, Hezbollah confirmed the martyrdom of Nasrallah, describing him as "an outstanding, courageous, wise, and insightful leader", who joined his "great and immortal martyr comrades."

"The leadership of Hezbollah vows to the highest, most sacred, and dearest martyr in our journey filled with sacrifices and martyrs to continue its struggle against the enemy, supporting Gaza and Palestine, and defending Lebanon and its steadfast, honorable people," read the statement.

The Israeli regime has intensified its aggression against Lebanon since last week, which has led to the killing of more than 720 people, including dozens of women and children, since Monday.

The recent escalation came after nearly a year of Hezbollah operations in solidarity with the Palestinian nation and the Palestinian resistance as the death toll in Gaza has crossed the 41,500 mark.

Hezbollah has carried out near-daily operations in support of Palestinians in Gaza since October 8, 2023, only a day after Israel unleashed its genocidal war on the besieged Palestinian territory.

Nasrallah's ironclad commitment to resistance against Israeli aggression and his unwavering support of the Palestinian cause made him a popular and loved figure in the Axis of Resistance.

A young man with big ambitions

Sayyad Hassan Nasrallah was born on August 31, 1960, in the eastern suburbs of Beirut, in the Matn district. He grew up in a poor Shia family and was displaced to southern Lebanon during his childhood.

Despite these challenges, Nasrallah was a motivated and devout student of Islam, and in 1975 he went to study theology at Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr's Seminary in Najaf, Iraq, at the age of 16.

Al-Sadr, a prominent Islamic scholar, is said to have recognized Nasrallah's qualities and is quoted as saying: "I feel in you the aroma of leadership; you are one of the Ansar [followers] of the Mahdi [Shia's last of the Twelve Imams]...."

In 1979, the young Nasrallah joined the Amal Movement, a Lebanese Shia political group. However, owing to some differences, he left the group in 1982 to join the nascent Hezbollah movement.

Nasrallah quickly rose through the ranks of the popular resistance movement, becoming a key military commander during the Israeli occupation of Lebanon in the 1980s.

In 1985, Nasrallah took on the role of deputy head of the region within Hezbollah.

Later, he was promoted to the position of chief executive, which involved carrying out the decisions made by the organization's Shura Council, the governing body responsible for making strategic decisions and formulating policies for the group.

As chief executive, he was responsible for ensuring that the group's decisions were implemented effectively, and for managing the day-to-day operations of the movement.

He played a key role in the resistance against the Israeli occupation regime, and his strategic acumen earned him the respect and admiration of his fellow fighters and commanders.

Nasrallah's steady rise to this position was a testament to his leadership skills and his commitment to the group's goals and values.

He was seen as a trusted and capable leader who could navigate complex political and military situations.

His appointment as chief executive of Hezbollah was a significant milestone in his career and set the stage for his eventual rise to the position of Secretary-General.

Successor to Abbas Musawi

In 1992, Abbas al-Musawi, the Lebanese Shia cleric and the co-founder of Hezbollah, who served as the group's Secretary-General, was assassinated by the Israeli regime.

Nasrallah succeeded him as the leader of Hezbollah on February 16, 1992, a position he held until his martyrdom on Friday.

Under his inspiring and able leadership, Hezbollah grew into a powerful political and military force in the region, with a strong base of support among Lebanon's Muslim and non-Muslim communities alike.

After he was appointed the Hezbollah leader, he immediately set about reshaping the organization's strategy and tactics in response to changing political and military realities.

Under Nasrallah's leadership, Hezbollah launched a series of highly effective operations against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, which were designed to make the occupation of southern areas untenable for Israeli forces, and ultimately succeeded in achieving their goal.

In 2000, after nearly two decades of struggle, Israeli forces finally withdrew from southern Lebanon, marking a major victory for Hezbollah and the broader resistance movement in the region.

Nasrallah played a key role in this victory, both through his leadership of Hezbollah's military operations and through his political skills in negotiating with the Lebanese government and other regional actors.

In 2004, Nasrallah played a pivotal role in negotiating a major prisoner exchange between the Israeli regime and Hezbollah, which resulted in the release of hundreds of Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners held illegally by Israel.

The 2004 prisoner exchange further cemented his reputation as a skilled diplomat.

The exchange was also significant for Nasrallah on a personal level, as it resulted in the return of the remains of his son, who had been killed by Israeli forces in 1997.

The return of his son's remains was a powerful symbol of Nasrallah's dedication to the cause of resistance, and his willingness to make personal sacrifices for the sake of his people.

Nasrallah's leadership during the 33-day Lebanon War in 2006 further solidified his reputation as the "leader of the resistance" both within Lebanon and across the broader Arab and Islamic world.

Throughout the war, Hezbollah was able to hold the line against a massive Israeli military onslaught and emerged victorious with its reputation greatly enhanced.

The group's ability to withstand Israeli air strikes and ground offensives, and to continue launching rockets and missiles into Israeli-occupied territories, demonstrated its tremendous military prowess and its commitment to the cause of resistance against the Zionist occupation.

A man of strong alliances

Nasrallah was particularly instrumental in building alliances with other regional actors, including Iran and Syria, and in coordinating resistance efforts against the Tel Aviv regime.

Nasrallah was a vocal supporter of Syria, particularly the government of President Bashar al-Assad, during the country's civil war which began in 2011, opposing West-backed attempts to undermine the Assad government through mercenaries and terrorists.

Hezbollah fighters have been actively involved in the Arab country, fighting alongside Syrian government forces against US-backed terrorist groups to prevent the spread of extremist groups in the region.

Nasrallah was also known for his eloquence and charisma as a public speaker.

His speeches have inspired millions of people across the region, and his message of resistance and self-determination has resonated with oppressed people around the world, including Palestinians.

Despite numerous attempts to assassinate him and undermine his leadership, Nasrallah remained steadfast in his commitment to the cause of justice and liberation.

His leadership has been critical in defending Lebanon's sovereignty and dignity, and in inspiring a new generation of resistance fighters.

With the beginning of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza last year in October, he declared the opening of a "front in southern Lebanon to support Palestinian resistance."

Unwaveringly committed to this cause, he vowed in numerous speeches that this front would tirelessly persevere until the devastating war on Gaza ended.

Nasrallah was a true hero of the Axis of Resistance, and his legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations in their struggle for justice and liberation.

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Israel's assassination of Nasrallah 'will only strengthen resistance': Hamas

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 1:48 PM

Palestinian resistance groups along with other regional resistance factions say the assassination by Israel of Hezbollah's Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah will only increase the determination of the resistance in the region.

The Hezbollah leader was assassinated in a massive Israeli airstrike on residential buildings in Lebanon's capital Beirut on Friday. He led Lebanon's resistance group for more than 32 years.

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said in a Saturday statement that crimes and assassinations by Israel "will only increase the determination and the insistence of the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon."

The resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, Hamas said, will "go forward with all their might, bravery and pride on the footsteps of the martyrs...and pursue the path of resistance until victory and the dismissal of the occupation."

Hamas said that Nasrallah's "pure blood that was shed on Lebanese soil...will be a curse that haunts this Zionist enemy and will illuminate and extend the path of our people and our resistance, which knows no defeat or surrender."

Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian resistance movement also said in a statement that Israel will soon "pay the price of its crimes, and taste defeat for what its sinful hands have done."

The resistance group reiterated that the martyrdom of Nasrallah "will only strengthen the resistance in Lebanon, Palestine, and the region with more power, resilience, and determination."

Yemen's Ansarullah Supreme Political Council also issued a statement, saying that martyr Nasrallah "crowned his giving and jihad with the best conclusion, which is martyrdom in the path of Allah Almighty."

Echoing Hamas, Ansarullah said that Nasrallah's martyrdom "will increase the flame of sacrifice, the heat of enthusiasm, the strength of determination and the resolve to continue."

"The inevitable outcome will be victory and the demise of the "Israeli" enemy and its temporary entity."

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a coalition of Palestinian groups in the West Bank, also expressed its "deep sorrow and pain" for the martyrdom of "the sincere leader" of Hezbollah.

Nasrallah, it said, "has become a martyr on the path to Al-Quds, after a life full of sacrifices for the liberation of Palestine, its capital, and its sanctities."

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) also offered condolences over the martyrdom of Nasrallah.

"The PFLP expresses its deep solidarity with brethren in Hezbollah  leadership, cadres, and fighters  and the Lebanese people, and the Axis of Resistance, over this great and significant loss," a statement from the movement read.

"We send them a clear message: Your wound is our wound, the blood of your leaders is our blood, and the martyrdom of the Master of Resistance, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, represents the beginning of a new phase of resistance," it added.

It stated, "The martyrdom of the Master of Resistance represents a grave loss; but it will not weaken the resolve of the resistance nor diminish its determination. On the contrary, the ranks of the resistance in Lebanon and everywhere will step up confrontation with this tyrannical enemy, which understands only the language of force."

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine also pledged to all resistance fighters in the region that the response to the Zionist regime's crime of assassinating Nasrallah will be commensurate with the misdemeanor itself.

In a separate message, the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement appreciated the great sacrifices made by the fighters of Hezbollah as well as its honorable leadership and commended their genuine and steadfast position in support of Palestinians.

"We affirm that the Zionist assassination policy will not weaken the resolve of resistance fighters. It will neither break the will of the resistance front nor will restore the prestige and deterrence of the Zionist enemy," it highlighted.

Moreover, the Lebanese political party Amal Movement stated that the loss of a unique and courageous figure like Nasrallah will not weaken the resolve of the resistance front to continue defending Lebanon against Zionist terrorism, which has exceeded all boundaries of ethics and humanity.

"Our pledge to the martyred Sayyed and all other martyrs is that we will remain shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, and arm in arm with them. Assassination and aggression will only strengthen our resolve in defending Lebanon," the movement stated.

With the beginning of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza last year in October, he declared the opening of a "front in southern Lebanon to support Palestinian resistance."

Unwaveringly committed to this cause, he vowed in numerous speeches that this front would tirelessly persevere until the devastating war on Gaza ended.

Nasrallah was a true hero of the Axis of Resistance, and his legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations in their struggle for justice and liberation.

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Iran offers condolences over Hezbollah leader's martyrdom, says his path will continue

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 12:30 PM

Iran has expressed condolences over the martyrdom of the secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, saying his honorable path will continue.

In a statement on Saturday, Hezbollah confirmed the assassination of its leader in massive Israeli airstrikes targeting residential buildings in southern Beirut on Friday.

Nasrallah's blood will accelerate Israel's elimination: Leader's aide

An advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the illegitimate and occupying regime of Israel's recent vicious act of assassinating the Hezbollah chief has once again exposed the regime's savage nature to the world.

Mohammad Mokhber said Nasrallah's assassination showed that "this cancerous tumor and its supporters will not spare any inhuman and immoral action to achieve their illegitimate goals."

He added that the pure blood of Nasrallah will empower the resistance front and consolidate the great victory of the brave people of Lebanon and Palestine.

"By the grace of the almighty, the cause of Palestine's liberation will be brighter and more accessible day by day," the Leader's aide emphasized.

Mokhber expressed confidence that Nasrallah's blood will hasten the elimination of the Zionists.

In a post on his official X account on Saturday, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said Nasrallah's "honorable" way of resistance will continue.

He added that Nasrallah's holy goal of liberating al-Quds will be realized, God willing.

Netanyahu's chaotic plots against region, world will fail: Iran VP

Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif says the chaotic plots of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu against the region and the entire world will undoubtedly fail.

In a message on X, Zarif extended his condolences to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the noble Lebanese government and nation and all resistance forces as well as freedom-seeking people across the world over the tragic incident.

He said resistance against the Israeli regime's brutality will continue with more power from now on.

The top Iranian official expressed hope that right will emerge victorious over wrong.

Blood of martyrs of resistance will lead to Israel's destruction: First VP

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said Iran warns Israeli officials that the blood of the oppressed martyrs of the path of resistance, particularly the Hezbollah chief, will lead to the regime's destruction.

In a message of condolences over Nasrallah's assassination, Aref added, "Today is the day of an important test for all in the world, including nations and governments."

It is important to how world nations and governments will react to Israel's acts of crimes and genocide, he noted.

The vice president once again reiterated that the Iranian government and nation will stand by the Islamic resistance and expressed confidence that Nasrallah's path will continue.

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Hezbollah confirms assassination of leader Nasrallah on Israeli strike on Beirut

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 11:53 AM

The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has confirmed the assassination of its secretary general Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in massive Israeli airstrikes targeting residential buildings in southern Beirut on Friday.

"His Eminence, the Master of Resistance, the righteous servant, has joined his Lord and His pleasure as a great martyr  an outstanding, courageous, wise, and insightful leader  joining the ranks of the radiant martyrs of Karbala in the divine journey of faith, following in the footsteps of the prophets and martyr imams," Hezbollah said in a statement on Saturday afternoon.

"The leadership of Hezbollah vows to the highest, most sacred, and dearest martyr in our journey, filled with sacrifices and martyrs, to continue its struggle against the enemy, supporting Gaza and Palestine, and defending Lebanon and its steadfast, honorable people," it added.

Since Friday afternoon, Israeli warplanes have conducted over 30 airstrikes, targeting residential buildings in Burj al-Barajneh, Kafaat, Choueifat, Hadath, al-Laylaki, and Mreijeh, with local media reporting upwards of 300 casualties as a result of the aggression.

Footage broadcast by al-Manar television channel from the crowded area of Beirut's Dahiyeh shows flattened buildings, streets filled with rubble and clouds of smoke and dust above the area.

Martyrs' Square, Beirut's central public area, was crowded with exhausted and anxious families sheltering outdoors.

The recent attacks are part of the Israeli regime's intensified assault on Lebanon, which has become more deadly this week, resulting in over 700 deaths nationwide since Monday.

The new attacks came less than a week after the Tel Aviv regime killed 38 people, including three children and seven women as well as senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil in an attack on a residential building in a southern Beirut suburb.

Nasrallah took over Hezbollah in 1992, at the age of 32, after his predecessor Abbas al-Musawi was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon.

Under Nasrallah's leadership, Hezbollah continued to grow into a powerful political and military force that has fought off three Israeli wars against Lebanon-- in 2000 and 2006 as well as the current ongoing conflict.

In Lebanon and across the region, Nasrallah was revered as a charismatic leader and military strategist who had dedicated his life to resistance against Israel and supporting the Palestinian cause.

Earlier on Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said the brutal attacks by the "rabid Zionist dog" on Lebanon revealed the shortsightedness and foolish policies of Israeli officials, calling on all Muslims to unite behind Lebanese people and Hezbollah.

"The Zionist criminals need to know that they are far too weak to be able to inflict any significant damage on the solid structure of Lebanon's Hezbollah. All the resistance forces in the region stand with and support Hezbollah," the Leader said in a statement on Saturday.

"The Lebanese have not forgotten that there was a time when the soldiers of the occupying regime were advancing toward Beirut, and Hezbollah stopped them, and made Lebanon proud. Today too, by the grace and power of God, Lebanon will make the transgressing, malicious enemy regret its actions," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.

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China stages naval drills near disputed South China Sea reef

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 11:27 AM

Chinese naval and air forces have held military drills in a disputed territory in the South China Sea amid tensions with the United States and its regional allies.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) forces conducted patrols around a flashpoint reef in the South China Sea on Saturday, after a slew of tense encounters with the Philippines in the disputed waterway in recent months.

The PLA's Southern Theater Command said it held air and sea patrols across the triangular chain of reefs and rocks situated between the Philippines' main island of Luzon and the Chinese land mass of Hainan named Scarborough Shoal by the West.

Beijing said the training activities around the shoal included "reconnaissance, early warning, and air-sea patrols".

"Certain countries outside the region are stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, creating instability in the region," the Southern Theater Command said in a statement.

"China holds indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island and its adjacent waters," it added, using the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims of several Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines among them.

On Wednesday, the PLA Rocket Force test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean.

China's military drills came shortly after the US hosted a Quadrilateral Summit earlier this week which coincided with joint military exercises carried out by the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines in Manila's exclusive economic zone and within the South China Sea.

Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden hosted the summit at the Archmere Academy in Wilmington, Delaware.

During a leaders' meeting of the so-called Quad alliance between the US, Australia, India, and Japan, Biden said the grouplet is "here to stay".

He vowed to strengthen Quad amid growing tensions with China.

During his talks, intended for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which was recorded on a hot mic, Biden claimed China had adopted an increasingly assertive stance in the Pacific Ocean region.

He told 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 was supposed to be behind-closed-doors remarks to the Quad grouping of four countries.

Biden added that while Chinese President Xi Jinping was focused on "domestic economic challenges", he was also "looking to buy himself some diplomatic space, in my view, to aggressively pursue China's interest."

He then claimed that Washington was making "intense efforts" to reduce tensions with Beijing, including a phone call to the Chinese leader in April, to prevent direct conflict between the countries.

Meanwhile, naval and air forces from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and the US also held joint exercises in the South China Sea.

The military drills by the US and its regional allies, the fourth iteration of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, were held in an unspecified location in Manila's exclusive economic zone in the strategic waterway, the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement.

It claimed the joint military drills demonstrated "a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific".

In related news, Japan's defense ministry said its naval destroyer Sazanami had participated in the drills with the other four countries' military forces.

Australia's defense department separately confirmed Saturday that the HMAS Sydney and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft participated in joint exercises aimed at "upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight".

Meanwhile, tensions between Beijing and the US-backed Manila government have flared in the past few months during a series of confrontations in waters around disputed territories.

In July, the two sides said they had reached a provisional deal on resupply missions to a Philippine ship, the Sierra Madre, which is grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal with a garrison on board, aimed at asserting Manila's claims to the reef.

Beijing said Friday it had "supervised" a Philippine ship as it delivered supplies as part of a resupply mission to the grounded vessel at the shoal.

Moreover, Washington and Beijing have been at loggerheads over a slew of issues, including China's partnership with Russia, the origin of the COVID-19 virus, bilateral trade tariffs, technological theft, espionage, Chinese Taipei and territorial claims, among other disputed topics.

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Israeli heavy bombings in Beirut's crowded southern suburbs drive thousands to sleep outdoors

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 11:03 AM

Israeli barrage of bombs on densely packed southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital of Beirut forced thousands of panicked people to camp out in the streets and public squares overnight to escape the devastating attacks of the occupying entity.

Since Friday afternoon, Israeli warplanes have conducted over 30 airstrikes, targeting residential buildings in Burj al-Barajneh, Kafaat, Choueifat, Hadath, al-Laylaki, and Mreijeh, with local media reporting upwards of 300 casualties as a result of the aggression.

"I expected the war to expand, but I thought it would be limited to (military) targets, not civilians, homes, and children," said a south Beirut resident, who spent the night in a churchyard.

"I didn't even pack any clothes, I never thought we would leave like this and suddenly find ourselves on the streets," she further told the AFP, as the Lebanese capital woke up to the aftermath of a night at war, smoke rising from blazes in several places.

Footage broadcast by Al-Manar television from the crowded area of Beirut's Dahiyeh shows flattened buildings, streets filled with rubble and clouds of smoke and dust above the area.

Martyrs' Square, Beirut's central public area, was crowded with exhausted and anxious families sheltering outdoors.

"The bombing intensified at night and our house started shaking," said a 55-year-old local, who slept in the square after fleeing the Burj al-Barajneh neighborhood in Dahiyeh where strikes landed.

"What did the (Lebanese) people do to deserve this?" she asked, adding that her home had been razed by Israeli airstrikes during the 2006 war, known as the 2006 Lebanon War.

The recent attacks are part of the Israeli regime's intensified assault on Lebanon, which has become more deadly in recent days, resulting in over 700 deaths nationwide since Monday.

The new attacks came less than a week after the Tel Aviv regime killed 38 people, including three children and seven women as well as Ibrahim Aqil, one of the senior commanders of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement, in an attack on a residential building in a southern Beirut suburb.

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Sudan's de facto leader implicitly denounces UAE for RSF support in UN address

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 8:29 AM

Sudan's de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has implicitly condemned the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its support of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during his address at the United Nations.

Al-Burhan on Friday lashed out at the "regional and political players" that have been backing the RSF in its well more than a year of deadly fight with Sudan's army without naming the UAE, which has been accused of providing the RSF with military and financial aid.

His remarks came a day after his army launched a major offensive to retake the capital Khartoum from paratroopers of the RSF, led by Burhan's former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

The RSF is "receiving political and logistical support at the local and regional levels," added Al-Burhan.

He stressed that without this support, which came from countries that would like "to control our people's riches through the use of force and specifically through the use of money," the war in Sudan would have ended.

Al-Burhan noted that it was "most unfortunate" that the RSF was "receiving the support of some states in the region, states which are providing funding and mercenaries for their own political and economic benefit."

Sudan's army-aligned government has previously provided the UN with evidence of the UAE's backing of the RSF, including claims of Emirati forces being on the ground in Sudan.

This is while the UAE has time and again rejected the allegation. Back in April, the UAE foreign ministry sent a letter to the Security Council, denying Sudan's accusations against the Persian Gulf Arab country.

However, a leaked UN report pointed to "credible" evidence that proved the UAE was providing military support to the RSF.

Later on Friday and after Al-Burhan's speech, Burhan stressed that UAE ruler Mohammed bin Zayed had promised "to reconsider the situation" in a phone call the two men had in July.

The Sudanese leader gave no further details.

Amid the 2023 Sudan war, the military government has largely moved to Port Sudan due to heavy combat in Khartoum, prompting many to refer to Port Sudan as the country's de facto capital.

Located on the Red Sea in eastern Sudan, Port Sudan is the country's primary seaport and accounts for 90 percent of the nation's international trade.

Burhan and Dagalo seized full power in a 2021 coup, but their subsequent tense relations have plunged Sudan into even greater chaos and deeper turmoil during the past 17 months.

Both the army and the RSF have been accused by human rights groups inside and outside the African country of war crimes, including targeting civilians, torturing prisoners, and indiscriminate shelling of residential areas across Sudan.

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San Antonio Police said a man was assaulted at a West Side residence during an apparent home burglary. His injuries initially were thought to be from a gunshot. Theo Esquivel

San Antonio Police said a man was assaulted at a West Side residence during an apparent home burglary and his injuries initially were thought to be from a gunshot.

Police said an unknown number of people entered a home in the 800 block of Trinity St. and physically assaulted a 41-year-old man before fleeing. Police found the man with "visible injuries" around 9:15 p.m. outside the home, according to a preliminary police report.

Police initially thought the man had been shot. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Hospital staff determined the man was not shot, and KENS-TV reported authorities believe the man was beaten with a bat.

Police, who have not identified the attackers, are describing the incident as a home burglary with the intention to commit assault, the report states.

The investigation remains ongoing.
Entire Israeli occupied north under intense fire of Hezbollah rockets

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 8:20 AM

Hezbollah has fired its fifth wave of rockets towards Israel's military positions and settlements in the north of the occupied territories in response to the regime's bombing of residential buildings in southern Beirut.

The Lebanese resistance movement said it fired a barrage of Fadi-3 missiles at the Ramat David base, one of the three main Israeli airfields, about 20 km southeast of Haifa on Saturday morning.

The operation, it said, came "in support of steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and their valiant and honorable resistance front, in defense of Lebanon and its nation, and in response to the barbaric Israeli violations against Lebanese cities, villages, and civilians."

Israel's Ynet website said Hezbollah sent its reconnaissance drones over David Ramat, taking pictures of all the sensitive positions ranging from the residences of soldiers and officers to the routes of airplanes and even the military command office before targeting them.

Ynet touched on the strategic importance of Ramat David where three squadrons of the most advanced F16 fighters are based, saying all those stationed in the airfield are aware of the danger that threatens them and the areas around the base.

Israeli website Walla, which specializes in security affairs, said the town of Metula has been completely destroyed with the ongoing escalation in the north and the expansion of Hezbollah's missile operations, adding what remains standing is a school.

The website cited a settler as saying that rockets raining down on the settlement had become a rule of the day, but what happened on Friday was phenomenal when the landing of heavy warhead Barkan rockets destroyed a large area.

Last week, Walla said, eight Falaq 2 missiles hit Metula, destroying at least 30 houses.

The Israeli military has imposed a heavy news blackout on the war situation in the northern front, blocking any reports about casualties and damage.

Analysts say by concealing its losses in the north, Israel seeks to bolster the morale of the settlers and pretend that it is making military gains.

In another statement Saturday, Hezbollah said it hit the Kabri settlement in the Western Galilee region near of the Mediterranean town of Nahariya with Fadi-1 rockets.

Rocket warning sirens were activated in dozens of communities in the northern part of the occupied lands. Sirens were also sounded in parts of Haifa and across the Galilee.

Israeli media outlets reported that Hezbollah launched some 75 rockets at occupied territories on Friday night.

A barrage of some 30 rockets was launched at Safed, according to the Israeli military, with local officials saying that at least two impacts in the northern city caused significant damage.

Meanwhile, a barrage of five rockets was launched from Lebanon at the Jezreel Valley a short while ago, setting off sirens in several towns in the area. There are also reports of explosions heard in Tel Aviv, according Ynet.

Referring to the tense situation in the northern areas as a result of Hezbollah's operations, the Hebrew-language media said the entire northern front is under the fire of Lebanese missiles. They said Haifa officials are extremely angry with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet over their war-mongering policies.

Israel's comptroller and ombudsman Matanyahu Englman, they said, had been accosted during a visit by a furious Haifa mayor, Yona Yahav, who had excoriated Netanyahu and his cabinet members for failing to inquire even once about "how dire the security situation" is in the city.

According to Englman, there are generally no specific economic and educational programs in the north, where people are locked indoors and suffer from the consequences of the continuing war.

On Friday, Israeli warplanes struck at least six residential structures in Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut's densely populated southern suburb of Dahiyeh, killing at least eight people and wounding some 80 others.

The attacks came as part of the regime's escalation against Lebanon that has been targeting the country since October 7, when Tel Aviv launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

The escalation has taken a deadlier turn since Monday, claiming the lives of more than 700 people across the country.

Hezbollah has been responding to the aggression with numerous retaliatory operations targeting the occupied Palestinian territories.

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Hamas: Netanyahu's UN speech poses substantial risk to global security, peace

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 6:23 AM

Hamas says Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats at the UN General Assembly to continue aggression against the Gaza Strip and Lebanon represent a clear threat to international peace and security.

"Netanyahu continued his series of blatant lies and escalated his threats against the peoples of the region in his speech, while expanding his circle of crimes to include our people in Lebanon," the Palestinian resistance group said in a statement.

"Netanyahu should have been arrested and held accountable as a war criminal. The doors of the United Nations should not open to a criminal terrorist, who threatens regional and international peace and security," the statement noted.

Netanyahu's speech, Hamas said, represents "a clear threat to international peace and security by affirming his determination to expand aggression against the peoples of the region and continue his brutal crimes, based on a criminal US policy that provides political and military cover for such crimes".

Several delegations walked out as Netanyahu approached the lectern to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.

"This war can come to an end now. All that has to happen is for Hamas to surrender, lay down its arms and release all the hostages," Netanyahu said.

"But if they don't - if they don't - we will fight until we achieve total victory. Total victory. There is no substitute for it."

He also threatened more attacks against Lebanon, which began last week with exploding pagers, and this week, expanded to airstrikes that have killed more than 750 people and displaced at least 90,000.

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon has warned that the country is facing bloodshed not seen in decades and that the crisis could deteriorate even further.

"The recent escalations in Lebanon are nothing short of catastrophic," Imran Riza said. "We are witnessing the deadliest period in Lebanon in a generation, and many express their fear that this is just the beginning."

On Friday, Israeli warplanes struck at least six residential structures in Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut's densely populated southern suburb of Dahiyeh, killing at least eight people and wounding some 80 others.

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Iraqi resistance hits north, south occupied Palestine with drones 'in support of Palestine, Lebanon'

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 1:32 AM

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says it has carried out new operations in the Israeli-occupied territories of Palestine, hitting the targets with drones "in support of Palestine, Lebanon."

The umbrella group for Iraqi resistance fighters said in a statement on Saturday morning that in the first operation it "attacked a military target" in the north Palestine occupied by Israel.

"In continuation of our path in resisting the occupation, in support of our people in Palestine and Lebanon, and in response to the massacres committed by the usurping entity against civilians, including children, women and the elderly, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, on Saturday 28/09/2024, attacked a military target in the north of our occupied lands with drones," the statement said.

The second operation struck a vital Israeli target in the southern occupied territories with drones.

"The fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, on Saturday 28/09/2024, attacked a vital target in the south of our occupied lands with drones," the statement said.

The Iraqi resistance vowed it would continue striking the enemy's strongholds with increasing intensity.

In the third attack, "fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, at dawn on Saturday 28/09/2024, for the third time, attacked a vital target in the north of our occupied lands using drones."

On Friday, Iraqi fighters launched two drone attacks on military targets in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, in response to ongoing Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

The Golan Heights has been under Israeli control since a large-scale war in 1967 involving several regional Arab states, including Syria.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has been conducting numerous such operations against sensitive targets lying across the occupied territories since October 7 last year, when the Israeli regime waged a genocidal war in the Gaza Strip.

At least 41,534 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in the brutal Israeli military onslaught so far.

During recent months, the group has also carried out many operations against US bases in Iraq and neighboring Syria over Washington's unbridled support for Israel's crimes in Gaza.

On Friday, Israeli warplanes launched massive airstrikes on the southern suburb of Dahiyeh in Beirut, killing at least eight people and wounding around 80 others.

Hours after a new wave of Israeli airstrikes hit the Dahiyeh area.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas called on "Arab and Islamic nations" to act and "reject this brutal aggression" by Israel against the brotherly people of Lebanon.

Hamas condemned the "Zionist escalation and aggression" against the people of Lebanon.

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FM: Israel used US's 5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs in deadly Beirut attacks

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 12:25 AM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly denounces the Israeli regime's recent deadly attacks against the Lebanese capital Beirut and the United States' complicity in the atrocity.

The top diplomat made the remarks on Friday during a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York.

"Just this morning, the Israeli regime used several 5,000-pound bunker busters that had been gifted to them by the United States to hit residential areas in Beirut," he said.

"One cannot disregard the US's complicity in the crime," the official noted.

Earlier in the day, Israeli warplanes struck at least six residential structures in Dahiyeh's Haret Hreik neighborhood, killing at least eight people and wounding some 80 others.

The regime kept on the raids on Saturday, when it targeted several buildings in the al-Hadath and Laylaki neighborhoods in the same area with at least 15 airstrikes.

The attacks came as part of the regime's escalation against Lebanon that has been targeting the country since October 7, when Tel Aviv launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

The escalation has taken a deadlier turn since Monday, claiming the lives of more than 700 people across the country.

Araghchi said the Security Council and the international community's failure to stop the genocide had now emboldened the Israeli regime's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his henchmen to "harbor the dream of repeating [Gaza's] massacres in Lebanon and drag the entire into a full-scale war."

"The criminal Israeli mafia is rather being rewarded" as a result of the international inaction "and its crimes being normalized before our eyes," he added.

Araghchi reiterated that "Israel's warmongering relies on US military support and political backing .... Therefore, the United States is implicated in every aspect of Israel's atrocity."

The US provides most of the bombs that the regime's drops on Gazans. It also uses its influence and veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council to prevent the body from either holding the regime accountable or taking it to task for its atrocities.

Araghchi called on Washington to simply withhold the support from the regime if it truly laments the loss of human life in Gaza as it claims it does.

"The council must act now to stop Israel's cruel plan to exterminate an entire nation of people who, for eight long decades, have been under brutal occupation and suppression."

Elsewhere in his remarks, Araghchi warned the American people that Netanyahu was trying to involve the US in a war with the entire region as means of both prolonging his political longevity and influencing the results of the country's upcoming elections.

He concluded his remarks by saying that continuation of the regime's bloodletting would also cause the people of the region to realize its nature as a "nasty element" that is part of a "colonial project planted in our region to embroil it in interminable cycles of wars and violence."

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Sept. 27: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 28 September 2024 12:14 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 41,600 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 Friday, September 27, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Sept. 27:

Targeted a D9 military bulldozer with an Al-Yassin 105 shell in the "Sofa" area east of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip.

Targeted and destroyed an Israeli military Merkava 4 tank with a Yassin 105 shell in the Sofa area, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Targeted an Israeli military's engineering equipment along with a group of soldiers from the unit with two Al-Yassin 105 shells in the Sofa area, east of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs' operations on Sept. 27:

Targeted a command and control headquarters belonging to the Israeli military in the "Netzarim" axis with short-range 107mm caliber missiles.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Sept. 27:

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in Nablus on Al-Quds Street in Nablus, occupied West Bank, with a barrage of bullets.

Hezbollah's operations on Sept. 27:

Targeted the settlement of "Kiryat Ata" with a barrage of Fadi-1 missiles.

Targeted the occupied city of Tabariyya with a rocket barrage.

Targeted the occupied city of Tabariyya for the second time with a rocket barrage.

Targeted the settlement of "Ilaniya" with a barrage of Fadi-1 missiles.

Targeted the "Bayad Blida" site with artillery shells.

Targeted the occupied city of Safad with a barrage of rockets.

Targeted the settlement of "Karmiel" with a massive salvo of rockets.

Targeted the settlement of "Sa'ar" with a rocket barrage.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq's operations on Sept. 27:

Launched an Al-Arqab cruise missile toward a vital Israeli military target in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Launched drones at an Israeli military target in the occupied Golan Heights three times.

Yemeni military's operations on Sept. 27:

Pounded three American warships in the Red Sea with 23 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, in a joint effort between the naval forces, the air force, and the missile forces.

Targeted an Israeli military site in the occupied Yaffa area (Tel Aviv) with a ballistic missile of the type "Palestine 2"

Targeted a vital military site in the occupied Asqalan area with a drone of the type Yaffa.

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Hezbollah Confirms Nasrallah's Death As Biden Sees A 'Measure Of Justice'

By RFE/RL September 28, 2024

Hours after the Iran-allied militant group Hezbollah confirmed that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in a massive Israeli air strike, violence flared again, with sirens blaring in Tel Aviv and Israeli forces continuing to hit targets in Beirut and southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military on September 28 said air-raid sirens had gone off at Tel Aviv's airport as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was returning from the United States and his speech at the United Nations, with officials saying missiles fired by Iran-backed Huthi rebels were intercepted over the city. No injuries were immediately reported.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden said the death of Nasrallah brought "a measure of justice" to his many victims over the preceding decades and said Israel had the right to defend itself from a "terrorist organization."

It was not known if the missile attack at th Tel Aviv airport specifically targeted Netanyahu, who cut short his U.S. trip amid the latest violence, which intensified on September 27 when Israel launched a massive attack on southern Lebanon, killing Nasrallah and several other leaders of the U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Israeli forces on September 28 continued their air strikes on sites they said housed Hezbollah commanders and weapons, including what they said was a "precise strike" on a site in Beirut.

After hours of widespread speculation, Hezbollah confirmed the Israeli military's earlier claim that it had killed Nasrallah in a series of strikes, which also claimed the lives of several other members of the group.

"Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, secretary-general of Hezbollah, has joined his great, immortal martyr comrades whom he led for about 30 years," Hezbollah said in a statement on September 28.

Hezbollah vowed to continue its fight against Israel despite the death of its longtime leader. It gave no indication of who might succeed Nasrallah.

U.S. officials said they were not informed ahead of the attacks by close ally Israel and played no role in the action, although the White House said U.S. officials were briefed that Israel was considering a plan to ramp up operations against Hezbollah, including a possible ground offensive.

Biden, in a statement released by the White House, said Nasrallah and Hezbollah were responsible for the deaths of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese over the past 40 years.

"Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli air strike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians," he said.

Biden, whose term will end on January 20, 2025, said Washington fully supported Israel's right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas -- also designated a terrorist organization by the United States -- Huthi rebels, "and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups."

Biden later told reporters that "it's time for a cease-fire" when asked if a ground invasion by Israel was inevitable.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic nominee to face Republican Donald Trump in the November 5 presidential election, echoed Biden's remarks, saying, "Hassan Nasrallah was a terrorist with American blood on his hands."

"I have an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel. I will always support Israel's right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Huthis."

The State Department ordered some staff at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and their eligible family members to leave Lebanon amid the escalating tensions.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "gravely concerned" by the "dramatic escalation" seen in Lebanon over the past 24 hours.

Moscow, meanwhile, condemned the killing of Nasrallah, with the Foreign Ministry labeling it "yet another political assassination."

"This forceful action is fraught with even greater dramatic consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East," it said.

Early on September 28, Israel's military said that it killed Nasrallah in a series of strikes in Beirut a day earlier.

The Arabic spokesman of the Israeli Defense Forces, Avichay Adraee, said in a statement on X earlier that Nasrallah; Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollah's southern front; and a number of other commanders of the group were killed.

The military later said it killed a senior member of Hezbollah's intelligence in a strike on September 28, identifying him as Hassan Khalil Yassin.

"The message is clear: We will reach everyone who threatens the citizens of Israel in the north, in the south, and on more distant fronts," Adraee said.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which has been targeted by sanctions from the United States, said a top commander, Abbas Nilforushan, 58, also died in the Israeli air strike.

Nilforushan himself was put under sanctions in 2022 by the U.S. Treasury, which identified him as the IRGC deputy commander for operations who it said had led an organization "directly in charge of protest suppression" in Iran.

The Israeli Defense Force also posted a message on X, saying, "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world."

The Lebanese Health Ministry said at least 33 people had been killed and more nearly 195 injured, although it said the toll was likely to rise after the ruins of several destroyed buildings were cleared.

The United Nations estimated that more than 50,000 people have fled Lebanon for neighboring Syria amid the Israeli strikes and that some 110,000 people had been displaced.

In the statement announcing Nasrallah's death, Hezbollah also offered its condolences to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an open admission of the group's close ties with Tehran.

Khamenei earlier on September 28 issued a statement condemning what he said was an Israeli "massacre" in Lebanon, but did not mention Nasrallah's fate.

"The massacre of the defenseless people in Lebanon once again revealed the ferocity of the Zionist rabid dog to everyone, and proved the short-sighted and stupid policy of the leaders of the usurping regime," Khamenei said.

However, Reuters quoted sources as saying Khamenei had been transferred to a secure location, with heightened security measures in place.

Israeli media also reported on September 28 that Nasrallah's daughter, Zainab Nasrallah, had been killed in the strikes. Hezbollah has not confirmed the report. Nasrallah's son, Hadi, was killed in fighting against Israeli troops in 1997.

The Israeli military initially said on September 27 that the series of strikes had targeted Hezbollah's "central headquarters" located under residential buildings in Beirut without officially mentioning Nasrallah by name.

Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union blacklists its armed wing but not its political party. Hezbollah's political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament.

Hezbollah was established some 40 years ago with the aid of Iran, and Nasrallah joined the newly formed group in 1982. He oversaw it becoming one of the Middle East's most powerful paramilitary forces.

Led by Nasrallah, Hezbollah has developed close ties with other Iranian proxies and Tehran-backed armed groups, helping to train and arm their fighters.

Heiko Wimmen, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, told RFE/RL that Israel's repeated blows, while not being able to annihilate Hezbollah completely, have degraded it to a large extent.

He said the latest strikes would press the group to show it can still react forcefully.

"It is obviously yet another dramatic blow. Many dramatic blows can add up to [make] a fundamental one. In general, Hamas is too much institutionalized to be decapitated, but [the Israelis] have wiped out so many of the cadres that something will give eventually. And then there is the lack to their credibility. If today is not enough for them to throw at Israel all they have, then the impression deepens that they just can't do it."

Analyst Norman Roule of the Washington-based National Security Institute said Israel has weakened Hezbollah to the point where the Lebanese government could actually expunge the group.

"Israel's Defense Forces have eradicated an entire generation of Hezbollah leadership who take with them a collective pool of experience that is collectively irreplaceable.... In a perfect world, the Lebanese government would use this moment to assert its authority and rid Lebanon of this armed group. [However], it is too early to say whether this will happen," Roule told RFE/RL.

Nasrallah's death is a huge embarrassment for Iran's leadership as well, Berlin-based analyst Ali Fathollah-nejad told RFE/RL.

"It would constitute the most heavy blow to Tehran's regional standing after the U.S. drone killing of General Qassem Soleimani. Nasrallah, Soleimani, and Khamenei -- Iran's supreme leader -- constituted the nucleus of Iran's expansive regional ambitions," Fathollah-nejad told RFE/RL before the death was confirmed.

Early on September 28, Israel's military launched a fresh round of strikes against what it said were Hezbollah targets in southern Beirut and in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, claiming that Hezbollah had stored weapons at the sites, after urging residents to evacuate them.

Rocket launches by Hezbollah into Israel were also reported to be continuing. The group has been firing into Israel with increasing intensity since the beginning of the Gaza war, claiming it to be in support of the fighters of Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

On September 27, Netanyahu warned at the United Nations that actions against Hezbollah would not stop, saying that "we'll continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met."

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lebanon-israel-nasrallah- hezbollah-killed/33138385.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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Hassan Nasrallah's Death A 'Major Loss' For Hezbollah And Ally Iran

By Kian Sharifi and Golnaz Esfandiari September 28, 2024

The death of Hassan Nasrallah is a significant blow to Hezbollah and the organization's key sponsor, Iran.

Hezbollah, a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, said Nasrallah was killed in Israeli air strikes in the capital, Beirut, on September 27.

In his more than 30 years in charge of Hezbollah, Nasrallah transformed the Shi'ite militia into a major political force in Lebanon and a powerful adversary of neighboring Israel.

Hezbollah -- considered a terrorist organization by the United States, although the European Union has only blacklisted its armed wing -- is also a leading member of Iran's so-called axis of resistance, a loose network of Iranian proxies and Tehran-backed militant groups against Israel and the United States.

Nasrallah's death is "a major loss and embarrassment" for Iran, said Ali Fathollah-Nejad, director of the Berlin-based Center for Middle East and Global Order.

It constitutes the "heaviest blow to Tehran's regional standing" since the assassination of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. air strike in Iraq in 2020, Fathollah-Nejad told RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

Nasrallah, Soleimani, and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "constituted the nucleus of Iran's expansive regional ambitions," he said.

A charismatic cleric and skilled orator, Nasrallah was picked as Hezbollah chief at the age of 32. With significant financial and political assistance from Tehran, Nasrallah built Hezbollah into a powerful political and military entity in Lebanon and a major player in the region.

The 64-year-old's death will have "serious implications" for the operations of Iran's axis of resistance, said Hamidreza Azizi, a fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

"In the short term, it will result in serious gaps, lack of coordination, and ambiguity," he told RFE/RL.

Yemen's Huthi rebels, another member of the axis, could take the mantle from Hezbollah if Iran decides to establish a new hierarchy in the network, Azizi says.

The Huthis have been "more effective" at challenging Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza war than other axis members and suffered less blowback, Azizi said.

"But there is no guarantee that they will remain as such, given Israel's determination to go after [members of the axis] one by one," he added.

For Hezbollah, Nasrallah's death could be disastrous, experts say.

"Nasrallah will be difficult to replace," said Norman Roule, a veteran of the CIA who worked at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

"Any successor will lack his political stature in Lebanon and personal relationship with Iran's supreme leader," Roule told Radio Farda.

Hezbollah has suffered major setbacks in recent months. Israel has assassinated key members of its leadership, neutralized a significant part of its military arsenal, and disrupted its communications.

"Israel's Defense Forces have eradicated an entire generation of Hezbollah leadership who take with them a collective pool of experience that is collectively irreplaceable," Roule said.

Heiko Wimmen of the Brussels-based International Crisis Group said Hezbollah was too "institutionalized to be decapitated."

But, he added, the organization can only withstand so many "dramatic blows" before "something will eventually give," he told Radio Farda.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nasrallah-death-impact-hezbollah- iran/33138623.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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Who Was Hassan Nasrallah, The Assassinated Leader Of Hezbollah?

By Kian Sharifi September 28, 2024

Hassan Nasrallah was the longtime leader of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah confirmed on September 28 that Nasrallah was killed in massive Israeli strikes on the Lebanese, capital, Beirut the day before.

In his more than 30 years in charge of Hezbollah, Nasrallah transformed the Shi'ite militia into a major political force in Lebanon and a powerful adversary of neighboring Israel.

In that time, the 64-year-old cleric became one of the most powerful and polarizing figures in the Middle East.

To many members of Lebanon's Shi'ite community, a historically marginalized group, he was a hero. But others considered him a warmonger who dragged the country into regional conflicts.

Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, although the European Union has only blacklisted its armed wing.

Nasrallah was born in 1960 to a poor family in the southern suburbs of Beirut. After studying at a Shi'ite seminary in Iraq, Nasrallah joined the Amal movement, a militia that sought to elevate the status of Lebanon's Shi'ite community.

Following Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon in 1982 -- during Lebanon's devastating civil war -- Nasrallah joined the newly formed Hezbollah.

A charismatic cleric and skilled orator, Nasrallah quickly rose through Hezbollah's ranks. When Israel assassinated Hezbollah chief Abbas al-Musawi in 1992, Nasrallah was picked as his successor at the age of 32.

Nasrallah forged a close relationship with Shi'a-majority Iran, Hezbollah's key backer. With significant financial and political assistance from Tehran, Nasrallah built Hezbollah into a powerful political and military entity in Lebanon and a major player in the region.

Hezbollah's fight against Israel won Nasrallah support inside and outside Lebanon. In 2000, following persistent Hezbollah attacks, Israel withdrew its forces from southern Lebanon after an 18-year occupation.

In 2006, Hezbollah's kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers triggered a devastating 34-day war with Israel. Despite the destruction and loss of life caused, the war boosted the standing of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the region.

Under Nasrallah's leadership, Hezbollah came to the aid of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during that country's civil war, trained Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen, and assisted Hamas, the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group.

Hezbollah has also been accused of orchestrating the deadly 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires.

The cleric was rarely seen in public in the past two decades, with most of his supporters witnessing his once black beard turning gray only on television screens. Wearing a black turban, Nasrallah often delivered long speeches via video link from secret locations due to security concerns.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged constant cross-border attacks. Hezbollah has said that it is acting in solidarity with Palestinians.

Nasrallah's organization suffered major setbacks in recent months. Israel assassinated key members of Hezbollah's leadership, neutralized a significant part of its military arsenal, and disrupted its communications.

In his most recent speech on September 19, following suspected Israeli attacks targeting electronic devices used by members of Hezbollah, Nasrallah warned Israel that "retribution will come."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hassan-nasrallah-hezbollah- iran-israel-profile-assassination/33138024.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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Biden Cites Hezbollah 'Reign Of Terror,' While UN Chief Expresses 'Grave Concern' At Nasrallah's Death

By RFE/RL September 28, 2024

U.S. President Joe Biden, in his first comments since the Israeli killing of the leader of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, said the death of Hassan Nasrallah helped bring a "measure of justice" to the group's many victims over a four-year "reign of terror," while Tehran and many of its allies condemned the Israeli attacks.

In a statement released by the White House on September 28, Biden said Nasrallah's "death from an Israeli air strike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians."

"The United States fully supports Israel's right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Huthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups. Just yesterday, I directed my secretary of defense to further enhance the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war."

Hezbollah and Hamas have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United States.

"Ultimately, our aim is to de-escalate the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means," Biden said, referring to the war between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip brought on by Hamas fighters' October 7 deadly assaults inside Israel.

Separately, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic candidate to compete against Republican Donald Trump for the presidency in the November 5 election, said that diplomacy remained the "best path forward to protect civilians and achieve lasting stability" in the region.

"Hassan Nasrallah was a terrorist with American blood on his hands," she said, adding that "I have an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel."

"I will always support Israel's right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Huthis."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, said he was "gravely concerned" by the "dramatic escalation" seen in Lebanon over the past 24 hours.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric added that Guterres believes "this cycle of violence must stop now. The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war."

Moscow condemned the killing of Nasrallah, with the Foreign Ministry labeling it "yet another political assassination."

"This forceful action is fraught with even greater dramatic consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East," it said.

Other comments:

IRAQ -- Prime Minister Muhammad Shi'a al-Sudani condemned the killing, calling it a "crime" and a "shameful attack" that "shows the Zionist entity has crossed all the red lines."

TURKEY -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Israeli attacks were a part of what he characterized as an Israeli policy of "genocide, occupation, and invasion." He urged the UN Security Council and other bodies to stop Israel.

IRAN -- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Muslims "to stand by the people of Lebanon and the proud Hezbollah with whatever means they have and assist them in confronting the...wicked regime [of Israel]."

"The fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront," he said

Khamenei also declared five days of mourning in Iran in light of Nasrallah's killing.

BRITAIN -- Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he had spoken with the Lebanese prime minister and that "we agreed on the need for an immediate cease-fire to bring an end to the bloodshed. A diplomatic solution is the only way to restore security and stability for the Lebanese and Israeli people."

FRANCE -- Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for an immediate halt to Israeli air strikes in Lebanon. He also called on Hezbollah and Iran to refrain from any action that could destablize the region further.

GERMANY -- Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called the situation in the Middle East "extremely dangerous" and expressed clear criticism of the Israel action.

"There is a risk of destabilizing the whole of Lebanon. And that is in no way in Israel's security interest," she told German radio.



She added that Germany, together with the United States, France, and several Arab states, on September 26 had demanded a 21-day cease-fire in the region and for a diplomatic solution to be achieved.

"The opposite has now happened. And now with the recent reports, it must be said clearly: The military logic, that is one thing, in view of the destruction of Hezbollah terrorists. But the security logic is another," she said.

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY -- Leader Mahmud Abbasy offered condolences to Hezbollah over Nasrallah and also "offered his deep condolences to the Lebanese government and the brotherly Lebanese people, on the martyrdom of the civilian victims who fell as a result of the brutal Israeli aggression."

CHINA -- Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the escalation between Israel and the Hezbollah militia in his UN General Assembly speech.

"Fighting has started in Lebanon again, but might cannot replace justice," Wang said without explicitly mentioning Israel.

"Palestine's long-held aspiration to establish an independent state should not be shunned anymore, and the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people should not be ignored anymore," Wang said.

"China has always been a staunch supporter of the just cause of the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate national rights, and a staunch supporter of Palestine's full UN membership, we have recently helped to bring about breakthroughs in intra-Palestine reconciliation," Wang said.

SYRIA -- Hezbollah ally Syria condemned Israel's killing of Nasrallah and said that Israel "confirms through this despicable aggression, once again...its barbarism and wanton disregard for all international standards and laws."

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nasrallah-israel-lebanon- biden-russia-iran-reaction/33138806.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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When It Comes To Russia Problems, 'Uzbekistan's Zhirinovsky' Does The Talking

By Chris Rickleton and RFE/RL's Uzbek Service September 28, 2024

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Earlier this week, a violent scene in an Uzbek school turned into an official eyebrow-raising contest between Russia and Uzbekistan.

And on this occasion, Russia's famously sardonic and combative Foreign Ministry press chief, Maria Zakharova, more than met her match.

The incident took place at a school in the capital, Tashkent, on September 23.

A female teacher in a Russian-language class pulled a 10-year-old student's ear and slapped his face after he asked her why she was not speaking Russian.

Security-camera footage of the incident went viral on the Internet and sparked strong reactions on Russian social media.

On September 25, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview that Russia "has requested official explanations from the Uzbek side" regarding the incident.

Zakharova called for an investigation and added that "action must be taken against the perpetrator of this cruel treatment."

Russia's decision to wade into Uzbek classrooms, in turn, sparked strong reactions in Uzbekistan.

Cue a response that Zakharova would be proud of, from Alisher Qodirov, the deputy chairman of Uzbekistan's lower house, who offered his opinion on Telegram.

"It would be better for [Russia] to deal with their own problems, which are not insufficient, than to deal with our internal issues," wrote Qodirov, who leads the Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) Democratic Party.

"The violation of the rights of an Uzbek child at a school in Uzbekistan will be investigated in accordance with Uzbek laws. There is no advantage to stir up noise out of the blue," Qodirov wrote.

'Uzbekistan's Zhirinovsky'

Qodirov is an atypical presence in Uzbekistan's staid political scene, and he knows a few things about making noise.

In an op-ed for the Times of Central Asia newspaper earlier this month, Central Asia expert Bruce Pannier* called the lawmaker "Uzbekistan's point man against Russian 'chauvinism.'"

At the same time, given that Uzbekistan's political system is still deeply authoritarian, Qodirov "would not be saying the things he is without approval from people high up in the government," Pannier argued, citing several comments made by Qodirov in opposition to Russian nationalism and the Soviet Union.

Notable among those was his suggestion at the beginning of the year to prevent Russian channels from broadcasting in Uzbekistan, after a Russian politician and an academic made deeply offensive remarks about the history and people of Central Asian countries.

And yet ironically Qodirov has often been called "Uzbekistan's Zhirinovsky" -- a reference to the Russian nationalist firebrand politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who was a permanent fixture of post-Soviet politics in Russia for some three decades until his death in 2022.

The comparison is one that Qodirov himself resents.

In an October 2022 exchange with British journalist Joanna Lillis on X, Qodirov insisted that he was no chauvinist in the Zhirinovsky mold and instead stands for Uzbekistan's "national development in harmony with our traditions [and] values."

And yet the same politician did once propose to deport members of Uzbekistan's LGBT community, which is the kind of hyperbolic intolerance that Zhirinovsky was well known for.

That is only half of the reason that the tag has stuck.

Arguably more important is the fact that like Zhirinovsky, Qodirov has played the role of outspoken insider and "systemic opposition," while seemingly having no real political ambitions beyond the role he has been allocated.

In 2021, Qodirov was one of four candidates that faced off against President Shavkat Mirziyoev in the presidential election.

Many voters said that other than Mirziyoev, he was the only name on the ballot that they recognized.

But he was never going to threaten the incumbent's dominance, especially after he made the unpopular proposal of taxing money sent by Uzbeks working abroad to their families in Uzbekistan.

Ahead of snap elections in 2023, Qodirov and his Milliy Tiklanish duly backed Mirziyoev's candidacy.

New Environment, New Approach?

Even with all those caveats, Qodirov is something of a new phenomenon in Uzbekistan.

Under the quarter-century reign of Islam Karimov, few officials other than Karimov himself said anything remotely eye-catching.

That went for Mirziyoev, too, who spent 13 years as Karimov's prime minister but only really came out of his shell after the hard-line leader died.

Uzbekistan's diplomatic establishment, meanwhile, is cautious in the extreme.

Yet from Tashkent's point of view, a new geopolitical environment possibly demanded a new approach.

Russia's military involvement in Ukraine over the last decade has been accompanied by more aggressive rhetoric and a more assertive defense of its Soviet and imperial history.

Zakharova, who arrived in her current post in 2015, in some ways typifies this tendency.

And then there are all the Russian pundits, journalists, and lawmakers always ready to criticize and insult countries and societies that were formerly under Moscow's direct control.

This kind of thing can keep Foreign Ministry press chiefs busy -- just ask Aibek Smadiyarov in Uzbekistan's next-door neighbor, Kazakhstan.

Following Zakharova's intervention, there were plenty of demands for a direct diplomatic response.

"Maybe we can tell those in the north who still consider themselves 'big brother' or 'big sister' that Uzbekistan is a sovereign state and that we can solve the problem of discipline in Uzbek schools ourselves?" private news outlet Gazeta.uz quoted Komil Dzhalilov, an expert in education, as saying on September 26.

Financial analyst Otabek Bakirov asked on X which Uzbek official would tell Russia that "what happens in schools in Uzbekistan is an internal matter of Uzbekistan."

Eventually, such a reaction was forthcoming, sort of.

Documenting his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Uzbek Foreign Minister Baxtiyor Saidov stated on his official Telegram channel on September 27 that his delegation had held talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his colleagues.

During the talks, the two parties "underscored the importance of commitment of states to the principle of noninterference in each other's internal affairs for strengthening mutual trust," Saidov wrote.

Those kinds of statements, however, are for between-the-lines readers. For saying quiet parts out loud, there is Alisher Qodirov.

*Bruce Pannier hosts RFE/RL's Central Asia-focused Majlis Podcast and authors the Central Asia In Focus newsletter

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-russia-zhirinovsky- heated-rhetoric/33138709.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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The Bexar County Sheriff's Office said deputies "disrupted a teen house party" Friday night on the Southeast Side and recovered drugs and weapons that revelers discarded as they fled the scene. Dave Thompson - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

Bexar County Sheriff's deputies broke up a house party Friday night in the Five Palms area, where teen revelers were seen dumping weapons and drugs as they fled the scene.

In a Facebook post, the sheriffs office said deputies arrived at a home in the 7200 block of Mill Valley Drive and "disrupted a teen house party."

As they arrived, multiple partygoers ran from the house and "began discarding contraband."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Deputies recovered several items, including weapons and drugs, the post states.

The sheriffs office urges residents in the neighborhood to be alert for any weapons or drugs that could be scattered in the surrounding properties along Mill Valley Drive.

If the public finds any contraband in the Southwest Side neighborhood, call 210-335-6000. A deputy will head to the scene and recover what is found.
Moldova Accuses Moscow In Wave Of Vandalism In Capital Ahead Of Vote

By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service September 28, 2024

Several buildings of state and public institutions have been vandalized over the past two days in Moldova's capital, Chisinau, with police voicing suspicion that Russia is behind the incidents.

Moldova is holding a presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union next month -- two crucial votes that could cement the former Soviet republic's path to the West.

Early on September 28, the Moldovan public radio and television building and the Supreme Court building were spray-painted, police said, adding that they had identified a circle of suspects.

The previous night, on September 27, the government building and the building of the Ministry for Labor and Social Protection were vandalized. Moldovan police detained two young men suspected of being behind the attacks.

Police later said the two claimed they had been recruited to vandalize state institutions "with the aim of destabiling Moldova."

Pro-Western President Maia Sandu will run for reelection on October 20, the same day a referendum on joining the EU has been scheduled.

Under the U.S.-educated Sandu, Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries, has firmly turned itself toward the West, despite decades of post-Soviet Russian influence. Chisinau firmly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has joined EU sanctions against Moscow.

It has also accepted tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. Earlier this year, Moldova opened accession talks with the EU after securing an invitation from the 27-member bloc in 2022.

Moldovan police said in a statement that authorities had detained several people who had been trained in Russia to "attack several state institutions."

One of those detained said he was responsible for finding young men who would then be "sent to Moscow for training," police said in the statement.

In Moscow, those recruited had been trained on "how to ignite protests and destabilization in Chisinau."

They were then informed about the actions they would have to perpetrate in Moldova, the police said, adding that they would have been paid 500 euros ($560) per month for their actions.

Police said that the group that traveled to Moscow for training numbered 20 people, 13 of whom have already been identified.

Earlier this week, Moldova's intelligence service, the SIS, banned several Russian news sites suspected of spreading Russian propaganda.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-vandalism-russia- trained/33138585.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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Prime Minister Robert Golob: "Standing for peace cannot be in the form of hatred"

Republic of Slovenia

28. 9. 2024

Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia

Prime Minister Robert Golob chaired a meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as rapporteur. The Prime Minister also addressed the Security Council.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Golob stressed that in order to ensure peace in the region, tangible and bold steps must be made to protect the two-state solution. This is not an empty slogan. We need courage from leaders in the region and from the Security Council to change the trajectory we are on. The facts on the ground are making the prospects for a two-state solution almost non-existent.

Many have stepped up their efforts to ensure humanitarian assistance and made contributions to different organisations providing glimpses of humanity to the people in Gaza, including UNRWA.

"But humanitarian efforts alone are not enough. We need concrete political moves," he said. "We must work together. The Security Council has adopted numerous resolutions on this conflict, including four on this war. The ICJ has been clear in its provisional measures and its latest advisory opinion," said the Prime Minister.

He reiterated that there should be no double standards and discrimination. "If even only one of us is not protected by international law, then none of us can really rely on it. We must act to prevent peace in the region from slipping away."

"Standing for peace cannot be in the form of hatred, escalation, provocation, occupation or terrorism. Standing for peace is through the normalisation of ties, negotiation in good faith, equality and respect for international law," stressed the Prime Minister. He concluded by announcing Slovenia's intention to start consultations on a possible new humanitarian resolution on Palestine.

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Hezbollah deputy Qassim tapped to replace slain Nasrallah

By Edward Yeranian September 28, 2024

Lebanese media is reporting that Hezbollah has named its deputy leader, Naim Qassim, to succeed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed after Israeli planes bombed the organization's headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs Friday.

It wan't clear if the interim appointment would be revised, amid reports that another Hezbollah leader, Hashim Safieddine, is seeking the position.

Hezbollah officially announced the death of its veteran leader Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday, after initially denying reports that he had been killed Friday in an Israeli attack on the group's bunker in Beirut's southern suburbs.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard also told Iranian media that Quds Force Deputy Commander Abbas Niloforoshan was killed alongside Nasrallah and several other top Hezbollah commanders, including the group's rocket expert, Ali Karaki, during the Israeli bomb attack Friday.

Iranian media reported that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was moved to a more secure location, amid fears that Israel might target him, as well. Israel assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in August.

More than 200,000 Lebanese reportedly have fled their homes in parts of the country to escape possible Israeli attacks, and many are sleeping in parks and outdoor locations according to Lebanese media.

UNHCR head Filippo Grandi wrote in a post on social media platform X that 20,000 Lebanese also have fled to Syria. Lebanese media showed video of the Syrian border post along the highway from Beirut to Damascus overwhelmed by Lebanese and Syrians fleeing Lebanon.

Lebanese Health Minister Firaas Abiad told hospitals in Beirut and north of the capital "not to take unessential cases during the next week" in order to deal with the current wave of casualties from Israeli attacks.

Abiad also told Arab media that Lebanon has a four-month supply of medicine and other hospital necessities to deal with the current emergency but that it was requesting aid from other countries to deal with possible shortages.

The Lebanese army reportedly has deployed in many parts of the country that have been Hezbollah strongholds in recent years, but it wasn't clear if the government received a green light from the group to do so.

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Sexual violence used as weapon of war throughout conflict in Sudan

By Lisa Schlein September 28, 2024

Sudan's warring parties are using sexual violence as a weapon of war, and "gender-based violence has increased more than two-fold" since the conflict erupted in April 2023, according to U.N. Women, a United Nations agency that focuses on women's rights and social progress, in its new report.

"Sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war throughout this conflict," Hodan Addou, U.N. Women's regional director for East and Southern Africa, told journalists in Geneva at the launch of the report Friday.

"The ongoing violent conflict has exacerbated the risks faced by women and girls in Sudan, with rising reports of conflict-related sexual violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly in Khartoum, Al Jazeera, Darfur and Kordofan states," she said, speaking from South Sudan via a video link.

Authors of the report have issued what they call a "Gender Alert" to highlight the catastrophic impacts of Sudan's conflict on women and girls. They note that nearly 5.8 million internally displaced women are particularly vulnerable, with many cases of sexual violence going unreported "due to fear of stigma, retribution and the lack of adequate support."

'It is ... despicable'

Addou observed that rape and sexual violence is used as "a way of breaking communities and tarnishing the social fabric of a community by targeting the most vulnerable."

"It is a despicable and human rights violation," she said. "The impact this conflict has had on the lives of women and children is horrendous.

"Many of them are seeing their loved ones killed in front of their eyes. They have seen brutal sexual violence against children, against women used as a way of putting more trauma, more fear on communities."

The report finds more than 6.7 million people needed services related to gender-based violence by December 2023, underscoring that "this figure is estimated to be much higher today."

"While men and boys also are victims of gender-based violence, most of these cases involve women and girls," it says.

The United Nations calls Sudan one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Since rival generals of the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces plunged the country into war more than 17 months ago, an estimated 20,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands injured.

Some 10.8 million people are displaced inside Sudan and an additional 2 million as refugees in neighboring countries, making Sudan the largest displacement crisis in the world. According to the U.N., Sudan now is also the world's largest hunger crisis, with nearly 26 million people facing acute hunger.

'Women and girls are eating least and last'

Addou said women and children are suffering most from the looming famine gripping the country.

"With 64% of female-headed households experiencing food insecurity compared to 48% of male-headed households in 10 states, women and girls are eating least and last," she said, adding that they also are disproportionately affected by the lack of safe and easily accessible water, sanitation and hygiene.

The World Health Organization reports people lack access to health care services because of insecurity, attacks on medical facilities and a shortage of medicines and medical supplies.

The U.N. health agency says critical services, including maternal and child health care, the management of severe acute malnutrition, and the treatment of patients with chronic conditions have been discontinued in many areas because 70% to 80% of hospitals are not functional.

"Across Sudan, women are dying from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications, whether or not those pregnancies are a result of gender-based violence, or whatever," Dr. Margaret Harris, WHO spokesperson, said. "Women are not getting the standard care that saves your life and saves the life of your child during childbirth or before childbirth."

She added that childhood vaccinations have been disrupted, as have disease surveillance and vector control, and this "has created the perfect conditions for the spread of disease outbreaks."

'Calling for protection'

U.N. Women is calling for urgent action to protect women and girls and to provide them with access to food, safe water, and sexual and reproductive health services.

"We are calling for protection for all women and girls, in particular the retributions that they need to address. We are calling for accountability and the provision of justice to all of the victims," Addou said.

"The high-level sexual violence and exploitation being used as a weapon of war is preventing women from accessing much-needed resources ... and the psychosocial support they need because of the chaotic nature of this conflict.

"All those engaged in this violent conflict must be held to account," she said. "We cannot let Sudan become a forgotten crisis."

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Statement from President Joe Biden on the Death of Hassan Nasrallah

September 28, 2024

Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.

The strike that killed Nasrallah took place in the broader context of the conflict that began with Hamas's massacre on October 7, 2023. Nasrallah, the next day, made the fateful decision to join hands with Hamas and open what he called a "northern front" against Israel.

The United States fully supports Israel's right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups. Just yesterday, I directed my Secretary of Defense to further enhance the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war.

Ultimately, our aim is to de-escalate the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means. In Gaza, we have been pursuing a deal backed by the UN Security Council for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. In Lebanon, we have been negotiating a deal that would return people safely to their homes in Israel and southern Lebanon. It is time for these deals to close, for the threats to Israel to be removed, and for the broader Middle East region to gain greater stability.

# # #

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Hezbollah confirms leader Nasrallah killed in Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:10, September 29, 2024

BEIRUT/GAZA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed in the Israeli airstrikes targeting the militant group's command headquarters a day earlier in Dahieh, Beirut's southern suburbs.

In a statement, the group mourned Nasrallah, describing him as "a great martyr" and "a heroic, bold, brave, wise, insightful, and faithful leader" for nearly 30 years, who lately led in "the battle for Palestine, Gaza, and the oppressed Palestinian people."

Shortly after Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah's death, Hamas issued a statement offering its "sincere condolences, sympathy, and solidarity to the brotherly Lebanese people" and its "brothers in Hezbollah and the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon."

It also condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Dahieh as "a cowardly terrorist act, a massacre and a heinous crime" that proves once again Israel's "bloodiness and brutality."

Hamas held Israel fully responsible for "this heinous crime and its serious repercussions on the security and stability of the region," and condemned the U.S. administration's "continued support" for Israel.

On Friday evening, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Hezbollah's main headquarters in Dahieh, which, according to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces earlier on Saturday, killed Nasrallah and some other commanders of the armed group.

The raids flattened several residential buildings, resulting in at least six deaths, 91 injuries, and significant infrastructure damage in the neighborhood, according to Lebanon's MTV TV channel.

Israel has intensified its airstrikes across Lebanon since Monday, marking the most extensive Israeli military action in the country since 2006.

This marks the latest escalation of the ongoing clashes that began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah started launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel's retaliatory artillery fire and airstrikes in southeastern Lebanon.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 28 September 2024 - Day 948

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 of Ukraine continue to withhold the pressure of the occupation troops. The situation on the Pokrovsky direction remains tense - the Russian enemy is focusing the main offensive efforts there. In addition, the Russian occupiers are actively attacking the Kupans .komu, Lymans komu and Vremivs komu directions.

So far, there have been 136 combat clashes. Today, Russia made two missile strikes with seven rockets, 50 air strikes, dropping 84 cab. In addition, the Russian zombies launched 700 kamikaze drones for strikes and carried out more than 3,400 shelling at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Kharkiv direction Russian terrorists once unsuccessfully stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the Pacific area. With this, the Russian occupying losses, according to the available information so far, have totaled 45 people killed and wounded, a combat armored vehicle, four vehicles and a special equipment unit were destroyed. Also Ukrainian defenders damaged a tank, two artillery systems and three Russian occupiers' cars.

14 times Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions in the kupans komu direction. Near the settlements of Sinkivka, Lozove and Tabaivka, the units of the Defense Forces repelled 11 attacks. There are three battles near stelmahivka and vyshnevogo.

In the Lyman direction, Russian troops 22 times attacked Ukrainian defenders in the areas of six different settlements. Two clashes near Nevsky are still ongoing.

Russian forces tried five times with assault actions to push Ukrainian defenders out of positions in the areas of Verkhnyokamiansky and Viimka in the Siversky direction. The fights are going on.

In the Kramators komu direction, Ukrainian warriors repelled eight attempts of Russian zagarbnikiv to advance in the areas of the temporary yar, kalinivka and kurdumivka. Two clashes near the Time Yar continue. The situation is under control.

In the Toretsky direction, where the Russian invaders seven times attacked Ukrainian positions, five clashes are already completed. The fights continue near Toretsk and Nelipivka.

The main efforts of the Russian enemy continues to put in the Intercession direction. Here, during this day, the Russian aggressor has attacked Ukrainian positions 34 times. In the areas of selidovogo, novotorec ka, nikolaivka and marinivka happened more than half of all boezitknen . The five clashes are still going.

In the kurakhivs komu direction zagarbniki at this time of the day made eight attempts to advance. The two attacks continue. Mainly the fights are going on near Tsukurynogo, Georgiivka, Katerinivka and Girnik.

A difficult situation in the Vremivsky direction, where today the Russian aggressor attacked the front edge of Ukrainian defense 15 times in the area of Vugledara, Vodyany and Katerinivka. There are currently eight boezitknen .

In the Orihiv direction, near Robotiny, one assault of Russian invaders was hit.

In the Pridniprovsk direction, Russian forces made three unsuccessful attempts to assault the positions of Ukrainian units.

Defense Forces of Ukraine continue operations in the Kursk direction.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that yesterday, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered a group strike by long-range precision weaponry, Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile, and attack unmanned aerial vehicles at the AFU airfield infrastructure.

The goal of the strike has been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged.

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 113th Territorial Defence Brigade near Volchanskye Khutora, Liptsy, and Volchansk (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 60 troops, four motor vehicles, one 152-mm D-20 gun, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 14th, 44th, 67th mechanised brigades, 4th Tank Brigade, 3rd Assault Brigade of the AFU, and 117th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kupyansk, Podvysokoye, Novoosinovo (Kharkov region), Makeyevka, Nevskoye (Lugansk People's Republic), and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 400 troops, seven pickup trucks, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, as well as two U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, one 155-mm M777 howitzer, two 155-mm M198 howitzers, and three AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radars. Three AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of formations of the 24th, 33rd, 54th, 72nd mechanised brigades, 10th, 128th mountain assault brigades of the AFU, 18th National Guard Brigade, and 119th Territorial Defence Brigade near Konstantinovka, Vysokoivanovka, Zaliznyanskoye, Druzhkovka, Kurakhovo, Grigorovka, and Chasov Yar (Donetsk People's Republic).

Eight counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 56th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 93rd Mechanised Brigade, 81st Airmobile Brigade of the AFU, and 119th Territorial Defence Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 725 troops, one tank, one armoured fighting vehicle, eight motor vehicles, two U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers, three 152-mm D-20 guns, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and two U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns. Four AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 47th, 53rd mechanised brigades, 68th Infantry Brigade, 71st Jaeger Brigade, 5th Assault Brigade of the AFU, and 109th Territorial Defence Brigade near Gornyak, Dzerzhinsk, Kalinovo, Sukhaya Balka, and Rozovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Seven counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 151st Mechanised Brigade, 25th Airborne Brigade of the AFU, 2nd, 3rd, and 12th national guard brigades were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 620 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and three 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade of the AFU, 104th, and 118th territorial defence brigades near Dobrovolye, Rovnopol, and Zolotaya Niva (Donetsk People's Republic).

Three counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 125 troops, five motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, and one 152-mm D-20 gun.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the 35th Marine Brigade, 39th Coastal Defence Brigade, and 124th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kopani (Zaporozhye region), Antonovka (Kherson region), and Kherson.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 60 troops, 10 motor vehicles, and one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. One AFU field ammunition depot was destroyed.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces engaged AFU manpower and hardware clusters in 131 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down four U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 43 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 646 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 32,331 unmanned aerial vehicles, 579 anti-aircraft missile systems, 18,447 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,469 MLRS combat vehicles, 15,345 field artillery guns and mortars, and 26,655 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

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 operations and inflicted losses on formations of the 21st, 22nd, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 1st National Guard Brigade, 36th Marine Brigade, and 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade of the AFU near Lyubimovka, Daryino, Novy Put, Nikolayevo-Daryino, and Plekhovo.

Over the past 24 hours, units of the Sever Group of Forces repelled one enemy attack in the direction of Lyubimovka and thwarted attempts of the enemy to launch counter-attacks toward Kremyanoye, Kamyshevka, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.

As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 40 troops killed and wounded.

With the support of Army Aviation and artillery fire, five AFU attempts to break through the border of the Russian Federation towards Novy Put and Medvezhye were foiled.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 60 troops killed and wounded; two armoured fighting vehicles and two motor vehicles were destroyed.

Army Aviation and artillery strikes inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the 21st, 22nd, 41st, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 95th air assault brigades, 1st, 17th national guard brigades, 36th Marine Brigade, 103rd, and 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Bogdanovka, Guyevo, Daryino, Kubatkin, Kruglenkoye, Knyazhy Pervy, Lyubimovka, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Makhovka, Medvezhye, Melovoy, Novy Put, Orlovka, Plekhovo, Pravda, Russkoye Porechnoye, Tolsty Lug, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.

Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes at concentration areas in Sumy region and reserves of the 21st, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 1st National Guard Brigade, 101st, 103rd, 107th territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Belovody, Bruski, Bunyakino, Glukhov, Zhuravka, Kucherovka, Kondratovka, Kruzhok, Malushino, Mogritsa, Mirlogi, Pavlovka, Revyakino, Rovnoye, Rechki, Ulanovo, and Shalygino.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 370 troops, eight units of hardware, including one tank, two U.S.-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, five armoured fighting vehicles, two artillery guns, and eight motor vehicles.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost more than 18,130 troops, 132 tanks, 64 infantry fighting vehicles, 97 armoured personnel carriers, 842 armoured fighting vehicles, 541 motor vehicles, 145 artillery guns, 31 MLRS launchers, including eight of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, eight SAM launchers, five transport-loading vehicles, 37 electronic warfare stations and nine counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, 18 engineering vehicles, including 11 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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Russo-Ukraine War - 29 September 2024 - Day 949

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that overnight on 20-21 September 2024, Ukrainian forces struck Russian ammunition depots at Tikhoretsk in Krasnodar and another site at Toropets in Tver with UAVs. This followed a previous successful strike at another depot in Toropets on 18 September that almost certainly destroyed at least 30,000 tons of ammunition in open and bunker storage.

The strikes will almost certainly cause, at a minimum, short-term disruption to Russian artillery and small-arms munitions supplies, critical resources in a war of attrition dominated by mass fires. The total tonnage of ammunition destroyed across the three sites represents the largest loss of Russian and North Korean supplied ammunition during the war.

These major strikes in quick succession demonstrate that, despite Russia deploying an extensive layered air-defence posture (including fighter jets) surrounding Ukraine, they continue to struggle against Ukrainian UAVs employed in deep-strike operations into Russia. It is highly likely this will force further dispersals in the Russian logistics chain for fear of additional strikes, increasing the burden on an already stretched system.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 136 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance into the depths of Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. The hottest situation remains in the Pokrovsky direction, also Russia is active in the Kurakhiv direction.

Russian zagarbniki caused 70 air strikes on the territory of Ukraine, dropping 110 cabiv. In addition, 628 kamikaze drones were recruited and carried out more than 3,300 shelling at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Kharkiv direction, there were three boons. Defense forces repelled the Russian attack near Vovchansk. One fight is still going on.

In the Kupans komu direction, the enemy was conducting offensive actions near vyshnevogo, kucevki, kruglyakivki, novoosinovogo and lozovoi. Twelve attacks completed, one is still in progress.

In the Lyman direction, Russian invaders stormed the positions of Ukrainian troops near Makiyivka, Zarichny, Bilogorivka, Nevsky, and in the area of Serebryansky Forest. As of now, all 12 combat clashes are completed.

In the Siversk direction Ukrainian defenders repelled one offensive action near Verkhnyokamiansky. The opponent was not successful.

In the Kramators komu direction, six battles near the White Mountain and the Time Yar, where there is still one attack of Russian troops.

11 combat clashes took place in the Toretsky direction. The Russians stormed the positions of Ukrainian units near scherbinivka, Toretsk and Nelipivka. Seven clashes completed, four still going.

On the Pokrovsky direction, since the beginning of this day, 28 battles have been sharpened in the areas of the settlements of Vozdvizhenko, Mirolyubivka, Novotoretske, Mykolaivka, Lisivka, Selidove, Green Field, Cool Yar and Crane. Defense forces stopped all offensive actions of the enemy.

Today 297 occupants were defecated in this direction, of which 114 - irrevocably. Also destroyed two infantry fighting vehicles, seven units of BPLA and six vehicles. To the same damaged bronetransporter, one bmp, three mortars and two cars.

In the Kurakhiv direction, Russian forces 23 times stormed near Tsukurinogo, Oleksandropol, Georgiivka, Epiphany, Katerinivka and Konstantinivka. At this time, the fights are over.

In the Time Direction, Russian forces made 17 attempts to push Ukrainian units from the occupied borders of defense near Vugledar, Epiphany, Katerinivka and Elizabeth. Fifteen encounters complete, two still going.

In the Orihiv direction, there were three collisions. Russian zagarbniki attacked near Novodanilivka.

Defense Forces of Ukraine continue the operation in the Kursk region. The Russian enemy's aviation does not stop striking controlled aviation bombs on the territory of Russia. At this moment there is known about 14 aviation strikes with the application of 20 cabiv.

In other directions - without much change.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that The units of the Sever Group of Forces in Liptsy and Volchansk directions hit formations of the 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade and the 113th Territorial Defence Brigade of the AFU near Volchansk and Liptsy (Kharkov region).

The enemy lost up to 70 troops and four motor vehicles.

The Zapad Group of Forces liberated Makeyevka of the Lugansk People's Republic. Russian units engaged manpower and materiel of 44th, 53rd mechanised brigades, 3rd Assault Brigade of the AFU, 117th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kupyansk (Kharkov region), Makeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Grigorovka and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).Russian units repelled a counter-attack of an AFU assault detachment.

The enemy's losses are up to 450 troops, nine motor vehicles, a Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, a U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, a UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, a 152-mm D-20 gun, a 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, a UK-made 105-mm L-119 howitzer.

Three ammunition depots were wiped out.

The Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines, inflicted damage on formations of the 54th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU, 18th Brigade of the National Guard and International Legion near Konstantinovka and Seversk (Donetsk People's Republic). In addition, three counter-attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments were repelled.

The AFU lost up to 610 troops, nine motor vehicles, a UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, two 152-mm D-20 guns, a 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, two UK-made 105-mm L-119 howitzers, and a Bukovel-AD EW station. Four AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed.

The Tsentr Group of Forces improved tactical situation, inflicted damage on manpower and materiel of the 24th, 67th, 110th, 151st mechanised brigades, 25th Airborne Brigade of the AFU, and 119th Territorial Defence Brigade near Aleksandro-Kalinivo, Dachenskoye, Gornyak, Tarasovka, Kurakhovo, and Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic).

Four counter-attacks launched by AFU assault detachments were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 620 troops, a tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, two 152-mm D-20 guns, a 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, four 122-mm D-30 howitzers. One ammunition depot was wiped out.

The Vostok Group of Forces inflicted damage on manpower and materiel of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU and 21st National Guard Brigade near Dobrovolye and Velikaya Novoselka (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by an AFU assault group was repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 135 troops, one tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, nine motor vehicles, and a French-made 155-mm Caesar howitzer. One ammunition depot was wiped out.

The Dnepr Group of Forces damaged formations of the 35th Marine Brigade, 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade, and 15th National Guard Brigade near Kopani, Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region), and Kotlyarovo(Nikolayev region).

The AFU losses were up to 80 troops, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, a German-made IRIS-T SAM radar.

Three ammunition depots were wiped out.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces engaged two oil industry facilities, a centre of signal intelligence, clusters of manpower and military hardware in 136 areas,

Air defence units shot down a French-made Hammer guided air-dropped bomb and 172 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 646 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 32,503 unmanned aerial vehicles, 579 anti-aircraft missile systems, 18,454 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,469 MLRS combat vehicles, 15,370 field artillery guns and mortars, and 26,695 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Sever Group of Forces continues the offensive operation and engaged formations of 21st, 22nd, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 82nd and 95th air assault brigades of the AFU, 1st National Guard Brigade, 36th Marine Brigade, as well as 103rd and 129th territorial defence brigades near Lyubimovka, Daryino, Novy Put, Nikolayevo-Daryino, and Plekhovo.

For the past 24 hours, the Group repelled five counter-attacks of the enemy in the direction of Lyubimovka, Kremyanoye, and Plekhovo. Furthermore, attempts to attack towards Olgavka and Pogrebki were disrupted.

As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 60 troops killed and wounded; two armoured fighting vehicles, and a motor vehicle.

With the support of Army Aviation and artillery fire, six AFU attempts to break through the border of the Russian Federation towards Novy Put were foiled.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 50 troops killed and wounded; a tank, four armoured fighting vehicles, and a motor vehicle. Five AFU servicemen surrendered.

Army Aviation and artillery fire 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, 1st, 17th National Guard Brigade, 36th Marine Brigade, and 103rd, 112th, 116th, and 129th territorial defence brigades near Guyevo, Daryino, Ivashkovsky, Kolmakov, Kruglenkoye, Lyubimovka, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Medvezhye, Mirny, Novy Put, Novoya Sorochina, Orlovka, Plekhovo, Pravda, Tolsty Lug, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, and Missile Troops delivered strikes region at concentration areas in Sumy and reserves of the 21st, 22nd, 41st, 47th, and 115th mechanised brigades, 80th, 95th air assault brigades, 1st National Guard Brigade, and 103rd, 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Belovody, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Vorozhba, Vishenki, Glukhov, Zhuravka, Kucherovka, Miropolye, Privolye, Pavlovka, Revyakino, Rechki, Sumy, Chervonoprapornoye, Shalygino, and Khoten.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost more than 18,560 troops, 133 tanks, 64 infantry fighting vehicles, 97 armoured personnel carriers, 850 armoured fighting vehicles, 550 motor vehicles, 146 artillery guns, 32 MLRS launchers, including eight of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, eight SAM launchers, five transport-loading vehicles, 38 electronic warfare stations and nine counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, 18 engineering vehicles, including 11 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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Chinese FM meets Blinken, stressing US should not always approach China with 'two faces'

Global Times

Meeting shows consensus to maintain communication; stable relations benefits world peace: experts

By Zhang Yuying and Shen Sheng Published: Sep 28, 2024 09:41 PM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York on Friday, during which Wang emphasized the US should not always approach China with two faces. Instead of having it both ways by seeking containment on one hand and requesting cooperation on the other, the US should derive its China policy from a rational perception about China, Wang told Blinken.

Experts said the meeting, as both sides agreed to be "candid and substantive," indicates that both two countries want to maintain communication to manage their relationship, but experts also pointed out that the US should take concrete actions to further stabilize bilateral ties, given its hypocrisy to create differences itself while at the same time try to manage them.

"The US should not always approach China with two faces: On the one hand encircling and suppressing China brazenly, and on the other hand, having dialogue and cooperation with China as if nothing is wrong," said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

"Since the US has expressed multiple times that it has no intention to have conflict with China, then fundamentally, it needs to establish a rational perception of China, and find the right way to get along with it," said the Chinese top diplomat, according to the Xinhua News Agency on Saturday.

Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Saturday that the latest meeting indicates that both China and the US want to maintain communication and dialogue to manage their relationship. In other words, stabilizing the bilateral relations aligns with the common needs of both sides, which is one of the important reasons why, despite existing differences, the two sides continue to strengthen their exchanges.

Pointing out US' "two faces" approach toward China clearly indicates China's awareness of the underlying nature of US diplomacy, Li said. "The double standards and hypocrisy in US foreign policy toward China cannot conceal the cognitive errors and obsession with competition inherent in its China policy."

The Friday meeting between Wang and Blinken marks the fourth one they had this year, following their previous face-to-face talks in February, April, and July.

"The US needs to carry out dialogue with respect, advance cooperation in the spirit of reciprocity, and address differences with great prudence, rather than act willfully as it sees fit from a position of strength or use previous mistakes as excuses to make more mistakes," Wang said on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

On the Taiwan question, Wang said that "if the US truly hopes to see peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, it should abide by the one-China principle, implement the three China-US Joint CommuniquAs, stop arming Taiwan, publicly oppose 'Taiwan independence,' and support the peaceful reunification of China."

Wang articulated China's firm position on the South China Sea issue. He said China remains committed to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation with countries directly concerned. The US should not stir up trouble in the South China Sea, or undermine regional countries' efforts to safeguard peace and stability there, Wang added.

On the Ukraine issue, Wang said China's position is aboveboard. China has been committed to promoting talks for peace and has been making its efforts toward peaceful settlement, he said.

LA Xiang, an expert on US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Washington's "two faces" approach is a serious obstacle to building a stable and constructive relationship between China and the US. "Therefore, pointing this out indicates China's emphasis on its long-term commitment to establishing a constructive and stable bilateral relation, while the US side is continuously undermining this goal through its dualistic actions," LA told the Global Times on Saturday.

Following talks that lasted more than an hour, Blinken told reporters at a news conference that China's words and actions regarding Russia-Ukraine conflict do not "add up," as Beijing continues to allow Chinese companies to "fuel Russia's war machine," VOA reported.

Blinken's remarks are still an old trick of marginalizing and stigmatizing China on the global stage, attempting to mislead the international community and shift the blame onto China, Li said, noting that this reflects a strong lack of sincerity in US diplomacy and again reveals its hypocrisy.

Different approach

In the global context, especially given the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and increasing tensions in the Middle East, China-US face-to-face communications are pivotal not only for bilateral relations, but also for global peace, analysts said.

China has always emphasized seeking common interests and does not wish to see the bilateral relation turn into a state of conflict, analysts said. The US also understands that crossing the bottom line of the Chinese side could lead to a serious deterioration in relations, which the US cannot afford, LA said, noting that this serves as a fundamental motivation for communications between both parties.

Experts said the US should take concrete actions to further stabilize bilateral relations. "The differences that need to be managed are caused by the US itself. On one hand, the US creates differences, while on the other hand, it tries to manage them. This is the biggest divergence between China and the US," LA said.

Analysts also noted that the recent high-level interactions between China and the US demonstrated significant differences in their approaches in solving regional hotspot issues. The US exhibits a strong bloc mentality, while China, in contrast, genuinely promotes the resolution of regional crises and the elimination of turmoil from the perspective of a global community of shared future, Li said.

According to a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the two sides agreed that the meeting was candid and substantive, and that China and the US need to find a way to live alongside one another in peace in the indefinite future. Besides, the two sides agreed to maintain communication on international and regional hotspot issues, and hold a new round of consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs in due course.

A readout from the US Department of State also read "The two sides held candid, substantive, and productive discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. They emphasized the need to maintain open lines of communication," and that "Both sides agreed to maintain contact, including on regional and global issues."

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China calls for stable Japan relations after Ishiba election victory

By William Yang September 28, 2024

China has urged Japan to maintain a "healthy and stable" relationship with Beijing after former Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership race Friday.

Ishiba is set to become Japan's next prime minister when Japanese lawmakers convene on October 1.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters Friday that the "sustained, sound and steady" development of China-Japan relations is in both countries' interests, characterizing the path as "the only right choice."

China, he said, hopes Japan will "have an objective and right perception of China, take an active and rational China policy, take concrete efforts to comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and work with China to promote the sustained, sound and steady development" of bilateral relations.

Beijing's remarks come amid rising tension between China and Japan. China has increased the frequency of its military activities in waters and airspace near Japan in recent weeks, sailing its aircraft carrier Liaoning through the "contiguous zone" near Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni on September 18 and conducting large-scale military exercises near the Sea of Japan.

Meanwhile, a Japanese battleship sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time Wednesday, prompting Beijing to reiterate its strong opposition to such "freedom of navigation" operations.

Japan also expressed concern after China test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean for the first time in 40 years Wednesday. The Japanese government said Beijing did not notify it before the missile test and described China's increasing military activity in the region as "a serious concern."

Analysts say the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement shows Beijing remains cautious about Ishiba's stance on relations with China.

"Beijing is very cautious and concerned about Ishiba's stance because he has been very assertive and hardline about Japan's security policy," Kyoko Hatakeyama, an international relations professor at the University of Niigata Prefecture, said in a phone interview with VOA.

Before Friday's leadership election, Ishiba proposed the creation of an "Asian NATO," which he said could pave the way for a nuclear-sharing arrangement among like-minded countries or a return of U.S. nuclear tactical weapons to the Indo-Pacific region.

During a live debate held by Japan's Fuji News Network on September 22, Ishiba said it is time to allow Japan's Self-Defense Forces to fire warning shots at foreign forces intruding Japan's territorial airspaces and waters.

Hatakeyama said Ishiba would likely continue to deepen Japan's defense and security relationship with like-minded democracies, including the United States, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines.

Unlike outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, she said, Ishiba wants Japan to have more autonomy in shaping its security policies.

"He thinks it's not good for Japan to follow Washington's lead and he believes Japan should become more independent in working with other like-minded countries in the region," Hatakeyama told VOA by phone.

Some Chinese analysts say Beijing should keep an eye on Ishiba's policies toward China, based on his previous remarks and proposals.

"China needs to stay alert to Ishiba as he reportedly had called for creation of an 'Asian NATO' by combining the U.S.-Japan alliance and U.S.-South Korea alliance," Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at China's Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told China's state-run tabloid Global Times.

Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told Global Times he expects Japan to keep using "the Taiwan question" and its alignment with the U.S. to "contain China."

While Ishiba will likely uphold Japan's current defense and security policies, some experts say he may also seek to adjust Tokyo's overall policies toward China.

"In his recently released book, Ishiba said some members of the Japanese government play up the idea of the China threat and the need for more military without really explaining them to the Japanese people," Jeffrey Hall, an expert on Japan studies at Kanda University of International Studies.

He said while Ishiba has highlighted the need for Japan to maintain deterrence against China, the incoming Japanese prime minister will try to put less emphasis on threats by China to help Japan avoid "a security dilemma."

"He has many big ideas about it, but in the next year, he will continue foreign policy as it was under Kishida," Hall told VOA in a video interview.

While Ishiba may seek to adjust Japan's policies toward China, Hall said he will also continue Tokyo's approach of maintaining close relations with Taiwan, as it did under Kishida and deceased former prime minister Shinzo Abe.

"Ishiba's visit to Taiwan in August was strategically timed because he wanted to show conservatives in Japan that he would stand with Taiwan if he becomes prime minister," he told VOA, adding that Ishiba will not sacrifice commitment to Taiwan for the sake of friendlier relations with China.

Despite the heightened tension between Japan and China, caused mainly by Beijing's military actions and the death of a 10-year-old Japanese boy in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, Hatakeyama said Tokyo and Beijing will both try to play a balancing act in managing bilateral relations in the near future.

"China has recently agreed to gradually resume imports of Japanese seafood and Japan's Cabinet Office didn't declare the Japanese warship's passage through the Taiwan Strait, which signals that Tokyo and Beijing both want to prevent bilateral tensions from further escalating," she told VOA.

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JJ Velasquez is the managing editor of audience for the San Antonio Express-News. He can be reached at jj.velasquez@express-news.net.

He is a journalist with 15 years of experience in newsrooms throughout Texas, namely the Victoria Advocate, Laredo Morning Times, Community Impact Newspaper and the San Antonio Report. Velasquez holds a bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.
Violations of UN Charter and international law now 'facts of life', Cuban Foreign Minister says

28 September 2024 - The Foreign Minister of Cuba expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, and highlighted global challenges such as wealth inequality, climate financing and debt relief, in his speech to the UN General Assembly on Saturday.

Bruno Eduardo RodrAguez Parrilla said the Israeli army has "massacred" over 40,000 civilians in Gaza over the past 11 months. He also paid tribute to the more than 220 UN staff killed in the conflict.

"The genocide against the Palestinian people must end unconditionally and without further delay," he said.

Addressing the risk of escalation, he said that "Israel, with the complicity of the United States, has brought the world to the brink of a major world conflict", adding that "the irresponsible aggression against Lebanon, Syria, Iran and the people of the Middle East will have consequences that are hard to predict."

Mr. RodrAguez Parrilla stated that nearly 80 years after the UN's establishment, "the continued violations of the United Nations Charter and international law, aggressions, interference in the internal affairs of States, and the imposition of unilateral coercive measures for political purposes, have become facts of life."

Global peace and security are being undermined by "aggressive expansionist and supremacist military doctrines of domination".

He said world military expenditure continued to increase for a ninth consecutive year, reaching $2.44 trillion in 2023 - a figure that also includes the development of new nuclear weapons.

He warned that there will be no peace without development, yet "developed countries, which inhabit the very same planet, blindly refuse to invest even minimally in its prosperity and security."

Furthermore, "the aspiration of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has vanished", he continued, noting that the collective wealth of the world's five richest people has increased while five billion globally continue to live in poverty.

"With a tax on the wealth of billionaires, two billion people could be brought out of poverty," Mr. RodrAguez Parrilla said.

Turning to the climate emergency, he recalled that scientists reported in July that the planet had experienced 13 consecutive months of record high temperatures.

"If irrational and unsustainable production and consumption patterns of capitalism are not changed in an urgent and significant way, it will be impossible to limit the global average temperature increase by 1.5 degrees Celsius in comparison with pre-industrial levels," he said.

He expressed hope that governments meeting at the UN COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan this November will adopt a new climate financing goal.

Richer countries "will have a new possibility to begin closing the climate finance gap and pay their financing debts", while developing nations "will have to design a sufficient goal that responds to our own needs, with guarantees for development and social justice."

He said the solution will inevitably have to include the write-off of foreign debt, "which has already been paid several times over".

Mr. RodrAguez Parrilla called for a "fair, democratic international order" which, among other points, "guarantees the general good and prosperity of all peoples in harmony with nature, and the sustainable management of natural resources to ensure the exercise of all human rights for all people".

The Foreign Minister also addressed the United States's nearly 65-year trade and economic embargo against Cuba, which has caused "visible and undeniable" damage and impacted the daily life of the population.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of the Caribbean Island in a US State Department list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism is "a fraudulent designation, void of any international authority or mandate".



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DPRK Will Never Give up Its Nuclear Weapons: KCNA Commentary

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, September 29 (KCNA) -- G7 has turned into the most hideous confrontational group against the DPRK under the control of the U.S.

For a typical example, its foreign ministers issued a "presidential statement" at a confab held on Sept. 24 during the 79th UN General Assembly session in New York.

The statement is run through with ridiculous and impudent remarks urging the DPRK to abandon its nuclear arms, not content with terming its self-defensive nuclear forces "illegal ones that violate UNSC resolutions."

This is just bombast urging the DPRK to dismantle its absolute guarantee for national security and give up its right to existence. Furthermore, it is a grave politically-motivated provocation and wanton violation of its sovereignty, which denies its constitutional status that reflects the unanimous will of its people.

The DPRK has already specified the policy of its state nuclear forces as its supreme law, a political and institutional mechanism for firmly guaranteeing the eternal security of the country and its people.

G7 comprises a criminal nation, which used A-bombs against humanity, possessed of the world's biggest nuclear arsenal, those, who armed themselves with nuclear weapons long ago with black-hearted intentions, and a dangerous nation seeking nuclear weapons to realize their revengeful wild ambition. Nevertheless, it tried to deprive the DPRK of its inalienable right to arming itself with self-defensive nuclear means. This constitutes the worst crime that can never be pardoned.

G7 has persisted in seriously threatening the security environment of the DPRK.

The U.S. and Japan have frantically staged various war drills aimed at the use of nuclear weapons against the DPRK on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity, operating their tripartite military alliance with the ROK in full swing. Worse still, other member states of G7 have joined one after another in the racket for stifling the DPRK. This clearly proves that G7 is a "group that deserves a special prize" for tangibly "contributing" to destroying peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the region.

No wonder, G7 member states are most active in taking part in the U.S.-led campaign for reviving and expanding the illegal "UN Command" in a bid to gain the right to their participation in the "second Korean war," and there are defeated nations of the Second World War among them.

Against this backdrop, they held a confab during a UN General Assembly session discussing the tragic situations of Europe and the Middle East, where they called for someone's "denuclearization." This is just a revelation of their dead-end wild ambition for depriving the DPRK of its nuclear deterrent for self-defence at any cost under the manipulation of the U.S.

G7 is foolish enough to deny the national law of the DPRK as it has neither qualifications nor authority to represent the international community.

Though belatedly, it has to know that its any attempt against our nuclear weapons can never work.

Moreover, they should know that the DPRK will never give up its nuclear weapons in any case.

The people of the DPRK will defend their constitution at the cost of their lives.

We warn G7 not to stick to such a futile deed.

It will have to pay dearly for violating the national law of the DPRK. -0-

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Former FAA Contractor Indicted for Illegally Acting as an Agent of the Iranian Government

Friday, September 27, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Note: View the indictment here.

Former Federal Aviation Administration contractor, Abouzar Rahmati, 42, a naturalized U.S. citizen and resident of Great Falls, Virginia, was indicted for acting and conspiring to act as an agent of the Iranian government in the United States without prior notice to the Attorney General. He made his initial appearance in the District of Columbia today this afternoon.

According to the indictment, from at least December 2017 through June 2024, Rahmati conspired with Iranian government officials and intelligence operatives to act on their behalf in the United States, including by meeting with Iranian intelligence officers in Iran, communicating with coconspirators using a cover story to hide his conduct, obtaining employment with an FAA contractor with access to sensitive non-public information, and obtaining open-source and non-public materials about the U.S. solar energy industry and providing it to Iranian intelligence.

"As alleged, the defendant conspired with Iranian officials and intelligence operatives, even lying to obtain employment as a U.S. government contractor only to then share sensitive government materials with Iran," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "When undisclosed agents of Iran or any other foreign government seek to infiltrate American companies or government agencies, the Justice Department will use every available tool to identify them and bring them to justice."

"This defendant is charged with infiltrating a U.S. agency with the intent of providing Iran with sensitive information vital to our national security," said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. "Thanks to the great work of the FBI and the FAA's investigators, this defendant was stopped in his tracks and a known adversary's plot was exposed."

"This indictment describes the reprehensible actions of an individual who allegedly betrayed his country by transferring sensitive U.S. information to a foreign power. This alleged betrayal not only undermines our national security but also puts U.S. jobs and livelihoods at risk," said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI's National Security Branch. "We will not tolerate any actions that compromise U.S.-based sensitive information and are committed to ensuring that justice is served swiftly and decisively."

According to the indictment, from June 2009 to May 2010, Rahmati served as a First Lieutenant in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a an Iranian military and counterintelligence organization under the authority of the Supreme Leader of Iran. After being discharged from the IRGC, Rahmati lied to the United States government regarding his military service with the IRGC in order to, among other things, gain employment as a U.S. government contractor.

In August 2017, Rahmati offered his services to the Iranian government through a senior Iranian government official who previously worked in Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security and with whom Rahmati had previously attended university. Four months later, in December 2017, Rahmati traveled to Iran, where he met with Iranian intelligence operatives and government officials and agreed to obtain information about the U.S. solar energy industry, to provide that information to Iranian officials, and to conduct future communications under a cover story based on purported discussions about research with fellow academics.

After Rahmati returned to the United States in December 2017, he obtained various non-public and open-source materials related to the U.S. solar energy industry and provided them to an Iranian government official. Rahmati also applied for multiple positions with private companies and U.S. government entities that would provide him with access to sensitive information, eventually obtaining a position with U.S. Company 1 supporting the FAA on a contract related to the power and electrical architecture of the FAA's National Airspace System (NAS). After Rahmati obtained the position, he informed an Iranian intelligence officer that he was "in the process of moving to and joining a new company" and that they could "work more effectively if it is finalized."

In response to tasking from Iranian officials, and in furtherance of his agency relationship with the Government of Iran, Rahmati exploited his employment with U.S. Company 1 by downloading sensitive non-public U.S. Company 1 documents related to the FAA, storing them on removable media, and taking them to Iran, where he provided the documents to the Government of Iran in April 2022. These included documents related to the NAS that would give a person unfamiliar with NAS facility engineering a reasonable understanding of how the NAS power and electrical architecture is configured.

After he returned to the United States in April 2022, in response to tasking from Iranian government officials, Rahmati sent additional information relating to solar energy, solar panels, the FAA, U.S. airports, and U.S. air traffic control towers to his brother, a co-conspirator, so that he would provide those files to Iranian intelligence on behalf of Rahmati.

The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case. FAA's Office of Counterintelligence and Technical Operations provided significant assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Tortorice and Kimberly Paschall for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Beau Barnes and Alexander Wharton of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia provided significant assistance.

Topic: National Security

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - District of Columbia

Press Release Number: 24-1224

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Iran mission's response to Netanyahu's speech at UNGA

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

New York, IRNA -- The first secretary of the Islamic Republic representative mission to the United Nations has responded to the remarks of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting.

"What you heard here today from the notorious Israeli prime minister, was nothing but an unsuccessful attempt to distract attention away from his genocide and brutal war crimes," Nasser Asadi Nazari said on Friday.

During his address to the UN, Netanyahu promised to continue war. His remarks were made despite the UN several resolutions calling for ceasefire.

Below is the full text of the Iranian envoy response:

Mr. President,

I take the floor to exercise the right of reply of my delegation in response to the statement made today by the representative of the Israeli regime.

What you heard here today from the notorious Israeli prime minister, was nothing but an unsuccessful attempt to distract attention away from his genocide and brutal war crimes.

To date, in Gaza alone, he has brutally massacred more than 42,000 civilians -mostly women and children - wounded 93,000 other civilians, destroyed critical civilian infrastructures, and demolished schools, hospitals and mosques.

He has even repeatedly killed an unprecedented number of journalists and UN staff and attacked many UN relief centers.

He brutally has used starvation as a method of war.

Making unfounded accusations against regional countries, including my own, has long been a standard practice of the Israeli regime.

Its exclusive purpose is to conceal its blatant crimes and brutalities in the region.

Obviously, no amount of disinformation, fabrication and lies can cover up this regime's decades-long criminal practices and wicked and warmongering policies.

Mr. President,

The extent, frequency and gravity of the barbaric crimes of the Israeli regime in Palestine and now in Lebanon is unprecedented.

These brutalities have all elements of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Israeli forces commit all such crimes on a daily basis, repeatedly and concurrently in front of the eyes of all of humanity.

They turned Gaza into a graveyard of children and hell on earth as has been said by UN officials.

The apartheid-occupying regime of Israel is now waging an all-out war of aggression against Lebanon.

It has targeted civilians, mostly women, children and the elderly, and attacked civilian infrastructures.

Moreover, the deliberate targeting of civilians in Lebanon by detonating pagers, and other electronic devices across the country, was a blatant terrorist act committed by the Israeli regime.

This evil practice is the most outrageous manifestation of weaponizing ordinary communication devices to commit terrorist acts and to harm civilians.

This adventuristic act of terrorism must sound a warning bell for the entire international community.

This new version of terrorism must be condemned unequivocally by all.

If unchecked, the Israeli regime will commit terrorist acts in other countries using such devices.

They must therefore be compelled to stop such acts of terrorism everywhere.

Mr. President,

For this terrorist regime, international humanitarian and human rights law, binding orders of the International Court of Justice, as well as the principle of humanity mean nothing.

It has persistently and flagrantly violated all Principles of the United Nations and therefore does not deserve the membership of this Organization.

The international community, the United Nations and the Security Council must take their responsibilities seriously, and do whatever in their power to stop destabilizing policies and illegal practices of the Israeli regime in the volatile region of West Asia.

This regime must also be held accountable for all such inhumane policies and unlawful practices.

Inaction to prevent the brutalities of this rogue aggressive regime - that has already crossed all red lines - will further embolden it to pursue further crimes. This must be avoided.

We once again strongly condemn and categorically reject the heinous attacks of the rogue regime of Israel against Palestine, Lebanon and other regional countries.

We also reiterate our full support for the realization of the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.

Under international law, Palestinians have an absolute right to resist occupation and aggression using all available means.

We also fully support the inherent right to self-defense of all regional nations against the aggressions of the Israeli regime.

As we have said time and again, the path to de-escalation is clear: Israel must be compelled to stop immediately and permanently all its attacks on Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and other parts of the region.

In response to saber-rattling and threats made today by the Israeli regime's representative, I must stress that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to vigorously defend its territory, people and vital interests.

Obviously, and in exercising our inherent right to self-defense, we will do it in time and the manner we choose.

Mr. President,

The Israeli regime's representative has also made an unsuccessful attempt to falsely portray our nuclear program as a source of concern.

Iran's nuclear program has always been and will remain exclusively for peaceful purposes.

In fact, the real source of serious threat is the clandestine nuclear-weapons program of the Israeli regime and its nuclear weapon arsenals.

To avert this dangerous threat to regional and international peace and security, the Israeli regime must be compelled to abandon its nuclear weapons, join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty promptly and unconditionally, and place all its nuclear activities and facilities under the comprehensive safeguards of the IAEA.

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Netanyahu must have been prosecuted rather than speak at UN: Iran FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 28, 2024

New York, IRNA -- Iran's foreign minister says Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu must have been prosecuted for his crimes instead of being allowed to speak at the UN.

"Netanyahu and his criminal gang must have been arrested and prosecuted for the most heinous crimes, not to let him appear before this august body and take pride in his evil deeds," Abbas Araghchi said on Friday, speaking before the UN Security Council on "the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question".

"That's a historic shame that a high-profile killer dares to show up at the UN and poison the General Assembly with his disgusting lies and outrageous threats to invade other States and kill more people," he stated.

The following is the full transcript of Araghchi's speech:

Mr. President,

Distinguished Members of the Security CouncilTop of Form

More than enough has been said about the horrors of ongoing genocide in Gaza but not a single action is taken to stop it. Instead, the Israeli criminal mafia is rewarded, their crimes are justified, and their atrocities are normalized before our eyes.

That's why Netanyahuand his companions have become so viciously emboldened to dream of repeating their carnage in Lebanon and of pushing the entire region into a full-scale war.

It is very clear that they are counting on US support in their sinister campaign of terror and destruction.

Just this morning Israel used several 5000 pound bunker busters that had been gifted to them by the United States to hit residential areas in Beirut.

While the Israeli regime's kingpins must be held accountable for the atrocity crimes they have been committing in Occupied Palestine and Lebanon, one cannot disregard the US complicity their crime.

I just remind the Council of a couple of facts:

First, Israel's warmongering relies on U.S. military support and political backing. American weapons constitute the major part of Israeli weaponry and ammunition used in Gaza, and therefore the United States is implicated in every aspect of Israel's atrocity.

The vast majority of bombs Israel drops on Gaza are U.S.-made. The U.S. even provides Israel with jet fuel. The U.S. has sent so many arms to Israel since October 7 that the Pentagon has struggled to find sufficient cargo aircraft to deliver the matAriel.

If there is minimal honesty in US expression of concern over the loss of innocent Palestinian life in Gaza, it can simply deny Israel the tools it needs to commit crime.

Mr. President,

It is now more than a year of genocidal campaign in Gaza. More than two hundred thousand people have been slaughtered, wounded, or buried under the rubble. The whole Gaza Strip is leveled to the ground. Children and women have been deliberately mass murdered as part of Israel's deliberate whim to annihilate Palestine.

The world has been watching with indignation and disgust while the US, UK, Canada, Germany and some others have only been appeasing the culprit.

By the way, do you really expect the global community to believe in the honesty of your human rights claims?

Mr. President,

The Council's credibility is shrinking every minute as it is prevented by Israel's major supporters from fulfilling its responsibility under the Charter.

The Council must act now and stop Israel's cruel plan to exterminate an entire nation who have, for 8 long decades, been under brutal occupation and suppression.

The council's inaction is an invitation to more atrocity. The Council's members, and indeed the whole UN system, would be held responsible for every atrocity Israel commits in Gaza, in Lebanon and elsewhere.

Netanyahu and his criminal gang must have been arrested and prosecuted for the most heinous crimes, not to let him appear before this august body and take pride in his evil deeds. That's a historic shame that a high-profile killer dares to show up at the UN and poison the General Assembly with his disgusting lies and outrageous threats to invade other States and kill more people.

He is a true Satan in the human face. He is so illusional about the people in the region that he boasted about normalizing relations with Muslims by swimming through a sea of Palestinian and Lebanese blood. That's not going to happen for sure.

The US people should be aware that Netanyahu is struggling to push the United States into a war with the whole region in order both to keep himself in power and to influence the outcome of American upcoming elections.

Netanyahu's whims have already cost billions of dollars of American taxpayers, let alone American prestige and image.

As Israel's campaign of death and destruction continues, the people in the region become more determined in their firmly held belief that Israel is a nasty outsider planted in our region as part of a colonial scheme to engage our region in unending cycles of wars and violence.

I thank you.

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UK response to the conclusion of the Global Coalition's military mission in Iraq

The US and Iraq have announced the Global Coalition against Daesh's military mission will draw to a close over the next 12 months.

28 September 2024

The US and Iraq have announced the Global Coalition against Daesh's military mission will draw to a close over the next 12 months. The terrorist organisation has been territorially defeated in Iraq.

The UK will continue to support the security of Iraq, as the Global Coalition enters a new phase. The UK will work closely with our Iraqi partners to develop an enduring bilateral relationship during the coming months, as part of the transition to a new security and defence partnership with Iraq.

Operation Inherent Resolve was established in 2014 to advise, assist and enable partner forces to secure the lasting defeat of Daesh and establish enduring security cooperation. This mission operates under The Global Coalition Against Daesh, consisting of 87 partners (82 governments and five member organisations).

During the last decade, the UK has played a leading role through Operation SHADER, the UK's contribution to Op Inherent Resolve. At the invitation of the Iraqi government, UK forces provided valuable support, training and assistance to more than 111,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), including more than 21,000 of the Kurdish Peshmerga, in crucial infantry, weapons maintenance, counter-IED, medical and engineering skills.

The RAF have also conducted more than 10,000 sorties striking more than 1400 targets, as well as providing critical surveillance and reconnaissance in support of ISF ground operations.

We pay tribute to the professionalism of UK personnel who have played their part in the Global Coalition.

Thanks to the bravery and effectiveness of the Iraqi Security Forces, Peshmerga and the coalition's continued commitment, Daesh has been territorially defeated in Iraq. The ISF has enabled the restoration of critical services for communities and the rehabilitation of conflict affected areas. With these core aims achieved, the process of moving to new security arrangements under Iraqi leadership can commence.

Working alongside our global coalition partners, the UK remains committed to ensuring the global defeat of Daesh and its violent ideology. Our commitment to the security of Iraq and the wider region remains unwavering and we will look to develop a bilateral relationship that supports long-term stability in Iraq.

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PM Netanyahu's speech at UNGA in New York

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Events and Speeches

The 37th Government

28.09.2024

"Mr. President, Ladies and gentlemen, I didn't intend to come here this year. My country is at war, fighting for its life.

But after I heard the lies and slanders leveled at my country by many of the speakers at this podium, I decided to come here and set the record straight. I decided to come here to speak for my people.

To speak for my country, to speak for the truth. And here's the truth: Israel seeks peace. Israel yearns for peace. Israel has made peace and will make peace again. Yet we face savage enemies who seek our annihilation, and we must defend ourselves against them.

These savage murderers, our enemies, seek not only to destroy us, but they seek to destroy our common civilization and return all of us to a dark age of tyranny and terror. When I spoke here last year, I said we face the same timeless choice that Moses put before the people of Israel thousands of years ago, as we were about to enter the Promised Land. Moses told us that our actions would determine whether we bequeath to future generations a blessing or a curse.

And that is the choice we face today: the curse of Iran's unremitting aggression or the blessing of a historic reconciliation between Arab and Jew. In the days that followed that speech, the blessing I spoke of came into sharper focus.

A normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel seemed closer than ever. But then came the curse of October 7th. Thousands of Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists from Gaza burst into Israel in pickup trucks and on motorcycles, and they committed unimaginable atrocities. They savagely murdered 1,200 people. They raped and mutilated women. They beheaded men. They burned babies alive. They burned entire families alive  babies, children, parents, grandparents. It seems reminiscent of the Nazi Holocaust.

Hamas kidnapped 251 people from dozens of different countries, dragging them into the dungeons of Gaza. Israel has brought home 154 of these hostages, including 117 who returned alive. I want to assure you, we will not rest until the remaining hostages are brought home too, and some of their family members are here with us today. I ask you to stand up.

With us is Eli Shtivi, whose son Idan was abducted from the Nova music festival. That was his crime  a music festival. And these murderous monsters took him. Koby Samerano, whose son Jonathan was murdered, and his corpse was taken into the dungeons, into the terror tunnels of Gaza  a corpse held hostage.

Salem Alatrash, whose brother Mohammad, a brave Arab Israeli soldier, was murdered. His body, too, was taken to Gaza. And so was the body of Ifat Haiman's daughter, Inbar, who was brutally murdered at that same music festival.

With us is Sharon Sharabi, whose brother Yossi was murdered, and who prays for his older brother Eli, who is still held hostage in Gaza. And with us too is Yizhar Lifshitz from Kibbutz Nir Oz, a kibbutz that was wiped out by the terrorists. Thankfully, we achieved the release of his mother, Yocheved, but his father, Oded, is still languishing in the underground terrorist hell of Hamas. I again promise you, we will return your loved ones home. We will not spare that effort until this holy mission is accomplished.

Ladies and gentlemen, the curse of October 7th began when Hamas invaded Israel from Gaza, but it didn't end there. Israel was soon forced to defend itself on six more war fronts organized by Iran. On October 8th, Hezbollah attacked us from Lebanon. Since then, they have fired over 8,000 rockets at our towns and cities, at our civilians, at our children. Two weeks later, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen launched drones and missiles at Israel, the first of 250 such attacks, including one yesterday aimed at Tel Aviv. Iran's Shiite militias in Syria and Iraq have targeted Israel dozens of times over the past year as well.

Fueled by Iran, Palestinian terrorists in Judea and Samaria perpetrated scores of attacks there and throughout Israel. And last April, for the first time ever, Iran directly attacked Israel from its own territory, firing 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at us.

I have a message for the tyrants of Tehran: If you strike us, we will strike you. There is no placethere is no place in Iranthat the long arm of Israel cannot reach. And that's true of the entire Middle East.

Far from being lambs led to the slaughter, Israel's soldiers have fought back with incredible courage and with heroic sacrifice. And I have another message for this assembly and for the world outside this hall: we are winning.

Ladies and gentlemen, as Israel defends itself against Iran in this seven-front war, the lines separating the blessing and the curse could not be more clear.

This is the map I presented here last year. It's a map of a blessing. It shows Israel and its Arab partners forming a land bridge connecting Asia and Europe. Between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, across this bridge, we will lay rail lines, energy pipelines, and fiber optic cables, and this will serve the betterment of 2 billion people.

Now look at this second map. It's a map of a curse. It's a map of an arc of terror that Iran has created and imposed from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean. Iran's malignant arc has shut down international waterways. It cuts off trade, it destroys nations from within, and inflicts misery on millions.

On the one hand, a bright blessing  a future of hope. On the other hand, a dark future of despair. And if you think this dark map is only a curse for Israel, then you should think again. Because Iran's aggression, if it's not checked, will endanger every single country in the Middle East, and many, many countries in the rest of the world, because Iran seeks to impose its radicalism well beyond the Middle East. That's why it funds terror networks on five continents. That's why it builds ballistic missiles for nuclear warheads to threaten the entire world.

For too long, the world has appeased Iran. It turned a blind eye to its internal repression. It turned a blind eye to its external aggression. Well, that appeasement must end. And that appeasement must end now.

Nations of the world should support the brave people of Iran who want to rid themselves of this evil regime. Responsible governments should not only support Israel in rolling back Iran's aggression, but they should join Israel. They should join Israel in stopping Iran's nuclear weapons program.

In this body and the Security Council, we're going to have a deliberation in a few months. And I call on the Security Council to snap back UN Security Council sanctions against Iran because we must all do everything in our power to ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons.

For decades, I've been warning the world against Iran's nuclear program. Our actions delayed this program by perhaps a decade, but we haven't stopped it. We've delayed it, but we haven't stopped it. Iran now seeks to weaponize its nuclear program. For the sake of the peace and security of all your countries. For the sake of the peace and security of the entire world, we must not let that happen. And I assure you, Israel will do everything in its power to make sure it doesn't happen.

So, ladies and gentlemen, the question before us is simple: which of these two maps that I showed you will shape our future? Will it be the blessings of peace and prosperity for Israel, our Arab partners, and the rest of the world? Or will it be the curse in which Iran and its proxies spread carnage and chaos everywhere?

Israel has already made its choice. We've decided to advance the blessing. We're building a partnership for peace with our Arab neighbors while fighting the forces of terror that threaten that peace.

For nearly a year, the brave men and women of the IDF have been systematically crushing Hamas's terror army that once ruled Gaza. On October 7th, the day of that invasion into Israel, that terror army numbered nearly 40,000 terrorists. It was armed with more than 15,000 rockets. It had 350 miles of terror tunnels  an underground network bigger than the New York subway system  which they used to wreak havoc above and below ground.

A year later, the IDF has killed or captured more than half of these terrorists, destroyed over 90% of their rocket arsenal, and eliminated the key segments of their terror tunnel network.

In measured military operations, we destroyed nearly all of Hamas's terror battalions  23 out of 24 battalions. Now, to complete our victory, we are focused on mopping up Hamas's remaining fighting capabilities. We are taking out senior terrorist commanders and destroying remaining terrorist infrastructure. But all the while, we remain focused on our sacred mission: bringing our hostages home, and we will not stop until that mission is complete.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, even with Hamas's greatly diminished military capability, the terrorists still exercise some governing power in Gaza by stealing the food that we enable aid agencies to bring into Gaza. Hamas steals the food, and then they hike the prices. They feed their bellies, and then they fill their coffers with money they extort from their own people. They sell the stolen food at exorbitant prices, and that's how they stay in power. Well, this too has to end, and we're working to bring it to an end.

And the reason is simple: because if Hamas stays in power, it will regroup, rearm, and attack Israel again and again and again, as it has vowed to do. So, Hamas has got to go.

Just imagine, for those who say Hamas has to stay, it has to be part of a post-war Gaza  imagine, in a post-war situation after World War II, allowing the defeated Nazis in 1945 to rebuild Germany? It's inconceivable. It's ridiculous. It didn't happen then, and it's not going to happen now.

This is why Israel will reject any role for Hamas in a post-war Gaza. We don't seek to resettle Gaza. What we seek is a demilitarized and de-radicalized Gaza. Only then can we ensure that this round of fighting will be the last round of fighting. We are ready to work with regional and other partners to support a local civilian administration in Gaza, committed to peaceful coexistence.

As for the hostages, I have a message for the Hamas captors: Let them go. Let them go. All of them. Those alive today must be returned alive, and the remains of those whom you brutally killed must be returned to their families. Those families here with us today and others in Israel deserve to have a resting place for their loved ones. A place where they can grieve and remember them.

Ladies and gentlemen, this war can come to an end now. All that has to happen is for Hamas to surrender, lay down its arms, and release all the hostages. But if they don't, we will fight until we achieve victory. Total victory. There is no substitute for it.

Israel must also defeat Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah is the quintessential terror organization in the world today. It has tentacles that span all continents. It has murdered more Americans and more Frenchmen than any group except Bin Laden. It's murdered the citizens of many countries represented in this room.

And it has attacked Israel viciously over the last 20 years. In the last year, completely unprovoked, a day after the Hamas massacre on October 7th, Hezbollah began attacks against Israel, which forced more than 60,000 Israelis on our northern border to leave their homes, becoming refugees in their own land. Hezbollah turned vibrant towns in the north of Israel into ghost towns.

So I want you to think about this in equivalent American terms. Just imagine if terrorists turned El Paso and San Diego into ghost towns. Then ask yourself: How long would the American government tolerate that? A day, a week, a month? I doubt they would tolerate it even for a single day. Yet Israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for nearly a year. Well, I've come here today to say enough is enough.

We won't rest until our citizens can return safely to their homes. We will not accept a terror army perched on our northern border, able to perpetrate another October 7th-style massacre. For 18 years, Hezbollah brazenly refused to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which requires it to move its forces away from our borders. Instead, Hezbollah moved right up to our border. They secretly dug terror tunnels to infiltrate our communities and indiscriminately fired thousands of rockets into our towns and villages. They fire these rockets and missiles not from military sites  they do that too  but they fire those rockets and missiles after they place them in schools, in hospitals, in apartment buildings, and in the private homes of the citizens of Lebanon. They endanger their own people. They put a missile in every kitchen. A rocket in every garage.

I said to the people of Lebanon this week: Get out of the death trap that Hezbollah has put you in. Don't let Nasrallah drag Lebanon into the abyss. We're not at war with you. We're at war with Hezbollah, which has hijacked your country and threatens to destroy ours. As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice, and Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their homes safely, and that's exactly what we're doing.

Just this week, the IDF destroyed large percentages of Hezbollah's rockets, which were built with Iran's funding for three decades. We took out senior military commanders who not only shed Israeli blood but American and French blood as well. And then we took out their replacements. And then the replacements of their replacements. And we'll continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met.

Ladies and gentlemen, we're committed to removing the curse of terrorism that threatens all civilized societies. But to truly realize the blessing of a new Middle East, we must continue the path we paved with the Abraham Accords four years ago. Above all, this means achieving a historic peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

And having seen the blessings that we've already brought with the Abraham Accords, the millions of Israelis who have already flown back and forth across the Arabian Peninsula over the skies of Saudi Arabia to the Gulf countries, the trade, the tourism, the joint ventures, the peace  I say to you, what blessings such a peace with Saudi Arabia would bring.

It would be a boon to the security and economy of our two countries. It would boost trade and tourism across the region. It would help transform the Middle East into a global juggernaut. Our two countries could cooperate on energy, water, agriculture, artificial intelligence, and many, many other fields. Such a peace, I am sure, would be a true pivot of history. It would usher in a historic reconciliation between the Arab world and Israel, between Islam and Judaism, between Mecca and Jerusalem.

While Israel is committed to achieving such a peace, Iran and its terror proxies are committed to scuttling it. That's why one of the best ways to foil Iran's nefarious designs is to achieve the peace. Such a peace would be the foundation for an even broader Abrahamic alliance, and that alliance would include the United States, Israel's current Arab peace partners, Saudi Arabia, and others who choose the blessing of peace.

It would advance security and prosperity across the Middle East and bring enormous benefits to the rest of the world. With American support and leadership, I believe this vision can materialize much sooner than people think. And as the Prime Minister of Israel, I will do everything in my power to make it happen. This is an opportunity that we and the world should not let go by.

Ladies and gentlemen, Israel has made its choice. We seek to move forward to a bright age of prosperity and peace. Iran and its proxies have also made their choice. They want to move back to a dark age of terror and war. And now I have a question, and I pose that question to you: What choice will you make? Will your nation stand with Israel? Will you stand with democracy and peace? Or will you stand with Iran, a brutal dictatorship that subjugates its own people and exports terrorism across the globe?

In this battle between good and evil, there must be no equivocation. When you stand with Israel, you stand for your own values and your own interests. Yes, we're defending ourselves, but we're also defending you against a common enemy that, through violence and terror, seeks to destroy our way of life. So there should be no confusion about this, but unfortunately, there is a lot of it in many countries and in this very hall, as I've just heard.

Good is portrayed as evil, and evil is portrayed as good.

We see this moral confusion when Israel is falsely accused of genocide when we defend ourselves against enemies who try to commit genocide against us. We see this too when Israel is absurdly accused by the ICC Prosecutor of deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza. What an absurdity. We helped bring in 700,000 tons of food into Gaza. That's more than 3,000 calories a day for every man, woman, and child in Gaza.

We see this moral confusion when Israel is falsely accused of deliberately targeting civilians. We don't want to see a single innocent person die. That's always a tragedy. And that's why we do so much to minimize civilian casualties, even as our enemies use civilians as human shields. And no army has done what Israel is doing to minimize civilian casualties. We drop flyers. We send text messages. We make phone calls by the millions to ensure that Palestinian civilians get out of harm's way. We spare no effort in this noble pursuit.

We see yet another profound moral confusion when self-described progressives march against the democracy of Israel. Don't they realize they support the Iranian-backed goons in Tehran and in Gaza, the goons who shot down protesters, murder women for not covering their hair, and hang gays in public squares? Some progressives.

According to the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Iran funds and fuels many of the protesters against Israel. Who knows, maybe some of the protesters or even many of the protesters outside this building now?

Ladies and gentlemen, King Solomon, who reigned in our eternal capital, Jerusalem, 3,000 years ago, proclaimed something that is familiar to all of you. He said: "there is nothing new under the sun". Well, in an age of space travel, quantum physics, and artificial intelligence, some would argue that's a debatable statement. But one thing is undeniable: there is definitely nothing new at the United Nations.

Take it from me. I first spoke from this podium as Israel's ambassador to the UN in 1984. That's exactly 40 years ago. And in my maiden speech here, I spoke against a proposal to expel Israel from this body. Four decades later, I find myself defending Israel against that same preposterous proposal.

And who's leading the charge this time? Not Hamas, but Abbas. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. This is the man who claims he wants peace with Israel, yet he still refuses to condemn the horrific massacre of October 7th. He's still paying hundreds of millions to terrorists who murdered Israelis and Americans. It's called Pay for Slay. The more you murder, the more you get paid.

And he still wages unremitting diplomatic warfare against Israel's right to exist and against Israel's right to defend itself. And by the way, they amount to the same thing, because if you can't defend yourself, you can't exist. Not in our neighborhood, certainly. And maybe not in yours.

Standing at this podium 40 years ago, I told the sponsors of that outrageous resolution to expel Israel: gentlemen, check your fanaticism at the door. Today, I tell President Abbas and all of you who would shamefully support that resolution: check your fanaticism at the door.

The singling out of the one and only Jewish state continues to be a moral stain on the United Nations. It has made this once-respected institution contemptible in the eyes of decent people everywhere. But for the Palestinians, this UN house of darkness is home court. They know that in this swamp of antisemitic bile, there's an automatic majority willing to demonize the Jewish state for anything. In this anti-Israel flat-earth society, any false charge, any outlandish allegation can muster a majority.

In the last decade, there have been more resolutions passed against Israel in this hall, in the UN General Assembly, than against the entire world combined. Actually, more than twice as many. Since 2014, this body condemned Israel 174 times. It condemned all the other countries in the world 73 times. That's more than 100 extra condemnations for the Jewish state. What hypocrisy. What a double standard. What a joke.

So, all the speeches you heard today, all the hostility directed at Israel this year  it's not about Gaza; it's about Israel. It's always been about Israel. About Israel's very existence. And I say to you, until Israel, until the Jewish state, is treated like other nations, until this antisemitic swamp is drained, the UN will be viewed by fair-minded people everywhere as nothing more than a contemptuous farce.

And given the antisemitism at the UN, it should surprise no one that the prosecutor at the ICC, one of the UN's affiliated organs, is considering issuing arrest warrants against me and Israel's defense minister, the democratically elected leaders of the democratic state of Israel. The ICC prosecutor's rush to judgment, his refusal to treat Israel with its independent courts the way other democracies are treated, is hard to explain by anything other than pure antisemitism.

Ladies and gentlemen, the real war criminals are not in Israel. They're in Iran. They're in Gaza, in Syria, in Lebanon, in Yemen. Those of you who stand with these war criminals, those of you who stand with evil against good, with the curse against the blessing, those of you who do so should be ashamed of yourselves.

But I have a message for you: Israel will win this battle. We will win this battle because we don't have a choice.

After generations in which our people were slaughtered, remorselessly butchered, and no one raised a finger in our defense, we now have a state. We now have a brave army, an army of incomparable courage, and we are defending ourselves.

As the book of Samuel says in the Bible:

"   "

"The eternity of Israel will not falter".

In the Jewish people's epic journey from antiquity, in our odyssey through the tempest and upheavals of modern times, that ancient promise has always been kept and it will hold true for all time. To borrow a great poet's phrase:

Israel will not go gently into that good night. We will never need to rage against the dying of the light because the torch of Israel will forever shine bright.

To the people of Israel and to the soldiers of Israel, I say:

Be strong and of good courage.

"     

'        "

  !

The people of Israel live now, tomorrow, forever".

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Libya: Statement by Spokesperson on the agreement regarding the Central Bank leadership

European External Action Service (EEAS)

28.09.2024

EEAS Press Team

The European Union welcomes the agreement addressing the dispute over the leadership of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), under which the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State established the mechanism, criteria and timeline for the appointment of a CBL Governor, Deputy Governor and Board of Directors.

We commend the facilitation efforts undertaken by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to reach this important milestone and exhort the signing parties to swiftly work towards the effective and full implementation of the agreement.

The EU continues to strongly support the role of the UN and UNSMIL in working towards a peaceful, stable and secure Libya.

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Indian border fence cutting off crucial supply route to Myanmar's Sagaing region

Meanwhile, India reportedly extends invitation to rebel forces to government-funded seminar.

By RFA Burmese 2024.09.28 -- India is erecting a fence along its border with Myanmar, which residents of Myanmar's Sagaing region say is cutting off trade routes and driving up the price of goods.

More than 1.6 million people have been displaced by conflict in Myanmar since February 2021, when the military seized power in a coup d'etat, according to the United Nations, with more than 50% of them - an estimated 821,000 people - from the Sagaing region.

Many of the displaced there rely on cross-border trade from India for goods and medicine.

Trade at the Tamu-Moreh border gate connecting India's Manipur state to Sagaing was suspended in 2021 but area residents have continued to exchange goods through informal routes.

India began construction of its border fence in Manipur state in June 2022 amid an influx of refugees from Myanmar, and Indian Union Government Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah said last week that around 30 km (20 miles) of the barrier have since been completed.

Meanwhile, the junta has blocked roads leading to the checkpoint on the Myanmar side, and ethnic Chin commentator R. Lakher told RFA Burmese that India's fence will make it difficult for residents in Sagaing to obtain goods and medicine from across the border.

"The price of commodities has already significantly increased [because of the project]," he said. "This border area is relying on India for all its basic commodities and medical treatments. The local populace will surely suffer a lot of difficulties if the border fencing is completed."

A resident of Sagaing region who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, told RFA that those who need to cross the border are already being forced to do so at unfenced areas, where they must pay higher fees for transportation.

"If the border fencing is completed ... residents who have close relatives on both sides will face various difficulties," he said.

India shares a 1,643-km (1,020-mile) border with Myanmar, 398 km (250 miles) of which are located along Manipur state. The Indian government has earmarked US$3.7 billion to build the border fence, which will also cover 520 km (325 miles) in Arunachal Pradesh, 215 km (135 miles) in Nagaland and 510 km (320 miles) in Mizoram.

Another resident of Sagaing told RFA that the border fence will impact people on both sides.

"Not only the people of Myanmar, but also the people of India will suffer difficulties because people from both sides already have a long history of crossing the border," he said.

Salai Dokhar, the co-founder of aid agency India for Myanmar, said that the Manipur government is urgently erecting the fence because Myanmar's anti-junta forces have gained control over its border areas.

"As Myanmar rebel forces are in control of border areas close to India, the Indian government will have to deal with them, which I believe it does not want to do," he said.

Invitation to rebel forces

While the Indian government conducts bilateral negotiations with Myanmar's junta, it made overtures last week to the country's rebel forces for the first time since the coup, according to a report by Reuters news agency.

The report said that India extended invitations to Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, or NUG, as well as to the China National Front, the Kachin Independence Army and the Arakan Army to attend a seminar by the government-funded Indian Council of World Affairs.

A source with knowledge of the issue told RFA that Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is leading the preparation for the event, the theme of which will be "Constitutionalism and Federalism."

The source said that only the Chin National Front had confirmed their registration to attend the seminar, while the other three groups have yet to respond.

Observers welcomed the move, which they called "pragmatic," given the junta's weakening grip on power in Myanmar's border regions.

"All the Indian borders [with Myanmar] are close to areas under the control of these [anti-junta] forces, and this shows that India has adopted more pragmatic strategies suitable for the situation on the ground," said an ethnic affairs analyst, who also declined to be named due to fear of reprisal.

Attempts by RFA to reach the Indian Embassy in Yangon and the Myanmar Embassy in New Delhi about the border fence went unanswered Friday, as did attempts to contact junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun for comment on India's invitation to anti-junta groups.

Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar told his junta counterpart Than Swe in New Delhi on July 26 that his government is open to engaging with all stakeholders in resolving Myanmar's crisis.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Saudi Arabia promotes 'appeasement and development' in the Middle East and beyond

28 September 2024 - The Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia highlighted the country's work to support peace efforts in the region and beyond in his address to the UN General Assembly on Saturday.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud said the world is seeing an increase in crises, and unfortunately the international community is just looking to manage them, rather than find concrete solutions.

"In this context of tensions between countries, we wish to warn against political polarization," he said, underlining the need for dialogue and cooperation.

He said Saudi Arabia categorically rejects "all crimes perpetrated by Israel against the kindred Palestinian people", with the war in Gaza representing just the latest chapter in their suffering.

Last November, the kingdom hosted the joint Arab-Islamic Summit on the crisis and works "to adopt resolutions and decisions that reflect the will of Arab and Muslim people and to stop the bloodshed, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and realize the legitimate demands of the Palestinian people - in particular, the creation of an independent State."

Saudi Arabia therefore welcomed the 10 May 2024 adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution which said that the State of Palestine fulfills the conditions to become a UN Member State.

Prince Faisal said his country has provided more than $5 billion to aid the Palestinian people since the start of the war in Gaza last October, and it is working with international and UN aid agencies to bring $106 billion in humanitarian projects. Some $106 billion in services, food, medications and other needs is being provided together with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

He stressed that it is essential to find a fair solution to the Palestinian crisis, adding that "the prevalence of impunity, the lack of respect of legal obligations, is encouraging Israel to continue its escalation."

Turning to the wider region, he said that Saudia Arabia has taken measures towards ensuring "appeasement and development", such as concluding an agreement with Iran on restoring diplomatic relations.

"We hope that Iran will cooperate with the international community, in particular, vis-A -vis its nuclear programme and its ballistic missile programme," he added.

The kingdom has resumed relations with war-ravaged Syria to strengthen cooperation on common issues "because we are convinced that finding a solution to this crisis will enable us to entrench peace and stability in our region," he continued.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is supporting all efforts towards a solution to the crisis in Yemen and in the Red Sea, where attacks launched by Houthi rebels in the country are threatening international shipping.

"In Sudan, we reaffirm our staunch position to preserve peace and stability", he said. Engagement has included hosting peace talks in Jeddah, with a third round in the works.

Meanwhile, "Afghanistan cannot be left by the waysides of its region and the international community, or be a prey to terrorists," he said.

"That's why it's necessary to put an end to the humanitarian and security situation in Afghanistan that is providing fertile ground to different groups and militias to continue their activities."

The Foreign Minister said the international community must bring an end to "the Russian-Ukrainian crisis" and the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince is continuing efforts in this regard.

"We have announced the freeing of several prisoners of different nationalities. We hosted a meeting of different officials from different countries, with the participation of several different States and international organizations. We stand ready to continue our mediation efforts between the parties to the conflict," he said.

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National park in E China enhances biodiversity protection

People's Daily Online) 09:48, September 29, 2024

Photo shows a view of the Qianjiangyuan National Park in Kaihua county, Quzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo courtesy of the management bureau of Qianjiangyuan National Park)

At Qianjiangyuan National Park, technician Jiang Yongqing carefully collected fallen seeds using a magnifying glass and tweezers. By analyzing the contents of withered leaves, including small tree branches, flowers, and fruits, researchers can gather data to support the scientific protection of the forest.

Jiang is a member of the Zhejiang Qianjiangyuan Forest Biodiversity National Observation and Research Station. The station employs four technicians, including Jiang, who are responsible for collecting samples in the wild, recording data, and monitoring changes in data on vegetation throughout its life cycle.

Qianjiangyuan National Park, situated in Kaihua county, Quzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province, covers an area of about 252 square kilometers. It consists of three protected areas and the ecological areas that connect them.

The park is situated in a mountainous region with lush forests and diverse wildlife, earning the nickname the "natural water tower" of the Yangtze River Delta. Its exceptional ecological significance is highlighted by the pristine and distinctive ecosystem, conserving a vast expanse of untouched subtropical low-altitude evergreen broad-leaved forest vegetation in its purest form.

According to the latest research data, Qianjiangyuan is home to 2,234 species of higher plants, 449 species of large fungi, and 2,427 species of animals. It is a globally concentrated distribution area for the black muntjac and the Elliot's pheasant, two endangered species endemic in China that are under first-class state protection.

According to Yu Jianping, a senior engineer at the management bureau of the Qianjiangyuan National Park, the park has established a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring system, an unmanned drone inspection system, and installed infrared cameras. Qianjiangyuan is divided into 267 grids, each measuring 1km1km. In each grid, two to three infrared cameras are set up to monitor wildlife.

Kaihua county has taken significant steps to protect biodiversity by establishing an environment and resources mobile court, an ecology, environment and resources case center, an ecological police center and a joint operations workstation.

Through a comprehensive approach that includes integrated restoration of mountains, waters, forests, fields, lakes, and grasslands, and the rescue and protection of rare and endangered species, Kaihua county is continuously restoring its ecological resources, preserving the habitats for wildlife.

In 2022, the park launched an ecological smart governance system, utilizing digital technology to enhance ecological protection. This system includes eight perception systems, such as drone-based disaster prevention inspections and wildlife identification, as well as 25 sub-scenes.

Together, they create a comprehensive monitoring and early warning system covering sky, space, land, and human activities. This system allows for continuous monitoring of the entire park, key ecological systems, and critical species, providing strong support for scientific research.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Kamsi Wachukwu, 8, and her Coton de Tulear dog Peanut are hugged by her mother Theresa during the Houston Humane Society food pantry for pets distribution at the Attack Poverty Friends of North building on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Margie Rios is welcomed by Volunteer Coordinator Sue Curtis during the Houston Humane Society food pantry for pets distribution at the Attack Poverty Friends of North building on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Volunteers greet customers during the Houston Humane Society food pantry for pets distribution at the Attack Poverty Friends of North building on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle Sue Curtis and Gene Rock load pet food in a pick up truck during the Houston Humane Society food pantry for pets distribution at the Attack Poverty Friends of North building on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Rosenberg. J. Patric Schneider/For the Chronicle A promotion during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour helped the Houston Humane Society get more than 40 cats adpoted last year. HHS Dr. Tony Malone, DVM, serves as medical director at the Houston Humane Society, Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Over 5 million meals served. The Houston Humane Society's Pet Pantry program, which has now been operating for four years, offers free pet food, medical care and resources to families facing financial hardships.

"We dont want anyone to have to make the difficult decision to give up their beloved family pet," said Sue Curtis, the pet resources supervisor and directs the program. "Since the program started, were proud to say that Houston Humane Society has now served more than 5 million pet meals, and we look forward to helping even more pets and families in the future.

Humane Society regulars come out to volunteer to help distribute the pet meals. Clients often bring their pets when they come to a pantry event.

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The Humane Society has a deep appreciation for how much pets can add to everyones quality of life for both mental and physical health. It offers pet adoptions, low-cost veterinary services and even a behavior rehabilitation program for traumatized animals.

The nonprofit launched its Pet Pantry program in March 2020.

When the coronavirus pandemic began, long lines at food pantries in Houston and across the country were far too common," said . "We quickly recognized that the financial impact of the pandemic would affect families ability to feed their pets, too."

The Pet Pantry serves the community in other ways including an application-based monthly assistance program, a New Home New Start program, Fix Felix and Friends for Free (cat neutering) and assisting those with pets who are experiencing homelessness. With animal shelters overcrowded across the city and challenging economic times, the goal is to help owners keep pets in homes, which lessens the strain on shelters and helps the entire community.

Overcrowding at shelters is a major issue.

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This is an animal welfare crisis that impacts our entire community, and we need your help to save more lives," Curtis said. "We are helping in any capacity that we can, but the crisis that animal shelters around the nation are in the middle of calls for anyone and everyone that is able to lend a helping hand."

Curtis encourages those who are able will adopt a pet.

"We also offer foster opportunities for short- or long-term arrangements, including fostering animals during medical rehabilitation," she said. "Both options free up space in kennels to provide safe shelter for another animal in need. If adoption isnt an option, donations are always welcome.

The non-profit is connected with other philanthropic efforts.

"We partner with local businesses and organizations like HEB, Hollywood Feed and Greater Good Charities to obtain pet food donations and distribute them throughout the city," Curtis said.

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The program also provides pet food to Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, Northwest Assistance Ministries, West Houston Assistance Ministries, Galveston Food Bank, Fort Bend Countys Seniors Meals on Wheels and Attack Poverty, which serve home-bound seniors, veterans and low-income families.

A partnership with the Fort Bend Juvenile Probation Department in a community-service program targeting those ages 10-17 who are in the departments system.

This initiative allows these individuals the opportunity to complete community service hours and learn about responsible pet ownership and reporting animal cruelty. The program teaches the value of hard work, compassion, patience and perseverance and features an educational workshop on responsible and humane animal care, Curtis said.

Through the Southeast Texas Link Coalition, the Humane Society and other agencies work to combat animal violence and human violence.

The coalition works to educate the public on the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty, and advocates for local action to better protect, prevent and combat domestic violence and animal cruelty," she said.

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The Humane Society is invested in helping in communities in crisis situations.

Responding during any disaster or emergency is a priority," Curtis said. "For instance, in 2020 and 2021, after Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Ida, we loaded up several vehicles with supplies and drove to Lake Charles, Louisiana... We were so grateful to be able to provide pet food, water and other essential resources to a community who desperately needed it. We also took in animals from shelters there and brought them to Houston where they could be cared for and eventually adopted."

In addition to the 5 million meals served, Curtis said the wellness clinic performed 10,200 spay and neuter surgeries.

"By offering high-quality, affordable veterinary services we help pet owners keep their pets healthy and reduce the odds of them being surrendered to shelter or left homeless.

Those efforts, along with the Pet Pantry events, work together to foster responsible pet ownership in the Houston area and beyond.

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Troops from Taiwan training at Michigan base: Former U.S. diplomat

ROC Central News Agency

09/28/2024 06:02 PM

Washington, Sept. 27 (CNA) A former United States diplomat told lawmakers this week while testifying about a controversial Chinese battery factory in Michigan that troops from America's allies, including Taiwan, have been training at Camp Grayling in the state.

Joseph Cella, the former U.S. ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga and Tuvalu, made the remarks during a hearing on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held Tuesday by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

The United States government had not previously confirmed the presence of Taiwanese troops at the Michigan base.

Cella, now the director of the citizen-led Michigan China Economic Security and Review Group, said a proposed factory by Chinese lithium-ion battery maker Gotion was about 70 miles away from Camp Grayling and would pose a threat to the secure U.S. military installation.

"Camp Grayling is the hub of the National All-Domain Warfighting Center, which trains our troops and those of our allies, including Taiwan, in strategic and tactical battle operations," he said.

According to information on the military camp's website, it is the main training facility for the Michigan National Guard and is also the largest National Guard training facility in the U.S.

Concerning Camp Grayling, Ely Ratner, U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, was asked during a House Select Committee hearing last year if he agreed that any location, including Camp Grayling, that are training Taiwanese troops should be considered a sensitive site.

Ratner at the time would not confirm, except to say that he preferred to discuss topics of military engagement with Taiwan in a classified setting.

At the House committee hearing, Cella tried to highlight the CCP threat through the example of the proposed plant in Michigan.

"I witnessed malign influence through a subnational incursion and influence operation by a PRC-based and CCP-tied lithium-ion battery manufacturer, Gotion," he said, referring to attempted bribes and corruption to secure approval of the plant.

"U.S. national security and intelligence agencies convened a group of bipartisan state and local elected officials and business executives across the country to warn them of China's political warfare," Cella said.

"Despite these warnings, all supporting the Gotion project brazenly defied them....And that's just one of many examples across the United States of how China threatens our national security and sovereignty," he said.

The factory has become a hot-button political topic in Michigan in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election in early November.

Republicans, trying to mobilize anti-China sentiment, have spoken out against the plant, while Democrats have been more supportive of it.

(By Chung Yu-chen and Ko Lin)

Enditem/ls

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Allies back Taiwan at U.N. General Debate in New York

ROC Central News Agency

09/28/2024 12:37 PM

New York, Sept. 27 (CNA) Taiwan's diplomatic allies, Paraguay, the Marshall Islands and Palau, have voiced support for the nation's inclusion in the United Nations during this week's General Debate of the 79th U.N. General Assembly.

In his address on Thursday, Paraguayan President Santiago PeAa reiterated that Paraguay is committed to the principle of "leave no nation behind" and supports countries excluded from important international forums to become integral members of the world governing body.

"Paraguay not only recognizes but also profoundly values international cooperation with the Republic of China, Taiwan. This is a kindred nation with which we have for more than 70 years forged robust and meaningful friendship," PeAa said.

He said this friendship is based on "the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and free trade," and that it is "forged through the adversity of two geographically small countries living alongside great powers."

"In this assembly, we renew our firm support for Taiwan to be a full part of the United Nations," PeAa said, adding that the country's exclusion from the international community is an "injustice" that cannot be overlooked.

"Their [Taiwan] contribution to the international community should be recognized. If there is a country that today should be a part of the United Nations and is not yet so, that is Taiwan," he added.

Also on Thursday, Palau Vice President Uduch Sengebau Sr. reaffirmed her country's strong and enduring relationship with Taiwan and called for its meaningful participation in international organizations.

"Taiwan's exclusion undermines the principles of inclusivity and cooperation that the United Nations represents," she said, adding that "U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not preclude Taiwan's involvement in efforts related to the sustainable development goals and we urge this assembly to support Taiwan's rightful inclusion."

Resolution 2758 was adopted by the 26th U.N. General Assembly in 1971 to address the issue of China's representation at the world body.

It resulted in Taiwan, officially named the Republic of China, losing its seat at the U.N. to the People's Republic of China.

Taiwan has since been excluded from participating in the international organization and its affiliates.

Earlier on Wednesday, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine also expressed her country's support for Taiwan, saying that only the latter's independent democratic government can represent its 23 million people.

"The U.N. Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan and should not be used as a pretext to exclude Taiwan from participating meaningfully in the U.N. system," Heine said, noting that this resolution has been "misused to threaten cross-strait trade, regional peace and security."

"This was never its original intent. It cannot serve as a sound basis to prohibit Taiwanese citizens and journalists from the U.N. premises," she added.

The General Debate of the 79th U.N. General Assembly opened in New York on Tuesday and is scheduled to run until Sept. 30.

(By Tony Liao and Ko Lin)

Enditem/cs

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Russian Drone Strike Kills Top Ukrainian Judge After 9 Die In Hospital Attack

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service September 28, 2024

A Russian air strike on a private vehicle in the Kharkiv region killed a 61-year-old judge of Ukraine's Supreme Court, local officials said on September 28, while two strikes on a hospital in the border region of Sumy killed at least nine people and injured 12.

The Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office on September 28 said a Russian drone hit a black sedan being used to distribute humanitarian aid, killing the driver and severely injuring three women passengers.

The driver was identified as Leonid Loboyko, a judge in the Cassation Criminal Division of Ukraine's Supreme Court.

"The victim of the cynical attack was a judge of the Supreme Court, who was delivering humanitarian aid to local residents," the prosecutor's office said.

"The staff of the Supreme Court expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Leonid...sharing their grief and pain from this irreparable loss," the court said on its Facebook page.

"In the hearts of all who knew Leonid Loboyko, the memory of him as kind, wise, and sympathetic person will forever remain."

Separately, Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov said an air strike killed three people and injured at least three more in the village of Slatyne, about 25 kilometers north of Kharkiv city, with other officials saying Russian forces had fired KAB glide bombs in the attack.

"The enemy hit civilian infrastructure, damaged an educational institution, shops," Synyehubov wrote on Telegram.

Earlier, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said Russia on September 28 launched two strikes on a hospital in the border region of Sumy, killing at least nine people and injuring 12.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the Sumy strike, saying that Russia was "waging war on hospitals." He said on X that Ukrainian rescuers were "doing everything possible to provide our people with the help they need."

Klymenko initially put the death toll at six, including a police officer.

"As a result of the first strike, one person died and several floors of the hospital were destroyed," Klymenko said on Telegram, adding that while rescuers were evacuating the patients and staff, Russia launched a second strike.

Klymenko said it was the second day in a row that Ukrainian police lost personnel. "In Kryviy Rih, the search continues at the site of yesterday's attack on a police building. According to available information, one more employee may be under the rubble," he said.

Earlier, Ukraine's air force said its air defenses shot down 69 of 73 drones launched by Russia at Ukrainian regions early on September 28.

Russia also fired two ballistic and two cruise missiles at targets inside Ukraine, the air force said, adding that the two cruise missiles were downed.

Kyiv's military administration said separately that 15 incoming drones were shot down on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, with debris falling in one of the city districts.

"As a result, a nonresidential building was damaged. No information on casualties was received," the administration said in a message on Telegram.

The latest round of Russian attacks came a day after Zelenskiy met with Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump amid tensions over what critics call the ex-president's pro-Russian stance.

Zelenskiy, in a Fox News interview broadcast on September 28, said he received "very direct information" from Trump that if he won the November presidential election, he would support Kyiv in its war with Russia.

"I don't know what will be after elections and who will be the president...But I've got from Donald Trump very direct information that he will be on our side, that he will support Ukraine," Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy, who also met with Trump's November rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, and current President Joe Biden during his U.S. trip, said, "I don't want to be involved to the election period.... I don't want to lose one or another part of Americans."

Following his meeting with the Ukrainian leader, Trump repeated his claim that he would be able to rapidly end the war.

"I think if we win [in November], I think we're going to get it resolved very quickly," he said. Trump did not elaborate on his strategy to end the conflict.

Prior to the meeting, U.S. media had speculated the session might not take place after Trump took offense to Zelenskiy's comments in a magazine interview that stated Trump "doesn't really know how to stop the war."

Zelenskiy presented Biden and Harris his "victory plan," a strategy to end the war about which little detail is known.

The United States, Ukraine's main supporter, and Western allies have given Kyiv billions of dollars in military aid and other assistance while also slapping several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-sumy-hospital-russia- strike/33138424.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 (28 September 2024)

28.09.2024

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 operations and inflicted losses on formations of the 21st, 22nd, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 1st National Guard Brigade, 36th Marine Brigade, and 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade of the AFU near Lyubimovka, Daryino, Novy Put, Nikolayevo-Daryino, and Plekhovo.

Over the past 24 hours, units of the Sever Group of Forces repelled one enemy attack in the direction of Lyubimovka and thwarted attempts of the enemy to launch counter-attacks toward Kremyanoye, Kamyshevka, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.

As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 40 troops killed and wounded.

With the support of Army Aviation and artillery fire, five AFU attempts to break through the border of the Russian Federation towards Novy Put and Medvezhye were foiled.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 60 troops killed and wounded; two armoured fighting vehicles and two motor vehicles were destroyed.

Army Aviation and artillery strikes inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the 21st, 22nd, 41st, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 95th air assault brigades, 1st, 17th national guard brigades, 36th Marine Brigade, 103rd, and 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Bogdanovka, Guyevo, Daryino, Kubatkin, Kruglenkoye, Knyazhy Pervy, Lyubimovka, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Makhovka, Medvezhye, Melovoy, Novy Put, Orlovka, Plekhovo, Pravda, Russkoye Porechnoye, Tolsty Lug, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.

Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes at concentration areas in Sumy region and reserves of the 21st, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 1st National Guard Brigade, 101st, 103rd, 107th territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Belovody, Bruski, Bunyakino, Glukhov, Zhuravka, Kucherovka, Kondratovka, Kruzhok, Malushino, Mogritsa, Mirlogi, Pavlovka, Revyakino, Rovnoye, Rechki, Ulanovo, and Shalygino.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 370 troops, eight units of hardware, including one tank, two U.S.-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, five armoured fighting vehicles, two artillery guns, and eight motor vehicles.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost more than 18,130 troops, 132 tanks, 64 infantry fighting vehicles, 97 armoured personnel carriers, 842 armoured fighting vehicles, 541 motor vehicles, 145 artillery guns, 31 MLRS launchers, including eight of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, eight SAM launchers, five transport-loading vehicles, 37 electronic warfare stations and nine counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, 18 engineering vehicles, including 11 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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We Received Full Support for Our Strategy of Approaching Peace - Peace Through Strength - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

28 September 2024 - 21:25

We are on our way home from the United States. Many tasks have been accomplished during this visit.

I thank President Biden for the largest support package ever - nearly $8 billion. It includes weapons for the frontline, and air defense for our cities, and the expansion of the F-16 training mission.

I presented the Victory Plan, and we agreed that we will soon be discussing our next steps with our allies in the Ramstein format in Germany. October is the time for decisions.

We have an important follow-up to the set of security agreements - now the G7+ Declaration on Reconstruction. A clear signal that, together with our allies, we will restore normal life after the war. More than 30 countries have already joined Ukraine in this effort. There will be bilateral agreements as well - we will expand the number of countries. I thank the United States and President Biden for this leadership.

I thank the United States Congress for their unwavering bipartisan support and willingness to help us - to help us prevail. Senators, members of the House of Representatives - everyone who sees how much we can do together. We received full support for our strategy of approaching peace - peace through strength.

As was important for Ukraine, we held meetings with both U.S. presidential candidates. Meeting with Kamala Harris - all the important accents were voiced, almost an hour-long conversation. Meeting with Donald Trump - it was our second meeting since 2019 and it happened right now, when it is so important. Thank you for your attention to the details of our Victory Plan.

I thank everyone who helps to stop Russian terror and who understands that only strength can force Russia to respect the rules and follow the basic documents of the world. Life is based on principles and law when it cannot be destroyed by violence. That is why unity is so necessary. Unity of the allies, unity of the world to stop Russia, this war, and to ensure a real fair peace. The peace that Ukraine wants more than anyone else in the world, and that will definitely come.

Glory to Ukraine!

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At UN, Russian foreign minister dismisses Zelenskyy's peace plan as 'doomed'

By Margaret Besheer September 28, 2024

Russia's foreign minister reinforced the Kremlin's disagreements with the West in his United Nations General Assembly remarks Saturday and showed no interest in a genuine peace with Ukraine.

"I'm not going to talk here about the senselessness and the danger of the very idea of trying to fight to victory with a nuclear power, which is what Russia is," Sergey Lavrov said.

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin revised his government's nuclear doctrine, in a clear attempt to discourage the West from lifting its restrictions on Ukraine using long-range weapons to strike inside Russian territory.

Lavrov dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's 10-point peace formula as "doomed," and said a resolution of the conflict is not possible unless the root causes of the crisis, as Moscow sees them, are addressed.

The veteran diplomat also took the opportunity to repeat complaints about NATO, Washington, London and the European Union.

His speech came a few hours after Lebanese Hezbollah acknowledged the death of their leader, Hassan Nasrallah, following a series of targeted Israeli airstrikes in Beirut.

"We are particularly concerned by the now almost commonplace practice of political killings, as once again, took place yesterday in Beirut," he told the assembly.

At a news conference following his speech, Lavrov expressed concerns about a wider regional war.

"A lot of people say that Israel wants to create the grounds to drag the U.S. directly into this," he said. "And so, to create these grounds, is trying to provoke Iran and Hezbollah. So the Iran leadership, I think, are behaving extremely responsibly, and this is something that we should take due note of."

War in Ukraine

In February 2022, Russia and China declared a "no limits partnership," just days before President Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The United States has repeatedly accused China of assisting the Kremlin with its war.

"China, another permanent member of this council, is the top provider of machine tools, microelectronics, and other items that Russia is using to rebuild, to restock, to ramp up its war machine and sustain its brutal aggression," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday at a high-level U.N. Security Council meeting on Ukraine that President Zelenskyy attended.

Beijing denies the charge and has sought to distance itself publicly from Moscow on the war.

"The top priority is to commit to no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no provocation by any party, and push for de-escalation of the situation as soon as possible," Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the General Assembly on Saturday.

Beijing says it is committed to playing "a constructive role" in ending the conflict.

China and 'multipolar world'

On the margins of the annual U.N. meetings, China and Brazil launched what they are calling the group of friends for peace for Ukraine, which includes several other countries from the global south.

In a sign of China's desire to be recognized as a global economic and political power, Wang said international relations should be "more democratic."

"Gone are the days when one or two major powers call the shots on everything," he said. "We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and see that all countries, regardless of their size, have their own place and role in the multipolar system."

Wang also called for full U.N. membership for the Palestinians and urged implementation of a two-state solution.

"There must not be any delay in reaching a comprehensive cease-fire, and the fundamental way out lies in the two-state solution," he said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi asked the assembly how the international community could believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim on Friday that "Israel yearns for peace."

"Yesterday, while he was here, Israel conducted an unprecedented, massive air attack on Beirut. Prime Minister Netanyahu wants the war to continue. We must stop that! I repeat, we must stop that! We must pressure Israel to come back to a political solution for a two-state solution," she said to much applause.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister also expressed concern about regional stability following the escalation in Lebanon.

"We call on all parties to show wisdom and to show restraint in order to avoid a true war breaking out in the region," Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud said.

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Venezuelans join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Henry Melinda inserts a Venezuelan flag into his hat as speakers take turns addressing the crowd as he and others join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Venezuelans join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Venezuelans join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Maria Luisa listens to speakers as Venezuelans join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Henry Melinda reacts as speakers take turns addressing the crowd as Venezuelans join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Venezuelans join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Leonardo Morales, right, sings the Venezuelan national anthem Gloria al Bravo Pueblo alongside Henry Melinda as Venezuelans join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Henry Melinda, right, sings the Venezuelan national anthem Gloria al Bravo Pueblo alongside Leonardo Morales as Venezuelans join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A man wears a Venezuelan hat with the countys colors as he and others join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A Venezuelan flag is seen as people join a global outcry in responded to a call from their countrys political opposition claim to victory over President Nicolas Maduro in last months disputed presidential election at Bendwood Park, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Houston. Protesters demanded international recognition and support for President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in rejection of Incumbent President Nicolas Maduros regime and human rights violations. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Amelia and Frederico Poggioli have lived in Houston for seven years, but the couple knows they should be home in Venezuela with their loved ones.

Frederico calls Amelia the political arm of their family. Shes protested the Venezuelan governments actions and stolen elections

for more than 25 years. Although the danger her family faced in Venezuela forced Amelia to leave her home, she brought her fight with her. Today in Houston she's using that internal fortitude to join with other former Venezuelans who demand action.

Houstonians gathered in protest of Venezuela's recent election in Bendwood Park Saturday afternoon, joining a day of widespread protests across the globe. Another protest occurred earlier Saturday, in the Woodlands area. Attendees chanted "Hasta el final," meaning "all the way," to affirm they will not stop protesting until Nicolas Madura leaves office.

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Were protesting because were Venezuelan. Weve lived here for seven years, and we shouldnt be here, Amelia Poggioli said. The couple was forced to flee Venezuela to give their children a chance for a better future, the Poggiolis said. Their story mirrors that of nearly 8 million others who have fled the country since 2014 due to political unrest.

Protesters banded together at 3 p.m. in the park to demand international recognition of Edmundo Gonzalez as president-elect and to reject the incumbent authoritarian, Nicolas Maduro, who was declared the winner of Venezuela's presidential election on July 28.

Jose Amalio Graterol, one of the organizers of Saturdays protest and the political secretary for Vente Venezuela, a political movement in Venezuela, said Saturdays protest was part of 600 such protests worldwide, all aimed at recognizing the will of the Venezuelan people.

The National Electoral Council, which serves Maduros party, announced that Maduro had secured 51% of the vote to 44% for Gonzalez, according to the Associated Press. Tallies from voting booths were not initially released, however.

At the beginning of September, the Venezuelan justice system issued an arrest warrant for Edmundo Gonzalez.

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Inconsistencies in the election have been heavily criticized by international leaders, who have called it undemocratic. Last week, the European Parliament recognized Gonzalez as President in a resolution and urged the EU to reinstate sanctions against the members of the National Electoral Council.

At the end of July, President Biden called for greater transparency in the election process following the results.

But that isn't enough for some protestors, who want action rather than words.

Were certainly going to have to have more commitment from the part of other countries. because we are absolutely unarmed, said Evanan Romero, who attended Saturdays protest and first came to the U.S. in 1966 from Venezuela.

Although Romero is retired from the oil and gas industry, hes now active in another one. Romero is an advisor to Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition politician who serves as a symbol of hope for many Venezuelans, even though shes been barred from the ballot.

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Jesus Briceno first came to the U.S. from Venezuela when he was 20. Like Romero, he traveled between the two countries for oil and gas projects, but due to unrest, he completed his last one in Venezuela in 2007.

We won. We have a president 3 to 1. But still, some countries, it seems like they dont see that. International wise, they have to do something harder to push Maduro out of there, Briceno said.

Like many other Venezuelans in the U.S, Briceno is separated from family still living in Venezuela.

I never went back because it's very difficult, Briceno said. I have a brother and sister living there, and they are telling me dont come right now.

When Amelia and Frederico Poggioli protested in Venezuela, they feared for their life. Citizens who protest in Venezuela are often subjected to tear gas, gunshots and government surveillance. Although the Poggiolis remained safe, theyve seen friends arrested and hurt.

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In the end, its a lot of people talking, and little happens. There are strings being moved underneath, but you have to make the effort, and thats what were all doing here, Frederico said.

Independent UN experts commissioned by the Human Rights Council released a report last Tuesday that called the Venezuelan governments repression of citizen voices after the election one of the most acute human rights crises in recent history."

The report, which was made through gathering testimonies from victims of governmental violence, said the violations have intensified, reaching unprecedented levels of violence.

Since coming to Houston, the Poggiolis said the freedom theyve had to peacefully protest has been invaluable. But results would be nice, too.

You have the freedom to raise your voice, and hopefully try to convince the international community to do something because Ive heard this so many times: We as Venezuelans should resolve the problems ourselves. But its been 20 something years trying to do it. Without the help of people who can actually pull the levers and make something happen, its not gonna happen, Frederico said.

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Protesters have also demanded action from the International Criminal Court to address the government-led atrocities on citizens in Venezuela who oppose the election. At the protest on Saturday, some protesters held signs that said SOS Karim Khan. Khan is the prosecutor of the ICC.

In early August, Amnesty International, an NGO focused on human rights, sent an open letter to Khan urging him to take action.

People have died trying to flee the country just in the effort to get a life. We just gave a life to our son and daughter, but not everyone has that power, that chance down there, Frederico said. They cannot do this in Venezuela, so we have to do it for them.

Saturday's protest was not the first time Houstonians protested the results of Venezuelas recent election. In late July, protests were held in Sugar Land and the Galleria after Madura was declared victorious.

Much of Amelia and Fredericos family is still in Venezuela.

Thats not how it should be. Families are meant to be together. Most Latin Americans know what extended family is. Its not just my siblings; it should be everybody celebrating every Sunday together, getting together for lunch, for Christmas, Amelia said.

About 1% of Houston's population is Venezuelan, making up one of the biggest Latino groups in the city with approximately 50,000. A significant chunk of the community have made a home in Katy or Katyzuela, as they call it, which has grown over 400% since 2012, according to census reports.

And with the state Venezuela is in following the contested election and ongoing, violent repression, more are expected to leave the country.. The amount of Venezuelan refugees worldwide sits at 6.1 million

To Romero, the staggering amount of Venezuelan refugees speaks volumes of the countrys dire situation.

Nobody leaves their own country unless they are going through very difficult times, and now theyre beginning to move away again because the government robbed the election, Romero said.

We are creating problems in every country we go to. I mean they love us, but theyre tired of receiving this many people. We have to do something to get our lives together, so some people are deciding to leave. Some people are trying to fight, Amelia said.

To Romero, the fight is inseparable to the spirit of the Venezuelan people.

Its part of their emotion, their attachment to the nation and recovery of democracy. Everyone is waiting for that moment, Romero said.

Amelia has faith that moment could soon become reality.
During the weekend of the Singapore GP, there was much debate about the ways McLaren developed their wings this season. While the British team had to change their rear wings, their flexible front wings they have (the same could be said about Mercedes) remain the same for the time being. The team's chief designer, Rob Marshall believes however that his team does not stand out in terms of exploiting the rule book.

McLaren had to remove their so-called 'mini DRS' after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Rob Marshall, who joined the Woking-based team from Red Bull, thinks however his team are not the exception regarding different grey areas. "I wouldn't say they're exploiting it less than McLaren. I wouldn't say McLaren are exploiting it. I would say that everyone's approaching their wing design the way they think," he began in Asia.

"But you look at them, I mean obviously for whatever reason, talking about ours at the moment, I mean everyone can see everyone else's. I don't think we are the only people under scrutiny," the Briton added.

How do the FIA work with teams?

The chiefs designer also gave an insight on how a team need to operate together with the FIA. "You discuss the requirements of the regulations, and whether you are compliant with the regulations. You just talk about aeroelastics and characteristics, it's not what the FIA is interested in. They want to ensure that the cars that are delivered to the circuit are compliant with regulations and any directives and any opinion they may have. And you work with them to ensure that and away you go," Marshall concluded.

McLaren got the lead in the constructors' standings after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and now have a 41-point lead ahead of Red Bull Racing entering the autumn break after they scored a double podium in Singapore.



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Texas State District 15 candidate Molly Cook debates with fellow Democratic primary candidate, Jarvis Johnson, on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Houston. The debate was sponsored by the Bayou Blue Dems for the runoff election that will fill Houston Mayor John Whitmires former Senate seat. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Local Jewish leaders and community members were criticizing State Sen. Molly Cook Saturday after she released a statement that included a call for an arms embargo on Israel.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston's Board Chair Robin Stein, federation President and CEO Renee Wizig-Barrios, and 19 local rabbis and cantors signed a letter that called Cook's statement "extremely harmful and dangerous to the Jewish people."

Cook released her statement Monday, which also called for all Israeli and Palestinian hostages to be returned and a ceasefire.

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"After deep reflection and in consultation with stakeholders I am joining the call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire for all parties, the return of all Israeli and Palestinian hostages, and an end to the supply of arms to Israel. I support the protection of freedom of speech, including the right to protest, boycott, or divest," Cook's statement reads.

Art Pronin, president of the Meyerland Area Democrats, said it is highly unusual for so many rabbis and synagogues to come together to write a letter of this kind. He said it's a sign of the backlash Cook's statement has received in the local community.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston letter includes a list of 10 specific aspects of Cook's statement that signors took issue with.

Pronin believes the Jewish community took issue with what they felt was an unbalanced view of the situation, along with the belief that the statement minimized the attacks against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and that Israel being able to defend itself was not mentioned.

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"There are differing opinions about how to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and its adversaries," the letter states. "However, State Senator Cooks statements are far outside the boundaries of those mainstream opinions. Her statement could fuel those who target Jews and Jewish institutions with anti-Israel and anti-Jewish hatred."

Rabbi Edwin Goldberg of Congregation Beth Shalom of the Woodlands was one of the religious leaders who signed the letter.

"It suffers from what I'll call 'both-side-ism,'" Goldberg said. "It's this idea that Hamas attacks, the next day Hezbollah attacks, and then some statement like hers doesn't look at the details, doesn't look at the facts or the history, and makes it very simple, which it's not."

Cook won her seat in a special election to replace Mayor John Whitmire. She is running against Republican candidate Joseph Trahan to retain the seat in the November election.

In addition to calling for the ceasefire, Cook called anti-Semitism, anti-Palestinianism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab hate unacceptable and noted she would push for increased funding for mosques, synagogues and Arab churches during the next legislative session in her Monday statement.

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She released a statement Saturday to the Houston Chronicle when asked to comment on the letter.

As an American, I feel a deep moral responsibility to question how our tax-dollars are spent," Cook said Saturday. "As a public health nurse and elected official, I cannot stay silent while the United States facilitates the indiscriminate bombing and starvation of an entire population. I continue to grieve alongside our neighbors, and I stand by my statement. I extend my deepest condolences to all who have lost loved ones in Israel and Palestine and to everyone still hoping their loved ones will come home.

Pronin said the statement came after two previous events that raised eyebrows in the Jewish community. He said Cook previously didn't condemn the Oct. 7 attacks after they happened and she didn't respond to an invitation to watch a documentary on the Oct. 7 attacks at the Houston Holocaust Museum.

Since Cook's statement Monday, Pronin said his phone has been inundated with messages about the statement; he said everyone in the Jewish community is talking about it.

However, some community members such as Rebecca Shukla supported Cook's statement. Shukla, who has lived in Houston for 25 years, said it was important to remember the Jewish community is not a monolith.

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"Those are things that cross my mind, too, because this is a humanitarian crisis that's being perpetrated on a group of people," Shukla said.

Cook's statement also comes amid a busy time on the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, starts Oct. 2 and Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, begins at sundown Oct. 11. Right in the middle of those holidays is the anniversary of Oct. 7.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is holding a remembrance event on the day and a few thousand people were expected at the event  including Cook.

Cook's Chief of Staff Ally Smither said Cook will be in attendance.
Procurement of five new ambulances is waiting to go out to bid, even as the Guam Fire Department works to respond to emergency calls with just four of its 15 ambulances currently operational.

Meanwhile, GFD oversight chairman Sen. Will Parkinson told the Pacific Daily News that the fire department has $885,000 in federal American Rescue Plan money to purchase ambulances, but the documents are still under review at the General Services Agency after being submitted in July.

The PDN reported earlier that GFD has just four ambulances running, down from the five reported in July and seven reported back in February.

Parkinson said administrative bottlenecks are holding up the purchase, and he is considering legislation to give GFD emergency procurement authority to deal with the issue.

We are working with the Guam Fire Department to obtain the required information to move the procurement process forward, acting chief procurement officer Andriana Quitugua said via email, when asked about the status of the bid for the vehicles.

Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin said the $885,000 in ARP for the ambulances was uploaded in an account back in May or June.

She said the funds are not in danger of expiring by a Sept. 30 deadline for ARP money, as the funds have already been obligated.

But Parkinson said recent discussions with GFD indicate it could take a year for the ambulances to arrive, even after a bid is processed.

Besides the pending review, GFD has also exhausted its budget for parts and repairs as of the Aug. 29 close of GovGuams procurement cycle, Parkinson said.

The department was doing all it could to keep up with maintenance, he added.

Besides the four operational ambulances, GFDs 11 other ambulances are all in the shop or waiting on parts, fire department spokesperson Lt. Nick Garrido said last week. Garrido said there are issues in procuring replacement parts for the ambulances.

The delays and red tape are costing us valuable time  time we do not have when it comes to saving lives. Even when we have the money, its the procurement process that holds up progress, Parkinson said.

Besides changing local procurement law, Parkinson said his staff have been working with GFD to use alternative procurement avenues, like going through the federal General Services Agency to purchase equipment.

Dr. Vince Akimoto said the situation with GFDs ambulance is not acceptable.

GovGuam was drowning in money but had nothing but excuses for the months-long failing, Akimoto said.

Tonight, those excuses cant get you anywhere near an ambulance, he said.

Akimoto in July reported a delayed response to a patient that was having a heart attack, which he attributed to GFDs ambulance shortage.

The shortage reflected a broader breakdown in health services for the island, he said.

Guam has gotten worse for all high-risk (pregnancies) due to delays in emergency ambulance response. Guam has become riskier for stroke and cardiac arrest victims since island-wide emergency transport has been critically compromised, Akimoto said.

GFDs Garrido earlier said the number of ambulances should not be concerning to the public, as GFD continues to respond to calls using fire engines, rescue units, and can call on federal responders when needed.

Parkinson said GFD was working as hard as it could, but something had to be done about the broken procurement system.
Former police officer and Department of Corrections inmate David Q. Manila was denied his latest attempt to appeal his jail sentence, and the attorney assigned to his case was allowed to withdraw, according to a decision and order issued by Superior Court of Guam Judge Dana A. Gutierrez.

Manila has fought his conviction and sentence since he was found guilty of more than 40 charges in 2013.

On Nov. 16, 2013, a jury found him guilty of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and five counts each of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and kidnapping  all 12 as first-degree felonies.

Fellow and former GPD officer Anthony Quenga was also convicted of similar and multiple felony charges for their role in what came to be known as the Blue House case.

Manila and Quenga were indicted in connection with Blue House, a former karaoke bar that employed women who were forced into prostitution.

The two were found guilty of sexually assaulting employees of the brothel and reportedly used their influence as officers to keep the workers from running away or getting help.

Women from Chuuk were told theyd be working in a restaurant in Guam, but then were forced to work as prostitutes against their will at Blue House, documents state.

In 2014, Judge Anita A. Sukola sentenced Manila to 30 years in prison. He filed an appeal, which the Supreme Court addressed in 2015. Although the Supreme Court vacated several convictions, it affirmed many others, so when justices sent the case back to Sukola, she vacated the convictions as directed, and then sentenced Manila to a 30-year term based on the remaining convictions.

Manila faced as much as life in prison for the first-degree criminal sexual conduct convictions.

Manila appealed the second judgment and the Supreme Court again addressed the case in 2018. It affirmed the new sentence and declared that Sukola did not abuse her position.

In late 2019, Manila filed for a writ of habeas corpus, meaning an appeal from wrongful imprisonment. He alleged ineffectiveness of legal counsel. The case was assigned to Gutierrez, who found that his counsel was not ineffective and denied his petition on Aug. 31, 2022.

Manila attempted to file the same writ but was denied this time by Judge Elyze Iriarte, who did allow Manila to amend his request.

On June 30, 2023, Manila filed his corrected petition and motion for appointment of counsel. His corrected motion presented new issues including his alleged immunity from prosecution. The case was assigned to Gutierrez and in October 2023, appointed the Alternate Public Defender to represent Manila.

Three months later, attorney Tyler Scott filed a motion to withdraw as counsel, and Manila petitioned for another attorney. On April 11, 2024, Gutierrez called a hearing to address the motion to withdraw, and Scott responded with an argument that if he were to continue, he would be breaking ethics by pursuing a frivolous case.

Gutierrez heard oral arguments on the matter on April 11 and again on June 27.

On Wednesday, Gutierrez filed her decision and order in a 16-page document that first granted Scotts motion to withdraw and also denied Manilas petition.

Part of the denial was that Manilas claim was for issues that could have been brought up earlier  as early as years before his trial  and therefore forfeited his opportunity to do so.

Gutierrez said that even if Manilas claims were procedurally valid, she agreed with Scott and found them all without merit.
Public schools under the Guam Department of Education will resume classes on Monday, after what officials described as recent terrorist conduct, referring to online threats that canceled classes at three schools and police visit to a fourth school on Friday.

GDOE, in an announcement on Sunday, said the academic schedule will proceed as planned, with daily instruction classes set to continue on September 30.

Police Chief Stephen Ignacio and Education Superintendent Erik Swanson, meanwhile, will host a joint press conference at 8:30 a.m. Monday to address the ongoing investigation and collaboration between GDOE and the Guam Police Department concerning recent terrorist conduct.

The safety of students and the apprehension of those responsible will be the focal points of the discussion. This meeting is a crucial step in addressing the concerns of the community regarding the safety of its young members and the effectiveness of the measures taken to protect them. It also underscores the commitment of both GDOE and GPD to work together in ensuring a secure learning environment for all students, GDOE said.

Online threats on Thursday prompted a cancellation of Friday classes for John F. Kennedy High School, Simon Sanchez High School, and F. B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, and a Friday morning visit to Okkodo High School by GPD.

Expulsion

GDOE also warns that online threats could result in school expulsion and violation of federal law.

In light of recent events, it is imperative to recognize the gravity of online threats and their impact on community safety. Dr. Erik Swanson, superintendent, has emphasized the severity of such actions, underscoring that they constitute not only a violation of school policy, resulting in expulsion, but also a breach of federal law, GDOE said.

In collaboration with school administrators and the police, GDOE said it is actively working to ensure the safety of all students, including the implementation of a modified school bag policy, which is designed to enhance the screening process for potential weapons.

On Friday, GDOE announced a ban on backpacks, duffle bags, gym bags, large purses and any other large bags effective Sept. 30.

Comprehensive searches

GDOE on Sunday said additionally, standard policy SOP 1200-002, will be enforced, allowing for comprehensive searches at the discretion of school administrators when deemed necessary.

These measures demonstrate a proactive approach to creating a secure educational environment, GDOE said.

Schools are conducting daily physical assessments of their campuses to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, and they work with GPD and other law enforcement agencies to track down potential online threats and to maintain police presence on campus, the department said.

Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to visit the GDOE website to view the following documents: Board Policy 379  acceptable technology use policy as it pertains to GDOE and personal devices either on or off campus as it pertains to student safety; and Standard Operating Procedure 1200-018 Student Conduct Procedural Manual  to understand prohibited behaviors and consequences, GDOE added.
The cash crunch at Guam Memorial Hospital is causing a supply shortage that threatens to cancel all non-emergency surgeries, according to this months GMH board meeting.

One doctor has turned to using his own money to obtain supplies needed to continue providing anesthesia for surgeries.

Hospital Administrator Lilian Perez-Posadas asked all members of the GMH board to appeal to senators to increase the hospitals subsidy for fiscal 2025, in light of the dire financial situation that the hospital faces.

Perez-Posadas said GMH recently came close to suspending all elective surgeries because the hospital owes money to medical suppliers that provide pharmaceutical and surgical supplies.

She said the governor had to approve a cash advance of $5 million so the hospital could pay off vendors and get more supplies, but that advance came out of money thats supposed to fund GMH in the next fiscal year.

The issue isnt over, as the hospital is down to about a months supply worth of supplies needed for the anesthesia machine, called circuits, GMH Assistant Associate Administrator of Medical Services Dr. V. Kwasi Nyame said.

Nyame said the operating room head recently came to him, concerned because GMH was down to 12 circuits for anesthesia.

That means that were going to do 12 surgeries, because after those 12...we cant do anymore, Nyame said.

He said he had to call the hospital on Saipan and literally beg for 40 more circuits, and then flew to the island himself to pick them up.

Nyame said he also borrowed another 40 from the Guam Regional Medical City, his former employer, and used paychecks still owed to him to cover it.

Those supplies will sustain GMHs operating room for maybe a month, and after that, the hospital will be back in the same situation, and will likely have to cancel all elective surgeries.

Nyame said hes now looking to use HEPA filters to essentially reuse circuits for the anesthesia machine, but the hospital has to buy the filters, and then figure out whether that move is allowed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

GMH will eventually have to pay back the supplies hes borrowed, Nyame added, and their bad credit means they will end up paying more money.

Hospital Chief Financial Officer Yuka Hechanova earlier this month reported GMH was $17 million behind on vendor payments.

That shortfall comes after the hospital got $30 million to catch up on vendor payments from the Legislature last October.

GMH is also short on more basic supplies, hospital Trustee Dr. Teresa Borja reported to the board.

She said sponges are being limited for bleeding patients in surgery, the hospital is running out of linens, and patients are now bringing in their own towels and face cloths, because of supply shortages.

Borja said she has brought up the issue with the governor.

Budget battle

Perez-Posadas said a supplemental budget bill from Sen. Joe San Agustin would allocate about $36.7 million worth of excess revenue GovGuam has this fiscal year. But Bill 355-37 does not mention GMH at all, she said.

The administrator said she plans to appear at the Oct. 3 hearing on the supplemental budget bill to ask, maybe even beg, for additional money for GMH.

We dont want to get to the point where were going to have to really look at, OK, what services are we going to cut? she said.

Another measure, Speaker Therese Terlajes Bill 354-37, seeks to provide $20 million to GMH but no public hearing is scheduled yet, and its uncertain if the bill will pass, Perez-Posadas said.

GMH legal counsel Jordan Pauluhn noted that both bills seek to tap into the same pot of money. If the supplemental budget passes, Terlajes proposed $20 million for GMH wont, Pauluhn said.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero last week said she thinks the full balance of $37.9 million in excess revenues for fiscal 2024 should go to GMH.

Terlaje, chair of the legislative committee on health, said she was glad to see the support, but questioned why the administration had not backed additional funding for GMH before the fiscal 2025 budget was finalized.

I dont know if the Legislature knows how dire the situation is, Nyame remarked at this months board meeting.

Budget cuts

GMH has been scaling back on expenses for fiscal 2025, reducing its budgetary shortfall from $42 million to about $24 million, the hospital CFO said.

If GMH gets the $20 million the speaker has proposed, it would really help, Hechanova said.

Our revenues are actually doing pretty good against our targets, Hechanova told the board, but GMHs expenses continue to rise.

The hospital has pulled money from vacant positions that need to be filled, scaled back on contractual costs by $5.5 million, in part by planning to cut travel nurses, and made some minor cuts to hospital supplies, Hechanova said.

GMHs fiscal 2025 budget also had about $6 million more than what management anticipated to get, and cut retirement contributions back from 33% to 30%, reducing the shortfall further, she added.

Hechanova said she is helping the Guam Economic Development Authority review bids for hospital consultants, which will help GMH improve billing and collections, among other things.
Fresh off the heels of Helene, which slammed into the Big Bend region of Florida as a major Category 4 hurricane and caused devastation throughout the southeastern United States, the National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on yet another area of tropical development that could move into the Gulf of Mexico later this week.

The broad area of low pressure was located over the western Caribbean Sea on Sunday morning and so far has only produced disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

Environmental conditions appear to be conducive for gradual development, and a tropical depression could form around the middle part of this week, the hurricane center wrote in its tropical weather outlook on Sunday morning.

The disturbance is expected to meander toward the north-northwest before turning northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico during the latter portion of this week, forecasters said.

Its too early to tell where or how strong the system will become, but so far the hurricane center is giving medium odds of developing into at least a tropical depression within the next seven days. Those odds, however, jumped from 30% to 50% over the weekend.

As a result, the hurricane center has advised those in the northwestern Caribbean Sea and along the U.S. Gulf Coast to monitor the systems progress.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Isaac and Tropical Storm Joyce will roam through open waters into next week, posing a risk to shipping interests only.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has produced 10 named storms and six hurricanes so far, with two months left to go before its official end on Nov. 30.

Will it be Kirk or Leslie?

The next two names on the list for the 2024 hurricane season are Kirk and Leslie. A disturbance way out in the Atlantic could end up getting the name Kirk, which would leave Leslie as the name for the potential Gulf storm. The system in the Atlantic isnt expected to threaten the U.S.

Tracking potential impact

While its far too early to accurately predict where the tropical disturbance in the Caribbean will track once it enters the Gulf of Mexico, there are some factors that could have an impact.

For starters, this disturbance seems to be following a similar development as Helene in a zone in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba and west of Jamaica.

While the storm is expected to follow a similar northwest path before turning north, an area of high pressure is forecast to be centered over the eastern United States during the second half of the week. That could push any brewing tropical storm farther west in the Gulf of Mexico when compared to Helenes path, according to forecasters at AccuWeather.

At this early stage, however, it is too early to rule out any possibilities regarding the future track of a potential tropical storm, said Dan DePodwin, AccuWeather senior director of forecasting operations.
One of the largest social networking companies in the world, Meta, has been fined by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) as much as $102 million ( 91 million) due to their user password storage method. According to the DPC, Meta stored user passwords in plaintext.

Meta previously defended its actions and claimed that no users were harmed using its method. However, security researchers have disagreed.

The investigation against Meta lasted for five years before the data privacy authorities concluded that Meta was culpable for its negligence.

Meta Faces a $102M Fine for Storing User Passwords in Plaintext

The DPC said that it is now done with its investigation against Meta, and it has come to its final decision of imposing a $102 million fine against the tech company. This fine is given to Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (MPIL) after it reported that it stored user passwords in plaintext all the way back in April 2019.

The DPC claimed that it found "infringements" done by Meta against the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The DPC likewise claimed that Meta failed to notify the commission of "a personal data breach" of the stored passwords in plaintext.

It was likewise claimed that the company did not rectify its security issues "against unauthorised processing."

Read Also : Instagram Faces $5 Million Lawsuit for Exposing Teenagers to Harmful Content

5-Year Investigation Claims 600 Million Users Were Affected

Initially, Meta disclosed that only 20,000 Facebook user passwords were stored in plaintext. Eventually, it was later revealed that millions of Instagram user passwords were stored in an "easily readable format" (via Engadget).

Allegedly, a Meta senior employee shared with Krebs on Security that this incident affected as many as 600 million users on the platform.

Meta's Privacy Practices and Issues

Meta has seen its fair share of privacy issues because of their practices online, and this includes the claims made by researchers or regulatory heads after discovering certain problems with its safety practices. Earlier this year, Meta settled a privacy lawsuit filed against them by Texas for as much as $1.4 billion for its facial recognition technology that affected users, who did not consent to such technology.

Over the years, Meta has also faced allegations and accusations from advocates and regulators against its privacy practices for teenagers, especially regarding what kind of content and experiences they face online. Different lawsuits have been filed against Meta by different United States states and international authorities for allegedly failing to protect those who are under the legal age from the dangers of social media.

The privacy fiasco that Meta faced throughout the years saw different complaints for mishandling user content or failing to protect a person's data online. Now, a five-year investigation by Ireland has been concluded, which found that Meta failed to protect users' privacy again because of its lackluster password storage method.




Haiti - FLASH : Formal denial from the Prime Minister's office





The Prime Minister's Office of Communication informs the population that the Prime Minister has not taken any steps or initiated any talks with a view to creating any political party.



The Prime Minister's Office formally denies any rumor or statement concerning the creation of a political party on its initiative.



The Prime Minister's Office reminds the population that in accordance with the Agreement of April 3rd, 2024 for a Peaceful and Orderly Transition, the Prime Minister and his team are fully dedicated to implementing the five major projects of the transition roadmap, among which the restoration of security and the organization of elections constitute the absolute priorities.



It is also important to emphasize that no member of the Government will be able to run in the next elections, in accordance with Article 49 of the Agreement of April 3rd, 2024 and Article 11 of the Decree of April 10, 2024 establishing the Presidential Transitional Council.



The Prime Minister also ensures that State property is not used for electoral purposes.



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Haiti - Politic : Haitian soldiers will be trained in Mexico





The Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Mexico Cisneros Chavez, Jose de Jesus, accompanied by his deputy Joanna Gomez Rodriguez, paid a courtesy visit to Commander Godfrey Otunge of the Multinational Security Support Mission, Henry Kevron the Deputy Lieutenant Commander for the Jamaican forces of the Mission, was also present to welcome the diplomats.



Otunge gave an update on the mission and shared the successes and challenges he has encountered since the arrival of the first Kenyan delegation in Haiti in June 2024. Otunge stressed the need for air support for the mission which will apparently be used for the insertion of police officers and the evacuation of the wounded. He also stressed the need to finance the creation of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), essential to maintain control of the pacified areas. He called on the international community, particularly foreign Embassies in Haiti, to support and equip the Haitian National Police (PNH), which plays a central role in this mission.



In his interventions during the meeting, Ambassador Cisneros Chavez praised the efforts and achievements of the Mission, and expressed optimism that the Mission would succeed with adequate and regular funding from the Trust Fund. He believes that there will likely be a chain reaction after the extension of the Missions mandate, where more contributing countries will respond positively.



Cisneros Chavez indicated that as part of Mexicos efforts to support the fight against gangs, his Government will train Haitian military personnel in Mexico in the coming months.



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Haiti - News : Zapping...





Guinea willing to send 650 men to Haiti

Friday, September 28, 2024, as part of the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations, the Guinean Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah, in office since February 2024, in his speech at the podium declared that Guinea was ready to send a contingent of 650 police officers and gendarmes to Haiti, to participate in the efforts of the Multinational Security Support Mission.



Renewal of the MMSS mandate

On Monday, September 30, 2024, the United Nations Security Council will decide on the renewal of the one-year mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS), whose first Kenyan contingent was deployed in June 2024. This renewal should allow the international to meet its commitments in order to reach the objective of 2,500 men on the ground by January 2025.



End of the escape for 2 detainees

The Central Police arrested Saint Germain Mamion (47 years old) from Port-au-Prince and Djemps Fortune, (37 years old) from Les Cayes, escapees from the National Penitentiary, during the attack perpetrated by armed bandits on this prison center, on the night of Saturday, March 2, 2024 hhttps://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41847-haiti-news-zapping.html where 3,700 prisoners had escaped



Protection kits for the PNH and the FAdH

Of the 400 kits of personal protective equipment symbolically handed over by Taiwan to the Haitian Government on August 29, 2024 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43095-haiti-taiwan-donation-of-400-individual-protection-kits-for-the-pnh-and-the-fad-h.html , 300 were officially transferred this month to the Haitian National Police (PNH) and 100 to the Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH).



Bel-Air gang leader's concubine and sister arrested

The Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) has arrested Marie Andre Nathalie Balaam and Vanes Sanon, respectively, concubine and sister of Bel-Air gang leader Kempes Sanon.



MCFDF : Preparatory visit

On Friday, September 27, Marie Francoise Suzan, Minister of Women's Affairs and Women's Rights (MCFDF), received Ms. Sophie Havyariman, Deputy Representative of UN Women in Haiti, and Pierre Makelele, Deputy Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). This was a preparatory meeting for the visit to Haiti from October 15 to 18, 2024, of two Regional Directors of UN Women and UNFPA. During their visit, they plan to visit camps for displaced people in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, to participate in the International Day of Women Living in Rural Areas in Kenscoff (October 15) and to meet with the Prime Minister and women Ministers of the Conille Government.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern on Saturday over the dramatic escalation of events in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, in the past 24 hours
The open-source Microsoft 365 alternative openDesk, which is funded by the German government, plans to launch its version 1.0 in mid-October. openDesk promises open-source applications for digital collaboration under a standardized interface. This includes word processing, spreadsheets, chat and video conferencing tools, cloud storage, a project management module, a wiki and email, contact and calendar functions.

Anzeige

With this project, the federal government aims to reduce the German authorities' dependence on US providers such as Microsoft. Version 1.0 will be officially presented at the Smart Country Convention, which will take place in Berlin from October 15 to 17.

Enterprise version with self-hosting and SaaS

The individual components of the office and collaboration suite are open source components from Collabora, Element, Nextcloud, Nordeck, Open-Xchange, Univention, Open Project and XWiki. In addition to the community edition of openDesk , version 1.0 also includes an enterprise edition with two professional operating models: as a package for operation in your own data center (self-hosting) and as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). openDesk is intended to run entirely as a web application; local installations are not required.

IT service provider B1 Systems will provide support for the self-hosting version, while the SaaS version will be provided by German cloud provider StackIT. Both companies were awarded the contract last month by ZenDis ("Center for Digital Sovereignty in Public Administration") , the company behind Opendesk.

Sovereign workplace instead of Microsoft

openDesk is the result of an initiative by the German government and nine federal states. They joined forces in November 2021 to reduce the public sector's dependence on US software under the project name "Sovereign Workplace" at the time. ZenDiS, founded in 2022, coordinates the development of openDesk as a public limited company on behalf of the federal government.

The federal government intends to provide ZenDiS with around 10 million euros for the further development of the suite in the current year. In previous years, the federal government has already invested around 35 million euros in the development of openDesk. The Microsoft 365 alternative also competes with the technically closely related Phoenix suite from the public northern German IT service provider Dataport, although this is not completely open source and is currently only available as Software-as-a-Service.

Anzeige

(axk)
Food and water on the way; utility and road crews at work

Potable water and food, fuel for first responders is on the way and more than 1,500 state workers have deployed to Western North Carolina to help reopen roads closed because of tree and debris obstruction or flooding, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards said in a news release Saturday.

"Hurricane Helene hit our beautiful mountains with a ferocity unmatched by any storm in our districts history," he said. But I have been encouraged by the number of neighbors Ive seen helping neighbors, and I know our community will persist. Mountain folk are resilient. We will make it through this, together.

"To keep you informed, I am committed to sending you a daily update on the steps being taken to respond and recover from Hurricane Helene.

Heres the first update.

Food and water

Far and wide, the biggest need of every county in NC-11 is access to food and potable water.

A total of 37 water systems are on a systemwide boil water advisory across North Carolina, with 31 systems awaiting results to hopefully allow for the water to be turned back on.

Potable water and meals are actively en route from central North Carolina to Western North Carolina.

Air operations for food and water deliveries begin this afternoon in areas without roadway access.



Power and Gas

Power outages are widespread but accessibility for repairs is limited.

Currently, there is no established timeline for restorations.

More than 700,000 North Carolinians lost power due to the storm.

Power for 281,000 of the initial 700,000 has been restored, but Western North Carolina faces a unique challenge due to the high number of road closures throughout the district.

Duke Energy warns that Western North Carolinians should be prepared for potential multi-day outages, though energy providers are doing everything they can to restore power quickly.

Duke Energy has 11,000 workers working quickly and safely on repairs, including additional crews from 19 states and Canada.

Fuel planning is ongoing for both rescue operations and communications resources.

Fuel contracts have been activated. A fuel contract provides a steady fuel reserve during an emergency.

For local governments in need of fuel for their vehicles

Ensure your Emergency Operation Center has submitted the request for gasoline with North Carolina Emergency Management to have your request processed and gasoline delivered.

Ensure your Emergency Operation Center has submitted the request for gasoline with North Carolina Emergency Management to have your request processed and gasoline delivered. Gasoline can also be delivered via air if road access is limited.

Roads

North Carolina Department of Transportation has issued a DO NOT DRIVE message for Western North Carolina.

Unless it is an emergency, please do not try to travel.

Roughly 400 roads are closed in Western North Carolina, with the majority being in Henderson (50), Buncombe (25) and Jackson (21) counties.

73 of these are primary routes including I-40, I-26, U.S. 74 at I-40 in Asheville, and dozens of U.S. and N.C. routes.

Most of the current closures are due to high water where the roadway is impassable or flooded, land/rockslides, downed power lines, pipe failures, and fallen trees.

More than 1,500 employees from across the state have deployed to Western North Carolina to address road closures related to the storm.

Crews are actively working to clear trees and rock/landslide debris throughout Western North Carolina to reestablish accessibility, including clearing efforts along the I-40 and I-26 corridors.



Asheville Regional Airport

Asheville Regional Airport closed mid-day due to flooding.

The airport was expected to reopen Saturday.



Cell Service

Western North Carolina has seen severe cell service outages due to the severe weather.

Madison County is worst affected, with less than 8 percent capacity available through Verizon.

Service providers have deployed Compact Rapid Deployables throughout Western North Carolina, including to Hendersonville, Lake Junaluska, and Waynesville, with more en route. Compact Rapid Deployables are a transportable cell tower and internet access point, that can generate wired internet and wi-fi coverage anytime and anywhere.

Service providers have deployed SatCOLTs throughout Western North Carolina, including to Asheville and Hendersonville, with more en route. SatCOLT stands for Satellite Cells on Light Trucks and are vehicles with mobile cell sites that connect via satellite and do not rely on commercial power supply.



North Carolina National Guard

410 North Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen have been deployed to provide support to Western North Carolina so far.

This includes the deployment of 146 vehicles and 12 aircraft.

This includes the deployment of 146 vehicles and 12 aircraft. The Asheville National Guard armory has relocated to East Flat Rock due to lost power so they may continue operations and providing support to Western North Carolina.

Shelters

For those unable to evacuate to a safe location or in need of a place to go, the following shelters are currently open and available as of September 28:

Buncombe

WNC Agricultural Center

1301 Fanning Bridge Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732

Henderson

Henderson County Recreation Center

708 S. Grove St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
630k still without power

Swiftwater rescue teams from the area and across the state have rescued more than 200 people since Tropical Storm Helene approached the N.C. mountains, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards said in his Sunday update on the circumstances on the ground.

It's significant that President Biden issued a major disaster declaration people Henderson, Buncombe, Clay, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians eligible for Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Two days post-disaster and the country is showing up for us," Edwards said. "Thousands of linemen from across North America, including crews from Canada, have been deployed to our community to restore power, and weve seen the state come together to transport dozens of trucks filled with potable water and food to our shelters."

Edwards also reported that:

630,000 customers remained without power Saturday afternoon, including 3,400 critical customer accounts. Duke Energy continues to warn that Western North Carolinians should be prepared for multi-day outages. More than 11,000 linemen are continuing to work quickly and safely on repairs, including additional crews from 19 states and Canada. There is no timetable for restoring power/

A total of 17 water plants have reported having no power and an additional 23 are operating on backup power. A total of 50 water systems are on a system-wide boil water advisory. Dozens of trucks carrying drinking water and meals have arrived and more are on the way.

Asheville Regional Airport expected to reopen by mid-day Saturday but could not due to a lack of internet service, preventing commercial airlines from processing passengers for boarding. No commercial flights are permitted in or out of AVL at this time.

410 North Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen have been deployed to provide support so far. They're equipped with 76 High Water Vehicles, 12 Palletized Load Systems for commodity distribution and six Forestry Support Teams for debris clearance.

Here is more:

While resources are certainly on the top of many communities minds, I have heard from numerous families that are still trying to connect with their loved ones who may be in areas with limited cell service. Residents trying to connect with family members may call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state) to report missing loved ones.

Additionally, people in the impacted areas can indicate that they are safe by reporting themselves safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 1-800-ED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Please only use 911 for life-threatening emergencies so the lines remain open for critical situations.

Individual Assistance provides financial aid and services to eligible individuals and households that have been affected by a disaster to assist with the recovery process. Individuals can officially begin applying for Individual Assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST.

Just a reminder that today is update No. 2 of many, with more information to follow in the coming days. Please make sure to read everything and share it with your friends and family.

Food and Water

Supplying drinkable water remains a top priority for emergency crews. Water plants in Haywood, Jackson, Rutherford and Yancey counties are closed, impacting tens of thousands of households. A total of 17 water plants have reported having no power and an additional 23 are operating on backup power.

A total of 50 water systems are on a system-wide boil water advisory.

Dozens of trucks with potable water and meals have successfully been delivered to western NC, including to the WNC Agricultural Center, and many more are en route. Air operations for food and water deliveries began Saturday afternoon in areas without roadway access.

Walmart, Sams Club, and the Walmart Foundation have committed up to $6 million in support of hurricane relief efforts, including donations of food, water, essential supplies and grants to organizations providing relief.

My office continues to work with additional private companies to get much needed food and water delivered across our district.

Power and gas

Power outages remain widespread in Western North Carolina, but NCDOT is working diligently to clear roadways and increase accessibility for repairs. Currently, there is still no established timeline for restorations, but Duke Energy hopes to publish restoration power timelines in the coming days. I will keep you posted when we learn of those timelines.

Energy providers are working around the clock to restore power and have successfully restored power for over 544,000 customers across the state, but here is the lay of the land in NC-11:

630,000 customer accounts remained without power Saturday afternoon.

The bulk of the outages are in Buncombe County.

3,400 critical customer accounts are out including hospitals, fire stations, police, EMS, water treatment facilities, etc.

1,600 are healthcare accounts

200 are nursing facilities

As of Saturday evening, power has been restored to AdventHealth in Fletcher and my office has been assured that power at Pardee Hospital should be restored later this afternoon, Sunday, Sept. 29

SUBSTATIONS

360 substations are out. A substation is responsible for transmitting electricity throughout Western North Carolina. Many of these substations were completely flooded and Duke Energy is unable to assess the damage until the flooding has lowered, the water has been pumped out and the equipment is thoroughly dried.

The flooding provides a unique challenge not previously faced by substations in Western North Carolina. There is a high likelihood that the substations are not reparable, and replacement of the substation equipment will be necessary. Duke Energy is prepared to both repair or replace damaged equipment once the equipment has been dried and assessments are complete.

Duke Energy continues to warn that Western North Carolinians should be prepared for multi-day outages. Mor than 11,000 linemen are continuing to work quickly and safely on repairs, including additional crews from 19 states and Canada.

FUEL

Fuel planning continues to be ongoing for both rescue operations and communications resources.

Fuel contracts have been activated. A fuel contract provides a steady fuel reserve during an emergency.

Air deliveries have already begun in hard-to-reach areas.

Roads

A DO NOT DRIVE message remains in place from the North Carolina Department of Transportation for Western North Carolina. Unless it is an emergency, please do not travel.

As of 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 385 roads remain closed in Western North Carolina, with the majority being in Henderson (48), Buncombe (25) and Jackson (20) counties.

More than 15 closed roads have been cleared of debris and reopened since Saturday morning.59 of these are on primary routes including I-40 at mile marker three near the Tennessee-North Carolina border and dozens of U.S. and N.C. routes.

A previously closed section of I-26 south of Asheville has reopened.

Crews have opened a path through the rock/landslide on I-40 near Old Fort to allow stranded vehicles and emergency responders to pass through with assistance from Highway Patrol.

The remaining closures remain due to high water, land/rockslides, downed power lines, pipe failures and fallen trees.

More than 100 additional NCDOT employees have been deployed from across the state to assist Western North Carolina in clearing debris and addressing storm-related road closures, bringing the total number of deployed NCDOT personnel to 1,600 employees.

Asheville Regional Airport

Asheville Regional Airport closed mid-day on Friday, September 27, due to risk of flooding.

The airport was expected to reopen by mid-day Saturday, September 28, but was unable to do so. The airport was unable to reopen for commercial flights due to a lack of internet service, preventing commercial airlines from processing their passengers for boarding. No commercial flights are permitted in or out of Asheville Regional Airport at this time.

Asheville Regional Airport has reopened for non-commercial air traffic, including planes delivering National Guard supplies for in-need counties.

Cell Service

Western North Carolina continues to see severe cell service outages due to the flooding.

Service providers have deployed additional Compact Rapid Deployables since Friday, with more on the way. and do not rely on commercial power supply.



North Carolina National Guard

410 North Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen have been deployed to provide support to Western North Carolina so far. This includes the deployment of 76 High Water Vehicles, 12 Palletized Load Systems for commodity distribution and six Forestry Support Teams for debris clearance.

The National Guard currently has 10 operating aircraft. The National Guard is actively awaiting 2 additional CH-47 aircraft from New York and two to four additional hoist-equipped aircraft from other states.

The Asheville National Guard Armory remains relocated in East Flat Rock due to lost power. Despite the relocation, the Asheville National Guard Armory has continued operations and is providing support to Western North Carolina.

Shelters
Hundreds of people queued up for hours to pay their last respects to Kerala lorry driver Arjun when his mortal remains were brought to his native village of Kannadikkal in this district, from Karnataka on Saturday morning. Arjun, along with his vehicle, went missing in a river following a massive landslide that struck Shirur village in Karnataka in July. (Reuters/Representative image)

Arjun, along with his vehicle, went missing in a river following a massive landslide that struck Shirur village in Karnataka in July.

The body of the deceased youth and his lorry were recovered on Wednesday from the river, more than two months after the disaster, through a massive search mission. State Forest Minister A K Saseendran and other officials received the body when the ambulance entered the Kerala border this morning. MLAs Thottathil Raveendran and K K Rema and district authorities accompanied the ambulance along with a large number of other vehicles later. Emotional scenes were witnessed as the ambulance entered Kannadikkal village, with Arjun's friends, neighbours, and fellow drivers breaking into tears.

READ | Kerala lorry driver's body found in Karnataka's Shrirur after more than 70 days of search ops

As the motorcade passed through the area, many people waiting on either side of the road were visibly struggling to hold back their tears.

People from all walks of life gathered at Arjun's house when his body was placed there for public homage.

"We believed till a few days back that Arjun was alive and might be under treatment somewhere and he would come back... never thought his body would be brought home," a teary-eyed woman, who is Arjun's neighbour, said.

READ | Nepal floods: 112 dead, 64 missing as intense downpour continues

Besides A K Saseendran and transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar, Lok Sabha MP M K Raghavan and state MLAs were among other officials who visited the house of Arjun to pay their last respects.

An emotional Saseendran said he had never seen such a huge crowd to bid tearful adieu to a person in recent times.

Raghavan said the entire state and its people had come together to trace Arjun and the 71-days-long rescue mission was rare in the history of the country. He also thanked the Karnataka government for their support to recover the remains of the missing lorry driver. In the presence of family members and people's representatives, Arjun's younger brother Abhijith lit the pyre later.

READ | Bodies of 5 pilgrims recovered from Char Dham Highway landslide site

The July 16 landslide on National Highway 66 claimed the lives of eight people in Shirur village in Uttara Kannada district.

With the recovery of Arjun's body, the death toll had gone up to nine, authorities said.

The search operations, started soon after the landslide, were halted on July 28 due to adverse weather conditions, high river currents and other factors.
Deutsche Welle, September 27, 2024

By Ghulam Sirat And Masood Saifullah

The Taliban recently imposed additional restrictions on media organizations in Afghanistan, prohibiting criticism of their laws and policies and banning the broadcast of live political shows, according to Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC), an independent organization supporting the media and press freedom in Afghanistan.

The AFJC said the Taliban instructed media managers during a meeting on September 21 that the topics for political shows must be approved first by Taliban members.

The Taliban issued fresh guidelines instructing media organizations to only invite guests who are approved by the group.

The Taliban have provided a list of 68 experts they approve to appear on political shows. According to new guidelines, Taliban officials must be informed in advance if a guest outside the Taliban-approved list is to appear on a show.

"The guideline is a new effort to further weaken and marginalize independent media," AFCJ said in a statement, calling on the Taliban to refrain from suppressing free media.

Afghanistan's eroding civil liberties since Taliban takeover

The Taliban have continued to impose restrictions on media organizations since seizing power in August 2021, including banning women from showing their faces on air and broadcasting music.

In some provinces, even women's voices are banned from being aired on call-in shows. The group also regularly imprisons journalists and media professionals who, according to the Taliban, act against "national and Islamic interests in Afghanistan."

The Taliban have warned if any of the new directives are violated by a media organization, the group will deal with the program host, producer, editor, and guests "according to the rules."

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the group has issued 21 media directives aimed at restricting media activities, some of which can be considered quite bizarre.

One such directive from the Taliban's "vice and virtue" guidelines includes a ban on showing living creatures on TV. The group did not provide details of what the ban meant.

'Death of free speech' in Afghanistan

Journalists working in Afghanistan are reluctant to speak out as they fear prosecution by the Taliban. However, others who were able to flee the country have criticized the new directives.

"This directive is the death of freedom of speech because it limits the freedom of the press," Nawid Ahmad Barakzai, an Afghan journalist currently living in Pakistan, told DW.

"Media outlets in Afghanistan can no longer operate according to journalistic principles," said Barakzai, who worked in Afghanistan under Taliban rule before fleeing the country.

Media outlets in Afghanistan are also not allowed to report on "corruption, immorality, lawlessness or violence by Taliban in the past as well," he added.

One media professional told DW that the Taliban often give such directives in face-to-face meetings with media managers, who had been called to the Taliban's Ministry of Culture and Information and were informed of the new rules.

"Journalists must get Taliban approval for seeking public opinion about events," Barakzai said. He warned that if the new directives were implemented, the Taliban could use Afghan media for their propaganda.

"Afghan media could become a Taliban mouthpiece," he said.

Since coming to power, the Taliban's biggest claim has been restoring security in Afghanistan. Therefore, the group strictly controls what news comes out of Afghanistan.

Censorship everywhere in Afghanistan

A journalist working inside Afghanistan, who wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons, told DW that the Taliban do not allow any journalist to report from crime scenes, explosions, thefts or any other incidents.

He explained that Taliban intelligence forces provide details to the media "in whatever way it benefits them."

The journalist added that when a media outlet wants to interview Taliban officials, the questions must be shared with the relevant department beforehand. Only after the questions are prepared in a way that suits the Taliban officials, can the interview be conducted.

The journalist said that after an interview is recorded and aired if there is any public reaction, the Taliban hold the media outlet accountable.

"I interviewed a Taliban member once and after it aired more than 50 Taliban members called me, asking why I didn't remove the part where the cleric smiled," he said.
A private school in Panchkula, which was accused of functioning without recognition, has told the Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) that it has Central Board of School Education (CBSE) affiliation till March 2029 and permanent recognition status from the Haryana government with effect from April 2021. Acting on the plea, the Punjab and Haryana high court had sought a response from Sky World School, Panchkula, as well as from the government. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Sky World School has responded to a plea from Manish Kumar Banger, a Panchkula resident, who had alleged that the school was running Class 9 and Class 10 illegally. Acting on the plea, the HC had sought a response from the school as well as from the government.

In the affidavit filed before the HC, it says till 2016 it was running upto Class 8 and introduced Class 9 and Class 10 after CBSE affiliation. The education department was also intimated about the same. But at that point in time, mandatory no objection certificate was not required from the state, it says adding that the department enabled the data entry of its 9 and 10 classes students on the management information system portal in 2017.

It further says in 2019, it applied to the department for permanent recognition and several reminders were sent to the department in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the process slowed down. Further, in 2020, the CBSE had extended affiliation of schools by one year due to COVID-19. In 2021, the school got both permanent recognition from the education department and affiliation from CBSE, which now stands extended till 2029.

The school claimed that the plea was filed by the petitioner to tarnish the image of the school and its management as the school did not yield to his improper requests. The school has also denied that his children were forced to leave the school.
Hit by an e-rickshaw in Sector 26, a motor vehicle inspector (MVI) with the state transport authority succumbed to his injuries at PGIMER after battling for his life for 18 days. Ravinder Singh, the victim. (HT Photo)

The incident occurred on the morning of September 10 when inspector Ravinder Singh and his team were carrying out a routing check at the Transport Area, Sector 26.

According to the FIR, Singh had signalled an e-rickshaw driver to stop for inspection. Instead of complying, the driver accelerated in an attempt to flee, hitting the inspector in the process. Singh was dragged along by the speeding vehicle and sustained serious injuries.

The victim was rushed to GMSH-16 and later transferred to PGIMER, where he underwent surgery. After remaining admitted to the intensive care unit for 17 days, Singh succumbed at 10 am on Saturday.

Police had initially registered a case under Sections 281 (driving vehicle in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life) and 125A of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), while Section 106 was added following Singhs death. The e-rickshaw driver, who is a minor, was arrested on September 11.

Meanwhile, nine days after a cyclist was hit by a speeding bike near 78/80 light point in Sohana, the victim on Friday succumbed to her injuries at PGIMER.

The deceased, Kusum, a resident of Faidan village, worked as a cook in Mohali.

While returning home from work on her bicycle around 8.30 pm on September 18, a rashly driven bike allegedly rammed into her near the light point in Sohana. The victim fell to the ground and hit her head against the footpath.

Onlookers rushed the victim to the civil hospital in Phase 6, from where she was referred to GMCH-32, Chandigarh. Given her critical condition, she was moved to PGIMER, but succumbed on Friday.

Police have booked the accused, identified as Praveen Kumar of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, under Sections 281, 324 (3) (wrongful loss or damage to the public or to any person), 106 (1) ( causing death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide) of the BNS.
In another setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the October 5 Haryana assembly elections, partys councillor from Ward Number 19 Paramjeet Kaur on Saturday defected to the Congress, bringing the saffron folds strength in the Panchkula municipal corporation (MC) below that of the Congress. Welcoming Paramjeet in the party fold, Congress candidate from Panchkula Chander Mohan, said, The Congress is now in majority in the Panchkula MC House. Congress victory in the upcoming elections of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor is certain. (HT Photo)

Now, in the 20-member Panchkula MC House, the Congress stands the strongest with 10 councillors, ahead of BJPs eight and Jannayak Janata Partys (JJP) two. Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal is from the BJP.

JJP was a coalition partner of the BJP, but the alliance was snapped before the parliamentary elections in March this year.

The people are troubled by 10 years of BJPs misrule, said Paramjeet Kaur, who had contested as an independent in the 2020 MC elections, but after winning from Ward 19 joined the BJP.

Welcoming Paramjeet in the party fold, Congress candidate from Panchkula Chander Mohan, said, The Congress is now in majority in the Panchkula MC House. Congress victory in the upcoming elections of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor is certain.

Paramjeets switch comes just six days after another BJP councillor, Suneet Singla, who was elected from Ward Number 13, joined the Congress on Sunday.
A troubling trend has emerged in Mohali, where younger age groups are increasingly vulnerable to suicide. Family problems, broken relationships and illness were recorded as the main causes of suicides among those below 18 years of age. (Shutterstock)

With suicide prevention taking centre stage in September, underscoring the critical need for effective mental health resources and community support to address the escalating crisis, police data from the last four years (2021-2024) reveals a significant rise in suicides among the younger population in Mohali.

The district recorded a total of 116 deaths by suicides between 2021 and August 31, 2024. Among these, alarmingly, 105 suicides were by people aged 18 to 45  accounting for 90.5% of all deaths.

Further breakdown shows that people aged 18-30 made up 61 deaths (62.8%), while those aged 30-45 constituted 44 deaths (41.9%), reflecting the higher incidence of suicide among the younger population.

Among the 61 victims aged 18 to 30, a significant majority41were women, compared to 20 men. In a stark contrast, within the 30 to 45 age group, men represented a substantial 33 of the 39 victims, while only 11 were women, highlighting a troubling gender disparity in the data.

In the 45-60 age group, a total of six suicides were reported  all by men. Notably only one male senior citizen ended his life in Mohali in the said period, similar to the below 14 age group, where one suicide was reported by a minor girl. The 14-18 age group constituted three suicides, again all by girls.

Family problems, broken relationships and illness were recorded as the main causes of suicides among those below 18 years of age.

As per the Mohali police data, a total of 60 males (51.7%) died by suicide in the past four years in comparison to 56 females (48.3%). (HT)

Males more vulnerable overall

Supporting the findings of the National Crime Records Bureau of more male suicides in the country, more males took the extreme step in Mohali in comparison to females.

As per the Mohali police data, a total of 60 males (51.7%) died by suicide in the past four years in comparison to 56 females (48.3%).

Dr Preeti Arun from the department of psychiatry at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, said, Men generally use more violent approaches, while women often opt for less aggressive methods in suicide attempts. This difference in methods may be linked to mens greater access to lethal means, which contributes to a higher fatality rate in male suicides.

According to police, family problems and illness were the major causes of suicides overall, besides domestic disputes, drug abuse, alcoholism, unemployment, broken relationships, failure in examination, professional troubles, property dispute and death of a near one.

Police said among the total female suicides, most of the victims were housewives. Moreover students, government servants and private sector employees also took extreme steps.

Rate of suicide relatively lower in Punjab

Notably, as per the 2022 NCRB report, the rate of suicide in Punjab was eight, much lower than other states and Union territories. The rate of suicide denotes the number of suicides per one lakh population, widely accepted as a standard yardstick for comparison.

While Sikkim reported the highest rate of suicide (43.1) in 2022; Punjabs capital Chandigarh recorded a 10.7 rate of suicide and Haryana had a 12.6 rate of suicide. The national rate of suicide was 12.4.
Delhi mayor Shelly Oberoi on Sunday approached the Supreme Court to challenge the recent election of the sixth member of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) standing committee. The election, held on Friday, saw the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing the final seat, a result that was boycotted by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Delhi mayor Shelly Oberoi. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Oberois petition argues that the election was unconstitutional and violated the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act and related rules. The mayor has expressed concerns over the procedure used in the election, which she contends lacked legitimacy and fairness. A major contention highlighted in the petition is the decision to appoint an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer as the presiding officer of the election, rather than the mayor, which the AAP has previously criticised.

In an election that the AAP abstained from, the BJP won the last seat on the MCD standing committee on Friday. The outcome of the vote secured by Bhati-based BJP candidate Sunder Singh shifted the 18- member panels balance of power in the BJPs direction and handed it command over the agencys budget.

This latest contention adds to the growing list of disputes reaching the Supreme Court, where a spate of issuesranging from the control of bureaucrats to the appointment of members to various bodies in the Capitalcontinues to be contested between the elected government and the lieutenant governor.

The AAP, in its earlier statements, has described the election process as a murder of democracy, accusing Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena of influencing the decision to appoint the IAS officer.

Delhi chief minister Atishi had on Saturday labelled the election illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic, further questioning the legitimacy of the entire process. Speaking at a press conference, Atishi said only the mayor can act as the presiding officer of standing committee elections.

On the other hand, the BJP has maintained that the election was conducted according to legal procedures and has dismissed the claims made by AAP as politically motivated. BJP leaders, including Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, have argued that the election was transparent and carried out in compliance with the applicable laws, asserting that the AAPs boycott was an attempt to avoid a fair contest.

The legal battle now rests with the Supreme Court where the matter is expected to be mentioned on September 30 by Bhasins legal team for an urgent hearing. The outcome of this case could have significant implications not only for the governance of the MCD but also for the broader political dynamics in Delhi.
Police have launched an investigation into the deaths of a man and his four daughters in southwest Delhis Vasant Kunj area, with officials probing a possible occult angle. Authorities on Sunday said they will study the infamous 2018 Burari suicide case for parallels, as the mysterious circumstances surrounding the recent deaths have raised concerns. A still from the Netflix Docuseries House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths.

Heera Lal Sharma, a 55-year-old carpenter, and his four daughters  Neetu (26), Nikki (24), Neeru (23), and Nidhi (20)  were found dead in their rented flat on Friday afternoon. Initial investigations suggest that the family may have taken their lives in a suicide pact.

During the initial forensic examination, investigators discovered red threads (commonly known as kalawa or mauli) tied around the waists, hands, and necks of the four daughters, an unsettling detail that has led the police to examine whether any occult practices were involved.

Also Read | Mystery over Delhi familys deaths deepens as new CCTV video emerges

A box of sweets was also recovered from the scene, further deepening the mystery.

In 2018, 11 family members, blindfolded and mouth-taped were found dead at their residence in Burari area of north DelhiOur teams will check the records of the Burari case to connect the dots of this suicide, PTI quoted a senior police official as saying.

Also Read | Reincarnation, rituals and religion: The unsolved mysteries of Burari deaths

In the Burari incident, the 11 victims were discovered blindfolded, with their mouths taped shut, and hanging in their home. The case shook the nation as evidence suggested the family had followed rituals for several days before their deaths, spurred by delusions of supernatural salvation.

According to police, Sharma had been struggling with emotional and financial difficulties since the death of his wife from cancer last year. After her passing, the family became increasingly isolated from the community.

"So far we got to know that Sharma had not spoken to anyone in the last nine months. He and his daughters were rarely seen outside. After his wife's death, the family had disconnected from everyone," the police officer told PTI.

Also Read | Mass suicide or mass murder? Burari family deaths still a mystery 3 weeks later

Sharma, who worked as a carpenter at the Indian Spinal Injury Centre for 28 years, had not been to work since January.

Police found three packets of Celphos, a highly toxic poison, in the apartment, along with five glasses and a spoon containing a suspicious liquid. Sharma's body was discovered in one room, while his daughters were found in another. There were no external injury marks on the bodies, officials said, and forensic teams are analysing the poison to determine if it caused the deaths.

Investigators also recovered CCTV footage showing Sharma entering the house with a packet in hand two days before the bodies were found.

Sharma's brother, Mohan, and sister-in-law, Gudiya, arrived at the flat after being informed of the incident. They revealed that Sharma had been deeply depressed since his wifes passing and had devoted himself to caring for his daughters, two of whom were reportedly differently-abled.

The postmortems will be conducted on Monday by a medical board, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (southwest) Rohit Meena.

"We will be able to tell the actual reason for death after the postmortem. We have formed multiple teams to know the reason behind suicide. We are also checking CCTV footage of the area and adjoining area to know with who Sharma had last spoken to and if he had shared anything with them. We are also checking mobile phones records of all the victims to know if they were in contact with anyone," Meena said.

Police have initiated inquest proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Indias updated criminal procedure code.
Four Rohingyas and one Bangladeshi national were arrested on Saturday evening at the Agartala Railway Station in Tripura for entering Indian territory without valid documents, officials said on Sunday. Police said the foreign nationals were planning to go to Chennai, Gujarat and Hyderabad by train. (Representational image)

They were arrested by a joint team of the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Police Force (RPF).

Among the five, four Rohingya nationals were identified as Amit Hakim, Yasmin Akhter, Md. Tareq and Muhammadullah from Rohingya camps at Coxs Bazaar in Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi national was identified as Sukkur Ali from Comilla district of Bangladesh.

We arrested them as they had illegally entered the Indian territory from Bangladesh and had no documents with them. They were planning to go to Chennai, Gujarat and Hyderabad by train. They were forwarded to court today, said Government Railway Police Force Agartala station in-charge Tapas Das.

Tripura shares 856 km of international border with Bangladesh, and many of the patches are yet to be fenced.
The decision of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the party in office in Tamil Nadu, to elevate Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of CM MK Stalin, as deputy CM, institutionalises the much-talked-about succession plan in the outfit. Udhayanidhi, 46, a first-time legislator entered active politics just four years ago after an indifferent career as an actor in Tamil cinema. His controversial remarks on Sanatana Dharma last year, interpreted as in line with the DMKs ideological orientation, had got him national attention. However, the fast-tracking of his political career smacks of dynastic politics in a party that claims to be the electoral vanguard of the Dravidian Movement.

Udhayanidhis anointment  a representative of the third generation of the M Karunanidhi clan  comes at a time when the DMK is celebrating its 75th year. Under founder CN Annadurai, the party projected a collective leadership ideal. Annadurais death in 1969, two years after he led the party to office, changed the intra-party dynamics and led to the concentration of power in the hands of Karunanidhi, who became CM by outsmarting other senior leaders. He encouraged his family to join politics: His preference for son Stalin to succeed him saw the marginalisation of Vaiko, then seen as best suited to lead after Karunanidhi, causing the DMK to split in 1994. The next challenge to Stalins elevation came from elder brother, MK Alagiri, who was expelled from the party in 2014.

There seems to be little challenge to Udhayanidhis rise within the DMK now  the extended Karunanidhi dynasty controls the partys finances and the party lacks pan-state leaders. However, the transition could face hiccups in the form of the DMKs allies insisting on a role in government and more electoral space  the rumblings have started. The entry of popular actor Vijay  he has announced his decision to contest the 2026 assembly polls  could also reset political equations in Tamil Nadu.
Israels actions in Lebanon, including the killing of veteran Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, have taken West Asia well past the brink it has teetered on for almost a year since the brazen terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahus threat to Iran, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneis pledge to avenge the killing of Nasrallah and the overall escalation in the region, including by Tehran-backed proxies, are all ominous developments. It is worrying that Netanyahu ordered the strike on Lebanon that killed Nasrallah while in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, where many countries have called for a cessation of hostilities. Israel continues to thumb its nose at the world community while continuing on the reckless and wanton path of escalation and destruction chosen by Netanyahu, while its strongest backer in the West, the United States, has turned a complete blind eye to the countrys actions while supplying it with the weapons of mass destruction that have wreaked carnage in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

The policy of assassinations targeting extremist groups in Lebanon and Gaza may lead to short-term gains for the Israeli military but organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas are not oriented around any one individual leader, and it is anybodys guess if killing one leader can truly make a difference in the long run. Israels actions will lead to a hardening of attitudes among Arab States, even those who had signed on for the Abraham Accords, because of fears about these measures giving a boost to radical and extremist forces. These actions, especially the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, also limit the options available to Iran, including its new reformist leadership, which may be forced to respond. The developments in Lebanon could even end up hampering efforts to revive the Iranian nuclear deal, on which there have been talks in recent days.

All this is happening when the UN General Assembly is meeting and days after the world body overwhelmingly passed a resolution demanding an end to Israels occupation of Palestine within the next year. The consequences for the entire world will be catastrophic if Netanyahus actions lead to the situation in West Asia spiralling further out of control. World leaders must intervene with Israel and force a ceasefire before Netanyahu does a Gaza in Lebanon.
University of Delhi will end the DU UG Admission 2024 mop up round registration on September 29, 2024. Candidates who want to apply for the mop-up round counselling can get the direct link through the official website of the University of Delhi at du.ac.in and also on admission.uod.ac.in. The registration link will remain open till 11.59 pm. DU UG Admission 2024: Mop up round registration ends today, link here

As per the official schedule, the candidates can apply to colleges and programs from September 30 to October 2, 2024. Colleges can select and grant admissions from October 3 to October 5, 2024. The last date for payment of fee is October 6, 2024.

The mop-up round is conducted for admitting candidates in certain shortlisted colleges and programs only. The varsity has displayed the vacant seats for the shortlisted colleges and programs for which the mop-up admission round is valid on the admission website.

DU UG Admission 2024: How to register for mop up round

All those candidates who are interested to apply for the mop up round can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of University of Delhi at du.ac.in.

Click on DU UG admission link available on the home page.

Enter the registration details and click on submit.

Now login to the account and fill the application form.

Make the payment of application fee and click on submit.

Once done, download the confirmation page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

Candidates belonging to UR/OBC-NCL/EWS category will have to pay 250/- as registration fee and candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwBD category will have to pay 100/- as registration fee.

Admission in the mop-up round will be based on the merit score of the qualifying examination, based on the program-specific eligibility state in the Information bulletin.
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The Local Self Government Department, Rajasthan, has invited applications for Safai Karamchari posts. Eligible candidates can apply online through the official website of the Department, lsg.urban.rajasthan.gov.in. This recruitment drive will fill 23820 posts in the organization. Rajasthan Safai Karamchari Bharti 2024 registration begins on October 7

The registration process will begin on October 7, 2024. Read below for eligibility, selection process and other details.

Assam Rifles Recruitment Rally 2024: Apply for Rifleman/ Riflewoman (GD) posts at assamrifles.gov.in

Important Dates

Opening date of application: October 7, 2024

Closing date of application: November 6, 2024

Correction window: November 11 to November 25, 2024

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who want to apply for the posts should be between 18 to 40 years as on 1.1.2025.

Selection Process

The selection for the Safai Karamchari posts will be done through a lottery process. Out of the applications received, eligible candidates will be selected category-wise using online software developed by the Department of Information Technology and Communication, Government of Rajasthan.

Application Fee

The application fee is 600/for General candidates and 400/for reserved categories and disabled persons. Payment should be made online.

PSB SO Recruitment 2024: Last date today to apply for 213 posts at punjabandsindbank.co.in, link here

How to Apply

To apply for the posts, candidates can follow the steps given below.
For the second time in September, mobile internet services in Assam will be disabled for eight hours on Sunday to prevent malpractices during the written examination for a recruitment test to Grade III posts. 8-hour internet suspension in Assam for recruitment exam on Sunday

The suspension of mobile internet/ mobile data/ mobile wi-fi connectivity will be in place from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, an official release said on Saturday.

Top HR and skill development leaders meet to collaborate and resolve jobs and talent crisis in India

All are requested to bear with the inconvenience in the interest of holding a free, fair and transparent recruitment examination and thereby securing the future of the youths of the state, the release, issued by the secretary, State Level Recruitment Commission (SLRC) for Class-III Posts, said.

Mobile internet services were suspended for three-and-a-half hours on September 15 when the first phase of the written examination for Grade III posts was conducted.

Also Check: New law requires California schools to teach about historical mistreatment of Native Americans

The written tests of the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) for Grade III posts of bachelor degree level and HSLC level will be held in two halves on Sunday.

The first half is from 9 am to 12 noon, and the second from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

A total of 7,34,080 candidates are eligible to appear for the examinations to be conducted across the state.

The release said that though elaborate arrangements have been made for holding the examination transparently, it has been observed in Assam as well as in other states that unscrupulous elements indulged in unfair means using various mobile applications.

Read More: Three land in custody of Samastipur Police for alleged involvement in in teacher recruitment scam

There exists a substantial apprehension that anti-social elements or organised groups may try to take advantage of the situation by resorting to rumour-mongering through social media and may try to destabilise the process of examination, it said.

Some may even try to sell fake question papers using social media, the release claimed.

The decision to disable mobile internet services has been taken to ensure that there remained no loopholes in the examination process which might have the potential to create doubt in the public mind on the fairness of the recruitment process, the release added.

Meanwhile, all arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth and transparent conduct of the examination, another official statement said.

Admit cards with instructions for the candidates have already been issued, while some additional/ revised guidelines have now been notified, the statement said.

Candidates have been asked to report at least one and a half hours before the commencement of the examination for thorough checking and frisking, for which a standard operating procedure (SOP) has been issued.

The SOP came following allegations of improper frisking during the first phase of the examination, with several women candidates claiming that female security personnel touched their private parts.

In case of improper frisking, the candidate should immediately report to the centre in-charge, the statement said.

For speedy frisking, candidates have been advised to wear half-sleeve attire and slippers instead of shoes.

A Northeast Frontier Railway release said that six pairs of examination special trains for the help of ADRE candidates are being run.

About 18.50 lakh candidates have applied for the various classes of Grade III posts, while about 13.70 lakh candidates have applied for different Grade IV posts, according to official sources.

Written tests of ADRE for Grade IV posts of two educational levels will be conducted on two other dates, they added.

The first ADRE under the State Level Recruitment Commission was conducted in the state in August 2022, when mobile internet services were suspended for four hours in nearly all the districts on the two days when the written tests were held.
The Nepal government on Saturday decided to postpone all the ongoing exams and close all schools across the nation in wake of the ongoing rain-induced disaster in the nation. Exams postponed, classes cancelled for three days as heavy rain pounds Nepal(Reuters/ File photo)

Issuing a notice, Nepal's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has conveyed all the local levels to halt the classes until Tuesday in schools across Nepal. As per the ministry, the decision has been made by an emergency cabinet meeting held earlier in the afternoon.

8-hour internet suspension in Assam for recruitment exam on Sunday

"Keeping in mind the safety of the students across the nation who have to traverse through disaster-hit zones, the Cabinet meeting has decided to close all lower secondary, secondary and higher secondary educational institutions for three days," Nepal's Education Minister Bidhya Bhattarai told ANI over the phone.

In addition, the Ministry has given the authority regarding the resumption of classes in the schools to the local levels assessing the damage and viability of running the school. The officials during the emergency meeting on Saturday also decided to halt the ongoing exams until further notice.

Also Read: Top HR and skill development leaders meet to collaborate and resolve jobs and talent crisis in India

"The Education ministry will later decide about the schedule for the examinations," the minister added.

Nepal's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) has decided to halt the ongoing examinations, delegating the concerned authorities the responsibility to reschedule the examinations.

Check This: IIT Mandi awards degrees to 636 graduates, announces establishment of Centre for Climate Change & Disaster Resilience

The ministry also has decided to delegate responsibilities to the concerned local bodies in the context of schools, and universities in the context of higher education institutions. As many as 66 people have died in Nepal in the past 24 hours due to a rain-induced disaster after the activation of a climatic effect pounding the whole nation. (ANI)
A happy moment

The actor, known for being reserved and private, took time to pose for photos with eager fans, leaving them starstruck. One fan even exclaimed, "So humble of you". A video posted by a paparazzi account on Instagram shows Ranis compassionate side. As she exits the airport, she notices eager fans waiting to capture a moment with her.

Rani stops and invites them to take photos. Soon, she spots a young fan struggling to get into the frame and ensures the child is included in the next picture. Come bacha, she said, following which, one fan exclaimed, So humble.

After this, she is seen saying, Aapko lena hai papa. Papa chuth jaate hai hamesha (Do you also want? Father always gets left), leading to fans cheer for her wow. She posed with the father for a picture and left by thanking them for their love.

Fans impressed

The video has won over thehearts of fans, who shared their excitement in the comment section. Gorgeous, one wrote, with another sharing, So beautiful. One comment read, Real & OG Rani on earth. Another fan shared, Most humblest always, with one mentioning, Rani most most humble. She is So Humble, read one comment, with another reading, Thats why she is the Rani of Bollywood.That's why she is rani, wrote one.

Rani wins big at IIFA

Rani, who has won critical and commercial acclaim for her performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, took home the Best Actress award at IIFA 2024.

Picking up the trophy on stage, Rani said on stage, "It feels incredible to be standing here, receiving the Best Actor Award amid such a warm and wonderful audience and my friends and colleagues from my fraternity for one of the most special films of my career.

Receiving this award at IIFA feels even more special as it validates the fact that Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway made an impact globally in people's hearts. The films success reaffirms the timeless power of storytelling and the universal language of maternal love and human resilience, she added.

Rani dedicated the award to all the mothers out there. Mothers can move mountains for their children and make the world a better place. She also thanked her fans and audience for coming out to theatres to watch this film and supporting the film.

A big thank you to my fansyour unconditional love and support mean the world to me. Youve embraced every role, every character, every story Ive had the good fortune to bring to life. Your belief in me is what makes me work harder and strive for the best.. moments like this are possible because of all your prayers. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for giving Mrs. Chatterjee a chance in the theatres when everything else seemed pretty gloomy. I share this honour with you today, she shared.

About IIFA

Apart from Rani, Shah Rukh won the Best Actor award for Jawan. The three-day event kick-started on September 27 with IIFA Utsavam, an event dedicated to the southern film industries--Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Rekha, Shah Rukh, Karan Johar, and Vicky Kaushal lit up the stage on the second day. IIFA 2024 will be concluded on September 29 with the exclusive, invitation-only IIFA Rocks. Artists such as Honey Singh, Shilpa Rao and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy performed live for the audience.
Sean Diddy Combs lawyer, Marc Agnifilo confirmed that the rapper will not agree to a plea deal during his ongoing legal battle. Diddy was arrested and charged with sex trafficking and racketeering. He pleaded not guilty in court to the charges against him. While the rapper awaits being presented in court, he is being kept in Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Centre under a suicide watch. Diddys lawyer confirmed the rapper will not take a plea deal for sex trafficking and racketeering charges, maintaining his innocence. (AFP/ ANGELA WEISS)

Also Read: Sean Diddy Combs warned against testifying in court: The mental grueling will be

Diddy will not accept a plea deal

Diddys attorney clarified that there is no reason for the Bad Boy Records owner to accept a plea deal in a recently released documentary titled, The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment. Agnifilo stated that Combs would maintain his innocence during the trial. He said, Diddy says he's innocent ... so, he sees no reason to take a plea deal -- even if prosecutors offer it, and added that the rapper is fighting not just to prove his innocence but to inspire people who are going through government persecution.

The lawyer added, He's using his case to inspire others who believe they're facing government persecution -- wanting to inspire them to fight back when the feds bring the hammer down, as reported by Daily Express US.

Diddy was denied bail twice where he offered $50 million against the regular $2 million for the bail request. He expected to appear before the judge in court in early October for the first time since the arrest.

Also Read: Justin Bieber is stressed and navigating fatherhood amid Diddy probe: Report

Diddy wants to prove his innocence to his family

Agnifilo revealed that the disgraced mogul is driven to prove his innocence, especially to his family. He said, Diddy wants to prove to his fam he's the same man they've always known." Diddys attorney previously defended his client as he claimed that the rapper was being detained because he was a successful Black man.

Agnifilo also revealed that Diddy is very eager to tell his story to the world. Earlier his team divulged that the rapper has his story which he wants to explain in real time.
Satyajit Ray's Mahanagar, first released in 1963, has made a return to the big screens. Re-released with English subtitles and in 2K restoration, its black-and-white images are as distinct and potent now as they have ever been. When a film re-releases in a different time, for a different generation altogether, does its reception also warrant a shift? How does a new generation of viewers react and communicate with the film's concerns? For a film as culturally specific as Mahanagar--it is set in the mid-1950s in Kolkata--it holds its place and power like a time capsule and still reflects the dichotomies of the same megalopolis decades later. (Also read: After Heeramandi, watch Rajkahini: Srijit Mukerji's grittier Bengali film on women fighting for freedom) Madhabi Mukerjee in a still from Mahanagar.

About Mahanagar

Mahanagar, based on Narendranath Mitras short story Awbotawronika (A Flight of Stairs), revolves around Arati (Madhabi Mukherjee), a housewife who takes a job as a door-to-door saleswoman. Her decision to work outside her home causes more turmoil, as Arati's husband, Subrata (Anil Chatterjee) loses his job. Mahanagar also marked the first screen appearance of Jaya Bachchan (then, Bhaduri), who plays the younger sister of Subrata.

It is fascinating that the re-release of Mahanagar arrives at a time when the city it is based on, Kolkata, is in a state of turmoil. Once considered a lifeline of the city, the iconic Kolkata trams are now considered outdated. The West Bengal government has now decided to end Kolkatas iconic tram service, as the rise of vehicular traffic has caused difficulty for the trams to operate in the same routes, giving rise to more congestion. Mahanagar opens with the sight and sound of the trams- with the opening credits playing out with the shot of a trolley pole.

We first encounter Subrata (Anil Chatterjee) as he is returning from a day's work, sitting in a tram bustling with daily commuters. The tram appears yet again when Arati goes to her office on the first day, accompanied by her husband. The space of the public transport, re-contextualises their relationship in a different light. It is a space where she can talk about her work, but also her insecurities, where she laments that at this time of the day, she bathes her son Pintu. Now that she's out, who will take care of him? Anil reassures that he will be taken care of, and they hold hands.

The big city and its small changes

It is the same slow pace of the trams that has now rendered it outdated, which provides that necessary bubble of communication for the middle-class Bengali couple to express their anxieties and doubts to each other in Satyajit Ray's vision. In the rush and disenchantment of fast-paced, privatized modes of transport for today's generation, Mahanagar's positioning of the trams reflect the desire to hold back, where the human connection is more important, more life-affirming than any other capitalistic market demands.

The other significant reminder that Mahanagar serves is how it highlights the figure of the working woman- in all her trials and tribulations in a severely patriarchal society. Arati's quest for financial independence provides her confidence. She is good at her job, making friends at the workplace, placing her demands and above everything else, feeling secure in what she does. The re-release of Mahanagar arrives at an important time, when the city is ripped apart by the brutal assault and murder of a young doctor. Thousands of doctors, students and citizens have taken to the streets to demand justice for the 31-year-old woman trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The city lies awake in the wake of these protests, demanding safer workspace environments and stricter enforcement of safety protocols. So many decades have passed since Ray envisioned his female protagonist as a working woman, making her way through the streets of the city and finding her voice. Yet, what has changed?

Ray's Mahanagar, with its still and hopeful distillation of a city constantly in a state of flux, exhibits a woman breaking free of the middle-class moralities. Arati's final plea to her husband, to always stay by her side and believe her, underlines her unshakeable integrity. Mahanagar still works so effectively because it recognizes the city in a constant tussle between tradition and modernity; turning, shifting its gaze, and always adapting to change.

This is Weekend Ticket, where Santanu Das talks about similar films and shows based on the most recent releases.
Anubhav Sinha's latest series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has been in the limelight for many reasons. Inspite of the praise for the show and the performances, the show caused controversy with how the series presented the five terrorists based on the real-life tragedy. In a new interview with casting director Mukesh Chhabra on Mashable India, Anubhav shared that he sees the controversy as gobar (cow dung). (Also read: Anubhav Sinha breaks silence on the failure of his last two films Bheed, Anek: Discourages you from making more movies) Vijay Varma played the lead in Anubhav Sinha's first series.

What Anubhav said

During the chat, when Anubhav was asked about the reception to his first series IC 814: The Kandahar Attack, he said, Do chakravado ke beech mein hu, ek mein bahoot saari mohabbat hain, ek main bahoot saara gobar hain. Toh mohabbat aur gobar ke beech mein phasa hua hoon (I am stuck between two extremes. On one side there is a lot of love and on the other side there is cow dung. So I am in-between).

All that remains is hard work

When asked if he felt responsible for the controversy, he went on to say in Hindi, "No, I dont take myself that seriously. I just want to do my job with absolute sincerity and hard work. I wouldnt have taken this on had I not been in love with the story. I loved it, thats why I did it. All that remains is hard work, and the rest is up to the universe. The universe is both destructive and constructive

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack courted controversy after its release on August 29. The show has been accused of whitewashing the events leading to the hijack. Netflix agreed to update the series' disclaimer to mention the real names of the hijackers after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry met them over the allegations of misrepresentation of facts.
A 46-year-old man and his four daughters, aged between 20 and 26 years, were found dead inside their home in Rangpuri village of southwest Delhi on Friday morning, senior police officers aware of the matter said on Saturday, adding that they suspected it to be a case of mass suicide or murder-suicide. According to the CCTV footage procured by police and preliminary inquiries, the man bought some sweets, and laced them with the poison, officers said. (Representational image)

According to police, the incident came to light after neighbours informed them of foul smell from the third-floor flat in the four-storey building. Neighbours told police the family mostly kept to itself and the mans wife  the womens mother  died of cancer in August.

Deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Rohit Meena said police received a call at 10.18am on Friday, where the caller said his tenant was not opening the door. We reached the building where the owner of the building, Nitin Chauhan, and the caretaker told us they knocked on the door several times, but there was no response, Meena said.

While trying to enter the flat, police found the door was bolted from the inside and called the Delhi Fire Services for assistance. The father was found lying on a cot in the first room. There was blood near his mouth, said an investigating officer, asking not to be named.

The officer said police found four more bodies, lying next to each other, on a bed in the second room. The bodies had begun to decompose. A box of sweets, pesticide, five glasses and a spoon with traces of a suspicious liquid were recovered. The deaths likely happened on Tuesday, police said, adding that the post-mortem is yet to be conducted. The family had been living in the building since 2019.

A preliminary medical exam found no external injuries on the bodies, police said. A second officer aware of the matter said it was not clear yet as to how or why the deaths happened. We have sent everything to the forensic lab and are exploring the case from all angles. We dont know if it was a suicide pact or a murder-suicide, the second officer added, also requesting anonymity.

According to the CCTV footage procured by police and preliminary inquiries, the man bought some sweets, and laced them with the poison, officers said. Around 7pm on Tuesday, the father was seen walking with a blue-coloured package, which is believed to be a box of sweets, according to the footage. None of the family members were seen after this, police added.

An aloof family

Senior police officers said two of the daughters had physical disabilities, while neighbours added that all four daughters had medical issues, including mental illnesses, and they rarely stepped out of their house. The daughters were aged 26, 24, 23 and 20. Police said one of them was visually impaired.

The man worked as a carpenter at the Indian Spinal Injury Centre in Vasant Kunj for 28 years, said DCP Meena. He stopped going to work in January this year. We spoke to his brother and his sister-in-law who live nearby. They told us that the man had stopped taking interest in affairs of the extended family after the death of his wife and was always occupied with the treatment of his daughters at one hospital or another, Meena added. The family said they dont know why the man left the job or how the family managed their finances.

Horrified neighbours and locals, who surrounded the lane on Saturday, said the family did not speak to anyone. Most of us have been living in this building for over seven years and know each other very well. However, the man and his daughters were different. They never spoke to anyone. We have also seen the man carry one of his daughters from the stairs during what could be a hospital visit, said Vimla Devi, one of the residents of the building.

Another resident, requesting anonymity, said he did not even know that the man had four daughters. It is because of TV news that I found that there were many bodies, he said.

Neighbours remembered the man as an introvert but a dedicated father. I would see him carrying his daughter on the stairs. He was a dedicated father. I heard he would cook for them, clean the house, wash all their clothes and do other chores, said Samarjeet Singh, another neighbour.

Senior police officers said they were checking the phones recovered from the spot and the bank account of the father.

The family alleged there was a financial strain on the father. We dont know if this led to the deaths. We are also trying to ascertain the sequence of events. Since the father was last seen with a sweets box, we think they ate sweets laced with the poison and also had juice which was spiked with the same, said the first officer.

The mans colleagues at the Indian Spinal Injury Center said his wife died at the same hospital last year. He left work asking for a 15-day leave but never returned, this person said, asking not to be named.
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Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday alleged that Union home minister Amit Shah in a closed-door meeting directed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to split opposition parties.



"During his recent visit to Nagpur, Amit Shah held a closed-door meeting of BJP leaders where he asked them to split the Opposition ranks and politically stop me and Sharad Pawar. Why speak behind closed doors? He should say this before people," PTI quoted the former Maharashtra chief minister at an event after inaugurating a life-size statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Ramtek city in east Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (UBT) party chief Uddhav Thackeray.(Raju Shinde/HT Photo)

Why does Shah want to finish Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar politically...so that the BJP can loot Maharashtra, he alleged.



ALSO READ: Shinde drops hint on Maharashtra assembly poll schedule; could be held in November

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said the BJP snapped its three-decade-old alliance with (undivided) Shiv Sena in 2014 (before assembly elections). "However, Sena managed to win 63 seats," he added.

Thackeray wondered if RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat agreed with BJP's "Hindutva" involving breaking other parties and poaching (opposition leaders).

The upcoming elections are not about power but they are crucial to prevent Maharashtra from getting looted, he added.



ALSO READ: Uddhav Thackeray in MVA meet: Decide CMs name before Maharashtra polls

Congress and NCP (SP) leaders Sunil Kedar and Anil Deshmukh shared the dais with Thackeray.

Maharashtra assembly elections

The Maharashtra assembly election will witness a direct contest between the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP(SP).



Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, the MVA won 30 seats, with Congress winning 13, Shiv Sena (UBT) bagging nine and NCP (SP) bagging eight seats.



NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said the Maha Vikas Aghadi will conclude its seat-sharing talks in 8 to 10 days. The three MVA allies will be seeking views of the party workers on the "original aspirant" for a particular seat, the veteran leader said.
The body of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case, was buried on Sunday at the Shantinagar crematorium in Ulhasnagar, Thane district, authorities said. The burial took place around 6pm under heavy police security, as some local residents and groups had protested against the burial. Akshay Shinde was accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapur town of Thane district.

Shinde, 24, was shot dead in an encounter on September 23 while being transported from Taloja Jail to Badlapur in connection with a case filed by his former wife. Police said he had snatched a pistol from an officer and fired, injuring the officer. He was then shot by the escort team.

ALSO READ- Badlapur case accused's encounter: Devendra Fadnavis says shouldn't praise such incidents after posters surface

His body had been at Kalwa Civil Hospital since then, as protests from residents and political groups like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Shiv Sena delayed the burial.

Shinde was arrested on August 17 for allegedly sexually assaulting two minor girls in a Badlapur school.

BJP MLA Kisan Kathore on Friday said that Akshay Shindes body should not be buried in Badlapur, as it would bring "stigma" to the town.

"People of Badlapur are good citizens and do not want this stigma attached to them. Our residents have no intention of allowing his burial here. Whatever has happened has happened, it should not define us," Kathore, MLA from Murbad in the district, told a regional news channel.

ALSO READ- PM Modi speaks to Mallikarjun Kharge after Cong chief fell ill during rally

Deceased accused's father seeks police protection

Anna Shinde, the father of Akshay Shinde, who was shot dead on September 23 in connection with the Badlapur sexual assault case, has requested police protection for himself and his family, citing threats to their safety.

ALSO READ- Woman who vandalised deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis's office identified; is mentally ill: Police

In a letter addressed to Union home minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, state DGP Rashmi Shukla, and Navi Mumbai police commissioner Milind Bharambe, Anna Shinde also claimed that his son's killing was part of a political conspiracy.

"My family and I have been receiving threats," Anna wrote, adding that their lawyer, Amit Katarnavre, and his family were also being threatened.
Junior doctors in West Bengal on Saturday threatened to resume their protests from Monday after a hearing of the RG Kar case in the Supreme Court on Monday. The doctors, who held a 41-day cease work protest over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctors at the RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata last month, renewed the threat after a mob attack on medics at a state-run hospital on Friday evening. People protest against the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar hospital, in Kolkata on Saturday. (PTI)

We are giving an ultimatum to the state government. If the government fails to take any positive measures to strengthen security in hospitals and gear up hospital infrastructure, we will go on a full-fledged strike again from Monday, Aniket Mahata, a junior doctor, said late on Saturday night.

The announcement came after a mob attacked junior doctors and nurses at the Sagore Dutta Hospital in North 24 Parganas on Friday evening after a woman, who was rushed to the hospital with severe respiratory problems, died during treatment. Family members of the woman assaulted junior doctors and nurses of the hospital alleging that she died because of negligence.

While a few doctors and nurses were injured, police arrested four persons in connection with the attack, even as junior doctors at the hospital began a cease work on Friday itself.

Following a meeting of the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) on Saturday, Mahata said, The Supreme Court will hear the RG Kar case on Monday. We are all waiting for that. Our counsel will also tell the court how the state government has failed to build confidence among junior doctors by taking some positive steps. We will also see what the state tells the court. If there is no positive response, we will again start our cease work across all state-run hospitals from Monday 5pm.
Karnataka police filed an FIR on Saturday against Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda and several others over allegations of extortion through electoral bonds after a courts order the previous day. Nirmala Sitharaman (ANI)

The order was issued by a special Bengaluru court, which subsequently led to an FIR at Tilaknagar police station. The complaint accuses Sitharaman, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers, and BJP officials of extortion and criminal conspiracy.

Adarsh Iyer, co-president of the Janadhikara Sangharsa Parishad (JSP), filed the private complaint that led to the courts directive. We have filed a total of 15 complaints against BJP ministers and office bearers after the Supreme Court verdict. But no action was initiated by police, which prompted us to file a complaint in court, Iyer stated.

The FIR alleges that the BJP collected 8,000 crore through the electoral bond scheme, which the Supreme Court recently struck down as unconstitutional. Iyer cited two specific instances: We have mentioned two instances of collecting 230 crores from Vedanta group and 39 crores from Aurobindo Pharma by BJP.

A police officer from Tilaknagar station confirmed, We have registered FIR under IPC sections 384 (Extortion), 120B (Criminal conspiracy), and 34 (Acts done by several persons with a common intention).

A Union finance ministry spokesperson did not respond on the matter.

The case ignited a political firestorm, with opposition parties calling for Sitharamans resignation. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, himself facing calls to resign over what is known as the Muda land allotment irregularities, remarked: According to BJP leaders argument, Nirmala Sitharaman should resign now, right?

JD(S) leader and Union minister HD Kumaraswamy defended Sitharaman, asking, Why should she resign? Has electoral bond funds gone to Sitharamans personal account to resign?

Union consumer affairs minister Prahlad Joshi too came to Sitharamans defence, stating: This (electoral bond) was done as per law according to the law passed by the parliament... This is incomparable to Siddharamaiahs case.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 10.
After a Bengaluru court ordered the filing of an FIR against Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others, complainant Adarsh Iyer from Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad (JSP) alleged on Saturday that the government misused  its power to extort large sums of money from companies. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sitharaman.((FILE PHOTO/Nirmala Sitharaman Office-X))

Iyer has alleged that several people including the finance minister, Enforcement Directorate officials, BJP office bearers, BJP leader Nalin Kumar Kateel and Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra are involved in the case of allegedly extorting money.

As we all know, the Supreme Court had given a fantastic order on electoral bond where it ordered the SBI to reveal entire data. After that, many media studied and made reports that there was a clear-cut case of extortion, we went ahead and found out that it was a corruption case, ANI quoted Iyer as saying.

Read: Bengaluru court orders FIR against Nirmala Sitharaman in electoral bond case, CM Siddaramaiah calls for her resignation

Iyer said that a complaint was filed by Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad that those in power over the ED and income tax allegedly forced companies to pay large sums, equating it to extortion.

He also expressed happiness with the recent judgment received after five months. He said that a special court has ordered an investigation under CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) section 153.

The court has ordered an investigation under CrPC Section 153. Nirmala Sitharaman is accused number 1, ED officials of Delhi are the second, office bearers of the BJP at the national level are third, the fourth one is the state BJP ex-president and the fifth one is current BJP state chief BY Vijayendra, added Iyer.

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh described the court's order as a serious development, saying that both the Union finance minister and the Prime Minister must take responsibility.

"This is a very serious development because the Court has ordered an FIR against Nirmala Sitharaman over the poll bond extortion allegation. We have been saying from day one that the central government is misusing the central agencies... The responsibility must be taken by the union finance minister and also the PM," said Ghosh

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah demanded the resignation of Nirmala Sitharaman after a Bengaluru court ordered the filing of an FIR against the Union minister and other leaders for allegedly extorting money through the now-scrapped electoral bonds.

At a press conference, Siddaramaiah criticised the Karnataka BJP, questioning when they would protest against Sitharaman and demand her resignation regarding the alleged scam.

He also called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation if an impartial investigation was conducted, along with the resignation of Union minister and BJP leader HD Kumaraswamy.

The court ordered the Tilak Nagar police station in Bengaluru to register an FIR for the crime of extortion through electoral bonds against the Nirmala Sitharaman.



With ANI inputs
To identify vulnerability to urban poverty, the Union government along with civic bodies will launch a door-to-door survey for socio-economic profiling of low-income households, targeting six groups, including domestic and gig workers. Starting October 1, these surveys will be conducted in 25 cities across India, including Kolkata, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Agra, Indore and Varanasi. (Representational image)

Starting October 1, these surveys will be conducted in 25 cities across India. Some of these cities are Kolkata, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Agra, Indore, and Varanasi.

Once the enumeration and profiling are done, it will be easy to map beneficiaries with different central and state social security schemes such as government insurance cover to benefit households as a whole, a senior official in the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) said.

This will be part of a pilot project for MoHUAs new urban poverty alleviation programme among vulnerable groups targeting construction workers, gig workers, waste workers, care workers, domestic workers, and transportation workers. A revamped urban livelihoods mission has been in the works for a long time and was supposed to be launched in 2023, but there was no such initiative even in 2024.

This pilot with a funding of 180 crore, comprising various verticals, will continue for three months and the learnings will be used to formulate a new scheme to replace the existing Deendayal Antyoday Yojana - National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM).

At least one city from all states/ UTs except in which elections have been announced have been considered while selecting the cities, the official added.

The official further said that some skilling and micro-credit aspects of the existing schemes will be enhanced as part of this pilot. The upper limit of loan facility under the self-employment vertical will be increased to 4 lakh for individuals, which was 2 lakh earlier for micro-entrepreneurs. Along with that, we will facilitate entrepreneurship development training, financial and digital literacy along with supporting market linkages. The group loan limit will be increased to 20 lakh from the existing 10 lakh.

The ministry hosted a workshop for this pilot programme on September 23 along with officials from these states and cities. Speaking at that workshop. Srinivas Katikithala, secretary at MoHUA said, Urbanisation provides various opportunities and there is a need to harness these opportunities through innovative thinking so that the urban poor particularly the vulnerable groups, including youths, can get access to better livelihood opportunities. Speaking with HT, he refused to give a timeline for the launch of the new mission and said the finer details are yet to be worked out.

The socio-economic profiling skeleton already exists at various levels as part of the PM SVANidhi se Samriddhi scheme (a micro-credit facility for street vendors) which benefitted the families of those who were enrolled in that programme. Through this, eight Union government schemes such as PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, PM Jan Dhan Yojana, One Nation One Ration Card, PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana, Registration under Building and other Construction Workers, Janani Suraksha Yojana and PM Matru Vandana Yojana. Till mid-June, the number of street vendors covered under this scheme was more than 3.35 million.

Till June this year since the start of DAY-NULM in June 2014, more than 3.7 million livelihoods and 9.6 million self-help groups have been created, according to government data. Another 1.5 million odd candidates have been skilled.

Aravind Unni, an independent expert on urban poverty alleviation policies, said, Expanding the beneficiary base by bringing in more vulnerable groups is a welcome step. But he said NULM 2.0, which has been under discussion for more than two years, should be rolled out quickly. He also advocated for more transparency and continued dialogue with more stakeholders to formulate the schemes under the mission. We do not know if any assessment studies on the impact of the previous 10 years and if so, they should be in public domain, he added.
Chandrayaan-3, India's lunar mission, has landed in a 3.85-billion-year-old crater on the Moon, scientists said on Saturday. The crater is one of the oldest on the Moon's surface. Bengaluru: Students look at a model of Chandrayaan-3 mission during the celebration of India's first National Space Day, at Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium.(PTI file photo)

The scientists, including those from the Physical Research Laboratory and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ahmedabad, said that the crater where Chandrayaan-3 landed was formed during the Nectarian period, about 3.85 billion years ago.

According to S Vijayan, an associate professor in the Planetary Sciences Division, Physical Research Laboratory, the mission's Pragyan rover has gone to a place on the Moon that no other missions has visited.

"Chandrayaan-3 landing site is a unique geological setting where no other missions have gone. The images from the mission's Pragyan rover are the first on-site ones of the Moon at this latitude. They reveal how the Moon evolved," he told PTI.

A crater is formed when an asteroid crashes into the surface of a larger body. The displaced material is called ejecta.

Revealing how the Moon evolved, the images showed that one-half of the crater was buried under material thrown out or 'ejecta' from the South Pole-Aitken basin -- the largest and most known impact basin on the Moon, the researchers said.

An impact basin is a large, complex crater with a diameter of over 300 km, while a crater measures under 300 km in diameter.

In this case, Chandrayaan-3 was found to have landed within a crater -- about 160 km in diameter -- and detected in the images as a nearly semi-circular structure.

The researchers said this likely indicated one half of the crater, the other half of which was 'degraded' by getting buried under ejecta.

"Further, near the landing site, ejecta or material 'thrown out' from another impact crater further away was observed -- images captured by the Pragyan rover revealed that material of the same nature was present at the landing site," Vijayan said, according to PTI.

"Together, the images from the mission and satellites showed that the Chandrayaan-3 landing site consists of material deposited from different regions of the Moon," he said.

The Chandrayaan-3 made a soft landing on the Moon's south pole on August 23, 2023. It is the only mission to have landed on the south side of the Moon. The government calls the landing site Shiv Shakti Point., three days later.

With inputs from PTI
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged on Sunday that there is a jungle raj in the national capital, urging Union home minister Amit Shah to take effective action.



Kejriwal's statement came in response to three shooting incidents that took place within a 24-hour period in Delhi. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal (ANI)

Law and order has collapsed in Delhi. There is complete jungle raj. People are feeling unsafe in the country's capital. Delhi's law and order comes under Amit Shah ji. He will have to take effective steps immediately, Arvind Kejriwal wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Reacting to reports of various crime incidents, AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the Delhi lieutenant governor is currently on a foreign trip, while BJP MPs are absent.



Rise of Gangs & Gangsters in Delhi. Firing for extortion at Nangloi Sweet shop. Firing for extortion at Naraina Car showroom. 3 crores worth Jwellery looter at Gulabi Bagh. Shots fired at Mahipalpur Hotel. LG saab on Foreign trip, BJP MPs missing, Bharadwaj wrote in a post on X.

Bharadwaj urged the lieutenant governor to take action, alleging that for the past two years, he has obstructed the Delhi government's efforts and failed to fulfill his responsibilities.

I request you with folded hands that please do some work now. You have spent the last 2 years only in stopping the work of Delhi Government. You kept finding our shortcomings. But you have completely failed in the responsibility that is yours. Your vote is also in Gujarat but we have to stay in Delhi, Saurabh Bharadwaj added in another post.

Two instances of firing by armed gangs were reported in Delhi, hours after another firing targeted a second-hand luxury car showroom in the national capital.



A gang of unidentified shooters targeted a hotel in south Delhi's Mahipalpur area during early hours on Saturday. Around 2.30 am, two men came on a motorcycle and fired around five to six bullets at the main entrance gate of Impress Hotel in south Delhi.
The Congress launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman after a case was registered against her in connection with the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme. The opposition party accused Sitharaman of undermining democracy and called for a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry into the controversial scheme through a Special Investigation Team (SIT). A case was registered on Saturday against Sitharaman and others on the directions of a court in Bengaluru, following a complaint relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme.(PTI)

What are the allegations?

The case was filed following a court directive in Bengaluru, based on a complaint lodged by Adarsh R Iyer, co-president of the 'Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath' (JSP). The complaint alleges that Sitharaman, along with Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and BJP leaders, orchestrated an extortion racket under the guise of electoral bonds, benefiting to the tune of over 8,000 crore.

Also Read | Case of extortion: Complainant attacks Nirmala Sitharaman over electoral bonds

FIR has been lodged against Sitharaman, BJP Karnataka chief B Y Vijayendra, and state party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel, among others, under charges of extortion (Section 384), criminal conspiracy (120B), and common intention (34) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Addressing the media, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Abhishek Singhvi condemned the alleged involvement of the finance minister, with Ramesh demanding her immediate resignation.

Ramesh said the finance minister should immediately resign as she is "guilty" politically, legally and morally.

The Congress also reiterated its call for a thorough investigation into the electoral bonds scheme, which was struck down by the Supreme Court earlier this year. The apex court ruled that the scheme violated the right to information and freedom of speech, posing a threat to free and fair elections in the country.

"The Finance Minister cannot do this on her own. We know who is number 1 and number 2 and this was done on whose directions," Singhvi said.

"The larger issue is the level playing field which is necessary for free and fair polls. Free and fair polls are critical for democracy. This is an attack on our democratic system," Singhvi said while terming it as "EBS - Extortionist BJP Scheme".
Two instances of firing by armed gangs were reported in Delhi, hours after another firing targeted a second-hand luxury car showroom in the national capital. New Delhi, India - Aug. 26, 2024: A view of 'LoveBite Cafe,' where a firing incident occurred last night at Satya Niketan, near Delhi University's South Campus, in front of Venkateshwara College, in New Delhi, India, on Monday, August 26, 2024. (Photo by Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times) (Story pics for Himani HT Metro)(Hindustan Times)

A gang of unidentified shooters targeted a hotel in south Delhi's Mahipalpur area during early hours on Saturday. Around 2.30 am, two men came on a motorcycle and fired around five to six bullets at the main entrance gate of Impress Hotel in south Delhi.

The hotel staff and other guests were present during the shooting, but a receptionist told PTI that five to six rounds were fired before the gang fled. They did not target anyone, but they opened fire at the gate, she added. Police have initiated probe into the case.

Hours later, a set of unidentified assailants opened fire at a sweets shop in Sultanpur Mor in Nangloi. Around 9.30 am, two bike borne armed men, with their faces masked, fired three to four rounds of fire at 'Roshan Halwai' and left glasses shattered. A note with names Deepak Boxer Bhai, Ankesh Lakra Bhai and Vishal Bhai, was found after firing. Police suspect the shooting was related to a dispute over protection money being paid to some gangsters. Police have recovered CCTV footage from the area and further probe is underway.

Earlier on Friday, three armed men opened fire at cars belonging to a second-hand luxury car showroom in Naraina in West Delhi. Police believe the firing to be a case of extortion as a note reading "Himanshu bhai since 2020" was recovered from the spot. The gangster has reportedly demanded 5 crore as protection money from the showroom owner.

In a CCTV footage circulating on social media, three men could be seen firing at cars inside the showroom. A shooter is also seen pointing his gun at a customer and an employee. More than two dozen bullets were fired both inside and outside of the premises, police said.

No injuries have been reported so far from these firing cases, but police sources told PTI that three back-to-back firing incidents raise disturbing questions on law and order in the national capital. Over past few months, cases of extortion calls and shooting on the direction of foreign based gangsters continue to trouble Delhi's businessmen, sources added.

What statistics say?

According to PTI, Delhi Police's recent statistics reveal a total of 133 extortion cases being reported from across the national capital this year, till August 15.

A total of 141 such cases were reported in the same period last year. At least 110 extortion cases were registered in the corresponding period in 2022. At least 204 cases of extortion were reported throughout 2023 and 187 in 2022, according to the statistics.

Police said eleven gangs involved in extortion and threatening of businessmen, shooting and targeted killings have been identified across the National Capital Region over last few months. Delhi police commissioner has directed the officials to curb the activities of these gangs by invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act and other stringent local laws wherever applicable.
A Delhi Police constable was killed in a road rage incident in the Nagaloi area last night when he was run over by a car after asking the driver to move. The Delhi Police Headquarters on Jai Singh Road in New Delhi. (HT Archive)

The constable was reportedly dragged for 10 meters before colliding with another vehicle. The police have seized the car and the driver is currently absconding.

A CCTV camera recorded the moments leading up to a speeding car dragging the 30-year-old police constable along the road in .

The footage, taken at 2:16 am today, shows the speeding car close behind constable Sandeep's bike, who later succumbed to head injuries.

On duty to investigate a surge in thefts in the area, Sandeep was riding his bike in plain clothes when a speeding WagonR attempted to overtake him.

The driver was driving recklessly, prompting Sandeep to request that he slow down. Suddenly, the car accelerated and struck Sandeep's bike from behind, dragging both him and the motorcycle for about 10 meters.

Sandeep was rushed to a nearby hospital and later transferred to another facility, where he was declared dead.

Police said that the car had two occupants, who fled the scene after the incident. The vehicle has been seized, and police are actively searching for the suspects. A murder case has been filed in connection with the incident.

Delhi Police have confirmed that the constable is survived by his mother, wife, and a five-year-old son.

Quoting senior police officer Jimmy Chiram, NDTV reported that Sandeep was on patrol duty when a WagonR attempted to overtake him at high speed.

After a possible verbal exchange, the driver accelerated, struck Sandeep's bike from behind, and dragged him for about 10 metres before colliding with another vehicle, the report added.

This incident adds to the growing number of road rage cases in the Delhi-NCR region, which have seen a troubling increase in recent years. Conflicts arising from minor traffic accidents have resulted in serious injuries and fatalities.

Last month, a 32-year-old auto-rickshaw driver was brutally attacked after his vehicle made contact with a car in Faridabad, leading to his death.
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is serving a 20-year jail term for raping two of his disciples, has once again sought a temporary release on a 20-day parole, with the demand coming just days before the October 5 Haryana assembly polls. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who returned to Rohtaks Sunaria jail on September 2 after being released on a 21-day furlough on August 13, has often been accused of trying to influence his followers, largely based in Haryana, to vote in a particular manner in the elections. (AFP)

Singh, who returned to Rohtaks Sunaria jail on September 2 after being released on a 21-day furlough on August 13, has often been accused of trying to influence his followers, largely based in Haryana, to vote in a particular manner in the elections.

Since his 20-year sentencing in 2017, the Dera chief has been out of prison either on parole or furlough 10 times, spending 255 days, or more than eight months, outside jail. Several of his paroles and furloughs coincided with polls in Haryana and neighbouring states.

Officials familiar with the matter said Singhs application for a 20-day parole has been sent to the election department, which has asked the jails department to explain the compelling emergent reasons  as mandated by the Election Commissions guidelines  behind the request.

According to an April 2019 EC communication to the states, the parole should be given in the cases of extreme emergency and it should be ensured that the convict does not indulge in any election related activities.

Elections to the 90-member Haryana assembly will be held on October 5.

Political observers maintained that the Dera chief, considering the following the controversial head of the Sirsa-based sect commands, remains relevant in poll season. Politicians of various hues have been known to seek his blessings during the elections, Prof Ashutosh Kumar, a political scientist from Panjab University, Chandigarh, said.

Every convict has the right for being considered for temporary release, a state official said, dismissing any claims of favour.

Also Read | Decide Ram Rahims paroles without favouritism or discrimination: HC to Haryana

A Dera spokesperson said since Singh was entitled to 91 days of temporary release in a calendar year, his request for a 20-day parole was in accordance to the law.

He has availed 50 days of parole and 21 days of furlough. So, he is entitled to another 20 days of parole in the calendar year. As the year is coming to a close, he has to avail the 20-day parole otherwise it will lapse, the spokesperson said.

The Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act lays down that a convicted prisoner (except hardcore convicts) may be released on regular parole, which does not count to a persons term served, for up to 10 of the 52 weeks in a calendar year, at most in two parts. Besides, a convicted prisoner is entitled to three weeks  21 days  of furlough but it cannot be availed in parts.

Denying any poll-related motive behind the application, the spokesperson said they dont know when their request for parole will be approved. Maybe it will get approved after the assembly polls. Even the request for grant of 21-day furlough which we got in August was made much before, the spokesperson said.

In January 2023, BJP leaders  Rajya Sabha MP Krishan Lal Panwar and former minister Krishen Kumar Bedi attended a virtual satsang addressed by the Dera chief and held an interaction with him during his 40-day parole. Though the two denied any political motive, the opposition Congress criticised their action as a vote-catching ploy. In 2022, Haryana BJP leaders, including then Karnal mayor Renu Gupta, attended an online congregation addressed by Singh (who was out on temporary release), triggering criticism.
The police in Rajasthan have registered a first information report (FIR) against unidentified people in connection with an interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi that was allegedly held inside Jaipur Central Jail and aired on a private news channel last year, director general of police Utkal Ranjan Sahoo said. Lawrence Bishnoi (File Photo)

The FIR was registered in Jaipur on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court recently. This came after a special investigation team (SIT) formed by Punjab police claimed Bishnoi was in the prison when the interview was done.

Two interviews were aired on March 14 and March 16 last year. SIT found that one of the two interviews was recorded from Jaipur Central Jail Bishnoi was in prison in connection with a firing case during this period. We have lodged a FIR. The high court has asked the police to submit a copy of the SIT report with all evidence on Friday, Sahoo said.

Bishnoi was brought to Jaipur from Punjabs Bathinda jail on a production warrant on February 15 last year for interrogation in a case of extortion. He was sent to judicial custody in Jaipur jail on March 3, 2023 and was taken to Bathinda on March 4.

After the interview was aired, then-Jaipur police commissioner Anand Srivastava claimed Bishnoi did not give any interview when he was in Jaipur.

Also Read | Punjab saw spurt in extortion cases post Lawrence Bishnoi interview, police tell high court

Assistant commissioner of police (Gandhi Nagar) Narayan Kumar Bajiya said the case will be investigated and further course of action will be taken on the basis of facts that come up during the investigation.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar cautioned the global community on Saturday at the General Debate of the 79th UN General Assembly against the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, saying the world cannot be fatalistic" about the continuation of violence on a large scale. Pointing out that the Gaza war was already acquiring wider ramifications, S Jaishankar urged the global community to find urgent solutions to the conflicts. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, US.(Bloomberg)

Israel's offensive in Gaza began as retaliation to Hamas' October 7 attack. However, the previously limited conflict has now engulfed Lebanon as Israel attacked Hezbollah's positions, threatening a multi-polar war in the Middle East.

We are gathered here at a difficult time. The world is yet to recover from the ravages of the Covid pandemic. The war in Ukraine is well into its third year. The conflict in Gaza is acquiring wider ramifications, S Jaishankar said on Saturday.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, had been killed in an Israeli airstrike.

S Jaishankar said the UN had always maintained that peace and development go hand-in-hand. "Yet, when challenges to one have emerged, due regard has not been given to the other. Their economic implications for the weak and vulnerable need to be highlighted," S Jaishankar said.

"But we must also recognise that conflicts themselves must be resolved. The world cannot be fatalistic about the continuation of violence on a large scale, no more than be impervious to its broader consequences," he warned.

He said the international community sought urgent solutions to the conflicts. "These sentiments must be acknowledged and acted upon," he added.

S Jaishankar further said that the world was fractious, polarised and frustrated.

Conversations have become difficult; agreements even more so. This is surely not what the founders of the United Nations would have wanted of us, the minister added.

S Jaishankar said for global security and stability, those who seek to lead the world must set the right example.

S Jaishankar slams Pakistan

Earlier, the minister slammed Pakistan for fostering terrorism, saying the country's karma was consuming its society.

Also read: Karma for Pak, GDP now measured in radicalisation: Jaishankar at UNGA| Top 10 quotes

Many countries get left behind due to circumstances beyond their control, but some make conscious choices with disastrous consequences. A premier example is our neighbour, Pakistan, he said.

"Today we see the ills it (Pakistan) sought to visit on others consume its society. It can't blame the world. This is only karma, he added.

With inputs from PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of inflicting wounds on the people as he addressed his final rally on the penultimate day of campaigning for Jammu and Kashmirs first assembly polls in a decade. Hisar, Sept 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public meeting for the Haryana Assembly elections, in Hisar on Saturday. (ANI Photo)(BJP)

Speaking in Jammu, Modi accused the Opposition of having deprived the UTs people of their rights and said that the decision to strip the region of its statehood was only temporary.

In the past 60 to 65 years, this region witnessed only destruction Leave aside development, every sphere of life suffered. Modi is working sincerely to fill up all those pits of the past and will not leave any opportunity to address your issues, he said.

BJP is the only party which will restore statehood to the region, he added.

The PM asked the people of Jammu to grab the opportunity to end discrimination meted out to the region for decades. I want to tell the people of city of temples not to let this opportunity go away. The BJP government alone would end the discrimination to Jammu region, he said.

After a contentious delimitation exercise, Hindu-majority Jammu has 43 seats and Muslim-majority Kashmir has 47 in the 90-member legislative assembly. Before delimitation, Kashmir had 46 seats compared to Jammus 37.

Modi was speaking ahead of the third and final phase of assembly elections in the restive region on October 1, when 40 seats  24 in Jammu and 16 in Kashmir  go to the polls. The votes will be counted on October 8.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is fighting on all of the 43 seats in Jammu and 19 of the 47 seats in Kashmir.

Escalating his attack, the prime minister said the Congress-NC alliance and the PDP were irked by the changes in Jammu and Kashmir because they did not like development.

They are saying they will form the government to revive the old system  the same discriminatory approach which led Jammu to be the biggest sufferer, he added.

Modi said the Jammu region in particular faced decades of injustice at the hands of the three parties which not only defamed the Dogra legacy but also their rulers.

He also called them the biggest enemy of the Constitution. They strangled the Constitution given by Babasaheb Ambedkar. he said.

In the speech a little over 40 minutes, Modi highlighted peace on the borders with Pakistan and overall development in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014. He also invoked Indias surgical strike on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC) in 2016 and termed the elections an opportunity for Jammu to end discrimination.

In these elections, the people of Jammu and Kashmir would write a new chapter. For the past several decades, Congress, NC and PDP leaders and their families thrived while the people were ruined, he said.

These are the first assembly polls in the restive region since its special status and statehood were scrapped five years ago, and are likely to be the last step before the Union territorys statehood is restored.

The PM said the three parties brought miseries and destruction to the people.

People dont want the same Nizam (system) again where corruption, nepotism in jobs, terrorism, separatism and bloodshed peaked. People here want peace, they want a better future for their children. Therefore, people want the BJP government, he said.

In the last two phases, there was huge turnout and that gauged the mood of the people, which is in favour of the BJP, he added.

The last two phases  61.38% in Phase 1 and 57.31% in Phase 2  have marked a historic turnout in a region otherwise marred by terrorism and violent poll boycotts, and carried forward the momentum recorded during this summers Lok Sabha polls, when the highest polling percentage in 35 years, of 58.46%, was recorded.

The PM asked the people of Jammu to grab the opportunity to end discrimination meted out to the region for decades. Be it Jammu, Samba or Kathua, only one slogan is renting the air  Jammu Ki yahi pukar aa rahi hai BJP sarkar (Jammu is calling for a BJP government), he added.

Modi alleged that the Congress was in the grip of urban naxals.

When illegal immigrants from foreign countries enter India, Congress, for reasons known to it, likes them. They see their vote bank in them but they make fun of their own people, he said.

Modi said the Congress, NC and PDP deprived people of their voting rights. The BJP honoured the Constitution and ensured voting rights to refugees from West Pakistan and PoK besides Gurkhas and Valmikis, he said.

Referring to Gujjars, Bakarwals and Paharis, he said the three parties denied scheduled tribe reservation to them.

Attributing peace on the Pakistan borders to Indias tough stance since 2014, Modi invoked Indias surgical strike on terror camps across the LoC  Saturday was its eighth anniversary  in response to a terror attack on an army base in Uri on September 18, 2016, which left 19 soldiers dead.

The Congress had demanded from our army evidence of the surgical strike and which, till date, talked in tone and tenor of Pakistan on surgical strike. Will you ever forgive such Congress? he asked.

The PM recalled how areas in Jammu were shelled by Pakistan. There was a time when huge shelling from across the border used to be breaking news while the Congress raised white flag. With the BJP government at the Centre, every single bullet was retaliated by bombs, he said.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhio Vadra countered the PM during a rally in the Bishnah area of Jammu and said the BJP had done nothing for the people of J&K.

Even in Modi Jis speech, there was no seriousness about the genuine concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. What really matters are the genuine concerns of the people of J&K. Why arent those being addressed? Why arent they focusing on the truth? Why did the PM?, she said.
People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti cancelled her election campaign on Sunday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israel in Beirut. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti cancelled her poll campaign in Jammu and Kashmir in solidarity with the people of Lebanon (PTI Photo)(PTI)

In a post on X, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir stated: Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance.

Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of the Hezbollah, was killed along with his daughter Zainab on Friday after Israeli forces launched a series of strikes in the densely populated Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut.

The attack, which was meant to target Nasrallah, also led to six more deaths.

In a post on X, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said, "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world."

Other Hezbollah operatives such as Ali Karaki, Muhammad Ali Ismail, and Hossein Ahmed Ismail were also killed in the attacks, which continued till late on Saturday.

"The strike was carried out while the top brass of Hezbollah were at their headquarters and engaged in coordinating terror activities against the citizens of the State of Israel," the Israeli military said.

Meanwhile, a protest march was held in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam and Srinagar on Saturday against the killing of Hassan Nasrallah by the Israel Defence Force (IDF). People were seen out on the streets in large numbers, carrying pictures of Hassan Nasrallah.

Maulana Yasoob Abbas, the general Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB), also paid tribute to Nasrallah and called his death a great loss for the Muslim world.

Abbas has requested India's Shia community to observe three days of mourning and hoist black flags in their houses. He also called for the United Nations to intervene and put an end to the violence faced by the people of Palestine and Lebanon.

With inputs from ANI
Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday and assured him on his steadfast commitment to the party's ideology and principles, news agency PTI reported. Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh during an interview to PTI, in New Delhi, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (PTI Photo) (PTI09_28_2024_000189B)(PTI)

The visit comes after he was rebuked by the party's central leadership for his recent remarks on making it mandatory for eateries in the hill state to display the names of its owners.

During his meeting with Kharge, Singh reportedly sought to clarify the high command's concern over his recent remarks. "I apprised Venugopal ji (Congress general secretary in-charge organisation) of the real situation and I assuaged his concerns about ideology and assured him that we are dedicated and loyal soldiers of the party and will not do anything which is against the party line," said Singh.

Also read | No decision on eatery nameplates yet: Himachal rethinks amid Cong turmoil

He also sought to clear the misconception that a move similar to the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh is being imposed in Himachal Pradesh. That was the misconception portrayed by the media. That was taken cognizance by the high command. They had concerns about that also which they expressed, and we assured them by placing the facts and figures before the Congress high command, Singh added.

Widespread disapproval by Congress leaders on the communal nature of the move made Singh to issue a clarification that he was misquoted by the media. He said that local apprehensions on the rising numbers of migrants in the state was the reason behind his suggestion.

The Congress government itself distanced from its minister's suggestion and said no decision has been taken to make it mandatory for the street vendors to display nameplates or other identification at their stalls.

AICC's Himachal Pradesh in-charge Rajiv Shukla said he had discussed the issue with Singh and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. "They will be given licences and regulated so that police do not harass them. The designated places will require identification such as Aadhaar cards and licences but there is no requirement for them to display a sign stating their name as the owner," Shukla said last Thursday.
On paper, Indias 2024 poll results herald a return to coalition politics, marking a break with the previous decade of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dominance. For the first time since Narendra Modi catapulted to power in 2014, the BJP is reliant on its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners. For the first time since Narendra Modi catapulted to power in 2014, the BJP is reliant on its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners (AFP)

The resurgence of the BJP as a dominant party in 2014 and the dramatic expansion of its electoral footprint marked the beginning of a new electoral era known as the fourth party system. The first party system, dominated by the Congress, was in place from independence until the 1967 elections, when the Congresss grip on power in Indias states sharply waned. In the second party system, from 1967 to 1989, the Congress largely retained its control over the Centre even as its popularity gradually declined. Indias third party system, in place from 1989 to 2014, was synonymous with an era of coalition politics and the absence of a core political party.

The resurgence of coalition politics in New Delhi and the presence of a stronger political Opposition raise the question of whether the 2024 verdict reflects a repudiation of the fourth party system. A dispassionate analysis of newly available data suggests that while the 2024 verdict represents a curtailing of the BJPs dominance, many attributes of the new party system persist.

While coalition governance has returned to Delhi, the BJP retains a position of national strength.

Presence of a dominant party

The 2014 elections were historic; it was the first time a party won a parliamentary majority in three decades, and it was the first time that a party other than the Congress did so. In the 2019 elections, the BJP defied challenges of anti-incumbency and grew further. Against this backdrop, the 2024 elections certainly represents a setback for the party.

On the surface, the decline in the BJPs seat tally from 303 to 240 suggests major cracks in the edifice of the fourth party system. But a closer look at the data suggests that, despite experiencing a setback, the BJP retains its dominant position at the helm of the fourth party system.

For starters, the BJPs vote share declined by less than one percentage point in 2024 relative to 2019 (36.6% versus 37.3%). This suggests that, on an all-India level, its popularity has not changed significantly. However, its seat share dropped dramatically, indicating that what has shifted is the regional distribution of that supportwith losses in the Hindi heartland largely offset by gains in eastern and southern India. Although the BJP failed to meet both internal and external electoral expectations, ironically it emerged as a truly pan-Indian party for the first time.

In terms of pan-Indian parties, the BJP has only one rival: the Congress. In 2024, the Congresss vote share crept up to 21.2%, a modest upward swing from the 19.4% it enjoyed in 2019. However, the Congresss vote rise looks impressive only in comparison with recent elections; its 2024 share was its third-worst performance ever. To be sure, the Congress contested its lowest number of seats, 328, this time; this was 93 lower than the number of seats it fought in 2019.

The fact that more than two dozen opposition parties, including the Congress, joined hands to form the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is a further testament to the BJPs centrality. One of the tests associated with a system-defining party is the extent to which elections are fought in favour of, or in opposition to, the party with a preponderance of power. By all indications, the BJP retains that designation for now.

Another way of assessing the BJPs centrality is to look beyond the national stage and focus instead on the partys state-level performance. BJP chief ministers are currently in office in 13 states (occupying 43% of all chief ministerial positions). At the start of 2014, the BJP held only 17% of all chief ministerial positions. The current BJP share was last matched by the Congress in 2012.

The BJPs control of state governments has meant that its share of members of the legislative assemblies (MLAs) has exhibited a corresponding increase. In 1980, just 4 % of MLAs across India belonged to the BJP. Today, the BJPs share of MLAs stands at 38%, an all-time high.

While the BJP has significantly expanded its footprint at the state level, the party has not achieved state-level dominance by any stretch. In the 66 state assembly elections held since 2014, the BJP has formed the first post-election government in roughly half of all states. And in the 34 cases where it formed the government, it did so with a single-party majority in only half of all instances.

A final indicator of the BJPs systemic import comes from the Rajya Sabha, whose members are indirectly elected by the state assemblies. 41% of Rajya Sabha MPs belong to the BJP, a figure that has remained roughly constant since 2020. After Upper House elections in August 2024, the BJP boasts of 96 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, where the NDA now has a thin majority if nominated members and independents are counted in its favour.

Political centralisation

In 1952, 53 parties fielded candidates in the countrys inaugural general elections. That number surged to 113 in 1989, the year coalition politics came to New Delhi. Since then, the number of parties contesting Indian general elections has grown steadily; in 2024, 744 distinct parties entered candidates in the fray.

However, many of these parties had little chance of winning even a single seat. For this reason, political scientists prefer to calculate the effective number of parties (ENP), a measure that weighs parties by the number of votes (or seats) they actually earned.

Between 1962 and 1989, the ENP for votes remained under 5, ranging from 3.4 in 1977 to 4.7 in 1967 and 1989. During the coalition era, this number grew significantly, peaking at 7.6 in 2009. This period, in retrospect, reflected the high point for party fragmentation. Beginning in 2014, but more substantially five years later, the ENP for votes declined significantly  to 5.4 in 2019. In 2024, this metric hardly budged, exhibiting a value of 5.3.

On the metric of ENP for seats, however, there has been some sign of reversal. The ENP for seats grew to 4.2 in 2024, a level comparable to the year 1989. This is a sharp rise from the ENP value of 3.0 five years prior. The divergence between the ENP for votes and seats is likely an artefact of Indias first-past-the-post electoral system, in which a small shift in votes can result in a disproportionate change in seats.

Political competition

The third party system witnessed rising levels of political competition, a trend that firmly reversed post 2014. The 2024 results suggest a modest shift toward more competitive elections. The simplest way of measuring the degree of competition is to calculate the average margin of victory  or the difference in the vote share of the winner and the runner-up  across parliamentary constituencies.

The average margin of victory peaked at 26.1% in 1977, the year the Congress was defeated after the Emergency. After that, it exhibited a considerable decline, plummeting to 9.7% in 2009. With the BJPs rise to power in 2014, this trend sharply reversed, with the average margin touching 15.2%. By 2019, it had grown to 17.3%, signifying that elections had become appreciably less competitive in the fourth party system. 2024 marks another partial reversal as the average margin fell to 13.6% a 20% decline from 2019 levels.

Nationalisation of electoral politics

During the coalition era, national elections often resembled an aggregation of state-level verdicts. The 2014 elections were a watershed in this regard. A groundswell of support in favour of the Narendra Modi-led BJP was felt in diverse pockets. The 2019 elections operated with a similar template in that the BJP, especially in the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attacks, successfully whipped up a nationalist fervour in its favour.

The dynamics of the 2024 elections surprised many observers because they reverted to the kind of state-by-state contest India experienced before 2014. The BJPs inability to craft a defining election narrative, in conjunction with significant Opposition consolidation, helped create the conditions for a more federalised contest. Unlike the prior two elections, there was no discernible national wave in support of one party or leader.

Despite this clear reversion to the pre-2014 era, a few elements of the fourth party system remain unchanged. First, during the coalition era, national elections were predictably influenced by state-level political calendars. The received wisdom held that if a national election were held early on in a state governments tenure, the ruling party in that state would perform well in national elections. Conversely, if a national election were held late in a state governments term, that state ruling party would struggle in the national polls. These honeymoon and anti-incumbency effects have weakened post-2014.

Another aspect of the diminished federal character of elections is the changing balance of power between national and regional parties. Between 1996 and 2014, there was roughly an equal distribution of votes shared by national and regional parties. Barring minor fluctuations, the BJP and Congress collectively earned around 50% of the vote, meaning that one in two votes in a general election accrued to a regional party. In 2019, and again in 2024, that roughly equal distribution was disrupted when the BJP won markedly larger vote shares. In 2019, the BJP and Congress collectively won 56.8% of the vote, and this vote share divergence grew by an additional percentage point in 2024.

Voter mobilisation in national elections

In 2014, India saw record-breaking turnout in general elections, at 66.4%. This was a significant increase from the 2004 and 2009 elections, when turnout hovered around 58%. In 2019, turnout was even higher, clocking in at 67.7%. Much of the commentary during the 2024 elections featured a narrative of sagging voter turnout. While turnout did drop, the decline was modest: Overall turnout stood at 65.8%.

A second dynamic that came into view during the tail end of the third party system does not pertain to overall turnout levels but to the composition of who comes out to vote. In the first several decades after independence, female turnout consistently lagged male turnout by eight to 12 percentage points. In 2004, the male-female turnout gap stood at 8.4%. By 2014, that gap shrunk to 1.8%; by 2019, it virtually disappeared. In 2024, the gender gap in turnout stood at a miniscule 0.02%.

Caste and social composition

The fourth party system also coincided with a shift in the social composition of Indias elected representatives. In 1989, 47% of MPs from the Hindi belt belonged to the upper or intermediate castes, compared to 20% from the Other Backward Classes (OBC). By 1999, the former dipped to 42% in 1999 while the latter grew to 25%, making it the first year in which the combined share of OBC and Scheduled Caste (SC) legislators exceeded that of upper caste and intermediate castes. This gap widened further in 2004.

By 2014, the upper and intermediate castes regained the upper hand, once more approaching 50% of the total. These dominant communities maintained their representational advantage over lower castes through 2019, albeit with shrinking margins.

2024 witnessed an unprecedented surge in OBC representation, with nearly one in three Hindi belt MPs hailing from this group. In contrast, at 39%, the share of upper or intermediate caste MPs from this region was at its lowest level in history. Since 1989, the SC and Scheduled Tribe (ST) share of Hindi belt MPs has remained constant; OBCs, on the other hand, have gained considerable ground. In 2024, Muslim representation stood at 3%, half the share seen in 1989.

Conclusion

While coalition governance has returned to Delhi, the BJP retains a position of national strength. Looking ahead, the future trajectory of Indias party system will largely depend on answers to three questions.

First, to what extent has Narendra Modis popularity peaked? Modis standing is important because public opinion surveys have shown that the prime minister consistently outperforms his partys brand. According to Lokniti-CSDS, 41% of Indians polled in 2024 favoured Modi as prime minister, down from 47% in 2019.

Second, how sustainable is the INDIA bloc? The ability of the coalition to hang together will significantly impact both the format of political competition in key states and the BJPs ability to exploit a divided Opposition for electoral gain, something it skillfully accomplished in 2014 and 2019. The degree of Opposition unity was significantly higher in 2024 than in the prior two elections.

Finally, to what extent have the views of the median voter shifted in a more conservative direction that provides a sustained electoral advantage to the BJP? Put differently, what if Modi is a lagging, rather than leading, indicator of changing political and social attitudes? If this is correct, it means that the BJPs political dominance could have greater staying power, irrespective of Modis standing.

For now, in the immediate aftermath of the 2024 result, several aspects of the fourth party system have been called into question. But in large measure, its foundations remain intact.

Milan Vaishnav is senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. Caroline Mallory was a James C. Gaither Junior Fellow at Carnegie. The Carnegie-HT India Elects 2024 series analyses various dimensions of Indias election contest.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge felt dizzy while addressing a rally on Sunday in the Jasrota area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district but is now stable, party leaders said. Congress president Kharge feels dizzy at rally in Jammu and Kashmir.(Congress)

Kharge was paying tribute to a head constable killed in an anti-terror operation in Kathua, where two other police personnel were injured and a terrorist was killed.

"He felt uneasy and dizzy during the rally. His colleagues helped him to a chair," Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir told PTI, adding that Kharge is stable.

ALSO READ- Amit Shah to Rahul Gandhi: 'Why Pakistan Zindabad slogans at Congress events?'

'Not going to die so early,' Kharge says

Later, Kharge resumed his speech, reassuring the crowd that his health was fine. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early, he said.

The Congress chief also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he said I will stay alive till PM Modi is removed from power.

ALSO READ- Congress demands Nirmala Sitharaman's resignation over FIR in electoral bond case

Kharge had travelled to Jasrota to address a rally in support of Congress candidates for the upcoming assembly polls.

'Slightly low blood pressure': Son Priyank Kharge shares health update

His son, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge, shared health update in a social media post: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jasrota, Jammu & Kashmir. He has been checked upon by his medical team and apart from slightly low blood pressure, he is doing well.

"His resolve, along with peoples good wishes, keeps him going strong," the junior Kharge added.

ALSO READ- Just CMs son': BJP questions Udhayanidhi Stalin's merit after elevation as Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister

Congress chief Kharge is also set to address a public rally in Ramnagar, Udhampur district.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress vice president Ravindra Sharma said that after Kharge felt dizzy, he was taken to a room for a medical check-up. Doctors will decide if he can attend the second rally, Sharma added.
Kuki militants in Manipur have demanded the government free a man from their community held over secessionism charges, in exchange for two Meitei youngsters they currently hold hostage, officials in the security establishment and the state government said on Sunday in what threatens to escalate into a fresh crisis for a region besieged by ethnic strife. The two Meitei youths being held hostage by the Kuki militants (Screengrab from viral video)

A senior officer in the multi-agency security establishment deployed to the state told HT that the militants have made several demands, with two being crucial. The demands include the release of Mark T Haokip, currently in the custody of the NIA, and the shifting of 15 Kuki prisoners from Imphals Sajiwa jail to the Churachandpur jail, said the officer, who asked not to be named.

Chief minister Biren Singh held meetings with officials and political parties as pressure to resolve the hostage crisis grew. A video released on social media Sunday showed the two captive men urging the CM to accept the demands. The CMs office has not confirmed the nature of the specific demands.

According to the official cited above, negotiations between the Biren Singh administration and Kuki groups are being routed through central security forces  the Assam Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force  and Kuki civil society organizations, who are in contact with the militants.

Its unclear where the two Meitei men are being held. The CSOs deny knowledge of the location but say they can send human couriers to and from where the militants are placing their demands, the official said.

Lelena, a civil society group member in touch with security forces, disputed the characterisation of those holding the Meiteis as militants, calling them village volunteers instead. Were only communicating with the security forces so that the demands of our village defense volunteers are met and the two men are released. On Friday, when the incident happened, the volunteers released one Meitei man, but kept the others.

The abduction of the two men is the latest in a series of events threatening to push Manipur back into ethnic violence. The Kuki-Zo tribes dominating the hills and the Meiteis, who are a majority in the valley, have divided the state into two demographic zones, with village defense volunteers on both sides serving as the frontline, separated by a buffer zone.

Also Read: House of Kuki priest demolished in Imphal

The communities have mostly remained in their strongholds after engaging in deadly clashes for weeks following May 3, 2023, when ethnic tensions erupted. As on Friday, over 230 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced.

A video surfaced on social media late on Saturday featuring the two missing persons. They appealed, As Meiteis, if Pabung (addressing the chief minister as father in Manipuri) Biren considers us your sons, please save our lives and fulfil the demands of our brothers. We are pleading with you as true Meiteis.

CM Singh posted on X: We condemn such heinous acts, and our government is working to secure the safe release of the victims.

According to people familiar with the matter, the meeting called by Biren Singh discussed the demands made by Kuki militants, including the exchange of Haokip for the two captives.

Haokip was arrested by Manipur Police in New Delhi on May 22, 2022. He was booked under multiple sections of the IPC and the UAPA for conspiracy for secession from India and attempting to wage war against the central government through an outfit called the Government of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Kukiland.

A second officer, familiar with the matter, provided more details about the incident. Three Meitei youths from a remote village in Manipurs Thoubal district were traveling by motorcycle on Friday morning. One of them, Ningombam Johnson Singh, was due to take his SSC GD recruitment examination at the 9 Assam Rifles camp in New Keithelmanbi.

He asked his two friends, Oinam Thoithoi and Thokchom Thoithoiba, to accompany him, the officer said. They set off on a motorcycle but mistakenly set their destination as Keithelmanbi instead of New Keithelmanbi. Keithelmanbi is in Kangpokpi, a Kuki-dominated area. The three were unaware of this.

Surprisingly, they were not stopped when crossing Kanglatombi, a buffer zone in Kangpokpi district. About 2 kilometers past Kanglatombi, they were halted by Kuki civilians.

At entry points to hill districts like Kangpokpi and Churachandpur, civilians  predominantly women  stop all incoming vehicles to check peoples identities.

The three men should have been stopped and directed back to Meitei areas on Friday, but no one intervened, a third official said.

As of late Sunday night, security forces had yet to conduct any rescue operation for the two men. Senior CRPF and Assam Rifles officers are in communication with the CMs office.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 114th edition of Mann Ki Baat, highlighted the importance of protecting the heritage of India while encouraging development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated 10 years of Mann ki Baat by looking back at achievements during his tenure (ANI Photo) (ANI)

Looking back at the campaigns under his government, PM Modi stated that 'Mann Ki Baat' has proven that people like positive developments and inspiring stories about the country.

One of the key points in the prime minister's speech was Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi (progress and heritage), where he talked about the return of 300 ancient artefacts to India from the United States of America.

US President Joe Biden, very affectionately, showed me some of these artefacts in his private residence in Delaware. Returned artifacts are made of materials such as terracotta, stone, ivory, wood, copper and bronze. We are very proud of our heritage," said PM Modi.

He also outlined a programme to merge traditional languages and digital technology saying, There are some languages which are used by very few people. One such language is our 'Santhali' language. A campaign has been started to give a new identity to Santhali with the help of digital innovation.

Other major points from the 114th Mann Ki Baat are as follows:

In an emotional start to the programme, PM Modi discussed the ten years since Mann Ki Baat began. He also pointed out that it had been ten years since Make in India campaign was introduced and asserted that exports and Foreign Direct Investment had risen since then, allowing local manufacturers to grow.

Also Read: PM Modi launches 3 PARAM Rudra supercomputers developed indigenously
People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, cancelled her election campaign on Sunday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. In a post on X, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir stated, Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance. Dig deeper Tangmarg: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti addresses during an election rally ahead of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, at Lalpora village of Tangmarg in north Kashmir, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (PTI Photo)(PTI09_27_2024_000329A)(PTI)

The Shimla police on September 20 arrested a person named Shahi Mahatma (Shashi Negi), an apple trader, for running a sophisticated WhatsApp Chitta (heroin) cartel in the hills. The police said that that the delivery person and the final receiver never met each other throughout the trade. In fact, people involved in the network acted like totally unrelated individuals, and Negi ensured that the dots could not be connected to dodge the authorities. Dig deeper

India news

Case of extortion: Complainant attacks Nirmala Sitharaman over electoral bonds

Kolkata: 150-year-old tram service to be discontinued

Sweet shops, car showroom receive extortion calls; Delhi police launch probe

Delhi Police constable killed in road rage incident; accused absconding

Global matters

Israel's fresh strikes on Lebanon leave 33 dead and 195 injured

'10 killed in Russian strikes on hospital in Ukraine's Sumy': Volodymyr Zelensky

Trump rips Google for displaying only good stories about Harris, threatens to prosecute search engine giant

Business

Riskiest real estate bonds are beating Nvidias returns

Anil Ambani's Reliance Power to raise funds again from stake sale

Entertianment

Actor Arshad Warsi broke his silence a month after he faced backlash over his 'joker' remark on Prabhas. In August, Arshad had said that Prabhas, in the film Kalki 2898 AD, 'was like a joker'. Now, at the IIFA Awards 2024 green carpet on Saturday, Arshad talked to the media about the backlash following his comment and also called Prabhas a "brilliant actor." Dig deeper

Lifestyle

Isha Ambani was one of the celebrities who attended the BOF 500 gala in Paris. The entrepreneur wore a green Giambattista Valli maxi dress for the star-studded occasion. Read on as we decode Isha's demure look that transformed her into a modern-day princess. Dig deeper

It's trending

Pulkit Chitkara, a content creator from Delhi, often posts hilarious content that might make one chuckle. Recently, Chitkara decided to play a prank on Delhi residents by keeping a bottle of whisky in the middle of the road. The prank was done to see if someone would actually stop to pick the alcohol bottle or not. What happens later in the video might surprise you. Dig deeper

Thats all we have at this hour in our morning briefing. Catch you by afternoon.
The complainant in the land allotment case against Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday filed a complaint against a woman for falsely accusing him of assaulting her, which he said was an attempt to suppress him. File photo of social activist Snehamayi Krishna, the complainant in the case (Facebook)

Also Read | MUDA scam: Activist Snehamayi Krishna files complaint with ED against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Snehamayi Krishna, the activist who has accused Siddaramaiah and his family of irregularities in the land allotment under the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (Muda), said that he was being falsely implicated and possessed evidence to prove his innocence.

After I took up the MUDA site scam case, some people are trying to trouble me by filing false complaints, Krishna said.

Krishnas complaint follows a case registered against him at the Nanjanagudu police station by a 38-year-old woman on August 18, the day she was attacked.

In her complaint, the woman alleged, My husband passed away from a heart attack in 2020, and Im fighting a case regarding my inheritance and the money which I was supposed to receive as a beneficiary following his death. On August 18, I was attacked when I was returning home with my mother after attending the hearing. Snehamayi Krishna is harassing me on behalf of my in-laws...

Also Read | 'Won't quit, committed no wrong,' says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, facing probe in MUDA case

She accused the group of grabbing and dragging her, using offensive language, and threatening her and her mothers life.

A case under BNS sections pertaining to cruelty to a woman and use of force with intent to outrage a womans modesty was filed against Krishna, Nanjanagudu police inspector Sunil Kumar said. The incident allegedly took place on August 18, and the investigation is underway, he said.

Krishna, however, asserted that he has evidence proving his innocence.

I have call detail records and CCTV footage showing that I was in Mysuru when the crime occurred. This is clearly an attempt to implicate me with false charges, he said.

Also Read | 'CBI is biased': Karnataka government withdraws general consent amid MUDA row

Unable to accept my success in bringing a top state leader to justice, some influential people are behind these false allegations. Even if I go to jail, my fight against corruption will continue. After the high court dismissed Siddaramaiahs plea and allowed his prosecution, unknown individuals have been attempting to suppress me by making false accusations and using government officials to register FIRs with non-bailable sections to frame me, he alleged.

The Karnataka Lokayukta on Friday filed a first information report (FIR) against Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi and brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy in connection with the land allotment case, compounding the problems for the embattled Congress leader who swept to power last year on an anti-corruption campaign.
A 40-year-old employee of a leading IT company died of cardiac arrest in the washroom of the firm's office in Maharashtra's Nagpur. A 40-year-old employee of a leading IT company died of cardiac arrest in the washroom of the firm's office in Maharashtra's Nagpur. (Picture for representation)(HT_PRINT)

Police said the incident took place on Friday and the deceased has been identified as Nitin Edwin Michael, a senior analyst at HCL Technologies.

An official from Sonegaon police station said the man was found unresponsive around 7 pm on Friday after he entered the washroom at the companys office in the Mihan area.

His colleagues immediately took him to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Nagpur, where doctors declared him dead on arrival, according to the official.

The Sonegaon Police have sent the body for a postmortem and registered a case of accidental death. Initial autopsy findings indicated that the man died of cardiac arrest, said a police official.

The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Michael is survived by his wife and their six-year-old son, as reported by the police.

What HCL said?

This is an unfortunate incident and a tragic loss. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased employee and are providing all possible assistance to them. In this incident, the employee was provided emergency support at the campus healthcare clinic and rushed to the hospital. The wellbeing of our people is of utmost priority and HCLTech provides healthcare programs for its all employees and their families, including on-campus clinics and annual preventive health checks," an HCLTech spokesperson said.

Earlier on Tuesday, a woman employee of HDFC Bank in Lucknow allegedly died due to work pressure. The employee identified as Sadaf Fatima was posted as additional deputy vice-president at HDFC Banks Vibuti Khand branch in Gomti Nagar.

Fatima died in office after she fell off her chair inside bank premises, quoting unnamed colleagues. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead and her body was sent to undergo a postmortem.

Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav said the work pressure and stress has become the same everywhere from government to private jobs and people are working out of compulsion.

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.

With PTI inputs
Nine religious shrines, including mosques and dargahs, were razed on Saturday as part of a demolition drive to clear encroachments in the Veraval area of Gir-Somnath district in Gujarat. Excavators being used to demolish illegal settlements near Somnath Temple, in Gir-Somnath district of Gujarat on Saturday. (PTI)

The demolition drive, which began at 5.30am on Saturday in Veravals Prabhas Patan town near the Somnath temple, saw over 1,000 police officers help clear 102 acres of government land worth 32 crore from encroachments, said Gir-Somnath district collector DD Jadeja. At least 120 people were detained during the drive.

This is one of the largest anti-encroachment drives in the state in recent years where nine religious sites including mosques and dargahs were demolished as they were built illegally, said Jadeja. Also,one illegal lodge with 40 rooms was also demolished.

The district collector said that the administration had given a notice of more than 15 days to remove the encroachments but there was no response, which led to Saturdays demolition drive.

The law and order situation is under control in the area, and no untoward incidents have occurred, police said, adding that the administration was in the process of clearing the debris.

Following the incident, MCC-Gujarat wrote to Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel seeking justice for the Muslim community. The committee alleged that several ancient shrines in Prabhas Patan including Haji Mangrol Dargah, Shah Silar Dargah, Garib Shah Dargah and Jafar Muzaffar Dargah were subjected to demolition on Saturday.

The letter, written by MCC-Gujarat convener, claimed that the presence of Haji Mangrol Shah Dargah is recorded in Junagadh states revenue records dating back to February 18, 1924. Despite cases being pending in the high Court and Waqf Tribunal, the demolition was carried out, which is truly an unjust act, he said in the letter.

The letter also points out to a recent Supreme Court order against demolitions. The interim order, released on September 17, mandates that no demolition should occur without its permission till October 1.

A state government official, however, said that all due process was followed, and no laws were violated during the demolition. The official, requesting anonymity, said that the SCs order does not apply to public place encroachments, which was the case in Prabhas Patan.

Sufficient time was provided for the encroachers to remove their illegal structures, the official added.

Earlier this month, civic authorities in Surat launched an anti-encroachment drive in the Saiyedpura locality, demolishing shops and illegal structures with a bulldozer, hours after the area was shaken by communal clashes.

The unrest began on the evening of September 8 when some teenagers allegedly threw stones at a Ganesh idol in the Variyavi Bazar area, leading to violent retaliation, with a mob reportedly pelting stones and vandalizing cars near the local police station.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and enquired about his health, after the latter fell ill during a rally in Jammu and Kashmir.



Kharge became unwell while addressing a rally in Jasrota area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.



"He was addressing a public rally in Jasrota when he felt uneasy and dizzy. His colleagues helped him into a chair," Congress general secretary Gulam Ahmed Mir told PTI.



Assembly elections 2024 Full Coverage



After taking some rest, Kharge resumed his speech and hit out at the prime minister. We will fight to restore statehood. We are not going to leave it. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until PM Modi is removed from power. I will listen to you. I will fight for you, the Congress president said during the rally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge

"Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jasrota, Jammu & Kashmir. He has been checked by his medical team and, apart from slightly low blood pressure, he is doing well. His resolve and the goodwill of the people keep him strong," Kharge's son Priyank, a minister in the Karnataka government, posted on X.

Jammu and Kashmir elections

The campaigning for third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections ended on Sunday. Voting will take place on October 1.



The first phase took place on September 18, and the second phase was held on September 25 across six districts in the Ganderbal, Budgam, Srinagar, and Jammu regions: Rajouri, Reasi, and Poonch.

The third and final phase of polling is scheduled for October 1, with vote counting set for October 8.



The voter turnout was robust in the earlier phases, with 61.38 per cent participation recorded in the first phase on September 18 and 57.31 per cent in the second phase on September 25.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked how a party that cannot ensure unity among its cadre will bring stability in a state, as he launched an attack on the Congress party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the gathering during a public meeting for the Haryana Assembly elections, in Hisar on Saturday. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is also present. (ANI Photo)

Addressing a rally in Hisar, the PM also hit out at the royal family of Congress  a reference to the Gandhi family  accusing the party of being anti-Dalit.

Everyone in the Congress is jostling to become the chief minister, Modi said. Bapu (Bhupinder Hooda) is also a contender and Beta (Deepender) is also a contender. And together both are engaged in (niptane mein lage hai) settling the others. And seeing all this, aware voters of Haryana are settling (niptane mein lage hai) the Congress, he said.

The party which cannot bring unity among its leaders, how will they bring stability in a state, he asked at the rally in the presence of chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union minister ML Khattar, Kiran Choudhry, Kuldeep Bishnoi and other BJP leaders.

Amid all the infighting in the Congress, the PM said, the doors for Dalits and backwards are closed. Congress knows that Dalits dont give them votes, therefore they hate the entire Dalit community, he alleged.

Modi said during the previous Hooda regime, atrocities on Dalits took place in Gohana, Mirchpur incident took place, there were atrocities and injustice with Dalit daughters, but Congress remained silent. The atrocities which Congress has committed on Dalits, the community can never forget that, he said. Wherever I went in Haryana, I saw no one allows Congress to enter.

He also alleged that during the previous Congress government, jobs were given on the basis of money and recommendations.

Referring to Congress MP Rahul Gandhis remarks on reservation, Modi said Congress royal family is saying they will end reservation of Dalits and backwards while the BJP ensured the participation of all sections of society. Our Chief Minister Saini is moving forward taking everyone along, he said.

Further attacking the Congress, he said the party does not see anything beyond votes and always considered farmers as votebank. Congress always made farmers crave for water whereas BJP is resolving their problems, he said.

Calling the people of Haryana the fiercest patriots, Modi said, you will have to remember the real face of the Congress. Todays Congress is in the clutches of urban naxals. Congress leaders go abroad and meet those people who speak the language of Indias enemies. His comment was a reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhis recent visit to the US, where his speeches drew the Bharatiya Janata Partys ire.

Congress partys international partners are those who are hell bent on defaming India. Congress leaders abroad speak that language which the countrys ill-wishers like, he said. You also wonder why Pakistan supports Congress? Pakistan likes policies of the Congress.

He asked the people of Haryana to be wary of Congress promises and intentions.

Accusing the Congress of backing out poll promises made to people of Himachal Pradesh, the PM said, The people are asking Congress Kya hua tera wada (what happened to our promises?) and Congress responds Tum Kaun? (Who are you?). You cannot imagine how much they lied to people of your neighbourhood Himachal Pradesh.

I am fortunate that Haryana has given me a lot, taught me a lot. Haryanas mothers and sisters have given a slogan Mahra Haryana-Non-stop Haryana and Haryanas development should continue non-stop and thats why people have made up their mind to give chance for third time to BJP, Modi said.

From everywhere, one voice is heard  Bharosa dil se, BJP phir se, he said.

Haryana goes to polls on October 5. Results for the elections will be announced on October 8.
A 28-year-old Master of Surgery student of government-run Moti Nehru Medical College in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj committed suicide on Saturday by allegedly injecting himself with a poisonous substance, news agency PTI reported. He was found dead inside his car in the parking area on Saturday night.

The victim, identified as Dr Kartikeya Srivastava (28), is a resident of Kotdwar in Uttarakhand. Doctors of the SRN hospital informed police that Srivastava, who was working at the same hospital, had committed suicide. He was found dead inside his car in the parking area on Saturday night.

Also read | Mystery over Delhi familys deaths deepens as new CCTV video emerges

"Dr Kartikeya Srivastava took the extreme step by allegedly injecting himself with a poisonous substance," ACP Kotwali Manoj Kumar Singh said. Initial investigations have revealed that the medic was under depression for the past few days.

A field unit, dog squad and a surveillance team have reached the spot, and the police are gathering evidence. Two vials and syringe used to inject anaesthesia was found inside his car. Police suspect this indicates the possibility of suicide.

NMC's recommendations

In Feb 2024, the National Medical Commission (NMC) constituted a national task force to analyse factors contributing to address concerns related to depression and suicide among medical students.

Through an online survey, the committee found high prevalence of mental health issues among medical professionals. Among UG students, 27.8% said they have been diagnosed with some mental condition and 16.2% had suicidal ideation. Among PG students, 31.23% reported having suicidal thoughts in their life.

The task force recommended AIIMS-Delhi like pay structure across medical colleges in India and a maximum of 74 hours work per week among several measures to improve mental well-being of medical professionals.

Other suggestions include providing 247 support through the governments counselling helpline tele-MANAS, better amenities in medical colleges and hospitals and involving family members in induction programmes to help them understand mental pressure faced by medical students.

Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers given here
Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud on Saturday underscored the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach towards the protection and well-being of children with disabilities. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud addresses the 9th National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on Protecting the Rights of Children Living with Disabilities and Intersectionality of Disabilities, in New Delhi on Saturday. (PTI)

In the keynote address at the National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on Child Protection, the CJI said that this years theme of the consultation  focussed on the vulnerabilities of children with disabilities  holds profound significance, not only for legal frameworks but for the broader societal responsibility.

Addressing the gathering, which included justice BV Nagarathna who is the chairman of the Juvenile Justice Committee in the top court, UNICEF representatives and government officials, CJI Chandrachud acknowledged the unique challenges faced by disabled children.

The State must ensure that children with disabilities are provided additional safeguards, recognizing that they face heightened risks and unique challenges. We must ensure that our legal, social, and institutional systems are designed not just to accommodate, but to actively protect and empower these children, said the CJI.

In his address, the judge mentioned his personal connection to the cause. As someone who fosters two wonderful young daughters, I am reminded daily of the joy, purpose, and love they bring into my life. They have transformed not only how I see the world but also how I engage with it  strengthening my commitment to creating a more inclusive society where every child, regardless of their abilities, is cherished and protected.

Reflecting on the realities of caregiving, he noted: Traditionally, caregiving has been an often-overlooked and thankless task, shaped by patriarchal norms that have historically placed the burden of care squarely on families. The judge emphasised that the needs of persons with disabilities, especially children, are not simply private concerns but should be recognized as a collective, social responsibility.

While we may advocate for these needs to be met by our social institutions, those institutions often fall short of providing the support that is truly needed, the CJI pointed out.

Further, justice Chandrachud lamented the deep-rooted societal biases, stereotypes and misconceptions that compound the difficulties faced by children with disabilities, particularly those caught in the justice system. He expressed concern over the lack of procedural accommodations that could make the legal process more accessible for children with disabilities. Drawing from international examples, he mentioned that some countries, like New Zealand, have implemented specialised legal advocates and customized courtroom settings to address such challenges.

The CJI also discussed the need for a robust legal framework, pointing out that The establishment of a distinct juvenile justice system is a key obligation under the principle of parens patriae, which assigns the State a three-fold duty in the care of juveniles. These responsibilities, he noted, involve informal, flexible handling of cases, prioritizing rehabilitation over punitive measures, and proactive interventions that address the complex needs of juveniles, including those with disabilities.

Highlighting the importance of guaranteeing that legal systems are equipped to deal with the specific needs of disabled children, he said: We must ensure that our legal, social, and institutional systems are designed not just to accommodate, but to actively protect and empower these children.

Reflecting on the legal framework, the CJI highlighted several key international instruments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which obligate states to ensure that children with disabilities fully enjoy all human rights and have access to justice. These instruments, he emphasised, the need for procedural accommodations, such as intermediaries and adapted questioning methods, to ensure effective participation by children with disabilities in legal proceedings.

CJI Chandrachud also raised concerns about data collection, revealing that the lack of reliable data on children with disabilities, particularly those in conflict with the law, remains a significant barrier to designing effective policies and interventions. He stressed the need for improving data collection systems within the Juvenile Justice framework to ensure that these children are not left behind.

Touching upon the intersectionality of disabilities with other marginalised identities such as gender, caste and socio-economic status, which exacerbate the discrimination and vulnerabilities these children face, the judge cited a Supreme Court case, Patan Jamal Vali Vs State of Andhra Pradesh (2021), to illustrate how compounded vulnerabilitiessuch as those of disabled girls from Scheduled Castescan lead to double marginalization and greater risks of abuse.

To address these issues, CJI Chandrachud called for greater capacity building among professionals in the justice system. He pointed out that judges, police officers and lawyers often lack the necessary training and sensitivity to handle cases involving children with disabilities. He advocated for ongoing sensitisation programmes and cross-border sharing of best practices to enhance the effectiveness of justice for these children.

Justice Chandrachuds address also highlighted the importance of a two-day consultation structured into four key sessions, focusing on global and national legal frameworks, family-based alternative care services, mental and physical health, and legislative convergence. Each of these sessions, he noted, would provide actionable strategies to tackle the challenges faced by disabled children in the justice system.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that India would have given a larger bailout package to Pakistan than the one sought by the neighbour from International Monetary Fund (IMF), had Islamabad maintained friendly relations with New Delhi.



"Modi ji in 2014-15 announced a special package for development of Jammu and Kashmir which has now reached 90,000 crore. The amount is much bigger than what Pakistan was seeking from the IMF (as bailout package)," PTI quoted Rajnath as saying at an election rally in Gurez assembly segment under Bandipora district.



ALSO READ: S Jaishankars UNGA speech hits Pakistan's double-game against India



Singh referred to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who said,We can change friends but we cannot change the neighbours."



The minister said,"I said, my Pakistani friends, why have strained relations, we are neighbours. If we had good relations, we would have given more money than the IMF."



ALSO READ: IMF approves $7 billion loan as Pakistan faces economic losses Defence minister Rajnath Singh.(PTI)

Singh said the Centre gives money to Jammu and Kashmir for development while Pakistan has been misusing financial aid for a long time.

Pak seeks money from other countries to run terror factory: Rajnath

The minister said Pakistan seeks money from other countries to run a terror factory on its soil.



Rajnath Singh further added,"Kashmir will again become a paradise on earth when Vajpayee's dream of restoring "Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat and Kashmiriyat" in the valley is achieved."

Whenever we have investigated terrorism, we have found Pakistani involvement. Our successive governments have tried to make Pakistan understand that they should stop terror camps but to no avail. Pakistan is frustrated after revocation of Article 370 and is making attempts to revive terror, he said.



"They do not want democracy to take roots here. (But) India is strong enough that it can take on Pakistan on its soil. If anyone in Pakistan carries out an attack on India, we can crossover and respond," Singh added.



(With PTI inputs)
China willing to enhance cooperation with UN in promoting world peace, development: Chinese FM

Xinhua) 10:00, September 29, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th UN General Assembly in New York, Sept. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to enhance cooperation with the United Nations in promoting world peace and development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday at a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Meeting Guterres at the UN headquarters on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th UN General Assembly, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, congratulated the UN on its success in convening the Summit of the Future. The adoption of the Pact for the Future reflects the common aspirations of most countries and is a document that embodies the principles of multilateralism.

China stands ready to enhance cooperation with the UN, so as to promote world peace and development, translate the vision of the Pact for the Future into reality, and chart a better future for humankind, Wang said.

Upholding the authority of the UN and letting the UN play the core role in international affairs is more important than ever, now that the international landscape becomes increasingly complicated and global challenges and risks are highlighted, Wang said.

China fully supports the work of the UN, including the reform of the current framework governing international finance, as well as the UN's role as the main channel coordinating the application of artificial intelligence in global governance, Wang said.

China's support for the UN also involves facilitating the organization's active pursuit for the resolution of the Ukraine crisis and the conflict in Gaza, so that the UN is capable of better maintaining world peace and security, he said.

Appreciating China's long-term support for the UN and the country's active contribution to the Summit of the Future, Guterres expressed the hope that all parties will put their commitment into action, jointly implementing the hard-won Pact for the Future.

In today's world where the risk of fragmentation is setting back the process of globalization, Guterres called on all members of the international community to join hands in opposing protectionism, saying that the UN, while expecting and believing that China will continue to play an important role in international affairs, will spare no effort for peace and fulfill its responsibility for development.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
By SA Commercial Prop News - AFP

Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a signing ceremony in Beijing on October 24, 2014. By Takaki Yajima (Pool/AFP/File)



Tanzania will launch construction of a major Chinese-funded sea port in 2015 to boost the trading capacity of the east African nation, a presidential statement read.

The planned Indian Ocean port at the small town of Bagamoyo is some 75 kilometres (45 miles) north of Tanzania's economic capital and main port Dar es Salaam.



The announcement late Monday followed the signing of deals in China, where President Jakaya Kikwete visited Sunday.



"We will do whatever is possible to ensure the project is carried out and completed, because of its great economic benefits for the entire country," Kikwete said in a statement, adding that construction would start in July.



Dar es Salaam currently handles over 90 percent of Tanzania's imports and exports totalling more than 10 million tonnes of cargo a year, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB).



But with container traffic expected to grow at more than 10 percent a year and the port already outdated and overstretched according to the AfDB, the new site at Bagamayo is key for expansion and keeping transport costs down.



Tanzania has signed deals for the port with China Merchant Holding International and Oman's State General Reserve Fund.



As well as domestic use, Bagamoyo is expected to serve landlocked regional nations including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Malawi, Uganda and Zambia.



The project is also expected to involve a special economic zone as well as connections to Tanzania's railway network.



The port would rival Mombasa in neighbouring Kenya, currently east Africa's main marine hub, as well as a planned new port at Lamu, in the northeast.



The $24 billion (18 billion euro) Lamu port project, due to be finished by 2030, includes oil pipelines to South Sudan and railways to Ethiopia and Uganda.



Tanzania's economy, which largely depends on agriculture, saw seven percent growth in gross domestic product last year, boosted by gold exports and tourism.



The government hopes large gas and coal finds will help grow the economy. But the government is dogged by allegations of corruption, almost a third of the country lives below the poverty line and foreign aid remains vital.
New Delhi: On the eve of the Indian Armys 2016 surgical strikes in occupied Kashmir, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in his UNGA speech made it amply clear that each action of Pakistan will have a response from India which is not limited to a military option. EAM S Jaishankar at UNGA on Saturday.

Minister Jaishankar's response comes after India asked for modification of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which has been impacted by persistent cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and undermined full utilization of Indias water rights. Pakistan is yet to reply to the Indian notice served on August 30,2024.

The real reason why Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif got hit by a double whammy from a junior to top Indian diplomat was because Islamabad was using multi-lateral platforms to sharply put its position across in an escalatory mode while India was being constrained in its response. Pakistans UN envoy Munir Akram is a known Islamist and India baiter.

While Shehbaz Sharif hit out at India by trying to link Gaza with Kashmir, Jaishankar cut down the untenable Pak narrative by first asking a first secretary to tear down the Gaza-Kashmir construct and then he delivered the blunt message to the Islamic radicalized state. By saying that Pakistans GDP was now measured in extent of religious radicalization and that the Indian agenda was reclaiming occupied Kashmir and emasculating the Pak terror machine, Jaishankar defined the bottom line before his expected visit to Pakistan next month for the SCO summit. The SCO Heads of Government summit takes place in Islamabad on October 15-16.

Jaishankars speech was also designed to convey to Pakistan and their supporters in India that the Modi government understands Islamabads double game clearly and nothing will go unpunished. Over the past decades, Islamabad has been trying to convey that even though its hands are tied on Kashmir, they want a dialogue with India. Using this as a ruse, the Pakistani leaders have been hitting at India sharply without yielding a centimeter on their stated political positions against India notwithstanding whichever party was in power. So from hereon, the Indian response will be sharp and biting and not confined to a junior diplomat response at any multilateral fora.

While Pakistans hand in protests over killing of Hezbollah terrorist Hassan Nasrallah by Israel in the Valley are evident, Jaishankar has yet again defined end of cross border terrorism by Pakistan in UT as a pre-condition to any bilateral dialogue. He hooked Pakistan for a six when he said that it was Karma that had reduced Pakistan to a pauper state.

Jaishankars UNGA address after Indian diplomats trashing of Sharif speech shows that the Modi government has no illusions about Pakistan, whose existence is defined by hating India and its people.
Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, a religious and cultural organisation, held protests across Himachal Pradesh districts over the dispute surrounding the alleged illegal construction of a portion of a mosque in Shimla. The protest was held against illegal mosques and migrants in Himachal Pradesh. Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti members protest in Shimla on Saturday. (ANI)

The protesters submitted a memorandum to the local administration, demanding that the Waqf Board be abolished and documents bearing the credentials of migrants be verified.

Later in the day, another protest was staged at Chaura maidan in Shimla, in the vicinity of the Vidhan Sabha, demanding demolition of the illegal portion of the mosque in Sanjauli.

Also Read: AIMIM leaders remarks on Sanjauli mosque triggers row

Weighing in on the communal tensions that rocked the city over the last one month, professor Harish Kumar Thakur of the Himachal Pradesh Universitys political science department said, Since religious issues are quite sensitive, the government and the administration have to act wisely to maintain peace and harmony.

The protest comes a day after a peace march was taken out from CTO Chowk to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the Ridge via Lower Bazaar. It saw the participation of people from different faiths and communities, with the goal of delivering a strong message of peace and unity, amid a series of protests and communal tension in the city.

Taking part in the march, Sanjay Chauhan, CPI(M) leader and former Shimla mayor, voiced his concerns about the current situation as he highlighted the need for peaceful coexistence of different communities in the city.

People of all religions have been living together in Shimla for a long time, but now efforts are being made to cause disharmony, Chauhan had said.

Today, a goodwill march is being taken out by various organisations in Shimla in which people from all communities were seen to participate. People taking part in the protest appealed for peace, he added.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of trying to "break" him during his time in jail, as he addressed a public gathering ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal speaks during a public meeting for Haryana Assembly elections.(PTI)

"They tried to torture me mentally and physically when I was in jail," Kejriwal told a crowd in Rewari.

"I am a diabetic patient, and I need four insulin injections every day, but they stopped my medicines. They wanted to break me, but they don't know that I am from Haryana, and you can't break a person from Haryana."

Also Read | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal gets insulin shot after nod from AIIMS

Kejriwal was released from Delhis Tihar Jail on September 13 after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in connection with a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case related to the alleged excise policy scam. He had spent five months in jail.

Speaking at a rally in Badshahpur, Kejriwal took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the BJP targeted him because of his political success in Delhi and Punjab.

"PM Modi thought Kejriwal formed a government in Delhi and Punjab. Now, he feared that I would form a government in Haryana," Kejriwal said.

Also Read | Kejriwal accuses Tihar of issuing false report on insulin need, court orders AIIMS to examine him

The former Delhi chief minister claimed the central government was trying to stifle his welfare schemes. I built 500 mohalla clinics in Delhi. PM Modi, you should make 5,000 clinics instead of trying to shut down mine, he said. You want to jail Kejriwal and close 700 schools. This does not suit the prime minister of our country.

Arvind Kejriwal claims AAP to emerge as kingmaker

The AAP is contesting the Haryana polls alone and Kejriwal exuded confidence about the partys chances. "We are getting so many seats that no government can be formed in Haryana without us," he said, adding that he would ensure AAPs campaign promises are fulfilled.

Kejriwal also referred to his roots in Haryana, reminding the crowd that he was born in Siwani village of Bhiwani district and completed his education in Hisar. "After leaving Haryana, your son made the name of Haryana famous in the whole world. The people of Haryana should give their son a chance to serve," he said.

Haryana will head to the polls on October 5, with results set to be announced on October 8.
The Telangana governments decision to demolish 10,000-odd dwellings along the Musi river in Hyderabad and adjoining districts has triggered massive protests from the residents, even as the authorities on Saturday assured that all steps would be taken to rehabilitate the displaced families. In total, 2,116 houses were found to have been constructed on the river bed of Musi and another 7,850 in its buffer zone, according to an official. (REUTERS)

Principal secretary of municipal administration and urban development Dana Kishore, who is also the managing director of MRDC, told reporters on Saturday that the entire Musi river stretch has turned into a slum with storm water being let out into the river.

If there are floods to Musi river, it is the illegal occupants of the river bed who will suffer. The objective of Musi riverfront project was to expand the width of the river which has become congested due to encroachments, so that Hyderabad will be safe even when there are heavy floods, he said.

Since Thursday, the officials of the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation (MRDC) and revenue officials of Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts faced stiff resistance from the residents whose houses were marked for demolition in the next few days.

In all, 2,116 houses were found to have been built on the river bed of Musi and another 7,850 in its buffer zone, according to an official. In the first phase, the authorities served notices for demolition of 1,600 occupied houses in the Musi riverbed.

Kishore said that the project was taken up not only to beautify the riverfront, but also to prevent floods to the Musi river.

In the past, too, there were massive floods to Musi river and due to massive encroachments on riverbed, the floods would submerge several colonies. There were several occasions when people were evacuated to safer places. We have seen how Hyderabad is being flooded even with a rainfall of a few cm, Kishore said.

Kishore said as part of the project, the government was planning to create east and west corridors along the 50-km long stretch of the river and see that fresh water will flow in the Musi river by June 2026. The effluents entering the river would be treated in sewage treatment plants being built at 3,800 crore, he said.

If not now, the occupants of the Musi river bed will have to be evacuated one day or the other. We shall provide double bedroom houses to all the evacuees and see that they would be provided with employment opportunities. We are not forcibly shifting any resident and we are offering them an amicable settlement, the MRDC managing director said.

However, the authorities who have been visiting colonies along the Musi river course at Langar House, Asad Baba Nagar, Chaderghat, Amberpet and Moosaram Bagh faced strong protests from the locals. At Amberpet, hundreds of protests staged a dharna demanding the governments decision to evacuate the people.

How can we vacate the houses, where we have been living for decades? What will happen to the education of our children studying in nearby schools? We shall lose our livelihood if we are moved elsewhere, a woman resident said at Attapur.

Another resident told reporters that they will not move to the double-bedroom houses located on the outskirts of the city like Kollur or Uppal. We have been paying taxes and electricity bills here. We dont want to move to far off places, where we cant find any livelihood, he said.

Meanwhile, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Saturday declared that it would wage an all out war against demolitions in the name of Musi riverfront project.

Senior BRS leader and former minister T Harish Rao held a meeting at Telangana Bhavan with the residents of various colonies along the Musi river, who are facing displacement. He pledged solidarity with them and assured that the BRS would extend free legal aid to all such families and challenge their displacement in the court of law.

Musi riverfront project, we thought, is meant for cleaning up of Musi river water and making it potable. But the government is trying to displace thousands of families, who have been staying there in pucca houses for several decades. They will be losing their lifetime earnings and fortunes, Rao said.

He urged the government to reconsider its approach and prioritize the welfare of its citizens.

A delegation of BRS MLAs is planning to visit the affected areas on Sunday to extend moral support to them and prevent any kind of forcible eviction of people from their houses, the BRS leader added.
The Shimla police on September 20 arrested a person named Shahi Mahatma (Shashi Negi), an apple trader, for running a sophisticated WhatsApp Chitta (heroin) cartel in the hills. Shimla, Sept 26 (ANI): Vendors show their identity card as State Government issues a directive making it mandatory for shop owners and street vendors to display their identification details, in Shimla on Thursday. (ANI Photo) (Representative image)(ANI Pic Service)

The police said that that the delivery person and the final receiver never met each other throughout the trade. In fact, people involved in the network acted like totally unrelated individuals, and Negi ensured that the dots could not be connected to dodge the authorities, reported PTI.

Also read | Drug trafficking syndicate busted, mastermind among 10 arrested by ANTF

The apple trader was the only common link between the demand and supply chain of 'chitta'. He, along with 40 of his associated, allegedly supplied drugs in Rohru, Jubbal-Kotkhai and Theog areas of Upper Shimla under the garb of apple business. The gang also had drug dealings with gangs from New Delhi, Haryana and Nigeria in Africa. He was also allegedly connected with key drug suppliers from Kashmir, the police said.

Negi continued to run the cartel for five to six years in Shimla but ran out of luck on September 20 after police seized 465 grams of 'Chitta' from Kharapathar, their biggest seizure in the hills so far in 2024. The police have also arrested 25 associates of this gang.

Also read | Ludhiana: Four held for drug peddling

SP Shimla Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi: "Links of the accused Mudasir Ahmed Mochi, a resident of Bhatpura village in Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir (who was arrested on September 19) were established with Shahi Mahatma alias Shashi Negi and the kingpin was arrested".

Explaining the gang's modus operandi, the official said Negi made sure that the drug changed at least four hands before the final delivery to the customer. He had hired different sets of unrelated people for bringing demand, supplying drugs and receiving payments. He himself never used to come in direct contact with any of the partners, the SP added.

The demand for drugs was made through WhatsApp and Negi hired totally unrelated gang of individuals to ensure final delivery to his customer. Once the demand is made, Negi would verify the identity of the drug user and use another team to supply the drugs.

To ensure contactless delivery and ensure anonymity, the delivery person would keep the drug at an isolated place and a share a video to the buyer who would pick it up from there, the police explained.

The money for the purchase would reach Dhan Laxmi accounts in Solan after travelling through various bank accounts. The police have unearthed fund flow of 2.5-3 crores in these bank accounts.

To bust the network, the police used a socially integrated intelligence network system, which involved local residents as informers.

Before the arrest of Negi, the police had registered five FIRs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against nine persons who were part of the drug racket.

(With inputs from PTI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Sunday accused People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti of resorting to a political stunt after she cancelled her election campaign in solidarity with the people of Lebanon. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti suspended poll campaign to show solidarity with Hezbollah leader.

Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance, Mufti wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Reacting to Mehbooba's decision, Kavinder Gupta, her former deputy during the PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, said that the former chief minister remained silent while Hindus were being targeted.

Mehbooba Mufti is pained by the death of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, but when Hindus were being killed in Bangladesh, she remained silent. These are crocodile tears, nothing but fake sympathy. People understand everything, Kavinder Gupta told ANI.

Another BJP leader from the Kashmir Valley, Altaf Thakur, said that there should be no war anywhere in the world, as people deserve peace in their lives.

He added that after major conflicts, countries have often united to resolve issues through dialogue. However, he remarked that Mehbooba Mufti is playing a religious card, saying, this is her election stunt. We also condemn the killings in war, but Mehbooba Mufti has taken this step to gain support from the Muslim community.

Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of the Hezbollah, was killed along with his daughter Zainab on Friday after Israeli forces launched a series of strikes in the densely populated Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut.

The attack, which was meant to target Nasrallah, also led to six more deaths. Other Hezbollah operatives such as Ali Karaki, Muhammad Ali Ismail, and Hossein Ahmed Ismail were also killed in the attacks, which continued till late on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a protest march was held in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam and Srinagar on Saturday against the killing of Hassan Nasrallah by the Israel Defence Force (IDF). People were seen out on the streets in large numbers, carrying pictures of Hassan Nasrallah.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hit out at People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti for expressing solidarity with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.



"Right now, there is a war going on between Israel and Palestine. The Israeli army killed Hezbollah commander Hassan Nasrullah. That is their country's business. But today, in Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti says she will not campaign because she is sad that Hasan Nasrullah has been killed. I want to ask Mehbooba, Farooq Abdullah, and Rahul Gandhi: When terrorists kill Hindu soldiers, do you feel sad or not?" ANI quoted Sarma as saying at an election rally in poll-bound Haryana's Sonipat.



ALSO READ: When Hindus were being killed: BJP slams Mehbooba Mufti over Hassan Nasarullah move



Sarma's attack comes a day after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti cancelled her poll campaign on Sunday in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza, especially Hassan Nasrallah.



Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance, Mufti had posted on X.



ALSO READ: How Israel wiped out Hezbollah chiefs one-by-one to create leadership vacuum



The BJP has slammed Mufti over her gesture towards the slain Hezbollah leader.



Why does Hassan Nasarullah's death pain Mehbooba Mufti? When Hindus in Bangladesh are attacked and killed, they are tight-lipped. Today, when the commander of Hezbollah gets killed, they cancel the campaigning for one day. These are crocodile tears and people understand the intent behind this. This kind of conspiracy will lead to nothing; we should speak on the lines of humanity, former J&K deputy CM Kavinder Gupta was quoted by ANI as saying.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
For her spring-summer runway show, Hermes designer Nadege Vanhee sent out a parade of mesh crop tops and calfskin coats in tan hues on Saturday, a lineup that was briefly interrupted by three animal rights activists. A protester holds a placard reading "Hermes stop exotic skin" as a model presents a creation by designer Nadege Vanhee-Cybulski. (REUTERS)

Protestor interrupts the Hermes show

The show was kicking off with a series of light, beige looks -- loose trousers, sheer tops and a suede coat cinched in the back -- when the first protestor from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) group burst on to the catwalk, wielding a sign calling for the label to stop using exotic skins.

She was wrestled out of a side door by security guards just before the next model arrived, dressed in a buttery leather bomber jacket paired with a high waisted culotte.

Security guards nabbed another protestor who jumped on the catwalk shortly after, rushing her out the same side door in time for the next look -- a sheer top in ivory that matched the model's trousers and handbag.

The parade continued, featuring long sheer skirts unzipped to the thighs, bright pink dresses and belted outerwear.

When a third protestor suddenly appeared, the audience gasped. Her appearance was also brief, and the show continued.

It is not the first time PETA protestors have targeted the French label, known for its highly-coveted Birkin bags, with versions in exotic skins famous for fetching prices reaching as much as several hundred thousand dollars in auctions.

Paris Fashion Week, which started on September 23, features dozens of brands, including Dior, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Chanel and Victoria Beckham, and wraps up on October 1.

PETA also targeted the Dior show earlier this week for the brand's use of feathers, with just one protestor very briefly entering the catwalk.
A study published in Sex Roles uncovered shocking revelations about a much-overlooked and lesser-known form of workplace sexism. Women who speak out about discriminatory and prejudiced attitudes from a female supervisor in the workplace are often dismissed. Instead, they are met with scepticism, disbelief, and scornful judgments. Women who report another female employees sexist behaviour are taken less seriously than when they accuse men. Sexism of any kind is harmful, particularly to women, because their experiences are often downplayed and belittled. It is emotionally distressing when women's claims of sexism against female perpetrators are not taken seriously.(Pexels)

ALSO READ: Chinese woman gains 20 kgs in one year because of work stress: Know more about overwork obesity

Sexism faced by women employees from female supervisors is dismissed

The researchers conducted three experiments to understand how the study's participants perceived claims of sexism, depending on whether the supervisor accused was male or female. They were given a scenario, involving a woman named Chelsea, who claimed she was denied a promotion due to sexism. The main difference in each experiment was the gender of the supervisor, either a man or a woman. Throughout the experiments, the results consistently showed that participants dismissed Chelsea's claims when the perpetrator was a woman and viewed it as less legitimate. Furthermore, they were more likely to perceive Chelsea as a complainer when the discrimination came from another woman.

It indicates a common assumption in workplaces, that women support and have each other's backs. However, this is not universally true, as women in leadership roles often display sexist behaviour toward their female subordinates and discriminate against them. Some prominent discriminatory behaviours include failing to support equal pay or adequate promotions. Sexism directed at women by other women is not acknowledged as legitimate and is not taken as seriously.

ALSO READ: Guilty of yapping away with work bestie and not getting any work done? How to set boundaries with your colleagues

Why women-directed sexism is overlooked

Sexism from women are not acknowledged in workplace.(Pexels)

The research elaborated on the potential reason for this form of discrimination, which feels shocking. Typically, discrimination occurs between a dominant group with privileges and a less privileged group. But here, everyone expects women to understand each others problems and woes. A woman discriminating against another doesnt fit the typical picture of discrimination and sexism in popular beliefs.

In some way, every woman, especially in the workplace, is expected to go through similar situations, making it easier to empathize with one another. As a result, when a woman speaks out against a female perpetrator of sexism, she is often deemed to be complaining too much.

Largely, sexism is envisioned as male-oriented. So, women-directed sexism is often shrugged off. This has negative consequences for the workplace because if a woman reports female-directed sexism and is silenced by being considered overly sensitive, others may feel discouraged and hesitate to speak out against sexist behaviour, especially from a woman, allowing it to persist.

The researchers highlight the importance of accepting all kinds of sexism without prejudice or judgment, which would help create a more inclusive and healthy workplace. Discrimination from women should be given due importance as much as sexist claims against a man.

ALSO READ: Send this to your boss: Rude managers actually hamper team productivity, new study reveals
Online dating has become ubiquitous in todays digital age, serving as a common way to connect with people. The experience varies from person to person, with some swearing off online dating entirely while others finding meaningful connections. A study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking revealed how the relationship dynamics of couples who met through online platforms differ from those who met offline. The findings elaborated on the influence of social media in determining the success of the relationship. Social media plays a big role in the success of relationships that begin on online platforms(Pexels)

ALSO READ: Couples across the internet claim that the 2/2/2 rule saved their relationship, here's what the experts say

The connection between social media and online dating

The researchers found that for married couples, meeting online was linked to lower relationship success, but only if the couple did not share or discuss their relationship on social media. In contrast, for those who did share their relationship experiences online, there was no major difference in success between online and offline couples.

This indicates that social media can play an essential role in bridging the gap between online and offline relationships, providing a platform for couples to connect with their social networks. A relationship that started from online dating is more successful when shared on social media. By posting about their relationship on social media, couples can experience a sense of social support that further strengthens their bond. They do not feel disconnected, as social media brings support from friends, which is traditionally available in offline relationships. This social support can be advice or compliments. For unmarried couples, online dating is associated with higher relationship success, but again, this is true only for those who share their experiences on social media.

ALSO READ: Chemistry fizzled out after moving in with your partner? It's the unfortunate Roommate Syndrome

Nuanced understanding of online dating

Online dating's success depends on seeking social support through social media. (Pexels)

The study highlights the nuanced nature of dating in the digital age, with social media acting as a source of social support. The success of these relationships is not solely based on how the couple meets but also on their engagement as a couple with social media. Online dating has a higher success rate when you harness the social support of social network. The ability to share experiences and maintain connections with a social network appears crucial in enhancing relationship satisfaction, particularly for couples who meet online. The researchers stated that it is flawed to simply believe that online dating leads to worse relationships. The relationship's success is more nuanced.

ALSO READ: Simmer dating: The slow dating trend that's hot among the Gen Z
By SA Commercial Prop News

The South African Women in Property Awards seeks to recognise an exceptional woman within the property industry.



At a glittering event held at the Monte Casino Ballroom last night, the Womens Property Network (WPN) celebrated the 2016 South African Women in Property Awards.

These awards recognize women who have excelled in the sector and had a remarkable year.

More than 300 guests celebrated the winners, with special guests the First Lady Masina and Ms Phindile Mbanjwa, Head of Department Gauteng Department of Economic Development, as well as many prominent industry leaders.

ALSO SEE DEVELOPMENT: Mon Tresor Industrial Freeport Zone In Mauritius

This is the second year that the awards have been held recognizing outstanding achievement by women in the Property Industry.

Genevieve Naidoo, the Womens Property Network (WPN) outgoing Chairwoman, says that not only are we recognizing great women who have gone beyond their call of duty, but we also are able to raise funds towards the Education Trust which provides bursaries to female students in tertiary environments pursuing property related degrees.

ALSO: Watch Video: Highlights of the 2016 SA Womens Leadership Property Conference

In the last few years the sector has seen several women appointed as the CEOs of property companies, as well as the key appointment of the third female president (since1966) of the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA), Ms Nomzamo Radebe.

ALSO READ: 2015 Top Women in Property Industry honored at WPN Awards

The SA Women in Property Awards is a collaborative platform dedicated to recognising outstanding leadership, inspiration, vision, and innovation in organisations that have stepped up and shaped womens roles within the private and public sectors, says Sandi Mbutuma, WPN incoming Chairlady.

The awards categories reflect a wide spectrum of work these deserving women from the public and private sectors are involved in. This includes CEOs, executives and leaders in corporate South Africa, SMMEs, government departments and agencies, as well as entrepreneurs, she said.

ALSO READ: Women make waves in South African Property Industry

The following nominees were recognized in their respective award categories:

YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD (under 35 years old)

Gauteng: Marianka Victor, Managing Director, Finlay Mall Leasing

Western Cape: Kirsten Sloth-Nielsen, Project and Programme Director, Greater Tygerberg Partnership

KZN: Sanam Shree, Chief Strategy and Investment Officer, Shree Property Holdings

The winner in this category was Sanam Shree, who was recognized for the significant role that she plays within Shree Property Holdings, who in a short space of time has moved through the ranks and is active in many industry and youth initiatives.

BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR: ENTREPRENEUR AWARD



Gauteng: Monalisa Sam, Founding Managing Director, Tungwa Retail Holdings

Western Cape: Busi Nzo, Partner, Lakhanya Quantity Surveyors

The winner in this category was Monalisa Sam.

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR: CORPORATE / PRIVATE SECTOR AWARD



Gauteng: Madeleine Truter, Legal Counsel, Pivotal Fund and Noluthando Molao, Associate Director, Turner and Townsend

Western Cape: Liezel Conradie, Regional Director, JHI Properties

KZN: Karen Petersen, Development Director, Tongaat Hulett Developments



The nominations in this category were cause for much healthy debate amongst the judges, as the women nominated were all strong candidates from varied backgrounds that have made a contribution to the industry. The final consensus was that Noluthando Molao of Turner and Townsend be recognized as the winner as a result of her incredible achievements contribution to the built environment.

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR: PUBLIC SECTOR AWARD



Gauteng: Helen Botes, CEO, City of Joburg Property Company

Western Cape: Ruby Gelderbloem, Director Property Management, City of Cape Town

KZN: Subulele Diko, Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent Provincial Project Manager, Province of KZN



The 2016 winner in this category was Helen Botes, acknowledged for her phenomenal work for the City.





Also at the gala dinner, The Lisa Blane Award was introduced this year, in recognition of Lisa Blane and her significant contribution to the WPN and property industry.

Lisa was a founding member of the WPN and an originator of the Five Star and Rising Star Awards such that women from the industry could be acknowledged for their significant contribution. Lisa was also a staunch supporter of education and thus the WPN Educational Trust such that young women can be well educated and adequately equipped to fulfill roles within the industry.



Ipeleng Mkhari, CEO, Motseng Investment Holdings was acknowledged for her significant contribution to the industry and for giving tirelessly of herself.





The awards were adjudicated by a panel of judges, which was represented by a broad spectrum of disciplines from the industry and included:

TC Chetty  Country Manager: RICS South Africa and Chief Executive, TC Chetty and Associates (TCAA).

Gary Garrett  Head of Real Estate Finance, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking.

Genevieve Naidoo  Head of Credit Risk Real Estate, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking and WPN Chair.

Peter Levett  Managing Director, Old Mutual Property and President elect for SAPOA 2017.

The event was proudly sponsored by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Sara Tendulkar took to Instagram to share snippets from her trip to Istanbul, captioning the pictures, A stroll in Istanbul. The photos have beautiful compositions, with the stunning backdrop of Istanbul standing out. The dreamy aesthetics and mesmerizing beauty could easily rival any Pinterest board. Sara Tendulkar strolled the streets of Istanbul, unwinding in its aesthetic beauty.

Istanbul, a picturesque city in Turkiye, is rich in vibrant culture. It has numerous attractions including, imposing, historic architectural marvels of the Ottoman era and bustling marketplaces. The city immerses in a full sensory experience, from indulging in its scrumptious delicacies to enjoying the kaleidoscope of colors around every corner. If youre feeling inspired by Sara's trip, let Istanbul be your next destination, a city that will leave you enthralled. Here are some must-visit places in Istanbul.

ALSO READ: La Digue to Caye Caulker: Best off-beat islands for a calmer tropical vacation

Bosphorus Strait

The Bosphorus Strait is a narrow waterway that divides the European side of Istanbul from the Asian side. The breathtaking water views make the entire city look ethereal. From watching sunsets to cruising past quaint neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks along the water, the experience feels surreal and adds to the city's timeless charm.

Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia is a fascinating ancient structure. The archiecture reflects the evolution it underwent. Initially built as a church in the 6th century during the Byzantine era, it later became a mosque, then a museum, and eventually reverted to being a mosque. The buildings architecture displays these changes. It has Islamic minarets and domes, along with stained glass mosaics, reminiscent of Christian churches. Its a marvel to witness all the historic changes side by side, co-existing in a culturally rich ambience.

Topkapi Palace Museum

Once the opulent residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, this palace has now been transformed into a museum. It provides a deep dive into history and almost teleports back in time with its well-preserved lavish courtyards, luxurious artifacts, ornate rooms, and more. The experience feels mesmerizing and is an insight into the royal life from centuries ago.

Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is a bustling market, stretching over numerous shops selling spices, local foods, and arts. Its brimming with colours from vibrant hanging lanterns, shawls, and handcrafted jewellery lining every corner. The market has a lively atmosphere, infused with the scents of exotic spices and local delicacies, making it a true cultural treasure of Istanbul.

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a mesmerizing Ottoman-era historical mosque. Its most striking feature is the intricate blue Iznik tiles that adorn its interior walls, which give it the moniker Blue Mosque.
It has now been more than a month since the rape-murder of a young doctor at her workplace, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital  a government hospital in Kolkata  hit the headlines and the conscience of an entire nation. Investigation is still underway, but there is no doubt that the victim was subject to sexual violence. This has renewed debates about how safe West Bengal is for women and has led to widespread popular protests, putting the state government led by the only female chief minister in the country until recently and one for whom protesting crime against women has been a rallying cry throughout her political career on the defensive. Perhaps, this is why one has heard an apologia of sorts by voices sympathetic to the government, that this was an unfortunate but isolated incident, and that Bengal is relatively safe for women compared to the rest of the country.

The statistics cited in support are based on data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Indeed, a cursory glimpse at the data gives the impression that the per capita crime rate in Bengal is below the national average and has remained so over the last decade. This is true of almost any and every crime  be it severe crimes like murder or rape, or less extreme ones like assault of women, and even for all categories of crime. In fact, the gap between Bengal and India is highest for rape.

But then, a closer look beyond average crime rates suggests that Bengal is far from being among the best-performing states. If we rank the 31 states for which we have the latest NCRB data (2022) from the best to the worst for rapes per capita, Bengals rank is 19 (with Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh being the worst performers) and 24 for per capita murder.

More importantly, we should also look at growth rates in crime, instead of just their levels, to understand the true picture. After all, in a given year, a states crime records reflect a number of factors that prevent these crimes from occurring and being reported. If a state is lower or higher than the national average in a particular crime, it is due to many factors, the credit or blame for which cannot be assigned to the present state of policing and governance alone. It reflects the effects of institutions and social norms which tend to change slowly  for example, Bengal has a distinguished history of social movements in support of womens rights going back well into the past.

In contrast, the change in the rate of a specific crime is where one can make a more credible attribution of what is happening at present and where things are headed. For instance, if a crime is going up or down with respect to the national average, we can ask if this change is due to factors directly controlled by the government (like policing infrastructure) or driven by other trends affecting the likelihood of such crimes happening or being reported. Observing changes makes it possible to see how the situation shifted, no matter where it started.

Since 2017, more detailed NCRB data on different types of sex crimes have become available. Since then, Indias crime rate relating to all crimes against women or severe crimes like murder and rape (including rape and murder) has been coming down and has continued the downward trend till 2022. It is interesting to note that Bengal, too, displayed a downward trend in all these categories. Not just that, Bengal shows a sharper decline in two of these three categories. Guess which is the category in which Bengals rate of decline has been less than the national rate of decline? It is rape.

The rate of decline in rapes in West Bengal, at just 0.15%, is much worse than the national average of 3%. Could this be because India had much more room for improvement compared to West Bengal, to begin with? But then, West Bengal continues to look much better in handling gender-neutral crimes like murder during this period despite being much below the Indian average six years ago. Clearly, the trend in crimes against women in Bengal is worrisome.

Now, while considering sex crimes against women, one cannot ignore the potential role of reporting bias. Many women hesitate to report sexual violence to male police officers, perhaps due to a combination of social stigma, humiliation, shame, or reluctance of male police officers to register crimes against women in patriarchal societies. Indeed, recent research shows that women police officers are much more likely to register FIRs in cases of gender-based violence compared to male police officers.

A large part of gender-based police reforms in the aftermath of the 2012 gangrape murder in Delhi has been geared towards making police stations more accessible for women. It is in light of these possibilities that we should look at the reported numbers for sexual crimes in Bengal. At 9,522, the number of women in the civil police in the state today is half of that in Andhra Pradesh (18,599) and one-third of Maharashtras (29,466) and more than 30% lower than even Bihars (12,795). On per-capita metrics, Bengal is ranked 34th among 37 states, with one officer serving more than 5,000 women. And this is not just driven by the smaller size of the overall police force. Even within the existing force, the share of women is much lower in Bengal (9%) compared to the India average (12%). This is perhaps the reason why the prime accused in the current case carried on with his policing assignment despite an assault complaint from his former wifes family.

While it is difficult to ascertain the extent of reporting bias, we compared information on crime against women reported in the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) with that from NCRB. The NFHS reports physical violence inflicted by people other than a husband. If we compare this with NCRB numbers on crime against women, we expect that data from the two sources to roughly align. In 2005, Bengal was close to the Indian average in both NCRB and NFHS, in terms of per capita incidences. By 2015, it was still close to the Indian average in NFHS but way below in NCRB. By 2021, this gap in NCRB had increased further even when NFHS continued to indicate that Bengal is close to the India average. The comparison not only suggests that Bengal has a high reporting bias in the official records on crime against women, but also that this bias has increased over time.

On top of our argument that the view based on a superficial reading of NCRB data suggesting Bengal is safe for women is misleading, evidence of extensive and worsening reporting bias in the state suggests that what NCRB data reveals could well be the tip of the iceberg.

Maitreesh Ghatak is professor of economics, London School of Economics (LSE), and Tanika Chakraborty is associate professor of economics at IIM-Calcutta. The views expressed are personal
Hours after Israeli airstrikes in Beirut killed Hassan Nasrallah, the supremo of the worlds most lethal non-State militia, Hezbollah, the organisation defiantly vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy. The billion-dollar question is whether it can absorb the tremendous blow of the loss of its co-founder and undisputed leader for 32 years and maintain its stature as the deadliest menace on Israels doorstep.

To kill a snake, cut off its head. So goes an oft-cited maxim in warfare and counterterrorism discourse. The chessboard analogy, wherein if the king is checkmated, it means the end of the game and the defeat of the opponent, also points to the same logic. Eliminating the principal leader of the adversary has for ages been considered as a rational strategy for blunting and deterring a major threat to ones security.

In contemporary times, this approach has been implemented by Israel and the United States (US) in their long campaigns against Islamist terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, and the Islamic State (ISIS). Whenever a high-value target from these outfits has been taken out, Israel and the US have announced it with dramatic fanfare and declared it would significantly degrade the evil perpetrated by these organisations.

Yet, the decapitation of jihadist organisations has not been decisive or very effective in terminating their violent holy wars. The American scholar Jenna Jordan examined a database of 1,276 cases of leadership assassinations between 1970 and 2016 and found that Right-wing Islamist groups are among the most resilient terrorist outfits. Owing to certain inbuilt characteristics, jihadist organisations survive what might be a coup de grace for other types of terrorist groups.

Firstly, Islamist outfits tend to be bureaucratised with diversified structures, division of roles and responsibilities based on specialisation among fighters and commanders, and relatively decentralised in operations. In the case of Hamas and Hezbollah, even though they are hierarchical and built around cults of the personality of their top leaders, they have autonomous cellular fighting units with well-defined mandates and independent decision-making authority.

Secondly, Islamist terrorist movements have legitimacy in their local communities and areas. Jordan argues that terrorist groups with greater communal support increase their chances of survival in the face of external shocks like leadership decapitation. Hezbollah is embedded into the daily lives of more than 1.6 million Lebanese Shias and draws from among them some 100,000 or more trained fighters. It is a cultural and social service provider as well as a political platform whose candidates compete in elections and wield considerable influence in Lebanons national affairs. Such socially interwoven Islamist groups are not easy to vanquish through the decapitation of leaders.

Thirdly, jihadist terrorist outfits institutionalise their ideologies among adherents and have fanatical belief structures that seep into generations of followers. In the case of Hezbollah, the history of civil war, sectarian divisions and competition for resources and power in Lebanon, as well as the mythology of Shia and Muslim victimhood and resistance against oppression, have mainstreamed its ideology among large segments of Lebanese society.

Nasrallah was undoubtedly a charismatic cleric and reinforcer of this ideology. But even after his death, Shias, mobilised along deeply held religious narratives about shared suffering, sacrifice and struggle, will remain radicalised and willing to pick up guns.

The hand of Iran, which fed and propelled Nasrallah to rule over a de facto State within a State in Lebanon, is also there to revive Hezbollahs ideological spirits after the demoralising losses of not only its chief but also its entire senior leadership under relentless Israeli attacks.

The defiant remarks of Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after Nasrallahs killing that the fate of this region will be determined by the resistance with Hezbollah at the top indicate that Tehran will try to resuscitate its main proxy irrespective of decapitation of its leaders. It is worth recalling that Iran increased its aid and assistance to Hezbollah after Israel assassinated Nasrallahs predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi, in 1992. Especially because of the sponsorship of a key radical State like Iran, the chances of Hamas and Hezbollah surviving and continuing to vex Israel remain, despite their top leaderships being systematically wiped out.

Even jihadist organisations lacking any States financing and shelter have not been easy to suppress through decapitations of leaders. Al Qaedas so-called emirs, Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, were killed by US special forces in 2011 and by a US drone strike in 2022 respectively. ISISs much-vaunted caliphs, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, were liquidated in targeted attacks by the US in 2019 and 2022.

These operations did stymie Al Qaedas and ISISs Islamist supremacist messaging and operational readiness. But their franchise model and global propaganda channels have ensured the revival of newer avatars in different corners of the world. The threat of yet another spectacular Al Qaeda or ISIS attack somewhere or the other is as real today as it was in the heydays of Bin Laden or Baghdadi.

Given these sobering facts, it may be too soon to write Hezbollahs obituary. Nasrallah and his core team are gone but their mentality, ideology, social base, and international support mechanisms are intact. Targeted assassinations are politically popular and favoured in counterterrorism policymaking, but they do not get to the bottom of the problem which can keep festering and breeding fresh waves of terror.

Sreeram Chaulia is dean, Jindal School of International Affairs. The views expressed are personal
October evenings in South Africa are a treat for the mind, body, and soul. It was on one such evening many years ago in a brightly lit convention hall, back from a pleasant evening walk, that I got to be part of a discussion with Ahmed Kathrada, a South African politician and anti-apartheid activist of renown. Kathradas ideas had taken shape and matured during the apartheid days. I was eager to learn his views on the then fledgeling democracy, the condition of the Indian diaspora in South Africa, and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhis work in that country. I asked Kathrada why the South Africans were occasionally opposed to Gandhis ideals. Dont South Africans feel he is their friend?

Kathrada countered: Tell me a place where Gandhi didnt encounter opposition. He was vilified when he was alive and, even decades after his death, if people are making a career out of denouncing him, it means hes still relevant.

According to Kathrada, with a rise in the chorus of opposition, the curiosity of the new generation to know more about Gandhi and his ideas will also grow. They will discover him in greater detail and will feel more inspired by him, he said. Gandhi was considered the predecessor of Nelson Mandela in South Africa till recently.

We are celebrating the Mahatmas birth anniversary the day after. Around this time over the past couple of years, there have been attempts to make long live Nathuram Godse hashtags viral on social media. In these moments when I feel ashamed, I am reminded of Kathrada and I become quiet. Kathrada was right, the resilience of Gandhi and his ideas make him immortal. Godse is known solely for being Gandhis assassin and has no independent identity. Gandhi is a global giant. On January 30, 1948, had he passed away from natural causes, too, he would still have been a towering global personality for what he achieved in 78-odd years of his life. Its not for nothing that every global leader who visits India or our leaders who travel to foreign lands always invoke Gandhi and pay their respects to the Mahatma.

Even last month when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ukraine, he paid respects at the Gandhi statue in Kyivs Peace Park and wrote on X : The ideals of Bapu are universal and give hope to millions. May we all follow the path he showed humanity.

Modis Kyiv visit was aimed at bringing the disastrous Russia-Ukraine conflict now in its third year to an end.

Brand Gandhi solidly represents India globally. This is why voices of sanity in Bangladesh invoked Gandhi when Hindus were being brutally targeted in their country. Bapu holds a special place in the Bengali psyche. Noakhali in Bengal was torn by communal violence just before Independence. People who had lived together for centuries became bloodthirsty rivals overnight. On November 7, 1946, Gandhi arrived in Noakhali with a message of peace. His magic inspired the Muslims to contribute to restoring the temples they had damaged during the riots.

A couple of days later, Gandhi was in Kolkata, when a mob surrounded him chanting, Gandhi go back. Gandhi told the crowd: I have come to serve Hindus and Muslims alike. I am going to place myself under your protection. You are welcome to turn against meI have nearly reached the end of lifes journeybut if you again go mad, I will not be a living witness to it.

His efforts saved Kolkata and the newspapers gladly reported it as a Calcutta miracle and termed Gandhi as a one-man army.

However, an irony of our times is that while Bangladesh is invoking Gandhi, India is witnessing its reverse.

On May 19, people celebrated Godses anniversary in Gwalior. The news of the celebration grabbed headlines the next day. Whether it is a tragedy of our times, or some vested interests bent on exploiting fault lines, is anybodys guess. No matter how thick the envelope of falsity may be, humanity is synonymous with the relentless endeavour towards the bright light of truth. Like Kathrada, I have firm faith in Gandhis eternal relevance.

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. The views expressed are personal
When an Air India passenger was travelling from Delhi to New York, she was in for a horror after discovering an insect in her meal. Passenger Suyesha Savant, who was on board with her two-year-old child, was served an omelette when she discovered a cockroach inside it. Since Savant posted about her ordeal, it went viral on social media and even promoted a response from the airline. The cockroach was found inside the omelette served in Air India. (X)

In the post, Savant shared that she found a cockroach in the omelette which was served to her on an Air India flight going from Delhi to New York. "My 2 year old finished more than half of it with me when we found this. Suffered from food poisoning as a result," wrote Savant in the post. (Also Read: Food vlogger shares his worst flight experience with Air India Express, calls co-passenger 'educated fool')

She also shared a few pictures of the cockroach in the meal.

Take a look at the post here:

This post was shared on September 28. Since being posted, it has gained more than 20,000 views and numerous likes. Many people reacted to the share, including Air India.

The airline said, "Dear Ms. Savant, we're very sorry to hear about your experience. Please share your booking details via DM so that we can investigate promptly." (Also Read: IndiGo passenger shares worst experience on Bengaluru-bound flight, airline issues refund)

Here's how others reacted to it:

An individual wrote, As a food safety precaution, all pax to carry a mini flashlight and visually inspect food. On most airlines, food is served in low light conditions!

Another X user, Ramy Sam, said, "They need to start replacing the employees who were there prior to the merger and replace it with new recruits. I was glad when Tata took over, but the old-timers in Air India need to be removed to build a better and new Air India."

A third commented, "Nowadays - be it airlines, railway catering or food served in hostels, noon meals in schools, are with foreign material, resulting in vomiting, food poisoning. Tendering an apology is not the solution to this recurrence. Unhygienic surroundings with poor ventilation."

"Omg, this is not acceptable from the @airindia team, seems like things are going the same as they used to be before the merger. No improvement @fssaiindia @dgca @airindia, please investigate!" added user Ratul Ghosh.
A woman from Chinas northwest region has made headlines after giving birth to twins from two separate uteruses, a rare occurrence that has captured the attention of the medical world. The woman, known only by her surname Li, delivered the twins in September at a hospital in Shaanxi province, according to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP). A Chinese woman with uterus didelphys gave birth to healthy twins from two separate wombs.(Pixabay)

(Also read: How this US woman became mom to 'twins' born 6 months apart, 1,400 km away from each other)

Rare condition: Uterus didelphys

The woman was diagnosed with uterus didelphys, a rare condition that affects only 0.3 per cent of women worldwide. This condition results in a woman having two fully formed uteruses, each with its own set of ovaries and oviducts. While it is already uncommon, Lis case was even more remarkable because she managed to naturally conceive and give birth to twinsa boy and a girleach from a different womb.

The twins were born when Li was eight and a half months pregnant, adding a unique chapter to the limited cases of such births across the globe.

"One in a million" birth

Cai Ying, a senior obstetrician at the hospital, described Lis pregnancy as a "one in a million" event. "Being pregnant in each of the two uteruses through natural conception is very rare. We have only heard of a couple of such cases from both China and abroad," Cai told SCMP.

Women with uterus didelphys often face increased risks during pregnancy, such as miscarriages, premature birth, and other complications. The woman had previously experienced a miscarriage at 27 weeks. However, her second pregnancy, which began in January, saw a carefully crafted medical plan that ensured both her and her babies safety.

(Also read: UK mother gives birth to twins 22 days apart in different hospitals, baffles doctors)

Successful caesarean delivery

The womans twins were delivered via caesarean section, with the boy weighing 3.3kg and the girl 2.4kg. Fortunately, both babies were born healthy, marking a triumphant outcome for the mother, who had faced numerous challenges during her journey to motherhood.

This remarkable case echoes a similar incident from 2019 in Bangladesh, where a woman gave birth to twins from a second uterus nearly a month after delivering a premature baby.
In a bold move to evaluate the safety of women in Agra, a woman officer disguised herself as a tourist and took an auto ride late at night. This initiative was part of a larger effort to assess the city's emergency response system and the overall safety environment for women. ACP Sukanya Sharma disguised herself as a tourist in Agra to assess women's safety.(X/@SSunilkumarm15)

Wearing a simple white T-shirt and black jeans, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sukanya Sharma positioned herself outside the Agra Cantt Railway Station and dialled the emergency number 112. Expressing her fears about the deserted streets, she told the officer on the line, Im scared as its late. The officer promptly asked for her location and advised her to find a safe spot while assistance was on the way.

(Also read: Mumbai Police's timely intervention saves woman who fell unconscious at victory parade: 'Real life Singham')

Timely emergency response

Shortly after her initial call, Sharma received a reassuring call from the womens patrol team, who informed her they were en route to assist her. At this point, Sharma revealed her true identity, stating that the test was part of her assessment of emergency services. The swift response showcased the effectiveness of the police patrols designed to protect vulnerable individuals in the city.

After confirming the fare and drop-off location, Sharma boarded an auto rickshaw, still in disguise. During the ride, she engaged the driver in a conversation about the safety concerns women face in Agra. The driver expressed his views on the matter, and she safely arrived at her destination, effectively passing the test and gathering valuable insights into the realities of womens safety in the city.

(Also read: Ill come back at night and show you: Gurgaon woman's terrifying encounter with Ola driver)

Community support for initiatives

Activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj praised Sharma's initiative, calling it the first right step towards women's safety.

On social media platform X, she commented, "Police in every city should do this. Become a common person and experience the city yourself to understand the challenges people face at night. Good job by Dr Sukanya Sharma."
A woman who was thinking to enjoy her day off from work, received a 'threatening' message from her boss. The boss demanded that she comes in for work otherwise she would have to leave the job. Since she posted about the text exchange, it has gone viral on social media. The worker received this message from her boss.

The text exchange shows the boss telling the woman that they will be short-staffed as another employee has left. They added, "If you plan to keep your job, you will come in to cover on your day off."

To this, the woman replied by saying, "Why are you sending me this at literally 2 am?" (Also Read: New joinee fired for refusing to get morning coffee and eggs for boss, rehired after public outcry)

Take a look at the post here:

This post was shared on September 28. Since being posted, it has gained more than 20,000 upvotes. The share also has numerous comments. (Also Read: 'Got my boss to admit to wage theft': Redditor's plight is viral on social media)

Here's how people reacted to it:

An individual wrote, "Shouldn't have responded, and not shown up. You're on your own time, they can pound sand till you're back on the clock."

Another commented, "I worked with a guy that would never answer his phone or text except on the clock. Boss gave up trying to call him after 6 months because he never picked up."

"I keep my read receipts off for exactly this reason. I'd show up for my next scheduled shift like nothing happened. If confronted, I'd pull out my phone and say something like, 'Oh, it was my day off; I unplugged,'" shared someone else.

A fourth posted, "I think the worker culture in the great USA is broken. The amount of stuff your managers do is insane. Employees should get more protection, this is just modern slavering. I do not see any of this in Europe ever. My manager respects my day off, my holidays and my schedule. If he really needs me, he will ask first if he can disturb me, and if it is oke to call me."
Before his death, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah had formulated a plan on how the group would combat Israel. He had calculated a delicate balance - supporting Hamas in its struggle against Israel while avoiding a full-blown war that could engulf Lebanon. "Some in Lebanon say that we are taking a risk. But this risk is part of a beneficial, correct calculation." he had asserted in a video from a secret location, confidence lacing his voice. Demonstrators hold flags and pictures of Hassan Nasrallah, late leader of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, at a protest rally.(AFP)

But as the days turned into weeks following Hamas's surprise assault on Israel in October last year, Nasrallahs calculation began to unravel. Israel, fueled by domestic pressures and a fierce desire to reclaim its northern border, unleashed a torrent of attacks on Hezbollah. Each airstrike not only dismantled infrastructure but shattered the myth of invulnerability that Hezbollah had cultivated.

Rumors swirled of Israeli intelligence's deep infiltration into Hezbollah's ranks, rendering the group vulnerable. As Nasrallah watched the chaos unfold, he felt the weight of every decision he had made. To create a leadership vacuum within Hezbollah, Israel kept targeting senior members within the terror group.

Failed Calculations

The last two weeks have highlighted how Nasrallah's calculations failed, as Israel carried out a series of precise strikes inside Lebanon. The campaign has already incapacitated 1,500 Hezbollah fighters with exploding pagers and walkie-talkies and resulted in the death of several top leaders.

Nasrallah had avoided public appearances since a previous 2006 war. He had long been vigilant, his movements were restricted and the circle of people he saw was very small, according to a source familiar with Nasrallah's security arrangements. The assassination suggested his group had been infiltrated by informants for Israel, reports Reuters.

Also read: How Israel killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah hiding in a bunker

Road Ahead For Hezbollah

Including Nasrallah, Israel's military says it has killed eight of Hezbollah's nine most senior military commanders this year, mostly in the past week. These commanders led units ranging from the rocket division to the elite Radwan force.

But the group, whose name means Party of God, is expected to fight on: by US and Israeli estimates it had some 40,000 fighters ahead of the current escalation, along with large weapons stockpiles and an extensive tunnel network near Israel's border.
Israel's recent air strike in Beirut which resulted in the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has raised tensions across the Middle East and also brought global attention to the country's strikes against the terror group. For the last few months, Israel has focused on a 'ground-up' approach to dismantle Hezbollah leadership, preventing them from regrouping and re-establishing command. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday.(Reuters File Photo)

Israel's strategy has focused on a ground-up approach to dismantling Hezbollah's hierarchy, preventing the group from regrouping and re-establishing its command. The deaths of regional commanders such as Taleb Abdullah and Muhammad Nasser in earlier airstrikes indicate a calculated effort to undermine Hezbollahs operational capabilities.

The airstrike was part of a broader campaign that has systematically targeted Hezbollahs command structure over the past 11 months, according to a report in The Sun. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claim to have eliminated nearly all of the group's senior officials, making the prospect of a stable succession increasingly precarious. Among those killed in the recent assault were Ali Karki, commander of Hezbollah's Southern Front, and Muhammad Ali Ismail, head of its missile unit, along with numerous other senior officials.

The Beirut bombing also resulted in the deaths of Ibrahim Aqil, a key figure on the US most-wanted list for decades, and Ahmed Wahabi, commander of Hezbollahs elite Radwan Force. Aqil was particularly significant, having a $7 million bounty on his head and serving as the group's second-in-command. His loss, coupled with Wahabi's, leaves Hezbollah reeling as it grapples with a leadership vacuum. Israel carried out the airstrike at a strategic time when several Hezbollah leaders had gathered for a meeting in a bunker under a busy Beirut neighbourhood.

Less than a day after they targetted Hassan Nasrallah, the IDF killed another senior terrorist from Hezbollah intelligence array who they claim was responsible for the identification of civilian and military targets.

"With the direction of the IDF Intelligence Directorate, the IAF eliminated Hassan Khalil Yassin, a senior terrorist in Hezbollah's intelligence array, in a strike in the Dahieh area of Beirut. Yassin stood at the head of a department responsible for the identification of civilian and military targets, on the northern border and deep within Israeli territory," the IDF said in a statement.

"As part of his role, Yassin collaborated intensely with all of Hezbollah's offensive units, was personally involved in the planning of terror attacks that were executed during the war against Israeli civilians and soldiers, and planned additional attacks to be carried out in the coming days," the Israeli military added.

A young girl steps on an Israeli flag as demonstrators deploy a banner bearing pictures of slain Lebanese and Palestinian leaders.(AFP)

Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Hezbollah's internal structure has been increasingly vulnerable, especially after the assassination of Fuad Shukr in Julyconsidered Nasrallah's right-hand man and a veteran military strategist within the organization. Shukr was previously sanctioned by the US for his involvement in the 1983 bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut.

Israel claims its escalation is necessary because diplomatic efforts by Western powers have failed to stop Hezbollah's strikes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered the strike on Nasrallah after a defiant speech to the United Nations on Friday, said it was part of a strategy to allow Israelis to return to areas near the Lebanese border and to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.

The US, France, and Arab countries have been trying to de-escalate the situation in recent days and prevent an Israeli ground offensive on southern Lebanon, which they fear could trigger a region-wide war.


14th episode of PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 114th episode of his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on Sunday, reflected on his recent visit to the US and the return of nearly 300 ancient artefacts that had been trafficked out of India. Expressing pride in India's rich cultural heritage, PM Modi shared, "We are all very proud of our heritage. I always emphasise 'Development as well as Heritage'. During my recent visit to the US, there has been considerable discussion about the return of our ancient artefacts. The US government has handed back approximately 300 artefacts to India. US President Biden personally showed me some of these items at his private residence in Delaware."



The Prime Minister highlighted the diversity and antiquity of the returned artefacts, noting that they were made of various materials, including terracotta, stone, ivory, wood, copper, and bronze.



"Many of these artefacts are over 4,000 years old, with others dating back to the 19th century," he said.



Among the returned items are terracotta plaques depicting gods and goddesses, statues of Jain Tirthankaras, as well as figures of Lord Buddha and Lord Krishna.



PM Modi also mentioned bronze idols of Lord Ganesha from southern India and terracotta tiles from Jammu and Kashmir bearing male and female figures. He stressed the intricate detailing in the artefacts, particularly in the many images of Lord Vishnu from both northern and southern India.



"Our ancestors had a profound understanding of art, as reflected in these masterpieces," he added.



The Prime Minister lamented that many of these treasures had been smuggled out of the country illegally, describing it as "a serious crime" and "a form of destroying our heritage." However, he expressed satisfaction that, over the past decade, numerous artefacts and elements of India's ancient heritage have been successfully returned.



"India is working with many other nations to bring back such artefacts. When we take pride in our heritage, the world respects it too. As a result, many countries are now returning what was taken from India," PM Modi said, underscoring the importance of preserving and cherishing the nation's historical legacy.




Lebanon crisis live updates: The rubble of damaged buildings in the aftermath of Israeli air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs REUTERS/Ali Alloush

Lebanon crisis Highlights: The brutal bombardment in Beirut, Bekaa valley and other regions of Lebanon by Israeli forces on Saturday has killed 33 people, including top Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, reported new agency ANI. The Israeli air strikes have also wounded 195 people and displaced thousands as they flee southern Lebanon to avoid bombings which have continued since Friday....Read More

Israel confirmed the death of influential Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday, in operation New Order' wherein they launched strikes in Beirut on Friday, levelling seven buildings and killing six people.

In a post on X, the IDF wrote,Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world. US President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris have backed Israel in the killing of Nasrallah, stating that justice had been done for many victims of the Hezbollah.

Iran on the other hand has condemned the killing of Nasrallah and has called for a UN Security Council meeting to stop Israel's strikes in Lebanon and other areas in the region.

A senior member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, deputy commander Abbas Nilforoushan, was also killed in the strikes in Beirut on Friday. Iranian supreme leader Khamenei was also moved to a secure location in the aftermath of the attacks, sources told Reuters.

Israel claimed to have hit more than 140 Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon on Saturday, including Hassan Nasrallah and other Hezbollah commanders such as Muhammad Ali Ismail, along with his deputy, Hossein Ahmed Ismail.

Hassan Nasrallah's daughter Zainab was also killed in the strikes on Friday.

More than 1,000 people have been killed and more than 6,000 wounded in the past two weeks, the health ministry said, and about one million Lebanese have been displaced by the strikes.
Following the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces, Iran has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to convene over Israel's activities in Lebanon and the broader region. Demonstrators gesture as they carry pictures of Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during a protest, following his killing in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday.(REUTERS)

Iran's UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani has sent a formal letter to the 15-member council urging action. He strongly warned against any attacks on its diplomatic premises and representatives, emphasising the principle of inviolability and saying that Iran will not tolerate any further aggression.

In the letter, Iravani has also mentioned that Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent rights under international law to take every measure in defense of its vital national and security interests.

In light of rising tensions in the Middle East, the Indian Embassy in Beirut issued a travel advisory on Wednesday, urging Indian nationals to exercise increased caution and advising against travel to Lebanon.

Here's what we know so far about the Israel-Lebanon war:

The Lebanese health ministry said that Israeli air strikes on Saturday left 33 people dead and 195 others injured. According to the Israeli army, a projectile launched from Lebanon has impacted the occupied West Bank, leading to the ignition of fires. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah a historic turning point that could shift the balance of power in the Middle East, warning of challenging days ahead. President Joe Biden said that the Israeli strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was a measure of justice for the victims of a four-decade reign of terror. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the United States of backing the operation that resulted in the deaths of Nasrallah and numerous others. The health minister of Lebanon said that in less than two weeks, a total of 1,030 people, including 156 women and 87 children have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. Norway's foreign minister announced that European, Arab, and Islamic nations have begun efforts to enhance support for a Palestinian state and prepare for a post-war future in Gaza amid the escalating conflict in Lebanon. Hezbollah says it will continue to confront Israel in support of Gaza and in defence of Lebanon. Top Israeli officials have warned that they will replicate the destruction of Gaza in Lebanon if Hezbollah's fire persists, heightening concerns about further displacement. Russia's foreign minister has said that Israel's assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was intended to provoke Iran and the US into igniting a full-scale war across the region.

With inputs from Reuters




Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah chief, was killed by the Israeli Air Force in a precise strike that involved several intelligence agencies and meticulous planning. The attack was carried out at a time when Nasrallah and several other leaders of the Iran-backed group had gathered in a bunker in Lebanon's Beirut. Supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah carry his pictures as they gather in Sidon, following his killing. (REUTERS)

The bunker was more than 60-feet beneath the surface of a bustling neighbourhood in southern Beirut, according to Wall Street Journal. The report also said the leaders had gathered to discuss a plan of action against Israel, as Iran was restraining them from responding forcefully.

The bombing, described as one of the largest on a major urban center in recent history, utilised approximately 80 tons of bombs, targeting the heavily fortified location more than 60 feet below ground.

"We conducted a precise strike, eliminating Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah. This took place in Hezbollahs underground headquarters in the heart of Beirut, along with other senior officials in the terrorist organization," Herzi Halevi, Chief of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) General Staff said after the attack.

The strike also destroyed the terror group's electronic devices and arsenal of missiles.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs.(AFP)

Israeli military officials told WSJ that the operational planning for the strike took months, with specific strategies devised to breach the underground defences of the bunker using a series of timed explosions. "We had real-time intelligence that Nasrallah was gathering with many senior terrorists," Israeli military spokesman Nadav Shoshani told the outlet.

Benjamin Netanyahu's Pitch At UN

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, authorized the strike while delivering a speech condemning terrorism. The timing of the airstrike has raised tensions, particularly as US officials expressed frustration at not being informed before the attack, complicating ongoing efforts for a ceasefire in the region.

Hassan Nasrallah, linked by Israel to numerous deadly attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, has been on Israels kill list for decades. His assassination is by far the biggest and most consequential of Israels targeted killings in years, and significantly escalates the war in the Middle East.

In his first public remarks since the killing, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's targeting of Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist, Netanyahu said.

Middle East Tensions

Israel has vowed to step up pressure on Hezbollah until it halts its attacks that have displaced tens of thousands of Israelis from communities near the Lebanese border. The recent fighting has also displaced more than 200,000 Lebanese in the past week, according to the United Nations.
Torrential rainfall in Nepal has triggered rainfall and landslides in the country, causing 112 deaths and 64 people reported missing on Sunday. People travel using a boat in Kathmandu at a flood-affected area following heavy rainfall (PTI Photo)(PTI)

Nepal has been dealing with heavy rainfall since Friday, which led to inundation in several low-lying areas as well as rising levels of water in rivers that resulted in flash floods.

Also Read: No place beyond reach: Netanyahu's warning to axis of evil Iran after Israel killed Hassan Nasrallah

Several roads have been flooded or blocked due to landslides, as rivers such as the Bagmati have broken their banks and water levels have risen above danger marks. Around eight different roads have been blocked due to landslides.

The country's weather bureau told the Kathmandu Post, that this was the highest recorded rainfall in the country's capital since 1970. In the 24 hours, leading upto Saturday morning, Kathmandu had recorded 240 mm of rain. Some parts of the capital reported 322 mm of rain, reported Reuters.

Also Read: JD Vance escorted out of Pittsburgh's iconic restaurant, despite Harris holding an event in the same venue

Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki told AFP that the death toll was likely to increase as rescue missions proceed, since several people have been counted as missing.

As of Sunday morning, 3,300 people have been rescued by relief teams. More than 3,000 security personnel are working towards assisting rescue efforts with helicopters, rafts and motorboats.

Also Read: Who will be next Hezbollah chief? Nasrallah's cousin top contender. Here's why

Domestic flights in and out of Kathmandu have resumed on Sunday after being temporarily suspended Friday onwards, with close to 150 departures cancelled.

Climate Change

One of the main causes for the increasing risk of floods and landslides in Nepal can be attributed to climate change and the lack of adapting to environmental risk.

Arun Bhakta Shrestha, a climate scientist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), said that "haphazard development" had also increased risks in Nepal.

"Ive never before seen flooding on this scale in Kathmandu," said Srestha. The ICIMOD has urged the government to improve infrastructure and invest in underground stormwater and sewage systems.

According to ICIMOD, flooding was made worse due to poor drainage that is caused by unplanned settlement and urbanisation efforts, construction on floodplains, lack of areas for water retention, and encroachment on the Bagmati river.

With inputs from ANI
Nepal floods: The death toll from floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall in Nepal has risen to 151, with 56 people still missing as of Sunday, Reuters reported, citing police sources. The government has announced a three-day closure of schools in response to the disaster. People stranded at the Tribhuwan Highway look on as rescue personnel work to retrieve the bodies of the victims from a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall in Dhading, Nepal, September 29, 2024. (Reuters)

Since Friday, large areas of eastern and central Nepal have been flooded, with flash floods affecting various regions.

In the Kathmandu Valley, where 37 people have died, floods have brought traffic and daily life to a halt. Witnesses reported that they had not seen flooding and devastation of this scale in the valley in the past 40-45 years.

Here are the latest updates

- National highways have been blocked since Saturday, causing hundreds of people to be stranded due to landslides in Nepal. At least 322 houses and 16 bridges have been destroyed, with over 20,000 security personnel deployed for rescue efforts, PTI reported. So far, around 3,626 people have been rescued, and the operation is ongoing.

- Home Ministry spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari mentioned that all available resources are being used to reopen highway sections affected by landslides.

- On Saturday, 19 people died when a bus was buried by a landslide in Dhading district, near Kathmandu, while five more were killed in Bhaktapur when a house collapsed. Television footage showed police in knee-high boots using tools to clear mud and recover 16 bodies from two buses that had been swept away by a landslide on a major route to Kathmandu.

- Weather officials attributed the severe rainstorms to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, which impacted parts of Nepal and nearby regions in India.

Climate experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) warn that unplanned development in Nepal is worsening the risks posed by climate change. Arun Bhakta Shrestha, an environmental official at ICIMOD, was quoted by Reuters as saying that this level of flooding in Kathmandu was unprecedented.

- ICIMOD has urged the government and urban planners to invest quickly in infrastructure improvements like stormwater drainage and sewage systems, including both engineered (grey) and nature-based (green) solutions.

- The Bagmati River in Kathmandu was reported to be above dangerous levels after heavy rainfall hit eastern and central Nepal on Friday and Saturday.

- The intense rainfall on Saturday was attributed to the unusual positioning of the monsoon trough and the low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal.

- While water levels in the Koshi River in southeastern Nepal have begun to drop, the river had been flowing at nearly three times its normal level, posing flood risks in Bihar, India.

- Scientists believe climate change is altering rainfall patterns in Asia, but unregulated construction, particularly on floodplains, is a major reason for increased flood impacts, as it leaves insufficient space for water drainage and retention.

- Floods and landslides have caused widespread disruption, damaging highways, homes, and bridges, and displacing hundreds of families. Road disruptions have left thousands of passengers stranded in various parts of the country.
Israel on Sunday carried out airstrikes on critical infrastructure of Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, AFP reported.



"In a large-scale air operation today, dozens of Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets, refuelling planes, and reconnaissance aircraft, attacked military-use targets of the Huthi terrorist regime in the Ras Issa and Hodeida areas of Yemen," military spokesman Captain David Avraham said in a statement to AFP.



Israel's attack comes a day after it intercepted a missile fired by Houthis from Yemen at the Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.



Houthis had said the attack was timed to coincide with the arrival of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who returned to the country after addressing the United Nations General Assembly.



ALSO READ: How Hezbollah's 'limited war' calculation failed spectacularly against Israel



The Israeli counterattack comes amid tensions in the Middle East, that have escalated after the Israel Air Force eliminated Iran-backed Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah in targeted airstrikes on Beirut.



Houthi, also backed by Iran, mourned the killing of Nasrallah, the chief of its ally against Israel.



ALSO READ: Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's body recovered from bombed bunker: Report A file photo of Houthi supporters raising a Hezbollah flag during an anti-Israel and anti-U.S. rally in Sanaa, Yemen.(AP)

Israel eliminates top Hezbollah commander Nabil Kaouk

On Sunday, Hezbollah confirmed that Israeli airstrikes killed Nabil Kaouk, another high-ranking leader of the Lebanese terrorist group.



The statement came hours after an Israeli airstrike on northeast Lebanon killed 11 people. Israel says it is continuing to carry out attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.



Kaouk was deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council. He also served as Hezbollahs military commander in south Lebanon from 1995 until 2010.



In another development, Israel on Sunday said that its military carried out a precise strike on Hamas, which was using the Umm al-Fahm school in the northern town of Beit Lahiya as a command-and-control center, without providing evidence.



Some 90% of Gazas population of 2.3 million people have been displaced by the nearly yearlong war, with hundreds of thousands living in shuttered schools or squalid tent camps, AP reported.



(With Reuters, AP inputs)
A former OceanGate employee testified that the companys CEO, Stockton Rush, said he would buy a congressman to make problems regarding the Titan submersibles expedition go away, CNN reported. Matthew McCoy, a Coast Guard veteran, alleged that Rush said this to him in 2017. Stockton Rush said he would buy a congressman to make problems with Titan expedition go away, ex-employee claims(AP)

He said, I would buy a congressman and make, basically, the problems  go away at that point in time, McCoy said during the hearings final day this week.

McCoy said that Rush had also told him the Coast Guard had tried to shut him down in California. McCoy revealed that shortly after that, he resigned.

That will stand in my mind for the rest of time, McCoy said. Ive never had anybody say that to me directly, and I was aghast and basically, after that, I resigned from the company.

[Rush] knew that eventually it was going to end like

The Titan subs implosion killed Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman.

During the hearing, McCoy also claimed that OceanGate did not plan to certify or register the Titan. He added that he believes there were no professional engineers or safety officers on its team. McCoy also said that no formal system was in place to investigate employee complaints or concerns at the Washington-based company. He added that Rush had a concerning temperament and was known for becoming defensive.

Rushs longtime friend Karl Stanley said that the CEO wanted to follow in his ancestors famous footsteps. [Rush] knew that eventually it was going to end like this and he wasnt going to be held accountable, Stanley said.

Former OceanGate Operations Director David Lochridge previously testified that he often clashed with Rush, adding that the whole idea behind the company was to make money. There was very little in the way of science, Lochridge said.
Elon Musk has famously been a critic of illegal immigrants since his visit to the US-Mexico border in 2023. Following his endorsement of Donald Trump, the tech billionaire has been a regular in political discussions online, notably on X, formerly Twitter, which he acquired nearly two years ago. Despite his self-proclaimed pro-immigrant status, Elon has called for limits to be set on who is allowed in the country. As immigration continues to be one of the hot topics on voters' minds, a controversial clip from a 2013 interview featuring the SpaceX founder and his brother has resurfaced online. FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X looks on during the Milken Conference 2024 Global Conference Sessions at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., May 6, 2024. REUTERS/David Swanson/File Photo(REUTERS)

Kimbal Musk says he and Elon were illegal immigrants in resurfaced video

In the decade-old interview at the Milken Institute Global Conference, the Musk brothers detailed the hardships they faced during their move from South Africa to Canada and later to the United States. The resurfaced clip, which has been a subject of controversy online, shows the sibling duo talking about the challenges of raising money for Zip2, a now-defunct company which Elon founded in 1995.

Expressing their shock over how landing a $3 investment for the company, Kimbal Musk said, When they did fund us, they realized that we were illegal immigrants. However, Elon quickly interjected with, Well, I mean, only to be interrupted by his younger brother, who asserted that they indeed were illegal immigrants. To this, Elon pointed out, Id say it was a gray area as the crowd burst out in laughter.

Though the Musk brothers' remarks on their past immigration status may not have wreaked much havoc at the time of the interview, they are raising several eyebrows in 2024. With the US presidential election less than six weeks away, Elon has become a key figure in the political sphere as a staunch supporter of the GOP nominee. His controversial remarks from the 2013 interview have been shared across social media platforms, with netizens calling for his deportation.

On Saturday, an X user reshared the video along with the caption, Elon Musks brother admits for a time he and Elon were illegal migrants getting money from investors and working without a work permit which is a FEDERAL crime. But MSM doesnt EVER say a word while Musk condemns legal Haitian migrants. Deport Elon!
Kamala Harris famously claimed during the ABC debate on September 10 that world leaders are laughing at Donald Trump. However, European officials dismissed the vice president's remark at the United Nations High-Level Week, stressing that they are friends of America. PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 28: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to attendees during a campaign rally at the Prairie Du Chien Area Arts Center on September 28, 2024 in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. With 38 days remaining, the former president continues rallying supporters and campaigning in battleground swing states around the country. Brandon Bell/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Brandon Bell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

European ministers dismiss Harris' claim about world leaders laughing at Trump

When asked about the Democratic nominee's claim about the former president, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that the US and Italy are two sides of the same coin. If Trump will be the new president of America, we will work with him as we worked with him when he was president of America, Tajani added, per Fox News.

Earlier this month, Harris and Trump battled it out during the high-stakes presidential debate. Both candidates made controversial remarks about each other, with the 59-year-old telling the GOP nominee, I have talked with military leaders, some of whom worked with you, and they say you're a disgrace.

Tajani went on to say, For us, the transatlantic relations are the key strategy of our foreign policy, Europe and America. He explained that Italy has worked well with Joe Biden and past American presidents, including George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.

Meanwhile, Lithuania and the Czech Republic's foreign ministers refrained from making any comment about the US election, saying they leave it to the American citizens to decide. However, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky praised Trump's defence spending.

The point is that Donald Trump had, at his time, one strong message for Europe, and that message was quite resonating and is resonating more now because he was saying spend more on your defense, Lipavsky said, per the outlet.

He went on to say that his government is spending more on our defense, adding, We want to reach those 2% of GDP, will be reaching them this year, and we will continue next year. So, (if) Donald Trump would be a president with this message, Please spend 2%, we would be OK.
Good news for coffee lovers! Top US food chains are offering freebies and exciting deals in honour of National Coffee Day 2024. With more than six out of 10 Americans sipping on a cup of coffee every day, the hot beverage is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after drinks in the United States. As September 29 is dedicated to coffee, here's a list of some of the best offers to snag this Sunday: Top coffee chains are offering special deals and discounts on National Coffee Day 2024 this Sunday

Dunkin'

The multinational coffee and doughnut company is celebrating National Coffee Day with freebies for its loyalty program members. On Sunday, Dunkin' Rewards members can secure a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase. However, the limited-time offer excludes Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew, and is limited to one per member.

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme is giving away a free medium hot or iced coffee on any purchase this Sunday. Customers can also snag a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for just $2 on a purchase of any dozen. The offer is also available on online or mobile app orders.

Eight OClock Coffee

If you are looking to get caffeinated on a budget, then Eight O'Clock Coffee has a great deal for you. Through Sunday, customers can use the code BESTBREW to get 15% off any purchase of $75 or more.

Tim Hortons

In honour of National Coffee Day, Tim Hortons is offering its Tims Rewards loyalty program members a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase at participating locations in the US.

Starbucks

The coffee giant is partnering with the music duo SOFI TUKKER to host a special Twitch livestream DJ set At Home With SOFI TUKKER from 1 to 3 pm ET on Sunday. Additionally, Starbucks fans can get $10 off on Pike Place Medium Roast and Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Concentrate on Amazon for a total spend of $50 on Starbucks at-home products.
Jessica Flores is a reporter on the breaking news and engagement team. Before joining the Chronicle in 2021, she worked for USA Today, LAist and Curbed LA. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she is a graduate of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles.
Prince Harry's recent visit to New York City was a bittersweet affair. While he passionately advocated for stricter regulations on social media, especially for children, the spotlight was quickly drawn to his wife, Meghan Markle, even though she was sitting miles away in California. During his appearance at the Clinton Global Initiative summit, the Duke shared deeply personal stories about the devastating impact of online harassment, even making some of the personal revelations. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks about social media's impact on children's mental health at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) on September 24, 2024 in New York City. GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

Prince Harry launches his post-royal persona

Harry is touring NYC to finally launch his post-royal persona. This time, hes leaving a lasting impression, bouncing from TV appearances to charity events while initiating several social projects. He received a warm standing ovation at the Clinton Global Initiative summit, where he shared a heartfelt moment about his kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet while also addressing online dangers for kids.

Standing before images of children lost to online harassment, he emphasised the urgent need to safeguard young lives from social medias dangers. My lock screen is a picture of my kids. Whats on yours?

These children, and thousands more, meant the world to their families. The beautiful faces you see before you, their smiles, their dreams, he added according to the POST. they were lost too soon because of social media.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks about social media's impact on children's mental health at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) on September 24, 2024 in New York City. Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

Also read: Prince Harry's hour-long celebrity tattoo parlour visit in NYC flanked by NYPD security

Prince Harry wants to follow Dianas footsteps

The Duke who has has been vocal about following his mothers footsteps, explored the Big Apple and opened up about his hopes for the future, and even had a few laughs about his past. He emphasised how important it is for him to follow in his mother, Princess Dianas, footsteps, a sentiment that really strikes a chord with so many.

Prince Harry has had a busy few days in New York City, including a stop at a tattoo parlorthough its unclear if he got any ink. He also made a surprise appearance on the September 26 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. His calendar was packed with engagements, including a minefield visit, participating in a prestigious dinner hosted by the World Health Organization on September 22 focused on on the issue of violence against children and its effects on mental well-being, and leading a panel conversation with The Diana Award at the yearly Concordia Summit the next day.

Prince Harrys efforts overshadowed by Duchess Difficult

A political insider in New York City for the UN General Assembly told The Post that the recent controversy surrounding Meghan Markle's alleged difficult behavior had completely overshadowed Prince Harry's efforts to promote online safety during his visit. The insider suggested that the ongoing saga of staff departures from the Sussex team had damaged their overall image, despite Harry's generally positive public perception.

Also read: Prince Harry was urged to stay in UK by this former British Prime Minister, new memoir reveals

A report in The Hollywood Reporter claimed that a Sussex staffer alleged people are terrified of Meghan, stating she belittles others and doesnt take advice, while also criticising Harry as an enabler. Sussex sources quickly refuted the story, labeling it as false and expressing that both Harry and Meghan were upset by it.
A Vermont girl, 14, died by suicide after allegedly being relentlessly bullied at school over her mothers heath issues. Isabelle Vezina-Dykemans mom underwent a brain surgery that reportedly left her with a shuttered eye. Vermont girl, 14, kills herself after relentless bullying at school over mom's heath issues (Pixabay - representational image)

Isabelle was a freshman at the Mill School in Winooski, which is an alternative high school for students with complex needs. She was excited about the school year, excited about being a freshman, her mother, Heather Miller, told WCAX. Heather described her daughter as a spunky teen who loved to dance and ice skate.

Devastated by the loss

Heather said Isabelle faced constant bullying at school, with text messages teasing her about how her mother looks.When she returned from school on September 15, visibly upset, Heather decided to give her some space. I thought I was doing the right thing, but in 35 minutes, our whole lives changed, Heather said.

That night, Isabelle killed herself. The Mill School said that it is now investigating Heathers claims of bullying.

We, at the Mill School, have been devastated by the loss of one of our students, the school said in a statement. We are working with the appropriate agencies and continue to provide counseling support.

Heather revealed that her daughters organs, which were donated, helped save the lives of seven people. Another child received her eyes.

This incident comes months after a 10-year-old Indiana boy killed himself after being bullied at school for several days. Sammy Teuschs family alleged thatthey complained to the school at least 20 times last year. Sammys family insisted that the school knew their son was being bullied, with his father saying, They knew this was going on. They knew this was going on.

Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
A Utah woman is planning her own funeral after being told she only has three months left to live. Erika Diarte-Carr, who is in her 30s, was at the hospital for shoulder surgery in May 2022 when she learned she has Stage 4 small cell lung carcinoma. Erika Diarte-Carr who has 3 months to live is planning her own funeral (GoFundMe)

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Carcinoma is cancer that forms in epithelial tissue. The mom of two began her treatment, but shortly after, she was diagnosed with Cushing Syndrome.

Cleveland Clinic says, Cushing syndrome is a condition caused by too much of the hormone cortisol in the body. The excess may happen because of medications or because your body produces too much of the hormone. This is an uncommon condition, with only 40 to 70 people out of every 1 million having it, the National Institutes of Health says.

I have been given 3 months to live

In a GoFundMe, Diarte-Carr has now revealed that she is planning her own funeral. She said that after being diagnosed with cancer, the doctor told her, I hope you have a good support system at home because youre going to need it, you have a long and hard journey ahead of you. The doctor said that  there were multiple tumors that had metastasized to other parts of her body.

Diarte-Carr described herself as a very reserved, quiet and private person, and revealed that after the Cushing Syndrome diagnosis, she had been working full time and had only taken two months odd in the beginning for surgeries , biopsies, appointments, radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

I have been ashamed and embarrassed for people to know the truth, that I have kept this a secret for as long as I could but the physical effects are starting to take control and I cant hide it any longer. Ive never been good at accepting or asking for help but unfortunately, I believe Ive come to a point in my life and health where that is no longer an option for me. I am no longer able to physically work which has put a major financial burden on me, Diarte-Carr wrote.

She added, I understand we all go through hard times so anything helps.. Whether it be your love & support, a donation, sharing my story, or sending love, prayers, positive & healing vibes. All is accepted and very much appreciated.

In an update, Diarte-Carr shared that she had an appointment with the doctor on September 18 and was told that she just has three months to live. She decided to discontinue treatments as they will be of no help now.

I have been given 3 months to live. 3 months to spend with my babies and loved ones. 3 months to make the best of what time I have left. During these next couple of months I need to make sure my kids will be ok after I am gone. I am faced now with the most difficult thing of planning my own funeral, she wrote.

She added, Due to me not being able to work for months now I do not have any finances saved up or any life insurance set aside for this situation. I have looked into the expenses and I am needing to raise about $5,000 to ensure funeral costs are covered plus Im wanting to leave something behind for my babies. If you could please donate or share anything would be appreciated.

Finally, Diarte-Carr thanked those who have already donated.
Sheryl Davis, former executive director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, had personal ties to Collective Impact, a nonprofit she funded with city grants, that go deeper than her live-in relationship with the organizations director. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

Sheryl Davis resignation as head of San Franciscos equity-focused Dream Keeper Initiative came after reporters revealed among other things that she signed off on big grants to a nonprofit run by a man she shared a home with  an organization that was subsequently not properly monitored, according to city auditors.

But Davis personal links to the nonprofit, called Collective Impact, go deeper, documents and interviews show.

Not only did Davis run the organization until 2016, but her mother, sister and son have worked with the group. Last year, the nonprofit  which seeks to support low-income children, among other initiatives  paid her son roughly $19,400 under a Dream Keeper contract awarded by another city agency.

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Theres no evidence that the family ties run afoul of city ethics rules, but they could complicate investigations, including by the City Controller, into how money was spent under Dream Keeper, which has sought to invest $45 million to $60 million a year countering historic racism against Black residents of San Francisco.

The links could also provide more paths of attack for opponents of the programs creator, Mayor London Breed, as she seeks reelection in November.

An attorney for Davis, Tony Brass, acknowledged that his client, who operated Dream Keeper as director of the citys Human Rights Commission until stepping down Sept. 13, had many conflicts with the nonprofit. He said Davis had made a mistake by not disclosing that she lived with the head of Collective Impact, James Spingola, when she signed contracts to pay his organization up to $1.5 million in Dream Keeper funds in 2021 and 2022.

She had many conflicts with Collective Impact, Brass said, having been the executive director of that nonprofit for years and (having) really defined her lifes work at Collective Impact.

After the San Francisco Standard first reported that Davis and Spingola lived together, Breed said she had been aware Davis and Spingola were very close friends. Breed said she had made it clear to former Director Davis on multiple occasions that she needed to wall herself off from all decisions related to Collective Impact. While protective measures were put in place, they werent implemented soon enough or to the extent necessary.

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The mayor was responding to news reports that included a Chronicle investigation showing that Davis faces a separate whistleblower complaint for allegedly asking a nonprofit executive to make purchases on behalf of her agency, including for a $10,000 house rental on Marthas Vineyard. While Davis maintains the executive booked the house on her own initiative, the city was in the process of forwarding the complaint to the FBI.

Breed, who said she requested Davis resignation, acknowledged she should have done more to protect the program, saying that the buck stops with me. Any potential misuse of taxpayer funds is unacceptable.

The Human Rights Commission has paused all training, travel and events spending, and has asked for a report on all of the departments relationships with nonprofits.

An attorney for former city official Sheryl Davis said she had made a mistake by not disclosing that she lived with the head of Collective Impact, James Spingola, seen in 2019, when she signed contracts to pay his organization up to $1.5 million in city funds in 2021 and 2022. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle 2019

City leaders are in certain cases required to disclose personal relationships with individuals who are the subjects of their decisions or could benefit financially from them. Officials at Davis former department said they had no disclosures on file from Davis regarding Spingola or her family. Its unclear whether she needed to disclose her family ties to Collective Impact, since her relatives did not work there at the time she signed the contracts with Spingola in 2021 and 2022.

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John Pelissero, director of government ethics at Santa Clara Universitys Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, said Davis family ties to Collective Impact presented a hornets nest of conflicts of interest that are real or appear to be present.

City records show Davis 26-year-old son, Henry Davis, worked at Collective Impact for about eight months last year. The nonprofit asked another city agency, the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, to reimburse it for his wages under a Dream Keeper contract, records show.

Henry Davis told the Chronicle he got the job with the organization on his own last year, and that his mother was not involved in his hiring. He said he had worked at the community center run by Collective Impact off and on since he was in high school, but did not work there in 2021 or 2022, when his mother signed contracts with the organization.

Sheryl Davis mother, Donna Williams, once had a paid position leading a summer reading program put on by Collective Impact, Schools of the Sacred Heart and the University of San Francisco. In an interview, she recalled leaving the program in 2017, and said she did not know whether she was paid by the nonprofit or its partners.

Records that Collective Impact submitted to the city list Donna Williams as a coordinator for the nonprofit in early 2021. However, its unclear whether that is the same person. Brass said Davis mother last worked in San Francisco before the pandemic.

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Davis sister, Sara Williams, described herself on LinkedIn as an operations manager for Collective Impact since 2011, a role in which she handled finances and grant contracts. Brass, though, said Williams was not working at Collective Impact at the time her sister signed the contracts with Spingola, and that she may have failed to update her LinkedIn profile.

Williams, who declined to comment, removed Collective Impact from her profile in recent days, after her sister resigned.

As of last year, city news releases listed Williams as the director of another initiative that her sister oversaw for Breed called Opportunities for All, a youth internship program funded by public and private dollars. The initiative is operated through a fiscal sponsor, the nonprofit Japanese Community Youth Council, or JCYC, and through a partnership with Collective Impact. It was until recently funded in part by a Dream Keeper contract granted to JCYC from the Department of Children, Youth and their Families. In June, the program was moved under the Human Rights Commission.

Its unclear how Williams came to hold her position with Opportunities for All. Brass said Davis did not help her get the job and that she was not paid through the Human Rights Commission.

Williams is believed to be a paid contractor for JCYC and is not a city employee, according to a Breed spokesperson.

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Breed knew Davis and Williams were sisters, but did not know how Williams got the job, according to her spokesperson. The mayor did not appoint her to the position.

JCYC did not return requests for comment.

Williams has also worked as an event producer for the Human Rights Commission, throwing a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration concert in January that the department funded. After the show, she thanked Breed and Davis for trusting her to put on the event.

Human Rights Commission officials said the department has no records of payments to Williams related to the MLK concert or any other city events. Brass said the department did not pay Williams for producing the concert.

A Breed spokesperson said the mayor attended the event, but that her office was not involved in planning it.

Davis came to know Spingola through their years of work at Collective Impact. He first moved in with Davis and her son at a home they were renting in the Sunset District around Christmas 2015, according to depositions from a lawsuit Spingola filed against a former employer. Spingola said he paid $3,000 a month to rent a room. The two have denied being in a romantic relationship.

Under the contracts Davis signed with Collective Impact, the nonprofit was tasked with giving out mini-grants, ranging from $500 to $50,000, to individuals and groups helping the Black community, and with helping smaller organizations apply for grant funding.

After signing the contracts, Davis wrote a letter in 2022 saying she would step back from decisions involving the nonprofit to avoid the appearance of a potential conflict of interest because she previously worked there. Her letter did not mention Spingola or her family members.

Spingola declined to speak with the Chronicle when approached by a reporter at City Hall last week and did not respond to an email seeking comment about Davis family ties to Collective Impact. But in a video posted on social media, he defended the work done by his organization, which he said was being lost in what he characterized as attacks on his community.

Im not a politician, were not corrupt, he said. People dont understand that these are real families, these are real kids, this is real trauma, so we have to make sure that this gets protected.

Brass, the attorney for Davis, said she does not deny that the conflict with Mr. Spingola was the most conspicuous conflict of interest and that it was a mistake to not disclose that. She hopes that the members of the community who benefit from Collective Impact and the Human Rights Commission do not suffer from her mistake.
Hyatt House Dallas Addison - Image Credit Hyatt

CBRE Hotels is soliciting offers to acquire the fee-simple interest in the Hyatt House Dallas Addison in Addison, Texas. Located close to Addison Airport, the Galleria Dallas, and 30 minutes north of the center of Dallas, the 132-room hotel receives business from a diverse population of both corporate and leisure segments.

Institutionally-Owned Hyatt House - Opportunity to acquire an institutionallyowned, 132-room, Hyatt House that sits on 4.00 acres of land in Addison, 30 minutes north of the center of Dallas, Texas.

- Opportunity to acquire an institutionallyowned, 132-room, Hyatt House that sits on 4.00 acres of land in Addison, 30 minutes north of the center of Dallas, Texas. Operational Efficiency Opportunities - The Hyatt House will be delivered unencumbered of management, offering management flexibility for the new owner. Given the current operators national presence, the Hyatt House presents significant potential for a more hands-on operator to enhance the hotels revenue and efficiently manage operational costs.

- The Hyatt House will be delivered unencumbered of management, offering management flexibility for the new owner. Given the current operators national presence, the Hyatt House presents significant potential for a more hands-on operator to enhance the hotels revenue and efficiently manage operational costs. Convenient Location - The property benefits from close proximity to significant hotel demand generators, including Addison Airport, the Galleria Dallas, and numerous corporate offices, including Hilton, Concentra, and Bennigan, etc. The hotel is also well-connected to the areas diverse array of restaurants, shops, medical centers, and colleges.

- The property benefits from close proximity to significant hotel demand generators, including Addison Airport, the Galleria Dallas, and numerous corporate offices, including Hilton, Concentra, and Bennigan, etc. The hotel is also well-connected to the areas diverse array of restaurants, shops, medical centers, and colleges. Strong Submarket - Situated in Dallas Countys platinum corridor along the Dallas North Tollway, Addison proudly holds the distinction of being the #1 city in Texas to initiate a business and the #1 suburb in Texas for young professionals. Additionally, Addison is a vibrant town pulsating with entrepreneurial energy, hosting a variety of businesses from small start-ups to major corporations, including Mary Kay Cosmetics and Hitachi Consulting. With over 2,000 businesses calling Addison home, it is a thriving hub of economic activity.

- Situated in Dallas Countys platinum corridor along the Dallas North Tollway, Addison proudly holds the distinction of being the #1 city in Texas to initiate a business and the #1 suburb in Texas for young professionals. Additionally, Addison is a vibrant town pulsating with entrepreneurial energy, hosting a variety of businesses from small start-ups to major corporations, including Mary Kay Cosmetics and Hitachi Consulting. With over 2,000 businesses calling Addison home, it is a thriving hub of economic activity. Dynamic and Thriving Economic Landscape with Continued Growth - Contributing about one-third of Texas GDP, DFWs economy is the most diverse in the state. Thanks to its central location, low cost of living, world-class cultural and art institutions, state-of-the-art hospitals, universities, and robust transportation connectivity, DFW has become a top relocation destination for corporations and job seekers alike.

For inquiries visit here.












State Awarded $1M For Registered Apprenticeships

BOSTON  Today, at the Massachusetts Apprenticeship Council meeting, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) awarded $1,052,584 for Massachusetts to support Registered Apprenticeship as a training and employment strategy for emerging industries.

This awarded USDOL grant builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to expand Registered Apprenticeship, a proven workforce strategy that combines technical and on-the-job training for workers, delivers industry-recognized credentials, and increases access to progressive wage increases and good-paying jobs.

"Our administration is committed to expanding Registered Apprenticeship for more industries, supporting business growth, a stronger workforce, and economic competitiveness in regions across Massachusetts," said Governor Maura Healey. "We're grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and USDOL for providing these critical funds to build the workforce we need to deliver on key infrastructure projects, from roads and bridges to clean energy and resiliency in Massachusetts."

Through the USDOL, State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants support states to engage industry partners, create post-secondary education career pathways and develop the talent pipeline needed to meet the skill needs of their local labor markets. The investments are part of the second round of State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula funding the department has awarded. The funding advances the Biden-Harris administration's goals to expand, modernize and diversify Registered Apprenticeship for all American workers, including women, people of color, individuals with disabilities and other underserved communities.

The USDOL award for Massachusetts builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to growing Registered Apprenticeship. In February, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced $5 million in Apprenticeship Expansion and Opportunity Grants, including a combination of state and federal funds, to 25 organizations to train and place apprentices across the state. The FY25 budget continued these investments with nearly $3.5 million to support registered apprenticeship and expand to industries like health care, life sciences, education, and advanced manufacturing while also enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for the construction and building trades. The Healey-Driscoll Administration's $1 billion tax cut package included expanded eligibility for the Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit, which offers employers a $4,800 credit for each apprentice hired.
Governor Nominates Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court

BOSTON  Governor Maura T. Healey nominated Justice Amy L. Blake to serve as the next Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

If confirmed, Justice Blake would replace Chief Justice Mark Green, who recently retired after serving nearly 23 years on the Appeals Court, and seven as Chief. Justice Blake will now continue forward to the Governor's Council for confirmation.

"Justice Blake's decade of service on the Massachusetts Appeals Court and additional experience with the Probate and Family Court and in private practice make her an outstanding candidate for Chief Justice," said Governor Healey. "I'm proud to nominate her and appreciate the Governor's Council's review of her nomination. I'm also grateful for Chief Justice Mark Green for his leadership on the Appeals Court."

The Appeals Court is the state's intermediate appellate court. The Appeals Court is a court of general appellate jurisdiction, which means that the justices review decisions that trial judges from the several Departments of the Trial Court have already made in many different kinds of cases. The Appeals Court also has jurisdiction over appeals from final decisions of three State agencies: the Appellate Tax Board, the Industrial Accident Board and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board. The Appeals Court consists of a chief justice and 24 associate justices.

Justice Amy Lyn Blake has served as Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court since 2014, when she was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick.

Prior to the Appeals Court, Justice Blake served as an Associate Justice on the Probate and Family Court from 2008-2014. She was previously a Partner at Casner & Edwards, LLP, an Associate and Partner at White, Inker, Aronson, an Associate at Yasi & Yasi, PC and an Assistant District Attorney for the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. She also served as an adjunct faculty member at New England Law.

Justice Blake is the District One Director of the National Association of Women Judges, a fellow of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation and an Associate Editor of the Massachusetts Law Review. She served as co-chair of the Board of Overseers of the Boston Bar Journal and actively serves on a number of committees, including the Trial Court's Public Outreach Committee and the Supreme Judicial Court's Committee on Judicial Guidelines for Self-Represented Litigants.

Justice Blake has previously been named Jurist of the Year by the Middlesex County Bar Association, and Lawyer of the Year by the North Shore Women Lawyers' Association. She has also received the Distinguished Jurist Award from the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers.

Justice Blake graduated from the University of Rochester and New England Law. While in law school, she was named a New England Scholar and awarded the Amos L. Taylor Award for Excellence in Achievement. She lives in Peabody with her husband.
Kennedy Merriam, a Pittsfield High graduate, will be teaching English in Colombia for two years in the Peace Corps.

PHS Graduate Departs to Colombia With Peace Corps

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A 2018 Pittsfield High School graduate is dedicating her next couple of years to service in the Peace Corps.

Earlier this month, 24-year-old Kennedy Merriam departed to Colombia where she will serve as a co-English teacher for two years. She found her voice while studying Spanish in Pittsfield Public Schools and has made a career of it.

"I feel like right now, there is no better time than for me to give back and to learn from others, to work with others, and I think my biggest reason to serve would be to be able to grow myself with helping others but also having others help me grow and expand my knowledge, my beliefs," she said.

"It all narrows back to that word of giving back. I think every day I try to think of ways that I can give back, whether it be family, friends, or even strangers in our community. It's always in the back of my mind and I thought there was no other opportunity that I've found where it's that long of a time commitment to help others and be immersed in their culture like that."

Merriam is a former U.S. Youth Ambassador in the Department of the U.S. World Learning Program and graduated with a master of arts in Spanish at Bowling Green State University in Ohio last spring.

Her 13-year journey with language studies has taken her to Argentina, Spain, and now Colombia but it began in a sixth-grade classroom at Herberg Middle School. She struggled with a speech impediment growing up but learning a new language brought new-found confidence that continues today.

"Whenever I ever took that first class at Herberg in sixth grade, I remember that it just clicked learning a language other than English was like the first time in my life that I felt proud of something that I was doing," Merriam explained.

"I felt confident in something and still, to this day, I still feel like I almost take a different identity when I speak Spanish."

Coupled with her love for the language is a love of volunteerism.

After graduation, she returned to Berkshire County to figure out what was next. While teaching English was an option, the long-held dream of volunteering for the Peace Corps persisted.

Costa Rica originally stuck out as a viable option because of its mission statement that values the environment.

"I guess living in the Berkshires we're surrounded by or nature every day so I kind of was intrigued by that," Merriam said.

She applied for work in Costa Rica and successfully interviewed for the position, triggering the rigorous process of being legally and medically cleared. The plan took a spin when her peanut allergy posed a concern for this location.

"I say rigorous because it's so many tasks and they have to make sure that the volunteers are equipped to serve in the country that they pick for service," she explained.

"I had gotten through all my tasks, which took several, several months, and as soon as I finished everything up, I was legally cleared, they said that they couldn't find me a site placement in Costa Rica because of my peanut allergy."

The nearest hospital was hours away from and Merriam was devastated, especially after being accepted. Two days later, she got an email out of the blue from a country desk officer in Costa Rica delivering news that they would be able to place her in Colombia or the Dominican Republic.

"They said, 'Are you flexible or are you open to departing at a different date, or choosing one of these countries instead, because your heart was set on Costa Rica?' I wrote back and I said, 'At this point, I'm set on serving in any country because I just want to do Peace Corps,'" she said.

For the Dominican Republic, Merriam would have left in March 2025 but for Colombia, she was set to leave on Sept. 7. After getting input from loved ones and listening to her own intuition, she braced to start the process all over again and in August, received confirmation that all was clear.

"I got an email after many, many nights and days of waiting that I was cleared medically and legally and was given the green light that I was able to go and serve, and I really was jumping with joy, because I, was very, very devastated the first time," she said.

She even had to make a last-minute appointment to get her wisdom teeth out before departing.

"The past the past week, the anxiety and nerves have definitely kicked in. I, this whole summer have been, going up and down like the roller coaster of emotions, have been very, very excited. I still am super thrilled and excited," Merriam said about a week before leaving.

"The nerves and the anxiety are starting to kick in about leaving and I think the I'd say the root cause for the anxiety is the unknown of the experience."

She said her mother was the most supportive during this time, as joining the Peace Corps was also her dream when she was younger.

"So she's kind of like living through me, in a sense. My dream was actually one of her dreams and I think that's been the hardest thing about getting closer to leaving is that we are so close and there's been a lot of crying these past days and getting ready to leave each other because it will be the first time that will be apart for so long," she said, adding that she is prepping for video calls when possible to maintain contact with loved ones.

Peace Corps volunteers receive a monthly living allowance that covers food and other costs while staying with a host family. When friends asked Merriam about volunteering for the next two years, she explained that the experience is about much more than making money.

"I said that's really the why I'm doing this. It's because it's the 24/7 responsibility of giving back and I feel like my whole life I've been trying to give back to others. I volunteer so much and it is so fulfilling but I've never had the opportunity to work with others at this capacity," she explained, adding that the skills learned can be used for a future career.

For the first three months, she will be on the north end of Colombia training with other volunteers. Once the training is complete, the two years of service begin.

After service, volunteers are paid a resettlement of around $10,000 for their next venture.

Merriam is excited to receive the Peace Corps' intercultural competence and diversity training, which prepares volunteers to analyze their own reactions and world views while taking a look at their own identities and feelings.

She is also looking forward to learning the form of Spanish that Colombians use during her training, as it is an area that she hasn't studied linguistically.

"That excites me, that we have the opportunity with the other volunteers and staff members to improve our Spanish and learn the slang of the country from native speakers before jumping into the role of teaching,"

"Because I feel like it will be so so much more beneficial teaching the students if I'm familiar with slang and all of those parts of their culture and how to connect with them in the classroom."

She had been given a few details about her host family but was told to be prepared for larger families and smaller living spaces.

Merriam studied abroad and lived with a host family in Salta, Argentina, for a month in 2017 as part of the World Learning Program. As part of her master's program at Bowling Green, she studied abroad at Centro Universitario Cardenal Cisneros in Alcala de Henares, Madrid, for one year in 2023 and lived with a host family.

She describes the year abroad as one of the best of her life, explaining "I went there and made such a close connection with my host family, I still talk to them today."

When thinking about returning to a foreign country, she is remembering things like her host mother in Spain reminding her to turn off the light switch. This is something she sometimes forgot in America but in other countries, utilities can be very expensive.

"It just didn't, I guess, cross my mind and I've been kind of thinking back to living in Spain because there will be new experiences in Colombia," she said.

Merriam has a bachelor of arts in Spanish, minoring in English as a second language with certification from Saint Anselm College, Manchester, N.H., and has worked as a student teacher.
Maliya Ellis, originally from New Haven, Conn., is a recent graduate of Harvard University, where she studied Social Studies and edited the Harvard Crimsons weekly news magazine. Her summer newsroom internships  on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettes features desk and the Boston Globes metro team  have confirmed her passion for deeply reported local news. In her free time, Ellis enjoys long runs and word games. She is excited to explore a new coast and a new city.


Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+, Samsungs first tablets purposefully built for AI. The premium hardware includes 14.6-inch and 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays  the ideal canvas for the intuitive S Pen bundled with both models. Performance upgrades for the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra include an 18% increase in CPU, 28% increase in GPU, and 14% increase in NPU compared to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

Series expands Galaxy AI ecosystem while in-box S Pen and Book Cover Keyboard offer intuitive productivity and creativity

This improved processing power enables faster and more responsive AI features, which are now easily accessible with written prompts using the new Galaxy AI Key on the Book Cover Keyboards to customize AI assistant. Cutting-edge software includes features such as Note Assist and Drawing Assist, optimized for the tablet form factor. The Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra also acts as a home AI device, with a 3D Map View that gives a visual overview of the home and all connected devices to streamline device management across the SmartThings ecosystem. Robust Samsung Knox security ensures data privacy and control, while innovative materials underscore Samsungs commitment to a more sustainable future.

The Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra is Samsungs first tablet built with AI enhancements available right out of the box, and its the latest addition to the Galaxy AI family, said MC Lee, VP, Head of Galaxy Ecosystems Business Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. Were proud to add to our seamless ecosystem of connected devices, bringing versatile experiences that only an AI tablet can offer through the Galaxy Tab S10 series blend of power and portability.

Peak Performance on the Go

Built on Samsungs legacy of providing powerful experiences, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+ harness significant leaps in AI processing power to deliver a supercharged, lag-free experience. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra includes a more than 18% increase in CPU, 28% increase in GPU, and 14% increase in NPU compared to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. Coupled with long-lasting battery life and Super-Fast Charging, the Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra allows the device to be used for longer, with less time spent waiting for it to charge.

Elegant Build Quality, Mesmerizing Display

The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultras 14.6-inch display and Galaxy Tab S10+s 12.4-inch display both feature cutting-edge Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology and offer a vibrant yet natural viewing experience, even outdoors. Every detail remains clear from any angle and in any environment with advanced anti-reflective technology, minimizing distracting glare and reducing reflection rate. The series quad speaker setup is further enhanced with AI-powered Dialogue Boost, which amplifies voices over unwanted noise to create ultra-clear audio. And for use on the go, the Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra offers uncompromised durability with an IP68 rating making it dust and water resistant further protected by enhanced Armor Aluminum  built to handle bumps and scrapes to use anytime, anywhere.

Work Smarter, Achieve True Creativity

The Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra offers an efficient experience  enhancing productivity and serves as the ideal canvas to let out your creative side.

With Note Assist and the intuitive S Pen, note-taking is a breeze on the tablet's large display. Schoolwork, note-taking, and personal journaling become more efficient with automated transcriptions and summaries provided by AI. With PDF Overlay Translation , the Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra can also seamlessly translate PDFs via an on-screen overlay. Handwriting Help cleans up untidy handwritten notes, too.

and the intuitive S Pen, note-taking is a breeze on the tablet's large display. Schoolwork, note-taking, and personal journaling become more efficient with automated transcriptions and summaries provided by AI. With , the Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra can also seamlessly translate PDFs via an on-screen overlay. cleans up untidy handwritten notes, too. Galaxy AIs Sketch to Image makes the Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra perfect for turning imagination into reality, acting as the ideal creative assistant for overcoming mental roadblocks.

makes the Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra perfect for turning imagination into reality, acting as the ideal creative assistant for overcoming mental roadblocks. With Circle to Search with Google on the Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra, you can Circle to search anything without switching apps. Instantly translate anything you see on your tablet with Google. Without switching apps, you can translate any image, video or text in two taps. Quickly get the info you need, then get right back to what youre doing. Circle to Search can even recognize and outline steps for solving physics and math problems.

with Google on the Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra, you can Circle to search anything without switching apps. Instantly translate anything you see on your tablet with Google. Without switching apps, you can translate any image, video or text in two taps. Quickly get the info you need, then get right back to what youre doing. Circle to Search can even recognize and outline steps for solving physics and math problems. The Galaxy S Pens Air Command with AI provides instant access to Galaxy AI Assistant features without toggling between menus. AI Assistant apps can also be easily launched by the Galaxy AI Key on the Book Cover Keyboard with written prompts, making it easier for users to choose between Samsungs Bixby and Googles Gemini for a customized AI experience.

provides instant access to Galaxy AI Assistant features without toggling between menus. AI Assistant apps can also be easily launched by the with written prompts, making it easier for users to choose between Samsungs Bixby and Googles Gemini for a customized AI experience. With Samsung Dex Mode, versatility is taken into a whole new level further enhanced by the in-box Book Cover Keyboard allowing you to seamlessly switch from that PC-like interface to a note-taking experience in a snap!

Intelligent Home Device

Galaxy Tab S10 + | Ultra doubles as a Galaxy home AI device, simplifying device management. With large screen-optimized features such as 3D Map View, its easy to see the status of SmartThings-enabled devices via the SmartThings widget. Users can also enable SmartThings Energy and AI Energy Mode to easily monitor their devices energy consumption. Galaxy AI doesnt just enhance life on the go, it also takes the stress out of home life.

The Galaxy Ecosystem, Secure and Expanded

The Galaxy Tab S10+ | Ultra expands Galaxys unique connected experience and third-party app ecosystem, offering new and enhanced apps. The Tab S10 series provides access to leading third-party apps including Goodnotes, LumaFusion, Noteshelf 3, Clip Studio Paint, Picsart and Sketchbook. Users can easily control speeds and add dramatic visual effects when editing videos on LumaFusion or seamlessly create content for social media with Picsarts AI design tools. With the Galaxy Tab S10 series extensive third-party app ecosystem, theres something for everyone.

Samsung is committed to providing users with choice and control over their devices and their data. With Advanced Intelligence settings, users can choose to disable online data processing to ensure their data remains on-device. Samsung Knoxs real-time threat detection and collaborative protection always keeps users safe, so they can live life to the fullest.

The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+ will be available starting September 27 in authorized Samsung Retail stores and partner online stores, and offered in two colors: Moonstone Gray and Platinum Silver (for Tab S10+ Wi-Fi variant only). Purchase the Galaxy Tab S10+| Ultra from September 27 until October 3 to enjoy FREE Galaxy Buds FE, additional P10,000 off if purchased with participating Galaxy Flagship Smartphones up to 50% off multi-buy offer on select Galaxy wearables along with free 12-months Microsoft 365 personal subscription and 3-months YouTube Premium.

Save even more when you trade-in your old device and get up to P10,000 off (based on enhanced trade-in token for Tab S10 Ultra. Trade-in available in participating stores only). And with credit card offers, you can also enjoy the Tab S10+| Ultra series for as low as P1,916.38 a month only with 0% interest up to 36 months (computation based on Tab S10+ WiFi model, 36 mos 0% interest). You can also get 60% off on your one-year Samsung Care+ plan (or free 6 months) to be worry-free on accidental damages.
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The bouquet flies across the screen with the sound of an incoming missile. Hands reach upwards, grasping as women lunge towards it, screaming. Just one is victorious: Muriel Heslop, Porpoise Spit resident and social outcast. No sooner, however, has she caught the bunch of flowers than they are ripped from her hands: No ones ever gonna marry you, youve never even had a boyfriend!

On paper, Muriels Wedding sounds like a by-the-numbers romcom  a sad woman runs away from her small Australian town to the big city in the hope of reinventing herself and finding a husband  yet theres so much more to it than that. Even now, on its 30th birthday, PJ Hogans film remains a radical portrait of patriarchy, class, ambition, disability, and the complexities of female friendships. By turns sweet and sardonic, with a melancholic undertow, its driven by an indelibly poignant performance from then newcomer Toni Collette.

Her co-star Dan Wyllie called it the saddest funny film ever  and truly it is. Muriel (Collette) is trapped in Porpoise Spit with her bullying father, meek mother and layabout siblings. All she wants in life is to be a bride. Steadfast in her mission to find a groom, she embezzles her family and flees to Sydney with her best friend and fellow outcast, Rhonda (Rachel Griffiths). Once there, she undergoes a makeover, changes her name to Mariel  and waits for her life to change.

While Hogan has said that finding Collette was a fluke, the actor herself recalled her determination in landing the part. All I know is that I knew I was going to do it, she told Variety in 2020. Its ballsy to say considering my lack of experience, but I just knew. She compensated for her greenness with sheer resolve: in just seven weeks, Colette put on 40lbs for the part of Muriel  a character she imbued with a vacant, moony air; a woman wrapped up in a fantasy world of taffeta and silk.

Collette was young and enthusiastic, says Jeanie Drynan, who plays Muriels mother Betty. She was perfect. While the film largely follows Muriels journey, Bettys is similarly affecting. Her husband is a bully of all the worst attributes  corrupt, misogynistic, racist, narcissistic. He is also having an affair with local entrepreneur Deidre Chambers. Betty is alternately ignored and belittled by her family  after a misunderstanding at a supermarket where she is arrested for shoplifting, she finally cracks, and tearfully tells her husband Bill she needs help. He turns on the radio to drown her out.

Drynan, who is 73 and lives in Los Angeles, tells me that she had originally been approached for the role of Deidre but had piled on an enormous amount of weight and was by then in her late forties, so felt unsuited for the part of mistress. Im the mum, she had told Hogan.

Ignored and belittled by her family, Betty Heslop  played by Jeanie Drynan  goes on an affecting journey as Muriels mum ( Miramax )

She thought the audition was a bust, but three weeks later received a call in the middle of the night telling her to pack her bags. Her first scene  the supermarket shoplifting incident  was shot hours after she stepped off the 15-hour flight from LA to Sydney. My feet needed to be swollen and dirty for the scene, and at this point I hadnt had a shower or a cup of tea, she says. I told them, You dont need to touch my feet, just look at them!

Of all her work in the past 60 years, Drynan says it is Muriels Wedding that people most frequently approach her for. Its about the human condition, she says of the films legacy. There are always young girls struggling with their body image. There are always women who have been diminished and are struggling with life. We all suffer in some way.

Muriels suffering is considerably eased when she bumps into her old schoolmate, the hilarious, blunt and sexually liberated Rhonda, on an island holiday. In their first meeting, Rhonda stands up to Muriels bullies, giving rise to the iconic line: Im not alone. Im with Muriel.

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Collette is undoubtedly the films emotional lynchpin, but around her revolves a superb carousel of supporting characters. Griffithss spirited Rhonda is like a starting gun, forcing Muriel out of her complacency and driving her to make something happen for herself. But she also calls Muriel out on her delusions. Youre right, you are a new person, and you stink, she tells her, outside the church at Muriels wedding. Mariel VanArkle stinks! And shes not half the person Muriel Heslop was.

Keep the stupid bouquet! Toni Collette gives an indelibly poignant performance as Muriel ( Everett/Shutterstock )

The wonderful thing about [Rhonda] was that her vitality was self-defining, Griffiths told Variety in 2020. At the heart of the film, she said, is the idea that when you are fundamentally rejected by your family then the families you create beyond that are your lifeboats. So, Muriel helps Rhonda. They become each others family.

Their odd-couple reunion is cemented with a bonkers full-tilt performance of Abbas Waterloo that secures the duo first prize at a talent show. Back in Porpoise Spit, the Swedish superstars had been the only ones capable of lifting Muriels spirits. When I lived in Porpoise Spit, I used to sit in my room for hours and listen to Abba songs, Muriel tells Rhonda towards the films end. But since Ive met you and moved to Sydney, I havent listened to one Abba song. Thats because my life is as good as an Abba song. Its as good as Dancing Queen.

Muriels Wedding happens to be one of just a handful of films that Abba granted permission to use their music. It came out of nowhere, for Abba, but I think they must have read the script and really liked it  because theyre known for saying no to everything, Abba expert and music journalist Jan Gradvall says. Similarly, Drynan says Hogan was very lucky to secure the music rights: A good 20 per cent of the film is the music, in a way. Indeed, songs such as Dancing Queen, Waterloo and Fernando feel like characters themselves, cheering Muriel on when no one else would.

There was plenty of cheering from critics, too. Upon its release, the late, great film critic Roger Ebert noted that Muriels Wedding walked the careful line between satire and misery. It is merciless, he wrote, in its portrait of provincial society, and yet has a huge affection for its misfit survivors. The film arrived at an opportune time for Australian cinema  on the crest of a wave shared by Strictly Ballroom and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Together, they signalled a renaissance in Australian filmmaking that propelled homegrown talent, like Colette, onto the international stage. The actor earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance, while Hogan went on to direct the seminal 1997 romcom My Best Friends Wedding.

Muriels Wedding is often billed as a romcom, too, but the label sort of does it a disservice. Granted, it is an absolute hoot thanks to the witty dialogue and impeccable comic timing. (Youve got no dignity, Muriel, Cheryl (Roz Hammond) sneers, while wearing a grass skirt, fake flowers, and enormous pink hat.) But theres a darkness at its heart, one thats relatable for everyone. Speaking to Variety in 2020, Collette said she believes the film strikes a chord because most people feel like an awkward outsider at some point in their lives.

Pippa Grandison as Nicole (left), Sophie Lee as Tania Degano (centre) and Belinda Jarrett as Janine, Muriels so-called friends ( Miramax )

Its a part of being human, she continued. Insecurity among other hurdles exists to be overcome. I [have realised] audiences were generally comforted by Muriel. It still makes them feel less alone and OK about feeling vulnerable and imperfect in a society that demands so much of us.

It is also part of the reason why the film has an adoring LGBT+ fanbase. Griffiths told The Conversation that she spoke with a gay man in his twenties who explained that he saw the film as a parable for Aids  at the time still a major health crisis. Were the outcasts in our family. Our fathers belittle us for being feminine, he told her. We escape to the big smoke with the promise of becoming ourselves and following our own journey. We replace our families who have rejected us with our chosen family who celebrate us.

Rhonda and Muriel are one anothers chosen family; any romance in the story derives from their friendship. While Muriel does eventually get married  to a handsome South African swimmer in need of a green card  she ends up leaving him to find Rhonda, now in a wheelchair after spine cancer surgery.

Its then that Muriel gets her fairytale ending, as she and Rhonda wave goodbye to Porpoise Spit for good, driving off into the sunset to the carefree, blissful sound of Dancing Queen.

Theres something so brave about this girl, who really has no experience, just escaping an abusive past and kind of reshaping her whole family dynamic and history, Collette said. Shes an underdog, but also she just goes for it. Theres a beautiful irony in how, for all Muriels wishing that she could be like everyone else, its us who end up wishing we could be like her.
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If you could talk to your 18-year-old self, what would you say? Perhaps youd warn them that life goes fast, so enjoy it. You might describe what real love feels like. Maybe youd ask them to wear more moisturiser. Or tell them to be nice to mum. In My Old Ass  where Aubrey Plazas Elliott goes back in time to visit her teenage self, played by Maisy Stella  these are the nuggets of wisdom she decides to pass on.

After reading the script, I just wanted to call my mom and tell her I loved her, Stella tells me over video call from a London hotel. Shes wearing a blue blazer; her blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail and her hands are covered in rings. This is her film debut, and her excitement is palpable. I already had that feeling of love inside me, but this film was such a smack in the face reminder of it, she smiles. Since making it, Ive experienced life in a much more present way.

My Old Ass is a paean to childhood. Set on the glittering lakes of Ontario over one long, hot Canadian summer, its also a meditation on that feeling of time slipping through our fingers. Stellas Elliott, who lives and works on her parents cranberry farm in Muskoka, plans to spend her last weeks before leaving for college making out with a local girl and ignoring her family. But then, on her 18th birthday, she and a group of friends go to the woods and neck a load of magic mushrooms. Its all going swimmingly, until her 39-year-old self (Plaza) pops up and interrupts her trip.

At first, Elliott is disappointed to learn that two decades down the line, shes a single PhD student, rather than having a big family and a dream career. But gradually, once shes over the suspicion that Plaza is just a figment of my f***ed up mushroom brain, she starts to listen. The message from her older self, to focus on and cherish those around her, begins to sink in.

Stella connected with the film straight away. I am clinically nostalgic, says the 20-year-old. I cant look at my mom and dad or my sister without my eyes welling up. I very, very much experience the feeling of time slipping away. Stella, who was 18 during filming, slips into the role of Elliott like a tin boat onto a blue Muskoka lake  with her messy blonde ponytail and wide eyes that drink in her surroundings, she gives an instinctive, naturalistic performance that deftly captures the energy, curiosity and precarity of that age.

There is a love story at the centre of the film. Elliott, who through her teens has always been interested in girls, starts to fall for a sweet, skinny boy called Chad (Percy Hynes White). Am I bi? she wonders aloud, to which her nonbinary friend Ro (Kerrice Brooks) replies: Just because you like a man doesnt make you any less queer. I dont think any less of you. Its a great line, and refreshing to see a film where heterosexuality isnt presumed. I think the queer aspect of this movie is so moving in the right direction, says Stella. Megan [Park, the director] was so cautious and careful, and listened to us and all the people in the cast that are queer. She wanted it to feel genuine.

Stella, meanwhile, wanted Elliott to feel like a young person experiencing life for the first time. That is what it is, she says. And I think its beautiful how its open-ended. Labels can feel stressful and scary, and that line from Ro has always been one of my favourites, because its such a bold thing to have in a movie. I feel like it embodies someone thats just an open being, and falls in love with a human and not a gender.

A visit to a younger self: Stella and Plaza in My Old Ass' ( Marni Grossman/Prime Video )

Elliott realises how hard shes fallen for Chad when, on another shroom trip, she hallucinates that shes on stage as Justin Bieber, singing his 2009 hit One Less Lonely Girl to hordes of adoring fans. In the fantasy, Chad comes up from the crowd and Elliott  dressed all in white with a backwards cap  serenades him. This wonderful scene was not in the original script, but when the film was put together, the director felt it needed something extra. Park asked Stella to think of an iconic performance that everyone in her generation was obsessed with, and she thought of the Bieber moment straight away. I remember being a kid at sleepovers and watching the videos of him pulling someone up from the crowd, she says. It was this massive deal.

The scene ended up being her favourite thing to film ever in existence. It was an absolute honour, she says. I won the lottery with that scene. And I could not shake it off. The way that I walked and the way that I talked all kind of changed after that. She bursts into laughter. Has Bieber seen the sequence? I think he had to watch it to approve it being in the movie, so yes, I think Bieber has watched it, which is actually the stupidest thing Ive ever heard. It makes me wanna crawl in a hole, but also she gives a faux-angelic smile, I hope he likes it.

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Stella was born in Oshawa, on the Lake Ontario shoreline, just a few hours drive away from Elliott. She is the daughter of country music duo The Stellas  Marylynne and Brad  who moved the family to Nashville when Stella was five to compete in Can You Duet, an American Idol type of show for duet partners. Three years after the move, Stella and her older sister, Lennon, were cast in the musical TV drama Nashville, playing the daughters of Connie Brittons fading country music superstar. Stellas whole childhood, really, was steeped in music  she woke up to Huey Lewis crooning on vinyl every morning. I grew up in a very inspired, creative and alive house, she says, there were always people over and always jams and music around me.

No ones really supposed to know what it feels like to be known by the world

She and Lennon, she thinks, were destined to be on screen. My sister used to make a cardboard box TV, and I would go inside of it and she would flip the channels. I would be like, Add three tablespoons of sugar, like in a cooking show, then wed do a soap opera scene. When a family friend whod seen the girls play this game spotted a casting call for Nashville, she told Stellas mum: These kid needs to do this.

While Stella grew up on TV, her parents tried to keep life as normal as possible. She left traditional school at the age of 11 and did online learning, or on-set classes, for a few years, before returning to school at around 15 years old when the show ended. I made sure my head was nice and screwed on before I kept working, and got really special years of going to prom and doing all the things that Id really romanticised in my head and craved.

My Old Ass is Stellas first return to acting since she finished school, but shes already wrapped on another movie, a sci-fi dinosaur film called Flowervale Street with Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor. It was the coolest thing ever being their kid, she grins. Plot details are under wraps, but its set to be one of the biggest releases of next year. Stellas not sure how she feels about the idea of becoming a household name. I havent even allowed my brain to go there, she says. No ones really supposed to know what it feels like to be known by the world, its very odd. She pauses to think. But its also a beautiful thing for expressing yourself and sharing art.

Amazon MGM Studios My Old Ass is out now in cinemas in the UK and Ireland

Read more Rising Stars interviews on The Independent here
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Shazam! star Zachary Levi has endorsed Republican candidate Donald Trump for president after his first choice, Robert F Kennedy Jr, dropped out of the race last month.

The DC actor appeared at a Donald Trump rally in Michigan on Saturday to throw his support behind the former president.

Im not gonna take too much time, but I did just wanna just give you a little context about why Shazam is sitting here talking to you about these various things, said Levi, referencing his superhero character.

I grew up in my family that was Christian conservative, that was pretty much the lane that we were in. My parents were Kennedy Democrats that then turned into Reagan Republicans, and they taught me to have a healthy level of distrust for the government and a healthy level of distrust for industry that runs amok.

And for a long time, I was like, Man, I really want to find a politician that represents all of the things that I want and I want to see in a presidential candidate. And this year, I found Bobby Kennedy, and I thought, Man, this guy is it. Hes the real deal. And in a perfect world, whatever that would look like, perhaps I would have voted for Bobby. But we dont live in a perfect world. In fact, we live in a very broken one, we live in a country that has been hijacked by a lot of people who want to take this place way off the cliff. And we want to stop that, right?

Levi continued: Were here to make sure that we are going to take back this country, we are going to make it great again, we are going to make it healthy again. And so, I stand with Bobby, and I stand with Tulsi, and I stand with everyone else who is standing with President Trump. Because I do believe, of the two choices that we have, and we only have two, Donald Trump, President Trump is the man that can get us there. And hes gonna get us there because hes gonna have the backing and the support and the wisdom and the knowledge and the fight that exists in Robert Kennedy Jr and former representative Tulsi Gabbard.

Zachary Levi said his first choice in the 2024 US presidential election was Robert F Kennedy Jr ( Getty Images )

Kennedy suspended his campaign last month, endorsing Trump and his running mate JD Vance.

Kennedy, who infamously revealed during his campaign that a parasitic worm had embedded itself in his brain and died there, blew through millions in cash to get to his present five percent share of the expected national vote in November. Polls showed that figure continuing to drop, and the rest of his own family fully disavowed his candidacy.

In January 2023, two months before the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Levi shocked fans with his response to a tweet asking if Covid-19 vaccine maker Pfizer was a real danger to the world.

Hardcore agree, he wrote.

While the first Shazam! (2019) film was warmly received, the second was such a critical and financial bomb that the films director David F Sandberg has vowed to leave the world of superheroes behind.

Levi subsequently made a number of public statements decrying the treatment Fury of the Gods received from critics.
It was a split-second decision that changed the course of Joan Hanningtons life. Working late one evening at a high-end jewellery store in central London, she found herself standing in front of an open safe. She opened an envelope and shook a handful of loose, flawless diamonds into her palm. She picked one up and swallowed it. Then she swallowed the rest.

What followed would define her life  or as much as we can ever know about it. Hannington became Britains most notorious diamond thief, stealing millions of pounds worth of jewels during her almost 20-year crime spree (her haul from that first day alone was worth 800,000).

Now, The Godmother, as she was known, is the subject of a major new ITV drama, Joan, starring Game of Thrones Sophie Turner as the luxuriantly fur-coated, Ferrari-driving thief, looking like a Dynasty character transported to a council flat in Tufnell Park, north London.

At one stage, she owned 2,000 pairs of shoes. I would say in the morning: Lets go to New York! By lunchtime, we would be sitting in first-class seats, sipping champagne, with 20,000 of cash lining our pockets, she has said.

The drama is fictionalised, with several names and key events altered  not only for dramatic purposes, but to conceal the specifics of Hanningtons crimes, as she is still alive. But the life that inspired the show is every bit as riveting as whats portrayed on screen.

When we first meet Turners Joan, were catapulted instantly into the world of contradictions she inhabited. In a lavish hotel room, she sits applying immaculate makeup in front of a mirror and trying on huge diamond rings from a heart-shaped case of cash. But her back, which faces the camera, is meshed with angry scars, a stark hint at the darkness of her past.

Youve got this damage, and trauma, and raw, visceral heartache pumping out of her story, says Anna Symon, who wrote the series. But at the same time, youve got a woman who is walking down the street saying, I know every man wants to f*** me because Im beautiful. And Im going to pull off my crimes by taking advantage of that.

Joan OLeary was born in 1957 and brought up in abject poverty in Londons East End, the last of six children to Irish parents Richard and Josephine OLeary. They spent all the money they had on alcohol, while the children were beaten sadistically with belts and sticks and denied food. At 13, she ran away.

At 17, after becoming pregnant, she married her first husband, Ray Pavey, a criminal who was as violent as her father had been. Their daughter Debbie was born in 1974. In moving scenes in episode one, we see Joan reluctantly leave the little girl  renamed Kelly in the drama  with social services, hoping theyll look after her temporarily.

open image in gallery Joan Hannington pictured at Browns Hotel in London in 2004 ( Popperfoto/Getty )

In fact, despite Hanningtons desperate efforts, her daughter remained with the well-off foster parents who had taken her on, after Hannington was sentenced to her first stretch in Holloway prison for stealing a car to visit her.

Hannington took the job at a jewellers in a bid to make a respectable life, but faced with the envelope of diamonds, she acted on impulse, swallowing them. She couldnt read or write properly, and life had dealt her a succession of brutal blows; here was a glittering glimpse at an alternative path. When nature took its course, she sterilised the jewels in a bowl of gin. Remarkably, they were never missed.

I just saw those diamonds, she recalled in a 2004 interview. And I saw a flat, and some money, and getting Debbie back. And then, after a while, when it became obvious I wasnt going to get her back, I just thought, f*** it, Im going to have a brilliant life, then.

For almost two decades, Hannington swallowed diamonds and got away with it. Shed stay in the best hotels, such as the Savoy and the Dorchester, and pretend to be a wealthy American tourist, wearing expensive clothing and a series of wigs as a disguise.

Shed try on a ring in a jewellers, then have a cheap but convincing copy made before going back to the shop, switching them, and swallowing the real one, flirting outrageously all the while to ensure that the salesman never suspected a thing. Later, after burying them in a biscuit tin, she'd sell them on via a fence, often pocketing tens of thousands.

open image in gallery Match made in hell: Turner and Frank Dillane star as Joan and Boisie ( ITV )

Swallowing diamonds was my life, my buzz, my drug, she wrote in her memoir, I Am What I Am, first published in 2004 and re-released last week to tie in with the series.

Although she remained in her council flat, she lived a life of vast wealth and luxury, driving a Ferrari and a Jaguar, wearing designer clothes and Cartier jewellery, and visiting the hairdressers every day to have her peroxide-blonde hair blow-dried.

In her mid-twenties, she met her second husband, Donald Thomas Hannington, known as Boisie, who was 17 years her senior. He was also an elite criminal, dealing in stolen antiques. The pair enjoyed the high life together with Joan as his junior partner, although to avoid suspicion, they remained in her council flat, which was full of his loot. Once, she cleaned a 38,000 painting he was storing with Jif, ruining it completely  but when it came to criminality, she was a quick learner.

Shes a huge character. Shes very funny, and she doesnt miss a trick. When she walks into a room its like, Joan has arrived Ruth Kenley-Letts

By night, shed work with Boisie, and by day, shed go back to stealing diamonds or kiting (committing cheque fraud); at one point, the latter earned her another 30-month stint in Holloway prison, where she got into a fight and bit a female guard on the breast. But while her husband elicited fear and respect, the underworld didnt know what to make of Joan, a woman, playing them at their own game.

She wasnt taken seriously by the male criminals in that world, because this was the 1980s, says Symon. I found that really interesting, because we all still feel like that in our careers from time to time as women. Its actually quite relatable.

She was regarded as a gangsters moll, despite not being dependent on her husband.

I didnt have to sleep with someone for their money, she has said. I had my own money, bought my own cars and fur coats. But while her husband and his associates revelled in their misdeeds, she had to remain quiet about her own.

Their son Ben was born in 1987; three years later, Boisie died when he blew himself up while setting fire to a building. It was the turning point for Hannington, who decided to give it all up and go straight. Today, she lives alone by the sea with her two dogs, and loves wearing second-hand clothes. Her son, Benny Jr, with whom she has a good relationship, lives nearby.

open image in gallery Hannington attends the premiere of Joan at Jack Solomons Club in London ( PA )

When her memoir was released in 2004, the film rights were immediately snapped up. After reading an article about Hannington on a flight, Gwyneth Paltrow was desperate to play her, but it came to nothing. Then came Symon and producer Ruth Kenley-Letts, with their plan to turn her extraordinary life into a series.

Both spent a significant amount of time with Hannington while developing the series. Whenever you see her, shes always very dressed up, says Kenley-Letts. She loves dressing up, and thats the same now shes in her sixties as it was when she was in her twenties.

Shes a huge character. Shes very funny, and she doesnt miss a trick. When she walks into a room its like, Joan has arrived. Shes really honest about her life, and shes also somebody with quite a hot temper. So if you get on the wrong side of her, beware. Shes tough!

At an earlier stage, Symon had shown Hannington a picture of Turner, whom they were pursuing for the part. She took a look and went, Well, shes pretty, but shes not as pretty as I was.

One of the things shes very particular about is punctuality, adds Kenley-Letts. When I took her to meet our lead actors, Frank Dillane and Sophie Turner, for the first time, we jumped in a cab and she said to me, If theyre not on time, Im not hanging around. Im walking out. And she would have done it.

open image in gallery Symon: I really want people to be on Joans side ( ITV )

The pair had to work hard to gain Hanningtons trust through the process; she was understandably wary, having been let down previously by big promises of Hollywood films.

They read all the scripts to her to ensure she was happy. Id say 95 per cent of the time, shed say, Oh my God, Anna, thats exactly what I would have said, says Symon. Occasionally shed say, Oh no. I wouldnt have said that. Then wed say, What would you have said, Joan?

What does she hope viewers will take from the drama about this reckless, hardened, smart, resourceful woman, who refused to be a victim despite everything she endured? I really want people to be on Joans side, says Symon. To see that she made a lot of terrible choices, but because of where shed come from; and that she lived by her own morals, and that within that code, she was trying the very best she could.

Additional reporting by Zoe Beaty

Joan starts on ITV on Sunday 29 September at 9pm
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Billy Connolly has spoken about his fascination with death, from watching funeral processions to thinking about where he would like to be buried.

The Scottish comedian and actor was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2013, the same year he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and has been open about the challenges that has presented.

He details these struggles in his forthcoming book, The Accidental Artist, which also recounts how he managed to overcome the worst of his despairing thoughts.

I have always been fascinated with death, he told The Observer. I used to go and look at funerals that went by. Theres no advice for that kind of thing. You just have to go in with it.

Connolly, 81, also revealed that he is still deliberating over his burial place, but thinks that instead of a headstone, a table on an island in Lock Lomond for fisherman to picnic on would be nice.

In his book, he writes that he has spoken with his wife, psychologist Pamela Stephenson Connolly, about the message he would like on his gravestone (should he decide to have one).

open image in gallery Billy Connolly revealed the words he wants on his gravestone ( Getty Images )

I was thinking Id like, Jesus Christ, is that the time already? on mine, but my wife Pamela was shaky about it, so we settled on Youre standing on my balls! in tiny wee writing, he joked.

Connolly opened up about his life and career in a recent series, titled In My Own Words, which aired on BBC One earlier this month.

The specials synopsis said: With unflinching honesty and brilliant humour, Sir Billy looks back on his triumphs and failings as an entertainer, husband and father.

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In his book, Connolly apparently observes how death, while still considered something of a taboo subject, is a big business: Its a $21bn-a-year industry in the US. I visited a pet cemetary where a burial for a guinea pig cost $500 for the plot, $350 for the coffin and $1,000 for the marble headstone.

He was given the all-clear from cancer in 2013, after receiving treatment.

Speaking about how he dealt with the news, the comedian told The Mirror: You just confront it and make decisions based on it. You just have to think Dont think you are being badly treated [by life] or you have the bad pick of the straws. You are one of millions. Just behave yourself and relax.

Connollys book The Accidental Artist will be released on 24 October.
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Such was the legacy of Drake Hogestyn that he was thought to have inspired Matt LeBlancs Days Of Our Lives parody character in Friends.

Hogestyn, who played John Black in Daves Of Our Lives for nearly 40 years, died Saturday (September 28) following an unbelievable fight withpancreatic cancer.

It was long thought that Hogestyns first name was the inspiration for Joey Tribbianis (LeBlanc) Doctor Drake Ramoray in Friends.

One of the running jokes in Friends was struggling actor Joeys recurring role in Days Of Our Lives, which saw his character go through a number of absurd plot lines in a mock version of the show before eventually being stabbed to death by a nurse.

The Independent has contacted representatives for Friends creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane for confirmation.

While Hogestyn never commented publicly on the shared name, his castmate Alison Sweeney  who played Sami Brady in the soap  told CinemaBlend in February that she and her co-stars would would watch every week that Joey was on Days of Our Lives.

It was such a fun ongoing story to watch on Friends, and it made us laugh. It just had such a sense of humor about what we do, and we just loved it, said Sweeney.

open image in gallery Matt LeBlanc (left) as Doctor Drake Romoray in Friends and Drake Hogestyn ( Getty Images )

Hogestyns death was announced in a statement shared by his family via the official Days Of Our Lives Instagram account. It said: Its with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination.

After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

He was the most amazing husband, father, papa and actor. He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew and production team in the business.

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We love him and we will miss him all the Days Of Our Lives.

In a subsequent Instagram tribute post, Sweeney hailed Hogestyn as an incredible man.

She captioned a photo of the pair hugging: He was funny, generous and thoughtful. He cared about every single scene, every person.

He loved Days, the fans, and shared that passion with everyone on set.

My heart breaks for his family, they meant everything to him. He was such a huge part of my life at Days.

I will miss him terribly and treasure every story, every joke & every hug.
An encampment along Beach Street in Oakland on June 17, 2023. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Lock up your tents, California!

Toss out your camping gear!

Hide your pillows and blankets where the cops will never find them!

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Because the people who run California have finally seen clearly that the greatest scourge in todays Golden State is not climate change and not crime, not COVID and not corruption, not the rising cost of living nor grinding poverty.

No, what most threatens our way of life is people who camp.

And so, in this the year 2024, the great state of California has gone to war against campers and their encampments.

This war effort is unlike anything seen here in generations. The wheels of 21st century California government move painfully slowly. It takes state and local agencies days to respond to a police call, a minimum of six months to permit a coffee shop, five years to add a carpool lane on a highway, and three decades (and counting) to construct a promised high-speed rail line.

But the war on encampments is proceeding with a shocking speed, a real blitzkrieg. This summer Gov. Gavin Newsom, known more for issuing plans than following through on them, didnt merely order state agencies to take down encampments on land they control. He donned gloves and work clothes to throw away the tents and trash of the unhoused himself.

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Newsom also issued guidance on removing encampments to cities and counties. Local governments usually do their best to ignore state orders, but not this time. Cities from Arcata to Vista have ripped down encampments with alacrity and vigor. CalMatters counted at least 14 cities, from San Francisco to Long Beach, that have either passed new laws to prohibit camping or updated old ones; at least four cities revived camping bans they previously didnt enforce.

San Diego, a leader in the anti-encampment war, has made No Camping signs as ubiquitous as fish tacos, and shut down the massive island encampment  surrounded by water  under the I-5 freeway. Meanwhile, once-progressive paradise Santa Monica toughened its anti-camping ordinance, too. Possession of cannabis may be legal, but possession of pillows and blankets can get you locked up. (Dont let the grown-ups see your blankie, kids!)

One great thing about the anti-encampment war is that its unifying, an example of the enduring power of bipartisan consensus. Sure, Californias exclusively Democratic leaders have fought bitterly against the U.S. Supreme Court when it strips away gun laws, or the rights of women or immigrants. But in this war, the Golden States top progressive leaders are making common cause with the six conservative justices and their recent decision to allow cities to prohibit people from sleeping on the streets.

As Republicans and Democrats join forces in favor of this righteous war, a few apologists for the status quo remain. Some dead-end liberals are prone to quoting the 1894 novel Red Lily, by the Frenchman Anatole France: The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal their bread.

But France is easily dismissed these days. He was a practitioner of irony  which has been outlawed across this formerly self-aware country  and of critical and independent journalism  which is being killed off by the bipartisan consensus that we shouldnt have to listen to uncomfortable truths that offend our partisan biases.

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Now, you might think Californias intellectuals would challenge the encampment bans. Instead, our states scholars are leading their own anti-encampment campaign.

The University of California and California State University systems have announced strict new bans against encampments anywhere on their campuses or properties. Their goal is to prevent a recurrence of the protests of the previous academic year that produced anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and violence  including when some universities called in the police to bust up the encampments.

In announcing this oh-so-principled policy, the universities are not just saying that opposition to the scourge of encampments is more important than the First Amendment. They are also eliminating a potential on-campus housing solution  tents  when thousands of their students are unhoused.

But ignore the lonely critics out there. The logic of the universities, and the state and its cities, and the nations highest court, is inarguable:

Californians shouldnt have to sleep outside.

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The only way to make sure we dont have to sleep outside is to arrest or relocate those of us who sleep outside.

And such enforcement will solve the problem because someone else, under intolerable pressure, will step in and provide shelter to those displaced by encampment crackdowns.

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Who is that someone? The state points to local governments, which have money and authority to build housing. The local governments point back to the state, which could change laws that make it too easy for opponents to block housing for the unhoused.

Dont worry. Im sure theyll sort it out soon. Please dont lose any sleep over it.
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The cast of Days Of Our Lives are remembering their veteran co-star Drake Hogestyn following the news of his death.

Hogestyn, who played John Black in the long-running NBC soap, died aged 70 following an unbelievable fight with pancreatic cancer, his family announced.

The actor passed away on September 28, the day before his 71st birthday.

In a statement posted to the official Days Of Our Lives Instagram account, the family said:

Its with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination.

After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

He was the most amazing husband, father, papa and actor. He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew and production team in the business.

We love him and we will miss him all the Days Of Our Lives.

Hogestyn joined the soap in 1986 and featured over the years as a prominent cast member.

This is a very difficult one for all of us, Days of Our Lives executive producer Ken Corday said in a statement to People. Hogey was the ultimate team player and there are not sufficient words to express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on our show, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever remain unmatched.

Actor Alison Sweeney, who portrayed Samantha Brady, hailed Hogestyn as an incredible man.

In an Instagram post featuring a photo of the pair hugging, she added: He was funny, generous and thoughtful. He cared about every single scene, every person.

He loved Days, the fans, and shared that passion with everyone on set.

My heart breaks for his family, they meant everything to him. He was such a huge part of my life at Days.

I will miss him terribly and treasure every story, every joke & every hug.

open image in gallery Mary Beth Evans and Drake Hogestyn speak onstage during the 50th Daytime Emmy Awards in 2023 ( Kevin Winter/Getty Images )

Kristian Alfonso, who played Hope Williams Brady, said she will always remember her late co-star as a loving father, husband and dear friend, but mostly an incredible, passionate human being, generous and immensely kind, always.

She paid tribute in an Instagram post with a video of photos of them laughing and smiling together.

She thanked him for the love he gave everyone on and off set, adding: You were always our hero. Love you. Rest in peace my sweet friend.

Actor Christopher Sean, who played Hogestyns on-screen son Paul Narita, shared a video collage of images of them together as he also paid tribute on Instagram.

He wrote: I will always love you. You were more than just my tv father, in my eyes you were my dad.

Thank you for everything you taught me and the love you gave me. The world lost a true Hero.

Miss and love you so much Drake. Rest in Peace Dad.

Hogestyn is survived by his wife Victoria and their four children: Whitney, Alexandra, Rachael and Ben.

Additional reporting by the Press Association
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As thousands tune in to Erin Fosters culture-clash romcom Nobody Wants This, some viewers will be left questioning whether its based on a true story.

The plot and characters are inspired by creator and producer Fosters real-life love story with her husband, the music executive Simon Tikhman.

Warning: spoilers for Nobody Wants This are below.

The newly-released romcom series follows an unlikely romance between Joanne (Kristen Bell), a serial dater who overshares about her risque love life as part of the podcast she hosts with her sister, and Noah (Adam Brody), a progressive rabbi who has just come out of a long-term relationship.

As the series progresses and their bond grows stronger, the pair spend months navigating how to balance their intense chemistry and their incompatible lifestyles  as well as fend off the naysayers in their families.

There are huge crossovers between the love story behind Fosters own marriage and the series, including her husbands background, her journey towards converting to Judaism and how they navigated their differing lifestyles.

open image in gallery Kristen Bell and Adam Brody in Nobody Wants This (  2024 Netflix, Inc. )

Though Foster describes the series as a love letter to her marriage, there are also some huge differences  her husband isnt a rabbi and in reality, they faced fewer obstacles compared to what Joanne and Noah encounter in the series.

Find out the biggest similarities and differences below.

Foster has a podcast with her sister in real-life

open image in gallery Kristen Bell and Justine Lupe hosting the fictional Nobody Wants This podcast ( Netflix )

In the series, Joanne bears all about her love life on her podcast with her sister as she recounts her failed dates and biggest icks.

Foster actually hosts a podcast with her sister, Sara Foster, called The Worlds First Podcast. There are several easter eggs pulled from the original podcast that have been added into the series, like when Joanne and her sister Morgan (played by Justine Lupe) list things a potential romantic partner can do to give them the immediate ick, such as running with a backpack.

Both comments were drawn from the Foster sisters real-life ick, which were discussed on an episode of their podcast earlier this year.

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Noah is based on Fosters husband

open image in gallery Simon Tikhman and Erin Foster pictured in September ( Getty Images for Netflix )

Speaking on her real-life podcast, Foster explained she based Noah entirely on her husband because she wanted to create a character who was emotionally available, chivalrous, old-fashioned ... but also really funny and confident. She also added that Noah needed to have rizz  a word for charisma that relates to a persons ability to attract a romantic partner.

Foster also based Noahs family background on Tikhmans own upbringing, since he is the son of Jewish Russian immigrants.

We didnt come from similar backgrounds, Foster said of her husband on her podcast. He came from a much more traditional place. I came from a more unconventional place. When we got together we were like, Hows this gonna work?

However, the real-life couple didnt face pushback from their families like Joanne and Noah do in the series.

The real meet-cute didnt happen at a party

While viewers see Joanne and Noah meet and hit it off at a dinner party, Foster and Tikhmans meet-cute happened at a Los Angeles gym in 2018.

The real-life couple got engaged the following year and wed during a New Years Eve celebration in 2019. They welcomed their first child together, a daughter, in May.

Foster converted to Judaism before marrying her husband

open image in gallery Kristen Bell and Adam Brody in Nobody Wants This ( Netflix )

At the end of the series, viewers watch as Joanne tells Noah that shes not ready to commit to converting to Judaism, which is a non-negotiable for him as someone dedicated to his religion.

This aspect has been pulled right out of Fosters own love story. Foster actually wrote the idea down for Nobody Wants This while in the middle of the process of converting to Judaism ahead of their marriage.

In the series finale, we dont find out whether Joanne ends up converting to Judaism, but Foster herself did end up coverting ahead of their New Years Eve wedding in 2019.

During her own conversion process, Fosters producing partner and manager suggested she write a show about her experience, and she came up with the concept for Nobody Wants This.

The Sunflower scene did happen  minus the gym gear

In episode six, titled The Ick, a frantic Noah scrambles to get ready to meet Joannes parents for the first time. Awkwardly, he arrives wearing his gym kit clutching an oversized bunch of sunflowers. In the series, this scenario puts Joanne off Noah, and she seems ready to call off the relationship altogether as she develops the ick.

A similar thing did happen in Foster and Tikhmans early days. When the two started dating in 2018, Tikhman arrived to meet Fosters mother for the first time carrying a huge bouquet of sunflowers and it freaked Foster out slightly.

Speaking to New York Magazine, Foster recalled: The flowers were so long, and they kept falling over. Sitting there, I was like, Well, if someone cares this much, then that feels like a weakness.

However, Tikhman defended himself, saying: I personally dont remember the sunflowers being that big.
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A Hong Kong taxi driver and his passenger managed to escape after a portion of a road collapsed, plunging their vehicle into a sinkhole.

The driver, 59, and a 47-year-old male passenger managed to get out of the car after it got stuck in the sinkhole at Lai Chi Kok Road around 12.30am (local time) on Sunday.

A video from the incident showed water gushing out of the sinkhole while the red car was getting pulled inside. While the passenger reportedly did not sustain injuries, the driver was rushed to a hospital with complaints of dizziness and weakness in the limbs.

The taxi driver, surnamed Siu, told The Standard newspaper that he was driving toward Kwun Tong district with a passenger when he noticed the road flooding.

Mr Siu said he attempted to switch from the slow to the fast lane, but had to slow to a stop because of a bus.

There was a loud bang, and suddenly the taxi tilted to the left, he recalled. The driver and the passenger exited the vehicle as the water reached their ankles, he said, adding the passenger left on another taxi.

Mr Siu said he had never encountered such an incident in his 20 years of driving.

Local authorities cordoned off the area and closed a section of the road, diverting buses and other vehicles. The five-metre-deep sinkhole and water gushing out of it flooded three traffic lanes, The Standard reported.

A 75cm-wide pipe along the road burst open, causing the sinkhole, the water supplies department in Hong Kong confirmed. Our engineering team is carrying out clean-up work with the assistance of police, it said on Facebook.

It said for the safety of road users, the officials have arranged a radar detection of pipelines near the sinkhole. The department will work with the Drainage Services Department and the Highways Department for further inspection to understand the cause of the incident and the necessary scope and details for road repairs.

The water department added that there would be no impact on the overall supply of water as only a section of the pipe had been suspended.
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An Australian park guest pled guilty to taking a chicken from its enclosure and tossing it to its death in an alligator-infested pond on January 2024 at the Oakvale Farm and Fauna World at Salt Ash in New South Wales.

According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the guest  Peter Smith  reached over a concrete rock wall within a sanctuary at the farm to snatch a white Chinese silkie bantam chicken named Betty White. He then hid the animal inside his shirt as he went over to the alligator enclosure before throwing the beloved chicken into a pond where the reptiles live.

Court documents stated that the moment Betty White hit the water, two alligators immediately made their way towards the chook with one of them snapping the chook into its mouth, killing it immediately.

The incident shocked guests, who promptly informed the staff of what had transpired. Park owner Leanne Sansom later found footage of Smith on security footage sending the chicken careening to her death and shared it with park employees to track him down.

However, days after the incident, Smith reportedly went to the Singleton Police Station to give a formal statement, claiming he had good intentions. He explained to the authorities that he threw Betty White with the intention of feeding the alligator due [to] its living conditions.

Smiths defense lawyer, Bryan Wrench, claimed to the outlet that he just wanted to feed an alligator who was hungry, adding each year, approximately 750 million chickens are killed. Wrenchs comments downplaying his clients actions did nothing to quell Magistrate Kiralee Perrys concerns.

These are serious allegations, she told Wrench on Tuesday (24 September), underscoring the fact that Smith now potentially faces the maximum penalty for aggravated animal cruelty in New South Wales. If Smith is found guilty, he could spend up to two years in prison, with a fine of up to $24,084.

On 20 November, Smith will reportedly return to court to face trial.

This is the first time in our 43 years that we have had a member of the public [allegedly] engage in such cruelty in what is an animal sanctuary, Leannes husband and Oakvale Farm co-owner Kent Sansom said in a statement.

Betty White was hand-raised at the park and had played a crucial role in our endangered species breeding programme for the bush stone curlew and other species by providing surrogacy to the chicks, he continued.

Her quiet nature means she would not hesitate to approach a customer for some animal pellets, making her an easy target for a ruthless perpetrator.

The Oakvale Wildlife Park was established in November 1979 by Kents mother and father, Jeff and Elaine Sansom, who later passed it down to him in 1995. It has remained a family-owned and operated business in all of its 43 years, providing safe, educational, and fun experiences with nature for all ages.

Within its 25 acres, Oakvale Wildlife Park contains an endless menagerie of animals, from native to exotic creatures including koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, alligators, ostriches, and more.
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A French trading ship that sank in the 17th century with treasure onboard is being brought back to life in a workshop in Madagascar with every stroke of Rafah Ralahy's small wood sander.

Ralahy, eyes sparkling behind his glasses, has learned in 30 years as a craftsman at the Le Village model ship making company that recreating history in miniature form can't be rushed. It'll take time to get the shape of the hull just right on this model, to get it just as it was on the 1,000-ton original.

The ship in question was called the Soleil dOrient  the Eastern Sun  and it was one of the best in the French East India company. It sank in 1681 while carrying ambassadors and treasure sent by the King of Siam (now Thailand) to King Louis XIV of France. Anyone wanting an exact wooden replica from Le Village, albeit a few feet long, can get it for just over $2,500. That excludes the shipping costs.

My job is to be as faithful as possible to the plan, said 50-year-old Ralahy, referring to copies of the ships original building plans that Le Village acquires from maritime museums or other sources. At each stage we check so that the model we create is identical to the ship designed centuries ago.

Le Village has been making models of history's most famous vessels since 1993 and sending them to collectors across the world, some of them eminent. Prince Albert of Monaco has several models displayed in his palace, said Le Village co-owner Gregory Postel. The Spanish royal family also own Le Village creations. Pope Francis was gifted a model by Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina.

Those royal customers are looking for a model ship that resembles what their ancestors knew, said Postel, championing the company's attention to historic detail. Some of the high-end models sell for a princely sum of $10,000. Collectors with as much passion but less means can find something for around $150.

Le Village has dozens of ships available for order, from celebrated to infamous to ill-fated. Some recently were shown at an exhibition in Venice, Italy, including one of the companys showpieces, the British ship HMS Bounty that is renowned for a mutiny by its disgruntled crew. A model of perhaps the most famous ship ever, the Titanic, is of course available.

Le Village's staff of more than two dozen model makers work in nine dusty workshops on the outskirts of the Madagascar capital of Antananarivo. Like Ralahy, many of them have been here for more than 20 years, crafting a reputation for an unusual company.

Madagascar has hardly any shipbuilding tradition despite being the world's fourth largest island. So, Le Village's own story is one of endeavor.

It was started by Frenchman Herve Scrive, who arrived in Madagascar off the east coast of Africa with a passion. He sold it after 20 years to a family, but it hit choppy waters during the COVID-19 pandemic as Madagascar  already struggling with high levels of poverty  sank into a deep economic recession.

Postel, his wife and another French couple bought it last year with the aim of bringing it out of financial trouble and, hopefully, expanding. Postel said they want to start a woodworking school to spread the craft on the island and create opportunities for others. They'd also like to build a maritime museum of their own.

Ralahy, a house painter as a young man before finding another use for his nimble hands, sands the rough wood that will become the outer hull of the Soleil dOrient model hes started. Weeks of intricate work lie ahead for the team of crafters and some models take more than 1,000 hours of work. But the miniature sails will be hoisted on a new Soleil dOrient nearly 350 years after tragedy befell the original and she sank with no survivors, sending her treasure to the ocean bottom.

Each model passes through the different workshops and through the hands of different specialists. Husbands and wives work together at Le Village, as do other members of the same families. It's a tight-knit team.

In another room, four women who craft and attach the tiny ropes, sails and other finishing touches, are working with a sense of urgency on one model. This one is nearing completion and has already been paid for.

Its a race, said Alexandria Mandimbiherimamisoa as she gets mini flags ready to add to the ship. We have to send the boat to its buyer in a week."

Her husband, Tovo-Hery Andrianarivo, also works at Le Village, his fingernails blackened from a misplaced hammer blow or two over the years, an occupational hazard. He spoke of their collective pride when they see how far some of their models have traveled.

Andrianarivo once watched a documentary on the recreation of a life-size version of the Hermione, an 18th-century frigate that carried French General Lafayette to the American War of Independence. It was rebuilt and launched again in 2014 to much fanfare.

Behind the museum curator who was speaking, there was our model, Andrianarivo said. "The feeling I felt that day was incredible."

___

For more news on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

___

The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
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The oldest known tombstone in the US belonged to an English knight and likely came from Belgium, according to a new study that sheds more light on trade routes linked to colonial America.

Archeologists have known the tombstone belonged to a knight and was set up in 1627 in Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in America. But it was unclear where exactly in Europe the slab made of black limestone came from.

The new study, published recently in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology, assessed the carvings and inlays of the tombstone to trace its origins.

Scientists found that it had a carved depression that once likely held brass inlays of a shield, an unfurled scroll, and a depiction of an armoured man.

Scientists find oldest tombstone in America likely originated in Belgium ( International Journal of Historical Archaeology )

Historical records indicate that two knights died in Jamestown during the 17th century  Sir Thomas West, in 1618, and Sir George Yeardley.

Sir Yeardleys step-grandson ordered a tombstone for himself in the 1680s with the same inscription as the black limestone one.

This led researchers to suspect that the 1627 tombstone belonged to Sir George Yeardley.

Archaeologists uncover 'unique' clearance trench at Waterloo battlefield site

Sir Yeardley was born in Southwark, England, in 1588 and arrived at Jamestown in 1610 after surviving a shipwreck near Bermuda.

King James I knighted him when he went back to England in 1617. He returned to Jamestown in 1621 and died there in 1627.

Scientists analysed fragments of the tombstone and found tiny fossil microbes, many of which did not co-occur in North America. The microbe fossils, researchers said, co-occurred in what is now Belgium and Ireland.

They further narrowed down the tombstones source to Belgium, which was known at the time as the most common source of this type of limestone rock.

Therefore, the knights tombstone had to be imported from Europe. Historical evidence suggests Belgium, from where it was transshipped in London and on to Jamestown, scientists wrote.

We hypothesise it was quarried and cut to size in Belgium, shipped down the Meuse River, across the English Channel to London where it was carved and the brass inlays installed, and finally shipped on to Jamestown.

Jamestown archaeological site in Virginia ( Marcus Key et al International Journal of Historical Archaeology )

The findings point to the extent of trade networks connecting Europe and Jamestown during colonial times.

These jet-black stones were the most in-demand and expensive in Europe at the time, according to the study.

Successful Virginia colonists who had lived in London would have been familiar with the latest English fashions and tried to replicate these in the colonies, researchers said.

The findings highlight the effort some colonists were willing to put in to commemorate themselves even during some of the harshest periods in the history of early American colonies.
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Former prime minister Boris Johnson has said he believes the Covid pandemic was caused by a leak from a laboratory in China, and did not originate in unsanitary conditions in a Wuhan market.

He joins Donald Trump in dismissing evidence suggesting that the virus was transmitted zoonotically from infected animals.

The US former president insisted that coronavirus emerged from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

A security guard keeps journalists away from the Wuhan Institute of Virology ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

But just last week a new scientific study found it was beyond reasonable doubt that Covid-19 originated in a Chinese animal market.

Researchers from the US and France discovered one stall in Wuhan, China, was a hot spot for coronavirus after analysing hundreds of genetic samples collected by Chinese authorities in 2020, and found the most likely animal sources were racoon dogs, civet cats and bamboo rats.

In his memoir, Unleashed, which is being serialised in the Daily Mail, Mr Johnson writes: The awful thing about the whole Covid catastrophe is that it appears to have been entirely manmade, in all its aspects.

It now looks overwhelmingly likely that the mutation was the result of some botched experiment in a Chinese lab.

Some scientists were clearly splicing bits of virus together like the witches in Macbeth  eye of bat and toe of frog  and oops, the frisky little critter jumped out of the test tube and started replicating all over the world.

In January 2021, he had blamed demented traditional Chinese medicine practices, such as using wildlife to boost virility, for the outbreak of Covid, saying it originated in bats or pangolins.

Various experts at the time blamed Chinas wet markets where live animals were kept in cruel conditions and slaughtered in the street, where pathogens in their fluids could quickly spread without control.

People buy meat at a wet market in Guangzhou, China ( EPA/ALEX PLAVEVSKI )

Mr Johnsons then-fiancee Carrie Symonds backed a global movement for a worldwide ban on trade in wildlife, because of the evidence linking it to the coronavirus outbreak.

But in his memoir, Mr Johnson refers to the disease as anthropogenic, meaning it was caused or produced by humans.

China has strongly denied that a lab accident set off the pandemic.

Later in 2021, an expert group led by the World Health Organisation concluded after an in-depth investigation that the virus probably spread to humans from animals and that a laboratory leak was extremely unlikely.

A report by the Wuhan Institute for Virology found that the coronavirus genetic makeup was 96 per cent identical to that found in bats, which were also the original source of the Sars virus.

Mr Johnson in his memoir also attacks his own policy of lockdowns.

He writes: In locking down our societies, we showed that we had barely progressed since early modern England, when Shakespeare and his colleagues were repeatedly compelled by law to shutter the Globe Theatre, and when they had rules on human contact  no more than six to a funeral, for instance  that eerily prefigured some of the arcane stuff we came up with, week after week, in the Cabinet Room.
 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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A royal biographer has given an insight into King Charless first hours as monarch after being told the news of the Queens death in a car.

Robert Hardman told an audience at the Henley Literary Festival  at which The Independent is the exclusive news partner for a second year  how Charless reign differed from his mothers, as well as revelations about the late Queens final days.

His book, Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, chronicles the Kings first year as monarch  the first time the majority of Britains population had encountered a ruler other than Queen Elizabeth II.

He told the audience in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, how Charles became aware that he had become King over the phone while driving back to Balmoral Castle to see his mother.

Biographer Robert Hardman told the Henley Literary Festival how Charless reign has differed from his mothers ( The Independent )

He was driving up the estate backroads, driving at some speed and someone in the back received a phone call from the switchboard. They handed it to his private secretary who said, Sir, Im afraid youre going to have to stop the car and handed him the phone.

That is the moment hes addressed as Your Majesty for the first time.

He then put the car back in gear and arrived at Balmoral Castle as King, before beginning work as monarch almost immediately.

Everyone who loses a loved one is told to go and have a few days off to sort yourself out and deal with it, but as monarch you have to start organising stuff, Hardman said.

That afternoon there was paper in front of him to appoint the new Metropolitan police commissioner. The red boxes keep going.

Customers in the Prince Harry pub, Windsor, watch King Charles III make his first address ( PA )

One of his first jobs was to inform other members of the royal family, beginning with Prince William, about the Queens passing. Hardman described the moment the monarch called the switchboard and was unsure with which title he was to address himself, so simply said: Its me.

Less than 24 hours after the Queens death, he flew down to London to address the nation as its new King.

Hardman described the atmosphere outside Buckingham Palace as Charles arrived: He goes up to the first person with his hand outstretched and theres this woman in floods of tears who says, I dont want to give you a handshake, I want to give you a hug, and does.

It was a moment where if youre looking in ways his reign is different from the last, no one would have dreamt of trying to hug Elizabeth II.

According to Hardman, Charles then went on to film his first address as King in the palace; it was recorded in just two takes, but the first was used.

Henley Literary Festival continues until 6 October.
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Benjamin Netanyahu should be congratulated for assassinating the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Kemi Badenoch has said, as the region teeters on the brink of all-out war.

The Tory leadership hopeful said the killing of the militant groups chief Hassan Nasrallah would create more peace in the Middle East and that what Israel did was extraordinary.

But, with Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon continuing, the assassination marks a major escalation in the conflict and Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed it will not go unavenged.

On the opening day of the Conservative Party conference, Ms Badenoch was asked what she would be saying to the UKs allies, including Israel, if she was the partys leader.

She told Sky News: I would be congratulating prime minister Netanyahu, I think what they did was extraordinary. Israel is showing that it has moral clarity in dealing with its enemies and the enemies of the West as well.

Kemi Badenoch said Israels killing of the Hezbollah chief was extraordinary ( PA Media )

Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation, and I think being able to remove the head of Hezbollah in the way they did will create more peace in the Middle East.

Ms Badenoch was also challenged over an article in the Sunday Telegraph in which she said not all cultures are equally valid, adding that she was struck by the number of recent immigrants to the UK who hate Israel.

Its not all Muslim immigrants, she said, adding that I have met many Muslim people who love Israel.

She said: It is not all Muslims, but there are some, those who buy into Islamist ideology, political Islam. They do not like it, and we need to be able to distinguish.

She later told the BBC: I dont think that people who bring foreign conflicts here should be welcome.

Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanons capital Beirut ( AP2006 )

Ms Badenoch was the first of the four Tory leadership contenders on the morning media round to kick off the Conservative Partys annual conference in Birmingham. She was followed by rivals Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat.

Asked what he would say to Israel as Tory leader, Mr Jenrick said the country cannot be expected to live alongside terrorists, whether thats Hamas or Hezbollah.

And he said Israeli forces are doing as much as they reasonably can to try to limit the loss of civilian life.

He told Sky News: "You have to remember that Israel is in a unique neighbourhood where it has on each side states that mean to do it harm and its important for us to support it in this difficult period.

"The way to end the conflict is obviously for the hostages to be released including the remaining British nationals who are still held in captivity."

Mr Tugendhat meanwhile said he would urge Iran to stand down its conflict with Israel if he were Tory leader.

The Tory leadership hopefuls clashed on the opening day of the partys conference in Birmingham ( Getty/PA )

The Tory former security minister told Sky News: "I would be saying to Iran that this is no time for escalation, this is no time to be reinforcing your militias in the region and to be threatening democracies and countries around the region.

"Because the truth is we have seen countries like Jordan, like Israel, suffering under Iranian threats for many years and we have seen countries like Syria and Lebanon destroyed by Irans activities in the region over not just a few years but actually over two, three, four decades."

And Mr Cleverly called for Israel to act with "professionalism and restraint

The former foreign secretary said he would say what Ive said to them already, that they have the right to defend themselves but they have to abide by international law.

The UK government has asked Britons in Lebanon to leave now amid concerns over the escalating situation in the Middle East following.

A total of 1,030 people, including 156 women and 87 children, have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon in less than two weeks, the countrys health minister said.
Students make their way to class on the first day of school at the newly constructed Emerald High School in Dublin on Aug. 13. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Californias official voter guide advises that a yes vote on Proposition 2, a statewide bond measure to fund school facilities, would let the state borrow $10 billion to build new or renovate existing public school and community college facilities.

Virtually every nonpartisan voter guide and newspaper editorial board endorsement of the measure uses forward-looking language to tout the new projects the money could fund in the future for schools in desperate need of upgrades.

This information about Prop 2 leaves out an important element of how, for better or worse, school funding works in California. Yes, the bond will fund new projects, as well as efforts to repair or upgrade existing buildings.

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But if it passes, the money will also go toward paying off projects that were completed long before voters ever considered the measure.

A spokesperson for the Department of General Services, which doles out school bond funding, confirmed that districts could use the bond money to pay off finished projects.

The School Facility Program permits school districts to seek funding for projects that are underway, planned in the future, or that are completed, provided program-specific requirements and timelines are met. Proposition 2 would not change this, Jordan Radach said in an email.

Radach said it was not possible to discern how much of the last statewide school bond, 2016s Prop 51, went toward projects completed before the bond had passed. But a Voice of San Diego analysis in 2019 found that, three years into the bond, more than 80% of the funds had gone toward school construction projects completed months or even years before voters approved Prop 51.

Bond money being used to pay off old projects is not new, and it happens because of the way school projects are funded  or rather, arent funded  in California.

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There is no permanent funding stream for school facilities. Theyre paid for entirely through school bonds enacted at the state and local levels.

That means schools often take on costly building or repair projects before they have the money to pay for them. Then they get in line for state compensation  whenever its available  to backfill.

School districts cant wait for these things to be done in many cases. Sometimes youre dealing with new kids coming in, and youve got to build the classroom. Or youve got a roof thats falling apart, Yuri Calderon, executive director of the Small School Districts Association, which supports Prop 2, told the Chronicles editorial board.

Most districts, he said, figure out how to fund it using accounts that are reserved for something else to get these projects built, and then you get in line and the state, as it passes and sells bonds, then goes and backfills from that list in the order that you got in line, assuming you met all the requirements.

Molly Weedn, a spokesperson for the Yes on 2 campaign, said that because of the massive backlog of projects, schools have had to make difficult decisions about which projects to put on hold as they wait for more money.

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If a completed project is funded by the state, it means a school district can start construction on those projects that were put on hold, she said. Many schools were built 70+ years ago and require repairs and renovations that cannot wait. Prop 2 gives the opportunity for schools to make those critical upgrades as the needs arise so that todays students can learn in safe environments.

Theres no dispute that many schools desperately need money to make repairs, to create labs and studios that reflect todays modern educational environment and to house teachers. Even the bonds opponents do not suggest the needs are not real  they simply argue that taking on bond debt is fiscally irresponsible.
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James Cleverly is the preferred candidate to win the Tory leadership race amongst the British public, a new poll has shown - but a majority of respondents said they dont know who they would support.

Asked which candidate would make the best prime minister, new polling by Techne put the former home secretary narrowly ahead of his rival candidates at 13 per cent support.

( REUTERS )

In second place was Robert Jenrick with 12 per cent backing. Kemi Badenoch was in third place with 10 per cent support, while Tom Tugendhat was trailing behind with six per cent.

Some 59 per cent said they dont know.

A spokesperson for Mr Cleverlys campaign said: This shows that James is the candidate that can win back voters that we lost at the last election, as well as those that stayed at home.

We dont have a moment to lose if we are to be fighting fit ahead of the local elections in May. James knows what needs to be done and hes ready to deliver.

The survey spoke to 1,638 adults on September 25 and 26.

The polling comes on the first day of the Conservative Partys annual conference in Birmingham, which will see the four leadership contenders parade themselves in front of party members in what has been described as a beauty contest to shore up support.

They will take part in two official leadership hustings events as well as Q&A sessions, fringe events and drinks receptions as they make their case to the Tory rank and file.

On Saturday night, Mr Cleverly held a Bevs with Clevs drinks event for supporters ahead of the conferences start.

The final two contenders will face a vote of party members next month.

Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Mr Cleverly said voters gave up on the Conservatives bickering ahead of the last general election, which saw Labour win a landslide victory.

He said: Look, when the voters tell you something, you should listen. The British voters told us not that they wanted a Labour government, in fact, in many instances they told us they didnt want a Labour government.

But what they did tell us is they wanted us out of office. And we have got to listen to that. We have got to respond to that.

Theres no point getting angry with the voters. We certainly shouldnt imply or say that they were wrong. Voters are never wrong. Sometimes politics is brutal but its beautiful.
 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 and minimise suffering on the ground, as he urged Israel to renew efforts for a ceasefire and called for more relief for civilians.

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.

British sovereignty on the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and the sovereign base areas, is not up for negotiation. The situations are not comparable.
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Sir Keir Starmer has launched a fightback against accusations that his government is mired in sleaze, nepotism and avarice, with an announcement that the rules on declaring donations and gifts will be changed.

The prime minister and a succession of cabinet ministers have been criticised for accepting thousands of pounds worth of freebies from corporate sponsors and millionaire donors, with the scandal hitting the party in the polls.

In a bid to put the government back on track, Pat McFadden, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who runs the Cabinet Office  the engine room of Whitehall  announced that rules for ministers would be tightened up.

Pat McFadden has announced a change in the rules about declaring gifts ( BBC )

He claimed that the current rules were a Tory loophole designed to protect previous Conservative ministers. The move came as:

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield quit Labour, accusing Sir Keir of presiding over sleaze, nepotism and apparent avarice, and followed up by claiming that the prime minister has a woman problem

Mr McFadden dismissed 16,000 in donations for Sir Keirs clothes and 32,000 for ministers and their spouses for clothes as a campaign expense

Loyalist Labour parliamentarians launched what appeared to be a coordinated attack on the right-wing conspiracy against Sir Keir

The Tories opened their conference in Birmingham, as senior figures within the party expressed deep concern that the party is not providing meaningful opposition

A row broke out between Tory leadership hopefuls over comments Kemi Badenoch made regarding excessive maternity pay

Former PM Rishi Sunak went into hiding and only gave a speech in private to a select group of Tory members

Mr McFadden said that under current guidance, details of hospitality received by ministers in their ministerial capacity are published by departments, but they are only released quarterly and do not include the value  unlike MPs interests, which are declared fortnightly and include the estimated cost.

Speaking about the new changes, Mr McFadden said: We will make clear going forward in the ministerial code that both ministers and shadow ministers should be under the same declaration rules.

This was a Tory loophole, brought in so that you would have an event where the Tory minister ... was there, the Labour shadow opposite number would also be there, and the Tory minister would not have to declare.

That was the Tory rule. We dont think thats fair, so we will close that loophole so ministers and shadow ministers are treated the same going forward.

Transparency International UK welcomed the governments proposal to change the rules.

Rosie Duffield resigned the Labour whip on Saturday in a move that a senior Labour figure said had been coming for quite a long time ( PA Archive )

Rose Whiffen, speaking on behalf of the campaign group, said: We welcome this move to end the two-tier system that has meant ministers, those closest to power, are able to provide less information on their hospitality and provide it less frequently than their backbench colleagues.

Additionally, to show his commitment to improving trust, the prime minister should issue his ministerial code with promised changes to strengthen the independent advisers role as well.

Sir Keir has faced criticism after it emerged that he personally had accepted more than 100,000 in gifts.

Ms Duffield announced her decision to quit the Labour Party at the weekend, in an open letter to the prime minister.

She wrote: Someone with far-above-average wealth choosing to keep the Conservatives two-child limit to benefit payments, which entrenches children in poverty, while inexplicably accepting expensive personal gifts of designer suits and glasses costing more than most of those people can grasp  this is entirely undeserving of holding the title of Labour prime minister.

Ms Duffield, whose relations with Labour have been strained as a result of her views on transgender issues, went on to criticise Sir Keirs management of the party, saying he had never regularly engaged with backbench MPs and that he lacked basic politics and political instincts.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak will not give a public speech at the party conference this year ( PA Wire )

She added: The sleaze, nepotism and apparent avarice are off the scale. I am so ashamed of what you and your inner circle have done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party.

Her letter said she intended to sit as an Independent MP and would be guided by my core Labour values.

But Labour MPs and peers launched a fightback on social media to defend the embattled prime minister.

Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden, posted an article by The Independents John Rentoul, adding: The hounding of Keir Starmer is exactly what the right-wing media wants | The Independent  100%. Thank you.

Former deputy leader Tom Watson replied: I agree.

A number of party figures have also made it clear that they are not upset about Ms Duffields departure, and highlighted the fact that she had abstained on the recent winter fuel vote.

Meanwhile, with the Tory conference starting in Birmingham, senior Conservative figures have confided that they believe the four-month leadership contest, which is continuing with the final four candidates, means the party is providing no meaningful opposition.

Conservative Party leadership contenders Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch wait to appear on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg ( PA Media )

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak, who is still the leader of the party, is not even giving a public speech at the conference; instead he will address only a select group of members of the National Conservative Convention.

One former senior minister questioned whether Labours plans about transparency are at all meaningful.

Former Tory minister Sir Jake Berry dismissed Mr McFaddens claims, and said that many of the gifts of clothes, designer glasses, the use of luxury apartments, and tickets for events like Taylor Swift concerts are not covered by the ministerial exemption.

He told The Independent: This really is a smokescreen. Almost all of these gifts we would have to declare in our roles as MPs when we were ministers. There was no exemption.

It is interesting that, for things like clothes, the donors, like Lord Alli, could have made a general donation for campaign funds to the party, which could then have been spent on clothes or whatever. Instead he chose to make personal donations to individuals, because clearly he wanted them to know he was making the donation.
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Tory grandees have warned the Conservative Party leadership candidates not to play into the hands of Reform UK as the contest threatens to spiral into infighting with the annual conference set to start on Sunday in Birmingham.

As MPs and activists flock to the International Convention Centre, former prime minister Theresa May and ex-Tory leader William Hague said those vying to replace Rishi Sunak need to acknowledge the scale of the defeat suffered by the Conservatives in July.

Lord Hague said the party must understand how resounding the general election defeat was and the monumental task it has to get itself ready for government again.

He told BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour: They have to understand how big it is. Its always tempting to think that you only have to change a bit, whereas really you have to change a lot.

This is a monumental task and just because the Labour government has had a difficult first three months, no one should be under the illusion that it becomes an easy task.

Hague warned leadership candidates not to ignore the scale of the partys defeat in July ( PA )

And, asked what advice he would give to the successful leadership contender, he added: It will be a long haul. The Labour government will be vulnerable, even in four or five years time.

But that does not mean that people will see the Conservatives as the natural replacement for them, unless we have a very single-minded leader who can communicate values, appeal to new generations and talk about the issues of the future.

Meanwhile Lady May, writing in The Times, warned that the Conservative Party failed to see the threat from the Liberal Democrats while focusing too much on Reform.

But she said the remaining candidates for the Tory leadership could play into Reforms hands by failing to understand why they lost the general election.

Theresa May warned tacking too far to the right was the wrong strategy for the Tories ( PA )

The former prime minister said the Conservatives lost power in July not due to policy, but because the party had trashed our brand, losing its reputation for integrity and competence.

Blaming the Partygate scandal and Liz Trusss disastrous mini-Budget, Lady May added that the Tories had spent too long tacking to the right in order to appease potential Reform voters and forgot that we are not a right-wing party but a centre-right party.

But, before the conference had even kicked off, a row erupted as Kemi Badenoch accused her right-wing leadership rival Robert Jenrick of playing dirty tricks by inviting others to have a pop at her.

The former business secretary, seen as the most popular contender among Tory members, warned Mr Jenricks team not to try to stitch up the MPs ballots, blocking her from progressing to the final round.

Kemi Badenoch is battling Robert Jenrick to win over the right of the Tory Party ( Getty Images )

Allies of Ms Badenoch have previously suggested Mr Jenrick is lending votes to James Cleverly to ensure he reaches the final two.

If the MPs try and stitch it up, I think the members will be very angry, Ms Badenoch told The Times. Asked whether she thinks he is trying to stitch it up, Ms Badenoch said: I think that may be happening.

And, ahead of four days set to be dominated by brutal clashes between the leadership contenders, she added: I dont mind if other candidates have a pop at me because theyre showing more about themselves than they are about me, she says. Im a family person.

Responding to the criticism, Mr Jenrick described her opposition to an immediate withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as fantasy.

He backs pulling Britain out in order to be able to deport migrants more easily, but told The Daily Telegraph: There are others, like Kemi, who argue that we should seek to reform our membership of the European Court. That is a fantasy.

The rows for the leadership threaten to overshadow the Tory conference and dominate headlines. Former home secretary Mr Cleverly is seeking to paint himself as a unifying figure, and released a statement saying: On the eve of Conservative Party Conference, my message is clear. We need to unite and we dont have a second to waste.

The four-day jamboree will see Ms Badenoch, Mr Jenrick, Mr Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat parade themselves in front of party members in what has been described as a beauty contest to shore up support before the final two contenders face a vote next month.

There will be two official leadership hustings events, speeches from the four contenders as well as Q&A sessions, fringe events and drinks receptions as they make their case to the Tory rank and file.

Pat McFadden said he was shocked how little appetite the Tories appeared to have for change ( EPA )

But Labour took advantage of the squabbling to claim the Tory leadership contenders have learned nothing at all from the partys worst general election defeat in history.

Cabinet minister Pat McFadden, referencing Labours own devastating defeat under Jeremy Corbyn in 2019, the partys worst since 1935, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr McFadden said it is shocking that there is so little appetite for change in the contest.

Mr McFadden added: In 2019, when Labour got its worst result since 1935, we knew we had to change from top to bottom. Worldview, policy and culture.

Its shocking that after such a terrible election result there is so little appetite for change in the Tory leadership election. They seem to think if they shout the same message louder the voters will admit they were wrong. And they are so terrified of Reform that they have abandoned all claim to the centre ground.

Mr Cleverly said that Labour is talking about the Conservatives because it is mired in scandal over the thousands of pounds worth of freebies and donations received by Sir Keir Starmer and his top team.

Robert Jenrick is currently the front-runner in the contest ( PA Wire )

But piling in on the Conservatives, a Reform UK spokesperson said: In stark contrast to the effervescent energy of the Reform conference, this Tory conference is a wake.

The conference will be the first meeting of the party as a whole since the Conservatives fell from 344 MPs to just 121. It will be a marked contrast from last years gathering, which saw Mr Sunaks government unveil a series of eye-catching policies in a last-ditch effort to turn around the Tories faltering fortunes.

This year, Mr Sunak will welcome members and thank those who worked on the partys general election campaign, but all eyes will be on the four leadership hopefuls.

The current favourite in the contest is Mr Jenrick, a former immigration minister under Mr Sunak who quit after urging the PM to strengthen his Rwanda deportation plan. In the second round of MPs votes, Mr Jenrick came out on top with the backing of 33 of his colleagues.

Ms Badenoch, competing with Mr Jenrick for the backing of Tory right-wingers, won the support of 28 MPs. Mr Tugendhat and Mr Cleverly, seen as representatives of the moderate wing of the party, won 21 votes each.

After the partys conference, the race will be narrowed to two candidates before members take part in an online ballot between 10 and 31 October. The new Tory leader will be announced on 2 November.

All Tory leadership candidates were contacted for comment.
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Police in riot gear. Occupied buildings. Thousands of arrests. Distrupted classrooms. An atmosphere of fear and campuses crisscrossed with encampments.

In the year since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, universities across the globe were riven with protests, vigilante mobs, and antisemitism and Islamophobia investigations. Now, college officials are cracking down and trying to avoid similar scenes as the conflict approaches its one-year anniversary. Universities are announcing measures they say will keep campus safe and uninterrupted this year, after last years Israel-Palestine turmoil.

But activists say new restrictions on protest rights only further their resolve.

Last week, the national organization of Students for Justice in Palestine, one of the main groups leading Palestine solidarity protests and encampments across US universities over the last year, called for a Week of Rage this year between October 7 and October 11.

We will rise to end our universities complicity in this genocide, to fight for the end of the colonization of Palestine, and to fight for the complete liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea, the group wrote in a post on Instagram.

Thousands were arrested over the last year on US college campuses protesting the Israel-Hamas war. Administrators are trying to prevent more chaos this year on the one-year anniversary of October 7 ( EPA )

In July, a coalition of prominent US Jewish groups warned that universities should anticipate and mitigate disruptions on the one-year mark of the Hamas attack on Israel.

A month later, Hillel International and Secure Community Network launched Operation SecureOurCampuses to send safety resources to over 50 colleges and universities, including dedicated intelligence analysts. Canadian officials in Quebec, meanwhile, have summoned the heads of provincial universities to discuss security plans amid the climate of tension on some campuses, particularly in the run-up to Oct. 7.

Schools such as the University of Maryland, UCLA and a host of others have introduced new rules for campus protests in the last year and ahead of the anniversary in 2024. Some have limited times and places of protests. Others have banned encampments.

Schools say the measures are being taken to protect the learning environment and avoid repeats of police in riot gear.

As classes have resumed this fall, so, too, have protests and demonstrations. This isnt surprising, and our USM presidents have long been preparing for these events, working closely with their executive teams, with student groups, and with their campus communities as a whole, a statement from the University of Maryland read.

Our universities are doing everything within their power and within the law to protect students right to free expression while also protecting their safetytheir right to access an education free from harassment, threats, and violence. Its a difficult balance, but a vitally important one.

Universities across the U.S. imposed new protest restrictions following a year of protest after October 7. However, some student groups are pushing back with lawsuits and calls of free speech infringement ( AP )

Campus groups plan to mark the anniversary with a variety of different events, from vigils to protests to artistic performances.

UCLA saw a large encampment, vigilante attacks and a violent police response to protests last school year. On October 7, UCLAs Hillel will host the West Coast debut of October 7, a play drawn from interviews with survivors of the Hamas attack. Daniel Gold, executive director of Hillel at UCLA, told The Independent the show allows us to honor the victims and remember the tragedies of that day in an honest and purposeful way.

He added that security will be a top priority around the event.

As Jewish communities often must do, we are taking serious security precautions to ensure the safety of our community and students, he said. These measures will allow us to grieve and come together in peace for this important and expressive memorial."

As the new semester begins, protests and police arrests of students have certainly continued, though not at the scale and intensity of last year. Thats thanks in no small part to a host of new restrictions student protesters face, from controversial facemask bans to rules outlawing activist encampments and requiring protests to be pre-approved.

Some campuses have come to resemble fortresses, with schools such as the University of Southern California implementing new security checkpoints with gates and ID checks.

They gave us one big task: Keep the protesters out, a gate guard told the Los Angeles Times last month. Thats our main job.

Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine students have both described facing an atmosphere of fear and persecution on campus over the last year ( Getty Images )

Student groups argue these restrictions have crossed the line from normal safety rules into repression of free speech.

After a wave of outside pressure comparing student activists to terrorists, the University of Maryland pulled permission for its chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace to hold an interfaith vigil remembering those killed since October 7.

The decision then grew into a ban on non-university sponsored expressive events on October 7 across the entire Maryland system, despite university officials acknowledging they hadnt received any active threats to the main campus.

Abel Amene, a member of Marylands Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, told The Independent the worst part of the decision to cancel the event was the inherent discrimination that it represents. The mere presence of the groups name on the events calendar, with little more than the date and time of their planned event, was enough to be treated like a terror threat, he said.

This assumption comes from this age-old trope of treating people from Arab backgrounds, which most of our members are, even I though myself am African, but this assumption that we are all terrorists, that we all support terrorism and that we are dangerous and that theres something inherently dangerous about our mere existence, our mere holding of an event, he said. In reality, the few things that we have released about what the event was intended to be have always been describing it as a vigil.

Palestine Legal and the Council on American-Islamic Relations have sued the public university, arguing the decision amounts to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination against the systems roughly 150,000 students who might want to mark the October 7 anniversary somehow, regardless of their stance on Israel and Palestine.

The move marks a prior restraint so sweeping only a cataclysm could justify it, according to the suit.

Regardless of the courts decision, Amene said theyre planning to mark the day in some form on or near campus, on or near October 7.

When contacted for comment by The Independent, Maryland officials pointed to a September 1 letter from President Darryll J. Pines. The message said the events were canceled out of an abundance of caution, with a goal of events that promote reflection on this day. The letter noted that a university police assessment of planned events for October 7 found no immediate or active threat.

Officials have warned that the October 7 anniversary could bring heightened protests to campus. Some universities have said they are taking steps to protect students, while also working to allow free speech ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Across the country, student activists are still dealing with the fallout of participating in last semesters protests.

At the University of Georgia, nine student activists were arrested in April during an encampment protest on accusations of criminal trespass. The school accused them of causing serious and immediate danger to campus, even though students say they were holding a peaceful demonstration that had only lasted about an hour until police arrived.

The students were first ordered to relocate to a campus free speech zone, a seeming violation of Georgias free speech FORUM law, then violently arrested when they refused. Students were given only a few minutes warning then suspended through the end of the summer, locked out of campus housing and employment and professors were warned to call 911 if they were seen at the university.

The affair prompted the schools chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine to withdraw as a campus group, and to this day, four students among the arrested havent been able to re-enroll for the new semester.

The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has asked the US Department of Education to investigate the school, arguing the university carries out extreme differential treatment of Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students.

The complaint cited the arrests, Georgias yearly IsraelFest event, and comments from the Georgia president suggesting pro-Palestine demonstrations are hateful. It also said campus officials ignored tweets from Georgia congressman Mike Collins, whose district covers the university, that seemed designed to intimidate against protesters.

The Independent has contacted Rep. Collinss office for comment.

Azka Mahmood, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Georgia, said there was now a stifling atmosphere on campus.

All of the things combined to create this extremely oppressive environment that really punishes anyone for expressing any criticism of the state of Israel, any support of Palestine, she told The Independent.

Greg Trevor, a spokesperson for the University of Georgia, told The Independent via email that Georgias Students for Justice in Palestine chapter held a clearly prohibited encampment on our historic North Campus Quad in willful violation of university policy, declined to accept alternatives by the university to conduct their protest in accordance with university policies, and refused repeated warnings to either comply with these policies or disperse.

UGA supports and facilitates freedom of expression, but such activities must comply with applicable laws and policies, he added.

Mahmood is confident that all the changes on campus wont stop students from expressing their thoughts this year.

Students remain determined as ever, she said. Its very difficult to silence young people who are passionate about causes. They will always find ways to express their opinions and stand up for what they think is right. Thats just the way of the world.
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A New Jersey couple who were badly hurt in an Uber crash cannot sue the app company because they tapped I agree to a forced arbitration clause, a court has ruled.

Georgia and John McGinty were riding in the back seat of an Uber taxi in March 2022 when their driver ran a red light and slammed into the side of another vehicle, according to court documents.

Georgia McGinty, a matrimonial lawyer, suffered multiple broken bones and had to take more than a year off work, while John McGinty needed surgery and a bone graft to fix his fractures.

But on Sep 20, a trio of Garden State appeal judges upheld Ubers argument that the McGintys had waived the right to the trial when Georgia or her under-18 daughter said yes to a full-screen pop-up in Ubers sister app Uber Eats presenting them with updated terms and conditions while they were trying to order food.

An Uber Eats delivery driver ( Jon Super/PA Wire )

You and Uber agree that any dispute, claim or controversy in any way arising out of or relating to your access to or use of the Services at any time... will be settled by binding individual arbitration between you and Uber, and not in a court of law, the agreement said.

In a statement, the McGintys told Law & Crime that they were surprised and heartbroken by the decision.

We are horrified at what the courts decision suggests: a large corporation like Uber can avoid being sued in a court of law by injured consumers because of contractual language buried in a dozen-page-long user agreement concerning services unrelated to the one that caused the consumers injuries, the McGintys said.

Here, the content, format, and presentation  dozens of pages on an iPhone screen during a food delivery order  make it impossible that anyone could understand what rights they were potentially waiving or how drastic the consequences could be.

It is the latest legal case to draw attention to the use of binding arbitration agreements by major corporations, which the vast majority of consumers are reportedly unaware they have signed.

In August, there was a public outcry over Disneys attempt to dismiss a wrongful lawsuit from the husband of a woman who died from an extreme allergic reaction to food that company restaurant staff assured her was allergen-free.

Guests at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World ( Orlando Sentinel )

Disneys lawyers had initially argued that the husband could not sue due to an arbitration clause in the terms of service for a free trial of Disney+ that hed signed up for in 2019.

In the Uber case, the McGintys said in court that they had no memory of seeing the most recent pop-up and believed that it was actually agreed by their daughter as she ordered take-out while the family was busy packing for a ski trip.

A lower court found that Ubers arbitration cause was unenforceable because it fail[ed] to clearly and unambiguously inform plaintiff of her waiver of the right to pursue her claims in a judicial forum.

However, the appeal judges agreed with Ubers contention that Georgia McGinty delegated authority to her daughter by giving her the phone and allowing her to make an order, and that her age was irrelevant because she had ticked a box saying she was at least 18 years old.
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Hundreds of people are still presumed missing across six states following the devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene.

Helene is now one of the deadliest storms in US history, with 160 deaths reported late Tuesday. The majority of fatalities were in North Carolina.

The current data that we have, is that it looks like there could be as many as 600 lost lives, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall said Monday. But, we dont have any confirmation of that. We know there are 600 who are either lost or unaccounted for.

Sherwood-Randall cautioned that the numbers vary widely and theres a lot of reporting that doesnt add up about the numbers.

A search and rescue dog and handler searches for victims through thick mud in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina on Tuesday. ( (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) )

She added: And so, while we may see the numbers go up as we get to more locations that have not yet been fully developed in terms of disaster, immediate emergency response operations, we may see more people who unfortunately perished. But we may also not see the numbers skyrocket as people have predicted they might.

Governors in the impacted states did not provide an update to that figure on Tuesday.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Director of Emergency Management William Ray said that theyd work with the states information and referral service to determine the number of missing.

We know that there will be more fatalities, Cooper said.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced that the number of confirmed deaths from the storm in his state rose to 36 on Tuesday afternoon.

This has really hit our region hard, he said.

White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall speaks Monday at the White House. She said deaths associated with Hurricane Helene and its devastating impacts could be as many as 600, but cautioned that its too soon to know. ( (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) )

A Facebook group with more than 477,000 members included posts from people looking for family members. Some also provided updates saying their loved ones had been found.

Search and rescue efforts continued in western North Carolina with 92 teams working on the ground. Helicopters provided air support while rescuers trudged through deep mud with dogs.

Images taken in the Wautaga County town of Boone over the weekend revealed the extent of the damage, with collapsed houses and whole areas underwater.

On Tuesday, Watauga County Director of Emergency Management Will Holt said there was one team left in the area. Now were really starting to get into isolated pockets and finding where people are, he said.

Scott Richardson surveys his collapsed house in Boone, North Carolina, on Saturday following impacts from Hurricane Helene. ( REUTERS/Jonathan Drake )

The Watauga County Sheriffs Office told The Watauga Democrat on Monday that there had been two deaths related to the storm. In hard-hit Buncombe County, 40 deaths were reported.

Thousands of federal personnel have been deployed to respond to Helene, and President Joe Biden will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina on Wednesday. The president had waited to travel there until it was determined his presence would not to disrupt rescue efforts, according to officials.

Hurricane Helene hit Floridas Big Bend region last Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Kirk had strengthened into a hurricane on Thursday. The storm is expected to become a major hurricane in the coming days.
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In recent years, with Millennials facing a historically bad housing market, the number of Americans buying homes together with people other than their spouse has hit record highs.

There are plenty of success stories  the group of friends who erected a 24-person, village-y compound in Oakland, California and the realtor who bought nine properties with friends and was worth $1 million before she was 30 in Austin, Texas  but going in on a shared home with friends has problems all its own.

Co-buyers say theyve faced financial disagreements, personal stress and huge debt loads as they try to exit these unique housing arrangements.

Some of the problems are their own doing, caused by poor planning or fraying tempers, while others come down to a housing system that hasnt quite caught up with the idea of communal ownership.

Some friends have turned to buying homes together as a way into home ownership, with reduced costs. Now, they are finding out the problems with their plan when one wants to leave the agreement ( REUTERS )

Celeste King, 35, spent $100,000 in 2021 for a share in a house near Austin with two friends. Two years later, she wanted out, frustrated with the time it took to renovate and the stress over vacation renters who broke house rules.

However, leaving the property behind would mean missing out on the homes 50 percent appreciation. Making matters worse, her friends didnt have the money to immediately buy out her share. Faced with this dilemma, they chose to help King exit by paying monthly $2,000 installments for the foreseeable future. Not exactly the blissful bargain touted by share-house backers on TikTok.

Thats the big con to doing business with friends, she told The Wall Street Journal. Because I still care about those people, Im willing to be less self-interested.

Heath Schechinger, 40, bought a home in Northern California in 2021 with friends to get around the regions famously high rents.

We all wanted to be able to eventually be a homeowner so that we had the autonomy of making choices for our own, but living in the Bay Area that just seems so financially out of reach for all of us, he told TIME magazine in June.

Three years later, and the group has decided to sell because of issues setting up a mortgage agreement that would allow them to transfer their interests to a non-family member if they ever tried to leave.

Co-buyers say theyve faced financial disagreements, personal stress and huge debt loads as they try to exit these unique housing arrangements ( AP )

The difficulties with such schemes appear to be international.

UK home buyer David, who spoke to VICE this year anonymously for privacy reasons, bought a house with a friend and then sold it five years later, describing it as financially beneficial but socially damaging.

Obviously, once money is involved with friendships, it does have the potential to get quite complicated, he said. You arent just friends anymore, youre like economic partners. I think it was always in the back of our minds that this could get messy.

We never really sat down and talked about it, and that was a bit of a f***-up, to be honest. It turned out we did have quite different ideas about how the process works, he added. It was really stressful.

A trio of sisters who went in on a shared property in Australia told The Guardian about a cascade of problems they faced.

When the eldest sister had a baby, she sold her share to the middle sister. Because of the complex structure of their shared loan, the youngest sister became her guarantor for a sizable amount of money.

When the youngest sister wanted to buy a separate house with her husband, the debt severely limited her possibilities. The sisters eventually succeeded in selling the property, but not without a bad taste in their mouths.

We were all just frustrated  really bound together and financially stuck, one of the sisters, Hayley, told the outlet, using a pseudonym.

Social media is full of such stories.

In a widely read 2021 Reddit thread, a user named DareBaron described the decision to buy a house with five threads as one with A LOT of complication.

You are putting your relationships at risk by entering into a personal financial endeavor with your friends, the user wrote. Maybe you would make it out intact, but Ill tell you, I lost a close friend of 12 years and another of 5. The complication and stress take a mental and emotional toll. We never once fought about anything either, it was all civil.

Homebuying among friends has spread on social media. There are even companies that now specialize in serving shared home buyers ( REUTERS )

Still, such difficulties dont appear to have stopped many first-time buyers from turning to joint homes with friends and other distant relations.

A survey this year from JW Surety Bonds found that roughly 15 percent of all Americans have gone in on a home with someone other than a romantic partner.

The survey found that Gen Z was the most willing to consider the option, and renters were 29 percent more likely to seek the solution than homeowners.

Co-ownership rates grew 21.1 percent between 2022 and 2023 in the counties with the largest co-ownership rates, clustered in Utah, Virginia, North Dakota, Minnesota and Colorado, another recent study found.

A whole crop of companies now serve shared home buyers, including co-ownership app CoBuy, real estate marketplaces Landa and Fintor, as well as luxury shared home platform Pacaso and shared home listing start-up Live Near Friends.

Still, despite the enthusiasm, housing experts say covering the boring basics is a must before hopping on this exciting trend: communicate honestly about your finances, get your legal and financial agreements in order, in writing, and expect the unexpected.

Aspiring homeowners that are unmarried, friends, or family should tread lightly when it comes to signing on for a mortgage because if things go south, it can cause tension in those relationships, or worse, someone gets stuck with the obligation of paying back the loan,Jason Gelios, a realtor in Southeast Michigan, recently told Forbes.
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Joe Bidens national security council spokesman claimed on Sunday that despite several rounds of Israeli bombings and attacks across Lebanon, Benjamin Netanyahu still supposedly opposes the escalation of the conflict against Hamas and Hezbollah into a wider regional war.

He also downplayed the reports of increasingly frayed ties between Washington and Jerusalem, which emerged in the wake of recent strikes including one that killed a senior Hezbollah commander, Hassan Nasrallah. The US president was reported to have been frustrated and caught off-guard in the wake of the strike, which he viewed as a humiliation of his top diplomat, Antony Blinken.

Stating that President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have known each other for years, John Kirby said that the two will never agree on everything but do agree on the big thing, which he said was both the security of Israel as well as preventing further conflict around the Middle East.

But he evaded confirming or explaining reporting which indicated that relations had eroded to the point where US commanders were not notified of Israeli plans to kill Nasrallah until planes were in the air. He did indicate that the Biden administration was still not considering any efforts to limit the transfer of weaponry to Israel over concerns about how it was being used, stating that US support was ironclad when specifically asked about weapon transfers.

White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby downplays tensions between Biden and Netanyahu, telling @jaketapper they agree on the big thing of protecting Israel and preventing an all-out war. pic.twitter.com/TKYLusvNSo  State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) September 29, 2024

Kirby also remained firmly wedded to a theme the Biden administrations messaging has followed for months: steady urging against retaliation from Iran, which once again risks being drawn into the conflict as a top revolutionary guard (IRGC) officer was also present and killed in the strike targeting Nasrallah, which hit a suburb of Beirut.

Weve seen the rhetoric coming out of Tehran. Well watch and see what they do, Kirby said. He went on to indicate that the US would take steps to ensure the defense of US assets and/or Israel if an Iranian response threatened either one.

We will watch and see what they do.



White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby joins @jaketapper to discuss Irans potential response to the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. pic.twitter.com/pKQLnRIOIT  State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) September 29, 2024

Hundreds of people  mostly civilians  are reported dead in the wake of the Israeli attacks on Beirut and the countrys south. Israeli officials maintain that the strikes are closely targeted to hit Hezbollah targets, but the pattern of civilian carnage which has been exemplified by the Israeli pounding of the Gaza Strips residential areas is quickly being mirrored across Lebanon. A number of Hezbollah commanders were confirmed dead among the strike targeting Nasrallah, which took place on Friday.

The secretary general of the United Nations warned just days prior that the war in Gaza was on the verge of engulfing the entire Middle East in seemingly perpetual bloodshed.

The US president, meanwhile, offered an almost robotic comment on the situation, one he has held to since October 7, while giving remarks at the UN General Assembly in New York: "Now is the time for the parties to finalise the terms [of a ceasefire deal]. Bring the hostages home, secure security for Israel, and free Gaza from Hamass grip. Ease the suffering in Gaza and end this war."

But any deal to end the conflict, or even pause it, seems further away than ever before. A recent Wall Street Journal report indicated that top US officials no longer believe one is possible to be reached within the next few months, and the continued targeting of Hezbollah commanders and forces by Israeli forces in Lebanon seems to point to the conflict widening, rather than being contained to Gaza.

Polling on the issue of Israel/Gaza in the US is somewhat scattered but generally shows support for Israels security and the USs role in it; however, it also indicates that significant numbers of Americans support conditioning military aid to Israel on meeting international standards which prevent the targeting of civilians.
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Kamala Harris on Sunday picked up the endorsement of another prominent opponent of Donald Trump within the Republican Party, a sign that the remaining #NeverTrump wing of the GOP is rallying behind her.

Jeff Flake, a former senator from Arizona who left Congress in 2019, issued his endorsement in a statement released on Twitter. He further explained his motivations in an interview Sunday on ABCs This Week.

Ill be supporting Kamala Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President, wrote Flake in the post accompanying his video message endorsement. Ive served with Kamala in the U.S Senate. Ive also served with Tim in the House of Representatives.

He added: I know them. I know first of hand of their fine character and love of country. I would encourage all Republicans who feel this way to do the same.

Ill be supporting Kamala Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President.



Ive served with Kamala in the U.S Senate. Ive also served with Tim in the House of Representatives.



I know them. I know first of hand of their fine character and love of country.



I would pic.twitter.com/xn0OM4rcqk  Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) September 29, 2024

His endorsement follows those of several other prominent Republicans: former vice president Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz Cheney, an ex-congresswoman who co-chaired the January 6 investigation, as well as her committee colleague Adam Kinzinger. It wasnt a particularly surprising addition to the list, either; Flake supported Joe Biden publicly in 2020.

I think Republicans believe in the rule of law in particular, and it's difficult to support a candidate who, having lost an election, tries to use the powers of the presidency to overturn that election, said Flake on ABC. I know a lot of conservative Republicans feel the way I do.

I think Republicans believe in the rule of law in particular, and it's difficult to support a candidate who, having lost an election, tries to use the powers of the presidency to overturn that election.



Fmr. GOP Sen. @JeffFlake on Republicans endorsing VP Harris. pic.twitter.com/CjpvGDtAlq  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) September 29, 2024

That #NeverTrump coalition  which often materializes at events hosted by the center-right Bulwark publication  is not satisfied with those numbers, and has been publicly pressuring retiring GOP senator Mitt Romney, an avowed critic of Trumps, to join them in endorsing Harris.

But Romney has been particularly blunt about his reasoning for not doing so: political expediency.

My particular vote doesnt have a big impact: Im from Utah, Romney said in a recent interview on MSNBC, downplaying the effect his endorsment would likely have on some independents and Harris-curious Republicans around the country. In my case, having been the former nominee of the Republican Party, I want to make sure that Im in a position after this election to have some influence on the direction of our party in the future. So Im not going to go out and do something that would make that more difficult to occur.

Mitt Romney has been blunt about his reasoning for not endorsing Kamala Harris: despite declining to seek re-election this year, he wants a future in the Republican Party ( AP )

Flake, meanwhile, is not likely to re-enter electoral politics any time soon, at least while Donald Trump remains essentially in control of the conservative movement. He declined to seek re-election in 2018, early on into the Trump presidency, after serving in the GOPs twin-chamber majority and voting with his party on Trumps tax plan and effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat who later left the party, became an independent, then dropped out of her own bid for re-election, replaced him in the seat.

Since leaving office, he has been a political expert for CBS News and currently serves as Bidens ambassador to Turkey.
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, seen here in September 2023, plans to keep her vote on Prop 36 private. Kyle Grillot/Special to The San Francisco Chronicle

Several candidates running for California governor in 2026 wont say how they will vote on Proposition 36, a ballot measure to increase jail time for thefts and drug possession.

Of the four candidates who participated in a forum in San Francisco on Sunday, only former state Controller Betty Yee took a clear position on the measure, saying she would vote against it. State Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, said she was still making up her mind but leaned toward voting no. State schools chief Tony Thurmond said he was still deciding. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis said she wanted to keep her vote private.

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All Californians will be asked to vote on Prop 36 in November. It would allow people caught stealing three times to be charged with felonies, regardless of what they stole and how much it cost. It would do the same for drug possession charges.

In doing so, Prop 36 would roll back parts of Prop 47, a ballot measure passed in 2014 that reduced punishments for drug possession and theft of property worth less than $950 to misdemeanors. Prop 47 required that the money saved by keeping people out of prison for those crimes fund rehabilitation and treatment programs aimed at keeping people from committing crimes in the first place.

Thurmond said he was torn about Prop 36 because he said he has serious reservations about locking more people up even as he believes there needs to be more accountability for those who steal.

I want to keep it a private vote, Kounalakis said. I think I know where I am, but I will tell you, I think this is out of our hands. It is in the hands of the public who want public safety.

Kounalakis then mentioned the recent shooting of 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall during an attempted robbery in Union Square. A 17-year-old from Tracy has been charged in connection with the shooting.

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The suspect did not set out that day to try to kill somebody. He set out to steal something. We have to send the message that its not OK to steal, Kounalakis said. Both of those lives are ruined.

Pearsall survived the shooting and is expected to play later this season.

Atkins said she has not yet taken a position on Prop 36 but likely wont support it because she has concerns about jailing more people. Instead, she said she supports the package of retail theft laws she and her colleagues recently passed. Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders promoted the measures, which crack down on the sale of stolen goods and make it easier to prosecute burglaries, as an alternative to Prop 36.

I am concerned about how it is written, so likely I will not support this measure, she said of Prop 36. When you do a ballot measure, it is in stone. The only way you can undo it is to go back to the people.

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Yee said she will vote no.

It is setting up false promises, she said, adding that she believes there needs to be more funding for rehabilitation and treatment programs aimed at keeping people from committing crimes in the first place.

Former California State Controller Betty Yee, seen here in August at the Democratic National Convention, was the only gubernatorial candidate at a Sunday forum to say definitively how she would vote on Proposition 36, a ballot measure to increase jail time for thefts and drug possession. She is opposed. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

The nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office, which estimates how much proposed laws will cost, found Prop 36 will reduce the amount the state must spend on mental health and drug treatment, school truancy and dropout prevention, and victim services by tens of millions of dollars each year. Thats because the increased incarceration costs under Prop 36 would cut into funding for those programs.

Supporters of the measure acknowledge that it would drive up costs to the state but have argued California needs to crack down on drug possession and retail theft.

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Prop 36 emerged as one of the few areas during the debate where the four Democratic candidates expressed diverging views. All said they support some form of single-payer health care, though did not give specifics about how or within what timeframe the state should overhaul its health care system. All said they would uphold Newsoms death penalty moratorium. They also said they would support giving unemployment benefits to striking workers, a policy Newsom has vetoed.

But the candidates did diverge when asked about another measure before California voters in November: Prop 35. That measure would prevent lawmakers from using money generated by a tax on health care providers to backfill budget deficits. Instead, it would require that the funds be spent on specific health care programs for low-income residents.

Thurmond and Atkins said they support Prop 35. Yee said she did not. Kounalakis declined to take a position.

Newsom opposes both Prop 35 and Prop 36.

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Lindsey Graham was fact-checked live on air by CNNs Jake Tapper on Sunday after criticizing Kamala Harris for crazy liberal immigration policies  despite her endorsement of a border security compromise negotiated in the Senate that was also supported by some of Grahams allies.

Graham was asked about Donald Trump calling Harris mentally impaired during an interview on State of the Union when he pivoted to attacking the vice presidents policy positions, a strategy he has often urged Donald Trump to take but with little success.

I just think shes crazy liberal. I dont think that shes... I just think the better course to take is to prosecute the case that her policies are destroying the country. Theyre crazy liberal. 400,000 people have been let loose in our country. 16,000 people convicted of being rapists. 13,000 convicted murderers, and 400,000 people generally convicted of crimes were released on her watch, Graham said.

Tapper then responded by saying that CNN had fact-checked the senators statement, and found that it was misrepresented to imply that such numbers of criminals had been released under the Biden-Harris administration. Those numbers roughly described migrants released from custody over a decade or more, including the entirety of the Trump presidency.

That statistic is actually over decades ... and some of them are in prison. Not ICE prisons, but federal prisons, Tapper said, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Graham shot back: I can tell you this: the man who killed Laken Riley, in Georgia, was released by the Biden-Harris administration.

I'm not saying she's crazy. I'm saying your policies are batshit crazy.@LindseyGrahamSC responds to Donald Trump calling Kamala Harris mentally impaired. pic.twitter.com/VuzldJ1dk3  State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) September 29, 2024

The exchange comes at a tense time for debate on immigration in the United States.

Public opinion has generally shifted in favor of tighter border security in the wake of widely publicized images and videos of massive crowds of migrants making illegal crossings at the southern border in recent years.

Over the last month, that conversation has exploded into ugly smears directed by Donald Trump and his Republican allies aimed at Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio and other towns  migrants who came to the US legally and were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the Biden administration in 2021 amid surging unrest and gang violence in Haiti.

Trump himself highighted those smears at the presidential debate in Philadelphia, where he declared, theyre eating the dogs! and ratcheted up a hate campaign against Springfields residents which city officials say has led to multiple bomb threats and other racist harassment against the towns residents.
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Former President Donald Trump expressed his frustration over a fly that approached his lectern in a bizarre moment during a rally speech.

Trump was on stage at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, making a point about a hat, when he appeared to get distracted by the creature.

Oh theres a fly, the former president said. I wonder where the fly came from?

One audience member shouted out Kamala.

Trump continued: See, two years ago, I wouldnt have had a fly up here. Youre changing rapidly. We cant take it any longer. It wasnt clear who or what the president was referring to before he changed the subject.

The internet was quick to react to Trumps unexpected outburst, with MSNBC host and legal analyst Katie Phang saying this is not normal.

Meanwhile, American Bridge 21st Century, who describe themselves an a Republican accountability group, said: Trump is exhausted and struggling to stay on track. He begins a story about a hat, but gets distracted by a fly and never finishes. He starts a entirely new story and struggles with the word unique.

Many others drew the comparison between Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, after a fly landed on the latters head and remained there for almost two minutes during his 2020 debate with Kamala Harris.

Trump seemed to get distracted by a fly during a rally speech on Saturday ( AP )

In separate remarks made during his speech, Trump again dialed up his rhetoric against Harris, calling her mentally disabled and mentally impaired. Harris visited the US-Mexico border earlier this week and most of Trumps speech took aim at migrants who have entered the US illegally.

Posters of migrants who have been charged with murder and other violent crimes surrounded Trump on stage. Some of them read: End Migrant Crime and Deport Illegals Now. He referred to those who had been charged as monsters, stone-cold killers and vile animals.

He continued to blame Harris and President Joe Biden for the influx of migrants coming into the country, and claimed some of them wanted to rape, pillage, thieve, plunder and kill the people of the United States of America. In fact, a 2024 study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University found immigrants have never been incarcerated at a greater rate than people born in the United States over an 150-year period.

While speaking at her own news conference from the border, Harris vowed to fix the countrys broken immigration system and accused the former president of fanning the flames of fear and division.
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Israel has claimed to have wiped out much of Hezbollahs leadership in recent airstrikes, as Lebanon said the bombing campaign has now forced a fifth of the countrys population to flee their homes.

The Lebanese militant group has now confirmed the deaths of seven senior officials slain by Israel in just over a week, including its leader of 32 years, Hassan Nasrallah, in a strike Israel claimed also killed 20 other Hezbollah members in southern Beirut on Friday.

Those include founding members of the group first established by Irans Revolutionary Guard in 1982, who had previously evaded death or detention at Israels hands for decades until Israels decision this month to launch its heaviest bombing campaign against Lebanon since the 2006 war.

A Hezbollah flag was hung at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburbs of Beirut ( AP )

After Hezbollah confirmed the death of Nabil Kaouk  who led the groups forces in southern Lebanon during the 2006 war  in another strike on Saturday, the United States warned its ally Israel that an all-out war with Hezbollah, certainly with Iran, is not the way to make Israels own citizens safer.

As Iran vowed to retaliate and warned that the US is complicit in all of these crimes, spokesperson John Kirby said the White House was watching to see what Hezbollah would do to try and fill its leadership vacuum, adding: Its going to be tough  much of their command structure has now been wiped out.

While Israel and Hezbollah had been trading frequent cross-border fire since Hamass attack on Israel on 7 October last year sparked the war in Gaza, Israel said this month that it was shifting its focus from Gaza to Lebanon, after launching two shock attacks in which it remotely detonated walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah.

According to Lebanons health ministry, more than 1,000 people  including 87 children and 14 medics  have been killed in the ensuing bombardment, and a further 6,000 wounded, as Unicef warned that the pre-existing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is rapidly escalating into a catastrophe.

Environment minister Nasser Yassin said that around a million people  amounting to a fifth of the population  have fled their homes, with some 250,000 now living in shelters and three to four times as many staying with friends and relatives or camping in the streets.

Rescuers at the scene of an Israeli airstrike in Beiruts suburb of Ghobeiri on Sunday ( AP )

Israel said on Sunday that it had hit dozens more targets in Lebanon, including key weapons-manufacturing sites. State media in Lebanon reported that at least 17 people from the same family had been killed in Israeli strikes in the Bekka Valley, with at least four others killed when two homes were hit.

The health ministry said 24 people had also been killed and dozens more injured in a strike on Ain al-Delb, near to Lebanons third-largest city Sidon.

And a day after the Houthis claimed to have fired a missile at Tel Aviv, the Israeli military said it had used dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets, to attack power plants and a sea port in Yemen, which it claimed were being used to transport Iranian weapons.

Hostilities have continued in Gaza, where health authorities said at least 11 Palestinians were killed in strikes, including at a school sheltering displaced people in the northern city of Beit Lahia. Israel said it had hit Hamas militants, whom it accused of exploiting civilian facilities.

Israels escalation of the conflict has been met with alarm and condemnation elsewhere in the region, with Iraq accusing Israel of crossing all red lines in Lebanon.

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrike locations on Sunday in Beiruts southern suburbs ( Getty )

Israels allies, including the US, Britain, Germany and other European nations, all repeated their pleas on Sunday for a diplomatic solution and ultimately a ceasefire with Hezbollah, with France urging restraint following a report that Israeli military leaders were pushing to launch a limited ground offensive.

Wreckage from the strike that killed Nasrallah and levelled six buildings in Beirut on Friday was still smouldering more than two days later, with smoke hanging over the rubble as people flocked to the site, some to check on what was left of their homes and others to pay their respects.

Nasrallahs body was recovered intact from the site, and it appeared he had been killed by blunt trauma from the force of the blast, a medical source and a security source told reporters on Sunday.

Iranian military commander Abbas Nilforoushan was also killed in the blast, and Tehran insisted on Sunday that this horrible crime would not go unanswered.

We will not hesitate to go to any level in order to help the resistance, said Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, referring to the groups the country supports, including Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah and various Shia groups in Iraq and Syria.

Mr Araghchi also warned that the US is complicit in all of these crimes and ... has to accept the repercussions.

The Pentagon said US defence secretary Lloyd Austin had authorised the military to reinforce its presence in the Middle East with defensive air-support capabilities, and to put other forces on a heightened readiness status.

The US is determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict, spokesperson Patrick Ryder said, warning those groups against targeting American personnel or interests in the region.

Britain has urged its 5,000 or so citizens in Lebanon to leave the country. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said on Sunday that the government has prepared plans for every contingency and will evacuate British nationals if necessary.
 Close Israeli hostages families march to Netanyahus home on October 7 anniversary

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Israel has said it will launch operations on Lebanons southern coast, hours after ten firefighters were killed in an Israeli strike in the south of the country.

The Israeli military has told residents to stay off the beaches and fishermen off the sea for a 60-kilometre stretch along the Mediterranean.

At least 10 firefighters have been killed in an Israeli strike on a municipal building in the town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, the local health ministry has reported.

The Lebanese health ministry, a separate authority to the Iran-backed group, says 22 people were killed and 111 wounded in Israeli strikes across the south yesterday.

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.
Mark Zuckerberg thinks he has invented the future  and he isnt sorry about it. When he stood up at Metas annual conference this week, wearing a T-shirt that translates roughly as Zuck or nothing, he had a new vision of the future to present.

Zuckerberg has presented visions of the future before, of course. Ever since Facebook arrived, it came with an imagined world in which people would be more closely and permanently connected, and be more fulfilled as a result. The vision itself hasnt really changed  it has just come in the form of new technology  but Zuckerberg has.

Gone is the haircut that made him look like Julius Caesar and the hoodie that became a cliche; here instead is a baggy T-shirt, with his own version of the phrase aut Caesar aut Nihil. (Zuckerbergs version of that phrase  which means a Caesar or nothing  swapped his own nickname for the Roman emperors.) His hair was curly and his manner was confident.

He looked, in short, like a new person, with new technology to show off. The headlining product of Metas annual Connect event was Orion, what it calls its first true augmented reality glasses. They look like normal specs, with slightly chunky frames. But the wearer will be able to use its lenses as screens, projecting digital content onto the real world.

Meta has been working on something like this for years, and so have rivals including Apple. Until now, Metas attempts to build true smart glasses of this kind have come at it from two directions: its Quest headsets, which put displays on their wearers face, and the Ray-Ban glasses which include a camera to look out at the world.

The Orion glasses are not here yet  even when they are, they will not be a full realisation of the companys dream, since they also require a nearby puck to do some of the computing  but the dream is much closer to being realised than it was before.

That vision comes hand in hand with the much-mocked metaverse. The word may now have come inextricably wrapped up in hype over NFTs and dystopian images of people locked up in headsets, but Zuckerberg has been subtly bringing it to us all the same. A hint of it is offered in the  astonishingly good  glasses that Meta makes with Ray-Bans.

They present the metaverse not as a kind of digital world into which you disappear, but as a new layer that can be placed on top of the real world that we share. (Apple has taken much the same approach with its augmented reality goggles, describing them as its first product you look through not at.) The Ray-Bans dont have screens, but they can for instance view the world outside through a camera, analyse it with AI, and then offer information about it. The new Orion glasses seem to be the most advanced yet version of that vision, with a product that should disappear when it is not in use.

open image in gallery Making a spectacle: the Meta CEO has been quietly rebuilding ( Reuters )

Zuckerberg has been on the defensive for at least a decade, as Facebook became swamped in controversy over politics and division. Even the renaming of his company seemed to have been done on the back foot: the name Meta was supposed to indicate that the company was moving towards being about the metaverse, but it was also a fairly obvious attempt to outrun the bad reputation that Facebook had picked up.

Now he has switched his stance. Instead of dodging and weaving and hoping that critics would tire, he is back on the offensive, taking attacks without apologising but also making the fight go his own way. And instead of taking his clothing and hobbies from the tech world, he now looks more like an influencer: baggy clothes, jiu-jitsu and a kind of studiedly relaxed energy.

For years, Zuckerberg had been the butt of jokes about his face being painted in sunscreen and his robotic manner; they were so common that even in Metas regular staff Q&As, during which the chief executive addressed staff, employees would reference the jokes directly to their bosses face. Now, however, it is much more popular to express a new kind of shock about how cool he has become.

Every couple of weeks, for instance, a post will go viral on X/Twitter showing Zuckerberg doing a new hobby  riding an electric surfboard across the sea, for instance  and wondering just how he had become interesting, all of a sudden.

open image in gallery Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan pose during the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani in March 2024 ( Reuters )

Zuckerbergs worry-free approach seems to be carrying over to the companys work in AI, too. This week, he told The Verge that most peoples work is not actually useful for training artificial intelligence, and that therefore it would just stop using it rather than compensating its creators.

I think individual creators or publishers tend to overestimate the value of their specific content in the grand scheme of this, he said; when push comes to shove, if they demanded that we dont use their content, then we just wouldnt use their content. (He made the comments around the same time as a viral Instagram trend in which hundreds of thousands of users attempted to ask Meta not to use their data for training AI.)

Despite being one of the worlds richest and occasionally most hated men, Zuckerberg has been able to undertake a transformation fairly quietly. As Elon Musk feuded with world leaders, and Tim Cook continued in his competent, consistent quietude, Zuckerberg has been building a whole new brand. It comes with a new commitment not to apologise for or even get involved in something of the things that have dragged him and his companies down in the past, a kind of studied anti-politics.

What Zuckerberg might have in his corner is the fact that he is, perhaps first and foremost, a product person. None of the current crop of super-famous tech CEOs actually built the product with which they are associated: Musk bought Twitter, Tim Cook ran Apples operations, and Amazons Andy Jassy and Alphabets Sundar Pichai both came to power when their companies were dominant. (Nvidias Jensen Huang and Netflixs Reed Hastings may be Zuckerbergs only counterpart, but both have largely escaped the controversies and scrutinies that have tended to come with being a powerful tech boss.)

open image in gallery Taking a leaf out of Steve Jobss book, Zuck wants to project an image that is both style and substance ( AP )

People might have grown tired of Zuckerberg and Metas products  or at least they might profess to, even if their phones screen time tells a different story. But he seems to believe the way to fix that is to return to those product roots even while reinventing himself. Unlike, say, Elon Musk, he is not attempting to make people talk in different ways, but to give them something else to talk about.

One of the big promises of this kind of product is that they are not a phone; almost all of todays new hardware releases are based on the idea that people hate their smartphones, despite the fact that they are the single most popular piece of consumer technology ever made. But the tech companies are right that something has clearly changed in the way that people view the technology that surrounds them.

The mistake they have made, however, is thinking that the problem is the technology itself; the greater frustration is surely with the companies rather than the products that deliver them to us. In that respect, Zuckerberg might be right in inventing himself twice over: both he and his companys products are offering a new version of themselves. And if were looking forwards to a new future, perhaps through his glasses, then were not looking backwards at where they came from.
Tory leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch has praised Israel and Netanyahu as extraordinary following an airstrike confirmed to have killed Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

I would be congratulating prime minister Netanyahu, Badenoch told Skys Trevor Phillips from the Tory Party Conference.

When quizzed on whether moral lines had been crossed to reached Hezbollahs leader, she added: Its not about a free pass, but Israel does have a right to defend itself.

The MP added that immigrants who see Israel as an enemy are not welcome in the UK.
Kemi Badenoch has warned that immigrants who see Israel as an enemy are not welcome in the UK.

The Tory leadership hopeful responded to backlash from her Telegraph column, which suggested those moving to Britain should be expected to uphold British traditions and values.

Missing childrens posters being ripped down because people hate Israel. I dont think that has any place here, she told Skys Trevor Phillips.

However, she insists her comments dont blanket the muslim immigrant population, and shes met many muslims who love Israel.
They were supposed to be one of the great benefits of Brexit. In 2019, Boris Johnson claimed: The UK does not have freeports because of its membership of the EU. And in the same year, Rishi Sunak said: The EU is the only place where these [freeports] really dont exist.

As it happened, as was typical with the Brexit argument and the claims being made to justify Britains exit, both statements were incorrect. There was nothing to stop Britain creating freeports while being a member of the EU. And, as of 2020, there were 80 free zones in 21 EU member countries.

Still, let us stick with the script, untrue as it is. The Johnson government trumpeted the new freeports, typically, in no uncertain terms: Leaving the EU means that we have an opportunity to do things differently. We have developed an ambitious new Freeport model to ensure that towns and cities across the UK will benefit from fantastic new international trade opportunities, attracting new investment and employment in left behind communities across the UK.

The official trailer went on: Freeports will be national hubs for international trade, innovation and commerce, regenerating communities across the UK by attracting new businesses, spreading jobs, investment and opportunity to towns and cities up and down the country.

In all, from 2021, eight freeports opened in England and two each in Scotland and Wales. Each one focuses on an area of specialisation, coupled with relaxed customs regimes and tax breaks to set up for business there. The tax advantages cover the cost of investment in new buildings and hiring employees. These incentives had their lifespans extended by a further five years in Autumn 2023, by the then chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

The freeports had their supporters outside the Brexiteers. The ports sector for one championed them as a potential boost after decades of decline, hailing them as creators of jobs and catalysts for new industries such as the making of wind turbines. Local councils and other bodies were also enthusiastic, regarding it as a matter of pride that their region had been selected to house one of the new zones.

Sad to report then that only six companies have taken advantage of whats on offer in England  three in Liverpool and one each in Teesside, Solent and Thames.

This is the same Teesside freeport that was repeatedly singled out by Rishi Sunak as prime minister and then on the campaign trail, as applying some sort of Tory-inspired, post-Brexit, economic elixir to the struggling northeast.

There were those prepared to speak up against the constant drumbeating. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said in 2021 it expected the impact of freeports on UK GDP to be so small that it would be difficult to discern, even in retrospect.

Trade organisations questioned whether the convoluted and increasingly archaic British tax code would enable the promised tax breaks to materialise. Tax experts asked if the system of UK customs tariffs could be made to work sufficiently to the freeport companies advantage.

Others highlighted how their relative lack of policing and regulation would encourage corruption and criminality. Their ability to override local planning controls also led to criticism.

Analysis from the UK Trade Policy Observatory at Sussex University said that only 1 per cent of UK imports by value would benefit from the freeports model. This 1 per cent was itself limited to niche industries such as the manufacturing of dog and cat foods.

Sure enough, there were signs of a loss of faith by the Tories, even when they were in power. The ex-levelling up secretary, Michael Gove, chose to describe them as key regional industrial investment hubs rather than as places to avoid customs charges.

It was a subtle shift, a case of blink and youve missed it, but Whitehall-watchers, well-versed in discreet changes of emphasis and nuance, spotted the switch. Gove was clearer when he told the House of Commons business and trade select committee it remained to be determined whether the customs sites based in the freeports were vital to the future of the freeports programme or if they were simply a nice to have.

Its likely that freeports are destined to become enterprise zones populated by squeaky clean, modern buildings and act as centres for coastal environment and alternative energy projects. The much-heralded lower customs tariffs aspect and of course, their injection of lifeblood into the national economy will be quietly forgotten.

Labour maintains it will stick with them, for now. They dont want to discourage the existing few investors. Meanwhile, to the annoyance of many, they are intent on making cuts to projects that will genuinely strengthen the UK economy, such as scrapping the building of a new 800m supercomputer in Edinburgh.

Within Whitehall there is growing annoyance that the failing freeports continue to enjoy tax breaks while government departments are ordered to find savings and agree to heavy cuts in the run-up to Sir Keir Starmers first Budget on 30 October.

In time, the freeports will be marked down as a Brexit benefit that never was. In that, at least, they will not be alone.
Banking

Lightyear, the investment app whose backers include billionaire Richard Branson, has introduced online accounts in Ireland to enable businesses invest their cash and earn an interest rate of 2.75pc on uninvested cash.

The deposit rate for the new business accounts compares to just 0.25pc on demand deposit accounts offered by AIB, while Bank of Ireland pays 0.10pc, said the neobroker.

Its important that businesses become smart about where they put their cash

More than 73bn, or 82pc of savings held by businesses in Ireland, sits in in demand deposit accounts earning an average of 0.14pc in interest, according to analysis carried out by the European Central Bank (ECB).

Read more Mortgage price war on cards as AIB cuts fixed rates again

This is significantly lower than the equivalent eurozone average rate of 0.87pc, as well as the freshly reduced ECB deposit rate of 3.5pc.

Interest on business accounts accrues daily and is paid out monthly, with no minimum deposit required for a business to use the platform, according to Lightyear, which was founded in 2020 by former Wise employees Martin Sokk and Mihkel Aamer.

Theres lots of talk around how banks dont pass on high rates to consumers savings, Sokk said. But what about businesses savings?

With the ECB base rate still above 3pc, its important businesses become smart about where they put their cash.

"But existing options for them to do this  whether with banks or new fintech  are practically non-existent. The market is in need of a huge shake-up.

Lightyear business customers can convert euro into dollars or pounds to take advantage of exchange rates and invest their spare cash into a range of 3,500 international stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for free.
Youd want to be a glass-half-full merchant to see the upside in the prospects for Intel, the chip manufacturing giant. It is as if the storm clouds have been gathering for some time, but really only made themselves visible in the last few months.
Leungs White Crane Dragon & Lion Dance Association performs a lion dance during an opening night of Mr. Mahjongs, a bar and restaurant a block from Chinatowns Dragon Gate in the Financial District serving up Asian-inspired cocktails and food. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle Kelly Nguyen, Dave Competente and Frank Zhang, owners of Mr. Mahjongs, stand behind the bar during an opening night of their new Asian fusion bar and restaurant in the Financial District near the Dragon Gate in Chinatown. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle The interior of Mr. Mahjongs, a bar and restaurant located a block from Chinatowns Dragon Gate in the Financial District. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle Bartender Rianne prepares drinks during an opening night of Mr. Mahjongs, a bar and restaurant in the Financial District near Chinatowns Dragon Gate. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle Vintage art and photographs are displayed in Mr. Mahjongs, a new Asian fusion bar and restaurant in the Financial District located a block from Chinatowns Dragon Gate. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle

The entrepreneurs behind a new Asian cuisine-inspired bar, restaurant and lounge are betting that despite the Financial Districts struggles to bounce back from the pandemic, the neighborhood is poised to welcome a revitalized nightlife scene.



Mr. Mahjongs aims to pay homage to the owners Asian American heritage while also injecting energy into the nightlife scene in San Franciscos Chinatown and Financial District, said co-owner David Competente. Competente, a Filipino and Chinese American radio personality also known as DJ Midnight, opened the establishment at 260 Kearny St. with two friends: Toan Kelly Nguyen, a restaurateur whose family owns Vietnamese restaurants in the Bay Area, and Frank Zhang.

Kelly Nguyen, co-owner of Mr. Mahjong's, straightens framed artwork on the wall during an opening night of his new Asian fusion bar and restaurant located a block from Chinatown's Dragon Gate. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle

This is the perfect opportunity to really indulge in our Asian heritage and culture, Competente said, adding that Mr Mahjongs name was a tribute to his grandmothers love of the Chinese tile-based game mahjong.

The Bruce Lee-themed drinks menu includes a jackfruit drop, a melon tequila drink, a gin and green tea-based cocktail and a lychee spritz. Food offerings include dim sum and banh mi sandwiches.

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The business venture comes at a time when post-pandemic foot traffic downtown remains depressed due to a loss of office workers to remote work; one projection found that it could take 18 years for the citys office market to recover.

Small businesses in Chinatown and the Financial District have been hit hard. From April through June, the neighborhoods saw a 28% and 34% drop, respectively, in sales tax revenue compared with the same period in 2019. Sales tax revenue is one measure of how much consumers are spending in the city.

Steven Lee, a Chinatown advocate and entrepreneur who co-owns Sam Wo Restaurant and a nightclub called Lions Den, said new businesses like Mr. Mahjongs are filling empty buildings and attracting new visitors.

Its still risky, Lee said. Its still a 50-50 gamble. People are still willing to do it, though.

There are signs of hope. Last year, more than 200 new businesses opened downtown, according to San Francisco city data, although its not clear how that compares with before the pandemic because the city doesnt have comparable data. Office attendance has slowly crept back up, although as of Sept. 4 it still was only 42% of pre-pandemic numbers, according to city data analysis.

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Leungs White Crane Dragon & Lion Dance Association performs a lion dance during an opening night of Mr. Mahjongs, a new Asian fusion bar and restaurant located a block from Chinatowns Dragon Gate. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle

Mr. Mahjongs is in what was a defunct storefront, most recently home to a circus-themed bar called Topsys Bar that closed in 2021. Competente declined to share how much the partners invested in the project.

A year ago, Competente and his wife took over an almost 30-year-old bar in the Mission District called Skylark. Given its long history, Competente said, they did not want to rebrand it but they had the idea to introduce Asian beers, soju and Asian-inspired cocktails.

Then Zhang approached him with the idea to open an Asian fusion bar and restaurant.

Our biggest hurdle was getting it up and running and up to speed, Competente said. The team spent about three months this summer building the interior, which needed repairs.

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Mr. Mahjongs, a new Asian fusion bar and restaurant located a block from Chinatowns Dragon Gate, was full on an opening night. Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to the Chronicle

The 1900s-era vintage San Francisco interior was envisioned as a love letter to the city. The team sought out authentic antique pieces, including picking up a 20-foot-by-10-foot traditional Chinese room divider from a seller in Los Angeles.

To design the stores Chinese language signboard, Competente, who doesnt speak Chinese, enlisted the help of his grandmother, who is Malaysian Chinese. He sent her a proof of concept. She called him up.

You put two of the characters backwards, she told him, Competente recalled, laughing.

The small operation is family-run, with Competentes wife and sister-in-law running the bar weekdays. On weekends, his cousin and Nguyens mom come in to help. One of Competentes biggest fears was a lack of foot traffic, he said. Driving downtown, he saw For Lease signs in numerous storefronts. Many times, he said he asked himself and his wife, Are we sure this is the place that we want to do this?

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But when they started renovation work on the bar, they would leave the door open. Curious passersby would pop in every day and express excitement that a business was finally opening in the vacant building.
A company owned by hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald is among three defendants being sued in the High Court for alleged negligence, causing a five-year old girl to break her elbow when she came off a bouncy castle.
'When a mink gets into an area, its like a human walking into Supermacs'  meet the dog saving birds from one of Ireland's most troublesome mammals
Russian embassy welcomes Real IRA bomber as guest in Dublin

Convicted bomber John Connolly (48) posed for photos alongside senior diplomats at the meeting on Monday.

John Connolly (far right) at the meeting with other members of The Truth and Neutrality Alliance and Igor Alekseev (second from left)

John Toner and Neasa Cumiskey Sun 29 Sep 2024 at 13:58

A former Real IRA boss was hosted as a guest at the Russian embassy in Dublin this week.
Councillor Noel Thomas will run for Independent Ireland in the next general election.

Galway councillor Noel Thomas, who resigned from Fianna Fail in March, has been selected to run for Independent Ireland in Galway West in the next general election.

After leaving Fianna Fail, Mr Thomas ran for Independent Ireland in Junes local elections and topped the poll in the Connemara South LEA.

"I have been active in my community for over 25 years, and I know the challenges facing the people of Galway West because I live with these issues every day. Galway has been overlooked for too long, he said.

"We havent had a senior representative in government for decades, and it shows. Successive governments have failed us, driving our people away from their hometowns and into overcrowded cities. This must change. We need a reset for Galway West."

Mr Thomas resigned from Fianna Fail after facing disciplinary action for comments he made in the wake of a fire that destroyed the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill on the night of Saturday, December 16.

The hotel had been earmarked to house asylum seekers. Following the fire, Mr Thomas said Ireland can no longer accommodate refugees as the inn is full.

Councillor Seamus Walsh was also critical of the Government following the fire and resigned from Fianna Fail, and he too faced disciplinary action.

Mr Walsh joined Mr Thomas in running for re-election for Independent Ireland in the local elections and retained his seat in Connemara North.

There was a heated phone call between Mr Thomas and Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin the night after the fire took place. Mr Martin deemed the comments made by both councillors completely unacceptable.

"I do not agree with what those councillors have said. I take strong issue with the nuance and the implications of what theyve said.

The comments made by both councillors were referred to Fianna Fails internal rules and procedures committee. Possible sanctions included losing the party whip or being removed from the party.

Speaking to RTEs News At One following his resignation, Mr Thomas said the disciplinary action he faced was partly responsible for his decision to leave the party.

"As far as Im concerned I think the main political parties Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Sinn Fein included and the Green Party seem to have become very detached from the ordinary person as far as Im concerned and I suppose thats been eating away at me for some time, he said.

"I suppose I was holding on all the time in the hope that some members of the Dail would actually kick back against the leadership that was there and maybe try and get things to change but anyway, that never happened.

He said nobody in Fianna Fail had contacted him to inform him of the disciplinary action and he learned of it on the airwaves before receiving an email from the party.

Independent Ireland was founded in November of last year by Cork South-West TD Michael Collins and Limerick TD Richard ODonoghue.

The party is led by Mr Collins and added a third TD to its ranks when Michael Fitzmaurice from Roscommon-Galway joined in February.

Former RTE midlands correspondent Ciaran Mullooly won a seat for Independent Ireland in the recent European elections.
Social media use is a risk factor for smoking or vaping. Photo: posed by Getty

A new study has found young adults have a much higher rate of smoking than the general population in Ireland  and nearly half of young adults with a mental health diagnosis smoke.

Despite Ireland being hailed for enacting the worlds first indoor smoking ban, 20 years on, young adults have a far higher smoking rate than any other age group.

The research carried out with nearly 5,000 20-year-olds, found 19pc reported a mental ill-health diagnosis, mainly depression or anxiety. This group was 57pc more likely to smoke and 40pc more likely to vape than their peers without a diagnosis.

Professor Luke Clancy, director general of the Tobacco Free Research Institute, said: We know young adults are higher smokers but we did not know it was so much higher for people with mental health than in the non-mental health population, and this applies both to cigarette and e-cigarette use.

The consultant respiratory physician, one of the co-authors of the study, said the reasons behind the high smoking rate of young adults are complex.

Weve done another paper which shows that being in paid employment is associated with a big increase in smoking.

"Thats partially because you have the money to smoke, but there is also a socio-economic link, because it tends to be poorer people who start working younger.

He said the figures showed most people who use e-cigarettes also smoke cigarettes.

We also know if you use e-cigarettes as a child, youre more likely to smoke.

The younger you start, the more likely you are to continue to smoke

The research, Inequalities in Smoking and E-Cigarette Use in Young Adults With Mental Ill-Health, 20 Years After Irelands Smoking Ban, was led by Professor Joan Hanafin along with Professor Clancy and Salome Sunday.

It states: Despite extensive tobacco control interventions in the past 20 years, there is still need in Ireland for new targeted interventions to reduce health inequalities for left-behind young smokers with mental ill-health.

Risk factors for smoking and e-cigarette use were: earlier smoking initiation; peers or primary caregivers who smoked; being in paid employment; one-parent family background; and social media use.

Data from 4,729 young adults, gathered by the Growing Up in Ireland National Longitudinal Study of Children in 2019, was examined in the study published in the Tobacco Use Insights journal.

Respondents were asked if they had ever been diagnosed with depression or anxiety or another psychological or psychiatric illness or disorder by a doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

It found females were less likely to smoke or vape than their male counterparts.

Social media use is a risk factor for smoking or vaping. Photo: posed by Getty

Prof Clancy says those with mental ill-health are less successful at stopping their habit. But worse than that, the services for them are inadequate. They need special care. If people dont know they exist and dont know the relationships and associations, then they wont provide them with the proper services.

How do you prevent it? You know, for instance, that the younger you start, the more likely you are to continue to smoke... So if people are at risk for mental health, then there should be extra effort to prevent them from smoking.

He said Ireland has lagged behind other countries when it comes to tackling e-cigarette use, with a really high rate of vaping compared to smoking in 15- and 16-year-olds.

Teachers are telling me that [students] are going out of class to use e-cigarettes

One of the big reasons for that is that the Government didnt bring in any restriction on age until December 2023.

Now theyre banning them up to 21 (years) and theyre also going to restrict them in other ways, so theyre getting their act together.

It will have an effect. The plans are good. Ive been asking for them since 2014. Its 10 years wasted in my books.

He said the message that e-cigarettes are positive in helping people to give up smoking is certainly not the case for 80pc of children who never smoked in their life, who are using them.

Parents are telling me that their teenage children are getting up at night to use e-cigarettes, and teachers are telling me that [students] are going out of class to use e-cigarettes, so it is disrupting them, and we know that e-cigarettes are bad for children.

For young people, they should have no reason to take them and they cause damage to their brain, their lungs and their heart.

Prof Clancy also warned that nicotine alters brain development forever in children.

The effect in kids is dramatic, and theyre not as attuned, and they have more learning problems, and they have more sleep problems, and they are more likely to smoke.

He also referenced the case of a 12-year-old girl from Northern Ireland who suffered a lung collapse and spent four days in an induced coma after starting to vape when she was nine.

The consultant said measures shown to work to prevent e-cigarette use are age restrictions, price, and the banning of flavours.

In relation to plans to draft laws to ban disposable vapes and limit vape flavours, he says: I welcome all the proposed measures, but theyve got to come in.

The study found 47pc of those with mental health problems smoked tobacco compared to 36pc of their peers; 17pc of those with a mental health condition used e-cigarettes or vapes compared to 13pc of their peers; and 12pc of the young adults with a psychiatric diagnosis smoked and vaped compared to 9pc without a diagnosis.
Margot Robbie starred as Barbie in the smash-hit movie, which pulled in over 9.9m in Ireland last year

Pixars Inside Out 2 is on track to be Irelands box-office smash-hit of the year. It has taken in more than 6.2m here, while global sales of over 1.5bn have already made it the highest-grossing animated picture of all time.

According to industry experts, it is now all but certain that the coming-of-age film will be the best-performing movie of 2024, in what is proving to be a lucrative year for the cinema industry.

Last year, box-office receipts topped 100m for the first time in four years, as Barbie pulled in over 9.9m in Ireland to become the biggest box-office hit of all time in this country.

Industry watchdogs have predicted that a string of upcoming releases  including Gladiator II in November, with Irish star Paul Mescal  will help secure another bumper year for the big screen.

Cassandra Joyce, group sales director at Pearl & Dean Ireland, said: 2024 has been the year of family blockbusters, with five of the top 10 movies so far this year being family releases.

Margot Robbie starred as Barbie in the smash-hit movie, which pulled in over 9.9m in Ireland last year

Inside Out 2 is strongly positioned as the biggest film of the year to date, and is now ranked just outside the top 10 films of all time in Ireland. It will be hard to knock it off the number one spot.

She added: So far this year, up to September 22, box-office takings stand at 71.9m. Not surprisingly this is lower than the same period last year  a year which included Barbenheimer  when the figure stood at 77.5m.

However, we would hope to catch up on last years figures by the end of December given the strong slate of releases we have in store from October through to December.

Among the soon-to-be-released highlights are Paddington in Peru, Wicked, Moana 2 and the highly anticipated Gladiator sequel.

The top 10 so far this year are: 1. Inside Out 2 (6.2m); 2. Despicable Me 4 (4.6m); 3. Deadpool & Wolverine (4.3m); 4. Dune: Part II (3.4); 5. It Ends With Us (2.8m); 6. Anyone But You (2.5m); 7. Migration (2.2m); 8. Wonka (2.1m); 9. Kung Fu Panda 4 (2.1m); 10. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (1.7m).

Despite the strong performance of the cinema industry, admissions have yet to return to the booming pre-pandemic levels.

According to recent figures, there were 2.3 cinema admissions per capita in Ireland in 2023, compared to 3.3 back in 2018  which at the time was more than any other nationality in Europe and over twice the EU average.
Courts

Unacceptable behaviour for visitors to our country, judge says, as tourists arrested trying to sell cocaine to garda
Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe and Finance Minister Jack Chambers speak to the media at the Department of Finance, Dublin. Photo: PA

Government leaders agreed a major increase in the value of the cost-of-living package on Sunday night that will be a series of one-off payments and could include two double payments of Child Benefit.

It was initially projected to be a package of 1.5bn, but this has increased to 2bn.

There are ongoing discussions between the government leaders over the core welfare rates, with Fine Gael sources insisting a decision had not been made on increases.

However, senior Fianna Fail figures said the Coalition agreed all rates would increase by 12 a week.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys had called for all rates, apart from the Jobseekers Allowance for the long-term unemployed, to increase by 15 per week.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said he instinctively agreed with Ms Humphreys proposals to increase the pension, Carers Allowance and disability payments at a higher rate than the Jobseekers Allowance.

Government surplus will be around 25bn this year, Finance Minister Jack Chambers confirms

However, he added he understood the view that all rates increased by the same amount in the last four budgets.

The coalition leaders held talks with Finance Minister Jack Chambers, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys to put the final touches on tomorrows Budget.

Ms Humphreys said she would need more money allocated to her in the Budget if she was to increase all welfare rates by the same amount, according to sources.

The figure is expected to be around 20m.

Mr Chambers tabled a proposal to extend the Help-to-Buy scheme to 2029 and the tax on bulk-buying of new homes will increase to 15pc.

In education, Minister Norma Foley secured funding to cancel for another year Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert fees, which are more than 100 each.

Minister for Education Norma Foley

Reduced school transport fees, cut during the Covid-19 pandemic, will also remain in place for another year.

The minister received a commitment that schoolbooks would be made free to students at both primary and secondary level up to the Leaving Cert from next September.

She also got funding to implement her ban on mobile phones in schools, allowing schools to buy digital pouches to lock away devices while classes are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health received funding for 350 new beds in acute hospitals and 160 in community facilities.

There will also be funding for two new surgical hubs in Galway and Swords in Dublin. An increase in GP training places is also expected.

This is a change thats good for the environment but good for parents pockets also.

Housing Minister Darragh OBrien is pushing for a new renovation grant that will enable the State to provide funding to people who want to refurbish properties above shop fronts in towns and villages.

The scheme is expected to be similar to the vacant property refurbishment grant that gives people up to 70,000 to renovate a derelict property.

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke was anxiously awaiting the outcome of Budget negotiations as he continued to push for the 9pc Vat rate to be reintroduced for certain hospitality businesses.

With the minimum wage set to increase by 80c, there are concerns in the Coalition for the hospitality and retail sector who hire two-thirds of low-paid workers.

Mr Burke wants to exclude accommodation businesses from the 9pc Vat reduction and just target the rate at restaurants, bars and hairdressers.

Fianna Fail believes Fine Gael is proposing policies such as the Vat reduction and the exclusion of the Jobseekers Allowance from welfare hikes they know will be contested by their coalition partners as they are playing to their base ahead of the general election.

I think they know its not happening, but you hear all this stuff and its hard to know whats happening, a senior Fianna Fail source said.

However, senior Fine Gael figures insist working voters support their proposals to differentiate between welfare supports.

Children and Integration Minister Roderic OGorman secured an additional 1.34bn in his departments budget.

Integration Minister Roderic OGorman has asked departments to make buildings available

This will be used to fund extra hours and places in the National Childcare Scheme.

The Green Party leader will also use the funding to expand schemes for disadvantaged children such as Family Resource Centres and the Equal Start programme for younger children.

A pilot scheme to provide meals to schoolchildren when classes are off will also be funded through Mr OGormans department.

Meanwhile, the Green Party secured free public transport fares for under-9s as part of the Budget talks which will come into effect in the summer.

This is a change thats good for the environment but good for parents pockets also, a Green Party source said.

It will save parents money when they are travelling with their kids, but will also ease congestion and pollution by encouraging people to use public transport. Its good news all round.
All bands of inheritance tax threshold to be widenedClampdown on vulture funds buying up propertiesCarers to be eligible for fuel allowance A new tax on vapes will kick in next year

Coalition tensions are mounting as Budget talks come down to the wire

Tensions are mounting within the Coalition this weekend as budget talks come down to the wire over weekly welfare hikes and lump-sum payments to new parents.

It comes as the Sunday Independent can reveal new details to be announced in Tuesdays Budget including:

All bands of inheritance tax threshold widened, not just those for children.

A clampdown on vulture funds buying up properties.

Carers to be eligible for fuel allowance and further supports.

A new tax on vapes which will kick in the middle of next year.

Fine Gael is at loggerheads with its coalition partners over hikes to weekly welfare payments, while the Green Party is still pushing for agreement over its 560 baby boost proposal.

Coalition tensions are mounting as Budget talks come down to the wire

Simon Harriss party is seeking a 15 increase on the pension and 20 on benefits for new parents but wants lower hikes for Jobseekers Allowance.

However, Fianna Fail and the Green Party are pushing back against the proposals. They want the same increases for all welfare payments.

Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman is still pushing for the 560 baby boost to be paid out to new parents

The three leaders considered proposals for 12 weekly increases across the board in a meeting last Thursday.

However, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys will make a final pitch for differing rates in a meeting with coalition party leaders today.

Its more of an ideological clash than anything else, said a Fine Gael source.

Its hard to justify Jobseekers Allowance going up. This is really one of the sticky areas, they said.

It is understood the Green Party is not in favour of lower increases for Jobseekers Allowance compared to other welfare rates as this can have a negative effect on children of parents in receipt of the payment.

Meanwhile, all bands of inheritance tax will be increased in what will be seen as a win for Fine Gael.

The Group B band, which covers grandchildren getting an inheritance, will increase from 32,500 to 40,000.

The Group C band, which covers siblings getting an inheritance, will increase from 16,250 to 20,000.

And the Group A category for children getting an inheritance from their parent will increase from 335,000 to 400,000.

On vulture funds buying up properties, Coalition party leaders will on Sunday consider three proposals on bulk buying of homes - either increasing the stamp duty from 10pc to 15pc, decreasing the number of homes from 10 to five or increasing the period during which the homes are bought from 12 to 18 months.

Party leaders will pick one option out of the three, it is understood.

The Government put in place a 10pc rate of stamp duty on investors buying 10 homes or more within 12 months in 2021 in a bid to curb entire estates being bought up, freezing out first time buyers.

Taoiseach Simon Harris earlier this year asked for the 10pc stamp duty on the purchase of ten homes or more to be reviewed. Sinn Fein proposed to up the tax to 17pc meanwhile one of his own junior ministers Neale Richmond said the tax should be doubled.

Finance Minister Jack Chambers. Photo: Getty

Meanwhile, the old Defence Forces building in the Curragh will be turned into a prison under plans from Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

The Minister wants to add an extra 1,100 prison spaces across the existing prison estate within the next five years and the Curragh is being explored as an option as well as Thornton Hall, which was previously earmarked for a super prison site.

A part of the site will house 1,000 asylum seekers and a separate part of the site is once again being looked at for a new prison to be built.

Some 200 additional prison staff being hired for the remainder of this year, with 150 being hired next year under Budget 2025. The capital budget for the Irish Prison Service will increase by over 70pc next year.

Finance Minister Jack Chambers is still considering plans for a tax on vapes.

The tax will be based per milligram and will not be the same as the tax on a packet of cigarettes, which have increased in price by 50 cent every year. 

The vape tax will not kick in until the middle of next year to give the Revenue Commissioners and retailers time to work out the rate per product.

There is also likely to be a further hike on a packet of cigarettes in Budget 2025.

Discussions are continuing on an additional payment in December for SUSI grant recipients.

Students are also in line for an extra payment in December as part of the Governments package of cost-of-living measures.

Further and Higher Education Minister Patrick ODonovan is pushing for a double payment of SUSI grants to students from families on lower income thresholds, which would cost 20m.

While a final decision has yet to be made by coalition leaders on doubling the grant, it is understood the minister is keen for students to receive extra payments before the end of the year  with the amount yet to be decided on.

Carers will now be entitled to the fuel allowance as well as seeing a boost in their weekly payments under proposals from Ms Humphreys.

Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman is still pushing for the 560 baby boost to be paid out to new parents but it is understood that no decision has been made on that yet.

There will also be an increase to core funding of childcare providers as there are growing numbers of children accessing the National Childcare Scheme.

Households will receive 250 in energy credits, but officials are still working out whether these will be paid in instalments or in one lump sum.

The final details of the cost-of-living package, which is believed to be just shy of 2bn, will be decided on Monday night.

Workers will be around 1,000 better off per year after USC is cut by 1pc from 3pc to 4pc for the 25,000 to 70,000 category in the largest ever decrease.

The standard rate cut-off point will be raised by 2,000, from 42,000 to 44,000.

Tenants will also see a further 250 back in tax credits this year before the 750 renters tax credit is hiked to 1,000 next year.
Revealed: Evidence clash on night Aoife Johnston died  conflicting reports given by senior UHL staff

The unredacted Frank Clarke document, seen by the Sunday Independent, is littered with unresolved conflicts

Senior UHL staff gave conflicting accounts about the deployment of trolleys in UHL on night Aoife Johnston, above, died

Maeve Sheehan Sun 29 Sep 2024 at 03:30

The chief executive versus the executive on call; the director of nursing versus the assistant director of nursing; two assistant directors of nursing versus two nurse managers in the emergency departmentConflicts litter the report of the former chief justice Frank Clarke on the death of Aoife Johnston at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
Chinese FM says no "gray zone," or "room for ambiguity" regarding Resolution 2758

Xinhua) 10:42, September 29, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- There is no "gray zone" or "room for ambiguity" when it comes to the People's Republic of China representing the whole of China at the UN, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79).

Delivering a speech during the General Debate of UNGA 79, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told world leaders in the audience that Taiwan being "an inalienable part of China's territory" is both "the history and the reality."

Both the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation stated in explicit terms that all the territories Japan had stolen from the Chinese, such as Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, shall be restored to China, and this constitutes an important part of the post-war international order, Wang said.

"Right here in this august hall 53 years ago, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, deciding to restore all the rights of the People's Republic of China at the UN, to recognize the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN, and to expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan region from the UN and all the organizations related to it," he said, adding that "once and for all, the resolution resolved the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the UN."

The resolution, Wang continued, made clear that there is no such thing as "two Chinas," or "one China, one Taiwan."

"On this matter of principle, there is no gray zone or room for ambiguity," Wang said.

"The complete reunification of China will be achieved. Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of the motherland. This is the overwhelming trend of history that no one and no force can stop," said Wang.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Governor Gavin Newsom, seen here in August, has vetoed a sweeping and controversial AI regulation bill authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener. But he announced an initiative to bring together academics to develop testing and safety rules for AI systems in California. Thien-An Truong/Special to the Chronicle

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday vetoed a sweeping and controversial AI regulation bill authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, and in the same stroke announced an initiative to convene academics to develop testing and safety rules for AI systems in California.

Wieners SB1047 had been the subject of a determined opposition campaign by big artificial intelligence companies, moneyed interests, and startups, which said it was too broad and would have a chilling effect on AI development in California. The controversial bill would have created safety and testing requirements for the largest and most powerful AI programs, standards that will now be up to Stanford and UC Berkeley researchers to develop, according to the announcement from Newsom.

We have a responsibility to protect Californians from potentially catastrophic risks of GenAI deployment, Newsom said in a statement Sunday. We will thoughtfully  and swiftly  work toward a solution that is adaptable to this fast-moving technology and harnesses its potential to advance the public good.

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Newsom said Sunday that Wieners bill was well-intentioned but did not take into account specific circumstances in which an AI system might be deployed. Instead, the bill applies stringent standards to even the most basic functions  so long as a large system deploys it. I do not believe this is the best approach to protecting the public from real threats posed by the technology.

The governor said in his veto message that he agreed with Wieners proactive approach in heading off the worst potential effects of AI. But by focusing only on the most expensive and large-scale models, SB 1047 establishes a regulatory framework that could give the public a false sense of security about controlling this fast-moving technology, Newsom wrote. Smaller, specialized models may emerge as equally or even more dangerous than the models targeted by SB 1047  at the potential expense of curtailing the very innovation that fuels advancement in favor of the public good.

Newsoms office said that the governor would continue to work with the Legislature on this critical matter during its next session.

Wiener pointedly disagreed with Newsoms reasoning in a statement. The Governors veto message lists a range of criticisms of SB 1047: that the bill doesnt go far enough, yet goes too far; that the risks are urgent but we must move with caution, he said. SB 1047 was crafted by some of the leading AI minds on the planet, and any implication that it is not based in empirical evidence is patently absurd.

He added that he wished the governor had raised his concerns during the legislative process, but said, I look forward to engaging with the Governors AI safety working group in the Legislature next year as we work to ensure that the safeguards California enacts adequately protect the public while we still have an opportunity to act before a catastrophe occurs.

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This veto is a setback for everyone who believes in oversight of massive corporations that are making critical decisions that affect the safety and welfare of the public and the future of the planet, Wiener said. At the same time he said, the debate around SB 1047 has dramatically advanced the issue of AI safety on the international stage. Major AI labs were forced to get specific on the protections they can provide to the public through policy and oversight.

Wiener also said that California will continue to lead on AI safety: We are not going anywhere.

AI companies and their backers had argued loudly and often that the legislation would stifle their growth and force them out of California. Wiener, who represents San Francisco, and his allies amended the bill in response, aiming for what they called light touch regulation directed at only the biggest companies and the gravest harms.

What form Newsoms academic initiative would take is unclear. Its goal, in the words of the governors office, is to develop responsible guardrails for the deployment of GenAI.

Newsoms office said Sunday that Fei-Fei Li, a founder of Stanfords AI lab who had criticized Wieners bill, would lead the initiative along with Tino Cuellar, a member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Social and Ethical Implications of Computing Research. Jennifer Chayes, dean of the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society at UC Berkeley would also work on the effort.

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Whether the initiative would aim to craft an executive order, legislation or something else was not immediately clear. The governors office said Newsom was also ordering state agencies to expand their assessment of the risks from potential catastrophic events.

Newsoms decision to strike down SB1047 was a significant setback for activists who have warned about the worst potential effects of the emerging technology. The bill sought to require safety testing of the largest and most expensive AI programs to prevent them from assisting in building weapons of mass destruction, knocking out the power grid, or causing other catastrophic harms.

The bills failure was also a setback for Wiener, who has authored pivotal tech state legislation on net neutrality and online privacy in recent years in the absence of federal action on those issues.

Newsom had hinted he would veto the legislation during an onstage appearance with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff at the annual Dreamforce conference in San Francisco in September. Newsom at the time called other AI-focused bills more surgical, signing three that crack down on deepfakes while on stage at the software conference.

Those bills require large social media sites to label or remove election-related deepfakes, ban unlabeled deepfakes of candidates 120 days before an election, and require disclosures when political advertising is generated using AI. Two of those measures are already facing legal challenges.

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Newsoms office said the governor has signed 17 AI-related bills during the last 30 days, including one Sunday authored by state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, requiring Californias Office of Emergency Services to expand their work assessing the potential threats posed by the use of GenAI to Californias critical infrastructure, including those that could lead to mass casualty events.

The governor has also recently signed a bevy of other AI-related bills into law, including one criminalizing harmful, sexually explicit deepfakes and another outlawing sexually explicit digital identity theft. He also signed protections backed by SAG-AFTRA to protect performers digital likenesses, and another bill that prevents deceased performers' digital likenesses being used without consent.

Newsom also signed a bill that requires a disclosure when artificial voices are used in phone calls. He has vetoed other bills, including one that would have created risk management standards for AI and automated decision making technology used by the state.

Wieners bill elicited sustained opposition from AI model makers such as Meta and OpenAI, as well as consortiums of startups who rely on those companies programs to make their apps.

Makers of free, open source programs such as Meta warned that if they could potentially face the civil liability laid out in the bill for what someone else does with their program, they might stop making new AI models altogether.

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Wiener countered that tech companies levied the same unfulfilled threats during previous rounds of lawmaking, noting that the bill formalized testing most companies were already doing and that it did not include any licensing requirements or criminal liability.

We are pleased that Governor Newsom vetoed SB1047, a Meta spokesperson said in an emailed statement Sunday. This bill would have stifled AI innovation, hurt business growth and job creation, and broken the states long tradition of fostering open-source development. We support responsible AI regulations and remain committed to partnering with lawmakers to promote better approaches.

The Future of Life Institute, a group which had supported the bill, said the veto leaves Californians vulnerable to the considerable risks caused by the rapid, unregulated development of advanced AI systems, including cyberattacks, autonomous crimes, and biological weapons.

The furious lobbying against the bill can only be reasonably interpreted in one way: these companies believe they should play by their own rules and be accountable to no one. This veto only reinforces that belief, he added.

San Franciscos Anthropic, maker of the Claude chatbot, was instrumental in softening some of the bills provisions, including removing some that related to criminal liability and the ability of the state attorney general to sue companies before they caused harm. Anthropic said the bill would probably be palatable in its changed form, but never offered its full-throated support.
Media Minister Catherine Martin was involved in discussions about what was legally permissible. Photo: PA

RTE was warned that complaints about releasing personal information from TV and radio stars were inevitable if they went ahead with a plan to publish a register of external activities.

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) also threatened the broadcaster with enforcement in the event that they did not protect the personal data of staff and contractors.

In the wake of the RTE spending controversy, the broadcaster wanted to make available a list of when employees had done external work, sometimes involving payment of significant fees.

However, the DPC put a spanner in the works saying the plans represented a serious interference with the fundamental rights to respect for private life under law.

An email to RTE in June said: Please note that the DPC has also been made aware that a number of individuals are very concerned regarding the legal basis for processing [their personal data].

RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst

It is likely that these concerns will be escalated as complaints to the DPC if the processing is to proceed.

The commission also said it had been in touch with the Department of Tourism and Culture over its concerns that RTE had decided not to implement our recommendation.

The Data Protection Commission warned too it would not be afraid to use its powers to ensure the protection of individual data protection rights.

The list that was eventually published had only anonymised information including that one person had earned over 10,000 outside of RTE.

Correspondence released under Freedom of Information reveals how as early as December last year, trouble was brewing over the proposal.

In a letter to RTE, the DPC said it was surprised to hear in media reports it had apparently signed off on plans for a published register.

A letter from deputy commissioner Cathal Ryan added: I appreciate that neither organisation can fully control how events are characterised and reported upon in the media.

[We] will not collect any specific payment information, unless payment exceeds 10,000 (which is rare)

The DPC said an informal meeting with RTE had only been for discussion and it was unclear how publication of the amount each star had received would help avoid conflicts of interest.

The letter said: Processing exact remuneration details appears superfluous to this objective.

RTE responded in January saying it now understood that the most significant concern was over publication of the actual amount a TV or radio star had been paid.

It said: [We] will not collect any specific payment information, unless payment for a given activity exceeds 10,000 (which is rare).

RTE said the register was needed to help win back public trust and because staff were able to do outside earners often off the back of the reputation they have built from their association with the [broadcaster].

In early February, the DPC responded again raising concerns, saying RTE needed to be fully transparent with employees about what they were doing. A letter said: It is not clear whether staff at present fully understand the implications of the proposed processing [of personal data] and issues may only become apparent [later].

The DPC also confirmed that it had already been contacted by RTE staff members who were worried about what the register would mean for them personally.

In late February, RTE wrote back to say it was in discussions with Media Minister Catherine Martins department about what was legally possible.

Another letter came from the DPC in March saying its view was that periodic publication of a register of employee nixers, even without details of how much they were paid, would represent a significant interference to an individual.

The broadcaster agreed it would instead only go ahead with publication of an aggregate statistical analysis of the register

By July, RTE had accepted defeat saying that a register for internal management purposes would be kept.

However, it said it would not be going ahead with high-profile plans for a publicly available version including the names of individuals and fees.

The broadcaster said it would instead only go ahead with publication of an aggregate statistical analysis of the register, which was released in early August.

It said that there were 133 approved activities in the first quarter of the year, with half involving no fee at all. Around a quarter of them involved payments of between just 1 and 1,000, while 22pc concerned fees of between 1,000 and 5,000.

There were a small number of payments worth between 5,000 and 10,000 and only one that exceeded 10,000. Asked about the records, a spokesman for RTE said it had nothing to add to the contents.
Michael McMonagle this week admitted a series of offences which included attempting to incite children to engage in sexual activity

Two Sinn Fein press officers have resigned after providing references for a former colleague later convicted of child sex offences.

Michael McMonagle, a former press officer with Sinn Fein, last week admitted a series of offences which included attempting to incite children to engage in sexual activity.

McMonagle (42) was first arrested on August 19, 2021, while he was working for Sinn Fein at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In response to questions, Sinn Fein said McMonagle informed the party about his arrest the following day and was immediately suspended from his job and party membership.

However, in September 2022, while the police investigation into his then alleged crimes continued, McMonagle was appointed as the communications and engagement manager for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in Northern Ireland.

When asked this week if Sinn Fein had been contacted to provide a reference for McMonagle, a spokesperson for the party said: Following this inquiry, Sinn Fein was made aware that, three months after his employment ended, two former work colleagues were asked for work references in relation to their assessment of Michael McMonagles work as a press officer.

Both provided these references without clearance from Sinn Fein. This was unacceptable and wrong.

The Sinn Fein spokesperson said the references were not provided by, or on behalf of Sinn Fein.

Permission was not sought, nor would it have been given from the party for the provision of these references or their content.

In view of the serious nature of this revelation, Sinn Fein undertook an immediate internal process.

Before this process concluded, both press officers resigned from their positions and party membership with immediate effect.

The details of the charges faced by McMonagle were first revealed in a Sunday World article in July 2023.

A BHF spokesperson this week said article was the first time they became aware of McMonagles arrest and the charges he faced.

The individual was immediately suspended and is no longer employed by the charity, said the BHF spokesperson.

We asked the charity specifically what references had been sought for McMonagle prior to his appointment with the BHF.

They did not answer this question, but the BHF spokesperson added: Prior to a colleague joining us we require them to provide two professional references and complete an identification check, as part of the Right to Work check.

All our colleagues also receive mandatory safeguarding training.

We have robust recruitment and safeguarding processes to ensure were creating a safe and rewarding organisation for our colleagues, volunteers, and supporters.

In February 2023, McMonagle was pictured carrying a BHF banner at Stormont as part of a delegation raising awareness about the Daithis Law campaign.

The campaign was launched in support of seven-year-old Belfast boy Daithi MacGabhann who has been on the heart transplant waiting list since 2018.

Its aim was to push for a change in legislation which states all adults will be considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group.

The BHF-supported visit to Stormont in February 2023 was organized to enlist the support of MLAs for the campaign.

As a result of the public and political pressure, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris introduced Daithis Law in June 2023.

McMonagle, from Limewood Street in Derry, failed to turn up in court in August 2023 for his first appearance in relation to the child sex offences.

It later emerged he was not in court because he had been taken by ambulance to Altnagelvin Hospital.

The PSNI arrested him at the hospital and he was brought to the courthouse in Derry.

He stood in the dock, bearing a large medical dressing, and spoke only to confirm his identity and to say that he understood the charges against him.

He initially faced three charges but a further 12 offences were later added to his list of crimes.

These included attempting to incite two children to engage in sexual activity.

He was also accused of 13 counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.

All of the children contacted by McMonagle were under the age of 16, with some younger than 13.

The offences related to various dates between May 2020 and August 2021.

During his first court appearance, police opposed an application for bail on the grounds McMonagle could self-harm or fail to attend future court hearings.

However, his solicitor assured the court McMonagle would attend court, and described him as a man of "exemplary background".

He was released on bail.

McMonagle pleaded guilty to the offences at Derry Crown Court on Monday.

He had been due to appear in court the previous Friday but the hearing was adjourned after it emerged McMonagle had been found unconscious and taken to hospital.

When he was re-arraigned in court this week, McMonagle spoke to confirm his name and address and date of birth.

When the charges were put to him, he pleaded guilty to 14 of the 15 offences.

A prosecution barrister said another charge was being left on the books.

The court was told that a pre-sentence report would be prepared and a psychological assessment would be carried out.

Following his admissions, McMonagle was also placed on the sexual offenders register.

Before releasing him on bail, Judge Neil Rafferty said it was likely a prison sentence would follow.

The case was adjourned for sentencing on November 8.

Before he started working for Sinn Fein in 2014, McMonagle was a reporter with the Derry Journal for ten years.

He initially worked in Sinn Feins press office at the Northern Ireland Assembly for two years before moving to the media team looking after the partys representatives at the European Parliament.

He was also a regular contributor to the republican newspaper An Phoblacht.

In 2018, McMonagle moved to London to work as a communications officer with the Sinn Fein team at Westminster.

He returned to Stormont in 2019 and continued to work there until he was suspended from Sinn Fein following his arrest.
A teenage girl escaped unharmed but shaken after a man hijacked a car she was in in Belfast.

A man was later arrested after driving at high speed across the Border.

The 25-year-old man was arrested in Dundalk, Co Louth, after gardai received a reports from the PSNI he had crossed the Border on the N1 southbound in a vehicle he stole in Northern Ireland.

The PSNI had received a report on Saturday that a vehicle parked in the Botanic Avenue area of south Belfast had been stolen with a female passenger, understood to be aged 17, still in the car.

Detective Sergeant McVeagh said: "The car stopped on the Saintfield Road, Lisburn, where the girl escaped from the vehicle.

"The car was observed a short time later driving at speeds in excess of 100mph on the A1 and officers made contact with our colleagues in An Garda Siochana (AGS) to inform them the vehicle was driving towards the Border."

The car was located on the Newry Road in Dundalk and the man was arrested at a nearby location in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Det Sgt McVeagh added: "At around 2.20am on Saturday, we received a report from AGS to say they had located the stolen car and had arrested a 25-year-old man in Dundalk. He remains in custody at this stage.

"The victim was not injured but left shaken by her ordeal. Thankfully, we are not dealing with any casualties after some very dangerous and reckless behaviour by the suspect involved.

"Excellent co-operative work between ourselves and our colleagues in the An Garda Siochana have ensured this vehicle was recovered and the suspect was arrested."

The man is being held at a garda station in Co Louth under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

A technical examination is being carried out on the vehicle seized by gardai. Investigations are ongoing.
Three Irish lotto winners emerged as millionaires on Saturday with tickets won in Dublin and Wexford.

The main Lotto draw saw a jackpot of 2 million split evenly between two lucky winners.

Both jackpot winners, who matched all six numbers and the bonus, will each take home 1 million.

National Lottery officials confirmed that the golden tickets were purchased in Dublin and Wexford, though the exact store locations will not be revealed until Tuesday, October 1.

In a statement, National Lottery bosses urged players to check their tickets carefully and get in touch to claim their life-changing prizes.

A Kildare player was just one number shy of claiming the jackpot but still managed to secure a hefty sum of over 80,000 after matching five of the six numbers plus the bonus.

This winning ticket was purchased at Spar Newtown in Maynooth.

In the special Lotto Plus Raffle promotion, a Dublin player struck gold, winning 1,000,500.

The lucky ticket was bought at Centra The Village on Enniskerry Road in Stepaside. The winning raffle number was 3737.

Meanwhile, in the Lotto Plus 2 draw, a player from Laois scooped the top prize of 250,000.

The winning ticket was purchased at SuperValu, The Ossory in Rathdowney. The winning numbers for the Lotto Plus 2 draw were 1, 20, 28, 32, 34, 38, and the bonus number was 9.

National Lottery spokesperson Sarah Ruane said it was an extraordinary night for the winners.

"Three brand-new Lottery millionaires and two other huge winners all from a single drawthis is the stuff dreams are made of. We couldnt be more thrilled for our winners in Dublin, Wexford, Laois, and Kildare, she said.

The National Lottery is reminding all players from Dublin, Wexford, Laois, and Kildare to double-check their tickets, as Saturdays draw could have made them the latest big winners.

Ms Ruane urged players to check their tickets immediately and to keep them safe if they believe they are among the lucky winners.

Winners should contact the National Lottery prize claims team at 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie to arrange the collection of their prizes at Lotto HQ.
Most of the country has faced washout conditions today as Met Eireann issued weather warnings for nine counties with heavy rain, high winds and flooding experienced in some areas.

The worst of the weather is set to hit the south and south east, with a Status Orange rain alert in place for Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford until midnight as intense and thundery downpours target the region.

The forecaster warned of a risk of flooding, dangerous driving conditions and possible travel disruption.

Alan OReilly from Carlow Weather shared a video on X showing the Nire River which had burst its banks in the Nire Valley area in Co Waterford.

"Roads are now impassable in the area. If you are in an area prone to flooding in that general area then be alert and prepared, he said.

"The River Nire in Waterford is seeing a rapid rise in water levels nearing record flood height on water level site.

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The Defence Forces cancelled its annual veterans day which had been planned for Sunday.

It comes as Met Eireann issued a separate Status Yellow rain warning for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford that is in place until 8pm.

There is also a Status Yellow rain warning in place for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow lasting until midnight.

There will be possible flooding, difficult travel conditions and possible fallen branches and trees on roads due to heavy rain and strong winds.

Warnings by county:

Orange rain warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford until midnight.

Yellow rain warning for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, until 8pm.

Yellow rain warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, until midnight.

Forecast

Today will be wet and windy as Met Eireann forecasts outbreaks of rain progressing over much of the country.

The outbreaks will extend gradually northeastwards by the early afternoon and will be heaviest in the south and southeast leading to possible flooding in the area.

The rain will be accompanied by cold and strong winds coming from the south with temperatures reaching highs of 10 to 15 degrees.

Tonight will be mostly dry but will see some light and sparse rain. There will be a few showers coming in from the west and northwest overnight.

Fresh and gusty winds will continue with temperatures due to drop to 8 and 11 degrees. The winds will ease and become lighter overnight.

The Defence Forces has cancelled its annual day honouring veterans which had been planned for Sunday in Dublin.

Unfortunately the Defence Forces Veterans' Day 2024 which was scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled, a statement said. The cancellation is due to a weather warning in place, and the difficult decision was made as a result of health and safety concerns arising from this. A new date is as of yet to be confirmed.

Met Eireann has said that Monday will bring outbreaks and drizzle at first before bright conditions extend from the southwest through the afternoon.

Temperatures will reach 11 to 16 degrees with moderate winds.

Tuesday will be areas of cloud and patchy drizzle for part of the day but promises sunny spells as the day progresses.

Temperatures will reach 13 to 16 degrees accompanied by light to moderate winds.

Wednesday will be mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells while coastal counties will be affected by light showers.

Thursday will be dry in most parts but clouds will develop as the day goes on with some light drizzle due on the south and west.

Met Eireann has warned that some of the expected showers could be heavy.

The weather is due to be stable during the week but turns unsettled towards the end of the week.

The forecaster has said that the weather is gradually turning more unsettled as low pressure edges in from the Atlantic.

A spokesperson for Met Eireann has said that today the heaviest rain will gradually move eastwards along the south of the country which is why the southern counties are mostly concerned by the Orange warning.

They urged people to take into consideration the likelihood of flooding, travel disruption and poor conditions on roads.

They noted that most of the strong winds will dissipate by the half of Sunday night and that the coming week will see some rain showers on Monday, a primarily dry Tuesday due to high pressure building.

There will be some showers but the weather will be predominantly dry while things become more unsettled next weekend, they said.

The forecaster said that predictability for weather for conditions in Ireland was very low due to the countrys location.

We get quite changeable conditions so its very hard to give anything definitive, they said.
Kathleen Watkins opens up about five years without husband Gay Byrne: You dont know someone is gone  really gone  for a long time

Soon to be 90, Kathleen Watkins talks about the richness of her life with husband Gay Byrne, the ebb and flow of grief, and why shes prepared for when God calls her

Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins family album

Barry Egan Sun 29 Sep 2024 at 03:30

Im a divil for the early mornings, Kathleen Watkins says, offering me tea in her home in Ballsbridge. It is something that stayed with her since being taught by the nuns as a child.
The 'drainpipe of shame' in Brussels is becoming as much a tourist attraction as the Manneken Pis, seen here dressed up for St Patrick's Day. Photo: Getty

The drainpipe of shame is proving a most unlikely tourist attraction in Brussels. It was by way of this drainpipe that Hungarian far-right MEP Jezsef Szajer almost escaped from an illegal gay orgy that was raided by police in October 2020 for breaking Covid restrictions.

The spoilsport Belgian police intercepted Mr Szajer, who up to then had been a leading proponent of traditional family values. His boss, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, was already battling with the EU, which had been trying to set conditions on extra aid for the country based on human rights.
Munster Technological University (MTU) is set to host its Kerry Careers Fair on Tuesday, October 8. The event will run from 11am to 2pm and will take place in the Kerry Sports Academy at MTUs Kerry North Campus in Tralee.

Major organisations from the public sector, industry, business and healthcare will feature at the MTU Kerry Careers Fair. This event will showcase graduate employment opportunities as well as internship and placement opportunities across all disciplines with a diverse number of fields which include Health, Biomedical, Pharmaceutical, Social Care, Engineering, Environmental, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Business, Accounting, Marketing, Investment, Technology, Cybersecurity, Construction, Apprentices, Agriculture and more.

There are many benefits of attending a careers fair whether you are at the beginning of your university journey, or even part way through. It is an ideal platform for seeking out work experience, placement and internship opportunities which will significantly enhance your future CV and job applications."

For final year students and postgraduate students, the careers fair is an excellent platform to explore different sectors and graduate opportunities, which is hugely beneficial when considering your future after graduation, said Angela Teahan, MTU Careers Officer.

The MTU Kerry Careers Fair will provide attendees with an excellent platform for networking with professionals from various industries, who are actively recruiting.

Meeting representatives from companies of interest allows one to forge valuable connections, exchange contact information and potentially secure future job, placement or internship opportunities. Building a strong professional network is crucial for career development, as it opens doors to new possibilities and enhances ones visibility within the job market.

Major Kerry employers will attend on the day as well as leading employers from across the country. Exhibitors include Astellas, Bon Secours Hospital Tralee, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, CField Construction, Continumcommerce, CSG, Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, Eli Lilly and Company, Enable Ireland, ENERCON Windfarm Services Ireland, Energywise Ireland, Enterprise Mobility, Fehily Timoney & Company, FEXCO and FRS Recruitment to name but a few.

For this years careers fair, MTU will use the Careers Fair Plus App which is an interactive smartphone app designed to enhance the experience for students, graduates, and staff attending the Careers Fair. It enables attendees explore information about companies attending the fair, which allows for advanced preparation and tailored interactions.

A CV clinic will also run for the duration of the Careers Fair, providing an opportunity for students to receive personalised feedback and advice on their curriculum vitae. The clinic will run on a drop-in basis, allowing participants to bring their CVs and have them reviewed on the spot.

Those who plan to attend the Careers Fair should come prepared with CV in hand and research the employers that are attending and the types of opportunities they have available, Angela added.
The tranquil Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy was the site of the official launch of the Wexford Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) by the Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) last week.

The ILMI was established as the first Irish Centre for Independent Living in 1992 by and for disabled people with the main aim that disabled people achieved Independent Living, choice and control over their lives and full participation in society as equal citizens.

Community Development worker with ILMI, Paula Soraghan, said it was a significant milestone for the disabled community of Wexford.

"The event was a wonderful celebration, with a strong turnout of disabled people from Wexford, as well as Local Councillors, TDs, Mayor of Wexford George Lawlor, representatives from Wexford LCDC and Access Office, and other local organisations, she said.

Minister James Browne was on hand to officially launch the new branch, highlighting the importance of a space by and for disabled people. He stressed the need for collaboration to make Wexford inclusive for everyone and that while much progress has been made, there is still a long journey ahead.

The event itself was hosted by Dr Vivian Rath, who invited attendees to reflect on two key issues important to them. He underscored the necessity of having the right supports to live their best lives and how Wexford DPO plays a pivotal role in achieving that. Dr Rath emphasised working with local stakeholders to address barriers and ensure disabled people are fully involved in decision-making processes at every stage.

Lavinia MacNeill spoke passionately about the power of mentorship, representation, and collective action. She stressed that Wexford DPO will ensure disability is understood as a social and political issue, not just a personal one.

ILMIs Damien Walshe discussed the critical role of the UNCRPD and how local DPOs are key to driving social change.

"By working together, disabled people can dismantle barriers that hinder full participation in Wexford life, he said.

Ms Soraghan also addressed the significance of the Wexford DPO launch, a core objective of the VOICE project since its inception as part of the Community Development Programme in January 2022. She reiterated that the launch is just the beginning, and collective action is essential for ensuring the genuine inclusion and active participation of disabled people in all aspects of life in Wexford.

They wanted to thank everyone who showed up and supported the launch, stating that they are optimistic about the future of increased inclusivity in Wexford.
Our expert lists some of the best products to boost collagen and tackle wrinkles

Well, I was completely captivated by Demi Moore in The Substance which, in case you havent seen it, is a brilliant horror/comedy about ageing celebrity Elisabeth Sparkle who decides to use a black market drug that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. Naturally, there are shocking side-effects and the whole thing goes terribly wrong, but I loved it as its completely silly and extremely enjoyable. All Ive talked about with my friends is whether wed take it or not!

To save you all going to such terrible lengths yourselves, I have some great suggestions for products that will make you look younger without any horror-movie-type complications.

Take, for example, fabulous Irish plant-based aromatherapy skincare brand, Holos Skincare, which has launched three light serums focused on vitamins A, B and C. Created by Niamh Hogan, Holos ABC Active  (A 55, B 45 and C 49, holos.ie) specifically targets the building blocks of the skin; collagen, elastin and keratin. Each serum has a distinct light texture with A being an oil serum, B a gel serum  ideal for sensitive skin  and C a creamy gel serum.

Trinny London Boost Up 30% Vitamin C Serum, 85, brownthomas.com

If you wake up with tired-looking skin, the Trinny London Boost Up 30% Vitamin C Serum (85, brownthomas.com) is a glow-giving serum shot that dials up brightness and boosts skin radiance. With a high concentration of vitamin C and a balmy texture, it has the power to even skin tone. Note that due to its strength, its for highly experienced skincare users only.

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Epigenetic Serum (56, boots.ie) works to reactivate youth genes, rejuvenate the skin and reverse the 10 visible signs of ageing in four weeks. It contains a revolutionary ingredient, epicelline, which reactivates the skins youth genes at the root and makes skin cells act younger. It also contains hyaluronic acid to penetrate deeper to plump up fine lines and wrinkles.

You cant put a price on good eye products, and the new Sisley Supremya At Night Eye Cream (305, brownthomas.com) comes with not only a massive price tag but a massage tool designed to target different areas of the eye contour. The cream has a light texture and reduces dark circles and puffiness and smoothes wrinkles and fine lines.

Finally, the Guinot Nouvelle Vie Serum (95, guinot.com) is a highly-concentrated serum that penetrates deep to make your skin firmer and more even with fatigue lines smoothed out.

Try Triona's petroleum jelly trick for some easy-to-use scent

Trick

Jelly scents It was Mini, my nine-year-old, who taught me this great tip on how to use mini tubs of petroleum jelly to turn any scent into something you can throw into your bag. Boil some water so that its hot enough to liquify the tub of jelly, pop in the tub and when the jellys melted, spritz in some of your favourite scent. Put the tub in the fridge until the jelly is solid again. Then rub into your skin and, hey presto.

Chanel Le Vernis Phenomene, 35, brownthomas.com

Treat

Chanel Le Vernis, 32, brownthomas.com Dip your digits into this delightful designer shade named Phenomene  a lil luxury for less. Curated by the talented Cecile Paravina, this captivating purple shade with metallic green highlights reflects her innovative vision and artistic prowess. When it catches the light, it goes from green to purple and back again.

Hair colour, from 75, brownsugar.ie

Treatment

Hair colour, from 75, brownsugar.ie At this time of year, its great to go and get your gruaig freshened up, especially the colour after the post-summer-fade has set in. I pop into award-winning colourist Neill Cooney at Brown Sugar, Ranelagh, who is truly amazing at what he does. He won the Best Bloody Brilliant Blow-Dry at the IMAGE Business of Beauty awards in 2022 for goodness sake.

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Good Morning Britain star Alex Beresford has announced that his wife Imogen is expecting a baby.

The TV presenter and weatherman, 43, revealed the news by sharing a photo to Instagram of his hand resting on his partners baby bump.

Alongside the post, he wrote: The greatest gift. In awe of my beautiful wife growing Baby B. We cant wait to meet you.

His Good Morning Britain co-stars were among those to send their best wishes to the couple including Susanna Reid who wrote: The best news  huge congratulations to you all.

Ben Shephard said ahhh what wonderful news, while Charlotte Hawkins added ahh massive congratulations.

Beresford, who also has son, Cruz, from his previous marriage with Natalia Natkaniec, began dating Imogen in August 2020 after a mutual friend set them up on a blind date.

They got engaged after Beresford proposed on New Years Day while they were on holiday in Majorca and they later married on the island in 2022.

Beresford competed on Dancing On Ice in 2018 and was crowned the winner of Celebrity Race Across The World last year with his father, Noel.
Middle East

A picture of her grief gripped the world... a year on, this Gaza woman is haunted by memories
Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Iran, stating, "There is nowhere in Iran or the Middle East beyond the reach of the long arm of Israelwhoever beats us, we will beat them."

He issued the warning as he praised Israels military and intelligence agencies for their role in the operation.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday called on Muslims to "stand by the people of Lebanon and the proud Hezbollah with whatever means they have and assist them in confronting the... wicked regime (of Israel)," Reuters reported.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia Creative Commons

In an address on Saturday, Netanyahu said that he personally approved the operation to eliminate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

Netanyahu declared, "We are winning." He stressed that Nasrallah's elimination was crucial for weakening Hezbollah's military capabilities. "As long as Nasrallah was alive, he could have quickly restored the capabilities we had eroded."

Netanyahu also linked Nasrallahs death to bolstering efforts against Hamas, Hezbollahs ally in Gaza, and improving the chances of securing the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

He used the opportunity to send a strong warning to Iran, asserting that Israels reach extends across the region and should serve as a message to Tehran and its proxies.

Netanyahu concluded by calling this a "historic turning point" and reiterated Israels determination to return displaced residents to their homes and recover all hostages.

He ended with a vow of unity: "We will fight together, and with God's help, we will win together."

Nasrallah, 64, was killed as Israeli forces bombarded Hezbollah sites across Lebanon following intensified rocket fire from the group into northern Israel.

The airstrikes flattened several buildings in Hezbollahs stronghold in southern Beirut.

Netanyahu described Nasrallah's death as a major milestone in Israels military strategy, and called it a significant step in restoring security to Israels northern borders.

In an address to the nation, Netanyahu highlighted Nasrallah's responsibility for numerous attacks on Israelis and foreign nationals, including the 1983 bombings in Beirut that killed 63 people at the US embassy, along with hundreds of US Marines and French paratroopers.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia Creative Commons
Photo courtesy: Wikipedia Creative Commons

The Israeli military on Sunday said another top leader of the Iran-backed armed outfit Hezbollah group has been eliminated.

IDF said it had eliminated Hezbollah's Preventative Security Unit Commander Nabil Qaouk.

He was eliminated during an airstrike in Beirut.

IDF posted on X: "ELIMINATED: The Commander of Hezbollah's Preventative Security Unit and a member of their Executive Council, Nabil Qaouk, was eliminated in a precise IDF strike."

"Qaouk was close to Hezbollah's senior commanders and was directly engaged in terrorist attacks against the State of Israel and its citizens. He joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and was regarded as an important source of expertise in his field, having served as the Deputy Commander of the southern region on the Operational Council, Commander of the southern region and Deputy Commander of the Operational Council," it said.

The IDF said it will continue to strike and eliminate the commanders within the Hezbollah terrorist organization and will act against anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel.

Israel, earlier confirmed Hassan Nasrallah, the chief of Iran-backed Hezbollah militia group, was killed during an airstrike in Beirut.

The conflict between IDF and Hezbollah has intensified in recent times.

According to media reports, the Israeli airstrikes on the terror group this week left over 700 people dead in Lebanon.

Speaking from Beirut, Imran Riza, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, said that for nearly a year, the countrys people  and especially those in the south  had lived in fear that the war in Gaza could come to them.

Today across Lebanon, thousands of people in rural communities previously unaffected by Israeli targeting of Hezbollah infrastructure have fled bombardment and widespread destruction that have claimed at least 700 lives, injured thousands and uprooted around 120,000 people within mere hours, he said, adding: We are running into people that are saying, Whats the way to Tripoli? How do we get to there?

The UN aid coordinators comments come amid increasingly intense exchanges of fire across the UN-patrolled line of separation between Lebanon and Israel since 7 October when war erupted in the Gaza Strip. Last weeks extraordinary targeting of Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies left hundreds dead and signalled the start of intense Israeli bombardment in Lebanon and retaliatory strikes by Hezbollah.
Fars Media Corporation via commons.wikimedia.org

An Iranian informant allegedly tipped off Israeli authorities about Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's whereabouts, leading to his death in an airstrike in Beirut, according to the French newspaper Le Parisien.

The spy disclosed that Nasrallah would be attending a meeting with senior Hezbollah members at the group's underground headquarters in southern Beirut.

Hours later, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed his death, stating, "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world."

Hezbollah later released a statement mourning Nasrallahs death, saying, "Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah... has joined his great, immortal martyr comrades whom he led for about 30 years."

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that Israels growing success in targeting Hezbollah is tied to its increased intelligence resources following the 2006 conflict with the Iran-backed group.

Although the war ended in an UN-brokered ceasefire, it pushed Israel to enhance its espionage capabilities.

New teams were formed within combat ranks to make sure critical information was swiftly passed on to soldiers and the air force, it added.

Unit 8200, Israels signals intelligence agency, developed advanced tools to intercept Hezbollahs communications, contributing to several high-profile strikes.

Among Israels intelligence victories, the report highlighted a 2008 operation in which Mossad collaborated with the CIA to eliminate Hezbollah operative Imad Mugniyah in Syria.

Israel also passed intelligence to the U.S. in 2020, leading to the assassination of Iranian commander Qassim Suleimani in Baghdad.

As tensions escalated following Hamas' attacks on Israel in October 2023, Tel Aviv stepped up its efforts against Hezbollah.

Strikes in recent months killed several top Hezbollah commanders, including Fuad Shukr, Ibrahim Aqil, Ibrahim Mohammed Kobeissi, and Mohammed Srur. Hezbollahs communication methods, including booby-trapped pagers provided by Israeli agents, were compromised as part of Israels long-term strategy.

Nasrallah had admitted, in a recent televised speech, an "unprecedented blow" was dealt to Hezbollah after Israel blew up pagers laced with explosives and hand-held radios. At least 37 people were killed and nearly 3,000 people injured in two days.

Nasrallah had then warned Israel of "tough retribution and just punishment, where it expects it and where it does not".

Former CIA analyst Chip Usher commented on Israels approach, saying, "They're in a shadow war with Hezbollah and Iran. And they're extraordinarily patient."
The Israel military said 64-year-old Nasrallah is dead. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons / UNICEF/Dar Al Mussawir

Iran has called for an emergency United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting over Israel's military actions in Lebanon and the broader region.

Israel said on Saturday it killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, escalating tensions across the Middle East.

Describing Nasrallah as "one of the greatest enemies of the State of Israel," the Israeli military claimed that his elimination "makes the world a safer place."

Photo courtesy: x.com/POTUS/media | wikipedia.org

The Israeli military confirmed that Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for 32 years, was killed in Friday's airstrike in Beirut, the stronghold of the Iran-backed group. Hezbollah confirmed his death on Saturday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Nasrallahs death was retribution for the killing of Israelis and other foreign nationals, including Americans. He added that had Nasrallah survived, he would have rapidly rebuilt Hezbollahs operational strength.

U.S. President Joe Biden called Nasrallah's death a "measure of justice," reasserting the stance of the U.S., which supplies arms to Israel.

After Nasrallahs death, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted that the killing of Hezbollah leaders would not weaken the group while declaring public mourning in Iran.

Iran also called for a UNSC meeting, warning against any threats or attacks on its diplomatic personnel and embassies.

In a letter to the UNSC's 15-member body, Irans UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani stressed Tehran's commitment to defending its vital national interests.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah reignited after the Gaza war broke out, following a Hamas-led attack on Israeli towns on October 7.

Hezbollah, a close ally of Hamas and also supported by Iran, began clashing with Israel across the Lebanese border, further intensifying the regional strife.

Over 1,000 people have died in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in the past two weeks as fighting escalates between Israel and Hezbollah.
Photo courtesy Unsplash

Armed terrorists stormed into an under-construction building in Khuda-i-Abadan area of Panjgur town in Pakistan on Saturday when they killed seven labourers, media reports said.

The labourers belonged to Multan region in Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have condemned the deadly attack on the labourers.

The PM also sought a report on the incident from Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.

At the time of the attack, the construction workers were sleeping in the same room of the house that they were building in Mohalla Abdul Rehman, police told Dawn News, adding that the armed men opened indiscriminate fire with automatic weapons.

Seven labourers were killed on the spot and another was injured in the firing, Inspector General Police Moazzam Jah Ansari told Dawn.

Police rushed to the spot after the incident came to light.

The victims were taken to a local hospital.
The Empress season 2 OTT release date is out. The show which had an impressive season 1 is back to keep you hooked to your screens. The Empress narrates the tale of Bavarian princess Elisabeth, also known as Sisi, who later became an Austrian empress.Netflix quickly renewed the series for a second season after the show's initial success. The shows production had also started in September 2023. The Empress season 2 will be released on Netflix on 22nd November 2024.





Plot

As per the streamer, The Empress is the narrative of Elisabeth, also known as Sisi, a Bavarian princess who married Emperor Franz Joseph (Philip Froissant) and had a difficult time adjusting to life in the oppressive Habsburg royal court in the 1800s. She defied convention and fought for her freedom and originality, which helped her become a well-liked public figure.

Now in season 2, the initial dilemma of the young couple has just about ended as the second season picks up. When ominous clouds roll up over Schonbrunn Palace, they are hoping to bask in their newfound happiness. Franz has just discovered that he is facing a formidable foe in Europe.

The shows synopsis reads, As the first storm has hardly passed, Elisabeth is already facing the next trial: not only is the future of her family, but that of an entire empire resting on her shoulders.

Cast and crew

The Empress Season 2 will include new characters in addition to existing stars including Devrim Lingnau, Philip Froissant, and Johannes Nussbaum. As Princess Marie Charlotte of Belgium, Josephine Thiesen joins the cast, and Christoph Favre plays Napoleon III.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


The Manhattan Alien Abduction has set its OTT release date. The docu-series is based on real events and it is going to be released on OTT platform Netflix. In the program, a woman says she was kidnapped from her own room in Manhattan. Whether it was an elaborate hoax or evidence of extraterrestrial life is investigated in this documentary series. The new series is produced by Story Films, a UK company that David Nath and Peter Beard established in 2016. The Manhattan Alien Abduction will be released on Netflix on 30th October 2024.





Plot

The series, which documents the allegations of a lady who believes she was abducted by aliens, strives to expose the genuine narrative behind one of the greatest mysteries in ufology, which continues to be a topic of contention on the internet. Linda Napolitano is the woman in question; she is intimately involved in the series of documentaries.

Cast and crew

The new docuseries has Darren Kemp, Bruce Fletcher, and Peter Beard as executive producers. This is just one of many documentaries on Halloween that Netflix will be releasing in October.

Internet reacts to the trailer

The trailer of the documentary series was released on Netflix social media platforms a few days ago. Reacting to it, people shared opinions about the project.

One wrote, This looks so cool wtf never heard of this! All alien/ufo stuff interest me, 1000000% gonna watch this.

Another added, My personal opinion: aliens do exist. They just havent arrived here, because theyre seeking intelligent life.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Sayani Gupta has made a name for herself in the film industry with standout roles in Article 15 and the popular series Four More Shots Please! She's not just a great actress; shes also a fashion diva who knows how to blend traditional and modern looks with no effort.

Sayani Gupta's IIFA 2024 look is all about cool confidence

As the host of IIFA 2024, she truly brought her A-game, and we can't get enough of her fashion choices! Recently, Sayani dropped some stunning photos on Instagram, giving us a sneak peek of her IIFA look.

Dressed in a gorgeous purple lehenga set paired with chic sneakers, she completely nailed the cool confidence vibe! The lehenga, designed by Hyderabad-based Mishru, features decadent floral motifs layered with French knots, sequins, glass beads, and tiny mirrors. Talk about intricate detail!

The monotone purple color suited her perfectly, and the piece is called the Cosmo lehenga set. The corset design, combined with the fish-cut style heavy skirt, added a touch of elegance that was hard to miss.

Check out her look below:

But let's talk about those sneakers! They really stole the limelight and boosted her cool quotient. It's not every day you see a lehenga paired with sneakers, but Sayani made it look so stylish.

To accessorize, she chose a sleek diamond choker and a diamond ring, adding just the right amount of sparkle to her outfit.

Now, onto her makeupSayani kept it fresh and muted. She opted for nude lips, a generous amount of highlighter, kohl-lined eyes, and a hint of blush. This natural yet striking look complemented her outfit beautifully and highlighted her features without being over the top.

Her hair was styled in a sleek bun with a flick out, reminiscent of a classic Hollywood star. This chic hairstyle perfectly rounded off her overall look, making her one of the most talked-about fashionistas at the event.

Sayani Gupta's IIFA 2024 look is a fabulous reminder that you can mix tradition with a modern twist and still look incredibly stylish. Were totally inspired!
Gigi Hadid walked the ramp and left no crumbs. On Friday, the model just owned the Vetements runway at Paris Fashion Week, rocking a dress made entirely out of DHL packing tape. Yup, you heard that rightshe slayed the runway in a red-and-yellow tape dress that hugged her like a second skin.

Gigi Hadid serves high fashion with DHL tapes

She wore a form-fitting little dress from the Swiss fashion house's spring/summer 2025 collection with pointed-toe heels coated in branding tape, and it successfully gave all kinds of high-fashion-meets-package-delivery vibes. Her short blond hair was parted into cute waves, and she wore minimal makeup. She walked the runway without any accessories, allowing the dress to speak for itself, and so it surely did!

para mi este es el concepto de fashion week la rompieron, devoraron, no solo ayunaron sino que empacharon y comieron todo, su tarea era romperla y destruyeron, no solo sirvieron sino repitieron el plato iconos Travis Scott, Gigi Hadid y Guram Gvasalia for VETEMENTS SS25 pic.twitter.com/HShyPwYGm8  ally (@allyy_acosta) September 27, 2024

Travis Scott's show-opening energy

Rapper Travis Scott, 33, began the show with a banger and ended it in style, while holding hands with Gigi Hadid, 29, and Guram Gvasalia, the creative mind behind Vetements.

Travis looked incredible in a glossy patent leather jacket (with nothing underneath, of course) and matching trousers tucked into his bootshe commanded the runway.

Dun aksamki defileden Travis Scott ve Gigi Hadid. pic.twitter.com/kdvLEruirT  Glory Magazines (@GloryMagazines) September 28, 2024

But wait a minute; it wasn't simply the runway that was packed with celebrities. In the front row? Ice Spice, Bella Thorne, Tom Daley, and Normani are all contributing looks and vibes to the show. The fomo was real!

Paris Fashion Week, one of the year's most prominent fashion events, has been filled with A-list celebrities in recent days. Along with Gigi, Bella Hadid graced the runway earlier this week, only adding to the show's allure with her stunning appearance.

Bella Hadids comeback to runway

After a two-year hiatus, Gigi Hadid returned to Paris Fashion Week for a Saint Laurent show. On day one, the 27-year-old wore a sleek black suit and tie designed by creative director Anthony Vaccarello. What about the masculine-fit suit? She showed off her powerful shoulders and stunning curves, giving us all the workday inspos we need!

Hadid kept it stylish with slicked-back hair and a stunning "no-makeup" makeup look  glowing T-zone, flushed cheeks, nude glossy lips, and light glitter on the eyes with just the right amount of mascara.

She completed the ensemble with black pointed shoes and striking, thick-framed glasses, which elevated her style to new heights.
In a fiery speech delivered in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, on Saturday, former President Donald Trump took aim at immigration and Vice President Kamala Harris. Trumps speech, part of his bid for the Republican nomination, was filled with pointed remarks as he intensified his rhetoric on immigration in the 2024 election race.

Trump sharpens focus on Harris and immigration

Trump was particularly critical of Harris, who had just visited the U.S.-Mexico border as part of her 2024 presidential campaign. He referred to her as mentally impaired and mentally disabled in front of a crowd of supporters. Harriss visit coincided with Trumps speech, heightening the tension around immigration as the November 5 election nears.

Flanked by posters showing immigrants who had been arrested for serious crimes, Trump focused his speech on what he described as a growing threat posed by undocumented immigrants. He used terms like monsters, stone-cold killers, and vile animals to describe violent offenders, aiming to rally voters by portraying immigration as a national crisis.

Trump also blamed President Joe Biden and Harris for what he called the failure to secure the U.S. border. He warned that some migrants crossing into the country had dangerous intentions, saying, They want to rape, pillage, thieve, plunder, and kill the people of the United States of America. His stark language was designed to cast immigration as a critical threat under the current administration.

Acknowledging the grim nature of his remarks, Trump insisted that this was a necessary conversation. His comments followed a recent incident in Wisconsin, where a Venezuelan national living in the U.S. illegally was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and attacking her daughter.

Immigration surge fuels debate

Immigration continues to be a dominant issue in the political landscape, especially given recent data showing that approximately 7 million migrants have been apprehended while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally since Biden took office. The sharp increase in border crossings has led to heightened criticism from Trump and other Republicans, who accuse the administration of failing to protect American citizens.

Harris, while visiting the border, called for comprehensive reforms to address what she described as a broken immigration system. In response to Trumps attacks, she accused him of fanning the flames of fear and division, and emphasized that stopping fentanyl trafficking would be one of her top priorities. Harriss remarks aimed to address the broader issues associated with border security and the opioid crisis.

During his speech, Trump also repeated his unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. He pledged that if reelected, and if allowed, he would take legal action against those he believed were responsible for his loss in 2020.

While research generally shows that immigrants do not commit crimes at higher rates than native-born Americans, Trumps remarks continue to fuel a narrative linking immigration with crime. Critics argue that his rhetoric plays on fears and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

Trump has a history of emphasizing cases where Hispanic offenders are accused of violence, often highlighting instances involving young women, while disregarding other crimes that do not fit this narrative. His critics say he is using the suffering of families affected by violence for political advantage. Still, some families who have been impacted by violent crime or the opioid crisis have expressed support for Trumps focus on these issues. Several parents who lost children to fentanyl, much of which enters the U.S. through the southern border, voiced their backing for Trump before his remarks.

Harriss border visit sparks criticism

Kamala Harris made her first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border on Friday (September 27) as the Democratic presidential candidate.

The United States is a sovereign nation, and I believe we have a duty to set rules at our border and to enforce them. And I take that responsibility very seriously, Harris said after touring a section of the border wall in Cochise County.

I will do more to secure our border, to reduce illegal border crossings. I will take further action to keep the border closed between ports of entry, she added.

Also Read: Donald Trump's presidential campaign goes all 'bling': Now selling $100,000 watches after sneakers & silver coins

However, her visit was met with backlash from the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), which represents U.S. Border Patrol agents. The union criticized Harris for her late response to the immigration crisis. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the NBPC stated, Vice President Harris has ignored the border problem she created for over three years. She goes down there for 20 minutes for a photo op.

The union also pointed out, We have apprehended over 8 million illegal immigrants over the last 4 years, and now you realize we need more help 38 days before the election?

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
The killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces on Saturday has intensified the ongoing Gaza war, marking a critical escalation. Nasrallah, 64, was classified as a terrorist by the United States. As Hezbollah weighs its next moves, Hashem Safieddine, a prominent figure within the group, is widely viewed as a likely successor.

Analysts quoted by the Associated Press highlight that Nasrallah's death represents a major blow to Hezbollah, showcasing the force's vulnerability against Israel. This will shake the confidence of Hezbollahs Iran-backed allies across the Arab world, from the Houthis in Yemen to the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, as well as Iran itself, sparking a tectonic shift in Irans network of influence in the Middle East, said Lina Khatib, an associate fellow at Chatham House, an international affairs think tank.

Who is Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah's possible replacement?

Hashem Safieddine, a cousin of Nasrallah, is viewed by many as the most likely candidate to succeed him. Safieddine has long played a key role within Hezbollah, overseeing its political affairs. His survival in the latest Israeli attack remains unclear, as the group did not mention him in their statement on Nasrallahs death.

Born in 1964 in Lebanon, Safieddine pursued his religious education in Iran. He is considered a trusted figure with deep connections to Iran and its leadership. The US Treasury Department identifies him as a "senior leader" and a member of Hezbollahs executive Shura council.

Safieddine's family also has strong ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His son married the daughter of former IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in 2020.

In 2017, the US State Department designated Safieddine as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and Saudi Arabia followed suit by listing him as a "terrorist" as well.

Regional impact and consequences of Nasrallah's death

Nasrallahs killing is part of an intensified Israeli military campaign that targets high-ranking Hezbollah members and other militant figures. This comes in response to escalating violence, particularly after Hamas launched attacks on Israel on October 7, resulting in over a thousand casualties.

Other significant losses for Hezbollah include commanders Ibrahim Qubaisi, killed on September 24, and Ibrahim Aqil, who died on September 20. These deaths have raised questions about Hezbollahs capability to operate effectively under growing pressure.

Hezbollah's future after Nasrallah

Also Read: Trump calls Kamala Harris 'mentally impaired' during 'dark speech' in Wisconsin

As Hezbollah faces this leadership transition, the group's military and political direction hangs in the balance. Analysts will closely follow the role of potential successors, like Safieddine, and how the organization plans to align with Irans broader strategies in the region. The new leaderships decisions will shape Hezbollah's responses to mounting regional challenges.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
A former contract worker was dismissed "within 15 minutes" of the firm learning about the operation she required. The employee, a ten-year cancer survivor, said that their contract-to-hire was cancelled three months early since they expected to take at least a couple of months to return to work.

The tale broke on the Antiwork subreddit, where the workers anonymously explained how they found themselves out of work for the past month.

What happened with the man on the job?

According to the post, the worker was injured on the job, but because they have a chronic ailment, they are not entitled to compensation.

Im a 10-year cancer survivor. To stabilise my jaw they put a bracket in place, but my cancer metastasized leading to a massive amount of radiation going to that area weakening the bone. Finally about a month ago while working (customer service on phones all day), I felt a pop. That pop was the bracket breaking off of my jaw and now I have a screw scraping my jaw instead of holding it together.

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The contractee has been unpaid for the entire time owing to their job terms. However, it wasn't until "yesterday" that they learned how long it would be until they were back in working order.

The doctor expected at least two months, as postoperative recovery takes roughly six weeks. It could take an additional month to get the patient back on track.

I have not heard a word from the company this entire time, only 3 contacts from the Account Manager seeing how Im feeling, and getting appointment updates. Within 15 minutes of receiving my note detailing the surgery, this company decided to abruptly end my contract, the post read.

Not only has the worker yet to receive their final payment, but they have also stated that being dismissed has terminated their health insurance, forcing them to seek Medicaid before undergoing surgery.

How did people on the internet react?

Many people sympathised with the man and offered the user many solutions. Here's what people wrote.

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byu/Fight_the_status_quo from discussion

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byu/Fight_the_status_quo from discussion

inantiwork

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byu/Fight_the_status_quo from discussion

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Also read: Woman's heartfelt letter to son before dying of cancer will leave you in tears: 'Feared leaving you more'

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

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The Democratic presidential contender was photographed Friday at the southern border in Arizona, attempting to appear tough on one of her biggest electoral weaknesses as she strolled near a razor-wire-protected fence in the town of Douglas, conversing with a US Border Patrol agent. Harris, 59, was dressed in dark sunglasses, a brown jacket over a black top, and dark slacks, and critics claimed he was wearing a $62,000 (Rs 51 lakh) Tiffany's necklace.

How did people on the internet react?

The gold chain-link item is similar to Tiffany & Co.'s Bold Graduated Link Necklace in yellow gold, which retails for a stunning amount. It is unclear whether Harris' necklace is the Tiffany item, and neither Tiffany nor the Harris campaign responded to requests for comment.

Some people pointed out about Harris being middle class others just simply said "Who does that?". Here's what people said.

Middle class Harris went to the border for a hurried photo-op that lasted 20 minutes, and made sure to wear her $62,000 Tiffany necklace.



What a total fraud! Disgusting! pic.twitter.com/a4Qx7mcfxG  ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) September 28, 2024

Who wears a $70,000 Tiffany necklace to the border? pic.twitter.com/WuU72MV850  Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 28, 2024

Kamala Harris, who identifies as middle class, delivered a speech in Harrisburg, PA, while wearing a Tiffany HardWear Bold Graduated Link Necklace valued at $62,000. pic.twitter.com/9gKjV9s3Tw  Johncast (@johncastnow) September 26, 2024

Who wears a $62,000 Tiffany necklace to the border?



Border Czar Kamala Harris who grew up in an $8 million dollar middle class mansion in Montreal, Canada. pic.twitter.com/u43ctKlnXy  HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) September 28, 2024

I'm pleased to see Kamala Harris emphasizing her middle-class upbringing, especially as she wears a Tiffany necklace valued at around $70,000 during her visit to the southern border. pic.twitter.com/rcsYmDFJoX  Tony Lane  (@TonyLaneNV) September 28, 2024

Where did Kamala Harris go?

Harris visited the town of approximately 17,000 people and spoke about measures to address "our broken immigration system" to gain momentum on one of her most vulnerable electoral fronts as she competes for the presidency with Republican contender Donald Trump.

It was her first trip to the troubled southern border since a 2021 visit to El Paso, Texas, four months after President Biden appointed her border czar.

Harris' jewellery choices have already been called into question. Following her debate with Trump on September 10, conspiracy-minded social media users claimed her gold and pearl earrings included a secret Bluetooth device. The pieces seemed to be gold versions of Tiffany's Double Pearl pearl-hinged earrings.

Kamalas choice of earrings for the debate was very interesting. While the below is almost impossible to confirm as factual, it certainly appears suspect. pic.twitter.com/a5b4Yzj2Fz  SGAnon (@TheQNewsPatriot) September 11, 2024

Also read: Kamala Harris to skip Al Smith charity dinner: All you need to know about this 60-year tradition

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

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A cat who went lost in Yellowstone National Park surprised animal lovers by going over 1,200 miles to reconnect with his owners after two months away. According to an animal protection organization, Rayne Beau, a two-and-a-half-year-old Siamese cat, had his microchip to help him on his incredible adventure.

Where did the cat run into the woods?

Credit: Meta AI | Rayne Beau disappeared on June 4

Susanne and Benny Anguiano of Salinas, California, were at Fishing Bridge RV Park on June 4 when Rayne Beau disappeared. The couple's journey turned disastrous when the cat, spooked by something, raced into the woods. "My husband is my hero because he went out into the woods daily for hours looking for him," Susanne told CNN station KSBW.



Despite their best efforts to entice Rayne Beau with his favourite food and toys, the pair were disappointed. "We had to leave without him. That was the most difficult day because I felt like I was letting him down," Anguiano recounted.

How was the cat found?

Credit: Canva | Rayne Beau's microchip identification number had been found

After 61 days of uncertainty, the Anguianos were notified that a cat with Rayne Beau's microchip identification number had been found. He was discovered in Roseville, California, around 190 miles from his hometown.



Rayne Beau was taken to the Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Roseville and checked by officials. Executive Director Leilani Fratis verified that the cat was found in bad health but is currently recovering.

Rayne Beau travelled over 1,200 miles from Wyoming to Roseville before returning to Salinas. While the couple is unsure how he made the trip back to California, they are relieved to have him home.

Also read: Cat falls into tiger enclosure at Malaysia Zoo, authorities rush to save it in daring rescue

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The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) says a notorious Boko Haram terrorist has surrendered to troops stationed in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

In a statement on Saturday, Olaniyi Osaba, MNJTFs Chief Military Information Officer, identified the terrorist as Bochu Abacha.

According to him, Abacha was involved in numerous terrorist operations and admitted to participating in several attacks along the Monguno-Baga axis.

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He added that the Abachas surrender was due to MNJTFs increasing operations in the North East and his declining commitment to the groups cause.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Army Nabs Top Wanted Boko Haram Logistics Supplier In Borno

Osaba noted that Abacha handed over an AK-47 rifle, a magazine with 11 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, a mobile phone, an Airtel SIM card, and N32,500 to the troops.

Abacha, he said, is currently assisting authorities with valuable intelligence.

Meanwhile, MNJTF troops also ambushed some suspected Boko Haram fighters transporting logistics in three Toyota vehicles at night.

The troops, according to him, engaged the insurgents in a firefight, killing one terrorist while others fled, abandoning their cargo.

Three Toyota vehicles loaded with various food supplies, sundry items, and N2,000 were recovered.
The operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a yet to be identified man for allegedly defiling a four-year-old girl in Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the 50 years old, committed the horrible act on the 26 of September, 2024, when the minor went to her grandmothers house in Ubulu-Uku.

According to a human rights activist, Mr Harrison Gwamnishu, who spoke with PUNCH, said that the suspect was arrested on Friday.

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He said: On Friday we swiftly responded to a complaint of defilement of a four-year-old child by over 50-year-old man.

We first took the child to a government hospital where she was examined and the doctor/nurses confirmed that the child has been altered (Penetrated).

We left the hospital and arrested the man and allowed the girl to show us who touched her and she pointed the man.

READ MORE: Delta Police Parade 123 Operators Of Yahoo Academy

We immediately handed him to Divisional Police Headquarters, Ogwashi Uku where hes currently detained.

He will be transferred to the State Police headquarters immediately after the Division are done with their preliminary investigation.

Also speaking, the mother of the victim, said that: I said when you come back from school, you will not meet me, you should go to my grandmothers house.

So, after our fasting and prayer, I came back and decided to check whether she has come back from school.

She called me and I said what? Because I wanted to take my evening bath before bathing her, she said my bombo is paining me. I demanded to see it and when I opened it, I saw sperm. I enquired to know who did it. She described the brother that has injury on his leg.

I felt pained but I didnt want to ask him. I was laying curses on him, I then went to report to my mothers brother the following day.

My mother told me to go to the police at Ubulu-Uku. I went and I was told to go to the hospital for a medical test. She said he is the one.
September 28, 2024: Both China and Russia have long histories of corruption. These two countries sometimes managed to use the corruption to sustain economic growth rather than stifle it. Governments, usually monarchies, made rules that concentrated on taking as much wealth from any new entrepreneurs as possible. This process left unchecked would damage or destroy a prosperous economy. Corruption, in the form of paying royal officials to back off and let business continue, worked in Europe first and eventually, in the 20th and early 21st centuries, in China. There is still a culture of corruption in China but the senior government officials recognize it exists and openly struggle to suppress it. That is difficult to do in China, India and the Middle East, where corruption is seen as a tradition that is often respected and seen as useful to get things done.

The origins of the Russian nation go back to 862 when Prince Rurik established a government in the northeastern city of Novgorod and surrounding areas. That government expanded over the next 800 years. This was disrupted by the 1237-40 Mongol invasions. 350-400 years later, long after the Mongol disruption, Russian expansion east resumed and continued until the 1700s, when Russia expanded to the Pacific and achieved a size similar to what the Russian Federation is today. After 1991 Russia lost many of its central Asian territories and a dozen smaller areas. All these lost lands were occupied by non-Slav people who were not as productive or as loyal to the state as the Slavs.

Europe and the United States were more effective at reducing corruption. Russia was somewhere in the middle, with western-looking Russian rulers like Peter the Great deliberately trying to suppress corruption and adopt European business practices. Large-scale corruption ceased briefly when the Communists took over, resumed after World War Two, took off in the 1980s and by the 21st Century so dominated Russia that economic growth tailed off and millions of Russians emigrated to Europe where their earning and savings wouldnt be stolen by their very corrupt government. Russian leaders dont want to admit that their high levels of corruption are a major reason why Russia still cannot catch up economically with Europe and the United States.

Russia is also in the habit of squandering its economic gains by starting wars. This began with Peter the Great and continued throughout the 19th century. The war with Japan in 1904-05 ended with Russia defeated, the first time an eastern nation had defeated a western military power. That was followed by Russia blundering into World War I and surrendering to Germany a year before the allied victory over Germany eliminated the German occupation of Russian territory. That was followed by a Russian Civil War that raged from 1917 to 1922 and ended with a communist takeover of the Russian government. That led to Russian plans to attack Germany in the mid-1940s but the Germans attacked first and Russia suffered military and civilian losses that amounted to 18 percent of the population. Because of assistance from the western allies, mainly the United States, Russia prevailed and took advantage of the situation to gain control over most of Eastern Europe and many non-Slav central Asian territories.

This was a land-grab too far and Russia could not afford it. In 1991 this Russian empire went bankrupt and collapsed. The empire dissolved into 14 new nations, including the Slavic Russian Federation, Belarus and Ukraine. Not content with this, after 2000 Russia planned to reconquer most of these new nations, starting with Ukraine in 2022. That did not work out well and now they are stuck in a war they cannot win but do not want to just give up and leave. NATO nations responded to this invasion with economic sanctions and over a hundred billion dollars worth of military aid for Ukraine.

China was less reckless than Russia, but also failed at building a stable empire. Organized Chinese territories first appeared about 4,300 years ago. A united China emerged several times since then, but until the 1700, these empires were temporary and civil wars and rebellions kept pulling apart a united China into many kingdoms. It wasnt until the early 20th century that a stable, in terms of size, Chinese nation emerged. From then until 1949 there continued to be civil wars and uprisings that prevented these united territories from being ruled effectively.

While China was the most advanced civilization in the world for over two thousand years, the Europeans managed to become an economic and military superpower while China stumbled from one disaster to another.

Modern Europe began with the Renaissance that thrived from the 14th to the 17th centuries and was followed by the Industrial revolution that ran until the mid-19th century. These two events established the foundations of modern industrial societies. After that, Western nations, led by the United States and West Europe created an economic colossus that continues to generate more than half the global GDP as well as most of the scientific and technical advances.

China lost out on this and did not undergo the industrial revolution until the 1980s. China quickly became the second largest, after the United States, economy in the world. Now China is risking all that economic progress by making plans to conquer the island of Taiwan, which is an economically successful democracy off the Chinese coast. China hasnt made a move yet because Taiwanese allies like the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia and Singapore threaten to oppose a Chinese attack on Taiwan. Worse yet, such a war would disrupt trade, which is what keeps the Chinese economy going and its population supplied with imported food, petroleum and technology. Noting the fate of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Chinese are no longer eager to actually try and take Taiwan by force.

Local media in Russia and China regularly report on corruption and complain of the continued inability of the government or people running businesses relying on corruption to operate profitably. It doesnt have to be that way, because lower levels of corruption in America and Europe are a major reason why those two regions account for so much of the global GDP. China and Russia dont want to admit that their high corruption levels are a major cause of their economic problems. Leaders in these two countries talk about dealing with corruption, but neither Russia nor China has been able to do much about the problem.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Saturday, asked Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), not to put fire in his State.

In August, Wike warned governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against interfering in the affairs of the Party in Rivers.

Wike and Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers, have been at loggerheads over the control of the States political structure.

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Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, had said the structure in Rivers state will be handed over to Fubara.

READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: If You Dont Recognise That Im Bigger Than You Then Youre Sick  Wike Tells PDP Govs

Displeased by Mohammeds comment, Wike said he would put fire in the states controlled by Governors of the PDP siding with Fubara.

Reacting at an event organised in honour of the Minister by the Ijaw Peoples Congress in Port Harcourt, Makinde pleaded with Wike to spare Oyo should he decide to make bold his threat.

I came to identify with my brother, the celebrant of today, the honourable minister of the federal capital territory and the immediate past governor of Rivers State.

When I showed up yesterday, I told him I brought peace offering because he has been boasting that he will put fire in some states. I said, please, dont put fire in Oyo State, Makinde said.
At least four girls have drowned in a pond located at the Malkaderi Village in the Gagarawa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, on Saturday.

This was disclosed to the Public by the State Police Command, Lawan Adam, in a statement released on Sunday.

Adam identified the four victims as; Sainau Musa, 12; Fiddausi Ado, 11; Habiba Musa, 12 Bahijja Musa, 13.

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He said: In a tragic and devastating incident reported to the command on September 28, 2024, at about 1530hrs, five teenagers, all female, went swimming in a pond at Malkaderi village, Gagarawa LGA, on the same date at about 1100hrs.

But unfortunately, four of them namely: Sainau Musa, 12; Fiddausi Ado, 11; Habiba Musa, 12 Bahijja Musa, 13, were found drowned and floating in the pond.

The victims were all evacuated from the pond and rushed to the Gagarawa Primary Health Centre.

READ MORE: Five Killed, 12 Injured In Kano-Jigawa Road Accident

The police spokesperson said that upon receiving the report, a joint team of police officers and local divers swiftly responded to the scene and initiated a rescue operation.

He added that the victims were retrieved from the pond and rushed to the Gagarawa Primary Health Centre for medical attention, where they were confirmed dead.

After confirmation of the fatalities, the authorities released the corpses to the grieving families for traditional burial rites.


Senator representing Borno South senatorial district, Ali Ndume, says corruption has remained in Nigeria because politicians who steal money are celebrated for the act.

Ndume spoke on Sunday in Kano during an interactive session with journalists.

He added that in developed nations, people question the source of ones wealth, but in Nigeria, you are venerated for flaunting ill-gotten wealth.

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His words: Our major challenge in this country is corruption. Up till now, we have no law that can proactively or even reactively address the issue of corruption in the country.

If you see somebody in our system, especially in politics or government, and he is not corrupt, then he is lucky that he is God-fearing.

Otherwise, it is only in Nigeria that you steal money and you walk freely, and then you are celebrated.

If you come into an area like this, people would start lobbying you and do dobale (genuflecting) for you and he knows that the money was stolen.

READ ALSO: Alleged Corruption: Too Much Of Envy Among Nigerias Politicians  El Rufai

It is only in this country that somebody had no money yesterday or last week, but the following week he buys 10 cars, buys jets and his brothers would fly with him, his mother would fly with him, his uncle would fly with him, and they would say Allah has blessed our son.

According to him, he has made several attempts to pass a law on unexplained wealth in Nigeria, but that his efforts never saw the light of the day.

He said he even approached a former head of state for help to no avail.

Up till now, there is no law on Unexplained Wealth Act in Nigeria and there is no Executive Order on Unexplained Wealth in Nigeria, Ndume added.

He also bemoaned the pervasive hunger in the country, while calling for an increase in crop cultivation to fix the problem.

There is hunger in the land and up till now we have not cultivated up to five per cent of our land blessed land in Nigeria, the Senator added.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Zamfara Command, has dismissed one of its officers, Maikano Sarkin-Tasha for allegedly collaborating with terrorists.

Recall that that INFORMATION NIGERIA had earlier reported that the suspect, who was arrested by Nigeria Army on Friday, confessed to be supplying hard drugs and ammunition to Bandits in the state.

Reacting to the development on Saturday, the Zamfara State Commandant of the Corps, Sani Mustapha, in a press conference, at the command headquarters, in Gusau, condemned the alleged barbaric behavior of the suspect.

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Mustapha said the command was shocked by the news of the arrest of its officer, allegedly supplying ammunition and hard drugs to bandits in Zamfara.

He said: According to our preliminary findings, the officer was arrested at a checkpoint, between Damba and Sabon Gida axis, while on transit to his hometown, Mada village of Gusau Local Government Area.

He was allegedly found with some elements suspected to be cannabis and other hard drugs in possession.

READ MORE: Zamfara Police Nab NSCDC Officer For Allegedly Supplying Dangerous Weapons, Drugs To Terrorists

Other items found on him were three armour of G3 rifles and one armour of anti-rocket launcher.

I wish to state that the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, who also received the news with shock and disappointment has condemned the alleged barbaric behaviour of the officer.

He has directed me to take necessary administrative actions, including immediate dismissal of the personnel from the Corps nominal roll.

It does not represent or reflect the image or character of officers and men of the Zamfara command or the Corps, nationwide.

In the spirit of inter-agency relationship and synergy, I will interface with the Commissioner of Police for further necessary actions.

This is with the view to transferring the officer to the corps national headquarters, Abuja, for internal disciplinary action and prosecution.
Heineken Lokpobiri says Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, facilitated his appointment as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (oil).

He revealed this on Saturday at an event organised in honour of Wike by the Ijaw Peoples Congress (IPC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

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Lokpobiri, who hails from Bayelsa, served as Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development between 2015 to 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He was appointed minister of state for petroleum resources by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023, the same time Wike was named FCT Minister.

The Oil Minister said: It is important to tell you my brothers and sisters that me that is standing before you today as the minister of state for petroleum resources was also made possible by Nyesom Wike.

You also heard the account of the MD of the NDDC who said that the minister of the FCT played a direct role in his appointment.

My own case could have been a more direct role. Some of you may not know. It all started in Wikes house in Port Harcourt and it all got concluded in his house in Abuja.

READ ALSO: Politics Not About Money, But Capacity; Ill Teach You  Wike Mocks Fubaras Followers For Defecting To APP

My second journey of becoming a minister started at the house of the minister in Port Harcourt and it was concluded in his house in Abuja. It is important for me to complete this history.

Because when I was looking at the welcome address, our names were not included among those who have benefitted from his benevolence. I thought that my name, Heineken Lokpobiri, would have been included amongst those that he has helped.

But since my name is not included, I have to complete it. I want you Ijaw people to know that we have a brother, we have a friend.

It is always better to have a good friend than to have a bad brother. Of what use is a bad brother? It is of no use. But if you have a good friend in the case of the FCT minister, you are already blessed.

Your excellency, the FCT minister, let me on behalf of the Ijaw people all over the world, express our gratitude to you for your show of love to Ijaw people.

We Ijaw people are very grateful people. If you do us good, we will not pay you back with evil. So, we will always be grateful to you for what you have done for our Ijaw people. We are looking forward to you to do more for our Ijaw people.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has described the Governor Godwin Obasekis led government as a failure in Edo state.

The former governor on Sunday, during an interview on Arise TV, said that many reasons were responsible for the downfall of Peoples Democratic Partys candidate in the just concluded gubernatorial election in the South South state.

Oshiomhole noted that Governor Obaseki burned his bridges with those who once supported him.

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He said: God knows that Obaseki misgoverned the state, he defrauded the people, he jailed innocent women, he did a lot of terrible things that any man who has the fear of God will not do to his own people, and hes proud to say I will crush, I will crush.

READ MORE: Unlike Oshiomhole, Obasekis Administration Most Accountable, Transparent  Edo Govt

Every other minute, he will say I am the Chief Security Officer. In the process, he forgot that these powers belong to the people, the sovereignty belongs to the people. They delegate you, they entrust you, believing that you will do good to them.

And even the royal father, he was fighting him. He fought everybody, whether you looked for his trouble, didnt look for his trouble, for Obaseki, crushing people was [for] himself a way of life.

So, we are very happy now that we have consigned him to the dustbin of political history. As a person, he is my friend, but as governor, he was a failure.

Now what are the facts? Obaseki is like the proverbial blind man who in 2016, he rode on my back as an outgoing governor, we crossed the river, and he didnt allow his leg to touch the water, and so, he didnt understand what it took to become a governor.

In 2020, again, there were internal crisis in the APC, Obaseki again had the backing of some elements within the APC, and of course, the very Wike that hes demonising now, Governor Wike, as he then was, left Port-Harcourt to Benin, and the REC they were protesting against, that same REC was in Benin.

Again, Obaseki rode on the back of Wike and elements and what became known as PDP Legacy Group, together with some of the elements in APC. They took him to cross the river for the second time without his leg touching water. And so, twice, he was being described as the iron man.

And so this time around, he has burned all the cables, he has divided the PDP into two, the legacy PDP left him, Wike left him, I left him, his deputy left him, and so he was now a lonely man. And now, he had to cross the river using his own strength.
The Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has berated those criticizing his government that he will not compromise his well-being or principles to demonstrate loyalty to anyone.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Fubara made this known on Sunday, amid ongoing political crisis in the state, involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike.

Recall that Wike had on Saturday, while speaking at a reception held by the Ijaw Peoples Congress in Rivers, said that he made current Governor of the State, but turned his back against him and others who worked for him after the election.

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Reacting to the FCTs claim during an interdenominational thanksgiving service at St. Pauls Cathedral, Port Harcourt, Fubara maintained that he belongs to the school of thought that believes in doing the right thing even if they are in the minority.

READ MORE: Were Sorry For What Fubara Is Doing To You  Ijaw Elders Beg Wike

He said: As a matter of fact, I belong to that school of thought that if I am the only person that needs to stand on that side of right, I will stand there.

I dont need anybody to stand with me. I cannot give my kidney or liver to anybody, I wont. If that is the only reason for me to be loyal, I will not be. But, I will not do the wrong thing. I will stand for the side of right.

I make bold to say it, there is no security agency in this State that I have called any day to go and do something wrong. I have never. I dont have a need for it. But I know what they do, and they keep failing because God has left them.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has berated the Peoples Democratic Party Governors, for supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.

The FCT Minister noted that the PDP Governors must be sick if they fail to realise that he is bigger than all of them.

Wike led this out on Saturday, while receiving Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and other members of the G5.

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He said: Dont ever think they are fighting me; they are not fighting me. Im too big, Wike said while addressing the crowd at the event.

READ MORE: Ill Never Support Gov Fubara Again For Lying Against Me  FCT Minister, Wike

If you dont recognize someone who is bigger than you, then you are sick. Im far far (bigger than) all of them put together.

Let nobody threaten anybody; all those threats are empty. Soon we will know who is relevant.

I said nobody will take over the structure of the party. You can have all the money; if it didnt dey, it didnt dey.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Wike and his successor, Governor Fubara have been in loggerhead over the leadership of the state.
Troops from the Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe have arrested three suspects in possession of weapons.

In a statement released to the public on Saturday, by Major Emmanuel Onoja, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, identified the accused individuals as Abel Festus, Ramsey Akporoyibo, and Stephen Omah.

It was gathered that the suspects were arrested on Friday, while traveling in a Lexus RX 350 at Oghareki community, Ethiope West local government area of Delta State.

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Major Onoja said that the operation yielded significant success, adding that the suspects have been taken into custody for thorough investigation.

READ MORE: Delta Police Nab Man For Allegedly Defiling Four Year Old Girl

He said: The operation yielded a significant cache of weapons, including five pump-action rifles, a Dane gun, a battle axe, and 51 cartridges.

The suspects have been taken into custody to undergo thorough interrogation and further investigation.
Big Brother Naija reality star, Vee, has condemned supporters of President Bola Tinubus government and controversial activist VeryDarkMan (VDM), stating they require mental evaluation.

In a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, Vee expressed her disdain, saying: I judge anyone supporting the current Nigerian government and VDMs agenda.

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She emphasized accountability, asserting, Its time to hold people responsible for defending harmful actions.

Vee criticized VDMs self-proclaimed freedom fighting, advocating instead for collective action.

Regarding the Falz-VDM controversy, Vee declined comment but stressed, Defending VDM or this government necessitates mental evaluation.

READ MORE: Phyna Declares Support For VeryDarkMan Amid EFCC, Bobrisky, Falz Saga

She said: Personally, Im judging anybody that supports that current Nigerian government. Im also judging supporters of VDM.

Its high time we start holding certain people responsible. If you say something stupid or defend the wrong thing, Im cutting you off.

I dont believe in freedom fighters. I dont believe in an individual coming out to say they want to fight for the rights of Nigerians. It doesnt make sense to me. I think it should be a joint effort. I think everybody should be involved. And I definitely dont think it should be VDM doing it.

I dont have much to say about the Falz versus VDM issue, by the way. They say he [Falz] is going to court. Lovely. Aside from Falz, Bobrisky and VDMs case, I feel like anybody defending VDM is not somebody I want to have a conversation with.

This country makes no sense. People are suffering. People are hungry. Anybody defending this government needs mental evaluation. Anybody defending VDM We dont even know what his [VDMs] achievements are. Whats he trying to achieve? I personally do not know and I will not defend him. When I come across a VDM video, I skip it. When they are talking about the guy, I will continue to skip.

Watch her speak below
September 28, 2024: So far this year Israel has conducted several military operations aimed at maintaining its security and countering threats from neighboring areas. Notably, in March, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched Operation Northern Shield to neutralize Hezbollah tunnels along the northern border. This operation was deemed necessary to prevent potential infiltration and attacks. Additionally, in July, the IDF responded to increased rocket fire from Gaza by launching targeted strikes on militant positions, aiming to restore calm and deter further aggression. In September Israeli forces attacked southern Lebanon to destroy Hezbollah. Israeli had already used an exploding pager attacks against over 4,000 Hezbollah operatives, which left 40 dead and the rest wounded. The next day another attack detonated hundreds of Hezbollah walkie-talkies with similar results. These two attacks caused panic among Hezbollah members and its supporters in the Iranian IRGC. Hezbollah reacted by resorting to individual couriers to deliver messages. This slowed down Hezbollah operations considerably. Meanwhile, Israel took advantage of the situation to bomb Lebanese buildings inhabited by key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, killing them both.

Diplomatically, Israel continued to strengthen its international alliances and pursue peace with neighboring countries. In February, Israel hosted the Abraham Accords Summit, bringing together leaders from the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco to discuss furthering economic and security cooperation. In June, Israel signed a landmark trade agreement with India, which aims to boost bilateral trade and investment in technology, healthcare, and agriculture sectors. Furthermore, Israel also engaged in back-channel talks with Saudi Arabia, signaling a potential future normalization of relations.

Economically, Israel experienced substantial saw growth and increased innovation. Israeli continued to demonstrate why it is solidify its position as an international technology center. Several Israeli startup firms quickly reached over a billion dollars in sales. Israel also revealed substantial developments of novel renewable energy sources that further reduced Israeli dependence on investments in renewable energy infrastructure, aiming to reduce the country's reliance on petroleum. In August, Israel revealed expanded and upgraded port facilities in Haifa. This will make it easier to receive imports and handle more exports. Haifa has become the busiest port in Israel, handling over 29 million tons of cargo each year. Haifa has welcomed several new shipping operations to the port. This expanded the port facilities and overall port capability to handle more cargo.

Israeli politics managed all these activities. There were elections in August that produced a coalition government headed by Yair Lapid, who promised to focus on unity and addressing socio-economic disparities. Additionally, legislative reforms were introduced in September to address judicial independence and transparency, reflecting the government's commitment to strengthening democratic institutions.
The Multinational Joint Task Forces Operation Hadin Kai, Sector 3, has foiled an attempted attack by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists along the Magumeri-Maiduguri axis in Borno.

During a tactical operation in the area, the troops also discovered a stash of ammunition belonging to the rebel.

This was stated on Sunday in Maiduguri by Lt.-Col. Olaniyi Osaba, Chief Military Information Officer, MNJTF, Ndjamena, Chad.

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He stated that the forces carried out a tactical ambush, neutralising the threat before the terrorists could cause havoc on innocent citizens.

According to Osaba, the troops positioned themselves tactically along the terrorists route of travel and engaged them as they emerged from a forested area on motorcycles.

READ MORE: EFCC Nabs 13 Cybercrime Suspects In Sokoto

On sighting the troops, the terrorists attempted to flee but were met with a heavy barrage of gunfire.

This decisive engagement forced them to abandon their weapons and motorcycles, disrupting their plan to unleash violence in the region, he said.

He stated that among the weapons found were two AK-47 rifles, 51 rounds of special 7.62mm ammunition, two magazines, 61 rounds of 7.62 NATO ammunition, parcels containing marijuana, and Tramadol.
The Enugu State Police Command has reported the arrest of two suspects for allegedly breaking into a car and stealing phones in the Enugu Metropolis.

DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the Commands Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in an Enugu statement on Saturday, stating that the police seized stolen phones as well as the suspects operational vehicle.

Ndukwe stated that the achievement was accomplished by police officers stationed in the New Haven Division on September 24, 2024, about 4 p.m.

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He said that two people, Ifeanyi Odu, 29, and Abuchi Kenneth, 27, had been arrested by police for breaking into and taking Samsung Galaxy and Infinix smartphones from a car that was parked on Rangers Avenue in Enugu.

A preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects, who respectively gave their addresses as Zuba, Abuja, and Nekede Owerri, Imo State, surreptitiously broke into the parked car and made away with the phones.

READ MORE: His Appearance Posed Homosexuality Concerns  Prison Officials On Bobriskys Separation From Other Inmates

However, upon receiving information on the criminal act, police operatives promptly went after, intercepted and arrested the suspects at Otigba Roundabout, Enugu.

The police operatives recovered the phones and the suspects operational vehicle, a Toyota Corolla car with registration number KUJ 614 CF.

The suspects will be arraigned in court soonest, he added.
A gun and a car were recovered at the scene of a reported robbery and barricade situation at Philly Stop Shop in the 2900 block of North Fifth Street in Philadelphia's El Bloque de Oro Latino neighborhood. Read more

A store owner was injured after three men in masks and bulletproof vests robbed the business, police said, in Philadelphias El Bloque de Oro neighborhood, considered the center of the citys Latino community.

Officers responded to a robbery in progress just after 11:20 p.m. Saturday at Philly Stop Shop on the 2900 block of North Fifth Street, as three men with masks and bulletproof vests were leaving the scene, police said.

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One of the suspects ran from the store with officers in pursuit, police said. The other two reentered the business.

What happened after that is unclear, but by 11:50 p.m. police had declared a barricade at Fifth and Cambria Streets. At 2 a.m. Sunday, SWAT officers had cleared the property without making any arrests, but a gun was recovered along with a Mitsubishi believed to belong to one of the suspects, police said.

The store owner, 47, was injured and transported to Temple University Hospital, where he was reported in stable condition, police said. A 37-year-old woman reportedly was inside the store at the time of the robbery but was not reported injured.

The investigation is ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to call 215-686-3243 or submit an anonymous tip at 215-686-8477.
Just after midnight on the morning of Sept. 22, Philadelphia police investigate the scene of a one-car crash at the intersection of Pattison Avenue and South Third Street, believed to be part of the vehicles involved in nearly a dozen car meetups that caused mayhem throughout the city. Read more

Police said Saturday that two more people  a 20-year-old woman from northern New Jersey and an 18-year-old man from Pittsburgh  have been arrested in last weekends seven-hour-long series of Project X car meetup incidents throughout Philadelphia in which, in some cases, police were attacked in their cars.

Alexis Boyce, of Englishtown, Monmouth County, surrendered to police, and Albert Woyner was arrested by state police in Pittsburgh and was transported to Philadelphia, police said. Both were charged with several offenses, including risking a catastrophe and rioting.

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Police said that between around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, and 4:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, 50 to 200 vehicles had gathered at multiple locations engaging in illegal street racing, drifting, and other reckless activities.

Police pursued 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. One officer suffered minor injuries.

A 19-year-old participant from Long Island told The Inquirer that 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. 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.

As with similar meets, the event 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.

Police said they arrested three people last weekend.

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.

Police asked that anyone with information about the incidents call the department at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Evelyn and Jim Piazza talk about their son Tim, who died after a hazing incident in 2017 at a Penn State fraternity. The last two fraternity members who in July entered guilty pleas to hazing and reckless endangerment will be sentenced this week. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Welcome to Sunday.

Its cloudy with a chance of showers and a high near 69.

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Seven years after the hazing death of Tim Piazza at Penn State in a case that drew national attention, his parents long battle for justice and reform will soon culminate in a Centre County courtroom. Our lead story covers the Piazzas push for change in Pennsylvania and across the country as they prepare to face the final sentencing of the people who took part in Tims hazing.

 Paola Perez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Tim Piazza went to a booze-fueled hazing party at Beta Theta Pi in February 2017 hoping to join the fraternity. Instead, he lost his life.

After their sons devastating death, Jim and Evelyn Piazza found solace and support in other families who lost children to hazing. Together, they educate other students and parents about the dangers of hazing and press for reform in law enforcement and at colleges and universities.

And their efforts have reached Capitol Hill. On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed what could become the first federal anti-hazing law. It now moves to the Senate.

In Evelyns own words: While it wont help save our kids, in most instances, we think this kind of tool would have prevented our kids from going to the organizations that they did, and they would still be here.

This Tuesday, the Piazza family will face the former president and vice president of Beta Theta Pi in court. They are the final two fraternity members to be sentenced for their part in that night.

Following Tims death, Penn State permanently banned the fraternity and restricted Greek life on campus, and says it still remains diligent in its response to hazing. The Piazzas, who settled their civil suit against the university, say they still wish the school was doing more to crack down.

Education reporter Susan Snyder has the story on the Piazzas extensive efforts to get justice for Tim.

Seventeen years ago, lawmakers decided that the Pennsylvania Turnpike would contribute to subsidizing state public transit and other transportation projects  even ones unrelated to Americas First Superhighway.

Today, that means the toll you pay also helps pay back loans and accumulated interest worth billions of dollars. It also means that drivers will continue paying the price as tolls continue to go up, and as the Keystone State struggles with a public transit system in financial distress.

Or as Turnpike Chief Financial Officer Richard Dreher puts it, Customers are really on the hook to eventually pay it all back.

As the turnpike crawls out from under the debt load, officials look to reducing operational expenses and working on alternative sources of revenue.

Ahead of the state Senate Transportation Committees next hearing on transit funding, reporter Tom Fitzgerald explains how we got here  and points to another funding crisis worth paying attention to.

What you should know today

Pop quiz

Philadelphia rocker Kurt Vile was reportedly spotted at Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday. He was escorting his daughters to see which songwriter and producer perform?

A) Sabrina Carpenter

B) Charli XCX

C) Billie Eilish

D) Taylor Swift

Think you know? Check your answer.

 Unscramble the anagram

This British bassist and songwriter (and former Police man) is a big fan of the Philadelphia Orchestra and hosted the One Fine Day fest at the Mann.

Hint: 

GROUND SERMON

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Rita Therese Kehoe who correctly guessed Saturdays answer: Vincent Van Gogh. His Sunflowers, on loan to Londons National Gallery from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, was targeted Friday by climate activists who tried to throw tomato soup on it. The painting was not damaged.

Photo of the day

 Todays Sunday track goes like this: All we got to do is treat each other right.

 Im making it my goal to finish The House Across the Lake today. Up next: Intermezzo. Read anything good lately? Email me back with a recommendation or two. And as always, thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer.
Everybody is talking about New York City Mayor Eric Adams these days after the ex-cop who promised to run Americas largest city with swagger instead got tripped up by swag, and became the first Gotham leader to face a federal criminal indictment while still in office.

But for more than 8.3 million everyday New Yorkers, the brutal fallacy behind Adams disastrous 34 months in office had already exploded two weeks earlier on a subway platform in Brooklyns fraying East New York section, on the citys outskirts.

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Last May, Adams  a self-proclaimed law-and-order mayor who never met a request for more cops and more police spending he didnt like, no matter what other public service got squeezed  ordered 800 additional officers into New York subway stations to combat the persistent problem of fare evasion, even as statistics showed subway crime was decreasing. Thats how two uniformed officers came to be patrolling the Sutter Avenue station on Sept. 15 when a 37-year-old man pushed through a turnstile once, was confronted, left, and then came back to do it again, alarming the officers when they saw he held a folding switchblade in his right hand.

This prompted a chaotic chase onto the elevated subway platform just as a train arrived. The suspect did not answer calls to drop the knife but, as video footage later showed, was not brandishing the weapon or charging when the officers unleashed a fusillade of bullets. The suspect, Derell Mickles, was wounded, and one of the officers was hit with friendly fire. On the train, a 26-year-old woman was grazed by a bullet while a second passenger, 49-year-old Gregory Delpeche  a city hospital worker commuting to his job  was struck in the head and suffered serious brain damage.

Adams  who visited the wounded cop in the hospital but not Delpeche  insisted the cops had shown restraint. That was strongly contested not just by hundreds of protesters but by Delpeches family and their lawyers, who could not believe such carnage was triggered by a $2.90 subway fare. Said attorney Nick Liakas, after watching the video, There was no need for any bullets to fly in the subway station, especially in a setting where the officers put innocent bystanders at risk.

And yet, there would prove to be an even bigger irony. New York Citys biggest fare evader was hiding in plain sight, inside the mayors office in City Hall.

Last week, federal prosecutors charged that Adams evaded thousands of dollars in fares for luxury travel on state-owned Turkish Airlines, as part of a yearslong bribery scheme that included air and hotel freebies and extreme discounts that amounted to more than $100,000 in perks. In return, they alleged, Adams, as Brooklyn borough president and then as mayor, provided various favors to Turkish diplomats in New York, including demanding an occupancy permit for a high-rise consulate even though fire inspectors had found serious safety hazards. To make matters worse, the corruption is linked to campaign finance violations that prosecutors say allowed Adams to improperly grab $10 million in matching public dollars  money that could have been put to good use in a cash-starved city.

The rank corruption that allegedly propped up Adams outward show of swagger is appalling, but it may also prove only the tip of the iceberg. There are multiple ongoing and overlapping probes into Adams closest aides  some of whom were hired despite dubious pasts  including high-ranking police brass under investigation for a reported scheme in which club owners were told that cop pressure on their establishments might ease up if they hired the police commissioners brother.

The Adams immorality play  he seems to have no intention of resigning, in the spirit of the Donald Trump era  has unleashed a flood of second-guessing among columnists who now wonder if they were too quick to print the legend of the up-from-nothing former police captain, and too tepid in questioning the warning signs not only about his unsavory associates but the basic questions about where he even lived, or whether he is truly a vegan.

I think thats missing the even deeper questions raised by Adams stunning rise and fall. His 2021 promise that his police background and orientation would make him a law-and-order mayor  appealing in a city that was rattled by the pandemic and the temporary spike in crime that accompanied it  pushed Adams past a diverse field of mayoral rivals. But the essence of Adams unique brand of corruption is that the strongmans world has two sets of law books  heavily policed authoritarianism for the masses, but no rules at all for the leader and his inner circle.

Arguably, the petty corruption of a mayor demanding extra legroom for himself and his girlfriend as frequent flyers to Istanbul pales to the massive moral corruption of New York Citys ballooning spending on police overtime, especially for the officers dispatched to the subways. There, cop overtime blew up from $4 million in 2022 to $155 million in 2023, even as City Hall looked to crimp and save on desperately needed social services, including cutbacks in weekend library hours. Imposing a police state at the expense of knowledge seems almost too on the nose for an autocratic mayoralty.

True, crime fell somewhat in the subways and across the city as the pandemic wound down  just as it did in scores of other cities without draconian policing or massive overspending. But misconduct allegations against New York Police Department officers skyrocketed. Adams, whose origin story is that he was a young victim of a police beating who fought as a rising young cop to reform the system, brought back an anti-crime unit linked to rampant brutality as well as stop-and-frisk policing tactics, with the inevitable results that some 89% of the New Yorkers questioned by cops were Black or brown people. The overwhelming number of those stopped were committing no crimes.

 READ MORE: U.S authoritarianism also means a police state | Will Bunch Newsletter

Meanwhile, activists said aggressive policing aimed to curb dissent in a city known for its protest culture. After police arrested a number of pro-Palestinian marchers in May at a Brooklyn event commemorating Nakba Day, and were captured on video repeatedly punching a woman theyd detained, Adams hailed their work as commendable. But the citys public advocate, Jumaane Williams, who would become mayor if Adams leaves office, blamed the current mayor for almost insisting that the response for anything Palestinian be escalation and disproportionate force.

And yet, history has shown that for strongman politicians imposing a law-and-order regime, corruption at the top is a feature, not a bug. One of Adams living predecessors  Rudy Giuliani, whose massive broken windows police crackdown on lowly squeegee men or graffiti artists also included rampant allegations of brutality  is now barred from practicing law as he faces criminal election-tampering charges in both Georgia and Arizona.

Indeed, the original law-and-order candidate, Richard Nixon, elected president in 1968 with violent, screeching ads against campus protesters, had a breaking and entering racket running from inside the White House before that scandal, Watergate, forced his resignation. The next presidential candidate who embraced Nixons 1968 language, Donald Trump, is a convicted felon. Here in Philadelphia, ex-top cop Frank Rizzo, the prototype for Adams, imposed brutal police tactics on the citys Black neighborhoods while raising considerable eyebrows with his $400,000 spruced-up luxury home in Chestnut Hill as the city struggled through the recessionary 1970s.

Today, if Adams has taught us anything, it is that the continued promise of the law-and-order political leader is always a lie  that his core value is not really enhanced public safety, but a hypocritical two-tiered system on which the repression of everyday people goes hand in glove with nonstop bacchanalia of luxury perks for the elite few.

Thats why people are wrong when they suggest Adams first-class Turkish jaunts appear to be a victimless crime. His graft was yin to the yang of repressive policing that shattered the decent, hardworking life of Delpeche  and who knows how many other lives have been scarred by a mayors vanity? The next time a politician tells you theyre a law-and-order candidate, keep your hand on your wallet  and keep your head low.

 READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike Friday, made a fatal decision when he chose to support Hamas after its Oct. 7 massacre inside Israel, Trudy Rubin writes. Read more

No one should weep for Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah, the Lebanese group that Nasrallah led before he was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday, is indeed a terrorist organization, funded and armed by Iran with around 150,000 missiles and rockets, that has killed Israelis, Jews, and Americans around the world. The group has effectively taken over the state of Lebanon by virtue of its military power. It is despised by at least half the Lebanese people, if not more.

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The groups operatives were responsible for the bombings of a Marine barracks and the U.S. Embassy in Beirut in 1983 along with the infamous bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in 1994.

They were behind the assassination of a popular Lebanese prime minister, Rafik Hariri, in 2005  leading hundreds of thousands of Lebanese to take to the streets in the Cedar Revolution. Hezbollah crushed that pro-democracy uprising.

But Nasrallah, 64, made a fatal decision when he chose to support Hamas after its Oct. 7 massacre inside Israel. The groups missile attacks drove around 70,000 Israelis from their homes in northern Israel with rocket fire, and have made it impossible for them to return.

So there is no question why Israel wants to wipe out Hezbollahs leadership and destroy its missile arsenal, much of which is stored in the basements of private homes or under urban apartment buildings.

The question at hand is whether and how Israel can keep the group from reviving  and whether force or diplomacy is best suited to enable Israeli citizens to return home.

This is where my memories kick in. As news broke of Nasrallahs assassination, my mind flashed back to the days I spent in south Lebanon in the early 1980s as a Middle East correspondent, where I witnessed the birth of Hezbollah up close.

There are lessons to be learned from those early days, about the relative worth of diplomacy and force, and the appropriate timing for either. The biggest lesson for Israel: If you act to destroy your enemies inside Lebanon, dont stay there. Occupations breed bad results.

In 1982, long before Israel was engaged in any peace negotiations with the Palestinians, Israel invaded Lebanon to destroy the infrastructure of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, which then dominated part of Beirut as well as southern Lebanon.

At that time, a more moderate Shiite Lebanese group, Amal, with strong roots in Lebanon, was ready to help Israel curb the PLO and prevent cross-border attacks. But, as Israel settled into an occupation of south Lebanon, Amal was soon displaced by the newly born and more radical Hezbollah, funded by Iran to fight the Israeli presence.

I was based in Jerusalem, but also covered the Arab world, which was very different then than now. Iran had only recently gone through a revolution and overthrown its monarch in favor of a Shiite clerical regime. Its new ruler, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was just starting to exert influence in Shiite communities abroad.

I watched Israeli soldiers explore with awe the cafes and restaurants of the glittering Lebanese capital, and nervously maneuver in the narrower streets and alleys of Sidon in the south. Fighting in unfamiliar surroundings, some of them died. As I reported from Beirut and Sidon, I found almost no Israeli officers with any grasp of Lebanons intricate religious politics, or the increasing power of Shiite militias backed by Iran.

One rare exception, an intelligence reserve officer, who was a professor and an expert on Shiite Islam in normal life, told me that he had tried in vain to alert senior brass to the importance of the Lebanese Shiite community, largely based in the south. The Israelis were focused instead on Lebanons Christians and Sunni Muslim elite, with whom they thought they could make a deal to expel the PLO and sign a peace treaty.

That scenario turned out to be terribly wrong.

A new group gains strength

Lebanese Shiites, who comprised a plurality of the population, were relatively poor and largely farmers in the south. But they were sending their sons to universities abroad or to set up businesses in West Africa and were poised to enter the political scene in a big way.

They also resented the Palestinian refugees in southern Lebanon, who lived in refugee camps where United Nations agencies provided free schooling and hospitals. The Lebanese government provided no such benefits to Shiite citizens in the south. Locals there were unhappy that PLO fighters were the cause of Israeli retaliation across the Lebanese border, harming their farms.

I spent hours talking with Shiite businessmen in Sidon and southern Lebanese villages, including four brothers who had attended the University of Montana in Missoula and were active in a growing Shiite social and political movement known as Amal, which means hope. What I heard was their eagerness to see the PLO gone.

That didnt mean, however, that they wanted Israeli troops to remain in Lebanon. Nabih Berri, then the head of Amal (and now, amazingly, still around as speaker of the Lebanese parliament), offered Israel a deal whereby that Shiite group would police the border and prevent any cross-border attacks. Israeli Defense Minister Ariel Sharon wanted a public signing ceremony but Berri wanted a quiet understanding.

My sources in Sidon, meanwhile, told me that a group called Hezbollah was gaining strength based on opposition to Israeli occupation.

Long story short: Sharon stiffed Berri. Christian leader Bashir Gemayel, with whom Sharon wanted to sign a peace treaty, backed off and was soon assassinated. The PLO was driven out of Lebanon, but Israel wound up occupying the southern part of the country for 18 years, as Hezbollah grew ever stronger. Israel ultimately withdrew in 2000. The fight with Hezbollah goes on.

A sense of retribution

As for whether force or diplomacy offers the best hope for a quiet border, I asked retired U.S. diplomat Ryan Crocker, who was inside the Beirut embassy in 1983 when it was blown up, famously walking out of the rubble with a white cloth wrapped around his bleeding head.

I had a sense of retribution, he said, when one of the architects of the embassy bombing was killed by Israel in a series of assassinations that have wiped out seven of Hezbollahs senior leaders over the last week. But Crocker was also U.S. ambassador to Lebanon when Nasrallahs predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi, was assassinated by Israel in 1992 and worries that the current attacks wont solve anything. He thinks the best option is to turn to diplomacy and work for a cease-fire that will stop the cross-border fighting  for now.

I am skeptical. In 2006, after a brief Israeli invasion and withdrawal, the U.N. Security Council passed Resolution 1701, calling for the Hezbollah militia to withdraw behind the Litani River, 18 miles from the Israeli border. That buffer zone was supposed to be policed by Lebanese army soldiers and U.N. peacekeepers, but Hezbollah never complied and those forces were too weak to push the militia men out.

 READ MORE: Will Biden seize last chance for tougher policy on Gaza deal and Ukraine victory? | Trudy Rubin

If Resolution 1701 could be activated, diplomacy might have meaning. Yet even if it fails, I believe the most dangerous alternative is for Israel to invade on the ground and try to police the buffer zone itself.

That failed miserably from 1982 to 2000 and gave birth to Hezbollah. I saw it happen. To make the same mistake again could revive local support and help the group reformulate itself after being badly wounded by Israel.

Better for Jerusalem to take a breather, and accept a shorter cease-fire while warning Lebanon  and Iran  that it will return to use of force if Tehran tries to resurrect its proxy. To keep bombing, on the contrary, risks pushing Iran to retaliate  and dragging the United States into a regional war that must be avoided. As for an invasion, now is not the time to fall once more into the occupation trap.
MBABANE - Complaints to an estimated value of more than E400 000 were received and resolved by the Eswatini Competitions Commission (ESCC) in the 2023/24 financial year.

The 68 consumer complaints were all handled by the ESCCs consumer protection department which disclosed that the number of complaints received in each month vary, with an average of five complaints received each month. The ESCCs Acting Advocacy and Communications Manager, Linda Dlamini, said: For the year under review, 59 per cent of the complaints were received through calls. Consumers utilise the departments mobile number (7606 2962) or the commissions landline number (2404 0111). The least utilised mode of lodging complaints was through social media, only one per cent.

Complaints are received from anyone and everyone, regardless of gender; 62 per cent of the complaints received were from males. Dlamini indicated that from the four geographical regions of Eswatini, 51 one per cent of the complaints received were from Manzini Region. This could be because the Manzini is the most populated and busiest of the regions. The least number of complaints received per region was from Lubombo.

The commission receives complaints from all sectors in the economy. 25 per cent of the complaints received were from the cell phone and electronics retail sector, 24 per cent from the furniture and appliance retail sector, 10 per cent from clothing retail another 10 per cent from the motor vehicle sector. A further 9 per cent of the complaints were from general dealers such as supermarkets and grocery stores, while seven percent were from hardware retailers. Dlamini states that there are a number of ways the ESCC uses to resolve complaints.

These range from alternative dispute resolutions, in which a product may be repaired, replaced or refunded, to withdrawn, referred and abandoned resolutions.

Withdrawn complaints can be withdrawn for multiple reasons such as lack of evidence, the issue being settled by involved parties or the complainant exploring other dispute resolution avenues.

Complainant

Abandoned complaints occur when the complainant cannot be located or never returns with requested documents. 50 per cent of the complaints were resolved through alternative dispute resolution, with consumers defective goods or services being either repaired, replaced or the consumers being refunded. 25 per cent of the complaints were withdrawn, 13 per cent were abandoned and only two percent were referred to other regulators. There are various ways in which consumers can contact the Commission and lodge their complaints. Consumers can call-in, walk-in, send a WhatsApp, Email or communicate via Facebook (And other social media platforms).
























At yoga, the man on the mat next to mine is exhausted.

Hes just back from the Caribbean, which sounds dead glamorous, except its not because he was there for work  hes cabin crew on a holiday airline.

He says he feels more dead than glamorous. Not because of the jet-lag  hes used to that  but because of the passengers.

Long haul drunks, he whispers. People drinking vodka at seven in the morning because theyre in holiday mode.

People double-ordering drinks before theyve had breakfast. He says its like being a kindergarten teacher to a bunch of pissed unruly adults.

To stay sane, he brings his yoga mat everywhere, so he can practice when he gets to the destination, before turning around and working the same flight in reverse.

It's not often  that is, it has never happened before in my entire adult life  that I would find myself even vaguely agreeing with the proprietor of Ryanair.

Yet here I am, thinking of my yoga friend, and nodding as I read about Michael OLearys suggestion of restricting airline passengers to two alcoholic drinks before a flight.

Because is getting rat-arsed on Prosecco a human right? Or is doing your job without having to negatively navigate those rat-arsed on Prosecco more of a human right?

Two more questions  firstly, why should anyone in the workplace, unless theyre an actual bouncer with actual combat training, have to deal head on with drunk people?

If you work in a bar, you get to eject them; you cant do that on a plane. (Think of the cleaning bill 33,000 feet below, never mind all the admin).

And secondly, do we need to look at why we equate being in holiday mode with double-dosing ourselves with alcohol?

Why does holiday mode mean drinking in the morning? Isnt that more alcoholic mode?

Away from airports and airlines, away from public spaces, you do you. You want to slosh tequila in your breakfast tea, crumble Xanax on your salad? Knock yourself out.

What we do in the privacy of our own spaces is up to us; some drugs are illegal, others  the liquid ones  are glamorised, packaged, marketed at us, so that we internalise that messaging and consume accordingly, creating enormous profit for someone who isnt you. Whatever. Your call.

But combine holiday mode with the fact that we metabolise alcohol less efficiently at high altitude  we get drunker faster  and we have mid air punch-ups, diverted flights, ruined trips.

Do you want to be stuck in a metal tube with that, even if youre a dozen rows away? Me neither. Yet it continues to happen, flight in, flight out, with gruesome regularity.

We banned smoking from flights because smoking impacts everyone around it, not just the smoker.

Do we need to ban drink too, given how drinking affects more than just the drinker?

Or is there a better way of reframing our idea of holiday mode that doesnt leave cabin crew shattered from drunk-wrangling?

I mean, come on, there must be. Were adults.
Its been a busy few weeks for Grace Campbell.

She has just finished a spell at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, having honed her new stand-up show Grace Campbell Is On Heat (which she will take on a 29-date tour across the UK and Ireland  but more on that later); she has also written, directed, and recorded a short film, Dont Hate Me (more on that later too); and in July she launched a new podcast, Late to the Party with Grace Campbell.

The latter project  you may have already guessed  discusses a topic she feels more than happy to talk about: Parties.

I like gossip, and I like talking to people about what happens in their lives and their social lives, she says.

I wanted to have something that is just fun, because I feel like thats a huge part of what I can offer  my stand-up is fun, even when I talk about dark stuff.

A quick glance down through the episode list so far shows Katherine Ryan, Jameela Jamil, Christopher Hall, and Joanne McNally have already appeared in the series  an impressive lineup of guests for a podcast still just in its infancy.

And its only on the rise; with a trove of episodes due to be recorded over the coming weeks  set to be released during her tour  Campbell is fizzing with excitement for who is scheduled to appear on the microphone alongside her.

This podcasting journey is made all the more wholesome because it is one she is embarking on with her childhood friend, Tyler Hope Chambers.

Its been amazing because we grew up together, but we live on different sides of London now, Campbell explains.

Before this, we didnt see each other as much as we now do. And shes about to have a baby and its quite nice because its sort of brought us together.

[The podcast] has done really well in its first month. Its been made so much more pleasurable because Im doing it with my friend.

There is a saying not to mix business and friendship, but its working out for these two.

She knows me very well; shes actually one of the people who would be able to long-lastingly handle working with me. Its been a dream, she says, and I hope it carries on for a long time.

While the podcast is a project she says they are just getting into the rhythm of, its not a completely new world for Campbell to navigate either.

In 2019, she released a podcast Football, Feminism & Everything in Between with her father, the former journalist and political strategist Alastair Campbell.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Grace Campbell and Alastair Campbell attend the press night after party for "Accidental Death Of An Anarchist" at The Haymarket Hotel on June 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Although it fizzled out in the years that followed, they both find themselves at the helm of their own successful podcasts today. His podcast, The Rest Is Politics with Rory Stewart, has continuously enjoyed prime positions in the charts since its release and is set to do a live show at the O2 Arena in October.

So has there been a healthy competition in the family as a result?

Right now, were not in competition because his podcast has stratospherically been beating anyone elses, Campbell says. But he listens to [my podcast]  which cringes me out because of some of the things I talk about. (Since speaking to Campbell, her father and Stewart have appeared as special guests on Late to the Party).

But while some of the things she discusses are light-hearted, fun, and full of devilment, she doesnt shy away from the tough subjects either.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

In June, she wrote a powerful article for The Guardian about her abortion; with a focus on the complex feelings that followed. It resonated with many.

I wrote that piece because I wish that Id read that piece in December, January, February after my abortion, she explains.

Thats why I wanted to write it. Because I thought if youre going through that specific sort of experience  post an abortion  that would be a really useful thing. And I know it has been [useful], because Im still getting messages from people who have been sent [the article] while theyre going through an abortion.

I ask if she feels pressure to be a sounding board for those reaching out to her.

I dont reply to every message that I get, because I think if I did then Id go crazy, so I have been quite boundried with it, she says.

But when people have come up to me physically and spoken about it, I am so up for speaking about it, and I am so grateful in a way that I was in a position where I could write something that has connected with that many people, because it really has.

It is something she openly says Id rather not have gone through.

She watched the Democratic National Convention closely in light of the fact that some states have banned or restricted access to abortion since the Roe v Wade ruling was overturned in 2022.

At this years Democratic National Convention in Chicago, abortion and reproductive rights were the subject of impassioned speeches.

With the Democratic Convention, I was following it quite a lot because they had so many speeches with people talking about that  especially in America  if youre a woman who has an abortion, in certain states you go to prison, but why does the man who got that woman pregnant not go to prison? she points out.

That was also his fault, its not like she got pregnant by immaculate conception.

Grace Campbell: Id go out with people who are at the show, and Ive had some amazing nights. Picture: Eva Pentel

'I SHOULD MANIFEST MORE'

One of the noticeable strengths Campbell possesses is the fine art of being able to balance the serious with the light.

She can transition from a deep discussion on abortion and reproductive rights and gender politics back to the fun times without making anyone uncomfortable. Before I know it, were back talking about friendships, parties, nights out, and future plans.

On one of her recent podcasts, Campbell mentioned an ambition to perform at Glastonbury 2025. I ask if it is still something in the pipeline.

Did I say that? Thats good  I should keep manifesting stuff on the podcast because me and Chris Hall spoke about the fact that we want to go on a Virgin cruise on my podcast, and now Virgin have emailed us. So I should manifest more, she replies laughing.

On other future plans, her aforementioned short film, Dont Hate Me, was shown at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. It focuses on the intensity, chaos, emotions, and the topsy-turviness of modern dating  something this writer is very keen to see.

The short film will have a release hopefully by the end of this year/early next year, she says, adding that weve applied it to a festival in Cork.

On the topic of socialising while on tour, Campbell and other comedians have long documented that the hours following a live performance can be tough on their mental wellbeing.

They go from a performing venue packed with people there to see them; a crowd applauding, celebrating, and laughing all night long only for them to return home or to a hotel room where they are often greeted by silence. Campbell, however, has come up with a solution.

Id go out with people who are at the show, and Ive had some amazing nights, she explains, I remember in Birmingham once I went out with two girls who were at the show and we went to this club and it was amazing.

So how does she feel about her upcoming performance in Dublin as part of her tour?

Really excited. I love performing in Dublin. And I have a day off the next day, so my best friend is coming; Im going to do the show and then were going to have a fun day and night in Dublin, she says, before asking for recommendations.

I hesitantly alert her to the existence of Copper Face Jack's and what to expect if she takes a notion to try it out.

When her enthusiastic response comes with an excited smile and a OK, that sounds fun, Im really excited, I fear that I may have oversold it.

But Im not worried. Because it sounds like no matter where Grace Campbell goes, the party follows.
The spring/summer 2025 womenswear collections at Paris Fashion Week will conclude on Tuesday evening, but designer Jonathan Anderson has already had the last word at his Loewe show.

The Irish designer teamed up with the 178-year-old Spanish fashion and leather goods brand, with a show staged in the courtyard of the Chateau de Vincennes, a 12th-century fortress in the east of Paris, where guests included Daniel Craig, Meg Ryan, and Jeff Goldblum.

One of Jonathan Andersons creations for the Loewe ready-to-wear SS25 show during Paris Fashion Week. Picture: Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho/Getty

There is no point showing clothing for clothings sake, he said in the backstage scrum after the show.

With that in mind, he continued to challenge the parameters of shape, silhouette, and fabrication in a lesson he called radical reduction.

He stripped back theatrics to an anonymous white show space, where he kickstarted proceedings with a troika of undulating silk chiffon dresses, patterned with floral imagery, and structured with crinolines.

Jonathan Anderson's Loewe Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2025 show as part of the Paris Fashion Week. Picture: Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho/Getty

They were followed by sequences of slouchy suiting and crudely cropped trapeze-shaped mini-dresses made from cross-stitched wool, embedded with sequins.

He considered the iconography of famous artists, the contrast between their strokes of genius and the ubiquity of their work, which creates a paradigm between high and low culture.

Irish designer Jonathan Anderson continued to challenge the parameters of shape, silhouette, and fabrication, during his SS25 ready-to-wear show for Loewe at Paris Fashion Week. Picture: Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho/Getty

He riffed on museum merchandise t-shirts, printing the faces of composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Frederic Chopin, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and artworks by Edouard Manet and Vincent van Gogh, on lacquered feathers.

Every day on his journey to the Loewe studio in Paris, Anderson sees countless market vendors sell prints of paintings such as Van Goghs Irises as souvenirs. On the runway, he played into the idea of reproducing famous art but spun it with Loewes history of craftsmanship.

Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz arriving for Jonathan Andersons Loewe Paris Womenswear Spring-Summer 2025 show. Picture: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty

While ideas are conceptual, they never feel experimental: They are as deliberate as Anderson himself, who concisely and decisively controls the fashion conversation and influences so many around him.

Once a sleepy, undefined brand, Loewe is looked to as an oracle for the future of fashion.

Some shapes, such as crinoline skirts, might not convince the masses, but others, elongated shapes, slouchy tailoring, and trapeze hemlines, might compel others to think differently about how they dress.

Meg Ryan arriving for the Loewe Womenswear Spring-Summer 2025 show during Paris Fashion Week. Pictures: Jacopo Raule/Getty

Anderson has cultivated a reputation in the fashion world akin to grand masters of art and music from Manet to Mozart.

Andersons work makes it possible to believe that new silhouettes can be captivating, lofty ideas about the philosophy of clothing can be transformed into compulsively watchable fashion shows, and that these can generate massive revenues.

Sean McGirr

While Anderson received carte blanche to reimagine Loewe, Dublin native Sean McGirr faces a much more challenging task as the creative director of Alexander McQueen.

Following in the footsteps of the eponymous founder and enfant terrible of fashion, who died in 2010, and his successor  McQueens right-hand woman, Sarah Burton, whose vision of fierce femininity shaped the house until 2023  McGirr is responsible for an enormous legacy entangled with fashion history at a time when commerce often supersedes creativity.

Sean McGirr was unveiled as one of the Business of Fashion BoF 500 Class of 2024 during Paris Fashion Week. Picture: Darren Gerrish/Getty/BoF

On Saturday night, McGirr delivered his sophomore show at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts.

In contrast to his debut, McGirrs second outing felt like a more thorough examination of house codes.

He started by looking at sketches by the eponymous designer from his scandalising autumn/winter 1994 collection, Banshee, which infamously included a heavily pregnant model walking down the runway to a soundtrack of screaming.

Irish designer Sean McGirr drew his inspiration from Alexander McQueens 1994 Banshee collection for his RTW Spring 2025 show.

It also featured the unforgettable low-rise trousers exposing a sliver of skin at the buttocks, the bumsters.

The banshee is rooted in the history of McQueen but its also a story that I grew up with, so feels deeply personal to me, McGirr said, referring to his Irish background and tales from his childhood.

Sean McGirr's Alexander McQueen RTW Spring 2025 show at Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts as part of Paris Ready to Wear Fashion Week.

For me, she has come to represent something real and potent now. The idea of someone who is feeling and forthright.

McGirr mused on McQueens penchant for evening wear, most beautifully represented in a frayed and distressed combed silk organza gown embroidered with metal sequins, silver bullion, and 3-D gold metal detailing to evoke an image of the banshee.

Model on the runway at Sean McGirr's Alexander McQueen RTW Spring 2025 as part of Paris Ready to Wear Fashion Week.

More confident than at his debut, McGirr dutifully played into the juxtaposition of romance and delicacy with the toughness and grit that underscores the McQueen brand.

He could eventually be proof that legacy is not built overnight, but over time.
Nobody told Sadie Harpur who was born first  she or her twin sister, Kizzy. But growing up with their foster-family  with whom they were placed before they were even a year old  the girls felt Sadie was the first arrival.

We always knew it was me. Kizzy said she was sick of me and pushed me out! Later, as a young adult reading her birth files, Sadie discovered theyd been right. This deep knowing, without even knowing how she knew, happened again when she was invited to the birthday party of a school friend who lived in a childrens home.

The minute I walked in  the narrow corridor, the smell  I just felt this rush of oh my God, Ive been here before!

She told her foster-mum  Sadie calls her foster-parents mum and dad  and she said: You couldnt have been, wed have been told.

It was only when I applied for my birth files and I read them in my 20s that I found out I had been there.

In fact, by the time she was nine months, Sadie had spent time in two baby homes as well as a brief placement with her birth family.

Sadly, that placement broke down

Today, the 43-year-old lives in Wexford where she works as a special needs assistant (SNA) and is married to engineer Mossy  hes my rock, she says. The couple have three children.

The story of her almost 18 years in foster care is told in The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl.

On the afternoon I interview her, Sadie is living the typically busy, immersive day of a mum of three with two kids still in their teens and another barely into their 20s.

Im taking my 15-year-old to Taekwondo. Then Im collecting my 21-year-old off the bus from college.

Later, she and Mossy will watch the Netflix series theyre currently hooked on with their dog, Lexie, snuggled between them. In her book, Sadie tells of a very different early life  of troubled periods of high anxiety when she suffered from learning difficulties resulting from undiagnosed dyslexia, along with bouts of depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and violent outbursts.

With these experiences in her background, I ask what equipped her to now have a life of such stable contentment. I would definitely say my foster parents  100%. They always listened. They were always on my side.

Growing up, I had so many different professionals in my life  all with their opinions on me  and Ive realised if you dont have the backing of kind foster parents, you have nothing.

Social workers' visits

But while knowing she was fortunate to have a foster family who lovingly guided me through my issues, she also feels that the States foster care service did me no favours and was a source of negativity in my life.

Recalling social workers visits as a consistent feature of her childhood, she wishes these visits could have been more discreet. They came, wearing suits, carrying briefcases.

Bullied at school, this visibility in the South Dublin community where she grew up immediately marked her out as different.

Children would ask why social workers were coming to visit us. Being made to feel so different from classmates and neighbourhood pals is a massive thing for any child  I desperately wanted to feel normal and fit in, but that was almost impossible with all this stuff open to public knowledge and speculation.

It was also deeply unsettling.

The social workers would sit at the table, take out their paperwork, and write. I always felt I was being assessed. When I was six, I said to my mum: Would you turn the cameras off please? She said: What cameras? And I said: Everybodys watching me  I know they are.

Mum believes because I had so many social workers coming in with inputs, and I had to go to assessment after assessment  they said I was low average ability, and I knew they were saying all that about me  that I didnt feel secure. I was always afraid Id be moved.

Describing high separation anxiety, which especially kicked in anytime her foster parents went out, Sadie says: Id be scared they wouldnt come back. At other times, she recalls sitting on the stairs, holding and rocking herself, and calling out for her parents.

Dad would come and hug me and hold me. Mum would say dont do that  we were told not to, that its bad training for her

There was very little education for foster parents, very little education about trauma  that foster children and children in care are grieving.

Just the other day I was talking with my dad about this, and he said he always knew the advice theyd been given was wrong, and that you just needed us to come over, pick you up, and hug you.

Sadie feels very keenly that as a foster child, you have no privacy and believes children in care should have a right to know what is being recorded about them.

If I went for tea with a social worker, or they rang to check how I was getting on, or when a social worker asked me personal questions about my sex life when I was 16, I didnt know I would read about these things later in my files. I didnt know it was all being written down. Reading it in my file later, it was so impersonal  you really feel you are just another number.

Systemic flaws

Id met my birth mother on and off over the years. I remember when I was in my 20s her saying she knew Id self-harmed as a child  the social worker had told her. Yet if I asked questions about her, the social worker wouldnt tell me. I found it hurtful and unfair that I didnt get a choice about sharing my own information.

Describing how back then, once you reached 18 there was no after-care for foster children, she was promised counselling many times but never got it. Sadie says: At 18, the State effectively washed their hands off you. I felt I didnt get the support I needed. It was like: See you later, bye. All my life theyd been telling me what to do, what I wasnt allowed to do, questioning me about everything  and then all of a sudden they were just gone.

In her book, Sadie writes: I know there are examples of the fostering system in Ireland working quite well at times, but other examples show obvious systemic flaws  flaws that could, and possibly did, affect the lives and wellbeing of the children involved. I dont believe any of those flaws are unfixable.

She decided to tell her story because she wants people to know the hidden world of a foster child.

As foster children we try to fit in, fit into society, to our foster family, our birth family. Id love recognition that foster children are grieving, and that they get more support around that. I feel its really important children are allowed to vent their feelings.

Its partly why she loves working as a SNA, she adds. I love being able to say to a child: That sounds really tough.
Former US president Donald Trump has sought again to link Kamala Harris to illegal border crossings, saying she could never be forgiven for erasing our border.

A day after Ms Harris discussed immigration at the US-Mexico border, Mr Trump spoke to a crowd in Prairie du Chien, a Wisconsin town of 5,000 people just across the Mississippi River from Iowa.

He claimed the Democratic nominee was responsible for migrants who have come into the country illegally and have committed crimes.

He said: Kamala Harris can never be forgiven for her erasing our border and she must never be allowed to become president of the United States.

Shes letting in people who are going to walk into your house, break into your door.

Mr Trump is hoping frustration over illegal immigration will translate to votes in Wisconsin and other crucial swing states.

The Republican nominee has denounced people who cross the US-Mexico border as poisoning the blood of the country and vowed to stage the largest deportation operation in American history if elected.

I will liberate Wisconsin from the mass migrant invasion, he said. Were going to liberate the country.

Mr Trump also intensified his personal attacks against Ms Harris, calling her mentally impaired.

If a Republican did what she did, that Republican would be impeached and removed from office  Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way, he said.

He also professed not to understand what Ms Harris meant when she said he was responsible for taking children from their parents.

Under his administration, Mr Trump separated children from their parents at the US-Mexico border in a policy that was condemned globally as inhumane and one that Mr Trump himself ended.

On the Wisconsin rally stage with Mr Trump were three mugshots of men in the US illegally accused of a crime, including Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, a case Mr Trump cited in his speech.

Wisconsin Republicans in recent days have held up the story of Coronel Zarates arrest in Prairie du Chien as more evidence that people in the country illegally are committing crimes across the US, not just in southern border states.

Prosecutors charged Coronel Zarate on September 18 with sexual assault, child abuse, strangulation and domestic abuse.

Police chief Kyle Teynor posted statements on Facebook saying that Coronel Zarate is not a US citizen and that he had two fake immigration documents, including a fake Social Security card.

Mr Teynor said that Coronel Zarates tattoos indicate he is affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, which started in Venezuelan prisons and is posing a growing threat in the US.

Supporters cheer as Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Prairie du Chien (Morry Gash/AP/PA)

Speaking to the crowd on Saturday, Mr Teynor stressed to the crowd that Coronel Zarate is the only Venezuelan gang member his agency has encountered, but the violence his two alleged victims suffered at his hands earlier this month was very real.

Court records show Coronel Zarate was previously charged in Madison, the state capital, in December with strangulation, false imprisonment, battery and disorderly conduct.

According to a criminal complaint in that case, Coronel Zarate was driving with a female friend in November and attacked her when she tried to get out of the car. The complaint does not say why.

The woman told investigators that they were just acquaintances and Coronel Zarate was homeless.

Police in Madison said that Coronel Zarate allegedly stole a car and fled before he could be questioned. He was arrested in Minneapolis a day after the alleged attack but was released from jail there.

Asked why, Hennepin County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Megan Larson told a reporter to file a request for Coronel Zarates jail records.

The Associated Press filed such a request but government agencies typically take months to fulfil them.

Crawford County Sheriff Dale McCullick also addressed the crowd and said he was sure Mr Trump would solve the border problem.

Republicans including US senator Derrick Van Orden, who is from Prairie du Chien, have criticised authorities in both Minneapolis and Madison for letting Coronel Zarate go, saying they essentially allowed him to attack the woman in Prairie du Chien.

They have accused both jurisdictions of being sanctuaries for people in the country illegally.

Speaking on Saturday, Mr Van Orden said Trump was the only one who could restore order.

Youre going to see the one man who has enough strength and courage of conviction to stand up to anyone up to and including being shot in the head for us, he said.
MBABANE  It was reported last year that there is a company that supplied medical drugs for public use, which the Ministry of Health later recalled.

The Times SUNDAY can reveal that one of these companies is SwaziPharm Wholesalers (Pty) Ltd, the long-time serving supplier of drugs in the country. While the country grapples with the shortage of medical drugs, it has since emerged that SwaziPharms drugs have been recalled three times this year. The Ministry of Health recalled the drugs for various reasons, but this newspaper can disclose that government removed them from shelves so that they could not be dispensed to the public. Other companies whose drugs were recalled include IT Solutions and Artemis. Collectively, government had placed an order for 59 514 units of drugs from these companies. However, when the recall notice was issued, only 17 513 were available.

This information is contained in the Ministry of Healths report tabled in Parliament. Matsanjeni South MP Sabelo Ndlangamandla moved a private motion, which was seconded by Somntongo MP Sandile Nxumalo, seeking clarity on the recalled drugs. The report was delivered to Parliament by Mduduzi Matsebula, the Minister of Health. SwaziPharm is one of the suppliers that was summoned by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The PAC is a special parliamentary committee that holds public entities to account for public finance expenditure.

The report is yet to be debated. According to the report, the recalled drugs were class 3, meaning they were not likely to cause any adverse health reaction, but violates regulatory agency labelling or manufacturing laws. There is no recorded harm to our clients, reads the report. The ministry said the Medicine Regulatory Unit (MRU) relies on reports from EPR and health facilities for any signs of symptoms and adverse reaction resulting from taking the medication. The minister said the public is encouraged to report any adverse reaction resulting from the cited medication. Patients who consumed these medications were cautioned that the risk of future well-being is unknown, considering that no specific research was undertaken in other countries regarding effects of similar recalled products.

Enforcing

The ministry said the MRU is expected to continue enforcing quality control activities and post-marketing surveillance in order to reduce the occurrence of such incidents. According to the report, there was no intention by the suppliers to supply the recalled products. The report states that the recalled drugs had dark and black spots. Another drug line had two different strengths while another one had a controlled release. Some of the drugs that were supplied by SwaziPharm include the following -

Folic acid tablets, supplied under batch number: 003254;

Penicillin suspension 100mls delivered under the batch number 223131144.

Other drugs that were found to be faulty from this supplier include the carbamazepine 200mg tablet and the drug was also recalled in June 2024. In July 2022, it is reported that government also recalled the Cold and Flu syrup 100ml from the same supplier.

According to the report, government ordered and received 40 000 units of the phenoxymethyl drug and 13 741 units were received on recall; the others had been used up. The phenexymethyl suspension drug or penicillin 125mg/5ml, 100ml, is a drug used to treat bacterial infections, including ear, chest, throat and skin infections. It was recalled because its labelling had two different strengths. The recall continued due to the fact that antimicrobial resistance can be caused by continued use of either low or high doses of antibiotics as misuse.

Epilepsy

Another drug that the company supplied, but found to have issues is the carbamazepine 200mg, a drug used to manage and treat epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia, and acute manic and mixed episodes in bipolar disorder. The company, IT Solutions, supplied the drug, Delamanide 50mg tablet. These drugs were recalled because they were wrongly stored and exposed to high temperature conditions. Meanwhile, artemis supplied the drug Chlorpheniramine drug. These drugs were declared to have Erythrosine colour. They were found to have more than one colour. On another note, the ministry of health said patients who consumed the drugs should not fear. This is because there were no adverse effects of the consumed drugs that were reported before the drugs were recalled. There is no recorded harm to our clients.

However, the ministry encouraged patients to report adverse events and provide their disposing history. This includes the consumption of the product similar to the one recalled, reads the report. According to the report, there were also no identified patients who reported adverse events due to consumption. Patients who suspect to have undesirable effects after consuming the product may call the ministry of healths emergency line 977 or visit the nearest health facility for assessment. Worth noting is that in June this year, this publication reported how the Ministry of Health became evasive when asked about the name of a supplier after certain drugs were recalled. This happened after the ministry had issued a press statement informing the nation that certain medication has been recalled.

Besides the name of the supplier, this publication sought to ascertain how much of the stock had been dispatched to the public health facilities and whether the supplier was expected to bring in a new batch. The press statement issued by the ministry advised the public that two batches of the medication, folic acid 5mg and Penicillin Syrup 125mg/mg had been called for quality purposes. According to the statement, the statement followed the discovery of black spots on folic acid tablets from batch #003254, while the penicillin had different strengths in labelling for batch #223131144.

The ministry explained that this was not an issue of expired drugs as the batch of folic acid tablets was to expire in February 2025, and the phenoxy methyl penicillin in January 2025.

The matter is being handled with high priority, and the ministry wishes to inform the public not to panic. The national recall is a precautionary measure recommended by the Medicines Regulatory Unit (MRU), a unit under the Ministry of Health. The recall is in the best interest of the public and is meant to protect the consumers while an investigation is ongoing, read part of the statement.

It was mentioned that this was done as a process of quality control to ensure that medication used by the public is safe and efficacious. Also mentioned was that it was batch specific, meaning that only folic acid from batch #003254 and phenoxy methyl penicillin from batch #223131144 were affected and that other batches or similar products are not affected. All public health facilities already have been contacted and informed of the recall of the products, and they have been advised to remove the affected products from the shelves in pharmacies.

Advised

Healthcare professionals also have been informed to stop dispensing the tablets and syrup of the affected batches, immediately. The public health facilities have also been advised to quarantine all remaining stock of the affected medicine and return it to the Central Medical Stores (CMS) through the approved processes, it was mentioned in the statement.Also, the ministry shared insight regarding the medication by explaining that folic acid is a supplement and penicillin is an antibiotic. It was mentioned that clients taking folic acid tablets and the penicillin syrup were advised to check their batch of medication (the batch number) and only discontinue use if the medication is from the affected batches; safely dispose of the medication or return it to the nearest facility and ask for another medication, call the MRU about any concerns or to get more information, or send a message via WhatsApp number 7655 7303.

It should be noted that the Funduzi forensic report into the shortage of drugs has a finding that there was allegedly a lack of testing facility for quality assurance of supplied drugs.

A recommendation contained in the report was that government should institute a process towards the acquisition of a drug testing facility for quality. It was recommended that government should redesign the entire system for drugs ordering system to supply.






An Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon has killed 11 people a day after the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah confirmed the death of multiple commanders, including long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Lebanons state news agency said the attack early on Sunday on a village destroyed a home, killing all 11 people inside.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

The Israeli army says it is carrying out attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.

Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

He said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days will bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach, he said. Today you know how much that is true.

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.

The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.
The Israeli military says it has killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an air strike.

It said on Sunday that it killed Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council, in an attack the day before. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

Several senior Hezbollah commanders have been killed in Israeli strikes in recent weeks, including the groups overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut on Friday.

Meanwhile, an Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon killed 11 people on Sunday.

Lebanons state news agency said the early morning attack destroyed a home, killing all 11 people inside.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.

Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

He said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days will bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach, he said. Today you know how much that is true.

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.

The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.

In its first statement since the killing of Nasrallah, Lebanons military called for calm among the Lebanese at this dangerous and delicate stage.

Government officials fear the countrys deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence.

The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese, the military said.

Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital Beirut as thousands of displaced people continue moving there from the south of the country.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered across Iran on Sunday to protest against the killing of Nasrallah.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities, while at the parliament, politicians chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

The air strike that killed Nasrallah on Friday also killed Abbas Nilforushan, a senior officer in Irans Revolutionary Guard.
The militant group Hezbollah has confirmed one of its senior commanders died in the Israeli air strike that also killed its top leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

In a statement on Sunday, the group said Ali Karaki died in the same attack in Beirut on Friday.

Israel has killed several top commanders in the Lebanese militant group in recent weeks in a series of strikes.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel said it killed another senior commander, Nabil Kaouk, on Saturday. It is not known where the strike took place, and Hezbollah has not yet confirmed his death.

Meanwhile, an Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon killed 11 people on Sunday.

Lebanons state news agency said the early morning attack destroyed a home, killing all 11 people inside.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.

Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

He said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days will bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach, he said. Today you know how much that is true.

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.

The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.

In its first statement since the killing of Nasrallah, Lebanons military called for calm among the Lebanese at this dangerous and delicate stage.

Government officials fear the countrys deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence.

The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese, the military said.

Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital Beirut as thousands of displaced people continue moving there from the south of the country.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered across Iran on Sunday to protest against the killing of Nasrallah.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities, while at the parliament, politicians chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

The air strike that killed Nasrallah on Friday also killed Abbas Nilforushan, a senior officer in Irans Revolutionary Guard.
The Israeli military said on Sunday it had killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike as the Lebanese militant group was reeling from a string of devastating blows and the killing of its overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The military said Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council, was killed on Saturday.

Hezbollah confirmed his death, making him the seventh senior Hezbollah leader slain in Israeli strikes in a little over a week. They include founding members who had evaded death or detention for decades.

Hezbollah had earlier confirmed that Ali Karaki, another senior commander, died in Fridays strike that killed Mr Nasrallah.

The Israeli military said earlier that Mr Karaki was killed in the airstrike, which targeted an underground compound in Beirut where Mr Nasrallah and other senior Hezbollah figures were meeting.

Israel says at least 20 other Hezbollah militants were killed in the strike, including two close associates of Mr Nasrallah, one of whom was in charge of his security detail.

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes and drones carried out deadly strikes across Lebanon on Sunday.

Hezbollah leader Nabil Kaouk died in an air strike (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The Lebanese health ministry said two consecutive strikes near the southern city of Sidon, about 28 miles south of Beirut, killed at least 24 people.

Separately, in Israeli strikes in the northern province of Baalbek Hermel, 21 people were killed and at least 47 injured.

The Israeli military said it carried out another targeted strike on Beirut on Sunday, but did not immediately provide details.

Lebanese media reported dozens of strikes in the central, eastern and western Bekaa, the south, besides strikes in Beirut.

A man walks on rubble at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beiruts southern suburbs (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The strikes have targeted buildings where civilians were living.

In one strike in the southern Sidon district, one strike killed 24 people and injured 29, according to the health ministry. The death toll was expected to rise.

In a widely circulated video of the strike verified by the Associated Press, the building in a neighbourhood in Sidon swayed before collapsing as neighbours filmed the strike.

On one TV station, the broadcaster called on viewers to pray for a family caught under the rubble, posting their pictures, as rescuers failed to reach them.

The Lebanese health ministry reported Sunday that at least 14 medics were killed in two days in the south.

Meanwhile, wreckage from the strike on Friday that killed Mr Nasrallah was still smouldering more than two days later.

AP journalists saw smoke over the rubble as people flocked to the site, some to check on what was left of their homes and others to pay respects, pray or simply to see the destruction.

Meanwhile, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Israels airstrikes in Lebanon had wiped out Hezbollahs command structure, but he warned the group will work quickly to rebuild it.

I think people are safer without him walking around, Kirby said of Mr Nasrallah. But they will try to recover. Were watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership vacuum. Its going to be tough. He added: Much of their command structure has now been wiped out.

Mr Kirby, who spoke during an appearance on CNNs State of the Union, sidestepped questions about whether the Biden administration agrees with how the Israelis are targeting Hezbollah leaders.

The White House continues to call on Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a 21-day temporary cease-fire that was floated by the US, France and other countries last week as world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly.

Also on Sunday, the Israeli military said dozens of aircraft struck Houthi targets in Yemen in response to a recent attack on Israel. The military said it targeted power plants and sea port facilities in the city of Hodeida.

The Houthis launched a ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion airport on Saturday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arriving.

The Houthi media office said the Israelis strikes hit the Hodeida and Rass Issa ports along with two power plants in Hodeida city, which is a stronghold for the Iranian-backed rebels.

Four people were killed and 33 wounded, Houthi-run media reported.
EKUPHELENI  The National Commissioner of Police (NATCOM) Manoma Masango has urged church bodies and the nation to pray for the Royal Eswatini Police service (REPS).

Speaking through Superintendent Luwela Mlambo during the funeral service of Constable France Sibonangaye Dlamini at Ekupheleni, the NATCOM said he is worried at the rising number of police suicides. France, who was a member of Prime Minister Russell Dlaminis security detail, shot and killed his wife Nomfundo Sihlongonyane, then ended his own life in the same manner. The wife was also a police officer attached to the royal guard Unit.

The incident happened on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. This past Wednesday, Constable Masiza Masilela also shot himself in the head at the Swazi Plaza police post in Mbabane. The National Commissioner is worried at the manner in which members of the REPS take their own lives. These are bad spirits that need prayers from the nation, especially churches, Manoma said.

France leaves behind three children, Thando (17), Sethu (14) and Andzi (9). The death of the couple happened at Mpolonjeni, Mbabane, in their home. France is reported to have used a service firearm to end the life of his wife Sihlongonyane before turning the gun to himself. Chapel Sikelela Mamba revealed during the funeral service that the couple had domestic challenges, which had been ongoing for a period of time and he was also the one helping them through these problems. The couples marital challenges had seen the pair being regulars at the Mbabane Police Station. He alleged that already, there was a peace-binding process that was ongoing at the Mbabane Magistrates Court.
Russian forces struck a medical center in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine, resulting in the death of eight individuals this morning, with a subsequent attack occurring during the evacuation of the building, according to Ukrainian officials.

At the time of the assaults, Ukrainian prosecutors reported that there were 86 patients and 38 staff members present in the hospital.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated on Telegram, The initial attack claimed one life and caused ceiling damage across several hospital floors.

He continued, noting that as individuals were evacuated, Russian forces launched another strike, which claimed the lives of an additional five people.

Anyone discussing this war globally must focus on where Russia is targeting. They are attacking hospitals, civilian sites, and the lives of people, he emphasized on Telegram.

Only strength can bring Russia to the negotiating table. Peace achieved through strength is the sole appropriate avenue.

Although Mr. Klymenko did not disclose the specific weapons utilized in the attacks, the regional administration and air forces indicated that drones were responsible for the strike.

Incidents targeting Sumy city and the surrounding region have escalated since Ukrainian military operations commenced in Russias Kursk region in August, resulting in the capture of numerous settlements.

Located just 32km from the Russian border, Sumy city has faced frequent drone and guided bomb attacks from Russian forces.

Ukrainian air forces reported having shot down 69 out of 73 drones during an overnight offensive, which also involved two ballistic and two cruise missiles.

Furthermore, around 15 Russian attack drones were neutralized by air defenses in Kyiv and its vicinity, according to military officials.

Meanwhile, Russia reported that the death toll from an explosion at a service station in Dagestans North Caucasus region has risen to 13.

A man retrieves water following an explosion in Kostyantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, yesterday.

According to the emergency services ministry, rescuers recovered three bodies from the rubble this morning after retrieving 10 bodies yesterday, which included two children.

The ministry reported 23 injuries, sharing a video of firefighters and rescuers still operating within the smoldering remains.

Russias Investigative Committee announced the initiation of an inquiry into the provision of hazardous services leading to multiple fatalities, with such a crime carrying a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison.

Investigators indicated that two explosions were followed by a fire at the service station located in the village of Novy Khushet, though no evidence of explosives has been discovered.

The emergencies ministry noted that the fire spread extensively, resulting in significant destruction of the facility.

Last August, an explosion followed by a fire at a service station in a suburban area of Dagestans capital, Makhachkala, resulted in 37 fatalities and 119 injuries.

Such incidents are common in Russia, often due to lapses in safety protocols and aging infrastructure.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has expressed his intention to collaborate with both Ukraine and Russia to bring an end to their ongoing conflict, as he stood alongside Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky prior to their meeting in New York.

Addressing reporters at Trump Tower, Mr. Zelensky mentioned his desire to discuss his victory plan for Ukraine with Mr. Trump.

While Mr. Trump commended Mr. Zelensky, he noted that he also maintained a strong rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

We have a very good relationship (with Zelensky), and I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with President Putin, Mr. Trump stated.

Earlier reports from US media indicated that the meeting at Trump Tower in New York might be cancelled after Mr. Trump took offense to comments made by the Ukrainian president to The New Yorker magazine, where he stated that the Republican doesnt really know how to stop the war.

This development coincides with criticism from Democratic candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris regarding the former presidents surrender policy concerning Ukraine.

During a meeting at the White House, Mr. Zelensky presented a so-called victory plan to US President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris, with Mr. Biden announcing a new military aid package amounting to nearly $8 billion for Ukraine, which is currently struggling.

While standing alongside Mr. Zelensky, Ms. Harris refrained from mentioning Mr. Trump directly but remarked that there are some in my country who would instead force Ukraine to give up large parts of its sovereign territory.

Joe Biden met Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office

These proposals are identical to those of (President Vladimir) Putin. And let us be clear, they are not proposals for peace. Instead, they are proposals for surrender, she stated, referring to the Russian leader.

In a separate Oval Office meeting with Mr. Zelensky, Mr. Biden assured that Russia will not prevail in the war initiated in February 2022.

Ukraine will prevail, and well continue to stand by you every step of the way, Mr. Biden promised.

In response, Mr. Zelensky expressed, we deeply appreciate that Ukraine and America have stood side by side.

However, Mr. Zelensky is currently navigating the turbulent environment of the upcoming US presidential election on November 5, which could jeopardize the strong support he has received from the United States over the past two-and-a-half years.

Make a deal

On the eve of his visit, Mr. Trump, long critical of the vast sums of US support for Ukraine, accused Mr. Zelensky of refusing to negotiate a deal with Russia.

Mr. Trump reiterated his long-held assertion that he could quickly broker a peace dealsomething Ukraine fears may involve conceding land already captured by Russia.

Donald Trump has claimed that he could swiftly cut a peace deal in Ukraine

I believe I will be able to make a deal between President Putin and President Zelensky and do it quite quickly, he remarked.

He also indicated his displeasure with Mr. Zelenskys recent comments to The New Yorker magazine, where the Ukrainian leader expressed that he believed Mr. Trump doesnt really know how to stop the war.

Trump meets British PM Starmer

Earlier, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Mr. Trump during his trip to New York.

Mr. Starmer visited Trump Tower for discussions ahead of the November US election, stating his intent to meet Mr. Trump in person because he is a great believer in personal relationships on the world stage.

The meeting has the potential for diplomatic awkwardness, not only due to Mr. Trumps bombastic style but also because Mr. Starmer has been unable to arrange a similar meeting with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.

Before the meeting, Mr. Starmer informed reporters, Ive said a number of times, I want to meet both candidates. Weve now got the opportunity to meet Trump, which is good. Obviously, I still want to speak to Harris as well.

At a press conference prior to their meeting, Mr. Trump described Mr. Starmer as very nice.
For an organization devoted to promoting global peace, the discourse surrounding warfare is surprisingly prevalent. Much of the discussions were anticipated, especially as the annual UN General Assembly in New York commenced amidst the turmoil in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan.

However, what may have come as a surprise when global leaders convened for the opening session on Tuesday was the rapid escalation of conflicts by weeks end.

A new clash erupted in the Middle East, this time pitting Israel against Lebanon.

In the midst of these tensions, China launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, marking its first such action in four decades.

World leaders criticize the global situation at the General Assembly

Gloomy general debate

The General Assemblys discussions trudged on. Leader after leader ascended the podium to lament the dire state of global affairs.

Our world is in turmoil, lamented Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his opening statements.

We are on the brink of the unimaginable  a powder keg that threatens to engulf us all, he added.

The next speaker, Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, took the baton of despair and ran with it.

We are experiencing a time of escalating anguish, frustration, tension, and fear, he conveyed to the delegates.

US President Joe Biden attempted to uplift the atmosphere with his final address to the UN.

I understand that many observe todays world and respond with despair, but I refuse to do so, he asserted to fellow leaders.

Perhaps due to all Ive witnessed and our collective accomplishments over the years, I remain hopeful, he stated.

Yet, as the veteran statesman departed the UN stage for the last time, one couldnt help but wonder if hope departed with him.

Escalating tensions, frustrated delegates

As conflicts intensified, the ineffectiveness of the UN was once again highlighted, prompting some delegates to question the value of their journey to New York.

The institutions, norms, and mechanisms established to end wars  many initially supported by a powerful West  are increasingly ineffective, stated Dareen Khalifa, a senior adviser with the Crisis Group.

The United Nations has largely stagnated when it comes to addressing major global crises, she remarked.

There was little evidence of multilateral collaboration as world leaders continued to threaten one another and exchange barbs from the podium.

Ukraine seeks attention at the UN amidst escalating Middle Eastern conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized China and Brazil for proposing half-hearted settlement plans aimed at enhancing their own influence at Ukraines expense.

He also dismissed the UN Security Council as a relevant platform for conflict resolution, inviting member states to his own peace summit instead, where he promised there would be no veto.

Mr. Putin  who was not in New York but in Moscow  responded to Mr. Zelenskys call for the use of long-range missiles provided by the US and European nations against targets within Russia with another nuclear war threat.

However, Mr. Zelensky fought for attention as the crisis in the Middle East dominated the agenda.

In his General Assembly address, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan targeted Israels leader Benyamin Netanyahu, comparing him to Adolf Hitler. Other leaders also condemned Israels conduct in Gaza and Lebanon.

Yet, when Israels prime minister finally addressed the UN General Assembly stage on Friday after initially delaying his visit, he adopted a defiant stance, squashing any hopes for a swift resolution to the conflict in Lebanon.

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A stream of delegates left the hall as soon as Mr. Netanyahu began speaking.

We will persist in degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are achieved, he stated, asserting that they must choose between a blessing or a curse  Israel or Iran  in the Middle East.

Addressing Iran  whom he noted had an empty chair in the General Assembly Hall  he declared: I have a message for the tyrants of Tehran. If you strike us, we will respond in kind.

There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach, and this holds true for the entire Middle East, he declared.

He proceeded to criticize the UN, calling it a swamp of antisemitic vitriol and a house of darkness.

Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi later urged reporters that Netanyahu must be stopped, calling on the UN Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities and uphold international law.

Otherwise, he warned, war will engulf us all.

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu addresses the UN General Assembly

Escalation in the Middle East

The Israeli military bombed portions of Beirut while Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel.

In an attempt to de-escalate, France convened an emergency UN Security Council meeting, and shortly thereafter, co-sponsored a 21-day ceasefire proposal for Israel and Hezbollah alongside the US.

However, Israeli officials promptly dismissed the proposal. Mr. Netanyahu asserted that the military would engage with full force in Lebanon.

Fearing a repeat of the situation in Gaza, despair permeated among UN officials on the ground.

We are witnessing the most lethal period in Lebanon in a generation, and many fear this is merely the beginning, said Imran Riza, the UNs top aid official in Lebanon.

The UNs refugee agency reported that tens of thousands were fleeing into Syria.

We appeal not only for an end to the bombings in general but also to avoid targeting those trying to flee, stated Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, UNHCR Representative in Syria, at the Syria-Lebanon border.

As Israel continued its offensive in Lebanon, attention shifted to Hezbollahs ally, Iran, to gauge its next move.

Tehran aims to steer clear of direct involvement in a regional conflict that could pit it against the United States, according to Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran Program at the Middle East Institute, a think tank.

It is more likely that they will engage with Israel through their proxies, he explained to RTE News.

However, Tehran is walking a tightrope, Vatanka mentioned, warning that this Iranian restraint cannot last indefinitely if Israel maintains its offensive, which could very well be Israels strategy.

World leaders fear regional war

Sudans bitter conflict

As the situation worsened in Lebanon, ministers gathered to discuss another devastating crisis in Sudan.

This side event occurred amid reports of a siege on the western city of El Fasher and renewed violence in the capital, Khartoum.

From bitter past experience, if El Fasher falls, there is a significant danger of ethnically targeted violations and abuses, including summary executions and sexual violence, perpetrated by the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) and allied militia, warned the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk.

The American Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, informed ministers at the meeting that civilians in Sudan are experiencing famine, with some resorting to eating leaves and dirt to stave off hunger pains, though not starvation.

Yet again, the international communitys inaction loomed large.

I feel, as Im sure you all do, a sense of shame and embarrassment that this is happening under our watch, she remarked.

Still, humanitarian efforts continue to struggle for resources.

According to UN data, the $2.7 billion appeal to assist 14.7 million people within Sudan is less than half funded, while a $1.5 billion appeal for 3.3 million Sudanese refugees in seven neighboring countries has garnered just a quarter of the needed funding.

As the week came to a close, a somber mood pervaded UN headquarters.

This General Assembly has been a notably serious and intense one, Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, conveyed to RTE News.

He remains gravely concerned about the developments taking place in Beirut, in Gaza, and in Sudan, to name just a few, he concluded.
( Middle East Monitor )  Two historic events regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestine took place on 19 July and 18 September. The first was a most comprehensive advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which reiterated that the Israeli occupation of Palestine is illegal and must come to an immediate end. The second arrived two months later, when the UN General Assembly set, for the first time in history, an exact time frame for when the Israeli occupation of Palestine must end.

Many Palestinians welcomed the international consensus that essentially declared to be null and void any Israeli attempt to make what is meant to be a temporary military occupation permanent. However, many were not impressed, understandably so, simply because the international community has proven ineffectual in bringing the catastrophic Israeli war against the Palestinians in Gaza to an end, or in enforcing its previous resolutions on the matter.

Israeli media largely ignored both events, while mainstream western media repeatedly emphasised that both the advisory opinion and the resolution are non-binding. This is true. However, as former UN Special Rapporteur John Dugard said twenty years ago, the laws and conventions upon which advisory opinions are based are binding, not least the Fourth Geneva Convention. [See Protecting Human Rights in Occupied Palestine, Clarity Press, 2022, p19]

Although it is also true that international law without enforcement is largely useless, one must not be rash to conclude that the latest actions by the ICJ and the General Assembly deserve no pause for consideration. To appreciate the importance of both, we must place them within their proper context.

Unlike the ICJs advisory opinion of 2004, the 19 July opinion does not focus on a specific issue, the illegality of Israels so-called Separation Wall in the occupied West Bank. The latest decision by the worlds highest Court was the outcome of a specific request by the UNGA on 20 January, 2023, to opine on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

Moreover, the ICJ reached its conclusions after listening to the testimonies of representatives of 52 countries and three international organisations, which sided fully with the Palestinians in their historic quest for freedom, justice and respect for international law.

The ICJ opinion leaves no space for Israeli and US misinterpretation

Then there is the fact that the ICJ opinion touched upon numerous issues, leaving no space for any misinterpretation on the part of Israel and the United States. For example, it called on Israel to end its unlawful presence in occupied Palestine, and for it to withdraw its military forces; halt the expansion of settlements and evacuate all settlers from occupied land; and demolish parts of a separation wall constructed inside the occupied West Bank.



US officials give Israeli PM Netanyahu standing ovation as he vows to continue bombing Gaza  Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

The ICJ opinion follows years of supposed Israeli achievements in marginalising the Palestinian cause, and exacting American support, which effectively recognised Israeli sovereignty over occupied Palestinian and Arab land.

If the ICJ pressed the reset button on the illegality of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, the UNGA pressed the political button. Indeed, UN Resolution A/ES-10/L.31/Rev.1 on 18 September has ended any Israeli illusions that it will be able, through pressure, threats or the passage of time, to end the conversation on its military occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

The resolution 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.

Importantly, 124 countries voted in favour of the resolution, while 14 voted against it, separating once again those who believe in the primacy of international law in conflict resolution and those who dont. Also significant is that the UN set a time frame for when the Israeli occupation must come to an end: No later than 12 months from the adoption of the resolution.

In international law, military occupations are meant to be a temporary process, regulated through numerous treaties and legal understandings, including the Fourth Geneva Conventions. Israel, however, has turned that temporary process into a permanent one.

If the Israeli military occupation does not end within the resolutions specified time frame, Israel would then be in violation of two sets of laws: previous UN resolutions on the matter, including the ICJ advisory opinions, and the latest resolution as well.

The emphasis by western media on the non-binding element of these resolutions does not, in any way, alter the illegality of the Israeli occupation, or undermine the unanimity of the international community regarding the righteousness of the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation and all other injustices.

Ultimately, Palestine will not be liberated by a UN resolution.

UN resolutions are merely an expression of the balances of power that exist on the international stage. As such, Palestinians and their supporters should not expect that a UN resolution, binding or otherwise, will drive the Israeli military out of the West Bank and Gaza.

I believe that the Palestinians will liberate themselves. However, the position of the international community remains significant as it re-emphasises the legitimacy of the Palestinian struggle, creates space for solidarity and helps further marginalise Israel for its continued violations of international law and the rights of the Palestinian people.

<i>The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.</i>

Via Middle East Monitor
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The Israeli assassination of Hassan Nasrallah has implications for the struggle of Iran and its alliance of resistance against Israel and the United States. But I would like to step back and look at how we reached this juncture.

I lived in Lebanon on and off in the 1970s, when the Civil War (1975-1989) began. Lebanon is a country full of minorities, with no majority. Christians, Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims are the major groups, but there are some smaller communities of great importance, including the Druze (an offshoot of Twelver Shiism) and the Eastern Orthodox Christians. Religious ethnicity, what the French call confessionalism, plays a role in Lebanon similar to that played in American society by racial ethnicity.

During the Civil War, each community threw up militias, usually more than one, and these militias often targeted one another as much as their enemies. In the south, East Beirut, and the Biqaa Valley, Shiites predominated. They were the poorest of the Lebanese religious communities, often consisting of tobacco sharecroppers and other impoverished agriculturists in the countryside. In East Beirut they did day labor. Shiites back in the 1950s and 1960s had not been very involved in Lebanese politics, concentrating on the affairs of their villages. A few great landlords were in parliament, but they had almost feudal relationships to the farmers.

In the 1970s, an Iranian cleric named Musa Sadr, transplanted to Lebanon, helped organize AMAL (an acronym for Troops of the Lebanese Resistance, but with the literal meaning of hope). It was a charity, a political party, and a militia. AMAL appealed to the new Shiite middle class, people who had relatives that had emigrated to West Africa or the Oil Gulf and sent back remittances. The incoming wealth allowed them to found banks and other businesses and to fund the activities of AMAL. Even after the later rise of Hezbollah, AMAL retained the loyalty of about half of the Lebanese Shiites.

The idea of a party-militia was not new. Among the Maronite Christians, the Phalangist Party had modeled itself on Francos brown shirts and Mussolinis black shirts. I used to see them doing drills in the street when I lived in Chiyah, Beirut.

Sadr was kidnapped by Moammar Gaddafi when he visited Libya in search of funding for AMAL. Maybe Gaddafi felt he hadnt delivered on some promise. Maybe Gaddafi was increasingly deranged.

The 1979 Islamic Revolution radicalized some young Lebanese Shiites. Abbas Musawi hived off from AMAL and formed Islamic AMAL. They were in touch with the Iraqi Dawa Party and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon in a quest to extirpate the Palestine Liberation Organization, subjecting Beirut to indiscriminate shelling. Among those who were appalled was Osamah Bin Laden, who later said that he began aspiring to bring down US skyscrapers on seeing what the Israelis did to those in Beirut.

The Islamic AMAL saw the Israeli invasion and occupation as a US project, blew up the US embassy in Beirut in 1983 and then targeted the US Marines (on a peacekeeping mission) with a truck bomb, killing 241 US service personnel.

In 1984 Musawi and others formed Hezbollah. The organization mobilized the poorer and more radical Shiites in East Beirut, Tyre and the Biqaa for guerrilla warfare to get the Israelis back out of their country. Israel occupied 10% of Lebanon 1982-2000, but suffered increasing casualties from Hezbollah sniping and suicide bombing, a technique they picked up from the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.

In 1989, the Saudis sent Rafiq Hariri, a Lebanese Sunni who had made billions as a contractor in the kingdom, to try to end the war. That year at Taif most of the armed factions pledged to lay down their arms, which they did, and Hariri became prime minister. He began the process of rebuilding Beirut, a process that made his companies rich.

The only group that did not disarm was Hezbollah, on the grounds that it was fighting the occupation of the Lebanese south by the Israelis.

By 2000, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak withdrew from Lebanon.

Hezbollah at that point should have followed the rest of the militias into the Taif accords, laying down their arms and becoming solely a parliamentary political party. Hassan Nasrallah, by then the leader, however, refused that path. He began pressing claims on the Shebaa Farms villages of Syria, which Israel had illegally occupied. These lands had been owned by Shiite Lebanese, and Syria said they could have them back if the Israelis would leave. Nasrallah had the Israeli settlements there shelled indiscriminately, which is a war crime since it puts civilians in harms way.

Moreover, Hezbollah planned terrorist operations, even in Europe. Had it stuck with a purely military struggle with the Israeli army, it might have avoided being listed as a terrorist group, which cost it all legitimacy in the industrialized democracies.

In 2004-5 a crisis unfolded in Lebanon over Syrian political meddling in the country. Hariri and most Maronite Christians demonstrated against the Syrians, and Hariri was killed in a truck bomb in February 2005  probably by Hezbollah, or by Hezbollah field officers working for Syrian intelligence. The March 14 coalition managed to convince the Syrians to pull their troops out of the country. Nasrallahs March 8 coalition, joined by Michel Aouns Christians, held huge counter-demonstrations in favor of Syria but lost.

In 2006, Hezbollah attacks on Israel for the sake of getting the Shebaa Farms back were taken as a pretext by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who launched a wide-ranging war on Lebanon. Israel of course won, but it did suffer setbacks owing to Hezbollah guerrilla tactics. In the aftermath Nasrallah apologized for dragging the country into a destructive war that set back its economy.

In 2008, Hezbollah fought Lebanese Sunnis over a number of issues, including control of telecommunications at Beirut Airport. Nasrallah had earlier pledged never to use his arms on fellow Lebanese, but he reneged on that promise.

From 2012 on, Nasrallah sent Hezbollah fighters into Syria to help keep Bashar al-Assad in power, allying with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Russia against the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood and more radical, al-Qaeda-adjacent groups. Hezbollahs name became mud among many Sunni Arabs, as it lost the popularity gained in 2006.

Hezbollah as a party did well in Lebanese elections and played an increasing role in the national cabinet.

Hezbollah built up a rocket arsenal with Irans help. It was only useful for defensive purposes, as a deterrent against Israeli aggression. Few rockets have guidance systems and so cant be used in a targeted way. The US Iron Dome anti-missile batteries made these rockets relatively useless and so removed their deterrent effect.

The outbreak of war after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel put Nasrallah in a difficult situation. His only source of popularity and legitimacy was resistance to Israel. Iran pressured him to keep a low profile and avoid provoking another war. Although 80% of the attacks at the Israeli-Lebanese border were launched by Israel, Hezbollah was baited into a tit for tat. Tens of thousands of Israelis were displaced from the north, just as tens of thousands of Shiites were displaced from the Lebanese south by Israeli airstrikes.

The fascist Israeli government of Netanyahu-Ben-Givir-Smotrich, receiving unstinting backing from the Biden administration, has adopted a policy of Milosevicism. Slobodan Milosevic aimed for a Greater Serbia after the break-up of Communist Yugoslavia, coveting much of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo and being willing to deploy the tools of ethnic cleansing and genocide. The Jewish Power government of contemporary Israel aims at a Greater Israel, ethnically cleansing Gaza and the West Bank and southern Lebanon in preparation for Israeli hegemony.

Despite Bidens feeble and risible cautions against a wider war, the Milosevicist Israeli government had long been determined to go into Lebanon and to wipe out Hezbollah and perhaps to reoccupy the Lebanese south. Unbeknownst to Nasrallah, his high council had been penetrated by agents working for Israel, so that the latter could booby trap their pagers and could determine Nasrallahs whereabouts in real time.

Nasrallah left behind a Lebanon in shambles, its government so corrupt that it let the port explode and allowed the chairman of the National Bank to embezzle all the countrys money. Poverty skyrocketed to 40% of the population in what had been a prosperous country.

In the end, Nasrallah led a small organization of some 45,000 fighters that was attempting to punch above its weight. Lebanon is a small country; its citizen population is probably about 4.5 million, a third of those Shiites. A base of a the non-AMAL portion of million and a half people or so is inherently limited. The Syrian intervention overstretched its resources and made it vulnerable in the Lebanese south. Its closer links with Iran and Syria, both of which were highly penetrated by Israeli intelligence, exposed it. Its rockets were rendered ineffectual by the Iron Dome. Its expanding cadres grew corrupt and open to Israeli shekels. It transitioned from a light, mobile guerrilla group with no return address to a quasi-governmental body with an HQ that could be struck by bunker-busting bombs.

Possibly Hezbollah will be forced now to go back to its guerrilla roots and a more secure cell structure. The Jewish Power and Religious Zionism fanatics who dream of re-occupying southern Lebanon and siphoning off the waters of the Litani River will likely discover, if they do so, that the potential for guerrilla resistance has not been and cannot be eradicated.



Bonus video added by Informed Comment:

Al Jazeera: Hezbollah confirms assassination of leader
MBABANE - Close to 100 appointments of head teachers and deputies were made without the advertising of vacant posts in the financial year 2020/21. This is one of many irregularities that happened within the countrys education sector and were uncovered through a human resource audit conducted by the Eswatini Internal Audit Office and completed in the Ministry of Education and Training the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

The audit was meant to ascertain whether experienced and qualified teachers were appointed in the financial years 2020 and 2021. It came about following a finding made by the Auditor General, Timothy Matsebula, who uncovered that there was an over expenditure of E376 301 301.63 on the recurrent vote of the ministry for that particular financial period. When the AG noted the anomaly, the controlling officer (principal secretary) at the time had stated that the Internal Audit Department conducted an audit of the operations of the TSC for the year ending March 31, 2022 and that a report was on its way.

Following persuasion by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the report has recently been made available. One of the findings made in the report was that vacant administrative positions were filled without advertising the posts. The finding was that 56 appointments of head teachers and 39 of deputy head teachers were made during the financial year 2020/21 without advertising the vacant posts. According to the report, there was only one advert for a deputy head teacher dated March 3, 2020 for waivers 8393 and 9140. The report contains a list of the posts that were filled without issuing advertisements.

On the same issue, the report mentioned that an advert dated November 4, 2021 did not contain all the relevant information needed by the applicants such as where the application forms were to be obtained and attachments, including certified copies of academic certificates resulting in others failing to comply with the job requirements and losing the appointments.In terms of risks, the auditors cited the unfair appointment of administrators resulting in being the most qualified teachers not appointed hence losing out.

Another risk cited by the auditors was that without advertising the posts the criteria used in the recruitment of administrators could not be known, which had the potential of leading to the employment of unqualified and experienced teachers and that could negatively affect the administration of schools.Also, the auditors said a lack of transparency in the recruitment of head teachers and deputy head teachers, which may lead to nepotism and corruption was another risk.

In terms of root causes, the audit found that the shortlisting of candidates for administrative positions in mission schools was done by the schools manager or grantee. Also cited as a root cause was the need to fill in administrative vacancies urgently, hence the TSC decided to appoint teachers who had been shortlisted for other schools. The audit also found that a lack of proper planning by the commission for the filling of administrative vacancies in schools was another cause.

Media

In terms of recommendations, the audit said the executive secretary needed to ensure that the media used when making the advert was effective so that the response in applications could be increased and the poor pool of selection of candidates could be wide. The audit also recommended that the commission needed to ensure that there was proper planning for the filling of administrative vacant posts, especially those which were created by mandatory retirements such that there was enough time to advertise the existing and expected vacancies.

In looking into the finding, the auditors cited the Teaching Service Regulations of 1983 Section 25, Sub-section 1, which states that if a promotional post exists in the teaching service, including that of head teacher and deputy head teacher, the TSC shall advertise the post and invite applications. The second finding contained in the report was that procedures were not followed when submitting applications. It was stated that an advert dated November 4, 2021 and closing November 10, 2021 for vacant posts of head teachers for both primary and high schools required that applications needed to be hand delivered only to the executive secretary of the TSC. However, the report said the applications registration book showed that this was not done by the applicants.

It was said that about 10 applications, according to the report, for the posts of head teachers for both primary and high schools dated November 10, 2021 were submitted by one person who signed on the behalf of the applicants, in as reflected on, applications record. This shows that the applications were not hand delivered by the applicants to the executive secretary, as per the instruction in the advert. For the same advert, applications received per school could not be verified since the applications record book did not state the name of the school where the vacancy existed. A total number of 71 applications were received from 25 vacant positions of head teachers for both primary and high schools, reads part of the report.

In terms of risks, the report said there could have been missing attachments since there were applications that were not submitted by the applicants which could result in the non-shortlisting of qualifying applicants. Also cited as a risk was lack of transparency in the application process, since the applications received per school could not be confirmed as the record book did not reflect the name of the school, where the vacancy existed. Furthermore, a lack of an audit trail was cited as having posed risk.

It was mentioned that the last advert for the filling of vacancies of head teachers was not in line with the requirements stated in the application form, since the form stated that applications had to be submitted to the regional education officer (REO) yet in the advert it was stated that they should be sent to the executive secretary and there was no mention of attachments. Applications were not delivered straight to the ministry previously, hence the omission of crucial information in the applications record book, the report mentioned. Among the recommendations made was that the executive needed to ensure that the information in the application form was not in line with the advert. A third finding contained in the report was that there was shortlisting and interviewing of candidates who did not qualify for administrative appointments.

Stipulates

The auditors cited the Teaching Service Act of 1982, which stipulates that the function of the director is to facilitate the administration and management of the teaching profession. The regulations of the legislation were also cited, specifically Section 24 Sub-section 1, which states that if a promotional post exists within the teaching service, including that of head teacher and deputy, the TSC shall advertise the post and invite applications. Explaining the finding, the report said applicants for the post of the head teacher were given inaccurate scores by the shortlisting committee and this was done by rating them based on the information written in the application forms. The information in the application forms was not verified from the applicants personal files by the shortlisting committee.

These candidates were further invited for interviews by the executive secretary yet it was stated clearly in the advert that applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered, it was stated in the report. Also mentioned was that shortlisting score sheets for the vacancies of head teachers from the advert dated November 4, 2021, were presented to the audit team without a shortlisting summary or minute signed by the chairperson of the shortlisting committee (Director of Education), hence the authenticity of the shortlist could be verified.

About 11 candidates, the report stated, were called for interview for the posts of head teachers in six different schools in the administrative posts advertised on November 4, 2021, yet they were not shortlisted for those schools by the shortlisting committee. It was said that the criteria used when selecting the candidates was not clear since the candidates were not rated and their applications were not obtained. In terms of risks, the report said teachers who did not qualify for the administrative position could be called for interview and appointed, resulting in poor administration of schools. Shortlisting score sheets could be altered since there are no initials. Candidates who applied for the administrative positions and qualified for them might be overlooked which increases the possibility of corruption, it was mentioned.

When stating the root causes of the irregularity, the report said there was too much reliance on the information written on the applications when evaluating the candidates by the shortlisting committee and that personal profiles were not properly maintained, hence affecting the process. Also cited as a root cause was that for posts which were not advertised, the candidates for interview were taken from those who were shortlisted for other schools but not appointed.

It was said that there were cases where few candidates applied for the vacant position in the school including applicants who did not qualify for the job, hence the shortlist did not make a minimum of three candidates to be presented for interviews. For mission schools, the shortlisting is done by the school grantee or manager who then submits the list to the commission for interviewing, hence there is lack of transparency in the shortlisting process, it was mentioned. Among the recommendations made was that the chairperson of the shortlisting committee needed to ensure that the information stated on the application form was verified from the applicants personal files before any rating was conducted.

It was also recommended that the chairperson needed to always prepare a summary of the shortlisting in the form of a minute and attach the candidates scores with initials on each page. Furthermore, it was recommended that the executive secretary needed to ensure that there was proper maintenance of personal files and transparency in the appointment of teachers to administrative positions.










Sunday, September 29, 2024 - The Central Organisation for Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has called for the arrest of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua amid simmering political tensions in the country.

Speaking at an event in Uasin Gishu County, Atwoli stated that Gachagua belongs to jail following his recent remarks against President William Ruto.

In his speech, the workers' union leader accused DP Gachagua of causing tribal divisions in the country by rallying his Mt. Kenya constituents as the second in command faces possible impeachment with a motion expected to be introduced at the National Assembly anytime next week.

"You prayed to God so that he can help you to run the government and then you start to contradict government policies and you sit in the cabinet and the National Security Council," Atwoli said.

"You should be arrested, there is no country that can tolerate such a person, for the safe of securing the country," he added.

The COTU Secretary General further criticized the Deputy President, claiming that Gachagua is hindering the country's development by opposing government projects approved by the cabinet.

According to Atwoli, no individual holds exclusive rights to the Mt. Kenya region, emphasizing that the bloc belongs to all Kenyans, regardless of their ethnic background.

"This mountain called Mt Kenya belongs to all of us. We are all Kenyans, let no one brag about Mt Kenya, even Mt Kilimanjaro still belongs to the people of East Africa," Atwoli alleged.

Atwoli's fiery sentiments came hours after Gachagua dared Ruto to chart a different political path and forget about Mt. Kenya following his plot to impeach him.

Speaking in Kirinyaga County yesterday, Gachagua accused Ruto of inciting lawmakers to impeach him against the will of the Kenyan people.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, September 29, 2024 - Police have launched investigations into the mysterious disappearance of a taxi driver who went missing on Thursday while ferrying a client.

Victoria Mumbua, 35, was driving a white Nissan Serena registration number KDQ 182 F when she disappeared.

The last time she made a call, she indicated that she was at Samburu town, Kwale County to drop off a client.

Samburu town is located about 66 kilometres from Mombasa CBD.

Since that time, her whereabouts, together with the said motor vehicle, remain unknown.

Her phone is currently unreachable and the last known location of her vehicle was recorded in Kisumu.













The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Sunday, September 29, 2024 - Kenyan fashion designer Austin Bolo popularly known as "Bolo Bespoke" paid dowry to his wife Mueni in a colourful traditional wedding ceremony attended by prominent figures among them Raila Odingas wife Mama Ida.

Bespoke landed at his wifes home in Machakos in a chopper, bringing business in the sleepy village to a near standstill.

His convoy consisted of high-end guzzlers owned by his friends and business associates.

He was also filmed showering his wife with money during the colourful event as music played in the background.

See photos and videos.

This is just a tailors wedding. Kenya kuna pesa. pic.twitter.com/3yxB7XIH7O  Rodgers Kipembe Mpuru (@RodgersKipembe) September 29, 2024

Kenyan fashion designer Austin Bolo popularly known as "Bolo Bespoke" showers his wife Mueni with money during their traditional wedding in Machakos. pic.twitter.com/JRaekiLzmu  Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) September 29, 2024













The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, September 29, 2024  Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguas troubles have compounded.

In addition to facing impeachment by President William Rutos allies as early as next week, the DP could also be expelled from the ruling UDA party.

This was revealed by Acting UDA Secretary General Omar Hassan who accused the DP of being a liability to the party and the presidency due to his obsession with Mt. Kenya at the expense of the rest of Kenya.

Speaking at a function attended by several other legislators, Omar hinted at ejecting Gachagua from being a member of the UDA Party.

I am informed majority of UDA members are in support of the impeachment motion against Gachagua, and if the impeachment sails through, then we will have no option but to expel from the party because that is what is best for the ruling party, Omar stated.

At the same time, Omar confirmed that the signature collection drive aimed at securing enough votes from MPs to impeach Gachagua on Tuesday is well on course.

According to him, the drive had already hit the 300 mark, surpassing the 117 threshold.

Omar criticised the deputy president for propagating division in the country and further accused him of playing tribal politics despite being a national leader.

According to the party official, Gachaguas recent sentiments against President William Rutos administration posed a significant threat to the country's unity.

What we are seeing him currently doing is argue for the same old policies, of malice, division, hatred and ethnicity," Omar claimed.

I don't think it is proper to have a deputy president who is a threat to the countrys unity, he added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Saturday, September 28, 2024 - Thugs, believed to be part of a burglary gang, were captured on CCTV breaking into an apartment in Nairobi.

In the footage, the suspects are seen using a master key to access the apartment where they unplugged a TV and stole other electronics before fleeing.

Little did they know that they were being captured on CCTV cameras installed in the house.

The victim took to social media and shared the CCTV footage of the robbery incident that left him counting losses.

He had invested a good amount of money in electronics.

He further urged the public to help him in identifying the thugs after reporting the matter to the police.

Watch the footage.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Sunday, September 29, 2024  Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told off President William Ruto against instigating his ouster.

Speaking at a rally in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, Gachagua accused Ruto of inciting MPs to impeach him against the will of the Kenyan people.

While affirming his stand, DP Gachagua took a swipe at MPs, declaring that he would not be intimidated by mere threats of impeachment.

According to Gachagua, the lawmakers had no jurisdiction over his impeachment, as he was elected by the Kenyan people.

If Ruto is tired of Mt Kenya votes he should tell us, let him stop telling Members of Parliament to impeach me," DP Gachagua stated.

I will not be intimidated. They are calling for my resignation, I will not allow it, I was given the job by the Kenyan people," he added.

The Deputy President further cautioned the president against betraying the Mt Kenya voters, claiming that if it was not for him (Gachagua), the Head of State would not have received votes from the region.

Gachagua's sentiments come against the backdrop of plans by a section of Kenya Kwanza and Azimio lawmakers to table an impeachment motion against him.

However, the move faces potential hurdles after a Kenyan moved to court on Friday seeking orders to stop MPs from tabling a motion to impeach the DP.

The youth leader in his petition claimed that there was no constitutional framework guiding the impeachment of a deputy president.

According to the petitioner, impeaching Gachagua would destabilise the functions of the Executive and consequently hamper the country's development.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, September 29,2024 - Controversial lawyer and barrister, Miguna Miguna, has shared a list of individuals whom he claims ordered the killings and abductions of Gen Zs during the anti-government protests that rocked the Kenya Kwanza Alliance regime during June and July.

During the protests, 61 young Kenyans were butchered by police, and thousands were injured across the country.

Also, there was a series of abductions that was conducted by masked people who were using unmarked cars while carrying out their jobs.

However, on Saturday, Miguna said the people who ordered the killing and abductions of Gen ZS were led by President William Ruto, his PA, Farouk Kibet, former Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett, National Intelligence Service(NIS) Director General, Noordin Haji and Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) boss, Mohamed Amini.

Here is a screenshot of what Miguna wrote on his X

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
MBABANE  It is official; there is no Red Notice against South Africa businessman Dave van Niekerk.

The clarity has been offered by the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police Vusi Manoma Masango. He was reacting to questions posed by this publication following reports published in the Botswana media regarding the current position of the businessmans coming in and out of the Kingdom of Eswatini. Masango said there is no Red Notice against the businessman, but that his identity appears on the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) system.

Still investigating

The reason, he said, is because REPS are still investigating the issue of the E340 million, which was lost by emaSwati after investing it in Ecsponent Limited. He appears in our system, but that is not to say that it is a Red Notice. We have him on the system because our investigations are still ongoing, Masango said. The commissioner also clarified that he has never spoken to the businessman and that they have never met face-to-face. One of the Botswana publications, the Business Weekly, had earlier published an article that gave the impression that van Niekerk was set to be arrested in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The publication had insinuated that a warrant of arrest had been issued against van Niekerk.

The businessman then responded through a press release whereby he explained that he has received correspondence from the Eswatini authorities confirming that there is no active Red Notice against him. The authorities reportedly included the NATCOM and the Office of the Prime Minister. The PMs Office, through Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, said it was not aware of any decision regarding the businessman. This publication had asked to know if government did consider a decision to remove a Red Notice against the businessman and what motivated it.

By definition, a Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action. It is based on an arrest warrant or court order issued by the judicial authorities in the requesting country. According to the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), an inter-governmental organisation that helps police in different countries to work together to make the world a safer place, member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.

It contains two main types of information, one being that of identifying the wanted person, such as their name, date of birth, nationality, hair and eye colour, photographs and fingerprints if available.

The other information is related to the crime they are wanted for, which can typically be murder, rape, child abuse or armed robbery. Red Notices are published by INTERPOL at the request of a member country, and must comply with INTERPOLs Constitution and Rules. The INTERPOL website states that Red Notices are important because they are used to simultaneously alert police in all member countries about internationally wanted fugitives. They help bring fugitives to justice, sometimes many years after the original crime was committed.

It should be noted that INTERPOL cannot compel the law enforcement authorities in any country to arrest someone who is the subject of a Red Notice. Each member country decides what legal value it gives to a Red Notice and the authority of their law enforcement officers to make arrests.

Serve a sentence

In terms of who are the subjects of Red Notices, the INTERPOL website states that they are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence in relation to serious ordinary law crimes such as murder, rape and fraud. This follows criminal proceedings in the country issuing the request. This is not always the home country of the individual.

When a person is sought for prosecution, it means the person has not been convicted and should be considered innocent until proven guilty. A person sought to serve a sentence means that this person has been found guilty by a court in the country which requested the publication of the Red Notice.

In August last year, Ecsponent investors crammed the High Court whereby they learnt with shock that van Niekerk, together with one Edwin J Soonious had left the country. The shock emanated from the fact that the High Court had earlier issued an interim order preventing the duo from leaving the country, after an ex parte application was filed by ESW Investment Group Limited (former Ecsponent Eswatini). At the time, our sister publication, the Times of Eswatini, reported that van Niekerk had allegedly left through the King Mswati III International Airport on Monday evening, while Soonious departed via Ngwenya Border Post. An ex parte application is used by one party to ask the court for an order without providing the other party the usual amount of notice or opportunity to write an opposition. The court had directed the REPS and the Ministry of Home Affairs (Immigration Department) to assist in the execution of the order interdicting the two from leaving the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Directed to flag

Officials from the Immigration Department had been directed to flag and advise police officers upon seeing van Niekerk and Soonious leaving the Kingdom of Eswatini through any of the entry or exit points. Also worth noting is that early this year, the businessman surprisingly jetted in and out of the country after having had a meeting with His Majesty King Mswati III. The meeting between the businessman and the King took place at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence and reportedly lasted for more than an hour. Sources claimed that he entered the country via the King Mswati III International Airport at Sikhuphe and was escorted by high profile people to the royal residence.

It could not be ascertained what the agenda of the meeting was, but sources claimed that a lot of issues were discussed. Pictures of the businessman with His Majesty which circulated on social media platforms, had people talking, with some wondering what the meeting was about and how he got the opportunity to be at the palace. The businessman confirmed the meeting to this publication, but did not elaborate on what it was about. All that he said was that he was humbled over by the hospitality that was afforded to him. Also, he said he was impressed with His majestys astuteness and quick wit.

I dont really want to share the details because its not my place to do so, but we discussed a few legal matters and we looked at some future opportunities, but I really enjoyed my meeting with His Majesty and the hospitality extended by his palace team, van Niekerk said. He also stated that he wanted the many emaSwati who invested in Ecsponent to get their money back and that he was of the view that the company should be put under curatorship. Meanwhile, in a forensic investigation into the monies lost to Ecsponent, which was tabled in Parliament, there is not much said about the businessman. The report mentions the businessman just as one of several persons of interests in that he had a relationship with Mybucks South Africa (SA) at some point. In the forensic report, Mybucks SA is listed among entities that are domiciled in SA.




Sunday, September 29, 2024 - Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, has urged President William Ruto to order the immediate arrest of his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, before he wreaks havoc in the country.

Speaking on Saturday, at an event in Uasin Gishu County, Atwoli accused the Deputy President of undermining and defying the Presidency.

He noted that the DP had taken an oath, including to maintain secrecy in Cabinet, but had violated it and was sabotaging the government while promoting disunity.

You prayed to God so that he can help you to run the government and then you start to contradict government policies and you sit in the cabinet and the National Security Council, Atwoli said.

He added, You should be arrested, there is no country that can tolerate such a person, for the sake of securing the country.

Atwoli went on to say no one has exclusive rights to the Mt Kenya region, insisting that the bloc belongs to all Kenyans regardless of their ethnicity.

We dont want anyone to keep on telling us about the mountain, which belongs to all of us.

"That is why its called Mt Kenya just like Mt Kilimanjaro, which is for all people in East Africa, Atwoli said.

Atwolis remarks come amid reports that members of the National Assembly will table an impeachment motion against the DP on Tuesday next week.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, September 29, 2024 - President William Ruto is said to have had a change of heart over the planned ouster of his second in command.

This comes as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is navigating a political minefield as nearly 300 MPs rally behind an impeachment motion that threatens to upend his career.

According to sources, a silent but significant intervention appears to be taking place behind the scenes with Ruto reportedly having second thoughts about impeaching Gachagua after appeals from influential business and religious leaders.

Ruto reportedly gave the green light for the impeachment motion on Wednesday.

Gachagua backed into a corner, has issued a stern warning, declaring that his removal could collapse the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, throwing the government into disarray.

Gachaguas defiance has not wavered despite mounting opposition. While addressing supporters in Kiambu, he boldly stated, Our party of UDA has a President and Deputy President, and we were voted in as one ticket. If you do not want Gachagua, that will finish UDA.

His words underscore his intention to stay in power, but the political storm brewing around him threatens to end his career permanently.

The embattled deputy president is now in a precarious situation, weighing his limited options. If impeached, Gachagua risks permanent disqualification from holding public office.

This has left his political strategists scrambling to explore alternatives, including resignation to avoid a humiliating impeachment trial or negotiating with Ruto to have the motion dropped.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, September 29, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that Members of Parliament (MPs) have been offered Sh5 million each to approve an impeachment motion against him.

Speaking on Saturday in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, DP Gachagua claimed Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina and area Senator James Murango were offered the cash but declined.

Njeri was called and they tried to sell her fear by telling her to sign for my impeachment but she declined.

"She was told to take Ksh.5 million but refused. Senator James Murango was also offered cash but he declined, Gachagua claimed.

At the same time, the Deputy President called out President Ruto, stating that lawmakers had no jurisdiction over his impeachment, as he was elected by the Kenyan people.

If hes tired with Mt Kenya votes, let him tell us. We took him as our own and voted for him earnestly. He should stop telling the MPs to kick us out of office, Gachagua added.

I was elected by the people of Kenya, not by the president. Both the president and I were elected on one ticket, and you chose Ruto because I was there.

Gachaguas remarks come against the backdrop of plans by a section of Kenya Kwanza and Azimio lawmakers to table an impeachment motion against him.

According to reports, the DPs impeachment motion, which has over 300 signatures, will be formally submitted to parliament on Tuesday 1 October.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, September 29, 2024 - The government of President William Ruto has announced the loss of multiple title deeds.

In a gazette notice, the Office of the Head of Public Service disclosed that up to 366 title deeds are missing.

"It is notified for the general information of the public that Title Deeds bearing serial numbers listed herein are reported lost (52530015253367)" read part of the gazette notice.

While making the announcement, the government distanced itself from the incident and clarified that it would not take any liability arising from any unauthorized transactions that led to the loss of the said documents.

According to government printer Abdi Hassan, following the disappearance of the crucial documents, the said title deeds were deemed cancelled and of no effect.

However, in its announcement, the government did not reveal the main reason for the loss of the documents.

The latest report comes hardly a month after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested six suspects over allegations of scamming Kenyans through forged land documents.

According to a police report, the suspects who were arrested in the Ngara area in Nairobi were part of a land cartel defrauding Kenyans of their land by changing ownership in both the physical files and the digital platform.

The lead detective, while addressing the press, revealed that the six suspects were caught printing fake land documents in their office located in the area.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, September 29, 2024 - Four Members of Parliament have been banned from travelling to Minneapolis, United States for a diaspora investment meeting that was organized by the real estate, banking, and manufacturing sectors.

In a message sent to the Chairman of the organizing committee, it was revealed that four members of parliamentKisii County Senator Richard Onyonka, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, and Nyaribari Masaba MP Dr. Mandukuwere unable to travel to the U.S. due to reasons including the withholding of passports and the executive's failure to clear the MPs for travel.

The only guest who managed to travel to the US is Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee, who was giving a keynote speech at the event.

In recent days Senators Onyonka and Omtatah have been exposing scandals allegedly involving senior officials in President William Rutos government, especially the one related to the takeover by Adani that has rocked the countrys newsroom and parliament where Kenyans are questioning the process of the leasing deal for 30 years.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Thank God for the food truck, said the charge nurse to no one in particular.

It hadnt been a great morning at the no-name hospital in Upstate New York. They were short-staffed to begin with, and a nurse had called in sick. Her staff was used to working with bad ratios, but today was worse than usual. Everyone and their mother had decided to come to the ER. She knew not to bother calling her manager. He was a well-dressed guy, but his ideas were a bit wonky. His solution had always been to just shorten treatments.

She knew better, thoughhe had never worked in the industry. A few shortened treatments could fix a day, but the price would be paid in oxygenas in respiratory distress. Or cardiac arrest. Like the one they had that morning. The patient had been full of fluid for a week, but they hadnt been able to offer an extra treatment. In fact, per the managers advice, they had turned her usual three-and-a-half hours into three flat. That kept the overtime charges down.

When she showed up that morning, she couldnt breathe. Then she lost her pulse. It never came back. Just another day in the dialysis unit. Except for the trainee. It was new to her, and she broke down crying. The charge nurse tried to comfort her for a minute, but the overtime rules  Back to work.

The doctor, like he always did, soaked it all in. He knew what was up, but he had been muzzled long ago. When things started eroding, he had set up meetings with the manager. But he kept getting the same word: budget. He would counter with his own word: quality. But his word didnt carry the same weight. When he tried a new onerationinghe was reprimanded.

Human resources came down hard. They said he was harassing the manager. He quieted down. A family. A visa. His options were limited. It was this or back home. The manager knew that. The charge nurse knew it too. Thats why she had stopped asking the doctor to speak the truth. They worked together in silence. Two unsettled souls, just trying to keep things average. They could sleep with average. Below that is where insomnia kicked in.

But despite the problems, the charge nurse knew that, deep down, the administration cared. No amount of staffing issues, budgetary constraints, cardiac arrests, or human resource reports could overshadow the love coming from the boardroom. Because on that day, in the beautiful asphalt parking lot, there was a food truck.

Amol Shrikhande is a nephrologist.
The moment my daughter was placed on my chest, I knew something was wrong. Her skin had a blue-purple tinge, and she barely cried. I instinctively began rubbing her tiny body, trying to stimulate her, but she remained quiet and minimally responsive. When I tried to put her on my chest to nurse, she did nothing. My doctor quietly left the room, and soon after, a team of medical professionals entered. They quickly took her from me, saying they needed to weigh and clean her up. But I knew it was more serious than thatthey had called a hospital code, signaling that they needed all hands on deck to help my baby.

My husband at the time, not fully understanding the situation, stood by, confused and worried. I watched, paralyzed from the epidural, as they suctioned her, applied oxygen, and attempted to stabilize her. Desperate, I immediately called a friend who was also a physician. I needed an advocatesomeone who could keep me informed and ensure my daughter was getting the best care possible. She arrived quickly and stood beside my daughter, who was now being resuscitated.

This was the beginning of my postpartum journeya journey that was far from what I had imagined.

As a physician, I thought I was prepared for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. I had the medical knowledge and a network of health care professionals at my fingertips. But my experience revealed significant gaps in our health care system, especially in the support provided to new mothers during the postpartum period.

My child was admitted to the ICU, and during that time, my milk supply was nonexistent despite my best efforts. I struggled to produce even a few drops in the days following her birth. The hospitals lactation consultant, doing her best, reassured me that these things take time. But my breastfeeding struggles became overwhelming, leading to deep feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness as a mother. My daughters traumatic birth was now compounded by a breastfeeding journey that felt even worse.

Returning home was another challenge. I remember that first drive home and how, upon arrival, a friend asked if this was the most amazing, happiest experience of my life. My half-hearted smile concealed the truthit was anything but. I was terrified, feeling inadequate, and utterly overwhelmed. Over the next several months, my mental health took a nosedive. At both my pediatricians and OB/GYNs offices, I took mental health assessments, scored high, and was told I should seek helpbut no one offered direction on where or how to find it. I felt alone, with no one to turn to. Eventually, my relationships began to erode, and I found myself deep in postpartum depression. At one point, I remember wondering what it would be like if I werent hereif I took my baby and just left this world. The feelings were intense. My neighbor visited me frequently, sensing I needed help. She provided comfort and referred me to the resources I needed at that time. Over a year later, I finally found pieces of myself, but the journey was not easy.

After COVID, I made the decision to leave full-time emergency medicine and take a leap of faith by opening my own concierge practice, delivering care in the homes of my clients. I didnt realize how much my own postpartum experience would influence my work. I started receiving calls from postpartum women needing urgent care, and I quickly noticed a pattern. What began as a simple wound check or concern about a fever often turned into much deeper conversations about breastfeeding struggles, back pain, and feelings of inadequacy. I remember one visit to a moms house who needed her C-section wound evaluated. When I arrived, she was sitting in a recliner, tissues in hand, struggling emotionally. I knew that placeI had been there. I told her, What youre going through feels like the absolute worst time of your life, but you will get through it. Lets talk about whats going on, and well troubleshoot together. Im here, and well figure it out.

Traditionally, women are seen by their health care providers six weeks after giving birth. But in those six weeks, so much can go wrong. Womens bodies undergo significant physical and mental changes, yet we essentially throw new mothers into the deep end without a lifeguard or life jacket and tell them to swim. By the time they make it to that six-week visit, theyre often so exhausted from staying afloat that they dont even know what to say or ask during that brief 30-minute appointment. They may be cleared for physical activity and sex, but unresolved issueslike pelvic floor dysfunction or postpartum mental illnessgo unaddressed. Unresolved issues compound over time and manifest in different ways.

For me, it was struggling with constipation that wasnt food-related but was actually a result of pelvic floor dysfunction. I didnt fully explore this issue until two years postpartum. I had severe hip pain that started during pregnancy and persisted even to this day. Only recently did I get an MRI that confirmed a disc herniation. How many women have found themselves years later suffering, only to realize that many of their ailments first presented during pregnancy or postpartum? But because its so common to sweep things under the rug or save them for later, these problems often go unaddressed. What if I told you it doesnt have to be this way? Instead of waiting for moms to present problems, why dont we screen them early to prevent long-term morbidity?

Around the world, postpartum care looks very different than it does in this country, and I think we ought to start paying attention. France is known for its comprehensive postpartum care, which includes sending pelvic floor therapists and lactation consultants to new mothers homes as part of standard care. The French health care system covers these services through their national health insurance, providing support for mothers during the crucial postpartum period.

After childbirth, French mothers are typically offered several sessions of pelvic floor rehabilitation (reeducation perineale) with a specialized physical therapist. This therapy is designed to help women recover from the physical impact of childbirth and prevent long-term issues such as incontinence.

In addition to pelvic floor therapy, French mothers often have access to in-home visits from midwives and lactation consultants to support breastfeeding and overall postpartum recovery. These services are part of a broader cultural recognition of the importance of postpartum care, ensuring that new mothers receive the support they need without the added stress of financial burden. French mothers do not have to go searching for these servicesthey are provided. They see value in this.

In Sweden, new mothers receive home visits from a midwife or a nurse as part of the countrys comprehensive maternal care. These visits occur within the first few days after returning home from the hospital, focusing on both the mothers and babys well-being. The health care provider checks on the mothers recovery, breastfeeding, and the babys health, offering support and advice as needed.

So why have we fallen behind in the U.S.? Our maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the developed world, with Black women being three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications. The CDC reports that about 700 women die each year in the U.S. due to pregnancy or delivery complications, and three in five of these deaths are preventable. Lastly, 33 percent of maternal deaths occur during the first week postpartum, and around 60 percent occur within the first six weeks postpartum. The highest risk of maternal death is typically in the first few days to two weeks after delivery, especially in cases involving complications such as hemorrhage, infection, or pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. But somehow, moms are first seen by a medical professional at six weeks. Does this make sense?

With these dismal statistics, there is growing mistrust of our health care systems ability to provide safe, holistic care for mothers. My assessment is that hospitals are designed to treat the sick, not to nurture and support healthy women through one of the most challenging times of their lives. This mentality affects how we view childbirth. Traditionally, most people enter a hospital to be fixed. They come in for emergencies or surgeries. On the contrary, pregnant moms go to the hospital to deliver a baby. Its supposed to be a joyous occasion, but unfortunately, this fix-it mentality can turn childbirth into a clinical condition and really does affect how we provide care. Everyone is treated according to one standard, and while personalization is possible, it is rare. Beyond the health care system, bills aimed at improving maternal care are often stalled in the legislative process. Everything around us may say, Moms, we appreciate you, but actions speak louder than words. What we hear is, We see you; you are a priority, but we do not want to make major adjustments in your care.

The blame should not just fall on our doctors. They often take the heat for the path medicine has taken. For many physicians, they went into the field of medicine to help people. Many OB/GYNs entered obstetrics to help women. They have a deep passion for what they do and want to see birth outcomes improve for moms. They may have grand intentions, but they function in a system with deep flaws dating back centuries. Secondly, our obstetricians are burnt out and carry a huge burden. They are juggling clinic duties, surgeries, patient care, advocacy, and continuing education. They set the standard of care when it comes to maternal health policy. They live and breathe pregnancy outcomes. They want to see things improve. When they are not treating patients, many of them still must remain present for their own families while trying to preserve the little time they have for self-care. Because if they cannot pour into themselves, how do they pour into others? Alone, they are not the solution to the crisis of care in this country, and the burden should not fall on them. On the other hand, midwives offer a more holistic approach to care, but they are few. Not everyone has access to these resources, and not everyone can give birth under their care. A report by the UN Population Fund, the WHO, and the International Confederation of Midwives stated that the presence of midwives across the world could prevent over 4.3 million deaths per year by 2035. In the U.S., only 10 percent of births are attended by certified nurse midwives, and likely an even smaller number by certified professional midwives who only conduct home births. So, if the obstetricians who are seeing the majority of birthing mothers are too busy to provide this level of comprehensive care, and the midwives are few, can you see that the burden really should not fall on these individuals alone to save our mothers? They are essential, but the problem needs to be fixed at the top. And if the problem cant be fixed at the top urgently, then as a community, we need to figure this out and create systems that safeguard our mothers when they go home. We need to rethink the entire spectrum of care for new mothers. Doulas, pelvic floor therapists, lactation consultants, and mental health specialists should be an integral part of every womans postpartum care, not just an afterthought. These professionals should be readily available to all new mothers, not just those who know where to look or those referred by their friends.

As an ER physician, I would often find myself advocating for women who fell through the cracks of our health care system. Now, through my practice, I take the same approach. I work to create a network of care that includes several birth workers, including lactation consultants, ensuring new mothers have access to the support they need. I advocate for them during their journey. My hope is that postpartum care will look different for future generationsthat women will have access to comprehensive care that addresses not just their physical health but their mental and emotional well-being as well. And that care should be a right, not an option. When we care for mothers, we care for families, and ultimately, we care for our entire society.

Phindile Chowa is an emergency medicine physician.
President Yoweri Museveni has granted former Amuria MP, Onapito Ekomoloit, an official burial.

According to Milly Babalanda, the Minister in Charge of the Presidency, the National Organizing Committee will work with Parliament to plan a fitting send-off.

The President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E @KagutaMuseveni has granted the deceased former Member of Parliament for Amuria and Presidential Press Secretary, Hon. Onapito Ekomoloit, an official burial, Babalanda said in a statement on Sunday.

Condolences to the family, the people of Teso and all Ugandans. May Hon. Onapitos soul rest in eternal peace! BMB, the statement reads further.

The former Amuria County MP and a regular panelist on the KFM Hot Seat show was announced dead on Friday morning after a short illness.
China province goes newlywed-friendly with longer marriage leave

Xinhua) 10:42, September 29, 2024

HANGZHOU, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- East China's Zhejiang Province is becoming friendlier to newlyweds after it moved to extend marriage leave.

On Friday, the Standing Committee of the 14th Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress, the local legislature, passed a regulation extending paid marriage leave from three to thirteen days.

The regulation took effect the same day.

Economic and social development and increased population mobility have led to a higher proportion of inter-city and inter-provincial marriages, accounting for about one-sixth and one-ninth, respectively, said Wang Renyuan, director of the Zhejiang provincial health commission.

As a result, the current three-day marriage leave is difficult to meet the time needed for pre-marital examination, marriage registration, wedding banquet, traveling between hometown and workplace, and honeymoon trip, Wang said.

Nationwide, 24 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have extended marriage leave with local regulations, Wang said. In the Yangtze River Delta region, marriage leave is ten days in Shanghai and 13 days in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces.

China's provincial-level regions have the autonomy to determine the length of marriage leave, often influenced by local customs and demographic policies.

Some regions have introduced generous benefits to encourage marriage and childbirth in response to demographic challenges. Shanxi Province, for example, offers newlywed couples 30 days of paid marriage leave.

"Since 2016, especially since 2023, there have been more public calls for the extension of marriage leave," Wang said. "Many provincial people's congress deputies and political advisors also have put forward relevant suggestions and proposals."

Local authorities in Zhejiang also hope to encourage marriage and childbirth by extending marriage leave. In recent years, the province has seen a decline in the number of marriages, while people are also marrying at an older age.

Local data showed that Zhejiang recorded 301,000 registered marriages in 2023, sharply down from 442,000 in 2012. Meanwhile, the average age of first marriage for women rose from 24.2 to 27.5.

Under the new regulation, employees who register their marriage under the law are entitled to 13 days of paid marriage leave within one year of registering their marriage. Holidays and weekends are not counted.

With the employer's consent, the validity date for marriage leave could be extended by half a year. Trade unions at all levels should fully participate in the consultation and effectively safeguard employees' and employers' rights and interests, said Lyu Zhiliang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress.

Couples may take their marriage leave in one go or in stages after consulting with their employer. People who married less than a year before the new regulation was adopted are still entitled to extended leave.

Extending marriage leave will not necessarily increase the birth rate, but such policies, including longer marriage leave and maternity leave, could have some impact on the operation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to Xu Ming'en, another member of the Standing Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress.

SMEs should be watched over the implementation of the regulation, and efforts should be made to protect the rights and interests of employees while taking into account their actual situation, as they often have a small number of employees, Xu said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 on Way to International Space Station

The two crew members of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission launched at 1:17 p.m. EDT Saturday, for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS)

Sunday September 29, 2024 8:07 PM , ummid.com News Network

Washington: Hague and Gorbunov, the two crew members of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission, launched at 1:17 p.m. EDT Saturday, for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

"A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled the Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the forward-facing port of the station's Harmony module at approximately 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, where Hague and Gorbunov will join Expedition 72 for a five-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory", NASA said.

Hague is the commander of Crew-9 and is making his second trip to the orbital outpost since his selection as an astronaut in 2013. He will serve as a mission specialist during Expedition 72/73 aboard the space station.

During Dragon's flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The SpaceX mission launched Saturday will also bring home two astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after Boeings spacecraft failed to return them earlier this month due to safety concerns.

NASA's SpaceX Crew 9 mission is carrying two astronauts instead of four so as to bring both stranded members of NASA back to Earth by Feburary 2025.

This is the first human spaceflight mission launched from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and the agency's ninth commercial crew rotation mission to the space station, NASA said.

The two crew members of SpaceX Crew-9 mission will join the space station's Expedition 72 crew of NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matthew Dominick, Jeanette Epps, Don Pettit, Butch Wilmore, and Sunita Williams, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner.

When will Sunita Willams return to Earth?

The number of crew aboard the space station will increase to 11 for a short time until Crew-8 members Barratt, Dominick, Epps, and Grebenkin depart the space station in early October.

"The crewmates will conduct more than 200 scientific investigations, including blood clotting studies, moisture effects on plants grown in space, and vision changes in astronauts during their mission.

"Following their stay aboard the space station, Hague and Gorbunov will be joined by Williams and Wilmore to return to Earth in February 2025", NASA said.

Wilmore and Williams originally expected to spend just a week in space as part of Boeings first crewed Starliner flight, launched in June. However, after Boeings Starliner was deemed too risky by NASA following a series of technical problems, their return was delayed. By the time they come home, they will have logged more than eight months in space.

With this mission, NASA continues to maximize the use of the orbiting laboratory, where people have lived and worked continuously for more than 23 years, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to operate future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit and explore farther from Earth.

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A WOMAN charged with five counts of money laundering will return to court in November to have her case heard.

Garda Aisling OMahony told Athy District Court how she arrested Donna Marry (32) from The Hastings Avenue, Balbriggan, Co Dublin that morning and Marry made no reply to charge, and that the DPP had indicated summary disposal, ie. trial in the district court.

It is alleged that on 21 November, 2021 Ms Marry took a phone call from a man who said he was from the Bank of Ireland who said her account had been compromised, and that 3,800 was deposited into her account, which she allegedly put on her Revolut account.

She was the tail end? asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.

Did she co-operate? Give you a name? Its the same as getting a small-time drug dealer, the main players get away with it, and were only catching the foot-soldiers, he said.

He bailed her until until 12 November for hearing, as long as she sign on once a week, and surrender her passport.
Michael Bolton

A man has been arrested in Louth and a vehicle was seized after it was stolen in Belfast with a 17-year-old girl inside.

Gardai were alerted by PSNI to a car, subject to an unauthorised taking in Belfast, which had entered the jurisdiction on the N1 Southbound.

The car was later located on the Newry Road in Dundalk and a man in his 20s, was arrested at a nearby location.

He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Co. Louth.

The vehicle was seized by gardai and removed for technical examination.

Detective Sergeant McVeagh said: The car stopped on the Saintfield Road, Lisburn, where the girl escaped from the vehicle.

The car was observed a short time later driving at speeds in excess of 100mph on the A1 and officers made contact with our colleagues in An Garda Siochana (AGS) to inform them the vehicle was driving towards the border.

At around 2.20am on Saturday, we received a report from AGS to say they had located the stolen car and had arrested a 25-year-old man in Dundalk, he remains in custody at this stage.

The victim was not injured but left shaken by her ordeal. Thankfully, we are not dealing with any casualties after some very dangerous and reckless behaviour by the suspect involved.

Excellent co-operative work between ourselves and our colleagues in the An Garda Siochana have ensured this vehicle was recovered and the suspect was arrested.

Gardai say investigations are ongoing.
A FUN and rewarding day is in the offing this month with an acorn gathering event at Coilltes Rahin Woods, Carrick, Co Kildare.

The National Acorn Gathering initiative includes an event at the woods on Friday 18 October.

This community event from 3  4.30pm offers a way to connect with nature while helping to expand Ireland's native woodlands  one small acorn at a time.

Acorns collected at this years gatherings in Kildare, Sligo, Mayo and Wicklow will be sent to the Coillte tree nursery at Ballintemple, Co Carlow to be weighed, graded, dried, stored and subsequently germinated to produce oak seedlings.

They will be grown on at the nursery until they are two to four years old, when they will be ready to be planted out to create new native woodlands.

If you are already a committed nature lover or a family looking for a digital detox, this is the perfect way to embrace the outdoors while making a difference.

For more information on the National Acorn Gathering, visit The Nature Trust registration page on their websitehere and check their social media pages for updates.
Two Kilkenny businesses have been awarded the Irelands Best Managed Companies (BMC) accolade at the 16th annual awards programme.

Modubuild and CluneTech were among the winning companies this year.

Modubuild achieved Irelands Best Managed Companies gold standard status, having won for the fourth consecutive year.

Clune Tech managed to retain its Platinum Status  the highest accolade in the awards. First recognised as one of Irelands Best Managed Companies back in 2010, this is the ninth consecutive year that CluneTech has been recognised.

The Deloitte BMC Programme is a true mark of excellence, and it gives us great pride to have retained our Platinum Status for another year, said Terry Clune, CEO and founder of CluneTech.

Over the years, our suite of businesses has gone from strength to strength and while we have evolved in many ways, what has remained is our dedication to developing industry leading technology that simplifies global business. Our mission is to make business better and we couldnt do this without our fantastic global team whose passion and commitment to innovation knows no bounds. I am more excited than ever about what the future holds!

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.

This year, Deloitte recognised 129 indigenous companies at the awards, representing 28 of the 32 counties across the island of Ireland. The 13 newly qualified companies are: Active8 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.

The Irish economic growth story has been extraordinary, and we see this evidenced in the success of Irish indigenous businesses and the confidence shown by Best Managed Companies, said Brian Murphy, lead Partner for Irelands Best Managed Companies Awards Programme. Ensuring Irelands entrepreneurs and the companies they start get the support they need to grow and scale is crucial.

Cathy Bryce, Managing Director, AIB Capital Markets, said: AIB is proud to be the new lead sponsors of Irelands Best Managed companies. One of AIBs core ambitions is to support Irish companies and their management teams in sustainable growth and development, something which is fully aligned with the goals of the BMC programme.

A total of 116 companies requalified as a Best Managed Company, 19 achieved Gold Standard and 12 achieved Platinum Standard. Fexco won the Family Business Award.
The first ever National Youth Food Summit has heard that young people are the future of food.

More than 500 young participants, including primary and secondary school pupils, third-level students, and young food system activists attended the Dublin event.

Minister Pippa Hackett stressed the crucial role young people have in shaping the future of agriculture and food, emphasising their importance in keeping the sector innovative and resilient.

You are the future of agriculture and food. Whether you become a farmer, an entrepreneur, an advocate, or an innovator, your voices and actions matter. Let this summit be the catalyst for you to step forward, to take charge, and to lead the way, Minister Hackett told the event.

Organised by the National Youth Food Forum with support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Irish Forum for International Agricultural Development, the event aimed to promote the development of a sustainable and forward-thinking food system for the next generation.

Minister Hackett also highlighted the important contribution of women in agriculture and the need to empower young women as future leaders.
Three people struck gold last night following the Lotto draw, which saw winners in Dublin and Wexford.

The National Lottery have confirmed that the Lotto Jackpot of 2 million was won and split between two players from Dublin and Wexford, each claiming 1 million.

The store locations where the winning tickets were bought will be announced on Tuesday 1 October.

Luck was in the air in Dublin last night as another Dublin player became an instant millionaire, winning 1,000,500 in the special Lotto Plus Raffle Promotion. The winning ticket was purchased in Centra, The Village, Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, County Dublin.

The good news didn't end there, as lucky players in Kildare and Laois also won big on the night. A player from Kildare won 82,584 after matching 5 numbers and the bonus in last night's main Lotto draw. The player bought their winning ticket in Spar, Newtown, Maynooth, Kildare.

READ NEXT: PICTURES: Take a look inside 11 million Edwardian home on Shrewsbury Road, Dublin

Finally, a player from Laois won 250,000 in the Lotto Plus 2. They purchased their winning ticket at SuperValu, The Ossory, Rathdowney, Laois.

Sarah Ruane, Spokesperson of the National Lottery, expressed her excitement about the record night: "Wowwhat an extraordinary night for our players! Three brand-new Lottery millionaires and two other huge winners all from a single drawthis is the stuff dreams are made of!"

Players in Dublin, Wexford, Laois and Kildare are urged to check their tickets carefully and get in touch with the National Lottery regarding their winnings.

Ruane said: "If you bought a ticket for last nights draw, check it right awaythis could be your life-changing moment. Dont forget to sign the back, keep it safe, and get in touch with us to collect your prize at Lotto HQ."
For almost 40 years, an award-winning Kilkenny beekeeper has donated the proceeds of his honey sales to charities including Christian Aid.

Mervyn Rothwells love of bees began when he was just a boy, playing near his family home at Dungarvan in County Kilkenny.

Living in the country, you would hear the bees and I started collecting them in a container. Thats how I got into beekeeping, he said.

As a young man, Mervyn moved to Dublin where he worked as a financial controller for Cadburys chocolate company, but when his wife Hazel was diagnosed with MS in 1986, Mervyn took early retirement and the couple returned to The Rower in his native Kilkenny.

It was then, alongside his caring responsibilities, that Mervyns hobby took off and he began selling his golden produce, first to the Boyne Valley honey company and later from home.

I was selling a fair bit of honey and I thought whats it all for? and thats when I started to give the proceeds to charities including Christian Aid, he says.

An active member of the South Kilkenny Beekeepers Association, the 89-year-old takes his demonstration hive to the Iverk agricultural show each year, inspiring others to care for bees and take up beekeeping. His honey has won multiple awards at competitions all over Ireland and in 2022, he scooped top prize at the prestigious London Honey Show.

But theres been sadness in Mervyns life, too. Hazel passed away in 2021.

Its a big loss, he says simply. Her funeral was held at their church, Inistioge Parish where for many years Mervyn served as treasurer of the Christian Aid group.

Mervyns motivation to support Christian Aid is clear. Its our duty to help our neighbours, the people with next-to-nothing and people in war-torn countries. I hope if I was in desperation that someone would help me, he explains.

Mervyn adds that hes leaving a gift to Christian Aid in his Will.

Hazel and I, wed no family of our own but we have nieces and nephews and theyll be catered for. The rest will go to charities including Christian Aid, he said.

Mervyns nephew, Howard Rothwell, paid tribute to his uncle.

Uncle Mer looked after Hazel for many years and they were devoted to each other. Throughout her long illness and even now that shes gone, hes always cheerful, always in good form, he said.

This year, when Mervyn received a Christian Aid appeal letter focusing on Honduras, he responded with a generous donation. Farmers there used to make their living growing coffee and maize until rising temperatures, heavy rains, droughts and hurricanes made it almost impossible for their crops to grow. Thanks to donations made by supporters like Mervyn, Christian Aids local partner is helping farmers make the switch to beekeeping, and now theyre able to provide for their families once more.

Were so grateful to him for his support, says Sarah Leeman is Christian Aid Irelands Partnerships and Philanthropy Manager.

To find out more or to support the work of Christian Aid Ireland, visit caid.ie/donate or call 01-4967040.

In conversation with Lisa Fagan
Beirut, Sep 29 (UNI) At least 23 people were killed and 65 others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on several areas in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese military sources.



The military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israeli warplanes and drones carried out around 90 raids in the afternoon, targeting about 45 villages and towns in southern Lebanon.



The attacks also hit several clinics and civil defense centers, killing 12 people and injuring 15 others, most of whom were doctors, paramedics, nurses, and firefighters, the sources said.



Since Oct. 8, 2023, Hezbollah has exchanged fire with Israel along the Lebanese-Israeli border to show its support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.



Confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have sharply escalated after the latter announced a shift in military focus from the Gaza Strip to the northern front, aiming to fight against Hezbollah until the safe home return of its northern residents.



On Friday evening, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Hezbollah's main headquarters in Dahieh, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah's death was also confirmed by Hezbollah. UNI/XINHUA AKS
ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar writes:

From next year, the University of Auckland will require all first-year students to complete a Waipapa Taumata Rau course covering the Treaty of Waitangi and traditional Maori knowledge systems.  Finally, the course risks a dangerous uniformity of perspective on Treaty issues. Whatever you may think about the current Treaty principles debate, its clear these issues are controversial and politically contested. Having a small group of academics in consultation with local iwi prepare a course on Treaty issues will leave graduates with a narrow, one-sided view of the history of the Treaty and its implications for our rights and democracy. I would go as far as calling the planned courses a form of indoctrination. As a university student learning about the scientific method, I was taught that knowledge is contestable.

This is actually a huge threat to academic freedom and freedom of thought on campus.

In most disciplines, you will come across a variety of views on the issue. Takes economics  youll have some lecturers who are Keynesian, some who are monetarist, some who teach Milton Friedman etc etc. Over the course of your degree you will be exposed to different views on economics. The same will apply in law to a degree, philosophy etc etc.

But here the University as an institution is going to state an institutional view of the Treaty of Waitangi, that will be mandatory for every student to attend, and take on board if they want to get a degree. There will be no diversity of views taught to student s through the mandatory paper. And it is inconceivable that any individual academic or course would dare to have a view that was at odds with the mandatory paper. To do so would get them cancelled.

So this is a very big deal. Mandatory papers should be for fundamental stuff such as ethics, plagiarism etc  not a highly controversial and contested political issue.

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6 dead as Rwanda battles Marburg virus outbreak

Kigali, Sep 28 (UNI) Rwanda has confirmed six deaths from Marburg virus disease (MVD) amid an outbreak that has affected 26 people nationwide.

Speaking Saturday evening during a broadcast on Rwanda Television, Rwanda's Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana revealed that the victims and most of the infected are healthcare workers.

"Six people have died of MVD, and the majority of those are medical workers," Nsanzimana said.
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Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The information technology services provider reported $2.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.78 by $0.01, Briefing.com reports. The company had revenue of $16.41 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.37 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 27.48% and a net margin of 10.79%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.71 earnings per share. Accenture updated its Q1 2025 guidance to EPS and its FY 2025 guidance to 12.550-12.910 EPS.

Accenture Trading Down 1.7 %

Shares of ACN traded down $6.11 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $349.70. The stock had a trading volume of 2,575,382 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,782,510. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $333.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of $321.23. The company has a market capitalization of $219.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.02, a P/E/G ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.24. Accenture has a 12 month low of $278.69 and a 12 month high of $387.51.

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Accenture Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 10th will be issued a dividend of $1.48 per share. This is an increase from Accentures previous quarterly dividend of $1.29. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 10th. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.25%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on ACN. Piper Sandler upgraded Accenture from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $329.00 to $395.00 in a research report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Accenture from $380.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Friday. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Accenture from $350.00 to $405.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 17th. Barclays decreased their target price on Accenture from $390.00 to $350.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 17th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Accenture currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $364.64.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total value of $472,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 38,570 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,149,550. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 1,500 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total value of $472,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 38,570 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,149,550. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 8,145 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $331.05, for a total transaction of $2,696,402.25. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 22,849 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,564,161.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 21,421 shares of company stock valued at $6,912,635. Corporate insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Accenture announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback plan on Thursday, September 26th that permits the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the information technology services provider to repurchase up to 1.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

About Accenture

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Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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CarMax (NYSE:KMX  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.86 by ($0.01), Briefing.com reports. CarMax had a net margin of 1.55% and a return on equity of 6.64%. The firm had revenue of $7.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.83 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.75 earnings per share. CarMaxs quarterly revenue was down .9% compared to the same quarter last year.

CarMax Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:KMX traded down $0.89 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $77.32. The stock had a trading volume of 2,728,204 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,952,629. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 2.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95. The company has a market capitalization of $12.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.69. The companys 50-day moving average price is $79.71 and its 200-day moving average price is $76.37. CarMax has a fifty-two week low of $59.66 and a fifty-two week high of $88.22.

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Insider Activity at CarMax

In other CarMax news, CEO William D. Nash sold 120,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.62, for a total transaction of $9,554,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 181,683 shares in the company, valued at $14,465,600.46. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO William D. Nash sold 120,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.62, for a total transaction of $9,554,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 181,683 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,465,600.46. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Mohammad Shamim sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.26, for a total value of $2,056,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 11,738 shares in the company, valued at $965,567.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 184,012 shares of company stock valued at $14,803,843 over the last three months. 1.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price objective on shares of CarMax from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Mizuho cut their price objective on CarMax from $75.00 to $72.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on CarMax from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $80.00 price objective on shares of CarMax in a research report on Friday, June 21st. Finally, Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of CarMax from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 23rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $78.92.

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CarMax Company Profile

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CarMax, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer of used vehicles and related products in the United States. It operates in two segments: CarMax Sales Operations and CarMax Auto Finance. The CarMax Sales Operations segment offers customers a range of makes and models of used vehicles, including domestic, imported, and luxury vehicles, as well as hybrid and electric vehicles; used vehicle auctions; extended protection plans to customers at the time of sale; and reconditioning and vehicle repair services.

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BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE:BCAT  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 213,800 shares, an increase of 100.6% from the August 31st total of 106,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 391,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days.

BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust Stock Performance

BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust stock traded up $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $16.38. The company had a trading volume of 236,294 shares, compared to its average volume of 350,589. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $16.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $16.22. BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust has a fifty-two week low of $13.67 and a fifty-two week high of $17.18.

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BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be given a dividend of $0.2871 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $3.45 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 21.04%. This is a positive change from BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trusts previous monthly dividend of $0.10.

Insider Buying and Selling at BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust

In other BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust news, major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. sold 15,894 shares of BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.41, for a total value of $260,820.54. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 16,317,706 shares in the company, valued at $267,773,555.46. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In the last quarter, insiders have sold 72,876 shares of company stock valued at $1,197,155.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BCAT. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust during the second quarter valued at about $2,967,000. UBS Group AG raised its holdings in BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust by 8.2% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,543,167 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,070,000 after buying an additional 116,638 shares during the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp boosted its position in BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust by 30.3% during the 4th quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 488,792 shares of the companys stock worth $7,307,000 after buying an additional 113,628 shares during the period. Prevail Innovative Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,452,000. Finally, Almitas Capital LLC bought a new stake in BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $728,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 36.12% of the companys stock.

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Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD  Get Free Report) and DIeteren Group (OTCMKTS:SIEVF  Get Free Report) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares Lithia Motors and DIeteren Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Lithia Motors 2.52% 13.84% 4.16% DIeteren Group N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Lithia Motors and DIeteren Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Lithia Motors 0 4 6 0 2.60 DIeteren Group 0 0 0 0 N/A

Dividends

Lithia Motors presently has a consensus target price of $338.00, indicating a potential upside of 5.35%. Given Lithia Motors higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Lithia Motors is more favorable than DIeteren Group.

Lithia Motors pays an annual dividend of $2.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. DIeteren Group pays an annual dividend of 0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Lithia Motors pays out 6.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. DIeteren Group pays out 32.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Lithia Motors has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years. Lithia Motors is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Lithia Motors and DIeteren Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Lithia Motors $33.74 billion 0.26 $1.00 billion $33.87 9.47 DIeteren Group N/A N/A N/A 1.83 121.92

Lithia Motors has higher revenue and earnings than DIeteren Group. Lithia Motors is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than DIeteren Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

13.8% of DIeteren Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of Lithia Motors shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Lithia Motors beats DIeteren Group on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Lithia Motors

(Get Free Report)

Lithia Motors, Inc. operates as an automotive retailer worldwide. It operates in two segments, Vehicle Operations and Financing Operations. The companys Vehicle Operations segment sells new and used vehicles; provides parts, repair, and maintenance services; vehicle finance; and insurance products. Its Financing Operations segment provides financing to customers buying and leasing retail vehicles. The company sells its products and services through the Driveway and Greencars brand names through a network of locations, e-commerce platforms, and captive finance solutions. Lithia Motors, Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Medford, Oregon.

About DIeteren Group

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D'Ieteren Group SA operates as an investment company in Belgium, France, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, America, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through D'Ieteren Automotive, Belron, Moleskine, TVH, and PHE segments. It distributes Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, KODA, CUPRA, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Rimac, Porsche, and Microlino brand vehicles, as well as related spare parts and accessories; sells used vehicles; and offers maintenance, financing, and leasing services. The company also provides vehicle glass repair, replacement, and recalibration services under the Autoglass, Carglass, Lebeau Vitres d'autos, Speedy Glass, Safelite AutoGlass, O'Brien, and Smith&Smith brand names; and manages vehicle glass and other insurance claims on behalf of insurance customers. In addition, it offers notebooks, writing tools, planners, diaries, bags, and reading accessories, as well as smart writing system and mobile apps. Further, the company distributes aftermarket parts for material handling, construction, agricultural, and industrial equipment. Additionally, it manages real estate assets, including offices, workshops, concessions, logistics centers, residential units, car parks, and landbanks; reconverts and redevelops sites; and offers real estate advisory services. D'Ieteren Group SA was founded in 1805 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

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Imperial Brands PLC (OTCMKTS:IMBBY  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,900 shares, a growth of 58.9% from the August 31st total of 5,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 180,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Imperial Brands Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of OTCMKTS IMBBY opened at $29.03 on Friday. Imperial Brands has a one year low of $18.94 and a one year high of $29.69. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $28.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $25.59.

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Imperial Brands Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 23rd will be paid a $0.2752 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 23rd.

Imperial Brands Company Profile

Imperial Brands PLC, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, imports, markets, and sells tobacco and tobacco-related products in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. It offers a range of cigarettes, tobacco accessories, vapour, heated tobacco, and oral nicotine. The company sells its products under various brands, including JPS, Davidoff, Gauloises, West, Winston, Kool, Lambert & Butler, Fortuna, Nobel, News, Backwoods, Champion, Golden Virginia, Rizla, Blu, Pulze, Skruf, and Zone X.

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QS Energy, Inc. (OTCMKTS:QSEP  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 18,600 shares, a decline of 37.6% from the August 31st total of 29,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 107,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

QS Energy Price Performance

Shares of QSEP traded down $0.01 on Friday, hitting $0.07. 161,452 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 74,198. QS Energy has a one year low of $0.03 and a one year high of $0.08. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $0.06 and a 200 day simple moving average of $0.05.

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About QS Energy

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QS Energy, Inc develops and commercializes energy efficiency technologies in the United States and internationally. The company's energy efficiency technologies assist in meeting energy demands, enhancing the economics of oil transport, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Its intellectual properties include a portfolio of domestic and international patents, which have been developed in conjunction with and licensed from Temple University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Financial watchdog warns against any market-disrupting activities in ongoing tender offer

By Jun Ji-hye

Private equity firm MBK Partners slammed Korea Zinc and its Chairman Choi Yoon-beom for distributing a press release to reporters that seriously distorted the Wall Street Journals (WSJ) news article about the ongoing disputes over the management rights of the worlds largest zinc smelter.

Citing the recent WSJ report, The $1.7 Billion Takeover Brawl Fueled by a Fear of China, Korea Zinc said in its press release Saturday that the WSJ highlighted growing concerns among Western countries and governments regarding MBKs hostile M&A attempt targeting Korea Zinc.

The smelter also said the WSJ pointed to concerns that the U.S.-led efforts to create a raw material supply chain could be disrupted by China, if MBK acquires Korea Zinc.

The private equity firm said, however, that no such statement, wording or phrasing can be found anywhere in the WSJ article.

It is shocking beyond belief that Korea Zinc not only labels MBK Partners, a domestic private equity firm, as being backed by Chinese capital but also distorts a foreign media outlets article to distribute such claims in its press release. This abnormal form of publicity is truly appalling, an MBK official said.

MBK has joined forces with the family of Korea Zincs co-founder, which runs Young Poong, the largest shareholder of the smelter. The private equity firm is conducting the tender offer to inherit the position as the smelters largest shareholder and oust Choi, the grandson of the other co-founder.

The WSJ reported that fueling the dispute in an ownership fight over the zinc smelter is fears the company could one day fall into Chinas hands.

Such concerns have been raised by some politicians here as well as the Korea Zincs union, who noted that a private equity firm, in general, aims to generate profits through a resale. They raised the possibility that MBKs ultimate goal may be to sell the smelter to foreign entities, including China.

In its efforts to defend its management rights, Korea Zinc and Choi have used these claims to attack MBK and its tender offer, claiming that the smelters core technology would be leaked overseas if the private equity firm took control.

However, MBK claimed that the offer was aimed at improving the smelters corporate governance, which Choi severely undermined, as he sought to privately exploit and take control of the company and paralyze the firms board of directors.

MBK, emphasizing its overwhelming ties and investments within both Korea and Japan, has promised to not sell Korea Zinc to the Chinese, the WSJ reported. That pledge hasnt toned down the rhetoric from Korea Zinc and its allies.

The New York-based newspaper also quoted Kim Kwang-il, an MBK partner overseeing the Korea Zinc deal, as saying that MBK has never sold a Korean company to a Chinese buyer, noting that Chinese entities make up less than 5 percent of MBKs total investors.

MBK, for its part, said when there is a shareholder dispute, it is proper and normal for the company to remain neutral.

The Korea Zinc public relations team represents the company, not the personal interests of Chairman Choi, the MBK official said.

Meanwhile, Lee Bok-hyun, chief of the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the financial watchdog, said Sunday that the ongoing tender offer for Korea Zinc appears to be escalating into excessive competition, emphasizing that strict measures will be taken if any market-disrupting activities or unfair trading practices occur.

Close market monitoring is necessary to ensure that no unfair trading practices, stemming from the spread of baseless rumors or misinformation related to the tender offer, lead to investor confusion or misjudgment, Lee said during a meeting with officials.

If necessary, swift investigations should be conducted, and any detected illegal activities should be dealt with strictly with a zero-tolerance policy.
By Jun Ji-hye

Stocks included in the Korea Value-up Index, part of the government-led Corporate Value-up Program, have risen by an average of 3 percent since the index was launched last week, the Korea Exchange said Sunday, noting that 80 out of the 100 stocks have shown an increase.

The average fluctuation rate of Value-up Index stocks was 2.97 percent, based on a comparison of the closing prices from Tuesday to Friday. The index was revealed after the market closed last Tuesday.

The average increase in the stocks on the secondary Kosdaq bourse outpaced those of the benchmark KOSPI market. The average return for the 33 Kosdaq stocks was 4.11 percent, while the average return for the 67 KOSPI stocks was 2.38 percent.

Given that the KOSPI and Kosdaq index rose by 0.69 percent and 0.93 percent, respectively, during the same period, the performance of Value-up Index stocks is considered relatively strong.

While large-cap stocks were largely expected to be included in the index, the surprise inclusion of small- and mid-cap stocks seems to have had a significant effect, Daishin Securities analyst Lee Kyung-min said.

The lower liquidity of small- and mid-cap stocks also contributed to the higher rate of increase.

The stock that experienced the highest increase was EcoPro HN, a green solutions provider, which rose by 20.65 percent. This was followed by Hyosung TNC and Hanjin KAL with increases of 15.95 percent and 15.38 percent, respectively.

By sector, materials saw the highest increase at 5.77 percent, followed by manufacturing at 4.44 percent, information technology at 3.65 percent and communication services at 2.98 percent.

Health care and energy declined by 0.05 percent and 1.45 percent, respectively.

The information technology sector, which includes major semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, is interpreted to have been more influenced by Microns strong performance in the United States than by inclusion in the index.

Stocks (in the information technology sector) rose not primarily due to the Value-up Index but rather because concerns about the semiconductor industry were alleviated by Microns strong performance, which led to a return of foreign investment, Mirae Asset Securities analyst Kim Seok-hwan said.

Additionally, the impact of Chinas economic stimulus measures contributed to the rise in stock prices.

Hwang Se-woon, a senior researcher at the Korea Capital Market Institute, cautioned against excessive expectations for the stocks included in the Value-up Index, saying it is difficult to attach significant meaning to the stock price increase at this moment.

Companies actively engaged in value enhancement should be included more in the index, Hwang said.
The top diplomats of South Korea and China agreed to continue high-level meetings between the two countries on the margins of multilateral gatherings, the foreign ministry said Sunday, signaling a summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, reached the agreement as they met in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday (local time) to discuss bilateral ties and security on the Korean Peninsula, according to the South Korean foreign ministry.

The agreement strongly suggests that the two countries will push for a summit between Yoon and Xi on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Peru in November and next year's APEC summit to be held in the South Korean city of Gyeongju.

"While assessing that high-level exchanges have taken place briskly between South Korea and China this year, the two sides agreed to continue with high-level exchanges at multilateral meetings in the second half of this year and work together to achieve substantial outcomes from these high-level meetings," the ministry said in a statement.

At the start of the meeting with Wang, Cho said that South Korea and China have a shared commitment to maintain the positive momentum of exchanges, including during the APEC summit this year, and he hopes the talks with Wang will serve as an opportunity to reaffirm and to develop the commitment.

Wang expressed his full support for South Korea's hosting of the APEC summit next year in the southeastern city of Gyeongju and said he will actively cooperate to help achieve fruitful results, according to the ministry.

The annual APEC summit is typically attended by the presidents of the two countries.

Xi last visited Seoul in July 2014 during the Park Geun-hye administration.

Cho also urged China to play a "constructive role" in addressing North Korea's nuclear threats, highlighting the significance of South Korea-China high-level talks amid intensifying provocations from Pyongyang ahead of the U.S. elections.

Wang stressed it is in the "common interests" of all to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and said China will continue to promote peace talks and play a constructive role to achieve permanent stability on the peninsula, according to his ministry. (Yonhap)
Korea and Britain have launched a new high-level dialogue channel meant to discuss ways of stronger cooperation on a wide range of economic and financial issues, Seoul's finance ministry said Sunday.

The inaugural meeting of the bilateral economic and financial dialogue took place in London on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, adding Korean Deputy Finance Minister Choi Ji-young and Lindsey Whyte, the director general of Britain's HM Treasury, were in attendance.

The two sides agreed to launch a new dialogue channel between the two nations' finance ministries during a summit between Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and then British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November 2023.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on their domestic and global economic circumstances and discussed how to enhance two-way cooperation on supply chains and other economic security issues, multilateral economic cooperation and responses to climate change.

Also on the table was Europe's new carbon tax rules of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Choi met major investors in Britain last week and asked for their greater investment in Korea while explaining the country's financial circumstances, investment incentives and various foreign currency bonds. (Yonhap)
Ishiba's pledge to form Asian version of NATO could complicate matters for Seoul

By Lee Hyo-jin

Newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's progressive views on historical issues have raised hopes for continued momentum in improving Korea-Japan relations, experts said Sunday.

However, given Ishibas outsider status within Japan's ruling party, the experts cautioned against raising expectations too high for corresponding steps from him in response to concessions made by President Yoon Suk Yeol  gestures that were hardly reciprocated under outgoing leader Fumio Kishida.

Ishiba, a 67-year-old former defense minister, was elected to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Friday. He is set to officially take office as Japan's prime minister on Tuesday.

The incoming prime minister's approach to historical issues  a long-standing source of tension in Korea-Japan relations  is notably more progressive than that of his predecessors. He has openly expressed regrets about Japan's misdeeds during its 1910-45 occupation of Korea, a rarity among LDP members.

In a 2017 interview with South Korean media, Ishiba stated that Japan should continue apologizing for the wartime sex slavery issue until South Korea accepts those apologies. He has also expressed somewhat negative views about visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines 14 Class A war criminals from World War II. Such visits by Japanese officials often become a source of diplomatic tension with South Korea.

"Ishiba's stance on historical issues is considered progressive," said Lee Won-deog, a professor of Japanese studies at Kookmin University. "I would cautiously predict that this may help reduce friction between Korea and Japan on these issues, and the intensity of such disputes could weaken. At the very least, its unlikely that Japan will generate new sources of historical disputes under his leadership."

Yoon, since taking office in May 2022, has sought to mend fences with Japan over historical grievances. However, he has faced growing domestic criticism for his perceived pro-Japan stance and conciliatory approach to Japans historical misdeeds.

Kishida, despite holding a dozen bilateral meetings with Yoon, failed to offer meaningful reciprocal gestures, fueling concerns that Seoul may have given up too many concessions without sufficient returns.

But Lee cautioned against expecting too much from Ishiba.

"I dont anticipate that Ishiba will introduce meaningful gestures on sensitive issues such as the compensation plan for South Korean victims of wartime forced labor. Once a politician assumes leadership, their previous personal views often shift to align with the government's official stance," he said.

The professor noted that Ishiba, long considered an outsider within the conservative party, currently faces the challenge of forming his own faction and broadening his support base among party members, which could mean his personal views may give way to the partys mainstream stance.

In the diplomacy realm, Ishiba is expected to maintain many of Kishida's policies, particularly regarding the alliance with the United States and strengthening the trilateral partnership between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo.

But some of his defense policies may complicate matters for Seoul.

"As a former defense minister, Ishiba tends to view international affairs through a defense-oriented lens. While this doesn't pose an immediate direct threat to South Korea, defense issues are likely to be a focal point during his term," Lee said.

In particular, Ishiba's call for an Asian version of NATO to counter growing security threats from China and North Korea reflects his desire for Japan to play a larger role in regional security.

However, this proposal is expected to face significant opposition from both China and Russia.

For South Korea, which has been working to restore strained relations with Beijing through the resumption of high-level talks that could lead to a long-stalled leaders' summit, Ishiba's ambition for a military grouping could complicate these efforts.

Critics argue that the concept of an NATO-like security group in Asia remains unfeasible at this point, as the idea is unlikely to gain much support from Washington or other regional partners. But if Ishiba continues to push this policy during his term, the Yoon government may face challenges in its diplomatic balancing act.

In response to Ishiba's election, South Korea's foreign ministry expressed hopes for continued friendly relations.

"Our government will maintain close communication with the newly formed Japanese Cabinet and continue cooperation to sustain the positive momentum in Korea-Japan relations," a ministry official said.

The new Japanese leader is expected to debut on the international stage at either the ASEAN Summit taking place in Laos next month or the APEC Summit slated for November in Peru, both of which the South Korean president is also expected to attend.

Regarding a potential meeting between Yoon and Ishiba, the foreign ministry said, "We will coordinate with the Japanese side on appropriate ways and timing, considering the new prime ministers schedule."
South Korea will show off a new ballistic missile and other key weapons systems on the 76th founding anniversary of its armed forces this week, officials said Sunday, in an apparent warning against North Korea's provocations.

The Hyunmoo-5, known to be able to carry a warhead weighing 8-9 tons, will be displayed during both the ceremony at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, just south of the capital, and a military parade in downtown Seoul on Tuesday, according to the officials.

"We showcased the Hyunmoo-4 for the first time during the Armed Forces Day ceremony last year," one of the officials said. "This year we will showcase the Hyunmoo-5, which is much more destructive than the Hyunmoo-4."

South Korea has been developing a series of Hyunmoo missiles, including ballistic and cruise-type ones, as centerpieces of Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR), an operational plan to incapacitate the North Korean leadership in case of a major conflict.

The Hyunmoo surface-to-surface missile is considered one of the key assets in Seoul's three-axis deterrence structure against the North's nuclear and missile threats.

During the ceremony, the military will also showcase the U.S. B-1B bomber for the first time at Seoul Air Base in the allies' apparent show of force amid heightened tensions over North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

The B-1B Lancer is a four-engine supersonic strategic bomber with a maximum speed of Mach 1.25 and a flight range of up to 12,000 kilometers. It can reach the Korean Peninsula within two hours from the Guam base. (Yonhap)
Korea and Vietnam have agreed to step up cooperation to tackle transnational crimes, such as digital sexual violence and online gambling, police said Sunday.

Cho Ji-ho, the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, made the agreement as he met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang during his two-day visit to Hanoi.

In his meeting with Chinh, Cho said the police will continue to protect the safety of the Vietnamese people and Korean citizens living in Vietnam through various joint projects, including one on forensics and fire detection, to be launched next year.

Separately, Cho and Quang agreed to enhance cooperation in illegal online gambling and digital sex crimes. (Yonhap)
A total of 230 cases of unauthorized drone flights around the presidential office were reported as of last year, since the top office relocated to Seoul's central district of Yongsan in 2022, an opposition lawmaker said, citing military data.

Rep. Choo Mi-ae of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea released the Capital Defense Command data, saying the top office has become more vulnerable in the new location than it was in the former presidential complex of Cheong Wa Dae.

According to the data, there were 89 unauthorized drone flights in the P-73 no-fly zone around the presidential office in 2022 after President Yoon Suk Yeol moved the office to Yongsan in May, while 141 such cases were reported last year.

When the top office was in Cheong Wa Dae, only 163 such cases were reported between 2020 and 2022.

Choo said drones flying over the presidential office can pose a big threat to national security.

"A security vacuum has become a reality due to the unreasonable presidential office relocation to Yongsan," Choo said. "We need to come up with special measures to crack down on this." (Yonhap)
PPP chief struggles to find breakthrough in medical crisis, controversies surrounding first lady

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Han Dong-hoon, chairman of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), is actively campaigning alongside candidates for the October by-elections in a bid to shape the electoral outcome in his favor as he struggles with other problems, according to party officials and political watchers, Sunday. His moves to form a consultative body to discuss the medical school quota hike and seek horizontal party-government relations have been hitting roadblocks, and a win for his party in the by-elections could lead him to a breakthrough.

The by-elections, set for Oct. 16, will fill mayoral posts in Busan's Geumjeong District, Incheon's Ganghwa County and the counties of Yeonggwang and Gokseong in South Jeolla Province. Although they are considered relatively minor races, parties view the upcoming elections as a way to gauge public opinion after the April 10 general elections.

Han visited Geumjeong District to support candidate Yoon Il-hyeon on Saturday, and pledged to relocate the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB) headquarters from Seoul to Busan.

We will relocate the KDB to Busan to strengthen Busans position as a financial hub. We will also reopen the Baptist Hospital to protect Busan citizens right to health and create a safety net, Han said, Saturday.

A day earlier, the PPP chief visited Ganghwa County, a conservative stronghold, to support candidate Park Yong-chul. However, former lawmaker Ahn Sang-soo who left the PPP and registered as an independent in the island electorate is likely make the race difficult for Park to win in October.

Han plans to visit Gokseong County in South Jeolla Province, a progressive stronghold, on Oct. 8 to make last-minute efforts to woo voters. Early voting will take place Oct. 11 and 12.

Han faces a leadership test as he is making all-out efforts to break a prolonged parliamentary deadlock on pending political issues. To achieve a breakthrough, he has suggested a third-party special counsel bill on a Marines death and demanded an apology from first lady Kim Keon Hee for all the controversies she has caused.

His moves, however, displeased President Yoon and pro-Yoon loyalists within the PPP. Internal strife has resurfaced as Yoon and Han's dinner meeting last week ended without any meaningful discussion of pressing issues such as doctors ongoing walkout and suspicions surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee. This has led to factional infighting within the party, with many criticizing Hans fragile leadership.

The fact that the conflict between the president and the party continues to stir controversy is a problem, PPP Rep. Na Kyung-won said.

The future of the four-way consultative body, comprising the major political parties, the government and doctors groups, looks bleak. The plan, which seeks to increase medical school quotas, has led to strikes by trainee doctors, causing substantial disruptions in essential services at major hospitals such as emergency care.

The by-election for Seoul's education chief, which also takes place on Oct. 16, will be another critical test for Han.

Cho Jun-hyuk, the conservative blocs single candidate, will go toe-to-toe with Jung Keun-sik, the progressive blocs unified candidate, vying for the post of superintendent at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

Cho is a former lawmaker of the predecessor of the PPP while Jung is an honorary professor of sociology at Seoul National University. Two other independent candidates  Choi Bo-seon, another candidate from the liberal bloc, and Yoon Ho-sang, adjunct professor at Hanyang University  also entered the race, making it a four-way competition.

The education chief post went up for grabs when former Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon was stripped of his title in August after the Supreme Court upheld a suspended prison sentence for him over abuse of power charges in connection with the reinstatement of dismissed teachers.
Korea, China and Japan agreed Sunday to work more closely to complete negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, Seoul's environment ministry said.

The commitment was made after the ministers of the three nations held a two-day ministerial meeting on Korea's southern resort island of Jeju from Saturday to discuss ways of enhancing trilateral cooperation on various environmental challenges, including plastic pollution, climate change and yellow dust, according to the ministry.

"The three nations agreed to actively take part in the upcoming negotiations on plastic pollution reduction set to take place in November in Busan to make tangible progress," Minister Kim Wan-sup told a press briefing.

The fifth and final round of meetings of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution is scheduled to be held in the southern port city of Busan in November, which aims to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.

The three nations also agreed to boost cooperation to mitigate yellow dust levels, particularly in partnership with Mongolia.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Kim held one-on-one talks with his Chinese counterpart, Huang Runqiu, and the Japanese environment minister, Ito Shintaro.

During the meeting with Ito, Kim asked for continued consultation between the two nations regarding Japan's release of contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

China called on the Japanese side to establish an international monitoring system swiftly to alleviate concerns, officials said. (Yonhap)
The interior ministry held a meeting Sunday with relevant agencies to discuss preparedness for an approaching typhoon.

Interior Minister Lee Sang-min presided over the meeting, where attending officials reviewed emergency plans and safety measures with Typhoon Krathon expected to affect the southern island of Jeju and other southern regions, plus the eastern province of Gangwon this week.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said the typhoon will likely pass near Taipei on Wednesday with a maximum wind speed of 37 meters per second in a 320-kilometer radius and begin having an impact on Korea on Thursday.

The interior ministry called on regional governments, police and firefighting authorities to identify vulnerable areas ahead of time and evacuate residents as necessary.

The ministry also ordered thorough checks on areas that had previously been damaged by heavy rains.

With two holidays on the horizon in the new week  Armed Forces Day on Tuesday and National Foundation Day on Thursday  the interior ministry said local officials must set up an airtight emergency response system.

Lee said people should stay up to the minute on the latest weather forecast and refrain from going outside when their area is under the influence of the typhoon. (Yonhap)
Gov't should play role as supporter, not initiator

In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), public-private partnerships are essential for helping tech companies advance. This is particularly relevant for countries like Korea, which is working to take the lead in AI development.

In recent years there has been a spike in electricity demand as AI data centers consume a significant amount of electricity. At data centers, cooling systems and servers account for the majority of energy consumption. A Google search, for example, uses about 0.3 Watt-hours (Wh), while a ChatGPT query requires around 29 Wh, according to the Electric Power Research Institute. Expanding and modernizing the power grid has become an urgent policy issue for the government, which is keen to support tech companies in their research and development efforts and to test their ideas for real-world applicability.

On Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a national AI strategy which, among other things, calls for the establishment of two AI data centers in the nation by 2030 with an investment of 2 trillion won ($1.52 billion).

Yoon said humanity is experiencing a civilizational shift because of AI.

Our fate in the future will be determined by what kind of choice we make now. Two choices lie ahead of us at the moment  we can lead or follow, he said, vowing to make Korea one of the worlds top 3 leaders in AI by 2027.

He stressed that the nation can achieve that goal if public- and private-sector entities work together.

President Yoons national AI strategy is timely and appropriate, because, as seen in the surging electricity demand which requires a more modernized power grid, the role of government is critical in making Korea a global AI leader.

However, there are issues that need clarification regarding the government's role.

First and foremost, President Yoon did not specify what role the government intends to play. It remains uncertain whether the government seeks to dominate decisions just like it did in the 1970s when government-led economic growth was the prevailing approach. Or is the Yoon administration attempting to minimize its role, acting only as a troubleshooter to assist the private sector?

Policymakers should limit their role and just be supporters, rather than initiators. Thanks to the relentless efforts of tech companies in the fierce global competition, Korea is now a competitive player in the AI industry. Some surveys find that Korea ranks sixth in AI. Given the nation's technological resilience, its not desirable for the government to take control. It would be far more beneficial if the government acted as a guardian rather than a back-seat driver.

Secondly, a discussion is necessary on how to transform the newly launched Presidential Committee on AI into a hub for innovative ideas and successful strategies, rather than allowing it to remain just a nominal entity that exists out of obligation.

Launching the AI committee on Thursday, President Yoon announced that he will serve as its chair. It will include experts, 30 business leaders and 10 Cabinet ministers, all tasked with overseeing Koreas AI strategy.

The government already has hundreds of committees, so many in fact, that the public doesnt even know what they all are for. Committees, therefore, are vulnerable to the criticism that they waste taxpayer money. How can the Yoon government make sure the newly launched AI committee will be any different? This is the question policymakers should answer.

The AI era requires policymakers to be creative and think outside the box.

On Sept. 12, high-ranking U.S. government officials held a roundtable meeting with a group of 12 tech leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, AES President and CEO Andres Gluski and Alphabet President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat.

After the meeting, the White House launched the Task Force on AI Datacenter Infrastructure to ensure policy coordination across the government. According to a Bloomberg report, Altman shared a document with the White House outlining the benefits of building data centers that consume 5 gigawatts, equivalent to the output of five nuclear reactors and enough to provide energy for 3 million homes.

The productive nature of the meeting was likely due to the White House staff's eagerness to explore their roles in supporting tech companies and their openness to engaging directly with industry leaders.

Policymakers here can draw lessons from the interactive White House roundtable meeting. Government officials should change their mindsets and work methods. In the age of AI, the public and private sectors are equal partners. Government officials should stop thinking that they are in charge and therefore they will dominate decisions. Instead, they should ask their private-sector partners, How can we help you?
By Eugene Lee

Chuseok is a time to reconnect. And so, I did. Ive reached out to a few academics to expand my research on international affairs and some interesting phenomena currently taking place in Central Asia. Prior to that, while going through some materials, I read about a symbolic number of 160 years of history of "Koryo Saram" (ethnic Korean).

During my conversation with no other than Viktor M. Kim, the president of the Association of Koryo Saram in Tajikistan, my knowledge of the history of Koryo Saram has been updated with a few important facts. After asking about the number, he mentioned the following: Yes, Koryo Saram were deported and went through an immense tribulation in 1937, but that wasnt the beginning. In his words, it was on Sept. 21, 1864, when the first families from destabilized and externally influenced Joseon Korea began to arrive in the Russian Far East, and over the next few decades, thousands of more Koreans would migrate, forming tight-knit communities while preserving Korean culture and traditions. Koryo Saram arent just ethnic Koreans that, by fortune, happened to live abroad. They have always maintained their Korean heritage, holding onto a strong Korean identity that resisted imperial and external influences of the 19th century.

My interaction with Victor, who could draw a bigger picture, led me to two realizations  first, he was a real treasure box of history! And second, Koryo Saram arent just part of Korean history; they are an unbroken line of resistance to imperial powers, from the era of Japanese occupation to the forced deportation by Stalins regime. Despite being far from the homeland, Koryo Saram preserved the language, traditions and values  a symbol of cultural integrity. While noting a process taking place in Central Asia today between younger generations, a tendency of delineation by countries: some are distinguishing between Uzbek Koryo Saram, Kyrgyz Koryo Saram and Kazakh Koryo Saram, he emphasized that Koryo Saram of Tajikistan remained as historically documented Koryo Saram, unchanged. My hunch is that Tajikistan, with its smaller community of Koryo Saram, has become a bastion of preservation of those traditions.

By listening to him, I began to see a powerful lesson in unity and dedication to the preservation of shared cultural and historical consciousness  a deep connection to Korea and longing for homeland between Koryo Saram stayed unchanged, as a time capsule, showing a path to a more united and sovereign future.

After asking him to tell me more, he excitedly shared a couple of stories referring to their strong attitude towards traditions. For them, Koryo Saram in Tajikistan, it was very important to follow rules without any deviation on two days of any given year: Hansik (known as Parents Day) and Chuseok, the one we just celebrated. By hearing about Hansik traditionally celebrated on the 105th day after the winter solstice, not every May 5, as these days, I could hear some notes of criticism in his voice, as these days in modern Korea holidays are easily adjusted to fit weekends. Also, Viktor mentioned that even if, by some reason, on that day people were away, as far as in the Far East, they still would travel back to Dushanbe over 3,000 miles with no excuse for skipping traditional ceremonies.

The second account was during years of painful civil war in the 1990s, when he organized trips for people to the graves of their ancestors to pay their tributes, and the cemetery was a battleground of warring sides. He had to negotiate a temporary cease-fire on those days, and surprisingly, both sides agreed. Inadvertently, while risking his life, he also played the role of peacemaker, at least on those days. By practicing his devotion to his ancestors, he was showing what had a real value to fighting sides and reminding them what is really holy. Tajikistan is at peace now, and in my eyes, without doubt, there is Victors contribution to that peace. By the way, he also mentioned that he wasnt sure he would do that again. After asking him about if it was too much of a sacrifice or was it simply a religiosity of people, he stated that the value of such big sacrifices was only one  to keep people together and, by doing so, help them to survive. And that is exactly what they did.

He also said that later, in the early 1990s, Koryo Saram stood at the forefront of rebuilding ties between the Central Asian republics and their homeland, South Korea.

On a personal level, after hearing those stories, it would be easy to exaggerate and start praising someone. But, academically speaking, if I try to disassociate myself from all of it, he is a historical figure an inspiring leader in the past and a humble elder of that community today. There are passionate and respectable academics who write about Koryo Saram, but Victor deserves separate attention.

I dont know if I will ever be able to talk him into writing his own memoir or book on the history of the Koryo Saram in Tajikistan, but what I know for sure is that if you want to learn about them, he is the one to start from. Also, as South Korea continues to search its place in history, or actually the history itself, the story of the Koryo Saram stands as a reminder of cultural integrity and national pride. By embracing them, the Koryo Saram, by learning and carefully rebuilding their and its own history, South Korea can chart a course towards a more sovereign and united future, maybe even with North Korea one day.

Eugene Lee (mreulee@gmail.com) is a lecturing professor at the Graduate School of Governance at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. Specializing in international relations and governance, his research and teaching focus on national and regional security, international development, government policies and Northeast and Central Asia.








By Lee Min-hyung

LG Energy Solution shared its corporate vision and differentiated business portfolio during a recent tech conference in a preemptive move to recruit top-level battery experts, the company said Sunday.

According to the battery company, it held the Battery Tech Conference (BTC) in Seoul on Friday by inviting a group of 30 jobseekers with masters degrees and doctorates.

The conference is an annual event to attract more researchers and developers to the battery sector.

LG Energy Solution is a leading battery company in which any staff member can achieve their dreams and goals, LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung said.

Let's write a new history. We will actively support our employees so they can maximize their potential.

Kim was also seen attending the firms global BTC event in New York in May, where he displayed his strong willingness to seek talented recruits from around the world.

Other top-ranking executives from the LG affiliate, including Chief Technology Officer Kim Je-young, also participated in the latest event in Seoul.

Participants in the tech conference heard insights on growth from senior engineers of the company. LG Energy Solution shared its specific growth strategy to clinch its position as the worlds most reliable battery manufacturer, the company said.

The conference also organized a special networking session to give participants a better understanding of the battery industry and enhance their ties with experts.

I gained a deeper understanding of the firms technological prowess by listening to its specific business portfolio and research outcomes, an event participant said. The company appears to have high potential and offer endless opportunities for employees growth.

An official from LG Energy Solution said the company will continue making concerted efforts to hire more quality personnel.

A number of participants at the BTC event have joined LG Energy Solution, the official said. We will keep diversifying our efforts to pick the cream of the crop in the industry.
By Park Jae-hyuk

U.S. naval officers and high-ranking diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Korea visited R&D facilities of HD Hyundai and Hanwha Ocean, Friday, to seek cooperation with the Korean shipbuilders.

According to HD Hyundai, 13 high-level U.S. government officials visited the companys Global R&D Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to discuss potential cooperation in future warships, as well as eco-friendly and digital technologies.

The visitors included Rear Adm. Thomas Anderson, who serves as the program executive officer of ships, and Rear Adm. William Greene, who serves as the commander of the Navy Regional Maintenance Center and director of surface ship maintenance, modernization and sustainment.

With the worlds No. 1 shipbuilding capabilities, we hope this will open up more opportunities on naval shipbuilding and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) businesses with the United States, said Joo Won-ho, head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries special ship business.

Read More US Navy secretary touts Korea's shipbuilding capabilities

Amid the widening gap between China's state-funded shipyards and the U.S.' increasingly outdated shipyards, experts and international media have advised the U.S. Navy to join hands with their allies shipbuilders. The Wall Street Journal, for example, said in its recent report that no single global shipyard matches the production capacity of HD Hyundais facility in Ulsan.

In February, Anderson and U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited HD Hyundais shipyard in Ulsan to observe the companys naval ships including the latest Aegis destroyer. U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg also visited the shipyard in July to discuss naval business opportunities.

We are thankful to HD Hyundai for hosting us today at their impressive maritime R&D facility and the productive dialogue on where the U.S. and Korea have the opportunity to collaborate in shipbuilding for mutual benefit, Anderson said.

The U.S. delegation also examined eco-friendly fuel technology and energy storage systems for submarines, during their visit to Hanwha Ocenas R&D Campus in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province.

Earlier this month, the shipbuilder became the first Korean company to win an MRO order from the U.S. Navy, starting a three-month overhaul of the USNS Wally Schirra, a 40,000-ton dry cargo and ammunition ship which arrived at its shipyard on Geoje Island, South Gyeongsang Province.

I hope the recent visit of the U.S. Navy to the Siheung R&D Center will serve as a stepping stone for technological exchanges, not only in the MRO projects, but also in future shipbuilding endeavors, Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheul said.
AX-specialized service firm, innovation center to be built

By Lee Min-hyung

KT and Microsoft have joined forces to co-develop Korea-tailored artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing solutions amid the global rise of the two promising tech areas, the companies said Sunday.

The multi-billion-dollar partnership is widely expected to boost Koreas global footing in AI and relevant services optimized for Korean industries and culture. The five-year-long partnership will also enable KT to strengthen its global competitiveness in telecommunications and other key tech areas.

The partnership with Microsoft presents a pivotal opportunity not only for technological collaboration, but also for expanding Koreas AI foundation and driving transformative innovation across industries and daily life, KT CEO Kim Young-shub said.

Leveraging this strategic partnership, we aim to rapidly evolve into an AICT company with unparalleled competitiveness in domestic and global markets, he said. The AICT refers to a combination of AI and information and communications technology ICT.

Microsoft also welcomed the latest partnership with KT and pledged to expand ties to more advanced tech areas.

Our strategic partnership brings together KTs industry expertise with the power of our entire tech stack, from Azure AI to Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said. Together, we will help accelerate the AI transformation of Korean organizations across the private and public sectors and build new AI-powered experiences for millions of consumers.

Firstly, both companies will utilize OpenAIs GPT-4o and Microsofts Phi language model to jointly develop the Korean version of the AI model.

These models will be used for both KTs internal and consumer-facing applications, such as customer service chatbots, and also for building industry-specific AI solutions for B2B customers across industry verticals to best serve the needs of Korean consumers and businesses.

KT plans to expand the development and utilization of KT-custom AI agents not only for consumer use cases in education, health care and in-vehicle infotainment, but also for business applications.

Both firms will also focus on launching Secure Public Cloud services, tailored for industries regulated in Korea. KT will drive its Secure Public Cloud business with support from Microsoft, enabling public sector and regulated industry customers to use new platform capabilities for securing data and workloads and helping them comply with local privacy and regulatory requirements.

Microsoft has enough experience in its partnership with a group of European nations, such as Switzerland and Italy, in co-developing cloud services. Microsoft will share its know-how with KTs IT specialists so both sides can operate more secure and cutting-edge cloud services.

Additionally, KT will establish a new service firm specializing in AI transformation (AX) to assist businesses in Korea in harnessing the latest AI innovations.

The upcoming KT AX-specialized service company will offer advanced Microsoft Cloud and AI expertise and solutions tailored for the Korean market, with plans for expansion into broader markets, including ASEAN.

Microsoft will support this initiative over the next three years by providing professional consulting resources to develop core practices and capabilities for the new entity.

KT and Microsoft also showcased their plan to build an innovation center in Seoul, which will serve as the pivotal facility to achieve the latest vision. Microsoft will provide personnel support for the facility for the next three years to complete the joint projects on time.

KT has plans to foster new AI startups and develop a partner ecosystem for the nations AI transformation. Under the drive, KT and Microsoft will attract a research workforce from universities and tech organizations.

Leading researchers and businesspeople will deepen their research initiatives in network modernization, AI health care and a string of other sectors.
Israel killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a powerful airstrike in Beirut, dealing a heavy blow to the Iran-backed group as it reels from an escalating campaign of Israeli attacks.

The Israeli military said on Saturday it had eliminated Nasrallah in the strike on the group's central command headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday. Hezbollah confirmed he had been killed, without saying how.

Nasrallah's death is a major blow to both Hezbollah and Iran, removing an influential ally who helped build Hezbollah into the linchpin of Tehran's network of allied groups in the Arab world.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the killing of Nasrallah as a necessary step toward "changing the balance of power in the region for years to come."

"Nasrallah was not a terrorist, he was the terrorist," Netanyahu said in a statement, warning of challenging days ahead.

U.S. President Joe Biden described Nasrallah's death as a measure of justice for what he called his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis and Lebanese, and said the U.S. fully supported Israel's right to self-defense.

But when asked if an Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon was inevitable, Biden told reporters on Saturday: "It's time for a ceasefire."

A senior member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, deputy commander Abbas Nilforoushan, was also killed in the Israeli attacks in Beirut on Friday, Iranian media reported.

Sources told Reuters that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been moved to a secure location in Iran following Nasrallah's killing.

Iran later called for a United Nations Security Council meeting on Israel's actions in Lebanon and elsewhere in the region. It also warned against any attacks on its diplomatic facilities and representatives.

"Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent rights under international law to take every measure in defense of its vital national and security interests," Iran's U.N. ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, said in a letter to the 15-member council.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed 33 people and wounded 195 others on Saturday, the Lebanese health ministry said.

The strikes continued on Beirut's southern suburbs throughout the early evening on Saturday, according to a Reuters live broadcast, sending large clouds of smoke over the city.

One Israeli strike hit an industrial area 500 meters (yards) from Beirut airport buildings, a security source told Reuters. The airport continued to operate normally, according to Middle East Airlines boss Mohammad al-Hout.

More than 1,000 people have been killed and more than 6,000 wounded as a result of Israeli attacks in the past two weeks, the health ministry said, and about one million Lebanese have been displaced by the strikes, including hundreds of thousands since Friday, Nasser Yassin, the minister coordinating the government's crisis response, told Reuters on Saturday.

Israel said it killed a senior Hezbollah intelligence official in a strike on southern Beirut, naming him as Hassan Khalil Yassin. Hezbollah has made no mention of this.

In Israel, air raid sirens sounded across the centre of the country  including Tel Aviv  and large bangs were heard after a missile was fired from Yemen and intercepted, according to the Israeli military.

A projectile fired from Lebanon crashed in the occupied West Bank, sparking fires, the Israeli military said. There were no casualties, according to the Israeli ambulance service.

Hezbollah said in a statement that it would continue its battle against Israel "in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defence of Lebanon and its steadfast and honourable people."

Iran's Khamenei said Nasrallah's death would be avenged and his path in fighting Israel would be pursued by other militants.

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said his country was facing the threat of danger, without mentioning the death of Nasrallah. His office later announced three days of mourning for the Hezbollah chief.

Hezbollah and Israel have been fighting a conflict in parallel with Israel's war against the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza since Hamas' attack on Israel last Oct. 7, in a cross-border confrontation that has sharply escalated in recent days.

Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV aired verses from the Koran after Nasrallah's death was announced. Bursts of gunfire were heard in Beirut and Lebanon's army deployed tanks in the city centre, according to Reuters witnesses.

The Israeli military said Nasrallah was eliminated in a "targeted strike" on the group's underground headquarters below a residential building in Dahiyeh  a Hezbollah-controlled southern suburb of Beirut. It said he was killed along with senior Hezbollah official Ali Karaki and other commanders.

Nasrallah's death is by far the largest blow in a traumatic fortnight for Hezbollah, starting with a deadly strike on thousands of communications devices used by its members.

Days later, Israel significantly ramped up airstrikes in Lebanon, killing several top Hezbollah commanders and hundreds of other people across wide areas of the country.

Succession

Many Hezbollah supporters were in disbelief on Saturday.

"He was leading us. He was everything to us. We were under his wings," one supporter, Zahraa, told Reuters tearfully by phone from a school where she had been displaced to overnight.

Hezbollah gave no immediate indication of who might succeed Nasrallah. Senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine has long been regarded as heir apparent. The group has not issued any statement on Safieddine's status or that of any other Hezbollah leaders  apart from Nasrallah  since the attack.

Hezbollah continued its cross-border rocket fire on Saturday, setting off sirens and sending residents running for shelter deep inside Israel. Israeli missile defences blocked some of them and there was no immediate report of injuries.

The escalation has increased fears the conflict could spin out of control, potentially drawing in Iran, Hezbollah's principal backer, as well as the United States.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel's war was not with the Lebanese people, calling Nasrallah the "murderer of thousands of Israelis and foreign citizens." Gallant held talks late on Saturday about possibly expanding Israel's military offensive on its northern front, his office said.

Biden, who had no advance warning of the strike that killed Nasrallah, said the U.S. aimed to de-escalate the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means.

Hezbollah has said it would cease fire only when Israel's Gaza offensive ends. Hamas and other allies of Hezbollah issued statements mourning his death.

Russia said it strongly condemned Nasrallah's killing and urged Israel to stop hostilities in Lebanon.

Lebanon asks Iranian plane not to land

Residents fled Dahiyeh, seeking shelter in downtown Beirut and other parts of the city.

"Yesterday's strikes were unbelievable. We had fled before and then went back to our homes, but then the bombing got more and more intense, so we came here, waiting for Netanyahu to stop the bombing," said Dalal Daher, speaking near Beirut's Martyrs Square, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel says it has been attacking Hezbollah with the aim of allowing tens of thousands of residents evacuated from northern Israel to return home.

Lebanon's transport ministry asked an Iranian plane not to enter Lebanese airspace after Israel warned air traffic control at the Beirut airport that it would use "force" if it landed, a ministry source told Reuters. The source said it was not clear what was on the plane, adding: "The priority is people."

Late on Friday, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israeli air force planes would not allow "hostile flights with weapons to land" there. (Reuters)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday questioned China's sincerity in seeking peace in Ukraine as he directly pressed his counterpart over exports that boost Russia's military.

Blinken met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the latest talks as the two powers look to dial down once-soaring tensions.

While crediting the diplomacy with bringing progress, Blinken warned that the United States would not back down on concerns over China's exports to Russia and made clear that Washington could impose more sanctions.

Blinken said that China is fueling the "war machine" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"When Beijing says that, on the one hand, that it wants peace, it wants to see an end to the conflict, but on the other hand is allowing its companies to take actions that are actually helping Putin continue the aggression, that doesn't add up," Blinken told a news conference.

"Our intent is not to decouple Russia from China. Their relationship is their business," he said.

"But insofar as that relationship involves providing Russia what it needs to continue this war, that's a problem for us, and it's a problem for many other countries, notably in Europe," Blinken added.

The top U.S. diplomat said that China has provided 70 percent of machine tools and 90 percent of microelectronics needed by Russia for military production that includes rockets and armored vehicles.

Wang told Blinken during the meeting that China's position on the Ukraine conflict was "open and aboveboard, always advocating for peace and dialogue, and working towards a political solution," Beijing's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

"The U.S. should stop smearing and sanctioning China and refrain from using the issue to create divisions and provoke bloc confrontations," Wang added.

China says it has not directly provided weapons to Russia and draws a contrast with the United States, which has shipped billions of dollars in weapons to Ukraine since the 2022 invasion by Russia.

Wang told a Security Council session on Tuesday that China was "not a creator of the Ukraine crisis, nor are we a party to it. China has all along stood on the side of peace."

Keeping up peace push

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a U.N. address criticized China and Brazil for promoting negotiations to end the war, saying that forcing Ukraine to accept a peace deal was akin to colonialism.

The two countries kept up the drive on Friday, leading a statement with other emerging powers that calls for a "comprehensive and lasting settlement" through diplomacy.

But in a thinly veiled criticism of Putin's recent saber-rattling, the emerging powers called on all sides to refrain "from the use or the threat of weapons of mass destruction."

South Africa and Turkey were among the powers that also signed the statement.

Putin this week threatened to use nuclear weapons in the event of a major attack on Russian soil as Ukraine, looking to hit back against the invasion, seeks Western weapons to strike deeper across the border.

Fruits of diplomacy

Since Blinken and Wang last met in July at a regional conference in Laos, China has pleased the United States by releasing an American pastor imprisoned for years, although other Americans are detained.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, during a summit in November 2023 with counterpart Joe Biden, agreed to key U.S. demands of restoring military communication between the two powers.

He also agreed to take action against producers of ingredients in fentanyl, the painkiller behind an overdose epidemic in the United States.

But a wide range of disagreements remain.

Blinken said he warned Wang against Beijing's "dangerous, destabilizing actions" on the South China Sea, where tensions have risen sharply between China and U.S. ally the Philippines.

On the disputed waterway, Wang urged the U.S. to "stop stirring up trouble...and undermining the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability".

Wang also slammed U.S. "suppression" of China's trade, technology, and economy and told Blinken that Washington should pursue "dialogue with respect".

"Since the U.S. has repeatedly expressed that it does not intend to confront China, it should establish a rational understanding of China at its core, create a proper way of coexistence, (and) engage in dialogue with respect," Wang told Blinken.

The latest meeting came ahead of the Nov. 5 election in which Republican candidate Donald Trump has vowed to take a harder line on China.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running against Trump, have said that they seek dialogue to avoid conflict between the two powers, although their administration has also taken a hard line.

Blinken's deputy, Kurt Campbell, recently told a congressional hearing that China posed a broader challenge to the United States than the Soviet Union did during the Cold War. (AFP)
The U.S. announced an agreement with the Iraqi government Friday to wrap up the military mission in Iraq of an American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group by next year, with U.S. troops departing some bases that they have long occupied during a two-decade-long military presence in the country.

But the Biden administration refused to provide details on how many of the approximately 2,500 U.S. troops still serving in Iraq will remain there or acknowledge it will mark a full withdrawal from the country .

I think its fair to say that, you know, our footprint is going to be changing within the country, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Friday without providing specifics.

The announcement comes at a particularly contentious time for the Middle East, with escalating conflict between Israel and two Iranian-backed militant groups  Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza  threatening a broader regional war. Bases housing U.S. forces and contractors have been regularly targeted by Iran-backed militias over the last several years, and those attacks intensified late last year and early this spring after the Israel-Hamas war broke out nearly a year ago.

For years, Iraqi officials have periodically called for a withdrawal of coalition forces, and formal talks to wind down the U.S. presence in the country have been going on for months.

U.S. officials who briefed reporters Friday said the agreement will bring about a two-phase transition in the troops assigned to Iraq that began this month. In the first phase, which runs through September 2025, the coalition mission against ISIS will end and forces will leave some longstanding bases.

Following the November election, American forces will start departing from Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq and from Baghdad International Airport, according to Iraqi government officials who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. Those forces will be moved to Hareer base in Erbil, in northern Iraq's Kurdistan region.

In the second phase, the U.S. will continue to operate in some fashion from Iraq through 2026 to support counter-ISIS operations in Syria, a senior Biden administration official and a senior defense official said on the condition of anonymity on a call with reporters to provide details ahead of the announcement.

Ultimately, the U.S. military mission would transition to a bilateral security relationship, the U.S. officials said, but they did not indicate what that might mean for the number of American troops who remain in Iraq in the future.

The Iraqi officials said some American troops may stay at Hareer base after 2026 because the Kurdistan regional government would like them to stay.

We have taken an important step in resolving the issue of the international coalition to fight ISIS, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani said in a speech this month. He noted the governments belief in the capabilities of our security forces that defeated the remnants of ISIS.

The continued presence of U.S. troops has been a political vulnerability for Sudani, whose government is under increased influence from Iran. Iraq has long struggled to balance its ties with the U.S. and Iran, both allies of the Iraqi government but regional archenemies.

We thank the government for its position to expel the international coalition forces, Qais Khazali, founder of Asaib Ahl al-Haq  an Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militia that has conducted attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq  said last week.

But critics caution that this years surge of ISIS attacks in Syria across the desert border from Iraq suggest the drawdown in Iraq is a really significant cause for concern, said Charles Lister, a senior fellow with the Middle East Institute research center in Washington.

The U.S. withdrawal from Iraq isnt because ISIS has disappeared, Lister said. The withdrawal is because theres a significant proportion of the policy-making community in Baghdad that doesnt want American troops on Iraqi soil.

The agreement marks the third time in the last two decades that the U.S. has announced a formal transition of the military's role there.

The U.S. invaded Iraq in March 2003 in what it called a massive shock and awe bombing campaign that lit up the skies, laid waste to large sections of the country and paved the way for American ground troops to converge on Baghdad. The invasion was based on what turned out to be faulty claims that Saddam Hussein had secretly stashed weapons of mass destruction. Such weapons never materialized.

The U.S. presence grew to more than 170,000 troops at the peak of counterinsurgency operations in 2007. The Obama administration negotiated the drawdown of forces, and in December 2011, the final combat troops departed, leaving only a small number of military personnel behind to staff an office of security assistance and a detachment of Marines to guard the embassy compound.

In 2014, the rise of the Islamic State group and its rapid capture of a wide swath across Iraq and Syria brought U.S. and partner nation forces back at the invitation of the Iraqi government to help rebuild and retrain police and military units that had fallen apart and fled.

After ISIS lost its hold on the territory it once claimed, coalition military operations ended in 2021. An enduring U.S. presence of about 2,500 troops stayed in Iraq to maintain training and conduct partnered counter-ISIS operations with Iraq's military.

In the years since, the U.S. has maintained that presence to pressure Iranian-backed militias active in Iraq and Syria. The presence of American forces in Iraq also makes it more difficult for Iran to move weapons across Iraq and Syria into Lebanon, for use by its proxies, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, against Israel. (AP)
Hezbollah has confirmed that one of its senior commanders, Ali Karaki, died in the Israeli airstrike that killed its top leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.

Israel has killed several top commanders in the Lebanese militant group in recent weeks in a series of strikes.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel said it killed another senior commander, Nabil Kaouk, the day before. Hezbollah has not yet confirmed his death.

The Israeli military said Sunday that it killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike as the Lebanese militant group was reeling from a string of devastating blows and the killing of its overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The military said Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council, was killed on Saturday. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah, and it was not known where the strike took place.

Several senior Hezbollah commanders have been killed in Israeli strikes in recent weeks, including founding members of the group who had evaded death or detention for decades and were close to Nasrallah himself.

Hezbollah has also been targeted by a sophisticated attack on its pagers and walkie-talkies that was widely blamed on Israel. A wave of Israeli airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon has killed at least 1,030 people  including 156 women and 87 children  in less than two weeks, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been driven from their homes in Lebanon by the lastest strikes. The government estimates that around 250,000 are in shelters, with three to four times as many staying with friends or relatives, or camping out on the streets, Environment Minister Nasser Yassin told The Associated Press.

Hezbollah has continued to fire rockets and missiles into northern Israel, but most have been intercepted or fallen in open areas, causing few casualties and only scattered damage.

Kaouk was a veteran member of Hezbollah going back to the 1980s and served as Hezbollah's military commander in southern Lebanon during the 2006 war with Israel. He often appeared in local media, where he would comment on politics and security developments, and he gave eulogies at the funerals of senior militants. The United States had announced sanctions against him in 2020.

Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza triggered the war there. Hezbollah and Hamas are allies that consider themselves part of an Iran-backed Axis of Resistance against Israel.

Israel has responded with waves of airstrikes, and the conflict has steadily ratcheted up to the brink of all-out war, raising fears of a region-wide conflagration.

Israel says it is determined to return some 60,000 of its citizens to communities in the north that were evacuated nearly a year ago. Hezbollah has said it will only halt its rocket fire if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, which has proven elusive despite months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to rally in Las Vegas on Sunday night as both she and Republican Donald Trump continue to make frequent trips to Nevada, looking to gain momentum in the swing state as Election Day nears.

The rally is part of Harris' latest West Coast swing, which included making her first trip to the U.S.-Mexico border since taking over for President Joe Biden atop the Democratic presidential ticket. On Friday, the vice president walked alongside a towering, rust-colored border wall fitted with barbed wire in Douglas, Arizona, and met with federal authorities.

She attended a San Francisco fundraiser Saturday and had plans for a Sunday event in Los Angeles before heading to Nevada, with a return to Washington set for Monday night.

This race is as close as it could possibly be," she said Saturday to a raucous crowd of donors. This is a margin-of-error race."

Harris said even if there is enthusiasm, she's running like an underdog. And she invited people to join our team in battleground states to help get voters to the polls  even if it's Californians making calls from home.

All voters in Nevada automatically receive ballots by mail unless they opt out  a pandemic-era change that was set in state law. That means most ballots could start going out in a matter of weeks, well before Election Day on Nov. 5.

Harris plans to be back in Las Vegas on Oct. 10 for a town hall with Hispanic voters. Both she and Republican rival Donald Trump have campaigned frequently in the city, highlighting the critical role that Nevada, and its mere six votes in the Electoral College, could play in deciding an election expected to be exceedingly close.

Trump held his own Las Vegas rally on Sept. 13 at the Expo World Market Center, where Harris is speaking Sunday. Her campaign has frequently scheduled events in the same venue where her opponent previously spoke, including in Milwaukee, Atlanta and suburban Phoenix. During his Las Vegas event, the former president singled out people crossing into the U.S. illegally, saying Harris "would be the president of invasion.

During a campaign stop in the city in June, Trump promised to eliminate taxes on tips received by waiters, hotel workers and thousands of other service industry employees. Harris used her own Las Vegas rally in August to make the same promise .

Fully doing away with federal taxes on tips would probably require an act of Congress. Still, Nevada's Culinary Union, which represents 60,000 hospitality workers in Las Vegas and Reno, has endorsed Harris .

Ted Pappageorge, the culinary union's secretary-treasurer, said the difference between the dueling no-taxes-on-tips proposals is that Harris has also pledged to tackle what his union calls sub-minimum wage," where employers pay service industry workers small salaries and meet minimum wage thresholds by expecting employees to supplement those with tips.

That shows us she's serious, Pappageorge said.

Harris has no public schedule on Tuesday, when her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, squares off against Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance for the first and only vice presidential debate of the campaign. But Harris and Walz will campaign jointly on Wednesday, making a bus tour with various stops through central Pennsylvania.

The campaign says that during that swing, both will emphasize plans to energize U.S. manufacturing, including by using tax credits to encourage steel production and overhaul federal permitting systems to increase American construction. (AP)
Editors note: This is part of a series from our media partners, Armchair Lehigh Valley, that will examine four issues in the 7th Congressional District race between incumbent Democrat Susan Wild and her Republican challenger Ryan Mackenzie, a state representative in the 187th District.

Besides immigration, the other issues are abortion, the economy and foreign affairs. The 7th Congressional District covers all of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties and a tiny part of Monroe County. The Nov. 5 election is considered a toss-up by national political analysts.

Incumbent Democrat Susan Wild and her Republican challenger Ryan Mackenzie share several views when it comes to immigration.

Both have voiced dissatisfaction with policies that led to a record number of 2.5 million encounters with migrants who tried to enter the U.S. through the Mexican border legally or illegally in 2023  a number that has since fallen dramatically.

Both have accused the others party of blocking action to stem the flow. And both said they have taken action to show their commitment to addressing the issue.

There is unquestionably a crisis at our Southern border  and this is something that almost everyone, no matter their political persuasion, can agree on, said Wild, who is seeking a fourth term in the 7th Congressional District.

Wild criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for declaring a bipartisan Senate bill dead-on-arrival had it reached the House floor. Democrats said Republicans spurned the bill that also included aid to Ukraine after former President Donald Trump in February called it a death wish.

Sadly, rather than fixing the problem, members of Congress have long treated the Southern border as a lightning rod to advance their own agenda, Wild said in an op-ed that appeared in The Morning Call.

Mackenzie, a state representative in the 187th District, said Wild and the Democrats hurt Americans with their immigration policies, writing in a Facebook post in July: The tidal wave of illegal immigration under Joe Biden & Susan Wild has put a massive strain on schools, hospitals, law enforcement, and the housing market!. The 7th Congressional District race comes as there is a distinct difference between Democrats and Republicans in Pennsylvania on the importance of immigration as an election issue.

In an August Quinnipiac University poll, where registered voters were asked to pick the most important issue in deciding who to vote for on Nov. 5 for president, immigration ranked third with 10% picking it. The top answers were the economy (32%) followed by preserving democracy (25%).

When broken down by party, 20% of the Republicans chose immigration whereas the issue didnt appear in the Democrats top three choices. Among independents, 10% chose it as the most important issue.

Here is a closer look at where the candidates stand on immigration.

Susan Wild

Wild, a former lawyer who lives in South Whitehall Township, favors immigration reform that seeks to restrict crossings through increased personnel, technology and, where needed, border walls. She also has advocated for better treatment for asylum seekers and a pathway to citizenship for the so-called Dreamers, noncitizen adults who were brought to the U.S. without legal documentation by their parents as children.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked with Democrats and Republicans to push for reform at our Southern border, and I have consistently supported bipartisan solutions that would crack down on the flow of illegal immigration and fentanyl into our communities, she said in a statement to Armchair Lehigh Valley.

I will continue to put politics aside and pursue real solutions to restore order at the Southern border.

She supported the bipartisan bill rejected by the Senate in a 49-50 vote in February. The bill would have made it harder to gain asylum, expand the number of detention beds, hire more asylum officers and security agents, increase screenings for fentanyl and other illicit drugs and close the border if more than 5,000 migrants a day try to cross unlawfully in the course of a week or more than 8,500 in any given day.

It also would have provided $60.1 billion for Ukraine, $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel and $10 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones including Gaza, the West Bank and Ukraine, according to The New York Times.

It was probably harsher than any Democrat would have been comfortable with but we would have voted for it, Wild said in a BBC interview. And the House Speaker said it was dead on arrival. He wouldnt even take it up.

Wild is a member of the Border Security Task Force, a group of moderate Democrats focused on cutting down on the illegal flow of narcotics into the U.S., strengthening partnerships with Canada and Mexico to help deal with the crisis, and equipping jurisdictions that receive asylum seekers with the proper resources.

On May 7, Wild joined 14 Democratic colleagues in calling on President Biden to take executive action to use all the tools at his disposal to better address security at the Southern border, stop fentanyl from pouring into the U.S. and allow for orderly legal immigration.

It has become clear that the current situation remains untenable, but with Republicans playing politics on border security, it is time for your administration to act, the letter said.

One month later, on June 5, Biden issued a presidential proclamation that bars migrants from being granted asylum when the number of border encounters between ports of entry hits 2,500 per day, according to The Associated Press. The figure was lower than the 5,000 in the failed Senate bipartisan bill.

By then, encounters at the southern border had already been down 40% thanks to tough measures by Mexico at the behest of Biden. Those measures include rounding up migrants and transporting them to the southern cities of Villahermosa and Tapachula, The Associated Press reported.

A month later in July, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said it recorded 56,408 monthly encounters with migrants trying to enter legally or illegally along the southwest border.

That was the lowest monthly total since September 2020 when Trump was still in office.

As president, Trump did not sign any immigration bills while his party controlled the House and Senate. He did, however, sign 472 influential execution actions on immigration and his 2019 Homeland Security bill provided $1.375 billion for building about 55 miles of barrier walls in the Rio Grande Valley region.

Wild also is a co-sponsor of The Dignity Act of 2023 (H.R.3599), which was referred to a subcommittee in May 2023. Among its numerous measures, the bill would authorize $25 billion to improve border security and establish humanitarian campuses along the U.S.-Mexico border for asylum seekers. It also would provide a path to permanent resident status to the Dreamers.

She was a co-sponsor HR 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021, which created a path for citizenship for undocumented residents who arrived in the U.S. before they were age 18. The measure passed then Democratic-controlled House 228-197 in March 2021. The Senate held hearings but never took a vote.

She co-sponsored and voted yes to HR 1333, the No Ban Act, which would have limited the presidents authority to suspend or restrict undocumented individuals from entering the United States. It passed the House in February 2021 in a 218-208 votes. It was referred to the Senate, where no action was taken.

Mackenzie said Wild called building walls a silly idea in a 2018 forum that aired on WFMZ-TVs Business Matters. In a recent debate on BRCTV-13, Wild said she has voted in favor of wall funding at least once and supports walls where they make sense.

Ryan Mackenzie

Mackenzie, of Lower Macungie Township, has made immigration a focal point of his campaign, including visiting the Mexican border on Sept. 12 and 13 with Arizonas Cochise County Sheriffs Office.

Mackenzie said Biden is to blame for our country being invaded by thousands of illegal immigrants, pointing to his decision to halt construction of Trumps border wall.

If elected, he said his top priority [would be] building the wall and securing our border. He also believes people who cross the border illegally should not be given a path to citizenship.

During a Lehigh Valley Tea Party forum, Mackenzie said crime and drugs are a result of Bidens open borders policies.

On his campaign website, he said he wants to take action on illegal immigration by withholding taxpayer-funded grants from sanctuary cities and requiring deportation for illegal immigrants caught committing other crimes.

He wants to crack down on birth tourism in which foreign women allegedly have babies in the U.S. so they can be U.S. citizens. He wants to reinstate Trumps Remain in Mexico policy, which would require asylum seekers who pass a credible fear screening with U.S. asylum officers to return to Mexico to await their hearings.

His campaign website says he wants to promise merit-based legal immigration that protects American workers, promotes American values, and rewards connections to America like speaking English.

Mackenzie has been endorsed by Trump, who wants to use the National Guard to help round up and remove undocumented workers if he is elected president.

When asked if he supports the plan, Mackenzies campaign released a statement saying, his immediate priority, before anything else, needs to be border security that staunches the flow of illegal immigrants into our nation. That means finishing the wall, reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy, ending catch and release, adding additional infrastructure to the border, and hiring more border officers.

Further, he said, there needs to be a nationwide E-Verify system.

Mackenzie was the prime sponsor of Pennsylvanias Construction Industry Employee Verification Act of 2019, which requires construction companies to run potential employees through the Department of Homeland Securitys E-Verify program to check their eligibility for employment.

He is the prime sponsor of House Bill 274, which would require all public contractors and subcontractors to use the E-Verify system. It was referred to the House Labor and Industry Committee last year.

Mackenzie is the prime sponsor of House Bill 1066, which would require the Pennsylvania State Police to notify the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generas office of all attempts to purchase firearms by persons who are illegally or unlawfully in the U.S. There have been no votes on the measure. The legislation was referred to the House Judiciary Committee last year.

He also wants to crack down on so-called sanctuary cities.

Ryan believes that local law enforcement should inform ICE [U.S. Immigrations and Custom Enforcement] when they have detained a criminal illegal immigrant, and that they should be quickly deported, the statement said.

In an Aug. 24 post on X, formerly Twitter, Mackenzie suggested the possibility that there are many unaccompanied migrant children living in the Lehigh Valley. He did not cite his source.

Thanks to the open borders policies of Susan Wild, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris, hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children are missing and at risk. Given the numerous flights of unaccompanied migrant children into the Lehigh Valley, there are likely many right here in our community. Help us secure the border and end Wilds dangerous border policies, the post said.

Mackenzie has received support from American Action Network, a conservative advocacy group that acts independently of candidates in its expenditures on elections.

The American Action Network is spending $1.5 million in an issue advocacy campaign in the 7th Congressional District. Its ad paints Wild as someone who is blocking solutions.

In an ad watch, The Morning Call said the ad was misleading and lacked critical context regarding her no vote on House Bill 2. Called the Secure the Border Act, it passed the House 219-213 on May 11 with no Democratic votes.

It is inaccurate to say that Wild is blocking solutions, because both Democrats and Republicans have proposed solutions to address increasing migration, but have not been able to come to a compromise, the ad watch said.

Mackenzie opposed the bipartisan Senate bill that sank after Johnsons and Trumps remarks.

While he supports provisions such as expanding beds and hiring more security agents, Mackenzie told Armchair Lehigh Valley last spring that he dislikes other parts, including codifying a 5,000-a-day trigger that could be exercised with discretion for shutting down the border.

We should be shutting down the border to all illegal crossings immediately and it should be mandatory, he told Armchair Lehigh Valley.

Mackenzie criticized Wild for not supporting a series of measures that drew Republican support in the House, including measures condemning Bidens border policies.

She also voted no to a bill that would make it illegal for noncitizens to vote in elections in Washington, D.C. While non-citizens cant vote in federal and state elections, D.C. has a law allowing them to vote in local elections. HR 192 passed 262-142 on May 23 and was referred to the Senate.

Susan Wild voted NO to stopping illegal immigrants from voting in Americas elections. Its time for a Representative who puts the American people first, he said in a July Facebook post.

Wild also voted no to HR 2, which passed 219-213 on May 23. The Johnson-supported bill would have supplied money to build more walls at the border, enhance technology and increase enforcement, raise the standard for proving qualification for asylum, expand detention capacity, return asylum seekers to Mexico or Canada pending their removal proceedings or reviews and enact fines and imprisonment for foreigners who overstay their visas.

It also would require U.S. employers to use an electronic employment verification system.

Blaming illegal immigration on a 276% increase in child labor law violations in Pennsylvania, Mackenzie proposed House Bill 1714, which provides stronger penalties to employers who illegally hire minors and mandates notification to authorities of cases involving unaccompanied minors. There have been no votes on the measure.

He voted no to state HB 1067, which would waive the citizenship requirement to obtain a teacher certificate in Pennsylvania if the individual holds a valid immigrant or work visa, or a valid employment authorization document allowing them to work in the United States. The bill passed the House 110-93 in June 2023. It did not move to the Republican-controlled Senate.

Meanwhile, the Mackenzie campaign has taken Wild to task for a pro-Wild advertisement paid for by House Majority Forward, a hybrid PAC that can act as both a traditional PAC, giving money directly to candidates committees, and a super PAC, making independent expenditures not coordinated with candidates.

The ad, which was independently created, features someone called Officer Jeff Potts discussing the fentanyl crisis and U.S.-Mexico border security.

Were fighting fentanyl in our communities. Susan Wild has our back, he says. Working with both parties to hire thousands of new border agents and breaking with Democrats to crack down on cartels. Tell Susan Wild to keep leading by passing her new border security bill.

The New York Post reported that Potts is not a full-time police officer but has worked for the Emmaus Police Department as an auxiliary officer.

Though Wild had no control over the ad, Arnaud Armstrong, a spokesman for Mackenzie for Congress, said Wild was trying to trick the voters and has engaged in stolen valor in using Potts in the ad.

In an ad watch, The Morning Call said, The ad is partially misleading  specifically, the chyron that identifies the subject of the ad as Officer Jeff Potts is misleading, because Potts is in fact an auxiliary, part-time police officer.
(The Center Square)  Pennsylvania law gives waterways conservation officers unrestrained authority to search private properties in violation of the U.S. Constitution, according to a new lawsuit filed Monday.

Tim Thomas, who lives in a cabin along Butler Lake in Susquehanna County, alleged in federal court that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission entered his yard unpermitted multiple times in 2023 over supposed fishing violations that were later dismissed in court.

The victories ring hollow for Thomas, however, who said that without changes to state law, nothing will prevent the incidents from happening again. Nor will the peace he and his wife sought when they first bought the remote property in 2014 be restored.

What the officer did to the Thomases was both intrusive and unconstitutional, said John Wrench, an attorney with the Institute for Justice, the nonprofit and public interest law firm representing the case, in a news release emailed to The Center Square. You dont lose your constitutional rights simply because you happen to live near a lake. Thats why were challenging the Pennsylvania statute that authorizes these outrageous warrantless searches.

The commission confirmed it received the complaint earlier this week, but declined to comment, noting its policy against discussing pending legislation.

According to the legal filing, Thomas said that his late wife, Stephanie, was home alone on May 13, 2023, when she heard a man pound on the front door while threatening to call the police. Afraid and immobile from intensive cancer treatment, she didnt answer, prompting the man to walk around the cabin, past several No Trespassing signs, and onto the covered porch, where he again banged on the propertys backdoor. He left after receiving no response.

The couple learned the next day that the man was an officer with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission named Ty Moon after he pulled in front of their car on the side of the road and told them hed been chasing them and that hed get to the bottom of things.

A citation arrived in the mail a few days later saying Thomas was caught fishing without a license and eluded Moon when confronted. After filing a formal complaint disputing the allegations and questioning the officers behavior, the commission dropped the case.

It wouldnt be long before Moon paid the couple another surprise visit.

On Aug. 12, Thomas said the officer confiscated eight fishing rods from his pontoon boat docked in his backyard. Moon claimed he used binoculars to spot Thomas fishing with more rods than legally allowed. A magisterial District Court found him not guilty of the charge on June 4.

We bought this cabin because we wanted a sanctuary with some peace and privacy, and when the agent repeatedly ignored our no trespassing posting and even walked right past the window while my wife was taking a bath, it really felt like we had lost that sanctuary, Thomas said. The first time he came on our land uninvited was bad enough, but this time felt even more intrusive.

Thomas hopes the lawsuit will declare the behavior unconstitutional once and for all.

Protecting and preserving wildlife is important, but that doesnt mean those in government tasked with doing so can ignore the Constitution, said Kirby Thomas West, one of the attorneys on the case. If any law enforcement officer wants to search someones private property, the Fourth Amendment requires them to get a warrant based on probable cause.
Planning permission for bar alterations, guest accommodation, an extension and a new toilet block have been approved at a well known bar in Laois.

Marc Lennon had sought retention planning permission for the work at Lennon's Bar on Mary Street in Durrow.

He applied to Laois County Council for retention for the development in April this year.

The application sought to retain the construction of a toilet block to the rear of the site measuring approximately 31m2 and to retain of the construction of an extension to the rear of the existing building measuring approximately 60m2.

He also applied to  retain the change of use of the existing bar on the ground floor and private accommodation on the first floor for use as a guesthouse/hostel on both ground and first floor.

The plans were lodged with the council in April but further information was sought due to the application to use accommodation as a guesthouse or hostel.

Laois County Council requested information in relation to the accommodation being provided at the bar.

Policy 8.5.2 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 states that the Council recognises that the provision of accommodation such as hotels, guesthouses, hostels, caravan and camping sites are essentialthe Council will support the development and upgrade of accommodation to meet Failte Ireland Quality Standards, subject to development management criteria and will require that such relevant standards are met in development proposals where appropriate the council stated.

They asked the bar to supply details of the type of accommodation and to prove it was compliant with Failte Ireland Quality Standards.

The development was granted retention planning permission subject to ten conditions on September 26.
Left to Right: James Lawless TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, David Kelly, Director of Customer and Business Development, Gas Networks Ireland, Liam Fitzpatrick, Director, Lidon Group

Gas Networks Ireland has opened a new BioCNG (Bio Compressed Natural Gas) refuelling station at Junction 14 on the M7 motorway in Kildare.

This marks a major milestone in Irelands journey toward decarbonising its commercial transport sector, which is responsible for up to 20 per cent of the country's transport emissions.

Demand for gas in transport continues to increase

This development responds to the increasing demand for gas in Ireland's transport sector, with renewable gas usage in transport consistently rising over the past few years. From January 2023 to August 2024, gas consumption in transport has seen significant month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) growth, demonstrating a shift towards cleaner fuel alternatives as Ireland moves to decarbonise its commercial transport sector. This upward trend has continued into 2024, with YoY renewable gas usage increases reaching 65 per cent in July and 80 per cent in August.

In 2023, gas demand from Irelands transport sector recorded consistent MoM increases, peaking with a 16 per cent increase in March. Year-on-year, the numbers reveal even more substantial growth: February 2024 saw an 11 per cent rise over the previous year, while April's usage was up by a staggering 42 per cent. The development of the CNG network via the Causeway Project is supported by a grant from the EUs Connecting Europe Facility Transport Fund and the Gas Innovation Fund, approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

Locally produced biomethane

Delivered by Gas Networks Ireland and Lidon Group, supported by the Causeway Project1 this station is set to transform one of Irelands busiest transport corridors into a cleaner and more sustainable route for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). It is the sixth public CNG station to be completed and the tenth operational station in total (four private stations also complete).

This new BioCNG station will supply biomethane produced locally in Kildare by Green Generation, using local food and farm waste, supporting Ireland's circular economy by converting waste into renewable energy. BioCNG offers a cleaner alternative to diesel, reducing harmful emissions from HGVs and helping Ireland meet its ambitious climate action targets.

BioCNG cuts a HGVs carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent2, reduces lifetime vehicle costs compared to diesel and helps Irish hauliers to reduce their scope 3 emissions.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, announced funding of over 1 million to support and improve 517 walking trails across the country.

Under the initiative, nine community groups in Leitrim will receive grants ranging from 1,500 to 25,000 for the development and upgrade of their local trails.

Cloone Tidy Towns Committee/Cloone Homecoming Committee will receive 2,500.

1,500 will be allocated to Keeldra Lake Amenity Development, Kiltyclogher Community Council, ORourkes Table Development Group, Rossinver Community Development Company and SLNCR Rail Trail Working Group.

Leitrim Way Management Committee will see 15,000.

The Sliabh an Iarainn Tracks and Trails Committee will receive 4,000, while 25,000 will be allocated to the Miners Way and Historical Trail Management Committee, which spans Leitrim, Sligo, and Roscommon.

Locally Frank Feighan TD has welcomed the announcement for his party colleague, Minister Humphreys and the 29,000 for Co Leitrim and a further 41,500 to cover walks in Sligo and Roscommon.

I am glad to see that for the first, funding is also being provided under the scheme to support groups to promote their trails as tourist attractions.

There are so many people, young and old out and about everyday on our local greenways and blueways, it is vital we ensure that are all of excellent quality and are well maintained, concluded Frank Feighan.

Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said: Our walkways and outdoor trails really do showcase all that is good about our rural towns and villages.

So Im delighted to announce over 1 million for 517 trails right across the country.

This funding will be used to upgrade and maintain these trails  but also to promote them from a tourism perspective.

I know we are coming into winter and the evenings are getting darker  but getting out for some freeze air, to clear the head, is so important.

I want to finally thank all the community groups and Trail Management Organisations that keep our trails in good condition. You do wonderful work and Im delighted to support you.

READ NEXT - 12 Million project invites midlands landowners to restore wetlands
Halloween lovers rejoice as spooky season officially kicks off this Tuesday 1 October!

As Met Eireann's recent weather warnings prove that summer has well and truly ended, you might be thinking of what events and activities are taking place around the country this autumn season.

There is a wide variety of family friendly, and not so family friendly, events taking place up and down the country throughout the month of October.

With so much to do and so much to see, we've compiled a list of things to check out this Halloween:

Visit a pumpkin patch

The American tradition of pumpkin patches have become increasingly popular in Ireland around Halloween time. Taking a trip to visit a pumpkin patch is a great idea for kids and can also be a festive date idea! There are lots of charming pumpkin patches around the country such as Clissmann's in Wicklow or Alright Pumpkin in Meath.

These pumpkin patches tend to be designed with some light spooks in mind, ideal for the smaller ones to get into the Halloween spirit. So make sure to check out any local pumpkin patches this October and pick up the perfect pumpkin!

Celebrate Samhain with Halloween Festivals

Of course, being the birthplace of Halloween, Ireland hosts numerous events to celebrate the holiday. The Puca Festival in County Meath is a well know festival that takes place every year where people can: "Dance with otherworldly creatures, revel in the richness of Irish music and storytelling, and experience Halloween in its most authentic form." The Puca Festival will take place from October 31 to November 3.

If you're interested in visiting the largest Halloween festival in Europe, you should check out Derry Halloween. Derry Halloween celebrates Samhain in style through illumination, aerial performance, pyrotechnics and music all on the streets of Derry. This beloved festival will take place from October 28-31.

Throughout the October Bank Holiday weekend, the Galway Aboo Halloween festival will be taking to the streets of the city with many of the events taking place for free! The famous Macnas Halloween Parade will also be returning to this year's festival. This parade is known for its captivating and family-friendly visual story-telling.

Leave the light on after some spooky Halloween movies

One thing we all love doing during this time of year is watching our favourite classic Halloween movies. Hocus Pocus will always be on the top of the watch list for kids and adults, but what about other family-friendly flicks? Older kids, and nostalgia prone adults, may be interested in checking out the new 'Beetlejuice' movie coming to theatres this month.

Ireland's film industry continues to grow in strength, and the country has produced some top quality horror movies in recent times. Netflix has some great Irish horrors such as 'Nightingale' and 'You Are Not My Mother' which are definitely worth checking out once the little ones are in bed.

If you want to venture out from behind your couch to watch a Halloween movie, Leopardstown's Retro Drive-in Movies will be showing a huge selection of Horror classics this October. There's a wide variety of movies on show for families and adults, ranging from 'Monsters Inc.' to 'The Shining.'

Dare to venture into Ireland's Big Haunts

If movies aren't enough to get you into the Halloween spirit and you instead want to immerse yourself in your own nightmarish experience, there are plenty of events available to get your adrenaline pumping. The Nightmare Realm is returning for its 15th year this October in Dublin. If you're brave enough, you can purchase tickets online to visit the major scare attraction dubbed Europe's best scream park.

Have your own ghostly encounters

Halloween is known as the time of year when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, so it's a perfect time to take a ghost tour! If you want to have your own paranormal encounter this Halloween then you should check out Spike Island After Dark.

Guided by an expert storyteller, you can explore the haunting corridors of the abandoned prison infamously known as 'Irelands Hell.' If you have the guts, you can dive into the dark history of what was once Irelands most notorious prison with spine chilling tales of the murderers and deviants who once roamed its halls.

So if you're looking to fill up your calendar this October, make sure to check out all of the Halloween events taking place near you.
Duke Energy crews restore power for over 600,000 customers, establish estimated time of restoration for North Florida counties





ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As of 5 p.m. ET today, Duke Energy Florida's crews restored power for over 600,000 customers, while nearly 150,000 continue to experience outages as a result of Hurricane Helene.

Our workforce is more than 8,000 strong, with many working through the night to get everyone's power back on. (Click here and here for aerial saw video.)

This afternoon, the company established estimated times of restoration for the company's Big Bend and North Florida counties for 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. Approximately 95% of these customers are expected to be restored, though many will be restored sooner.

With these latest estimated times, the majority of customers in Duke Energy Florida's territory will be restored by tomorrow.

However, coastal areas of Pinellas County experienced significant damage from storm surge and strong wind. Many of the barrier islands and areas along Gulf Boulevard will require a rebuild and will take longer to energize. Additionally, due to the damage to homes and businesses, some structures will not be able to receive power.

"We are closely collaborating with our communities in areas devastated by this historic storm," said Todd Fountain, Duke Energy Florida storm director. "We understand that we provide an essential service, and it can be frustrating to be without power. We appreciated your patience and support during this challenging time."

Reasons why you may not receive power by the expected time

We do our best to ensure our estimates are as accurate as possible, but we occasionally must adjust those times as we uncover additional damage or problems with access.

Sometimes, customers may see a neighbor's lights come back on while they are still without power. A few explanations:

Parts of the neighborhood may be served by different circuits, and not all circuits come back at the same time.

There may also be a problem with their individual service line or their meter.

If the meter box is pulled away from a customer's house or mobile home service pole and power is not being received, the homeowner is responsible for contacting an electrician to reattach the meter box and/or provide a permanent fix. In some instances, an electrical inspection may be required by the county before Duke Energy can reconnect service. An electrician can advise customers on next steps.

For rooftop solar owners, solar panels don't guarantee power during an outage since they operate partly using energy from Duke Energy's grid. Two exceptions are installing an off-grid solar system or installing a method of energy storage, such as batteries.

Outages can be reported online, through the Duke Energy mobile app, by texting OUT to 57801 or by calling 800.228.8485.

The most up-to-date information about restoration efforts can be accessed on Duke Energy's Outage Map or by enrolling in Outage Alerts.

For more information and resources, please visit dukeenergyupdates.com/Florida.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.

More information is available at?duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on?X,?LinkedIn,?Instagram?and?Facebook, and visit illumination?for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Ana Gibbs

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy

28 september 2024 at 18:39

News published onand distributed by:
A man carrying a sack of flour wades through flood waters after the Bagmati River overflowed following heavy monsoon rains in Kathmandu on September 28, 2024. PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP

Residents of Nepal's flood-hit capital returned to their mud-caked homes on Sunday, September 29 to survey the wreckage of devastating floods that have killed at least 104 people across the Himalayan republic.

Deadly rain-related floods and landslides are common across South Asia during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity.

Entire neighborhoods in Kathmandu were inundated over the weekend with flash floods reported in rivers coursing through the capital and extensive damage to highways connecting the city with the rest of Nepal.

Kumar Tamang, who lives in a slum area by a riverbank, told AFP he and his family had to flee after midnight on Saturday as waters rushed into his shack.

"This morning we returned and everything looks different," the 40-year-old said. "We couldn't even open the doors to our house, it was jammed with mud," he added. "Yesterday we were afraid that the water would kill us, but today we have no water to clean."

Nepal's home ministry said 104 people had been killed across the country with another 64 still missing. Ministry spokesman Rishi Ram Tiwari told AFP that bulldozers were being used to clear several highways that had been blocked by debris, cutting Kathmandu off from the rest of the country. "More than 3,000 people have been rescued," he added.

At least 14 of those killed were aboard two buses and were buried alive when earth from a landslide careened into a highway south of Kathmandu, Dhading district chief Rajendra Dev Pandey told AFP.

The valley in which the capital sits recorded 240 millimeters (9.4 inches) of rain in the 24 hours to Saturday morning, the country's weather bureau told the Kathmandu Post newspaper. It was the highest rainfall recorded in the capital since at least 1970, the report said.

Read more Subscribers only Nepal, the world champion of political instability

Chest-deep water

The Bagmati river and its numerous tributaries which cut through Kathmandu broke their banks, inundating nearby homes and vehicles after midnight on Saturday. Residents struggled through chest-deep water to get to higher ground. More than 3,000 security personnel were deployed to assist rescue efforts with helicopters and motorboats. Rescue teams were using rafts to pull survivors to safety.

Domestic flights resumed in and out of Kathmandu by Sunday morning after weather forced a complete stoppage from Friday evening, with more than 150 departures canceled.

The summer monsoon brings South Asia 70-80 percent of its annual rainfall. More than 260 people have died in Nepal in rain-related disasters this year.

Read more Subscribers only Extreme monsoon rains wreak havoc in India and Pakistan
OpenAIs plan to convert to a for-profit company is meant to simplify the worlds leading artificial-intelligence startup. Making that happen will be enormously complex.

The ChatGPT maker is in the midst of raising $6.5 billion from backers including Microsoft and Nvidia, along with venture-capital firms and a United Arab Emirates state-backed company. An essential provision of talks is that OpenAI, currently governed by a charitable nonprofit, must within two years become a public-benefit corporation. That means its mission is to earn a profit while creating social good. If it doesnt, investors could take back their money.

To get there, it will have to deal with regulatory requirements in at least two states, determine how to award equity in the for-profit company, and split assets with the nonprofit entity, which will continue to exist.

This kind of transaction is incredibly complex and would involve a large number of legal and regulatory hurdles that would need to be navigated," said Karen Blackistone, general counsel at the investment firm Hangar Management and an attorney specializing in technology and tax-exempt organizations.

An OpenAI spokeswoman declined to comment. The Wall Street Journals owner, News Corp, has a content-licensing partnership with OpenAI.

How is OpenAI currently set up?

OpenAI was founded in 2015 as a nonprofit with the goal of safely developing artificial intelligence. It created a for-profit subsidiary four years later to help it raise more money.

The nonprofits board of directors currently controls the subsidiary and has the right to act against shareholder interests for reasons that further its humanitarian mission. In tax filings, OpenAI notes that each of its various arms is legally bound to pursue the nonprofits mission, such as following uncompromised principles of safety and broad benefit in its research and deployment efforts, unencumbered by profit incentives."

OpenAI has said it would continue to operate a nonprofit that would do charitable work and own a stake in the for-profit company.

Why is it making this change?

After the surprise ouster of Chief Executive Sam Altman as CEO last fall, which lasted just a few days, investors began pushing OpenAI to turn into a more typical company. They feared that the esoteric structure made it more likely that such a disruption could happen again.

Operating as a for-profit company that isnt governed by a nonprofit will make it simpler and easier for investors to share in OpenAIs success. Microsoft has put $13 billion into OpenAIs for-profit division and is the companys largest outside stakeholder. Other firms have bought stakes from employees in private transactions.

Current investors dont technically own equity in OpenAI. Instead, they own a share of any future profits of the company, which currently loses billions of dollars a year. More straightforward equity would eliminate a cap on investors profits, which the nonprofit currently imposes.

OpenAI would have to figure out how to translate the profit stakes of Microsoft and other existing investors into equity in the restructured company.

Regulators have already scrutinized Microsofts relationship with OpenAI and whether it effectively controls the startup. The tech giant has argued that its investment only entitles it to a share of potential profits, but a new structure under which Microsoft has an equity stake in OpenAI could invite further antitrust attention.

What is involved in the conversion and who would have to approve it?

OpenAI is a Delaware-based corporation and would need to change its structure legally under that states law. Given Delawares business-friendly legal regime, making that change should be the easiest part of the process, said Jill Horwitz, a law professor and founding faculty director of the Lowell Milken Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofits at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The more complicated part is what would happen to OpenAIs assets. When such a conversion takes place, it cant simply shift assets from a nonprofit to a for-profit. The nonprofit is legally required to end up with assets, including any cash and securities, at least as valuable as those it turns over to the for-profit. In effect, OpenAIs operations would likely be sold to the for-profit company or its investors, with the charity retaining the proceeds.

Assets previously donated to the public benefit cannot be repurposed to private benefit without compensating the public for the loss," said Alexander Reid, a partner at the law firm BakerHostetler.

It couldnt be determined how much the remaining nonprofit would receive in such a transaction. Given that OpenAI is expected to be valued at around $150 billion after the current fundraising round, the amount could be immense.

That determination is particularly complicated because the nonprofit might own some of OpenAIs patents on AI technology, which would need to be valued in the conversion.

Because most of OpenAIs operations are in California, that states attorney general would have jurisdiction to ensure its charitable assets were protected, according to legal experts.

What would the nonprofit do after the conversion?

OpenAI hasnt said what the continuing nonprofit would do once a profit-seeking company takes over all of its operations.

The current nonprofit has supported research on universal basic income programs and made charitable grants focused on technology and social equality, according to its website. It could continue to fund such work in the future, using its stake in the for-profit OpenAI as a source of income.

One important issue OpenAI will have to resolve in the conversion is what rights the nonprofit will have to AI technology that the new company develops.

What other challenges will OpenAI have to overcome to make this switch?

OpenAIs board has said it is thinking about giving Altman equity in the new company. The size of his stake would likely invite public scrutiny.

OpenAI will also have to determine whether the board of directors at the nonprofit will run the for-profit company and, if so, who would govern the remaining nonprofit.

In addition, OpenAI will still have to contend with a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk. The complaint, filed in Augusta revised version of an earlier suit that he droppedargues that he was fraudulently manipulated into believing OpenAI would remain a nonprofit when he co-founded it and provided seed money.

OpenAI has disputed Musks version of events and his claims.

Musk split from Altman and the other co-founders in 2018 partly over their desire to take on outside investors and commercialize the technology. In 2019, he founded a rival private company, xAI.
It is a bruising ownership fight in South Korea over the worlds largest zinc smelter. Fueling the dispute: fears the company could one day fall into Chinas hands.

On one side is the 50-year-old Korea Zinc, led by Yun B. Choi, chairman and grandson of the co-founder, with officials arguing South Koreas industrial strength is under siege. On the other is a South Korean private-equity firm headed by the countrys second-wealthiest individual, Michael ByungJu Kim, who has joined forces with the family of the other co-founder.

At the center of the dispute is Korea Zincs Onsan smelter in the city of Ulsan, South Korea, and the firms proprietary technologies. It is arguably a crown jewel of American hopes of creating a supply chain independent of China, which accounts for roughly half of the worlds refined zinc. Korea Zinc says it is asking Washington for backup.

Korea Zincs co-founders were friends turned business partners, who hailed from the same province in what is now North Korea. The firms name in Korean, Koryo Ayeon, uses a centuries-old name for the Korean state. Korea Zinc produces raw materials for cars, electric-vehicle batteries and semiconductors.

Kim, who is worth roughly $10 billion and moonlights as a fiction writer, sits atop his eponymous MBK Partners. He and his Seoul-based private-equity firm had long been praised locally for dealmaking prowess in South Korea. It owns a handful of Chinese companies and has a small contingent of Chinese investors. MBK, emphasizing its overwhelming ties and investments within both Korea and Japan, has promised to not sell Korea Zinc to the Chinese.

That pledge hasnt toned down the rhetoric from Korea Zinc and its allies. They have labeled MBK as a corporate raider only interested in profits. Should MBK take control, a company official said this week, Korea Zincs core technology would be leaked overseas and South Koreas industrial competitiveness would collapse. The companys chief technical officer and senior engineers threatened to resign if MBK emerged victorious.

MBK has the keys if they take over," said Kim Ki-june, an executive vice president at Korea Zinc. They can hire anyone they want."

The showdown over Korea Zinc illustrates how the mere potential of technology shifting to Beijing can complicate dealmaking in once-sleepy corners of the global supply chain. Despite Western efforts, Chinas advantage in minerals has only expanded, in everything from nickel to cobalt to lithium.

Chinas mineral dominance

Korea Zinc declined to say if it had been successful in engaging U.S. assistance. In a disclosure Wednesday, the company said it had applied for national core technology" status with the South Korean government for some of its technologies. The review takes about 15 days. If granted, government signoff would be needed if a foreign buyer ever emerges for Korea Zinc.

Western officials worry about Beijings ability to vex supply chains or create an uneven playing field by flooding the market with supply.

Washington can only do so much because Chinas buying spree has spread from Africa to Argentina, while there are 50 entries on the U.S. critical mineral list and protecting them all is impossible," said Hayley Channer, director of economic security for the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney in Australia. One day it might be Korea Zinc, the next it could be any number of mining companies globally."

Two years ago, the U.S. and a number of allies, including South Korea, agreed to work together on efforts to diversify critical mineral supply chains. The coalition recently formed an alliance with financiers to better coordinate investments.

The U.S. is taking it very seriously because it has realized the risks around overdependence on China for critical and strategic minerals," said Ian Satchwell, who advises governments, business and other organizations on minerals and energy policies.

Zinc is one of the minerals deemed critical by the U.S. Korea Zinc and its sister affiliate accounted for 8.5% of refined zinc output globally last year, according to Wood Mackenzie, a research and consulting firm. Refineries within China accounted for 49%.

The Seoul-based Korea Zinc also processes copper, nickel and other metals, and produces sulfuric acid, which is used by semiconductor manufacturers to clean wafers. It owns scrap-metal operations in the U.S.

Two families under one roof

Founded in 1974, Korea Zinc was added to the Young Poong conglomerate. The co-founders, who resided in South Korea before the 1950-53 Korean War, had both grown up in an area that is now part of North Korea. The split ownership, unique among South Korean conglomerates, became described as: Two families under one roof."

But in recent years, a rift developed between Choi, the third-generation chairman of Korea Zinc, and Chang Hyung-jin, the son of the Young Poong founder. The disagreement centered on ownership control and board power. Chang and MBK have questioned some of Korea Zincs investments, corporate governance and profitability since Choi became chairman in 2019.

Young Poong, Chang and his family are Korea Zincs largest shareholder, with a combined stake of roughly 33%. But board power and management control largely rested with Choi.

To change that, Chang found a willing partner with MBK, one of Asias largest private-equity firms with more than $30 billion in assets under management. Together they would seek to amass a stake of up to 47.7% of Korea Zincenough clout to secure voting rights needed to eventually shake up the board.

MBK and Young Poong launched a $1.5 billion tender offer on Sept. 13, open to any Korea Zinc shareholder willing to sell. Since then, shares of Korea Zinc, which has a market capitalization of around $11 billion, have soared nearly 30%.

That prompted MBK on Thursday to raise its per-share offer to about $1.7 billion. The deadline for share sales ends Oct. 4. Whatever the offer brings in, Young Poong will split the final total stake with MBK, which will retain one additional share. MBK would assume management control if they succeed.

China controversy

The deal has brought unusual backlash to MBK and Michael ByungJu Kim, whom local media has praised for having a Midas touch" in South Koreas merger-and-acquisition industry. The 60-year-old Kim, whom MBK didnt make available for an interview, founded the private-equity firm in 2005, after senior roles in Asia at Goldman Sachs and Carlyle.

Kim was born in South Korea but immigrated to the U.S. in his teens. A graduate of Harvard Business School, the Korean-American billionaire has interests that stretch well beyond finance. He owns a rare 18th century Bible and likes to read King Lear. He wrote a semi-autobiographical novel in the U.S., called Offerings," which became a bestseller in the U.S. in 2020 and is set to become a Hollywood film.

Kim has also been a proponent of Chinas promise. In his annual letter to investors, Kim questioned others who had retrenched from the country. We are believers in China in the mid- to long-term," he wrote. For now, its mostly Korea plus Japan for us. But China shall return."

Korea Zinc has argued that there is no way to forcibly stop MBK from making sales to China and that the risks of a critical technology transfer loom large. The mayor of Ulsanwhere Korea Zinc has operationsrecently called for each of the citys 1.2 million residents to buy shares, so the firm avoids getting sold to a Chinese company in the future.

MBK, in the entirety of the firms existence, has never sold a Korean company to a Chinese buyer, said Kim Kwang-il, a MBK partner overseeing the Korea Zinc deal. Chinese entities make up less than 5% of MBKs total investors. MBK expects to hold on to Korea Zinc for roughly a decade.

Young Poong and MBK claim some of Korea Zincs investments under Choi went through without board approval and raised corporate-governance concerns. For example, a private-equity firm run by a close friend of Chois attracted Korea Zinc funds and has focused on industries outside mining. Korea Zinc said major investments went through proper channels.

Transferring core technologies to Chinese firms would hurt Korea Zinc," said Kim Kwang-il. Private equity is about increasing the acquired firms value, and doing something that goes against that is unimaginable."
New Delhi: The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), an international organization based in New Delhi, is planning to tap artificial intelligence (AI) to curb infrastructure-related disasters, which also be discussed at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), said director general Amit Prothi.

We will have a discussion on data at COP29. We have started to think about how one looks at AI and all these technologies in the space of resilience. This will be an engagement to discuss with some key actors who are looking at AI for disasters," Prothi told Mint, adding, Or how you use data better, better quality data for your decisions, how you bring in technological solutions, how you bring in all your sensors for monitoring road infrastructure. This is a lot of work in this space."

For CDRI, it's a unique opportunity to really put a marker and speak. Technology is getting better. Right now, people are mapping risk. Google has come out with flood maps that you can generate. So, we are considering it. It's very early to talk about. I think by early next year or quarter two of next year, we should have a data strategy," Prothi said.

He said CDRI at COP29, which is scheduled between 11-22 November in Baku, Azerbaijan, will announce the winners of the second call for proposals on IRIS (Infrastructure for Resilient Island States).

Also read: India strengthens global agricultural partnerships at G20 Agri Ministerial Meeting in Brazil

IRIS, a multi-year grant mechanism, promotes resilient, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure development in small island countries. The IRIS Call for Proposals has been designed to channel support in small island developing states (SIDS) through projects based on key themes that emerged from extensive consultations and inputs from SIDS stakeholders.

The key themes are risk informed policy and planning, implementation readiness, access to finance, and inclusion mainstreaming. CDRI launched the first call last year.

Key agendas for G20

As the G20 summit under the presidency of Brazil is also scheduled in November between 18 and 19 in Rio de Janeiro, the CDRI chief said that one of key priorities of the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group is resilient infrastructure.

CDRI is leading the discussions and supporting the Brazil presidency with all materials on it, including a compendium of best practices, which will be ready in the next three weeks and be launched at the end of October at the G20 DRR working group meeting. At the DRR Ministerial meeting, which is scheduled for 1 November, it will release a compendium of good practice on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure from across G20 countries, Prothi informed.

Also read: CDRI to unveil telecom resilience study at CoP 29

Last year, the first G20 working group on Disaster Risk Reduction was set up under India's presidency to facilitate cooperation among G20 countries to reduce the risks associated with natural disasters and climate change, including CRI.

As far as environment and climate sustainability agenda of the 2024 G20 summit is concerned, emergency and preventative adaptation to extreme climate events, payments for ecosystem services, oceans, and waste and circular economy are being prioritized.

Focus on fiscal risk assessment

After a study on telecommunications infrastructure resilience that is ongoing in five Indian states with DoT, which is likely be wrapped up in another two-three months, CDRI is in discussions with Bhutan and Ghana for the same and planning to conduct a new study on fiscal risk assessment in four countries, including Fiji, Mauritius and Nepal and four Indian states to understand if they have capacity in their budget to cope with disasters due to extreme weather events caused by climate change.

The list also includes India and Indian states like Odisha, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu as the average annual loss or annual future losses due to the current climatic conditions is estimated to be over $31.6 billion. Around $8.3 trillion worth of infrastructure in India is estimated to be at risk, according to CDRI.

Also read: Consumer goods companies step up efforts to mitigate climate risks

We are looking at state budgets across four states in India and four countries to understand if there is a big disaster tomorrow, if they have the capacity in their budget to manage it," Prothi said.

Climate risks could affect the budget of the federal government and state governments and the overall fiscal outlook through several pathways, including altering total tax revenue through effects on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, and changing federal spending to respond to climate impacts, both to ameliorate climate damages and spur the transition to clean energy.
Tyre manufacturers are struggling as the price of rubber has surged more than 33 per cent in the last five months of the financial year 2025, reported the news agency ANI on Sunday, September 29 quoting a CRISIL report.

The stretched supply and rising costs of natural rubber has created a challenging environment for tyre makers, said the report, as per the agency.

Natural rubber constitutes 20 to 40 per cent of weightage in the tyre manufacturing process, depending on the category of the tyre. The tyre industry makes up 80 per cent of natural rubber consumption in India, according to the news report.

Also Read | Tolins Tyres IPO: 5 key risk factors you should know before investing

Natural rubber prices, which remained subdued for the past decade, have now crossed the 200 per kg mark, as per the report.

The last rubber price surge was in 2011, when prices hit an all-time high after the global financial crisis. Since the end of 2023, however, skyrocketing prices have again breached the 200/kg mark amid a raft of challenges -- and tight supplies of natural rubber have cast a long shadow on the industry even as steady expansion of the automobile industry and other major consuming industries keeps demand healthy, according to the report cited by the agency.

What's fueling the rising rubber prices? The imbalance in supply and demand, rather than short-term disruptions, is the cause of the latest spike, the report said. According to the report, the current surge in natural rubber prices is primarily driven by demand outstripping global production capacity, cited the agency.

Also Read | Centre has no plan to consider industry demand to lower import duty on rubber

Rubber production rose 35 per cent between 2011 and 2023 while demand surged 40 per cent. The widening gap has left the market struggling to meet the needs of tyre manufacturers, according to the agency report.

This price hike reflects structural issues within the natural rubber market, unlike the previous hike fueled by labour shortages or one-time shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic, cited in the agency report.

The current price reflects the mismatch between supply and demand, despite the steady expansion of the auto sector and other key industries, rubber supplies have failed to keep up, according to the report.

According to the report, in response to the prices, tyre manufacturers are faced with difficult choices. Many of them are attempting to pass on costs to consumers by increasing the tyre prices, but the extent to which this can be done is limited by competitive pressures in the market, said the agency report.
Coimbatore/Tiruppur/Erode: It was a call that made perfect sense. In November 2010, Narendra Modi, then the chief minister of Gujarat, visited Chennai and called on Tamil Nadus textile entrepreneurs to set up spinning units in his state. This was a time when Tamil Nadu was reeling under a debilitating electricity crisis. The power guzzling spinning sector, forced to depend on diesel generators, an expensive proposition, was hit hardest and suffered huge losses.

Gujarat is one of the largest producers of cotton, which is then brought all the way to Coimbatore and spun into yarn. If spinning mills were established in Gujarat, transport costs could be reduced. We can capture the world," the prime minister declared while addressing entrepreneurs. The icing on the cake was the assurance of uninterrupted and quality power supply.

The textile industry, however, did not heed Modis call. Reason: Tamil Nadu still had a solid labour force and the ecosystem to produce yarn and other products efficiently.

Fifteen years on, the power problem has been resolved but the prospects of the textile units shifting from Tamil Nadu, but not necessarily to Gujarat, are more real than ever. That is because the challenges the sector faces today are far more severe than those in 2010, including an excessive dependence on migrant workers.

Worse, going forward, the availability of these workers is not guaranteed. For instance, Kumar Sharma (26), who came to Tiruppur from Bihar less than nine months ago, is already on his fourth job. And hes still not happy. I moved jobs to increase my pay," he says. But I am now looking at getting a job in one of the mills that have come up in Madhya Pradesh or Odisha," he adds, as it will mean being closer to home.

The shortage of labour at any given time in the sector is 30% and it increases whenever there is a large inflow of orders, according to Prabhu Dhamodharan, convenor of the Coimbatore-based Indian Texpreneurs Federation (ITF). Automation can offer only limited relief. The wage bill of the sector is also proving unsustainable. The average wage increase in the last two-three years has been around 30%. The minimum wage for stitching in Tamil Nadu is 510 per shift of 10 hours but units in Tiruppur pay anywhere between 800 to 900 for 10 hours, depending on their urgency, says Alexander Job Neroth, director, NC John Garments Ltd, a company based in Tiruppur. Wages in Telangana, on the other hand, are 500-600 for a 10-hour shift, he adds.

View Full Image Not all stitching machines are in operation at this Tiruppur factory of N C John Garments due to paucity of labour. (N. Madhavan)

That apart, the ecosystem that served the sector well is proving to be ineffective. The cluster model, which comprises thousands of small units specializing in different aspects of the textile value chain, appears to have reached its limit when it comes to being cost-efficient in the face of increased competition from Bangladesh, Vietnam and other countries.

Ironically, better order flows due to buyers shifting away from China and more recently, the crisis in Bangladesh, could spark an exodus from Tamil Nadu as entrepreneurs seek to take advantage of the opportunity. Take the case of NC John Garments Pvt. Ltd, a 200-machine unit in Tiruppur. In August the company recorded its highest-ever garment production thanks to strong orders. But it could operate only 70 of its own machines due to the non-availability of labour. We had to outsource the work to two other units to meet the order," says Neroth. Margins were hit, and the company is now actively considering setting up a unit in Telangana.

There are other telltale signs. Hundreds of small units have shut down and many large units have put their expansion plans on hold. Those expanding are doing so outside the state, in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana.

In other words, there is a huge cloud over the future of the textile sector in Tamil Nadu.

Rich legacy

Tamil Nadu prides itself on its rich textile heritage. It all began in 1910 when G. Kuppuswamy Naidu set up Lakshmi Mills in Coimbatore. Since then, the industry has come a long way. What started off with spinning has expanded across weaving, knitting, dyeing and stitching," says Dhamodharan, This diversification happened in a unique way. Clusters got created for each of these activities, comprising thousands of small units. Today, there are more than a dozen textile clusters in Tamil Nadu, every 50-odd kilometres," he adds.

Apart from these clusters, the industry also developed holistically. Today, almost all its needs are met locallybe it machinery, spare parts, facilities to train manpower or develop technologies to ensure sustainable manufacturing. It was also an early starter when it came to renewable energy, investing heavily in wind and solar energy," Dhamodharan adds.

If there is one thing it lacks, it is access to raw materials. Just 278,000 bales of the 3,25,00,000 bales of cotton grown in India are produced in Tamil Nadu. In the case of manmade fibres (MMF), be it polyester or viscose, the entire need is sourced from other states. But this had not held back the sector.

According to Tamil Nadu government data, in 2023-24, the state accounted for 46% of Indias spinning capacity and over 50% of Indias yarn exports. It is also home to 70% of the countrys knitting capacity and 60% of total knitwear exports. More than 20% of Indias apparel exports are shipped from the state. Tamil Nadu employs over three million workers in the sector and accounts for $7.1 billion of the countrys $34.1 billion exports, making it Indias largest textile exporter.

But the sectors legacy in Tamil Nadu, built over more than a century, is at stake. It is in a dichotomous situation today: on the one hand, there is a sharp increase in export orders; on the other, most unitslarge and smallare struggling to meet them efficiently.

Unsustainable dependence

Even at the turn of the century, local labour was available in abundance for textile units in Tamil Nadu. Our core strength was workers. In the spinning mills, they were able to deliver products at the highest speeds. This meant a capacity utilization of close to 100%," says Gopinath Bala, managing director of Sri Venkatalakshmi Spinners Pvt. Ltd at Udumalpet, near Coimbatore. As the states educational standards improved, educated youth began to aspire for jobs in the services sector. A job where they could operate in air-conditioned offices and not in humid factories. They desperately wanted to get away from the blue-collar tag," he adds.

This was so even if it meant lower salaries. There were times when people used to queue up in front of our mill every day with recommendation letters," says Srihari Balakrishnan, managing director of Coimbatore-based Sri Kannapiran Mills Ltd. Not anymore. But I get at least 600 walk-ins every month at a business process outsourcing (BPO) unit that I operate," he adds. Of the 2,200 workers in his mills, 1,800 are migrants. He pays a higher salary to workers at the textile mills than at the BPO.

Workers used to make 1,300 T-shirts in a 10-hour shift. Now, they make 900thats a 30% fall in productivity. Bala

Alcoholism is another reason. No local worker wants to work in the evening shift. That is their drinking time," says A. Sethu, managing director, Master Linens Inc., a Karur-based home textile producer, and joint secretary, Karur Textile Manufacturer Exporters Association (KTMEA).

Migrants first entered the states textile sector in 2005, and within years the trickle turned into a flood. Today, workers from Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Assam account for 70% of the labour. As their importance increased, the textile units began to take care of them better, even providing them with hostel facilities and food that they preferred. Their wages improved as well. Over time, the scales began to tilt. The migrant workers became more demanding, working fewer hours and going on extended annual breaks. They became indisciplined and their efficiency dropped," says Bala. In 2016-17, he shut two of his spinning mills for this reason and shifted to technical textiles. Spinning mills need to operate at close to 100% capacity to make money. We could barely do 80%," he says. NC John Garments Neroth agrees. Earlier workers used to make 1,300 T-shirts in a 10-hour shift. Now, they make just 900thats a 30% fall in productivity," he adds. There is no loyaltyattrition rates exceed 40%.

Sunil Jhunjhunwala, founder of Tiruppur-based Techno Sportswear Pvt. Ltd, a local sportswear brand specializing in high-performance fabrics, recalls an incident in his factory. We made an announcement that workers cannot bring alcohol into the hostel premises inside the factory. Within minutes more than 10 workers packed their bags to leave," he says. Despite providing facilities and taking care of the workers, attrition rates remain high. It is proving to be difficult to tackle the issue of homesickness," says Sri Kananbiran Mills Balakrishnan. He is attempting something uniquere-settling workers in Tamil Nadu. We bring the entire family, including the workers parents, offer them 10,000 to buy essential items, provide one months rent upfront, take care of the childrens education and offer medical benefits," he says. He has managed to resettle just 75 such families so far.

Limited automation

What the sector is realizing is that migrant workers will not be available forever. As their home states develop, and employment opportunities emerge there, they will go back. The textile sectors people problems are only set to increase. What makes things worse is that the scope for automation is limited.

Pallipalayam, near Erode, is a cluster that produces 80% of the countrys viscose yarn. This cluster, which houses 60 spinning mills in just 5 square kilometres, has been facing a tough time due to cheaper imports and higher labour costs.

Much of the automation has already happened and there is scope for only incremental gains. Dhamodharan

I stopped a 50 crore expansion mid-way," says Ramesh Natarajan, executive director, AGT Mills, and president, The Indian Manmade Yarn Manufacturers Association. His company has incurred a cash loss of 25 crore in the last 26 months. Ramesh is instead planning to invest in more modern air jet spinning machines. My need for labour will reduce from 125 workers to just 5 per machine. Also, my cost of production per kilogram will reduce by 10," he adds.

But not all segments of the textile sector have such automation options. Stitching, for instance, cannot do without human intervention. Much of the automation has already happened and there is scope for only incremental gains," says ITFs Dhamodharan.

Integrated setup

The other option is to become a fully integrated unit. One that houses spinning, dyeing, weaving and stitching operations all under the same roof. Large buyers are increasingly preferring integrated units as they are globally competitive, deliver assured quality, and the buyers compliance needs reduce as they do not have to deal with too many vendors," says RM Lakshman Narayan, director, Theni-based Maneka Mills Pvt. Ltd.

But Tamil Nadus textile sector is dominated by clusters comprising thousands of small units. These clusters have outlived their utility as global competition requires products delivered at very competitive rates. Unable to do this, many small units have shut down.

Converting into an integrated unit is not easy as most outfits are too small, with little financial and managerial clout to scale up. The biggest hurdle is the mindset of the small entrepreneurs. They do not see the writing on the wall and refuse to change," says KTMEAs Setu.

The shift

This is forcing exporters to set up large capacities outside these clusters. For instance, Erode-based ARS Exports has traditionally exported fabrics that were made by these small units on a contract basis. The inability of these units to modernize their operations in line with global needs is forcing us to consider setting up a unit in Surat with high-tech machines," says R. Arjun Sethu, its chief executive officer.

Gokuldas Exports, a leading apparel exporter, is setting up a facility just outside Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh (MP). Shahi Exports is setting up an apparel unit near Indore (MP); Page Industries, maker of the Jockey brand of innerwear, has invested 290 crore on two units in Telangana; and Tiruppur-based Best Corp. is investing 60 crore to set up a unit near Ujjain (MP). Welspuns integrated textile unit has begun operations in Cuttack, Odisha, employing 10,000 workers. Kitex, which moved from Kerala, has already commenced operations in Telangana.

Large units are flocking to these states as they offer attractive incentives. Considering the incentives and facilities on offer, I can set up a unit in Telangana at a cost of 7 crore. A similar facility in Tamil Nadu will cost 40 crore," says Neroth.

Welspuns integrated textile unit has begun operations in Cuttack, Odisha, employing 10,000 workers.

Such developments will eventually lead to the death of textile clusters. The clusters that we have in Tamil Nadu are proven ones and we should find a way to help them stay relevant. Otherwise, they will be doomed," says Raja M. Shanmugam, chairman of Warsaw International, an apparel export firm, and former president of the Tiruppur Exporters Association.

Given the textile sectors importance to the states economy, the Tamil Nadu government has taken care of its needs in the past. It needs to step in once again to ensure that the industry not only survives but thrives. A vibrant textile sector is critical for the state to achieve its dream of becoming a trillion-dollar economy by 2030.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) called September the busiest IPO month in fourteen years. The month is near its end, but the primary market buzz is unlikely to fade as more than half a dozen companies want to raise around 60,000 crore in the next sixty days. Hyundai Motor India, Swiggy, and NTPC Green Energy are big IPO names set to hit Dalal Street in October and November.

Apart from the three big IPO names, several other firms like Afcons Infrastructure, Waaree Energies, Niva Bupa Health Insurance, One Mobikwik Systems, and Garuda Construction are also planning to launch their initial public offerings (IPOs) during October-November, reported PTI citing merchant bankers.

Over 30 IPOs expected to be launched till December The IPO rush is likely to continue till the end of the year with the Indian stock market witnessing the entry of 30 new IPOs, according to Munish Aggarwal, Managing Director and Head - Equity Capital Markets at Equirus. The new IPO arrival will be a combination of listings from across sectors, varying deal sizes, and a mix of fresh issues and offers for sale.

Whats fuelling the IPO rush? The IPO market in India is flourishing due to positive key macroeconomic indicators, strong inflows into domestic mutual funds, and robust capital formation. The IPO rush aligns with the Indian stock markets stellar growth, indicating a heightened investor interest. The strong momentum of IPO markets is partially driven by strong inflows into domestic mutual funds and the robust capital formation happening across corporate India, he added.

Also Read | Swiggy IPO: Top 10 things to know about the public offering

IPOs also provide an opportunity for companies to boost their capex and raise funds for expansion plans, retire debt, support working capital requirements, and provide exit routes to existing shareholders. Here is the list of the top three much-awaited IPOs of 2024.

Hyundai Motor India The subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai Motor Company is likely to become the largest-ever IPO in India as it is eyeing to raise 25,000 crore from the market. The investment could surpass LICs 21,000-crore initial share sale.

The automaker's entire issue will be an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 14,21,94,700 shares by Hyundai Motor Company, with no fresh issue component, reported PTI citing Hyundais draft red herring prospectus (DRHP).

Swiggy IPO Online food aggregator, Swiggy is also looking to enter into market with a 10,414 crore IPO. The company is planning to raise the amount via fresh issue and offer for sale (OFS). Swiggy's IPO consists of a fresh issue of sharesworth 3,750 crore and an OFS component of 18.52 croreworth 6,664 crore.

NTPC Green Energy The renewable energy arm of state-owned NTPC, is all set to launch its 10,000 crore IPO in the first week of November, sources told PTI earlier. Ahead of its IPO launch, the company will hold roadshows in multiple locations across India and abroad, including Mumbai, London, the United States, etc, reported CNBC TV-18 earlier.
The combined market valuation of eight of the top 10 most valued firms surged 1,21,270.83 crore last week. Reliance Industries became the biggest gainer, in line with an outstanding rally in benchmark equity indices. Last week, the BSE benchmark jumped 1,027.54 points or 1.21 per cent. The 30-share BSE Sensex hit its previous record high of 85,978.25 on Friday.

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) retained the highest ranking in the chart of the most valued firms, followed by TCS, HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, Infosys, State Bank of India, Hindustan Unilever, ITC and LIC. Mukesh Ambani-led RIL's mcap jumped 53,652.92 crore to 20,65,197.60 crore.

Mcap of top 10 most valued Indian companies State Bank of India added 18,518.57 crore, taking its valuation to 7,16,333.98 crore. Bharti Airtel's market valuation soared 13,094.52 crore to 9,87,904.63 crore and that of ITC grew by 9,927.3 crore to 6,53,834.72 crore. The market capitalisation (mcap) of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) surged 8,592.96 crore to 15,59,052 crore.

HDFC Bank's valuation climbed 8,581.64 crore to 13,37,186.93 crore and that of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) zoomed 8,443.87 crore to 6,47,616.51 crore. The mcap of Infosys went up by 459.05 crore to 7,91,897.44 crore. However, the market valuation of ICICI Bank tumbled 23,706.16 crore to 9,20,520.72 crore. The mcap of Hindustan Unilever declined by 3,195.44 crore to 6,96,888.77 crore.

Stock market review: How Sensex, Nifty performed last week The Indian stock market closed September on a remarkably positive note after picking up an invincible bullish rally largely driven by strong global cues. The market's bullish rally was fueled by the supersized 50-basis-point (bps) rate cut by the US Federal Reserve, which showed no significant concerns about the US economy and China's monetary stimulus.

As the new month begins, investors will closely monitor key market triggers such as domestic and global macroeconomic data, auto sales data, second-quarter corporate updates, market watchdog's board meeting, primary market action, foreign fund inflows, crude oil prices, and global cues. Investors will see intense action in the domestic and corporate sectors in the first week of October.

Domestic equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty 50 achieved fresh record highs for six consecutive sessions and logged a third straight weekly gain. The remarkable performance was primarily fueled by a robust rally in metals and financial stocks, which have seen significant buying interest amid improving global and domestic cues.

After a strong start, the benchmark indices moved within a narrow range during the initial sessions. However, a sharp rally on Thursday allowed the indices to resume their uptrend. The continued optimism in the US markets and Chinas newly announced stimulus measures contributed to the positive sentiment.

The Nifty 50 rose by 0.23 per cent, reaching a fresh all-time high of 26,277 during Friday's trade before closing with a 0.14 per cent drop at 26,199. Notably, this marked the third straight session where the NSE index closed above the crucial psychological level of 26,000.

Similarly, the S&P BSE Sensex hit a new peak of 85,978, climbing 0.16 per cent. It ended the session at 85,615, a 0.30 per cent fall from its previous close, but stayed above the 85,000 mark for the third consecutive session. On the weekly front, the 30-share BSE benchmark jumped 1,027.54 points or 1.21 per cent, while the Nifty surged 388 points or 1.50 per cent.
It feels odd, as a woman, to visit an all-male bastion in a thriving capital city that may soon have a female President. Yet, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry or the House of the Temple, in Washington DC, is out to prove that not everything old is boring. And, change is possible.

The Freemasons are a fraternal organisation, considered one of the oldest in the world, with The Scottish Rite" an appendant body of Freemasons. The social and philanthropic organisation were once the talk of the literary world, offering enough occult fodder for conspiracy theorists and mystery writers (hello Dan Brown!) with their arcane and esoteric symbols, rituals, initiation ceremonies, and for wielding considerable political power behind the scenes.

The House of the Temple is where I go to seek fodder for my own story.

An imposing, century-old structure, the Temple has towering columns, and sphinxes guarding the entrance. Inside, its awash in marble, and limestone sourced from quarries in Indiana. Visitors enter into an atrium with chandeliers depicting the four virtues of temperance, prudence, justice and fortitude; replicas of chairs found in the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens; and a grand marble staircase.

It is where we meet our first highlight of the temple, our tour guide Clair Ryan. Dressed demurely, she mindfully walks us around the building, pointing out the interesting highlights and offering up facts, figures and dates.

It was architect John Russell Pope who designed the temple, and it is one of his greatest creations. Though not a member himself, Pope did manage to use a lot of iconographies important to the Freemasons in the building. Take the entrance, for example. It was inspired by the tomb of King Mausolus in Bodrum, Turkey, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The granite stairs leading to the temple are grouped in clusters of three, five, seven, and nine Pythagorean numbers. The two sphinxes flanking the stairs are Wisdom and Power.

Within, the Temple Room is the heart of the building, an impressive sight with a central dome and skylight, eight granite columns, and leather-covered doors. The glass windows throw out deep yellow colour that lightens as it goes higher. The change in the colour symbolises that as you rise through the levels of Scottish Rite, you gain knowledge out of chaos," says Ryan. The doors (set into the windows) on all sides are Popes attempt at a climate control system for the room. You can open them all to let in air." A marble altar in the centre has holy books from the major world religions, including a Bhagavad Gita. An organ in one corner of the room has pipes concealed above the main door so the sound rains down over the room".

View Full Image The Sphinx at the temple. (Courtesy Washington.org)

Nearby is the executive chamber or boardroom where the council of 33 men meets to discuss the boring parts of running the Scottish Rite". Above each of the 33 chairs, near the grand commanders chair, are small speakers, another unique Pope creation. If you speak in one, the sound can be heard in the other," says Ryan. It also meant that any gossip happening in the sides of the room would reach the grand commander."

Also read: Real brotherly love

It soon appears that every room and corridor inside this grand building has some significance, and Ryan does a stellar job pointing it out. It does seem surprising that a Masonic Temple, which prides itself on its fraternal brotherhood, would have a woman taking the tour. Much like Pope, she has no link to Freemasonry. She offers up information with a deadpan wit.

We had a sort of White House situation going on here," she quips, pointing to one of the two busts outside The Pillars of Charity (an alcove highlighting major donors). Its the bust of John Henry Cowles, one of the last grand commanders to live on the site. He was grand commander for 31 years and it is said that he enjoyed working here so much that he wanted to stay forever." Nearby is the bust and crypt of Albert Pike, American author, lawyer, and a popular Freemason.

We walk past the Hall of Scottish Rite Regalia, which has oil paintings showcasing the various elements associated with the different degreesthey teach the moral codes and philosophies of being a Mason; a room dedicated to past sovereign grand commanders; another dedicated to the current sovereign commander; and a tiny Cornerstone Hall of Freedom, which commemorates the bicentennial Masonic reenactment of the laying of the US Capitol cornerstone. The Capitols first cornerstone was laid by George Washington in a Masonic ceremony in 1793. Ryan calls the cornerstone notorious", because it cannot be found. The hall, thus, has a fancy rock", a fragment of stone taken from an area thought to be near the cornerstone. Some think the British stole it, but based on their record, it wouldve landed up at a museum," she says, urging us to go on a treasure hunt for the time capsule of Masonic goodies".

View Full Image A bust of Albert Pike. (Getty Images)

Being in Washington DC, it feels justified that the House of the Temple has a heavy political presence. Theres a George Washington Memorial Banquet Hall, designed with motifs and colours found in the ruins of Pompeii, and containing two paintings of the first Presidentlaying of the Masonic cornerstone in the Capitol, and of his inauguration.

The Americanism Museum is perhaps the most fascinating room, holding many curiosities from American history. Theres a silk Masonic flag that Buzz Aldrin carried to the moon (where he opened a Tranquillity Lodge"), a foundation stone from the White House with Freemasonic markings, pens used by former Presidents to sign bills, a collar worn by Harry S. Truman, and a replica life mask of Abraham Lincoln (one of only two such in the US).

The tour ends at the public library, the first in the city. It initially started out as a collection of donated books by Albert Pike. The library is free for everyone, but the books here are limited to freemasonry and related subjects," says Ryan. The highlight here are two tomes written by the Vatican about the Knights Templar, and the Bible used at George Washingtons funeral.

This Masonic temple, despite its origins, doesnt feel as stuck in the past. Ryan and some of the interns are women, the temple is open to visitors daily, and it doesnt feel like a stuffy relic.

It is a good example of the sign of the changing times.

Joanna Lobo is a Goa-based journalist.

Also read: 7 destinations to enjoy slow travel in India
Retirement planning not just involves planning the finances for adequate retirement corpus, but also planning your retirement home. But what if you want to plan a retirement outside India? The planning then can be more complex. Apart from making the adequate financial provisions, you would also need to check which countries offer suitable residency programmes.

Portugals D7 visa offers an option for retirees to gain residency if they meet certain passive income requirements. Mint takes you through what you need to apply for the D7 visa, which is also known as Portugals passive income visa.

Financial eligibility

As mentioned earlier, the D7 visa requires applicants to meet certain minimum passive income thresholds.

These incomes could be from various streams: rentals, dividend, interest income, pension, etc. The minimum income requirement is linked to the minimum wages in Portugal. While the minimum wage in Portugal now is 820 per month, it is recommended that an applicant maintain a passive income of 1,000 per month ( 93,000), as the minimum wage keeps fluctuating. On an annual basis, this amounts to 12,000 ( 11.16 lakh).

If the spouse needs to be added in the application, the passive income requirement goes up by 50%. So, the total passive income requirement for a couple adds up to 1,500 ( 1.39 lakh) per month, or 18,000 ( 16.74 lakh) per year.

But given that these figures are linked to minimum wages in Portugal you may need a higher income stream depending on your living costs and lifestyle needs. So, higher the income stream the better. It also adds weight to your D7 visa application.

You can add a dependent minor or an adult dependent (unmarried and studying) to your D7 visa application, but then the total passive income requirement would be slightly higher.

View Full Image (Mint Graphics)

Starters kit

You can apply for the D7 visa through the Portugal embassy. The application fee for a single adult is 90 ( 8,370). However, even before you start the application process, you need to have certain things in place.

First, you need to find a Portuguese lawyer who can remotely help you obtain an NIF, which is the taxpayer identification number in Portugal.

Apart from this, you need to open an account with a Portuguese bank. Once you open the bank account, you will need to deposit the minimum required passive income for the first year of your stay in Portugal. So, you would need to deposit 12,000, as per current wage trends in Portugal, if you are applying for a D7 visa only for yourself.

Also read | A Portugal Golden Visa can give you wide access to Europe. Should you apply?

You also need to secure a proof of accommodation in Portugal. This can be done via getting a property on lease for a minimum contract of 12 months or getting a term of responsibility signed by a local friend or relative in Portugal, stating that they are willing to provide you accommodation for 12 months.

Once your application is approved, you are granted a four-month double-entry visa into Portugal, on a temporary D7 visa. You are required to visit Portugal to apply for the final D7 residence visa, register your biometrics and furnish other documents.

Within four months of your arrival in Portugal, schedule an appointment with AIMA (The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) for interview and biometrics. You need to carry documents such as proof of passive income, accommodation, a criminal record certificate, health insurance, and a valid passport," says Himani Negi, associate partner at Multipolitan, a global migration platform.

Stay requirements

The D7 visa is initially issued for two years. However, the minimum stay required during the initial two years is 16 months. A D7 visa holder cannot leave the country for six consecutive months, or eight months in total.

Also read | Is moving to Dubai on nomad work visa worth it?

After the initial two years, the visa can be renewed for three years. During this three-year period, the D7 visa holder needs to be in Portugal for 28 months. The visa holder cannot leave the country for six consecutive months or eight months in total during this three-year period.

Working rights

As the D7 visa is given to individuals who are financially independent and can support themselves without working in Portugal, you cannot work for a local Portuguese company on a D7 visa.

In addition to residency rights in Portugal, the D7 visa also gives visa-free access in the Schengen Area, which includes 29 European countries.

However, after obtaining permanent residency, you can work for a Portuguese company.

Also read | How Indian students can get work visas after studying abroad

One can apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years on a D7 visa. In addition to condition-free residency in Portugal and visa-free travel in the Schengen Area, the permanent residency also allows one to work in Portugal.

Portugal citizenship gives maximum rights as it fully opens up access to the European Union. As a Portugal passport holder, one can freely live and work across the Schengen Area. The Portugal passport also gives visa-free/visa-on-arrival access to 188 countries.

Tax implications

India and Portugal have a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Speak to a Portugal-qualified chartered accountant to understand the taxation applicable for different types of passive income. For example, if you are getting pension from a National Pension Scheme (NPS) in India, you will get taxed as per Portugal taxation, according to Harshal Bhuta, partner at chartered accountancy firm PR Bhuta & Co. NPS doesnt fall under pension income, as defined by DTAA. Hence, it will be considered as other income, which gets taxed only in Portugal as per DTAA," he says.

Who is it suitable for the D7 visa

The Portugal D7 visa is suitable for individuals who are serious about relocating to Portugal as it has high minimum stay requirements. Paresh Karia, a Mumbai-based chartered accountant who tracks the immigration space, says this visa programme is suitable for senior officials drawing large pension income or traditional investors with real estate investments and rental income.

Even heavy equity investors or retired corporate officials drawing large dividend income from their stocks would be able to qualify for this programme through adequate dividend income," Karia adds.

Also read | How to obtain a Dubai Golden Visa through real estate investment
Bihar flood: Following the release of water from Valmikinagar and Birpur barrages on Saturday, the Bihar government sounded an alert for floods, a senior official informed PTI. As many as 13.5 lakh people in 13 districts are severely affected by the flood water.

Rivers have been overflowing in north and central Bihar following heavy showers in the catchment area over the last three days. The authorities have issued a high alert after several areas that were inundated as can be seen in the visuals.

Also Read | Row erupts as Bihar students assaulted in Bengal, 2 arrested

The district administration and Water Resources Department (WRD) have called in emergency control measures and are monitoring embankments round the clock. As a preventive measure, vehicular movement has been halted near Kosi barrage. Rescue team members include three superintending engineers, 17 executive engineers, 25 assistant engineers and 45 junior engineers of the WRD.

According to PTI report, the rivers flowing above danger mark include Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Kamla Balan and Mahananda and Ganga that have caused flood-like situation in 31 blocks of eight districts of North Bihar, reported Live Hindustan. In East Champaran, closure of all schools was announced till September 29 amid possibility of heavy rains.

Principal Secretary of the state Water Resources Department Santosh Kumar Mall pointed out that a total of 5.79 lakh cusecs of water was released from Birpur Barrage on Kosi River till 7:00 PM on Saturday. This marks the highest water discharged from this barrage in 56 years since 1969.

Also Read | Bihar bridge collapses due to flooding in Bhagalpur river | Watch video

Compounding the situation, 5.38 lakh cusecs of water was released from Valmikinagar Barrage till 7:00 PM on Saturday. This marks the highest water discharged from this barrage in 21 years since 2004.

Nepal floods The state Water Resources Department (WRD) in a statement sais, Due to heavy rains in Nepal, water discharge in rivers like Gandak, Koshi, Mahananda etc. has increased significantly on Saturday."

Santosh Kumar Mall suggested that incessant rainfall in the catchment areas of Nepal has led to rivers touching or flowing above the danger level at several places in the bordering districts. According to officials, the excess river water inundated low-lying areas, including West and East Champaran, Gopalganj, Araria, Supaul, Katihar, Purnea, among several other districts.

Also Read | Bihar: 43 people including 37 kids drown during holy dip for Jivitputrika fest

Nepal reportedly released 5.40 lakh cusecs of water in Gandak barrage on Saturday till 7:00 PM. At the same time 4.99 lakh cusecs of water in was released in Kosi barrage. According to AIRN report, all the 56 sluice gates of the Kosi barrage in Supaul have been opened to ease the pressure.
A Delhi police constable was allegedly killed in a road rage incident after being hit by a recklessly driven car when he was going to the police station on his bike in Delhi's Nagaloi area.

According to Delhi police, the incident occurred on Saturday night when constable Sandeep, 30-year-old, spotted a recklessly driven WagonR on his way to Nangloi Police Station during duty hours and asked the driver not to drive harshly.

Suddenly, the driver of the WagonR increased the speed of the car and hit Sandeep's bike from behind and dragged him for about 10 metres before colliding with another car. The entire incident is captured in A CCTV camera installed the area.

"He took a left turn and a WagonR tried to cross him at high speed. There was probably a verbal exchange between him and the driver. When Sandeep drove on, the vehicle accelerated and hit his bike from behind. He was dragged for about 10 metres and hit another vehicle. He suffered serious head injuries," NRTV quoted senior police officer Jimmy Chiram as saying.

Delhi police said, after the incident, Sandeep was rushed to nearby Sonia Hospital and later referred to Balaji Hospital in Paschim Vihar but declared dead.

At the time of the accident, the constable was reportedly not in uniform.

Delhi police said the car had two occupants. Soon after the accident, they abandoned the car and fled from the spot. Police have seized the vehicle and are looking for the accused.

A case under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered against the accused.

Sandeep is survived by his mother, wife and a five-year-old son.
Gurugram news: Police registered an FIR against WhatsApp directors and nodal officers for reportedly not cooperating in a 4 crore fraud case investigation. The top officials of the Meta-owned company refused to share details related to certain accounts linked to a police investigation, reported India Today.

Also Read | WhatsApp to roll out new feature  customize chat theme

The case was filed after WhatsApp officials didn't respond to police requests for the last two months and even raised objections in an illegal manner, according to an India Today report.

The Gurugram Police sent the first request for information sharing in an investigation on July 15. After receiving no response, the police sent another detailed request for information about certain mobile numbers on July 25. The officials didn't respond even for the second time, forcing police to take action against them in September.

Despite being legally bound to provide the desired information under the existing laws of the country, WhatsApp management has violated the legal instructions by not providing the information sought, India Today quoted the police statement.

Also Read | NSE warns of WhatApp scamsters luring investors with shares at discounted prices

According to the report, police registered an FIR against WhatsApp officials and directors under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act for not cooperating in an investigation.

The police were investigating a fraud case which was filed by The Commodity Hub in May this year. It was alleged that 4 crore was transferred from the company's bank account to four different accounts without the knowledge of top officials at the firm, reported Times of India.

Also Read | WhatsApp unveils new Channel Categories for content discovery: All about it

Ten people accused in the case have been arrested so far. Still, the police investigation was affected due to WhatsApp officials' non-cooperation, as they didn't provide details of the four numbers linked to the case, ACP cybercrime Priyanshu Dewan told theTimes of India.
New Delhi: The government is planning to revive the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC), a statutory body created in 2019, by incentivizing various parties to arbitrate at the New Delhi institution in an effort to increase its case load, two government officials said on the condition of anonymity.

Following amendments in rules for arbitrations involving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in June this year, the IIAC, which is the only arbitration institution directly funded by the Union government, is in the early stages of convening a new chapter of its services, specializing in international maritime arbitration.

"The new centre for arbitration in Mumbai will not be a new body, but more like a branch of the IIAC," said Hemant Gupta, chairperson of the IIAC, and a retired supreme court judge. Both steps taken to incentivize MSMEs as well as parties to maritime arbitrations are to promote institutional arbitration in the country, Gupta said.

Efforts to promote arbitration for out-of-court dispute resolution started before the turn of the millennium, with the institution of the International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ICADR) and passage of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

Promoting institutional arbitration was a key function of the ICADR. However, a weak case load was a crucial issue with the ICADR, indicating that India was far from adopting institutional arbitration as a go-to dispute resolution method, according to an expert committee report by a panel led by retired supreme court judge B.N. Srikrishna in 2017.

"The case load of the ICADR has been 49 arbitration cases since its inception as compared to 343 new cases handled by the SIAC (Singapore International Arbitration Centre) in 2016, 303 new cases handled by the LCIA (London Court for International Arbitration) in 2016, and 966 new cases handled by the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) Court in 2016," the Srikrishna committee report noted.

Following the committee's suggestions to revamp the ICADR, the central government created the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre in 2019, later renamed the IIAC.

Issue of weak case load

Weak case load, however, remains a problem. Currently, the IIAC is hosting approximately 15 ongoing institutional arbitrations, Gupta of IIAC told Mint, adding that this is a low number.

An email query sent to the ministry of law and justice about these developments remained unanswered till press time.

In June, in a concerted effort to build the IIAC's case load, the government issued fresh rules for arbitration for MSMEs, allowing them to use its services at a discount. A provision of the notified rules said, "No filing fee for Claim or Counter Claim and minimal arbitrator fee (less than the rate specified in the Fourth Schedule of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act,1996) and minimal administration fee payable by parties."

The new rules also provided fast-track arbitration ending in six months from the date the arbitrators were decided by parties, along with a fee waiver for MSMEs desiring legal aid.

Also read: Law ministry seeks arbitration data of last 24 years from all ministries

Consequently, the IIAC has decided to focus on maritime arbitration with the same goal of boosting its case load. Globally, maritime arbitration, especially international maritime arbitration is taking off as the shipping industry boomed due to a rise in international trade.

"Putting maritime arbitration into context in the London market, its caseload of, on average, 1,700 new references each year makes up by far the majority (approximately 75%) of London-seated arbitrations commenced annually," a report by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, an international training body for international arbitration, said in 2023.

Importance of revival

IIAC's revival assumes importance as India tries to shift from a culture of ad hoc arbitration to institutional arbitration, as suggested by various expert panels and law commission reports. It also aligns with the central government's goal to make India a global arbitration hub.



Law and justice minister Arjun Ram Meghwal told Mint last week the government was in the process of making new rules under the Arbitration Act.

The law ministry also sought data regarding the state's arbitration matters from all other ministries earlier this month after conducting research into global best practices, Mint reported earlier.

IIAC secures a budget via grants demanded from the central government every year in the range of 3-4 crore, roughly half of which is for salaries of permanent employees, officials in the IIAC told Mint, requesting anonymity.

All other centres for institutional arbitration in the country are either privately operated, or run by high courts. For instance, the Delhi International Arbitration Centre is operated by the Delhi High Court.
Kolkata rape, murder: West Bengal junior doctors announced on Saturday night that they might resume total 'cease work' in medical colleges after observing the state government's submission on their safety and security at workplaces during the hearing of the RG Kar case in the Supreme Court on September 30.

The protesting doctors' remark comes a day after three doctors and three nurses were assaulted after the death of a patient at the College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital near Kolkata on September 27, Friday.

Then from 5pm' According to the medics, the state-run hospitals have "totally failed" to deliver promises to provide them security. While expressing that they want to hear the safety measures submitted by the Bengal government, the doctors have decided to wait till 5pm tomorrow.

We are giving the state some time and want to hear their submission regarding our security during the Supreme Court hearing on Monday and then from 5 pm, we will start total 'cease work' at all hospitals across Bengal, said one of the junior doctors, stated reports.

Repeat what happened at RG Kar The doctor criticized the West Bengal government for not taking the security measures seriously. Aghast at how the deceased patient's relatives could threaten a female doctor to repeat what has happened at RG Kar, the junior doctor said that medics across the state have lost faith in the government.

We are giving the state some time and want to hear their submission regarding our security during the Supreme Court hearing.

It has been over a month since a post graduate trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Medics across the country have been protesting since then, and had resumed work on September 21, 2024 after a 42 days hiatus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take to the Mann ki Baat program today at 11am on Akashvani , to share his thoughts with the people of the country, and those staying abroad.

The program will be broadcast on the entire network of Akashvani and Doordarshan, the AIR News website, and the Newsonair mobile app. The public can also catch PM Modi expressing his thoughts on the YouTube channel.

Mann ki Baat today Today, i.e, September 29, marks the 114th episode of the monthly radio program by the Prime Minister. It will also be the fourth episode after PM Modi assumed office for the third consecutive time.

Akashwani is expected to broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast. For the September episode, the telephone lines have been open to the public from September 5-27 for sharing their suggestions with the Prime Minister.

PM Modi held the last Mann ki Baat episode on August 25, 2024.

More about Mann ki Baat The programme was first launched on October 3, 2014, with an aim to connect the various segments of the Indian society, including women, the youth and the elderly. The episodes are broadcast on the last Sunday of every month.

Apart from 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects, 'Mann Ki Baat' is broadcast in 11 foreign languages, including French, Chinese, Indonesian, and several others. Mann Ki Baat is broadcast by more than 500 centres of All India Radio.

According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, PM Modi's Mann ki Baat episodes have helped unite Indians, as they come forward with a range of issues to discuss.

Also Read | PM Modi to visit Jammu and Kashmir today; All you need to know

The Ministry further noted on social media platform X, that the monthly address has reached a diverse audience, nurturing a spirit of dialogue and national unity.
#MeToo in Kerala Film Industry: In another shocking revelation, Malayalam actor Minu Muneer has alleged that filmmaker-actor Balachandra Menon forced her to watch group sex in his room in 2007, said a report by India Today.

"There were a few other men sitting and watching. There were three girls and him in the room engaged in it. I walked out of the room. He asked me to sit and watch," Muneer was quoted as saying by India Today.

Earlier, she had accused several people, including actor Jayasurya and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh, of physical and verbal abuse.

Her allegations came after Hema Committee report raised issues of sexual exploitation faced by several women actors and workers in Malayalam film industry.

The Justice Hema Committee report, made public on August 19, noted that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry.

Talking about probe into cases related her previous charges, Muneer said: I am very satisfied with the investigation. To see an MLA with so much influence getting arrested is not a simple thing. For me, it was an intuition when the report was published. When the Chief Minister said that we would register cases upon receiving complaints, I felt I should speak about it.

Also Read | Kerala news: Police issue lookout notice for actor Siddique in rape case

"I had a lot of dreams, but the industry turned out to be a nightmare for me. It (Hema Committee Report) is a cleansing of not just the industry but our society," she added.

Further, Muneer said she has received multiple phone calls from individuals seeking to negotiate a compromise though money.

"Now I dont pick calls from unknown numbers," she added.

On September 25, Malayalam actor Edavela Babu was arrested by the Special Investigation Team after he was accused of physical and verbal abuse by Minu Muneer.

However, he was released on anticipatory bail in the case.
New Delhi: Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal and his US counterpart Gina Raimondo will discuss ways to secure supplies of critical minerals in the sixth meeting of the India-US Commercial Dialogue on 3 October in Washington DC, the Indian ministry said on Sunday.

"The two sides are negotiating a memorandum of understanding, which intends to enhance bilateral collaboration to increase and diversify essential critical mineral supply chains and leverage their complementary strengths, the commerce ministry said.

As part of his US visit starting Monday, Goyal will also engage with top executives from both US and Indian companies on 2 October to explore investment opportunities in India.

Earlier, Mint had reported on September 25 that key topics on the agenda would include the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), trade barriers, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), among others.

The India-US Commercial Dialogue is a key high-level forum to enhance bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. It promotes collaboration on trade policies, market access, and business opportunities.

Why this is important for India For India, this dialogue is crucial for resolving trade barriers, boosting exports, and attracting US investments, strengthening economic ties.

The three-day event will also focus on discussions around generating sustainable economic growth, improving the business and investment environment, and strengthening connections between the Indian and US business communities, the ministry said in the statement.

Also read: India-US Dialogue likely to feature talks on GSP, Trade Barriers, and IPEF "His (ministers) interactions with business and industry leaders in a roundtable organized by US-India Strategic Partnership Forum will stress upon ways to further leverage the complementary strengths and synergies between the economies of India and USA," it said.

The minister will also chair a Young Business Leaders Roundtable and India-USA Gems & Jewellery Trade Roundtable.

The visit will also include meeting US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai to discuss ongoing collaboration under the trade policy forum and ways to further add to two-way trade between the two countries.

The minister's visit is expected to further boost the strong and expanding trade and investment relationship between India and the USA.

Also read: India, US working on $1 bn multilateral financing for clean energy supply chain It aims to foster business-to-business engagement and promote strategic partnerships in key sectors, including critical minerals, supply chain resilience, climate and clean technology cooperation, inclusive digital growth, standards and conformance, and travel and tourism.

India's merchandise exports to the US have risen 54.4% from $54.3 billion in calendar (CY) 2018 to $83.8 billion in CY 2023.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday to enquire about his health after the opposition leader required medical assistance at a public meeting in Kathua district. The incident occurred during a the J&K Assembly Election campaign event.

Mallikarjun Kharge became unwell while addressing a rally in the Jasrota belt of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.

Congress leaders said Kharge is now stable after a check-up by doctors.

PTI reports citing officials in the know that Prime Minister Modi called up the Congress president and wished him good health.

Kharge on Jammu and Kashmir's Statehood Despite his health scare, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted, "The Congress will fight for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir." His dedication to the cause reflects the party's commitment to advocating for the rights and aspirations of the people in the region.

Also Read | Mallikarjun Kharge attacks BJP after Kangana remarks on farm laws

Kharge's Strong Words Against Modi Government In a bold statement, Mallikarjun Kharge declared, "I will not die until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed from power', when his health deteriorated midway during a speech at Jammu and Kashmir poll rally.

Accusing the BJP government of continuing to run Jammu and Kashmir through remote control, Kharge said, These people never wanted to conduct the elections. They only started preparing for elections after the Supreme Court's intervention.

"We will fight to restore statehood. We are not going to leave it. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until PM Modi is removed from power. I will listen to you. I will fight for you," Kharge told the rally in the Jasrota belt.

Campaigning concludes for final phase of J&K polls: Stakes high for BJP

The intense campaigning for the third and final phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election concluded on Sunday evening, with major political parties, particularly the BJP, Congress, NC and PDP, engaging in fierce exchanges over critical issues, including Pakistan, Article 370, terrorism and reservation.
In a tragic incident, a 10-year-old boy was allegedly killed after he was mercilessly beaten by his father and stepmother on suspicion of theft in Tyodi Biswa village in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

The victim identified as Ahad was beaten to death by a wooden stick by his 45-year-old father Naushad under the suspicion of stealing 500, said the police.

Ahad's stepmother, 40-year-old Razia is believed to have instigated the brutal attack. The couple, married for five years, also had a daughter, they said.

Modinagar Assistant Commissioner of Police Gyan Praksh Rai, said: Ahad's stepmother used to treat him with cruelty. On Saturday morning, when Naushad discovered that 500 was missing from his pocket, Razia accused Ahad of theft, triggering a violent outburst from the father.

The father dragged his son into a room and started hitting him with the wooden stick. Eventually, he lost his consciousness, Rai said.

After sometime, the couple fled the scene, leaving Ahads body lying in a pool of blood in the room.

Later, the police was informed by the neighbours about the incident. The body was sent for a post-mortem.

Also Read | UP news: Two girls found hanging from tree in Farrukhabad

Naushad and Razia were subsequently arrested by the police and charged with murder based on a complaint filed by Ahad's grandmother, the officer said.

In another shocking incident, an 11-year-old child was killed as part of an alleged sacrificial ritual performed by the owners of DL Public School in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district.

Besides the owner and director of the school, the principal and two teachers were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident, said police.

According to the police, DL Public School owner Jasodhan Singh, who is said to believe in 'tantrik rituals', asked his son Dinesh Baghel, the director of the school, to sacrifice a child for the prosperity of the school and his family.
Shardiya Navratri, alternatively known as Navratri, is an important Hindu festival celebrated across India. It is dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga.

The nine-day festival falls in October this year and occurs during Ashwin's lunar month. According to the Gregorian calendar, the festival typically falls between September and October. Shardiya Navratri is considered the most important of the four Navratris observed throughout the year. The other three Navratris include Magha, which is observed in the winter month; Chaitra, which is observed during spring; and Ashadha, which is observed during the monsoon.

Date and time This year, Shardiya Navratri 2024 will be celebrated from October 3 to October 12. The event encompasses a series of vibrant and spiritually significant rituals involving worship and observance of fasts, night vigils, and religious rituals such as kanya puja, havan. The Goddess descends to Earth during this time and blesses her devotees by relieving them of their hardships, as per popular belief.

The auspicious Ghatasthapana Muhurat will take place on October 3 from 6:30 AM and conclude at 7:31 AM. Meanwhile, the Abhijit Muhurat is slated to take place at 12:03 PM and will conclude at 12:51 PM.

Also Read | Bank Holidays in October 2024: Banks to remain closed for 15 days

The nine-day festivities will kickstart on Thursday, October 3. Ghatasthapana and Shailputri Puja will mark the beginning of Shardiya Navratri. Shardiya Navratri will conclude on Saturday, October 12, with Dussehra being celebrated on the same day.

Significance Shardiya Navratri is a sacred period that commemorates the intense nine-day battle between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura. It concluded with Mahishasura defeat on the tenth day, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. Dussehra, the tenth day of Shrad Navratri holds significance as it celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana which ultimately lead to successful rescue of Goddess Sita.

It is important to note that Diwali will be celebrated on October 31 which marks the night of Kartik Amavasya or Naraka Chaturdashi. It is widely believed that on this day, Goddess Lakshmi descends to Earth during the night and hence makes it auspicious to perform Diwali puja after sunset.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun his address to the nation through theMann ki Baat program today. This is the 114th episode of the monthly radio program by the Prime Minister. PM Modi held the last Mann ki Baat episode on August 25, 2024.

The program will be broadcast on Akashvani and Doordarshan's entire network, the AIR News website, and the Newsonair mobile app. The public can also catch PM Modi's thoughts on the YouTube channel.

Highlights from his address: PM Modi highlighted the importance of water conservation. He said, For the last few weeks, it has been raining heavily in different parts of the country. This rainy season reminds us how important 'water conservation' is.

The Prime Minister also reflected on the 10-year anniversary of his radio show and said, This episode today is going to make me emotional. It's flooding me with a lot of old memories... The reason is that this journey of ours in Mann Ki Baat is completing 10 years."

PM Modi spoke on the popularity of Swachh Bharat Mission, says Due to the success of the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' the Waste to Wealth' mantra is becoming popular among people. People have started talking about Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The Prime Minister also shared success story from Madhya Pradesh. He said, In Raipura Village of Dindori, Madhya Pradesh, construction of a large pond has raised the groundwater level considerably. The women of this village benefited from this.

During his address, the PM Modi also spoke on return of ancient artifacts by the US, says, We are all very proud of our heritage. I always say 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi'. There is a lot of discussion about the return of our ancient artefacts by the US. He added, "US President Joe Biden, very affectionately, showed me some of these artefacts in his private residence in Delaware. Returned Artifacts are made of materials such as Terracotta, Stone, ivory, wood, copper and bronze.

PM Modi also encouraged buying Made in India products during festive season. He said, In this festive season you can once again reiterate your old resolves. Anything you buy, should necessarily be 'Made in India' Anything you gift that too should be Made In India. Merely buying earthen lamps is not Vocal for Local'.

During his monthly address, the Prime Minister also spoke on the change in nature of jobs. He said, The nature of jobs is changing and new sectors are emerging... Such as gaming, animation, reel making, film making or poster making. If you can perform well in any of these skills... your talent can get a very big platform... if you are a part of a band or working for a community radio, then there is also a huge opportunity for you
The late for editing application details along with the payment of fees is also today. As per the official notification, the last date for printing application is October 14. Earlier, the last date was set as September 22 after which it was extended to September 29.

Eligibility to apply for Punjab & Sind Bank's (PSB) Specialist Officer positions

As per the official notification, A candidate must either be (i) citizen of India or (ii) a subject of Nepal or (iii) Bhutan or (iv) a Tibetan Refugee who came over to India before 1 Jan, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India or (v) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India, provided that a candidate belonging to categories (ii), (iii), (iv) & (v) above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Govt. of India. A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary may be admitted to the interview but on final selection the offer of appointment may be given only after the recessary eligibility certificate has been issued to him/her by the Government of India.
600-year-old Kunqu Opera revives in modern life

Xinhua) 11:02, September 29, 2024

A child clicks on an electronic screen to color an opera mask at the interactive experience space of a museum dedicated to local operas in Kunshan City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenqian)

NANJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- In Kunshan City, east China's Jiangsu Province, the melodies of Kunqu Opera, one of China's most ancient and treasured art forms, are not confined to the stages of grand theaters, but ring out in unexpected scenes - school bells, fitness routines and even bus stop illustrations where lively cartoon figures greet passersby every day.

Kunshan is the birthplace of Kunqu, which blends poetry, music, intricate costumes and graceful performances. The 600-year-old Chinese tradition earned its place on UNESCO's list of World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2001.

But Kunqu is far from a relic. In the bustling streets of Kunshan, this ancient art form continues to find new life, delicately balancing between preserving its timeless beauty and embracing the demands of modernity.

For performers like You Tengteng, an actress at the Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater, the act is both a challenge and a passion. After a long day of rehearsal, You and her colleagues discussed their latest performance strategies, not in a traditional theater but on Douyin, a Chinese video-sharing platform.

In partnership with the platform, You and seven other performers livestream their Kunqu shows for at least 20 hours each month. The goal is simple yet ambitious: to reach a new generation of audiences who might hesitate to sit through two or three hours-long performance in an opera house.

One of the challenges for them is interpretation - not from language to language, but from centuries-old art to the flickering screens of smartphones.

To draw audiences in the digital age, the performers have condensed the intricate art form into digestible one-hour segments, inviting viewers to experience Kunqu in more relaxed settings, whether over tea at a caf or within the walls of a museum.

The strategy seems to be working, particularly among Chinese youth. After performances, it is not uncommon to see young fans eagerly lining up for selfies and autographs with the performers, their newfound enthusiasm for this ancient art is a testament to its evolving relevance.

You was not so surprised to see the heartening trend. "The aesthetics of Chinese culture, ancient and modern, are continuous," she said. "What we strive to inherit is not just the technique, but the pursuit of beauty that has always existed."

"And Kunqu is a reflection of societal values, many of which were born in the feudal era. This tension between the past and present is where we find space for innovation, reimagining the stories of old to resonate with modern audiences," she added.

One such innovation was seen in the Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater's production of The Story of Washing Gauze, a play originally written in the 16th century. The story centers on Xi Shi, a legendary beauty from ancient China, who sacrifices her personal happiness to serve her country.

In the original ending, after years of separation and war, Xi Shi reunites with her lover and they live happily ever after. However, the modern production altered the ending, leaving it open and tinged with sorrow. The reimagining struck a chord with audiences, many of whom praised the new ending for its emotional depth and realism, noting that it made Xi Shi's character more relatable to modern viewers.

Kunshan's commitment to preserving and promoting Kunqu goes beyond the stage. Over the last few years, the Kunshan Kunqu theater has held more than 2,500 performances and tours, drawing over 20 million visitors from China and abroad.

In addition, the local government has invested 177 million yuan (about 25.2 million U.S. dollars) to fund new productions, support rehearsal spaces, and subsidize performances since 2018.

Kunshan's commitment extends to preserving not only Kunqu but the diverse operatic traditions of China. Since 2018, the annual Chinese Opera Gala (Kunshan) has been hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and provincial government. The gala showcases 348 traditional operas, including puppetry and shadow plays, bringing these art forms - many of which are endangered - into the spotlight and providing a platform for artistic exchange.

Wang Wei, an actor of Liuzi Opera from Shandong Province, performed the role of General Zhang Fei to the gala, who is a famous character from the classic Chinese novel "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms."

To play the role more impressively, Wang often learns from other versions of this character to enrich his performance and finally he creates a brave and lovable General Zhang Fei. "This gala is such a good opportunity to learn from each other, I am very glad to stand on this stage to let more people know our Liuzi Opera," Wang said.

In addition to performances, the gala includes training workshops for performers of minor or endangered operatic forms. Xu Min, a composer and performer of tea-picking opera from Jiangxi Province, has attended these workshops for years.

"If you focus only on your own art, you become isolated," she said. "But here, I'm exposed to so many different plays, rhythms, and techniques. I feel like a sponge, absorbing everything."

Kunshan's role as the birthplace of Kunqu Opera has positioned the city as a guardian of traditional Chinese opera, said Zhou Wei, Party chief of Kunshan. Through the construction of a museum dedicated to local operas and the host of annual national event, Kunshan endeavors to offer a space for art exchange and growth.

"We want to create a broad stage for different operas to flourish and to integrate traditional culture with the modern world," Zhou said.

You Tengteng, an actress at the Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater, performs during "The Story of Washing Gauze" in Kunshan City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 17, 2021. (Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater/Handout via Xinhua)

Wang Wei (C), an actor of Liuzi Opera from Shandong Province, performs the role of General Zhang Fei, who is a famous character from the classic Chinese novel "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms," during the annual Chinese Opera Gala (Kunshan) at a Kunqu theater in Kunshan City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 9, 2024. (Liuzi Opera from Shandong Province/Handout via Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The customer was shocked after cracking open four eggs from the carton to discover each were exactly the same.

The Coles shopper was amazed what by they found inside their carton of supermarket eggs. Source: getty/Reddit

A Coles shopper was stunned after cracking open a few eggs when they were met with an extraordinary one in 1000 find. The customer had purchased a carton of extra large eggs from the supermarket and discovered they all contained a double yolk.

It's a pretty rare sight according to experts, however the chances of discovering more than one double-yolk egg in the same batch are surprisingly high.

"Should I go buy a lottery ticket?" the shopper shared on social media this week, showing off their lucky find. "Cracked 4 eggs and got a double in every one and the box is normal. The only reason I cracked a fourth was to see if it would happen again and it did".

It's not the first time this has happened with Aussies feeling lucky each and every time they discover the same thing. Previously, Brisbane woman Joanna Schulz told Yahoo News Australia that "it felt like Christmas" when she found her entire carton of Coles 700g Free Range eggs contained a double yolk.

Four of the eggs in the Coles carton contained a double yolk. Source: Reddit

How multiple yolk eggs are produced?

According to food scientist and nutrition researcher Dr. Vincent Candrawinata, these rare eggs result from irregularities in the egg formation process within a hen's reproductive system. Speaking to Yahoo previously, he explained that double yolk eggs occur when a hen's ovary becomes overly productive, releasing two yolks instead of one  similar to the occurrence of human twins.

"Technically, if fertilised, such eggs can theoretically develop into multiple chicks (like twins!), but this is extremely rare and usually not viable," Dr. Vincent said.

Typically, a hen's ovary produces one yolk per day. In the case of double yolkers, it produces two in quick succession. These yolks merge during the egg-laying process, resulting in a single egg with two yolks. Triple yolks are even rarer, following the same principle but involving three yolks.

Previously an Aussie diner was met with an extraordinary quadruple-yolk egg.

What are the chances of getting a double-yolk egg?

According to Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, the chances of getting a double yolker is about one in 1000, but the odds of discovering more than one double-yolk egg in the same batch can be surprisingly high.

The Aussie science guru previously explained that several factors can increase the likelihood of encountering multiple double-yolk eggs.

"First, double-yolk eggs are usually larger than single-yolk eggs," Dr. Karl noted. "Eggs are usually sold in the sizes of small, medium, and large. So if you find a double-yolk egg in a carton of large eggs, the chances are higher than normal that another double-yolk egg could be found."

And while double yolkers can look off-putting, Kelly Seagrave, from Eggs Australia, confirmed "double yolkers are definitely safe to eat".

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
North Koreas rulers have always had strong views on art. Kim Il Sung, the regimes founding despot, said artists should arouse burning hatred for the enemy through their works". His son and successor, Kim Jong Il, was such a cinema enthusiast that he kidnapped a South Korean director and his actress ex-wife and forced them to make propaganda films, including a (surprisingly good) revolutionary Godzilla -style monster flick. Kim Jong Un, the current ruler, demands masterpieces pulsating with the sentiment of the times", by which he means praise for himself.

The president of South Korea probably has views on the arts, too. But because it is a democracy, its artists do not have to care what he thinks. Which helps explain why South Korean pop culture has spread joy across the world, whereas North Korean peoples culture" has not.

On YouTube Gangnam Style", a South Korean rap video, has been viewed 5bn timesnearly 60 times as often as Kiss", a popular childrens song from the North. On IMDb, an online film database, the top South Korean films have hundreds of thousands of ratings; the top northern ones, hardly any. The gulf is so vast that only a logarithmic scale can illustrate it (see charts).

Cultural success translates into cash. Half of the top ten bestselling albums in the world last year were South Korean, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, a trade group. The countrys pop-culture exports were a whopping $13bn in 2022, up from just under $5bn in 2013. This sum dwarfs North Koreas official exports of all goods and services combined.

The two Koreas share 5,000 years of history and were separated only after the second world war. So a comparison of their modern pop culture offers a useful insight into the effect of politics on creativity.

The first difference is freedom. In the South, artists are allowed to criticise, satirise and expose uncomfortable truths. Parasite", the first foreign film to win Best Picture at the Oscars in 2020, presents a bleak picture of inequality in South Korea (which is not especially bad by rich-country standards). Squid Game", a television series, offers a gory and original take on the same theme: cash-strapped contestants in an imaginary game show compete for a huge jackpotand face death if they lose.

North Koreans are free only to criticise the South. One northern newspaper called Parasite" a masterpiece" for its examination of working-class woes in Seoul. But any art about North Korea must glorify the regime and vilify its enemies. This makes for dreary, predictable fare.

The sole feature film North Korea has released in the past five years is A Day and a Night", a tiresome yarn about a humble nurse exposing counter-revolutionaries. Whereas South Korean shows depict complex protagonists facing difficult moral choices, characters in North Korean ones must simply be good (heroic workers) or bad (traitors, spies). Foreign characters are either evil (Americans, Japanese) or implausibly devoted to the Kim family.

Furthermore, all parts must be played by actors who have never displeased the regime. This applies retroactively, which can be awkward. The lead role in The Taehongdang Party Secretary", a television drama about a land-reclamation project to grow potatoes, was originally played by Choe Ung Chol, who later fell from grace for unclear reasons. (Rumour has it that he was associated with Kim Jong Uns uncle, who was executed for treason in 2013 and more or less airbrushed out of history.) When the show was recently rebroadcast, Mr Choes face and voice had been digitally removed from every scene and replaced with those of a new actor.

Ideological conformity extends to music, too. Leader, Just Give Us Your Order!" is a typically bombastic anthem, with a video of soldiers goose-stepping and charging into battle through sheets of fire. Few foreigners enjoy such tracks, and many North Koreans only pretend to. Choi Il-hwa, who escaped from North Korea when she was 14, recalls that she and her friends would twist the lyrics" of state-approved songs, substituting love" and friends" for glory" and the Kim dynasty, thus risking horrific punishment for a few moments of artistic freedom.

View Full Image .

When imitation is and isnt flattery

The second big difference concerns foreign influence. South Korean artists borrow widely. Film directors such as Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho draw inspiration from Hong Kong gangster movies, Taiwanese neo-realist flicks and American classics. Blackpink, the first female K-pop group to top Americas Billboard Top 200, reimagine American hip-hop and pop in a style that is uniquely their own. On their debut song, Whistle", they rap in a mix of English and Korean over skittering trap-style hi-hats. South Korean music firms make 80-95% of their profit from new releases, estimates Suh Bo-kyung of Bernstein Research, so they are always after new sounds to plunder.

North Korean artists, by contrast, must pretend that good ideas come only from North Korea, and especially from the Kim family. The state ideology is juche (self-reliance). Citizens can be sent to the gulag merely for possessing foreign films or music. Kim Jong Il warned that the corrupt pop music" of foreigners would stimulate vulgar and unhealthy hedonism".

Just a few trusted artists are allowed access to foreign material, and typically disguise their borrowing. Thus, many North Korean mobile games are uncredited rip-offs of Western titles like Angry Birds" and Bejewelled", which are unavailable on North Koreas walled-off internet. Its most famous original game, Pyongyang Racer", is an uninspired driving simulation. Its main virtue is verisimilitude: the streets are as empty as those of the capital, where only the rich own cars.

The third difference is capitalism. Pop culture in South Korea is produced by a variety of private companies. These firms are scandal-prone and notorious for micromanaging stars lives. But they never forget that fans have choices.

Mindful that their country has just 52m people, they have strived to please a global audience, just as South Korean industrial firms have aimed to export cars and mobile phones. K-pop groups often feature members with different styles, who speak different languages and sometimes come from different countries. Lyrics and videos tend to be less raunchy than their Western equivalents, making them palatable to censors and parents in more of the world. South Korean artists have been swift to embrace new technology. For example, the country is a pioneer of webtoons, a form of comic designed to be scrolled downwards on a phone screen. Koreans now dominate the Japanese webtoon market.

Most important, South Korean artists have grappled with universal themes. The way that television series such as Squid Game" and The Glory" (which deals with bullying) explore economic and social injustice resonates with global audiences, who share similar agonies", says Jin Dal-yong of Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada.

North Korean pop culture, by contrast, is state-directed and aims to please one man. Since Kim Jong Uns life experiences are a trifle unusualhe was brought up to be a god-king and can have anyone who annoys or ridicules him put to deaththis does not always yield content to which normal people can relate.

On Grandfathers Old Tales", a childrens show on North Korean television, an imperialist" wolf rips apart a rabbit. (Baby Shark", a South Korean childrens song, is less bloody and far more popular.) In A Sick and Twisted World", a comic book series, readers are invited to look down on depraved foreign customs, such as eating contests in America.

To be fair, Mr Kim has tried to modernise some of his countrys cultural output. He personally launchedMoranbong, a girl band in short skirts, in 2012, around the time when the whole world was dancing to Gangnam Style". Moranbong signalled a flirtation with openness: members played covers of Western songs such as My Way" and the theme from Rocky". But since then the group has grown more conservative, ditching their risque outfits for military garb, belting out songs such as Fly High, Our Party Flag" and offering videos of nuclear missiles destroying America.

Occasionally, despite the obstacles, North Korean artists produce art that speaks to people. Comrade Kim Goes Flying", a film from 2012 about a coalminer who wants to be a trapeze artist, was well-received by foreign film-festival-goers, as was A Schoolgirls Diary", a coming-of-age tale about a girl struggling to accept her fathers commitment to his work.

Years after she escaped, Ms Choi and her parents were driving, and she put on some North Korean pop, including Whistle". Not the Blackpink song, but one with a similar love theme and an unmistakably North Korean lyric: Today I smiled and told you Id exceeded production goals three-fold." Ms Chois father grew nostalgic. Ignore the oppressive words; the tunes helped him realise it was OK to miss the place where he was born, even if he has absolutely no desire to return.

North Korea has talent: cartoonists who can draw, composers who can create a tune. It is only their rulers who hold them back. When it comes to hard power, the two Koreas are in the same weight class, thanks to the Norths nuclear weapons. But culturally, the South is a colossus, whereas the Norths soft power is as weak as the rationale for making a communist dictatorship hereditary.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com

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Prince Harry and his royal lineage have been under massive scrutiny for decades. Several media reports and even royal experts have expressed a possibility that James Hewitt, not King Charles, is Prince Harry's biological father. Hewitt was the riding instructor of the late Princess Diana. A new book by Diana's hairdresser, Richard Dalton, has once again addressed the controversy.

Also Read | Prince Harry was furious after Royal Family did THIS

What did the new book on Diana say about Harry's rumoured father? According to the New York Post, the book,'Its All About the Hair, rejected claims that hint that Prince Harry was the son of Hewitt. The similarity between Prince Harry and Hewitt's ginger hair and freckles fueled the speculations. Addressing the similarity in his book, Dalton said that Harry got his ginger hair from the royal family only. He also gave another reason to reject the rumour.

Also Read | Did Royal family wish Prince Harry on his 40th birthday because of THIS person?

Harry was already born a while before her relationship with Hewitt. And I dont think its possible, New York Post quoted Dalton as saying.

What Dalton has to say about Harry's ginger hair? Rejecting the media speculations, Dalton presented another reason for Harry to have ginger or red hair. Harry and the Spencer family have red hair. Charles, Dianas brother, had bright red hair when he was [in] college. And I used to cut his hair then. [Dianas sister] Sarah, has bright red hair. [Dianas other sister] Jane was more or less the same colouring as Diana, he said.

In his book, Dalton mentioned that Prince Harry's red or ginger hair trait resulted from a trait borrowed from the Spencer family. He also added that Diana used to get very upset when media reports fuelled the rumour linking Prince Harry to James Hewitt.
Sexual assault and rape allegations against Sean Diddy Combs continued to mount this week with a twelfth accuser stepping forward on Friday. The music mogul was arrested on September 16 and remains jailed without bail on federal charges alleging that he ran a vast network that facilitated sexual crimes and committed shocking acts of violence.

What do the lawsuits say?

A new lawsuit was filed against the Grammy-winning artist this week for drugging, raping, and intimidating a former model for several years. The lawsuit details a disturbing pattern of behaviour, alleging that Combs forced the plaintiff to take ketamine and alcohol while subjecting her to sexual encounters with other individuals. The unidentified plaintiff also claims that Combs impregnated her. She was pressurised to have an abortion by his associates but ultimately suffered a miscarriage.

The accusations come mere days after Thalia Graves alleged that she was raped by Combs and a bodyguard in 2001  with footage of the incident being sold over the years. Nearly a dozen other individuals have stepped forward with similar claims since his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura publicly accused Diddy of similar misconduct in November 2020.

What is the federal case against Combs?

Combs is accused in an indictment of using his power and prestige to induce female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances dubbed Freak Offs that he arranged, participated in and often recorded on video. The events would sometimes last days and Combs and victims would often receive IV fluids to recover.

The indictment also alleges that the musician coerced and abused women for years, with the help of a network of associates and employees, while using blackmail and violent acts including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings to keep victims from speaking out.

What comes next?

Combs has denied most claims and pleaded not guilty in the Department of Justice case. The potential for additional charges is also on the cards with testimony from a male sex worker regarding Combs' alleged activities surfacing recently. Houston attorney Tony Buzbee has announced his firm is now leading efforts for over fifty individuals who have reportedly suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Combs  indicating that more claims could emerge.
SpaceX launched a reduced two-man crew to the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, carrying supplies and two empty seats for Starliner astronauts awaiting a return home in February after an unplanned eight-and-a-half-month stay in orbit. The spacecraft is slated to dock at the International Space Station around 3:30 am on Monday.

"A Falcon rocket took off from Florida on Saturday, carrying two astronauts and two empty seats to bring Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams back to Earth. Wilmore and Williams have been stranded in space since June due to issues with the Boeing Starliner," CBS News stated in a post on X.

The launch was delayed by two days due to high winds, rain, and clouds associated with Hurricane Helene. Finally, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ignited and lifted off from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1.17 pm EDT, following a north-easterly trajectory directly aligned with the ISS's orbital plane.

Inside the Crew Dragon "Freedom," commander Nick Hague, a seasoned NASA astronaut, monitored the automated ascent alongside Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, who was on his maiden flight.

Typically, Crew Dragons launch with four crew members; however, two Crew 9 astronauts--Stephanie Wilson and Zena Cardman--were removed from the mission in August to accommodate seats for Starliner commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore and pilot Sunita Williams when Crew Dragon returns to Earth in February.

This mission marked the first piloted space flight from pad 40 and SpaceX's inaugural launch from the Space Force station, having previously conducted 14 Crew Dragon missions from the historic pad 39A at the nearby Kennedy Space Centre.

After propelling the Falcon 9 through the dense lower atmosphere, the first stage, which was on its second flight, successfully returned to land at the Space Force station 7 minutes and 40 seconds post-launch, CBS reported.

Four-and-a-half minutes later, the Crew Dragon was released to autonomously proceed toward the ISS, initiating a 28-hour rendezvous. If all goes according to plan, the spacecraft will dock at the station's forward port at 5.30 pm on Sunday.

Awaiting Hague and Gorbunov's arrival are Wilmore and Williams, who are currently serving as the ISS commander, along with Soyuz MS-26/72S commander Aleksey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, and NASA astronaut Don Pettit, who launched on September 11, the CBS News reported.

Hague, Gorbunov, Wilmore, and Williams will replace Crew 8 commander Matthew Dominick, Mike Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, who were launched on March 3 and are scheduled to return to Earth around October 7, concluding a 217-day stay in space.

In addition to transporting Hague and Gorbunov to the station, the Crew Dragon was filled with clothing and supplies for Wilmore and Williams, who were launched on June 5 during the Starliner's first crewed test flight, reported CBS.

Initially, the mission was expected to last eight to ten days. However, various helium leaks in the Starliner's propulsion system, coupled with reduced thrust in five manoeuvring jets, led NASA to decide to bring the spacecraft down earlier this month without its crew.

As per the CBS News, consequently, NASA opted to launch the Crew 9 Dragon with only two of its original crew members, allowing the ship to return Wilmore and Williams to Earth at the end of its mission in February. By the time they land aboard the Crew 9 capsule around February 22, they will have spent over 262 days in space.

Some have described the Crew Dragon flight as a "rescue" mission. However, Wilmore and Williams have always had a path home, first via their spacecraft, then aboard Crew 8 Dragon, and after Sunday's docking, via Crew 9 Dragon. NASA deemed this option as the least disruptive to the ISS crew rotation schedule.

During a post-launch press conference, Sarah Walker, director of Dragon mission management for SpaceX, expressed her support, stating, "At SpaceX, we were all cheering on our NASA and our Boeing friends for a successful CFT (Cre Flight Test) mission."

She added, "Bringing new human spaceflight capabilities is exciting, but these early test flights come with lessons learned, always. We still learn something every single time we fly. We've had our share of hardware challenges."

Transitioning from a four-member crew to just two posed a unique challenge for Hague and Gorbunov, as well as Wilmore and Williams, who were not trained for flight aboard a Crew Dragon.

"We're going to launch as a two-person crew, and then we're going to land as a four-person crew," Hague explained. "And one of the unique challenges of that is, how do we integrate the other two crew members into the Dragon operations when they've had very minimal Dragon training before they launched?"

Hague noted that the ground teams have been instrumental in preparing both crews, stating, "The teams on the ground have helped not only get us ready, but they've already started helping Butch and Suni train to understand what they're going to need to do inside of the Dragon. That's going to be a top priority when we get there, (helping) them understand what they're going to need to do to operate as part of the Crew 9 crew."

A Space Force colonel, Hague is a former F-16 test pilot and combat veteran with 203 days logged in space from a previous mission. His extensive experience was likely a significant factor in NASA's decision to assign him to the commander's role for this revised mission, the CBS News reported.

Gorbunov retained his seat aboard the Crew 9 Dragon as part of a contract between NASA and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency. This arrangement ensures that Russian Soyuz spacecraft carry one NASA astronaut on each flight to the ISS while a cosmonaut launches on each four-seat Crew Dragon.

This strategy guarantees that at least one crew member from each country is present on the ISS, even in the event of an emergency requiring an unplanned return to Earth. While Gorbunov is not trained to pilot the Crew Dragon, he will occupy the pilot's seat during launch to assist Hague.

"Essentially, we're flying without a pilot, and so fundamentally, the commander is responsible for keeping the crew safe, keeping the vehicle safe, and making sure we get the mission done," Hague noted. "And so those responsibilities haven't changed."
Months after entering the US presidential race, Democrat candidate Kamala Harris gained significant popularity in many American regions against Republican Donald Trump. A New York Times report indicated a possibility of a 270-268 result between Harris and Trump, hinting at a slight lead by Harris against the former US president.

The new trends were released after the news outlet concluded its New York Times/Siena College post-debate polls in Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin battleground states. The new poll highlighted a fresh trend in the US presidential election, starkly contrasting public opinion weeks ago.

Donald Trump has an advantage over strength on economic issues Despite Kamala Harris's promising performance in the debate, which helped her gain popularity in such a short time, she is lagging behind Donald Trump among voters mindful of economic issues in Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

The polls indicated Trump's enduring strength on economic issues. In Michigan, it will be a neck-and-neck race, as the New York Post report indicated polls showing 48% support for Harris and 47% support for Trump. However, the percentage can be changed subject to the poll's margin of error.

Key issues among US voters Economic issues, abortion rights, and the attack on the US Capitol were some of the key issues voters considered when choosing their Presidential candidate. Harris is facing resistance in Wisconsin, which has been considered a stronghold for Democrats. A few voters told NYP that they were not supporters of Kamala Harris but would vote for her to stop Trump.
Vienna:Austrian voters handed a first ever general election victory to the far-right Freedom Party on Sunday, vote projections showed, underlining rising support for hard-right parties in Europe fueled by concern over immigration levels.

The Eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPO held a slim lead in opinion polls for months over Chancellor Karl Nehammer's ruling conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) in a campaign dominated by immigration and worries about the economy.

Also Read | Congress asks PM Modi to recognise Nehrus role in establishment of Austria

Led by Herbert Kickl, the FPO was projected to secure 29.1% of the vote, ahead of the OVP on 26.2%, and the centre-left Social Democrats on 20.4%, a projection by pollster Foresight for broadcaster ORF showed after polls closed.

A separate projection by pollster Arge Wahlen also had the FPO coming first, winning by around 4 percentage points, a bigger winning margin than final polling had indicated.

"What's at stake is whether the FPO will appoint the chancellor or not," Kathrin Stainer-Haemmerle, a political science professor at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.

"Should that happen, then I have to say the role of Austria in the European Union would be significantly different. Kickl has often said that (Hungarian Prime Minister) Viktor Orban is a role model for him and he will stand by him."

The winner will not have an absolute majority, but will claim the right to lead a coalition.

The projections were met with cheers at an FPO event in Vienna, with party staff and activists jubilant.

Kickl's victory may prove pyrrhic, as the 55-year-old is a polarising figure under whom other party leaders have refused to serve.

He has given no indication so far he could step aside to ensure his party leads the government.

FPO wants to build a 'fortress Austria' An FPO victory would make Austria the latest EU country to register surging far-right support after gains in countries including the Netherlands, France and Germany.

The FPO, which is critical of Islam and pledges tougher rules on asylum seekers, won a national vote for the first time in June when it beat the OVP in European elections.

The OVP, which like the FPO backs tougher immigration rules and tax cuts, is the only party open to forming a coalition with the far-right party. However Nehammer says his party will not join a government with Kickl in it.

Sarah Wolf, a 22-year-old graphic designer and Austrian Communist Party supporter in Vienna, said ahead of the vote she was worried what an FPO victory would mean.

"What most scares me if the FPO really does get the most votes is we get something like Viktor Orban: a slow, gradual reduction in media diversity, democracy and understanding," she said. "There are just so many really dangerous signs."

Viktor de Lijzer, a 17-year-old soldier who supports the FPO, said the party was best placed to fix what he saw as too much criminal violence spurred by immigration.

President Alexander Van der Bellen, who oversees the formation of governments, has voiced reservations about the FPO because of its criticism of the EU and its failure to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The party opposes EU sanctions on Moscow, citing Austria's neutrality.

He has hinted he might thwart Kickl, saying the constitution does not require him to ask the first-placed party to form a government, even though that has long been the convention.

The FPO, which wants to stop granting asylum altogether and build a "fortress Austria" preventing migrants from entering, was initially led by a former Nazi lawmaker in the 1950s.

It has sought to moderate its image, but new controversy about its past surfaced at the weekend, when a video published by newspaper Der Standard showed members of the party attending a funeral where a song popular with the Nazi SS was sung.

A Jewish student group in Vienna then filed a complaint against FPO members accusing them of breaching anti-Nazi laws.
Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed on Friday amid a barrage of Israeli airstrikes against Lebanon. Reports now suggest that the other country had gleaned information about the militant leader through an Iranian mole. Thousands of pagers and other devices also exploded across Lebanon last week in a clear indication of the elevated Israeli intelligence network.

According to French newspaper Le Parisien, an Iranian mole had informed Israel about the location of Nasrallah ahead of the strike. The slain Hezbollah leader had been attending a meeting with several top members of the group when missiles stuck its underground headquarters in Beirut.

The assertion came even as Israel struck dozens of fresh Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday. Officials said they had killed yet another senior member of the militant group during an airstrike in Beirut on Saturday.

Also Read | Protests erupt in J-Ks Budgam over killing of Hezbollah Chief by Israel

Nasrallah and other top commanders had gathered in Beirut to discuss strategies against Israel when the attack took place on Friday. The Israeli military reportedly used nearly 80 tons of explosives to target the heavily fortified bunker located more than 60 feet underground. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had accused Israel of using several 5,000-pound bunker busters that had been gifted to them by the US in the hours following the attack.

Israel has recently launched widespread strikes targeting senior Hezbollah commanders and the group's weapons sites in southern and eastern Lebanon and in its south Beirut bastion. Netanyahu has called the death of Nasrallah necessary for his quest to return Israelis in the north who had fled Hezbollah attacks over the last 11 months to their homes.

Two Israeli officials told Reuters that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his close circle of ministers authorized the attack on Wednesday. The attack took place while Netanyahu was in New York to speak at the U.N. General Assembly.
Israeli Military Kills Hezbollah Leader Nabil Kaouk Amid Escalating Conflict: The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it has killed Nabil Kaouk, a senior Hezbollah official and deputy head of the groups central council, in an airstrike in Lebanon.

This comes a day after the Lebanese militant group confirmed the deaths of several of its commanders, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah confirmed that one of its senior commanders, Ali Karaki, was killed in the Israeli air strike on Friday that killed its leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has warned that up to one million people could be displaced by the ongoing conflict and has called for a cease-fire. He emphasized the governments commitment to managing the crisis, despite its limited resources amid a severe economic situation.

Background on Nabil Kaouk  Nabil Kaouk had been a prominent figure in Hezbollah since the 1980s

 Nabil Kaouk served as its military commander in southern Lebanon

 At the time of his death Nabil Kaouk held the position of deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council.

 Nabil Kaouk played a critical role in the group's military strategy.

 He was previously sanctioned by the United States in 2020 for his involvement in Hezbollah's military operations.

Also Read | Hassan Nasrallahs death will reshape Lebanon and the Middle East

Israel's Deadly Airstrikes in Lebanon The airstrike that killed Kaouk occurred shortly after an Israeli airstrike in northeast Lebanon claimed the lives of 11 people. Israel has intensified its attacks on Hezbollah targets as part of a broader military campaign following increased tensions in the region.

Mourning in Lebanon In response to Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah's death, Lebanon declared three days of mourning. The assassination has prompted fresh strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, further escalating the already volatile situation.

According to the United Nations, the number of displaced individuals due to the conflict from southern Lebanon has surged to over 211,000, as the humanitarian crisis deepens.

Rising Tensions in Middle East The current escalation marks a significant increase in hostilities, with Israel conducting near-daily strikes against Hezbollah since the outbreak of the conflict.
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon decimated Hezbollah ranks this week  killing a slew of top officials including group chief Hassan Nasrallah. At least a dozen key members of the militant group have died this year amid increasing hostilities and the ongoing Gaza war.

A prominent general in Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was also killed in the Israeli airstrike that killed Nasrallah on Friday. The death of General Abbas Nilforushan marks the latest casualty suffered by Iran as the nearly yearlong Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip teeters on the edge of becoming a regional conflict.

Several major Hamas leaders including group chief Ismail Haniyeh have also been killed since war broke out on October 7 last year. The death of Mohammed Deif  one of the founders of the Hamas military wing called Qassam Brigades  in mid-July had also struck a major blow. Officials believe he was one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attack that triggered the Gaza war.

How has Hezbollah fared?

The Lebanon-based militant group has so far confirmed the death of at least seven high-ranking officials in the past few days  including group chief Hassan Nasrallah. Many of the casualties were founding members who had evaded death or detention for decades. Israel claims to have eliminated several key members including senior commander Ali Karaki who was the head of the southern front and high-ranking official Nabil Kaouk.

Earlier casualties include Hezbollah operations commander and Jihad Council member Ibrahim Aqil who was killed on September 20 and Fuad Shukr  identified by the Israeli military as the right hand man of Nasrallah  on July 30. Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Qubaisi was killed in yet another airstrike on September 24 while his colleague Ahmed Wahbi died alongside Aqil. Senior Hezbollah field commander Taleb Abdallah became an early casualty of the Israel-Lebanon clashes when Tel Aviv hit a command and control centre on June 12. Israel had also claimed responsibility for the death of Muhammed Nasser  on July 3.

Also Read | How Israel killed Hezbollahs leader in underground bunker
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday in a sharp reply to Pakistan's comment at UN General Assembly in New York said Pakistan's policy of cross-border terrorism will never succeed and "actions will certainly have consequences.

Speaking at the Assembly, Jaishankar said , We heard some bizarre assertions from this very forum yesterday. Let me make India's position very clear - Pakistan's policy of cross-border terrorism will never succeed. And it can have no expectation of impunity. On the contrary, actions will certainly have consequences.

"The issue to be resolved between us is only the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan and, of course, abandonment of Pakistan's long-standing attachment to terrorism," Jaishankar added.

The external affairs minister stated that "Terrorism is antithetical of everything that the world stands for."

"All its forms and manifestations must be resolutely opposed. The sanctioning of global terrorists by the United Nations should also not be impeded for political reasons," he said.

In his all out attack on Pakistan, Jaishankar said, "GDP can be measured in terms of radicalisation" and "its exports in the form of terrorism."

"Many countries get left behind due to circumstances beyond their control. But some make conscious choices with disastrous consequences. A premier example is our neighbour, Pakistan. Unfortunately, their misdeeds affect others as well, especially the neighbourhood," Jaishankar said.

"Today, we see the ills it sought to visit on others consume its own society. It can't blame the world; this is only karma."

He said that "A dysfunctional nation coveting the lands of others must be exposed and must be countered." The First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Bhavika Mangalanandan, on Friday (local time) called out Pakistan's "hypocrisy" for raking up Kashmir and questioning the Jammu and Kashmir election in India's Right to Reply at the UNGA session.

What PM Sharif said? In his speech to the UN General Assembly on Friday, Sharif urged India to restore Article 370 and engage in dialogue with Pakistan to find a "peaceful" solution to the Jammu and Kashmir conflict
Plus we bring you the latest on Hurricane Helene that has so far claimed at least 64 lives in the US.

Qantas has denied there's been big delays as a result of strike action. Source: Qantas

Yahoo's live news blog for Monday, September 30 has concluded. Qantas engineers continued their strike action today with travellers across the country warned of heavy delays  however the airline says there has been little impact as a result.

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan and Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton say they want to see arrests over the flying of Hezbollah flags at a protest in Melbourne over the weekend.

Israel has ramped up its attacks on Lebanon two days after the killing of Hezbollah's leader, while Houthi targets have been bombed in Yemen, Israel said. Read the latest about the ongoing conflict here.

McDonald's is releasing a cult favourite meal in Australia for the first time ever. Find out what all the fuss is about below.

Oasis are set to make an announcement about an expanded world tour with Australia expected to be included on the list of locations.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER 18 updates Couple's 30-year commitment pays off A 30-year commitment has paid off for a Brisbane couple after they landed more than half a million on the Saturday Gold Lotto. The pair from Fig Tree Pocket said they were "still a bit stunned by it all" after learning of their $518,000 prize. My wife and I have been putting the same Saturday Gold Lotto numbers on for the past 30 years," the husband told lottery officials. The prize will help speed up our retirement and allow us to help our children.

Albo responds to Hezbollah flags on Melbourne streets Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed the flying of Hezbollah flags at a protest over the weekend, stressing Australia "doesn't want people to bring radical ideologies and conflict here". Our multiculturalism and social cohesion cannot be taken for granted and its important that we continue to stress that that is the case as we go forward as well," he told reporters. It comes as the Australian Federal Police said simply flying a flag with a terrorist organisation's symbol on it was not necessarily a crime on its own. Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan and Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton are among those calling for arrests to be made over the flags' appearance at the anti-Israel protest.

Trump distracted by fly in odd tangent at rally Former US president Donald Trump has gone off on an odd tangent at one of his rallies and unsurprisingly got the internet talking. Trump was distracted by a fly appearing in front of him before asking: "I wonder where the fly came from?" "See, two years ago, I wouldnt have had a fly up here. Youre changing rapidly. We cant take it any longer." he continued. See the clip for yourself below. Trump: Oh, there's a fly. Oh, I wonder where the fly came from. See, two years ago, I wouldn't have had a fly up here. Youre changing rapidly. We cant take it any longer pic.twitter.com/ZiLoNJfuTQ  Acyn (@Acyn) September 28, 2024

'Serious concerns' for woman with two-week-old baby A search is ongoing for a missing woman believed to be with her four children including a two-week-old girl. NSW Police are urging the public to help locate Rochelle Watts, 35, who was last seen in Goulburn on Friday afternoon. "Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare. Rochelle is believed to be with her four children, a boy aged 15, a boy aged 10, a girl aged 8 and a girl aged two weeks. It is believed the familys German Shepherd; Elsa is also with them," police said in a statement on Monday. "She is known to frequent the Goulburn and Tirrannaville areas. Police are also following up a report that Rochelle may be in the Murgon area in Queensland." Police say anyone with information on their whereabouts should contact Crimestoppers. Rochelle Watts. Source: NSW Police

Flying a terrorist symbol not necessarily a crime, police say Flying a flag with a terrorist organisation's flag on it doesn't necessarily constitute a crime, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has said. It comes after some protesters waved Hezbollah flags in Melbourne over the weekend, sparking outrage from the Jewish community while Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke "unequivocally condemned" showing support to a terrorist group. The AFP said it was aware protests and political demonstrations would be used to amplify extremist messaging but simply displaying prohibited symbols doesn't reach the Commonwealth law threshold. The symbol needed to be used in actions that spread ideas of racial superiority or hatred or were likely to offend, insult or intimidate a person for reasons such as their race, religion or nationality. "The criminal code set outs very specific elements that must be met in order to charge an individual with a terrorism offence," an AFP spokesperson told AAP. Hezbollah flags seen during protests. Source: AAP - With AAP

Labor announces 16-year first Labor has announced a second consecutive surplus  the first time a government has done so in 16 years. The federal government announced today it recorded a $15.8 billion surplus for the 2023/24 financial year, a $6.4 billion improvement on its forecast in the May budget. The final budget outcome showed the budget being $6.5 billion higher than forecasts put forward in May. It's the first time a government has handed down consecutive surpluses since 2007/08. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the result largely came from lower government spending. "The key to these two surpluses is the fact that when we've got upward revisions to revenue because the labour market's been a bit stronger, or our exports have been performing well, we've banked almost all of those," he told ABC radio.

September rain records could be broken as month ends WA is expecting heavy rain this week, with September records at risk for some parts of the state today. For WA theres potential for some 60mm falls through parts of the interior, so some September records could be challenged again as this system moves through, Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharp said. Read more about the week's weather across the country here.

'Illegal' road users identified from the sky Well how about this. Police are detecting illegal road users from the sky, with several unregistered motorbikes and a quad bike removed from Sydney's west. The fleet of vehicles "riding in a dangerous manner" were spotted by a NSW Police helicopter before informing Liverpool City Highway Patrol who managed to apprehend the riders. "An application to have every single one of these motorcycles forfeited to the crown will be submitted," NSW Police said. "A friendly reminder that riding unregistered motorcycles on public roads, footpaths, car parks, or in parks is illegal, unless otherwise specified." These vehicles have been taken off Sydney's roads. Source: NSW Police

Cleo Smith kidnapper fails in bid to reduce sentence Some news just in now. A man who kidnapped four-year-old Cleo Smith from her family's tent at a remote West Australian campsite has failed to have his sentence reduced after his lawyers argued his sentence was excessive. Terence Darrell Kelly attempted to appeal against his 13-and-a-half years' jail term for snatching the girl at the Blowholes campsite, about 70km north of Carnarvon in the early hours of October 16, 2021, as her parents slept. Cleo was missing for 18 days before finally being found by police alone in a room at a property in Carnarvon on November 3. Her kidnapping by the 37-year-old sparked one of the biggest police searches in WA history and made headlines worldwide. Cleo Smith pictured with her mother before her abduction. - AAP

The big $100k question A tradie has caused a bit of a stir on social media when he said he was "surviving" on a weekly wage of up to $3,000 after tax. If earning that consistently, that would mean he takes home more than $150,000 a year. It's reignited debate about what is a good wage in Australia and there's been plenty of chatter online about $100,000 being the new $60,000 with the cost-of-living crisis taking hold. So how do you feel about a $100,000 pay packet, a milestone many young professionals aim for. Have your say below.

Busy train line shuts for more than a year One of Sydney's busiest train lines will shut for at least a year in what the government admits will be an "incredibly tough time" for commuters. T3 Bankstown line to and from Sydenham will shut down today and be replaced with bus services  which could double some travel times. The move comes as the line is being replaced to make way for the new Metro line. Theres no sugar-coating it  this closure will be an incredibly tough time for these communities, and weve been upfront that it could take longer than a year, NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said. Read more here. From Monday 30 September, buses temporarily replace trains between Lidcombe and Bankstown.



Southwest Link buses run between Bankstown and Sydenham.



T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line trains run between Liverpool and the City via Regents Park.



More info https://t.co/DwcpWi7MKQ pic.twitter.com/Z22hFZv6f4  T3 Sydney Trains (@T3SydneyTrains) September 29, 2024

Man wins $100k while on holiday Relaxing on the beach in Fiji without a care in the world. Life could hardly get much better. Well it did for one Central Coast man who discovered he was $100,000 richer during his holiday. Ive been sitting on the beach all afternoon and noticed my phone kept buzzing," he told lottery officials who were trying to tell him he'd won the top prize in Friday's Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot draw. My wife and I are looking out the sunset and grinning cheek to cheek," he said. I bet you have been.

Manhunt after stabbing in Sydney CBD A search is ongoing after a man was stabbed in the back in Sydney's CBD on Sunday afternoon. A 22-year-old man was rushed to hospital after the incident near the Chinatown light rail stop. The man was walking down the street when he was allegedly approached by the other man who then fled the scene. NSW Police are looking to identify the man pictured below and anyone who sees the man are urged not to approach him but call Triple-0 immediately.

Kris Kristofferson dies aged 88 Country music superstar and A-list Hollywood actor Kris Kristofferson has died aged 88. His family spokesperson confirmed the news, saying he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. No cause was given. Read more about his remarkable career here. Kris Kristofferson believed creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to unhappiness. He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul but to ours. He leaves a resounding legacy.

Kyle Young, pic.twitter.com/JMyZp6lJUr  Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (@countrymusichof) September 29, 2024

Rescuers struggle to help roo in tricky spot Wildlife carers are trying to work out a plan after this kangaroo got itself in an unfortunate situation. Wildwood Wildlife Shelter on the edge of the Grampians National Park in Victoria were called to assist the kangaroo after it got its head stuck in a bin lid at a nearby caravan park. But due to becoming wary of people and being among a mob of 50 kangaroos, the team have so far failed to get near him. They'll be trying again this morning so good luck to them. Well this is far from ideal. Source: Wildwood Wildlife Shelter

Oasis set to make Australia announcement Well we're just hours away from a big announcement from British icons Oasis where Sydney and Melbourne are expected to be announced as locations for the band's expanded world tour. The Gallagher brothers are set to make an announcement at 8am (ET) which is 10pm tonight (AEST), possibly with confirmation of dates and when tickets will be available. Oasis stunned the world with their announcement last month they would be reuniting after 15 years and buying a ticket for their UK and Ireland gigs proved a very stressful experience for many, with millions missing out on tickets as fans rushed to be part of a historic comeback. NME previously revealed Sydney and Melbourne are expected to be two of 13 locations around the world set to be included in the world tour. MONDAY, 8AM ET#OasisLive25 pic.twitter.com/pTdgDirrpf  Oasis (@oasis) September 28, 2024

McDonald's unveils cult favourite in Australia Well, it's better late than never. After becoming hugely popular overseas, the Grimace shake and meal are finally coming to Australia. The items donning the face of the beloved McDonald's character will be available from Friday for a limited period only. The Grimace meal consists of either a Big Mac or 10 McNuggets, fries and the Grimace shake. And what exactly is in the Grimace shake? Well while there's an element of mystery to it, the US version is said to be berry-flavoured and it comes topped with whipped cream. The meal that has proven hugely popular in the US.

Qantas strike rolls on A strike by Qantas engineers is ramping up today, with travellers warned of further disruption to flights. More than 1000 Qantas engineers  including maintenance engineers, who tow and marshall aircrafts  are set to walk off the job from 7am until 9am on Monday as strike action remains ongoing since Thursday. Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth airports are all expected to be affected by the action, which has been brought on by increased calls for better pay. However Qantas has moved to reassure customers the disruptions are minimal, the ABC reported. Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union Secretary Steve Murphy told ABC News Breakfast it was hard to believe anything the airline said these days.

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In his latest book, The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World , William Dalrymple argues that India influenced the world immensely, even more than what some Indians in search of cultural pride have been saying all along.

But what exactly was this influence? It was chiefly science and Buddhism, though Dalrymples enjoyable book cites other contributions too. Of these two influences, it is easier to understand how Indian science could have influenced the rest of the world. There is a universality to scientific logic.

For instance, when Arab mathematicians, and the more backward Europeans, were grappling with an unwieldy way of writing numbers, it would have taken them just one glance at the decimal system to recognize its genius.

It is more difficult to get how Buddhism, which began in India, spread across most of Asia and across eras when the hold of entrenched religions was so strong.

I believe that in ancient times, a new religion could survive its infancy because it wasnt perceived as a faith as such, but as something mystical.

Religious and caste identities were so branded into the souls of people that they werent threatened at all by a new philosophical idea. In fact, they barely noticed the religion of foreigners.

Dalrymple points out that when Muslim merchants first arrived in India, they were almost never referred to by their religion, instead they were described by their languages and appearance, as though they were more significant markers.

Their alien faith was not their defining characteristic. People who knew only one religion might have seen any new spiritual or philosophical or humane concept as something outside religion that they could in fact adopt without having to renounce their primary faith.

But there was another factor why Buddhism survived its early stages when it was only known vaguely as the teachings." The cultural elite of the time found it fashionable to adopt it. It is likely these elites didnt think they were abandoning their original faith.

In the India of the 6th century BCE, there was a spiritual explosion. Many charismatic seers sprung up and had extraordinary followings. One of them was Mahavira.

He had a big influence on Siddhartha, who, though often referred to as a prince, was probably the son of a wealthy tribal chieftain. Siddhartha wondered about the meaning of life and set out on a difficult journey of discovery.

He attempted extreme asceticism, which included starving for long periods of time, coming very close to death, and meditating motionless. But then he began to preach the moderate middle road."

This idea became popular, especially among the cultural elite, who were his first disciples. Even as they became his followers and evangelists, it is probable that they did not renounce Hinduism. A similar phenomenon occurred in Kerala, where some Brahmins are said to have become Christian.

Today, many of Keralas upper-class Christian overtly or discreetly believe they have Brahmin ancestry. The scale of this conversion may not be true, but there is good evidence to suggest that at least some Brahmins did become Christian.

Why would someone at the top of the social order do that? Because he was not really renouncing his faith or caste. Christianity, like Buddhism, was probably a fashionable idea at the time in Kerala.

In Buddhas era, many sects rose. Historian Abraham Eraly wrote there were probably more than 30, but only Buddhism and Jainism endured. Buddha himself appears to have faded from Indian memory.

If we know him, it is because of his late acolyte, Emperor Ashoka, who created enduring objects that told the story as a part of his evangelism. But then, despite the backing of a great Indian emperor, Buddhism began to fade in India.

No one can explain. The only reason that makes sense to me is that as Buddhism grew strong, it finally became a distinct religion and then Hinduisms dominance asserted itself.

Dalrymple points out that after Ashoka, counter-intuitively, for a faith that embraced poverty and renunciation as an ideal, it was spread around the globe most effectively by wealthy merchants engaged in trade." This is not counter-intuitive at all.

It is natural that Buddhism would be spread by the economic elite, given its provenance. Is there any successful religion that was not at first promoted by the elite? Or any sphere of human life; even a sport?

After surviving its infancy, the next phase of a new mystical idea depends heavily on how the societys second rung uses it to challenge the top rung. Buddhism, as a humane religion, could have been the perfect tool of rich middle castes against the priestly class.

But it did not work out that way. It declined in India. But it would thrive in China, first as a mystical idea brought by Indian merchants and monks that aligned well with principles of the entrenched Daoism, and later as a moral weapon of new aristocrats who wanted to replace the religion of a vanquished empire.

Why dont we see new religions today? Has the time of religion passed? I dont think that is the case. New religions are all around us, they just dont look like religion yet. They exist as moral ideas, if not mystical.

Many centuries later, dominant religions would probably involve the fierce adoration of nature, or maybe a theological veneration of socialism. Their seeds are already here. And like Buddhism of a time, they do not appear to threaten any incumbent religion.
Former US President Donald Trump, running against a strong and confident woman, is facing a historic gender gap. And as he tries to dig himself out of this 21-point hole, he is flailing and likely making his problems much worse.

He has turned to all-caps screeds on social media, painting a dystopic present that he alone can undo. At rallies, he makes his appeal to the great women of our country" who he claims are more stressed and depressed and unhappy and are less optimistic and confident in the future than they were four years ago." He is here to save them.

I believe I will fix all of that and fast and at long last, this national nightmare will end. It will end. We gotta end this national nightmare because I am your protector. I wanna be your protector. As president, I have to be your protector," he said at a rally Monday in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

You will no longer be abandoned, lonely or scared. You will no longer be in danger. You will no longer have anxiety from all of the problems our country has today. You will be protected, and I will be your protector." (Yes, Beyonce has a song called Protector on her excellent Cowboy Carter album where she sings to her children, I will be your protector, born to be your protector.")

Trump notably doesnt promise high-paying jobs and a career path, but offers lower grocery prices, because we know who does the grocery shopping in Trumps version of America.

The former president, it turns out, is running to be the nations great father and husband. Who needs policy when you have patriarchy? And so Trump, slowed by age, is running now on sheer muscle, backed by Hulk Hogan, Elon Musk and JD Vance, whose troubled childhood seems to have left him longing for the 1950s ideal, even as his wifes academic accolades easily outshine his. Trumps appeal to women is also a direct appeal to men, whose fragile masculinity requires even more fragile women.

In a country where women earn high school, college and graduate degrees at a higher rate than men, Trump has marvelled that men allow their wives to travel and attend his rallies without them.

He has said that world leaders will treat Harris, current vice-president and formerly a US senator and attorney general of California, like a play toy."

They look at her and they say we cant believe we got so lucky. Theyre gonna walk all over her," he said in an interview with Fox News Laura Ingraham in July. I dont want to say as to why, but a lot of people understand it."

But the play thing" turned out to be Trump, who Harris appeared to walk all over in a 90-minute debate, calling him unserious and easily manipulated by the strongmen he admires.

In contrast to his prior runs, Trump is largely a man alone, with few high-profile women surrogates. His wife, Melania, who played an aspirational role for some men and women, has largely been absent, hawking a coffee table book. The former first lady couldnt even be bothered to speak at his nominating convention.

His daughter, Ivanka, is also not a factor, depriving him of the visuals of being the patriarch of loving family, particularly of a successful daughter who spouts feminist platitudes about working women. Absent too is Kellyanne Conway, whose presence once absolved Trump of his coarseness, softening him for some women voters.

Also read: Moms for Liberty fully embraces Trump and widens role in national politics as election nears

The most notable surrogate might be Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who attacked Harris for not birthing childrenHarris is a step-mother and part of a blended family, like millions of other women in America.

A question worth asking is whether Harris could have ascended to this level had she married and had kids in her 30s, like many women, whose careers are often derailed as a result.

The proximate cause of Trumps latest and boldest and most sexist attempts to attract women voters is the matter of abortion rights, an issue which Trump has tried to treat like a mere legislative shift rather than a medical nightmare that has caused the deaths of at least two women, and likely many more. Women will be happy, healthy, confident and free," Trump said at his rally. You will no longer be thinking about abortion."

That is Trumps great hope. That abortion and the millions of people who value reproductive rights and equality and freedom wont doom his third run for the White House.

For decades, there were stereotypes of how women leaders would behave on the job. Surely, they would be addled by oestrogen and ovaries and given to fits of hysteria and whining, beset by Chicken Little fears and bouts of unbridled emotion and paranoia, and therefore, unfit to lead. This view is still around. bloomberg
Indias leadership in the telecommunications sector is set to reach a new height as it prepares to host the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) from 15 October to 24 October in New Delhi.

This is the first time that this event, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is being held in the Asia Pacific. Representatives from over 190 countries will convene to shape the future of global telecom standards. It will serve as a platform to discuss next-generation technologies like 6G (sixth generation telecom).

What are the ITU and WTSA?: Established in 1865, the ITU is a United Nations agency focused on telecom standardization. Its mission is to ensure seamless global information exchange by creating international standards for communication systems.

The WTSA is an event held every four years, offering a forum for member countries to collaborate on setting technical rules that guide the development of future telecom technologies.

Also read: Duty changes in telecom to push Make in India for the world

Indias hosting of WTSA 2024 gives the country an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the global telecom agenda, especially as we look towards 6G and beyond.

Telecom standardization is important: Telecom standards form the backbone of global connectivity. They ensure that different devices, networks and systems communicate smoothly across borders.

For example, international roaming agreements rely on shared standards and enabling seamless communication, while keeping costs low. Similarly, telecom standards govern global dialling codes and fibre-optic cables, making communication across the globe easier and more reliable.

From a business perspective, standardization is essential to foster competition and innovation. It helps make telecom services more accessible and affordable for billions of people. Standards allow diverse equipment and systems to work together, boosting the efficiency and reach of networks.

Standardization is more than just a technical requirement; its a strategic tool. Countries that influence global telecom standards have the power to shape emerging technologies and protect their commercial interests. For businesses, adhering to global standards opens up international market opportunities while ensuring fair competition.

Union communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindias statement that India followed the world in 4G, is marching alongside in 5G, and will lead in 6G" captures the countrys confidence and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of transforming India into a global exporter of telecom technology from being just a large consumer.

India now boasts of nearly 100% 4G coverage and is rapidly expanding its 5G infrastructure, covering more than 600,000 villages and establishing over 442,000 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS).

India is also taking strides towards 6G, with more than 250 international patents under its belt. These advancements meet rising demand for faster data speeds, reduced latency and expanded network coverage.

Indias role in global telecom for the Global South: Indias leadership in the telecom sector extends beyond innovation. It includes advocacy on behalf of developing nations. Many countries in the Global South face challenges like low internet penetration and high infrastructure costs.

Indias success in rolling out 4G and 5G services even in rural areas offers a model for others to follow. For example, the 5Gi standard, an Indian innovation, was created to make 5G more accessible in underserved regions. Recognized globally by the ITU, 5Gi shows how standardization can bridge gaps and bring the benefits of advanced telecommunications to all.

By championing standards that address the needs of developing nations, India ensures that global telecom policies become more inclusive. As the world moves towards 6G, it is important for developing countries to be part of these conversations to ensure they benefit from upcoming technologies.

WTSA 2024 will be a global telecom milestone: It will be more than a gathering of global delegates. It will include side-events like the India Mobile Congress (IMC), where leading telecom companies and innovators will highlight advancements in 5G, 6G and digital solutions.

Sessions led by the Network of Women in ITU Standardization will highlight womens leadership in the digital tech industry and role in shaping standards.

Technological innovation will also be spotlighted through events like AI for Good Impact India, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in sustainable development, and the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, where young innovators will compete to create robotic solutions for disaster response.

The WTSA Expo will also display industry-leading services. The ITU Bridging the Standardization Gap programme will assist small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. There will be other events too. By hosting WTSA 2024, India can consolidate its role in shaping the future of telecommunications.

Indian efforts are aimed at ensuring that telecom services become more affordable, accessible and innovative worldwide. Indias involvement in setting 6G standards will also be good for the telecom industry, helping sustain its drive to be inclusive and modern.

Remember, the basic aim of telecom standardization is to have the benefits of modern advancements reach people everywhere.

Hemendra Sharma is deputy director general (media), department of telecommunications, ministry of communications, Government of India.
The BJP expelled eight leaders on Sunday evening after they opted to contest the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections as independent candidates. The list includes former minister Ranjit Chautala and former MLA Devendra Kadyan. The development also comes mere days after the Haryana Congress took a similar decision for 21 leaders.

Several ticket hopefuls from both parties have jumped into the electoral fray in recent days after being denied a chance to contest the polls. Both the BJP and Congress have since managed to convince some of these rebel candidates to withdraw their nominations while others continue to running spirited campaigns in the hope of emerging as independent kingmakers.

Other prominent rebels who could cause trouble for the BJP include Deepak Dagar from Prithla, Jasbir Deswal from Safidon and Kalyan Chauhan from Sohna.

The announcement also came hours after senior BJP leaders JP Nadda and Amit Shah led rallies in the northern state on Sunday. The Home Minister has addressed the issue of some rebels contesting as independents during several recent rallies and urged voters to only cast their ballots for the lotus symbol.

Haryana is slated to vote on October 5 with votes being counted a few days later on October 8. The previous election had seen BJP emerge as the single largest party with 40 seats while the Congress won 30 seats in the 90-member state legislative assembly.

The Opposition Congress also faces a similar dilemma with another nine rebel leaders contesting the upcoming polls against chosen candidates.

State chief Udai Bhan wrote to senior party leaders on Sunday seeking stern action against the group for indulging in anti-party activities. The letter recommended the expulsion of Sharda Rathore, Rohita Revri, Satbir Bhana, Rajkumar Valmiki, Kapoor Narwal, Virender Gogdia, Harsh Kumar, Lalit Nagar and Satbir Ratera.
After Mehbooba Mufti cancelled her campaign in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah, BJP leader Kavinder Gupta on September 29 questioned her empathy and highlighted her silence on attacks on Hindu in Bangladesh.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrullah was killed on September 29, yesterday, after the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) carried out a 'precise' operation in Beirut, Lebanon. Reportedly, Nasrullah was believed to have been in the building when the Israeli military targeted the Hezbollah central headquarters.

These are crocodile tears BJP leader Kavinder Gupta lashed out at Mehbooba Mufti stating that crocodile tears were easily understood by the public. While speaking to news agency ANI, Former Deputy CM of J&K and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta said, Why does Hassan Nasarullah's death pain, Mehbooba Mufti? When Hindus in Bangladesh are attacked and killed they are tight-lipped...These are crocodile tears and people understand the intent behind this...

Should not pressure Israel for peace Responding to former J&K Chief Minister cancelling her election campaign, JKNC vice president Omar Abdullah said he did not want to speak anything about the matter.

Noting the escalating conflicts, Omar Abdullah said After what happened yesterday, it seems as if the clouds of war are now visible in the entire region. GoI, PM Modi, the leaders of other countries should put pressure on Israel to establish peace there again, reported ANI.

Earlier, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir had posted on X: Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza especially Hassan Nasrullah. We stand with the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance.

Meanwhile, elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held in three phases. Voting for 24 seats was held in the first phase on September 18. Voting for the third phase would be declared on October 1, and the results will be declared on October 8.

Great loss for Muslim world A protest march was held in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam and Srinagar on Saturday against the killing of Hassan Nasrallah by the Israel Defence Force (IDF).
When federal agent Chris Janczewski was trying to strangle the flow of money to an al Qaeda network in 2020, he first considered infiltrating an invite-only forum or hunting for clues on the dark web.

Then the Internal Revenue Service criminal investigator found the group talking openly about its scheme in a public forum on Telegramone of the thousands of channels where people discuss illicit activities ranging from peddling child porn to selling stolen identities.

The terror cell had implored its followers in the forum to provide the Mujahidin in Syria with weapons," and included a bitcoin address for funds. The discovery allowed U.S. authorities to seize money headed to Syrian terror cells and led to overseas arrests.

For years, law-enforcement agencies around the world have complained that Telegram turned a blind eye to illicit behavior. French authorities arrested its founder, Pavel Durov, last month, charging him with complicity in the trafficking of drugs and child sexual-abuse material and failing to comply with legal orders. The company long had a policy of ignoring subpoena requests from law enforcement.

But Janczewskis case and others illustrate an awkward truth: Even as Telegram presented a haven for criminals, its accessibility has long made it a hunting ground for cops.

In dozens of cases over the past five years, U.S. authorities have prosecuted criminals using their own words posted to Telegram channels, often fully public, a review of U.S. Justice Department cases shows.

Earlier this month, authorities charged two Americans with leading an international neo-Nazi group called Terrorgram that used the app to encourage followers to murder gay people, bomb federal facilities and assassinate U.S. officials. The group incited multiple acts of violence, including the October 2022 murder of two people outside a gay bar in Slovakia, authorities said.

Prosecutors used public Telegram channels in which the two defendants allegedly distributed a hit list of American senators, judges and prosecutors they pushed followers to kill. One has pleaded not guilty; the other hasnt entered a public plea.

While often associated with encrypted messaging, Telegram is also a social-media platform like Facebook, allowing anyone to create publicly accessible groups around shared interests, with little policing of what they say.

Former federal agents say that even though it harbors criminality of all kinds, Telegram has become an indispensable tool for law enforcement. European law-enforcement officials have also used the platform to infiltrate criminal groups even without Telegrams cooperation, officials say.

While there is hardly a social-media app that is not being used by criminals, Telegram is striving to limit the abuse of its platform as much as possible," Telegram Chief Operating Officer Mike Ravdonikas said.

Earlier this month, Durov said in a post that it was false to describe Telegram as some sort of anarchic paradise," adding that charging him personally was a misguided approach." Last week, French prosecutors said that since Durovs arrest, Telegram has become far more cooperative.

Over the past month, the prosecutors and other European officials say the company has started regularly complying with law-enforcement requests seeking user data across the continent, including more than a hundred from France, a reversal from its earlier stance.

A double-edged sword

The open conversations allowed Janczewski to identify a single terrorist wallet address and eventually use it to locate more than 155 online al Qaeda-tied crypto accounts. It meant I could track their transactions from my house without having to go to war-torn Syria," said Janczewski, now head of investigations at TRM Labs, which investigates crypto-related fraud.

Despite the obvious risk, drug traffickers, terror cells and swindlers all like the openness of Telegrams public channels and its one billion users because it allows them to broaden their reach, former federal agents say.

Before Telegrams creation in 2013, criminals tended to use highly siloed darknet forums, inaccessible to regular users. Authorities could take down such criminal hubs through court orders but couldnt easily track their users as they moved elsewhere online because the forums are so isolated, investigators said.

By contrast, Telegram users often use single identities across dozens of forums, providing investigators a road map, said Seth Goertz, a former federal prosecutor, who investigated cybercrimes and online drug sales.

Still, the platform is more useful for criminals than investigators, from helping Mexican cartels recruit paid killers to giving Chinese money-laundering operations a platform to find clients, said Evan Kohlmann, an antiterrorism consultant who has worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and has testified as a witness in dozens of cases involving Telegram. What authorities do catch on Telegram is a small drop in the bucket," he said.

A complicated relationship

Telegram and its founder Durov have long had a complicated relationship with Western governments. In 2018, France hacked Durovs phone; one year later, the CEO was invited to lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron and offered the possibility of citizenship.

In a 2023 report on child-exploitation crimes, the Justice Department called out Telegram by name as facilitating the exchange of child rape videos.

But Durovs libertarian attitude also held an appeal to the U.S. government. In 2011, the Russian tech executive publicly clashed with the Kremlin over demands to turn over user data for his previous company, VKontakte. The site had become a tool for Russian President Vladimir Putins critics to organize to rally mass protests to challenge his rule, and the Kremlin began pressuring Durov to sell VKontakte to a Putin confidant, Igor Sechin.

Durov resisted that sale, too. The U.S. Embassy was ambivalent about VKontakte because the site did little to regulate what the U.S. regarded as criminal activities nor did it pay heed to intellectual-property rights, said one former U.S. official who worked in Moscow. But when the Kremlin began to threaten his business, the embassy reached out to him to help facilitate his departure from Russia.

The official said Durov was already working on a new messaging app that would later morph into Telegram. Durov described it as a platform with servers spread around the world that would be essential for anyone evading government surveillance.

The State Department declined to comment.

For now, Durov appears ready to taper his laissez-faire attitude toward policing his platform. Last week, he announced on his channel that Telegrams terms of service had changed to put users on notice that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests."
Dear reader,

Bengaluru, my home for nearly a decade, is a vibrant melting pot of cultures, buzzing with energy and flavour. What makes this city even more special is its quirky and diverse food scene. From Udupi-style darshinis to Ambur biryani joints, Bengaluru is packed with places where people dont just grab an affordable bitethey gather, connect, and soak in the local vibes. These eateries are the heart and soul of the citys community-driven lifestyle.

Among these gems, Iyengar bakeries hold a special place in Bengalurus cultural and culinary heritage. Last week, I visited one of the city's most iconic, and probably oldest, bakeries: VB Bakery in Basavanagudi. With over 70 years of history, its more than just a place to eatits a slice of Bengalurus past. The bakery is especially famous for its beloved khara bun Congress, a snack as delicious as its name is curious. The story goes that this savoury treat, made from split peanuts, got its name during the 1960s, after the Congress party split.

But like the city itself, even these old favourites arent immune to change. What struck me most during my visit was the unmistakable shrinkflation of VB Bakerys famous nutty toffee. These candy sticks, made with cashews and almonds, have long been a favourite for many who grew up in Bengaluru, evoking childhood memories for its loyal patrons. Now, though, theyre about three-quarters of their original size! And to add to the heartbreak, the old-school paper packaging has been swapped out for plastic.

As Bengaluru speeds ahead with the rise of quick-commerce, places like these bakeries and the iconic hot chips shops are slowly disappearing. Once the symbols of the citys laid-back charm, theyre now fading in the face of a faster, more hurried way of living.

Thankfully, here at Mint, we still believe in taking our time to bring you well-researched, thoughtful stories.

Here are some of the best stories from this week:  The Competition Commission of India is nearing the end of its four-year antitrust investigation into Amazon and Flipkart. The online marketplaces were asked to hand over their financials, which could determine hefty fines based on global sales if found guilty of anti-competitive practices like favouring certain sellers and pushing aggressive discounts. This move came as the CCI looked to ensure fair play in Indias rapidly growing digital market. With the law now requiring a thorough hearing before a final decision, all parties involved will get a chance to present their case, making sure the process is transparent and just. Gireesh Chandra Prasad reported on the antitrust bodys push for a level playing field where small businesses can compete fairly against the big e-commerce platforms.

 In India, the push for inclusivity in advertising is gaining momentum, challenging the traditional beauty standards of fair skin and conventional looks. Veteran adman Sandeep Goyal argues that advertising should reflect society's aspirations and connect swiftly with consumers, suggesting that the primary goal of ads is to sell, not to spearhead social change. However, Manisha Kapoor of the Advertising Standards Council of India notes that younger, progressive consumers demand representation and reject ads that cling to outdated stereotypes. This tension highlights a broader debate: should ads lead societal change or merely reflect it? As brands navigate this landscape, the challenge is to balance genuine inclusivity with commercial success, writes Gaurav Laghate.

  Hundreds of Samsung India workers, dressed in their factory uniforms, have been striking near the companys Sriperumbudur facility, protesting low wages and unfair labour practices. The strike, now in its second week, has halted production, impacting nearly 30% of Samsungs annual revenue from this plant. Samsung, which is dealing with other significant challenges, including declining smartphone sales and competition from both Chinese and luxury brands, has responded by hiring contractual workers to mitigate production losses. This labour dispute comes at a critical time as the festive season approaches, which typically sees a surge in consumer electronics sales. Meanwhile, the broader company struggles include a global restructuring that might lead to job cuts in India, compounding the unrest among employees. N. Madhavan and Sumant Banerji delve deeper into the problems the Korean tech giant faces.

  Mint Moneys Neil Borate wrote about an intriguing travel hack for Indian travelers: leveraging a Schengen visa to access multiple countries. With a Schengen visa, not only can one roam freely across 26 European countries, but it also opens doors to several non-Schengen countries like Bosnia, Cyprus, South Korea, and even Saudi Arabia under specific conditions. This comes in handy especially when US visas have long wait times and UK visas come with hefty fees. In April, the Schengen rules got even sweeter, allowing frequent travellers to secure multi-entry visas lasting up to five years, making it a strong competitor against other major visas.

 Anura Kumara Dissanayake's (AKD) ascent to the Sri Lankan presidency marks a major political shift, moving away from the established powerhouses to his National Peoples Power (NPP), a socialist alliance championing anti-corruption and economic reform. Rising from a modest 3.2% vote in 2019 to the presidency, AKD's campaign resonated with the working class amid economic turmoil, advocating for tax cuts, increased welfare spending, and renegotiation of IMF loans. His victory was buoyed by the large-scale protests in 2022 that demanded significant political and economic changes. Shweta Singh, associate professor at the Department of International Relations at South Asia University, explains how AKD's presidency could reshape Sri Lanka's relations with its neighbours, particularly India, given Indias role as a first responder during Sri Lanka's economic crisis.

 Accel, an early-stage venture capital firm, plans to sell partial stakes in several of its high-profile portfolio companies, including Swiggy, Urban Company, BlackBuck, and BlueStone. These planned sales are expected to occur through a mix of pre-IPO secondary sales and offer-for-sale transactions during upcoming IPOs. This move is especially timely as Accel pursues its fundraising objectives, looking to capitalize on secondary market opportunities to exit long-held investments. Ranjani Raghavan and Priyamvada C. report on the strategy, which not only reflects Accels proactive approach to portfolio management but also underscores a broader VC industry trend towards structured exit processes amid robust demand for pre-IPO equity.

  Mahindra & Mahindra and Volkswagen Group are in advanced talks to intensify their partnership. The two companies aim to leverage shared investments in future technologies rather than engage in cash transactions. Sources told Alisha Sachdev that Mahindra might make significant investments in platforms and technologies to acquire a sizeable stake in Volkswagen's India operations, with a formal agreement potentially being finalized by early 2024. The focus of this collaboration is on utilizing Volkswagen's underutilized Pune plant, which has a substantial expansion capacity.

 The Indian government is steering state-run energy companies toward public listings of their renewable segments, aiming to enhance asset value without privatization. For example, NTPC Green Energy Ltd is poised for a 10,000 crore IPO in November, while SJVN Ltd and Solar Energy Corp. of India are also planning public offers. This move is part of India's broader strategy to monetize assets and reinvest in emerging green technologies like solar, hydropower, and battery storage. Rituraj Baruah and Gulveen Aulakh report on how these companies face the challenge of attracting investors and scaling operations to meet ambitious renewable energy targets.

 The Indian film industry is grappling with systemic issues of sexual harassment, highlighted by the Hema Committee report's revelations in Kerala and similar accounts across various regional cinemas. These reports have catalyzed a broader reckoning, reminiscent of the MeToo movement, urging other states like West Bengal and Karnataka to consider similar investigative mechanisms. Despite the formation of committees and promises of scrutiny, the Telangana states inquiry into sexual harassment in Telugu cinema remains unpublished, showcasing the political complexity and the sluggish pace of institutional accountability. The persistent issues are compounded by the industry's unstructured nature, which complicates the implementation of protective measures like Internal Complaints Committees, often reducing them to token gestures. Lata Jha takes a deep dive into this highly sensitive issue plaguing the Indian cinema industry.

 India's National Medical Commission, which oversees medical education, is facing some internal challenges. The commission's four autonomous boards are reportedly working at odds with one another, leading to the cancellation of several public notices due to poor coordination. This issue has become serious enough that the NMC has sought help from the Union health ministry to resolve the internal conflicts, sources told Mints Priyanka Sharma. The problem surfaced when conflicting decisions were made by the boards while reviewing applications from medical colleges. For instance, while one board penalized a college, another approved an increase in that institution's number of seats. This inconsistency is raising concerns, especially following recent controversies like the leak of NEET exam papers.

That's all for this week. I hope you have a pleasant weekend!

If you have any feedback, want to talk about food, or have anything else to say about our journalism, write to me at siddharth.sharma1@htdigital.in or reply to this mail. You can also write to feedback@livemint.com.

Best,

Siddharth Sharma
Popular in major global cities such as London, Paris and New York, these cameras will now target hoon drivers and noisy vehicles in NSW.

Brand new cameras are being rolled out in NSW, in a bid to clamp down on hoon behaviour on roads and noisy vehicles. Source: Getty/ABC

Brand new roadside cameras are about to be rolled out in Australia's most populous state in what authorities say is a fresh bid to stamp out hoon driving.

In a multi-agency effort, NSW Police, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) will roll out the new cameras by the end of the year, using methods popular in major global cities like New York, Paris and London.

According to the state government, the cameras will target "anti-social behaviour" and in particular noisy vehicles. In NSW, cars under 20 years old are legally limited to a maximum noise level of 90 decibels, roughly equivalent to the volume of a lawn mower. Motorcycles under 40 years old are limited to a maximum of 94 decibels.

As it stands, fines of up to $600 are in place for individual offenders, but a noise reading will need to be taken while a vehicle is stationary.

"Noise cameras are an emerging technology, and the trial will evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the equipment and the resources required to use noise cameras for regulatory purposes in NSW," a spokesperson for the EPA told Yahoo News on Monday.

Noise cameras have already proven successful in London, Paris and New York. Source: UK Government

NSW councils among first in country to trial new camera technology

The trial is set to kick off in the NSW councils of Bayside and Wollongong, to allow the EPA to evaluate "the resources required to use noise cameras for regulatory purposes". The new tech will use noise meters to pick up sounds above a certain decibel limit within a distance of just over 15 metres, while cameras zoom to scan licence plates and catch offenders.

Wollongong councillor Richard Martin backed the move and said fines were crucial to measure the cameras' impact.

"The amount of residents that contact me complaining about the noise, we've got to deter [hooning drivers]," he told the ABC. "Whether the trial of a noise camera is going to deter them, I'm not sure, but a fine certainly will."

So far, four cameras have been purchased for the trial, with each one estimated to cost $50,000, according to the ABC. Yahoo News has sought comment for TfNSW over the figure.

It's understood the two councils are consulting with the state government bodies to plan where they'll be installed. The EPA said the "location of noise cameras may move from time-to-time", suggesting they can be moved around to target problem areas.

In April, the NSW government flagged the camera trial and asked for community input, saying it was cracking down on "cars that disturb the peace".

NSW Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe, said car hoons were about to be "put on notice".

"The NSW Government has heard the communitys concerns about noisy vehicles and is committed to sourcing and testing the most effective methods to deter anti-social behaviour on our roads," she said at the time.

The EPA told Yahoo that recent consultation with the community on their preferred locations to install the noise cameras saw 2,500 responses from residents.

Noise camera trials in New York and London resulted in the technology being used more widely. In New York for example, there was just one noise camera in mid-2021 before the city rolled out seven by 2023.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
A shoplifter who stole perfume has been given the benefit of the Probation Act.

Yasmine Kenna, aged 18, of 4 Tor An Ri Court, Balgaddy, Lucan, Dublin pleaded guilty at Longford District Court on Tuesday to the theft offence.

She was part of a group of three females who had a bag and worked together to steal the items.

Ms Kenna's co-accused were previously dealt with in court last January, but Ms Kenna failed to appear and a bench warrant was issued.

Sergeant Enda Daly, court presenter, outlined that on October 25, 2023 at 3:30pm three females entered Wards Pharmacy, Ballymahon St, Longford and stole perfume to the value of 82 .40.

Sgt Daly said the trio were stopped as they left and the items were recovered in saleable condition.

Judge Bernadette Owns asked Kenna why she did not appear in court previously and she stated that she just decided not to show up.

Solicitor Diarmuid Quinn said his client had left school before completing her Junior Cert and she had faced challenges but she was now actively seeking employment.

Judge Owens took some time to consider the appropriate penalty but subsequently decided to apply the Probation Act.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant meets with IDF commanders to discuss Israels operations against Hezbollah. (Ariel Hermoni/Israel Ministry of Defense photo)

On September 29, several hours before sunset, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes on the port city of Hudaydah in Yemen. The IDF said that dozens of Israeli aircraft were involved in the operation targeting the Iranian-backed Houthis, which took place around 1,200 miles from Israel.

The IDF also said it struck 45 terror targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the area of Kafra in southern Lebanon on September 29. This operation built upon days of strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon that eliminated the Iranian-backed groups leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and many of its key commanders.

The Israeli strikes on the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon illustrate the large area over which the IDF now operates against threats on multiple fronts. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Israel is facing a war on seven fronts: Gaza, the West Bank, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Hamas was the first to attack Israel on October 7, 2023, and its attack was soon followed by other Iranian-backed groups, including Hezbollah, which joined the conflict the next day, and the Houthis, who joined several days later.

Each front is different. In Gaza, for instance, the IDF has settled into a routine of controlling two corridors that cross the stripone in central Gaza and the other along the Egyptian border. Although Hamas continues to try to carry out small attacks, in general, the group appears to have taken such high losses in weapons and fighters that it is not capable of serious offensives. This situation could change, however.

The IDF said on September 29 that it had carried out a precision strike on a Hamas command and control center embedded inside a compound that previously served as the Umm al-Fahm School in the northern Gaza Strip. Hamas has increasingly sought to move its operations into former school buildings in Gaza, reflected by the number of recent statements in which the IDF has said it struck various Hamas members in these institutions.

The IDF also continued uprooting Hamas tunnels in Gaza, as the 5th Brigade found an underground passage near the Netzarim Corridor. Working with combat engineers, the soldiers mapped the tunnel and blew it up. While it appears combat activity in Gaza is at its least intense level in the last year, this status could change as the anniversary of the October 7 attack nears.

On the Lebanon front, the IDF has carried out a week of airstrikes, including strikes on Beirut designed to eliminate Hezbollah commanders and attacks on Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley aiming to diminish the groups offensive capabilities. There are also reports of strikes in other parts of Lebanon, such as border crossings with Syria.

On September 29, the IDF confirmed that the operation that targeted Nasrallah on September 27 also eliminated a number of Hezbollah commanders. Ali Karaki, the Commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, who was one of the remaining senior commanders in the organization before the strike, was also killed, the IDF noted in a statement. More than 20 other terrorists of varying ranks, who were present at the underground headquarters in Beirut located beneath civilian buildings, and were managing Hezbollahs terrorist operations against the State of Israel, were also eliminated, the IDF added.

The Iranian-backed Houthis have increased their targeting of Israel with ballistic missiles over the last two weeks. They launched a missile at central Israel on September 15 and followed that up with long-range missile attacks on the Tel Aviv area on September 27 and September 28. In response, the IDF carried out extensive strikes on military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in the Ras Isa and Hudaydah areas of Yemen. The targets included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, which were used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in addition to military supplies and oil, the IDF said.

I visited the Israel Air Force command and control room, where I followed the strike conducted against the Houthi terrorist organization. Our message is clearfor us, no place is too far, Gallant said in the wake of the operations.

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq also continue to attack Israel. On September 29, an Israeli Saar 4.5 class missile ship in the Red Sea intercepted a UAV that was launched from Iraq.

With the low-intensity fight in Gaza, widespread offensive operations against Hezbollah, and retaliatory strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, Israels seven-front war is coming increasingly into focus as the IDF expands operations.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
Understanding the essence of the living can have a profound effect on one's approach to dying. Michelle Hogle Acciavatti, a natural deathworker and founder of the Vermont Forest Cemetery in Roxbury, Vermont, has tirelessly advocated for the practical application of natural burial, helping legalize it in Vermont at seven cemeteries including her own.

Recently a speaker at the TEDxHartlandHill event in Woodstock Vermont, Acciavatti's perspective ranges from neuroscience to philosophy and doula training, but about all it comes back to humanity, the essence of dignity and love.

She says a lot of her journey started in Bennington when she attended Bennington College in the early 2000s. I came from a very intense public high school [Newton North, outside Boston] where the expectation was that you were a Straight A-honor student, you did some sort of art, you played sports, you volunteered a lot, and you gave back to the community. She says it was just a super high pressure environment where everybody was really expected to succeed and to thrive. And I was very much caught up in that. 

Acciavatti had heard about Bennington, which she was told was a place where the emphasis was really on what was being learned. That, to me, was a real revelation. Acciavatti's first two loves were poetry and science (a point she made in her TEDtalk). She says Bennington never asked her to choose between the two so she was able to explore both. Her first year, she had a class on the origin of consciousness co-taught by Susan Sgorbati, who's now the head of CAPA, along with Bruce Weber, who was a visiting scholar from Davis. It was just automatically that perspective that art and science belong together. Later, Acciavatti had a chemistry teacher that taught the Chemistry of Color. These ideas set her on her path.

When she eventually did her field work term, she ended up really interested in research with babies with Down syndrome. She was looking at the relationship between motor development and cognitive development in infancy. That's what I fell in love with, and that's what I wanted to pursue. She continued to grad school to follow that path.

But another series of events adjusted her path. When I went through Bennington, inasmuch as it was academic experiment, it was also very much a social experiment. The friendships that were formed were really important for me"

In her last year of college, a friend died by suicide. In both March and April of the following year, two of her best friends died in accidents. One in a car accident on Route Nine coming back from home over the weekend. The other fell out a window during a dance performance.

Acciavatti says when she came back for graduation, she just remembered sitting there listening to the message that you can go out into the world and you can be anything. She says she and some of her classmates were still sort of shell-shocked. And I don't know how many other people were consciously feeling this...but what I was really conscious of feeling is that one of the things that we can do is die.

Three people I knew and two I loved very much were never going to graduate from college and go out into the world," she said. "And in some ways, they were the best of us.

Acciavatti aspired to grad school and then medical school and eventually working at Boston Children's Hospital. Simultaneously, however, she was realizing that nothing in life is guaranteed.

I think that is unusual for most people in their early 20s because you're still on that adolescent cusp of invincibility. She says that time shaped me in ways that I'm still really starting to just appreciate and think through now.

Another shift happened when she suffered a major head injury that January in her first year of grad school, which impacted her life for the next 15 years. It made it very hard for me to do the work that I was expected to do in grad school and it also kind of signaled, for me, a gradual falling out of love with basic research and bench science [for me]. Acciavatti realized then she was having to grapple with the sense of who she was at 22 when she graduated,  because I was now physically altered and when I started to do the work it didn't make my heart sing in the way that I thought it would 

However, did the head injury change her way of thinking or just the process of approach? I also think the head injury just made things very physically different, she explains. I had terrible vertigo. I still have a bit of a tremor. And it made it difficult to do work with my hands. I had lots of problems with concentration, with focus, and just a lot of problems regulating my brain activity.

She says it was really interesting in the fact that she was studying neuroscience and yet that perspective was being reflected back. I'm somebody who tells stories. I like to have stories about why things are the way they are. Acciavatti says she was trying to make her [injury] experience into a story, and using science as the language for that story. She says there is a reason there's a re in research because it always requires re-examination. I am very much an ideas person. In addition, the aspect of repetition in order to get the data for her work wasn't answering the big questions that she was really interested in. I mean, the data that I was gathering was contributing to things that will answer those questions in some time. But I wanted to answer the questions.

Acciavatti relates that when she came in for another field work term as a research assistant at Boston Children's Hospital, they were convening a hospital wide task force on organ donation after cardiac death. She explains that normally when there is organ donation, the subject is brain dead but they are on a ventilator, so their their heart is still pumping and their blood is circulating, There's oxygen flowing through their body, but it's all because they're on machines. She continues, If you were to turn those machines off, none of that would be happening. As a result, she says, after cardiac death is a tricky time to think about doing organ donation because you could, in theory, do CPR and potentially get their heart restarted, and bring somebody back to life so there's a lot of ethical questions. She says there is also some good science questions around it such as: When, after the heart stops, does the brain actually die? When are we not going to be causing suffering by harvesting these organs? When are we sure that there will be no experience of the organs being harvested? Acciavatti said that was one of the questions that the task force was looking at. So it was still very much involved with the brain, but it really brought the death stuff back into into my life.

Acciavatti left grad school in 2010 then went back and volunteered at the Children's Hospital in Boston. She was brought in to help guide people (because of her background in neuroscience) to be able to make recommendations for families in ethical situations such as organ donation and terminal diseases.

And the more that I was exposed to families that were having to make these decisions around withdrawing or foregoing life sustaining treatment for their kids, the more that I found that (and I say this in my TEDtalk) that I sort of had a calm where I could just be very, very present in those conversations. And as hard and as sad and as devastating as those conversations were, I didn't want to run away from them. I didn't shut down around it.

Acciavatti says she took her first steps at her great grandmother's funeral. I was never shielded from death as a child. I've always been exposed to it. She says she thinks her parents normalized it for her very early for her in terms of this is a part of life. She says one of the things that normalized it for her was that it's okay to be very sad, it's okay to struggle, it's okay to feel the way we feel when death occurs.

She said even though Boston Children's Hospital is an incredible institution and these families had all sorts of in-person support, incredibly well trained social workers and doctors...kids were still dying...and there was still something missing I felt from the care that they were getting.

People say you don't just wake up one day and change your entire life. But literally, I was sitting with a friend, at her table, and she was studying to be a birth midwife," Acciavatti explains. "And I was talking to her about this subject. Acciavatti was telling her friend: "[These families] need something more. They need a different kind of support from what they're getting. And her friend said, You should be a death midwife. Acciavatti said it was that simple.

Acciavatti jokes that in 2013 there wasn't a Wikipedia entry about death midwifery at the time. Some people were offering certain training. Acciavatti speaks of a woman that had been a nurse during the AIDS crisis. That was a time when people who were dying were being kicked out of hospitals, and they weren't given access to normal care because people were afraid. She says a lot of times, nurses would end up being the ones that would care for people in their home because of that fear. So there was this strange little window of of re-bringing sections of [old] Western American culture back into caring for our dead outside of the bounds of medicine. Acciavatti says that death, in a lot of ways, is not a medical event. She says one could look at parallels between the home birth movement in the 70s and the home dying movement that was shaping up in the in the 2000s. I say that this is kind of a reawakening or a reemergence [of this practice] because there's many cultures that have never lost this caring for dead in the home, and in community, and in family. She says it just was unique in mainstream American culture that we went hard for science and medicine. Starting in the 50s, it seemed like science would solve everything, but it really took us away from a lot of things that we need to do, to deal with and be present for dying.

Acciavatti left academic science completely at that point and spent a good six years just completely devoting herself to figuring out how to be this way in the world, how to be present with the dying, how to bring people back to what does it mean to die at home, to die in community, and to be supported at home and in community.

This kind of approach is, of course, easier said than done but it begins with the written word.

I mean, I'm a reader. Words are what I love. So I read...a lot. I have this incredible death library. I've got a Goodreads profile you can check out. She also studied in person with people. It was really, for me, an education. But I kept coming up short of what I felt I needed to do. During that time, she took around nine doula trainings. Along the way, she was introduced very early on to the concept of natural burial.

In 2014, Acciavatti moved to Vermont. So I was more exposed to people that were really living their values in terms of back to the land and home birth and holistic medicine. Acciavatti, says it was revelatory to move into this space because I had done most of my growing up just outside of Boston in the Longwood medical area. That was my Mecca. That was my goal. She had been taught that there was nothing better or more important in the world than the Harvard Hospital system because of everything that they were creating and able to do in the world.

She says that is true from a Western medicine perspective but, for her, it really does fall really short in terms of a lot of the holistic approaches. Her doula training intuitively brought her back to what she had been so interested in at Bennington, which was what does it mean to connect something physical and something more cognitive together. She cites that all early learning in life is motor learning. Kids learn to crawl. That's how they interact with their environment, and that's what builds the patterns in our brains. It starts with how we, as humans, learn to control our bodies and how we interact with the environment. Acciavatti started reflecting on that. Death, like birth, is rarely a medical event. There are things that medicine can do to support the experience, but you can't alter or change it. Once death starts, it's happening. There's some people that want to deny it. There's some people that try to avoid it. They're their own camp. But this is a natural process. This has been happening for as long as things have been alive on this planet.

She revels in how our planet is remarkable in terms of just the beautiful and elegant in the way that we come from and return to it... some are metaphors [in terms of religious traditions] but the science supports it. From Earth to Earth...from dust to dust...our bodies are made up of the same thing as our soil, as the food that we eat. When we die, we can go back to the planet and rejoin that ecosystem. And that's the way nature evolved.

Acciavatti says Bennington really fostered in her the sense that everything is connected. There is nothing that I've ever learned that's been wasted. But she adds that when she felt like she couldn't get any more from book learning or from training, the best thing that I did was I became a hospice volunteer. I actually started working with the dying in a very controlled way. She volunteered at Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice.

Because her background was in neuroscience, she would preferentially be matched with people that had dementia or mental illness. She wasn't able do a lot with supporting people who were dying at home. But Acciavatti says she could really see the difference between what she had been learning in the doula trainings versus the aspects of hospice. The idealized element from her trainings was that we're dying at home. Pain is managed. Nobody has a psychiatric illness that's disrupting their ability to be present with those that they love. We're doing life reviews and taking people through who they are and the way they're remembered by the people that love them. But, she says, that's not the way most people die, especially not in Vermont.

She says part of that has to do with the fact that Vermont is a very small state and under resourced. She says the problems have just gotten worse since she moved here in 2014 in terms of cost of healthcare, access to providers, being able to get timely diagnosis, treatment, access, even medication. She says it is remarkably different here in Vermont particularly in relation to the Boston area. Acciavatti does say some of it also has to do with attitude.

Acciavatti understands that native Vermonters, particularly, are very, very independent. They take care of themselves. And dying is something...it's not a medical event, but it does take support. But she says now, as a modern society, we rarely have family structures to come together. with...and to give people the full support that they need at the end of life. This needs to include the hours of care and presence. In modern life, families now are scattered. Modern life is very different, and we're not well accustomed, especially in this state, to adapting to those changes in society. She doesn't want to make it sound like a bad thing, because it's not." She says she just has a fierce adherence to what I truly believe is the way that things should be. It is something that we need to create for ourselves now.

Acciavatti reaffirms that the care teams she volunteered for were wonderful. The people that work in nursing homes are wonderful. I never mean to take away from them, but these people are dying in a room with a roommate that's blasting 'Bonanza' at full volume. Even if I could get someone to come in and play harp at the bedside...and they exist and they volunteer and they'll come out... it's a really weird juxtaposition to have harp music and 'Bonanza' in the same [space].

Now Acciavatti understands that certain people are going to share their story, no matter what. I'm one of them...wherever I go, whatever the environment is...I will shout over 'Bonanza.' I will make myself heard. But, if we kind of go back to your more typical and traditional Vermonter, particularly older men, they just withdraw in that environment, and dying is something that it's a very internal process. It's inward turning. It's a withdrawal from the world. So I don't mean to suggest that if certain people were at home, that they would be any more communicative.

Acciavatti explains that, for somebody to die within their community, where everybody knows how they are, and the subtle ways they share themselves and communicate, can make all the difference. Somebody might not tell you they're in pain, but they might cock an eyebrow, and if you've known them your whole life, you're gonna know, 'Hey, they're uncomfortable right now,' She says when somebody's dying in an institution, even though the people are caring for them, they don't know them. They can't read you in that same way. You're not being held in community. And I think that part of the story is the telling of the story, but it's also in the sharing. And you can't share when you're a stranger.

The question is how do you bridge that gap and connect? When she was volunteering at the hospice center, Acciavatti got a bit of a reputation for being the person that would get called in when people couldn't let go...people that were in just extreme physical distress...either their heart rates were extremely low or their heart rates that were extremely high. Sometimes this would go on for days. And even when they did have family that was very present and with them, the family would be exhausted. They needed to go home and sleep and take their kids to school. So Acciavatti would get called in to sit with these patients. And these are people that could no longer communicate with me. There was no way to bond with them.

Acciavatti says she would introduce herself, tell them who she was and why she was there, and also why their family wasn't there with them. She usually had nothing to go on beyond what was in the person's file, a small bit of information that a hospice volunteer gets. Sometimes she would meet the family on the way out of the room and talk briefly. And I've always been a very observant and watchful person. She says these spaces for patients in nursing homes are quite deliberately decorated. She relates one time, she was in the room with a woman and was surrounded by Catholic imagery. She had the statue of Christ. She had the Sacred Heart. She had the most tortured crucifix I have ever seen. It was hard to look at. I had met her family, and they said the priest had already come in. They kept telling her she was going to heaven, and that they loved her.

Acciavatti says they left the room...and I'm sitting there, in silence and and I'm watching her. Her body was going through things that people should not survive. And it had been at least a day of that. So there was a force of will that was keeping her from dying. Acciavatti said she thought to herself: What if it's fear? Her thought went to the aspect of belief. "Because if there's heaven and there's God, those can be incredibly comforting things for people who believe in them." She however relates that, if a person believes in those things, they also likely believe in hell and the devil. She pondered: "What if she was afraid that she wasn't going to go to heaven? I think that's a pretty legitimate thing that we worry about when we die. 'Have we lived a good life? Have we been a good person? Have we done enough?' And then you can imagine if that gets caught up [in your brain at that moment]

Acciavatti says she is not a religious person. And I'm sitting there and I'm thinking, 'What can I possibly say to this woman who I don't know, who has no idea who I am, and I have no idea how she's actually feeling? But how do you encourage somebody to let go? I don't even believe in heaven. I can't sincerely tell somebody that they're going to go to heaven. So what is the true thing that I can offer her? And so I told her that everybody you have ever loved knows how much you love them, and that they will be okay. I just said that to her over and over and over again for a while until her heart rate started to come down...her breathing started to slow down, and I started to feel like it was okay to be in silence. I just sat with her in silence, and I just held her hand, and just loved her. I just wanted her to be surrounded in love, to feel safe. She died soon after that.

That kind of intuition can go back to childhood. I just thought...I used to have night terrors when I was a kid, and my mom would come into the room and would just rub circles on my back. And I would fall asleep that way," Acciavatti remembers. "And I just thought about, 'What makes us feel safe, right?' I'm not religious, but part of my mom's family is Polish Catholic so they're very religious. And I was surrounded by that growing up. I thought, 'Okay, God is love, right? Jesus is the embodiment of God. God still loves the world.' So I just tried to love her. That was the first time that I did that, and she died quite peacefully. And so it went on from there.

Acciavatti says that are just so many parallels between birth and death. Acciavatti is currently pregnant with her first child (and that perspective was relayed as well in her TEDtalk). She has many nieces but having her own will be different. She brings in the context of aging, As we age, we lose our ability to do things. We need more and more assistance. Walking gets harder. Little kids learn to walk by holding on to things. Old people start to be unsure of their balance, and they hold on to things again. She says it is not uncommon for people to need assistance toileting themselves at the end of life. "Countenance becomes harder, right?" She says a number of men have told her, the second they need a diaper, just take me out back and shoot me." But, she comments, we don't think anything of changing the diaper for a kid. You change the diaper, and off they go. They go back to what they're doing. It's no different in adulthood, except the shame. "It's about our independence and all of that."

She says her current work with natural burial is really about getting to the essence of what are people saying when they say things like that. And then it comes back to her current approach as a natural death worker in that we bathe the body. And a lot of times, people choose to shroud the body. She parallels that bathing in the same way you bathe an infant. You stick them in a bath, then sort of gently clean them off. She says shrouding and swaddling are the same movements. You fold a shroud around the body the same way you fold a swaddle around a baby. She parallels that lowering the body into the earth is an action, not unlike lowering a baby into a crib.

In embracing natural burial I came to this sort of very practical aspect of 'What practical aspect can we offer in these situations?'" She harks back to the relation of a mother to a child which is another parallel as she is about to have her first child herself. But she instead thinks back to her mom and how she dealt with the death of her grandmother.

I'm fortunate, I have the best parents. You might have great parents too, but my parents are the best parents in the world. Acciavatti says it was just this idea of grace that I had modeled for me, particularly in my mom, because her mother was a very difficult woman...an emotionally abusive woman, and yet my mother cared for her as she was dying, and was present and was calm and was so generous to her.

When Acciavatti thinks back on the number of doula trainings she took, the lessons that I learned the most about [in terms of this process] were actually from the way my mom was at the bedside of my grandmother. Because, ultimately, and I tell people this all the time, if you want to be a death doula, don't pay to take a training. Go and be a hospice volunteer. Go and learn how people die. Go and learn what's special about you and how you can support them in that process. Because ultimately, what it is is the ability to be present and, to me, to be able to love in that moment. For other people, it'll be something different. But to me, it's just how can I be present with love?

To learn more about Michelle, her advocacy, natural burial and the Vermont Forest Cemetery, visit cemetery.eco.

Her story will continue next week.

Michelle also invites people to attend the 1st anniversary of Vermont Forest Cemetery at noon on October 12. To learn more, visit cemetery.eco/event-details/vfcs-first-anniversary
The gentle giants are most often seen in WA's Ningaloo Reef where they're known to aggregate and rarely around Queensland.

Passengers and crew on board a Divers Den tour boat were greeted by a rare whale shark at Norman Reef in the Great Barrier Reef. Source: Divers Den

Tourists visiting one of Australia's prime marine locations were recently greeted by a rare sight while sailing off the coast, and while it was "very quick" the magical encounter left them in awe.

Passengers aboard a a scuba diving tour boat, operated by Divers Den in Cairns, came within metres of an incredible whale shark  the world's largest living fish. According to Melissa Alps, the company's co-ordinator, a sight this close to Cairns was "quite rare".

While whale sharks commonly live in tropical waters, the gentle giants are most often seen in WA's Ningaloo Reef where they're known to aggregate  and not often around Queensland. There, peak whale shark season typically starts in March and runs through to the end of July, where they are spotted almost on a daily basis  however, by now, they're seen in far fewer numbers.

Previously, a woman told Yahoo News Australia about her experience with one at South Stradbroke Island, Queensland. "We were in shock... it's super rare," she said.

Onlookers 'so excited' by 'rare beauty' at Great Barrier Reef

Posting a video of the encounter on social media the tour company described the animal as a "rare beauty"  and while rare, the crew reported seeing it two days in a row in the Norman Reef area.

"The first sighting of the whale shark on Saturday was underwater by one of the dive instructors Jonathan, the group of certified divers he was guiding, and two of the Divemaster trainees, Alps said, the Cairns Post reported.

"The second sighting on Sunday was seen by a lot of the guests and crew onboard AquaQuest. It was lunch time, so no one was in the water, unfortunately."

She said, "the crew and the customers were so excited to see the whale shark as this is a rare sighting on the Great Barrier Reef". Meanwhile, others on Facebook said it was "amazing".

Swimming with whale sharks poses no 'real risk'

Whale sharks can grow to 18 meters, a weight of 34 tonnes and may live for 100 years. Despite their size, they're often referred to as gentle giants. Snorkellers swim with these giant fish without real risk, apart from the chance of an unintentional blow from the shark's large tail fin, according to WA Fisheries.

A WA man recently went swimming with a whale shark at Ningaloo Reef in WA where they're known to aggregate. Source: Facebook/Andrew Clough

They can be found swimming close to shore, feeding in waters of less than 80 meters deep, the Australian Institute of Marine Science said. And they're a growing drawcard for tourists.

This week, a chuffed swimmer recounted his magical experience with one at Ningaloo Blue, describing it as "the best day ever". Incredible photos shared on Facebook show his close proximity to the shark.

While common in this area, whale shark numbers are dwindling in general, in part due to accidentally being caught by fishing vessels. Sadly the species is now considered vulnerable.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Hispanic and Latino leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference across the state.

Profiles of these leaders will be published over the course of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. These are people readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.

Elizabeth Roman of New England Public Media. (Don Treeger / The Republican)Don Treeger

Elizabeth Roman

Age: 40

Community: Springfield

Her story: Elizabeth Roman began her journalism career at the age of 19 where she was an intern at The Springfield Republican  and later became a full-time reporter. She spent nearly 20 years with the outlet and in 2018 became the editor of El Pueblo Latino, a Spanish-language weekly newspaper of The Republican.

Writing thousands of articles about the Latino community, Roman added to her repertoire by becoming the lead editor for the book Nuestra Historia: A History of Latinos in Western Massachusetts.

In 2020 she became a co-founder of Colectivo de Medios Latinos, a digital collaboration with other Latino journalists in the region, providing current news online in Spanish during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two years later, Roman joined New England Public Media (NEPM) in Springfield as the managing editor, editing reporters, working to expand the diversity of sources in news coverage and exploring ways to create more Spanish-language news content.

She later became promoted to the Managing Editor of Daily & Digital News, leading Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

Roman also works with reporters to cover events and social issues in Western Massachusetts and helps assign reporters stories and edits their work.

As a Puerto Rican woman born and raised in Springfield I strive to get the voices of often marginalized or forgotten people on the airwaves. Our reporters are able to celebrate and highlight the contributions of people of color in our region and shift the narrative in media that often focuses on only the negative, Roman said.

Roman said NEPM can also highlight injustices and struggles that people in Western Massachusetts are facing including in education, health care, mental health and housing.

In her words: Be curious about the world around you and how it connects with the community you live in. Dont be afraid to ask questions and dig deeper into issues that matter to you, but also be open to exploring topics that you may not have an interest in or that you know nothing about. Challenge yourself to interact with and interview people who may have very different beliefs and opinions than you.

Were always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a man who was shot and killed in Bostons Mattapan neighborhood early Sunday morning, according to police.

Officers responded to 849 Cummins Highway around 1:05 a.m. for a report of a person shot, Boston police said in a press release. At the scene, they found the man with gunshout wounds. He was declared dead at the scene.

The Boston Police Departments Homicide Unit is actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident, the department wrote in the release.
MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Hispanic and Latino leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference across the state.

Profiles of these leaders will be published over the course of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. These are people readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.

Nayroby RosaDave Eisenstadter/MassLive.com

Nayroby Rosa

Age: 40

Community: Holyoke

Her story: Nayroby Rosa was just 22 years old when she bought her first house. But without the proper guidance in home buying that an organization like the one she heads now provides, Rosa said she quickly put herself and her family into an unstable place.

Eighteen years later, Rosa leads at OneHolyoke CDC as a director of community engagement and resident services. She works with families, organizations and the entire Holyoke community as part of the nonprofits mission to improve housing for low- to moderate-income families in the city.

Throughout all my transitions, my goal was stability and consistency for my family, Rosa said. She said she was lucky and blessed to learn about different opportunities she could have to better her situation, and wanted to use those skills to educate others in her position.

In her first position as a direct service advocate and after moving to Western Massachusetts from New York City, she worked with teen mothers through the YWCA of Western Mass.

Now, Rosa has established the first-ever strategic plan for OneHolyoke CDC to find where she could be helpful in her community. She hopes to continue to build out initiatives and programs to help civic, community, education, public safety, and health engagement.

Creating bridges to self-sufficiency and access to resources is an important factor of the work that I do. For our entire community to thrive, all aspects of needs should be addressed, Rosa said.

Rosa is also involved on several boards, committees, community efforts and task forces that address barriers families face.

In her words: It is important to know that in order to do this work you must have passion, compassion and empathy. Everyone is battling a journey we do not know, and we must be eager to be helpful and reliable.

Were always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Hispanic and Latino leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference across the state.

Profiles of these leaders will be published over the course of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. These are people readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.

Sgt. Naomi Reyes becomes the 1st Hispanic female Supervisor in the history of the Springfield Police Department in 2020. (Don Treeger / The Republican)Don Treeger/Springfield Republican

Naomi Reyes

Age: 41

Community: Springfield

Her story: Naomi Reyes always wanted to do meaningful work in her community. Raised in Springfield, Reyes said had experienced firsthand the outcomes of drug abuse and made it her goal to be part of the solution.

As a sergeant for the Springfield Police Department (SPD) and a supervisor for the Springfield police youth aid division and the student support unit, Reyes is now giving back to her community by working with juveniles and building trust within communities.

Our diversion programs for law violations and everyday mentorship with students provide an avenue for second chances and create relationships with the youth that in turn creates trust within the communities, Reyes said. Having police officers that are from the same neighborhoods, speak the language and have experienced the same struggles that some of the youth may face is an amazing way to communicate and get through to some of the juveniles that need guidance the most. The credibility that it establishes in their minds is a testimony to the youth, that people just like them from places just like them can achieve their goals through hard work and perseverance.

Reyes said she worked towards the goal of joining SPD for years. She joined the Army National Guard as a military police officer with the 972nd Military Police Company in 2004 and was then promoted to sergeant in 2007. After returning from her deployment to Iraq in 2008, Reyes would obtain a criminal justice and psychology degree.

In 2010, Reyes officially joined the Springfield Police Department. Two years later, Reyes was deployed to the Middle East following her promotion to staff sergeant in the military.

I shortly after made the decision to focus on one of my careers and pursue growth within that work force, Reyes said. I finished my enlistment with the military in 2019 with my last three years as part of the Air National Guard.

In 2020, Reyes was promoted to sergeant with the Springfield Police Department  becoming the first Latina supervisor in SPD history.

In her words: If you were to pursue being a police officer, ensure to have the values to represent yourself as well as the department as a whole. You must have the love to pursue it despite its reputation and its hardships, and you have to be committed to your mental health and spiritual wellbeing. The job itself is not easy and the rewards are not always seen or felt, but much like faith you have to trust that your efforts will lead to the intended end.

Were always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
The CEO of a hospital operator that filed for bankruptcy protection in May will step down after failing to testify before a U.S. Senate panel.

Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre has overseen a network of some 30 hospitals around the country. The Texas-based companys troubled recent history has drawn scrutiny from elected officials in New England, where some of its hospitals are located.

A spokesperson for de la Torre said Saturday that he has amicably separated from Steward on mutually agreeable terms and will continue to be a tireless advocate for the improvement of reimbursement rates for the underprivileged patient population.

Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said earlier this month that Congress will hold Dr. de la Torre accountable for his greed and for the damage he has caused to hospitals and patients throughout America.

De la Torres resignation is effective Oct. 1. The Senate approved a resolution on Wednesday that was intended to hold him in criminal contempt for failing to testify before a committee.

The Senate panel has been looking into Stewards bankruptcy. De la Torre did not appear before it despite being issued a subpoena. The resolution refers the matter to a federal prosecutor.
With control of the U.S. House on the line in November, one Massachusetts lawmaker is betting that folks who know a thing or two about running disciplined campaigns can help Democrats retake the majority.

And thats veterans, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-6th District, a former Marine, told MassLive.

For the last six years, the Salem lawmakers political action committee, the Serve America PAC, has worked to get Democratic veterans elected in some of the most competitive districts in the country.

Its the only mission-driven PAC in Congress, he said in between stops in the district last week. Were electing servant-leaders to office.

And its not those who have served in the military. The PAC also backs people who have served in such national service organizations as AmeriCorps, and the Peace Corps, as well as Teach for America, he said.

There are great Americans [who] are signing up to serve, he said. ... It turns out that selecting candidates based on leadership abilities isnt good just because theyre leaders in Congress, but [also] because theyre good at winning tough races.

That was the case in 2018, when more than half of the seats the Democrats flipped were our candidates, as the party recaptured control of the U.S. House, Moulton said.

In 2024, Democrats need to flip just four seats to retake the lower chamber. There are six, key races that could determine control of the House, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

We endorse based on 3 categories. The first one is proven leadership, the second one is races that matter, and the third [one] is races that are winnable, he said.

That strategy worked in the primary cycle that just ended. But now, several candidates backed by Moultons PAC face tough general election contests.

In New England, for instance, Democratic hopeful Maggie Goodlander, who won in New Hampshires Sept. 10 primary, and incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, both face tough general election fights.

Moulton, who is running without opposition in November, said the PAC has raised more than $2 million for candidates nationwide.

The pace of giving ticked upward after President Joe Biden scuttled his reelection bid in July.

We work to raise a lot of money for our candidates, he said.

Moulton is part of a cadre of Democratic veterans that also includes U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, a fellow Marine; Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, an Air Force veteran from Pennsylvania, and U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., a former CIA analyst.

People know that there is a strong crew of Democratic veterans in the House, Moulton said.

Theyve also worked to reverse the perception that only Republicans can be veterans or serve in government, Anne Applebaum wrote for The Atlantic earlier this month.

Moulton, Houlahan, and other Democratic veterans also provided a template for Vice President Kamala Harris, who also has seized back similar themes  freedom and support for the military  from the GOP in her White House bid.

The lawmakers turned out to be precursors of an important change, one that may end up redefining American politics, Applebaum wrote.

And they have been active  both on Capitol Hill and beyond.

Last December, Moulton, joined by Spanberger, Houlahan, and other fellow Democratic veterans, including U.S. Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey sent Biden a letter urging the White House to use all our leverage to achieve a shift in Israeli military strategy in its war against Hamas.

On Wednesday, Moulton headlined a Harris fundraiser for military and veterans families in Washington. And hes set to return to New Hampshire to barnstorm for Goodlander, a campaign aide said.

Theres just more enthusiasm across the board for Democrats, and its absolutely affecting both fundraising and volunteering for House and Senate races, Moulton told Politico earlier this month.

A question on November's general election ballot proposes that the pay for tipped workers be boosted to the statewide minimum wage of $15 an hour. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen/The Republican, File)

The polls, oh, the polls

With the weather turning cooler and Election Day growing ever nearer, new polls are dropping faster than the leaves on your backyard oak tree.

Enter the advocacy group One Fair Wage, which is backing a fall ballot question that would boost the minimum wage for tipped workers.

In a statement, the group highlighted last weeks WBUR/CommonWealth Beacon poll, which sampled public opinion on the Legislatures job performance, the ballot questions and other matters.

Forty-three percent of the polls 800 likely voter respondents said they planned to vote in favor of the ballot question, which would boost the tipped minimum wage from $6.75 an hour to match the statewide minimum for all workers of $15 an hour.

Forty percent were no votes, and 16% didnt know enough to form an opinion or did not answer.

With that narrow margin, the advocacy group burrowed into the cross-tabs pointing out what it said was some encouraging news.

That included nearly 60% support among self-identified Democrats; 48% support among women voters, and 61% support among respondents who earn less than $50,000.

The latter result [makes] it clear that working-class voters are firmly behind the push to eliminate poverty wages, One Fair Wage said in its statement.

Advocates for the poor have argued that lower-income voters nationwide could make up a significant bloc of swing voters if theyre registered, properly motivated and show up at the polls.

A 10% to 15% increase in swing states among low-wage voters would win the election, four-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader told MassLive last week. The slogan is, Go vote for a raise, you deserve it.

Nader is among a cadre of progressive activists who believe Democrats arent doing enough to reach these voters. He believes Democrats should have a laser-like focus on the minimum wage and raising the Medicare tax cap.

One Fair Wage raised a similar issue, noting that 55% of voters who support Harriss White House bid also back the ballot question.

Both Harris and former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, have called for scrapping taxes on tipped wages.

Nearly a quarter (24%) of self-identified Trump voters, were yes votes on the ballot question

That demonstrates that ending poverty wages for service workers has bipartisan appeal, One Fair Wage argued in its statement.

(AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)AP

Anti-Social ...

Researchers at UMass Amherst are poking holes in a 2023 study funded by Facebook/Instagram parent Meta, claiming that the social media platforms algorithms successfully filtered out untrustworthy news sources during the 2020 election, and didnt contribute to a glut of misinformation during that hotly contested campaign cycle.

In an email, the interdisciplinary team at UMass said it found that the Meta-funded research was conducted when the company temporarily introduced a new, more rigorous news algorithm rather than its standard one, and that the previous researchers did not account for the algorithmic change.

That, in turn, led to the misperception, widely reported by the media, that Facebook and Instagrams news feeds are largely reliable sources of trustworthy news, the researchers said.

Like the earlier research, the new UMass research was published in the journal Science.

The first thing that rang alarm bells for us was when we realized that the previous researchers ... conducted a randomized control experiment during the same time that Facebook had made a systemic, short-term change to their news algorithm, UMass graduate student Chhandak Bagchi, the studys lead author, said.

In November 2020, the social media titan introduced 63 break glass changes to Facebooks news feed that were expressly designed to diminish the visibility of untrustworthy news surrounding the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the UMass researchers said.

The changes cut user views of misinformation by 24%. But by March 2021, Metas news algorithm reverted to its previous practice of promoting a higher fraction of untrustworthy news, they said.

Mayor Michelle Wu gives her annual speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. (Trea Lavery/MassLive)Trea Lavery/MassLive

They said it

A private conversation.

 Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, speaking to reporters last week, after she left a closed-door summit with business leaders convened by Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, on her stalled tax shift plan.

On your TV screens

Evan Horowitz, the executive director of Tufts Universitys Center for State Policy Studies, talks fall ballot questions on WBZ-TVs Keller @ Large program at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune is a guest on WCVB-TVs On the Record at 11 a.m. Sunday. As always, political analysts Mary Anne Marsh and Rob Gray also join the discussion.

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-6th District, and former acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey are in the hot seat for NBC-10s At Issue, at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday (h/t to Politico Massachusetts).

Turned up to 11

Veteran Irish rockers U2 dropped some new-to-you music last week.

The two tracks, Picture of You (X+W) and Country Mile, come from How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb, out Nov. 29.

The record is a compilation of unreleased songs from the bands 2004 LP How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, which included now-stadium classics Vertigo and Sometimes You Cant Make It On Your Own.

The new collection, which will be available as an exclusive for Record Store Day Black Friday and as a digital release, comes a week after the 20th-anniversary re-release of its parent LP, Ultimate Classic Rock reported.

Your Sunday long read

Writing for The Cut, Bindu Bansinath delves into the GLP-1 supplement boom. Those looking to cash in on the push to market natural Ozempic now include reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian and actor Halle Berry.

As the popularity of these weight-loss drugs continues to skyrocket, wellness brands are slapping GLP-1 language on supplements they claim naturally increase the hunger-regulating hormone, Bansinath reported. These companies market dupes and supplements toward those who cant afford injectables, which can cost upward of $1,000 a month; those who want to get off of them; and those who want to avoid needles and side effects like nausea and indigestion.
The native plant was once 'widespread' across the east coast but is now presumed almost extinct in NSW and Victoria.

Shannon, from Toowoomba, Queensland said he was on his way home when something on the side of a road brought him to a halt. Source: TikTok/@shannon.k.m6

A man was making his way back home on Thursday when a splash of pink tucked away on the side of a rural Aussie road caused him to suddenly stop in his tracks. While the grassy hill in Toowoomba, Queensland, wouldnt look like much to many drivers passing by, Shannon  who describes himself as an ecologist and botanist  couldnt help but take a closer look.

Found a dozen of one of my favourite plants, the local captioned footage of multiple Austral Cornflowers, otherwise known as rhaponticum australe, sprouting from the ground.

There was probably about 15 in total, but there were two very big ones, about 40 to 50cm tall, Shannon said in a video posted to his TikTok, adding that although the plant resembles a thistle, its leaves are actually smooth.

Despite the native perennials once growing widespread from Victoria to Queensland, they are now presumed extinct in NSW and Victoria, he added.

The Austral Cornflower, a member of the sunflower family that is only seen in Australia, is often found on roadsides, on road or rail reserves and in grasslands on clay soil, according to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, which has listed the plant as vulnerable.

Despite the native perennials once being 'widespread from Victoria to Queensland', they are now presumed extinct in NSW and Victoria. Source: TikTok/@shannon.k.m6

What caused the native plant to go extinct in NSW and Victoria?

After being inundated with questions from curious social media users, Shannon went on to explain that woodland clearing for agriculture, urban development, as well as cattle grazing were likely to blame for the plants extinction in the southern states. People agreed it was "beautiful" while one said, "fantastic find".

Other main potential threats to rhaponticum australe include invasion by weeds, roadworks and inappropriate fire regime, the Queensland Government states.

There are people currently trying to reintroduce the species in NSW and Victoria, Shannon claimed, but its not working out very well.

The climate of Victoria and NSW is significantly different to that of Queensland, mainly to do with rain. Victoria gets quite a lot of winter rain, whereas Queensland doesnt, and that affects the progeny of the plant, he said.

So you cant really take these plants that are adapted to the tropical climate of Queensland, and then put them in the temperate forests of Victoria.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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HADLEY  Sanctioned by China this summer for meddling with the Asian super powers affairs, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern was honored Saturday for a portion of that interference: his staunch commitment to the Tibetan cause.

He was recognized at a gathering called, Thank You, Jim McGovern: A Gratitude Event, held at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Hadley on Saturday afternoon, hosted by the Regional Tibetan Association of Massachusetts.
Itana , Nigerias first licensed digital economic zone management company, and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) , the continents leading infrastructure solutions provider, have agreed to jointly develop the first digital economic zone in Africa designed for global and Pan-African technology, finance and service-based businesses to operate and scale with ease across Africa, unlocking the continents digital economy.

The formalisation of this partnership took place yesterday in front of global government and business leaders, at the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The Itana Digital Economic Zone in Lagos, Nigeria is intended as an online jurisdiction and to serve as a gateway to build a global business in Nigeria. Through Itana, companies can remotely incorporate and operate their businesses in the Itana zone, with laws, business incentives (tax, immigration & banking), and services optimized for the digital economy. This will be coupled with eco-friendly live-work districts and a live-in accelerator program, showcasing the future of African cities and providing the ideal infrastructure and support for businesses in Africa to scale and compete globally.

AFC will support Itana with project development funding and intends to lead in the financing of phase 1 of the Itana project which is budgeted at around $100m. This will include an eco-friendly tech campus in Lagos, Nigeria, and funding of startups in Accelerate Africa, the accelerator program of Itana in partnership with Future Africa. AFC will also support the roll-out of the Itana Digital Economic Zone for global and Pan-African tech, finance, and service-based businesses seeking to operate across Africa.

Itana and AFC are already collaborating alongside Future Africa, PwC Nigeria, and Charter Cities Institute as technical advisers to the Initiative for the Promotion of Digital Free Zones in Nigeria (DiFZIN), a non-profit advocacy and policy research organization representing the private sector in the recently announced Nigerian Federal Government steering committee for the establishment of Digital Economic Zones in Nigeria. The committee is chaired by President Bola Tinubu and includes relevant Government Ministers and Agency Heads.

Itana will be a conducive environment tailored to the 21st-century digital trade and technological age. The organization recently launched the Itana Application where individuals can join the community and have access to events and services such as business visa facilitation, local bank accounts, and a curated marketplace of trusted vendors and consultants for doing business in Africa. Businesses that meet the criteria can register as a Free Zone Enterprise (FZE) with ease and will receive a Business Operating license that enables them to do business in Nigeria like numerous digital companies including Reliance Info and Future Africa.

Post business incorporation, businesses can operate in the zone with tax and capital repatriation incentives, get access to the Itana business community, apply for business banking in the Digital Economic Zone, and special work and residency permits without limitations imposed by expatriate quotas.

Itana intends to be to Nigeria and Africa what Delaware & Silicon Valley is to the U.S., the DIFC is to Dubai, and e-Estonia is to the European Union, said Luqman Edu, CEO of Itana. Itana is poised as the gateway to doing business in Africa. Local and International businesses looking to expand their operations across Africa will naturally look to Itana as their point of entry.

Africas digital economy is poised for significant expansion and innovation following the rapid adoption of mobile technology, a burgeoning youth population, and the growing importance of digital commerce and services, said Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO, Africa Finance Corporation. In support of this, AFC is proud to be a pioneer alongside Itana, in building Africas first digital economic zone. This unprecedented initiative marks a pivotal step towards creating a thriving hub for the African digital economy, cementing the Corporations commitment to driving innovation, job creation, and sustainable economic development across the continent, he added.

Last year, Itana announced a funding round backed by leading technology venture capitals and highly influential tech industry leaders including LocalGlobe, Amplo, Pronomos Capital (backed by Peter Thiel), Balaji, and Future Africa (led by Nigerian entrepreneur Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave).

As the first Digital Economic Zone, Itana remains committed to making Nigeria a powerhouse in the global digital economy. It will be hosted in Alaro City, an integrated, mixed-use city planned on over 2,000 hectares in the Lekki Free Zone.
The African Development Bank Mozambique Country Office (www.AfDB.org) held a special ceremony on Monday to celebrate the institutions 60th anniversary in Maputo, showcasing decades of partnership and development impact across Africa.

The commemoration, under the theme, 60 Years of Making a Difference brought together government officials, development partners, and key stakeholders to reflect on the Banks journey and its contribution to the southern African nations growth.

In his keynote address, Mozambiques Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Adriano Maleiane, who also serves as the Banks Governor for Mozambique, hailed the Bank as a crucial partner in the countrys transformation.

The African Development Bank continues to be an essential partner in promoting transformative change and fostering sustainable development across the continent, he said. I am confident that our partnership will continue to strengthen and that together we will achieve our shared vision of a prosperous and sustainable Mozambique and Africa.

Mateus Magala, Minister of Transport and Communications and a former Vice President for Corporate Services and Human Resources at the Bank, shared his reflections on the significance of the 60-year milestone.

It is a great honor to be here as a former bank staff, and experience this wonderful moment of 60th anniversary of the Bank. In serving the bank, I found a purpose beyond profit: a cause and mission to uplift the African continent. He emphasized: We must all commit to addressing Africas development challenges and contributing to a better world by eradicating poverty and promoting economic development. The African Development Bank provides a clear path forward, offering a platform for those seeking purpose, direction, and a collective mission. Together, we can drive Africas transformation.

Macmillan Anyanwu, Interim Country Manager of the Bank in Mozambique, opened the ceremony, highlighting the institutions transformative impact on the country and its enduring partnership with the government.

As we celebrate six decades of achievements, we must not lose sight of the challenges ahead, Anyawu said, citing issues such as climate change, conflict, poverty and inequality, macroeconomic instability, and rising debt. I wish to reaffirm the Banks commitment to work alongside the Government of Mozambique and other development partners to tackle these challenge

s.

The Bank has been active in Mozambique since 1977, and in 2006, it established a representative office in the country to deepen its engagement. Over the years, the bank has approved over 130 projects for Mozambique, amounting to about $3.8 billion. Ongoing portfolio includes projects worth $1.3 billion, focusing on critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, transportation, water and sanitation, social services, finance, and governance.
THE longest-serving county councillor in Mayo has lashed out at the Department of Justice for refusing to bring the concerns of Castlebar Municipal District Council to the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

Cllr Al McDonnell was commenting on correspondence he received from the private secretary to the Minister for Justice regarding concerns over the lack of garda resources in the area.

Cllr McDonnell said that the letter stated that these matters are matters exclusively for the Commissioner but it added that the Department of Justice would not relay Castlebar MDs concerns to Commissioner Harris.

The news comes as Mayo received no new gardai from the latest batch of 108 graduates from Templemore Garda College.

Speaking at the September meeting of Castlebar Municipal District, Cllr McDonnell said that it beggars belief that government ministers had transferred responsibilities to unelected officials, citing the Garda Commissioner and the Office of the Planning Regulator.

I think it flies in the face of the democratic process, said Cllr McDonnell, who publicly expressed no confidence in Commissioner Harris at a meeting of Mayo County Council earlier this year.

The former chairman of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee called on government ministers to take the power back from these faceless people.

Theres a continuous diminution of political power at our level and at national level. Its about time that government ministers take the bull by the horns and make responsible decisions themselves, he said.

His remarks were met with approval by Cllrs Michael Kilcoyne and Blackie Gavin, with Cllr Kilcoyne blasting non-elected officials who never put their name on a ballot paper.

Cllr Al McDonnell

VIOLENT DISORDER

THE monthly meeting of Castlebar Municipal District Council also heard concerns about knife possession and anti-social behaviour in the town.

This comes following an assault in a local public park that left a teenager hospitalised with serious injuries. An enhanced police presence was observed locally following the incident, and a Garda investigation remains ongoing.

Referring to the incident, Cllr Kilcoyne claimed that there were more knives being carried around the town than in a butchers shop.

I know the law and order party [Fine Gael] is in government. I know that we have no gardai, but something has to be done about whats happening around town, said Cllr Kilcoyne

The former Mayo Joint Policing Committee member reiterated long-standing concerns about Garda resources in the Castlebar area.

Some nights there is only one [Garda] car [available] there is an accident in Tourmakeady and that car is gone out and there is nobody else to cover the rest, said the Independent councillor.

His remarks were supported by fellow councillors, with Fine Gael councillor Cyril Burke remarking: We need more people out on the street.

When asked by Castlebar Municipal District Cathaoirleach, Cllr Donna Sheridan (Fine Gael), if the council should outline their concerns in writing, Cllr Kilcoyne said that they would actually be better off writing to Santa Clause than writing to the Taoiseach or Minister for Justice.

There is no action that we as a district can do other than to highlight it. We cant provide money. We cant hire a policeman or a policewoman. Were saying our area is under attack from people and there is no policing available.

Cllr Harry Barrett said the council should write to the Minister for Justice to request at minimum that garda numbers be increased to a point where they can patrol the town on a regular basis.

One-hundred years ago in this town, if you look at old photos, you will see officers patrolling the streets of the town. They knew everybody, they moved people on, they knew the town inside out. Our gardai do not have the resources to do that anymore, said Cllr Barrett.

NO NEW GARDAI

AS OF June 30, 2023, there were 67 gardai of all ranks stationed in the Castlebar area: 62 in Castlebar, three in Balla and two in Partry.

This includes 14 sergeants, two inspectors and Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon, who is head of the Mayo and Roscommon-Longford Policing Division. His office is based in Castlebar.

The Mayo News has also learned that no new gardai have been stationed in Mayo from the latest batch of garda recruits. A small number of gardai in the county are also on leave due to injuries sustained in the line of duty, according to one senior garda source.

A total of eight garda graduates were allocated to the ten-county North Western region, including to counties Louth and Donegal. A further ten were allocated to the South Region, 16 to the East Region, and 74 to the Dublin Region.

Retired garda and former county councillor Christy Hyland said he was disappointed that Mayo had received no new garda recruits.

The former garda said that the government would find it difficult to reach the recommended number of 18,000 gardai due to the number of gardai resigning or retiring from the force.

The guards are not on the street due to the fact that they spend most of their shift in front of the laptop. That needs to be addressed, Mr Hyland told The Mayo News.

They dont join the force to be sitting in front of a laptop. They join the force to be out in their communities preventing and detecting crime and road-traffic offences et cetera.

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne told The Mayo News he was shocked but not surprised that no new garda recruits had been sent to Mayo.

The Minister for Justice clearly has no concern about Mayo. At the moment, some nights there are only a handful of gardai on in Castlebar. Theres not much more than a handful of gardai on in the whole county. Gardai from Westport have to come over to Castlebar, people from Castlebar have to go over to Westport, Claremorris, Cllr Kilcoyne said.
An array of events are being planned across Mayo ahead of National Breastfeeding Week.

Taking place from October 1-7, this year the theme for National Breastfeeding Week is Supporting you from Bump to Baby and Beyond.

Events include several branches of Mayo County Council's libraries will be reading from the story Milky by Maria Betsworth, while in Mayo Movie World in Castlebar on Sunday, October 6, the movie Joyride will be shown for breastfeeding mums and their babies.

In addition, there will be an information stand in the foyer of Mayo University Hospital, as well as outside Penneys in Castlebar and Tesco in Swinford for anyone interested, as well as education sessions in Mayo University Hospital, Westport and Swinford.

There will be six of the weekly breastfeeding support groups running as normal, in Ballina, Claremorris, Castlebar, Charlestown, Turlough and Westport.

Breastfeeding Awareness Week in Mayo is being supported by the HSE, Healthy Ireland and Mayo CYPSC, Mayo Family Resource Centres, and Friends of Breastfeeding.

Claire Larkin from Community Lactation Consultant in Mayo highlighted that mums to be are always welcome to Mayo support groups to pick up tips from other mums on what to expect in those early days.

She added: Our mums are always very honest and giving in their lived experience. We're always looking forward to meeting them back to the groups with their new baby!

Our support groups are safe spaces for mothers at all stages, whether someone is pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding, new to breastfeeding and has questions, or are having problems with breastfeeding, continued Ms Larkin.

Breastfeeding mum, Maura Tilbury from Westport commented on her experience with the support group: During the difficult initial weeks of establishing breastfeeding, Claire provided so much advice and reassurance, and it is due to this support I have been lucky enough to continue breastfeeding for this length of time.

For the full programme of events for Breastfeeding Awareness Week in Mayo, please visit the Mayo County Council website, and for more information about breastfeeding support see the HSE website.
by Ray Schultz , September 29, 2024

The Lakeland Times of Wisconsin is fighting very late postal delivery of its print newspapers.

Newspapers have been delivered up to three weeks late, according to WXPR.

I have subscribers that call that don't get their papers for weeks, and they're very frustrated, says Heather Holmes, general manager of The Northwoods River News in Rhinelander and The Lakeland Times in Minocqua, WXPR reports.

The Lakeland Times has lost nearly 500 subscribers and $100,000 in the past four years, although there is no clear link between cause and effect.

The Lakeland Times and The Northwoods River News are each published twice per week.

Holmes blames restructuring at the USPS, including consolidation of distribution centers.

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Earlier this year, the News/Media Alliance charged that service performance has remained well below published standards for years. Although the Postal Service has met its service performance targets in the last two fiscal years, that is only because those targets were extremely low.

The News/Media Alliance has also condemned ever-rising rates.

However, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced last week that there will be no rate increases in January for any market dominant products, including periodicals, marketing mail and First Class mail, and no rate hike requests until at least July.
  Trusted Source

Family planning/contraception methods



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Boosting Maternal and Child Health in India



4% of Indian couples are seeking to space their pregnancies but aren't using #contraception. What's preventing them from achieving their #familyplanning goals? #contraceptives #birthcontrol

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Family planning/contraception methods - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/family-planning-contraception)

With over 65% of Indians in their reproductive years, urgent action is needed to expand access to contraceptive ) choices, especially birth spacing methods.Adequately spaced pregnancies can boost maternal and child health outcomes. This will lead to better maternal and child health, reduced unintended or unplanned pregnancies, and greater economic stability for families.Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director Population Foundation of India, told IANS.Expanding access to these options will improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance economic productivity by allowing women to better participate in the workforce, Muttreja said.She called on improving the quality of care in family planning and reproductive health services.Policies must prioritise delivering respectful, high-quality care, as women who feel valued and respected are more likely to use contraception effectively and adopt healthier family planning practices, Muttreja said.In 2023, India integrated two new Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) methods into its public health system: the subdermal implant and the subcutaneous Antara injection.However, it comes after a 30-year delay, during which Indian women were deprived of crucial contraceptive options. At the same time it was adopted by many countries around the world, including our neighbouring countries, such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Muttreja said. The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel recently stated that the acceptance of modern contraceptives in India has increased to over 56 percent. The countrys National Family Planning Programme currently offers a variety of reversible modern contraceptives encompassing condoms, intrauterine contraceptive devices, oral pills, injectable contraceptives , etc.Although contraception is an empowering tool, it is crucial to balance planning with the realities of reproductive health , Dr. Neha Khandelwal, Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, New Delhi, told IANS. While contraception is used by many couples to avoid unplanned pregnancies and to adequately space your pregnancies, they must not forget that the biological clock of a woman doesnt wait for the perfect time to conceive, Khandelwal said. She noted that fertility declines after 30 and declines rapidly after 35 years of age. Timely planning a pregnancy will help escape infertility issues.The doctor also advised couples to have open conversations not only about when they feel emotionally ready but also about the potential biological challenges that can come with waiting too long. Meanwhile, Muttreja also urged for active male involvement in family planning programmes.the public health expert said.Source-IANS
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Lipid profiling identifies modifiable signatures of cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents with obesity



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Did You Know?

Over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were classified as overweight or obese in 2016. #obesity #lipids #children 

Over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were classified as overweight or obese in 2016. #obesity #lipids #children 

How Lipids in the Blood Could Predict Diabetes and Heart Disease?

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Lipid profiling identifies modifiable signatures of cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents with obesity - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03279-x)

New blood test has been developed that measures lipids to identify children at risk of obesity-related complications, including type 2 diabetes liver disease , and heart disease , as per a study from Kings College London published in).This test could offer an easier and more effective way to detect early warning signs of these conditions and help in preventative care for affected children A new study reveals a new relationship between lipids and diseases impacting metabolism in children, which could serve as an early warning system for conditions like liver disease.Using machines that test blood plasma in babies that already exist in hospitals, the researchers suggest this could help doctors spot early signs of disease in children quicker and help them access the right treatment.The findings also contest the common idea that cholesterol is a leading cause of complications around obesity in children, identifying new lipid molecules that contribute to health risks like blood pressure but are not only correlated with a childs weight.Lipids have traditionally been thought to be fatty acids in the body, either good or bad types of cholesterol or triglycerides, fats found in the bloodstream that are the most common in the human body.Recent studies from the same group of scientists have suggested that the picture is more complex.Using a technique associated with chemistry called mass spectrometry, current evidence puts the types of different lipids present in the body in the thousands, each with separate functions.the team assessed the lipids in blood. Afterward, 200 of them were put on the HOLBAEK model for a year, a lifestyle intervention for people with obesity popular in Denmark.Subsequent readings showed that amongst the intervention group, counts of lipids tied to diabetes risk, insulin resistance, and blood pressure decreased, despite limited improvements in some childrens BMI Dr Cristina Legido-Quigley, a group leader in Systems Medicine at Kings College London, Head of Systems Medicine at the Steno Diabetes Centre Copenhagen (SDCC), and principal author, said:For decades, scientists have relied on a classification system for lipids that have split them into good and bad cholesterol, but now with a simple blood test we can assess a much broader range of lipid molecules that could serve as vital early warning signs for illness. In the future, this has the potential to be an entirely new way to evaluate someones personal risk of disease and by studying how to change lipid molecules in the body, we could even prevent metabolic diseases like diabetes altogether.but the team hopes that doctors can use these measurements to treat children when they are at risk and not just a little larger than their peers.Dr Karolina Sulek, who was part of the study and performed analysis at the SDCC, said: Early recognition of children at risk for these life-threatening diseases is crucial. The study provides strong evidence of the great need for obesity management and gives parents the confidence to intervene in their childrens life more compassionately, helping them to lose weight."The next step for the researchers is to help understand how genetics affects lipids and what this means for metabolic diseases, as well as how these lipids can be changed to improve health.Source-Eurekalert
Tomikah Jenkins became worried when her five-month-old woke up struggling to breathe, so she rushed him to hospital where she learned what was wrong.

Aussie mum Tomikah Jenkins shared her terrifying experience on social media as a warning to other parents who might not be prepared. Source: TikTok/tomikahjenkins

A worried mum has detailed the "traumatic" ordeal she experienced with her five-month-old baby who ended up in hospital after "waking up screaming" and struggling to breathe.

Aussie mum Tomikah Jenkins recalled the scary moment on social media this week hoping it could help other parents "be more prepared". The five-month-old was later diagnosed with a common illness that affects roughly 15 per cent of Aussie kids.

"He woke up screaming so I tried to console him and I noticed that he sounded like he was struggling to breathe," she said in a video on TikTok. "At first I thought maybe he just had a blocked nose so I tried to unblock it but he got even more distressed".

At that point she admitted she began to worry because nothing would help calm him down. "I wasn't prepared," she said.

"So I called the ambulance. I've never had to call an ambulance before, but I thought maybe something was struck in his throat or his nose. I obviously didn't want him not to be able to breathe."

Viral infection common and 'difficult to prevnet' in young kids

Turns out, the young boy had croup which is a viral infection of the airway, particularly affecting the larynx (voicebox) and trachea (upper airway), Professor Christopher Blyth from The Kids Research Institute Australia and Perth Childrens Hospital explained to Yahoo News Australia.

He said it's "difficult to prevent" and commonly affects preschool children, typically those between 3 months and 5 years of age, but older children can sometimes be affected.

"Children present with symptoms common in viral respiratory infections including fever, sore throat and runny nose. Children with croup also develop a characteristic hoarse voice, barking cough and sometimes a noise when they breathe in, called a stridor," he explained.

"Stridor develops when there is swelling or narrowing of the larynx."

Tomikah said she "had no knowledge of this virus" and didn't feel prepared. While she now knows it's "quite common" the mum said the fact he wasn't breathing was worrying. "He needed to be administered steroid medicine to open up his airways," she explained.

"The paramedics and the doctors were so lovely and so helpful and really helped me feel like I could be calm in the situation".

Croup 'can become more severe quickly'

While most cases of croup are mild and can be cared for at home, Professor Blyth said it "can become more severe quickly" and that "more severe cases do require treatment".

"Mild cases can be observed. It's best to stay inside a warm room, reassure the child if they are distressed, and provide pain-relieving medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen," he said. "Severe cases can be recognised where there is difficulty breathing, feeding, or if children become pale, lethargic or blue."

In these instances, treatment usually involves a potent anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling in the childs airway. Severe cases may need additional medications and admission to hospital.

Tomikah said her son is now fine but it was a lesson learned. Source: TikTok/tomikahjenkins

Thankfully, the mum and bub were able to go home after five or so hours, but it was at that point that she realised "how unprepared I was".

"I had no knowledge of this virus and had nothing packed in case of emergency," she said, encouraging other parents to "trust your mum gut".

"I'm going to have a hospital bag in his room ready to go always now with some onesies and nappies because you never know how long you have to stay there for".

Symptoms of croup in children

Croup usually starts with a cold  a runny nose, cough and slight temperature. Symptoms include:

noisy breathing (inspiratory stridor) - a high-pitched sound

harsh, barking cough

hoarse voice

difficulty breathing - depending on how severe the illness is.

Parents are advised that if the child's symptoms don't settle quickly with comforting and once they stop crying, the child needs to be seen by a doctor urgently.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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South Koreas Aging Crisis: A Super-Aged Society Looms

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Nearly 20 pct of South Koreans are aged 65 and older in 2024: data



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South Koreans are living longer, but men are falling behind! The average #lifeexpectancy for those aged 65 is 20.7 years, but women outlive men by 4.2 years. #longevity #gendergap #SouthKorea

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Nearly 20 pct of South Koreans are aged 65 and older in 2024: data - (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240926004100320)

South Koreas rapidly aging population has reached a significant milestone, with nearly 20% of its citizens now over 65.The report from Statistics Korea,Yonhap news agency reported (). The proportion is forecast to surpass 20 percent in 2025, which will make South Korea a "super-aged society," and is to rise further to 30 percent in 2036 and over 40 percent in 2050. The households headed by senior citizens came to 5.66 million as of 2023, accounting for 26.5 percent of the countrys total households.Of the 5.66 million households, 37.8 percent were single-person households, which has been on an increase since 2015. The number of households led by senior citizens is forecast to rise further to account for 50.6 percent of the total households in the country in 2052.It hovered above the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member nations by around 1 year. The income of households headed by senior citizens came to 455.4 million in 2023, and 90.4 percent of the total elderly population received the state pension in 2022, with the average monthly amount coming to 650,000 won. Of the elderly living alone, 32.6 percent said they had no one to talk to, the report showed.More than half of the elderly living alone said they have not prepared well for their later years. The employment rate among those aged 65 and older came to 37.3 percent in 2023, up 1.1 percentage points from a year earlier. The comparable figure for the population aged 15 and older stood at 62.6 percent, but the employment rate among senior citizens has been on the increase since 2015. Of those aged 65-79, 57.2 percent said they want to work in the future, and half of them cited financial issues as a reason, followed by 37.7 percent pointing to joy in work.Asked about theirSouth Korea is facing grim demographic challenges as many young people opt to postpone or give up on getting married or having babies in line with changing social norms and lifestyles, as well as amid the tough job market and rising home prices. The fertility rate , the average number of children woman bears in her lifetime, came to a fresh low of 0.72 in 2023, much lower than the replacement level of 2.1 that would keep the population stable.The agency has drawn up the yearly report on senior citizens since 2003 based on various data from the Bank of Korea, the Financial Supervisory Service, the OECD, and the National Human Rights Commission.Source-IANS
Users and critics are calling out the film due to its visual effect and having the tropes of every South mass masala movie, ever.

After months of anticipation and postponements, Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoors Devara finally hit the theatre yesterday, but the film opened to mild reviews that turned negative by the end of the day.

 Yuvasudha Arts

Amid all these reviews, Jr NTRs brother, Kalyan Ram, compared Devara to Game of Thrones and said that the Telugu film is superior to the iconic series.

During an interview with Glute.com, Kalyan Ram said, I feel, my Devara is more than Game of Thrones, I dont care.

His statement has caused a social media backlash and fans trolling him.

One user reacted, Sure. Whatever you say.

Sure. Whatever you say  Murdoch (@drifting_a_way) September 27, 2024

Another user reacted, tf he baffled me.

tf he baffling on   ' (@Wxnsh_) September 27, 2024

One user commented, It's his choice.

It's his choice   Rathnasai P (@RATHNAsaiP) September 28, 2024

Check out some reviews and reactions to Devara:

One user reacted, If there is a Novelistic set-up, you need strong characters that drag you into their journey through emotional connection.#Devara fails to even barely connect us with the protagonist and the world seems too convenient for some "borrowed" visuals. While Anirudh tried his best, the superficiality never impresses us at any point..

If there is a Novelistic set-up, you need strong characters that drag you into their journey through emotional connection. #Devara fails to even barely connect us with the protagonist and the world seems too convenient for some "borrowed" visuals. While Anirudh tried his best, pic.twitter.com/OlSZ76UFfw  Survi (@PavanSurvi) September 27, 2024

Another user commented, Devara Part 1 is heartbreaking.

There is a lot of good with a lot of mediocre and way too many Bad! The narrative had so much potential but what we get is a watered down forcefully massified below avg film.

It may satisfy some but that means the standard is too low.

#Devara Part 1 is heartbreaking.

There is a lot of good with a lot of mediocre and way lot of Bad! The narrative had so much potential but what we get is a watered down forcefully massified below avg film.

It may satisfy some but that means the standard is too low pic.twitter.com/O1O6EQZkZO  Nona Prince (@nonaprinceyt) September 27, 2024

#Devara is Disappointing



We were excited for this magnum opus after hearing the songs and seeing the release trailer, but it did not live up to our expectations in terms of story or visual effects. Anirudh is one of the few people who did their job from the start. Siva  Fukkard (@Fukkard) September 26, 2024

#Devara 1st Half is flat and predictable. Not engaging and felt a bit boring. The story is usual and no high moments elevating the hero. BGM is good. Heroine is not introduced yet  pic.twitter.com/ZYJZDsnYg8  *R*A*G*H*U*  (@BeUrSelf1991) September 27, 2024

About Devara

Devara is an action thriller starring Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan, and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles.

It tells the story of a man who goes against his own community to stop the illegal activities in the sea.
The Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft tour starts tonight at 7 p.m. in Quebec City. See her live at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan next Monday, October 7.

Shop tickets on Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and StubHub  prices start at $166 each.

Billie Eilish arrives at the 29th Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Jordan Strauss/Invision/APJordan Strauss/Invision/AP

A nine-time Grammy-winner for songs like bad guy, Happier Than Ever, and What Was I Made For? from the Barbie movie soundtrack  which also won the 2024 Oscar for Best Original Song  Billie Eilish is a 22-year-old pop star known for her style and alternative pop sound. The Hit Me Hard and Soft tour comes in support of the artists recent album release, also called Hit Me Hard and Soft, which features the latest Billie Eilish hits BIRDS OF A FEATHER, CHIHIRO, and LUNCH, to name a few.

Billie Eilish will be at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, October 7. Browse tickets to the 2024 tour below.

Vivid Seats from $166 | SeatGeek from $170 | StubHub from $177
EAST LANSING  Michigan State is attempting to avoid back-to-back losses and has new injury concerns.

The Spartans (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) host No. 3 Ohio State (3-0, 0-0) on Saturday (7:30 p.m., Peacock) and although starting receiver Jaron Glover will be available, other starters are out or questionable.

Tight end Michael Masunas is out while receiver Nick Marsh and left tackle Stanton Ramil are both questionable, according to the pregame availability report. Marsh missed last weeks 23-19 loss at Boston College while Ramil played every snap.

Antonio Gates Jr. will miss his second straight game and fellow receiver Alante Brown will be out for the fourth straight week. Cornerback Chance Rucker will miss his third consecutive game while backup Ade Willie is a newcomer to those out due to injury. Safety Dillon Tatum is out for the fourth straight week.

Additionally, Michigan States top two right guards, Kristian Phillips and Gavin Broscious, and safety Khalil Majeed already suffered season-ending injuries.

The Spartans were missing four of their top receivers last week and that resulted in redshirt freshman Jaelen Smith making his first career start while walk-ons Jack Yanachik and Zach Gillespie both logged snaps. Getting Glover back will improve the rooms depth while Marsh is a possibility after suffering and apparent leg injury in a Week 3 win against Prairie View A&M. Masunas has four catches for 37 yards and has been a key blocking tight end.

If Ramil cant play that would be a big loss for an offensive line already thin on experienced depth. After splitting snaps the first three games, the redshirt freshman stepped in to make his first career start at Boston College while Brandon Baldwin moved to right guard.
A 15-year-old is in critical condition after their bicycle was struck by a motor vehicle Saturday evening in Auburn.

The victim was traveling northbound on Washington Street when they were struck by a car traveling westbound on Perrine Street at about 6:30 p.m., Auburn Police Chief James Slayton told The Citizen.

The vehicle had come to a stop at the intersection of the streets, Slayton said, before striking the bicycle. The 15-year-old was wearing headphones and rode in front of the car, he continued.

The rider was taken by helicopter to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where they remain in critical condition today, Slayton said.

The driver was not injured, he continued, and no tickets were issued.
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.

XPENG G6 sees strong sales in Thailand, Singapore

XPENG announced via its official WeChat account that since the XPENG G6 model officially hit the Thai market on August 21, it has received 585-unit local orders as of September 25. The G6 has also performed well in the Singapore market, where it was newly introduced, achieving sales of 102 units in its first month.

XPENG G6 hitting Thai market on Aug. 21; photo credit: XPENG

Mirattery, Haikou Industrial Development Group sign cooperation agreement

On September 28, NIO's battery asset operator Mirattery, also known as Wuhan Weineng, and Haikou Industrial Development Investment Group ("HIIG") signed a cooperation framework agreement during the 2024 World New Energy Vehicle Congress in Hainan. The two parties aim to leverage their respective strengths in technology, industry, and platform resources to deepen cooperation and contribute to the development of the new energy sector and advanced production capacities.

CATL forges strategic partnership with Hainan Province

On September 28, CATL signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Hainan provincial government signed CATL in Haikou city. Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate on green energy development and utilization, the construction and application of new energy storage systems, and the electrification of the transportation sector, along with infrastructure planning and development.

Jetour Shanhai L7 hits market, starting at 129,800 yuan

On September 27, Chery's Jetour brand officially put its new SUV model, the Shanhai L7, onto the market, introducing four variants priced between 129,800 yuan and 159,800 yuan. The vehicle is also available for Chinas trade-in initiative with a subsidized price ranging from 106,800 yuan to 124,800 yuan.

NIO secures 33-billion-yuan investment for NIO China expansion

On September 29, 2024, NIO Inc. announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for strategic investments in its subsidiary NIO Holding Co., Ltd. (NIO China). The strategic investorsHefei Jianheng New Energy Automobile Investment Fund, Anhui Provincial Emerging Industry Investment Co., Ltd., and CS Capital Co., Ltd.will inject 3.3 billion yuan in cash, subscribing to newly issued shares of NIO China. Simultaneously, NIO will invest 10 billion yuan, maintaining an 88.3% controlling equity interest after the transaction is completed.

Geely to launch next-gen NordThor Power hybrid powertrain in 2024

At the 2024 World New Energy Vehicles Congress, Geely Auto Group CEO Gan Jiayue announced that the next generation of its NordThor Power hybrid powertrain technology will be launched later this year.

VOYAH inaugurates first smart supercharging station

On September 27, Dongfeng Motor's premium new energy vehicle brand VOYAH inaugurated its first smart supercharging station, integrating multiple advanced technologies.

Changan Mazda plans to pour 10 billion yuan in new energy vehicle field by 2027

On September 28, Changan Mazda officially commenced the pre-sale of the MAZDA EZ-6 new energy sedan. This vehicle embodies a culmination of the strengths of both Changan and Mazda, marking a new flagship standard for joint-venture B-segment new energy sedans. Changan Mazda aims for the EZ-6 to continue the MAZDA6s success and reputation in China, becoming a star product in the B-segment sedan market.

Changan Mazda commences pre-sale of MAZDA EZ-6 new energy sedan

On September 28, Changan Mazda officially launched the pre-sale of the MAZDA EZ-6 new energy sedan, with prices ranging from 160,000 yuan to 200,000 yuan. The EZ-6 lineup introduces a total of seven variants, including both battery-electric (BEV) and range-extended (REEV) models.

XPENG AEROHT secures 300-million-yuan preorder contract for 150 units of 'Land Aircraft Carrier'

XPENG AEROHT, the flying car (eVOLT) company affiliated to XPENG, announced strategic partnerships with Gaozhi Aviation and Aocheng Aviation ("Gaozhi" and "Aocheng" are Chinese Pinyin) at the 3rd Global Digital Trade Expo, securing a pre-order contract for 150 units of its "Land Aircraft Carrier" flying car, worth nearly 300 million yuan.

Geely' Farizon, Jameel Motors (International) to co-develop global new energy commercial vehicle channels

On September 26, 2024, Geely's Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group ("Farizon") signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Jameel Motors (International). The collaboration aims to deepen cooperation in global new energy commercial vehicle distribution and accelerate the transition toward a zero-carbon future in land transportation.

NETA Auto puts NETA X all-electric SUV model onto Indonesian market

On September 27, 2024, Chinese new energy vehicle maker NETA Auto celebrated the grand launch of its all-electric mid-size SUV, the NETA X, in Jakarta, Indonesia. The company announced that it will soon begin deliveries to the first 500 customers who placed their orders.

Tesla's exports of China-made cars exceed 1 million units

On September 28, 2024, Tesla marked a significant milestone as the one millionth China-made Tesla electric vehicle rolled off the production line at its Gigafactory Shanghai. This milestone coincided with the shipment of this batch of Model 3 vehicles, which set sail for the UK from the nearby Shanghai Nanqiao Port, bringing the total exports of Chinese-made Tesla cars to over one million units.

SAIC-GM puts all-new Cadillac XT5 onto market, starting at 265,900 yuan

On September 28, 2024, the all-new Cadillac XT5 under SAIC-GM officially hit the Chinese market, offering three trim levels priced between 265,900 yuan and 335,900 yuan.
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, September 20th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of 1.70 per share by the real estate investment trust on Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th.

AvalonBay Communities has increased its dividend payment by an average of 1.2% annually over the last three years. AvalonBay Communities has a dividend payout ratio of 121.0% 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 AvalonBay Communities to earn $11.55 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $6.80 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 58.9%.

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AvalonBay Communities Trading Down 0.6 %

NYSE AVB opened at $225.23 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $32.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.55 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 2.03 and a quick ratio of 2.03. AvalonBay Communities has a 12 month low of $160.45 and a 12 month high of $236.26. The companys fifty day moving average price is $219.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $202.72.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AvalonBay Communities ( NYSE:AVB Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.78 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.71 by ($0.93). The company had revenue of $726.04 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $718.49 million. AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 7.16% and a net margin of 29.61%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.66 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that AvalonBay Communities will post 11.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several research analysts have recently commented on AVB shares. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $230.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $212.00 to $247.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, September 16th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $207.00 to $214.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $225.00 to $229.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Monday, September 16th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $210.00 to $228.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $223.12.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AvalonBay Communities

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total value of $414,340.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at $908,026.11. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of AvalonBay Communities stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.90, for a total value of $1,044,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive now directly owns 65,967 shares in the company, valued at $13,780,506.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total transaction of $414,340.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 4,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at $908,026.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.42% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About AvalonBay Communities

(Get Free Report)

As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

Further Reading

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Banco de Sabadell, S.A. (OTCMKTS:BNDSF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 626,800 shares, a decline of 43.2% from the August 31st total of 1,103,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 261.2 days.

Banco de Sabadell Price Performance

BNDSF remained flat at $2.16 during midday trading on Friday. Banco de Sabadell has a 52 week low of $1.05 and a 52 week high of $2.31. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $2.05 and a 200 day moving average of $1.91.

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Banco de Sabadell Company Profile

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Banco de Sabadell, SA provides banking products and services to personal, business, and private customers in Spain and internationally. The company offers retail banking products, such as current and savings accounts, personal loans, cards, and mortgages. It also provides financial products and services to large and medium enterprises, SMEs, shops and self-employed workers, private individuals, and professionals; and consumer finance, asset management, and bancassurance services.

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Banco Santander, S.A. (OTCMKTS:BCDRF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 455,600 shares, an increase of 40.9% from the August 31st total of 323,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 10,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 42.6 days.

Banco Santander Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:BCDRF traded down $0.28 on Friday, hitting $5.02. The companys stock had a trading volume of 180 shares, compared to its average volume of 34,434. Banco Santander has a 1 year low of $3.41 and a 1 year high of $5.45. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $4.85 and a 200 day simple moving average of $4.90.

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Banco Santander Company Profile

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Banco Santander, SA provides various financial services worldwide. The company operates through Retail Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, and PagoNxt segments. It offers demand and time deposits, mutual funds, and current and savings accounts; mortgages, consumer finance, loans, and various financing solutions; and project finance, debt capital markets, global transaction banking, and corporate finance services.

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Blue Owl Capital Co. (NYSE:OBDC  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, August 8th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of 0.37 per share on Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.87%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. This is a boost from Blue Owl Capitals previous quarterly dividend of $0.05.

Blue Owl Capital has raised its dividend by an average of 2.6% annually over the last three years. Blue Owl Capital has a dividend payout ratio of 85.5% meaning its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the companys earnings tumble. Research analysts expect Blue Owl Capital to earn $1.71 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.48 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 86.5%.

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Blue Owl Capital Price Performance

Shares of OBDC opened at $15.00 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $5.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.58 and a beta of 0.87. Blue Owl Capital has a fifty-two week low of $12.99 and a fifty-two week high of $16.91. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24. The firms 50 day moving average price is $14.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $15.50.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Blue Owl Capital ( NYSE:OBDC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.01. Blue Owl Capital had a return on equity of 12.66% and a net margin of 43.61%. The business had revenue of $396.76 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $388.84 million. On average, research analysts forecast that Blue Owl Capital will post 1.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of brokerages have recently commented on OBDC. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Blue Owl Capital from $18.00 to $17.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $17.00 price objective on shares of Blue Owl Capital in a report on Monday, August 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Blue Owl Capital from $15.50 to $14.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Compass Point upgraded Blue Owl Capital to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on Blue Owl Capital from $16.00 to $15.50 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $15.94.

Read Our Latest Research Report on OBDC

Insider Transactions at Blue Owl Capital

In other news, Director Edward H. Dalelio purchased 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 27th. The shares were bought at an average price of $15.02 per share, with a total value of $37,550.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,016 shares in the company, valued at approximately $135,420.32. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

About Blue Owl Capital

(Get Free Report)

Blue Owl Capital Corporation is a business development company. It specializes in direct and fund of fund investments. The fund makes investments in senior secured, direct lending or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans and also considers equity-related securities including warrants and preferred stocks also pursues preferred equity investments, first lien, unitranche, and second lien term loans and common equity investments.

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On September 27, 2024, Chinese new energy vehicle maker NETA Auto celebrated the grand launch of its all-electric mid-size SUV, the NETA X, in Jakarta, Indonesia. The company announced that it will soon begin deliveries to the first 500 customers who placed their orders.

Photo credit: NETA Auto

In the days leading up to the launch event, NETA Auto hosted a large-scale test drive activity in Indonesia, attracting over a hundred media representatives and influencers. This introduction follows successful entries in Thailand and Malaysia, solidifying NETA X's presence in Southeast Asia's core market.

Designed for youthful families in Indonesia, the NETA X embodies the concept of "experiencing the electric technology journey", said the automaker. It can be charged from 30% to 80% of its battery capacity in just 30 minutes, boasting a full range of up to 480 kilometers. To cater to local needs, the vehicle is equipped with the CCS2 (Combined Charging System 2) charging interface, the most commonly found in Indonesian charging stations.

The journey of the NETA X in Indonesia commenced at the 2024 GIIAS exhibition, where it garnered over 500 pre-orders. Notably, all NETA X vehicles delivered in Indonesia will be manufactured at NETA's local smart factory. Just two weeks prior to the launch, the factory rolled out its first NETA X, featuring lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from PT Gotion Green Energy Solutions, achieving a localization rate of 44%. With further collaboration with local partners, this rate is expected to increase.

Following the launch, NETA Auto plans to open several stores in Indonesia, providing consumers more opportunities to experience its innovative products firsthand.
Rubrik, Inc. (NYSE:RBRK  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the seventeen brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $44.69.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Guggenheim reissued a buy rating and set a $48.00 price target on shares of Rubrik in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Robert W. Baird assumed coverage on shares of Rubrik in a research report on Monday, July 15th. They set an outperform rating and a $42.00 price target for the company. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Rubrik from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Rubrik from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, Piper Sandler began coverage on shares of Rubrik in a report on Monday, August 19th. They set an overweight rating and a $42.00 target price for the company.

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Rubrik Stock Up 0.7 %

Insiders Place Their Bets

RBRK opened at $31.96 on Friday. Rubrik has a 12-month low of $28.34 and a 12-month high of $40.00. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $33.29.

In other Rubrik news, Director Ravi Mhatre sold 15,933 shares of Rubrik stock in a transaction on Friday, September 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.19, for a total transaction of $481,017.27. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Barry Eggers sold 100,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.74, for a total transaction of $3,274,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 56,736 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,857,536.64. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Ravi Mhatre sold 15,933 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.19, for a total transaction of $481,017.27. The disclosure for this sale can be found here.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RBRK. Register Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Rubrik in the 2nd quarter valued at about $227,000. Sei Investments Co. purchased a new stake in Rubrik during the second quarter worth about $235,000. PFG Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Rubrik during the second quarter worth about $242,000. Natixis Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Rubrik during the second quarter worth about $406,000. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in Rubrik during the second quarter worth about $427,000.

Rubrik Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Rubrik, Inc provides data security solutions to individuals and businesses worldwide. The company offers enterprise data protection, unstructured data protection, cloud data protection, and SaaS data protection solutions; data threat analytics; data security posture; and cyber recovery solutions. It serves financial, retail, trade, transportation, energy, industrial, healthcare and life science, education, technology, media, communications, and public sectors.

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EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, August 23rd, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of 1.40 per share by the real estate investment trust on Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. This is an increase from EastGroup Propertiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.27.

EastGroup Properties has increased its dividend by an average of 27.7% per year over the last three years. EastGroup Properties has a dividend payout ratio of 110.7% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Equities research analysts expect EastGroup Properties to earn $8.99 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $5.60 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 62.3%.

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EastGroup Properties Stock Up 0.0 %

EastGroup Properties stock opened at $187.68 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $185.78 and a 200-day moving average of $175.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. EastGroup Properties has a twelve month low of $154.75 and a twelve month high of $192.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.04 billion, a PE ratio of 40.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.99.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

EastGroup Properties ( NYSE:EGP Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.05 by ($0.91). EastGroup Properties had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 37.16%. The company had revenue of $159.09 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $156.70 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.89 earnings per share. EastGroup Propertiess revenue for the quarter was up 13.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that EastGroup Properties will post 8.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several equities research analysts have commented on EGP shares. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded EastGroup Properties from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the company from $179.00 to $214.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Wedbush increased their target price on shares of EastGroup Properties from $208.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of EastGroup Properties from $172.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of EastGroup Properties from $176.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Finally, KeyCorp lifted their target price on EastGroup Properties from $178.00 to $198.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $192.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on EastGroup Properties

EastGroup Properties Company Profile

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EastGroup Properties, Inc (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina.

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Phoenix Group (OTCMKTS:PNXGF  Get Free Report) and Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and risk.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Phoenix Group and Manulife Financials revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Phoenix Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Manulife Financial $43.17 billion 1.22 $4.05 billion $1.72 17.17

Manulife Financial has higher revenue and earnings than Phoenix Group.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Phoenix Group N/A N/A N/A Manulife Financial 9.18% 16.16% 0.79%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

This table compares Phoenix Group and Manulife Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

52.6% of Manulife Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Manulife Financial shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Phoenix Group and Manulife Financial, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Phoenix Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Manulife Financial 0 1 6 1 3.00

Manulife Financial has a consensus target price of $35.67, indicating a potential upside of 20.78%. Given Manulife Financials higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Manulife Financial is more favorable than Phoenix Group.

Summary

Manulife Financial beats Phoenix Group on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Phoenix Group

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Phoenix Group Holdings plc operates in the long-term savings and retirement business in Europe. The company operates through five segments: Retirement Solutions, Pensions & Savings, With-Profits, SunLife & Protection, and Europe & Other. It provides a range of savings and retirement income products to support people across various stages of the savings life cycle. The company's savings for retirement products and solutions include defined contribution workplace pensions, retail savings for retirement, pension consolidation, and legacy pensions and savings products; and retirement income products and solutions, such as income drawdown and individual annuities, defined benefit pension income, and home equity release. It has a strategic partnership with abrdn plc, TCS Diligenta, and HSBC plc. Phoenix Group Holdings plc was founded in 1782 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

About Manulife Financial

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Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in the United States, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks. The Insurance and Annuity Products segment provides deposit and credit products; and individual life insurance, individual and group long-term care insurance, and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products through multiple distribution channels, including insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners, and direct marketing. The Corporate and Other segment is involved in the property and casualty reinsurance businesses; and run-off reinsurance operations, including variable annuities, and accident and health. The company also manages timberland and agricultural portfolios; and engages in insurance agency, investment counseling and dealer, portfolio and mutual fund management, property and casualty insurance, and mutual fund dealer businesses. In addition, it provides integrated banking products and services. The company was incorporated in 1887 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Lithium Americas (Argentina) (NYSE:LAAC  Get Free Report) and Vale (NYSE:VALE  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability and institutional ownership.

Volatility and Risk

Lithium Americas (Argentina) has a beta of 1.32, indicating that its share price is 32% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vale has a beta of 0.93, indicating that its share price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Lithium Americas (Argentina) and Vales gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Lithium Americas (Argentina) N/A N/A $1.29 billion $7.99 0.41 Vale $42.06 billion 1.26 $7.98 billion $1.81 6.51

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Vale has higher revenue and earnings than Lithium Americas (Argentina). Lithium Americas (Argentina) is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Vale, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

49.2% of Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 21.9% of Vale shares are held by institutional investors. 19.8% of Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Lithium Americas (Argentina) and Vales net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Lithium Americas (Argentina) N/A -0.25% -0.20% Vale 23.07% 22.23% 9.71%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Lithium Americas (Argentina) and Vale, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Lithium Americas (Argentina) 0 4 4 1 2.67 Vale 0 4 7 0 2.64

Lithium Americas (Argentina) currently has a consensus target price of $8.21, indicating a potential upside of 153.34%. Vale has a consensus target price of $16.17, indicating a potential upside of 37.12%. Given Lithium Americas (Argentina)s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Lithium Americas (Argentina) is more favorable than Vale.

About Lithium Americas (Argentina)

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Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. operates as a resource company. The company explores for lithium deposits. The company owns interests in the Cauchari-Olaroz project located in Jujuy province of Argentina. It also has a pipeline of development and exploration stage projects, including the Pastos Grandes project and the Sal de la Puna project located in Salta Province in northwestern Argentina. Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

About Vale

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Vale S.A., together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells iron ore and iron ore pellets for use as raw materials in steelmaking in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Iron Solutions and Energy Transition Materials segments. The Iron Solutions segment produces and extracts iron ore and pellets, manganese, and other ferrous products; and provides related logistic services. The Energy Transition Materials segment produces and extracts nickel used to produce stainless steel, electric vehicles, and metal alloys; and its by-products, such as gold, silver, cobalt, precious metals, platinum, and others, as well as copper used in the construction sector to produce pipes and electrical wires. The company was formerly known as Companhia Vale do Rio Doce and changed its name to Vale S.A. in May 2009. Vale S.A. was founded in 1942 and is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, August 8th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of 0.61 per share on Friday, November 1st. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th.

National HealthCare has increased its dividend by an average of 4.0% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 9 consecutive years.

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National HealthCare Stock Down 1.4 %

NYSE NHC opened at $124.01 on Friday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $128.16. The company has a market capitalization of $1.91 billion, a PE ratio of 23.58 and a beta of 0.41. National HealthCare has a fifty-two week low of $63.44 and a fifty-two week high of $138.49.

Insider Transactions at National HealthCare

National HealthCare ( NYSE:NHC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 9th. The company reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 6.39% and a net margin of 7.74%. The business had revenue of $300.66 million during the quarter.

In related news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total transaction of $260,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 21,747 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,827,327.47. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 13.75% of the companys stock.

National HealthCare Company Profile

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National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. Its skilled nursing facilities offer licensed therapy services, nutrition services, social services, activities, and housekeeping and laundry services, as well as medical services prescribed by physicians; and rehabilitative services, such as physical, speech, respiratory, and occupational therapy for patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, orthopedic conditions, neurological illnesses, or other illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.

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NS Solutions Co. (OTCMKTS:NSSXF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 106,800 shares, a decrease of 18.9% from the August 31st total of 131,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently  days.

NS Solutions Stock Performance

Shares of NSSXF remained flat at $14.11 during trading hours on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 3,100 shares, compared to its average volume of 220. NS Solutions has a one year low of $24.85 and a one year high of $28.21. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $22.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.35.

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About NS Solutions

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NS Solutions Corporation provides information technology solutions in Japan and internationally. The company offers business and information system consultation services; and plans, designs, develops, implements, operates, and maintains information systems. It also develops, manufactures, and sells software and hardware; and provides outsourcing services using information technology.

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Premium Brands Holdings Co. (TSE:PBH  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, August 8th, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of 0.85 per share on Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.58%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th.

Premium Brands Stock Down 0.8 %

PBH opened at C$95.05 on Friday. The company has a market cap of C$4.22 billion, a PE ratio of 37.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.98. Premium Brands has a twelve month low of C$84.66 and a twelve month high of C$97.28. The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$89.87 and a 200 day moving average price of C$89.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 161.28.

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Premium Brands (TSE:PBH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported C$1.28 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$1.32 by C($0.04). The firm had revenue of C$1.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$1.70 billion. Premium Brands had a net margin of 1.78% and a return on equity of 6.43%. Sell-side analysts expect that Premium Brands will post 6.1078494 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. National Bankshares lowered their target price on shares of Premium Brands from C$111.00 to C$101.00 in a research note on Friday, August 9th. TD Securities upped their price objective on shares of Premium Brands from C$125.00 to C$129.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Premium Brands from C$101.00 to C$100.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on Premium Brands from C$115.00 to C$111.00 in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Premium Brands currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$112.30.

View Our Latest Analysis on Premium Brands

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Senior Officer William Dion Kalutycz sold 7,000 shares of Premium Brands stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$86.30, for a total value of C$604,100.00. 2.01% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Premium Brands Company Profile

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Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes food products primarily in Canada and the United States. It operates in two segments, Specialty Foods and Premium Food Distribution. The company provides processed meat, deli products, meat snacks, beef jerky and halal, sandwiches, pastries, specialty and gourmet products, entrees, panini, wraps, subs, hamburgers, burgers, salads and kettle products, muffins, breads, pastas, pizza, and baking and sushi products.

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Towa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:TWAPF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 15,500 shares, a decrease of 30.8% from the August 31st total of 22,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently  days.

Towa Pharmaceutical Price Performance

TWAPF opened at $24.35 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $24.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $24.35. Towa Pharmaceutical has a 52 week low of $24.35 and a 52 week high of $24.35.

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Towa Pharmaceutical Company Profile

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Towa Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, produces, and sells ethical drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and intermediates in Japan. The company provides its products in the therapeutic areas of digestive system, nervous system, and allergic diseases, as well as vitamins, antibiotics, and oncology products.

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KB Home (NYSE:KBH  Free Report) had its price target lifted by Wedbush from $67.00 to $75.00 in a report released on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. Wedbush currently has a neutral rating on the construction companys stock. Wedbush also issued estimates for KB Homes Q4 2024 earnings at $2.50 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $1.79 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $2.48 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $9.67 EPS and Q1 2026 earnings at $1.99 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on KBH. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of KB Home from $78.00 to $99.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on KB Home from $74.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of KB Home from $75.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, September 19th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on KB Home from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on KB Home from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $77.27.

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KB Home Stock Up 2.0 %

Shares of NYSE:KBH opened at $85.94 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $6.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.37, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.81. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $82.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $73.62. KB Home has a fifty-two week low of $42.11 and a fifty-two week high of $89.70.

KB Home (NYSE:KBH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 24th. The construction company reported $2.04 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.06 by ($0.02). KB Home had a net margin of 9.43% and a return on equity of 15.66%. The company had revenue of $1.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.73 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.80 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that KB Home will post 8.38 EPS for the current year.

KB Home Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 8th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 8th. KB Homes payout ratio is 13.23%.

Institutional Trading of KB Home

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of KB Home in the 1st quarter worth approximately $60,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd grew its position in KB Home by 72.0% in the first quarter. Plato Investment Management Ltd now owns 1,080 shares of the construction companys stock worth $77,000 after acquiring an additional 452 shares in the last quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC grew its position in KB Home by 625.3% in the second quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 1,117 shares of the construction companys stock worth $78,000 after acquiring an additional 963 shares in the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC grew its stake in KB Home by 134.4% in the 1st quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 1,137 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $81,000 after buying an additional 652 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in KB Home in the 1st quarter valued at $120,000. 96.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

KB Home Company Profile

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KB Home operates as a homebuilding company in the United States. It operates through four segments: West Coast, Southwest, Central, and Southeast. It builds and sells various homes, including attached and detached single-family residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums primarily for first-time, first move-up, second move-up, and active adult homebuyers.

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WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY24 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $12-13 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.15. The company issued revenue guidance of down 1.5-3.5% yr/yr to ~$, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $21.73 billion. WESCO International also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 12.000-13.000 EPS.

WESCO International Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of WESCO International stock opened at $171.58 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $8.72 billion, a PE ratio of 14.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 2.03. WESCO International has a 1 year low of $122.30 and a 1 year high of $195.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 2.28 and a quick ratio of 1.34. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $161.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $166.36.

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WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The technology company reported $3.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.48 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $5.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.55 billion. WESCO International had a return on equity of 14.44% and a net margin of 3.30%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.71 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that WESCO International will post 12.14 EPS for the current year.

WESCO International Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a $0.4125 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $1.65 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.96%. WESCO Internationals payout ratio is 13.74%.

WCC has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Loop Capital raised their target price on WESCO International from $190.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on WESCO International from $171.00 to $187.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday. KeyCorp cut their target price on shares of WESCO International from $205.00 to $195.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $190.00 price target on shares of WESCO International in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of WESCO International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, WESCO International has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $189.86.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on WCC

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Steven A. Raymund sold 5,819 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.56, for a total transaction of $998,307.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 27,004 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,632,806.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 3.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About WESCO International

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WESCO International, Inc provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS).

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On September 28, 2024, Tesla marked a significant milestone as the one millionth China-made Tesla electric vehicle rolled off the production line at its Gigafactory Shanghai. This milestone coincided with the shipment of this batch of Model 3 vehicles, which set sail for the UK from the nearby Shanghai Nanqiao Port, bringing the total exports of Chinese-made Tesla cars to over one million units.

Photo credit: Tesla

The journey began in October 2020, when the first batch of 7,000 China-made Model 3s was exported to Europe. This rapid transition from market launch in China to international export in under a year showcased not only "China speed" but also "China quality" to the world. Over the subsequent four years, the Shanghai Gigafactory has supplied Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to various markets across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

The Shanghai Gigafactory is a crucial hub for Tesla's global exports and production, with products reaching multiple markets worldwide. It is entirely designed by Tesla and integrates the four main manufacturing processesstamping, welding, painting, and final assemblyunder one roof, achieving an impressive output of a vehicle every 30 seconds. The localization rate for components exceeds 95%.

Additionally, Tesla revealed that its Megafactory in Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area is progressing rapidly, with over 60% of the main factory structure completed as of the end of September. The facility is expected to begin production in the first quarter of next year.
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China's support in infrastructure construction transforms Malawi: minister

Xinhua) 11:03, September 29, 2024

LILONGWE, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Malawian Minister of Defense Harry Mkandawire has praised the Chinese government for its transformative infrastructure projects in Malawi, particularly in the capital city, Lilongwe.

He made these remarks on Thursday at a reception in Lilongwe hosted by the Chinese embassy to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Mkandawire highlighted the near-completion of the dual-lane section of the M1 road, Malawi's main highway, and the construction of a judicial complex as exemplary projects funded by China.

"We express our gratitude to China for its unwavering support in various sectors," he said. "The dual carriageway will significantly change the face of Lilongwe."

In his keynote address, Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Long Zhou said China and Malawi have cemented their cooperation with the guidance of the leaders of the two countries.

China will continue to support Malawi in various areas, including infrastructure and trade, Long said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On September 26, 2024, Geely's Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group ("Farizon") signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Jameel Motors (International), marking the establishment of a global strategic partnership, according to Farizon's press release.

Photo credit: Farizon

The collaboration aims to deepen cooperation in global new energy commercial vehicle distribution and accelerate the transition toward a zero-carbon future in land transportation. Together, the companies will develop distribution channels across multiple countries, covering a market of 450 million people.

Jameel Motors (International), a mobility brand under Abdul Latif Jameel, is a leading provider of mobility solutions and a trusted partner to top automotive brands worldwide. As an independent distributor, Jameel Motors leverages its extensive market knowledge to help automotive partners connect with customers, boost market share, achieve sustainable growth, and foster customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Farizon, benefiting from Geely's global resources and expertise, is rapidly expanding internationally to build its second growth curve. In addition to product globalization, the company is also advancing the development of diverse ecosystems abroad. By collaborating with local partners, Farizon is integrating financial services, energy solutions, business models, transportation systems, and digital platforms to offer intelligent, green, zero-carbon transportation experiences to global users. It has already exported a range of new energy vehicle products, including vans, light-duty trucks, mini-trucks, and buses, to countries across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and South America.

In 2024, Farizon has solidified partnerships with various global companies to strengthen international cooperation and technological connectivity. On September 18, during the IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 in Germany, Farizon signed an MoU with ZF Group to expand their strategic partnership. A day later, Farizon inked another MoU with Germany's Duvenbeck Group to collaborate in Europe, with a commitment to deliver 50 Farizon Homtruck units in 2025, accelerating its market expansion in the region. Additionally, the company's purpose-built electric large van, the Farizon SuperVAN, is set to be officially launched in Europe by the end of the year.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On September 28, Changan Mazda officially commenced the pre-sale of the MAZDA EZ-6 new energy sedan. This vehicle embodies a culmination of the strengths of both Changan and Mazda, marking a new flagship standard for joint-venture B-segment new energy sedans. Changan Mazda aims for the EZ-6 to continue the MAZDA6s success and reputation in China, becoming a star product in the B-segment sedan market.

Photo credit: Changan Mazda

The launch of the EZ-6 signifies a new developmental phase for joint-venture new energy vehicles in China. This new phase aims to enhance the competitiveness of Changan Mazda in the rapidly evolving market, enabling it to compete effectively with Chinese domestic new energy brands.

Looking towards 2027, Changan Mazda unveiled the "Changan Mazda China Market Action Plan," outlining a multi-faceted strategy. Key objectives include deepening integration of Mazda's core values, investing 10 billion yuan in new energy vehicle-related initiatives, and launching at least one new energy vehicle model annually starting in 2024. The goal is to have new energy vehicles account for 90% of Changan Mazdas sales by 2027, with an annual production and sales target of 300,000 units.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On September 27, Dongfeng Motors premium new energy vehicle brand VOYAH inaugurated its first smart supercharging station, integrating multiple advanced technologies.

Photo credit: VOYAH

This facility features megawatt-level charging capabilities, including megawatt ultra-fast, automatic, mobile, and wireless charging, as well as a microgrid system for solar energy storage and management.

The VOYAH VP1000 charging pile boasts impressive specifications, which can charge the vehicle with 1.7 kilometers of range in just seconds, with a peak charging power of 1,000 kW, a peak current of 1,000 A, and a maximum voltage of 1,000 V. The charging gun initiates in just 20 seconds after plugged-in.

Additionally, the charging pile includes an ultra-lightweight liquid-cooled gun cable that weighs less than half of conventional fast-charging cables, allowing for single-handed operation. With noise levels not exceeding 55 dB, it supports a wide voltage range of 200-1,000 V.

Leveraging the VOYAH smart energy cloud platform, the station can monitor electric vehicles around the clock and employs a "three-level safety warning" mechanism to mitigate risks during charging. The system also analyzes battery health and offers personalized maintenance advice.

The smart charging station's automatic and mobile charging functions enable seamless vehicle-to-charger connectivity, while wireless charging technology frees users from traditional wired constraints. The incorporation of a microgrid system promotes efficient energy use and sustainability in the charging process.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a meeting on the margins of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. The divided world body, as exposed by the general debate over the Middle East and Ukraine crises at the UN, meant the two sides went straight to the point in their discussions on a range of issues of common concerns.

Although both sides agree that the discussions were "candid, substantive and productive" as before, the news brief they released respectively after the meeting clearly indicates this was perhaps another chicken-and-duck dialogue.

Yet, despite their divergences on a wide range of issues, they still think it is necessary to maintain communication on them.

This momentum has gradually been consolidated through the joint efforts of the two sides to stabilize Sino-US relationship since US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's visit to China in August  perhaps an expedient of the Joe Biden administration before the election  with the unfolding of bilateral exchanges on climate change, drug control, technology, commerce and trade, finance and security.

There is no doubt that China and the US need to find a way to live alongside one another in peace. To that end, the two sides should continue to implement the important common understandings of the two presidents in San Francisco, engage in dialogue and cooperation, and properly manage differences to work toward stable, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral relations. These efforts should never become a makeshift to US administration but its long-term pursuit.

Notably, Blinken and Wang agreed on opening a new round of consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs in due course, which, if implemented well with a good faith of both sides, will be conducive to helping cooling down the situations in the region.

The US' regional allies in the Asia-Pacific that play an important role in doing the US' bidding to provoke China on the front are expected to closely follow these talks, which can provide them with a good opportunity to understand that the focus of the US' China policy is to seek a peaceful coexistence. That can help prevent the US' proxies from going too far in playing their assigned role.

That, as Blinken emphasized, Washington recognizes the importance of using diplomacy to responsibly manage competition, to candidly discuss areas of difference, and to make progress on areas of cooperation that matter to the world should prompt these US proxies to reflect on their one-sided pro-US diplomacy.

The division of the US, as exposed by approaching US presidential election, should also remind them of the inevitability to review their all-in approach to bet the future of their countries on merely one wing of the US' China policy.

In his meeting with the top US diplomat, Wang hit the nail on the head in noting that whether the positive momentum in the two sides' joints efforts to repair ties can be sustained will depend on whether the US side can stop approaching China with two faces: On the one hand encircling and suppressing China brazenly, and on the other hand, having dialogue and cooperation with China as if nothing is wrong.

The latest move in that vein is that US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday that the US' economic ties with China are closer now despite recent tariff hikes and ongoing trade tensions, ignoring how these irresponsible tariffs have been hurting both sides' common interest.

China is firmly opposed to US suppression in trade and technology. National security should not be politicized, and "small yard, high fence" should not become "big yard, iron curtain".

That double-face approach is also attributable to the US' regional allies' misjudgment of the US' China policy. With the rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific, Washington now has enough reasons to worry that, if that misjudgment is continued to be allowed to exist and being acted upon accordingly, the tail will wag the dog.

Since the US has expressed multiple times that it has no intention to have conflict with China, then fundamentally, it needs to establish a rational perception of China, and find the right way to get along with it. Washington needs to carry out dialogue with respect, advance cooperation in the spirit of reciprocity, and address differences with great prudence, rather than act willfully as it sees fit from a position of strength or use previous mistakes as excuses to make more mistakes.
Harare, Zimbabwe  The ongoing crackdown on illegal foreign currency trading in Zimbabwe continues to yield convictions, with the latest case resulting in a prison sentence for a Harare money changer.

Peter Rusere, 34, was last week sentenced to seven months imprisonment by provincial magistrate Ruth Moyo for violating the Exchange Control Act. The sentence, comprising a 12-month jail term with five months suspended on condition of good behaviour over the next five years, follows a sting operation by detectives.

The court heard that on September 18th, detectives, operating under a targeted operation against illegal money changers, approached Rusere with US$100 in marked bills. Their aim was to obtain the newly introduced Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency. Rusere readily agreed to the exchange, offering a rate of US$1 to ZiG20. He then transferred ZiG800 into an Ecocash mobile money account provided by the undercover officers, leading to his immediate arrest.

Ruseres case is not an isolated incident. The judiciary has been increasingly firm in its response to illegal forex activities since the introduction of the ZiG currency in April this year. Last month, another individual, Kudakwashe Welcome Maketo (24), received a six-month prison sentence, with three months suspended, for a similar offence.

Maketos conviction stemmed from an incident on August 1st, 2024, where police officers observed him at Kamunhu shopping centre in Mabvuku openly soliciting foreign currency exchanges. He offered a rate of US$1 to ZWG16 (Zimbabwe Gold) and received ZWG320 via mobile transfer in exchange for US$20. Upon arrest, Maketo was found in possession of five bank cards. The charges against him were brought under section 5(1)(a)(ii) of the Exchange Control Act chapter 22:05, alongside related regulations.

Another individual to face the consequences of illegal foreign currency trading was Ishmael Munashe Sakonda (29), also convicted by Magistrate Moyo last month. On July 29th, detectives, acting on a tip-off, approached Sakonda at Glen Norah B shops with US$20 as trap money.

Posing as customers needing ZiG currency for grocery purchases, they negotiated an exchange rate of US$1 to ZiG17 with Sakonda. Sakonda provided a bank card for a swipe transaction, receiving the US$20 in return. He was subsequently arrested, and the marked money was recovered.

The accused persons in all three cases were charged under section 5(1)(a)(ii) of the Exchange Control Act chapter 22:05, as read with section 4(1)(a) of the Exchange Regulations SI 109 of 1996, as amended by section 2 of Statutory Instrument 122A of 2017 and section 3 and 4(2) of SI 245 of 2018, which specifically addresses dealing in currency. The consistent application of these regulations highlights the governments determination to curb illegal foreign currency trading and maintain stability within the financial system.

The sentences handed down in these cases serve as a stark warning to those involved in illegal forex dealings. Ruseres sentence comes at at time when Zimbabwe has devalued its ZWG currency from 1:14 against the US Dollar to 1:24.39, a move that left millions of citizens nearly 50% poorer.

The authorities are clearly demonstrating their commitment to enforcing the law and protecting the integrity of the Zimbabwean dollar and the newly introduced ZiG currency.

The relatively short sentences, however, also suggest a degree of leniency, potentially indicating a focus on deterrence rather than excessively harsh punishment for first-time offenders. The inclusion of suspended sentences implies a willingness to offer a second chance to those who demonstrate genuine remorse and refrain from further illegal activities.

The ongoing operations targeting illegal money changers underscore the challenges faced by Zimbabwe in managing its currency and combating illicit financial activities. The governments efforts to stabilise the economy and control inflation are clearly intertwined with its efforts to crack down on illegal currency trading.

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The brutal murder of 78-year-old Enery Nankuku in Chegutu has shaken the small farming town and the nation at large, coming just two weeks after the discovery of two other womens bodies on Stockdale Farm in the same area.

The chilling proximity of these incidents has heightened public anxiety and intensified calls for swift action from law enforcement.

Enery Nankuku was found dead on September 28th, 2024, at Umfuli Banks farm in Chegutu, bearing the grim signs of a sexual assault before her death. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) released a statement confirming the tragic incident and detailing the horrific circumstances surrounding Nankukus death.

The statement reads: Police said Nankuku was found dead with bruises on the thighs and a wound on the arm on 28 September 2024 at Umfuli Banks, Chegutu. The victim is suspected to have been sexually abused before being killed. Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station.

National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi has issued a public appeal for information, urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward. The urgency of this appeal underscores the gravity of the crime and the lack of readily available information. The police are actively pursuing all leads to bring the perpetrators to justice.

While the police statement refrained from providing specific details about the nature of the sexual assault, such crimes against the elderly in Zimbabwe are often linked to ritualistic practices.

This grim association adds another layer of complexity and concern to the already horrifying case. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, further intensifying the need for a thorough and swift investigation.

Adding to the growing sense of unease, the discovery of the bodies of Sekai Antonio, 59, and Alice Zhuwao, 54, on Stockdale Farm two weeks prior has cast a long shadow over small farming town.

These women were reported missing on September 6th, sparking a desperate search by family and friends. Their lifeless bodies were found two days later in the bushes of the farm, revealing a scene of unspeakable violence.

Police investigations revealed a grim scene. Sekais body bore a deep cut on the head and multiple bruises, while Alices body, found approximately 100 metres away, also displayed a deep head wound. The brutal nature of the injuries suggests a violent struggle. The bodies were ferried to Chegutu Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.

The police are appealing to anyone with information regarding any of these cases to come forward and report to the nearest police station. The chilling similarities between the cases, coupled with their close proximity in both time and location, have understandably fuelled speculation and heightened public concern.

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BULAWAYO  Zimbabwe is reeling from the audacious theft of over US$4 million in a cash-in-transit robbery in Bulawayo, an event now confirmed as...
AFL exposes internal Facebook documents used for training CDC employees on censoring the public

American conservative organization America First Legal (AFL) recently revealed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used Facebook onboarding documents to train CDC employees on how to " censor Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) and vaccine "misinformation."

"These documents show the architecture behind the systems that political appointees and governmental bureaucrats used to unconstitutionally censor the free speech of Americans online," AFL Director Gene Hamilton said in a statement. "The right to speak  to even question authority  is so fundamental to our national identity, yet in the name of a public health crisis, Biden Administration officials worked with major companies to silence dissent."

According to Hamilton, the people need to review these documents and understand just how far leaders in Washington went to violate the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Facebook trained CDC staff on how to use the platform's "Government Reporting System." As per the litigation, Facebook created a new "end-to-end workflow," which is a streamlined process to make it easy for the government to censor the American people.

The social media platform only gave access to approved government and law enforcement personnel. They were assigned to submit links for removal from Facebook.

The said portal "dramatically increased the efficiency of the censorship machine" by allowing up to twenty links at a time to be referred for censoring. Each censorship request automatically generated a ticket number so that the government could track if Facebook complied with its censorship demands.

The newly revealed documents further show how Facebook explained precisely what content it would remove and what it needed from the CDC to censor certain narratives within the bounds of its "community standards." According to the workers, they only removed information deemed "false by public health authorities" despite the many examples of these authorities later being proven wrong.

Facebook's policy was to censor statements that made 'false' claims about masks (now shown to have been nearly useless, making those statements true), which discouraged social distancing (now known to have been fabricated by Dr. Anthony Fauci, former White House chief medical advisor).

If an individual was a "repeat offender" of the government's ever-shifting determinations on "misinformation," their account's reach would be reduced or removed from their site altogether.

AFL also pointed out that the lawsuit exposed the United Kingdom's influence on the Biden-Harris administration's censorship policy and Meta (Facebook's parent company) CEO Mark Zuckerberg's admission that Facebook only engaged in censorship after extreme pressure from the current U.S. regime. (Related: Zuckerberg admits Biden admin pressured Meta to CENSOR content.)

Zuckerberg regretted caving into Biden-Harris admin pressure to censor content

Back in August, Zuckerberg told the House Judiciary Committee that he regretted colluding with the federal government when he faced significant pressure to censor content on Facebook and Instagram.

In a letter to the committee's Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), he said: "I believe the government pressure was wrong, and I regret that we were not more outspoken about it. We're ready to push back if something like this happens again."

The letter refers specifically to the widespread suppression of contrarian viewpoints relating to COVID-19. Federal bureaucrats pushed social media platforms to take down content that could make people hesitate to submit to the vaccine mandate. President Joe Biden accused Zuckerberg and his moderators of "killing people" if they failed to moderate vaccine-skeptical content more aggressively.

"In 2021, senior officials from the Biden administration, including the White House, repeatedly pressured our teams for months to censor certain COVID-19 content, including humor and satire," wrote Zuckerberg.

It was revealed that Zuckerberg's people and CDC officials exchanged emails where it was disclosed that the government took a heavy hand in suppressing content. The CDC also took the position that expressing skepticism about vaccinating children was a form of misinformation and should be policed, reports indicated.

Zuckerberg also exposed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned him about Russian attempts to sow chaos on social media by releasing a fake story about the Biden family just before the 2020 election. This warning motivated Facebook to take action against the New York Post's Hunter Biden laptop story when it was published in October 2020, which of course turned out to be true as well.

"We've changed our policies and processes to make sure this doesn't happen again," Zuckerberg further vowed.

Head over to Censorship.news to read stories related to the government's efforts to suppress free speech.

Sources for this article include:

AFLegal.org 1

AFLegal.org 2

Reason.com
FBI whistleblower says DOOMSDAY is coming, warns Americans to stock up on 3-4 months of food supplies and PRAY

A prominent FBI staff operations specialist and whistleblower by the name of Marcus Allen has a sobering message for Americans: have your preps ready and don't forget to pray.

In speaking before Congress this week about life under the current administration, Allen warned Americans that they should probably not trust the FBI because he sure doesn't.

"I personally have no confidence that the FBI will rein in its own conduct," Allen told the room. "I have been persecuted ... along with countless other whistleblowers. It is my opinion that the Bureau used reprisal and fear to control the workforce. It has been a seemingly effective tactic."

At the current time, the FBI and probably lots of other federal agencies are operating without any checks and balances. As such, Washington is engaging in "lawless actions" that are going unpunished.

"I welcome the work of the IG (Inspector General) but I think any type of lawless action, there's no legitimate timeframe to rein them back in," Allen said.

? FBI Whistleblower Urges Americans to Vote, Arm Yourself, Stock up 3-4 Months Supply of Food and Water, and Pray ? This is a warning, to the American people I say.. I personally have no confidence the FBI will reign in its own conduct. Marcus Allen, a former FBI staff pic.twitter.com/FC8gIbIELm  MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) September 25, 2024

(Related: Earlier this summer, "doomsday CEO" Bob Nardelli warned that the U.S. economy is "ready to crack.")

Only God can save us through Jesus Christ

Allen insists that the Bureau intentionally "overclassifies" documents for the purpose of stonewalling investigations. Because of this, and because of the incredible power that the FBI has over the country, Allen is encouraging Americans to stockpiles guns, ammunition, food, water and other necessities in anticipation of further turbulence and tribulation in the coming days.

"As a person of faith, I'd say pray the Rosary, go to the First Friday devotions," Allen urged Americans, calling on them to vote on Election Day even if they distrust the system.

"That's for everybody, all my brothers and sisters of all faiths. I know, I'm Catholic. And, read the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and live it every day."

Allen achieved a legal victory earlier this year in a court case against the Bureau, which was forced to repay his lost wages after he was suspended and had his top-level security clearance removed by the agency.

Before this, Allen was persecuted by the federal government for statements he made about the use of Confidential Human Resources (CHS) during the January 6 demonstration at the U.S. Capitol.

It took all this time for the federal government, in this case Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz, to finally admit that it hid a number of informants within the J6 crowd to agitate and achieve a predetermined outcome.

When asked by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) how many of the federal government's moles "went into the Capitol" on Jan. 6, 2021, Horowitz responded that he would "have that information" in his report, the insinuation being that there were, in fact, some FBI informants who were sent into the Capitol building that day.

"It's clear the American political elites are being exposed at a record level, which makes them a danger to the entire country as they'll sink to any level in order to remain in power," warns Kelen McBreen, writing for Infowars.

"As Mr. Allen warned, it's time to pray and prepare."

How much longer do you think the existing global order will last before a major upheaval arrives on the world's doorstep to change everything forever? Find out more at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

Infowars.com

NaturalNews.com
Forget about the climate change hoax, we need major action to address SOIL CHANGE and MEDICINE CHANGE, or humanity is really doomed

If you still believe in climate change, you should head to Al Gores house and hand him all your savings so he can continue preventing the oceans from swallowing up the continents and all the humans from bursting into flames from the suns incinerating heat index. By the way, Al Gore, the  high priest of environmental causes , has a net worth of $200 million, mostly made from leading the  global warming  Ponzi scheme for two decades. If you are "brainwashed" right now, you can snap out of it by repeating the following phrase three times quickly, "free me from the climate change cult ."

If you want your energy, efforts, organizations and monetary backing to make real change in this country, for the betterment of mankind, health, prosperity and a truly sustainable future (including, incidentally, actual environmental health), then you should take action towards SOIL CHANGE and MEDICINE CHANGE, starting right now.

U.S. soil has been polluted and adulterated for decades with chemical pesticides, cancer-causing glyphosate herbicide and fluoridated water

Where are all the rich and powerful politicians heading up organizations and funding for soil change? Dont they support good health for Americans and ending all these preventable diseases that stem from and are perpetuated by chemically polluted, nutrient-void soil?

More than 90% of American food is grown in soil that is  for lack of a better term  dead. Whats worse is its polluted with cancer-and-dementia-causing chemicals that humans consume daily in conventional foods, including meat and dairy products that come from animals eating and living on this toxic soil.

If youre not for soil change, you are a problem for yourself and others. Do you really support dirty food and corrupted water for humans? You must be anti-science then, because the science reveals that when humans eat chemical bug-killer and weed-killer (think glyphosate in Roundup here), their cleansing organs become overwhelmed, and they get cancer and dementia. Plus, the crops are often watered with fluoridated water, and fluoride causes lowered IQ (that's why people fall for scams in the first place), cancer, brittle bones and dementia.

Do you support DNA-altering GMOs in food crops? You might be one of those domestic terrorists who is aiding and abetting criminal contamination of the U.S. food supply. Shame on you. Start supporting some worthy causes, instead of those fake fronts based on hoaxes, fake science and the rich getting richer while the rest of us suffer.

Help support soil change, by buying organic food, growing your own food in organic soil and using filtered water for everything.

Western Medicine has been corrupted for a century now, with toxic prescription medications and health-decimating and disease-spreading vaccinations

Are you one of those anti-science people who supports the continued corruption of U.S. medicine by the FDA, AMA, CDC and USDA? Maybe you never read the history about the American Medical Association, and how they put a criminal in charge of the regulatory agency a century ago. Yes, the nefarious Morris Fishbein outlawed natural remedies as medicine and rubber stamped all chemical, lab-concocted poisons with his stamp of approval for big bucks.

Medical colleges no longer taught upcoming doctors about nutrition. Its still that way today. Big Pharma funds and runs the medical colleges, the hospitals and doctors licensing.

Today, many prescription medications are crafted with health-decimating venom (peptides) from poisonous snakes, snails, frogs, scorpions and spiders. What, you didnt know? Thats right, VenomTech has a massive library and stock of toxic venom peptides that Big Pharma weaves into medications for humans. Why do you think all the prescription medications list horrific side effects and warn patients about vital organ failure, heart problems, sterility, miscarriages, anxiety, depression, feelings of suicide and so forth?

Help support medicine change, by avoiding Big Pharma's toxic "medications," deadly jabs and doing your own research and shopping for natural remedies that have worked for humans for millennia. Dont fall in line behind all the other sheeple being led off a steep cliff by the likes of Al Gore, Bill Gates and the Big Pharma cabal of criminals responsible for the plandemic and mRNA deadly jabs. Instead, tune your food news frequency to FoodSupply.news and get updates on real change that we really need, especially when it comes to the food supply and Western medicine.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

CSmonitor.com

TruthWiki.org
Former New York COVID Czar admits to manipulating the public and defrauding the FDA while participating in perverted romps

Many of the government and public health officials who were behind the onslaught of medical tyranny and unlawful mandates since 2020 (especially the ones that flouted their own restrictions and attended orgies) knew all along that COVID-19 was a psychological operation based on mainstream media programming, medical fraud and Big Pharma capitalizing on peoples fears and sicknesses. New York Citys former senior advisor for public health, Dr. Jay Varma, was caught on camera bragging about using the media to manipulate study results to fraudulently receive emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

COVID Czar-turned pharmaceutical tycoon admits to using media spin to defraud the public and the FDA

Currently the executive vice president and chief medical officer at the pharmaceutical company SIGA Technologies, Dr. Jay Varma has disclosed exactly how pharmaceutical companies manipulate the public so they can defraud the FDA and boost their stock prices.

We want the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, to approve our drug specifically for Monkeypox and right now its only considered experimental and they wont approve it based on this study, he said in an undercover video.

So, We also need to keep up the peoples belief that the [TPOXX] drug works. So, thats why spinning it in the media is helpful, he explained. You can spin them [TPOXX study results] so that people  wont like, dump the stock thinking that the company is worthless.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) eventually granted approval for their oral TPOXX (tecovirimat) treatment, marking it the first drug specifically indicated for the treatment of smallpox in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 13 kg. Following this approval, Health Canada also authorized the use of oral TPOXX for the same patient population. Under the brand name Tecovirimat-SIGA, oral TPOXX has also received approvals from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Norwegian Medicines Agency and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA-UK). These approvals extend its use not only for smallpox but also for monkeypox, cowpox and vaccinia complications following smallpox vaccination in both adults and children.

Dr. Varma has insider knowledge on how the fraudulent approval process works for drugs and vaccines

Dr. Varma knows exactly how this fraudulent drug and vaccine approval process works. As head of the public health response in NYC in 2020 and 2021, he was part of the grand deception behind the Emergency Use Authorization of COVID-19 vaccines. After locking down New York City, he attended orgies and did illicit drugs at large underground parties with others of the elite.

He knows how the pharmaceutical company manipulates their own studies and misrepresents them through the media, manipulating public opinion while bolstering stocks and garnering fraudulent EUA FDA approvals. This same psychopathic game-plan is being used across the pharmaceutical sector. The media fear machine is being used for every up-and-coming disease, and is used to sell the public on new vaccines for every flu strain, COVID strain and things like monkeypox, RSV and eventually bird flu, Disease X, etc.

In the undercover footage, Dr. Varma admitted that monkeypox isnt a public health emergency, as it is being advertised. Honestly, in the United States, the risk [for Monkeypox] is very low. Its only primarily transmitted among gay men. It basically got into the sexual networks of gay men, and a lot of gay men have tons and tons of sexual partners and often dont use condoms. So as a result, it spreads more easily.

However, when it comes to promoting new drugs and vaccines for the disease, he knows exactly what needs to done to boost pharmaceutical stock prices: frighten the public, devise a "solution," manipulate the study results, defraud the FDA's EUA process, leverage government officials and spin the drug as necessary, safe and effective for everyone.

Sources include:

X.com

SIGA.com

NaturalNews.com
BREAKING: Hurricane Helene leaves at least 40 dead, 4.4 million people with no electricity or cell service

Helene barreled through the Southeast on Friday, leaving at least 42 dead in at least four states , widespread damage to homes and businesses and an estimated 4.4. million Americans in the dark as of press time.

The hurricane, which landed on Florida's Gulf Coast at 11:10 p.m. ET, Thursday, as powerful Category 4 with 140-mph winds, quickly moved north, setting off mudslides in the mountains of Appalachia, according to USA Today.

It reportedly overturned boats, flattened homes and a vista of floodwater several feet deep was revealed at dawn across the storm-weary region. The storm maintained hurricane strength for several hours as it pushed inland across northern Florida and into Georgia. By 11 a.m. ET Friday, the National Hurricane Center said Helene had been downgraded to a tropical storm with sustained winds at 45 mph. The storm was located 30 miles southwest of Bryson City, North Carolina and 105 miles north-northeast of Atlanta.

The weather service issued flood alerts urging people to seek higher ground across parts of the Carolinas and the Atlanta area, where communities have been inundated with up to 10 inches of rain. Hundreds of water rescues were underway across the Southeast amid the torrential rain and continued coastal flooding in western Florida.

County officials immediately launched boats to reach stranded people, warning that the water could contain live wires, sewage, sharp objects and other debris.

"If you are trapped and need help please call for rescuers  DO NOT TRY TO TREAD FLOODWATERS YOURSELF," the sheriff's office in Citrus County, Florida, warned in a Facebook post while raising concerns that the tide could bring another surge of up to 10 feet (3.05 meters).

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the damage from Helene in the area appears to be greater than the combined damage of Idalia and Debby last August. "It's demoralizing," he said.

President Joe Biden said he was praying for survivors as the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency headed to the area. The agency has deployed more than 1,500 workers, and they helped with 400 rescues by late morning.

A day before hitting the U.S., Helene swamped parts of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, flooding streets and toppling trees as it brushed the resort city of Cancun and passed offshore. In western Cuba, Helene knocked out power to more than 200,000 homes and businesses as it brushed past the island.

The storm is now turning northwest, hitting the Tennessee Valley and parts of Kentucky and Indiana. Then it is expected to stall over the Tennessee Valley tonight and through the rest of the weekend, the National Hurricane Center reported.

Helene is tied as the 14th most powerful hurricane to hit anywhere in the U.S. since records have been kept and the seventh most powerful to slam into Florida, according to National Hurricane Center data.

Sheriff's grim warning: "Mark your bodies so we can ID you"

Expecting the worst that could happen, Taylor County sheriff Wayne Padgett has issued a warning to people in the Big Bend region in the northern part of the Sunshine State, where Helene came ashore.

"Mark yourself with your information so officials can identify you later," he said before the hurricane even made landfall. "Take a black Magic Marker, write your name, your Social Security number, everything on your arm so officials can identify residents in worst-case scenarios." (Related: How to secure your home before a hurricane.)

As in other spots in Florida, mandatory evacuations were ordered for Taylor County, but Padgett estimated that as much as half of his population is choosing to stay put.

"It's too late now for them to change their minds and try to head out," Padgett said, who instead told them to hunker down and stay put.

"I don't like telling people that, but it is going on," he said, adding that those in "low-lying areas" face "a death threat" from Helene.

"They're calling for 18- or 20-foot storm surge. We've never had a storm surge like this in this county," he said. "You can kind of hide from the wind, but you can't hide from that water."

Most of the people who have chosen not to evacuate are farther inland and in less threatening situations than those along the coast, he said.

Head over to Disaster.news for stories related to natural disasters in the United States and other nations.

Sources for this article include:

Independent.co.uk

USAToday.com

NBCNews.com
Former Israeli defense minister fears Israeli soldiers may be executing Palestinians

Former Israeli Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff Moshe Yaalon has gone on the record as saying that he believes his country's army is no longer moral, and he is even worried that IDF soldiers could be executing Palestinians.

The comments came in a speech he made to Navy reserves. He pointed out that when Jewish religious settlers known for murdering Palestinians to push them off of their land in the occupied West Bank are recruited into the Israeli army, it makes sense to worry that they might also kill Palestinians while they are in uniform serving their country. After all, Israeli soldiers and drones have been killing numerous Palestinian civilians during the entire war in Gaza.

Ya'alon, who was the Israeli Minister of Defense from 2013 to 2016 under current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said that he personally put a stop to past attempts to assassinate the head of the Hamas military, Mohammed Deif, as well as its founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, because he feared that the operation could put innocent lives in danger. The IDF has since assassinated Deif, killing him in a July air strike that also killed 90 individuals and wounded 300.

Yaalon also shared his belief that some of the religious settler leaders who are in Israels current government wish to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. Two prominent members of this movement, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have been open about their desire to cleanse these areas of Palestinians and take over their land for Jewish settlement, and both men wield considerable influence over Netanyahus government.

He also believes that these leaders want to provoke the apocalyptic war known as the battle of Gog and Magog that was prophesized in Jewish scripture.

Smotrich has made headlines for his harsh rhetoric against Palestinians and his repeated insistence that he will annex the West Bank.

He said earlier this month: My lifes mission is to build the Land of Israel and thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger the State of Israel.

Far-right Israeli cabinet members oppose Lebanon ceasefire proposal

Smotrich was one of the key cabinet members who opposed a ceasefire proposal by the U.S., EU and other allies. The call for a 21-day stop to fighting in Lebanon came after Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah there resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, along with the displacement of tens of thousands of individuals.

However, Smotrich put an end to any hopes of a ceasefire, writing on X: "The campaign in the north should end with a single result: crushing Hezbollah and elimination of its ability to harm the residents of the north. The enemy must not be given time to recover from the heavy blows it has suffered and reorganise itself to continue the war after 21 days.

He was joined by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who said: "There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation with all our strength until victory and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes."

With Netanyahus coalition depending on support from Smotrich and other members of the far right, Yaalons fears could prove to be well founded. Some soldiers are already facing military court trials over charges of abusing Palestinian detainees, and there are numerous accounts of Palestinian detainees at the Israeli military base detention camp Sde Teiman being tortured and abused.

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

MiddleEastMonitor.com

NewArab.com

TimesOfIsrael.com
Mayor Adams delivers statement to New Yorkers about his alleged criminal activity, claiming charges are completely false and founded on lies

The wheels of justice are turning on New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was indicted this week on five federal charges that he says are "completely false and founded on lies."

Adams delivered a statement  watch below  defending himself against allegations that he engaged in bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals.

"It is now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes," Adams said in his address to his constituents. "If so, these charges will be entirely false, based on lies, but they would not be surprising. I always knew that if I stood my ground to all of you that I would be a target. And a target I became."

"For months, leaks and rumors have been aimed at me in an attempt to undermine my credibility and paint me as guilty. Just this past week, they searched the home of our new police commissioner looking for documents from 20 years ago, just one week after he joined my administration. Enough. I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit."

Mayor Eric Adams issued a new videotaped statement, declaring, "I now believe the federal government plans to charge me with federal crimes. If this happens, the charges will be completely false and founded on lies." pic.twitter.com/6oXQSakUT6  Viral News NYC (@ViralNewsNYC) September 26, 2024

(Related: Did you know that the recent NYPD crackdown on college campus protests was spearheaded by wealthy Zionist donors?)

AOC, other Democrats want Adams to resign

The charges against Adams date back to 2014 when he was president of the Brooklyn Borough. Plaintiffs claim he sought and accepted "improper valuable benefits such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him," according to a 57-page indictment.

After accepting luxury travel and other benefits from the Turkish official, Adams is accused of then pressuring the NYC Fire Department to open a Turkish consular building without a proper fire inspection.

According to Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Adams "engaged in a long-running conspiracy" for which he must now be held accountable.

"Mayor Adams took these contributions even though he knew they were illegal," Williams said. "He knew these contributions were attempts by a Turkish government official and Turkish businessmen to buy influence with him."

Adams is urging the general public to "wait to hear our defense before making any judgments." In the meantime, Adams plans to continue doing his job the same as before.

"I look forward to defending myself and defending the people of this city as I've done throughout my entire professional career," Adams said.

A former NYPD captain who is up for reelection next year, Adams first took his current office in January 2022, presenting himself as the new face of the Democrat Party. He promised New Yorkers he would be tough on crime and also work to revitalize the Big Apple following its decimation from the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) "pandemic."

Instead of representing something new, Adams instead became more of the same old thing. New York City has been overtaken by illegal migrants; crime is through the roof, especially within the city's subway system; and city spending is a mess.

Some prominent Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), are calling for Adams to resign, probably because he is speaking out against the Biden regime and its illegal immigration problem. Were Adams to resign, his position would go to the city's public advocate, Jumaane Williams, until a special election is held to vote in a new mayor.

More related news coverage can be found at Corruption.news.

Sources for this article include:

CNN.com

X.com

NaturalNews.com
Netanyahu ignores ceasefire proposals from Biden and Macron as Israeli airstrikes continue to wreak havoc in Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that he " did not even respond " to proposals for a temporary ceasefire with Hezbollah as the Israeli military's airstrikes on Lebanon continued unabated. This statement comes against a backdrop of escalating violence that has drawn international concern and calls for a cessation of hostilities.

On Thursday, Sept. 26, United States President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement advocating for a 21-day temporary ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel aimed at creating a pathway for broader negotiations toward a permanent cessation of hostilities. However, Netanyahu's office dismissed the proposal without even considering it.

"The news about a ceasefire is not true," Netanyahu's office said in a statement. "This is an American-French proposal, to which the prime minister did not even respond."

The office further emphasized how Netanyahu had instructed the Israeli Defense Forces to continue its operations against Lebanon with "full force," signaling his extremist government's firm commitment to ongoing military action.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz echoed this sentiment on X, reinforcing the stance that there would be no ceasefire.

The situation in Lebanon has turned increasingly dire, with recent Israeli airstrikes resulting in the deaths of at least 72 people on Wednesday, Sept. 25, alone. Among the casualties were 23 Syrians  predominantly women and children  who died in a strike on a three-story building in the town of Younine. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported additional casualties, including at least four fatalities from strikes near Nabatieh the next day.

Netanyahu wants to continue attacking Hezbollah

Netanyahu has been vocal about Israel's military objectives, stating that operations against Hezbollah would continue until the country achieved its strategic goals, which include ensuring the safe return of residents in northern Israel to their homes.

In a recent visit to New York City for the United Nations General Assembly, Netanyahu said Israel would maintain its military strategy amid international calls for a ceasefire.

The White House later claimed that the joint U.S.-French brokered ceasefire proposal had been "coordinated" with Israel despite Netanyahu's public rejection. (Related: Israels exploding pagers attack qualifies as a WAR CRIME under Geneva Conventions of 1949.)

International leaders have expressed concern over the potential for the conflict to spiral out of control. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added to this, calling for an immediate ceasefire to provide space for Israel and Hezbollah to come to a diplomatic solution.

Various other nations have called for de-escalation. The government of Qatar has condemned Israel for targeting civilians and emphasized the need for an immediate halt to violence. The joint U.S.-French ceasefire proposal has received support from a whole host of nations, including the U.K., Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others.

However, this proposal has faced staunch opposition from various Israeli political factions. Yair Golan, leader of the opposition party The Democrats, has suggested that while a temporary three-week ceasefire is unacceptable, his party  which holds four seats in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset  would be amenable to a shorter truce of three or four days if it could facilitate dialogue with the Lebanese government and involve international guarantees.

Overall, the situation remains critical and fluid, with significant humanitarian concerns arising from the ongoing violence.

As the conflict escalates, the need for effective diplomatic efforts becomes increasingly urgent, even as military operations continue to dominate the landscape. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can bring peace to both Israel and Lebanon, while addressing the humanitarian crises that have emerged as a result of the fighting.

Watch this clip from Newsmax reporting on Biden demanding that Israel cease hostilities with Lebanon.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israels entire occupation of Palestine since 1948 ruled illegal by the UN.

Israel launches PAGER ATTACK on Lebanon  exploding mobile devices kill nine, wound more than 2,700.

Israel shifting more resources to West Bank amid escalating military operations.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

BBC.com

Brighteon.com
NYC Mayor Adams INDICTED in federal corruption probe

New York City (NYC) Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted in a federal corruption probe as part of a bigger investigation involving other city officials.

According to a USA Today report, the 57-page indictment against the Big Apple's mayor lists charges of federal bribery, fraud and campaign finance fraud. The indictment unsealed on Sept. 26 accuses Adams of corrupt acts going back 10 years. It also accuses him of being a willing agent for the Turkish government, "trading influence for illegal campaign funds and free trips around the world."

As per the indictment in the Southern District of New York, the mayor is alleged to have cheated $10 million from the city's public campaign finance program. He also allegedly received $100,000 in free travel to various countries such as France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary and Turkey. The outlet said the indictment against Adams makes him "the city's first mayor to be criminally charged while in office."

"As Adams' prominence and power grew, his foreign-national benefactors sought to cash in on their corrupt relationship with him. Adams agreed, providing favorable treatment in exchange for the illicit benefits he received," the indictment noted.

During a Sept. 26 press conference, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams reiterated that the incumbent NYC mayor "abused his position as the city's highest elected official  to take bribes and solicit illegal campaign contributions."

NYC Investigations Commissioner Jocelyn Stauber, who was appointed by Adams himself, stood beside Williams during the press conference. "We handled this investigation as we could any other," she told reporters.

According to the National Pulse, the mayor's indictment followed a raid by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the residence of former NYC Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Edward Caban  prompting his resignation on Sept. 13. A week later on Sept. 20, federal law enforcement raided the home of interim NYPD Commissioner Thomas Donlon. (Related: NYC Mayor Eric Adams' cell phones and iPad CONFISCATED by the FBI as part of federal corruption probe.)

Adams insists he's innocent, vows not to resign

"Federal prosecutors have been investigating possible illegal foreign donations to Adams' campaign from Turkey since last year," USA Today reported. According to the indictment, the mayor did repay his backers in Ankara by forcing city authorities to approve a new building for a Turkish consulate even though it couldn't pass a fire inspection. It happened in September 2021, after Adams won the city's Democratic primary.

At the time, Turkish officials were under pressure to open a new, 36-story consular skyscraper in Manhattan ahead of a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The indictment said Adams leaned on the NYC Fire Department to approve the building, with a top inspection official being threatened that "he would lose his job if he failed to acquiesce" to the mayor's demand.

"After Adams intervened, the skyscraper opened as requested," the indictment stated. Despite the charges against him, the mayor  a former NYPD captain  vowed he wouldn't step down from his position.

Speaking to reporters as the indictment was unsealed, Adams stressed: "The actions that have unfolded over the last 10 months, there have been leaks, commentary, the demonizing  this did not surprise us that we reached this day. I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before you make any judgments."

"I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target  and a target I became," he said in a separate statement. "If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit."

Visit Corruption.news for similar stories.

Watch this CNBC report about the indictment of NYC Mayor Eric Adams on bribery and fraud charges.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Sanctuary City New York spent over $5 billion in taxpayer money the previous fiscal year to provide services for ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

Leaked video shows FBI raid on former deputy chief of staff for NY Gov. Hochul, who was just indicted for allegedly being a Chinese spy.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams DEFUNDS POLICE, rolls out various austerity measures to spend on ILLEGAL MIGRANTS.

NYC Comptroller Brad Lander exposes Mayor Eric Adams' multimillion-dollar migrant shelter scandal.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams admits mass illegal immigration is inherently destructive for the Big Apple.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

MSN.com

Brighteon.com
Bihar: Flood situation worsens in Kosi region

T

he water level of the Kosi River is rapidly rising, creating concern for the residents of the Kosi division, particularly in the Supaul district in Bihar.

The surge in the river's flow has intensified, and the water has started spilling over parts of the Kosi Barrage, signalling a potentially dangerous flood situation.

However, Supaul District Magistrate Kaushal Kumar has reassured the public that the situation remains under control despite the alarming rise.

"Water has not completely overtopped the Kosi Barrage. What we are witnessing is water passing through the bridge's railing, giving the appearance of flooding over the road," he clarified.

In response to the potential flood threat, Kaushal Kumar, concerned for the safety of the barrage, has requested the Nepal government to halt traffic on the Kosi Barrage. Following this request, the Nepalese authorities have agreed to suspend traffic on the barrage for the next three days to mitigate risks and ensure safety in the region.

The situation is being closely monitored, and authorities are taking precautionary measures to prevent further escalation.

The movement of all types of vehicles on the Kosi Barrage has been completely banned, following an official order issued by the Nepal government. Barriers have been placed on both sides of the barrage, and Nepal Police have been deployed to ensure 24-hour security for the structure.

This precautionary measure was taken at the request of Supaul District Magistrate Kaushal Kumar, who emphasised that the traffic ban is a necessary step to protect the barrage as water levels from the Kosi River continue to rise.

Kumar reassured that the barrage itself has not suffered any damage and remains structurally sound.

"Our engineers are working around the clock to maintain the integrity of the barrage, and we are hopeful that the water level will soon begin to recede," he said.

Both Indian and Nepalese authorities are working closely together to monitor the situation. Indian Water Resources Department officials are receiving constant updates, while a team of engineers regularly inspects the barrage.

Due to the closure of the Kosi Barrage road, which is part of the National Highway of Nepal, people have lost direct road access to Nepal's capital Kathmandu, tourist destinations such as Pokhara, and the Lahan Eye Hospital. However, air travel remains available for those needing to reach these places.

 Bihar: Flood situation worsens in Kosi region

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'There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel will not reach', says Netanyahu

F

ollowing the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a precision strike by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran's Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face consequences and

that no location in Iran or the Middle East is beyond Israel's reach.

Netanyahu made his first public comments on Saturday after an Israeli airstrike killed Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, in Beirut.

"There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel will not reach, and today you already know how true this is," he added.

Speaking from Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Netanyahu said Israel's assassination of the Hezbollah leader "settled accounts with those responsible for the murder of countless Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of Frenchmen".

The Israeli Prime Minister called Nasrallah's killing "a necessary condition for achieving the goals we have set".

The Israeli Prime Minister was referring to tens of thousands of Israelis who have been displaced by cross-border fire in the north of the country. Last week, Israel made returning residents to their homes in the north an explicit war aim.

"As long as Nasrallah lives, he would quickly restore the capabilities we took away from Hezbollah," Netanyahu said.

"That's why I gave the directive -- and Nasrallah is no longer with us," he added.

Netanyahu made no reference to a US-led ceasefire proposal for the Israel-Lebanon border in his remarks, which come just a day after he made a combative speech at the United Nations General Assembly, vowing to continue the fight with Hezbollah -- and swiping directly at Iran.

"I say to the Ayatollah's regime: whoever beat us, we will beat them," he said.

The Prime Minister said that Israel had arrived at a "historic turning point".

"We are determined to continue to strike at our enemies, return our residents to their homes, and return all our abductees. We do not forget them for a moment," he added.

 'There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel will not reach', says Netanyahu

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NASA-SpaceX mission to bring back Sunita Williams on way to ISS

T

he NASA-SpaceX spacecraft, carrying Crew-9 members NASA astronaut Nick Hague (commander) and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov (mission specialist), was on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, in a mission that aims to bring stranded Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams back to Earth in February next year.

The NASA-SpaceX mission safely reached orbit, after it was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission is significant as it marks the first human spaceflight to launch from Space Launch Complex-40.

"SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS). The new crew arrives at the orbiting lab Sunday, Sept. 29, for a five-month science mission," NASA posted on X social media platform.

The targeted docking time is approximately 5:30 p.m. Sunday (3.30 am Monday India time), according to NASA.

The Crew-9 members will have two empty seats for NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams will fill when the spacecraft returns next year.

The Crew-9 was initially expected to launch on Thursday but was postponed due to poor weather conditions due to hurricane Helene, currently impacting the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Williams and Willmore travelled to the ISS on an eight-day sojourn on the faulty Boeing's Starliner. While the Starliner was declared unfit for human travel by NASA, and it returned safely to Earth, the astronaut duo are stuck in space.

For the first time since May 2020 test flight, SpaceX launched two astronauts to the ISS on a Dragon spacecraft.

In a bid to make room for Williams and Willmore in the orbiting lab, NASA had pulled out two other Crew-9 members -- commander Zena Cardman and three-time shuttle flier Stephanie Wilson.

 NASA-SpaceX mission to bring back Sunita Williams on way to ISS

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'Mann Ki Baat': PM Modi hails return of artefacts from US, calls it triumph for India's heritage

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 114th episode of his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on Sunday, reflected on his recent visit to the US and the return of nearly 300 ancient artefacts that had been trafficked out of India.

Expressing pride in India's rich cultural heritage, PM Modi shared, "We are all very proud of our heritage. I always emphasise 'Development as well as Heritage'. During my recent visit to the US, there has been considerable discussion about the return of our ancient artefacts. The US government has handed back approximately 300 artefacts to India. US President Biden personally showed me some of these items at his private residence in Delaware."

The Prime Minister highlighted the diversity and antiquity of the returned artefacts, noting that they were made of various materials, including terracotta, stone, ivory, wood, copper, and bronze.

"Many of these artefacts are over 4,000 years old, with others dating back to the 19th century," he said.

Among the returned items are terracotta plaques depicting gods and goddesses, statues of Jain Tirthankaras, as well as figures of Lord Buddha and Lord Krishna.

PM Modi also mentioned bronze idols of Lord Ganesha from southern India and terracotta tiles from Jammu and Kashmir bearing male and female figures. He stressed the intricate detailing in the artefacts, particularly in the many images of Lord Vishnu from both northern and southern India.

"Our ancestors had a profound understanding of art, as reflected in these masterpieces," he added.

The Prime Minister lamented that many of these treasures had been smuggled out of the country illegally, describing it as "a serious crime" and "a form of destroying our heritage." However, he expressed satisfaction that, over the past decade, numerous artefacts and elements of India's ancient heritage have been successfully returned.

"India is working with many other nations to bring back such artefacts. When we take pride in our heritage, the world respects it too. As a result, many countries are now returning what was taken from India," PM Modi said, underscoring the importance of preserving and cherishing the nation's historical legacy.

 'Mann Ki Baat': PM Modi hails return of artefacts from US, calls it triumph for India's heritage

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'Mann Ki Baat': Water, tree conservation key to tackle environmental challenges, says PM Modi

I

n the 114th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of water conservation and stressed the environmental efforts of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign.

He began by reflecting on the recent heavy rains across the country, remarking on the vital role of water conservation.

"This rainy season reminds us how important it is to conserve water. The water saved now helps during periods of scarcity, and initiatives like Catch the Rain are crucial," PM Modi stated.

The Prime Minister commended the efforts of women in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, where they revitalised the Ghurari River.

"In Bundelkhand, an area known for water scarcity, women from a self-help group, now known as Jal Saheli, created a check dam using sacks filled with sand. This simple yet effective solution revived the dying Ghurari River and solved the water issues of the area," he shared.

He further highlighted similar efforts in Madhya Pradesh. In Raipura village, local women's construction of a large pond significantly raised groundwater levels, enabling them to take up fish farming.

Another inspiring story from Khomp village, Chhatarpur, saw women revive a drying pond and use the silt to create a fruit forest on barren land. "These initiatives have not only increased crop yields but also contributed to water conservation," he added.

Shifting focus to the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, PM Modi spoke about its success in fostering environmental conservation through community involvement.

"This campaign is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when strong resolve and collective participation come together. States like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana have all exceeded their targets, with Uttar Pradesh alone planting over 26 crore saplings," he said.

He lauded individual efforts, such as that of K.N. Rajasekhar from Telangana, who committed to planting a tree every day, even after facing personal setbacks. "Rajasekhar's dedication, which has led to the planting of over 1,500 saplings, is truly remarkable," the Prime Minister noted.

PM Modi concluded by urging everyone to participate in both water and environmental conservation efforts, stating, "I heartily appreciate all such efforts and encourage you to join the sacred campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' to protect our environment and secure our future."

 'Mann Ki Baat': Water, tree conservation key to tackle environmental challenges, says PM Modi

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Times have changed: PM slams previous govts for lack of vision, planning for development

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday slammed the previous governments for lacking planning and vision for development of Pune and Maharashtra in general that heavily affected the pace of development.

However, after the BJP-led government came to power in 2014 and later during the present Mahayuti government the development process has been expedited, he said.

"Unfortunately, in the previous decades, our country lacked both planning and vision in urban development. Even when the policies were formulated, the projects used to stand stalled for years and years. Maharashtra, and our country, faced losses due to this very culture of carelessness and neglect. But now, the times have changed," said the Prime Minister in his virtual address after he laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation various projects including Pune Metro in Maharashtra worth over Rs 11,200 crore.

The Prime Minister claimed that during the non-BJP governments, several key infrastructure projects including metro, bullet train and irrigation projects were derailed.

"However, the double-engine government removed all hurdles and it is working relentlessly to spur the state's growth. Maharashtra is an inspiration for the country and Viksit Maharashtra will further help achieve Viksit Bharat," he said.

"For Maharashtra's progress, future-ready infrastructure is crucial, but equally important is ensuring that development benefits reach all sections of society. This will happen when every segment contributes to India's growth. This will happen when women lead the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

"When women drive social change, nothing is impossible! And the land of Maharashtra has been a witness to this very reality," said the Prime Minister.

He said that the Pune Metro was discussed in 2008 but the previous governments could not construct a single pillar till 2016 when the Devendra Fadnavis-led government laid the foundation.

"In eight years, the previous government failed to construct even a single Metro pillar, but our government has successfully built a state-of-the-art Metro network in Pune," he added.

"Our dream is to enhance the ease of living in Pune city, and I am glad to note that we are moving rapidly in that direction. This will happen when Pune's public transport becomes modern. This will happen when the city expands while maintaining seamless connectivity between areas. Today, the Mahayuti government is working day and night with this vision and approach," he said.

"Recently, the District Court to Swargate section route has been inaugurated. The Metro will now start running on this route as well. The foundation stone of the Swargate-Katraj section has also been laid today. I am happy that we are moving at a fast pace in the direction of our dream of increasing the ease of living in Pune city," said PM Modi.

He also Iaid the foundation stone of the Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Memorial.

"Before Independence, the social conditions in the country, the poverty and discrimination that prevailed, made it very difficult for our daughters to get an education. Great personalities like Savitribai Phule opened the closed doors of education for daughters. But even after Independence, the country did not completely get rid of that old mindset. Previous governments had barred women from entering many fields," he added.

The Prime Minister further said there was a lack of basic facilities like toilets in schools, due to which even after having schools, the doors of schools were closed for girls.

"As soon as the girls grew up a little, they had to leave the school. There was a ban on the admission of girls in Sainik Schools, there was a ban on the appointment of women in most of the Army's work areas, similarly many women had to leave their jobs during pregnancy.

"We changed those old mindsets of previous governments and changed the old systems," he added.

PM Modi also inaugurated the Solapur airport saying, "Today, with the blessings of Lord Vitthal, his devotees have also received a special gift - the work of upgrading the airport to provide direct air connectivity to Sholapur has been completed."

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the Bidkin Industrial Area, a transformative project covering an expansive 7,855 acres under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme of the government, situated 20 km south of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra.

The project developed under Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor holds immense potential as a vibrant economic hub in the Marathwada region.

The Central Government has approved it with an overall project cost of over Rs 6,400 crore for development in three phases.

"During the Fadnavis-led government's AURIC City project, the project was launched but it was stopped in between. However, the Mahayuti government has cleared all the obstacles and it has taken off. The project will attract investments and generate jobs," he opined.

 Times have changed: PM slams previous govts for lack of vision, planning for development

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2nd Test: Day 3 called off due to wet outfield at Green Park Stadium

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lay on Day 3 of the second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, has been called off without a ball being bowled due to wet outfield conditions.

Sunday's game too was called due to an overnight drizzle that left soggy patches on the field. It had not rained since the morning, and by 9:30 am, every cover had been removed. However, the wet patches, one near the bowlers' run-up, on the outfield couldn't be dried out.

With the morning and lunch sessions already lost, match referee Jeff Crowe conducted multiple inspections -- first at 10 am, followed by another at 12 pm, and the last inspection was conducted at 2 pm--but was left unsatisfied with the soggy patches on the field, particularly in the deep mid-wicket area near Pavilion C.

The damp 30-yard circle also remained a point of concern. Crowe, alongside reserve umpire Virender Sharma and TV umpire Rod Tucker, instead of taking more time, decided to call off the match.

Earlier, the second day was washed out without a single ball being bowled, as persistent rain and a wet outfield forced officials to call off play.

Bangladesh finished Day 1 at 107 for 3 in 35 overs, with Mominul unbeaten on 40 and Mushfiqur yet to get off the mark.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 107 for 3 in 35 overs at Day 3 (Monimul Haque 40 not out, Najmul Hasan Shanto 31: Akash Deep 2-34, Ravichandran Ashwin 1-22) against India.

 2nd Test: Day 3 called off due to wet outfield at Green Park Stadium

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PM Modi praises Odisha youth for developing digital platform for Santhali language

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rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday heaped praises on Odisha youth Ramjeet Tudu for his unique campaign to preserve the Santhali language and Ol Chiki lipi.

Tudu, a resident of Mayurbhanj district, is currently working as an Assistant Revenue Inspector in Keonjhar district of the state.

During the 114th episode of his weekly Man ki Baat address, PM Modi said that a child learns his mother tongue easily and quickly, adding that India has almost 20,000 languages and dialects and each one of them is surely the mother tongue of someone or the other

"There are some languages which are used by very few people, but you will be happy to know that today, unique efforts are being made to preserve those languages. One such language is our 'Santhali' language. A campaign has been started to give a new identity to Santhali with the help of digital innovation. 'Santhali' is spoken by the people of the Santhal tribal community residing in many states of our country," stated PM Modi.

The Prime Minister further noted that many tribal communities, apart from India, in neighbouring Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan speak in Santhali.

"Shriman Ramjeet Tudu, a resident of Mayurbhanj, Odisha is running a campaign to create an online identity of the Santhali language. Ramjeet ji has prepared a digital platform where literature related to the Santhali language can be read and written in the Santhali language. Actually, a few years ago when Ramjit ji started using the mobile phone, he was saddened by the fact that he could not send messages in his mother tongue," added PM Modi.

"After that, he started exploring the possibilities of typing 'Ol Chiki', a script of the Santhali language. With the help of some of his friends, he developed the technique of typing in 'Ol Chiki'. Today, due to his efforts, articles written in the Santhali language are reaching millions of people," said the PM.

Speaking to media persons, an elated Tudu said that he is happy and feels proud that the Prime Minister of India has praised his small effort on his programme.

"I started work on the digital platform for the Santhali Language in 2015 and the digitisation work is continuing till date. Initially, no tools were supporting the Ol Chiki dialect but now they are available on the internet. However, there is a lack of enough content in the Santhali language and to address that problem, we have been writing on Wikimedia's project Wikipedia. This apart, we have launched a website 'Birmali' which is the first Santhali eMagazine where we publish the works of various writers. We are providing the Santhali language and literature to the people accessing the internet," said Tudu.

He urged the youths that many languages in the world have completely gone extinct. He stated that if we continue our efforts then a language and its heritage can be preserved.

 PM Modi praises Odisha youth for developing digital platform for Santhali language

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CABINET MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS  A little less than a half-mile up the trail to Leigh Lake, just about when the incline begins to get annoying, theres a light blue sign screwed to a tree.

Over the years, people have scratched their initials into it. Others took the time to complete their first name. The sea of jagged letters surrounds the words that spell out this piece of woods primary purpose: to let hikers know when they enter the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area.

The wilderness area consists of a little more than 94,000 acres in this mountain range in northwest Montana, not far from the town of Libby.

On a map, its an oblong shape in an overlooked corner of the state. On the ground, its dazzling.

Leigh Lake is a perfect example. The trail climbs through dense forest until it reaches a waterfall  the lakes outlet. Then the trail climbs some more, eventually leading hikers to the lake.

The west end of the lake is hemmed in by a steep rock face that looks impossible to navigate. For mountain goats, its a playground.

Spend a morning watching the white dots move against the gray rocks and its easy to see why a big chunk of this mountain range is celebrating an anniversary this year.

About 94,000 acres of the Cabinet Mountains makes up one of 54 areas included in the Wilderness Act, a law that was signed 60 years ago this month.

The law created the National Wilderness Preservation System and provided permanent protections for 9.1 million acres of roadless and remote forest land across the country.

Its mission was to keep these places as they were and preserve a form of quiet, primitive recreation. They were places meant to be free of roads, motors, mechanized equipment, and they were to be designated only by Congress.

Since 1964, the system has grown to include 806 wilderness areas totaling nearly 112 million acres. Washington has 4.4 million acres of wilderness. Idaho has 4.7 million. Montana has 3.5 million, including this 35-mile-long stretch of the Cabinets.

Sixty years later, the pressures on wilderness have changed. Debates over when and where to use the law have grown more complicated. Some argue that exceptions to the law have weakened it.

But the law endures, and so do the protections it provides. That was one of the driving forces behind its creation  a chance to keep places wild in perpetuity.

That was very much on the mind of the creators of the act, said Ed Krumpe, a retired professor who taught wilderness management at the University of Idaho. They wanted to ensure there would be permanent protection.

Writing the act

Forty years before the act was passed, the U.S. got its first wilderness area.

After a Forest Service employee named Aldo Leopold fought against the expansion of a road system in the Gila National Forest, the agency set aside 755,000 acres of the forest as protected wilderness.

The classification provided a model that the Forest Service then replicated in other places, sometimes using different words such as wild or primitive.

None of those protections were permanent, however. The federal officials who ordered them could just as easily take them away.

In the late 1940s, leaders of The Wilderness Society  a group founded by Leopold and others to campaign for protecting wild spaces  began talking about drafting a law that could preserve big pieces of land permanently.

Becky Rom, who has served on The Wilderness Societys governing council for 28 years, said the talks came as development pressure in the aftermath of World War II led to parts of national parks and federal forest land getting shrunk or carved up.

They were watching these areas slip away, Rom said.

Howard Zahnhiser, the societys executive secretary, was the laws primary author. He produced the first draft in 1956, which wound up a failure in the halls of Congress. He continued working however, rewriting the law and trying to get it passed.

The societys official count is 66 rewrites and 18 public hearings. But finally, in 1964, the bill ended up on the desk of President Lyndon B. Johnson. Johnson signed the bill on Sept. 3.

All the rewrites and lobbying resulted in a bill with a few compromises, Krumpe said. For one, it did not create a new agency to manage wilderness areas. For another, it included a provision that allowed mineral exploration in wilderness areas for a period of 20 years. At that point, unless a claim had proven commercially viable, the claims would expire.

The way the bill defines wilderness has drawn criticism. The law says wilderness is a place thats untrammeled and where man is a visitor who does not remain  critics say that ignores the long history of Indigenous people who lived on, used and managed the land for centuries before the arrival of European Americans.

That has erased some of the tribal uses of these lands that occurred historically, said Brad Smith, conservation director for the Idaho Conservation League.

Will Rice, a wilderness researcher at the University of Montana, said there have been millennia of human history in these places.

Theres also really recent human history, Rice said.

Dams, homesteads and active airstrips all exist within the boundaries of wilderness areas. Trash from cowboys and miners. Fences that had to be torn out.

Factor it all together, Rice said, and the idea of wilderness becomes more complex.

Wilderness is a place of nuance, Rice said.

Where and when

Alongside the Cabinet Mountains in that first batch of wilderness were spectacular places in 13 states. A couple mountain ranges away in Montana there was the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, a collection of more than 1 million acres that was named for one of the founders of The Wilderness Society.

Rom, the longtime member of the societys governing council, lives in Minnesota, not far from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area  also protected by the act.

We have been the most visited wilderness area every year since 1964, Rom said.

In eastern Oregon, there was the Eagle Cap Wilderness, in the Wallowa Mountains. In Washington, three chunks of the Cascades were immediately protected: the Glacier Peak, Goat Rocks and Mount Adams wilderness areas.

Every president since Johnson has signed laws designating new wilderness areas. The largest addition to the system came in 1984, when 175 new areas were designated, including more than 1 million acres in Washington through the Washington Wilderness Act.

The nonprofit Washington Wild was founded to campaign for that bill, albeit under a different name  the Washington Wilderness Coalition. These days, the group is still campaigning for wilderness protections, though its executive director, Tom Uniack, said some things have changed.

The 1964 Wilderness Act was really a carefully thought out, balanced proposal and has stood the test of time, Uniack said. I think what has changed is how and where and when its applied.

Early on, the land protected under the act was often at high elevations, places full of rocks and ice and not full of people.

Now, at least in the past couple of decades in Washington, Uniack said the conversation has shifted toward protecting places under 3,000 feet of elevation. That might mean areas with spawning salmon and old growth forests, but it also might mean places that already have logging, motorized vehicles and popular mountain bike trails  none of which would be allowed in a wilderness area.

That makes trying to draw a border for a new wilderness area challenging, Uniack said. It means wilderness supporters have to be careful what they put within the boundaries of a proposal.

It also often means that groups like Washington Wild try to work out any disputes with a potential wilderness proposal long before they start trying to bring anything to Congress. Collaborative groups have been formed to bring together hikers and mountain bikers, conservationists and loggers to draft land management proposals that all can live with.

Even then, though, theres no guarantee the proposal will succeed in Congress. Uniacks group has been pushing for the Wild Olympics proposal, a package of land management classifications for the Olympic National Forest that has support from a dizzying number of nonprofits, businesses and politicians. A bill was first put forward in 2012, and theyre still waiting for action.

Still, proposals like that one  which includes a 126,000-acre wilderness area drawn to exclude popular mountain biking trails and sites booked for logging  show the ways many conservationists thinking about the way the Wilderness Act has changed. People like Uniack see a place for less restrictive forms of administrative protection.

Its not wilderness or nothing, Uniack said.

Others reject the notion of collaborating with loggers or mountain bikers on land management proposals. They see such efforts as horsetrading exercises that only serve to shrink any potential addition to the wilderness system.

And, while they surely wouldnt dislike having more acreage protected under the act, there are wilderness advocates who are more concerned with the threats facing the countrys existing wilderness areas.

I think the conservation community has to be just as concerned about the wilderness system thats been designated as it is about getting a new wilderness, said Gary MacFarlane, who led the nonprofit Friends of the Clearwater for more than two decades. Generally, that hasnt been the case.

One of the threats MacFarlane sees is exceptions to the law that have accompanied new wilderness designations  provisions that allow otherwise prohibited activities, like landing aircraft or using machines for trail maintenance. Usually the exceptions are meant to help federal agencies manage the areas, but MacFarlane sees them as something that weakens the Wilderness Act.

A number of organizations do challenge decisions like that, such as Wilderness Watch, where MacFarlane used to be a board member. Occasionally, the group sues over decisions it believes are illegal, and it keeps a close eye on bills in Congress that could impact the Wilderness Act  such as the ones floating around this year that would allow bicycles and permanent rock climbing hardware in wilderness areas.

MacFarlane doesnt see a need for either bicycles or permanent climbing anchors in wilderness areas. Instead, he thinks the lack of those tools, which ostensibly make it easier to access parts of those wild spaces, is exactly the point.

I still support the idea of wilderness even if I cant go there, MacFarlane said. I think it provides a lot of benefits for us as people, but also it is this sense of humility that I think we need as a species.
Prakash Karat to coordinate politburo functioning in CPI-M till next party congress

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fter the sudden demise of the CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury earlier this month, the party will now function through the collective leadership of the exiting politburo with Yechury's predecessor Prakash Karat acting as the politburo coordinator.

The next permanent General Secretary will be selected at the next party congress scheduled to be held at Madurai in Tamil Nadu in April next year.

A decision to function through collective leadership of the existing politburo was made at the party's politburo meeting on Saturday. On Monday, the party's central committee cleared that proposal and also selected Karat as the "politburo coordinator" during the interim period till the next party congress.

"The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) now in session in New Delhi, has decided that Comrade Prakash Karat will be the coordinator of the politburo and the central committee, as an interim arrangement until the 24th Party Congress to be held in April 2025 at Madurai. This decision was taken due to the sad and sudden demise of the sitting General Secretary of the CPI-M, Comrade Sitaram Yechury," a statement issued by the party on Sunday afternoon read.

As per the party's constitution, any decision of the party politburo is subject to the final clearance of the central committee.

On Saturday only, a politburo member from West Bengal pointed out that the party's constitution does not allow having the post of a 'working general secretary'. "There is nothing called 'interim' in our party. The new central committee and the politburo will be selected at the next party Congress in Madurai next year. There only the new party General Secretary will be selected," he said.

Yechury was the first existing General Secretary to die before the end of his term. He was supposed to be replaced at the Madurai party congress as he would have completed his third term in office.

 Prakash Karat to coordinate politburo functioning in CPI-M till next party congress

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Agniveers will be given a pensionable job: Amit Shah

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nion Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that Agniveers will be given a pensionable job and also appealed to the people not to hesitate to send their sons to the Army.

The Home Minister delivered a fiery speech while addressing a 'Jan Aashirwaad Rally' at village Dhorka Sector-95 in Gurgaon in support of BJP Badshahpur candidate Rao Narbir Singh.

"Every Agniveer will get pension benefits. The Agniveer scheme was meant to make the Army young," said the Home Minister.

While targeting Rahul Gandhi, the Home Minister said that the Congress leader is a 'lying machine'. "Rahul Gandhi says that Agniveer Yojana has been brought because the government does not want to give pensionable jobs. I am telling you that every Agniveer will be given a pensionable job."

He also criticised Congress, saying, "There was a Congress government in Haryana, it ran on cuts, commissions and corruption. The rule of dealers, brokers and sons-in-law was prevalent. In the BJP government, neither dealers nor brokers are left, there is no question of sons-in-law."

He said that during the Hooda government, the Congress had only developed one district and one caste, but after the BJP gained power, the party had developed the entire state equally.

"The party had given jobs based on 'Kharchi and Parchi' system while the BJP has given five lakh jobs without any 'Kharchi and Parchi," he said.

The Home Minister said that the UPA government gave 41,000 crores to Haryana whereas the Modi government gave 292,000 crores rupees for development to Haryana in 10 years.

"PM Modi loves Haryana the most among all the states," the Home Minister said.

He said that the Congress could not fulfil the promises it made in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. "This is their false guarantee, but the BJP has fulfilled the promises it made."

He said that people are raising pro-Pakistan slogans from Congress platforms. "Why is Rahul Gandhi silent? Why doesn't he speak? Congress has become blind in appeasement. Congress and Rahul Gandhi want to bring back Article 370 in Kashmir. Even their three generations cannot bring back Article 370. India's flag has to be hoisted in Kashmir," he said.

He added that as long as the Modi government is there, only the Tricolour flag will fly in Kashmir.

While attacking the Hooda government, the Home Minister said brokers, dealers and 'damaad' auctioned Gurugram land. "In a public meeting, the Congress candidate says that he will give 50-50 jobs to his supporters. If they will jobs to their supporters from where will the common man got a job," he said.

He added that Haryana is such a state where every tenth man is in the army.

"PM Modi had promised that we will implement One Rank One Pension. Three generations of Congress did not respect One Rank One Pension and it was not implemented. When you made Modi the PM, he implemented One Rank One Pension. The third version of One Rank One Pension has been implemented by PM Modi."

He said that the Waqf Board Bill will be brought in the upcoming winter session.

 Agniveers will be given a pensionable job: Amit Shah

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The father of the IIMA student who died allegedly by suicide has claimed that someone from the institute was harassing his son over an event that was to be sponsored by a private organisation, police said on Saturday.

The student, Akshit Hemant Bhukya (24), who was studying in the second year of the MBA programme at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), was found hanging from the metal grille of the ventilator in his hostel room on Thursday.

Bhukyas father has claimed that someone from IIMA was harassing his son over the use of the IIMA logo by a private institute for an event, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Himanshu Verma said.

Prima facie, this does not appear to be the reason why the student took the extreme step, but police will register an offence if something comes up in the ongoing investigation, he said.

A Vastrapur police station official said that the matter related to the use of the IIMA logo was resolved on September 20. The private institute even withdrew the sponsorship and removed the video with the IIMA logo it had uploaded on its Instagram page.

We even took statements of the students who were part of the team involved in the event and they have refused this to be the case, said sub-inspector RL Patel, the investigation officer.

The police official said the mortal remains of the IIMA student have been handed over to his father.

The incident took place in the hostel situated on the new campus of IIMA, and no suicide note was found. Police have sent the students mobile phone and laptop for forensic analysis to get a clue about the reasons for this tragedy, officials said.

DISCLAIMER: 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)
A 28-year-old Master of Surgery student of the government-run Moti Lal Nehru Medical College here allegedly ended his life in his car at a hospital associated with the college, police said on Sunday.

DCP (city) Abhishek Bharti said that on Saturday night, doctors of SRN Hospital informed the police that Dr Kartikeya Srivastava (28), working in the same hospital, had committed suicide.

A resident of Kotdwar in Uttarakhand, Dr Kartikeya Srivastava took the extreme step by allegedly injecting himself with a poisonous substance, ACP Kotwali Manoj Kumar Singh said.

The field unit, dog squad and surveillance team have been called to the spot and evidence is being collected, the DCP said.

DISCLAIMER: 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)
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge fell ill while delivering a speech at an election rally in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua on Sunday. The octogenarian leader later resumed his speech and said that he will only die after Prime Minister Narendra Modi is defeated in the elections and removed from power.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge became unwell while addressing a public gathering in Kathua. pic.twitter.com/OXOPFmiyUB ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024

We will fight to restore statehoodI am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive till PM Modi is removed from power, Kharge said.

The Congress chief also accused the Prime Minister of shedding false tears for the future of the youth of the Valley during his rallies.

The reality is that in the last 10 years, the youth of the entire country have been pushed into darkness for which Modi himself is responsible, Kharge said, claiming that unemployment has risen during the Modi regime.

Unemployment figures have just come. The highest unemployment in 45 years is the contribution of Modiji. 65% posts are vacant in government departments in Jammu and Kashmir. The jobs here are being given to outsiders on contractual and daily wages jobs, Kharge said.

After the speech, the Congress chief said in a post, Till the time Modi is not removed, I will remain alive, I will listen to you I will fight for you!!

          ,       !! pic.twitter.com/M58zGxVNuX  Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 29, 2024

Kharge Doing Well

Kharges son and Congress leader Priyank Kharge said the party president is doing well now and he has been checked upon by his medical team.

Congress President Kharge felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jasrota, Jammu & Kashmir. He has been checked upon by his medical team and apart from slightly low blood pressure, he is doing well. Extremely grateful for everyones concern. His resolve, along with peoples good wishes, keeps him going strong, Priyank wrote on X.

Congress President Sri @kharge felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jasrota, Jammu & Kashmir.He has been checked upon by his medical team and apart from slightly low blood pressure, he is doing well.Extremely grateful for everyones concern. His  Priyank Kharge /   (@PriyankKharge) September 29, 2024

Jammu and Kashmir Congress vice president Ravindra Sharma said Kharge felt dizzy and was taken to a room, where doctors were called for a check-up. They will advise whether he can attend the second rally or not, he said.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti in a social media post on Saturday announced that she is cancelling her campaigning plans on Sunday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 28, 2024

Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said in a social media post.

Nasrallah was the face of Hezbollah, enjoying cult status among his Shiite Muslim supporters, and was the only man in Lebanon with the power to wage war or make peace.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said: His elimination makes the world a safer place.

In Tehran, posters of Nasrallah were put up bearing the slogan Hezbollah is alive.

Israel killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in a huge air strike in Lebanon, dealing the movement a seismic blow that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday called a turning point for his country.

Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallahs death after the Israeli military said he had been killed in an air strike Friday on the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Iran-backed groups main bastion.

Some Israelis celebrated his killing, while in Lebanon, his supporters disbelief gave way to anguished mourning.

Around the region, leaders condemned the slaying while some Hezbollah allies vowed vengeance, fuelling fears of more violence in the Middle East after nearly a year of war in Gaza.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has joined his great, immortal martyr comrades whom he led for about 30 years, Hezbollah said in a statement.
In an intensifying political battle between the two Shiv Sena factions, Arun Sawant, a senior leader from Chief Minister Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena, launched a blistering attack on rival Uddhav Thackerays party over their decision to field Pravina Morajkar, a former corporator from Kurla, as a candidate for the upcoming elections.

Morajkar, a well-known leader in her constituency, has been at the centre of controversy, particularly due to allegations raised by Maratha organisation Sambhaji Brigade. The group claims that Morajkar misused her position during her time as a corporator to file false cases against members of the Maratha community. According to the Sambhaji Brigade, Morajkar is responsible for registering over 11 atrocity cases against Maratha leaders and citizens, a fact that has led the group to formally protest against her potential candidacy under Thackerays Shiv Sena banner.

HYPOCRISY AT ITS FINEST: ARUN SAWANT

These are blatant double standards by Uddhav Thackerays party, Sawant said during a press briefing. On the one hand, the party is actively seeking to win over Maratha voters, positioning itself as a champion of the communitys interests. But on the other hand, they are promoting someone like Pravina Morajkar, who has a track record of allegedly working against the very community they claim to support.

Sawants comments add fuel to an already heated rivalry between the Shinde and Thackeray factions of the Shiv Sena. Since the split in the party, the two sides have been at odds over leadership, political strategies, and now, candidate selection. For Sawant, this situation encapsulates the deeper problems with Thackerays leadership and approach to election planning.

How can you even consider giving a ticket to someone accused of such actions, Sawant asked. This is hypocrisy at its finest. The people of Maharashtra, especially the Maratha community, will not forget these contradictions. They are watching, and they will make their voices heard when its time to vote.

ALLEGATIONS FALSE: PRAVINA MORAJKAR

Morajkar, who remains a frontrunner for the Kurla constituency despite the controversy, is now facing an uphill battle. The backlash from the Sambhaji Brigade and other Maratha groups has sparked a wider debate over her candidacy, potentially affecting Thackerays standing among the community in the region.

Speaking to News18, Morajkar said, The allegations by Shinde Sena leaders and Maratha brigade leaders are totally false. They should show the official complaint or FIR filed by me. I am loyal worker of Thackeray. I have worked as a municipal corporator under his guidance. I feel the Shinde Sena is afraid of my work in Kurla constituency, so they are trying to malign my image by levelling such allegations as I come from a backward caste.

Sawant emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in leadership. Ultimately, the people of Maharashtra will decide whether Thackerays party can continue with these double standards. Voters will see through these contradictions and deliver their judgment at the polls, he said.

As the elections draw closer, this conflict between the two Shiv Sena factions is likely to escalate, with candidates like Pravina Morajkar caught in the crossfire.
The Bengaluru Police were left stunned after a 29-year-old woman was exposed in an accident-cum-robbery drama at Bengalurus Bhoganahalli area in a bid to allegedly get hold of her ex-boyfriends mobile.

The police arrested P Shruthi (29) and her four associates Manoj Kumar, Suresh Kumar, Honnappa, and Venkatesh on Saturday on the charges of dacoity. The woman said that she allegedly planned the incident to take possession of her ex-boyfriends mobile phone, which contained private pictures of them, as reported by Indian Express.

Initially, cops thought it was a robbery case sparked by road rage. The miscreants had allegedly targeted Shruthi and her friend after ramming a car into their bike, and fled with their mobiles. However, it was later revealed that the woman was the mastermind and had assigned four men to rob her ex-boyfriend.

The victim, Dumpa Vamshi Krishna Reddy, had lodged a complaint that some miscreants had robbed him and the woman of their mobile phones when they were on a two-wheeler on September 20. Reddy said their mobile phones were snatched by a group of men following a minor traffic altercation near a commercial store.

A Swift Dzire car rammed into our vehicle from behind, and when I questioned them, two men from the car snatched our mobile phones, the victim said in his complaint to Bellandur police as reported by the national daily.

However, the police discovered that no accident had occurred at the reported location, instead four men had blocked Reddy and Shruti, claiming they had hit their vehicle, and run away with the phones.

The police then traced the cab and its driver and later nabbed Manoj, a painter by profession and one of the associates of the woman. He allegedly confessed to having snatched the mobile with his associates and shocked the police personnel by saying Shruti had given him Rs 1.1 lakh for the task.

Shruti had told the police that she felt insecure after she broke off her relationship with Reddy and hence devised the whole drama fearing that Reddy would misuse their intimate photos in future. Although Reddy had assured the woman that he had deleted the photos, he refused to give her his phone, which raised her suspicions.

At this point, Shruti contacted Manoj who had worked on her house, and bribed him to carry out the robbery. When Manoj informed her that he needed additional help, she provided him with Rs 1.1 lakh to assemble a team, said an officer to the national daily.
Constable Sandeep, a 2018 batch Delhi Police officer, was struck and killed by a WagonR while on patrol in Nangloi on Saturday night. The police official had asked the driver of a WagonR to drive safely after he spotted the latter driving recklessly.

The incident occurred when the officer was monitoring the area due to a rise in burglaries, dressed in civilian clothes. According to CNN-News18, which accessed the CCTV footage, the driver then hit the constable with his car and dragged him for approximately 10 metres before hitting another vehicle.

#WATCH | Delhi: Jimmy Chiram, DCP outer Delhi Police says, "Constable Sandeep of 2018 Batch was 30 years old and was posted at Nagloi police station. The incident happened at around 2:15 am, Sandeep had gone for on-duty beat patrolling on his bike. When he was taking a left turn pic.twitter.com/QmKzjb92Cb ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024

Sandeep took a left turn in a gali and indicated to the Wagon R to slow down. On this the wagon R suddenly accelerated and hit the Bike and dragged the deceased with the bike for about 10 metres and hit another parked car. CT Sandeep got head injuries leading to death, another police officer said.

At around 2:15 am today, #DelhiPolice Constable Sandeep, who was deployed in the PS Nangloi, was hit by a car from behind and was dragged for 10 metres after he objected to the car parked in the middle of the road. pic.twitter.com/YrkuSBCmnW Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) September 29, 2024

Prima Facie it looks like road rage but once the accused is apprehended we will know further, Jimmy Chiram, DCP outer Delhi Police, said.

Sandeep was rushed to two nearby hospitals but was declared dead.

The Delhi Police have registered a case under 103 BNS and are searching for two suspects involved in the incident. The police official has left behind his mother, wife and a 5-year-old son. The police force paid obeisance to the deceased officer in a social media post on Sunday.
A fire extinguisher that may have accidentally fallen off a train set off a scare on Sunday when the driver of another passenger train applied brakes after spotting the cylinder-like object on the rail tracks between Govindpuri and Bhimsen stations here, according to officials.

The incident occurred when the train was heading to Lucknow from Mumbai. It had hardly reached Govindpuri station when the driver spotted a cylinder on the tracks at around 4 am on Sunday, Additional Director General (Railways) Prakash D said.

The loco pilot immediately passed the information to the control room. The cylinder was later found to be a fire extinguisher, belonging to the railways.

The ADG said that the railway officials launched an investigation jointly with the Railway Protection Force(RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) and found there was no criminal intent behind the act.

The findings further claimed that there is no external or other criminal involvement in this case, ADG added.

In the inquiry report, the railway officials stated that the fire safety cylinder was railway property and it was issued by the section engineer (carriage & wagon) Gorakhpur and it may have fallen from any other train accidentally, said the ADG adding that no FIR has been lodged regarding the matter.

The railway officials are on an alert following similar incidents recently.

A 16-year-old boy was apprehended for allegedly putting a fencing pillar on the Banda-Mahoba rail track, causing disruptions on Saturday. The driver of a passenger train had to apply emergency brakes to stop the train after he noticed the concrete pillar on the tracks, the police said.

Also, the engine of a train hit a stone placed on the railway track in the Bairia area in Ballia on Saturday, officials said, adding that no damage was caused.

The RPF has formed a special team to solve the case, and patrolling is being done on the rail route, while police has lodged an FIR, the officials said.

RPF Inspector VK Singh told PTI, We believe that this has been done with the intention of derailing the train. The current conclusion of the team in this case is that some unknown person has placed the stone. On September 8, an alleged attempt to derail the Kalindi Express, heading towards Bhiwani from Prayagraj, was reported when an LPG cylinder was found on the tracks in Kanpur.

Just a week ago, an empty gas cylinder was also found on the tracks by a goods train loco pilot near Prempur railway station. Both incidents are being investigated.
Amid an ongoing investigation, Karnataka is seeing a clash between Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Lokayukta ADGP M Chandrashekhar, both accusing each other of corruption and manipulation.

Kumaraswamy has alleged that Chandrashekhar, a corrupt officer under the influence of the state government, was manipulating investigations for political purposes under the direction of the CM Siddaramaiah-led government.

In a strongly worded letter to his staff, Chandrashekhar has dismissed these claims, calling them baseless. He has countered H.D. Kumaraswamys allegations, saying an accused who is on bail had made these accusations to deter them from performing their duties.

Kumaraswamy had appeared before the Lokayukta for questioning on Friday in connection with the Gangenahalli land denotification case. The following day, in a media conference, he accused the government of using a tainted and corrupt officer to investigate cases and claimed that rogue officers were being employed for these probes under the Siddaramaiah government.

Chandrashekhar wrote an internal letter to his department, countering HDKs allegations. The letter accessed by News18 stated that the objective is to create fear in the minds of officers of the SIT by attacking him.

WHAT THE LETTER STATES

Today, an accused in Crime No.16/14 of the SIT, Sh. H.D. Kumaraswamy, made false and malicious allegations and threats during a press conference. As you know, the SIT had sought prosecution sanction from the competent authority for the accused. This accused, who is on bail, Sh. H.D. Kumaraswamy, is trying to deter us from performing our duties. It appears his objective is to create fear in the minds of SIT officers by attacking me. But an ACCUSED, however high and mighty, is still an ACCUSED. Let us not be discouraged by such allegations and threats. As head of the SIT, I promise to work without fear or favour and ensure that all criminals and accused in our cases are brought to justice. I also assure you that I will protect you from any external influences.

There is a famous English quote by George Bernard Shaw: Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it. But we cannot avoid confronting criminals and the accused during our duty. Sometimes, these criminals and accused throw dirt at us. This should not deter us from our work. Never lose hope, as truth always triumphs. Let us have faith in TRUTH, GOD, and our LAW. SATHYAMEVA JAYATE.

Chandrashekhar was not available for comment.

HDKS ATTACKS

HDK also launched an attack on Siddaramaiah, alleging that no investigation under his government was transparent and that all were politically motivated. Hes been promised the post of Bengaluru Police Commissioner, claimed Kumaraswamy, explaining why Chandrashekhar has been taking him on. He went on to allege that the same position of Bengaluru Police Commissioner had been used by the Siddaramaiah government as a lure for IPS officers B.K. Singh and Chandrashekhar.

He further claimed that a highly confidential letter written by the Governor to the Lokayukta regarding his case had been leaked to a private news channel by the officer involved. This letter is being used by the channel to smear my familys reputation and run a campaign against me for months, said HDK. He further accused Chandrashekhar of seeking permission to investigate staff in the Governors office, a constitutional body representing the President of the country, which he deemed unacceptable.

The Union Minister also claimed that numerous complaints and charges had been filed against Chandrashekhar, including for allegedly demanding Rs 20 crore from a subordinate officer in connection with a land deal. An inspector had even filed a complaint against him.

Claiming to have looked into Chandrashekhars background, Kumaraswamy alleged that Chandrashekhar had switched to the Karnataka cadre using false pretences and illegal methods. He stated that Chandrashekhar originally belonged to the Himachal Pradesh IPS cadre of 1998 but later came to Karnataka on deputation for five years. He falsely claimed that the weather conditions in Himachal were unsuitable and forged documents to extend his stay in Karnataka, Kumaraswamy said, questioning the officers appointment.

HDKs RESPONSE TO THE LETTER

In response to the letter, Kumaraswamy on Sunday alleged, Chandrashekhar has addressed a letter to his colleagues. I know who prepared that letter and where. I will reveal about this in due course of timeI might be an accused in this case, but that officer is a criminal in disguise of a cop. There are allegations against him for a series of criminal activities.

A letter from the Governor to the Lokayukta had been leaked to a news channel. Kumaraswamy stated that it is widely known who leaked it, but Chandrashekhar was trying to frame the officials and staff at the governors office in Raj Bhavan. Consequently, Chandrashekar had written to his superior, asking for permission to investigate. I have spoken with evidence regarding the arrogance and background of that officer, the minister remarked.

Let the officer answer my questions. The minister pointed out that the officer has not answered his questions. Instead, he has used filthy language in his letter against a central minister. Kumaraswamy questioned what should be done about it and stated, I know where to respondI do not speak without evidence or context. The letter he wrote was prepared quite well. After I held a press conference on Saturday morning, I know where that officer went in the evening. I also know which legal experts helped him draft the letter and who else was involved. I spoke yesterday with evidence in hand. This individual is originally from Andhra Pradesh and from Himachal Pradesh cadre but is posted in Karnataka for 25 years. Who has brought whom here? The language he has used reflects his culture. I stated on Saturday, along with records, who has connections with this criminal.

He pointed out that the officer wrote Satyameva Jayate in his letter. I am fighting for the same cause. The information I shared about this individual on Saturday was also for the purpose of Satyameva JayateHave I filed a complaint against this officer at the police station? An inspector working under him was caught demanding Rs 20 crore. This inspector has filed a complaint against the officer. It was he who blackmailed the inspector for Rs 2 crore, alleged the minister.

Kumaraswamy claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his associates lack the moral authority to seek his resignation. Should I resign just to please Siddaramaiah? I have done nothing wrong, so why should I resign? I am not the one spreading falsehoods, he concluded.
The death toll in the accident of a private bus in Madhya Pradeshs Maihar district has gone up to nine as three more persons succumbed to their injuries, police said on Sunday.

Seven of the deceased hailed from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, they said.

Nearly 20 persons were also injured after the bus rammed into a stationary stone-laden truck in Maihar around 11 pm on Saturday, they said.

The accident occurred on National Highway 30, about 25 km from the district headquarters, police said.

The bus started from Prayagraj with around 45 passengers and was heading for Nagpur via Rewa when it crashed near the Nadan Dehat police station, Maihar Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudhir Agrawal told PTI.

While six persons died on the spot, three more succumbed to their injuries at a hospital in Satna, taking the death toll to nine, he said.

The deceased, all male, included a four-year-old boy, the official said.

Seven bodies have been identified. Four deceased hailed from Jaunpur and three from Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Agrawal said, adding that efforts are on to identify the two other deceased.

The post-mortem of four victims was being done in Maihar and three in Satna, where they breathed their last.

The SP said the injured persons, most of them from Jaunpur and Pratapgarh, were admitted to different hospitals, including in Rewa.

The official said it appeared that the bus was speeding.

Rescue teams had to use a gas cutter and an excavator machine to extricate passengers from the wreckage, he said.

According to the police, the rescue operation was wrapped up at around 2 am on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed sorrow over the tragedy.

Nine deaths have been confirmed, while one passengers condition was critical. I pray to almighty to heal the injured, he wrote in a post on X.

He said the district administration was instructed to provide treatment to the injured and extend financial help to family members of the deceased according to government rules.

Condoling the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the loss of lives in the Maihar tragedy was painful.

My sympathies are with the grief-stricken family members of the deceased, he wrote on X.

Adityanath said he contacted the MP government for all possible help to the victims.
A 40-year-old employee of a leading IT company died of cardiac arrest in the washroom of the firms office in Maharashtras Nagpur. The incident took place on Friday (September 27), officials said on Sunday.

According to police, the deceased was identified as Nitin Edwin Michael, a senior analyst with the HCL Technologies. Around 7 pm on Friday, the man was found unresponsive after he entered the washroom of the companys office in Mihan area, an official from Sonegaon police station said.

The official said his colleagues rushed him to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Nagpur where doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival. The Sonegaon police sent the body for postmortem and registered a case of accidental death.

Initial autopsy findings indicated the man died of cardiac arrest, the official said. The police are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Police said Michael is survived by his wife and a six-year-old son.

In a statement, HCL Tech spokesperson said, This is an unfortunate incident and a tragic loss. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased employee and are providing all possible assistance to them. In this incident, the employee was provided emergency support at the campus healthcare clinic and rushed to the hospital. The wellbeing of our people is of utmost priority and HCL Tech provides healthcare programs for its all employees and their families, including on-campus clinics and annual preventive health checks.
A terrorist was killed in an ongoing operation in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district on Sunday, taking the death toll in the incident to two, officials said.

The body of the terrorist was recovered from the scene of the encounter at Kog-Mandli in Billawar tehsil this afternoon, the officials said.

A massive search operation is underway in the village for the second day.

Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Anand Jain said the search operation was launched in the village on Saturday following information about the presence of three to four foreign terrorists.

A policeman was killed and two officers injured Saturday evening when terrorists opened fire on a joint security search party in the village.

Talking to reporters near the scene of the encounter, Jain said an information was received about the presence of terrorists in the area and subsequently an operation was launched, leading to an exchange of fire.

Head constable Bashir Ahmad laid down his life and two officers  a DSP and an Assistant Sub-Inspector  were injured in the encounter, he said, adding both the officers are stable.

The whole area is under tight security cordon and an operation is underway to neutralise the three to four foreign terrorists hiding in the area, he said.

He said the presence of terrorists was reported in a house and subsequently an operation was launched which is underway.

Asked about the interception of the terrorist group ahead of the third phase of polls on October 1, the police officer said the operations against terrorists are going on and will continue.

We are getting continuous information about terrorists and subsequently conducting operations with an endeavour to neutralise them as soon as possible, he said.

He said adequate security arrangements have been put in place in all poll-bound areas to ensure that there is no terror-related incident and violence-free third phase.

Besides Kathua, the third phase covers Jammu, Udhampur and Samba districts in Jammu region and north Kashmirs Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.
Ananya Panday has a strong connection with her childhood friends Suhana Khan and Shanaya Kapoor. The three are often seen together in public and frequently show their support for each other on social media. Recently, Ananya mentioned that, unlike her friends, she didnt have any formal training before her debut. As the first one in the group to enter the industry, she observed that her friends, now starting their careers, seem more equipped to handle the media.

In a recent chat with Humans of Bombay, Ananya Panday opened up about her Bollywood journey and noted how its different from her friends who are just beginning their careers. Everyones journey is so differentI am very happy with the time that I started. Whenever I see my friends starting out at 24-25, I feel that they are so well-prepared. They have done all their classesThey know how to deal with the media, Ananya said.

Ananya Panday, who was last seen in the OTT series Call Me Bae, reflected on how her friends come more prepared to sets compared to her early days in Bollywood. While shes happy with her journey so far, she believes she still has much to achieve. The actress also expressed gratitude for starting her career in 2019, noting that films like her debut, Student of the Year 2, might not be made in the same way post-pandemic.

Meanwhile, Ananya Panday attended IIFA awards show in Abu Dhabi and opened up about her upcoming project CTRL, and the success of her web series Call Me Bae. Sharing her opinion on her latest cyber thriller film CTRL, Ananya said, It is very very scary. I am very un tech savvy, I am quite clueless when it comes to AI but after doing this film and watching the film there was actually like ten minutes of silence in my house because its that impactful and scary. I Think when we started shooting the film, it felt like this is like a faraway reality, shayad future mein aisa hone wala hai but now when the film is releasing, we keep joking like its almost like a documentary.
Paramount, you got some splainin to do! 'I Love Lucy: The Complete Series' Blu-ray Box Set Coming November 5th!
Acclaimed Kannada director Hemanth M Rao has lashed out against the organisers of IIFA 2024, accusing them of mismanagement and creating inconvenience for attendees. The director, who was nominated for his film Sapta Saagaradaache Ello  Side A for the Best Director (Kannada) category, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to recount his disappointing experience at the awards show that was held at Yas Island In Abu Dhabi. He labeled the entire experience as disrespectful and called out the events poor handling.

Hemanth Rao pointed out that its customary for nominees and winners to be flown in and hosted for such events, which happened in his case as well. Both he and music director, Charan Raj, were flown to Abu Dhabi for the ceremony. However, despite attending the event until 3 in the morning, neither of them received any awards. While Rao clarified that he had no issues with other nominees winning, he voiced his frustration, calling it a complete waste of time. Tharun Sudhir won the award for the Best Director (Kannada) for Kaatera.

The whole IIFA experience was such a massive inconvenience and extremly disrespectful. Ive been in this business for over a decade and this wasnt my first stint at award shows. Its always been a case where the winners are flown in and hosted for the event. For context, I was sat till 3 AM in the morning only to realize there was no award. The same happened to my Music Director: Charan raj (sic), he wrote in a long note.

He added that it isnt the case of sour grapes. Mentioning that nominees werent even mentioned, the upset director further wrote, Its your award. You can give it to whoever you want to. Thats your choice!! I havent won MANY awards and havent lost sleep over it, so these grapes arent sour. If all the other nominees were invited and one winner emerged out of it. I wouldnt bother getting irritated. Also, the fomat this year was just to hand out the award. The nominees werent even mentioned. Maybe its been a while for you and your team to realize it. Your award shows run on the talent that you put on your stage. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. I dont need your award to enjoy the best job in the world. Next time you need me on your stage and TRUST MEyou will. Take your award and keep it where the sun dont shine (sic).

On a parting note, he said that he was happy to see his colleagues from the Kannada industry win big that night. Everything has a silver lining. Mine was to see several of my team members go up on stage and recieve a bunch of awards. It wasnt a complete waste of time. Cheers (sic).
Shah Rukh Khan won the Best Actor award at IIFA 2024 for his performance in Jawan. During his acceptance speech, Shah Rukh revisited the tough time he tackled while making Jawan, seemingly referring to Aryan Khans arrest. The soon-to-debut director was arrested in connection with a drug case. However, he was given a clean chit later. In his speech, Shah Rukh also thanked Gauri, joking that she is the one investing money in his acting career as a producer.

I want to thank all other nominees  Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Vikrant Massey  he was great in the film  Vicky Kaushal, Sunny Paji. I think all of them were great, but I got an edge because people were happy that I worked after so long, Shah Rukh Khan said.

Somebody reminded me that money needs to be out into a film. So I want to thank Gauri. She may be the only wife whos spending more on the husband than the other way round. We were going through a tough time while making Jawan (referring to the Aryan Khan case), he added.

Watch his speech below:

Aryan was arrested in October 2021. He was arrested after a raid on the Cordelia cruise in Mumbai. He was jailed for almost a month before he got bail. NCB formed a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the case and after extensive investigation, gave Aryan a clean chit in May 2023.

Shah Rukh was on stage not just to accept his award but was also on stage to host. He was co-hosting the show with Vicky Kaushal and Karan Johar. Hindustan Times reported that during his hosting duties, Shah Rukh brought up the success of Pushpa and reached out to Sandeep Reddy Vanga from the stage. He asked the Animal director to bring him a film like Pushpa.

He also gave the film a shoutout by performing to the song, Oo Antava with Vicky. The actors had a ball dancing on the song. The video of the same has gone viral.
This years IIFA Awards was a star-studded affair, with Shah Rukh Khan, Vicky Kaushal, and Karan Johar taking center stage as hosts. Among the glamorous attendees was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, accompanied by her daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan. However, one person noticeably missing from the event was Abhishek Bachchan. As fans admired Aishwaryas appearance, many couldnt help but reminisce about a past IIFA moment from 2022, when Abhishek delivered a memorable dance performance that left both his wife and daughter thoroughly impressed.

The video, now going viral again, shows Abhishek dancing to Macha Macha Re" from his film Dasvi at the 2022 IIFA Awards. As he commanded the stage with his moves, the camera captured Aishwarya and Aaradhya cheering him on from the audience. In the heartwarming clip, Aishwarya was seen exclaiming, You rocked it, baby!" while grooving along with Aaradhya. Abhishek later walked over to them during his performance, and all three shared a heartwarming moment dancing together, much to the audiences delight.

At IIFA, during her interaction with the media on the green carpet, Aishwarya shut down a reporter who asked her about her daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan. When the reporter began to say, Aaradhya is always with you. Shes already learning from the best," Aishwarya, throwing her hand in the air, said, Woah, she is my daughter. She is always with me."

Meanwhile, rumour mills have have abuzz about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchans relationship, with some speculating that the couple might be headed for a divorce. Fans have noted that Aishwarya is often spotted with her daughter, Aaradhya, and rarely seen with Abhishek or the rest of the Bachchan family  Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan.

However, during Aishwaryas recent appearance at Paris Fashion Week as part of her LOreal brand ambassador duties, she was seen wearing her wedding ring, seemingly shutting down these rumours. Despite this, neither Aishwarya, Abhishek, nor the Bachchan family has made any official statements addressing the ongoing rumours about their relationship, leaving fans to continue speculating.
Scientists have discovered the worlds oldest piece of cheese in a grave in Xinjiang, China, dating back 3,600 years. The dairy product was found laid across the neck of a mummified young woman in a coffin excavated two decades ago from the Xiaohe Cemetery.

The original discovery was made in 2003. However, researchers have now identified the sample as the oldest cheese ever found. Fu Qiaomei, a paleogeneticist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, revealed that the cheese had transformed into dry, dense, and hard dust. Regular cheese is soft. This is not. It has now become really dry, dense and hard dust, Qiaomei told Skys partner network NBC News.

Fu explained that the womans coffin, which was covered and buried in the dry climate of the Tarim Basin desert, was well preserved, as were her boots, hat and the cheese that laced her body.

She said that a DNA analysis of the cheese samples recounts the story of how the Xiaohe people, now known as Xinjiang, lived and interacted with mammals. The findings also demonstrate how animal husbandry evolved across East Asia.

The ancient burial traditions often included things of significance to the person buried alongside them. The fact that the coffin contains chunks of cheese alongside the body showed that cheese was important for their life, Fu added.

The research team took DNA samples from three tombs in the Xiaohe Cemetery and processed them to trace the evolution of bacteria across thousands of years. The analysis revealed that the cheese was kefir cheese, made from fermented milk using kefir grains, with evidence of goat and cows milk being used.

It also demonstrates how Xiaohe people, who were genetically lactose intolerant, consumed dairy before the advent of pasteurisation and refrigeration, as cheese production lowers lactose content.

We were able to interrogate the DNA information of a Lactobacillus species that was regularly propagated and consumed by humans over thousands of years, the team said in their research, published in the journal Cell.

These 3,500-year-old kefir cheese samples are among the few dairy remains preserved more than 3,000 years and were produced by the Bronze Age Xiaohe populationa population that possesses mixed lifestyles and techniques, they added.

However, when asked if the ancient cheese was still edible and if she would try it, Fu replied, No way. The study further mentioned that shotgun sequencing of the DNA libraries was used to recover the metagenomic information of the ancient kefir cheese.
In a viral video thats captured everyones attention, a scrap dealer proudly flaunts not one, but two high-end iPhones. Earlier this month, Apple launched its highly anticipated iPhone 16 series, sparking a wave of excitement across India. But this mans story stood out. With a smile on his face, he revealed how he splurged 85,000 on an iPhone for himself and gifted his son the latest iPhone 16, priced at 1.5 lakh, as a reward for topping his board exams. Holding his prized phone, he spoke about his profession, defying stereotypes with every word.

As the scrap dealers story went viral, social media users praised his hard work and dedication. Many admired his ability to afford such expensive gadgets, while others couldnt help but wonder how he managed it. Though he remained tight-lipped about his earnings, the curiosity didnt stop there  some even boldly asked for details about his bank balance, intrigued by his success.

The handle that shared the video on X (formerly Twitter) captioned it, Fathers Priceless Gift: Junk Dealer Gifts Multiple iPhones worth Rs 1.80 Lakh to Son For Top Board Results.

Father's Priceless Gift: Junk Dealer Gifts Multiple Iphones Worth  1.80 Lacs to Son For Top Board Results pic.twitter.com/brrSI04qxf Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) September 27, 2024

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, The amount of happiness he has received on his son topping the boards is far more than iPhones price.

The amount of happiness he has received on his son topping the boards is far more than iPhone's price pic.twitter.com/8fnXPMjgop _sankasm_ (@MasutiSanket) September 27, 2024

Another shared, Cant even fathom how much he had toiled for this money and he chose to spend it on his son. Hats off.

Can't even fathom how much he had toiled for this money. And he chose to spend it on his son. Hats off The Monk Dev (@TheMonkDev) September 27, 2024

Ye bhi iPhone le sakta hai aur ek main Vivo se upgrade hi nahi ho paa raha. (Even he can buy iPhone, but I cant even upgrade from my Vivo, a comment read.

Ye b Iphone le skta haiOr eik Mai Vivo sai upgrade hi nhi ho paa rha Shah (@ipagshah00) September 27, 2024

Another user wrote, Nothing can match a fathers love. His sacrifices are finally paying off.

Nothing can match a fathers love! His sacrifices are finally paying off! Mr Sharma (@sharma_views) September 27, 2024

An individual shared, I want to know his bank balance man.

I want to know his bank balance man Kufiyaa Bate (@kufiyaabate) September 27, 2024

One more added, Real hero.

Real hero Govind7 (@govind_12_) September 27, 2024

Apples launched the iPhone 16 series, featuring the 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max, on September 9. While the devices boast numerous cutting-edge features, its the customisable action button that has stolen the show. This button lets users perform multiple tasks with just a tap, including functioning as a camera shutter. When the phones became available in India on September 20, excitement hit fever pitch  some fans waited over 21 hours outside stores just to get their hands on the latest models.
Hustle culture underlines an unending quest for success and productivity, often pushing employees to exert themselves more than necessary. Although some people may thrive in this environment, it can lead to serious consequences. The ongoing pressure to achieve, often at the cost of personal well-being, can result in burnout, anxiety and deteriorating mental and physical health. While numerous industry leaders promote this hustle mentality, Swiggy CEO Rohit Kapoor argues it is fundamentally flawed. Speaking at a recent event, he highlighted that sacrificing health and personal connections for late-night work is ultimately unproductive.

During his discussion with Shradha Sharma at Techsparks in Bengaluru, Rohit Kapoor acknowledged there are occasions when working late is necessary but emphasised that it shouldnt be a daily routine. He noted, But wo jo 3 baje raat ko baithte hai na wo ye nahi batate ki wo 1 baje dopahar ko office ate hai (Those who say they work till 3 am, never say that they reach the office by 1 pm next day). He expressed his significant concern regarding this culture and encouraged individuals to prioritise time with family and friends.

While its important to work damn hard, it shouldnt come at the expense of personal life, he said.

The video of his remarks has gained considerable traction, resonating with many viewers. Several people agreed with Kapoors stance, while others expressed strong views about the glorification of hustle culture and the urgent need for change.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shradha Sharma (@shradhasharmayss)

Responses on social media included comments like, He got a point. Another user quipped, Finally someone is normal.

One follower praised Kapoors remarks, saying, Enough reason for Subscribing for the IPO. Another one added, More people need to talk about this.

Rohit Kapoor reportedly kicked off his career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company in 2000. In 2012, he moved to Max India Limited, serving as the Senior Strategy & Business Performance Director.

Shortly thereafter, he became the Executive Director and Board Member at Max Healthcare. His career continued at OYO, where he took on multiple positions. In 2022, he stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Food Marketplace at Swiggy.
Comedian Vir Das is facing problems with his Schengen visa application which has compelled him to postpone his Mind Fool Tour. Das, an internationally renowned artist with an Emmy award to his name, was denied a double entry visa by the Swedish Embassy.

In an X post, he complained about the decision stating that the Swiss Embassy had acted of its own infinite wisdom.

The last-minute visa trouble for Vir Das could also disrupt his scheduled performances around Europe.

The comedian said his Dublin show would have to be rescheduled to another date as he can not travel out of Sweden due to his single-entry Schengen visa. He was due to perform in the capital city of Ireland on October 7.

Currently on his tour in Sweden for his scheduled show in Stockholm on September 30, Das said he had applied for the double entry Schengen visa that would enable him to re-enter Schengen territory after his Dublin show. However, he was given a single entry visa by the Swedish Embassy meaning he cannot travel to Ireland in the Schengen zone as planned.

Although part of the European Union, Ireland is not in the Schengen group of countries.

Das said that Schengens visa for his tour assistant was also declined because the Sweden Embassy thought he would not come back to India.

Applied for a double entry Schengen. The Swedish embassy in their infinite wisdom give me a single entry one, and reject my tour assistant saying they dont believe hes going to return to India now I have to push a Dublin show because I cant leave Schengen. What a week!, his post read.

https://x.com/thevirdas/status/1839866879172853928

A user in the comments section suggested, Include in your show, while there, a segment about how crazy, racist and bureaucratic the visa processes are.

Include in your show, while there, a segment about how crazy, racist and bureaucratic the visa processes are Apurv Nagpal (@apurvnagpal) September 28, 2024

Another user humorously said, Embassy: Ye sab comedy show to bahana hain, tour assistant ko humare yaha settle karwana hain  REJECTED (Embassy: These comedy shows are just an excuse; they will get the tour assistant settled here.  REJECTED)

Embassy: "Ye sab comedy show to bahana hain, tour assistant ko humare yaha settle karwana hain"  REJECTED Tirtha (@sarkerium) September 28, 2024

Another user said, Incredibly frustrating, especially when travel plans hinge on the visa situation.

Incredibly frustrating, especially when travel plans hinge on the visa situation  My Name Is Khan (@Kaun_Shahrukh) September 28, 2024

Highlighting the problem, another user mentioned, My friends visa got cancelled as she wanted just a 1-week solo trip to Sweden showing them both ways tickets, travel plans, booked Airbnb all done. They cancelled her visa for being a single unmarried woman at her age of marriage.

My friends visa got cancelled as she wanted just 1 week solo trip to Sweden showing them both ways tickets, travel plans, booked airbnbs all done. They cancelled her visa for being a single unmarried women at her age of marriage. SabexTiger  (@SabexTiger) September 28, 2024

The majority of the users in the comments section highlighted a similar problem.
Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath faced a question that often stirs debate in India: Why do Indians seem to dislike rich people? Kamath, known for his candid approach, gave an insightful response, shedding light on the societal mindset towards wealth and success in India. This conversation took place at TechSparks 2024 in Bengaluru where Kamath was joined by YourStory founder Shradha Sharma.

Sharma initiated the discussion, drawing a comparison between how wealth is perceived in India and the United States. In the US, when someone makes a lot of money, if theyre highly successful and buy expensive things like cars or jets, its seen as normal. In fact, they often make it to the cover pages of magazines. Society doesnt judge them for their wealth, Sharma explained, pointing out the ease with which Americans celebrate success.

In contrast, Sharma emphasised that Indias attitude towards wealth is quite different. She said, Here, people are very judgmental when someone earns money. The first thought is, ismein kuch toh galat hoga (there must be something wrong with how they earned it). This common perception reflects a deep-rooted scepticism towards wealth and success in India, where people tend to associate financial success with unethical practices.

Kamath, 44, agreed with Sharmas observation and provided his own take on why this mindset exists in India. He pointed out the vast inequality in the country and attributed it to Indias socialist roots. The US is a purely capitalistic society, where success and wealth are often admired. But in India, we are a socialist-pretending-to-be-capitalistic society, Kamath explained. He added, At the core, we are all socialists.

When asked if he believed this mindset could change in the future, Kamath expressed doubt. I dont see how it changes. As long as theres such a huge gap in wealth, I cant see anything shifting significantly, he said, acknowledging the persistent inequality in India. Nithin Kamaths response suggests that the underlying social and economic structures that contribute to wealth disparity may prevent any immediate change in societal attitudes towards the rich.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shradha Sharma (@shradhasharmayss)

The debate continued online, with many sharing their views on the topic. One Instagram user commented, Indians wear poverty like a badge of honour. Another expressed frustration, writing, In India, the rich get richer by avoiding taxes, committing fraud and exploiting the lower and middle classes.

However, not everyone agreed with these sentiments. A user wrote, Even in the US, people dont love the ultra-rich. Its not just an Indian thing. Globally, theres a problem with the extreme wealth gap.
At least seven ethnic Punjabi labourers were killed on Sunday by suspected militants in Pakistans restive Balochistan province in the latest incident of targeted killing in the volatile region.

The workers were employed for the construction of a house in the Khuda-i-Abadan area of Panjgur town, police said.

The victims belonged to Punjab provinces Multan district and they were sleeping under the same roof after daylong labour at the time of the attack.

The attackers armed with automatic weapons entered the premises and opened indiscriminate fire.

Seven labourers were killed on the spot and another was injured in the firing, Inspector General Police Moazzam Jah Ansari told Dawn.

The victims were identified as Sajid, Shafiq, Fayyaz, Iftikhar, Salman, Khalid and Allah Wasia.

Nobody claimed responsibility but Panjgur SSP Fazil Shah Bokhari said that it is a terrorist attack and added that investigation was launched.

President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned that attack, while the PM also sought a report from Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti. He also reiterated his resolve to take all possible measures to root out terrorism.

The attack is one of a series of such incidents in which Baloch militants target Punjabi workers in the province.

The militants allege that the Punjabi-dominated establishment was depriving the province of its mineral wealth, a charge denied by the authorities.

In the last such incident, its rebels killed at least 23 people in Musakhel district of the province in August. The armed men offloaded passengers from trucks and buses and shot them after checking their identities.
The Israeli military on Sunday said that it had killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah on the same.

The military said on Sunday that it killed Nabil Kaouk, the Commander of Hezbollahs Preventative Security Unit and a member of their Executive Council, in an airstrike the day before. The Israeli military alleged that Kaouk was close to Hezbollahs senior commanders and was directly engaged in terrorist attacks against Israel and its citizens.

He joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and was regarded as an important source of expertise in his field, having served as the Deputy Commander of the southern region on the Operational Council, Commander of the southern region and Deputy Commander of the Operational Council. The United States had announced sanctions against him in 2020.

ELIMINATED: The Commander of Hezbollahs Preventative Security Unit and a member of their Executive Council, Nabil Qaouk, was eliminated in a precise IDF strike.Qaouk was close to Hezbollahs senior commanders and was directly engaged in terrorist attacks against the State of pic.twitter.com/dcvKLRkMbf  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 29, 2024

Read More: Israel Dismantles Hezbollah: A List Of Top Leaders Of Iranian-Backed Group Eliminated By IDF

Several senior Hezbollah commanders have been killed in Israeli strikes in recent weeks, including the groups overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut on Friday.

The group has also been targeted by a sophisticated attack on its pagers and walkie-talkies, and Israel has carried out waves of airstrikes over the past week across large parts of Lebanon. Hezbollah has continued to fire hundreds of rockets and missiles into northern Israel, but most have been intercepted or fallen in open areas.

Nasrallahs Body Recovered

The development comes after the Israeli military eliminated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an air strike on Lebanons Beirut on Friday night.

The strikes that killed Nasrallah on Friday targeted a densely populated area and destroyed residential buildings. Israel carried out more strikes Saturday on what it says are Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, killing at least 33 people and wounding 195, according to the countrys health ministry.

On Sunday, Nasrallahs body was recovered from the bombed bunker in Beirut that was struck by the Israeli military. The body was intact, a medical source and a security source told Reuters.

Israel Targets Hezbollah Leaders

In a fresh attack, the Israeli military said on Sunday it was carrying out air raids against dozens of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, after killing the Iran-backed groups leader, Hassan Nasrallah on Friday night. After Nasrallahs death news, the Israeli military claimed that it had killed another Hezbollah leader in a targeted airstrike by Israel in Beiruts southern suburbs on Saturday.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it eliminated Hassan Khalil Yassin, who led a unit in Hezbollahs intelligence division responsible for identifying Israeli military and civilian targets, according to the Times of Israel.
Angolan officials hail strong cooperation with China

Xinhua) 11:05, September 29, 2024

LUANDA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- "China is a partner deserving of our utmost respect, and we must always preserve and strengthen our relationship," said Fernando dos Santos, a veteran of Angola's ruling party, during a reception in Luanda, the Angolan capital, Thursday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Fernando dos Santos is a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and has previously served as Angola's vice president, prime minister and president of the National Assembly.

Cooperation between Angola and China has deep roots, dating back to Angola's struggle for national liberation, he said, noting that this collaboration continues today as Angola pursues development.

"This relationship demonstrates that China is a friendly nation that understands our reality and is committed to strengthening cooperation by assisting us within its means. Angola expresses its gratitude for this support, which arises from a natural friendship that must be continuously nurtured and reinforced," he said.

Luisa Damiao, vice president of the MPLA, also underscored the strong ties between the Angolan party and the Communist Party of China, saying this bond is solidified by mutual friendship and cooperation.

"We have collaborated in various areas, especially in training Angolan cadres. Our party has sent many cadres to China to better understand its development experience. The MPLA has much to learn from this, which helps us work toward the well-being of Angolan families and respond to the hopes and aspirations of our people," Damiao said. "We must exchange experiences with various countries, and China has been a key partner in this process. Knowledge is now an ethical, cultural and fundamental value for development."

The reception, held by the Chinese Embassy in Angola, was attended by about 600 guests, including representatives from Angolan politics, business and the armed forces, as well as representatives of Chinese companies and the diplomatic community.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The body of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, has been recovered from the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahieh, multiple reports said.

Medical and security officials reported that his body was found intact with no direct wounds, suggesting he died from blunt trauma caused by the explosion, according to news agency Reuters. On Sunday, Associated Press journalists saw smoke rising over the rubble in Beirut as residents gathered at the site of destruction.

On Friday, residents heard up to 10 explosions following the Israeli airstrike, which targeted an area larger than a city block, leveling several residential buildings into a mass of concrete and twisted steel. The structures sank into the ground, creating a cleared area bigger than a soccer field.

On Saturday, Israel released videos showing warplanes involved in the strike, specifically eight F-15Is. However, the military did not disclose the type or number of bombs used. The footage depicted the warplanes equipped with munitions consistent with American-made BLU-109 penetrator bombs, each weighing 2,000 pounds, along with a JDAM harness and tail kit.

Hezbollah Members Eliminated

The Israeli military on Sunday said the strike that killed Hezbollah chief also eliminated around two dozen other members of the Lebanese armed group. Among those killed at Hezbollahs underground headquarters on Friday in the Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut were:

Ali Karaki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front Ibrahim Hussein Jazini, head of Nasrallahs personal security unit Samir Tawfiq Deeb, an advisor to Nasrallah Abd al-Amir Muhammad Sablini, responsible for Hezbollahs force build-up Ali Nayef Ayoub, responsible for Hezbollahs firepower



This attack came Israeli military in recent days has pounded Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and also hit the groups stronghold in southern Beirut with intensified strikes. The IDF reported that Hezbollahs underground headquarters was just 53 meters from a United Nations school in Beirut, where leader Hassan Nasrallah was reportedly eliminated alongside more than 20 other militants.

53 meters. Thats the distance between a @UN school and Hezbollahs underground headquarters where Hassan Nasrallah was eliminated alongside 20+ additional terrorists.The terrorists were in Hezbollahs central headquarters, located in the heart of Beirut, embedded beneath pic.twitter.com/eTor8mBGhU  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 29, 2024

Lebanon crisis

After back-to-back Israeli airstrikes over the past two weeks, Lebanese health officials report that some 1,000 people have died and over 6,000 have been injured in the country. Several reports said that the humanitarian crisis has escalated dramatically, with nearly one million people displaced across Lebanon.

Nasser Yassin, head of emergency disaster management in Lebanon, noted that the number of displaced individuals surged from 300,000 to almost one million within hours. In its first statement following Nasrallahs death, the Lebanese military called for calm during this dangerous and delicate stage of conflict. Meanwhile, Iran, who is said to be the patron of Hezbollah, condemned Israels actions as a blatant war crime and vowed to support Hezbollah in regrouping and restructuring its command.

(With agency inputs)
The assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in airstrikes on Friday has shifted focus to Hashem Safieddine, widely regarded as his potential successor, according to several reports.

Nasrallah, who led the Iran-backed militant group for 32 years, was killed in a strike on his underground headquarters in a Beirut suburb, marking one of the biggest blow to Hezbollah in decades.

Who Is Hashem Safieddine?

Safieddine, a cousin of Nasrallah, currently oversees Hezbollahs political affairs as head of the executive council and is a member of the Jihad Council, which manages military operations.

According to The Times Of Israel, he has been groomed for leadership since the 1990s and is recognized for his religious status, wearing the black turban that signifies descent from Islams Prophet Mohammed. Designated a terrorist by the US in 2017, Safieddine has made headlines for his aggressive rhetoric against Israel, the newspaper said.

Following the killing of another commander earlier this year, he warned, Let [the enemy] prepare himself to cry and wail. His public statements often emphasize Hezbollahs alignment with the Palestinian cause; at a recent event, he expressed solidarity with Palestinian fighters by saying, Our history, our guns and our rockets are with you.

Safieddine survived

While reports initially suggested that Safieddine might have been killed in the airstrikes, sources within Hezbollah later confirmed he survived. His physical resemblance to Nasrallah and strong family ties could bolster his chances of becoming the new leader.

The report of this succession comes at a challenging time for Hezbollah, as several of its top commanders have been killed in Israeli strikes, including founding members who had evaded death or detention for decades. Israels intensifying bombardment has increased fears the conflict could spin out of control, potentially drawing in Iran as well as the United States, Israels closest ally.

The fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, their latest round of warfare in four decades of on-off conflict, has been waged in parallel with Israels war in Gaza against Hamas since the Iran-backed Palestinian group attacked Israel last year in October.

(With agency inputs)
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was reportedly furious with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant after not being informed about the Israeli militarys plan to target Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Almost a year into the Gaza conflict, Gallant had kept Austin updated on major military actions, showing the low level of trust between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Friday, Austin declined to offer any assessment of the strike, amid speculation about the fate of the Lebanese militant groups head before he was officially pronounced dead.

No advance warning

While speaking to reporters, Austin said he would be speaking with Gallant again soon for an update. We had no advance warning. My call with Minister Gallant took place while the operation was actually already underway, he said as he landed at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington after a trip to London. This development has raised concerns over the fragile communication between Tel Aviv and its strongest ally Washington as the former faces the prospect of a multiple-front war.

The situation is exasperated by changes in Israels foreign ministry, with Netanyahu not granting much authority to either Foreign Minister Eli Cohen or his successor, Israel Katz. The Israeli newspaper said the dynamic between Gallant and Austin has gained additional significance as the two leaders have met frequently during the crisis, speaking more than 125 times since the Gaza conflict began.

US-Israel Ties

Despite their close working relationship, Austins frustration stemmed from a belief that the late notice was a tactic to avoid potential pushback from the US, particularly given Americas goal of preventing a wider regional war. The Biden administration has repeatedly urged Israel to exercise restraint in its military operations against Hezbollah to avoid escalating tensions further.

The killing of Nasrallah could have far-reaching implications for the Middle East as Israel shifts its attention from its nearly year-old war with Iran-aligned Hamas in Gaza to operations against Hezbollah amid fears that strikes in Lebanon could trigger a wider war that draws in Iran.

A White House official told Reuters that it was unclear how the situation will evolve. Were obviously working our way through it this morning. And, you know, its not clear exactly where things go from right now, said the official. The Biden administration has struggled over the past year to balance Israels right to self-defense against the need to contain civilian casualties and prevent a spiral into a broader Middle East conflict.

Nasrallahs death doesnt change anything

Defence experts said Fridays strike would further complicate that effort. The killing of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollahs leader, by an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon will not fundamentally alter the course of this conflict, said Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, a think tank.

Nasrallahs death doesnt change anything for the United States either, except that it further complicates American efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to prevent more bloodshed. The timing of the strike, coming while Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting New York to speak at the UN General Assembly, could create additional friction in the US-Israel relationship.

(With agency inputs)
Hezbollah on Sunday confirmed that another top commander, Ali Karaki, died in the strike that killed Nasrallah in Lebanon. The Israeli military had earlier said that Karaki was killed in the strike, which targeted what the military said was an underground compound where senior Hezbollah figures were meeting.

Karaki was alongside Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, who was sheltered in a bunker when the Israeli jets bombed them on Friday. This development follows the Israeli militarys announcement of the killing of several high-ranking Hezbollah officials in a series of airstrikes.

Who Was Karaki?

Karaki is frequently depicted in the media as one of Hezbollahs most influential leaders, according to France24. According to the Israeli armys organisational charts for Hezbollahs Jihad Council, the groups primary military body, Karaki heads the Southern Command.

These charts indicate that he operates under the direct orders of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Filippo Dionigi, a Hezbollah specialist at the University of Bristol, explained that this suggests Karaki likely organizes most military operations against Israel from southern Lebanon.

As head of the Southern Command, Karaki is tasked with directing the militias forces along Lebanons southern border with Israel, positioning his troops as the first line of defence against any potential Israeli invasion, according to The New York Times.

Several Hezbollah commanders killed

In recent weeks, several top Hezbollah commanders have been killed in Israeli strikes, including founding members of the group who had evaded death or detention for decades and were close to Nasrallah himself.

On Sunday, the Israeli military said Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council, was killed in an airstrike in Lebanon. However, there was no immediate comment from Hezbollah and it was not known where the strike took place.

Read More: Israel Dismantles Hezbollah: A List Of Top Leaders Of Iranian-Backed Group Eliminated By IDF

Hezbollah has also been targeted by a sophisticated attack on its pagers and walkie-talkies that was widely blamed on Israel. A wave of Israeli airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon has killed at least 1,030 people in less than two weeks, according to Lebanons Health Ministry.

Cross-border fire

The attacks have dealt a stunning succession of blows to Hezbollah after almost a year of cross-border fire, killing much of its leadership and revealing gaping security holes. Israels defence minister is now discussing widening the offensive.

Israels intensifying bombardment has increased fears the conflict could spin out of control, potentially drawing in Iran as well as the United States, Israels closest ally. Nasrallahs body was recovered intact from the site of Fridays strike, a medical source and a security source told Reuters on Sunday. Hezbollah has not yet said when his funeral will be held.

The fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, their latest round of warfare in four decades of on-off conflict, has been waged in parallel with Israels war in Gaza against Hamas since the Iran-backed Palestinian groups attack on Israel last Oct. 7.

Hezbollah, Hamas allies

Hezbollah and Hamas are allies that consider themselves part of an Iran-backed Axis of Resistance against Israel. Israel has responded with waves of airstrikes, and the conflict has steadily ratcheted up to the brink of all-out war, raising fears of a region-wide conflagration.

Israel, led by its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says it is determined to return thousands of its citizens to communities in the north that were evacuated nearly a year ago. Hezbollah has said it will only halt its rocket fire if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, which has proven elusive despite months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas led by the US, Qatar and Egypt.

(With agency inputs)
An Iranian informant reportedly provided Israel with crucial intelligence that led to the assassination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in a massive airstrike that targeted his bunker on Friday.

The informant tipped off Israeli forces about Nasrallahs location just hours before the attack, which took place at his highly secure underground headquarters in Dahieh, a southern suburb of Beirut, Le Parisien reported, citing a Lebanese security source.

How it Happened

The Israeli military deployed F-35 fighter jets equipped with bunker-buster bombs, waiting in Lebanese airspace for Nasrallahs arrival at the command center. He was attending an emergency meeting with other senior commanders, including a member of Irans Quds Force, shortly after the funeral of a Hezbollah drone unit commander killed in a prior strike.

The attack involved dropping six two-ton bombs, creating a massive 30-meter-deep crater and destroying two neighboring buildings. The explosion was reportedly heard as far away as downtown Beirut. This strike is considered one of the largest against Hezbollah since 2006 and marks a significant blow to the organization following Nasrallahs death.

Read More: From Nasrallah To Nabil Kaouk, Top Hezbollah Leaders Killed As Israeli Airstrikes Rain Down On Lebanon

According to The New York Times, Iran is now focused on helping Hezbollah regroup, including appointing a successor and rebuilding its command structure. Israels military claims it has eliminated eight of Hezbollahs nine most senior military commanders this year, significantly weakening the groups leadership.

Stunning succession blows

The recent attacks also included detonating explosives hidden in Hezbollahs communication devices, injuring around 1,500 fighters. The attacks have dealt a stunning succession of blows to Hezbollah after almost a year of cross-border fire, killing much of its leadership and revealing gaping security holes.

Israels intensifying bombardment has increased fears the conflict could spin out of control, potentially drawing in Iran as well as the United States, Israels closest ally. The fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, the latest round in four decades of on-and-off conflict, has been waged alongside Israels war in Gaza against Hamas since the Iran-backed Palestinian groups attack on Israel on October 7.

After confirming Nasrallahs death on Saturday, Hezbollah issued a statement declaring that it would continue its battle against Israel in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defense of Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people.

(With agency inputs)
Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Sunday said that if Republican candidate Donald Trump is not voted to power in the upcoming United States (US) Presidential polls, this would be the last election in the country. While endorsing the ex-President, Musk said that electing Trump is the only way to save democracy in the US.

Very few Americans realize that, if Trump is NOT elected, this will be the last election. Far from being a threat to democracy, he is the only way to save it! he said while replying to a user on X (formerly Twitter).

The SpaceX CEO further accused the Joe Biden-led government of making illegal migrants as citizens of the country in a bid to win elections in swing states.

If even 1 in 20 illegals become citizens per year, something that the Democrats are expediting as fast as humanly possible, that would be about 2 million new legal voters in 4 years. The voting margin in the swing states is often less than 20 thousand votes. That means if the Democratic Party succeeds, there will be no more swing states!! the X CEO added.

Very few Americans realize that, if Trump is NOT elected, this will be the last election. Far from being a threat to democracy, he is the only way to save it!Let me explain: if even 1 in 20 illegals become citizens per year, something that the Democrats are expediting as fast https://t.co/u3HBdd5Bv0  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 29, 2024

Musk further said that the Biden administration is flying asylum seekers into swing states which would eventually collapse the democracy and make America a one-party state.

The Biden/Harris administration has been flying asylum seekers, who are fast-tracked to citizenship, directly into swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and Arizona. It is a surefire way to win every election. America then becomes a one-party state and Democracy is over. The only elections will be the Democratic Party primaries. This already happened in California many years ago, following the 1986 amnesty, Musk added.

The only thing holding California back from extreme socialism and suffocating government policies is that people can leave California and still remain in America. Once the whole country is controlled by one party, there will be no escape. Everywhere in America will be like the nightmare that is downtown San Francisco, he said.

Musk Endorses Trump

The tech billionaire earlier at multiple occasions had endorsed the former US President in the race for the While House supported a super PAC backing the former US presidents campaign. Musk came in support of Trump after the latter had escaped an assassination bid during a rally in Pennsylvania in July this year.

I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery, Musk had said in a post on X while sharing a video of Trump pumping his fist while being escorted away by Secret Service officials.

He had further urged the resignation of head of the Secret Service and the leader of the security detail.

Im Willing To Serve

The SpaceX CEO had also accepted the offer of the Republican presidential candidate of being inducted into his cabinet if voted to power in the November election. Trump in an interview had said that he would consider appointing Musk to his Cabinet. Hes a very smart guy. I certainly would, if he would do it. Hes a brilliant guy, he had said.

The tech billionaire had responded quickly on social media, stating he was willing to serve.

Earlier in July, Musk had said that he would move X and SpaceX headquarters to Texas from California because of a California gender-identity law he called the last straw.
After the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah confirmed the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said assassinating the Hezbollah leader became an essential condition for its country to achieve its war goals.

Netanyahu revealed that he gave the order to eliminate Nasrallah as the Hezbollah leader would have quickly rebuilt the capabilities Israel took from the militant group. Therefore, I gave the directive  and Nasrallah is no longer with us, the Israeli Prime Minister remarked.

He further credited the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the Air Force, IDF Intelligence and the Mossad for their long-time operation targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Nasrallahs elimination advances the return of our residents to their homes in the north. It also advances the return of our hostages in the south.

The killing of the powerful militant groups leader marks a major escalation in the long-running conflict between Israel and Lebanon, deepening fears of a widened regional war.

In his first public remarks since the killing of Nasrallah, Netanyahu said that the killing of other top Hezbollah commanders was not enough and he decided Nasrallah also needed to be killed. He blamed Nasrallah for being the architect of a plan to annihilate Israel.

The strikes that killed Nasrallah on Friday targeted a densely populated area and destroyed residential buildings. Israel carried out more strikes Saturday on what it says are Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, killing at least 33 people and wounding 195, according to the countrys health ministry.

Following precise intelligence, last night, the IDF intensified its operations against Hezbollahs force build-up through a series of targeted strikes on key weapon manufacturing sites. These included a facility used to produce and assemble missile and rocket launchers in pic.twitter.com/GKOqwy3on3 Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 28, 2024

Israel Strikes Dozens of Hezbollah Targets

The Israeli military said on Sunday it was carrying out fresh air raids against dozens of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, after killing the Iran-backed groups leader, Hassan Nasrallah on Friday night.

The strikes targeted buildings where weapons and military structures of the organisation were stored.

The military has attacked hundreds of Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon since Saturday, it said, as it seeks to disable the groups military operations and infrastructure.

Biden Urges Ceasefire In Lebanon

When asked if an Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon was inevitable, US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that it was time for a ceasefire. Its time for a ceasefire, Biden told reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise amid Israel-Lebanon warfare.

In the White House statement, Biden underscored his full-throated support for Israels strike on Nasrallah, which occurred while Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly and Biden and others were trying to broker a ceasefire deal.

Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians, Biden said.

Israel Bombards Beirut

A top Hezbollah leader was killed in a targeted airstrike by Israel in Beiruts southern suburbs on Saturday, just a day after a strike in the area killed Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it eliminated Hassan Khalil Yassin, who led a unit in Hezbollahs intelligence division responsible for identifying Israeli military and civilian targets, according to the Times of Israel.

Israel Settled Accounts

Israel settled the account with a mass murderer responsible for the killing of countless Israelis and many American and French citizens, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his first public statement on Saturday after the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in strikes on Lebanons Beirut.

After returning from his trip to the United Nations in New York, the Israeli PM termed Nasrallahs killing as a historic turning point. He further said, If someone rises to kill you, kill him first, indicating Israels widened response to Lebanon in the recent escalation.

Netanyahu added that Nasrallah was the central engine of Irans axis of evil. He and his people were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not only operated by Iran, he also frequently operated Iran, he remarked.
The Israeli military may have begun or will be initiating limited operations across the Lebanon border to take out nearby Hezbollah positions, according to a senior administration official and a US official.

The officials referred to small-scale border movements, adding that Israel does not appear to have decided whether to launch a ground incursion into Lebanon but was prepared to do so.

The US assessment was based on the mobilization of Israeli troops and the clearing of areas in what could be preparation for the launching of a ground incursion, one of the officials said.

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Peter Lerner said on Saturday that the military was preparing for the possibility of a ground incursion, but it was only one option being considered. Israels stated goal is to return more than 60,000 residents to their homes in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon.

Another Israels top general, Herzi Halevi, on Wednesday, said the country was preparing for the possible entry of ground forces into Lebanon.

The development comes after the Israeli military eliminated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an air strike on Lebanons Beirut on Friday night. Later, the IDF commanders addressed the ground operation by saying that the Israeli Air Force was preparing to assist troops in a ground offensive against Hezbollah.

Israel Destroys Hezbollahs Chain Of Command

A top Hezbollah leader was killed in a targeted airstrike by Israel in Beiruts southern suburbs on Saturday, an incident which the IDF termed as targeting of the Iran-backed militant groups chain of command. It came just a day after a strike in the area killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it eliminated Hassan Khalil Yassin, who led a unit in Hezbollahs intelligence division responsible for identifying Israeli military and civilian targets, according to the Times of Israel.

Israels Fresh Strikes In Lebanon

The Israeli military said on Sunday it was carrying out fresh air raids against dozens of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, after killing the Iran-backed groups leader, Hassan Nasrallah on Friday night.

The strikes targeted buildings where weapons and military structures of the organisation were stored.

The military has attacked hundreds of Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon since Saturday, it said, as it seeks to disable the groups military operations and infrastructure.

The strikes that killed Nasrallah on Friday targeted a densely populated area and destroyed residential buildings. Israel carried out more strikes Saturday on what it says are Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, killing at least 33 people and wounding 195, according to the countrys health ministry.
Two days after killing more than 20 Hezbollah members, including their chief Hassan Nasrallah, the Israeli military announced on Sunday that it struck several Houthi rebel targets in Yemen using fighter jets.

The Israel Air Force deployed dozens of aircraft to strike military Houthi targets 1,800 km away from the country in the Ras Isa and Hudaydah regions of Yemen. The Israeli military said these strikes were carried out in response to recent Houthi attacks against Israel.

No place is too far

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel would strike at foes no matter the distance, after the military targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen. Our message is clear  for us, no place is too far, Gallant said in a statement issued by his office after he monitored the strikes from an air force command and control room about 2,000 kilometres from Yemen.

BREAKING: The IAF struck military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in Yemen in response to their recent attacks against Israel.The targets included power plants and a seaport, which were used by the Houthis to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in pic.twitter.com/QaWSD3uMEJ  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 29, 2024

The targets also included power plants and a seaport used for oil imports, which the Houthis used to transfer Iranian weapons and military supplies to the region, the Israeli military said. It said that the Israeli intelligence unit selected targets based on locations where Iran has supplied weapons to the Houthis, often mixing civilian areas with military sites to justify attacks on Israel.

The IDF noted that the Houthis have been targeting Israel throughout the year, not just in the past month. Over the last year, the Houthis launched numerous ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported. On Saturday, a missile attack prompted sirens across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv. Both Houthis and Hezbollah are part of Irans so-called Axis of Resistance, which also supports Hamas, the group Israel has been fighting in Gaza since October 7 of last year.

More than 20 other terrorists

Israels military assault on Houthis came days after it killed more than 20 other terrorists during Fridays air strike in Beirut. Israeli air strikes have decimated Hezbollahs senior command structure, with Nasrallahs right-hand man Fuad Shukr, head of the elite Radwan Force Ibrahim Aqil and others among the dead.

A Hezbollah statement on Sunday confirmed that the groups top commander in south Lebanon, Ali Karake, had also been killed on Friday. The past weeks waves of strikes targeting Hezbollah have intensified fears in Lebanon and the wider region of more violence to come.

Hezbollah launched low-intensity cross-border strikes on Israeli troops after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged its unprecedented attack on Israel last October 7, sparking war with Israel in the Gaza Strip. Almost a year later, Israel announced a shift in its focus to battling Hezbollah on its northern front.

(With agency inputs)
A purported video of masked protesters holding Palestines flag and draping a keffiyeh  the countrys traditional scarf  onto the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Canada has sparked widespread outrage within the Indian community on social media.

We are outraged by the defacement of the statue to Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Ontario, Canada.Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh emperor, is universally respected in India as a defender of the nation by defeating Afghan invaders. Attacking this statue is a hate crime. pic.twitter.com/ejJKJIFa4B  Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) September 28, 2024

The purported video was shared on September 28, with the Hindu American Foundation condemning the act and calling it a hate crime. It said the protesters have defaced the statue of the revered Indian king, who was a Sikh emperor.

In the purported video, two protesters with a Palestinian flag are standing on the pedestal of the statue and draping a keffiyeh around the neck of the horse. Voices can be heard in the background, as another person on the ground is spotted filming the act.

A number of social media users alleged that pro-Palestine protesters have been known to vandalise statues of cultural importance. Many others described it an insult to the Sikhs and a destruction of everything not part of the Muslim brotherhoods world view.

In its statement, the Hindu American Foundation said: We are outraged by the defacement of the statue to Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Ontario, Canada. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikh emperor, is universally respected in India as a defender of the nation by defeating Afghan invaders.

A statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the revered Indian King who founded of the Sikh Empire, was defaced during a pro-Palestinian protest in Brampton, sparking widespread anger and outrage within the Indian community worldwide Attacking this statue is a hate crime, the group said.
Residents of Nepals flood-hit capital returned to their mud-caked homes on Sunday to survey the wreckage of devastating floods that have killed at least 170 people across the Himalayan republic.

Deadly rain-related floods and landslides are common across South Asia during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity.

Entire neighbourhoods in Kathmandu were inundated over the weekend with flash floods reported in rivers coursing through the capital and extensive damage to highways connecting the city with the rest of Nepal.

Kumar Tamang, who lives in a slum area by a riverbank, told AFP he and his family had to flee after midnight on Saturday as waters rushed into his shack.

This morning we returned and everything looks different, the 40-year-old said.

We couldnt even open the doors to our house, it was jammed with mud, he added. Yesterday we were afraid that the water would kill us, but today we have no water to clean.

Nepals Home Ministry said 170 people had been killed across the country with another 42 still missing.

Ministry spokesman Rishi Ram Tiwari told AFP that bulldozers were being used to clear several highways that had been blocked by debris, cutting Kathmandu off from the rest of the country.

More than 3,000 people have been rescued, he added.

At least 35 of those killed were aboard three vehicles and were buried alive when earth from a landslide careened into a highway south of Kathmandu, Nepal Police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki told AFP.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said preliminary data from stations in 14 districts measured record-breaking rain in the 24 hours to Saturday morning.

A station at the Kathmandu airport recorded about 240 millimetres (9.4 inches) of rain, highest since 2002, it said. Local media had earlier suggested the rainfall was the highest since 1970.

 Chest-deep water 

The Bagmati river and its numerous tributaries which cut through Kathmandu broke their banks, inundating nearby homes and vehicles after midnight on Saturday.

Residents struggled through chest-deep water to get to higher ground.

Bishnu Maya Shrestha, who lived in another inundated area of Kathmandu, said they had to cut the roof of their homes to escape.

We jumped from one roof to another to safety and finally they came with boats to rescue us, Shrestha told AFP.

More than 3,000 security personnel were deployed to assist rescue efforts with helicopters and motorboats.

Rescue teams were using rafts to pull survivors to safety.

Humanitarian organisations are also helping with search and rescue operations, as well as providing relief.

Jagan Chapagain, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said in a post on social platform X that staff and volunteers are distributing non-food items, providing hygiene kits, and setting up evacuation centers.

Domestic flights resumed in and out of Kathmandu by Sunday morning after weather forced a complete stoppage from Friday evening, with more than 150 departures cancelled.

The summer monsoon brings South Asia 70-80 percent of its annual rainfall.

Monsoon rains from June to September bring widespread death and destruction every year across South Asia, but the number of fatal floods and landslides has increased in recent years.

Experts say climate change has worsened their frequency and intensity.

A landslide that hit a road in Chitwan district in July pushed two buses with 59 passengers aboard into a river.

Three people were able to escape alive, but authorities managed to recover only 20 bodies from the accident, with raging flood waters impeding the search.

More than 260 people have died in Nepal in rain-related disasters this year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an interview with Fox News aired on Saturday, said he received very direct information from Donald Trump that the former US president would support Ukraine in the war against Russia if he is reelected in the November presidential election.

Zelensky, who was in the United States for the UN General Assembly, presented his war victory plan to Trump during a closed-door meeting on Friday, after the Republican presidential candidate said he would work with both Ukraine and Russia to end their conflict.

Speaking to Fox News after that meeting, Zelensky said: I dont know what will be after elections and who will be the president  But Ive got from Donald Trump very direct information that he will be on our side, that he will support Ukraine.

He has used his US visit to promote his victory plan, which a US official described as a repackaged request for more weapons and a lifting of restrictions on the use of long-range missiles. The plan presupposes the ultimate defeat of Russia in the war, the official said. Some officials see the aim as unrealistic.

Zelensky, who also met with US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, said he was seeking united US support in its continuing war with Russia and was not backing either side in US elections.

I dont want to be involved in the election period  I dont want to lose one or another part of Americans, Zelensky told Fox News.

On Friday, Trump said he was pleased to meet with Zelensky, a marked change in tone from some of his previous comments on the campaign trail.

Trump and Harris differences on Ukraine echo splits in their respective Democratic and Republican parties, and their view of the US role in the world.

Trump and some Republicans in Congress have questioned the value of US funding and additional weapons for Ukraines two-year battle against Russia, calling it futile, while Democrats led by Biden have pushed to punish Russia and bolster Ukraine, framing Ukraines victory as a vital national security interest.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that the ills Pakistan sought to visit on others are now consuming its own society without naming the neighbouring country directly. He also stressed that vacating PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) can only resolve long standing problems between India and Pakistan along with abandonment of Pakistans long standing attachment to terrorism.

Watch: While addressing the general debate at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, EAM S. Jaishankar says, "We heard some bizarre assertions from it at this very forum yesterday. So let me make India's position perfectly clear. Pakistan's cross-border terrorism policy pic.twitter.com/rpo39eRPfu IANS (@ians_india) September 28, 2024

We see the ills it (Pakistan) sought to visit on others consume its own society. It cant blame the world. This is only karma, S Jaishankar said in his address to the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

Many countries get left behind due to circumstances beyond their control, but some make conscious choices with disastrous consequences. A premier example is our neighbour, Pakistan, he said, according to a report by news agency PTI.

He also said that Pakistans cross-border terrorism will never succeed and its actions will certainly have consequences.

Jaishankar said Pakistans cross border terrorism policy will never succeed, and it can have no expectation of impunity.

On the contrary, actions will certainly have consequences. The issue to be resolved between us is now only the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan, and, of course, the abandonment of Pakistans long standing attachment to terrorism, he said.

Dig At Chinas BRI

The minister also told the UN General Assembly that unviable projects raise debt levels and any connectivity that clouds sovereignty and territorial integrity acquires strategic connotations, especially when it is not a shared endeavour, in a veiled reference to China.

Across the Global South, he said, development plans have gone off rails and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets are receding.

But there is more. Unfair trade practices threaten jobs, just as unviable projects raise debt levels. Any connectivity that clouds sovereignty and territorial integrity acquires strategic connotations, especially when it is not a shared endeavour, he said, in an apparent reference to Chinas multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

We are gathered here at a difficult time. The world is yet to recover from the ravages of the Covid pandemic. A war in Ukraine is well into its third year. The conflict in Gaza is acquiring wider ramifications, Jaishankar further added.

He said technology advancements, which have long been a source of hope, are now equally a factor of anxiety.

Climate events occur with greater intensity and frequency. Food security is as worrisome as health security. In truth, the world stands fractious, polarised and frustrated. Conversations have become difficult, agreements even more so. This is surely not what the founders of the United Nations would have wanted of us, he said.

The EAM said today, both peace and prosperity are equally endangered, and that is because trust has eroded and processes have broken down.

Countries have extracted more from the international system than they have put into it, enfeebling it in the process, he said.
The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it killed Nabil Kaouk, a high-ranking commander in Hezbollah, during an airstrike in Lebanon. His killing is a significant blow to the Lebanese group following the death of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday.

Who Was Kaouk?

Kaouk, who served as the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council, was a prominent figure within the outfit and had been a member since the 1980s. He was known for his role as Hezbollahs military commander during the 2006 war with Israel and had frequently appeared in the media to discuss political and security issues.

He was sanctioned by the United States in 2020 for his involvement in Hezbollahs military operations. The Israeli military described Kaouk as a key player in ongoing conflicts and noted that he was seen as a potential successor to Nasrallah.

ELIMINATED: The Commander of Hezbollahs Preventative Security Unit and a member of their Executive Council, Nabil Qaouk, was eliminated in a precise IDF strike.Qaouk was close to Hezbollahs senior commanders and was directly engaged in terrorist attacks against the State of pic.twitter.com/dcvKLRkMbf  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 29, 2024

IDF will continue to eliminate commanders

The IDF will continue to strike and eliminate the commanders within the Hezbollah terrorist organization and will act against anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel, the IDF said in a post announcing Kaouks death.

Hezbollah has not yet confirmed Kaouks death, but supporters have begun sharing messages of mourning. The Israeli airstrike is part of a broader campaign targeting senior Hezbollah leaders and infrastructure, which has intensified recently. In addition to airstrikes, Israel has reportedly conducted sophisticated attacks on Hezbollahs communication systems.

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 1,030 people reported dead in Lebanon since the escalation began. This includes many civilians, such as women and children. Despite the heavy bombardment, Hezbollah continues to launch rockets into northern Israel, although most have been intercepted or have landed in uninhabited areas.

The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for potential further escalation. Israel aims to restore security for its citizens in northern communities while Hezbollah insists it will continue its operations until there is a cease-fire in Gaza. The ongoing violence raises fears of a broader regional conflict involving Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

(With agency inputs)
Marin Chambers, left, takes notes while Maddie Wilson provides observations Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Bellvue, Colo, at a reforestation test plot at the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire burn area. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)


Zanu PF politburo member, Rtd army general Engelbert Rugeje cheated death when one of the wheels of his car flew off while he was driving.

The Standard reports that sources said the car was prevented from overturning when it hit some rocks in Mt Pleasant after its front wheel came off, leaving the former army general terrified .

There have been attempts to cover up the accident, but sources in the ruling party yesterday confirmed that it happened.

Rugeje sounded surprised when Standard People contacted him for a comment.

Who gave you this information? Where did you get that, Rugeje curtly said and refused to comment further.

Rugeje did not last long as Zanu PF political commissar and was removed in 2019. He was replaced by war veteran Victor Matematanda. Matematanda was later shunted to Mozambique as Zimbabwes ambassador and was replaced in 2021 by Mike Bimha.
The richest man in Germany is 87-year-old Klaus-Michael Kuehne, who heads the global transportation empire Kuehne + Nagel and has a fortune pegged at $44 billion by Bloomberg Billionaires Index . Kuehne's grandfather founded the company back in 1890, and a Vanity Fair story explains that the company is the behemoth it is today thanks largely to the actions of Kuehne's father, Alfred, and uncle, Werner, decades ago. But "the thing about Alfred is that he built part of the family business profiting from the Nazi regime's persecution and genocide of European Jews," writes David de Jong. The machinations began when the brothers ousted their Jewish partner soon after Hitler gained power and joined the Nazi party. The company has acknowledged its dealings with the Nazi government previously, and it paid into a $2.5 billion reparations fund in 2000 along with thousands of other German businesses.

But one thing that sets Kuehne + Nagel apart is its refusal to open its company archives to historians. What's more, de Jong's interviews and research show that the Kuehne brothers "began profiting from the persecution of Jews much earlier than is known: years before World War II and mere months after Hitler seized power" in 1933. As it turns out, they had a "quasi-monopoly" on the practice of shipping looted treasures from Jewish homes back to Nazi Germanyknown as "M-Aktion," or the "furniture operation." The story details Klaus-Michael Kuehne's efforts to protect and polish the family legacy, which ends with him because he has no children. For instance, he commissioned a study of his father and uncle as part of the company's 125th anniversary celebration, but then refused to allow its publication upon reading it. (Read the full story.)
Scientists at Harvard, Cornell, and beyond have been investigating the possibility of stratospheric solar geoengineeringthat is, combating global warming by releasing aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect the sun's heat. But as David Gelles writes for the New York Times , "All geoengineering is not created equal ... [others] are barreling ahead without any scientific study." That includes the California-based start-up Make Sunsets , whose 41-year-old co-founder, Luke Iseman, credits the company's genesis to a sci-fi novel.

They've raised $1 million in VC funding, and sell "cooling credits" to eco-conscious customers who want to offset their own emissions. Once enough credits have been sold, Iseman and his colleagues release a giant weather balloon of sulfur dioxide and helium80 so far. When those balloons get high enough and the pressure gets too great they pop, releasing about four pound of sulfur dioxide. There is a scientific basis to what they're doing: Volcanic eruptions have caused temporary cooling in the past, but "no one has attempted to intentionally replicate the effect at scale," writes Gelles.

Sikina Jinnah, a professor of environmental studies at the University of California Santa Cruz, suggests Make Sunsets shouldn't be the one to attempt it. "They are a couple of tech bros who have no expertise in doing what they're claiming to do." Other experts warn more generally of unanticipated consequences from playing around with the Earth's atmosphere; reduced sunlight, for instance, could alter the monsoon season that India so heavily relies on. Others question the scientific calculations behind Make Sunsets' "cooling credit" claims and whether their small-scale releases can have any effect. One customer is undeterred: "If you plant one tree, doesn't that mitigate climate change, even if one cannot measure it?" (Read the full story here.)
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Norway may put a fence along part or all of the 123-mile border it shares with Russia, a minister said, a move inspired by a similar project in its Nordic neighbor Finland. "A border fence is very interesting, not only because it can act as a deterrent but also because it contains sensors and technology that allow you to detect if people are moving close to the border," Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl said in an interview by the public broadcaster NRK published late Saturday. She said the government is looking at several measures to beef up security on the border with Russia in the Arctic north, such as fencing, increasing the number of border staff, or stepping up monitoring.

The Storskog border station, which has witnessed only a handful of illegal border crossing attempts in the past few years, is the only official crossing point into Norway from Russia, the AP reports. Should the security situation in the delicate Arctic area worsen, the Norwegian government is ready to close the border on short notice, said Enger Mehl, who visited Finland this summer to learn about how the entire 830-mile Finnish-Russian land border was closed. The Finnish government was prompted to close all crossing points from Russia to Finland in late 2023 after more than 1,300 third-country migrants without proper documentation or visasan unusually high numberentered the country in three months, shortly after the nation became a member of NATO.

To prevent Moscow using migrants in what the Finnish government calls Russia's "hybrid warfare," Helsinki is currently building fences with a total length of up to 124 miles in separate sections along the border zone that makes up part of NATO's northern flank and serves as the European Union's external border, per the AP. Finnish border officials say fences equipped with top-notch surveillance equipmentto be located mostly around crossing pointsare needed to better monitor and control any migrants attempting to cross over from Russia and give officials time to react. "It's a measure that may become relevant on all or part of the border" between Norway and Russia, Enger Mehl said.

(More Norway stories.)
Politicians of both parties on Sunday criticized Donald Trump's descent into what he described as "a dark speech," during which he called Vice President Kamala Harris "mentally disabled." Some Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Tom Emmer, sidestepped by saying Trump should stick to the issues. Larry Hogan, a former Maryland governor now running for Senate, addressed the comment head-on, the New York Times reports. "I think that's insulting not only to the vice president, but to people that actually do have mental disabilities," Hogan said on CBS News.

Trump escalated his personal attacks on his Democratic opponent in the presidential race, as well as the current president, during a meandering speech lasting more than an hour on Saturday in Wisconsin. "Joe Biden became mentally impaired," Trump told the crowd. "Kamala was born that way." The head of the American Association of People with Disabilities objected to the comments, per the Washington Post. "Trump holds the ableist, false belief that if a person has a disability, they are less human and less worthy of dignity," Maria Town said. "These perceptions are incorrect, and are harmful to people with disabilities."

Eric Holder, a Democrat who was attorney general in the Obama administration, said Trump's remarks indicated his own "cognitive decline." Appearing on MSNBC, he added: "Trump made a great deal of the cognitive abilities of Joe Biden. If this is where he is now, where is he going to be three and four years from now?" Trump also described undocumented immigrants to the US in his speech as "vile animals," per the Guardian. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin told Axios that the most disturbing aspect of Trump's rhetoric "is that it will now be taken as a matter of course, demonstrating we've become inured to his degrading language." (More President Trump 2020 stories.)
Israel pressed its strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday, while broadening its battle to include Houthi fightersalso backed by Iranin Yemen. The Israeli military said the attack on infrastructure and fighters in the city of Hodeidah was in retaliation for recent Houthi missiles launched at Israel, the New York Times reports. "This is not a message, it is an actionan action that carries a message with it," said Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. Hezbollah confirmed that an earlier Israeli strike had killed Nabil Kaouk, a high-ranking official in the militant group. Other developments include:
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News / International

by Staff Reporter

In the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, representatives of the African community gathered to protest against the neocolonial regime and the exploitation of the African continent's population.Participants distributed leaflets calling for an end to the ongoing policy of enslaving African countries and preserving the wealth of African land for its local population.The event was organized by representatives of the international human rights organization, Solidaritatsnetz International. In a busy square in the city center, thousands of people learned about the unjust and criminal trend of illegal resource extraction and the exploitation of African nations by NATO and the EU.The leaflets, eagerly accepted by interested Amsterdam residents, carried messages such as: "We must save African children," "Stop exploiting Africa," "Africa is starving thanks to Europe," "Help Africa," "Africans have the right to freedom," "Save African children," "Freedom for Africa," and "Stop robbing Africa."Passersby showed strong interest in the protest, which aimed to end the criminal exploitation of Africa by NATO and EU countries. Many were unaware that hunger, poverty, and the lack of clean drinking water in African countries are the results of centuries-old colonial regimes. Some local residents even expressed a willingness to join the organization to continue fighting against this injustice.Calls for justice and compassion for the people of Africa were also displayed in one of the city's squares to spread awareness as widely as possible."In many African countries, the horrors are real, and this is due to the fact that dozens of nations on the African continent cannot live freely or rely on their own resources, as they are being exploited by 'partner' countries. Many people have become accustomed to this treatment and have lost hope that things can change," said Andrey Gozhiy, head of the foreign office of Solidaritatsnetz International. Activists handed out symbolic black balloons to passersby with slogans like "Stop robbing Africa!" and "Help Africa!" in hopes of spreading their message to the people of Amsterdam and, eventually, the rest of Europe.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@Newsofbahrain.com

The Minister of Interior, His Excellency Lt-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, has urged Bahrainis to remain vigilant and united in response to escalating tensions in the region. In a statement yesterday, he stressed the need for awareness, patriotism, and national cohesion, which he views as vital for navigating the current crisis. The dangerous escalation and widespread tensions in the region demand that we remain vigilant and committed to the inclusive national unity that has long defined Bahraini society, Lt-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah stated.

The Minister pointed out that this unity has reinforced Bahrains deeply rooted values and has been crucial in overcoming various challenges. Security and public order His Excellency highlighted the admirable qualities that emerge from the Bahraini citizen during difficult times, such as a sense of responsibility for maintaining security and public order. Citizens are genuine partners in their duties towards their homeland, he remarked, emphasising that unity and a collective sense of responsibility are essential at this crucial time.

Lt-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah expressed gratitude for the blessings of security and stability that Bahrain enjoys, noting that national loyalty has become a deeply ingrained concept among the people. This loyalty is not merely a phrase we repeat; it is a firmly established principle in the hearts of Bahrainis, he asserted. The Minister further explained that this sense of loyalty is drawn from the nations historical and cultural values, reflecting a profound attachment to Bahrain and respect for its leadership.

Additionally, His Excellency urged parents and those engaged in domestic affairs to recognise the seriousness of the current situation and to act responsibly in safeguarding the nations security and social fabric. Lt-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah concluded with a call for divine protection for the kingdom and the region, emphasising the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring Bahrains ongoing stability
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Parliament is reconsidering a controversial proposal that could strip domestic workers in Bahrain of their end-of-service benefits as rising recruitment costs strain family budgets.

The proposal, led by Maryam Al Saegh, seeks to ease the financial burden on Bahraini families, who often pay more than 2,000 dinars just to hire domestic staff. Al Saegh expressed concern, stating, If you consider the total costs, including recruitment and wages, families could be facing bills exceeding 5,000 dinars over two years. Her worry is that these sums are unaffordable for many citizens, particularly those on lower incomes.

The Services Committee initially recommended this change last January, seeking to deny benefits to workers who violate their contracts. They believe the move would deter absconding workers, thus protecting employers interests. However, the Ministry of Labour opposed the idea, warning that such measures could lead to discrimination. They also noted that legal issues might arise, suggesting that penalties for contract violations could be problematic under Bahrains labour laws, which focus on employer-employee relations rather than residency or work permits.

Now, Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam has sent a new draft law back to the Services Committee, aiming to exempt all domestic workers from receiving end-of-service payments altogether. This has reignited the debate, with Al Saegh advocating for the proposal to proceed, asserting that citizens welfare must be prioritised. She pointed to practices in other nations where locals are favoured over foreign workers, arguing that this approach should not be viewed as discriminatory but rather as a necessary economic measure.

The Ministry of Labour, however, expresses reservations. They have warned that removing these benefits, especially without considering the duration of employment, could lead to exploitation. They stress that Bahrains labour laws are intended to protect workers rights, and any amendment needs to consider the potential long-term effects on both employees and employers.

Al Saegh countered that the legal framework, starting from the Constitution, should first serve the interests of citizens, particularly those with limited means. She pointed out that prioritising locals over foreign workers is a common practice in many countries and should not be seen as discriminatory.

Her proposal seeks to relieve financial pressures on households by sparing them from the additional costs associated with end-of-service benefits. She noted that domestic workers no longer receive modest wages, with current salaries ranging between 120 and 180 dinars, if not more.

If we factor in recruitment feesoften exceeding 2,000 dinarsand an average monthly wage of 150 dinars, the total salary for two workers over two years is 3,600 dinars. Adding recruitment fees and end-of-service costs, a citizen could face a bill of around 5,750 dinars over that period, she explained.

As discussions progress, the outcome will hinge on whether Parliament prioritises easing financial burdens on citizens over protecting the rights of domestic workers. The debate brings to light a pressing challenge: how to balance economic pressures with the need to protect vulnerable workers in a country heavily reliant on expatriates.
Jim Rickards warns of the collapse in Chinas population and collapse in global population. Nextbigfuture described these issues in mid-2023 over 15 months ago. I described the collapse as worse than the black death and Jim use the same description.

Jim Rickards is an economist, lawyer, and investment banker with 40 years of experience in the capital markets on Wall Street.

Jim emphasizes China population collapse problem but it is more than just China. It is Japan, Korea and all countries.

The Rule of TWO point one

Husband and wives MUST average 2.1 children. It is not optional for humanity and society.

2.1 children replace 2 (the husband and the wife). Half of the children are female. 1.1 females at birth means 1.0 females should get to child bearing age and have a child.

In biology, when a population starts declining, it is usually not a controlled thing that re-stabilizes at a lower level.

Self-Genocide

If Aliens from space or an other country were forcing the disappearance of large numbers of the next generation, then the population would fight and resist. Japan losing 30 million people from a peak of 128.2 million in 2008 to 98 million in 2055 would be worse than all its losses in WW2. It would be 200 times worse than the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombs.

China could lose over 300 million people 2050 out of 1.42 billion. China lost 20 million people in WW2 out of 525 million. China could kill its future at 15-40 times more than what Japan did to China in WW2.

If the cycle of not replacing women continues at only have half as many daughters then every 35 years there would be half as many women in 100 years there would be 12% as many women and in 200 years there would be 1% as many.

Black Death

The Black Death was the most extreme pandemic. It killed 30 to 50 percent of the entire population of Europe. The plague might have reduced the world population from c. 475 million to 350375 million in the 14th century. (1346-1353)

A global TFR of 1.4 over the remainder of the century could bring global population from a peak of 9-10 billion in 2050 to 6-7 billion in 2100. It would be a Black Death over 50-60 years instead of 7 years. But the low birth population decline might not stop.

China with 1.0 to 1.18 total fertility could drop 30% from 1.41 billion to 980 million by 2055. The drop could happen in 30 years.

Nextbigfuture has written many times that a Population Collapse Will Reshape the Global Economy by 2050.

If people or kids do not exist, then they cannot contribute to a nations economy. These will be huge effects by 2050 and even larger by 2100 and beyond. All of the forecasts that China and India will have economies many times larger than the USA will NOT happen. It is not just that the countries get old before they get rich, the countries economies shrivel up and shrink.

Population loss does directly cause economic losses. Population loss from now to 2050 will cause about 20-30% in economic damage or about a $60 trillion in economic loss. The GDP of a country is the amount of working people times the average economic contribution from each person. If your economy has 30% fewer people and all the people had on average the same productivity then you would lose 30% of your economy.

China currently has a total fertility rate of 1.18. However, a survey of Chinese women indicates similarities to South Korean women for family size. South Korea has a total fertility of 0.78. IF China will struggle to stabilize its fertility rate at 0.8, then its population will fall to less than 1.02 billion by 2050 and 310 million in 2100. If China succeeds in holding its fertility rate to 1.1 and prevents it from declining, its population will likely fall to 1.08 billion by 2050 and 440 million by 2100. This would be 232 million fewer people in China in 2050 than the UN projections. The UN was assuming that China would have a total fertility rate of 1.5. This would be about a 18% drop in total population but a 30-40% drop in the working age population by 2050.

China will be losing 10 million people per year from its working age population from 2027-2050. Japan will be losing 1 million people per year from its working age population from 2023-2050. The working age populations for China, Japan, Italy and Spain will be about 20-30% smaller in 2050 than today.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Renowned Tshibilika/Rhumba artist Clement Magwaza, known for his vibrant and energetic performances, has officially announced the release of his highly anticipated 15th album, Isiphala Sengqondo. Set to launch in mid-November, the album promises to captivate fans across Southern Africa.Speaking about his milestone achievement, Magwaza shared, "After 25 years in the music industry, this is my 15th album. I have a sequence of releasing an album every year during the festive season. This upcoming album has seven tracks, and I believe fans will enjoy dancing and listening to it."In keeping with his tradition of releasing new music to celebrate the festive season, Magwaza revealed that special launch shows would be organized for fans in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana. Updates on these shows will be posted on my fan page on Facebook, he added.The Take Take hitmaker also revealed that his son, Mimiza Junior, is set to make his debut in the music scene with the launch of his own album later this year, signaling the continuation of the familys musical legacy.Magwazas announcement comes shortly after he celebrated his 25th anniversary in the music industry last Saturday. The event, held at The Leisure Hub in Bulawayo, was a star-studded affair featuring performances from celebrated artists like Mlambos Express Band, Godolude, Dziba Le Mvula, Pah AKA Stambo, and Jaycee (Mr Ungayithi Vuu).Magwazas contribution to Tshibilika and Rhumba music has earned him a dedicated fanbase across the region, and anticipation is high for his latest musical offering, Isiphala Sengqondo. Fans can look forward to another festive season soundtracked by the iconic beats and rhythms that have made him a household name.
Former Wildwood mayor Peter J. Byron pleaded guilty to fraudulently participating in the State Health Benefits Program and additional charges of failing to disclose outside employment and income on state tax returns, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Saturday.

The embattled former mayor of Wildwood had been facing a slew of legal issues in recent years after federal and state authorities accused him and other elected officials from Wildwood of illegally accepting state health benefits, using his elected position to obtain employment with a law firm hired by the city, and failing to report income from that employment in tax records.

Byron, 68, of Wildwood, pleaded guilty in state superior court on Friday to second-degree unlawful taking regarding his inclusion in the state benefits program, and further pleaded guilty to fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records and third-degree filing of a fraudulent tax return in a separate case.

Byron was indicted in July 2023 along with Wildwood Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr. and City Commissioner Steve Mikulski on 12 counts of official misconduct, theft by unlawful taking and other offenses in connection with the alleged health-benefits fraud, officials said in a press release Saturday.

Troiano Jr. and Mikulski have pleaded not guilty, and their cases remain ongoing, according to state officials.

Byrons plea agreement with the Corruption Bureau of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability settles both indictments against him, and prosecutors agreed to recommend an aggregate prison sentence of three years in state prison, officials said in a press release.

Byron must also pay restitution and agree to a lifetime ban on public office and public employment, officials said.

Byron, who served as mayor of Wildwood since 2020, resigned from public office in September 2023. His attorney did not immediately return a request for comment Saturday, and a phone number listed for Byron was disconnected or changed when reached.

Prior to the state charges, Byron pleaded guilty to two counts of federal income tax evasion for failing to report $40,425 in income he made from a Gloucester County law firm. He received three years of probation and was ordered to pay $14,000 in a fine and just over $7,000 in restitution, according to court documents.

In the health benefits case, state authorities alleged that Byron was ineligible to participate in the publicly funded state benefits program because he was not a full-time employee of the city of Wildwood. Prosecutors said that Byron and the other Wildwood officials indicted along with him did not work a fixed 35 hours per week, required under a 2010 state law, and did not receive vacation, sick or personal days, and did not maintain a regular schedule.

Officials alleged that Byron fraudulently enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program, causing Wildwood to pay $609,000 in premiums and health benefits claims for Byron from July 2011 through October 2021.

Authorities from the Attorney Generals Office further accused Byron of using his elected position as a city commissioner before becoming mayor to secure a job with a city attorneys law firm, failed to report his employment in financial disclosure forms and failed to pay state taxes on the earnings from that position.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
Chappell Roan has quickly become one of the most in-demand musical acts in the world. That meteoric rise to fame has taken a toll on the 26-year-olds mental health, and is part of the reason she dropped out of this weekends All Things Go festival in New York and Washington, D.C.

Roan announced she was dropping out on Friday, just a day before the weekend-long event kicked off at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens and Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. She was set to appear in New York on Saturday and Maryland on Sunday.

I apologize to people who have been waiting to see me in NYC & DC this weekend at All Things Go, but I am unable to perform, Roan wrote in an Instagram story. Things have gotten overwhelming over the past few weeks and I am really feeling it. I feel pressures to prioritise a lot of things right now and I need a few days to prioritise my health. I want to be present when I perform and give the best shows possible. Thank you for understanding. Be back soon.

We support you Chappell Roan pic.twitter.com/LmNgwY2MlP  All Things Go (@AllThingsGo) September 27, 2024

All Things Gos official Twitter account posted a supportive message announcing Roans departure from the event.

Were heartbroken to announce that Chappell Roan will no longer be performing at this years festivals. While we know how much you were looking forward to the performances, its important to remember that health and well-being always comes first, the message read. All Things Go strongly supports artists prioritizing their well-being and we ask our community to rally around Chappell Roan with love and understanding. Lets continue to show the world that music fans support not just the art, but the artists themselves.

This isnt the first time Roan has addressed how her mental health has been affected by her rise to fame. At a Raleigh show in June, Roan began to cry and told the crowd I think that my career is going really fast and its really hard to keep up. In a recent interview with British music and culture magazine The Face, Roan said fame feels just abusive at times and that she would seriously consider leaving the industry.

Roans decision to not perform has been met with mixed reactions from fans. Many are supportive of Roan, who has been open about how fame has affected her mental health.

the way people are so committed to misunderstanding everything chappell roan has said and done over the last several weeks im not shocked by her decision to pull out of All Things Go and i just hope shes okay.  delani  ISO indy (@delaniraeann) September 27, 2024

Others were less understanding, and were frustrated she would drop out of the festival so soon before it was set to kick off.

I dont understand why everyone is babying Chappell Roan. She is a 26 year old woman, performing is her literal job. If you did that at a regular job youd get a disciplinary because its UNPROFESSIONAL and inconsiderate of the fans   (@Iovelanguge) September 28, 2024

The cancellation follows Roans latest news-making social videos, where she confirmed shes voting for Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election, despite having previously said she would not endorse either candidate. Her lack of endorsement also fueled backlash from her largely liberal fanbase.

Roans next scheduled performance is Tuesday in Franklin, Tennessee. Her next major festival appearance is Oct. 6 at Austin City Limits in Texas. Shes also booked to play Saturday Night Live for the first time Nov. 2.

Related coverage

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Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com and followed on Twitter at @J_Schneider and on Instagram at @JeremyIsHungryAgain.
News / National

by Staff reporter

More than 18,000 tonnes of wheat have been harvested across Zimbabwe as the 2024 winter wheat harvesting season continues in full swing, with an average yield of 5.5 tonnes per hectare. The harvest comes ahead of the anticipated rainy season, with farmers working to secure their crops before rainfall could cause potential damage.According to the Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS) weekly report, dated September 26, a total of 18,537 tonnes have so far been reaped from 3,358 hectares of land. This year's winter wheat crop was planted on a record 121,982 hectares, the largest area under wheat cultivation since the 1960s, surpassing last year's 91,000 hectares.The Government has deployed 300 combine harvesters to wheat-growing areas, primarily within irrigation schemes, to expedite the process. With weather forecasts predicting early rains in the southern provinces, AARDS acting chief director Leonard Munamati emphasized the urgency for farmers to complete the harvest in these regions.The southern provinces contribute only about 7 percent of the area planted, so harvesting should be complete early enough in October in most parts of these provinces, Munamati explained. "Currently, harvesting is progressing according to plan. Farmers with large hectarages have been linked to combine harvesters and they know when they are harvesting."Farmers have been advised to monitor their crop's moisture levels before harvesting to ensure quick and efficient deliveries to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB). The recommended moisture level for wheat is 12.5 percent, which allows for immediate delivery to GMB depots or contractors. For wheat with higher moisture levels, dryers, available at some GMB depots, are being used.Munamati also urged farmers to construct fireguards around their fields and remain vigilant against veld fires and quelea birds, which could pose threats to the harvest.Engineer Edwin Zimunga, the chief director of agricultural engineering, mechanisation, post-harvest agro-processing, and soil conservation in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, announced that 22 cluster centres have been set up nationwide. These centres provide farmers with access to mechanisation services at minimal costs, ensuring timely and efficient harvesting.The machines are more than enough to harvest the planted area," Zimunga said. "We urge farmers to get in touch with our staff in their respective areas to ensure they get harvesting services in time."In addition to the combine harvesters, 14,000 tractors have also been deployed to start preparing land for the upcoming 2024/2025 summer cropping season, ensuring a smooth transition from the winter wheat harvest to summer crop planting.
National Coffee Day 2024 is back this weekend for coffee lovers to celebrate one of the worlds most loved drinks.

Popular food chains, like Dunkin and Krispy Kreme, are known for offering fans sweet deals on the beverage in honor of the special day in previous years.

To get into the holiday spirit this year, several franchises are offering deals again on Sunday, Sept. 29, according to CNET, The Krazy Coupon Lady and the coffee chains themselves.

Here are some of the deals and freebies you can get on and around Sept. 29:

Baskin Robbins: Get a Cappuccino Blast for $5 (small), $6 (medium) and $7 (large) in five different flavors. You can get it in original, caramel, mocha, Oreo n Cookies and Turtle. The offer is available now through Thursday, Oct. 31.

Circle K: You can get one free medium hot or iced coffee when you use the Circle K app from now through Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Duck Donuts: Customers can get a free medium hot coffee or cold brew with any purchase on National Coffee Day. The offer is valid in-store and online, but for online orders, you must use the promo code COFFEEDAY24 at checkout.

Dunkin: Dunkin Rewards members can get a free medium iced or hot coffee with any purchase on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Gong Cha: Get buy one get one free on all coffee products from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.

Krispy Kreme: Get a free medium hot or iced coffee. No purchase is necessary. The offer is valid in-store and online with promo code COFFEE. Plus, customers can get a $2 Original Glazed Dozen with the purchase of any dozen.

Paris Baguette: Get a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase from now through Sept. 29.

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery: From now through Sept. 29, customers can get buy one, get one free coffee bags and K-Cup Single Serve Coffee boxes.

Pilot Flying J: Get a free, any size hot, iced or cold-brew coffee. You must redeem the offer through the myRewards Plus app.

Tim Hortons: Tims Rewards members can get a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase now through Sept. 29.

Tous les Jours: During the chains coffee happy hours from 2-5 p.m., you can buy $1 brewed coffee.

White Castle: Get a buy one get one free breakfast combo deal on Sept. 29 using the coupon here.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
Those who knew and loved Deptford Police Officer Robert J. Bobby Shisler gathered Saturday evening in Gloucester County to dedicate a memorial to the fallen officer.

Shisler, 27, was wounded in a 2023 shooting and died of his injuries months later.

The nonprofit group 4 Heroes Charity worked with the Shisler family to develop the memorial, located in front of the 4 Heroes building on Edgewater Avenue in Westville.

The memorial includes a black granite monument that features images of Shisler from throughout his life. The monument is ringed with benches and landscaping that form an area of reflection for visitors.

Deptford Police Officer Robert Shisler died last year following a struggle with a man he was pursuing.(Deptford Township Police Department)

Members of the law enforcement community and area residents joined the Shisler family for the solemn dedication on Saturday.

Shisler was shot after stopping pedestrian Mitchell Negron Jr., 24, of Deptford on the side of a road on March 10, 2023. Negron took off running and Shisler chased him on foot before both men were shot during a struggle on Doman Avenue, according to investigators.

Negron died at the scene, while Shisler was hospitalized and died May 7, 2023.

Tracy Shisler, mother of fallen Deptford Township Police Officer Bobby Shisler, puts her hand on a monument honoring her son at 4 Heroes Charity in Westville, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Medi

The state Attorney General announced in June of last year that it closed its investigation into the shooting and would not be presenting the matter to a grand jury because both of the people involved were dead.

Within hours of the shooting that ultimately claimed Shislers life, the Deptford community rallied to support the officers family through fundraisers and various demonstrations of support for local police.

The community gathered in mourning at Shislers funeral, where the Deptford native and four-year veteran of his hometown police force was remembered as a fallen hero and an all-American boy who was good at everything.

Police officers present the colors during a monument unveiling to honor slain Deptford Township Police Officer Bobby Shisler at 4 Heroes Charity in Westville, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Medi

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
Enough is Enough, we need to get Post Malone tickets before it is too late.

Post Malone is set to bring his F-1 Trillion Tour to the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y. on Sept. 29.

Tickets are under $200 for his Jones Beach Theater concert, which means they are bound to fly off the market.

If you are interested in buying the remaining tickets for this show, here is how you can get tickets.

How to get last-minute tickets to Post Malones tour

For Post Malones F-1 Trillion Tour stop on Sept. 29 in Wantagh, N.Y., the cheapest tickets at the time of publication, before fees, is $126 on Vivid Seats.

If you miss out on getting these cheapest tickets, then Post Malone fans can find tickets on secondary market websites, such as StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketCity and SeatGeek.

If you find that you never secure the tickets at the best cost or in the section you want to be in through StubHub, you can find some tips and tricks here.

First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout.

A complete list of Post Malones tour dates is available here.

Post Malone Tour 2024: Dates, schedule & more

Post Malone began his F-1 Trillion Tour on Sept. 8 in Salt Lake City and will wrap up on Oct. 27 in Austin, Texas.

The tour is in support of his latest album of the same name, which dropped on Aug. 16.

Fans can expect to hear several of his hit songs, including Stay, White Iverson and rockstar, in addition to many new songs from his latest country album.

Muscadine Bloodline is hitting the road with Post Malone as the openers for the duration of the tour.

Massive upcoming 2024 tours

Post Malone is not the only artist on a massive tour.

Here are a few more artists you dont want to miss out on: Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Maggie Rogers and Duran Duran.

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Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
George Norcross, the bare-knuckled boss from South Jersey, is the most hated man in New Jerseys political world. Hes a bully, hes the iron hand behind the machine system everyone hates these days, and his cursing tirades are as legendary as his arrogance.

But none of that makes him a criminal. And after his legal team filed a motion on Tuesday to dismiss the pending corruption charges against Norcross, Ive canvassed eight of the states top lawyers, all with deep experience in criminal cases, and some with a history of battling Norcross.

All but one told me the case against Norcross is weak. They note that federal prosecutors -- the undisputed champions when it comes to political corruption cases  declined to file charges against Norcross despite having wiretaps on him during the period in question, so they had much of the same evidence. If the case against Norcross is strong, why would the feds have passed, leaving this to the state?

And they point to the weak support for the core charge against Norcross, that he engaged in extortion when he bullied a business rival on the Camden waterfront, developer Carl Dranoff, and flexed his political muscles to carry the day.

This is not a clear case of extortion where someone says, Im going to kill your wife unless you do this, said one former prosecutor who handled major state and federal corruption cases and is not part of the Norcross team. This is a bit of a stretch.

For the record, heres the worst of what Norcross said to Dranoff, who was blocking Norcross from developing sections of the Camden waterfront, according to the indictment: If you f this up, Im going to f you up like youve never been fed up before. Ill make sure you never do business in this town again.

As I say, the man lacks charm. But this is an argument between two rich developers, and the threat is vague. In the end, they did make a deal that gave Dranoff $2.5 million, months after this clash. This wasnt exactly Tony Soprano stuff.

The definition of fraud includes more subtle tactics, so this is no sure thing. The one attorney I spoke with who believed the case was strong pointed to language in the extortion statute that refers to Take or withhold action as an official or cause an official to take or withhold action so thats a broad tent. This is not an exact science.

The lawyers I spoke to didnt want to be named, and I respect that. Who wants to make an enemy of the Attorney General or Norcross? But theyre all top lawyers I know and trust, and only the one felt these charges were strong. Two of the eight are members of the defense team, neither of which Im quoting here. Most striking to me were two who have clashed with Norcross and clearly dont like him, but still felt the charges were weak.

From what I see, this doesnt amount to extortion, one of them said. It seems like the kind of coarse rhetoric that goes on all the time...I was reading through the motion to dismiss, and Ive got to admit there is a resonance to the argument.

The case against Dana Redd, the former mayor of Camden and a Norcross ally, is even weaker, several of the lawyers said. She is accused of official misconduct for helping to pave the way for Norcross to develop the disputed waterfront property. The indictment notes that she refused to return Dranoffs calls as well, acting as a player in the conspiracy with Norcross, and years later receiving a cushy job through Norcross connections.

The motion to dismiss also argues that the statute of limitations has run out, that most of the actions it described, including the head-banging between Norcross and Dranoff occurred too long ago. The indictment argues that because the fruits of this conspiracy continue to flow, including tax breaks for Norcross entities and a patronage job for Mayor Redd, the conspiracy itself continues. The lawyers were split on that, but if Norcross and his co-defendants win that argument, the rest is moot.

One wild card that could help Norcross is the troubled track record of the state team handling this prosecution. Attorney General Matt Platkin came to office with virtually no experience in criminal prosecutions, and hes handed this case to his Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, OPIA, a troubled outfit that has screwed up some big cases of late.

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In July, a judge dismissed charges against a Lakewood rabbi accused of laundering $200,000 in public money, after finding that OPIA withheld evidence, and noting that OPIAs own detective testified that he felt no crime occurred. It turned out to be a bookkeeping error. Two days earlier, the case against a Paterson police officer in a disputed shooting collapsed, after OPIA admitted it failed to tell the grand jury about a photo of the shooting victim holding a gun earlier that day.

Meanwhile Norcross is tapping his personal fortune to hire a fleet of the states top attorneys, led by Michael Critchley, widely regarded as one of the best. That could make a difference, too.

One final thought on Norcross: Hes done fantastic work in Camden. The city is still struggling, but hes spearheaded every civic effort over the last 20 years. Yes, he uses his machine to enrich himself and his allies, but thats not the end of it. The schools have vastly improved, and so has the police department, both a direct result of his efforts. As chairman of the Cooper Health System, hes made big strides in cancer care and is the citys main employer.

All that is irrelevant to the criminal case. But Im struck that many of his political enemies cant seem to accept that hes done this good work at the same time, that hes a villain in some ways and a hero in others. The state is full of political machines that cant match his good works.

For Norcross to win dismissal of these charges may be a stretch. The legal bar is high  his team must show that even if every assertion in the indictment were true, no jury could reasonably vote to convict. The lawyers I spoke to were split on whether Norcross can clear that bar.

But at trial, the burden is on the prosecution to prove the facts in this sprawling indictment, and make the case that the charges are justified, beyond any reasonable doubt. Thats a high bar, too. My guess is that in the end, no jury will vote to convict.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

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This is no longer an abstract threat: Theres a clear and present danger that women in New Jersey could lose abortion rights if Donald Trump is elected in November.

It could happen in two key ways. The first is if Trump simply orders the Justice Department to enforce an old law still on the books called the Comstock Act, which could bar manufacturers from distributing any abortion pills or suction devices to carry out the procedure. He wouldnt need any legislation. His Department of Justice would only have to prosecute a few doctors for obtaining these pills or medical tools to create a chilling effect on all doctors providing abortions everywhere, including in New Jersey. It would be a de facto ban, nationwide.

The second option is for President Trump to appoint three more conservative justices to the Supreme Court who rule in favor of fetal personhood  the belief that a frozen embryo has all the same legal rights as a person, with the assumption that this would override the rights of the pregnant woman. That could ban abortion without any exceptions for rape or incest, even in New Jersey, and outlaw fertility treatments like IVF too.

All it would take is for Trump to see some political advantage in this. Hed have the power to do it without the approval of Congress. The fate of women all across America  including in New Jersey  would lie in his hands.

Think about that when you cast your vote. This is also the problem with New Jersey Republicans who endorse Trump yet claim to be personally pro-choice  like Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw or Rep. Tom Kean Jr., whos running for re-election. Trump presents an obvious danger to abortion rights, and helping re-elect the guy who bragged, I was able to kill Roe v. Wade, much to the shock of everyone, is not pro-choice. Period.

Bashaw says he would vote for a federal law to codify abortion rights, but the reality is, such a protection would never pass in our current political environment. And he cant control what Trump does once in office, how he uses the Justice Department or fills court vacancies. Kean is worse: Hes personally called for federal action to protect the unborn from egregious abortion laws on a secret website to burnish his credentials with conservative voters.

Which makes perfect sense, when you think about it: Those with the moral conviction that abortion is the murder of babies are not going to be satisfied with banning it in 22 states. This march is going to continue all the way up to the highest echelons of power, and toward the much larger goal of banning abortion nationwide. That order probably wouldnt come from Congress, because its so profoundly unpopular, but it could happen just the same.

So far, the Supreme Court has declined to take up the issue of fetal personhood, but that could change after this election or the appointment of new justices. Weve seen this in other areas of the law: The Supreme Court has ruled that corporations are people for the purposes of our election laws, so corporations are now able to donate with reckless abandonment, notes Kate Kelly, senior Director of the Womens Initiative at the Center for American Progress. When different categories are determined to have rights, that puts everyone elses rights in jeopardy.

Trumps longtime close allies are already lobbying hard for a national abortion ban: Their roadmap, Project 2025, lays out in detail how a Trump administration could do this by blocking access to both abortion pills and medical equipment through the antiquated Comstock Act, deploying fetal personhood and undermining IVF. Trumps VP pick, J.D. Vance, has also said he wants to enforce Comstock; he once signed a letter calling for the Justice Department to prosecute doctors and others who order abortion pills through the mail.

So, this is the fight theyre gearing up for, without a doubt. Whether Trump or other Republicans will admit that is a different question, since its so politically toxic. At a rally last week in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, Trump went on a tirade about how women are going to be so happy under his presidency that they will no longer be thinking about abortion.

You will no longer be abandoned, lonely or scared, he declared. You will be protected. I will be your protector.

Weve seen how well thats worked out for the women of Texas: Since Trump killed Roe, triggering the states near-total abortion ban in 2021, the rate of pregnant women dying there skyrocketed by 56% compared with just 11% in the rest of the nation.

Women in New Jersey have felt so secure about these rights that it hasnt been a burning political issue. But now, this beast is at the door. Many didnt take the threat to abortion rights seriously during Trumps first run for office, until he appointed three virulently anti-choice justices to overturn Roe as a gift to the religious Right, leading to abortion bans in half the country. Lets not repeat that mistake.

Do you really trust him not to empower more extremists? Look at the folks he surrounds himself with already: Like RFK Jr., who believes the pandemic may have been deliberately designed to spare Jewish and Chinese people, and that the covid jab was developed to control people via microchips. He says hes already helping the future president pick the leaders of our federal health agencies. How reassuring.

Now picture what that might mean for our future Justice Department or Supreme Court bench.

Trump could outsource abortion policy to folks like Vance, whos said he certainly would like abortion to be illegal nationally; or Frank Pavone, an anti-abortion activist so incendiary that he was removed by Pope Francis from the priesthood  but says hes discussed abortion policy at several receptions at Mar-a-Lago; or Russell Vought, a chief architect of Project 2025 and former senior Trump official, who wants to revoke the Food and Drug Administrations approval for the widely used abortion pill mifepristone.

Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life  which hopes to change abortion policies through federal agencies  reassured a donor about Trumps team: We havent come across a campaign staffer yet who doesnt share our values. Trump wants women to stop thinking about abortion, but the truth is, the danger he poses is greater than ever  for you, your daughters and your loved ones, even right here in New Jersey.

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Former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake is all in for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

The Republican whos been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump announced Sunday he wont write in a third party this election. Instead, hes voting Democratic.

Im a conservative Republican who had the honor to serve my home state of Arizona in the United States House of Representatives and Senate for nearly two decades, Flake said in a statement.

I believe in our Constitutional system and in the rule of law, and I want to support a candidate who respects the will of the voters and would never attempt to use the powers of the Presidency to overturn an election after having been turned out by the voters, he said. Finally, I want to support a Presidential candidate who seeks to unite our country rather than one who divides us; one who represents the ideals of a new generation of leadership based not on grievances of the past, but hope for the future.

Ill be supporting @KamalaHarris for President and @Tim_Walz for Vice President. My full statement below. pic.twitter.com/6b28mkBPMD  Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) September 29, 2024

Flake served in the U.S. Senate for Arizona from 2013 to 2019 and in the U.S. House from 2001 to 2013.

He retired from the Senate at the end of his term in 2019, saying he was out of step with the Republican Party in the era of Trump. He later wrote a book, Conscience of a Conservative, that was a critique of Trump.

In 2021, Joe Biden nominated Flake to serve as U.S. ambassador to Turkey. Flake endorsed Biden in 2020.

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.
As he tries to convince Americans that the Midwest is being overtaken by occupying gangs armed with automatic weapons that even the worlds most advanced and most powerful American military hasnt seen, former president Donald Trump is telling racist, scare-mongering lies that grow darker as election day approaches.

Its not enough to knowingly lie about Haitian immigrants eating neighbors dogs and cats, or to lie that Aurora, Colorado has been seized by armed thugs (the police chief says the claim is bunk), now Trump is insisting that petrified police and sheriffs in hundreds of little towns in America are cowering in their jails and offices, afraid to confront the imaginary gangs roving their streets.

And he tells these lies, Trumps MAGA fans cheer  while police unions, with members depicted by Trump as cowards, hand over their endorsements  to a convicted felon.

Youre talking about areas of the Midwest where theyre becoming famous because theyre being occupied, and this is hundreds of little cities and little towns, Trump said at a Wisconsin rally on Saturday. Theyre petrified, and their law enforcement is petrified. You have a sheriff and a deputy, or you have a small group, and youll have a group of Venezuelan killers street gangs occupying the town with MK-47s.

I know that gun very well. I got to know it very well. Ive become an expert on guns quickly. My sons know guns. They couldnt believe what the story they heard  the two stories they heard, actually. But I dont care, because were doing it for you. Were going to make our I dont care. I just say we got to do it.

So, Trumps sons heard two stories  about hundreds of towns? How does that math work exactly? And (as far as we can tell) media members covering the campaign (were looking at you, New York Times) havent asked Trump to name these towns.

In the meantime, its only fair to wonder: In the MAGA world of crazy Facebook falsehoods, will Trump supporters be too frightened to come out of their rabbit holes to vote in November?

Trump first insisted that an Aurora apartment complex had been bought and taken over by gang members who were collecting rent. Later, Trump expanded the lie to say the entire city was being run by gangs.

But the police chief debunked the claim, saying that while Aurora has gang members  like many cities  they are not in control of the complex, nor are the collecting rent.

Its been a weekend of lies for Trump: On Friday in Michigan, he again claimed that he was named Man of the Year during a rambling non-answer on how he would assure auto manufacturing jobs remained in Michigan.

Vice President Kamala Harris has labeled Trump one of the biggest losers on manufacturing jobs, pointing out that nearly 200,000 American manufacturing jobs were lost during Trumps administration from 2017-2021.

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NEW YORK  Saturdays pitching matchup between the Yankees and Pirates featured two Rookie of the Year front-runners in each league, a pair of right-handers with triple-digit heaters and nasty strikeout stuff.

Pittsburghs Paul Skenes lived up to the hype and then some. In only two innings of work, Skenes shined, retiring all six Yankees he faced in order. He struck out Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr.
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News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwean government is actively exploring all legal avenues, including international arbitration, to recover 17 fire tenders that were seized by Lithuania last year while being shipped from Belarus, which is currently under European Union (EU) sanctions.The fire trucks were confiscated in March 2023 at the Malku Bay seaport in Klaipeda, Lithuania, raising concerns about Zimbabwe's ability to combat fire emergencies. The government had previously initiated diplomatic discussions to secure their release, with Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza leading a delegation to Lithuania in February 2024. Unfortunately, these efforts yielded no positive results.Recent reports indicating that Lithuania plans to donate the seized fire tenders to Ukraine have intensified the urgency of the Zimbabwean government's response. In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Mabiza confirmed the government's commitment to pursuing legal options if diplomatic negotiations fail."We will explore the most viable legal route to take after exhausting all the diplomatic channels at our disposal," Mabiza stated. "The explanation from the Lithuanian attorney-general is that the fire tenders or certain components were manufactured by a Belarusian company, which is under EU sanctions, thus they could not pass through their port."During her February visit to Lithuania, Mabiza, accompanied by Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Sweden, Priscilla Misihairabwi, presented Zimbabwe's position regarding the lawful procurement of the fire trucks. The delegation provided documentation to validate the purchase, but they received no further communication from Lithuanian authorities after the meeting.Mabiza emphasized the critical nature of the fire engines, noting that they are specifically designed for Zimbabwe's rural terrain and essential for firefighting and emergency response. The confiscation of the equipment poses a significant threat to community safety, particularly in vulnerable areas."I am taken aback by recent media reports suggesting that Lithuania is considering donating these confiscated trucks to Ukraine," she said, stressing that Zimbabwe is an "innocent third party" in the matter. "If these reports are verified, we will act in accordance with international law."Lithuania's attorney-general, Ms. Nida Grunskiene, has been quoted by Ukrainian media, stating that a pre-trial investigation is ongoing and that the trucks' possible delivery to Ukraine is under consideration. She clarified that the vehicles were confiscated due to sanctions on the manufacturing company and on Zimbabwe itself.International law stipulates that disputes of this nature should ideally be resolved through direct negotiations between the affected countries, which may include returning the seized cargo or providing compensation. Both Zimbabwe and Lithuania are members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which has mechanisms for dispute resolution and can facilitate negotiations between member states.The seizure of the fire tenders marks the second instance of Zimbabwe-bound cargo being confiscated by an EU country since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent sanctions. In 2022, around 23,000 tonnes of Russian fertilizer intended as a donation to Zimbabwe were blockaded by the EU as part of its sanctions against Russian agricultural exports.As the Zimbabwean government continues to navigate this complex situation, the outcome remains uncertain, but officials are committed to protecting their rights and ensuring the safety of their communities.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A recent government survey has uncovered that Matabeleland North and South provinces have the highest proportions of households headed by widows in Zimbabwe, compared to other regions. The findings, published in the 2024 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) Rural Livelihoods Assessment (RLA) report, highlight critical social dynamics within these provinces.According to the report, Matabeleland South recorded the highest percentage of household heads who were widowed, standing at 27.3%, surpassing the national average of 23.6%. The average age of household heads in these regions was noted to be 54.9 years, with approximately 37.7% of households being female-headed. Notably, Matabeleland North had the highest proportion of female-headed households at 44.3%.While the report did not specify reasons for the elevated rates of widowhood, it is suggested that many families in these provinces have members working primarily in South Africa and Botswana, which may contribute to their demographic characteristics.The report also revealed that a significant majority of household heads - 87.9% - had attained some form of education. In terms of religious affiliation, the data indicated that 34.7% of household heads belonged to the apostolic sect, while 12.2% identified as Pentecostal. Furthermore, 13% of households were reported to have orphans, and 10.1% had members living with chronic illnesses, with hypertension and HIV/AIDS being the most prevalent conditions.On the topic of food security, the survey noted that households are increasingly receiving support from both government and donor sources. Approximately 43% reported receiving assistance from the government, followed by 6% from the United Nations and other donor agencies. The support is seen as part of a broader effort to combat food insecurity, which has declined from 38% in the 2022/23 season to 26% in 2023/24.Despite the improvements, the report indicated a decline in the proportion of households receiving government assistance, which dropped from 66% in 2023 to 43% in 2024. Similarly, support from UN and donor agencies decreased from 12% to 6% during the same period.The majority of assistance provided included crop inputs (33.6%) and food (15.2%) from the government, with significant regional variations noted in the distribution of support. For instance, crop input support was highest in Mashonaland Central (48.5%) and lowest in Matabeleland South (18.2%). Conversely, food support was most prevalent in the Midlands and Mashonaland Central regions.The report also highlighted the pressing humanitarian crisis faced by Zimbabwe, exacerbated by an El Nino-induced drought that has left millions in urgent need of food aid. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the drought a national disaster and has appealed for US$3.3 billion in humanitarian assistance to support affected communities.ZimLAC, established in 2002, is a consortium that includes government, development partners, UN agencies, NGOs, technical agencies, and academia, working collaboratively to address livelihood issues in Zimbabwe.
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Postal Code
9/26/2024

Page Content

Rudder control system could jam or become restricted on some 737NG and 737MAX airplanes



WASHINGTON (Sept. 26, 2024)  The National Transportation Safety Board Thursday issued urgent safety recommendations to The Boeing Company and the Federal Aviation Administration in response to the potential for a jammed or restricted rudder control system on some 737 airplanes.



The NTSB is investigating a Feb. 6, 2024, incident in which the rudder pedals on a United Airlines Boeing 737-8, a MAX variant, were stuck in their neutral position during the landing rollout at Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, New Jersey. The captain used the nosewheel steering tiller to control the airplanes direction after touching down. There was no damage to the airplane or injuries to the 155 passengers and six crewmembers. A preliminary report detailing the circumstances of the event was published on March 12.



NTSB investigators tested one of the rudder control components from the incident airplane, a rollout guidance actuator, at the components manufacturer, Collins Aerospace. When the incident actuator and an identical unit from another airplane were tested in a cold environment, the actuators function was significantly compromised.



Investigators found evidence of moisture in both actuators, which failed testing. Collins Aerospace subsequently determined that a sealed bearing was incorrectly assembled during production of the actuators, leaving the unsealed side more susceptible to moisture that can freeze and limit rudder system movement.



Collins notified Boeing that more than 353 actuators that Collins had delivered to Boeing since February 2017 were affected by this condition.



The rudder rollout guidance actuator, which is installed in the tail of some B-737NG and 737MAX airplanes, is designed to control the rudders movement during category IIIB approach, landing and rollout operations. Although it is not used in non-precision landings, the actuator remains mechanically engaged with the rudder system.



Boeings 737 flight manual instructs pilots confronted with a jammed or restricted rudder to overpower the jammed or restricted system [using] maximum force, including a combined effort of both pilots. The NTSB expressed concern that this amount of force applied during landing or rollout could result in a large input to the rudder pedals and a sudden, large, and undesired rudder deflection that could unintentionally cause loss of control or departure from a runway.



The NTSB has recommended that Boeing determine appropriate flight crew responses besides applying maximum pedal force for such situations in flight or during landing. The NTSB also recommended that Boeing notify flight crews operating 737s with affected actuators that the rudder control system can jam due to moisture that has accumulated inside the actuators and frozen.



Additionally, the NTSB recommended that the FAA determine if actuators with incorrectly assembled bearings should be removed from airplanes, and if so, to direct U.S. operators to do so until replacements are available.



The NTSB also recommended that, if the FAA determines the affected actuators should be removed, notify aviation regulators in other countries that oversee operators of B737 airplanes and encourage them to require removal of the affected actuators until replacements are available.



Aviation Investigation Report AIR-24-06 is available online.



The investigation is ongoing. Additional updates may be issued as circumstances warrant.

Incident investigation webpage 






Fall is the perfect time to visit Fairfield County with its gorges, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, forests and charming villages and towns. Its in autumn, in this south-central part of Ohio, with leaves cascading in swirls of colorful confetti, that the natural beauty of the region is most spectacular.

The only problem?

Where to start.

May we make a few suggestions?

Rock Mill, once a thriving grist mill perched 90 feet above Hocking River Falls, had fallen into utter disrepair before a 10-year restoration brought it back to its former glory, and its grain once again was being milled.

That, combined with the Rock Mill Covered Bridge, spanning a deep gorge over the Hocking River, is a great reason to enjoy the events taking place in October during Rock Mill Days.

Though the original bridge that first spanned the Hocking River was built in 1849 to be replaced 31 years later, the current bridge is new if you count 1901, when it was erected, as recent. Located next to the mill, its one of 18 covered bridges in Fairfield County.

The Fairfield Covered Bridge Trail takes visitors along the backroads to see such bridges as the 613-foot SmolenGulf Bridge, the longest multi-span covered bridge in the United States, and the Stemen House Covered Bridge, the only one open to vehicular traffic.

For those looking for a few haunts, the Weeping Lady who hovers around Johnstons Covered Bridge walks back and forth as if shes waiting for someone, and every once in a while, waves a languid hand as if inviting someone to join her. Our advice  dont.

We cant promise that shell show up, but its said if you stand near in the place the Mae Hummel Covered Bridge once was located and call Mary, Mary, Mary, the ghost of a young woman who killed her sweetheart will appear in a misty ball of flames. Thats why shes called the Blue Fame Ghost of Sugar Grove.

Theres another version of this story  that the woman stabbed her boyfriend and was hurt so badly that she died too. But still, theres a blue flame. So, who knows?

The Elmwood Cemetery in Lancaster also has it shares of haunts  a hooded figure, a little girl and a witch. Whether you see them or not, the cemetery is a pretty spot to visit.

Explore the Creepy Corn Maze at Clearcreek Country Vineyard & Winery during the month of October. Dont like to be scared? Then just enjoy the bonfires, food trucks and a chance to sample the wines and apple cider slushies.

But its not hauntings and covered bridges in Fairfield. The county was the first to establish The Trail of Scarecrows, a road trip that takes visitors throughout the county to see hundreds of scarecrows created by local organizations, businesses and townspeople. The scarecrows seem less scary than friendly as they go about such activities as three witches overseeing a kettle of who knows what (maybe newts?), a skeleton pushing a lawn mower  okay, okay we know thats not officially a scarecrow, but its so very creative  a scarecrow doing the limbo under a tree branch, and one climbing a ladder up an apple tree at Hugus Orchards.

The latter is a must stop for apple pickers and those searching for the perfect pumpkin. Located in Rushville, they have their own farmers market perfect for filling a cooler with cheese, freshly made cider, pumpkin butter, and fresh fruit. Visit on Thursdays in the fall and watch apples being pressed into cider.

The entire family is invited to participate in the annual Pumpkin Hike at the Charles Alley Memorial Park. There are plenty of activities to be enjoyed including carving your own pumpkin. The hike starts at Nature Center Parking Lot and lasts from 6-8:30 p.m., though you do not have to walk the entire time. There are also bonfires and concessions.

For adults who like their beer, theres the Route 33 Brew Trail south of Columbus.

For the chance to earn an Anchor Hocking Route 33 Brew Trail pint glass as well as a chance of getting a headache, pick up a trail guide at either the Fairfield County Visitors Bureau or one of the participating breweries to a get a stamp book. Collect all six and that pint glass is yours. The trail encompasses such scenic stops as a horse farm, restored dairy, industrial warehouse and neighborhood pub.

Of course, a must stop is Lancaster, a charming city of 41,000 with a historic downtown, lots of restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, boutiques and museums. It was recently named by Ohio magazine a 2023-2034 Best Destination.

Wondering where to eat? Well, theres a lot to choose from. The Baltimore Pint House is in a former bank building, the Buckeye Lake Winery is located on the shoreline and has wonderful views, and for an authentic German coffee house experience you cant go wrong at Das KaffeeHaus von Frau Burkhart in Lithopolis. Heck, the name is enough to make you want to go.

For those looking for gluten-free food, stop by the Happy Goat Gluten Free Bakery and Bulk Foods.

Deciding where to stay: there are numerous big chain hotels but if you want history, Ohio Log House Bed & Breakfast in Lithopolis is about pioneer elegance, while the Federal-style Dum-Ford House Bed & Breakfast dates to 1834. Theres also campgrounds and cabins.

For more information and maps, stop by the Fairfield County Visitor Center at 158 W. Wheeling St. in downtown Lancaster, email info@visitfairfieldcounty.org or call 800-626-1296.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Police have appealed for information that could assist in the arrest of suspects after a 78-year-old woman was found dead in Chegutu with signs of sexual abuse on her body.In a statement, police named the slain woman as Enery Nankuku.Police said Nankuku "was found dead with bruises on the thighs and a wound on the arm on 28 September 2024 at Umfuli Banks, Chegutu"."The victim is suspected to have been sexually abused before being killed. Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station."Police did not give further details around the shock incident.While the law enforcement agents did not describe the nature of the sexual abuse on the woman, incidents of rape on the elderly are often associated with ritual purposes in Zimbabwe.Earlier this month, a 19-year-old teen from Madlambuzi in Plumtree was arraigned before court for allegedly raping an 85-year-old woman after threatening to stab her to death.The motive behind the bizarre attack was not known.In an almost similar incident, police in Bulawayo recently arrested another 19-year-old man from the city's Mpopoma high density suburb for allegedly attempting to rape a 78-year-old woman from the same area.
Lauren Koop Daughtrey had been dealing with the pain and fatigue of lupus even before she was officially diagnosed with the autoimmune condition.

"I was just sleeping all the time," she said of that time before her senior year of high school, "and the joint pain was at a point that I would have to roll out of bed. I was almost crawling."

A bad flare put her in the hospital for several days with inflammation around her heart and fluid around her lungs.

"I realized the severity of the disease, and that was pretty disheartening," said Koop Daughtrey, now 28 and living in Omaha, Nebraska.

She tried a lot of different treatments over the years. She also graduated from college, married and had twins, now 17 months old. But the disease had begun attacking her kidneys in spite of intensive treatments. Some patients in that situation end up on dialysis and require kidney transplants, said Dr. Jennifer Medlin, a rheumatologist with Nebraska Medicine.

So when Medlin mentioned a newer type of therapy, Koop Daughtrey was excited. In April, she became the first lupus patient to receive CAR-T, or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, as part of a clinical trial at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

The trial also involves another twist: While CAR-T therapies used in cancers and tested in autoimmune diseases typically have been derived from patients' own cells, researchers believe hers was the first treatment for an autoimmune disease to come from a donor source, known as an "off-the-shelf" therapy.

'I feel incredibly lucky'

Nearly six months later, Koop Daughtrey said the pain she had expected to live her life with is gone. "It's wild," she said. " ... I can believe it since I'm in my body, but it's amazing."

The past summer, in fact, proved a real test of the therapy, she said. Her husband was deployed with the military for a time, leaving her to care for their twins, including lugging the solidly built toddlers up and down the stairs in their home several times a day. She's experienced some back pain, but it's not lupus pain.

"I think I'm experiencing normal pain," Koop Daughtrey said. "It's amazing. I feel incredibly lucky."

Dr. Matthew Lunning, medical director of the gene and cellular therapy program at Nebraska Medicine, said doctors at the medical center have used CAR-T to treat hundreds of lymphoma and leukemia patients since the late 2010s.

Patients' T cells, a type of immune cell, are removed from their bodies and genetically engineered to recognize and attack cancerous B cells. B cells are another type of immune cell that makes antibodies and fights infections.

The therapy has proved powerful tool against lymphomas and acute leukemias, he said. But more recently, researchers have been testing the therapy on lupus and other autoimmune diseases, in which an overactive immune system attacks patients' own bodies. The hope is that the therapy, by destroying certain B cells, will reset the immune system and calm its overactive response.

"We think that, in the right situation, perhaps the risk and benefit is there that it may work in conditions like lupus," Lunning said.

Medlin said researchers at the University of Minnesota recently treated a second patient in the multi-site trial, which is being conducted by a biopharmaceutical firm.

"Lauren was brave enough to be the first," she said.

An off-the-shelf therapy, Medlin said, could speed the treatment process and make it more accessible to patients. Creating therapies from patients' own cells is time-consuming and not as accessible to patients in areas where the expertise needed to administer them isn't readily available.

"It may be more available to patients in the future if we find it's just as effective and safe," said Medlin, the principal investigator for the study at UNMC. "That's why these studies are important."

Therapy still early in early stages, but there's hope

Lunning said access remains the biggest barrier to the use of CAR-T cells not only in the United States but also around the world. He recently traveled to Singapore where he taught health care professionals from southeast Asia how to use the therapy and manage lymphoma patients who receive it.

Medlin said a successful trial by German scientists that resulted in medication-free remission for five hard-to-treat lupus patients started the ball rolling for using CAR-T in patients with autoimmune diseases. Now there are several trials in such conditions involving both self-derived, or autologous, cells and off-the-shelf, or allogeneic, therapies, including the one the Nebraska team is involved in.

However, she noted that CAR-T trials for lupus and other autoimmune conditions still are in very early phases. Lupus itself is fairly rare, affecting an estimated .05% of the population. But it impacts predominantly young women and children and can cause significant impairment and quality of life issues.

But as with any CAR-T therapy, patients must be monitored carefully for potential side effects.

Koop Daughtrey, who is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, said she felt like she had tried everything else. Treatments didn't put her into remission like they did others. She had heard about CAR-T several years ago. After Medlin mentioned the trial to her, she decided to go ahead.

The hardest part was eliminating or reducing doses of her medications before trying the new therapy, she said. That was a rude awakening to the severity of her disease.

"That was a time for me to be like, 'Oh, this stuff was actually really working,'" she said.

She underwent a variety of tests and received chemotherapy. Then she was admitted to the hospital and injected with 360 million CAR-T cells. She was monitored for five days, but she said she felt fine. She went home to wait to see what the cells would do.

Since receiving the therapy, she has been able to do more and limit her activities less. She said she also feels good about the possibility that an off-the-shelf treatment could make the therapy more accessible to others in the future.

While cautioning that the trial is just a start, Lunning said he is feeling the same sense of nervousness and hope he experienced when administering the first CAR-T treatments in clinical trials for lymphoma not quite a decade ago.

"I hope that it is the continuation of better therapies for patients who ... have a lifelong condition that's quality-of-life altering," he said.
HIGHLAND  Eddie Barton, a member of Dyer Memorial VFW Post 6448 Auxiliary, stood in awe as the 1,632 bikers passed by Sunday during the Victory for Veterans Memorial Ride.

Its excellent to think of all these bikers coming here, Barton said. Really amazing.

Lou Covelli of St. John also felt honored, but from a different historical perspective. Following his service in Vietnam during 1965-66, he returned to the states a wounded soldier. Touching down in California, the young soldier was cautioned to quickly change into civilian clothes, due to anti-war protesters.

Id never heard of anything like that, Covelli said, adding that upon learning he was near U.S. soil, that was the greatest sight of my life.

Today 78, Covelli was 17 when he enlisted in the Marines and became a member of the first Marine unit serving in Vietnam.

I never thought Id make it home alive, Covelli said. I enlisted because I wanted to serve my country. What we found here was very different.

Today Covelli continues to serve as a member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 80 in Crown Point.

Since his Vietnam-era experiences, Covelli was advised, That was then. This is now.

The 25th annual Victory for Veterans ride began in 1999 to help enhance Wicker Memorial Parks. President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the park to World War I veterans in 1927.

North Township Trustee Adian A. Santos office still uses the funds to enhance the memorial corner but also contributes to veterans causes. These include monthly veterans roundtable discussions and socials, along with military reunions and meetings with legislators.

Each year the ride has grown and is now among the largest rides in the area, with 2,200 bikes in 2019. The program also included vendors, music, and souvenir items.

Other features this year included the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, Indiana Fallen Heroes display, and memorabilia from the Vietnam Veterans Museum at Tri-Town Safety Village.

Congressman Frank Mrvan called it a day for democracy, unity, and overcoming challenges.

According to USAFacts, Indiana had 325,180 veterans in 2022; Illinois in 2022 had 475,496 veterans.

Illinois has the 10th largest veteran population in the U.S.; Indiana ranks 18th.

The 27-mile ride crossed into eight communities, ending at Wicker Park. Among those preparing to ride was Julie Dozier of Portage, an Army veteran from 2000-2010 with three deployments to Iraq.

In her fifth V4V ride, Dozier noted, I like to come out and support my fellow veterans in the area, and I enjoy the camaraderie while getting to ride.

Army veteran George Kollar of Gary served during 1988-91, including Operation Desert Storm. Hes ridden in the V4V 15 times, representing the military. Kollars time in the service, he said, taught him to be proud of what you have.

The Benda family of Highland has ridden in the V4V for 20 years, said Rick Benda. The youngest rider is his granddaughter Adaline, 4.

We do this to support the veterans, Benda said. Its become something of a family tradition.

Erin Stokes of Schererville entered the Army in 2007 and today is a reservist. She served in Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

Just to see so many people come out, supporting veterans, I wanted to give back, too, Stokes said.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Indiana is home to more than 33,000 female veterans.

Stokes father Ulysses Stewart of Schererville was an Army veteran from 1976-80. This is a benefit on behalf of veterans, and I want to show my support, he said.

Navy veteran Virgil Clary of Valparaiso served 1985-89 and has ridden in V4V the last 10 years. We try to support veterans and their different charities, including fallen soldiers, he said.

Lowell resident Chris Hans son Chris Jr. served in the Army. Involved in several charities, the father wants to help veterans and make sure the money keeps flowing as its supposed to.
The City of Valparaiso is inviting the public to attend a tree-planting event on Oct. 5 meant to enhance the citys urban forest.

Recent storms have destroyed a number of trees in the downtown area, particularly in the Central and Banta neighborhoods, said Matt McBain, certified arborist for the City of Valparaiso. Were inviting the community to get involved in helping us to plant trees in these areas and look forward to a fun morning of community building.

The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, with a rain date of Oct. 12, at the City Hall parking lot, 166 Lincolnway.

All supplies will be provided and volunteers of all ages are welcome, the city said. To learn more about the event or how to get a tree planted in your right-of-way, contact Matt McBain at MMcBain@valpo.us.
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The Linc building and Lincoln Highway Garage have been described by Valparaiso officials as transformational downtown projects. But critics insist both developments are clear cut evidence of the Carmelization of the city and wrongly subsidized with taxpayer dollars.

Oversized eye sores. Backroom deals. Deep-pocketed developers. And the demise of what was once a charming little city whose name in Spanish means Vale of Paradise.

This is what Ive heard from residents whove been against these two projects  bundled as a package deal  since the news went public. Their opposition has only intensified as both structures have taken shape at the increasingly busy intersection of Lincolnway and Morgan Boulevard.

Both buildings are huge and distract from the beauty and charm of downtown Valpo, one longtime resident told me. They are trying to turn a quaint college town into a bustling city. Go to Chicago if that's the lifestyle you are after, don't bring it here.

The citys mayors have publicly backed the multi-million dollar projects since day one.

The Linc turns the lights on for this part of downtown, extending the success story that is Valparaisos downtown, former Mayor Matt Murphy said in a statement at a groundbreaking ceremony. We are eager to welcome new residents, new businesses and new opportunities to downtown. Together, we continue to create a downtown that defines our community.

Earlier this year, Mayor Jon Costas wrote, Together, The Linc and Lincoln Highway Garage represent more than $54 million in investment and they are part of our extensive city planning  looking to the future.

The Linc, a $37 million mixed-used development, will include retail businesses on the ground floor, 127 apartments above it, and the $17 million parking garage across the street for apartment residents, visitors and public use. Its unclear to me exactly how many of its 362 parking spaces will be available to the public in the long term.

The projects received nearly $10 million in local and state tax incentives, which outraged critics who feel as if their tax dollars are going into the pockets of developers, not into public infrastructure assistance. This is a common complaint against many high-profile developments involving tax incentives, TIF districts and outside developers.

Were becoming a second-rate version of Carmel, Indiana, a City Council member told me.

Located just north of Indianapolis, that city of roughly 100,000 residents is nationally known for its massive network of roundabouts. It also is known for being an affluent community with deep pockets, a wealthy tax base, and similar developments to The Linc and Lincoln Highway Garage. In fact, Carmel-based HighGround is the developer of the new project in Valparaiso.

Ive visited Carmel, biked its roundabouts and noticed countless mixed-use developments throughout the city like what The Linc will become. As a Valparaiso resident, Ive been watching construction of those projects on Lincolnway, which affected nine businesses that either closed or relocated. This includes the former Round the Clock restaurant where The Linc is being built.

In many ways, that old-fashioned diner embodied the city and its small town appeal. Will The Linc building someday embody Valparaiso and its nod to the future, not the past? I think so. This is just another reason why longtime residents oppose it and everything it stands for.

The city took a pristine downtown block that should be generating tax revenue and built a car barn, said a former Democratic official in the city who contacted me months ago. The city traded away .80 acres of downtown property for .07 acres. Citizens got fleeced.

Costas and other supporters of the project dont see it that way. The mayor points to other sites in Porter Countys second largest city that have been transformed from the past into the future.

For example, Central Park Plaza, the downtown park that was once a parking lot. It was created through public-private partnerships to earn national recognition for its quality of place.

The city also created an amphitheater where residents and visitors gather as a community for summer concerts, family movie nights and daily recreation, more than 250,000 guests last year alone, according to city data.

I love that park, visit it regularly, and some nights it feels like a Hollywood movie set. Whatever was done to create it and whoever made money from it, I dont care. Will I feel the same way about The Linc and the parking garage Ill never use? No, and yet I know that some very wealthy business partners are making serious money from it.

The project is already a done deal. The garage is almost completed and The Linc construction is moving fast. I walk or bike past it almost daily. (Watch a video and view more photos at NWI.com.)

Another example of transformation in the city, according to the mayor, is the Journeyman distillery project just south of downtown, which was once an abandoned industrial site for nearly 40 years. Ive dined there only once, I rarely drink alcohol, and Ill likely never return. But Id still rather see a flourishing business than a deserted eyesore, regardless whos making a killing from it.

Thinking and rethinking are truly part of the city of Valparaisos brand, Costas wrote after getting re-elected into office.

Critics of this type of brand and its controversial methodology have been outraged and outspoken since The Linc project first emerged. A recent Facebook post of mine regarding this development has more than 200 comments, most of them against it.

Meanwhile, Im curious how many of its apartments get filled and for how long.

The Linc is the place for you in the heart of a thriving downtown district, its website states.

Question is, will the city remain the place for all those critics who dont like where its headed.
Foreign journalists explore the essence of Qionglai, SW China's Sichuan

People's Daily Online) 16:17, September 27, 2024

Qionglai city, in southwest China's Sichuan Province, has left a brilliant mark in history through various forms such as iron smelting, pottery making, Sichuan cuisine, and Sichuan opera. These splendid cultural achievements have attracted a steady stream of visitors from afar, including journalists from Latin America on the other side of the world.

More than 20 journalists from Latin American countries visited Qionglai on Sept. 24, 2024 to explore its rich history of civilization and high-quality development.

Foreign journalists admire embroidery works in Qionglai city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Haitian)

The most famous historical figure from Qionglai is Zhuo Wenjun, a talented woman from the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-25 AD). She not only left behind remarkable poetry but also contributed to the flourishing of the wine industry in later generations.

Foreign journalists visit Laizhou Distillery in Qionglai city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Haitian)

Qionglai has become the largest base for original liquor production in China, and the Wenjun Liquor produced here has become a well-known brand.

The foreign journalists experienced Qionglai's rich liquor culture with a visit to Laizhou Distillery, where a whisky production line of Shanghai Bacchus Liquor Co., Ltd. is located. The journalists lauded the large-scale production and advanced crafts and techniques of the production line.

Foreign journalists drink local wine in Qionglai city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Haitian)

The foreign journalists also visited a national archaeological site park, where the Qiong Kiln, built in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589), is situated. They learned to make porcelain works with great enthusiasm.

Foreign journalists visit the Qiong Kiln at a national archeological site park in Qionglai city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Haitian)

Foreign journalists learn to make porcelain at a national archeological site park in Qionglai city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Haitian)

The foreign journalists also toured the Tiantai Mountain scenic area, a summer retreat for local residents. They appreciated flowers and a waterfall, climbed the mountain, and even bargained with vendors, immersing themselves in the slow-paced lifestyle of the city.

A foreign journalist poses for a picture with a staff member at the Tiantai Mountain scenic area in Qionglai city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Haitian)

Journalists pose for a group photo at the Tiantai Mountain scenic area in Qionglai city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Haitian)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Feature: Chinese scientist's life-long quest to revolutionize wheat breeding

Xinhua) 11:07, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- At 93, Li Zhensheng, an esteemed academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has visited more wheat fields than he could ever count, having enjoyed a 70-year career in wheat breeding.

Throughout his life, he has remained devoted to one mission -- ensuring that the Chinese people have enough to eat, and that they eat well.

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Li was awarded the prestigious Medal of the Republic, honoring his decades-long contributions to agriculture and food security.

Born in 1931 in Zibo, east China's Shandong Province, Li's early life was shaped by hardship. He was a teenager during the great famine of the 1940s, witnessing first-hand the devastating effects of food shortages.

Determined to eradicate hunger in China, Li pursued his passion for agriculture. He was enrolled at Shandong Agricultural College and later joined the CAS.

In 1956, he answered the government's call to support the northwestern region, and went to work in Yangling in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. At the time, wheat stripe rust, a destructive wheat disease, was ravaging the Yellow River Basin, slashing annual wheat yields by more than 5 million tonnes.

Scientists were struggling to develop disease-resistant wheat varieties, which often took eight years of breeding efforts but lost resistance in five and a half years on average. However, Li sought a novel solution.

Inspired by his research on pasture grass, which exhibits strong disease resistance, Li proposed an unconventional idea: hybridizing pasture grass with wheat to produce a disease-resistant strain.

The challenge was immense. Crossbreeding such distant relatives posed numerous scientific hurdles. Yet, undeterred, Li and his team toiled relentlessly, walking 10 km each day to monitor their test fields, and braving harsh weather to plant and harvest wheat.

After more than two decades of research, their perseverance paid off. Li and his team developed the high-yield and disease-resistant "Xiaoyan" series. Among them, "Xiaoyan No. 6" stood out, resisting eight types of stripe rust while significantly boosting wheat yields. By 2003, over 20 million hectares of "Xiaoyan" wheat had been planted nationwide, increasing wheat production by more than 7.5 million tonnes.

Li's breakthroughs didn't stop there. He further revolutionized the wheat breeding system by using chromosome engineering, reducing the timeline for developing hybrid wheat varieties from decades to just three years.

Beyond his work in the field, Li also mulled over new solutions for increasing grain output. In 1987, as vice president of the CAS, he proposed a comprehensive plan to revitalize low-yield farmland in the Huang-Huai-Hai region. The project, lasting over six years, added about 25 million tonnes to China's grain production.

Li's contributions extended into the 1990s and the 21st century, when he pushed for bold initiatives to boost grain output amid stagnation.

In 2011, well into his eighties, Li spearheaded the "Bohai grain silo" project, transforming saline land into productive farmland. The project was launched in 2013, boosting grain production in the Bohai rim region by more than 10 million tonnes over five years. Even at 90, Li proposed the creation of a "coastal grass belt" to enhance China's feed-grain security.

"Chinese people feed themselves," Li said. With his actions, he responded to international concerns about who would feed China's massive population.

Now in his nineties, Li is unable to visit the fields, but he remains engaged in scientific research, mentoring a new generation of agricultural scientists.

"There is a limit to what one can achieve in a lifetime, so the goal must be clear and focused," Li told his students.

"Follow the needs of the country and choose wisely what you wish to pursue," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in Virginia and other states want to strengthen privacy laws regarding the nonconsensual distribution of intimate images.

Forty-nine states including Virginia already have some law on the books to protect peoples sexual or intimate images from being shared without their consent, but a model policy from former democratic Virginia House of Delegates candidate Susanna Gibson provides a blueprint for lawmakers to use.

The issue took center stage in Gibsons campaign last year, when news media was alerted to videos she and her husband had streamed online of the couple having sex. Though the married couple had consented to the content that they streamed together being published on a particular pornography website, they did not consent to the content being recorded or widely disseminated beyond their audience of followers on that website.

Screenshots of Gibsons nude body then circulated on social media along with derogatory language by online users. The Republican Party of Virginia later sent out campaign mailers with cropped, explicit photos of Gibson. At one point, a false emergency call had been placed to send law enforcement to her home  an act colloquially referred to as swatting. Gibson also said that people loitered outside of her home and she received death threats.

Amid the fallout, Gibson also said prospective young women political candidates in other states had reached out to her. Learning her story had them concerned that ex-partners could someday share nude images of them, making them afraid to run for office.

I quickly realized that my path had shifted from candidacy to advocacy, Gibson said in a press call Wednesday to announce the model policy from her organization, MyOwn Image.

Earlier this year Gibson worked with Del. Irene Shin, a Fairfax County Democrat, to expand the statute of limitations for prosecutions of unlawful dissemination of images in Virginia. The new model policy, which Gibson and MyOwn board members say six states are planning to implement, would create various tiers of misdemeanor and felony penalties for unlawful dissemination and remove language that requires proof of intent.

Democratic Florida lawmaker Katherine Waldron said the measure is important because without the consent of the person whose image is being shared, the intent to cause them harm, or lack thereof, doesnt erase the harm that happens.

She and several other lawmakers that joined the press call relayed how victims mental health, personal relationships, employment or ability to find employment can be negatively impaired.

While several speakers acknowledged that anyone can become a victim of their image being shared without their consent, they noted how it often happens to women, minors and victims of sex trafficking.

New Jersey Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez also noted how the crime could deter women from office, echoing Gibsons concern, or be used as an intimidation tactic.

We know that women still have a long way to go with representation in our halls of power, she said. So when these images are shared or used as a threat, it really can impact elections. It can impact someones desire to step up and run for office. We have to take action now to ensure that anyone can engage in public service without fear of intimidation.

Virginia Dels. Carrie Coyner, a Chesterfield County Republican, and Karrie Delaney, a Fairfax County Democrat, plan to build on Virginias law using the model policy, they said. Coyner, who was inspired to carry the legislation as the mother of teenage daughters, expressed concerns about artificial intelligence as well.

The rapid rise of [artificial intelligence] image generation software has heightened the threat posed by non consensual disclosure of intimate images, Coyner said. I know fellow parents are familiar with the harms and risks of social media and cyberbullying, but the increased risk posed by digitally forged intimate images make these issues much more severe.

Meanwhile, South Carolina is the only state without existing protections against nonconsensual distribution of intimate images.

Former Miss South Carolina Jill Dudley joined the call along with Republican state Rep. Chris Wooten. All will press for the creation of a law based on the model policy.

Dudley, who advocates for protections and support for survivors of rape and sexual assault, stressed that distributing someones intimate image, whether real or artificial, fits within the scope of rape culture.

Rape culture thrives when we blame or shame victims, when we dismiss their trauma, or when we fail to address sexual violence in all of its forms.

This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury.
Well, school is in session again and IT is here again. IT is the annual reminder that, in the Land of Free Speech, people -- school boards, politicians, religious groups, censorship groups, individuals -- are still trying, and sometimes succeeding, in preventing others from reading books containing other people's free speech which they find offensive or objectionable for some reason.

It's Banned Books Week (Sept. 22-28), an unfortunately necessary tradition the American Library Association began in 1982 in response to increased challenges to books in libraries, schools and other public places. Its stated aim is "to celebrate the freedom to read and to promote silenced voices". This year's theme is "Freed Between the Lines".

Fueled by the MAGAmania fear promoted by Donald Trump and those wishing to supplant him as leader of the Republican cult, efforts to control what books teachers use to teach, what books libraries can keep on their shelves have increased significantly.

Traditionally specific reasons why books have been banned or challenged include: LGBTQ content, sexually explicit language, profanity, racism, violence, religious viewpoint, sex education, suicide, drug and alcohol use, nudity, political viewpoint and offensive language.

While the librarians found a drop in 2024 so far in complaints about books in public, school and academic libraries, and in the number of books receiving objections. PEN America reported a significant increase in books being removed from school shelves in 2023-24 -- more than 10,000 more than 2023. More than 8,000 were pulled just in Florida and Iowa, where laws restricting the content of books have recently been passed.

The difference in the surveys is that the ALA only counts actual book removals, while PEN America considers even a temporary removal for review because of a challenge. Also, the ALA relies on media accounts and reports from librarians and admits that many challenges may not be included because librarians preemptively withhold a book that may be controversial or decline to even acquire it.

The fear factor.

That's undoubtedly happened in Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis, unsuccessfully seeking to supplant Trump as Republican Party leader, has been aggressive in efforts to control what his state residents can read and what universities can teach, but Texas also has not been shy about attempting censorship. Iowa has also been pro-active in trying to censor what books its residents may read.

As someone who has made a living writing opinions that some might not agree with, I feel compelled to once again argue for the right of free speech and free access to whatever people want to read. Controlling what people read is, after all, a way to control how they think. And, yes, it's a way those who lie try to hide the truth from others.

My practice has been to list, in no particular order, banned books I have read. It's compiled from a few lists I have found on the Internet and includes some books I had no idea were ever the target of attempted banning.

The list:

-- The Catcher in the Rye

-- To Kill a Mockingbird

-- The Lord of the Flies

-- 1984

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Here are the top 48 midsize employers - each with 100 to 499 employees - in this years Top Workplaces competition, which is in its 13th year.

Energage, The Oregonian/OregonLives research partner for Top Workplaces, selected and ranked the winners based on the results of employee engagement surveys. Each winner is listed here with the year it was founded and its ownership, industry sector, headquarters city and regional employment.

1. The Partners Group. Founded 1981. Private. Third Party Benefits Administrator. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 144.

2. OpenRoad Global. Founded 2004. Private. Distribution, Logistics, & Freight. Headquarters: Dallas, OR. Regional employees: 110.

3. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. Founded 1996. Private. Mortgage Lending. Headquarters: Madison, WI. Regional employees: 102.

4. Midsize. Work Sharp. Founded 1973. Private. Consumer Goods. Headquarters: Ashland, OR. Regional employees: 100.

5. Precoa. Founded 2004. Private. Funeral insurance and planning. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 167.

6. Jones & Roth CPAs and Business Advisors. Founded 1946. Private. Certified Public Accountants & Consultants. Headquarters: Eugene, OR. Regional employees: 108.

7. Walsh Construction Co. Founded 1961. Private. Construction. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 118.

8. Mid Oregon Credit Union. Founded 1957. Non-profit. Credit Union. Headquarters: Bend, OR. Regional employees: 153.

9. Housecall Providers, Inc. Founded 1995. Non-profit. Home Healthcare Services. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 146.

10. Delap LLP. Founded 1933. Partnership. Certified Public Accountants & Consultants. Headquarters: Lake Oswego, OR. Regional employees: 113.

11. Perlo Construction. Founded 1956. Private. Building Construction. Headquarters: Tualatin, OR. Regional employees: 156.

12. Alliant Systems. Founded 2002. Private. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 196.

13. Innovative Care Management. Founded 1990. Private. Vendor Serving Healthcare Industry. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 107.

14. Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon. Founded 1991. Non-profit. Human & Social Services. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 180.

15. Carr Auto Group. Founded 1941. Private. Auto Dealerships. Headquarters: Beaverton, OR. Regional employees: 163.

16. RISE Partnership. Founded 2019. Private. Consumer Services. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 100.

17. Maul Foster & Alongi. Founded 1996. Private. Consulting. Headquarters: Vancouver, WA. Regional employees: 102.

18. Guardian. Founded 2002. Private. Property Management. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 266.

19. Olsson Industrial Electric. Founded 1986. Private. Electrical. Headquarters: Springfield, OR. Regional employees: 175.

20. Riverside Payments. Founded 2014. Private. Credit & Finance. Headquarters: Vancouver, WA. Regional employees: 165.

21. Marsh McLennan Agency. Founded 2008. Public. Insurance Consultants & Brokers. Headquarters: White Plains, NY. Regional employees: 105.

22. Holt Homes. Founded 1982. Parent company. Building Construction. Headquarters: Vancouver, WA. Regional employees: 154.

23. iQ Credit Union. Founded 1940. Non-profit. Credit Union. Headquarters: Vancouver, WA. Regional employees: 369.

24. Brown & Brown. Founded 1939. Public. Insurance Consultants & Brokers. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 190.

25. ELYON International. Founded 1997. Private. Custom Software Development & Consulting. Headquarters: Vancouver, WA. Regional employees: 123.

26. LRS Architects Inc. Founded 1976. Private. Architecture. Headquarters: Portland, OR Regional employees: 120.

27. AKS Engineering & Forestry. Founded 1996. Private. Engineering. Headquarters: Tualatin, OR. Regional employees: 354.

28. Atkore. Founded 2010. Public. Building Products. Headquarters: Harvey, IL. Regional employees: 150.

29. JR Johnson, LLC. Founded 1970. Partnership. Building Construction. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 128.

30. Urban League of Portland. Founded 1945. Non-profit. Human & Social Services. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 160.

31. OCP. Founded 1921. Non-profit. Publishing. Headquarters: Lake Oswego, OR. Regional employees: 133.

32. General Sheet Metal. Founded 1932. Private. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration. Headquarters: Clackamas, OR. Regional employees: 149.

33. Certified Languages International. Founded 1996. Private. Business Services. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 139.

34. Neighborhood Health Center. Founded 2010. Non-profit. Physicians Practice. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 230.

35. Harder Mechanical Contractors. Founded 1934. Private. Plumbing. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 159.

36. Portco Packaging. Founded 1934. Private. Printing. Headquarters: Woodland, WA. Regional employees: 100.

37. The Barbers. Founded 1999. Private. Personal Care. Headquarters: Camas, WA. Regional employees: 304.

38. Ricks Custom Fencing & Decking. Founded 1980. Private. Building Construction. Headquarters: Hillsboro, OR. Regional employees: 125.

39. Estacada School District. Founded 1850. Public. Primary / Secondary Schools. Headquarters: Estacada, OR. Regional employees: 284.

40. NAVEX. Founded 2012. Private. Enterprise Software. Headquarters: Lake Oswego, OR. Regional employees: 267.

41. Sunset Imports. Founded 1980. Private. Auto Dealerships. Headquarters: Beaverton, OR. Regional employees: 185.

42. The Management Group, Inc. (TMG). Founded 1985 . Private. Property Management. Headquarters: Vancouver, WA. Regional employees: 303.

43. International Wood Products. Founded 1995. Private. Wholesale Wood Products Distribution. Headquarters: Clackamas, OR. Regional employees: 186.

44. IDM Companies. Founded 1993. Private. Property Management. Headquarters: Vancouver, WA. Regional employees: 110.

45. Pence Contractors, LLC. Founded 1949. Private. Building Construction. Headquarters: Lake Oswego, OR. Regional employees: 187.

46. Pacific Seafood. Founded 1941. Private. Wholesale Distribution. Headquarters: Clackamas, OR. Regional employees: 250.

47. Jubitz Corporation. Founded 1952. Private. Hospitality, Entertainment, Recreation, & Travel. Headquarters: Portland, OR. Regional employees: 260.

48. Stoller Wine Group. Founded 1993. Private. Hospitality, Entertainment, Recreation, & Travel. Headquarters: Dayton, OR. Regional employees: 157.
Vancouver police say they arrested a man on allegations of indecent exposure after two incidents on the Clark College campus last week.

Nolen P. Sanchez on Sunday remained in the Clark County Jail on allegations of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation and indecent exposure.

The charges stem from reports from the campus last week, police said. On Thursday, a 17-year-old student said a man followed her when she got off a bus, asked her questions and made comments that made her feel uncomfortable and scared, police said.
A new coronavirus subvariant is gaining steam and drawing more attention as a potential threat heading into late autumn and winter  a development that threatens to reverse recent promising transmission trends and is prompting doctors to renew their calls for residents to get an updated vaccine.

XEC, which was first detected in Germany, is gaining traction in Western Europe, said Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Like virtually all coronavirus strains that have emerged in the past few years, its a member of the sprawling Omicron family  and a hybrid between two previously documented subvariants, KP.3 and KS.1.1.

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Past surges have tended to move from Western Europe to the East Coast to the West Coast of the U.S., Hudson said. So if this does take off more and more as we get towards the colder weather months, this probably would be the variant that will potentially take hold.

XEC hasnt been widely seen nationally so far. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, KP.3.1.1, a descendant of the FLiRT subvariants, is the dominant circulating strain nationwide. For the two-week period ending Sept. 14, KP.3.1.1 was estimated to comprise 52.7% of the nations coronavirus specimens.

XEC, by comparison, isnt yet being tracked on the CDCs variant website. A subvariant needs to make up an estimated 1% or more of coronavirus cases nationwide to qualify.

But there are estimates that XEC makes up 13% of coronavirus samples in Germany and 7% in Britain, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious diseases expert.

Well have to see how things go. If this does take off, probably we would start to see it more like November, December time, Hudson said. So like after Halloween  when the weather will probably get more reliably cool here, people start to go indoors more often  thats when were more likely to see this potentially take hold.

Any fall or winter resurgence, which has become a reliable occurrence ever since the emergence of COVID-19, would follow a prolonged summer surge that surprised doctors and experts with its strength.

One silver lining, though, is that the timing and strength of the summer COVID surge probably means it could be a couple of months before many people become more susceptible to reinfection, Chin-Hong said.

Last winters COVID peak in California  in terms of viral levels in wastewater  was the first week of January.

After the surprisingly strong summer surge, COVID is now declining or probably declining in 22 states, including California and Texas, as well as the District of Columbia, the CDC said Friday.

The COVID trend is stable or uncertain in another 22 states, including Florida and New York. COVID is projected to be growing or probably growing in New Jersey, Washington and Massachusetts, and there was no data for the three remaining states.

Still, new COVID infections remain relatively high in many parts of the country. Coronavirus levels in wastewater are still considered high or very high in 40 states, including California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Ohio, the CDC said Friday. They were categorized as low or minimal in six states, including New York, Michigan, Nevada and Hawaii.

It remains unclear how bad this winters respiratory virus season will be. COVID isnt the only game in town, as health officials also are closely monitoring flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

The CDC in late August forecasted that this fall-and-winter season will either be similar to last year, or perhaps slightly less potent. But that forecast could be overly optimistic, the agency warned, if some assumptions are off  such as if fewer people get vaccinated than expected.

The situation may be improved because people may still have some residual immunity from flu and RSV, Chin-Hong said, which flared up the past couple of winters. Also helping matters is the rollout of vaccines against RSV, which became available last year.

Still, every winter carries its own respiratory illness risk. Circulation of a type of flu thats different than the ones included in the vaccine would make those shots less effective, for instance.

And the experience from parts of the Southern Hemisphere for their winter suggests the respiratory virus season could be active here, Hudson said.

Australia  they had a pretty robust and early flu season, and we are already starting to see a couple of cases of flu here in the U.S., which is pretty darn early, Hudson said.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months old and older get the updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines. The immunizations are widely available, and the best time to get vaccinated is in September and October, the CDC says.

After a coronavirus infection, people may consider waiting three months to get the latest COVID vaccination, according to the CDC. But people can also choose to get it as soon as they feel better.

I always have hope. And if folks get vaccinated  this is the perfect time now to get vaccinated against flu, get the new COVID shot  we could potentially tamp down on what will certainly be another more typical fall-and-winter surge. But I think the jury is out in terms of how bad it is going to be, Hudson said.

Getting vaccinated means fewer sick days and more time with your loved ones. We are stronger when we are all protected against respiratory diseases, Dr. Tomas Aragon, the director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement.

Older or immunocompromised people who havent been vaccinated in more than a year are at highest risk for severe COVID illness and death, officials say.

Data show that people who got last years updated COVID vaccine were 54% less likely to get the disease between mid-September 2023 through January, according to the CDC.

A flu vaccine thats well matched to the circulating viruses can also reduce the likelihood of becoming sick enough to require a doctors visit  by 40% to 60%, the CDC said.

There are needle-free options for getting the flu vaccine, such as FluMist, which has been available for many years as a nasal spray for non-pregnant people ages 2 to 49. On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved at-home use of FluMist  meaning adults can administer the vaccine to themselves or their children.

A prescription will still be needed for the at-home option, which is expected to be available starting fall 2025.

COVID remains a greater risk to public health than the flu, the CDC says. Since Oct. 1, at least 55,000 COVID-19 deaths have been reported nationally. At least 25,000 flu deaths are estimated over that same time period. Flu death estimates are expected to be updated in October or November.

The CDC recommends RSV vaccinations for all adults age 75 and older, as well as those ages 60 to 74 who are at increased risk for severe disease. The RSV vaccine, however, is not annual, so people who got one last year dont need to get another one at this time.

An RSV vaccine is also available for expectant mothers at weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy to pass protection to their fetuses. An RSV antibody is available for babies and some young children, too.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it will again make four free COVID tests available through the mail for households. You can register at covidtests.gov starting at the end of September.

Besides getting vaccinated, California health officials urged people to take other steps to prevent getting sick and infecting others. They include staying home when sick, testing for COVID and flu if youre sick, wearing a mask in indoor public settings, washing hands, covering cough and sneezes, and ventilating indoor spaces.

___

2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
PASADENA, Calif.  No players dealing with injuries will be back in the lineup for No. 8 Oregon against UCLA.

Offensive lineman Matthew Bedford, who suffered a left knee injury during fall camp and suffered a setback during the bye week, and receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (leg) are each among the players list as out for Saturday nights game at the Rose Bowl.

Bryant has not been at practice since Sept. 5 and Bedford was out on Wednesday.

No. 8 Oregon (3-0) at UCLA (1-2)

Defensive backs Jahlil Florence (knee), Dakoda Fields (knee) and Zach Grisham (unspecified), offensive lineman Dave Iuli (toe), defensive lineman MyKeil Gardner (right foot) and kicker Andrew Boyle (unspecified) are also out.

UCLA offensive linemen Jack Clarke and Kory Symington are listed as questionable. The Bruins have 19 players listed as out, including former UO defensive tackle Keanu Williams, who suffered a season-ending knee injury.

-- James Crepea covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten. Listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup newsletter.
SAN FRANCISCO  Sidewalks once teeming with tents, tarps and people passed out next to heaps of trash have largely disappeared from great swaths of San Francisco, a city widely known for its visible homeless population.

The number of people sleeping outdoors dropped to under 3,000 in January, the lowest the city has recorded in a decade, according to a federal count.

And that figure has likely dropped even lower since Mayor London Breed  a Democrat in a difficult reelection fight this November  started ramping up enforcement of anti-camping laws in August following a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Homelessness in no way has gone away, and in fact grew 7%, to 8,300 in January, according to the same federal count.

But the problem is now notably out of the public eye, raising the question of where people have gone and whether the change marks a turning point in a crisis long associated with San Francisco.

Were seeing much cleaner sidewalks, said Terry Asten Bennett, owner of Cliffs Variety store in the citys historically gay Castro neighborhood, adding that she hates to see homeless people shuffled around.

But also, as a business owner, I need clean, inviting streets to encourage people to come and shop and visit our city, she said.

Advocates for homeless people say encampment sweeps that force people off the streets are an easy way to hide homelessness from public view.

Shelter should always be transitional, said Lukas Illa, an organizer with San Franciscos Coalition on Homelessness. We shouldnt have folks be in there as the long-lasting solution.

Other California cities have also reported a drop in visible homelessness, thanks to improved outreach and more temporary housing. The beach city of Santa Cruz reported a 49% decline in people sleeping unsheltered this year, while Los Angeles recorded a 10% drop.

San Francisco has increased the number of shelter beds and permanent supportive housing units by more than 50% over the past six years. At the same time, city officials are on track to eclipse the nearly 500 sweeps conducted last year, with Breed prioritizing bus tickets out of the city for homeless people and authorizing police to do more to stamp out tents.

San Francisco police have issued at least 150 citations for illegal lodging since Aug. 1, surpassing the 60 citations over the entire previous three years. City crews also have removed more than 1,200 tents and structures.

Tracking homeless people is extremely difficult and where all the people once living on San Franciscos streets have gone is impossible to know.

There are still people sleeping on sidewalks, some with just a blanket, and tents continue to crop up under freeway overpasses and more isolated corners of the city. But tents that once sprouted outside libraries and subway stations, and went on endlessly for blocks in the Mission, downtown and South of Market districts, are gone. Even the troubled Tenderloin district has seen progress.

Steven Burcell, who became homeless a year ago after a shoulder injury cost him his job, moved into one of 60 new, tiny cabins in May after the car he was living in caught fire.

Mission Cabins is a new type of emergency shelter that offers privacy and allows pets. But like all shelters, it has rules. No drugs, weapons or outside guests are allowed. Residents must consent to their rooms being searched.

At the beginning, it was rough, you know, going in and just getting adjusted to being searched and having them look through your bags, acknowledged Burcell, 51.

His tidy 65-square-foot room contains a twin bed, pairs of shoes lined by a door that locks and opens onto a sunny courtyard that, on a recent morning, was filled with the voices of children playing at the elementary school next door.

To have your own space inside here and close the door, not sharing anything with anybody, he said, its huge.

But Burcell opposes encampment sweeps. He said two friends rejected beds because they thought  inaccurately, he said  the shelter would be infested with rodents. That did not stop crews from taking their tent and everything inside it.

Now they have nothing. They dont have any shelter at all, he said. They just kind of wander around and take buses, like a lot of people do.

Since 2018, San Francisco has added 1,800 emergency shelter beds and nearly 5,000 permanent supportive housing units, where people pay 30% of their income toward rent and the rest is subsidized, bringing the total to more than 4,200 beds and 14,000 units.

Breed, who first won office in June 2018, can claim credit for the expansion, although some plans were in place before she became mayor and her administration had huge financial help.

The money came from the federal government battling the pandemic and a California governor  and onetime San Francisco mayor  who made fighting homelessness and tent encampments his priority. Gov. Gavin Newsom has pumped at least $24 billion into the effort since taking office in 2019, including a program to turn hotels into housing.

San Francisco also benefited from a controversial 2018 wealth tax on the citys tech titans that Breed opposed, saying companies would leave. There was no exodus and the pandemic overshadowed any fallout.

The funds have helped get people off the streets and tripled the annual budget of the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing from nearly $300 million in 2018 to $850 million this year.

But the departments budget is expected to dip below $700 million next year, and that worries experts who say more is needed in a city where the median price of a home is $1.4 million.

We still have a housing market that is way too expensive for way too many people. And as long as that continues to be the case, were going to see folks falling into homelessness, said Alex Visotzky, a policy fellow with the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Advocates for the homeless say thats why city officials need to invest in more affordable housing.

One such place is 835 Turk Street, a former hotel the city purchased and reopened two years ago as supportive housing. Its home to David Labogin, who lost his housing after his mother died.

Of course, things could be a whole lot better, he said, sitting on a single bed, but from where I came from, I got no complaints.

But housing takes longer to build, and converting old properties is not cheap. The city purchased 835 Turk for $25 million and spent $18 million  twice the estimated amount  rehabilitating it.

Until then, shelters are adapting, accommodating couples and people with pets.

It takes new residents about two weeks to adjust to the rules at Mission Cabins, said Steve Good, CEO of operator Five Keys. A few rules to keep them safe is better than living on the street, where there arent any rules, he said.

Amen, said Patrick Richardson, 54, who stopped by to watch as Good was interviewed. He was on his way to a two-year college in Oakland where he is studying to be an X-ray technician.

Richardson had been sleeping on couches and pavement when an outreach worker offered him a cabin.

His new home, he said, rescued me.
Our top elected officials are underpaid for the work they do, and their salaries rank near the bottom among peers. Gov. Tina Kotek earns $98,600  less than the governor in every state but three  despite serving as Oregons chief executive who oversees an all-funds, two-year budget of $125 billion, more than 47,000 employees and responsibility for essential public services.

The attorney general earns $82,200 a year  lowest in the nation  and one-third of what her top attorneys make. The secretary of state, treasurer and labor commissioner make even less at $77,000.

But Measure 116 is the wrong way to fix this problem. The proposed constitutional amendment would create a commission of appointees to set salaries for hundreds of elected officials with no way for legislators, the courts or the public to modify its decisions. Instead, the salaries set by the Independent Public Service Compensation Committee for the five statewide elected officials, 90 state legislators, 202 state-paid judges and 36 district attorneys would be automatically appropriated from the states General Fund, regardless of the states economic position.

While Oregonians should support higher salaries through the regular legislative process, they should vote no on Measure 116s flawed constitutional proposal. The reasons are many.

First, legislators, who are elected by and accountable to the public, should not cede control over part of the state budget to unelected, unaccountable individuals. The Legislatures job is to balance how to pay for multiple needs from a limited General Fund. Giving away the ability to oversee those dollars  about $45 million currently  and how salaries increase means less flexibility for the Legislature, particularly in times of recession or weaker-than-expected revenue. Even in good times, there should be recourse if the commission chooses to give raises that are unjustified. But as legislators wrote in the explanatory statement for the measure, the commissions salary determinations would be final.

Second, while backers note that 22 other states have salary commissions, Oregons model differs in key respects. Connecticuts commission sets recommendations which the Legislature can adopt or reduce. Minnesotas commission sets salaries for top elected officials and legislators, but only recommends judges compensation. California voters, who adopted a commission approach in 1990, passed another measure years later to expressly prevent salary increases during budget deficit years.

Washingtons salary commission does not include district attorneys. And legislators had already adopted statutory language spelling out how the commission would be structured before the proposed constitutional amendment went to voters. Washington legislators also specifically built in a provision allowing voters to challenge the salary determinations by referendum, noted public interest attorney Dan Meek, one of the few people calling out the measures flaws. No such language exists in Oregons proposed amendment.

Oregons measure mentions only a few specific restrictions on who can serve on the commission. It also lacks information about how people would be appointed, raising questions about just how independent the commission would be, Meek said.

Third, this proposed constitutional amendment is entirely unnecessary for addressing low salaries. The Legislature already has the authority to give raises with a majority vote, as it has done in the past. It could appoint a salary commission of human resources professionals to provide recommendations in the next session. The real problem for legislators? The political blowback they could face for voting to increase their own salaries.

Certainly, any raise can be a tough sell to an unimpressed public and could become campaign fodder for an opponent. But other states have found ways to limit accusations of self-serving conduct, such as adopting pay raises that dont go in effect until the next legislative term. Oregonians should not pass a deeply-flawed constitutional amendment to save politicians the discomfort of having to explain why they deserve more than their current annual salaries of $35,000. Instead, however, legislators and measure supporters are painting this measure as a way to put the power in the hands of the people and prevent politicians from meddling in the process, when it actually takes away accountability to the public.

Sens. Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton and Southwest Portland, and Tim Knopp, R-Bend, the measures primary legislative backers, told the editorial board that they believe any concerns can be addressed in the measures implementation. And certainly, Washington states model, which requires multiple public hearings and fills some seats by pulling from voter rolls, should provide some instructive guardrails. Finding structural ways to limit the negative consequences and lack of oversight will be key, if the measure passes.

But lawmakers cannot statutorily fix the language written into this proposed amendment that forbids modification of salary decisions. They cannot alter the measures language that judges salaries may not be diminished during the course of their six-year terms. While no one likes the idea of reducing someones pay, private-sector employees know too well the concept of having to share the pain when the economy goes south.

We agree with the measures backers that candidates should not have to be financially independent to run for office. The need for higher salaries is real, and Oregonians lose when unacceptably low pay drives away talented public servants. And while nothing excuses former Secretary of State Shemia Fagans decision to moonlight for donors and allegedly use her position on their behalf, Oregonians should recognize how poorly she was paid for the responsibilities she held.

But there are plenty of other ways to get to a better answer than this amendment. Vote no and urge legislators to find the political courage to offer a real solution.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

To read other endorsements, go to oregonlive.com/topic/endorsements. To view videos of endorsement interviews, go to the editorial board playlist on The Oregonians YouTube channel.

Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


A measure referred to the November ballot by legislators asks voters if they want Oregon to adopt a ranked-choice voting system for choosing candidates in select federal and state offices. The system, in which voters can rank multiple candidates instead of picking just one, is billed as more representative by ensuring winners have a majority of voters support, even if they werent a voters first choice. Maine and Alaska have both adopted ranked-choice voting in federal and state races, and Oregon is one of several states voting this year on whether to adopt similar systems.

But even voters eager for this change should be wary. Promises that a ranked-choice system gives voters greater voice are negated by Oregons closed-primary state. County clerks have shared their concerns about the complexity and cost of making such a switch. And voters have yet to see how well Multnomah County is implementing its own conversion to ranked-choice voting for local races. With the first election under that system taking place this November, Oregonians should hold off for now on adopting such a change statewide, and vote no on Measure 117.

Ranked-choice voting has grown in popularity in recent years as think tanks and national donors argue the system can help reduce the polarization of politics. In races with only one winner, voters rank as many candidates as they like for a race and submit their ballots. Elections officials tally the first-choice votes each candidate receives. If no one has 50%-plus-one  the threshold for winning  the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Elections officials then take voters second-choice candidate and add those votes to the tallies. If no one has crossed the winning threshold, elections officials repeat the process of eliminating the candidate with the fewest votes and counting their next-place candidate until someone has more than 50% of the vote or theres only one remaining candidate.

Supporters say that under ranked-choice, candidates want to appeal to as many voters as possible and refrain from the go-for-broke negative campaigns that have become commonplace. They argue that ranked-choice also draws in more diverse candidates, although a recent study questions that conclusion. In addition, voters can cast their ballots listing their favorite candidate first  regardless of the persons chances of winning  and feel confident that if their top choice doesnt advance, their second vote will count.

But even if you support those goals, Oregon is going about this in a typically narrow-minded way. At least four other states are asking their voters to adopt ranked-choice or a similar system that requires majority approval. But all four  Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Nevada  are pairing the change with a new primary that allows people of any party to vote for the top candidates. Oregon, however, is not. Instead, Oregon will keep its closed system that bars more than 43% of registered voters from voting for any Democratic or Republican candidate in partisan primaries. Considering those primaries determine the choices voters have in November races, supporters claims that ranked-choice will give voters greater voice in our elections ring false to the 1.3 million Oregon voters who arent Democrats or Republicans.

Then there are the practical concerns. The Oregon Association of County Clerks, which represents elections officials across the state, has noted the daunting implementation challenges, especially considering elections offices lack of staff and resources. Despite requests to be involved in planning a workable approach to ranked-choice voting, the association testified last year that it was not included in development of the ranked-choice referral bill. The association in March 2023 worried that the measure, driven by advocates, is setting clerks up to fail in an already hostile environment and would further erode the confidence and transparency in Oregon elections.

Seventeen clerks have endorsed a separate political action committee that is not opposing the measure but seeking to share clerks concerns, according to Klamath County Clerk Rochelle Long, who also serves as president of the Oregon Association of County Clerks.

Interestingly, the measure does not call for adopting ranked choice for any state legislative races. Thats odd considering a small number of votes can change the outcome in those races. While proponents contend the change was made in deference to clerks comments about the complexity and the amount of ballot space such races would take up, Long disputes that claim. After checking with the 35 other current clerks, she told the editorial board that none had asked for legislators to be exempted from ranked choice.

Oregonians should hold off until voters can see how Multnomah County implements ranked-choice voting on the local level, starting with Portland city races this November. Multnomah is the states largest county and can provide helpful insight on implementation. And before authorizing an expansion, voters should know how ranked choice affected voter turnout; the number of ballots excluded due to mistakes or because voters did not choose any surviving candidates; any difficulties in counting; the time for reporting results and other central aspects of such a change.

Theres no reason Oregonians have to vote yes on this measure now, particularly with so many unanswered concerns and more data on the horizon to consider. Voters should reject Measure 117.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

To read other endorsements go to oregonlive.com/topic/endorsements. To view videos of endorsement interviews go to the editorial board playlist on The Oregonians YouTube channel.

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It would be nice to believe that Oregon does not need a constitutional provision allowing legislators to impeach top elected officials for corruption and other serious misconduct. But recent history would show why Oregon should add impeachment to its set of accountability tools.

In just the past nine years, ethics scandals have taken down two top officials, former Gov. John Kitzhaber and former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. While both officials resigned, Oregonians shouldnt assume elected officials  particularly those accused of misconduct  would voluntarily step down. Oregonians should vote yes on Measure 115, which would amend the state constitution to give the Legislature such powers.

Oregon is the only state in the country without impeachment powers. But after Kitzhaber resigned in 2015 amid a criminal investigation into whether he and his fiancee were misusing his position for personal gain, legislators began exploring bills. The Oregon House twice passed a bill introduced by Salem Republican Rep. Jodi Hack to refer an impeachment amendment to voters, but the bills failed to advance due to Senate Democrats opposition.

In 2023, after Fagan resigned amid an investigation into her $10,000-a-month gig working for donors who run a chain of cannabis businesses, legislators unanimously passed a bill referring a proposed impeachment amendment to voters for the upcoming election.

The amendment establishes a process in which legislators can impeach the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer or labor commissioner for malfeasance or corrupt conduct in office, willful neglect of statutory or constitutional duty or other felony or high crime. Impeachment would require a minimum of two-thirds of House representatives to approve. The matter would then go to the Oregon Senate for a trial, presided over by the Oregon Supreme Court chief justice. Conviction would require a two-thirds vote. Such majorities help limit the ability of either major party to politicize impeachment powers.

Currently, the only way to remove one of the five statewide elected officials from office is through a recall. An impeachment provision provides a more effective way to oust someone when needed.

Ideally, impeachment is a tool that Oregonians will never have to use. But it should still be available. Voters should elect leaders who will fulfill their duties with integrity  but should also make sure to check the yes box on Measure 115.

-The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

To read other endorsement editorials, go to oregonlive.com/topic/endorsements. To view videos of endorsement interviews, go to the editorial boards playlist on The Oregonians YouTube channel.

Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


I am someone who has long wanted more media access to the WNBA. I became a fan of Caitlin Clark when she was a sophomore; I rejoiced at the attention produced by her arrival in the league. Now, I am delighted to learn well have a team in just two years, (The WNBA returns to Portland, billed as a global epicenter for womens sports, Sept. 18). I have a suggestion  nay, a strong urging - for those involved in selecting the teams name. No matter what the second word is, make Oregon the first word.

Oregonians in the east and south of the state feel alienated from folks in the Willamette Valley  so alienated that they are seriously talking about joining Idaho. Folks on much of the Oregon Coast express disconnect with those in the valley. We badly need anything we can get to remind valley residents to respect and include the rest of the state. The Oregon team might even schedule some practices and pre-season games in places like Pendleton, Bend or Coos Bay. It is a small thing, but it could mean a lot.
The cremated remains of 92 people who were patients at Oregon mental institutions were returned to their families over the last year, Oregon State Hospital officials said during a memorial for the 3,500 remains found unclaimed and neglected in the hospital two decades ago.

The ceremony on Tuesday marked the 10th anniversary of a memorial dedicated to those whose cremated remains were abandoned and forgotten by the hospital and other state mental institutions between 1914 and 1973.

Some 2,200 containers of remains are still unclaimed by family members since thousands of copper urns were found abandoned in the Oregon State Hospitals basement.

The discovery of what became known as the Room of Forgotten Souls provoked outrage in the Oregon Legislature, notably from Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney, who died this year. Courtney in response advocated for funding to replace the state hospital and improve the states mental health system.

The Oregonian won a Pulitzer Prize in 2006 for its series of editorials about conditions at the state hospital, including its handling of the remains.

People began to contact the state hospital, believing loved ones might be among the rediscovered remains, but few were successfully reunited until the Legislature changed state medical confidentiality laws to permit the publication of names of the deceased.

It released its list in 2011 , and The Oregonian/OregonLive has since maintained a searchable database. (The list is also available on the Oregon Health Authoritys website.)

Volunteers have helped make more connections in the years since.

Retired special education teacher Phyllis Zegers had taken up genealogy as a part time hobby for her family when in 2013 she found a distant cousin who died under the care of Oregon State Hospital in the 1890s. Zegers learned that her cremated remains were lying in a malformed and poorly labeled copper container at Oregon State Hospital in a room labeled cremains.

Zegers volunteer work has helped reunite several families with the forgotten cremains left behind at Oregon State Hospital.

Mark Dodge was among family members who attended the ceremony and claimed cremated remains after the event.92 more of Oregon State Hospitals forgotten remains reunited with families 20 years after their discovery

 Tyler Brown is a breaking news reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive. You can reach him at tbrown2@oregonian.com or 503-221-8243.
Visitors to Multnomah Falls will face limited access starting Oct. 1, when a section of the Historic Columbia River Highway/U.S. 30 closes for repairs on the west viaduct.

The viaduct, or elevated highway, between Wahkeena Falls and Multnomah Falls will be closed until Memorial Day 2025.

During this time, eastbound vehicles on the highway will be unable to reach Multnomah Falls, as traffic will be turned around at Wahkeena Falls Trailhead. Westbound vehicles will be able to reach Multnomah Falls Lodge but will be turned around there.

Despite the highway closure, visitors can still access Multnomah Falls, the lodge and nearby trails by taking public transportation or parking in the Interstate 84 lot at Exit 31. Real-time traffic updates, parking availability, and detour information are available on TripCheck.com. Several bus services, including Columbia Area Transit (CAT) and Ready Set Gorge, offer routes to the falls, with more details available at RideCatBus.org and ReadySetGorge.com.

This closure is part of a broader effort to restore the century-old Historic Columbia River Highway viaducts, which are listed as a National Historic Landmark and carry approximately 4,000 vehicles daily. The repairs will include resurfacing the road, restoring railings and columns, and reinforcing the structure to maintain its historical integrity.

Once the west viaduct repair is complete, the project will shift to the east viaduct, which will close from October 2025 to Memorial Day 2026. Periodic lane closures with flaggers directing traffic will occur during the summer months between these closures.

The Oregon Department of Transportation advises travelers to plan ahead and use alternative routes. I-84 will not be affected by the construction.

Construction is already under way and visible from I-84 and the historic highway.Oregon Department of Transportation

 Tyler Brown is a breaking news reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive. You can reach him at tbrown2@oregonian.com or 503-221-8243.
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff is scheduled to visit Portland this afternoon for a private fundraiser for the Harris-Walz campaign, the vice presidents campaign said.

Details of Emhoffs schedule are not public.

The election is about five weeks away.

As the presidential campaign enters its final stretch, Portland police announced last week they were taking part in motorcade training with other law enforcement agencies.

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to hold a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

The rally is part of Harris latest West Coast swing, which included making her first trip to the U.S.-Mexico border since taking over for President Joe Biden atop the Democratic presidential ticket.

She attended a San Francisco fundraiser Saturday and had plans for a Sunday event in Los Angeles before heading to Nevada, with a return to Washington set for Monday night.

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

-- Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184; ncrombie@oregonian.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
Portland police have identified the victim of a fatal shooting Saturday as Niyjiel T. Brown, 19.

Brown was from Texas, according to police.

He was shot early Saturday in the 7800 block of Southeast Aspen Summit Drive, police said. Police arrived to find his body outside of an apartment building.

His mom, Troinisha Black, said he graduated from Northwest High School in Justin, Texas, a few months ago.

Police said Sunday the investigation remains active and asked anyone with information to contact Detective Steve Gandy at Stephen.Gandy@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-0449 or Detective Jeff Pontius at Jeffery.Pontius@police.portlandoregon.gov 503-823-0433 and reference case number 24-248378.

Brown is the citys 56th homicide victim this year.

-- Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184; ncrombie@oregonian.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
Two men were arrested late Saturday after pointing what Portland police described as a realistic-looking replica gun at people downtown earlier in the day.

Anthony G. Ortiz, 20, and Jesse Frizzell, 28, were booked into jail on multiple accusations.

Ortiz is accused of menacing, interfering with public transportation, interfering with a peace officer, third-degree escape, second-degree disorderly conduct and possession of a controlled substance, which police said was fentanyl. He is also being held on multiple warrants.

Frizzell faces allegations of attempting to elude police and possession of a controlled substance, also fentanyl.

Police asked anyone who had the replica firearm pointed at them to call the police non-emergency line at 503-823-3333 and reference case number 24-249020.

Anyone with information about the case can e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov. Please include the case number in the email: 24-249020.

-- Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184; ncrombie@oregonian.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
Today, I attended the Seventh Interpreter Matthew B. Brown Memorial Conference. The overall theme of these conferences, as befits Matt Browns interests, is The Temple on Mount Zion. The theme of this particular 2024 iteration of the conference was Seership, Craftsmanship, and Fellowship.

The conference was not live-streamed, but it was recorded, and I presume that the conference videos will eventually be made public. In the end, too, the proceedings of the conference, perhaps including (in at least some cases) longer versions of the papers delivered, will be issued as an Interpreter Foundation book. Im looking forward to it.

The conferences first speaker was Don Bradley, and the title of his presentation was Acquiring an All-Seeing Eye: Joseph Smiths First Vision as Seer Initiation and Deification Ritual.

Dons paper argued an interesting thesis, that, although other claims to visions that were superficially comparable to Joseph Smiths First Vision can be found from roughly the same period  he explicitly referred to the case of the famous Protestant evangelist Charles Grandison Finney  the theology implicit in Joseph Smiths First Vision is not that of the revivalists of the Second Great Awakening. Alhough it clearly parallels a good deal of their doctrine, including conviction for sin, divine mercy, and the redemptive role of Jesus Christ, it rejects the ontological gulf between the human being and God. Even the traditional Latter-day Saint understanding that the vision reveals a God who is like human beings, Don contends, understates its theological radicalism. The First Vision is not only the revelation of an anthropomorphic God, but also of theomorphic man. For Joseph Smith, the visitation of God did not reveal human beings as hopelessly other from him, nor as creatures who must shatter in his presence, but as fit vessels for his power and attributes, to be filled up with divinity.

The second presentation of the morning, given by David Calabro, was titled Abraham on the Bishops Throne: Egyptian Christianity and the Book of Abraham:

Davids paper is part of his larger project to investigate the historical and ritual context of the Book of Abraham. Several elements of the Book of Abraham, including its occasional use of New Testament phraseology and concepts (Abraham 2:9-11; 3:21-28), point to an early Christian hand in what may have been a complex textual history. At the same time, he says, the Book of Abraham shows evidence of being oriented to a ritual context, possibly one having to do with priesthood initiation (after all, Abrahams obtaining of the priesthood is a major theme of the book). The paper focused on comparisons between the Book of Abraham and the Coptic enthronement rite of the Patriarch of Alexandria as it is described in liturgical books. Dr. Calabro argued for the thesis that a text like the Book of Abraham probably influenced the Coptic rite. The evidence discussed in the paper, he said, may also suggest that the Book of Abraham functioned liturgically in an early Egyptian Christian enthronement ritual, although  as he expressly mentioned in the papers conclusion  other explanations are possible.

The third speaker was Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, who addressed the subject of The Abrahamic Covenant: Then and Now.

Jeff gave a very lucid exposition of the Abrahamic covenant, asserting that the wealth of insights that ancient and modern scholarship can shed on the relevant scriptural accounts is generally underappreciated. He argued, too, that Abrahams spiritual journey of covenant-making and covenant-keeping provides the backbone of his story in both the biblical book of Genesis and the Book of Abraham.

Fourth in the line-up of speakers was John S. Thompson, under the title of Oracles Against the Nations and Prophetic Imitation of Temple Liturgy.

The Major Prophets, Brother Thompson explained, have a segment of their writings that prophesy the demise of several foreign nations. The Egyptians and other ancient societies also have texts containing curses against foreign nations or enemies and art depicting the demise of those enemies or nations. Strikingly, however, these often appear in the context of temple/tomb rituals. Prompted by the temple context for the smiting or destruction of enemies in antiquity, Brother Thompson explored the question of whether the oracles against the nations found in the prophetic books are part of a larger temple structure in the text as a whole.

Breck England was the fifth speaker of the morning. His topic was The Bright and Morning Star: The Book of Revelation through the Lens of the Temple.

A wave of interest in a ritual reading of the Apocalypse or the Revelation of John appears to have been gaining strength over the past few years. Some scholars argue that heavenly liturgies mirroring the rites and ordinances of the ancient temple make up the framework of the book. Such scholars non-Latter-day Saint commentators as Leonard Thompson, Allan T. Georgia, Richard Herbert Wilkinson, and Margaret Barker seek, in Georgias words, to make explicit the implicit importance of temple ritual for conceptualizing the practices, expositions, and narratives of Revelation  which might understandably catch the interest of Latter-day Saints. In his project The Bright and Morning Star: Finding and Following Jesus Through the Book of Revelation, Breck England has tried to combine the insights of these and other scholars with ancient and modern temple theology and apocryphal materials in order to recuperate the Apocalypse as a ritual text. In his presentation today, Brother England outlined very clearly how the Revelation of John depicts the sacred drama of the temple, from the initiatory stage through the primordial heavenly council, through the great tribulation of mortality to the unveiling (apokalypsis) of the divine presence. He showed  persuasively, I thought  how redemptive temple ordinances mark the progress of the pilgrim John along the path to the idealized Holy of Holies that is the New Jerusalem.

There. That takes the program up to the break for lunch. This was a rich, rich day. And it didnt hurt at all that BYU defeated Baylor, at Baylor, during our conference. There was real meat in these presentations and, when the book appears, it will be well worth purchasing. Ill return to the remainder of the conference presentations in tomorrows blog entry.
Yesterday, I provided a few notes on the two morning sessions of the Seventh Interpreter Matthew B. Brown Memorial Conference, Temple on Mount Zion 2024, which focused on the theme Seership, Craftsmanship, and Fellowship. Today, Ill continue with that effort. (Well see how far I get.)

Those who returned sufficiently early from lunch were treated to a showing of Willy and Lilly Binene and the Saints of Luputa, an episode in the Interpreter Foundations Africa-focused Not by Bread Alone video series. Brother and Sister Binene  Elder Binene is currently serving as an Area Seventy  will be a significant focus in the fourth and final volume of Saints, the series of official volumes of Church history, which is set to appear in late October.

Immediately prior to the second Saturday Afternoon session, another episode from Not by Bread Alone was shown. This one focused on the remarkable story of the late Norman Kamosi and the building of the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple.

The first conference speaker of the afternoon was Daniel Smith, who spoke about Re-creating the Most Detailed and Accurate 3D Model of Herods Temple:

The Talmud declares that Whoever has not seen Herods Temple has not seen a beautiful building (Bava Basra 4a). Yet while every 3D model of Herods temple heretofore created has demonstrated the sheer size of the edifice, none has illustrated the beauty and grandeur of the building. Such models have generally depicted its overall layout and design, have only occasionally included a few design motifs pulled either from archaeology or altogether from frank creative license. No model has managed to represent the beauty of the great temple . Over the last two years, however, Scripture Central and the BYU Virtual Scriptures team have collaborated to construct the most detailed and accurate model of Herods temple ever built. In his presentation, Daniel Smith discussed the history of several of the prior 3D models and compared them to the current project. He showed the process whereby the team created the many details for the temple, every detail coming from actual archaeological remains.

Matthew L. Bowen spoke next, to the subject of Joy in the Harvest: Temple Metaphors and Allusions in Ammons Speech (Alma 26).

In this presentation, Professor Bowen argued that Ammons speech (the words of Ammon to his brethren) in Alma 26 is filled with temple metaphors and allusions. For example, Ammons harvest metaphor (Alma 26:5-7), with its description of bound sheaves, and garners into which bound items are gathered and protected, is directly connected with the osar of the Jerusalem temple. The language of sealing is used in the analogy (e.g., they are his, Alma 26:7). The ancient Israelite autumn festival complex, with its temple-centric sacred times, was inseparably connected with the harvest as a season of joy and rejoicing. Fittingly, the term rejoice occurs seven times, and the term joya key-word in Mormons account of Jesuss ministry at the temple in Bountifuloccurs eight times. Ammons speech is filled with language from the Psalms (see, e.g., Alma 26:8, 12-16), which were the hymns of the ancient Jerusalem temple. Whats more, there are also echoes of temple rituals (including divine reception, Alma 26:15), temple architecture and ritual design (Alma 26:20), esoteric language (mysteries, Alma 26:22), and references to Lamanite and Amlicite/Amalekite sacred spaces (Alma 26:29), and (Abrahamic) covenant fidelity, human (Alma 26:32-34) and divine (Alma 26:35-37). Thus, claimed Professor Bowen, Alma 26 is yet another Book of Mormon text that helps us to make meaningful connections to Jesus Christ through Ammons temple-consonant language. Matt Bowen has been doing a vast amount of work that appears to demonstrate a far greater richness and complexity in the Book of Mormon than most readers  including Latter-day Saints as well as unbelievers  have previously recognized in the volume.

The third speaker of the afternoon was Steven L. Olsen. He discussed The Literary Craftmanship of Doctrine and Covenants 132.

Doctrine and Covenants 132, Dr. Olsen contended in his remarks, is arguably Joseph Smiths most far-reaching and controversial writing. It defines a concept of life eternal, he said, that is so revolutionary that it required new vocabulary to express it (exaltation) and new rituals to enact it (endowment, sealing, baptism for the dead), and it expanded built forms to contain it (the house of the Lord, the temple). At the same time, it contributed as much as anything else did to the eventual martyrdom of the Prophet of the Restoration. In the study that Brother Olsen shared on Saturday, he focused on the literary craftsmanship of the revelation, rather than the historical origins of the text or the social practices that it motivated, the better to examine its layered, nuanced, and complex meanings. Of particular interest to him were the complementary conventions of diction, tone, structural logic, and pedagogy that use language to articulate and implement an expansive worldview centered on the covenant of eternal life. I was particularly struck, as he was, by 132:20: Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them. Brother Olsen paused to note the sublimity of the language in that verse, one of the most wonderful in all of the revelations given to and through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I concur.

I still have three more talks to summarize; Ill do that tomorrow. Videos of the presentations given at this conference will, I think, eventually go up online. And the ultimate goal is to publish them as an anthology in the form of a book.
The Threads algorithm has always sent me a steady stream of Exvangelicals. Lately  and, I think, not coincidentally  its also sending me a steady stream of Christian apologists, people who attempt to use evidence and logic to prove the truth of their particular form of Christianity.

I like religious discussion  and even religious debate  as much as the next religion nerd. But what Im seeing isnt deep theological conversation. Its mainly young men trying to bait atheists with strawman arguments, cherry-picking evidence for their beliefs and dimissing evidence against them, having very little success in the process, and then insisting they won despite all evidence to the contrary.

Much of this is aggressive young men treating religion like a competitive sport. Its not enough for them to be on what they think is the winning team. They want to be a star player and to be seen as a star player.

But its more than that.

Proselytizing is the aggressive attempt to persuade other people to abandon their religion (or the lack thereof) and embrace yours. It has two primary goals. The first and obvious goal is to increase numbers in the religion. Historian Ronald Hutton says that Christianity replaced the native Pagan religions in Britain simply because it cared more about winning, and demanded absolute victory.

But proselytizing also has an inward-facing component. If you can persuade someone to go out and recruit for your religion, theyre far less likely to abandon it  either because they figure out its not all its supposed to be or because they just lose interest.

If youve been told all your life that the eternal fate of your soul depends on believing the right things, the fear of being wrong is tremendous. I grew up in this environment  I know this fear all too well. The apologists of Threads arent trying to convert atheists so much as theyre trying to convince themselves that they really do believe the right things. Theyre proselytizing not for converts but for certainty for themselves.

And thats an impossible task.

Paganism is not a proselytizing religion. I have no desire to convert these apologists to Paganism. I do hope they find the religious comfort and security theyre looking for, where ever they can find it. And I hope their arguments never persuade someone to leave a religion (or the lack thereof) theyre happy with because of fearmongering and dishonest debate.

With those goals in mind, these are my suggestions for anyone who wants to find certainty in their religion.

Learn about other religions

I left a Threads comment that said some of yall really need to take a course in comparative religion, or at least read a book or three from outside your own tradition.

If youre going to argue against a religion  or just decide that its not the religion for you  you need to understand what it is. And you need to understand what it is from the viewpoint of those who actually follow it, not just how it compares to your religion.

A quote I hear occasionally says that in Western religion, God is the lightbulb, but in Eastern religion, God is the light. Now, thats an incredibly vague and high-level statement, and it normalizes monotheism  which, as a polytheist, I try not to do. But if youve only ever thought of the Divine as God the Father then its an easy way to see that there are other ways of conceptualizing something that is far greater than we are.

Your challenge, as someone whos trying to learn about other religions, isnt to decide which way is right and which way is wrong  at least not at this point. Your challenge is to understand and accept that different people approach religion and religious questions in very different ways, for reasons that are perfectly valid even if theyre very different from your own.

One warning: dont waste time trying to look for universal religion. It doesnt exist. Deep down its all the same erases beliefs and practices that are very different for very good reasons. And also they cant all be right misses the point. The search for truth is a question for metaphysics and philosophy. Religion deals with the question of how we form and maintain relationships with the Divine, with our highest values, with other humans, and with the rest of the universe.

So read some books on Buddhism  that are written by Buddhists. The same thing for Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, modern Paganism, the worlds remaining indigenous religions, atheism, and as many other religions and traditions as you can. If nothing else, youll learn about peoples deepest beliefs and values  and thats a very good thing.

Study the history of your own religion

I grew up going to Sunday School every Sunday until I left home for college. I thought I knew a lot about Christianity. Turns out I didnt.

I knew nothing about Eastern Orthodoxy. Most of what I knew about Catholicism came from TV, and it included nothing about the Church Fathers. My knowledge of Luther, Calvin, and Wesley was superficial at best. I was in my late 20s before I learned that the Rapture was not something real Christians had always believed but rather a 19th century American invention.

Oh, I knew the Bible or at least, I thought I did. But I knew the Bible as it was interpreted by 20th century fundamentalist Evangelical Protestants. If you take the Bible seriously, learn how it was and is interpreted by other Christians and how its interpreted by Jews. What Christians call the Old Testament was Jewish long before it was Christian. Jewish tradition has context and linguistics (which is not the same as taking a Hebrew class in an Evangelical seminary) that can keep Christians from making many errors of ignorance.

This advice goes for everyone, not just for proselytizing Christians. If youre a modern Pagan, learn where our religions came from  and more importantly, where they didnt.

Fair warning, though: when you study the history of your religion  real history, not mythologized history and hagiography  youll learn that while good religion can and should be built on divine principles and on peoples experience of the divine, its ultimately a man-made institution. Which means its impossible to believe its right with any degree of certainty.

And youll also learn that the line I heard growing up religion is what other people do  we have the truth is simply not true. Were all doing religion as best we can.

But if youre looking for the truth, honest doubt is far better than false certainty.

Practice your own religion as deeply as you can

So what do you do if you cant be sure your religion is true?

You practice it anyway.

Worship your God or Gods. Or if you come to the conclusion that there are no Gods, worship the highest virtues and values you can find. Worship is not bowing down in subservience. Rather, worship is declaring what is most worthy. As a polytheist I believe the Gods are most worthy, but you prefer to say that honesty, courage, and respect are most worthy, thats a good thing too.

Study your tradition. The fact that its not absolutely true doesnt mean it doesnt have value. Almost certainly it does, or it would have died out long before now. Good religion helps us connect to the divine, relate to each other, and  perhaps most importantly  deal with the Big Questions of Life.

Where do we come from? Why are we here? How should we live? What happens after death? Yes, it would be great to have precise answers we could accept with absolute confidence. But tentative answers are all our ancestors had for thousands and thousands of years. They worked for them, and theyll work for us.

Make the world a better place

Im trying to be as non-judgmental as I can in this post, but Im going to be very judgmental about this: if your religion teaches that the main purpose of this life  this one life that may very well be the only one we get, even though I think its not  is to qualify for the good place in an afterlife, youre following a decidedly unhelpful religion.

Instead, spend your time learning and growing, and helping others learn and grow.

Work to allieviate suffering, and to reduce or eliminate the causes of suffering.

Work to tear town systems that oppress others and replace them with systems that support and lift up others.

Do something, no matter how small, to make the world a better place here and now.

Religious certainty is not possible, and claiming that is possible is a great and harmful sin. You cant have it. The good news is that you dont need it.

Marcus Aurelius probably didnt say it, but its still true:
Im much taken with the feast of Michaelmas, sometimes also called the feasts of the saints Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael. Or, in short the feast of the Archangels. Its an important holy day in my personal if wildly eclectic spiritual calendar.

This festival touches on the liminal. The dream. The miraculous. I dont note it here on this blog every year as it rolls around, but I do revisit it every few years.

An archangel is a chief or principal angel. Angels are supernatural beings who often serve as mediators between the heavenly and earthly realms. It appears angels enter Judaism and later Christianity through the influence of Zoroastrianism. Where they got it, I dont think we know with any certainty, but on first blush it does sort of look like theyre a positive adaptation of local deities by monotheistic religions. Way better than making the devils of one sort or another.

In Buddhism we have devas. They dont precisely map angels. In the West there is a romancing of individual immortality that doesnt exist in the same way within the Buddhadharma. But basically all the religions of any antiquity have their supernatural aspects.

And wherever they come from, the idea of spiritual beings that muck about between heaven and earth, whispering warnings, making announcements, and occasionally directly intervening, certainly has its appeals.

And, I suggest, some realities.

And so on this festival day I find myself thinking of what those mediators between heaven and earth might be for me.

I have found in my life that we live and breathe and take our being within the meeting of two worlds. The problem is the two are not actually two. Nor, are they precisely one. So, when we open our hearts to the realities we find our vision complicated, mysteries emerge, the divine erupts into the ordinary.

Ive described this visit with an old friend on several different occasions. Its an important moment for me.

Shes an Episcopal priest who is also a Zen teacher, attending a mass she celebrated. Among the small band of mostly elderly people I suddenly noticed the whole universe was present. All the angels of Western faith and all the devas of the East were present and circling around that little altar that somehow became the navel of the cosmos. It wasnt precisely what happened. What happened was people gathered around someone praying with bread and wine. And.

And those devas, those angels were there. Both. Both worlds. Many worlds.

Later I was attending a Zen Buddhist service where the doshi, the principal celebrant, was another friend, a Japanese Soto Zen priest. In Zen services the liturgical act of reciting sutras, offering incense, and bowing, is all done with the intent of thanking and offering any merit surrounding those acts to the healing of the world. I watched my friend take a stick of incense and hold it to his forehead. The act itself was grace itself. So, simple. So pure. Just that. Just this. And, in that moment I saw the same thing, for me the same thing, as my friend the Episcopal priest holding in her hands a bit of bread. Worlds were taken apart and then put back together again. But, new. Fresh.

And there, they were again. All the angels and the devas circling around

There simply are moments when the two worlds come together. There simply are moments when the angels, the devas do indeed travel between heaven and earth.

And then every act, every step, every word becomes a mystery, a communion, a sacred dance.

The place between.

Within our silent hearts we can witness the whole mystery.

It is always waiting. All we have to do is enter the silence and witness.

A song of the archangels
MiKO Pharma Gh., Ltd, a leading force in the pharmaceutical industry, is pleased to announce the upcoming ground-breaking ceremony for its new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, located in the Akosombo-Akwamu Traditional Area.



The ceremony, scheduled for the 1st of October 2024, will be graced by the presence of The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who will officially cut the sod to signify the commencement of construction. This marks a pivotal moment in MiKO Pharmas mission to enhance its production capabilities and play a vital role in the socio-economic development of the region.



The ceremony will host a distinguished gathering of government officials, traditional leaders, industry experts, and community members. This groundbreaking symbolizes more than just the start of the project; it demonstrates MiKO Pharmas significant investment in improving healthcare access and supporting the well-being of Ghanaians and beyond.



Once completed, the new plant will be one of the largest and most advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in West Africa. The facility will produce essential medications for treating conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, malaria, and pain management. Once operational, the plant will substantially increase the availability of affordable, high-quality GMP-compliant pharmaceuticals, thus improving healthcare access and outcomes across the continent.



Beyond healthcare, the project is set to transform the local economy. The construction and operation of the plant are expected to create over 1,000 jobs, many of which will be filled by residents. The facility will also stimulate local businesses and contribute to the overall economic vitality of the Akosombo-Akwamu area.



Willard Jackson, Executive Partner at MiKO Pharma, highlighted the companys vision: This plant is a testament to our commitment to innovation and local empowerment. By investing in Ghanas pharmaceutical sector, we aim to improve healthcare access, create sustainable jobs, and drive economic growth. This facility marks a significant milestone in our journey toward a healthier, more prosperous future for all.



MiKO Pharma remains dedicated to sustainability and will incorporate eco-friendly practices throughout the plants operations. The facility will feature advanced technology to minimize waste and reduce its carbon footprint, adhering to global sustainability standards in pharmaceutical production.



Key industry partnerships, including collaborations with Siemens and India-based Sushen Medicamentos pvt ltd, support the project. Sushen Medicamentos pvt ltd brings its expertise in Pharmaceutical Project Management, Formulations, Operations, and Research & Development, ensuring that products manufactured at the new facility meet the highest international standards.



Currently, 30% of Ghanas pharmaceutical market is supplied by locally produced drugs, while 70% are imported. The Ghanaian government aims to increase local production over the next decade, a goal that MiKO Pharma shares and actively supports. This new facility will significantly contribute to this objective, bolstering the local pharmaceutical industry and



increasing the availability of locally manufactured medicines. MiKO Pharma also plans to export its products to Europe and the Americas, further establishing Ghanas presence in the global pharmaceutical market.



Dr. Michael K. Obeng, CEO and Founder of MiKO Pharma Gh., Ltd., emphasized the broader vision behind this initiative: The ground-breaking of our new manufacturing plant is not just a significant step for MiKO Pharma, but for the entire African continent. We aim to produce drugs by Africans, for Africans, and to contribute meaningfully to the global pharmaceutical

landscape. This project is a critical part of our mission to achieve pharmaceutical emancipation and to promote the well-being of all Africans. I firmly believe that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.



MiKO Pharma Gh. Ltd. warmly invites members of the press and key stakeholders to join in this significant event as the company embarks on this exciting new chapter.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com









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Speciallady Awareness conducted a series of outreach programs across Senior High Schools in the Ashanti Region to empower young women and promote reproductive health rights.

The initiative, held from 24th to 27th September 2024, aimed to educate female students on the importance of menstrual hygiene and reproductive health.



The organization visited schools such as St. Louis Senior High School, JA Kuffour SHS, Kumasi Wesley Girls High School, Heman D/A Primary School, Heman Roman Catholic Primary & JHS, and Heman Methodist Model School.



Over 4,000 female students benefited from educational sessions and the donation of sanitary pads, helping them continue their education without interruption.



The outreach sought to dispel myths surrounding menstruation and provide students with the knowledge to manage their menstrual health.



It also addressed key reproductive health topics, including early symptoms of disorders and the importance of seeking medical attention.



Adolescence is a critical period for understanding ones body, yet many students are unfamiliar or uncomfortable discussing reproductive health.



Speciallady Awareness broke through these barriers by delivering comprehensive, age-appropriate information on reproductive health.



Topics covered included menstrual health, with a focus on disorders like endometriosis and uterine abnormalities, which are often overlooked in teenagers.



Students learned how irregular periods, excessive pain, or heavy bleeding could signal underlying health issues that require medical attention.



Early medical intervention and treatment can prevent more serious complications later in life.



The program also featured open discussions, encouraging students to ask questions and share concerns in a supportive environment.



The team provided evidence-based answers with clarity and sensitivity, ensuring every question was addressed.



A key message emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention for unusual symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain, extreme fatigue, or prolonged irregular periods.



Early diagnosis of conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, uterus didelphys, or fibroids can prevent long-term complications such as infertility or chronic pain.



Both students and staff provided positive feedback. Many students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn about topics that are often neglected or considered taboo.

Teachers were equally impressed by the depth of information and the judgment-free atmosphere created by the Speciallady Awareness team.



Speciallady Awareness plans to expand its outreach to other Regions of Ghana, ensuring more girls have access to the knowledge and resources needed to manage their reproductive health effectively.



The outreach was sponsored by OA Pay, Seanpong Tyres, Naaviq Company Ltd, Strike Ghana, and Sweet Aroma Print.



For more information or to support future initiatives, please contact: [email protected]

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The U.S. Ambassador Virginia E. Palmer to Ghana along with the Chief of Naval Staff, Issah Yakubu, and senior officers from the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Armed Forces has visited the Ghana Navy Training Command (NAVTRAC) in the Volta Region to deliver security assistance announced last year.



This new equipment and facility, with a value of over 24 million Ghc ($1.5 million), will enhance Ghanas maritime security capabilities. The two 38-foot DEFENDER Class Safe Boats are in addition to the two boats that were delivered last summer to the Ghana Navy Special Boat Squadron.



During the ceremony, Ambassador Palmer remarked, The United States takes immense pride in our long-standing partnership with Ghana, a partnership rooted in shared commitments to security, democracy, and prosperity.



This ceremony is more than just a handover; it symbolizes our joint efforts to ensure the Ghana Navy is well-equipped to safeguard its waters and sustain these critical assets.



The boat storage facility was constructed by Seabees from the United States 22nd Naval Construction Regiment and their 1st, 11th and 133rd battalions working alongside Marines from the Hershel Woody Williams Marine Detachment Engineer Platoon.





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has commended the Ghana Police Service for their high level of professionalism in handling of the Democracy Hub demonstrators.



According to him, the Police were professional in the face of what appeared as extreme provocation on the side of demonstrators.



I want to commend the Ghana Police Service for exhibiting a high level of professionalism and restraint during the recent three-day protest against Galamsey by some individuals. We note some excesses and provocations that occurred during the demonstration, and the GJA condemns these excesses, the GJA President in his address at the 75th GJA Awards in Accra.



Meanwhile, a former Deputy Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, has also condemned the conduct of the demonstrators.



Speaking in an interview with TV3 on Saturday, September, 28, Dr Ayine emphasised that while the right to protest is protected under the constitution, violence should never be a part of such activities.



He stressed that peaceful demonstrations are an essential part of democracy, but the actions of some protesters who resorted to violence undermine the cause they are advocating for.



According to him, such behaviour only escalates tensions and complicates the relationship between citizens and law enforcement.



"The blocking of traffic is condemnable, the attempt to engage in fisticuffs with police is something that we should condemn. Having said that, I do not think that the activities they engaged in are sufficient reasons you say they should be detained without bail. That is where my concern is.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com









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It has been congratulations galore for the founder of Living Faith Church a.k.a Winners Chapel, Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo who turned 70 today, September 27, 2024.



Notable pastors and organizations from across the country and other parts of the world have joined the members of Living Faith Church in sending their congratulatory messages to the revered Preacher.



Joining the host of others in celebrating Oyedepo s 70th birthday, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, and his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye on his Facebook page wrote,  Happy 70th Birthday, our dear son, Bishop David Oyedepo.



Pastor Adeboye in his congratulatory message said: Today, Mummy & I celebrate not just your life, but the incredible journey of faith, dedication, and service to God that you have walked.



Watching how God has used you to impact countless lives and expand His Kingdom has been a great joy for me. Your passion, unwavering commitment, and boldness in faith have been truly inspiring.



As you step into this new decade, my prayer is that God continues to renew your strength, guide your every step, and fill your heart with His peace.



May His grace over your life multiply, and may your influence for His Kingdom continue to grow beyond measure.



Thank you for being a faithful servant of the Lord. Happy Birthday, and may God bless you abundantly, our dear son.



The Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, David Ibiyeomie, wrote on his social media handle: Happy Birthday Dad. Thank you for the sacrifice of alignment. Thank you for the privilege of access. Thank you for the gift of fatherhood and mentorship. Thank you for bringing light and direction to my life and ministry.



As you celebrate 70, I pray that you will celebrate greater years of impact and exploit. I love you Papey.



Also, the Senior pastor at Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja, Dr. Paul Enenche and his wife Dr.



Becky said: Exactly 70 years ago, a generational shining star, trailblazer, road pointer, pace-setter, history maker, men raiser, God-addict was born. Blessed be the womb that carried you and blessed be the day of your birth Papa. You have not left your generation the way you met it. Papa, as your days, so may your strength be.



The Lord cause you to finish the race set before you in strength, victory and triumph. And may Heaven be your home at the end of the day in Jesus Name.



Happy! Happy! Happy birthday Sir. We love you dearly Sir.

Source: vanguardngr









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Hoang Mai Trang frequently cooks Vietnamese food for her family as a means to preserve her cultural heritage despite the difficulties in getting ingredients and high costs.

The 33-year-old relocated from HCMC to Dubai in 2016 for a hotel job. She initially stayed in the companys dormitory, where the food was Middle Eastern, Indian, Filipino, or Chinese. Whenever she longed for the familiar flavors of home, she had to resort to the instant noodles she had brought from Vietnam.

By her second month she began to intensely miss Vietnamese foods like pho and bun bo (beef noodle soup).

Once her instant noodles ran out, she began to explore food stores in Dubai and downloaded nearly a dozen delivery apps to buy the ingredients needed to cook her own meals.

"Vietnamese dishes helped me feel less homesick and satisfy my cravings," she says.

Due to her hectic schedule, she could only manage to cook once a week. Often, after a late shift at work, she would trek 20 minutes through the desert to buy morning glory to take home to boil. She also prepared a dipping sauce by mashing garlic and chili. Despite its simplicity, Trang found the dish "incredibly delicious."

Hoang Mai Trang (far L) enjoys Vietnamese dishes with her family and friends in Dubai. Photo courtesy of Trang

About 70% of the Vietnamese dishes Trang makes require pork. But in Muslim Dubai, pork is rarely sold and only at a few licensed supermarkets, hidden away in secluded corners. On one occasion she had to travel 10 kilometers to buy pork.

One time some colleagues saw her cook pork and reacted loudly and violently. After this she was compelled to cook discreetly in her private room using a rice cooker for dishes like braised pork with eggs and bun moc (vermicelli noodles and pork balls).

This continued for a few months until she connected with other Vietnamese in Dubai, who then gathered on weekends to cook together.

However, making Vietnamese food continues to pose challenges. Ingredients are costly. For example, a 100-gram bunch of morning glory costs VND42,000 (US$1.7). The same is true for perilla leaves, cilantro and green onion.

Additionally, most poultry sold in Dubai, including chicken and duck, is frozen and without offal. Trang often has to reach out to Vietnamese online to source giblets needed for making traditional Vietnamese noodle soups or porridge.

Sometimes, she has to procure ingredients from Vietnam since they are too expensive locally.

"Cooking a Vietnamese meal here usually costs a few million dong (VND1 million = $40.63)," she says.

To economize, she often cooks multiple dishes from an ingredient. For instance, she uses pig intestines for both vermicelli and porridge, and howling fish to make soup and braise with pork belly. She only adds a few sprigs at a time whenever she uses aromatic herbs like perilla, fish mint, cilantro, and Vietnamese coriander sparingly.

A meal consisting of traditional Vietnamese dishes made by Trang in Dubai in March 2024. Photo courtesy of Trang

Finding the right spices for Vietnamese cooking is another hurdle. She often has to visit up to four supermarkets just to find a bottle of Thai fish sauce that closely resembles the Vietnamese version.

"But Im not always lucky," she says. "Its frustrating when I cant find or dont have some ingredients [to cook], and so I learn to make it myself."

On one such occasion, she learned from online tutorials how to grind leftover rice, adding salt, tapioca starch and cooking oil to make noodles. This produced noodles that were soft and absorbed the broth well, closely resembling those made in Vietnam, she says.

Practice has improved Trangs skills, such as when making banh bot loc (tapioca dumplings), she has learned to use silicone molds intended for jelly to achieve nearly the same taste and form as the traditional Vietnamese version.

Foreign friends frequently admire Trangs dedication and attention to detail when she meticulously prepares vegetables like morning glory, hand-picks basil leaves for an hour or makes satay for hours though it is just five small jars to store away.

"My foreign friends perceive Vietnamese cuisine as detailed and meticulous, and missing one ingredient makes the dish incomplete," she says.

In 2019 Trang married her Egyptian husband, who quickly became an enthusiast of Vietnamese cuisine. He is particularly impressed with banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) for the skill required to make the layers very thin.

On weekends now Trang often invites foreign friends to savor more complex dishes like hotpot with fermented fish and porridge with pork intestine. Bun bo is the dish most requested by her Indian and Arab friends.

It typically takes her two weeks to get all the necessary ingredients for these dishes.

During the Lunar New Year holidays Trang and her husband devote a week to visiting Chinese supermarkets, where they buy pickled radish to enhance with lime juice and sugar and serve as a side dish with braised pork and eggs.

She also purchases bamboo trays and banana leaves to present the dishes, recreating a Vietnamese atmosphere that her friends greatly appreciate.

"I see it as a way to introduce Vietnam to my foreign friends," she says.
Cenpower Generation Ltd (Cenpower), owner of the Kpone Independent Power Plant (KIPP), has successfully held the second edition of its KIPP Clean Project at the SegaBeach on 21st September 2024.



This event reaffirms the companys commitment to environmental sustainability through the protection of marine ecosystems. The clean-up event, held at Sega Beach in Kpone, brought together over 200 volunteers, including employees from Cenpower Generation Ltd, Cenpower Operations and Services Ltd.(Cenops), Ecostar Limited and members of the Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA), as well as local community members. To maximize the collection of waste from the Sega shoreline, the services of Ecozoil, a company with expertise in mechanized beach cleaning and waste management services was also engaged in this years event.



The initiative is focused on addressing the persistent issue of plastic and waste pollution along the shoreline of the Sega Beach. During the exercise, a total of over 200 tons of waste, including plastic debris, bottles, and other non-biodegradable materials was collected from the Sega Beach.



The KIPP Clean Project is aimed at fostering environmental and social well-being in the Kpone community where Cenpowers operational activities is situated. Speaking at the event, Mr. Samuel Nana Brew-Butler, the Board Chairman of Cenpower, highlighted the companys commitment to sustainability and community engagement. He stated that Our mission goes beyond powering Ghanas future.



We are committed to making a lasting, positive impact in our host community, Kpone. For nearly a decade, Cenpower has been a key player in the energy sector, and through initiatives like this, we reaffirm our dedication to environmental sustainability and the well-being of the communities we serve. This project reflects our long-term commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen and a true partner in community development.



Mr. Theophilus Sackey, the Chief Executive of Cenpower reiterated the significance of the exercise, saying, This initiative is part of Cenpowers corporate and social responsibility to our community. This project is not only about cleaning a beach; our goal is to build a legacy of care for our environment and engaging with our community in meaningful ways.



He added, We are grateful to our stakeholders, including employees and partners, whose invaluable contributions demonstrate the power of collaboration in driving positive change. We hope to inspire others to join us in protecting our natural resources for future generations.



Mr. Kwaku Asiedu Larbi, Acting Plant Manager of Cenpower Operations (Cenops), spoke on Cenops' support for the exercise. Supporting the KIPP Clean initiative aligns with Cenops commitment to operational excellence and corporate responsibility. As the operational arm of Cenpower, our responsibility goes beyond energy provision. Itencompasses the well-being of the communities in which we operate. Environmental sustainability is central to our mission, and initiatives like the Sega Beach Clean-Up allows us to actively demonstrate this commitment.



Representing the Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA), Mr. William NuerteyJosiah, Presiding Member, commended Cenpower for its leadership in driving environmental sustainability. We are grateful for Cenpowers initiative and proud to partner with them on this important project. The environmental challenges we face require collective action, and Cenpower is setting a strong example. There is a growing need for more partnerships and greater public awareness to tackle these issues, and this initiative is a step in the right direction.



In his closing remarks, Dr. Jimmy Heymann, a Non-Executive Director of Cenpower, thanked all participants for their dedication to making the 2024 edition of the KIPP Clean Project a success. Todays success shows what we can achieve when we come together as a community. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to make a meaningful impact for future generations.



In addition to the beach clean-up exercise, key executive and management members from Cenpower together with representatives from Cenops and the KKMA took part in a coconut tree planting ceremony along the shoreline. This effort symbolizes Cenpowers commitment to long-term environmental restoration and the enhancement of coastal resilience. The coconut trees will help combat soil erosion, foster biodiversity, and create a sustainable, green coastline for future generations.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com









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A clergyman from Osun State in Nigeria, Niyi Peter was arraigned on Thursday, September 26, 2024, and dragged before a Chief Magistrates Court in Osogbo.



Peter was said to have been arraigned for allegedly defaming popular gospel artist Bunmi Akinnaanu, also known by her stage name Omije Ojumi, via social media.



Peter faces three charges related to his social media activity, including posting a picture of Akinnaanu with the caption prostitute song, which led to significant backlash from her fans and colleagues.



It was gathered that a rhetorical post was made in April 2024, around noon, at the Oke-Odo Area of Osogbo.



During the hearing before Magistrate Dr Olusegun Ayilara, details from the charge sheet revealed that Peter's actions constituted defamation, damaging Akinnaanus character.



He allegedly used his WhatsApp number to share the derogatory label, which sparked outrage and drew attention to the potential harm caused by his comments.



In addition to the defamation charge, Peter was accused of sending Akinnaanu a threatening voice note, stating that she will perish and never rise again.



These actions have raised concerns about public order, as they could incite unrest due to the inflammatory nature of the accusations.



The charges against Peter are said to violate sections 373, 88, and 249(D) of the Criminal Code of Osun State, 2002. In court, Peter pleaded not guilty to the charges. His legal counsel, Okobe Najite, requested bail on his behalf.



Magistrate Ayilara granted bail set at 1 million, stipulating that Peter must provide two sureties who are civil servants.



The court has adjourned the case until Tuesday, October 22, 2024, for further hearings, as the legal proceedings continue to unfold in this high-profile case.

Source: graphiconline









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Dr. Gideon Boako has accused the largest opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC) of being the mastermind behind the Democracy Hub protest.



Some group of persons hit the streets of 37 Military Hospital days ago to register their displeasure with the government regarding galamsey.



The protesters, during their demonstration, blocked major roads leading to the 37 Military Hospital and other areas causing huge gridlock, destroyed party billboards and posters and engaged in other acts of destruction.



Their provocation was extended to the Police as their leader, Oliver Baker-Vormawor, stole the keys of a Police vehicle and threw it away.



The behavior of the protesters compelled the Police to arrest some of them who are currently facing prosecution.



Analyzing the protest during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, the Spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Gideon Boako stated that the demonstrators were politically influenced by the National Democratic Congress but hid behind galamsey to make Ghanaians think they were demonstrating in their interest.



He stressed, in reality, it was all aimed at making the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government unpopular so the NDC wins the election.



"If you are doing demonstration against galamsey, why do you burn NPP properties?", he queried and answered; "It means you have a special target against the NPP. So, it is political. So, let no Ghanaian sit down and be deceived by NDC's latent attempt to cause a bad image for the government."



He added, "All these people who led the demonstration, we know them. Oliver Baker-Vormawor, typical NDC boy; who doesn't know him?...All these people hold positions in the NDC. If you like, let us go into the election and, perish the thought, NDC wins the election, Oliver Baker-Vormawor and all these people leading the demonstration will be given positions in NDC government."





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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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's Spokesperson, Dr. Gideon Boako has taken a swipe at Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a political acitivist who is currently in Police custody, over his indecent act during the Democracy Hub demonstration days ago.



Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who is known for his popular involvement in protests, was one of the Democracy Hub organizers who amassed a number of Ghanaians to the streets of the 37 Military Hospital to protest illegal mining (galamsey) activities in the country.



During their protest, the participants refused to oblige by the rules set out by the Police, hence engaging in acts that compelled the law enforcement agents to arrest some of them.



Oliver Barker-Vormawor was captured stealing a Police vehicle keys and throwing it away during a wild chase by the officers.



He later sped off on a motorbike but was subsequently arrested and he remains under Police detention.



The Accra Circuit Court has remanded the convener of the #FixTheCountry protest, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, along with 12 other protesters, in police custody.



Barker-Vormawor and another protester, Fanny Otoo, were absent from court on September 25 due to illness and were receiving treatment at the Police Hospital.



Barker-Vormawor faces eight charges, including stealing, defacement of public notice, and offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace.



The case has been adjourned to October 8.



Commenting on Oliver's behavior, Dr. Gideon Boako stated that Mr. Barker-Vormawor has become excessively notorious, hence exclaiming his attitude should not be entertained.



"It is either Ghanaians have extremely wronged him that he now dislikes us or he has regretted being a Ghanaian or he is just wicked and wants to do evil things in Ghana because everything he says, everything he writes is treasonable."



Describing Oliver Barker-Vormawor and his cohort as having "psychopathic tendencies", Dr. Boako said on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' show that "such a people shouldn't be tolerated to lead a mobillization to cause mayhem and havoc in this country".





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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Prof. Smart Sarpong, a Senior Researcher, has condemned the conduct of the Democracy Hub protesters.



The protesters days ago blocked the roads to 37 Military Hospital, set fire at the intersection, attacked road users and caused further damages, according to a Police statement.



As a result, over 50 persons have been arrested and are facing prosecution.



But the Police and the government are receiving public backlash with some activists calling for the release of those arrested.



Joining the panel on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, Prof. Smart Sarpong found the protesters' attitude very uncouth and deviating from the very essence of demonstration.



According to him, the Democracy Hub protest was politically motivated.



"If you are demonstrating against galamsey, first of all, the site is not Accra. The site cannot be 37 Military Hospital. Even if you had gone to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, there would have been a certain link but galamsey and 37 Military Hospital don't connect", he expressed his diappointment.



He emphasized that "demonstrations are not meant for destruction or to inconvenience someone", hence the Democracy Hub protest "is politics and will continue to be politics...The effect, itself, is not genuine. The effect is political".





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 Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has sent strong signal of his determination to win the presidential election as his campaign continues to gain momentum.



An essential feature of the Bawumia campaign is he personally interacting with people at their homes, markets and on the streets.



Since he was elected NPP presidential candidate, the Vice President hasnt for once backed down on engaging the grassroots.



He ensures that he goes down to the people to seek their mandate to become Ghanas next President.



In his latest round of campaign, Dr. Bawumia has been focused on a "meet and greet" campaign where he makes surprised appearances at shops, offices, markets, lorry parks and on the streets to interact with people.



Dr. Bawumia started his Western Regional campaign tour on Thursday, September 26.



He stepped up his street-to-street campaign with a renewed energy beginning at Daboase Junction in the Region.



To the amazement of commuters and residents, Dr. Bawumia, as usual, exhibited humbleness towards them and exchanged pleasantries with every person he encountered at the vicinity.

He did same in Daboase and Shama townships, walking into the markets, shops and lorry parks to have one on one sessions with drivers, traders and commuters.



He continued his tour to Ahanta West engaging in rigorous street campaign at Apowa and Agona Nkwanta lorry parks.



Remarkably, Dr. Bawumia shows no signs of tiredness as he, at all occasions, walks for over 30 minutes even defying the rains to meet the people which tells of his readiness, seriousness and commitment to move Ghana forward.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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Renowned Islamic Cleric and scholar, Sheikh Ishaq Nuamah says the Vice President and NPP presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has unquestionably character traits which are essential for the next leadership of Ghana.



Addressing some young people at a public lecture and review of the book Dr. Bawunia and the Modern Vice Presidency authored by Prof. Etse Sikanku, Sheikh Nuamah commended Dr. Bawumia for his remarkable political journey, stressing he is on the cusp of the Presidency.



He noted that Bawumias good character traits have earned him huge support across the nation, even from the Christian fraternity although he is a Muslim.



"Dr. Bawumia has never been corrupt and he has never been a womaniser. He has a good character. Even his opponents know that."



"Christians are rooting for him because of his character. They tell me 'as for that man he is very humble'. Yes he is very very humble.



"He is also very tolerant. You can insult him from morning to evening and he won't mind you. Kindness is also one of his traits and it is character trait that when you have, it draws people closer, Sheikh Nuamah told the largely Muslim youth audience.



Sheikh Nuamah also hailed Dr. Bawumia saying people who work with him can attest to his hard work and competence.



"He is also hardworking and result oriented. Those who are working at close range with him know that he is result orientedAnd he is a unifier.



If you watch the campaigns in all the Regions, how many are Muslims? How many Muslims are in this country? But when you look at the audience following him, very huge. Chiefs and pastors who are non-Muslims are rooting for him, Sheikh Nuamah added and urged the Zongo community to join forces with the rest of the country and rally behind Dr. Bawumia to win the December polls stating emphatically he can be trusted.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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The Middlebelt Coordinator of the 2024 National Campaign Team of the New Patriotic Party for the General Elections, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie has maintained that his party will ensure all water bodies are protected from illegal miners, widely known as galamsey.



According to him, the fight against the canker has been politicized, making it difficult to see positive results despite strict measures by the Akufo-Addo-led government over the years.



He accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of importing foreigners to destroy the water bodies to give the government a bad image in their quest to win the December 7 elections.



But Dr Ayew Afriyie warned that the strategy by the NDC will be regretted after invoking curses on wrongdoers.



"They [NDC] are in Accra and confusing the masses that small-scale mining is the same as river bodies mining. Those destroying the water bodies are the river bodies miners. These Togolese and Burkinabays were brought into the country by the NDC to destroy the water bodies but we are going after them.



"The operations we have started in the Middlebelt will chase these foreigners. They know we're going to win the elections so they've decided to go and import foreigners to destroy the water bodies.



Until recently, there was no issue of galamsey. Their strategy is to frustrate us to stop those mining responsibly so we will lose the election but that will not happen. Those mining in the river bodies, we'll stop them, they are nation wreckers and God will punish them and their entire generation. He said during a party gathering.





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com









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LIGNORELLES, France  On a brisk late September morning in the heart of Chablis wine country, grape pickers haul large and heavy buckets over their shoulders, drenched in sweat as they climb the very steep slope of the Vau de Vey vineyard.

Its the final day of the harvest at the Domaine Roland Lavantureux winery, and workers are handpicking the last of the prized Chardonnay grapes that will eventually be transformed into the bright and high-end Premier Cru that is bottled by the estate.

But wine lovers around the world may struggle to get their hands on the 2024 millesime  wine that comes from a single years harvest. It will be available in smaller quantities than usual.

Much of Frances wine country faced one of the wettest years on record in 2024 so far amid a changing climate, after years of challenges to vineyards and wine quality caused by drought and heat. At the Lavantureux estate, the picking lasted just nine days  about half the usual time  after a year of unpredictably harsh weather marked by frost, hail, record rainfall and the spread of a dangerous fungus that has left Chablis growers on edge.

I have been working here since 2010. This is my most difficult year, says winemaker David Lavantureux, who follows in the footsteps of his father Roland, a winemaker himself. And all the old-timers will tell you the same thing. Its been a very difficult year because the weather has been so unpredictable. We have not been spared a single thing.

The ordeal began in April with the frost. Then in May, a double hailstorm pummeled the region. Then came relentless rain, right up to the harvest. According to the Burgundy wine federation, some 2,500 acres of vines in the Chablis country were affected by the May storm. And the excess moisture allowed a destructive mildew fungus to thrive.

Disease devastates the vineyard

Once entrenched, the disease causes huge crop losses and can also affect wine quality. Together with his brother Arnaud, David fought hard to try and control mildew with various treatments, which were washed away by the rain and didnt prove effective.

On our estate, were looking at losses of 60 to 65%, David Lavantureux said. Its going to be a low-yield year.

The weather impact wasnt confined to the Lavantureux estate. Wet conditions across France have wreaked havoc on many wine-growing regions this year. Mildew, combined with episodes of frost and hail, have reduced overall production. The French ministry of agriculture estimates that it will amount to 39.3 million hectoliters, below both 2023 levels (-18%) and the average for the past five years (-11%).

Its been a very tough year, both physically and mentally, Arnaud says. Were relieved the harvest is over. Im exhausted.

The challenges of this year will inevitably influence the wines produced at the family winery, resulting in a 2024 vintage with distinct characteristics.

Balances are not at all the same, adds Arnaud. Theres more acidity. Maturity is less optimal. But the goal is to craft the wine so that, in the end, the balance is as perfect as possible.

Adapting to a changing climate

Located in the northern part of the Bourgogne region, the vineyards of Chablis have traditionally benefited from a favorable climate  cold winters, hot summers and annual rainfall between 650-700 millimeters (25-27 inches).

But climate change is altering those conditions, bringing unseasonably mild weather, more abundant rainfall, and recurrent spring frosts that were less common in the past.

The frost damage is particularly frustrating. A similar phenomenon hit French vineyards in recent years, leading to big financial losses. And scientists believe the damaging 2021 frost was made more likely by climate change.

There was a period when we thought that with global warming setting in, Chablis would be safe from frost, David Lavantureux says. And finally, over the last 15 years, its come back even stronger.

To adapt, winemakers have been adopting creative solutions. Cutting the wines later helps delay bud burst and reduce the vulnerability to late frost, while keeping a larger foliage above the fruit shields the grapes from the scorching sun in hot summers.

During frost threats, many growers use expensive methods such as lighting candles in the vineyards. They also install electric lines to warm the vines, or spray water on the buds to create a thin ice layer that ensures the blossoms temperature remains around freezing point but doesnt dip much lower.

Throughout the Burgundy region, anti-hail devices have also been deployed in a bid to lessen the intensity of hailstorms.

It helps reduce risk, but its never 100% protection, David Lavantureux says. We saw that again this year with several hailstorms, two of which were particularly severe.

Looking ahead

Fortunately for the Lavantureux family, two very good years in 2022 and 2023 should help mitigate the financial losses induced by the reduced 2024 harvest as international demand for Chablis remains solid, especially in the United States.

In June, the Burgundy wine association said that Chablis wine exports to the U.S. reached 3 million bottles, generating 368 million euros ($410 million), a 19% increase compared to the previous year.

Weve put this harvest behind us, says Arnaud Lavantureux Now its time to think on the next one.
NEW KENSINGTON  The four men who put Steve Szarewicz away for murder all changed their stories at one time or another, yet Szarewicz still sits behind bars. Thats where he has been for almost 43 years.

A jury convicted him of killing Billy Merriwether, 25, who was shot twice in the back of the head and once in the chest, his body left facedown off a country road in western Pennsylvania in 1981.

There were no fingerprints, no eyewitness testimony and no DNA evidence linking Szarewicz to the scene. The case rested on the words of four jailhouse informants who all testified that Szarewicz confessed to them, and three of the four have recanted. Another inmate told the court the fourth witness against Szarewicz fabricated his story to settle a score.

Nevertheless, a Pittsburgh jury in 1983 found the informants testimony believable enough to convict Szarewicz, despite qualms they voiced to the judge about the lack of physical evidence.

Today the conviction is still on appeal, with Szarewicz asking the state Superior Court to reduce his life sentence to 10 to 20 years.

A national database of more than 3,400 exonerations since 1989 includes more than 200 in which jailhouse informants played a role in the wrongful convictions.

When courts reverse convictions based on informant testimony, its usually because prosecutors made some agreement with the witness and didnt reveal it, said professor Bruce Antkowiak, a lawyer at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and a former defense attorney and prosecutor.

Our court system places the issue of credibility on the altar of a jury, Antkowiak said.

Merriwethers troubles were piling up when he was killed. He was unemployed and living on public assistance, known as someone who would fight at the drop of a hat, an acquaintance told detectives at the time.

There were reports that some guys in his New Kensington neighborhood with ties to organized crime were after him because they thought he had stolen from them.

Merriwether had trouble in his romantic life, too. Both he and his girlfriend were married to other people. And his girlfriends father  a now deceased local mobster named Mitch Roditis  was ticked off that Merriwether, who was Black, was dating his white daughter.

Around 7 the morning that Merriwether was killed, a dog walker about 23 miles northeast of Pittsburgh reported hearing a single blast that sounded like a gunshot. Moments later, three more rang out. A nearby road crew saw a car speed by with two men in it. They pulled off, then drove away, leaving Merriwethers dead body behind.

Prosecutors laid out a simple theory of the crime: it had been a $5,000 murder-for-hire mob hit. They argued that Roditis, who was never charged, got Szarewicz and two other men to kill Merriwether over him dating Roditis daughter.

The murder case was no prize, former Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Chris Conrad recalled in an interview this spring. It wasnt one where you walk in and you get confessions and fingerprints and just great physical evidence.

Much of Szarewiczs focus has been on the jailhouse informants, three of them related to one another.

In September of 1982, witness Dave Cannon wrote a letter saying it wouldnt be right for Szarewicz to go to prison and that Cannon had been willing to testify only because he thought it could help him get out of jail.

At trial, Cannon changed his story again, testifying that he wrote the letter because he was afraid of Szarewicz. Contacted by The Associated Press by phone in March, Cannon stood by his statement that Szarewicz confessed to him inside the Allegheny County Jail.

Eight months after Szarewiczs conviction, another one of the informants who testified against him, Ernie Bevilacqua, wrote in an affidavit: I lied about everything I said about Steve and I would go to court to help him and to say what really happened.

Years later, Bevilacqua said he recanted only because he was afraid of Szarewicz, his friends and fellow prisoners.

The third informant who flip-flopped in Szarewiczs case was Rick Bowen.

About six months after Szarewicz was convicted, Bowen approached defense attorney Pat Thomassey in the Westmoreland County courthouse. Thomassey later signed an affidavit saying Bowen indicated to me that, in fact, he had lied in the case against Steven Szarewicz in order to make a deal for himself and to avoid being prosecuted for various crimes. Bowen later denied the exchange.

The fourth informant to testify against Szarewicz, Kenny Knight, did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment. When police first interviewed him about Merriwethers murder, he didnt implicate Szarewicz, even when asked. He said later he feared Szarewicz and that he withheld information because he did not want to get involved.

In a 1992 court proceeding, a judge declared the witnesses credibility about as low as a snakes belly. Prosecutor Maria Copetas did not defend them, saying they have recanted at some point, and then recanted their recantations, and then refused to testify in court.

These days Szarewicz spends time working on his case. He has a prison janitorial job that pays about $75 a month, walks regularly and participates in Bible study.

Hes hoping for a break.

If I did not have my faith, I am sure I would most likely not be alive to fight another day, Szarewicz wrote a few years ago. Is there anybody out there who is appalled by this clear abuse of the system? If so, help, please?
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam will pay State visits to Mongolia and Ireland, attend the 19th Francophonie Summit and make an official visit to France from Sept. 30-Oct. 7.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

He makes the visits at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Irish President Michael D. Higgins and French President Emmanuel Macron, respectively.

Vietnam and Mongolia established diplomatic relations on Nov. 17, 1954. The upcoming visit of Vietnam's General Secretary and President will occur during the 70th anniversary of this.

In 2023, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries exceeded US$120 million. Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh conducted a state visit to Vietnam in Nov. 2023.

Vietnam and Ireland initiated diplomatic relations on April 5, 1996. Ireland ranks as Vietnam's sixth-largest trading partner within the EU market, with bilateral trade nearing US$3.5 billion in 2023 and approximately US$2.2 billion in the first half of the year. Vietnam is one of the nine priority countries receiving development aid from Ireland.

Diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France were established on April 12, 1973, and elevated to a strategic partnership in 2013. France is Vietnam's fifth-largest trading partner in Europe, with trade volumes reaching US$5.3 billion in 2022 and US$4.8 billion in 2023. France is also the foremost bilateral European ODA donor to Vietnam, which is the second-largest recipient of French ODA in Asia.

The Francophone community comprises 88 countries and territories, including 54 full members from European nations such as France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Switzerland, and African countries like Mali, Morocco, and Cameroon, as well as some Asian countries like Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The community represents about 1.2 billion people, accounting for 16% of global GDP and 20% of global trade. Vietnam hosted the first and only Francophone summit in Asia in 1997.
Pet store giant Petco recently announced it was ending the sale of rabbits from commercial breeders and would shift to adoption only to help rehome unwanted rabbits.

Petco said it was recommitting to an adoption-only policy for rabbits following the completion of a limited pilot involving the sale of fewer than 50 rabbits in select locations.

The company said the decision was made to align with its longstanding Think Adoption First philosophy and after receiving feedback from animal rescue and welfare groups.

Rescue groups say rabbits are often purchased on a whim and without consideration of the amount of time and the cost of properly caring for them, leading to an abundance of unwanted pets.

Earlier this month, the rabbit protection group, Rabbit.org criticized Petco for its blatant betrayal of promises the company made in 1994 and 2008 to stop rabbit sales.

These hasty purchases often lead to summer dump season, when many pet rabbits are abandoned outdoors, becoming roadkill or prey for predators, the group said in a statement.

Petco said in announcing its new policy that it was seeking to do the right thing for pets and pet lovers.

We put great care and thought into piloting a responsible way to offer neutered rabbits for those looking for a new family member, and through this process weve learned...we can have a greater impact by refocusing our efforts into helping find homes for the thousands of rabbits already looking for loving families across the country, said Benjamin Thiele-Long, chief environmental, social, governance and communications officer.

The president of the Humane Society of the United States, Kitty Block, praised the move, saying it aligns with Petcos longstanding commitment to find adoptive homes for unwanted cats and dogs.

Petco is doing right by rabbits by recommitting to an adoption-only policy, said Block. We celebrated the companys decision years ago to commit to a humane business model that offers adoptable cats and dogs instead of puppies and kittens from massive commercial breeding operations. Adding rabbits to this policy reflects a commitment to animal welfare and sets an example for other retailers.
If you took a spin through social media on Saturday you probably saw Primanti Brothers trending, and if you took the time to investigate that you probably know it was a rough day for the restaurant.

Turns out, JD Vance tried to stop in at one of its locations in North Versailles, Pa., and that got spun into a story that he was denied entry, that Primanti Brothers threatened to call police on him, and booted all of his supporters out.

Theres video out there, and many MAGA and right-wing personalities on social media ran with it. Roger Stone was among those calling for a boycott of Primanti.

But the restaurant says that is not what happened at all.

Primantis prides itself on being a staple of the Pittsburgh community and a proud American business that has hosted sitting presidents, politicians and political candidates from across the spectrum for over 90 years, the restaurant said in a statement on X. Our doors are open to all patrons who wish to dine with us.

Without any advance notice, todays campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff, the statement continued. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property. Senator Vances supportive comments that our manager got a little nervous given the secret service, police and crowd accurately reflect the nature of what occurred, and we are glad that it was resolved quickly.

TribLive.com reported that Vance, in fact, interacted with a small crowd outside of Primantis.

We paid for everybodys food, we gave them a nice tip and of course, when I gave a nice tip, I said, No taxes on tips, Vance said per TribLive.com Its all right. Dont hold it against (the worker). She just got a little nervous, but its a great local business. Lets keep on supporting it.

Sadly, restaurants explanation and Vances words seemingly backing that account, seem to have been widely ignored on social media. A talking point among those folks was an August event that the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaigned reserved at a Primanti in Moon Township. That event, unlike Vances drop-in, however, was reportedly coordinated in advance.
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Former Poker Dealer Picks Up WSOP Bracelet and 213,000 at King's Resort

Kai Cocklin Live Reporter Copy link

King's Resort in Rozvadov, once just a place where Christopher Campisano shuffled cards and dealt hands as an unassuming dealer, has transformed into the battleground where he etched his name into history.

What was once his workplace has become an arena where he was crowned a world champion, a stage where every card turned was a step closer to destiny. The dealer's seat is long behind him  the champion's throne now belongs to Campisano.

After being all-in and at risk four times during the final table, three of which came during heads-up play, Campisano defied the odds to capture his first bracelet and the 213,350 top prize in Event #3: 1,350 Mini Main Event of the 2024 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE), by overcoming Frederic Marechal in a fascinating heads-up battle.

WSOPE Mini Main Event Final Table Results

Place Name Country Prize 1 Christopher Campisano Italy 213,950 2 Frederic Marechal Belgium 145,550 3 Dimitrios Anastasakis Greece 105,850 4 Xiaohua Yang China 78,650 5 Andreas Krause Germany 59,950 6 Frederik Thiemer Germany 46,850 7 Luigi Pignataro Italy 37,650 8 Luc Ramos Switzerland 31,050

*the top fourteen payouts include a 10,350 WSOPE Main Event ticket

Campisano Keeps the Dream Alive

"I don't believe it. I feel good, very good," said an elated Campisano after realizing he'd become the latest WSOP bracelet winner.

"When I won with ace-three against ace-queen, I thought, OK, maybe this is my tournament. I hit a lot of hands today," he said, referring to several key all-in moments where he was at risk but managed to survive.

Campisano reflected on the tense heads-up play, admitting he thought the dream might be over when he was a nine-to-one underdog. But after securing that crucial first double-up, he felt his chances shift and knew he had a shot.

"I thought maybe the dream was over, but after that first double-up, I knew it was possible."

With a grin, he shared his plans for the night. "Ill celebrate with my friendstheyre here, and I live here too. I play almost every day, so next up is the Main Event, and I already have my ticket!"

Monster Heads-Up Comeback Sees Dietrich Wins Online Poker's Biggest Prize

Final Table Action

When play got underway, the shortest stack at the table was Luc Ramos, who had just eight big blinds to work with. Unfortunately for Ramos, he didn't even have time to get his seat warm as in the opening orbit, he shoved with ace-eight and failed to improve against the ace-king of Xiaohua Yang.

Luigi Pignataro started the day second on the leaderboard but quickly dropped down the rankings in the opening level to put himself among the shorter stacks. An opportunity arose for the Italian player to double up with pocket queens, but what wasn't on his agenda was Dimitrios Anastasakis picking up pocket kings. As the board brought no change, Pignataro was eliminated in seventh place.

The solid pace of eliminations continued when Yang picked up his second knockout of the final table after sending Germany's Frederik Thiemer to the rail. Yang's button raise with pocket jacks was shoved on by Thiemer from the small blind with ace-eight. A jack on the flop effectively sealed the fate of Thiemer, and he departed in sixth.

Frederik Thiemer

Campisano was then in a troublesome position after shoving with ace-three and running straight into the ace-queen of Yang. The hat-trick of eliminations for Yang was never completed, however, as Campisano flopped trip treys to keep himself in contention.

Andreas Krause saw his chip stack sliding in the wrong direction and ultimately shoved pocket jacks for four big blinds. Marechal made the call with king-queen and rivered a flush, which sent Krause out in fifth.

Marechal started to pull away from the field, but Campisano almost evened out the top two stacks after busting Yang in fourth. Yang had three-bet shoved king-jack but was in horrific shape against the pocket aces of the eventual champion. Despite flopping a flush draw, Yang couldn't find any of his outs on the turn or river, which brought play down to three-handed.

Xiaohua Yang

Three-handed play was a gruelling battle, with all three players taking turns at the top of the counts. A pivotal hand occurred between Campisano and Marechal where the latter five-bet shoved ace-ten and got the Italian player to fold ace-queen in what would have been the biggest pot of the tournament.

Marechal then triple-barrel bluffed with a missed straight draw, and was called down by Campisano who had flopped a pair of aces.

As Campisano started to edge away as chip leader, the two shorter stacks played an all-in pot, leaving Anastasakis with just two big blinds. Marechal had shoved from the small blind with ace-seven, and the Greek player made the call with king-queen from the big blind. An ace-high flop sealed the double-up for Marechal and was the beginning of the end for Anastasakis.

Despite managing to double up once, Anastasakis' queen-six was left drawing dead on the turn after he got the chips in preflop against Marechal, who had ace-jack.

Dimitrios Anastasakis

Campisano took a slender chip lead into heads-up play but was soon a two-to-one underdog when Marechal connected with the river during Level 37. Over the next few hands, Marechal extended his lead to nine-to-one and looked to be in cruise control on his way to the title.

However, Campisano didn't give up and came from behind to double up with queen-six against the ace-five of Marechal, which set the wheels in motion for an unlikely comeback. The next hand, Campisano doubled up again with ace-jack against king-six, which reduced the deficit to just two-to-one and sparked the duel back into life.

Marechal saw another opportunity to win pass him by when his open-ended straight draw bricked against Campisano's top pair, which put the Italian player in the lead, one that he would not relinquish again.

Frederic Marechal

In the final hand of the night, Campisano shoved with king-nine suited, and Marechal put in his last seventeen big blinds with ace-three. Campisano flopped a flush draw, turned a king, and rivered a flush to win the pot and the title.

It was a tough run of cards for Marechal, who had plenty of opportunities to snag the bracelet. However, the deck wasn't on his side tonight, so he had to settle for the runner-up spot.

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Retired Republican Senator from Arizona Jeff Flake not only endorsed Kamala Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President, but encouraged other Republicans to put country over party as well.

I would encourage all Republicans who feel this way to do the same. After all, in times like these, there is nothing more conservative than putting country over party, the retired Ambassador to Turkiye and Senator from Arizona wrote.

Ill be supporting @KamalaHarris for President and @Tim_Walz for Vice President. My full statement below. pic.twitter.com/6b28mkBPMD  Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) September 29, 2024

Flake wrote that he supports Harris because Having spent the past three years overseas as a U.S. Ambassador, Ive seen up close that we have very real enemies abroad. We also have vital and indispensable allies. I want to support a Presidential candidate who understands and appreciates the difference.

The Republican said Harris understands political opponents are the loyal opposition and not the enemy.

The former Republican Senator said he knows the fine character and love of country of Harris and Walz because he was on the Senate Judiciary Committee with Vice President Kamala Harris and got to know her then. Flake also worked with Walz in the House when they served together.

Flakes larger point was an appeal to conservatives that putting country over party is the conservative thing to do, rather than a betrayal of their values.

Harris is in a tight race in Arizona against convicted felon Donald Trump . If the Flake endorsement can move the needle even one point, it would be a very big deal.

Republicans like Flake are stepping up for their country in what should be seen as a red light warning that Trump is simply unfit for office.
Tourists visit a ceramics low-price shopping area in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 26, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Children take part in a ceramics making course in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 27, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Tourists visit a ceramics low-price shopping area in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 26, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Tourists leave a ceramics low-price shopping area in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 26, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Tourists visit a ceramics low-price shopping area in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 26, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Tourists visit a ceramics museum in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 27, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Workers make ceramics at a company in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 27, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

A worker makes a ceramic product at a company in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 27, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

A drone photo taken on Sept. 26, 2024 shows tourists visiting a ceramics low-price shopping area in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

Shen Bin, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, makes a ceramic ware in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 27, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

A worker makes ceramics at a company in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 26, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

Intangible cultural heritage inheritors Chen Li (R) and Shen Bin discuss ceramics making techniques in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 27, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

This photo taken on Sept. 26, 2024 shows a view of China ceramics valley in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Chen Li, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, makes a ceramic ware in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 27, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

A worker makes ceramics at a company in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 27, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 27, 2024 shows a view of China ceramics valley in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

Workers make ceramics at a company in Liling City, central China's Hunan Province, Sept. 27, 2024.

Liling of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists.

In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 percent. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

Editor: JYZ
The two top Republicans up for the job of Senate Majority Leader if they take the Senate in the upcoming election talked about how they would thwart a Kamala Harris agenda including potential Supreme Court nominees.

Senator John Thune of South Dakota told CNNs Manu Raju that if Kamala Harris wins the presidency and Republicans take the senate, there isnt any abortion proposal that would get sixty votes in the Senate and when asked if he could see himself allowing any Harris Supreme Court nominee to be confirmed, Thune said it would depend on who it was.

Senator John Cornyn of Texas separately told Raju he wouldnt schedule a vote on some wild eyed radical nominee, which I know she would love to nominate.

Watch:

NEW: "I'm not going to schedule a vote on some wild-eyed radical nominee, which I know she would love to nominate." @mkraju's new reporting on how @SenJohnThune and @JohnCornyn could throw up roadblocks for a potential President Harris. https://t.co/5RHjVGkE12 #InsidePolitics pic.twitter.com/nIAPOb9IbR  Inside Politics (@InsidePolitics) September 29, 2024

Raju asked: Would you put a national abortion ban on the floor for majority leader?

Thune answered that there isnt *any* abortion proposal that would get 60 votes: I dont think theres any any abortion proposal that gets sixty votes on the floor of the United States.

Raju: Could you see yourself allowing the Supreme Court nominee for Harris to be confirmed?

Thune: Well, I mean, obviously probably depends on who that is, and thats the advantage of having Republican Senate.

Thune said he would not change a filibuster on any issue.

Another potential Majority Leader, Texas Senator John Cornyn, also said he didnt think an abortion ban would get 60 votes, and that he would absolutely preserve the filibuster.

When Raju asked him if he would allow a confirmation on a Harris Supreme Court nominee, Senator Cornyn said, It depends, I think, would also depend on who the President nominates, and that he wouldnt schedule a vote on some wild eyed radical nominee, which I know she would love to nominate.

Harris is a former prosecutor and Attorney General who has been endorsed by scores of former Republican officials and former Trump administration officials, so the idea that she would nominate a wild eyed radical to the Supreme Court is laughable. Cornyns comment might best translate to regular voter speak as he would not schedule a vote on someone who would protect basic individual freedoms like abortion healthcare. Its odd that Republican leadership sees basic freedom as radical but taking away long established freedoms as conservative (this is not traditional conservatism).

Thune has been barnstorming to boost Republican Senate candidates.

Republicans have spent since 2009 dedicated to obstructing a Democratic president to the point of driving the country over the fiscal cliff and shutting down government when they didnt get pieces of their radical agenda.

In the Senate they used that power to deny a vote to then President Obamas Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, who was respected by both sides of the aisle. Garland would have made a perfect Supreme Court Judge; he has the moderate temperament for it and the commitment to the rule of law and precedent, unlike the three justices Donald Trump put on the court and of course in complete opposition to the rampant corruption of conservative Justice Clarence Thomas.

So in that context, the way Cornyn and Thune responded to the abortion ban question was to widen it out to make it about any abortion measure, a way of wiggling out of being held to account by their base for not committing to passing an abortion ban while also making room to imply there is also no way abortion protections will be codified if Republicans win the senate.

The majority of Americans want the protection of Roe restored. Women are dying due to Republican abortion bans, and others are losing their fertility and going through unnecessary fear and pain, akin to medical torture. Republicans are committing to continuing to allow women and girls to die under their rule if they win the senate. Its worth pausing here to ask ourselves how they define pro-life and why that definition doesnt include the lives of women and girls.

Republicans are promising to continue abusing their power to obstruct the will of the people, which is an attack on the foundations of freedom and democracy upon which our country depends. They have become a radicalized party, with common sense Republicans marginalized and the extreme voices amplified, which is a direct contradiction to the Democratic Party currently.
The Harris campaign trolled JD Vance after he was reportedly turned away from a restaurant that had previously welcomed Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Republican VP candidate JD Vance intended to stop at iconic Pittsburgh restaurant Primanti Bros on Saturday, but when his campaign arrived they were told no cameras and the restaurant didnt want to be part of a campaign event, so Vance ended up shaking hands in the parking lot.

JD Vance intended to make a stop at a Primanti Bros near Pittsburgh but when they got there, the campaign was told no cams & restaurant didnt want to be part of a campaign event

Vance ended up shaking hands outside in parking lot.

He has event in Monroeville, PA this aftn, NBC reporter Doug Adams shared on X.

Shaking hands in the parking lot is giving Rudy Giuliani at Four Seasons Total Landscaping press conference energy, which is perhaps fitting for a Republican ticket with Donald Trump at the top.

But this is made more awkward by the fact that Primanti Bros hosted Kamala Harris and Tim Walz , a visit over which the Harris campaign cheerfully trolled the Republican ticket by posting it above the reporters tweet.

The joy happened in Moon Township on August 18, 2024, during the Harris-Walz bus tour of Pennsylvania:

Nothing beats a stop at Primanti Bros https://t.co/OvpcYLIO69 pic.twitter.com/lfYzVzgF6Y  Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) September 29, 2024

Lest anyone think that Vance was turned away from the restaurant out of spite, CEO Adam Golomb said without advance notice, the staff was confused initially, but that Vance and his team were welcomed into the restaurant and engaged with guests inside and on the property.

Their full statement:

Primantis prides itself on being a staple of the Pittsburgh community and a proud American business that has hosted sitting presidents, politicians, and political candidates from across the spectrum for over 90 years. Our doors are open to all patrons who wish to dine with us. Without any advance notice, todays campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property. Senator Vances supportive comments that our manager got a little nervous given the secret service, police and crowd accurately reflect the nature of what occurred, but we are glad that it was resolved quickly.

However, Allegheny County Republican Party Chair Sam DeMarco said Vances visit was spontaneous, but reportedly said a manager wouldnt let Vance go inside initially and even threatened to call police.

Senator Vance was absolutely turned away today, DeMarco said.

The manager of the restaurant, a woman, reportedly would not allow Vance out of his car even though reportedly the restaurant had been told two hours prior to expect the Republican Senator.

This upset Republicans who began posting on social media that Vance had not been allowed in and so his supporters who were there to meet him cancelled their orders.

.@primantibros refused to let @JDVance in to their restaurant full of customers waiting to greet him. They all paid for their drinks, cancelled their food orders and left after hearing that VP candidate was not welcome. Here was his response #Trump2024Vance #RepublicanParty #GOP pic.twitter.com/JsggvQiuhu  Anissa Zappala (@anissa_zappala) September 28, 2024

Vance tried to be a good sport about it all, and seems to have gone inside to pay for the food and leave a nice tip. It does seem to be a some kind of misunderstanding, but the PR fail of it lands on top of Vances streak of weird food-related campaign stops.

The Republicans donut shop visit was ruthlessly mocked by comedians and the general public because it was so perplexing, starting off with Vance oddly thanking the workers for letting him come in to the worker behind the counter asking not to be on film. This was followed by Vance making cumbersome small talk that sounded like someone fed the words into a robot and they were just spitting back out randomly.

Another way of looking at it is: Ron DeSantis walked so JD Vance could run.

But in this case, JD gets points for not making it into a big deal and the restaurant CEO has tried to explain it as a mishap. Still, the lingering haze of awkwardness amongst the people follows Vance like a curse, which was highlighted by Team Harris sharing their video of joy at the restaurant.

Its true that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz just have an ease about them, and that makes campaigning a lot easier. The secret to their success, though, is that they are genuinely interested in other people. Its really ver
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. snapped a 65-race losing streak by winning in overtime at Talladega Superspeedway after a late crash collected more than half the field, including eight of the 12 championship contenders. Stenhouse is not in the playoffs and his victory Sunday marked the second consecutive week a driver not competing for the Cup Series title has won. The victory was the first for Stenhouse and his JTG Daugherty Racing team since he won the season-opening Daytona 500 to start 2023. Four drivers will be eliminated from the playoffs next Sunday on the hybrid road course/oval at Charlotte. Joey Logano, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe are all below the cutline. Read moreStenhouse snaps 65-race losing streak after late crash at Talladega scrambles playoff picture
Sean McBride and his Charleston Crafted do-it-yourself home-repair and crafting company were among Google's shining stars.

McBride was a featured owner in the internet giant's 2023 report touting its ability to help small and independent businesses reach potential customers on the web.

He was invited to Google's Washington, D.C., office to share his success story with federal legislators, explaining how Google's web tools and search engine helped him and his wife, Morgan, turn a part-time hobby into a full-time job, with enough revenue to support their growing family.

"We were showcasing how great Google is for small businesses," McBride said.

Traffic to his website  which features a range of DIY lessons from woodworking to making holiday decorations  was soaring. Revenue increased 223 percent from 2020 to 2023, he said.

Then the bottom fell out.

About a year ago, Google  which accounts for roughly 90 percent of all web searches  changed the algorithms it uses to determine what rises to the top of a search result and what winds up several pages down, if at all. Another change, which Google terms a "core update," followed in March.

"The update ruined a lot of small businesses like mine," McBride said, adding traffic to Charleston Crafted dropped 80 percent. "There's a big disconnect between Google's success stories versus what they're training their algorithms to do."

Google called the changes "helpful content updates." They were designed to weed out content created by artificial intelligence and websites using what's known as search engine optimization, or SEO  keywords and other tools that can trick Google's search engine into prominently featuring a site that might have little or nothing to do with the search request.
SALUDA  As Hurricane Helene dissipated miles to the north, Saluda County was one of countless South Carolina communities left to pick up the pieces left behind.

The county of 19,000 had lost more than just power and hundreds of trees in the storms wake  officials said four residents had been killed during the storm, including two volunteer firefighters.

George Chad Satcher, 53, and Landon Cale Bodie, 18, both of Leesville, were killed when a falling tree crushed their truck while they were responding to a house fire, officials said. The crash, which is still under investigation, occurred at 6:10 a.m. on Sept. 27, as Helenes strongest winds passed through the area.

The two firefighters were based out of Circle Fire Station, a 15-minute drive from Beulah Road, where the accident occurred.

The day after the accident, flags were flying at half-staff at the station, and firefighters and county officials said they were too early in the mourning process to speak about their fallen colleagues.

News of the tragedy had spread throughout the community, even with many cell towers out of commission and travel restricted to the vehicle-sized paths cut through downed trees strewn across rural roads.

I feel so bad for their families, County Sheriff Josh Price said outside the countys temporary storm shelter. Those guys are heroes. They got out of their bed when everybody else was hunkered down to go out and help people and lost their lives trying to save lives.

Satcher had been with the fire service for decades. He had long served as the stations chief and was currently serving as assistant chief when he left for the fateful call.

(He was a) good guy, Price said. One that youd always count on to show up, just like the night that happened.

Two Sheriffs Department vehicles were also struck by falling trees during the storm, injuring one officer, he said.

Bodie had been with the station for four months, joining just after graduating from Blythewood High School. Friends said Bodie first became interested in joining the fire department at the end of his senior year.
BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Representatives at the plenary meeting of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) have vowed to enhance international cooperation on anti-corruption endeavors.

Held from Tuesday to Friday in Beijing, the meeting was attended by nearly 400 representatives from 105 countries and international organizations.

Speaking highly of the platform the network provided for international cooperation in combating corruption, Jorge Messias, head of Brazil's Attorney General's Office, said member states of the network should further strengthen partnerships at both bilateral and multilateral levels to achieve more tangible and practical results with the network.

Guo Yong, head of the Institute for Discipline Inspection and Supervision of Tsinghua University, stressed that countries should avoid politicizing the issue of corruption and instead approach it from a criminal perspective while enhancing trust and maintaining close communication.

Mamitiana Rajaonarison, director general of Madagascar's Financial Intelligence Unit, called for more experience sharing and parallel investigations to address forms of corruption in the financial sector that are characterized by their covert nature and the difficulties in collecting evidence.

Efforts should be made to promote information exchange, legal assistance, asset recovery, and whistle-blower protection through robust partnerships, according to Dean of the International Anti-Corruption Academy Slagjana Taseva.

During a high-level forum of the four-day plenary meeting, the Beijing Consensus on Law Enforcement Cooperation and Denial of Safe Havens for Corruption was passed, reiterating the network's zero-tolerance position on corruption.

The GlobE Network was launched in June 2021. Anti-corruption law-enforcement bodies from more than 120 countries and regions have now joined the network. 

Editor: JYZ
North Augusta sustained major damage city-wide after Tropical Storm Helene swept through the area Sept. 26 in an event that many said is the worst theyve experienced in decades.

Power lines sagging and snapped. Trees downed, their bulk creating dead-ends, resting on roofs and in some cases, falling through them. Metal siding peeling off homes and flooding at Martintown Road onto Interstate 20 and along the riverfront Greeneway.

And people out on foot, gas cans in hand to those few stations that were open and still had gas to pump. Many were on their way to help those who had it worse than they did.

The storm hit the area with winds just barely under hurricane force, and theres no word yet on a timeline to getting services back, although improvements are inching along with some power being restored and water back on in North Augusta.

North Augusta has also engaged the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Red Cross Aiken County has opened a regional Community Shelter in North Augusta for residents of Aiken and Edgefield counties. The shelter is located at Merriweather Elementary, 565 Springhaven Drive, North Augusta and is currently open.

No stones being left unturned, North August Mayor Briton Williams said.

About 79% of Dominion Energy's Aiken County customers were still without power by Saturday afternoon, with no estimated time to restoration.

But some 375 Dominion personnel were on the ground in North Augusta and Aiken by Saturday morning, and 14 South Carolina National Guardsmen were en route to the area with their Humvees as of noon, according to both Williams and the citys official social media. Some had arrived by 2 p.m.

Aiken Electric Co-Op posted to Facebook that its entire operations workforce, including right-of-way and fiber contractors, has been dispatched across our service area again today [Saturday, Sept. 28] and that crews from Florida, Alabama and Virginia are already here assisting us, with more expected as other regions free up resources.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 64F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 64F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
"If a smelter is unable to secure power at a competitive price, at some point, we'll be forced to close," he said.

Lingering reluctance  but no shunning  of new nuclear generation

South Carolina relies on nuclear energy for nearly 57 percent of its total annual energy generation. But the state has been gun shy about pursuing new nuclear generation in the fallout of the VC Summer scandals from the late 2010s that have left South Carolina ratepayers on the hook to pay for a pair of reactors that were never completed.

Recent headlines from Pennsylvania and its decision to "rent out" its shuttered nuclear facilities at Three Mile Island to Microsoft has some contemplating a similar possible arrangement in South Carolina.

It was previously believed conditions at the site had deteriorated beyond hope of finishing construction. But a Sept. 12 report from the Governor's Nuclear Advisory Council detailing a visit to the site stated there are currently "no technical obstacles to a more detailed examination of the potential completion of the facilities.

While there would be substantial federal regulatory hurdles to overcome, there are also new federal incentives some say could make restarting the abandoned VC Summer project more feasible, committee member Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, wrote in an email. Incentives include tax credits on capital costs and megawatt generation and an additional $40 billion of federal loan guarantees for nuclear projects.

Not only would such a plan make use of an existing asset, Davis said, but it could also address the data center concerns recently expressed by Sens. Massey and Campsen about the cost of new construction to accommodate data-centers being subsidized by existing residential ratepayers.

Opportunities aren't just in regulations, but in market reforms too

Mike Enoch, from the Carolinas Natural Gas Coalition, said they felt the permitting process for new gas projects goes on and on and on in South Carolina and called for the process to be faster. Industry figures also note the three existing natural gas pipelines serving South Carolina are not sufficient, and that new infrastructure to import fuel is needed. But environmental groups have argued moves to cut red tape could reduce oversight needed for consumer and environmental protections and that, to date, there are few demonstrable issues with building out new infrastructure.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is confident that it can increase crude oil production from 1.7 million barrels per day to 3 million, says Chief Corporate Communications Officer Olufemi Soneye.

Speaking in Abuja on Saturday, at a Stakeholders Engagement Session with National Assembly journalists, Mr Soneye emphasised that achieving this goal required support from all stakeholders, including security agencies, government, privately-owned oil companies, and host communities.

He said that President Bola Tinubus directives to relevant security agencies have already yielded positive results, with daily oil production rising from 1.4 million to 1.7 million barrels.

Mr Soneye noted that synergy among stakeholders was crucial in combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which would create an enabling environment for optimal oil production of 2.5 to 3 million barrels per day.

He said previously, oil production had plummeted to 900,000 barrels per day before private security agencies and military interventions.

Mr Soneye expressed relief that the intensified efforts against oil theft have alleviated concerns.

Also speaking, Murtala Muhammad, deputy manager of the NNPC Command and Control Centre, highlighted that oil theft remains a serious concern.

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Over 8,000 illegal refineries and 5,800 illegal oil pipeline connections were detected and destroyed within six months, primarily in Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, and Abia.

A resource person at the event, Taiye Obateru, stressed the importance of balanced and fair reporting in nation-building, urging journalists to avoid spreading misinformation that could spark societal crises.

As journalists, you must shun mal-information, which manifests through fabricated contents, false contents, satire, and parody, Mr Obateru said.

(NAN)

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BEIJING, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- China has launched a program to raise public funds for the conservation of the Great Wall, which is the country's largest existing cultural heritage site.

At an event to launch the program on Thursday, Li Qun, China's deputy minister of culture and tourism, said that vigorous efforts should be made to promote voluntary action to protect the Great Wall, strengthen related public awareness and education, and effectively ensure that the results of Great Wall preservation work benefit the people.

Li, also head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), noted the importance of encouraging more people to learn about, contribute to and share the results of the Great Wall's protection.

The program was initiated by the China Foundation For Cultural Heritage Conservation under the guidance of the NCHA. 

Editor: JYZ
Embattled crossdresser Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, has announced his following line of action against social media influencer Martins VeryDarkMan Otse over his alleged leaked audio.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that VeryDarkMan, through his Instagram page, leaked an alleged audio recording of the crossdresser narrating his six-month jail term experience with a friend.

In the leaked audio, Bobrisky alleged that the EFCC collected N15 million from him to drop the money laundering charges against him.

He also alleged that he served his prison sentence in a private apartment after his godfather contacted the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

More so, Bobrisky alleged that Falz and his father, Human Rights lawyer Femi Falana, contacted him to help him secure a presidential pardon.

The leaked audio generated widespread discussions and led to affected government agencies and the House of Representatives ordering probes into the allegations.

However, Bobrisky, in a cease and desist notice by his lawyers R.T. Omuvwie and Co., and shared on his social media accounts Sunday, claimed that the voice recording was doctored.

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Your artificial intelligence-generated audio conversation published by you is the brainwork of you and any other person who worked with you to create the same. Therefore, we warn you that in the future, you should remove our clients name from the said recording or anything that may connect our client to the alleged recording.

Our client had no idea of such a telephone conversation with you or anyone else. It has come to our notice that since the publication of the said blackmail material and defamatory content by you, our client has suffered immense damages and has gotten several damaging reviews of his person, his brand and everything he holds dear, the notice read.

Demands

Bobriskys legal team claimed the leaked audio had severely damaged his reputation and livelihood.

Furthermore, Bobriskys legal team demanded that VeryDarkMan remove the audio and issue public apologies in two national newspapers and on social media.

They also placed a cease-and-desist order against VeryDarkMan for defamatory content and demanded N1 billion in damages.

It read: That as it relates to our client, we demand that you take down immediately the said Artificial intelligence audio recording published as a video by you with your defamatory commentary voiceover which you dangerously and recklessly alleged our client, same is not a product of our client, hence the name, description or anything whatsoever ascribed to our client in the process of your publishing the said defamatory material.

We, therefore, demand, in addition on behalf of our client, a written apology published in two national daily newspapers, a video recording of your apology to our client published on all your social media platforms, an undertaking to desist from reporting, publishing defamatory contents against our client and the payment in favour of our client the sum of N1,000,000,000 as damages within 24 hours of this letter on you via social media or any other means.

Legal action

Furthermore, the crossdresser legal team warned VeryDarkMan that failure to comply with their demands would result in legal action.

That your failure to fulfil and take advantage of the alternative dispute resolution mechanism introduced and stated in paragraphs 10 and 11 of this demand notice, we shall seek legal redress in a court with competent jurisdiction immediately without any further notices to you. We hope that this can be resolved within the next 24 hours, the lawsuit added.

VeryDarkMan reacts

Reacting to the lawsuit in a video posted on his Instagram, VeryDarkMan alleged that Bobriskys demand for a 24-hour retraction and apology was questionable.

The social media influencer insisted that the EFCC provide a statement detailing the crossdressers alleged N15 million payment and disclose the officials involved in the alleged bribery scandal.

Additionally, he claimed that Falz, in his lawsuit against him, confirmed the recording Bobrisky labelled as artificially generated.

He said: So, Bobrisky slammed me with a N1 billion lawsuit after claiming he wanted to commit suicide. As usual, they will trade their credibility for my publicity. In this case, Ill make them suffer. Some peoples integrity will be damaged, and they will regret taking this case. Theres a conspiracy going on. After I posted the leaked audio, Falz gave me twenty-four hours to retract my statement.

Meanwhile, Bobrisky was acting confused, posting random things, claiming to be depressed and even contemplating suicide. Now, he suddenly has the energy to sue me and gives me a twenty-four-hour request, clearly showing hes working with Falz. I feel like no one is addressing Bobrisky because if they do, hell reveal everything, which could cause serious problems. Its obvious theyre hiding something, and now I believe what I exposed is much bigger than I initially thought. In the voice recording, Bobrisky admitted to paying the EFCC N15 million to drop charges against him, which is believable since he was arrested on money laundering charges.

He also mentioned staying in a lodge, and when a representative from the Correctional Centre came for damage control, he made things worse by claiming his (Bobrisky) female features led to him being placed in a separate area because of homosexual, even though he (Bobrisky) claimed in court that hes a man. What law allows for three genders? The Constitution only recognises two. The account number to which he transferred the money and all transactions must be exposed, including the officials involved. As for the video Bobrisky claimed was AI-generated, Falz has already confirmed it, stating that Bobrisky reached out to him, saying he needed N3 million.

In the ten-minute video, VeryDarkMan did not apologise for allegedly defaming Bobrisky.

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In the first quarter of every year, relevant climate, hydrological and disaster management agencies in Nigeria often issue climate forecasts and risk assessment advisories to mitigate and manage extreme weather occurrences and possible disasters for the year.

This year was no exception to such a proactive gesture by these agencies.

However, despite the annual forecasts, flood warnings, and climate-related disaster risk management strategies provided by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerias preparedness against climate risks and associated hazards, such as devastating floods triggered by heavy rainfall and regulatory failures, still requires significant improvement.

These floods continue to cause widespread damage to communities across the country each year, disrupting the nations socio-economic ecosystem.

Lingering concerns

In recent years, losses incurred from devastating floods in the country have been too pronounced to be ignored. Each episode of the disaster exposes Nigerias negligence towards sustainable environmental practices across urban and rural communities.

Meanwhile, the flood scenarios exacerbate the countrys lingering socio-economic crisis amidst inadequate policy implementation and prolonged ineffective oversight functions by relevant authorities.

The continuous flood events in the nation have led to severe humanitarian crises, as seen recently in various states, including parts of the countrys capital city, Abuja. In Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, the recent flood displaced thousands of residents and destroyed farmlands, businesses, and hospitals, among other impacts.

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Officials attributed the disaster to the failure of the Alau dam. Additionally, the deliberate release of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon has submerged numerous areas in Adamawa State and its neighbouring states.

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, blamed the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for years of failure to carry out routine dam maintenance. Several drainages linking streets across the Maiduguri metropolis (as with most states in the country) have also been blocked by solid waste materials due to the existing improper waste management culture.

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources ought to have been carrying out routine maintenance of dams. Honestly speaking, this has not been done for a long time. This is something that we need to put our heads together so that we can do it, the governor told the BBC.

Annually, experts argue that the impact of the floods witnessed across Nigeria would have been minimal had the government properly maintained the infrastructure needed to control floods across the countrys zones.

The failure of the federal and state governments to conduct regular dredging of major river pathways and their tributaries has significantly contributed to the countrys annual flood disasters.

Some experts said this underscores the ineffectiveness of government responses to managing extreme weather concerns across the country as climate change continues to wreak havoc locally and globally.

Likewise, many Nigerians have accused the government of being reactive when disasters strike rather than deploying timely proactive steps to avert the impending danger.

This year, several communities and cities in at least 13 of Nigerias 36 states have been inundated by overflowing water, orchestrated mainly by heavy rainfall, dam bursts, regulatory failures and ineffective dissemination of early warning systems across major climate frontline communities in the country.

Major flooding incidents experienced in Nigeria over the past three years have been highly catastrophic. They have killed dozens of people, crippled businesses, and destroyed homes, farms, infrastructures, schools and hospitals, among others.

For instance, in 2022, the devastating flood that affected over 26 of Nigerias 36 states swept across expansive agricultural fields, destroying crops, businesses and infrastructures, leaving a death toll of over 600 people, according to authorities.

At the time, many Nigerians described the flooding incident as the worst aftermath of climate change Nigeria has witnessed since the nation recorded a similar disaster in 2012. Like in 2022, several farmlands and homes were also engulfed last year. Farmers and business owners across central climate frontline states and agricultural heartlands recorded significant losses. However, the impact of the floods was not as severe as the previous year.

During this period, the consequences of the damage are evident in the state of food availability, accessibility, and affordability across the country, amidst significant surges in the prices of staple food largely orchestrated by government policies and changing weather conditions.

Authorities and activists often attribute the annual flood incidents in Nigeria to climate change. However, some experts argue that these floods are primarily caused by the ineffective regulation of water flow.

In major Nigerian states and cities, clogged drainages and silted river pathways severely impede water movement during heavy rainfall, leading to extensive flooding and infrastructure damage. For instance, the severe flooding in Maiduguri has been linked to the federal governments prolonged neglect of routine maintenance for major dams.

During a recent assessment of states and communities affected by flooding over the past three years as this medium reports the flood incidents, it was evident that the accumulation of silt in waterways has reduced their capacity to handle high water volumes during heavy rainfall.

In addition to the urgent need to maintain existing dams, there has been a longstanding neglect of constructing necessary buffer dams in strategic locations across the country. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the annual ecological fund allocated for flood prevention and management purposes.

Flood warnings

In Nigeria, three main agencies are responsible for predicting and managing climate-related risks and disasters. These agencies are NiMet, NIHSA, and NEMA, operating under the federal ministries of Aviation, Water Resources, and Humanitarian Affairs. In addition, each of the 36 states also has its agencies to perform similar functions, although their impact may not be widely felt at the local level.

Established in 2003, NiMet is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Its main responsibilities include advising the government on meteorology, interpreting government policy in the field of meteorology, and issuing weather and climate forecasts for the safe operations of aircraft, ocean-going vessels, and oil rigs.

NiMet also collects and disseminates meteorological data and information, coordinates research activities, and publishes scientific papers to support sustainable socio-economic activities in Nigeria.

One of NiMets key publications is the Seasonal Rainfall/Climate Prediction (SCP) report, issued at the beginning of each year. This report provides information on the probability of rainfall onset, cessation, length of season, and whether conditions are expected to be wetter, drier, or average over a given period.

The SCP report is intended to assist farmers and others in the agricultural, forestry, and related sectors in understanding and using meteorological and climatological information to plan their activities for the year.

The SCP released on 20 February indicates that rains will be delayed in some parts of the country. According to NiMet, the states of Borno, Abia, and Akwa Ibom will witness an early onset.

The agency also noted that an early end of the rainy season is predicted for parts of Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Cross River Ebony, Ogun and Lagos states. In contrast, NiMet predicted a late cessation over the southern states of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Ekiti and some parts of Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, FCT, Niger and Kaduna.

Meanwhile, NIHSA was established in 2010 to assess Nigerias surface and groundwater resources and maintain hydrological stations nationwide. The agency releases the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) report, which provides expected annual and seasonal patterns of flooding and issues advisories to states and local government areas.

The latest AFO report launched in April predicted high floods in 148 local government areas in 31 states, including Borno, and listed 249 LGAs in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory as within moderate flood risk areas.

The report recommended implementing early warning systems, improving infrastructure, and strengthening institutional capacity to effectively coordinate flood response and recovery efforts.

However, considering the scale of flood victims and damages incurred in the country recently and in the past three years, it appears the warnings and recommendations of the AFO annual reports have not been fully considered by the relevant authorities.

NEMAs response not enough

Meanwhile, every year, the forecasts presented in the AFO report are usually analysed by NEMA, an agency of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. The primary function of NEMA is to coordinate resources towards efficient and effective disaster prevention, preparation, mitigation and response to build a culture of preparedness, prevention, response and community resilience to disaster in Nigeria.

After completing the AFO analysis, NEMA publishes the Disaster Risks Management Plans/Strategy for the public and communicates its findings to all state and local government authorities for appropriate actions.

In some cases, it also deploys radio jingle methods to communicate early warning strategies to rural communities and to help sensitise residents of communities at risk of the implications of the impending disaster (flood).

However, several officials of NEMA who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES recently argued that the government at all levels is not doing enough to curb flooding in the country.

The truth is that we are not able to cover all the communities. In the pilot phase, we look at the most vulnerable communities, two or three and reach out to them. We expect that the local government should as well extend the sensitisation process to other vulnerable communities but this is not the case most times, said a top official of NEMA who asked not to be named as he was not permitted to speak to the press.

The government is not doing enough. The urban flooding is due to poor drainages and lack of adequate canals that water will pass through to some of these rivers. We need to deploy a multifaceted approach if we want to manage floods in the long run and all hands must be on deck, the official said.

He lamented that the staff strength at NEMA across states is inadequate. But at the same time, he said, it will cost the government more revenue if the agency is to recruit more people.

So what the government needs to do is to recruit community volunteers so that the amount of money the government will spend will be reduced. The government should do more of community engagement by empowering them to understand the risks associated with flooding, the NEMA official said, adding that disaster management is everyones responsibility.

How to address Nigerias flooding

A former minister of commerce, Mustafa Bello, who served under former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2022, said Nigerias perennial flood disaster could be permanently addressed by deploying water harvesting technology, channelling excess waters to recharge the shrinking Lake Chad and dredging major water pathways.

The former minister, a civil engineer, said he and his team developed a plan to do this. In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, he said Nigeria can solve the countrys annual flooding problem with less than $3 billion.

Over the years, the government has not thought it wise to engage major waterways channels in maintenance by making sure that the situation that takes place is being dredged and harvested for something else, he said.

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The Yobe State Government in Nigerias north-east says it has recorded four new cases of polio in three Local Government Areas (LGAs), three years after the state was declared polio-free.

The state government did not, however, say if the virus was the original poliovirus or the vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) which is a rare case that occurs in vaccinated individuals.

Nigeria was declared polio-free in 2020 by the World Health Organisation, but hundreds of cases of the vaccine-derived type have been reported since. Nigeria reported 1,028 cases of vaccine-derived polio in 2021 and a further 170 cases in 2022.

On Saturday, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Primary Healthcare Board, Babagana Kundi-Machina, spoke of the new cases while launching a campaign against the disease in Machina, a border LGA with Niger Republic, on Saturday.

It is unfortunate that after three years of being certified polio-free, we have recorded a circulating poliovirus outbreak in Bursari, Machina, and Yusufari LGAs, Mr Kundi-Machina said.

He said that the state government, in collaboration with its partners, had launched a state-wide outbreak response and vaccination exercise to address the situation.

The State Coordinator of WHO, Hamisu Alhassan, pledged the organisations support to the state toward containing the outbreak.

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Mr Alhassan urged the public to adopt preventive measures, including personal and environmental hygiene, handwashing, and immunisation to boost immunity and promote good health, especially among women and children.

The Emir of Machina, Bashir Machinama, advised his people to cooperate with the government by accepting the vaccine.

Mr Machinama thanked the state government for its prompt response and pledged to sensitise his community to take relevant steps to contain the disease.

READ ALSO: Nigerian govt partners Bill Gates to tackle new polio strain

Millions of Nigerian children receive the polio vaccine annually. However, insecurity and vaccine hesitancy mean many children do not get vaccinated.

PREMIUM TIMES will provide more details of the new Yobe cases in subsequent reports.

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Following the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, hundreds of supporters of Shiite parties demonstrated in Iraq on Saturday.

Gathering in Baghdad at the entrance to the so-called Green Zone, where the US embassy and government buildings are situated, they carried Iraqi and Lebanese flags as well as photos of the slain secretary general of the Lebanese Shiite militia, eyewitnesses reported.

In their slogans, they demanded retaliation against Israel.

Security forces cordoned off the area to prevent a storming of the Green Zone.

The news website Rudaw published footage showing security forces using a water cannon to try to push the crowd back.

Iranian-supported Shiite parties and militias have significant influence in Iraq.

The Iranian-aligned Hezbollah movement has aided militias in Iraq since the 2000s, helping with the training of fighters to enhance their attacks on US targets and expand Irans influence in the country.

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READ ALSO: Why I ordered killing of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah Netanyahu

Hezbollah has also provided financial and arms support to the militias.

(dpa/NAN)

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Over 40 per cent of Nigerian electricity consumers are currently enjoying over 20 hours of regular electricity supply across the nation, Nigerias Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said.

Mr Adelabu disclosed this on Sunday in a statement reviewing the activities of the power ministry in the last year.

He explained that certain revolutionary measures were taken to ensure that Nigerians enjoy a more stable and regular electricity supply.

Moreover, the major achievement is the fact that today we generate over 5,500 megawatts of power, we transmit and distribute it, and over 40 per cent of customers today enjoy over 20 hours of regular power supply across the nation. You can see that there is a significant improvement between when we came in and now, which we intend to improve further, Mr Adelabu said.

He said all these were achieved with the support of President Bola Tinubu as part of his renewed hope agenda to galvanise the economy.

He noted that the president has consistently said that Nigeria can be great and achieve breakthroughs in industrialisation through a stable and consistent power supply.

Mr Adelabu emphasised the need for Nigerians to realise that stable electricity in any economy cannot be overemphasised.

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This is why you see great economies like Korea, China, Europe, and North America industrialised today. Their stability in electricity supply has been instrumental to their economic growth and industrial development. Thats why we say that we must achieve this for Nigeria as a country. We need to achieve the requisite economic growth and industrial development. Our dear president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, included this in the Renewed Hope Agenda as a major electoral policy for Nigerians.

In his New Year speech on the 1st of January, 2024, he emphasised the need for the country to have stable, functional, and reliable electricity to drive other critical sectors. This is the only way we can achieve the required economic growth and industrial development. None of the critical sectors can function optimally without electricity stability and functionality.

Therefore, our vision is to ensure that we provide households, businesses, and institutions (educational and health institutions as well as industries with stable electricity supply. This will enable them to power their activities, improve their capacity, and create more jobs, he said.

According to him, in a country like South Korea, industrial giants like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG didnt just become global giants overnight.

They were supported by the government through the provision of stable and reliable electricity for their operations. This is the vision we have for Nigeria. At the end of the day, a large proportion of our population will be electrified, industries will enjoy stable electricity, and this will increase production and create employment for our people, he added.

The Minister noted that the mandate of the ministry is to engender national development through the formulation of appropriate policies and the establishment of proper structures and institutions to ensure or achieve stable, functional, reliable, and affordable electricity supply to households, businesses, institutions, and industries.

This will enable us to achieve the desired economic growth and industrial development. We also provide general oversight to ensure the overall well-being of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). This is the mandate of the Ministry. However, we are not doing this alone. We work in conjunction with our agencies.

Apart from the agencies under the Ministry of Power, we also operate through 27 power generating companies, including hydroelectric power companies and thermal companies (which are gas-powered generating companies). We also have 11 Electricity Distribution Companies across the country that operate.

We also work in conjunction with some international development agencies like the World Bank, the African Development Bank, GIZ, USAID, and so on. These are multilateral institutions that support the Ministry of Power, Mr Adelabu said.

Data

He said upon assuming office, the country had an installed generation capacity of 13,000 megawatts, but it was only producing, transmitting, and distributing about 4,000 megawatts of power to the entire country.

This, he said, was quite low and unacceptable given the population and level of economic activities.

Therefore, we were determined to improve the situation. At that time, there was epileptic supply. Almost all customers, both residential and commercial, could not be guaranteed 12-15 hours of supply, he said.

Additionally, he said the adoption of renewable energy was skeletal in terms of solar or wind sources of energy.

Between then and now, which is about a year, there has been significant improvement. Today, our installed capacity is over 14,000 megawatts of power due to the addition of the newly commissioned Zungeru hydroelectric power plant and improved capacity of some of the existing power plants, he added.

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Egypt says the top priority for the United Nations regarding Gaza is to stop the bloodshed immediately and to prevent any attempt to resolve the Palestinian question through forced displacement.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said this on Saturday.

He told the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly that though Egypt, the United States, and Qatar have worked to mediate the conflict in Gaza, Israel has thwarted all attempts.

READ ALSO: Israel releases footage of Gaza tunnel where six hostages were found dead

Reaffirming support for the establishment of a unified Palestinian State along the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, he said no region is more affected by conflict than Africa and the Middle East.

The Security Council should continue to pass resolutions establishing humanitarian operations since it is unable to stop the violence itself, he said.

(Xinhua/NAN)

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A senator, Ali Ndume, has decried the level of corruption in Nigeria, saying the trend is a major challenge facing the nation.

Mr Ndume stated this during an interactive session with journalists in Kano on Saturday.

Our major challenge in this country is corruption. Up till now, we have no law that can proactively or reactively address the issue of corruption in the country.

If you see somebody in our system, especially in politics or government, and he is not corrupt, then he is lucky that he is God-fearing.

Otherwise, it is only in Nigeria that you steal money and you walk freely and you are celebrated.

If you come into an area like this, people would start lobbying you and prostrate before you even when they know that the money was stolen.

It is only in this country that somebody had no money yesterday or last week, but the following week, he buys 10 cars, buys jets and his family will celebrate with him, he said.

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The lawmaker said that in other developed countries, people would ask how, when and where he made his money but the reverse is the case here.

Mr Ndume said he had made several efforts to pass a law on unexplained wealth in Nigeria but that such endeavours never saw the light of day.

He said he approached a former Head of State to ask if he could sign an Executive Bill to that effect, but he declined.

Up till now, there is no law on unexplained wealth Act in Nigeria and there is no Executive Order on it, Mr Ndume said.

He expressed concern over the hunger in the country and called for increased cultivation of food crops to address the problem.

There is hunger in the land and up till now we have not cultivated up to five per cent of our land, Nigeria is blessed with massive arable land.

According to him, Nigeria is blessed with cultivable land everywhere that could be used to grow food crops and feed the nation.

(NAN)

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Two lawyers have launched an artificial intelligence platform named Case Radar to ease legal practice in Nigeria.

Agbo Obinnaya, a co-founder, told PREMIUM TIMES during an interview at the launching in Abuja on Friday that he was inspired to develop the tool by the challenges he encountered doing legal research when he was studying law at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa.

It became more difficult when I became a lawyer (in 2022); and having experienced all these difficulties, I did a survey for over 218 persons and I gathered from it that I wasnt the only person who is experiencing the difficulties, he said.

He said he used the opinions collated from the survey to perfect his idea of the solutions the initiative can offer.

The services the AI tool can offer include legal advice, legal research, case laws summary and connecting lawyers with clients who need to hire them for court-related issues.

According to Mr Obinnaya, the platform generally eases legal practice and provides access to legal information and knowledge. We are giving the general public access to legal knowledge and legal services so they can properly understand what the law says on certain issues and also have access to easily connect to lawyers, added.

Founded with the mission to democratise legal knowledge and streamline legal processes, Mr Obinnaya noted that the practices of law in Nigeria and across the continent at large would be much better simplified, enhancing the criminal justice system with the help of generative AI technology.

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The Case Radar is designed to improve efficiency, cut costs, and provide accurate legal insights at the click of a button. We are here to reshape the legal profession for the modern age, he said.

He added, Our platform isnt just about making legal services more accessibleits about transforming how law is practiced.

Were pushing the boundaries of whats possible in the legal tech space, and the response weve seen so far is just the beginning.

READ ALSO: Nigerian lawyer arraigned for alleged murder disrupts court proceedings

Participants speak

Some lawyers who attended the ceremony told this newspaper that the AI product will help them in litigation and other areas of practice.

Speaking, Chisom Chukwu, an Abuja-based lawyer, said that she had always found legal research for her cases nightmarish.

But with this digital tool and the features added by the developers, I believe that would be a thing of the past. Ill now be able to do legal drafting effortlessly, she said.

Another lawyer, Emmanuel Ebuka, said that persons who are passionate about the latest developments in the legal profession would find the app more useful.

It is a tool that will raise the mundane parts of our job to a greater height, he said.

There has been a surge in the introduction of tech solutions in legal practice in Nigeria, some of which have also helped citizens without legal training to understand the law and the countrys legal landscape.

Experts believe that artificial intelligence will gradually change the legal ecosystem which is still largely analogue in nature.

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The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, has asked the federal government to integrate the African Union Agenda 2063 into its development plans.

Mr Kalu spoke on Saturday at the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments in Midrand, South Africa, where he represented Speaker Abbas Tajudeen. The deputy speaker led Nigerias delegation to the conference.

The AU Agenda 2063 is Africas blueprint and master plan for transforming the continent into a global powerhouse.

In a statement by his office, Mr Kalu said by integrating the Agenda, Nigeria would set a model for other African countries to emulate.

He said the current administration is taking some measures to reform the economy but could benefit from the AUs strategic plan because Nigerias aspirations and those of the continent are intertwined.

Nigerias efforts at integrating the AU Agenda 2063 economic blueprint into its developmental strategies will not only enhance its own growth trajectory but also contribute meaningfully to the realisation of a prosperous and united Africa.

As Africas most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria holds a unique position on the continent. Although it has in the past faced multifaceted challenges, including economic volatility, infrastructural deficits, and social inequalities, Nigerias future is bright, given the focus of the current administration of President Tinubu, Mr Kalu said.

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Speaking on the development of Africa, Mr Kalu said the continents leaders must invest in technological advancement and innovation to achieve some of the goals of Agenda 2063.

To remain competitive in a rapidly changing global landscape, Africa must prioritise technological advancement and innovation.

The way forward requires a commitment from all stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and the private sector, working collaboratively towards achieving Agenda 2063s ambitious goals, he said.

On the ongoing reforms by the current administration, Mr Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, said Nigeria has the potential to become an example for other African countries in the near future.

As Nigeria embarks on this journey, it stands poised to become a beacon of hope and progress within the African continent, leading by example in the pursuit of sustainable development and shared prosperity.

As Africa navigates the complexities of the 21st century, Nigerias proactive stance in aligning with the Agenda 2063 blueprint will be essential in shaping a prosperous and united Africa. Through collaborative efforts and a shared vision, the continent can achieve the transformative change envisioned for 2063 and beyond, Mr Kalu added.

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Zamfara Command, has dismissed an officer, Maikano Sarkin-Tasha, for alleged collaboration with bandits to supply hard drugs and ammunition.

The State Commandant, Sani Mustapha, disclosed this on Saturday during a news briefing in Gusau.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police command in Zamfara on Friday paraded 17 suspected bandit collaborators, including Mr Sarkin-Tasha.

Mr Mustapha said the command was shocked by the news of the arrest of its officer, allegedly for supplying ammunition and hard drugs to bandits in Zamfara.

According to our preliminary findings, the officer was arrested at a checkpoint, between Damba and Sabon Gida axis, while on transit to his hometown, Mada village of Gusau Local Government Area.

He was allegedly found with some elements suspected to be cannabis and other hard drugs in possession.

Other items found on him were three armour of G3 rifles and one armour of anti-rocket launcher.

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I wish to state that the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi, who also received the news with shock and disappointment has condemned the alleged barbaric behaviour of the officer.

He has directed me to take necessary administrative actions, including immediate dismissal of the personnel from the Corps nominal roll.

Mr Mustapha said that the command has zero tolerance for indiscipline, corruption, criminality, or any vices unbecoming of an officer of the corps.

Therefore, the action of the officer reflects only his own personality.

It does not represent or reflect the image or character of officers and men of the Zamfara command or the Corps, nationwide.

In the spirit of inter-agency relationship and synergy, I will interface with the Commissioner of Police for further necessary actions.

This is with the view to transferring the officer to the corps national headquarters, Abuja, for internal disciplinary action and prosecution, he said.

Mr Mustapha added that NSCDC was poised to work with other security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality in the state.

According to him, it will not spare any action in enforcing discipline against any officer of the corps, no matter how highly placed.

He pledged to pursue the case with utmost transparency, saying, The corps does not condone any act of indiscipline, not to talk of banditry or terrorism allegations.

The corps shall keep the press and the public abreast of further developments in due course.

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China-Europe SMILE satellite for solar-wind investigation completes dev't

Xinhua) 11:13, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- A satellite designed to investigate solar wind completed all its development work in China on Friday, marking a new milestone of the China-Europe space mission.

The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) is a joint mission between the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.

The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.

The satellite platform and payload module are expected to arrive at the European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands in October, where they will be integrated and tested. The payload module has been developed by the ESA.

The SMILE is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle.

The project is China's first comprehensive and in-depth cooperation with the ESA at the mission level in the field of space science exploration.

Its scientific objectives are to explore the large-scale structures and fundamental patterns of solar wind-magnetosphere interactions, to understand the overall changes and periodic variations of magnetospheric substorms, and to investigate the initiation and development of magnetic storms driven by coronal mass ejections.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
BEIJING, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese museums registered 940 million visits in the first eight months of this year, maintaining their popularity among Chinese visitors in recent years, official data showed on Wednesday.

The country's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) released the figure at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office.

About 300 million visits were made in two months during the summer season, accounting for nearly a third of the total figure, said Liu Yang, an NCHA official.

Hot spots like the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China in Beijing have become the top destinations among Chinese travelers, according to Liu.

The growing public enthusiasm for museums during the summer break came with measures taken by nationwide museums, such as streamlining booking services and extending opening hours, to better serve the visitors, Liu noted.

The administration will step up efforts in terms of coordinating the development of different types of museums, optimizing booking and commentary services, and ensuring more access to online and offline exhibitions, to further meet people's cultural needs in the future, Liu added.

China has seen a surging demand for visiting museums in recent years, with 1.29 billion visits to a total of 6,833 officially registered museums throughout 2023. 

Editor: JYZ
Police operatives in Katsina State, in collaboration with soldiers, have foiled two different kidnap attempts and rescued six victims.

The Katsina Police Commands Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.

He said that on Saturday, a distress call was received at Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters regarding an attempted kidnapping on the Jibia  Kauran Namoda road, Katsina State.

Upon receipt of the report, police operatives, in collaboration with the military, immediately responded to the scene and engaged the suspects in a gun duel.

Four kidnapped victims were successfully rescued and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

Unfortunately, one victim succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during the attack, Mr Sadiq-Aliyu disclosed.

According to him, the Faskari Divisional Police Headquarters also received a distress call about another kidnapping attempt at Unguwar Boka village, Faskari Local Government Area, along Funua-Gusau road.

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The public relations officer added that the operatives promptly responded to the scene, in collaboration with the military, and engaged the assailants in a gun duel.

Regrettably, the assailants fatally shot one of the victims during the attack.

However, two kidnapped victims were successfully rescued unhurt.

Efforts are being intensified to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators as the investigation continues, Mr Sadiq-Aliyu said.

(NAN)

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the targeted killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as a settling of accounts with an arch-murderer.

Nasrallah was not just another terrorist, he was the terrorist, Mr Netanyahu told members of the media in Tel Aviv.

It was his first public statement since the Israeli military killed the Lebanese Shiite militia leader in Beirut on Friday.

Mr Netanyahu stated that Mr Nasrallah was a kind of turbocharger for the Axis of Evil created by Iran.

He alleged that the Hezbollah leader was guilty of the murder of countless Israelis, hundreds of US citizens and dozens of French nationals.

As long as Nasrallah was alive, he would have quickly rebuilt the capabilities we took from Hezbollah, he said.

Therefore, I gave the directive  and Nasrallah is no longer with us, the Israeli prime minister added.

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Mr Netanyahu said the killing of Mr Nasrallah was also a step forward in the goal of enabling tens of thousands of Israelis to return to the north of the country.

They had been forced to leave their homes because Hezbollah had been bombarding the area with rockets, grenades, and drones since the start of the Gaza conflict nearly a year ago.

Hezbollah claims to be acting in solidarity with the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip.

Mr Netanyahu also warned Iran against an attack on Israel.

And to the ayatollahs regime I say: Those who strike us, we strike them, Mr Netanyahu said, referring to the leadership in Tehran.

There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel cannot reach, he warned.

Iran, under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is considered the protector and the most important ally of the Shiite Hezbollah militia.

After Nasrallahs killing, Mr Khamenei ordered five days of national mourning.

Among the victims of Fridays airstrike was also Iranian Brig.-Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan, the deputy commander for operations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

However, it is far from clear whether Iran will rush to help Hezbollah.

The new Iranian government led by President Masoud Pezeshkian is grappling with a severe economic crisis and is seeking a rapprochement with the West.

Although Irans military leadership had announced retaliation after the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran at the end of July, this has yet to materialise.

(dpa/NAN)

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Rwanda has confirmed six deaths from Marburg virus disease (MVD) amid an outbreak that has affected 26 people nationwide.

Speaking Saturday evening during a broadcast on Rwanda Television, Rwandas Minister of Health, Sabin Nsanzimana, revealed that the victims and most of the infected are healthcare workers.

Six people have died of MVD, and the majority of those are medical workers, Mr Nsanzimana said.

He emphasised that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with relevant partners, is working tirelessly to contain the deadly virus by tracing contacts and isolating the infected.

We urge Rwandans to remain vigilant and enhance preventive measures by ensuring hygiene, washing with soap, sanitising hands, and avoiding contact with infected individuals, Mr Nsanzimana added.

On Friday, the Ministry of Health called for heightened preventive measures following the confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease.

In a statement, the ministry outlined ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the virus, which has hospitalised several patients.

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Authorities have implemented enhanced preventive protocols in all health facilities, including rigorous contact tracing, and the infected patients have been isolated for treatment.

The health ministry clarified that MVD is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of infected individuals and is not airborne.

The ministry advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, vomiting, muscle pain, or stomach aches to contact the Rwanda Biomedical Center or visit their nearest health facility.

While monitoring the situation closely, authorities urged the public to remain calm and maintain regular activities.

(Xinhua/NAN)

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Nigerias leading investigative news organisation, PREMIUM TIMES, was honoured Saturday at the Edge Awards 2024.

The news organisation emerged as the years best place to work in the online media category.

The annual event celebrates marketing excellence in the country by recognising personalities, brands and agencies that have achieved distinction through groundbreaking ideas, impactful campaigns, and strategic vision.

The awards ceremony, which has run for more than a decade, was held this year at Lagos Sheraton Hotel.

Marketing Edge, the publication that organises the event, publishes news, trends and insights in the integrated marketing communications space with a view to bringing visibility to brands and giving media attention to the Nigerian advertising industry.

Ours has become one of the most anticipated events in the sacred calendar of Nigerias integrated marketing communications ecosystem. I will also like to thank our award committee for their time, energy and rigorous dedication. They have had difficult times of making this occasion beautiful and a reality, said John Ajayi, publisher and chief executive officer of Marketing Edge Publications Limited.

Identifying the different categories and winners that have emerged has not been a tea party affair at all. While their decisions were not based on any scientific proofs, they have relied largely on better statistics and content reviews, analyses as well as market insights, deep, on-the-spot investigative journalism for some award categories, he added.

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Steve Omojafor, an advertising luminary who currently chairs the Lagos-based advertising outfit STB-McCann, an affiliate of American global advertising agency network with presence in 120 countries, chaired the ceremony. Mr Omojafor was once the chairman of the directors board of Zenith Bank.

Among the personages of the Nigerian marketing communications industry present were Lanre Adisa, founder and CEO of Noahs Ark Communications Limited, and Udeme Ufot, group managing director of SO&U.

TVC clinched the award for the best place to work for the broadcast media category as well as the award for the outstanding television station of the year.

The Lifetime Achievement Award in Law went to Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and one-time chair of the Nigerian Bar Association, while the Lifetime Achievement Award in Creative Advertising was won by Tunji Olugbodi, vice chairman and CEO Verdant Zeal Group, and Lanre Adisa.

Emeka Okeke, managing partner and CEO of MediaFuse Dentsu, won the Lifetime Award in Media Advertising.

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Joseph Tegbe as director-general and global liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership reached by the two countries during the presidents visit in September.

Mr Tegbe, a 1988 first-class graduate in civil engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, will report directly to the president, the presidents Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Tegbe is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

He will immediately submit a strategic action plan to enable Nigeria to benefit from the agreements between the two countries in Beijing.

As the czar of the strategic partnership, he will lead day-to-day operations, engage continuously with the Chinese counterparts, and ensure that all deliverables are met and synchronised with national development goals.

In the strategic plan, he will outline the specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area of cooperation.

This will include priority projects, projected investments and expected socioeconomic outcomes, the statement said.

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At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping pledged 360 billion yuan, about 51 billion dollars, in new financing to African nations in the next three years.

He also pledged support for 30 infrastructure projects to boost connectivity across the continent and create one million jobs.

During his official visit before the FOCAC, Mr Tinubu also obtained a commitment from Mr Jinping to support Nigerias economic diversification plans, infrastructure development, technology transfer and job creation.

Nigeria and China, among others, agreed to collaborate on expanding Nigerias rail network, upgrading power distribution, and creating new industrial parks.

The two countries committed to establishing hospital alliances and collaborating on medical research.

Under the agreement, Chinese healthcare professionals will be deployed to support Nigerias healthcare system.

China and Nigeria agreed to collaborate to advance education and talent development, focusing on vocational training, STEM education, and academic exchanges.

Joint initiatives, such as establishing engineering technology academies and providing scholarships, will help equip Nigerian youth with skills needed in a modern workforce.

The two countries also planned to improve Nigerias agricultural practices through knowledge sharing, technology transfer and investment in sustainable farming techniques.

Tegbe, 58, who will ensure the actualisation of the agreements, had his education at Federal Government College, Ogbomosho, and Obafemi Awolowo University, and has about 35 years of experience in business strategy.

He was the senior partner and head of advisory services at KPMG in Africa, with a portfolio and responsibilities that included the Middle East.

He also led subnational governments, such as Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, and Bayelsa, in investment drives to South Africa, Denmark, China, India, Singapore, and the UAE, said the statement.

(NAN)

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Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Operation Hadin Kai, Sector 3, have foiled an attempted attack by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists along the Magumeri-Maiduguri axis in Borno.

The troops also recovered a cache of ammunition from the insurgents in a tactical operation in the area.

The Chief Military Information Officer, MNJTF, Ndjamena, Chad, Olaniyi Osaba, said this in a statement on Sunday in Maiduguri.

He said the troops executed a tactical ambush, neutralising the threat before the terrorists could wreak havoc on innocent civilians.

Mr Osaba, a lieutenant colonel, said the troops positioned themselves tactically along the terrorists path and engaged them as they emerged from a forested area on motorcycles.

On sighting the troops, the terrorists attempted to flee but were met with a heavy barrage of gunfire.

This decisive engagement forced them to abandon their weapons and motorcycles, disrupting their plan to unleash violence in the region, he said.

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He listed the weapons recovered to include two AK-47 Rifles, 51 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two magazines, 61 rounds of 7.62 NATO ammunition, parcels of marijuana, and tramadol, among others.

(NAN)

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has appealed to the National Peace Committee to wade into the lingering issues between it and the Nigerian government to avert the impending strike planned to commence in October.

The Lagos Zone of the union made the appeal on Sunday in a statement signed by the Coordinator, Adelaja Odukoya, a professor of Political Science.

ASUU and the Nigerian government are at loggerheads over the unions unmet demands by the government.

On Monday, the union issued a 14-day ultimatum for the government to address its demands. This followed a previous 21-day strike notice which it announced at the end of its National Executive Council meeting on 18 August.

The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, also a professor, had met twice with the union between 28 August and 6 September. However, the union said the governments moves were not satisfactory, prompting Mondays fresh ultimatum.

ASUU asks Nigerians to prevail on government

According to the union the recent interactions with the government, allegedly characterised by the governments refusal to provide agreement papers and minutes of meetings, have proven that it the government not committed to the welfare of the academics.

ASUU, therefore, called on Nigerians, including the National Peace Committee, to wade into the matter to resolve the crisis ahead of the current ultimatum, which expires on 6 October.

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The statement said ASUU should not be held accountable for any industrial discord that may result from the governments inability and deliberate refusal to meet the unions demands and avert industrial disputes in the universities.

ASUU, therefore calls on well-meaning, public-spirited Nigerians, labour Unions, religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations, political leaders and the public to prevail on the Tinubu-led government to take decisive actions and engage with the leadership of ASUU to resolve all outstanding issues that could lead to the imminent shutdown of our university system, the statement reads in part.

Way forward

The union said the best way to resolve the lingering crisis is for governments to tow the path of commitment to the collective bargaining principles established in the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

ASUU also condemned the governments plan to amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Act to funnel 30 per cent of its funds to the student loan scheme, which it described as President Bola Tinubus grandiose pet project.

ASUU has consistently opposed the scheme and rejected a slot on the board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the government agency handling the scheme.

Demands

ASUUs demands from the Nigerian government include the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payments of its three-and-a-half months salaries withheld during the 2022 strike action, and the continuous use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for payments of university workers salaries.

The union also wants the government to pay its members earned academic allowances, release of funds for the revitalisation of universities, and the implementation of the reports of visitation panels to the universities.

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It will be gratifying if Olanipekun Olukoyede, the EFCC chair, on hearing the messy news that his operatives were sunk in the N15 million Bobrisky scandal, is silently preparing an earthly purgatory for them. He must do as the colonial police did in 1947 to Ayodele Potts-Johnson If news circulating in Nigeria from those who experience Olukoyedes men in all parts of the country is anything to go by, he is sitting atop an empire of maggots These wayo theatrics, in the name of crime fighting and law enforcement, has to stop.

On 18 February, 1947, the Daily Service newspaper published a story whose theme, like the ancient Secretary Bird, has remained with Nigeria ever since. It is a story of the affinity between sex and corruption. The son of Alake of Egbaland and a no-nonsense judge, Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, then of the Lagos Santa Anna Magistrate Court, presided over the matter. After the woto woto of the prosecution and defence, Ademola sentenced a female welfare officer, Ayodele Potts-Johnson, to six months imprisonment, without the option of fine. Potts-Johnsons crime was in demanding and collecting bribes in the sums of 5.30s and 25s.2d from two prostitutes, Elizabeth Agadagwu and Alice George, in order to stave them off the wrath of the law. Christened by the Nigerian press of the time as a sensational celebrated official corruption, the scandal had famous African and British lawyers, led by FRA Williams, and which included EA Akerele, JA Kester, NOA Morgan and VO Munis as defence counsel. In his book, When Sex Threatened The State (2015), Saheed Aderinto, award-winning author, filmmaker and Nigerian American professor of History and African and African Diaspora Studies at Florida International University, doubled down on the story for his hypothesis. It is that the popular notion that bribery and corruption were postcolonial vices that erupted in Nigeria in the wake of military rule, was not only unreal but ahistorical.

Immediately the prostitutes were apprehended, rather than taken to the office, Potts-Johnson escorted them to their homes. There, upon demanding 10 as bribe, the welfare officer was offered 5.30s by Agadagwus landlord, one Bakare, who negotiated the bribe sum with Potts-Johnson in Yoruba. Bakare promised Agadagwu would pay the balance later. The other prostitute, George, also offered the welfare officer 5s.2d of the bribe amount demanded. If they hadnt paid the bribes, upon conviction in court, the prostitutes risked two years in prison, 50 fine and repatriation by government from Lagos. But immediately after paying the initial bribes, the prostitutes reported it to the police. The Lagos police then handed them marked notes, which represented the balance of the bribe money, on which was covertly inscribed, Wayo. The police also planted an undercover Sheriff to witness the bribery. When Toviho, Potts-Johnsons middleman, came to collect the bribe money, he and the welfare officer were arrested.

In my piece of 6 February, 2022 with the title, Atiku Abubakar and the sexual history of the Nigerian presidency, I had explored this theme. I submitted that sexual politics defines and is often behind most of the corruption issues in high and low places in the world. A musical track rendered by Lagos, Epe-born Apala music lord, Ligali Mukaiba in the 1970s illustrates this. The particular track by Mukaiba speaks about the pervasive influence of women in the lives of men, comparable only to drugs on addicts. He sang Mi o wa rihun tobinrin o le fini se/ to ba nwuni/to ba njaraba eni/to ba lo ya ni Sokoto/kuru kere o/kere o/kuru kere o/a o tele leyin ni

Using the lurid story that instantly went viral in Zimbabwe that former Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, had suffered a nasty blow from below  an euphemism for impotency  I drilled into how central and virile political power is and how men of power, through their libido, use sex as a locus of power. Attached to that, I argued, is why, agreeing with Wale Adebanwi in his journal article he entitled The Carnality of Power, that all of us  scholars, lay scholars and society as a whole  need to pay greater attention to the ways in which obscenity can help explain the nature of power. From Abubakar to Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, I used these men of power as examples of exercises of virile members, to explain how libidinous politics and corruption cannot be divorced from Nigerias socio-politics.

A social media influencer, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, circulated an audio conversation Bobrisky allegedly had with an unnamed Alade. It instantly went viral. In it, someone said to be Bobrisky, alleges that he paid the sum of N15 million to unnamed officers of EFCC to have a charge of money laundering spiked off the criminal charges preferred by the state against him. The crossdresser had been jailed for six months after admitting guilt for dealing unkindly with the Nigerian naira.

Sorry, I digressed. A major obscene scandal broke out last week. It will seem to illustrate the above theme on the need for us to pay more regards to obscenities in our analysis of society. It is a narrative which tangentially bears the colour of sex, though it smells more of corruption. With it, we can measure the barometer of how low our society has sunk and how political and social powers are implicated in the rot of society. The story starred controversial crossdresser and jailbird, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, whose allegedly leaked audio conversation has created a national mess. If the authenticity of the video is confirmed, Bobriskys travails will bring back to memory an ancient Yoruba folklore of a man called Alade. He was a gentleman whose mutual friend had asked why he always wore his cap all the time. After much pressure, Alade decided to share the secret, but on one condition  it must be kept undisclosed to humanity. Alade then removed his cap, revealing a short stumpy horn around the frontal part of his head. His friend was shocked but promised to keep the secret. However, he could not stomach the secret for long. Keeping to the terms of not telling any human being, one day the friend dug a hole in the ground into which he screamed, Alade grew a horn (on the head)!  Alade huwo! Mysteriously, a tree sprang up from the hole and soon after, whenever boys blew a flute near it, the tree echoed, Alade huwo! With this, the entire village got to know about Alades best kept secret.

A social media influencer, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, circulated an audio conversation Bobrisky allegedly had with an unnamed Alade. It instantly went viral. In it, someone said to be Bobrisky, alleges that he paid the sum of N15 million to unnamed officers of EFCC to have a charge of money laundering spiked off the criminal charges preferred by the state against him. The crossdresser had been jailed for six months after admitting guilt for dealing unkindly with the Nigerian naira. However, in the same audio, the Bobrisky claims that he spent his term of imprisonment in an apartment, and not within the Nigerian correctional centre, as imposed by the court. Shortly after the allegation, the crossdresser refuted the accusations on his Instagram page. He claimed that he was the victim of a setup. Both the EFCC and Minister of the Interior have ordered full-scale investigations into the scandal, with the Ministry of Interior taking a bolder step in suspending all the prisons officers in charge of Bobriskys term in the Lagos Kirikiri prison.

Beyond the theme of crime and corruption in the Bobrisky case is the Nigerian societys disdain for considered unusual sexuality and, in particular, Okuneyes audacity in flaunting it. As a measure of its conservatism, the Yoruba frown at counting the fingers of a nine-fingered person in their presence (a kii toju onika mesan kaa.) In my 7 April piece with the title, Bobrisky and Jesus, the tax collector, written immediately the crossdresser was sentenced, I said this much. If you flip through the pages of history, you will discover, as I said in the piece, that from ancient times, the world has never hidden its hostility towards people who profess sexual orientation different from the conservative heterosexual status. This is also responsible for why a large chunk of the black world vents its anger on the Western worlds validation of homosexuality. In the 19th century and even before, the Bobriskys were lynched like common criminals for their unusual sexuality. Until then, homosexual activities were classified as unnatural crime(s) against nature, while sodomy got punished with, sometimes, the death penalty.

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In comparison with his precursors with an unusual sexuality, Bobrisky has suffered one of the mildest fates. Between 1877 and 1950, over 4,000 of them were lynched. It subsisted till a few years ago in America. As such, when you appraise the collage of apparent gang-ups  of VeryDarkMan and others  against Bobrisky, you will get an affirmation of the Yoruba saying that he who does the unusual should be ready for infliction of an unusual reprisal (eni ba seun tenikan o se ri, aa riun tenikan o ri ri). Bobriskys travails seem to be societys attempt to deconstruct and destroy this unusual impresario of sexuality. When you examine this thesis against the backcloth of Bobriskys recent innuendo that he could commit suicide, you will agree with me that the self-touted Mommy of Lagos is in the gulag of a conservative society and may never get out of it alive. If you ask me, I think Bobrisky commodifies her crossdressing, using it as a facade for God-knows-what unpleasant money-making ventures.

If Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is merely interested in the optics of being perceived as proactive, in order to save his job from the Sword of Damocles said to be hanging on ministers, he should let us know. But if he is genuinely interested in reforming Nigerian prisons, he surely has a humongous job on his hands. It is more demanding than the I swear-to-Almighty-God raising-of-a-finger he was embroiled in last week.

The allegation that Bobrisky paid a bribe to the EFCC for a money laundering charge to be removed then crept in. The viral audio, amplified by VeryDarkMan, also alleged that he paid bribe to prison top officials to enable him serve his term outside the hostile walls of the Kirikiri prison. On this, all we have been entertained with since last week when the obscene scandal broke, is a national breakfast of hypocrisy. Why are Nigerians feigning prudery at these scandalous revelations? Are we hearing about a story of this magnitude of stench for the first time? Let us come down from our high horses. If truth be told, the only way to reform this country is for both the leaders and the led to come clean with themselves. Nigeria is a thoroughly worsted place and all the bounds and parameters of societal civility, decency and global norms of civilised people have broken down irretrievably. I once overheard an Edo-born prison warder detailed to a politically exposed person arraigned before the Lagos Federal High Court some years ago, saying, Mek dem post me to (I am hiding the politicians identity) mek I no buy car? He no go happen! Last year, we witnessed an obscene altercation between DSS operatives and prison officials, right in the premises of a court. Their beef was on who owned custodial power over the embattled Godwin Emefiele. And apparently, his loot. It was later that Nigerians found out that the scuffle was not strictly a turf battle; it was a graft fight; something in the mould of a robber robs the till and a thief robs the robber (ole gbe, ole gbaa).

Like Nigeria, the prison is brimming with rotund-bellied maggots, which reflect the collapse of virtually all the values that cobbles Nigeria together. Apart from decayed infrastructure, overcrowding and allied issues, Nigerian prisons are home to officers who, in saner societies, should themselves be in prison. In 2019, investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, adopting the pseudonym, Ojo Olajumoke, spent five days in a police cell and eight days as an inmate in Ikoyi Prison. It was in the bid to track corruption in Nigerias criminal justice system. There was no single whimper from the Nigerian establishment. After Soyombos arrest and detention in police custody, he was arraigned in court and ultimately got remanded in prison. He emerged with very distressing stories of illegitimate arrests, extrajudicial killings, bribery and corruption and a criminal justice system that is in a sorry case. He even claimed that a prison official asked him for money to remove his name from the jailbirds roster.

If Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is merely interested in the optics of being perceived as proactive, in order to save his job from the Sword of Damocles said to be hanging on ministers, he should let us know. But if he is genuinely interested in reforming Nigerian prisons, he surely has a humongous job on his hands. It is more demanding than the I swear-to-Almighty-God raising-of-a-finger he was embroiled in last week. Yoruba talk about how widespread a covertly released fart could go in its Ba se nyoso, la se nyogbo aphorism. The Bobrisky allegation of Very Important Prisoners being ferried out of jail while serving their terms is almost as old as corruption in Nigeria. We have heard of a VIP who impregnated his wife while serving his term and who was also present at the childs christening. We have also heard a story, which occurred some twenty-something years ago, of a man who later rose to become a senator and a political party bigwig. While in detention for alleged murder, exhibiting his libidinous prowess, the girl procured for this Very Important Detainee in an apartment outside of prison had fainted under him.If indeed, as it is said, that a people are assessed by the way they treat their most vulnerable, prisoners are vulnerable lots and we should be interested in what goes on inside that space called the Nigerian prison. Until Nigerian prisons become places of reform, as opposed to being spaces of torment they are today, they will continue to be microcosms of our macroscopic Nigerian tragedy.

It will be gratifying if Olanipekun Olukoyede, the EFCC chair, on hearing the messy news that his operatives were sunk in the N15 million Bobrisky scandal, is silently preparing an earthly purgatory for them. He must do as the colonial police did in 1947 to Ayodele Potts-Johnson. This is time for Olukoyede to peel himself of his church mien and wear the garb of a Dracula. Otherwise, he will be dragging in the mud his claim of a pastoral calling, perceived to be atypical with the task of a crime fighter. If news circulating in Nigeria from those who experience Olukoyedes men in all parts of the country is anything to go by, he is sitting atop an empire of maggots, where operatives are nothing more than armed gunmen who terrorise and extort criminals of their loots. These wayo theatrics, in the name of crime fighting and law enforcement, has to stop.

Kabiyesi Ladoja at 80

A blight that critics hold against newspaper column writers is that sometimes our shots go off tangent, disabling us from achieving precision. In the process, they claim, we mis-profile our subjects, literally calling the Kings Mother (Iya Oba) the Monkey Mother (Iya Obo). My reply to them is that column writers are not infallible because they are columnists. Full stop! My reply is a timid parody of Justice Chukwudifu Oputas locus classicus statement about the Supreme Court. I cant go the whole hog and delve into its second stanza due to its potential for immodesty. Only Oputa, the great jurist, could so conclude about the Almightiness of the final appellate court.

The extreme ones among the critics compare column-writings sometimes imprecision to the proverbial Saare whose demonstration of knowledge resulted in un-knowledge. One day, Saare went to the farm but rushed back home, panting. To his parents who were troubled on what went amiss, the young hunter told them they should show gratitude to their Maker because he was almost devoured by a leopard which strayed from the forest. And then, Saare began a description of the strange animal: It had big, dilating eyes! It had arresting colour! features his parents affirmed were a leopards. Immediately, Saares father, an Ifa priest, ordered for a sacrifice to be made to appreciate his luck and offer a propitiation over Saares head. When all the propitiation materials arrived  a big ram, red oil and others  in readiness for the sacrifice, unprompted Saare then described, in his flippant best: The leopard was tall, had two huge horns! It was even eating okra! Saares parents immediately apologised to the sacrificial crew: Our son didnt see a leopard. He saw a deer. So, Yoruba say, amonju lo bekun Saare je.

In my 26 years of column writing, (including the years of exit) I have had several bulls-eye hits and some imprecisions. Two personalities stand out on the list of subjects who, in reviews of their personalities, I sometimes shot off tangent. They were, the late Adebayo Alao-Akala and Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, ex-governors of Oyo State. When they were both in government, my pen tormented them several times. On meeting Alao-Akala, years after he left government, I encountered a man whose heart was as pure as spring water and whose humanity was one every mortal should seek after. When he asked me to write the Foreword to his memoir, Amazing Grace, like a witchs confession, as the Yoruba will say, I was contrite, mo tuuba. While I am incapable of excusing their politics and governance, I can say both are/were great personalities.

In my writings and media strategies while I was myself in office, I wasnt kind to Ladoja at all. Yet, we never met. However, in October, 2020, we met for the first and last time at the University of Ibadan. I was privileged to be on the high table with him, during a symposium organised by Honourable Babs Oduyoye to mark his birthday. I dont know where I got the audacity, but I walked up to him and introduced myself. He was literally overjoyed to meet me, thrust his hand forward excitedly and we shook hands like they did while signing the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT). What he said about his estimation of me, rather than excite me, saddened me. How could I spend a large chunk of my writings demonising a man who thought so highly of me? A couple of years later when talks centered on his biography, one of his sons told me he was excited at the prospect of my writing it. I was saddened the more. This was the same thing Alao-Akala did to me: he handed me a raw manuscript and said, except the title, you are at liberty to do anything with it!

Since then, I have drilled into Ladojas persona. A brilliant strategist and engineer, his strongest point is that his political adversaries underrate him. As wealthy as he is, Ladoja is known for his deconstruction of wealth, both in sartorial outlook and materialism. He could be stubborn too, sticking to what he believes in, at the risk of ostracism.

Born on 25 September, 1944 in Gambari village, near Ibadan and becoming a director of the defunct Standard Trust Bank in the year 2000, last Tuesday was Ladojas 80th birthday. Here is wishing Oba Ladoja many more years of good health on earth.

Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist.

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it is expected that AVM Oluwatoyin will invest his acquired skills in achieving the mandates of the institution towards realising national interests while leveraging the influence of effective media engagement.

On 9 September, Air Vice Marshal Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin embarked on yet another significant journey of his professional career by assuming the role of Chief of Defence Space Administration (CDSA).

Oluwatoyin assumed the office following a handing-over ceremony from the outgoing CDSA, AVM AA Shinkafi. The ceremony, which took place at the General Irabor Hall, was attended by the entire staff of the Defence Space Administration.

This change of baton marks an important era in Nigerias defence space industry, as the new helmsman is expected to deploy his wealth of knowledge and creativity in enhancing its activities.

In a sterling move to demonstrate his readiness and competency for the new task, AVM Oluwatoyin, upon assumption, did not rest on his oars but immediately embarked on engaging with relevant stakeholders to forge a mutual alliance through inter-agency collaboration.

Specifically, the decorated Air Officer paid a courtesy visit to the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), to explore potential areas of collaboration between the two sister agencies.

Oluwatoyin seized the opportunity to appreciate NASRDA for its support over the years and further sought to consolidate the partnership for the effective overall performances of the two institutions.

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It is good to note that these two agencies share a common goal of advancing Nigerias interests in space exploration and utilisation. Therefore, this alliance marks a significant step towards enhancing the nations space development capabilities, as it is expected to yield mutual benefits and further solidify the countrys position in the global space community.

Taking cognisance of his boldness and proactive measures, it is apt to aver that AVM Oluwatoyins performance will surpass his expectations, courtesy of his resounding academic background in the sector, coupled with administrative skills and experiences.

An Ilorin born indigene of Kwara State, AVM Oluwatoyin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Bayero University Kano (BUK).

Having a passion for the space industry, the 39 Regular Course officer has undergone a Professional Course on Satellite Orbit Engineering at China Academy of Space Technology. Determined to further build on his career, he attended the International Space University France, where he bagged a Master of Science in Space Management and later obtained obtained a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) from Bangladesh University of Professionals.

While enhancing his military career, he attended and participated in several courses both at national, regional and international levels. They include the: Basic Officers Engineering Course at AFIT, Kaduna; Type-rating Course on Alpha Jet Avionics; Orientation Course in Educational Theory and Practice, Institute of Education, University of Jos; Ab-initio Flying Training Course at 301 Flying Training School (301 FTS), as well as Junior Staff Course at Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna.

Other courses are: Computer Appreciation Course in 301 FTS; Training Workshop on Conflict Management and Resolution at Centre for Management Development, Lagos; Antenna Control and Maintenance Course in North-West China Institute of Electronic Engineering (NWIEE), Xian, China; Civil-Military Operation Course; Technology Incubation Course, NACETEM, OAU, Ile-Ife; Senior Staff Course at Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC); National Defence Course at NDC Bangladesh; and Multinational Information Sharing Initiative (MISI) Collaboration System Course. among others.

Mr Oluwatoyin began his administrative role in the Nigerian military as a Material/Maintenance Control Officer at 407 Air Combat Training Group Kainji and later became the Squadron Commander/ academic instructor at Air Force Military School in Jos, Plateau State. He also served as Principal Engineer at the National Space Research and Development Agency and acting Head of the Department of Strategic Application Dept NigComSat Ltd, from where he moved to Nigerian Air Force Headquarters in Abuja as Director of Space Technology.

Subsequently, he held the role of Director of Earth Observation in an Acting capacity at Defence Space Administration and later served as Commander of 151 Base Services Group, Makurdi, as well as Commander of 153 Base Services Group, Yola, before he was redeployed to NAF Headquarters as Director of Information Technology.

Until his appointment as the current Chief of DSA, AVM Oluwatoyin was Director of Tech Services at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

He is a member of several professional bodies, including National Space Institution, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Computer Forensics, among others.

Taking cognisance of how his career has been embedded with a series of tasks due to his visionary and strategic leadership capabilities, citizens and stakeholders can rest assured that the nations space security will witness a significant boost and continue to compete with other global communities.

Initially christened as the Defence Space Agency (DSA) but now known as the Defence Space Administration, DSA was established on 9 October 2014 under the DSA Act 2016, which was enacted and signed into law on 3 February, 2017.

The primary objective of DSA is to harness space products and services to aid the Nigerian military and other security agencies in tackling the security challenges faced by the country. It was also established to facilitate the implementation of the Defence and security aspects of the National Space Policy and Programmes 2001 for the enhancement of national security and development.

Recognising the nature of space as having force multiplier effects, Nigeria as a responsible member of the international community intends to pursue its legitimate ambition in space for security, national development and peaceful purposes for the advancement of humanity. This is in line with the provisions of the United Nations Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), which allows for developing and operating military space technologies.

According to the Act that established the agency, the CDSA must be knowledgeable in Space Science and have demonstrated experience in Engineering and Information Technology, and have executive control over the Military Security and Civilian Staff of the Administration.

Based on the aforementioned, AVM Oluwatoyin has fulfilled and satisfied all these conditions both in terms of knowledge and experience while still garnering other valuable skills that are essential in discharging administrative functions.

Therefore, it is expected that AVM Oluwatoyin will invest his acquired skills in achieving the mandates of the institution towards realising national interests while leveraging the influence of effective media engagement.

Mukhtar Yau Madobi, an NDA research fellow, is the author of National Security Strategies: A Young Writers Perspective. Email: ymukhtar944@gmail.com

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For the moment, we must welcome to this high office only the second woman ever to occupy the office of CJN. There will be time for her to decide whether (like the first woman to occupy the office) she chooses to see this as a high responsibility or, as her immediate predecessor, she prefers to see it as an office.

When he died at 80 in June 2008, Lamidi Aribiyi Adedibu was one of the best known political godfathers of his generation, and certainly one of the most disruptive in Nigeria. In Ibadan, Oyo State in South-West Nigeria, where he held sway, Adedibu was reputed to have made a governor of a mere chairmanship aspirant; a deputy governor of an alleged vulcaniser; a senator of a carpenter; a Reps member of a motor boy  all through the instrumentality of force and subterfuge. About his politics, which was described as violently democratic, Adedibu argued that it was all designed to render the line of succession to high executive office both predictable and devoid of needless drama, just as you have with succession to the monarchy in England.

Succession in an elective system is, of course, not supposed to replicate the predictability of monarchical entitlement. In Nigeria today, however, the one recognised exception to this is succession to the high office of Chief Justice. In the week in which the Senate concluded the confirmation of a new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in supersonic fashion, it may be useful to recall that succession to that office was not always devoid of drama.

Until this week, there had been 22 occupants of the position of Chief Justice since the Amalgamation in 1914. Edwin Speed occupied the office for four years from 1914 to 1918. Ralph Combe succeeded him until 1929. Donald Kingdon, who functioned as Chief Justice of colonial Nigeria until 1946, remains the longest-serving occupant of the office, having held it for nearly seventeen years from 1929. John Verity succeeded him for eight years until 1954, and he was followed by Stafford Foster-Sutton, the last of the colonial chief justices who served until 1958.

By 1957 it was clear that Sir Stafford would vacate the position the following year. The jockeying to succeed him began in earnest for the historic role of Nigerias first indigenous Chief Justice. At the time, Olumuyiwa Jibowu, a lawyer since 1923 and High Court Judge since 1942, was presumed to be in pole position for the role. He was also the first Nigerian Justice of the Federal Supreme Court. Sir Olumuyiwa preceded his closest competitor, Adetokunbo Ademola, to the Bar by 11 years and to the Bench by seven. His credentials seemed impeccable. At the time, Sir Adetokunbo was chief justice of the Western Region.

At the parliamentary session in 1957, the member of the House of Representatives representing Owerri, Dennis Abii of the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC), tabled a motion calling on the Governor-General to pray Her Majesty the Queen to remove Mr. Justice Jibowu from his office as a judge, on the ground that he has taken sides in party politics as disclosed in the letter written by him to one Mr. Savage. Written three years earlier in 1954, Sir Olumuyiwas letter allegedly said some uncomplimentary things about Dr Azikiwe and his NCNC.

Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was a leading figure in Nigerias anti-colonial politics, who would later emerge as Nigerias first post-colonial leader. Following Dennis Abiis motion, the NCNC printed and disseminated the alleged letter by Sir Olumuyiwa to make their point that he was too partisan to be Chief Justice. This controversy gave legs to the then distant ambitions of Sir Adetokunbo, who eventually emerged on 1 April 1958 to become the first indigenous chief justice of Nigeria.

Over the next two decades, the office of the CJN evolved only incrementally, never losing its essential character as a first among equals. In that period too, appointment to the position always offered some drama and unpredictability. When Sir Adetokunbo retired in 1972, the Federal Military Government appointed as his successor Taslim Elias, an academic whose tenure as Attorney General of the Federation paralleled Sir Adetokunbos as chief justice for all but seven months over the period since Independence in October 1960.

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it was entirely predictable that Kudirat Kekere-Ekun would succeed Olukayode Ariwoola to become the 18th indigenous CJN. As the senior-most serving Justice of the Supreme Court, her march to the office seemed inexorable. Under the constitution, the president makes the appointment following confirmation of the nominee by the Senate.

When Professor Elias abdicated the office of CJN in 1975, the military appointed in his place Sir Darnley Alexander, a legal draftsman of Caribbean origin and, at the time, chief justice of the South-Eastern State. Sir Darnley naturalised to become Nigerian, while occupying the office of CJN.

In somewhat controversial circumstances in August 1979, the departing military government appointed Atanda Fatayi Williams to the office of CJN in succession to the retiring Sir Darnley. Thus began a convention which subsists to date of designating for the office the senior-most serving Justice of the Supreme Court.

Given this convention, it was entirely predictable that Kudirat Kekere-Ekun would succeed Olukayode Ariwoola to become the 18th indigenous CJN. As the senior-most serving Justice of the Supreme Court, her march to the office seemed inexorable. Under the constitution, the president makes the appointment following confirmation of the nominee by the Senate.

In this case, the Senate concluded the confirmation hearing in a perfunctory process scheduled without public notice or participation. Quite apart from affording confirmation to the nominee for the exalted office of CJN, this process also sadly confirmed the capture of the office by a narrow tribe of self-indulgent politicians.

In this most recent confirmation, the politicians appeared only intent on securing from the nominee guarantees to assure the political appropriation of the office of CJN and the preclusion of public accountability by the judicial branch. Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, threw her the softball of a question about how to shut down public discussion about incredible judicial decisions like the one that made Akpabio and his predecessor, Ahmad Lawan, candidate(s) for the Senate from primaries that they did not participate in.

The response was fulsome: I want to assure you that as chairman of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, we will ensure that those who should be disciplined, those who are in the habit of speaking on social media, condemning the judiciary, commenting on cases that are sub judice, will not have anywhere to hide. They will be dealt with decisively.

the Chief Justice may have become somewhat of a constitutional potentate but the lesson from the fate of Walter Onnoghen as CJN is that this potentate has feet of clay. The same politicians who have contrived to put the CJN above the constitution can decapitate the occupant when it suits them.

The Senate President beamed with characteristically contumelious corpulence.

The outcome was never in doubt. The politicians got the assurances they wanted that they would continue to own the judiciary. In return, the nominee sailed through to confirmation without incident.

Access to the office may now follow a pattern that Lamidi Adedibu would have enthusiastically prescribed but the fate of her three immediate predecessors must hold immense lessons for the new CJN.

First, the Chief Justice may have become somewhat of a constitutional potentate but the lesson from the fate of Walter Onnoghen as CJN is that this potentate has feet of clay. The same politicians who have contrived to put the CJN above the constitution can decapitate the occupant when it suits them.

Second, the Chief Justice may well be more than merely a first among equals these days but one lesson evident from the fate that befell Tanko Muhammad as CJN is that a Chief who neglects the wellbeing of his or her peers may not last in the role.

Third, a Chief Justice must think of his/her legacy and one who behaves with the abandon of a drunken political sailor, like Olukayode Ariwoola  the immediate past occupant of the office  may inherit the material world but lose the soul of the judiciary.

For the moment, we must welcome to this high office only the second woman ever to occupy the office of CJN. There will be time for her to decide whether (like the first woman to occupy the office) she chooses to see this as a high responsibility or, as her immediate predecessor, she prefers to see it as an office.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu.

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BEIJING, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tian'anmen Square and Chang'an Avenue in Beijing have been decorated with flower displays ahead of the upcoming National Day holiday.

A festive 18-meter-high flower basket has been installed in Tian'anmen Square and 10 flower beds of various styles have been set up along Chang'an Avenue, according to Liu Mingxing with the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau.

Other floral decorations, including over 20,000 flower boxes, have been installed across the city to celebrate the holiday that starts on Oct. 1.

Adorning Tian'anmen Square and Chang'an Avenue is a prominent highlight of the annual National Day celebrations and a tradition that has been carried on for 40 years. 

Editor: JYZ
Today, I am continuing the second part of my article, THE ESSENCE AND VALUE OF LIFE. In the first part, I tried to underline the importance of valuing what we possess and the consequences we suffer when we dont value what we have. In this second part of this article, I would be talking about what gives life meaning. I will also be talking about some factors that makes us to disregard life. The distractions that prevent us from thinking seriously about life. Finally, I would be making the point of what God expects life to be to all his children. How does God want us to live life? How does he look at life? What does he want us to emphasize in life? What is truly the essence of life?

There is such a wide spread understanding or lack of understanding, on the essence and value of life. Even though almost every living person one way or the other is in search of the essence and value of life, yet, more people tend to fall into the traps of life instead of discovering the true meaning of life.

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, and to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Below, I am going to explore some of the very powerful things for which men exchange their lives. These things are so persuasive, powerful, dominant and convincing that many people almost dont doubt their decisions to give their lives in exchange for them.

Things that seem obvious and convincing enough to men, are often foolishness to God. There is a scripture we are going to examine today that will greatly enrich our understanding about life. It is my belief that this passage of the Bible would become a lifeline to many of those reading this article.

I am hoping and believing for a great deliverance. A deliverance not from demons or generational curses, but a much more significant one. This deliverance I hope, will rip us off the grip of Satan, world and materialism. I believe this our deliverance will lead to us seeing life from a totally different perspective. This deliverance would lead us to a paradisiacal life while still on earth.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the Lord says: Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the Lord. This seemingly indistinct passage of the scriptures, is awesomely revealing.

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God in his wisdom, identified three major areas, where men wrongfully devote their lives. These three things however, are not ordinary. They are a force. In fact, they are such a compelling force that only few men can withstand their enticement.

The Big 3 are: Wisdom, Power and Wealth. Dear readers, you tell me, are they not indeed compelling? Who will argue that wisdom is not a good thing? How many can despise the convincing force of power? How many will dare close their eyes to the seductive power of wealth? These Big 3, are indeed a force. A force that is difficult not to reckon with.

Yet, the author of life is giving us a lesson about the essence and value of life. The lesson from this scripture is not the easiest to fathom and agree with. But when we bear in mind who is the one speaking. When we come to think of it, that these are the words of the author of life himself, we all cannot but listen.

From that passage of the scripture above, God is affirming to us that wisdom as powerful as it is, is not enough a basis for boasting  we should never give our lives for it. Power as convincingly overwhelming as it seems, is not enough reason for boasting. Wealth as seductively necessary as it is, is not enough a basis for boasting  lives should never be exchanged for it. Wow! What a revelation!!!

Each one of these three inducements, are actually great enough to make life seem worth living for a lot of people. Millions are giving their lives in exchange for any of these allurements on a daily basis.

The world over, people are running helter-skelter in search of these three: Wisdom, Power and Wealth. Come to think of it, if anyone truly possesses wisdom, he would be set to rule and reign on the earth. We know that kings reign by wisdom. Yet as powerful as it is, God the author of life, is saying that wisdom is not good enough for boasting, talk less of giving ones life in exchange for it. Whew! What a humbling assertion that is!!!

Power, friends, is might. A man of power is often seen as a man of possibilities. We see in our world today; we seek significance through power. It could be through political power, spiritual power, economic power, financial power or media power. It is almost incomprehensible to try to think of accomplishing anything in this world without power. As a matter of fact, people will do anything to either get power or be around power. Either it is spiritual power, physical power, political power or economic power. To the ordinary mortal, these seem to be the kind of people that rule our world.

How would you then explain the fact that God would so trivially assess power as not a good enough basis for boasting, therefore, men should never give their lives for it? See friends, even power in all its ramifications is not good enough a reason for which to exchange life. To be continued

Sunday Adelaja is a Nigerian born leader, transformation strategist, pastor and innovator. He was based in Ukraine.

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The Kaduna State government has in the last 17 months of the administration of Governor Uba Sani amicably resolved 347 cases of farmland and plot revocation disputes. In the process, 203 alternative plots were provided to claimants.

The Director-General of Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), Bashir Garba Ibrahim disclosed this in a statement issued at the weekend.

Mr Ibrahim said, as a way of preventing future dispute in government land layouts, the Governor Sani-led administration has introduced a new framework for the integration of existing settlements in the creation of new layouts.

He revealed that Mr Sani has approved a reduction in penalties and regularization charges to facilitate land ownership amid economic challenges. This includes a 15% discount on ground rent and use charges for early payment, installment payment options for customers with high debt, and a 20% discount on advance payment for five years.

Mr Ibrahim further disclosed that the state government is also digitalizing and upgrading KADGIS activities to expedite the processing of titles, aiming to produce 200 certificates of occupancy every week.

He said the governor has allocated plots of land to law enforcement officers, government workers, political appointees and party executives, as a recognition of their hard work.

The allocations include compensations for long-awaited plots and selections from direct allocation applicants from 2020 to 2024, amounting to a total of 5,453 plots across various locations.

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The KADGIS director-general also disclosed that new layouts were being created in different locations to provide opportunities for land acquisition and development, with the regularization of 25 urban areas.

He further assured clients of improved services, including various payment options, which will be accessible from anywhere in the world and also enhanced security of public documents. He said that currently, there are 24,000 signed certificates of occupancy (CofOs) ready for collection.

Mr Ibrahim called for the support of less privileged individuals in the payment of certificate of occupancy fees, particularly for systematic land registration exercise from old settlements with customary titles.

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An attack on Saturday night at the hometown of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has resulted in the killing of two persons and the abduction of about 40 people.

Residents said the abducted persons in the incident at Janboka, a community in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, are mostly women and children.

The latest attack came a week after the terrorists released 10 abducted persons after collecting a N10 million ransom, residents said.

One of the residents, Ibrahim Haru, said the terrorists shot indiscriminately as they entered the community.

Mr Haru said most of the people abducted are women and children. He said a headcount conducted after daybreak on Sunday showed about 40 residents were missing.

He identified the persons killed as Malam Isah and a teenage boy. He said they were killed while fleeing from the attack.

He said the terrorists struck despite the presence of local security guards in the community, lamenting that attacks in the Maradun local council area were becoming frequent.

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Maradun is the hometown of the Minister of State for Defence, Mr Matawalle, who is the immediate past governor of the state.

The police spokesperson in Zamfara State, Yazeed Abubakar, told PREMIUM TIMES that he was yet to be briefed about the development.

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The Enugu State Government has shut down some schools in Enugu, the state capital, alleged to be substandard and operated illegally.

The Commissioner for Education, Ndubueze Mbah, disclosed this on Saturday during the enforcement of the governments policy on ways to strengthen and improve the quality of education in the state.

Mr Mbah said that the exercise was meant to rid the state of poor education quality and skill deficiency.

Some of the affected schools were Evangel School, Ivory Education Centre, located on Owerri Road, Asata and Eastview Nursery and Primary School at Railway Quarters, Njemanze.

Others include St. Michael Nursery and Primary School, Asata; St. Bartholomew Nursery, Primary and Secondary School, Asata; and Olive Grove Nursery and Primary Academy, Njemanze.

Mr Mbah said that the exercise followed the ministrys earlier directive requiring all the operators of educational institutions at the Basic and Secondary School levels to comply with the state regulations.

He said that government made registration and approval by the ministry mandatory for any school to operate.

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We sensitised our people about the state governments education policy and how education must align with the most advanced global practices, if our children can have a chance to acquire 21st century skills and modern workforce knowledge and be able to compete with their global peers.

We gave them four months grace for all schools yet to register or obtain provisional licences to do so.

And we are doing this to checkmate abuses and restore the dignity of education in our state, the commissioner said.

He regretted that some of the schools visited operated under open roofs, had fallen rafters, and had severely cracked walls, housing hundreds of pupils in an abysmal learning environment.

He said that the situation was in complete disregard of the rules guiding the establishment and management of educational institutions.

Mr Mbah said that the state government would not compromise on its determination to raise the bar for education by ensuring competent and qualified teachers, adherence to the curriculum, conducive learning environment and other safety measures for students.

He described the proliferation of illegal schools across the state, where unscrupulous proprietors rip off parents without providing commensurate quality education for their children, as worrisome and unacceptable.

According to him, some schools paraded unqualified teachers, while cramping children in dilapidated structures that put their lives in danger.

(NAN)

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DODOMA, Tanzania, and ABUJA, Nigeria, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In line with President Xi Jinping's keynote address at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing, and in an effort to further deepen China-Africa ties, the 2024 China-Africa Cultural Cooperation and Exchange Month - African series of events has been successfully held in Tanzania and Nigeria. The events were organized by the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, and the Jinhua Municipal People's Government, and co-organized by the Jinhua Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, and the Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Centre.

Scenes from the Event

From September 23rd to 24th, commemorating 60 years of diplomatic ties between China and Tanzania and celebrating the China-Tanzania Year of Culture and Tourism, the "Flowing Light of Wuju Opera Ingenuity of Shining Craftsmanship" event showcased intangible cultural heritage at the China Cultural Centre in Tanzania and the Chinese Embassy. Chen Mingjian, the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, and Palamagamba Kabudi, Tanzania's Minister of Constitution and Legal Affairs, praised the cultural significance of Wu Opera during the event. Following the meeting, the Jinhua Culture and Tourism Delegation honored Minister Kabudi with the History of Wu Opera.

On September 26th, the "Glorious Charm of Wu Opera, Everlasting Cultural Exchanges" event at the China Cultural Center in Nigeria showcased Jinhua's unique cultural heritage, featuring demonstrations and exhibits of locally unique traditions including Wuzhou kiln, Dongyang wood carving, Pan'an medicinal cuisine, and Pujiang cross-stitch. Notably, Wu Opera costumes became the highlight of the event, with guests eagerly trying on the costumes and posing for photographs.

The successful conclusion of these events in Africa not only opened a new chapter in cultural cooperation between Jinhua and Africa, but also set the stage for a series of associated activities in China during the remainder of the exchange month.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2518248/image.jpg
BEIJING, Sept. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- We will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1. This is another important year for comprehensively deepening reform, a key year for realizing the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan for the 2021-25 period, the 70th anniversary of the National People's Congress and the 75th anniversary of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Together, these time marks further attach rich significance to the year 2024. Standing at this historical point and looking back, we can see how the PRC took a great leap from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong amid constant struggles and difficulties, proving the feasibility and superiority of the Chinese path to modernization with eloquent facts.

For every Chinese, the pride of greater material and spiritual abundance brought about by Chinese modernization is very vivid and lively, and the 75-year glorious course is a grand whole and as concrete as every detail of the country's development, reflecting in every aspect of people's lives. Adhering to the people-centered Chinese modernization has continuously enhanced people's sense of gain, happiness and security. China's GDP has continued to grow, and by 2023, was 223 times larger than that in 1952 calculating at constant price, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9 percent. China's GDP per capita has increased significantly and the country's comprehensive national strength has grown to the world's top position. China has won a comprehensive victory in the battle against poverty and made outstanding contributions to global poverty alleviation. China's average life expectancy has increased significantly, and public service systems, such as education, medical care and social security, have been improved. The fruits of Chinese modernization have been effectively transformed into a visible and tangible quality of life for the ordinary people.

Advancing Chinese modernization is a pioneering undertaking that has never been done before. As General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping pointed out, "Our modernization is both the most challenging and the greatest." At the beginning of the First Industrial Revolution, the population of the UK was less than 6 million, while during the Second Industrial Revolution, the population of the US was less than 80 million. By 2019, the total population of countries and regions that have reached modernization around the world was less than 1 billion.

For over 1.4 billion people in China to collectively enter a modernized society is a scale larger than the combined population of all developed countries, and this will completely reshape the world map of modernization. It is a significant event in human history with a far-reaching impact. Some young people say, "We are so fortunate to be born in China," which reflects their awareness and pride in being part of the process of Chinese modernization.

Chinese modernization has changed not only China but also the whole world. UN reports show that significant progress has been made in global poverty reduction over the past few decades, and this is primarily due to China's contributions. Measured by the World Bank's extreme poverty standard of $1.90 per person per day, China has reduced its poor population by around 800 million over the past 40 years, accounting for nearly 75 percent of global poverty reduction during this period. In 2021, China announced that the final 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current standard were all lifted out of poverty and that China had brought about a historic resolution to the problem of absolute poverty, completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China's economy has made historic leaps, contributing over 30 percent to global economic growth on average. By building new systems of a higher-standard open economy, China has become a major trading partner to over 140 countries and regions, providing stability and constructive elements for global peace.

In the context of human civilization, 75 years is but a brief moment, yet it has profoundly impacted global development patterns and the course of world history. China has broken the myth that "modernization equals Westernization," showcasing an alternative vision of modernization and expanding the pathways for developing countries to achieve modernization. This has offered a Chinese solution to humanity's quest for better social systems.

During the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing, the BBC published an article exploring the question: How has China gained the support of African countries without "preaching" to them? The fact is, China does not rely on external forces or blindly copy foreign models; instead, it follows general laws of modernization while independently exploring a path of modernization with Chinese characteristics, which naturally unites countries from the "Global South." Contributing significantly to the progress of human civilization reflects China's broad global vision.

Xi pointed out, "What do we rely on to further unite our hearts and minds on the new journey? It is the Chinese modernization." The 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC is both a milestone in the Chinese modernization journey and a prelude to new historical achievements and efforts. The Chinese people will not rest on their laurels or succumb to external pressure and stagnate. It is both the determination and goal of the ruling party as well as the common understanding and action of the people of all ethnic groups in China to advance China's modernization - a great undertaking that is unprecedented in human history and to act as firm practitioners and doers of Chinese modernization.

SOURCE Global Times
BEIJING, Sept. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For many foreigners, China may remain a mysterious land. However, for some China hands, the real China is credible, appealing and respectable. Their research and observations provide authentic reflections of China's transformation, mirroring the country's achievements and attractiveness. On October 1 of this year, the People's Republic of China (PRC) will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding. The Global Times launches a series titled "China Hands: My China Voyages" to share the connections, stories and insights of influential scholars and analysts who study China, narrating the changes and accomplishments they witness in China, and presenting a multifaceted view of the country.

In the third article of the series, Arnaud Bertrand (Bertrand), a French entrepreneur and commentator on economics and geopolitics, shared his stories with Global Times (GT) reporter Li Aixin.

GT: How did you come to be connected with China?

Bertrand: My personal connection with China began when I studied at a university in Switzerland. On the first day in the student dormitory, I met a young Chinese lady named Junjun who lived across from me. Little did I know at the time that she would become my wife. After about one or two years, we got together. Through her, I discovered China. I traveled there for the first time with her, and we eventually moved to China together. This experience opened the door for me into the country. Then I traveled a lot in China and met many more Chinese people. I also studied traditional Chinese medicine, which deepened my understanding of Chinese philosophy.

What really attracts me to China is how profoundly different the country is. I've visited 53 countries and lived in eight, so I have some experience with various cultures. However, China stands out as the most unique.

China embraces the philosophy of yin and yang, where these opposites are not seen as good or bad but as interdependent. The goal is to seek balance and harmony. It is this completely different approach to understanding the world that fascinates me.

I also have a deep appreciation for history and traditional Chinese culture. I love nothing more than to travel, especially in the countryside in China, discovering old, small traditional villages that haven't changed in 1,000 years. The people there still wear traditional costumes that have been preserved for centuries. I think China is very good at preserving its traditions and culture, which reflects a strong sense of duty.

GT: In your opinion, what are the biggest achievements that China has made in the past 75 years?



Bertrand: I think the biggest achievements are twofold. First, China has remained a sovereign country that can decide its own fate. Second, it has maintained peace.

China made the difficult choice to remain a communist country while fostering good relations with the West.

The Chinese government also cracked down hard on corruption, ensuring that China remains the master of its own destiny. This demonstrates impressive statecraft, as combating corruption is no easy task.

Remaining peaceful is not easy to achieve either, because China is one of the countries with the most neighbors in the world. Additionally, it faces significant challenges within its own borders, particularly in relation to Xinjiang and Hong Kong. We shouldn't underestimate how difficult it is to maintain peace under these conditions.

Remaining sovereign and peaceful has enabled China, both as a society and a state, to focus fully on economic development and to implement the necessary measures to make the country prosperous. The end result is well known: China has transitioned from a very poor and underdeveloped country in 1949 to the second-largest economy in the world today.

GT: What's your view on China's contributions to the international community over the past 75 years, especially regarding the three global initiatives, the Belt and Road Initiative and the concept of a global community of shared future?



Bertrand: All these initiatives, when examined closely, are a logical continuation of what China has contributed to the world over the past 75 years.

First of all, China is living proof that there is no one-size-fits-all system for all countries. The Chinese experience demonstrates that each country needs to find a path that suits its own context, culture and history. This is essentially what the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Civilization Initiative advocate, which suggests you can only develop by adopting their rules and becoming a mirror image of them.

The second point is that China truly believes in multilateralism. In fact, among the world's major powers, China is likely the one that most values the importance of multilateral institutions and the establishment of rules for all countries, as opposed to a world governed by the principle of "might makes right."

Multilateralism is the concept of a global community of shared future, which aligns with the GDI that China is trying to promote. Sadly, this is not the trend in the world today.

However, I predict that this is a temporary situation because the vast majority of the world is on China's side in this regard. They want rules to apply equally to everyone and seek a fair world where power does not dictate respect for those rules. They want the world to be a global community of shared future, rather than resembling a feudal system where the majority of the planet exists in servitude to the most powerful states.

I believe this reflects a historical trend, and China should continue to advocate for this vision, as it has been doing. These initiatives stem from 75 years of China's experience, diplomatic tradition and exchanges with the international community.

GT: What do you think reform and opening-up have brought to China and the world?



Bertrand: Reform and opening-up have brought unprecedented prosperity to China in the modern era and have had a profound effect on the world, enabling China to become a manufacturing superpower. This shift allowed Western companies to make immense profits by producing in China, giving consumers access to a wealth of products.

The very lesson of reform and opening-up is that China grew strong by engaging with the world. China should promote its vision of a global community of shared future, emphasizing coexistence. China should continue to articulate its positive vision, where there are no winners or losers, and focus on further opening up. The more people understand China, the less fear there will be, as knowledge is a powerful antidote to negativity.

SOURCE Global Times
This photo taken on Sept. 28, 2024 shows smoke rising following an Israeli airstrike in Khiam, Lebanon. Israeli warplanes launched a series of air raids on Hezbollah sites and towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon early Saturday morning, said Lebanese military sources. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes launched a series of air raids on Hezbollah sites and towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon early Saturday morning, said Lebanese military sources.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes carried out more than 100 airstrikes on southern Lebanon and about 50 on towns and villages in eastern Lebanon.

They added that the raids targeted Hezbollah sites and the outskirts of dozens of towns, in addition to open areas, valleys and forests.

The Israeli military claimed after the massive attacks on Saturday that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike on the Lebanese militant group's target in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

"Most of the raids in southern Lebanon targeted towns and villages surrounding the cities of Tyre and Nabatieh, the heights of the Jezzine region, Iqlim al-Tuffah, and the border villages extending from the southeast village of Kafr Kila to the outskirts of Naqoura in the west," said the Lebanese sources.

The strikes targeted four civil defense centers, wounding five people who were transferred to a hospital in the city of Nabatieh, while in eastern Lebanon, the raids hit the city of Baalbek and surrounding villages, according to the sources.

Confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have escalated recently after the latter announced the expansion of its offensive against Hamas to Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced the start of a new phase in its battle to support Gaza. 

This photo taken on Sept. 28, 2024 shows smoke rising following an Israeli airstrike in Khiam, Lebanon. Israeli warplanes launched a series of air raids on Hezbollah sites and towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon early Saturday morning, said Lebanese military sources. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 28, 2024 shows smoke rising following an Israeli airstrike in Khiam, Lebanon. Israeli warplanes launched a series of air raids on Hezbollah sites and towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon early Saturday morning, said Lebanese military sources. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Sept. 28, 2024 shows smoke rising following an Israeli airstrike in Khiam, Lebanon. Israeli warplanes launched a series of air raids on Hezbollah sites and towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon early Saturday morning, said Lebanese military sources. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Crews continue to navigate treacherous conditions including extensive tree and flooding damage, as well as road closures. As of midday Sunday, efforts are fully underway to restore power to approximately 425,000 customers who remain without power due to the storm. Additionally, there is the potential for further damage and power outages that could occur due to the saturated ground and weakened trees.

Georgia Power has determined Hurricane Helene was the most destructive hurricane in its history damaging infrastructure across the state. Initial damage estimates illustrating the extensive destruction of Hurricane Helene include:

5,000+ power poles that must be repaired or replaced

that must be repaired or replaced 9,000+ spans of wire equivalent to an estimated 425 miles

equivalent to an estimated 425 miles 500+ transformers

1,500+ trees on power lines that must be removed or addressed to restore power

Georgia Power appreciates the importance of accurate information for customers as they make plans for their families following this historic storm. As the company anticipated and announced before the arrival of the storm, restoration efforts will take multiple days into this next week. Georgia Power continues to post updated estimated restoration times (ERTs) for communities on its Outage Map. As of Sunday, restoration efforts have been largely completed in areas such as Metro Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, Rome and Albany, while work continues in the hardest hit areas across the state.

The company will continue to post updated information throughout the remainder of the restoration process and will make every effort to return power to customers sooner than expected. Customers are encouraged to check the Outage Map often for the latest information and not rely on possibly inaccurate details they may see from non-company sources.

The company continues to utilize additional resources from outside of its system and currently has more than 15,000 personnel engaged in response, including support from Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and dozens of other companies. The response force currently engaged is larger than the company's response to other major hurricanes including Michael, Irma and Zeta.

Preparation, Industry Support Key to Response

Georgia Power monitored the path of Hurricane Helene for more than a week prior to the storm entering Georgia. As part of its preparations, Georgia Power mobilized additional staff from across the industry to respond to Hurricane Helene. Mobilized crews across the state pre-positioned restoration workers, equipment, and supplies near areas of anticipated impact including extra transformers, poles, cable and other equipment. All this is part of advance planning and strategy to allow the company to restore power more quickly and efficiently for its customers as soon as weather conditions allow.

Georgia Power is also a member of a nationwide mutual assistance network, which consists of hundreds of utilities from around the country. Georgia Power has proactively mobilized crews from over 35 companies from states as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The company continues to acquire additional off-system resources to aid in response.

As always, the company encourages customers to keep safety first following Hurricane Helene:

Watch for Georgia Power crews working across the state. If driving, move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road  it's the law in Georgia .

If driving, move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road  it's the law in . Watch for downed wires. Downed power lines may be hidden by debris or fallen trees.

Downed power lines may be hidden by debris or fallen trees. Never touch any downed wire or attempt to remove tree branches from power lines  it can kill.

Don't step in standing water or saturated ground where downed lines may be present. They could be electrified.

They could be electrified. Avoid chain link fences. They may be electrified by a downed line out of sight and conduct electricity over great distances.

They may be electrified by a downed line out of sight and conduct electricity over great distances. Never attempt repairs to electric service connections. Customers should also note that if their home, including the meter box or mast/connection point, is severely damaged by the storm repairs may need to be made by an electrician before Georgia Power can reconnect power.

Tools You Can Use to Stay Connected & Informed

Outage Alerts  Customers subscribed to our free Georgia Power Outage Alert service will receive personalized notifications and updates via text message. Check that your contact number is up to date to receive the latest information.

Customers subscribed to our free Georgia Power Outage Alert service will receive personalized notifications and updates via text message. Check that your contact number is up to date to receive the latest information. Outage & Storm Center  Available at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Storm, customers can visit this site to check their contact information is updated to receive Outage Alerts, report and check the status of outages, and access useful safety tips and information. Customers can also report and check the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power at 888-891-0938.

Available at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Storm, customers can visit this site to check their contact information is updated to receive Outage Alerts, report and check the status of outages, and access useful safety tips and information. Customers can also report and check the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power at 888-891-0938. Outage Map  Housed within the Outage & Storm Center, Georgia Power's interactive Outage Map provides near real-time information, allowing users to see where outages are occurring across the state and track estimated restoration times.

 Housed within the Outage & Storm Center, Georgia Power's interactive Outage Map provides near real-time information, allowing users to see where outages are occurring across the state and track estimated restoration times. Georgia Power Mobile App  Download the Georgia Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices to access storm and outage information on the go.

 Download the Georgia Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices to access storm and outage information on the go. @GeorgiaPower on X (Twitter)  Follow @GeorgiaPower on X for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.7 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

SOURCE Georgia Power

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BEIJING, Sept. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an era marked by unprecedented global transformations, the world stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with deepening deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. As humanity faces unparalleled challenges during this tumultuous period, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has put forth a solemn call to action through the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).

The three pivotal initiatives address the pressing issues of our time, offering viable pathways and robust support for the building of a global community of shared future. Rooted in the rich historical experiences of the CPC's century-long struggle and infused with the wisdom of China's traditional culture, these initiatives are expected to unite the world in the pursuit of common progress and stability.

To offer a deep understanding of the GDI, the GSI, and the GCI, and elaborate on their significance on a global scale, the Global Times is launching series of articles featuring engaging stories and in-depth interviews to provide our readers with a comprehensive insight into the three initiatives.

From 'Convention of Peking' to 'Beijing Declaration'

In April 2022, President Xi proposed the GSI to promote universal security while delivering a keynote speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022. The initiative is a global public good offered by China, as well as a vivid illustration of the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind in the security field.

On July 23, 2024, 14 Palestinian factions gathered in Beijing and signed the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity after participating in reconciliation talks mediated by China, a lively demonstration of the GSI's function in practice, which many international observers hailed China for having "made something impossible possible," and regarded it as a milestone in the Middle East reconciliation process.

"Palestinian unity is key to the realization of Palestinian statehood and China is committed to facilitating it," read an article on news outlet Al Jazeera.

"The Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue. Over the past years, China has put forward proposals and taken action to address the Palestinian question with Chinese wisdom and solutions," stated the article.

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular media briefing on July 24, that "China firmly supports the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, and supports the people of Middle East countries in holding their future in their own hands. China will continue to advance the GSI and make more contribution to peace and stability in the Middle East."

On the day that the "Beijing Declaration" was signed, many Chinese people hailed the important step in peace in the Middle East and shared the sentiment "Because we have been caught in the rain, we want to hold an umbrella for others" on social media platforms.

They recalled the history that 164 years ago, the Qing government was forced to sign the humiliating "Convention of Peking" in 1860, which included ceding territories and paying indemnities. That dark era saw China reduced to a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society, when bullying by foreign powers and frequent wars tore the country apart and plunged the Chinese people into an abyss of great suffering. After a strenuous fight, the CPC has closely united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to work hard for a century to put an end to China's national humiliation, guiding the country to progress and prosperity.

The past suffering is not merely a reminder of a dark history; it has also made the Chinese people more sympathetic to the suffering of others and has deepened their understanding of the value of peace.

Turkish Ambassador to China Ismail Hakk Musa hailed the significance of the GSI in an exclusive interview with the Global Times. "The GSI has its own rations. It focuses on sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and [the] peaceful settlement of the disputes. You may have noticed that too many people - too many analysts - defended the idea that, for example, the role assumed by China between the approach of Saudi Arabia and Iran was a kind of application or practice of this initiative," Musa said.

"We all know that this approach is a good thing. Lesser tension in that region is an important contribution to the world peace," he stressed.

In practice, China is not only playing an unselfish, active role in the brokering of peace in the Middle East while some other countries ignore human lives for selfish interests, but has also become an important force in maintaining world peace.

Since the restoration of its legitimate seat in the United Nations, China has faithfully fulfilled its international legal obligations as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Currently, China is the second-largest contributor to the UN's regular budget, the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, and the largest troop-contributing nation among the permanent members of the Security Council. China actively participates in negotiations and the formulation of rules on global security issues in various fields, including international arms control and preventing nuclear proliferation.

It also collaborates with various parties in non-traditional security areas such as counter-terrorism, biosecurity, and food security. In the face of ongoing hotspot issues, China is committed to playing the role of a responsible major power.

Right to development

In the heart of Africa, where the sun shines brightly and the needs of the people are as vast as the savannah, a new story of development is unfolding. It's a tale of "small but beautiful" projects born from China-Africa cooperation, ranging from crop cultivation and maize growth and combating the region's hunger issue, to clean energy projects that provide affordable new energy, and to the Luban Workshop, which offers training to many in Africa.

The implementation of these "small and beautiful" projects echoes the GDI's call for sustainable and people-centric growth.

Three years ago, Xi proposed the GDI at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, calling for the building of a consensus in pursuing development, promoting shared growth, and helping accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

China achieved the goal of eradicating absolute poverty 10 years ahead of the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, making significant contributions to global poverty alleviation efforts. Internationally, China is fully committed to development, actively sharing its development opportunities and experiences with other countries, especially with those in the Global South.

Since the initiative was proposed, the content has been consistently substantialized, with its implementation mechanisms becoming more refined over time. This has led to the gradual establishment of practical cooperation within its framework, providing China's approach to addressing the development gap in Global South countries.

At the just concluded 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the China-Africa Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation within the Framework of the Global Development Initiative was released.

"Since the launch of the GDI, China and Africa have joined forces and mutually supported each other in exploring paths toward modernization, further implementing the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035, advancing the nine programs to a high standard, as well as completing 175 'small and beautiful' livelihood cooperation projects," read the statement.

More than 30 African members of the FOCAC have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI and the Global Development Promotion Center Network to put in place an efficient working mechanism and platform for alignment in development policies, coordination of development resources, and facilitation of joint actions.

Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan, told the Global Times that he believes that the GDI, which advocates that development "holds the master key" to solving problems and ensuring sustainable peace, is what the world is desperately seeking now. He noted that apart from Africa, other Global South countries are benefiting from the GDI and China's development dividends.

"Without sharing the dividends of development, we cannot preach ethics, and the dream of peace will remain a dream. Without cooperation, concrete programs, and the allocation of financial resources, we cannot achieve these goals. China is cognizant of this reality and has launched numerous programs and provided financial support such as $4 billion to the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund," he said.

Musa noted to the Global Times that "China initiated the concept of the 'right to development.' The GDI also offers action-based policies and result-based projects."

According to China's Foreign Ministry, over the last three years, the GDI has made remarkable achievements. Over 100 countries and some international organizations have given support to or taken part in the initiative. More than 80 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, which has financed over 150 programs. The Global Development Promotion Center Network is bringing more members on board.

"The GDI was put forward by China, but its opportunities and benefits are shared by the world. On the path toward development and prosperity, no country or individual should be left behind. This is the vision of the GDI, as well as the goal advocated by the UN," Mao Ning said at a regular media briefing on September 20, 2024.

Respect for diverse civilizations

In March 2023, Xi proposed the GCI for the first time at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, advocating for the respect of the diversity of world civilizations, the promotion of common values for all humanity, the emphasis on the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and the strengthening of international cultural exchange and cooperation.

The initiative is another major public product offered to the world by China after the GDI and the GSI. It sends a sincere call to the world to deepen the dialogue of civilization exchanges and promote the progress of human civilization through inclusiveness and mutual learning, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to promote a higher level of international cooperation, experts said.

Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office, told the Global Times that the GCI aligns with UNESCO's mission to foster respect for cultures worldwide, particularly those that possess outstanding universal value.

China now boasts 59 World Heritage sites, including the Beijing Central Axis, a "remarkable example" of urban heritage that showcases advancements from the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) to the present day, Khan said.

In recent years, China has enhanced communication and coordination with UNESCO, working with all parties to promote the implementation of the United Nations' Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations, strengthening dialogue and exchange among civilizations, and increasing the sharing of values, concepts, and experiences behind the policies of various countries, jointly exploring solutions to global challenges and issues.

Ramay noted that the GCI, together with GDI and GSI, "negates the idea of superiority and present the vision of equality and equity built on respect for diversity and cultures. The vision categorically highlighted the need for a fair and just system where everyone (country or human) can pursue the dream of development and peace."

"These initiatives promote the idea of resolving conflicts or disputes through dialogue and development to strengthen peaceful and cooperative co-existence. Thus, the world welcomed the initiative, especially the Global South," he said.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202409/1320506.shtml

SOURCE Global Times
SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 6G Conference held in Istanbul, on September 24, 2024, Dr. Wen Tong, Huawei Wireless CTO, delivered a keynote speech on 6G standardization and innovation. With the release of the ITU-R 6G vision framework, the 3GPP will start 6G standardization in 2025. "6G is a new generation of mobile technology, not a simple upgrade of 5G, it should bring new value to users," said Dr. Tong, "6G is a true intergenerational technological disruption. 6G standard, key technologies, and network architecture should be re-defined based on application scenarios and requirements from 2030 to 2040. 6G should not be another way to implement 5G. Instead, 6G should embrace the AI revolution with a quantum leap and generate new values for the consumers. In this way, 3GPP standards can truly realize the 6G vision and create greater value for the entire industry."

Huawei Wireless CTO Tong Wen Gave Keynote Speech at 6G Conference at Istanbul, Turkiye

Centered "6G Standardization Direction" and "6G Innovation Driving Force", Dr. Tong shared important views on the future architecture, terminal development, and key technologies of 6G.

In terms of architecture design, 6G should go beyond Service-Based Architecture and move towards Application-Driven Network.

5G has already achieved market success and continues to evolve towards 5G-Advanced. 6G will not simply reuse 5G network architecture, without generational and fundamental innovations, which will limit the mobile industry's aspiration and imagination to dive the innovation in the 6G era. 6G must have obvious cross-generational characteristics and technical breakpoint.

On the core side, reusing the 5G core network will hinder the innovation in AI. We should use Agentic-AI based technology to re-architect 6G Core that goes beyond 5G Service-Based Architecture and support the foundational capabilities of AI, Sensing and NTN , and thus evolve towards the Application Driven Network .

In terms of terminal evolution, 6G user device calls for a breakthrough to lead the success of the entire industry chain.

It is the law of the mobile industry to drive the evolution of the market with the pioneering technology. The 6G networks and 6G terminals must meet the requirements of consumers and vertical industries in the 6G market phase from 2030 to 2040.

Currently, smartphones are evolving to AI terminals to usher in the mobile AI era. In post-MBB era, breakthroughs in terminal technologies will be the key to the evolution of the mobile industry. Therefore, 6G user device calls for a breakthrough towards "Full-AI", thus to drive 6G network upgrade and the success of the entire industry ecosystem.

In terms of technology development, AI will become a key enabler for 6G with network paradigm shifting.

Twenty years ago, the Internet was the enabler of the technology innovations. Mobile communications embraced the Internet and achieved great business success. Today, AI maybe the disruptive enabler of the latest technology innovations.

6G should embrace the AI revolution with a quantum leap. However, 6G networks should not be limited to generative AI, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Embodiment-AI are the main directions of future AI development. Therefore, AGI should run through the whole process of sensing, reasoning, decision, and action of terminals, wireless networks, and core networks of 6G, to welcome the arrival of a new network paradigm.

At the end, Dr. Tong Wen emphasized the relationship between 5G and 6G: "The global 5G deployment is on the rise and evolving to 5G-Advanced, which not only meets the current requirements of operators, but also protects their investment. Therefore, 6G technologies should not overlap with 5G in technologies and market space. The specifications, technologies, and architecture of 6G must be based on the scenarios and requirements from 2030 to 2040. We should focus on true generational technology disruption, embrace the new opportunities brought by AI, expand the mobile industry in the next generation."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2518236/Huawei_Wireless_CTO_Tong_Wen_Gave_Keynote_Speech_at_6G_Conference_at_Istanbul__T_rkiye.jpg
SHANGHAI, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Feel Shanghai: Travel as a Local" World Tourism Day Shanghai Showcase took place on September 27 at the Liu Haisu Art Museum. This event, organized by the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism and operated by Shanghai Daily, was held to mark World Tourism Day and to experience the city through a local lens, while showcasing its rich cultural and tourism offerings.

Feel Shanghai: Travel as a Local Feel Shanghai: Travel as a Local (PRNewsfoto/Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism)

The initiative invited international residents to share their hidden gems and must-try local experiences, offering valuable insights for foreign visitors. It is also hoped it will boost global interest in exploring Shanghai and supports its development as a top destination for inbound travel in China.

Ten international residents from six countries, grouped into nine teams, served as "local expat guides.". Clarisse Le Guernic, a seasoned citywalk tour guide from France, took visitors on a vibrant journey through "Citywalk." French celebrity chef Corentin Delcroix tantalized taste buds under the "Food" spotlight, and renowned French graffiti artist Paul Dezio brought "Art" to life.

German entrepreneur Eric Baden, founder of "Coffee Commune," brewed excitement for the "Cafe" theme. Hungarian museum professional Steven Back unveiled the charm of the "Ancient Town." Spanish "Piano Prince" Mario Alonso entertained under the "Performance" theme, and Australian host Cameron Andersen highlighted the thrill of "Sport."

Siblings Maya and Anton Wagener, born in Shanghai of Chinese-German heritage, introduced the fun of "Wonderland," while Italian kung fu master Kleber Battaglia focused on "Wellness."

The event featured a themed video titled "Feel Shanghai: Travel as a Local," where participants shared their favorite local experiences.

Cheng Meihong, deputy director general of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism; Liu Oi editor-in-chief of Shanghai Daily; and Yu Zhenyu, director of Liu Haisu Art Museum presented special gifts to the attendees and posed for photos with them.

The event concluded with the launch of the "Homie Hunt" project, featuring street challenges at major cultural and tourism spots. This project highlights Shanghai's role as an open, inclusive international hub for vibrant cultural exchanges and diverse perspectives.

For more on the "Homie Hunt" project, see below:

https://x.com/shanghaidaily/status/1839563952508084666?t=j-qghL8o8UUes_ocda7KOw&s=19

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/T6xWX3pYkubu58LT/?mibextid=oFDknk

Since last year, Shanghai's inbound tourism has rebounded significantly, welcoming over 3 million visitors in the first half of this yeara 140% increase. The city has also introduced over 120 premium tourism routes to boost its appeal.

SOURCE Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism
HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 26, a delegation from the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, led by Minister Madiyev Zhaslan, visited SUPCON. SUPCON's Chairman and President, Mr.Cui Shan, warmly welcomed the delegation.

The Kazakhstan government representatives expressed their appreciation and recognition of SUPCON's expertise and innovation in intelligent manufacturing, digital transformation, and industrial AI.

image_5022684_18905906 1

Madiyev Zhaslan expressed a strong interest in industrial AI technologies of SUPCON, particularly their applications in intelligent and low-carbon facilities. He looks forward to exploring extensive collaboration with SUPCON across various sectors in Kazakhstan.

Cui Shan emphasized that as a leading industrial AI company with a global presence, SUPCON will leverage its technological advantages to meet Kazakhstan's industry development requirements and trends, injecting new momentum into the country's industrial digitalization.

In 2023, SUPCON established a subsidiary in Kazakhstan as its Central Asia regional headquarters and set up a localized operational system. SUPCON will continue to invest in the long-term development of the Central Asia region, contributing further wisdom and strength to the industrial digital transformation in Kazakhstan and beyond.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2518470/image_5022684_18905906.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2518471/1.jpg
HOUSTON, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leoguar, a leader in innovative electric bike solutions, introduces two new models in its Beach Cruiser lineup: the Zephyr ST and Zephyr SO Beach Cruiser Ebikes. Designed to offer a seamless blend of style, comfort, and powerful performance, these eBikes are set to revolutionize the beach cruising experience.

Exploring the Coast with Leoguar Zephyr Beach Cruiser Ebike | Perfect Ride for Beach Adventures

The Zephyr ST Beach Cruiser Ebike is designed for those who value chic, carefree rides. Priced at $1,599.00, it boasts a 720 Wh battery with up to 60 miles of range, powered by a 500W motor reaching speeds of 20 MPH. The 7-speed Shimano gearing and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes ensure a versatile and safe ride. The Zephyr ST stands out in seven vibrant colors, perfect for any setting.

The Zephyr SO Beach Cruiser Ebike offers a bold, rugged riding experience. Sharing the same price and core specs as the Zephyr ST, it features a strong step-over frame for style. Ideal for adventurous beach rides, the Zephyr SO includes an ergonomic saddle and a secure password-locked display, catering to those who prioritize performance and security. The Zephyr SO is available in three vibrant colors - Golden Sunrise, Azure Wave and Emerald Coast.

The Zephyr models feature patented dual-lock battery design integrated into the front down tube, placing 50% of the weight at the front. The robust rear motor balances the remaining weight, resulting in improved overall stability and control. This setup offers a smoother and more comfortable ride, making long journeys easier compared to traditional beach bikes.

The beach cruiser, an American icon of carefree coastal living, was designed by Schwinn in the 1930s to bring freedom, durability, and riding enjoyment to everyone. Today, it remains a part of the two-wheeled culture of America, embodying the spirit of relaxed rides along the coast.

"Our Beach Cruiser e-bikes take that legacy even further, blending the classic design with modern technology to offer an enjoyable ride that reflects the growing focus on sustainability and comfort in bike culture." said COO of Leoguar.

About Leoguar:

Leoguar blends 30 years of expertise with a passion for eco-friendly design, offering high-quality, stylish ebikes that conquer any terrain. A comprehensive two-year warranty on all models ensures long-term customer satisfaction.

For more information, please visit www.leoguarbikes.com

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Leoguar Electric Bikes
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, Sept. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 26th, SOUEAST hosted the 2024 Global Brand Launch Ceremony in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. During the event, SOUEAST unveiled its Urban Intelligent C-Class SUV, the S07, to a global audience for the first time and announced the commencement of pre-sales in Uzbekistan.

The SOUEAST S07 offers both 5-seat and 7-seat options, focusing on trendy design and intelligent technology, aiming to bring a comfortable and trendy traveling experience to the young people. It is built around "Live Inspiration," helping users discover their uniqueness in urban life.

Futuristic Design Creates an Inspired Aesthetic

The fusion of avant-garde fashion and futuristic technology inspires the SOUEAST S07's design. It measures 4724mm in length, 1900mm in width, and 1720mm in height, with a 2720mm wheelbase. The vehicle offers a selection of seven exterior colors inspired by nature. All models come standard with a high-quality Starry Digital Grille at the front, continuous LED Front and Rear Light Strips.

Inside, the S07 features a 62-inch ultra-wide panoramic sunroof for stargazing, floating door panels, welcome pedals, and welcome lights, creating a futuristic ambiance.

Technology Empowers a Comfortable Cabin

The front row of S07 is equipped with two 12.3-inch dual-link screens, integrating the instrument panel and central control screen.

The interior also features a 3-zone climate control system, with a 9-inch touchscreen control for the second-row users, ensuring personalized comfort for every occupant. The S07 is also equipped with Multi-layer Ambient Lighting and 8-SONY Immersive Sound Effect can enhance the cabin's atmosphere. The seats are soft and comfortable, with the driver's seat offering electric 6-way adjustment, and a memory function.

Smart Driving Makes Effortless Travel

Regarding driving control, the remote start function gives owners full control of the vehicle for everyday convenience. The 360 HD imaging and 180 transparent chassis offers a full view of the vehicle, assisting users in driving safely, while the FWD version of the S07 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, ensuring fast system response.

In terms of power, the S07 features a 1.6TD+7DCT power combination for efficient power output and smooth shifting.

The global launch of the S07 has injected new vitality and inspiration into the global automotive market. With its exceptional quality and unparalleled driving experience, SOUEAST is set to become the ideal choice for consumers worldwide.

SOURCE SOUEAST
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Cairo, Sep 29 : Countries and anti-Israel factions in the Middle East have strongly condemned the Israeli attack that killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon.

On Friday evening, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Hezbollah's main headquarters in Dahieh, which Israeli military said killed Nasrallah along with some other group commanders, Xinhua news agency reported.

Hezbollah on Saturday confirmed Nasrallah's death.

In a statement, the group mourned Nasrallah, describing him as "a great martyr" and "a heroic, bold, brave, wise, insightful, and faithful leader" for nearly 30 years, who lately led in "the battle for Palestine, Gaza, and the oppressed Palestinian people".

According to Lebanon's MTV TV channel, Friday's raids on Beirut killed at least six people, injured 91 others, flattened several residential buildings, and caused huge damage to infrastructure in the neighbourhood.

Shortly after Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah's death, Hamas issued a statement condemning the Israeli airstrikes on Dahieh as "a cowardly terrorist act, a massacre, and a heinous crime" that proved once again Israel's "bloodiness and brutality".

Hamas held Israel fully responsible for "this heinous crime and its serious repercussions on the security and stability of the region," and condemned the US administration's "continued support" for Israel.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned on social media platform X Israel's "brutal" and "inhumane" attacks that killed many Lebanese, including children, and called on the international community to "act swiftly" to ensure global peace, stability and security.

While also slamming Israel's "utter disregard for innocent human life," Iranian Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif vowed on X that "The Resistance will continue as long as the cause -- aggression and occupation -- persists".

In the meantime, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning over the "martyrdom" of Nasrallah.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi also mourned the death of Nasrallah.

In a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, Araghchi described Nasrallah's death as a great loss for Lebanon, West Asia, and the Muslim world.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani called Nasrallah's killing "a new sinful attack and a crime that confirms Israel's crossing of all red lines," saying it expresses Israel's "reckless desire to expand the conflict at the expense of all the peoples of the region".

The Prime Minister announced on Saturday a three-day national mourning in honour of the "martyrdom" of Nasrallah.

On Saturday, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry condemned the "brutal aggression" against Lebanon, and called on the UN Security Council to adopt a "decisive and firm position to stop the bombings against the Lebanese people and put an end to the violation of their sovereignty and the threat to their security".

Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi group described Nasrallah's passing as a "huge loss" and "a curse that haunts Israel until it is uprooted". The group declared three days of mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast.

In a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry, the Syrian government strongly condemned the "criminal Israeli aggression," which it described as another example of Israel's "treachery, cowardice, and terrorism". The Ministry accused Israel of disregarding international law and held it fully responsible for the consequences of the attack.

In a post on X, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed his country's "solidarity with Lebanon and its people," reaffirming "support for Lebanon's sovereignty, security, stability, cohesion, and peace".

In a phone call with Mikati, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi vowed to stand by Lebanon, especially during these critical circumstances. Sisi also stressed "the need for an immediate, comprehensive, and permanent ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza".

Israel has intensified its airstrikes across Lebanon since Monday, marking the most extensive Israeli military action in the country since 2006.

Israel's latest escalation further fuels its ongoing clashes with Hezbollah that began on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah started launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas, prompting Israel's retaliatory artillery fire and airstrikes in southeastern Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry on Saturday, 1,640 people in Lebanon, including 104 children and 194 women, have been killed and 8,408 more injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since October 8 last year.
United Nations, Sep 29 : United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that he was "gravely concerned" over the rising violence in the Middle East, urging all sides to halt the cycle of violence immediately.

Sharing a post on X, Guterres said, "I'm gravely concerned by the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut in the last 24 hours. This cycle of violence must stop now. All sides must step back from the brink."

He added, "The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war."

Meanwhile, Unicef has sounded the alarm over the strikes in Beirut, condemning the recent escalation that has claimed thousands of lives.

Sharing a post on X, Unicef said, "Tragedy upon tragedy in Lebanon. The recent escalation has killed and injured thousands and instilled an unimaginable fear in people. The children of Lebanon need an immediate de-escalation."

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) also eliminated senior Hezbollah intelligence array terrorist Hassan Khalil Yassin in a precision strike in the Dahieh district in Beirut on Saturday, the military reported, according to a report by Jerusalem Post.

"Yassin stood at the head of a department responsible for the identification of civilian and military targets, on the northern border and deep within Israeli territory," the IDF said.

It added, "As part of his role, Yassin collaborated intensely with all of Hezbollah's offensive units, was personally involved in the planning of terror attacks that were executed during the war against Israeli civilians and soldiers, and planned additional attacks to be carried out in the coming days."

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has officially acknowledged the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, following Israeli strikes on Beirut, according to a report by CNN.

Hezbollah said on Saturday that its leader, Nasrallah, "has joined his fellow martyrs."

The group also vowed that it would "continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine," Al Jazeera reported.

The Israeli Defence Forces launched precision strikes on the Lebanese capital in Beirut on Friday, which led to the death of Nasrallah.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivers a speech at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- There is no "gray zone" or "room for ambiguity" when it comes to the People's Republic of China representing the whole of China at the UN, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79).

Delivering a speech during the General Debate of UNGA 79, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told world leaders in the audience that Taiwan being "an inalienable part of China's territory" is both "the history and the reality."

Both the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation stated in explicit terms that all the territories Japan had stolen from the Chinese, such as Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, shall be restored to China, and this constitutes an important part of the post-war international order, Wang said.

"Right here in this august hall 53 years ago, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, deciding to restore all the rights of the People's Republic of China at the UN, to recognize the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN, and to expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan region from the UN and all the organizations related to it," he said, adding that "once and for all, the resolution resolved the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the UN."

The resolution, Wang continued, made clear that there is no such thing as "two Chinas," or "one China, one Taiwan."

"On this matter of principle, there is no gray zone or room for ambiguity," Wang said.

"The complete reunification of China will be achieved. Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of the motherland. This is the overwhelming trend of history that no one and no force can stop," said Wang. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivers a speech at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivers a speech at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Tel Aviv, Sep 29 : Following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a precision strike by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran's Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face consequences and that no location in Iran or the Middle East is beyond Israel's reach.

Netanyahu made his first public comments on Saturday after an Israeli airstrike killed Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, in Beirut.

"There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel will not reach, and today you already know how true this is," he added.

Speaking from Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Netanyahu said Israel's assassination of the Hezbollah leader "settled accounts with those responsible for the murder of countless Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of Frenchmen".

The Israeli Prime Minister called Nasrallah's killing "a necessary condition for achieving the goals we have set".

The Israeli Prime Minister was referring to tens of thousands of Israelis who have been displaced by cross-border fire in the north of the country. Last week, Israel made returning residents to their homes in the north an explicit war aim.

"As long as Nasrallah lives, he would quickly restore the capabilities we took away from Hezbollah," Netanyahu said.

"That's why I gave the directive a" and Nasrallah is no longer with us," he added.

Netanyahu made no reference to a US-led ceasefire proposal for the Israel-Lebanon border in his remarks, which come just a day after he made a combative speech at the United Nations General Assembly, vowing to continue the fight with Hezbollah a" and swiping directly at Iran.

"I say to the Ayatollah's regime: whoever beat us, we will beat them," he said.

The Prime Minister said that Israel had arrived at a "historic turning point".

"We are determined to continue to strike at our enemies, return our residents to their homes, and return all our abductees. We do not forget them for a moment," he added.
Mumbai, Sep 29 : In an unprecedented initiative, the online platform, Temple Connect has launched a first-ever Post Graduate Programme in Temple Management (PGPTM) as the first step to professionally manage India's staggering 32-lakh plus big and small Hindu places of worship.

The PGPTM Diploma course with a detailed all-encompassing curriculum, was launched at the University of Mumbai and the autonomous Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, with the maiden batch of 30 students each, and shortly to start at Savitribai Phule Pune University.

"Next year, this will become a full-fledged MBA programme in temple management and also offer specialisation in various fields. We are in talks with 19 other government or private educational institutions to launch this course in the next couple of years plus with top global universities to offer this specialised study in the coming years," Temple Connect Founder Giresh Vasudev Kulkarni told IANS.

The discussions are on with institutions in Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and certain international universities to co-create and offer temple management programmes, barring the religious aspects, he added.

Kulkarni said that places of worship have been wonderfully managed for ages, but now with the advancement in technology and knowledge, the PGPTM and the upcoming MBA in Temple Management will be the first steps towards a whole unexplored territory.

For starters, the course will cover the total administration, operation, maintenance, financials, etc. for Hindu 'Mandirs', Jain 'Derasars', Sikh 'Gurudwaras' and Buddhist 'Viharas', to help them induct trained manpower equipped with modern-era managerial and technical skills for optimum management of their resources.

In the past 21 years since Kulkarni deep-dived into the issue by touring more than 2000 temples, he learnt that India has more than 32-lakh big and small temples, which he has started compiling systematically now, and solicited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support in this huge endeavour.

"In India, there are 19,101 pin codes, 154,725 post offices, plus Army posts. There are 20 big-small temples per post office. These include the biggest or famous ones that everyone is aware of, or even small temples, plus there are many pilgrimage centres with a temple situated every few metres... All these add up to an estimated more than 3.20 million (32-lakh) temples across the length and breadth of India," said Kulkarni with a smile.

Indian temples have different origins, some are owned-run by families, some were set up by the past royals/rulers, many managed by Trusts, Charity Commissionerates or other social-cultural organisations, but all have more or less similar aims and functions, which the Temple Connect courses have covered.

The online initiative has digitised 9,864 temple in 58 countries, including the US, Canada, UK, The Netherlands, Australia, the Far East and of course, India, as the 'Smart Temple Connect' project, and the PGPTM could offer the students 'internships' at one or more of these places to help understand the sunrise field better.

"The six-month course has been curated and developed by Temple Connect, aiming to professionalise temple operations, with technology, sustainability and inclusivity, equip the participants with necessary skills to manage temple ecosystems deploying modern expertise and strategic foresight," added Kulkarni.

"The diploma course was the outcome of many experts and academics, including Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor of University of Mumbai Ravindra Kulkarni, Welingkar Institute's Group Director Uday Salunkhe, Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi's ex-chairman Suresh Haware, and more," said Ravindra Sangurde of Mumbai University.

The PGPTM has a robust curriculum, with three-months intensive classroom lectures in 20 sessions, three-months practical hands-on internships at some renowned temples in India or abroad, all guided by a faculty of seasoned professionals having substantial practical experience in temple operations, plus some temples offering scholarships to the students.

"The students get a unique opportunity of practical exposure to temple management, ranging from administrative functions to community engagements to spiritual stewardship, and lucrative employment opportunities. On successful completion of the course, they will be awarded a diploma from the concerned varsity or institution," Kulkarni said.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)
Seoul, Sep 29 : South Korea and Britain have launched a new high-level dialogue channel meant to discuss ways of stronger cooperation on a wide range of economic and financial issues, finance ministry said on Sunday.

The inaugural meeting of the bilateral economic and financial dialogue took place in London on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, adding South Korean Deputy Finance Minister Choi Ji-young and Lindsey Whyte, the director general of Britain's HM Treasury, were in attendance.

The two sides agreed to launch a new dialogue channel between the two nations' finance ministries during a summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and then British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November 2023, reports Yonhap news agency.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on their domestic and global economic circumstances and discussed how to enhance two-way cooperation on supply chains and other economic security issues, multilateral economic cooperation and responses to climate change.

Also on the table was Europe's new carbon tax rules of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the ministry said.

Choi met major investors in Britain last week and asked for their greater investment in South Korea while explaining the country's financial circumstances, investment incentives and various foreign currency bonds.

Meanwhile, the top diplomats of South Korea and China agreed to continue high-level meetings between the two countries on the margins of multilateral gatherings, the foreign ministry said on Sunday, signalling a summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, reached the agreement as they met in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday (local time) to discuss bilateral ties and security on the Korean Peninsula, according to the South Korean foreign ministry.

The agreement strongly suggests that the two countries will push for a summit between Yoon and Xi on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Peru in November and next year's APEC summit to be held in the South Korean city of Gyeongju.

"While assessing that high-level exchanges have taken place briskly between South Korea and China this year, the two sides agreed to continue with high-level exchanges at multilateral meetings in the second half of this year and work together to achieve substantial outcomes from these high-level meetings," the ministry said in a statement.

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New Delhi: Nobody has seen God, the originator of this universe but everyone recognises his or her real time 'creators' -- the two parents who were joyous at your birth and fully committed to doing all they could to keep you in comfort regardless of their own wants.

They could never be given back enough by you for their one-sided love and sacrifice. That they should remain enshrined in your memory and always missed after they were gone, is perhaps their only recompense. They might also invoke in you an introspection of how as an independent adult you treated them in their lifetime. It is certain that in their own last thoughts, when the faithful remember their unseen God, they would find their visible creators by the side of that God.

Life of every human being, long or short, is a story -- only his or her story -- that would be engrossing enough if well told with human sensitivity and compassion.

When expansively stewed in moments of happy childhood memory, parental joy, distress of livelihood when there was scarcity in spite of an honest effort at work, tragic loss of dear ones and pressure of duty amidst hope, life becomes a collective of distinctive stories large enough to provide for the making of a full fledged novel of quality with an absorbing read.

The national morality of India is sustained by its normal-looking families -- predominantly middle and lower middle classes -- that were known for having multiple children, a sense of dedication to one's responsibility towards them as a parent and a rare spiritual contentment with whatever life had offered. It is remarkable how human values were considered important and kept on top against all odds, in this moral framework. This in fact was India's cultural legacy.

The average Indian family embracing the entirety of this heritage had a patriarch -- the bread earner -- who was totally committed to fulfilling his duties and who often had only frittering moments of happiness in long spells of hardship and toil.

He maintained a stoic silence in all of this surely deriving some moral strength from doing the duty ordained by his 'dharma' and accepting life as a continuum of struggle.

He usually had the benefit of a lifelong companion at home -- his wife -- whom he always trusted and respected for taking care of the children in what was a decent division of labour in the family. She would be a source of wisdom and stability and often in a crisis cropping up by way of a child getting sick or the house running into shortages, would show the correct pathway to a solution.

The head of the family knew what would serve the best interests of his children and realised the importance of education for both boys and girls even when he was compelled to accept a certain degree of differential that favoured an expenditure on the boy's education more than that of the girl. This socially flawed thinking is, however, getting remedied with awareness of the importance of a smaller family and the role of education as an instrument of success in life -- but it does exist all the same.

Surprisingly, it is in the ordinary families that an upbringing even in an environment of lack of plentifulness, produced a lasting relationship of care and affection among the siblings.

A treasure the brothers and sisters shared was the memory of parents whom they looked upon as a remarkable set of people who had done what they could for their children within their limited resources and that, too, without expecting anything in return from them for their later years. It is in these families that the divine recipe of carrying out 'karma' without getting deterred by any thoughts on its outcome, 'striving' to earn money through legitimate means considering it as a pious duty and developing kindheartedness, are all effortlessly taught to the children.

This is done by both mother and father -- they should be regarded as the first set of teachers -- who in fact contributed to nation-building in terms of laying the foundations of a sovereign, intrepid and humane India while grooming their children as its future citizens.

'The entire earth is one family' is the philosophical mandate that the Indian children grow up with, thanks to the average Indian home where the parents preached and practised it. This enriching strand of Indian culture makes for a great advancement of humanity in both material and spiritual spheres. It is only appropriate that 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' was India's call at the G20 Summit hosted by Delhi in 2023.

Human values across the globe are taking a beating as the conflicts among the rulers are precipitating 'proxy wars' that were putting entire populations in distress. What has helped India to emerge as the voice of reason and peace in the world is significantly attributable to the cultural depth of an average Indian that makes it possible for him or her to traverse the scene from personal to global in an effortless fashion.

Secularism is built into India's democratic foundations through the triple mix of 'one man, one vote', non-acceptance of the idea of governance carrying a denominational stamp and a constitutional philosophy that no policies of the state will make any distinction of caste, creed or region in their implementation.

This can make India shine in these days of geopolitical turbulence -- a prerequisite of this is that the nation should be vigilant against forces within and outside of the country that attempted to create these internal divisions here. This country is an old practitioner of Vedic philosophy that was cosmopolitan, humanity driven and designed to inculcate the belief that God existed within every living being -- all of this leaving no room for lesser thoughts.

It needs to be mentioned also that nationalism strengthens democratic India and facilitates promotion of the larger cause of humanity.

'Man does not live by bread alone' is a saying that rightly emphasises a place for the intellectual and the spiritual in life -- the world consensus is in favour of eliminating extreme poverty and starvation that blocked any development of the human mind and it is a great compliment to Indian thought that while acknowledging poverty as the biggest curse on one hand, it defined the importance, on the other, of remaining connected with the 'higher reality' even as one was engaged in legitimate material pursuits not giving in to the ideas of 'high and low' in work.

Indian children of economically ordinary homes are taught this by their parents and it can never be overestimated what human gifts the latter bestowed on the former by way of providing the wisdom of life and offering an aid to total personality development.

Our youngsters should never forget this message and cherish every moment in their memory of the unstated act of selfless love and sacrifice made by the parents, as a treasured possession.

They could emulate this in their own conduct later as a father or mother -- this will help to sublimate the memory of such parents as a source of positive energy -- rather than of any sadness and regret.

A secret of success today lies in being able to make a course correction wherever required on a consideration in depth of any aspect of life that might have bothered you at or outside of the workplace, including family affairs, approach to children and socio-cultural choices.

Things would have changed between the time you were a child and the present that sees you as a senior parent or even a grandparent. Some values do not change and there should be no hesitation in adhering to them. However, one is a part of the existing socio-cultural scenario and nothing should be allowed to happen that would push your child in the prevailing situation towards aloofness, extreme adamance or submissiveness to a 'bully'.

There are demands of interactiveness that can be handled through an understanding of its importance for 'learning' and exercise of 'freedom to differ' from a given viewpoint. Parenting may have become progressively difficult in these days of comparisons, competitiveness and clash on interpretations of moral values.

It is important to realise that grooming today was not about pampering but was more about instilling self-confidence in the child. Parenting now basically involved helping the growing youngster to emerge successful on one's own strength and effort and make career choices based on his or her interests and future objectives.

In all of this what would ultimately count for both parents and children is the lasting memory of selfless love and devotion flowing from the former and an unforgettable imprint of the same carried by the latter through their own life.

(The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal)
Kigali : , Sep 29 (IANS) Rwanda has confirmed six deaths from Marburg virus disease (MVD) amid an outbreak that has affected 26 people nationwide.

Speaking on Saturday evening during a broadcast on Rwanda Television, Rwanda's Minister of Health, Sabin Nsanzimana, revealed that the victims and most of the infected are healthcare workers.

"Six people have died of MVD, and the majority of those are medical workers," Nsanzimana said.

He emphasised that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with relevant partners, is working tirelessly to contain the deadly virus through contact tracing and isolating the infected, reports Xinhua news agency.

"We urge Rwandans to remain vigilant and enhance preventive measures by ensuring hygiene, washing with soap, sanitising hands, and avoiding contact with infected individuals," Nsanzimana added.

On Friday, the Ministry of Health called for heightened preventive measures following the confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease. In a statement, the ministry outlined ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the virus, which has led to the hospitalisation of several patients.

Authorities have implemented enhanced preventive protocols in all health facilities, including rigorous contact tracing, and the infected patients have been isolated for treatment.

The health ministry clarified that MVD is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of infected individuals and is not airborne.

The ministry advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, vomiting, muscle pain, or stomach aches to contact the Rwanda Biomedical Center or visit their nearest health facility.

While monitoring the situation closely, authorities urged the public to remain calm and maintain regular activities.
Sanaa, Sep 29 : Yemen's Houthi group claimed that it had launched a missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv in Israel.

In a statement aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV on Saturday, the group's military spokesman Yahya Sarea said a "ballistic missile" was fired at Ben Gurion Airport "upon the arrival" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who returned to the country on Saturday after addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

Sarea vowed that the group "will continue to respond to Israel's crimes and will not hesitate to raise the level of escalation in support of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon."

Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces said it successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched from Yemen, which triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

This is the second missile attack claimed by the Houthis against Israel within two days after the group claimed a ballistic missile attack on a military target in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Houthis declared via al-Masirah TV a three-day mourning over the death of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in Israeli airstrikes on Friday evening.

The Houthi group, which controls large swathes of northern Yemen, has been attacking "Israeli-linked" shipping near the country's coastline since November 2023, allegedly to support Palestinians in their conflict with Israelis.

The group is aligned with the anti-Israel "axis of resistance," which also includes Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and militant groups in Iraq and Syria, among others.
Islamabad, Sep 29 : Seven labourers were killed in an attack in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, the spokesperson of the provincial government said.

The attack happened at about 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday in Panjgur district of the province, Shahid Rind, the spokesperson told Xinhua news agency.

The labourers were temporarily residing in the house of a local contractor for work, which was stormed by the militants, the spokesperson added.

The deceased were construction workers from east Punjab province, sources from the district's police told Xinhua, adding that the attackers fled the scene following the incident.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and directed the chief minister of Balochistan to take all possible measures to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"We are determined to eradicate terrorism from Pakistani soil," the Prime Minister's office quoted Sharif as saying in a statement.
Kathmandu, Sep 29 : Landslides and floods sparked by incessant monsoon rains have left 104 people dead and 64 others missing across Nepal by Sunday, police said.

Nepal Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki noted that 74 people had been injured in the disasters spelt by continuous rainfalls from Friday evening.

In the Kathmandu Valley, 48 deaths and 15 injuries have been confirmed, and 21 are still missing, Karki told Xinhua news agency.

"The rescue efforts are ongoing," the spokesperson said, noting the casualties may rise further.

As almost all the major highways have been obstructed due to floods and landslides, it will take at least three to four days to clear them, he added.

On Saturday evening, 14 bodies were recovered from two vehicles buried in landslides in Jyaple Khola of Dhading district along the Tribhuvan Highway that connects Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, said Prahlad Silwal, deputy spokesperson for district police.

One more passenger bus buried in landslides was being retrieved, Silwal told Xinhua.

In response to the disaster, Nepal's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology urged all the local governments to close the schools for three days starting from Sunday and decided to postpone all the examinations at the university level which were scheduled until Tuesday.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : Former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Kavinder Gupta, on Sunday, reacted to Mehbooba Mufti's remarks on cancelling her campaign in support of Lebanon and Palestine following the death of Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and said that the former CM of the state never takes a stand for issues in her own country.

Earlier, Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had announced the suspension of her election campaign for a day after Nasrallah died in an Israeli airstrike.

Ravinder Gupta criticised Mufti's decision, stating, "Itas a good thing you are standing in solidarity, but why donat you ever take a stand for issues in your own country? When Hindus were being persecuted in Bangladesh, you remained silent."

He further accused Mufti of promoting communal violence and terrorism by supporting such causes, adding, "When Israel was attacked earlier, you didnat shed any tears, but now these are just crocodile tears."

Earlier on Saturday, the former CM of J&K made the announcement on social media platform X, claiming that she stands in "solidarity with the Lebanese and Palestinian citizens."

She wrote, "Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza, especially Hassan Nasrallah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance."

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Saturday announced that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah had been eliminated following a deadly strike on the headquarters of the Lebanese militant group in the southern suburbs of Beirut late Friday.

The Israeli Chief of Staff said after the elimination of Nasrallah, "This is not the end of the toolbox".

"The message is simple, to anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel - we will know how to get to them," he said while addressing the media on Saturday afternoon.

The IDF stated that Nasrallah will no longer be able to "terrorise the world".
New Delhi, Sep 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his heartfelt gratitude to media channels across the country for their role in amplifying his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', and ensuring it reaches every corner of the nation.

Addressing the 114th episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said, "I would like to appreciate all those associated with Doordarshan, Prasar Bharati, and All India Radio. 'Mann Ki Baat' has reached this significant milestone due to their tireless efforts."

He further thanked television channels, stating, "I am also grateful to the various TV channels and regional broadcasters who have continuously aired the programme. Many media houses also ran campaigns on the issues raised during 'Mann Ki Baat'."

Acknowledging the contributions of the print and digital media, PM Modi added, "I also thank the print media for taking the message of 'Mann Ki Baat' to every home. Additionally, I appreciate the YouTubers who created content based on the programme."

PM Modi also highlighted the programme's linguistic diversity, noting, "This programme can be heard in 22 Indian languages and 12 foreign languages. It is heartening to hear when people say they listen to 'Mann Ki Baat' programme in their local language."

He also mentioned an ongoing quiz competition based on the show, encouraging participation.

Reflecting on the upcoming milestone, the Prime Minister said, "Today's episode is emotional for me. Mann Ki Baat will complete 10 years on October 3. The journey started on Vijayadashami 10 years ago, and it is a sacred coincidence that this year, as we celebrate 10 years, it will fall on the first day of Navratri."

The Prime Minister sought blessings from the nation, saying, "With a pure heart and dedication, may I continue to share the greatness of the people of India. Together, let us celebrate the collective strength of our nation. This is my prayer to God and the people."
In September 2022, Netflix released the mini-series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which told the story of a cannibalistic killer. The show instantly became a hit on the platform and laid the foundation for a new anthology.

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This time, the genius of the series Ryan Murphy, together with Ian Brennan, decided to tell some high-profile stories about killers who were once followed by the whole of America. And who greatly influenced society. Next on the list were two brothers who brutally murdered their parents. The series "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" is available on the platform starting September 19.

What the series is about

In August 1989, Jose and Kitty Menendez were found shot to death in a luxury home in Beverly Hills. The investigation led the police to the sons of the victims, Lyle and Eric. During the trial, the boys claimed that they had been abused by their parents and that this drove them to commit the crime. However, the prosecutor's office insisted on mercenary motives for the murder. As a result, the brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

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Who starred in the series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

Javier Bardem - Jose Menendez

For the first time in his life, the Spanish actor agreed to take part in the project without even reading the script. He got the role of the family patriarch, a rich, influential and cruel boss from the music industry.

Chloe Sevigny as Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez

The actress heard about her future character from showrunner Ryan Murphy and immediately accepted the challenge. She plays a mother of a family who is disappointed with life and angry with the whole world.

Nicolas Chavez - Lyle Menendez

The actor admitted that while working on the series he felt a lot of empathy for his character. Even despite what he did.

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Cooper Koch - Erik Menendez

In order to get used to his difficult role, Koch often put himself in the character's shoes. He tried to understand everything that could be going on in his soul.

Nathan Lane - Dominic Dunne

Investigative journalist Dominic Dunne covered the high-profile trial for Vanity Fair magazine. He has been following the case for several years and has written several huge articles. Murphy was looking for an actor who could combine a dramatic image with comedic talent.

Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson

At the time of the Menendez brothers' trial, Abramson was already a superstar lawyer. She almost convinced the jury that the murder was unintentional.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Haryana on Sunday asked the state government to clarify the "compelling circumstances" justifying the temporary release of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Dera Sacha Sauda Chief, for 20 days just ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.

Ram Rahim is serving a 20-year jail term for raping two of his disciples and for the murder of a journalist. He has once again sought parole for 20 days, with the request coming just ahead of the October 5 Haryana Assembly polls.

The parole request has raised concerns as it was made so close to the elections, prompting the jail administration to forward the application to the Election Commission (EC). In response, the CEO has questioned the prisons department, demanding an explanation of the "compelling emergent reasons" for the parole, as required by EC guidelines.

As per an EC directive issued in April 2019 to all states, parole should only be granted in cases of "extreme emergency" and strict measures should be taken to ensure that the convict does not engage in any election-related activities during the time when they are out on parole.

Ram Rahim was previously granted a 21-day furlough on August 13, 2024, making it the tenth time in four years that he has received a temporary release. This year alone, he has already been on parole for 50 days.

The Opposition has accused Ram Rahim of attempting to leverage the parole to gain political advantage during the forthcoming elections.

Ram Rahim was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment in August 2017 for the sexual assault of two women. Additionally, in January 2019, a special CBI court in Panchkula sentenced him and three others to life imprisonment for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, a case dating back 16 years.

Following his conviction on August 25, 2017, violent protests erupted in Panchkula and Sirsa, resulting in the deaths of 41 people and injuries to over 260 others.
Washington, Sep 29 : The NASA-SpaceX spacecraft, carrying Crew-9 members NASA astronaut Nick Hague (commander) and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov (mission specialist), was on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, in a mission that aims to bring stranded Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams back to Earth in February next year.

The NASA-SpaceX mission safely reached orbit, after it was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission is significant as it marks the first human spaceflight to launch from Space Launch Complex-40.

"SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS). The new crew arrives at the orbiting lab Sunday, Sept. 29, for a five-month science mission," NASA posted on X social media platform.

The targeted docking time is approximately 5:30 p.m. Sunday (3.30 am Monday India time), according to NASA.

The Crew-9 members will have two empty seats for NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams will fill when the spacecraft returns next year.

The Crew-9 was initially expected to launch on Thursday but was postponed due to poor weather conditions due to hurricane Helene, currently impacting the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Williams and Willmore travelled to the ISS on an eight-day sojourn on the faulty Boeing's Starliner. While the Starliner was declared unfit for human travel by NASA, and it returned safely to Earth, the astronaut duo are stuck in space.

For the first time since May 2020 test flight, SpaceX launched two astronauts to the ISS on a Dragon spacecraft.

In a bid to make room for Williams and Willmore in the orbiting lab, NASA had pulled out two other Crew-9 members -- commander Zena Cardman and three-time shuttle flier Stephanie Wilson.
Chennai, Sep 29 : Tamil Nadu BJP leader and former Governor of Telangana, Tamilisai Soundararajan, has slammed Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for elevating his son as Deputy Chief Minister of the state.

Tamilisai, the former president of the Tamil Nadu BJP, asked Stalin whether he was a democratically elected government or a dynastic monarchy.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, she asked, "Is this a monarchy or a democratically elected government? People of the state need an explanation. "

She also asked the Chief Minister the reason for dropping three ministers from his cabinet and said that a senior leader like K. Ponmudi was sent to 'Vanavas'. The BJP leader was referring to the removal of Ponmudi from the high profile ministry of Higher Education to the relatively minor Forest department.

Tamilisai Soundararajan also asked why the Chief Minister was in a hurry to re-induct Senthil Balaji into the cabinet immediately after he was granted bail by the Supreme Court.

She said, "The ruling DMK is not bothered about corruption. Stalin-led state government is setting a wrong precedence by re-inducting Senthil Balaji into the cabinet as well as promoting dynastic monarchy over democracy by elevating the Chief Minister's son as the Deputy Chief Minister."

The BJP leader said that the DMK has not included a new woman minister in the reshuffle and added that DMK which has been vouching for women empowerment was in fact not practising what it was preaching.

Earlier on Saturday night, Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan had issued a communique about the elevation of Udhayanidhi Stalin as the Deputy Chief Minister and the swearing-in of four new ministers.

Three ministers, Tourism Minister K. Ramachandran, Diary Minister Mano Thangaraj and Minority Affairs Minister Gingee K. Masthan were dropped from the Stalin cabinet. Four new ministers will assume office after swearing in at 3.30 pm on Sunday. The new ministers are R. Rajendran who will be allocated the Tourism portfolio, S.M. Nasser who will be looking after Minority Affairs and Senthil Balaji who will be in charge of Electricity.

Dalit leader Govi Chezhiyan, who is currently the whip of the DMK in the state Assembly, will assume office as the Higher Education Minister instead of veteran leader, K. Ponmudi who has been assigned the relatively low profile Forest portfolio.
New Delhi, 29 : Addressing the 114th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the significance of cleanliness and the nationwide success of Swachh Bharat Mission.

Highlighting individual efforts, the Prime Minister cited an inspiring example from Uttarakhandas border village, Jhala, in Uttarkashi.

"The youth of Jhala have launched a special initiative called 'Dhanyavaad Prakriti' or 'Thank You Nature' to keep their village clean. As part of this campaign, they dedicate two hours each day to cleaning their village. The garbage collected from the streets is properly disposed off outside the village. This effort is not only making the village cleaner but is also raising awareness among the people," PM Modi said.

He urged people to replicate this campaign across other villages and localities, imagining the vast impact it could have.

The Prime Minister also drew attention to another notable effort in Puducherry, where Ramya, a local woman, is leading a team of youth from Mahe Municipality and surrounding areas to clean the beaches in Mahe.

"Their efforts are significantly improving the cleanliness of the area, especially the beaches," he said.

"These are just two examples," PM Modi noted, adding: "If we look around, we will find countless efforts across the country related to cleanliness."

He reminded listeners that the Swachh Bharat Mission will complete 10 years on October 2, a milestone in India's journey towards cleanliness and a fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhias lifelong commitment to this cause.

PM Modi praised the movement's impact, stating: "Today, due to the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the 'Waste to Wealth' mantra is gaining traction. People are increasingly adopting the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle."

He also lauded 74-year-old Subramanian from Kozhikode, Kerala, who has repaired over 23,000 chairs, making them reusable and earning the title of the "RRR Champion" (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).

The Prime Minister concluded by urging everyone to continue participating in cleanliness drives.

"This is not a campaign for one day or one year; it is an ongoing mission until cleanliness becomes second nature to us. I encourage you to join the cleanliness campaign with your family, friends, neighbours, or colleagues, and I congratulate everyone on the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission," he said.
Seoul, Sep 29 : South Korea and Vietnam have agreed to step up cooperation to tackle transnational crimes, such as digital sexual violence and online gambling, police said on Sunday.

The agreements came as Cho Ji-ho, the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, met Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang during his two-day visit to Hanoi.

In his meeting with the Prime Minister, Cho said the police will continue to protect the safety of the Vietnamese people and South Korean citizens living in Vietnam through various joint projects, including one on forensics and fire detection, to be launched next year.

Separately, Cho and Quang agreed to enhance cooperation in illegal online gambling and digital sex crimes.
Khost, Sep 29 : At least two persons were confirmed dead and three others injured due to a road accident in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province, local police said.

The accident occurred when two passenger vehicles collided on the outskirts of the province's Nadir Shah Kot district, along the highway linking the capital Kabul with eastern provinces, provincial police spokesman Tahir Ahrar told Xinhua news agency.

Road accidents are prevalent in Afghanistan due to poor road conditions, reckless driving, challenging terrains, overloading, overtaking, and speeding.

Some 2,000 people lost their lives and about 6,000 others were injured in 4,270 road accidents in Afghanistan over the past year, official data showed.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 29 : Kerala Police have registered an FIR against independent MLA P. V. Anvar on the charges of leaking telephone calls of top officials in the state, including senior police officers, to "incite terror".

The case was registered based on a complaint filed by a person Thomas K Peeliyanikkal.

The FIR states that Anvar allegedly leaked the telephone call details of senior police officers of the state and published these in visual media and other platforms to "incite terror and violence".

It comes ahead of Anvar's scheduled public address in his Assembly constituency of Nilambur explaining the reasons for his outbursts against state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CM's Political secretary P. Sasi and ADGP Law and Order M. R. Ajith Kumar.

After Anvar's public outbursts, Chief Minister Vijayan and the CPI-M distanced from him and the CPI-M state secretary M.V. Govindan told media persons that the party will henceforth have no association with Anvar.

The police have slapped charges under section 192 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with provocation for rioting.

He had levelled allegations against Chief Minister Vijayan.

After the Chief Minister and CPI-M leadership came out openly against Anvar, party cadres conducted protest marches across the Malappuram district with provocative slogans against the MLA.

Anvar has also filed a complaint with the Kerala DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb after CPI-M workers issued a death threat against him hours after the party disowned him on Friday.

Following this, the Malappuram District Superintendent of Police has deployed police security at Anvar's residence.

Anvar, a two-term independent MLA from Nilambur Assembly constituency, had won the elections twice with the support of the Left Front and was a member of the CPI-M parliamentary party committee.

In 2016, Anvar secured his maiden win, defeating Mohammedas son Aryadan Shoukat and repeated the feat in 2021 polls.
Kanpur, Sep 29 : Play on Day 3 of the second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, has been called off without a ball being bowled due to wet outfield conditions.

Sunday's game too was called due to an overnight drizzle that left soggy patches on the field. It had not rained since the morning, and by 9:30 am, every cover had been removed. However, the wet patches, one near the bowlers' run-up, on the outfield couldn't be dried out.

With the morning and lunch sessions already lost, match referee Jeff Crowe conducted multiple inspections -- first at 10 am, followed by another at 12 pm, and the last inspection was conducted at 2 pma"but was left unsatisfied with the soggy patches on the field, particularly in the deep mid-wicket area near Pavilion C.

The damp 30-yard circle also remained a point of concern. Crowe, alongside reserve umpire Virender Sharma and TV umpire Rod Tucker, instead of taking more time, decided to call off the match.

Earlier, the second day was washed out without a single ball being bowled, as persistent rain and a wet outfield forced officials to call off play.

Bangladesh finished Day 1 at 107 for 3 in 35 overs, with Mominul unbeaten on 40 and Mushfiqur yet to get off the mark.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 107 for 3 in 35 overs at Day 3 (Monimul Haque 40 not out, Najmul Hasan Shanto 31: Akash Deep 2-34, Ravichandran Ashwin 1-22) against India.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in the final stages of negotiating a seat-sharing agreement with its allies in Jharkhand for the upcoming Assembly elections in the eastern state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alongside All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) President Sudesh Mahto, held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence on Saturday night to discuss and finalise the allocation of seats. This meeting brought together senior leaders from both parties to address the crucial issue of seat distribution, which is pivotal for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s electoral strategy in Jharkhand.

Earlier on Saturday, Sarma, who is also the BJP's co-in-charge for the Jharkhand elections, announced that the party will contest in alliance with its NDA partners, the AJSU and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U).

According to sources privy to the discussions, the AJSU has made a demand for 16 seats of the state's total 81 seats. While a significant portion of the seat-sharing agreement is reportedly settled, discussions regarding one or two additional seats are still ongoing.

The BJP and AJSU plan to hold another meeting in Delhi in the next few days to finalise the remaining details of the arrangement.

Addressing the media, Sarma emphasised the collaborative nature of the upcoming elections, saying: aIn the elections, there will be an alliance (of the BJP) with the JD-U and the AJSU. The seat sharing is almost final, with discussions for one or two seats pending. We will announce the alliance after the Pitru Paksha ends."

The dates for the Assembly elections in the state, where Hemant Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led coalition is in power, are expected to be announced shortly after October 8.
Mumbai, Sep 29 : Arshad Warsi, who is best known for his commendable performances in 'Sehar' and 'Munna Bhai' franchise, has clarified his remark on Telugu Superstar Prabhas.

During the IIFA 2024 media address, Arshad spoke about the insensitive take on Prabhas' role in 'Kalki 2898 AD'. The actor said, "It's okay. See, everybody has their own point of view and people like to make little noises. I spoke about a character, not the person. He is a brilliant actor and he's told himself over and over again, we know about him but when I give a bad character to a good actor, it's heartbreaking for the audience that is a very good thing."

Earlier, during a podcast, when Arshad was asked to name the bad film that he saw last, the actor mentioned 'Kalki 2898 AD' and said, "Prabhas, I am really sad, why was he he was like a joker. Why? I want to see a Mad Max. I want to see Mel Gibson over there. Tumne usko kya bana dia yaar. Kyu karte ho aisa mujhe nahi samajh mein aata (What have you made of it? Why do they do such things I never understand)."

After his remark, many Telugu celebrities and actors criticized Arshad for not choosing better words that included, actors Nani, Sudheer Babu and Ajay Bhupathi as well.

In the same event, Arshad also expressed his gratitude for bringing celebrities and artists all together under one roof. The 'Dhamaal' actor said, "That is a very good thing that should have happened a long, long time back. Yeah, me personally, whenever anyone says Bollywood or Tollywood, I get angry. I have corrected many people. I mean, it's an Indian industry and I have always seen it that way. For me, it's very, very important. The whole country, we all are in it together and that's why you get it."

"My competition is with the rest of the world. It's not amongst each other and that should not happen. I'm so happy today that, you know, you have the entire fraternity, all different languages coming together and really making a movie. Like, when I'm, inshallah, going to direct something, I really want to cast everybody. Whoever fits the role, I don't care. The language, it's in the material, It absolutely doesn't matter." Arshad concluded.

'Kalki 2898 AD' helmed by Nag Ashwin featured Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan, Disha Patani, Saswata Chatterjee, Anna Ben, Pasupathy and Shobhana in crucial roles.

The sci-fi spectacle is currently available for streaming on Netflix in Hindi and on Prime Video in other languages.

IANS

ays/
With the advent of the subway, life in cities has changed beyond recognition. But have you ever wondered which European cities have the best, worst, and busiest ones?

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The answers to these questions are provided by a study by luggage storage company Bounce, which has examined all the subway services in the continent's capitals and made some interesting discoveries. Euronews shared the results.

To compare the metro systems, experts took into account a wide range of factors: from the average ranking of stations on Google and the distance covered by the subway to the number of stations, annual passenger traffic, and the percentage of positive and negative online reactions to each service. On their basis, the "metro index" was derived. Unfortunately, the Kyiv Metro was not included in the study because of the war in our country. Moscow and Minsk subways were also excluded from the ranking.

The best European subways

The best subway was the one in Oslo, Norway, with 8.06 points out of 10. The metro system of the Norwegian capital, known as Oslo T-Bane or T-banen i Oslo, boasts 101 stations covering 85 km. It serves all 15 districts of the city and also partially extends to the neighboring municipality of Berum. The Norwegian capital's subway consists of five separate lines and another one is currently under construction.

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The second place was taken by the subway of the Bulgarian capital Sofia. Its index is 7.64 out of 10. This is the only subway in the country, and it was opened for passengers only in 1998. The city's subway system covers 52 km of tracks and includes 47 stations, including one that comes close to the airport.

The third place went to the Athens metro, which is praised for its cheap fares, speed, and regularity of train service. All in all, it earned 7.29 points out of 10. The Athens metro provides a direct connection to the airport, allowing travelers to reach the city center by affordable and convenient public transportation. It also connects to the bustling port area of Piraeus, which offers ferry connections to many Greek islands. The Athens metro has 62 stations on 70 km of tracks and carries more than a quarter of a million passengers annually.

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The top five also includes the subways of Madrid in Spain and Warsaw in Poland. They received 6.74 and 6.60 points respectively. The top ten also includes the subways of London, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Bucharest, and Prague.

The worst European subways



The Budapest metro in Hungary topped the anti-rating. Its index was only 3.13 out of 10. Although the Hungarian capital's subway system is relatively small, with 48 stations on 39 km of tracks, it carries a very large number of passengers per year - more than 382 million. The condition of the stations often leaves them with very unpleasant impressions.

Brussels took the shameful "silver". The Belgian capital's subway has 59 stations on 40 km of tracks and scored only 3.20 points out of 10. It carries more than 86 million passengers a year, but they don't like the stations very much - they are called dirty and even dangerous.

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Rome's subway also received low marks, ranking third in the list of the worst. The Italian capital's subway covers 64 km of tracks distributed across 73 stations, but it received only 3.75 points out of 10. It is called neglected, and passengers complain about the lack of staff, faulty equipment, and other dangers.

Other best of the best

The Paris metro was the busiest. It carries about 1.5 billion passengers a year, or about 4.1 million passengers daily.

The London Underground was recognized as the largest. Its tracks are 402 km long and the number of stations is 272.

Helsinki residents use the metro less than others. The local subway system carries about 600,000 passengers a year, making it the least busy in Europe. It is also the smallest system in the study, with only 30 stations.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.

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Jammu, Sep 29 : A local policeman was killed and two officers have been injured in the ongoing anti-terrorist operation in Jammu & Kashmir's Kathua district, police said on Sunday.

Anand Jain, ADGP (Jammu) told reporters that a Head Constable of police was killed and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) were injured in the encounter between security forces and the terrorists in the Billawar area of Kathua district on Saturday.

The ADGP said: "A massive search operation is on in Kathua forests to track down the terrorists. A joint operation was launched yesterday in the Khog area of Billawar in Kathua district."

"In the exchange of fire, Head Constable Bashir Ahmed was killed while as an ASI and a DySP were injured, who are stable now," he added.

"There are inputs about three to four terrorists hiding in the area. The inputs indicate that they are foreign terrorists," the ADGP informed.

Asked about the effect of this ongoing operation against terrorists in Kathua and adjoining districts where voting will be held on October 1, the senior officer said that police and other forces will ensure smooth elections in the third phase.

Terrorists believed to be hardcore foreign mercenaries, have carried out hit-and-run attacks against the army, local police and civilians in the hilly districts of Doda, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi of Jammu division during the last three to four months.

After carrying out ambushes against the army and others in the hilly areas, the terrorists would escape into the densely foliaged and forested areas of these districts.

To thwart the tactics of the terrorists, over 4,000 soldiers drawn from the elite Para Commandos and those trained in mountain warfare were deployed in the mountain tops and densely forested areas of Jammu division. After this revised strategy by the security forces, terrorist attacks in these districts have drastically come down.

With their ubiquitous presence in these areas, the security forces have been able to establish contact (engage terrorists in gunfights) in these areas.

Five terrorists have been killed so far after the security forces revisited their strategy to meet the challenge posed by the foreign mercenaries.
Seoul, Sep 29 : South Korea, China and Japan agreed on Sunday to work more closely to complete negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, Seoul's environment ministry said.

The commitment was made after the ministers of the three nations held a two-day ministerial meeting on South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju from Saturday to discuss ways of enhancing trilateral cooperation on various environmental challenges, including plastic pollution, climate change and yellow dust, according to the ministry.

"The three nations agreed to actively take part in the upcoming negotiations on plastic pollution reduction set to take place in November in Busan to make tangible progress," Minister Kim Wan-sup told a press briefing, reports Yonhap news agency.

The fifth and final round of meetings of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution is scheduled to be held in the southern port city of Busan in November, which aims to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.

The three nations also agreed to boost cooperation to mitigate yellow dust levels, particularly in partnership with Mongolia.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Kim held one-on-one talks with his Chinese counterpart, Huang Runqiu, and the Japanese environment minister, Ito Shintaro.

During the meeting with Ito, Kim asked for continued consultation between the two nations regarding Japan's release of contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

China called on the Japanese side to establish an international monitoring system swiftly to alleviate concerns, officials said.

Around 69 per cent of the worldas plastic waste emissions come from 20 countries, of which four are low-income countries, nine are lower-middle-income countries and seven are upper-middle-income.

According to a new study published in the journal Nature, high-income countries have higher plastic waste generation rates, but none are ranked in the top 90 polluters, as most have 100 per cent collection coverage and controlled disposal.

a"IANS

na/
Manila, Sep 29 : Six people died, including a six-month-old baby and a one-year-old toddler, and another child was injured in a fire that razed a house in the Philippine capital before dawn on Sunday, the Bureau of Fire Protection said.

Fire Officer Roderick Andres said the fire broke out on the second floor of a four-story house in the Tondo district of Manila City at 3:50 a.m. local time, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

He said the victims were asleep when the fire erupted, trapping them inside the building. A child was injured after jumping out of the window to escape.

It took firefighters over an hour to put out the fire.

The bureau is looking into the cause of the fire.
Leicester, Sep 29 : Decorated cop Manjit Atwal, who became one of the highest-ranking Sikh women in the UK police and served in various capacities from hostage negotiation to developing the force's response to sexual crimes, has retired after nearly three decades in service.

Atwal, who was the first Sikh woman police officer in Leicestershire and rose to the rank of Chief Superintendent, recalls that "there werenat many people who looked like me, and there were even fewer women" when she joined service in 1996, the BBC reported.

Over her nearly three decades of service, she also spent 12 years working as a hostage negotiator and was honoured with the Queenas Police Medal for Distinguished Service. She had also contributed to Operation Soteria, a national initiative aimed at improving the policeas handling of rape and sexual offences.

Dwelling on the changes she had seen between when she had donned the uniform to now, Atwal said: "There werenat many people who looked like me, and there were even fewer women. Now, we have many more women in the force. Leicester is such a vibrant, multicultural city, and our police force must mirror the communities we serve."

"Over the last 28 years, there have been so many changes. From the evolution of the uniform - going from skirts to trousers - to seeing more women in the force, and advancements in technology. Our workforce has become much more diverse as well."

Atwal admitted that one of the most challenging aspects of her career was navigating her role as a woman of colour and a mother, especially considering the demanding shift patterns at the time.

"But I worked through those barriers and helped implement changes along the way," she added.

Atwal also expressed hope that one day, there would be a Chief Constable from a minority community.

Chief Constable Rob Nixon praised her for building trust within the community, which in turn strengthened the publicas confidence in the force.

"Internally, her legacy is inspiring staff and officers to join, remain committed to the force, and maintain a high level of integrity and community focus," he said.

Asked about her future plans, Atwal revealed that she intends to take some personal time.

"As I progressed in my career, my children grew up. Now I have grandchildren, and I want to spend more time with them and my family. I also want to reinvent myself in this new chapter of my life as the new Manjit," she revealed.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : It was a series of emails that somehow couldn't be ignored, unlike several earlier ones. After all, why should space be given to a designated terrorist, someone who operates on behalf of sinister forces?

But when a top opposition leader of the country provides the space, the terrorist uses it as an alibi to justify violent and divisive actions.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was designated a terrorist under the UAPA by the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 1, 2020. The notification says, "He has been speaking against Indiais advocating a separate State, Khalistan; and whereas, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, presently residing in the United States of America, is instigating and abetting youths to join them in Khalistan Referendum 2020 and providing financial help to youths in the region for creating violence or fear to disturb peace in the region is accused in various cases registered and being investigated by the Punjab Police related to Referendum 2020 and a case registered by National Investigation Agency Pannun is involved in terrorism and is to be notified as a terrorist."

Of late, this terrorist has found a poster boy in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after the latter's 'explosive revelations' about Sikhs in India. During an interaction at an event in the US, Gandhi said, "The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India and he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a 'kada' (bracelet) in India, or he as a Sikh is going to be able to go to a Gurdwara..."

Since the day Rahul Gandhi made the remarks during his September 8-10 US visit, Pannun has been flaunting those almost every day to justify his agenda and further his 'cause'.

The email statements that he has been forwarding almost every day show how he is using the Congress leader's remarks to twist facts.

On September 27 the terrorist wrote: "Sikhs are facing existential threat in Modi's India which has also been acknowledged by the Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi. India can avoid 1990s bloodshed and accept the peaceful means of Khalistan referendum to resolve the status of Indian-held Punjab."

On September 16, he declared that Rahul Gandhi is the new face of India. "Gandhi's American visit is a testament that Rahul will be the new face of India after Modi is removed as Prime Minister after regime change. Key issue that has been settled with Congress and its alliance parties "is the Independence of Punjab". Rahul Gandhi's statement that "Sikhs are facing existential threat In India" reflects Congress party's realisation and acceptance that Khalistan is a reality"

On September 14, Pannun wrote in the email: "Will serve as a catalyst for Khalistan referendum "

The email further reads, "Rahul Gandhi has also briefed members of Congress about the persecution that Sikhs are facing in Modi's India. ..Rahul Gandhi's statement not only justifies Khalistan referendum for the independence of Punjab, but it also reflects a realisation by the Congress party, by the opposition leader, that Punjab is on the verge of seceding from the Union of India to become an independent Sikh country, a new neighbour of Pakistan and India. That is why the opposition leader has launched his diplomatic move to build rapport with future neighbour Khalistan. Gandhi has signalled to the US that the Congress Party has accepted that Punjab will be an independent country because Sikhs are facing an existential threat in Modi's India."

September 12, Pannun said: "Rahul Gandhi opposes Modi's policy of transnational. During an informal chat on September 10 at National Press Club, Washington DC, Rahul Gandhi, was asked: Do you support that transnational repression policy? Answer By Rahul Gandhi: No Congress Party does not support Modi's policy of 'ghar main ghus ke marenge'. Earlier an American journalist asked Rahul Gandhi: Do you believe Indian agents are behind Nijjar's assassination and murder-for-plot against Sikh separatists lawyer PannunRahul Gandhi in his response used PM Modi's statement given in the parliament 'Under his strong government India kills terrorists in their homes', shows how the BJP wants to run the country'."

These statements of the designated terrorist are clear enough to show how Rahul Gandhi's statements are being used and misused against India. But, the claims of the terrorists that Rahul Gandhi has signalled to the US about his party, Congress, accepting Punjab to be an independent country, needs some explaining from the grand old party. Why should Pannun repeatedly say this?

Rahul Gandhi and the Congress instead of denouncing these claims have only furthered the offensive by attacking the BJP and accusing it "of spreading lies".

He wrote on X on September 21, "I want to ask every Sikh brother and sister in India and abroad - is there anything wrong in what I have said..."

His recent statements in the US or here have somehow been contrary to the spirit of the Bharat Jodo Yatra which the Congress claimed was aimed to "re-unite the people of India; to come together and strengthen the nation against divisive forces".

Rather than promoting unity, Gandhi's comments appear to fuel divisions based on caste, religion, and class. In doing so, a designated terrorist has found an unexpected advocate in the Congress leader.

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)
New Delhi, Sep 29 : Sulabh International, a well-known social service organisation, has taken the lead in celebrating the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign by organising a slew of awareness and advocacy programmes and events across the country.

Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign is a fortnightly programme to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday with a host of social service and cleanliness programmes. It commenced on September 17 and will continue till October 2.

Sulabh International has continued with its tradition of celebrating PM Modi's birthday since 2014. This year also, it has organised a series of special cleanliness programmes and initiatives across the country to honour PM Modi's 74th birthday and to realise his vision for a Cleaner and Greener India.

A look at Sulabh International's cleanliness drives since September 17

On September 27, the leading sanitation agency organised 18 events across 14 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and more, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Many activities, like sanitation advocacy at public and community toilets and cleaning of black spots, were discussed during the day-long event.

On September 26, Sulabh International hosted 11 events across 9 states, which saw more than 1,100 participants, including volunteers, sanitation workers and the public. Volunteers and sanitation activists sought to encourage and impress upon the people about the need for cleanliness in daily lives.

Sulabh, on September 25, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, organised 21 events across 12 states.

The agenda of the programme included raising awareness about cleanliness and sanitation and also about the importance of public toilets for a cleaner and safer society. States where this programme was organised included Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and more.

A 'Swachh Himalayas Abhiyan' (Clean Himalayas Campaign) was launched on September 24 in partnership with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. This initiative saw local communities, environmental groups, and volunteers working together to reduce pollution and protect the vital ecosystem.

On September 19, 2024, Sulabh International hosted a significant event at Kaushal Bhawan in the national capital as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva (Cleanliness is Service) 2024 campaign.

The event, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development, was aimed to highlight the importance of sanitation and waste management while actively engaging student volunteers from the Sulabh Sanitation Club, representing several colleges of Delhi.

The 'Swachhta Hi Sewa' campaign, which commenced on September 17, will culminate on October 2, celebrating Mahatma Gandhi's enduring vision for a clean India.
Chandigarh, Sep 29 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was discharged from Fortis Hospital in Mohali on Sunday and resumed official work.

On reaching his residence, he called a meeting to review preparedness for the procurement of paddy starting from October 1 against the backdrop of a call by commission agents to boycott it in view of their demands.

Also, rice millers have given a call to boycott the storage of paddy in their mills and milling on account of a shortage of space.

A day earlier, the hospital, where the AAP leader was undergoing treatment, said he responded well to the treatment for an increase in pulmonary artery pressure and all his vitals were completely stable."As suspected at the time of admission for tropical fever, his blood tests for leptospirosis came back positive. The Chief Minister has already been put on appropriate antibiotics. All clinical features and pathological tests have shown satisfactory improvement," R.K. Jaswal, Director and Head, Department of Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, said in a statement.

The hospital on Friday said due to an increase in pressure in the Chief Minister's pulmonary artery, there was pressure on his heart, leading to irregular blood pressure.

Mann was admitted to the hospital late Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Saturday held a review meeting with the top brass to procure 185 lakh metric tons of paddy. Expressing satisfaction at arrangements for its procurement, the minister said the government is fully geared up for ensuring hassle-free procurement. The minister asked the top officials to consider all genuine issues of the rice millers, including the lack of space with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) which has also been raised with the Central government.

At the meeting, Principal Secretary, Food, Vikas Garg apprised the minister that the Union Ministry, in response to the stateas demand for enough space for the delivery of rice, has given a written assurance for creating 40 LMT space by December 2024, while providing movement for 15 LMT by October-end. The minister directed the department to ensure the movement of stocks in close coordination with the FCI so that the required storage space is created for the delivery of rice in 2024-25.
Chandigarh, Sep 29 : In a breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to eradicate drugs from the state, Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has dealt major blow to the cross-border heroin smuggling after seizing 6 kg heroin, 67 cartridges of .30 bore and two magazines, despite the accused managed to flee, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

Chandigarh, Sep 29 (IANS) In a breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to eradicate drugs from the state, Punjab Policeas Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has dealt major blow to the cross-border heroin smuggling after seizing 6 kg heroin, 67 cartridges of .30 bore and two magazines, despite the accused managed to flee, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

Apart from recovering substantial quantities of heroin and ammunition, police teams have also recovered six mobile phones, including an Apple iPhone 11 Pro and one Jio dongle, from the bag thrown by the accused.

DGP Yadav said that the CI Amritsar team has received input about the involvement of Gurdaspuras Jaffarpur village-based person in the smuggling of drugs and weapons and the latter has recently received a consignment of heroin and arms ammunition with the help of drones from the area of Indo-Pak border in District Batala-Gurdaspur, and he is going to further deliver the same to some other party.

He said acting swiftly upon this tip, police teams led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (Amritsar) Balbir Singh conducted a raid at Jaffarpur village in Gurdaspur, during which the accused managed to escape, after throwing away his bag.

The police teams have seized the contraband from the bag, he added.

The DGP said that police teams have identified the absconding accused person and raids are being conducted to nab him.

Further investigation is going on to establish backwards and forward linkages in this case, he said, while adding that efforts are being made to identify his other associates, who are involved in the smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition.

A case was registered on September 28 under sections 21, 25 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Section 25 of the Arms Act at the Police Station State Special Operations Cell in Amritsar.
Jammu, Sep 29 : An encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists at the Thanamandi area of the Rajouri district in J&K, police said on Sunday.

Police said that based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists, a joint search operation was launched by security forces at Manila Gali, Thanamandi Rajouri.

"Contact has been established and a few rounds have been fired from both sides. Area cordoned off," a police official said.

He added that the operation started after a joint team of police and security forces got input about the presence of terrorists in the area.

There have been a series of encounters between terrorists and security forces across Jammu and Kashmir in the recent past in which many terrorists and their commanders have been eliminated. Security forces have also taken casualties.

Initially confined to Poonch and Rajouri districts, terrorist activities are now spreading across other areas of Jammu, areas that were relatively free from such incidents until a few years ago like the Chenab valley that was declared militancy-free and Udhampur and Kathua.

The highly trained terrorists have been ambushing vehicles and using grenades and armour-piercing bullets, as well as M4 assault rifles.

Sources say the rising militancy and the use of sophisticated weapons by terrorists indicate a significant escalation in the threat level. The frequent attacks have sparked political criticism, calls for stronger security measures, and heightened public concern.

Analysts say that over the last couple of years, the Pir Panjal region dividing Kashmir valley with Jammu has witnessed a surge in militancy.

The relentless anti-terror operations in Kashmir have pushed terrorists to the mountains where they hide and wait for the right moment to carry out attacks on security forces.

Analysts add that a comprehensive strategy is needed to address the increasing militancy in Jammu involving enhanced intelligence gathering and better coordination among security forces.

The series of terror attacks also goes on to highlight the urgency of reassessing and strengthening the security grid to ensure the safety and stability of the region.
Jammu, Sep 29 : A Pakistani terrorist and a J&K policeman were killed while two police officers were injured in the continuing anti-terrorist operation in J&K's Kathua district, police said on Sunday.

Police said a Pakistani terrorist of the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) outfit was killed in the ongoing operation in the Billawar area of Kathua district.

On Saturday, a head constable of local police was killed while a deputy superintendent of police (Deputy SP) and an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) were injured in the firing exchanges with the terrorists in the area.

Anand Jain, ADGP (Jammu) told reporters on Sunday that a head constable of police was killed while a deputy superintendent of police (Deputy SP) and an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), were injured in the encounter between the security forces and the terrorists in Billawar area of Kathua district on Saturday.

The ADGP said, "A massive search operation is on in Kathua forests to track down the terrorists. A joint operation was launched yesterday in the Khog area of Billawar in the Kathua district. In the exchange of fire, Head Constable Bashir Ahmed was killed while an ASI and a Deputy SP were injured but are stable now."

"There are inputs about three to four terrorists hiding in the area. The inputs indicate that they are foreign terrorists," he added.

Asked about the effect of this ongoing operation against terrorists in Kathua and adjoining districts, where voting is being held on October 1, the senior police officer said police and other forces will ensure smooth elections for the third phase.

It must be mentioned that terrorists believed to be hardcore foreign mercenaries, have been carrying out hit-and-run attacks against the Army, local police and civilians in the hilly districts of Doda, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi of Jammu division during the last three to four months.

After carrying out ambushes against the Army and others in the hilly areas, the terrorists would escape into the densely foliaged and forested areas of these hilly districts.

To thwart this tactics of the terrorists, over 4000 soldiers drawn from the elite Para Commandos and those trained in mountain warfare were deployed in the mountain tops and densely forested areas of the Jammu division. After this revised strategy by the security forces, terrorist attacks in these districts have drastically come down.

With their ubiquitous presence in these areas, the security forces have been able to establish contact (engage terrorists in gunfights) in these areas.

Five terrorists have been killed so far after the security forces revisited their strategy to meet the challenge posed by the foreign mercenaries.
On the morning of September 29, Russians massively shelled the city of Zaporizhzhia. The invaders dropped 13 guided bombs on the regional center.

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A multi-story building was partially destroyed, and there were civilian casualties. Zaporizhzhia regional police show photos of the damaged building.

According to them, the Russians launched an air attack on Zaporizhzhia between 05:30 and 07:00. During this time, the occupiers dropped 13 bombs on the peaceful city.

"A residential high-rise building came under attack, in particular. As a result, the building was partially destroyed. A search and rescue operation is underway," the law enforcement officers said.

They also showed the consequences of the enemy attack in photos.

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As of 8 a.m., they also reported at least five injured, and after 9 a.m., rescuers unblocked another woman from the rubble and hospitalized her. The number of victims, law enforcement officials added, is currently being clarified and may increase.

In addition to the apartment building, the enemy also hit other "targets". Thus, four hits were recorded near an infrastructure facility and in the private sector of the city.

"The blast wave and debris damaged warehouses, private houses, and civilian vehicles... Law enforcement officers, explosive experts, police paramedics, rescuers and other specialized services of the city are working at the impact sites," the police emphasized.

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Law enforcement officers also called on residents of Zaporizhzhia and the whole of Ukraine to remember that we are defending ourselves against a ruthless and insidious enemy who has never adhered to the laws and customs of warfare. Therefore, timely response to air raid alerts and compliance with safety rules can save lives.

As a reminder, the Russians also launched a drone attack that night. During the air battle, the defenders of the Ukrainian sky shot down 15 out of 22 Shahed UAVs. Several more enemy drones were supressed under the influence of electronic warfare.

It was also reported that the day before, on September 28, the occupiers attacked Sumy with drones twice. The invaders attacked the city hospital with almost a hundred patients, killing one person and injuring ten others.

After waiting for emergency workers to arrive to help with the evacuation, the invaders struck again.

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As of 20:00 yesterday, the Sumy Regional Military Administration reported that ten people had been killed. Twenty-two more sustained injuries of varying severity, 15 of them taken to hospital. Five victimswere in serious condition.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Imphal, Sep 29 : Suspected Kuki militants kidnapped three youths belonging to the Meitai community in Manipur while the Army rescued one of the captives on Sunday and the remaining two still are in the captivity of the extremists, police said.

A police official said that the three youths were kidnapped by armed Kuki militants while they were en route to attend an Army recruitment examination at New Keithelmanbi in Imphal West district on Saturday afternoon.

The Army during a search operation rescued one of the youths Ningombam Johnson Singh on Sunday while two other youths -- Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Thokchom Thoithoiba Singh -- were still in the captivity of Kuki militants in unknown locations.

All three youths are residents of Thoubal districts.

Local online media reported that following the youths' abduction, Kuki groups allegedly uploaded posts on social media claiming to have captured three individuals, further causing concern among the families and Meitai community.

In response to the incident, a public meeting was held this morning at Thoubal Khekman Jila Keithel, where a Joint Action Committee (JAC) was formed.

The JAC subsequently submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal District, urging immediate action for the rescue of the two remaining youths.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who holds the home portfolio, on Sunday afternoon held a meeting with the MLAs of ruling and opposition parties and discussed the abduction issue.

Later Singh said in a post on the X; "Held a meeting with all the MLAs from both the Ruling and Opposition parties at my Secretariat, today. Addressed the current situation in the state, particularly focusing on the rescue of the abduction of two innocent youths by Kuki militants. We condemn such heinous acts and our government is working to secure the safe release of the victims."

Former Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh and state Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh among others were present in the meeting, held at the Chief Minister's secretariat.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : As the nation celebrates the fortnight-long Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, starting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 74th birthday on September 17, many success stories of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) are coming to the fore.

SBM, also known as Clean India Mission, started off on October 2, 2014, and in the past ten years, it has brought transformational changes in the lives of people and society.

Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) of Shivaji Nagar in Karnatakaas Kalaburagi district is one such medical facility which has bagged the Kayakalp Award for the sixth consecutive term.

This year also, it has been selected for the top honours and is looking forward to an award under the Swachh Bharat Mission's 'Best Urban Health Centre' category.

It is the only centre selected in Kalyan for the Kayakalp award, in recognition of its high-quality service in promoting hospital cleanliness, hygiene and infection control.

The hospital staff and health professionals are confident of getting the Kayakalp award this time too.

Speaking to IANS, Dr. Sandhya Rani Pauranik of Urban Primary Health Centre in Kalaburgi district explained the concept of the Kayakalp Award and also took pride in getting the honours, every year since 2017.

"We got awarded for the sixth consecutive time since 2017 in the Gulbarga division. The Kayakalp Award is a recognition which envisages hospitals to stay clean and tidy all the time," she said.

'No patient should carry disease outside' remains one of the major focuses of Kayakalp's mission, she explained.

She further said that the award recipient gets a sum of Rs 2 lakh yearly and the hospital premises are also inspected by a team of doctors on a yearly basis.

Mehmood Sen, who works as health inspector at the UPHC said that the facilities are better and easily reachable, to people.

"A clean and tidy atmosphere at the hospital is an added benefit for patients," he said.

Nafisa Begum, who got transferred to Kalaburagi UPHC after 11 years of work at some village centre, said that this is a much better facility compared to one where she worked earlier.

"Cleanliness and sanitation are a big priority. Patients also feel better in hygienic conditions. I want to convey to Modi government that we will match steps with the government in pursuing this dream," she told IANS.

The Kayakalp Award is an award given to public health facilities in India that demonstrate high levels of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control. The award is given by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The award is given to two best district hospitals in each state, best two community health centres or sub district hospitals and one primary health centre in every district

The parameters which decide a hospital's qualification for the award include hospital or facility upkeep, waste management, infection control and more.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : Sixteen companies shortlisted candidates against more than 1,000 job openings in their respective companies at a job fair organised by the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) here, the IT Ministry informed on Sunday.

Dr Madan Mohan Tripathi, Director General, NIELIT, said that at least 6,000 offer letters have been given in the job fairs organised by NIELIT across the country last year and the number is set to increase this year.

"The job fairs empower our skilled students to secure fulfilling careers, contribute to the growth of organisations and fuel economic progress," said Tripathi. He hailed the efforts of team NIELIT Delhi for successfully organising the job fair.

More than 1,300 candidates had registered for the job fair  'Yuva Rojgar Mela'  that was organised in the national capital.

Leading companies like Tech Mahindra, Paytm, Frankfinn (Shavsi Global Services), Axis Bank, Hinduja Housing Finance, Access Health Care, Card Expertise India Pvt Ltd, Ebix Cash, I Process, PNB Metlife, Siddhi Infonet+Sony and others participated in the job fair, informed the ministry.

The job fair represents NIELIT's unwavering commitment to providing holistic support to its students, including but not limited to their capacity building, fostering skill development, and providing placement support.

NIELIT said it remains committed to organising more such placement opportunities in the coming years.

Over the years, NIELIT has firmly established itself as a premier institution in the field of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology (IECT) and emerging technologies.

The institute has over 52 own or extension centres and more than 8,000 training partners across the country.
Somnath, Sep 29 : While acknowledging to removal of the encroachments near the religious site in Somnath, Gujarat's Banaskantha MP Geniben Thakor on Sunday said that the demolition drive against small businesses must be taken care of.

"It is appropriate to remove encroachments at religious sites, but the removal of small businesses that people rely on for their daily income needs to be taken care of," Thakor said.

She emphasised that small traders support their families through these businesses, and the demolition has devastated many.

Thakor called on local authorities to ensure alternative arrangements are in place for small traders before carrying out demolition activities.

"Hurting the poor with such actions will never please the gods," she added.

Thakor also addressed the issue of the 'Friendship Treaty', calling for its repeal due to the divisions it causes within families. She urged the government to focus on the safety and education of girls, including the establishment of educational facilities to promote their development.

In a show of strength ahead of local elections, the Kshatriya Thakor community held a large gathering in Patan to honour Geniben Thakor. The event, which saw significant attendance from community members and Congress leaders, included a traditional ceremony, where Thakor was presented with a Rs 11 lakh contribution. Other leaders and former MLAs also contributed generously to the event.

Gujarat administration has initiated its largest-ever demolition drive in Gir Somnath district to clear illegal constructions.

The demolition drive began on September 27 night and targeted "unauthorised structures" near the famous Somnath temple and aims to pave the way for the ambitious Somnath Development Project.

Officials said that approximately 36 bulldozers have been deployed to raze illegal buildings, while 70 tractors and trolleys are working round the clock to remove debris. The operation has been described as the most extensive in Gir Somnath's history, dismantling several unlawful constructions behind the Somnath temple.

Authorities have implemented stringent security protocols to ensure the smooth execution of this mega operation. A force of 1,200 police personnel has been mobilized, overseen by high-ranking officials, including district collectors, IGPs, three SPs, six DySPs, and 50 PI-PSIs.

Reports indicate that 70 individuals were detained from a religious site that was impeding the operation. The authorities have employed heavy machinery, including 5 Hitachi machines, 30 JCBs, 50 tractors, and 10 dumpers.

The entire demolition area has been cordoned off, with access restricted to authorized personnel only. Traffic management measures have been implemented, including closing routes at Somnath Circle and Bhidiya Circle.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said that the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme has been a great success in terms of attracting investments and increasing exports, as actual investment is likely to reach Rs 2 lakh crore in the next year with 12 lakh jobs.

Engaging with the CEOs of over 140 PLI beneficiary companies in the national capital, Minister Goyal lauded them for bringing innovation, making India self-reliant in vital sectors and generating employment.

Actual investment of Rs 1.46 lakh crore has been realised under the PLI scheme (till August) and is likely to reach Rs 2 lakh crore in the next year or so, it was informed. This has resulted in production/sales worth Rs 12.50 lakh crore and employment generation of around 9.5 lakh (direct and indirect) which is expected to reach 12 lakh soon.

Exports have exceeded Rs 4 lakh crore, with substantial contributions from key sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals & food processing, it was informed during the interaction.

"PLI is one of the most successful programmes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched under the 'Make in India' initiative," the minister told the media, urging the industry to focus on prioritising the production of high-quality goods to promote 'Brand India' through sustainable practices.

The minister also expressed gratitude to global champions for their dedication, significant investment in producing innovative products and contribution in generating employment through the PLI schemes. He further urged CEOs to focus on increasing domestic value addition in their products to make India self-reliant.

In the electronics sector, mobile phone manufacturing now accounts for half of India's total output, with a 3 times increase in exports since FY 2020-21. The pharmaceutical industry has revitalised domestic production of bulk drugs and complex generics, reducing import dependence. In the automobile sector, global champions have rolled out electric vehicles, with substantial investment in the country. The medical devices industry has seen technology transfers for critical equipment like CT scanners, fostering local production.

Adesh Vashishta, CEO of Syrotech Networks, told IANS that Minister Goyal shared a lot of positive insights and talked about new schemes, the government's vision, and how we can grow our businesses more effectively.

"We also felt encouraged knowing that the government is supporting us," he said.

Sahan Singh Solanki, Senior General Manager at Meril Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, told IANS that PLI is a very positive step by PM Modi because we now create products that were previously unavailable in India.

"The PLI scheme is both effective and affordable. This is beneficial for the country as well as for the industry.

According to Dr Rajiv Chhibber, Vice President, Sahajanand Medical Technologies, what he found most noteworthy was the discussion about completely eliminating our import dependency, as mentioned by Minister Goyal.

"He also emphasised that the quality of medical devices and any product in the 14 or 15 sectors covered under the PLI scheme should be maintained. He promised us full support in this regard."

Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), said that they initially planned to invest about Rs 800 crore and have so far invested more than Rs 1,100 crore. "With this investment, we are achieving a turnover of about Rs 15,000 crore in one year and are now looking towards the global market," Mehta told IANS.
Imphal, Sep 29 : Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) Daljit Singh Chawdhary reviewed the law and order situation in the strife-torn Manipur and took stock of the operational preparedness of the para-military force in the wake of the recent escalation of violence, officials said on Sunday.

A BSF spokesman said that Chawdhary, a senior IPS officer, during his two-day tour (September 28-29) carried out a comprehensive review of the operational scenario and took stock of the operational preparedness of the force in view of the recent increase of violence in Manipur.

He visited several BSF deployments, talked to the force personnel and applauded their efforts to bring peace in the restive state.

As part of the 60,000 central forces, several battalions of BSF had been deployed in Manipur after the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities broke out in the northeastern state, which also shares around 400 km of unfenced border with Myanmar.

BSFas Additional Director General (Eastern Command) Ravi Gandhi, briefed DG BSF about the prevailing security scenario in Manipur and DG BSF also held discussions with several senior officials including Inspector General, Mizoram and Cachar frontier Sanjay Kumar Misra and Deputy Inspector General, Sector CI (Ops) Manipur on the latest situations of different districts.

The BSF chief on Sunday visited tribal-dominated areas of Sugnu, and Kakching districts and interacted with the Commanders and troops on the ground and appreciated their relentless efforts and contribution to maintaining security in Manipur and motivated them to carry out their duties with full dedication and utmost professionalism.

The BSF DG also visited the Subsidiary Training Centre (STC), BSF, Churachandpur and was briefed by the Inspector General, M&C Frontier and STC about the training facilities available and training activities conducted at the centre.

Chawdhary also interacted with the available instructional staff of the prestigious training institution in Churachandpur.

He also inaugurated the Narendra Kumar Training Shed, having a capacity of accommodating 800 trainees and dedicated it in the honour of the late Constable Narendra Kumar, who made Supreme sacrifice for the cause of the Nation in the line of duty while deployed in Moreh town, along Myanmar border.

The BSF DG also held a Sainik Sammelan and motivated about 750 trainees present there to not only become good soldiers but also good human beings.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : Amid the heated poll campaign for Haryana Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from Nuh constituency Rabia Kidwai on Sunday lashed out at the Congress over its attempt to 'dominate' the political discourse by projecting itself as the 'victor'.

AAP nominee Rabia Kidwai, speaking to IANS, claimed that a discourse and narrative were being built ahead of the Haryana elections to project Congress as the winner, even before voting could be held for the 90-member Assembly.

She held the previously elected representatives including the legislators and Parliamentarians for the backwardness of Nuh and appealed to people to cast their vote only on merits of the contesting candidates.

"Politicians will try to sway your opinion at the hustings. But, you must keep your priorities right and vote for issues concerning you and your family," she said.

She added that it was now time to deliberate and dissect the past of leaders and show them the mirror.

Notably, Muslim-dominated Nuh is among the most backward areas in Haryana.

Rabia Kidwai, representing the constituency on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ticket, has buoyed up the morale of not just party workers but also the public in general, because she is seen as the one breaking the glass ceiling. She has become the first woman to contest the Assembly polls from the constituency.

Kidwai, a businesswoman from Gurugram, is a scion of an old Congress family and is also a former Congress member.

In 2015, the 34-year-old politician switched loyalties and crossed over to the AAP.

Rabia Kidwai, when questioned on Haryana having never elected a Muslim Chief Minister, said that if she wins from Nuh, she would be looking forward to becoming a strong contender for the chief ministerial post.

She also lashed out at those parties resorting to polarising politics, in an oblique reference to the BJP, and said that those who have a habit of fanning communal issues for political advantage will never do any good for the public.
Bhopal, Sep 29 : As the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan gets ready to celebrate its tenth anniversary on October 2 this year, the success stories of the path-breaking scheme are catching the attention and imagination of all.

The latest story of the turnaround has come from Tar Khedi village of Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh, where the Anganwadi workers brought a dramatic change in hygiene and sanitation with their continuous endeavour.

They undertook a cleanliness drive at the famous pilgrimage site Shri Vishwa Mangal Hanuman Dham and turned this into a picturesque location. It's because of their persistent labour and hard work that the village and its surroundings have become much cleaner and greener than earlier.

With the help of Anganwadi workers, a new picture of cleanliness is emerging in the village. The transformation of the village has also aroused curiosity among the neighbouring villages who have started visiting the Tar Khedi village.

Those devotees and villagers, who visit the Shri Vishwa Mangal Hanuman Dham are also being inspired for undertaking cleanliness in their respective villages. Along with making the common people aware, awareness is being spread for maintaining public hygiene.

A couple of Anganwadi workers also shared their experience on the astounding feat.

Aarti Gawli of Tar Khedi said that under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, large-scale awareness about cleanliness has emerged in the country.

"Anganwadi workers and assistants are also inspiring the villagers to maintain cleanliness," she said.

Santoshi Mavi, another Anganwadi worker, said that a cleanliness drive began in the village under the Clean India mission.

"The environment around has become pure, people have become aware of cleanliness," she said.

Notably, the Swachh Bharat Mission or Clean India Mission was launched by the Modi government on October 2, 2014, to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management. The nationwide campaign also sought to develop open defecation-free villages.
Quetta, Sep 29 : Pakistan's restive Balochistan was ensnared in fresh violence on Sunday with police reporting that armed men abducted more than 20 labourers in Musakhail, hours after seven labourers were shot dead in Panjgur, reports said.

The assailants opened fire on the labourersa camp, which was associated with a gas company, and set eight bulldozers on fire before taking the labourers with them, Geo News reported.

This incident follows closely behind a separate attack in the Panjgur district, where seven labourers were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in a residential area.

According to police, the labourers were staying in a house located in the Khuda-e-Abadan area of Panjgur when the assailants stormed in and opened fire, resulting in seven fatalities and one injury. The Deputy Commissioner of Panjgur confirmed the tragic event, noting the attackers' brazen assault on the residents.

Media reports indicate that the deceased and the injured were transported to Panjgur District Hospital. Law enforcement agencies have initiated a search operation to locate those responsible for the brutal attacks.

The incidents in Musakhel and Panjgur highlight the significant security issues plaguing Balochistan, a province that has endured a wave of terrorist attacks, similar to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as the country faces an increase in such incidents in recent months.

Last month, 23 passengers were killed after being forcibly removed from their buses and trucks in the Rarasham area of Musakhail district. A report from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) noted that in the second quarter of the year, the country recorded 380 deaths linked to violence, along with 220 injuries involving civilians, security forces, and outlaws.

Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in Panjgur. They expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.

"Attacking innocent labourers and civilians is a heinous and despicable act," President Zardari said. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the governmentas commitment to eradicating all forms of terrorism from the nation.
Seoul, Sep 29 : The South Korean state telecommunications watchdog on Sunday noted "significant progress" in its recent talks with Telegram over the handling of deepfake content on the encrypted messaging app.

The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) added that its chairman, Ryu Hee-lim, is scheduled to announce the results of those talks with Telegram on Monday, reports Yonhap news agency.

"We met with Telegram's top security officer and others in a third country on Friday and Saturday," a KCSC official said. "There was some significant progress, and our chairman will announce that himself."

As per industry sources, Telegram offered to promptly remove all illegal content, including those related to deepfakes, drugs and gambling, upon a request by the KCSC, and that it also recognised the need to cooperate with South Korean police and other agencies.

Amid a surge in deepfake videos, Telegram opened a hotline with the KCSC earlier this month to better respond to such content on its platform. Telegram has since removed dozens of explicit materials and notified the KCSC immediately.

Meanwhile, Telegram can disclose users' data upon reasonable requests from authorities, the encrypted messaging service's co-founder Pavel Durov said on his Telegram channel earlier this weel.

"We've made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests," Durov said, specifying that the messenger has updated its terms of service and privacy policy, bringing them to uniformity across the world.

Such changes were introduced to "further deter criminals from abusing Telegram Search," he noted.

Durov, a native of Russia, was detained in Paris last month and later released on a $5.6 million bail for charges including failing to act against Telegram users involved in cyberbullying, sharing pedophilic content and glorifying terrorism. He was placed under judicial supervision and banned from leaving France.
On the night of Sunday, September 29, an ammunition depot of the Russian Defense Ministry came under attack in the village of Kotluban in the Volgograd region. A number of Iranian ballistic missiles, as well as launchers for them, were stored there.

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This was reported by the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Andriy Kovalenko. According to him, the targeted warehouse belongs to the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate (GRAU) of the Russian Defense Ministry.

"Kotluban, Volgograd region. GRAU's ammunition depot was hit," Kovalenko wrote on his Telegram channel.

He added that this warehouse was used to store some of Iranian-made ballistic missiles and launchers for them.

As reported, at night, a number of Russian regions suffered a drone attack, with fires breaking out in four of them. Explosions were heard near military camps and other military and energy facilities in Krasnodar Krai, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Rostov, Voronezh, and Volgograd regions.

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In particular, the media reported a hit to a large ammunition depot in the village of Kotluban in Volgograd region too, although local authorities claimed that the UAVs were "shot down" and there were no damage to military facilities.

In early September, it was reported that Russia received the first batch of Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles from Iran. Previously, it was a shipment of more than 200 missiles.

According to Reuters, the entire shipment turned out to be incomplete as it lacked missile launchers.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
New Delhi, Sep 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and inquired about his health as he had fallen ill while addressing a poll rally in J&K's Kathua district.

"PM Modi spoke to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Ji and enquired about his health," the Prime Ministeras Office said.

While addressing a huge gathering on the last day of the campaign for the third and final phase of the state Assembly elections, Kharge fell dizzy on stage and several party leaders rushed to support him.

The Congress President also underwent a preliminary medical examination to ascertain the reason for dizziness after addressing the poll rallies.

However, the Congress President criticised PM Modi in Kathua, saying that Congress will restore J&K statehood.

"We will fight to restore statehood. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed from power," the Congress President said.

Alleging that PM Modi did not give anything to the country's youth in the last 10 years, Kharge said: "Can you believe in a person who cannot bring back your prosperity in 10 years? If a BJP leader comes in front of you, ask them if they brought prosperity or not."

Campaigning for the third and final phase of polls in J&K, to be held on October 1, ended on Sunday evening.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : The political developments over the past few months within the INDIA bloc have triggered the debate around a pertinent question of whether this bloc now "stands disintegrated".

New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS) The political developments over the past few months within the INDIA bloc have triggered the debate around a pertinent question of whether this bloc now "stands disintegrated".

Strained relations among coalition members are worsening with every passing day. The conflicts are clearly visible in the states such as Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

The discord seems to be reaching a critical point, with Congress adopting a more confrontational position against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Congress is gradually positioning itself as a key rival to the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. It may be recalled that before the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had expressed her disapproval of any efforts to project Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as a potential prime ministerial candidate. Banerjee has also not participated in any major meetings of the INDIA bloc since it came into being.

The situation worsened further during a recent protest at Sagore Dutta Hospital, where Congress leaders, led by state president Shubhankar Sarkar, reached out to doctors protesting an assault by a patient's family. But Sarkar and his colleagues faced protests from the doctors, who raised "go back" slogans.

After this, Congress launched fresh attacks on the Trinamool government, slamming it for what it called "poor law and order".

This incident implies the widening rift within the INDIA bloc, which was formed to pose a challenge to the BJP's dominance politics. Needless to say, the alliance is facing problems, with various constituents being at odds due mainly to personal ambitions of the leader.

The clash is not confined to West Bengal alone. Reports of infighting among alliance members are being seen in other states as well. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress are fighting against each other in the assembly elections in Haryana, in what is a reminder about their contest in the Punjab assembly polls.

Leaders from both parties frequently exchange allegations and counter allegations, lending credence to perception that the INDIA bloc is disintegrating.

In fact, the beginning itself was not good for the bloc, as the Janata Dal (United) had exited the alliance after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joined the NDA in Bihar. There is no denying Kumar was a key figure in efforts to unify the opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

There are also reports of roadblocks being faced by Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) in reaching a seat-sharing agreement within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Congress is said to be seeking the lion's share.

Questions are also being raised over Congress' relationship with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) as seat-sharing talks commence in Jharkhand in days to come.

Political observers are now questioning whether the INDIA bloc can withstand these internal conflicts or if it is on the verge of collapse. Some say that the INDIA bloc hardly exists now, with unity and cohesion nowhere to be seen.
New Delhi, Sep 29 : As Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was hospitalised after he was diagnosed as suffering from leptospirosis, a disease not many are familiar with, a doctor explains how this bacterial infection occurs, its dangers, and the precautions that must be taken.

Explaining how leptospirosis spreads, Dr M Wali, Senior Consultant from the Department of Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi, said that this infectious disease is caused by the bacteria Leptospira, and often spreads to humans through rats.

The infection can occur when food, water, or soil contaminated by animal urine comes into contact with the nose, mouth, eyes, or broken skin, he said.

Regarding the symptoms of this disease, Dr Wali said that in the early stages of leptospirosis, patients may experience flu-like symptoms.

However, in more severe cases, it can lead to internal bleeding and organ damage. Early symptoms include high fever, eye infections or redness, headaches, chills, muscle pain, diarrhoea, and jaundice. In more critical situations, symptoms may include coughing up blood (hemoptysis), chest pain, difficulty breathing, and blood in the urine, all signs of internal bleeding.

Dr Wali further revealed that globally, around 1 million cases of leptospirosis are reported each year, and 50 per cent of these cases result in death.

To prevent leptospirosis, the best approach is to avoid contaminated water, he said, adding that food must be kept in places where rats cannot reach it, and always covered properly.

Maintain distance from animal urine as much as possible. Rivers and streams are often places where animals swim or bathe, which can lead to infection if you enter such water. In areas affected by floods, extra precautions are necessary, he maintained.

Dr Wali also emphasised that individuals should never self-medicate if they suspect an infection. If anyone notices any symptoms, it is crucial to consult a doctor and follow their advice for treatment.

Leptospirosis is a serious disease, but taking the right precautions can help prevent infection and reduce the risk of severe complications, he added.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 29 : A massive protest was held outside the Sree Avittam Thirunal Hospital (SAT) in Thiruvananthapuram following a power outage on Sunday.

The hospital near the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College is locally known as Women and Child Hospital and is under the state government. This is one of the largest hospitals in the government sector in the state for Women and Children.

Sources said that the hospital experienced a power outage for two days. However, on Sunday, the power outage was witnessed for three continuous hours.

Reportedly, a childbirth case also took place at the hospital during the power outage.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George told media persons that there was a power outage due to some technical issues and that she has taken up the matter with the state electricity minister, K. Krishnankutty.

The State Electricity Minister told media persons that the issue has been resolved and power connection will be restored soon.

Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Deputy Mayor C.K. Raju who is present near the hospital told media persons that this was the first time that such a situation has happened in the hospital and added that the first priority is to restore power and that the reason for the power outage will be probed after this.
Aizawl, Sep 29 : Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu arrived in Aizawl on Sunday to take additional charge as the Governor of Mizoram on Monday, officials said.

Chief Minister Lalduhoma and his cabinet colleagues, including Assembly Speaker Lalbiakzama and Home Minister K Sapdanga, welcomed Nallu after he landed at the state's lone airport at Lengpui, near the capital city Aizawl.

Nallu was accorded a guard of honour at the airport.

Gauhati High Court Judge Justice Nelson would administer the oath of office and secrecy at the Raj Bhavan to Nallu as acting Governor of Mizoram.

President Droupadi Murmu on September 26, appointed Nallu to discharge as the governor of Mizoram during the absence of the incumbent state governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, who is on leave due to medical treatment.

Kambhampati, who was appointed as the Mizoram Governor in 2021, was admitted to a hospital in Hyderabad on September 10 after he was diagnosed with a lung infection.

He was in the Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring and better medical treatment under a multi-disciplinary team of doctors.

Raj Bhavan sources said that the Governor has been discharged from the hospital and is now resting at his home in Visakhapatnam.

The sources said that though Kambhampatias condition is stable now but is not in a position to discharge the gubernatorial responsibilities.
Washington, Sep 30 : US President Joe Biden has said that he would speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as tensions in the Middle East increase following Israel's assassination of Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah.

"Yes, I will be talking to him," Biden said on Sunday as he headed for the White House from Dover Air Force Base.

He added "we really have to avoid" all-out war in the Middle East, saying, "We've already taken precautions relative to our embassies and personnel who want to leave, but we're not there yet. But we're working like hell with the French and many others."

The US backed Israel's operation, saying that Hassan Nasrallah's death "is a measure of justice for his many victims".

In a statement, Biden had said, "Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians."

The statement further said, "The strike that killed Nasrallah took place in the broader context of the conflict that began with Hamas's massacre on October 7, 2023. Nasrallah, the next day, made the fateful decision to join hands with Hamas and open what he called a "northern front" against Israel."

Following Nasrallah's death, Netanyahu had issued a warning to Iran's Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face consequences and that no location in Iran or the Middle East is beyond Israel's reach.

He called Nasrallah as "main engine of Iran's axis of evil" and added, "Nasrallah was not just another terrorist, he was the terrorist. He was the axis of the axis, the main engine of Iran's axis of evil. He and his people were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not only operated by Iran, he also frequently operated Iran."

The US President's statements come as Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon killed dozens of people on Sunday.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah sustained a string of deadly blows to its command structure, including the killing of its overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah, as part of a wave of increasingly brazen Israeli strikes meant to undercut the group's capacity to attack its territory.

Before Nasrallah's killing, Netanyahu brushed off a ceasefire proposal brokered by the US and France that called for a 21-day pause in fighting across the Israel-Lebanon border, infuriating American officials who had been led to believe he was on board.

Israel informed the US that it was launching its major operation in Beirut only after it was underway -- again, to the frustration of some American officials.

Tens of thousands of Israelis and Lebanese have been forced to evacuate near the Israel-Lebanon border as Hezbollah has launched near-daily rocket volleys at Israel over the past 11 months and Israel has countered with its own strikes.

Already at odds with Netanyahu over the nearly yearlong war in Gaza, Biden is now working to calm two fronts at a moment when his influence on Netanyahu's decision-making appears to be at an all-time low.

With tens of thousands of civilians displaced on both sides, the Biden administration has tried to bring about a negotiated resolution that would allow them to return home and prevent a wider regional conflict.
The Russian terrorist army continues to hide behind Ukrainian civilians in the temporarily occupied territories. In the village of Yalynske in Donetsk region, the invaders set up their base right in one of the residential buildings.

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The Russians disguised their positions due to heavy losses in the unit. This was reported on Telegram by the Atesh military movement of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars.

In the seized residential building, the guerrillas found the personnel of the 57th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces. Atesh noted that the personnel and equipment are moving secretly to avoid detection.

"The base, as well as other facilities of the brigade, are camouflaged due to heavy losses in the unit. It is worth noting that the antennas are deployed only for the duration of the operation, after which they are hidden due to constant arrivals. The place of storage of ammunition is constantly changing," the statement said.

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As a reminder, Ukrainian guerrillas continue to identify the positions of Russian troops in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Recently, in the village of Zarichne, Simferopol district , the Angarsk training ground of the 126th separate coastal defense brigade was discovered.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Ukrainian underground continues to be active in the temporarily occupied territories. Despite the fact that each task carried out by the resistance carries an incredible risk for the underground, people still continue to help Ukraine.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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'The Abdullah family is the problem and facilitator of the instability that we are seeing in Kashmir.'

IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference candidate Omar Abdullah with sons Zamir and Zahir after filing his nomination papers from the Budgam assembly seat at Beerwah, September 5, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Former Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah chief minister rushed to file his nomination from Budgam at the last moment.

The National Conference vice president had already filed his nomination from Ganderbal which political observers felt was risky for him and Budgam would be a safer bet.

In Budgam, Omar faces People's Democratic Party candidate Aga Syed Muntazir as his closest rival.

Muntazir tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com why Abdullah is on a weak wicket in Budgam.

Omar Abdullah decided to contest from Budgam at the last moment. Were you taken aback by this decision?

I was not taken aback because Omar Abdullah is not a politician. He represents a cartel of elitism in Kashmir.

He has been running from one constituency to another constituency and betraying the people in his political career.

Budgam is the fourth constituency in Omar's political life where he has come to take refuge.

All his political life he has taken refuge from one constituency to another in Kashmir.

Don't you feel at a disadvantage considering that people may vote for a chief ministerial candidate rather than you?

I don't think so.

In the history of Budgam for the first time the people have shown political maturity.

The type of support and the type of love and trust I am getting from the people of Budgam is huge.

I am a local here unlike Omar. I have an Aadhar card and passport from Budgam.

Omar Abdullah is seen as a tourist in Budgam.

He is so confident that he did not even come once to campaign after filing the nomination. It is only on Tuesday that he came to campaign, when the election was just a week away.

He has no connect whatsoever with Budgam constituency and therefore he did not come.

As I told you, Omar represents a cartel of the elite and he has no connection with his own workers or the people of Kashmir.

But Budgam has been represented by the National Conference since 1977, so don't you think you are on a weak wicket?

You will see the results and get the answer.

Budgam voters are mature enough to know who is good for them and who is not.

But in Kashmir people blame your party chief Mehbooba Mufti for shaking hands with the BJP.

I don't want to go into the past because I was not associated with the PDP then.

Kashmiri people believe in certain grievances and the PDP came outright about this issue in our 2024 assembly manifesto.

We wrote that what happened on August 5, 2019 added to instability in Kashmir.

But the root cause is something else, which is the Kashmir issue. It is still alive and relevant as it was on August 4, 2019, a day before Article 370 was abrogated.

Delhi has delegitimised the Kashmir issue and the PDP has shown the courage to speak about it.

On the other hand, the NC made some rhetoric that we want to have some dialogue between India and Pakistan.

NC had no guts or courage to say on what subject or matter they want to have a dialogue between India and Pakistan.

But Kashmiris blame the PDP for bringing in the abrogation of Article 370.

It will be unfair to say so. The erosion to Article 370 came during NC and Congress party rule. Only the left out skull of Article 370 the BJP abrogated.

The reality is that the Congress and NC brought a number of changes in Article 370 from 1947.

Are you blaming the three generations of the Abdullah family for bringing Kashmir to what it is today?

The Abdullah family saw the benefit of an election boycott.

There was no trust in the electoral process of Indian democracy in Kashmir.

Everybody knows in Kashmir how the mandate was stolen by the NC in 1987. Therefore, a majority of Kashmiris used to stay away from electoral politics.

This gave benefit to the NC to come to power. It came through the short cut way as popular support among the people used to stay away from electoral politics.

The Abdullah family is the problem and facilitator of the instability that we are seeing in Kashmir.

Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: People's Democratic Party candidate Aga Syed Muntazir campaigns in Budgam.

What is the development work you feel that Budgam needed and was not given?

Budgam constituency has been otherised by the NC.

In the last four years we have seen only 50 percent literacy rate in Budgam. It is such a sad state of affairs.

This is an agricultural district and there has been a decline in agricultural production by 5 percent consecutively every year.

Health infrastructure has collapsed.

We only have one government hospital with 100 beds for the entire district.

Any problem and the patients of Budgam have to rush to Srinagar.

Every walk of life is underdeveloped.

NC used Budgam as the ATM card. Therefore, the people of Budgam will show them the door.

It is said Omar Abdullah will win on Shia votes which number around 40,000 in Budgam. Your cousin Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a Shia like you and an NC MP, will be instrumental in getting Shia votes to Omar en bloc.

NC plays communal politics. They do Shia-Sunni, but from our side every community has supported us. Be it Sikhs, Kashmiri Pandits, Sunnis and Shias.

Don't you feel you are taking Omar Abdullah too lightly?

No. Omar Abdullah is an alien in Budgam.

Kashmiris do connect with Dr Farooq Abdullah as he is seen as someone who can do mimicry.

On the other hand, Omar Abdullah cannot even speak Kashmiri properly.

Omar Abdullah cannot pronounce proper Kashmiri words.

In Kashmiri cap is known as topi and Omar pronounced it as tube in Kashmiri which means car tyre. He said this in Ganderbal.

Even Omar's sons, who are fourth generation Abdullahs, caused embarrassment to the National Congress when they went out to campaign. They were told to stay at home due to that.

This is because Omar and his children have no connect with Kashmiris.

Omar and his sons are seen as parachute landers in Kashmir. They have been imposed on us.

Every Kashmiri knows Abdullahs are part of the problem in Kashmir.
Biman Basu, the senior-most Marxist leader in the country, pays homage to a comrade he has known and admired since the 1980s.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, address the condolence meeting for the late CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo

"Mamatadi will be defeated in 2026," asserts the taxi driver, "We are fed up with TMC goondas who invade every area of our lives. You can't do anything without their interference"

Then, after telling us he supports the BJP, he implores us not to mention his name in any report (he knows we are journalists) because, "mera zindagi haram ho jayega".

Where is the CPI-M office, I ask.

"Alimuddin Street," he says, "that's where the senior CPM leaders stay."

"That's where Biman Basu lives. Do you know he cooks his own food and just eats rice and potato."

Biman Basu shakes his head when I tell him this. A diminutive man in a spotless white kurta and dhoti, he has returned from a tour of Medinapur district a day after he traveled to Delhi for Sitaram Yechury's funeral.

"Rice and potato, I have not eaten since I left my family home in 1971. I don't eat egg too, which many consider veg."

"For me fish is veg," he says with a twinkle which can be seen behind his thick glasses. "I eat it with chappati." He adds he forsakes lunch and only has an apple and cucumber to subsist on through the day.

For someone who is "running 85" -- that quirky description of human chronology peculiar to India -- and despite his reputation as an austere, forbidding, Communist like his late mentor Promode Dasgupta, who headed the CPI-M in Bengal and accompanied Jyoti Basu through the first decade or so of Left Front rule in Bengal, Biman Babu does not appear to us an intimidating personality.

We discuss why Marxists smoke so much -- Promode Dasgupta, he said, smoked Burmese cigarettes which he has not seen anyone else smoke; Jyoti Basu smoked occasionally; the late lamented Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and Sitaram Yechury smoked prodigiously, both like Jawaharlal Nehru taking care not to be photographed with a cigarette -- why the revolutionary spirit was spawned in Bengal and why he believes the result of the Maharashtra assembly election will be crucial in charting out the route for national politics.

We are here to talk to him about his memories of Sitaram Yechury, discuss the implications of the current unrest in Kolkata and other districts on Bengal politics and how he as the senior-most Marxist leader in India, sees the country's politics play out in the short term.

So here it is, Biman Basu's tribute to "Sita" as he calls the CPI-M general secretary who passed away earlier this month.

IMAGE: Sitaram Yechury's daughter Akhila and son Danish flank their mother Seema Chisti at a condolence meeting for the late CPI-M general secretary in New Delhi, September 28, 2024. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo

Video edited by Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
A day after the engine of a train hit a stone placed on the railway track in the Bairia area in Ballia of Uttar Pradesh, the Railway Protection Force has formed a special team to solve the case, and patrolling is being done on the rail route, while the police lodged an FIR, official said.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo

RPF inspector VK Singh told PTI, "We believe that this has been done with the intention of derailing the train. The current conclusion of the team in this case is that some unknown person has placed the stone."

Based on the complaint filed by the rail staff police has lodged an FIR against unknown persons regarding the matter.

Railway Protection Force commandant S Ramakrishnan on Sunday said that it appears that some mischievous elements have placed stones on the railway track.

A special team has been formed to solve this case. Along with this, patrolling is being done on the rail route. RPF and the local police are working together.

He added that this case will be solved soon.

Meanwhile, circle officer (Bairia) Mohammad Usman, after visiting the spot, said that when they received information about the incident, the RPF assistant commandant along with police officials inspected the spot.

Usman said that in the initial investigation, it had come to light that the stones found on the spot appeared to be the stones of the railway track itself. These stones have not been brought from anywhere else.

When asked whether some of the boulders that were dropped to protect the Manjhi bridge from river erosion had been placed on the railway track by some mischievous elements or persons, Usman said that it is not possible to take the boulders placed on National Highway number 31 to the railway track.

The railway track is at a height where it is not possible to take any vehicle.

Bairia police station in-charge Ramayan Singh said that a case has been registered against unknown persons under sections of the Railways Act and section 125 (endangering life or personal safety of others) and 285 (danger or obstruction in public way) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on the complaint of RPF Inspector VK Singh in Bairia police station late Sunday evening.

The police are investigating the matter.

RPF inspector VK Singh said that as per railway rules, after preliminary investigation by the team of officials, it has been concluded that "The stone kept on the railway track hit the engine, which could have caused an accident. This has been done with the intention of derailing the train."

When asked whether this incident is a conspiracy or mischief, Singh said, "We believe that this has been done with the intention of derailing the train. The current conclusion of the team in this case is that some unknown person has placed the stone. "

The engine of a train hit a stone placed on the railway track in the Bairia area here on Saturday, officials said, adding that no damage was caused.

The incident assumes significance as it was a fresh one amid several cases of gas cylinders, pillars etc being found on railway tracks in Uttar Pradesh.

Public Relations Officer of the North Eastern Railway Ashok Kumar on Saturday told PTI that a stone was found on the railway track between the Varanasi-Ballia-Chhapra rail section at 10.25 am.

Kumar had said that on seeing the stone placed on the track, the loco pilot applied emergency brakes.

Meanwhile, in another incident on Saturday, a 16-year-old boy has been apprehended for allegedly putting a fencing pillar on the Banda-Mahoba rail track, causing disruptions, police said. The driver of the passenger train had to apply emergency brakes to stop the train after he noticed a concrete pillar on the tracks, police said.

On September 22, two people were arrested in connection with the alleged derailment bid of the Naini Jan Shatabdi Express by placing a six-metre-long iron pole on track between the Bilaspur Road and Rudrapur City railway stations on September 18 in Rampur, police said.

On September 8, an attempt was made to derail the Kalindi Express, heading towards Bhiwani from Prayagraj, by placing an LPG cylinder on the tracks.

The train hit the cylinder before coming to a screeching halt.
Anti-Israel protests continued for the second day on Sunday in several areas of Kashmir against the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon.

IMAGE: People stage protest against the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, September 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X

A large number of men, women and children -- carrying black flags -- poured out on roads in Magam in Budgam and Zadibal in the city to protest against the killing, officials said.

They said the protestors were chanting anti-Israel and anti-US slogans, denouncing Nasrallah's killing in Israeli airstrikes on Saturday.

The protests were by and large peaceful even as a large posse of police personnel maintained vigil to ensure that the demonstrations did not turn violent, the officials said.

Several leaders have condemned the killing even as Lok Sabha member from Srinagar Aga Ruhullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti suspended their election campaigns.

"Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance," Mufti posted on X.

Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari also condemned the killings in Lebanon.

"Israel's ongoing airstrikes on Lebanon are causing heavy casualties and massive destruction. Innocent civilians are suffering the most from this violence.

"The lack of any effective response from the international community is alarming, and the silence of world leaders worsens the situation. I stand in solidarity with the victims and pay tribute to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other martyrs killed in these aggressive airstrikes," Bukhari posted on X.

Protests were held in several parts of Srinagar on Saturday as well. Long traffic jams were reported from several parts of the city, including the Khanyar-Hazratbal axis, where most of the protests took place.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said the restoration of Article 370 of the Constitution is not possible through the assembly, asking people not to get misled by 'false promises' of the politicians and vote for development and progress.

IMAGE: DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad addresses a public meeting in upport of the party candidate from Samba constituency Vinod Mishra for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, in Samba, September 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing a series of election rallies in support of his party's candidates in Jammu on the last day of campaigning, Azad voiced concerns over the promises made by various political parties regarding the return of Article 370 and said these promises are not grounded in reality.

"We all want the return of Article 370, but we cannot expect anything from the BJP. Even the Congress fails to speak on this crucial issue. It is not possible to restore Article 370 through the assembly, but we can introduce legislation to ensure that no outsider can buy land or secure jobs in our region. This was the essence of Article 370," Azad, a former chief minister, said.

The Democratic Progressive Azad Party founder said he do not 'cheat, lie, or mislead.'

"I recognise that some people have become accustomed to falsehoods and have been voting based on those lies, but I speak the truth, which only a few may comprehend. I will never give false hope or make unrealistic promises," he said.

He acknowledged the widespread disillusionment among people over the false slogans that have only led to bloodshed and unrest.

"People are fed up with the empty promises that have resulted in nothing but chaos and division. Today, we must focus on creating jobs for our youth, who are increasingly becoming involved in drugs, this is the biggest issue we face," he said.

He urged the public to vote for development and progress in the third and final phase of the elections on October 1.

"For years, the political parties have used division as a tactic, offering excuses not to develop both regions. This has led to conflict, while those in power continue to enjoy their privileges," he said, urging people to recognize that their shared struggles should unite them rather than create rifts, stressing that only through unity can genuine progress be achieved.
A terrorist was killed in an ongoing operation in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Sunday, taking the death toll in the incident to two, officials said.

IMAGE: Security personnel at the encounter site in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, September 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X

The body of the terrorist was recovered from the scene of the encounter at Kog-Mandli in Billawar tehsil this afternoon, the officials said.

A massive search operation is underway in the village for the second day.

Additional director general of police, Jammu zone, Anand Jain said the search operation was launched in the village on Saturday following information about the presence of three to four foreign terrorists.

A policeman was killed and two officers injured Saturday evening when terrorists opened fire on a joint security search party in the village.

Talking to reporters near the scene of the encounter, Jain said an information was received about the presence of terrorists in the area and subsequently an operation was launched, leading to an exchange of fire.

Head constable Bashir Ahmad laid down his life and two officers -- a DSP and an assistant sub-inspector -- were injured in the encounter, he said, adding both the officers are stable.

The whole area is under tight security cordon and an operation is underway to neutralise the three to four foreign terrorists hiding in the area, he said.

He said the presence of terrorists was reported in a house and subsequently an operation was launched which is underway.

Asked about the interception of the terrorist group ahead of the third phase of polls on October 1, the police officer said the operations against terrorists are going on and will continue.

We are getting continuous information about terrorists and subsequently conducting operations with an endeavour to neutralise them as soon as possible, he said.

He said adequate security arrangements have been put in place in all poll-bound areas to ensure that there is no terror-related incident and violence-free third phase.

Besides Kathua, the third phase covers Jammu, Udhampur and Samba districts in Jammu region and north Kashmir's Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.
Day after top Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike, the Israel military said on Sunday that it has eliminated another senior Hezbollah official, Nabil Qaouk, in a precise airstrike.

IMAGE: Hezbollah leader Nabil Qaouk. Photograph: ANI Photo/IDF on X

Qaouk was a commander of Hezbollah's preventative security unit and a member of their executive council.

The Israeli Defence Forces rolled out the announcement of his elimination on X on Sunday, and wrote: "ELIMINATED: The Commander of Hezbollah's Preventative Security Unit and a member of their Executive Council, Nabil Qaouk, was eliminated in a precise IDF strike."

Qaouk, notably joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and was regarded as an important source of expertise in his field.

"Qaouk was close to Hezbollah's senior commanders and was directly engaged in terrorist attacks against the State of Israel and its citizens. He joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and was regarded as an important source of expertise in his field, having served as the deputy commander of the southern region on the operational council, commander of the southern region and deputy commander of the operational council," the IDF further stated.

The Israeli military further said that it "will continue to strike and eliminate the commanders within the Hezbollah terrorist organisation" and will act against "anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel."

Notably, Hezbollah has officially acknowledged the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, following Israeli strikes in Beirut.

Hezbollah said on Saturday that its leader, Nasrallah, "has joined his fellow martyrs." The group also vowed that it would "continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine," Al Jazeera reported.

The Israeli Defence Forces launched precision strikes on the Lebanese capital in Beirut on Friday, which led to the death of Nasrallah. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that the airstrikes targeting Hassan Nasrallah resulted in civilian casualties, with at least six people killed and dozens injured.

Following the death of Nasrallah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran's Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face 'consequences' and that "no location" in Iran or the Middle East is "beyond Israel's reach."

Netanyahu called Nasrallah as "main engine of Iran's axis of evil" and added, "Nasrallah was not just another terrorist, he was the terrorist. He was the axis of the axis, the main engine of Iran's axis of evil. He and his people were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not only operated by Iran, he also frequently operated Iran."

The IDF also eliminated senior Hezbollah intelligence array terrorist Hassan Khalil Yassin in the precision strike in the Dahieh district in Beirut on Saturday, the military reported, according to a report by the Jerusalem Post.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the rising violence in the Middle East, urging all sides to halt the cycle of violence immediately.

The remarks by Guterres follow Israeli airstrikes in Beirut that led to the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Sharing a post on X, Guterres said, "I'm gravely concerned by the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut in the last 24 hours. This cycle of violence must stop now. All sides must step back from the brink."

"The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war," he added.
The resumption of two-carrier operations signals India's return to the elite clutch of navies that have the ship platforms and experience for operations that simultaneously involve more than one aircraft carrier.

IMAGE: India's indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant joned the Western Fleet, in a significant enhancement to the maritime power and reach of the Indian Navy's 'Sword Arm'. Photograph: Kind courtesy Western Naval Command/X

The Indian Navy's second aircraft carrier, which happens to be the first one that is indigenously built, joined the Western Fleet in Karwar for joint exercises that include twin-carrier fighter operations.

The resumption of two-carrier operations signals India's return to the elite clutch of navies that have the ship platforms and experience for operations that simultaneously involve more than one aircraft carrier.

An aircraft carrier is a warship with a full-length flight deck, hangar and facilities for arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft.

Aircraft carriers include helicopter carriers and amphibious assault ships if the vessel's primary purpose is to carry, arm, deploy, and recover aircraft.

Western Naval Command posted on X: 'INS Vikrant, India's indigenous aircraft carrier, joined the Western Fleet, in a significant enhancement to the maritime power and reach of the Indian Navy's 'Sword Arm'.

The Carrier Battle Group led by INS Vikramaditya inducted INS Vikrant with a multi domain exercise and twin carrier fighter operations in the Arabian Sea."

According to senior naval commanders, the aim of exercising INS Vikrant and its ancillary units is to simulate a two-carrier tactical situation -- with carriers on both sides, deploying all their fighter aircraft and helicopters.

INS Vikrant will operate in the exercise as leader of a carrier strike group (CSG).

This warship formation groups an aircraft carrier with one or more destroyers (a heavily armed warship of 7,000 tonnes or more), one or more frigates (lighter, multi-role warships), and at least one submarine that sanitises the area around the CSG, ensuring that it is free of the adversary's submarines.

The key element of the CSG, however, is its air wing. As a ballpark figure, an aircraft carrier deploys one combat aircraft for every 1,000 tonnes of carrier.

The British royal navy has two carriers, each weighing about 65,000 tonnes and large enough to embark 40 to 45 aircraft.

India's INS Vikrant, which weighs about 44,000 tonnes, can support about 28 to 30 aircraft.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Wesern Naval Command/X

One of the key purposes of the impending exercise will be to ascertain that all the different systems on the carrier -- the air wing (the combat aircraft), the air complex (the air traffic controllers), the aircraft lift that brings the fighter aircraft from their below-deck hangars to the flight deck from which they take off - are functional.

Before INS Vikrant began construction at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), all the structural and operating parameters had been laid down in a document called the Qualitative Staff Requirements (QSR).

For example, the QSR would have specified the 'sortie generation rate', which will now be checked and validated in the exercise.

Similarly, the reaction of the aircrew will be checked to a 'scramble jets' order.

This would check the roles and reactions of the entire aircrew, ensuring that their reactions are quick enough to meet what the Indian Navy had specified in the QSR.

Similarly, the aircrew will be checked for their ability to launch aircraft at night or in adverse weather conditions, when the carrier is rolling, pitching and yawing, presenting the pilots with a challenge akin to threading a moving needle.

All this and more will be checked by a team of inspectors from the fleet headquarters.

That will determine whether the carriers' crews are found fit for integration. Only then will INS Vikrant be inducted into the navy's fleet.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
A 40-year-old employee of a leading Information Technology company died of cardiac arrest in the washroom of the firm's office in Maharashtra's Nagpur city, officials said on Sunday.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The incident took place on Friday, they said.

The deceased has been identified as Nitin Edwin Michael, a senior analyst with the HCL Technologies, according to police.

At around 7 pm on Friday, the man was found unresponsive after he entered the washroom of the company's office in Mihan area, an official from Sonegaon police station said.

His colleagues rushed him to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Nagpur where doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival, he said.

The Sonegaon police sent the body for postmortem and registered a case of accidental death.

Initial autopsy findings indicated the man died of cardiac arrest, the official said.

The police were conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Michael is survived by his wife and a six-year-old son, according to THE police.
North Korea has once again threatened the civilized world with nuclear war after the United States announced a large military aid package to Ukraine. The DPRK complained that Kyiv's support was an "incredible mistake" and "playing with fire" against Russia.

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North Korean dictator's sister Kim Yo Jong has said that the West should not ignore Russia's nuclear threats. This was reported by Reuters.

Another surge in nuclear threats from the DPRK came after the United States announced $8 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The DPRK complained that the transfer of long-range weapons to Kyiv, which would increase Ukraine's ability to strike Russia from safer distances, could lead to a nuclear escalation.

Kim Yo Jong said that Washington is allegedly exacerbating the conflict in Ukraine and bringing the whole of Europe to the brink of nuclear war.

"The United States and the West should not dismiss or underestimate Russia's serious warning. Are the United States and the West really able to handle the consequences as they recklessly play with fire against Russia, which is a nuclear superpower?" Kim said in a statement published by the state-run KCNA news agency.

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She also said that continuing to provide military assistance to Ukraine would be "an incredible mistake and foolish act." At the same time, Pyongyang continues to assist Moscow in its military aggression against Ukraine. The DPRK supplies the occupiers with missiles and ammunition, which are used by the Russians to carry out terrorist attacks against peaceful Ukrainian cities.

As a reminder, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov once again repeated the main narrative of the aggressor country, namely resorting to threats with nuclear weapons. The Russian Foreign Minister did so from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly.

Earlier, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu flew to the DPRK and met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un to discuss strengthening "cooperation to protect mutual security interests."

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge vowed to fight for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that he would remain active in politics until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ousted from power.

IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge being assisted by party leaders after he falls ill during public rally in Jasrota near Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, September 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X

Kharge's remarks came amid criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre for its handling of the Union territory, particularly regarding the delay of elections.

"We will fight to restore statehood. We are not going to leave it. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until PM Modi is removed from power. I will listen to you. I will fight for you," Kharge told a public rally in Jasrota after he was provided medical assistance at the rally venue.

The Congress chief earlier complained of dizziness while speaking and had to be provided medical help.

"He was addressing a public rally in Jasrota when he felt uneasy and dizzy. His colleagues helped him into a chair," Congress general secretary Gulam Ahmed Mir told PTI.

Kharge had flown to Jasrota to address a rally to garner support for his party candidates in the assembly polls.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress vice president Ravindra Sharma said Kharge felt dizzy and was taken to a room, where doctors were called for a check-up. They will advise whether he can attend the second rally at Udhampur or not, he said.

Later, Kharge's second rally at Udhampur was cancelled. He will return to Delhi.

At the Jasrota rally, Kharge continued, "I wanted to talk. But due to dizziness, I have sat down. Please pardon me. They (BJP) are trying to terrorise us."

"They talk about Pakistan. We do not fear. Who has freed Bangladesh...Indira Gandhi did it. Jai jawan Jain Kisan slogan was given by us. Pakistan was defeated by us. Lal Bahadur Shastri (govt) defeated it. This is Congress."

Earlier while paying tributes to a head constable of Jammu and Kashmir who was killed in an encounter at Kathua, Kharge's voice started fading and the Congress workers and security staff immediately provided support and sought medical help.

Kharge alleged that the BJP was "running Jammu and Kashmir through remote control", and pointed to the Supreme Court's intervention as the catalyst for the government's preparations for elections.

"These people never wanted to conduct elections. They only started preparing for elections after the Supreme Court's order," he stated.

He accused the BJP of failing to restore statehood despite having the authority to do so, and criticised the ruling party for allowing outsiders to dominate critical sectors such as mining and liquor contracts.

Kharge condemned Modi's governance, claiming, "Modiji is shedding crocodile tears for the future of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir."

He highlighted the troubling unemployment statistics, noting that the current jobless rate is the highest in 45 years, a situation he attributed to the BJP's policies.

"In Jammu and Kashmir, 65 percent of government positions are vacant. Jobs are being given to outsiders, leaving local youth without opportunities," he added.

Turning his focus to the assembly elections, Kharge suggested that Modi's recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir showed the Prime Minister's anxiety about potential defeat.

"You must have heard how many lies Modiji spoke when he came here. This shows his nervousness because he can clearly see defeat," Kharge remarked.

He cautioned the people of Jammu and Kashmir against the BJP's "deceitful tactics," accusing the party of diverting attention away from pressing issues such as unemployment and the lack of development.

"Except for promises, the BJP has done nothing for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the past 10 years. Now, during elections, they are shamelessly trying to raise irrelevant issues to hide their failures," he stated.

Kharge also criticised the BJP's promise of creating 500,000 jobs, calling it an empty slogan. "For 10 long years, they could not deliver a few thousand jobs to the youth. How can they now promise five lakh jobs? They are deceiving the youth here," he said.

The Congress chief underscored the importance of restoring the "Darbar Move" tradition for the economic prosperity of both Jammu and Kashmir regions, reiterating Congress's commitment to the well-being and progress of the people.

He urged voters to support Thakur Balbir Singh, the Congress candidate from Jasrota seat which will vote on October 1 in the third and last phase of the assembly polls.

As the political landscape heats up in Jammu and Kashmir, Kharge's bold statements reflect the Congress party's strategy to regain influence in the region amid rising tensions with the BJP.
Hezbollah has officially acknowledged the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, following Israeli strikes on Beirut, according to a report by CNN.

IMAGE: A man walks on the rubble of damaged buildings in the aftermath of Israeli air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, on September 28, 2024. Photograph: Ali Alloush/Reuters

It also launched an attack on Israeli territory following the assassination of Nasrallah.

In a post on X, IDF said, "Sirens sounded in the area of Jerusalem following a launch from Lebanon into Israeli territory."

Hezbollah said on Saturday that its leader Nasrallah 'has joined his fellow martyrs'.

The group also vowed that it would 'continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine', Al Jazeera reported.

The Israeli Defence Forces launched precision strikes on the Lebanese capital on Beirut on Friday, which led to the death of Nasrallah.

Lebanon's health ministry reported that the airstrikes targeting Hassan Nasrallah resulted in civilian casualties, with at least six people killed and dozens injured.

Also, Lebanon's health ministry reported that Israeli strikes claimed 33 lives and injured 195 others on Saturday.

The strikes have come in densely populated areas, reducing residential buildings to rubble, CNN reported.

Notably, IDF on Saturday confirmed the killing of Hassan Nasrallah in the airstrikes carried out by the Israeli military in Beirut.

In a statement, the IDF said, "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world."

Nasrallah was targeted at Hezbollah's main headquarters in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold known as the Dahiyeh, on Friday.

The headquarters is underground, beneath residential buildings in the Dahiyeh, according to the IDF.

Meanwhile, following the death of Nasrallah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran's Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face consequences and that no location in Iran or the Middle East is beyond Israel's reach.

Netanyahu called Nasrallah as 'main engine of Iran's axis of evil' and added, "Nasrallah was not just another terrorist, he was the terrorist. He was the axis of the axis, the main engine of Iran's axis of evil. He and his people were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not only operated by Iran, he also frequently operated Iran."

He further said, "All those who oppose the axis of evil, all those who are fighting under the violent dictatorship of Iran and its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Iran itself and other places, they are all filled with hope today. I say to the citizens of those countries: Israel stands with you. And to the ayatollahs' regime, I say: Those who strike us, we strike them. There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel cannot reach. Today, you already know that this is correct."
SpaceX launched a reduced two-man crew to the International Space Station on Saturday, carrying supplies and two empty seats for Starliner astronauts awaiting a return home in February after an unplanned eight-and-a-half-month stay in orbit, CBS News reported.

IMAGE: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off carrying NASA's SpaceX Crew-9, Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, to the International Space Station from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US, September 28, 2024. Photograph: Steve Nesius/Reuters

"A Falcon rocket took off from Florida on Saturday, carrying two astronauts and two empty seats to bring Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams back to Earth. Wilmore and Williams have been stranded in space since June due to issues with the Boeing Starliner," CBS News stated in a post on X.

As per the CBS News, the launch was delayed by two days due to high winds, rain, and clouds associated with Hurricane Helene.

Finally, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ignited and lifted off from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1.17 pm EDT, following a north-easterly trajectory directly aligned with the ISS's orbital plane.

Inside the Crew Dragon "Freedom," commander Nick Hague, a seasoned NASA astronaut, monitored the automated ascent alongside Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, who was on his maiden flight.

Typically, Crew Dragons launch with four crew members; however, two Crew 9 astronauts--Stephanie Wilson and Zena Cardman--were removed from the mission in August to accommodate seats for Starliner commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore and pilot Sunita Williams when Crew Dragon returns to Earth in February.

This mission marked the first piloted space flight from pad 40 and SpaceX's inaugural launch from the Space Force station, having previously conducted 14 Crew Dragon missions from the historic pad 39A at the nearby Kennedy Space Centre.

After propelling the Falcon 9 through the dense lower atmosphere, the first stage, which was on its second flight, successfully returned to land at the Space Force station 7 minutes and 40 seconds post-launch, CBS reported.

Four-and-a-half minutes later, the Crew Dragon was released to autonomously proceed toward the ISS, initiating a 28-hour rendezvous. If all goes according to plan, the spacecraft will dock at the station's forward port at 5.30 pm on Sunday.

Awaiting Hague and Gorbunov's arrival are Wilmore and Williams, who are currently serving as the ISS commander, along with Soyuz MS-26/72S commander Aleksey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, and NASA astronaut Don Pettit, who launched on September 11, the CBS News reported.

Hague, Gorbunov, Wilmore, and Williams will replace Crew 8 commander Matthew Dominick, Mike Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, who were launched on March 3 and are scheduled to return to Earth around October 7, concluding a 217-day stay in space.

In addition to transporting Hague and Gorbunov to the station, the Crew Dragon was filled with clothing and supplies for Wilmore and Williams, who were launched on June 5 during the Starliner's first crewed test flight, reported CBS.

Initially, the mission was expected to last eight to ten days.

However, various helium leaks in the Starliner's propulsion system, coupled with reduced thrust in five manoeuvring jets, led NASA to decide to bring the spacecraft down earlier this month without its crew.

As per the CBS News, consequently, NASA opted to launch the Crew 9 Dragon with only two of its original crew members, allowing the ship to return Wilmore and Williams to Earth at the end of its mission in February.

By the time they land aboard the Crew 9 capsule around February 22, they will have spent over 262 days in space.

Some have described the Crew Dragon flight as a "rescue" mission. However, Wilmore and Williams have always had a path home, first via their spacecraft, then aboard Crew 8 Dragon, and after Sunday's docking, via Crew 9 Dragon.

NASA deemed this option as the least disruptive to the ISS crew rotation schedule.

During a post-launch press conference, Sarah Walker, director of Dragon mission management for SpaceX, expressed her support, stating, "At SpaceX, we were all cheering on our NASA and our Boeing friends for a successful CFT (Cre Flight Test) mission."

She added, "Bringing new human spaceflight capabilities is exciting, but these early test flights come with lessons learned, always. We still learn something every single time we fly. We've had our share of hardware challenges."

Transitioning from a four-member crew to just two posed a unique challenge for Hague and Gorbunov, as well as Wilmore and Williams, who were not trained for flight aboard a Crew Dragon.

"We're going to launch as a two-person crew, and then we're going to land as a four-person crew," Hague explained.

"And one of the unique challenges of that is, how do we integrate the other two crew members into the Dragon operations when they've had very minimal Dragon training before they launched?"

Hague noted that the ground teams have been instrumental in preparing both crews, stating, "The teams on the ground have helped not only get us ready, but they've already started helping Butch and Suni train to understand what they're going to need to do inside of the Dragon. That's going to be a top priority when we get there, (helping) them understand what they're going to need to do to operate as part of the Crew 9 crew."

A Space Force colonel, Hague is a former F-16 test pilot and combat veteran with 203 days logged in space from a previous mission. His extensive experience was likely a significant factor in NASA's decision to assign him to the commander's role for this revised mission, the CBS News reported.

Gorbunov retained his seat aboard the Crew 9 Dragon as part of a contract between NASA and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency. This arrangement ensures that Russian Soyuz spacecraft carry one NASA astronaut on each flight to the ISS while a cosmonaut launches on each four-seat Crew Dragon.

This strategy guarantees that at least one crew member from each country is present on the ISS, even in the event of an emergency requiring an unplanned return to Earth. While Gorbunov is not trained to pilot the Crew Dragon, he will occupy the pilot's seat during launch to assist Hague.

"Essentially, we're flying without a pilot, and so fundamentally, the commander is responsible for keeping the crew safe, keeping the vehicle safe, and making sure we get the mission done," Hague noted. "And so those responsibilities haven't changed."

"Alex is going to be working to support me during all the dynamic phases of flight and provide me with the extra set of eyes, the extra set of hands that I would need and that I would leverage if I had a pilot sitting next to me. So in that way, it's not very different," he added. (ANI)
Thousands of tribals residing in the core zones of India's tiger reserves have launched protests against the government's directive to accelerate their relocation from these areas.

A tiger seen inside the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. Photograph: ANI Photo

The tribal communities, asserting their rights under the Forest Rights Act, are now planning to gather in Delhi to demand "justice" for their livelihoods and traditions that are closely linked to the forests.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority issued an order on June 19, directing forest officials to expedite the rehabilitation of 64,801 families from 591 villages located within the core areas of 54 tiger reserves.

"The progress of village relocation is very slow and it poses grave concern in light of tiger conservation. It will be highly appreciated if the issue of village relocation may be taken up on a priority basis and timeline may be framed for smooth relocation of the villages from the core/critical tiger habitat areas," the NTCA letter read.

NTCA member secretary Gobindsagar Bhardwaj told PTI that the directions were issued in accordance with the law.

"The letter is part of a routine exercise, and the relocation of villages from tiger reserves is entirely voluntary. There is no confusion. It appears that some people have misinterpreted the letter," he said.

A tiger reserve consists of two zones -- the core (critical tiger habitat) and the buffer (peripheral area).

According to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, core areas must remain "inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation".

The buffer areas, in contrast, permit sustainable human activities alongside wildlife conservation.

Tribal and indigenous communities residing in the core areas say they have lived in harmony with nature and forests for generations and their livelihoods, culture, and traditions are deeply connected to the forest ecosystem.

Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, these communities are granted individual and community rights to access, manage and use forest resources, as well as live in these forests.

However, they argue that the "contentious" and "delayed" implementation of FRA has left them vulnerable to forced eviction.

Over the last two weeks, protests have erupted in several tiger reserves, including Rajaji (Uttarakhand), Nagarhole (Karnataka), Udanti-Sitanadi (Chhattisgarh), Achanakmar (Chhattisgarh), and Kaziranga (Assam), against the NTCA's relocation directive.

Community leaders plan a rally in Delhi in October-November, calling for the swift implementation of the FRA and the revocation of the NTCA order.

Seemanchal, a resident of Lormi village in the core area of Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh, said around 3,000 people from five Baiga community villages could be affected by the NTCA's order.

The Baigas, a particularly vulnerable tribal group, rely on shifting cultivation and forest resources for their livelihood.

"There were 25 villages in the reserve. People in six were relocated in 2013-14, but their situation worsened. They are now daily wage labourers living in deplorable conditions," Seemanchal said.

Of the remaining 19 villages, 14 received community forest rights in 2022-23 through the efforts of ATR Sangharsh Samiti, but the process is still pending for five villages.

He said if the forest dwellers remain in the area, their rights will be restricted -- they won't be allowed to graze cattle, collect water, or gather forest produce like Tendu leaves or Mahua flowers.

On the other hand, if relocated, they would be forced into unfamiliar and exploitative work conditions, he claimed.

Benipuri Goswami, a forest rights activist in Chhattisgarh, said villagers from the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve recently protested at the offices of district magistrates in Gariaband and Dhamtari.

According to him, 34 villages in Dhamtari and 17 in Gariaband fall within the reserve's core zone. Only 21 villages in Dhamtari and nine in Gariaband have been granted community rights, he said.

The protesters submitted a letter to Union Environment Minister and NTCA chairman Bhupender Yadav, expressing concern over the relocation directive.

The letter said that the rights and roles of tribal communities are crucial to sustainable conservation and are protected by national and international laws.

"The NTCA order is a direct violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013," the letter read, warning the order could lead to "conflict and confrontation" between state authorities and forest communities.

Arjun Nayak, a member of the Bhunjia tribe in Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, said, "Most of the people in these villages belong to Bhunjia and Kamar PVTGs. We live in harmony with nature and protect forest resources from exploitation by greedy industries. That is why they want us removed."

He said the affected villagers plan to converge in Delhi during the next Parliament session, to protest the NTCA order.

Representatives from protected areas across the country will participate and they plan to meet the opposition leaders to urge them to raise the issue in Parliament, Nayak said.

Villagers from the Gauri Range area of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand also protested last week.

Following this, the Van Gujjar Tribal Yuva Sangathan sent letters to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, and the NTCA, objecting to the relocation order.

"The (NTCA) letter violates the rights and role of forest-dependent communities in conservation and is in complete violation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 and Wildlife Protection Act 2006 and LARR 2013," the Sangathan's letter said.

Its founder Mohd Meer Hamja said while the NTCA claims relocation is voluntary, restrictions on core area residents force them to leave.

He warned the NTCA order will affect thousands living in the core zones of Rajaji Tiger Reserve and Jim Corbett National Park, where the NTCA letter "doesn't even acknowledge the rights of long-standing forest communities".

Reacting to the NTCA order and protests that followed, Caroline Pearce, the director of UK-based NGO Survival International said, "These evictions are unlawful according to both national and international law, and don't work. The forest, the indigenous people and the tigers can't survive without one another."
The intense campaigning for the third and final phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election concluded on Sunday evening, with major political parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, National Conference and People's Democratic Party, engaging in fierce exchanges over critical issues, including Pakistan, Article 370, terrorism and reservation.

Photograph: Umar Ganie/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti addressing people during the campaigning for the party candidate from Gulmarg assembly constituency, Shabir Ahmad Mir, in Gulmarg, September 29, 2024.

Voting for this crucial phase, covering 40 assembly segments across seven districts -- Jammu, Udhampur, Samba and Kathua in the Jammu region and Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara in north Kashmir -- is scheduled for October 1.

The electoral fate of 415 candidates, including former deputy chief ministers Tara Chand (Congress) and Muzaffar Beig, are at stake in this phase.

The voter turnout was robust in the earlier phases, with 61.38 percent participation recorded in the first phase on September 18 and 57.31 percent in the second phase on September 26.

This is the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019, with the results set to be announced on October 8.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign, emphasising the party's initiatives over the last 10 years to address what he described as "decades of injustice and historic discrimination".

His remarks at a rally at the MAM Stadium were aimed at galvanising support for the BJP in the party's traditional stronghold, asserting that the Union Territory status for Jammu and Kashmir is merely "temporary" and promising restoration of statehood.

The BJP achieved its best poll performance in Jammu and Kashmir in the 2014 assembly election, winning 18 seats from the four Jammu districts and securing a total of 25 seats.

Historically, the saffron party has never won any assembly seat in the Kashmir valley.

Senior BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and party president J P Nadda, have actively campaigned, accusing the Congress, National Conference and People's Democratic Party of pursuing a "Pakistani agenda" and fostering terrorism -- a claim vehemently denied by these parties.

Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have also campaigned vigorously, promising to restore statehood in Jammu and Kashmir and provide a "people-friendly" government in a coalition with the NC.

Following a disappointing performance in the 2014 election -- when the Congress failed to win any seat from the Jammu districts -- there is hope for a stronger show by the party this time, buoyed by anti-incumbency sentiments against the BJP.

However, the Congress faced a setback when Kharge experienced dizziness while addressing a rally in Kathua on Sunday, though his condition was stable following medical care. The Congress president had to cancel his last rally at Udhampur.

The NC and the PDP, led by former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, have also intensified their outreach efforts, criticising the BJP for an uptick in terror incidents in Jammu over the last three years.

Omar Abdullah challenged the BJP's narrative, suggesting that by blaming the opposition, they absolve Pakistan of accountability.

In the 2014 Assembly polls, the PDP won seven of the 15 seats in north Kashmir, while the NC and Congress secured three and two seats respectively.

According to election officials, all necessary arrangements, including security measures, are in place, ensuring a secure environment for the voters.

The campaigning period, characterised by a political frenzy involving numerous candidates, including independents, concluded peacefully at 6 pm, marking the start of the mandatory 48-hour silent period before polling.

In the final phase, Jammu district has the highest number of candidates at 109, followed by Baramulla (101), Kupwara (59), Bandipora (42), Udhampur (37), Kathua (35) and Samba (32).

While the NC and the Congress are contesting the election in an alliance, their top leaders have largely campaigned separately for this phase. Rahul Gandhi addressed rallies in Jammu city and Sopore, a region previously known for separatism and insurgency.

Emerging regional players, such as People's Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone and Awami Ittehad Party chief Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, have also been active in the campaign. Rashid's party has fielded his brother Khursheed Ahmad from Langate while Lone's party is contesting two seats.

As the political landscape evolves, the entry of Jamaat-e-Islami-backed candidates in some north Kashmir constituencies adds another layer of complexity to this competitive electoral battle.
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JAMAICA  A skills park is being built on land around Jamaica Village School to introduce more people to mountain biking and build community.

Karen Ameden of Jamaica Area Mountain Bike Alliance said her group has a land use agreement with the West River Education District to create the park.

"We have started breaking ground with a professional trail building team and we've started fundraising," she said at a recent WRED Board meeting. "It seems to all be working out very well."

Ameden and Heidi Pancake started JAMBA in 2019. Ameden told the Reformer the group has "made good progress and are really in the middle of working to make connections to different corners of Jamaica and into our surrounding town, trying to make these connections and trails with our neighbors."

"We are excited about this mountain biking skills loop that is going in," she said.

About of years ago, JAMBA President Jason Rickles moved from Woodstock to Jamaica. He had been part of another Vermont Mountain Bike Association chapter.

Getting involved in Jamaica was "really exciting because there's this very nascent chapter down here," Rickles said. He wants to promote mountain bike culture in the community.

When Rickles joined JAMBA, the group had just secured a land access deal with the federal government to build trails at Ball Mountain Dam. During flooding, he said, the trails "survived pretty well intact as a testament to some modern trail building and how well it's generally done."

A skills park at the school had already been on the docket when he joined. He said the project is exciting, as it's located in the village and trails become "community centers."

Sinuosity: Flowing Trails is building the skills park. Led by Brooke Scatchard, the company has constructed trails in Dorset, Dover, Stratton Mountain Resort and other areas.

"Brooke's big thing is sustainability and aesthetics of the natural environment," Rickles said, crediting him with determining the project would be clear of triggering permitting related to wetlands, affect the fewest number of trees and not get in the way of school operations.

New skills park added at Dorset's Raptor Lane Trails DORSET  A new skills park for novice to intermediate riders and children opened at Raptor L

Earlier this summer, Sinuosity wrapped up building a skills park at Dorset's Raptor Lane Trails. On Tuesday, Scatchard told the Reformer he expects the Jamaica project will begin in earnest in a week or two.

Rickles said the hope is to have the first phase done before winter.

"It's really low impact," he told the board. "It really just crosses the field."

Additions in the second phase involve creating lines for varying difficulties. Signage will say the skills park is not available during the school day except for the students.

Greg Frost, director of operations at Windham Central Supervisory Union, said the project should be "minimally intrusive" but would have "some impact on the playground area."
BENNINGTON  A midday raid on a single-family residence on South Street in Bennington Wednesday culminated in the arrest of several individuals on charges ranging from drug and gun possession, distribution, manufacturing, and several outstanding warrants.

Eight individuals were arrested on the scene by members of the Bennington Police Department and agents from Homeland Security. Police entered the single-family home at 527 South Street by force on a court-ordered search warrant after information revealed ongoing drug activity at the location less than a mile from the Four Corners section of Downtown Bennington.

The team of armed police entered the building at 2:52 PM after officers closed off a section of South Street to approaching southbound traffic. Bennington Police canine Gracie could be heard barking loudly at the side of the residence as an unidentified individual pointed a handgun outside a second-floor window and then retreated inside. Moments later, several school-aged minors exited the front door of the single-family residence with their hands up. The minors were immediately escorted to a safe area away from the home by multiple officers.

According to a Bennington Police Department press release and the state's informing charging document, officers encountered Jordan Feliciano on the second floor of the residence during the warrant execution. He was armed with a Glock 17 pistol with a 27-round extended magazine. Feliciano tossed the firearm away from his person after making contact with law enforcement Officers. Feliciano and seven other offenders were taken into custody without further incident.

The first of those exiting the building in handcuffs was Feliciano, the reported ringleader of the suspected drug operation and the individual who pointed the weapon out of the window. Feliciano, 31, is a fugitive from justice from Hartford, CT. He is currently charged with several counts, including Fentanyl trafficking, conspiracy, manufacture or cultivation of regulated drugs, weapons possession during the commission of a felony, cocaine possession, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, cruelty to children, and a violation of being a person prohibited from possessing firearms.

A vehicle in Jordan Feliciano's control was seized at the scene and impounded pending an application for a search warrant. The search warrant resulted in the recovery of a loaded 50-round drum magazine for a Glock 17. A replica pistol was also located in the vehicle, resembling an actual firearm.

Feliciano is a Fugitive from Justice in the State of Connecticut. He is wanted for parole violations related to drug and weapons offenses there. Feliciano is also wanted in Windham County, Vermont, for weapons and drug related offenses.

Reina Sosa, age 19, of New Britain, CT, was also arrested at the scene. Sosa is charged with Fentanyl trafficking, cocaine possession, conspiracy, manufacture or cultivation of regulated drugs, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, and cruelty to children.

Arraignments for Feliciano and Sosa were held Thursday at the Bennington Superior Court.

Bennington Judge Jennifer Barrett did not find probable cause to charge Feliciano with cruelty to a child. He pleaded not guilty to all other charges and is currently held without bail. A weight of evidence hearing is currently scheduled for October 10.

Sosa was also arraigned Thursday. Bennington Judge Jennifer Barrett did not find probable cause for the child cruelty charge for Sosa as well. He was released on 24/7 curfew at his home in Hartford, CT.

Also arrested at the scene was Darren Dwyer, age 33, of Bennington. He is charged with conspiracy, cruelty to children, and possession/control of regulated drugs. Dwyer was released on a citation and an order to appear at a later date.

Amanda Gibbons, 40, of Bennington is charged with conspiracy, cruelty to children, and possession/control of regulated drugs. Gibbons was released on a citation to appear.

Tia Woodin, 40, of Bennington was arrested on an in-state Vermont Warrant. Woodin was taken into custody. On Thursday, Woodin appeared in front of a Bennington Judge on her outstanding arrest warrant. She was released without bail.

Kayla Willette, 34, of Bennington, is charged with violating her Conditions of Release on a prior charge. She was released on a citation to appear on the new charge. Willette faces numerous other charges Bennington, including petty larceny, unlawful trespass into an occupied dwelling, unlawful trespass-land, burglary, domestic assault, unlawful mischief, and cocaine possession. Willette is currently released on an unsecured bond.

Billie Jean Adams, 30, of Pownal is charged with Fentanyl sale and cocaine possession. Adams was released on a citation to appear.

Nathan Silva, 33, of Bennington, was charged with cocaine possession and Fentanyl sales. Silva was released on a citation to appear. Silva pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint in 2022. He pleaded guilty in 2022 to simple assault and unlawful mischief, as well as living the scene of a crash and false info to a police officer.

Police recovered several drugs at the scene, including Fentanyl, cocaine, and prescription pain medications. They also recovered digital scales, approximately $5,000.00 US currency, a Glock 17 pistol with two loaded 27-round magazines, and manufacturing and packaging materials. In a seized vehicle parked next to the property, police found the 50-round drum magazine.

Members of the Bennington Police Department continue to work diligently at keeping our community safe, said Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette in a statement to the Banner after the raid. These investigations take time, and I want to remind community members experiencing this type of activity to work with the police department and provide as much information as possible. These investigations are complex and require cooperation from many sources. Receiving information from the public is highly encouraged and assists us with criminal investigations. The investigation and search warrant executed at 527 South Street is another example of how drugs and addiction affect families and the community.

The Bennington Police Department was assisted in the raid by Homeland Security Investigations, the Vermont National Guard Counterdrug operation, the Bennington County States Attorneys Office, the Bennington County Sheriffs Office, and the United Counseling Service. The New England State Police Information Network Intel Unit also provided real-time assistance in identifying out-of-state offenders. They were in contact with North Carolina and Florida Fusion Centers through the investigation.

During the search of 527 South Street, officers were able to safely remove three children under the age of 10 from the residence and bring them to a safe location. The children met with a crisis clinician while waiting for a family member to arrive.

If you observe or know of any suspected drug activity in and around Bennington, please call 911 or the Bennington Police Department at 802-442-1030.

Vermont News & Media will update this story as more information becomes available.
Ugandan president commissions Chinese-built mega hydropower project

Xinhua) 13:07, September 29, 2024

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong plant a tree together at the Karuma dam site in Kiryandongo, Uganda, Sept. 26, 2024. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned the Chinese-built 600-megawatt Karuma Hydropower Station and the Karuma Interconnection Project in the midwestern Ugandan district of Kiryandongo. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

KARUMA, Uganda, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned the Chinese-built 600-megawatt Karuma Hydropower Station and the Karuma Interconnection Project in the midwestern Ugandan district of Kiryandongo.

A special ceremony was held Thursday to mark the occasion, which was also attended by Uganda's Vice President Jessica Alupo, ministers, senior officials, and development partners among others.

Museveni thanked China for financing the construction of the hydropower project, noting that access to adequate and affordable electricity is one of the key factors that can fast-track his country's economy.

"I am very grateful that our Chinese friends came in, they said not only can we do it technically (construction), but we can co-fund it. That is how we have been able to build this wonderful facility," the president said.

The president hailed China for its announcement at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing early this month, where the Asian country gave all the least developed countries it has diplomatic relations with, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines.

Museveni said China by opening up its market would benefit African countries.

The hydropower project, constructed both on the surface and underground River Nile, the world's longest river, was jointly financed by the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) of China and the Ugandan government. The project, believed to be Uganda's largest of the kind, cost 1.7 billion U.S. dollars.

Ugandan Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Ruth Nankabirwa said the project would be a vital part of Uganda's electricity infrastructure to supply power to different parts of the country and the region.

She said the commissioning of the Karuma project is also a signal of Uganda's transition to green energy.

Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong said the commissioning of the hydropower project represented a milestone in the cooperation between China and Uganda.

"Karuma Hydropower Project would not only connect millions of households with affordable electricity, supply power for some of the most dynamic industrial areas in Uganda, and promote its green economic transformation, but also give the Pearl of Africa a huge boost as the regional electricity hub and contribute to sustainable clean energy for East African development," said Zhang.

China's state-owned engineering and construction company Sinohydro Corporation Limited started the construction of the hydropower project in 2013, employing more than 50,000 workers.

Karuma is the second power plant financed by China after the 183-megawatt Isimba Hydropower Plant, which was commissioned in 2019.

This photo taken on Sept. 26, 2024 shows the Karuma dam at the Karuma Hydropower Station in Kiryandongo, Uganda. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned the Chinese-built 600-megawatt Karuma Hydropower Station and the Karuma Interconnection Project in the midwestern Ugandan district of Kiryandongo. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (in white) is briefed during the commissioning of the Chinese-built 600-megawatt Karuma Hydropower Station in Kiryandongo, Uganda, Sept. 26, 2024. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned the Chinese-built 600-megawatt Karuma Hydropower Station and the Karuma Interconnection Project in the midwestern Ugandan district of Kiryandongo. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
On the night of September 29, Ukrainian drones could have attacked the Russian Millerovo airfield in Rostov Oblast, where enemy tactical aircraft are based. The NASA Firms monitoring system detected a fire on and near the airfield.

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At the same time, the Kremlin propagandists and the Russian Ministry of Defense claim different numbers of UAVs. This was reported by the Defense Express portal.

The Millerovo airfield, located 200 km from the current front line, could have come under attack by long-range drones. On the afternoon of September 29, a monitoring system detected a fire near the airfield, which could have been the result of a UAV strike.

Analysts note that it is too early to talk about the effectiveness of the attack. Moreover, we should not rule out the fact that, given the long time it took for the UAV to reach the target, the occupiers were able to take off from the airfield.

It is worth noting that Kremlin propagandists claimed that more than 20 drones were attacked, all of which were allegedly shot down. At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense reports different numbers. The terrorist agency said that 18 drones were allegedly shot down within the Rostov region, 13 of them directly in the Millerovsky district.

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As a reminder, on the night of September 29, the Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed another large Russian ammunition depot, this time in the Volgograd region. The enemy arsenal near the town of Kotluban, hundreds of kilometers from Ukraine, was hit thanks to a joint operation by the DIU, the SOF, the SBU, the Foreign Intelligence Service and the Armed Forces, which launched about 120 drones of various types.

As previously reported, on September 29, it became known that explosions were heard in seven regions of Russia at night, and Russian publics and local chats were flooded with photos and videos of fires from various regions where cotton has now blossomed.

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The New Zealand Defence Force has hit the brakes on plans to replace its aging ECC6 SAP software with the vendors new cloud-based S/4HANA suite.

In February, NZDF said it was aiming to release a registration of interest seeking responses experienced providers to fill the role of managing partner to support the implementation.

NZDF then planned to procure a system implementer and business integrator to support the project around July with market engagement to start around September.

However, a notice posted on the government tenders website last week described the Future ERP programme as pre-cabinet approval. Planning for further partner procurements had been temporarily paused, it said.

The NZDF plans to submit a business case to cabinet to seek funding for the initial phases of the Future ERP programme and once there is more information and/or certainty regarding funding and timeframes, an update to market will follow, the notice said.

Last year, SAP announced support for its ECC6 platform would end in 2027.
Israel's military widened its attacks on Iran-backed militant groups, striking the Yemeni port city of Hodeida that is held by Tehran-allied Huthi rebels, even as it intensified air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon, raising fears among global leaders of an all-out Middle East war.

"In a large-scale air operation today, dozens of air-force aircraft, including fighter jets, refueling planes, and reconnaissance aircraft, attacked military-use targets of the Huthi terrorist regime in the Ras Issa and Hodeida areas of Yemen," military spokesman Captain David Avraham told AFP on September 29.

The military said the air strikes targeted a Huthi-operated power plant and seaport used to import oil and to allegedly receive Iranian weapons. Israel has previously attacked the port, most recently in July.

Yemen has endured a civil war since 2014, when Huthi rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, prompting Saudi-led forces to intervene in support of the internationally recognized government and leading to a massive humanitarian disaster in the country of some 40 million people on the southern Arabian Peninsula.

The vast majority of humanitarian aid arrives through Hodeida's deep-water port, although much of that has been disrupted since the Huthis seized the facility.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on September 29 that Israel would strike at foes no matter the distance.

Yemen's Huthi rebels, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza are considered to be Iranian proxies in the region. The Huthi rebels have been targeting ships in the Persian Gulf and launching missiles toward Israel over the past year, claiming it is in support of Hamas fighters in Gaza.

Hezbollah and Hamas have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United States. The European Union also designates Hamas as a terrorist organization, as it does Hezbollah's armed wing but not its political party.

Israel's continued aerial attacks on Lebanon and now in Yemen come amid mounting calls from the United Nations and major powers  including close ally Washington -- for an easing of hostilities.

France announced that Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had arrived in Beirut late on September 29 after Barrot spoke by phone with caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Paris also called for "an immediate halt to Israeli strikes in Lebanon."

Mikati said in a televised speech earlier in the day that Lebanon had "no option but the diplomatic option."

U.S. President Joe Biden on September 29 told reporters that he would soon being speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, although he didn't give a date.

Asked if an all-out war in the Middle East could still be prevented, he said: "It has to be. We really have to avoid it."

U.S. national-security spokesman John Kirby earlier warned that all-out war would not help Israel safely return people to their homes in the north of the country near the Lebanese border, where many thousands have been evacuated.

"An all-out war with Hezbollah, certainly with Iran, is not the way to do that. If you want to get those folks back home safely and sustainably, we believe that a diplomatic path is the right course," Kirby told CNN.

Kirby also said Washington was talking to Israeli leaders about what the best next measures in Lebanon might be and reiterated that U.S. support for Israels security was "iron-clad."

But he added that "we have made no bones about the fact that we don't necessarily see the tactical execution the same way that they do in terms of protection [of civilians]."

Iran has vowed a response for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a massive Israeli air strike in Beirut on September 27 and has signaled continuing support for groups confronting Israel, but it is also seeking an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Israel's defense forces said on September 29 that they had conducted a "precise strike" on Hezbollah's southern Beirut stronghold.

Mikati has warned that the fighting could be displacing as many as 1 million Lebanese civilians.

Hezbollah confirmed that Israel's attacks killed the seventh of its leaders to die since mid-September, when Nabil Kaouk died on September 28.

Hezbollah also confirmed Israel's earlier assertion that another of its senior commanders, southern forces commander Ali Karaki, had died in the strike that killed Nasrallah.

WATCH: Police in Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi, fired tear gas and warning shots after protesters rallying against the death of Hassan Nasrallah threw stones and tried to cross barriers blocking access to the U.S. Consulate.

In response to the Israeli assault on Lebanon, Hezbollah has intensified its strikes on Israel, firing several hundred missiles a day, causing some injuries and property damage, although most have been intercepted by Israeli defense systems.

Netanyahu described the assassination of Nasrallah as a necessary move toward "changing the balance of power in the region for years to come."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was quoted by the official Fars news agency as saying in New York that "Everyone should be aware that the situation is extremely explosive, and that everything is possible...even war." He said that "this horrible crime...will not go unanswered."

But with analysts expressing doubt about Tehran's willingness to risk a direct conflict with Israel or its ally the United States, he also signaled a diplomatic push. "The diplomatic apparatus will also use all its political, diplomatic, legal, and international capacities to pursue the criminals and their supporters," Araqchi said.

UN Security Council permanent members the United States and China urged de-escalation, while Russia warned of "fraught" and "dramatic" consequences for the region.

In his first statement since Israeli forces and Hezbollah confirmed the death of Nasrallah in massive air strikes in Beirut, Netanyahu said "Nasrallah was not a terrorist, he was the terrorist."

AFP and Reuters, both citing sources, reported on September 29 that Nasrallah's body had been recovered in Lebanon but that no date had been set for a funeral.



The Lebanese escalation comes as Israel's war in Gaza nears the one-year mark since U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist group Hamas launched a cross-border attack that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, many of them civilians.



There are fears of a rapidly expanding conflict that could include an Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon and eventually draw Iran and the United States directly into the fighting.

Israeli officials have said that a ground invasion of Lebanon is among their potential options.

Iranian media reported that Israel's September 27 attacks in Beirut had also killed a senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).



On September 28, Iran's mission to the United Nations reportedly called in a letter for an emergency meeting of the 15-member Security Council.



Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani is said to have accused Israel of committing "a flagrant act of terrorist aggression against residential areas in Beirut, using U.S.-supplied thousand-pound bunker busters."



On September 29, official media quoted the speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, as pledging ongoing Iranian support for groups that "resist" Israel.

"We will not hesitate to go to any level in order to help the resistance," Qalibaf said, adding an accusation that the United States was "complicit" and "has to accept the repercussions."



UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "gravely concerned" by the "dramatic escalation" in Lebanon. "This cycle of violence must stop now, and all sides must step back from the brink," Guterres said in a statement. "The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war."



Security Council member Russia has condemned the killing of Nasrallah as "yet another political assassination" that is "fraught with even greater dramatic consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East."



On September 29, China's Foreign Ministry urged all parties, but especially Israel, to act to de-escalate the situation.

Pope Francis appealed to all parties involved in the ongoing violence "to cease fire immediately in Lebanon, in Gaza, in the rest of Palestine, and in Israel."

With reporting by Reuters and dpa
Israel on October 7 marked the somber anniversary of the Hamas attack on the Jewish state that killed more than 1,200 people and took some 250 hostages as the Israeli military continued its massive air strikes on Beirut and its incursion in southern Lebanon that aims to destroy the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog led a national moment of silence at 6:29 a.m., the time the attack started, at Kibbutz Reim, the site of the Nova music festival where hundreds of mostly young revelers were killed by gunmen from Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union.

In Washington, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned Hamas on the anniversary, while also stating again the U.S. administration's commitment to reaching cease-fire agreements to end fighting in both Gaza and Lebanon.

"On this solemn anniversary, let us bear witness to the unspeakable brutality of the October 7 attacks but also to the beauty of the lives that were stolen that day," Biden said in a statement.

The Israeli military said that during the ceremony led by Herzog, four projectiles were launched from Gaza toward the same Israeli communities targeted at the start of last year's attack. The military said the ceremony was not disrupted.

In Jerusalem, relatives of the some 100 hostages still in Hamas captivity, many of whom are believed dead, gathered outside the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and stood in silence as a siren wailed in a gesture of protest against what relatives say is the failure of the government to secure their loved ones' release.



Following the October 7 attack, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza that has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas.



The Israeli military said on October 7 that over the past year, it has bombed more than 40,000 targets in Gaza, found 4,700 tunnel shafts and destroyed 1,000 rocket launcher sites.



The conflict in Gaza is still raging while Israel is now fighting on a second front in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah.



Early on October 7, Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by the United States, fired rockets into the north Israeli cities of Haifa and Tiberias, causing damage and some minor injuries, Israeli police said.



The European Union has blacklisted Hezbollah's armed wing but not its political unit, which holds seats in the Lebanese parliament.

Amid the military activity at the individual level, the private lives of civilians throughout the region have been disrupted.

In the ancient city of Beersheba in southern Israel, Irena Stein, who left Albania in 1991 to resettle in the country, told RFE/RL's Kosovo Service that life in recent times had been filled with "sadness and pain."

"We had several months of rockets. Then, the number of rockets decreased, and we continued with daily life, like someone who goes on with their life after the seven days of mourning with a great pain in the heart," said Stein, who is in her late 60s.

"There's this feeling like something might happen, that we should be cautious. But I believe you can't live with fear, so we've continued our lives, always praying to God that nothing happens to us."

She said that in Beersheba -- where human activity can be traced to the fourth millennium BC -- things have been calm since rockets were last heard on September 29. But she lamented that throughout Israel, "We suffer from this situation, and the Palestinian people suffer from it, too."

"The Lebanese people also suffer...everyone suffers. But as they say, peace must be decided at the highest level."

Meanwhile, in a Lebanese mountain village southeast of Beirut, local resident Hadi Zahwe told reporters an Israeli strike on October 6 was "terrifying."

"There were children killed, there were children's body parts. This enemy is targeting civilian women and children," he said.

Netanyahu has insisted that Israeli forces are targeting terrorist strongholds and that civilian fatalities have been extremely low in the recent military actions.

Israel in recent weeks has been bombing Beirut's southern suburbs and has staged a ground incursion into south Lebanon in its drive to wipe out Hezbollah's capabilities and leadership.



The Israeli campaign on Hezbollah prompted the group's patron, Iran, to respond by attacking the Jewish state with a large wave of rockets that were largely shot down by Israeli air defenses without causing substantial damage, but the attack renewed fears of a a larger regional conflict.



Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on October 6 threatened Iran that it might eventually find itself looking like Beirut or Gaza -- which has also been battered over the past year -- if Tehran attempts to further harm Israel.



"The Iranians did not touch the air force's capabilities. No aircraft were damaged, no squadron was taken out of order," Gallant said in reference to the Iranian missile strike, which caused few injuries and slight damage to two air force bases.

"Whoever thinks that a mere attempt to harm us will deter us from taking action should take a look at [Israels operations] in Gaza and Beirut."



Israel earlier said it conducted a series of "targeted strikes" on "weapons storage facilities" and infrastructure sites that belong to Iran-backed Hezbollah.



Lebanon's official National News Agency said Hezbollah's stronghold in the area was hit by more than 30 strikes. A petrol station and a medical supplies warehouse were hit by the air raids.



Video footage showed huge flames and plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky as residents fled their homes in panic with explosions echoing in the background.



Many observers said the attacks were the strongest yet of Israel's recent air strikes.

Beiruts Skyline Lit Up Amid New Israeli Airstrikes No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:59 0:00

Israel has bombed Beirut's suburbs for days, killing Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and possibly his potential successor, Hashem Safieddine.



Security sources have said Safieddine had been out of contact since October 4 after an Israeli air strike near Beirut's international airport that was reported to have targeted him. Hezbollah has not commented on Safieddine.



Israel says Nasrallah was killed in a strike on the group's central command headquarters in Beirut on September 27.



Two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters on October 6 that Ismail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force -- the overseas arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) -- also had not been heard from in recent days since traveling to Lebanon.

Statements on October 6 out of the United States -- Tel Aviv's most important ally -- indicated some frustrations with the scope of Israel's military action.



"Military pressure can at times enable diplomacy. Of course, military pressure can also lead to miscalculation. It can lead to unintended consequences," a U.S. State Department spokesperson said in a statement.



The spokesperson said Washington supported Israeli actions in going after extremist elements but added that U.S. leaders but did not approve of the targeting of civilian infrastructure.



Israel says the attacks on Hezbollah are aimed at enabling the safe return of tens of thousands of citizens to homes in northern Israel, bombarded by the group since last October.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Kosovo Service and AP
Police in Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi, fired tear gas and warning shots after some protesters threw stones and tried to cross barriers blocking access to the U.S. Consulate. The protesters on September 29 rallied against the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, chief of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist group by the United States. Police officers, protesters, and journalists were injured. Shi'ite organizations held the rally in Karachi and a parallel one in the capital, Islamabad. Demonstrators displayed portraits of Nasrallah but also figures of the Iranian regime: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and Qassem Soleimani, a commander killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020.
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.
Publicly, China pretends to be a peacekeeper, while privately, it supplies arms to Russia. We are talking about the transfer of Chinese military drones and a secret arms program in China to develop long-range strike drones for use in the war against Ukraine.

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Russia also receives about 70% of machine tools and 90% of microelectronics for weapons production from China. This is described in a new analytical material of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The analysts cited a report by The Times that Western officials have discovered the supply of military drones to Russia by an unnamed company from China. They are supposed to be "tested" by the Russian military to determine whether they can be used on the battlefield in Ukraine.

This company signed a corresponding agreement with Russia in 2023 and, according to the West, there is "clear evidence that Chinese companies are supplying Russia with deadly weapons for use in Ukraine."

The Times' sources also confirm earlier reports of a secret Russian weapons program in China to develop long-range attack drones for use in Ukraine.

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And Beijing's assistance to Moscow is not limited to this. As U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken noted on September 27, about 70% of machine tool imports to the Russian Federation and about 90% of microelectronics imported to the aggressor country come from China and Hong Kong. All of this is used by Russia to produce missiles, armored vehicles and ammunition.

In view of this, Blinken emphasized, China's statements are at odds with its actions: on the one hand, Beijing says it wants peace in Ukraine, but on the other hand, it allows Chinese companies to help Russian aggression against a neighboring state.

"The PRC has repeatedly attempted to depict itself as a neutral mediator in the war in Ukraine, and continued reports of PRC aid to Russia's war effort undermine this claim," ISW summarized.

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Earlier, ISW said that the Kremlin is concerned about the discussion of allowing Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia. Therefore, the entire Kremlin elite, led by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, is trying to put pressure on the West to prevent the lifting of the restrictions.

And Russia is right to be worried. After all, even a small number of effective hits on military targets deep in Russia can have a very significant and not at all favorable impact on Moscow's ability to continue the war.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Punjab News: Here's What Harpal Cheema Said on Rumours of CM Bhagwant Manns Replacement

"He is absolutely fit now," Cheema reassured, putting to rest concerns about CM Mann's well-being.

Punjab Latest News Today Harpal Cheema on Rumours of CM Bhagwant Mann's New Replacement: Punjab's Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has reacted to the rumours suggesting that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is considering a new face for the Chief Minister's position after Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns recent hospitalization. (Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Health Update)

The speculation emerged following Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns recent hospitalization at Fortis Hospital for three days. Rumors circulated that CM Mann might be replaced, with either Harpal Cheema or Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan tipped as potential successors.

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After meeting CM Bhagwant Mann at the hospital, Harpal Cheema provided a clarification, stating that the Chief Minister is in good health and has fully recovered. "He is absolutely fit now," Cheema reassured, putting to rest concerns about CM Mann's well-being. (Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Health Update) The Finance Minister also highlighted that even during his stay in the hospital, CM Mann continued to fulfill his duties, signing several important files.

Addressing the rumors of a leadership change in an exclusive conversation with Rozana Spokesman, Cheema labeled them as "baseless" and blamed the opposition for spreading such unfounded claims. "There is no truth to these rumours. Bhagwant Mann will continue to serve as the Chief Minister of Punjab," he affirmed.

With this clear statement from Harpal Cheema, it is evident that AAP has no plans for a change in leadership, and CM Bhagwant Mann remains firmly at the helm of Punjab's government.

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(For more news apart from Punjab Latest News Today Harpal Cheema on Rumours of CM Bhagwant Mann's New Replacement, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Axiopolis

Dobrogea is considered the densest and most varied province of Romania from the point of view of the civilizations that inhabited it.

Axiopolis

Steliu Lambru, 29.09.2024, 14:00

Dobrogea is considered the densest and most varied province of Romania from the point of view of the civilizations that inhabited it. On a territory of 15,570 square kilometers, the surface of the Romanian Dobrogea, there are numerous archaeological sites and recovered artifacts that attest to the existence of overlapping cultures. In the course of time, Dobrogea was part of both the Greco-Roman world and of the Black Sea area. One of the most important centers of Greco-Roman Dobrogea was Axiopolis.

On the right bank of the Danube, not far from the river, near todays city of Cernavoda, one can find the ruins of the settlement called Axiopolis in the documents of the time. The history of this urban center spans several hundred years, its beginnings being in the Hellenistic period, between the 4th and 1st centuries before Christ, until approximately the 6th century of the Christian era. The name of the settlement is a compound noun in Greek and comes from the old Indo-European word axsaena, which means black or dark color, and the Greek polis, which means city. The name of the current city Cernavoda or Black Water is a translation that the Slavs made of the toponym when they arrived in Dobrogea at the end of the 6th century AD.

Research until the early 2000s at Axiopolis was sporadic and historical documentation inconsistent. Archaeologist Ioan Carol Opris, a professor at the University of Bucharest, has most recently researched the Axiopolis site. Here he is with details about the location of Axiopolis: The site is located on a hill, somewhere at the island of Hinoglu, an island that, meanwhile, became bigger and bigger, as the Danube arm grew smaller and smaller. In 1900 the arm was about 300 meters wide, so it was still a navigable arm, as it supposedly was in the Antiquity period. It is located about three kilometers from the foot of the Charles I bridge, after crossing a Cretaceous reef, a big limestone massif. In this large limestone massif, at one point in time, quarries were set up that supplied the workers involved in the construction of the Roman fortress, then of the Byzantine one at Axiopolis.

The first excavations were undertaken by the archaeologist Pamfil Polonic, between the years 1898-1899. Polonic took rigorous photographs, made measurements and drawings, as he was also a very good surveyor. After 1900, the excavations stopped. However, illegal diggings are mentioned in 1907 and 1912 by the numismatic journals of the time. Before the outbreak of the First World War, the site came under the jurisdiction of the army and a military barrack was established there. In the interwar period, Axiopolis was researched by one of the most famous Romanian archaeologists, namely Vasile Parvan. He believed that the settlement had been founded by the king of Hellenistic Macedonia, King Lysimachos, a general and heir of Alexander the Great, in the 4th century BC. The interest that Axiopolis aroused among Romanian archaeologists was revived after the Second World War. In 1947, the archaeologist Ion Barnea discovered an inscription which told about the martyrdom of some Christians from Dobrogea. In 2007, a new discovery put Axiopolis on the map of archaeological sites. In Balcic, the ancient Dionysopolis, an inscription was found following excavations that preceded the construction of a hotel. Its text tells of the presence at Axiopolis of a military leader Mokaporis of the Odrysian king, at the turn of the first century BC and the first century AD.

Ioan Carol Opris: We know much better about Axiopolis that, without a doubt, it must have been an emporium (a commodities hub) in the Hellenistic era and which actually knew how to take advantage of this extraordinary position on the Danube. At the same time, it also had access to the Carasu valley, a valley with lakes. But we dont even know for sure if there were lakes. It is possible that, in Antiquity, there was a direct communication line from somewhere far away, perhaps even from todays Medgidia all the way to the point where that ancient river, Axios, flew into the Danube.

Yet the area that was the most attractive for archaeologists was the Axiopolis fortress. Actually, were speaking about three fortresses, the oldest dating from the Roman period. Ioan Carol Opris is back with details: What is important in this site is the central area as the essential area, namely the old citadel A. This is how the citadels were divided. It is the old citadel A, there is also a citadel addition which is also late Roman or Roman-Byzantine, and a citadel behind citadel A, towards the high area, which is the mid-Byzantine citadel.

According to field research, Axiopolis was an important center on the Lower Danube in the first half of the first Christian millennium. The presence of Rhodes-type amphorae shows that the city had commercial relations with the surrounding area. In the Roman period, the period of maximum development, Axiopolis was an important center of a college of navigators on the Danube, the so-called nautae universi Danuvii. The stationing of the troops of the 2nd Herculia legion in the city is mentioned in documents, which showed its importance. Also, as a sign of its importance, in the 6th century, the city was raised to the rank of bishopric. (LS, EN)
On the night of September 29, Ukrainian defense forces struck another large Russian ammunition depot, this time in the Volgograd region. The enemy arsenal near the town of Kotluban, hundreds of kilometers from Ukraine, was hit by a joint operation of the DIU, the Special Operations Forces, the SBU, the Foreign Intelligence Service and the Armed Forces, which launched about 120 drones of various types at the target.

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Upon arrival, according to locals, a fire broke out at the facility, which will affect Russia's ability to strike Ukrainian cities and villages. This was reported to OBOZ.UA by intelligence sources.

The source notes that on the night of September 29, during a joint operation of the DIU, the Special Operations Forces, the SBU, the Foreign Intelligence Service and the Armed Forces, an arsenal for storing missiles, ammunition and explosives of the 1st category was hit in the village of Kotluban, Volgograd region of the Russian Federation.

The attack was carried out at around 02:30 am: Ukrainian soldiers sent 120 Ukrainian-made kamikaze drones of various types to the military facility. They had to fly over 600 kilometers to reach the target.

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In contrast to the Defense Forces' bombing of the arsenals in Tver Oblast, in the case of the warehouse near Kotlubannya, the Russians managed to prevent the release of numerous videos of the aftermath of the hit. However, eyewitnesses on social media reported loud explosions and a large-scale fire that broke out afterward.

"The hit hit ammunition and missile storage sites, which will lead to a shortage of ammunition for the Russian occupation army units," the source said.

According to the local authorities, the fire was caused by "grass burning near the military unit" - this is how Russian officials are trying to show the population that the "special military operation" is still going "according to plan."

On the morning of September 29, it became known that explosions were heard in seven regions of Russia during the night, and Russian publics and local chat rooms were filled with photos and videos of fires from various regions where the "cotton" has now blossomed.

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According to the head of the National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation, the arsenal in Volgograd Oblast was among the targets hit. He claims that Russians were storing ballistics from Iran there.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
September 29, 2024

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 29.09.2024, 14:00

Visas. Romanias foreign minister Luminita Odobescu emphasised how important it is for Romania to join the US Visa Waiver program. On a trip to the US to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, Odobescu said that, despite a series of procedures yet to be finalised, she received positive signals in respect of Romanias application. She said the team effort of the foreign and interior ministries and the prime ministers office must continue until the goal is achieved that Romanian citizens will no longer need visas to travel to the US. The government pledged to fulfil the technical criteria for joining the US Visa Waiver program by September 30th this year, which is when the US fiscal year comes to an end. The conditions include a refusal rate below 3% of visa applications for business or tourism travel to the US during the previous fiscal year.

Weather. Bad weather warnings have been updated and extended in Romania. A red code alert for torrential and heavy rain is in place in Galati county, in the south-east, from Sunday night until Monday morning. Heavy rain and wind are in fact expected until Tuesday morning across most than half of Romania. The yellow and orange code alerts remain in place today and are extended until tomorrow morning. The south-west is under a yellow code, and the north-east, south-east, the south and the mountains are under an orange code, while snow is expected in the mountains at altitudes of over 1,700 m. The weather is also becoming unstable and significantly colder in the capital Bucharest. Rain is expected later in the day, while temperatures will not go beyond 25 degrees Celsius.

Flooding. The Bucharest-Ilfov Inspectorate for Emergency Situations warned of extreme weather events on Sunday and Sunday night and urged people to seek protection and comply with the advice given by the authorities. The Inspectorate said text alerts were issued for the inhabitants of Bucharest. Across the country, the fire fighting services have despatched more equipment to boost their operational capacity. The Romanian Waters National Administration says it is keeping a close eye on the Romanian section of the Danube, with waters expected to swell in the coming days following heavy rain. A water flow of 9,000-9.500 cubic metres per second is expected as a result. Sandbag barriers have been created along the river in the sections more vulnerable to flooding to protect nearby settlements.

Middle East. The Romanian foreign ministry has again urged Romanian citizens to avoid travelling to Lebanon owing to the deterioration of the security situation in the region and those who find themselves there and cannot leave the region to inform the Romanian embassy of their whereabouts. The ministry says it is in constant contact with the embassy staff and via its consulates, with the embassies of the other EU member states and other partners in the region. The conflict between Israel and the Lebanese terrorist organisation Hezbollah has escalated after the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed by the Israeli security forces. Iran-backed Hezbollah responded with a new rocket attack against Israel and promised to continue the fight. After the Hamas attack on Israel on 7th October 2023 and Israels operations in Gaza, Hezbollah has carried out air strikes from the south of Lebanon to the north of Israel, in solidarity with

Journalist. The National Audiovisual Council in Bucharest on Saturday called for the protection of the Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu, a correspondent for the online publication HotNews. The Council also condemned the decision of Russias Federal Security Service to start criminal investigations against the Romanian journalist and two other foreign journalists, who only did their duty in the areas of conflict between Ukrainian and Russian forces. The Romanian foreign ministry also emphasised on Friday that the the media must be protected, not silenced. Moscow says the three journalists illegally crossed the Russian border from Ukraine to conduct reports in the occupied region in Kursk where the Ukrainian army launched a surprise attack on 6 August, the first by a foreign army into Russia since WWII.
Ukraine is continuing its dialogue with the United States to revise the restrictions imposed by Washington on strikes by long-range Western weapons deep into Russia. At the same time, the Defense Forces are asking for permission to hit only enemy military targets.

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In order to convince the United States, President Volodymyr Zelensky brought his Ukraine Victory Plan to the country, which he discussed with both President Joe Biden and his successor candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Zelenskyy himself spoke about whether the prospect of authorizing strikes deep into Russia has become more tangible since then in an interview with Fox News.

Answering the interviewer's question about whether Ukraine is succeeding in convincing the United States to reconsider the restrictions on the use of long-range US missiles to strike Russian territory, the President of Ukraine said that the discussion is ongoing.

"We are engaged in a dialog. But this is important, because we want to use it (American long-range weapons - Ed.) only for military purposes. It is very important for the Americans to know that we are talking about military purposes," he emphasized.

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Zelensky also noted that he is now "positive" that one of Ukraine's key partners will eventually make this important decision for the defense of our country and the preservation of Ukrainian lives. The visit to the United States, he believes, brought this moment closer.

"Yes, we have started working. We took the plan with all the details, and we handed it over to Biden. We shared some ideas about it with Kamala [Harris] and Donald [Trump]. Now I don't have any skepticism about it. I'm more positive about it. But we'll see. You know, it doesn't depend on today, it doesn't depend on us. We have done our job. I think we have done it very well," the president said.

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Earlier, after meeting with Trump, Zelensky said that he would support Ukraine if he became president of the United States. According to the head of state, he received "very direct information from Trump that he will be on our side."

Zelenskyy called the meeting, which was preceded by a loud scandal and a series of accusations from Republicans against Ukraine of "interfering in the American election," "very productive and important."

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Several European Union countries, including Germany, have already refused to buy weapons and ammunition produced by Switzerland. The reason for this was the position of neutrality regarding the war in Ukraine.

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Swissinfo reports that Germany was outraged by Switzerland's ban on the transfer of ammunition to Ukraine that was purchased 30 years ago. The EU began to consider Switzerland and its defense industry an unreliable partner.

"The countries are closely linked politically and economically and share many of the same values. Germany is also the largest buyer of Swiss weapons, ammunition and other military goods. But now it has decided to exclude Swiss companies from some Bundeswehr purchases," the publication says.

According to the data provided, the corresponding letter was sent to the federal armaments agency Armasuisse. Now there is "anxiety among Swiss defense companies," and politicians from all parties are outraged by Berlin's decision, which "does not respect the democratic process and the country's neutrality."

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The publication added that Germany has sent a clear message: Switzerland is not perceived as a reliable partner, as it has banned Berlin from transferring military equipment to Ukraine, and this is the most important thing.

Anton Pavlushko, an OSINT researcher and analyst from Germany, explained the Swiss outrage. According to him, the country's manufacturers are being "cut out" of the arms market because it has been blocking any supplies of its products to Ukraine, where the war is ongoing, for three years.

"Because it is cunningly neutral," the German-speaking analyst said of Switzerland.

He added that in one of the most recent cases, Berlin wanted to buy 100,000 camouflage nets for the Bundeswehr, but without Swiss companies.

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Reasons for the dispute and what other countries are outraged

"It all started with the fact that two years ago Switzerland banned the Germans from transferring 12,400 rounds of ammunition for Cheetahs (self-propelled anti-aircraft guns) to Ukraine. They are formally equipped with the Swiss 35-mm Oerlikon GDF cannon, the manufacturer of which was bought by Rheinmetall," the OSINT researcher said.

It is known that Germany purchased this ammunition from Switzerland 30 years ago. However, the latter denied Kyiv the right to re-export them, citing its own legislation regulating military-technical cooperation with foreign countries and explicitly prohibiting the re-export of Swiss-made military materials to warring countries.

Even though it clearly condemned Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, Bern noted that such legal provisions were binding for their military-industrial complex. This decision caused Berlin's sharp dissatisfaction, which, for its part, reminded that, as a member of the NATO defense bloc, Germany should be able to support its partners in the Alliance, in particular in the field of military assistance. And if Switzerland obstructs this, it will "have to look for other solutions," as the country has already officially notified all Swiss defense companies.

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Last year, the Netherlands followed a similar path, where the parliament decided to completely stop purchasing defense equipment from Switzerland. This followed Bern's blocking of the re-export of 96 Leopard 1 tanks stored in Italy. The Netherlands, on the other hand, was ready to pay for their repair and modernization in Germany before sending them to Ukraine.

According to media reports, Denmark and Spain are also considering the possibility of doing without Swiss military products in the future. For example, two years ago, Switzerland banned Copenhagen from transferring Piranha III wheeled armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, also citing its legislation governing military-technical cooperation. Madrid, on the other hand, wanted to transfer 35-millimeter anti-aircraft missiles imported from Switzerland to Kyiv, but Bern refused to do so as well.

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As OBOZ.UA reported, Switzerland recently expressed support for the "peace initiative" of China and Brazil to end the war in Ukraine. They said that it allegedly offers an alternative to "aggressive rhetoric that was heard at UN meetings by Ukraine and Russia".

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The Swiss Council of States, the upper house of the country's Federal Assembly, has rejected a proposal by its colleagues from the National Council to provide Ukraine with helmets and bulletproof vests. Swiss lawmakers again cited their country's neutrality law.

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The decision of the Cantonal Council was made amid heated discussions, according to the media in Switzerland. The fact is that the Ukrainian request for helmets and body armor is more than two years old. At the same time, Switzerland provides Ukraine with other similar assistance, such as mine detectors, without any problems.

Each time the government rejected the request for helmets and body armor, it made the same reference to the country's neutral status, but the specific wording was always different. This time, it sounds like this: people in Ukraine may use helmets and vests for both civilian and military purposes.

The Swiss opposition, in particular the Liberal and Social Democrat parties, tried to convince their colleagues in the Council of Cantons that the request was for helmets and body armor exclusively for civilian Ukrainians - for utility workers, doctors, rescuers, etc.

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The lawmakers also said that this was absurd: Switzerland supplies Ukraine with demining equipment to protect people after an attack, but not bulletproof vests for prevention.

However, the president of the Security Policy Committee, Werner Salzmann, replied that "the Swiss army does not have enough protective vests for all soldiers and not a single helmet for the civilian population." In response, according to Neue Zurcher Zeitung, "the lawmaker looked quite angry."

According to opposition lawmakers, Switzerland, whether it wants to or not, is "playing in Russia's favor" with this decision.

As reported, Switzerland expressed support for the "peace initiative" of China and Brazil to end the war in Ukraine. This "initiative" was rejected by the US and the EU as "Moscow's military strategy."

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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On the night of March 26, 1945, near the end of World War II, a group of British special forces paratroopers, together with Italian partisans, as part of what was known as Operation Tombola, attacked the headquarters of the German 51st Mountain Corps. The German soldiers were installed in two villas, the Villa Rossi and the Villa Calvi, in Albinea, near Modena, north of the Gothic Line. The party included a Scottish bagpiper who played Highland Laddie, to emphasize that they were British forces, so as to avoid Nazi reprisals against the local Italian population.

During that action  worthy of adventure novels or films, such as The Dirty Dozen (1967) or Inglourious Basterds (2009)  a Special Air Service (SAS) soldier stood out for his bravery and ferocity. He stormed into the Villa Rossi, killing six German officers on the spiral staircase leading to the upper floors. And, when one of the operations commanders  his captain  was wounded, he carried him outside and took him to safety amid intense enemy fire.

For two days, the SAS man and another paratrooper carried their officer on a ladder, which they turned into a makeshift stretcher. Meanwhile, furious German patrols, eager for revenge, combed the area. The soldier was awarded the Military Medal from the British Armed Forces, as he had displayed remarkable courage during and after the attack. It was also noted that his intelligence and initiative in a foreign country 30 miles behind enemy lines reflected a devotion to duty worthy of the highest praise, which resulted in saving the life of a valued British officer.

That exemplary soldier was named Rafael Ramos Masens. He was from Spain.

A former Republican combatant in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Ramos Masens was born in Barcelona in 1919. After fighting in the Battle of the Ebro, being taken prisoner and escaping, he enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. However, he ended up being forced to do hard labor in Morocco when the armistice was signed in 1940, following the defeat of France. He subsequently enlisted again, this time in the British Army  specifically, in the SAS  after the Allied landings in North Africa.

Members of Spanish Company Number One, pictured in Normandy. Coleccion Agustin Roa Ventura

Two other Spaniards also took part in the daring Operation Tombola: Justo Balerdi, from the Basque Country, in northern Spain, and Francisco Geronimo, who hailed from Andalusia, in the south. Both were members of the SAS and had similar career trajectories to Ramos. Balerdi was killed in combat by a shot to the head in a subsequent attack on April 21 and was buried under the name of R. Bruce: the nom de guerre he had chosen, after Robert the Bruce, the king of Scotland who appears in the film Braveheart (1995). He had chosen this name to avoid being returned to Francos Spain, in case he was taken prisoner.

The war adventures of these three combatants are just some of the many involving Spaniards who wore British uniforms in World War II. These feats are expanded upon in Churchills Spaniards: Continuing the Fight in the British Army 1939-46, which is set to be released in November of this year. The meticulously-documented work is by Sean F. Scullion, an active lieutenant-colonel in the British Army.

Scullion, 55, spent eight years researching the presence of Spanish soldiers in the British Army during World War II. Last week, he presented his manuscript at the Spanish Embassy in London, in the company of military historian friends, such as Antony Beevor.

The author, with the support of British historians Paul Preston, James Holland and Saul David, has taken up the baton of previous studies (especially those done by Daniel Arasa) to exhaustively document the adventure of Spaniards who wore the uniform of the Tommies (the nickname for British soldiers). They became, for all intents and purposes, British soldiers. In a way, they were a redeeming reverse of the Spaniards on the opposing side, who fought in Nazi uniform in the Blue Division.

Soldier and writer Sean Scullion.

Scullion has rigorously identified  by using their official registration numbers  1,072 Spaniards (there were undoubtedly more, he emphasizes) who served in the British Armed Forces. They did so in all the war theaters of Europe, as well as in other places, such as North Africa and the Middle East: Tobruk, Crete, Salerno, Normandy, Arnhem, the Ardennes...

In many cases, these Spaniards were assigned to elite units, such as the commandos, the SAS (a dozen), or the Special Operations Executive (SOE), the famous organization in charge of sabotage and clandestine actions. Some, in D Squadron of the SAS, shared adventures with the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG), the so-called sand patrols.

Despite the UKs initial prejudices against aliens serving in their army, fears about a fifth column forming (even the access of former British brigadiers was restricted) and some language problems, the Spaniards were highly valued. Their service record, Scullion points out, was filled with acts of strength and bravery.

British officers soon recognized that the Spaniards in their ranks  most of them experienced Republican ex-combatants, hardened during the Spanish Civil War and then in the Foreign Legion  were as good as the best British soldiers and were equally eager to fight the Italians and Germans. Their commanders noted that they were especially excellent at commando work. They werent generally great shots, Scullion notes, but they loved the feel of cold steel in their hands: knives and bayonets. They were credited with being skilled at dispatching enemy sentries. Regarding the stereotype of Spanish indiscipline, he says that the British didnt see them that way. While there were certainly situations involving individual hotheads, there was never collective unruliness.

Manuel Surera in his Middle East Commando uniform. Photo taken when he was a member of the 1st Special Services Regiment. Coleccion Manuel Surera

In the case of the only unit formed entirely by Spaniards (although commanded by British officers)  the No. 1 Spanish Company of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps (AMPC)  care was taken to ensure that the corporals and sergeants were compatriots of the soldiers. Scullion is aware of at least four Spaniards in the British army who held the rank of officer. There were many Spaniards who had been officers in the Republican army and ended up serving as rank-and-file soldiers in the British forces. There was some controversy as to whether these soldiers could have been more effective had they been offered their original ranks.

Scullion shows how there were two great waves of enlistments of Spaniards in the British army. The first took place in 1940, after the fall of France, when the Spanish Company was formed. It included many Republicans who had fought in the French army at Narvik and Dunkirk, as well as Spaniards living in the United Kingdom and others who had escaped directly from Spain. Some swam to Gibraltar after the Republican defeat, like Francesc Dalmau. The Spanish Company was based in the UK until its deployment to Normandy, in 1944. They wore an S on their sleeves and their motto was 1940 to Victory. Several members of the company were recruited to the SOE to undertake clandestine operations in Spain the kind of duties associated with Ian Flemings James Bond novels.

Scullion includes the SOEs assessment of Spanish recruits, such as Sergeant Manuel Espallargas, Fernando Casabayo and Luis Alvarez. Of the latter, it was thoughtlessly stated: No initiative: [he] does not seem to have much guts. Not recommended. Of course, given that Casabayo  said to be an intelligent man and quick thinker  is given a high rating, you cannot trust the SOE too much: Casabayo ended up being a traitor who sold secrets to the Franco regime through the Spanish Embassy in London.

Among the SOE recruits was Esteban Molina, from Valdepenas, who was parachuted into France to prepare the Resistance for D-Day. His son is the Hollywood actor Alfred Molina.

Some of the Spanish volunteers, who had recently arrived from Crete. They were able to escape from the island in June of 1941. Coleccion Miguel Martinez

The second great wave of enlistments took place at the end of 1942 as a result of Operation Torch, which wrenched North Africa away from German control. This made it possible for Spaniards who were being held in internment camps in Tunisia or Morocco to enlist. Many Spaniards joined the British army after leaving the French army  which they had enlisted in from the refugee camps after the Civil War  when it was defeated and Vichy France was established.

A notable episode is that of the 300 Spanish legionnaires who mutinied in Avonmouth, near Bristol, for refusing to return to Petanist France. After their French commanders proposed that one in three of them be shot for encouraging other soldiers to revolt, they stayed in the UK and joined the British army en masse. Many were reluctant to fight in the ranks of De Gaulles Free French because of their bad experience with the French: they felt that the treatment they received from the British was better.

The 2nd SAS team that made up Operation Tombola. Rafael Ramos is in the second row, second from the right. Francisco Geronimo is in the last row, third from the left. Coleccion Francisco Geronimo

At the end of World War II, many of the Spanish men in the British army had been fighting fascism for 10 years. Scullion stresses that, despite the paradox of now being on the winning side, they had to swallow the bitter pill of seeing how Francos dictatorship survived. They were very disappointed to [not have been able] to go after Franco. Their story, he points out, is also that of the Spanish Republican exile and its tragedy. Scullion continues the book by writing about the lives of those who stayed in Britain at the end of the war. Some of them organized themselves  they formed the Spanish Ex-Servicemens Association  and continued to actively protest Francos regime, which ended with his death in 1975.

The opening of new archives has allowed me to go beyond what was known, Scullion explains. He has credited all previous work done on the subject, such as the books published by Joaquin Manes Postigo. Its surprising to see that Spaniards in the British army were everywhere, he notes. The researcher believes that its necessary to spread the word that the Spaniards who served on the Allied side on the Western Front (another story is that of those who served with the Red Army) were much more numerous than those who belonged to La Nueve (Spanish for the nine), the 9th Company of the Regiment de marche du Tchad, which was part of the French Liberation Army. This is despite the fact that more has been written about the latter.

Scullion advocates for recovering the memory of these other Spaniards in British uniform. However, unlike journalist Daniel Arasa, he hasnt been able to interview any veterans, because theyre no longer alive. Still, he has spoken to their families. He thanks them for their support in the book. We have the duty to tell the story of these soldiers and preserve their memory, he tells EL PAIS, adding that theyre an integral part of the history of the British army.

Regarding the assessment of the Spanish as combatants, he recalls that many were first-class soldiers who, in addition to their experience in the Civil War, had also served in the Foreign Legion. They carried out incredible acts of bravery, he points out. He mentions three particular cases as examples, in which two Spanish soldiers won medals for courage. Josep Vilanova crossing the Volturno River: he swam, killed three Germans on the shore with his machine gun and saved a patrol from an ambush. Alfonso Canovas Garcia liberated Foix with the SOE and the local guerrillas: after receiving a bullet in the leg, he continued fighting with great courage, managing to remove several German machine gunners from the bridge at the entrance to the city. And, of course, theres the episode of Rafael Ramos, recounted at the beginning of this article.

The author has even traced the presence of two Spaniards  Jose Redondo and Manuel Surera  in the commando action to kill Rommel (Operation Flipper), although they didnt ultimately form part of the ill-fated group that attacked the Desert Foxs headquarters.

A separate chapter is devoted to the famous presence of Spaniards in British uniforms (and tam oshanter caps) in Crete, where 63 arrived as members of the Layforce  Colonel Robert Laycocks commando force  and became the rearguard of the rearguard. They formed a shock line to protect the desperate evacuation of the island following the invasion of the German airborne forces. Half of the Spaniards were captured (they pretended to be born in Gibraltar to avoid deportation to Spain) and several died. The Malaga-born Francisco Geronimo  a fighter who had been in the Foreign Legion  spent 11 months on the run, hiding in the mountains under the name of Kosta Spirachi. He was finally able to escape to Egypt via fishing boat in an SOE operation. He then served in the SAS in Italy and buried his friend, Justo Balerdi.

Could Patrick Leigh Fermor  the famous British scholar and soldier  have met any Spaniards in Crete? I dont think so, Scullion replies. When he carried out his operation to capture General Kreipe, the Spaniards had already left. Perhaps he met some SAS members in Cairo or Alexandria.

The grave of Marcial Fernandez, a soldier from the Irish Guards, who died in 1944, near Arnhem. Sean F Scullion

Of course, there were also outliers. Scullions book tells stories of some deserters, murderers (Private Lopez was shot for killing a French officer in a fight in a canteen) and traitors. The villain par excellence would be Casabayo, of course. But that was normal in any contingent. In that respect, the Spanish were not worse than the rest of the British army.

Scullions book doesnt mention the Spanish troops in the RAF or the Royal Navy: he limits himself to the land army. However, he notes the British authorities didnt allow 100 former Republican pilots to enlist in the RAF (a photo in his book shows Antonio Sandoval, an ace, with members of the Spanish Company), despite the fact that some mechanics were permitted to work on planes. Certain Spaniards were also incorporated into the British Merchant Navy: they ventured on dangerous Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union.

The typical SAS Willy Jeep and Chevrolet pickup truck, in the desert. Portrayed in a series about the unit. BBC

Scullion, who lived in Spain as a young man, is now a lieutenant-colonel in the Royal Engineers (RE), a unit closely related to the Royal Pioneer Corps (RPC), to which all Spanish volunteers belonged at one time or another. He has served in combat missions in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and various African countries over the course of 35 years. He currently lives and works in the Netherlands, for NATO.

Military experience has been very useful to me in understanding what the service of the Spanish was like. Like them  who fought everywhere from northern Norway to the Sahara, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan and even India  Ive been in [many] places. Being a career soldier and commanding operations allows you to understand, in a very special way, the adventures of these incredible people.

Scullion  who supports the idea of dedicating a monument to the Spanish soldiers  stresses that they were very proud of their service in the British army. And their British officers were very proud of them, he adds, opining that the British Armed Forces has always been very inclusive. In fact, I insist that this book isnt only about Spanish fighters, but [also] about a part of the tradition, history, and culture of the British army.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Its name might be a tongue twister  Roppongi Robata & Sushi  but the Japanese restaurant experience in Eltingville rolls beyond the palate.

You will feel like youre in Japan. The food is organic without any oil and minimal seasoning, like home cooked food, said Vincent Dong, a manager of the restaurant and son of Jack Dong, the owner and executive chef.

Items translated from the calligraphy on the wall behind Chef Jack express the entire menu  whole fish, various high grades of Kobe beef, prawns, chicken, fresh shucked scallops, shiitake mushrooms and other veggies like baby eggplant and okra. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

Dining at Rappongi Robata & Sushi (heretofore expressed as RRS) means bellying up to one of 17 seats at a smooth, plank counter. And in a shocking twist of food service developments, the chef himself cooks for guests  while on his knees.

Chef Jack heel-sits on a mat in front of mesh grids hung over a grill. He sprinkles seasoning on fish with wrist actions reminiscent of legendary salt-flicker-er Salt Bae.

Fresh shucked scallops are prepped, then cooked and served in their original shell. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

With great intensity, Chef Jack fires up marinated skewered vegetables and meats, manipulating their threaded wooden sticks in and out of metal grid holes.

After each dish is complete, Chef Jack announces what it is in Japanese to anyone who is listening. He offers the presentations to guests on a wooden paddle.

Vincent started a new thing where the lobsters are all named. As an example, a crustacean known as Larry might be someones dinner. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

A one-man show

The Dongs have owned Ho Wok next door for eight years, an Eltingville Chinese food mainstay. Chef Jacks distinct style, however, hails from time at Inayaka, an acclaimed Manhattan restaurant that closed during COVID.

Food displays are lined with either lotus or bamboo leaves. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

His one-man, Japanese cooking show unfolds in real time on Staten Island  behind it years of grinding experience. Crouched like a tiger, Chef Dong crafts food with steel chopstick needles and razor sharp knives.

He brings some Inayaka traditions to Staten Island. For instance, scallops are shucked fresh from their shell. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

And, in case youre wondering what he does in his spare time after work  he literally unwinds in a massage chair.

So far, the RRS format has attracted a largely Russian and Asian clientele, plus those familiar with the Tokyo restaurant scene.

I wanted this restaurant to be special and unique . . . something new for Staten Island, said Chef Dong.

From left to right, longanisa sausage, ebi -- aka sweet shrimp -- and marinated chicken wings flashed on the grill. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

What is the monikers meaning?

RRS is what it is  robata and sushi as it can be found in the town of Roppongi.

Roppongi is an affluent neighborhood of Tokyo with a vibrant night scene. That energy happens after movies let out from the Atrium Theater next door. Roppongi also translates to six trees in Japanese  lucky coincidence for the restaurants address at 690 Arthur Kill Rd.

Chef Jack presents the Fish of the Day on shaved ice piled high on bamboo mats. The bamboo acts as a strainer. He breaks down fish from their whole bodies for every order. Some remnants become part of a fish stock used for soup. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

The word robata is a style of cooking, explained by Vincent, as over the grill. This skill comes by way of yaki  food served on a stick or skewer.

For the sushi element, theres a full team behind RRS. These guys turn out sophisticated, sometimes showy rolls for ala carte offerings or omakase.

Omakase is a presentation of food created by a chef on a whim from the ingredients at his fingertips. At RRS, that may come as a 12-course and 16-course meal at a pre-arranged price made between chef and customer, generally under $150.

Omakase prices are determined before dining, an arrangement between the chef and a guest. This is a suggested menu. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

For those who waver between the robata menu and the sushi selections, there is Robata omakase  blend of Japanese sushi and yaki.

You get the best of both worlds, adds Vincent. He encourages a cocktail, a Japanese beer or premium sake to sip along with the experience.

This is the view from a seat at the grill -- aka robot portion -- of the food counter. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

Roppongi Robata and Sushi is open daily at 11 a.m. and on Sunday at noon. It closes at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant is located at 690 Arthur Kill Rd., 718- 603-2777, @Roppongi_si.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance/silive.com Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.

Some of the sake selections at RRS. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

The wooden counter at RRS was made from several kinds of wood. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

Under the tutelage of Chef Jack Dong and his family, Roppongi Robata & Sushi in Eltingville opened with a unique Japanese format that sparks a new spirit into the world of Asian food on Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

Under the tutelage of Chef Jack Dong and his family, Roppongi Robata & Sushi in Eltingville opened with a unique Japanese format that sparks a new spirit into the world of Asian food on Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

Under the tutelage of Chef Jack Dong and his family, Roppongi Robata & Sushi in Eltingville opened with a unique Japanese format that sparks a new spirit into the world of Asian food on Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

Under the tutelage of Chef Jack Dong and his family, Roppongi Robata & Sushi in Eltingville opened with a unique Japanese format that sparks a new spirit into the world of Asian food on Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri

Roppongi Robata & Sushi in Eltingville has a unique restaurant program. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Silvestri
Editors note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders making waves, being seen, supporting our community and just making our borough a special place to live. Have a story for Inside Out? Email Carol Ann Benanti at benanti@siadvance.com.

Ken Mitchell, executive director of the Staten Island Zoo, left, and members of Vaughn R. Bellocchio's family, stand at a plaque in Bellocchio's name. (Courtesy/Staten Island Zoo)Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Its always positive news when a Staten Island not-for-profit organization  whose mission is to better serve the local community  benefits from an act of kindness or a thoughtful action of any kind.

The family of the late Vaughn R. Bellocchio did just that when they gifted the Staten Island Zoo with a pony sponsorship to be used specifically for ponies named Auntie Em and Dorothy  as a way to memorialize Bellocchio and preserve his legacy.

Bellocchio was a local business owner, an avid equestrian and a lover of animals.

The late Vaughn R. Bellocchio (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Staff-Shot

As a result of the familys generous donation, Bellocchios wife Phyllis and their children Vaughn, Anthony, Shane, Devin, and Madison, will now assist with the care, food supply, and veterinary and enrichment program for the Zoos ponies who are now on-exhibit in the Kids Korral Barn at the Zoo all-year round.

Ken Mitchell and Phyllis Bellocchio stand by a plaque dedicated to Vaughn R. Bellocchio. (Courtesy/Staten Island Zoo)Staten Island Advance

Staten Island Zoo staffers that included Executive Director Ken Mitchell, gathered on Thursday, Sept. 12 to acknowledge and offer their heartfelt thanks to the Bellocchio family for their donation and support.

Whats more, during the ceremony, the Zoo unveiled a bench and sign dedication honoring Bellocchios memory.

We are grateful to the Bellocchio family for their support and stewardship of our ponies, said Mitchell, who added, We will be sure that these funds are put to invaluable good use supporting the daily care of our ponies.

Ken Mitchell and Phyllis Bellocchio help groom the ponies. (Courtesy/Staten Island Zoo)Staten Island Advance

A LITTLE ABOUT BELLOCCHIO

Bellocchio was introduced to equestrian life as a youngster when he frequented the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy in Brooklyn, according to his family.

He was the owner of several horses until he was in his twenties when he was faced with the decision to either keep the horses or purchase a home.

Bellocchio and his wife Phyllis decided to let the horses go, buy a home and start planning a family.

At the same time, they were building The Polishing Pad Inc., an auto body repair shop, that would in time establish a foothold on Staten Islands North Shore.

Over the years and through Bellocchio, The Polishing Pad made donations to local schools, a number of charities, and Bellocchio personally contributed to underprivileged families in the community whenever he had the opportunity.

After many years of hard work, the Bellocchios decided it was time to introduce their children to the equestrian life that their dad fell in love with as a child  and in 2005 they purchased a pony for their children.

Over the next few years two horses were added to the family. They boarded privately for some time, but Bellocchio was determined to bring the horses to his home.

In 2010 his dream came true and he built a barn in his backyard on Staten Islands South Shore where the horses would live for several years before they were sent to pasture in Florida.

It was Bellocchios dream to retire and acquire another horse. But sadly he passed away in February of 2023.

THE GRACE FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH RAYMOUR & FLANIGAN:

LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FEATURING ORIGINAL ARTWORK CREATED BY GRACE PARTICIPANTS

The GRACE Foundation, has partnered with Raymour & Flanigan on a first of its kind art installation and online auction.

Raymour & Flanigan donated a check in the amount of $500 to The GRACE Foundation. (Courtesy/PRcision LLC)Staten Island Advance

Throughout the month of September, original artwork created by GRACE Foundation participants were on display in the Raymour & Flanigan Showroom in New Springville, and interested parties were able to bid on each piece through an online auction with all proceeds raised to benefit the non-profit.

Were happy to partner with Raymour & Flanigan on this initiative, said Cathy Del Priore, executive director of The GRACE Foundation. We encourage the community to come visit the showroom and view the artwork in person. However, if you cant make it to the showroom visit our website at www.graceofny.org where you can view and bid on these beautiful pieces created by our participants.

The overall theme of the artwork is the participants interpretation of the New York City Skyline as a means of tribute to the events of 9/11.

The GRACE Foundation is very special to us, and the work they do is inspiring, said Chris Vendemio, store manager of Raymour & Flanigan. The participants are so excited about the art installation, and seeing the smiles on their faces was amazing.

In addition to the exhibit, Raymour & Flanigan also presented The GRACE Foundation with a donation of $500.

The exhibit will remain in the showroom until Sept. 30th.

Pieces may be viewed and bid on by visiting www.graceofny.org.

On Sept. 30 the highest bidder will win the piece of art.

All proceeds raised benefit programming at The GRACE Foundation of New York.

For further information about The GRACE Foundation or to purchase advance tickets to the event kindly visit www.graceofny.org

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF STATEN ISLAND HOSTS EVENT TO CELEBRATE BOROUGHS DIRECT SUPORT PROFESSIONALS:

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND 11 STATEN ISLAND AGENCIES GATHERED AT THE EVENT

On Sunday, Sept. 15 hundreds gathered on the campus of Catholic Charities of Staten Island to close out National DSP Week, a week where agencies across the country collectively recognize their Direct Support Professionals for their hard work and dedication to the individuals and communities they serve.

From the left, Nisha Tumbler, Kerrianne Kelly, Jennifer Larsen, Ted Ericson, Cris Marchionne, Chrissy Jascewsky, Maureen Higgins, and Giovanella Stewart. Courtesy/PRcision LLC)Staten Island Advance

DSPs hard work, dedication and compassion are the foundation of everything we do, said Cris Marchionne, founder and executive director of Person Centered Care Services, Inc. (PCCS) the events organizer. Every day, they make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve, and we are thankful to them for their efforts as well as to Catholic Charities of Staten Island for hosting this years event on their campus.

Throughout the day guests enjoyed various games and contests as well as bouncy houses, rides, games and delicious fair served up by Staten Island Chef, Kim Cooks.

The agencies that participated were Person Centered Care Services, A Very Special Place, City Access, Community Resources, Crossroads Unlimited, Eden II, The GRACE Foundation, Lifestyles for the Disabled, Modest Community Services, On Your Mark, and Catholic Charities of Staten Island. The event was sponsored by eVero Corporation and Empire State Bank.

Were proud to celebrate our Direct Support Professionals for the work they do day in and day out, said Claire Atalla, CEO of Catholic Charities of Staten Island. Raising awareness and bringing the community together is part of our mission, and collaborating with our fellow agencies on events like this is something we hope to continue in the future.

CELEBRATIONS - SEPT 29 TO OCT. 5

SEPT. 29

Happy birthday on Sunday to Geri DeMaio, who shares her birthday with Charles Dugan Jr., who turns 60, Lisa Marie Romano, Bob Turrisi, Caitlin Persch, Vicki Rosenthal, Kerry Rose Harris, Mya Green who turns 18 and Sonia Pederson.

And happy belated birthday to Layla Elizabeth Hickey who turned 2 years-old on Sept. 28th.

Happy wedding anniversary Sunday to Juliane and Stephen Cottone.

SEPT. 30

Birthday greetings Monday to Dr. Frank J. Lacqua, Thomas Watson Jr., Brittany Donna Brown, Andrew Parker, Samantha Rose Guash and Robert Kruse.

Happy wedding anniversary to Salvatore and Anita Blasi.

OCT. 1

The happiest of birthdays Tuesday to Vincent DAntuono, owner of Pastosa Ravioli & Cheese in West Brighton, to Mike Hennessy, Isabella Drouin, Tom Matteo and Danielle Van Name.

Its wedding anniversary time for Peggy and Raymond Cebula.

OCT. 2

Birthday wishes are in order on Wednesday for Rev. Terry Troia, Anita Petzold, Gary Persch, Norma Canlon, Ray Flannagan III, Stephen Paul Brooker, Gary Cognetta, Cassondra Phares, Jessica Collins, Joann Cinquemani, Bruce Thorsen and Fred Benton.

Happy wedding anniversary Wednesday to Herb and Nicolette Noss.

OCT. 3

Birthday best on Thursday to Jacqueline Haley, Sarah McGarry, Jordan Nicole Anderson who turns 22, Steven Roberts, Christopher Motola, Isabelle Pillarella and John Cocozza.

OCT. 4

Friday is birthday time for Rocco R. Andriulli, Sarah McGarry, Egan Geraghty, twins Chelsea Rae and Melanie Smith, Sydney Marie DAgostino and Ava Rose Tripo who turns 14 and to Oldies and American Bandstand Girl, Carol Rabold.

OCT. 5

The happiest of birthdays Saturday to Norma Arce and James Schettino.

Happy wedding anniversary Saturday to Joanne and Vince Mahoney.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  More than 180 guests attended Crossroads Unlimited, Inc.s annual dinner dance at LiGrecis Staaten, West Brighton on Friday, to pay tribute to three honorees -- Donna Long, Jaime Fialo and Ebenezer Akinrujomu -- who were recognized for their tireless work in advancing the mission of the organization.

The goal of Crossroads Unlimited, Inc. is to provide an empowering and enriched environment, where everyone we serve can thrive and expand upon their respective strengths, said executive director Ted Ericson, in welcoming the audience. Crossroads Unlimited, Inc. provides an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect [and] seeks to provide the most normalized environment possible.

The major fundraiser supports the mission of Crossroads Unlimited: to provide quality services that empower individuals impacted by Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) to lead enriched, independent lives by providing residential services, day programs, job training,and recreational activities aimed at empowering those with I/DD to live fulfilling lives.

In accepting her recognition, Jaime Fialo remarked how her love for serving the community came from her mom and the importance of her family. My son, Ralph, was diagnosed at the age of 2 and hes not here because the music wouldve been too much for him. My daughter, Avery, however, is here tonight, and throughout her life, she has been Ralphs voice.

Ebenezer Akinrujomu was equally heartwarming. In his remarks, Akinrujomu said: Tonights recognition is not just about my contributions to Crossroads, but rather about everyones support to achieve our mission.

Honoree Ebenezer Akinrujomu speaks at the Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance, held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

ABOUT THE HONOREES:

Donna Longs 44-year career in Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and autism services began with the birth of her eldest daughter, Jeanine. Currently the director of external affairs at Crossroads Unlimited, Inc., her career highlights include her pivotal role at On Your Mark, where she spearheaded the creation of the OYM Cafe. She also served as executive director and VP of Outreach Services at SIUH Later, as executive director of the Grace Foundation, Long played a key role in acquiring the property that now serves as the foundations headquarters and main program campus.

Though she has enjoyed a distinguished career across multiple non-profit organizations, Long is most recognized for her advocacy for people with I/DD and Autism, their families, and the staff supporting them. Long has also been a key figure in the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council, where she co-chairs the Advocacy Committee.

She is a founding member and VP of the Staten Island Opportunities Alliance, president of the Person-Centered Care Services Board, and an active member of the SOS (Save Our Services) Statewide Advocacy Coalition. She also is a Staten Island Advance Woman of Achievement.

Long and her husband, Geoffrey, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Jeanine and Kristen. Jeanine was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Longs passion for advocacy remains unwavering, as she continues to be a mentor, leader and dedicated advocate for individuals with I/DD and autism.

Ted Ericson with honoree Jaime Fialo at The Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance, held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

Jamie Fialo has worked in the I/DD community for 25 years, serving at agencies like The Guild for Exceptional Children and On Your Mark. Currently with Extended Home Care, she helps families access vital services, including nursing, physical and speech therapy, as well as HHA support. Fialo also facilitates referrals for programs like CDPAP and remote monitoring. As the mother of two children, Avery and Ralph, who has been diagnosed with autism, Fialo has been a passionate advocate for Ralphs care. She includes Avery in therapy sessions and daily routines to teach acceptance and inclusion. Fialos goal is to help families understand the systems and programs available to maximize their loved ones care and improve their quality of life.

Ebenezer Akinrujou is a compassionate professional dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. Originally from Nigeria, he earned a physics degree from Obafemi Awolowo University before moving to the U.S. in 2017 to pursue his passion for helping others. With experience at On Your Mark, A Very Special Place Inc., and Catholic Charities of Staten Island, Akinrujou has made a meaningful impact as a direct support professional. Currently a Manager at Crossroads Unlimited Inc., he oversees the Albion, Hodges and Wellington houses, demonstrating strong leadership and a deep commitment to the well-being of those in his care. His dedication, compassion, and drive to create a more inclusive community make him an invaluable asset in the field of disability support services.

The Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance was held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. Pictured is Kristen Long, who introduced her mom, honoree Donna Long. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

KRISTEN LONGS WARM INTRO OF HER MOM

Over the past 40+ years, my mom has been a fierce advocate for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and has traveled to Albany, Washington DC and local community boards, said Kristen Long in her heartfelt and emotional introduction of her mother. She lobbies on behalf of all neurodiverse people, to ensure they are productive included and valued.

At a time when people hide behind computer screens and spread hate, my mom puts herself out there on the frontlines to be screamed at to her face by ignorant unaccepting people. To fight for what she truly believes in. To fight for those who cant fight for themselves. To fight for Jeanine. Mom, you took a diagnosis and turned it into a mission. Because Jeanine is your kid, countless kids of other parents have been able to thrive too. Because thats what my mom calls everyone in her programs - her kids. You give those who need it the most a voice.

You helped their parents and siblings breathe a little easier and feel the immense pride of seeing their loved ones flourish in so many ways, watching them do what they never thought was possible. Because they deserve to live the most fulfilling lives possible, just like anyone else, she added.

Joshua Ericson speaks at the Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance was held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

DONNA LONGS HEARTFELT REMARKS

Reflecting on these last 44 years of advocacy, I am filled with immense gratitudenot just for the work weve accomplished, but for the people who made it possible for me to devote myself to this cause, said honoree Donna Long. Advocacy is not something you can do alone, and Ive been incredibly fortunate to have the unwavering support of my husband, my daughters, my family, friends and colleagues every step of the way.

Long praised and expressed gratitude to her family and friends for their support. To Jeff, you have been my support system your love, patience and understanding have meant the world to me. I could not have done it without you. To my beautiful daughters, Jeanine and Kristen, thank you for being my constant inspiration. Youve each taught me so much about resilience, kindness and what it means to stand up for others.

To my colleagues (who became friends) and fellow advocates, you are the reason weve been able to make progress. Thank you for your partnership, your passion and your relentless drive to keep pushing forward. The work weve done together is a testament to the power of collective action, and I am proud to have stood along side each and every one of you.

From left: Angela Edwards, Ilene Rosen, Lou McGurrin and Cathy McKay enjoy Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance, held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

The Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance was held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. Pictured is honoree Donna Long, flanked by Luanne and Tony Sorrentino. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

The Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance was held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. Pictured are Amanda Barrese, Gabriella Manzella, Kristen Long and Tatiana Arguello.(Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

The Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance was held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

The Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance was held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

Jayne Cooper, second from right, and guests enjoy the Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance, held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

Honoree Jaime Fialo is pictured with her family at the Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance, held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

Scenes from the Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance on Sept. 28, 2024, at the Staaten. Pictured are Donna Long, right, with her sisters, Deborah LaMacchia and Doreen O'Brien.(Steve White for the Staten Island Advance) Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

The Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance was held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

The Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance was held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

The Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance was held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance

The Crossroads Unlimited Inc. Dinner Dance was held at LiGreci's Staaten on Friday night Sept. 27, 2024. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)Steve White for the Staten Island Advance
Its been illegal to sell or drink alcohol in public in Ocean City for 115 years.

On Thursday, the Ocean City council made it clear the the law is still in place, unanimously passing a resolution that re-affirms its long-standing law amid continued speculation among locals that the soon-to-close boardwalk amusement park Gillians Wonderland Pier could be replaced with a hotel.

Its redundant, but its also important with the perception of whats happening with Wonderland  or the misconceptions of whats happening, Ocean City Council President Pete Madden told NJ Advance Media by phone on Friday in explaining why the council unanimously passed the resolution.

The parks property is owned by Eustace Mita, owner of the ICONA Resorts franchise. Meta stepped in to keep the park open after owner Jay Gillian declared bankruptcy on the property in 2021, placing it at risk of being auctioned off. Gillian is also the mayor of Ocean City.

Wonderland is closing Oct. 13 because of economic challenges. It has been in operation for 94 years, and its founder, Roy Gillian, died recently. Mita has said hes months away from making a decision on the fate of the property.

If he (Mita) had not come, Wonderland would have been gone, Gillian told people filling the pews of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ocean City during a Sept. 14 town hall.

Advocates for saving Wonderland were concerned about the prospects of the property becoming the site of a new hotel resort in Mitas franchise. The business mogul last year proposed a $150 million, 325-bedroom beachfront hotel on the boardwalk next to the amusement park. Jay Gillian and city leaders opposed its construction.

Icona Resorts proposed building a 325-room luxury hotel along the beach in Ocean City last year.DSA Architects, Inc.

Madden said Friday that whatever becomes of the Wonderland, any new business on the site wont include a liquor license.

The owner of the property hasnt come forward with any type of proposal, but that would fall under prohibited use, Madden said. The more we can educate everyone on that, the better, because theres a lot of misunderstanding on what can or cant be done. Our job is to keep an open mind to look at things for what they are and make the best decision.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Has all of our squishing and stomping paid off?

You might have noticed fewer spotted lanternflies on Staten Island in other parts of New York City this year, and some experts thank us for stomping, trapping and squishing them in an effort to protect the states environment.

But most agree that other factors came into play to spell doom for the pesky flying insects in the city.

Spotted lanternflies, native to parts of Asia, were first detected in the United States in 2014 in eastern Pennsylvania. In 2020, they made their presence known in New York City with a debut on Staten Island.

The plant hopper, a native of China and southeast Asia, is known for being hard to kill, difficult to spot and bad for the environment. The insects feed on more than 70 plant species, including tree-of-heaven, and the pests are known to be a threat to plants and crops, such as wine grape vines, that are critical to New Yorks agricultural economy.

In the spring, summer and fall of 2023, Staten Islanders were relieved to see reduced numbers of the spotted pests, while other boroughs, including Manhattan and Brooklyn, experienced peak numbers.

Back in 2021, and especially in 2022, residents told the Advance/SILive.com that the pests were destroying their trees and plants and making outdoor life miserable as they swarmed around.

Some said theyd spent the entire summer indoors, because the insects flew into their face and clung onto their clothing.

Indoors was no safe haven either, they reported.

This year, though numbers appear to be dwindling, according to experts.

They were present, for sure, on Staten Island, but not in the numbers of past summers, said Jose R. Ramirez-Garofalo, of Fort Wadsworth, an ecologist at Rutgers University and Fresh Kills Park Allliance. They had a heavy presence at Tottenvilles Conference House Park, he said, the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge and Fort Wadsworth.

And theyre here to stay, he added, explaining: Well always have spotted lanternflies, but the invasion wave has sort of dissipated on Staten Island.

Chris Logue, the director for plant industry at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, told the The New York Times that the total reports of lanternfly sightings are down statewide, but its difficult to quantify the decline.

As of Sept. 10, the agriculture department had received about 9,800 reports in 2024, compared with 31,200 reports by the same date last year, The Times reported. Yet, the department has also said that people living in areas with previously documented lanternfly infestations, including New York City, should no longer report the insects.

The department has received roughly 1,000 reports from the city so far this year, according to The Times, compared with 12,700 over the same period last year.

Inspectors in New York City are seeing definitely smaller numbers of them,' Logue told the media outlet.

Back in the spring, Ramirez-Garofalo said to expect the ecological process to naturally reduce the abundance of the invasive species we see in the summer.

Other species will eat them and diseases will infect them, among other threats, he predicted. And thats exactly whats happening, he said.

The natural processes of predation are occurring,' he said. Eventually the native species learn to eat them. Birds are eating them. Wasps are eating them. Wasps are pretty voracious predators; theyre eating them in big numbers.

Ramirez-Garofalo said that others predators will soon catch on, but its impossible to predict how that will affect the numbers.

Theres always going to be predators,' he said. In some point in the future theres going to be a lot more birds eating them. Were still early in the invasion.

Government efforts to mitigate the spread to protect agriculture will have an effect too, agricultural experts said.

Even if New York City itself is past the worst of the infestation, the threat is not over. The lanternflies were detected in new locations this summer, Logue told The Times. They are inching closer to grape farms and vineyards, he said.

This is the first year weve actually seen bugs in our vineyard, Kareem Massoud, a winemaker at Paumanok Vineyards on Long Island, told The Times. Though he saw just a few insects, Massoud said hes bracing himself for a mass arrival next summer.
Hi Neighbor,

HTG, I thought it was just me.

Dozens and dozens of texts and emails pour into inboxes every day, and in dozens of those are letters strung together that spell nothing.

Im NGL. I cant figure a lot of them out.

Text abbreviations, theyre called, the new ones contrived by the Gen Z crowd, the group, Im told, born between 1997 and 2012.

FWIW, neighbors, people in the Baby Boomer crowd  IMO, that means old people -- use them, too.

LOL.

Ive seen that one often enough to know what it means. And most times, I dont find it funny. Most others? To use a string of letters Staten Islanders do understand . . .

Fuggedaboudit.

So when Im confronted by one of those strings and IDK what it means, I slink over to Google and search.

OFC, I wont humiliate myself  or worse, date myself  by asking anyone.

So I felt a whole lot better when I got an email from Eve Loffman the other day. Eve is PR exec with a company called Journalistic that does all kinds of research for journalists like me in search of something to write about for readers like you.

Gen Z is revolutionizing digital communication, leaving many of us puzzled and turning to the internet to decode their abbreviations, Eve told me.

I was reassured when she admitted Im not the only one puzzled. Sounds like Eve is not a Gen Zer.

According to Eve, another high tech set of pros at an outfit called Vera --www.hirevera.com --set out to identify the abbreviations that confuse Americans the most. They did it by analyzing which abbreviations get searched most.

The results left me SMH.

TBH, as I delved into the report, I found that SMH is the most searched abbreviation  231,450 times every single month.

Im NGL . . . all I could think was OMG.

And get this! FWIW, Eve sent me to a New York Post report that says the Gen Z bunch is ditching some text abbreviations because they just arent cool anymore. In other words, old people are using them . . . like the over 30 crowd.

LMAO, thought I.

I know you cant wait -- FOMO we call it -- so here are the 25 most Googled text abbreviations in the United States, and how many times theyre searched every month.

1. SMH (Shaking My Head) 231,450

2. POV (Point of View) 155,800

3. NSFW (Not Safe For Work) 126,800

4. FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) 121,600

5. TLDR (Too Long. Didnt Read) 118,600

6. IYKYK (If You Know You Know) 98,500

7. OFC (Of Course) 96,300

8. IMO (In My Opinion) 75,100

9. IIRC (If I Recall Correctly) 65,900

10. HMU (Hit Me Up) 64,300

11. LMAO (Laughing My Ass Off) 63,700

12. AFK (Away from Keyboard) 59,250

13. NGL (Not Gonna Lie) 59,100

14. OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) 55,800

15. IG (I Guess) 53,500

16. TBH (To Be Honest) 51,350

17. TTYL (Talk To You Later) 51,150

18. DM (Direct Message) 46,800

19. YOLO (You Only Live Once) 46,800

20. FWIW (For What Its Worth) 44,400

21. TBD (To Be Determined) 43,000

22. ROFL (Rolling On the Floor Laughing) 42,500

23. FTW (For The Win) 39,390

24. GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) 39,100

25. FUBAR (Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition)

Feel free to substitute your own F Word in Number 25.

My wife and I were at a party not long ago where the host, a very learned gentleman, told the story of Ernest Hemingways style of writing. Simple. Clear. Concise.

Ernest used something called The Iceberg Theory, leaving just the tip of the story, with most hidden, like most of an iceberg, allowing the reader to interpret the story, reading between the lines to figure it out.

Maybe were seeing Hemingway 2024. Maybe the Gen Zers are on to something, because they are leaving a lot to figure out.

On the other hand is John Updike, my favorite American author.

Updike wrote in lavish, brilliant, prose. Rich and descriptive. Long and flowing sentences laced with images that create a texture and wrap you into the scene he paints. Not a ROFL to be found.

Updike lived and wrote in a little town north of Boston named Ipswich, and then Beverly Farms, also in Massachusetts. It is said he wore ruts in the floor under his desks from moving his feet back and forth while deep in concentration, searching for just the right word, just the right phrase.

No, IMO, Mr. Updike would not understand Gen Zs writing style. Nor would Roland Delicio, my New Dorp High School English teacher.

With all due respect to my Gen Z neighbors, this style of communication is all FUBARd.

TTYL. And please, dont tell me my stories are TLDR.

Brian

Oh by the way: In the event youre wondering, abbreviation translations are in the list. Except OMG  I think you know what that means  and HTG (Honest To God). I made that one up myself.
Oleksandra Matviichuk has a special dress tucked away in the back of her closet, a very pretty one, reserved for one day in a hypothetical future when she will finally see the man she has been trying to bring to justice for a decade  Russian President Vladimir Putin  sitting in front of an international court. She often says that she will wear red lipstick, as she is wearing this Saturday in September. The 40-year-old Ukrainian began her battle against one of the most powerful men in the world in 2014, after Russias annexation of Crimea, but her work intensified in 2022, when Moscow invaded Ukraine. In 2022, her efforts were rewarded with the Nobel Peace Prize, which she won together with imprisoned Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski and the Russian human rights organization Memorial.

Matviichuk heads the Center for Civil Liberties, which has already documented more than 78,000 war crimes in an attempt to leave a record for posterity, a historical memory that  in the unlikely event that Putin is tried  will help build a strong case against him. It is a huge amount, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. Russia uses terror to deliberately cause pain to civilians in order to break peoples resistance, she says in an interview with EL PAIS. Since receiving the Nobel Prize, another of her tasks has been to attend events such as Mexicos Hay Festival in Queretaro, where she acts as a kind of ambassador for Ukraine, spreading the word and trying to stop the world from forgetting the war.

Question. How does it feel to be here while there is a war at home?

Answer. When I landed in Mexico, the first thing I did was check what had happened in Ukraine during the flight. I discovered that Russia had shelled my native city, so I started sending messages to see if I still had a home to return to, if my family is still alive [they are]. War is a lottery and you never know which residential building or family will be die because of Russian rockets. When Ukrainians are abroad, we feel guilty because we cant share the danger that the people we love are going through.

Q. You live in Kyiv. What is daily life like in the city?

A. Its hard to express. I still cant find the right words to describe what it means to live in a war. If you go to Kyiv, youll see restaurants and theaters open, people smiling. Normal life is going on, but its not just normal life, its an act of resistance by people in an abnormal situation, trying to adapt, enjoy, be happy. But there is no totally safe place to hide from Russian rockets. A family from Kyiv left the city when the full-scale invasion began in 2022. They had a one-year-old daughter, Lisa, and they were afraid something might happen to her. But Russia bombed the city they fled to, Vinnytsia, and Lisa died.

Q. Your organization has documented more than 78,000 war crimes. How is all this information processed?

A. This war can turn people into just numbers because the scale of the crimes is so large that it is impossible to recognize all the stories. We document each individual story so that we can put a name to it, because people are not numbers, and so that, sooner or later, they will have justice.

Q. Is there a story that has touched you most personally?

A. I have been recording war crimes for 10 years, but I dont document stories about children  its my red line. A colleague documented this story and told it to me. When Russian troops were trying to take Mariupol, they wouldnt let the Red Cross evacuate civilians, so many people had to hide in basements. They piled up snow for water, lit fires for cooking. When they ran out of supplies, they were forced to leave their shelters. A mother and her 10-year-old son went outside and found themselves in the middle of a Russian bombing raid. They took shelter in a friends apartment. They couldnt call for medical help because Russia had deliberately destroyed all the infrastructure. They lay down on the couch together, hugging each other. They stayed like that for several hours. The 10-year-old boy told my colleague that he saw his mother freeze to death before his eyes.

Q. Do you ever feel afraid of becoming numb, of not feeling anything after seeing so much horror?

A. I still feel pain. I would like to have more distance, but it is impossible because we are human beings first and foremost, not lawyers, and you cant be indifferent to the pain of another human being. Im afraid that the world will get used to the war in Ukraine like it got used to the war in Syria. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin have bombed civilian cities without any punishment. Ukrainians are not fighting only for ourselves. Russia is an empire, and an empire has a center, but it has no limits. If we are not able to stop Putin, he will attack the next country.

Q. Do you think Ukraine could lose support because the world has become accustomed to war and tired of seeing it on the news?

A. In these two years I have come to understand that many countries, even if they are geographically far away, have values very close to ours. I know from my own experience that when you cannot rely on the law as a legal instrument, you can still rely on people. That is why I know that many people in other countries are not indifferent to what is happening to us.

Q. You have been covering the war since 2014, more intensively since 2022. Arent you tired? Do you ever think about quitting your job?

A. I have documented hundreds of stories of people who have survived the Russians. Men and women of different professions, ages, religions, social positions. They have told me how they have been beaten, raped, how their fingers have been cut off, drilled into and their nails torn out, how they have been tortured with electric shocks. Some of these people have never asked for help from state bodies or international organizations because they do not believe that the perpetrators will be punished, but when I asked them why they came to me, I understood that they still have hope that justice is possible, even if it comes late. That is why I cannot allow myself to give up, because when you have this huge amount of stories you feel a great responsibility.

Q. But, not as a professional, as a human being forced to see horrible things every day, do you ever think I cant do this anymore?

A. We are people, not robots, and especially since the large-scale invasion our mood is constantly up and down. I have a writer friend who says that when we are down, we are not defeated, we are in an emotional trench. We just need to restore our energy.

Q. As a war crimes lawyer, you have repeatedly said that Russia is committing genocide in Ukraine. Do you think there is grounds for saying that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine?

A. I think it is a huge problem. We can mention the situation in Gaza, in Iran, in Nicaragua and in other countries that suffer from war or authoritarian regimes. It is a visible sign that our international justice and security system is broken, it cannot protect people. It is key for us to join forces and reform international laws because, according to history, when international systems collapsed  I am referring to the League of Nations  the World War started.

Q. I want to ask you about international law later, but I would like to know your opinion, as a human rights expert and Nobel Peace Prize winner. South Africa has accused Israel of genocide before the U.N. International Court of Justice. Do you think there are grounds to support this accusation?

A. We will see what the International Court of Justice will say. They have opened two cases, one against the Israeli authorities and one against Hamas, as far as I know, for war crimes. We will see what charges the prosecutor will bring against them.

Q. And in your personal opinion?

A. As a lawyer, I know that you have to be on the ground and work with the testimonies, with the cases, with the material. What I want to say is that it is a great tragedy since it started, and we as the Ukrainian people who are under the Russian attack to destroy our nation, our language, our culture, understand very well the suffering of other peoples in the rest of the world.

Q. Back to Ukraine: what is the best possible scenario for ending the war at this point? From a pragmatic, not an idealistic point of view.

A. The best possible scenario is that Russia stops the war and withdraws its troops from Ukrainian territory, but that is not going to happen because the international system is broken and Russia is trying to convince the world that it is a military power with nuclear weapons. It can break international laws, dictate its own laws and even forcibly change internationally recognized borders, and no one stops it. I can go back to your question about genocide because, as a lawyer, I know that genocide is the crime of crimes, and it is very difficult to prove, but war crimes, crimes against humanity, are no less serious. All crimes must be punished regardless of their status.

Q. You mentioned the weakness of the international justice system. Putin recently defied it with a trip to Mongolia, a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant against the Russian president for war crimes in Ukraine. What are the real chances of bringing Putin to justice, if there has already been an opportunity and it has not been taken?

A. Nobody expected Mongolia to arrest Putin because it is totally dependent on Russian energy, but at least Mongolia could have tried to prevent Putin from coming to their country and making their president [Ukhnaa Khurelsukh] violate international laws. Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened with a leader. We need to implement negative consequences for countries that violate their obligation under the Rome Statute and I hope that will happen in the next few months. I also know that Mexico invited Putin to the presidential inauguration [of Claudia Sheinbaum] and I hope that the country will do its duty and, despite the invitation, the prosecutor will arrest Putin if he comes. I also know that the president of Mexico sent the invitation to all the leaders because she wants a neutral position, and I respect that each nation defines its foreign policy, but Mexico cannot be neutral with human suffering. It is not neutrality, it is indifference.

Q. In addition to Russian war crimes, does your organization also monitor Ukrainian troops? For example, the soldiers that have invaded the Russian territory of Kursk.

A. We document all crimes because we are human rights lawyers and we protect human dignity. In our database we also have crimes committed by Ukrainian forces, but having recorded 78,000 violations, I can assure you that the vast majority were committed by Russia, which has also committed war crimes in Chechnya, Moldova, Georgia, Mali, Libya and Syria among other countries, and has never been punished.

Q. What do you think of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy? During the war, he outlawed parties, among other questionable decisions, and his leadership has not been free of controversy.

A. President Zelenskiy still has enormous support from the population, which is natural because during wars countries unite. If the war continues for years, this unity can change. Ukraine is a democracy, with some problems, because we only got the chance to build democratic institutions 10 years ago.

Q. Are you worried about a possible Donald Trump victory in the U.S. elections, as he has threatened to cut aid to Ukraine?

A. It is the right of the American people to decide, but what I know for sure is that whether we have their support or not, we will continue to fight. The world does not understand that it is not a choice. Putin openly says that there is no Ukrainian culture. For 10 years I have seen how these words have been converted into a horrible practice. Russian troops deliberately exterminate working people like lawyers, journalists, musicians, writers, teachers. They ban our language and our culture, they forcibly take Ukrainian children from Ukraine for re-education. We have no other choice, if we stop fighting, there will be nothing left of us, no matter how the rest of the world understands it.

Q. But if the U.S. stops sending weapons and money there is a strong possibility that they will not be able to resist.

A. It is not just a Ukrainian problem. Let me remind you that Russia is fighting not only against Ukraine, but against democratic systems. Released prisoners who have passed through Russian jails describe their jailers vision of the future as first a conquest of Ukraine and then of other countries. And they are forcibly recruiting Ukrainians from the occupied territories into the Russian army. Whether European countries, especially those of the European Union, have the courage to admit it or not, they are safe only because Ukrainians keep fighting.

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The truth? Ures band, Slik, had been destroyed at the box office by the Bay City Rollers. As a former Sounds journalist-turned-fixer for the Stones, Bowie, Prince, the Spice Girls, Amy Winehouse and tons more pop icons, Edwards kiss-and-tell memoir is loaded with such cheeky reveals.

That was the broadly accepted illusion anyway, back when Alan Edwards was a junior London PR agent. One early campaign involved servicing UK music papers with photos of a car crash to explain Scottish pop wannabe Midge Ures cancelled 1976 tour. Unbelievably, he writes, not one of the papers picked up on the fact that Midge had seemingly received immediate attention at the scene of the crash, and was standing there, bandaged up, in front of smouldering wreckage.

I was there is a shocking confession for a celebrity publicist. Surely, the whole idea is to pretend youre not. Theres Mick Jagger, say, and heres us. Theres no strategy, no staging, no deals or spin or bullying or flagrant lies in between, just the authentic truth served up by our own eyes.

Its all gleeful high jinks early on, as the starry-eyed music obsessive watches Keith Moon overturn his bosss desk, or flies a pack of rowdy Fleet Street hacks to the top of a Swiss alp for a photo shoot with drunk and brawling hard-rock band Uriah Heep. Around the time he chances on the Sex Pistols tearing up a run-down West Kensington pub while some geezer named Malcolm McLaren jerks around deliberately spilling punters pints, the idea of public relations as an art form takes something of a quantum leap.

We follow Edwards eager learning curve as he works out what makes news, and who and how to finesse to make it go Billy Idols or Blondies way. His adventures at this perilous frontier escalate chapter by chapter, from gunplay with the Stranglers to footy with Bob Marley to his first blockbuster appointment with the Rolling Stones at the nadir of their early 80s irrelevance.

I reminded myself that a publicist is a bit like a garage mechanic, he writes. Its our job to fix the engine, regardless of whether it belongs in a Mini or a Merc. As expected, this mechanic comes a cropper between the pistons of micromanaging money man Jagger and strictly music-minded malcontent Keith Richards. It took me months to get over the worst of it, he writes of the ripping power struggle.

At the centre of Edwards book is his friendship with David Bowie.

As per the chummy cover shot, his recurring work with David Bowie forms the main thread of Edwards book. Called in for several crucial turns on the Dukes ever-morphing road, he mostly casts himself as an acolyte at the impeccably shod feet of a PR master, though he claims credit for Bowies late-career resurgence as a front-page cultural icon, as distinct from a music column heritage act.
After this meeting, McPhersons friendship with Bragg became shaky as he became difficult to contact, but the pair eventually reconnected. The group allegedly tried unsuccessfully to recruit another freight mover with Wymap Group, but he shied away and went overseas. According to the crown, a drug importation was planned via a Qantas flight on June 10, but this did not work out. Officers swooped on their suspects at an airport freight terminal. Cain allegedly called Bragg that morning and said a mate had come around last night were not on. Bragg allegedly responded that he was f---in gone and told his partner on the phone that it was the worst day of his life.

Bragg was fired from Wymap Group on the day of that failed job, but McPherson arranged for him to be employed with Jets Transport. On August 31, Cain met Haoucher at Southpoint shopping centre in Hillsdale and discussed a Plan B, with Haoucher allegedly saying, The way Im looking at it, weve lost three hundred grand. Cain allegedly expressed concern about being caught, to which Haoucher allegedly said somebody congratulated Cain when we done [sic] the first one. The cocaine was found wrapped in bags inside the van. From then on, the group largely discussed plans over Threema, an encrypted messenger application, with the crown accusing Haoucher of using the handle Deniro and Cain of using Wally Lewis.

Haoucher allegedly messaged Cain about his plan to arrange a new partner in Dubai with a proven track record and work experience out of joburg [sic]. He allegedly said he was working all weekend to make it happen. Ahmed Haouchar On September 23, the group organised a dummy run, with a freight container containing an empty black shoulder bag unloaded from a Qantas flight at Sydney Airport, placed on the baggage carousel and left uncollected. The bag was eventually taken to an unclaimed baggage area and seized by the AFP. The next day, Haoucher allegedly told Cain they were locked in for next week, to which Cain responded: Brilliant. Your [sic] the man, we make a good team. But the next week, the job fell apart.

Their associates working from Johannesburg were concerned about freight changes that meant the container might land in Sydney with a broken seal. Using coded language about horse-racing, Bragg allegedly confirmed with Cain the smuggling would still go ahead. But yeah mate the vet and everyone else completely cleared it, he allegedly said. Police seized several mobile phones following the bust. The exit team in South Africa would not risk it, however, and Haoucher told Bragg it wasnt happening. Ok very disappointed, Bragg allegedly responded, before passing on the bad news to Cain, saying theyve scratched the horse.

Soon enough, the seal issue had been fixed and they were on for next weekend. At midday on October 7, El-Mustapha sat in a white van at the front of the Qantas Freight International Terminal. As their cargo arrived, the crown alleges Bragg drove McPherson to the freight container on the tarmac, put it on a tug and drove it to the Qantas freight terminal. McPherson allegedly removed several bags containing the cocaine and placed them into the white van with El-Mustapha a short time later. Just as El-Mustapha began reversing the van, the men were surrounded by AFP vehicles and were arrested.

Having seized their phones, police messaged Haoucher and Cain purporting to be their associates, luring the former to Rushcutters Bay Park and latter to Braggs Coogee home and arresting them. The Crown alleges Bragg and Cain shared a phone and the Threema handle Wally Lewis to communicate with Haoucher, but Cains defence team argued there was no evidence Cain used the phone. Justice Natalie Adams granted Cain strict bail, noting the relatively strong prosecution case but also his solid family support, with his partners sister offering a $300,000 surety to secure his release. Cain must wear a GPS electronic monitoring device, abide by a 6am-9pm curfew, report to police twice a day, not go near international departure points and not possess more than one mobile phone. Haoucher, who was bailed to a rehabilitation facility in December, is a brother of Bilal, a notorious gangster believed to have been arrested in Lebanon last year as part of a different alleged criminal syndicate.
Private schools are insisting parents pay a full terms fees  up to $10,000  if they withdraw their children because they are a victim of bullying, prompting calls for schools to relax rules if student safety is at risk.

Some schools are also demanding parents sign non-disclosure agreements to protect the schools reputation.

The death by suicide this month of a 12-year-old girl who cited bullying in her farewell note has intensified longstanding concerns that schools and families dont know how to respond to bullying effectively.

Parents say schools are financially penalising them when they withdraw children due to bullying. Credit: iStock

A study of more than 20 countries found Australian students were among the most exposed to bullying, with nearly one in five saying others had made fun of them, and one in 10 saying they had been deliberately excluded.
An employer in Sydneys inner west who threatened to sack a woman for declining to work shifts while serving jury duty in a murder trial has become one of the few Australian bosses prosecuted under laws protecting jurors.

The juror worked three out of every four weekends at a vintage clothing shop and was advised by the judge to take weekends off to process the case, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice said.

Juror E was threatened with the sack by her employer for refusing to work shifts during a murder trial. Silhouette does not depict the juror, whose identity is covered by a suppression order. Credit: Jamie Brown

The murder trial ran between February and April last year. The identity of the employee, referred to as Juror E, is protected by a suppression order.

Despite two letters from the judge stating the juror was to rest on the weekends, the employer contacted her to say she had breached company policy by failing to fulfil her working hours, the department said.
The state government is set to build 483 new affordable homes in Greater Brisbanes key growth suburbs, including the Moreton Bay and Logan regions, where local councils have demanded increased funding ahead of next months election.

The Labor government said 349 of the houses would be built in the Moreton Bay suburbs of Burpengary East and Joyner, with the remaining 134 earmarked for Logan Reserve and Jimboomba, south of Brisbane.

Construction is expected to begin next month in already partly established estates, with the first tenants tipped to move in from mid-2025, and the final home to be complete by mid-2027.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said on Sunday the money would come from the state governments $2 billion housing investment fund.
The Australian Federal Police has said the display of terrorist symbols was not enough for an arrest after protesters gatecrashed a pro-Palestine rally waving Hezbollah flags and holding up photos of the terror groups slain leader.

The Sunday rally formed part of a national day of action for Gaza, with thousands of people also taking to the streets in Sydney and other cities around the world in renewed opposition to Israels bombing campaign.

A Hezbollah flag is seen during the pro-Palestine rally for Gaza and Lebanon at the State Library of Victoria. Credit: AAP

A small group with Hezbollah flags  some holding what appeared to be framed photographs of the terror groups slain leader Hassan Nasrallah  joined the event at the State Library in Melbournes CBD as speeches ended and people began to march.

Victoria Police said the public display of terrorist symbols was a Commonwealth offence and that there were no arrests from the protest, which drew an estimated 600 people.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona will roll the dice and try to create NRL history after the Storm confirmed they would seek a judiciary miracle to have the New Zealand hitman cleared for the grand final.

After Melbourne officials were locked in marathon talks into Sunday night, Asofa-Solomona will fly to Sydney seeking an almost unprecedented double downgrade to be freed to take on three-time defending premiers Penrith in the decider.

Melbourne has asked for the judiciary hearing to be expedited to Monday night.

Asofa-Solomona won support from Kiwis teammate and Panthers enforcer James Fisher-Harris, who insisted he would prefer to beat the Storm at their best.
Race 3 - 2.50pm: CANNON ACCOUNTING & TAXATION CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1200m) 2. Arctic Legend had shown some talent early in his career and since joining the Cody Morgan stable he has found winning form. He resumed and had his first start for Morgan when scoring at this track in April, then backed that up with a second win before being spelled again. Hes had two trials leading into this. Dangers: 6. Deebo was a winner at this track back in January and was then spelled. He resumed with a seventh at Armidale when only beaten two lengths. He can figure prominently here. 9. Lord Of The Sun was placed at Moree when resuming and wasnt disgraced here last time out. 10. Prince Carlos is a last-start Armidale placegetter and could sneak into the placings again if he runs up to that. How to play it: Arctic Legend WIN Race 4 - 3.25pm: SHAY BRENNAN CONSTRUCTIONS SPRING CUP BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP (1200m)

5. Russley Crown resumes from a spell here and he did win a Country Chanpionships event at this track earlier in the year. He was runner-up in the Gunnedah Cup two starts ago and has had two trials leading into this. He goes well fresh. Dangers: 2. Rhythm Is A Dancer won a Scone trial before resuming with a fifth at this track behind Driving Force. 4. Jacenza is talented at best and could show up if the breaks go his way. 8. Roussos was placed at Moree two starts ago then ran well enough when a last start fourth at Mudgee. He has the ability to figure in the money. How to play it: Demitasse WIN Race 5 - 4.05pm: CONCRETE INDUSTRY SUPPLIES BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1600m) 10. Foolish did the job well when coming from back in the field to score a strong win at Wyong two starts ago. He since ran home evenly when midfield at Wyong behind Etched In Time. He handles wet tracks well and this looks well within his reach.

Dangers: 3. Syrian Star failed to figure at this track last time out but her previous form was solid and she can improve enough to give plenty of cheek here. 6. Leica Model won two on end at Moree before finishing midfield at Grafton when last produced. Shes racing well enough to give this a shake. 1. Ring Ahoy has had plenty of chances but will find this much easier than his recent runs. How to play it: Foolish WIN Race 6 - 4.40pm: DYNAMIC FIRE CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400m) 6. Release Point was a winner on debut at Narromine and then finished midfield at this track before being spelled. He had a trial at Scone before resuming with a midfield effort at the same track when beaten 3.5 lengths. He should be better for that hitout and can figure prominently. Dangers: 1. Great Siege has had two runs back from a spell and finished fifth at Newcastle when resuming before a last-start fourth as favourite at this track when racing on the speed and battling on well. 2. Rura Penthe has been close-up without being placed in both runs back from a break and has had a trial leading into this. 5. Blazed Prince followed a second at this track with a strong win here last time out when leading throughout. He should run well again.

How to play it: Release Point EACH WAY Race 7 - 5.20pm: COURTHOUSE HOTEL COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1000m) 2. Jet Empress was second-up from a spell when hitting the line well to score a win at this track at her latest start. She is lightly raced but is building a good record and she only needs to run up to her latest effort in order to be hard to hold out again. Dangers: 1. Who Goes There looked good winning his first two starts last year then was spelled. He was unplaced in both runs in December last year and January and resumes again here. He has plenty of talent and will take beating if anywhere near his best. 4. Sir Freddie was a Highway winner at Randwick four starts ago and since then was down the track at Scone before contesting two more Highways, the latest being a solid effort when seventh at Randwick. 6. Outta De Lady has been placed in each of his latest two starts with both being at this track. He can be placed again here from the good draw. How to play it: Jet Empress WIN
The death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike has dramatically weakened a key Iranian deterrent against its archenemy, Israel.

Iran has long sought to have the proxies it supports in the region  including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and forces in Syria, Yemen and Iraq  serve as the front line in its long-running fight with Israel. But if its most important military asset, Hezbollah, has been decimated, it may have no choice but to respond, experts said this weekend.

An Iranian demonstrator holds up a poster of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a gathering to support Hezbollah in Tehran on Saturday. Credit: AP

The decisions it makes will have a significant impact on the next stage of a growing conflict that threatens to engulf the region.

Irans choices really range from ugly to unpalatable, said Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, a conflict prevention organisation.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 29, 2024 - 10:40 | All, Japan

A medical expert has expressed concern over the time it takes to diagnose dementia in Japan, which averages about 16 months after a patient's cohabitants begin noticing changes.

Recognition of the condition comes too "late from a specialist's perspective," Katsuya Urakami, director of the Japan Society for Dementia Prevention, said.

Noting that common symptoms for dementia can begin to show even three to five years before diagnosis, he said people can recover from mild cognitive impairment "with appropriate measures."

The survey by Taiyo Life Insurance Co. showed it took 16.2 months for a diagnosis, including an average 11.6 months to be seen by a doctor.

It cited forgetfulness as the most common symptom noticed by cohabitants of suspected dementia sufferers, followed by the inability to manage money or medication and "poor recollection" of past events.

The results were released on Sept. 19 ahead of Alzheimer's Day on Sept. 21.

Urakami said the delay in receiving a diagnosis may be caused by not knowing which hospital to go to, or hesitancy by the suspected patient to take the step of finding out whether they have dementia.

The online survey collected responses from 1,000 people in their 30s through their 70s who have lived for over six months with a family member who was diagnosed within the past five years with dementia.

Related coverage:

Japan set to approve Lilly's donanemab to treat Alzheimer's disease

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The death of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollahs secretary-general for more than 30 years, is the latest in a series of stunning blows that Israel has landed on the militant group in the past few weeks. The organisations security has been thoroughly penetrated and many of its senior and mid-level commanders have been killed, along with hundreds of its fighters in the year-long attritional air campaign waged by Israel.

Nasrallah came to the position after the killing of Abbas Musawi and his family in an Israeli airstrike in 1993, and he will be replaced. Israels leadership decapitation strategy has killed a large number of Hezbollahs senior military commanders but they, too, will be replaced.

Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as they shout slogans during a protest against his assassination in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon. Credit: AP

There is no doubt that the organisation is badly damaged; the replacement leadership will also be under Israeli pressure and it will need to learn quickly or meet the same fate as their predecessors. But these types of conflicts arent won simply by killing the leadership.

While the organisations former leadership will not be mourned by most inside Lebanon, nor by many regional countries, the true extent of Israels success will become more apparent in months and years ahead. Hezbollah remains the most consequential political grouping within Lebanon, albeit with the implicit, and at times explicit, backing of its armed militia.
The strike followed Israel bombing Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday as part of an attack it said was in response to missiles fired by the Iran-aligned militants over the weekend. The Yemen strikes killed at least four people and wounded 29, the Houthi-run Health Ministry said in a statement, and residents said the bombing had caused power outages in most parts of the port city of Hodeidah. The attacks came after Israel struck more targets in Lebanon following its assassination of Hezbollahs leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and a string of the militant groups top commanders. Damaged apartments, right, are seen in a building that was hit by Israeli strike, in Beirut, Lebanon, early on Monday. Credit: AP The Lebanese Health Ministry said at least 105 people were killed around the country in airstrikes on Sunday. Two strikes near the southern city of Sidon, about 45km south of Beirut, killed at least 32 people, the ministry said. Separately, Israeli strikes in the northern province of Baalbek Hermel killed 21 people and wounded at least 47.

Lebanese media reported dozens of strikes in the central, eastern and western Bekaa and in the south, besides strikes on Beirut. Israel says it targets militants, but the strikes have hit buildings where civilians were living and the death toll was expected to rise. In a video of a strike in Sidon, verified by the AP, a building swayed before collapsing as neighbors filmed. One TV station called on viewers to pray for a family caught under the rubble, posting their pictures, as rescuers failed to reach them. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 14 medics were killed over two days in the south. US President Joe Biden said he would speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in coming days as he declared an all-out war in the Middle East must be avoided. Ill tell you what I say to him when I talk to him, he told reporters in Washington. Asked whether all-out war in the Middle East could be avoided, he replied: It has to be. We really have to avoid it. Houthi supporters raise a Hezbollah and a Lebanese flag during an anti-Israel and anti-US rally in Sanaa, Yemen on Friday. The Houthi rebels, like Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are backed by Iran. Credit: AP

The bomb that Israel used to kill Nasrallah was an American-made guided weapon, a US Senator Mark Kelly, chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, said. He said Israel used a 2000-pound (900-kg) Mark 84 series bomb. His statement during an interview with NBC marks the first US indication of what weapon was used. Israels military said in a statement that dozens of aircraft had attacked Yemeni power plants, as well as ports in Hodeidah and Ras Issa. It was the second such Israeli attack on Yemen in just over two months. In July, Israeli warplanes struck Houthi targets near Hodeidah after a Yemeni drone hit Tel Aviv. Yemens Houthi militants, backed by Iran, have  like Hezbollah in Lebanon  repeatedly fired missiles and drones at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians following a Hamas cross-border attack on October 7. In their latest attack, the Houthis claimed to have launched a ballistic missile towards Tel Avivs Ben Gurion International Airport on Saturday. Israel said it had intercepted that missile, along with one launched on Friday.

Iran condemned the Israeli strikes on Yemen, saying they had targeted civilian infrastructure. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israel should not be allowed to attack countries in the Iran-aligned Axis of Resistance one after the other. Nasrallahs body was recovered from the site of Fridays strike, a medical source and a security source told Reuters. Hezbollah has not said when his funeral will be held. The London Telegraph reported his body was found intact, his death caused by blunt trauma, according to Lebanese authorities. Nasrallah made Hezbollah into a powerful domestic force in Lebanon and helped turn it into the linchpin of Irans network of allied groups in the Arab world. People gather at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beiruts southern suburbs. Credit: AP Some Lebanese mourned him on Sunday.

We lost the leader who gave us all the strength and faith that we, this small country that we love, could turn it into a paradise, said Lebanese Christian woman Sophia Blanche Rouillard, carrying a black flag to work in Beirut. Loading Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the funeral would be marked by a national holiday, with three days of official mourning starting on Monday despite growing fears of an Israeli ground invasion. Israels intensifying bombardments have increased fears that the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon could spin out of control, potentially drawing Iran into the war, as well as the US, Israels closest ally. The fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, their latest round of warfare in four decades of on-off conflict, has been waged in parallel with Israels war against Hamas in Gaza.

Hezbollah has consistently fired rockets into Israel in support of Hamas since October 7. Israel says its goal is to make its northern areas safe from Hezbollah rocket fire and to allow thousands of displaced residents to return, but its strikes have also had a devastating impact on civilians in Lebanon. Lebanons Health Ministry said more than 1000 Lebanese had been killed and another 6000 wounded in the past two weeks. It did not say what percentage were civilians or combatants. The government said a million people  a fifth of the population  had fled their homes. In Beirut, some displaced families spent the weekend on the benches at Zaitunay Bay, home to a string of restaurants and cafes on Beiruts waterfront. Many of them had little other than duffle bags of clothes and rolled-out mats to sleep on.

You wont be able to destroy us, whatever you do, however much you bomb, however much you displace people  we will stay here. We wont leave. This is our country and were staying, said Francoise Azori, a Beirut resident who was jogging through the area. High-ranking Hezbollah leader Nabil Kaouk has been killed by Israel. Credit: AP On Sunday, Israels military said the air force had struck dozens of targets, including launchers and weapons stores, while its navy said it had intercepted eight projectiles coming from the direction of Lebanon and one from the Red Sea. More blasts rocked Beirut and drones could be heard flying over the Lebanese capital overnight on Saturday and throughout Sunday. Israeli airstrikes have killed a string of Hezbollahs most senior commanders. On Sunday, Israel said it had killed Nabil Kaouk, a prominent Hezbollah leader, whose death Hezbollah confirmed.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was moved to a secure location in Iran on Saturday after Nasrallahs killing. Hezbollahs arsenal has long been a point of contention in Lebanon, a country with a history of civil conflict. Hezbollahs Lebanese critics say the group has unilaterally pulled the country into conflicts and undermined the state. However, Lebanons top Christian cleric, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai, said Nasrallahs killing had opened a wound in the heart of the Lebanese. Rai has previously voiced criticism of the Shiite Islamist Hezbollah, accusing it of dragging Lebanon into regional conflicts.
The escalating Middle East conflict has reached an exceedingly dangerous point that should compel the world to rethink its strategy of running for the hills for fear of another misadventure in the Levant.

The pivot point is that Israel has stopped tolerating the almost year-long rocket fire, shelling and drone strikes from the Iranian proxy militia Hezbollah, which has essentially taken over southern Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Credit: AP

Following an intelligence operation that caused thousands of communications devices carried by Hezbollah fighters to explode, last week Israel began a massive targeted bombing campaign to take out key leadership members and destroy Hezbollahs enormous arsenal of Iranian-supplied rockets. On Saturday, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah for the past 32 years and one of the militant groups founders, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. He is the fourth senior Hezbollah figure to be killed in this latest round of attacks, and his death is a possible game-changer.

The situation that has now been created is different from the messy Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in which the question of who is right is so subjective and entangled in narratives and emotion that it belongs in a box of its own. The latter is, moreover, a complex territorial dispute of the kind that is in most cases throughout history settled by force, with the outcome determined by which side is more patient and determined.
Washington: Donald Trump deployed some of his harshest rhetoric against immigrants who have crossed the border illegally and committed crimes, especially against young women, while he also escalated his personal insults against Kamala Harris.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Credit: AP

In the battleground state of Wisconsin, Trump on Saturday (US time) called Democratic Vice President Harris, who on Friday visited the US-Mexico border for the first time in her 2024 presidential campaign, mentally impaired and mentally disabled.

The Republican presidential candidate was flanked by posters of immigrants in the US illegally who have been arrested for murder and other violent crimes, and banners saying End Migrant Crime and Deport Illegals Now.

His speech was unusually devoted almost entirely to undocumented immigrants. He called those who had committed violent crime monsters, stone-cold killers and vile animals.
Justice or assassination: leaders react to Israel's killing of Nasrallah



Paris, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



World leaders warned of potential repercussions on Saturday after Lebanese militant group Hezbollah announced its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike on a suburb of Beirut.

The killing of the Iran-backed group's chief has intensified fears of all-out war in the Middle East.

US President Joe Biden welcomed "a measure of justice".



- Iran -



First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref warned Israel that Nasrallah's death would "bring about their destruction", Iran's ISNA news agency quoted him as saying.

The foreign ministry of Iran, which finances and arms Hezbollah, said Nasrallah's work will continue after his death. "His sacred goal will be realised in the liberation of Quds (Jerusalem), God willing," spokesman Nasser Kanani posted on X.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced five days of public mourning.



- United States -



Biden said Nasrallah's death was "a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis and Lebanese civilians".

Washington supports Israel's right to defend itself against "Iranian-supported terrorist groups" and the "defence posture" of US forces in the region would be "further enhanced", Biden added in a statement.

Vice President Kamala Harris said Nasrallah was "a terrorist with American blood on his hands" and said she would "always support Israel's right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis."

Leading Republicans in the House of Representatives also welcomed the end of a "reign of bloodshed, oppression, and terror" by "one of the most brutal terrorists on the planet".



- Russia -



Russia's foreign ministry said "we decisively condemn the latest political murder carried out by Israel" and urged it to "immediately cease military action" in Lebanon.

Israel would "bear full responsibility" for the "tragic" consequences the killing could bring to the region, the ministry added in a statement.



- Germany -



Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told ARD television that the killing "threatens destabilisation for the whole of Lebanon", which "is in no way in Israel's security interest".



- Canada -



Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described Nasrallah as "the leader of a terrorist organization that attacked and killed innocent civilians, causing immense suffering across the region".

But he called for more to be done to protect civilians in the conflict, adding: "We urge calm and restraint during this critical time."



- Britain -



Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a post on X that he had spoken with the Lebanese premier.

"We agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the bloodshed. A diplomatic solution is the only way to restore security and stability for the Lebanese and Israeli people," he said.



- France -



French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot demanded Israel "immediately stop its strikes in Lebanon" and said it was opposed to any ground operation in the country.

France also "calls on other actors, notably Hezbollah and Iran, to abstain from any action that could lead to additional destabilisation and regional conflagration", the foreign ministry said in a statement.



- United Nations -



UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was "gravely concerned by the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut in the last 24 hours".



- Hamas -



Palestinian militant group Hamas, whose unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel sparked the devastating war in Gaza that drew in fellow Iran-backed groups including Hezbollah, called Nasrallah's killing "a cowardly terrorist act".

"We condemn in the strongest terms this barbaric Zionist aggression and targeting of residential buildings," Hamas said in a statement.



- Palestinian Authority -



Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas offered his "deep condolences" to Lebanon for the deaths of Nasrallah and civilians, who "fell as a result of the brutal Israeli aggression", according to a statement from his office.



- Huthis -



The Iran-backed Yemeni rebels, who have been firing on ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Hamas, said in a statement that Nasrallah's killing "will increase the flame of sacrifice, the heat of enthusiasm, the strength of resolve" against Israel, with their leader vowing Nasrallah's death "will not be in vain".



- Turkey -



President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country maintains diplomatic relations with Israel but who has been a sharp critic of its offensive in Gaza, said on X that Lebanon was being subjected to a "genocide", without referring directly to Nasrallah.



- Cuba -



In a post on X, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the killing a "cowardly targeted assassination" that "seriously threatens regional and global peace and security, for which Israel bears full responsibility with the complicity of the United States."



- Argentina -



Argentine President Javier Milei reposted on X a message from a member of his council of economic advisers, David Epstein, who hailed the killing.

"Israel eliminated one of the greatest contemporary murderers. Responsible, among others, for the cowardly attacks in #ARG," it said. "Today the world is a little freer".



- Saudi Arabia -



Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told the UN that "this escalation will have... negative repercussions for the entire region".

"We call upon all parties to show wisdom and to show restraint in order to avoid a true war from breaking out in the region."



- Venezuela -



Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed solidarity with Nasrallah and Lebanon.

"They want to justify it, but to assassinate him, they attacked buildings, housing estates and killed hundreds of people. There's a word for this: crime."

bur-yad/jj/dhw/ssy
Lebanon army makes plea for 'unity' after Nasrallah's killing



Beirut, Lebanon, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



Lebanon's army on Sunday warned Lebanese against actions that would disturb public order in the crisis-hit country after Israel's killing of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the powerful Iran-backed group Hezbollah.

The army in a statement said it "calls on citizens to preserve national unity and not to be drawn into actions that may affect civil peace at this dangerous and delicate stage", following the massive Friday strike that killed Nasrallah and as Israeli attacks continue.

"The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and sow division among Lebanese," the army statement added.

Tiny Lebanon has long been divided along sectarian lines and witnessed a devastating 1975-1990 civil war.

Hezbollah, the Shiite Muslim movement that wields great power in Lebanon and whose military might is widely believed to dwarf Lebanon's armed forces, has drawn criticism from some Lebanese politicians over its decision to open a "support front" against Israel over the Gaza war nearly a year ago.

A Lebanese army official told AFP troops had been deployed since Saturday in Beirut, where thousands have sought refuge from intense Israeli raids on Lebanon's south and east and on Hezbollah's south Beirut bastion.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged Lebanese "to come together" to preserve civil order.

"Our national responsibility at this historic and exceptional moment requires setting aside political differences," he said on Saturday, after cutting short a New York trip.



- 'Radio silent' -



United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert also called for unity in a statement on X on Sunday.

"At this critical moment for Lebanon when uncertainty is rife, now is the time for the country to focus on the common interest that unites its people," she said.

Even the parties traditionally opposed to the powerful Iran-backed group have refrained from making fiery statements following Nasrallah's killing.

The Lebanese Forces, a Christian party widely viewed as one of Hezbollah's fiercest critics, even ordered supporters to go "radio silent" on social media in a message circulated on their groups, a source close to the party told AFP.

On Saturday, former prime minister Saad Hariri called on Lebanese to "rise above differences", adding that Nasrallah's killing "has plunged Lebanon and the region into a new phase of violence".

An international court had found that Hezbollah operatives were behind the 2005 killing of his father Rafic Hariri, also a former Lebanese premier.

Hezbollah began exchanging cross-border fire with Israel in support of ally Hamas a day after the Palestinian militant group's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, which triggered war in Gaza.

Israel has over the past days shifted the focus of its operation from Gaza to Lebanon, where heavy bombing since Monday has killed hundreds of people and displaced tens of thousands.

lk-aya/jsa
Israel says killed another top Hezbollah official in Lebanon strike



Beirut, Lebanon, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



Israel said Sunday it killed another senior Hezbollah official in an air strike on the Lebanese capital after dealing the Iran-backed group a seismic blow by assassinating its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Israel announced the killing of Nabil Qaouq, a member of Hezbollah's central council in a strike Saturday, adding that its air force continued to hit "dozens" more targets around Lebanon on Sunday.

Israeli strikes have in recent months decimated Hezbollah's senior command structure, with Nasrallah's right-hand man Fuad Shukr, head of the elite Radwan Force Ibrahim Aqil and others among the dead.

The past week's waves of strikes on Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon have also plunged the tiny Mediterranean country and the wider region into fear of even more violence to come.

Hezbollah launched low-intensity cross-border strikes on Israeli troops after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged its unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, sparking the war in the Gaza Strip.

Nearly a year later, Israel announced a shift in its focus to battling Hezbollah on its northern front.

Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah's killing in a massive strike on Friday on the group's main bastion in south Beirut.

"We all started crying," Maha Karit told AFP in Beirut after Nasrallah's death.

With Lebanon already mired in political and economic crisis, the escalation has pushed it to the brink, as the bombardment has killed over 700 people in a week, according to health ministry figures.

The Israeli military said on Sunday its air force had struck "dozens of Hezbollah terror targets" after carrying out "hundreds" of strikes on Friday and Saturday.

It then announced that Qaouq was "struck and eliminated" in a strike on south Beirut on Saturday.

Hezbollah has yet to officially announce Qaouq's death but a source close to the group said he had been killed.

Lebanon's National News Agency reported a string of raids in and around the city of Baalbek in the east.

At least six people were killed in a strike on a house in the northeastern Hermel region, the agency reported, while an emergency response group affiliated with Hezbollah ally the Amal movement said five of its rescuers were killed in the south.

Hezbollah said its fighters launched "a volley of Fadi-1" rockets at an Israeli base in the Golan Heights early Sunday. The Israeli military reported "approximately eight" launches from Lebanon that fell in unpopulated areas near the Israeli-annexed territory.



- Cult status -



Nasrallah was the face of Hezbollah, enjoying cult status among his supporters.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had "settled the score" with Nasrallah's killing, while Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said the world was "a safer place" without him.

US President Joe Biden -- whose government is Israel's top arms supplier -- said it was a "measure of justice for his many victims".

Analysts told AFP that Nasrallah's death leaves bruised Hezbollah under pressure to respond.

"Either we see an unprecedented reaction by Hezbollah... or this is total defeat," said Heiko Wimmen of the International Crisis Group think tank.

The assassination also showcased Israel's military and intelligence prowess.

"It demonstrates... just how deeply Israel has penetrated Hezbollah," said James Dorsey of Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Hezbollah backer Iran has condemned Nasrallah's assassination, with First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref threatening it would bring about Israel's "destruction".

On Sunday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also vowed that the killing of its Revolutionary Guards general Abbas Nilforoushan alongside Nasrallah would "not go unanswered".

Hamas condemned Nasrallah's killing as a "cowardly terrorist act", while Lebanon, Iraq, Iran and Syria all declared public mourning.

Allied armed groups across the region like Yemen's Huthi rebels, already drawn into the Gaza war, have vowed action against Israel.

An "unmanned aerial target" approaching Israel over the Red Sea -- where the Iran-backed Huthis have launched attacks before -- was intercepted on Sunday, the Israeli military said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.



- 'Breaking point' -



Most of the deaths in Lebanon came on Monday, the deadliest day of violence since the country's 1975-1990 civil war.

UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi said "well over 200,000 people are displaced inside Lebanon" and more than 50,000 have fled to neighbouring Syria.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati however warned the figure could be much higher, saying up to one million people may have been forced from their homes.

It was potentially the "largest displacement movement" in the country's history, he said.

The World Food Programme said it had launched an emergency operation to provide meals and support for "up to one million people" affected by the escalation.

"Lebanon is at a breaking point and cannot endure another war," said WFP regional director Corinne Fleischer.

Diplomats have said efforts to end the war in Gaza were key to halting the fighting in Lebanon and bringing the region back from the brink.

In Gaza, AFP correspondents reported several air strikes during the night and shelling from a navy boat.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said an Israeli strike killed at least three Palestinians in a house in Gaza City, with three more killed in two separate strikes in the territory's north and centre.

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 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 41,595 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.

burs/jsa/ami
US military says killed 37 militants in separate Syria strikes



Washington, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



US forces conducted two separate strikes in Syria, killing 37 "terrorist operatives" including members of the Islamic State group and Al Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din, the military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday.

A September 24 strike in northwest Syria killed nine "terrorist operatives," including senior Hurras al-Din leader Marwan Bassam 'Abd-al-Ra'uf, the US military said.

A September 16 strike in central Syria targeted an IS training camp and killed at least 28 people, including four senior leaders, the statement said. It did not identify the leaders.

The US military has around 900 troops in Syria as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group. The coalition was established in 2014 to help combat the armed group, which had taken over vast swaths of Iraq and Syria.

"These strikes against leadership and operatives of ISIS and the Al Qaeda affiliate, Hurras al-Din, represent CENTCOM's commitment to the enduring defeat of terrorist organizations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility and our support to regional stability," said General Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM's commander.

Anti-IS coalition forces have been targeted dozens of times with drones and rocket fire in both Iraq and Syria, as violence related to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since last year has drawn in armed groups across the Middle East.

US forces have carried out multiple retaliatory strikes against militant factions in both countries.

In August, US forces killed another Hurras al-Din leader, Abu Abdul Rahman al-Makki, in a strike in Syria.
"Every year we make friends here, meet new customers, and we establish partnerships with them," said a businessman attending the China-ASEAN Expo in China's Nanning. Follow Xinhua's Yu Jiaming to explore more about the event.
Israel says 20 Hezbollah members killed in Nasrallah strike



Beirut, Lebanon, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



Israel's military said on Sunday its air strike on Beirut that killed Hassan Nasrallah also "eliminated" another 20 Hezbollah members, as its forces kept pounding Lebanon.

It said "more than 20 other terrorists of varying ranks" were present when Friday's air strike killed Nasrallah, an attack that dealt the Iran-backed armed group a seismic blow.

Israel also said Nabil Qaouq, a member of Hezbollah's central council, was killed in a strike on Saturday, adding that jets continued to hit "dozens" of targets around Lebanon.

In one attack which Israel called a "precise strike" in Hezbollah's southern Beirut bastion, a witness told AFP a rocket hit a building which collapsed instantly.

A source close to Hezbollah told AFP the target had been Abu Ali Rida, a commander of one of the group's sectors in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah later said Rida was "fine".

Israeli air strikes have decimated Hezbollah's senior command structure, with Nasrallah's right-hand man Fuad Shukr, head of the elite Radwan Force Ibrahim Aqil and others among the dead.

A Hezbollah statement on Sunday confirmed that the group's top commander in south Lebanon, Ali Karake, had also been killed on Friday.

The past week's waves of strikes targeting Hezbollah have intensified fears in Lebanon and the wider region of more violence to come.

Hezbollah launched low-intensity cross-border strikes on Israeli troops after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged its unprecedented attack on Israel last October 7, sparking war with Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Nearly a year later, Israel announced a shift in its focus to battling Hezbollah on its northern front.

Hezbollah, a powerful political, military and social force in Lebanon, confirmed Nasrallah's killing in the massive strike on the group's main bastion in south Beirut.

"We all started crying," Maha Karit told AFP in the Lebanese capital after Nasrallah's death.

With Lebanon already mired in political and economic crisis, the escalation has pushed it to the brink.

Israeli bombardment has killed more than 700 people in a week, including 14 paramedics over a two-day period, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Most of the deaths came last Monday, the deadliest day of violence since Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.

Israel's military said Sunday its aircraft had hit "dozens of Hezbollah terror targets" after "hundreds" of strikes on Friday and Saturday.

AFPTV live images showed grey smoke rising beyond palm trees in the coastal city of Tyre, and more smoke further away across a bay.

It said Qaouq was "eliminated" in south Beirut on Saturday. Hezbollah has yet to officially announce his death, but a source close to the group said he had been killed.

Hezbollah said it had again fired rockets on the northern Israeli town of Safed.

Lebanon's National News Agency reported a series of raids in and around the city of Baalbek in Lebanon's east.

At least six people were killed in a strike on a house in the northeastern Hermel region, it reported.

Hezbollah said its fighters fired "a volley of Fadi-1" rockets at an Israeli base in the Golan Heights early Sunday. Israel reported "approximately eight" launches from Lebanon that fell in unpopulated areas near the Israeli-annexed territory.



- Cult status -



Nasrallah was the face of Hezbollah, enjoying cult status among his supporters.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had "settled the score" with his killing, and Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said the world was "a safer place" without him.

US President Joe Biden -- whose government is Israel's top arms supplier -- said it was a "measure of justice for his many victims".

Analysts told AFP Nasrallah's death leaves a bruised Hezbollah under pressure to respond.

"Either we see an unprecedented reaction by Hezbollah... or this is total defeat," said Heiko Wimmen of the International Crisis Group think tank.

Nasrallah's killing also showcased Israel's military and intelligence prowess.

"It demonstrates... just how deeply Israel has penetrated Hezbollah," said James Dorsey of Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Hezbollah backer Iran has condemned Nasrallah's assassination, with First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref threatening it would bring about Israel's "destruction".

On Sunday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also vowed that the killing of its Revolutionary Guards general Abbas Nilforoushan alongside Nasrallah would "not go unanswered".

Allied groups across the region such as Yemen's Huthi rebels, already drawn into the Gaza war, have vowed action against Israel.

An "unmanned aerial target" approaching Israel over the Red Sea -- where the Iran-backed Huthis have launched attacks before -- was intercepted on Sunday, Israel's military said.



- Emergency -



UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi said "well over 200,000 people are displaced inside Lebanon" and more than 50,000 have fled to neighbouring Syria.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said up to one million people may have been forced from their homes, in potentially the "largest displacement movement" in Lebanon's history, he said.

The World Food Programme said it had launched an emergency operation to provide meals and support for "up to one million people".

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will travel to Lebanon on Sunday, his ministry said, after he spoke with Mikati and said Paris sought "an immediate halt" to Israeli strikes.

France also appealed for Hezbollah and Iran, to abstain from any action that could lead to "regional conflagration".

In Gaza, civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said an Israeli strike killed at least three Palestinians in a house in Gaza City, with three more killed in separate strikes in the territory's north and centre.

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 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 41,595 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.

burs/srm/it
Israel army says striking Huthi rebel targets in Yemen



Jerusalem, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



The Israeli military said on Sunday it was striking several Huthi rebel targets in Yemen, including power stations and a seaport, using dozens of aircraft.

The strikes came a day after the Iran-backed rebel group said it targeted Israel's Ben Gurion Airport with a missile.

"In a large-scale air operation today, dozens of Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets, refuelling planes, and reconnaissance aircraft, attacked military-use targets of the Huthi terrorist regime in the Ras Issa and Hodeida areas of Yemen," military spokesman Captain David Avraham said in a statement to AFP.

"The IDF (military) targeted power stations and a seaport used for oil imports," a military statement said.

In July Israel also hit Hodeida port, causing what a port official said was at least $20 million in damage, after a Huthi drone strike penetrated Israel's air defences and killed a civilian in Tel Aviv.

The sites targeted Sunday were used by the Huthis, who seized the Yemeni capital Sanaa in 2014, to "transfer Iranian weaponry to the region and supplies for military needs", the statement said.

"The strike was carried out in response to recent attacks by the Huthi regime against the state of Israel," it added, after the rebels said they tried to hit Ben Gurion as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived back from New York.

The Huthi-controlled Al-Masirah station reported Sunday that Israeli strikes targeted "the ports of Hodeidah and Ras Issa" as well as two power stations after previously announcing "Israeli aggression on Hodeida".
Taiwan on alert after detecting China missile firing



Taipei, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



Taiwan said Sunday it was on heightened alert after detecting "multiple waves" of missile firings in inland China, days after Beijing test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The defence ministry said it detected the firing by China's Rocket Force and army in the provinces and regions of Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang from 6:50 am (2250 GMT on Saturday).

"The military has continuously monitored relevant developments, and the air defence forces maintain a high degree of vigilance and strengthen their alert," it said in a statement.

"The security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region are related to global development. Any threatening and provocative actions will seriously undermine regional stability," it added.

Beijing claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has ramped up military and political pressure on the island in recent years.

Sunday's firings came after China said it test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday, firing it into the Pacific Ocean in its first such exercise in decades.

The launch sparked protests from countries in the region, with Taiwan strongly condemning the action and urging Beijing to "exercise restraint and cease its reckless military drills which inflame regional tension".
'We will reach everyone': how Israel hunted Nasrallah



Jerusalem, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



Israel's killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an air strike on Friday was a feat of spycraft capping days of operations highlighting its deep infiltration of the Iran-backed group.

Here's what we know about how Israel marshalled its intelligence resources to pull off the attack:



- The buildup -



Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel the day after its ally Hamas staged the brutal October 7 attack on southern Israel, triggering the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israel's relatively low-level campaign against Hezbollah escalated dramatically on September 17 with sabotage attacks on pagers used by Hezbollah, followed the next day by explosions targeting the group's two-way radios.

Exploding devices, which Israel has not claimed, killed at least 39 people, wounded almost 3,000 and "threw Hezbollah's communications back to the stone-age", wrote Robert Satloff of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Analysts said the operation reflected huge strides by Israel's Unit 8200 signals intelligence group in penetrating Hezbollah's communications devices.

In February Nasrallah himself warned that "the cell phone that you hold in your hand is a spying device", prompting use of the pagers that were later weaponised.

Yet military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists the intelligence-gathering that led to Friday's Beirut strike on Nasrallah went back years.

"We had used the intelligence we've been working for years to gather, and we had real-time information, and we carried out this strike," he said.

Retired Colonel Miri Eisen, a senior fellow at Israel's International Institute for Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University, also said the strike was the product of extensive work.

"Israel's capabilities when it comes to Hezbollah show the depth of the intelligence infiltration into Hezbollah lines," she said, adding these were "not things that were invented in the last 11 months" after Hezbollah began striking the north.



- The strike -



Israeli officials have said Nasrallah and other Hezbollah leaders gathered on Friday for a meeting at the group's "central headquarters" in its main stronghold, located in Beirut's southern suburbs.

Warplanes had been pounding the area extensively as Israel ramped up operations against Hezbollah.

A military video showed F15 jets taking off from Hatzerim Airbase on Friday to carry out the operation.

Just before 6:30 pm (1530 GMT) the sound of powerful explosions was heard across the Lebanese capital.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel spent months planning how to use "a series of timed explosions" in the bunker beneath residential buildings where Nasrallah would be, "with each blast paving the way for the next one".

But the paper also cited Israeli officials as saying the strike's timing "was opportunistic, coming after Israeli intelligence learned about the meeting hours before it occurred".

It coincided with the UN General Assembly, meaning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was out of the country at the time.

His office would later publish a photograph it said showed him approving the strike, which The Times of Israel said was apparently taken "at his hotel in New York".

Israel has not specified the weaponry used in the strike.

However, the New York Times said analysis of a military video indicates the aircraft used had been "fitted with at least 15 2,000-pound bombs".

Senior officials told the paper that "more than 80 bombs were dropped over a period of several minutes to kill" Nasrallah. The Wall Street Journal said Israel hit the bunker with "80 tons of bombs".



- The aftermath -



The air strikes left craters up to five metres (16 feet) across, AFP photographers said.

Lebanon's health ministry gave a preliminary toll of six dead and 91 wounded in the raid.

Middle East expert James Dorsey said there was no question that the strike represented a "very sophisticated" intelligence coup.

"It demonstrates not only significant technological capacity but just how deeply Israel has penetrated Hezbollah," he said.

Heiko Wimmen of International Crisis Group said the long-term effects on Hezbollah's operations were unclear.

"While Hezbollah is too well-institutionalised to collapse by decapitation, the staggering loss of its human resources will inevitably have a degrading effect sooner rather than later," said Wimmen, the think tank's project director for Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

"Their extensive intelligence infiltration also makes it doubtful that they can launch a strategic response or keep up the rocket attacks on northern Israel for much longer."

For now, Israeli officials are celebrating Nasrallah's death while weighing whether to press on with ground operations intended to tackle the threat posed by Hezbollah along the northern border.

The military on Saturday distributed a transcript quoting the commander of the squadron that struck Nasrallah as saying "We will reach everyone, everywhere."

rcb/jd/srm
Nasrallah's body found: source close to Hezbollah



Beirut, Lebanon, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



The body of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli air strike on southern Beirut, has been recovered, a source close to the movement told AFP on Sunday.

"His body was recovered on Saturday and was placed in a shroud on Sunday after being washed," the source said, requesting anonymity.

"The funeral ceremony and his burial have not yet been arranged," the source added.

Before his death on Friday when Israeli jets attacked Hezbollah's heartland in the south of the Lebanese capital, Nasrallah was considered the most powerful man in the country.

For more than three decades he headed the Iran-backed movement that was Israel's sworn enemy.

Friday's air strike also killed Ali Karake, the group's top commander in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah said on Sunday.

It has not named others who died alongside Nasrallah and Karake.

However, Israel's military said on Sunday that "more than 20 other terrorists of varying ranks" were also killed in the attack.

The authorities in Lebanon gave a provisional toll of six dead, but given the scale of the destruction the number of dead is likely to be higher.

Beirut's southern suburbs, and south and east Lebanon have been subject to intense Israeli bombardment since Monday, with the country's health ministry reporting more than 700 people killed and hundreds of thousands displaced.
Denmark unlocks $194 mn to arm Ukraine



Copenhagen, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



Denmark on Sunday said it was unlocking 1.3 billion kroner ($194 million) to help Ukraine bolster its under-pressure arsenal against Russia's invasion.

The weapons and equipment will be produced in Ukraine but financed by Denmark and frozen Russian assets, the Danish defence ministry said in a statement.

The Scandinavian country, a steadfast backer of Ukraine since the war broke out in 2022, also announced the creation of a joint defence hub in Kyiv designed to help develop of new partnerships.

"Wars are not only won on the battlefield, but also in industry," Trade and Industry Minister Morten Bodskov said in a statement.

In February, Denmark sealed a 10-year security agreement with Ukraine, following similar deals by Germany, Britain and France.
Four killed in Israeli air strikes on Yemen says Huthi media



Hodeida, Yemen, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



Israeli air strikes on Yemen killed four people on Sunday and wounded more than 30, Huthi media reported, after Israel's military said it struck targets in the Iran-backed rebels' territory including Hodeida.

Huthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV said a port worker and three engineers were killed with 33 wounded in an "initial toll", adding ambulance and rescue teams were still searching for missing people.

The Israeli military said it was striking several Huthi rebel targets in Yemen, including power stations and a seaport.

The strikes came a day after the rebels said they targeted Israel's Ben Gurion Airport with a missile.

"In a large-scale air operation today, dozens of Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets, refuelling planes, and reconnaissance aircraft, attacked military-use targets of the Huthi terrorist regime in the Ras Issa and Hodeida areas of Yemen," military spokesman Captain David Avraham said in a statement to AFP.

"The IDF (military) targeted power stations and a seaport used for oil imports," a military statement said.

In July Israel also hit Hodeida port, causing what a port official said was at least $20 million in damage, after a Huthi drone strike penetrated Israel's air defences and killed a civilian in Tel Aviv.

Hodeida is a key entry point for fuel and humanitarian aid to war-ravaged Yemen.

The sites targeted Sunday were used by the Huthis, who seized the Yemeni capital Sanaa in 2014, to "transfer Iranian weaponry to the region and supplies for military needs", the statement said.

"The strike was carried out in response to recent attacks by the Huthi regime against the state of Israel," it added, after the rebels said they tried to hit Ben Gurion as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived back from New York.

Earlier Sunday the military said an "unmanned aerial target" approaching Israel over the Red Sea -- where the Huthis have regularly launched attacks on shipping -- had been intercepted.

Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said "no place is too far" for the Israeli military to strike its enemies, after he monitored the operation from an air force command and control room about 2,000 kilometres (1,300 miles) from Yemen.

Since November the Huthis have targeted Israel and its perceived interests in stated solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, launching dozens of missile and drone strikes that have disrupted global shipping through vital waterways off Yemen.

In a statement, Hamas condemned the Israeli attack, calling it "an extension of the occupation's crimes in Palestine, Lebanon, and the Arab region, with blatant and open US support".
French FM in Beirut, despite air strikes: ministry



Beirut, Lebanon, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot arrived in Lebanon Sunday night, his ministry said, making him the first high-level foreign diplomat to visit since Israeli air strikes intensified one week ago.

The arrival of Barrot, who earlier called for an immediate halt to the strikes, came as the foreign ministry announced that a second French national had been killed in Lebanon, though details were unclear.

Barrot oversaw delivery of 11.5 tonnes of French humanitarian aid, Lebanon's Health Minister Firass Abiad said.

After a meeting about the status of French nationals, Barrot on Monday will meet officials including Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

He is also due to meet the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and members of the UN peacekeeping force in the south.

"We confirm the death of a second French national," his ministry said Sunday, adding that further details will be supplied later.

The death comes after an 87-year-old French woman died last Monday after a blast in a village in south Lebanon.

Israel's military on Sunday said it struck more targets of Lebanon's Iran-backed group Hezbollah, after its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in a Beirut air raid on Friday.

The violence has raised strong fears of even further escalation in the Middle East.

French President Emmanuel Macron has also appointed a former foreign and defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, as special envoy to Lebanon.

Le Drian has visited the country six times, most recently at the beginning of the week.
Israel and Hezbollah: decades of conflict



Nicosia, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



Israel and Lebanon's Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah, whose leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike on a Beirut suburb, have been sworn enemies for decades.

Here is a history of their long conflict:



- 1982: Israel invades Lebanon; birth of Hezbollah -

Hezbollah -- the "Party of God" -- was born in the wake of Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon in the country's eastern Bekaa area, and overseen by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps.

In 1985 Hezbollah emerges from the shadows, establishing its armed wing the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon as the spearhead in the fight against Israel.

It carries out suicide car bombings and human wave attacks in the south against Israeli forces and their ally the South Lebanon Army (SLA), a mostly Christian militia.



- 1992: Nasrallah becomes the group's leader -

In February 1992 an Israeli helicopter gunship attack kills Hezbollah secretary-general Sheikh Abbas al-Musawi.

Aged just 32, Hassan Nasrallah is elected his successor. His baptism of fire comes a year later when Hezbollah, the only group that refused to give up its weapons after Lebanon's 15-year civil war ended in 1990, battles a large-scale Israeli incursion dubbed "Operation Accountability".

The stature of the man considered at his death to be the most powerful in Lebanon begins to build.

It is enhanced even further in 1996.



- 1996: 'Operation Grapes of Wrath' -

On April 11, 1996, Israel launches "Operation Grapes of Wrath", raids aimed at breaking Hezbollah's military potential and halting the firing of rockets into northern Israel.

Over 17 days, Israeli forces launch 600 raids and fire 23,000 shells, killing 175 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians. More than 300,000 refugees flee their homes.

International calls for a ceasefire mount after artillery bombards a United Nations camp where fleeing civilians had sought shelter. More than 100 people are killed.

On April 26 an agreement is signed ending the Israeli operation.



- 2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon -

Israel's army withdraws in May 2000 after its years-long occupation. The pull-out from its so-called "security" zone is intended to end a situation that had cost it 1,000 men.

Nasrallah will be seen as the architect of this climbdown, after a war of attrition by Hezbollah forces a change of heart among the Israeli population.

This pressure also leads to the Israeli government accepting in 1998 a UN Security Council resolution demanding its immediate withdrawal from south Lebanon.



- 2006: Israel-Hezbollah war -

In 2006 Hezbollah seizes two Israeli soldiers on the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah says it wants to exchange the pair for prisoners held inside Israel, but the outcome is war.

The conflict lasts through July and August and causes 1,200 deaths in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 in Israel, mostly military.

Israel is unable to vanquish Hezbollah, which paints the conflict as a victory.



- 2023-2024: a new front opens up -

When war begins between Israel and Hamas after Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip attack southern Israel on October 7, Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in south Lebanon fire into Israel in support of Hamas.

After nearly a year of cross-border exchanges of fire, Israel on September 23 severely escalates deadly air strikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel says it is acting to end attacks on it from south Lebanon.

Israel's military says it has killed most of Hezbollah's senior leadership. The Hezbollah chief is killed in an air strike on the group's southern Beirut bastion.
China holds reception for foreign experts in various fields

Xinhua) 13:11, September 29, 2024

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China held for foreign experts in various fields at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- A reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was held for foreign experts in various fields on Friday evening at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended the reception and, on behalf of the Chinese government and President Xi Jinping, conveyed thanks and regards to foreign experts and China's international friends for their support of China's reform, opening-up and modernization drive.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China's progress over the past 75 years has been a result of the unremitting efforts of Chinese people of all ethnic groups and the hard work of foreign experts in various fields.

"Over the past 75 years, groups of foreign experts have made indelible contributions to the construction of China's socialist modernization, which the Chinese people will always remember," Ding said.

He noted that the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made systematic arrangements for the deepening of reform on all fronts, and for the promotion of Chinese modernization.

China adheres to a more active, open and effective talent policy, which will provide greater convenience, improved services and a better environment for foreign experts living and working in China, he said.

It is hoped that the vast number of foreign experts in China will continue to care for and support China's development, and be good builders of Chinese modernization, good bridges for exchange and cooperation between China and foreign countries, and good non-governmental ambassadors to enhance friendship, Ding said. China also hopes that foreign experts in the country will make new, greater contributions to the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
DAMASCUS, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 people, including four Syrian fighters affiliated with Iran-backed militias, were killed in a series of unidentified airstrikes on Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour and surrounding areas on Sunday, a war monitor reported.

The strikes targeted positions held by Iranian and Iraqi militias, including a radar site and a headquarters on a hill near the namesake provincial capital of Deir al-Zour, as well as a military base and two warehouses in the al-Bukamal city in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour near the Iraqi border, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor.

Describing the strikes as widespread and highly coordinated, the observatory said seven targets have been hit.

In a separate report, the war monitor said an Israeli airstrike targeted a site in the countryside of the central province of Homs near the Lebanese border the same day.

The strike hit an unidentified site near a Syrian military checkpoint in the Wadi Hanna area, located in the countryside of al-Qusayr, southwest of Homs, said the observatory, adding that no casualties have been reported so far.

The war monitor noted that the strike aimed to restrict Hezbollah's movements and disrupt its arms transfers through the border.

The incidents took place amid heightened tension in the region as the Israeli military has intensified its offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Since the beginning of 2024, Israel has launched 86 strikes on Syrian territory, resulting in the deaths of 221 military personnel, including Syrian army soldiers and pro-Iran fighters, and 24 civilians, according to data released by the war monitor. 
TAIPEI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Around 1,600 people from various sectors in Taiwan gathered at an event Saturday, calling for a distancing from "Taiwan independence" and expressing their desire and determination for peace, dialogue and reunification.

Most attendees wore coordinated jackets with the following message printed on the back: "Supporting the 1992 Consensus, caring for people's well-being, rejecting 'Taiwan independence,' and advocating cross-Strait peace and shared prosperity."

The event in New Taipei City involved a number of political parties and civil organizations.

The 1992 Consensus serves as the political foundation for mutual trust between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, with its core meaning being that both sides belong to one China, said Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party and chair of the Taiwan-based Chinese Cyan Geese Peace Education Foundation, at the event.

Hung criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for ignoring and distorting history, suppressing dissent on the island, clinging to the United States, and provoking confrontation with the mainland.

Calling on the two sides of the Strait to work together toward national reunification, she urged the people of Taiwan, especially the youth, to understand and identify with Chinese history and cultural traditions, and to be aware of the historical mission they shoulder.

"I am Chinese and I am proud. As Chinese people, we should not be afraid to say it openly," said Wu Cheng-tien, chairman of the New Party, at the event.

For both sides of the Strait, there is no better path than peaceful reunification and people in Taiwan bear the great responsibility to strive together for the cause, Wu added.

Wu Jung-yuan, chairman of the Labor Party in Taiwan, urged the people of Taiwan to be highly vigilant given the current situation where Taiwan, through the collusion of "Taiwan independence" separatists and external forces, has been tied to a war machine -- which is dragging the island toward the brink of conflict.

The event, at which people stood up to voice opposition to war and "Taiwan independence" and show support for peaceful reunification, aimed to demonstrate that the "Taiwan independence" path is not supported by most people in Taiwan, said Gao An-go, a retired military officer and one of the event's organizers.

"We all earnestly hope for a peaceful and stable environment, but right now, this beautiful island is rapidly slipping into a dangerous situation, and the people of Taiwan feel a deep sense of fear and helplessness about the future," said Xiong Zi-jie, president of the Hunan Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan.

"This is why we must completely sweep 'Taiwan independence' separatists into the dustbin of history and restore a peaceful and prosperous Taiwan for its people. Once the scourge of 'Taiwan independence' is removed, peaceful reunification will be within reach," he said. 
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JERUSALEM, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said Sunday that it had killed Nabil Qaouk, a senior Hezbollah official, in a bombing in Beirut's southern suburb on Saturday.

In a statement, the military identified him as the chief of Hezbollah's preventive security unit and a member of the group's central council.

Qaouk, 60, was the latest Hezbollah official killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes in the Lebanese capital, which also included the killing of the group's top leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, over the weekend. 
Thirty years ago, I appeared on Oprahs television show to discuss the memoir I had published about my marriage, which ended in widowhood due to complications of AIDS. A few weeks before the taping, the producer called to see if I could help find other guests: other women who, like me, had married gay men.

Actually, I couldnt think of any. My story was not a common one, or if it was, it wasnt openly discussed.

Times have changed, though, and Ive been meeting women with complicated marriages, similar to mine, in popular culture. First, Leonard Bernsteins wife, Felicia Montealegre, played so beautifully by Carey Mulligan in  Maestro. And now, Constance Wilde, brought to life by Louis Bayard in his witty and heartbreaking new novel, The Wildes.

Bayard has been doing great things with gay-centric versions of historical fiction for a couple of books now, namely Jackie and Me and  Courting Mr. Lincoln. With The Wildes, he flips the narrative, portraying a famously gay person through the lens of the straight people in his life.

He opens with a prologue consisting of a single famous love letter, written by Oscar to Constance in 1884. [M]y soul and body seem no longer mine, but mingled in some exquisite ecstasy with yours, he writes.

Eight years later, the thrill is most definitely gone. In a long first section, styled as Act One: Wildes in the Country, the family of four is vacationing with Oscars mother and another couple in a rented farmhouse in the British countryside. Tell me if Ive met this one, says Constance, reacting to word of an additional houseguest.

Clever banter ensues, then rarely stops. When Constance hopes that the fellow wont be bringing too much luggage for his weekend stay, Oscar says, Even two years at Oxford cant make a fellow a complete imbecile.

No, she replies. It takes four.

Unfortunately, this guest is Lord Alfred Douglas, the twenty-something fop Wilde will destroy his life for. By the time we get to Act Two, set in Italy, the playwright has gone to jail and Constance is having tea with the surgeon whose malpractice will leave her dead at 40.

Acts Three and Four follow the children, one of whom has a satisfying run-in with a poorly aged Douglas. Act Five is a charming fantasy version of what might have happened if Constance hadnt stormed off from the farmhouse back in 1892. It is essentially the same story I made up for myself about what might have happened in my life if the treatment for AIDS had been available a few months earlier.

One can rarely pronounce with confidence about the emotional veracity of historical fiction, but Ill say it anyway: Louis Bayard has gotten it right.
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WASHINGTON  Launchpad Strategies was incorporated less than a year ago and has since received $15 million from Donald Trump's election fundraising machine.

For what is mostly a mystery. Campaign finance records indicate the limited liability company was hired to provide online advertising, digital consulting and fundraising. On its website, the firm boasts it is a "full-service Republican digital agency run by expert strategists."

Yet, those expert strategists aren't identified. An online contact form does not appear to work. And business registration records in Delaware provide no clues as to who owns or runs the firm. The campaign's checks are sent to a P.O. box in North Carolina.

Campaign finance experts said Launchpad Strategies was built for anonymity and is the latest example of how the Trump campaign has used secretive businesses to obscure its spending from the public.

"The Trump campaigns sort of exhibit a lot of the patterns of behavior that we've become accustomed to with Trump and his associates," said Michael Kang, a law professor at Northwestern University. "There does seem to be some kind of self-dealing in a lot of what they do when it comes to their financial matters."

Launchpad not alone

An Associated Press review of Federal Election Commission records shows that more than $876 million moved through Trump's campaigns and pro-Trump fundraising committees over the past nine years to six limited liability companies, including Launchpad Strategies. The filings meet the minimum disclosure requirements, yet the final recipients of the cash are unknown.

The $15 million paid to Launchpad Strategies is a fraction of the huge sums spent during presidential elections. But the lack of transparency makes it impossible to know if money donated by Trump's supporters was spent wisely or could be personally benefiting the former president's aides and allies.

The AP was not able to identify a representative for Launchpad Strategies from whom to seek comment. The Trump campaign did not respond to questions about Launchpad Strategies or other such companies it has paid. But its attorneys have argued previously in a federal filing that campaigns and fundraising committees are rarely required to itemize the "ultimate payees" of a contractor's expenses.

While other political campaigns have relied on vendors with hazy origins, Trump's operation has set its "own standard in terms of doing it far more than anyone else," said Saurav Ghosh of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center, which advocates rigorous enforcement of campaign finance law.

The payments to Launchpad Strategies have evoked earlier allegations that the Trump campaign subverted federal rules designed to prevent candidates from concealing how they spend donor dollars.

FEC unlikely to take action

But the government agency that enforces federal campaign finance laws is unlikely to do much about it.

A deep ideological divide among the FEC's commissioners has stymied almost 30 investigations recommended by agency lawyers of accusations Trump's campaign broke the rules. One closed complaint alleged two of the limited liability companies were used to mask millions of dollars in payments to Trump family members or vendors controlled by campaign staff.

The FEC's evenly divided structure and a polarized political environment have paralyzed the agency at a time when presidential and congressional elections are awash in money. The Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United ruling opened the floodgates of election spending and raised the potential for misconduct. Yet no more than three of the FEC's six commissioners can be from the same political party, leading to frequent gridlock.

FEC attorneys, for example, have advised commissioners to investigate 29 of the 59 complaints against the Trump campaign or his fundraising committees, according to a tally maintained by FEC Commissioner Ellen Weintraub, a Democrat. The agency pursued none of them.

The dysfunction, according to campaign finance experts, has given political campaigns the green light to ignore the transparency voters need to make informed decisions.

"It's hard to know if a secretive group like Launchpad is doing anything improper, and it's unlikely that the current Republican FEC commissioners would approve an investigation to find out," said Michelle Kuppersmith, executive director of the Campaign for Accountability, a government watchdog group. "By repeatedly stonewalling merited complaints, they've made it clear that they have no interest in taking a closer look at any campaign activity tied to Donald Trump."

The Trump campaign is not the only one to employ opaque firms. President Joe Biden's presidential campaigns paid $522 million to a Georgia company called Media Buying & Analytics LLC. Its current address is a UPS mailbox at an Atlanta strip mall. Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden's campaign account when he dropped out of the race in July.

Unlike Launchpad Strategies, however, Media Buying & Analytics left digital fingerprints. A Federal Communications Commission form linked the company to Canal Partners Media, an established firm aligned with the Democratic Party.

Bobby Kahn, president of Canal Partners Media, acknowledged CPM owns Media Buying & Analytics and said the company was formed to handle the heavy accounting and paperwork load of a presidential campaign. Both companies are independent of their clients, he said.

Documents shed some light

Before Launchpad Strategies' stealthy entry into Trump's orbit, FEC records and a congressional transcript provide insights into how two of these limited liability companies operated.

Former 2020 Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale, assisted by campaign attorneys, established American Made Media Consultants in Delaware just after his appointment to the post to relieve him of time-consuming political advertising duties. He picked a campaign finance official named Sean Dollman to run the company, according to an interview Dollman had with House Jan. 6 committee investigators.

The campaign would at times tell him which subcontractors to hire, Dollman said. One of them was Phunware, a financially troubled Texas cellphone app developer that had built ties to Parscale.

The Trump campaign promoted Dollman to chief financial officer in early 2020 while he was still in charge of American Made Media. His salary would grow to $40,000 a month as more money flowed to the company for advertising-related work. Dollman did not respond to messages seeking comment.

FEC filings show Trump's campaign paid American Made Media $782 million.

The Campaign Legal Center lodged a complaint with the FEC in July 2020 alleging American Made Media functioned as a "conduit" to conceal transactions with people "under the direction and control of the campaign."

The center also accused the Trump campaign and the Make America Great Again fundraising committee of "routing campaign staff salary payments" through Parscale's political consulting firm, Parscale Strategy. Two of the recipients were Lara Trump, the former president's daughter-in-law, and Kimberly Guilfoyle, a lawyer who was dating Donald Trump Jr.

The Trump campaign derided the complaint as a "headline-seeking publicity stunt," according to its response to the FEC.

But FEC attorneys determined the allegations had merit. In April 2022, they recommended the FEC's commissioners approve a formal investigation based on a "reason to believe" campaign finance law may have been violated.

Votes from at least four of the six commissioners are required to move ahead with an investigation. They split, 3-3, killing the probe.

Photos: Former President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign
Bad actors, both foreign and domestic, continue to try to weaken America by stoking the flames of division and the embers of fear of one another.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is leading by example by trying to put out the polarization fire with responsible governance.

Ohios chief executive, a Republican, has been adroitly handling the crisis in the city of his birth with the interests of all Buckeyes at hand, all while doing so in a cross-partisan manner.

The small Ohio city of Springfield has struggled to adjust to the 15,000 legal Haitian immigrants who settled there to find work. After the Sept. 10 presidential debate, when former President Donald Trump falsely accused members of Springfields Haitian community of abducting and eating cats and dogs, the community has been inundated with bomb threats and other disturbances.

Trumps running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, has made matters worse for the state he serves by continuing to amplify the debunked rumors of immigrants eating pets.

Trump and Vance are doing this to criticize the immigration policies of President Joe Biden and Trumps Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

As of Sept. 17, Springfield had received 33 bomb threats made against schools, government buildings, and city officials homes. The bomb threats forced evacuations and closures as well as the cancellation of Springfields CultureFest.

Thirty-three threats; Thirty-three hoaxes, DeWine announced during a press conference. I want to make that very, very clear. None of these had any validity at all. He went on to say: We have people unfortunately overseas who are taking these actions. Some of them are coming from one particular country.

The governors office said that a criminal investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies determined the vast majority of the threats were international in origin. Those officials did not provide information on how investigators determined they came from a foreign country or the name of the country.

DeWine quickly dispatched Ohio Highway Patrol troopers in each school building in Springfield so the schools can remain open, teachers and children can feel safe and students can continue to learn.

He and his wife Fran have not shied away from going to Springfield during this current situation and have been on the ground in visiting schools, businesses, and churches.

DeWine has also been communicating effectively with residents of Ohio by sitting down for countless local and national interviews and holding press conferences. Last week, he also wrote an op-ed in The New York Times that read like a compassionate conservative guidebook, which personally made my heart swell.

He shared how he and Fran have traveled to Haiti over 20 times and have supported a Catholic priest who runs a tuition-free school in a slum in Port-au-Prince. He conveyed that the Haitian people want the same things we all want  a good job, the chance to get a quality education and the ability to raise a family in a safe and secure environment.

DeWine wrote: As a supporter of former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance, I am saddened by how they and others continue to repeat claims that lack evidence and disparage the legal migrants living in Springfield. This rhetoric hurts the city and its people, and it hurts those who have spent their lives there.

He went on to condemn the Biden administrations failure to control the southern border and to say that Trump and Vance were right to highlight the issue that is concerning to most Americans  but that their verbal attacks dilute and cloud what should be a winning argument about the border.

There were nearly 2,000 comments on the Times website regarding DeWines opinion piece. The majority were made by Democratic partisans who are angry that DeWine continues to support the head of his party and his own senator. Many unrealistically cried out for DeWine to dump Trump and endorse Harris.

Instead of chiding DeWine for being a partisan Republican, we should instead focus on what matters and reward him for his leadership. He has demonstrated concern for all Ohioans, as well as a willingness to call out either party when they are doing things that harm his residents.

Unfortunately, negative partisanship prevents too many Americans from doing this.

DeWine shows all of us what real guardianship and governing looks like as well as being an example of a depolarizer. He called out Trump and Vance for their inflammatory rhetoric. He denounced Biden and Harris for their weak border policies. He is working to ensure all residents of Springfield are safe. And he placed the blame for the bomb threats where it belongs; on foreign actors who wish us harm.

We should all be so lucky to have a calming, competent, and caring executive and should judge DeWine by his performance as governor and not for whom he may or may not vote for in November.
Cmdr. Stacey ONeal has been relieved of command due to a loss of confidence in her ability to perform her duties as commanding officer. (U.S. Navy)

Cmdr. Stacey ONeal, the leader of Navy Talent Acquisition Group, San Antonio, has been relieved of command.

Rear Adm. James P. Waters, commander of Navy Recruiting Command, relieved ONeal due to a loss of confidence in her ability to perform her duties as commanding officer, the Navy announced Friday. ONeal has been reassigned to Naval Medical Forces Development Command at Joint Base San Antonio.

Capt. Tommy L. Edgeworth, deputy commander of Navy Recruiting Region West, has temporarily assumed command.

Under federal privacy law, military officials are not required to disclose the reasons for removing or reassigning personnel. Military officials often cite a loss of confidence when commanders are removed from their posts without providing any specifics that led to the decision.

ONeal enlisted in the Navy in 1994 as a Machinist Mate serving aboard USS Platte, according to her Navy bio. In 2001, she was accepted for an officer program. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Education from the University North Florida and was commissioned through the Enlisted Commissioning Program in December 2003.

Her personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (6) and various unit and campaign awards.

The mission of NTAG San Antonio is to attract the highest caliber of talent across Central and South Texas to serve in the U.S. Navy. NTAG San Antonios area of responsibility includes more than 30 Navy recruiting stations.
HAIKOU, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- German carmakers have expressed optimism about cooperation with China in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry when speaking at the 2024 World New Energy Vehicle Congress which concluded Sunday in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, with China's NEV market continuing to boom.

Jochen Goller, a member of the board of management of BMW AG, credited the success of China's NEV market to supportive government policies, suitable regulations and technological innovations.

Goller emphasized BMW's commitment to keeping the market open and expressed hopes of having more Chinese battery manufacturers in Europe.

Oliver Blume, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen AG, noted that this year marks a significant milestone as Volkswagen celebrates 40 years in the Chinese market.

"Over the past four decades, we have taken great pride from having become an integral part of Chinese life and in shaping the development of the Chinese automotive industry," Blume said, while highlighting that the foundation of Volkswagen's success lies in its strong partnerships -- particularly with Chinese EV companies like SAIC and FAW.

Blume added that China has emerged as "the epicenter of the automotive industry's future," while Volkswagen is committed to being an even more integral part of the local industry ecosystem.

"We have significantly enhanced our local research and development capacities and concluded partnerships with local original equipment manufacturers and technology leaders in the fields of software, autonomous driving and batteries," he explained.

In April, Volkswagen announced an investment of 2.5 billion euros (about 2.79 billion U.S. dollars) in expanding its production and innovation hub in the city of Hefei in east China -- to increase its pace of innovation in the country.

The company also committed to accelerating the production of two Volkswagen-brand smart electric vehicles, which are currently under joint development with Chinese manufacturer Xpeng.

China's production and sales of NEVs continued to maintain fast growth, with the NEV market share steadily increasing in the domestic market.

Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers revealed that in the first eight months of 2024, NEV production had reached about 7.01 million units, rising 29 percent year on year, while sales during this period stood at around 7.04 million units -- growing by 30.9 percent from a year earlier.

Wan Gang, chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, said that expanding bilateral trade cooperation and investment, along with increasingly close industrial and supply chain collaboration between the Chinese and German automotive industries, have become vital for the high-quality development of the global automotive sector.

"In the future, we hope that the automotive industries of China and Germany will embrace development and reform, jointly promoting the further advancement of the NEV industry to contribute to global low-carbon transformation and sustainable development," Wan added. 
Rescuers evacuate a resident of apartment houses after Russia attacked the city with guided bombs overnight in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

KYIV, Ukraine  More than 100 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russia Sunday, officials said, sparking a wildfire and setting an apartment block alight in one of the largest barrages seen over Russian skies since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Russias Ministry of Defense reported that it had shot down 125 drones overnight across seven regions. The southwestern region of Volgograd came under particularly heavy fire, with 67 Ukrainian drones reportedly downed by Russian air defenses.

Seventeen drones were also seen over Russias Voronezh region, where falling debris damaged an apartment block and a private home, said Gov. Aleksandr Gusev. Images on social media showed flames rising from the windows of the top floor of a high-rise building. No casualties were reported.

A further 18 drones were reported over Russias Rostov region, where falling debris sparked a wildfire, said Gov. Vasily Golubev.

He said that the fire did not pose a threat to populated areas, but that emergency services were fighting to extinguish the blaze, which had engulfed 49.4 acres of forest.

Russian ground assault warnings

Elsewhere, 16 civilians were injured in an overnight barrage on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia after Ukrainian military leaders warned that Moscow could be preparing for a new military offensive in the countrys south.

The city was targeted by Russian guide bombs in 10 separate attacks that damaged a high-rise building and several residential homes, regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov wrote on his official Telegram channel. More people could still be trapped beneath the rubble, he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that the Zaporizhzhia attack had damaged the citys transport links. Today, Russia struck Zaporizhzhia with aerial bombs. Ordinary residential buildings were damaged and the entrance of one building was destroyed. The citys infrastructure and railway were also damaged, Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

The Ukrainian leader appeared Sunday at a memorial service to make the 83rd anniversary of the Babyn Yar massacre, one of the most infamous mass slaughters of World War II.

Babyn Yar, a ravine in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, is where nearly 34,000 Jews were killed within 48 hours in 1941 when the city was under Nazi occupation.

Babyn Yar is vivid proof of the atrocities that regimes are capable of when led by leaders who rely on intimidation and violence. At any time, they are no different, Zelenskyy said in a statement. But the worlds response should be different. This is the lesson the world should have learned. We must guard humanity, life, and justice.

The Ukrainian military warned Saturday that Russian forces may be preparing for offensive operations in the wider Zaporizhzhia region. Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraines southern military command, said that Russia was amassing personnel in this direction.

Ukraines air force also reported that 22 Russian drones were launched over the country overnight. It said that 15 were shot down in Ukraines Sumy, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions, and that five more were destroyed using electronic defenses. The fate of the remaining two drones was not specified.
Yaroslav Bazylevych, 48, at the Lychakiv Cemetery on Sept. 15, 2024, visits the grave of his wife Eugenia Bazylevych, 43, and their three daughters, Yaryna Bazylevych, 21, Daria Bazylevych, 18, and Emilia Bazylevych, 6, who were killed in a Russian missile attack on Sept. 4 that hit their apartment building in Lviv, Ukraine. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post)

LVIV, Ukraine  On the morning of his youngest daughters birthday, Yaroslav Bazylevych woke up, again, to a nightmare.

Planning ahead for the day, his wife had known that she would be away in Paris, so shed put their older daughters, Yaryna and Daria, in charge  theyd make the occasion feel special. Meanwhile, Yaroslav had been mulling whether Emilia, the birthday girl, was old enough for the cellphone she wanted as a gift.

But there would be no cake, no celebration, no phone. Instead, Yaroslav drove to Lychakiv Cemetery, where hed buried his family eight days earlier.

The horror of their deaths  by a Russian hypersonic missile in what was thought to be one of Ukraines safest cities  had ripped across the country, proving once again there is no sanctuary from the war.

Memories of them keep me moving forward, Yaroslav said in his first interview since the Sept. 4 strike. Its very difficult to see all of the attention and news on our family out there, but its also important.

Only an hours drive from the Polish border, Lviv is known for its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and relative quiet. The citys population has swelled by more than 150,000 people in the 2 years since Russia invaded Ukraine, inundated by families fleeing violence in the rest of the country. But the strike  which Yaroslav was the only member of his family to survive  was a brutal reminder for Lviv that it is not immune.

Thousands of residents turned out for the funeral at the cemetery, where a single grave was dug for the four white caskets. Lvivs mayor called it the scariest thing Ive ever seen in my life. President Volodymyr Zelensky implored that the world see this terror and react.

Zelensky on Friday completed a visit to the United States, where he met with President Joe Biden and other top officials to plead for more air defenses and the approval of long-range missile strikes into Russia, which might have helped protect Yaroslavs family.

Weeks earlier, as he visited the cemetery, Yaroslav couldnt help but wonder if his familys sacrifice might persuade U.S. leaders to change the rules for Ukraine.

Now, he stepped through the cemeterys entrance with his mother, their arms linked. Hunched beneath his grief, Yaroslav didnt speak. They followed the path uphill, until the brick kissed dirt. Ahead, four crosses were stabbed in the earth, so close they nearly touched.

On the far right was Emilia, the little girl who would never turn 7.

The back of the building where the Bazylevych family lived. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post) Downtown Lviv on Sept. 15, 2024. Seven people were killed in the Sept. 4 Russian attack on the Ukrainian city. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post)

Myself without you

Two miles across Lviv, on a narrow street shaded by chestnut trees, passersby stop at Yaroslav and Eugenias apartment building  the site becoming a touchstone for residents grappling with the war.

The buildings roof was smashed in, the inner stairwell destroyed, the perimeter now marked with caution tape and patrolled by police. Out back, the devastation was starker. A bra swung from a scorched tree. Among the mounds of splintered wood and concrete were relics of normal life: a casserole pan, a crayon drawing, a rain boot patterned with strawberries.

Near the sidewalk, a memorial had been erected for the seven victims  three other residents of the building, plus the four Bazylevyches, all blond and smiling, their faces now familiar to onlookers.

In the days after the strike, an edited photo of Yaroslav, 48, and Eugenia, 43, with their daughters went viral. In the picture, they are dressed in jeans and traditional embroidered Ukrainian tunics, called vychyvankas, for Emilias first day of school. Yaryna, 21, smirks; Daria, 18, holds a bouquet of sunflowers. They are cast in gray scale. Only Yaroslav is in color. The caption reads: The man in this photo is the only one left alive.

Yaroslav has grown used to being recognized on the street. Hes made multiple trips back to their home to scavenge what can be saved. Once, their apartment had been filled with good white wine, friends and more art than the walls could hold. Creativity was encouraged by Eugenia, who worked in digital marketing and, in her free time, taught yoga, learned French, designed jewelry and mixed perfumes.

Uliana Piatak shows a photo of her friend Eugenia Bazylevych's family in Lviv, Ukraine. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post)

When God wants to give a compliment to a woman, he gives her a daughter, said her longtime friend Uliana Piatak. She had three daughters. She was always so happy to be their mom.

Yaryna, the eldest, was a free spirit, into rock climbing and traveling, once driving her mom and sisters more than a dozen hours to Italy for a vacation. She was a program manager at a Lviv cultural initiative and also worked in IT, in addition to volunteering. In her free time, shed been teaching Daria to drive, too.

I used to go everywhere she would go, said her cousin Mariia Filevych, 18. I wanted to be as cool as Yaryna.

Daria was more reserved. Shed internalized her familys stories of Soviet aggression. Her ancestors had survived Moscows man-made famine, known as the Holodomor, and her great-great-grandfather had been executed by Soviet soldiers. She wrote in an academic paper how these stories helped me remember who I really am. Shed earned a coveted scholarship to study Ukrainian culture at Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, where she also took acting classes.

And then there was Emilia. More than a decade younger than her sisters, they joked that she had a completely different set of parents than theyd had. Spunky and outspoken, the 6-year-old loved singing, particularly Dancing Queen by Abba. She taught herself English by watching cartoons, becoming so fluent that her father sometimes didnt understand what she was saying.

Their life wasnt perfect, but they had each other, and to Yaroslav, that was enough.

I almost dont remember myself without you, Yaroslav wrote to Eugenia on their 22nd wedding anniversary. You are my foundation.

People visit the graves of Eugenia Bazylevych and her three daughters on Sept. 14, 2024. (Oksana Parafeniuk for The Washington Post)

The very last moment

On the morning of Sept. 4, the Kinzhal  a hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile  took off from Russia. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, it was aimed at a military facility that manufactured and repaired missiles. The projectile whooshed 600 miles, arcing over most of Ukraine  the distance from New York City to Cincinnati  several times faster than the speed of sound. It was to be part of the biggest bombardment of Lviv since the war started and included 13 missiles and dozens of drones.

In the Bazylevych home, all was still.

The night before, Eugenia had taken Emilia on a walk while Yaroslav consoled Daria. She was anxious about her sophomore year at university, wanting to make something of herself but unsure how. When Emilia returned, he helped his youngest with her math and Ukrainian homework. Shed just started second grade.

Yaryna didnt get home until late. On Tuesdays, she usually watched movies at a friends house.

As dawn cracked the horizon, the air raid siren wailed.

Eugenia grabbed their emergency backpack of documents from the wardrobe next to their apartment entrance. They usually sheltered in the corridor outside their front door, safe from flying shrapnel.

She left the apartment with the girls. An explosion sounded  deafeningly close.

Yaroslav was still inside when his phone rang. Eugenia was taking the girls down the buildings stairs to a lower floor for safety. He should come, she said 

The call abruptly ended. The missile hit.

The stairs crumpled, crushing seven people.

Disoriented  debris lodged in his eye  Yaroslav looked for his cellphone, blown out of his hand. He was barefoot. It was dark, dust thick in the air, and blood splattered his face. He needed to call Eugenia back. He walked to the front of the apartment, looking out the dormer window of their bedroom.

Firefighters and police arrived. So did his sister and brother-in-law, who lived a four-minute walk away. He shouted that his children were under the rubble. Rescue workers cranked up a hydraulic lift, bringing Yaroslav down to the sidewalk. By then, a crowd had gathered.

Rescue workers dug through the demolished staircase. Photographers on the scene captured Yaroslavs vacant gaze as he tried to help.

We found one girl first, said his brother-in-law Yaroslav Filevych. It was only by the strands of her hair that I realized it was my goddaughter Daria. And then we started pulling out these bigger slabs of stone, and they were smeared with blood.

Her father had to be dragged away.

I was hoping until the very last moment that they were safe, Yaroslav said later, weeping. Maybe if they stayed in the corridor, this tragedy wouldnt have happened. Maybe if I couldve moved the debris for them, they couldve survived.

The best years of my life

At the cemetery, the sky darkened with rain. Yaroslav approached Emilias grave first, gazing at her photo mounted on the cross  her crown of flowers, her thin-lipped smile.

His reflection shivered on the picture frame glass. His shoulders shook with sobs.

He talked to his 6-year-old in his head, just as he had on the day he buried her  when he thanked his family for the memories, for the best years of my life. He planned to create a scholarship in their name at Darias university, which he would announce in coming weeks. The war was long, and already, he worried theyd soon be forgotten.

But the collective grief of a city  measured in the fresh flowers, stuffed animals and candles flickering on their grave, in a copy of The Little Prince left near Emilias cross  would be slow to fade. Long after Yaroslav left the ceremony, the visitors would still arrive: to keep vigil, to leave a prayer, to remember.

Oksana Parafeniuk contributed to this report.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Abbas Nilforushan addresses a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 5, 2024. Nilforushan died in an Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Iranian media reported Saturday. (Elaheh Javan, Fars News Agency via AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  A prominent general in Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard died in an Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Iranian media reported Saturday.

The killing of Gen. Abbas Nilforushan marks the latest casualty suffered by Iran as the nearly yearlong Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip teeters on the edge of becoming a regional conflict. His death further ratchets up pressure on Iran to respond, even as Tehran has signaled in recent months that it wants to negotiate with the West over sanctions crushing its economy.

Nilforushan, 58, was killed Friday in the strike in Lebanon in which Nasrallah died, the state-owned newspaper Tehran Times reported. Ahmad Reza Pour Khaghan, the deputy head of Irans judiciary, also confirmed Nilforushans death, describing him as a guest to the people of Lebanon, the state-run IRNA news agency said.

Khaghan also reportedly said that Iran had the right to retaliate under international law.

Nilforushan served as the deputy commander for operations in the Guard, a role overseeing its ground forces. What he was doing in Lebanon on Friday wasnt immediately clear. The Guards expeditionary Quds Force for decades has armed, trained and relied on Hezbollah as part of its strategy to rely on regional militias as a counterbalance to Israel and the United States.

Nilforushan, like other members of the Guard that view Israel as Irans main enemy, long mocked and criticized the country.

The Zionist regime has many ethnic, cultural, social and military rifts. It is in vulnerable and in doom status more than before, Nilforushan said in 2022, according to an IRNA report.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Nilforushan in 2022 and said he had led an organization directly in charge of protest suppression. Those sanctions came amid the monthslong protests in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest for allegedly not wearing her headscarf, or hijab, to the liking of police. At the time, Nilforushan accused Irans enemies abroad of stoking the demonstrations led by Iranian women that challenged both the mandatory hijab and the countrys theocracy.

Nilforushan also served in Syria, backing President Bashar Assad in his countrys decades-long war that grew out of the 2011 Arab Spring. Like many of his colleagues, he began his military career in the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.

In 2020, Iranian state television called him a comrade of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of its expeditionary Quds Force who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in Baghdad that year.

Nilforushans death comes as Iran in recent months has been signaling it wants to change its tack with the West after years of tensions stemming from then-President Donald Trumps unilateral withdrawal of America from Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers in 2018.

In July, Iranian voters elected reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line protege to 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

While critical of Israel, Pezeshkian has maintained that Iran is willing to negotiate over its nuclear program, which now enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels. While Iran has been able to sell oil abroad despite sanctions, it likely was at a steep discount and energy prices have fallen further in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Iran still threatens to retaliate for Soleimanis killing and the suspected Israeli assassination in Tehran of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July. Iran hasnt explained why it hasnt struck yet, though an unprecedented direct attack it launched in April on Israel failed to seriously damage any major target.

Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
A hole in the ground near the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beiruts southern suburbs, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Hassan Ammar/AP)

JERUSALEM  Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon killed dozens of people on Sunday as the Hezbollah militant group sustained a string of deadly blows to its command structure, including the killing of its overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah confirmed Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of the militant groups Central Council, was killed on Saturday, making him the seventh senior Hezbollah leader slain in Israeli strikes in a little over a week. They include founding members who had evaded death or detention for decades.

Hezbollah had earlier confirmed that Ali Karaki, another senior commander, died in Fridays strike that killed Nasrallah. Israel says at least 20 other Hezbollah militants were killed in the strike, including two close associates of Nasrallah, one of whom was in charge of his security detail.

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes and drones carried out deadly strikes across Lebanon on Sunday. Two consecutive strikes near the southern city of Sidon, about 28 miles south of Beirut, killed at least 32 people, the Lebanese health ministry said. Separately, Israeli strikes in the northern province of Baalbek Hermel killed 21 people and injured at least 47.

The Israeli military said it also carried out another targeted strike on Beirut, but did not immediately provide details.

Lebanese media reported dozens of strikes in the central, eastern and western Bekaa and in the south, besides strikes on Beirut. The strikes have targeted buildings where civilians were living, and the death toll was expected to rise.

In a video of a strike in Sidon, verified by The Associated Press, a building swayed before collapsing as neighbors filmed. One TV station called on viewers to pray for a family caught under the rubble, posting their pictures, as rescuers failed to reach them. The Lebanese health ministry reported at least 14 medics were killed over two days in the south.

President Joe Biden said Sunday he would speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and believes that an all-out war in the Middle East must be avoided.

It has to be, Biden told reporters at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware as he boarded Air Force One for Washington.

Meanwhile, wreckage from the strike on Friday that killed Nasrallah was still smoldering. AP journalists saw smoke over the rubble as people flocked to the site, some to check on whats left of their homes and others to pay respects, pray or simply to see the destruction.

In response to the dramatic escalation in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Hezbollah significantly increased its attacks in the past week, from several dozen to several hundred daily, the military said. The attacks injured several people and caused damage, but most of the rockets and drones were intercepted by Israels air defense systems or fell in open areas.

The army says its strikes have degraded Hezbollahs capabilities and the number of launches would be much higher if Hezbollah had not been hit.

Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen

Also on Sunday, the Israeli military said dozens of aircraft struck Houthi targets in Yemen in response to a recent attack on Israel. The military said it targeted power plants and sea port facilities in the city of Hodeida.

The Houthis launched a ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion airport on Saturday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arriving. The Houthi media office said the Israelis strikes hit the Hodeida and Rass Issa ports along with two power plants in Hodeida city, which is a stronghold for the Iranian-backed rebels.

Following the strikes, fire and plumes of smoke could be seen in the air over the Hodeida.

The Houthis claimed that they had taken precautionary measures ahead of the strikes, emptying oil storages in the ports, according to Nasruddin Ammer, deputy director of the Houthi media office. He said in a post on X platform the strikes wont stop the rebels attacks on shipping routes and on Israel.

U.S. warns Hezbollah will work quickly to rebuild

Meanwhile, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Israels airstrikes in Lebanon had wiped out Hezbollahs command structure, but he warned the group will work quickly to rebuild it.

I think people are safer without him walking around, Kirby said of Nasrallah. But they will try to recover. Were watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership vacuum. Its going to be tough.  Much of their command structure has now been wiped out.

Kirby, who spoke during an appearance on CNNs State of the Union, sidestepped questions about whether the Biden administration agrees with how the Israelis are targeting Hezbollah leaders. The White House continues to call on Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a 21-day temporary cease-fire that was floated by the U.S., France and other countries last week as world leaders gathered for the U.N. General Assembly.

Netanyahu adds former rival to his Cabinet

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday appointed a former rival, Gideon Saar, as a member of his Cabinet. The move expands Netanyahus governing coalition and helps entrench the Israeli leader in office.

Under their agreement, Netanyahu said Saar would be given a spot in the Security cabinet, the body that oversees the management of the ongoing war.

Saar had hoped to replace Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, another rival of Netanyahus. But a deal to become defense minister fell through several week ago after fighting intensified with Hezbollah.

Airstrikes drive thousands from homes in Lebanon

Earlier this month, Hezbollah was also targeted by a sophisticated attack on its pagers and walkie-talkies that was widely blamed on Israel. A wave of Israeli airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon has killed at least 1,030 people  including 156 women and 87 children  in less than two weeks, according to Lebanons Health Ministry.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been driven from their homes in Lebanon by the latest strikes. The government estimates that around 250,000 are in shelters, with three to four times as many staying with friends or relatives, or camping out on the streets, Environment Minister Nasser Yassin told the AP.

Hezbollah has continued to fire rockets and missiles into northern Israel, but most have been intercepted or fallen in open areas. No Israelis have been killed since the latest wave of strikes targeting top Hezbollah leaders began on Sept. 20.

Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group and political party backed by Iran, Israels chief regional rival, rose to regional prominence after fighting a devastating monthlong war with Israel in 2006 that ended in a draw.

Kaouk was a veteran member of Hezbollah going back to the 1980s and served as Hezbollahs military commander in southern Lebanon during the 2006 war with Israel. He often appeared in local media, where he would comment on politics and security developments, and he gave eulogies at the funerals of senior militants. The United States announced sanctions against him in 2020.

Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel after Hamas Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza triggered the war there. Hezbollah and Hamas are allies that consider themselves part of an Iran-backed Axis of Resistance against Israel.

Israel has responded with waves of airstrikes, and the conflict has steadily ratcheted up to the brink of all-out war, raising fears of a region-wide conflagration.

Israel says it is determined to return some 60,000 of its citizens to communities in the north that were evacuated nearly a year ago. Hezbollah has said it will only halt its rocket fire if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, which has proven elusive despite months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.

Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Aamer Madhani in Washington, Sam Magdy in Cairo and Jack Jeffery in Jerusalem contributed.
Elsie Hicks looks at the destruction of the home she has lived in for 25 years, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Horseshoe Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Hurricane Helene killed and destroyed far and wide  from Tampa, Fla., to Atlanta to Asheville, N.C., its high winds, heavy rains and sheer size created a perfect mix for devastation.

The storm made landfall late Thursday along a largely undeveloped expanse of pine trees and salt marshes on Floridas Big Bend coast, but it immediately displayed its far-reaching power several hundred miles away. As of Sunday morning, at least 64 people were confirmed killed.

Tampa Bay was inundated with a massive storm surge that sent water up to peoples attics. Atlanta got more than 11 inches of rain, more than any 48-hour period in recorded history. So many trees were toppled in South Carolina that at one point more than 40 percent of the state lost electricity. In North Carolina, dams were in jeopardy of failing and entire communities are cut off by floods. Floodwaters submerged a hospital in Tennessee so quickly that more than 50 patients had to be rescued from the roof via helicopter.

How did a single storm unleash destruction so far away?

Dan Brown, a specialist at the National Hurricane Center near Miami, said Helene had all the attributes that make a storm widely destructive.

It was large, about 350 miles wide. It was strong, with winds reaching 140 mph when it made landfall late Thursday, creating widespread storm surge. It carried heavy rains. And it was fast, speeding north at up to 24 mph offshore and 30 mph inland.

He compared the geographic scale of Helenes destruction to 1972s Hurricane Agnes, 1989s Hurricane Hugo and 2004s Hurricane Ivan.

Systems that get very powerful, large and fast moving unfortunately do bring the potential for impact and damage well inland, Brown said Saturday.

Here is a look at the many deadly tentacles of Helene.

Florida

Helenes devastation began Thursday, hours before it made landfall, as it swept through the Gulf of Mexico. Its then-120-mph winds created storm surge that pushed 6-to-15-feet of water into island and coastal neighborhoods all along Floridas west coast.

Nine people who drowned were residents who stayed behind after their Tampa Bay area neighborhoods were ordered evacuated.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri expressed his frustration  issuing evacuation orders isnt a decision thats made lightly, he said. Many who ignored officials then called for help as some sought refuge in their attics from the rising waters. Deputies tried to help, using boats and high-profile vehicles, but they couldnt reach many neighborhoods.

We made our case, we told people what they needed to do and they chose otherwise, Gualtieri said at a Friday press conference.

Late Thursday, Helenes eye slammed into the northwest Florida coast in the Big Bend area, the spot where the Panhandle makes its westward jut from the peninsula  Hurricanes Idalia and Debby had previously hit the area within the last 13 months.

Susan Sauls Hartway had evacuated her seaside home  it was gone and when she returned Friday.

I knew it would be bad, but I had no idea it was going to be this bad, Hartway said. This is unbelievable.

Georgia

After making landfall, Helene sped into Georgia. Among more than 20 dead were a 27-year-old mother and her 1-month old twins died Friday when trees fell on their house in Thomson, just west of Augusta. An 89-year-old woman was killed when trees fell on her house nearby.

Rhonda Bell and her husband were spending a sleepless night in the downstairs bedroom of their century-old home just outside Valdosta, where Helenes center passed shortly after midnight.

The winds broke off limbs, tore away neighbors roof shingles and knocked down fence panels in the neighborhood with train tracks along one edge. Then a towering oak tree crashed through the roof of an upstairs bedroom.

I just felt the whole house shake, Bell said. Thank God were both alive to tell about it.

Atlanta was hit with 11 inches of rain, the heaviest 48-hour downfall since the city began keeping records in 1878. Streets flooded, submerging cars. Firefighters rescued at least 20 people.

North Carolina

Helenes heavy rains in the states western mountains caused massive flooding and mudslides in the Asheville region, cutting off most communication and making the roads impassable.

Video posted online shows large portions of the city underwater.

More than 1,000 miles away in Texas, Jessica Drye Turner begged on Facebook on Friday for someone to rescue her family members stranded on their Asheville rooftop.

But in a follow-up message Saturday, Turner said the roof had collapsed before help arrived and her parents, both in their 70s, and her 6-year-old nephew had drowned.

I cannot convey in words the sorrow, heartbreak and devastation my sisters and I are going through, she wrote.

Jeff Muenstermann and his wife, Lisa, friends of Turners, told The Associated Press on Saturday they had spoken to Turner after she posted the initial plea for help. At her request, they messaged members of The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, where they all attend, to pray for the familys safety back in North Carolina.

I just thought they were going to be rescued, Jeff Muenstermann said. I asked everybody to pray and they did. And then a couple hours later, her husband called me, completely distraught and said ... we lost them. They all drowned.

South Carolina

The storm was especially deadly in South Carolina. The biggest impact appears to be falling trees. The storm also produced tornadoes in the state.

In Saluda County, two firefighters were killed when a tree fell on their truck while they were answering a call. In Greenville County, four people were killed by falling trees. Four people were also killed in Aiken County by trees falling on homes, including a 78-year-old husband and his 74-year-old wife.

Tennessee

Helenes heavy rains caused the states eastern rivers to overflow their banks and threatened to break dams, endangering those living nearby and forcing them to flee.

Patients and others at a hospital near the North Carolina border had to be evacuated to the roof Friday when torrents from the overflowing Nolichucky River rushed into the building.

Unicoi County Hospital tried to evacuate 11 patients and dozens of others, but the water was too treacherous for boats sent by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to navigate.

Helicopters were flown in to help rescue them. Eventually, everyone was evacuated.
Tennessee National Guard troops assigned to the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Knoxville prepared three UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters and crew for aerial rescue operations on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. They came to the aid of more than 50 patients and staff stranded at Unicoi County Hospital due to flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. (Teri Eicher/Tennessee National Guard)

The Tennessee National Guard helped rescue more than 50 patients and staff stranded on the rooftop of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tenn., on Friday because of severe flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.

Fifteen Tennessee National Guard troops assigned to the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Knoxville departed Joint Base McGhee-Tyson with UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters to conduct a joint rescue mission with the Virginia State Police. At 3:08 p.m. CDT, all stranded patients and staff members were rescued and transported to a local high school.

Four light tactical vehicles with the Tennessee Guard also departed from Johnson City and Unicoi County to traverse flooded areas and assist in water rescue operations.

Our priority is to rapidly deploy to the affected areas and assist emergency responders with rescue operations, said Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessees adjutant general. We are monitoring the situation and prepared to support as long as needed to ensure the safety of our fellow Tennesseans.

The Air Force evacuated aircraft from several Florida and Georgia bases on Wednesday, and some 3,300 Florida National Guard troops prepared to respond as Hurricane Helene bore down on the states Gulf Coast. National Guard units in Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina were prepared to help out in potential emergencies and with cleanup in the aftermath.

Our National Guardsmen are trained and ready to support the citizens of South Carolina, said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robin B. Stilwell, South Carolina National Guard director of the joint staff. Our efforts are focused on assisting county and state agencies.

Helene made landfall late Thursday along a largely undeveloped expanse of pine trees and salt marshes on Floridas Big Bend coast, but it immediately displayed its far-reaching power several hundred miles away. As of Sunday afternoon, at least 84 people were confirmed killed.
Garion Hanna (22) is accused of making an unwarranted demand with menaces

An alleged blackmailer accused of threatening to hold a woman hostage in a cupboard unless she paid a drug debt has been refused bail.

Garion Hanna (22) is accused of making an unwarranted demand for 500 with menaces on April 8 this year.

Ballymena Magistrates Court was told the alleged victim contacted police to say Hanna had told her he would lock her in a cupboard if she did not a pay the debt.

A PSNI officer said: There was a machete on the floor, so she thought she was in danger.

She told police she honestly thought he would hold her hostage if she did not pay.

After Hanna from Holland Park in Ballymena, was arrested, he claimed the woman had asked if she could transfer money to his bank account because she was having trouble with hers.

The officer said: He (Hanna) said If she was scared, why did she not just leave? (He said) she did not owe him anything.

Hanna also claimed he had been smoking crack cocaine with the alleged victim and two he refused to identify.

The police objected to bail over fears he would commit offences or fail to comply with release conditions if freed.

The court was told that despite his young age, Hanna had amassed more than 80 convictions.

He has also been assessed as a category-three violent offender.

Applying for bail, Hannas barrister said his client had been in custody since April and there was no sign of the case progressing to the Crown Court.

The lawyer also noted that the alleged victim was no longer cooperating with the police.

However, Deputy District Judge Alan White refused to free the accused, telling the court: The delay is not such that I consider it constitutes a change of circumstance worthy of granting bail.

He remanded him back into custody and adjourned the case to October 24.
She had allegedly been badly beaten, scalded, stabbed and had her hair cut off in the prolonged attack

An eighth man has been charged and will appear in court with false imprisonment and assault of a woman who was allegedly held against her will and tortured for over an hour in a Dublin apartment.

The alleged victim remains in hospital where she is recovering from injuries including multiple broken bones, burn marks, lacerations and stab wounds.

She had allegedly been badly beaten, scalded, stabbed and had her hair cut off in the prolonged attack.

Gardai seized a number of items from the scene including a deodorant can and light which was alleged to have been used for a makeshift blowtorch, a hammer, scissors, a hatchet, iron poles and wooden sticks.

She was heavily bleeding when gardai raided the apartment as part of a drug search around 7pm on Thursday.

It is alleged the incident was filmed on a mobile phone.

The woman was taken to hospital where she underwent surgery and remained in hospital this weekend.

Photos of her injuries were handed into court.

Six adult men and one juvenile appeared before Dublin District Court on Saturday charged in relation to the incident which allegedly took place at an apartment in Henrietta House on Bolton Street in Dublin on Thursday.

Judge Patricia McNamara remanded all seven in custody to appear before court next week.

An eighth man, aged in his 40s, who was also arrested, has also since been charged and will appear in court on Monday morning, gardai said.

Detective Garda Ruairi O'Connor gave evidence on Saturday of arrest charge and caution of a number of the suspects and objected to bail.

The accused men are Sean Conroy (20) from Silloge Road, Ballymun, Braxton Rice (20), Mark McMahon (54) and Mark Keogh (33) all with addresses at Henrietta House, and Kian Walsh (19) and Jayven Talbot (20) with addresses in Constitution Hill, Dublin 7.

A 16-year-old boy who cannot be identified due to his age was also charged in relation to the alleged incident. He was remanded in custody to appear before the Childrens Court on Monday.

No applications were made in relation to McMahon and Keogh who were remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill Court by videolink next week,

The court heard Keogh was on social welfare and McMahon was on a widowers pension. All seven accused were granted legal aid and the court heard none made any reply to being charged.

Bail applications were made in relation to the other accused but were refused.
Marian Mihai (43) had foreign convictions but none in Ireland and had been here since 2019, the court heard

A father-of-seven pickpocketed a 14-year-old boy in a Dublin supermarket, stealing his phone that was worth more than 1,000.

Marian Mihai (43) had been drinking and was not in his full faculties at the time of the theft, a court heard.

Judge Bryan Smyth adjourned the case for a victim impact statement and payment of compensation.

Mihai, with an address at a Dublin city hostel, pleaded guilty to theft at the Golden Beach supermarket on Parnell Street.

Dublin District Court heard gardai investigated the theft and on CCTV, the accused could be seen removing a phone from the victims pocket without permission. The phone was worth 1,350 and was never recovered.

Mihai had foreign convictions but none in Ireland and had been here since 2019, the court heard.

On the day of the offence, the accused had consumed alcohol and someone had given him cannabis, so he was not really within his full faculties, defence solicitor Yvonne Bambury said.

This was not an excuse for the theft but an explanation, she said, and Mihai had not done anything like this before.

Judge Smyth asked if the boy or a parent wanted to make a victim impact statement.

Possibly, a garda sergeant said.

Ms Bambury said Mihai doesnt have a lot by way of income and it would take him some time to get compensation.

The judge remanded the accused on continuing bail to appear in court again next month.
TAIPEI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Several teachers in Taiwan have expressed concerns about education policies aimed at removing Chinese cultural elements from the curriculum and textbooks, calling for immediate efforts to awaken the "Chinese soul" in the hearts of Taiwan people, especially the youth.

The curriculum guidelines introduced in 2019 have faced heavy criticism from Taiwan's academic community, said Wu Kun-tsai, a professor at the Department of Applied History, Chiayi University, during a seminar on Saturday, coinciding with Confucius' birthday and Teachers' Day in Taiwan.

This set of curriculum guidelines is the culmination of education policies implemented since the 1990s, aimed at removing Chinese cultural elements and severing historical ties with the mainland, Wu noted.

Ou Gui-zhi, a teacher at Taipei First Girls High School, echoed similar criticism while sharing her experiences from over 30 years of teaching.

"I entered the education field in 1993, just as Taiwan began its education reform. Initially, I was optimistic and thought I could still control how textbooks were interpreted. Little did I know it marked the beginning of a nightmare," Ou said.

"The required readings of classical Chinese literature were reduced from 60 to 45, then to 30, and now only 15 remain, with the number of classes cut to just four per week," she said, citing the curriculum for the Chinese language subject she teaches.

This curriculum deliberately undermines students' identification with being Chinese and severs their emotional connection with their mainland compatriots, Ou said.

The "nightmare" extended beyond the classroom. Being distanced from Chinese classics, younger generations have lost the moral compass that once guided and supported their ancestors, she noted.

"It's clear that no one is born supporting Taiwan independence, it is an ideology deliberately cultivated," Wu said, adding that while this ideology is nurtured by certain politicians for their own purposes, it is not unchangeable.

Wu noted that in recent years, he has encouraged several students to visit the mainland and was surprised by the changes in their perspectives.

"Before their visits, these students referred to the other side of the Taiwan Strait as 'China.' However, upon returning, they started using the term 'the mainland' and inquired about more exchange projects to the mainland," he said. "So, I am not pessimistic about the future. In fact, I am hopeful."

Since the Democratic Progressive Party authorities are unlikely to change their education policies, efforts from the grassroots are imperative to establish a historical perspective based on Chinese identity and to restore education of traditional culture, Ou said.

"Politicians come and go, ideologies change, but the wisdom passed down from our ancestors over thousands of years will never fade," Ou said. "I have confidence." 
Man is accused of three assaults on one woman

A FORMER Celtic and Ireland soccer star has been sent for trial accused of carrying out three assaults on a woman in Dublin.

Paul Byrne (52) had a book of evidence served when he appeared in Dublin District Court today.

Mr Byrne, who played in midfield for Celtic FC in the 1990s, was sent forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The accused, with an address at Newport Street in Dublin 8, is charged with three counts of assault causing harm to the same woman on dates between September 2017 and May 2022. The assaults are alleged to have taken place at three separate addresses in the capital.

Former footballer Paul Byrne

A state solicitor told Judge Michael Ramsey the book of evidence was ready and the DPP consented to Mr Byrne being sent forward to the next sittings of the circuit court.

The accused said yes judge when asked to confirm that he was present in court.

Mr Byrne was sent forward to the circuit court on existing bail, and defence solicitor Niall OConnor said a requirement for Mr Byrne to sign on at a Garda station had been lifted.

He has not yet entered pleas to the charges which are under Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He is due to appear in the circuit court in November. The judge granted free legal aid.

Paul Byrne in his Republic of Ireland strip in 1994

Mr Byrnes career, which started with his local Dublin team Bluebell United in the 1980s, saw him sign for English clubs Oxford United and Arsenal. He also played for Bangor in the Northern Irish league, where he won a series of awards.

His stint at Celtic is regarded as his career high point and he scored twice in Old Firm derbies against Rangers.

Mr Byrne was called up for the Ireland international squad in 1994 under Jack Charlton but never played for Ireland at senior level. He later played for Irish clubs including Bohemians.
Fionn Duffy (19) and 18-year-old Shea Duffy were each charged

Two brothers who pleaded guilty to assaulting two off-duty gardai have been ordered to get more compensation for their victims following what a judge described as a cowardly attack.

Fionn Duffy (19), Crossan Road, Mayobridge, Newry, and 18-year-old Shea Duffy, Loughanmore, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, were each charged with two counts of assault causing harm at Park Street, Dundalk on December 11, 2023.

Shea Dufy was also charged with using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words.

A third person who was in their company at the time was not charged.

It was claimed that the two defendants did not know the other men, and that they had no proper recollection of what occurred having been out all day drinking after a friends funeral.

Between them the Duffys had 4,000 compensation to offer but Judge Ciaran Liddy remarked that figure isnt going to cut it.

The case had been adjourned for Victim Impact Statements which were available.

Letters of apology from the brothers were also submitted as were several character references.

Evidence was heard that as one of the officers who was subsequently injured escorted a colleague to their lift home after a night out, he saw the other victim walking towards them and being followed by three people.

I could see that something had already happened to him.

The garda said that he put himself between his fellow officer and the trio.

Sgt Ronan Loftus told the court that Shea Duffy and a third male had come from a pub at 12.50am and had a verbal exchange with one of the off-duty guards as he walked along the street.

Following the assaults, one was bleeding from the mouth and the other from the nose.

Shea Duffy punched one of the victims, breaking his nose, while Fionn Duffy delivered a punch from behind.

Both victims were treated in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

Barrister Ronan OCarroll said that the assaults were aggravated by their unprovoked nature, and by the nature of the Victim Impact Statements.

It was inexplicable why the brothers acted the way they did, fuelled by high levels of intoxication.

Shea Duffy had instructed the other two to follow him. CCTV captured interaction beforehand but not everything as the camera turned around.

When the camera picked them up again, the incident was effectively over, Mr OCarroll continued.

Fionn Duffy was being held on the ground and Shea Duffy up against a wall. There were quite a number of gardai present at that stage.

Counsel said that Fionn Duffy operated diggers and Shea Duffy was a plant operator in Dublin.

He was a juvenile at the time and following this engaged with a Youth Diversion Scheme but became ineligible when he said that he didnt recall this incident.

Both were ashamed and appalled and absolutely disgusted by their behaviour.

The victims had been walking off on a peaceful evening out and they followed them. The gardai shouldnt have had to deal with this on a night out.

The defendants lost control of their senses. It was an aberration on their part.

What occurred was relatively short-lived but would have a lasting impact on the two victims.

Mr OCarroll said that the references set out the type of individuals the brothers were in ordinary course, hardworking and affable, and were testament to their otherwise good character.

The entire family was deeply apologetic. The defendants parents were in court.

Counsel said that 4,000 compensation was a token of the brothers remorse and had come out of their own pockets. He conceded that the Victim Impact Statements warranted a higher figure.

They were prepared to do anything the court or gardai saw fit.

Judge Liddy said that this was a cowardly attack.

One of the guards was going to be left without a front tooth.

The judge continued that 4,000 compensation wasnt going to cut it and that better efforts must be made.

The case was adjourned to January 28, 2025, for review.
Paddy Barry (82) was found injured at his home following an attempted burglary in September 2009, and died later in hospital after falling into a coma

Magician Keith Barry is appealing for the gardais cold case unit to look into the death of his grandfather, who died during a burglary at his home 15 years ago.

TV star Keith made the appeal after graffiti appeared recently in his home city of Waterford linking a named individual to the burglary.

Keith (47) says he has lost faith in investigating gardai in Waterford, who told the Sunday World they have looked into the graffiti allegations and have found nothing to further the case.

Paddy Barry (82) was found injured at his home following an attempted burglary in September 2009, and died later in hospital after falling into a coma. No one was ever prosecuted, despite four people being questioned about the incident.

Paddy Barry

At the end of the day its a cold case as far as I can see, said Keith.

The cops havent really done anything about it for years. As far as Im concerned, it should be an open investigation, an active investigation. But I havent had a call or contact from the guards for years about it.

Keith showed the Sunday World a photograph of graffiti which was spray painted in University Hospital Waterford for two days in a row 18 months ago, claiming a named female was allegedly linked to Paddy Barrys death.

The same type of graffiti has appeared elsewhere in the city in the past couple of weeks.

I was given those photographs and I rang the guards, because Waterford Regional Hospital hadnt rang the guards. I gave them the photographs and havent heard from them since, Keith told the Sunday World.

Now, after years of inactivity with the case, the popular TV magician says hed like to see more being done about it.

The problem with graffiti like that appearing is that its accusing somebody of being directly involved in whatever happened to my grandfather, he explains.

A photofit of one of the suspects

As a lay person, even though Im a person in the public eye, you have to forget that and erase that name from your memory bank, and hand it over to the guards  its their job to investigate that.

Apparently graffiti happens a lot in hospitals so its not unusual for it to be washed off, but you have to question why they photographed it before they washed it off.

Youd have to imagine they have CCTV in the hospital, so surely they have footage of whoevers walking into that bathroom, perhaps spray painting it? Maybe the guards investigated it, who knows? he said.

Keith said there has been some contact with the gardai since the Sunday World first raised the graffiti issue with the garda press office three weeks ago.

Apparently they rang cousins of mine  this is what I heard and this is probably down to you calling them  they rang cousins of mine to say that a photograph or story had been leaked to the papers and just to let them know. They were just giving lip service, he says.

And he demanded more action.

This should be an open investigation, to the extent it should be a minimum of a manslaughter investigation, if not a murder investigation, he blasted.

I believe it was a botched investigation from the very beginning, the whole thing.

The jury at the inquest, in the strongest words they could say, stated something like the incident that occurred in Paddy Barrys house that evening led directly to his death, he says.

Keith Barry is unhappy with the gardais handling of Paddys death

When he rang the guards, he said his front door had been broken down and he was bleeding, so he was already injured when he rang the guards, Keith points out.

After that, they found him half inside the house, half outside the house with his head battered into the ground. What caused that fall, no one knows to this day. But it was obviously a bang to the head.

At the end of the day, the guards believe it took two or three burglars to break down that door, because he had three locks on it at the time.

It was around this time of year, it was bright when it happened. But whatever happened in that house directly led to his death, because at the end of the day he was a very healthy 82-year-old man, still walking like seven miles a couple of days a week.

Keith has also appealed to outside agencies for help in solving the mystery of his grandads death.

This requires somebody with one of those crime podcasts or a crime journalist, like a Nicola Tallant or a Donal McIntyre, to go down there and shake that tree, because Id say if they shake that tree theyd be astounded at the investigation or lack of investigation, he maintains.

Theyd also be astounded that nobody has been charged with this. I dont even know if theres an investigative officer currently attached at that station to my grandfathers death.

I dont have faith that theres going to be an end to it for the family. I believe the Garda cold case unit should look into it from a fresh angle.

The cops pay lip service to you calling them, saying we have investigated that, he says.

Its very different to a guard calling me and saying we knocked on that door and that person has an alibi or we pulled that person in for questioning.

I do not know if that has happened. Theres a lack of information.

A good few years ago the guards said I was too noisy in the press, because I was angry and looking for answers, and it was affecting the course of their investigation and they wanted me to quieten down.

So I quietened down and I did what the guards wanted me to do  and I never heard from the guards again, personally.

The family might have heard something, as they still live in Waterford, and theres four brothers and lots of cousins and grandkids.

But I never heard from the guards ever again when they asked me to quieten down, so since Ive done that, as far as Im concerned, it has become a cold case with no definitive outcome.

Keith insists he has no problem with the gardai in general.

If something happened to me, if I had an interaction in the house with burglars, Id have no problem calling the guards. So Ive no problem with the guards, he says.

But I do have issues with the guards who investigated the death of Paddy Barry, and the branch in Waterford and the lack of information theyve given us over the years.

He is now hoping someone comes forward with information.

Id like to know if the guards have found that person spray painting this stuff.

Id like to know if they did and if that person feels guilty about having information. Id obviously appeal to that person to come forward with whatever information they have, he said.

A Garda Press Office statement said: Gardai are aware of and conducted an investigation into reports of graffiti to a building in the Ardkeen/Dunmore Road area of Waterford city, and allegations made regarding the burglary investigation that occurred in 2009.

Gardai conducted an extensive investigation in relation to these allegations. This matter was fully investigated and the allegations made were of no assistance to the burglary investigation.
The man, who is in his 50s, was arrested after gardai attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) carried out searches of residential and business premises

Some of the gold that was seized

A man who was arrested after gold bullion worth an estimated 1.4m, 460,000 in cash and 210,000 of cocaine was seized in Dublin has been charged and will appear in court tomorrow.

The man, who is in his 50s, was arrested after gardai attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) carried out searches of residential and business premises on Friday and Saturday.

He was being held at a Dublin Garda station under Section 4 Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

In a statement on Sunday morning, gardai said the man has been charged and will appear in court in Blanchardstown on Monday morning.

After the man was arrested, Chief Superintendent Garrett Billings of DMR Regional office said: "This seizure is another example of the fine work members of An Garda Siochana do on a daily basis to keep our communities safe.

This operation, conducted by the Dublin Crime Response Team, is intended to target, disrupt and bring to justice those who cause significant harm in society.

Gardai added that other DMR Regional Units and the Criminal Assets Bureau provided support in the operation.
Local detectives attended the scene of Ms McEntees home shortly after 1pm and the Special Detective Unit (SDU) is also en-route

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said campaign increased awareness that sharing, or threatening to share, intimate images is a crime

Justice Minister Helen McEntee is at the centre of another bomb threat at her Co Meath home this afternoon.

The threat was made by a man claiming to be imprisoned at Mountjoy jail and was issued through the Samaritans helpline.

Local detectives attended the scene of Ms McEntees home shortly after 1pm and the Special Detective Unit (SDU) is also en-route.

Gardai were also in the process of enlisting the services of an explosives dog to assist with a sweep of the ministers home.

Garda headquarters said: Gardai are investigating a potential threat against an elected representative in the east of the country.

The Irish Independent understands that the caller to the Samaritans claimed to be phoning from Mountjoy prison.

A separate source said the threat was more circumspect that previous bomb threats made to the justice minister through the Samaritans with the caller claiming another inmate said there were explosives left at the ministers Meath home.

This is the second recent bomb threat to the minister. Earlier this year, convicted rapist Michael Murray was given an additional two years in prison for phoning in a hoax bomb threat against McEntee.

Murray, formerly of Seafield Road, Killiney, Co Dublin, is already serving a 19-year-sentence for rape.

It has since emerged that he is also the prime suspect behind the hoax bomb threat on Taoiseach Simon Harriss home last June 26.

An investigation is underway by the Garda Special Detective Unit, which is the States counter-terrorism branch, into this threat against the Taoiseach.

The rapist has had his in-cell telephone recently removed at the Midlands Prison over allegations he made a hoax phone call to the Samaritans, saying there was a bomb at the home of the Taoiseach.

However, he is still allowed to use a phone on the landing, positioned under a video camera, and can still call the Samaritans, as all prisoners are entitled to ring the helpline.

It is understood prison bosses recently considered removing that entitlement from Murray (53), through the Samaritans.

But after consideration, it was decided it would not be possible to remove his right to phone the Samaritans, because if he was genuinely in need of the crisis helpline and it had been removed, it could be viewed as a breach of his human rights and he could potentially take a legal action.

Prisoners in Irish jails benefit from in-cell phones. Each inmate has a log-in number and several pre-agreed numbers they are allowed to call.

These generally are parents, partners, children, other relatives and their solicitor. The Samaritans number is also available for all prisoners to call.

Murray brought a High Court case against sanctions imposed by the prison authorities. The court heard he rejected a finding that he breached prison rules by making a threatening phone call on June 26, but the governor found he had engaged in misconduct.

After finding that such behaviour contravenes the 2007 Prison Rules, the governor imposed a sanction of 40 days loss of ordinary privileges within the prison and the loss of 12 days remission from his sentence.

The governors finding and the sanctions were upheld on an appeal to the Irish Prison Operations Directorate.

Through his lawyers, Murray has brought High Court judicial review proceedings, claiming the sanctions are unlawful and should be set aside.

He says that after denying the claim against him, he was not given a proper opportunity to respond.

He claims that during the disciplinary hearing, he asked to be provided with the information supporting the allegation against him.

He says that request was declined on the grounds that the material was confidential. He further claims he was not informed of the nature of the evidence against him.

In his action against the governor of the Midlands Prison, Murray seeks a declaration from the court that the disciplining of a prisoner under the 2007 rules for misconduct is subject to the principals of natural justice and fair procedures.

The case was adjourned.

Murray was jailed for 19 years in 2013 for the rape of a woman whose child he abducted.

In 2021, he was convicted and jailed for an additional 16 years on charges including threatening to kill and harassing lawyers who had prosecuted him. He is not expected to be released from prison until 2037.
The 14-year-old was reported missing from her home in Finglas, Dublin 11 in the early hours of this morning, Sunday, September 29.

Gardai are appealing to the public for help to find missing Dublin teenager Sophia Tormey.

The 14-year-old was reported missing from her home in Finglas, Dublin 11, in the early hours of this morning, Sunday, September 29.

Sophia is described as being 5 foot 5 inches in height with a slim build, brown/blonde hair, and green eyes.

She was last seen in Finglas village at approximately 7pm yesterday evening, Saturday, September 28.

When last seen, Sophia was wearing a black Adidas top, black leggings, and Adidas Campus runners.

Her hair was tied back in a ponytail with a black bow.

It is believed that she may have travelled into Dublin city centre.

Gardai and Sophia's family are concerned for her wellbeing.

Anyone with any information on Sophia's whereabouts is asked to contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
"Roads are now impassable in the area. If you are in an area prone to flooding in that general area then be alert and prepared

Ireland faced washout conditions today with two rivers in Waterford bursting their banks following heavy rain.

Met Eireann issued weather warnings for nine counties with heavy rain, high winds and flooding experienced in some areas.

The worst of the weather hit the south and south east, with a Status Orange rain alert in place for Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford until midnight as intense and thundery downpours lash the region.

The forecaster warned of a risk of flooding, dangerous driving conditions and possible travel disruption.

Two rivers have burst their banks in Waterford, creating severe flooding.

Alan OReilly from Carlow Weather shared a video on X showing the Nire River which had burst its banks in the Nire Valley area in Co Waterford.

River has burst banks her in the Nire valley Co Waterford. Roads are now impassable in the area. Thanks to Marie Whelan for video. If you are in an area prone to flooding in that general area then be alert and prepared. pic.twitter.com/7H8MW4bDF1  Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) September 29, 2024

"Roads are now impassable in the area. If you are in an area prone to flooding in that general area then be alert and prepared, he said.

"The River Nire in Waterford is seeing a rapid rise in water levels nearing record flood height on water level site.

Mr OReilly also revealed the Colligan River in Dungarvan had burst its banks due to the huge level of rainfall on the Comeragh Mountains and surrounding areas.

It comes as Met Eireann has issued two Status Yellow rain warnings for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow that is in place until 8pm.

There are also Yellow warnings in place on all coasts, with some lasting until midnight.

There will be possible flooding, difficult travel conditions and possible fallen branches and trees on roads due to heavy rain and strong winds.

Warnings by county:

Orange rain warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, until midnight.

Yellow rain warning for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, until 8pm.

Yellow rain warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, until midnight.

Forecast

Today will be wet and windy as Met Eireann forecasts outbreaks of rain progressing over much of the country.

The outbreaks will extend gradually northeastwards by the early afternoon and will be heaviest in the south and southeast leading to possible flooding in the area.

The rain will be accompanied by cold and strong winds coming from the south with temperatures reaching highs of 10 to 15 degrees.

Tonight will be mostly dry but will see some light and sparse rain. There will be a few showers coming in from the west and northwest overnight.

Fresh and gusty winds will continue with temperatures due to drop to 8 and 11 degrees. The winds will ease and become lighter overnight.

The Defence Forces has cancelled its annual day honouring veterans which had been planned for Sunday in Dublin.

Unfortunately the Defence Forces Veterans' Day 2024 which was scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled, a statement said. The cancellation is due to a weather warning in place, and the difficult decision was made as a result of health and safety concerns arising from this. A new date is as of yet to be confirmed.

Met Eireann has said that Monday will bring outbreaks and drizzle at first before bright conditions extend from the southwest through the afternoon.

Temperatures will reach 11 to 16 degrees with moderate winds.

Tuesday will be areas of cloud and patchy drizzle for part of the day but promises sunny spells as the day progresses.

Temperatures will reach 13 to 16 degrees accompanied by light to moderate winds.

Wednesday will be mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells while coastal counties will be affected by light showers.

Thursday will be dry in most parts but clouds will develop as the day goes on with some light drizzle due on the south and west.

Met Eireann has warned that some of the expected showers could be heavy.

The weather is due to be stable during the week but turns unsettled towards the end of the week.

The forecaster has said that the weather is gradually turning more unsettled as low pressure edges in from the Atlantic.

A spokesperson for Met Eireann has said that today the heaviest rain will gradually move eastwards along the south of the country which is why the southern counties are mostly concerned by the Orange warning.

They urged people to take into consideration the likelihood of flooding, travel disruption and poor conditions on roads.

They noted that most of the strong winds will dissipate by the half of Sunday night and that the coming week will see some rain showers on Monday, a primarily dry Tuesday due to high pressure building.

There will be some showers but the weather will be predominantly dry while things become more unsettled next weekend, they said.

The forecaster said that predictability for weather for conditions in Ireland was very low due to the countrys location.

We get quite changeable conditions so its very hard to give anything definitive, they said.
Convicted bomber John Connolly (48) posed for photos alongside senior diplomats at the meeting on Monday.

John Connolly (far right) at the meeting with other members of The Truth and Neutrality Alliance and Igor Alekseev (second from left)

A former Real IRA boss was hosted as a guest at the Russian embassy in Dublin this week.

Convicted bomber John Connolly (48) posed for photos alongside senior diplomats and other committee members from his campaign group, The Truth and Neutrality Alliance, on Monday.

Sharing photos of Fermanagh man Connolly on Facebook, the organisation said it was a privilege to be hosted at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ireland by the very polite, engaging and hospitable Deputy Head of Mission, Cllr Igor Alekseev.

John Connolly hunting

The group, which has almost 300 members, noted that a range of topics were discussed during the meeting, including requests that the embassy engage with the group to combat Russophobia in Ireland and beyond.

They wrote: We expressed our displeasure and dismay at the recent state visit of Taoiseach Simon Harris to Kiev to sign a so-called 10-year friendship and co-operation bond with Ukraine.

The Ukrainian co-signer of said bond (Volodomyr Zelenskyy) is basically ruling Ukraine on puppet strings pulled by the US State Department and Nato under martial law. He is by definition a dictator.

Simon Harris, knowing all of this, firstly had no right to make a State visit there, and secondly had absolutely no right to sign this outrageous bond without the consent or approval of the Irish people.

Other topics discussed at the meeting will be divulged at a later date, but we were extremely pleased with the outcome and hope to see more co-operation between us in the future.

The group added that they were pleased with the outcome of the meeting and hope to see more co-operation" with the Russian embassy in the future.

The statement also denied that the group was being influenced by external governments and NGOs before criticising cowardly journalists and gardai who have suggested otherwise.

John Connolly was jailed for 14 years in 2000 after being caught with a Real IRA mortar bomb on his way to blow up a police station on Armistice Day.

Following his release from prison, he became involved with the Continuity IRA.

In 2021, he was linked to a publicity stunt in which dissidents claimed a sniper had shot at a police helicopter in Fermanagh.

Bullets from a Russian rifle found at the scene were found not to have been fired, and Connolly was suspected of scattering old ammunition to back up the bogus claims.

He was recently photographed taking part in pro-Russian protests outside the British embassy in Dublin with The Truth and Neutrality Alliance.
Michael McMonagle this week admitted a series of offences which included attempting to incite children to engage in sexual activity

Two Sinn Fein press officers have resigned after providing references for a former colleague later convicted of child sex offences.

Michael McMonagle, a former press officer with Sinn Fein, this week admitted a series of offences which included attempting to incite children to engage in sexual activity.

McMonagle, 42, was first arrested on August 19, 2021, while he was working for Sinn Fein at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In response to questions from the Sunday World, Sinn Fein said McMonagle informed the party about his arrest the following day and was immediately suspended from his job and party membership.

However, in September 2022, while the police investigation into his then alleged crimes continued, McMonagle was appointed as the Communications and Engagement Manager for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in Northern Ireland.

When asked this week if Sinn Fein had been contacted to provide a reference for McMonagle, a spokesperson for the party said: Following this inquiry, Sinn Fein was made aware that, three months after his employment ended, two former work colleagues were asked for work references in relation to their assessment of Michael McMonagles work as a press officer.

Both provided these references without clearance from Sinn Fein. This was unacceptable and wrong.

The Sinn Fein spokesperson said the references were not provided by, or on behalf of Sinn Fein.

Permission was not sought, nor would it have been given from the party for the provision of these references or their content.

In view of the serious nature of this revelation, Sinn Fein undertook an immediate internal process.

Before this process concluded, both press officers resigned from their positions and party membership with immediate effect.

The details of the charges faced by McMonagle were first revealed by the Sunday World in July 2023.

A BHF spokesperson this week said the Sunday World article was the first time they became aware of McMonagles arrest and the charges he faced.

The individual was immediately suspended and is no longer employed by the charity, said the BHF spokesperson.

We asked the charity specifically what references had been sought for McMonagle prior to his appointment with the BHF.

They did not answer this question, but the BHF spokesperson added: Prior to a colleague joining us we require them to provide two professional references and complete an identification check, as part of the Right to Work check.

All our colleagues also receive mandatory safeguarding training.

We have robust recruitment and safeguarding processes to ensure were creating a safe and rewarding organisation for our colleagues, volunteers, and supporters.

In February 2023, McMonagle was pictured carrying a BHF banner at Stormont as part of a delegation raising awareness about the Daithis Law campaign.

The campaign was launched in support of seven-year-old Belfast boy Daithi MacGabhann who has been on the heart transplant waiting list since 2018.

Its aim was to push for a change in legislation which states all adults will be considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group.

The BHF-supported visit to Stormont in February 2023 was organized to enlist the support of MLAs for the campaign.

As a result of the public and political pressure, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris introduced Daithis Law in June 2023.

McMonagle, from Limewood Street in Derry, failed to turn up in court in August 2023 for his first appearance in relation to the child sex offences.

It later emerged he was not in court because he had been taken by ambulance to Altnagelvin Hospital.

The PSNI arrested him at the hospital and he was brought to the courthouse in Derry.

He stood in the dock, his throat covered by a large medical dressing, and spoke only to confirm his identity and to say that he understood the charges against him.

He initially faced three charges but a further 12 offences were later added to his list of crimes.

These included attempting to incite two children to engage in sexual activity.

He was also accused of 13 counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.

All of the children contacted by McMonagle were under the age of 16, with some younger than 13.

The offences related to various dates between May 2020 and August 2021.

During his first court appearance, police opposed an application for bail on the grounds McMonagle could self-harm or fail to attend future court hearings.

However, his solicitor assured the court McMonagle would attend court, and described him as a man of "exemplary background".

He was released on bail.

McMonagle pleaded guilty to the offences at Derry Crown Court on Monday.

He had been due to appear in court the previous Friday but the hearing was adjourned after it emerged McMonagle had been found unconscious and taken to hospital.

When he was re-arraigned in court this week, McMonagle spoke to confirm his name and address and date of birth.

When the charges were put to him, he pleaded guilty to 14 of the 15 offences.

A prosecution barrister said another charge was being left on the books.

The court was told that a pre-sentence report would be prepared and a psychological assessment would be carried out.

Following his admissions, McMonagle was also placed on the sexual offenders register.

Before releasing him on bail, Judge Neil Rafferty said it was likely a prison sentence would follow.

The case was adjourned for sentencing on November 8.

Before he started working for Sinn Fein in 2014, McMonagle was a reporter with the Derry Journal for ten years.

He initially worked in Sinn Feins press office at the Northern Ireland Assembly for two years before moving to the media team looking after the partys representatives at the European Parliament.

He was also a regular contributor to the republican newspaper An Phoblacht.

In 2018, McMonagle moved to London to work as a communications officer with the Sinn Fein team at Westminster.

He returned to Stormont in 2019 and continued to work there until he was suspended from Sinn Fein following his arrest.
The Hollywood A-lister popped into the kitchen and posed for a picture with all the staff after he had enjoyed his dinner.

Staff at Caisleain Oir Hotel in Annagry, West Donegal were going about their business when the star and his friends popped in.

Word quickly spread amongst staff that the Ghostbusters actor was dining with them.

And when Murray heard the staff were big fans he just had to oblige.

Bill Murray

The Hollywood A-lister popped into the kitchen and posed for a picture with all the staff after he had enjoyed his dinner.

He was so impressed with the hotels cooking that he even left with a little doggy bag!

And the Groundhog Day star certainly proved a hit as he posed for pictures and signed autographs.

"What a gentleman. We had the privilege of having Bill Murray in for dinner and he popped in to thank and meet our entire kitchen crew. Thank you Bill," gushed a spokesperson for Caisleain Oir.
BEIRUT, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah confirmed on Sunday that the group's senior leader Ali Karaki, head of the southern front, was killed, along with top leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in the Israeli airstrikes targeting Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday.

Hezbollah said in a statement that Karaki "was martyred with a group of his jihadist brothers in the enemy's criminal raid on Haret Hreik, accompanied by ... Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah."

On Friday evening, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Hezbollah's main headquarters in Dahieh, the southern suburbs of Beirut, during which Nasrallah and some other commanders of the armed group were killed.

The raids flattened several residential buildings, resulting in at least six deaths, 91 injuries, and significant infrastructure damage in the neighborhood, local media reported earlier.

These heavy assaults mark the latest escalation of the ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah started launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel's retaliatory artillery fire and airstrikes in southeastern Lebanon. 
The fighter was taking part in an online casino game

Conor McGregor has left fans stunned after a live on-air rant as he downed cans of beer, smoked cigars and boasted about making more dough than a bakery.

The fighter was taking part in an online casino game as he declared: I might put down 12 cans in this stream, while uttering war cries such as stand your base, the space is your space, and theres no-one doing it like me, nobody.

He also delivered a jaw-dropping verbal assault aimed at YouTuber Jake Paul who he described as that little dope and his upcoming fight with Mike Tyson.

McGregor had been discussing a number of topics when the upcoming duel between Paul and heavyweight icon Tyson came up.

He then went off on one, declaring: I dont give a b******s. Theyre wearing 14-oz gloves. Its two-minute rounds, is it? Its two-minute rounds? Who gives a b******s. I hope he rattles that little dope, referring to Paul.

Conor McGregor downed cans and smoked

.

No one gives a f*k about him. How is that even in the f***ing Dallas Stadium? Whats going on?

n With an age gap of 32 years between the pair by the time fight night arrives on November 15, Paul will be 26 and taking on a Tyson (58).

In a previous assessment, McGregor insisted the fight was simply a bad look for the sport.

For me, it does set a bad precedent in the industry, he told James Corden.

...Dont aspire to be one of these YouTuber fighters. Aspire for world titles. Aspire for [the Olympics]. That is how you etch your name in history.
Warning: This story contains some graphic content which some people may find disturbing.

Deep in the Lower Kaimai on a 10-acre farm, Vadas Angels provides a refuge for abused and abandoned dogs, offering hope and happiness rather than euthanasia at a council pound.

Were currently running at 62 dogs in our care, Vadas Angels founder Katrina Thompson, said.

Vadas Angels often works with pounds in Western Bay, Rotorua and the Tauranga City Council, rescuing dogs whose time is about to run out.

Those dogs have been there for six weeks and six months.

We bring them in and rehab them, get them used to being in a home environment.

Thompson could not give the number of dogs left in pounds around Tauranga, but she said she has turned down multiple dogs because there is insufficient space at the shelter.

It is a costly operation. Vet and food bills have skyrocketed to $48,000 so far this year.

Thompson said that an outstanding $16,000 has struggled to be paid by Vada's Angels.

Many food companies we used to receive donations from regularly have stopped.

There are a lot of rescues out there.



Tash Pearce with Bodie, a half-Pitbull half-Maltese mix. Photo / Bob Tulloch.

The rush to adopt dogs during Covid has created a mirage about returning animals to shelters, but Thompson said that blame is misplaced as often the biggest problem is people not desexing their dogs.

We battle to have our dogs desexed before they can be pregnant. Sometimes it is puppies having puppies.

For the most part, Kiwis are good dog owners, according to Thompson, but a minority commit horrendous acts of violence towards their dogs.

Vadas Angels historically only took in dogs eight months and above, but they have started rescuing puppies due to the number of them turning up at pounds.

Thompson recalls the story of one dog called Blaze, who suffered horrendous head injuries and excessive abuse.

He was beaten blind, she said.

His head was three times the size it should have been.

It was a three-year journey to rehabilitate him.



Vada's Angels will look after dogs of all ages and sizes. Photo / Bob Tulloch.

Another harrowing tale is that of a young puppy whose leg got hacked off by its owner, said Pearson.

The vet had never seen anything like it.

Thompson said people will overlook adopting a rescue dog because some believe the rescue shelter has become their forever home.

People need to remember they are safe here but still need homes.

It is not a solo effort; Thompson will work with seven team members at Vadas Angels, including Tash Pearce, who helps to care for the horses and sheep that come in for care.



Thompson and Pearce with two rescue dogs. Photo / Bob Tulloch

Thompson tells the harrowing tale of a group of six-month-old staffy puppies known as the Spice Girls who were minutes away from euthanasia when Vadas Angels swooped in.

Thompson said if she were five minutes later, the dogs would be put down.

It was tough.

Dogs who go through the rehab process will each have their journey. And that no canine, even when it suffers extreme violence, is beyond recovering, said Thompson.

It is not in their personality to hurt anyone.

Please visit vadasangels.org for more information.
The Governments new speed limit rule has been signed to reverse Labours blanket speed limit reductions and enable Kiwis to get to where they want to go quickly and safely, Transport Minister Simeon Brown said.

The previous Governments approach to road safety led to untargeted speed limit reductions across the country that slowed Kiwis and the economy down, said Brown.

New Zealanders rejected these illogical blanket speed limit reductions.

Brown said more than 65 per cent of submitters supported their plan to reverse the previous Governments blanket speed limit reductions in the draft speed limit rule.

It makes no sense to make a shift worker travelling to work at four oclock in the morning crawl along our streets at 30km per hour. New Zealanders expect a sensible approach to speed limits on our roads, and thats what were delivering.

Brown said throughout the world, 50km per hour is used as the right speed limit to keep urban roads flowing smoothly and safely.

The evidence on this is clear  comparable countries with the lowest rates of road deaths and serious injuries, such as Norway, Denmark and Japan, have speed limits of 50km/h on their urban roads, with exceptions for lower speed limits, said Brown.

These countries have strong road safety records, targeting alcohol, drugs and speeding.

Our Government has a clear focus on improving road safety outcomes with clear targets to ensure Police are focussed on the most high-risk times, behaviours and locations.

Brown said alcohol and drugs are the highest contributing factor to fatal crashes on our roads.

And thats why we have increased alcohol breath testing targets and introduced legislation to roll out roadside drug testing to crack down on this reckless behaviour.

Over 850,000 more alcohol breath tests were undertaken on our roads in 2023/24 compared to the previous year, saving 37 lives across the country.

We know that alcohol breath testing and drug testing are incredibly effective at saving lives.

Delivering on the National-Act coalition agreement, the Government is requiring reduced variable speed limits outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times and enabling speed limits up to 120km per hour on expressways where its safe.

We are prioritising the safety of young Kiwis by introducing reduced speed limits outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times. We want to see these changes brought about quickly and have shifted forward the date by which they will be required at schools across New Zealand, Brown said.

By 1 July 2026, local streets outside a school will be required to have a 30km per hour variable speed limit. Rural roads that are outside schools will be required to have variable speed limits of 60km/h or less.

We know that Roads of National Significance improve safety and efficiency.

Thats why we are giving the green light for new expressways to have speed limits up to 120km per hour where its safe, from the day they open.

It is critical that we have the right settings in place to boost economic growth and improve road safety, enabling Kiwis to get to where they want to go, quickly and safely.

Brown signed the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024 on September 28 and it will come into force on October 30.

By July 1, 2025, speed limits that have been reduced on local streets, arterial roads and state highways since January 1, 2020 must be restored to the speed limit that was in place on December 31, 2019.

The Government consulted with New Zealanders on the draft rule:

- 65 per cent of submitters supported reversing Labours blanket speed limit reductions. 32 per cent did not support this, and 4 per cent were unclear.

- 51 per cent supported cost-benefit analysis for speed limit changes. 29 per cent did not support this, and 20 per cent were unclear.

- 63 per cent supported strengthening consultation requirements when making speed limit changes. 22 per cent did not support this, and 15 per cent were unclear.

- 56 per cent supported (either in full or with an exception) introducing standardised speed limits. 35 per cent did not support this, and 9 per cent were unclear.

- 54 per cent supported enabling 120km/h speed limits on roads that can safely accommodate that speed. 29 per cent did not support this, and 17 per cent were unclear.
There has been a sharp increase in disciplinary action against children who assault their peers.

Stand-downs, suspensions and exclusions for assaults on other students rose nationally in 2023, and doubled in some regions.

Schools in 2023 made 11,575 stand-downs for assaults on other students, 23 percent more than in 2022 and 28 percent more than in 2019 - the year before pandemic lockdowns prompted a drop in disciplinary figures.

In Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast and Bay of Plenty/Waiariki the number jumped more than 40 per cent between 2022 and 2023, with the South Island regions' figure 92 per cent higher than in 2019.

Stand-down numbers for all causes, including assaults, dropped in the first years of the pandemic, but are now considerably higher than pre-pandemic.

In 2019 schools made 22,280 stand-downs, dropping to 18,189 in 2020 before climbing to 25,142 in 2022, and to 30,711 in 2023.

The increases far outstripped 2023's 2 percent increase in school enrolments.

Physical assaults have consistently been the main reason for stand-downs, followed in recent years by vaping/smoking and continual disobedience.

Physical assaults on other students were also the main reason for suspensions and exclusions in 2023.

The 1192 suspensions for physical assault on other students in 2023 were 40 percent more than in 2022 and 50 percent more than in 2019.

Waikato schools suspended twice as many students for assaults in 2023 as they did in 2019.

Schools made 449 exclusions due to physical assault on other students in 2023, 54 percent more than in 2022 and 59 percent more than in 2019.

Earlier this year, the Education Review Office said national action was needed to rein in critical levels of violent and disruptive behaviour.

The new figures showed schools in some regions were making fewer stand-downs and suspensions for offences involving alcohol and drugs than before the pandemic.

Principals told RNZ the increase in bad behaviour was an after-effect of the height of the pandemic.

Greymouth High School principal Samantha Mortimer said she had noticed an increase in assaults, but it was not a constant problem.

"Often it's when you get lots of young people together who they might have come from different primary schools, there might be someone who moves into the area, there might be some kids with incredibly complex needs."

Mortimer said it was important to use stand-downs carefully and work hard to ensure students who misbehaved were helped to improve their behaviour.

Often, students who were disciplined in Year 9 or Year 10 were never a problem again in later years, she said.

In Bay of Plenty, where physical assault stand-downs were up 41 perc ent over 2022, Te Puke High School principal Alan Liddle said much of the problem was due to the pandemic.

"What we're all trying to come to grips with is the effects that have come out of the pandemic in terms of people's resilience and people's tolerance and I think you can see that in society in general.

"There's a lot of anxiety among students. You can imagine that they've been told for quite a bit of their life to actually stay indoors and stay away from people and then they're now told to come to school and that's not a quick fix."

Liddle said schools had not received a lot of support for those issues.

"There needs to be a big change in terms of what support's put into schools for that," he said.

"You'll get peaks. It's not like it's a constant thing that's been rising. There are incidents that happen ... but certainly overall there's an increase."

Secondary Principals Association president Vaughan Couillault said students in Years 10 and 11 were more likely to have dysfunctional behaviour.

He said pandemic-related disruption to schools in the past four years hampered some children's ability to get along with one another.

"We've been experiencing this over the last 18 months where students seem less equipped to deal with things in a pro-social way when they get into conflict or disagreement, they're more inclined to use a physical response than a social one."

Couillault said students were not only more likely to fight, but the violence was often more serious.

"We're certainly experiencing ... a greater willingness to engage in physical violence and to perpetuate when, in a clumsy term, the job is done," he said.

"We're seeing increasing levels of carrying it on, taking it too far."

-RNZ.
Alberto Flores Granada Sunday, 29 September 2024, 08:09 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Most people in Granada in the south of Spain take time out of their daily routine to enjoy a moment of peace that usually takes place mid-morning or in the afternoon: the coffee break. However, this is one of the small daily pleasures that has become more expensive in Granada in recent months. So much so that in the so-called 'specialty' coffee shops, the beverage is sold for more than two euros a cup. But what is it about these places and their coffee that makes the price so high?

The truth is that this type of establishment does not offer just any type of coffee. Nor do they prepare it just any old way. They are businesses that think about from the origin of the product to its roasting. And the results they offer are so good that in the centre of Granada there are already several establishments dedicated exclusively to speciality coffee.

"We offer an unaltered coffee with very careful roasting. The result is that each coffee is unique and 100 per cent natural," Selene Torres, founder of Kona Specialty Coffee, a coffee shop located in Plaza Bibataubin, tells SUR's sister newspaper Ideal. When she opened her coffee shop, it was clear to her that she wanted to offer a "different" concept in the city and for this she was inspired by the Nordic countries. "Our whole concept comes from there, from the colours to the calm that we try to convey, because for us the moment of having a coffee is a moment of peace.

Zoom Facade of Kona Coffee. Ideal

The establishment offers all kinds of coffee: "That's where we believe part of the essence lies, offering different profiles and flavours with products from different origins". From the beginning, they wanted to create a love of coffee, something that Selene explains they are achieving. "Our public is very varied and diverse. This is not a fad, specialty coffee is here to stay", she said.

For a coffee to be considered a 'specialty', it must score more than 80 points out of 100 on the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) scale, which ensures that its quality is excellent.

Zoom A coffee from La Finca Coffee. Ideal

And in addition to surpassing those 80 points, it has other characteristics that justify its higher price than a commercial coffee. "The coffee is hand-picked and everything is much more careful than with a commercial coffee. The roasting is more delicate and the taste has different notes. You could say that it is like a good meat because you also have to know how to roast it in the right way, taking great care," explained Juan Manuel Gonzalez, owner of La Finca Coffee (3 Calle Colegio Catalino).

But that is not the only difference with respect to commercial coffee for Juan Manuel. Another is the work of the barista, who must be trained to know how to work the milk and coffee correctly, because with this type of product "it's not just a matter of pressing a button on the machine" and waiting for it to come out. Not to mention the fact that as a product, speciality coffee is "much more expensive" than commercial coffee.

Zoom The coffee machines of Despiertoo Specialty Coffee. Bacon Studio

"People need to realise that consuming speciality coffee is not just about having a drink, it is about supporting sustainability and fair trade. It's a whole experience," explained Rolando Montenegro, owner of Despiertoo Specialty Coffee (C/ Jaudenes, 4). In his case, they can offer full traceability of the coffee they offer, something that also increases the price. "We grow the coffee in Guatemala, harvest it, roast it and serve it. This allows us to master every step of the chain.

He said they can afford to select each coffee bean to keep only the best. "This selection is based on quality and also involves a higher cost. Rolando says that the batches of speciality coffee are also characterised by being "much smaller" than those of commercial coffees, which also makes the costs higher. Not to mention their coffee machines, which are eight to ten times more expensive than those in a normal coffee shop".
Isabel Mendez Malaga Sunday, 29 September 2024, 08:43 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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This is a warning for anyone with an egg allergy. The Spanish agency for food safety and nutrition (Aesan) has informed the public of the notification sent by the health authorities in La Rioja due to the presence of egg not being included in the labelling of a frozen cheesecake sold in certain supermarkets across Spain.

Details of the product are as follows:

- Product name (on label): Cookies Cheesecake.

- Brand: Dessert San Martin.

- Appearance of the product and type of packaging: boxed frozen product.

- EAN: 8420878589582

- Lot number: 280126

- Expiry date: 28/01/2026.

- Unit weight/vol: 350g.

- Temperature: frozen.

Zoom

According to the initial information available it has been put on sale in Madrid, Valencia, Murcia and Catalonia, although it cannot be ruled out that there may be more regions affected. As a precautionary measure Aesan recommends that people with egg allergies who may have this item at home refrain from consuming it, while for the rest of the population it does not pose any health risk.
Syracuse, N.Y.  About 100 people gathered in downtown Syracuse Sunday afternoon for a march and rally calling for a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.

People gathered in Clinton Square for the rally and then marched around the fountain.

The demonstration comes on the heels of Israeli attacks that have killed more than 1,000 people in Lebanon over the past two weeks, Lebanons Ministry of Public Health said on Saturday.

Over 100,000 have been displaced in southern Lebanon, according to the United Nations. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the actual number of displaced people was probably larger and could reach 1 million people during a press conference Sunday, according to the Washington Post.

On Sunday, David A. Shomar  a Lebanese American and the son of Palestinian parents  led the rally by calling on the American government to intervene.

We want them to open their eyes, open their hearts. Its not that difficult of a decision, Shomar said. All were asking is stop sending bombs, money and our troops in order to have more killing fields in the Middle East.

Israel has intensified its bombardment of Lebanon over the last two weeks, killing a string of top Hezbollah leaders and driving hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, according to Reuters. Israel on Sunday vowed to keep up its assault.

Hezbollah and Israel have been trading fire across the border since the start of the war in Gaza, which was triggered by the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants

On Shomars mothers 95th birthday, Kawthar Shomar called on her community to come together and speak up against the Israeli occupation, he said.

In 1948, Shomars family was uprooted from their homes, businesses when Israel was created, he said. They lived in Lebanon until 1976. Then the Lebanese Civil War started and his family moved to the United States.

We, again, lost everything and my parents had to start over three times, Shomar said. But our family and contacts are still in Lebanon, so we feel it in our bones.

During the march, people chanted Hands off Lebanon and Shame, and Ceasefire now as they marched. Some cars passing by honked in support.

Many held signs that read Save Gaza, Free Palestine, and Little Wars Spark Big Wars.

Many waved Lebanese and Palestinian flags and wore t-shirts with the cedar of Lebanon , the countrys national emblem.

Organizers also demanded that Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian territories and the U.S. ends its funding and military support to Israel.

Shomar told the crowd they were there to rally and bear witness to the massacres committed against the innocent Lebanese and Palestinian people and to awaken the conscience of the U.S. government.

Stop sleep walking us into a genocidal war, he said.

Najah Zaaeed, a Palestinian mother of three, brought her children to the rally. She noted the historical connection between the countries of Palestine, Lebanon and Syria and wanted her family to support the Syracuse Lebanese community.

Were showing solidarity for our friends and family in Lebanon, in hopes that one day we would see an end to war, an end to inhumanity across the globes, Zaaeed said.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
MANILA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Six people died, including a six-month-old baby and a one-year-old toddler, and another child was injured in a fire that razed a house in the Philippine capital before dawn on Sunday, the Bureau of Fire Protection said.

Fire Officer Roderick Andres said the fire broke out on the second floor of a four-story house in the Tondo district of Manila City at 3:50 a.m. local time.

He said the victims were asleep when the fire erupted, trapping them inside the building. A child was injured after jumping out of the window to escape.

It took firefighters over an hour to put out the fire.

The bureau is looking into the cause of the fire. 
With changes to Medicare in 2025, expert guidance from Medicare professionals is more important than ever. To help seniors navigate the complexity of Medicare supplemental insurance, Advance Media New York will host a free webinar and Q&A with expert panelists. Guide to Medicare: How to Navigate the Big Choices will take place from 1 to 2 p.m., Thurs. Oct. 17.

Presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, this virtual event moderated by Advance Media New York journalist Susan Kennedy aims to simplify the complex process through interactive information sessions with local Medicare experts.

The webinar features leading Medicare experts discussing:

How to know if you have the right plan for your needs

- Medicare overview (Parts A, B, C and D)

- Enrollment periods and additional coverage or supplement plans

- Finding an in-network provider

Whats new for 2025

- Part D (prescription drug coverage changes)

- Part B (premium changes)

How to navigate the Annual Election Period (AEP)

- Choosing the right plan and timing

An open Q&A session with the panelists will follow the discussion.

About the panelists:

Taylor Frawley earned her Masters in Public Health at Upstate Medical University with a certification in Health Services Management and Policy through Syracuse University. In her current role with Onondaga County Department of Adult & Long Term Care Services, Taylor is the Coordinator for the HIICAP (State Health Insurance Program) and provides Medicare eligible individuals with information and resources that they need to decipher what type of Medicare Plan best suits them. She is a strong advocate for the aging population and looks forward to providing on-going support to those in the Onondaga County community.

Jeanine Meyers, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Consultant. Jeanine has 8 years of experience in Medicare helping eligible beneficiaries navigate the ever-changing rules and regulations as well as choosing plans that best fit their lifestyles.

Amanda MacLachlan, owner and licensed agent, Im With Amanda Medicare Solutions, a private broker insurance agency specializing in Medicare. Amanda works with current Medicare members and those approaching Medicare eligibility to determine when to move to Medicare and what options are available to them.

For more information, visit https://events.syracuse.com/medicare2024.
Facepalm: Running a social media company the size of Meta may be technically complicated, but some mistakes simply should not happen. One example is storing user passwords in plaintext, which Meta claims it inadvertently did in 2019, violating the region's GDPR regulations. The incident adds to a growing list of ways in which Meta has infringed upon this privacy regulation.

Following a lengthy investigation, Meta has been fined 91 million (nearly $106 million) by the Irish Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) for storing certain Facebook user passwords in plaintext on its internal systems  that is, without cryptographic protection or encryption. The DPC also issued a reprimand to the social media giant.

Meta informed the DPC in April 2019 that it had inadvertently stored "hundreds of millions" of passwords improperly. The DPC stated that the passwords were not accessible to external parties.

The Irish watchdog serves as Meta's lead privacy regulator in the European Union, as the company's headquarters are based in Dublin.

The investigation revealed that the parent company of Facebook infringed upon the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which mandates that personal data be appropriately secured. This included failing to notify the DPC of the data breach.

Although Meta did inform the DPC about the password storage issue, the investigation found that this notification was not timely or comprehensive enough to meet GDPR requirements. The GDPR requires companies to report personal data breaches to the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach.

The DPC also cited Meta for violating a GDPR requirement to document all personal data breaches, suggesting that even after notifying the DPC, Meta may not have maintained adequate records of the incident as required by law. It also found that Meta did not implement appropriate technical or organizational measures to protect users' passwords against unauthorized processing.

Graham Doyle, deputy commissioner at the DPC, emphasized the seriousness of Meta's misstep. "It is widely accepted that user passwords should not be stored in plaintext, considering the risks of abuse that arise from persons accessing such data," he said in a statement.

A Meta spokesperson, Matthew Pollard, emailed a statement to TechCrunch claiming the company took "immediate action" regarding what had been an "error" in its password management processes. "We proactively flagged this issue to our lead regulator, the Irish Data Protection Commission, and have engaged constructively with them throughout this inquiry," the statement said.

Meta has accrued not only the largest fine for violating the GDPR since it went into effect, but also the majority of the largest penalties overall, according to a list compiled by TechCrunch.

The largest fine came in May 2023, when it was penalized $1.31 billion by the DPC for violating rules on transferring Facebook users' personal data outside the European Union. Earlier that year, in January, the company was fined $426 million for failing to have a valid legal basis to process user data for ad targeting on Instagram and Facebook. Additionally, in September 2021, it was fined $443 million for failings in its handling of minors' data on Instagram.

Meta has also been found to have infringed upon the GDPR due to technical missteps, such as storing passwords in plaintext. In November 2022, the DPC fined it $290 million when platform features, including contact importer and search tools, made the personal data of hundreds of millions of users discoverable to all other users.
Flexible: British startup Pragmatic Semiconductor has unveiled a 32-bit microprocessor that can run machine learning models while also being bendable  all for under a dollar. Named Flex-RV, this chip is based on the open standard RISC-V architecture and utilizes an entirely different material to achieve its highly adaptable design.

That material is called indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), which replaces the more conventional silicon. The key innovation lies in avoiding the complex (and expensive) packaging that silicon chips require to protect their brittle nature from the stresses induced by flexing. Instead, IGZO transistors can be printed directly onto plastic substrates at low temperatures.

Pragmatic's demo showcases the Flex-RV being rolled up around a straw and then unfurling to continue executing code undisturbed. While the demonstrator handled the board with extra care  suggesting you can't exactly flap it around  watching it curl up and keep computing was still a pretty impressive feat.

Don't expect blistering performance, however. With only 12,600 logic gates, the Flex-RV prototype achieves a maximum clock speed of 60 kHz  that's 0.00006 GHz in PC gamer terms. Despite these modest performance numbers, the chip successfully integrates a low-power machine learning accelerator.

Pragmatic never intended the Flex-RV to train GPT-4 models. Consuming less than 6 mW of power, this ultra-efficient chip is ideal for powering disposable medical devices and a new frontier of flexible, body-conforming gadgets, such as improved health wearables, soft robotics, and even brain-computer interfaces. Additionally, by leveraging the free, open-source RISC-V instruction set, Pragmatic has avoided the pricey architecture licensing fees that typically inflate chip costs.

In testing, the resilient processor maintained accuracy while bent to a 5 mm radius curve. Throughput varied by a few percentage points, but overall, it handled flexing like a champ. This marks a significant upgrade over previous bendable chips, which could only be tested while resting on their original wafers.

This isn't the first time someone has attempted to create a bendable PCB. In August, an enterprising engineer gave the classic Arduino Uno board a flexible makeover, calling it the "Flexduino." That project incorporated rigid components onto a flexible PCB; Flex-RV takes it a step further  the integrated circuit on the board can also twist and contort.

The full details were published in the journal Nature on September 25.
Leung Chi Sum runs along Victoria Harbour with a Chinese national flag in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

HONG KONG, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- In the bustling city of Hong Kong, 57-year-old Leung Chi Sum has found his calling in a spirited way -- running with the Chinese national flag.

As he dashes along the city's coastline, the five-star red flag billows behind him, catching the warm autumn breeze and perfectly synchronizing with the rhythm of his heart beneath his bright red shirt.

Over the past four years, Leung has accumulated an impressive total of 1,012 kilometers, which is not merely a physical feat but a heartfelt tribute to his love for the country.

"One should be low-key in life, but high-key when it comes to loving one's country," he said.

Leung's journey began on China's National Day in 2020 during a particularly challenging period for the city. With a small group of friends, he set out to run about 10 kilometers in celebration of the country's birthday while uplifting the spirits of Hong Kong residents.

Inspired by his mainland friends, Leung decided to carry a small hand-held national flag during this run. As they waved the flag along the way, the cheers from the crowd invigorated them, making every step feel lighter.

Upon reaching their intended destination, Leung felt a surge of inspiration. "Why not run 71 kilometers to mark the country's 71st birthday?" he thought, and then set off alone, taking a ferry across Victoria Harbour to continue his run on the other side.

Since then, Leung has run with the national flag 23 times, covering much of Hong Kong's diverse communities. Sometimes, he finds himself in the bustling tourist spots along Victoria Harbour, while at other times, he weaves through the vibrant chaos of Kowloon's Yau Ma Tei.

What started as a small group of runners has blossomed into a community event. Leung's journey has led him to organize numerous "flag runs," where he and fellow runners celebrate important anniversaries. Often, they gather in groups of 20 to 30, spanning all ages, united by the common goal of running to inspire.

In a particularly memorable encounter on July 1 this year, the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Leung spotted a fellow runner carrying both the national flag and the regional flag. In their conversation, Leung learned that this runner was a resident of Shenzhen who had specifically come to Hong Kong to celebrate the anniversary by running.

The shared sense of patriotism and unity touched Leung. "It felt like we were all celebrating together, like a family," he recalled.

Leung's passion for running is complemented by a love for exploration. He has traversed much of the Chinese mainland, discovering breathtaking landscapes while forging friendships along the way. From the vibrant lanterns lighting up Foshan in Guangdong to the serene mountain trails of Guangxi, each run reveals not only the beauty of the land but also the warmth of its people.

"Running has allowed me to see more of the motherland and make more friends," Leung said.

As he continues his journey, Leung remains committed to his mission. "I'll keep the 'flag runs' going until I can't run anymore," he said. For him, running is not only about distance but also a celebration of identity, community, and a shared love for the country he calls home. 

Leung Chi Sum gives an interview in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Leung Chi Sum takes pictures near a lighthouse in Yantian District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 22, 2023. (Xinhua)
Death toll from Hurricane John hits eight in Mexico



Mexico City, Sept 28 (AFP) Sep 28, 2024



Hurricane John, which made landfall twice on Mexico's Pacific coast, has now left eight people dead, all of them in southern Guerrero state, home to the beachside city of Acapulco, authorities said Saturday.

John first slammed into the shore earlier this week as a Category 3 hurricane, churning along the coast for several days and intensifying before striking land again, this time as a tropical storm.

"We regret the loss of eight lives due to landslides caused by heavy rains," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on social network X, formerly Twitter.

Local media gave a higher number, but the government did not officially confirm those figures.

Guerrero state was the worst affected, especially Acapulco, which was ravaged in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis, which claimed dozens of lives.

While the rains have now stopped, the streets of Acapulco were still flooded on Saturday, as residents waited for emergency aid or wandered around with the few belongings they were able to salvage from their homes.
KHOST, Afghanistan, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least two commuters were confirmed dead and three others injured due to a road accident in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province, local police said late on Saturday.

The mishap occurred when two passenger vehicles collided on the outskirts of the province's Nadir Shah Kot district, along the highway linking the capital Kabul with eastern provinces, provincial police spokesman Tahir Ahrar told Xinhua.

Road accidents are prevalent in Afghanistan due to poor road conditions, reckless driving, challenging terrains, overloading, overtaking, and speeding.

Some 2,000 people lost their lives and about 6,000 others were injured in 4,270 road accidents in Afghanistan over the past year, official data showed. 
More than 60 dead from storm Helene as rescue, cleanup efforts grow



Cedar Key, United States, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



Rescuers struggled on Saturday with washed-out bridges and debris-strewn roads in the search for survivors of devastating Storm Helene, which killed at least 63 people across five states and caused massive power outages.

Helene slammed into Florida Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane and surged north, gradually weakening but leaving in its wake toppled trees, downed power lines and mudslide-wrecked homes.

Federal emergencies were declared in six states -- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee -- with more than 800 personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) deployed.

Now classified as a "post-tropical cyclone", the remnants of the storm are expected to continue inundating the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians through Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

In affected communities across the eastern coast and midwest, storm victims and volunteers toting trash bags, mops and hammers tried to repair what they could and clean up the rest.

"There's only a couple businesses open. They have limited supply. So I'm just worried about families that have kids and stuff like that, getting somewhere to stay and have something to eat," said Steven Mauro, a resident of Valdosta, Georgia.

At least 24 people died in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, 10 in North Carolina and one in Virginia, according to local authorities and media tallied by AFP.

The National Weather Service said conditions would "continue to improve today following the catastrophic flooding over the past two days."

But it warned of possible "long-duration power outages."

"Main issue is the electrical power," said another man from Valdosta who declined to give his name. "With the whole town down, the traffic lights are out. So driving around... people should just stay home."

More than 2.6 million customers were still without electricity across 10 states from Florida in the southeast to Indiana in the midwest as of early Sunday morning, according to tracker poweroutage.us.



- 'It breaks my heart' -



Helene blew into Florida's northern Gulf shore with powerful winds of 140 miles (225 kilometers) per hour. Even as it weakened into a post-tropical cyclone, it has wreaked havoc.

Record levels of flooding threatened to break several dams, but Tennessee emergency officials said Saturday that the Nolichucky Dam -- which had been close to breaching -- was no longer in danger of giving way and people downriver could return home.

Massive flooding was reported in Asheville, in western North Carolina. Governor Ray Cooper called it "one of the worst storms in modern history" to hit his state.

There were reports of remote towns in the Carolina mountains without power or cell service, their roads washed away or buried by mudslides.

In Cedar Key, an island city of 700 people off Florida's Gulf Coast, several pastel-colored wooden homes were destroyed by record storm surges and ferocious winds.

"I've lived here my whole life, and it breaks my heart to see it. We've not really been able to catch a break," said Gabe Doty, a Cedar Key official, referring to two other hurricanes in the past year.

In South Carolina, the dead included two firefighters, officials said.

Georgia's 17 deaths included an emergency responder, according to state officials.

In the Tennessee town of Erwin, more than 50 patients and staff trapped on a hospital roof by surging floodwaters had to be rescued by helicopters.



- 'Overwhelming' damage -



In a statement Saturday, President Joe Biden called Helene's devastation "overwhelming."

Biden was briefed by FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall on "the tragic loss of life across the region," the White House said.

Criswell, who went to Florida on Saturday to survey damage, will visit Georgia on Sunday and North Carolina on Monday.

September has been an unusually wet month around the world, with scientists linking some extreme weather events to human-caused global warming.

The North Atlantic hurricane season runs from the beginning of June to the end of November, with most of the severe storms historically forming around the end of August or beginning of September.

Forecasters are carefully watching two more named storm systems expected next week: Joyce and Hurricane Isaac.

Isaac is expected to weaken into a powerful post-tropical cyclone by Sunday night or early Monday, while Joyce is expected to be a tropical storm for a couple more days, according to the NHC.

bur-bbk-jgc/lb/mtp
Village evacuated over forest fire in southern Greece



Athens, Sept 29 (AFP) Sep 29, 2024



Authorities evacuated a village after a forest fire broke out on Sunday near the seaside town of Xylokastro in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece, firefighters said.

An arsenal of 15 vehicles, seven water bombers and three helicopters were deployed to battle the blaze, whose "long front" has made it "difficult to control", a firefighter spokeswoman told AFP.

The Greek civil protection service sent an evacuation message to the residents of Pyrgos, which is located near the wildfire.

A total of 27 forest fires have erupted across Greece in the last 24 hours, most of which were brought under control, the spokeswoman said.

Greek authorities triggered a red warning in several regions for Sunday and Monday due to winds of up to 75 kilometres per hour (46 miles per hour).

The Mediterranean country, prone to drought and heatwaves, experienced the worst forest fire in its history in August, northeast of the capital Athens, with thousands evacuated and one dead.

Scientists have long warned that human-induced climate change is driving longer-lasting, more intense and more frequent heatwaves, along with other extreme weather events.
JERUSALEM, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said on Sunday that it killed more than 20 Hezbollah militants of varying ranks in its Friday strikes in Beirut, during which the group's top leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was also assassinated.

According to a statement from the military, among the others killed were Ibrahim Hussein Jazini, director of Nasrallah's security unit, and Samir Tawfiq Deeb, a longtime adviser to Nasrallah, as well as Abd al-Amir Muhammad Sablini and Ali Naaf Ayoub, who were responsible for Hezbollah's force build-up and firepower, respectively.

They were located at Hezbollah's central headquarters in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital as Israel launched the strikes, which leveled a multi-story building.

Israel continued to pound Lebanon on Sunday with more airstrikes in Beirut and the airport area, targeting Hezbollah's chemical industry expert, according to the Israeli state-owned Kan TV news.

The military said its fighter jets also struck southern Lebanon, hitting rocket launchers aimed at Israeli territory, weapons storage facilities, and Hezbollah infrastructure sites. It highlighted that warplanes also launched fresh strikes on 45 sites in southern Lebanon's Kafra area to target the group's weapons storage facilities.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah fired about ten rockets toward the western Galilee and Haamakim areas in northern Israel, with some projectiles intercepted, according to the military. 
Nikes profits in Australia slid over the past year as the global shoe brand fights to win back its cultural cachet after a string of strategic missteps saw it lose market share to competitors like New Balance and On Running.

The sneaker giants Australian operations posted just under $922.7 million in sales for the 12 months to May 31, down from $941.7 million the year before. Profit after tax dipped from $14.6 million to $13.2 million, according to its latest financial report filed to the corporate regulator.

Nike sneakers worn by Kyle Anderson, of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Credit: Getty Images

The numbers are what we would say are pretty flat or pretty ordinary, which I think mirrors a lot of what were seeing, particularly with a lot of apparel and footwear, said consultancy RetailOasis director Trent Rigby. But Nikes been having quite a bit of problems for quite some time.

In the US on Wednesday, Nike sank 6.8 per cent even though it reported stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Its revenue fell short of forecasts, and the slump shows how much work incoming CEO Elliott Hill has in making the brand cool among customers.
Melbournes luxury hotel market is booming as the sector works to cater better for families and insists people are turning away from Airbnbs.

Located opposite Parliament Gardens, Lanson Place is the latest luxury hotel to open its doors, marking the 22nd hotel to open in the CBD and surrounds since January 2020.

Lanson Place general manager Marcus Packham celebrates the hotels opening with staff.

Demand for hotel rooms in the city is continuing to grow and could suggest a shift back to formal accommodation as the government prepares to introduce its 7.5 per cent short-stay levy.

The $80 million luxury boutique hotel at 502 Albert Street is in a historic building that housed the Salvation Armys former printing press.
Mental health advocates say the federal government is failing young people by pushing social media bans instead of improving access to unaffordable psychology services, calling for a levy on social media companies to subsidise the sector.

A Black Dog Institute analysis of ABS data suggests more than 2.3 million Australians need mental healthcare but arent getting it, with more people going without care than receiving treatment.

Mental health organisations say social media can provide free access to support for young people. Credit: Getty Images

Black Dog executive director Professor Sam Harvey said the figures, drawn from the ABSs National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, assumed that people receiving care were receiving adequate care, which was not always the case given the prohibitive cost.

We are seeing more anxiety and depression symptoms than ever before in young people  for the first time we are handing on worse mental health outcomes to the next generation, he said.
The outer-suburban strategy has caused alarm among some moderate Liberal MPs, with one arguing Abbott and Credlin had been divisive during their last stint at the top of the party and that we are still suffering from the climate wars he [Abbott] started in 2009. Loading We saw what happened, what we have now with the teals. We have to reclaim middle Australia, women, the Chinese vote, to get back into even minority government, they said. A second Liberal MP argued that the fear among colleagues is we are going back to that Abbott-Credlin style of management  our way or the highway. One Liberal close to both Abbott and Credlin downplayed their influence over Dutton, arguing the opposition leader is more pragmatic and less tribal than the former prime minister and very much his own man.

He listens to people, but it doesnt matter who he speaks to; when he takes a position it is because he has decided to do it, the person said. He takes soundings, he is a good listener, then he aggregates it and follows through. Like a detective [Duttons former job], he ponders the evidence and then makes a decision. The poisonous relationship between Abbott and his successor, Malcolm Turnbull, led to the sway Abbott and Credlin held over the party diminishing while Turnbull was leader. The two were also less influential during Scott Morrisons time as prime minister. But they are back. Both Abbott and Credlin confirmed they were in contact with Dutton but played down the frequency of their encounters and their influence. Credlin does not have a formal role with the national party machine and is not on Duttons staff. They declined to comment further.

A spokeswoman for Dutton said the pair had periodic contact with the opposition leader but also declined to comment further. Dutton also speaks regularly with Liberal Party federal director Andrew Hirst, who was once Abbotts deputy chief of staff under Credlin; former prime minister John Howard; former federal director Brian Loughnane, who is married to Credlin; and the partys federal president, John Olsen, also a former premier of South Australia. Then opposition leader Tony Abbott talks with Peta Credlin and Andrew Hirst during question time in 2012. Credit: Andrew Meares Dutton also takes soundings from long-standing friends in the business community and relies on his wife, Kirilly, whose role and importance is compared by some Liberals to the consequential role Janette Howard played for her husband, John. Two recent events  the federal Liberal Party intervention in the NSW branch and the defamation trial brought by Victorian state MP Moira Deeming against state opposition leader John Pesutto  have prompted the current and former MPs to share their concerns.

Credlins conversations with Deeming were revealed in 30 pages of text messages released during the defamation trial. They show Credlin telling Deeming days before the Aston byelection in March 2023, I am not interested in damaging our chances in Aston as it would damage Dutton and hes a mate of mine. Later that day she texted Deeming: I dont want to bloodnose [sic] Dutton in any way. The messages have been widely circulated among federal Liberal MPs who see them as evidence of her influence. On the recent federal takeover of the NSW branch of the Liberal Party, recommended by Loughnane after a rapid review that was green-lit by Andrew Hirst, one moderate former NSW state Liberal MP said bluntly: Its Dutton, Credlin, Hirst and Abbott. Theyve taken over because NSW is a problem as far as the right [faction] is concerned. But we win elections from the centre and theyre trying to wipe that out. Allies of Abbott and Credlin downplayed this claim, arguing the pair were values conservatives who prosecuted policy ideas and democratisation of the Liberal Party, rather than being factional warriors.

Liberals, including conservatives allied to Abbott and Credlin, and MPs from the moderate faction, said the pair regularly volunteered advice to Dutton on how to take the fight to Labor. Loading A third well-connected Liberal MP close to Dutton and other conservatives said Abbott was very invested in Peters success. Hes a big believer, he often says that he [Abbott] was regarded as a good opposition leader, but Dutton is better. Tony is self-aware. He says he wants the Dutton government to be more successful than the Abbott government. It wouldnt be multiple times a day, but they speak regularly, the MP said. That same MP confirmed that Credlin was also Duttons confidante.

Peter does rate her. She is ruthless and disciplined and focused and ran a tight shop in opposition ... she talks to him regularly. She would contact Peter more than Brian [Loughnane] would contact Peter, the MP said. Describing the input of Abbott and Credlin, the Liberal MP and ally said the former prime minister played two roles: as a sounding board and sanity check for Dutton when he needed advice and as a motivator. Credlin wouldnt be in his top 10, but Tony would be in his top three. There are things only another opposition leader can understand, the MP said. Credlin was more focused on having input on policy. What are the pressure points electorally and what do people care about in the seats that will change government? Dutton has even recently taken to calling Labors climate change policies an act of economic self-harm, a phrase Abbott regularly deployed against the Rudd/Gillard governments.

Soon after the 2022 election, eight former Abbott staff were working for Dutton. Six remain in the opposition leaders office. Inside the parliamentary party, Dutton is close to conservatives including home affairs spokesman James Paterson, shadow treasurer Angus Taylor, social services and housing spokesman Michael Sukkar and legal affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and former Liberal prime minister John Howard in 2022. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Dutton also looks to party moderates including deputy leader Sussan Ley, Senate leader Simon Birmingham and finance spokeswoman Jane Hume. Across factions and state divisions, opposition MPs praise him for consulting widely. A fourth current Liberal moderate MP said the involvement of Abbott and Credlin in the Dutton opposition had been widely discussed in the party room and was a source of growing concern for some.
Outer-northern Epping (9800 to 13,900 new homes), eastern suburb Ringwood (8200 to 12,200 new homes) and Camberwell in the inner east (7500 to 10,100 new homes) are also targeted for the heaviest increases in housing between now and 2051. Between 6500 and 8000 homes will be built in Chadstone, where the most intensive development will occur at the shopping centre, which is Australias largest mall but has neither train nor tram connections, relying solely on buses for public transport. Development would most likely occur on land currently used for car parking. In Melbournes north-west, Niddrie and Essendon North will together get an extra 8500 to 10,200 new homes, with development concentrated along busy Mount Alexander and Keilor roads, but also extending into low-rise neighbourhoods in Airport West and Strathmore. Frankston (4000 to 6300 homes) and Broadmeadows (3000 to 4500 homes) have the lowest targets of the 10 activity centres. In Broadmeadows case, this is partly because building heights must be limited to 12 storeys due to flight controls for Essendon Airport.

Susanne Newton, a Greens-aligned council candidate and incumbent mayor for Darebin City Council, attended the two community reference group meetings the government held for the Preston activity centre this month. Newton said there was disquiet about a low amount of consultation, given the state is proposing to add thousands of new apartments to the suburb. A multi-storey development going up in Essendon. Credit: Chris Hopkins I would say the process is very rushed, and the community is suss on that; its also happening over a [council] election period, so the council cant be involved. Newton queried whether the government had developed plans to deal with the extra traffic, or increased demand for schools, childcare and open space.

The consultation period unfolded during the council election caretaker period, which began on September 17, effectively silencing councils that have been vocal on state ambitions to seize planning powers. Moonee Valley council candidate and incumbent mayor Pierce Tyson said municipal planners had just six days to prepare a submission in response to the plans for Niddrie and Essendon North before the council entered caretaker mode. Right now, we cant fully utilise council resources to make it clear our opposition to this plan. The councils submission is scathing of insufficient detail and a lack of procedural fairness in the development of and consultation over the proposed changes. Tyson, who is Labor-endorsed, said the states plans were being rushed through without thought to local context. Were having our democratic right to object and shape these plans removed through this process, he said. What most residents are concerned about are the catchment areas of these plans, which spill into suburban streets, and I think could reshape and destroy what makes our areas great.

Essendon locals Peter Riley and Anne Ferris both learnt of the governments plans for their area when they received a Victorian Planning Authority flyer in their letterboxes a few weeks ago. Development of the former Epping quarry site is starting to take shape, with 151 social housing apartments and a private hospital recently opening. Credit: Jason South The neighbours said people living in the catchment area were just beginning to learn how their streets could be transformed, with housing blocks between three and six storeys built next door to them in what is mostly a low-rise area. Both said the area was already straining to serve residents needs. Ferris said schools and childcare were at capacity, and it took days to get a booking at the local medical centre. The roads are absolutely clogged. You cant drive a nail down these roads at the best of times, Riley said.

There is no train station inside the Essendon North and Niddrie activity centres, which has the route 59 tram running through its spine. Riley said that if the government was determined to ramp up housing in his area, its important that they dont destroy the liveability of the neighbourhood  not just for the people here now, but for the people they are planning to build for. Coalition planning spokesman James Newbury said the Labor government had an extreme plan to rip away the rights of 10 communities from having a say over the future of their streets. Whats worse is their anti-established-suburb agenda encourages up to six-storey developments in your quiet suburban street and ignores existing heritage protections, he said. The activity centres plans do not propose to remove heritage overlays.

Monique Ryan, Camberwells federal MP for Kooyong, wrote to state government ministers on September 23 to formally request an extension to the four-week consultation period, which closed on Sunday. She did not receive a response. Ryan said she supported an increase in housing but was appalled that the state was hurrying through plans to jam thousands more homes into Camberwell without presenting an impact assessment on drainage, transport, schools and amenity. How can you expect that people arent going to be threatened by this, or anxious? The little information we know suggests there could be a really significant negative impact, Ryan said. The Victorian Planning Authority argued in a draft summary report for the activity centre program that uncertainty among developers about whether housing projects will be approved has stopped Melbournes suburban activity centres developing to their full potential.

Activity centres present a key opportunity to contribute to housing growth in established urban areas, particularly in the form of compact housing such as apartment and multi-dwelling developments, the authority said. Ringwood Square stands in the core of an activity centre that is being targeted for more than 10,000 new homes. Credit: Justin McManus The inconsistent nature of planning provisions currently applied across Melbournes activity centres, along with uncertainty in approvals processes are identified as contributing factors limiting the ability to deliver more housing in these centres. The Planning Authority said new conditions would be included to prevent under-development in activity centres, such as blocking any building that is less than 50 per cent as high as the proposed maximum. A Victorian government spokesman said the status quo was not an option.

Loading We need to deliver more housing choice where Victorians are telling us they want it  close to public transport, jobs and services and close to where they grew up, he said. The proposed settings for the activity centres will give community and industry certainty over what can be built and where, while protecting the things that matter  sunny streets, parks and good design. Dr Stephen Glackin, a senior research fellow at Swinburne Universitys Centre for Urban Transitions, endorsed the state governments planning takeover in the 10 activity centres. Glackin has previously developed a proposal for Maroondah City Council on merging individual housing lots to build larger, higher-density projects  another proposal put forward in the draft planning overhaul.
Loyal Customers Returning to Their Brand of Choice As Inventory Increases J.D. Power Finds

SEE ALSO: GRAPH

Porsche, Lexus, Toyota, Honda and Ford Rank Highest in Respective Segments

Perennial brand loyalty leaders including Toyota, Honda and Lexus have each been able to grow their respective shares of loyal customers amid stagnation experienced by other brands, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study,released today.

Amid ongoing inventory shortages, the most loyal customers actually stayed out of the market if they were unable to get their desired vehicle, said Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power. Now that inventory levels are recovering, customers are coming back. In particular, Toyota and Honda are benefitting from increased availability of hybrid vehicles, with Honda owners swapping out their gas-powered vehicles for hybrids at nearly triple the rate of the industry average. Lexus is also benefitting from strengthened residual values, which are helping drive loyalty for the brand despite premium brands as a whole experiencing a plateau this year.

Highest-Ranking Brands

Porsche ranks highest among premium brand car owners for a third consecutive year, with a 57.5% loyalty rate. Mercedes-Benz (49.0%) ranks second.

Lexus ranks highest among premium brand SUV owners with a 60.2% loyalty rate. BMW (55.8%) ranks second.

Toyota ranks highest among mass market brand car owners for a third consecutive year, with a 62.5% loyalty rate. Honda (58.8%) ranks second.

Honda ranks highest among mass market brand SUV owners with a 64.2% loyalty rate. Subaru (62.6%) ranks second.

Ford ranks highest among truck owners for a third consecutive year, with a 65.1% loyalty ratethe highest loyalty rate in the study. Toyota (60.8%) ranks second.

The study, now in its sixth year, uses data from the Power Information Network to calculate whether an owner purchased the same brand after trading in an existing vehicle on a new vehicle. Customer loyalty is based on the percentage of vehicle owners who choose the same brand when trading in or purchasing their next vehicle. Only sales at new-vehicle franchised dealers qualify. The study includes brand loyalty across five segments: premium car; premium SUV; mass market car; mass market SUV; and truck.

The 2024 study calculations are based on transaction data from September 2023 through August 2024 and include all model years traded in.

For more information about the U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/business/us-automotive-brand-loyalty-study.

About J.D. Power

J.D. Power is a global leader in automotive data and analytics, and provides industry intelligence, consumer insights and advisory solutions to the automotive industry and selected non-automotive industries. J.D. Power leverages its extensive proprietary datasets and software capabilities combined with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence tools to help its clients optimize business performance.

J.D. Power was founded in 1968 and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto-shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
China to host global summit for science parks, innovation hubs in 2025

Xinhua) 13:18, September 29, 2024

NAIROBI, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The 42nd edition of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) World Conference will be held in Beijing, China, in September 2025, organizers announced Friday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

The Chinese delegation led by Ma Jun, deputy mayor of Beijing Municipality, graced the flag handover ceremony to host the conference during the conclusion of the 41st IASP World Conference, which began on Tuesday in Nairobi.

Ma said delegates will have an opportunity to attend sub-forums at the foot of the Great Wall, visit specialized industrial parks and leading companies, and have a taste of famous cuisine in Beijing.

Kenya hosted the four-day conference that attracted more than 1,500 participants from 400 science parks and innovation hubs. In addition to exhibitions, the conference featured side events that discussed opportunities in the fintech industry, fostering the growth of youth-led startups and the future of work amid technological disruption.

Lena Miranda, board president of the IASP, said next year's conference in China will offer an opportunity for players in the digital space to reconnect and witness the technological advances the Asian country has made, impacting the entire globe.

According to Miranda, China has emerged as a major player in helping countries in the Global South, especially Africa, leapfrog to a knowledge-based economy that promises jobs, enhanced connectivity, and inclusive growth.

John Paul Okwiri, chief executive officer of Konza Technopolis, Kenya's envisioned smart city located about 70 km southeast of Nairobi, said China has excelled in innovations and emerging technologies, hence earning the privilege of hosting next year's IASP World Conference.

Okwiri added that a partnership with the Chinese government and firms has been pivotal in advancing Kenya's digitization agenda that has addressed youth unemployment while improving service delivery.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Two young Indonesian students visited Changchun Film Studio to explore what's special about the facility known as "the cradle of modern Chinese film industry."
injured as speeding private travels bus collides with truck





The bus rammed into the pillar of the newly constructed bridge after the accident on Saturday morning.

Staff Reporter :

Traffic chaos erupted on the Nagpur-Amravati Highway when a speeding private travels bus collided with a loaded truck at the Katol bypass turning under the jurisdiction of Wadi Police Station early Saturday morning. Three persons  driver, conductor and a woman passenger were injured in the accident. According to police, the bus, identified as Khurana Express (MH-40/BG-8783), was traveling from Nanded to Nagpur with 22 passengers onboard. The driver, Shivaji, lost control of the vehicle at T-point of Katol Bypass square and collided with a truck. The truck was driven by Sunil Kumar Sonawane and was transporting goods for Ujjwal Ispat from Raipur. The impact caused the truck to spin around, while the bus continued forward.

The bus then climbed the divider and crashed into the bridge pillar. The bus driver, conductor and a woman passenger were injured in the accident. Staff of Wadi Police Station and MIDC Traffic Police arrived at the spot and rushed the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment. It may be mentioned that local residents are raising the issue of lack of traffic signal at the site. Additionally, it was noted that the loaded truck did not have a conductor present at the time of the accident. Wadi Police have registered a case and started investigation.
Ragging Two students of AIIMS booked





Staff Reporter :

Two students of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have been booked on ragging charges by Sonegaon Police on Saturday. According to police, two students, Divyanshu Rathod and Aman Ahlawat, both from the 2021 BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology batch, have been booked following a complaint from a fellow student Ansh Kumar, who reported the incident to the Anti-Ragging Committee of AIIMS. According to Sonegaon Police, on September 21, around 9.30 pm, Ansh Kumar was reportedly taken to his Keshav Hostel room, where he faced aggressive questioning and threats from Rathod and Ahlawat. Ansh Kumars cries for help attracted attention of the other students, who intervened to assist him. Following the incident, Ansh lodged a complaint on September 23 and Sachin Ramesh Choudhary, a committee member conducted an inquiry.

The investigation concluded that Rathod and Ahlawat were guilty of ragging and Choudhary filed a formal complaint with the Sonegaon Police. The Police have registered a case against the duo under the Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act of 1999 and Indian Penal Code. A police official said that they were conducting inquiry into the matter and proper action would be initiated soon.

Second incident in city after two years

In 2022, a ragging incident at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) was reported which led to suspension of six MBBS interns. A first year student of the MBBS course had sent a video of alleged ragging to the Central Anti-Ragging Committee. The suspended students were undergoing internship.
Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) had its price target raised by stock analysts at Guggenheim from $380.00 to $395.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the information technology services providers stock. Guggenheims price objective indicates a potential upside of 12.95% from the companys previous close.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Accenture from $377.00 to $389.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. Citigroup raised their price target on Accenture from $350.00 to $405.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 17th. Piper Sandler raised shares of Accenture from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the company from $329.00 to $395.00 in a report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley cut shares of Accenture from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $382.00 to $300.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. Finally, UBS Group raised Accenture from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $400.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $364.64.

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Accenture Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ACN opened at $349.70 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $219.15 billion, a PE ratio of 32.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.24. Accenture has a 1 year low of $278.69 and a 1 year high of $387.51. The firms 50-day moving average is $333.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $320.81.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, September 26th. The information technology services provider reported $2.79 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.78 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $16.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.37 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 27.48% and a net margin of 10.79%. Accentures revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.71 EPS. Analysts expect that Accenture will post 11.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Accenture announced that its board has approved a share buyback program on Thursday, September 26th that permits the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the information technology services provider to reacquire up to 1.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Accenture news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.82, for a total transaction of $1,649,100.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 8,989 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,964,751.98. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.82, for a total value of $1,649,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 8,989 shares in the company, valued at $2,964,751.98. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 8,145 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $331.05, for a total value of $2,696,402.25. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 22,849 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,564,161.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 21,421 shares of company stock worth $6,912,635 in the last ninety days. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Accenture

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Unique Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new position in Accenture in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Annapolis Financial Services LLC lifted its stake in Accenture by 507.7% in the first quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 79 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new position in shares of Accenture during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Accenture in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Atwood & Palmer Inc. raised its position in shares of Accenture by 214.8% in the 1st quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. now owns 85 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.14% of the companys stock.

About Accenture

(Get Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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BMO Capital Markets reiterated their market perform rating on shares of Smartsheet (NYSE:SMAR  Free Report) in a report issued on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $56.50 price objective on the stock, down from their prior price objective of $59.00.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on the company. UBS Group upped their price target on Smartsheet from $56.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating and set a $56.50 price objective (down from $60.00) on shares of Smartsheet in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Smartsheet from $55.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 6th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Smartsheet from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, September 6th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a hold rating and issued a $56.50 price objective (down from $60.00) on shares of Smartsheet in a research note on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $55.82.

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View Our Latest Analysis on SMAR

Smartsheet Trading Up 0.0 %

SMAR opened at $55.34 on Wednesday. The companys 50 day moving average is $49.46 and its 200 day moving average is $43.61. The company has a market cap of $7.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -89.26 and a beta of 0.74. Smartsheet has a 12-month low of $35.52 and a 12-month high of $55.60.

Smartsheet (NYSE:SMAR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 5th. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $276.41 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $274.23 million. Smartsheet had a negative net margin of 4.07% and a negative return on equity of 4.29%. The companys revenue was up 17.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted ($0.23) EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Smartsheet will post -0.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Smartsheet announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, September 5th that permits the company to repurchase $150.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 2.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In related news, COO Stephen Robert Branstetter sold 1,847 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.00, for a total value of $97,891.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 64,215 shares in the company, valued at $3,403,395. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, COO Stephen Robert Branstetter sold 1,847 shares of Smartsheet stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.00, for a total value of $97,891.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 64,215 shares in the company, valued at $3,403,395. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Mark Patrick Mader sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.78, for a total value of $1,035,600.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 588,762 shares in the company, valued at $30,486,096.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 35,157 shares of company stock worth $1,762,763. 4.52% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Smartsheet

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of SMAR. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Smartsheet in the 2nd quarter worth about $92,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Smartsheet in the second quarter worth approximately $1,122,000. Quarry LP raised its holdings in shares of Smartsheet by 541.6% in the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 7,218 shares of the companys stock worth $318,000 after buying an additional 6,093 shares during the period. Clearline Capital LP lifted its stake in shares of Smartsheet by 145.5% during the 2nd quarter. Clearline Capital LP now owns 207,906 shares of the companys stock worth $9,164,000 after acquiring an additional 123,204 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new position in Smartsheet during the 2nd quarter valued at $6,400,000. 90.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Smartsheet

(Get Free Report)

Smartsheet, Inc engages in managing and automating collaborative work. Its platform provides solutions that eliminate the obstacles to capturing information, including a familiar and intuitive spreadsheet interface as well as easily customizable forms. The company was founded by W. Eric Browne, Maria Colacurcio, John D.

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Southern Copper Co. (NYSE:SCCO  Get Free Report) Director Bonilla Luis Miguel Palomino sold 100 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.50, for a total transaction of $11,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 2,214 shares in the company, valued at $264,573. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Bonilla Luis Miguel Palomino also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, September 17th, Bonilla Luis Miguel Palomino sold 100 shares of Southern Copper stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $10,000.00.

On Monday, August 26th, Bonilla Luis Miguel Palomino sold 100 shares of Southern Copper stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.13, for a total transaction of $10,513.00.

On Thursday, August 8th, Bonilla Luis Miguel Palomino sold 100 shares of Southern Copper stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.60, for a total transaction of $9,960.00.

Southern Copper Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE:SCCO opened at $118.87 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $92.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.51, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.17. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $102.48 and a 200 day moving average price of $108.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 2.81 and a quick ratio of 2.27. Southern Copper Co. has a 1-year low of $68.93 and a 1-year high of $129.79.

Southern Copper Dividend Announcement

Southern Copper ( NYSE:SCCO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The basic materials company reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.13 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $3.12 billion during 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%. Sell-side analysts predict that Southern Copper Co. will post 4.29 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th were given a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.02%. Southern Coppers payout ratio is currently 79.77%.

Institutional Trading of Southern Copper

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capital World Investors purchased a new position in Southern Copper during the first quarter worth about $340,373,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in shares of Southern Copper by 18.1% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,771,332 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $827,804,000 after buying an additional 1,192,111 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Southern Copper by 54.6% in the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 1,541,396 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $164,190,000 after buying an additional 544,312 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Southern Copper by 1,300.4% in the second quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 443,285 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $47,760,000 after buying an additional 411,630 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lord Abbett & CO. LLC acquired a new position in Southern Copper during the first quarter worth $27,163,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 7.94% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Southern Copper from $97.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, September 19th. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Southern Copper in a report on Friday, July 12th. They issued a neutral rating and a $120.00 target price for the company. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $89.57.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Southern Copper

Southern Copper Company Profile

(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.

Further Reading

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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The top priority for the United Nations regarding Gaza is to stop the bloodshed immediately and to prevent any attempts to resolve the Palestinian question through forced displacement, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty said here on Saturday.

Though Egypt, the United States and Qatar have worked to mediate the conflict in Gaza, Israel has thwarted all attempts, he told the ongoing 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Reaffirming support for the establishment of a unified Palestinian State along the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, he said no region is more affected by conflict than Africa and the Middle East.

The Security Council should continue to pass resolutions establishing humanitarian operations while remaining unable to stop the violence itself, he said. 
Shares of Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $2.75.

A number of brokerages have weighed in on LYG. Citigroup lowered Lloyds Banking Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Kepler Capital Markets began coverage on Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Thursday, September 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. BNP Paribas upgraded Lloyds Banking Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada downgraded Lloyds Banking Group from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, July 26th.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Lloyds Banking Group Price Performance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Lloyds Banking Group during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Interchange Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in Lloyds Banking Group during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Intergy Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Lloyds Banking Group during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in Lloyds Banking Group by 234.3% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 11,105 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 7,783 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Lloyds Banking Group by 259.8% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,117 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 8,027 shares during the last quarter. 2.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Shares of LYG stock opened at $3.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 1.45. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $3.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $49.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.26 and a beta of 1.35. Lloyds Banking Group has a 52-week low of $1.88 and a 52-week high of $3.18.

Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $9.55 billion during the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a return on equity of 10.34% and a net margin of 12.40%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Lloyds Banking Group will post 0.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Lloyds Banking Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 20th. Investors of record on Monday, August 5th were paid a dividend of $0.0546 per share. This represents a yield of 4.4%. This is an increase from Lloyds Banking Groups previous semi-annual dividend of $0.05. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 5th. Lloyds Banking Groups payout ratio is 26.32%.

About Lloyds Banking Group

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Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.

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Giyani Metals Corp (CVE:WDG  Get Free Report) Senior Officer Eugene Lee purchased 100,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, September 27th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$0.11 per share, with a total value of C$10,500.00.

Giyani Metals Stock Up 

Shares of CVE:WDG opened at C$0.15 on Friday. The company has a market cap of C$12.27 million and a P/E ratio of -6.00. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of C$0.15 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$0.15. Giyani Metals Corp has a 52 week low of C$0.07 and a 52 week high of C$0.40.

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Giyani Metals Corp., a junior mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of gold, manganese, and precious metal mining projects in South Africa and Canada. The company holds interests in the Kgwakgwe Hill manganese mine with six prospecting licenses located in the Kanye Basin, Southeastern Botswana.

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Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLY  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 400 shares, a decrease of 33.3% from the August 31st total of 600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.0 days.

Great Wall Motor Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS GWLLY remained flat at $16.00 during trading on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 83 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,477. Great Wall Motor has a 12 month low of $9.69 and a 12 month high of $18.65. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $13.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.50.

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Great Wall Motor Company Limited researches and develops, manufactures, and sells automobiles, and automotive parts and components in China, Europe, ASEAN countries, Latin America, the Middle East, Australia, South Africa, and internationally. The company offers SUVs, sedans, pick-up trucks, multi-purpose vehicles, and energy vehicles primarily under the Haval, WEY, ORA, Tank, and Great Wall Pickup brand names.

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Shares of MEG Energy Corp. (TSE:MEG  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eleven analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is C$32.55.

MEG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. National Bankshares lowered their target price on shares of MEG Energy from C$35.00 to C$31.00 in a report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of MEG Energy from C$39.00 to C$35.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 17th. TD Securities upgraded MEG Energy from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, June 7th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on MEG Energy from C$32.00 to C$26.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Finally, Scotiabank upgraded MEG Energy from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and set a C$35.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday.

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MEG Energy Price Performance

Shares of TSE MEG opened at C$24.91 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.35, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$26.46 and a 200-day moving average of C$28.86. The stock has a market capitalization of C$6.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.86, a PEG ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 2.92. MEG Energy has a fifty-two week low of C$22.79 and a fifty-two week high of C$33.70.

MEG Energy (TSE:MEG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported C$0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.69 by C$0.17. MEG Energy had a return on equity of 12.99% and a net margin of 10.43%. The firm had revenue of C$2.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$1.28 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that MEG Energy will post 2.2403101 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MEG Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be given a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 17th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.61%. MEG Energys payout ratio is 19.05%.

Insider Activity at MEG Energy

In related news, Director James D. Mcfarland purchased 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 30th. The shares were bought at an average price of C$26.94 per share, for a total transaction of C$134,700.00. In other MEG Energy news, Director Michael Mcallister bought 7,400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$25.67 per share, for a total transaction of C$189,986.86. Also, Director James D. Mcfarland bought 5,000 shares of MEG Energy stock in a transaction on Friday, August 30th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$26.94 per share, for a total transaction of C$134,700.00. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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MEG Energy Corp., an energy company, focuses on sustainable in situ thermal oil production in its Christina Lake Project in the southern Athabasca oil region of Alberta, Canada. The company develops oil recovery projects that utilize steam-assisted gravity drainage extraction methods to improve the recovery of oil, as well as lower carbon emissions.

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Shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras (NYSE:PBR  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the seven research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $18.20.

PBR has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras from $19.40 to $18.10 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras from $19.30 to $16.70 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the company from $18.00 to $20.00 in a report on Monday, August 26th. Bank of America raised Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $16.80 to $17.90 in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $16.50 to $19.00 in a research report on Wednesday.

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Institutional Trading of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras Stock Up 0.1 %

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. boosted its position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras by 112.5% in the second quarter. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. now owns 26,627 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $386,000 after acquiring an additional 14,098 shares during the last quarter. Bluefin Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras by 152.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bluefin Capital Management LLC now owns 26,019 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $377,000 after purchasing an additional 15,708 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,521,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its holdings in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 1,430,800 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $20,732,000 after buying an additional 18,800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras by 36.2% in the 2nd quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 19,217 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $283,000 after buying an additional 5,104 shares during the period.

NYSE PBR opened at $14.58 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $14.65 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.09. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras has a 1-year low of $12.90 and a 1-year high of $17.91. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras (NYSE:PBR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.47. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras had a return on equity of 28.42% and a net margin of 16.17%. The business had revenue of $23.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $24.22 billion. As a group, analysts anticipate that Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras will post 2.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobras Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a Variable dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 29th. Investors of record on Friday, August 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.165 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 23rd. This is an increase from Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobrass previous Variable dividend of $0.03. This represents a yield of 15.4%. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.  Petrobrass dividend payout ratio is 25.00%.

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Petroleo Brasileiro SA  Petrobras explores, produces, and sells oil and gas in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Exploration and Production; Refining, Transportation and Marketing; and Gas and Power. It also engages in prospecting, drilling, refining, processing, trading, and transporting crude oil from producing onshore and offshore oil fields, and shale or other rocks, as well as oil products, natural gas, and other liquid hydrocarbons.

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Telia Company AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:TLSNY  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 29,400 shares, an increase of 31.8% from the August 31st total of 22,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 61,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Telia Company AB (publ) Price Performance

OTCMKTS TLSNY opened at $6.41 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $12.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 320.45 and a beta of 0.46. The stocks 50-day moving average is $6.14 and its two-hundred day moving average is $5.41. Telia Company AB has a fifty-two week low of $3.95 and a fifty-two week high of $6.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.87.

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Telia Company AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:TLSNY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The technology company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.09 billion during the quarter. Telia Company AB (publ) had a return on equity of 0.53% and a net margin of 4.71%. On average, analysts anticipate that Telia Company AB will post 0.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Telia Company AB (publ) Cuts Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Investors of record on Thursday, August 1st were issued a dividend of $0.0954 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 1st. Telia Company AB (publ)s dividend payout ratio is currently 1,050.00%.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. New Street Research raised Telia Company AB (publ) to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday. BNP Paribas raised shares of Telia Company AB (publ) to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 16th.

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About Telia Company AB (publ)

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Telia Company AB (publ) provides communication services to businesses, individuals, families, and communities in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. It offers mobile, broadband, television, and fixed-line services; and networking, cloud and security, mobility, enterprise mobile network, contact center, managed mobility services, collaboration solutions, enterprise telephony, Internet of Things (IoT), carrier ethernet, dedicated internet access, wavelengths, IP Transit, dark fiber, and colocation solutions.

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Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. (NYSE:XIN  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 12,900 shares, a decline of 18.9% from the August 31st total of 15,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 7,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.7 days. Currently, 0.2% of the companys shares are sold short.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Xinyuan Real Estate in a research note on Monday, September 23rd. They issued a hold rating on the stock.

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Xinyuan Real Estate Stock Up 0.5 %

About Xinyuan Real Estate

Shares of Xinyuan Real Estate stock traded up $0.02 during trading on Friday, reaching $4.01. 167,314 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 13,630. Xinyuan Real Estate has a twelve month low of $1.92 and a twelve month high of $4.65. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $2.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $2.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.85.

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Xinyuan Real Estate Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in residential real estate development and construction in the People's Republic of China, the United States, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. The company develops residential projects, such as multi-layer apartment buildings, sub-high-rise apartment buildings, high-rise apartment buildings; auxiliary services and amenities, such as retail outlets, leisure and health facilities, kindergartens, and schools, as well as office, mixed-use, and commercial properties.

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Toyota Tsusho Co. (OTCMKTS:TYHOF  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 590,100 shares, a growth of 33.1% from the August 31st total of 443,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Toyota Tsusho Stock Up 1.9 %

Shares of OTCMKTS TYHOF opened at $18.63 on Friday. Toyota Tsusho has a 1-year low of $15.82 and a 1-year high of $62.01. The business has a 50-day moving average of $17.11 and a 200-day moving average of $18.65.

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Toyota Tsusho Corporation engages in the metals, parts and logistics, mobility, machinery, energy and project, chemicals and electronics, and food and consumer services businesses worldwide. It provides automotive steel sheets and non-ferrous metals; metal products; non-ferrous metal ingots, materials, and products; rare earth and metal resources; parts; logistics services; tire and wheel assembly services; and automotive interior and exterior parts and accessories, as well as operates technoparks and recycles waste metals and other materials.

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Xerox Holdings Co. (NYSE:XRX  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, August 1st, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of 0.25 per share by the information technology services provider on Thursday, October 31st. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th.

Xerox has a dividend payout ratio of 55.9% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Xerox to earn $1.89 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.00 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 52.9%.

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Xerox Stock Up 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE XRX opened at $10.58 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $10.53 and a 200-day moving average of $13.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.74 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. Xerox has a 12 month low of $9.51 and a 12 month high of $19.78.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Xerox ( NYSE:XRX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The information technology services provider reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by ($0.14). Xerox had a positive return on equity of 7.33% and a negative net margin of 1.60%. The company had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.60 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.44 EPS. Xeroxs quarterly revenue was down 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Xerox will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup initiated coverage on Xerox in a report on Friday, June 28th. They issued a sell rating and a $11.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com raised Xerox from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 5th. Finally, Loop Capital decreased their price target on shares of Xerox from $14.00 to $11.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $12.75.

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Xerox Company Profile

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Xerox Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a workplace technology company that integrates hardware, services, and software for enterprises in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Print and Other; and FITTLE.

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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expounded on the contribution of Chinese modernization to the world during his speech Saturday at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79).

During the General Debate of UNGA 79, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, explained in detail the implication of Chinese modernization for the world, touching on such four aspects as world peace and stability, common development, global governance and human civilization.

Chinese modernization will contribute robustly to world peace and stability, Wang said.

Noting that the Chinese culture values peace and the Chinese nation has no tradition of external expansion, Wang said "China is the only major country that has written peaceful development into its constitution, and the only country among the five nuclear-weapon states to pledge no-first-use of nuclear weapons."

"We are actively exploring and putting into practice the Chinese way of addressing hotspot issues, boosting the prospects for resolving the security dilemma and improving security governance, and paving the ground for conflict settlement and peacebuilding," Wang said, adding that "every step in China's development is an increase in the force for peace."

Chinese modernization will contribute robustly to the common development for all, Wang said.

"China does not only care about its own development. We are ready to develop hand in hand with all countries." Wang said, mentioning such Chinese efforts as further expanding high-standard opening up, granting visa-free entry to citizens of a growing number of countries, promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, making concrete steps to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as speeding up the support of Global South cooperation and Africa's peace and development.

Chinese modernization will contribute robustly to improving global governance, Wang said.

Stressing the fact that China has been an abiding supporter of the UN's continued reform and development, Wang pledged that China will continue to fulfill its international obligations, provide financial support and send our best minds to the United Nations. The UN system needs to respond to the legitimate calls of developing countries and increase the representation and voice of those in the Global South, he added.

Chinese modernization will contribute robustly to the advancement of human civilization, Wang said.

Chinese modernization has created a new form of human advancement, and provided a new choice to other countries in exploring modernization paths, Wang said, adding that China believes different civilizations should respect and learn from one another, and jointly contribute to the progress of human civilization.

"China has proposed the setting up of an International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. We call for more people-to-people exchanges and cooperation across the world, to strengthen mutual understanding and amity among people of all countries," Wang said. 
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Russian coast guard vessels have conducted joint drills and patrols in the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean, the China Coast Guard (CCG) announced on Sunday.

The coast guards carried out law enforcement inspections on fishing vessels operating in the region, in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46/215 and the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean.

The operation aimed to maintain order in high-seas fisheries. During the mission, the vessels also conducted joint exercises in search and rescue, damage control and locating illegal vessels, demonstrating the strong collaborative capabilities of the two coast guards. 
Scripting the tragedy of Sept 28 Losing the plot completely

|

The predicted large scale attack from well trained 900 Kuki militants, grouped into units of 30 members each, never came on September 28, in line with the roll back of the false alarm raised by the Security Advisor, but Manipur did wake up to the disturbing news of three youths being taken captive by Kuki militants after they strayed into areas dominated by the Kukis. This happened on September 27 and fortunately one of them was rescued by the security personnel late in the night when Manipur was in deep sleep. This much is known, but no one knows about the fate of the other two who are still in captivity. Last heard the State Government was leaving no stone unturned to secure the release of the two abducted youths and Manipur just has to keep its fingers crossed and pray for the best. This is what may be said with a degree of certainty right now, and along with this what is also obvious is the fact that Imphal and Delhi have completely lost the plot. The plot on how to deal with the situation. While Delhi has exposed itself as an indifferent entity, letting the situation to continue like this for more than 500 days, Imphal has been left completely paralysed, a point underlined by the fact that its writ does not stretch beyond the valley districts. It is more than obvious that Kuki militants now rule the roost beyond Kanglatongbi on the Imphal-Dimapur highway and the writ of the Government does not extend beyond Torbung on the southern side where the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum and Kuki militants are calling the shot. This reality has not disturbed Delhi one bit for while Manipur continues to burn, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is more than willing to play the peace maker across the world while Imphal has apparently lost track and lost the plot. One also wonders how the three youths managed to reportedly make their way to Sapermeina, which is located way beyond Kanglatongbi, in their bid to reach Keithelmanbi where a recruitment drive was to be conducted. How did the three youths going on a motorcycle cross Kanglatongbi ? Or did they take a detour through the jungles to emerge at Sapermeina ? Only questions at the moment, but the Government needs to study this and spell out their findings to the people. It is also time for the Meiteis to come to the point that too many lives have been lost unnecessarily, that everyone need to be sensitised to the gravity of the situation, to the reality of the past 16 months.

Even as Manipur was grappling with the abduction of the three youths, with one being rescued later, the people woke up to the video clippings of the two youths fervently appealing to the Chief Minister to give in to the demands of the Kuki militants on September 29. It is not very clear what the demands are, but here is a classic case of a gang of abductors laying down conditions before the Government to secure the release of the hostages. Things cannot get worse than this and to think that Delhi is still keeping the status of the Suspension of Operation pact under a cloud of confusion and things should be clear on how Manipur has been toyed and played around with for over 16 months. So how will Imphal proceed ? Can it get Delhi to intervene and secure the release of the two youths in captivity ? No clear cut answer here but Imphal should accept the fact that every failure of Delhi to act accordingly is a reflection of its failure to present the case of Manipur effectively. Things cannot continue like this forever. The fact however is that there is nothing to indicate that things will take a turn for the better in the coming days. So even as totally innocent youths are being picked up and kept hostages and conditions laid before the Government if the youths are to be released, one sees the emergence of power centres, which have not hesitated to throw their weight around. Instead of focusing ones attention on how to strengthen the idea of Manipur, there have been instances of muscle flexing exercises which have made the lives of the citizens all that more uncertain. The failure of Imphal is also writ large here.
A major fire broke out at Siliguris Bidhan Market around 10 am today, devastating at least 15 shops and partially damaging eight others. With the Puja season approaching, shop owners have expressed their frustration over the inability to save their valuable goods from the flames.

The fire was finally brought under control after two hours, thanks to the efforts of seven fire engines. However, the situation was particularly challenging for the fire brigade, prompting the Border Security Force to deploy three additional fire engines on the request of Siliguri MLA Sankar Ghosh, who was present at the spot as the fire quickly spread from shop to shop.

Ratan Ghosh, vice-president of the Bidhan Market Byabasayi Samiti, criticised the fire brigades response, claiming that initially only two engines arrived, one of which was delayed due to technical issues and water shortage. Had the fire brigade acted swiftly when the fire first started, barring a few, most of the shops could have been affected, said Mr Ghosh.

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Mayor Gautam Deb, along with his deputy and local councillor, rushed to the scene to oversee the recovery efforts and assist the affected shop owners.

Preliminary reports suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the fire, though the fire brigade has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista criticised the West Bengal government for its lack of disaster preparedness, citing recent landslides in the hills, flooding in villages along the Teesta and now the fire at Bidhan Market. These incidents highlight the governments failure to respond to disasters in a timely and effective manner, he stated.

For shop owners like Tapan Mandal and Subhashis Pual, there is uncertainty about whether they will be able to claim fire insurance. Worryingly, many of the traders had no fire insurance due to technical complications. Established in 1962, Bidhan Market now sits on land owned by the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA), and hundreds of shop owners have been pushing for ownership of their stalls.

Bapi Saha, secretary of the market committee, expressed his outrage over the situation, questioning why only 160 stall owners are entitled to claim fire insurance out of more than 1,650 shop owners.

The traders at the market are disheartened, as the fire has severely impacted their businesses just ahead of the festive season.
The BJP today launched a fierce attack on the Trinamul and the INDIA bloc, raising the issue of administrative non-cooperation in the case of rape of an IAS officers wife in the Lake police station area. National leader and Bengal co-observer of BJP Amit Malviya alleged that the INDIA bloc partners, Lalu Prasads RJD and Mamatas TMC, have both played a disgraceful role when it comes to the oppression and disrespect of women.

In a disturbing development, the wife of an IAS officer was reportedly raped on the night of 14/15 July at her residence at Lake police station. Allegations have emerged by BJP today that chief minister Mamata Banerjees administration covered up the incident, erasing key evidence. The crime has drawn comparisons to the jungle raj of Lalu Prasad Yadavs Bihar, as both TMC and RJD are part of the INDI Alliance. She (Mamata Banerjee) knew of the IAS officers wifes rape, yet maintained a stoic silence as Bengal protested against her Govt in the RG Kar MCH case. Will the all powerful @IASAssociation stand up for the dignity of their officer, who is apparently from a neighbouring cadre? Mr Malviya wrote on X-Handle.

Questions were raised in court as to why no medical examination was conducted, despite the gravity of the accusation. The accused, who had been granted bail by a lower court following the incident in July, saw his bail revoked by the Calcutta High Court on Friday. The investigating officer has also been replaced.

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BJP has alleged, much like in the RG Kar case, that there was an attempt to tamper with the evidence in this case as well. The incident in question occurred in the Lake police station area in July. The victim claimed that despite the serious nature of the crime, the initial FIR was filed under lighter charges. This led to a case in the Calcutta High Court. During Fridays hearing, Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj noted that the initial FIR was not filed under the appropriate sections and that there were allegations of the charge sheet being manipulated, raising concerns about the transparency of the investigation. Justice Bharadwaj observed that there was no investigation into the CCTV footage that allegedly captured the victim being threatened by the accuseds family at the police station.

On Friday, the Calcutta High Court revoked the bail and anticipatory bail of the accused and transferred the case to a female officer of the rank of deputy commissioner of Kolkata Police. The court also directed the Kolkata police commissioner to take action against the Lake police station officer-in-charge, a sub-inspector, a sergeant, and three female officers.
A special court in Kolkata will hear on 30 September Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) plea for narco-analysis of the former controversial principal of R G Kar Medical College & Hospital in connection with rape-murder of a junior doctor within the hospital premises.

On the same day, the special court will also hear CBIs plea seeking a polygraph test of Abhijit Mondal, the former officer in-charge of Tala police station, under whose jurisdiction RG Kar falls.

Ghosh and Mondal, both in judicial custody, will be presented at the special court on 30 September for a hearing.

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The CBI has already conducted a polygraph test of Ghosh in the matter. Now, the central agency sleuths want his narco-analysis to be done so that its findings can be matched with those of the polygraph test.

There is a basic difference between a polygraph test and narco-analysis. Polygraph test, also popularly known as lie-detector test, measures physiological responses like blood pressure, pulse, and respiration of the person being questioned. It is based on the idea that the physiological responses of persons are different when they are lying.

On the other hand, narco-analysis involves injecting the person to be questioned with sodium pentothal, popularly termed truth drug or truth serum, which puts the person concerned in a stage of hypnosis, which is believed to make that person speak only the truth.

None of the tests can be conducted without the consent of the person concerned.

On Wednesday, while rejecting the bail application of Ghosh and Mondal, who were charged with misleading the initial investigation and tampering with the evidence, the special court judge observed that if the charges against them were proven, they could be subjected to capital punishment.
Peerless Hospital organized its flagship one-day conference, MediSafeCon 2024, with the theme Get it Right, Make it Safe, focused on increasing awareness about accurate diagnosis and the use of appropriate therapeutics.

Diagnostic errors, such as missed, delayed, or incorrect diagnoses, contribute to inappropriate treatments, patient harm, or even death. Doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and medico-legal experts discussed practical strategies to ensure correct diagnoses and reduce medical errors.

the doctors also discussed adoption of diagnostic decision support tools and utilising advanced technologies to assist healthcare professionals in interpreting complex data, minimizing errors.

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Soon Hooi Cheng, former pharmacist, department of health, Malaysia said all the drugs which come to the country come after stiff tests by drug regulators.

According to Prof. (Dr.) Subhrojyoti Bhowmick, organizing chairman of MediSafeCon 2024, Patient safety is a continuously evolving field, and there is always room to learn and grow.
For the first time since the past 20 years, there will be no daily bhog distribution in the Durga Puja of the ancestral house of Anubrata Mondal in Hatserandi village due to severe financial crunch.

Recently, Anubrata Mondal and his daughter Sukanya Mondal have returned to his Nichupatti House in Bolpur town after getting bail in the ED case on cross border cattle smuggling.

Both have earlier managed to secure bail in the CBI case.

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Anubrata Mondal has been in Tihar jail since 2022 and his daughter since 2023. Yesterday, Anubrata visited his party office for the first time in two years and said that he will sit there daily for three hours.

Today, Anubrata Mondal visited his ancestral house along with his daughter Sukanya and inspected preparations for the puja in the temple inside the house.

Every year, we used to distribute khichdi and pulao bhog to over 4,000 villagers daily inside the complex, but this year due to severe financial crisis, the bhog distribution has been cancelled. I will stay here and enjoy the Durga Puja along with my relatives and fellow villagers, said Anubrata.

The temple complex has received a fresh coat and a police picket is posted in the house by Birbhum police. He said that he will soon visit Kolkata for treatment for his leg pain. The Birbhum leader has shed weight drastically and looks slim. It is believed that during his Kolkata visit he may meet the TMC chairperson.

Both the CBI and the ED has attached the properties, bank accounts and sealed the rice mills of Anubrata Mondal and Sukanya Mondal in connection with the cross-border cattle smuggling case. Also Anubrata had to pay a huge amount for getting bail for him and his daughter in ED and CBI cases to lawyers.

Praising the core committee members for the excellent results in the panchayat and Lok Sabha polls he said that the Trinamul Congress is a team in Birbhum district and all obey Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee as their leaders
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Sunday called on the Chinese people to learn from heroes and role models to form a mighty force to build a strong China.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a ceremony awarding the country's highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

China is in a crucial period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, Xi said.

Xi emphasized the need to bear in mind the aspirations, hone the skills, and make contributions to building a strong China.

He encouraged the Chinese people to strive for extraordinary achievements at ordinary job posts.

He also urged them to make contributions to resolving challenges to development and reform, and safeguarding social harmony and stability. 
A headmaster of a local girls school has been arrested after complaints of physical harassment.

Sources said that the accused headmaster used to molest girl students and used to call them as darling and even chased them towards the toilet. A number of girl students have reported complaints against him since the past one week.

Few girls complained to their parents and after which Nituria police station, under Purulia district, arrested the headmaster under POCSO Act.

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He has been forwarded to Raghunathpur Sub-Divisional Court today and will be taken on remand. In the court, locals chanted slogans demanding punishment of the teacher. A police picket has been posted in the area.

The SP of Purulia, Abhijit Banerjee said that Nituria police after getting the written complaint from the victims, immediately started a specific case under the POCSO Act and arrested the headmaster of the school.
Even in war with Ukraine, Russia didnt choose to deploy supersonic cruise missiles that possibly prompted the domestic developer here to expedite the NG (next generation) variant of the fastest lethal weapon on earth, one of the key scientists in the mission said today.

In the Ukraine war, Russia relied mostly on its own 3M22 Zircon missile, besides the P-800 Oniks from its traditional Oniks family of missiles. The engine part of P-800 Oniks though similar, but P-800 can be termed as 0th version of BrahMos. Our BrahMos are now the worlds fastest missiles equipped with far more advanced intricate technology, claimed Dr Sanjeev Kumar Joshi, deputy CEO, BrahMos Aerospace, countrys flagship missile developer. Dr Joshi has been involved with BrahMos for 25 years and he addressed the 19th convocation of the National Institute of Technology here today.

Weve now dedicated our efforts on BrahMos-NG, a lighter, stealthier and most lethal air-combat version of the existing platform, Dr Joshi told The Statesman on the sidelines of the NIT Convocation. He said: Many Latin American, South East Asian, African and Middle East countries have already shown interest to buy BrahMos-NG after an international exhibition. Already, India secured its first mega defense export to the Philippines worth US $ 375 million and Dr Joshi said: The first batch of delivery to the Philippines was shipped last April.

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Pravin Pathak, export director, BrahMos Aerospace, in last February claimed that the Indo-Russian JV had US$7 Billion orders in its portfolio and its now stressed for potential buyers.

Asked why the Russian didnt show courage for BrahMos, Dr Joshi explained, Russians are having their own set of things, artillery and they have their own set of geo-politics there, which are different from others. And this might be the reason why the Russians didnt consider to opt for BrahMos, which seems to be far better missiles than P-800.

The state trials for BrahMos-NG, as was learnt, are now scheduled to begin in the late 2024 or in the first quarter of 2025, considering the climate conditions.

BrahMos, the medium range ramjet supersonic missile was developed from Russias P-800 Oniks family of cruise missiles through a JV between NPO Mashinostroyenia and Defence Research & Development Organization, India. The missile is named after the Indian river Brahmaputra and Moskva river of Russia.

At NIT, currently, 111 sponsored research projects worth Rs 45 crore are under execution in the NIT, Durgapur, the director of the deemed tech-varsity, Prof Arvind Choubey said. It has bagged a Rs 8.47 crore mega project awarded by the ministry of textile, under the National Technical Textile Mission, besides working on much ambitious Green Steel Making to ensure Prime Minister Narendra Modis commitment to secure net zero carbon emission by 2070, he added.

In todays convocation, 1,148 graduate students from 2023 and 1,150 graduates from 2024 were awarded degrees, besides 156 degrees, alongside 76 gold medals were awarded. Union minister of state, education Dr Sukanta Majumdar addressed the convocation virtually from Hyderabad.
Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and MLA Durgesh Pathak on Sunday visited the car showroom in South-West Delhis Naraina where bullets were fired in an extortion attempt.

Bharadwaj claimed that the shooting in three different areas had exposed the failure of the citys law and order, leaving traders and residents gripped by fear. The AAP will demand an immediate action to restore safety and end the reign of terror on Delhis streets, he added.

He further said: We need to provide security to traders in Delhi and improve the atmosphere of the capital. So, tomorrow, we will meet with LG and put an end to this fearful environment.

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Pathak stated, This is the main road of Naraina, which connects West Delhi and New Delhi and the Prime Ministers residence is just about 4 kilometers away from here. Despite the place being so busy, twenty rounds were fired in the evening, which is an alarming sign.

Pathak also claimed that the law and order has completely collapsed in the city. Every day in Delhi, hundreds of people are receiving ransom calls, and the police are doing nothing about it.
Two shooters of jailed gangster Deepak Boxer and Gogi gang were nabbed for firing at a sweetshop in Outer Delhis Nangloi area in pursuit of their demand for extortion money, the police said on Sunday.

The assailants were identified as Hariom and Jatin who carried out the shootout on the instructions of a gangster lodged in Tihar.

The incident occurred on Saturday when the two bike-borne assailants fired upon the employees of the shop. They also threw extortion slips featuring coloured photographs of deceased gangsters Gogi alongside that of Kuldeep Fazza and the names of jailed gangsters Deepak Boxer, Ankesh Lakra, and Vishal to threaten the shop owner.

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A case in this regard was registered at the Nangloi police station on the same day.

Giving details about the arrest, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special cell) Pratiksha Godara said Jatin received instructions from jailed gangster Ankesh Lakra about ten days ago to fire at a sweet shop to extort money and he in turn persuaded Hari Om to participate in the shooting.

They were provided with a country-made pistol and bullets by gangster Ankesh Lakra to carry out the shooting, added Godara.

Based on technical and manual surveillance as well as with the help of police informers, the police arrested both the shooters from North-west Delhis Rohini area. The team recovered a semi-automatic pistol along with five bullets and the motorcycle used in the commission of the crime was also recovered, said the DCP.

The arrest came close on the heels of three back-to-back firing incidents in a span of 24 hours on Saturday that shook the national capital. The police team has yet to make an arrest in the other two firing cases.
Anil Kapoor, a veteran of the Indian film industry, has won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2024 International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards for his role in Animal. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Kapoor played the pivotal role of Balbir Singh, father to Ranbir Kapoors character. His performance has earned him the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award as well.

This year, Kapoor made international waves by being named on TIMEs coveted TIME100AI list, which recognizes influential figures taking a stand on artificial intelligence. His inclusion in this list places him among global leaders like Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson. Kapoor is notably the only Indian actor to be on this list for his advocacy against AI misuse.

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Kapoors recent series The Night Manager, an Indian adaptation of the British drama, was one of the nominations for the prestigious International Emmy Awards in the Best Drama Series category. It is the only Indian entry to be at this years Emmys.

With over four decades in the film industry, Anil Kapoor has crafted an illustrious career both in front of the camera and as a producer. Since his debut in Bollywood with a minor role in Hamare Tumhare (1979), he has worked across multiple languages and genres, delivering memorable performances in hits like Mr. India (1987), Tezaab (1988), Beta (1992), and No Entry (2005). Over the years, he has earned two National Film Awards and seven Filmfare Awards.

On the international stage, Kapoors role in the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire (2008) brought him global recognition. He further ventured into Hollywood with appearances in Mission: Impossible  Ghost Protocol (2011) and the TV series 24.

Kapoors upcoming projects include Subedaar directed by Suresh Triveni, and rumors suggest he may soon be part of YRFs exciting spy universe.
At the recently held IIFA Awards 2024 in Abu Dhabi, Bollywood legend Hema Malini received the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award, presented by superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Known affectionately as the Dream Girl of Indian cinema, Hema Malini has delivered unforgettable performances throughout her illustrious career, earning a special place in the hearts of moviegoers.

The award ceremony was a heartwarming affair, especially when Shah Rukh Khan embraced Malini on stage. This moment carried a significant meaning, as Malini played a pivotal role in launching Khans illustrious career in Bollywood.

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Back in 1992, she cast him in her directorial debut, Dil Aashna Hai, marking the beginning of a new era for the future superstar. Although Deewana, released earlier that year, was technically Khans first film, it was Malini who provided him with his first substantial leading role.

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The official IIFA Instagram account captured the special moments of the event, showcasing the deep connection between the two icons.

The second day of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards was nothing short of spectacular, featuring a star-studded lineup of Bollywood luminaries. The event brought together the likes of Rekha, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Vicky Kaushal, Shahid Kapoor, and Kriti Sanon, all celebrating the magic of Indian cinema.

Adding to the excitement of the night, Shah Rukh Khan not only hosted the event but also captivated the audience with his signature charisma. He shared the stage with Vicky Kaushal and Karan Johar for an electrifying performance of the hit song Jhoome Jo Pathaan.

Kicking off on September 27, the three-day extravaganza began with IIFA Utsavam, an event dedicated to the southern film industriesTamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. The festivities will culminate on September 29 with IIFA Rocks, an exclusive, invitation-only event featuring live performances by artists like Honey Singh, Shilpa Rao, and the renowned trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav alleged that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwals politics of blaming others while doing nothing for the development of the city despite being in power has been exposed to the people.

Speaking to a news agency, Yadav said in the 12 years of his tenure, Kejriwal only focused on blaming others, be it neighbouring states or the LG, for unkempt poll promises of his party.

So much so that the people of Delhi have no expectations from him since he did all the development works for himself or his party people, and not for the residents of Delhi.

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Yadav predicted that Congress would form a government in Haryana in the upcoming assembly polls on October 5.
Attacking Congress for ignoring Dalits, The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party( BSP) has appealed to the community to boycott the grand old party in the Haryana assembly elections.

The party also urged the Dalit electorate not to waste their valuable votes by supporting the BJP.

BSP supremo Mayawati said in a statement on Sunday that the Dalit community should not spoil their votes by voting for Congress either.

The continuous neglect and contempt of the Dalits by the Congress party during the Haryana elections proves that all is not well in the party. In such a situation, nobody knows what would happen next, she contended.

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Accusing Congress of being anti-reservation, she said its leaders are now discussing ending reservation when the time comes. Therefore, the Dalit community should give a consolidated mandate to the BSP, the party that is fighting for the Dalits and striving for their Constitutional rights.

Mayawati has also appealed to the Dalits of Jammu and Kashmir against being misled by the false promises of Congress, BJP, and other parties. She asked these parties to remember their anti-Dalit history.
Two leading church organisations have approached the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, requesting significant amendments to the Waqf Act of 1995. They have expressed concerns over the alleged unlawful claims made by the Waqf Board on Christian properties in Kerala.

The Syro-Malabar Church and the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), in their submissions to the JPC, have raised alarms about properties belonging to Christian families in the Cherai and Munambam areas of Ernakulam being unlawfully claimed by the Waqf Board.

In his submission dated September 10 to the JPC, Archbishop Andrews Thazath, chairman of the Syro-Malabar Public Affairs Commission, stated that many properties in Ernakulum district, which have belonged to Christian families for generations in the villages of Cherai and Munambam, have been unlawfully claimed by the Waqf Board, leading to protracted legal battles and the displacement of rightful owners. Around 600 families are under threat. These people belong to the impoverished fishermen community. One Catholic Parish Church, Convent, and dispensary are under threat of evacuation by the Waqf Board, Archbishop Andrews Thazath said in his submission.

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Archbishop Andrews Thazath has requested the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to consider the tragic situation of the people in these villages and many other parts of India who are under the threat of losing their household by the totally unjust and inhuman claims made by the Waqf board. He requested the JPC to make suggestions to amend the Waqf Act 1995 on the basis of humanitarian and constitutional principles.

In his submission, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, President of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), also raised concerns about the Waqf boards claims on properties owned by more than 600 families in Munambam Beach, Ernakulam. Since 2022, the enforcement of the Waqf Law has caused considerable hardships to these families, who are enduring immense distress and uncertainty due to unjust claims on their properties by the Waqf Board, the Cardinal said in his submission.

Stating that these claims by the Waqf board are unjust, unconstitutional, and a clear violation of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis urged the JPC to take immediate and decisive action to resolve this issue and ensure that such claims on lawfully owned properties of Indian citizens are not repeated in the future.

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar welcomed the submissions to the JPC on Waqf Board Bill by the two leading Christian organisations. In a post on X, Rajeev Chandrasekar said these submissions reveal how Waqf boards are unjust in claiming lands from large number of citizens who have legally purchased lands. He also took a dig at Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party for opposing the Waqf Board Amendment Act.
Chief Minister Atishi assured on Sunday that the roads in Delhi would be free from potholes before Diwali as all the damaged Public Works Department (PWD) roads would be repaired.

The chief ministers assurance came after former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, in a letter, urged her to work on a war footing to ensure timely repair of the damaged roads.

An all-minister meeting was called at the Delhi Secretariat on Sunday in this regard.

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In a press briefing, Atishi said all Delhi government ministers would start field inspection of roads across the city from Monday to assess the extent of damage and the repair needed. With a mission to assess and overhaul 1,400 km of PWD roads before Diwali, repairs are set to begin at full speed next week, she said.

I have taken the responsibility of South and South-East Delhi while Saurabh Bharadwaj has taken responsibility for East Delhi, Gopal Rai has taken the responsibility of North-East Delhi, Kailash Gahlot has taken the responsibility of West and South-West Delhi, Imran Hussain has taken the responsibility of Central and New Delhi and Mukesh Ahlawat has taken the responsibility of North and North West Delhi, she added.

The chief minister said all the ministers of the Delhi government would inspect the roads from 6 am on Monday in the presence of local MLAs, and engineers of the PWD, including the chief engineer and superintendent engineer.

In the next one week, every meter of 1,400 km of PWD roads in Delhi will be inspected. As soon as this inspection is over, the work of repairing all the roads will start on a war footing from next week, she added.

The chief minister further said that the PWD has been given the target of repairing roads by October. We hope by the end of October, we will be able to give pothole-free roads to all the Delhiites. As Arvind Kejriwal has written in his letter, the people of Delhi are troubled by the broken roads, by repairing all these broken roads on a war footing, we will give pothole-free Delhi to the people of Delhi, she said.
This photo taken on April 26, 2024 shows a BMW electric vehicle displayed at the signing ceremony for deepening strategic cooperation between BMW and Shenyang, in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

HAIKOU, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- German carmakers have expressed optimism about cooperation with China in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry when speaking at the 2024 World New Energy Vehicle Congress which concluded Sunday in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, with China's NEV market continuing to boom.

Jochen Goller, a member of the board of management of BMW AG, credited the success of China's NEV market to supportive government policies, suitable regulations and technological innovations.

Goller emphasized BMW's commitment to keeping the market open and expressed hopes of having more Chinese battery manufacturers in Europe.

Oliver Blume, chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen AG, noted that this year marks a significant milestone as Volkswagen celebrates 40 years in the Chinese market.

"Over the past four decades, we have taken great pride from having become an integral part of Chinese life and in shaping the development of the Chinese automotive industry," Blume said, while highlighting that the foundation of Volkswagen's success lies in its strong partnerships -- particularly with Chinese EV companies like SAIC and FAW.

Blume added that China has emerged as "the epicenter of the automotive industry's future," while Volkswagen is committed to being an even more integral part of the local industry ecosystem.

"We have significantly enhanced our local research and development capacities and concluded partnerships with local original equipment manufacturers and technology leaders in the fields of software, autonomous driving and batteries," he explained.

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)

In April, Volkswagen announced an investment of 2.5 billion euros (about 2.79 billion U.S. dollars) in expanding its production and innovation hub in the city of Hefei in east China -- to increase its pace of innovation in the country.

The company also committed to accelerating the production of two Volkswagen-brand smart electric vehicles, which are currently under joint development with Chinese manufacturer Xpeng.

China's production and sales of NEVs continued to maintain fast growth, with the NEV market share steadily increasing in the domestic market.

Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers revealed that in the first eight months of 2024, NEV production had reached about 7.01 million units, rising 29 percent year on year, while sales during this period stood at around 7.04 million units -- growing by 30.9 percent from a year earlier.

Wan Gang, chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, said that expanding bilateral trade cooperation and investment, along with increasingly close industrial and supply chain collaboration between the Chinese and German automotive industries, have become vital for the high-quality development of the global automotive sector.

"In the future, we hope that the automotive industries of China and Germany will embrace development and reform, jointly promoting the further advancement of the NEV industry to contribute to global low-carbon transformation and sustainable development," Wan added. 
Holding the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responsible for the jungle raj in the national capital, Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav alleged those in power, whether the chief minister or the lieutenant governor (LG), are least bothered about the people of Delhi.

Criticising the AAP government, Yadav said former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had a major role in increasing crimes in the city with his liberal liquor policy making alcohol available at cheaper rates which led to alcohol addiction among unemployed youths. The youths then turned to crime to meet their expenses on alcohol.

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He said the BJP government at the Centre is also equally responsible for turning Delhi into the crime capital of the country as the Union Home Ministry, under which the Delhi Police comes, has become a mute spectator to the worsening law and order situation.

Attacking the Delhi government, Yadav claimed that before coming to power, Kejriwal had promised to improve Delhis law and order and to provide a corruption-free and transparent government, but his promises were never fulfilled.

Furthermore, after getting bail in the alleged liquor scam case, he said Kejriwal finds fault with everyone, including the ministers of his own government, forgetting that he did not leave the CMs chair when he was locked up in jail, which paralysed governance in Delhi.

Yadav said when Congress was in power, the law and order situation in the capital was effectively under control, people getting water round-the-clock, and drains and sewers were desilted ahead of every monsoon season to prevent waterlogging, but the AAP government has destroyed everything in the last decade of its rule.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that investment is made only in a secure environment, stating that if people dont feel safe, their capital wont be safe too.

He pointed out that the states strong security environment and zero-tolerance policy towards crime have disturbed those who once saw crime as a profession.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of a new soft drink bottling and dairy product plant by Varun Beverages, a franchisee of PepsiCo, which was set up with an investment of Rs 1,170 crore in Sector 27 of GIDA, near the Gorakhpur Link Expressway.

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He said, PM Narendra Modi has called upon the youth to focus more on entrepreneurship instead of jobs. Entrepreneurship is the most important medium to get more opportunities for employment.

He further highlighted that developed countries have prioritized entrepreneurship, research, and innovation. He mentioned that investment creates crucial job opportunities for youth and helps fulfill the aspirations of the people.

He also shared that in the past seven years, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as an excellent destination for investment, thanks to its improved security and law-and-order policies.

The government is dedicated to maintaining zero tolerance towards crime because ensuring safety now is essential for securing a better future, he said.

The Chief Minister shared insights on his governments investment initiatives since taking office for the first time in 2017.

He recalled that a dedicated team was established to explore investment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh, which initially projected that the state could attract Rs 20,000 crore in investments. Skeptics questioned how such a small amount would attract investment to a state with a population of 23 crore.

Accepting this skepticism as a challenge, CM Yogi resolved to transform Uttar Pradesh into a desirable destination for both domestic and international investors.

His administrations efforts resulted in attracting investment proposals totaling Rs 40 lakh crore during the Global Investors Summit held in February 2023.

During the recent ground-breaking ceremony attended by Prime Minister Modi, the foundation for investment proposals worth Rs 10 lakh crore was laid. Additionally, CM Yogi mentioned that another Rs 10 lakh crore in investment proposals are in the pipeline, ready to be implemented.

The Chief Minister stated that increasing investment is a sign of rising industrial development and job creation in Uttar Pradesh.

Citing the Varun Beverages unit in GIDA as an example, he noted that the administration facilitated this progress by providing 48 acres of land for the project, resulting in employment for over 1,500 individuals. Notably, 90% of these employees are from Uttar Pradesh, with more than 70% hailing from Gorakhpur and its surrounding areas, he added.

Previously, many young people were compelled to seek job opportunities in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, or even abroad in places like Thailand and Singapore. Now, they can find jobs and employment opportunities closer to home. But, this change has not taken place overnight, he stated.

He pointed out that after the foundation stone of GIDA was laid, there were no signs of industry development until 1998, largely due to protests and incidents like lathi charges and firings that deterred investment.

However, by addressing these challenges and improving communication with investors, Uttar Pradesh has successfully attracted Rs 12,000 crore in investments to GIDA over the past three to four years, he said.

Establishing a solid land bank, improving infrastructure, and ensuring ease of doing business are essential for bringing investment to the ground in Uttar Pradesh. The government has focused on these areas, creating digital platforms to streamline business processes, Yogi said.

He further mentioned that the Nivesh Mitra portal serves as a single-window system for over 450 NOCs, while investment MoUs are monitored through Nivesh Sarathi. An online incentive system is also in place for investors, and CM Fellow has been appointed to address any issues faced by them.

The CM highlighted that when projects progress smoothly, both investment and job creation become evident. He mentioned several companies, including IGL, Gallant, Ankur Udyog, Keyan Distillery, Gyan Dairy, and Tatva Plastic, that have invested in GIDA. Additionally, work on a Plastic Park, Flatted Factory, and Readymade Garment Park is being pursued vigorously by GIDA.

He said that CBG plant has been established in Dhuriyapar marking a significant step toward green energy through the production of ethanol from agricultural stubble. Efforts are also underway to transform Dhuriyapar into a major industrial area.

He then highlighted that Uttar Pradesh now boasts a network of expressways, including the Purvanchal Expressway and the Gorakhpur Link Expressway, which will greatly benefit local residents and entrepreneurs.

Regarding Varun Beverages, CM Yogi acknowledged the companys excellent dairy products but pointed out the current challenge of insufficient local milk supply, requiring sourcing from outside the region.

To address this, the government has approved Rs 20 crore to establish a womens cooperative similar to the Balini Milk Producers in Bundelkhand.

He urged immediate action to enable Varun Beverages to source milk from Gorakhpur, Basti, and Azamgarh divisions, which will significantly increase farmers income and support livestock. He also encouraged the management of Varun Beverages to invite progressive farmers to visit their plant.

Describing UP as the best destination for investment, CM Yogi said, The government is giving continuous encouragement to start-ups and industries along with jobs. Youth are getting proper opportunities in every field. Six and a half lakh youth have been given government jobs in the state while two crore have secured employment in MSME-industry and 60 lakh youth have been linked to self-employment.

To further empower young entrepreneurs, the Chief Minister announced plans to offer interest-free loans. Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Yojana, loans of Rs 5 lakh will be available in the first phase and Rs 10 lakh in the second phase.

He highlighted the success of the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, which has generated significant employment opportunities across the state. He stated that UPs ODOP initiative has gained national recognition and is making a mark internationally.

In addition to fostering investment and job creation, the government is also focused on skill development.

A new skill development training center has been established in GIDA in collaboration with the Government of India, aimed at providing skilled manpower by connecting industries with educational institutions.

After inaugurating the Varun Beverages unit in GIDA, CM Yogi conducted a thorough inspection of the bottling plant. He observed the entire process from the manufacturing to packaging of carbonated soft drinks and explored various PepsiCo brand products.

During his visit, Varun Beverages officials showcased their state-of-the-art high-tech machinery and the innovative bottling processes in place.
A day ahead of the third phase of polling for the J&K assembly, a police head constable was martyred and a Pakistani terrorist killed in an ongoing encounter in the Kog Mandli area of Jammus Kathua district, Additional DGP Anand Jain said on Sunday.

Two police officers  deputy SP (Operations) Sukhbir Singh and Assistant Sub-Inspector Niaz Ahmad  were seriously injured in the gunfight with terrorists. The injured officers were airlifted in an Army helicopter to a hospital in Jammu for treatment where their condition is stated to bestable.

Head Constable Bashir Ahmad lost his life while fighting the terrorists with his light machine gun (LMG) in the Billawar area of Kathua where Pakistani terrorists were operating for the past few months.

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The fierce encounters in Jammus Kathua and Kashmirs Kulgam districts that broke out on Saturday have cast a shadow on the peace narrative of the BJP leadership .

Polling for 40 assembly seats is scheduled to be held in the third and final phase on Tuesday. The terrorism-hit Billawar area of Kathua will also go to polls on October.

As many as 26 seats are in the Jammu division and 14 in north Kashmir.

Jain said Bashir Ahmad shot the terrorist and sacrificed his life in the heavy fire by terrorists that followed. A group of three to four Pakistani terrorists was trapped in the area, he said.

A massive search operation has been launched in the forest area and drones were also being used to track down the terrorists.

The DGP J&K, RR Swain has condoled the martyrdom of the braveheart HC Bashir Ahmad. He also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured personnel.

The Rising Star Corps of the Indian Army that launched the anti-terrorist operation along with J&K Police said; Based on specific intelligence input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation was launched by Indian Army and J&K Police on 28 September in general area Dhanuparole, Machhedi, Kathua. Contact has been established and Operations are in progress.

Two terrorists were killed in the Arigam area of south Kashmirs Kulgam on Saturday when five security forces personnel, including Additional Superintendent of Police Mumtaz Ali Bhatti and sepoys Mohan Sharma, Sohan Kumar, Yoginder and Mohammad Isran of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of the Indian Army were injured.

Recently infiltrated Pakistani terrorists, trained in jungle warfare, are believed to be active in the Machhedi area of the mountainous Billawar.

Earlier on 8 July, they ambushed an Army vehicle and killed five soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer. Six other soldiers were injured in the attack.

A few days later on 16 July, a Captain and three other soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists in the Dessa forest area of the neighbouring Doda district.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said Pakistans cross-border terrorism policy will never succeed, saying that actions will certainly have consequences.

He said the issue to be resolved between both the countries is now only the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan, and of course the abandonment of Pakistans longstanding attachment to terrorism.

The External Affairs Minister said terrorism is antithetical to everything that the world stands for, and all its forms and manifestations must be resolutely opposed.

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The sanctioning of global terrorists by the United Nations should also not be impeded for political reasons, Jaishankar said in his address at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York last night.

Many countries get left behind due to circumstances beyond their control. But some make conscious choices with disastrous consequences. A premier example is our neighbour, Pakistan. Unfortunately, their (Pakistan) misdeeds affect others as well, especially the neighbourhood, the External Affairs Minister said.

Today, we see the ills it (Pakistan) sought to visit on others consume its own society. It cant blame the world; this is only karma, Jaishankar said.

A dysfunctional nation coveting the lands of others must be exposed and must be countered, he said.

Pakistans cross-border terrorism policy will never succeed. And it can have no expectation of impunity. On the contrary, actions will certainly have consequences, Jaishankar said.

In his address, the External Affairs Minister said, We are gathered here at a difficult time. The world is yet to recover from the ravages of the Covid pandemic. A war in Ukraine is well into its third year. The conflict in Gaza is acquiring wider ramifications.

Across the Global South, development plans have gone off rails and SDG targets are receding. But there is more. Unfair trade practices threaten jobs, just as unviable projects raise debt levels. Any connectivity that flouts sovereignty and territorial integrity acquires strategic connotations. Especially when it is not a shared endeavour, he said.

Jaishankar said technology advancements, which have long been a source of hope, are now equally a factor of anxiety. Climate events occur with greater intensity and frequency, he said.

Food security is as worrisome as health security, the External Affairs Minister said.
Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal has urged the Indian industry to focus on prioritising the production of high-quality goods to promote Brand India through sustainable practices in line with the Prime Ministers vision of Make in India with Zero Effect; Zero Defect.

Goyals remarks came while engaging with the CEOs of over 140 PLI beneficiary companies in an interactive session, celebrating their achievements under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.

He applauded the efforts of PLI beneficiary companies which have been instrumental in driving growth across vital sectors, creating jobs, and positioning India as a global leader in manufacturing.

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The Minister also expressed gratitude to global champions for their dedication, significant investment in producing innovative products, and contribution in generating employment through the PLI Schemes.

He further urged the CEOs to focus on increasing domestic value addition in their products to make India self-reliant. He also urged the industry to support domestic manufacturers in this regard.

During the interaction, the CEOs of beneficiary companies shared their perspectives on the PLI Schemes, offering valuable insights into their experiences, success stories, and suggestions for improving the schemes effectiveness and streamlining implementation.

The Minister also sought feedback from industry leaders on decriminalisation/ liberalisation of laws to promote ease of doing business.

Furthermore, he encouraged continued dialogue between industry leaders and the government through implementing Ministries/Departments & respective PMAs in coordination with DPIIT, emphasising the importance of policy support and creating an enabling environment for future growth.

He mentioned that the industry stakeholders may approach Invest India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency, to facilitate technology transfer and foreign collaborations.

He also thanked global champions for their hard work, massive investment, and generating employment under PLI Schemes, and stated that the government is committed to fast-tracking all the necessary approvals related to the PLI industry and also providing handholding support in achieving greater market access.

As per the government data, the actual investment of Rs 1.46 lakh crore has been realised till August 24 under the PLI Schemes and is likely to reach Rs 2 lakh crore in the next year or so.

This has resulted in production/sales worth Rs 12.50 lakh crore and employment generation of around 9.5 lakhs (direct & indirect) which is expected to reach 12 lakhs soon.

Exports have exceeded Rs 4 lakh crore, with substantial contributions from key sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals & food processing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated and dedicated to the nation various projects worth over Rs 11,200 crore in poll-bound Maharashtra via video conferencing.

In his virtual address, the prime minister recalled the cancellation of his event in Pune due to bad weather two days ago and credited technology for todays virtual event saying that this land of inspiration of great personalities is witnessing a new chapter of Maharashtras development.

Modi mentioned the inauguration of the Pune Metro section of District Court to Swargate and laying the foundation stone for the Swargate-Katraj Extension of Pune Metro Phase-1.

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He also touched upon laying the foundation stone for the Memorial of Krantijyoti Savitribai Phules First Girls School at Bhidewada and expressed satisfaction with the fast progress towards increasing ease of living in Pune.

Devotees of Bhagwan Vitthal have also received a special present today, the Prime Minister said, referring to the inauguration of Solapur Airport to establish direct air connectivity to the city.

He informed that the terminal capacity has increased and new services and facilities have been created for the passengers after the completion of the upgrade work of the existing airport, thereby increasing convenience for the devotees of Lord Vitthal.

Modi further added that the airport would also give a boost to businesses, industries, and tourism and congratulated the people of Maharashtra for todays development projects.

Today, Maharashtra needs big goals with new resolutions, PM Modi remarked, emphasising the need to make cities like Pune centres of progress and urban development.

Dwelling on Punes progress and the pressure of the growing population, the prime minister said steps need to be taken now to augment development and capacity. To achieve this goal, he said the incumbent state government is working with the approach of modernising Punes public transport and giving a boost to connectivity as the city expands.

The prime minister recalled that the discussions about the Pune Metro began in 2008 but its foundation stone was laid in 2016 when quick decisions were taken by his government. As a result, the prime minister said, today the Pune Metro is gaining speed and expanding.

Referring to todays projects, Modi said on the one hand Pune Metro section of District Court to Swargate has been inaugurated while on the other hand foundation stone for the Swargate to Katraj line has also been laid. He recalled inaugurating the metro service from Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi in March this year.

The prime minister lauded the work done for the expansion of the metro from 2016 till now because of faster decision-making and removing obstacles. He pointed out that the present government has prepared a modern network of metro in Pune while the previous government could barely construct a single Metro pillar in 8 years.

Modi underscored the importance of development-driven governance in ensuring Maharashtras progress, emphasising that any disruption in this continuity leads to significant losses for the state. He highlighted various stalled projects, from Metro initiatives to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and critical irrigation projects for farmers, which were delayed before the advent of the double-engine government.

The Prime Minister spoke about the Bidkin Industrial Area, a vital component of the Auric City conceptualized during the tenure of the then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The project, located on the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor had faced obstacles but was revived under the leadership of the double-engine government headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Modi announced the dedication of the Bidkin Industrial Node to the nation, highlighting its potential to bring significant investments and employment opportunities to the region. With the development of the Bidkin Industrial Area across 8,000 acres, thousands of crores of investment will flow into Maharashtra, creating jobs for thousands of youth, said the Prime Minister.

He emphasised that the mantra of creating jobs through investment is becoming a major strength of the youth in Maharashtra today.

Modi reiterated that modernisation should be based on the countrys core values and emphasised that India will modernise and develop while carrying forward its rich heritage.

He said both future-ready infrastructure and the benefits of development reaching every section are equally important for Maharashtra and underlined that it can become a reality when every section of society participates in the development of the country.

The Prime Minister emphasised the pivotal role of womens leadership in societal transformation. He paid tribute to Maharashtras legacy of womens empowerment, particularly the efforts of Savitribai Phule, who initiated the movement for womens education by opening the first girls school.

Modi laid the foundation stone for the Savitribai Phule Memorial, which will include a skill development center, a library, and other essential facilities. He expressed confidence that the memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to the social reform movement and inspire future generations.

PM Modi touched upon strict laws for the safety of women and Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam which ensures womens leadership in Indias democratic process.
A protest march was held in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam district in response to the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah by the Israel Defence Force (IDF).

The protest saw locals rallying in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Gaza, condemning the recent Israeli air strikes in Lebanon.

Israel, already fighting a war against Hamas in Gaza, has intensified its military operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

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The Jewish country dealt a massive blow to Hezbollah and killed its chief Hassan Nasrallah in massive bombings at the Lebanon-based militias headquarters in Beirut.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the killing of Nasrallah, and announced the cancellation of her Sundays poll events.

Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza, especially Hassan Nasrallah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance, Mufti wrote on X.

Responding to Muftis comments, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) vice-president Omar Abdullah refrained from making a direct statement on her remarks but expressed his long-standing opposition to Israels use of force.

I will not say anything about it today. We have always opposed the bombing and use of force by Israel for the past year and have repeatedly demanded that it should be stopped, Abdullah said.

He further called on the Government of India to put pressure on Israel and ensure peace is restored in the region

The series of killing and injuring innocent people should be stopped whether it is in Gaza, Lebanon, or anywhere else. After what happened yesterday, it seems as if the clouds of war are now visible in the entire regionGoI, PM Modi, the leaders of other countries should put pressure on Israel to establish peace there again, he said.

The killing of Hassan Nasrallah has heightened tensions in the West Asia region, with Iran vowing to avenge the Hezbollah chiefs killing.
To further promote the safety, dignity, and self-reliance of women and girls, the Uttar Pradesh government is launching the fifth phase of Mission Shakti from Navratri.

This phase, running until May 2025, will focus on awareness campaigns and training initiatives.

Officials here on Sunday claimed that as part of this effort, 10 lakh girls will be trained in self-defence and life skills.

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Career counselling sessions will also be conducted in 167 schools under the PM SHRI Yojana. Additionally, sanitary pads will be distributed to 36,772 girls to support their health and ensure regular school attendance.

The primary aim of these programs is to educate girls about self-defence, life skills, and their legal rights. It will also focus on raising awareness about critical issues such as education and hygiene.

This phase of Mission Shakti represents a significant step towards empowering women and girls, and fostering positive societal change.

In Indian culture, Maa Durga is revered as a symbol of strength and power.

Reflecting this spirit, the fifth phase of Mission Shakti will feature programs to be held in various schools during Navratri, from October 3 to 10, to boost confidence among girls, officials said.

Led by principals and teachers, students will be educated on crucial topics such as child rights, domestic violence, sexual abuse, molestation, and the concept of good touch and bad touch.

Additionally, through rallies and engaging activities, students will receive information on helpline numbers and the dangers of child marriage.

Starting in November 2024, 10 lakh girls will undergo training in self-defence and life skills to help them become self-reliant and empowered.

Meena Melas and career counselling sessions will also be conducted in 167 schools under the PM SHRI Yojana to promote awareness of girl education.

In this phase of Mission Shakti, there will be a special focus on menstrual hygiene and climate change. Dedicated sessions on climate change will be organized for 79,000 KGBV students, and sanitary pads will be distributed to 36,772 girls.

During April and May 2025, children will be made aware of their legal rights, including the right to education, the POCSO Act, and laws concerning child marriage and domestic violence.
A teenager from the Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh has been arrested for placing a stone on the railway track, police said on Sunday.

According to the police, the teenager placed a stone near the Manikpur railway line on the Banda-Mahoba railway track, near Sukaura village, under the limits of Kabrai police station in Mahoba.

Upon receiving the information, a joint team of police and RPF reached the spot and arrested the individual. He has been taken into custody and legal actions are being taken as per the rules.

The Mahoba Police tweeted, On receiving information that an unknown person had placed a stone on the Banda-Mahoba railway track of Manikpur railway line near village Sukaura of police station Kabrai of district Mahoba, a joint police team of police station Kabrai and RPF reached the spot. In this regard, the teenager who placed the stone lying nearby on the railway track has been taken into custody and necessary legal action is being taken in the case as per rules.

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Notably, such incidents of attempting a train derailment have increased nationwide.

Earlier on September 24, in a separate incident, three railway employees were arrested for allegedly conspiring to derail a train near Kim railway station in Surat by removing fishplates and keys from a railway track. The attempted train derailment incident was thwarted, the police said.

According to Western Railway, Vadodara Division unidentified people opened the fishplate and some keys from the UP line track and put them on the same track near the Kim railway station. However, service was soon restored.

In another incident, nine iron rods were recovered on the Bathinda-Delhi railway track, Government Railway Police (GRP) officials said on September 22.

Investigating Officer Shavinder Kumar, said that a train had to be stopped after multiple iron rods were seen on the Bathinda-Delhi railway tracks early Sunday morning. The rods were recovered at around 3 am.
The World Tourism Organization has been organising the World Tourism Day in the United Nations on September 27 since 1990 to promote the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic values in the international community.

This year the theme of the World Tourism Day was Tourism and Peace.

Niharika Rai, IAS, Managing Director and CEO, Delhi Tourism, addressed an important session with travel leaders of Japan promoting Tourism in Delhi at JATA Expo, Japan.

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The World Tourism Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Delhi Tourism on September 27.

On this occasion, the information centres of Delhi Tourism were decorated with flowers and all the tourists coming here were welcomed traditionally. Many programmes were organised at Delhi Haats.

A seminar was organised on the occasion of the World Tourism Day at FICCI Auditorium here in which many leaders of the tourism sector participated in the seminar.
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Li Haitao, a former senior political advisor in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has been arrested on suspicion of taking bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said in a statement on Sunday.

The case was handed over to prosecutors for examination and prosecution following the conclusion of an investigation by the National Commission of Supervision, the SPP said.

Li, who formerly served as vice chairman of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was expelled from the Communist Party of China and dismissed from public office over serious violations of Party discipline and laws, according to an official statement issued earlier this month.

The investigation into Li's case continues. 
In preparation for the many Hindu fall festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra or Durga Puja, worshippers all over the world will purchase flowers for use in ritual worship in temples, outdoor ceremonies or altars at home. Throughout India, markets are always bustling with flower vendors, selling freshly cut marigolds, roses and lotus flowers. Devotees offer flowers and flower garlands to Hindu deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; Ganesha, the remover of obstacles; or the warrior goddess Durga. Indias wealthiest temple, Sri Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala, used three tons of flowers during a floral bath and procession ceremony in 2024.

The demand for flowers in worship is so high that two sisters from Bengaluru, Yeshodha and Rhea Karuturi, started a subscription-based service in 2019 to provide fresh flowers for puja or ritual worship throughout India.. Hindu texts describe worship with flowers as one of 16 upacaras or services to the divine. In temple rituals, pujaris, priests responsible for conveying the offerings to the deity, place flowers at the feet or drape them in garlands around the neck of the icon of the deity enshrined in the temple. Flowers are placed on a puja table at the feet of the image with the stems facing the devotee. As a scholar of South Asian religions, I know that stories found in the Puranas, religious texts likely composed between the second and 10th centuries, describe why gods and goddesses favour certain flowers.

The Puranas, loosely translated as Old Tales, include popular stories about Hindu gods and goddesses, kings and queens, and sages and other cultural heroes. In her study of the use of Sanskrit ritual manuals in central India, the Indologist Gudrun Buhnemann noted that devotees, ancient and modern, observe elaborate rules for the use of flowers in the worship of particular deities. For example, the manuals say that basil is favoured by the Hindu god Vishnu but should never be offered to the god Ganesha. Lord Shiva grants blessings to those who worship him through offering leaves from the wood apple tree. Wood apple leaves, however, should never be offered to Surya, the Sun.

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The Skandha Purana the longest Purana with about 81,000 verses is dedicated to the deity Skandha, a son of god Shiva and goddess Parvati. The text provides a gradation of flowers that culminates in the superiority of the jasmine or jati flower for the worship of Vishnu. The jati flower is better than all other flowers  the man who duly offers me a splendid garland with a thousand jati flowers  lives in my heavenly city for billions of kalpas (ages), Vishnu explains in the text. In her classic study Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls: Popular Goddess Worship in West Bengal, religion scholar June McDaniel discusses traditional practices for the worship of Kali, the fearsome and protective mother goddess, who is to be decorated in red hibiscus flowers. Red flowers, in general, are believed to be sacred to Kali.

The 14th chapter of the Shiva Purana contains a section on Directions for the Worship of Shiva. Those who desire wealth should worship Shiva with flowers or petals from the kamala or lotus flower, chrysanthemum, or marigold. Worshiping Shiva with 100 flowers is said to enhance ones wealth and wipe away all sins. The Puranas also explain which flowers might displease the gods. Red flowers, such as plumeria, and those from the screw pine tree are not to be offered to the god Shiva. The Shiva Purana, in fact, explains why the ketaki, or screw pine flower, should never be offered to Shiva in worship.

Once upon a time, as the story goes, gods Vishnu and Brahma were debating which of them was the superior deity when suddenly a shaft of blazing light appeared between them. They decided to investigate. Transforming himself into a boar, Vishnu tunneled down into the earth to search for the origin of the lingam of light. Riding on a goose, his divine vehicle, Brahma flew upward in an attempt to discover the extent of the light. After much digging, Vishnu indicated that he was unable to discover the lights place of origin. While flying upward, however, Brahma encountered a ketaki flower that had fallen from a branch nearby. Brahma convinced the flower to support a false claim suggesting that he had reached the top of the shaft of light. Just at that moment, Shiva appeared from the light and cursed both Brahma and the ketaki flower for their dishonesty. Due to his arrogance and deception, Brahma would henceforth have few devotees.

For its part, despite being aromatic and pleasing to the eye, the ketaki flower is cursed by Shiva never to be offered to him in ritual worship. However, Shiva later amends the curse to allow for the ketaki to be used for worshiping him during the popular festival called the Great Night of Shiva or Mahashivratri. Due to the increase in demand, there is a surge in the price of ketaki flowers during this annual spring festival. In one of the most popular Hindu texts, however, the flower offered is less important to the deity than the attitude of the devotee making the offering. In the Bhagavad Gita or Song of the Lord, the deity Krishna declares that he will accept any sincere devotional offering, regardless of the type of flower: Whoever offers me a leaf, flower, fruit, or water with sincere devotion, I will accept them.

During the coming fall holiday season, devotees around the world will honour many deities, including the mother goddess, with flowers and other rituals. Prominent among the deities will be Sri Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune. Lakshmi is depicted as seated on a lotus throne, while also holding a lotus in one hand. The lotus flower grows in muddy ponds or pools but blossoms above the water. The lotus in bloom symbolizes many of the qualities associated with Sri Lakshmi, such as purity, prosperity and spiritual enlightenment. When devotees around the world lovingly welcome the goddess into their homes on Diwali, the festival of light, they will be sure to offer Lakshmi her favourite flower  the lotus.

(The writer is Principal Lecturer in Religion, Clemson University. This article was published on www.theconversation.com)
Shigeru Ishibas ascension to Japans top political position marks a critical moment for the nation, both domestically and internationally. After years of attempts and internal struggles, Mr Ishibas persistence has finally paid off, but his victory is more than just a personal milestone ~ it signals a potential shift in the direction of Japans ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the countrys broader approach to governance and security. Mr Ishibas triumph in the leadership race reflects a growing sentiment within the party and the public. His appeal as a lone wolf stems largely from his readiness to challenge the status quo within the LDP, an institution long dominated by factions and political dynasties. This characteristic has garnered him significant public support, but it has also earned him enemies within the party.

By winning the leadership in what he has termed his final battle, Mr Ishiba has demonstrated the potential for reform and renewal within the LDP, a party that has been marred by recent scandals and declining popularity. One of the most immediate tasks on Mr Ishibas agenda will be restoring trust in the LDP. His victory followed the resignation of his predecessor, who was forced to step down due to political scandals. Mr Ishiba, by positioning himself as a reformist and a figure who values open discourse and transparency, has an opportunity to clean up the partys image. His message of humility, fairness, and openness, if followed through, could go a long way in repairing the fractured trust between the public and the ruling party.

However, Mr Ishibas challenges go beyond party reform. Economically, Japan continues to struggle with stagnation, and Mr Ishiba will need to stimulate consumption and growth in the worlds fourth-largest economy. Despite the yens rebound on news of his victory, economic revitalisation will require more than a market reaction. Japans ageing population, coupled with rising costs, presents a long-term challenge that Mr Ishiba must tackle, while navigating a cautious approach to nuclear energy ~ an issue on which he has previously taken a critical stance. On the international front, Mr Ishibas focus on security is paramount. With growing tensions in East Asia, Japan finds itself surrounded by challenges from assertive neighbours like China, a nuclear-armed North Korea, and an increasingly confrontational Russia.

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Mr Ishibas call for bolstering Japans defences aligns with the nations need for a stronger security apparatus, especially in light of frequent incursions into its territorial waters and missile tests from North Korea. Moreover, his proposal to create an Asian NATO suggests an ambitious vision for regional security cooperation. This initiative, while contentious, highlights Mr Ishibas willingness to rethink Japans traditional defence posture. However, it is likely to face pushback from both allies and adversaries, and how Mr Ishiba navigates these diplomatic complexities will be key to his success on the global stage. How he tackles these issues will determine whether his leadership becomes a new chapter for Japan or simply a brief interlude
Dartmouth College, an eminent Ivy League institution in the United States, enrolls hundreds of Indian students every year and has a significant number of Indian faculty members and research scholars. Early September this year when the families of freshmen, the Dartmouth class of 2028, more than 1,200 young fresh faces, landed in Hanover to drop their children off for the beginning of their college journey, there was an atmosphere of excitement, pride, and no doubt a touch of nervousness.

This mixture of feelings, as I watched the ceremony live  streamed, was palpable and was captured and articulated by Lee Coffin, Dean of Admissions at Dartmouth College, when he addressed the parents of incoming freshmen, saying: Be proud as you watch your child fly. Smile from afar. Give them space to experiment, and remember, we have Band-Aids when they trip. The transition from high school to college is a milestone not only for students but also for parents. After years of guiding their children through school, a grueling application process, and campus visits to search for the best and most affordable college, parents are now faced the challenge of stepping back and trusting their child to navigate life more independently.

When Dean Coffin said, Let go and watch your child fly, he was reminding the parents to celebrate their childrens growth and readiness for the next adventure ~ in a zone of freedom and inevitable error. Dr. Karen Levin Coburn, coauthor of Letting Go: A Parents Guide to Understanding the College Years, advised that parents must move away from being supervisors of their childs life to being empathetic observers because college is an immensely consequential time for students to learn self-reliance and problem solving skills. Parents should resist the tem ptation to step in when challenges arise. Give students space to manage things on their own. The poetic expression Smile from afar epitomises the delicate balance parents must strike. On the one hand, they want to remain involved and available, but on the other, they need to allow their children to establish their own routines and face challenges independently.

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Even if theyre not physically present on campus, parents should feel assured knowing that they are still an essential part of their childrens support system. Students whose parents provide emotional support from a distance ~ without micromanaging ~ tend to develop better-coping mechanisms and greater resilience. Figuring things out often gives students the motivation to succeed. Dean Coffins mention of giving students space to experiment supports the view of many educational experts who emphasize that college is not only a time for academic growth, but also personal exploration. Students are exposed to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, and it is essential for their development that they have the freedom to try new things ~ even if it means making mistakes along the way.

Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of How to Raise an Adult, says that helicopter parenting, where parents try to micromanage their childs life can smother the development of critical life skills. In this sense, student advisors should encourage college students to take calculated risks and experiment with new subjects, new activities, and new friendships. Whats life without risk? Letting students experience small setbacks and learn from them can have lasting positive effects. A 2020 report from the National Survey of Student En gagement (NSSE) found that students who encountered and overcame setbacks during their first year of college demonstrated significantly higher levels of academic eng age ment and personal satisfaction by their senior year.

Dean Coffins final assurance ~ We have Band-Aids when they trip ~ should provide comfort to anxious parents. While students will inevitably encounter challenges, colleges, including Dartmouth, are well-eq uipped to offer support systems. From academic advisors to mental health services, universities provide a range of resources to help students navigate di fficulties. The rise in mental health awareness on campuses across the U.S. has led to an increase in the availability of counseling and wellness programmes. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 60 per cent of college students experience some level of mental health distress during their first year. Schools like Dartmouth and others across the country have recognized this need and expanded their resources to ensure students receive the help they need when they face bumps in the road.

But some problems need more than Band-Aids. Thats what Dartmouth College President, Dr. Sian Beilock had on her mind. In her address to freshmen and their parents, she emphasized two of her most important initiatives, Dartmouth Dialogues and the Dialogue Project, a campus-wide programme that challenges students to think independently and develop skills for having open conversations about difficult and controversial topics in civility. But keeping in mind the events of the last spring, when pro-Palestinian student activists had put up unauthorised encampments on the college green that had led to unseemly police raids, arrests, and litigation, she admonished, At Dartmouth, we will always defend free expression, but well make it clear as well that one group does not have the right to disrupt the educational experience of another, that pro test, dialogue, can be important, but taking over shared spaces for one ideological view is not free expression. In fact, it robs others of it.

The Dartmouth free speech policy follows the long-established delicate and judicious balance between the First Amendment and other fundamental rights, especially keeping in mind the landmark campus free speech case, Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), in which the US Supreme Court ruled that while students or teachers do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate, nevertheless the schools may limit student expression if it would materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school. Live free and speak free and let others also do.

(The writer is the author of India In A New Key: From Nehru To Modi)
The recent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump have sent shockwaves through America, raising urgent questions about the state of security for high-profile figures. While tragic consequences were averted, the one in Pennsylvania revealed a disturbing series of lapses in what is supposed to be an elite, highly trained security apparatus.

As investigations continue into Secret Service lapses on July 13, the forces failure should be a turning point, urging a complete reassessment of how security is handled for political figures in an increasingly polarised and dangerous environment. At the heart of the issue is the tragic reality that a young man, armed with a borrowed rifle, was able to elude authorities for more than 90 minutes before firing shots that could have been fatal.

How could the Secret Service, tasked with safeguarding former presidents, fail so comprehensively? The issue lies not just with the agency itself, but with the broader system of coordination ~ or lack thereof ~ among law enforcement agencies. One of the most glaring mistakes was the decision to exclude a critical building from the Secret Services security perimeter, leaving it in the hands of local police. This misstep created a gap that the assailant exploited. Worse still, reports of suspicious activity on that rooftop were ignored or mishandled. Such lapses suggest a breakdown in communication and prioritisation. How can a security agency, with all the technology and manpower at its disposal, fail to act on credible warnings? Beyond the perimeter, the failure to deploy crucial surveillance tools added to the disaster.

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The Secret Service reportedly declined offers to use local police surveillance drones, and didnt detect the shooters drone until it was too late. This kind of technological oversight is unacceptable in an era where such assets can be the difference between life and death. Another critical flaw is the lack of real-time communication between the Secret Service and local law enforcement. These entities are supposed to work in close coordination, especially when it comes to securing venues and high-profile figures. Yet, this incident exposed a communications breakdown that allowed the shooter to act unimpeded. The inability to collaborate effectively points to a deeper structural problem that must be addressed to prevent future failures.

The overarching question remains: Why did this happen? What motivated the shooter to target the former president? While investigations will eventually uncover more details about the perpetrators motives, the pressing issue is ensuring such a situation never occurs again. In a climate where political tensions run high, protecting national leaders is not just about safety ~ its about preserving the stability of the country. The failure in this case is a stark reminder that even the most elite security forces are vulnerable to human error, miscommunication, and technological gaps. The United States cannot afford to take these risks lightly. Its time for a top-to-bottom overhaul of how the security of political figures is managed, ensuring that all agencies work together seamlessly
Nineteenth century India witnessed tremendous contributions of several Indian luminaries in the fields of science, arts, literature, business, philosophy, and many others. There was a wealth of knowledge. New technological innovations, new ideas and philosophies came into being for the advancement of society. British colonial rulers could not ignore their impeccable knowledge and expertise, but often tried to demean their talent by describing them as natives.

Radhanath Sikdar (5 October 1813  17 May 1870) was an exceptional personality whom the British rulers could not dominate in his field of proficiency. Sikdar was a mathematical genius and when he was a student at Hindu College, (now Presidency University) his discovery of the solution to the geometrical problem, To draw a Tangent to two circles was published in Gleanings in Science, January-December 1831 edition. The objective of the journal Gleanings in Science is worth mentioning: The Gleaners spread around, and here and there; SPIKE AFTER SPIKE, their scanty harvest pick. Radhanath entered Hindu College in 1924 and studied there for seven years and ten months. Dr John Tytler was his professor in mathematics.

Dr Tytler, observing the brilliance of Radhanath, asked him to read Newtons Principia. Radhanath was the second reader of Principia in India after Rajnarayan Basak. Radhanath joined the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India (GTSI) as Computer at a monthly salary of Rs 30 in December 1831 on the recommendation of Dr Tytler. John Keay, the historian, in his book The Great Arc used these words:   Radhanath Sickdhar, a twenty-year-old Bengali recruited by de Penning for computational work in Calcutta and since poached by Everest as his number-crunching genius. George Everest was then Surveyor General of India and was responsible for the prestigious The Great Arc project. Everest was in search of a mathematician who had specialization in spherical trigonometry.

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In 1802 Col William Lambton started the Great Indian Arc measurement to determine the accurate length of an arc from the southern tip to the Himalayas along a chosen longitude. The British rulers felt it essential to have the exact geographical knowledge of the country for revenue and administrative purposes and to procure complete political control of vast swathes of India. The greatest geodetic journey was undertaken in science history to prove that the earth was a spheroid and to determine accurately the shape and dimension of the earth. Three visible points usually on prominent hills, buildings, towers, temples were conceived as three corners of a triangle. By knowing the exact distance between two chosen points and then measuring the angles made at each by the respective lines of sight with a third reference point, the distance and position of the third point could be deduced through trigonometry.

A web or chain of triangles results. Equipped with a folded steel measuring chain and massive theodolite weighing half a ton, Lambton and his troupe started this arduous journey on the field. Everest, who joined The Great Trigonometrical Survey in 1818, took over the project after the death of Col. Lambton in 1823. Its 1600 miles of inch-perfect survey took nearly fifty years, cost more lives than most contemporary wars, and involved equations more complex than any in the pre-computer age [The Great Arc]. Radhanath earned a reputation in geodetic survey by his mathematical acumen and knowledge of physics and astronomy. He invented his own methods of advanced mathematical computations and applied them successfully. He also improved the various methods introduced in the survey by Everest. Radhanath acquired his excellence by un-remitting self-cultivation. There was no institutional arrangement to teach advanced science or higher mathematics.

Everest, who was so impressed by the arithmetical wizardry of Radhanath, wrote about him: There are few in India whether European or native, that can at all compete with him. Even in Europe these mathematical attainments would rank very high. He further remarked: There are a few of my instruments that he cannot manage; and none of my computations of which he is not thoroughly master. He can not only apply formulae but investigate them. But even then, Radhanath could not avoid British colonial wrath. He wrote a major portion of the Survey Manual, 1951 which was widely acclaimed and used by surveyors. His contribution was acknowledged in the Manual itself and recorded that it was largely assisted by Babu Radhanath Sikdar, distinguished head of the computing department of the GTSI. It was further stated that the chapters 15, 17 up to 21 inclusive of Part III and the whole of Part V are entirely his own. Part V consisted of Practical Astronomy and its applications to surveying.

Besides, he compiled various tables which were immensely useful. But after the death of Radhanath this acknowledgement was deleted from the third edition of the Manual in 1875. This denial reveals the colonial mindset of the British. The Friend of India wrote on 24 June 1876: . respectful acknowledgement to the best of the original authors of the compilation, and the debt due to Radhanath Sikdar is wholly unacknowledged. Penance must be performed for this cowardly sin and robbery of the dead. It was a great coincidence that Henry Louis Vivian Derozio (1809- 1831) joined Hindu College as a firebrand teacher in 1826 and attracted students. He established Academic Association in 1828 wherein Radhanath joined and was one of the principal speakers. Derozio was then nineteen, Radhanath fifteen.

This firebrand Young Bengal group was opposed to British rule. They were free and rational thinkers and known for their radical ideas. Radhanath, a stoutly built youth and disciple of Derozio, was a fearless person. He followed great principles in life and was always opposed to any wrongdoing. In 1843 when Radhanath was posted in Dehradun, Magistrate Vansittart forcefully engaged some labour of Survey of India for his private work. In protest, Radhanath seized the personal belongings of the Magistrate carried by the labourers for shifting. The furious Magistrate filed a defamation suit against him. A fine of Rs 200 was imposed upon Radhanath. Radhanath immediately paid the fine; but did not bow down to injustice. The practice of using government labourers, obviously natives, for personal purposes of superiors was abolished.

Radhanath, the then Chief Computer of Survey of India was entrusted with additional charge of the Calcutta Observatory of the Meteorological department in October 1852 after retirement of Superintendent V N Rees. He was the first Indian to occupy this responsible position. Radhanath laid the foundation for accurate and systematic meteorological observations in India. After taking charge, Radhanath introduced the system of taking hourly barometric observations of weather which was hitherto being done at sunrise, noon and sunset times, and erratically too, since the establishment of the Meteorological department in 1829.

He developed his own reduction table for reducing barometric observations to 32-degree Fahrenheit, the method that was already in use in Europe. In the first Administrative Report of the Indian Meteorological Department, H F Blanford wrote that 24 years data from 1853 to 1877 of the Surveyor Generals Observatory are the finest piece of our knowledge of the climate of Calcutta. In December 1852, Radhanath implemented the system of daily weather forecast for the first time which still exists today. It was Sikdar who started in 1853, a time signalling service for ships based upon observations of the transits of stars across Calcutta. It was Radhanath who played a pivotal role in determining the height of Mt Everest. Several trigonometrical observations had been taken by a number of surveys from six different places about 100 miles from the peak since 1848.

Analysing and arranging the numerous confusing field data and making corrections of errors arising out of atmospheric refraction, Radhanath came to the final conclusion in 1852 that the height of the tallest peak of the world is 29000 ft, though its official announcement was made in 1856. For this computation, he invented and applied the theory of minimum squares. Everest retired in 1843 and returned to England. He was nowhere near the scaling of this summit. Perhaps he did not even see the highest peak in his lifetime. Radhanath Sikdar was one of the pioneers in modern science in India and set many path breaking trends for the cause of mankind. He had a rebellious mind too and always stood against injustice as a true patriot. His life and works are a great inspiration till today.

(The writer, a cost accountant, was General Manager of a state power utility.)
South African police have launched a manhunt after 17 people were shot and killed in the Eastern Cape Province, authorities on Saturday.

The Eastern Cape provincial government confirmed in a statement that the catastrophic incident occurred in the town of Lusikisiki in the early hours of Saturday morning.

In one house, 13 people were killed which include 12 women and one man. In another homestead, four people were also killed, said Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson of the South African Police Service (SAPS), in a separate statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

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The eighteenth victim is in a critical condition in hospital. In total 15 women and two men were killed, said Mathe. The South African Police Service has launched an extensive search to bring those responsible for these brutal killings to justice. We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities.

In addition, the spokesperson told Xinhua that police have deployed forensic experts and a team of detectives to collect evidence which will assist in cracking the case.

In the provincial governments statement, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane condemned the senseless acts of violence in the strongest possible terms in the incident.

The loss of life on this scale is a devastating blow to our province, and we mourn the passing of these innocent lives. We stand in solidarity with the families and communities affected. The brutal and senseless killing of innocent people is a heinous act that has no place in our society, said Mabuyane. We call on all Eastern Cape residents to stand together in condemning violence and work towards creating a safer, more peaceful province.
US President Joe Biden on Saturday welcomed the killing of Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah as a measure of justice for his many victims and called for Israel and Lebanon to conclude ceasefire negotiations.

The U.S. and its allies had earlier called for a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon to end months of exchange of missiles to restart the stalled talks between Israel and Hamas.

Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror, Biden said in a statement.

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His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.

He said that the airstrikes that killed Nasrallah took place in the broader context of the conflict that began with Hamass massacre on October 7, 2023.

Hamas terrorists entered Israel on October 7 and killed 1,139 people  695 Israeli civilians, including 36 children, and 373 security forces and 71 foreigners, giving a total of 1,139. They had also taken 251 people hostage. The next, Nasrallah, made the fateful decision to join hands with Hamas and open what he called a northern front against Israel, Biden added.

The US president reiterated US support for Israels right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups.

Just yesterday, I directed my Secretary of Defense to further enhance the defence posture of US military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war, he said further.

He said that the ultimate U.S. goal is to de-escalate the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means.

In Gaza, we have been pursuing a deal backed by the UN Security Council for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. In Lebanon, we have been negotiating a deal that would return people safely to their homes in Israel and southern Lebanon. It is time for these deals to close, for the threats to Israel to be removed, and for the broader Middle East region to gain greater stability, Biden said.
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Sophie Dubois and Li Lei travel to Wuyuan County where ancient traditions and modern innovations meet in the scenic countryside. Wuyuan is just one example of how rural China is blending cultural heritage with tourism to foster local development. As Sophie explores Huangling Village, Li Lei explains how other regions in China have also charted their own unique paths to revitalization. What discussions will the two friends share on this journey?

Coordination

Wang Qingqin, Meng Chenguang





Script/Storyboard

Li Mangmang





Characters/Visual Design

Qi Zhiyue





Photo Courtesy

Xing Guangli, Liu Yang, Zhang Chen, Shi Yalei, Wan Xiang, Du Xiaoyi, Wang Bingzhen, Hu Panxue, Liu Xu, Tao Liang, Jiang Kehong, Jiang Han, Yang Wenbin, Chen Xie, Chen Zhiping, Zhao Liansheng


remaining of

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by Rania Aboelkheir

On Oct. 1, the People's Republic of China will celebrate its diamond jubilee, marking the 75th anniversary of its founding. Over these 75 years, China has undergone numerous major transformations, evolving into a pioneering model of development across various fields. It has risen from one of the world's poorest nations to an industrial and commercial powerhouse, now holding the position of the world's second-largest economy.

The secret to China's success lies in its unique political system, anchored by the National People's Congress (NPC), the highest state authority in China. This year, China celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the NPC and its first session in September 1954. Today, the Congress plays a crucial role in navigating the major transformations China is undergoing, as well as those occurring globally. Its responsibilities include enacting necessary legislation for emerging sectors and updating existing laws to keep pace with developments.

At the same time, the system is "an entirely new political system that has grown from Chinese soil" and a great invention in the evolution of political institutions in human history, as emphasized by President Xi Jinping during this year's celebration of the founding of the NPC. In his address, he highlighted the importance of further shoring up confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics in developing a whole-process people's democracy.

As previously mentioned, China has made historic strides in its national economy, leading the world in manufacturing and trade. For many consecutive years, it has contributed over 30 percent to global economic growth.

During my first visit to China to participate in discussions on the strategic plans made by the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, which aimed at strengthening comprehensive reforms and advancing Chinese modernization, I was struck by the immense efforts China is making at all levels to preserve its achievements.

Notably, China's dedication to preserving its rich cultural heritage while striving for technological advancement and environmental sustainability caught my attention. Furthermore, Chinese tech companies are making remarkable progress in offering more sustainable and effective solutions for the future. China has achieved significant milestones in the green and low-carbon transition, becoming a global leader in installed capacity for hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, and biomass energy.

All of this has been accomplished within the developmental vision of the CPC, which seeks to secure China's rightful place on the international and regional stage, in line with its historical heritage, economic strength, and political stability. This vision is also reflected in China's global strategy to foster worldwide security, stability, and development for all. China is now a strategic partner to over 120 countries and the world's second-largest destination for foreign direct investment.

China's achievements are not confined to its own borders, as it has extended its vision to global development partnerships, creating prosperity for all through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other initiatives like the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative.

As a force contributing to global peace, stability, and progress, China is actively working to build a shared future for humanity. With its historic commitment to international peace, mutual respect in state relations, and respect for national sovereignty and independence, China has taken on more responsibilities in promoting global stability. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a major contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts, and a supporter of conflict prevention and capacity building, China is playing an increasingly stronger role in enhancing global stability.

In tandem with China's diamond jubilee celebrations, Egypt and China are marking a decade since signing their comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. The Global Forum for Future Studies, of which I serve as secretary-general, recently organized a successful seminar in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Egypt to celebrate ten years of partnership between the two nations. Under the joint leadership of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, bilateral relations have flourished over the past decade. The two leaders, through their high-level exchanges, have helped shape a comprehensive alignment between China's development vision, as embodied in the BRI, and Egypt's Vision 2030.

Editor's note: Rania Aboelkheir is the secretary-general of the Global Forum for Future Studies, an Egyptian think tank.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.
The last few weeks have seen an interesting game of musical chairs being played in the political corridors of Delhi. With the release of Arvind Kejriwal on bail in the liquor scam, people of Delhi are being subjected to loud claims about his innocence, and the dramatic sacrifice by Kejriwal, who quit as chief minister.

Away from the political rhetoric, Kejriwal has achieved the distinction of being the first CM to attempt to run the government from Tihar Jail. Also, the self-proclaimed sacrifice does not hold much water in light of the stringent bail conditions imposed on him by the Supreme Court.

With several judgments of the Delhi courts, including the high court and the Supreme Court, categorically holding that there is sufficient evidence against Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, to prima facie show their involvement in the scam, the profound claim of innocence seems like political posturing. Also, with the Supreme Courts embargo from attending the office of the chief minister or sign any files, Kejriwal had little option left but to tender his resignation.

Imaging: Deni Lal

But, perhaps, the most disappointing issue in this political story was the chapter of the reluctant oath of now Chief Minister Atishi. In her first public statement as CM, Atishi boldly declared, There will only be one CM in Delhi, and that will always be Kejriwal. So, Delhi, which in the past has seen strong and independent women chief ministers, will have a proxy woman CM this time, with the real strings being controlled by Kejriwal. I am sure the crusaders of women empowerment will have a lot to say on this.

In one way, Atishi has demonstrated that she can be a true protege to Kejriwal, given her history of sitting on a hunger strike against the inactions of her own water ministry, especially when she herself was acting as the executor of all the instructions Kejriwal was issuing from Tihar Jail. She managed to invoke nostalgic memories of the time when Kejriwal used to give dharna whilst being the CM.

Today, the departments of water, sewage, drainage, cleanliness, electricity and environment completely fall under the control of the AAP-controlled Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Despite having unhindered power and ample funds, the nations capital has to suffer drought-like situation during summers, floods during monsoons, another draught in autumn and heavy pollution during winters. And the malik of Delhi aka Kejriwal, Atishi and company, can only conduct press conferences trying to deflect the blame.

From ghost patients in mohalla clinics, to a staggering Rs1,000 crore loss in Delhi Jal Board, the utilities of Delhi are crumbling under the reign of Kejriwal. With ever increasing electricity bills of the middle class, dirty and unhygienic water supply and crumbling infrastructure, the AAP government is only left with a few renovated classrooms which are regularly used for pure media events.

Leadership is not about holding on to a title or maintaining control behind closed doors. It is about taking responsibility, delivering results, and being accountable to the people. Delhi deserves a government that prioritises the welfare of its citizens, provide world class infrastructure. It is time for Delhi to break free from this cycle of power without responsibility and choose leadership that will drive this glorious city forward.

Bansuri Swaraj is a Lok Sabha MP from New Delhi.
The BJP has lashed out at DMK and Tamil Nadu's new deputy chief minister Udayanidhi Stalin, stating the latter had no merit except being the Chief Minister's son. The backlash comes as Chief Minister M K Stalin announced Udayanidhi's elevation to the No.: 2 position on Saturday.

The BJP weaponised the appointment as nepotism, stating the DMK prioritised family interest over public welfare. BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad said: "The party's 75-year history has been marked by betrayal of Tamil Nadu interests, prioritising family interests over public welfare."



Stalin is the son of DMK stalwart M K Karunanidhi. His brothers M K Azhagiri and sister Kanimozhi are also active in politics. Udayanidhi is the only son of Stalin.



The BJP accused the DMK of denying its partners a share in power and instead appointed Udhayanidhi Stalin as Deputy chief minister. The party also hit out at Stalin's decision to reinstate Senthil Balaji, a senior leader who was released on bail recently in money laundering charges.



BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also raised the nepotism charge, stating Udhayanidhi had no merit other than being the Chief Minister's son.

"M K Stalin promoted and made his son Udhayanidhi Stalin the Dy CM. There is no merit except being the CM's son... All of them are only focused on family interests, not the interests of the country," he said adding that while Modi called on youngsters without any experience or family background in politics to enter politics, the DMK and INDIA bloc were focused on looting.



#WATCH | On Tamil Nadu Minister & DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin appointed as the Dy CM, DMK MP Kanimozhi says, "It is the Chief Minister who has been voted to make that decision. He has made the decision. I don't think the opposition parties can make that decision or question the pic.twitter.com/Vsss39Yk3F  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024

However, Udayanidhi himself has responded to the criticisms, stating he was taking all criticisms and will do his best for Tamil Nadu. "It's a big responsibility. The chief minister nd the Council of Ministers trusted me. There will be criticism and I have always listened to it. I'll try my best to do my best for the people of Tamil Nadu," he said.



DMK MP Kanimozhi too supported her brother Stalin's decision, stating it is the Chief Minister who has been voted to make that decision. "He has made the decision. I don't think the opposition parties can make that decision or question the CM's decision regarding the cabinet," she told reporters on Sunday.


As Vasanth Kunj in Delhi reels from the shock of the death of a man and his four daughters, a CCTV footage have emerged showing the 46-year-old man walking with a blue polythene bag in his hands. The visuals are said to be from Tuesday, the same date neighbours claim they last saw the family.

Police believe the bag contained a box of sweets. Their bodies were found inside their rented apartment in a three-storey building on Friday.



The deceased have been identified as Heeralal Sharma and his daughters Neetu (26), Nikki (24), Neeru (23) and Nidhi (20). Sharma was a carpenter who worked at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre in Vasant Kunj for almost 28 years before quitting abruptly in January. Though his daughters were graduates, two of them had disabilities.



Though the evidence hints at a suicide pact, the CCTV visuals showing the man walking with a box of sweets around 7 pm have raised suspicions that he may have laced the sweets with poison before feeding it to his family.



New Delhi: In Rangpuri village, a carpenter, committed suicide with his four specially abled daughters by consuming poison. Neighbors alerted the police due to a foul smell. Investigation is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/8IjUOjH40n  IANS (@ians_india) September 28, 2024

The police recovered a box of sweets, a pesticide suspected to be Celphos and another liquid resembling a fruit juice. Celphos is an insecticide and a fumigant for controlling insects, pests, and rodents in granaries.



Their bodies did not bear any other injuries. Police believe both the juice and sweets may have been laced with poison. They are also probing whether it was a suicide pact or a murder-suicide.

The family mostly kept to themselves, especially after the death of the man's wife in August due to cancer. Neighbours however recollected seeing them on Tuesday.



It was the building's caretaker Mohan Singh who first detected the foul smell emanating from Sharma's balcony. "My husband cleans the lobby area every day. After neighbours complained of the smell, he went and knocked on Heeralals door on Friday. But there was no response," Singh's wife told The Indian Express.



The caretaker alerted the Fire and Safety officials and police who broke into their apartment. While Sharma's body was found in one room, the bodies of his daughters were seen in the other.



The neighbours added that Sharma and his daughters were reclusive and did not let anyone inside their apartment, especially after his wife's death. While one of the daughters was visually challenged, the other had mobility issues and was frequently in the hospital.



Another neighbour also reported hearing noise from the flat before the day the bodies were found. She reported hearing shouting and commotion and believes the daughters were fighting.


A day after Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was killed in a Israeli airstrike, People's Democratic Party (PDP) supremo Mehbooba Mufti cancelled her poll campaign on Sunday ahead of the third phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mufti said she is cancelling her campaign in solidarity with "the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasrallah." She added that her party stands with the people of Palestine and Lebanon.

Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance.  Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 28, 2024

National Conference MP from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi also called off his election campaign to condemn the killing of the Hezbollah chief.

People took to the streets in Srinagar and Budgam on Saturday to condemn Nasrallah's death, chanting anti-Israel and anti-US slogans.

Security forces were deployed in areas that witnessed protests to prevent violence while traffic snarls were reported in Srinagar.

Israel on Saturday said Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said killing Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals his country set. He said it would help rehabilitate Israel's displaced citizens in the north and would push Hamas to free Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7.

Hezbollah also confirmed that Nasrallah was killed in the airstrike, saying it would continue the war against the enemy.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah over law and order situation in the national capital and urged him to take immediate action to improve security situation in Delhi.



Highlighting recent incidents of firing in various parts of Delhi, Kejriwal charged residents of the national capital are feeling unsafe. Law and order has collapsed in Delhi. There is complete jungle raj. People are feeling unsafe in the country's capital, the Aam Aadmi Party leader alleged in a post on social media platform X. Kejriwal added the law and order in Delhi comes directly under the union home minister and he should take effective steps immediately.

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also slammed the BJP and termed the recent incidents as rise of gangs and gangsters in Delhi.

Three incidents of firing were reported in the national capital within a day. Unidentified persons opened fire at a second-hand luxury car showroom in West Delhi on Friday night. No casualties were reported, however, they targeted the cars in the showroom. According to police, it was an extortion bid by the Himanshu Bhau gang and the gangster has demanded Rs 5 crore from the showroom owner as protection money.

Similarly, on Saturday, unidentified shooters opened fire outside a hotel in South Delhi and at a sweets shop in Sultanpur Mor. According to police, all shooting incidents were allegedly related to protection money for gangsters.
Amid massive protests in the Kashmir Valley over the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put pressure on Israel to stop the bloodshed in Palestine and Lebanon.

Abdullah said the killing of Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike indicates that war is hovering around the region. He was talking to reporters in Baramulla on the sidelines of his election campaign for the third phase of assembly elections.

"What happened yesterday, it looks like war is hovering around the region. The Government of India and the prime minister along with other international leaders should put pressure on Israel to stop the killings so that peace is established in the region," Abdullah said.

Omar Abdullah urged world leaders to use their influence to stop killing of innocent people in Gaza and Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/erZW4A37K1  Rising Kashmir (@RisingKashmir) September 29, 2024

Nasrallahs death has sparked outrage in Kashmir, with people taking to the streets in Srinagar and Budgam chanting anti-Israel and anti-US slogans. Earlier in the day, People's Democratic Party (PDP) supremo Mehbooba Mufti had cancelled her poll campaign to protest Nasrallahs killing.

Asked about the PDP chiefs decision, Abdullah refused to comment. We have condemned the Israeli aggression on Palestinians, we have demanded that the international community should pressurise Israel to stop killing people whether it is in Palestine or Lebanon," he said.

NC's Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi had also called off his election campaign to condemn the killing of the Hezbollah chief.

Abdullah, meanwhile, blamed the BJP for the "deteriorating" security situation in Jammu region. "Militancy has raised its head in Jammu again. Today, the news of attacks in various parts of Jammu keeps coming every other day. There was laxity on their (BJP's) part. The situation has deteriorated during their term," he said.
A Delhi police constable got killed in a road rage incident during the early hours of Sunday, after he questioned the reckless driving of a car driver. The accused driver and his accomplice are at large and police have seized the car involved in the incident.



According to police, Sandeep, a 30-year-old constable attached with Nagaloi police station was patrolling Veena Enclave area during the early hours of Sunday as part of probe into robbery incidents in the area. Sandeep noticed the car being driven recklessly and has asked the driver to slow down.

#WATCH | Delhi: A car crushed a Delhi Police constable Sandeep to death in a road rage incident in Nangloi area last night. The constable had asked the car driver to move the car. The constable was dragged for 10 metres and hit another car. The police have seized the car while pic.twitter.com/3MBMTmIIm2  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024

The Delhi police in a statement said, The incident occurred around 2.15am, near Veena Enclave when Sandeep was going towards Railway Road from Nangloi Police station during duty hours dressed in civilian clothes. Upon noticing a car being driven recklessly, Sandeep told the driver not to do so.

Irked, the car driver increased speed and dashed against Sandeeps motorcycle. The vehicle increased its speed and hit the constable's motorcycle from behind and dragged him for about 10 metres before hitting another car, police said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Jimmy Chiram, DCP outer Delhi Police says, "Constable Sandeep of 2018 Batch was 30 years old and was posted at Nagloi police station. The incident happened at around 2:15 am, Sandeep had gone for on-duty beat patrolling on his bike. When he was taking a left turn pic.twitter.com/QmKzjb92Cb  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024

The accused car driver and his accomplice allegedly fled from the spot. Though Sandeep was rushed to a hospital nearby, doctors declared him dead.

CCTV footage has shown that Sandeep took a left turn in the street and indicated the vehicle to slow down. On this, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit his motorcycle and dragged him along with his bike. The vehicle halted after hitting a parked car. Sandeep received head injuries that led to death," it said.

Delhi police have registered case against the two for murder. Jimmy Chiram, DCP outer Delhi Police told ANI, Primafacie, it looks like road rage, but, we will know further once the accused are apprehended.
The Tamil Nadu cabinet on Sunday witnessed a high-profile reshuffle marking a significant shift in the DMK leadership. Udhayanidhi Stalin's elevation as the deputy chief minister is seen as a strategic move by the DMK to strengthen his role within the party and the government.

The announcement to elevate Udhayanidhi as Stalins deputy came hours after the DMK celebrated its 75th platinum jubilee on Saturday at Kanchipuram near Chennai. I will work for the people of the state. I understand my responsibilities and will work accordingly, Udhayanidhi said.

Three Tamil Nadu MLAs were sworn in as ministers by Governor R.N. Ravi. V. Senthil Balaji, who is out on bail after 471-day-long incarceration, S.M. Nasser who was earlier dropped from the cabinet on charges of corruption, Govi Chezhian, the only Scheduled Tribe MLA and Salem R. Rajendran have been inducted into the cabinet. Balaji has been given the same portfolioselectricity and excise and prohibitionwhich he had held before his arrest in June 2023. Nasser has been appointed as the minister for the minorities department while Govi Chezhian will keep the higher education which was earlier with DMK senior K. Ponmudi. R. Rajendran has been appointed as the minister of tourism.

The reshuffle comes at a time when there were high expectations about Udhayanidhis rise within the party. Though his elevation might not alter the power equations in the party, it holds a huge significance in the government's performance. Stalin has given one of the most crucial portfoliosplanning and developmentto his son as he assumes charge as the deputy chief minister. Sources say there were parleys within the party to allot the local administration department to Udhayanidhi which did not materialise. Sources say that the senior leaders in the party were not willing to give up their portfolios for Udhayanidhi.

READ: BJP slams Udayanidhi with 'no merit except being CM's son' remark; new deputy CM reacts

On the other side, the appointment of Govi Chezhian as a minister comes amid talks about a rift in the VCK alliance. Recently, Aadhav Arjun of Thol Thirumavalans VCK spoke about the Dalit representation in Tamil Nadu and asked why the VCK should not demand the deputy chief minister post for his leader Thirumavalavan. Chezhian is the only Scheduled Tribe MLA inducted into the cabinet. Sources say that the position was given to him only to iron out the caste equations in the cabinet. With Chezhian, there are four Dalit ministers in Stalins cabinet.

#WATCH | Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, CM MK Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin along with the State ministers at Raj Bhavan after the swearing-in ceremony of newly-inducted ministers.



(Source: ANI/ TN DIPR) pic.twitter.com/s63dXvG07G  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024

The appointment of R. Rajendran, the only DMK MLA from Salem district, comes at a time when the DMK is gearing up for a tough fight with the opposition AIADMK in the 2026 general elections. Salem being the hometown of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Rajendran being inducted into the cabinet assumes significance.

The reinstatement of Senthil Balaji into the cabinet is seen as a message to the Centre and the BJP. Balaji was the only minister who exposed BJP leader Annamalai, be it in the former IPS officer allegedly opening the exit door in an airplane or sporting an expensive Rafael watch. Balaji was also in charge of Coimbatore district for the DMK where Annamalai recently contested the Lok Sabha polls only to finish second. On the other side, the reinduction of Senthi Balaji into the cabinet sends out a strong message to the party seniors that loyalty will be paid back.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday vowed that he would unseat Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will not die soon. Kharge made the comment after he felt dizzy and stopped his speech midway while campaigning for assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.



The 83-year-old Congress president felt dizzy while addressing a public rally in Kathua. Kharge was paying tribute to a head constable who was killed in an ongoing operation with terrorists in Kathua. Two other police personnel have been injured in the incident and one terrorist has been killed, PTI reported.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge became unwell while addressing a public gathering in Kathua. pic.twitter.com/OXOPFmiyUB  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024

"He was addressing a public rally in Jasrota when he felt uneasy and dizzy. His colleagues helped him into a chair," Congress general secretary Gulam Ahmed Mir told PTI. He added that the Congress president is stable.

Later, after feeling a bit better, Kharge, addressing the gathering said, We will fight to restore statehood... I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive till PM Modi is removed from power, ANI reported.

#WATCH | J&K: Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "We will fight to restore statehood...I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive till PM Modi is removed from power..." https://t.co/dWzEVfQiV0 pic.twitter.com/ES85MtuTkL  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024

Party leaders said the Congress presidents health is now stable and doctors are attending to him. His son and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge tweeted that his fathers health condition is stable. Congress President Sri @kharge felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jasrota, Jammu & Kashmir. He has been checked upon by his medical team and apart from slightly low blood pressure, he is doing well. Extremely grateful for everyone's concern. His resolve, along with peoples good wishes, keeps him going strong, Priyank said.

The Congress president is scheduled to address another public rally at Ramnagar in the Valley.
Amid ongoing strikes against Hezbollah group, Israel on Sunday launched strikes at Houthi targets in Yemen. The Israeli military in a statement said that the strike was a response to the recent Houthi attacks against Tel Aviv.

"Over the past year, the Houthis have been operating under the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias in order to attack the State of Israel, undermine regional stability, and disrupt global freedom of navigation, read the statement.

BREAKING: The IAF struck military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in Yemen in response to their recent attacks against Israel.



The targets included power plants and a seaport, which were used by the Houthis to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in pic.twitter.com/QaWSD3uMEJ  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 29, 2024

The strike was carried about 1,800 km from the State of Israel. According to IDF, the targets included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, which were used by the Houthi group to transfer Iranian weapons to the region,

#BREAKING: #Israel Air Force successfully destroyed the entire energy infrastructures of #Houthi terrorists of #Iran's Islamic Regime in Al Hudaydah, #Yemen. This is a response to their recent ballistic missile attacks at #Israel. pic.twitter.com/PDfmgQEV3g  Babak Taghvaee - The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) September 29, 2024

The IDF is determined to continue operating at any distance  near or far  against all threats to the citizens of the State of Israel, the statement added.

BREAKING: Israel has confirmed that dozens of Air Force planes targeted Houthi infrastructure in Yemen, including oil reservoirs, power plants, and the port of Hodeidah. The strikes are in retaliation for multiple missile attacks on Israeli civilians in recent days, including in pic.twitter.com/prmNBQP3hT  Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) September 29, 2024

Meanwhile, a senior Houthi official said that the attacks failed. Precautions were taken, the oil tanks were emptied in advance at the port of Ras Issa and Hodeidah, and there was an emergency plan, said Nasr ad-Din Amer.

Iran condemned strikes by Israel on Yemen's Hodeidah port, saying they targeted a power plant and fuel tanks.

According to experts, Israel is sending a message to Iran by these attacks that the Israeli Air Force is willing and is able to launch air raids at any distance. Earlier Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his speech at the UNGA, warned Iran that Israel can reach anywhere.
BEIRUT, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 28 people were killed and 30 others injured when Israeli airstrikes targeted on Sunday afternoon several towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon, prompting retaliation by Hezbollah, according to Hezbollah and Lebanese military sources.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, said the Israeli raids involved about 15 warplanes and targeted around 27 towns and villages deep in southern Lebanon and the Baalbek-Hermel areas in eastern Lebanon, about 130 km from the borderline with Israel.

The raids killed two people in southern Lebanon and 26 others in eastern Lebanon, including 11 displaced Syrians, according to the sources. Meanwhile, 30 others were injured during the attacks.

For its part, Hezbollah bombed Israeli's Ofek camp, south of Tel Aviv, "with a salvo of Fadi 1 missiles while also targeting enemy soldiers in Al-Manara settlement, north of occupied Palestine and Avivim (in the occupied Golan Heights)."

Confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have intensified following Israel's announcement to broaden its war objectives to include the return of northern residents, who were evacuated due to attacks by Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has launched barrages of rockets at Israel since last October in solidarity with Hamas and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 
A day after IDF fighter jets took down Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Iran that Israels military could strike wherever in the region it needs.

Stating that Nasrallah's death will reshape the Middle Easts power structures, Netanyahu, in his first speech since the assassination of the militant group's leader, said Israels targeting of Nasrallah was necessary to achieve Israels war aims. "Nasrallah wasnt just another terrorist. He was the terrorist," he said. "Eliminating Nasrallah was an essential condition for achieving the goals that we have set out  returning the residents of the north safely to their homes and changing the balance of power in the region for years."

Netanyahu said the killings of other top Hezbollah commanders was not enough and he decided Nasrallah also needed to be killed because "as long as Nasrallah was alive, he would have quickly rehabilitated Hezbollahs capabilities."

In a direct warning to Tehran, Netanyahu said: "Those who strike at us, we will strike at them. There is nowhere in Iran or the Middle East beyond the reach of the long arm of Israel, and today you know how true that is."

His statement comes as Iran reportedly relocated Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to a secure location after the news about Nasrallah's killing broke.

Israel had reportedly been aware of Nasrallahs hideout for months but finally decided to take out Nasrallah as it believed Israel could lose the opportunity.

Also read: How Israel planned Nasrallah's murder, dropped 80 bombs within minutes

Iran has announced five days of public mourning and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Nasrallah the flag-bearer of resistance in the region. He said the blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged. "The massacre of the defenseless people in Lebanon once again revealed the ferocity of the Zionist rabid dog to everyone, and proved the shortsighted and stupid policy of the leaders of the usurping regime," he said.

He also urged the Muslims to "stand by the people of Lebanon and the proud Hezbollah with whatever means they have and assist them in confronting the wicked regime [of Israel]."

Who is Hashem Safieddine, the heir?

Though Hezbollah has yet to announce it, the militant group will likely next be headed by Hashem Safieddine, the cousin of Nasrallah.

After Nasrallah, who led the organisation for 32 years, died on Friday, Israeli media reported that Safieddine will take over as the new chief. He is the current head of Hezbollah's political affairs and sits on the Jihad Council, which manages the groups military operations.

Safieddine is a cleric and is sported in a black turban just like Nasrallah. He was also a designated terrorist, who has vocally urged Palestinians to take up arms against Israel. "Our history, our guns and our rockets are with you", Safieddine said in a show of solidarity with Palestinian terrorists recently.

He had also hit out at the US and once in 2017, called the then-Donald Trump administration "mentally impeded and crazy".
Israel was aware of slain Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallahs hideout for months but decided to finally take him out because it feared he would disappear to a different location, according to a report. The decision was taken last week and even the US was not apprised of it until the planes were on air.

Israel also used 80 bombs over several minutes which flattened six buildings, including Hezbollahs underground headquarters in southern Beirut, reported The New York Times. There was no word about the weight or make of the bombs.

The report, quoting three senior Israeli defence officials, said Israel was planning the operation early last week while it was simultaneously engaged with the US about a ceasefire proposal. This was before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left Israel to give a speech at the United Nations.

On Wednesday, the IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi met with Mossad chief David Barnea, Israel security agency Shin Bet's chief Ronen Bar and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to get the plan approved. However, a few Cabinet ministers did not approve it, fearing it would harm the IDFs ongoing activities in Gaza, reported The Times of Israel.

However, Halevi insisted that they move forward with the mission. We have what we need. We can go ahead with the operation. We know that Nasrallah is in the bunker," Halevi reportedly told Cabinet members.

Netanyahu boarded the plane on Friday after approving the strike.

This is the place where Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has been reduced to mere dust.



Israel fights against radical Islam and terrorism on behalf of the entire world. pic.twitter.com/dmSHwygvcH  Vivid. (@VividProwess) September 28, 2024

Hezbollah confirmed Saturday morning that Nasrallah had been killed, along with its southern front commander Ali Karaki who had survived an Israeli hit attempt days earlier. However, Hashem Safieddine, a cousin of Nasrallah and his potential successor, was not at the underground Beirut bunker at the time of the strike.

Nasrallah was targeted by dozens of bunker-busting bombs dropped by Israeli Air Force fighter jets. The operation used F-15I fighter jets which took off from Hatzerim Airbase in southern Israel and half of the pilots who took part in the operation were reservists.

Also read: Nasrallah killed in Lebanon: How Israel Air Force penetrated Hezbollah's underground HQ in Beirut? Meet the 'bunker-busters'

The fighter pilots knew who they were targetting and flew straight into the heart of Beirut in the Dahiyeh. Hezbollah wasn't aware of the jets and no missiles were fired at the planes. There was no danger to the crew.

"Everything we planned was executed precisely, with no errors, both in intelligence, the planning, with the planes, and the operation itself. Everything went smooth," the commander of the IAFs 69th Squadron told reporters.

The jets then fired over 80 bombs at the target within seconds with very high precision.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's death in a targeted Israeli airstrike on Friday was a huge setback for Hezbollah amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Reportedly, an Iranian spy revealed the Hezbollah chief's location to the Israeli authorities hours before the strike.

Citing a source, the French newspaper Le Parisien reported that the Iranian spy informed the Israeli authorities about Hezbollah's meeting to be held in underground headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs. The spy also gave the information that Nasrallah, along with several top commanders of the organisation will be taking part in the meeting.

ALSO READ | How Israel's Lebanon strikes will shape Hezbollah's future after Nasrallah's death

Israel Defence Force (IDF) on Saturday said "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world." Hezbollah confirmed the chief's death and vowed to continue the fight.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei urged all the resistance forces to stand with Hezbollah. After Nasrallah's death, Khamenei was moved to a secure location in the wake of Israel's intensified attacks against Hezbollah.

ALSO READ | Who was Nabil Kaouk? Israel kills another Hezbollah leader after Hassan Nasrallah death

Another Hezbollah leader was killed by Israeli airstrike on Sunday. Nabik Kaouk was the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council. He was the group's military commander in southern Lebanon from 1995 to 2010.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's Information Minister Ziad Makary during a cabinet meeting on Sunday said diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate tensions. "It is certain that the Lebanese government wants a ceasefire, and everyone knows that (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu went to New York based on the premise of a ceasefire, but the decision was made to assassinate Nasrallah," said Makary.

He also added that the matters at hand are not easy and the diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire are ongoing.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar gave Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a befitting reply on Saturday, saying the only issue left to be resolved between the nations is "the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan."

In a scathing attack, Jaishankar warned Pakistan that its "policy" of cross-border terrorism would never succeed. He also took jabs at the country's economic crisis, stating it is only karma that the ills it sought to visit on others consumed its society.



Jaishankar was speaking at the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly a day after Sharif referred to Jammu and Kashmir in his UNGA address.



"We heard some bizarre assertions from this very forum yesterday. Let me make Indias position very clear  Pakistans policy of cross-border terrorism will never succeed. And it can have no expectation of impunity. On the contrary, actions will certainly have consequences," he said.



#WATCH | New York, US | 79th session of the UN General Assembly | EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "We heard some bizarre assertions from this very forum yesterday. Let me make India's position very clear - Pakistan's policy of cross-border terrorism will never succeed. And it can have pic.twitter.com/eLzwy6ahu5  ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2024

"Many countries get left behind due to circumstances beyond their control, but some make conscious choices with disastrous consequences. A premier example is our neighbour," Jaishankar said.



He said Islamabad instils such fanaticism among its people that Pakistan's GDP can only be measured in terms of radicalisation and its exports in the form of terrorism. A dysfunctional nation coveting the lands of others must be exposed and must be countered," Jaishankar added.



"The issue to be resolved between us is now only the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan, and, of course, the abandonment of Pakistan's long-standing attachment to terrorism," he said.



Jaishankar also used the platform to hit out at Pakistan's ally China for its stance of blocking proposals submitted by India and its partners, such as the US, to designate Pakistan-based terrorists under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Security Council. "All its forms of and manifestations must be resolutely opposed. The sanctioning of global terrorists by the United Nations should also not be impeded for political reasons, he said.



Jaishankar's attack on Sharif comes a day after the premier of the beleaguered nation said it would "respond most decisively to any Indian aggression."



He said India should reverse the Abrogation of Article 370 and enter into a dialogue with Pakistan for peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Let me state in no uncertain terms, Pakistan will respond most decisively to any Indian aggression, therefore, to secure durable peace, India must reverse the unilateral and illegal measures it has taken since 5th of August 2019 and enter into a dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people," Sharif said.


The body of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was recovered on Sunday, reportedly, from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

Narallah's body had no direct wounds and the cause of death appeared to be blunt trauma from the force of the blast, Reuters reported citing sources.

Israel carried out a precise strike at an underground bunker where Nasrallah and several other Hezbollah top commanders were conducting a meeting. The bunker was located 60 feet below a bustling street in south Beirut.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah on Sunday confirmed the death of one of its senior commanders, Ali Karaki, in the Israeli airstrike that killed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.

ALSO READ | Who was Nabil Kaouk? Israel kills another Hezbollah leader after Hassan Nasrallah death

Who was Ali Karaki?

Karaki was a member of Hezbollah's Jihad Council and the commander of the organisation's southern front.

"He was directly and on the ground responsible for leading the southern front with all its axes and units in the support front from 8 October 2023, until his blessed martyrdom," Hezbollah said in a statement.

ALSO READ | 'Iran spy tipped off Israel about Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's location before airstrike'

Karaki had joined Hezbollah during the Lebanese Civil War. Over the years, he rose through the ranks and participated in the 2006 Lebanon War. In September 2019, he was sanctioned by the US.

In February 2024, Israel attempted to assassinate him in a car bombing in Nabatieh, but he was not in the target vehicle.

Iran vows retaliation

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, said the killing of Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) deputy commander, by Israel was a horrible crime.

There is no doubt that this horrible crime committed by the Zionist regime (Israel) will not go unanswered, Araqchi said.

Nilforoushan was killed in the Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Friday.

Amid fears of conflict spreading across the Middle East, European foreign ministers, including the UK, Germany and France, have stepped up calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is set to chair an emergency meeting on Sunday amid the rising tensions in the region. Over 90,000 people fled southern Lebanon in the wake of the intensified Israeli strikes.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese army urged its citizens to preserve national unity. Following the Hezbollah chief's death, the Lebanese army said it "calls on citizens to preserve national unity and not to be drawn into actions that may affect civil peace at this dangerous and delicate stage."

"The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and sow division among Lebanese," the statement further read.
After the US presidential debate between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, up next is the vice presidential debate.

Democrat Tim Walz and Republican J.D. Vance will face off on Tuesday (October 1) in a 90-minute debate, hosted by the CBS News in New York City.

The debate will take place at 9 pm ET (0100 GMT on October 2) at the CBS Broadcast Center by anchors Noah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan.

ALSO READ | US presidential election 2024: All about the 7 swing states that could sway results

How can you watch the debate?

The event will be broadcast on the CBS network. Also, the debate will be live-streamed on all platforms where CBS News 24/7 and Paramount+ are available.

As per the rules of the debate, there will be no audience. No props or pre-written notes are on stage. Also, CBS News reserves the right to turn off candidate microphones.

ALSO READ | Why Pennsylvania is the swingiest of the swing states

Tim Walz vs J.D. Vance

The recent poll trends, reportedly, give an edge to Tim Walz. Ohio Senator and the Republican vice presidential candidate Vance is less popular among voters compared to his Democratic rival.

During the debate, Walz is likely to try to appeal to the voters by targeting Vance, as Harris successfully did in her debate with Trump.

ALSO READ | Over 100 ex-Republican officials endorse Harris; why they think Donald Trump is unfit to serve

Walz had earlier criticised Vance's Midwestern credentials and ridiculed his 2016 memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy' for its depiction of rural America.

At Walzs first rally as vice presidential candidate, he had hit out at Vance by saying, "Like all regular people I grew up with in the heartland, J.D. studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires and then wrote a bestseller trashing that community."

Known for his liberal views, Walz as Minnesota governor brought in a progressive agenda including free school meals, paid leaves for workers and tax cuts for the middle class.

On the other hand, Vance needs to strive harder to appeal to the voters. Vance faced a major backlash over his comments on Harris and other Democrats in 2021 as a bunch of childless cat ladies.

The recent false claims that Haitian migrants in the Ohio city of Springfield were eating pets were also criticised.

"The big difference between conservatives and liberals is that ... no one has tried to kill Kamala Harris in the last couple of months and two people now have tried to kill Donald Trump in the last couple of months," Vance had said.
With targeted airstrikes, Israel has eliminated most of the top Hezbollah leaders in the last year ever since it launched its military operations against Hamas following the October 7 attack in Gaza Enclave. The Israel-Hezbollah tensions escalated during the Gaza war as the Lebanon-based group continued to fire rockets to northern Israel, forcing thousands of Israelites to flee the region. Since then, both sides have been engaged in exchanging strikes, almost daily.

Over 10 top Hezbollah commanders were killed in the recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. However, Hezbollah has not confirmed all the 'targets' eliminated by Israel as it claims.

The latest Israeli airstrike in Beirut killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, along with several top commanders. Israel claimed to have killed at least 20 Hezbollah leaders in the airstrike.

Top Hezbollah leaders killed in Israeli airstrike

Hassan Nasrallah

Israels targeted airstrike on Friday at the Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut killed its chief Nasrallah, along with 19 others. Nasrallahs death is considered a major breakthrough in Israels ongoing efforts to eliminate the top leaders of the militant group.

Nabil Qaouk

The deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council was killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut. He was the group's military commander in southern Lebanon from 1995 to 2010. He was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in 2020.

Qaouk joined the militant group as a teenager and went on to fill a series of military command positions. Of late, he took more political roles and was a frequent traveller to Iran.

Ali Karaki

Karaki was a member of Hezbollah's Jihad Council and the commander of the organisation's southern front. He died along with Nasrallah in the IDF strike on Beirut. He had joined Hezbollah during the Lebanese Civil War. Karaki was sanctioned by the US in September 2019. Karaki was entrusted with the responsibility of military operations along the Israel border.

Ibrahim Aquil

Ibrahim Aquil is the second founder member of Hezbollahs military wing. Aquil, who was in his early 60s, was the acting commander of the Radwan [special forces] brigades.

Fuad Shukr

Fuad Shukr was the head of the organisations Strategic Unit. Shukr was the key figure involved in the massive suicide bombings launched against the US, French and Israeli targets in 1983. He played a significant role in developing Hezbollahs military capabilities as well. He died in July.

Ibrahim Jazini

Jazini was responsible for the internal security within Hezbollah. He was close to Nasrallah and was a trusted associate.

Among the other Hezbollah leaders killed in the Israeli airstrikes are Ibrahim Muhammad Qabisi, the head of the Missiles and Rockets Force; Wissam al-Tawail, Commander of Radwan Force; Abu Hassan Samir, head of Radwan Forces training unit and former commander of the Radwan Force; Mohammed Nasser, commander of Aziz Unit; Muhammad Hussein Srour, commander of Aerial Command; and Sami Taleb Abdullah, commander of Nasser Unit.
With top Hezbollah leaders, including its secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, getting killed in airstrikes, all eyes are on who will succeed him.

This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said killing of the Hezbollah chief was a necessary step toward "changing the balance of power in the region for years to come."

ALSO READ: Iran Supreme Leader next? Tehran moves Ayatollah Khamenei to secure spot after IDF says Hezbollah chief killed

Who will succeed Hassan Nasrallah?

While confirming Nasrallah's death, Hezbollah vowed to continue the holy war against its enemy Israel. Though Iran-backed Shia group finds it difficult to fill Nasrallah's void, the potential successor to his seat is his cousin Hashem Safieddine.

Who is Hashem Safieddine?

Safieddine, who is a key member of Hezbollah Shura Council, is believed to have close links to Iran and its Supreme Leader. He has been heading the group's decision-making panel since 1992. He has also been groomed as Nasrallah's heir since 1994.

Born in 1964 in Lebanon's Tyre, he completed his religious studies along with Nasrallah in Najaf and Qom, two prominent cities in Iran.

Saffieddine's son, Redha, tied knot with Zeynep, the daughter of late Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a 2020 US airstrike. Saffieddine's brother Abdullah is Hezbollah's representative to Iran

The US Treasury Department named Safieddine a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2017, just like Nasrallah was designated in 2012. Saudi Arabia has also designated Safieddine as a terrorist.
The Israeli military on Sunday said it killed Nabil Kaouk, another top Hezbollah leader, in a airstrike on Saturday.

This comes a day after Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike on Friday while holding a meeting in the underground headquarters of the group.

ALSO READ: Iran Supreme Leader next? Tehran moves Ayatollah Khamenei to secure spot after IDF says Hezbollah chief killed

Who was Nabil Kaouk?

Nabik Kaouk was the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council. He was the group's military commander in southern Lebanon from 1995 to 2010. He was sanctioned by US Treasury Department in 2020.

The Iran-backed Shia group is yet to acknowledge the death of Kaouk. However, reports said his supporters were seen mourning his death.

Earlier, Nasrallah's daughter Zainab Nasrallah, Hezbollah southern front head Ali Karaki, missile unit commander Muhammad Ali Ismail and his deputy Hossein Ahmed Ismail were also killed in IDF strikes.

Meanwhile, Lebanon Information Minister Ziad Makary said that the government is trying to reach a ceasefire deal with Israel through diplomatic channels.

Hashem Safieddine, who is a cousin of Nasrallah, is seen as a potential successor to his seat. He is a key member of Hezbollah Shura Council, is believed to have close links to Iran and its Supreme Leader.
Two states going to polls are integral to the story of the anti-defection lawHaryana and Maharashtra. While Haryana provides the historical backdrop for the enactment of the law, the large-scale defections and change of regime in Maharashtra that took place more recently is the peg on which the demand for an amendment in the law rests.

The Haryana politician Gaya Lal is legendary. His astounding political somersaults after the first assembly elections in the state in 1967 earned him notoriety that has long survived him. The Congress had won the election with a slim majority, getting 48 out of 81 seats, and the government had fallen less than a week after it was formed. Amid the political chaos, Lal, who was an independent legislator and in great demand, changed parties four times in one dayfrom the Congress to the Janata Party, back to the Congress, again to the Janata Party and then once again back to the Congress! Two weeks later, he had joined the rival United Front. In the intervening period, he had also joined the Arya Sabha and the Bharatiya Lok Dal.

At one juncture, when he was back in the Congress after having switched to the Janata Party, a party leader declared his return at a news conference, saying, Gaya Lal is now Aya Lal! Thus was born the phrase Aya Ram, Gaya Ram, which has often been used to describe the tendency of Indian politicians to switch parties frequently. Incidentally, Gaya Lals son Udai Bhan is the current president of the Haryana Congress and will be contesting from Hodal, which was earlier represented by Lal. He maintains his father never betrayed anyone, and that he was given a raw deal by the parties.

The year 1967 is regarded as a time when political instability hit several states and the era of defections and horse-trading began. Coalition governments were formed and as many as 32 governments collapsed one after the other because of legislators changing their allegiances. That same year, the first structured discussion on the need for a law to curb defections began, with P. Venkatasubbaiah, a Lok Sabha MP belonging to the Congress, moving a resolution seeking the appointment of a committee to recommend ways to deal with the problem of defections.

Congress misleaders: Candidates in Goa take an anti-defection oath in Rahul Gandhis presence ahead of the 2022 assembly elections. Later in the year, eight of the 11 Congress MLAs joined the BJP | Vishnu V. Nair

After some unsuccessful attempts to enact a legislation, in early 1985, emboldened by its colossal majority in the Lok Sabha, the Rajiv Gandhi government succeeded in passing in Parliament the Constitution (52nd Amendment) Bill, or the anti-defection legislation. With the enactment of the law, the Tenth Schedule was inserted into the Constitution that contained provisions regarding disqualification of an MP or an MLA on grounds of defection. Political opponents had derisively called the legislation a save-the-Congress endeavour as the ruling party had suffered from desertions on multiple occasions since 1967.

The Congress now wants it to be amended. In fact, in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections this year, it wanted an MLA or an MP leaving the party he or she got elected from to be a ground for automatic disqualification. In recent years, the Congress has lost governments in many states because of its legislators crossing over to the rival camp en masse.

It was indeed ironic that the Congresss legal eagle Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who has been a lawyer in almost all the court cases that have to do with defections, should become a victim of defections himself. In early 2024, Singhvi was the party candidate to the Rajya Sabha from Himachal Pradesh, a state the Congress rules and where the numbers were heavily tilted in his favour. However, some Congress MLAs switched allegiance right before the election, and Singhvi, after three consecutive terms in the upper house, found himself out of it.

A shocked Singhvi had then said, They have taught us a lot because they supped with us till 11pm last night and three of them had breakfast with us. He was subsequently elected to the Rajya Sabha from Congress-ruled Telangana.

Statistics reveal that more defections have taken place after the anti-defection law was enacted. It is widely accepted that the law has allowed wholesale defections, and thus toppling of governments.

The developments in Maharashtra since 2022 become important here. While they have a huge bearing on the political dynamics in the state and will have an impact on how the state votes in the coming assembly elections, they also bring into sharp focus the problems in the implementation of the law. From the exception provided to two-thirds of the legislators crossing the floor to the role of the speaker to questions about the decision taken by the Election Commission in granting symbols and party names to the Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar factions, the big defection rush in Maharashtra gave rise to several pertinent questions about the law.

THE WEEK takes an in-depth look at the working of the anti-defection law four decades after it came into being.
German, Chinese rail transit firms express enthusiasm for collaboration

Xinhua) 13:21, September 29, 2024

BERLIN, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and German rail transit companies have expressed their intention to collaborate at a transport fair here on Friday.

During the 2024 International Trade Fair for Transport Technology, known as InnoTrans, Chinese transportation technology enterprises showcased their low-carbon, intelligent, and digital credentials. They also demonstrated their latest progress in equipment manufacturing, solutions, and international cooperation.

Zhongguancun Science Park Fengtai Park Management Committee from Beijing, which took part in the event for the first time, brought its 13 rail transit enterprises, focusing on the latest scientific and technological achievements in the planning and design, equipment development, operation and maintenance management of rail transit.

The Committee signed strategic cooperation agreements with Steinbeis Transfer Center Smart Electronic Systems for Industry Medical Technology, MM China Link e.K., Automotive BerlinBrandenburg e.V., and other German institutions to foster a new ecology for industrial collaboration.

The Committee also signed agreements with companies from other countries regarding procurement, service, and technical cooperation. Liu Jingquan, Deputy director of the Committee, told Xinhua that he is optimistic about the potential for more foreign rail transit enterprises to cooperate with Chinese enterprises and jointly promote the development of the global rail transit industry.

Chinese and German enterprises also held extensive exchanges at the Sino-German Rail Transit Industry Cooperation Forum, reaching various cooperation intentions and jointly drawing up a blueprint for further collaboration.

CargoBeamer AG, a rail transportation enterprise from Germany, showcased its latest technology with its Chinese counterparts.

"China is a very important market player. We have a good understanding of the quality of Chinese products and the capabilities of Chinese companies, and our technology can help rail transit logistics companies improve transfer rates and reduce transportation costs. We believe that good cooperation with Chinese enterprises can keep China's rail transit logistics transportation speed at the top of the world," Anna Muller, project manager for Strategy and Business Development at CargoBeamer AG, told Xinhua.

Harald Bleimeister, chairman of the board of directors at Automotive BerlinBrandenburg e.V., said the association has been working with Chinese companies for more than four years to build a motor vehicle network. As China is the technology leader in electric vehicles, German companies need to cooperate with Chinese companies if they wish to remain competitive in the international market, he added.

"We hope to have more communication and cooperation with Chinese companies to promote the development of science and technology," he told Xinhua.

"I see the positive attitude of Chinese companies to cooperate. Our technology to cooperate with the Chinese side, it will be a win-win situation," said Benjamin Schreiber, head of the China Department of the Steinbeis Transfer Center Smart Electronic Systems for Industry Medical Technology.

China's universities and research institutes are rich in transportation talent. Further communication and trade between China and Germany will bring more development opportunities for both sides, Schreiber added.

More than 2,900 exhibitors from 59 countries and regions attended the event, which ended on Friday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday said great times call for heroes and foster heroes.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a ceremony conferring the country's highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

A galaxy of heroes emerging generation after generation will ensure the lasting prosperity of the Party and the people's cause, Xi said. 
Interview / P. Chidambaram, former Union minister

P. CHIDAMBARAM WAS A first-time MP when the anti-defection law was passed in Parliament in 1985. He walked up to A.K. Sen, the law minister, and suggested that he should carefully consider the provisions being made in the Tenth Schedule. Sens reply, said Chidambaram, was that it could be amended later.

Forty years later, the Congress in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections promised to amend the law. Chidambaram, the chief architect of the manifesto and one of the brightest legal minds in India, insists that an amendment should make defection a ground for automatic disqualification and ban the member from contesting an election during the term of the house. Excerpts from an interview:

Q/ A Congress government enacted the anti-defection law in 1985. Before the Lok Sabha elections this year, the Congress, in its manifesto, said the law must be amended. Why do you feel the law needs to be amended?

A/ I remember the year in which the Tenth Schedule was passed in Parliament. A.K. Sen, who was the law minister, had moved the bill. I was a first-term member of Parliament, and I walked up to him and said, Sir, I think you should carefully consider the provisions you are making in the Tenth Schedule. He said, Lets pass it, and then we can always amend it.

The original Tenth Schedule had a provision for split and merger. The provision for split was omitted by an amendment, but the provision for merger remains. And that has been open to abuse. The provision for merger encourages one or more members who are elected on a party ticket to defect from the party and then put forward various arguments. The provision for merger, on many occasions, effectively becomes a split in the legislature party. The matter then goes to the speaker, who sits on the complaint for months, in some cases, years. He hands down a decision towards the end of the term of the member, and in many cases, after the term of the member is over.

It has spawned litigation in every high court. Some high courts have taken the view that is plainly wrong in view of the subsequent judgment of the Supreme Court. They have taken the view that even if there is no split in the parent political party, there can be a split in the legislature party, and one section or one faction can claim to be either an independent party or merge with another party. That is why we put it in the manifesto; all this is completely open to abuse.

Q/ What is the solution?

A/ The simple provision should be that if you defect, which is if you join another party, if you resign from your party, if you vote against your partys whip, the party being the party on whose ticket you were elected, instantaneously you are disqualified, and you cannot contest an election for the remainder of that term. It is written in the manifesto that we promise to amend the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and make defection a ground for automatic disqualification of the membership in the assembly or Parliament. In one section, the entire law of defection can be reformed and it can become an effective deterrent to defection.

Q/ How are you going to go about it? You are not in power.

A/ The party in power believes in Operation Lotus. The party in power encourages defections; it encourages splits in parties. Therefore, this party in power will never agree to our amendment. The manifesto promises if we come to power, we will pass this law. And I have no doubt that if the Congress had formed the government, either on its own or in alliance, we could have persuaded the council of ministers or the cabinet to pass such a law. This is a very simple, elegant solution to defection. The Tenth Schedule was added in 1985. Now, this is the 40th year, and yet defection has not been effectively suppressed by the Tenth Schedule. My proposal will effectively suppress any defection.

Q/ Do you feel that there are problems with the law, or is it that the political class has found a way around it?

A/ Problem with the law, number one. Number two, problem with the abuse of the law. Three, problem with the speakers action and inaction. Four, problem with the interpretation of the provisions by various high courts.

Q/ Proposals have been made that speakers role can be looked at and an alternative mechanism can be set up to decide on disqualification petitions.

A/ There is no need for that. In the case of resignation, although the speaker has to satisfy himself on whether the signature of the MLA or the MP is genuine, the resignation must be accepted. Similarly, in the case of defection, all that the complainant has to say and the speaker has to be satisfied with is whether he has resigned from the party, whether he has voted against the partys whip, whether he has joined another party. So these are incontrovertible facts; so there is no great enquiry required. The examination of these three facts can be completed in half an hour.

Q/ You feel that the law in its present form has actually helped wholesale defections.

A/ Obviously. The fact that despite 40 years of the Tenth Schedule, there have been hundreds of defections proves that the law has been ineffective.

Q/ Can any law deal with issues of political morality?

A/ Here, we are not talking about political morality. If you are very unhappy with your party, resign and contest an election. If you resign and contest an election, there is no bar. You cant rely upon the strength of your previous election and defect and betray your party. You can always resign and contest an election. The moment you resign, there will be a vacancy, there will be a by-election, contest it. We are not deciding the morality of that legislator. We are discussing the morality of his keeping the victory that was won on the strength of his earlier party, but acting against the interests of the original party.

Q/ Allegations have been made against the Congress that it, too, has encouraged defections.

A/ I am not discussing whether one partys record is good or another partys record is bad. All I am pointing out is that under the Tenth Schedule, as it stood and as it stands, it has proved to be a complete failure.

Q/ No party has got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha elections. Do you fear that defections could begin again?

A/ I dont think so because the BJP has two allies who bring 28 seats to the alliance, and with some smaller allies, they cross 272. If one of the two allies were to withdraw support, then I think the game of defections may start. But as long as both the allies stand by the BJP, there is no compelling reason why they should encourage defection. But that does not mean that the BJP will not encourage defections. It is in the BJPs DNA to encourage defections.
Interview/ M. Venkaiah Naidu, former vice president of India

M. VENKAIAH NAIDU sits relaxed on an off-white wing chair in the drawing room of his Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad. He is dressed in a white dhoti and a shirt, over which he is wearing a loose-fitting, dark-coloured sweater. It is nippy in the Telangana capital because of incessant rains. There is a line-up of sketches of Naidu from various stages of his life adorning the walls; he proudly says his granddaughter got them made based on old photographs. The drawings encapsulate the 75-year-olds political careerfrom a student leader to the vice president of India.

I dont want to defend the BJP. I am no longer a spokesperson for the BJP. My point is, every political party should go for some soul searching before accusing others.

Naidu told THE WEEK that he always stayed true to his party and that he is aggrieved at the ease and frequency with which legislators now switch sides. He is of the firm view that the anti-defection law needs amendment. A major flaw, he says, is that the law allows large-scale defections.

The veteran leader says the power to decide under the Tenth Schedule must remain with the speaker, but a time frame of three to four months should be fixed.

Excerpts:

Q/ Why do you feel the anti-defection law must be amended?

A/ Politics, once upon a time, used to be based on ideology. There used to be commitment, conviction. But of late, politics has undergone a change. Politicians frequently change parties, with the result that people are losing confidence in the system.

The other day, I said at a public function, jokingly, that like the railway or flight timetable, you have to put a signboard in every town stating which man is in which party on that day.

So the anti-defection law needs to be amended. This is my firm view, having been in politics and in an ideology-based party throughout my life.

Q/ The law was brought in 1985. What are your recollections of that time?

A/ When Rajiv Gandhi brought the legislation, people welcomed it. Up to 1967, politics was stable and had an ideological basis. In 1967, the Congress, the ruling party, lost in majority of the states. And in some states, the governments became unsteady. I remember, in Haryana, there was Gaya Lal who changed parties thrice in one day. The Congress (did it) for its own reasons. Whatever be the motive, we all welcomed it.

Q/ Some say the law was rushed, without enough consultation.

A/ There was some amount of consultation. Some people may feel it was not enough. But law should always be amenable to change depending on the situation.

Q/ What changes do you suggest in the law?

A/ If you are elected on the ticket of a particular party, if you want to change your party, you must resign from your position as MLA or MP. That is the spirit of the anti-defection law.

Now, instead of retail defection, we have wholesale defection. Originally, the law said if one-third members decide to form another party or another group, it was okay. Subsequently, we went to two-thirds. Even that has to be revisited. Two-thirds in the original party or two-thirds in the legislature party? Though, I feel since you got elected on the basis of the symbol and ideology of the party, it should be party.

Q/ In Maharashtra, the Eknath Shinde faction broke away and was recognised as the real Shiv Sena on the basis of the number of MLAs.

A/ The majority of the legislators broke away and claimed they are the original Shiv Sena. They (Shinde faction) got into an alliance with the BJP. Their argument is that elections were fought together by the BJP and the Shiv Sena. They got the majority and the BJP got the majority of the seats within the alliance. But the Shiv Sena wanted to have its chief minister, so they went to the Congress. I think the BJP, to take revenge or teach them a lesson, broke the party and has an alliance (with the Shinde faction).

These are not healthy alliances. Political compulsions are making parties reach such an understanding.

Q/ How do you view the role of the speaker under the Tenth Schedule?

A/ The law gives power to the speaker or the chairman (to decide on complaints made under the Tenth Schedule), and rightly so. After all, it is a matter pertaining to a legislative body. But there should be a time frame. Otherwise, the speaker sits on a particular case for the remainder of the term. Then what is the purpose? Some people say this should be taken away from the speaker and given to the judiciary. In the judiciary also there are cases pending for years. The speaker or the chairman must be mandated to decide within three or four months. And at the end of the day, everything is subject to judicial review.

Q/ Many feel the speaker comes from a political party and cannot be impartial.

A/ I agree that can be an argument. But it is something that happened in the legislature. And he is the presiding officer. But finally a judicial review can always happen. For the judicial review also there must be a time frame.

Q/ The law is allowing large-scale defections because of the two-third norm.

A/ One-third or two-third, individual or group, once you defect you must resign and contest elections. That is the spirit of democracy. But that will have far reaching consequences and there has to be a consensus. Political parties, for their own interest, will not support such a law.

Q/ In recent years, many state governments have fallen because of large-scale defections.

A/ Many more governments have fallen earlier also. I am not confining to this regime or that regime.

Q/ We have seen defections happening in Telangana also, to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and now from the BRS.

A/ The BRS did it. The Congress is now doing the same thing. Earlier in Andhra, the YSRCP did it. Before that, the Telugu Desam Party. In certain states, the BJP has done the same thing.

Q/ Why do we see so many defections happening?

A/ It is because of affection for power. People want power and they want it easily. You must have patience, ability and stability. But people want quick results. When they dont get elected, they dont get power in this party, they switch to another party and enjoy fruits of power.

Q/ What does it tell us about morality in politics?

A/ I joined student politics when I was 16 years old. My uncle took me to a senior Congress leader and told him, My boy wants to join politics. The leader asked me, Which party? I said, I like Vajpayee ji. I like his speeches. So I am inclined towards Jan Sangh. He said, Jan Sangh? Then he told me, Babu, thats an Uttara Bharatiya party, an urban party, a Brahmin Baniya party, and a vegetarian party. I made my choice and I never changed my party. I used to make announcements sitting in a bullock cart about the arrival of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I used to write on walls. I got arrested during the Emergency. I was given ticket for Lok Sabha polls in 1977. I could not succeed, though. In 1978 and in 1983, I became an MLA. Later, I became a four-time MP. Also, state president and then national president. I became rural development minister, urban development minister. Initially, it was an ordeal because there was no scope for winning elections. But at the end of the day, I succeeded in becoming a parliamentarian and then a minister and then, vice president of India, the second highest constitutional post.

I tell people, commitment to an ideology is always a good thing.

Q/ The opposition accuses the BJP of engineering defections.

A/ I dont want to defend the BJP. I am no longer a spokesperson for the BJP. My point is, every political party should go for some soul searching before accusing others. What you have done in the past, let every political party introspect. The Congress is accusing the BJP. The BJP accuses the Congress, saying you are the grandfather of defections. That is not going to solve the problem. The leaders of what was originally the Jan Sangh and the communists used to stick to their ideology. More recently, in Telangana, a CPI(M) leader in the assembly joined the BRS, became a minister. So, it is happening in those parties, too.

Q/ Many say the whip needs to be revisited because it stifles freedom of expression.

A/ When the law was brought in, stalwarts like Madhu Limaye said you cannot restrict the freedom of expression of the individual. Freedom of expression is an important aspect. But once you join a party, it means you are committing to its ideology and you are bound by its rules.

But I am of the view, and even the Supreme Court has opined so, that the whip should be to the extent possible confined to bills that have a bearing on the stability of the government.

Q/ Would you want the present dispensation to take the initiative to amend the anti-defection law?

A/ The ruling party can take the initiative or the opposition can and let the Parliament, in its collective wisdom, decide. The government of the day can bring in a legislation. I always say that in Parliament, let the government propose, let the opposition oppose, let the house dispose. The opposition also can bring in legislation and put it for voting. If the government loses, there is a moral defeat.

Also, parties should promise (in the manifesto) they will bring a legislation to stop defections. They can also promise in their manifestos their legislators will behave in a democratic way in the Parliament. And if they dont fulfil that promise, people should teach them a lesson. There cannot be a remedial law for everything. It is the peoples collective wisdom that will offer a solution.
THE 2022 POLITICAL crisis in Maharashtra saw 34 petitions under the anti-defection law filed by members of either faction seeking disqualification of more than 50 MLAs. Rather anticlimactically, no MLA was disqualified by Speaker Rahul Narwekar, who delivered a similar verdict in the NCP split in 2023.

While solutions abound, the political appetite to see these reforms through is still awaited.

Such occurrences have repeatedly exposed the inability of Indias anti-defection law to curb bulk defections. The law has infamously magnified the problem it was meant to solve, while defecting legislators escape disqualification. How did the law lose the plot so miserably?

The Tenth Schedule is poorly drafted and vulnerable to multiple interpretations. Sample Paragraph 4, which exempts legislators from disqualification if they cross the floor in a group to merge with an existing political party. So, while individual defections get punished, bulk defections can pass muster!

Paragraph 4 has two sub-paragraphs, which may be read either conjunctively or disjunctively. In a conjunctive reading, a merger is valid only when a political party merges with another political party and at least two-thirds of the members of the legislature party agree to this merger. In a disjunctive reading, a valid merger needs only two-thirds of the legislature party to agree to merge with another legislature party. Called a deemed merger, this does not require the coming together of the original political parties.

How these two sub-paragraphs are read has a bearing on the laws performance. A disjunctive reading eases mergers, especially in smaller legislative assemblies such as Goas. In 2019, 10 MLAs of a 15-member Congress legislature party in Goa merged with the BJP. Disqualification petitions filed against them were dismissed by the speaker, and subsequently by the Bombay High Court (Goa Bench), both opting for a disjunctive reading and validating the merger of the legislature parties.

Simultaneously, conjunctive readings also exist. In the late 1990s, in petitions filed against Haryana MLAs Charan Dass Shorewala and Vinod Kumar Mariya for defecting from the Samata Party, speaker Chattar Singh Chauhan held that Paragraph 4 ...does not speak of split or merger in the Legislature Party but... in the original political party, signalling a conjunctive reading.

Until 2003, the Tenth Schedule also exempted splits in political partiesa faction needed to first demonstrate a split in their original party, and then, one-third members of the legislature party had to agree to the split. In 2007, the Supreme Court held the two steps absolutely necessary for a valid split and overruled the argument that a split in the original party need not be separately established if one in the legislature party is shown. A similar conclusive observation for a valid merger remains elusive.

Meanwhile, disjunctive readings continue. For example, in 2021, petitions against 12 Congress MLAs in Meghalaya for joining the Trinamool Congress did not result in disqualification because they were two-thirds of the 17-member Congress legislature party.

Therefore, the merger exemption needs either conclusive interpretation or complete removal.

Also, speakers must be replaced by an impartial authority to decide disqualification petitions.

However, while solutions abound, the political appetite to see these reforms through is still awaited.

Sharma is a senior resident fellow at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy and leads Charkha, Vidhis dedicated constitutional law team.
UNFORTUNATELY, TALKING ABOUT the Tenth Schedule and defections forces me to use the Shakespearean adage, the law is an ass. We, the operators of the Tenth Schedule, and that means all stakeholders and not just politicians, have actually made it an ass. If I tell you the kind of jugaads we have adopted on the subject of defections, you will actually start laughing. And it would be really comic, were it not tragic.

If Gaya Lal was alive today, he would go and jump off a cliff for not having thought of any of these things!

Let me give you a few examples that may shock you. They may amuse you, but, above all, they will tell you all about our great genius to render non-functional something created with the highest ideals, distort something intended to be noble and high.

First is a fundamental question about the speakers post. We have adopted these things from Britain. In the old days, speakers were elected unopposed and had credibility by virtue of being genuinely unaffiliated. That is the first reform we need. The rhetorical sermonising from the pulpit, that when I sit on the speakers chair I leave behind all of my affiliations and I am not political, that is just not true. The speaker cannot at all sever his umbilical cord. He is a partisan person of a political party. Speakers of the assembly and the Parliament must be elected unopposed and given full authority to be independent.

The fulcrum of the Tenth Schedule is the speakerthe persona designata. The only one who can decide on complaints under the Tenth Schedule. The chosen arbiter. The persona designata has to be brutally and genuinely independent.

Secondly, now, the inbuilt delay [in deciding defection complaints] arises from the politics of it. If I am party A, and you defect from my party and join party B, a speaker of party A will immediately take up the complaint and take a decision. But, if the speaker belongs to B, there are any number of cases where the speaker will indefinitely and interminably prolong the complaint for months, or even years. I have handled cases in Tamil Nadu where the speaker did not decide for years. I go to the High Court, which says we cannot give a direction to the speaker. We go to the Supreme Court, which says, yes, we can give a direction to the speaker, let the speaker decide within so and so time. Then the speaker seeks extensions and finally decides three months before the end of the tenure of the assembly!

In Manipur, in his usual style, Justice [Rohinton Fali] Nariman met the issue head on and prescribed a period of three months. Unfortunately, that is completely observed in the breach because it is not statutory.

Eknath Shinde | Amey Mansabdar

Thirdly, it is a misconception that there is a two-thirds split concept in the Tenth Schedule. There is no such thing that you go with two-thirds number and you are immune from the law. You become immune only if two-thirds go with you, and I repeat, and merge with another political party. The second part is forgotten by everyone.

You become immune only if two-thirds go with you and merge with another political party. Eknath Shinde (in pic) and team are clearly defectors because there is no merger with any party.

Take, for example, the Maharashtra case. [Eknath] Shinde and team are clearly defectors because there is no merger with any party. But that part of the explicit text of the Tenth Schedule is ignored.

Fourthly, the time you take in deciding whether you have voluntarily given up your seat is mostly a waste of time because now there are enough judgments which say that myriad situations of a diverse character will constitute giving up your seat. I do not have to say I join you, or I defect to you. If I am seen with you, accompanying you in the bus to the governor, and standing with the governor with the list of people, that is also defection. If I write to you, if I support you, if I vote against you, or I abstain from voting, these are each taken up as a de novo paradigm every time the case comes up and speakers spend days and months on it, to delay matters, even though earlier judgments have definitively decided that these are all defections.

Fifth is the period of notice. Normally, assemblies have a provision providing for either 14 days or seven days. This is done for good, positive reasons of natural justice. But it can be easily misused. Take, for example, a case where a budget session is going on and I am a defector. I leave your party and directly vote in the budget session the following day. As you know, on a vote on a money bill, the government can fall. Now, I have defected, the government has fallen, but I will then seek seven days notice. I will continue to enjoy the fruits of my defection. I will continue to be an MLA. But in the recent case in Himachal Pradesh, the speaker, rightlyby the way, in Himachal Pradesh, I was a victim [of defections]said I am giving you one days notice. What is the need for a notice? In the Rajya Sabha election, you have to show your vote. You have voted contrary to the party whip and that means you are defecting. So he gave them one days notice and disqualified them. Otherwise, the government would have fallen as the budget session was on.

Sixth is probably the most absurd, which is now fortunately pending for consideration before a larger bench of the Supreme Court. A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, in the Nabam Rebia judgment said that if I defect, but at the time of defection or before defection, I level a genuine allegation about the speakerlack of faith, bias, etcthen the speaker is disabled from deciding on the complaint against defection as long as a notice seeking his removal is pending. Now, this paragraph is, first of all, wrong and loosely worded. Second, look at the bizarre ways in which this is being misused. This happened in Maharashtra. All the defectors sat together and decided they are defecting. They know they will be disqualified immediately by the speaker because they are going away to other cities, sitting with the other side, openly cohabiting with the BJP. So before leaving Mumbai, they make a complaint against the speaker. When the speaker takes up the disqualification petition, there is an objection to it. He cannot decide on it.

Unfortunately, with great respect to the Supreme Court, an erroneous order was made disabling the speaker from deciding, allowing the defectors to enjoy the fruits of defection. It is like saying that I disable the judge by making an allegation and I will go and commit a criminal act.

Seventh is another stratagem, another jugaad adopted in India, which the framers of the Tenth Schedule or Gaya Lal never even dreamt of. You will find this new stratagem in the Maharashtra cases, and I have done all these cases. Say I am defecting tomorrow, and today I file a complaint in the Election Commission saying I am the real party, please give me the symbol and decide on my petition. And then, I defect. Consequences follow as per the Tenth Schedule. But before the speaker decides, and he could be delaying, because of either a friendly Central government or a friendly EC, I get my EC complaint decided first. The EC decides I am the real party, the symbol is mine, and that is then used to say there is no defection.

Now, the Supreme Court in the Sunil Prabhu case (petition filed by the Uddhav Thackeray faction) has rightly debunked this. The Supreme Court has specifically said the EC and the Tenth Schedule operate in different spheres. It is ridiculous to say that the EC, operating under a non-statutory symbols order (Election Symbols Order, 1968) with the speaker operating under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, will be able to render the speakers decision infructuous.

Eighth, an important point is the retrospective aspect of defection which is frequently forgotten. I defect today, you are the speaker, you delay, or you do not delay, I delay the decision-making by filing applications, and you take one year to decide. In that one year, the government falls, the defectors form the government. But when the decision comes a year later, it is found that you have defected. Now, the law is clear. One year later, when the decision of the speaker comes, it relates back, because the act of defection happened one year earlier. That decision applies from the inception, which means on the day the new government was formed, it was formed by the vote of defectors. What this means is that those votes have to be excluded and the government has to go, which is exactly what happened in the Sunil Prabhu case.

Ninth, and this is the amazing partthe Supreme Court said, yes, there is defection in the aforesaid Sunil Prabhu case and the judgment on defection must relate back, and so, it must be deemed that the voting in the floor test was invalid because it had the votes of defectors. But then, the Supreme Court, with great respect to them, nullified that conclusion by further finding that you are not liable for a change of government because Uddhav Thackeray did not take the floor test. That is irrelevant. You have to only exclude the votes of the defectors. If I decide not to take part in the voting on the floor, how does that change the illegality of defection?

Tenth, take another example. Suppose the BJP is in power and a Congressman defects to the BJP. That Congressman is not disqualified because the speaker is considering the petition for six months. He is made a minister as a reward for defection. He does not have to be re-elected for six months. This encourages defection. You have to prohibit such ploys by saying you cannot be a minister without an election in such cases.

I have given you many examples. Do you not think this kind of jugaad, distortion, manipulation, deceit and lack of bona fides make the law an ass? Then, eleventh, my final point, does it not make it necessary to scrap the Tenth Schedule and have a simple rule that the moment I cross over, irrespective of one-thirds or two-thirds, irrespective of party A or party B, I just have to fight another election.

Also, twelfth, let us have an independent constitutional commission to decide on defections, or change the way the speaker is appointed.

Otherwise, it is a sham. It makes a mockery of our system. And there are much higher consequences, because one man, one vote, free and fair elections and level playing field for elections are all part of the basic structure of the Constitution. One man, one vote becoming two defections, one vote... you are actually affecting the basic structure. You are affecting democracy itself. So it is time to completely overhaul the system.

Singhvi is a four-term sitting MP and one of the countrys leading lawyers. He is former chair of three parliamentary standing committeescommerce, law and home; member of the Congress working committee; former additional solicitor general of India; senior national spokesperson of Congress; chair, Congress department on law, human rights and RTI; author and well-known media face.

As told to Soni Mishra
Safety investigators are making urgent recommendations to Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration after determining pedals that pilots use to steer 737 Max jetliners on runways can become jammed because moisture can leak into a rudder assembly and freeze.

The National Transportation Safety Board issued the recommendations Thursday following its investigation of an incident earlier this year involving a United Airlines plane.

The FAA said United is the only U.S. airline affected by the recommendations, and it believes the parts susceptible to jamming are no longer in use.

Collins Aerospace, a Boeing supplier, determined that a sealed bearing was incorrectly assembled on actuators for rudders that pilots adjust to stay in the center of the runway after landing.

Collins told Boeing that the faulty work affected at least 353 actuators that were installed on some Max jets and older 737s, according to the NTSB.

The NTSB recommended that Boeing change flight manuals to remove advice that pilots use maximum pedal force to overpower a jammed rudder. The NTSB said that could create sudden rudder movement that might cause the plane to go off the runway.

The NTSB recommended that the FAA determine if actuators with incorrectly assembled bearings should be removed until replacements are available.

On Feb. 6, the rudder pedals on a United Airlines Boeing Max 8 became stuck as the plane rolled down the runway after landing at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

The captain resorted to steering by using the tiller, a handle in the cockpit that turns the wheel under the planes nose. The plane veered on to a high-speed turnoff, but no injuries were reported among the 155 passengers and six crew members.

(AP)
Hassan Nasrallah, the longtime murderous radical Islamist leader of the Iran-backed, Lebanon-based Hezbollah terrorist organization, is dead, the IDF confirmed on Motzei Shabbos.

Nasrallah was killed along with other senior Hezbollah officials.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi HaLevi said: Nasrallah indiscriminately murdered Israeli civilians and intended to end this war with the destruction of the State of Israel. We made sure that did not occur. We eliminated him and we will continue to grow stronger.

Hezbollah has murdered innocent people worldwide, hiding weapons under the homes of families, women and children and turning them into human shields. As we have shown, we will not allow such a threat to our citizens. We are determined to continue destroying Hezbollah and keep fighting.

On Friday, Israeli Air Force jets rained over 80 tons of bunker-buster bombs on a massive, high-rise civilian building complex in southern Beirut that housed Hezbollahs primary headquarters deep underground.

The resultant explosions leveled at least six large buildings and left a gaping crater at the site, with almost no chance of survival for anyone inside  or below.

Irans state-sponsored media and Hezbollah sources at first claimed that Nasrallah is safe, but have since retracted the claim  eerily reminiscent of when they did the same when the IDF assassinated top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, and following the helicopter crash that killed former Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi.

Nasrallahs death is the heaviest blow against terrorists since the war began on October 7. Since September 17  the day that Hezbollah pagers mysteriously began exploding, wounding and maiming thousands of terrorists  Israel has effectively wiped out the entire leadership of the terrorist organization.

On September 18th, Hezbollah walkie-talkies exploded, and on September 22nd, the IDF launched a blist.ring succession of bombings and targeted airstrikes across southern Lebanon that have decimated the terrorist force.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Former President Donald Trump meandered Saturday through a list of grievances against Vice President Kamala Harris and other issues during an event intended to link his Democratic opponent to illegal border crossings.

A day after Harris discussed immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, Trump spoke to a crowd in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, about immigration. He blamed Harris for migrants committing crimes after entering the U.S. illegally, alleging she was responsible for erasing our border.

I will liberate Wisconsin from the mass migrant invasion, he said. Were going to liberate the country.

Trump hopes frustration over illegal immigration will translate to votes in Wisconsin and other crucial swing states. The Republican nominee has denounced people who cross the U.S.-Mexico border as poisoning the blood of the country and vowed to stage the largest deportation operation in American history if elected. And polls show Americans believe Trump would do a better job than Harris on handling immigration.

Trump shifted from topic to topic so quickly that it was hard to keep track of what he meant at times. He talked about the two assassination attempts against him and blamed the U.S. Secret Service for not being able to hold a large outdoor rally instead of an event in a smaller indoor space. But he also offered asides about climate change, Harris father, how his beach body was better than President Joe Bidens, and a fly that was buzzing near him.

I wonder where the fly came from, he said. Two years ago, I wouldnt have had a fly up here. Youre changing rapidly. But we cant take it any longer. We cant take it any longer.

Trump repeatedly brought up Harris Friday event in Douglas, Arizona, where she announced a push to further restrict asylum claims beyond Bidens executive order announced earlier this year. Harris denounced Trumps handling of the border while president and his opposing a bipartisan border package earlier this year, saying Trump prefers to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem.

I had to sit there and listen to Harris last night Trump said, eliciting cheers. And who puts it on? Fox News. They should not be allowed to put it on. Its all lies. Everything she says is lies.

The Republican nominee also intensified his personal attacks against Harris, insulting her as mentally impaired and a disaster.

Trump professed not to understand what Harris meant when she said he was responsible for taking children from their parents. Under his administration, border agents separated children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border in a policy that was condemned globally as inhumane and one that Trump himself ended under pressure from his own party.

On either side of the stage with Trump were poster-sized mug shots of men in the U.S. illegally accused of a crime, including Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, a case Trump cited in his speech.

Wisconsin Republicans in recent days have cited the story of Coronel Zarates arrest in Prairie du Chien as more evidence that people in the country illegally are committing crimes across the United States, not just in southern border states. Prosecutors charged Coronel Zarate on Sept. 18 with sexual assault, child abuse, strangulation and domestic abuse. His lawyers declined to comment.

Police Chief Kyle Teynor posted statements on Facebook saying that Coronel Zarate is not a U.S. citizen and that he had two fake immigration documents, including a fake Social Security card. The chief added that Coronel Zarates tattoos indicate hes affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, which started in Venezuelan prisons and is posing a growing threat in the U.S.

Speaking to the crowd Saturday, Teynor stressed to the crowd that Coronel Zarate is the only Venezuelan gang member his agency has encountered, but the violence his two alleged victims suffered at his hands earlier this month was very real.

Republicans including U.S. Sen. Derrick Van Orden, who is from Prairie du Chien, have criticized authorities in both Minneapolis and Madison for letting Coronel Zarate go, saying they essentially allowed him to attack the woman in Prairie du Chien. They have accused both jurisdictions of being sanctuaries for people in the country illegally.

Van Orden told the crowd Trump was the only one who could restore order.

Youre going to see the one man who has enough strength and courage of conviction to stand up to anyone up to and including being shot in the head for us, he said.

(AP)
Congress is off for the campaign season, as lawmakers from one of the most chaotic and unproductive legislative sessions in modern times try to persuade voters to keep them on the job.

The House Republicans led the tumult  painstakingly electing their speaker in a bitter public feud then swiftly booting him from office, something never before seen. But the deeply divided Senate was not immune from the inaction, lumbering through a modest agenda.

Taken together, the lack of big-ticket accomplishments is underscoring a volatile November election season with control of Congress a toss-up.

The good thing is Congress didnt allow much to go through law, said Rep. Ryan Zinke, a former Trump administration Cabinet secretary who is now running for re-election to his House seat in Montana. But what it didnt do, either, is it didnt reach its potential.

House Republicans blocked not only the Biden-Harris priorities of the Democrats, he said, but in many ways, we blocked our own agenda.

The situation the lawmakers find themselves in, particularly the House Republicans trying to preserve their slim majority control, is not academic. The House Republicans now have to face the voters who sent them to Washington on their Commitment to America two years ago having come up well short.

New House Speaker Mike Johnson remains upbeat that Republicans will not only stay in control but win more seats to bolster their ranks, but its been an uphill slog for him during a tight election year.

Its almost impossible, said Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, adding he would have little patience for hearing out the idiots he said Johnson has to contend with in leading a slim four-seat majority.

You had a group grow up in the House Republican Party who think that voting no and getting nothing done is a victory, Gingrich said Friday at the Capitol. Youve got to find a way to break up this idea that being a nihilist and getting nothing done is a success. Its not.

Congress has passed fewer substantive bills than is normal, putting this two-year session on track to be among the least productive sessions ever. The representatives and senators returned to Washington for a brief three-week September work period and essentially punted one of their most important tasks, funding the federal government, for a few more months, to December.

While Congress succeeded in avoiding a federal shutdown  which Johnson said would have been malpractice so close to the November election  it left town mid-week, several days earlier than scheduled, as a hurricane bore down on the Southern Gulf states. It wont return until mid-November.

Can anyone in America name a single thing that House Republicans have done on their own to make life better for the American people? asked Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is in line to become House speaker if his party wins majority control. The answer is no.

Many lawmakers bristled at being lumped together with what transpired in their House GOP majority. There was the weeklong fight in January 2023 to elect Kevin McCarthy as House speaker. And the nearly month-long spectacle when a small number of far-right Republicans booted him from the speakers office. And failed bills that never got off the House floor.

Those seeking re-election in some of the most hard-fought House districts offered a preview of the conversations they will have with voters.

Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., said he would emphasize his work on constituent services and his voting record.

I dont know if youre going to judge an individual member on how the body does collectively, said Bean, a freshman. I dont think thats a fair comparison. That is apples to apricots.

Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., said the House has been a firewall against spending.

What weve been able to stop is very significant, he said.

We havent necessarily gotten everything passed, he added. But what we have done is set a template for what needs to be done to fix these problems, whether its the border, the economy, national security, investing in our military, cutting taxes, reducing spending.

Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who is in a competitive race in New York, pointed to work he has done to secure needed infrastructure money for his district as well as his own various bills. One that passed the House and Senate this past week directs the U.S. Secret Service to protect Donald Trump and other major party presidential nominees by the same standards it does the president.

So I have a record to run on that Im certainly proud of, he said.

Besides, Lawler asked, what about the Senate?

I mean theres always a focus on the House, he said. But if anybody looked down the hallway, Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats have done what? What exactly are they running on?

The Senate, historically a slower-moving body designed that way by the founders, plodded along at an even more leisurely pace this year, staying away from Washington many Mondays and almost all Fridays.

Narrowly led by Democrats under Majority Leader Schumer, the Senate has succeeded in confirming a number of Bidens judicial nominees, particularly women and people of color, to create a judiciary more representative of the nation. But senators have not been able to land many other big priorities.

In fact, one of the most talked about pieces of legislation in the campaign  the Senates bipartisan effort to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and update some immigration laws  collapsed when Trump declined to support it.

This has been a very, very unproductive Congress, said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, mentioning the appropriations bills and a farm bill reauthorization that are stalled. Theres plenty of blame to go around.

Oddly, as the Capitol emptied out, it briefly refilled Friday for the 30th anniversary of another Republican milestone  the 1994 Contract with America, the campaign promises that brought Gingrich and his party to power after four decades in the minority.

Two years ago, McCarthy, who was in line to become speaker, gathered House Republicans at a manufacturing plant along the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania to unveil their own Commitment to America agenda that gave a nod to the Gingrich era. Rising stars of the GOP, including firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, were in the front row.

McCarthy, Johnson and many others from todays House GOP were not around for Fridays ceremony, with its reception in the Capitol basement.

Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, who was among the eight Republicans who led the vote to oust McCarthy last year, said this was the House GOP majoritys biggest accomplishment: Not wrecking the country any further. We dont need any more laws.

(AP)
An Israeli Navy Saar 4.5-class missile ship successfully intercepted a drone heading toward Israel from Iraq, the IDF spokesperson announced on Sunday morning.

The drone was launched early Sunday morning toward Eilat and was downed just outside Israels borders. Sirens sounded in Eilat at about 5:30 a.m.

Watch the interception:

Several hours later, Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets at Tiveria. The IDF said that eight rockets crossed into Israel and fell in open areas. BChasdei Hashem, no one was injured.

Interceptions over Tiveria:

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Less than a day after the IDF officially confirmed that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an attack in the Dahieh neighborhood of Beirut on Friday, details from the dramatic operation continue to emerge.

According to a report in the French Le Parisien media outlet, it was an Iranian spy who passed the golden tip to Israel about Nasrallahs location, confirming he was in a bunker under the Hezbollah headquarters in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

For the Israeli Air Force to execute the deathly attack that destroyed six buildings above the bunker compound, Israel needed precise information about Nasrallahs location and the timing of the strike.

Ynet reported that the intelligence conveyed to the Israeli Force revealed the exact depth and precise location of Nasrallahs bunker, where he and other senior commanders had gathered to discuss their war strategy against Israel.

The intelligence enabled the pilots to calculate the exact angles the explosives should hit and the altitude from which they should be dropped to reach the precise location of the bunker.

The Al Arabiya network published a simulated reenactment of the elimination:

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
CAIRO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Friday evening launched airstrikes on Hezbollah's main headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs, resulting in the death of Hezbollah's leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and several other Hezbollah commanders.

The event, which grabbed international headlines, was followed by Israel's largest military operation in Lebanon since 2006, with bombings in Dahieh and regions in southern and eastern Lebanon, leading to more casualties.

Analysts believe that Nasrallah's death could create a power vacuum within Hezbollah, destabilizing Lebanon and adding uncertainty to the broader regional conflict, while altering strategic dynamics in the Middle East.

BROAD CONDEMNATION

According to the Israeli military, Friday's airstrikes killed Nasrallah, alongside other Hezbollah commanders, which was later confirmed by Hezbollah.

Lebanon's MTV TV channel reported that the raids had killed at least six people, injured 91 others, flattened several residential buildings, and caused huge infrastructure damage to the neighborhood.

Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad said on Saturday that Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon over the past 24 hours had claimed 11 lives and injured 108.

Shortly after Hezbollah's confirmation of Nasrallah's death, Hamas condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Dahieh as "a cowardly terrorist act, a massacre and a heinous crime" that proves once again Israel's "bloodiness and brutality."

They held Israel fully responsible for destabilizing the region and condemned U.S. support for Israel.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel's "brutal" and "inhumane" attacks, and called for the Islamic world to take "a more decisive stance" against these attacks.

Iran, Iraq, Tunisia, Syria, Jordan and Egypt also condemned Israel's "terrorist" attacks on Dahieh and "brutal aggression" against Lebanon. A few Mideast countries announced days of mourning.

Also on Saturday, Yemen's Houthi group described Nasrallah's passing as a "huge loss," and "a curse that haunts Israel until it is uprooted."

Internationally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalating situation in Beirut and urged relevant parties to "re-commit to the full implementation" of Resolution 1701 and "immediately return to a cessation of hostilities." France also condemned the strikes and urged an immediate cessation of Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

ENSUING DEVELOPMENTS

Hours after the killing of Nasrallah, Israel launched fresh attacks on Dahieh early Saturday, targeting Hezbollah weapons stored under civilian buildings.

Senior Hezbollah officials, including Mohammad Ali Ismail, commander of Hezbollah's missile unit, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail, were reportedly killed in the strikes.

Israeli warplanes also carried out a series of airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese military sources.

Saturday marked the sixth consecutive day of Israel's most extensive military action in Lebanon since 2006, which the Lebanese Health Ministry said has claimed at least 700 lives. UN humanitarians said the Israeli airstrikes have forced more than 90,000 people to flee their homes in Lebanon.

This marks the latest escalation of the ongoing clashes that began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah started launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel's retaliatory artillery fire and airstrikes in southeastern Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, 1,640 people in Lebanon, including 104 children and 194 women, have been killed and 8,408 more injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since October last year.

Following Nasrallah's death, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday a ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people in central Israel.

The IDF also said that it successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched from Yemen toward Israel.

Meanwhile, Iran's flag carrier Iran Air cancelled all its flights to Beirut until further notice.

INTO THE UNKNOWN

Many experts believe that Nasrallah's death has dragged the Middle East into a new phase of uncertainty.

Eyal Zisser, vice rector at Tel Aviv University, told Xinhua that Nasrallah's death has not only reshaped the power structure within Lebanon but also impacted the strategic calculations across the region.

"In the immediate aftermath, Hezbollah faces a severe setback. Losing its entire top echelon in quick succession is not just a tactical loss but a profound organizational shock that could take considerable time to recover from," Zisser said.

"Iran's reliance on proxies is also compromised, given that its network has been significantly impacted by these recent Israeli actions," he said, adding that without the support from Hezbollah, "Hamas might find itself under increased pressure to adapt more flexible approaches in its engagements with Israel."

Harel Chorev, a Palestinian affairs expert from Tel Aviv University, told Xinhua that the killing of Nasrallah and other figures further complicated "an already tumultuous situation" and shifted "the balance of power in the Middle East."

"It represents a symbolic defeat and a strategic vacuum that Hezbollah will struggle to fill," Chorev said, adding that "the apparent ease with which Israel has been able to neutralize key figures within militant groups sends a stark warning" to other militant leaders and organizations in the region.

"The underlying tone from Israeli officials suggests a readiness to exploit these vulnerabilities aggressively to ensure regional dominance," Chorev said.

"The assassination is likely to embolden (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, who now sees the opportunity to impose a new paradigm. It is unlikely that Israel will stop the bombing of Lebanon. It is also unlikely that Hezbollah is totally destroyed," Dania Koleilat Khatib, a specialist on U.S.-Arab relations, wrote on the website of Arab News.

"Unless there is someone to steer events, an unbridled Netanyahu will drive the region into more chaos," she wrote.

Through these strikes, Israel conveyed a clear message that it will no longer accept the tit-for-tat attacks on its northern border, but it may not necessarily get its desired impact, Mireille Rebeiz, a Lebanon expert at U.S.-based Dickinson College, told The Conversation on Saturday.

"The fresh wave of violence may only reinforce Hezbollah's resolve. Furthermore, it might see more involvement of other Hezbollah-aligned players in the region," she said.

Youssef Diab, a political analyst from the Lebanese University, regarded the death of Nasrallah as "a turning point" in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, as it will result in a void at Hezbollah's leadership level.

The assassination will also have a significant influence on the conflict between Israel and Iran, a primary backer of Hezbollah, he told Xinhua.

"All eyes are directed to Iran and what it will say after this big event," he said.

Mehran Kamrava, professor of government at Georgetown University's campus in Qatar, told Reuters Saturday that Iran would not react forcefully to recent events out of its doctrine of "strategic patience."

"And I think that doctrine will continue," Kamrava said. "They are reluctant to engage Israel in any direct way." 
American bochurim have been receiving texts informing them that they are eligible for a new $500 voucher towards a flight to Eretz Yisroel  if they go there to learn by fourth-year Sukkos or earlier. YWN has confirmed that the texts being received are authentic and legitimate.

The voucher, which is part of the broader initiative by roshei yeshiva to close the shidduch age gap, is available for both direct and stopover flights, and all tickets must be booked through H&M Travel Services. Bochurim can contact the agency at 212-434-0203 ext. 209 or ext. 225, or by emailing [email protected].

To qualify for the voucher, a member of the yeshivas Hanhala or office must reach out to H&M Travel Services to confirm that the bochur is enrolled in the yeshivas bais medrash program.

The $500 voucher will be distributed as long as funds remain available. Those planning to head to Eretz Yisroel are encouraged to secure their flights early to ensure they receive the funding.

The roshei yeshivos leading this initiative  including Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, Rav Elya Chaim Swerdloff, Rav Shlomo Feivel Schustal, Rav Mendel Slomovitz, and Rav Mottel Dick, under the guidance of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch  have previously stated that in addition to sending bochurim to Eretz Yisroel at an earlier age, they will also be asking of girls to delay entering shidduchim to assist in closing the age gap, as well as telling bochurim not to date girls breaking the new takana and entering the shidduch market earlier.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
On Sunday afternoon, Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, released photos showing him observing the Israeli airstrikes in Yemen. Notably, the images also reveal Hezbollah and Hamas leadership displayed on a wall nearby.

On the left side of the display, Hezbollahs entire command structure is visible, with the majority of individuals marked with a Red X, signifying their elimination. Only three members remain unmarked. On the right side, showing Hamas leadership, the photo of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar bears a Question Mark, indicating uncertainty about his status.

this leaves many to wonder if the IDF appears to be unsure whether Sinwar is alive or dead.

Last week, YWN reported that the military was investigating the possibility that Sinwar had been killed in a recent IDF airstrike.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Everyone in the City is concerned about the way in which the London stock market is losing its lustre.

This is not just a concern for a few wealthy individuals in the Square Mile. The health of our domestic stock markets affects our pensions and ISAs as well as being a vital source of capital to companies, large and small.

UK pension funds are part of the problem. They are the stewards of around 2trillion of assets held on our behalf, which could be deployed for the benefit of wider society, not just pension scheme members.

But they invest only a tiny proportion of this in UK shares. This raises the question of whether they should be encouraged to do more, and if so, how?

Twenty-five years ago, pension funds allocated more than half their assets to UK equities, according to a report last month by research group New Financial.

Changed days: Twenty-five years ago, pension funds allocated more than half their assets to UK equities

That has fallen to just 4.4 per cent, well below the levels in most other developed markets. In the US, for instance, pension funds have put 44 per cent of their total assets into their home stock market.

It isn't a direct comparison, because the US markets dwarf ours in scale and performance. Even so, it's a huge difference.

UK pension funds have, in the past few years, been shunted into bonds on the mistaken assumption these are 'safer'.

They have also ploughed more into overseas markets, understandably perhaps given the annualised total return on UK shares over the past decade has been 5.3 per cent, which is less than half that on global equities. The pension fund exodus is fuelling a vicious circle where lower demand for UK shares drives down values which reduces demand even further.

New Financial estimates this has sucked around 25billion per year from the market.

Pension funds have an over-arching duty to their members so they are wary of potential underperformance. But they could increase their allocation to UK shares without taking undue risks.

They could double it and still be within historical and international norms. And even a small shift back into domestic shares by UK pension funds could have a big positive impact on the market.

If funds did invest more in UK shares there are big potential prizes for society.

It would create value by making capital available to businesses, promote healthy markets and wider share ownership. It would mean long-termist investors became a stronger presence and a more effective counter-weight to short-term hedge funds and the like.

There is a purist view that pension funds' only obligation is to their members, not society as a whole. Since they receive 50billion of tax relief, however, many would say they should show social responsibility.

How might Labour, which says it is keen to boost the stock market, encourage them to put more into UK shares?

New Financial has some suggestions. One is simply to harvest more contributions from members and their employers. Increasing the amounts saved would help more people to a secure retirement and put more money at funds' disposal, some of which could go into UK shares. Then there is consolidation, or bringing together small schemes so they have more firepower to invest. I would add a third 'C' to contributions and consolidation, namely concessions on tax.

Getting rid of stamp duty on UK share purchases is a no-brainer. And what about reversing Gordon Brown's raid on dividend tax credits that did so much to harm our once gold-plated pensions system?
An Australian company backed by Rupert Murdoch has until 5pm today to table a full-blown takeover bid for Rightmove or walk away.

Analysts believe Rea Group, which is 61 per cent owned by Murdoch's News Corp, must offer at least 7billion to stand any chance of success.

The company has had three proposals rejected and made a fourth offer worth 6.2billion on Friday, which is being looked at by Rightmove.

Rea bosses have flown to London to appeal to Rightmove shareholders in the hope of persuading the board to come to the table for talks.

They have also asked Rightmove to extend today's 5pm deadline and enter discussions  something the British company has so far refused to do.

Decision time: Rea bosses have flown to London to appeal to Rightmove shareholders in the hope of persuading the board to come to the table for talks

Rightmove said it would consider the proposal over the weekend, having rejected bids of 5.6billion, 5.9billion and 6.1billion.

It did not grant Rea's request to extend the bid deadline beyond 5pm today. But there was speculation last night

that Rea might still secure such an extension.

Rightmove has a near monopoly in the UK property listings sector, attracting 80 per cent of searches. Its shares rose 0.5 per cent, or 3.6p, to 668.6p on Friday, still far below the 781p offer price.

This suggested investors did not believe the weekend's talks would yield a result. Rea last week expressed disappointment that Rightmove's board, led by chairman Andrew Fisher, had not yet engaged in takeover talks.

The Melbourne-based group's chief executive Owen Wilson flew to London a few days ago in the hope of meeting Rightmove directors. But last night there was little sign that the two parties had met up.

Wilson joined Rea chairman Hamish McLennan, who jetted in earlier to meet Rightmove shareholders. They had both hoped to encourage pressure on the firm's board to engage.

'Rea has repeatedly requested meetings with Rightmove but no meetings have taken place and as such there has been no substantive engagement beyond cursory procedural telephone calls with the Rightmove chairman,' a Rea spokesman said on Friday.
Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:DHY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 164,700 shares, an increase of 97.0% from the August 31st total of 83,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 560,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund Price Performance

DHY remained flat at $2.21 during midday trading on Friday. 222,861 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 480,999. Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund has a one year low of $1.78 and a one year high of $2.21.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Capital Market Strategies LLC acquired a new position in Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Truist Financial Corp acquired a new position in shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. IFG Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund in the second quarter valued at approximately $72,000. Finally, First Western Trust Bank acquired a new position in shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund in the first quarter valued at approximately $101,000.

About Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund

Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It invests in the securities of companies across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in below-investment-grade corporate bonds with an average credit quality lower than BBB by Standard & Poor's and an average duration of 5.07 years.

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Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund (OTCMKTS:BPZZF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,400 shares, a decline of 20.0% from the August 31st total of 5,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 22.0 days.

Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund Stock Performance

BPZZF stock remained flat at $12.78 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $12.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.86. Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund has a twelve month low of $10.50 and a twelve month high of $12.98.

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Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund operates as a limited purpose open-ended trust. The company, indirectly through Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership, owns trade-marks used by Boston Pizza International Inc It operates and franchises Boston Pizza restaurants. The company was founded in 1964 and is based in Richmond, Canada.

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Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:BKKLY  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,600 shares, an increase of 43.8% from the August 31st total of 3,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 6,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days.

Bangkok Bank Public Trading Down 4.3 %

BKKLY traded down $1.11 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $24.44. The stock had a trading volume of 1,498 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,861. Bangkok Bank Public has a 1 year low of $16.75 and a 1 year high of $25.55. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $21.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $20.06.

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Bangkok Bank Public Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 5th will be given a dividend of $0.2131 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 5th. Bangkok Bank Publics dividend payout ratio is presently 28.51%.

About Bangkok Bank Public

Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited provides various commercial banking products and services in Thailand and internationally. It operates through Domestic Banking, International Banking, Investment Banking, and Others segments. The company offers various personal banking products and services, including savings, current, fixed deposit, foreign currency, securities trading, and other accounts; home and personal loans, as well as loans for pensioners; mutual funds; bonds and debentures; life and non-life bancassurance products; payment, funds transfer, currency exchange and foreign instrument, and SMS services; debit, credit, and prepaid cards; and phone and Internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and other services.

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Biotricity, Inc. (OTCMKTS:BTCY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 227,800 shares, a decline of 21.7% from the August 31st total of 291,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 40,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 5.6 days.

Biotricity Trading Down 9.8 %

Shares of Biotricity stock traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $0.25. The stock had a trading volume of 66,387 shares, compared to its average volume of 75,328. The stocks 50 day moving average is $0.46 and its 200 day moving average is $0.90. Biotricity has a twelve month low of $0.24 and a twelve month high of $2.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.41 million, a PE ratio of -0.19 and a beta of 1.35.

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Biotricity (OTCMKTS:BTCY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 19th. The company reported ($0.49) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $3.20 million during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Biotricity will post -1.43 earnings per share for the current year.

About Biotricity

Biotricity, Inc, a medical technology company, provides biometric data monitoring solutions in the United States. The company focuses on delivery of remote monitoring solutions to medical, healthcare, and consumer markets, including diagnostic and post-diagnostic solutions for lifestyle and chronic illnesses.

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Finsbury Growth & Income (LON:FGT  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as GBX 868 ($11.62) and last traded at GBX 867 ($11.61), with a volume of 151642 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 860 ($11.52).

Finsbury Growth & Income Stock Up 1.4 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.01, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 5.68. The businesss 50 day moving average price is GBX 843.10 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 842.07. The firm has a market capitalization of 1.60 billion, a PE ratio of 1,429.51 and a beta of 0.52.

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Finsbury Growth & Income Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 3rd will be given a dividend of GBX 10.80 ($0.14) per share. This is a positive change from Finsbury Growth & Incomes previous dividend of $8.80. This represents a dividend yield of 1.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 3rd. Finsbury Growth & Incomes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 3,114.75%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

About Finsbury Growth & Income

In other Finsbury Growth & Income news, insider Pars Purewal acquired 17,802 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 1st. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 838 ($11.22) per share, with a total value of 149,180.76 ($199,759.99). Insiders own 5.83% of the companys stock.

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Finsbury Growth & Income Trust PLC is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched Frostrow Capital LLP. The fund is co-managed by Lindsell Train Limited. It invests in public equity markets of the United Kingdom. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Shares of Terreno Realty Co. (NYSE:TRNO  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the ten analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $69.56.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. JMP Securities increased their target price on Terreno Realty from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. StockNews.com downgraded Terreno Realty from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Terreno Realty from $59.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, August 26th. Wolfe Research raised shares of Terreno Realty to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, September 22nd. Finally, Wedbush restated a neutral rating and issued a $70.00 price objective (up from $57.00) on shares of Terreno Realty in a research report on Friday, August 16th.

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Terreno Realty Stock Performance

NYSE:TRNO opened at $67.34 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $6.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.07, a P/E/G ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.90. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $62.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 2.34 and a quick ratio of 2.34. Terreno Realty has a 1 year low of $50.42 and a 1 year high of $71.63.

Terreno Realty (NYSE:TRNO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.54 by ($0.17). Terreno Realty had a return on equity of 5.08% and a net margin of 45.69%. The firm had revenue of $94.25 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $89.07 million. On average, analysts expect that Terreno Realty will post 2.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Terreno Realty Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.49 per share. This is an increase from Terreno Realtys previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.91%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. Terreno Realtys payout ratio is currently 93.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Jaime Jackson Cannon sold 4,998 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.39, for a total transaction of $341,813.22. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 101,927 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,970,787.53. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Terreno Realty news, EVP John Tull Meyer sold 6,145 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.64, for a total value of $421,792.80. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 110,988 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,618,216.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Jaime Jackson Cannon sold 4,998 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.39, for a total value of $341,813.22. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 101,927 shares in the company, valued at $6,970,787.53. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 18,643 shares of company stock worth $1,277,581. Corporate insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Terreno Realty

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TRNO. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of Terreno Realty during the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its position in Terreno Realty by 123.4% during the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 610 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 337 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Terreno Realty in the 2nd quarter worth $48,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Terreno Realty by 80.3% in the first quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 941 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 419 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of Terreno Realty by 58.2% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,191 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $70,000 after acquiring an additional 438 shares during the last quarter.

About Terreno Realty

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Terreno Realty Corporation (Terreno, and together with its subsidiaries, the Company) acquires, owns and operates industrial real estate in six major coastal U.S. markets: Los Angeles, Northern New Jersey/New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Miami, and Washington, DC All square feet, acres, occupancy and number of properties disclosed in these notes to the consolidated financial statements are unaudited.

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BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The year 2024 is meant to be an important year for Chinese doctor Wang Zhenyi. Turning 100 this year, the celebrated medical scientist has been conferred the Medal of the Republic, China's highest national honor, for his outstanding achievements.

Wang has loved being a doctor since the first day he put on a white coat, enjoying the sense of accomplishment that comes from curing patients' illnesses.

However, in his encounters with leukemia over several decades he had been defeated time after time, becoming overwhelmed by frustration, until one day he was able to claim victory in the battle against his fiercest enemy, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a most rare and fatal disease.

In 1948, Wang graduated from the medical school of the former Aurora University in Shanghai. He then began his medical career at the Guangci Hospital, now known as the prestigious Ruijin Hospital, affiliated to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University's school of medicine. Back then, Wang had already set himself the ambitious goal of conquering leukemia.

The goal was a difficult one, as leukemia, also known as blood cancer, had long been regarded as a tough opponent for doctors.

Wang repeatedly experienced the formidable power of this disease. In the middle of the last century, he witnessed about 60 patients dying of the disease in a single year.

"As a doctor, it pains me most to see a patient being tortured by illness when there is nothing I can do," Wang said.

However, this did not deter Wang, but made him all the more determined to succeed.

Each day, after finishing his routine work, Wang spent almost all his spare time in libraries, archive rooms and laboratories, doing research. After years of tireless work and countless trials and errors, an element called all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) came into the picture as a hopeful cure for APL, the most dangerous form of leukemia.

At the time, the five-year survival rate for APL was only about 10 percent, and many patients died within just a week of diagnosis, leaving little opportunity for doctors to do anything.

In 1986, Wang received a five-year-old girl who was diagnosed with APL and was expected to face the same fate. However, Wang decided to try something different this time, prescribing ATRA therapy.

Although Wang and his colleagues had been working on the therapy for about eight years, it was still at the experimental stage, and some felt the move was too bold. But Wang insisted, saying, "I believe in science, and I am confident."

Seven days after the treatment, a "miracle" happened. The girl's symptoms improved significantly, and a month later they were completely relieved.

That year, Wang and his team treated 24 patients suffering from the disease and 23 of them saw their symptoms effectively alleviated by the treatment without having to resort to chemotherapy.

The results did not only mean that the patients were given a new lease of life, but also meant that for the first time in medical history, APL patients and their doctors had an effective weapon in their fight against the disease.

Though overjoyed by the results, Wang was not content. He and his students decided to take an even bolder step -- to further develop the therapy by introducing arsenic trioxide (ATO), a well-known toxic element, into the treatment to deal with the relapse of symptoms in some cases.

At first, the use of the toxic compound was met with much suspicion. "Some said we were poisoning patients, placing us under great pressure," recalled Chen Zhu, one of Wang's students, who is now an established medical expert and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Nevertheless, the new therapy was proved effective. "After a fourth patient suffering from relapsing symptoms was successfully treated, we knew the therapy worked and were as happy as could be," said Chen.

With the new ATRA-ATO combination therapy, the five-year survival rate for APL rose from 10 percent to more than 97 percent, making the dreadful APL essentially a curable form of leukemia.

The ground-breaking therapy also won global recognition, offering the promise of considerable financial reward if it resulted in a patented pharmaceutical product.

But Wang has decided not to apply for a patent, either for the procedure or its medical composition, in the hope that it will be more broadly available and save more patients.

Today in China, a box of 10 ATRA capsules can be purchased at a reasonable price of about 300 yuan (about 43 U.S. dollars), and the expenditure is covered by the country's medical insurance system.

"A doctor should put the welfare of patients first," said Wang. "Maybe I could have made a fortune or built up my reputation, but those were of no interest to me. I only wish my patients well."

The beneficiaries of the therapy are not limited to China.

In 2015, Bernadette Giandomenico, a former APL patient from the United States, wrote to Wang to express her gratitude.

"There simply are no words that are sufficient to convey how very grateful I am to you," wrote Giandomenico, a mother of two. "I could say 'thank you' a million times over and I don't believe it would be enough."

Over the years, Wang has received a series of honors for his contributions to medicine, including his membership to the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the national science and technology award, China's top award in the sector.

Recently, ahead of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the veteran doctor received an early gift for his 100th birthday: the Medal of the Republic, the highest honor one can receive for contributions to the country.

However, speaking of his career, Wang made just a brief and modest comment: "I have achieved only one thing in my life -- being responsible for my patients."

He said the special work of doctors forces their souls to undergo the test of life and death every day, constantly purifying and elevating them.

The tests are still ongoing. After his retirement in 2003, he asked his students to give him "weekly exams" -- submitting difficult cases they encountered each week, after which he searched for solutions and discussed his findings with the students. These discussions were later compiled into several volumes of books, providing valuable learning materials for clinicians.

To this day, Wang can still recite the oaths he took when graduating from medical school: "I will treat patients with all my power, be they rich or poor. I will devote myself to scientific research and continue learning as science develops, so as to do greater good for the human race."

From Wang's perspective, these words still ring true today.

"We must carry on with learning. That's what we're doing right now, and we have never stopped," he said.

In 2011, Wang heard from the then five-year-old patient he first treated successfully in 1986. Twenty-five years after her treatment, she was still in good health and about to be a bride. 
Emera Incorporated (TSE:EMA  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$51.80.

Several research firms recently commented on EMA. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Emera from C$52.00 to C$55.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of Emera from C$54.00 to C$57.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Emera from C$60.00 to C$57.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Emera from C$45.00 to C$46.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, National Bankshares lifted their price target on Emera from C$49.00 to C$54.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd.

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Emera Price Performance

TSE:EMA opened at C$53.64 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of C$15.47 billion, a PE ratio of 20.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 155.62. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$50.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$48.32. Emera has a 52 week low of C$43.67 and a 52 week high of C$53.82.

Emera (TSE:EMA  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, August 9th. The company reported C$0.53 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.56 by C($0.03). Emera had a net margin of 10.83% and a return on equity of 6.60%. The firm had revenue of C$1.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$1.67 billion. As a group, analysts forecast that Emera will post 3.1690821 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Emera Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.725 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 3rd. This is a positive change from Emeras previous quarterly dividend of $0.72. This represents a $2.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.41%. Emeras payout ratio is 111.67%.

About Emera

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Emera Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity to various customers. The company operates through Florida Electric Utility, Canadian Electric Utilities, Other Electric Utilities, Gas Utilities and Infrastructure, and Other segments.

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Okeanis Eco Tankers (NYSE:ECO  Get Free Report) is one of 56 publicly-traded companies in the Deep sea foreign transportation of freight industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Okeanis Eco Tankers to related businesses based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends and risk.

Dividends

Okeanis Eco Tankers pays an annual dividend of $4.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 13.3%. Okeanis Eco Tankers pays out 105.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, Deep sea foreign transportation of freight companies pay a dividend yield of 5.4% and pay out 40.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Okeanis Eco Tankers and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Okeanis Eco Tankers 0 0 1 0 3.00 Okeanis Eco Tankers Competitors 261 1560 1841 76 2.46

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Okeanis Eco Tankers presently has a consensus price target of $44.00, indicating a potential upside of 33.09%. As a group, Deep sea foreign transportation of freight companies have a potential upside of 20.86%. Given Okeanis Eco Tankers stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Okeanis Eco Tankers is more favorable than its competitors.

45.2% of shares of all Deep sea foreign transportation of freight companies are held by institutional investors. 15.0% of shares of all Deep sea foreign transportation of freight companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Okeanis Eco Tankers and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Okeanis Eco Tankers 30.17% 28.35% 10.54% Okeanis Eco Tankers Competitors 31.90% 16.25% 8.53%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Okeanis Eco Tankers and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Okeanis Eco Tankers $403.85 million $145.25 million 7.89 Okeanis Eco Tankers Competitors $778.95 million $123.40 million 13.40

Okeanis Eco Tankers competitors have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Okeanis Eco Tankers. Okeanis Eco Tankers is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

About Okeanis Eco Tankers

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Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp., a shipping company, owns and operates tanker vessels worldwide. It operates a fleet of 14 tanker vessels comprising six modern Suezmax tankers and eight modern VLCC tankers focusing on the transportation of crude oil. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is based in Neo Faliro, Greece.

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Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 18,660,000 shares, a decrease of 10.9% from the August 31st total of 20,940,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 11,400,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.6 days. Currently, 1.3% of the companys stock are short sold.

Institutional Trading of Freeport-McMoRan

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Tompkins Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 33.8% during the 1st quarter. Tompkins Financial Corp now owns 791 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. lifted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 64,053 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $3,012,000 after buying an additional 203 shares during the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in Freeport-McMoRan by 0.5% in the first quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 40,083 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $1,885,000 after buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Freeport-McMoRan by 4.3% in the first quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,243 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $247,000 after acquiring an additional 214 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MV Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Freeport-McMoRan by 38.6% during the first quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 794 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 221 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.77% of the companys stock.

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Freeport-McMoRan Trading Down 1.1 %

Shares of Freeport-McMoRan stock opened at $51.34 on Friday. Freeport-McMoRan has a 1 year low of $32.83 and a 1 year high of $55.24. The company has a market capitalization of $73.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.43, a P/E/G ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 1.89. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $43.65 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $47.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 2.40 and a quick ratio of 1.34.

Freeport-McMoRan Cuts Dividend

Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.07. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 7.60% and a net margin of 7.83%. The company had revenue of $6.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.35 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 15.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan will post 1.61 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be given a dividend of $0.075 per share. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 15th. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is 26.55%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on FCX. BNP Paribas raised shares of Freeport-McMoRan to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 21st. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, September 23rd. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Freeport-McMoRan from $60.00 to $58.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 19th. UBS Group upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $54.00 to $55.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Freeport-McMoRan from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $52.93.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Freeport-McMoRan

Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile

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Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

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Malvern International Plc (LON:MLVN  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 10.4% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as GBX 17 ($0.23) and last traded at GBX 17.02 ($0.23). 460,400 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 1,209% from the average session volume of 35,160 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 19 ($0.25).

Malvern International Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of 4.64 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1,900.00 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a current ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 70.89. The companys 50 day simple moving average is GBX 18.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 20.24.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Mark Westcombe Elliott purchased 230,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, September 27th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 17 ($0.23) per share, with a total value of 39,134 ($52,402.25). 51.81% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Malvern International Company Profile

Malvern International Plc provides educational services in the United Kingdom. The company operates Malvern House London; Malvern House Brighton; Language in Action; Communicate School in Manchester; International Study Centres; and Malvern Online Academy. Its colleges offer English language courses, juniors and summer camps, and bespoke group courses; and university pathway programs, such as pre-university, foundation year, year one, graduate diploma, and pre-master's program; and in-sessional and pre-sessional English programs.

Further Reading

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Gray Television, Inc. (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $6.82, but opened at $7.05. Gray Television shares last traded at $7.05, with a volume of 175 shares trading hands.

Gray Television Stock Down 1.5 %

The businesss fifty day moving average price is $8.05 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.98, a quick ratio of 1.63 and a current ratio of 1.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $666.22 million, a P/E ratio of -56.00 and a beta of 1.32.

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Gray Television (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $826.00 million for the quarter. Gray Television had a return on equity of 3.02% and a net margin of 1.84%.

Gray Television Dividend Announcement

About Gray Television

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Gray Televisions payout ratio is -266.67%.

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Gray Television, Inc, a television broadcast company, owns and operates television stations and digital assets in the United States. As of February 28, 2019, it owned and operated television stations in 91 television markets broadcasting approximately 400 program streams, including approximately 150 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, the NBC Network, the ABC Network, and the FOX Network.

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Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSE:SLF  Get Free Report) (NYSE:SLF) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the ten analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$76.09.

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on SLF shares. National Bankshares lifted their price objective on Sun Life Financial from C$72.00 to C$73.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Barclays set a C$76.00 price target on shares of Sun Life Financial and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, September 5th. TD Securities lowered their price objective on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$73.00 to C$72.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$76.00 to C$78.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Evercore decreased their price target on shares of Sun Life Financial from C$76.00 to C$75.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 11th.

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Insider Transactions at Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial Price Performance

In other Sun Life Financial news, Senior Officer Linda Dougherty sold 2,000 shares of Sun Life Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$75.30, for a total value of C$150,590.00. In related news, Director Stephanie Coyles acquired 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$70.00 per share, with a total value of C$35,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 500 shares in the company, valued at C$35,000. Also, Senior Officer Linda Dougherty sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$75.30, for a total transaction of C$150,590.00. Company insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock.

Sun Life Financial stock opened at C$78.17 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 65.29, a quick ratio of 84,866.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 53.77. The stock has a market cap of C$45.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.80, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$71.96 and a 200 day moving average price of C$70.62. Sun Life Financial has a 12-month low of C$61.84 and a 12-month high of C$78.85.

Sun Life Financial (TSE:SLF  Get Free Report) (NYSE:SLF) last posted its earnings results on Monday, August 12th. The financial services provider reported C$1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$1.58 by C$0.13. Sun Life Financial had a return on equity of 13.65% and a net margin of 9.90%. The company had revenue of C$8.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$9.18 billion. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Sun Life Financial will post 7.2905983 earnings per share for the current year.

Sun Life Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 28th were paid a dividend of $0.81 per share. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.14%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 28th. Sun Life Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 61.36%.

Sun Life Financial Company Profile

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Sun Life Financial Inc, a financial services company, provides savings, retirement, and pension products worldwide. The company operates in five segments: Asset Management, Canada, U.S., Asia, and Corporate. It offers various insurance products, such as term and permanent life; personal health, which includes prescription drugs, dental, and vision care; critical illness; long-term care; and disability, as well as reinsurance.

Further Reading

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Shimano Inc. (OTCMKTS:SMNNY  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 17,100 shares, a decrease of 14.1% from the August 31st total of 19,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 67,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Shimano Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:SMNNY opened at $18.63 on Friday. Shimano has a 1-year low of $13.01 and a 1-year high of $19.69. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $18.09 and a 200 day moving average price of $16.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.53 and a beta of 0.59.

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Shimano (OTCMKTS:SMNNY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter. Shimano had a net margin of 12.62% and a return on equity of 8.74%. The company had revenue of $746.22 million during the quarter.

About Shimano

Shimano Inc develops, produces, and distributes bicycle components, fishing tackles, and rowing equipment. It has operations in Japan, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Oceania. Shimano Inc was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Sakai, Japan.

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Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:KSPHF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,200 shares, a decline of 13.5% from the August 31st total of 3,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently ? days.

Kissei Pharmaceutical Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:KSPHF opened at $21.48 on Friday. Kissei Pharmaceutical has a fifty-two week low of $19.32 and a fifty-two week high of $21.48. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $21.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.48.

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About Kissei Pharmaceutical

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Kissei Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd. researches, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceutical products primarily in Japan. The company offers Kalogra tablets, for the treatment of ulcerative colitis; Tabuneos capsules for the treatment of microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatous polyangiitis; Minirin Melt OD tablets; Malizeb tablets; Tavaris tablets for the treatment of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; Beova tablets for the treatment of overactive bladder treatment; and Darbepoetin Alfa BS injection JCR for the treatment of renal anemia.

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Rhumbline Advisers lowered its stake in Brookfield Co. (NYSE:BN  Free Report) by 21.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,466 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,758 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Brookfield were worth $269,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of BN. American National Bank & Trust Co. VA purchased a new stake in shares of Brookfield during the 1st quarter valued at about $5,716,000. M&G Plc bought a new position in Brookfield in the 1st quarter valued at $111,222,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in shares of Brookfield by 1,022.6% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 272,807 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,427,000 after acquiring an additional 248,506 shares in the last quarter. Perpetual Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Brookfield during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,388,000. Finally, Forsta AP Fonden lifted its stake in Brookfield by 12.8% in the first quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 259,800 shares of the companys stock worth $10,882,000 after acquiring an additional 29,500 shares during the period. 61.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Brookfield Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BN opened at $53.39 on Friday. Brookfield Co. has a 12 month low of $28.84 and a 12 month high of $54.29. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $48.10 and its 200 day moving average price is $44.26. The stock has a market cap of $87.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 87.53 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.03.

Brookfield Announces Dividend

Brookfield ( NYSE:BN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.78 by $0.57. Brookfield had a net margin of 1.13% and a return on equity of 3.67%. The business had revenue of $23.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.24 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.75 EPS. Brookfields revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Brookfield Co. will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 12th were paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 12th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.60%. Brookfields dividend payout ratio is presently 52.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on BN shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Brookfield from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 9th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Brookfield from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, September 11th. TD Securities lifted their price objective on shares of Brookfield from $62.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Brookfield from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of Brookfield from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $51.59.

View Our Latest Research Report on Brookfield

Brookfield Company Profile

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Brookfield Corporation is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients.

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American Century Companies Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Plains GP Holdings, L.P. (NYSE:PAGP  Free Report) by 92.8% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 96,126 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 1,236,581 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc.s holdings in Plains GP were worth $1,809,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Linscomb Wealth Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Plains GP by 1,036.6% during the 2nd quarter. Linscomb Wealth Inc. now owns 262,241 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $4,935,000 after buying an additional 239,168 shares in the last quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Plains GP by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 942,590 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $17,740,000 after buying an additional 21,123 shares in the last quarter. SIR Capital Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Plains GP during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $8,849,000. PFG Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Plains GP during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $449,000. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Plains GP during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $11,442,000. 88.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Plains GP Stock Up 0.8 %

Plains GP stock opened at $18.61 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $3.67 billion, a PE ratio of 23.17 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 1.00. Plains GP Holdings, L.P. has a one year low of $14.71 and a one year high of $20.10. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $18.84 and a 200 day moving average of $18.58.

Plains GP Announces Dividend

Plains GP ( NYSE:PAGP Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 2nd. The pipeline company reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $12.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.70 billion. Plains GP had a return on equity of 1.09% and a net margin of 0.33%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.25 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Plains GP Holdings, L.P. will post 1.24 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 31st were issued a $0.3175 dividend. This represents a $1.27 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, July 31st. Plains GPs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 144.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PAGP has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Plains GP from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. StockNews.com raised Plains GP from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised Plains GP to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Plains GP currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $20.11.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Plains GP

Plains GP Profile

(Free Report)

Plains GP Holdings, L.P., through its subsidiary, Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., owns and operates midstream infrastructure systems in the United States and Canada. It operates in two segments, Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs). The company engages in the gathering and transporting crude oil and NGLs using pipelines, gathering systems, and trucks.

Further Reading

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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- NASA and SpaceX launched on Saturday a new crew rotation mission from the U.S. state of Florida to the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission, codenamed "Crew-9," carries NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov to ISS. It is NASA's ninth commercial crew rotation mission with SpaceX.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sent the crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 1:17 p.m. Eastern Time (1817 GMT) Saturday. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with ISS at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time (2230 GMT) Sunday, according to NASA.

The Crew-9 members will conduct more than 200 science investigations involving blood clotting studies, moisture effects on plants grown in space, and vision changes in astronauts, according to NASA.

The spacecraft is expected to return to Earth next February with the Crew-9 astronauts, as well as NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore who flew to the station in June aboard the malfunctioning Boeing Starliner and have been stranded in space ever since. 
American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:WTS  Free Report) by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,030 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 287 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc.s holdings in Watts Water Technologies were worth $1,839,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Park Avenue Securities LLC boosted its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 1,645 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $350,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Banco Santander S.A. lifted its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 1.2% during the second quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 6,424 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,178,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its holdings in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 30.0% during the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 338 shares of the technology companys stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabama lifted its holdings in Watts Water Technologies by 0.3% in the first quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 34,367 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $7,305,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. Finally, State of Michigan Retirement System increased its position in shares of Watts Water Technologies by 1.5% in the first quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 6,695 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,423,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.02% of the companys stock.

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Watts Water Technologies Stock Performance

Watts Water Technologies stock opened at $207.51 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a current ratio of 2.50. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $195.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $197.77. The company has a market capitalization of $6.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.75, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.89. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $167.87 and a fifty-two week high of $219.52.

Watts Water Technologies Announces Dividend

Watts Water Technologies ( NYSE:WTS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The technology company reported $2.46 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.33 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $597.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $589.55 million. Watts Water Technologies had a return on equity of 19.22% and a net margin of 12.44%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.34 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Watts Water Technologies, Inc. will post 8.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th were paid a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 30th. Watts Water Technologiess dividend payout ratio is presently 21.34%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Watts Water Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Watts Water Technologies from $217.00 to $202.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Watts Water Technologies from $225.00 to $199.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 9th.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Watts Water Technologies

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.16, for a total value of $316,623.60. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 11,516 shares in the company, valued at $2,132,302.56. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Elie Melhem sold 1,710 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.16, for a total value of $316,623.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,516 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,132,302.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Michael J. Dubose sold 315 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.93, for a total value of $58,567.95. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 2,755 shares of the companys stock, valued at $512,237.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Watts Water Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Watts Water Technologies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, supplies products and solutions that manage and conserve the flow of fluids and energy into, through, and out of buildings in the commercial, industrial, and residential markets in the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.

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American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Globus Medical, Inc. (NYSE:GMED  Free Report) by 5.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 26,625 shares of the medical device companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,442 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc.s holdings in Globus Medical were worth $1,824,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC lifted its stake in Globus Medical by 17.8% during the second quarter. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC now owns 69,174 shares of the medical device companys stock worth $4,738,000 after purchasing an additional 10,469 shares in the last quarter. Choreo LLC purchased a new position in shares of Globus Medical during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $517,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Globus Medical in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Globus Medical by 855.3% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 381,253 shares of the medical device companys stock valued at $26,112,000 after buying an additional 341,342 shares during the period. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of Globus Medical during the 2nd quarter valued at $219,000. 95.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In related news, Director Ann D. Rhoads sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.36, for a total value of $1,055,400.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 42,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,017,318.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Ann D. Rhoads sold 15,000 shares of Globus Medical stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.36, for a total value of $1,055,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 42,884 shares in the company, valued at $3,017,318.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Leslie V. Norwalk sold 1,000 shares of Globus Medical stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.00, for a total value of $70,000.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 16,419 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,149,330. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 18.54% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on GMED shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Globus Medical from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $60.00 to $78.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Globus Medical from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Globus Medical from $78.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Globus Medical from $76.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, BTIG Research boosted their price objective on shares of Globus Medical from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $77.20.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on GMED

Globus Medical Stock Performance

NYSE GMED opened at $70.61 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $70.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $64.03. The company has a market cap of $9.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 110.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.17. Globus Medical, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $43.38 and a fifty-two week high of $74.21.

Globus Medical (NYSE:GMED  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The medical device company reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $629.69 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $615.33 million. Globus Medical had a return on equity of 8.70% and a net margin of 1.82%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 115.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.63 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Globus Medical, Inc. will post 2.84 EPS for the current year.

Globus Medical Profile

(Free Report)

Globus Medical, Inc, a medical device company, develops and commercializes healthcare solutions for patients with musculoskeletal disorders in the United States and internationally. The company offers spine products, such as traditional fusion implants comprising pedicle screw and rod systems, plating systems, intervertebral spacers, and corpectomy devices for treating degenerative and congenital conditions, deformity, tumors, and trauma injuries; treatment options for motion preservation technologies that consist of dynamic stabilization, total disc replacement, and interspinous distraction devices; interventional solutions to treat vertebral compression fractures; and regenerative biologic products comprising of allografts and synthetic alternatives.

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American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Tenet Healthcare Co. (NYSE:THC  Free Report) by 28.9% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 16,223 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,641 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc.s holdings in Tenet Healthcare were worth $2,158,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Headlands Technologies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Tenet Healthcare by 268.3% in the second quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 14,349 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,909,000 after purchasing an additional 10,453 shares in the last quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp increased its holdings in shares of Tenet Healthcare by 37.9% in the second quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 122,559 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,304,000 after purchasing an additional 33,682 shares in the last quarter. Choreo LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Tenet Healthcare in the second quarter valued at approximately $335,000. Prudential PLC bought a new position in Tenet Healthcare in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,258,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Tenet Healthcare in the second quarter valued at approximately $258,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.44% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Tenet Healthcare

In related news, Director Meghan Fitzgerald sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $146.34, for a total transaction of $2,926,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 15,269 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,234,465.46. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Meghan Fitzgerald sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $146.34, for a total transaction of $2,926,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 15,269 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,234,465.46. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Saumya Sutaria sold 86,227 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.41, for a total transaction of $13,314,311.07. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 13,773 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,126,688.93. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 128,203 shares of company stock valued at $19,754,997. Company insiders own 0.93% of the companys stock.

Tenet Healthcare Stock Performance

Shares of THC stock opened at $163.22 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $15.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.33, a PEG ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 2.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a current ratio of 1.45. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $156.42 and a 200 day simple moving average of $132.85. Tenet Healthcare Co. has a 52 week low of $51.04 and a 52 week high of $171.20.

Tenet Healthcare (NYSE:THC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported $2.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.42. The firm had revenue of $5.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.98 billion. Tenet Healthcare had a net margin of 13.17% and a return on equity of 24.66%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Tenet Healthcare Co. will post 10.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Tenet Healthcare announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 10.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on THC. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Tenet Healthcare from $156.00 to $173.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com raised shares of Tenet Healthcare from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and set a $168.00 price target on shares of Tenet Healthcare in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of Tenet Healthcare from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Tenet Healthcare from $139.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Tenet Healthcare has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $152.69.

Read Our Latest Research Report on THC

About Tenet Healthcare

(Free Report)

Tenet Healthcare Corporation operates as a diversified healthcare services company in the United States. The company operates through two segments: Hospital Operations and Services, and Ambulatory Care. Its general hospitals offer acute care services, operating and recovery rooms, radiology and respiratory therapy services, clinical laboratories, and pharmacies.

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American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A. (NYSE:BSBR  Free Report) by 8.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 409,483 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 32,238 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc.s holdings in Banco Santander (Brasil) were worth $2,023,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 63.5% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 6,522 shares of the banks stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 2,533 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Banco Santander (Brasil) by 24.3% in the 1st quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 16,137 shares of the banks stock worth $92,000 after buying an additional 3,156 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in shares of Banco Santander (Brasil) by 220.0% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 7,095 shares of the banks stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 4,878 shares during the period. Banco BTG Pactual S.A. purchased a new stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) during the first quarter valued at $79,000. Finally, Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC increased its position in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 220.2% during the second quarter. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 120,528 shares of the banks stock valued at $595,000 after acquiring an additional 82,890 shares during the last quarter. 14.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Banco Santander (Brasil) Stock Performance

Banco Santander (Brasil) stock opened at $5.31 on Friday. Banco Santander has a 52-week low of $4.78 and a 52-week high of $6.66. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.37.

Banco Santander (Brasil) Cuts Dividend

About Banco Santander (Brasil)

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 25th were given a $0.0783 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 25th. This represents a $0.31 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.90%.

(Free Report)

Banco Santander (Brasil) SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, small and medium enterprises, and corporate customers in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Commercial Banking and Global Wholesale Banking segments. It offers local loans, commercial financing options, development bank funds, and cash management services; export and import financing, guarantees, structuring of asset services.

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Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 11,395 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $267,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in Community Healthcare Trust by 1.8% in the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 29,755 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $790,000 after purchasing an additional 527 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 10,625 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $249,000 after buying an additional 552 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its stake in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 14,703 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $390,000 after acquiring an additional 558 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 5.8% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 16,686 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $444,000 after acquiring an additional 919 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TBH Global Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 4.8% during the first quarter. TBH Global Asset Management LLC now owns 23,832 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $633,000 after acquiring an additional 1,100 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.84% of the companys stock.

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Community Healthcare Trust Stock Up 2.1 %

CHCT opened at $17.84 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $494.19 million, a PE ratio of 27.88, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.69. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $19.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $22.73. Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $15.06 and a fifty-two week high of $29.86.

Community Healthcare Trust Increases Dividend

Insiders Place Their Bets

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a $0.4625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.37%. This is a boost from Community Healthcare Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. Community Healthcare Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 289.06%.

In other news, CEO David H. Dupuy bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $19.48 per share, for a total transaction of $194,800.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 363,565 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,082,246.20. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Community Healthcare Trust news, Director Robert Z. Hensley purchased 6,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $19.50 per share, for a total transaction of $126,750.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 70,670 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,378,065. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO David H. Dupuy purchased 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $19.48 per share, for a total transaction of $194,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 363,565 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,082,246.20. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 4.00% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Evercore ISI upgraded Community Healthcare Trust from an underperform rating to an inline rating and cut their target price for the stock from $21.00 to $18.00 in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Community Healthcare Trust from $29.00 to $25.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Community Healthcare Trust from $30.00 to $22.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 30th. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of Community Healthcare Trust from $21.00 to $18.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, September 9th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Community Healthcare Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $20.75.

View Our Latest Analysis on CHCT

Community Healthcare Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated is a real estate investment trust that focuses on owning income-producing real estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of outpatient healthcare services in our target sub-markets throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had investments of approximately $1.1 billion in 193 real estate properties (including a portion of one property accounted for as a sales-type lease and two properties classified as held for sale).

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Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) (NYSE:HOMB  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 10,146 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $243,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC boosted its holdings in Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) by 13.6% in the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 16,782 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $391,000 after purchasing an additional 2,004 shares in the last quarter. Argent Trust Co acquired a new position in Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) in the second quarter valued at approximately $228,000. Disciplined Investments LLC acquired a new position in Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) in the second quarter valued at approximately $470,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) by 8.1% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 6,550,418 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $156,946,000 after purchasing an additional 490,718 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) by 1.0% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 475,221 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,386,000 after purchasing an additional 4,873 shares in the last quarter. 67.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com raised Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) from $27.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $28.00 price objective on shares of Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $27.25.

Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HOMB opened at $26.83 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $27.09 and a 200 day moving average price of $25.01. Home Bancshares, Inc. has a 1-year low of $19.61 and a 1-year high of $28.99. The company has a market cap of $5.37 billion, a PE ratio of 13.83 and a beta of 1.05.

Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) (NYSE:HOMB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.03. Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) had a return on equity of 10.41% and a net margin of 27.29%. The firm had revenue of $254.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $247.26 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.51 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Home Bancshares, Inc. will post 2.07 EPS for the current year.

Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 4th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 14th were issued a dividend of $0.195 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 14th. This is an increase from Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR)s previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. This represents a $0.78 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.91%. Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR)s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 40.21%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Brian Davis sold 15,391 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.89, for a total transaction of $413,863.99. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 89,192 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,398,372.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) news, CFO Brian Davis sold 15,391 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.89, for a total value of $413,863.99. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 89,192 shares in the company, valued at $2,398,372.88. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Kevin Hester sold 25,263 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.00, for a total value of $682,101.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 114,912 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,102,624. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 7.66% of the companys stock.

Home Bancshares, Inc. (Conway, AR) Company Profile

(Free Report)

Home Bancshares, Inc (Conway, AR) operates as the bank holding company for Centennial Bank that provides commercial and retail banking, and related financial services to businesses, real estate developers and investors, individuals, and municipalities. Its deposit products include checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.

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Pacer Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 121,389 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $776,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. CWM LLC boosted its position in shares of CEMEX by 75.0% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,514 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,506 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in CEMEX during the second quarter valued at $33,000. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of CEMEX during the 2nd quarter valued at $81,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of CEMEX by 3,180.2% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 10,923 shares of the construction companys stock worth $85,000 after buying an additional 10,590 shares during the period. Finally, Prudent Man Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of CEMEX in the 4th quarter worth about $86,000. 82.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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CEMEX Price Performance

Shares of CX opened at $6.22 on Friday. CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. has a twelve month low of $5.50 and a twelve month high of $9.27. The company has a market capitalization of $9.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.43 and a beta of 1.48. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $6.23 and a 200 day moving average of $7.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53.

CEMEX Cuts Dividend

CEMEX ( NYSE:CX Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $4.49 billion during the quarter. CEMEX had a return on equity of 1.66% and a net margin of 1.05%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. will post 0.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a Variable dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th were paid a dividend of $0.021 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 13th. This represents a yield of 0.7%. CEMEXs dividend payout ratio is presently 28.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on CX shares. Barclays upgraded shares of CEMEX from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $9.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an overweight rating and issued a $8.00 price target on shares of CEMEX in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on CEMEX in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. They set a buy rating and a $9.00 price objective for the company. Finally, StockNews.com raised CEMEX from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, CEMEX currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $8.70.

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CEMEX Profile

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CEMEX, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, distributes, and sells cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, urbanization solutions, and other construction materials and services worldwide. The company offers gray ordinary portland, white portland, oil-well, and blended cement products; mortar; and standard ready-mix, architectural and decorative, rapid-setting, fiber-reinforced, fluid-fill, roller-compacted, self-consolidating, pervious, and antibacterial, and other concrete products.

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Orla Mining Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:ORLA  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 2.4% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $4.07 and last traded at $4.07. 54,820 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 87% from the average session volume of 413,049 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.17.

Orla Mining Trading Down 4.8 %

The firm has a market cap of $1.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.42 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 5.89 and a quick ratio of 5.02.

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Orla Mining (NYSEAMERICAN:ORLA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 12th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.07. The company had revenue of $84.57 million for the quarter. Orla Mining had a positive return on equity of 14.36% and a negative net margin of 4.12%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Orla Mining Ltd. will post 0.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Orla Mining

About Orla Mining

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. CWA Asset Management Group LLC grew its stake in Orla Mining by 85.0% during the 4th quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 2,367,033 shares of the companys stock worth $7,693,000 after buying an additional 1,087,892 shares during the last quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. purchased a new position in Orla Mining during the 1st quarter worth approximately $893,000. Goehring & Rozencwajg Associates LLC grew its stake in Orla Mining by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Goehring & Rozencwajg Associates LLC now owns 1,035,714 shares of the companys stock worth $3,379,000 after buying an additional 33,530 shares during the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp grew its stake in Orla Mining by 335.9% during the 4th quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 458,600 shares of the companys stock worth $1,502,000 after buying an additional 353,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its stake in Orla Mining by 7.9% during the 2nd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 293,268 shares of the companys stock worth $1,125,000 after buying an additional 21,576 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 43.04% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Orla Mining Ltd. acquires, explores, develops, and exploits mineral properties. The company explores for gold, silver, zinc, lead, and copper deposits. It owns 100% interests in the Camino Rojo project that consists of seven concessions covering an area of 138,636 hectares located in Zacatecas, Mexico; Cerro Quema project totaling an area of 15,000 hectares located in the Azuero Peninsula, Panama; and the South Railroad project consisting of an area of 21,000 hectares located in Elko, Nevada.

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AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report) shares were down 2.7% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $28.27 and last traded at $28.35. Approximately 334,259 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 83% from the average daily volume of 1,926,065 shares. The stock had previously closed at $29.14.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on AU shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of AngloGold Ashanti from $33.00 to $32.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Scotiabank reiterated a sector underperform rating and issued a $30.00 price target (up previously from $27.00) on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a report on Monday, August 19th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of AngloGold Ashanti from $28.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $32.00.

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AngloGold Ashanti Stock Performance

The stocks 50 day moving average is $28.94 and its 200 day moving average is $25.78. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The mining company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $1.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.23 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.17 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that AngloGold Ashanti plc will post 2.58 earnings per share for the current year.

AngloGold Ashanti Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 13th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th were paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a yield of 0.7%. This is a boost from AngloGold Ashantis previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.19. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 30th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AngloGold Ashanti

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 7.6% during the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 27,747,289 shares of the mining companys stock worth $615,990,000 after purchasing an additional 1,948,322 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,808,722 shares of the mining companys stock worth $373,154,000 after purchasing an additional 65,025 shares during the last quarter. Oaktree Capital Management LP boosted its stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 8.2% during the 4th quarter. Oaktree Capital Management LP now owns 5,874,951 shares of the mining companys stock worth $109,803,000 after purchasing an additional 446,132 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,396,216 shares of the mining companys stock worth $75,396,000 after purchasing an additional 181,081 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 24.3% during the 1st quarter. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. now owns 2,201,551 shares of the mining companys stock worth $48,874,000 after purchasing an additional 431,025 shares during the last quarter. 36.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About AngloGold Ashanti

(Get Free Report)

AngloGold Ashanti plc operates as a gold mining company in Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The company primarily explores for gold, as well as produces silver and sulphuric acid as by-products. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita mine located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania.

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Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF (NYSEARCA:PRF  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The company traded as high as $40.70 and last traded at $40.65, with a volume of 122748 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $40.35.

Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF Trading Up 0.4 %

The stock has a market cap of $7.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.61 and a beta of 0.85. The stocks 50 day moving average is $39.36 and its two-hundred day moving average is $38.39.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of PRF. Fortis Group Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Fortis Group Advisors LLC now owns 720 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 360 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF by 510.7% in the 1st quarter. Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 910 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 761 shares in the last quarter.

Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF Company Profile

The Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF (PRF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE RAFI US 1000 index. The fund tracks an index of 1,000 of the largest US companies that are selected and weighted using fundamental metrics. PRF was launched on Dec 19, 2005 and is managed by Invesco.

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BEIRUT, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The World Food Programme (WFP) launched an emergency operation on Sunday to provide food assistance for up to one million people affected by the recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

A statement released by WFP said the agency is distributing ready-to-eat food rations, bread, hot meals, and food parcels to families in shelters nationwide.

"This weekend's further acceleration of the conflict underscored the need for an immediate humanitarian response. This comes after thousands of people had already been displaced, compounding the fragility of a population burdened by accumulated crises," WFP said.

According to the statement, WFP has been providing assistance on the ground since day one of the crisis, reaching over 66,000 individuals in shelters across the country.

"To continue these critical operations, WFP urgently requires 105 million U.S. dollars until the end of the year and calls on the international community to mobilize resources and support the humanitarian response," the statement added.

"Lebanon is at a breaking point and cannot endure another war," said Corinne Fleischer, WFP regional director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. "WFP is on the ground, but we urgently need funds. More urgently, the people in the region need peace."

Meanwhile, during a meeting with the cabinet to discuss the latest developments in the region, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that the number of displaced people due to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon may reach one million.

Mikati described the scale of the displacement as "the largest in the history of Lebanon," calling for "a ceasefire on all fronts."

Confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have sharply escalated after the latter announced a shift in military focus from the Gaza Strip to the northern front.

This intensified the ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah started launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, triggering retaliatory Israeli artillery fire and airstrikes in southeastern Lebanon. 
Haleon plc (NYSE:HLN  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The company traded as high as $10.76 and last traded at $10.75, with a volume of 759959 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $10.59.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have weighed in on HLN. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Haleon from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Haleon from $9.90 to $10.95 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, September 20th. Finally, Berenberg Bank began coverage on Haleon in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. They set a buy rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $10.95.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on HLN

Haleon Stock Up 0.8 %

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $9.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The company has a market cap of $48.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.57, a PEG ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.26.

Haleon (NYSE:HLN  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.09 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $3.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.55 billion. Haleon had a return on equity of 13.15% and a net margin of 9.71%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.08 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Haleon plc will post 0.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Haleon Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 19th. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th were issued a $0.0514 dividend. This represents a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. Haleons dividend payout ratio is 36.67%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Haleon

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HLN. Cultivar Capital Inc. bought a new position in Haleon in the second quarter valued at about $40,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC bought a new position in Haleon in the first quarter valued at about $43,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in Haleon by 151.3% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 3,676 shares during the period. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. lifted its stake in Haleon by 29.8% in the first quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 6,188 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 1,421 shares during the period. Finally, Hexagon Capital Partners LLC lifted its stake in Haleon by 66.6% in the second quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,695 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 2,677 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 6.67% of the companys stock.

About Haleon

(Get Free Report)

Haleon plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of various consumer healthcare products in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides oral health products, such as toothpastes, mouth washes, and denture care products under the Sensodyne, Polident, Parodontax, Biotene brands; and vitamins, minerals, and supplements under Centrum, Emergen-C, Caltrate brands.

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Profund Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR  Free Report) by 19.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,672 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 890 shares during the quarter. Profund Advisors LLCs holdings in KBR were worth $236,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of KBR. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new position in KBR during the first quarter worth $25,000. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in KBR by 2,029.2% during the second quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 511 shares of the construction companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 487 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its holdings in KBR by 39.4% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 817 shares of the construction companys stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its holdings in KBR by 17.5% during the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,204 shares of the construction companys stock worth $77,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in KBR by 27.7% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,457 shares of the construction companys stock worth $93,000 after buying an additional 316 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.02% of the companys stock.

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KBR Stock Performance

NYSE KBR opened at $64.18 on Friday. KBR, Inc. has a 52-week low of $49.37 and a 52-week high of $69.50. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $65.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $64.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10. The company has a market capitalization of $8.62 billion, a PE ratio of -33.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.90.

KBR Announces Dividend

KBR ( NYSE:KBR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The construction company reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.04. KBR had a net margin of 2.77% and a return on equity of 27.92%. The business had revenue of $1.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion. On average, research analysts predict that KBR, Inc. will post 3.25 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.93%. KBRs dividend payout ratio is presently -31.25%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on KBR shares. TD Cowen downgraded shares of KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $72.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Friday, September 6th. DA Davidson reiterated a buy rating and issued a $78.00 target price on shares of KBR in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of KBR from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $75.50.

Read Our Latest Analysis on KBR

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other KBR news, insider Jalal Ibrahim sold 35,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.56, for a total transaction of $2,329,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 106,550 shares in the company, valued at $7,091,968. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.08% of the companys stock.

KBR Company Profile

(Free Report)

KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

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Systematic Financial Management LP lessened its holdings in shares of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO  Free Report) by 3.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,281,800 shares of the apparel retailers stock after selling 48,062 shares during the period. Systematic Financial Management LPs holdings in American Eagle Outfitters were worth $25,585,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AEO. Impala Asset Management LLC bought a new position in American Eagle Outfitters in the second quarter worth approximately $5,489,000. Shellback Capital LP lifted its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 40.0% during the 2nd quarter. Shellback Capital LP now owns 875,000 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $17,465,000 after acquiring an additional 250,000 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 103,514 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $2,066,000 after purchasing an additional 3,925 shares during the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,039,000. Finally, Deerfield Management Company L.P. Series C increased its position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 29.2% during the 2nd quarter. Deerfield Management Company L.P. Series C now owns 15,316 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $306,000 after purchasing an additional 3,460 shares during the last quarter. 97.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other American Eagle Outfitters news, CEO Jay L. Schottenstein sold 999,999 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.04, for a total transaction of $20,039,979.96. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,771,851 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,507,894.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other American Eagle Outfitters news, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 2,577 shares of American Eagle Outfitters stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.93, for a total transaction of $53,936.61. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jay L. Schottenstein sold 999,999 shares of American Eagle Outfitters stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.04, for a total transaction of $20,039,979.96. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,771,851 shares of the companys stock, valued at $35,507,894.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 7.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

American Eagle Outfitters Stock Performance

AEO stock opened at $21.96 on Friday. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. has a one year low of $15.68 and a one year high of $26.44. The companys fifty day moving average price is $20.73 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.96. The company has a market capitalization of $4.31 billion, a PE ratio of 19.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.50.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The apparel retailer reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.01. American Eagle Outfitters had a net margin of 4.58% and a return on equity of 20.98%. The company had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.31 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.25 earnings per share. American Eagle Outfitterss revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. will post 1.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Eagle Outfitters Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.125 per share. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 11th. American Eagle Outfitterss payout ratio is 45.05%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on AEO. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $25.00 target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on American Eagle Outfitters from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 30th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on American Eagle Outfitters from $35.00 to $34.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 30th. Barclays decreased their price objective on American Eagle Outfitters from $32.00 to $26.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 30th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered American Eagle Outfitters from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $26.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on AEO

American Eagle Outfitters Profile

(Free Report)

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands.

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Systematic Financial Management LP decreased its position in Webster Financial Co. (NYSE:WBS  Free Report) by 2.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 853,218 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 17,653 shares during the quarter. Webster Financial makes up approximately 1.1% of Systematic Financial Management LPs portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Systematic Financial Management LP owned 0.50% of Webster Financial worth $37,192,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Creative Planning lifted its position in Webster Financial by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 37,128 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,618,000 after acquiring an additional 2,149 shares during the last quarter. Algert Global LLC lifted its position in shares of Webster Financial by 103.4% during the 2nd quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 62,230 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,713,000 after purchasing an additional 31,630 shares during the last quarter. Scientech Research LLC bought a new stake in Webster Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $419,000. Maverick Capital Ltd. grew its holdings in Webster Financial by 327.4% in the 2nd quarter. Maverick Capital Ltd. now owns 27,060 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,180,000 after buying an additional 20,728 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Earnest Partners LLC increased its position in Webster Financial by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 3,086,111 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $134,524,000 after buying an additional 13,487 shares during the period. 85.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Webster Financial

In other Webster Financial news, insider Charles L. Wilkins sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.07, for a total value of $245,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 45,157 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,215,853.99. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Webster Financial news, CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.04, for a total transaction of $384,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 237,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,387,833.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Charles L. Wilkins sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.07, for a total transaction of $245,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 45,157 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,215,853.99. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 14,650 shares of company stock valued at $706,098 over the last ninety days. 0.88% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on WBS. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Webster Financial from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $54.00 to $57.00 in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Webster Financial from $56.00 to $51.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Webster Financial from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on Webster Financial from $58.00 to $55.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on Webster Financial from $54.00 to $51.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Webster Financial has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $55.36.

View Our Latest Analysis on WBS

Webster Financial Stock Up 0.6 %

WBS opened at $46.39 on Friday. Webster Financial Co. has a twelve month low of $36.36 and a twelve month high of $53.39. The firm has a market cap of $7.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.51, a PEG ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 1.28. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $45.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $45.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.85.

Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $1.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $671.91 million. Webster Financial had a net margin of 19.81% and a return on equity of 11.81%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.50 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Webster Financial Co. will post 5.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Webster Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 29th were paid a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 29th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.45%. Webster Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.79%.

About Webster Financial

(Free Report)

Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking.

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Ascension Asset Management LLC cut its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 1.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 10,413 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 200 shares during the period. Ascension Asset Management LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,082,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in ABT. Silver Lake Advisory LLC raised its position in Abbott Laboratories by 4.7% during the second quarter. Silver Lake Advisory LLC now owns 57,759 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $6,002,000 after acquiring an additional 2,593 shares in the last quarter. Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 2nd quarter valued at $314,000. Copperwynd Financial LLC lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 36.0% in the 2nd quarter. Copperwynd Financial LLC now owns 8,620 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $913,000 after purchasing an additional 2,282 shares during the last quarter. Annandale Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 1,125.5% in the second quarter. Annandale Capital LLC now owns 33,124 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,442,000 after purchasing an additional 30,421 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ascent Group LLC raised its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 13.8% during the second quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 21,772 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,262,000 after buying an additional 2,639 shares in the last quarter. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories

In other Abbott Laboratories news, CEO Robert B. Ford sold 141,679 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction 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 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ABT has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a hold rating and set a $120.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday. 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. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $124.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on ABT

Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ABT opened at $112.43 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $111.57 and its 200-day moving average is $108.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $195.59 billion, a PE ratio of 35.02, a PEG ratio of 2.86 and a beta of 0.72. Abbott Laboratories has a 1-year low of $89.67 and a 1-year high of $121.64.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share 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 firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.08 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.96%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 68.54%.

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Ascent Group LLC decreased its position in The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB  Free Report) by 12.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 76,047 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 10,957 shares during the quarter. Ascent Group LLCs holdings in Williams Companies were worth $3,232,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Williams Companies in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. SouthState Corp acquired a new stake in Williams Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Williams Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. Fairman Group LLC acquired a new stake in Williams Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Alaska Permanent Fund Corp acquired a new stake in Williams Companies in the 1st quarter valued at about $46,000. Institutional investors own 86.44% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Williams Companies from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of Williams Companies from $43.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Williams Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Williams Companies from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, June 10th. Finally, Argus raised shares of Williams Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $43.50.

Williams Companies Stock Performance

Shares of WMB stock opened at $45.16 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.45. The company has a market capitalization of $55.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.32 and a beta of 1.05. The companys 50 day moving average price is $44.31 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $41.67. The Williams Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $32.49 and a 52 week high of $46.48.

Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, August 5th. The pipeline company reported $0.43 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.38 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $2.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.46 billion. Williams Companies had a net margin of 27.11% and a return on equity of 16.17%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.42 EPS. On average, analysts expect that The Williams Companies, Inc. will post 1.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Williams Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.475 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.21%. Williams Companiess payout ratio is 79.83%.

About Williams Companies

(Free Report)

The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises natural gas pipelines; Transco, Northwest pipeline, MountainWest, and related natural gas storage facilities; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region.

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Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC  Free Report) (TSE:MFC) by 69.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 40,155 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 89,649 shares during the quarter. Lighthouse Investment Partners LLCs holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $1,069,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MFC. Grove Bank & Trust bought a new position in Manulife Financial in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Addison Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Manulife Financial by 77.2% during the second quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 1,072 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 467 shares during the period. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Manulife Financial by 119.0% in the second quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,104 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Manulife Financial by 73.6% in the first quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 1,156 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 490 shares during the period. Finally, Sachetta LLC lifted its holdings in Manulife Financial by 209.5% in the second quarter. Sachetta LLC now owns 1,170 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 792 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 52.56% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MFC has been the subject of several research reports. Barclays assumed coverage on Manulife Financial in a research report on Thursday, September 5th. They issued an equal weight rating for the company. TD Securities raised their price objective on Manulife Financial from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Dbs Bank raised shares of Manulife Financial to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Manulife Financial currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $35.67.

Manulife Financial Trading Down 0.3 %

Manulife Financial stock opened at $29.53 on Friday. Manulife Financial Co. has a 12 month low of $17.07 and a 12 month high of $29.88. The company has a market capitalization of $52.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.08. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $26.87 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $25.79.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC  Get Free Report) (TSE:MFC) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.27. The company had revenue of $9.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.95 billion. Manulife Financial had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 16.16%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.62 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.72 EPS for the current year.

Manulife Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 21st were issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.93%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 21st. Manulife Financials payout ratio is 66.86%.

About Manulife Financial

(Free Report)

Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in the United States, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks.

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Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE:RGA  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 9,533 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $1,957,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its position in shares of Reinsurance Group of America by 15.3% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 148,907 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $30,566,000 after acquiring an additional 19,711 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its stake in Reinsurance Group of America by 43.8% during the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 437,266 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $89,758,000 after purchasing an additional 133,212 shares during the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Reinsurance Group of America in the 2nd quarter valued at $309,000. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Reinsurance Group of America in the 2nd quarter valued at $204,000. Finally, Earnest Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Reinsurance Group of America by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 2,628,129 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $539,476,000 after buying an additional 50,228 shares in the last quarter. 95.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Reinsurance Group of America

In related news, EVP William L. Hutton sold 1,209 shares of Reinsurance Group of America stock in a transaction on Monday, September 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $218.97, for a total transaction of $264,734.73. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,357 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,705,812.29. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.37% of the companys stock.

Reinsurance Group of America Stock Performance

Shares of Reinsurance Group of America stock opened at $215.61 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $14.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.75 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a quick ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 0.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated has a twelve month low of $140.39 and a twelve month high of $227.87. The companys fifty day moving average is $213.38 and its 200 day moving average is $204.48.

Reinsurance Group of America (NYSE:RGA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The insurance provider reported $5.48 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.94 by $0.54. The company had revenue of $4.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.07 billion. Reinsurance Group of America had a return on equity of 15.84% and a net margin of 4.01%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 17.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.40 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated will post 21.7 EPS for the current year.

Reinsurance Group of America Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 13th were issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. This is a positive change from Reinsurance Group of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.85. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.65%. Reinsurance Group of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.66%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

RGA has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on Reinsurance Group of America from $228.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, June 28th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $238.00 to $236.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 19th. StockNews.com raised shares of Reinsurance Group of America from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $194.00 to $252.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Reinsurance Group of America presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $225.17.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on RGA

About Reinsurance Group of America

(Free Report)

Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated engages in reinsurance business. The company offers individual and group life and health insurance products, such as term life, credit life, universal life, whole life, group life and health, joint and last survivor insurance, critical illness, disability, and longevity products; asset-intensive and financial reinsurance products; and other capital motivated solutions.

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Legal & General Group Plc lifted its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) by 3.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,164,159 shares of the restaurant operators stock after acquiring an additional 104,328 shares during the quarter. Legal & General Group Plcs holdings in Yum! Brands were worth $419,123,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in Yum! Brands by 79.8% during the 1st quarter. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. now owns 187 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 165.7% during the first quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 186 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Yum! Brands in the first quarter worth about $28,000. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Yum! Brands in the first quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Yum! Brands by 43.6% during the second quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 270 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.37% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Yum! Brands from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Yum! Brands from $137.00 to $144.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Evercore ISI downgraded shares of Yum! Brands from an outperform rating to an inline rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $160.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Yum! Brands in a report on Thursday, June 13th. They issued a neutral rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Yum! Brands from $155.00 to $153.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Yum! Brands currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $145.25.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Scott Catlett sold 8,234 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.79, for a total transaction of $1,134,562.86. Following the sale, the insider now owns 29,159 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,017,818.61. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Scott Catlett sold 8,234 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.79, for a total transaction of $1,134,562.86. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 29,159 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,017,818.61. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 6,961 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.02, for a total value of $912,030.22. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 162,381 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,275,158.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 101,629 shares of company stock worth $13,888,443 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock.

Yum! Brands Price Performance

YUM opened at $139.92 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $133.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $135.36. The stock has a market cap of $39.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.08. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a 12 month low of $115.53 and a 12 month high of $143.20.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The restaurant operator reported $1.35 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. Yum! Brands had a negative return on equity of 18.90% and a net margin of 21.96%. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.41 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.61 EPS for the current year.

Yum! Brands Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 27th were paid a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 27th. Yum! Brandss dividend payout ratio is currently 47.52%.

Yum! Brands Profile

(Free Report)

Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division segments. It also operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products.

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Scientech Research LLC bought a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor bought 4,798 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $562,000.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 9.4% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 3,542,400 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $415,134,000 after acquiring an additional 305,143 shares during the period. MBB Public Markets I LLC boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 951.1% during the 2nd quarter. MBB Public Markets I LLC now owns 24,681 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,892,000 after acquiring an additional 22,333 shares during the period. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Prudential Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at $295,000. Deerfield Management Company L.P. Series C purchased a new position in Prudential Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at $530,000. Finally, APG Asset Management N.V. boosted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 175.3% during the 2nd quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. now owns 41,614 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,550,000 after acquiring an additional 26,500 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.83% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Prudential Financial

In other Prudential Financial news, EVP Caroline Feeney sold 1,110 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.97, for a total value of $133,166.70. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,175 shares in the company, valued at $1,220,694.75. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Prudential Financial news, EVP Caroline Feeney sold 1,110 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.97, for a total value of $133,166.70. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,175 shares in the company, valued at $1,220,694.75. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Ann M. Kappler sold 2,839 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.43, for a total value of $322,027.77. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,535 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,648,705.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently issued reports on PRU. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Prudential Financial from $112.00 to $119.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Prudential Financial from $104.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised Prudential Financial from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $113.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Prudential Financial from $123.00 to $122.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Barclays assumed coverage on Prudential Financial in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. They set an equal weight rating and a $118.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Prudential Financial presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $120.83.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial Price Performance

Shares of PRU stock opened at $120.81 on Friday. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 1-year low of $87.95 and a 1-year high of $128.52. The stocks 50-day moving average is $117.29 and its 200 day moving average is $116.67. The company has a market cap of $43.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.55, a PEG ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.13 and a quick ratio of 0.13.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $3.39 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.43 by ($0.04). Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.86% and a return on equity of 16.00%. The company had revenue of $13.84 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.78 billion. Research analysts predict that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 13.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Prudential Financial Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 20th were paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.30%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 20th. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 88.44%.

About Prudential Financial

(Free Report)

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments.

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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday outlined China's vision for tackling the world's most urgent challenges, reaffirming the country's role as a proactive force in global governance and cooperation.

"As the world faces increasingly serious challenges, China has never opted to be an indifferent spectator. Instead, we have been playing a bigger part in global governance than ever before," said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in his speech at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Wang referenced the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping as examples of China's leadership in proposing solutions to the difficult issues facing humanity.

"They carry China's wisdom for resolving various difficult issues confronting humanity, and bring impetus from China for improving global governance," he said.

In the face of uneven and inadequate global development, China's proposal is to put development at the top of the global agenda, focus on delivering the Sustainable Development Goals of the U.N. 2030 Agenda, increase input in development, and help developing countries better respond to different risks and challenges, said Wang.

At the recent Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Xi outlined 10 partnership actions to be taken together with Africa to advance modernization, and announced the decision to give over 40 least developed countries (LDCs), including those in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines.

"China is the first major developing country and the first major economy to take such a significant step," Wang said.

He pointed out that in the face of unilateral, bullying acts such as sanctions and blockade, China firmly supports countries in defending their legitimate rights, upholding the equity and openness of the international system, making global development more coordinated and beneficial for all, and jointly opposing technology blockade and rejecting decoupling or severing supply chains.

"Sanctions and pressure will not bring monopolistic advantages. Suppressing and containing others will not solve problems at home. The right of people of all countries to pursue a better life should not be taken away. Here, we once again urge the United States to completely lift its blockade, sanctions and terrorism-related designation against Cuba," said Wang.

In the face of aggravating ecological challenges, Wang said, China is firmly committed to a path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development.

"We will move from carbon peaking to carbon neutrality in the shortest time span in world history, contributing China's efforts to harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature," he said.

At the global level, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must be upheld, and the Paris Agreement must be implemented in earnest, he added.

"Developed countries should assist developing countries in building their capacity to cope with climate change. Touting the need of climate response while suppressing the green industries of others will only hold back global progress in green transition," said Wang.

Addressing the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), Wang stressed China is committed to taking a people-centered approach, developing AI for good, and putting equal emphasis on development and security.

"We are working to explore and establish widely-recognized international rules and standards," he said, adding China supports the U.N.'s role as the main channel for global AI governance and is committed to strengthening international cooperation on AI capacity-building.

"China has put forth the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All, and is ready to make more contributions to the sound, orderly, fair and inclusive development of AI," said Wang.

On human rights protection, Wang reiterated China's stance that all countries should have the right to independently choose their path of human rights development. He rejected external interference in others' internal affairs citing human rights as an excuse, asserting that no country should impose its own will on others.

"In human rights protection, China is committed to putting people first and promoting the free and well-rounded development of the people. We have found a path of human rights development that suits China's national conditions," he said. "China is ready to engage in dialogue and exchanges with all countries and UN human rights bodies on an equal footing, and jointly promote the sound development of the global human rights cause." 
SHANGHAI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's achievements toward economic, social, cultural and political modernization over the past 75 years are unprecedented in history, said Dilma Rousseff, former Brazilian president.

During a ceremony held Sunday in Beijing, 15 individuals were awarded China's national medals and national honorary titles. Rousseff was the recipient of the Friendship Medal.

Rousseff said she feels proud and pleased to receive the medal.

Over the past 75 years, China has become the second-largest economy in the world, lifted a large number of people out of poverty and managed to raise the educational level of its people, said Rousseff.

"China's reform and opening up never ends," said Rousseff, adding that China provides a model to the Global South for economic, political and social development.

She said China's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity is an innovative idea for global governance, which emphasizes cooperation and industrialization.

Since 2009, China has become Brazil's largest trading partner and a major source of investment, while Brazil has become China's largest trading partner in Latin America. Chinese customs data have shown that the trade volume between China and Brazil reached 181.53 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, with Brazil becoming the first Latin American country to surpass 100 billion dollars in exports to China.

Rousseff said she is proud to have contributed to the bilateral relationship. She recalled that when she was Brazilian president, Brazil worked with China and other countries to create the NDB, which finances infrastructure and promotes sustainable development.

Rousseff said the Belt and Road Initiative is a partnership based on mutual benefits, which encompasses infrastructure, science, technology, green development and cultural exchange, and there is also a greater presence of China in Brazil.

She said she is committed to helping ensure that the relationship between Brazil and China continues throughout this century and beyond through friendship, cooperation and mutual benefits. 
Irish contemporary artist Brian Maguire said he hopes visitors to his upcoming exhibition at the Hugh Lane Gallery will identify with the dead.

Entitled La Grande Illusion, the exhibition spans nearly two decades of work from a prolific period of the artists career (2007-2024) and highlights the artists interest in conflict and injustices around the world.

Co-curated by the museums head of exhibitions Michael Dempsey, and director Barbara Dawson, La Grande Illusion displays themes of war, the drug trade, and damage to the environment.

Maguire frequently embeds himself in the communities he paints, from the streets of Juarez in Mexico to warn-torn neighbourhoods of Aleppo, with the artist using his canvas as testimony to the silenced and forgotten.

Maguire told the PA news agency his works seek to tell previously untold stories and highlight injustices, citing his paintings focusing on the disappearance of people in Juarez as an example of this.

He said: Ive worked with dead women and men from murder where theres no investigation, both in North America and in Mexico, and thats about bringing whats hidden to the fore.

Perhaps thats what its all about, this show. Its taking the unspoken and presenting it.

The issue of aesthetics comes in, in that the work needs to be really damn attractive, given its harsh message, in order to survive, to not just be, get that out of here.

Asked what he wants viewers to take away from the exhibition, the artist said: I would just hope they would identify with the dead.

Born in County Wicklow in 1951, Maguire said the conflict that erupted in Northern Ireland when he was a teenager greatly impacted him.

When the North exploded at that time, it interested me. I was aware of it and I would think about it. It was just timing, location and age that made me familiar with violence, he said.

I didnt face the war in Ireland head on, because to make work about the place youre from is a very difficult thing, because you know everything, and you know the consequences of every intonation that you make.

Whereas when you go abroad, the distance simplifies everything. You can see whats wrong without having all the ifs and buts and ands, you just see it.

He talked about the importance of travelling to the areas he wishes to paint and embedding himself in the community.

Its obvious to go, and also that if you go, you get to talk to the people who are there, who are living with the situation and its important to capture their voice, if they want you to, he said.

On the relevance of his work in the context of escalation in the Middle East, Maguire said: We have two new addresses for war.

Weve had wars in Gaza before and in Lebanon and, God forbid, the West Bank.

Its not something Im pleased about. Its terrible, but its relevant today. War does change its address. Thats all it does. Its a constant presence.

Mr Dempsey said: In the exhibition, Maguire presents an expanded view of war seen as a constant cycle of corrupted power and death  it encompasses capital, class, gender, and post-colonial legacies.

Intimate and uncompromising, his paintings form a demand for social justice and are an act of solidarity with families and communities.

Brian Maguire: La Grande Illusion opens on October 3 2024 at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin and runs until March 23 2025.
The Taoiseach has said he does not intend to move into Farmleigh as it would be very disruptive for his children.

Gardai have investigated separate incidents of alleged harassment outside Simon Harriss family home, as well as a bomb threat against the Co Wicklow property.

It has raised questions on whether Mr Harris should move to a location with heightened security.

There is no official residence for holders of the office of Taoiseach but, on occasion, Stewards Lodge on the Farmleigh estate has been used by taoisigh for various reasons.

However, Mr Harris has said he has no intention of moving there.

Mr Harriss comments come as he appears as the first guest on the second season of former RTE star Ryan Tubridys podcast.

Tubridy was at the centre of a scandal which rocked RTE for a year, after it was revealed that the national broadcaster had underdeclared payments to the former Late Late Show host.

The crisis later widened out to other governance matters and the controversy around financial mismanagement at the station was seen as a driver behind a fall in TV licence receipts.

It prompted a series of heavyweight Oireachtas committees and resulted in the Government changing how the organisation is funded.

Tubridy now hosts a daily show on Virgin Radio in London which is also broadcast on Q102. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Daily Mail On Sunday.

Mr Harris told the podcast host that the incidents at his home were a form of intimidation and harassment.

I think its done to unsettle and unnerve people, and I think its done by people to let you know that they know where you live.

Asked by Tubridy about the possibility for an official Taoiseachs residence, Mr Harris said: This has been put to me on occasion.

The challenge for me  apart from loving Greystones  is that my kids are of an age where one has just started in the local school, and it would be very disruptive.

I dont know where the future brings us in relation to this but I can see it happening in the future.

Mr Harris said he did not imagine that Irish people would be unsupportive of such a measure, but added: Its not something that Im intending to do.

On The Bookshelf With Ryan Tubridy, Mr Harris will reveal how he gorged on books as a child and raised money for MS Ireland by getting sponsored for the Readathon.

The episode is also expected to feature the conflict in Gaza and a gift he received from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The premise of Tubridys podcast involves asking guests to bring in three books: a cherished childhood book, a book which brought them to tears, and a book which changed their life.

Mr Harris identified Patrick Radden Keefes Say Nothing as the book that made him cry.

This book did make me cry within the first few pages, because it is a book that tells the story of the Troubles, particularly the Jean McConville abduction.

Ms McConville was a recently widowed mother of 10 when she was abducted.

She was 38 years of age. She was abducted, murdered and then disappeared. Body buried. Disappeared, taken from her kids by the IRA and killed in the Troubles.

Promotional material for the episode also shows two other books in front of Mr Harris.

These are David McKittricks book about the Troubles, Lost Lives, as well as Mark Haddons The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, in which the lead character is widely regarded as an autistic boy  although this is not explicitly mentioned in the text.

Mr Harris has attributed his campaigning for better school facilities for his autistic brother as his entry into public life.

The Bookshelf With Ryan Tubridy returns on Tuesday.
A 25-year-old man has been arrested in the Republic of Ireland following a search for a car which was stolen in Belfast with a 17-year-old girl inside.

Police in Northern Ireland received a report on Saturday that a vehicle which had been parked in the Botanic Avenue area of South Belfast had been stolen with the teenager in the car.

Detective Sergeant McVeagh said: The car stopped on the Saintfield Road, Lisburn, where the girl escaped from the vehicle.

The car was observed a short time later driving at speeds in excess of 100mph on the A1 and officers made contact with our colleagues in An Garda Siochana (AGS) to inform them the vehicle was driving towards the border.

The car was later located in the Newry Road in Dundalk and gardai arrested a 25-year-old man nearby.

Det Sgt McVeagh added: At around 2.20am on Saturday, we received a report from AGS to say they had located the stolen car and had arrested a 25-year-old man in Dundalk, he remains in custody at this stage.

The victim was not injured but left shaken by her ordeal. Thankfully, we are not dealing with any casualties after some very dangerous and reckless behaviour by the suspect involved.

Excellent co-operative work between ourselves and our colleagues in the An Garda Siochana have ensured this vehicle was recovered and the suspect was arrested.

A spokesman for An Garda Siochana said the man is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a garda station in Co Louth.

The vehicle was seized by Gardai and removed for technical examination. Investigations are ongoing.
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China opposes infringements on Lebanon's sovereignty and security, and condemns any action against innocent civilians, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment that Israel has launched an airstrike on Beirut, capital city of Lebanon, on September 27 and killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

China is closely following the incident and is deeply concerned over the escalation of tensions in the region, said the spokesperson, pointing out that China opposes the infringement on Lebanon's sovereignty and security, opposes and condemns any action against innocent civilians, and opposes any move that fuels antagonism and escalates regional tensions.

China urges parties concerned, especially Israel, to immediately take actions to cool down the situation and prevent the conflict from escalating or even spiraling out of control, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson noted that the tension between Lebanon and Israel is a spillover of the Gaza conflict. The pressing priority is to implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions, end the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible, and earnestly safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East. 
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Denmark have signed a letter of intent on financial support for defense production in Ukraine, which will help attract almost EUR 600 million of investments in Ukraine's defense industry.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said this in a post on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"Today, we took an important step in strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. Together with the Minister of Defense of Denmark, Troels Lund Poulsen, we signed a Letter of Intent between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Denmark regarding the implementation of financial support for defense production in Ukraine. This will help attract almost 600 million euros of investment in our defense industry," Umerov said.

According to him, this is a direct contribution to the development of Ukrainian attack UAVs, missiles and anti-tank systems.

"Denmark allocates 175 million euros, and another 400 million [euros] will be taken from surplus profits of immobilized Russian assets," Umerov said.

He noted that this cooperation was already bearing results as 18 Bohdana self-propelled howitzers, manufactured with the financial support of Denmark, had been handed over to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"We are open to new models of cooperation with other European countries. Our goal is a strong defense industry that will ensure victory on the battlefield and restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity," Umerov said, thanking Ukraine's partners for their unwavering support.
It is not the first time that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has scared the world with the possible use of nuclear weapons, but no one knows what is in his head.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this in an interview with Fox News following a meeting with US presidential candidate Donald Trump, Ukrinform reports.

He [Putin] can use nuclear weapons against any country at any time. Or not. I am not sure that he will do it. I'm not sure... I'm sharing with you what I think, but I'm not Putin, thank God, Zelensky said.

The Head of State emphasized that he could not know exactly what the intentions of the Russian leader were.

Because he is not always adequate, because no adequate person can just come to Ukraine and do what he did. I think he loves his life and the way he manages the lives of others. That's why I think he should be afraid to use nuclear weapons, the President said.

As Ukrinform reported, on September 25, during a meeting of the Russian Security Council on nuclear deterrence, Putin announced that he had clarified the definition of the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons by Russia. The clarifications, in particular, relate to the expansion of the category of states and military alliances against which Russia exercises nuclear deterrence. The list of military threats that can be neutralized by nuclear weapons was also supplemented.

The EU has stated that Putin's new threats to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear countries will not change the EU's position on continuing to support Ukraine.

In turn, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said that the Kremlin had adjusted its nuclear weapons doctrine to intimidate Ukraine's allies, and that it should not be intimidated.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called Putin's actions absolutely irresponsible.
HANGZHOU, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- In the bustling "Smart Africa" pavilion at the third Global Digital Trade Expo held in east China's Zhejiang Province, 27-year-old Mafu, wearing a traditional African-style head wrap, was passionately promoting authentic Ethiopian coffee beans via TikTok.

Her inspiring performance captured the attention of many curious onlookers. "I mainly introduce overseas audiences to the origin, unique features and tasting techniques of our products, but most importantly, I highlight the discounts and favorable prices," said the young woman from South Africa.

About four months ago, Mafu arrived in China to study at Hangzhou Vocational & Technical College. This opportunity arose through a one-year talent training program focused on cross-border e-commerce.

"I applied as soon as I saw the admission information online, and was lucky to be accepted. E-commerce has been growing rapidly in South Africa, and I want to learn everything about the industry here in China," she said.

Xie Jijuan, head of the program, noted that over 200 African students have been trained through partnerships with several Chinese colleges and universities, with more than half already engaged in the e-commerce sector.

The cultivation of e-commerce talent is considered a crucial aspect of deepening China-Africa cooperation.

Speaking on African Digital Trade Day, a special event of the expo, Tang Wenhong, assistant minister of commerce, highlighted that China and Africa have conducted fruitful cooperation in e-commerce and other areas in recent years. He also noted how the two sides have established a solid foundation for future collaboration in the digital economy.

Chinese companies have assisted African countries in constructing and upgrading a 150,000-km communications backbone network, which helps provide internet access for nearly 700 million users. Meanwhile, Chinese companies have also built mobile payment platforms serving tens of millions of African people, according to a white paper titled "China and Africa in the New Era: A Partnership of Equals."

Many industry insiders believe that the spread of digital technologies, the ascent of e-commerce and the advancement of digital infrastructure have collectively ushered in unparalleled opportunities for Africa's economic growth.

Data from Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform, indicates that the African e-commerce industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 24.7 percent over the past seven years, with the industry's annual revenue projected to exceed 42 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up from just 7.7 billion dollars in 2017.

Furthermore, by 2030, at least 88 percent of Africans will own a smartphone, with 4G service adoption reaching 50 percent and that of 5G climbing to 17 percent, according to the latest report by the Global System for Mobile Communications.

In Uganda, digital trade has opened doors for thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs and business leaders to access international markets.

"The development of cross-border e-commerce between China and Africa has enabled Ugandan products such as coffee, tea and handicrafts to enter the Chinese market and has created more job opportunities and development space for us," said Oliver Wonekha, Uganda's ambassador to China, who believes that digital trade will be a highlight of China-Africa cooperation in the future.

Several China-Africa cooperation agreements were signed on African Digital Trade Day, including projects for building a China-Africa digital trade platform, a co-creation plan for China-Africa media collaboration and an energy brand export initiative.

"Madagascar is at a critical stage of digital transformation, and we are eager to work closely with Chinese companies to learn from China's advanced experience in the digital economy," said Jean Louis Robinson, Madagascar's ambassador to China.

He added that there is enormous potential and space for cooperation between China and Africa, especially in e-commerce, digital infrastructure and technological innovation.

Themed "Digital Trade, Global Access," the third Global Digital Trade Expo was held from Sept. 25 to 29 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The event is currently China's only digital trade themed expo at the national level. China's digital industry has seen robust growth in recent years, reporting a total revenue of 32.5 trillion yuan (about 4.6 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023. 
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2024) Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) hosted the Book Launch of How China Became RichFrom Poverty to Prosperity: An Eyewitness Perspective by Author Syed Hasan Javed.

The book provides insights into how China underwent a series of reforms to overcome severe poverty and become of the strongest economies in the world, said a press release on Sunday.

In his opening remarks, President IPRI, Dr Raza Muhammad said Pakistan can learn a lot from China and how it has eradicated poverty.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Hasan Javed explained that this transformation in China was achieved by adopting a bottom-up approach, as it was not just changes in policies that ensured a change, but rather a change in the mindset of the ordinary people. He said the mindset shift occurred when the common people began to seek knowledge and engage with books.

Javed emphasized that it was Deng Xiaopings leadership and his vision which led China on the path to prosperity and his policies focused not only on structural reforms but also on alleviating poverty through establishing Special Economic Zones and the introduction of market economies in China.

He further argued that there is much Pakistan can learn from China. He stated that China first became rich by strengthening its financial assets, before it harnessed its full potential. Similarly, Pakistan must first strengthen itself financially and economically before it can harness its full potential; however, Pakistan is yet to take advantage of its vast resources.

He reiterated the importance of reading and seeking knowledge as change must begin from the grassroots. The author highlights that Pakistan and China share deep historical and cultural ties, both carrying the weight of history while offering rich cultural legacies.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2024) The Institute of Space Technology (IST), in collaboration with the National Center of GIS and Space Applications (NCGSA), is all set to celebrate World Space Week (WSW) 2024 through a series of activities in the month of October.

According to the IST, this annual event is celebrated globally from October 4-10 and endorsed by the United Nations and underscores the critical role of space science and technology in shaping the future of humanity.

This years theme, Space and Climate Change, aims to raise awareness of the contributions of space technology in environmental monitoring and climate solutions.

Maintaining its past trend of celebrating World Space Week, IST has planned to mark this important occasion through a number of activities from October 8-10.

Designed for students from Grades 6 to 12, the event will feature 10 categories and 70 educational modules, offering a range of activities including space recitations, trivia, creative writing, technology demonstrations, models and collectibles, art and design, performing arts, life and sustainability, and space for climate change.

The deadline for registration to participate in these activities is September 30, with a fee of PKR 10,000 per institute. The participants can register at the following link: ncgsa.org.pk/wsw-2024.

IST and NCGSA continue to empower the next generation of scientists, innovators, and climate leaders by providing an exciting platform for students to explore the intersection of space technology and climate action.

For the past 19 years, the Institute of Space Technology (IST) has proudly led the celebration of World Space Week (WSW) from October 4-10, a global event endorsed by the United Nations to honor the remarkable achievements in space science and technology and their profound contributions to humanity.

Since 2005, IST has served as a dynamic platform for students to engage in immersive STEM and STEAM-based activities, competitions, and hands-on projects, igniting curiosity and passion for space exploration.

This enduring tradition has not only inspired young minds but also fostered a deep appreciation for the critical role that space technology plays in advancing scientific progress and addressing global challenges.

Through World Space Week, IST has championed space education on a national scale, empowering students to innovate, think creatively, and pursue careers in space science in alignment with the global vision set by the United Nations.

By nurturing the next generation of space enthusiasts, IST continues to pave the way for future leaders and innovators in the space sector, ensuring a brighter, more technologically advanced future for all.

World Space Week is the annual week of celebrating achievements and contributions of Space Science, technology, and its applications. In order to educate young students and the general masses about the bounties of space technology and its applications, United Nations General Assembly has declared 4th-10th October as World Space Week.

UN General Assembly selected 4th to commemorate the launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, on 4th October 1957, and the signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, on 10th October 1967.

World Space Week Association (www.worldspaceweek.org), a non-government, non-profit international organization, coordinates this celebratory week worldwide through National Coordinators appointed in each country.

In Pakistan, the event is coordinated by the countrys National Coordinator, the Secretary of National Space Agency of Pakistan, SUPARCO, through Space Education and Awareness Drive (SEAD).
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2024) Imagine sipping a cup of coffee that has been delicately processed through the digestive system of a wild cat. Yes, you heard that right! Kopi Luwak, often dubbed the "cat poop coffee," can cost upwards of $600 a pound. For those who believe that luxury comes with a side of animal antics, this brew offers a unique flavor profile that leaves coffee lovers thrilled.

Produced primarily in Indonesiaespecially on the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesithese coffee beans undergo a unique process involving the civet cat. The cat consumes ripe coffee cherries, and after digestion, the beans are excreted in its feces. This unusual method contributes to the beans distinct flavor. Once collected, the beans are thoroughly cleaned and roasted to perfection. Experts believe that the natural fermentation that occurs during digestion enhances the flavor and aroma, resulting in a truly exceptional taste.

Step into the fascinating realm of Kopi Luwak, where coffee takes on an extraordinary twist! As APP scribe explores this unique brew, it becomes clear that many people are unaware of its origins. When they learn about the processhow civet cats digest and excrete the beansthey often refuse to take even a sip, despite being able to afford it. This reaction sparks a lively mix of humor and insight, turning a simple coffee exploration into a vibrant conversation about preferences and perceptions.

Iqbal Chaudhry, a senior journalist, had the opportunity to taste Kopi Luwak during a trip abroad. Initially unaware of its unique flavor profile, he was intrigued when he inquired about it for the first time. Captivated by its distinct taste, he found himself drawn to this extraordinary brew. However, he ultimately realized that he couldn't afford to make it a regular part of his coffee routine, unlike the more budget-friendly option of Nescafe.

Rakhshanda Taj, a resident of Islamabad and a constant visitor at Al-Fateh Mall, shared her perspective with a hint of longing: I thought I should try it since many celebrities enjoy Kopi Luwak, and its known as the most expensive coffee. However, after learning about the process behind it, I decided I could never bring myself to try it.

Its fascinating to think this might be a choice for the Ambani family or Elon Musk, but as a government employee, indulging in such luxury feels like a distant dream.

Iqra Yousuf from Islamic University expressed her astonishment about Kopi Luwak, saying, I was truly amazed to discover this coffee for the very first time. It feels almost surreal to think that something like this exists in the world! The whole idea is so bizarre that I can hardly wrap my head around it. Despite the intrigue, I know for sure I wouldnt want to drink it.

In response to APP's query about whether they offer Kopi Luwak, a manager at Al Fateh Mall remarked, Our focus is always on our customers preferences. While Kopi Luwak has its charm, I must admit we havent had a single customer ask for it in years! Its hard to justify stocking such an expensive item when our shoppers seem more interested in their daily brews. After all, were here to offer what people want, not just to showcase rare curiosities! If one day I see a line of coffee lovers demanding it, Id be more than happy to reconsider.

Coffee, known as the universal language of comfort, boasts an estimated global market value exceeding $100 billion, serving as a vital economic driver. Major producers like Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia significantly impact their economies, with Brazil alone accounting for about one-third of the worlds coffee production.

In 2022, the U.S. coffee market was valued at around $45 billion, reflecting American consumers' enduring love for this brew. The coffee industry supports millions of jobs globally, from farmers to baristas, serving as a cornerstone of economies.

While we savor our morning cup, many remain unaware of natures wonders like Kopi Luwak, often served to state guests and celebrities, with some well-off individuals indulging in its rarity. Meanwhile, a few fake labels are capitalizing on its allure in the international market. Kopi Luwak sparks curiosity and invites us to explore the stories behind our favorite brew, deepening our appreciation for its journey from bean to cup.
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said on Sunday that 20 Chinese citizens, who are believed to have played significant roles in telecom and internet fraud gangs, have been extradited to China following their arrests in a recent joint operation with Myanmar.

According to a statement from the MPS, this operation represents yet another substantial achievement resulting from collaboration between the law enforcement forces of China and Myanmar. 
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2024) Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police conducted a grand search and combing operation on Sunday in the jurisdiction of Secretariat police station.

According to police statement, under the special directions of Inspector General (IG) Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, the ICT Police has intensified crackdown against the criminal elements in order to eliminate crime from the city.

Following these directions Superintendent of Police (SP) City zone Khalid Mehmood Awan, a grand search and combing operation was conducted in different areas of Secretariat police station by ICT Police teams including Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and lady police teams, he said.

He said during the search operation, 53 suspicious individuals, 15 houses and 06 hotels were checked.

Five suspicious individuals and seven unregistered vehicles were taken to the police station for legal proceedings, he added.

DIG Syed Ali Raza said that the search and combing operations were conducted to heighten security in the Federal capital, he said.

All zonal officers were directed to continue these operations in their respective areas as well, he added.

Citizens are also requested to cooperate with the police during the checking and report any suspicious activity or information through the emergency helpline "Pucar-15" or via the "ICT-15" app for immediate assistance.

APP/rzr-mkz
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2024) President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday strongly condemned the brutal killing of labourers in Panjgur, Balochistan.

The president expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the tragic incident, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

The president called for effective action against terrorist elements targeting labourers and said that innocent targeting labourers and civilians was a brutal and condemnable act.

He also expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the incident and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and for the bereaved families to bear the losses with fortitude.

President Zardari prayed for the quick recovery of those injured in the incident.
(@FahadShabbir)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2024) The Speakers at a roundtable dialogue have demanded of a high-level study to probe the science behind genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to debunk the myths around the scientifically altered seed species.

The US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) jointly held a roundtable dialogue on GMOs Soybean import constraints and resistance to scientifically altered seeds.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain participated roundtable as chief guest, a news release on Sunday said.

The Minister on the occasion announced that he would make efforts to convene a cabinet committee meeting to bring all relevant ministries on one page to take a unanimous decision on the matter.

Rana Tanveer Hussain supported the idea to allow GMOs Soyabean import but deferred the decision to the Ministry of Climate Change experts to establish an expert stance on it.

In his opening remarks, Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director SDPI said there should be a well-informed dialogue backed by scientific evidence in order to take decision on import of GMOs.

Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Faisalabad in his technical presentation apprised the Minister and the participants that the GMOs have been in cultivation since 1990s, whereas the Soybean is a Kharif crop and our scientific community neglected it for years to consider it for research.

He underlined that there is a need to accept the science behind the GMO-based soybean.

In terms of opportunity, Dr Iqrar underlined that it is revealed through scientific studies that GMO-based crops are climate-adaptive, resistant to harsh weather, and bear better crop productivity.

Business Sector Representative, Shakeel Ashfaq said GMO debate is overshadowed by the safe usage of biotechnology solutions for GMOs whereas its also important to note that the GMOs soybean would be used primarily for poultry feed.

He added that the Biosafety guidelines should be prepared and the EPA should approve the GMOs keeping in view the evidence.

Dr Asif Ali Khan, Chairman National Pakistan Seed Development Corporation said the GMOs soybean is critically important in raising climate change impacts on crop production to ensure food security and crop resilience against environmental degradation impacts.

Vice President, the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), Dr Yousuf Zafar said the official permissions are halted due to a lack of knowledge on the science behind GMOs. The government should embrace that technology keeping in view the facts that the EU after China is the second largest GMO importer as they import 80 million tonnes whereas Pakistan only imports 2.5 million tonnes.
(@FahadShabbir)

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2024) India has protested against Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raising the Kashmir dispute in his address to the UN General Assembly on Friday, and went on to accuse Islamabad of pursuing a policy of cross-border terrorism.

"Let me make India's position very clear - Pakistan's policy of cross-border terrorism will never succeed. And it can have no expectation of impunity. On the contrary, actions will certainly have consequences." Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar warned in his speech to the 193-member Assembly's 79th session.

Pakistan, which has repeatedly debunked the Indian charges, is set to exercise its right of reply to the Indian minister's provocative statement tonight when the day's speakers finish their speeches. On its part, Pakistan has been saying that it is a victim of terrorism sponsored by India.

In his remarks, the Indian external affairs minister said, Many countries get left behind due to circumstances beyond their control, but some make conscious choices with disastrous consequences.

A premier example is our neighbour, Pakistan.

When this polity instills such fanaticism among its people, its GDP can only be measured in terms of radicalization and its exports in the form of terrorism,

Today we see the ills it sought to visit on others consume its own society. It cant blame the world. This is only karma, Jaishankar added.

He said that a dysfunctional nation coveting the lands of others must be exposed and must be countered.

The issue to be resolved between us is now only the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan, and, of course, the abandonment of Pakistans long standing attachment to terrorism, he said.

Jaishankar also said that terrorism is antithetical to everything that the world stands for.

All its forms of and manifestations must be resolutely opposed. The sanctioning of global terrorists by the United Nations should also not be impeded for political reasons, he added.
(@FahadShabbir)

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2024) Amid escalating Lebanon crisis, Iran has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in protest against the assassination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike in Beirut.

In a letter to the Security Council, Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani called on the 15-member body to take immediate and decisive action to stop Israels ongoing aggression and prevent from dragging the region into full-scale war.

Using US-supplied thousand-pound bunker busters, he wrote, Israel killed Nasrallah and Iranian Gen, Abbas Nilforushan, among others.

He warned Israel not to attack any of its diplomatic or consular premises, or its representatives.

Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent rights under international law to take every measure in defence of its vital national and security interests, Iravani wrote.

Several world powers also warned of the assassination's potential repercussions, as the spectre of all-out war looms over the middle East.

United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres said he was gravely concerned by the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut in the last 24 hours.

Palestinian militant group Hamas called Nasrallahs killing a cowardly terrorist act.

We condemn in the strongest terms this barbaric Zionist aggression and targeting of residential buildings, Hamas said in a statement.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas offered his deep condolences to Lebanon for the deaths of Nasrallah and civilians, who fell as a result of the brutal Israeli aggression, according to a statement from his office.

The foreign ministry of Iran said Nasrallahs work will continue after his death. His sacred goal will be realized in the liberation of Quds, God willing, spokesman Nasser Kanani posted on X.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced five days of public mourning.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on X that Lebanon was being subjected to a genocide.

In a post on X, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel called the killing a cowardly targeted assassination that seriously threatens regional and global peace and security, for which Israel bears full responsibility with the complicity of the United States.

As expected, US leaders welcomed Nasrallah's demise.... .

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a post on X that he had spoken with the Lebanese premier. We agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the bloodshed. A diplomatic solution is the only way to restore security and stability for the Lebanese and Israeli people, he said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot demanded Israel immediately stop its strikes in Lebanon and said it was opposed to any ground operation in the country... .

A PP/ift
As Bangladesh pursues constitutional reform, international legal experts say a consensus-based process is vital for creating an enduring charter and ensuring political stability in South Asias third most populous nation.

The ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August pushed her Awami League party out of power, raising concerns that a key player could be excluded from a process shaping Bangladesh's future.

In response, the nine-week interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, recently formed a constitutional reform panel, part of a broader effort to strengthen institutions and avert a return to authoritarian rule.

The panel, one of six reform commissions, faces a dilemma: amend the country's 52-year-old constitution or begin afresh. A constitutional rewrite could tackle the issues raised by the recent protests that toppled Hasina's government. Amending the document is quicker but might leave key problems unresolved. Complicating matters, key provisions of the constitution are not amendable.

Regardless of the path Bangladesh takes, the lesson from other countries that have implemented change is unmistakable: Experts say successful reform requires the involvement of all major stakeholders.

The main task of constitutions is to channel group decisions away from violence into politics, said Tarun Khaitan, a professor of public law at the London School of Economics. So, what do you do if you're a group which has no share in political power and no hope of sharing political power any time in the future? You will take to violence.

Yet in a country as deeply divided as Bangladesh, building consensus over a new constitution is a tall order. Two parties  the Awami League and the Bangladesh National Party, or BNP  have dominated politics since its founding in 1971.

Except for two rare moments of unity in the 1990s, each party has tried to game the system and lock the other out of power, making Bangladesh perennially unstable.

"I think that is the issue that any constitutional settlement has to resolve," Khaitan said.

Three global lessons

Richard Albert, an expert on constitution-making and constitutional design at the University of Texas, noted three lessons that Bangladesh can learn from other parts of the world.

First, the process matters more than the document itself. This means that citizens must be engaged in every step, from providing input to enacting the Charter, Albert said.

We know that when people are involved in the constitution-making process that sets the stage for a stronger, more enduring, more legitimate constitution, Albert, who sits on Jamaicas constitutional reform committee, said in an interview with VOA.

Second, resist turning the constitution into a wish list. Many countries make the mistake of including too many promises that they cannot deliver.

The rules enshrined in a constitution, Albert said, must mean something when they're written in the text of the country's higher [or highest] law.

Third, the people are the ultimate source of legitimacy for a constitution, Albert said. The document must embody the values and aspirations of the citizens.

They dont have to be involved in the writing, the drafting, the deliberation of the constitution, but the people must feel and believe that the constitution represents them, Albert said.

There are other lessons too. While public participation is important, the consent of major social and political groups is paramount, Khaitan said. Without a consensual process, he said, minority groups can find themselves left out.

Case in point: Nepal, where the minority Madhesis were sidelined despite broad public participation in the making of the 2015 constitution.

Lesson from Chile

Elsewhere, a lack of consensus has led to outright rejection of a constitution. Among legal scholars, Chile is the poster child for how not to do constitutional reform. In recent years, two successive governments  one left-leaning, the other right-wing  tried and failed to replace a Pinochet-era constitution with a new one stacked with ideological priorities.

To some constitutional experts, the South American countrys experience suggests that wholesale constitutional overhauls can fail in deeply polarized countries such as Bangladesh.

Pursuing constitutional replacement processes in such an environment can become an opportunity to fuel intolerance, Aldo Valle, a Chilean lawyer and former vice chairman of the countrys constitutional council, wrote in a blog post in 2023.

Bangladeshs constitution gives parliament the power to enact amendments.

A 2011 amendment, however, bars changes to basic provisions, from citizens fundamental rights to Islams designation as the state religion.

Such constitutional unamendability is increasingly common around the world, with countries like Turkey and France making certain constitutional provisions unchangeable. In Bangladesh, however, the constitution allows one to become incredibly powerful and it has some paths for creating autocracy," making a rewrite necessary, Ali Riaz, the country's constitution panel chief, told The Daily Star newspaper prior to his appointment earlier in September.

Waris Husain, an adjunct professor of law at Howard University, said drafting a new constitution is the easier part of constitution-making, and there are many successful models that Bangladesh can draw on. The real challenge, Husain said, is securing the buy-in of all stakeholders.

One of the things that you wouldn't want to happen is if you quickly pass a constitution and then subsequently there are so many issues that are raised about it and people haven't bought into that constitution, Husain said in an interview with VOA.

If Bangladesh were to draft a new constitution and put it to a referendum, it would likely have a higher success rate than pushing through an amendment. According to a 2019 study, 94% of referendums to approve a constitution succeed, while 40% of referendums to amend an existing document fail.

If the plan in Bangladesh is to have recourse to a referendum, the data will be important to consider, Albert said.

As it nears its second month in office, the interim government faces growing pressure to deliver results. But experts say constitutional reform cannot be rushed through  it took Nepal seven years to enact a new charter.

Yet Bangladeshs constitutional moment, a period marked by political turmoil and calls for significant change, can prove fleeting, experts say.

Public appetite for grand, substantial changes typically remains short-lived, said Khaitan. Bread and butter issues tend to come to dominate very quickly."
Uzbek president meets with senior CPC official

Xinhua) 13:22, September 29, 2024

TASHKENT, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Chen Wenqing, a senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official here on Thursday.

Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, highlighted that China and Uzbekistan are sincere friends, partners in mutual development and brothers who support each other.

He said that in January and July this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping met twice with President Mirziyoyev, during which they outlined a new blueprint for advancing the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era and building a China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future.

Noting that law enforcement and security cooperation is a key component of the bilateral relationship, Chen said that China is willing to work with Uzbekistan to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, uphold a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and give full play to the role of China-Uzbekistan law enforcement and security cooperation mechanism.

China is also ready to strengthen exchanges between law enforcement and security departments of the two sides, and deepen cooperation in counterterrorism, anti-interference and counter-infiltration, so as to provide solid security guarantees for the development of both countries, he said.

Mirziyoyev, for his part, said that the relationship between Uzbekistan and China serves as a model for inter-state relations in the region. Uzbekistan is firmly committed to combating any actions that threaten the sovereignty, security and development interests of both countries and resolutely opposes the "three forces," he said.

Mirziyoyev expressed Uzbekistan's willingness to enhance law enforcement and security cooperation at all levels with China to effectively maintain the prosperity, stability and peace of both nations.

Chen and Viktor Makhmudov, secretary of the security council under the president of Uzbekistan, co-chaired the first meeting of China-Uzbekistan law enforcement and security cooperation mechanism and signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing the mechanism.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China is intensifying moves to channel long-term funds into its capital market as part of the efforts to boost investor confidence and enhance market stability.

Central authorities recently issued guidelines to streamline the entry of medium- and long-term capital from social security funds, insurance funds and wealth management funds into the market.

The main measures contained in the guidelines include fostering a favorable long-term investment ecosystem, promoting the development of public and private equity funds, and improving related policies for medium- and long-term stock investment, according to the office of the Central Financial Work Commission and the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

Financial analysts have expressed widespread recognition of the value of these policies. Du Xingye, an associate professor at the University of International Business and Economics, emphasized the necessity of attracting long-term funds. Ming Ming, chief economist at CITIC Securities, believes the move will help build long-term confidence.

The entry of long-term capital can help reduce market fluctuations and enhance overall market stability as such funds typically possess well-structured research teams capable of discovering a company's value and executing long-term investment strategies, said Liu Xinyu, co-general manager of the public investment department of Rivers Fund, a public equity fund.

In recent years, calls for increasing long-term fund participation have intensified in China, and related measures have been introduced. However, while some progress has been made, an institutional environment friendly to long-term investment has not yet been fully established.

At the end of August 2024, institutional investors, including public equity, insurance and various pension funds, collectively held 14.5 trillion yuan (about 2 trillion U.S. dollars) of circulating A-shares. Their proportion of the total market value increased from 17 percent at the beginning of 2019 to 22.2 percent by August.

There is significant room for growth for long-term funds in the capital market, experts said, noting that the increasing participation of such funds, which feature higher professional standards and stability, will optimize the investor structure.

The latest guidelines achieved substantial policy breakthroughs in areas such as long-cycle assessment for funds, policy synergy and the building of a supportive market ecosystem.

A three-year long-cycle assessment mechanism for insurance funds and various pension funds will be established, and investment policies will also be improved for the national social security fund and basic pension insurance fund, according to the guidelines.

Problems in the current short-sighted assessment approach for funds are prominent, as the undue emphasis on short-term profit targets has overshadowed the importance of long-term metrics.

Wang Peng, an associate researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said the guidelines specifically address assessment challenges, thereby helping to reduce obstacles preventing long-term funds from flowing into the stock market.

Additionally, Pan Hongsheng, chief economist of the China Institute of Finance and Capital Markets, said the guidelines support institutional investors' participation in corporate governance, which will solidify the market foundation for long-term fund entry. It is crucial to create an ecosystem where long-term funds can "enter, stay and thrive," Pan added.

China's central bank, top securities regulator and financial regulator Tuesday announced a raft of monetary stimulus, property market support and capital market strengthening measures to boost the country's high-quality economic development.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held a meeting on Thursday to analyze and study the current economic situation and make further arrangements for economic work.

The meeting called for efforts to boost the capital market, vigorously guide medium- and long-term funds to enter the capital market, and clear obstacles for social security, insurance and wealth management funds to invest in the capital market.

Thanks to the new measures, the investor confidence has improved significantly, with the stock market on an upward streak in recent days.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3,087.53 points on Friday -- a 12.81 percent weekly gain. The Shenzhen Component Index soared 17.83 percent in the week to close at 9,514.86 points.

On Friday alone, the combined turnover of the two indices neared 1.45 trillion yuan, surpassing the 1-trillion-yuan mark for a third consecutive day. 
The hand-carved domes and brick-laid arches had almost all been put back together when an earthquake shook Morocco so violently that they caved in on themselves and crashed to the earth.

After nearly 900 years, the Great Mosque of Tinmel lay in pieces  its minaret toppled, its prayer hall full of rubble, its outer walls knocked over.

But even in ruins, it remained holy ground for the residents of Tinmel. Villagers carried the sheet-laden bodies of the 15 community members killed in the quake down the hillside and placed them in front of the decimated mosque.

Among the mourners was Mohamed Hartatouch, who helped carry the remains of his son Abdelkrim, 33. A substitute teacher, he died under bricks and collapsed walls while the village waited a day and a half for rescue crews to arrive.

"It looked like a storm. I wasn't able to feel anything," the grieving father said, remembering the day after the quake.

One year later, the rubble near Hartatouch's half-standing home has been swept aside and Tinmel residents are eager to rebuild their homes and the mosque. They say the sacred site is a point of pride and source of income in a region where infrastructure and jobs were lacking long before the earthquake hit.

"It's our past," Redwan Aitsalah, 32, a construction worker, said the week before the earthquake's anniversary as he reconstructed his home overlooking the mosque.

The September 2023 quake left a path of destruction that will take Morocco years to recover from. It killed nearly 3,000 people, knocked down almost 60,000 homes and leveled at least 585 schools. Rebuilding will cost about $12.3 billion, according to government estimates.

Stretches of road were left unnavigable, including Tizi N'Test, the steep mountain pass that weaves from Marrakech to Tinmel and some of the hardest-hit villages near the earthquake's epicenter.

Workers are now sifting through the rubble, searching for the mosque's puzzle pieces. They are stacking usable bricks and sorting the fragments of remaining decorative elements arch by arch and dome by dome, preparing to rebuild the mosque using as much of the remains as possible.

Though incomparable to the human loss and suffering, the restoration effort is among Morocco's priorities as it attempts to rebuild.

The country's Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Ministry of Culture have recruited Moroccan architects, archaeologists and engineers to oversee the project. To assist, the Italian government has sent Moroccan-born architect Aldo Giorgio Pezzi, who had also consulted on Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque, one of Africa's largest.

"We will rebuild it based on the evidence and remains that we have so it returns to how it was," Morocco's Minister of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq told The Associated Press.

The Great Mosque was a marvel of North African architecture with lobed arches, hand-carved moldings and the adobe-style bricks used to construct most the area's structures.

It was undergoing an 18-month restoration project when the quake struck, causing its ornate domes and pillars to cave in. Its clay-colored remnants lay in pieces beneath scaffolding erected by restoration workers from villages throughout the region, five of whom also died.

"The mosque withstood centuries. It's the will of God," Nadia El Bourakkadi, the site's conservationist, told local media. The temblor leveled it months before repairs and renovations were to be completed.

Like in many of the area's villages, residents of Tinmel today live in plastic tents brought in as temporary shelter post-earthquake. Some are there because it feels safer than their half-ruined homes, others because they have nowhere else to go.

Officials have issued more than 55,000 reconstruction permits for villagers to build new homes, including for most of the homes in Tinmel. The government has distributed financial aid in phases. Most households with destroyed homes have received an initial $2,000 installment of rebuilding aid, but not more.

Many have complained that isn't enough to underwrite the initial costs of rebuilding. Fewer than 1,000 have completed rebuilding, according to the government's own figures.

Despite the extent of their personal losses, Moroccans are also mourning the loss of revered cultural heritage. Centuries-old mosques, shrines, fortresses and lodges are scattered throughout the mountains. Unlike Tinmel, many have long been neglected as Morocco focuses its development efforts elsewhere.

The country sees Tinmel as the cradle of one of its most storied civilizations. The mosque served as a source of inspiration for widely visited sacred sites in Marrakech and Seville. Pilgrims once trekked through the High Atlas to pay their respects and visit. Yet centuries ago it fell into disrepair as political power shifted to Morocco's larger cities and coastline.

"It was abandoned by the state, but materials were never taken from it," said Mouhcine El Idrissi, an archaeologist working with Morocco's Ministry of Culture. "People here have long respected it as a witness to their glorious and spiritual past."

Some of the historic sites of the High Atlas have long been a lure to tourists. But the earthquake shone a spotlight on the vast disparities plaguing the primarily agricultural region. Poverty and illiteracy rates are higher than the nationwide average, according to census data and an October 2023 government report on the five earthquake-hit provinces.

"The mountainous areas most affected were those already suffering from geographical isolation," Civil Coalition for the Mountain, a group of Moroccan NGOs, said in a statement on the earthquake's anniversary. "The tragedy revealed structural differences, and a situation caused by development policies that have always kept the mountains outside the scope of their objectives."

"There's a Morocco that exists in Rabat and Marrakech, but we're talking about another Morocco that's in the mountains," added Najia Ait Mohannad, the group's regional coordinator. "Right now, the most urgent need is rebuilding houses."

The government has promised "a well-thought-out, integrated and ambitious program" for the reconstruction and general upgrading of the affected regions, both in terms of infrastructure reinforcement and improving public services. It has also pledged to rebuild "in harmony with the region's heritage and respecting its unique architectural features" and "to respect the dignity and customs" of the population.

For the village's residents, the landmark could stand as a symbol of reinvestment in one of Morocco's poorest regions, as well as a tribute to a glorious past.

For now, it stands in disrepair, its enchanting ruins upheld by wooden scaffolding, while down the hill, villagers hang laundry and grow vegetables amid the remnants of their former homes and the plastic tents where they now live.
Lawyers and rights groups in Thailand are raising doubts any of the 15 former military, police and government officers charged with the murder of 85 protesters 20 years ago will appear in court before the statute of limitations expires next month.

The statute expires October 25, exactly two decades after the events of the so-called Tak Bai Massacre, named after a district of Narathiwat province in southern Thailand, a predominantly Muslim and ethnic Malay part of the country.

On that day in 2004, soldiers and police shot and killed seven people at a protest in Tak Bai calling for the release of suspected Islamic militants. The officers also packed dozens protesters into police trucks in which 78 of them died of suffocation, according to a state inquest five years later.

Though the inquest found fatal flaws in the security response to the protest, the authorities did not pursue charges and no one was put on trial.

This past August, though, on the back of a lawsuit filed by survivors and relatives of the dead, the Narathiwat provincial court charged seven retired officers with murder, attempted murder and unlawful detention in connection with the events. The Office of the Attorney General charged another eight with premeditated murder earlier this month.

Each defendant must hear the charges against them in court and in person by October 25 for the cases to proceed. Otherwise, the charges will be dropped.

An opening court date has yet to be set for the eight defendants charged by the attorney general, however, and the seven charged in Narathiwat all missed their first hearing on September 12. A second hearing is set for October 15, 10 days before the deadline.

Lawyers and rights groups tell VOA doubts are running high that any of the defendants will appear in time.

Because until the 25th we have just [under] a month left, and in such a case  its very easy for the defendant to find an excuse to not show up or disappear, said Sanhawan Srisod, a legal adviser in Thailand for the International Commission of Jurists.

There are many ways in Thailand that they can just go  abroad wherever they feel comfortable and [where it is] cheap, said Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, a human rights activist and lawyer representing one of the plaintiffs.

After the seven defendants in the Narathiwat court case failed to appear earlier this month, the court issued arrest warrants for six of them. It left out Pisal Wattanawongkiri, an ex-general who now has legal immunity as a serving lawmaker for the ruling Pheu Thai party.

As of last week, though, the court had no idea where any of the 15 defendants were, said Sorawit Limparangsri, spokesman for Thailands Court of Justice, which oversees the countrys provincial courts.

After the arrest warrants are issued, then it is the role of the Royal Thai Police to do, and usually they do not report to the courts during the time that they are investigating, he told VOA.

A spokesman for the Royal Thai Police did not answer VOAs repeated calls or requests for comment.

Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong, Thailand researcher for Amnesty International, says the police forces past efforts to evade legal liability over its handling of the Tak Bai protest raise doubts about its commitment to follow through on the warrants.

Following the 2009 inquest, the police claimed the deaths were a case of force majeure, a legal term referring to events beyond their control. More recently, Chanatip said, they petitioned the attorney general not to press the charges his office filed against the eight defendants on September 18.

The attorney general ultimately rejected the petition, he added, but what it showed us is that theres very little willingness from the police to pursue this case.

Relatives of those who died in 2004 have also petitioned the House of Representatives to let Pisal stand trial, but the House has taken no action to lift his immunity, which ends only after the current session ends October 30, after the statute of limitations on the charges expires.

Pheu Thai spokesman Danuporn Punnakanta told VOA the party did not know where Pisal was, in any case, and that he missed last weeks meetings. He said the party had no opinion on the charges, calling them a personal case.

As head of the armys Region 4 command, Pisal was at the time of the 2004 protest in charge of all army activities in southern Thailand. The 2009 inquest concluded that he and two other senior officers failed to properly supervise the armys response.

Compelling him and the other defendants to appear in court in time for the trials to continue is a chance for Thai authorities to right the wrong and to ensure that there is accountability in this case, said Chanatip.

But at the same time, if the case stops or if the statute of limitations expires or if the perpetrators are not held accountable in the end, it could also embolden authorities or certain officers or state officials who commit human rights violations. Its like a message for them that its okay  because they would not be held accountable, he added.

Most of southern Thailand has been under enhanced security laws since an insurgency seeking independence for the region, once the remit of an independent Muslim sultanate, flared up in January 2004. Locals and rights groups have accused the authorities of repeatedly abusing those powers to harass, torture and kill suspected militants and sympathizers.

The level of violence has waned over the years, and the prospect of a trial over the Tak Bai protest is raising some hopes that accountability for the deaths could help move ongoing negotiations for a cease-fire forward.

On the other hand, if the charges are dismissed next month because none of the defendants appeared in court, there is also the fear that violence could spike, said Pornpen.

It would also be a missed opportunity for the victims to heal, and for those in Thailands restive south to learn more about what happened that day 20 years ago and why, said Sanhawan.

That is kind of one of the scars left in the very center of the conflict, so  its very important for the Thai justice system to give truth, not only in the deep south but for everyone in Thailand, about what happened, she said. Its important for the victims to end their suffering.
Two days of attacks by Sudanese paramilitaries on the Darfur city of El Fasher killed 48 people, a medical source told AFP on Friday, after world leaders appealed for an end to the country's suffering.

Artillery fire from the Rapid Support Forces killed 30 people and wounded dozens on Friday, a medical source at El Fasher Teaching Hospital told AFP, as the paramilitaries and regular army vie for control of the North Darfur state capital.

The shelling comes a day after an assault on a market brought "18 dead to the hospital" on Thursday, "some of them burned and others killed by shrapnel," the source said, requesting anonymity for their protection in light of repeated attacks on health workers and hospitals.

The plight of Sudan, and El Fasher in particular, has been under discussion this week at the U.N. General Assembly in New York after 17 months of devastating fighting between the RSF and the regular army.

"We must compel the warring parties to accept humanitarian pauses in El Fasher, Khartoum and other highly vulnerable areas," the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said Wednesday.

The Teaching Hospital is one of the last still receiving patients in El Fasher, where reports of a "full-scale assault" by RSF last weekend led U.N. chief Antonio Guterres to call for an urgent cease-fire.

The paramilitaries have besieged El Fasher since May, and famine has been declared in Zamzam refugee camp near the city of 2 million.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people. The World Health Organization has cited a toll of at least 20,000, but U.S. envoy Tom Perriello has said some estimates reach 150,000.

U.S. President Joe Biden, who raised particular concern over the assault on El Fasher, on Tuesday urged all countries to cut off weapons supplies to the country's warring generals, armed forces chief Abdel Fattah Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

"The world needs to stop arming the generals," Biden told the U.N. General Assembly.

On the sidelines of the U.N. talks, Guterres met with Burhan, expressing concern about escalation and the risk of "a regional spillover," the UN said.

Both sides have been repeatedly accused of war crimes.

The RSF, which has its origins in Darfur's notorious Arab tribal militias, the Janjaweed, has been specifically accused of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.

Darfur, a region the size of France, is home to around a quarter of Sudan's population but more than half of its 10 million people are internally displaced.
Twelve pro-Iranian fighters have been killed in airstrikes in eastern Syria, a war monitor said Sunday, adding that a large number of people were wounded.

Twelve pro-Iranian fighters were killed in airstrikes of unknown origin targeting their positions in the city of Deir El Zour and to the east of the city, as well as the Boukamal region, near the border with Iraq, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The strikes were not immediately claimed by any entity, according to the monitor.

Five strikes targeted military positions near Deir El Zour airport, it added.

Iran has been providing military aid to Syria since the civil war there began in 2011, while Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes targeting pro-Iranian groups in eastern Syria. The United States has also targeted such groups in the country's east.

Israeli authorities rarely comment on individual strikes in Syria but have repeatedly said they will not allow archenemy Iran to expand its presence there.

Israel has launched an intense bombing campaign against Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon in recent days, intensifying fears of a regional war.

The Israeli army has also repeatedly targeted the movement's arms supply routes on the Syrian-Lebanese border, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
European, Arab and Islamic nations have launched an initiative to strengthen support for a Palestinian state and prepare for a future after the war in Gaza and escalating conflict in Lebanon, Norway's foreign minister said Friday.

Espen Barth Eide told The Associated Press that "there is a growing consensus in the international community from Western countries, from Arab countries, from the Global South, that we need to establish a Palestinian Authority, a Palestinian government, a Palestinian state  and the Palestinian state has to be recognized."

Eide said many issues need to be addressed, including the security interests of Israel and the Palestinians, recognition and normalization of relations after decades of conflict and the demobilization of Hamas as a military group.

"These are pieces of a bigger puzzle," Norway's chief diplomat said. "And you can't just come in there with one of these pieces, because it only works if all the pieces are laid in place."

But even if the puzzle is completed, it's unlikely to gain traction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Still, Eide believes that after decades of failed or stalled negotiations, "we need to take a new approach" to achieving an independent Palestinian state.

To accelerate work on these issues, Eide said almost 90 countries attended a meeting Thursday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly's current gathering of world leaders. He and Saudi Arabia's foreign minister co-chaired the session to launch "The Global Alliance for the Implementation of a Palestinian State and a Two-State Solution."

"We have to see how we can come out of this deadlock and try to use this deep crisis also as an opportunity to move forward," Eide told a U.N. Security Council meeting on Gaza later Friday.

Norway is the guarantor of the 1993 Oslo Accords, hailed as a breakthrough in the decades-long conflict between Arabs and Jews, which created the Palestinian Authority and set up self-rule areas in the Palestinian Authority. Eide said more than 30 years later, Israel's "occupation" is continuing, and there are no negotiations leading to a final settlement and an independent Palestinian state, which led to Norway's decision in May to recognize a Palestinian state.

Eide brought up the alliance again Saturday during his address to the annual meeting of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, stressing that "while cease-fires in Gaza and Lebanon are most urgently needed, ending hostilities must not be confused with lasting solutions."

He again called on the 44 U.N. member nations that haven't done so to recognize the state of Palestine and allow it to become a full member of the United Nations.

And he called on "everyone who can, to help to build Palestine's institutions, and on regional actors to help embed a political settlement in a broader regional framework."

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud told the U.N. Security Council on Friday that his country, the joint Islamic-Arab ministerial committee, Norway and the European Union launched the alliance "because we feel responsible to act to change the reality of the conflict without delay."

He told the assembly Saturday that the coalition aimed "to promote the two-state solution," calling on all countries to join the group and to recognize the Palestinians as an independent state.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged all countries to take practical measures "to bring about the free Palestine next to a secure Israel."

First meetings will be in Saudi Arabia and Belgium

Eide said this new effort is built on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, "but updated to today's reality."

The 2002 initiative, endorsed by the Arab League and the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation, offered Israel normalized relations in exchange for a full withdrawal from territories captured in 1967.
The first rocky planet ever spotted orbiting a burned out star called a white dwarf offers a glimpse of what may be in store for Earth billions of years from now -- showing it is possible our planet might survive the death of the sun, albeit as a cold and desolate outpost in space.

The planet, with a mass about 1.9 times that of Earth, is orbiting the white dwarf about 4,200 light-years away from our solar system near the bulge at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, according to a study using data from Hawaii-based telescopes. A light year is the distance light travels in a year, about 9.5 trillion kilometers.

The white dwarf began as an ordinary star one or two times the mass of the sun. Its current mass is about half the sun's. Stars with a mass less than eight times the sun's end their lives as a white dwarf, the most common type of stellar remnant.

Before its host star's death, the planet orbited at a distance possibly placing it in the "habitable zone" -- not too hot and not too cold, where liquid water could exist on the surface and perhaps support life. It originally orbited at about the same distance as Earth is to the sun. Following its star's demise, it is at 2.1 times that distance.

"It's currently a freezing world because the white dwarf, which is in fact smaller than the planet, is extremely faint compared to when it was a normal star," said University of California, San Diego astronomer Keming Zhang, lead author of the study published on Thursday in the journal Nature Astronomy.

The sun, roughly 4-1/2 billion years old, is destined to become a white dwarf.

"At the end of our sun's life, it will puff up to enormous size -- astronomers call it a red giant -- and gently blow off its outer layers in a wind," University of California, Berkeley astronomer and study co-author Jessica Lu said. "As our sun loses mass, the planets' orbits will expand to larger sizes. Eventually, the sun loses all of its outer layers and leaves behind a hot compact core. This is called a white dwarf."

Earth won't always be habitable

Astronomers have debated whether Earth -- the third planet from the sun, with Venus the second and Mars the fourth -- would be engulfed and destroyed when the sun expands during its red giant phase, estimated to occur 7 billion years from now. It will become a white dwarf a billion years after that.

"Theoretical models disagree as to whether Earth could survive. Venus will most certainly be engulfed whereas Mars will most certainly survive. Our modeling shows that this planet very likely had a similar orbit to Earth before its host star became a red giant. It implies that Earth's chances for survival may be higher than currently thought," Zhang said.

Until now, only gas-giant planets larger than Jupiter, our solar system's biggest planet, had been spotted orbiting white dwarfs.

The white dwarf is orbited by two bodies -- the Earth-like planet and, further out, a brown dwarf, an object bigger than a planet but smaller than a star.

The planet endured tough times during its star's death throes.

"It may have been a lava planet when the star became a red giant, then eventually cooled down to its current freezing state," Zhang said.

As the sun ages and heats up, our solar system's habitable zone would move outward. Earth will remain habitable for less than about a billion more years from now, by which point its oceans likely will have evaporated, Zhang said.

Does this mean certain doom for humankind -- or whatever life still resides on Earth?

"We must migrate out of Earth prior to the 1-billion-year time scale," Zhang said.

By the time the sun becomes a red giant, certain large moons in the outer solar system like Jupiter's Ganymede and Saturn's Titan and Enceladus may offer a refuge, Zhang added.

"There's hope," Zhang said.
Fall means it's time for just about everybody to get up to date on their flu and COVID-19 vaccines  and a lot of older adults also need protection against another risky winter virus, RSV.

Yes, you can get your flu and COVID-19 shots at the same time. Don't call them boosters  they're not just another dose of last year's protection. The coronavirus and influenza are escape artists that constantly mutate to evade your body's immune defenses, so both vaccines are reformulated annually to target newer strains.

"Right now is the best time" to get all the recommended fall vaccinations, said Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as she got her flu shot Wednesday. She has an appointment for her COVID-19 shot, too. It's "the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, your community."

While they're not perfect, vaccinations offer strong protection against a bad case of flu or COVID-19  or dying from it.

"It may not prevent every infection but those infections are going to be less severe," said CDC's Dr. Demetre Daskalakis. "I would rather have my grandmother or my great-grandmother have a sniffle than have to go to the emergency room on Thanksgiving."

The challenge: Getting more Americans to roll up their sleeves. Last year, just 45% of adults got a flu vaccination and even fewer, 23%, got a COVID-19 shot. A survey released Wednesday by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases shows an equally low number intend to this fall.

And the coronavirus still killed more Americans than flu last year.

"Maybe we believe that it's not going to be me but let's not take a chance," said Dr. Michael Knight of George Washington University. "Why not get a vaccine that's going to help you reduce that risk?"

Who needs a fall COVID-19 or flu vaccination?

The CDC urges both an updated COVID-19 shot and yearly flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. If you recently had COVID-19, you can wait two or three months but still should get an updated vaccination because of the expected winter surge.

Both viruses can be especially dangerous to certain groups including older people and those with weak immune systems and lung or heart disease. Young children also are more vulnerable. The CDC counted 199 child deaths from flu last year.

Pregnancy also increases the chances of serious COVID-19 or flu  and vaccination guards mom plus ensures the newborn has some protection, too.

What's new about the COVID-19 shots?

Last fall's shots targeted a coronavirus strain that's no longer spreading while this year's are tailored to a new section of the coronavirus family tree. The Pfizer and Moderna shots are formulated against a virus subtype called KP.2 while the Novavax vaccine targets its parent strain, JN.1. Daskalakis said all should offer good cross protection to other subtypes now spreading.

The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines can be used by adults and children as young as 6 months. The Novavax shot is a more traditional protein vaccine combined with an immune booster, and open to anyone 12 and older.

Which flu vaccine to choose?

High-dose shots and one with a special immune booster are designed for people 65 and older, but if they can't find one easily they can choose a regular all-ages flu shot.

For the shot-averse, the nasal spray FluMist is available for ages 2 to 49 at pharmacies and clinics  although next year it's set to be available for use at home.

All flu vaccinations this year will guard against two Type A flu strains and one Type B strain. Another once-common form of Type B flu quit spreading a few years ago and was removed from the vaccine.

What about that other virus, RSV?

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a coldlike nuisance for most people but it, too, packs hospitals every winter and can be deadly for children under 5, the elderly and people with certain high-risk health problems.

The CDC recommends an RSV vaccination for everyone 75 and older, and for people 60 to 74 who are at increased risk. This is a one-time shot, not a yearly vaccination  but only 24% of seniors got it last year. It's also recommended late in pregnancy to protect babies born during the fall and winter.

And while "your arm may hurt and you may feel crummy for a day," it's also fine to get the RSV, flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time, Daskalakis said.

What will it cost?

The vaccines are supposed to be free under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans if people use an in-network provider.

About 1.5 million uninsured adults got free COVID-19 vaccinations through a federal program last year but that has ended. Instead, the CDC is providing $62 million to health departments to help improve access -- and states and large cities are starting to roll out their plans.

Call your local health department to ask about options because in many areas, "availability of vaccine at lower or no cost is expected to trickle in over the next couple of weeks," advised Dr. Raynard Washington, who heads the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, health department.

Check the government website, vaccines.gov, for availability at local pharmacies.
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Israel unleashed a series of overnight attacks in Lebanon, and it announced the killing of another high-level Hezbollah commander. The strikes aim to further rattle Hezbollah after airstrikes that killed the groups chief, Hassan Nasrallah. VOAs Arash Arabasadi has this story.
Japan's incoming prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, will fill key party posts on Monday followed by a new Cabinet on Tuesday as he tries to unite his party after one of the ruling LDP's closest ever leadership races and ahead of a general election.

Among Ishiba's key picks so far are two rival candidates in the leadership race, Katsunobu Kato as finance minister and Yoshimasa Hayashi to stay on as chief cabinet secretary, a pivotal post that includes the role of top government spokesman, sources earlier told Reuters.

Japanese shares fell more than 4% on Monday as the yen strengthened in reaction to the leadership victory by Ishiba, who is seen as a monetary policy hawk.

A close Ishiba ally, Takeshi Iwaya, a former defense chief, will take over as foreign minister, while Gen Nakatani will return to the defense ministry, a position he held in 2016, a source familiar with the appointments said, confirming earlier media reports.

Absent, however, from picks so far reported in local media is Sanae Takaichi, the hardline conservative he beat by 215 votes to 194 on Friday in the closest leadership election in almost seven decades.

Takaichi's exclusion could make it difficult for Ishiba to manage a fractious ruling group roiled by scandals that have sapped its public support.

In a televised interview on Sunday, Ishiba did not discuss his cabinet appointments, but suggested he may call a general election as early as October. A poll must be held within the next 13 months.

Another rival, Shinjiro Koizumi, who has called for a snap election, will be his election campaign chief, according to a local media report. Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who backed Koizumi, will be his party vice president, the sources said.
Pakistani authorities said Sunday suspected insurgents killed at least seven workers and abducted 20 others at gunpoint in two attacks overnight in the countrys southwestern Balochistan province.



The violence occurred in the Panjgur and Musakhail districts of the sparsely populated insurgency-hit province, which is rich in natural resources.



Police said that gunmen attacked a home in Panjgur at around midnight Saturday, spraying its occupants with bullets before fleeing on motorcycles. They added that the gunfire wounded one person and that the victims were laborers from the eastern Punjab province.



The second attack took place early Sunday when a group of armed men stormed a gas and oil exploration companys site in Musakhail.



Dheeraj Kalra, the local assistant police commissioner, told VOA by phone that the assailants opened fire, vandalized equipment, took 20 workers as hostages, and then escaped.

"A search operation is currently underway in the area to locate the abducted individuals," he said.



No one immediately claimed responsibility for either attack.



Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the violence and instructed provincial authorities to make all possible efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, his office in Islamabad said.



Late last month, insurgents in Musakhail killed 23 passengers from Punjab who were visiting or working in Balochistan after pulling them off trucks and passenger vehicles.



The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack and a series of other raids across the province on the same day, resulting in the deaths of more than 50 people.



The violence marked the most widespread insurgent attacks in impoverished Balochistan in years, targeting security posts, railway lines, and passenger vehicles.



Several ethnic Baloch groups, including the BLA, accuse the central government of exploiting the provinces natural resources, and claim their violent campaign is seeking an independent Balochistan.



Pakistani officials reject the allegations, saying insurgent activities are aimed at halting economic development in the region. The province shares the country's border with Afghanistan and Iran and is the site of major China-funded infrastructure projects.



The BLA, designated as a global terrorist organization by the United States, has recently intensified its attacks. It is known as the largest and most lethal group active in the region, repeatedly demanding that China withdraw from Balochistan and even targeting Chinese nationals working there.
LA PAZ, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- A minibus accident in the western Bolivian department of La Paz claimed six lives, police commander Edgar Cortez said on Saturday.

Cortez told local media that the incident occurred at a curve in the El Mirador area on Friday when the minibus was en route to Munecas Province from El Alto's interprovincial terminal.

Initial findings suggest that the driver lost control of the vehicle at the curve, causing it to plunge into a ravine.

"The impact was devastating, and the vehicle was completely destroyed," Cortez said.

The police chief added that the injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities and the bodies of the deceased were moved to a local government office in Chuma. 
Small groups of opposition protesters rallied Saturday in Venezuela, joined by supporters outside the country, marking two months since the country's disputed election that President Nicolas Maduro claimed to have won.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in hiding after denouncing the proclaimed results as fraudulent, called for smaller gatherings to avoid security crackdowns seen at earlier protests.

About 30 people shouted slogans at a Caracas plaza, including Leida Brito, known as "Red Helmet Grandmother" from her years of anti-government activism.

"Nicolas Maduro should leave because he lost," she said, holding a sign that read: "To defend the vote is a right."

"The freedom of Venezuela is in danger," Hidalgo Valero, a retired colonel, told AFP. "Today our people are afraid to be in the streets because there is tremendous repression."

Machado addressed supporters in a voice note released by her team: "Here we are standing firm, advancing every day with more strength and enthusiasm, gathered here as the brave and good Venezuela."

Dozens of opposition leaders have been arrested since the contested poll, along with more than 2,400 other Venezuelans accused of terrorism for allegedly taking part in protests.

Twenty-seven people were killed in the post-election clashes.

The opposition says its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, won the July 28 election with 67% of the vote, releasing its own tally of polling station results.

Maduro, however, was declared the winner with 52% of the vote by the pro-government National Electoral Council, which has yet to release detailed voting results, as required by law.

Gonzalez Urrutia, a 75-year-old retired diplomat, left Venezuela this month for asylum in Spain after spending weeks in hiding.

Larger protests also took place outside Venezuela, including in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Panama City and Montevideo. In Madrid, Gonzalez Urrutia greeted supporters who were waving the Venezuelan flag.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Maduro supporters marched in Caracas to proclaim victory in the election.

Maduro told the crowd the "supposed queen bee," in reference to Machado, "is beginning to pack her Gucci suitcases ... she is preparing to leave, too."

"We are not in Madrid, we are not hiding, we are in the street," he declared.

On Thursday, about 30 countries led by the United States and Argentina urged Maduro to engage in dialogue with the opposition.

In a joint statement, the countries called for "constructive and inclusive discussions" on a democratic transition and to immediately release Venezuelans detained in the election aftermath.
By all accounts, Milagra the "miracle" California condor shouldn't be alive today.

But now at nearly 17 months old, she is one of three of the giant endangered birds who stretched their wings in the wild as part of a release this weekend near the Grand Canyon.

Even after the door was opened Saturday, the birds didn't immediately leave their pen. After 20 minutes, one condor left the pen, followed 20 minutes later by another condor.

Then, after sitting in the pen for an hour and 20 minutes, Milagra exited the enclosure and took flight. When a livestream of the wildlife release ended, a fourth condor remained in the pen, not ready to leave.

For Milagra, there is no more appropriate name for a young bird that has managed to survive against all odds. Her mother died from the worst outbreak of avian flu in U.S. history soon after she laid her egg, and her father nearly succumbed to the same fate while struggling to incubate the egg alone.

Milagra, which means miracle in Spanish, was rescued from her nest and hatched in captivity thanks to the care of her foster condor parents.

On brink of extinction

The emergency operation was part of a program established about 40 years ago to help bring the birds back from the brink of extinction when their numbers had plummeted to fewer than two dozen.

The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management streamed the release of Milagra and the others online Saturday from Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, about 80 kilometers from the Grand Canyon's North Rim.

Condors have been released there since 1996. But the annual practice was put on hold last year because of what is known as the bird flu. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza killed 21 condors in the Utah-Arizona flock.

"This year's condor release will be especially impactful given the losses we experienced in 2023 from HPAI and lead poisoning," said Tim Hauck, The Peregrine Fund's California Condor program director.

Endangered species since 1967

Today, as many as 360 of the birds are estimated to be living in the wild, with some in the Baja of Mexico and most in California, where similar releases continue. More than 200 others live in captivity.

The largest land bird in North America with a wingspan of 2.9 meters, condors have been protected in the U.S. as an endangered species since 1967. Many conservationists consider it a miracle that any exist at all.

Robert Bate, manager of the Vermilion Cliffs monument, said the release was being shared online in real time "so that the scope and reach of this incredible and successful collaborative recovery effort can continue to inspire people worldwide."

California condors mate for life with a lifespan of up to 60 years and can travel up to 322 kilometers a day, which they have been known to do as they move back and forth between the Grand Canyon and Zion national parks.

The Peregrine Fund started breeding condors in cooperation with federal wildlife managers in 1993. The first was released into the wild in 1995. It would be another eight years before the first chick was hatched out of captivity.

Milagra's foster father was hatched in the wild in California in 1983. He was one of the first brought into the program as a nestling when fewer than two dozen were known to still exist worldwide.

Convinced it was the species' only hope for survival, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made an unprecedented, risky decision back then to capture the remaining 22 known to exist to launch the breeding program. Over time, it has grown with assistance from the Oregon Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Russia announced Sunday that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on Monday.

The announcement came as Russia has condemned Israel's "political murder" of Iran-backed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.

Mishustin will hold talks with Pezeshkian and First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, the government statement said.

"It is planned to discuss the full range of Russian-Iranian cooperation in the trade and economic and cultural and humanitarian spheres," Russia said.

The talks will focus on "carrying out large joint projects in fields involving transport energy, industry and agriculture," the statement added.

Western governments have accused Iran of supplying both drones and missiles to Moscow for its war on Ukraine, a charge Tehran has repeatedly denied.

Pezeshkian is set to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Russia next month to attend the BRICS summit.

After leaving Iran, Russian Prime Minister Mishustin will attend a meeting in Armenia on Tuesday of the Eurasian Economic Forum, the government said Sunday, referring to a body within the framework of a grouping of former Soviet states.

The statement said the meeting would discuss digitalization, market operations and cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union, made up of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

Russia often presents the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) as an alternative to Western political and economic groupings.
SpaceX launched a rescue mission for the two stuck astronauts at the International Space Station on Saturday, sending up a downsized crew to bring them home but not until next year.

The capsule rocketed into orbit to fetch the test pilots whose Boeing spacecraft returned to Earth empty earlier this month because of safety concerns. The switch in rides left it to NASA's Nick Hague and Russia's Alexander Gorbunov to retrieve Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.

Because NASA rotates space station crews approximately every six months, this newly launched flight with two empty seats reserved for Wilmore and Williams won't return until late February. Officials said there wasn't a way to bring them back earlier on SpaceX without interrupting other scheduled missions.

By the time they return, the pair will have logged more than eight months in space. They expected to be gone just a week when they signed up for Boeing's first astronaut flight that launched in June.

NASA ultimately decided that Boeing's Starliner was too risky after a cascade of thruster troubles and helium leaks marred its trip to the orbiting complex. The space agency cut two astronauts from this SpaceX launch to make room on the Dragon capsule's return leg for Wilmore and Williams.

Wilmore and Williams watched the liftoff via a live link sent to the space station, prompting a cheer of "Go Dragon!" from Williams, NASA deputy program manager Dina Contella said.

Williams has been promoted to commander of the space station, which will soon be back to its normal population of seven. Once Hague and Gorbunov arrive Sunday, four astronauts living there since March can leave in their own SpaceX capsule. Their homecoming was delayed a month by Starliner's turmoil.

Hague noted before the flight that change is the one constant in human spaceflight.

"There's always something that is changing. Maybe this time it's been a little more visible to the public," he said.

Hague was thrust into the commander's job for the rescue mission based on his experience and handling of a launch emergency six years ago. The Russian rocket failed shortly after liftoff, and the capsule carrying him and a cosmonaut catapulted off the top to safety.

Rookie NASA astronaut Zena Cardman and veteran space flier Stephanie Wilson were pulled from this flight after NASA opted to go with SpaceX to bring the stuck astronauts home. Promised a future space mission, both were at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, taking part in the launch livestream. Gorbunov remained on the flight under an exchange agreement between NASA and the Russian Space Agency.

"Every crewed launch that I have ever watched has really brought me a lot of emotion. This one today was especially unique," a teary-eyed Cardman said following the early afternoon liftoff. "It was hard not to watch that rocket lift off without thinking, 'That's my rocket and that's my crew.'"

Moments before liftoff, Hague paid tribute to his two colleagues left behind: "Unbreakable. We did it together." Once in orbit, he called it a "sweet ride" and thanked everyone who made it possible.

Earlier, Hague acknowledged the challenges of launching with half a crew and returning with two astronauts trained on another spacecraft.

"We've got a dynamic challenge ahead of us," Hague said after arriving from Houston last weekend. "We know each other and we're professionals and we step up and do what's asked of us."

SpaceX has long been the leader in NASA's commercial crew program, established as the space shuttles were retiring more than a decade ago. SpaceX beat Boeing in delivering astronauts to the space station in 2020, and it is now up to 10 crew flights for NASA.

Boeing has struggled with a variety of issues over the years, repeating a Starliner test flight with no one on board after the first one veered off course. The Starliner that left Wilmore and Williams in space landed without any issues in the New Mexico desert on September 6, and has since returned to Kennedy Space Center. A week ago, Boeing's defense and space chief was replaced.

Delayed by Hurricane Helene pounding Florida, the latest SpaceX liftoff marked the first for astronauts from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX took over the old Titan rocket pad nearly two decades ago and used it for satellite and station cargo launches, while flying crews from Kennedy's former Apollo and shuttle pad next door. The company wanted more flexibility as more Falcon rockets soared.
North Carolina officials pledged to get more water and other supplies to flood-stricken areas by Monday after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast and the death toll from the storm rose to nearly 100.

At least 91 people across several states were killed. A North Carolina county that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported 30 people killed.

Gov. Roy Cooper predicted the toll would rise as rescuers and other emergency workers reached areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure and widespread flooding.

Supplies were being airlifted to the region around the isolated city of Asheville. Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder pledged that she would have food and water to the city by Monday.

We hear you. We need food and we need water, Pinder said on a Sunday call with reporters. My staff has been making every request possible to the state for support and weve been working with every single organization that has reached out. What I promise you is that we are very close.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper predicted the toll would rise as rescuers and other emergency workers reached areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure and widespread flooding.

Officials warned that rebuilding from the widespread loss of homes and property would be lengthy and difficult. The storm upended life throughout the Southeast. Deaths also were reported in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

Cooper implored residents in western North Carolina to avoid travel, both for their own safety and to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. More than 50 search teams spread throughout the region in search of stranded people.

One rescue effort involved saving 41 people north of Asheville. Another mission focused on saving a single infant. The teams found people through both 911 calls and social media messages, North Carolina National Guard Adjutant General Todd Hunt said.

President Joe Biden described the impact of the storm as stunning and said he would visit the area this week as long as it does not disrupt rescues or recovery work.

In a brief exchange with reporters, he said that the administration is giving states everything we have to help with their response to the storm.

Hurricane Helene roared ashore late Thursday in Floridas Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane with 225 kph winds. A weakened Helene quickly moved through Georgia, then soaked the Carolinas and Tennessee with torrential rains that flooded creeks and rivers and strained dams.

There have been hundreds of water rescues, including in rural Unicoi County in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked by helicopter from a hospital rooftop Friday.

More than 2 million homeowners and other utility customers were still without power Sunday night. South Carolina had the most outages and Gov. Henry McMaster asked for patience as crews dealt with widespread snapped power poles.

We want people to remain calm. Help is on the way, it is just going to take time, McMaster told reporters outside the airport in Aiken County.

The storm unleashed the worst flooding in a century in North Carolina. One community, Spruce Pine, was doused with over 61 centimeters of rain from Tuesday through Saturday.

Jessica Drye Turner in Texas had begged for someone to rescue her family members stranded on their rooftop in Asheville amid rising floodwaters. They are watching 18-wheelers and cars floating by, Turner wrote in an urgent Facebook post on Friday.

But in a follow-up message Saturday, Turner said help had not arrived in time to save her parents, both in their 70s, and her 6-year-old nephew. The roof collapsed and the three drowned.

I cannot convey in words the sorrow, heartbreak and devastation my sisters and I are going through, she wrote.

The state was sending water supplies and other items toward Buncombe County and Asheville, but mudslides blocking Interstate 40 and other highways prevented supplies from making it. The countys own water supplies were on the other side of the Swannanoa River, away from where most of the 270,000 people in Buncombe County live, officials said.

Law enforcement was making plans to send officers to places that still had water, food or gas because of reports of arguments and threats of violence, the county sheriff said.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell toured south Georgia on Sunday and planned to be in North Carolina Monday.

Its still very much an active search and rescue mission in western North Carolina, Criswell said. And we know that theres many communities that are cut off just because of the geography of the mountains, where damage to roads and bridges have cut off certain areas.

Biden on Saturday pledged federal government help for Helene's overwhelming devastation. He also approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funding available for affected individuals.

In Florida's Big Bend, some lost nearly everything they own. With sanctuaries still darkened as of Sunday morning, some churches canceled regular services while others like Faith Baptist Church in Perry opted to worship outside.

Standing water and tree debris still covers the grounds of Faith Baptist Church. The church called on parishioners to come pray for our community in a message posted to the congregations Facebook page.

We have power. We dont have electricity, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church parishioner Marie Ruttinger said. Our God has power. Thats for sure.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Saturday that it looked like a bomb went off after viewing splintered homes and debris-covered highways from the air.

In eastern Georgia near the border with South Carolina, officials notified Augusta residents Sunday morning that water service would be shut off for 24 to 48 hours in the city and surrounding Richmond County.

A news release said trash and debris from the storm blocked our ability to pump water. Officials were distributing bottled water.

With at least 25 killed in South Carolina, Helene was the deadliest tropical cyclone for the state since Hurricane Hugo made landfall north of Charleston in 1989, killing 35 people.

Moodys Analytics said it expects $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage.

Climate change has exacerbated conditions that allow such storms to thrive, rapidly intensifying in warming waters and turning into powerful cyclones sometimes within hours.

A new tropical depression in the eastern Atlantic Ocean could become a "formidable hurricane" later this week, the National Hurricane Center said Sunday. The depression had sustained 55 kph winds and was located about 1,015 kilometers west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, the center said. It could become a hurricane by Wednesday.
A prominent general in Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard died in an Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Iranian media reported Saturday.

The killing of Gen. Abbas Nilforushan marks the latest casualty suffered by Iran as the nearly yearlong Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip teeters on the edge of becoming a regional conflict. His death ratchets up pressure on Iran to respond, even as Tehran has signaled in recent months that it wants to negotiate with the West over sanctions crushing its economy.

Nilforushan, 58, was killed Friday in the strike in Lebanon in which Nasrallah died, the state-owned newspaper Tehran Times reported. Ahmad Reza Pour Khaghan, the deputy head of Irans judiciary, also confirmed Nilforushan's death, describing him as a guest to the people of Lebanon," the state-run IRNA news agency said.

Khaghan also reportedly said that Iran had the right to retaliate under international law.Nilforushan served as the deputy commander for operations in the Guard, a role overseeing its ground forces. What he was doing in Lebanon on Friday wasn't immediately clear. The Guard's expeditionary Quds Force for decades has armed, trained and relied on Hezbollah as part of its strategy to rely on regional militias as a counterbalance to Israel and the United States.

Nilforushan, like other members of the Guard that view Israel as Iran's main enemy, long mocked and criticized the country.

The Zionist regime has many ethnic, cultural, social and military rifts. It is in vulnerable and in doom status more than before, Nilforushan said in 2022, according to an IRNA report.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Nilforushan in 2022 and said he had led an organization directly in charge of protest suppression. Those sanctions came amid the monthslong protests in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini following her arrest for allegedly not wearing her headscarf, or hijab, to the liking of police. At the time, Nilforushan accused Iran's enemies abroad of stoking the demonstrations led by Iranian women that challenged both the mandatory hijab and the country's theocracy.

Nilforushan also served in Syria, backing President Bashar Assad in his countrys decades-long war that grew out of the 2011 Arab Spring. Like many of his colleagues, he began his military career in the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.

In 2020, Iranian state television called him a comrade of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of its expeditionary Quds Force who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in Baghdad that year.

Nilforushan's death comes as Iran in recent months has been signaling it wants to change its tack with the West after years of tensions stemming from then-President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal of America from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers in 2018.

In July, Iranian voters elected reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian following a helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line protege to 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

While critical of Israel, Pezeshkian has maintained that Iran is willing to negotiate over its nuclear program, which now enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels. While Iran has been able to sell oil abroad despite sanctions, it likely was at a steep discount and energy prices have fallen farther in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Iran still threatens to retaliate for Soleimani's killing and the suspected Israeli assassination in Tehran of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July. Iran hasn't explained why it hasn't struck yet, though an unprecedented direct attack it launched in April on Israel failed to seriously damage any major target.
Tougher measures are needed to stem the gang violence in Haiti that has brought the economy and government of the Caribbean nation to its knees by spreading fear and subjugating the population through killings, lootings, exploitation and brutal abuse, according to a report by the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Latest figures documented by the OHCHR show that more than 3,660 people have been killed since January.

No more lives should be lost to this senseless criminality, Volker Turk, the U.N.s human rights chief said in a statement to coincide with the release of the report Friday.

He welcomed recent positive steps, such as the establishment of the new Transitional Presidential Council and government, and the deployment of the first contingent of the Multinational Security Support Mission, led by Kenyan police.

However, Turk observed that the equipment and personnel on the ground clearly were not sufficient to counter the criminal gangs effectively and sustainably, and stop them spreading further and wreaking havoc on peoples lives.

The report, which covers the period up to June, details extremely serious patterns of human rights violations and abuses taking place across the capital of Port-au-Prince. It documents at least 860 killings and 393 injuries, including at least 36 children during police operations in what could constitute use of unnecessary and disproportionate force.

It says the gangs have continued to expand their territorial control and increase illegal revenues outside the capital into new areas of the country in which they could obtain further criminal forms of income.

Ravina Shamdasani, the high commissioners spokesperson said gang violence has continued to increase and spread to the Artibonite Department, as well as in the southern part of West Department, which until recently had been largely unaffected by violence.

In Artibonite, the countrys agricultural heartland, increasing gang violence and extortion have forced farmers to abandon more than 3,000 hectares of land, further imperiling Haitis food production, at a time when an estimated 1.6 million people in the country face emergency-level acute food insecurity, she said.

She noted that the gangs are trying to maximize territorial gain as well as financial gain through all sorts of illicit methods, including extortion, protection rackets, killings of perceived opponents, and kidnapping people for ransom.

They are doing everything they can to maintain this control, including raping women, raping children gangs have continued to use sexual violence to punish, spread fear and subjugate populations, she said.

According to the report, human rights violations and abuses have persisted at alarmingly high levels. The brutal forms of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, have reached new heights, leading to irreversible harm for victims and survivors and destroying various generations.

The report underscores the ambition of the criminal gangs to maintain control and power. It notes that gangs who have benefited from the political instability and have worked to destabilize the former government are demanding political influence and amnesties, threatening to resort to heightened violence if their demands are not met.

Authors of the report say the gangs are backing up their demands by warning the authorities on social media to prepare for an even more intense battle, and to reassess their action in view of the arrival of the Multinational Security Support Mission.

Following the deployment of the Kenyan peacekeeping troops, the report says a gang leader posted a video on social media showing dozens of armed men chanting their readiness to take on these foreign soldiers who they consider to be invaders.

Human rights observers agree that Haitis gangs are able to operate their criminal enterprises and carry out large-scale attacks using firearms because of the unimpeded flow of weapons into the country. This, despite an international arms embargo imposed on Haiti by the Security Council.

High Commissioner Turk is urging the international community to implement the targeted arms embargo, the travel, and asset freeze imposed by the U.N. Security Council, to stem gang violence in Haiti.

He also has signed on to numerous other recommendations set forth in the report, which are aimed at strengthening the police and other state institutions crippled by endemic corruption, including the judiciary.

Additionally, he is calling on the authorities to protect children from gangs and to redouble efforts to tackle gender and sexual violence and to protect internally displaced people.

Haiti has been in turmoil since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moise at his home in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Petion-Ville. Armed gangs now control much of the capital and have spread to other parts of the country, where they have carried out massacres, kidnappings, human trafficking and sexual violence.
At least 11 people were wounded on Sunday in a series of Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, emergency services announced.

The regional capital was hit by several "massive aerial strikes" at dawn, Ukrainian emergency services said in a statement.

"A building and six houses in different city neighborhoods suffered a lot of destruction," said the statement, adding that 42 members of the emergency services were helping those potentially trapped under the rubble.

"According to preliminary information, the number of wounded people has risen to 11," said the emergency services, adding that rescue operations had ended.

A woman dragged from the rubble was taken to the hospital.

Regional governor Ivan Fedorov had earlier said that six people were wounded.

He said that Zaporizhzhia was hit by 10 Russian strikes that destroyed "one multistory building and some houses."

Andriy Yermak, the head of the office of the president, hit out in a social media post at an attempt to "terrorize" the civilian population.

Yermak also reiterated his called on Western allies to supply more weapons to intercept Russian missiles and apply more economic sanctions against Moscow.

Russia annexed the Zaporizhzhia region in 2022, but the main city of the same name remains under Kyiv's control.
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  The remains of 42 South African freedom fighters who died while exiled in Zimbabwe and Zambia during the struggle against white minority rule arrived in their home country Wednesday.

The remains were received by government officials and family members at Waterkloof Air Force Base in the capital Pretoria after being exhumed for reburial in the country of their birth.

This was part of a government program to bring closure to families, whose loved ones died away from home while serving in the underground structures of both the African National Congress and Pan Africanist Congress, according to officials.

Before the apartheid system ended in South Africa in 1994, many activists left the country to receive military training elsewhere with the aim of returning home to wage an armed struggle.

Others left the country to avoid being arrested by the apartheid regime for their involvement in anti-apartheid activities, and chose Zimbabwe and Zambia where the underground structures were the strongest.

This was part of a government program to bring closure to families, whose loved ones died away from home while serving in the underground structures of both the African National Congress and Pan Africanist Congress, according to officials.

Before the apartheid system ended in South Africa in 1994, many activists left the country to receive military training elsewhere with the aim of returning home to wage an armed struggle.

Others left the country to avoid being arrested by the apartheid regime for their involvement in anti-apartheid activities, and chose Zimbabwe and Zambia where the underground structures were the strongest.

After it was banned in South Africa, the African National Congress party of Nelson Mandela, shifted its headquarters to the Zambian capital, Lusaka.

Many died in exile and were buried in those countries.

Among the remains returned to South Africa were those of freedom struggle stalwarts Duma Nokwe, Florence Mophosho and Basil February.

Speaking during a Heritage Day event in South Africa on Tuesday, South Africas Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the repatriation was part of efforts to teach future generations about the role played by many in the struggle against apartheid.

As a national memory project, this initiative aims to commemorate, celebrate, educate, promote, preserve, conserve, and provide a durable testament to South Africas road to freedom, Mashatile said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to host a homecoming ceremony for the repatriated remains on Friday before they are handed over to families for reburials.

The government said Wednesday it was in the process of repatriating the remains of other South Africans from Lesotho, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Angola, Russia and other countries.

I hope this process will culminate in getting more people in other countries who died under difficult conditions. We welcome them back to connect with their families, Deputy Defense Minister Bantu Holomisa said.
Rescuers struggled on Saturday with washed-out bridges and debris-strewn roads in the search for survivors of devastating Storm Helene, which killed at least 63 people across five states and caused massive power outages.

Helene slammed into Florida Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane and surged north, gradually weakening but leaving in its wake toppled trees, downed power lines and mudslide-wrecked homes.

Federal emergencies were declared in six states -- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee -- with more than 800 personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) deployed.

Now classified as a "post-tropical cyclone", the remnants of the storm are expected to continue inundating the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians through Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

In affected communities across the eastern coast and midwest, storm victims and volunteers toting trash bags, mops and hammers tried to repair what they could and clean up the rest.

"There's only a couple businesses open. They have limited supply. So I'm just worried about families that have kids and stuff like that, getting somewhere to stay and have something to eat," said Steven Mauro, a resident of Valdosta, Georgia.

At least 24 people died in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, 10 in North Carolina and one in Virginia, according to local authorities and media tallied by AFP.

The National Weather Service said conditions would "continue to improve today following the catastrophic flooding over the past two days."

But it warned of possible "long-duration power outages."

"Main issue is the electrical power," said another man from Valdosta who declined to give his name. "With the whole town down, the traffic lights are out. So driving around... people should just stay home."

More than 2.6 million customers were still without electricity across 10 states from Florida in the southeast to Indiana in the midwest as of early Sunday morning, according to tracker poweroutage.us.

- 'It breaks my heart' -

Helene blew into Florida's northern Gulf shore with powerful winds of 140 miles (225 kilometers) per hour. Even as it weakened into a post-tropical cyclone, it has wreaked havoc.

Record levels of flooding threatened to break several dams, but Tennessee emergency officials said Saturday that the Nolichucky Dam -- which had been close to breaching -- was no longer in danger of giving way and people downriver could return home.

Massive flooding was reported in Asheville, in western North Carolina. Governor Ray Cooper called it "one of the worst storms in modern history" to hit his state.

There were reports of remote towns in the Carolina mountains without power or cell service, their roads washed away or buried by mudslides.

In Cedar Key, an island city of 700 people off Florida's Gulf Coast, several pastel-colored wooden homes were destroyed by record storm surges and ferocious winds.

"I've lived here my whole life, and it breaks my heart to see it. We've not really been able to catch a break," said Gabe Doty, a Cedar Key official, referring to two other hurricanes in the past year.

In South Carolina, the dead included two firefighters, officials said.

Georgia's 17 deaths included an emergency responder, according to state officials.

In the Tennessee town of Erwin, more than 50 patients and staff trapped on a hospital roof by surging floodwaters had to be rescued by helicopters.

- 'Overwhelming' damage -

In a statement Saturday, President Joe Biden called Helene's devastation "overwhelming."

Biden was briefed by FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall on "the tragic loss of life across the region," the White House said.

Criswell, who went to Florida on Saturday to survey damage, will visit Georgia on Sunday and North Carolina on Monday.

September has been an unusually wet month around the world, with scientists linking some extreme weather events to human-caused global warming.

The North Atlantic hurricane season runs from the beginning of June to the end of November, with most of the severe storms historically forming around the end of August or beginning of September.

Forecasters are carefully watching two more named storm systems expected next week: Joyce and Hurricane Isaac.

Isaac is expected to weaken into a powerful post-tropical cyclone by Sunday night or early Monday, while Joyce is expected to be a tropical storm for a couple more days, according to the NHC.

bur-bbk-jgc/lb/mtp
Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), attends a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 27, 2024. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/REUTERS/Pool via Xinhua)

Shigeru Ishiba, elected as Japan's new prime minister, faces challenges of restoring trust, economic revival, and reshaping foreign policy dynamic, amidst high hopes and critical public scrutiny.

TOKYO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Elected as the new leader of Japan's ruling party after a heated race, veteran politician Shigeru Ishiba is set to face daunting challenges ranging from restoring public trust to addressing economic stagnation as he prepares to assume the role of Japan's prime minister.

The 67-year-old former defense minister narrowly defeated female hopeful Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi in a run-off on Friday as a record nine candidates competed to lead the country's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Ishiba is expected to be officially elected Japan's prime minister on Oct. 1, succeeding outgoing Fumio Kishida to lead a country facing a complex array of pressing issues.

First and foremost on Ishiba's task list is to restore public trust in the LDP, whose image has been heavily tarnished by the political funds scandal involving unreported income and misuse of political funds, which led to the indictment of several lawmakers.

Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), reacts at a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 27, 2024. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/REUTERS/Pool via Xinhua)

At a press conference following his win, Ishiba has vowed to give his "full effort" to rebuild trust and unity within the LDP, calling for a party that is humble, fair, and transparent, where rules are followed, and the public can hold leaders accountable.

While the current term of lower house members is to expire in October 2025, Ishiba will also need to decide when to dissolve the lower house, as in Japan, a new prime minister often calls a snap election to dissolve the lower house at an early date to capitalize on a high approval rating to seek a public mandate.

While indicating that a general election is necessary, Ishiba emphasized the importance of debating key issues with opposition parties before making any decision.

On the economic front, Ishiba's economic agenda promises continuity with those of Kishida but aims to make these policies more effective.

In recent years, sluggish economic growth, wage stagnation, rising prices and the yen's sharp depreciation have created woes for the Japanese public, and how Ishiba will differentiate his policies to tackle these economic challenges will be a key focus to watch.

Shigeru Ishiba (C) celebrates after he was elected as Japan's ruling party leader at Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 27, 2024. (Hiro Komae/Pool via Xinhua)

Stressing measures to accelerate real wage growth and boost consumer spending, Ishiba on Friday also highlighted Japan's population decline as a major concern, reiterating his focus on regional revitalization.

On foreign policy and national security, Ishiba, considered a defense policy expert, has put forward conservative proposals, including the establishment of an "Asian version of the NATO military alliance" and revisions to war-renouncing Article 9 of the pacifist Constitution. He has declined to say whether he would visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine as prime minister.

Regarding Japan-U.S. relations, Ishiba envisions a more equal and mutual Japan-U.S. security alliance, including having Japanese Self-Defense Force bases in the United States, a rare proposal within the conservative LDP.

In a report on Friday, Japan's Kyodo News said Ishiba may face a make-or-break moment as the country's prime minister, citing Yu Uchiyama, a political science professor at the University of Tokyo, as saying, adding the longevity of the new administration hinges on how drastic the next leader's reforms will be.
Over the past number of weeks members of Macra has been lobbying elected representatives throughout the country, along with their National President Elaine Houlihan meeting with the Taoiseach.

Our asks are simple, we need action now for succession, we need to see a succession scheme to aid the transition of farms throughout Ireland, to ensure there is a next generation of farmers, said Ms Houlihan.

Macra has highlighted over the past decade the need for government to take action on succession. With the increasing age of the farming population in Ireland, it is becoming more worrying for the sector with only 6.9% of farmers in Ireland under 35 years of age.

This years budget needs to deliver for the farming communities of Ireland, it's more than ever we need to see the government back agriculture, continued Ms Houlihan.

Along with succession, another one of Macras key asks is around its mental health initiative  Make the Moove.

"We are asking for funding to ensure the services continue to serve people throughout rural Ireland," said Ms Houlihan.

Currently Make the Moove offer subsidised counselling, a crisis response team, awareness talks, and they are developing training with the UCD Agri Mental Health group.

Ms Houlihan said: Make the Moove needs funding more then ever right now, we are currently running at capacity, and it is vital we get funding to continue the work that we are currently undertaking, helping farmers and rural dwellers in Ireland.

Over the past number of months, Macra has seen the conversation grow regarding farmers' mental health in Ireland, "so why not back and support an initiative thats already working to help meet the needs in our society", said the Macra President.

Ms Houlihan concluded: Succession and mental health go hand in hand in some situations, so it is now time our ministers and government listen to the next generation.
James Cox

Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Budget 2025

Budget 2025 will be announced on Tuesday, so the nation will be keeping a keen eye to see what impact, if any, it will have on them.

A cost-of-living package worth 1.5 billion is said to be in the works for the budget, less than last years 2.3 billion.

Lump sum social welfare payments, as well as energy credits, are also expected.

Child benefit and childcare supports are planned, as the Government looks to target child poverty.

There will be tax cuts, with Minister for Finance Jack Chambers pledging the average worker will be 1,000 better off.

The recent ruling that ordered Ireland to collect 13 billion in back taxes from Apple will not impact on the upcoming budget, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe have said.

Sinn Fein, as part of its alternative budget, has pledged to abolish the universal social charge (USC) for average workers, reduce childcare costs to 10 per day, and abolish the TV licence.

The party said it will undo the damage of previous governments, while ramping up public spending.

The document, published on Thursday, set outs the partys budget plans, with a lot of focus on measures for families in an attempt to reduce everyday costs.

Pearse Doherty, the partys finance spokesman, said it is a budget package of 12.4 billion, including 7.3 billion of new measures.

For an in-depth look at what to expect in Budget 2025, click here.

What are you hoping for in Budget 2025? Tax cuts

Increased child benefit

Inheritance tax reform

Other

General election announcement looming?

Speculation about the date of the next general election has reached fever pitch, and Taoiseach Simon Harris surely can't leave it much longer.

He had been continually insistent that the Government would serve its full term to March 2025, but appears to have softened his stance now.

Sources say Mr Harris' coalition colleagues are eager to go to the polls before Christmas, with opinion polls showing Fine Gael in a strong position while Sinn Fein are struggling.

Mr Harris' personal popularity has also soared in recent polls.

He has ruled out November 15th, which had widely been speculated as the most likely general election date for months.

During the week, the Irish Examiner reported Mr Harris is considering surprising everyone and calling an election even earlier, for October 25th.

An announcement could well come this week after the budget is out of the way, and coalition leaders may want to strike while the iron is hot as controversy has surrounded the Government recently.

We'll get to that next...

1.4 million security hut

There was widespread outrage after it was revealed that work to build a bike shed on the grounds of Leinster House cost 336,000, while it has since emerged a security hut near Government Buildings cost 1.4 million.

The roof of the hut cost 60,000 alone.

The price of the noteworthy feature, which has been likened to former US president Donald Trumps hairstyle, was published in new documents from the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Taoiseach's comments linking immigration and homelessness

Taoiseach Simon Harris 'scapegoated' asylum seekers with his comment linking homelessness and migration, according to migrant charity Nasc.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr Harris said: People understand the fact that homelessness numbers are heavily impacted by the fact we are seeing many people seek protection in our country, seek asylum in our country and many people come from abroad hoping to have a new future in Ireland and immigration, it has many, many pluses, but it has had a challenge there.

Mr Harris' comments prompted criticism from charities that work with asylum seekers and a number of opposition politicians.

Nasc chief executive Fiona Hurley told BreakingNews.ie: "Having our Taoiseach make statements that scapegoat people who seek protection, instead of acknowledging the extent of successive governments' failures in relation to homelessness is beyond disappointing.

"In light of the rise of far-right violence, the Taoiseach should be showing political leadership and not deflecting blame for successive government failures to deliver on housing commitments."

Ms Hurley added: "Many people are already terrified of being targeted by the violent anti-immigrant perpetrators that we've seen committing arson attacks in our communities all over the country.

"Children in Direct Provision and other emergency accommodation centres already face significant stigma. Hearing their political leaders talk about them as if they're a problem rather than a person can only add to that stigma."

She also expressed concern about "what kind of commentary" the Taoiseach's comments could encourage in the run-up to the next general election.

"It's a deeply concerning indication of what is being deemed acceptable in public discourse, and we are worried about the kind of commentary this will encourage in the run-up to the general election."

Abroad

In the US, the November 5th presidential election is fast approaching.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris holds a narrow lead over Republican rival Donald Trump in six US swing states and is tied in a seventh state, according to a Bloomberg poll of likely voters released on Friday.

Her leads in individual states are within the poll's statistical margin of error, underscoring that the November 5th contest could be decided by the narrowest of margins, it said.

The Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows Ms Harris leading by 7 percentage points in Nevada, 5 points in Pennsylvania, 3 points in Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin, and 2 points in North Carolina. The two are tied in Georgia.

In the UK, prime minister Keir Starmer is attempting to recover from controversy over undeclared clothing donations to his wife Victoria.

Mr Starmer was in New York this week along with other world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.

He met Mr Trump there, and will head to Brussels next week for talks with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Mr Starmer has admitted a "reset" in UK-EU relations will not be easy.
I also wonder whether  for a work of this size  it might not have been wiser to bring in a composer with a more developed symphonic practice. A richer and more varied score may well have suggested a wider variety of movement options. Nonetheless, for all its flaws, this might be the companys most interesting Australian commission since Alice Topps Little Atlas  and that was almost 10 years ago. Circle Electric is paired with Etudes, Harald Landers 1948 rhapsody on classroom barre exercises. Credit: Kate Longley The second work of the evening is Etudes, Harald Landers 1948 rhapsody on classroom barre exercises, a whimsical exhibition piece designed to show off a companys mastery of the academic vocabulary. The piece has charm but doesnt work as a companion to Circle Electric. The publicity material speaks hopefully of a productive collision of worlds. In fact, theres little to be said about the contrast. The two works barely connect.

Its only during the famous flying scene, where dancers perform split leaps in a cross of two strips of light, that productive comparison seems possible: a cross imposed upon a nought, the negation of all that generous circularity. The company nonetheless performed with justified confidence. Ako Kondo, as la reine de la danse, was in excellent form on opening night, as were her principal gallants, Chengwu Guo and Joseph Caley.

Reviewed by Andrew Fuhrmann THEATRE | FRINGE FESTIVAL

Transmission  into the dark 

One step at a time like this, The Substation, until October 5 The metaphysical idea of theatrum mundi invokes the great stage of the world, with our lives experienced as performance. Some version of it has permeated philosophy since at least Platos allegory of the cave. The flip side of the notion is, of course, that artists can dismantle theatrical conventions and blur neat distinctions between art and life; they may use anywhere they like as a stage. Transmission  into the dark  the latest work from experimental performance outfit One Step at a Time Like This  uses the inner-west suburb of Newport. It draws upon cutting-edge technology and knowledge much older than Platos, and seems geared towards unfurling the nature of consciousness itself, which would seem to cast attendees as both actor and audience, participant and spectator.

Starting at a secret location, the piece begins with an audio-guided night walk through suburban streets, and meanders into a spectacular digital performance installation, before following a trail to the stars. The effect of this site-responsive, tech-augmented experience is to encourage reflection on self and place and ones place in the world. Transmission is a show that turns the world into a stage. Credit: Sarah Walker At first, I thought of Tamara Saulwicks Newport Archives, an audio tour of the suburbs working-class history, and how completely gentrified Newport has become since 2019. As I caught the indescribable whiff of the power station (the smell of clutter, I suppose), I reflected on disjunctions in sensory perception: this was an invisible, purely olfactory boundary, the properties remaining as genteel and immaculately manicured either side of it.

Loading I thought of how your walking changes when you think about how youre walking. Of Thomas Bernhards novella about walking and thinking. Of the impossibility of true self-reflection. Of the stickiness of tradition, and curtains within curtains in the theatre of the mind. Of how differently we must think to understand the impossibly tiny and the incredibly vast  across human history, as much as theoretical physics. To provoke deep thinking is perhaps the one constant in the groups eclectic oeuvre, which includes everything from Since I Suppose, an embedded urban walking tour inspired by Shakespeares Measure for Measure, to the live-art experience Carnival of Futures, an inventive sideshow-cum-seminar exploring how we perceive, imagine and relate to possible futures for humanity. So, no spoilers here. Surprise is key to this meditative night odyssey, which should stand to be judged by the quality of thought it inspires in you.

Reviewed by Cameron Woodhead This review was written from a preview performance.

MUSIC

Concertante 

Omega Ensemble, Melbourne Recital Centre, October 1 Blessed by young, talented musicians, the Omega Ensemble continues to prove itself a vital part of this countrys musical landscape with its commitment to nurturing new Australian chamber music. Omega Ensemble perform at Melbourne Recital Centre on October 1, 2024. Credit: Laura Manariti Nonetto II by Finnish conductor, pianist and composer Olli Mustonen gave Omegas latest program an edgy opening. This shape-shifting music, cast in four short movements, hinted at Bernard Herrmanns abrasive score for Alfred Hitchcocks Psycho before morphing into Beethovenian gestures leavened at times with a dash of Schubertian repose. Led energetically by principal violin Peter Clark, the effervescent, lightning-fast finale formed a perfect foil to the preceding meditative adagio. Commissioned by Omega and receiving its first performance, Harry Sdrauligs Triptych was a well-crafted vehicle for the prodigious skills of clarinettist David Rowden. Inspired by the art of Australian painter Clarice Beckett, the scores initial scene, Sea Drift, allowed undulating patterns to support the rise and fall of soloistic musical waves. Muted strings endowed The Garden with a misty pastoralism, leading eventually to an impassioned soliloquy to which Rowden brought all his expressive powers. Mystic Dance was a joyful interplay of rhythmic and timbral elements that culminated in exultant, high clarinet exclamations fearlessly delivered.

Attempting to recreate something of the chamber ambience in which Chopins piano concertos were initially performed, the account of his Piano Concerto No. 1 with soloist Vatche Jambazian accompanied by nine string players would have been improved with the use of a historically appropriate piano. Both the size of the hall and the use of a brilliant and powerful Steinway concert grand worked against musical cohesion. Even so, Jambazian used his undoubted pianistic credentials to create plenty of poetry, particularly in the melting, central Romanze, surrounding it with exciting technical pyrotechnics. A welcome encore, Arvo Parts calming Fur Alina restored balance to the evenings eclectic but accomplished music-making.

Reviewed by Tony Way Harry Sdrauligs Triptych was a well-crafted vehicle for the prodigious skills of clarinettist David Rowden. Credit: Laura Manariti THEATRE | FRINGE FESTIVAL

Bad Boy 

fortyfivedownstairs, until October 13 Luvya tits! Luvya tits! cries the pint-sized ringmaster, broadcasting his coarse lust at the start of Patricia Cornelius Bad Boy. Its Roll-up! Roll-up! retuned in an aggressive, misogynistic key, and on opening night, spectators to this little circus soon found the ringmaster doubling as clown.

I dont know if it was intentional, but performer Nicci Wilks false moustache kept slithering from her lip, and not even her highly trained dexterity  Wilks career began at the Flying Fruit Fly Circus  could stop it from dropping pathetically to the floor. A moment of Insecure masculinity  ta-dah! to undermine the demeaning barrage was thematically perfect for a work that sees Wilks, playwright Cornelius, and director Susie Dee rejoin forces to explore domestic violence. Nicci Wilks performs with a sharp comic touch and empathic scrutiny. Credit: George Jefford Their last collaboration, Runt, embodied the psychology of abjection, cruelty and powerlessness through condensed monologue and heightened physical theatre. This one feels like a natural extension. Gender is in the hot seat here, and within minutes Wilks has stripped off the greasepaint to get under the skin of a small man who needs women to be smaller still.

This is a love story. A romance. We all know it  the disturbing lyrics of popular love songs (The Polices creepy Every Breath You Take is just the beginning) scroll above the action. And Wilks character feels it  hes genuinely smitten by his new girlfriend, even as the relationship slides (and theres a sickening inevitability to how normal Bad Boy makes the trajectory seem) into coercive control and eventually physical violence. Nicci Wilks gives a bravura performance in Bad Boy. Credit: George Jefford Wilks inhabits this frustrated figure with a sharp comic touch and empathic scrutiny. Shes so convincing as a bloke, she might fool those who dont know her gender, though those who do will discover moments of dramatic equivocation far deeper than a wayward moustache or the hilariously extended pissing contest he has with himself. Wilks can silently reflect the agony of the woman to whom the play gives no voice. When the man has a flicker of transient insight into his behaviour  horrified by what hes done  we see the terror mirrored in his victims prone body, too.

Peppered with clowning, break-dancing, karaoke and spoken word with a spotlight on the everyman, Bad Boy channels variety performance to illustrate the nexus between social, psychological and cultural contributors to domestic violence and the plausibly imagined individual experience of a perpetrator. Loading Perhaps Cornelius script is distilled to the point of under-realisation on occasion, but that just gives greater focus to Wilks bravura performance, and the clarity of Dees direction in framing a problem that implicates our whole society.

Reviewed by Cameron Woodhead THEATRE

Pride and Prejudice: An Adaptation in Words and Music 

Arts Centre Melbourne, until October 6 Every Janeite will rejoice at the prospect of seeing Nadine Garner in Pride and Prejudice. This is such a pleasant and accessible adaptation, itll appeal to lovers of Jane Austens pop-cultural descendants, too, especially Bridgerton watchers and readers who havent traced their fandom back to its literary source.

Were transported to Regency England through music. Madeleine Easton on violin and Daniel Le on piano first play an excerpt from Carl Davis score for the 1995 BBC adaptation, starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, before launching into virtuosic renditions of that composers classical influences. A Schubert sonatina, Beethovens first sonata for piano and violin, plus a side-serve of Regency dance music: if you dont know what a quadrille sounds like, or a Scottish reel, you will after this. Nadine Garner as the narrator in Pride and Prejudice  An Adaptation in Words and Music. Credit: Robert Catto True, some of Eastons remarks on Austens importance sound fatuous and need polishing  incorporating the authors own music collection, as they did at La Mama in By Janes Hand, might work. And arguably the purely musical section of the evening could be usefully split between a shorter intro and a brief interlude midway through the storytelling. But no one will care about that in the presence of Garner, whose lively staged narration, delivered in a fine Regency frock coat, draws out the essence of Austens most popular novel, which hasnt been out of print since it was first published (anonymously) in 1813.

Garner delights in conspiring with the audience to unleash Austens ironic wit and rather acerbic observations of character and society. Occasional dialogue swells into caricature on command, and droll physical comedy offers a nod and a wink to whats going on underneath all that period costume, in a performance as expressive and expansive as Gill Hornbys text is highly compressed. Madeleine Easton helps transport the audience to Regency England through music. Credit: Robert Catto Austen aficionados might miss some of the authors intricacies, and some supporting characters get short shrift, but this isnt a show that simply delivers a precis of the plot. Rather, it emphasises Elizabeth Bennets prejudice and Mr Darcys pride, and the contentions and follies  some personal, some social  strewn across their road to romance.
Twenty-three years ago, UK popstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor released the song Murder On The Dancefloor, setting off a chain of events that would eventually result in Sydney guitar pop duo Royel Otis receiving eight ARIA Nominations in 2024. Slightly confused? Lets unpack.

Excuse me, is it 2001?

No. Why?

Royel Maddell (L) and Otis Pavlovic (R) of the Group Royel Otis performs at Ypsigrock Festival 2024 on August 9, 2024 Credit: Corbis via Getty Images

Well, you mentioned Sophie Ellis-Bextor, so I could only assume.

Actually, I mentioned her in the context of Royel Otis, the Australian band currently conquering the world (and the ARIA Awards).

Royel who?

Royel Otis. You know, the band who swept the ARIA nominations this week, leading the field with eight nods, including album of the year, best group and song of the year.
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 This story is part of the September 29 edition of Sunday Life. See all 11 stories . The sand from our beaches is invasive. It gets into shoes, bags and bathers with a persistence that resists even the most aggressive loofahs. Think of it as Australian glitter. Along with bikini bottoms and board shorts, it follows us home and infiltrates every aspect of our wardrobes and the way we dress. There is a sense of freedom to Australian style that always goes back to the beach, says Sunday Life fashion editor Penny McCarthy. Its very relaxed, easy and breezy. Theres plenty of room to make your own rules. Even as local labels such as Rebecca Vallance, Sir and Christopher Esber show the world levels of sophistication unexpected from the birthplace of the ugg boot, its the way Australians wear their full skirts and fitted dresses that defines us. Its that look of either having come straight from the beach, or that at any opportunity youre ready to strip off and dive beneath the waves, says Penny. Albus Lumen Traveller T-shirt, $149. Blanca Rio skirt, $290. Credit: Jesse-Leigh Elford So it makes sense that swimsuits are at the beating heart of some of our most successful brands. Before considering a high-necked floral dress with covered buttons from Zimmermann, most people tried one of their swimsuits and Venroy made board shorts years before the label stitched their first linen pants. Bondi Born now sells dresses in the Middle East and London but was started by businesswoman Dale McCarthy in 2015 with a range of one-piece swimsuits.

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Theres no getting around the fact that Australia is a laid-back country, Dale says. We are not fussy and we are not pretentious. The same applies to the way that we dress. Fussy doesnt really work here. It all goes back to nature and the beach. Zimmermann Crush dress, $1950. Credit: Jesse-Leigh Elford While building her brand, Dale discovered that nailing the easygoing simplicity of the Australian approach to dressing was hard work. Its all about having the right ingredients  just ask Neil Perry, who has redefined Australian style with his food, or architect Luigi Rosselli. Like these masters, we have to find the right ingredients for fashion. You can do swimwear with lots of frills and embellishments but creating something simple requires the best possible fabrics. The less is more approach requires effort. Having developed custom fabrics for Bondi Born swimwear, Dale has taken the same considered approach to the brands clothing. Theres an ease to sarong skirts that can be pulled over swimwear to elegantly make the transition from surf to turf after a good towelling off. Scanlan Theodore bustier and skirt, $1800. Credit: Jesse-Leigh Elford At the opening show of Australian Fashion Week in May, designer Marina Afonina captured the adaptability of this countrys style by pairing bikini tops with long skirts and T-shirts over sensual sheer pieces. Models had their hair loose and parted down the middle, with pearl necklaces adding an unexpected touch of refinement.

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The beaches are always there when you think of Australian style, says Afonina. A young Elle Macpherson in a swimsuit with zinc on her nose is the first image that comes to mind. Everyone loves the warm weather and the colour it brings. Lets face it, as a country we dont do winter well. Raised in Russia before moving to Australia when she was 17, Afonina still has an outsiders view of the country. For her, the relative youth of our capital cities helps keep the focus on nature and the great outdoors when it comes to defining our style. Europe is an old culture where generations of culture inform your style through the architecture, she says. Its in the walls. Bondi Born Lana bikini top, $150, and Ardea skirt, $395. Credit: Jesse-Leigh Elford Furrowing her Eastern European brow, Afonina worries that some of the freedom she loves about Australian style is disappearing because of fast fashion and social media. I wonder where the courage is. You look around and some people are like sheep. Why are all of my friends wearing the same trench coat? We need new brave icons. Where is the new Elle? That confidence might come from other corners of the world, with buyers in Paris and Milan always impressed by the way we pull ourselves together. I think people are always surprised that Australians can have style, but its part of the reason why people around the world love us, Afonina says. Of course, they think we have kangaroos everywhere. But they pick up on our relaxed manner by the way we dress. Beare Park Joyce dress, $820. Venroy Balconette bikini top, $140. Models own jeans. Credit: Jesse-Leigh Elford

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NEW DELHI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Five policemen were wounded in an improvised explosive device explosion in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh on Sunday, police said.

The device planted by Naxals exploded in Tarrem area of Bijapur district, about 452 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.

Police said the wounded personnel were removed to a local hospital.

"All the injured jawans are out of danger," senior police officer P Sundarraj told media.

Police said earlier that three Naxal commanders were killed during a five-day-long fierce gunfight in Paradi area of Abhujmad forest of the state's Narayanpur district.

Currently, Naxals are active across the central and eastern parts of India.

New Delhi has deployed paramilitary forces to take on Naxals in their strongholds. 
The experts say the key to travelling with only carry-on is neutral-coloured clothes. Vomit. Pack a lot of beige, and it will set the tone for your entire trip. Loading Its impossible to anticipate your mood on any given day, so why not bring the broadest colour palette that a checked-in luggage limit allows? With global warming shaking up weather patterns, clear-cut seasons are blurring and spells of extreme heat, cold, rain, storms and blizzards are more frequent. You simply cant pack only carry-on to travel to multiple climates without risking chilblains. The carry-on packing pros recommend taking just three or four bottoms, and a few tops that can be re-worn. Have they not seen the exorbitant hotel laundry prices?

And honestly, who wants to waste precious hours scrubbing garments in a hotel sink or traipsing around with a bag of dirty washing looking for a laundromat? Id rather be having an afternoon aperitif. Loading The hand luggage evangelists say it doesnt matter what you wear on your overseas sojourn because nobody will know you. But what they fail to comprehend is that all travellers are ambassadors for their homelands. Dress smart and look the part. Besides, all your friends living vicariously through Instagram will note you swanned about Europe looking like you were on a trip to Bunnings. You cant channel Emily in Paris or Audrey Hepburn vibes with such extreme clothing restrictions. Case in point: a waiter in Florence once mistook me for being Princess Beatrice of York because she said I was so well-dressed. As for the rule that you should only take one pair of comfortable walking shoes on tour  what happens when it rains and your only shoes start smelling like dead cats?

Whenever I travel beyond a weekend away, I pack a minimum of five pairs of shoes and at least three hats. And I never listen to the naysayers who denounce wearing heels on cobblestones. Royals do it all the time. Life is too short not to wear fabulous shoes in fabulous locations. (Just make sure you have travel insurance.) Loading The minimalist brigade is also doing you a disservice when they recommend leaving your activewear at home. If you intend to eat all the pizza and pasta in Italy, as well as enjoy a red wine with lunch (because its good for digestion, as the locals say), and a daily gelato then youve got to at least attempt to make your trip calorie neutral and hit the hotel gym. Many of these preachers of carry-on claim a key appeal is that you dont have to wait for your baggage at the arrivals hall. Its usually 20 minutes. Never mind that if youre a woman, youre likely to be waiting longer for a loo at the airport; my suitcase is usually waiting for me. For those anxious worrywarts fretting about their baggage not showing up  spring for one of those nifty bluetooth bag tags then you can track your suitcases location on your phone throughout the entire flight and transit for peace of mind.
Budapest, Hungary: Hungary always has and always will defend itself against foreign attacks, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday after one of his closest aides provoked controversy by suggesting that Hungary wouldnt have fought against a Russian invasion as Ukraine has done.

Political director of Prime Minster Viktor Orban of Hungary, Balazs Orban. Credit: AP

Speaking to state radio, Orban sought to downplay the remarks by his political director, Balazs Orban, which stirred outrage among many in Hungary and led to calls for his resignation.

Speaking on a podcast on Wednesday, Balazs Orban, who is not related to the prime minister, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had made an irresponsible decision by opting to militarily defend his country after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Hungary, he said, has learned that precious Hungarian lives must be treated with caution rather than offering them up for defence.

Prime Minister Orban called the comment an ambiguous statement, which in this context is a mistake.
Erie, Pennsylvania: Republicans have sought to distance themselves from Donald Trumps latest insults of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris made during a rambling weekend rally in Wisconsin in which he called her mentally disabled.

The ex-president escalated his personal attacks on the vice president during a self-described dark speech on immigration following Harris trip to the US-Mexico border.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris during the debate. Higher tariffs are on the agenda of both candidates. Credit: AP

Joe Biden became mentally impaired, Trump said. Kamala was born that way. She was born that way. And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country. Anybody would know this.

Trump has already falsely claimed Harris turned black and regularly insults her as stupid, weak, dumb as a rock and lazy. With just over a month left before the presidential election on November 5, his allies pushed him publicly and privately to talk instead about the economy, immigration and other issues.
A Palestinian woman grieves over the death of a relative after an Israeli attack at the Umm al-Fahm school, west of Beit Lahia town in northern Gaza Strip, on Sept. 29, 2024. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

GAZA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least four Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said on Sunday.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that an Israeli aircraft bombed the Umm al-Fahm school, which is located west of Beit Lahia town in northern Gaza and has now been converted into a shelter for displaced families.

Medical sources said the airstrike resulted in at least four deaths and several injuries with varying degrees of severity.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that the Air Force "conducted a precise strike" against militants operating within a Hamas command and control center embedded inside a compound that previously served as the "Umm al-Fahm" school.

According to a statement by Gaza-based health authorities on Sunday, 41,595 Palestinians have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. 

A Palestinian woman grieves over the death of a relative after an Israeli attack at the Umm al-Fahm school, west of Beit Lahia town in northern Gaza Strip, on Sept. 29, 2024. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

A Palestinian checks a ruined building after an Israeli attack at the Umm al-Fahm school, west of Beit Lahia town in northern Gaza Strip, on Sept. 29, 2024. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)
Cillian Sherlock, PA

Luxury cruise passengers who have been marooned in Belfast for four months are hoping to hit the seas this week.

The worldwide voyage of the Villa Vie Odyssey has been long set back, leaving its guests stuck exploring Ireland instead.

Cruisegoers could avail of offered rental segments varying from 35 to 120 days, or purchase villas ranging from 107,000 to 311,000.

Owning a villa on board guarantees the room for a minimum of 15 years, but the ownership stays valid for the entire operation of the ship.

However, the start of the dream stay boasting an ever-changing backyard has been delayed for four months due to unexpected repair works, meaning the cruise ship has been stranded in Belfast.

Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship at Belfast Port. The luxury cruise passengers who have been marooned in Belfast for four months are hoping to hit the seas this week. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

The ships eventual passengers hope to board on Monday, beginning their life at sea soon thereafter.

In the meantime, the would-be voyagers have fallen in love with Belfast, and each other.

Gian Perroni, from Vancouver in Canada, and Angie Harsanyi, from Colorado in the US, first met in Belfast four months ago having bought cabins on the ship.

Both were looking forward to an adventure at sea but were not looking for a relationship.

The pair started walking through Belfast on their way to and back from the ship, before realising how compatible they were.

Mr Perroni said the two are made for each other, adding: We found our soulmates.

With love blossoming in Ireland, the pair recently announced their engagement following a proposal on the Lagan Weir Bridge under a supermoon.

Ms Harsanyi, who says she loves Mr Perroni from the bottom of her heart, added: I cant imagine spending another day of my life without him.

Angela Harsanyi and Gian Perroni fell in love while stranded in Belfast for the last four months. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

On being unexpectedly waylaid in Belfast, Mr Perroni quipped: I dont think wed consider it stranded as much as  marooned?

He said the Villa Vie Residences company has been great and diligent in making sure the vessel is safe and ready, as well as covering their expenses during the extended shore excursion.

Weve all had the opportunity to travel and go home as needed. So weve learned patience and perseverance  and learned how wonderful the people of Belfast have been.

Ms Harsanyi said visiting Belfast for the first time has been absolutely lovely, with the pair, who got matching tattoos to commemorate their time in the city, almost ready to start giving their own tours after soaking up the central area.

We enjoy the people, the pubs, the architecture, and a lot of the nature around here.

She adds: The hospitality and the kindness has been awesome.

Angela Harsanyi and Gian Perroni show off the matching trinity tattoos they got while in Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

Mr Perroni, who is half Irish, said they have been able to travel around Ireland to destinations like the Giants Causeway: I dont think we could have picked a better place to end up. It is always going to be close to our heart.

However, he admits: Weve enjoyed the pubs  my liver is crying a little bit.

Ms Harsanyi, who is also travelling with her sister, is looking forward to the cruises community outreach programme around the world.

Mr Perroni, who has spent the last six years in Costa Rica, said the idea of the cruise really struck a chord with him.

He is able to continue his work on board while seeing the world.

The ships captain will marry the new couple as part of a gigantic wedding on board in April, between Costa Rica and Panama.

Also waiting to board, Florida native Holly Hennessy said passengers were informed over the weekend that the ship has passed all certifications.

It was an arduous four-month process but we get to board on Monday and then we get to perpetually sail around the world.

She reflects fondly on her time in Belfast: What you lack in warmth of temperature, the people make up for.

It has been a remarkable experience.

As for the delay, she believes the cruise will be worth the wait.

Holly Hennessy with her Siamese cat Captain at the Europa Hotel in Belfast, who have both been waiting in the city for the last four months. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

She paid $329,000 (294,000) for her balcony mini-suite: Im going to be incredibly comfortable.

She added: When I see her [the Odyssey], my heart goes pitter-patter. I have a genuine affection for this ship.

Ms Hennessy said the experience on board will be an actual community.

At Ms Hennessys side is her yachting companion, Captain the cruising kitty.

The Siamese cat is used to life on deck, having spent every winter of his eight-year life on a boat.

However, Ms Hennessy knows that hotels are not always accommodating of pets.

Therefore, as part of what she describes as a generosity of spirit in the city, she said the Europa Hotel and others have been heroes by creating exceptions for Captain.

Im abundantly grateful for what could have been a much worse situation for me  and Captain!

The cat has made friends all over Belfast, even being invited to the Lord Mayors office.

Ms Hennessy, who said Belfast was her favourite part of the island when she last toured Ireland five years, said her shipmates are renting out three beer bikes as part of their last full day in the city.

We are going to make a grand statement saying goodbye to Belfast!
When Carrowmore National School closed its doors in 1973, it was reputed to be the oldest school in continuous operation in Ireland. I was attending the school at the time and its closure was like leaving behind a piece of history.

The school still stands today, a testament to its builders. The building is also testament to the thousands of children who passed through its doors and played in its yard over a period of almost 140 years. The old school remains in the possession of the local community, nestled picturesquely at the foot of Knocknashee, close to the river Moy and the Ox Mountains. The story of Carrowmore school is the story of old rural schools everywhere.

A pre-Famine school

Ireland in the early nineteenth century contained various types of schools such as parish, diocesan, and royal schools which had been facilitated by Britain as agencies of colonial conquest to spread the use of the English language and the Protestant faith. However, there was no co-ordinated scheme in place and the influence of these schools failed to reach enough people to have the desired effect.

Since the late seventeenth century, Catholics had suffered from the harsh Penal Laws which prohibited them from setting up Catholic schools. Despite this, Catholics had succeeded in setting up numerous unofficial schools, known as Hedge Schools, and these were quite widespread by the early 1800s.

It seems that the local parish around Carrowmore had quite a number of both official and unofficial schools at the time. As well as church and society schools, there was up to eight hedge schools in operation locally. As a result, Carrowmore National School was one of the first schools to be built when the National Education Authority was established in 1831.

It seems when the school was finally built, a further appeal was required to have it furnished. This aid application, made to the Commissioners of National Education, contained the following information about the school in those early days. It gives an interesting outline of local circumstances.

It was located on two acres received from Charles O'Hara (the local landlord). Expenses to date were 71 and the dimensions were 48' x 15 x 9. The school was constructed with limestone and had a slated roof. One-third of the money needed had been raised through local subscriptions. The expected number was 130 males and 80 females. The population in the locality was 4,000 and circumstances were described as very poor.

When the school eventually opened on November 3, 1834, it consisted of just one room with five desks and eleven forms which could accommodate 54 pupils. Saturday was set aside for religious duties and the attendance hours were 10am to 4pm, five days a week. In 1861, a hen house was erected in the school grounds and in addition there was a cowshed on the site. A basic teachers residence was also located on the school grounds  all benefits in kind for the master.

Early 1920s

My father attended the school from 1920 to 1925. In later life, he described his time there in a piece he contributed to a parish history collection. The piece reflects a well-attended and vibrant school, a school that had created a considerable academic reputation, and all of this in very difficult economic and political times.

Everyone wore boots or clogs in the winter and went in bare feet in summer. We were glad when May came and we could go without footwear because we could run a lot faster. For lunch, we carried a few cuts of bread in our pockets and lots of children had no lunch.

We learned a lot of things by heart, poems, catechism and tables. You had to learn a poem for the Inspector, in case he asked you. We learned long pieces from The Deserted Village. The girls did sewing and had to learn all the stitches. I remember once a girl near me was trying to do a buttonhole. She told me that shed do my sums for me if I did the buttonhole for her  and I did.

The Master and his wife taught in the two main classrooms. She taught the infant classes and was a very kind woman. Miss Flood and Mr Hunt taught in the two outside sheds. The sheds were bright and warm. They had board floors, the walls were lined with asbestos and they had a row of windows facing south. There was a stove in each shed, in the main building we had open fires. The children lit the fires every morning and every house supplied a cart of turf every year. It was always hard to get dry turf because no one had a turf shed.

Master McGowan was my favourite teacher. He taught the senior classes, 5th, 6th and 7th and he had a very good way of teaching. He used to use the rod now and again but not much. Every weekend, at that time, wed see young people getting on the train at Carrowmore, going to America. About a month or so before theyd go, the young men would come to Master McGowan to learn to write a letter. I can remember seeing big lads sitting in the seats and the Master teaching them during playtime.

The Carrowmore National School band who appeared on Telefis Eireann in the 1960s.

The 1960s

Jack Murtagh taught as principal in the school through the 1960s. This teacher had a particular interest in music and started the schools first band. The band even made an appearance on television in the early days of RTE. One of the band members, Martin Rooney, recalls with fondness his childhood fascination at being part of that whole experience.

In 1962 or 1963, the band made an appearance on the famous programme, Seoirse agus Beartlai. Three or four cars brought the whole band up to Dublin. My memory of the day is seeing oranges being crushed in a drinks dispenser and getting yellow Snacks in the RTE Canteen. When the programme was broadcast, there were only two televisions in the area and those two houses were so crowded that I failed to get into either of them to see our performance.

I arrived in Carrowmore school at the age of seven in 1968. My previous school had closed due to the school amalgamation scheme in vogue at that time. While I was glad to be leaving where I was, I was quite uncertain about where I was going. For the first two years in my previous school, I had laboured under a harsh regime. I left it having celebrated my First Holy Communion as a Senior Infant and I also left with a genuine fear of school, any school.

To cut a long story short, when I got to Carrowmore, I thought the teacher was lovely and the lessons very easy. The rest of my time in Carrowmore passed without too much incident, despite my academic glass of milk being tainted by dyslexia.

The Carrowmore school building, now 190 years old, is still alive and well. Due to recent renovations, the school is probably in better condition today than at any time while pupils passed through it.

* Acknowledgement: Much of the information on Carrowmore National School provided here came from a publication, From Plain to Hill (1995), a book created as part of a FAS project under the auspices of Achonry/Mullinabreena Developing the West Group.
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The naval forces of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Northern Theater Command will open five vessels to the public to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The event, to be held from Oct. 1 to 3, will take place at two harbors in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. It is expected to attract more than 120,000 visitors.

The five vessels, including two missile frigates, two missile destroyers and one comprehensive supply ship, were all independently designed and built by China.

In addition to the event, the PLA Navy will host similar open-ship events in Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. 
PERRY, Fla.  North Carolina officials pledged to get more water and other supplies to flood-stricken areas by Monday after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast and the death toll from the storm rose to nearly 100.

At least 91 people across several states were killed. A North Carolina county that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported 30 people killed.

Gov. Roy Cooper predicted the toll would rise as rescuers and other emergency workers reached areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure and widespread flooding.

Supplies were being airlifted to the region around the isolated city of Asheville. Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder pledged that she would have food and water to the city by Monday.

We hear you. We need food and we need water, Pinder said on a Sunday call with reporters. My staff has been making every request possible to the state for support and weve been working with every single organization that has reached out. What I promise you is that we are very close.

Officials warned that rebuilding from the widespread loss of homes and property would be lengthy and difficult. The storm upended life throughout the Southeast. Deaths also were reported in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

Cooper implored residents in western North Carolina to avoid travel, both for their own safety and to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. More than 50 search teams spread throughout the region in search of stranded people.

One rescue effort involved saving 41 people north of Asheville. Another mission focused on saving a single infant. The teams found people through both 911 calls and social media messages, North Carolina National Guard Adjutant General Todd Hunt said.

President Joe Biden described the impact of the storm as stunning and said he would visit the area this week as long as it does not disrupt rescues or recovery work. In a brief exchange with reporters, he said the administration is giving states everything we have to help with their response to the storm.

Hurricane Helene roared ashore late Thursday in Floridas Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph (225 kph) winds. A weakened Helene quickly moved through Georgia, then soaked the Carolinas and Tennessee with torrential rains that flooded creeks and rivers and strained dams.

There have been hundreds of water rescues, including in rural Unicoi County in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked by helicopter from a hospital rooftop Friday.

More than 2 million homeowners and other utility customers were still without power Sunday night. South Carolina had the most outages and Gov. Henry McMaster asked for patience as crews dealt with widespread snapped power poles.

We want people to remain calm. Help is on the way, it is just going to take time, McMaster told reporters outside the airport in Aiken County.

US: Hurricane Helene Leaves Extensive Destruction Across Southeast 5 St. Petersburg, United States - September 27, 2024 Hurricane Helene left widespread flooding and destruction across the Southeast resulting in

Begging for help in North Carolina as that help is slow to arrive

The storm unleashed the worst flooding in a century in North Carolina. One community, Spruce Pine, was doused with over 2 feet (61 centimeters) of rain from Tuesday through Saturday.

Jessica Drye Turner in Texas had begged for someone to rescue her family members stranded on their rooftop in Asheville amid rising floodwaters. They are watching 18-wheelers and cars floating by, Turner wrote in an urgent Facebook post on Friday.

But in a follow-up message Saturday, Turner said help had not arrived in time to save her parents, both in their 70s, and her 6-year-old nephew. The roof collapsed and the three drowned.

I cannot convey in words the sorrow, heartbreak and devastation my sisters and I are going through, she wrote.

The state was sending water supplies and other items toward Buncombe County and Asheville, but mudslides blocking Interstate 40 and other highways prevented supplies from making it. The countys own water supplies were on the other side of the Swannanoa River, away from where most of the 270,000 people in Buncombe County live, officials said.

Law enforcement was making plans to send officers to places that still had water, food or gas because of reports of arguments and threats of violence, the county sheriff said.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell toured south Georgia on Sunday and planned to be in North Carolina Monday.

Its still very much an active search and rescue mission in western North Carolina, Criswell said. And we know that theres many communities that are cut off just because of the geography of the mountains, where damage to roads and bridges have cut off certain areas.

Biden on Saturday pledged federal government help for Helene's overwhelming devastation. He also approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funding available for affected individuals.

Storm-battered Florida digs out, residents gather for church

In Florida's Big Bend, some lost nearly everything they own. With sanctuaries still darkened as of Sunday morning, some churches canceled regular services while others like Faith Baptist Church in Perry opted to worship outside.

Standing water and tree debris still covers the grounds of Faith Baptist Church. The church called on parishioners to come pray for our community in a message posted to the congregations Facebook page.

We have power. We dont have electricity, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church parishioner Marie Ruttinger said. Our God has power. Thats for sure.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Saturday that it looked like a bomb went off after viewing splintered homes and debris-covered highways from the air.

In eastern Georgia near the border with South Carolina, officials notified Augusta residents Sunday morning that water service would be shut off for 24 to 48 hours in the city and surrounding Richmond County.

A news release said trash and debris from the storm blocked our ability to pump water. Officials were distributing bottled water.

With at least 25 killed in South Carolina, Helene was the deadliest tropical cyclone for the state since Hurricane Hugo made landfall north of Charleston in 1989, killing 35 people.

Moodys Analytics said it expects $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage.

Climate change has exacerbated conditions that allow such storms to thrive, rapidly intensifying in warming waters and turning into powerful cyclones sometimes within hours.

New tropical depression in Atlantic could become strong hurricane, forecasters say

A new tropical depression in the eastern Atlantic Ocean could become a formidable hurricane later this week, the National Hurricane Center said Sunday. The depression had sustained 35 mph (55 kph) winds and was located about 630 miles (1,015 kilometers) west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, the center said. It could become a hurricane by Wednesday.
West Coast Community Bancorp (OTCMKTS:SCZC  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 400 shares, a drop of 50.0% from the August 31st total of 800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 12,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

West Coast Community Bancorp Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of West Coast Community Bancorp stock traded down $0.20 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $39.00. 10,293 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,789. The business has a 50-day moving average of $39.24 and a 200-day moving average of $34.04. West Coast Community Bancorp has a 1 year low of $24.25 and a 1 year high of $40.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $329.08 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.26 and a beta of 0.77.

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West Coast Community Bancorp (OTCMKTS:SCZC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $21.27 million for the quarter.

About West Coast Community Bancorp

West Coast Community Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Santa Cruz County Bank that provides a range of commercial and personal banking services to residents and businesses in the United States. It offers checking, savings, money market, certificate of deposits, and health savings accounts; and individual retirement account and retirement plans.

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Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2025 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 12.550-12.910 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 12.850. The company issued revenue guidance of $66.8 billion-$68.8 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $68.7 billion. Accenture also updated its Q1 2025 guidance to EPS.

Accenture Stock Down 1.7 %

Accenture stock opened at $349.70 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $333.92 and a 200-day simple moving average of $320.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $219.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.02, a PEG ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.24. Accenture has a 52-week low of $278.69 and a 52-week high of $387.51.

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Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 26th. The information technology services provider reported $2.79 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.78 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $16.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.37 billion. Accenture had a net margin of 10.79% and a return on equity of 27.48%. Accentures quarterly revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.71 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Accenture will post 11.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Accenture Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 10th will be paid a $1.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 10th. This is an increase from Accentures previous quarterly dividend of $1.29. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.69%. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.25%.

Accenture announced that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Thursday, September 26th that permits the company to buyback $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the information technology services provider to reacquire up to 1.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on ACN. Wedbush lowered their price target on Accenture from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Accenture in a research report on Monday, June 24th. They set a neutral rating and a $335.00 price target for the company. Piper Sandler upgraded shares of Accenture from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $329.00 to $395.00 in a report on Thursday. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Accenture from $365.00 to $388.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on Accenture from $350.00 to $405.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 17th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $364.64.

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Insider Transactions at Accenture

In other Accenture news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.82, for a total value of $1,649,100.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 8,989 shares in the company, valued at $2,964,751.98. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Accenture news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 8,145 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $331.05, for a total value of $2,696,402.25. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 22,849 shares in the company, valued at $7,564,161.45. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.82, for a total transaction of $1,649,100.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 8,989 shares in the company, valued at $2,964,751.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 21,421 shares of company stock valued at $6,912,635. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Accenture Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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Africa Oil Corp. (OTCMKTS:AOIFF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,407,500 shares, an increase of 36.7% from the August 31st total of 3,954,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 242,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 22.3 days.

Africa Oil Stock Performance

Shares of AOIFF stock traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $1.30. The company had a trading volume of 116,006 shares, compared to its average volume of 110,159. The firm has a market cap of $578.60 million, a PE ratio of 9.26 and a beta of 1.00. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $1.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $1.68. Africa Oil has a one year low of $1.28 and a one year high of $2.06.

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Africa Oil Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Monday, September 9th were issued a $0.025 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 9th. Africa Oils payout ratio is currently 35.71%.

Africa Oil Company Profile

Africa Oil Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The company holds interests in producing and development assets in deep-water Nigeria, and development assets in Kenya. It also has a portfolio of exploration and appraisal assets in Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as Guyana and Senegal Guinea Bissau Joint Development Zone.

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BNP Paribas SA (OTCMKTS:BNPQY  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 58,100 shares, a drop of 41.2% from the August 31st total of 98,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 363,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

BNP Paribas Stock Performance

OTCMKTS BNPQY traded down $0.11 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $35.35. 138,499 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 231,261. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $34.31 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $34.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $79.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 1.45. BNP Paribas has a 52 week low of $28.24 and a 52 week high of $39.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.79.

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BNP Paribas (OTCMKTS:BNPQY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The financial services provider reported $1.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $13.21 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.92 billion. Equities research analysts predict that BNP Paribas will post 5.02 EPS for the current year.

About BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas SA provides various banking and financial products and services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three divisions: Corporate & Institutional Banking; Commercial, Personal Banking & Services; and Investment & Protection Services.

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DAMASCUS, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Suspected U.S. airstrikes hit Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour, near the Iraqi border, in the early hours of Sunday, according to Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen TV.

The strike in the Haramish area followed an intensive drone attack on the U.S. military base at the Koniko gas field in Deir al-Zour's countryside, which reportedly caused direct damage to armored units at the base.

Attacks targeting U.S. bases at Koniko and other locations in the area are not new, which often trigger U.S. airstrikes.

The latest escalation comes amid rising regional tensions, following Israel's military assault in Lebanon and the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. 
COPT Defense Properties (NYSE:CDP  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, August 8th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of 0.295 per share on Thursday, October 17th. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th.

COPT Defense Properties has a dividend payout ratio of 92.7% meaning its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the companys earnings decline. Equities analysts expect COPT Defense Properties to earn $2.65 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.14 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 43.0%.

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COPT Defense Properties Trading Up 0.2 %

CDP opened at $30.58 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -28.31, a P/E/G ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 3.17, a current ratio of 3.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.56. COPT Defense Properties has a twelve month low of $22.20 and a twelve month high of $30.99. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $29.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $26.04.

Insider Buying and Selling at COPT Defense Properties

COPT Defense Properties ( NYSE:CDP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 29th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.64 by ($0.33). COPT Defense Properties had a negative return on equity of 7.52% and a negative net margin of 15.75%. The firm had revenue of $187.34 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $166.11 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.60 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 10.7% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that COPT Defense Properties will post 2.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, COO Britt A. Snider bought 1,000 shares of COPT Defense Properties stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $29.41 per share, for a total transaction of $29,410.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief operating officer now directly owns 2,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $58,820. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.06% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Truist Financial lifted their target price on COPT Defense Properties from $27.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of COPT Defense Properties from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of COPT Defense Properties from $26.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on COPT Defense Properties from $33.00 to $32.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 11th. Finally, Wedbush upped their target price on COPT Defense Properties from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, COPT Defense Properties presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $30.00.

View Our Latest Stock Report on CDP

COPT Defense Properties Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

COPT Defense, an S&P MidCap 400 Company, is a self-managed REIT focused on owning, operating and developing properties in locations proximate to, or sometimes containing, key U.S. Government (USG) defense installations and missions (referred to as its Defense/IT Portfolio). The Company's tenants include the USG and their defense contractors, who are primarily engaged in priority national security activities, and who generally require mission-critical and high security property enhancements.

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EnerSys (NYSE:ENS  Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the five brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $118.00.

A number of brokerages recently commented on ENS. StockNews.com raised EnerSys from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th. Roth Mkm reiterated a buy rating and issued a $120.00 target price on shares of EnerSys in a report on Monday, September 23rd. Finally, Roth Capital upgraded EnerSys to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 27th.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on EnerSys

EnerSys Stock Performance

NYSE ENS opened at $101.58 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $4.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a quick ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 2.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $100.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $98.93. EnerSys has a twelve month low of $83.27 and a twelve month high of $112.53.

EnerSys (NYSE:ENS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The industrial products company reported $1.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $852.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $877.52 million. EnerSys had a return on equity of 19.98% and a net margin of 7.73%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.89 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that EnerSys will post 8.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

EnerSys Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.95%. This is a boost from EnerSyss previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. EnerSyss payout ratio is presently 14.77%.

Insider Activity at EnerSys

In related news, VP Joern Tinnemeyer sold 2,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $220,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 25,368 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,536,800. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other EnerSys news, VP Joern Tinnemeyer sold 2,200 shares of EnerSys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $220,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 25,368 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,536,800. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Chad C. Uplinger sold 500 shares of EnerSys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.87, for a total value of $50,435.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 17,175 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,732,442.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 22,700 shares of company stock worth $2,271,843 in the last quarter. 1.61% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EnerSys

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in EnerSys by 36.2% during the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 354 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its position in EnerSys by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 4,471 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $422,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Aurora Investment Counsel raised its position in shares of EnerSys by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Aurora Investment Counsel now owns 19,936 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,064,000 after acquiring an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama raised its position in shares of EnerSys by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 50,752 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $4,794,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV raised its position in shares of EnerSys by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV now owns 7,191 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $744,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. 94.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About EnerSys

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EnerSys engages in the provision of stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in four segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty, and New Ventures. The Energy Systems segment offers uninterruptible power systems (UPS) applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, data center, and renewable and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries.

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Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, August 2nd, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of 1.50 per share by the industrial products company on Friday, October 11th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.27%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. This is a positive change from Illinois Tool Workss previous quarterly dividend of $1.40.

Illinois Tool Works has raised its dividend by an average of 7.0% annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 55 years. Illinois Tool Works has a payout ratio of 55.9% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Illinois Tool Works to earn $10.74 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $6.00 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 55.9%.

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Illinois Tool Works Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:ITW opened at $263.97 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $78.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.03, a PEG ratio of 4.09 and a beta of 1.10. Illinois Tool Works has a 1-year low of $217.50 and a 1-year high of $271.15. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $247.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $248.16.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The industrial products company reported $2.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.45 by $0.09. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 99.74% and a net margin of 19.15%. The business had revenue of $4.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.08 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.41 EPS. The companys revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works will post 10.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several brokerages have commented on ITW. Argus raised shares of Illinois Tool Works to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $268.00 to $260.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Barclays reduced their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $217.00 to $215.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $251.00 to $246.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $275.00 to $240.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Illinois Tool Works currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $250.22.

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Illinois Tool Works Company Profile

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Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United States and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products.

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Kingfisher plc (LON:KGF  Get Free Report) insider Thierry Garnier sold 382,415 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 324 ($4.34), for a total transaction of 1,239,024.60 ($1,659,111.68).

Kingfisher Trading Up 0.0 %

LON KGF opened at GBX 325 ($4.35) on Friday. Kingfisher plc has a one year low of GBX 198.30 ($2.66) and a one year high of GBX 333.50 ($4.47). The companys 50 day moving average price is GBX 285.09 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 262.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 37.01, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 1.26. The firm has a market capitalization of 5.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,805.56, a PEG ratio of 3.61 and a beta of 0.95.

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Kingfisher Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 10th will be issued a GBX 3.80 ($0.05) dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 10th. This represents a yield of 1.31%. Kingfishers payout ratio is 6,666.67%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

KGF has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of Kingfisher from GBX 310 ($4.15) to GBX 350 ($4.69) and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a hold rating and set a GBX 250 ($3.35) price objective on shares of Kingfisher in a report on Friday, July 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Kingfisher in a report on Friday, July 12th.

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About Kingfisher

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Kingfisher plc, together with its subsidiaries, supplies home improvement products and services primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and internationally. It also operates retail stores under the B&Q, Castorama, Brico Depot, Screwfix, TradePoint, and Koctas brands. The company sells its products through stores and e-commerce channels.

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report published on Thursday.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $16.50 to $17.50 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Norwegian Cruise Line from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, September 16th. Truist Financial raised shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $20.00 to $21.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Macquarie upped their target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $22.43.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Stock Performance

Shares of NCLH stock opened at $20.95 on Thursday. Norwegian Cruise Line has a 52-week low of $12.70 and a 52-week high of $21.73. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $17.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.21 billion, a PE ratio of 29.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.30 and a beta of 2.70.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $2.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.38 billion. Norwegian Cruise Line had a net margin of 4.62% and a return on equity of 105.44%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.20 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Norwegian Cruise Line will post 1.38 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Norwegian Cruise Line

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Transcendent Capital Group LLC acquired a new position in Norwegian Cruise Line during the first quarter worth $27,000. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Norwegian Cruise Line during the first quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in the 4th quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, Fidelis Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the first quarter worth $61,000. 69.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Norwegian Cruise Line Company Profile

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Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various ports, including Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean.

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR  Get Free Report) EVP David E. Marra sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $269.00, for a total transaction of $269,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 83,044 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,338,836. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.

RenaissanceRe Price Performance

Shares of RenaissanceRe stock opened at $269.40 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.95, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $246.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $232.52. RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. has a twelve month low of $188.24 and a twelve month high of $271.80.

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RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The insurance provider reported $12.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.88 by $1.53. RenaissanceRe had a net margin of 25.38% and a return on equity of 27.74%. The firm had revenue of $2.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.93 billion. As a group, research analysts anticipate that RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. will post 39.01 earnings per share for the current year.

RenaissanceRe Dividend Announcement

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.58%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. RenaissanceRes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 3.45%.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on RNR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on RenaissanceRe from $265.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. StockNews.com lowered shares of RenaissanceRe from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, September 6th. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of RenaissanceRe from $334.00 to $347.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of RenaissanceRe from $257.00 to $240.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on RenaissanceRe from $288.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $272.60.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On RenaissanceRe

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RNR. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in RenaissanceRe during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Blue Trust Inc. acquired a new stake in RenaissanceRe in the second quarter valued at $27,000. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new position in RenaissanceRe during the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of RenaissanceRe in the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of RenaissanceRe during the first quarter worth about $34,000. 99.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

RenaissanceRe Company Profile

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S.

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Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited (OTCMKTS:TSGTF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 373,600 shares, an increase of 32.2% from the August 31st total of 282,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 9,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 38.9 days.

Tsingtao Brewery Stock Performance

Shares of Tsingtao Brewery stock opened at $7.30 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $5.77 and its 200-day moving average price is $6.51. Tsingtao Brewery has a 52-week low of $4.89 and a 52-week high of $8.31.

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Tsingtao Brewery Company Profile

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Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, wholesale, and retail sale of beer products worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Shandong Region; South China Region; North China Region; East China Region; Southeast China Region; Hong Kong, Macau and Other Overseas Region; and Finance Company.

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Strawberry Fields REIT, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:STRW  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 137,400 shares, a growth of 56.8% from the August 31st total of 87,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 32,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.3 days. Currently, 4.2% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Insider Buying and Selling at Strawberry Fields REIT

In other news, CEO Moishe Gubin bought 9,529 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, July 22nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $9.95 per share, with a total value of $94,813.55. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 450,111 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,478,604.45. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 10.60% of the companys stock.

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Institutional Trading of Strawberry Fields REIT

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Strawberry Fields REIT stock. Rhumbline Advisers purchased a new position in shares of Strawberry Fields REIT, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:STRW  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 4,981 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $57,000. Rhumbline Advisers owned approximately 0.08% of Strawberry Fields REIT as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Strawberry Fields REIT Trading Up 8.9 %

Strawberry Fields REIT Dividend Announcement

Shares of Strawberry Fields REIT stock traded up $1.05 on Friday, reaching $12.80. The stock had a trading volume of 33,858 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,342. Strawberry Fields REIT has a 1 year low of $5.93 and a 1 year high of $12.84. The company has a market cap of $88.06 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.77 and a beta of 0.25.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.06%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. Strawberry Fields REITs payout ratio is 120.93%.

Strawberry Fields REIT Company Profile

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Strawberry Fields REIT, Inc, is a self-administered real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership, acquisition, development and leasing of skilled nursing and certain other healthcare-related properties. The Company's portfolio includes 109 healthcare facilities with an aggregate of 12,449 bed, located throughout the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

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Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the ten brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $58.67.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on VTR shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Ventas from $52.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of Ventas from $55.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Wedbush upped their target price on shares of Ventas from $64.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Ventas from $64.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Ventas to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Ventas

Insider Transactions at Ventas

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ventas

In other Ventas news, CEO Debra A. Cafaro sold 40,079 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.29, for a total transaction of $2,296,125.91. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 986,717 shares in the company, valued at $56,529,016.93. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In other Ventas news, CEO Debra A. Cafaro sold 40,079 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.29, for a total transaction of $2,296,125.91. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 986,717 shares in the company, valued at $56,529,016.93. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, CEO Peter J. Bulgarelli sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.99, for a total transaction of $389,940.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 90,795 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,900,767.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 77,065 shares of company stock worth $4,526,464 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA purchased a new position in Ventas in the 2nd quarter valued at about $135,425,000. ANTIPODES PARTNERS Ltd bought a new position in Ventas during the 2nd quarter valued at $73,517,000. Centersquare Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Ventas by 11.5% during the 1st quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 7,806,396 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $345,667,000 after acquiring an additional 802,546 shares in the last quarter. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC increased its position in shares of Ventas by 65.6% in the 4th quarter. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC now owns 1,486,572 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $74,091,000 after purchasing an additional 588,818 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI raised its stake in shares of Ventas by 217.4% in the 2nd quarter. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI now owns 856,525 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $43,905,000 after purchasing an additional 586,676 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.18% of the companys stock.

Ventas Trading Up 0.0 %

NYSE:VTR opened at $63.84 on Tuesday. Ventas has a 52-week low of $39.33 and a 52-week high of $65.64. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $60.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of $51.66. The company has a market capitalization of $26.38 billion, a PE ratio of -335.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 1.36.

Ventas (NYSE:VTR  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by ($0.74). The business had revenue of $1.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.19 billion. Ventas had a negative return on equity of 1.63% and a negative net margin of 3.33%. The businesss revenue was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.75 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Ventas will post 3.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ventas Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 1st will be issued a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 1st. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.82%. Ventass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -947.32%.

Ventas Company Profile

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Ventas Inc (NYSE: VTR) is a leading S&P 500 real estate investment trust focused on delivering strong, sustainable shareholder returns by enabling exceptional environments that benefit a large and growing aging population. The Company's growth is fueled by its senior housing communities, which provide valuable services to residents and enable them to thrive in supported environments.

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A child clicks on an electronic screen to color an opera mask at the interactive experience space of a museum dedicated to local operas in Kunshan City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 8, 2024. [Xinhua/Jiang Wenqian]

NANJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua)  In Kunshan City, east China's Jiangsu Province, the melodies of Kunqu Opera, one of China's most ancient and treasured art forms, are not confined to the stages of grand theaters, but ring out in unexpected scenes - school bells, fitness routines and even bus stop illustrations where lively cartoon figures greet passersby every day.

Kunshan is the birthplace of Kunqu, which blends poetry, music, intricate costumes and graceful performances. The 600-year-old Chinese tradition earned its place on UNESCO's list of World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2001.

But Kunqu is far from a relic. In the bustling streets of Kunshan, this ancient art form continues to find new life, delicately balancing between preserving its timeless beauty and embracing the demands of modernity.

For performers like You Tengteng, an actress at the Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater, the act is both a challenge and a passion. After a long day of rehearsal, You and her colleagues discussed their latest performance strategies, not in a traditional theater but on Douyin, a Chinese video-sharing platform.

In partnership with the platform, You and seven other performers livestream their Kunqu shows for at least 20 hours each month. The goal is simple yet ambitious: to reach a new generation of audiences who might hesitate to sit through two or three hours-long performance in an opera house.

One of the challenges for them is interpretation - not from language to language, but from centuries-old art to the flickering screens of smartphones.

To draw audiences in the digital age, the performers have condensed the intricate art form into digestible one-hour segments, inviting viewers to experience Kunqu in more relaxed settings, whether over tea at a cafe or within the walls of a museum.

The strategy seems to be working, particularly among Chinese youth. After performances, it is not uncommon to see young fans eagerly lining up for selfies and autographs with the performers, their newfound enthusiasm for this ancient art is a testament to its evolving relevance.

You was not so surprised to see the heartening trend. "The aesthetics of Chinese culture, ancient and modern, are continuous," she said. "What we strive to inherit is not just the technique, but the pursuit of beauty that has always existed."

"And Kunqu is a reflection of societal values, many of which were born in the feudal era. This tension between the past and present is where we find space for innovation, reimagining the stories of old to resonate with modern audiences," she added.

One such innovation was seen in the Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater's production of The Story of Washing Gauze, a play originally written in the 16th century. The story centers on Xi Shi, a legendary beauty from ancient China, who sacrifices her personal happiness to serve her country.

In the original ending, after years of separation and war, Xi Shi reunites with her lover and they live happily ever after. However, the modern production altered the ending, leaving it open and tinged with sorrow. The reimagining struck a chord with audiences, many of whom praised the new ending for its emotional depth and realism, noting that it made Xi Shi's character more relatable to modern viewers.

Kunshan's commitment to preserving and promoting Kunqu goes beyond the stage. Over the last few years, the Kunshan Kunqu theater has held more than 2,500 performances and tours, drawing over 20 million visitors from China and abroad.

In addition, the local government has invested 177 million yuan (about 25.2 million U.S. dollars) to fund new productions, support rehearsal spaces, and subsidize performances since 2018.

Kunshan's commitment extends to preserving not only Kunqu but the diverse operatic traditions of China. Since 2018, the annual Chinese Opera Gala (Kunshan) has been hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and provincial government. The gala showcases 348 traditional operas, including puppetry and shadow plays, bringing these art forms - many of which are endangered - into the spotlight and providing a platform for artistic exchange.

Wang Wei, an actor of Liuzi Opera from Shandong Province, performed the role of General Zhang Fei to the gala, who is a famous character from the classic Chinese novel "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms."

To play the role more impressively, Wang often learns from other versions of this character to enrich his performance and finally he creates a brave and lovable General Zhang Fei. "This gala is such a good opportunity to learn from each other, I am very glad to stand on this stage to let more people know our Liuzi Opera," Wang said.

In addition to performances, the gala includes training workshops for performers of minor or endangered operatic forms. Xu Min, a composer and performer of tea-picking opera from Jiangxi Province, has attended these workshops for years.

"If you focus only on your own art, you become isolated," she said. "But here, I'm exposed to so many different plays, rhythms, and techniques. I feel like a sponge, absorbing everything."

Kunshan's role as the birthplace of Kunqu Opera has positioned the city as a guardian of traditional Chinese opera, said Zhou Wei, Party chief of Kunshan. Through the construction of a museum dedicated to local operas and the host of annual national event, Kunshan endeavors to offer a space for art exchange and growth.

"We want to create a broad stage for different operas to flourish and to integrate traditional culture with the modern world," Zhou said.

You Tengteng, an actress at the Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater, performs during "The Story of Washing Gauze" in Kunshan City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 17, 2021. [Kunshan Contemporary Kunqu Theater/Handout via Xinhua]

Wang Wei (C), an actor of Liuzi Opera from Shandong Province, performs the role of General Zhang Fei, who is a famous character from the classic Chinese novel "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms," during the annual Chinese Opera Gala (Kunshan) at a Kunqu theater in Kunshan City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Sept. 9, 2024. [Liuzi Opera from Shandong Province/Handout via Xinhua]

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday reiterated China's dedication to peace as the path to addressing global conflicts and crises, urging the international community to work together in the pursuit of peace.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as he elaborated on China's position on international and regional hotspot issues.

"Peace is the most precious thing in our world today. You may wonder if there is a path leading to peace. In fact, peace is the path," said Wang.

He stressed said without peace, development will not sustain; without peace, cooperation cannot happen. For the sake of peace, he urged the international community to embrace every opportunity, no matter how small, to work toward conflict resolution.

On the Ukraine crisis, Wang said an end to it remains elusive. He said the top priority is to commit to "no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting and no provocation by any party," and push for deescalation of the situation as soon as possible.

"China is committed to playing a constructive role, engaging in shuttle mediation and promoting talks for peace, not throwing oil on the fire or exploiting the situation for selfish gains," he said.

Wang also introduced the group of Friends for Peace jointly launched by China, Brazil and other Global South countries at this session of the General Assembly, noting its very purpose is to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, build consensus for a political settlement of the crisis and contribute to a prospect of peace.

Describing the question of Palestine as "the biggest wound to human conscience," Wang expressed concern over the ongoing violence in Gaza, which has resulted in a growing number of civilian casualties, and warned that the fighting has spread to Lebanon.

China has always been a staunch supporter of the just cause of the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate national rights, and a staunch supporter of Palestine's full UN membership, he said.

There must not be any delay in reaching a comprehensive ceasefire, and the fundamental way out lies in the two-State solution, he said. "The historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people should not be ignored any longer."

Wang noted China's recent efforts to facilitate intra-Palestine reconciliation, emphasizing that China will continue to work in concert with like-minded countries for a comprehensive and just settlement of the question of Palestine and durable peace and security in the Middle East.

On the issue of Afghanistan, Wang said it is important to help Afghanistan exercise prudent governance, fight terrorism effectively, improve people's life and reinvigorate the economy, to open up a better future for the Afghan people.

On the Korean Peninsula, the top Chinese diplomat said it should not experience war again.

He emphasized the importance of seeking solutions through dialogue and consultation, as well as realizing a transition from the armistice to a peace mechanism.

Wang said China is deeply aware that Asia needs stability and development and opposes division and conflict.

"Asia has the wisdom and capability to stabilize the situation through regional cooperation and handle differences properly through dialogue and consultation," said Wang. "We are firmly against the meddling by countries outside the region, and will resolutely resist attempts by any force to stoke trouble and confrontation in the region." 
People survey the damage from an Israeli strike in Choueifat, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday. Western leaders have warned of devastating consequences, as Israel intensifies attacks in the region.
Conservative calls out Arts Council for using C-word

A Conservative Senedd member called out the Arts Council of Wales over the offensive and disappointing use of the C-word on its website.

Laura Anne Jones, the shadow culture secretary, asked Dafydd Rhys to read aloud a section of the Arts Council website about its support for three companies at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Handed a printout in the culture committee, the chief executive started reading a highlighted extract about a drag show then paused before spelling out the C-word letter by letter.

Ms Jones, who represents South Wales East, said: You paused on one of the words and didnt say the full word and I can understand why because as a woman  when I read that on the Arts Council website I found that quite offensive and disappointing to see that.

This is where public money is going. I would suggest that if that word was difficult to say in a committee  I dont think, perhaps, its appropriate for a website.

Value for money

Delyth Jewell, who chairs the committee, intervened to try to steer the discussion back to the impact of cuts to arts and culture in Wales.

But Ms Jones said: Absolutely it is though, its where that value for is coming from. Are we looking at giving the money to the right things  when words like that are used Im not sure thats really the projection that Wales wants to put over to the world.

Ms Jones contrasted this with cuts to the Welsh National Opera: Im not sure all projects that perhaps youre funding are that value for money, are appropriate.

It just may be worth looking into them and seeing if that money could be redistributed.

Mr Rhys responded: I havent seen this particular project that you refer to, personally, so Im not going to comment on the content of that.

He told the committee projects that go to the Edinburgh festival are independently assessed.

Arts

Asked about arts venues closing earlier in the evidence session, Mr Rhys pointed to a lack of adequate funding combined with pressures on councils and universities.

Mr Rhys said the absence of a legal requirement on councils to provide arts centres and venues makes it an easier way to try to balance the books.

He told the committee the Arts Council, which received a 10.5% cut in the 2024/25 budget, would like to see Wales follow Irelands lead by bringing in a statutory responsibility.

Stressing that the Arts Council transfers 92% of its funding to the sector, Mr Rhys said the arms-length body lost 10 to 13 staff members through voluntary and compulsory redundancy.

He explained that the Arts Council employs about 80 people so it was a significant decrease.

40% cut

Mr Rhys said: If we were to face an additional cut  it would mean we would have to reconsider how much we can deliver.

The former S4C broadcast director welcomed an extra 1m for the Arts Council, which safeguarded 38 jobs, but he warned that in-year grants are a sticking-plaster solution.

He told committee members: They dont answer the long-term demand to solve some of the problems that a lack of funding causes  what it does do  is it buys you more time.

Mr Rhys, who was appointed in 2022, said staff are concerned about workload and the future of the wider sector which can impact morale and mental health.

The Arts Council called for an urgent review of funding for arts and culture in its written evidence, warning: The declining pattern from 2010 is not sustainable. It is a 40% cut.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Senedd set for budget increase ahead of 2026 Expansion and Reforms

The Senedd Commission has unveiled plans for a 16% budget increase as preparations ramp up for an extra 36 politicians in Cardiff Bay from 2026.

The commission, which is responsible for support services and the Senedd estate, published its 84.3m draft budget for next year.

It includes an extra 12.1m to cover costs including those associated with Senedd reforms, public-sector pay, upgrading lifts and IT, and replacing screens in the debating chamber.

The commission said the cash is required to deliver the biggest change since the dawn of devolution in 1999, with the 16.7% uplift supporting a 60% increase in Senedd members.

But the Conservatives criticised the ballooning costs of Senedd reform, describing it as the wrong priority while around one in five people in Wales are waiting for NHS treatment.

Bay 2032

The 2025/26 draft budget includes a 9% increase in staff costs on the previous year, reflecting a 5% pay award in common with much of the rest of the public sector.

This includes a ring-fenced 456,000 to conclude 2024/25 pay negotiations with staff on lower pay, under 40,000 a year.

In the spending plans for the 12 months from April, 2m is allocated to the Bay 2032 project which is looking at options for offices as the clock ticks down on the current Ty Hywel lease.

Options thought to be on the table include building new offices, extending the lease, buying Ty Hywel or taking up a nearby property in Cardiff Bay.

An additional 900,000  on top of the 1.8m allocated last year  would be spent on renovating the debating chamber, or Siambr, to accommodate more members.

Politicians are expected to move to Siambr Hywel in Ty Hywel, the red-brick building linked to the Senedd by glass walkways, while works are carried out.

This is where then-Assembly Members sat while the Senedd was under construction.

Under attack

The Welsh Parliaments corporate body is made up of the speaker or Llywydd, Elin Jones, and four Senedd members drawn from the main political parties.

Hefin David, the commissioner responsible for the budget, described Senedd reforms as an important step, pointing out that it was agreed by a two-thirds supermajority.

The Labour MS for Caerphilly said: There are so many places across the world where democracy is under attack, so this is something Wales can be very proud of.

Dr David argued the increase in the number of members will bring the Senedd in line with other devolved parliaments, enabling better representation and greater scrutiny.

He said: This budget proposes a 16% increase in spending, to support a 60% increase in members, with every effort being made to minimise the cost to the public purse.

It is important that we remain mindful of our own accountability and taxpayer value for money, whilst also balancing the need for an enhanced democratic system.

Vanity project

In the past two financial years, the Senedd Commission budget was reduced by a total of 750,000 while 800,000 was spent on cost-of-living payments for staff.

If passed, according to the draft budget, the anticipated uplift in Senedd reform-related costs for 2025/26 will be 3.9m  which is equivalent to a 5.3% adjusted increase on 2024/25.

The Conservatives Darren Millar reiterated his partys opposition to Senedd reform, arguing Wales needs more doctors, nurses and dentists  not more politicians.

Mr Millar said: The cost to taxpayers of Senedd reform is ballooning even before the full extent of Labour and Plaid Cymrus plans for more politicians are implemented.

Spending additional millions on this vanity project as NHS waiting lists hit six successive record-breaking months is the wrong priority.

Value for money

By comparison, the Scottish Parliaments budget for 2024/25 is 135.6m  roughly 1m for each member  while the figure for Wales is about 875,000 a member.

The commission stressed that every effort has been made to ensure value for money.

A spokesperson said: In the next two years, the Senedd will undergo the biggest change since it was established in 1999  becoming a parliament of 96 MSs, with greater power to hold the Welsh Government to account, develop new laws and better represent the people.

Senedd members will vote on the budget proposals in November. With around two-thirds supporting the reforms, the commission budget is likely to be agreed.

But, with parliamentary arithmetic otherwise on a knife-edge, first minister Eluned Morgan is expected to face a tougher time passing the Welsh Governments budget early next year.

The Senedd Commission and Welsh Government both draw their funding from the Welsh consolidated fund which is paid into by the UK Government.

What are the Senedd reforms?

In May, Senedd members passed landmark legislation to increase the size of the Welsh Parliament and change its voting system from 2026.

Under the Act, the number of politicians will increase from 60 to 96 due to concerns that the small size of the Senedd leads to ineffective scrutiny of the Welsh Government.

For example, Swansea has more councillors at 75 than Wales has Senedd members.

The 32 constituencies used in Julys UK general election will be paired to create 16 for the next Senedd poll in 2026, with each returning six members.

Wales will move away from the current additional-member electoral system which uses a mix of first-past-the-post constituencies and regional party lists.

Instead, voters will have one ballot paper rather than two and future Senedd elections will use a full form of proportional representation.

Under the new closed-list system, people will vote for political parties rather than individuals and parties will control the order of candidates on lists.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
MOSCOW, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Russia strongly condemned Israel's killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and called on Israel to cease fire, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

"We strongly condemn another political assassination committed by Israel. This violent act is fraught with even greater dramatic consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East," said the ministry in a statement, adding that the Israeli move will almost "inevitably trigger a new round of violence."

The statement said Israel "bears full responsibility" for the subsequent escalation and urged it to end hostilities immediately.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that its leader Nasrallah was killed in the Israeli airstrikes targeting the militant group's command headquarters in Dahieh in Beirut's southern suburbs a day earlier.

Israel has intensified its airstrikes across Lebanon since Monday, launching its most extensive action in the country since 2006.

The latest escalation intensified the ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah started launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, triggering retaliatory Israeli artillery fire and airstrikes in southeastern Lebanon. 
MOSCOW, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Russia's nuclear policy amendments were drafted in response to the heightened tensions along its borders, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.

During an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, Peskov highlighted that nuclear powers are backing Ukraine in the conflict and that NATO military infrastructure is being positioned increasingly close to the Russian borders. He mentioned that the update has already been drafted and will soon be formalized.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for updating the foundations of Russia's state policy on nuclear deterrence at a Security Council meeting on Wednesday, adding that it must be adapted to the current realities.

Putin noted that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, is proposed to be considered as their joint attack on the country.

Russia will also consider using nuclear weapons upon receiving reliable information about the massive launch of aerospace attack weapons, including strategic or tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and hypersonic and other aircraft across Russia's border, Putin said. 
Washingtons largest theme and waterpark is promising new thrills and chills this fallincluding a chance to win some spooktacular prizes if you can spend 24 hours trapped inside a coffin.

Fright Fest returns to Wild Waves on October 4, operating Friday-Sunday until November 3.

But the fun is already underway for the children.

Booville, a scare-free zone with crafts, contests, face painting, and rides.

It opened this weekend and operates from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Next week, the hours will shift to a 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. schedule.

We are pulling out all the stops and leaving no tombstone unturned to create a one-of-a-kind Halloween experience for our guests, said Park President and Regional Vice President Jody Kneupper in a news release. "





For those looking for more tricks than treats, you can check out the Fright Fest portion of the park starting Friday, October 4.

When the clock strikes 6 p.m. the monsters will emerge from their haunted lairs.

Here are some of the attractions:

 Vampire Bar  Guests who are 21 years or older can enjoy specialty drinks like Blood Bag Fangrias, Vampire Kiss, and Blood Moon cocktails along with a tasty, night bites menu

 Camp Whispering Pines, Curse of the Wendigo  Heed the warnings of the campers as they try to elude the evil Wendigo. Hes looking for new blood, and someone may be right in his path

 Trail of Terror  A once vibrant, bustling settlement is now an eerie ghost town. Guests will test their nerves as they dare to journey beyond their wildest nightmares to unearth the truth amid the crumbling tombstones

 Chamber of Souls  Unwanted visitors encounter creepy residents throughout the endless halls of the haunted Victorian mansion

 Voodoo Swamp  Travel down to the boggy marsh located next to the lake and venture through the Voodoo Swamp. The Swamp Witch is waiting for unsuspecting souls. (There is a $5 upcharge for this attraction).

 24-hour Crypt Keeper Challenge  Could you spend an entire day trapped inside a coffin? Those who complete the full 24 hours will receive two 2025 Wild Waves Season Passes, an All-Season Dining Plan, front-of-the-line Fright Fest VIP passes, and more. Interested souls must submit a short, written request explaining why they should be among the chosen few. Applications will be available here on September 20. Selected participants will be notified on September 28.
In August, the New York Times ran a profile of Gwen Walz, the wife of Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, that featured a tidbit I havent been able to stop thinking about ever since. On the couples first date, which took place when the two were both teachers at a Nebraska high school, they went to see the movie Falling Down, which the Times described as the 1993 Michael Douglas movie about an aggrieved white man having a nervous breakdown in Los Angeles.

I love a good first-date detail, something that adds texture to the origin story of a future power couple. The Obamas famously went to see the movie Do the Right Thing on their first date together, a fitting, maybe even fateful choice for the historic couple theyd become. (Indeed, they are among probably only a handful of people on the planet who can brag that their first movie date inspired a movie of its own.) Other political couples have started out perhaps less auspiciously. Listeners of Slow Burn Season 8 may recall that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas took his future wife Ginni to see 1986s Short Circuit, a comedy about a robot that comes to life, on one of their early dates.

And then there are the Walzes and  Falling Down? How did Tim Walz, whos been rolled out to America as a football coach with a heart of gold, end up choosing, if were right to assume that he planned the date, this particular movie as a romantic mood-setter? I confess I was not familiar with the film before the mention in the Times, even though I consider myself a fan and perhaps even an apologist for the work of its director, Joel Schumacherimportant to me because of St. Elmos Fire, important to many for his appealingly demented work on a couple of Batman movies. Even the Times brief description is rough: an aggrieved white male in Los Angeles, of all places? How is it that we are in a timeline when J.D. Vance has professed his admiration for Garden State but Tim Walz went to see Falling Down on his first date with his wife? Shouldnt it be the other way around?

If you had to pick a movie from 1993 that embodies the Walzes, theres an obvious choice, and it aint Falling Down: Its Rudy, the one about a Midwestern college football player that reliably makes grown men cry. Alas, Rudy came out in October of that year, and the Walzes love apparently couldnt wait. Falling Down was a February release. Late February at leasta Falling Down Valentines Day date would have been that much more egregious.

Ive come to learn the movie concerns a former defense worker (Douglas) whos stuck in traffic and abandons his car to make his way across Los Angeles by foot to see his estranged wife and daughter, even though his wife has a restraining order against him. He acquires some weapons and goes on a bit of a violence spree. Robert Duvall is the almost-retired cop in hot pursuit. It contains a very famous scene of Douglas taking out a gun in a fast-food restaurant because hes mad they stopped serving breakfast. (That used to be considered satire.) Not to criticize Tim Walzs game or anything, but come on, man, Im not sure this was the way to any womans heart. And indeed, consider another detail that Times piece mentioned: Ms. Walz said she rebuffed a kiss afterward, to which Mr. Walz responded, Thats fine, but you should know Im going to marry you.  Clearly, it worked out fine for them, but yeesh.

Screenshot

Thanks to some sleuthing by colleagues at Slate, I think Ive at least solved the mystery of why they would see this movie when they did. Other movies in theaters at the time included the arguably more date-appropriate Groundhog Day, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, Aladdin, and The Crying Game, but really, they probably didnt have much of a choice. Newspaper archives online suggest the Alliance Theatre in Alliance, Nebraska, where they taught, probably made the decision for them: The theater seemingly only had two screens, so depending on exactly which weekend they had their date, it was probably either Falling Down or Army of Darkness, the Evil Dead sequel. I suppose Michael Douglas waving a gun around is a little more romantic than that, at least for some people.

People still talk about the politics of Falling Down to this day; recent anniversaries have prompted assessments of whether its a proto-MAGA movie or a misunderstood masterpiece. For me, the only thing left to do was watch it. I finally did, and Im here to report  not bad! When movies in 1993 had weird politics, it wasnt like when movies now have bad politics, like Sound of Freedom, where every scene is a thinly veiled allegory hinged on right-wing-coded conspiracies. A movie used to be able to have some lingering weirdness but all in all provide an entertaining way to spend an evening. I feel sure thats about where Tim and Gwens assessment of Falling Down ended up landing: They probably had a very thoughtful, civil discussion. In a way, it further burnishes Walzs reputation as a new breed of sensitive guys guy. You have to hand it to himbeing able to see this movie on a first date and come back from would take some pretty serious rizz.
British former TV presenter Phillip Schofield has said that he came very close to ending his life after he exited his high-profile role on ITVs This Morning

Schofield departed the show, which he co-anchored with Holly Willoughby, in May 2023, after his secret affair with a young male researcher was revealed. He has stayed under the radar ever since, but will appear in a Channel 5 show reflecting on his abrupt departure and life since. For the three-part Castaway, Schofield spent a fortnight by himself on the island of Madagascar, filming himself with a camera crew stationed on another island.

More from Deadline

Previously one of the UKs most well-known and highly-paid TV stars, Schofield said only the thought of his daughters prevented him following through on his plan to harm himself.

The Guardian newspaper reports that, in the show to be broadcast Monday evening, he said:

I had everything in place, everything was set up and everything was ready. (Daughter) Molly said: Do you imagine what this would do to us if you actually managed to pull this off? Can you imagine what would happen and can you imagine what it would do to me if you did this on my watch? And that was just enough to take a step back from the edge.

And he also criticised the way he had been treated by his former ITV stablemates, including Willoughby, with whom he was very close before his departure. He said: When you throw someone under a bus, youve got to have a really bloody good reason to do it.

Regarding his future employment, he appeared to confirm he wont appear on ITV again, saying: Although my best mates host it, there are some channels you just wont work for. There are just some people you wont work for.

Schofield previously called his affair unwise but not illegal and said he would be forever sorry for his actions, including lying about the relationship to his TV bosses. At the time, his agent parted ways with him and he has since not appeared on British television.

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New publication introduces China's Qigong to Spanish readers

Xinhua) 13:34, September 29, 2024

BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- A new Spanish-language publication on the theory and practice of Chinese Qigong was released this week, introducing the traditional breathing exercises to Spanish readers.

Titled "Classical Chinese Traditional Techniques for the Cultivation of Life," the eight-volume collection was compiled by the Shanghai Qigong Research Institute. It includes images and audiovisual materials, offering a comprehensive guide to this ancient practice aimed at improving both physical and spiritual health.

"This collection offers a broad perspective, drawing on significant experience and expertise in traditional Chinese medicine," said Estel Vilar, the Spanish translator, during the book's presentation in Barcelona on Wednesday.

Originally published in 2015 in Chinese and English, the collection marks its first release in Spanish.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A grand ceremony was held in Qufu, hometown of Confucius, on Saturday to commemorate the 2,575th anniversary of the ancient philosopher's birth.




Hoda Kotbs surprise announcement this week that she will be stepping down as anchor of NBCs Today was in part due to the network asking her to take a pay cut, Puck News reported Friday.

According to Puck, she earned more than $20 million a year, a salary network executives told her couldnt be justified anymore thanks to the changing broadcast landscape.

NBC executives loved Hoda and knew her value to the brand, but also made clear to her agents that such stratospheric contracts were no longer justifiable given the industrys inexorable decline, due in part to the steep ratings decline affecting Today and competitors like Good Morning America, Puck reported.

In September, 2014, Today averaged 4.672 million total viewers. However this month, the show averaged 2.536 million, despite narrowly beating rivals at other networks.

Representatives for NBC didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from TheWrap.

Kotb announced during Thursdays episode of Today that she will step down and transition into a as-yet unspecified different role at NBC early in 2025.

In a memo to staff that Kotb also read on-air, she said that made her decision in August after realizing it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new.

As I write this, my heart is all over the map, Kotb continued. I know Im making the right decision, but its a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and Im feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and its time for me to leave the show.

Kotb has spent 10 of her 26 years at NBC at Dateline, seven on the 7 a.m. Today hour and 16 on the 10 a.m. hour. She helped launch the shows fourth hour alongside Kathie Lee Gifford and Jenna Bush Hager.

The post Hoda Kotb Decided to Exit Today After NBC Proposed Cut to Her $20 Million Salary | Report appeared first on TheWrap.
The Manly Pep Talk Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson Gave Prince Harry In a Secret Meeting Before He Left the UK

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Credit: Getty Images

Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson is opening up about his ultimately failed attempt to keep Prince Harry from relocating to the United States.

In his upcomingand according to the Daily Mail "sensational"memoir, Johnson details how he gave the Duke of Sussex a so-called "manly pep talk. According to the outlet, Johnson was trying to convince the embattled member of the royal family to stay in England and within the monarchy with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their at-the-time only child, Prince Archie.

"A ridiculous business...when they made me try to persuade Harry to stay," the former prime minister writes. "Kind of a manly pep talk. Totally hopeless."



According to Johnson's memoir, the ill-fated talk took place in January 2020, and just weeks after Johnson won the election. He claims that "officials in Downing Street and Buckingham Palace believed he might be able to talk Harry out of his seismic decision to quit the UK and walk away from his royal duties," the Daily Mail reports.

Prince Harry talks with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a bilteral meeting at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London on January 20, 2020.

Johnson explains that the "secret meeting" took place while the two attended a UK-Africa investment summit in London and lasted around 20 minutes. According to Johnson, aides were not present while the pair spoke.

On Feb. 19, 2021, Buckingham Palace announced that "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family."

"Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service," the statement continued. "The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family."

According to a friend of Johnson's, the ex-prime minister was disappointed that he could not persuade Prince Harry to remain in the United Kingdom.

"He thought they were a great asset to UK plc and it was a real shame they were leaving when they were doing such great work," the friend said, according to the Daily Beast.

"It was a man-to-man conversation, they were totally alone. But Harry wasn't for turning," the friend reportedly continued. "He was unpersuadable by that point."

"Boris succeeded in delivering Brexit but even he couldn't stop Megxit," the friend added.

Despite recent reports claiming that Prince Harry is meeting with trusted friends and asking for advice as to how he could potentially return to the monarchy and repair his fractured relationship with King Charles and Prince William, the Duke of Sussex has made it clear he has no intention of returning to the UK, especially as he says it is still unsafe for his wife and two children.
Princess Theodora of Greece marries American lawyer after postponing royal wedding twice in 4 years

The third times the charm.

Princess Theodora of Greece finally married American lawyer Matthew Kumar in a lavish Athens wedding after the couple was forced to postpone the ceremony twice.

The couple held their long-awaited nuptials at the historic Metropolitan Cathedral in the Greek capital on Saturday, the same church where Theodoras parents were married 60 years ago.

Princess Theodora and lawyer Matthew Kumar leaving the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens on their wedding day. ZUMAPRESS.com

The couples wedding was postponed twice due to Covid-19 and the death of her father King Constantine. ZUMAPRESS.com

Theodora, 41, is the youngest daughter of the late King Constantine, who was the last King of Greece for only three years before he was forced into exile in 1967.

The political group that took over abolished the monarchy by 1973 however Theodora, her mother Queen Anne-Marie and siblings still represent the country as royals.

Theodora and Kumar were married by His Eminence Metropolitan of Syros, Dorotheos II in a Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony.

The pair got engaged back in 2018. ZUMAPRESS.com

Princess Theodoras strapless wedding gown with a fold-over neckline was made by Greek designer Celia Kritharioti. She also wore an antique Irish lace veil and became the seventh royal bride to wear the Khedive of Egypt Tiara, according to The Court Jeweller. Kumar wore a black, long coat suit with a green vest.

The princess wore a gown made by Celia Kritharioti with an antique lace veil and Khedive of Egypt Tiara. ZUMAPRESS.com

The couple revealed their engagement in November 2018 when Theodora posted a photo posing alongside Kumar in front of the Tower Bridge in London.

Words cant express our happiness and excitement, Theodora said in an Instagram post. I cant wait to marry this wonderful man. I love you Matt.

They initially scheduled their wedding for May 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former Queen Sofia of Spain, Infanta Elena of Spain, Infanta Cristina of Spain and her son Juan Urdangarin, at the wedding ceremony. REUTERS

Alexia of Greece and Carlos Morales with their children, Ana Maria, Amalia and Carlos at the wedding ceremony. Getty Images

Their second attempt at a wedding was pushed back when Theodoras father died in January 2023 at 82. Heir to the British throne, Prince William, did not attend the memorial service for his godfather King Constantine due to Kate Middletons cancer battle.

Despite the delays, their wedding finally took place and was packed with royalty.

Crown Prince Pavlos had the role of giving away his younger sister. Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

The groomsmen for Matthew, 41, included the brides brothers Crown Prince Pavlos, 57, and Prince Phillipos, 38, as well as Crown Princess Marie Chantals second son Prince Achilleas-Andreas.

Royal bridesmaids were Pavlos and Marie-Chantals daughter, Princess Maria-Olympia and Arrietta Morales de Grecia, the oldest daughter of her sister Princess Alexia.

Royal bridesmaids included her nieces Princess Maria-Olympia and Arrietta Morales de Grecia. ZUMAPRESS.com

Theodora was born in London and earned a bachelor degree in theater arts. She moved to Los Angeles in 2010 with dreams of becoming an actress and is known for appearing on the soap opera The Bold and The Beautiful.

Kumar was born and raised in southern California and works at a Los Angeles-based law firm.

The couples desire to have their wedding in Athens reflects their love for Greece, the strong ties they maintain with the country and their desire to share Greek culture and hospitality and identity with their guests, the former Greek Royal Family wrote in a statement.

The former Greek Royal Family still uses titles because These stylings were first set out in the 1815 Treaty of Vienna, which states that they are hereditary lifetime titles retained even in the event their associated royal offices cease to exist, according to the royal website.
Princess Theodora of Greece was radiant and regal at her wedding to American lawyer Matthew Kumar on Saturday in Athens.

Held in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, the bride wore an elegant bardot wedding dress, which featured delicate embroidery. The gown was designed by Celia Kritharioti, whose eponymous brand is Athens oldest couture house, established in 1906.

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Princess Theodora daughter of former King of Greece Constantine II, and her husband Matthew Kumar leave the Athens Orthodox Cathedral following their wedding ceremony at the Metropolis Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Sept. 28, 2024 in Athens.

The couples desire to have their wedding in Athens reflects their love for Greece, the strong ties they maintain with the country and their desire to share Greek culture and hospitality and identity with their guests, an official statement from the Greek royal family said.

Theodora of Greece arrives on the arm of her brother Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, to her wedding at the Metropolis Greek Orthodox Cathedral on September 28, 2024 in Athens.

Theodora accessorized with a series of glamorous family heirlooms. Her long lace veil originally belonged to Princess Margaret of Connaught, and was used to cover the Crown Princess of Swedens body after her death in 1920.

The veil was inherited by Margarets daughter, Queen Ingrid of Sweden. Since then, each of Ingrids female descendants has worn it as their bridal veil, including Theodoras mother, Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark.

Theodora of Greece and Matthew Kumar leave the Metropolis Greek Orthodox Cathedral where they were married on September 28, 2024 in Athens.

Theodora also wore Princess Margarets tiara, a Cartier diadem gifted to the Crown Princess of Sweden on her wedding day by the Khedive of Egypt in 1920. On her wrist, Theodora sported part of a diamond sautoir that belonged to her great-grandmother, Alexandrine, Queen of Denmark.

The lavish wedding comes after the newly-weds had to postpone their wedding twice. Their first ceremony, scheduled for 2020, was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The couple rescheduled their big day again when Theodoras father, King Constantine II, died in January 2023 at age 82.

Infanta Cristina, Juan Urdangarin, Queen Sofia and Infanta Elena leave the Metropolis Greek Orthodox Cathedral where they attended the wedding between Theodora of Greece and Matthew Kumar on September 28, 2024 in Athens.

The partners opted for a Greek Orthodox ceremony, which was officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan of Syros, Dorotheos II. Royalty reigned over the guest list, Theodoras paternal aunt, Queen Sofia of Spain, arriving in a striking in a hot pink look from Spanish designer Alejandro de Miguel.

Anne Marie of Denmark and her son, Nicholas of Greece arrives at the wedding ceremony of Princess Theodora and Matthew Kumar at the Metropolis Greek Orthodox Cathedral on September 28, 2024 in Athens.

The mother of the bride, Princess Ann-Marie, shared the same dress designer as her daughter, opting for a strapless blue gown by Celia Kritharioti. Theodoras brothers, Crown Prince Pavlos and and Prince Phillipos were groomsmen, and their respective wives, Crown Princess Marie-Chantal and Princess Nina of Greece were also in attendance.

Marie-Chantal Miller with her children, Constantine Alexius, Achileas, Odysseas and Aristides, arrive at the wedding ceremony of Princess Theodora and Matthew Kumar at the Metropolis Greek Orthodox Cathedral on September 28, 2024 in Athens.

Marie-Chantal was ladylike in a peach Louis Vuitton gown, a sparkling silver Aquazzura clutch in-hand. Nina opted for a pale blue silk Adam Lippes gown, paired with a cream clutch from Hunting Season and Manolo Blahnik pumps.

Philippos, son of former King of Greece Constantine II, and his wife Nina Flohn arrive at the wedding ceremony of Princess Theodora and Matthew Kumar at the Metropolis Greek Orthodox Cathedral on September 28, 2024 in Athens, Greece.

Pavlos and Marie-Chantals daughter, Princess Maria-Olympia, was one of Theodoras bridesmaids, as was the brides niece Arrietta Morales y de Grecia, daughter of Princess Alexia. They wore elegant periwinkle dresses made by Kritharioti.

Arrieta and Olympia, bridesmaids, arrive at the wedding ceremony of Princess Theodora and Matthew Kumar at the Metropolis Greek Orthodox Cathedral on September 28, 2024 in Athens.

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Launch Gallery: Princess Theodora of Greece Wedding Photos: All the Looks

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Millions of Americans are worried about the upcoming presidential election results, but Bill Maher said he isnt one of them.

Maher made the admission on the Friday episode of his HBO show, Real Time With Bill Maher, to the shock of his guest panelists, who included Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari, writer Fran Lebowitz, and political consultant Ian Bremmer.

Youre not even worried about it? said Lebowitz.

No, not at all, Maher replied. Yeah, no, no, no, hes definitely going to lose. You just feel it. To which Lebowitz responded, I hope youre right.

Bremmer wasnt so convinced, engaging the panel in a conversation about whether voters would repeat the mistake of putting Trump back into the White House.

Trump Watches Hit the Market for Astronomical Price

Give us a few weeks. You never know. We still dont know if we are going to repeat that mistake, said Bremmer.

Were not, said Maher. Ive already put my marker down on that.

Maher also said that polls will show it is a close race right up until the election.

The polls will be even, said Maher. I promise you, just dont think about.

He added, And then even if he does win, well, you wouldnt have gone through all that stress.

The latest New York Times/Siena College poll showed Trump surging in support in three key Sun Belt states.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Princess Theodora of Greece has finally married her American fiance, Matthew Kumar, in a royal wedding.

After two previous postponements, the 41-year-old tied the knot with the Hollywood lawyer, 34, in a lavish ceremony at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, the same church where her parents, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie, were married on 18 September 1964. According to an official statement, the couple chose the venue to honor Greek culture and the princesss family.

The couples desire to have their wedding in Athens reflects their love for Greece, the strong ties they maintain with the country and their desire to share Greek culture and hospitality and identity with their guests, the statement said.

The princess was escorted down the aisle by her brother, Crown Prince Pavlos, and onlookers  including Queen Sofia of Spain  in a gown by Greek designer Celia Kritharioti. According to the statement, His Eminence Metropolitan of Syros, Dorotheos II, officiated the Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony.

Several royal family members served in the wedding party, with the brides brothers Crown Prince Pavlos, 57, and Prince Phillipos, 38, chosen as groomsmen, as were Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantals second son Prince Achilleas-Andreas. As for the bridesmaids, Theodora asked Pavlos and Marie-Chantals daughter, Princess Maria-Olympia, and Princess Alexias eldest daughter, Arrietta Morales de Grecia, to join her bridal party.

The wedding was postponed because of the Covid pandemic (Getty Images)

According to Hello!, the bride and groom threw a pre-wedding event at the Byzantine Museum with their wedding party and guests in attendance.

The wedding was originally scheduled for 2020 but was postponed first due to the pandemic. At the time, Theodora shared a statement to Instagram in May 2020, alongside a picture of the couple posing with glasses of champagne in hand.

On what should have been our wedding weekend - the love and support from friends and family have been so appreciated. We cant wait to celebrate with all of you in Greece once its safe xx, the Greek royal wrote.

The couple postponed their wedding for a second time when Theodoras father, King Constantine II, died in January 2023 at age 82.

Constantine was considered the last King of Greece before the monarchy was abolished in 1973.

In nearly 60 years of marriage, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie welcomed five children  Princess Alexia, Crown Prince Pavlos, Prince Nikolaos, Princess Theodora, and Prince Philippos. His descendants are still viewed by some as the countrys princes and princesses, however, they no longer hold any political power.

This article was amended on 1 October 2024. An earlier version said that the princes and princesses represent the country, but they do not in an official capacity.
Mohamed has been travelling around Wales taking photos of the landscape and people me meets [Mohamed Hassan]

When Mohamed Hassan arrived in Wales 15 years ago he spoke very little English and worked in a series of low paid jobs where he endured racism.

Today he is an established documentary photographer with his latest exhibition on show at the Welsh Parliament.

He credits Wales' landscapes with inspiring his creativity and helping him move out of his depression after arriving in the country.

"Taking pictures helped me to stay calm," he said.

"I was nervous, I felt like I wanted to go back because everything was strange around me... but it was so beautiful, I felt like I was dreaming.

"I've never seen the sky so blue or that much green, because in Egypt it's very dusty, very noisy and just different."

Mohamed Hassan only started taking photographs after arriving in Wales [Ahmed Taha]

Mohamed was born in Egypt's second largest city Alexandria, where he gained a degree in oil and gas engineering before meeting his wife, who is half Welsh, at work.

The couple decided to move initially to Laugharne in Carmarthenshire to be near her mother, before moving again to nearby Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire.

"I was working in McDonald's, working in Lidl, but I was always interested in art and taking photographs," said Mohamed.

During this time he had "a lot of problems" when working with customers and on a number of occasions people used racial slurs against him.

Mohamed took this photo while visiting Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons [Mohamed Hassan]

"I experienced a lot of racism in the beginning and that's why my English never got better, because I was too scared to talk to people," he said.

"I had really bad social anxiety so that's why I started photographing landscapes and people. I was just happy to walk for miles, I just feel better when I'm doing work."

Initially Mohamed used his smartphone to take photos.

People would tell him he had a good eye which encouraged him to start a weekly photography class at Pembrokeshire College.

Mohamed captured this misty landscape in Cwmystwyth, Ceredigion [Mohamed Hassan]

"I bought my first camera and six months later I had a small exhibition in a small gallery in Milford Haven," he said.

In 2014 he went to Carmarthen School of Art to study photography.

"Since that time I haven't stopped making work," he said.

It was a serendipitous meeting with David Hurn, a man often described as Wales' most acclaimed living photographer, that really inspired his work.

Mohamed met celebrated Welsh photographer David Hurn (left) while taking photos in mid Wales [Mohamed Hassan]

Over the past seven decades, Hurn, who is now 90, has documented everything from the Aberfan disaster to the Beatles at the height of Beatlemania and in the '70s set up Newport's prestigious School of Documentary Photography, producing scores of photographers.

"I told him I was a big fan and he asked me where I was from and what kind of pictures I was doing," said Mohamed.

"He was so nice and inspired me so much as something clicked - on the same day I switched my camera to black and white and learnt new skills."

Mohamed photographed this foal at Worm's Head on the Gower [Mohamed Hassan]

Mohamed started buying Hurn's photography books and decided to take more of his own photos around Wales.

"I started going to north Wales quite a lot and you'd get in the car and it would be raining or misty, so I start making work by taking pictures from inside the car, like behind the window screen so you get like a dreamy look," he said.

He was also inspired by David Company's book The Open Road: Photography & The American Road Trip.

"I thought maybe I could do that in Wales, get in the car and just take the pictures and let the pictures lead me to the next picture, so more like a narrative or more poetic."

Seren was a student at Carmarthen School of Art [Mohamed Hassan]

Taking portraits did not come as easy.

"I was really terrified to take pictures of people because I didn't have the confidence, the language as well was quite hard," said Mohamed.

His tutor encouraged him to persevere.

He found he was naturally attracted to other people who had recently arrived in Wales or were underrepresented in terms of their cultural heritage or class.

He puts this down to his early experiences living in Wales.

"Older people would ask me questions like 'What made you come here? What are you doing here?' It just feels like too many questions, and I used to answer all these questions but now I refuse," he said.

"Maybe that's why I take pictures of people who are similar to me or don't have much of a voice."

This image was taken at Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire [Mohamed Hassan]

He said his career began to take off after he emailed about 15 galleries in Wales with examples of his photographs.

"Within a week or two weeks I had six exhibitions," he said.

Last year he was commissioned by the Government Art Collection to photograph Welsh celebrations on the day of the coronation of King Charles.

Currently, his Witnessing Wales exhibition, a long-term study of community and nationhood created through a series of journeys across the country, is at the Welsh Parliament's Pierhead Futures Gallery until 2 November.

Next month The Changemakers Project will go on tour around Wales.

For this exhibition he has photographed Welsh leaders from underrepresented groups, including Wales' former first minister Vaughan Gething, and the photos will be show alongside others taken by the late acclaimed Kenyan photojournalist Mohamed Amin.

Mohamed took this photo after meeting its subject at Cwm Dewi, Pembrokeshire [Mohamed Hassan]

All the success is not something Mohamed takes lightly.

"Sometimes I say 'how has that happened?' because four years ago I was just doing this as a hobby," he said.

Today he works solely as a photographer, making his money by selling his work and occasionally teaching photography. He is also working on two books.

"I'm not making crazy money but it's something I really enjoy," he said.

"I don't switch off, photography is my thing.

"All this stuff makes me happy."
Hawk Tuah Girl, who found viral video fame in June, has a new message for you: adopt or volunteer to help dogs in Arizona.

The internet celebrity visited Maricopa County Animal Care and Control when she was in Arizona with her nonprofit Hailey Welch's Paws Across America.

Hawk Tuah Girl, also known as Hailey Welch of Belfast, Tennessee, went viral on the Tim & Dee TV YouTube channel, which posts person-on-the-street interviews. They ran into Welch on Broadway in downtown Nashville and asked her a series of questions, including "What's one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?"

Welch's southern accent rang out as she excitedly said, "You gotta give 'em that 'hawk tuah' and spit on that thang."

Welch has quit her day job at a spring factory in Tennessee, created merch and begun making appearances including one at country music star Zach Bryan's Nashville concert and throwing the ceremonial first pitch for the New York Mets. She also appeared at a Labor Day pool party in Scottsdale.

Welch is now represented by The Penthouse agency and her new Instagram and TikTok accounts amassed over 100,000 followers within 24 hours.

Animal shelters: Corelle and more pets up for adoption in metro Phoenix this week

Hawk Tuah Girl visits Arizona animal shelter

The video, which was shared on social media on Thursday, shows Welch, clad in a Wild West shirt with a cow skull on it, interacting with the animals at the shelter while discussing the facilities' needs with Desert Dog Project, partners of the shelter.

The animal shelter representative said the facility is over capacity and needs volunteers and people to adopt the dogs.

"I hope it spreads the word because honestly Hailey it is devastating," the representative from Desert Dog Project said. "We have a serious crisis here in Arizona."

Welch visited a Maricopa County shelter in Mesa to show her support for the organization, which finds homes for about 900 animals each month, according to Kim Powell, spokesperson for Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.

"We are grateful (Desert Dog Project) they could show Welch around and talk about our wonderful dogs who are waiting for their forever homes," said Powell.

Powell acknowledged Welch's unique fame as a way to spread the word about Phoenix-area pets in need.

"People like Welch and our volunteers bring much-needed attention to the need for animal adoption, Powell added.

Maricopa County sees nearly 2,000 new pets in August

As of Sunday morning, the shelter had about 800 dogs in their shelters and was about 150 dogs over capacity, Powell told The Republic.

"Were hopeful to get to a more manageable capacity very soon as the 'Empty the Shelters' adoption event sponsored by the BISSELL Pet Foundation begins October 1st and runs through the 15th," said Powell.

In August, 1,544 new pets entered the shelter's care, most finding new homes, while others were transferred to a partner organization or reunited with a lost home.

Data shows that 263 animals that entered the shelters in August were still looking for homes.

Overcrowding remained a problem for Phoenix metro shelters, especially after busy summer months.

In 2021, the shelter had an average inventory of 503 animals per day compared with the 2024 average daily inventory of 790 animals, according to Powell.

"In addition to adopting and fostering, there are many ways our community can help us with capacity," said Powell, who reflected on the many pets through the Valley without a home. "Pet homelessness is a community issue that requires collaborative community support."

Powell said owners are encouraged to make smart decisions for their pets, such as getting their pets spayed or neutered, wearing an ID tag and getting a microchip.

(This story was updated to include new information.)

Arizona Republic reporter Meredith G. White contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hawk Tuah Girl stops by animal shelter in Phoenix with her nonprofit
Carlos Saavedra and Stud Vendavals Mufasa, a Group 3 winner in his native Chile, made his U.S. stakes debut a winning one under Irad Ortiz Jr. in Saturdays $250,000 Vosburgh (G3) at Belmont at the Big A.

In capturing the seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up, the 5-year-old Practical Joke dark bay earned a Win and Youre In berth to the Breeders Cup Sprint (G1) in November at Del Mar.

Trained by Ignacio Correas IV, Mufasa made his first two stateside starts in optional-claiming sprints, finishing a pace-pressing sixth in his June debut traveling 6 1/2-furlongs at Churchill Downs ahead of a 3 3/4-length win last out over multiple graded stakes-winner Repo Rocks going seven furlongs on August 12 at Colonial Downs.

I think it was impressive. We were expecting something big from him, Correas, IV said of the Vosburgh effort. Im not sure if that is big, the only question was the surface. Hed never run on the slop. He did everything good, like usual, like good horses do.

Hes a good horse, probably when he ran at Churchill, it was a little short, but he showed he could run, he made a big move that day, Correas, IV added. Then, at Colonial, he beat a very good horse. Then today he was impressive again. I mean, no words can describe his performance.

Dean Delivers, who arrived on a four-race all-stakes win streak, broke alertly from post 4 under Jaime Rodriguez and set splits of 23.13 seconds and 46.47 over the sloppy and sealed footing with Mufasa tracking to his outside in second position.

Mufasa loomed large in the turn while advancing with little urging from Ortiz to take command at the top of the lane with Scotland launching his wide bid under Junior Alvarado. But there would be no denying Mufasa, who with a shake of the reins and a couple taps of the crop, crossed the wire a comfortable 4 1/4-length winner in a final time of 1:22.51. Scotland completed the exacta by 2 3/4-lengths over Dean Delivers with Baby Yoda, Sevens Eleven and Lord Miles rounding out the order of finish. Comedy Town was scratched.

Ortiz said he felt confident throughout while piloting the talented dark bay for the first time.

He jumped good and after that, I just bided my time, Ortiz said. I sit there and wait and bide my time to go, and when I ask him, he was there for me to be honest.

Pace slowed down a little bit, [but he] was traveling so good, Ortiz added. I could have gone faster if I want to. The horse did everything positive. Im very happy with everything he did on the track today.

Alvarado said Scotland, winner of the Curlin (L) last summer at Saratoga Race Course for trainer Bill Mott, was simply second best.

He broke great and just got outfooted at the beginning by the Dean Delivers horse, Alvarado said. I kind of had to sit behind the pack there and we werent going as quick as I was hoping. But I made my move at the three-eighths pole, five-sixteenths I tried to catch the winner and go on with him. We just kind of sprinted for home and we finished very strong. My horse put a great effort once again.

Mufasa captured the General Jose Miguel Carrera (G3) in November at Hipodromo Chile as part of eight wins from 10 starts in Chile before moving to the Correas barn.

Correas noted that he would consider both the six-furlong Breeders Cup Sprint and the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile (G1) as potential next targets for Mufasa.

Sprint, Mile, I dont know. I have to talk to the owners, Correas, IV said. Hes going to Breeders Cup if everything is OK. So, well see.

We still have time to think and look into it, Correas, IV added. We still have a little bit more than a month.

Bred by Haras Paso Nevado from the Chilean-bred Scat Daddy mare Miscanti, Mufasa banked $137,500 in victory while improving his record to 13-10-0-0. He returned $5.20 for a $2 win bet as the mutuel favorite.
Its hard not to compare Raj Bhaktas latest spirits company, Bhakta Spirits, with the company he founded in 2007 (and was forced out of in 2016), WhistlePig, although there are some major differences. WhistlePig practically invented the premium rye whiskey category by sourcing barrels from Indiana and Canada and finishing them on its distillery/farm in Vermont, while Bhakta Spirits (also in Vermont) is focused on vintage Armagnac, along with some bourbon and rye whiskeys finished in Armagnac casks. That last area is where there is some overlap, but that certainly is not the case with the latest Bhakta Spirits release: Hogsworth, an unusual blend of bourbon and Armagnac.

Armagnac is really an under-represented spirits category compared to Cognac here in the U.S., although there is a certain subsection of whiskey drinkers that have discovered just how good it can be. Bhakta has gone all in on this French style of brandy, and while it remains to be seen if Americans will fully embrace it, a release like this is one way of making it more familiar. The exact makeup of Hogsworth, a name that furthers the WhistlePig comparison, is 52 percent bourbon and 48 percent Armagnac. The bourbon does not come from MGP in Indiana as you might expect; instead its 10 percent four-year-old Minnesota bourbon and 42 percent four-and-a-half-year-old Tennessee bourbon (the distilleries are not disclosed). The Armagnac in the blend is a 13-year-old 2010 vintage (21 percent), 11-year-old 2012 vintage (22 percent), and a small portion of 42-year-old 1982 vintage (5 percent). The spirit (its not really a whiskey anymore) is bottled at 93.8 proof, and according to the brand this is batch one and blend number nine.

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Those are the straight facts, but the most important thing, as always, is how a spirit tastes. And this whiskey-Armagnac blend is pretty good. Its actually not the first time that Bhakta has played with blending like thisBhakta 1928, which came out last winter, was a combination of rye whiskey, Armagnac, and Calvadosbut Hogsworth is quite different because of the switch to bourbon and the amount of Armagnac in the mix. The result is a spirit that sits on the sweeter end of the flavor spectrum, but is not totally devoid of spice. There are notes of sweet cherry, grape, orange, citrus, raisin, and fig on the palate, followed by hints of vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, tobacco, black pepper, and cinnamon. Overall, this is a complex sipper that could also be used to make some interesting cocktails.

There are likely some whiskey fans who are going to look askance at this release based on various factors, from its very makeup to their dislike of Bhakta, who happens to be a very polarizing figure in the industry. Case in point: Check out the video he made to promote Hogsworth on the brands website, and decide for yourself what you think of the woman hogtied and bent over a barrel, not to mention Bhaktas general Trumpy vibe throughout. Before you fire off the snowflake comments, Ill beat you to the punchI realize its satirical, but Im not convinced that its necessary and, perhaps more importantly, its more dumb than funny. But as much as Raj and his team have tried to repel me with stupid promo videos, I still like Hogsworth. This isnt going to be the trophy in your liquor cabinet, but at $50 per bottle, whats the harm in giving it a try?

Score: 84

100 Worth trading your first born for

95  99 In the Pantheon: A trophy for the cabinet

90  94 Great: An excited nod from friends when you pour them a dram

85  89 Very Good: Delicious enough to buy, but not quite special enough to chase on the secondary market

80  84 Good: More of your everyday drinker, solid and reliable

Below 80 Its alright: Honestly, we probably wont waste your time and ours with this

Every week Jonah Flicker tastes the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world. Check back each Friday for his latest review.

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This photo shows the Da Bei Photo Studio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

By Xinhua writers Bai Xu, Yue Yuanyuan and Qiang Lijing

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Bai Yaoqin's first photo was taken shortly after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

"It was chilly, and I was wearing a long robe," recalled the 80-year-old grandmother in Beijing. She was just five years old when she posed for the photo with her elder sister, a way they used to express their joy of liberation.

As she flipped through her photo albums, she marveled at the big changes in the country reflected in the pictures taken throughout the decades. "The changes are earthshaking," she said.

To ordinary Chinese people today, photo-taking has transformed from once a luxurious activity to a common practice. From children to senior citizens, they can easily capture any moment of their life with a click on their phones. The myriad photos since 1949 together bore witness to China's development in the past 75 years.

RECORDING A SPECIAL MOMENT

Unfortunately, Bai's first photo was lost. However, she managed to preserve her vocational school graduation picture, a black-and-white one taken in 1966 at the Tian'anmen Square. This is her first photo taken outdoors.

In the yellowed photo, 42 students, dressed in dull-colored coats and trousers stared at or smiled shyly to the camera, with the short-haired Bai in the first row.

"We rarely took photos at that time, but graduation was such a big occasion that we thought the Tian'anmen Square was the most suitable place," she said.

The Tian'anmen Square, located at the center of Beijing, holds an important place in the hearts of the Chinese people. Li Jun, a 68-year-old retired photographer from the Da Bei Photo Studio, which boasts a history of 103 years, can still recall the long queues waiting to take photos at the square.

"Back then people had no cameras, so having photographers taking a photo at the Tian'anmen Square was the wish of many people," said the shutterbug who started working at the Tian'anmen Square in 1978. He said that back then most Chinese people dressed in simple garments with monotone colors, such as black, white, green and dark blue.

According to Li, a small black-and-white photo cost 0.4 yuan (about 0.06 U.S. dollars), including the postage. The customers coming from other parts of the country typically couldn't wait for the photo to be developed, so mailing was necessary. Considering that most Chinese people at that time earned just over 30 yuan a month, the price wasn't insignificant.

At the peak season, a photographer could consume about 40 films, which means more than a dozen photographers there took photos for thousands of visitors a day.

Traveling was not common at that time. "The customers were mostly on work trips or visiting their relatives or friends in Beijing," he said.

There were also passengers transferring in Beijing, who would rush to the square about three kilometers away from the railway station for a quick snap.

Li recalled meeting a young soldier whose uniform was drenched with sweat as he ran towards the iconic spot. "He said he only had a couple of hours between the trains but wanted to take a photo," the photographer explained. "I had a long queue of customers waiting, but I couldn't let him down." So he asked one of his colleagues to help the soldier fulfill his wish.

TAKING PICTURES A COMMONPLACE

In 1978, China launched its reform and opening up, leading to fast growth of the country's economy and marked improvement of the people's livelihood. The saving deposits of urban and rural residents increased from 21.1 billion yuan at the end of 1978 to 380.2 billion yuan at the end of 1988.

Before the advent of color photography, Da Bei used to offer services dyeing photos for customers. Customers usually had their black-and-white photos dyed to decorate their rooms, placing them on walls or desks.

According to Li Jun, the photographer, they normally asked customers what colors they would like to have for their clothes.

Following the adoption of colored film, the photo studio launched a color photograph service in the 1980s, which was welcomed by customers.

Li Jiangxia traveled to Beijing in the summer of 1987 from her hometown in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Then 25, she visited multiple tourist attractions in the city and had a picture taken at the Tian'anmen Square. It was a colored photo. Against the backdrop of the blue sky and red Tian'anmen Rostrum, she wore a long white dress.

The photo cost her three yuan, one-14th of her monthly salary. "Considering that it was the first time I traveled, the photo was not expensive at all," she said. "After all, I needed something to record my journey."

People would go to a photo studio to mark the important moments in their lives, such as birthday celebrations, family reunions and weddings.

Meng Jing, 45, had her birthday photos taken in Da Bei each year of her childhood. "It was an inseparable part of my annual celebration," said Meng.

As incomes rose, cameras became more accessible to families, making photography increasingly commonplace.

Bai Yaoqin also took a photo at the Tian'anmen Square in the early 1990s with her husband, using their own camera. She was wearing a black jacket while her husband was in a long trench coat. Other visitors behind them are seen wearing blue or red down jackets.

OPTIONS MORE DIVERSIFIED

The following years saw China's economy soar.

China's GDP more than doubled in the past decade, rapidly expanding to 121 trillion yuan in 2022 from 59.3 trillion yuan in 2013, with an average annual growth rate of over 6 percent.

In the past decade, China's share of the world economy has increased from 12.3 percent to over 18 percent, with its annual contribution to global growth averaging over 30 percent.

As people abandoned their pocket cameras for modern options, photography blossomed into a popular hobby among many Chinese people. Meng Jing bought a Nikon D80 digital camera in 2006, four years after she graduated from university. It cost her 10,000 yuan, equivalent to her two months' salary. With this camera, she traveled to many places across the country and overseas tourist destinations to take photos.

Today it is no longer just a hobby for young people: at many scenic attractions in China it is common to see many elderly people holding a professional camera, practicing techniques they learned online or from training centers.

For their own portraits people have more diversified preferences: Meng used to have her photos taken in studios where she was in evening dresses that feature a Western style. But in recent years she has been fascinated by Hanfu, China's traditional attire.

Showing a Xinhua reporter her photos in an elaborate red dress of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), she said: "travel is pretty easy these days. Earlier this year, I went to Luoyang for a weekend specifically to capture these images at various sites."

Luoyang, an ancient city in central China's Henan Province, is about 800 kilometers away from Beijing, but the high-speed train ride took her less than four hours to get there. The cost of service, including costume-renting, make-up and a professional photographer was about 400 yuan. This is quite affordable compared with her monthly salary, which now exceeds 20,000 yuan.

Li Jiangxia, now retired, enjoys traveling both within China and abroad to countries such as Britain, France and Belgium, capturing photos with her phone. She also loves dancing and has joined a community club. This spring, she bought a set of Hanfu and often shares photos and videos of herself dancing in the dress on her social media account.

Seeing people's high demand for Hanfu photos, Da Bei launched the costume-renting and photo-taking service earlier this year. Photographers could go with customers to attractions such as the Temple of Heaven or the Beihai Park to take pictures.

"Young people are no longer satisfied with taking photos of a fixed pattern," said Li Liting, chairwoman of the Da Bei Photo Studio. "They would like to have their real happy moments recorded outdoors, rather than posing for photos inside a studio."

However, she noted that services for vintage photos, including the black-and-white ones, still remain, with parents coming to take pictures for their children in the same style as their own childhood photos.

"Each year I bring my son to Da Bei for his birthday photo, just as what I had 40 years ago," Meng Jing said, adding that she also took her parents there for family photos occasionally.

Li told Xinhua that they also consider restoring the dyeing service, so that customers could have more choices for vintage photos.

"I believe that no matter how developed the society is and what new technology may come out, photo-taking is an irreplaceable service," she said. "Our photos have recorded the lives of Chinese people in the past decades, and we will continue to do so for their children, in the years to come." Enditem

(Xinhua writers Ding Jing and Ren Chao contributed to the story.)

Photographers Li Zhi (L) and Yuan Weihan work at the Da Bei Photo Studio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

Framed photos are on display at the Da Bei Photo Studio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

Photographer Li Zhi (L) interacts with customers at the Da Bei Photo Studio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

This photo shows the Da Bei Photo Studio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

This photo shows the interior of the Da Bei Photo Studio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

A staff member (L) and a customer select newly taken photos at the Da Bei Photo Studio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

A staff member (L) does make-up for a girl at the Da Bei Photo Studio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

A staff member arranges costumes at the Da Bei Photo Studio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

This photo shows a black-and-white family portrait at the Da Bei Photo Studio in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)
For the bear hug of comfort food, nothing beats piping hot, deep-fried, salty, vinegary fish and chips. This classic duo has been credited for helping British soldiers keep up morale whilefamously skirting rationing during World War II. It might not be quite as popular a delicacy in the United States as it is in the U.K., but Americans have put out the welcome mat for Great Britain's favorite dish.

The U.S. plays it fast and loose with the heritage recipe that got its sea legs at restaurants in 1860s England, with earlier versions dating back to the 1600s. Former royal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Darren McGrady  who cooked the dish every Friday at Buckingham Palace  described authentic fish and chips as featuring peeled potatoes; twice-cooked, golden brown chips (fries if you're stateside); a meaty cod fish fillet with a light, flaky crust; a side of mushy peas; and plenty of malt vinegar and salt on top. (The Queen loved hers with "salad cream" which is similar to a vinegar-mayo dressing.) Americans happily dive into all sorts of variations on this theme as long as that fish is fried to perfection.

We sourced the chip shops with the highest praise, the most stars, and (sometimes) the pure devotion of a British expat or two. You may have a short list of your favorite chippies in London, but these are the absolute best fish and chips in America.

Read more: 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Oysters

Tony's Catch, Kauai, Hawaii

Tony's Catch fish and chips - Tony's Catch/Instagram

Most of us have cultivated an appreciation for much-loved island staples like canned Spam and Hawaiian rolls, but you'll soon be jonesing for the type of fish and chips that only the turquoise waters of Kauai, Hawaii can satisfy. Tony's Catch, a food truck by Kapa'a Beach, offers fresh fish, crispy fries, and a killer view that takes you well off the beaten path.

Served with ketchup, homemade tartar sauce, and a lime wedge, this riff on fish and chips has fans catching the wave. An Instagram diner writes, "Your guys' fish n chips are soooo good! I think about them almost every day!" The Mexican cuisine-inspired outpost has also prompted plenty of 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor, with one person noting, "Outstanding fish tacos and fish and chips ... Breading was light and flavorful, fish was tender, fries were excellent!" Tony's Catch puts a spin on its crispy-battered fish by using mahi-mahi (Hawaiian for "strong"), which boasts a tender, sweet flake with enough substance to stand up to a spin in the fryer. Closed on Saturday, Tony's Catch is open for lunch the rest of the week.

tonyscatch_kauai(224) 538-92894-1602 Kuhio Hwy Kapa'a, Hawaii 96746

Pacific Inn Pub, Seattle, Washington

Pacific Inn Pub fish and chips - NVAurora/TripAdvisor

Seattle's a hot spot for teriyaki and cream cheese-topped hot dogs, but this famously rain-drenched city in the Pacific Northwest offers a VIP ticket to the freshest fish in the sea. And there's no better spot to pull up a bar stool, crack open a local Ranier tallboy, and dig into some chippies than Pacific Inn Pub in Fremont.

Doing its own variation on trad fish and chips since 1981, the dive-y Pacific Inn Pub keeps it classic with cod but adds a little flair with a panko-breaded coating. One Redditor recalled, "The batter is a bit non-traditional, it's really peppery and crisp in a way that I love compared to the more traditional beer battering." Tartar sauce, coleslaw, crispy fries, and 2-piece or 3-piece options under $20 turn this meal into what Conde Nast Traveler calls "the best fish and chips in the city." Ages 21+.

pacinnpub.com(206) 547-29673501 Stone Way N, Seattle, Washington 98103

Squatchsami, Gleneden Beach, Oregon

Squatchsami fish and chips - Squatchsami/Instagram

An homage to tsunamis and Big Foot himself, Pacific Northwest favorite Squatchsami serves up Oregon coastal cuisine, tag-teaming with local fishing families to cook up top-notch flavor. Of course, when two hospitality industry pros get together to form a food truck, fish and chips magic happens.

Sourcing fresh, local fish for their rendition, Squatchsami's fish and chips feature Pacific halibut or lingcod (a ground fish that grows up to 5 feet long, tastes light, flaky, and firm, and somehow got the unfortunate nickname "buckethead" based on its looks). As one 5-star TripAdvisor fan described it, "For sure some of the best fish and chips I had on the central coast. Light, crunchy batter and super fresh fish." Three fresh, never-frozen fillets come with sea salt fries, rosemary shoestring fries, or cilantro-lime coleslaw. The truck is open Friday and Saturday until 6 p.m., and Sunday until 5 p.m.  at the Salishan Lodge Marketplace.

squatchsami.com(541) 272-70667755 North Coast Highway 101, Gleneden Beach, Oregon 97388

Neptune's Net, Malibu, California

Neptune's Net fish and chips - Alan A/Yelp

Maybe you don't immediately think of a biker bar for fish and chips, but Malibu, California institution Neptune's Net has been slinging fried fish and cold brews since 1956. Part surf shack and part motorcycle hangout, this cinematic seafood place has appeared in everything from "Point Break" to "The Fast and the Furious" and "Iron Man 3."

Here, we'll pretend like we didn't already see the monstrous fried calamari, shrimp, and clam strips sampler platter, and instead focus on the fish and chips featuring panko and beer-battered Alaskan white fish, with fries and slaw on the side. Amidst hundreds of 5-star reviews, one Yelper wrote, "It was some of the best fish and chips and shrimp I've had." While some make a pitstop at Neptune's Net after a day on the Malibu beaches, one TripAdvisor user trekked from somewhere a little further out, posting, "The fish and chips are really fresh and worth the drive." No reservations. Open 365 days with special hours on holidays.

neptunesnet.com(310) 457-309542505 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90265

The Winslow, New York City, New York

The Winslow fish and chips - The Winslow/Instagram

A British-inspired gin bar tucked between Manhattan's East Village and Gramercy neighborhoods, The Winslow aims to become a second home to locals  that is if your NYC apartment kitchen is also cranking out U.K. bangers including a unique take on the fish for its chips.

Scroll past the Scotch egg, sausage rolls, and shepherd's pie to the Narragansett beer-battered fish and chips with skate wing fillets, toasty fries, and house-made tartar sauce. Skate wing  which hails from the stingray family  makes sense with its buttery, tender sweetness that reads almost like scallops. It's a perfect match for a crispy, golden, battered crust. As one former U.K. resident and experienced eater of true British fish and chips posted to Yelp, "Wholesome approval from this fussy critic ... The accompanying fries are cooked more in the style of frites rather than chips, but no matter, they're divine." Open for dinner until late.

thewinslownyc.com(212) 777-7717243 E 14th St New York, New York 10003

Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, Las Vegas, Nevada

Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips fish and chips - Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips/Instagram

Leave it to British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to fry up the freshest, crispiest fried fish you can find in the middle of the Nevada desert. Ever since it opened in 2016 at the LINQ, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips has been slinging beer-battered chippies and raking in rave reviews.

Offering compliments to the chef famous for his antics on "Hell's Kitchen," one fan described Ramsay's classic cod fillet batter as being flavorful and light as air, posting to Yelp, "Alright, as someone who's spent a good bit of time in the U.K., I can tell you that these fish & chips are as good as anything you'll get over there." The Washington Post called the batter "reminiscent of good tempura" and commended its elegant crunch followed by zero oily residue. Two sauces come with each order and include Gordon's signature tartar or curry and mango sauce. Get your chips topped with sea salt, or "dirty" them up with everything from truffles to bacon and cheddar cheese. Just be prepared to wait in line.

gordonramsayrestaurants.com(702) 322-05293545 Las Vegas Blvd S Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Lil Chippy, Portland, Maine

Lil Chippy fish and chips - Lil Chippy/Instagram

Lil Chippy only opened its doors in June 2024, but the tiny chip shop has already made a big splash. Here, restaurant GM Ashley Wolf and chef William Durst have dedicated their operations to frying up the best fish and chips you can get in the ultra-hip East Bayside neighborhood.

One TikTok user called it "really solid fried fish" while running a fork over the crispy crust of the fillet which features a local, sustainable catch like hake when its in season, making for a slightly sweet, creamy, and salty flavor profile. Over on Yelp, 5-star reviews abound with one local only wishing for more fries, writing, "The batter was crispy and light, and the house made tartar made it a delicious piping hot meal." Lil Chippy fish and chips come with tartar sauce, ketchup, and slaw plus a gluten-free option, too. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, open 12 to 8 p.m. the rest of the week.

lilchippymaine.com(207) 536-450852 Washington Ave Portland, Maine 04101

England Fish & Chips, Long Beach, California

England Fish & Chips fish and chips - Steve R/Yelp

There's your typical hole-in-the-wall restaurant ... and then there's England Fish & Chips in Long Beach, California, which you might require an experienced wilderness guide to find. Luckily, plenty of locals have known about the best fish and chips in SoCal since it opened in 2007 and happily point the way. (Just look for the 7-Eleven crowning the strip mall.)

You do not come here for the ambiance, the Instagram photo ops, or the metal fish art on the wall. Instead, this place is all about the fried food (and the notably friendly service). With menu options titled the Snacker, the Englanddale, and the Englishman which are merely thematic names for increasing amounts of flaky cod fish and chips served in a basket, top your selection with the malt vinegar, tartar sauce, and ketchup found on your neighbor's table. This spot crawls with loyal fans. "Been coming here since a kid with my parents and still go here for my mom, and myself, and my family," wrote a 5-star reviewer. "Place brings a lot of great memories and owners are very friendly." Pull a local move and wash everything down with an L.A.-original whipped Orange Bang soda. Cash only, closed on Sunday.

yelp.com(562) 426-74002614 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, California 90806

Horse Brass Pub, Portland, Oregon

Horse Brass Pub fish and chips - Lori H/Yelp

After Don Younger first bought the place via bar napkin contract in 1976 and hired two U.K. expats to get the menu rolling, Horse Brass Pub grew into a hops-hugging, British noshing, fish and chips destination dive set in Portland, Oregon's Belmont neighborhood. Here, you'll be treated to a 20-ounce British Imperial pint, and the crispiest fried fillet you can imagine.

It's only fitting that the best-loved dish from the outpost that launched the "beervana" movement would be as downright satisfying as the coldest brew from one of their 50 taps. The fish and chips come with three generous pieces of beer-battered Pacific halibut, skin-on fries, tartar sauce, and slaw with malt vinegar on the table. Lamenting having to choose from the overwhelmingly solid beer selection, one 5-star reviewer wrote, "The fish and chips are excellent. Crispy and the halibut is flaky and very satisfying ... It's nice to have pub food that reminds us of traveling to Scotland." Calling them the "Best fish & chips of Oregon," someone else posted, "I've had many fish & chips from many places ... I've still yet to find a place that comes even close to Horse Brass Pub." Minors welcome with guardians every day until 5pm.

horsebrass.com(503) 232-22024534 SE Belmont St, Portland, Oregon 97215

OK U.K. Fish-N-Chips, Fort Meyers, Florida

OK U.K. Fish-N-Chips fish and chips - Richard H/Yelp

If you had assumed we'd be headed to Miami or the Florida Keys for the best Sunshine State chippies, you would have missed the beer-battered treasure that is OK U.K. Fish-N-Chips in Fort Meyers, Florida. Opened in 2014 by John Nattani and his chips-loving British father-in-law John Norton, the shop serves up fish and chips so crispy you can hear them a mile away.

Delightfully Brit-ish decor highlights panoramas of England, as well as hosting a mini mercantile of Cadbury Crunchie bars, Bassetts Liquorice, and assorted Cameron's meat pies. Classic cod fillets come as King or Queen sizes, along with hand-cut Idaho potato fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce, and a fresh roll. Don't miss out on dunking everything into a side of the curry sauce. Among the sea of stellar reviews, one Yelper called it, "Probably the most British style of Fish & Chips here in southwest Florida. They even have Mushy Peas! ... If you like good traditional fish & chips, this is the place to go." Closed on Sunday and Monday.

okukfishnchips.com(239) 599-232813971 N Cleveland Ave North Fort Myers, Florida 33903

Boston Sail Loft, Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Sail Loft fish and chips - Richard W/Yelp

Dishing up fresh shrimp cocktails and mugs of clam chowda' since 1984, family-owned Boston Sail Loft in Boston's North End Waterfront neighborhood offers locals and tourists a comfy-casual atmosphere and stellar New England fare. Sidle up to the bar, or grab a two-top on the outdoor patio and discover one of the best fish and chips by the sea.

Hefty helpings of crispy-battered Atlantic cod top mounds of golden brown fries and come with raisin-studded coleslaw, tartar sauce, and a lemon wedge. With hundreds upon hundreds of 5-star reviews from happy customers, highest marks went to the light and crispy batter, the grease-free presentation, and impossibly fresh fish with perfect flake. One diner declared this dish, "The best fish and chips I have ever had! Portion was huge. We shared and were stuffed." Food served until 10 p.m., bar until 2 a.m. Kids menu mini fish and chips available for the pint-sized set.

thebostonsailloft.com617-227-728080 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

Armitage Alehouse, Chicago, Illinois

Armitage Alehouse fish and chips - Armitage Alehouse

Embracing its continental locale 800 miles from the nearest ocean, Armitage Alehouse in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago invites you to experience early 20th century English pub culture with offerings inspired by Indian cuisine, fine French wines, and bold imported ales. All that, plus a delicious take on fish and chips.

Delicate and crisply-battered white pike fish and chips tip the scales toward the pricier side for this humble dish, but come with a tarragon-forward tartar sauce that you won't find at your average chip shop. One 5-star Google review claimed, "[The] fish and chips that they serve is one of the best that I ever ate ... crunchy and well made." With fans applauding the dark wood, brassy lived-in decor, and warm service, another person noted that there was "just enough breading to not take away from the melt in your mouth fish." Advance dinner reservations suggested. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

armitagealehouse.com773-270-64021000 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60614

The Codmother Fish & Chips, San Francisco, California

The Codmother Fish & Chips - Rachel C/Yelp

You've seen the ubiquitous Boudin Bakery chowder bread bowls dotting the waterfront, but the true San Francisco treat (other than Rice-A-Roni) is The Codmother Fish & Chips food truck at Fisherman's Wharf. Originally launched in 2011 by a former U.K. citizen, the business changed hands two more times to become a crowd-favorite grab-n-go chippy. (You might have to fight the seagulls for it.)

Two hefty pieces of wild-caught Alaskan codfish get battered and fried in soybean oiland served alongside a pile of golden fries with tartar sauce, malt vinegar, and ketchup  with smaller sizes available for kids or light appetites. "Might be the best fish and chips I have ever had," penned a 5-star reviewer, adding, "Two big pieces of perfectly battered & fried cod that was hot, flaky and tasted amazing ... Thick cut fries that stayed firm when doused with malt vinegar. Salted perfectly." Thousands of happy chippy reviews make this the easiest decision of your day, and the "chips gone wild" upgrade lets you customize your new fish and chips routine with garlic, parm, melted cheddar, or signature Baja sauce added to your fries. Closed Wednesday.

codmother.com(415) 606-9349496 Beach Street, San Francisco, California 94133

Nosh And Bevvy English Kitchen & Bar, Austin, Texas

Nosh and Bevvy fish and chips - Brooke B./Yelp

Welcome to Tex-Brit country, y'all! Celebrating Old Austin and even older English cuisine, Nosh and Bevvy English Kitchen & Bar in the North Shoal Creek neighborhood puts a twist on the familiar chip shop dish with a little southern hospitality and waffle-cut fries.

Plan to sit 'n' stay a while at this local haunt as you tuck into a two or three-piece portion of beer-battered cod fillet, served with toasty brown waffle-cut fries, tartar sauce, and a lemon wedge. The cod may be traditional, but those waffle fries just might be the wave of the future. "Those fish and chips are the best I've had in Austin," posted one loyal Reddit fan. "I don't care that they aren't the 'true U.K. chips.' They are delish." A true "bangers-and-mashup" of British and American cuisines, these chippies invoke a beloved dish from across the pond while rocking that American spirit (which happens to taste a lot like salt and malt vinegar).

yelp.com(512) 454-86368440 Burnet Rd #100, Austin, Texas 78757

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Read the original article on Food Republic.
If you've ever been with a group of friends and had someone call for a round of shots, it's entirely possible that the first question that comes to mind is what you're going to be drinking: Will it be sweet like a lemon drop, or tangy like the notorious pickleback shot? Your next question likely isn't why it is called a shot. You might just assume you already know. And if you think you know thanks to a bit of social media wisdom that's been floating around  not so fast.

The oft-repeated bit of trivia is the claim that the term dates back to the American West when bullets cost roughly the same as a drink. That led to the practice of paying for a drink with a bullet  or a shot  and while that's a neat story, that's all it is. There are a few problems with this claim, starting with the fact that bullets and alcohol didn't cost the same. Alcohol was much more expensive. There's also the fact that the term was in use long before the heyday of the American West.

The Reverend Oliver Heywood was a Puritan preacher, and in "His Autobiography, Diaries, Anecdote, and Event Books" (via the Internet Archive), he wrote of attending a funeral in 1676. Afterward, he noted that he joined a group to observe "their vain way of drinking shots, I saw some lay at it busily." It's believed to be the first time the term appeared in print, but that doesn't answer where it came from.

Read more: 26 Popular Vodka Brands, Ranked By Their Versatility

The Term Likely Came Together From A Few Different Places

Friends toasting with shots - Izabela Habur/Getty Images

Today, you'll be the star of any holiday party with egg nog Jell-O shots, but head back to 15th-century England, and you'll learn that "shot" has a different alcohol-related meaning. Initially, it referred to the portion of a bar tab that each group member was responsible for paying. Fast forward through history a bit, and by the 1700s, the term had come to mean both a portion of the bar bill and a portion of ale.

No one's quite sure how that turned into a measure of alcohol, but a possible connection comes when you consider how a shot is consumed. You don't sip it; you drink it in one go. You're throwing it back in one shot, as it were, from a shot glass. Although it wasn't officially called a shot glass until much later, this theory suggests that it's not the drinking part it's referring to, but the sound of a group of people slamming thick, heavy glasses down on a bar top. It was likened to the sound of firing muskets, and that was eventually shortened to shots (which could also circle back to explain how the bullet theory came into being as well).

There's another interesting footnote to this: It wasn't until 1928 that the term was connected to a specific measurement of alcohol. And that's not the same everywhere: A standard shot in the U.S. is between 30 and 44 milliliters, but go to Slovenia, Poland, Israel, Romania, or Bulgaria, and that jumps to 50 milliliters. In some countries  like South Africa  it's only 25 milliliters, and in Germany? 20 milliliters.

The Shot Glass Is A Surprisingly Recent Addition To Bar Terminology

Shot glasses on a table with lime wedges - Image Source/Getty Images

It makes sense that shot glasses have also been around for a while, right? Not exactly. According to the Oxford English Dictionary's findings, the word  specifically rendered as "shot-glass"  didn't show up until 1955. It was coined by Arthur Miller, the playwright most famous for works including "Death of a Salesman" and "The Crucible" (and for being Mr. Marilyn Monroe).

The glasses themselves had been around for much longer. Copper shot glasses (similar to the copper mugs that have long been used for Moscow Mules) were particularly popular in the 18th century, and they were used on ships to portion out rum to sailors. They later became popular in bars and slowly transitioned to glass. Advances in refrigeration meant that copper glasses were no longer needed to help insulate drinks to keep them cold, and advances in glass technology meant that they were much more durable than they had previously been.

Interestingly, there's another odd connection here, and it's often mentioned as one potential source for the terminology of the "shot"  although it seems pretty unrelated. In the mid-1800s, a German chemist named Otto Schott was behind the development of dozens of new types of glass, including glass that was heat-resistant, more durable, and designed to stand up to the rigors of scientific research ... and, to being knocked around on a bar. There's a theory that "shot glass" came from his name, but given that the term didn't show up until 20 years after his death, that seems unlikely.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
EASTON, Conn. (WTNH)  Two people died after they crashed into each other Saturday evening in Easton, according to police.

The crash took place on Route 58, just south of Center Road. At 7:39 p.m., police were called to the scene where they found one vehicle on fire and the other seriously damaged.

New Haven Police investigate fatal fall

The Easton Fire Department responded and put out the car fire. EMS transported one of the victims to a hospital. The other driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was identified Monday as 58-year-old Mario Licona of Bridgeport.

The other driver later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. She was identified as 87-year-old Florence Mahony of Redding.

Route 58 was closed for several hours and has since reopened. This crash is under investigation by the Fairfield Police Crash Investigation Unit.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Douglas County Sheriffs Office said one person was killed in a shooting involving an officer Saturday evening.

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The sheriffs office posted on X saying that an investigation is underway after the shooting, which occurred at an apartment complex near Peoria Street and Roosevelt Lane.

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The sheriffs office said a suspect was dead, and no officers were injured.

No further information was immediately available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  One person was rescued from an apartment fire in Penfield Saturday night.

Crews responded to the blaze at Avalon Apartments on Empire Boulevard just before 8 p.m. According to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, one person, the only resident of the impacted apartment, had to be treated for minor burns to the hand.

Only one apartment was impacted by the fire. A cause is not yet clear, but deputies said there are no indications to suggest that this was the result of anything criminal in nature. Surrounding roads that were shut down for the investigation have since been reopened.

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1 taken to hospital after driver crashes into Aurora restaurant

DENVER (KDVR)  One person was taken to a hospital after a driver crashed into a restaurant in Aurora Saturday afternoon.

The Aurora Police Department told FOX31 that the vehicle ended up all the way in the restaurant near 1930 South Havana Street.

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Police said the driver was older and made a mistake parking in the parking lot.

One person was taken to a hospital after a driver crashed into a restaurant in Aurora Saturday afternoon. (KDVR)

One person was taken to a hospital after a driver crashed into a restaurant in Aurora Saturday afternoon. (KDVR)

One person was taken to a hospital after a driver crashed into a restaurant in Aurora Saturday afternoon. (KDVR)

Four people sustained minor injuries  police said three of them were checked out on the scene and one was taken to a hospital.

Aurora PD said it is looking into a potential careless driving charge for the driver.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Large swathes of eastern and central Nepal have been inundated since Friday with flash floods reported in several rivers and extensive damage to the country's highways (PRAKASH MATHEMA) (PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/AFP)

Residents of Nepal's flood-hit capital returned to their mud-caked homes on Sunday to survey the wreckage of devastating floods that have killed at least 170 people across the Himalayan republic.

Deadly rain-related floods and landslides are common across South Asia during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity.

Entire neighbourhoods in Kathmandu were inundated over the weekend with flash floods reported in rivers coursing through the capital and extensive damage to highways connecting the city with the rest of Nepal.

Kumar Tamang, who lives in a slum area by a riverbank, told AFP he and his family had to flee after midnight on Saturday as waters rushed into his shack.

"This morning we returned and everything looks different," the 40-year-old said.

"We couldn't even open the doors to our house, it was jammed with mud," he added. "Yesterday we were afraid that the water would kill us, but today we have no water to clean."

Nepal's Home Ministry said 170 people had been killed across the country with another 42 still missing.

Ministry spokesman Rishi Ram Tiwari told AFP that bulldozers were being used to clear several highways that had been blocked by debris, cutting Kathmandu off from the rest of the country.

"More than 3,000 people have been rescued," he added.

At least 35 of those killed were aboard three vehicles and were buried alive when earth from a landslide careened into a highway south of Kathmandu, Nepal Police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki told AFP.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said preliminary data from stations in 14 districts measured record-breaking rain in the 24 hours to Saturday morning.

A station at the Kathmandu airport recorded about 240 millimetres (9.4 inches) of rain, highest since 2002, it said.

- Chest-deep water -

The Bagmati river and its numerous tributaries which cut through Kathmandu broke their banks, inundating nearby homes and vehicles after midnight on Saturday.

Residents struggled through chest-deep water to get to higher ground.

Bishnu Maya Shrestha, who lived in another inundated area of Kathmandu, said they had to cut the roof of their homes to escape.

"We jumped from one roof to another to safety and finally they came with boats to rescue us," Shrestha told AFP.

More than 3,000 security personnel were deployed to assist rescue efforts with helicopters and motorboats.

Rescue teams were using rafts to pull survivors to safety.

Humanitarian organisations are also helping with search and rescue operations, as well as providing relief.

Jagan Chapagain, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said in a post on social platform X that staff and volunteers "are distributing non-food items, providing hygiene kits, and setting up evacuation centers".

Domestic flights resumed in and out of Kathmandu by Sunday morning after weather forced a complete stoppage from Friday evening, with more than 150 departures cancelled.

The summer monsoon brings South Asia 70-80 percent of its annual rainfall.

Monsoon rains from June to September bring widespread death and destruction every year across South Asia, but the number of fatal floods and landslides has increased in recent years.

Experts say climate change has worsened their frequency and intensity.

A landslide that hit a road in Chitwan district in July pushed two buses with 59 passengers aboard into a river.

Three people were able to escape alive, but authorities managed to recover only 20 bodies from the accident, with raging flood waters impeding the search.

More than 260 people have died in Nepal in rain-related disasters this year.

str-pm/gle/sn
New video gives a peak inside $112M hospital nearly done in Eastern WA wine country

Prosser Memorial Health is just a few months away from moving into its gleaming new hospital.

After two years of construction, work on the $112 million project is 90% complete and staff will begin moving in by the end of 2024, said Shannon Hitchcock, chief communications officer for the hospital and director of the foundation that supports it.

Hitchcock said Prosser Memorial expects to start seeing patients at the new building in February, after it secures a final occupancy permit and approval from the health department.

Prosser Memorial is a major employer in the heart of Washington wine country.

The current hospital on Memorial Street is a go-to medical destination for emergencies, births and routine health care for residents of Prosser and the Lower Yakima Valley.

Prosser Memorial Health expects to move to its new hospital in 2025, about two years after contractors began constructing the $112 million project.

Nearly 600 babies were born there in 2021, and there were more than 2,000 surgeries and 171,000 lab procedures.

All of that shifts to the new hospital next year, where Bouten Construction is putting the final touches on the 88,000-square-foot replacement. The hospital is owned and operated by the Prosser Public Health District.

It began scrutinizing its physical building a decade ago as the roof and other systems started failing, maintenance expenses rose and the facility fell increasing short of modern medical demands. Notably, it isnt fully compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.

Work continues inside Prosser Memorial Hospital.

The old 25-bed facility was dedicated in December 1947 to the memory and service of World War II veterans. In the end, building a new hospital was more efficient than rebuilding the old one.

The public hospital district bought the 33-acre site north of Interstate 82 at Exit 80 2017. It broke ground in 2022 after securing approval from the Washington Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the city of Prosser.

Construction was valued at $78 million.

The hospital district is paying for its new hospital with $25.5 million from its own sources and an $80.5 million loan package from the USDAs rural development program.

The Prosser Memorial Foundation is raising $3 million in private donations. The district did not seek voter approval for bonds or levies.

In August 2023, construction crews worked on the new Prosser Memorial Health hospital off Interstate 82.

As a taxing district, the hospital levied nearly $1 million in property taxes this year, Benton County assessor records show.

The new Prosser Memorial will offer more of just about everything available at the hospital it is replacing: State-of-the-art surgical suites, more birthing options for maternity patients, family-friendly rooms, expanded ICU and cardiology capabilities and a larger emergency department.

A separate office building will provide space for medical specialists.

Go to prosserhealth.org

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15 out of 22 Shaheds shot down over Ukraine

15 Shahed drones were downed as of 8:30 on 29 September 2024. Photo: Ukraines Air Force

The Russians have launched 22 Shahed attack UAVs at Ukraine on the night of 28-29 September, 15 of which were shot down by Ukrainian air defence forces.

Source: Air Force

Details: The military reported that five more Russian drones disappeared from radar as a result of electronic warfare countermeasures. "Preliminary reports indicate there has been no damage caused," the Air Force added.

It is known that the UAVs were launched from Russias Yeysk and Kursk, and Chauda in Crimea.

The UAVs were shot down in Sumy, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv and Odesa oblasts.

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2 deputies among tragic deaths in NC mountains from Helene flooding, officials say

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Officials said Sunday that two of the North Carolina deaths from Helen in the state were deputies in two separate mountain counties.

The North Carolina Sheriffs Association said that the two tragic deaths were from significant flooding and hazardous conditions in the mountains.

The deputies who died were with the Macon County Sheriffs Office and the Madison County Sheriffs Office, the N.C. Sheriffs Association said in a news release.

The deputies died in raging flood waters, the statement said.

North Carolina rainfall totals from Helene

We ask that you keep the families, friends, and colleagues of these deputies as well as the entirety of Western North Carolina in your thoughts and prayers during this unfathomable and difficult time, the N.C. Sheriffs Association said.

Macon County Sheriffs Office said that Deputy Jim Lau, courthouse security officer, was missing on Friday around 11:30 a.m.

Damage is unimaginable in Chimney Rock after images show half of village wiped out

A search effort was initiated that afternoon by multiple emergency service agencies; an on-foot search, drone search and multiple swift-water rescue teams were called in, Macon County officials said.

His body was recovered on Saturday.

No information about the Madison County deputy was released as of Sunday afternoon

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
This photo taken on Sept. 29, 2024 shows the house where Mohammad Dahrouj, an official of the Islamic Group, was killed in eastern Lebanon's Joub Jannine area. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Mohammad Dahrouj, an official of the Islamic Group, was killed on Sunday in an Israel airstrike on a residential apartment in eastern Lebanon's Joub Jannine area, according to Lebanese military sources.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, said an Israeli warplane targeted the apartment with two air-to-ground missiles, killing Dahrouj.

The Lebanese Red Cross personnel had transferred his body to a hospital in Joub Jannine.

The Lebanese Civil Defense also confirmed that one person was killed as a result of an Israeli airstrike in Joub Jannine.

"Elements of the Civil Defense extinguished a fire that broke out as a result of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a residential apartment in Joub Jannine," it said in a statement.

The Islamic Group is an Islamic political organization with a military wing called the al-Fajr Forces, which has recently carried out military operations against the Israeli army.

The Islamic Group has not yet issued any comment on the incident. 

This photo taken on Sept. 29, 2024 shows the house where Mohammad Dahrouj, an official of the Islamic Group, was killed in eastern Lebanon's Joub Jannine area. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)
JACKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  First responders rescued two people from a vehicle that ended up in the water Friday night following a crash near the Jackson County/Macon County line.

According to Jackson County EMS, 911 calls came in at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 about a crash with injuries along Hudson Creek Highway (State Highway 151), indicating a vehicle went off the road and came to rest in a nearby creek.

Body of Fort Campbell soldier missing out of Henry County recovered from Kentucky Lake

Officials said members of Jackson County EMS, the Jackson County Sheriffs Department, and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) arrived at the scene and found two people still trapped inside the vehicle, with moving water near their chests and necks. The medics, deputies, and troopers worked together to rescue both patients from the vehicle and the water.

Meanwhile, Jackson County EMS said a third person had removed himself, along with an uninjured minor, from the vehicle before first responders arrived.

Teen retrieved from embankment in rope rescue on Sowell Mill Pike Bridge

According to officials, emergency personnel treated and transported all three injured patients to Macon Community Hospital. There is no word on the nature of their injuries.

The quick actions of the first arriving EMS crew, Sheriffs Deputies, and THP Troopers undoubtedly made a positive difference in the outcome for the victims of this crash, Jackson County EMS posted on Facebook.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

No additional details have been released about Friday nights incident.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
3 inmates to face charges in connection with brutal attack at Souza Baranowski Correctional Center

Three inmates will face charges in connection with a violent attack on corrections officers at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center earlier this month, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security announced Saturday.

The assault, which happened around 6:20 p.m., sent five officers to the hospital, including one who was repeatedly stabbed about 12 times, according to authorities.

The three inmates charged are as follows:

Jose R. Crespo, 39, is charged with mayhem, armed assault to murder and assault to murder.

Heriberto Rivera-Negron, 36, is charged with mayhem, armed assault to murder and assault to murder.

Jeffrey Tapia, 30, is charged with mayhem, armed assault to murder and assault to murder.

The stunning footage shows an inmate swinging at the head of an unsuspecting officer. Moments later, another inmate joins in on the assault.

The scuffle continues for about a minute until other officers arrive.

According to officials, two corrections officers were stabbed multiple times by the incarcerated individuals and three additional corrections officers were injured responding to the assault.

Attacks against our officers will not be tolerated and the serious charges filed against the three individuals demonstrates that the Massachusetts Department of Correction will take action, interim Department of Corrections Commissioner Shawn Jenkins said Saturday. This type of violence is unacceptable and now those involved will be held accountable in the court of law. We have and will continue to make the safety and health of our Correctional Officers a priority and appreciate their dedication to the DOC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our investigators worked tirelessly since the incident occurred to bring these charges forward.

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union thanked the Worcester District Attorneys office for the investigation and asked for the Department of Correction to up security measures.

We demand the DOC take action to make the prisons more secure by clearing out the deadly weapons and drugs that are too prevalent in our system, the unions statement read. Our focus remains on the safety of everyone in the prison system, to include our brothers and sisters of MCOFU.

Crespos arraignment is scheduled for October 11. Rivera-Negrons arraignment is scheduled for October 10. Tapia will be arraigned on October 15.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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35 now dead in Buncombe County, 600 missing after NC mountains slammed by Helene flooding

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN/AP)  The U.S. Southeast grappled Sunday with rising death tolls, a lack of vital supplies in isolated, flood-stricken areas and the widespread loss of homes and property while the devastating toll of Hurricane Helene became more clear and officials warned of a lengthy and difficult rebuild.

A North Carolina County that includes the mountain city of Asheville, gave an update Monday morning, saying 35 people were killed due to the storm. On Sunday, officials said two deputies in different counties were among the dead in the state.

John Harold, the city manager for Black Mountain, told CBS 17 Sunday that more than 600 people were still missing in Buncombe County, down from 1,000 just after the storm.

2 deputies among tragic deaths in NC mountains from Helene flooding, officials say

Its pretty bad, pretty rough, Harold said Sunday about the town recovering from the storm. Were pretty isolated due to the interstate being closed but we are starting to get resources in.

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA  SEPTEMBER 28: A Duke Energy lineman works on a line the Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Floridas Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Harold said the deaths in Buncombe County were spread throughout the county. He was unsure if the numbers Sunday included any dead in Black Mountain.

Damage is unimaginable in Chimney Rock after images show half of village wiped out

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper predicted the death toll would rise as rescuers and other emergency workers reached areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure and widespread flooding.

He implored residents in western North Carolina to avoid travel, both for their own safety and to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. More than 50 search teams spread throughout the region in search of stranded people.

Many people are cut off because the roads are impassable, Cooper said. Supplies were being airlifted to the region around Asheville, a city in western North Carolinas mountains known for its arts, culture and scenery.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  The Vigo County Public Library celebrated 30 years of family friendly fun Saturday with Family Learning Day.

This event is always held on the fourth Saturday of September, giving families various activities to do.

Its an event that brings together vendors from all across Vigo County to provide different types of activities to families for whatever that looks like for you. We have events for activities for kids, adults, all of the above. Shaleena Barker  Public Relations Manager  VCPL

For the 30th anniversary, the library put on their biggest event yet.

They had more than 50 organizations participating. This included new additions to the day such as henna painting and animals.

Theres absolutely something for everyone. We have all different kind of organizations from different Indiana State University groups. We have the Swope here, which is for people of all ages. Weve got everything. Hope Rice  Program and Events Manager  VCPL

Family Learning Day also features visits from Terre Haute community organizations such as the Childrens Museum.

The library says they put on this event to showcase all the options this community has to offer.

We put on an event like this so that we can all be together as one community. We want to show our different community members the different opportunities and options that we have available for our community. Hope Rice  Program and Events Manager  VCPL

The rain held off just long enough for Family Learning Day to be outside and the library says the 30th anniversary was a success.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
(KRON)  The Daly City Police Department arrested four individuals on organized theft charges after a string of eyewear thefts in Daly City and the surrounding cities, the department announced.

At 3:37 p.m. on Sept. 12, two masked people walked up to the LensCrafters inside Macys at the Serramonte Center. One of the individuals was carrying a plastic bag. Police said the two noticed the store was closed by a sign saying the employees were on break.

According to Daly City PD, detectives witnessed one of the suspects begin to try to open the locked doors. The suspects decided to flee but were apprehended by police.

The suspects were identified as two 18-year-olds, one from South San Francisco and the other was a San Francisco resident.

1 hospitalized after Sunday morning shooting in Antioch

The teens were arrested and booked into the county jail for suspicion of organized retail theft, attempted burglary, receiving stolen property and other offenses. The suspect who attempted to open the doors of the closed store received an additional gun charge.

Daly City PD said as the two were being arrested, a car with two occupants began to flee. The car was later found in San Francisco.

The suspects were identified as 22-year-old and 25-year-old San Francisco residents. The 22-year-old was arrested and booked into the county jail for suspicion of possession of a firearm by a felon, organized retail theft, receiving stolen property and other offenses. The 25-year-old suspects charges were organized retail theft and receiving stolen property.

After arresting the two occupants, police found a handgun and more than $4,000 worth of glasses stolen from another store, police said.

LensCrafters has experienced a string of robberies recently. The Serramonte Center location suffered a loss of $26,000 worth of inventory in two months due to theft, according to Daly City police.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  The 48th annual Boardman Rotary Oktoberfest took place Sunday at Boardman Park.

Its the areas largest fundraiser, bringing thousands of people to the community every year.

The one-day event features more than 150 vendors from five neighboring states, selling arts and crafts, jewelry, baked goods, custom products and clothing.

All the money raised will support local schools, organizations and nonprofits.

Were always in support of Boardman Local Schools and libraries. So, we always are donating to them and to the libraries. United Way  we help them fund some of the Youngstown damage to the Realty building and that explosion. So, we help them out a lot with funding the hotel stays for the people that were misplaced, said Mandi Fluck, co-chair of the event.

Those who attended the event helped give back to the community by just paying the entrance fee.

Tino DiCenso contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Investigators are asking for the publics help piecing together what happened before Saturdays deadly airplane crash at Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills.

Five people, including a child, were onboard when the single-engine Cirrus SR22 crashed into the trees near the monuments airstrip at 5:18 p.m. before catching fire. There were no survivors.

Were here to figure out what happened, why it happened and how we can prevent it from happening again, Ryan Enders, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, told reporters Sunday.

If you saw anything, heard anything, have a doorbell camera that might have captured the airplane or even the sounds of the airplane, the NTSB wants to hear from you, Enders said.

Witnesses reported seeing the plane approach the runway, circle and then on second approach, crash into the trees, National Park Service spokesperson Michael Barber said.

On Sunday afternoon, the charred remains sat on the floor in a thick, wooded area next to the airstrip, while a piece of the plane could be seen high in the pine trees from the runway.

Enders referred questions about the identities of the victims to the state medical examiners office while NPS officials said they will likely release names in the coming days.

Enders and another NTSB investigator from Washington arrived at the memorial about noon Sunday and began their on-site investigation, looking at the actions and qualifications of the pilot, the condition of the aircraft and weather and environmental conditions. At the time of the crash, conditions were clear, visibility was about 10 miles and winds were gusting about 16 mph, according to data from First Flight Airports weather station.

NTSB and FAA records show the Cirrus SR22, built in 2023, belonged to Pantheon Aviation LLC with a residential address listed in Franklin, North Carolina.

FlightAware.com radar shows the plane left from Pinehurst, North Carolina, at 11:16 a.m. Saturday, landing in Ocracoke about an hour later. The plane left Ocracoke for Dare County Regional Airport in Manteo at 4:22 p.m.. It arrived at 4:44 p.m., then left Manteo at 5:10 p.m.

There were no mayday calls from the plane before the crash, Enders said. The NTSB expects to issue a preliminary report on the crash within 10 days, but the full investigation, including releasing a cause, will take nine months to a year.

The First Flight Airstrip has been the scene of 11 aircraft crashes over the last 40 years, with the last reported fatal crash in 1984, according to the NTSB. The First Flight Airport was established in 1928 and commemorates the site where Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first powered flight on Dec. 17, 1903.

Anyone with information about Saturdays crash is asked to email the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.
Corrections and Clarifications: This story has been updated to reflect that staff undergo background checks every five years.

Warning: This story contains discussions of sexual assault. The details may be disturbing or triggering to some. If you or someone you know needs help, local organizations can provide resources. For mental health support call crisis line 988 or the national sexual assault line at 1-800-656-4673.

A series of lawsuits filed this year allege a pattern of grooming and sexual abuse in Oregon Youth Authority correctional facilities.

In six separate lawsuits, plaintiffs allege staff members provided them with drugs, manipulated them to gain their trust, engaged in coercive sexual relationships with youths and threatened them so they wouldnt report the behavior.

The suits claim these relationships were well known to other staff but were allowed to continue. Two former staff members now face criminal charges related to the suits.

Youth who are sent there are vulnerable, said Norah Van Dusen, one of the lawyers for the youth. Most of them have come from difficult backgrounds. Many of them suffered abuse well before they were incarcerated at OYA. At a minimum, when a youth is at OYA, they should be free from abuse.

Youths are put in custody to receive treatment and prepare to transition back into society, she said, and experiencing abuse has serious effects.

It has long ranging impacts for their ability to both turn their lives around and to trust adults, authority figures, therapists, going forward, Van Dusen said.

Carly Dierkhising, a professor at California State University, Los Angeles, whose research focuses on trauma in the juvenile justice system, said youth correctional facilities often have a culture of looking the other way.

Whether its true, theres a sense among youths that reporting wont help, Dierkhising said. Her experience as a therapist for youths in a secure facility disturbed her so much she said she began researching and advocating for reform.

Generally, when we talk to kids ... they feel like they report and nothing really happens, Dierkhising said.

Lawyers for the youths said they continue to discover more youths who say they have been abused, and believe more cases are still to come.

Oregon Youth Authority leaders said they work to create systems that protect youths and enable them to report abuse. OYA spokesperson William Howell said the alleged abuse in the lawsuits "runs completely against our values and commitments to our youth."

There were 187 male youths in custody, as of July, at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn.

Lawsuits describe patterns of abusive behavior at Oregon Youth Authority facilities

The lawsuits all describe grooming by staff, in which manipulative tactics are used to gain a victims trust and convince them the relationship is mutual and not coercive. Victims often dont recognize the behavior as abuse until later.

There is an inherent imbalance of power, and that is why it is sexual abuse, Van Dusen said. Many youth may not realize that that is what is happening.

According to RAINN, the nations largest anti-sexual violence organization, grooming often is employed by someone a victim knows and trusts, and abusers typically choose victims perceived to be more vulnerable. Abusers will use gifts, attention, sharing secrets and other means, according to RAINN, to build the relationship, and will encourage victims to keep it secret.

Several of the lawsuits allege that staff members told youths they loved them, brought them drugs and cell phones, created excuses to spend time alone, and built relationships with the youths family members.

The way that staff used contraband and treats and presents and special attention to groom the youth, those are the same tactics that are used by sexual predators to groom victims, Van Dusen said. They gain their trust, they form a relationship, they make the person, the victim, feel special, and in that way, they are able to violate boundaries.

The juvenile justice system provides a high level of confidentiality for juvenile records, designed to protect youths. But Dierkhising said these regulations may actually contribute to a lack of public awareness, making youths feel like no one is ensuring they are safe.

There's this sense of, they get locked up and then they throw away the key, and no one's really allowed to come in and check on them, Dierkhising said. There's kind of a lack of oversight, and definitely a lack of public engagement with these facilities.

Posters are hung throughout Oregon Youth Authority facilities, including this one at MacLaren, telling youths how to report abuse.

Lawsuits allege Oregon Youth Authority staffer gave youths drugs, nude photos

Two of the latest suits, filed in late September, allege sexual abuse by former group life coordinator Cherie MacDougall at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility.

MacLaren, located in Woodburn, is the largest facility OYA oversees. As of July 2024, it housed 187 male youths.

The plaintiffs both allege they experienced abuse while living in the Haystack unit  dedicated to youths with substance-use issues  which MacDougall was assigned to monitor.

According to OYAs website, group life coordinators provide front line supervision of close custody youth, coordinate daily activities, and serve as positive role models.

Both lawsuits allege that MacDougall groomed the plaintiffs, provided them with drugs, shared personal details of her life with them and asked them for money.

In one case, a then-15-year-old plaintiff alleges he began failing his mandated drug tests because of the drugs she was giving him, causing his stay at MacLaren to be extended repeatedly. He claims in the lawsuit that he felt he couldnt deny her sexual advances in part because he was addicted to the drugs she was providing.

In the other case, the then-21-year-old plaintiff alleges MacDougall engaged in sexual encounters with him at least 20 times, asking him to meet her in bathrooms to have sex and sending him nude photos of herself. On one occasion, the lawsuit alleges she warned him against reporting the behavior, saying, You know what I can do to you.

OYA received a complaint in March 2023 about MacDougall possibly bringing contraband to the facility, according to spokesperson Howell. She was placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation, and additional allegations were made about boundary issues between MacDougall and youths. She resigned two months later.

Three lawsuits have been filed this year alleging youths experienced sexual abuse by a mental health counselor at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn.

Lawsuits allege MacLaren mental health counselor took youths to private sessions for sex

Three lawsuits filed earlier this year allege sexual abuse by Emily Echtenkamp, a qualified mental health professional, who now faces criminal charges in Marion County, including five counts of custodial sexual misconduct and initiating a false report, for circumstances described in one of the suits. Echtenkamp had been employed at OYA since 2015.

That suit alleges that Echtenkamp began grooming the plaintiff shortly after he arrived at MacLaren in 2019 at age 17. As his mental health counselor, she knew he had experienced childhood sexual abuse and other traumas.

Fifty-four percent of male youths and 77% of female youths serving time at OYA facilities have histories of abuse or neglect, and 56% of male youths and 66% of female youths have substance abuse issues, according to OYA data from July 2024. They also have high rates of diagnosed mental health disorders  67% for male youths and 91% for female youths. About a third of male youths and a fourth of female youths overseen by OYA have special education needs.

The plaintiff alleges Echtenkamp had at least 20 coercive sexual encounters with him, and when they were caught having sex, she accused him of raping her. Oregon State Police investigators determined she was lying after viewing surveillance video of the incident.

OYA received a complaint of possible boundary issues between staff and a youth on April 4, 2022, the day she was caught, and immediately placed her on paid administrative leave, pending the investigation outcome, according to Howell. She resigned about a month later.

An investigation by lawyers representing the youth in custody led to the discovery of additional allegations of sexual abuse, prompting the other lawsuits, according to Van Dusen.

Van Dusen said she believes Echtenkamp had engaged in inappropriate sexual misconduct multiple times and this behavior was fairly well known to other staff.

In a separate lawsuit, another plaintiff accuses Echtenkamp of abusing her position as his mental health counselor to engage in coercive sexual encounters.

The plaintiff, who had also experienced childhood sexual abuse, alleges Echtenkamp brought him contraband drugs and took him to private, off unit counseling sessions to sexually abuse him. He alleges she threatened to turn him in for having the contraband drugs she had given him if he did not have sex with her.

The third lawsuit accusing Echtenkamp of sexual abuse also alleges the youth experienced a coercive sexual relationship with another former OYA employee, Amira Andrade.

That plaintiff alleges Andrade groomed him and eventually began having another employee bring him to the administrative building to have sex with him in the bathrooms.

The lawsuit alleges OYA began investigating Andrade for suspicion of being in a sexual relationship with the youth, but Howell said OYA never received a complaint regarding inappropriate conduct. He said she was disciplined in March 2021 for bringing in food to a youth, and she resigned from OYA that month.

Echtenkamp was then assigned as the youths mental health counselor, and the suit alleges she provided him with contraband, took him off unit for private sessions and sent him sexually explicit photos and videos of herself.

After resigning from OYA, Andrade was hired by the Department of Human Services in a position that worked with children and families, according to ODHS spokesperson Jake Sunderland. In mid-August, Andrade was reassigned to duties that do not involve direct contact with children and families, pending an investigation, Sunderland said.

Echtenkamps license as a social worker and certification as a counselor are both listed as active with no ethical or disciplinary actions taken.

This poster at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility's administrative building informs staff of their obligation to report any known or suspected abuse of youths.

Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility, Oregons female youth facility, faces lawsuit

A former Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility employee, Travis Craft, also faces criminal charges in Linn County for circumstances described in a lawsuit filed in mid-September.

Oak Creek is located in Albany and holds 42 youths, as of July 2024.

The suit alleges that after Craft began working in the plaintiffs living unit in 2021, he immediately engaged [her] in inappropriate sexual conversations concerning staff and youth.

After a few months, he kissed her and then invited her to an office with no cameras and made her perform oral sex on him, the suit alleges. This happened two or three more times over a four-month period, she alleges in the suit.

According to Howell, OYA received a complaint about possible boundary issues between staff and a youth in August 2021 and immediately placed Craft on paid administrative leave, pending an investigation. OYA completed its investigation in June 2022 and Craft resigned before discipline could be issued.

OYA policies aim to protect youths from sexual abuse

Most of OYAs policies to protect youths from sexual abuse stem from the Prison Rape Elimination Act, a federal law passed in 2003.

According to policy, OYA has a zero-tolerance standard for sexual abuse and harassment.

Alisha Goodwin, who oversees implementation of PREA for the agency, said her role as PREA coordinator is to prevent harm to youth, to respond to allegations of sexual misconduct and to hold individuals accountable.

All new staff undergo a criminal record check, repeated every five years, and a child abuse registry check. During orientation, new staff receive training on how to prevent, detect, report, and respond to youth sexual abuse and harassment, according to policy. They receive a refresher on this information every year.

Goodwin said when a youth arrives at a facility, theyre given information about sexual abuse and how to report it in three different ways: an intake officer goes through the information with them, they receive a youth safety guide and they watch a video. Posters around the facility also provide details about how and when to report abuse in both English and Spanish.

Goodwin said youths can also report by telling a staff member, who is obligated to take action, or writing a letter to the governors constituency services. Community members and victims advocates also can make reports on behalf of youths.

Reports go to the Professional Standards Office of OYA, according to chief investigator Raymond Byrd. If there is sufficient evidence to suggest its criminal, the case is referred to the Oregon State Police. Human resources also investigates.

If the Professional Standards Office finds the claims are substantiated, the staff member receives a formal letter notifying them there is a substantiated case against them and they will be required to disclose that in future job applications, Byrd said.

The presumptive outcome for a staff member who engaged in sexual misconduct is termination, Goodwin said.

Youths entering any Oregon Youth Authority facility are given a printed guide, shown a video and sit down with an intake officer to discuss sexual abuse and how to report it, according to the Prison Rape Elimination Act coordinator.

Independent auditors evaluate facilities every three years in accordance with PREA. The three facilities evaluated in 2024, Camp Riverbend, Eastern Oregon Youth Correctional Facility and Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility, each received 100%.

MacLaren was last evaluated in 2022 and met all but one standard, failing to achieve the proper staff to youths ratio. Oak Creek also was last evaluated in 2022 and met all standards.

Each facility is required to designate a PREA compliance manager. Prior to late summer 2021, MacLarens superintendent, Dan Berger, was the PREA compliance manager.

Loren Calkins, who is named in one of the lawsuits against Echtenkamp as her direct supervisor, took over as PREA compliance manager in 2021, during which time Echtenkamp is accused of having been engaged in coercive sexual relationships with at least three youths. Calkins left that role in March 2023.

Researcher Dierkhising said PREA policies are well-intended but don't always play out in practice.

There's also a fear, a very well-deserved fear, among kids to report some of this stuff," she said. "You have someone who literally has the key to your freedom, who is potentially threatening you, potentially physically assaulting or sexually abusing you. You have to remember were talking about kids.

A history of abuse in OYA

In recent years, two Oak Creek employees sued OYA, alleging they were told to keep quiet about sexual harassment and misconduct they had witnessed and that they faced retribution for reporting those incidents. Both cases were settled.

Several of the lawsuits filed this year also cite a case involving former MacLaren group life coordinator Frank Milligan.

In 2015, Milligan was sentenced to 35 years in prison for sexually abusing a 15-year-old at MacLaren in 1998. In 2014, the victim in that case was reminded of the abuse hed experienced and decided to look up Milligan.

He learned Milligan was serving a 30-year sentence for molesting an 11-year-old boy and for abducting, assaulting and attempting to kill a 10-year-old boy. Milligan also had confessed to molesting at least one child at the Oregon State Hospital, where he worked before being employed at MacLaren.

The victim reported the abuse and filed a civil lawsuit, saying he realized OYA had engaged in a pattern and practice of failing to protect the vulnerable minors in custody. The case was settled for $90,000 in 2019.

In another case, former youth probation officer Michael Boyles was sentenced in 2005 to more than 80 years in prison for dozens of counts of sodomy, abuse and misconduct involving several youths under the supervision of OYA.

National data identifies Oregon facility as high risk for sexual victimization

Experts and advocates across the country have been pushing for juvenile justice reform for decades.

But little recent data is available on youths in custody.

The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics last conducted the National Survey of Youth in Custody in 2018, surveying more than 6,000 youths. The data showed youths in juvenile facilities experienced sexual victimization at a higher rate than adults in prisons, at about 7.1%.

Nearly 60% of youths who experienced sexual victimization while in custody had previously been sexually victimized in their lives, the data found.

The survey also identified Oak Creek as one of 12 facilities nationwide to have a high rate of sexual victimization, at 14.3%, about double the national rate.

In a blog post, OYA Director Joseph OLeary described the results as troubling but puzzling, saying it contradicting the agencys own data and audits. In a later blog post, OYA said it has increased the number of security cameras by 1,000 in recent years.

Other states offer models for youth corrections reform

Data has shown that youths in larger facilities are at higher risk for experiencing sexual abuse, so some models for reform favor small, regional facilities instead of large, prison-like institutions.

Missouri was hailed nationally for adopting this model in 2001. A 2010 report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found Missouri youths had far lower rates of recidivism and were less likely to have experienced assault while in custody.

The California youth justice system also has been undergoing reform and restructuring, with the governor closing down all state facilities in 2023 to keep youths in their counties.

An initiative in Ohio allots funds to each county for local treatment of youth offenders, with deductions to that funding amount for every youth sent to a state correctional facility.

One push from advocates is to keep youth in their counties, close to home, and reduce the population confined in facilities by building up the capacity of community-based organizations, finding ways to direct funding locally, connecting those organizations to the judicial system and building a larger network of local support for youths and families.

Oregon has decreased its population of incarcerated youths by more than a third, from 629 in 2015 to 407 in 2024. OYA said there are 900 youths under the agency's supervision. The majority, 88%, are male youths. Nearly 60% of the total population are in the community, either on parole or probation.

Abuse in custody also has long-ranging impacts on youths ability to rehabilitate and succeed. Youths who experience abuse while in custody struggle more after release, Dierkhising said.

Being locked up is a very unique experience, she said. When that person who is supposed to be protecting you and providing services for you is the one assaulting you, it creates a really complicated, confusing situation for youth."

Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @isabeldfunk

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Youth Authority sued over sexual abuse allegations
Abcarian: What kind of country would kill Marcellus Williams despite questions about his conviction?

A man protesting the execution of Marcellus Williams outside the Carnahan Courthouse in St. Louis last week. (Laurie Skrivan / St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

The execution of Marcellus Williams, who was put to death by the state of Missouri last week over the protests of a prosecutor and the family of the woman he was convicted of murdering, exemplifies why the death penalty is a stain on the conscience of this country.

It is not just that the practice is barbaric. Our justice system is also incapable of convicting the right person 100% of the time.

If there is even the shadow of a doubt of innocence, the death penalty should never be an option, said St. Louis County's chief prosecutor, Wesley Bell, who argued that Williams, 55, should be spared.

Are we really willing to accept the wrongful execution of a few innocents as the price we pay for getting it right most of the time? That is a preposterous moral bargain.

Read more: Column: Warren Hern is one of the country's few late-term abortion doctors. This is what drives him

Since 1992, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, newly available DNA evidence has led to the exoneration and release of more than 20 death row inmates. Since 1973, the center reports, at least 200 people who were sentenced to death have been exonerated.

What was to blame for their wrongful convictions? In most cases, it was official misconduct, perjury or both.

Oh, and lets just say it: racism. According to the Innocence Project, 58% of the defendants the group has proved wrongfully convicted over the last 40 years were, like Williams, Black.

Read more: Abcarian: Why we should care about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s scandalous relationship with a journalist

The Innocence Project was founded in 1992 by two attorneys, Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld, who understood that if DNA technology was useful for proving guilt, it could also help prove innocence. I recommend a quick tour of the projects website, with its stunning statistics laid out starkly in black and white: As of June, the projects work has led to 251 legal victories and 203 DNA exonerations, and the group's clients have wrongfully spent a total of 3,942 years behind bars.

Williams was convicted of the 1998 killing of Felicia Lisha Gayle, a 42-year-old journalist and social worker. She died a gruesome death by repeated stabbing with her own kitchen knife.

A jailhouse informant and Williams then-girlfriend told authorities he had confessed to the crime. But both were what defense lawyers call "incentivized witnesses." The informant accepted $5,000 for his testimony, and the girlfriend was facing solicitation charges when police approached her about the murder. She also told friends she had been paid for her testimony, according to the Midwest Innocence Project. Both witnesses have since died.

Marcellus Williams (Missouri Department of Corrections)

In denying Williams clemency, Missouri's Republican governor, Mike Parson, said he had a robust criminal history, including 15 previous felony convictions, which were all consistent with entering the home, attacking Ms. Gayle, and taking her belongings.

But as Williams attorneys have noted repeatedly, no forensic evidence tied Williams to the crime scene. DNA testing, which was not available when Williams was first tried, found no evidence of his genetic material on the murder weapon or anywhere else in Gayles home. In fact, later tests showed that, as the Associated Press put it, the knife had been so mishandled in the aftermath of the killing that it would be impossible to identify the killer. The prosecutor who handled the case and an investigator admitted that they had touched the knife several times without gloves.

Bell, the county's current top prosecutor and a Democrat who is running for Congress, reached an agreement with Williams' lawyers in August. Despite never having wavered in his claim of innocence, Williams would plead no-contest to first-degree murder and be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But at the behest of Republican state Atty. Gen. Andrew Bailey, who is seeking reelection, the Missouri Supreme Court blocked the agreement.

And shame on the six conservative members of the U.S. Supreme Court, whose antiabortion zealotry has led to the deaths of at least two women, for refusing to stay Williams' execution. (The court's three liberal members agreed that a stay would have been proper.)

Marcellus Williams conviction is a grave miscarriage of justice and to execute him would be an unthinkable, irreversible travesty, one of his attorneys wrote in a court filing.

It happened anyway.

We hope this gives finality to a case that has languished for decades, revictimizing Ms. Gayle's family over and over again, Missouri's governor said after Williams was killed by lethal injection.

But Gayle's family told the Supreme Court that they defined closure "as Marcellus being allowed to live."

So we must ask: finality for whom?

@robinkabcarian



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  For many people living in Abilene, visiting Coastal Cookies at the Mall of Abilene might bring up some childhood memories. Owner Susan Lindsey shares the lease for Coastal Cookies was signed in November of 1978. The business was one of the original and longest tenants at the mall.

The company announced its closure earlier this month. In a statement posted on their storefront, a letter read, Mall Ownership has replaced Coastal Cookies with another bakery-type store. Our last day in operation will be Saturday, September 28th, 2024.

KTAB/KRBC reached out to the Mall of Abilenes General Manager, Steven Niles. He declined to send KTAB/KRBC an official statement via email over the phone. He shared that Coastal Cookies has been a good tenant, but they see this as an opportunity to enhance the malls offerings.

Lindsey shares that although it is heartbreaking, she enjoyed the companys time at the mall and the memories made over the last few decades. She was overwhelmed by the support from the Abilene community and beyond and joined them to celebrate their final day.

Were a mom-and-pop, and our cookies are unique because we make the dough fresh every day; they are like cookies you make at home. Its wonderful to see the kindness and generosity everyone has shown us today on our last day, explained Lindsey.

Coastal Cookies also has employees who have been with the company for years. Lindsey shares that Betty Garcia has been with them for about 20 years. Her niece Laurissa is getting married on September 28th and will have her last coastal cookie at the reception.

She placed her order before we found we were leaving, so now it makes it even more special. Its just story after story like that thats so humbling to hear, added Lindsey.

Employees were busy baking as many cookies as possible as Lindsey said they received multiple customers from Abilene, San Angelo, Dallas, and surrounding areas. People in line to purchase cookies before they are even removed from the pan. Many sharing a personal story about Coastal Cookies from first dates  family traditions  and more. Lindsay shares although its a shocking and heartbreaking thing you never know where Coastal Cookies might pop up next.

A real blessing, when youre dealt with something like this, and this really was a shock, you can choose. You have a choice to make: You can be angry and sad, or you can be thankful and grateful. We chose to be thankful and grateful because when you have a community like this that supports mom-and-pops like us all these years, we want to say thank you, and I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart. We are so grateful to everyone, said Lindsey.

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SHANGHAI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Global incubators and start-up entrepreneurs have praised the opportunities bred by the vast Chinese market and incubation soil for technology start-ups at the World Top-Performing Incubator Conference 2024.

The conference, held in Shanghai Municipality from Sept. 26 to 28, attracted nearly 300 innovation projects in cutting-edge fields such biomedicine, integrated circuits and artificial intelligence. It saw the attendance of top incubators from more than 10 countries, including China, the United States, Canada and the Netherlands.

Sejun Oh, CEO of Huespine, a digital healthcare rehabilitation platform, brought their AI-based nursing equipment to China. He hopes to establish contact with Chinese hospitals, enterprises and consumers and is optimistic about the Chinese market.

Jorg Kop, managing director of UtrechtInc, a university-linked start-up incubator, said he hopes to further their cooperation network in China and help European start-ups enter the Chinese market.

Kop said China is crucial to the development of the world economy and Shanghai has economic vitality as well as fantastic ideas. He added that the Lin-gang special area of Pudong district in the municipality can be a convenient entrance for its start-ups to enter the Chinese market.

According to Zhai Jinguo, deputy director of the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai will continue to establish an innovative incubation ecosystem, cultivate new quality productivity forces, and provide support and guarantee for scientific and technological innovation projects and teams in Shanghai.

China has more than 700,000 incubated enterprises and teams. The revenues of incubated enterprises have exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about 143 billion U.S. dollars). 
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Because of their anonymity, unrecognized heroism is a common factor for those in an undercover unit. However, the extraordinary actions of a select few within the Abilene Police Department special unit received praise from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which honored them for apprehending a suspect and saving a young child.

Clovis homicide, kidnapping suspect told FBI he would murder a bunch of children in 2023

Taylor County Jail: Alek Collins (May 2024)

That suspect is 26-year-old Alek Collins. Collins is accused of shooting three individuals in a park near Clovis, New Mexico. Two of those individuals died due to their injuries, and one, a 5-year-old child, survived. After the shooting, Collins allegedly kidnapped the child of one of the victims, a 10-month-old baby, and then fled to Texas.

Abilene police found Collins at a home in north Abilene where he was reportedly staying. Narcotic agents set up surveillance and later arrested Collins in May 2024. The baby was taken into protective custody and received a medical evaluation.

Clovis Police Department gives update on 10-month-old found safe after abduction, double homicide

Six undercover officers were recognized for their actions. FBI Assistant Special Agent Geoff McGuire praised the officers and spoke to their dedication.

I do think it is critically important for us to make sure that the public knows that even behind the scenes, they have men and women who are doing incredible work. Incredible work that does not go publicized. Having this ceremony ensures that the citizens of Abilene understand the amazing work that is being done. This is just one example of the incredible work that they are doing, McGuire shared.

VIDEO: Suspect accused of killing two women, shooting child, kidnapping baby has court appearance in Abilene

Abilene Police Chief Rondell Serate was also present at the ceremony and spoke about the importance of the FBIs recognition.

The recognition speaks a lot to our officers ability to work with other agencies, first off, in a good relationship and their dedication to their profession, especially since theyre undercover. They rarely get recognized like this, which is a great thing, Serate said.

It is not only the brave men and women in uniform who face unknown challenges while choosing to protect the public they serve. Their families and loved ones also share these burdens, as McGuire illustrated from the podium while addressing the loved ones of these officers.

6 undercover Abilene officers who rescued kidnapped baby recognized for heroic actions

I want to thank and praise the families whove sacrificed daily so that these gentlemen can do their job, but not just these gentlemen, but this entire police department. So, thank you to the families, McGuire expressed.

The suspect who was apprehended by the Abilene Police Undercover Unit, Alek Collins, has now been indicted on charges of double homicide and kidnapping of a minor, as well as aggravated robbery and one count of assault against a public servant.

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

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Cracking into Mayor Eric Adams encrypted cell phone is going to be an uphill battle for federal authorities, experts told The Post.

Hizzoner changed his cell phone password just one day before the FBI seized his electronic devices on Nov. 7  claiming he did so in order to preserve the contents of his phone due to the investigation. He says he then forgot the new passcode, which left the phone locked, according to the bombshell federal indictment unsealed Thursday.

Mayor Eric Adams had switched the passcode on his phone the day before feds seized it on Nov. 6, according to the indictment. REUTERS

Adams locked cell phone will slow down the investigation, Michael Alcazar, a retired NYPD detective and John Jay adjunct professor, told The Post. REUTERS

At a minimum, the locked phone introduces a speed bump in the feds investigation, according to Michael Alcazar, a retired NYPD detective and John Jay adjunct professor.

I think tech savvy investigators would still be able to get into the phone anyway . . . But it will slow down the investigation, Alcazar said.

A federal judge would have to sign off on a search warrant before federal IT guys could try to crack into the locked device  and its unclear whether theyd be able to pull it off, said Jefferey Greco, a Manhattan-based criminal defense attorney.

In 2016, Apple and the FBI went head-to-head over whether the tech company should have to provide back door access to users devices when the feds deemed it necessary for their investigations, but the case was dropped when prosecutors said the feds may have found another way into encrypted iPhones.

Following a 2019 shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, federal authorities were able to access the encrypted iPhone of the shooter, Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, without Apples help  but did not disclose their methods.

Historically, law enforcements efforts to get tech companies to cooperate in investigations by unlocking encrypted devices have been proven monumentally difficult, said Greco.

The FBI has not disclosed how its investigators are able to crack into encrypted iPhones without Apples help. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Apple will say, Thats between you and the user. Were not getting involved. We protect our users right to privacy.

If [Adams] phone is where the treasure trove of evidence is contained, and [investigators] cant get into it, that might be the one thing that saves him from going to prison, Greco warned.

This month, FBI agents seized the phones of former police commissioner Edward Caban, Department of Education Chancellor David Banks and Adams Chief of Staff, Ingrid Lewis-Martin. On Thursday morning, the feds gathered yet another one of Adams phones during a raid of Gracie Mansion.
Activists throw soup on British embassy in Berlin over Just Stop Oil sentences

Last Generation has gained notoriety in Germany for stunts inspired by Just Stop Oil - JONAS GEHRING/ZUMA

Protesters have thrown tomato soup over the walls of the British embassy in Berlin in protest over sentences given to Just Stop Oil protesters who did the same to Van Goghs Sunflowers.

Three women from Last Generation, a controversial direct-action group, vandalised the embassy walls before holding up signs featuring photographs of Just Stop Oil activists Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland.

A court on Friday sentenced Plummer and Holland to two years and 20 months in prison respectively for throwing tomato soup on Vincent Van Goghs Sunflowers at the National Gallery in 2022.

Last Generation called Plummer and Holland climate prisoners and accused British authorities of endangering democracy through a politically-motivated verdict designed to criminalise climate activists.

There were similar protests at the British missions in Amsterdam, Paris and Rome.

Last Generation has gained notoriety in Germany for stunts inspired by Just Stop Oils direct-action playbook and has seen several of its own members jailed.

Just over a week after Plummer and Hollands National Gallery stunt in the UK, two Last Generation activists copied them by throwing mashed potatoes on a Claude Monet painting at the Barberini Gallery in Potsdam, just outside Berlin.

The group said after that protest that it would face high fines, criminal charges and prison time undaunted. The gallery was closed for months afterwards.

Its activists have also disrupted road and air traffic by glueing themselves to busy roads and runways, switching off an oil pipeline and even spray-painting Berlins iconic Brandenburg Gate orange. The landmark required an expensive and weeks-long clean-up to restore

The Munich public prosecutors office is currently investigating whether Last Generation should be classified as a criminal organisation given its penchant for damaging property.

The Federal government is considering new laws that would punish trespassing on airport tarmac with up to two years in prison.

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WASHINGTON  Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump disagree  a lot. But, as the 2024 campaign heats up, the candidates appear to have found consensus on at least one topic: the need to get more young Americans into apprenticeships and trade schools.

Harris announced recently she would cut college degree requirements for some federal jobs and encourage private sector employers to do the same if she is elected in November.

She told the crowd in the former mining town of Wilkes-Barre, Penn., that for far too long, the U.S. has encouraged only one path to success: four-year college.

Our nation needs to recognize the value of other paths, Harris said, noting the importance of apprenticeships and trade programs as she spoke in a largely blue-collar district in the most critical swing state.

Trump has pitched similar policies, too.

As president, in 2020, he signed an executive order mandating that federal agencies prioritize a job applicants skills over college degree requirements when hiring. The policy is among the few Trump-era orders President Joe Biden chose not to axe when he took office.

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign town hall meeting, moderated by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, in Flint, Michigan on September 17, 2024.

The growing bipartisan focus comes as American attitudes toward higher education have shifted during the last decade.

As the cost of college has skyrocketed, enrollment in undergraduate degree programs has plummeted, and politicians on both sides of the aisle are searching for alternative ways to bolster workforce development.

Nearly two thirds of Americans over the age of 25 don't have a bachelors degree, according to 2023 Census Bureau numbers. A survey that same year by the think-tank New America found that 66% of respondents believed they could find well-paying, stable jobs with just a high school diploma or GED, compared with just 50% who held the same belief in 2018.

How did we get here?

Bipartisan support for apprenticeships isnt necessarily new. In the late 1980s and 1990s there was widespread interest in scaling and strengthening apprenticeship programs.

But as the wages of college graduates increased relative to those in trade careers in the early 2000s, high schoolers were pushed into four-year degree programs.

During his first address to Congress in 2009, former President Barack Obama urged all Americans to seek higher education, and he set a goal for the country to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.

College enrollment steadily rose. Between 2000 and 2019, the number of Americans attending traditional colleges jumped by roughly 28%.

Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris gestures as she speaks during a campaign event in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S., September 13, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

The Trump factor

While both Democrats and Republicans expressed support for alternative pathways to college  and even passed the 2015 American Apprenticeship Initiative, giving more than $100 million to expand registered apprenticeships into new sectors  much of the focus remained on higher education.

Will Marshall, founder and president of the Progressive Policy Institute, a center-left think tank, said he remembers being criticized by more liberal friends for not embracing college-for-all policies. Marshall had advocated for public investment in apprenticeships and non-college career programs.

The tone began to change, he said, shortly after Trump was elected in 2016.

People began to look at what I think is the most important development of national politics, which is the polarization of the parties along educational lines, Marshall said.

That year, Trump won more support from voters without a college degree, whereas his opponent, Hillary Clinton, garnered more votes from college graduates.

Former president Donald Trump speaks to an audience during a town hall meeting at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

The outcome was a wake-up call for progressives, Marshall said.

It dawned on people that the non-college majority, including the hardcore Trump supporters, weren't looking for college, they were looking for short-term training and accreditation programs, other ways to break into the labor market, Marshall said.

The rising cost of college also made apprenticeships, community college and vocational training programs a more worthwhile investment in some cases. The price of tuition at a public 4-year university skyrocketed by more than 35% between 2010 and 2023. Apprenticeship, meanwhile, still cost nothing and many provide earn-while-you-learn training.

'Adult money' and no college debt

It's a big reason Sarah Jones, 21, opted to forgo college in favor of an apprenticeship with the Steamfitters Local 602 in Maryland when she graduated high school in 2022. Jones knew she didn't want an office job and saw that her father, who drives a garbage truck, made good money without a college degree.

As a third-year apprentice learning how to service HVAC equipment, she now makes more than $30 an hour and says choosing the program is one of the best decisions she's ever made.

"I'm not gonna have any college debt," Jones said. "People need to start looking at their college debt to how much money they're making when they get out of college ... I'll be coming out of my program a year after everybody else is graduating college and I'll be making adult money at age 23."

More: Middle class, minus debt: Apprenticeships, certificates offer low-cost option to college

More than 90% of people who complete a registered apprenticeship earn an average starting wage of $77,000 a year, according to the Department of Labor.

Nitzan Pelman, CEO of Climb Together, an organization that helps low-income adults find well-paying jobs, sees the rising cost and decreasing payoff of a college education as a major driver of the bipartisan support.

Republicans value hard work and capitalism. And I think the Democrats recognize that affordability is becoming such a challenge, she said. That sort of leads both parties to get a little bit more connected in the middle of those two things.

Harris and Trump policies

Trump and Harris have both suggested they would allow people without four-year college degrees to fill some federal government jobs. Theyve also both proposed programs to increase the number of available apprenticeships.

When it comes to the nitty-gritty policy details of how theyd do that, though, their bipartisan consensus begins to erode.

Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris reacts during a campaign event in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S., September 13, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

We're living at a time where partisanship seems to be off the charts, Marshall said. Even issues that aren't intrinsically ideological or partisan can get caught up in the new imperative of non-cooperation.

For instance, the Biden administration in 2021 rescinded a Trump-era rule that allowed industry and trade groups to develop and oversee their own apprenticeship programs. They argued the industry apprenticeships were often inferior to ones approved by the Department of Labor.

Instead, in 2024, the administration proposed a rule to modernize and expand the National Apprenticeship System. Republican opponents argued the measure would be overly burdensome and impose a one-size-fits-all approach to apprenticeships across the country.

In Congress, multiple bipartisan bills to expand apprenticeship infrastructure have been proposed. The National Apprenticeship Act, which aims to invest in workforce development programs, has passed the House in multiple sessions of Congress. It has repeatedly stalled in the Senate.

Like most policy, Marshall said passing workforce solutions under the next president  whether its Trump or Harris  will require some give and take.

People are looking for alternative pathways, he said. It's the responsibility of our nations political leaders to make sure that we have a system for non-degree folks to earn and learn that is as robust as our post-secondary or higher education system.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harris. Trump find consensus on non-college routes to jobs. Mostly.
An affordable housing project for LGBTQ+ seniors in San Franciscos Castro District was denied stage agency funding despite being called a great project, according to the Bay Area Reporter.

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Mercy Housing California had requested $38,919,460 from the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program run by Californias Department of Housing and Community Development and the California Strategic Growth Council. Mercy hopes to build a 187-unit affordable housing tower at 1939 Market Street in the Castro.

Amar Cid, the deputy director of Community Investments and Planning, explained the project suffered from limited funds and applicants with better scores.

Round 8 of the AHSC program had many transformative, impactful community projects, Cid told BAR. In fact, like every round to date, the total project requests exceeded the available funding. This year, we were oversubscribed by more than 2X the available funding. It was a highly competitive round of the program.

Cid complimented the project and encouraged Mercy to resubmit its request next year.

Overall, 1939 Market Street is a great project, and our team hopes they consider applying in a future round," he said.

Mercy Housing California indicated they will seek continued funding from the AHSC and elsewhere in a statement provided to BAR.

While we just missed out on the AHSC funding this year, we will apply again in early 2025, and we are hopeful that we can secure a funding award next year, a representative said. Unfortunately, this does push the schedule back one year. However, we are continuing to move the project forward and are committed to getting 187 units of LGBTQ+ friendly housing built as soon as we can.
Fifteen of the 22 Shahed drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack against Ukraine were downed by air defense, Ukraine's Air Force reported on Sept. 29.

The drones were shot down over Sumy, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, and Odesa oblasts.

Electronic warfare countermeasures caused an additional five Shahed drones to go off radar, with no reported consequences so far, according to the Air Force.

An educational institution in Mykolaiv Oblast was damaged in the overnight attack but there were no casualties, according to Governor Vitaly Kim. Four of the drones launched by Russia overnight were shot down over the region.

No information on casualties or damages was provided by the governors of Vinnytsia and Odesa oblasts.

Russian forces carried out 31 attacks on the border regions on Sumy Oblasts overnight, according to the Sumy Regional Military Administration, but no casulties were reported regarding the Shahed drone attack.

Read also: As Russian losses in Ukraine surge, some military bloggers turn on Kremlin, military command

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Amendment 3 campaign warns of fentanyl-laced marijuana, but some call it a myth

A statewide ad blitz by the group pushing for legalized marijuana warns Floridians of the dangers of black-market pot: It may be laced with fentanyl, they say, a potent drug driving an epidemic of fatal drug overdoses.

Ive seen it firsthand, Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young said in a 30-second television spot running in primetime.

Legal pot will be regulated and lab-tested, he said, making his case for why voters should support Amendment 3 in November to authorize recreational marijuana in Florida.

But amid heightened concerns across the country about the synthetic opioid fentanyl, usually taken separately or mixed with heroin or other opioids, experts unaligned with the campaign cast serious doubt on the claim that fentanyl-tainted marijuana is an actual problem.

Several officials on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic say they havent seen deaths caused by fentanyl-laced marijuana. Some groups have even called it a myth that the two drugs are combined and sold to unwitting users.

Though Amendment 3 supporters raise valid points that legal pot would be scrutinized if the measure passes, the chances of someone unknowingly buying fentanyl-dusted pot is extremely low, said Dr. Bruce Goldberger, a University of Florida forensic toxicologist who monitors drug overdose trends.

I am not aware of any definitive finding related to marijuana fortified with fentanyl, he said. There have been reports of that over the last five to 10 years. To my knowledge, none of these instances were verified.

Young has referenced a mass fentanyl poisoning blamed for at least six deaths in Gadsden County as being linked to fentanyl-laced marijuana, but his office declined to release records related to the case, citing an ongoing investigation. Medical examiner reports show cocaine was also found in the systems of the victims in those drug overdose deaths, which occurred over the Fourth of July weekend in 2022.

Q&A: How would legal recreational marijuana work in Florida?

A 2022 article in the Journal of Emergency Medicine called fentanyl-laced marijuana a malevolent myth, largely based on hearsay.

Fentanyl is a real and deadly drug responsible for thousands of overdose deaths each year in Florida alone. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has warned of fake prescription drugs containing fentanyl and methamphetamine but hasnt issued any alerts about marijuana.

The Partnership to End Addiction found no solid evidence exists of fentanyl-laced marijuana and concluded it wouldnt make sense for drug dealers to secretly mix the pricier opioid with cheaper pot. Fentanyl would likely be burned up and rendered harmless if it were mixed with pot and then smoked, the nonprofit organization of drug researchers and clinicians said.

Legalization supporters, though, say there is no way of knowing what is in unregulated pot. If Amendment 3 passes in November with at least 60% of the vote, consumers would know how potent their pot is and that it is free of harmful additives, they say.

To make their case, the campaign provided a tour of one of the states nine medical pot labs to show off the rigorous testing that those products undergo.

The Lakeland lab operated by Modern Canna collects random samples  from gummies to marijuana flowers  and tests for pesticides, heavy metals, mold and other potentially health-harming contaminants. It also verifies that the potency of pot products matches what is advertised to consumers.

At the core, thats what Amendment 3 does, said Steve Vancore, a spokesman for Smart & Safe Florida, the group behind the legalization ballot initiative. It says, Lets take it off the streets and put it into a safer, regulated market, where it goes to places like this, where it can be lab tested for safety.

Amendment 3 doesnt explicitly include testing requirements, but supporters argue the Florida Legislature would treat recreational pot like medical pot, which is closely regulated by the state.

Florida would become the 25th state to legalize recreational marijuana if Amendment 3 passes. Several polls have shown it clearing the 60% threshold it needs to succeed, although a few have found it coming up just short.

Sheriff points to mass fentanyl poisoning

Vancore and other Amendment 3 supporters cite the Gadsden fentanyl poisonings as an example of the dangers of contaminated marijuana.

In a July op-ed in the Tallahassee Democrat supporting Amendment 3, Young, the Gadsden sheriff, wrote that some of those who died had been smoking marijuana laced with a fentanyl and methamphetamine mixture.

The Gadsden County Sheriffs Office did not respond to requests to interview Young, one of the few sheriffs in Florida to publicly support Amendment 3, or answer questions about those cases. Gadsden County is home to Trulieve, a medical marijuana company that has put more than $80 million into the legalization push since 2022.

Through Vancore, the Amendment 3 spokesman, Young declined to release any reports or discuss the case further, citing an ongoing investigation.

Medical examiner records, first obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat, showed five of the people who died had fentanyl in their system along with cocaine. Two of those five also tested positive for compounds found in marijuana. Fentanyl wasnt detected in one of the overdoses, which was attributed to sudden cardiac death due to cocaine abuse. That person had marijuana in his system.

The documents dont shed light, though, on whether victims ingested the combination of drugs because the marijuana had been mixed with fentanyl.

Locally, law enforcement officials say they havent seen people dying of marijuana-laced fentanyl.

The Seminole County Sheriffs Office has not had any verified cases of marijuana being laced with fentanyl or other dangerous drugs, said Kim Cannaday, an agency spokeswoman.

However, testing provides a hazy picture of whats in illicit pot, she said.

Field tests used by law enforcement officers are designed to identify certain primary substances, such as marijuanas active ingredient, but not other potentially harmful additives, Cannaday said. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement typically requires at least 50 grams of marijuana, just over 1 1/2 ounces, for comprehensive testing, she said, meaning small busts arent checked.

The FDLE did not respond to requests for comment on what their labs are finding.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina said in a television interview in 2023 that his agency had found fentanyl in cannabis, though he did not offer specifics. Agency spokeswoman Summer McCray said the office is aware of reports that marijuana could be laced with fentanyl, but deputies have not encountered a lot of that here and arent aware of any deaths caused by fentanyl-laced marijuana.

Orange County recorded one overdose death in 2021 that toxicology reports attributed to fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoid toxicity, she said. Known as K2 or spice, synthetic cannabinoids are lab-made products that are similar to chemicals found in the cannabis plant.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moodys issued a news release in August on National Fentanyl Prevention Day, warning that one pill can kill. Most of the release focused on the dangers of fentanyl mixed with cocaine and counterfeit pills, but one sentence said Moody was trying to raise awareness about illicit fentanyl being mixed with other illicit substances like cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines.

As Florida works to prevent fentanyl overdose deaths, the biggest concern is the potent drug being mixed with cocaine, heroin and pills  not marijuana, said Andrae Bailey, founder and CEO of Project Opioid, an Orlando-based advocacy group.

There are situations where weve heard of it happening, he said of fentanyl-laced pot. It is not in any way a meaningful part of the opioid crisis in Florida.  I think there are better cases to be made than the need to shield people from fentanyl in marijuana.
(WWLP)  American Red Cross volunteers are managing the many shelters created to help those in the path of the hurricane and making sure those displaced have a safe place to sleep and food to eat.

Hurricane Helene kills at least 44 and cuts a swath of destruction across the Southeast

The American Red Cross of Massachusetts told 22News that they have already sent volunteers to Florida to help the victims of Hurricane Helene.

Right now they just need people down there to assist the people affected by the storm, said American Red Cross of Massachusetts Communications Manager, Jeff Hall. Nearly 3,000 spent the night in shelters in Florida, so those folks need people to take care of them, get them meals, and provide safety for them.

Hall told 22News that the best way to help people in Florida and Georgia is to donate to a charity of their choice. To find out about the ways that the American Red Cross is helping the victims of Hurricane Helene, visit their website.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Find 22News on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; send your news tips to reportit@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.
Analysis: Could Mississippi afford to eliminate state income tax? What do the numbers say?

Politicians often depend on numbers to make their argument. But numbers can be confusing and misleading.

Supporters of eliminating the income tax cite a lot of numbers to bolster their contention that the state can afford to phase out the tax.

Both Gov. Tate Reeves and House Ways and Means Chairman Trey Lamar, R-Senatobia, recently cited some of those numbers during House Speaker Jason Whites daylong summit on the states tax structure. While White stressed that the summit was a fact-finding mission, it is no secret that the speaker, Lamar and Reeves all are strong advocates of eliminating the states personal income tax.

The income tax accounts for between 25% and 30% of total general fund revenue even after the $145 million cut to the tax in 2016 followed in 2022 by a $525 million income tax cut that is still being phased in.

At the summit Reeves used the 2016 and 2022 income tax cuts to dispel the myth that complete elimination of the income tax would curtail jobs growth.

Since those previous two cuts, our economy is thriving, private sector investment in our state has shattered records, and our unemployment rate is at an all-time low with more people working than ever before, Reeves told summit-goers.

The myth the governor cited  that cuts to the personal income tax would curtail jobs growth  has not been prevalent during debate of the issue. Instead, the main debate is whether eliminating such a large source of revenue would make it difficult for the state to provide vital services, such as for education, health care and law enforcement.

But the governor pointed to recent success in luring major economic development projects to the state, such as Amazon Web Services to Madison County and a plant to build electric batteries to power commercial vehicles to Marshall County. Both plants are major wins for the state.

But more to the point, Mississippi was in the bottom five states in the nation with jobs growth of 0.7% in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics.

Perhaps that anemic jobs growth should not be blamed on the past tax cuts, but by the same token it is difficult to argue the tax cuts are spurring jobs growth.

While Reeves touts the states low unemployment rate, he fails to mention that Mississippi has the nations lowest workforce participation rate.

That might be why some business representatives at the summit cited workforce training, not tax cuts, as the top issue.

Lamar, on the other hand, made the forceful arguments that state services would be OK if the income tax is eliminated.

Since 1999, Lamar said, the state has averaged annual state general fund revenue growth of 3%. He said 3% growth equates to an extra $230 million per year  more than enough money from growth to afford to phase out the income tax.

In 1999, the total state general fund revenue was less than half of the $7.6 billion generated now by various taxes, primarily the sales tax and income tax. And 20 years from now, if the income tax is not eliminated, 3% will be a lot more than it is now.

Perhaps a simpler way to look at the numbers is that the tax on income generates almost 30% of state general-fund revenue.

When the $525 million 2022 tax cut is fully phased in, the income tax still will be the second largest source of general-fund money, generating about $2.2 billion annually, according to Senate Finance Chairman Josh Harkins, R-Flowood.

Plus, an important item to remember is that the $2.2 billion is in todays dollars. A decade from now, two decades from now, the same levy on income will generate much more than $2.2 billion.

At Whites tax summit, Harkins pointed out the state has received an additional $33 billion in COVID-19 relief funds. That money went to state government, local governments, businesses and individuals and created a massive, unprecedented boon in state revenue.

That has generated tremendous surpluses, though state revenue collections have been slowing significantly during the past two years.

Even with the slowdown in revenue, the state still has tremendous reserves that make the beginning of the phase in of elimination of the income tax doable in the immediate future.

So, it is likely that no consequences of the tax cut will be felt during the remainder of Reeves tenure.

But the question is whether the state can still deal with losing more than one-fourth of its general fund revenue a decade or two decades from now when the federal government money spigot is not flowing so freely.

What will the numbers say then?

This analysis was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is Mississippi Todays senior Capitol reporter.
Work has been ongoing for years to clean up and restore Montgomery Canal near Welshpool [Canal & River Trust]

It would be "totally indefensible" if the multimillion pound restoration of a 4.4 mile (7km) section of canal on the Wales-England border is allowed to fall short, a councillor has said.

A total of 13.9m in UK government money was agreed for the 15.4m overhaul on Montgomery Canal in 2021 but all the spending has to be agreed by next March.

A Powys council committee meeting was told a delay in earmarking about 6m in spending was due to a number of issues and officials would seek a nine month extension.

"The reputational damage this would cause if we fail to deliver this project is absolutely enormous and totally indefensible," said Welshpool councillor Graham Breeze.

"What has really concerned me is that the first I heard of a delay and possible loss of the funding is when I read it in the newspapers," the Powys Independents councillor told a meeting of the authority's governance and audit committee.

Council auditors said there was a "medium" risk the project would not be delivered due to spending deadlines.

Their report said any underspend could be clawed back with a new government in Westminster having different spending priorities.

Liberal Democrat councillor David Selby, council cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, explained that July's general election had "caused us great problems".

'A lot going on'

"I'm confident that we know the way out of this and so long as the PAR [project adjustment request] process can speedily be resolved at a government level then we are ready to get on," he said.

"You will know there are contractors on site in Welshpool working on elements of the project now as we speak.

"Nearer Newtown, work is being conducted on the aqueduct.

"It's not like nothing is happening, there's a lot of work going on."

Programme delivery manager Louise Nicholson said before the application for an extension could go to Westminster, it had to be approved by the council's joint Liberal Democrat and Labour cabinet.

And if the extension was agreed, the project could have an extra nine months to spend the available funding.

Related links
RIYADH, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia is closely monitoring the recent escalation of violence in Lebanon with "great concern," according to the kingdom's foreign ministry on early Monday.

The ministry underscored the necessity of safeguarding Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In light of the ongoing turmoil, Saudi Arabia reiterated its solidarity with the Lebanese populace and urged the international community to take decisive action to preserve regional peace and security, warning against the perils of war.

Furthermore, the ministry announced initiatives to provide medical and humanitarian aid to support the Lebanese people during these critical times.

Since Sept. 23, Israel has executed its most extensive military operations against Lebanon since 2006. It also launched airstrikes on Friday evening targeting Hezbollah's headquarters in Dahieh, a southern suburb of Beirut, resulting in the deaths of the armed group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, along with several senior commanders.

These attacks mark a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes in southeastern Lebanon. 
The Appalachian State University campus is currently operating under emergency conditions, the school announced Saturday.

Classes are canceled on the App State Boone and Hickory campuses and campus closure is in effect for non-faculty employees through 5 p.m. Oct. 4.

On the Boone Campus, residence halls, central dining hall, campus markets, the student union, student health services and student recreation remain open for students.

READ NEXT: Rescue operations, supplies coming to Western NC

To ensure continuity of water on campus, please conserve water by:

Take shorter showers and turn off the water while soaping or shampooing.

Run dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full.

Dont run the faucet while waiting for the water to cool, and use a dishpan for washing and rinsing dishes.

Non-mandatory employees should not come to campus. This includes faculty. Faculty who have questions can contact Academic Affairs at 828-262-2070 or academicaffairs@appstate.edu.

Off-campus students, faculty, and staff in need of shelter should call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767). The Red Cross is also accepting donations at this same phone number.

The university is working on longer-term assistance and support for faculty, staff, and students.

WATCH: Gaston County residents worry about flooding in aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene




Suzy Patton shows old photos of her brother Steve Szarewicz, who insists he was wrongly convicted of a 1981 murder based on the testimony of four jailhouse informants on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in her home in New Kensington, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (AP)  The four men who put Steve Szarewicz away for murder all changed their stories at one time or another, yet Szarewicz still sits behind bars. That's where he has been for almost 43 years.

A jury convicted him of killing Billy Merriwether, 25, who was shot twice in the back of the head and once in the chest, his body left facedown off a country road in western Pennsylvania in 1981.

There were no fingerprints, no eyewitness testimony and no DNA evidence linking Szarewicz to the scene. The case rested on the words of four jailhouse informants who all testified that Szarewicz confessed to them, and three of the four have recanted. Another inmate told the court the fourth witness against Szarewicz fabricated his story to settle a score.

Nevertheless, a Pittsburgh jury in 1983 found the informants testimony believable enough to convict Szarewicz, despite qualms they voiced to the judge about the lack of physical evidence.

Today the conviction is still on appeal, with Szarewicz asking the state Superior Court to reduce his life sentence to 10 to 20 years.

A national database of more than 3,400 exonerations since 1989 includes more than 200 in which jailhouse informants played a role in the wrongful convictions.

When courts reverse convictions based on informant testimony, its usually because prosecutors made some agreement with the witness and didn't reveal it, said professor Bruce Antkowiak, a lawyer at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and a former defense attorney and prosecutor.

Our court system places the issue of credibility on the altar of a jury, Antkowiak said.

Merriwether's troubles were piling up when he was killed. He was unemployed and living on public assistance, known as someone who would fight at the drop of a hat, an acquaintance told detectives at the time.

There were reports that some guys in his New Kensington neighborhood with ties to organized crime were after him because they thought he had stolen from them.

Merriwether had trouble in his romantic life, too. Both he and his girlfriend were married to other people. And his girlfriends father  a now deceased local mobster named Mitch Roditis  was ticked off that Merriwether, who was Black, was dating his white daughter.

Around 7 the morning that Merriwether was killed, a dog walker about 23 miles (37 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh reported hearing a single blast that sounded like a gunshot. Moments later, three more rang out. A nearby road crew saw a car speed by with two men in it. They pulled off, then drove away, leaving Merriwether's dead body behind.

Prosecutors laid out a simple theory of the crime: it had been a $5,000 murder-for-hire mob hit. They argued that Roditis, who was never charged, got Szarewicz and two other men to kill Merriwether over him dating Roditis' daughter.

The murder case was no prize, former Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Chris Conrad recalled in an interview this spring. It wasnt one where you walk in and you get confessions and fingerprints and just great physical evidence.

Much of Szarewiczs focus has been on the jailhouse informants, three of them related to one another.

In September of 1982, witness Dave Cannon wrote a letter saying it wouldnt be right for Szarewicz to go to prison and that Cannon had been willing to testify only because he thought it could help him get out of jail.

At trial, Cannon changed his story again, testifying that he wrote the letter because he was afraid of Szarewicz. Contacted by The Associated Press by phone in March, Cannon stood by his statement that Szarewicz confessed to him inside the Allegheny County Jail.

Eight months after Szarewiczs conviction, another one of the informants who testified against him, Ernie Bevilacqua, wrote in an affidavit: I lied about everything I said about Steve and I would go to court to help him and to say what really happened.

Years later, Bevilacqua said he recanted only because he was afraid of Szarewicz, his friends and fellow prisoners.

The third informant who flip-flopped in Szarewiczs case was Rick Bowen.

About six months after Szarewicz was convicted, Bowen approached defense attorney Pat Thomassey in the Westmoreland County courthouse. Thomassey later signed an affidavit saying Bowen indicated to me that, in fact, he had lied in the case against Steven Szarewicz in order to make a deal for himself and to avoid being prosecuted for various crimes. Bowen later denied the exchange.

The fourth informant to testify against Szarewicz, Kenny Knight, did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment. When police first interviewed him about Merriwether's murder, he didn't implicate Szarewicz, even when asked. He said later he feared Szarewicz and that he withheld information because he did not want to get involved.

In a 1992 court proceeding, a judge declared the witnesses' credibility about as low as a snakes belly. Prosecutor Maria Copetas did not defend them, saying they have recanted at some point, and then recanted their recantations, and then refused to testify in court.

These days Szarewicz spends time working on his case. He has a prison janitorial job that pays about $75 a month, walks regularly and participates in Bible study.

He's hoping for a break.

If I did not have my faith, I am sure I would most likely not be alive to fight another day, Szarewicz wrote a few years ago. Is there anybody out there who is appalled by this clear abuse of the system? If so, help, please?
A woman holds a picture of Lebanon's Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, during a symbolic funeral in Basra

By Jaidaa Taha

CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel's killing of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was met with silence by many Sunni-led states across the region, showcasing the split between populations outraged at Israel and authorities who normalised ties with Israel or are opposed to Hezbollah's patron Iran.

Nasrallah, who led the powerful Shi'ite armed group for 32 years, made regional enemies beyond Israel and the West. Gulf countries and the broader Arab League designated his group a "terrorist organization" in 2016, although the League retracted the designation earlier this year.

Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia said in a statement late on Sunday that it is following the developments in Lebanon with "grave concern", and urged the preservation of the sovereignty and regional security of Lebanon. But it made no mention of Nasrallah.

And Sunni-ruled states Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have stayed completely quiet on Nasrallah's killing. The UAE and Bahrain normalised ties with Israel in 2020, and Bahrain quashed a sizeable pro-democracy uprising by its Shi'ite community in 2011.

The Bahraini pro-Iran LuaLua TV, however, broadcast videos showing modestly sized marches which it said were in mourning for Nasrallah. The channel said the Bahraini regime "attacked" demonstrators and detained some of them.

The Bahraini opposition website Bahrain Mirror reported the kingdom detained a Shi'ite cleric for expressing his condolences on Nasrallah. Reuters was unable to verify the Bahraini media reports.

According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati by phone and said Cairo rejected any violation of Lebanon's sovereignty - without mentioning Nasrallah.

Egypt has been critical of Iran and its proxies in the past, though it has maintained informal contacts with Iran and Egypts foreign minister has held official meetings with Iranian officials over the past year.

In the first televised speech since the killing of Nasrallah on Sunday, Sisi said the region is going through difficult circumstances, and said that Egypt "manages its issues in a way that preserves it and the region as possible, without being dragged in issues that can impact its stability and security." He also made no mention of Nasrallah in the speech.

Other states like Syria and Iraq have declared a three-day mourning period.

GRIEF AND CRITICISM

Hassan Nasrallah's name has been trending online in many Arab states since Saturday, with many grieving his loss.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Hamad al-Khalili, the grand mufti of the Gulf state of Oman, said in a post on X that his country was "saddened by the passing of the secretary general of Hezbollah, after he had been a thorn in the throat of the Zionist project for more than three decades."

But other users criticised Nasrallah, particularly over Hezbollah's intervention in the Syrian civil war. Along with support from Iran and Russia, that intervention ultimately helped President Bashar al-Assad regain control over much of the country from anti-government rebels.

"The victims of Nasrallah in Syria are hundreds of thousands, does he deserve mercy from Muslims?" Iraqi-based journalist Omar AlJmmal said on X.

UAE-based journalist Saif alDareei shared in a post on X a video he said depicted the "joy" of residents in Syria's Idlib province after news of Nasrallah's killing.

"Hezbollah did what the Jews did not do against our brothers in Syria," he said.

Saudi Arabian poet Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh said on X: "Gloating [over Nasrallah's killing] is not just random hostility, but a natural reaction to a series of dirty policies and actions that have aroused widespread resentment."

Others tried to balance criticism of Nasrallah and Israel, whose military operations in Gaza and recent escalation in Lebanon have triggered widespread outrage.

"Joy and gloating now is achieving victory for the enemy, fragmenting the (Arab) nation and betraying the people of Lebanon and Gaza," said Egyptian TV host Lamis Elhadidi on X.

"Put your differences aside and forget about Iran, as there is an Arab country that is being bombed every hour."

(Reporting by Jaidaa Taha, Editing by Maya Gebeily, Andrew Mills,)
Arkansas father and son find forever home through Habitat for Humanity after March 31 tornado destruction

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Will and Jalen Piggee were living in the Sturbridge area when the March 31 tornado swept through central Arkansas and destroyed their apartment.

They moved from friends and families homes, hoping their apartment would be fixed again.

Those apartments were mostly totally damaged that whole area, and they still are rebuilding that area as of today, Will Piggee said.

Saline County Habitat for Humanity asking for donations as building supply costs soar

Will and Jalen became a family on December 16, 2021, after Will adopted Jalen. Jalen had been in and out of foster care homes, and when he came to Will, it only took three months before they headed to the judge for adoption.

When the tornado came, it was not only a scary moment, but single father Will felt guilt for not being able to provide Jalen more in the following months.

Saying in my head but never saying it to him, here we go again with this going on, like what he was used to from bouncing back from home to home, Will Piggee said.

That was until Will learned about Habitat for Humanity through Arkansass Single Parent Scholarship.

Dallas Habitat for Humanity helps staff purchase homes

No, I would have never been a homeowner without Habitat for Humanity, Will Piggee said.

His motivating factor for applying was his son. Jalen encouraged his dad while he was continuing to obtain his bachelors degree in elementary education and throughout the building of their Habitat for Humanity home.

Being here in this house is a blessing today, Jalen Piggee said.

Will Piggee believes that God always had a perfect plan, and they are living in their forever home.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com.
Armies will be able to maneuver on battlefields again, but it's going to be difficult and bloody

The Ukraine war raises a difficult question: Can armies maneuver to win anymore?

Artillery, mines, and drones are so costly they risk exhausting an offensive before a breakthrough.

An influential think tank believes it has a solution, but it's not going to be easy.

"Firepower kills," warned the French General Philippe Petain just prior to the First World War. He worried that the would-be Napoleons of 1914, who dreamed of sweeping maneuvers and crushing victories, ignored a crucial possibility: that troops moving in the open would be mown down by artillery and machine guns.

Petain was proved right: firepower became so lethal that the armies of World War I dug deeply into the earth just to survive, until new weapons  notably the tank  broke the trench deadlock. But a century later, warfare has come full circle: drones, artillery and guided munitions have made movement so hazardous that both armies in Ukraine have reverted to trench warfare. Even Ukrainian forces in the recent Kursk offensive, which used mechanized maneuver to seize nearly 500 miles of Russian territory, are now digging in.

Whether in 1914 or 2024, there is a downside to a firepower-centric strategy: it tends to lead toward indecisive battles of attrition. Firepower can sweep the ground, but it can't occupy it. At some point, victory requires offensive maneuver to encircle opposing forces and sever supply lines.

But is a maneuver strategy even possible anymore?

A US think tank believes it has a solution for Ukraine as well as better armed Western militaries. By temporarily suppressing the defensive drone-artillery combo that has proven so devastating in the Russo-Ukraine War, armies can again maneuver to defeat their enemies.

"This task is feasible," argues the report by the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War.

"It requires imagination, innovation, and iteration. It requires experimentation with battlefield concepts as well as with technology and tactics."

ISW sees three problems with trying to maneuver in Ukraine, lessons that broadly apply to modern battlefields. First, Ukraine and Russia field armies large enough to cover the front without leaving gaps or open flanks, which means that an attacker usually has to assault through fortified lines (the study was written prior to Ukraine's thrust across the little-defended Russian border into Kursk). But drones, artillery, mines and other weapons have made penetrating enemy defenses so costly that the attacker becomes too exhausted to exploit a breakthrough. And even if the attacker can punch a hole, the defender usually has enough resources to build fortified positions, sealing off the penetration and forcing the attacker to repeat the process.

Artillery and machine guns were so deadly in World War I that armies fought from trenches. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

This exactly describes the situation on the First World War's Western Front, a comparison made by Ukraine's top general after the 2023 counter-offensive. But modern technology has added a new twist: drones and guided munition in what ISW calls  based on a Cold War-era Soviet concept  the "tactical reconnaissance strike complex."

"The TRSC is the combination of pervasive tactical reconnaissance, primarily by drone; drone-corrected precision artillery fire; precision munitions delivered by fixed- and/or rotary-wing aircraft; drone-launched precision munitions; and large numbers of FPV [first-person view] loitering munitions," ISW explained. While both the attacker and defender can use the TRSC, it is the attacker who must break cover and expose himself in the open.

In this conception, the TRSC is dynamic, a cat-and-mouse game where each side seeks to jam the links between enemy drones and their operators, while constantly updating their own drone systems to beat jamming. For Ukraine  or the US  to launch successful ground offensives, it will need to exploit "fleeting technological advantages to disrupt the defender's TRSC in support of the initial penetration operation and to sustain the advantage long enough to create a moving envelope that protects exploitation forces through to their planned culmination and transition to the defensive having secured their objectives."

In other words, the assault force needs to be protected by jammers and air defenses as it rumbles a path through the enemy's defenses.

Some Western experts advocate the creation of mobile "bubbles" in which troops would safely move under the protection of jammers, anti-drone weapons and other defensive systems. "The requirement is not to destroy them [drones] permanently or universally," the ISW report said. "Temporarily suppressing the local TRSC will require combining the EW [electronic warfare] and other counter-drone capabilities described above with effective counter-battery fire and other capabilities to suppress traditional artillery alongside effective tactical air defense against fixed- and rotary-wing attack aviation in pre-determined sectors to permit the concentration first of penetration and then of exploitation forces."

However, the attacker must also take care that it only disrupts enemy drones, and not friendly ones as well. "EW systems must thus be designed and operated in a way that does not suppress all drone activity in the attack sector," ISW noted. That's still a work in progress for Ukraine, which also lacks the advanced EW disruptors that can defend wide areas of the battlefield.

The debate over whether armies can still maneuver also turns on a capability hardly available to Ukraine: fighter jets that provide close air support. Its new F-16s are mostly flying far from the front to avoid the Russian surface-to-air missile batteries that have gutted its air force. In contrast, debates about the US Army's ability to maneuver may turn on questions about the effectiveness of its attack helicopters and Air Force planes like the A-10 Thunderbolt and the AC-130 Ghostrider.

Ukraine may be able to compensate for its lack of airpower by using drones and ground-launched long-range rockets to perform close air support, as well as battlefield air interdiction to hit Russian reinforcements and supply columns just behind the front line and isolate the defenders. "Ukrainian forces will have to find ways to use the drone and missile strike systems it has to generate the effects of BAI and CAS in direct support of the penetration battle and the exploitation phase of each offensive operation," ISW said.

Even though Ukrainian forces are outnumbered by the Russians, Ukraine can also use shrewd tactics to restore maneuver warfare, ISW contends. For example, Ukrainian forces can judge the "culminating point" of Russian offensives, when the attack begins to run out of steam and the attacker is vulnerable to a sharp, well-timed counterattack. Such a "backhand blow" strategy was used with some success by German mechanized forces to stop Soviet offensives in World War II, though ultimately the panzer divisions were worn down.

Regardless of whether ISW's concept is viable, the cyclical pattern of military history suggests that the luster of firepower will eventually fade, and maneuver will once again become ascendant. "The long history of war makes clear that maneuver will ultimately be restored to the battlefield despite the current challenges," ISW concluded.

Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A man who stole a car from Belfast with a 17-year-old girl still inside has been arrested over the border in Dundalk.

Police said the car, which had been parked up in Botanic Avenue in the south of the city, was stolen on Saturday night.

The car stopped on the Saintfield Road in Lisburn, about 15 minutes away, where the passenger managed to escape uninjured.

The car was then seen being driven at speeds in excess of 100mph on the A1 when police contacted An Garda Siochana (Irish police) to let them know it was heading towards the border.

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were informed just before 02:30 that the car had been located and a 25-year-old man had been arrested in Dundalk. He remains in custody.

"The victim was not injured but left shaken by her ordeal," said PSNI Det Sgt McVeagh.

"Thankfully we are not dealing with any casualties after some very dangerous and reckless behaviour by the suspect involved."

"Excellent cooperative work between ourselves and our colleagues in the An Garda Siochana have ensured this vehicle was recovered and the suspect was arrested."

Irish police said the car was found on the Newry Road in Dundalk and a man was arrested nearby.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Williamson County community is mourning the loss of the daughter of a retired fire chief.

Jenna Addison, 24, daughter of former Arrington Fire Chief Gene Craft, was killed as a result of a car crash on Wednesday, Sept. 25, a social media post from Arrington Fire and Rescue said.

Addison was born in Murfreesboro, graduated from Page High School and served as a receptionist at the Williamson Medical Center emergency room, according to an obituary on the Williamson Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services website.

Jenna Leann Addison, a loving daughter, devoted fiancee and cherished friend, the obituary said. Jenna treasured spending time with her friends, often enjoying the warmth of the beach and the joy of swimming. Music filled her life, providing a soundtrack to her many cherished moments spent with loved ones.

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In April 2023, Craft retired as chief of Arrington Fire and Rescue. He joined Arrington Fire in July 2000 and remained there for over two decades. He worked his way up the ranks, serving as a firefighter, engineer, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and ultimately chief for the final eight years.

During his tenure, the department said Craft often brought Jenna along with him to the station.

We were lucky to have gotten to watch Jenna grow up around the fire station as she was part of many fire department events and activities during her dads 20 years of service, Arrington Fire and Rescue said. Retired Chief Craft supported Arrington and Williamson County communities for over 20 years with his service to the fire department and now we have an opportunity to support his family during this tragic time.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Addison leaves behind her 4-year-old daughter, Brynleigh Grace Trice, and her fiance, Jacob Trice.

Jennas daughter, 4-year-old Brynleigh Grace Trice was also in the accident and will now go through life with a permanent hole from the loss of her mother, Arrington Fire and Rescue said.

With permission from the family, Arrington Fire and Rescue is asking for donations toward Brynleighs college fund started by Craft. If youd like to support, write a check to Brynleigh Grace Trice and write college in the memo line. The check can be taken to Arrington Fire and Rescue  Station 19, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Services or any US bank.



For more information, message Arrington Fire & Rescue on Facebook.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Asheville has been isolated by flooding. The latest on power, cell and more

Communities across Western North Carolina are in recovery after strong storms, heavy rain and severe flooding battered the state, leaving "biblical devastation," according to officials.

Tropical Storm Helene swept through the region Sept. 27, causing massive power outages, dam and reservoir breaches and countless downed trees. Widespread cell service disruptions and impassable roads have left people cut off, disconnected or trapped in their homes.

A curfew is in effect from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. within the Asheville city limits. Officials are advising residents to stay off the roads as much as possible and to conserve fuel.

Here is what you should know about Asheville in the wake of Helene's devastation.

What is the extent of storm damage in Asheville?

While downtown Asheville, the largest city in Western North Carolina, was not hit as hard by Helene's flooding, the city of 95,000 was mostly without power, cell service and water as of Sunday afternoon. Most stores, restaurants, hotels and businesses are shuttered.

But directly outside the city and throughout Buncombe County and bordering counties, Helene wrought utter devastation. At least 30 people are confirmed dead in Buncombe County, but no names have been released to the public as of Sunday afternoon.

Large swaths of the River Arts District were completely swept away, while severe flooding caused extensive damage in Biltmore Village.

Where is the flooding in Western North Carolina?

This map shows rainfall from Helene and in the days preceding the storm that combined to create disastrous flooding.

What to do if you need help

For any life-threatening situations, always call 911. Buncombe County has established a non-emergency line for community reports of things such as downed trees and debris: 828-250-6650.

To report a person believed to be missing or unaccounted for, voicemails can be left for the Buncombe County Family Assistance Center at 828-820-2761.

There are two shelters available at AshevilleBuncombe Technical Community College:

General Population Shelter: A-B Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Drive, Asheville, NC 28801 (Please use Victoria Road Entrance.)

Medical Emergency Shelter for individuals who are dependent on medical equipment requiring power is located at 10 Genevieve Circle, Asheville, NC 28801.

When will power return to Asheville?

At least 95,000 power outages in the Asheville area were reported Sunday morning, according to the Duke Energy outage map. Crews working to assess damage and make repairs were focused on the hardest-hit areas first. A multiple dayslong restoration effort is expected.

More than 300,000 outages were reported across the Western North Carolina region. Cell service was also down for much of Buncombe County with no known restoration timeline.

What is the status of Asheville's water system?

A boil water advisory is in place for Western North Carolina and preliminary assessments show severe damages to Asheville's city water system. Residents who currently have water should fill up bathtubs and other containers in preparation for potential loss of service.

The Fresh Market will distribute free bottled water in the parking lots of their Asheville locations starting at 6 p.m. Sunday. The Fresh Market locations are 944 Merrimon Ave. and 1378 Hendersonville Road.

The State Emergency Operations Center will also be sending potable water to Asheville. Designated distribution points will be established and a distribution system is currently being put in place. As of a Sunday morning press conference, the water had not yet arrived and distribution plans were not yet available.

Water is reportedly available at the following locations:

Lowes : 95 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville

Home Depot : 795 Fairview Road, Asheville 127 Acton Circle, Asheville

Pisgah Brewing Company : 2849 U.S. 70 (Water available from 2 to 5 p.m., BYO sanitary container)

Publix: 165 Weaver Boulevard

Are any grocery stores open in Asheville?

The following grocery stores are reportedly open:

Food Lion : 179 Paragon Parkway, Clyde

Trader Joes : 120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville

Ingles Markets (Cash Only): 575 New Leicester Highway, Asheville.

Walmart : 1636 Hendersonville Road, Asheville

Publix: 165 Weaver Boulevard

Food distribution is available at:

Monte Vista Hotel (Food and WiFi): 310 W State St, Black Mountain

Bears Smokehouse: 135 Coxe Ave., Asheville

Which Asheville and Western North Carolina schools are closed?

Asheville City Schools will be closed on Monday, Sept. 30, and Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Buncombe County Schools will be closed for the entire week, Monday, Sept. 30-Friday, Oct. 4.

UNC Asheville will be fully closed until Monday, Oct. 7, with classes further suspended until Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Western Carolina University will be fully closed through Friday, Oct. 4.

Appalachian State University will be fully closed through Friday, Oct. 4.

What roads are closed in Asheville?

All roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed, and non-emergency travel is prohibited. Interstate 40 is impassable in multiple locations throughout Buncombe County.

The office of Gov. Cooper Saturday night said Interstate 26 south of Asheville is effectively the only major thoroughfare in and out of the city due to damage to Interstate 40 and other routes.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville, NC isolated by flooding. Latest on power, cell and more
An asteroid known as a 'mini-moon' will join Earth's orbit for 2 months starting Sunday

Beginning Sunday, Earth's skies will soon have a temporary visitor.

On September 29, an asteroid dubbed 2024 PT5 will become a "mini-moon" of sorts, temporarily entering Earth's orbit for almost two months before the forces of gravity return it to a vast field of space rocks known as the Arjuna asteroid belt that follows a similar orbital path around the sun as our own home planet.

Scientists discovered the object Aug. 7 using the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System in Sutherland, South Africa during routine monitoring, according to a study published in the journal Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society.

SpaceX: Dragon spacecraft that will bring home Starliner astronauts launches on Crew-9 mission

What is a mini-moon?

"Mini-moon" events are when pieces in space like an asteroid or floating pieces of space junk temporarily participate in orbiting the Earth with some completing a full revolution.

In order to be considered a mini-moon, an incoming body must reach Earth at a range around 2.8 million miles (4.5 million km) and at a steady space of about 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h), according to Universidad Complutense de Madrid professor Carlos de la Fuente Marcos.

Previous mini-moon events occurred in short-lived mini moon in 1981 and 2022, according to researchers.

Marcos told Space.com earlier this week that the asteroid will enter Earth's orbit at 15:54 ET on Sunday, and depart at 11:43 ET on Nov. 25.

Can I see the mini-moon?

At just 37 feet wide, 2024 PT5's presence in Earth's skies won't be visible unless one is a professional astronomer, or at least has access to a powerful telescope.

"The object is too small and dim for typical amateur telescopes and binoculars. However, the object is well within the brightness range of typical telescopes used by professional astronomers," Marcos told Space.com. "A telescope with a diameter of at least 30 inches plus a CCD or CMOS detector is needed to observe this object; a 30-inch telescope and a human eye behind it will not be enough."

Anthony Robledo contributed to this report.

Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Mini-moon' to join Earth's orbit for 2 months beginning Sunday
Our Atmosphere Transforms Dust From The Sahara Into Minerals That Fuel Life

Dust swept from the Sahara desert provides life at the bottom of the marine food chain with a critical nutrient. Without the iron carried far and wide in this mineral cloud, oceanic phytoplankton would struggle to bloom.

According to a new study led by the University of California, Riverside, the more time the dust spends aloft in the atmosphere, and the further it travels, the more its iron is converted into a form that is easily accessed by the biosphere below.

"The transported iron seems to be stimulating biological processes much in the same way that iron fertilization can impact life in the oceans and on continents," says biogeochemist Timothy Lyons. "This study is a proof of concept confirming that iron-bound dust can have a major impact on life at vast distances from its source."

Barren desert dust from North Africa is Earth's largest source of airborne particles. Wind shifts around 800 million metric tons of it westward every year, all the way over to the Americas, carrying isotopes of iron scoured from the desert's exposed surface.

The metal has a vital role to play in biochemical pathways that secure carbon in the atmosphere into organic molecules. As essential as iron is to life, however, its availability is limited, meaning this nutrient's distribution dictates much of where life can be found on Earth.

Not all forms of iron are easy for living organisms to make use of. Conditions in the atmosphere might make a big difference to the iron menu that eventually settles onto the ocean's surface.

"Dust that reaches regions like the Amazonian basin and the Bahamas may contain iron that is particularly soluble and available to life, thanks to the great distance from North Africa, and thus a longer exposure to atmospheric chemical processes," explains Lyons.

Biogeochemist Bridget Kenlee and colleagues discovered this by analyzing drill cores from the bottom of the ocean. They found that while total dust decreased with transport distance, the amount that had biologically usable iron that dissolves in water actually increased with that distance.

"This relationship suggests that chemical processes in the atmosphere convert less bioreactive iron to more accessible forms," says Owens.

With its heavy mass of bioactive iron, the dust fuels a vast food chain thousands of miles from its origins, fertilizing the phytoplankton in the ocean as well as the plants all the way over to the Amazon. These two systems produce much of the oxygen we all breathe.

Previous studies have suggested these patterns of bioactive iron match with areas of increased biological activity. This includes more microbe activity on the surface to the Caribbean coral reefs and the fertilization of the Amazon region.

A seven-year study found an average of 28 million metric tons of North African dust provides the Amazon River basin with about 22,000 tons of fertilizing phosphorus as well.

Other research similarly found dust from Asia has fertilized Hawaii's rainforests for millennia.

The Saharan dust clouds can cause problems with their presence too, like triggering allergies in humans. They even have the power to smother hurricanes.

Despite the barren origins of this lofted soil, and any problems it might cause, grains from the Saharan desert carry vital fuel for life on Earth, providing another example of how incredibly interconnected the physical processes of our planet are with the life that calls it home.

This research was published in Frontiers in Marine Science.

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This screenshot from a video taken on Sept. 29, 2024 shows a fire following Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. (Xinhua)

ADEN, Yemen/JERUSALEM, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and 49 others wounded on Sunday in Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported, citing health sources.

The al-Masirah TV described the attacks as "Israeli aggression," detailing that the port in the Ras Issa area and power stations in the districts of Al-Hali and Al-Katheeb were attacked.

"Four people were killed, including a port worker and three engineers at Al-Hali electricity power station," the television said, adding that 49 others were injured and rescue operations are still ongoing.

Earlier in the day, Israel's military said it had conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Hodeidah, striking power plants and a seaport which it alleged the Houthis used for transferring weapons, military supplies, and oil.

The air raid involved dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets, mid-air refueling planes, and intelligence aircraft, with the targets located approximately 1,800 km from Israel.

A pro-government Yemeni official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that more than ten airstrikes targeted key infrastructure, including oil tanks, airport, and other port facilities along the Red Sea coast.

Meanwhile, residents said they heard jets roaring overhead, and ambulances were seen rushing through the streets. They added that Houthi fighters have cordoned off the targeted areas.

Meanwhile, the Houthi group issued a statement, informing residents in areas under its control that "it has already taken the necessary measures for any emergency and that the fuel supply is stable."

The Israeli military said that "the strikes were carried out in response to recent attacks by the Houthis against Israel," referring to two missiles launched toward central Israel from Yemen -- one fired at a military target in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv on Friday and the other targeting the Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, on Saturday. Both missiles, intercepted by Israel's aerial defenses, caused no injuries.

The Israeli airstrikes on Houthi targets expanded its confrontation with Iran's allies in the region after killing Hezbollah's top leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, on Friday in an escalating conflict in Lebanon.

Yemen's Houthis have launched sporadic attacks on Israel and disrupted "Israeli-linked" shipping in the Red Sea since November last year, allegedly to support Palestinians in their conflict with Israelis. 
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson and Augusta Fire/EMA held a press conference on Sunday to provide the public with an update on Helene recovery efforts.

The Mayor called this the worst storm in the citys history.

Georgia Power will have 5,000 linemen in this region by Monday, in their effort to restore power to the CSRA.

Shelters at Henry Brigham and May Park are not at capacity and both have air conditioning. But you will not be able to charge your phone at either shelter.

Trash and debris from high levels in the Savannah River and the canal are blocking water filters in the system. GEMA tells us that restoring water operations is a top priority. Water services should be restored within 24 to 48 hours.

Augusta Fire Departments are fully operational. All Augusta area hospitals are fully operational.

Generators are being sent to the area. Raceway Gas Stations will be receiving generators soon. The Mayor reiterated that there is not a gas shortage, the stations just need power restored.

95% of power is expected to be restored by Saturday October 5.

Local jails have generators for power, but water remains an issue.

Distribution centers are working to be operational at Diamond Lakes, Municipal Building and Southgate. They will send notice of when they are open for distribution.

The Augusta Commission will meet virtually Monday at 2 p.m. to discuss further plans for restoration.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) leader Herbert Kickl speak after the vote projections in the National Council election. Roland Schlager/APA/dpa

The first victory of a far-right party in Austria's post-war history is an "alarming" development for Europe, according to the International Auschwitz Committee.

A media projection has given the populist Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) a clear lead in Sunday's poll, with 29.2% of the vote, well ahead of the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) of the outgoing coalition government.

"For Holocaust survivors, the first projections for the national elections in Austria and above all the strengthening of the extreme right around Herbert Kickl and the FPO add an alarming new chapter to their fears and concerns," said executive vice president Christoph Heubner.

The committee in charge of memorial site at the former Nazi death camp say they are now hoping for "the unity of Austrian democrats."

In the interests of the country and in the interests of Europe, Austria's supporters of democracy should come together to "oppose the oblivion of history and the ideology of old and new right-wing extremists."

Under the leadership of Kickl, the FPO has given up its former distance to the so-called Identitarians, a white supremacist movement categorized as right-wing extremists.

In its election manifesto, the FPO campaigned for an extremely restrictive migration policy under the slogan "Fortress Austria - Fortress Freedom".

The party calls for migrants to be returned to their countries of origin and wants more "homogeneity" in society - as an alternative to the diversity often sought internationally.

The FPO's significant gains are in line with recent right-wing election gains across Western Europe, notably in the Netherlands, Italy, France and Germany.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the Austrian People's Party (OeVP) speak after the vote projections in the National Council election. Tobias Steinmaurer/APA/dpa

Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPOe) leader Andreas Babler speak after the vote projections in the National Council election. Georg Hochmuth/APA/dpa

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the Austrian People's Party (OeVP) cheers at the party headquarters after polls closed in the National Council election. Helmut Fohringer/APA/dpa
(Bloomberg) -- Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has again called for a cease-fire in Lebanon, as Israels attacks on the capital Beirut have escalated.

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Weve joined with the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and many other countries to call for a cease-fire in Lebanon, Wong said in an interview with Sky News Australia, which was broadcast on Sunday.

I would say to Israel, you know, we want you to listen to the international community, said Wong.

Wongs comments came after she used a speech to the UN General Assembly on Friday to urge the UN Security Council to help set a clear timeline for the international declaration of Palestinian statehood.

A two-state solution is the only hope of breaking the endless cycle of violence, she said in the speech.

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Austrias far-right Freedom Party won its first ever national election, taking 29.2% of the votes, according to preliminary results.

The victory marks the latest in a string of electoral triumphs and near-wins for Europes far-right movement, with parties in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands making significant gains this year.

We have opened the door to a new era, party leader Herbert Kickl said after the vote, although the party will now need to form a coalition in order to govern. While the current ruling center right party has indicated it would work with the far right, its leader has ruled out working with Kickl, who is known for his acerbic and personal attacks on other Austrian politicians.

With Austrian voters, however, Kickls fiery rhetoric on immigration and the cost of living has propelled the party, founded by former Nazi officers, into power after decades in the minority.

SIGNALS

Austrian far right fueled by widespread anger over quality of life

Sources: The Guardian, Le Monde, CNN, Euronews

The Freedom Party is riding a wave of public anger over what voters perceive as the countrys mismanagement, The Guardian noted. This victory reveals the radicalization of part of the Austrian electorate against a backdrop of record inflation, high immigration and growing skepticism about the progress of the war in Ukraine, Le Monde wrote, adding that Kickls tactic of moving the party to be overtly anti-vaccine and climate-skeptic has helped it capitalize on left-over pandemic resentment. Kickl, who one expert described to CNN as arguably the best communicator in Austrian politics, has connected with some Austrians eroded trust in the political status quo, with some supporters even using the Nazi-era nickname Volkskanzler, or chancellor of the people, although he rejects the moniker, Euronews noted.

Relentless march of far right in Europe continues

Sources: the Financial Times, Politico, Al Jazeera

Nationalist, populist, and far-right parties are on a relentless march to power in Europe, the Financial Times Europe editor wrote, with the Freedom Partys victory another milestone on the road. Earlier this year, a Politico analysis found that, as of May, seven European countries had hard-right governments or coalitions, and right-wing groups led the polls in eight others, with the blocs far right gaining ground in the June European parliamentary elections, too. Their rise reflects a European constituency that feels provincialised, demoted, and exhausted by the continents relative decline compared to other world regions, an analyst wrote in Al Jazeera.

Economic woes drive political unrest, in Europe and elsewhere

Sources: The New York Times, France 24

Countries across the West are feeling the electoral effects of soaring inflation of up to 11% and spiraling government debt, The New York Times noted earlier this year. In Europe, the continents post-pandemic recovery was effectively stalled by Russias invasion of Ukraine, which also created an energy crisis, France 24 noted. Meanwhile, the blocs climate agenda sparked farmers protests, adding to the malaise. The economic anxieties are adding to divisions between rural and urban dwellers, unskilled and college educated workers, religious traditionalists and secularists, The Times noted, with the far right poised to capitalize on the dissatisfaction.
(L-R) Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) leader Herbert Kickl, Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPOe) leader Andreas Babler and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler of Greens speak at the national broadcaster studio, set up in the parliament building, after polls closed in the National Council election. Roland Schlager/APA/dpa

The leader of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) believes Sunday's election outcome which saw his party claim a historic win is one that will usher in a change for Austria.

"Voters put their foot down today," the FPO's Herbert Kickl said, reading the projected win for his party as a "clear statement that things cannot go on like this in this country."

"We are extending a hand in all directions," said Kickl, whose EU-sceptical and pro-Russian party seeks to establish an "Austrian fortress" of anti-migrant policy.

However no other Austrian party is currently willing to form a government with the FPO. Kickl said the other parties must now be asked "how they feel about democracy."

Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) leader Herbert Kickl speaks at the national broadcaster studio, set up in the parliament building, after polls closed in the National Council election. Helmut Fohringer/APA/dpa

Leader of The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS) Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the Austrian People's Party (OeVP), moderator Simone Stribl, Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) leader Herbert Kickl, Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPOe) leader Andreas Babler and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler of Greens speak at the national broadcaster studio, set up in the parliament building, after polls closed in the National Council election. Hans Klaus Techt/APA/dpa
Austrian far right poised to beat conservatives in parliamentary vote

A sign for the polling station on the occasion of voting in the National Council election in Vienna. Max Slovencik/APA/dpa

The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) is battling the governing conservatives in parliamentary elections on Sunday that could see the anti-immigrant party gain a historic victory.

If predictions are correct, Austria's far right is poised to win the Austrian National Council vote with 27% support, after long leading in the polls.

However, the latest polls put the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer (OVP), close behind at 25%.

Predictions suggest the Social Democrats (SPO) are likely to gain around 21% of the vote.

The Greens, currently governing in a coalition with the conservatives, look set to win 9%, as does the liberal NEOS party.

Nearly 6.4 million citizens in Austria are eligible to elect a new parliament, with what happens after the vote unclear.

Immigration has been a central topic of the campaign. The far right, led by Herbert Kickl, intends to crack down on immigration with full force if it takes over government, and also accelerate the deportation of migrants to their home countries.

In terms of forming a government, the far right and conservatives have not ruled out working together, but Nehammer is insisting that if they form a coalition, it should not involve Kickl.

A further possibility could be a three-way coalition between the conservatives, Social Democrats and NEOS.
Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) top candidate Herbert Kickl reacts on the occasion of voting in the National Council election in Purkersdorf. Helmut Fohringer/APA/dpa

The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) is set to win a parliamentary election for the first time in post-war history, according to an Austrian media projection after polls closed.

The right-wing populist party is set to win 29.1% of the vote, putting it well ahead of the conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) of the outgoing coalition government, according to a projection from the Austrian public broadcaster ORF.

The projection, based on data from the Foresight Institute for ORF, puts the OVP firmly in second at 26.2%.

Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) top candidate Herbert Kickl speaks to the media on the occasion of voting in the National Council election in Purkersdorf. Helmut Fohringer/APA/dpa
Temperatures will continue to soar to record-challenging levels from the southwestern United States deserts to the California coast into this weekend, AccuWeather meteorologists say. Along with surging temperatures will come a renewed wildfire risk. A break in the heat is coming next week.

"A vast zone of high pressure will expand across much of the West this week, allowing for temperatures to climb well above historical average, even along the Pacific coast, where it can be more difficult for temperatures to climb," AccuWeather Meteorologist Haley Taylor said.

When temperatures rise across the interior west, a cool breeze is often pulled in from the Pacific Ocean, helping regulate temperatures along many beaches and the Interstate 5 corridor. In this case, however, the flow will turn offshore, and the ocean's cooling effect will be minimal or not occur at all.

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The San Francisco Bay Area will be one coastal hot spot in the pattern this week. Following highs in the 60s Fahrenheit over the weekend, which is several degrees below the historical average, high temperatures trended upward into the 80s on Monday and into the 90s on Tuesday.

The current heat wave brought the highest temperatures of the year for San Francisco. The temperature at the airport reached 94 degrees on Tuesday. The previous peak in the heat this year was on July 2, when the high was 88. Temperatures may dip a bit into the end of the week before spiking again this weekend in San Francisco.

Los Angeles will continue to feel the heat in the pattern as well, although temperatures are likely to stop well short of high marks well above 100 degrees earlier this month. On Sept. 6, the temperature reached 112 in downtown Los Angeles, just 1 degree shy of tying the all-time record of 113 set in on Sept. 27, 2010. Highs will generally be in the 80s to low 90s in downtown Los Angeles this week. As such, temperatures will be 5-10 degrees above the historical average. From Saturday to Monday, widespread highs in the 90s are forecast for the Los Angeles Basin. Temperatures will reach or exceed 100 over the Inland Empire with highs of 110 or greater in Palm Springs.

The desert cities of Las Vegas and Phoenix will be plenty hot in the pattern this week and into next. In both cities, record-tying or record-breaking temperatures will be at or above 100 through Tuesday of next week. In Phoenix, temperatures this past Tuesday shattered the October record of 107 from 1980 with a high of 113.

Much of the interior Southwest will remain hot into next week. However, temperatures are forecast to tail off a bit from Thursday to Friday along the coast, before a new surge of heat develops for the weekend.

Experts urge that as temperatures soar, people should increase their intake of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids, especially when working or exercising outdoors.

Surging heat, low humidity levels and dry vegetation are prime ingredients for wildfire ignition, and people should avoid the use of open flames and be cautious when using any equipment outdoors that can produce sparks.

"Along with stiff offshore breezes, there will be an increased risk of wildfires across Southern California, mainly in the mountains and foothills, through Wednesday," Taylor said.

Breezes could drive any fires that develop toward coastal locations.

The ongoing Line, Bridge, and Airport fires have burned over 100,000 acres, but all are almost fully contained. The Line Fire had the lowest containment, at 76%, as of Tuesday evening.

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AVERY COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Family members and people living in Avery County in Banner Elk reached out to Queen City News Saturday, telling us theyre cut off from everything because of flooded roads and collapsed bridges in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

They have no power, water, or sewer, and theyre having trouble getting in touch with family and friends.

Scott Carew sent QCN a photo Saturday, saying he was trying to open a line of communication with the outside world. You can make out a bit of pavement in the picture.

Carew says that pavement covered in water and downed trees is what used to be the bridge thats now washed away, stranding people who live along the Elk River in Banner Elk.

They have no power, water, or cell service and limited Wi-Fi to send messages, and no way to get out in an emergency.

I-40 in western N.C. closed as NCDOT discourages travel to the area

All of the roads have collapsed around that area. There was one road to Boone that I know of, said Faith Blecher, whose daughter attends Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk.

Faith Blecher also reached out to us because she couldnt get in touch with her daughter, Taylor Blecher, whos also stranded in Banner Elk.

It was scary, but I was hoping that theyd at least be ok, but worrying about its been tough, said Blecher.

She finally got word Saturday afternoon that her daughter is safe at school, but she cant get home.

A photo from the Facebook page, Visit Banner Elk, shows the bridge is gone on NC 184.

Taylor Blechers dorm is on the side of a mountain.

Faith Blecher says students were evacuated to a community center because of concerns over possible mudslides.

I do hope they can get some resources in there to help them get the roads clear so they can get home to their parents and have food and water, I know they were trying to get some flown in there today, but right now the whole town is just basically cut off from society because all the roads are gone, said Faith Blecher.

Blecher lives in Georgia, not far from Jacksonville, Florida, and also has no power at her home because of damage from Hurricane Helene.

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The furore in the British press this month over the language used to describe the ethnic cleansing of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh comes at an emotional moment: it is one year since the indigenous population of Nagorno-Karabakh was forcefully displaced by Azerbaijani forces.

Yet, Azerbaijan continues to resist signing a peace agreement, fostering a sense that might is right. Western pressure is urgently needed to help secure a just and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. And the current moment offers a rare opportunity to achieve this goal.

Newspaper reports tell us that Azerbaijan plans to use its hosting of COP 29 in November to call for a global truce in all armed conflicts. While this intention is commendable, it contains an ironic twist. Azerbaijan could itself demonstrate its commitment to peace by signing a peace agreement with Armenia, which has already expressed its readiness to sign the parts of the agreement agreed upon by the parties, free from artificial preconditions or demands.

Our goal is simply peace between equal, sovereign nation-states. This is not just about ending hostilities; it is about turning the page on our shared history and the history of our region.

The Armenian governments Crossroads of Peace initiative envisions our region as economically and politically interconnected and prosperous, where cooperation and coexistence replace conflict and division. For this vision to become a reality, Azerbaijan must abandon delaying tactics and unreasonable demands, such as insisting on amendments to Armenias Constitution. Peace cannot be imposed; it must be mutually agreed upon, with both parties willing to approach each other as equals.

COP 29 being held in Baku this year is the result of a significant agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan  a rare moment of optimism in our troubled region. Armenia agreed to lift its veto and support Bakus bid as a confidence building measure, in exchange for Azerbaijans commitment to return thirty-two Armenian prisoners of war who had been unlawfully detained in Baku.

This agreement was seen as a beacon of hope that peace might finally be within reach. However, since then, Azerbaijan has unleashed a barrage of threats and unreasonable demands toward Armenia, undermining the fragile foundation of that hopeful agreement.

With global attention now focused on Baku ahead of COP 29, Azerbaijan has a historic opportunity to put its stated commitment to peace into practice. Armenia is taking every necessary step toward this goal. It has proposed confidence-building measures, including the establishment of a joint mechanism to monitor and investigate ceasefire violations. So far, these proposals have been met with silence from Azerbaijan, which continues to accuse Armenia of ceasefire breaches without evidence.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan criticizes Armenias acquisition of arms for self-defence. Yet it simultaneously receives frequent arms shipments itself. In response, Armenia has proposed an arms control mechanism between the two nations  a proposal Azerbaijan has swiftly rejected.

Azerbaijans opposition to the unarmed EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia, whose sole purpose is to promote stability and accountability in the region, is particularly troubling. While Azerbaijan has every right to refuse the Missions presence within its own territory, its insistence on the missions withdrawal from Armenia is at best unreasonable, at worst an attempt to remove international witnesses whilst preparing for another attack.

Peace in the region cannot be Armenias responsibility alone. Azerbaijan should demonstrate to the international community that it is genuinely committed to peace.

Likewise, the international community should weigh up Azerbaijans actions against its rhetoric ahead of COP 29. Words are important. Achieving genuine peace requires an unwavering commitment, but also accountability and adherence to international law. Baku must decide whether to seize this opportunity for progress, or continue down a path that will only breed further conflict.

Varuzhan Nersesyan is the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the UK

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VIENTIANE, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A coffee festival was held in Laos from Friday to Sunday to celebrate International Coffee Day, which falls on next Tuesday, aiming to highlight a vital role that Lao coffee plays in the country's socio-economic development.

The event, which also aims to push Lao coffee into the international market, brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, development partners and the private sector.

"Lao coffee has become an important export product, contributing significantly to our economy," Lao News Agency reported on Sunday, quoting Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Linkham Douangsavanh as saying at the event.

"We are proud to showcase our unique coffee heritage and its role in fostering green development," he said.

Lao coffee is produced on around 98,000 hectares of land, with an annual estimated output of 150,000 tons, mostly from southern provinces. More than 300,000 farmers earn income from the coffee industry, which exports 100,000 tons of beans yearly worth more than 100 million U.S. dollars, the report said.

The event featured over 40 exhibition booths presenting Lao coffee and coffee-related products, panel discussions, business matching, coffee cupping, barista demos and activities for children. 
Immigrants who bring "foreign conflicts" with them should not be welcomed to the UK, Conservative leadership contender Kemi Badenoch has said.

She told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg she believed in "western values, the principles which have made this country great, and I think that we need to make sure that we continue to abide by those principles, to keep the society that we have now".

As the Tories begin their party conference in Birmingham, leadership rival Robert Jenrick told the same programme immigration was at the top of his list of issues to fix.

He said the UK needed to leave the European Convention on Human Rights to resolve the problem, a move Badenoch has not signed up to.

Two other candidates remain in the Conservative leadership contest - shadow home secretary James Cleverly and shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat.

All four will use the conference, which ends on 2 October, to present their cases to Tory activists.

After Parliament returns, Tory MPs will narrow the field down to two candidates in votes on 9 and 10 October, before party members are balloted on their choice.

A winner and successor to Rishi Sunak will be announced on 2 November.

Badenoch used an article in the Sunday Telegraph to argue the country expected immigrants to share the UK's values.

"We can not be naive and assume immigrants will automatically abandon ancestral ethnic hostilities at the border, or that all cultures are equally valid. They are not," she wrote.

The two frontrunners in the leadership campaign have disagreed over how best to reduce immigration, an issue which many Tories believe caused millions of voters to desert the party for Reform UK in July's general election.

In his interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Jenrick took issue with Badenoch's emphasis on culture.

Stressing his commitment to capping net migration in the tens of thousands, he said: "Numbers also matter.

Just saying Ill have a plan in a few years time is a recipe for in-fighting and for losing the publics trust. I have a plan."

Badenoch accused him of misrepresenting her position, saying numbers did matter but "culture matters even more. Who comes into the country is absolutely critical."

Asked which cultures were "less valid", she said it was "not about labelling cultures".

"I think that cultures where women are told that they should not work, I would knock on doors... and you would see somebody at the door who says 'I can't speak to you, I will get my husband'. I don't think that is as equally valid as our culture."

Badenoch, who was born in London but spent much of her childhood in Nigeria before returning to the UK, added she did not want "this place to turn into the place I was running away from".

Binding cap

The shadow communities secretary called for a better integration strategy for immigrants which emphasised British values, to "make sure that we have a shared culture and a shared identity".

"It is our job to make sure that the people who come into the country are people who love this country, who want it to succeed."

Jenrick, who resigned as immigration minister from Sunak's cabinet, used his interview to stress the need to put a legally-binding cap on immigration numbers, saying otherwise politicians would "continue to let the public down.

Asked if he would be willing to leave jobs unfilled in order to bring down numbers, he said: I dont think thats going to happen but if youre asking me would I prioritise this, yes I would.

"I dont pretend that ending this era of mass migration is going to be plain sailing."

Speaking later at a fringe event at the Tory conference, Jenrick said immigration had become an "existential issue" for his party.

If he became leader, he added, it would be his job not to attack or do a deal with Nigel Farage's Reform UK - but "to put it out of business" by settling the Conservatives' position on immigration.

Tugendhat told the same audience a key challenge was to increase productivity to achieve "real growth", rather than relying on migration to boost economic output, which he said offered only the "illusion" of growth.

Questioned on Sky News about the Conservatives' worst-ever general election defeat in July, Cleverly said the public "didn't like the constant infighting" or the "bickering" in the party.

"They didn't like the fact that as soon as someone became prime minister, there were people within the party who set about removing them as prime minister.

"We didn't do that just once or twice. We did it over and over again. The British people told us that they wanted us to think about them, not to think about ourselves."

Also on Sky News, Tugendhat pointed to his record in the military and other public service to "demonstrate" his "character".

Asked if the Tories needed another "posh boy leader from a great public school", he said: "I think the Conservative Party needs a leader who can lead, and you can judge me on the decisions my parents made 35 years ago or you can judge me on the decisions I have made for the last 35 years.

"I have chosen consistently to serve our country. I have put myself on the front line in Iraq and Afghanistan."
(Bloomberg) -- German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Donald Trump for spreading fake news about her country while pledging to have a trustful relationship with a second Trump administration if he wins the upcoming elections.

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We were really a bit astonished that there has been fake news, if not to say a lie, about my country, Baerbock said in an interview with Bloomberg TV in New York.

Still, the Greens politician made clear that her government would cooperate if the Republican wins a second White House term in November, as it has with the Democratic Biden administration.

We obviously have an intensive interest that we will continue this trustful relationship with the US, she said.

Baerbock referred to a statement by the former president at his Sept. 10 debate with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, in which he said Germanys shift to renewable energy had failed, and that the country had resorted to building normal power plants.

If my country is being presented as something which is just wrong, then its a responsibility of the foreign office to say: Sorry, but this is not how the situation in our country is, Baerbock said, defending a social media retort by her ministry a day after Trumps comment.

Like it or not: Germanys energy system is fully operational, with more than 50% renewables. And we are shutting down  not building  coal & nuclear plants. Coal will be off the grid by 2038 at the latest, the foreign office posted on its English-language X feed.

Baerbock in 2023 traveled to Texas to meet Republican Governor Greg Abbott, a close Trump ally, and also met Republican members of Congress during that trip. She steered clear of presidential politics during her five-day stay in New York last week, where she attended the UN General Assembly.

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BALTIMORE  Six months after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Baltimore Museum of Industry has begun documenting the stories of the people whose lives it touched.

Community artist Maria Gabriela Aldana, co-founding director of Baltimore-based Art of Solidarity, is collecting oral histories as part of Echoes from the Key Bridge, a project recording firsthand accounts of what happened when the Dali struck the bridge March 26.

Aldana is conducting and recording interviews with relatives of the construction workers who died, port workers affected by the bridges disappearance and first responders who helped in the aftermath. She plans to share more about her work so far during a Dec. 3 event at the museum.

Originally from Nicaragua, Aldana and her family fled to the U.S. in the 1980s. Baltimore has been her home for 25 years, and when the bridge fell, she said she felt pain as a member of the Latino and immigrant community.

It just really hurt my soul and I could feel this collective pain that so many were experiencing, she said.

In early September, Aldana had an intimate meeting with some relatives of the Key Bridge victims along with advocates like Catalina Rodriguez-Lima, founding director of the Baltimore Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs and Giuliana Valencia-Banks, Baltimore Countys chief of immigrant affairs.

Aldana said she approaches the oral history conversations thoughtfully, taking care to empower people and allow them to choose what to share and what to keep private. When she listens to their memories and grief, she doesnt hold back her tears.

The greatest pattern I see is the love that has come out between longshoremen who came out to support each other, the first responders, the social workers, the firefighters, the volunteers, strangers who have come up to some of these family members and just cried with them, the sense of spirituality and love. Aldana said. I hope that we capture that in how we display this information back to the public.

Aldana said she hopes to eventually create a feature-length documentary that serves as a memorial to those who died and speaks to the thousands of other workers affected by the bridge collapse.

Collecting oral histories takes significant time and resources, but they serve as an important tool for making history interesting to the public, said Glenn T. Johnston, director of Stevenson Universitys Center for the Study of the Port of Baltimore.

When history is just dry and factual, its actually not very interesting. But when youre able to get history tied to human lives and emotions and compelling stories, that makes it kind of a different kind of history, Johnston said. The oral part is the ability to capture the human emotions associated with the history.

The museum also continues to collect objects for an eventual Key Bridge exhibition that the museum expects to complete in 2026.

The Maryland Transportation Authority has promised the museum a hunk of steel that was once part of the bridge, said Anita Kassof, the museums executive director, and it plans to include a mural by Texas artist Roberto Marquez that stood as a memorial and gathering spot on Fort Armistead Road for more than a month after the collapse.

Kassof said the museum hasnt received many artifacts so far, but thats not surprising given her experiences with similar multi-year community projects. The Key Bridge project, which is funded by grants from the Baltimore Community Foundation and the Baltimore National Heritage Area, is modeled on a similar exhibit chronicling the work and workers of Bethlehem Steels Sparrows Point plant.

What we found was when we began to talk to people and they started to tell their stories, they realized that some of the things that people dont necessarily think are worthy of being in a museum or museum artifacts are really the things that tell the most interesting stories, Kassof said.

Those includes humble things, like uniforms, job IDs or ephemera, she said.

One Key Bridge object the museum does have is Baltimore artist Javier Beruffs acrylic painting of 12 white doves against a blue sky, framed by objects resembling segments of marble columns.

Called Para Los Doce, the artist wrote that the painting depicts not only the eight workers working on the bridge on March 26, including two who survived, but also the six construction workers who died in a fatal crash on Interstate 695 last year.

Six doves  representing Maynor Suazo Sandoval, Miguel Angel Luna, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella and Jose Mynor Lopez  fly in the foreground alongside loose feathers, while the six doves representing the 695 workers hover in a circle, high up. One is colored pink to represent Sybil DiMaggio, the only woman killed in the car crash, Baruff wrote.

Aldana said in the weeks following the Key Bridge collapse, she learned much about the bridge as an object but heard less about the people involved.

We focus so much on property in terms of constructing our value and those things are replaceable, whereas people are not, she said.


In June 1983, a young freelance journalist, fresh out of graduate school, landed an assignment covering the Phelps Dodge copper-mine strike in Arizona. Soon she was regularly driving the 350-mile round trip from Tucson to the tiny mining towns of Ajo and Clifton, where, by the end of the summer, she became known as that gal thats writing the book about us. Quite how this label came about, shes still not sure. She hadnt arrived with this intention. But the story found her as much as she found it. The result was Holding the Line, first published in 1989  part-oral history, part-social critique  by a then-unknown writer, Barbara Kingsolver.

Thirty-five years later, Kingsolver is the author of several bestselling and prize-winning novels, the most recent of which  last years Demon Copperhead, which portrays the ravages of the opioid crisis in rural Appalachia  won her the Womens Prize (for the second time) and the Pulitzer. Ive spent my writing life trying to listen to people who arent getting heard, she explains in the introduction she has written to this new edition of Holding the Line, now being published in the UK for the first time.

During the 18-month strike, Kingsolver listened to the towns women  white and Hispanic  many of whom were married to the miners. An injunction threatened the strikers (the overwhelming majority of whom were men) with arrest if more than 100 of them were on the main gates picket line. But no such sanction applied to their wives. Without jobs to go to, the men often struggled emotionally. The women, meanwhile  already used to making ends meet, running homes and holding families together  came into their own. Its just our nature to keep going through it all, one told Kingsolver.

They organised and ran food and clothing banks, helped to man a free clinic, and rallied both national and international support through public speaking gigs, all while holding the picket line, and taking on the National Guard  who, in a disproportionally aggressive response, were called in by Phelps Dodge and their political cronies. The female camaraderie that emerged was a heady discovery for many whose previous notion of agency had been a lone trip to the grocery store. These women, as Kingsolver eloquently explains, found a new way of looking at a power structure in which theyd been lodged like gravel in a tire.

Holding the Line is published by Faber & Faber - Getty

Reviewing the original US edition for The New York Times, Page Stegner scolded Kingsolver for not including testimony from the men involved. This left, he complained, the impression of a world devoid of men. Its hard to align that world with my experience of copper-mining communities in Arizona, he continued, revealing precisely why Holding the Line demanded to be written. Stories about copper-mining communities  good, bad or legendary  were dominated by the male point of view. Sure, Kingsolvers book was biased: shes on the side of the strikers; and within the striking community, its the womens stories that shes interested in. But, as she reminds contemporary readers, thats because women scrapping tooth and nail for survival, however commonplace, dont get much dignified exposure in our culture.

In many ways, Holding the Line is a period piece, but its fascinating to read today how Kingsolver wrestles with issues that have only gone mainstream in the last few years: namely, intersectional feminism. The strike might not have ended the way those involved hoped  replacement workers were hired and the unions were eventually decertified  but it resulted in other unexpected and significant gains. Towards the end of the book, Kingsolver quotes a speech given by Anna OLeary, a Hispanic woman whose politicisation by the strike has drastically changed her. This comes after the strike, and OLeary has just returned from Forum 85, held in Nairobi as part of the UNs World Conference on Women. With their calls for equal pay for equal work, the other US emissaries, who included Ronald Reagans daughter, were representing women who already had the advantage of a job, OLeary tells Kingsolver.

She, on the other hand  and the envoys from Third World countries  were there to speak for women who are functionally illiterate, who are from working-class neighbourhoods with no opportunities for education, for employment, nobody to watch their kids for them. Give these women an opportunity, Kingsolvers book shows us, and theyll more than rise to the challenge.

Holding the Line is published by Faber at 16.99. To order your copy for 14.99, call 0808 196 6794 or visit Telegraph Books

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AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP)  The fourth annual Bandtoberfest will return to the Amherst Common on Sunday for a family-friendly celebration of Autumn.

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According to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, hundreds of concertgoers will return to the Common to celebrate the beginning of fall. There will be performances of music from movie soundtracks such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones, musicals like Mary Poppins, West Side Story, Sound of Music, and more, plus marches, polkas, and classic band works by the two ensembles.

The UMass Wind Ensemble, conducted by Matthew Westgate, and the UMass Symphony Band, conducted by Lindsay Bronnenkant, will perform during the celebration, which is sponsored by the Amherst Downtown Business Improvement District (BID).

The event is free and open to the public, and Drake and Abandoned Building Brewery will be serving wine and freshly brewed beer. The celebration will run from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This annual event is something we look forward to every year! We love partnering with the BID to bring the community together to celebrate great music and the most beautiful time of the year in Amherst. We hope people of all ages will come to the Common to enjoy our student performers and support local restaurants and this years vendors, said Westgate.

As ever, the BID is excited to bring live music into our downtown and activate the Common with free programming for all ages, said Gabrielle Gould, the BIDs Executive Director. We love working with UMass, and are looking forward to our next Bandtoberfest!

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Behind the loudest issues, the UN is a world stage for disputes that are often out of the spotlight

The worlds greatest stage is the sprawling Midtown Manhattan complex where leaders meet each year to discuss humanitys future.

The United Nations' most powerful body  the Security Council  is paralyzed by disputes, so this year's most varied speeches were delivered before the 193-member General Assembly.

Like the 15-nation Security Council with its five vetoes, the UNGA devoted much time to the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine and Sudan. But the more democratic institution also turned global attention to topics little-known outside individual countries and regions.

A look at some of the issues that countries brought to the world stage  or ignored  during their time on the global stage:

Guatemala-Belize

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo spoke Tuesday and asserted that his country is moving beyond its dark past of U.S.-backed dictatorship, civil war and human-rights violations, saying that corruption drowns its roots in a past of authoritarianism, repression and political violence  but were freeing ourselves. He turned to Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, U.N. reform and migration before focusing on a definitively local issue, the longstanding border dispute between Guatemala and Belize.

Guatemala was a Spanish colony and Belize belonged to Great Britain until Guatemala won independence in 1821. Guatemala argues that it inherited Spains claim to some 4,200 square miles (11,000 square kilometers) administered by Belize. Essentially the countrys southern half, the area has nature reserves, farming villages, fishing towns and some Caribbean beaches. Belize rejects Guatemalas claim on the land. Diplomatic relations and even air travel have suffered and five Guatemalans have died in shootings blamed on Belize.

But before the General Assembly, Arevalo cited the relative lack of bloodshed as an example for the world. Weve shown that the way of peace and respect for multilateral institutions is the most effective way to resolve international disputes, he said.

North Macedonia

What's in a name? The archetypal local dispute. It centers on an ancient region divided by the modern national borders of Greece, Bulgaria and the country of North Macedonia.

That last name was adopted when the nation, population about 2.1 million, declared independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece and what the U.N. cumbersomely used to call the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia went on to spar for nearly three decades. Greece said using Macedonia implied territorial claims on its own northern province of the same name and its ancient Greek heritage, not least as the birthplace of ancient warrior king Alexander the Great.

The name fight became infamous as a difficult and irresolvable problem, in the words of Zoran Zaev, the former prime minister of North Macedonia. Repeated rounds of U.N.-mediated negotiations proved fruitless until June 2018, when the government agreed to change the countrys name to North Macedonia. The switch took effect but the dispute slowed North Macedonia's integration into the EU.

Bulgaria now has the main objection, a more important stumbling block than the name disagreement. President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova told the General Assembly Thursday that in conditions of conflict on European soil, the stagnation of European integration not only demotivates Macedonian citizens and slows down reforms, but also destabilizes the region of Southeast Europe, leaving room for the penetration of malignant imperial and great power influences.

Cuba

For decades, one of Cubas primary foreign-policy priorities has been ending the U.S. trade embargo on the island, and the country successfully dedicates much of its diplomacy to winning global critiques of the embargo.

According to Cubas U.N. mission, more than 25 countries addressed the embargo at this years UNGA and at least 11 leaders critiqued the U.S. inclusion of Cuba on the list of countries that sponsor terrorism, another sanction limiting international trade. Many of the countries that spoke have benefitted from another of Cubas trademark programs, sending its well-trained and highly educated doctors to developing countries across the world.

Right after mentioning Ukraine and Gaza, Prime Minister Allah Maye Halina of Chad told the world that we cant ignore the embargo on Cuba, which hurts its people and hinders its development. Mexico, Russia and China joined the chorus Saturday, with the Chinese foreign minister saying that we once again urge the United States to completely lift its blockade, sanctions and terrorism-related designation against Cuba.

Gambia

Some local issues are uncomfortable to discuss in front of the world, and nearly every leader addresses those issues delicately or ignores them.

Gambian President Adama Barrow was silent for months this year on a bill to repeal a ban on female genital cutting, the removal of external genitalia by traditional community practitioners or health workers. The practice, which still occurs in Gambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Somalia and other nations, can cause serious bleeding, death and childbirth complications.

Barrow said in June that he supported maintaining the ban  a declaration seen as key to Gambias parliament keeping it. Barrow told the General Assembly this year that, my government places great emphasis on womens rights, and we are dedicated to protecting and empowering women.

As President, I will continue to ensure that women and girls are protected and given the necessary space to contribute meaningfully to our national development agenda, he said.

But the numbers tell a more difficult story for Gambian girls and women. The United Nations estimates that about 75% of women in Gambia have been subjected as young girls to cutting. In the past eight years some 30 million women globally have been cut, most of them in Africa but also in Asia and the Middle East, UNICEF said in March.

Libya

Some countries came to the UNGA against a backdrop of profound domestic disorder and focused some blame on external interference.

Libya plunged into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. In the chaos that followed, the country split, with rival administrations in the east and west backed by rogue militias and foreign governments. Following years of strife, one of the countrys dueling authorities unilaterally fired the countrys powerful governor of the bank in August as militias mobilized in several key regions.

The presidential council in the capital of Tripoli, which is allied with the government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah that controls western Libya, removed Gov. Sadiq al-Kabir, who had for years distributed the countrys oil revenues between the opposing sides. The spat led to a closure of one of the countrys main oil fields.

The political crisis stems from the failure to hold elections on Dec. 24, 2021, and the refusal of Dbeibah  who led a transitional government in the capital of Tripoli in the west  to step down. In response, Libyas east-based parliament appointed a rival prime minister who was replaced, while the powerful military commander Khalifa Hifter continues to hold sway in the east.

The top U.N. official in Libya, Stephanie Khoury, said in August that the situation in Libya had deteriorated quite rapidly. A series of U.N. envoys to the country have resigned after failing to make headway in moving closer to elections and unification. In April, the previous U.N. envoy for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, resigned, blaming the countrys feuding parties and their foreign backers for the conflicts continuation.

Challenges are huge and complex before us, Younis Menfi, president of Libya's presidential council, told the General Assembly on Wednesday. However, we're still trying to reach consensual solutions to unite our words and ranks and gather all parties around on table to find a national solution.

___

Associated Press journalists Sonia Perez D. in Guatemala City and Elena Becatoros in Athens contributed.
Emmanuel Macron weaponised the small boats crisis to punish Britain for Brexit, Boris Johnson has suggested.

Writing in his memoirs, to be published next month, the former prime minister accused the French president of being a positive nuisance during negotiations to leave the European Union.

But he said he got his revenge by persuading Australia not to buy submarines from the French.

In his book, Unleashed, Mr Johnson also claims that Lord Cameron threatened to f--- him up forever if he backed Leave in the 2016 referendum.

The former prime minister also claimed Lord Hammond proposed trying to oust Baroness May after the disaster of the 2017 election.

Boris Johnson led the Leave campaign to victory in 2016 - HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY

Mr Johnson wrote: Although Macron was personally charming, and although we often agreed on important issues, he really meant it when he said that Brexit Britain must be punished.

On some issues I am afraid I therefore suspected him of being a positive nuisance.

Take the small boats that cross the Channel to Britain from the beaches of France, risking the lives of tens of thousands of migrants.

It seemed at least possible to me that he was weaponising the problem, Belarus-style, and discreetly allowing the migrants to come across in sufficient numbers to drive the British public nuts and undermine one of the most important facts of Brexit  that we had taken back control of our borders.

Mr Johnson said that he and Macron personally got on but that he would not hesitate to put his Cuban-heeled bootee into Brexit Britain.

24,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats in 2024 - BENOIT TESSIER/REUTERS

The claims come ahead of Sir Keir Starmers visit to Brussels this week, in the hopes of securing a deal with the EU over the Channel migrant crisis.

Earlier this month it was announced that the number of migrants crossing the Channel since the start of 2024 had passed 24,000. This is up one per cent on the number of people who made the crossing by this time in 2023, but 20 per cent down on 2022.

The claims in the book, which is being serialised in the Daily Mail, come in the middle of the Tory Party conference, which Mr Johnson is not planning to attend.

In the book he also said he managed to get President Biden to agree to sign a secret defence deal with Australia at the G7 summit in Cornwall in 2021, which meant Canberra would have to pull out of an agreement to buy submarines from the French.

In great secrecy, we pulled it off, he said. When we announced the Aukus pact agreement later they all went predictably tonto in Paris.

The former prime minister also claimed Lord Cameron promised him a senior job in Cabinet to back the Remain side in the 2016 referendum, saying: Come on  go with the campaign to stay in and Ill make sure you get a top-five job in the Cabinet.

I will f--- you up forever

He said Lord Cameron rang him one evening and threatened him if he decided to join the Leave side. At the time, Mr Johnson was London mayor.

Mr Johnson said: I was torn, I said. I wanted to back him, but over the years I had written hundreds if not thousands of articles attacking the undemocratic features of the EU.

This isnt about articles! he spluttered. Its about the future of the country!

Well, I said, we were agreed on that but I was still thinking of voting Leave.

If you do that, he said  and these were his exact words  I will f--- you up forever.

He added: I had to admit that the threat sounded serious. Did I want to be f---ed up? Forever? By a prime minister equipped with all the f---ing-up tools available to a modern government, and thousands of f---er-uppers just waiting to do his bidding?

Mr Johnson also claimed that Lord Hammond proposed trying to oust Mrs May after the disaster of the 2017 election when the Tories lost their overall majority.

In the early hours of the morning I got a message from Phil Hammond, the Chancellor  dry as dust but with an excellent political brain  and we talked, he wrote.

Boris Johnson has claimed that Philip Hammond told him of a plan to oust Theresa May - GETTY

He thought it was all very unfortunate but Theresas goose was cooked. She would have to go sooner or later, and it might as well be now.

What he was proposing was a Hammond-Johnson partnership, by which I would take the wheel at No10 and he continued to be my economic co-pilot. I thought about it briefly, as dawn started to break, and then said no.

Mr Johnson makes further allegations in his book that US president Biden is not really as Irish as he claims.

He wrote: He disarmed me completely by saying that his family origins were not really Irish at all and that the Bidens were an old seafaring family from Kent (which seems plausible, since -den is a common Kentish termination), he wrote.

I suppose that he may say something subtly different when in Dublin.

On Friday, Mr Johnson revealed he considered invading the Netherlands to seize Covid vaccines during the height of the pandemic.

The former prime minister said he commissioned the Armed Forces to consider whether an aquatic raid on a warehouse in Leiden was possible.

But he was told the plan was unlikely to succeed and was forced to admit that the idea of effectively invading a Nato ally was nuts.

A spokesman for Lord Cameron declined to comment.

Lord Hammond was contacted for comment.

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A pair of measures addressing so-called junk fees that landlords are increasingly adding to monthly rent are scheduled to go before the Bellingham City Council next week.

Discussion on the measures is planned when the councils Committee of the Whole meets at 1 p.m. Monday in City Hall, 210 Lottie St.

Councilman Jace Cotton has been considering the issue for several months, and he will be presenting the citys findings along with two proposed ordinances at the afternoon committee session.

Votes are scheduled when the City Council meets at 7 p.m. and no public hearings are on the agenda. Both meetings will be streamed live on YouTube.

One proposed ordinance focuses on residential tenants and the second measure is aimed at mobile home lease agreements.

According to research provided in reports and documentation that were included with the online agenda for Mondays meeting, examples of junk fees include:

Administrative fees of $100 to $300.

Application fees of $33 to $65.

Nonrefundable pet fees, $40 to $500.

Pet rent, $25 to $100 per month per animal.

Valet trash, $20.

Parking fees for guests.

Surcharges to use an in-unit washer and dryer.

Many renters are surprised by fees, forced to pay for services they didnt want and charged for services not provided, according to the report.

As written, the ordinance:

Limits application fees to $25.

Says assistance animals are not pets.

Limits pet damage fees to 20% of monthly rent and sets other restrictions.

Prohibits any combination of move-in fees and security deposits that exceeds one months rent.

Prohibits fees to use appliances in the dwelling unit.

Prohibits any administrative fee for a rental agreement take-over or the addition of a tenant.

Included with documentation on the ordinances are statements from local residents and letters of support from organizations such as the Whatcom Humane Society, Skagit Legal Aid, Lydia Place and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 3000.

Anne Wilce, who grew up in Bellingham and graduated form Western Washington University, describe the effect of junk fees on her family.

After living in my apartment for several years, the property changed ownership. Instead of staying month-to-month, as we were currently, my new apartment manager requested I sign a new year-long lease. Upon inspecting the lease terms, I saw a plethora of new potential fees. A replacement key was $50, a clogged drain $150, lock change $200, and late payment $168, Wilce wrote.

Several Washington cities have limited such fees, according to research included with the online agenda.

When someone falls behind on rent, excessive late fees create a barrier for a tenants ability to catch up, leading tenants to fall farther behind. Housing is a necessity and people want to maintain stable housing and avoid eviction proceedings. Like overdraft fees in banking, excessive late fees negatively impact those who are already struggling to get back on track, according to a report from Iris Nott, the citys legislative policy analyst.

About 54% of Bellinghams 97,000 residents are renters, and more than 20,000 renters are cost-burdened, meaning that they spend more than one-third of their income on rent.

The Council of Economic Advisors estimates that 10 common junk fees cost Americans more than $90 billion annually, and that apartment application fees alone cost an estimated $276 million in 2023.

In her report, Nott said that these junk fees are pervasive and can be above the actual cost of what it takes to provide a service.

Further, junk fees are often hidden, prohibiting comparison shopping and surprising consumers late in the purchase process or even after purchase, or in the case of tenants, after committing to a rental and signing a lease, Nott said.
A woman from Berlin is due in court in Barre Monday afternoon on a charge related to an alleged effort to aid a fugitive, according to a Saturday email from the Berlin Police Department.

Vermont Department of Corrections employees in White River Junction reportedly asked Berlin police on September 18 to help them locate a man whod been released from jail by mistake. Investigators didnt disclose the mans name, nor did they say if hes back in custody.

However, they said the man was at the Hilltop Inn in Berlin with Ashley Horton, 28, who had a room at the inn. Police arrested Horton on Friday for serving as an accessory after the fact and released her on a citation into court.

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GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)  Best-selling author Nicholas Sparks was back in town on Saturday.

Hundreds of people lined up to meet The Notebook author at Fiction Addiction in Greenville.

Many attendees told 7NEWS that they left their homes, despite having no power, to see Sparks. Sparks once lived in the Upstate.

Sparks new novel is entitled Counting Miracles, and was released on Tuesday.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Doctors from the 12th Chinese medical team examines a child at the Juba Orphanage in Juba, South Sudan, Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua)

JUBA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, Chinese medical teams have been playing a crucial role in providing essential healthcare services to vulnerable children in the world's youngest country.

The arrival of the 12th Chinese medical team in the capital city of Juba on Sept. 4 has brought renewed hope to orphanages struggling with a lack of affordable healthcare options.

Taking over from the outgoing 11th team, which returned to east China's Anhui Province, the new group wasted no time in continuing the tradition of offering free medical care to orphaned children.

Ana Buri, 17, is one of the many beneficiaries of this outreach at Confident Children out of Conflict (CCC). Buri, who fled her family to escape early forced marriage, shared how successive Chinese medical teams have become a crucial source of support at her orphanage, not just through donations of food and clothes but also through much-needed medical care.

"Medical services here are extremely expensive, and without the help of the Chinese teams, many of the orphans would not receive the needed care," Buri said.

The medical team's impact extends beyond the children. Julius Yanga, security advisor at Juba Orphanage, received immediate treatment for persistent back pain during the team's recent visit.

Founded in 1962 during Sudan's first civil war, Juba Orphanage is located next to Juba Teaching Hospital, where the Chinese medical teams are based. According to Yanga, the orphanage has struggled to access routine medical care for children due to high costs at local hospitals, but the Chinese team has made a big difference today by treating the sick children.

Yanga noted that many of the children at the orphanage suffer from malaria and typhoid, and the 12th Chinese medical team's visit helped alleviate the burden of medical expenses.

Hellen Murshal Boro, executive director of CCC, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the high cost of healthcare in private clinics. She noted that Chinese medical teams have consistently offered free medical support to the children, despite the complex ailments they often deal with, including common diseases like malaria, fever, and respiratory infections.

"The support we receive from the Chinese teams is indispensable," Boro said. "Each year, the outgoing team introduces us to the incoming team, and they immediately step in to help."

Du Changyong, leader of the 12th Chinese medical team, explained that beyond providing care at Juba's main referral hospital, the team also visits orphanages to donate supplies and offer medical services.

"It means a lot for us to carry out these kinds of activities. The cooperation between the two countries starts with people-to-people exchanges," Du said, adding that his team is committed to delivering medical care services across 10 states, despite facing harsh conditions.

The Chinese medical teams have been delivering healthcare services to South Sudanese communities for over a decade, not only through direct medical outreach but also by providing capacity-building training to local doctors. Their efforts serve as a symbol of the growing ties between China and South Sudan. 

A doctor from the 12th Chinese medical team examines a child at the Juba Orphanage in Juba, South Sudan, Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua)
Biden says he'll speak with Israeli leader, vowing all-out war in the Middle East must be avoided

President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base, in Dover, Del., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, to return to Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AP)  President Joe Biden said Sunday he would speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and believes that an all-out war in the Middle East must be avoided.

It has to be," Biden told reporters as he boarded Air Force One for Washington. We really have to avoid it.

The presidents statements come as Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon killed dozens of people on Sunday. He would not say when he planned to speak with Netanyahu.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah sustained a string of deadly blows to its command structure, including the killing of its overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah, as part of a wave of increasingly brazen Israeli strikes meant to undercut the group's capacity to attack its territory.

Tens of thousands of Israelis and Lebanese have been forced to evacuate near the Israel-Lebanon border as Hezbollah has launched near-daily rocket volleys at Israel over the past 11 months and Israel has countered with its own strikes.

With tens of thousands of civilians displaced on both sides, the Biden administration has tried to bring about a negotiated resolution that would allow them to return home and prevent a wider regional conflict.

Earlier Sunday, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Israel has wiped out Hezbollahs command structure with a barrage of airstrikes that has taken out Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and several of the groups leaders..

But Kirby warned Hezbollah will work to rebuild quickly.

I think people are safer without him walking around, said Kirby, referring to Fridays strike killing Nasrallah. But they will try to recover. Were watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership vacuum. Its going to be tough."

Kirby sidestepped questions about whether the administration agreed with how the Israelis are going about targeting Hezbollah leaders, who the Israelis say have built command structures and other facilities adjacent to or underneath civilian sites. The strikes, according to Lebanese officials, have also killed many innocent civilians.

The White House continues to call on Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a 21-day temporary cease-fire that was floated by the U.S., France and other countries last week as world leaders gathered for the U.N. General Assembly.

If you want to get those folks back home safely and sustainably, we believe that a diplomatic path is the right course, Kirby said.

He made the comments during an appearance on CNNs State of the Union.
A bloc of Trump voters in key swing states also backs Democratic Senate candidates. Here's why that matters.

Donald Trump hopes to push several swing-state GOP Senate candidates over the finish line.

But some of his supporters say they plan to back Democrats in those races instead.

These split-ticket voters could end up having a major impact on the country.

In recent presidential election cycles, the level of ticket-splitting  where people vote for candidates from different parties on their ballot  has plummeted.

Some 20 years ago, then-Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry lost GOP-leaning states like Arkansas and North Dakota even as the incumbent Democratic senators in those states  Blanche Lincoln and Byron Dorgan, respectively  coasted to victory.

This sort of ticket-splitting was not seen as particularly unusual.

But by 2020, things were different. Maine was the only state that year where voters backed a presidential candidate from one party (Democrat Joe Biden) and a Senate candidate from another party (Republican Susan Collins).

In November, a slew of incumbent Democratic senators are running for reelection in states where the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump remains competitive.

However, there's an interesting dynamic at play in pivotal swing states like Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania headed into November: A relatively small but significant bloc of Trump voters are also backing Democratic Senate candidates.

While many of these Trump voters have long been loyal to the former president, many of the Democrats running have more moderate political brands that are so far giving them polling advantages over their GOP counterparts.

Here's a look at how pro-Trump ticket-splitters could invariably aid a Harris presidency should she win the general election or cause trouble for a Trump agenda should he emerge as the victor.

Ahead of the pack

Even before Biden ended his reelection bid, swing-state Democrats running in the most competitive Senate races were generally leading in the polls.

While Biden struggled in his matchup against Trump, many voters earlier this year had already begun to differentiate between the presidential race and down-ballot candidates.

Trump has eagerly thrown his support behind GOP Senate candidates like Kari Lake of Arizona, Mike Rogers of Michigan, Bernie Moreno of Ohio, and David McCormick of Pennsylvania  and he's implored his supporters to vote for them.

But Democrats in these races have largely defied the conventional political norms of today.

According to the latest New York Times/Siena College survey of five competitive Senate races, an average of 7% of likely voters indicated they would back Trump while also pulling the lever for a Democratic Senate candidate.

The polled states included Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Of the five states, Ohio is the most likely to vote for Trump, as he easily won it in both 2016 and 2020. And the most recent Times/Siena poll showed Trump with a six-point advantage over Harris (50% to 44%) among likely voters in the Buckeye State.

Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin leads in the most recent Senate polls in Michigan, a highly competitive state on the presidential level. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

In that same poll, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown had a four-point edge over Moreno among likely voters (47% to 43%). Brown also won over 13% of Republicans in the poll, a level of crossover support that helps him in the red-trending state.

The Times/Siena poll also showed Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego leading Lake by six points (49% to 43%) in Arizona. In Michigan, Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin led Rogers by five points (47% to 42%). And in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Sens. Bob Casey Jr. and Tammy Baldwin led their GOP opponents by nine and seven points, respectively, among likely voters.

Why does this matter?

Should Democrats run the table in the most competitive swing-state Senate races, it'll leave them on the cusp of holding on to a majority.

For Democrats, winning both safe and swing-state races  along with Ohio  would get the party to 49 seats. Then they'd need Montana Sen. Jon Tester to win reelection to get to 50 seats. (Tester is locked in a tough reelection battle against Republican Tim Sheehy in a state that Trump is expected to win by double digits.)

Democrats are now trying to expand their Senate map by investing more money in Florida and Texas, which lean Republican on the presidential level but are poised to have close Senate races.

Holding a majority is the best-case scenario for Harris should she win the election, as she would need a Democratic-led Senate to not only move through most of her agenda but also approve the bulk of her judicial appointments.

If Harris wins in November and Democrats win exactly 50 seats, then Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz would deliver a majority by virtue of the vice-presidential tie-breaking abilities.

And Democrats would be able to thank some of Trump's voters for that.

But should Trump win the election and pro-Trump ticket-splitters help Democrats keep their majority, it would pump the brakes on a conservative agenda.

A Democratic Senate would serve as a check on Trump. If Democrats flip the House, that chamber would be another check on him. And even if Republicans keep the House in a potential Trump second term, they'd clash with a Democratic-led Senate on a range of issues.

So ticket-splitters who are backing Trump now have the potential to become one of the most important voting blocs of the 2024 election.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The ceremony was attended by Leeds MPs Hilary Benn, Richard Burgon and Fabian Hamilton [BBC]

A blue plaque has been unveiled to mark a citys anti-fascist heritage.

Leeds Civic Trust and Stand Up To Racism created the plaque to mark 88 years since the Battle of Holbeck Moor.

Far-right leader Oswald Mosley and 1,000 of his supporters visited Leeds on 27 September 1936, but were met by a crowd of 30,000 anti-fascists who disrupted the rally.

Martin Hamilton, director of Leeds Civic Trust, said the plaque was important because of what it says about the people of Leeds.

He said: When we consider blue plaques, we dont just think about what happened at the time but also the relevance to the present time.

"We see extremism of all forms in the country at the moment.

"So maybe it will give people cause to think about whats happening today.

The plaque has been placed on St Matthews Church and celebrations included blue plaque cupcakes.

The unveiling was attended by Leeds South MP Hilary Benn, Leeds North East MP Fabian Hamilton and relatives of people who were at the rally.

Sam Kirk from Stand Up To Racism said the group had been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm from fundraisers.

It crowdfunded 850 for the plaque, with more than 60 supporters.

She added it had been "amazing" to see how many people had passed stories of the events at the moor through the family.

She said: "One guy, his grandfather walked from Batley. And one woman walked from Wortley.

"There was a real range of ages too.

"There were men and women and young people. It wasnt just men in their 30s and 40s."

A crowd of 30,000 protestors disrupted the rally led by Oswald Mosely [Getty Images]

Battle of Holbeck Moor

Mosley and the British Union of Fascists marched from Calverley Street in the centre of Leeds to Holbeck Moor.

They had planned to demonstrate through the citys Leylands Jewish quarter  but Leeds City Watch Committee forbid the route due to fears it would cause antisemitic rioting.

Protests quickly became violent and, according to the Leeds Mercury newspaper, Mosley was among demonstrators who were hit by stones during the battle.

Mr Hamilton said the Civic Trust felt it was a really important moment in the citys history.

He said: It took place as Hitler started to invade other parts of Europe and without events like the Battle of Holbeck Moor, it could have potentially resulted to a similar thing happening here in the UK.

"Its about people in Leeds opposing that."

Ms Kirk said the plaque was a reminder of the dangers of extremism.

She said: "It is reminiscent of what weve seen in the UK.

"People are trying to bring the far right together... But we dont want a return to the 1930s or the 40s, the politics of hate is not what people want."

The plaque will mirror similar ones that mark the Battle of Cable Street in east London and the Battle of Stockton in Stockton-on-Tees.

Ms Kirk said: "The wording on the plaque links them all together and that is they shall not pass."

Leeds Civic Trust has been creating blue plaques for more than 30 years, but Mr Hamilton said they were rarely installed to mark events.

Theyre normally for people or buildings but its quite hard to find a suitable location for events. Its unusual to commemorate a rally, he said.

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Boat captain presumed dead after capsizing on the Columbia River

A Woodland man is presumed dead after a boat capsized on the Columbia River near Hood River, Oregon.

According to the Hood River County Sheriffs Office, Michael Shufeldt was on a commercial guide boat that capsized Thursday afternoon near the Mouth of the White Salmon River.

Six other people were aboard the capsized vessel, and deputies say they were pulled from the water. Two were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Shufeldt was nowhere to be seen.

Conditions at the time of the accident were treacherous, and preliminary evidence suggests a tragic accident, the sheriffs office said in a statement.

Search efforts included assistance from Columbia River Intertribal Fisheries officers, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Skamania County Sheriffs Office, U.S. Coast Guard, Multnomah County Sheriffs Office, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, and civilian volunteers.

Addicted Fishing has created a GoFundMe to support Shufeldts family.

He leaves behind a wife and children.

As a fishing community that thrives on connection and support, we have the opportunity to rally together and provide some financial relief for them, the fundraising site says.
Security forces speak to a resident near a house in Rosh Pina damaged by a rocket fired from Lebanon on September 26 (Menahem KAHANA) (Menahem KAHANA/AFP/AFP)

Out buying groceries in the northern town of Rosh Pina near the border, Matan Sofer had mixed feelings after Israel killed the head of Hezbollah, which fires rockets daily into Israel.

"I feel uncertain -- we don't know when this is going to end," Sofer, 24, told AFP.

Hassan Nasrallah, who headed Hezbollah for more than 30 years, was killed in a Friday air strike on Beirut's southern suburbs that Israel's military said killed more than 20 other members of the group.

"Nasrallah was responsible for the deaths of many Israelis, so it is good news," said Sofer, who also feared the outbreak of a wider regional war.

"But do we risk it getting worse, who knows?" he said.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah launched low-intensity cross-border strikes targeting Israeli troops after its Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel last October 7, sparking the Gaza war.

Down a colourful alley in Rosh Pina, one of its 3,000 residents, Batia Yelloz, rejoiced at the news that the Lebanese commander had been killed.

"May he go to hell," said the 93-year-old who has lived in the town for seven decades and whose home was hit by rocket fire on Thursday.

Pointing to smashed flower pots, Yelloz said she was lucky to survive the strike, but saddened by the damage it caused to her home and to others.

Nearby cars and houses were also hit.

The past week's waves of Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah, a powerful political, military and social force in Lebanon, have intensified fears of more violence to come.

But residents of the leafy settlement of Rosh Pina still went about their daily business on Sunday, filling shops and restaurants.

- 'Beginning of the end?' -

Eva Cohen, 57, was evacuated in early October from the border city of Kiryat Shmona some seven kilometres (four miles) from the border.

Hezbollah has targeted Kiryat Shmona for the past year, and Cohen now works at a jeweller's in Rosh Pina.

World leaders have been calling for at least a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, but Cohen believes it is too soon to end the war.

"It's not over," she said, sitting at a cafe with a friend.

"There are still many terrorists. We will return home when it is completely secure. Regardless of how long it takes, we're patient."

Her friend Simi Vaknin, 69, who is also from Kiryat Shmona, said her job pushed her to stay there despite the rocket fire, after the great majority of residents fled.

She is a municipal employee, and said she felt an obligation to help the hundreds of families who had remained in the city.

"It's a ghost town. We shop for groceries and rush to a shelter," said Vaknin. "It's terrible."

"I have faith in the army," she said. "It will know whether to continue the war or end it.

"We don't know what will happen to us -- we can only hope things will get better."

Military vehicles and reservists could be seen on a road downhill from Rosh Pinna. A few kilometres out of town, dozens of Israeli armoured vehicles manoeuvred in a field.

The Israeli army had on Wednesday called up two reservist brigades "for operational missions in the northern arena".

On Sunday afternoon, the air raid sirens wailed once more in Rosh Pinna and in cities in northern Israel.

"Is it the beginning of the end? The risk of a new escalation? I'm confused, I really don't know what tomorrow will look like," said Sofer.

mib/bfi/bk/ju/srm
NEW BOSTON, Texas (KTAL/KSHV)This October, job seekers will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from some of the leading companies in the New Boston and Texarkana area.

The New Boston Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free job fair on Oct. 15. Visitors can explore local opportunities and gain insights from industry experts on resume building, interview tips, and career development.

Shakespeare performance coming to east Texas

Applicants can bring their resumes and learn about potential job openings from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Job application forms will also be available from companies that couldnt make it that day.

The fair will take place at the New Boston Community Center located at 301 NE Front St.

For more information, contact the New Boston Chamber of Commerce at chamber@newbostontx.org or (903) 628-2581.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Both Trump and Harris say they'll build more border wall. In this county, the parts have been waiting, and rusting, since 2021.

Back in 2018, Kamala Harris and other Democrats labeled then-President Donald Trumps wall a vanity project that wasted billions of taxpayer dollars. Harris even went so far as to post online that the barrier was un-American.

Now, as a candidate for president, her border security plan includes filling in strategic sections of the wall along the nearly 2,000-mile southwest border, given her endorsement of the failed bipartisan bill that she now says is the foundation of her border policy.

Some of the materials to build that wall have been waiting, and rusting, next to the border since 2021. When President Joe Biden took office, he immediately halted border wall construction.

Mark Dannels, the sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona, which shares 83 miles of international border with Mexico, brought NBC News to remote areas of the border where construction materials were stacked near unfinished wall.

So its been sitting down here for last 3 1/2 years, and weve been frozen in time here in Cochise County when it comes to our border, said Dannels.

An unfinished wall divides the U.S.-Mexico border near the Coronado National Memorial park in Hereford, Ariz.

The number of migrants coming into the county has declined since Bidens executive action went into effect in June, as is the case along the rest of the U.S.-Mexico border. The average monthly number of inmates in county detention involved in border crimes such as smuggling has declined by 23% since June, according to sheriffs office statistics.

But the Tucson sector of the border, which includes Cochise County, remains the nations busiest for illegal crossings, and Dannels said his officers are still conducting high-speed car chases of U.S. citizens who are paid to smuggle migrants.

On Friday, Harris visited the border about an hour east of Cochise County. Even though Biden deputized her to take on the root causes of immigration in 2021, she had only visited the border once previously during her time as vice president.

The Harris campaign is quick to note that Harris approach to the border began with her law enforcement leadership in California. As attorney general of a border state, Vice President Harris prosecuted transnational criminal organizations for the trafficking of guns, drugs, and human beings, said Mia Ehrenberg, a campaign spokesperson, via email to NBC News. Americans want leaders like Kamala Harris who fix problems, not politicians who only want to campaign on them like Donald Trump.

Hundreds of cement-filled border wall slats remain unused near a part of the wall in Arizona more than three years after construction abruptly ended.

When pressed on her immigration policy, Harris pledges to revive the bipartisan border security bill that failed to pass Congress in late May after Trump urged his supporters to reject it.

Vice President Harris believes in tough, smart solutions to secure the border, keep communities safe, and reform our broken immigration system, Ehrenberg said.

The border bill would have provided 1,500 more border personnel, upgraded technology and kicked off the immediate resumption of the border wall construction that was underway in 2021, according to its text.

A border wall is something that Vice President Harris supports, but only where it makes sense, said Arizona state Rep. Consuelo Hernandez, a Harris supporter whose district includes a southeastern chunk of the Arizona border with Mexico.

Hernandez said the wall should be seen as just one part of the border security effort that Harris would pursue, not as a panacea. We need a wall and resources, she said. That means making sure that we have more ICE agents and Border Patrol. It means making sure that we have judges who can process asylum cases a lot quicker.

Trump raises immigration in every campaign speech, describing his plan for the mass deportation of more than 10 million migrants and applauding his own record on wall construction. Trump built more than 450 miles of wall, though nearly all of that total was the replacement of existing barriers with new, taller wall.

In 2023, the Biden administration sought to waive environmental laws to proceed with wall construction in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The move was met with backlash by some immigrant advocates, who said Biden was changing his position. The Biden administration said it was required to spend money already allocated for wall construction during the Trump administration. Still, no new wall construction has begun in the Rio Grande Valley or anywhere under the Biden administration.

I want to see it finished, said Border Patrol agent Art Del Cueto, who also serves as the vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, an agents union that has endorsed Trump.

Del Cueto says the wall acts as a deterrent, and prior to the wall being built in remote yet high-traffic areas like Cochise County, there were some sections where the border was only marked by a few strands of barbed wire.

Del Cuetos union supported the bipartisan border bill that is the basis for Harris border plan.

What I would say to Vice President Harris is shes been there for 3 1/2 years. She should have had some type of targeted approach, or some type of approach when they took office, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
An eight-year-old boy has died at a farm after being shot in the head, police have said.

Emergency services were called Saturday afternoon to a property in the Warcop area, in Cumbria, following a report that a child had been seriously injured by a firearm.

Police and paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service attended.

A police spokesman said a firearm was secured at the scene and an eight-year-old boy was taken to hospital by air ambulance having suffered serious and life-threatening injuries to his head and face.

On Sunday morning, police announced that the child had died overnight.

The spokesman added: Officers arrested a man in his 60s at the scene on suspicion of assault GBH.

He remains in police custody but is now under arrest on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

Police said on Sunday night that the arrested man had been bailed while inquiries continue.

Locals described seeing officers and paramedics purposefully marching across the small field, just off the A66, not long after the shooting.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: When I first came across it, it was about 3pm when I was heading out towards Penrith. I saw the medical emergency helicopter in the small field. Theres a level field and then a field rising quite steeply up to where the solitary police car was.

It must have just been called in. I think everything was happening at that time. Police had arrived en masse and medics were marching up the field with a purpose.

A farmer who owns the land where the eight-year-old boy was shot dead said that he is deeply upset.

The youth was fatally wounded on a hillside near Wheatsheaf Farm, beside the busy A66, near Warcop, Cumbria.

The fields are grazed by sheep and the area is not used for game bird shoots. A Ministry of Defence firing range lies adjacent to where the schoolboy was injured.

It is understood that the MoD have looked into the incident and it is not believed to be connected to the firing range or involved any military personnel.

The farmer, who did not wish to be named, said: I had to witness what happened. Its deeply upsetting.

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According to National Coffee Associations 2024 data, coffee is the favored beverage across the US., with water edging it out by only 2% in consumption over a day. With National Coffee Day this Sunday, it's time to celebrate the drink's popularity.



Four-hundred-and-thirteen million cups are consumed by Americans every day, and coffee related products bring in about $110 billion a year from consumers in the United States, according to the NCA's 2023 U.S. Coffee Impact report. The same report said the economic impact increased 52.4% since 2015.



This National Coffee Day there are a variety of ways to enjoy the buzzy beverage, highlighted by different flavors and combinations.

Bruvi and LEMILL

LAMILL and Bruvi (known for ecologically conscious "guilt-free Toss B-pods" and premium coffee subscriptions) are hosting a give-away at LAMILLs Silver Lake location with 25 brewers to be gifted to lucky attendees at the event. There'll also be discount vouchers to those who dont win and coffee samples.

Bones Coffee Company

For those who thrive on the Halloween spirit and fall energy, the Bones Coffee Company just debuted flavors like the Jacked-O-Lantern, a pumpkin spiced brew, and Frankenbones, a chocolate hazelnut flavor. On Sept. 28, fans of cold brews can pick up cans of Jacked-O-Lantern cold brewed latte exclusively at Wal-mart. The family operated company ships all over the world and coffee drinkers can look forward to a fall sample pack with flavors includig Sweet Tater Swirl (a cinnamon sweet potato blend). Bones also has a coffee set inspired by Disneys Tim Burtons The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Verve Coffee Roasters

Starting on Sept. 28, buying a 12 ounce bag of Aster Whole Bean coffee in-store will get customers a free cup of Ethiopian coffee from Verve Coffee. The sweet key lime and brown sugar of the Ethiopian coffee flavor is a great way to spend National Coffee Day. In-store locations can be found here.

Lilian Sears at the Coffee Corner. The Original Farmers Market

Balam the Jaguar Coffee Roasters and Coffee Corner, located in Los Angeles Original Farmers Market both infuse their locations with Hispanic and world-reaching coffee flavors.



Balam the Jaguar, run by a husband and wife team, Gustavo Valdez and Ning Hou, blend organic coffee for a signature robust flavor that uses beans from Chiapas, Mexico. The pair's mission is to create ethical and sustainable supply chains to help small businesses.



Coffee Corner has a selection of coffee, tea and other food items work checking out. Lilian Sears grew up in El Salvador picking coffee before making the trek to the United States and working at Coffee Corner's counter. She bought the place 10 years later in 1994.



Gustavo Valdez and Ning Hou' The Original Farmers Market

La La Land Kind Cafe and TikTok star Logan are holding a meet and greet Sept. 29. Join the cucumber salad fans and coffee enthusiasts for a chance to try La La Land Kind Cafes Logan Salted Maple Latte. Attendees will get a chance to meet TikTok star Logan. Starting first as a foundation and now having more than a dozen physical locations across Dallas and Houston, Texas to Los Angeles, Ca, La La Land Kind Cafe is focused on helping promote kindness and service. The event will take place at La La Land Cafe on Third St. in Los Angeles.

La La Land Kind Cafe

Los Angeles magazine featured espresso martinis in our Best of L.A. 2024 issue for good reason. It's as trendy as ever. Coffee connoisseurs of legal drinking age should check out Don Franciscos Espresso Martini how-to video, which mixes espresso, dark chocolate and vodka. See recipe below.

Don Francisco's Coffee

WHAT YOU NEED:



9 ounces vodka 1.5 ounces Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur 1.5 ounces Kahlua Coffee Liqueur 1 ounce simple syrup 1 ounce half and half  cup strong brewed Don Franciscos Organico Espresso Optional garnish:  ounce dark chocolate, finely grated 6 whole coffee beans



HOW TO MAKE:



For the rim: Use a microplane grater or zester to grate dark chocolate onto a small saucer. Fill another saucer with simple syrup. Turn a martini or coupe glass upside down into the simple syrup, covering the rim. Next, transfer the glass to the chocolate shavings and dip as necessary to cover the syrup (and rim) with chocolate. For the cocktail: Combine all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into prepared glasses. Garnish with coffee beans and remaining chocolate, if desired. Recipe intended solely for adults 21 and older.
Colonel Ivan Vinnik, Commander of the 72nd Separate Mechanised Brigade named after the Black Cossacks, thanked his soldiers after his transfer.

Source: 72nd Brigade, Operational Command Pivnich (North)

Quote from Vinnik: "Esteemed officers, sergeants, soldiers!

From the summer of 2022 to today, I have had a long and uneasy journey. But it was not difficult because I did not overcome it alone. I had a loyal and motivated team by my side.

I thank each and every one of you for your patience, willpower and strength. Thank you for listening, hearing, talking and offering suggestions. Thank you for our joint struggle. Thank you for being by my side. I really appreciate it!

I am honoured to be a part of the Black Cossacks, and the bond that has been formed between us will remain forever.

Learn. Fight. Do not give up and walk confidently towards our Victory."

Details: The situation in Vuhledar is currently critical.

Last week, Operational Command Pivnich (North) wrote that Vinnik had been appointed to a higher position "for the purpose of promotion and to transfer combat experience".

Vuhledar on the map as of 29 September. The territories in red are occupied by Russia.

Screenshot: deepState Map

They noted that Vinnik is an example of a true and honest combat officer, an experienced and humane commander.

Quote from the Operational Command: "Under his leadership, the brigades path was full of difficulties, but it has held the defence lines it has been assigned with dignity.

First, there was Bakhmut, then Vuhledar, where in January-February 2023, the brigade was able to repel one of the largest offensives during the Russian-Ukrainian war."

Background: Ruslan Mykula, co-founder of the DeepState analytical project, suggests that the fall of the city of Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast  where Ukrainian forces have been resisting the Russian offensive for over two years  is imminent, possibly within weeks or days.

Support UP or become our patron!
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Sunday began to provide free bus service to transport people to their hometowns for the Pchum Ben festival, or the Ancestor's Day, which will be celebrated from Oct. 1 to 3.

Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Khuong Sreng said that on the advice of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, a total of 653 buses have been arranged to give free rides to anyone traveling from the capital Phnom Penh to their hometowns and vice versa, starting from Sept. 29 to Oct. 4.

"The free bus services aim to facilitate people's travel to their hometowns and to prevent private bus companies and taxi drivers from increasing fees during the holiday," he said during a visit to a bus station on Sunday.

Sreng said the free rides would help reduce travel costs for the public, especially migrant workers, during the festival.

Pchum Ben festival is the second biggest celebration for Cambodian people after the Khmer Lunar New Year.

During the holiday, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers leave the capital for their hometowns in various provinces across the Southeast Asian country. 
Ten years ago, Julie was climbing Snowdon. Today, she can hardly walk without succumbing to excruciating pain or losing her balance.

The 46-year-old former bank teller first noticed something was wrong in 2018. She was constantly exhausted and would often get pins and needles.

I thought Id trapped a nerve or slept funny. Then I started to get really bad vertigo. Thats when I went to the GP and said this isnt right. It took about a year to get diagnosed, she says.

Julie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Her visit to the GP was the start of a long journey with many attempts to stay in work that ultimately failed.

Im in my mid-40s. I was expecting to work up until I was 60, maybe longer than that. If I was fit and healthy, I would be working full-time, I would be earning money, paying into my pension, and I would have been alright. But obviously that hasnt happened, she says.

Julie is one of the 2.8m Britons who are not working because of long-term sickness.

Roughly 700,000 more people have joined her on that list since lockdown, the equivalent of 400 people giving up on working life every day.

More worrying still is that almost all of the overall increase in worklessness since the pandemic, whether related to health or other factors, has been driven by British-born adults.

There are 833,000 more inactive British-born people of working age compared with 2020.

By comparison, the increase among EU-born workers is 57,000, while inactivity among those born outside the EU has risen by 219,000.

In total, there are 7.6m British-born people like Julie who are classed as economically inactive. Strip out those who are currently in college or university, and that still leaves 5m who are not working.

The rise also means the state is spending ever more money on them, with the bill to support people with disabilities or health conditions alone set to surge from 51bn before the pandemic to almost 80bn in real terms by the end of the decade.

Labour says it recognises the cost to the economy.

Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, told an audience at the Labour Party Conference that the cost of supporting these people, including the lost income from taxation, was broadly 15bn a year. That is huge.

The prize of turning that around is immense  enough to cut a penny off income tax and abolish the two-child benefit cap.

But getting people on benefits, especially those suffering ill health, back to work is notoriously difficult.

For a man who has previously been criticised for having a soft touch approach to benefits, can Sir Keir Starmer cure Britains sickness problem where others have failed?

Fixing the NHS wont help me

Sir Keir has said people like Julie who receive sickness benefits should be required to look for work, vowing to do everything we can to tackle worklessness.

He warned businesses last week that he will not tolerate a long-term failure to train workers in the UK, as part of his strategy to bring down migration.

He is backed by Lord Blunkett, the former home and education secretary, who believes a degree of tough love is needed to get people back to work.

This has to be led by a drive to get people back into the office, which he believes will particularly benefit young people, who missed out on so much interaction during lockdown.

The septuagenarian, who recently suffered a heart attack, is ready to lead by example.

I think that this is one of the biggest challenges of the new Government, which is why I want [employers and employees] to exude optimism and hope rather than what I call miserableness because we need to re-energise the nation, says Lord Blunkett.

Weve got to avoid being a tired country. And if I can feel re-energised after a heart attack, I really hope that we can engender that sense of momentum, drive and enthusiasm.

Lord Blunkett wants people to get back to the office to re-energise the nation - Lorne Campbell / Guzelian

But Julie  who had been working continuously before being diagnosed with MS  says the Prime Minister is underestimating the task.

She receives 184.30 per week in personal independence payments (PIP) for mobility and daily living expenses to help her cope with MS, and another 138.20 per week in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)  a legacy benefit that used to be known as incapacity benefit.

She also receives some money from a work insurance scheme she had paid into when employed.

Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, pledged at the Labour conference to bring in the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation, signalling that this would be led by carrots instead of sticks.

Job centres focusing on monitoring benefits will be replaced by a new jobs and careers service to help people get work and get on at work, she said. Kendall added the Government would launch new plans to join up support for work, health and skills so we tackle the root causes of worklessness.

The Government this week announced people in areas with high levels of long-term sickness would get priority on NHS waiting lists.

But history suggests that even those who are actively seeking work have little hope of getting back in.

Analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) last year showed that only 650,000 of the 7.6m cases on an NHS waiting list were also economically inactive for health reasons.

The watchdog said this suggested that even halving waiting lists would only reduce working-age inactivity by around 25,000 in 2027-28.

Julie says that faster NHS treatment will do little to help people like her. Im not on any waiting lists. None of this sorting out the NHS and waiting lists would help me. There isnt a lot that can help me really. It would be the same whether Im in a workplace or if Im working from home.

Another Labour priority is getting young people back into work. Kendall warned last week that failure to get young people into work could result in a lifelong cost for them and for the taxpayer.

More than a third of working age unemployed people have been looking for work for more than six months. The prospects are even bleaker for people who have stopped looking.

Anita Charlesworth, a director at the Health Foundation and a former Treasury official, says early intervention is key.

Acting early is really important. A lot of experts say that once someones been on sick leave for more than six weeks, the chances of getting back into work are very much reduced.

Previous research has shown that only between 1pc and 2pc of people claiming benefits like Julies stop claiming benefits each month.

Work needs to pay

Charlesworth says the stakes are higher for young people. Back in the 1990s youth unemployment was the problem, she says.

Now we have an emerging problem of youth economic inactivity, and thats something we should be deeply worried about, because we know from the past that if youre not in work during that crucial period when you finish education, that has a long term effect on your pathway through adulthood, and that will come back to be a drag on economic growth for decades.

Charlesworth, who recently joined the Governments labour market advisory board addressing ill health in the workforce, says the situation among young people is critical.

Weve got more students and people learning new skills, which is obviously a good thing, she adds. But weve also got a rising issue of people finishing their education and not going into work.

The statistics are stark. Analysis by Boston Consulting Group this month showed that students are one of the biggest groups signing themselves off after graduation, many for mental health conditions.

In 2021-22, more than 60,000 people aged between 16 and 24 went straight from being economically inactive because they were studying to being inactive through ill health. On a net basis  accounting for people flowing the other way  students pushed up inactivity numbers by 42,300.

Official statistics also show there are currently 872,000 young people who are neither in work, education nor training, with men driving the increase.

Alison McGovern, the employment minister, told a Labour fringe event that it was unacceptable that one in eight young Britons were not doing anything, with many left disillusioned by politician bull.

Charlesworth says: All the evidence is that we need to make sure that young people coming out of education get work quickly.

The consequences are clear. There are now 2.7m people on Universal Credit alone who are not required to look for work. More than half of these people have been claiming these benefits for more than three years. Almost 700,000 have been parked on benefits without work requirements for more than five years.

Workless Britons are piling more pressure on the public finances.

Recent OBR analysis shows that a typical UK-born person costs taxpayers 400,000 each by the time they reach adulthood as the cost of free prescriptions, education, the NHS and dental care adds up.

For those on the average wage throughout their lives, it is not until they reach 47 that they have paid more into the system than they have taken out, with the average person paying 270,000 more in taxes than they have taken from the state by the time they reach state pension age. A life on benefits means millions of Britons may never contribute to society.

There is a handsome fiscal reward for getting these people back to work. The OBRs analysis also found that every person who gets a job after a spell of economic inactivity saves the state up to 15,300 in benefit payments.

Charlesworth is clear what the incentives need to be: Work needs to pay. If youre better off out of work and youre on a lower income, however much you want to work, youre not going to work.

Labour is edging towards a modern version of the New Deal of the 1990s to try to tackle youth worklessness.

Funded by a 5bn windfall tax on privatised utilities, The British New Deal for Young People began in January 1998.

The government-subsidised scheme offered youngsters who had been unemployed for six months or more extra help looking for work or an opportunity to take part in training schemes without losing benefits.

While expensive, the programme was deemed a success, even though it was rolled out against a favourable economic backdrop.

Kendall actually worked on the programme as an adviser to Harriett Harman when she became work and pensions secretary.

Liz Kendall has warned of lifelong costs for the taxpayer if youth worklessness is not addressed - Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images

Lord Blunkett, who was also in government at the time, remembers the hostility among some ministers at the conditionality of the scheme, which did not give young people the option to turn down a training opportunity.

I attended meetings where people were silent or where in some cases cabinet ministers booed. But we did make progress.

There will always be resistance to the idea there has to be something for something. But the alternative is that we write people off, and that then has an intergenerational impact.

Lord Blunkett, who now leads the programme UK Year of Service, which places 18 to 24-year-olds in paid jobs, says there has to be more emphasis on letting young people try jobs without losing their benefits immediately.

He adds: If the job doesnt work out, weve got to supply that kind of security and confidence. But in the end, the world doesnt owe any of us a living.

Risks for employers

Paul De Savary is the managing director of Home From Home Care, which runs 11 specialist care homes in Lincolnshire for adults with learning difficulties and highly complex needs.

It is an industry that has become notorious for labour shortages, and it is bosses like him that Sir Keir wants to help.

But over the years De Savary has heard many prime ministers suggest the sector should take on more staff who are currently on sickness benefits.

That in itself is more complicated than politicians often let on, he warns.

Its a very skilled job although nobody recognises that. There is a requirement for punctuality and reliability generally because people rely on you. You cant not just turn up, he says.

This means that accommodating a worker struggling with their own physical or mental health who may experience sudden flare-ups can be difficult.

This is the type of issue where youre asking somebody who needs quite a lot of support themselves to provide support to people who need a great deal of it, says De Savary.

There is a basic level of expectation and if you cant meet that, however complex your needs are and however justified they might be, it just doesnt work in care where youre responsible for somebody elses life.

Many applicants he sees have challenges around their physical or mental health.

Especially when you have a tight labour market, the people who have not found the sexy jobs, as they look at it, end up coming through our door, he says.

However, some people he has taken a chance on have been fantastic, he says. The crucial thing is that people are able to put the patients needs first.

You really do get that lived experience of I know what its like to feel depressed, anxious, whatever it might be. It creates a unique awareness and empathy, he says.

Sir Keirs Government has pledged the biggest shake-up of workers rights in a generation within 100 days in power.

While it is yet to set out the details, pledges include boosting sick pay, banning zero-hour contracts and giving unions more power.

A centre-piece of the New Deal for Working People is handing workers day-one rights.

Employees currently need to work somewhere for two years before they can sue their employer for unfair dismissal, but this period will likely be scrapped.

Both the Chancellor and the Business Secretary insist employers can still use probation periods and lay off workers if it doesnt work out, but experts warn it is uncertain how this would work in practice.

Hiring someone with health challenges comes with an inherent risk, De Savary says.

He fears that the Governments plans to strengthen employment rights while also trying to get long-term sick people back into work will backfire, making employers more risk-averse.

You are already taking a 3,000 to 4,000 chance on a person in the first two weeks  to pay for them to turn up, their training and the recruitment process, De Savary says.

If theyre going to have employment rights from day one or pretty much thereafter, youre not going to take the risk in the same way. You cant afford to, he says.

Charlesworth agrees that policymakers need to be mindful of de-risking that transition to work, for both individuals and employers.

She adds: Obviously big employers have a lot of the HR expertise and access to things that enable them to do that. But how do you help small and medium sized employers feel that actually they can have a go with somebody and it wont blow up in their face?

But also for individuals, often it takes a long time to get your package of benefits in place, and you are very frightened about putting all of that at risk.

Underpinning all of this is a desire to save money. The DWP tends to just want lots of shiny new employment programmes, says one former Tory official.

A big win for us was persuading the OBR that we would score employment impacts from our policies, because that means they can to an extent pay for themselves.

The Treasury also likes policies that focus on conditions that deliver tangible savings from the benefits bill.

This is because at the heart of everything is a scorecard that determines how much policies cost or save at each fiscal event.

Cutting the benefits bill

Questions remain over whether Labour will scrap reforms introduced by the Tories related to the so-called work capability assessment that determines peoples benefits and whether they need to engage with the job centre.

A Labour source said nothing has been decided, although scrapping the reforms means the Government will have to plug a 3bn hole in the public finances.

The Treasury loves benefits overhauls, because it delivers direct savings that the OBR can score, whereas stuff that is a bit fluffier about changing the structure of job centres and the stuff that Labour is talking about is a lot harder to quantify [than] a benefit that is meaningful, because ultimately the Treasury just cares about money.

Other Tories are sceptical that Labour will even want to have a conversation about reducing benefits.

Theres never going to be an easy way to say to someone who for maybe a decade or more has never had to even have a conversation with the job centre, says another Tory official. Its never going to go down well. So theyre going to have to be willing to have a fight, basically.

Lord Blunkett says reform of the system is critical for the economy.

He also disagrees with Jonathan Reynolds that working from home is a universal benefit. Instead he urges more companies to get employees back to the office.

Socialisation and teamwork and the motivation that goes with it feed off each other, adds Lord Blunkett. Certainly I tried to get back into the rhythm of what I was doing as quickly as possible after the first Covid lockdown, simply because I felt that I was losing that energy and that drive.

Lord Blunkett believes working from home should be reserved for people with the most severe disabilities.

As for what Johnny [Reynolds] was saying, that applies to people who mustnt be written off because theyve got a severe disability or a long term sickness problem.

For the rest of us  and I count myself in this  we do need encouragement to be able to get out and to re-engage, because talking to people on Zoom or Teams is not the same thing as being in the same room, sharing ideas and innovation, thats what we need to do.

Its about creating a work ethic and getting up in the morning and holding a job down.

Some in Tory circles are thinking about how to get tougher on benefits.

Former chancellor George Osborne arguably took the toughest approach possible by freezing working age benefits in cash terms for four years, saving 4bn, as well as introducing the two-child limit that many in Labour would like to abolish.

The rising child disability benefits bill is one option. I tried to suggest that but it was blocked, says one Tory source. The bill is on course to rise to 5.8bn by the end of the decade

Meanwhile, Julie has a message for the Prime Minister: They need to look into this a lot more deeply and actually speak to people like me.

The news about looming cuts to disability benefits has made her feel anxious about not being able to afford her bills and mortgage.

I find it hard self-confidence-wise because I dont feel Im contributing. I have contributed obviously, Ive worked all my life up until that point.

So I keep remembering that. But saying what theyre saying, it makes you feel bad about yourself. It doesnt do much for the old confidence, unfortunately, she says.

But it is what it is. I just get on with it. Try to concentrate on what I can do. Because otherwise you just tie yourself up in knots and it makes you depressed.

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(FOX40.COM)  Two people were struck by gunfire after a shooting in Elk Grove Friday night, according to the Elk Grove Police Department.

Around 10 p.m., EPD received several reports of a shooting at the SES Hall, and a report of a person suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers said they arrived on the scene and found an individual with a gunshot injury, who was transported to a local hospital.

Shortly after, EPD said a second person connected to the incident arrived at a different local hospital with a gunshot wound. Both individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The circumstances leading to the shooting are under 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 FOX40.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) On the 800 block of Ohio in downtown Wichita Falls, steak and music took center stage.

The Burn Shop Block Party hosted several music groups and a big crowd in the heart of downtown. The Burn Shop staff served up steaks all night while several bands took the stage. Proceeds from the night went toward the Wichita Falls Professional Firefighters Association and the Police Officers Association.

Arc of Wichita Falls Buddy Walk takes over Memorial Stadium

Burn Shop owner Keith Wineinger made it known that those two organizations, were the biggest reason behind the block party.

Each one of those organizations has got a cook team over there. Theyre all cooking, Wineinger said. Weve got firefighters and police officers on our committee, so theyre helping us out, making sure that, you know, were doing things as correct as possible. And were just trying to maximize the amount of money that were able to give back to each organization.

The evening concert series wasnt the only big part of the block party either. The party really got started early in the day with the steak cookoff, officiated by the SCA, the official Steak Cookoff Association.

Several steak aficionados lit up their grills to submit a ribeye steak cooked medium to the judges.

How fitting that a day that started out centered on steak ended with steak as a key centerpiece of one big party.

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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 Texomashomepage.com.
California mafia member on death row fatally beaten by other inmates in prison

California mafia member on death row fatally beaten by other inmates in prison

A death row inmate was beaten to death by three other inmates at a prison in Southern California, according to officials.

Alberto Martinez was killed in the Calipatria State Prison in Imperial County on Thursday, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a news release. His death is being investigated as a homicide.

Another inmate, Tyler A. Lua, was observed by prison staff striking Martinez and knocking him to the ground before he continued to hit him. Lue eventually stepped away from Martinez, but two other inmates  Jorge D. Negrete-Larios and Luis J. Beltran  began striking Martinez as he laid motionless on the ground.

Staff then stopped the beating using pepper spray and a baton strike. Two incarcerated-manufactured weapons were found at the scene.

California Man Accused Of Throwing Bomb In Courthouse Said Government Took His Firearms Away: Doj

Martinez sustained injuries consistent with an incarcerated-manufactured weapon. No staff or other inmates were injured.

Read On The Fox News App

Emergency responders were called to the scene and medical staff performed life-saving measures on Martinez. He was transported to the prison's treatment area and was pronounced dead at 2:20 p.m.

Movement has been limited in the yard where the alleged attack happened.

Lua, Negrete-Larios and Beltran were moved to restricted housing pending an investigation into the incident.

Martinez, 46, was most recently received from Orange County on Aug. 17, 2010, and placed on condemned status for first-degree murder. He was also sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for attempted first-degree murder with an enhancement for street gang activity and two years for street gang activity, a sentence that was to be served concurrently with the condemned sentence.

California Owner Of Squatter-infested Hollywood Hills Mansion Apologizes, Offer To Repay Taxpayer Funds

He acted as the getaway driver in a botched plot to kidnap and murder a businessman, according to the Orange County Register. The plot was reportedly orchestrated by the businessman's sister.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Martinez was a powerful member of a Mexican mafia who orchestrated murders while on death row and communicated with a woman from Mexico using a cellphone he was prohibited from having.

Lua, 25, was received from San Bernardino County on Jan. 31, 2019, and sentenced to 19 years in prison for attempted second-degree murder with an enhancement for use of a firearm. During his incarceration, he was sentenced to two additional years for having a controlled substance in prison.

Negrete-Larios, 33, was received from Riverside County on July 5, 2016, and sentenced to 32 years and four months in prison for attempted second-degree murder with enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury, discharge of a firearm and street gang activity in commission of a violent felony.

Beltran, 31, was received from Los Angeles County on April 6, 2023, and sentenced to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder with enhancements for intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury or death and possession of a firearm as a felon.

There are a total of 623 inmates with condemned sentences in California prisons, according to the state's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

In 2019, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed an executive order that instituted a moratorium on the death penalty in the Golden State. The order also called for the repeal of the state's lethal injection protocol and the immediate closing of the state's execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison.

The last execution in California was carried out in 2006.





Original article source: California mafia member on death row fatally beaten by other inmates in prison
A 17-year-old California gang member charged as a juvenile for a double murder carried out five years ago is now charged in connection with another murder.

Shanice Dyer, a member of the East Coast Crips, was convicted of murdering Alfredo Carrera and his friend, Jose Flores Velazquez in Los Angeles because they were standing in the gang's territory, Fox 11 reported.

Dyer was charged with premeditated murder by then-Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey and was set to be tried as an adult. But when George Gascon  who has taken heat and faced legal battles for lenient policies  took over as district attorney, he had Dyer charged as a juvenile.

She was in custody for less than four years before being released despite her conviction for two murders.

California Mafia Member On Death Row Fatally Beaten By Other Inmates In Prison

Now, Dyer is accused of aiding and abetting in the murder of 21-year-old Joshua Streeter.

Read On The Fox News App

"Our heart breaks for the victim and his family. This is an unimaginable tragedy. However, it is very unlikely that Ms. Dyer would have been transferred under any administration," a spokesperson for Gascon's office told Fox 11. "Under the law, there are five factors that a juvenile court would have considered and weighed in determining if Ms. Dyer were amenable to remain in the juvenile system."

"Of those five factors, only one factor, the circumstances and gravity of the offense, weighed in favor of transfer to adult court," the spokesperson said. All the other factors weighed in favor of Ms. Dyer remaining in the juvenile system. Given this, it is highly unlikely that Ms. Dyer would have been transferred to the adult system even if the court had held a transfer hearing.

When George Gascon took over as district attorney, he had Dyer charged as a juvenile.

The other four factors, according to the spokesperson, are that Dyer was under the influence of adult men and acted at their direction, which indicates that she did not exhibit a high degree of criminal sophistication; that she lacked any serious criminal history at the time; the amount of time and opportunity that remained at that time to rehabilitate her in the juvenile system and the absence of any previous opportunities to rehabilitate her in the juvenile system.

Gascon, who enjoyed support from liberal billionaire George Soros when he ran for office in 2020, has faced a number of his own legal battles since taking office.

In 2021, a judge blocked Gason's policy aiming to block prosecutors from seeking longer sentences for repeat offenders under the state's Three Strikes Law, which states that defendants convicted of any new felony after being convicted of previous felonies be sentenced "for twice the term otherwise provided for the crime," or a minimum 25 years if they have two or more prior "strikes," according to the county. In 2022, he was sued by a number of his own prosecutors who accused him of pushing lenient sentencing guidelines that allegedly violated the law.

The district attorney's Juvenile Alternative Charging Evaluation Committee (JACE) was formed in March 2022. Since then, 23 transfer requests have been approved for transfer motions to adult court by JACE, according to Fox 11.

California Man Accused Of Throwing Bomb In Courthouse Said Government Took His Firearms Away: Doj

Dyer was in custody for less than four years before being released despite her conviction for two murders.

The approved cases include five transfer motions that have gone to hearings before the juvenile court, four that were denied by the court, one that was granted by the court and one that is still in progress.

Fox News' Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.





Original article source: California teen, 17, previously tried as a minor for double murder charged in another killing after release
Calmes: Sometimes real life has to intrude on the news. In this election year, what's crucial will catch up to you

Even if everyday life gets in the way of following politics, you've probably heard something about North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's reported porn site comments. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press)

Its my job to be a news junkie and follow politics and policy from Washington. But its my avocation as well, covering the art of power, as Nancy Pelosi titled her recent book, and the drama of American democracy. Sometimes the politicians rise to the occasion, many times not, Donald Trump never. In any case, theres plenty to write about.

This past week, however, life intruded in ways welcome and otherwise, and the world of politics had to take a back seat  even though the country is careening in just five weeks toward the most consequential presidential election in memory. Yet the silver lining is this: Experiencing life without obsessing about politics and government, I saw the latest developments more like a lot of other Americans  perfunctorily or not at all.

Its good to be reminded that others arent so steeped in the stuff, that Americans news consumption is often cursory and they go with their gut as often as their head in forming opinions and making choices at the polls. And in the end we each get just one ballot  Trumps and MAGA Republicans conspiracist claims notwithstanding.

For me, the first distraction was a most welcome one: My younger daughter got married. The long weekend was perfect. Abandoning myself to family and to mother-of-the-bride bliss, I had no time or inclination to read or watch the news, other than a glance at my smart watch when it jangled about some bulletin, easily ignored.

Life being cruel as well as kind, the second distraction was sorrowful: Just as I was packing for the wedding in Chicago, longtime friend and former Wall Street Journal colleague Neil King Jr. succumbed to cancer. That man knew how to live  in remission, Neil had hiked from Washington to New York City, and then wrote an engrossing memoir of his American Ramble. And in the end he modeled how to die as well. Weeks earlier, amid last-chance treatments, he was trying to organize an outing to a Washington Nationals game for a few of us.

The morning after returning from Chicago, I was at Neils funeral Mass on Capitol Hill, with my joy hangover. Then the joint eulogy by Neils two daughters turned my previous days happy tears to the other kind. Afterward, among journalist friends and politicos, none of us talked about Trump, Kamala Harris, Congress budget votes or new polls.

All told, I spent nearly a week riding a personal roller coaster, ignoring newspapers, websites and cable TV. What did I miss? Variations on familiar themes. And in some ways, not being glued to the news makes whats significant stand out.

There was the CNN bombshell that threatens the Republican Partys ticket, including Trump, in must-win North Carolina. The already beleaguered candidate for governor there, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, reportedly has a history of bigoted and prurient posts on social media, once calling himself a black NAZI and a perv on a porn site, and endorsing slavery. (I would certainly buy a few, he quipped obscenely.) Robinson denied the allegations, but Trump ghosted him anyway, even as the Harris campaign, in video ads, reminded voters that the former president had not only endorsed Robinson, but praised him as Martin Luther King on steroids.

As I was attending the wedding rehearsal, Ohios MAGA Senate candidate, Bernie Moreno, uttered what could well be the gaffe of the election season (which is saying something), perhaps ensuring Democratic Sen. Sherrod Browns well-deserved reelection. Moreno, at a town hall, expressed bewilderment that suburban women are so upset about losing abortion rights, especially women past 50. Im thinking to myself, I dont think thats an issue for you,' he quipped. Ha, ha. Its a selfish, ignorant man who doesnt get that were concerned for the rights of our daughters, nieces, younger acquaintances and millions more women well never meet.

Meanwhile, Trump and running mate Sen. JD Vance of Ohio continued to perpetuate their racist lies about pet-eating Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, which in turn perpetuates right-wing hate and threats aimed at Vances constituents. Id naively thought theyd drop the hateful nativist schtick. That they wont is a lesson, as if voters needed one: There is no bottom to their vitriol.

Abroad, Israels Benjamin Netanyahu began what now seems to be the long-feared expansion of war in the Mideast, further elevating the issue of U.S. support for Israel in the presidential race. That could bode ill for Democrats in battleground Michigan, with its sizable Arab American population.

Oh, and new election polls came out, still showing a too-close-to-call race between Trump and Harris. Nothing new there.

See, Ive caught up. Im back to mainlining news and politics all day, every day. At the same time, Im more aware that most other people are not so addicted; theyre focused as they should be on their livelihoods and families, and the triumphs, tragedies and tedium of the circle of life. And thats a good thing for a political journalist to appreciate.

@jackiekcalmes

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Commentary on politics and more from award-winning opinion columnist.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CalSTRS must divest from fossil fuels for the future

Sacramento students strike to demand CalSTRS divest from the fossil fuel industry (sacbee.com, Sept. 20)

As a retired teacher and California State Teachers Retirement System member, I urge the CalSTRS Board to respond to the concerns of our young people and divest from companies in the fossil fuels industry.

Being invested in fossil fuels is costing the system and beneficiaries like me a lot of money. No, divestment wont solve the climate emergency. But it would show young people that we care about their future, and would begin the inevitable process of disentangling our financial systems from the disastrous fossil fuel economy.

I hope CalSTRS will do right by both older, younger and future generations, and lead the way to a sustainable future.

Trina Lee

Elk Grove

CalSTRS goal is making money, not saving world

Sacramento students strike to demand CalSTRS divest from the fossil fuel industry (sacbee.com, Sept. 20)

The young people protesting CalSTRS investment in fossil fuels might not understand that the primary responsibility of that retirement system is to maximize returns for their members retirement pensions.

They are a traditional defined benefit plan, not a Socially Responsible Investment system. They do not follow negative screening policies that could entail excluding companies involved in weapons, defense, tobacco or fossil fuel extraction and production.

The recent outperformance of energy stocks would have reduced CalSTRS return on investment had they excluded fossil fuel producers or the entire energy sector. Again, CalSTRS responsibility is to maximize returns for their members pensions  not to make a political statement.

John Hightower

Orangevale

U.S. military spending must be checked

Defense spending bills see another surge in unrequested items (sacbee.com, Sept. 12)

One category of unrequested military spending (i.e., unrequested by the President) that is mentioned in the article is the Unfunded Priorities List, which for fiscal 2025 totals around $30 billion.

We each should ask senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler to support bipartisan legislation that would end this list. Even Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed he would support ending the requirement.

Ask our senators to support federal funding to address more pressing needs.

Stuart Pettygrove

West Sacramento

Congress should vote to repeal mandate

Defense spending bills see another surge in unrequested items (sacbee.com, Sept. 12)

The Ill-scratch-your-back-you-scratch-mine dealmaking between members of Congress and defense industry lobbyists is impossibly tangled, unmonitored and a lucrative resource for their campaign coffers.

But do we need $38 billion more than either the president or the Pentagon have proposed to feel safe?

Im grateful that Representative Doris Matsui brings technology and infrastructure dollars back to Sacramento. I hope shell pay attention to all the money leaking away in other directions that are not beneficial to Sacramento.

Cynthia FowlerSacramento

Morse is the right candidate to take on Kiley

Kevin Kiley vs. Jessica Morse for Congress: Why analysts are watching this California race (Sept. 20, sacbee.com)

Empathic, forward-thinking, experienced and competent  Jessica Morses qualities are needed to replace Kevin Kileys small-minded, angry partisanship. We are tired of the stale anger about fabricated fictional grievances. We need positive problem-solving for our future.

Jessica used her experience working with CalFire to develop an effective, bipartisan program to reduce the damage from wildfires.

Now, we need a congresswoman who will protect our environment and protect womens right to healthcare nationally.

Bruce Joffe

Piedmont

UC Regents suppress students right to protest

Protest and get arrested? What the new rules at Sacramento State and California campuses mean (sacbee.com, Aug. 27)

UC Regents have supported 12 months of genocide in Gaza and now Lebanon. The press covers protest restrictions and not what protestors are saying, as Israel attempts to distract from the Gaza genocide by starting a war with Lebanon. The real issues are that U.S. arms shipments grow and U.S. concern is a farce.

If too many withhold their vote in disgust and former president Donald Trump wins, Im sure protestors will be blamed, and not the elected officials and UC college regents suppression that makes illegal, indiscriminate mass killing possible.

Scott Steward

Davis
What to do about campaign robotexts, calls

AUSTIN (KXAN)  With the Nov. 5 election a little more than a month away, chances are your phone has received a few political texts, asking you to donate or to vote. Turns out, there are some strict rules groups must follow to text you, but there are also some loopholes.

If youre on Facebook or any of the social media that stuff gets sold, one man said. Im sure theyre buying those lists.

As the election cycle gets ready to hit overdrive, campaigns are trying to reach you any way they can.

Text messages are a really inexpensive way to reach a lot of voters quickly, Republican strategist Mark Graul said.

Is the unsubscribe button a scam?

Robotexts are becoming increasingly more popular as a way to get you to react. Theres just one problem: they seem to be never-ending.

Political-based advertising, in that sort of manner, does not fall within the Do Not Call registry, said Brian Jack, chief information security officer for cybersecurity company Know Be 4.

The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, has an entire section of its website dedicated to political advertising  whether by text message or phone call. While robotexts must follow the same rules as robocalls, a major exception is if a message is manually sent.

According to the FCC, political text messages sent to a mobile phone using an autodialer require the called partys prior express consent. Messages sent manually can be sent without prior consent.

The best thing you can do is to reply STOP, and it will at least prevent that number from messaging you again, Jack suggested.

The FCC adds you can also report the sender by forwarding the texts to 7726 (or SPAM).

Twitter says it removes 1 million spam accounts a day

Scammers are also paying attention this time of year. They know you might not be and will try to send you links via text to get you to click.

Anything can be a scam, Jack said. Its just trying to influence you, or get you to do something you wouldnt normally do.

No matter which side of the aisle you might be on, most agree the messages can be a lot.

Its a form of social engineering. Its just not often the most deceptive or nefarious one out there, Jack added.

A problem that will likely only get worse before it gets better.

The FCC has more suggestions on how to opt-out of messages, or even report ones you think might be scams.

It suggests you do one of the following:

File a complaint online at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov

By phone: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322); TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322); ASL: 1-844-432-2275

By mail (please include your name, address, contact information and as much detail about your complaint as possible):

Federal Communications Commission

Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

45 L Street NE

Washington, DC 20554

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Campaign says Robinson in good spirits after being hospitalized, treated for burns

(The Hill)  North Carolina Lt. Gov Mark Robinson (R) was hospitalized and treated for burns Friday after a campaign incident, according to the gubernatorial candidates campaign.

This evening following an incident at a campaign appearance at the Mayberry Truck Show in Mt. Airy, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson was treated at Northern Regional Hospital for second-degree burns, Mike Lonergan, the campaigns communications director, said in a statement.

He is in good spirits, appreciates the outpouring of well wishes, and is excited to return to the campaign trail as scheduled first thing tomorrow morning, he added.

Robinsons campaign told NewsNation  which is owned by The Hills parent company Nexstar Media Group  that Robinson was discharged and will be back campaigning in the Tar Heel State Saturday. The lieutenant governor burned his hand after leaning against a truck at a truck show in Mt Airy, according to a Washington Post reporter.

The health incident comes shortly after Robinson started receiving backlash following the publishing of CNNs explosive report about the candidate, detailing a flurry of inflammatory comments he apparently made on a porn site messaging board over 10 years ago, including calling himself a black NAZI. In those posts, the lieutenant governor described his pornography preferences and said he would take Adolf Hitler over any of the s thats in Washington.

A number of his campaign staff left in the wake of the reports. He has also lost support from the Republican Governors Association, which said they did not have any future ad reservations backing the candidate in the governors race against state Attorney General Josh Stein (D).

Some of his top government office staff also indicated they would resign from their posts. Some Republicans have distanced themselves from Robinson, with many suggesting he should disprove the allegations in the report or possibly halt his gubernatorial run.

Robinson said on Tuesday that he had hired Binnall Law Group, a law firm, to probe the false smears in the report and has vowed to stay in the race.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Today- two children from Gaza arrived in New York City. They will live here while they receive lifesaving treatments.

Abdullah, 8, and his father touched down at JFK airport on Saturday. 2-year-old Tia, her mother, and her sister were with them.

More Local News

Both families are from Gaza but were recently evacuated to Egypt due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Nadia Ali is with Kinder Relief. She says, Theyre both suffering from congenital heart disease and will both undergo surgery and extensive treatment for the next three months.

Both Abdullah and Tia will receive their treatment at NYU Langone.

Theyll be staying with host families on Staten Island and in Brooklyn. Kinder Relief, a new nonprofit helping families in Gaza with children suffering from injuries and illnesses, has organized all the care.

Nadia Ali is the cofounder. Nadia Ali says, The treatment they are getting is pro bono secured by our team, and our team sustains their livelihood. We take care of their travel expenses while theyre here.

Ali started the group with other concerned moms from around the world.

Whats being neglected is children who are dying silently, who dont have war injuries but no longer have access to healthcare. So, in this case, Tia and Abdullah will get lifesaving care they wouldnt have in Gaza, she added.

Vanessa Barganza agrees. She is a case manager at Kinder Relief and a law student at Columbia University. She says, These children, if we dont help them, no one will, and there needs to be as much attention on these kids as possible. This is a purely humanitarian thing, and its about how much we care about each other as human beings.

Kinder Relief relies on donations. For more information, go 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.
Giant panda Ri Ri is pictured at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua)

TOKYO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

Despite the pre-dawn hour, panda enthusiasts gathered outside the zoo to bid them farewell, with many shedding tears.

The two pandas were scheduled to fly from Narita Airport to China, where they will be housed at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.

In the days leading up to their departure, Ueno Zoo saw an influx of visitors. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes.

Ri Ri and Shin Shin have brought warmth and joy to the Japanese during their stay in Tokyo, like a ray of light in the time of hardships, says Yasumasa Tomita, deputy director of Ueno zoo.

Some fans, like Sumida from Aichi Prefecture, even camped overnight to catch a final glimpse of the pandas. "I fell in love with them at first sight and discovered how lively pandas really are," Sumida said, expressing her gratitude for the fond memories.

The two pandas arrived in Japan in February 2011, shortly before the 9.0-magnitude earthquake. Their public appearances provided comfort and joy to the Japanese people during a difficult time.

"It has been 13 years since the earthquake, and I'm grateful for the healing they've brought us," said Tokyo resident Yoshihara Mutsuko, who missed the chance to see the pandas but planned to visit them in China in the future.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in 2011 under a leasing agreement.

They gave birth to the celebrity giant panda Xiang Xiang in 2017, which was returned to China last year, as well as twin cubs Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei in 2021. All the three pandas, born and raised at the zoo, attracted crowds of panda lovers from both home and abroad.

According to Ueno Zoo, both pandas, now 19 years old, have developed health issues such as high blood pressure due to their advanced age.

Japanese and Chinese experts have maintained close communication and conducted joint consultations to provide appropriate medical treatments. Upon discussions between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, it was decided they should be sent back to China for better care and treatment.

Following their departure, Ueno Zoo will be home to two pandas, the twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei. 

Giant panda Ri Ri is loaded into a special container at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 29, 2024.

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua)

Giant panda Shin Shin is loaded into a special container at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 29, 2024.

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua)

Giant panda Shin Shin is pictured at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024.

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua)

Visitors line up at the gate of Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024.

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Visitors take photos of giant pandas Ri Ri (L) and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024.

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Visitors take photos of giant panda Ri Ri at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024.

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A truck carrying giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin leaves Ueno Zoo for Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 29, 2024.

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua)

Visitors take photos of giant panda Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024.

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Visitors bid farewell to giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024.

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Visitors bid farewell to giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024.

Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)  Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole have made an initial $3 million commitment to Hurricane Helene relief efforts through their foundation.

Its to support immediate and long-term humanitarian aid and recovery efforts in North and South Carolina in the wake of devastation from the Category 4 storm.

The region remains in a state of emergency, and more than 50 people have died.

North Carolina rainfall totals from Helene

The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, Carolina Panthers, and Charlotte FC stand alongside all those who have been affected by Hurricane Helene and the devastation it has wrought across the southeast, and particularly in our backyard throughout the Carolinas, said David and Nicole Tepper said in a release.

Tepper purchased the Panthers in 2018. The foundation will assist a number of food banks and pantries, local community foundations and other service agencies in the Carolinas.

400+ roads closed in NC mountains after 2 feet of Helene rain

This is our home and we are committed to supporting relief efforts throughout the region by providing critical resources and aiding the efforts of our heroic first responders, the Teppers said. The impact on our community has been severe, but Carolinians are resilient and courageous, and together, we will rebuild and recover.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
A devotee touches a statue of Jesus Malverde, a folk saint viewed as the patron or protector of people involved in the drug trade, inside his shrine in Culiacan - AP/Eduardo Verdugo

Legendary drug lord Ismael El Mayo Zambada was expecting it to be a routine, private meeting with state governor Ruben Rocha.

But as he headed to the gaudy conference centre on the dusty outskirts of Culiacan, the capital of Mexicos ultra-violent Sinaloa state, he was in fact walking into a trap worthy of a Hollywood script.

Zambada, 76, had been asked to arbitrate, he says, in a dispute over a local university, involving Mr Rocha and his political rival Hector Cuen, a former Culiacan mayor and ex-rector of the university.

For the co-founder of the Sinaloa cartel, Mexicos most feared organised crime syndicate, such clandestine dealings with elected powerbrokers were part of his job description  funnelling huge volumes of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl into the United States  as he kept the authorities onside with a combination of lavish bribes and extreme brutality.

But instead of the business meeting he was expecting, Zambada was ambushed, his four bodyguards overpowered by armed and hooded men. He was then bound, blindfolded and driven to a nearby airstrip.

After a three-hour flight in a small plane, he landed in El Paso, Texas, where he was arrested by federal agents. Separately, his friend Cuen was found dead in Culiacan that evening, shot, according to an official account disputed by the abducted cartel kingpin, during a botched attempt to steal his pickup.

Mexican security forces respond at the scene of a crime amid a wave of violence between armed groups - Reuters/Jesus Bustamante

The fallout from Zambadas betrayal on July 25  apparently at the behest of Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the 38-year-old son of his former business partner and fellow Sinaloa Cartel boss, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman  has been both spectacular and savage.

Not just has it landed Zambada in a federal court in New York, where he faces a laundry list of extremely serious charges.

It has also triggered a bloodbath on the streets of Culiacan as the Sinaloa Cartel descends into a civil war that could reshape the booming Mexican drugs trade.

And it has laid bare the alleged cosy relationship between officials, including allies of outgoing president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and the immensely profitable drugs trade while sparking a diplomatic row with the United States.

In a letter released by his lawyer, Zambada blamed Guzman Lopez, whom he has known since the latter was a child, implying that he had used him as a bargaining chip with US law enforcement, apparently to strike a plea deal.

Guzman Lopez, who has been filling in for his father since El Chapo  the name means Shorty  was extradited to the US where he is now serving life plus 30 years, accompanied Zambada on the flight to Texas and handed himself in, along with his prized captive, on arrival.

Ever since, thugs from the two factions of the cartel, the Chapitos and Mayitos, have been massacring each other in Culiacan, bringing life in the city to a blood-spattered halt.

A firefighter attends a burned delivery truck as the violence escalates - Reuters/Jesus Bustamante

The streets have been littered with burning vehicles, bullet casings, graffitied death messages and mutilated corpses. Last Saturday hit a new record, with a reported 10 homicides in a single day in the city of 800,000.

Schools and businesses have been shuttered for weeks as residents cower at home. Cartel foot soldiers openly parade in pickup trucks with mounted machine guns in the city centre with the police and military often nowhere to be seen.

The official death toll is now 60 but that is likely an underestimate. The cartels typically take their dead with them lest they be used as macabre trophies by their enemies, hung from bridges or strategically placed in public squares.

In one case earlier this month, five partially-naked corpses showing signs of torture were found propped up against a wall, with messages pinned to their chests and sporting new sombreros, with the price tags still attached.

Zambadas arrest has also had huge political fallout. At one point, Lopez Obrador, rather than welcoming the cartel bosss arrest, bitterly blamed Washington for the mayhem now unfolding in Culiacan.

Mexican prosecutors even opened a treason investigation over the kidnapping of a Mexican citizen.

Yet the president has also downplayed the violence as a turf war between criminals that barely touches the general population. He has called on the press to avoid alarmism in its coverage.

Meanwhile, Rocha, the governor of Sinaloa and an ally of Lopez Obrador, has denied any involvement, saying that he had flown in a private jet to Los Angeles two hours before Zambadas abduction.

He has been backed by Lopez Obrador, who insisted: We have all the confidence in the governor. Yet Rocha has failed to provide confirmation of his flight or details of what he was doing in California.

Although Zambadas account is that of a notorious career criminal, his public letter provides times, dates and other specifics that Rochas claims lack.

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Ukraines innovative drones are damaging forces and war-supporting industry across western and southern Russia. In a visit to the White House on Sept. 26, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked for more help for long-range strikes. He received modest assistance. President Joe Biden said the U.S. would provide the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), an unpowered glide bomb with a range of over 60 miles.

Ukraine had wanted more. It has repeatedly sought permission to use U.S.-built Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles for long-range strikes deep in Russia. They have a range of up to 190 miles and, with their speed, are better able to hit mobile targets. Prior to Zelenskyys visit, there were hints the U.S. might provide Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM). Unlike ATACMS missiles, these missiles are abundant in the U.S. arsenal, and their stealth capability make them more effective at hitting defended targets.

White House announces billions in new Ukraine aid, new F-16 training

Sentiment in NATO is growing to give Ukraine more scope for action. This month the European Parliament asked European Union members to immediately lift deep strike restrictions, and so have top U.S. House Republicans and several leading congressional Democrats. Nonetheless, the U.S. approach remains hesitant.

There may be risks. On Sept. 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned an attack on Russia by a state backed by a nuclear power could lead to a nuclear response. He often cries nuclear wolf, but this time, his timing suggested worry that Biden might cave to pressures and unleash Ukraine to conduct more deep attacks.

A Russian nuclear response, however, seems unlikely and would probably bring little, if any, military gain. Russian troops are not trained to fight on a nuclear battlefield, as in the Cold War. Ukraine has few, if any, concentrated, high-value military targets. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have warned Putin not to go nuclear, while Biden has warned of catastrophic consequences if he does.

There is also a risk that some JASSMs might miss their targets or not be fully destroyed. Russia  and China  could analyze the debris to try to learn more about their stealth capability and sensitive electronics.

Time and again when Ukrainian forces have surprised or shocked Russia  from destroying or damaging one-third of its Black Sea fleet to seizing territory in Russias Kursk region  the Kremlins response has been weak. Suffering steep manpower losses and needing arms from Iran and North Korea, Russian forces may face limitations.

To its credit, Ukraine is doing a lot on its own to strike deep inside Russia. On Sept. 18, it carried out a stunning attack in Russias Tver region, blowing up a huge weapons depot in a blast akin to an earthquake. To overwhelm air defenses, Ukraine used over 100 slow-flying drones. The depot was 300 miles away from Ukraine, well beyond the 190-mile range of ATACMS missiles.

A welcome surprise has been Ukraines high-tech drone innovation. Former CIA Director General David Petraeus called it unprecedented in scale and pace. Even more is coming. Last month, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had deployed its first high-speed missile-drone, the Palianytsia.

But Ukraine needs more long-range strike power than its own aviation sector can provide. U.S. arms may be a valuable complement, despite their higher cost.

Last spring the U.S. began sending the long-range variant of ground-to-ground ATACMS missiles to Ukraine for use inside its territory. In occupied Crimea, they have ravaged Russias navy and air defenses and supporting infrastructure. ATACMS missiles are responsive and can hit mobile targets that elude drones. In June, the U.S. allowed Ukraine some added flexibility  to strike across the border inside Russia with ATACMS missiles wherever enemy forces were engaged in attacks.

On Sept. 26, Biden also promised to send hundreds more Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). Armed with them, Ukraines F-16s could shoot down some Russian combat aircraft in flight before they release devastating glide bombs.

The long-range strike mission is important for Ukraine, but so are other factors. It faces challenges in several areas, including a soldier shortage, inadequate defensive fortifications and uncertainties about future Western aid.

Nonetheless, the U.S. could benefit Ukraine by doing more to help it to conduct long-range strikes in Russia. Neither U.S. weapons nor Ukraines, by themselves, are enough. Together, they could raise the cost to Russia of its perfidy and help strengthen European security.

William Courtney is an adjunct senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND research institution and was U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan, Georgia, and a U.S.-Soviet commission to implement the Threshold Test Ban Treaty.

John Hoehn is an associate policy researcher at RAND and a former military analyst with the Congressional Research Service.
CBS News Slammed For Saying Vance And Walz Will Have To Fact-Check Each Other at VP Debate

Vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz are set to debate this Tuesday. Ahead of the Oct. 1 event, the broadcaster announced that moderators Norah ODonnell and Margaret Brennan will not fact-check either candidate  Walz and Vance will be responsible for fact-checking one another. The moderators are expected to provide opportunities for the candidates to fact-check each other, including in rebuttals, instead of fact-checking them in real-time themselves.

The news prompted political scientist Norman Ornstein to lament that though CBS was once the gold standard for television news, both those days and their standards are long gone.

I spent 30 years as an election analyst for CBS. It was the gold standard for television news. Those days, and their standards, are long gone. https://t.co/pAPChDCulJ  Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) September 29, 2024

Ornstein isnt the only voice objecting to CBS announcement, with the condemnation of their choice widespread on social media after CNN previously declined to fact-check candidates during the debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump earlier this year, followed by ABC opting to include brief fact-checks from moderators in the presidential debate between Trump and Kamala Harris.

According to CBS News editorial standards, the moderators are there to facilitate the conversation/debate between the candidates, as well as enforce the debates rules. However, they leave the responsibility to the candidates when it comes to fact-checking as part of the broadcast. CBS does plan to offer its own form of live fact-checking  but it will be online, rather than directly from the moderators, via its CBS News Confirmed Unit journalists in an online blog.

New York University journalism professor Jay Rosen chimed in of moderators fact-checking candidates during a debate, ABC showed it could be done.

CBS News Says It Will Be Up To Vance And Walz To Fact-Check Each Other. https://t.co/nhQNlp7HEG



ABC showed it could be done. Now:



"CBS News is clearly indicating it wants to take a step back from the heat generated by calling attention to misleading statements by candidates."  Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) September 29, 2024

As Biden ad writer and columnist Cliff Schecter put it, CBS announced theyre not a news org, dont think they need to *give viewers truth or protect democracy.* My cats could moderate, same result as CBS news. D campaigns, please take note. No future CNN/CBS debates. If theres not truth, its not a debate, its mud wrestling. Speaking of mud, JD Vance has shown hell make st up anytime, anywhere. Then admit he lied, like Springfield. Good to know CBS is all NOT over that.

CBS announced they're not a news org, don't think they need to *give viewers truth or protect democracy*



My cats could moderate, same result as CBS "news." D campaigns, please take note. No future CNN/CBS debates. If there's not truth, it's not a debate, it's mud wrestling. pic.twitter.com/JQH56ALzgp  Cliff Schecter (@cliffschecter) September 29, 2024

Author Gary Shteyngart offered one version of how the debate might go without any fact-checking. Vance: Haitians eat cats. Walz: Let me spend all my allotted time proving thats untrue.

Vance: Haitians eat cats.



Walz: Let me spend all my allotted time proving thats untrue. https://t.co/ulES0Y6OnU  Gary Shteyngart (@Shteyngart) September 29, 2024

Author Denver Riggleman said, Ironic that @CBSNews airs this segment on safeguarding the truth and wont fact check the Walz-Vance debate  guess real journalism and upholding the integrity of the 4th estate is subordinate to ratings at CBS. F the truth, right?

Ironic that @CBSNews airs this segment on safeguarding the truth and wont fact check the Walz-Vance debate guess real journalism and upholding the integrity of the 4th estate is subordinate to ratings at CBS. F the truth, right? https://t.co/TSuLfEdrab  Denver Riggleman  Coalition of the Sane (@RepRiggleman) September 29, 2024

Can someone please explain to me why CBS News is using journalists to ask the questions at the VP debate if theyre going to accept lies for answers?  Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) September 29, 2024

Perhaps the New Yorkers Philip Gourevitch summed up the critics sentiment best when he tweeted, CBS announces it no longer is in journalism business.

CBS announces it no longer is in journalism business. https://t.co/qZREHtB0Uu  Philip Gourevitch (@PGourevitch) September 29, 2024

The post CBS News Slammed For Saying Vance And Walz Will Have To Fact-Check Each Other at VP Debate appeared first on TheWrap.
CBS Says Its On Vance and Walz to Fact Check Each Other at VP Debate

CBS News moderators will not fact-check Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz when they host a debate between the two major party vice presidential candidates Tuesday, leaving it up to the two to do it themselves during the broadcast.

The 90-minute debate, helmed by Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan and CBS Evening News anchor Norah ODonnell, will break from ABC's presidential debate held earlier this month when moderators stepped in to challenge false statements by former President Donald Trump.

ABC co-moderators Linsey Davis and David Muir were praised by many for calmly interjecting to point out falsehoods, although conservatives alleged bias since Trump was mostly targeted (Trump has a consistent track record of deliberately making false claims in public appearances).

CNN, which hosted the first presidential debate of the campaign cycle between Trump and President Joe Bidenwho dropped out of the race following a disastrous performancewas put on the defensive for allowing the Republican nominee to repeatedly make false statements without being challenged.

CBS said its moderators will facilitate opportunities for Vance and Walz to challenge one another over claims during rebuttals. The broadcaster also told The Daily Beast, in a statement, that it will provide live fact-checking on its website during the debate and on-air once the debate is over: CBS News will provide real-time fact-checking via [in-house fact-checking unit] CBS News Confirmed during the debate online on our live blog and on social and in post-debate coverage.

The lack of fact-checking could be cause for concern for Democratic vice presidential nominee Walz, already reportedly nervous about his pending debate performance against the tenacious Vance. Walz will have to contend with his GOP opposites record of seizing on and embellishing unfounded conspiracies, as he did in recent weeks when he repeatedly and falsely claimed Haitian migrants were eating peoples pets in Ohio.

CBS, meanwhile, has a lot at stake. The Associated Press noted ODonnell is set to step down from the Evening News anchor chair after the presidential election, while Brennan is seen as a contender to the throne. And the networks flagship news magazine, 60 Minutes, is trying to get Trump and Harris to agree to sit-down interviews.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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CEDAR KEY  Two days on from devastating winds churning up a record-breaking storm surge, the cavalry kicked into high gear Saturday on Cedar Key to help the island cut off from power and running water get up from Hurricane Helene's flattening blows.

Law enforcement estimated that 25% of the homes on this island of 720 souls, near Florida's Big Bend, had been destroyed. So there was plenty of destruction and desperation to heal in this rural oasis surrounded by a lush marsh where lines of pelicans skim the watery surface.

Republican Sen. Rick Scott was there to offer succor  and assurance of efforts for more help  to those suffering losses in this area that took the worst of what Helene dealt to Florida. The First Baptist Church of Cedar Key entered its first full day as a distribution point for those needing drinking water, ice and food. And military personnel roamed the streets, some of them checking circuit-breakers for their fitness for when the power comes back on.

Mercy Chefs, all the way from Virginia, came bearing hot meals for the powerless.

The state, as part of its disaster planning, contracts with the nonprofit. And on their first day on the ground in Cedar Key, founder Ann LeBlanc expects her organization will have delivered more than 10,000 hot meals to zones Hurricane Helene cut off from electricity. Five hundred were brought Saturday to Cedar Key.

Preparations to mobilize start almost as soon as a named storm appears on the National Hurricane Centers website, she said.

Were not only chefs, were storm chasers, LeBlanc said, as she slid behind the wheel of an SUV to begin pacing around Cedar Keys battered streets.

Delivered in white clamshell containers, island residents here were offered jambalaya, spiced carrots and a biscuit. The meal was made in Newberry and then driven in. The organization has a mobile kitchen thats able to operate in powerless places. But power was close enough to assemble the meals there, LeBlanc said.

Ann LeBlanc of Portsmouth, Va.-based Mercy Chefs delivers a meal Saturday to Sonya Jurdy, 87, a retired schoolteacher in Cedar Key.

A load of them were left at the First Baptist Church of Cedar Key. But anyone spotted roaming the street was proffered one by LeBlanc, wearing a shirt with her organizations logo and trailed by a marketing crew filming her street mission.

Sonya Jurdy, 87, was on the receiving end of one. After giving her guests a tour of her homes ruined stairs that she had just paid someone to replace the day before Helene arrived, the retired schoolteacher and real estate agent sat down with a view of the gulf and ate with gusto. She pronounced it delicious.

LeBlanc hopped back into her SUV and declared, I love it when people say its good.

Mercy Chefs pack up and leave as soon as a communitys power comes back on, LeBlanc said.

Stoney Smith cleans mud off a liquor bottle as he salvages items from his Suwannee Spirits liquor store in Cedar Key on Saturday during cleanup efforts after Hurricane Helene.

When grocery stores and restaurants are open and operating, it actually does damage to a community trying to rebuild if we interfere with free meals, LeBlanc said. We try to help residents get back to normal.

Spirited sentiments and efforts for recovery

Along Cedar Keys main drag that Hurricane Helene left to rack and ruin, they were hauling their way back to normal. Suwanee Spirits' employees were dragging out the bottles that could be salvaged Saturday, and owner Stoney Smith was looking for some product not currently available in his muddied situation without electricity.

Homes lie in ruins Saturday on Cedar Key after Hurricane Helene.

With the noise of power generators and heavy moving equipment in the air before noon, the reality of the situation was sinking in the day after Smith watched bottles of Crown Royal whisky floating away as the water that reached the ceiling of his liquor store drained out.

Im hot, sweaty and tired, said Smith, whose family, he says, has made the liquor store the oldest running business on this island in the Gulf of Mexico. Do you have a cold beer for me?

Seriously, though, Saturday he had an appointment with a Cedar Key building official about how soon he can open, he said. And hes hoping it can be as soon as possible and without a lot of that red tape  or something like a requirement to raise the building 17 feet.

Cedar Key damage caused by Hurricane Helene

Its sad, said the entrepreneur, part of an eighth-generation Cedar Key family, who also runs a gas station, a laundromat as well as renting commercial space in Cedar Key. You spend your whole life on something and between 8:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. one night, its all gone.

Smith, whose liquor store opened 60 years ago on the site the ruined U.S. Post Office now stands, said hes concerned that tourist-oriented business owners like him will throw in the towel shortly if they dont get the support they need. A thriving pencil factory was here until a hurricane wiped it out, he said. If this one wipes out the tourist-oriented businesses, the tourists will stop coming to this spot to watch the sun dip into the Gulf.

We need something like an enterprise zone, Smith said.

The Faraway Inn Cottages and Motel was destroyed after Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Cedar Key, Florida.

Sen. Scott: Build higher for more resilience

Scott has some good news and some bad news for Smith. Florida's junior senator is on the phone every day with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to get more, he said at a Saturday appearance in Cedar Key. At the same time, though, he said the long-term future in places like should build higher.

Wearing his trademark Navy ballcap and with his sleeves rolled up, Scott was live from Cedar Key with the Weather Channel on Saturday morning as part of an extensive disaster tour taking Scott from Eastpoint to the Panhandle.

Youve done this so many times, Weather Channel meteorologist Mike Bettes said to Scott, who has been an elected official for eight named hurricanes since he began his political career as governor. What are your thoughts here?

Many of Cedar Key's homes were destroyed by Hurricane Helene.

After Scott expressed his condolences for those Helene has hit hard and his commitment to getting them the resources they need, he also had some good news for companies that make stilts.

Youre going to have to build higher, Scott said, answering the question about how hurricanes of the future might not be so devastating. We just have to understand were having way more storm surge for whatever reason. You dont know why were having more storm surge  Weve never seen storm surge like this before.

"Also, theres lots more rain. And were having lots more of it," Scott acknowledged. He doesnt see stopping that, although scientists believe more heat causes more water.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida walks with Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum on Saturday as they survey the damage left behind in Cedar Key by Hurricane Helene.

I always focus on things that you can have an impact on, Scott said.

Scott also took the time to press the flesh with the locals.

Were glad youre here, said Michael Bobbitt, 48, of Cedar Key, who was in the New York Times for riding out the storm on the famed Gulf of Mexico island.

Things are torn apart but well get them back together again, said the novelist and clam farmer.

Homes were washed off their foundations from the storm surge leveled by Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Cedar Key, Florida.

Workers at the ready to help with recovery

Stay or go? Charlie Freeman, a Louisiana demolition worker, was facing a dilemma Saturday like the one Gulf Coast residents contemplated just a few days earlier when Hurricane Helene had them in her sights.

The 40-year-old veteran of hurricane cleanups too numerous to count was weighing just how much of an opportunity he would be giving up on Cedar Key if he went back for his equipment. His truck had been left at the entrance; he was only able to get on the island because he slipped in with a roofer whose client had gone to the police checkpoint to give permission for his entry.

Going back for his stuff, he might not be able to get back on the island, he explained.

Right now, we're just demo-ing the parts that are falling off and getting them to the road," Freeman said, whos working for his cousins business and drove here last night. We haven't done any full demolitions.

M.J. Prem moves a display Max Prem, left, and M.J. Prem help salvage beverages at Suwanee Spirits after the store was flooded by during Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Cedar Key, Florida.

Workers like him are not being allowed on the island en masse because many of the islands homeowners are not here. At least thats what he was told, he explained. His companys first set of equipment he was working with Saturday morning, a skid steer and a grapple, got on the island before they started checking passes, he explained.

They're trying to give the homeowners a chance to get here and assess everything before they let the public in, he said.

Cedar Key Mayor Susan Colson said she was too busy with recovery to talk to a reporter.

Freeman said he sees a lot of opportunity in Helenes wreckage.

Theres a lot of work here, he said, glancing at a row of flattened houses. By 2 p.m., hed at least started on two of them.

Anne Geggis is the insurance reporter at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at ageggis@gannett.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Relief, but not much, after Cedar Key takes brunt of Hurricane Helene
MT. HOLLY, S.C. (WCBD)  Century Aluminum has confirmed the death of one of its employees following an incident at the companys Mt. Holly plant on September 27. The company issued a statement expressing deep sorrow and support for the employees family and coworkers.

Berkeley County Coroner identifies worker killed in 15-ft. fall at Century Aluminum

It is with deep sorrow and regret we confirm that one of our employees has passed away following an incident at our Mt. Holly plant on September 27, Century Aluminum stated. We are supporting the bereaved family, and our team is standing by to support colleagues who share in mourning their loss.

In addition to offering on-site counseling services, the company has made a 24-hour hotline available to provide ongoing support to employees. An internal investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Century Aluminum also plans to collaborate with local authorities and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) during the investigation.

While we do not yet know all the answers, we are committed to working diligently through the process because safety remains our highest priority, the statement continued. Our immediate focus remains on the well-being of the family and employees impacted by this incident.

Out of respect for the familys privacy and to maintain the integrity of the investigation, Century Aluminum declined to provide any further details.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A plume rises from a fire at the BioLab facility in Conyer, Georgia on Sunday Sept. 29.

A fire at a chemical plant east of Atlanta is forcing evacuations in the area, according to local officials.

A fire on the roof of a BioLab facility in Conyers, Georgia was reignited when water from a malfunctioning sprinkler head "came in contact with a water reactive chemical and produced a plume," county officials explained on their website.

Conyers is located about 24 miles east of Atlanta.

A fire that had ignited at the facility at 5 a.m. ET had been extinguished earlier in the day, according to Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett.

"I want to strongly ask all of you to please spread the word to stay away from this area at this point, Levett said. Its burning pretty good. Were trying to get that under control, but at the same time were also trying to get the traffic under control.

People in Conyers between Interstate 20 and Sigman Rd. have been placed in an evacuation zone and multiple streets in the area have been closed.

The Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments directed residents in the area to turn off their air conditioning and stay indoors to minimize exposure to potential hazards in a post on X.

A fire occurred at the lab, which produces pool and spa chemicals, in 2020. An investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board found that a "thermal decomposition event" led to the fire that closed Interstate 20.

KIK Consumer Products, the parent company of BioLab, said it was investigating the incident and that no employees had been hurt in a statement to USA TODAY.

This is a developing story that may be updated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fire at BioLab facility in Conyers, Georgia forces evacuations
Cherokee County Fire Department mourns death of one of their firefighter/EMTs

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services is mourning the death of one of their own.

On Saturday, the department announced they had learned about the unexpected death of Nevin OHearn.

OHearn joined the department in 2019 and served as a fire apparatus operator and an EMT at fire station 13 in the Sutallee community.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The department said his death was unrelated to his duties.

They did not elaborate on the details surrounding his death.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
A child bride won the right to divorce - now the Taliban say it doesn't count

There is a young woman sheltering under a tree between two busy roads clutching a pile of documents to her chest.

These pieces of paper are more important to Bibi Nazdana than anything in the world: they are the divorce granted to her after a two-year court battle to free herself from life as a child bride.

They are the same papers a Taliban court has invalidated - a victim of the groups hardline interpretation on Sharia (religious law) which has seen women effectively silenced in Afghanistans legal system.

Nazdanas divorce is one of tens of thousands of court rulings revoked since the Taliban took control of the country three years ago this month.

It took just 10 days from them sweeping into the capital, Kabul, for the man she was promised to at seven to ask the courts to overturn the divorce ruling she had fought so hard for.

Hekmatullah had initially appeared to demand his wife when Nazdana was 15. It was eight years since her father had agreed to what is known as a 'bad marriage', which seeks to turn a family "enemy" into a "friend".

She immediately approached the court  then operating under the US-backed Afghan government - for a separation, repeatedly telling them she could not marry the farmer, now in his 20s. It took two years, but finally a ruling was made in her favour: "The court congratulated me and said, 'You are now separated and free to marry whomever you want.'"

But after Hekmatullah appealed the ruling in 2021, Nazdana was told she would not be allowed to plead her own case in person.

"At the court, the Taliban told me I shouldn't return to court because it was against Sharia. They said my brother should represent me instead," says Nazdana.

"They told us if we didn't comply," says Shams, Nazdana's 28-year-old brother, "they would hand my sister over to him (Hekmatullah) by force."

Her former husband, and now a newly signed up member of the Taliban, won the case. Shams' attempts to explain to the court in their home province of Uruzgan that her life would be in danger fell on deaf ears.

The siblings decided they had been left with no choice but to flee.

Nazdana and her brother Shams say they had to flee to save their lives [BBC]

When the Taliban returned to power three years ago, they promised to do away with the corruption of the past and deliver "justice" under Sharia, a version of Islamic law.

Since then, the Taliban say they have looked at some 355,000 cases.

Most were criminal cases - an estimated 40% are disputes over land and a further 30% are family issues including divorce, like Nazdana's.

Nazdanas divorce ruling was dug out after the BBC got exclusive access to the back offices of the Supreme Court in the capital, Kabul.

Abdulwahid Haqani - media officer for Afghanistans Supreme Court - confirms the ruling in favour of Hekmatullah, saying it was not valid because he "wasnt present".

"The previous corrupt administration's decision to cancel Hekmatullah and Nazdana's marriage was against the Sharia and rules of marriage," he explains.

But the promises to reform the justice system have gone further than simply reopening settled cases.

The Taliban have also systematically removed all judges  both male and female  and replaced them with people who supported their hardline views.

Women were also declared unfit to participate in the judicial system.

"Women aren't qualified or able to judge because in our Sharia principles the judiciary work requires people with high intelligence," says Abdulrahim Rashid, director of foreign relations and communications at Taliban's Supreme Court.

Abdulrahim Rashid, Director of foreign relations and communications at Taliban's supreme court [BBC]

For the women who worked in the system, the loss is felt heavily - and not just for themselves.

Former Supreme Court judge Fawzia Amini - who fled the country after the Taliban returned - says there is little hope for womens protections to improve under the law if there are no women in the courts.

"We played an important role," she says. "For example, the Elimination of Violence against Women law in 2009 was one of our achievements. We also worked on the regulation of shelters for women, orphan guardianship and the anti-human trafficking law, to name a few."

She also rubbishes the Taliban overturning previous rulings, like Nazdana's.

"If a woman divorces her husband and the court documents are available as evidence then that's final. Legal verdicts can't change because a regime changes," says Ms Amini.

"Our civil code is more than half a century old," she adds. "It's been practised since even before the Taliban were founded.

"All civil and penal codes, including those for divorce, have been adapted from the Quran."

A shelf for resettled court cases of the previous government at Talibans supreme court [BBC]

But the Taliban say Afghanistan's former rulers simply weren't Islamic enough.

Instead, they largely rely on Hanafi Fiqh (jurisprudence) religious law, which dates back to the 8th Century  albeit updated to "meet the current needs", according to Abdulrahim Rashid.

"The former courts made decisions based on a penal and civil code. But now all decisions are based on Sharia [Islamic law]," he adds, proudly gesturing at the pile of cases they have already sorted through.

Ms Amini is less impressed by the plans for Afghanistans legal system going forward.

"I have a question for the Taliban. Did their parents marry based on these laws or based on the laws that their sons are going to write?" she asks.

Under the tree between two roads in an unnamed neighbouring country, none of this is any comfort to Nazdana.

Now just 20, she has been here for a year, clutching her divorce papers and hoping someone will help her.

"I have knocked on many doors asking for help, including the UN, but no-one has heard my voice," she says.

"Where is the support? Don't I deserve freedom as a woman?"

The BBC has been unable to reach Hekmatullah for comment.

Nazdana says she wasn't heard by the Taliban judicial authorities who asked her not visit the court because she is a woman [BBC]
"Meet China" cultural festival held in Switzerland

Xinhua) 13:36, September 29, 2024

BERN, Switzerland, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The cultural event themed "Meet China: Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China" was held Friday afternoon at Waisenhaus Square in Bern, the capital of Switzerland.

Showcasing traditional Chinese culture through art performances and cultural exhibits, the "Meet China" festival is an annual celebration that began in 2015 aimed at promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding. .

Mao Jun, the charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, highlighted the importance of "Meet China" festival in fostering China-Switzerland cultural exchanges, saying the event helps nurture the innovative partnership between the two nations, ensuring its continued healthy growth.

Mao noted that by organizing a diverse array of cultural activities, the festival provides Swiss people with more opportunities to learn about Chinese traditions and development achievements, ultimately enhancing mutual appreciation and respect between the two peoples.

The festival featured a variety of cultural performances, including Chinese dancing lions and dragons, Sichuan Opera face-changing, Chinese calligraphy, traditional musical instruments, martial arts, tea ceremonies, and Chinese cuisine. The event also included a Swiss Alphorn performance.

The festival drew hundreds of attendees, including local residents, tourists, students, and members of the Chinese community in Switzerland.

Tamara Dubach, an eighth-grade student who attended the event with her Chinese friends, told Xinhua that these activities "look very cool" and are very novel to her. "I'll definitely come back for the next 'Meet China' festival," she added.

Yu Mei, one of the event organizers, said the festival not only relieved the homesickness of the Chinese living in Switzerland, but also spread Chinese culture throughout the country. "This event helps more people understand China better," Yu added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
SYDNEY, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Two foreign nationals have been charged over two unrelated drug importations with around 50 kg of illicit drugs seized at Sydney Airport in 48 hours, according to a joint media release published by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) on Sunday.

The two drug importations involved 27 kg of cocaine and 21 kg of methamphetamine with a combined estimated street value of 28.7 million Australian dollars (about 19.81 million U.S. dollars).

On Sept. 21, ABF officers identified abnormalities in a Canadian-Ecuadorian dual national man's visa application on the 41-year-old man's arrival at Sydney Airport, and located 6 kg of cocaine concealed in his underpants after conducting a search of the man.

AFP officers arrested the man who was later charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. The offense carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

On Sept. 23, ABF officers located 28 suspicious packages in a U.S. national man's two suitcases during a routine inspection on the man's arrival from Los Angeles. AFP officers seized the suitcases which allegedly contained 21 kg of cocaine and 21 kg of methamphetamine.

The 23-year-old was arrested and charged with two counts of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. The offense also carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. 
Children under 10 are being reported to counter-terrorism police amid fears they are being radicalised online, Britains head of counter-terror policing has warned.

Matt Jukes, an assistant commissioner in the Met Police, said nearly one in five people arrested for terrorism-related offences in the past year were children aged under 18. These included some as young as 12 or 13 who were being investigated by police because of their potential involvement in terrorism.

Below that, younger primary school children under the age of 10 were being referred to his officers in counter-terrorism policing because parents, relatives, teachers or other adults were concerned about their exposure to extremist content online.

Every year, around 7,000 people are referred to counter-terrorism police, of which half are young people, said Mr Jukes. That is a really significant feature of people, even under 10, getting referred in through those systems, he told the BBCs Newscast programme.

Now were not suggesting those kids are terrorists but what it means is that people know theyre being exposed to that content.

Home Office data shows that children under 18 accounted for just 2.4 per cent of arrests a decade ago. They accounted for 18.9 per cent in the year to March 2024.

In only the past year, arrests for those aged 17 and under increased from 24 to 40 (a 67 per cent rise). That meant the proportion of children arrested rose from 14 to 19 per cent.

Matt Jukes, assistant commissioner in the Met: Were not suggesting those kids are terrorists but what it means is that people know theyre being exposed to that content - PA/Danny Lawson

Children are more likely than any other age group to be convicted of terrorist offences for the first time, according to the Home Office figures. Children aged under 18 accounted for eight of the 19 people convicted of terror-related offences in the year to March, the first time they have outnumbered all other age groups.

Mr Jukes said: You have the combination of the overt social media and then closed messaging apps. Some of those are not that closed. You look at the scale of the groups involved. They are quasi platforms in their own right. Thats the big connector. Thats why you see children involved in terrorism.

I have been in and out of this work for over 20 years. We would never have seen 12 and 13 year olds exposed to the kinds of things they are now exposed to. Social media, messaging apps, that connectivity is really impacting homes, in communities and, as we have seen over the summer, on the streets.

Mr Jukes warned that the sources for extremist and other hateful content were so numerous online that were never going to police our way out of that challenge.

Instead, he said the onus was on social media firms and messaging apps to police and enforce the terms and conditions that they set for extremist and other hateful content so that their users were protected from it.

Governments also had a key role in legislating to tackle the problem while balancing that with freedom of speech  as has been done with the Online Safety Act, which, he said, he wanted to go harder and faster.

Mr Jukes also warned that moves by tech giants, including Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, to extend end-to-end encryption to all communications could prevent police from stopping terrorists and child abusers. Encryption means even the platforms cannot access messages between individuals.

The reality is: its like running a nightclub and saying, were going to switch the CCTV off because we dont want to see what happens inside and we definitely dont want a record of it, he said.

If you go to complete end-to-end encryption, youre basically taking your hands off any sense that you are responsible for the content.

Now I dont want to be part of a state that can see everything thats passing through those pipelines. But I do want people to think about the technology that will sit on top of those pipelines to detect when indecent images of children or terrorist content is passing through it.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the U.S. deployment of intermediate-range missiles in the Philippines "undermines regional peace and stability", the foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Speaking to South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in New York on Saturday, Wang also called for avoiding "war or chaos on the Korean Peninsula", the ministry said in a post on its website.

The U.S. deployed the Typhon system, which can be equipped with cruise missiles capable of striking Chinese targets, this year. China has demanded its removal, and Russia has joined in condemning the first deployment of the system to the Indo-Pacific, accusing Washington of fuelling an arms race.

Wang said the deployment "is not in the interests of regional countries".

The Philippines, southern neighbour to Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory, is an important part of U.S. strategy in Asia and would be an indispensable staging point for the military to aid Taipei in the event of a Chinese attack.

Wang said exchanges and cooperation between China and South Korea have become more active this year.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo and Engen Tham; Editing by William Mallard)
(NewsNation) The Biden administration is making the right move for national security by proposing a ban on connected and autonomous vehicles with Chinese-made software that could potentially put a foreign adversary in the drivers seat, national security experts say.

The measure announced this week by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo seeks to reduce the threat a foreign adversary could shut down or take simultaneous control of multiple vehicles operating in the United States.

Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking and other technologies connected to the internet, Raimondo 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 U.S. citizens.

The ban also includes Russian software, though Raimondo focused on threats from China.

FILE  Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo testifies during a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing Oct. 4, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Commerce Department on Oct. 17 updated and broadened its export controls to stop China from acquiring advanced computer chips and the equipment to manufacture them. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

Theres significant reasonable concerns when it comes to foreign nation states having access to a broad swath of technology in a country they view as an adversary, Jamil Jaffer, director of the National Security Law and Policy Program at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, told NewsNation.

Why are Chinese migrants fastest-growing group at southern border?

I would absolutely be concerned if China were to have access to the internals of a significant number of cars sold in America, he said.

The proposed ban would prohibit the import and sale of vehicles with Chinese- and Russian-manufactured software and hardware that would allow the vehicle to communicate externally through Bluetooth, cellular, satellite or Wi-Fi modules or collectively allow a highly autonomous vehicle to operate without a driver behind the wheel.

Chinese tech ban is not an overreaction

The fear that Chinese-made software could be a gateway for China to collect data on Americans or worse is wholly valid because the Chinese government regularly interacts with these companies, Jaffer said.

We know that they use their access to these companies to potentially exploit their software and their hardware for collection and potentially for more dangerous activities, he said.

Earlier this year, the FBI said it disrupted a major Chinese government-backed effort to hack into U.S. water, communications, transportation and energy facilities in order to gain power to shut down essential services, the Washington Post reported.

The agency said it gained control of hundreds of routers that a Chinese hacker group known as Volt Typhoon had been using to get inside sensitive infrastructure.

Biden: I have a plan to disrupt Russia-China partnership

That obviously lends concern and raises the question of what they might do if they had access to car manufacturers in the United States or cars sold to the United States, Jaffer said.

The potential threat wasnt an isolated incident.

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party published a report this month on its investigation of intelligence and cybersecurity risks posed by Chinese software made by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co (ZPMC) installed in cranes at U.S. seaports.

The investigation found that ZPMC repeatedly requested remote access to its (ship-to-shore) cranes operating at various U.S. ports.

The FBI also retrieved what it believed to be intelligence collection devices from a shipment of ZPMC cranes at the Port of Baltimore in 2021, the report stated.

The Chinese government is now taking actions to install capabilities that go beyond just intelligence collection and could provide the Chinese government the capability to disrupt activities in those systems, Jaffer said.

Getting ahead of potential foreign threats

There are relatively few Chinese-made cars imported into the U.S., but Raimondo said the U.S. wont wait until its roads are populated with Chinese or Russian cars before acting.

Adam Tong, an associate fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said its better for the U.S. to get ahead of the threat rather than trying to fix it on the back end.

Theyre really looking into the future. Theres a bigger fear that in the future if theres a flood of Chinese EVs and connected vehicles allowed to be imported into the U.S. market, that could cause severe national security concerns, he said.

Tong said that connected vehicles could grant China or other adversary nations access to sensitive data such as the geolocation of drivers, their voice as well as daily routine based on driving patterns.

In more extreme situations or times of conflict, there is also concern that malicious actors overseas can gain remote access to U.S. critical infrastructure through the connection to the vehicles, Tong said.

Other concerns around Chinese products

Aside from national security, paving an open road for Chinese parts to get into the U.S. market can also come at the cost of American manufacturers.

The introduction of cheap Chinese autos  which are so inexpensive because they are backed with the power and funding of the Chinese government  to the American market could end up being an extinction-level event for the U.S. auto sector, the Alliance for American Manufacturing said in a report.

The Biden administrations proposed ban would effectively create a trade barrier that could protect U.S. automakers seeking to develop robotaxis, Reuters reported.

The administration had previously imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs and denied a $7,500 consumer EV subsidy to any vehicle with made-in-China components, but a ban would take an even bolder stance.

China has long been using state driven subsidies to support its EV sectors with numerous Chinese car makers now really becoming quite competitive globally, Tong said.

As that happens, I think that fear (for national security) becomes a bit more substantial.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
City of New Bern and NCHART deploy to Western NC, rescue approximately 40 people

NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT)  The City of New Bern Fire and Rescue has made contact with those in Western North Carolina that need help.



According to a statement on their Facebook page, citizens in that part of the state are doing well despite devastating conditions and that they are putting in hard work around the clock to rescue and evacuate storm victims.



Cell service is spotty as of now until they return to the Emergency Operations Center. Their NC Task Force 10 Team is currently in Chimney Rock and will likely spend a few days there.



Their helo team NCHART deployed Saturday and flew missions most of the day where they rescued approximately 40 people.



Photo credits: New Bern Fire and Rescue Facebook

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
City of Grovetown: no water cutoffs for non-payments, no late fees this month

GROVETOWN, Ga. (WJBF)  The City of Grovetown has announced that, due to hardships from storm recovery, residents will not face water cutoffs for non-payments, or late fees, this month.

I dont want our citizens worrying about water bills right now, said Mayor Gary Jones. Due to the crisis that we are experiencing, no water cutoffs for non-payments will be taking place this month. Additionally, no late fees will be added. This action does not eliminate ones responsibility to pay, rather provides an extension. If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may contact City Halls Utility Billing Dept. later to request a payment plan. City Hall will be closed until further notice until power is restored.

The city also stated they are NOT taking anymore donations for the community cookout.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Police in riot gear. Occupied buildings. Thousands of arrests. Distrupted classrooms. An atmosphere of fear and campuses crisscrossed with encampments.

In the year since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, universities across the globe were riven with protests, vigilante mobs, and antisemitism and Islamophobia investigations. Now, college officials are cracking down and trying to avoid similar scenes as the conflict approaches its one-year anniversary. Universities are announcing measures they say will keep campus safe and uninterrupted this year, after last years Israel-Palestine turmoil.

But activists say new restrictions on protest rights only further their resolve.

Last week, the national organization of Students for Justice in Palestine, one of the main groups leading Palestine solidarity protests and encampments across US universities over the last year, called for a Week of Rage this year between October 7 and October 11.

We will rise to end our universities complicity in this genocide, to fight for the end of the colonization of Palestine, and to fight for the complete liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea, the group wrote in a post on Instagram.

Thousands were arrested over the last year on US college campuses protesting the Israel-Hamas war. Administrators are trying to prevent more chaos this year on the one-year anniversary of October 7 (EPA)

In July, a coalition of prominent US Jewish groups warned that universities should anticipate and mitigate disruptions on the one-year mark of the Hamas attack on Israel.

A month later, Hillel International and Secure Community Network launched Operation SecureOurCampuses to send safety resources to over 50 colleges and universities, including dedicated intelligence analysts. Canadian officials in Quebec, meanwhile, have summoned the heads of provincial universities to discuss security plans amid the climate of tension on some campuses, particularly in the run-up to Oct. 7.

Schools such as the University of Maryland, UCLA and a host of others have introduced new rules for campus protests in the last year and ahead of the anniversary in 2024. Some have limited times and places of protests. Others have banned encampments.

Schools say the measures are being taken to protect the learning environment and avoid repeats of police in riot gear.

As classes have resumed this fall, so, too, have protests and demonstrations. This isnt surprising, and our USM presidents have long been preparing for these events, working closely with their executive teams, with student groups, and with their campus communities as a whole, a statement from the University of Maryland read.

Our universities are doing everything within their power and within the law to protect students right to free expression while also protecting their safetytheir right to access an education free from harassment, threats, and violence. Its a difficult balance, but a vitally important one.

Universities across the U.S. imposed new protest restrictions following a year of protest after October 7. However, some student groups are pushing back with lawsuits and calls of free speech infringement (AP)

Campus groups plan to mark the anniversary with a variety of different events, from vigils to protests to artistic performances.

UCLA saw a large encampment, vigilante attacks and a violent police response to protests last school year. On October 7, UCLAs Hillel will host the West Coast debut of October 7, a play drawn from interviews with survivors of the Hamas attack. Daniel Gold, executive director of Hillel at UCLA, told The Independent the show allows us to honor the victims and remember the tragedies of that day in an honest and purposeful way.

He added that security will be a top priority around the event.

As Jewish communities often must do, we are taking serious security precautions to ensure the safety of our community and students, he said. These measures will allow us to grieve and come together in peace for this important and expressive memorial."

As the new semester begins, protests and police arrests of students have certainly continued, though not at the scale and intensity of last year. Thats thanks in no small part to a host of new restrictions student protesters face, from controversial facemask bans to rules outlawing activist encampments and requiring protests to be pre-approved.

Some campuses have come to resemble fortresses, with schools such as the University of Southern California implementing new security checkpoints with gates and ID checks.

They gave us one big task: Keep the protesters out, a gate guard told the Los Angeles Times last month. Thats our main job.

Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine students have both described facing an atmosphere of fear and persecution on campus over the last year (Getty Images)

Student groups argue these restrictions have crossed the line from normal safety rules into repression of free speech.

After a wave of outside pressure comparing student activists to terrorists, the University of Maryland pulled permission for its chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace to hold an interfaith vigil remembering those killed since October 7.

The decision then grew into a ban on non-university sponsored expressive events on October 7 across the entire Maryland system, despite university officials acknowledging they hadnt received any active threats to the main campus.

Abel Amene, a member of Marylands Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, told The Independent the worst part of the decision to cancel the event was the inherent discrimination that it represents. The mere presence of the groups name on the events calendar, with little more than the date and time of their planned event, was enough to be treated like a terror threat, he said.

This assumption comes from this age-old trope of treating people from Arab backgrounds, which most of our members are, even I though myself am African, but this assumption that we are all terrorists, that we all support terrorism and that we are dangerous and that theres something inherently dangerous about our mere existence, our mere holding of an event, he said. In reality, the few things that we have released about what the event was intended to be have always been describing it as a vigil.

Palestine Legal and the Council on American-Islamic Relations have sued the public university, arguing the decision amounts to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination against the systems roughly 150,000 students who might want to mark the October 7 anniversary somehow, regardless of their stance on Israel and Palestine.

The move marks a prior restraint so sweeping only a cataclysm could justify it, according to the suit.

Regardless of the courts decision, Amene said theyre planning to mark the day in some form on or near campus, on or near October 7.

When contacted for comment by The Independent, Maryland officials pointed to a September 1 letter from President Darryll J. Pines. The message said the events were canceled out of an abundance of caution, with a goal of events that promote reflection on this day. The letter noted that a university police assessment of planned events for October 7 found no immediate or active threat.

Officials have warned that the October 7 anniversary could bring heightened protests to campus. Some universities have said they are taking steps to protect students, while also working to allow free speech (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Across the country, student activists are still dealing with the fallout of participating in last semesters protests.

At the University of Georgia, nine student activists were arrested in April during an encampment protest on accusations of criminal trespass. The school accused them of causing serious and immediate danger to campus, even though students say they were holding a peaceful demonstration that had only lasted about an hour until police arrived.

The students were first ordered to relocate to a campus free speech zone, a seeming violation of Georgias free speech FORUM law, then violently arrested when they refused. Students were given only a few minutes warning then suspended through the end of the summer, locked out of campus housing and employment and professors were warned to call 911 if they were seen at the university.

The affair prompted the schools chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine to withdraw as a campus group, and to this day, four students among the arrested havent been able to re-enroll for the new semester.

The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has asked the US Department of Education to investigate the school, arguing the university carries out extreme differential treatment of Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students.

The complaint cited the arrests, Georgias yearly IsraelFest event, and comments from the Georgia president suggesting pro-Palestine demonstrations are hateful. It also said campus officials ignored tweets from Georgia congressman Mike Collins, whose district covers the university, that seemed designed to intimidate against protesters.

The Independent has contacted Rep. Collinss office for comment.

Not sure what y'all are doing up north, but we don't give them the time to encamp. Tazers set to stun! pic.twitter.com/fbXqxG5RNc  Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) April 25, 2024

Which fraternity will answer the call? pic.twitter.com/9Ap3Bs8HxJ  Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) May 2, 2024

Azka Mahmood, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Georgia, said there was now a stifling atmosphere on campus.

All of the things combined to create this extremely oppressive environment that really punishes anyone for expressing any criticism of the state of Israel, any support of Palestine, she told The Independent.

Greg Trevor, a spokesperson for the University of Georgia, told The Independent via email that Georgias Students for Justice in Palestine chapter held a clearly prohibited encampment on our historic North Campus Quad in willful violation of university policy, declined to accept alternatives by the university to conduct their protest in accordance with university policies, and refused repeated warnings to either comply with these policies or disperse.

UGA supports and facilitates freedom of expression, but such activities must comply with applicable laws and policies, he added.

Mahmood is confident that all the changes on campus wont stop students from expressing their thoughts this year.

Students remain determined as ever, she said. Its very difficult to silence young people who are passionate about causes. They will always find ways to express their opinions and stand up for what they think is right. Thats just the way of the world.
DENVER (KDVR)  Millions of people in the southeast portion of the U.S. are without power and 56 people have been killed since Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night.

It brought torrential rain, flooding and 140 mph winds, causing significant damage, with North Carolina seeing the worst flooding in almost a century.

Asheville has been isolated after Helene wrecked roads and knocked out power and cell service

On Wednesday, Colorado Task Force One (CO-TF1) headed out for the 22-hour drive to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and then search and rescue efforts began.

Theyve cleared almost a thousand waypoints which is either buildings, debris piles, said Bob Olme, program manager for CO-TF1 and division chief for West Metro Fire Rescue.

CO-TF1 consists of 45 members and is supported by various districts across Colorado.

I have the very best of the best, Olme said. Im very proud of the people that make up the task force. They have to have an interest, they go through a competitive selection process.

Each individual has to complete about 30 courses of in-person and online training, and Olme said its necessary for what they have to face.

The storm surge is the worst because it moves buildings and then as the buildings begin to move, many times they collapse, Olme said. Even using Google Earth or something to try and get an idea or an orientation may be not that helpful because the landscape has completely changed.

Olme said he does not have the numbers yet on how many people have been rescued by CO-TF1, but it is estimated hundreds of people in total have been rescued in Helenes aftermath. Regardless, he said he knows his team is proud to do what they can to help.

Theyre highly trained. Very capable and certainly are humbled to be able to go out and help people that are in great need right now, he said.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
A fly that rested on Vice President Mike Pence's head is probably the thing most remember about his match-up with Kamala Harris  which, like every other vice presidential debate, had no bearing on the outcome of the White House race. (Associated Press)

There is no end of put-downs that attach to the job of vice president, a position that's widely treated as irrelevant when its occupant is not ignored altogether.

So it's hardly surprising the modern history of vice presidential debates is notably lacking in both gravity and moments of true political significance. In fact, since the first match-up of presidential understudies nearly 50 years ago, precisely zero have made a shred of difference in the race for the White House.

"There are so many other factors to consider," said Christopher Devine, a University of Dayton professor who's written extensively about the vice presidency. "It's not that voters don't care much about the vice presidential debate. It's that compared to everything else, it doesn't matter as much."

Even so, tens of millions of viewers are expected to tune in Tuesday night when Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz meet in the New York City studios of CBS News for 90 minutes of backing-and-forthing.

Why bother watching?

Read more: Column: Trump asks why Harris hasn't done all she's promised. The answer: Because she's VICE president

"Vice presidents actually do matter," said Jody Baumgartner, an East Carolina University expert on the office. "They are another voice that's close to the president."

And while some vice presidents have had more influence than others  Dick Cheney, say, as opposed to Mike Pence  each has been second in line to the presidency and all have been that proverbial heartbeat from stepping into the Oval Office and assuming the presidency.

"So, at a minimum," Baumgartner said, a vice presidential debate "gives us, the American citizens, a chance to get to know who that [person] is ... a sense of who they are and what they might be all about."

Devine offered another reason to watch, assuming issues are your thing. Without the distracting histrionics of the blustering Republican nominee, the Vance-Walz face-off could prove more substantive than the two presidential debates that took place this summer.

"When Donald Trump's a presidential candidate, you get a lot of personality and controversy and all that kind of stuff," Devine said. "People might think this is a better forum in which to get, from the horse's mouth, what the different presidential tickets actually stand for."

Not that the debate is likely to change a great many minds.

"The reality is it's probably, for most people, going to function as an outlet for them to cheer on JD Vance or to cheer on Tim Walz," Devine said.

If issues aren't your thing  it's OK, we don't judge!  you might want to tune in Tuesday night hoping for the odd or unexpected. Some of the most resonant political moments in recent history have taken place on the vice presidential debate stage.

In 1976, in the first-ever televised vice presidential debate, Republican Bob Dole notoriously described World War I, World War II and others that Americans fought in the 20th century as "Democrat wars." The number of killed and wounded "would be ... enough to fill the city of Detroit," he went on, adding salt to the slur. It took Dole years to live down his image as a political hatchet man.

In 2008, Republican Sarah Palin prompted days of discussion by winking her way through a debate with Democrat Joe Biden. (She winked at least six times at 70 million viewers, the largest audience ever to watch a vice presidential debate. It marked the first and only time in history a vice presidential debate has drawn a bigger audience than the match-up of presidential contestants.)

Four years ago, as Pence and Harris were discussing systemic racism, a fly settled on the snowy expanse of Pence's white coiffure  and ended up walking away with the evening's affair. Researchers at New York University analyzed online activity during the 90-minute session, as well as two hours before and after the debate, and found the fly was mentioned nearly 30% more, on average, than Trump, Biden, Pence or Harris.

But arguably the most famous vice presidential debate took place in 1988 when Republican Dan Quayle faced Democrat Lloyd Bentsen. Quayle, who was 41 at the time, had gone through a rough initiation after his surprise selection to serve as George H.W. Bush's running mate.

Asked for the umpteenth time about his relative youth, Quayle said he had more experience than others who'd run for president and as much congressional experience as John F. Kennedy when he sought the White House.

Bentsen, with a gunslinger's glint to his eye, cooly responded, "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy."

Quayle's stricken look  a rictus of shock and humiliation  spoke to the devastation of the rejoinder after which, it's fair to say, his callow image never fully faded.

Not that it mattered.

"It's the most conclusive, definitive loss by a vice presidential candidate in any debate ever," said Northeastern University's Alan Schroeder, who has written an authoritative history of the high-stakes political match-ups. And yet, just a few weeks later, Bush and Quayle romped to victory.

So don't tune in supposing Tuesday's event will decide the Harris-Trump contest.

But if you're the kind whose tastes run more toward C-SPAN than SportsCenter, fix a drink or pop some popcorn and settle in with JD and Tim and debate moderators Norah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan.

You could be in for an entertaining, or at least interesting, evening.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Banned Books Week 2024 lasts from Sept. 22- 28. According to the Banned Books Week website, the goal of the week is to highlight the importance of free and open access to information.

Based on preliminary data collected by the American Library Association, the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts of library censorship from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, with 1,128 books challenged throughout these cases.

In 2023, the ALA tracked 695 attempts of library censorship, including 1,915 challenged books. 17 states saw attempts to censor over 100 titles. These states were Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Although the number of reports has declined from 2023 to 2024, the ALA stated the number of attempts to challenge and censor books continues to surpass the numbers before 2020.

According to the ALA, the top 10 most challenged books of 2023 were as follows:

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

All Boys Arent Blue by George M. Johnson

This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Flamer by Mike Curato

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Lets Talk About It: The Teens Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Read Freely Alabama is a volunteer activist group that focuses on opposing censorship in Alabama libraries. On Saturday, the final day of Banned Books Week, Read Freely Alabama hosted an event at The NewSouth Bookstore in Montgomery.

Join us and connect with other concerned Alabamians over refreshments, Read Freely Alabama stated in a Facebook post. We will discuss what effect the new APLS code changes have on Alabama libraries, the pre-filed Jail Librarians bill, and practical ways you can advocate for your local library!

At this event, Alabama-based library activists and supporters of the cause gathered to discuss banned books and the current state of Alabama libraries.

One organizer, Angie Hayden, explained the impact of events like these.

I think thats where the change happens, Hayden said. That is the very definition of grassroots mobilization, and thats what we are, and thats what we have been from the beginning. And it has really been so effective that it shocked us.

Justice Department sues Alabama for violation of Quiet Period Provision

Christina Garner explained the importance of books being available in libraries.

A lot of people think its not banning because you can just go buy it from Amazon. Not everyone can, and I dont think that I should have more access to books just because I can afford to buy something from Amazon, Garner said. Not everyone has access to Wi-Fi at home, not everyone has access to air conditioning at home. They deserve a safe, comfortable place to go so that they can have their kids  you know  safe place to study, to work on their homework, to do homeschooling activities. And its not hard to say that the library should be for everyone.

At the event, members of Read Freely Alabama also discussed the Miller Test, a test that the U.S. Supreme Court established to determine obscene material.

There is not a single book in a single library in the state that fails the Miller Test, said Jessica Hayes. Every one of the books that have been challenged have passed the Miller Test because they are not obscene.

The three sections of the Miller Test are as follows:

Whether the average person, applying contemporary adult community standards, finds that the matter, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient interests Whether the average person, applying contemporary adult community standards, finds that the matter depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way Whether a reasonable person finds that the matter, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

According to Read Freely Alabama, these are the top 25 challenged books in Alabama:

Forever by Judy Blume

Looking for Alaska by John Green

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Being You: A First Conversation about Gender by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli and Anne/ Andy Passchier

The Pronoun Book by Chris Ayala-Kronos

Calvin by JR Ford and Vanessa Ford

Bye Bye, Binary by Eric Geron

Door by Door: How Sarah McBride Became Americas First Openly Transgender Senator by Meeg Pincus

The Meaning of Pride by Rosiee Thor

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

All Boys Arent Blue by George M. Johnson

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

My Rainbow by Trinity and DeShanna Neal

Red: A Crayons Story by Michael Hall

The Haters by Jesse Andrews

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  COSI is partnering with the Ohio State University to show families examples of experimental research and found a perfect way for kids to get scientific and creative.

NBC4s Monica Day was joined by her children, Presley and Palmer, to check out a kid-friendly ramp that has adjustable height and start points to learn about kinetic energy and engineering. To learn more, head to COSIs website.

WATCH: Ramp experiment

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DHAKA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and partners have launched a humanitarian appeal for 134 million U.S. dollars to provide urgent relief and support to communities affected by the escalating floods in Bangladesh.

The situation was dire and requires immediate attention, the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office said here Sunday.

Since May, Bangladesh has been severely impacted by four unprecedented and devastating climate-related disasters which had a catastrophic impact, affecting a staggering 18.4 million people across 45 percent of Bangladesh and causing significant damage to livelihoods and infrastructure, it said.

It said that a humanitarian appeal was first launched in June for Cyclone Remal, and this was the third version of the appeal, extended to cover all four emergencies.

As communities potentially face more extreme weather before the end of the year, current needs must be addressed to mitigate vulnerabilities, the office said.

The Bangladeshi government has developed a Multi-Hazard Humanitarian Response Plan to respond to the most urgent needs through March 2025. The plan aims to reach 2.5 million people across 28 districts of the country. 
Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick leaves after appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, ahead of the Conservatives annual conference where a new leader will be chosen, in Birmingham, England, Sunday Sept. 29, 2024. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP)  Members of Britains defeated and divided Conservative Party gathered Sunday for an annual conference dominated by the search for a new leader capable of bringing the right-of-center party back from a catastrophic election defeat.

U.K. voters ousted the Tories in a July election, leaving the party that had governed since 2010 with just 121 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons. The center-left Labour Party won more than 400 seats and returned to office under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The day after the election, defeated ex- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he would quit, remaining caretaker leader until his replacement is chosen.

The four candidates still in the race to replace him  whittled down by lawmakers from an initial six  will spend the four-day conference in Birmingham, central England speaking to as many party members as possible.

Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, ex-Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and ex-Security Minister Tom Tugendhat make their final pitches from the conference stage on Wednesday, before Conservative lawmakers will eliminate two candidates in a vote the following week.

Party members across the country will then vote to pick a winner, who will be announced Nov. 2.

The victor will take over a party depleted by years of turmoil under ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson  ousted by colleagues in 2022 amid ethics scandals  and his successor Liz Truss. She resigned after just 49 days in office when her tax-cutting plans rocked the financial markets and battered the value of the pound.

In the July election, the Conservatives lost votes to hard-right Reform U.K., led by populist politician Nigel Farage, which won five seats in Parliament and came second in dozens more. Other voters deserted the Tories for the centrist Liberal Democrats, who won 72 seats.

The current front-runners in the party race are Jenrick and Badenoch, both of whom are appealing to the partys right wing. Jenrick argues that the U.K. should drastically curb immigration and leave the European Convention on Human Rights in order to take tough measures to stop people seeking asylum in the U.K.

He told Sky News on Sunday that the party lost because we didnt deliver the strong economy, the strong (health service) and the strong border that we promised.

Nigeria-raised Badenoch evokes Tory icon Margaret Thatcher with her calls for a smaller state, appeals to patriotism and criticism of multiculturalism. She said Sunday that too many immigrants dont love Britain and hate Israel.

Cleverly and Tugendhat come from a more centrist grouping in the party but have also talked tough on immigration as the party tries to win voters back from Reform.

Some Conservatives argue that the party is doomed to lose the next election if it veers too far to the right. Former Prime Minister Theresa May said the party lost because we spent too long tacking to the right in order to appease potential Reform voters.

Elections in the U.K. are won on the center ground, and we abandon that ground at our peril, May wrote in The Times of London.

The Conservatives Partys time-consuming leadership contest has weakened its ability to capitalize on the new governments missteps. Starmers personal approval rating has plunged amid his gloomy pronouncements about the economy and a row about his acceptance of freebies from a wealthy Labour donor.

On Saturday a Labour lawmaker, Rosie Duffield, quit the party with a blast at Starmer, accusing him of sleaze and nepotism and saying the party leaders seemed more about greed and power than making a difference.

Relations between Duffield and the Labour leadership have long been strained, particularly over transgender issues. Duffield is a prominent opponent of making it easier for people to legally change their gender.

Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said he was disappointed to see her leave, but ultimately Im not surprised.
The United States is facing a caregiving crisis.

As Americas population ages and adults are staying active for longer, many are choosing to live in assisted-living facilities.

Assisted-living facilities offer 24-hour care but are less hands-on than nursing homes. They can offer the best of both worlds for a generation that values independence. Still, low staffing levels are causing facilities to raise prices and, in some cases, close their doors entirely, exacerbating an already severe care gap.

Residents of assisted-living facilities generally have their own apartments with shared amenities, offering more privacy and autonomy. They are also typically less expensive than nursing homes or home care.

Compare Home Health Care Agencies examined data compiled by the Department of Homeland Securitys Geospatial Management Office to find the counties in Ohio which have the highest rate of assisted-living facilities per 100,000 residents over 65, based on a national analysis. While facilities have varying numbers of beds that can accommodate more patients, the number of facilities is used since bed data was not available for some states.

After dipping in 2020, occupancy rates at assisted-living facilities have largely recovered since the COVID-19 pandemicfaster than nursing homes and independent living communities. However, tough working conditions, like being able to lift patients and deal with stressed and angry family members, combined with low wages, have caused a workforce shortage.

Fewer nurses and other medical professionals on staff can lead to a lack of individual attention and care. To remedy this, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services implemented requirements in April 2024 to increase staff-to-patient ratios; however, senior living facilities say the new staffing rules, which will be phased in over the next five years, are onerous.

The result is a face-off between government regulations and the private sector, which has been criticized for maximizing profits while not meeting patient needs and, in some cases, abuse and neglect.

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Compare Home Health Care Agencies

How states are preparing for an aging population

Since states, rather than the federal government, regulate assisted-living facilities, the quality and cost of care can vary greatly depending on location.

In Michigan, there is only one assisted-living facility per 100,000 residents over 65. According to a March 2024 State of Reform report, the state estimated that it is short 36,000 direct care workers, including certified nursing assistants, and that more than a third of nursing homes are turning away new patients every month.

Alaska, on the other hand, has the most assisted-living facilities per capita as more Americans decide to retire in the Last Frontier. In the last decade, the number of residents between 65 and 74 nearly doubled, according to the states Health Department, and developers have built facilities accordingly. However, the cost of care is among the highest in the nation. Alaskans pay about $7,250 per month for assisted living, 35% higher than the national average.

To rectify disparities, states have tried to boost home-based care by increasing workers pay and offering training programs. At the federal level, the Senate held its first hearing on assisted-living facilities in two decades in January, calling for increased oversight.

Since then, members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging have requested that the Government Accountability Office examine how much the federal government spends on assisted-living facilities each year. They are also soliciting information on quality and cost of care from families who have navigated the system.

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Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

Assisted-living facilities in Ohio

In Ohio, there are 1,126 assisted-living facilities, or 54.4 facilities per 100,000 adults over 65. Read on to see the counties with the most assisted-living facilities in Ohio.

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JNix // Shutterstock

#5. Columbiana

 Assisted-living facilities per 100K seniors: 94.0 (20 total facilities)

 Population over 65: 21,271 (20.9% of population)

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Henryk Sadura // Shutterstock

#4. Sandusky

 Assisted-living facilities per 100K seniors: 113.9 (13 total facilities)

 Population over 65: 11,418 (19.4% of population)

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#3. Putnam

 Assisted-living facilities per 100K seniors: 130.1 (8 total facilities)

 Population over 65: 6,151 (17.9% of population)

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Anne Kitzman // Shutterstock

#2. Paulding

 Assisted-living facilities per 100K seniors: 139.9 (5 total facilities)

 Population over 65: 3,574 (19.0% of population)

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#1. Morrow

 Assisted-living facilities per 100K seniors: 155.8 (10 total facilities)

 Population over 65: 6,418 (18.3% of population)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.

This story originally appeared on Compare Home Health Care Agencies and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This article was originally published in Chalkbeat.

Over the last three years, an influx of pandemic aid has been transformative for many schools.

Some were able to hire social workers or give every child a laptop for the first time. Others fixed up old buildings, tutored struggling students, or revamped summer school programs.

But that era is quickly drawing to a close. And this month marks an important stop on the way toward the end of COVID relief.

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Schools have to say by the end of this month how they plan to spend the last of their $123 billion from the American Rescue Plan, the third and final batch of schools COVID aid from the federal government. Then they have until Jan. 28, 2025 to spend the money.

The deadline at the end of September matters a lot: Schools that have any money not earmarked by then could eventually have to return the funds to the federal government. And some states have said they are concerned that schools may be at risk of not meeting that deadline.

Schools can seek an extension to spend their remaining aid until March 2026. But that wont give them more time to officially decide how to use it  leaving some scrambling to come up with a plan before the deadline in 11 days.

We have been in contact, in many cases multiple times, with districts and charters to remind them of their responsibility to obligate these funds, Tom Horne, Arizonas state superintendent, said in a news release earlier this week. Most are showing the ability to do this, but a number of them are at great risk of reverting funds.

Some Arizona school districts or charter schools had yet to commit any of their funds to a specific purpose, Horne said, and many others have earmarked only a fraction of their aid.

Michigan said it expected some federal aid would be returned by schools, but noted it had left less than 1% of the first two aid packages on the table.

We do anticipate that some school districts and subgrantees will not be able to obligate funds by the end of the month and may revert funds back to the federal government, Jeremy Meyer, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Education, told Chalkbeat in an email.

Still, federal officials told reporters on Thursday they were confident that little if any money was at risk of being returned by schools. Schools across the country have already spent and been reimbursed for 87% of their American Rescue Plan dollars, officials said. Much of the remaining money has been spent, too, but hasnt yet shown up on spending trackers due to record-keeping lags.

Schools cant use the aid to pay staff salaries after this month. But they can continue using it to do things like pay tutors to work with their students, finish up a construction project, or contract with a community organization to help with attendance outreach.

Federal officials have said they would look especially favorably on applications to spend the money beyond the usual timeline on Biden administration priorities, such as intensive tutoring, efforts to boost attendance, and extra instructional time.

Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Puerto Rico have already applied for and received spending extensions on behalf of some districts and schools. These extensions cover some $1.1 billion in aid, federal officials said.

Several other states, including Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., told Chalkbeat that they intended to apply for spending extensions in the coming weeks or months.

Nationwide, schools have already spent about $1.5 billion beyond original deadlines after getting extensions on their first two aid packages, federal officials said.

Schools have struggled for a number of reasons to spend down their pandemic aid, though often not for lack of need.

Construction delays held up spending in Mississippi, where schools spent a large share of aid on building projects. Meanwhile, supply-chain issues slowed spending in Tennessee and Illinois.

In Colorado, some schools had trouble filling certain educator positions amidst national shortages, or they planned to hire a company to provide training and were still waiting for that service to come through, Meyer wrote.

In other cases, not as many students or staff showed up to certain activities like summer school or after-school programs as originally anticipated, so they ended up costing less than expected.

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.
CHICAGO  Chicago police are searching for a missing 31-year-old who may be in need of medical attention.

Police said Wilfredo Ramos was last seen walking Friday in the 1700 block of South State Street in Near South Side.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Ramos is 61 and weighs 135 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

Anyone who sees Ramos or knows of their whereabouts is asked to call the Chicago Police Area Three Special Victims Unit at 312-744-8266.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHICAGO  Chicago police are searching for a 15-year-old boy who has not been seen in over two weeks.

Police said John Curney was last seen on Sept. 10 in the 7400 block of South Union Avenue in Englewood.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

John is 57 and weighs 130 pounds. He also has brown eyes and black hair, according to investigators.

Anyone who sees John or knows of his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Area One Detectives at 312-747-8380.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
CPD searching for missing teen who may be in need of medical attention

CHICAGO  Chicago police are searching for a missing 15-year-old girl who may be in need of medical attention.

Police said Jamila Young was last seen on Sept. 12 in the 1600 block of West Estes Avenue in Rogers Park. Jamila is reportedly known to frequent Touhy Park and Pottawattomie Park.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

She is 510 and weighs 165 pounds, with brown eyes and black/blue hair, according to investigators.

Police added Jamila may be in need of medical attention.

Anyone who sees her or knows of her whereabouts is asked to call the Chicago Police Area Three Special Victims Unit at 312-744-8266.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DENVER (KDVR)  Crews from multiple agencies responded to a grass fire in Park County on Saturday afternoon.

The fire was first reported at 12:47 p.m., according to the Pike and San Isabel National Forests fire information page.

Colorado aspen trees depend on fire to thrive

The fire was burning about five miles southeast of Jefferson in South Park. The U.S. Forest Service reported the fire was about 95 acres before it was contained. As of 1:15 p.m. Sunday, crews were continuing to mop-up the fire line, allowing the interior of the fire to burn itself out.

No structures were threatened and there were no evacuations or road closures. The cause of the fire is unknown and is under 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 FOX31 Denver.
Cyprus president fires police chief and deputy over the embarrassing escape of a convicted killer

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  The president of Cyprus on Sunday fired the chief of police, his deputy and the acting director of the countrys central prisons complex following the embarrassing escape of a convicted murderer while under guard during an eight-hour pass to visit family.

Government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis posted on the social media platform X that President Nikos Christodoulides decided immediately on his return late Sunday from New York, where he attended the United Nations General Assembly, to replace Police Chief Stylianos Papatheodorou and his deputy, Demetris Demetriou.

Taking the reins of the island nations police force is Themistos Arnaoutis while Panikos Stavrou has been appointed as his second in command.

Letymbiotis said the president could recommend that Constantinos Constantinides take over as acting Central Prisons director.

Christodoulides wasted no time on his return following the escape of Doros Theophanous, who is serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of his 24-year-old pregnant partner and her 4-year-old daughter.

A nationwide manhunt culminated in Theophanous' arrest earlier Sunday reportedly after he was recognized while shopping at a Limassol convenience store.

Three police officers and four prison guards who where guarding Theophanous, 42, while he attended a family get-together at their Paphos home have been suspended pending an investigation into possible dereliction of duty and other disciplinary offenses, according to a Justice Ministry statement.

A 26-year-old man is also in police custody on suspicion that he aided Theophanous in his escape by driving him away from his guard detail.

The escape whipped up much public indignation at the debacle that left a stain on the police forces reputation as Christodoulides grapples with widespread perception of official corruption and ineptitude.
Id be sunbathing with my beautiful body if I wasnt running for president, says Trump

Donald Trump told a rally in Wisconsin he had had a hell of a life before he entered politics - AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Donald Trump has said he could have been sunbathing on a beach if he was not running to regain the presidency, saying: You have never seen a body so beautiful.

The former president, 78, said he had a hell of a life before entering politics but he told supporters in Wisconsin he would keep fighting for them.

I will keep on fighting for you and for this country that we all love. Thats why Im doing this, he said.

I tell you what, I had a good life before I did this. Nobody was shooting at me, he joked, to laughter from the crowd

He continued: I had a hell of a life. Oh, those locations... I couldve been sunbathing on the beach. You have never seen a body so beautiful. Much better than Sleepy Joe.

Tight race

The Republican candidate was in the battleground Midwestern state on Saturday as he ramps up his campaign schedule with just over five weeks until the Nov 5 presidential election.

Trump is locked in a tight race against Kamala Harris in national polls, and narrowly leads her in some surveys of the six main swing states.

He also holds a lead on some of the issues voters consistently identify as priorities, including immigration and border security.

He used his rally in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, to attack his Democratic opponents record on illegal immigration through the US-Mexico border, calling her mentally impaired.

Citing figures from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, Trump claimed under Kamala Harris more than 13,099 convicted murderers... have crossed our border... so theyre free to kill again.

They make our criminals look like babies, he said.

In his most ferocious personal attack on his opponent yet, Trump told the crowd: Kamala is mentally impaired. If a Republican did what she did that Republican would be impeached and removed from office and rightfully so for high crimes and misdemeanours.

Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way. She was born that way, he said, to raucous applause from his supporters.

And if you think about it only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country.

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Dallas shooting: Woman in critical condition after East Oak Cliff apartment shooting

DALLAS - Dallas police are investigating a shooting at an East Oak Cliff apartment complex that left one woman in critical condition.

Police were called to the complex on Overton Road, near Southern Oaks Boulevard, shortly before midnight.

FOX 4 crews spotted multiple bullet holes in the driver side door and window of a white sedan in the complex's parking lot.

Multiple casings were found around the vehicle.

No arrests have been made, and no suspect description has been given at this time.
Lewis Hamilton has always been a vocal advocate for encouraging young talent in Formula 1, and his recent praise of rookies Franco Colapinto and Ollie Bearman demonstrates his commitment to fostering a positive atmosphere for newcomers.

After battling with both drivers during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton insisted on publicly recognizing their abilities, offering a stark contrast to the cold shoulder he received from most of his colleagues when he first joined the F1 grid with McLaren back in 2007.

Hamilton, who started from the pit lane in Baku and fought his way through the pack to finish in P9, found himself engaged in fierce battles with both Colapinto and Bearman, who were competing in only their second and third Formula 1 races, respectively.

After the race, Hamilton took to social media to express his admiration for the Williams and Haas apprentices, saying, It was a great fight, and its amazing to see so much new talent coming in.

Colapinto, in particular, was deeply moved by the gesture.

Lewis to shake hands with you after a race was one of the most special moments Ive had in my life, the Argentine wrote on social media. Really appreciate how much respect you showed. Really looking forward to meeting you back on track soon!

Speaking to the media before last weekends race in Singapore, Hamilton elaborated on why he wanted to be so positive towards the newcomers.

When I got to Formula 1, I dont remember ever having a warm welcome from anyone except from Niki [Lauda], but hes an ex-driver, Hamilton recalled.

Actually, it wasnt even Niki at the time! I just remember what it was like being that young and having that experience and how tough it is.

Now Im seeing these two do such an amazing job. Ive got both of them ahead of me at one point driving so well, not making mistakes, really talented but also [they] have really bright futures in front of them.

Hamiltons early career was marked by intense competition and limited support from established drivers.

Now, as a seven-time world champion and veteran of the sport, he is determined to set a different example for todays rookies.

In my position, I wanted to be different to those who were to me when I was younger, he added.

I want to make sure Im being positive to them and uplifting rather than talking negatively about them, which a lot of people do, just talk negatively about young people coming through for no reason, he said.

In an era where the pressures of Formula 1 are higher than ever, Hamiltons approach is refreshing. For Colapinto and Bearman, receiving praise from one of the sports greatest champions is not just a confidence boostits a sign that they belong.

As Hamilton put it, People talk negatively about young people coming through for no reason, but for him, its about being the positive influence that was largely missing when he first burst onto the scene.

As Bearman prepares for his full-time return to the grid with Haas in 2025 and Colapinto continues his journey with Williams, they do so knowing they have a powerful advocate in Hamilton, who sees in them the same promise and potential that he once possessed as a young driver entering the pinnacle of motorsport.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Is David Lammy prioritising arms sales over human rights? With the UAE, it sure looks that way

From freebies to foreign policy, there seems to be a dangerous disconnect between what the Starmer government say and what they do.

A government for growth was said to be the number one priority  while those savers and spenders who fuel it are hit with tax hikes. A government that treads lighter on our lives was pledged  while more laws impacting everything from speech to employment are planned. A government of service was promised  while a government of freebies is emerging.

Perhaps we should cut Labour some slack. Certainly, theyve had no practise in the governing game for half a generation. The big, domestic decisions on tax and spend are still to come. Cynics may find words and actions do start to align. But for foreign affairs  the policy area where much has already been said, and big decisions are already being taken under the slogan of progressive realism  the signs so far are mixed.

First there were relations with Israel. At the same time as mouthing support for the countrys right to defend itself, Labour have removed export licenses for some out of hundreds of military export items, while also pledging to uphold the International Criminal Courts requested arrest warrants for the Israeli prime and defence ministers. This mix of messages and actions pleases no one.

Second, there was David Lammys Substack. The Foreign Secretarys description in a blog post of Azerbaijans restoration of sovereignty over Karabakh from Armenias 30-year occupation as a liberation delighted the former and disturbed the latter. Neither country needed his accidental intervention that stands to insert unnecessary tensions into peace negotiations that Britain has long supported.

Third, there is Britains relations with the United Arab Emirates. For decades, successive UK governments have prioritised lucrative arms deals and investment opportunities over democratic values and human rights. This was, perhaps surprisingly, starting to change in the twilight Conservative years.

Vodafones partial sale to UAE-based e& caused the Conservative government real national security concerns. The Emirati states acquisition of a 14.6 per cent stake in the mobile network causes such apprehension that a national security committee was required to be established at Vodafone.

From assurances behind closed doors, ministers and parliamentarians became increasingly forthright that relations with the UAE should be reconsidered: so serious were issues of rights and potential interference that trade and investment should be made secondary, with rights and security instead the priority.

That was before the election. Now, with Labour installed we might expect this considerable policy shift to be continued, not least when Labour traditionally prides itself as a champion of human rights.

Yet so far, the signs suggest the opposite. A UK-Gulf Cooperation Council free trade deal, which was intentionally being made to tread water under the Tories, has now been re-prioritised by the new business secretary Jonathan Reynolds in an announcement last month.

Lammys first call to an Arab official was to UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdallah bin Zayed, raising questions about the new Governments approach to addressing security and human rights concerns. The recent case of Matthew Croucher, a former Royal Marine detained in Dubai for months on questionable charges, underscores the real-world implications of prioritising diplomatic ties over human rights issues.

The UK governments approach is further complicated by reports of suppressing criticism of the UAEs role in arming the Rapid Support Forces militia in Sudan, accused of genocide in Darfur. This reluctance to confront the UAE over its regional actions raises questions about the UKs commitment to human rights and international law.

Britains continued arms sales to the UAE, despite evidence of their use in conflicts with severe humanitarian consequences, have drawn criticism from human rights organizations. This ongoing military trade, worth billions annually, potentially implicates the UK in breaches of international humanitarian law.

The new government has an opportunity to reset UK-UAE relations. To take the starting point of the more critical position bequeathed by the Conservatives to its natural conclusion would involve publicly calling out human rights abuses, making future arms sales and trade deals contingent on tangible improvements in the UAEs human rights record, supporting international investigations into allegations of torture and arbitrary detention, while engaging more actively with UAE civil society and human rights defenders.

But this not what Labour are doing. Instead, the Foreign Secretary issued a joint statement with his Emirati counterpart stating the two countries would build on deep historic ties to develop a forward-looking partnership, including strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties. Extraordinarily, they also pledged close coordination on regional security and humanitarian issues.

Words like progressive realism will be proven to be just words if this continues. Just as in other areas, there is a dangerous disconnect appearing between what Labour say and what they do in relations with other countries. This is not what the partys supporters  nor the public  was expecting or wanting.

Ben Keith is a leading barrister in international law, extradition, immigration and human rights. He has particular expertise and experience in high-profile human rights cases involving the UAE

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.
On This Day, Sept. 29: U.S. establishes first standing army of 700 troops

The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performs during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington D.C., on October 25, 2023. On September 29, 1789, the U.S. War Department organized the country's first standing army -- 700 soldiers who would serve for three years. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1789, the U.S. War Department organized the country's first standing army -- 700 soldiers who would serve for three years.

In 1923, Britain began to govern Palestine under a League of Nations mandate.

In 1936, in the U.S. presidential race between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Alf Landon, the Democratic and Republican parties used radio for the first time. FDR won re-election in a record vote in November.

UPI File Photo

On September 29, 2017, the U.S. State Department pulled all non-emergency staff from its embassy in Havana, Cuba, in connection to mysterious health issues. File Photo courtesy U.S. Department of State

In 1941, the Babi Yar massacre of nearly 34,000 Jewish men, women and children began on the outskirts of Kiev in Nazi-occupied Ukraine.

In 1965, Communist North Vietnam announced that U.S. pilots taken prisoner would be tried as war criminals.

A Jewish choir performs at the menorah monument at the Babi Yar ravine in Kiev on September 27, 2006. File Photo by Sergey Starostenko/UPI

In 1988, Stacy Marie Allison, a construction worker from Portland, Ore., became the first American woman and the world's seventh to scale Mount Everest.

In 1992, Earvin "Magic" Johnson announced he was returning to the Los Angeles Lakers less than a year after he retired because he had AIDS. A month later, Johnson announced his retirement for a second time.

Judge John Roberts (2nd L) is sworn in by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens (R) as his wife, Jane Roberts, holds the Bible and U.S. President George W. Bush watches on September 29, 2005, in the East Room of the White House. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI

File Photo by David Becker/UPI

In 2005, John Roberts Jr. easily won confirmation by the U.S. Senate and was sworn in as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He succeeded the late William Rehnquist.

A shrine dedicated to the POW/MIA soldiers of the Vietnam and Korean Wars sits with a backdrop of an American flag on the mall, May 25, 1998. On September 29, 1965, Communist North Vietnam announced that U.S. pilots taken prisoner would be tried as war criminals. File Photo by Michael Smith/UPI

In 2017, the U.S. State Department pulled all non-emergency staff from its embassy in Havana, Cuba, in connection to mysterious health issues experienced by workers there. Dubbed "Havana syndrome," the mysterious symptoms were reported in multiple countries and there has yet to be an official cause.

In 2020, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden squared off in the first 2020 presidential debate. The candidates frequently talked over and insulted each other, prompting officials to change future debate formats.

In 2023, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in response to heavy rains and flooding in New York City, the Hudson Valley and Long Island that flooded subways and stranded travelers.

File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
A picture of Hassan Nasrallah, the late leader of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut, is displayed during a memorial service in Baghdad's eastern suburb of Sadr City on Sept. 29, 2024. Credit - Ahmad Al-RubayeAP

Just when the prospect of peace in the Middle East seemed further away than ever, the dramatic death of longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah significantly alters the balance of power and offers a renewed opportunity for peace.

It is hard to overstate the significance of removing Nasrallah from the scene. He was a singular leader possessing a unique portfolio of charisma and strategic skillsin the words of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, He was not another terrorist, he was the terrorist. His impact is a reminder that in an era where self-directed work teams, group leadership, and collective action are all the buzz, significant individuals can still have a profound impact on history. Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle said: The history of the world is but the biography of great men." Its clear that by "great," that would mean both virtuous and wicked.

When Nasrallah assumed leadership of Hezbollah in 1992, at age 32, taking over from assassinated co-founder Abbas al-Musawi, Hezbollah was still largely relegated to the fringes of Lebanese society. Over the next thirty years, Nasrallah and his acolytes systemically dismantled and subsumed the sovereign Lebanese government, with even no President since 2022, and wrought havoc on the Lebanese people with little support from the population. As noted by President Biden in calling Nasrallahs death a measure of justice, Nasrallah was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Lebanese, Israelis, Americans, and Syrians during his bloody rule, and enjoyed little support from Arab neighbors, with the Arab League joining the U.S. and the E.U. in designating Hezbollah a terrorist organization under his watch.

Under Hezbollah rule, Lebanon has arguably turned from prosperity into a failed state, but with Nasrallah and much of the leadership of Hezbollah now gone, there is an opportunity for what is left of the Lebanese government and military to reassert control and rebuild a functioning state, for the benefit of the people of Lebanon rather than Iran.

But the broader opportunity comes from what has accompanied Nasrallahs deaththe systematic degradation of Hezbollahs capabilities over the last month.

Recent history shows that criminal and terrorist movements rarely collapse with the removal of the top leader alone. The resurgence of Boko Haram has continued despite the killing of its leader Abubakar Shekau in 2021. Similarly, the resilience of Al-Shabaab after the U.S. killed one of its top commanders Maalim Ayman last year, and the flourishing of Mexicos Sinaloa Cartel despite the imprisonment of leader El Chapo and his son, show that taking down one key figure does not always have a grave impact.

But what is far more effective is when the top leaders removal is paired with the systemic hollowing out of a movements organizational capacity. Examples include the collapse of Al-Qaeda, culminating in the deaths of heads Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, the collapse of Russias Wagner Group after its forced integration with the Russian military culminating in the deaths of head Yevgeny Prigozhin and his top deputies, and the collapse of ISIS after years of military defeats culminating in the death of its already weakened leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

And that is what has happened in Lebanon over the last month. Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies exploded, making communications among Hezbollah operatives suspect. Strikes have eliminated Nasrallahs presumptive heirs and leadership cohort, and with Hezbollah fighters focused on their own survival, they have been less capable of launching their missiles at Israel in numbers we were seeing previously. Israel has been under attack from what they estimate to be anywhere from 8,000 to 11,000 missiles fired by Hezbollah since Oct. 8, 2023.

The sudden, unanticipated degradation of Hezbollah has shattered tired, old assumptions that Irans most vaunted proxy was untouchable, catching the U.S.and many othersby surprise, right as the global community was calling for a cease-fire. But even more importantly, it has exposed Iran and its proxies as paper tigers, tilting the regional power balance the furthest away from Iran and its allies in recent memory. One thing that is for sure: You can bet that Arab leaders will now be less fearful of Iran and its coercive abilities and will evaluate their options accordingly.

Of course, escalation remains possible, but Iran has always been wary of getting into a direct war with the U.S. Consider the reaction of Iran to the killing of Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020 and the strike on Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this year. The former produced a very limited retaliatory response, the latter still nothing. Deprived of its strongest proxy, the dramatically overestimated Hezbollah, Irans bluff has been called. Iran is left in deeper isolation in the Middle East, leaving the Ayatollahs regime increasingly reliant on patronage from Russia and China. Irans pursuit of nuclear weapons remains a danger that requires Irans leaders to understand that they could risk its entire nuclear infrastructure if it continues. But the Iranian economy remains very weak and is being propped up by windfall oil production.

What does all this mean for the prospect of regional peace? Netanyahu needs to be able to translate Israels military achievements into political outcomes. He cannot let nationalists in his coalition define what is possible in Gaza and the West Bank. But now, given Israels actions against Hezbollah, Iran-backed proxy groups will no doubt be worrying about their own security, or lack thereof, with the myth of Irans protective shield irrevocably punctured. Israeli security insistences which may have previously seemed indigestible may not be as intolerable when measured against the humiliation inflicted upon Hezbollah, and by extension, Iran.

The last few years have been marked by roads to peace not taken, and while the opportunity for peace looms large, whether that opportunity is realized will largely come down to the regional participants themselves. After so many missed opportunities, it is hard to be hopeful. However, even without any official accord, the removal of Hezbollahs Nasrallah, paired with the complete degradation of Hezbollah, promises a new day ahead for the Middle East.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Death toll climbs to 104 in Nepal floods and landslides

A man wades through an area flooded by the overflowing Bagmati river following heavy rains, in Kathmandu. Dipen Shrestha/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

The death toll from monsoon-induced floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to at least 104, with 64 people still missing, officials said on Sunday.

The devastating rains, which began late Thursday, have ravaged much of the country, particularly in the eastern and central regions.

According to Nepal police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki, 73 people have been severely injured across various regions since Friday.

"The search for the missing is still ongoing, while affected families are being moved to safety. It may take a couple of more days," Karki told dpa.

According to the Armed Police Force, around 3,267 people from affected areas have been moved to safety.

More than half of the fatalities occurred in the capital Kathmandu and surrounding districts, which were hit hard by flash floods and landslides.

Local media have described the rainfall in Kathmandu as the worst in decades.

The government has announced free treatment for the injured and relief packages for affected families.

The torrential rain has severely damaged infrastructure, including roads and bridges.

While domestic flights have partially resumed, many key roads connecting Kathmandu to the rest of the country remain blocked by landslides, and there have been power and internet outages in some areas.

The government has decided to close all schools across the nation for three days and suspend all ongoing examinations starting Sunday, according to a statement from the Minister for Education, Science, and Technology.

Although the weather in Kathmandu has improved, authorities have forecast further rain in isolated parts of the country until late Sunday.

Nepal's mountainous terrain and numerous rivers make the country particularly vulnerable to natural disasters.

Security force members use an inflatable raft to bring residents to safety from a flooded area near the bank of the overflowing Bagmati River following heavy rains, in Kathmandu. Dipen Shrestha/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
PERRY, Florida  The U.S. Southeast grappled Sunday with rising death tolls, a lack of vital supplies in isolated, flood-stricken areas and the widespread loss of homes and property while the devastating toll of Hurricane Helene became more clear and officials warned of a lengthy and difficult rebuild.

A North Carolina County that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported 30 people killed due to the storm, pushing the overall death toll to at least 84 people across several states.

Supplies were being airlifted to the region around Asheville. Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder pledged that she would have food and water into the city  which is known for its arts, culture and natural attractions  by Monday.

We hear you. We need food and we need water, Pinder said on a Sunday call with reporters. My staff has been making every request possible to the state for support and weve been working with every single organization that has reached out. What I promise you is that we are very close.

The storm upended life throughout the Southeast. Deaths also were reported in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper predicted the toll would rise as rescuers and other emergency workers reached areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure and widespread flooding.

He implored residents in western North Carolina to avoid travel, both for their own safety and to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. More than 50 search teams spread throughout the region in search of stranded people.

One rescue effort involved saving 41 people north of Asheville. Another mission focused on saving a single infant. The teams found people through both 911 calls and social media messages, North Carolina National Guard Adjutant General Todd Hunt said.

Hurricane Helene roared ashore late Thursday in Floridas Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph (225 kph) winds. A weakened Helene quickly moved through Georgia, then soaked the Carolinas and Tennessee with torrential rains that flooded creeks and rivers and strained dams.

There have been hundreds of water rescues, including in rural Unicoi County in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked by helicopter from a hospital rooftop Friday.



Several million were still without power Sunday afternoon. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster asked for patience as crews dealt with widespread snapped power poles.

We want people to remain calm. Help is on the way, it is just going to take time, McMaster told reporters outside the airport in Aiken County.

The storm unleashed the worst flooding in a century in North Carolina. One community, Spruce Pine, was doused with over 2 feet (61 centimeters) of rain from Tuesday through Saturday.

Jessica Drye Turner in Texas had begged for someone to rescue her family members stranded on their rooftop in Asheville amid rising floodwaters. They are watching 18-wheelers and cars floating by, Turner wrote in an urgent Facebook post on Friday.

But in a follow-up message Saturday, Turner said help had not arrived in time to save her parents, both in their 70s, and her 6-year-old nephew. The roof collapsed and the three drowned.

I cannot convey in words the sorrow, heartbreak and devastation my sisters and I are going through, she wrote.

Western North Carolina was isolated by landslides and flooding.

The state was sending water supplies and other items toward Buncombe County and Asheville, but mudslides blocking Interstate 40 and other highways prevented supplies from making it. The countys own water supplies were on the other side of the Swannanoa River, away from where most of the 270,000 people in Buncombe County live, officials sai

Law enforcement was making plans to send officers to places that still had water, food or gas because of reports of arguments and threats of violence, the sheriff said.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said the federal disaster agency was actively engaged across six states, meeting the requests of governors and state-level responders. She noted the Appalachian regions across North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia presented particular concerns. Criswell toured south Georgia on Sunday and planned to be in North Carolina on Monday.

Its still very much an active search and rescue mission in western North Carolina, Criswell said. And we know that theres many communities that are cut off just because of the geography of the mountains, where damage to roads and bridges have cut off certain areas.

President Joe Biden on Saturday pledged federal government help for Helenes overwhelming devastation. He also approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funding available for affected individuals.

In Floridas Big Bend, some lost nearly everything they own. With sanctuaries still darkened as of Sunday morning, some churches canceled regular services while others like Faith Baptist Church in Perry opted to worship outside.

Standing water and tree debris still covers the grounds of Faith Baptist Church. The church called on parishioners to come pray for our community in a message posted to the congregations Facebook page.

We have power. We dont have electricity, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church parishioner Marie Ruttinger said. Our God has power. Thats for sure.

In Atlanta, 11.12 inches (28.24 centimeters) of rain fell over 48 hours, the most the city has seen over two days since record keeping began in 187

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Saturday that it looked like a bomb went off after viewing splintered homes and debris-covered highways from the air.

In eastern Georgia near the border with South Carolina, officials notified Augusta residents Sunday morning that water service would be shut off for 24 to 48 hours in the city and surrounding Richmond County.

A news release said trash and debris from the storm blocked our ability to pump water. Officials were distributing bottled water.

With at least 25 killed in South Carolina, Helene was the deadliest tropical cyclone for the state since Hurricane Hugo made landfall north of Charleston in 1989, killing 35 people.

Moodys Analytics said it expects $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage.
The storm left a swath of damage across at least five US states, including Georgia (John Falchetto) (John Falchetto/AFP/AFP)

The death toll from powerful storm Helene jumped to at least 93 on Sunday, with one county in North Carolina alone reporting 30 deaths, authorities said, as rescuers battled to reach people in need across the southeastern United States.

The storm response took on a political tinge after President Joe Biden and the two candidates vying to replace him, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, announced plans to soon visit hard-hit areas, some of them in key battleground states in the November election.

High winds and torrential rain pummeled towns and cities across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Homes were destroyed, roads flooded out and power cut off to millions.

"We're hearing (of) significant infrastructure damage to water systems, communication, roads, critical transportation routes, as well as several homes that have been just destroyed by this," the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Deanne Criswell, said Sunday.

At least 93 people were killed in the extreme weather -- 37 in North Carolina, 25 in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, two in Tennessee and one in Virginia, according to tallies from local authorities compiled by AFP. That total was expected to rise.

"We have another devastating update. We now have 30 confirmed losses due to the storm," Quentin Miller, the sheriff in North Carolina's Buncombe County, which includes the tourist city of Asheville, told a briefing.

Flood warnings remained in effect in parts of western North Carolina, amid fears of potential dam failures.

Conditions were expected to improve in the affected areas by around Tuesday, National Weather Service director Ken Graham said.

Nearly 2.2 million households remained without power on Sunday, according to tracker poweroutage.us.

US Department of Energy official Matt Targuagno said that crews were working hard to restore electricity but warned it would be "a complex, multi-day response."

Thousands of people continued to seek assistance in shelters run by the American Red Cross, organization official Jennifer Pipa said.

- Bridges washed away -

Helene blew into Florida's northern Gulf shore as a huge Category Four hurricane with winds of 140 miles (225 kilometers) per hour.

Even as it weakened, it wreaked havoc.

North Carolina saw some of the worst of the flooding, with Governor Roy Cooper saying rescuers were being forced to airlift supplies in some areas due to damaged or flooded roads.

"I don't know that anybody could be fully prepared for the amount of flooding and landslides that they are experiencing right now," Criswell said on CBS, adding that more search and rescue teams were being deployed.

William Ray, director of the state's emergency management department, warned that conditions were still extremely dangerous.

Hundreds of roads across the region remained closed, with several bridges washed away by floodwaters.

Four major interstate highways were closed across North Carolina and Tennessee, with "multiple" bridges still out, said Kristin White of the US Department of Transportation.

Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina each had more than 100 road closures, she added.

In the Georgia city of Valdosta, the storm ripped the roofs off buildings, and left road intersections a tangle of felled utility poles and trees.

"The wind started really hitting, like, felt branches and pieces of the roof hitting the side of the building and hitting the windows," said Valdosta resident Steven Mauro.

"And then we were looking out and then literally this whole street, just everything went black."

Trump, the Republican former president seeking another term, will visit Valdosta on Monday for a briefing on the disaster, his campaign said.

Biden, who has approved federal aid for several states in the wake of the disaster, intends to travel to hard-hit areas this week, "as soon as it will not disrupt emergency response operations," the White House said Sunday, later adding that Harris would do the same.

"We will stand with these communities for as long as it takes to make sure that they are able to recover and rebuild," Harris said Sunday evening at a campaign rally in Las Vegas.

Biden was scheduled to speak about the post-storm response from the White House on Monday.

bur-sst/jgc
The debate: Should smartphones be banned for under 16s?

Smartphones have worked their way deep into our lives and have become indispensable for work and socialising.

Unsurprisingly, many children want them too, but here we are much less sure of the benefits they bring. Many parents worry they are addictive and expose children to inappropriate and harmful content. A growing number think stronger restrictions are needed.

Others suggest some of the risks are overblown. They argue phones provide good opportunities for child development, including socialising, and that the evidence of harm is neither as convincing nor as conclusive as critics suggest.

I hosted a debate on WhatsApp between an academic and a campaigner, focusing on whether there's a case to be made for stronger restrictions on children's use of smartphones. What follows is an edited version of their conversation.

Meet the participants

[BBC]

To ban or not to ban?

[BBC]

Daisy Greenwell from Smartphone Free Childhood, a grassroots campaign group against big tech, lets start with you.

What kind of ban or restrictions do you want and why?

[BBC]

Hi Chris.

Firstly, we think banning is unhelpful framing. Were not calling for an outright ban on smartphones.

Parents have been put in an impossible position by the tech companies - we either give our kids access to a harmful product (ie a smartphone with unrestricted access to the internet and social media) or go against the cultural grain and risk alienating them from their peer group.

Governments need to do better to help parents and protect young people.

Put simply, we believe that until tech companies can prove that their products are safe for children, children shouldnt have unrestricted access to them.

[BBC]

What restrictions would you like to see?

[BBC]

We believe there should be default age-appropriate set up of smartphones. Age-verification technology exists  how can it be implemented at a device and content level to ensure children can only access services that are appropriate for them?

Despite the 13+ minimum age requirement for social media, 51% of British children under 13 use it. They should not be on these platforms as they are not safe, so we need to find a way of enforcing that as soon as possible.

We also believe the government should implement a mandatory ban on smartphones in schools, given that only 11% of schools currently have an effective ban, and all the the research proves that they are hugely disruptive for learning, behaviour and lead to serious safeguarding issues.

[BBC]

[BBC]

Sonia Livingstone, youre a social psychologist specialising in how tech affects childrens lives. Does the evidence support what Daisy is saying about the risks?

[BBC]

Hi Daisy.

I think there are several points we could agree on, especially about avoiding the word ban

Some points are trickier, though, including the application of age assurance, which is important for high-risk services but care is needed as it has privacy implications for the entire population.

On the question of evidence, its a mixed picture. Theres a little evidence supporting restrictions on smartphones in schools. For the rest of childrens lives, we need to consider the positives as well as the negatives of phone use.

[BBC]

Of course I agree and am aware of potential positives of smartphones for children. Wouldnt it be great if all children could benefit from the upsides of this technology without any of the harms?

Unfortunately were a million miles away from that utopia at the moment.

Thats why something needs to change urgently.

[BBC]

Sonia, do you think it's a mistake for schools to introduce bans?

[BBC]

Were just reviewing the research now. Its pretty clear that parents, teachers and students would like clear and effective restrictions on use of phones in class.

The trouble is that we have had a policy of bring your own device and of incorporating digital technologies into the classroom for educational purposes.

So I suggest its time to review our edtech policy more broadly. This hasn't been updated since the pandemic, and is currently benefiting big tech and data brokers more than children, according to the evidence.

When we consult children, they agree with some of the risks and problems that Daisy points to.

But they also value their phones, precisely as a way of staying in touch with friends Our society has cut many of the ways in which children have long been able to play or socialise outside the home.

[BBC]

The network effects of this technology and the sophistication of their addictive design means parents and young people are fighting an impossible battle.

Who should regulate childrens mobile phone use?

[BBC]

[BBC]

Daisy - its hard for a child to buy a phone, and if they have one its probably come from mum or dad. Why not just leave it to parents to decide?

[BBC]

Its totally unfair to put the onus on the parents.

[BBC]

I agree that the burden should be shifted to companies. Not only are they amplifying the harms, but also they refuse to provide more age-appropriate services and a wider diversity of products.

[BBC]

Sonia - are the risks as grave as Daisy suggests? Does the evidence support that?

[BBC]

Theres a case to be made for both risks and benefits; and both appear to be greater for more vulnerable children.

So yes, children need better protections, for sure, and yes, the present situation is problematic for many and dangerous for some.

[BBC]

The entire business model of social media giants is predicated on harvesting as much attention as possible. Smartphones and addictive social media apps have lured children away from the activities that are indispensable to healthy development - outdoor play, face-to-face conversations, sleep.

[BBC]

The question is how to achieve the balance that the public wants between regulation vs education, individual choice vs limits for all.

If we ask: are smartphones bad for children, the evidence suggests yes in some ways, no in others, and it depends on the child and the circumstances.

[BBC]

Yes its complicated. You can always find two sides to any academic debate, but we think we need to take a step back and question the societal norm, which is to give children smartphones when theyre younger and younger Do they need them?

[BBC]

Now it sounds like you are putting the blame on parents, Daisy?

[BBC]

No - were saying this is a huge societal issue that needs imagination and bold action.

[BBC]

Moreover, if we ask what the causes of child wellbeing or poor mental health are, technology use is one among many factors - lets start with poverty, family stress, lack of play and community resource, anxiety about the future

Are children addicted to smartphones?

[BBC]

Sonia - some researchers have disputed the idea that they are addictive, is there good scientific evidence of that?

[BBC]

I think Daisy has in mind the dark patterns and attention-grabbing incentives built into social media and game design; these certainly have adverse effects.

Clinicians are just careful about addiction because alcoholism, drug addiction etc are rather different.

Still, they agree that some 1-3% of the child population meets the threshold for clinical addiction to tech.

[BBC]

What about behavioural addiction?

We all know what addiction to our smartphones feels like it seems ludicrous to question whether theyre addictive or suggest only 1-3% are.

We know that children are spending four to nine-plus hours a day on these devices.

[BBC]

Im trying not to be ludicrous, and am happy to offer citations to clinical research.

[BBC]

Daisy - what needs to change, would you increase the age limits on social media for example?

[BBC]

We believe that until social media platforms can prove they are safe for children, children shouldnt be on them. Were very interested in what the Australian government is exploring.

[BBC]

All interesting proposals, and as ever, the devil is in the detail. Three questions from me:

1. Is the British public ready for mandatory age verification? They will have to get used to giving up their personal information to companies. Can we trust those companies with such sensitive information?

2. Yes, let's enforce age limits. But first, lets debate the right one - 13 is pretty much an accident of the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act, not a thought-through child-protection policy.

[BBC]

3. How safe should platforms be? As safe as roads? Or swimming pools? And how can we balance risks with opportunities?

[BBC]

On your first question, the public is crying out for something to change. Its not up to us to figure out the workings of age-verification technology, but we shouldnt give up because its complicated.

To your second question, totally agree, we dont think 13 is the right age  its based on 25-year-old US data law, not child wellbeing  but it is the age at the moment so it should be enforced.

[BBC]

Yes, the public wants change, and rightly so. But sadly, unless we can propose workable solutions, we may find our calls unheeded.

[BBC]

This sounds defeatist - it shouldnt be on parents to come up with all the policy solutions in what is an incredibly complicated space.

[BBC]

I dont think it is all on parents. Academics, regulators, civil society, childrens charities, lawyers and technologists are all actively seeking ways forward.

[BBC]

How young is too young to be on social media, Sonia?

[BBC]

Im afraid I consider that the wrong question. We may need another debate.

[BBC]

Why? It seems a question that nobody wants to answer

[BBC]

OK, let me give it a try.

1. The right age for one child is not right for another.

2. It depends what the child wants to do online.

3. It depends if the child is vulnerable or supported.

4. It depends what digital product or service you are talking about.

[BBC]

Would you apply the same logic to the age of consent?!

[BBC]

Thats yet another debate - am not refusing to answer, but it will take time. Perhaps you have quick answers to big problems, but I like to weigh the evidence.

[BBC]

Daisy - what about Sonias third question. We do let children take risks where we think there are rewards too in sport etc.

[BBC]

Its interesting framing - it certainly shouldn't be driving kids to suicide, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, etc.

[BBC]

Absolutely.

Do children benefit from having smartphones?

[BBC]

[BBC]

Do you accept, Daisy, that there are benefits to owning these devices and is it right to cut children off from those benefits that adults enjoy?

[BBC]

The upsides of technology are clear Smartphones are incredibly useful. We carry around all-powerful supercomputers in our pockets that know everything and are connected to everyone, everywhere Theyve transformed the way we live.

But at what cost? We need to question the assumption that all technological advancement is social progress.

Kids dont actually need to be connected to the internet 24/7. They dont need phones for work or to organise diaries etc.

A brick phone can keep them connected to family and friends.

[BBC]

But don't children need to learn how to use these tools that many adults find essential?

[BBC]

A five-year-old can learn how to use Instagram in about four minutes - thats really not a valid argument.

Do children need to learn how to have sex before theyre 16, or drive before theyre 17? Both things that will be important to their adult lives.

[BBC]

Also we arent saying dont use tech - just dont have unrestricted access to the internet in your pocket 24/7.

[BBC]

The thing is, society has involved the internet - typically accessed via a smartphone - in most domains

So it's hard to know where to start. One place might be the recent Good Childhood Report. It gives a decent measure of what's going wrong.

[BBC]

Why shouldnt children have healthy, intentional, non-addictive relationships with technology that enhances their lives?

We would say the solution starts with people power, not more academic quarrels.

[BBC]

Were going to wrap up now. Thank you both - its been a lively debate.

[BBC]

This debate has demonstrated that even people who agree that tech firms need to do more can disagree passionately over how far we should restrict childrens smartphone use.

The UK government says it has no plans to introduce a smartphone ban for under 16s, and there may be no consensus over how much change is needed, but change is happening nonetheless: tech firms are rolling out new child-safety features, schools are adopting new policies and the technology itself continues to evolve, creating more opportunities and risks.

Disagreement over how we keep children safe online will likely be with us for some time.

BBC InDepth is the new home on the website and app for the best analysis and expertise from our top journalists. Under a distinctive new brand, well bring you fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions, and deep reporting on the biggest issues to help you make sense of a complex world. And well be showcasing thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. Were starting small but thinking big, and we want to know what you think - you can send us your feedback by clicking on the button below.
Decatur man dead after hit-and-run in Lawrence County, according to ALEA

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said a man was killed after he was hit by a vehicle in Lawrence County Sunday morning.

ALEA said around 2:40 a.m., a single-vehicle crash killed 31-year-old Matthew Anderson Ryan Kelley. ALEA said Kelley was lying in the roadway when he was hit by an unknown vehicle.

The agency said the unknown vehicle left the scene of the crash.

Kelley was pronounced dead at the scene. ALEA said the crash took place on Lawrence County 209, about 10 miles east of Moulton.

ALEA said the Highway Patrol Division will continue to investigate this incident.

The vehicle involved in the crash, along with the driver, is currently unknown. If anyone has information concerning the crash, please contact ALEA Troopers at (256) 383-9212.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Bloomberg) -- The Conservative Party calls itself the UKs natural party of government. As the Tories gather for their annual conference in Birmingham, they find themselves not only in opposition for the first time in 14 years, but forced to confront the fallout from their worst ever election defeat.

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The agenda will be dominated by debates on how to rebuild, whether to pivot to the center ground or attempt to win back votes lost to the right-wing Reform UK party. The immediate question, though, is who replaces ex-premier Rishi Sunak as leader. Four challengers remain, and theyll be trying to persuade colleagues they should be in a final pair put to a members vote later in the autumn.

Below are the contenders, with the latest bookmakers odds:

Robert Jenrick, Former Immigration Minister

Once thought of as a right-of-center moderate with no obvious path to the leadership, Robert Jenrick shot to prominence by re-branding himself as a warrior against woke culture and more recently, as a defender of English identity. He resigned from Sunaks government in 2023, arguing the then prime ministers plan to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda didnt go far enough to reduce immigration. That positioning won him support from the right of the party, and he has topped both ballots of Tory MPs so far.

Still, the Cambridge University-educated father of three isnt a shoo-in, despite being the strong favorite with bookmakers. Jenrick, 42, is not free of past controversy; as housing secretary in 2020, he came under fire over his contacts with a property tycoon seeking planning permission for a housing development, and he was dumped from Boris Johnsons Cabinet the following year.

Odds: Gamblers on the Betfair Exchange rank Jenrick the favorite at 4/6 odds.

Kemi Badenoch, Former Business Secretary

The other contender on the partys right flank is Kemi Badenoch, who trailed Jenrick in the first two ballots of MPs, but leads her rival in recent surveys by the influential Conservative Home website. That suggests were she to make the run-off with Jenrick, grassroots Tory members would vote to make the 44-year-old Badenoch the first Black leader of any major UK political party.

But convincing MPs is her biggest challenge. The former Business Secretary has a reputation for bluntness that appeals to activists and makes supporters believe shed be a formidable opponent to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Shes in tune with the party on issues including wokeism, immigration and cultural identity, and was not afraid to criticize Sunaks administration (which she was part of), saying it talked right, but governed left. But her style puts off colleagues, raising the risk that another candidate will pass her and leave Badenoch unable to take her renewal campaign to the grassroots.

Odds: Second behind Jenrick on the Betfair Exchange, with a 12/5 chance.

James Cleverly, Former Home Secretary

An Army Reserve officer from London, James Cleverly draws his support from the more moderate part of the Conservative Party  though his pledge to bring back Sunaks controversial Rwanda plan, which he defended as home secretary despite reports that he privately opposed the policy, appears designed to bolster his credibility on the partys right.

Current odds suggest the 55-year-old faces an uphill struggle, though some Labour supporters fear Cleverly  who like Badenoch would be the first Black leader of a major UK political party if he succeeded  would pose a risk for Starmer by winning back centrist voters who went to the Liberal Democrats or Labour last time. But his chance appears to hinge on taking support from his moderate rival (see below) and hoping a post-election Tory exodus to the Reform UK party has left the grassroots more centrist than surveys suggest.

Odds: Well behind Jenrick and Badenoch, at 11/1 on the Betfair Exchange.

Tom Tugendhat, Former Security Minister

Currently lagging with the bookmakers, Tom Tugendhat, 51, is a former soldier who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was security minister in Sunaks government. His politics are more moderate, coming from the so-called One Nation caucus of Tories, and he backed Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum. His campaign materials refer to Conservative core values, and hes urged the party to turn our back on the infighting.

But the consensus is that Tugendhat  whos also a former Bloomberg journalist  is too centrist for grassroots Tories. Early in his campaign, he said hed be willing to take Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights if needed to bring down immigration. That was seen as a nod to political necessity, though it surprised some supporters. Hes the nephew of Christopher Tugendhat, a businessman and Tory peer in the House of Lords.

Odds: Rank outsider at 23/1 odds on the Betfair Exchange.

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Travelers through Raleigh-Durham International Airport were advised to expect delays Sunday following an equipment malfunction.

That malfunction was resolved and normal travel conditions resumed before 5 p.m., airport officials said in an email.

Systems are coming back online at RDU after an equipment malfunction affected some technology in the terminals, as well as parking facilities and the internal phone system, an RDU spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Airport staff are manually assisting passengers where systems remain down. Travelers are being processed through the airport and flights are operating with no current impact on arrivals and departures. As always, travelers should check their flight status before coming to the airport.

Earlier in the afternoon, airport officials posted on RDU social media accounts that they were investigating the situation.

The Airport Authority is currently investigating an equipment malfunction affecting some systems at RDU, the post reads. Airport staff are manually assisting customers and investigating the issue. Travelers should check with their airline for flight status and plan ahead for potential delays.

Travelers at the airport reported experiencing computer and parking problems that brought parts of RDU to a standstill.

Phone lines to the airport appeared impacted as well, as calls to RDU resulted in a busy signal.
We're only a few days away from the announcement of the 2025 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). It's a big deal for seniors who have been battling high inflation over the last few years. But it's unlikely that the COLA is going to be life-changing.

The latest projections from the nonpartisan Senior Citizens League are for the COLA to come in around 2.5%. That would add $48 to the $1,920 average monthly Social Security benefit as of August.

If you're a Social Security recipient and this won't be enough to maintain your current standard of living, you might need to call upon some of the following four alternative sources of retirement income.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Personal savings

Personal savings are your go-to if you have them. You withdraw as much as you need to cover whatever expenses arise, which makes them the most flexible source of retirement income you have. But no matter how much is in your account, it's still a finite resource.

You need the right retirement withdrawal strategy to help your savings last as long as possible. This includes withdrawing just as much as you need and choosing the right accounts to withdraw from. Tax-deferred retirement accounts, like traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, require you to pay taxes on your withdrawals, while Roth withdrawals are generally tax-free in retirement. If you're over 73, you must consider the effects of required minimum distributions as well.

You also want to pay careful attention to how you invest the money that remains in your account. You might want to keep some money in a bank account or certificate of deposit where you can access it easily.

But you also want some of it invested in bonds and the stock market so it can continue to grow. Just be sure to err on the side of caution. At this stage, it's important to protect what you have managed to save.

2. Income from a job

If you are healthy enough to work, you could get a full- or part-time job to help make ends meet. This doesn't have to be in the same line of work you were in before retirement; you can choose something that's more in keeping with your interests today.

It doesn't have to provide a lot of money, either, as long as it's enough to cover what your Social Security checks and personal savings cannot. Depending on your needs and your employer, you might be able to get by with working just a few days per week. Remote work is an option for people who want to travel in retirement.

Starting your own business can be risky. There are usually up-front costs, and if that business were to fail, it could leave you in a worse position than you're in now. Understand all the costs associated with starting a business and be prepared to take the risk before going ahead.

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3. Rental income

Retirees who own extra properties might be able to earn some money by renting them out. This can be especially valuable if you own the property outright. However, you'll still be responsible for maintenance.

Traditional, long-term rentals could be the way to go if you're looking for something predictable. But short-term vacation rentals are an option as well, especially if you live in a popular tourist destination.

Short-term rentals might need extra attention from you, though, since you'll have to inspect and clean the place between guests. But you can hire someone to do this for you.

4. Government assistance

It's a method of last resort, but if you're not able to cover your living expenses any other way, check to see whether you qualify for other government assistance programs. These are generally administered on the state level, though you can see if your local community offers assistance as well.

Government programs are there to help with food, housing, utilities, and healthcare. There are criteria you have to meet regarding income, and you might have to recertify your income periodically to ensure you're still eligible.

Prepare a budget

You may need a combination of these four income sources to make ends meet. Once you know what your 2025 Social Security check will be, you can start planning for what it doesn't cover. Revisit this budget after a month or two to make sure it's still working for you.

If not, you will need to either reduce your spending or increase your income to find a balance that is comfortable for you.

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Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport could be among the next airports to get Delta's new Delta One Lounge.

The lounges are among the most high-end perks the airline offers, and Minneapolis could get one in the not-too-distant future CEO Ed Bastian said during the Airport Foundation MSP's State of the Airport event, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal reports.

Delta Air Lines opened its first Delta One Lounge this summer at New York's JFK Airport and has already announced plans to open similar spaces at Los Angeles International (this fall), Boston's Logan International (by the end of 2024), and Seattle-Tacoma International (spring 2025).

The Delta One Lounge at JFK Airport Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

"MSP needs one, and we're working and trying to figure that out, so we'll be coming... with some ideas," Bastian said at the event, per the Business Journal.

While Delta has three Sky Club lounges at MSP, the Delta One Lounge is its latest amenity for travelers looking to spend more to travel in comfort.

At JFK, the lounge comes with three-course meals, spa treatments, showers, a dedicated bar, a luxury space for passing the time before flights, and amenity kits.

The Delta One Lounge wellness room at JFK Airport Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

The lounges are only available to passengers with a Delta One business class ticket. The exclusivity to high-spending business travelers is partly aimed at providing less crowded lounges and relieving congestion in its more accessible Sky Club lounges.

A potential Delta One Lounge isn't the only thing the airline is adding to service at MSP. It recently announced it would begin nonstop flights to Rome next year as well.

Related: Delta will introduce nonstop flights from MSP to Rome in 2025
Hurricane Helene has residents in Upstate South Carolina scrambling.

And not just scrambling for a place to crack open their laptops and connect to Internet service or shower with lukewarm water at the very least. But for a place to enjoy a meal that can keep them full for the day.

Since Friday, over 1.1 million power outages have been reported across South Carolina, leaving many without places to refrigerate food and causing an influx of customers at open restaurants in the Upstate.

It was all about staying open to provide food and service for their customers on Sept. 29 days after the winds and rains from Hurricane Helene hit the area. Smoking Butt Heads BBQ is using this power generator to stay in business during the loss of power in the area.

"We've been super short-staffed, blessed that we've had power. But the demand has been crazy," said Rick Morris, the owner of Sully's Steamers off Church St. in Spartanburg. "We've had about 1,100 orders the last two days."

Updated grocery store, restaurants list: Whats open? Updated grocery stores, restaurants list in Upstate amid Hurricane Helene

"Pick up order for Brian," he yelled across the store. He didn't have the luxury to stop working while answering questions.

It was all about staying open to provide food and service for their customers on Sept. 29 days after the winds and rains from Hurricane Helene hit the area. This is Rick Morris of Sully's Steamers Church St. Spartanburg.

"We've had to close at 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It's been that crazy," Morris said. Usually, Sully's Steamers closes at midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Despite the long lines and starving customers, Morris is impressed with how the community has responded.

"People have been very understanding and very patient," Morris said. "Seeing how well the community has reacted to our situation has been amazing."

Neyvi Tinoco, the manager at La Paz Mexican Restaurant & Grill in Boiling Springs, said the establishment is operating normally except for accepting online orders.

It was all about staying open to provide food and service for their customers on Sept. 29 days after the winds and rains from Hurricane Helene hit the area. La Paz Mexican Restaurant & Grill in Boiling Springs on Sept. 29.

But the stress is still there.

"It's extremely overwhelming," said Tinoco as several customers rushed into the restaurant. "We've never been through something like this before. The impact of all the houses around us and people without power has been a lot. It has impacted us, but we're happy we can serve people."

"We're still seating people relatively quickly, which is good," he said. "We're just going to keep serving people until we run out."

Even establishments without power have been finding ways to operate. This is true for Smoking Butt Heads BBQ, located in downtown Spartanburg, which has been doing all of its cooking outside, mainly on a grill.

"We've been trying to cook everything we have," said Todd Smith, owner of Smoking Butt Heads BBQ. "We know that if we don't cook it, we'll lose it. We've got a generator running and just trying to feed the community."

It was all about staying open to provide food and service for their customers on Sept. 29 days after the winds and rains from Hurricane Helene hit the area. This is Smoking Butt Heads BBQ in downtown Spartanburg.

One of the biggest differences Smith has seen is how generous customers have been with their wallets.

"Heck yeah!," Smith said excitedly when asked if he'd seen an increase in tips. "These people killed it out here in tips, man. I wish I were out here serving. Everyone is being very generous and appreciative. I probably heard 'thank you' around 100 times serving out here yesterday."

Kamryn Jackson covers high school sports for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at KEJackson@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @KamxJack.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Demand for hot meal keeping open Spartanburg restaurants busy
Denmark will invest 4.2 billion Danish kroner ($628 million) into Ukraine's arms production, according to Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

Poulsen signed the following agreements with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov and Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin in Kyiv. The Danish defense minister's trip to Kyiv took place as part of the run-up to the defense industries forum set to start on Oct. 1.

Of the sum announced by Poulsen, 1.3 billion kroner ($200 million) will be provided by the Danish government, while the rest will be provided by Denmark as part of the country's commitments to hand over profits obtained from frozen Russian assets.

"It is important that we continue to support Ukraine's freedom struggle in all the ways we can," Poulsen said.

The Danish government has previously 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.

The Danish government also announced a $115 million military aid package for Ukraine on Aug. 19.

The Danish government promised to transfer another batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine later this year, Poulsen said earlier this month.

Copenhagen has pledged to deliver 19 aircraft to Ukraine in total but did not disclose how many had already been provided. Poulsen did not name the size of the second batch either "for the sake of operational security."

Read also: Ukraine awaits Mirage 2000 jets, in talks about Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon

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Denmark and Ukraine have reached an agreement on investment of 4.2 billion Danish kroner (approx. US$628 million) in the Ukrainian defence industry.

Source: Danish Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to the ministrys press service, Ukrainian weapons and equipment will be delivered to the front lines thanks to Danish funding. It accomplishes this by drawing on income from frozen Russian assets.

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umierov, and Minister of Strategic Industry Herman Smetanin signed an agreement to maintain contract cooperation with Ukrainian defence businesses.

The acquisition will be financed in the amount of 1.3 billion Danish kroner (approx. US$194.6 million), which the government, with the support of the Danish parliament, allocated for these purposes, and 2.9 billion Danish kroner (approx. US$434 million) from frozen Russian assets, which Denmark must cash out on behalf of the EU.

"Denmark is leading the way by donating arms directly from the Ukrainian defence industry. This strengthens the ability of Ukrainians to produce exactly the weapons that are in demand," said Troels Lund Poulsen.

Recently it was reported that the Danish government will provide 130 million kroner (over 16 million) for the restoration of Ukraines energy system, which is constantly attacked by the Russians.

On 20 September, Ukraines Defence Minister Umierov announced that the country had received the first 40.7 million from a Danish aid package aimed at supporting Ukrainian weapons production.

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NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  New Mexicans interested in the dental industry will soon have easier access to training.

Earlier this week, the New York-based Touro College of Dental Medicine broke ground on New Mexicos first undergraduate clinical training facility located on the Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute Campus.

Corrales celebrates autumn with annual harvest festival

The 70,000-square-foot facility will include both educational and clinical space and will house more than 100 units for specialty care like oral surgery and pediatric dentistry.

The college said the new facility will help offer much-needed, low-cost oral healthcare to under-served communities, especially the pueblos.

The facility is set to be completed by May 2025.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
DENVER (KDVR)  Summer-like conditions continue as Denvers weather looks to stay hot Sunday. In fact, Pinpoint Weather, Colorados Most Accurate Forecast, is watching the potential for more record-high temperatures.

Weather tonight: Breezy and mild

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up for weather alerts from the Pinpoint Weather team

Temperatures overnight Saturday will again be unseasonably mild. Normal lows for Denver are now in the middle 40s, but temperatures will only cool to around 60 degrees Sunday morning. It will also be breezy; expect southerly winds around 15-25 miles per hour at times. The skies will be clear, so the weather will be dry.

Weather tomorrow: Temperatures nearing record highs

It might be early autumn, but it certainly doesnt feel like it. Temperatures Sunday afternoon should touch 90 degrees in Denver  making it the 64th day of 90-degree or warmer temperatures this year.

The record high is 92 degrees set back in 1892. Other locations will also be flirting with 90 degrees once again.

View the latest Weather Alerts in Denver and across Colorado on FOX31

Looking ahead: Staying dry as temperatures seesaw

The extended outlook will remain dry and uneventful with plenty of sunshine. The most interesting weather features will be occasional breezy winds on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Temperatures will see-saw a bit next week as well. They will start in the middle 80s Monday, fall into the 70s Tuesday and jump back to nearly 90 degrees Wednesday, before settling in the lower 80s to end the work 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 FOX31 Denver.
Departing NYC schools chancellor David Banks admits Eric Adams might not stay mayor following indictment

Departing NYC schools chancellor David Banks admits Eric Adams might not stay mayor following indictment

Outgoing schools Chancellor David Banks has confided to city superintendents he doubts that embattled Mayor Adams can remain in power after his indictment, sources told The Post.

Banks called a Zoom meeting with 45 superintendents on Thursday, a day after the U.S. Attorneys office in Manhattan filed an indictment charging Adams with bribery, fraud and other corruption charges.

I dont know if he can overcome this turmoil. I dont know if anyone can overcome this, a staffer who attended the meeting quoted a somber Banks as telling the district leaders. Adams appointed Banks, a longtime friend and ally, to lead NYC public schools after taking office in January 2022.

Outgoing schools Chancellor David Banks has confided to city superintendents he doubts that embattled Mayor Adams can remain in power after his indictment, sources told The Post. James Keivom

But Banks, who stepped down a day before the indictment, insisted that if Adams is removed from office or resigns, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams becomes interim mayor, disruptions would be minimal.

He reassured us that the work will continue  to stay focused, the staffer said.

Melissa Aviles-Ramos, whom Adams appointed incoming chancellor on the eve of his indictment, will carry out the same agenda, including new citywide reading and math curricula, Banks told the educators.

The superintendents did not speak or ask questions, said the staffer, who called the indictment and investigations swirling around City Hall a big distraction: We cant focus on the real work.

Banks insisted that disruptions would be minimal if Adams is removed from office or resigns. Paul Martinka

The indictment and investigations swirling around City Hall are big distraction, with one staffer pointing out that we cant focus on the real work. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Aviles-Ramos attended the meeting, but did not speak, the staffer added.

In a celebratory press conference on Wednesday, Adams and Aviles-Ramos embraced.

Thank you everyone for accepting me and for supporting me. I have your back and were gonna get stuff done, she said, using the mayors signature mantra.

.
(NewsNation)  The listeria-caused recall of Boars Head deli meats produced at a now-closed plant in Virginia involved more than seven million pounds of products distributed in 19 states. But its still easy to find its turkey, ham, beef charcuterie and other items on sale around the nation.

While the plant in Jarratt, Virginia was identified as the source of the listeria outbreak that has led to about 60 hospitalizations and ten deaths, Boars Head operates eight other plants.

Boars Head says it closed the Jarratt plant indefinitely, putting about 500 out of work in a town with a population of fewer than 700.

Recall Alert: John Deere utility tractor brakes may fail

It pains us to impact the livelihoods of hundreds of hard-working employees. We do not take lightly our responsibility as one of the areas largest employers, Boars Head wrote in a statement on its website. But, under these circumstances, we feel that a plant closure is the most prudent course.

The company has also stopped making liverwurst, the meat produced in Jarratt blamed for the listeria outbreak.

A former sanitation manager at the Jarratt plant told NewsNation affiliate WRIC that long-time workers at the plant were not keeping up with modern sanitation guidelines.

One thing I did find out about Boars Head is they were just not open to new ideas, Terrance Boyce said. Just not open at all.

Boyce was hired in January 2023, as the plants first on-site manager for sanitation. He was fired eight months later.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
The new special exhibition at Detroit Institute of Arts has a surprising and unusual side effect for an art display: It will make you hungry.

Seriously  plan for a good meal after you see it.

"The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World" opened last week at the Midtown institution and brings together more than 200 works from the Middle East and beyond in a fun and flavorful exploration of the connections between art and cuisine from ancient times to the present day.

"A Banquet Scene with Hormuz," an Iranian painting from a manuscript of the Shahanama of Firdwasi, ca. 1485-95, is one of the elaborate works on display at the DIA's "Art of Dining" exhibit.

Paintings of elaborate feasts hang alongside beautiful and unique dishes, ewers and platters, and glimpses of recipes through historical cookbooks. Theres a display featuring a sample menu and QR code link to some of the recipes. DIA visitors will also find historical recipes via QR code, including one for rice and lamb with chickpeas and eggplant dressing in sauce.

Throughout the exhibit are 16 pieces from the DIAs collection. One such piece is a tinned copper saltcellar from Mughal, India, that was purchased by the DIA in 1930, according to Katherine Kasdorf, an assistant curator at the DIA and curator of the "Art of Dining" exhibit.

You can see at the very base there are Persian inscriptions, and those are poetic verses about salt, which is how we know that it's a saltcellar." said Kasdorf. "And then it also records the name of its owner. Mohammed Hussein  he was a Mughal government official. And then the year it was made, which converts to 1664 to 65.

The saltcellar verses also reflect the importance of salt in culture and coming together.

We often say 'breaking bread together' and, similarly, 'sharing salt' has a similar metaphor of kind of coming together for a peaceful meal and finding commonality with one another, Kasdorf said. One of the verses on this saltcellar says a host brings a saltcellar to the table.

This Indian saltcellar from 1664-65 is part of the DIA's "Art of Dining" exhibit.

Displayed throughout the exhibit are booklets that offer more context than whats displayed on the labels posted throughout the exhibit. Kasdorf said the booklets came about because exhibit creators wanted to say a little bit more than you can fit on one little label.

One booklet, for instance, reveals the wild and salacious story behind what appears to be a painting of a completely normal group meal.

DIA reached out for suggestions

For this exhibition, the DIA also collaborated with two local businesses. Hashems Nuts and Coffee on West Warren in Dearborn is providing several retail items including Turkish coffee and candies.

More: Sabrina Carpenter in Detroit: Short n Sweet Tour gets big and spicy at LCA

More: Netflix's 'Detroiters' deal fuels hopes for fresh episodes of Motor City-made sitcom

I am grateful to be an ambassador and represent the Middle East and U.S., owner Adam Hashem said. I am trying to show that through food we can share our cultures.

Masri Sweets, also in Dearborn, is providing Middle Eastern sweets to the Kresge Cafe. Since 1990, the family-owned dessert shop on Schaefer Road has been known for its variety of Middle Eastern sweets. For the exhibit, it's collaborating with the DIAs Kresge Cafe and providing baklava and other sweets.

Its exciting that there is more diversity in downtown Detroit and welcoming to do more," said Kuzida Masri, daughter of Masri Sweets owner Khader Masri. It was more of a compliment that they chose us. Being a museum event, we are very excited about it."

While planning the exhibit, Kasdorf said the DIA did quite a bit of engaging with Arab American communities and conducted surveys and phone calls with a broad demographic of museum visitors. The DIA also worked with the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn to conduct a town hall.

The Arab American community here is multi-religions, Kasdorf said. There are a lot of Christians in addition to Muslims, but we also engaged with people who come from communities that overlap with different regions represented in the show, including the Persian, Turkish, South Asian and other Arab communities.

DIA visitors got their first peek at the DIA's "Art of Dining" exhibit last week.

Kasdorf said the feedback from the audience research influenced the title of the exhibit and influenced the writing of a lot of the display labels.

We're hoping that we've presented it in a way that resonates with people, Kasdorf said. It represents such a broad diversity of geographies and cultures, languages and time periods.  we're hoping that people will find points of resonance throughout. And people who don't self-identify with one of these regions or cultures, we hope that they'll find points of resonance, too.

Diana Abouali, director of Dearborn's Arab American National Museum, said the town halls the DIA held were very important.

I think many museums are now going towards engaging the community  ensuring that the exhibits that they have speak directly to the community and take in their opinions and perspectives on certain things, Abouali said at the preview night.

The focus group hosted at the American National Museum, Abouali said, was an opportunity to talk about some of the aspect of the exhibit.

It was really fruitful and very much appreciated that they had come to Dearborn, and they gathered some community members and they spoke very candidly and honestly about the reflections on what the DIA staff had brought and wanted to talk about.

I think its important and makes something as beautiful as this exhibit be more relevant to everybody."

DIA director Salvador Salort-Pons said the exhibition, most of which came from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, has a fresh relevance in Detroit.

Metro Detroit is the home of a very vibrant Arab American community, as well as other communities with ties in the Middle East, in Central and South Asia and North Africa, he said. This exhibition is really one of a kind, and celebrates Islamic art through the lenses of food and culinary culture  universal lenses. Youre going to be seeing stories about food and also stories about how people dress, how they dine, what kind of music they listen to.

You'll also find traditional recipes that are hundreds of years old that in many ways are still used today. This connects the visitor with our shared humanity and demonstrates that food transcends cultures, backgrounds and borders, bringing everyone together. At the DIA, we believe in the power of art to bring us together. Each exhibition, each work of art, not only provides for an opportunity to experience beauty, but also with an opportunity to spark dialogue and to learn something new about us, something new about our communities, something new about our world.

"The Art of Dining" runs through Jan. 5, and entry is free to DIA visitors. General museum admission can be reserved in advance and is always free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on X (formerly Twitter.)

'The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World'

Through Jan. 5

Detroit Institute of Arts

5200 Woodward, Detroit

dia.org

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Art of Dining' at the DIA explores Islamic food culture
(Bloomberg) -- A Deutsche Bahn AG labor union will try to block the agreed 14.3 billion ($16 billion) sale of subsidiary DB Schenker to Danish freight firm DSV A/S, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported.

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Staff representatives of the EVG union are planning to vote against the deal at a crucial supervisory board meeting of the German railway operator on Wednesday, the newspaper said. EVG chief Martin Burkert said the sale of DB Schenker would lead to job losses and hurt the country as a business location.

Politicians and the management board are portraying the sale of our crown jewels as strategy, Burkert was quoted by the newspaper as saying. He also said there was no guarantee that the proceeds will be used to lower Deutsche Bahns debt, as foreseen.

However, while the companys supervisory board is equally split between labor and shareholder representatives, EVG alone doesnt have the power to torpedo the deal. According to a separate report from the DPA press agency, its not clear if other staff representatives will join EVGs protest.

Should there be a tie on the 20-member supervisory board, chairman Werner Gatzer would have the power to break it with his double voting right.

--With assistance from Eyk Henning.

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Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, James Latham's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

A total of 8 investors have a majority stake in the company with 52% ownership

Recent purchases by insiders

A look at the shareholders of James Latham plc (LON:LTHM) can tell us which group is most powerful. We can see that institutions own the lion's share in the company with 44% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of James Latham.

See our latest analysis for James Latham

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About James Latham?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in James Latham. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see James Latham's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

James Latham is not owned by hedge funds. Peter Douglas Latham is currently the company's largest shareholder with 18% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 8.3% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 6.6% by the third-largest shareholder.

On further inspection, we found that more than half the company's shares are owned by the top 8 shareholders, suggesting that the interests of the larger shareholders are balanced out to an extent by the smaller ones.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. While there is some analyst coverage, the company is probably not widely covered. So it could gain more attention, down the track.

Story continues

Insider Ownership Of James Latham

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of James Latham plc. Insiders own UK84m worth of shares in the UK274m company. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 23% stake in James Latham. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for James Latham that you should be aware of before investing here.

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
An eerie calm fell over the Lebanese capital in the hours after Israeli warplanes pummelled its southern suburbs, Hezbollahs seat of power where hundreds of thousands of civilians live.

The Iran-backed groups long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed on Friday in a massive bombardment that was the first of the nearly 48 hours of incessant airstrikes. Scores of top commanders and officials were killed alongside him as well as in the attacks that followed. Many civilians are also believed to have been killed.

More than 24 hours after Nasrallahs body was recovered from the deep pit left behind by the heavy bombs that killed him, a funeral for the militant leader is yet to be scheduled  highly unusual in Islamic tradition where the dead receive a quick burial.

The group is also yet to appoint a new secretary general, defying long-held expectations that the group would rapidly unfurl a succession plan after Nasrallahs death.

This has added to a pervading sense that Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia militant group which for decades dominated the countrys politics, had swiftly become a ghost organization. In one fell swoop, Israel seemed to remove not just the groups leadership, but perhaps also all its contingency plans, further evidence of the profound scope of Israels infiltration of the groups ranks.

Its fabricated. Theres no proof that hes dead, said Hassan, a Hezbollah supporter leaning on a parked moped, his eyes glassy with tears. Hes going to appear soon and hes going to surprise us.

Abu Mohamad, a middle-aged Shia man displaced from southern Lebanon to a sidewalk in central Beirut, said, It doesnt matter if hes alive or dead, because a leader like Nasrallah lives in us always, he said. We will continue on the path he set, and we will return to our homes.

Nasrallah inspired strong feelings in the Lebanese  revered and reviled in equal measure. But Lebanese across the divide are reeling from the tectonic shifts to the countrys political landscape, and the humanitarian devastation that it has wreaked.

Umm Mohammed and her five-year-old son escaped the Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanon, displaced to a tarpaulin on a seaside boardwalk. - Jomana Karadsheh/CNN

Lebanese authorities believe just under 1,100 people have been killed and around 1 million have been displaced by Israels intensified bombardment campaign since it began last Monday. A response, Israel says, to the rocket attacks from Hezbollah that began a day after Hamas attacked on October 7, and which have forced 60,000 people from their homes in northern Israel.

Lebanons border villages have also been emptied of around 100,000 villagers by Israeli attacks in turn. Still, Hezbollah has vowed to keep up its border rocket fire until the end of Israels offensive in Gaza.

Now, large parts of the densely populated southern suburbs have been devastated. The displaced have taken to the relatively affluent, and still untouched, western parts of the capital where they have camped out on sidewalks, parks, schools, churches and mosques.

Mattresses and blankets for displaced families cover the Corniche, the citys seaside boardwalk, known for its views of the eastern Mediterranean against the backdrop of verdant green mountains.

When Israeli bombs hit the south of the capital on Friday, the streets of west Beirut filled with people throughout the night. Some of the displaced were chatting on the curb, a few lay asleep on benches. Women cradled sleeping babies and toddlers. Children wandered the streets in their pajamas, snaking aimlessly through double parked cars.

On the citys commercial Hamra street, a crowd outside an abandoned building forced the traffic to a near stop. A man knocked down the iron gate, allowing a flood of displaced people in for shelter.

It was 3 oclock in the morning. Nasrallah had only recently been assassinated  though not yet confirmed by his group  and many of his supporters were trying to put on a brave face.

Were ok! Im sure our home is ok. Theres nothing to worry about, one woman in her early 60s told a group of people around her.

Internally-displaced people sit beneath a Lebanese flag in the Dahieh neighbourhood on September 28, 2024 in Beirut, Lebanon. - Carl Court/Getty Images

A young barefoot boy among the displaced on the sidewalks of central Beirut. - Jomana Karadsheh/CNN

Days later, the sense of dread is more palpable. Many of the countrys displaced have lost loved ones but can barely find the time to grieve as they scramble for shelter and food. Those not yet personally impacted by the bombardment must contend with the unknown territory into which the death of Nasrallah and his cadre of senior leaders has thrust the country.

The assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah came to open a wound in the heart of the Lebanese, the Patriarch of the Maronite Church, Bechara Boutros al-Rahi said at Sunday Mass.

Rahi has long been one of Hezbollahs most prominent critics. In January he implicitly criticized Hezbollah for dragging the south of Lebanon into conflict with its cross-border rocket and drone attacks on Israel. Hezbollah has repeatedly vowed not to cease fire on its southern border until the end of Israels ongoing offensive in Gaza.

Rahi had also condemned the culture of death that has brought nothing but imaginary victories and shameful defeats to our country.

Nasrallahs main Sunni foes have also condemned the assassination. The assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has brought Lebanon and the region to a new phase of violence. It was a cowardly act that we condemn in every way, Lebanons former Prime Minister Saad Hariri said in a post on X.

We disagreed a lot with the late (Nasrallah) and with his party, and we met infrequently. However Lebanon serves as a tent for all, and in these extremely challenging times, our unity and our solidarity remains foundational, Hariri continued.

Lebanons complex confessional power-sharing structure has mean that divisions frequently spark internal strife, political paralysis and even violence. But Israel, technically classified in Lebanon as an enemy state, has historically brought the fragmented country together, albeit temporarily.

Meanwhile, civilians wandering the streets for safety have borne the cost of this new war.

At central Martyrs Square in central Beirut, against the backdrop of a poster that read in big letters Beirut will not die barefoot children were smeared in black dirt and families slept on straw mats. An elderly woman who fled her neighbourhood, leaving all possessions behind, was selling tissue boxes.

We sleep on sidewalks because we have no choice, said Umm Fawzi, from southern Beirut. I swear that we fled only with the clothes on our back. There was not a living soul left in the neighborhood.

CNNs Charbel Mallo contributed reporting from Beirut.

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An attorney representing one of Sean Diddy Combs's accusers has claimed that someone more high-profile than the rapper could be seen with him in a pornographic video filmed at his Atlanta home.

Ariel Mitchell-Kidd, a lawyer for a woman who claims she was raped by 54-year-old mogul in 2018, said she was contacted about the sale of one of the Diddy tapes.

There already have been tapes leaking around Hollywood being shopped around, but one particular person contacted me to shop a particular video, Mitchell-Kidd said Friday on NewsNation's Banfield.

She alleged that someone more high-profile appears on the tape, though she did not reveal the person's identity.

I Was Gifted to Diddy. What I Saw Still Haunts Me

I can tell the video was pornographic. This was in his Atlanta home, and it does seem like the person isnt looking into the video. To me, it doesnt seem like that person knows theyre being videotaped," she added.

Mitchell-Kidd also discussed the horrifying allegations being leveled by her client, who met the disgraced musician at a friend in the industry's home. After being served a drink at the gathering, the woman started to feel woozy.

Combs sexually assaulted her with an inanimate object, Mitchell-Kidd said. ... And then directed another gentleman to sexually assault her while he watched and pleasured himself."

New Accuser: Diddy Got Me Pregnant While I Was Unconscious on Ketamine

She said the woman was able to escape and file a police report about the depraved attack. It's unclear, however, whether an investigation was opened.

Combs was arrested by the FBI earlier this month after his former girlfriend, Cassandra Cassie Ventura, accused him of rape and repeated abuse in lawsuit filed in November 2023.

The Shady Firm Behind Britney Spears and Diddys Legal Woes

Though the suit was swiftly settled the next day, the accusations triggered a wave of other allegations from other women who claim he served as the kingpin of a criminal empire that abused women for decades.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that he assaulted and trafficked the women  including by forcing them to have sex with male prostitutes that he called Freak Offs.

He is currently being held at New York City's Metropolitan Detention Center without bail.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A lawyer representing one of Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged victims has claimed a "high-profile" individual was present at the rapper's residence during his lewd activities.

The attorney also said that Diddy assaulted one of her clients with an inanimate object and allowed an acquaintance of his to have non-consensual sex with her.

The revelation surfaces amid Sean "Diddy" Combs' ongoing sex crime case, where experts have advised him against testifying.

A 'High-Profile' Individual Was Secretly Recorded In Diddy's Home

MEGA

On Friday's episode of Banfield on NewsNation, Ariel Mitchell-Kidd, an attorney representing one of Diddy's accusers, made a startling revelation regarding who might have been present during the rapper's alleged "pornographic" acts.

She claimed that "one particular person contacted [her] to shop a particular video," adding that it was "pornographic" in nature. One of the individuals in the video was allegedly a "high-profile person" whom Diddy was linked to.

Mitchell-Kidd also suggested that the act was most likely recorded at Diddy's Atlanta home. From what she observed, she noted that the person being filmed seemed unaware that they were being recorded.

"It does seem like the person isn't looking into the video. To me, it doesn't seem like that person knows they're being videotaped," the attorney added, per the Daily Mail.

Whoever the high-profile person was, Mitchell-Kidd opted not to share that detail, leaving plenty of room for speculation.

Diddy's Accuser Was Allegedly Assaulted With An Inanimate Object

MEGA

While Mitchell-Kidd was coy about the details of the alleged video, she did open up about how the rapper sexually assaulted her client.

The incident allegedly took place in 2018, but she only learned about it after the victim contacted her a few weeks ago.

"She was at a friend's house who had industry ties, and Diddy decided to come to the house," Mitchell-Kidd narrated. "It led to her being served a drink. She started to feel woozy. Combs sexually assaulted her with an inanimate object."

Diddy didn't stop there; he allegedly also "directed another gentleman to sexually assault her while he watched and pleasured himself."

As the assault progressed, the victim was able to escape, although Mitchell-Kidd did not reveal how this happened. She also claimed that the accuser had filed a police report but didn't confirm if the police investigated the incident.

Experts Warn The Rapper Not To Testify In His Federal Sex Crime Trial

MEGA

Diddy's accuser is just one of the many female victims who have come out in recent months to accuse the rapper of a number of sex crimes.

However, his focus, and that of his legal team, seems to be on his ongoing sex trafficking and racketeering case.

While a trial date has yet to be set, experts have warned in advance that he might make the wrong move if he chooses to testify.

"There is a reason that attorneys typically advise their clients not to take the stand in their own trial; testifying in one's own trial opens up the defendant to cross-examination from the prosecution," legal expert Meesha Moulton told Page Six.

She added, "If Diddy becomes flustered or frustrated, taking the stand will do more harm for him than good. This level of scrutiny is very emotionally taxing, and if he struggles to maintain composure under pressure, it can negatively influence the jury's perception of him."

The Music Producer Will Tell His Story Of 'Love' And 'Heartbreak' During His Trial

MEGA

Diddy's lawyer does not share the experts' concerns, as he believes no one is better to "defend Diddy than Diddy himself."

"He has his story, and he has a story that I think only he can tell in the way he can tell it in real-time," Agnifilo said, per The Mirror. "And it's a human story. It's a story of, of, of love. It's a story of hurt. It's a story of heartbreak."

The lawyer continued, "I mean, when he describes that relationship, the word he uses more than any other word is heartbreak. He was heartbroken; she was heartbroken."

Diddy Is 'Remarkably Positive' As He Awaits His Trial

MEGA

Diddy is currently being held in a detention facility in New York after being denied bail twice by different judges.

There were initial speculations about the rapper being suicidal, but his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, refuted those claims. Agnifilo has now revealed that Diddy feels sure he will prevail when he is eventually tried.

"His state of mind is actually remarkably positive," the attorney said when interviewed for TMZ's "The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment" series.

He continued, "I spend several hours with him every day. His resolve is strong, he's engaged, he's focused on his defense."

Agnifilo added about the music mogul, "He is so focused on trying to right his wrong that it's actually giving him a form of strength and a form of confidence that I think is going to get him through a difficult time."
The Justice Department charged a former primary opponent of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., with threatening to send a "Russian-Ukrainian hit squad" to kill his political rival.

William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was charged with threatening to kill his primary opponent in the 2021 election for the 13th Congressional District of Florida, and a private citizen and acquaintance of his opponent, the Justice Department announced Friday. The indictment, unsealed in the Middle District of Florida on Thursday, describes the targeted individuals as only "Victim 1" and "Victim 2."

On June 8, 2021, prosecutors say Braddock allegedly made several threats to injure and kill his primary opponent during a phone call with the second victim, specifically stating that he would "call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad" to make the rival candidate disappear. The DOJ said Braddock left the United States after making the alleged threats and was later found to be residing in the Philippines.

Braddock was recently deported from the Philippines to the United States and made his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Dem Operative Fished For Oppo Research In Antisemitic, Lewd Text Messages, House Republican Charges

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna attends a campaign rally for former President Trump at the Aero Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, Sept. 21, 2024.

Luna, an Air Force veteran and former media consultant, was not named in the indictment. While she was running for Congress, however, Luna contended in 2021 civil court documents that Braddock, a fellow GOP challenger and former Marine, was stalking her and wanted her dead.

Read On The Fox News App

A judge granted Luna and a conservative activist and friend of hers, Erin Olszewski, a temporary restraining order against Braddock. He subsequently dropped out of the race, denying the allegations and citing publicity from the case.

Politico reported at the time that Olszewski had secretly recorded a phone call with Braddock in which he said an alleged "Russian and Ukrainian hit squad" could kill Luna within 24 hours. "Lunas going to go down and I hope its by herself," Braddock allegedly said in the recording, according to Politico, which said it had obtained the recording in June 2021. "For the better or the good of the majority of the people, weve got to sacrifice the few."

In a text message to Politico then, Braddock reportedly said the tape "may even be altered and edited" and that he may bring civil lawsuits and seek criminal charges against those in possession of the recording.

"This is a dirty political tactic that has caused a lot of people a lot of stress and is completely unnecessary," he reportedly said at the time.

In court proceedings regarding whether the restraining order would be made permanent, Luna, who was endorsed by former President Trump twice, testified that she had only brief in-person contact with Braddock at a political event, but heard from several acquaintances that he was allegedly making threats to have her killed.

Anna Paulina Luna To Force Vote On Garland's Arrest This Week After Doj Refuses Criminal Referral

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna speaks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 17, 2024.

"Mr. Braddock clearly hated my guts and wanted to hurt me," Luna said in court, according to The Associated Press. "I started getting very afraid of him. It was horrifying, and it still is."

"I think hes an evil person," she said in September 2021. "I think he has definitely emotionally terrorized me."

Olszewski testified that she secretly recorded a phone call she initiated with Braddock in which he allegedly claimed the purported Russian-Ukrainian hit squad would respond quickly if he made a single phone call  and also allegedly made veiled threats against her three children if she repeated what he said. Olszewski said she shared the contents of the Braddock call she recorded on an iPad with Luna, and both women called police.

In the new indictment unsealed last week, Braddock is charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person.

He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.

The case was brought in relation to the Justice Departments Election Threats Task Force, which was announced by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2021 to address violent threats against election workers.

Reached by Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Luna declined to comment on the indictment itself but said the GOP congresswoman in the past month alone "has faced a growing number of death threats."

"Female members of Congress are disproportionately targeted for stalking, violence, and harassment compared to their male counterparts," Luna's spokesperson said. "This alarming trend points to a broader and more disturbing issue of violence in the political arena. Violence must never be tolerated."

Luna "is committed to spreading this message to her constituents and America," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "She will continue to advocate for and educate on ending the violence and abuse that so many women face, whether emotional or physical."

Fox News' Michael Lee and the Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: DOJ charges Rep. Anna Paulina Luna's former Florida primary opponent with threatening to kill political rival
A man who allegedly threatened to shoot his former girlfriend and was later shot by a San Diego police officer after fleeing with the couple's baby has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the officer and the city of civil rights violations, including excessive force.

Steffon Nutall, 29, was shot on the evening of May 19 in the city's Chollas View neighborhood after his former girlfriend called 911 when he allegedly entered her apartment with a gun, threatened to kill everyone if police came  and then fled with their 11-month-old daughter, according to a San Diego police video.

Nutall was shot several times outside a nearby apartment a short time later. He has been charged with multiple felonies, including assault with a firearm, criminal threats, child endangerment and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, police said. He has pleaded not guilty and is in custody without bail pending a preliminary hearing.

Police later found he had dropped his weapon and was not armed when he was shot, authorities said. The baby was found nearby and unhurt.

The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, claims Officer Robert Gladysz "unreasonably and unjustifiably" discharged his weapon though Nutall never posed a "credible threat of violence," leaving him with injuries that limit his ability to move his legs and in need of a wheelchair.

"It's a bad shooting. His back was turned to the officer. There was clearly no gun," attorney Douglas Hopson, whose firm filed the lawsuit, said Saturday. "There's too many facts, too many circumstances that should have made it clear that Nutall was not armed."

Hopson said Nutall went to the apartment because he feared for his child's safety, declining to elaborate. "He's there to get his child, because he, in his mind, believes his child is in danger," he said.

Police have said that Nutall was holding the baby when he was shot, but Hopson said that was not true. The city of San Diego and police did not respond Saturday to messages seeking comment.

San Diego police had earlier released a 10-minute video of the incident that includes the 911 call, police attempts to find Nutall and the shooting, which occurred at 10:27 p.m.

The 911 call is partly unintelligible, but police said his former girlfriend opened her bedroom door after he threatened to shoot through it. A man, identified as Nutall, then grabs the phone, not knowing who is on it and that police were on the way, and states, "If the police come to this door I am going to kill everything in here. I promise you that. So you call 911, I'm killing people."

When officers arrived, police said Nutall ran away with the infant, and he was later found hiding in bushes near other apartments. The body camera of Gladysz shows the officer ordering Nutall to show his hands or he will shoot, right before the man darts out of the bushes and Gladysz fires several shots.

The officer can be heard saying Nutall pointed a gun at him but he didn't see the baby. The police later found the gun in the parking lot of a trolley station that Nutall had run through while trying to evade police. In a video still, police highlighted what they said was an object in his right hand that Gladysz may have mistaken for a weapon. The infant was found near Nutall after he was shot. Police said he was holding the girl under his left arm at the time of the shooting.

However, Nutall had already put his daughter down prior to the shooting, Hopson said, "expecting and praying it wouldn't be the case that the officers would just start shooting at him."

An investigation into the shooting is being conducted by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, which will be reviewed by the San Diego County district attorney's office to determine if criminal charges are warranted against officers, according to the police video.

The investigation is being monitored by the FBI and the U.S. attorney's office, while the Police Department's internal affairs will look to see if any policies were violated. A shooting review board will also evaluate the officers' tactics, according to the video.

Gladysz, a patrol officer, had been employed by the department for a year and a half prior to the shooting, according to the sheriff's department.

The federal lawsuit seeks various damages and claims the shooting resulted from "policies, practices and customs" that result in "unconstitutionally inadequate treatment for individuals of [African] descent."

Hopson said Nutall was shot four times, once in each limb, and has suffered nerve or orthopedic damage that has made him bound to a wheelchair. He was hospitalized for more than a month after the shooting, and his release on bond is being sought so he can receive better medical care, Hopson said.

The lawsuit was filed by Hannah Hopson, a California attorney who is a partner in the Hopson Firm, a Chicago law firm founded by her father Douglas Hopson. Hopson said he plans to seek permission to participate in the case, though he is not admitted to the state bar here. Another attorney is representing Nutall in the criminal case.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump continued to ramp up attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday, again falsely describing her and President Joe Biden as "mentally disabled."

Biden "became mentally impaired, sad. But lyin' Kamala Harris? Honestly, I believe she was born that way," Trump said in a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania. "There's something wrong with Kamala."

Trump used similar rhetoric Saturday during a speech in Wisconsin, and he's frequently called Harris "stupid," "weak" and "dumb as a rock" on the campaign trail. Trump has also repeatedly criticized Harris' racial identity, falsely saying she "turned Black."

Democrats, and some Republicans, said Trump is increasingly worried about the polls that show Harris leading the election nationally and in key battleground states.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, an anti-Trump Republican currently running for the Senate, called the remarks "outrageous and unacceptable."

"I've already called him out when he had the one interview where he was questioning her racial identity, and now he's questioning her mental competence," Hogan said. "And I think that's insulting not only to the, to the vice president, but to people that actually do have mental disabilities."

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Republican presidential nominee former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S., September 29, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Some of Trump's staunchest allies repeated a familiar refrain when asked about the former president's remarks: Focus on the issues impacting Americans, namely the southern border and the economy.

Sen. Lindsey Graham R-S.C., told CNN that Harris is "crazy liberal," but added that "the better course to take is to prosecute the case that her policies are destroying the country."

Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., told ABC on Sunday "I think we should stick to the issues. The issues are, Donald Trump fixed it once. They broke it. Hes going to fix it again.

Trump has acknowledged the more negative tone of his recent speeches, which include harsh attacks on migrants and exaggerations of crimes committed by people who are in the country illegally.

This is a dark speech," Trump told supporters Saturday while making similar claims about Harris and undocumented immigrants in a speech in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

After those comments, Harris spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said Trump "is finally telling the truth to voters: Hes got nothing inspiring to offer the American people, just darkness."

This story was updated to add a video.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump falsely calls Harris, Biden 'mentally impaired' again: PA rally
How to donate and assist Helene victims and survivors across the Carolinas

How to donate and assist Helene victims and survivors across the Carolinas

NORTH CAROLINA  President Joe Biden says he will visit Hurricane Helene-impacted areas this week as long as it does not disrupt rescue and recovery operations.

Biden was briefed again on Sunday evening about the impact of the devastating storm on an enormous swath of the Southeast. In a brief exchange with reporters, he described the impact of the storm as stunning and said that the administration is giving states everything we have to help with their response to the storm.

President Biden approves Disaster Declaration for 25 NC counties

Biden planned to speak about the administrations response efforts in remarks from the White House on Monday.

A North Carolina county that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported earlier Sunday that 30 people were killed due to the storm, pushing the overall death toll to at least 91 people across several states.

How you can help

To assist in the response to Helene, our parent company, Nexstar Media, is partnering with The American Red Cross to help with relief efforts. Donations to the Red Cross are critical for relief efforts from this storm and future disasters.

People looking to donate to the American Red Cross as they assist those affected by Hurricane Helene can do so by clicking here. Donations can be made by mail or by phone. Visit Nexstars donations page at RedCross.org to learn more about contributing.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has been on the ground in areas affected by the storm after moving teams of volunteers to regions in Helenes path to be ready to assist storm victims. The Red Cross has partnered with local shelters, providing snacks and 45,000 ready-to-eat meals. The organization is also deploying emergency vehicles to assist storm victims.

How to help: Those wanting to make donations to Helene victims can visit Redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation or schedule a blood donation.

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

Governor Cooper is encouraging donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from catastrophic damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene.

To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate.

Donations can also be mailed to:

NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699

NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Rd, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511

Donations made to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims such as food and water, cleaning supplies, and other emergency supplies. All of the donations made will go to disaster relief.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has mobilized teams and mobile feeding units, each of which is capable of providing up to 1,500 meals per day. The efforts began in Florida, but the organization said that assistance would also be provided to residents living in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Along with meal service, the Salvation Army said it is dispatching trained emotional and spiritual care personnel who will provide comfort and emotional support.

How to help: Those wishing to donate to the Salvation Armys efforts to assist storm victims can donate by visiting the organizations website.

United Way

The United Way offers assistance to residents affected by Helene and other natural disasters by providing evacuation assistance, shelter, food and clothing, and other volunteer-driven efforts.

How to help: Those seeking to make monetary donations to storm victims and survivors can do so by visiting the United Way of Florida Disaster Fund website.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities, which is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church has launched a dedicated effort to assist those affected by Helene. All funds donated to the effort will be directed to those displaced or in need of assistance following the storm.

How to help: Those wishing to make donations through Catholic charities can visit the website set up to specifically provide financial help and other assistance to storm victims and survivors.

All Hands and Hearts

All Hands and Hearts provides immediate and long-term assistance to communities affected by natural disasters. The organization works alongside local residents and deploys teams of volunteers to help rebuild homes, schools, and other community infrastructure damaged or destroyed by storms.

How to help: All Hands and Hearts accepts financial donations through its website and also allows people to volunteer for teams sent to storm-effected areas to assist in community rebuilding efforts.

LAKE LURE, NORTH CAROLINA  SEPTEMBER 28: The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024, in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Approximately six feet of debris piled on the bridge from Lake Lure to Chimney Rock, blocking access. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

LAKE LURE, NORTH CAROLINA  SEPTEMBER 28: The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024, in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Approximately six feet of debris piled on the bridge from Lake Lure to Chimney Rock, blocking access. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

LAKE LURE, NORTH CAROLINA  SEPTEMBER 28: The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024, in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Approximately six feet of debris piled on the bridge from Lake Lure to Chimney Rock, blocking access. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

LAKE LURE, NORTH CAROLINA  SEPTEMBER 28: The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024, in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Approximately six feet of debris piled on the bridge from Lake Lure to Chimney Rock, blocking access. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

LAKE LURE, NORTH CAROLINA  SEPTEMBER 28: The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024, in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Approximately six feet of debris piled on the bridge from Lake Lure to Chimney Rock, blocking access. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Biden on Sunday evening made calls to several state and local government officials in areas impacted by the hurricane, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp; North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper; Valdosta, Georgia Mayor Scott Matheson; and Taylor County, Florida Emergency Management Director John Louk.

Many people are cut off because the roads are impassable, Gov. Cooper said Sunday. Supplies were being airlifted to the region around Asheville, a city tucked in the western North Carolina mountains known for its arts, culture, and natural beauty.

I-40 in western N.C. closed as NCDOT discourages travel to the area

The storm upended life throughout the Southeast. Authorities were rushing to airlift supplies and restore communications and roads in flooded Asheville, North Carolina, on Sunday as residents along the storm-battered Florida coast gathered for church services.

Hurricane Helene roared ashore in Floridas Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday with winds of 140 mph (225 kph).

From there, it quickly moved through Georgia, where Gov. Brian Kemp said Saturday that it looks like a bomb went off after viewing splintered homes and debris-covered highways from the air. Weakened, Helene then soaked the Carolinas and Tennessee with torrential rains, sending creeks and rivers over their banks and straining dams.

More than 90 people have been killed in total. Several million people were without power as of Sunday afternoon.

In Texas, Jessica Drye Turner begged for someone to rescue her family members stranded on their rooftop in Asheville, surrounded by rising flood waters. They are watching 18-wheelers and cars floating by, Turner wrote in an urgent Facebook post on Friday.

But in a follow-up message, which became widely circulated on social media on Saturday, Turner said help had not arrived in time to save her parents, both in their 70s, and her six-year-old nephew. The roof had collapsed and the three drowned.

Avery County residents cut off due to damage from Helene

I cannot convey in words the sorrow, heartbreak and devastation my sisters and I are going through nor imagine the pain before us, she wrote.

Western North Carolina was isolated because of landslides and flooding that forced the closure of Interstate 40 and other roads. There have been hundreds of water rescues, none more dramatic than in rural Unicoi County in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked by helicopter from a hospital rooftop Friday.

The storm hovered over the Tennessee Valley into Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.

It unleashed the worst flooding in a century in North Carolina. One community, Spruce Pine, was doused with over 2 feet (0.6 meters) of rain from Tuesday through Saturday.

The state is sending water supplies and other items toward Buncombe County and Asheville, but mudslides on Interstate 40 and other blocked highways are preventing the supplies from making it. The countys own supplies of water were on the other side of the Swannanoa River, away from where most of the 270,000 people in Buncombe County live, officials said.

Law enforcement was making plans to send officers to places that still had water, food or gas because of reports of arguments and threats of violence, the sheriff said.

If you will bear with us and be patient one more day  I hate to say that but I know how desperate water is in our community  but we are pushing as hard as we can to get them up the mountain, Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said.

In Floridas Big Bend, some lost nearly everything they own, emerging from the storm without even a pair of shoes. With sanctuaries still darkened in a county where as of Sunday morning, 97% of customers were without power, some churches canceled regular services while others like Faith Baptist Church in Perry opted to worship outside.

How Helene became the near-perfect storm to bring widespread destruction across the South

Standing water and tree debris still covers the grounds of Faith Baptist Church. The church called on parishioners to come pray for our community in a message posted to the congregations Facebook page.

We have power. We dont have electricity, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church parishioner Marie Ruttinger said. Our God has power. Thats for sure.

In Atlanta, 11.12 inches (28.24 centimeters) of rain fell over 48 hours, the most the city has seen over two days since record-keeping began in 1878.

In Augusta, in eastern Georgia near the border with South Carolina, officials notified residents Sunday morning that water service would be shut off for 24 to 48 hours in the city and surrounding Richmond County. A news release said trash and debris from the storm blocked our ability to pump water. Officials were distributing bottled water at the municipal building and said each household would receive one case.

President Joe Biden said Saturday that Helenes devastation has been overwhelming and pledged to send help. He also approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funding available for affected individuals. Dozens of utilities crews from New England states were also headed south to help with recovery.

Federal funding will be critically important for rebuilding local communities, Sen. Marco Rubio said during an appearance on NBCs Meet The Press.

There are some coastal areas, some of which are now facing their third storm in the last 12 months, Rubio said.

With at least 25 killed in South Carolina, Helene is the deadliest tropical cyclone for the state since Hurricane Hugo killed 35 people when it came ashore just north of Charleston in 1989. Deaths also have been reported in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Blowing Rock families struggle to get to Boone amid road washouts

Moodys Analytics said it expects $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage. AccuWeathers preliminary estimate of the total damage and economic loss from Helene in the U.S. is between $95 billion and $110 billion.

Among the 11 confirmed deaths in Florida were nine people who drowned in their homes in a mandatory evacuation area on the Gulf Coast in Pinellas County, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said.

Climate change has exacerbated conditions that allow such storms to thrive, rapidly intensifying in warming waters and turning into powerful cyclones sometimes in a matter of hours.

Helene was the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average season this year because of record-warm ocean temperatures.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Two organizations that were hit hard by the flooding of the Big Sioux River joined forces for recovery efforts. The McCook Lake Izaak Walton League and the Sioux City Railroad Museum teamed up to host Donation Depot.

Residents were invited to enjoy an outdoor movie with jolly time popcorn, train rides, a live comedy show, and more to help out the museum and Union County flood survivors as they recover from Junes disaster.

Were trying to do our part because as a museum our main purpose is to serve the community, so we want to do our part in helping serve the people of McCook Lake and help them get back on their feet, Sioux City Railroad Museum director T.J. Obermeyer said.

Its a blast, volunteer Toby Brown said. Just people buying food, seeing train rides, its beautiful. And every employee seeing it, it just fills our hearts.

North High school hosts 26th Starfest band competition

Free will donations were accepted to help the organizations that were unable to receive federal disaster aid.

Unfortunately because the Railroad Museum and Izaak Walton, both are nonprofits, none of us qualify for any FEMA relief efforts, so doing fundraisers like this is how were going to get the Railroad Museum back up and running and how were going to help Union County get back and rebuilt, McCook Lake Izaak Walton Leagues Renae Hansen said.

Although the museum is still not officially open, they plan to go full steam ahead with their upcoming Halloween, Veterans Day, and Christmas events.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
When Miami-Dade Countys garbage incinerator burned in February 2023 at its site within Doral city limits, Doral saw an opportunity to push for the facilitys relocation. As the county now prepares to make a decision about where to rebuild the waste plant  which could include keeping it at the same location  Doral is considering triggering a legal dispute that would compel the county into formal negotiations.

Up until now, the county has been in discussions with city leaders about what concessions Doral would be willing to make for the county to move the incinerator to another location. Assuming that property values in the area would rise if the facility were to be moved, Miami-Dade has asked that Doral contribute a portion of the increased tax revenue. The incinerator is estimated to cost $1.5 billion, for a facility that would be capable of processing 4,000 tons of waste per day, converting it into electricity and alternative fuels.

Dorals City Council had already offered a long-term tax contribution of at least $20 million and was prepared to make a 30-year commitment to fund the relocation. But at a Miami-Dade County Commission meeting Sept. 17, County Commissioner Eileen Higgins pushed for more. Moving this out of Doral is going to cost money. Without a contribution from Doral, garbage prices are going to go up for every single person in the county, and thats a dealbreaker for me, she said, suggesting the city ask its voters to weigh in on a general obligation bond.

Higgins also stated that Doral needs to present a clear plan for covering the costs associated with the facilitys relocation. This includes the incremental capital cost, estimated at $125 million, plus an additional $50 million for a transfer station, which we currently dont need, she said. Put a little inflation there, its about $200 million in capital, and for the transfer station, its about $12 million per year.

Following that statement, Dorals deputy city attorney, Lorenzo Cobiella, recommended that the city file a government dispute under a section of the Florida Statutes. During a town hall meeting called by Doral Mayor Christi Fraga on Wednesday night, Cobiella condemned the County Commissions request for Doral to contribute $400 million  nearly four times the citys annual budget  as criminal.

Cobiella explained that invoking Chapter 164 would force both administrations to meet with a mediator within 30 days, to be followed by a joint session of the City Council and County Commission 60 days later. Cobiella said the dispute would help to work out a compromise with the county, which in his view has been acting in bad faith.

Natalia Jaramillo, the communications director for Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, declined to comment on the matter, saying the county hadnt received any formal information regarding the dispute as of Friday afternoon.

Cobiella told el Nuevo Herald that on Friday night, the legal and administrative teams from both the city of Doral and Miami-Dade County met to explore options for renegotiating the relocation of the incinerator, which has been in Doral since the 1980s.

Fraga said the county cannot force the city into an agreement, especially with three Doral council seats up for election on Nov. 5 before the county revisits the topic. The county postponed any decision until the Nov. 6 commission meeting, where four options will be considered, including keeping the incinerator at its current location. The county is also considering a location in Medley and another at the site of the defunct Opa-locka Airport West, which has been recommended by Levine Cava. A fourth option, supported by former Doral mayor and current County Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez, involves a piece of land being offered by developer David Martin in a rural area outside of Hialeah Gardens on the western edge of the county.

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If mediation fails, Doral could file a lawsuit against the county, Fraga said.

A special Doral City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m. to present the proposal. Approval requires three out of five votes from a council thats been recently deadlocked. On the same day, a rescheduled second budget hearing will take place after the previous meeting ended without an agreement.

Councilwoman Maureen Porras, who is the swing vote, told el Nuevo Herald that although she hasnt seen a written copy of the dispute proposal, any proposal that benefits the city and helps to remove the incinerator will have my support.

Residents of Doral fear the rebuilding of waste plant in the city

Two of the residents attending the town hall, who live about a mile from the waste plant, were seeking answers about potential health risks to their families posed by the trash incinerator.

Hundreds of Miami-Dade firefighters battled a fire at Covanta Energy in Doral on Feb. 12, 2023.

Ran Ghive Acurero, a 38-year-old of Venezuelan origin, has lived a mile from the waste facility in Doral for 10 years in a home where his two children were born and raised. Now, he is considering moving if the county decides to build the new plant at the site.

The possibility of keeping the waste plant in Doral brought back memories for Acurero of the fear he and his wife experienced when the facility burned for days in February 2023. We had to leave for a week with our children; my son was just turning 1 at the time. We measured the gases, and they were toxic. We developed respiratory issues, and my son had asthma, he recalled.

Acurero criticized Miami-Dades focus on finances over the health concerns of Doral residents, saying, Theyre only interested in how much Doral can contribute, but they dont care about the impact on our health if the city cant meet their expectations.

Josep Correia, 39, has also lived near the waste facility for over 10 years. The day the fire started, he said he was riding bikes with his wife, breathing the toxic air without knowing the impact it might have for their health. Now, he is fighting against a possible reconstruction within city limits. Correia was at the County Commission meeting on Sept. 17 with other Doral residents and said Miami-Dades demand felt like a slap in the face.

I saw how they betrayed Dorals residents. How can they ask us to pay $400 million? Thats four times our budget! Correia said.

Josep Correia, 39, a Doral resident, urged city officials to take stronger action to prevent the reconstruction of the incinerator within city limits. He expressed support for Deputy City Attorney Lorenzo Cobiellas recommendation to invoke a government dispute against Miami-Dade County for acting in bad faith in the incinerator relocation negotiations.

Correia said he views filing a dispute against Miami-Dade as a last resort, but we have no other option.

Whether they build a transfer station here or rebuild the incinerator, Dorals residents will be the ones most affected, he said.

It is not the first time the city has invoked a government dispute. In 2006, Doral filed one against Medley when the neighbor city decided on an expansion of the landfill owned and operated by Waste Management of Florida. The two cities came to an agreement more than 14 years later.
Doug Emhoff Blames Donald Trump For This 1 Thing He Says Could Affect His Own Family

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff is doubling down on calling men to become more involved in advocating for abortion rights.

In a new interview with MSNBCs Jen Psaki, Emhoff blamed former President Donald Trump for the chaotic consequences of Roe v. Wade being overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022.

Its wrong. This is all because of Donald Trump. He ran on a platform of women should be punished for seeking abortion. He said that. There is a video, Emhoff argued.

He ran on a platform of appointing Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade, he continued. They did just that, and he is for a national abortion ban. Make no mistake where he says, I will be a protector of women. That is yet more lies and more gaslighting.

Emhoff then lamented over how the attack on a fundamental right that had been on the books for 50 years could affect his family and other households across America.

Think about this, my 83-year-old mother is somehow going to enjoy more rights than [my daughter] Ella. Its wrong, he said.

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court officially reversed Roe v. Wade, the historic piece of legislation that made access to an abortion a federal right in the United States.

Emhoff, who has been married to Vice President Kamala Harris since 2014, publicly urged for more men to advocate for abortion rights earlier this year.

This is an issue of fairness to women. Women are dying, Emhoff told NBC News in May. Its affecting mens ability to plan their lives. And its also an issue of whats next, what other freedoms are at risk. And these freedoms are affecting all Americans, not just women.

Watch a clip from Emhoffs interview with Psaki below.

After the Dobbs decision came down, she called me right away and said Dougie, they actually did it.@DouglasEmhoff tells @jrpsaki about the call he got from VP Harris after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. pic.twitter.com/QnkND2Gejt  Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) September 29, 2024

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Kativ / Getty Images

Learning that your bank account suddenly has several more zeros can be a shock, causing your head to spin as all of the possibilities and the disbelief hit home. But after the initial excitement wears off, its important to realize that a financial windfall, while life-changing, can quickly disappear if you handle it poorly.

What you do next will begin to determine whether this money will help you create lasting financial security or simply turn into a source of regret.

Check Out: Im a Self-Made Millionaire: 6 Steps I Took To Become Rich on an Average Salary

Trending Now: 6 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

Fail To Process Your Newfound Wealth Before Acting

Robert Peterson, senior wealth advisor at Crescent Grove Advisors said the first thing you need to do after coming into a ton of money is allow yourself to take it all in.

Breathe, he said. You need to take a moment to process what happened before making any decisions. Whether a lottery or non-lottery windfall, you should avoid telling anyone, except your significant other, about your win. (With the lottery, unfortunately, some states will disclose a winners name.)

Even if you do not say anything, suddenly buying a massive home or exotic car is tantamount to telling everyone, Hey, I just had a massive financial windfall.'

For You: How To Become Rich: 9 Fastest Ways, According To Experts

Give Money Freely to Friends and Family

Once people are aware of your newfound wealth, Peterson said you should prepare to lose some friends and family members along the way.

No, no one is dying, but [the] money will not only change you but also everybodys perception of you, he explained. Its easy to say, Youve got millions; I just need $20,000 for X. It is easy to say yes to keep people happy, but once the word is out, the requests will never end. There is nothing wrong with saying no and if that person has a negative reaction or refuses to talk to you anymore, maybe you are better off without them in your life.

Fail To Consider Your Own Happiness

Last but not least, Peterson said its important to learn what makes you happy. He pointed out that money doesnt buy happiness, but it does allow you to chase happiness.

Does helping people make you happy? he said. Traveling? Buying things? Studies always show that stuff loses its luster quickly, but we maintain longer-term memories of experiences.

Not Budgeting

Terri Ho Cammack, certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA), certified fund specialist (CFS) and financial advisor with Manske Wealth Management, said that if youre struggling to manage your current income, dont expect things to get easier once you have more money. The truth is, if you werent living below your means before, a big financial windfall wont change that, she said.

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She explained that it might feel like youve finally made it and the amount of money you have is limitless. However, she said, without budgeting and proper planning, it can all vanish.

First, take a deep breath and resist the urge to go on a spending spree, Cammack said. Pop that money into a safe, interest-bearing account while you figure things out. A wise move would be to spread your money across different accounts at different banks. Remember, the FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. This way, youre protecting your money while buying yourself time to plan.

Use this time to create a real game plan with a financial advisor. You want that windfall to be your golden ticket to long-term security, not a fleeting thrill.

Ignore Your Debt

When you come into a lot of money, its tempting to ignore those pesky credit card balances, student loans or mortgage payments, Cammack said. But ignoring your debt is one of the quickest ways to squander your windfall. Interest continues to pile up and before you know it, those balances start eating away at your newfound wealth.

She said before you make any big purchases, you should tackle your debt head-on. She advised starting with your high-interest debt, such as credit cards and personal loans.

Not only will this free you from the burden of debt, but it will also save you tons of money in interest over time, she explained. Once your debt is under control, you can start making other financial moves with confidence.

Take a Gamble on High-Risk Investments

When youve got a lot of cash sitting around, suddenly, everyone has the perfect investment opportunity for you  startups, crypto, real estate, Cammack said. You might even feel like youve got enough money to take a big risk. The problem is, high-risk investments can drain your windfall faster than you realize.

She said to take the time to understand your options and avoid getting sucked into risky investments without a clear plan.

A balanced portfolio of low- and medium-risk investments will ensure that your money grows steadily over time, rather than disappearing in a high-stakes gamble, Cammack said. Work with a trusted financial advisor to build a strategy that fits your long-term goals.

Ignore Taxes

Chad Gammon, certified financial planner (CFP) and owner of Custom Fit Financial said when you experience a large windfall, it can be easy to overlook the fact that youll be responsible for paying significant taxes.

Failing to account for this can lead to a big surprise in the future, reducing the amount of money available for your needs, he explained. Its wise to consult a tax professional immediately. They can help determine your tax liability, so you understand how much money you truly have and they can suggest strategies to help lower your tax burden.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Worst Things To Do After Coming Into a Ton of Money
When former Idaho State Trooper Dan Howard called 911 from his home in Athol, Idaho, on the night of Feb. 2, 2021, he was crying so much that it was hard to understand what he was saying.

"My wife ... she shot herself," Dan Howard told the operator. "She's in the bathtub dead ... I go upstairs and she's dead. She's dead ... she's gray, she has no pulse, nothing ... she's cold."

Dan Howard later told authorities that he had been downstairs and heard something hitting the floor upstairs. Dan Howard said that when he went upstairs over an hour later, he found his wife of 26 years, Kendy Howard, in a bathtub filled with water with a gunshot wound to her head.

Bodycam video shows Dan Howard as investigators asked him questions about his wife's death. He said he discovered his wife in the bathtub and she had shot herself in the head. / Credit: Kootenai County District Court

The case  starting from the hours after Kendy's death to a surprising final twist  is investigated by "48 Hours" and correspondent Peter Van Sant in "The Bathtub Murder of Kendy Howard," now streaming on Paramount+.

Kootenai County Sheriff's Deputy Miranda Thomas was one of the first responders to arrive at the Howards' home that night. Thomas later described how Dan Howard was "screaming, yelling, asking us for help ... sobbing, gagging, just overall kind of freaking out."

Also on the scene that night was Kootenai County Sheriff's Detective Jerry Northrup. Northrup confirmed the 911 call was dispatched as a suicide, but recounts that it did not take long for his team to grow suspicious.

Kendy Howard / Credit: Brian Wilkins

"For a woman to shoot herself in the tub, nude, is unusual," said Northrup. "It doesn't mean it can't happen  it just means that it's unusual."

There was also other evidence at the scene that stuck out to investigators. According to Northrup, there was broken glass found in the primary bedroom, and Kendy Howard's clothing thrown on the floor. There were wet towels behind the bathroom door, and when investigators first arrived at the scene, they reported that the water in the tub was still warm to the touch. Thomas noticed a packed duffle bag filled with women's clothing lay at the bottom of the stairs, and that the shirt Dan Howard was wearing seemed to have fresh deodorant stains.

When first responders arrived to the Howard home, the clothes dryer was running. It was full of clean bath towels and mats with six minutes showing on the display. Det. Jerry Northrup discovered the dryer cycle was started within a minute of the 911 call. / Credit: Kootenai County District Court

One of the more intriguing clues, say investigators, was a load of laundry mid-cycle in the dryer. Thomas took note: "A washer or dryer doesn't run for very long, 45 minutes, maybe an hour, so when was this washer and dryer started?"

Northrup had the same thought and recorded the time left on the dryer cycle: six minutes. He told Van Sant how he pulled up the cycle running times from the manufacturer's website and compared the information against the time at which the 911 call was placed.

Northrup determined that the dryer cycle would have started at 10:42 p.m. and the 911 call came in at 10:43 p.m. Meaning, says Northrup, Howard started the laundry cycle about a minute before calling 911. But why?

Investigators continued digging, and after reviewing the evidence with medical and scientific experts, came up with a theory as to how Dan Howard could have killed his wife.

Dan Howard was arrested in April 2023, and in March 2024, went on trial for the murder of his wife.

Hurricane Helene makes landfall over Florida's Big Bend area as a Category 4 storm

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SATURDAY UPDATE: Duke Energy released an update regarding the mass power outage caused by Hurricane Helene.

The company said nearly all customers outside of the western parts of the Carolinas should have power restored by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 29.

Many outages are estimated to hopefully be fixed before 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.

(WSPA)  Power outages caused by Hurricane Helene could leave people without power for multiple days, according to Duke Energy.

According to a Friday update from Duke Energy, more than 1 million homes and businesses were without power, even after crews managed to restore power to more than 380,000 people on Friday.

Duke Energy said the outages could take days to repair, particularly in parts of the Upstate and Western North Carolina, where the storm washed out roads and downed transmission lines.

Multiple municipal and state energy cooperative groups, including Broad River Electric and Laurens Electric, said they were also being impacted by downed transmission lines on Friday.

According to Duke Energy, more than 11,000 line workers, damage assessors and others are working to restore power to impacted areas.

According to the National Weather Service, multiple parts of the Upstate and a large portion of Western North Carolina remains under a flood warning as rivers continue to rise and crest over the next few days.

Even as conditions improve, officials urge caution when navigating the area.

So far at least 11 people have been killed since the storm passed over the area. At least six have been killed by fallen trees.

Read more: At least 11 dead as Helene brings flooding, damage to Upstate, WNC

911 lines are down in Spartanburg County for an indefinite amount of time.

Until lines are restored, please call 864-596-2076 for emergencies in Spartanburg County.

911 phone lines were down in Union County, according to Union County Emergency Management.

911 phone lines were also down in Cherokee County, according to a call sent out to residents. If you have an emergency, you are asked to call 864-487-2747.

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners implemented a curfew from 9 p.m.  7 a.m. beginning on Friday. The board said the decision was been made to ensure the safety and well-being of the community following the storm.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
An electron micrograph of the Marburg virus, which has a fatality rate of 88pc - BSIP

Six people have died in a major outbreak of Marburg disease in Rwanda, a viral hemorrhagic fever from the same family as Ebola.

At least 26 cases have been reported since the outbreak was first confirmed on Friday, the health minister has announced, marking the first-ever reported cases in Rwanda.

While the source of the outbreak is not yet known, cases have been reported in six of the countrys 30 districts, suggesting it may be widespread

The majority of cases so far recorded have been reported in health workers in and around the countrys capital Kigali.

The city has a population of 1.2 million people and a well-connected airport, raising concerns of further spread via international and domestic travel, experts have warned.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is deploying experts and outbreak response tools to Rwanda to help curb the virus. Shipments of emergency medical supplies are expected to land in Kigali in the coming days.

Fourth-largest Marburg outbreak ever recorded

The agency also said it is coordinating efforts to reinforce cross-border measures in Rwandas neighbouring countries to avert further spread.

With a fatality rate of up to 88 per cent, Marburg is initially transmitted to people via fruit bats and then spreads through contact with bodily fluids of infected people.

Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pains, diarrhoea, and vomiting. In severe cases, death occurs from extreme blood loss.

There are no specific treatments or licensed vaccines available for the Marburg virus, but a range of therapeutics are currently in development, according to the WHO.

It is the fourth-largest Marburg outbreak ever recorded, a particular concern given cases were only confirmed on Friday.

Neighbouring Tanzania reported an outbreak in 2023, while three people died from the virus in Uganda in 2017.

Rwandan authorities have urged the public to stay vigilant, wash their hands with clean water and soap, and report all suspected cases.

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.
Egyptian activist and blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah has spent the better part of more than a decade behind bars (Khaled DESOUKI) (Khaled DESOUKI/AFP/AFP)

Egyptian authorities have refused to release dissident Alaa Abdel Fattah despite serving out his five-year sentence, his sister said Sunday.

Abdel Fattah, 42, was arrested on September 29, 2019. Just over two years later, he was handed a five-year sentence for "spreading false news" by sharing a Facebook post about police brutality.

His family on Thursday urged the government of Britain, where Abdel Fattah holds citizenship, to ensure his release this weekend.

But on Sunday his sister Mona Seif said in a video posted to social media that the authorities "refused a request" to consider the two years of pre-trial detention as time served towards his sentence.

She said the authorities are instead counting his sentence as having started from the date that it was ratified, and has thereby set the date of his release for January 2027.

Seif had told reporters in London on Thursday that "if he is not out by September 29, it is an open-ended sentence".

A writer and computer programmer, Abdel Fattah has spent the better part of more than a decade behind bars, having been jailed repeatedly under successive presidents since Egypt's 2011 uprising.

He was granted UK citizenship through his British-born mother in 2022 while he was in prison.

Rights groups say there are tens of thousands of political prisoners in Egypt, held under poor conditions and subject to ill treatment and abuses by the authorities.

mon/jsa/ami
Elon Musk is one of illegal immigrations harshest critics. He once described his past immigration status as a gray area

The worlds richest man stood steps away from the US-Mexico border, adjusting the brim of his black cowboy hat.

As an immigrant to the United States, I am extremely pro-immigrant, Elon Musk said, and I believe that we need a greatly expanded legal immigration system, and that we should let anyone in the country who is hardworking and honest and will be a contributor to the United States.

But in the September 2023 video from Eagle Pass, Texas, Musk said limits are needed, too.

By the same token, we should also not be allowing people in the country if theyre breaking the law, he said. That doesnt make sense. The laws there for a reason.

Since that border visit a year ago, Musks critiques of illegal immigration have become a prominent part of his online presence. And hes an increasingly powerful force shaping and amplifying conversations around the issue  especially since his 2022 takeover of Twitter, now known as X, and given his huge audience on the platform.

Immigration is a top topic on voters minds heading into the 2024 presidential election, and it was a major focal point of the August 12 conversation Musk hosted on X with former President Donald Trump.

The tech magnates more than 195 million followers on X frequently see him sharing posts endorsing conspiracy theories that claim the Biden administration has deliberately allowed undocumented immigrants to cross the border to gain political advantage. Its also common to see posts referring to his own background as an immigrant and advocating for increased legal immigration to the US.

But its far less common to hear Musk talking about a chapter of his familys immigration story thats been described by his younger brother in several interviews  an anecdote that raises questions about the billionaire tech tycoons own immigration status when he was starting his first company in the United States.

Kimbal Musk: We were illegal immigrants

Elon Musk, 53, was born in Pretoria, South Africa, and moved to Canada shortly before his 18th birthday, acquiring citizenship there through his mother, a Canadian citizen. According to numerous biographies and profiles of him published in recent years, he had an enterprising spirit from a young age and his sights set on immigrating to the United States.

Its been more than three decades since Musk came to the US in 1992 for his junior year as a transfer student at the University of Pennsylvania. Since then, hes founded several high-profile Silicon Valley startups. And today hes the CEO of Tesla Motors, the CEO of SpaceX and the chairman and chief technology officer of X. Forbes estimates his net worth at nearly $270 billion, placing him atop the magazines real-time billionaires list.

But his first companys origins were humble.

Hes described its early days in numerous speeches and interviews  as has his younger brother, Kimbal Musk, a cofounder of the startup that set them both on a path to success in the United States.

In 1995, Musk moved to Palo Alto, California, where he planned to begin a Ph.D. program at Stanford. But shortly after the school year started, according to Walter Isaacsons 2023 biography, Musk decided hed rather capitalize on the emerging dotcom market and focus on founding a company with Kimbal.

During 2013 remarks at the Milken Institute Global Conference, an annual gathering of business executives and thought leaders, the brothers described details theyve often shared about how they kept living expenses low by eating at Jack in the Box  and by living at their office.

Brothers Elon Musk (left) and Kimbal Musk (right) discussed a range of topics, including their past immigration status, with interviewer Jeff Skoll at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, on April 29, 2013. - Fred Prouser/Reuters

It was cheaper to rent the office than to rent an apartment. So we just rented the office, and slept in the office, and showered at the YMCA, Elon Musk recalled, drawing laughs from the crowd.

At the 2013 event, the brothers also touched on a topic theyve discussed less frequently in public: their immigration status during the companys founding.

In early 1996, their startup, an early online city guide and mapping tool, got a $3 million infusion from venture capitalists. The investors soon found themselves surprised, according to Kimbal Musks account captured in a video of the 2013 event posted on the Milken Institutes YouTube page.

When they did fund us, Kimbal Musk recalled, they realized that we were illegal immigrants.

Well Elon Musk interjected.

Yes, we were, Kimbal Musk pushed back.

Video of the remarks shows Elon Musk laughing as he jumped in with a different interpretation: Id say it was a gray area.

He didnt elaborate, and its unclear what Elon Musk meant by that characterization. The Musk brothers havent responded to CNNs requests for comment on the exchange, nor to reports earlier this year quoting it on the tech website Gizmodo and in The Los Angeles Times.

Other accounts theyve shared in public, and descriptions in biographies of the billionaire entrepreneur, dont specify what kind of visas they had when founding the company or at later points  key details that would reveal what requirements they would have needed to meet to maintain a legal status in the US.

Two biographies of Musk, Isaacsons eponymous tome and Ashlee Vances 2015 Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, state that investors in the startup went on to help both brothers obtain visas.

Its unclear what kind of visa Elon Musk had when the brothers and their friend Greg Kouri started the company eventually dubbed Zip2, and what path he went on to take to become a legal resident and citizen of the United States.

How experts interpret Elon Musks gray area description

According to Isaacsons biography and an Esquire magazine profile of Musk, he became a US citizen in 2002  10 years after he arrived in the country  in a ceremony at the Los Angeles County fairgrounds.

But exactly what steps he took to reach that point after his years as a student are unclear.

In response to questions from CNN, US Citizenship and Immigration Services says the agency cant share, confirm, or deny immigration information about specific individuals due to privacy considerations.

Elon Musk has not responded to CNNs questions about his immigration journey, but hes referenced it in multiple online posts.

In response to details his mother, Maye Musk, has shared on X about her own immigration journey, Elon Musk has called legal immigration to the US a laborious Kafkaesque nightmare and noted that becoming a US citizen was extremely difficult and took over a decade.

But why did he describe his prior immigration status as a gray area back in 2013?

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A 2016 Snopes article found little evidence that he was ever in the U.S. without documentation, citing previous articles about the tech tycoon and a 2007 PBS interview where he described himself as a legal immigrant.

But immigration experts who spoke with CNN said the way Elon Musk responded when the issue was brought up publicly in 2013 suggests another possibility.

Actually, there are no gray areas in immigration, says Charles Kuck, an Atlanta immigration attorney. Instead, Kuck says, there are people who get caught for violations, and people who dont.

Jennifer Minear, an immigration attorney who focuses on employment issues, points out that given that Musk is now a US citizen, obviously he did something to regularize his status.

But that doesnt mean that there wasnt a period of time that he was without (legal) status.  It sounds like there was a little bit of wonkiness in his past with immigration, says Minear, a past president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Thats not uncommon, Kuck says.

Our immigration laws are so strict that, regardless of how perfect you try to be, many people would find themselves in this same gray area, in the context of, you probably did something that would make you deportable at some point during your immigration journey, he says.

That assessment, he says, is based on the law at the time and the law today.

I will tell you, as somebody whos done immigration law for 35 years, that a lot of immigrants leave their immigration history behind, right? They want to move on to their new life, Kuck says. But when you speak out against other peoples immigration journey, then yours becomes subject to scrutiny.  If you live in a glass house, you shouldnt throw stones.

Elon Musk, shown here speaking at an event in June 2023, frequently criticizes illegal immigration. The billionaire was born in South Africa, became a Canadian citizen as a teenager and moved to the US in 1992 to attend college at the University of Pennsylvania. - Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images

Student visas come with strict requirements about work

The 2013 Milken Institute event isnt the only time the brothers early immigration status in the US has come up.

America forces you to be illegal if you want to start a company as an immigrant. I know. Thats how I did it, Kimbal Musk wrote on Twitter, now X, in 2017.

In addition to that post, the younger Musk, whos now a SpaceX and Tesla board member and also an entrepreneur behind a number of restaurants and food-related ventures, also brought up the issue during a 2020 appearance on Third Row Tesla, a podcast created by fans of the electric vehicle company.

In the interview, Kimbal Musk again recalled the early days of their startup.

I dont know if you were, but I was not legally in America. So I was illegally there, he said, looking across the table at his brother.

I was legally there, Elon Musk responded, but I was meant to be doing student work.

A few moments later, describing early conversations with the venture capitalists who helped fund Zip2, Kimbal Musk reiterated details hed shared in his 2013 remarks: We had to break the news to them that  we dont have a car, and we dont have an apartment, and we are illegal.

This time, Elon Musk denied the description applied to him.

Youre illegal, he said, eliciting laughs from the Tesla fans sitting beside him. I was legal, but my visa was going to run out in two years.

During the interview, Elon Musk said that at the time he had a student work visa. He also noted that he had decided to defer his Stanford enrollment that year a couple days into the semester.

The Musk brothers havent responded to CNNs requests for comment on this exchange either.

Elon Musk, his brother Kimbal Musk, right, and then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, during an event at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, in May 2020. - Alex Brandon/AP

Experts who spoke with CNN say these descriptions of what occurred also raise questions about what kind of work authorization Elon Musk had and which institution helped him get it. The description student work visa could be referring to various programs, they said, but its not an official term. Student visas are generally strict about how much off-campus work is permitted, and that work authorization is directly tied to the academic institution where a student is enrolled.

The complexities are something todays international students, and the administrators who advise them, follow closely, according to Hunter Swanson, associate director of the Center for International Education at Washington and Lee University in Virginia.

A work permit for optional practical training connected to a students areas of academic focus can be granted after graduation, or possibly before graduation if the student is maintaining a full course of study. Its also possible during an academic program to get permission to work for course credit. Grace periods after graduation allow someone to stay in the United States for a period of time, but no work is allowed in that window.

A foreign student failing to follow these rules today runs the risk of jeopardizing their future in the United States, Swanson says.

Most international students are very conscientious. They ask people in my position a lot of questions before they do things like accept a jobor even an unpaid internship, he says. Theyre scared to death of losing their visa status.

Swanson, who also helps with training as an e-learning dean for an association that represents international educators, says its likely regulations werent enforced as strictly during Elon Musks time as a student. Enforcement of student visa restrictions, and the systems officials use to monitor compliance, intensified dramatically after the September 11 terror attacks, Swanson says. That was years after Elon Musks college graduation.

Without more information about what visas and work authorization he had  and when he had them  its impossible to draw conclusions about Elon Musks immigration journey, Swanson says. Its very unclear.

It does raise questions, Swanson says, but it doesnt mean what he did wasnt legal.

Minear, the former American Immigration Lawyers Association president, also says its impossible to know Elon Musks immigration path without access to the paper trail in his government file. Its possible he followed the requirements of his student visa, or that he was granted an exception allowing him to work.

Which institution was connected to his student visa, and when, are key details we dont know, she said.

If his student visa was tied to a graduate program at Stanford, Minear said, he would have to be actively studying there to remain in status.

Biographies of Elon Musk note he had planned to go to graduate school at Stanford, but decided instead to ride the dotcom wave and founded his first company. A Stanford spokeswoman says Musk was accepted into the school but never enrolled. - Philip Pacheco/Getty Images

And if his work authorization was a form of optional practical training tied to his undergraduate studies at Penn, Minear says that typically would have required him to have graduated  something that Vances biography indicates Elon Musk did not do until 1997, well after Zip2 had been established. It would also require Musk to work in a field connected with his degrees, according to Minear.

University of Pennsylvania spokesman Ron Ozio confirmed to CNN that Musk officially graduated in 1997 with degrees in economics and physics.

In Vances biography, Musk is quoted stating he didnt graduate in 1995 due to English and History coursework requirements he hadnt completed. His degrees, he told Vance, were ultimately granted in 1997 because the requirements had changed.

Asked about reports that Musk deferred his Stanford enrollment days into the fall 1995 semester or dropped out of the school, an official at the university told CNN theres no record he ever enrolled.

We can confirm that Mr. Musk applied and was accepted to Stanfords Materials Science and Engineering graduate program, Stanford Engineering Associate Dean of Communications and Alumni Affairs Julie Greicius wrote in an email, but we dont have any record of him enrolling.

What if Elon Musk had to go through the regular channel?

Looking at the bigger picture, experts who spoke with CNN also noted that Elon Musks story is a telling example of the value immigrants bring to the country.

The fact that he had any difficulty at all in getting to where he is because of immigration barriers, or (the possibility) that he was out of status at any time and unable to pursue his entrepreneurial goalsis a poor reflection on our current system and speaks to the need for it to be updated and changed, Minear says.

Its common for foreign students who dream of becoming entrepreneurs to face immigration hurdles, according to Rajshree Agarwal, director of the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets at the University of Maryland. Many are forced to pursue paths that require them to continue their studies or work in a lower-level position rather than striking out early on their own, she says.

Musks investors reportedly helping him obtain a visa made him unconstrained from immigration much earlier than is the norm, Agarwal says. His swift success shows how valuable such support can be, she says, and raises questions about what might have happened if he hadnt gotten it.

Co-founders Peter Thiel, left, and Elon Musk, right, pose with the PayPal logo at the company's corporate headquarters in Palo Alto, California, on October 20, 2000. Musk went on to pocket $165 million when PayPal was acquired by eBay for $1.5 billion. - Paul Sakuma/AP

Agarwal says based on her research and observations during her 30-year career as a professor, its typical for foreign students to face delays of up to 10 years between when they graduate and when they get a green card, the legal step that allows them to start a new venture. Exactly how much time the process can take varies depending on factors like caps on the number of visas issued and country of origin, she says.

What if Elon Musk had to go through the regular channel and wait the average of 8 to 10 years  as opposed to being a founder thats able to make decisions and get right to stakeholders already? Zip2 would not have been created.  What would have been the loss to this country? she says.

Or, Agarwal asks, what would have happened if Musk had been deported or forced to return to Canada or South Africa?

He wasnt, and in 1999, Compaq purchased Zip2 for more than $300 million in cash  a deal that provided Elon Musk with more than $20 million and a launch pad for his next entrepreneurial venture. Later that year, he became a cofounder of the online banking system that eventually became PayPal.

How Elon Musks views on immigration are shaping the conversation

His business successes since then are well documented  as are his increasingly pointed opinions about immigration.

A CNN analysis of Elon Musks posts on X found a marked increase in the number and frequency of his immigration-related posts starting around the time of his border visit last year. This year alone, hes authored at least 150 immigration-related posts.

That tally, based on a search of immigration-related terms, doesnt reflect times when Musk has simply shared others immigration-related posts or responded to them without directly mentioning words related to the topic  a common approach for Musk, according to Mert Can Bayar, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Washington who studies conspiracy theories and misinformation.

Immigration-related posts from Musk in the past month include a question about whether Arizona is refusing to remove undocumented voters from its rolls, a message slamming unchecked illegal immigration as civilizational suicide and multiple posts arguing Democrats are deliberately importing migrants and pushing to legalize their status in order to secure political control.

Its illegal for anyone whos not a US citizen to vote in a federal election, and experts say voting by non-citizens is extremely rare, according to decades of voting data and nonpartisan analyses.

But that hasnt stopped Musk from focusing on the issue. And his posts have a particularly wide reach, Bayar says.

Hes the most followed account on X. Every post he does gets millions of views.  When he points out something, its a disproportionate number of views, and a disproportionate amount of attention, says Bayar, whos traced Elon Musks role in spreading a resurgent rumor and a misleading video about non-citizens voting in US elections.

Zachary Mueller, senior research director for the immigrant advocacy organization Americas Voice, says Musks posts frequently echo the great replacement theory, which argues that elites are intentionally facilitating an invasion of non-White migrants to replace the power of White people.

Hes amplifying it to a new level, and he becomes part of the problem, Mueller says.

Musk has denied that hes pushing the racist theory with his posts.

I dont subscribe to that. Im simply saying there is an incentive here.  The more that come into the country, the more theyre likely to vote in that direction. It is, in my view, a simple incentive to increase Democratic voters, he told Don Lemon earlier this year after the former CNN anchor pointed out that only US citizens can vote in federal elections.

But Mueller says theres a dehumanizing and racist undertone to many of Musks immigration-related posts that shouldnt be overlooked.

Elon Musk, wearing a black Stetson hat, livestreams while visiting the US-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, on September 28, 2023. Critics accused him of painting a slanted portrait of the situation, but officials who spoke with Musk that day praised him. - John Moore/Getty Images

He called Musks recent remarks during a live conversation on X with Trump quite disgustingly notable, pointing out that Musk compared migrants at the border to a World War Z zombie apocalypse.

While some have downplayed the significance of Musks intensified focus on immigration, the entrepreneurs frequent posts about the issue have caught the attention of policy experts like David Bier, director of immigration studies at the libertarian CATO Institute.

When Musk shared a post earlier this year stating that Democrats would not deport migrants because every illegal is a highly likely vote at some point, Bier responded with links to numerous articles refuting the claim. This couldnt be more wrong, he wrote, pointing out not only the federal law establishing that only US citizens can vote in federal elections, but that most naturalized citizens dont vote and that most formerly undocumented immigrants who received amnesty in the 1980s didnt become citizens for decades, even though they were eligible.

Bier told CNN he felt like he had to chime in. Musks inaccurate political framing of the issue, he argues, overlooks the clear reality that economic forces are driving most migration.

You cant just totally ignore what hes saying, because so many people are going to see everything he says, Bier says. And hes a world-renowned entrepreneur. He does have some more clout, I think, than just a politician, who people are kind of more skeptical of.

Beyond social media, there are signs Musks views on immigration and other issues are becoming more influential in the halls of power, too.

Trump has said that if hes reelected, Musk could play a role in his next administration, as an advisor or in a Cabinet position helping improve government efficiency.

Then-President Donald Trump greets Elon Musk before a policy and strategy forum with executives at the White House in February 2017. Trump has said if he's reelected he'd consider putting Musk in a Cabinet post or an advisor position focused on government efficiency. - Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, cited Musk in March remarks on the House floor.

Yesterday Elon Musk shocked America, Wilson began. He went on to quote one of Musks posts on X, which warned it is highly probable that the groundwork is being laid for something far worse than 9/11. Just a matter of time. The post included a link to an article describing flights of migrants into the US. Neither the article nor Musks post mentioned the flights were part of a government program that aims to create more pathways for migrants to enter the US legally and reduce pressure at the border.

Recent posts focus on pioneering space exploration  and more earthly concerns

A SpaceX rocket successfully launched into orbit for the first time on September 28, 2008  the first time a privately funded rocket had done so. That achievement, and the intense fact-based research and development process at the company, were documented in a glowing GQ profile of Musk that year. The magazine noted that Musks companies were trying to find solutions  with solar power, space travel and electric cars  to what he saw as the major challenges of our time.

But on the 15th anniversary of that rocket launch  a major milestone in Musks entrepreneurial life  the billionaire was a world away from the SpaceX conference room where GQ had marveled at his ambitions.

On September 28, 2023, Elon Musks focus was decidedly earthbound, as he stood beside officials at the US-Mexico border and held his phone in the air.

Were just going to go around and talk to the major officials and law enforcement and whatnot that are here, and just kind of eyeball the situation, and get a sense of whats going on, so you can get kind of, like, the real story, he said in the live video he shared on X.

Critics argued Musks September 2023 border visit, while billed as unfiltered reality, only showed one, slanted side of the issue. But officials who spoke with Musk that day praised him.

At least he showed up.  Youre talking about a person that can put out the truth and touch the world. I think thats what Elon did whenever he visited the border, and we appreciate that, Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown told Fox News.

Elon Musk views the Rio Grande during a September 2023 visit to Eagle Pass, Texas. Around the time of that visit, his immigration-related posts on X increased. Now critiques of illegal immigration are a prominent part of Musk's online presence. - Daniel Becerril/Reuters

Elon Musk hasnt responded to questions from CNN about what he hopes others will see in his immigration story, or why hes become increasingly focused on immigration.

A year later, theres no sign Musks gaze has shifted.

As SpaceXs Polaris Dawn mission began earlier this month, he posted frequently on X, touting the companys space exploration efforts. But between posts about pioneering missions to the stars, hes shared just as many messages about immigration and the US border.

Regardless of his motivations or the path he took to get here, its clear Elon Musk has added another item to his list of the worlds biggest challenges.

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Embattled Adams officials David Banks, Sheena Wright to marry this weekend as federal corruption probe rocks City Hall: sources

Embattled Adams officials David Banks, Sheena Wright to marry this weekend as federal corruption probe rocks City Hall: sources

For better or worse.

Two top Adams administration officials are finally getting hitched  raising speculation theyre tying the knot to avoid taking the stand.

Outgoing NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks and his longtime love, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, quietly planned a weekend wedding on Marthas Vineyard  amid an ongoing federal corruption investigation swirling around Mayor Eric Adams administration, The Post has learned.

The quiet nuptials are sparking speculation the move is to invoke spousal privilege. James Keivom

Theyre definitely getting married, said a source close to the chancellors office.

Banks and Wright  two of Mayor Adams top aides  were rumored to be planning a wedding on the ritzy Massachusetts island during the summer of 2023 but never sealed the deal, and theyve been tightlipped about their marriage plans since.

Stay updated with the New York Posts coverage of Mayor Eric Adams indictment

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Earlier this month, Wrights elegant West 143rd Street home in Harlem was raided, and her phone was seized. She lives there with Banks, who also has a Queens home, which was raided by FBI agents, too. His phone was seized as well.

First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wrights home was raided and her phone was seized earlier this month. Paul Martinka

The raids precise purpose remains unclear, but Adams was indicted Thursday on federal wire fraud and bribery charges. He is the first sitting Big Apple mayor to be indicted by a grand jury.

In federal criminal cases, spouses cant be forced to testify against each other.

Jeff Greco, a Manhattan-based criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor, said he believes the longtime couple finally got married on the advice of their lawyers to score spousal immunity  which he believes will absolutely frustrate the sweeping federal probe.

Theres no doubt that they understand the optics of this, but the legal benefit far outweighs the public optics, he said.

Banks popped the question two years ago after a long courtship.

It only took me 10 years [to propose], Banks told New York magazine in October 2022 interview. We have been talking about this for a while and now living in Harlem together, and I said its time.

Weve both done this before, so just taking our time, no rush. Weve got a great relationship, great partnership.

At a press conference on Wednesday announcing Melissa Aviles-Ramos as Banks successor as chancellor effective in January, Banks praised his fiance Wright and affectionately kissed her multiple times on the lips.

While Banks and Wright were planning to tie the knot Saturday, Adams on Saturday attended an event at a Queens church, and his reps said he plans to remain in the Big Apple throughout the weekend.

The mayors office declined to comment on the marriage, and the citys Department of Education did not return messages.

An extraordinary five-count indictment unsealed Thursday accused the under-fire Adams of taking a slew of improper gifts from Turkish officials and businesspeople  including $123,000 in free hotel stays and free, or deeply discounted, flights.

He also fraudulently obtained $10 million in public campaign funds, federal prosecutors allege.

In exchange, Adams did favors for his patrons  including pressuring city officials to waive fire inspections and push through approval for the sprawling Turkish Consulate in Manhattan, according to the indictment.

Hizzoner pleaded not guilty to all charges on Friday.

Additional reporting by Matthew Sedacca
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), the Democratic nominee for vice president, is like Gavin Newsom in a flannel shirt in a Sunday interview.

Emmer stated in the interview on ABCs This Week that Walz lost the previous congressional district he used to be a representative for in the House in both of his gubernatorial races.

In the last one, almost by 10 points, Emmer added. Hes not well-liked because once you get to know the real Tim Walz, hes like Gavin Newsom in a flannel shirt.

Per a report from The Hill earlier this week, two sources confirmed that Emmer was playing Walz in debate prep for Ohio Sen. JD Vance (R). Vance and Walz are set to go head-to-head in a CBS News debate this Tuesday.

Host Martha Raddatz noted that Walz has been ahead of Vance regarding favorability ratings, to which Emmer responded that he believes the Ohio senator is very likable, and I think hes well liked.

And I dont buy into these snapshot polls that are being done for a specific reason, Emmer continued. If youre not willing  to agree that Tim Walz, once people get to know who he is and they know what his policies are, hes more radical than Kamala Harris.

People do not like him once they get to know him. And JD will expose that on Tuesday, he added.

For Walz, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was reported by The Hill to be playing Vance for the Minnesota governors debate preparations, doing so in his personal capacity, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The Hill has reached out to the Harris campaign for comment.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NUUANU, Hawaii (KHON2)  Honolulu Emergency Medical Services treated a man who suffered apparent stab wounds in the Nuuanu Avenue area.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

The incident was reported around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday when first responders were called to stabilize a 37-year-old man in serious condition.

Honolulu police said the man got into a verbal argument with a 69-year-old male, which led to the suspect injuring the man with a sharp object in his left thigh.

Paramedics transported the man to a trauma hospital.

The 69-year-old was arrested for assault.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) The Pennington County Sheriffs Office Victim Specialists and Wavi are teaming up with local coffee shops this October.

Their goal is spreading awareness on domestic violence and letting victims know that they are not alone.

Cups at area coffee shops will come with custom messages on the sleeves.

So all the coffee sleeves will have information about who it affects, to love shouldnt hurt, that theres no excuse for abuse. So some of those sayings, WAVI Case Manager Ruth Torala said.

Pure Bean, Harriett & Oak, Essence of Coffee, Alternative Fuels, Dunn Brothers Coffee and Home Brew are the six shops taking part.

59th Annual Governors Buffalo Roundup

Thats the purpose, you sit and chat with people. Thats where you go to spend some Sunday morning time and so by putting this message out on the coffee cups, then maybe we can start that conversation in the community. Even if just a couple people start talking about it to try and end that cycle or at least get the message out, PCSO Victim Specialist Rebecca Elger said.

Nearly three out of ten women and one out of ten men experience some sort of domestic violence in the United States.

And that we dont always necessarily know whats happening in someones personal life and to start that conversation and to create a dialog about whats happening in the community that affects everyone of us, Torala said.

The more that people are willing to stand up as a community and say we wont tolerate this, we are going to see an increase in some of those reports. Because the community itself has said, not going to happen in my community and thats what we want when we started this conversation in the coffee shop. For the community to say, its not ok, Elger said.

The more this conversation gets normalized, the more victims it could help.

The special coffee sleeves will be given to customers starting in October at all six locations.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Los Angeles County is the nations most overgrown local jurisdiction, with the largest population (more than 10 million people) and the largest budget ($43 billion). Its governments responsibilities are immense.

Yet it has the same form of elected leadership it had 174 years ago when it was created, and the same as other California counties today that have a fraction of the population and budget: a five-member Board of Supervisors with a rotating chair, and no independently elected executive. The three countywide elected officers  sheriff, district attorney and assessor  operate within their own spheres.

Read more: L.A. Times electoral endorsements for 2024 November election

L.A. County government underrepresents and underserves its people.

Measure G on the Nov. 5 ballot would change that. It would expand the Board of Supervisors to nine, shrinking the size of the massive districts and giving county residents a greater voice. It would create an independently elected executive  in effect, a county mayor  who can respond to challenges and crises more quickly than the board. It would for the first time create a county ethics commission.

The measure prohibits the county from spending more on its expanded government than it does on the current one.

Read more: Editorial: L.A. County shows L.A. city that reform doesnt have to be hard

These changes are long overdue. The Times recommends a Yes vote on county Measure G.

The measure was proposed by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn in July, just a few months before the election. Critics argue that there was too little time for outside analysts to study the measure and consider alternatives.

The criticism is understandable. It would be nice if the measure had come out of a charter reform commission of the type the city of Los Angeles used (it actually had two of them, simultaneously) in the 1990s to update its governing framework. Even now, the city is organizing a new commission to recommend charter changes  including a larger City Council.

Read more: Editorial: A 5-member L.A. County Board of Supervisors without an exec is absurd

But the county has shown little interest in organizing such a body or otherwise reforming itself. After the city adopted its new charter a quarter of a century ago, many of the reformers who were involved in or watched the city process appeared before the Board of Supervisors to call on the county to do the same thing. The board scoffed and did nothing.

And it has done little in the years since. One of the only two meaningful changes came in 2007 when the supervisors tried giving their appointed chief executive more direct power over county operations. They quickly took much of it back.

Read more: Editorial: Supervisors try a new twist on a perpetual problem

The other came in 2022 when they asked voters to give them even more power: to remove an elected sheriff. The sheriff at the time was unpopular, and voters agreed to the change.

There have been earlier stabs at reform, forced on the supervisors by state lawmakers or voter initiatives. In 2000, they sent voters a ballot measure to expand the board, but only under pressure from the Legislature. The measure failed.

This year the board voted 3 to 2 to put Measure G on the ballot. That's an important development. Given the board's poor record of sharing power, putting off the decision for another election does not seem like a very good option.

Read more: Editorial: Redrawn supervisor districts can't give L.A. County the representation it needs

The new format would allocate executive power to one individual, just as the U.S. Constitution, every state constitution, and most larger cities do. The supervisors job would be to legislate, scrutinize the executive to hold that person accountable, and deliver service to the unincorporated portions of the county  areas not represented by city governments.

In other words, Measure G would finally bring to the county the same sorts of checks and balances that have been the cornerstone of good government throughout the nations history.

Read more: Editorial: L.A. County supervisors, don't sweep reform discussion under the rug

Is nine the right number of supervisors? Its a fair question but does not require a lot of hand-wringing. Its better than five. It would improve the chances for citizens to choose leaders who reflect their values and their policy goals. Its important to remember that as the countys population became increasingly Latino, the board had no Latino member until it lost a lawsuit over district lines that discriminated against Latino voters. Even now, in a county almost 50% Latino, the five-member board has only one. A larger board would be more representative, not just of the countys ethnic diversity but also of its varying infrastructure needs, geography and politics.

If nine is still too few, a county government with more accountability and an ethics commission is more likely than the present one to pave the way for further improvements, including more seats.

Read more: Editorial: L.A. City Council just proved it can't be trusted to fix itself

How about a larger board, but without a county mayor? Bad idea. That would only enlarge governmental dysfunction without fixing it. Checks and balances are key, and the Board of Supervisors has shown that it will not voluntarily cede executive authority.

The maddening irony about the current county government is that, contrary to popular belief, most of the elected officials work hard and do a good job. But they are hampered by a structure that invites stasis and is ill-suited to addressing problems such as homelessness, poverty, inequity, injustice  exactly those challenges assigned to county government. Measure G is the way forward.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
We recently compiled a list of 7 Best Uranium Stocks To Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we will look at where Cameco (NYSE:CCJ) ranks among the best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

Uranium Market Outlook

According to a report by the World Nuclear Association, the uranium market is a complex and cyclical industry, with prices fluctuating based on demand and supply. In recent years, primary production from mines has supplied around 90% of the requirements of power utilities, with the remaining 10% coming from secondary sources such as ex-military material, recycling, and stockpiles. The demand for uranium is driven by the need for fuel to power nuclear reactors. There are currently around 440 reactors worldwide, with a combined capacity of around 390 GWe. These reactors require around 80,000 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate each year, which contains around 67,500 tonnes of uranium.

The uranium supply comes from various sources, including mines, stockpiles, and secondary sources, such as recycled uranium and plutonium. In 2022, mines supplied around 58,201 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate containing around 49,355 tU, around 74% of the utilities annual requirements. Secondary sources of uranium include recycled uranium and plutonium from used fuel, re-enriched depleted uranium tails, ex-military weapons-grade uranium, and civil stockpiles. These sources, such as mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, can be converted into usable fuel.

The demand for Uranium is expected to grow over the next decade. The World Nuclear Associations Nuclear Fuel Report indicates a 28% increase in uranium demand over 2023-2033 and a 51% increase in uranium demand for 2031-2040. However, the uranium market faces several challenges, including the need for increased investment in new mines and infrastructure, as well as similar policies that give preferential to subsidized wind and solar sources. There are growth opportunities, particularly in nuclear energy, which is expected to play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting increasing global energy demands.

Big Tech Investments in Nuclear Energy to Drive Sector Growth

In an interview on September 24 with CNBC, Amir Adnani, CEO of Uranium Energy, said that he is highly optimistic about the future of uranium investing. He believes that the uranium market is finally emerging from an 11-year bear market and is experiencing a renaissance. This newfound enthusiasm for uranium is driven by the growing recognition that nuclear power is crucial in the global effort to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the need to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and transition to cleaner forms of energy, nuclear power is being rediscovered as a vital part of the solution.

Adnani notes that public opinion polls are now at an all-time high in support of nuclear power, indicating a significant shift in the publics perception of this form of energy. Furthermore, big tech companies are beginning to take notice of the potential of nuclear energy and are starting to partner with nuclear energy companies to invest in new infrastructure. This influx of capital and expertise is expected to have a profound impact on the industry, driving innovation and growth in the sector. The demand for nuclear-generated electricity is increasing exponentially, driven by the development of data centers and cloud computing. This surge in demand is causing U.S. utilities to extend the life of reactors and bring back previously retired reactors, which in turn is driving up the market for uranium.

However, Adnani also acknowledges concerns about the potential for big tech companies to drive up prices for households using power. This is a valid concern, as the increasing demand for nuclear-generated electricity could potentially lead to a supply shortage, driving up prices for consumers. Nevertheless, Adnani believes that this is a manageable risk and that the benefits of investing in uranium far outweigh the potential drawbacks. He notes that the utilities need to invest upward of $50 billion to keep up with the growing demand for nuclear-generated electricity, which presents a significant opportunity for investors.

The uranium market is expected to experience significant growth over the next decade due to the growing demand for nuclear energy and an increasing need for low-carbon energy sources. The uranium market is poised to play a critical role in meeting global energy demands. With that in context, lets take a look at the 7 best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 7 best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds, we used the Finviz and Yahoo stock screeners to find the 9 largest Uranium companies. We then narrowed our choices to 7 stocks according to their hedge fund sentiment, which was taken from our database of 912 elite hedge funds as of Q2 of 2024. The list is sorted in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment, as of the second quarter.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Cameco (NYSE:CCJ)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 60

Cameco (NYSE:CCJ) is one of the largest uranium producers globally, with key operations in Canadas Athabasca Basin, including the Cigar Lake and McArthur River mines. Cameco (NYSE:CCJ) also provides uranium refining, conversion, and fuel manufacturing services, making it a vertically integrated player in the nuclear fuel cycle.

Cameco (NYSE:CCJ) is a significant player in the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and the expansion of its uranium mining and processing operations. The company owns 40% ownership stake in the Inkai deposit in Kazakhstan, which is the worlds leading deposit of uranium, and provides a significant source for uranium production.

The companys recent acquisition of a 49% stake in Westinghouse, a global supplier to the commercial power industry, has further strengthened its position in the market. This strategic move has not only expanded Camecos (NYSE:CCJ) service offerings but also provided a platform for the company to tap into the growing demand for nuclear energy. The companys 49% stake in Westinghouse is expected to generate significant revenue and earnings growth in the coming years.

The nuclear industry is is driven by increasing global demand for clean and reliable energy. Cameco (NYSE:CCJ) is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, due to its diversified business model, strategic partnerships, and expertise in the nuclear fuel cycle. The increasing demand for nuclear energy, driven by government policies to reduce carbon emissions and meet growing electricity needs, is expected to drive up uranium prices.

Cameco (NYSE:CCJ) is likely to benefit from this trend, given its significant uranium reserves and production capacity. Cameco (NYSE:CCJ) expects to deliver 32-34 million pounds of uranium in 2024, representing a 1.5% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the companys expertise in uranium mining and conversion positions it well to capitalize on the growing demand for nuclear energy. In the second quarter, the companys stock was held by 60 hedge funds with stakes worth $846.57 million. Driehaus Capital is the largest shareholder in the company with a stake worth $192.62 million as of June 30.

Overall CCJ ranks 1st on our list of the best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of CCJ as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CCJ 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 on Insider Monkey.
Ukraine's state nuclear energy agency Energoatom on Sept. 28 confirmed that one of its officials had been detained for accepting a bribe.

The official, who leads the control and audit department, was apprehended near Energoatom's office in Kyiv while accepting a bribe of UAH 100,000 ($2,400). The money was demanded in exchange for resolving fuel supply issues.

According to a statement from Energoatom, "The detainee used his connections to help resolve the issue with another company, acting as a middleman between the contractor and the other firm." Ukraine's Security Service's (SBU) Main Directorate in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, with oversight from the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, conducted the operation.

"A top priority for Energoatom is ensuring compliance with current laws, and the company has a strict zero-tolerance policy for corruption," the statement reads. "This policy applies not only to internal matters but also to employees' conduct outside of their official duties."

Energoatom plays a crucial role in Ukraine's energy sector and is actively involved in modernizing and expanding the country's nuclear power capabilities, despite challenges posed by the ongoing war.

Read also: IAEA to increase monitoring missions to facilities critical to nuclear safety in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ahead of Donald Trumps rally on Sunday at the Bayfront Convention Center, Erie Democrats held a rally of their own on Saturday at the same place.

Women from as far as Ohio and New York came to the Bayfront Convention Center for a womens freedom rally on Saturday.

The rally featured several speakers, poetry and music all in support of womens rights.

Womens rights. Womens freedom. We need our freedoms. I dont want to lose our freedoms, and I want the kids in the future to have freedoms, said Nicole Spiegel, Kamala Harris supporter.

Safety top priority for law enforcement ahead of Trumps Erie visit

The main focus of the rally was womens reproductive rights, which has been a primary issue for women voters after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Sarah Innamorato, Allegheny County executive and the rallys keynote speaker, said that the decision has had consequences for women.

We live in a nation where women are dying because they cannot receive reproductive health care, and thats a world that I dont want to live in any longer, so Im doing everything I can throughout Allegheny County and across Pennsylvania to make sure we get out to vote, said Innamorato.

The goal of Saturdays event is to build excitement and enthusiasm ahead of the November election.

Election Day 2024: Important Pennsylvania deadlines & voting information

Were here to just really energize women to get out to vote in November and to know that they have power, not just in our community but at that ballot box, said Kristy Gnibus, Womens Freedom Rally chair.

Saturdays rally also comes right before Donald Trump is set to host a rally in the same place the next day, which keynote speaker Innamorato said adds significance to the rally.

I think its so powerful that all these incredible women in Erie came together and said, Were not going to be silent. Were going to use our power, our voices, our stories,' Innamorato added.

And with the election just over a month away, those voices are getting louder in Erie County.

Donald Trump will speak at the Bayfront Convention Center around 2 p.m. on Sunday for his campaign rally.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BUMPASS COVE, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Erwin Police Department announced the tragic passing of one of its K-9 officers following the devastating flooding across the region.

K-9 Scotty, Erwin PD.

According to the police department, K-9 Scotty had last been seen in the Bumpass Cove community on Friday.

EMA Director: 33 missing in Unicoi County, confirmed deaths

In an update Saturday, the department said Scotty was located and was deceased.

Erwin police asked the community to keep K-9 Scottys handler in their thoughts.

Those still searching for loved ones after the catastrophic flooding in the region can call the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations hotline at 1-800-TBI-FIND to report missing persons. According to the TBI, that information will then be relayed to local law enforcement for follow-ups.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Escaped inmate Gregory Munsell is now back behind bars after he escaped from the Webster County Detention Center.

KSP Post Two received a call from the Webster County Detention Center around 7:23 a.m. Saturday about an escaped inmate. Officials say Munsell of Princeton Kentucky walked away from the Webster County Detention Center at 6 a.m..

Officials have not yet said how Munsell escaped.

Officials with KSP say Munsell is now lodged in Webster County Detention Center.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
UNITED NATIONS, N.Y.  Foreign ministers from European nations with close U.S. ties reacted to Vice President Kamala Harris claim world leaders are "laughing" at former President Trump, dismissing the claim.

During Septembers presidential debate, Harris said, "World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump. I have talked with military leaders, some of whom worked with you, and they say you're a disgrace."

When asked about this quote, foreign ministers in attendance at the United Nations High-Level Week stressed they have no view one way or the other on the U.S. election and will work with whomever wins.

"We are friends of America," Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said, noting Italy and the U.S. are "two sides of the same coin." "If Trump will be the new president of America, we will work with him as we worked with him when he was president of America."

Israeli Military Says Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Killed In Beirut Strike

"We worked well with Biden, with Bush, with Reagan, with Clinton, with Obama," Tajani added. "For us, the transatlantic relations are the key strategy of our foreign policy, Europe and America."

Read On The Fox News App

Foreign ministers of Lithuania and the Czech Republic stressed that they will not interfere in the election by stating a preference, instead saying they "leave it to the American citizens to decide."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, center, looks on as President Trump and Poland's president, Andrzej Duda, talk during a working lunch at the NATO leaders summit in Watford, Britain, Dec. 4, 2019.

"My role is not to comment on such a political statement," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said.

However, Lipavsky praised Trumps "strong" message of defense spending, which he hoped Europe would continue to embrace in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Investigator Reveals China Tried To Smuggle Drones To Libya Disguised As Covid Aid

"The point is that Donald Trump had, at his time, one strong message for Europe, and that message was quite resonating and is resonating more now because he was saying spend more on your defense," Lipavsky said.

"My government is spending more on our defense," he added. "We want to reach those 2% of GDP, will be reaching them this year, and we will continue next year. So, (if) Donald Trump would be a president with this message, Please spend 2%," we would be OK."

President Trump reacts next to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as they attend a working lunch during the NATO leaders summit in Watford, Britain, Dec. 4, 2019.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis highlighted the "very long history" between the two countries, saying that the relationship is "more than politics."

Instead, he reiterated the message that whoever wins the election will need to focus on the same message of defense spending that Trump pushed during his first administration.

Taliban Dismiss Discrimination Accusations As Absurd Despite Banning Women From Public In Afghanistan

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris listens as former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024.

Prior to the Trump administration, only a few members of NATO had upheld their commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defense, but that number rose sharply due to Trumps insistence and hard-line stance over the issue.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in June reported that 23 of the 32 member states have hit the minimum spending requirement, which helped improve the blocs ability to support Ukraine and, potentially, deter Russian aggression beyond its current ambitions.

No European nation, though, has touted the success of Trumps first term and expressed hopes for a strong second term as has Hungary. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto revealed his government would have "huge expectations" for a new Trump administration.

"We have huge expectations because we do believe that many of the major crises which give us a lot of concern can be resolved by an administration of President Trump," Szijjarto said, noting he speaks as the longest-serving foreign minister in NATO with 10 years under his belt.

Hungarian Fm Recalls Strong Trump Admin Experience, Claims Our Hope Is All On Former President

"I didn't really see anyone laughing at Trump," Szijjarto said. "What I've seen many having fear. I've seen many being afraid of a U.S. president being honest, not a hostage by the liberal mainstream, representing a patriotic position, speaking clearly about America first."

Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have done little to hide their rosy friendship, with Trump invoking the Hungarian leader as a "strong man of Europe" who speaks well of the former president.

Orban proved this is a mutual dynamic when he chose to leave the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., earlier this year to instead meet with Trump in Mar-a-Lago in Florida to discuss foreign relations.

"Under President Trump, everything was under control," Szijjarto said. "Since President Trump has left office, the whole global security situation is deteriorating. So, I mean, these are experiences."

"If we base it on our experience, we say yes, from a perspective of U.S.-Hungary relations, I think President Trump would bring another impetus, freshness, dynamism to this relationship. And I think if President Trump is elected, I think the world has a good chance to become a more peaceful place compared to the current situation."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: European officials dismiss claim world leaders 'are laughing' at Trump, praise his 'strong message'
By Dave Graham

VIENNA (Reuters) - Political parties on the European right celebrated Sunday's parliamentary election victory by Austria's Freedom Party (FPO) as a boost for national conservatives amid advances by the hard right fuelled by worries about immigration.

Led by Herbert Kickl, who capitalised on a misfiring economy and concerns that Austria has taken in people faster than it can integrate them, the FPO won around 29% of the vote, a record result that may give it a platform to lead the next government.

Kickl must find a partner to form a stable coalition and he is loathed by other party leaders, who have refused to serve under him and quickly began discussing the possibility of sounding out alternatives to an FPO-led government.

But there were warm words from allies in Europe, where the FPO forms part of a right-wing group inside the European Parliament led by France's far-right National Rally (RN).

Its leader Marine Le Pen expressed delight at the victory and said it showed those parties were advancing.

"After the Italian, Dutch and French elections, this tidal wave which supports the defence of national interests, the safeguarding of identities and the resurrection of sovereignties, confirms the triumph of the people everywhere," Le Pen wrote in a post on X.

Bjoern Hoecke, one of the leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), called the FPO's win a "sensation" and said on X: "The FPO victory isn't just a victory for Austria - it extends far beyond the borders of the Alpine republic and is a good sign of progress for Europe."

The win by the Eurosceptic FPO could sow division within the European Union over foreign policy areas such as support for Ukraine against Moscow's invasion of the country.

Kickl opposes sending aid to Kyiv and critics of the RN and other parties in the right-wing Patriots for Europe group, the third-largest in the European parliament, often argue they have been too soft on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this year Kickl sealed an alliance with the Fidesz party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has frequently blocked or delayed major EU decisions such as sanctions against Russia and aid for Ukraine.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Facebook: "What a weekend!! After the Czech Republic, another victory for the Patriots across the border... No war, no migration and no gender propaganda!"

Dutch nationalist Geert Wilders, whose PVV party leads the Dutch government, responded to the FPO victory on X by saying: "We are winning! Times are changing! Identity, sovereignty, freedom and no more illegal immigration/asylum is what tens of millions of Europeans long for!"

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini of the co-ruling League party said in a statement the Austrian vote was "a historic day in the name of change."

"To those who speak of the 'extreme right', let us remind them that in Vienna (as in almost all of Europe) there is only the desire for change by putting the values of work, family and security back at the centre," he added.

(Reporting by Ingrid Melander, Alvise Armellini and Gergely Szakacs; Writing by Dave Graham, Editing by William Maclean)
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Evansvilles Protestant Home celebrates 100 years of service to the community.

Officials say the milestone highlights a century of dedicated service to the aging community.

The event featured historical displays, memorabilia and photographs from the homes rich past.

The Evansville Protestant Home first opened its doors in 1924 as a residence for the aged with a commitment to providing comfort, dignity, and support for its residents.

The home continues that mission, serving seniors with the same care and dedication.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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).
Everything you need to know about visiting Svalbard during the polar night

From exciting snowmobile tours to cosy cabin retreats, winter is a magical time to visit Svalbard's remote Arctic landscapes. Photograph by Hurtigruten Svalbard

With imposing ice caps, rocky islands and ice floes frequented by polar bears and walruses, Svalbard is a singular slice of the Arctic. This Norwegian archipelago lies roughly 580 miles north of the mainland and comprises nine main islands, including Spitsbergen, the largest of the group. Svalbard is known for its pristine Arctic landscapes and incredible wildlife. Longyearbyen, the worlds northernmost town, has a permanent population of roughly 2,500 people. During the winter months, visitors should expect a season of muted twilight, utter darkness and epic Northern Lights viewing, as the sun never rises above the horizon from mid-November to late January. Heres everything travellers should know before embarking on an Arctic adventure during Svalbards polar night.

When is Svalbards polar night season?

In a place as uniquely positioned as Svalbard, each season brings something extraordinary. After experiencing endless daylight during the summer months (Svalbards polar summer lasts from mid-May to the end of September), the polar night season brings constant darkness. From mid-November to late January, the sun remains at least six degrees below the horizon. The snow-covered landscapes appear particularly surreal beneath the canopy of Milky Way stars that shine all day, while the moon casts a bright, ethereal glow over the mountain peaks, fjords and colourful wooden houses of the tiny capital, Longyearbyen. Clear skies and so much darkness make this season a prime time for catching the Northern Lights as they explode from the sky in shades of green, red and purple.

There are opportunities to spot the spectacular Northern Lights throughout the day during Svalbard's polar night season. Photograph by Hurtigruten Svalbard

What are some of the best polar night adventures to enjoy during this season?

Despite the darkness, Svalbard certainly doesnt sleep all day during the polar night. Take a cue from the locals, dress warmly for the harsh weather (outfitters in Longyearbyen will provide everything you need to stay toasty on tours) and head outdoors to explore this distinct landscape.

Speeding through the snow on a dog sled tour  listening to the joyful sound of huskies barking  is always a thrill. But theres something particularly otherworldly about moving by dog sled through the polar night as the Aurora Borealis glow down from above, or stars shimmer overhead like a celestial highway.

For something slower-paced, head just outside Longyearbyen to the collection of cabins at Camp Barentz. Here, removed from the artificial lights of the town, travellers can gather around a campfire with drinks and dessert and listen to the host share stories about the Northern Lights while waiting for the phenomenon to appear above.

Snowcat tours take visitors outside Longyearbyen and through the Advent Valley (known as Adventdalen). Travellers can sit comfortably in the heated snowcat as the guide drives the vehicle over frozen terrain, making several stops to look for the Northern Lights. Alternatively, electric snowmobile tours through the Advent Valley allow travellers to hunt the Aurora Borealis in a more adrenalin-charged way.

Guided hiking tours to Svalbards ice caves take visitors into a subterranean world of grottos formed during summers melt. Expect these caves to glow turquoise and sapphire-blue in the light of hikers headlamps.

Dog sledding tours take travellers across Svalbard's snow-covered landscapes. Photograph by Hurtigruten Svalbard

The Northern Lights glow above Camp Barentz, a collection of cabins outside Longyearbyen. Photograph by Hurtigruten Svalbard

How can I explore Svalbards history and culture?

For those interested in Svalbards history of human exploration, there are many tales of perseverance and passion on these ice-clad shores. Miners have chased their fortunes here since the start of the 20th century. Today, visitors can follow in their footsteps during tours through the tunnels of Coal Mine 3 in Longyearbyen. Those feeling particularly adventurous can even crawl into the narrow passages where coal was once extracted, gaining an even stronger understanding of what these miners experienced.

On a historic hiking tour in the Advent Valley, travellers can journey on foot and with headlamps into a wilderness that once lured trappers seeking to catch polar foxes and bears, with the aim to sell their furs in Norway. Today, this is where Arctic climate researchers carry out their important work.

To understand daily life in Svalbard, the Longyearbyen in a Nutshell tour lets visitors follow a locals lead through the towns highlights. Travellers can look out for reindeer while passing landmarks such as the Kjell Henriksen Observatory, the worlds northernmost aurora station, and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which holds duplicates of seed samples from almost every country globally with the aim of protecting the worlds food supply.

Where should I stay in Svalbard?

For such a remote dot on the planet, Longyearbyen welcomes travellers from around the world with true Nordic hospitality. Remove your shoes at the door, as is the custom in these parts, and settle in for a comfortable stay at Funken Lodge, a five-star hotel featuring 88 contemporary rooms and offering views of the colourful surrounding town, glaciers and the nearby peak, Platafjellet. Guests can enjoy a buffet-style breakfast each morning and spend time relaxing in the hotel's extensive lounge area and library, which features a large collection of polar literature. The hotel also has its own Champagne and wine cellar, as well as an award-winning cocktail bar.

Signature dishes at Funktionrmessen Restaurant include king crab and dry aged Cote de Buf. Photograph by Hurtigruten Svalbard

Travellers can enjoy views of Longyearbyen and the nearby glaciers during a stay at Funken Lodge. Photograph by Hurtigruten Svalbard

What are some must-try food and drinks?

Classic Nordic techniques and ingredients ensure the key flavours of Svalbard and northern Norway are on display at Huset restaurant in Longyearbyen. The iconic building served as a hospital, school and church in the past and now houses 6,000 wine bottles in one of Scandinavias largest wine cellars. Husets 14-course tasting menu offers the chance to try special Svalbard produce, such as ptarmigan (a medium-sized game bird) and reindeer. Travellers can learn more about Huset's past on a guided tour of this historic building.

Visitors to Svalbard can also enjoy Champagne tastings at Funken Lodge, Funktionrmessen Restaurant and Willems Cabin, a small wilderness camp surrounded by mountains.

This paid content article was created for Hurtigruten Svalbard. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs.



To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here.

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Former Sen. Jeff Flake is the latest Republican to ditch Donald Trump and endorse Kamala Harris.

Flake, who resigned as the U.S. ambassador to Turkey earlier this month, described himself in a statement Sunday as a conservative Republican who knows firsthand of Tim Walz and Harris fine character and love of country.

That, the ex-lawmaker said, should be enough for Republicans to support the duo over Trump, whose political ambitions are largely based on his own personal grievances of the past.

Jeff Flake, right, served a single term in the U.S. Senate that overlapped with Donald Trumps presidency. They were photographed together above in 2017. Reuters

I want to support a presidential candidate who seeks to unite our country, rather than one who divides us, Flake said.

Flake, 61, indicated his decision was partially driven by Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

I think Republicans believe in the rule of law in particular, and its difficult to support a candidate who, having lost an election, tries to use the powers of the presidency to overturn that election, he told ABC News on Sunday.

The ambassador represented Arizona in the House and Senate for a combined 18 years between 2001 and 2019. He was a vocal critic of Trump in Congress, but often voted in favor of the then-presidents policies. He was sworn in as the U.S. ambassador to Turkey by Harris in 2021.

Kamala Harris was central to Jeff Flakes swearing in ceremony when he became the U.S. ambassador to Turkey in 2021. Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images

Flake was emphatic Sunday that hes still as conservative and Republican as hes ever been. He indicated he just doesnt want another four years of President Trump at the countrys expense, so hes voting for Harris.

I would encourage all Republicans who feel this way to do the same, Flake said. After all in times like these, there is nothing more conservative than putting country over party.

Flake isnt the only prominent Republican who wont be bubbling next to Trumps name on ballots this election.

Liz Cheney, the former GOP representative from Wyoming, endorsed Harris earlier this month and indicated that her dad, the former vice president Dick Cheney, would also be voting for Harris.

Jimmy McCain, the son of the former senator and GOP presidential nominee John McCain, said the Trump campaigns incident at Arlington National Cemetery was what pushed him to publicly endorse Harris.

Army Confirms Trump Staffer Pushed Woman Who Works at Arlington Cemetery

Mitt Romney, the former governor, senator, and Republican nominee for president, also said he wont vote for Trump in November. Romney has stopped short of outright backing Harris, however, and did not engage with her campaign when they reached out in hopes hed endorse, reported The Washington Post.

The reported reason for Romneys hesitation is particularly chilling. Those close to the former lawmaker, who was inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack, told the Post he fears that Trump supporters may endanger the "safety of his family if he were to endorse Harris.

Cheney explained at an event in Wisconsin last week why she felt it was important for her to go as far as backing Harris publicly.

I think this is going to be an incrediblypotentially incrediblyclose race, she said. I hope its not, but it could be. And so it really, really matters if you really believeas I dothat Donald Trump is too dangerous to ever again be near the Oval Office, then I think its incumbent upon us to go the extra step and actually cast a vote for Vice President Harris.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Yahoo News

An intense manhunt for a suspected gunman in Kentucky entered its sixth day on Thursday. Yahoo News spoke to former FBI agents who have experience in manhunts across the U.S. who weigh in on some of the challenges Kentucky law enforcement face in their search for Joseph Couch.
We recently compiled a list of 7 Best Uranium Stocks To Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we will look at where Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) ranks among the best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

Uranium Market Outlook

According to a report by the World Nuclear Association, the uranium market is a complex and cyclical industry, with prices fluctuating based on demand and supply. In recent years, primary production from mines has supplied around 90% of the requirements of power utilities, with the remaining 10% coming from secondary sources such as ex-military material, recycling, and stockpiles. The demand for uranium is driven by the need for fuel to power nuclear reactors. There are currently around 440 reactors worldwide, with a combined capacity of around 390 GWe. These reactors require around 80,000 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate each year, which contains around 67,500 tonnes of uranium.

The uranium supply comes from various sources, including mines, stockpiles, and secondary sources, such as recycled uranium and plutonium. In 2022, mines supplied around 58,201 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate containing around 49,355 tU, around 74% of the utilities annual requirements. Secondary sources of uranium include recycled uranium and plutonium from used fuel, re-enriched depleted uranium tails, ex-military weapons-grade uranium, and civil stockpiles. These sources, such as mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, can be converted into usable fuel.

The demand for Uranium is expected to grow over the next decade. The World Nuclear Associations Nuclear Fuel Report indicates a 28% increase in uranium demand over 2023-2033 and a 51% increase in uranium demand for 2031-2040. However, the uranium market faces several challenges, including the need for increased investment in new mines and infrastructure, as well as similar policies that give preferential to subsidized wind and solar sources. There are growth opportunities, particularly in nuclear energy, which is expected to play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting increasing global energy demands.

Big Tech Investments in Nuclear Energy to Drive Sector Growth

In an interview on September 24 with CNBC, Amir Adnani, CEO of Uranium Energy, said that he is highly optimistic about the future of uranium investing. He believes that the uranium market is finally emerging from an 11-year bear market and is experiencing a renaissance. This newfound enthusiasm for uranium is driven by the growing recognition that nuclear power is crucial in the global effort to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the need to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and transition to cleaner forms of energy, nuclear power is being rediscovered as a vital part of the solution.

Adnani notes that public opinion polls are now at an all-time high in support of nuclear power, indicating a significant shift in the publics perception of this form of energy. Furthermore, big tech companies are beginning to take notice of the potential of nuclear energy and are starting to partner with nuclear energy companies to invest in new infrastructure. This influx of capital and expertise is expected to have a profound impact on the industry, driving innovation and growth in the sector. The demand for nuclear-generated electricity is increasing exponentially, driven by the development of data centers and cloud computing. This surge in demand is causing U.S. utilities to extend the life of reactors and bring back previously retired reactors, which in turn is driving up the market for uranium.

However, Adnani also acknowledges concerns about the potential for big tech companies to drive up prices for households using power. This is a valid concern, as the increasing demand for nuclear-generated electricity could potentially lead to a supply shortage, driving up prices for consumers. Nevertheless, Adnani believes that this is a manageable risk and that the benefits of investing in uranium far outweigh the potential drawbacks. He notes that the utilities need to invest upward of $50 billion to keep up with the growing demand for nuclear-generated electricity, which presents a significant opportunity for investors.

The uranium market is expected to experience significant growth over the next decade due to the growing demand for nuclear energy and an increasing need for low-carbon energy sources. The uranium market is poised to play a critical role in meeting global energy demands. With that in context, lets take a look at the 7 best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 7 best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds, we used the Finviz and Yahoo stock screeners to find the 9 largest Uranium companies. We then narrowed our choices to 7 stocks according to their hedge fund sentiment, which was taken from our database of 912 elite hedge funds as of Q2 of 2024. The list is sorted in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment, as of the second quarter.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 9

Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) is a leading nuclear fuel supplier that provides critical fuel for nuclear power plants and is developing the next generation of centrifuge technologies. The company produces enriched uranium for both commercial and government applications. Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) is the only company in the United States licensed to produce 20% enriched uranium.

The US government has set aside $3.4 billion to support the production of nuclear fuel in the United States. Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU), being a US company, is competing for federal funding under a series of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy. On September 24, management highlighted the importance of American-made technology and jobs, which aligns with the interests of policymakers of Capitol Hill. The companys CEO, Amir Vexler, made a strong case for investing in American enrichment technology, which suggests that Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) may secure funding.

On September 11, Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU), signed a contingent supply commitment with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to support the construction of new uranium enrichment capacity at the companys Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio. This commitment, which is valued at $1.8 billion, covers a decade of deliveries of Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) to help fuel Koreas large number of reactors. Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) has already secured $1.8 billion in contingent sales commitments from KHNP to support the deployment of new capacity.

Centrus Energys (NYSE:LEU) Piketon site in Ohio has the capacity to produce up to 5 million SWU of enriched uranium, which is a significant increase from the companys current production levels. Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) plans to scale up its production facility on a modular basis, enabling it to meet the growing demand for its products.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global nuclear electricity generation is forecast to hit an all-time high in 2025, with nuclear energy combined with renewable energy predicted to overtake coal-fired generation for the first time in 2026. This growing demand for nuclear energy will drive the need for a reliable domestic supply of enriched uranium. Centrus Energy (NYSE:LEU) is a compelling investment opportunity driven by growing demand for nuclear energy and government support. In the second quarter, the companys stock was held by 9 hedge funds with stakes worth $26.60 million.

Overall LEU ranks 7th on our list of the best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of LEU as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than LEU 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 on Insider Monkey.
VIENNA (Reuters) - The far-right Freedom Party (FPO) led by Herbert Kickl won Austria's parliamentary election on Sunday, initial projections showed, potentially putting it in pole position to form a government for the first time in postwar history.

Projections show the FPO in first place but far from having an absolute majority, meaning it will need to find a coalition partner in parliament to form a stable government, if President Alexander Van der Bellen asks it to.

Based on a count of 50.2% of ballots, the FPO's share of the vote is projected to be 29.2%.

WHAT ARE KICKL'S OPTIONS?

The only party that has clearly left the door open to a coalition with the FPO is the ruling conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP). But the OVP's leader, Chancellor Karl Nehammer, has ruled out forming a government with Kickl in it.

That, along with Van der Bellen's reservations about Kickl, raises the question of whether Kickl would step aside to let another member of his party become chancellor.

Given how hard he and his party have campaigned on the idea that Kickl should become "volkskanzler", or people's chancellor, that currently seems unlikely.

FPO-OVP (AROUND 55% COMBINED)

If the FPO is tasked with trying to form a coalition, the only party with which it would have a majority is the OVP.

The two parties overlap on many key policy areas, particularly in pushing for tougher rules on immigration.

Both also backed tax cuts to lift a dismal economy poised to contract for its second year running.

Negotiations could, however, be complicated by the difficult relations between Kickl and Nehammer. Nehammer spent the campaign casting Kickl as a conspiracy theorist unfit to govern.

OVP AS POSSIBLE KINGMAKER

The OVP is a party of power. It has been in every government, except a short-lived caretaker government that was officially party-free, for the past 37 years.

While many in the OVP feel ideologically closest to the FPO, the OVP would at least in principle have an alternative to a coalition with the FPO: a three-way alliance with the third-placed Social Democrats and one of the two parties on slightly less than 10%, the liberal Neos or the left-wing Greens.

In that scenario, the OVP would be the largest party, meaning Nehammer could stay on as chancellor. That could prove more tempting than being junior partner to the FPO.

PRESIDENTIAL HURDLE

President Van der Bellen, an ex-Greens leader, swore in FPO ministers including Kickl when they formed a coalition with the OVP in 2017. That coalition collapsed in scandal in 2019.

Van der Bellen also signed off on Kickl being dismissed from that government at the request of then-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the OVP, days before parliament sacked the whole government.

The president has since voiced reservations about Kickl and hinted he would either not let him become chancellor or not ask the FPO to try to form a government if it came first.

Still, the FPO's victory margin was projected to be stronger than final polls had indicated, strengthening Kickl's case.

Although it is established practice for the president to ask the first-placed party to do that, he is not obliged to.

"It is established practice but as far as I am aware it is not in the constitution," Van der Bellen said last year.

"What is in the constitution is that I appoint the chancellor... It is one of the very few points where the president has a completely free hand."

So Van der Bellen could take an entirely new approach.

(Reporting by Dave Graham and Francois Murphy; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Extremism is on the rise, German president warns at WWII memorial

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks during an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Nazi-Fascist massacre of Marzabotto near Bologna. Between September 29 and October 1, 1944, members of an SS division and the Wehrmacht killed more than 770 civilians. Michele Nucci/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed concern at the rise of nationalist and right-wing extremist forces in his country during a visit to Italy to mark the 80th anniversary of the World War II Marzabotto massacre on Sunday.

"Forces that wish to weaken or undermine democracy - in my country, of all places - that worries me," Steinmeier said.

There was a greater responsibility than before to stand up and fight for the values of a united Europe and its democracies, he said.

Steinmeier travelled to Italy immediately after Italian President Sergio Mattarella's three-day visit to Germany.

The two presidents attended an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the Marzabotto massacre near Bologna.

Steinmeier described commemoration as a "responsibility for our history, especially for us Germans" so that what once took place could not happen again. This responsibility was without end, he said.

German Nazis murdered almost 800 people in Marzabotto, including numerous women and children, between September 29 and October 1, 1944, in retaliation for a partisan attack. It was among the worst massacres carried out by German soldiers on Italian soil during World War II.

Steinmeier received much applause during his speech, which he delivered in Italian. He expressed sorrow and shame for the German crimes and asked the victims and their relatives for forgiveness.

The German president and Mattarella also met with a group of survivors and relatives of the victims of the massacre on Sunday and attended several wreath-laying ceremonies.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella (L) and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrive to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Nazi-Fascist massacre of Marzabotto near Bologna. Between September 29 and October 1, 1944, members of an SS division and the Wehrmacht killed more than 770 civilians. Michele Nucci/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa
Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya was misquoted in Facebook posts that falsely claimed she said she did not have any experience in building the country. She in fact told reporters that her new government did not have experience in bankrupting the country, in an apparent jibe at previous administrations in the crisis-hit nation.

"Am I the only one who thinks this isn't a good thing?" read a Sinhala-language Facebook post from an account with more than 13,000 followers.

It showed an image with the quote: "We don't have experience in building the country. We will learn it by experience in the future - Harini Amarasuriya".

Text below the fabricated quote suggested a journalist questioning the prime minister was left bemused by her purported remark.

Screenshot of the false Facebook post captured on September 26, 2024

Harini Amarasuriya, 54, a sociology lecturer first elected to parliament four years ago, was announced as Sri Lanka's new prime minister on September 24 (archived link).

This followed Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake's victory in the country's presidential election days earlier as voters rejected the old political guard widely accused of pushing the South Asian nation towards economic ruin (archived link).

It was the first poll since the Indian Ocean country suffered its worst financial meltdown in 2022, when it ran out of dollars to import essentials (archived link).

The false claim was also shared on Facebook pages and groups with thousands of followers.

However, footage published by local media shows the false posts misquoted her.

Misquoted joke

Sri Lankan outlet the Daily Mirror Online published a video on September 22 of Amarasuriya talking to reporters (archived link).

Asked by a journalist if the new government lacked experience, she responded: "Well, we don't have experience in making the country bankrupt for sure" -- in an apparent dig at previous administrations -- to which the reporter laughed.

"We will gain experience in building the country," she added.

She did not say that the government lacked experience in building the country, as Facebook posts falsely claimed.

Other Sri Lankan outlets including Newswire also reported on Amarasuriya's comments (archived link).
Former President Donald Trump is wildly distorting new statistics on immigration and crime to attack Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump falsely claimed Friday and Saturday that the statistics are specifically about criminal offenders who entered the US during the Biden-Harris administration; in reality, the figures are about offenders who entered the US over multiple decades, including during the Trump administration. And Trump falsely claimed that the statistics are specifically about people who are now living freely in the US; the figures actually include people who are currently in jails and prisons serving criminal sentences.

Kamala should immediately cancel her News Conference because it was just revealed that 13,000 convicted murderers entered our Country during her three and a half year period as Border Czar, Trump wrote in one post on Friday, the day Harris visited the southern border in Arizona. Harris allowed almost 14,000 MURDERERS to freely and openly roam our Country, Trump wrote in another Friday post. They roam free to KILL AGAIN, he wrote, escalating his rhetoric, on Saturday.

Facts First: Trumps claims are false in two big ways. First, the statistics he was referring to are not specifically about people who entered the country during the Biden-Harris administration. Rather, those statistics are about noncitizens who entered the country under any administration, including Trumps; were convicted of a crime at some point, usually in the US after their arrival; and are now living in the US while being listed on Immigration and Customs Enforcements non-detained docket  where some have been listed for years, including while Trump was president, because their country of citizenship wont let the US deport them back there. Second, that ICE non-detained list includes people who are still serving jail and prison sentences for their crimes; they are on the list because they are not being held in immigration detention in particular.

The new statistics, released by ICE in a letter to a Republican congressman this week, said there were 425,431 total convicted criminals on the non-detained docket as of July 21, 2024, including 13,099 people with homicide convictions.

The statistics have been deployed by Trump and various Republican lawmakers and right-wing commentators as alarming evidence of Harris supposed mismanagement of immigration policy. But in addition to exaggerating her role on the file  she was never actually border czar  much of the chatter has inaccurately described what the statistics show.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, said in a Saturday email: The data in this letter is being misinterpreted. The data goes back decades; it includes individuals who entered the country over the past 40 years or more, the vast majority of whose custody determination was made long before this Administration. It also includes many who are under the jurisdiction or currently incarcerated by federal, state or local law enforcement partners.

Its not clear how many of the 13,099 people with homicide convictions on ICEs non-detained docket as of July 21 are currently incarcerated in jails and prisons. Regardless, John Sandweg, an attorney who served as acting director of ICE during the Obama administration, said in a Saturday interview that it is 100% false to say all the homicide offenders on the non-detained docket entered the US during Harris vice presidency. Sandweg added: These are individuals who undoubtedly entered the United States over a long period of time.  A lot of them have probably been on the list for 20 years, where the US has just been unable to deport.

CNN could not immediately find public statistics on how many people with criminal convictions were on the non-detained docket during Trumps presidency. But there are public statistics from just before and just after his presidency  and those statistics, which well discuss later in this article, make clear that Trump, too, presided over a non-detained docket that included hundreds of thousands of people with criminal convictions.

A Supreme Court decision requires ICE to release some offenders

Trumps posts left open the impression that the homicide offenders on the non-detained docket had foreign homicide convictions but were nonetheless allowed to cross the US border and live freely in this country. In reality, public data makes it clear that the overwhelming majority of people with criminal convictions on the non-detained docket were convicted in the US, as Sandweg and Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, which supports immigration, both told CNN.

Why arent these people in immigration detention if they have been convicted of a crime as serious as homicide? Under a 2001 Supreme Court decision, the US government is not allowed to indefinitely keep someone in immigration detention after they have been ordered removed from the country. So if someone has served their criminal sentence for homicide and then is ordered to be removed from the US, but their country is uncooperative with the US on immigration and wont take them back, they must be released in the US  usually after no more than six months in immigration detention.

Lets say you have a Russian who was convicted of homicide. Theres nothing we can do there, Sandweg said, given how Russia simply wont accept the deportation. There comes a point where you just have to release them. He added that this doesnt mean the person is completely free  people on the non-detained docket often have to check in with ICE or be monitored electronically  but theres just no more legal authority to continue the detention.

Sandweg added: ICE, of course, is not willy-nilly saying, Okay, people convicted of murder, youre not a priority.  We have a guy convicted of homicide, our strong preference is not to release them onto the streets.

Reichlin-Melnick, who noted Saturday on social media that the non-detained docket includes people in jails and prisons, wrote on social media on Friday that anyone on ICEs non-detained docket with a homicide conviction has likely been in the country for decades, served a full criminal sentence, and cant be removed because theyre from a country which restricts US deportations.

Reichlin-Melnick continued: There are others on ICEs non-detained docket who have serious criminal records who, after serving their time, managed to win some form of protection and relief from removal. They are now here legally, but remain on the docket and are required to check in with ICE periodically.

The list of convicted criminals on the non-detained docket includes both people who crossed the border illegally and people who came to the US legally, such as with a visa or green card, and then committed a crime and were placed in removal proceedings or were given a removal order.

What the numbers show

The non-detained docket is not a new creation of the Biden-Harris administration. In fact, there were hundreds of thousands of people with criminal convictions on the non-detained docket during the Trump presidency, too.

A reporter for Fox News, the right-wing outlet whose reporting on these statistics Trump repeatedly promoted on Friday, noted Friday evening on social media that not all of these criminals entered during the Biden admin, as some are claiming and that some of these criminals go back many years across multiple administrations.

A previous official federal report said there were 368,574 total convicted criminals on the non-detained docket as of August 2016, under the Obama administration, about five months before Trump became president. And another federal document said there were 405,786 total convicted criminals on the non-detained docket as of early June 2021, less than five months into the Biden-Harris administration. Again, the July 2024 number was 425,431 total convicted criminals.

In other words, the list grew about 10% between August 2016 and June 2021  a roughly five-year period that included the four-year Trump administration  and then grew about another roughly 5% in the three-plus years under the Biden-Harris administration between June 2021 and July 2024.

Because official information on people on the non-detained docket with criminal convictions has only been released sporadically, with dates that dont line up with the start and end dates of presidential administrations, its not possible to say how much of the increase happened under the Trump administration versus how much happened during the final months of the Obama administration and the first months of the Biden-Harris administration.

Regardless, theres no basis for saying, as Trump kept doing Friday, that all of the people on the docket with homicide convictions came in during the Biden-Harris administration  and the numbers show the docket certainly grew under the Trump administration, Sandweg said. (He added that, to be fair, Trump faced the same stubborn issues with uncooperative foreign countries as other presidents.)

The crimes committed by people on the non-detained docket in July 2024 ranged from the most serious offenses, like homicide and sexual assault, to gambling, liquor, and obscenity offenses. The conviction categories with the highest number of people on the non-detained docket were traffic offenses (77,074), assault (62,231), dangerous drugs (56,533) and immigration (51,933).

CNN could not immediately find public data on the number of people with homicide convictions specifically who were on the non-detained docket in past years, including during the Trump administration.

It is clear that the total number of people on the non-detained docket, including people without any criminal conviction, has spiked during the Biden-Harris administration. (There are numerous reasons that people can end up on the docket; we wont get into those here.) ICE says the docket jumped from roughly 3.3 million in the 2020 fiscal year, the last full fiscal year under Trump, to roughly 6.2 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

Harris critics are entitled to cite this real increase. Her presidential opponent, though, is criticizing her dishonestly.

CNNs Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this article.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
(NewsNation)  With a few weeks until the 2024 presidential election, border security has emerged as a central campaign issue. Both Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump are projecting tough stances on migration, making various claims about their records on border policy.

NewsNation fact-checked these claims, revealing a mix of truths, exaggerations, and falsehoods from both candidates.

Fact check: GOP claims on noncitizen voting lack evidence

Harris: Most of the fentanyl in America comes from two cartels based in Mexico

Fact check: True

Harris correctly stated that most fentanyl in America comes from two Mexican cartels, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The DEA confirmed this, naming the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels as the primary sources of fentanyl entering the U.S., with most fentanyl seizures being at legal ports of entry.

Harris: Last December I helped raise the rate of overtime pay for border agents

Fact check: True

Harris accurately noted her support for increased overtime pay for border agents, as confirmed by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. The act devoted $125 million to address overtime pay for Customs and Border Protection agents. This funding aims to support agents as they manage increased workloads at the border.

Fact-checking Kamala Harris border claims in new ad

Harris: In the four years that Donald Trump was president, he did nothing to fix our broken immigration system

Fact check: False

Harriss claim that Trump did nothing to address immigration during his presidency was found to be false. Trump implemented several measures, including the Remain in Mexico policy and increased deportations, though these were often controversial.

Harris: Donald Trump tanked [the border bill.] He picked up the phone and called some friends in Congress and said stop the bill

Fact check: Misleading

Harris has pointed to Trump as being responsible for blocking a key border security bill. However, this claim is misleading, as many proposed bills failed due to bipartisan disagreements rather than due to direct actions by Trump alone.

DOJ accuses Alabama of clearing voter rolls too close to election

Trump: Hes allowed in my opinionmuch more than 20 million people into our country

Fact check: False

Trumps claim that the Biden administration has allowed much more than 20 million people into the country is highly exaggerated, according to the House Committee on Homeland Security. The actual number of encounters at Americas borders is expected to reach about 10 million by the end of the fiscal year, including repeat crossings and deportations.

These encounters include repeat crossings and deportations, which means the actual number of unique individuals entering the country is much lower.

Trump: Thats the lowest point in the recorded history of the border

Fact check: Not entirely accurate

Trumps assertion that illegal immigration reached its lowest point in history during his term is not entirely accurate. While there was a significant decline in crossings, FactCheck.org reports historical lows actually occurred in earlier decades, particularly in the early 2000s.

In Pennsylvania, the Ukraine vote could prove pivotal

Trump: We had the best numbers ever and we had them largely because of the wall

Fact check: Not entirely accurate

The effectiveness of Trumps border wall construction is partially true. While it did lead to decreases in crossings in specific areas, Department of Homeland Security reports indicate it was just one aspect of a larger security strategy.

Other measures, such as increased surveillance and policies like Remain in Mexico, also played critical roles in reducing crossings.

Trump: Theyre doing is protecting criminals which set loose illegal alien criminals rather than hand them over to ICE

Fact check: False

Trumps characterization of sanctuary cities as places that protect criminals rather than handing them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is false, according to research from the American Immigration Council and Global Refugee. These cities often transfer individuals convicted of serious crimes to federal custody.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Lewis Kirkbride said his blended family lost 1,200 when they moved in together [BBC]

A dad who lost 1,200 a month in child benefit when his blended family moved in together said they were "one misfortune away from using foodbanks".

Lewis Kirkbride is one of many low income parents urging the government to drop the two-child benefit limit introduced in 2015.

He and his partner have four children between them, meaning they lost their entitlement to single-parent benefits and Universal Credit when they bought a house together.

Labour MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham Mark Ferguson said the new government inherited a 22bn "financial black hole" and they were unable to reverse the policy.

Mr Kirkbride and his partner both work full time but they are only just managing, he said.

"We are a blended family and didn't choose to have four children together," he added.

He said he felt they were doing "everything we are supposed to" but their lives were getting "harder and less secure".

He added: "We are one misfortune away - like a redundancy or car write-off - from seriously having to consider selling our house or using foodbanks."

Two-child cap

All children can get child benefit which is available to all families regardless of how many children they have.

Low income families are entitled to more help in the form of child tax credits and Universal Credit.

But in 2015 the previous Conservative government announced a new policy  the two-child limit.

It means low income families can only claim additional support for their first two children.

There are exceptions for families with twins or adopted children, for example.

But the thinktank Resolution Foundation, which focuses on low income families, said families capped by the two-child limit were losing up to 3,500 a year in benefit support for their third and each subsequent child.

Call for change

The North East Child Poverty Commission estimates that one in every eight children across the region are growing up in a household affected by the policy and that the two-child limit is leaving families struggling in poverty.

Its director, Amanda Bailey, said: "Whats clear is that the areas that are worst impacted by the policy are the areas that have some of the worst child poverty rates in the UK."

The Cedarwood Trust supports about 100 families a month in North Tyneside.

Wayne Dobson, the charity's CEO, said the policy was unfair and questioned why one child should be valued more than another.

Wayne Dobson, of the Cedarwood Trust, said the policy was unfair [BBC]

He said: "Does that mean that those children [who do not receive benefits] dont eat properly for a week?

"This limit is just another one of those elements that doesnt make life any easier."

According to new research published by children's charity Barnados, a quarter of parents in the North East said they struggled to provide sufficient food for their children over the past 12 months.

They blamed the current cost-of-living situation with the charity pointing its finger at the two-child limit as one of the contributing causes.

'Not a choice'

Anti-poverty campaigners are not the only ones to be critical.

Natalie Collins, from Sunderland, is the CEO of Own My Life, which works with victims of domestic abuse.

She said the policy was "inhumane" and left some of the most vulnerable women in society in real danger.

"The two-child limit assumes that all women make active choices about how many children they have which is particularly dangerous for women who have an abusive partner," she said.

Natalie Collins works with victims of domestic abuse [BBC]

She said those women may be forced to have more children by their partner and would find it harder to leave, knowing they will not get benefits for all children.

She added: "This policy is not taking into account the reality of the most vulnerable in society."

Black hole

Shortly after coming to power in July, almost all Labour MPs voted against a motion to remove the policy.

The party insisted it would be too much of a financial risk.

Ferguson, a Labour MP, said: "We were elected on a platform of stable, sensible, careful management of the economy.

"That does mean that we can't always do everything that we might want to do."

The new government has said it is committed to having a national child poverty strategy that will be "bold and ambitious" and will work across government departments.

But Labour is coming under increasing pressure  including from some of its own backbenchers - to scrap the two-child benefit cap policy.

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Family grieves as another year passes since unsolved murder of Youngstown mother

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Its been over three years since 22-year-old Armani Wainwright was shot and killed, her body dumped in the middle of Southern Boulevard. Her family gathered on the same corner Saturday evening to celebrate what should have been her 26th birthday.

Wainwrights grandfather, Wayne Thigpen, says their family struggles every day with the loss.

No one has been arrested in the case, leaving them without closure.

Surrounded by balloons and birthday cards, they prayed for justice.

Wainwright left behind three young children, who now have to grow up without a mother.

I want closure, Thigpen said. She was not perfect, she had her flaws, but she didnt deserve to get run over and shot to death.

The case remains unsolved. Anyone with information on who killed Armani Wainwright is asked to call Youngstown Police.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Austrias far-right Freedom Party came first in a general election on Sept. 29, according to voter projections. The party is known for its Kremlin-friendly stance and opposition to aid for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

The Freedom Party of Austria, or FPO, which is led by Herbert Kickl, is expected to secure 29.1% of the vote over the ruling conservative Austrian People's Party and the center-left Social Democrats.

Following the elections, the party will have to create a coalition government, but other party leaders have already signaled they are opposed to forming a government with the FPO.

Kickl has recently forged an alliance with Orban and opposes providing aid to Kyiv. He has also said he wants sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine lifted, claiming they hurt his country more than Moscow.

The countrys president, Alexander Van der Bellen, has criticized the FPO for its stance on Ukraine and failure to condemn Russias aggression against the country, as well as its Euroskepticsm.

The FPO, which was originally formed by a Nazi lawmaker in the 1950s, is critical of immigration and asylum seekers, saying it will curb migration to Austria.

The election follows other far-right election successes in the Netherlands, France, and Germany.

Read also: Austrian chancellor invites Ukraine, Russia to hold peace talks in Vienna

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(FOX40.COM)  Three people were killed and several others were injured in a Sutter County car crash on Saturday morning.

On Monday morning the Sutter County Coroner identified the three deceased as, Shane Loudermilk, 20, of Gridley and Yuba City residents Ricardo Joso Soto Castro, 48 and Juan Diego Soto Castro, 43.

Around 11:40 a.m., Loudermilk was driving a 2015 Dodge Challenger southbound on Highway 99, north of State Route 113, when he crossed over into the northbound lanes, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Sutter County crash shuts down parts of Highway 99, avoid area

After entering oncoming traffic lanes, the Loudermilk, who was not wearing a seatbelt, crashed directly into the front of a 2010 Nissan Sentra being driven by Ricardo Joso. Police said Juan Diego was in the passenger seat. The driver of the Dodge and the two occupants of the Nissan were pronounced dead at the scene.

Several other passengers were in the Dodge during the crash including a 21-year-old woman, two 18-year-old men, and a 16-year-old boy. One passenger refused medical help while the others were transported to Adventist Health + Rideout Hospital for minor and major injuries, according to CHP. One person required a transfer to UC Davis Medical Center for specialty treatment.

Road rage in Northern California leads to fatal stabbing

CHP said the names of the other Dodge occupants are being withheld because of the severity of their injuries. For the victims who died in the Nissan, a Gofundme has been set up to help with expenses. According to the donations page, Joso left behind a wife and five young children. Diego also left behind a wife and two young children.

Following the crash, Highway 99 northbound at SR-113 was closed for about three hours while law enforcement and emergency personnel investigated and cleared the scene. Police suspect drugs or alcohol may have contributed to the crash.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Father Accused of Starving 4-Year-Old Son to Death: 'Able to See His Bones'

A trial is underway in Texas for Brandon Lee Cervera, who is accused of starving his young son to death in 2021

Brexar County Jail Brandon Lee Cervera

A Texas man is facing a jury trial to determine whether or not he is responsible for starving his 4-year-old son to death in 2021.

According to Texas Public Radio, KSAT, CBS Austin and KENS 5, prosecutors from the Bexar County District Attorney's office allege that 31-year-old Brandon Lee Cervera and his then-wife Miranda Casarez starved Cervera's son Benjamin to death on Aug. 17, 2021.

Cervera's trial began on Tuesday, Sept. 24, more than three years after Benjamin died in a San Antonio hospital. The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office later ruled that Benjamin's cause of death was starvation, according to KSAT.

According to a press release issued by the district attorney's office in May 2022, when Cervera was indicted, he faces a charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury.

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, jurors heard testimony from San Antonio Police officer Omar Perez, who was called to Cervera's home in 2021 for a welfare check, per KSAT.



"[Benjamin] had visible injuries," Perez testified. "He had bruises on his eyes and torso and he was skinny ... able to see his bones."

Cervera disputed these claims, claiming that Benjamin had behavioral issues that caused him to injure himself which resulted in his bruising, KSAT reported.

Defense attorney Jodi Soyars argued during her opening statement that the boy was always small in stature, and also claimed that doctors did not raise concerns about his health in the days leading up to his death, per KSAT.

This kid was not starved or dehydrated, and it will be in scientific evidence, Soyars said.

CBS Austin and KSAT reported that prosecutors showed the jurors images of Benjamin's body during the medical examiner's testimony, illustrating how underweight and malnourished the child was. The medical examiner also backed up Perez's claims about bruising on Benjamin's body, testifying that she found bruises during his autopsy.



WOAI Brandon Lee Cervera appears in court in September 2024

He died of starvation, his death was ruled a homicide, Bexar County Chief Medical Examiner Kimberly Molina testified, per KSAT.

He appeared to be underweight and small for his age, she added, describing Benjamin's autopsy findings.

Molina said that Benjamin weighed 28 lbs. at the time of his death, and photos showed that his ribs were visible through his chest, KSAT and CBS reported.

Additionally, pediatrician James Lukefahr, who treated Benjamin in the San Antonio hospital where he was declared dead, testified that he was underweight for his age and said that he agreed with the medical examiner's ruling that Benjamin's cause of death was starvation, KSAT reported.

In my opinion, there was substantial evidence that Benji had been the victim of starvation leading up to his death, Lukefahr said, per the outlet.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.



In April 2023, Benjamin's stepmother Casarez was convicted of the same charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Texas Public Radio, KENS 5 and CBS Austin reported. During Casarez's trial, prosecutors showed the jury photos taken of the family's refrigerator and Benjamin's bedroom door  both of which were locked with padlocks, the outlets reported.

Also during Casarez's trial, Benjamin's older brother  identified only as "BC" in court documents  testified that their stepmother abused Benjamin and forced him to eat hot sauce and hand sanitizer, and also threw his body in the air without catching him, per Texas Public Radio.

Per KENS 5 and Texas Public Radio, videos were seized from Casarez's cellphone during the investigation that showed footage of Benjamin shaking and crying as he begged for bread.

Cervera faces a maximum sentence of 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted, per the district attorney's office.



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A Chinese diplomat beams with satisfaction as an unlikely world leader smiles while leafing through a book dedicated to Xi Jinping Thought, plucked from a box on the desk that separates the pair.

The remarkable photo was taken a little over a year ago, in July 2023. The leader is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the diplomat is Cai Run, at that time the Chinese ambassador in Tel Aviv.

It was taken at a moment of relative stability in bilateral relations: Cai was brokering a visit to Beijing by Netanyahu that would have been designed to send a message to US President Joe Biden at a point when his relations with the Israeli government had come under strain.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Around about the same time, in a previously unreported effort to curry favour in Beijing, Netanyahu had sent a copy of his own memoir - Bibi: My Story - to the Chinese leader.

"If the war hadn't happened, if October 7 [the Hamas attack on Israel] hadn't happened, the massacre and the invasion that we're in, then remember that Netanyahu would have visited China," said Tuvia Gering, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council specialising in relations between China and Israel.

Cai presents Benjamin Netanyahu a volume dedicated to the Chinese leader's thoughts. Photo: X/@IsraeliPM alt=Cai presents Benjamin Netanyahu a volume dedicated to the Chinese leader's thoughts. Photo: X/@IsraeliPM>

Had Netanyahu gone to Beijing, Gering said, Israel's ties with China would probably have been upgraded to the "strategic" level, as they were with the Palestinian Authority in June of last year, "because they always like to raise and match".

"Cai Run perhaps could have come out as a hero overseeing this upgrade in relations," Gering added.

Fast forward to today: China's relationship with Israel is in tatters after Beijing became the most prominent global supporter of Palestine following the invasion of Gaza.

Cai, meanwhile, landed in Brussels on Friday to take up his post as China's ambassador to the European Union, charged with recharging Beijing's standing there.

While the situation is less dramatic than the one he left in Tel Aviv, war will also be top of the agenda of every meeting Cai has as the EU's efforts to support Ukraine run up against China's close ties to Moscow.

Story continues

Last week, EU sanctions envoy David O'Sullivan said "80 per cent of hi-tech parts reach Russia through Chinese territory" and outlined a plan to punish European subsidiaries in Southeast Asia who are flouting EU embargoes by indirectly selling to Russia through Chinese buyers. Beijing has repeatedly denied supplying weapons or parts to either side in the war.

A brewing trade war will also be prominent in Cai's in-tray, with Beijing working furiously to convince the bloc's members to vote against tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles while launching retaliatory shots on a near-weekly basis.

Cai's predecessor Fu Cong had been frustrated in his attempts to bypass European concerns about the relationship with Russia in an effort to resurrect a stalled bilateral investment pact.

He succeeded in keeping Chinese firms off the EU's sanctions list for several months before the scale of re-exports of blacklisted goods to Russia became too big to ignore.

Fu was also broadly liked in Brussels, where he was seen as gregarious and outgoing, even if he stuck to the party line.

Cai, on the other hand, is regarded as a taciturn operator who was never seen without a translator in Israel and has rarely been heard speaking English in public, despite spending years as a minister councillor at the embassy in Washington.

Gering, who monitored Cai's time in Tel Aviv closely, said he was a "quintessential diplomat in the new [Xi Jinping] era ... first a party man, and then a diplomat".

"He was able to foster some good ties with the higher ups. I think this will also be his focus in Europe - finding these people that are in positions of power that are relevant to Chinese interests," Gering said, pointing to Cai's pre-war efforts to bolster cooperation with tourist groups and start-up incubators.

Brussels has taken a decidedly hawkish turn towards China in recent years, leaving Cai with an uphill challenge in manoeuvring around the city's power structures.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen - who has just started a second five-year term - is pushing the bloc to de-risk the relationship, while her proposed team of commissioners has been instructed to place economic security at the heart of everything they do.

Cai may also struggle to make major inroads with the bloc's next top diplomat, former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. She is a fierce critic of Russia and many expect her to see ties with Beijing through the lens of its close relations with Moscow.

However, at a closed-door meeting with lawmakers from her centrist Renew political group at the European Parliament in Strasbourg last week, Kallas made clear that China should not be lumped into the same basket as Russia, according to people who were present.

At least one door in Brussels may be a little easier to nudge open: the next European Council President Antonio Costa was the Portuguese leader during Cai's last stint in Europe as Beijing's envoy in Lisbon. That period coincided with significant Chinese investment into a broke Portuguese economy.

Cai's appointment "seems geared toward leveraging [the pair's] past connection to strengthen ties and foster a more favourable environment for China within the EU", according to a recent profile of the diplomat from the Mercator Institute of China Studies.

The think tank's analysts wrote that this may mean he focuses more on the European Council, which represents member states, and individual governments rather than the commission, the bloc's executive, "which Beijing views as increasingly hostile".

"His appointment signals Beijing's intent to explore new personal channels for dialogue with European leaders, despite the overall cooling of EU-China relations," they added.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
After a slew of illegal immigrants were nabbed on this idyllic island by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for sex crimes and assault over the course of a month, many residents fear their home has changed forever.

Five migrants from Guatemala and El Salvador were picked up by Enforcement and Removal Operations of Boston in separate actions this month. Elmer Sola and Bryan Daniel Aldana-Arevalo were charged for sex crimes against children, per the agency; Felix Alberto Perez-Gomez and Gean Do Amaral Belafronte were charged with sex crimes against adults; and Angel Gabriel Deras-Mejia was a documented member of the notorious gang MS-13.

Immigrants  many who have obtained H2B visas for seasonal work  are a vital part of Nantucket's tourism industry and make up a large portion of the summer vacation spot's year-round population. Multiple local bars, like The Muse, host packed Latino nights each week; 41.5% of students in Nantucket's public schools speak a language other than English at home, per online school district data.

Nantucket Parents Fear For Children Amid Spike In Migrant Crime: 'As A Father, It Truly Scares Me'

While residents told Fox News Digital they embrace the legal immigrants in their community, many expressed deep concerns about those here illegally. It's those unwelcome newcomers, they say, who have brought the nation's border debate to the tiny island off Cape Cod.

"I've lived here for 53 years  I've seen a large uptick in crime. I've never seen this kind of child abuse that I've seen in the last several years," a man in his 70s, who asked not to be named, said outside one of two Nantucket grocery stores. "I never knew where the keys to our house were. Now, I have security cameras."

Read On The Fox News App

"When I moved here in the '70s, Nantucket was a very conservative spot. [Now], most of the U.S.-born people are entirely liberal here. We have good friends that we cannot talk politics with," the man said.

Boats are pictured along one of Nantucket's wharfs.

"They don't want to face the realities  the reality is that the open border has created an influx of undocumented people. As the statistics came out, there is a rampant amount of crime," he said, referring to ICE data released to lawmakers this week .

"The response is 'What can we do about it?' When I said 'Send them back,' it was scoffed at," he said.

Several residents told Fox News Digital that in the past, the worst incidents that took place involved drunken tourists accidentally walking into the wrong grey-shingled house. But the local newspaper's crime blotter has grown darker and more voluminous, they said.

John Klatt, who works with Toscana Excavation, told Fox News Digital that he was glad ICE made the arrests earlier this month.

Wealthy, Liberal Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard See 6 Ice Arrests In One Month, Including Ms-13 Gang Member

"My company, we're one of the largest excavating companies on the island," he said. "It doesn't affect us a whole lot because we wouldn't hire [undocumented people]. But I'm sure it affects plenty of other people [here]."

"I hear from minorities like, 'Oh, they're beating up on us' and all that," he said. "But looking at their crimes, I'm not upset about it."

Fox News Digital has spoken to about a dozen illegal immigrants on the island, primarily Salvadorans, who said the targeted arrests of repeat criminals last month have left them frightened for their livelihoods.

"Its frightening for so many," Esmeralda Martinez, who is serving her second term on the Nantucket School Committee and is the only Latina to ever hold elected office on the island, told the Nantucket Current . "People are hiding in fear that they might be here for them even though most dont have a criminal record, but for the mere fact that they are not legally here. It has caused panic for many."

Nantucket is home to about 14,000 residents.

Martinez did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment.

"We're not trying to round up all the illegals  just the ones who are violent members of MS-13," another resident who asked not to be named told Fox News Digital outside the Chicken Box, an event venue on the island where locals often pass time during the daylight hours.

Island resident Roland Voyage said the ICE arrests hadn't impacted his sense of safety.

Tens Of Thousands Of Illegal Immigrants With Sexual Assault, Murder Convictions Roaming Us Streets: Ice Data

"I park my car, I leave my keys in it. Where are they going to take it, the ferry company? To be candid, my friends and family aren't impacted by it. [But] it's nice to see that ICE is doing its job," he said.

But 61-year-old Jack Faria, a Brazilian who lives on Nantucket and legally immigrated to the United States when he was 20, said other immigrants who "aren't on the right path" bring "trouble."

" There was a burglary in my neighborhood. These people leave their keys on their car," Faria said. "These guys, they happened to be Brazilians. I know  I'm Brazilian."

"I don't discriminate  I'm one of them. But I do discriminate against people who just want to take advantage of the system," he said. "I'm a Republican  I totally agree with Trump and mass deportation of immigrants."

"There are a lot of bad people here," Faria said in relation to undocumented immigration. "Most [illegal immigrants] are poor people  it means they have less education and less to contribute. These are the ones I don't really like."

"Right now, I'm paying the very high price of health insurance. A lot of people on the island have insurance for free," Faria said. "Someone who doesn't have any papers or pay any taxes has free health care  I don't."





Original article source: Fear grips idyllic Nantucket amid migrant crime spike: 'A lot of bad people'
The lead prosecutor overseeing Mayor Adams landmark federal corruption case has a reputation as a rabble-rouser and a cowboy with a penchant for risk-taking that could echo the turbulent case of ex-Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, sources close to Hizzoner said.

Hagan Scotten, an assistant US attorney for the Southern District of New York and US Army vet who served in Iraq, has prosecuted a slew of high profile federal fraud cases in recent years, winning convictions against a former associate of Rudy Giuliani as well as Adams mentee Bling Bishop Lamor Whitehead.

The lead prosecutor overseeing Mayor Adams landmark federal corruption case has a reputation as a rabble rouser and a cowboy. REUTERS

Assistant US attorney Hagan Scotten has prosecuted several recent high-profile federal fraud cases, including against a former Rudy Giuliani associate and onetime Adams mentee. hls.harvard.edu

But those in Hizzoners inner circle believe the prosecutors comfort with risk-taking and pursuit of his next marquee scalp could undermine the explosive corruption charges against the mayor  and echo the feds legal proceedings against Benjamin, which Scotten also handled.

Hes known as a cowboy who takes risks, a source close to Adams told The Post.

[Its] unusual for that office, and a real sign that the case will have holes, just like with Benjamin.

Benjamin resigned in 2022 after the feds accused him of taking campaign donations from a real estate developer in exchange for directing state funds to his nonprofit. He was charged with bribery, fraud and falsifying records.

A Manhattan federal judge ended up dismissing the bribery charges, finding there wasnt evidence of quid pro quo.

An appeals court reversed the decision in March, prompting Benjamins team to petition the US Supreme Court to hear the case.

Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, Brian Benjamins political career has ended, the mayors lawyers wrote in a letter to Manhattan prosecutors as part of a last-minute effort to quash this weeks criminal charges against Hizzoner.

Adams lawyers warned his case could mirror that of ex-Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who was hit with corruption charges. Hans Pennink

A similar fate would face Mayor Adams if he were charged here based on evidence that is far less compelling.

Scotten, meanwhile, briefly faced some heat for comments he made during the federal criminal trial against Lev Parnas, an associate of Giuliani who was convicted and sentenced to 20 months in prison for conspiring with others to steer $100,000 from Russian businessmen to political campaigns in 2018.

Defense lawyer Joseph Bondy alleged Scotten threatened to shoot him, although the prosecutor said the comment was made in jest, to which a judge agreed.

A source close to Adams said the fact that Scotten is known as a risk-taker is a sign his case with have holes. REUTERS

Scotten also successfully prosecuted Whitehead, who was found guilty and sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of fraud and attempting to use his connections to the mayor to extort a Bronx auto mechanic.

He also secured a 50-month prison sentence for Charles McGonigal, the disgraced former head of the FBIs counterintelligence division in New York, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to circumvent US sanctions while colluding with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska.

SDNY and Scotten did not respond to requests for comment.
Appreciate Talbots reporting

I just finished reading the article written by Peter Talbot regarding the expenses incurred while the Attorney General Bob Ferguson attempted to prosecute three Tacoma Police officers. I am just appalled at how this entire thing went down. Bob Ferguson used his position to push charges and a trial, I am assuming as part of his plan to garner votes when he declared his intent to run for governor. How has this even been allowed? Who is policing the Attorney General in his decisions? This is a blatant abuse of power, and a total misuse of taxpayers funds. This needs to be investigated. Thanks goes out to Peter Talbot for bring this all to light.

Mary Ann Clabaugh, Tacoma

Clean up weeds in dog park

On Sept. 18, I took my dogs to the Fort Steilacoom. Two weedy areas were taped off by the dog agility area. The tape twisted on the ground. There wasnt any signage. The plants inside the areas looked like poison hemlock. According to the Washington Noxious Weed Board, The entire plant is toxic to animals and humans. Yet signs were missing. Remember Socrates died from drinking poison hemlock tea. I spoke with several dog owners. Nobody knew anything about the plants. I also called the Lakewood Parks Department twice, submitted and email and spoke to a park employee when leaving.

We pay for these parks. We have the right to know if were exposing ourselves, our children and our pets to a highly toxic plant. Dont make the decision for us. Lakewood Parks Dept needs to close down this area until all the poison hemlock, including the taproots, are removed.

Diane Burke, Tacoma

NGOs unfairly criticized

NGOs often face unfair criticism based on myths. One common myth is that NGOs are ineffective or lack accountability. In reality, most NGOs, like the Borgen Project, undergo rigorous financial audits and impact assessments. The Borgen Project, for example, advocates for U.S. policies that address global poverty, engaging with Congress to ensure transparency and measurable results.

Another misconception is that NGOs are simply do-gooders without tangible impact. However, NGOs fill critical gaps left by governments and the private sector. The Borgen Project has helped pass crucial legislation, ensuring millions have access to food, education, and healthcare.

Finally, its assumed that NGOs rely solely on donations. While fundraising is important, many NGOs form strategic partnerships and engage in advocacy, making them more self-sustaining and impactful.

Instead of dismissing NGOs based on myths, lets acknowledge their vital role in building a more equitable world.

Dani Masri, Tacoma
Families are left without a home after a massive fire burned through an apartment building in L.A.s Koreatown.

The fire occurred on Sept. 26 at a building on the 750 block of South Normandie Avenue in the early morning hours.

When firefighters arrived, smoke was billowing from the roof and the flames destroyed multiple apartment units, leaving families displaced and without a place to sleep.

There are six units total that have suffered severe damage, said Celeste Kessler with the Los Angeles Tenants Union. What really blows my mind is that the L.A. Housing Department has declared this a habitable unit.

Inside Maria Vargas apartment, the fire burned through her kitchen, bathroom, personal belongings and several walls, leaving the unit unsafe and uninhabitable. The ceiling was burned through where water can be seen leaking and a clear view into her neighbors apartment is visible.

A fire burned through an apartment building in Koreatown in Los Angeles on September 26, 2024. (Citizen)

A fire burned through an apartment building in Koreatown in Los Angeles on September 26, 2024. (Citizen)

Maria Vargas apartment was destroyed by the fire that burned through her kitchen, bathroom, surrounding walls and personal belongings. (KTLA)

The fire left families displaced after burning through several apartment units and leaving them uninhabitable. (KTLA)

The fire left families displaced after burning through several apartment units and leaving them uninhabitable. (KTLA)

The fire left families displaced after burning through several apartment units and leaving them uninhabitable. (KTLA)

The fire destroyed a shared wall that left a clear view into a neighbors apartment. (KTLA)

The building was yellow-tagged by officials but tenants say the affected apartment units are dangerous and uninhabitable. (KTLA)

The fire left families displaced after burning through several apartment units and leaving them uninhabitable. (KTLA)

A fire burned through an apartment building in Koreatown in Los Angeles on September 26, 2024. (Citizen)

Vargas said shes frustrated over the lack of ability to do basic things like cook or bathe in her home while also worrying about taking care of her three children.

Im not doing very well, Vargas told KTLAs John Fenoglio through a Spanish translator. Im very worried. We need help to leave this apartment. We cant stay here.

Many of the displaced residents dont have anywhere else to go.

We spent the night in our car, said Margarita Linares, a mother of two children whose apartment was also destroyed.

Frustrated tenants told KTLA theyve tried contacting the buildings manager but he reportedly wouldnt answer their questions or even speak with them until the following Monday.

TDI Properties, the owner of this building, has been pretty negligent, I would say, in terms of responding to this fire, Kessler said. They have not been speaking with tenants. Tenants went to their office and they refused to open the door so the tenants are grasping at straws to find a place to go where they can live with their children and TDI is just ignoring them.

Displaced residents are left scrambling and had asked for assistance with temporary housing but said theyve been completely ignored.

I cant believe that this is the reaction Im getting, Linares said. I always pay my rent on time and now that I need something from them, I cant believe this is the reaction.

Council District 10 was on the scene, but so far they have not offered any recourse, Kessler said. They talked about hotel vouchers for tenants but at the end of the day, they told us they were out of them. So they truly havent been much help, either.

There should not be a circumstance where individuals are displaced due to a fire and they are unable to find housing in the short term, an attorney, Ryan Kerns, explained of the situation. If the landlords negligence was the cause of the fire, then the landlord is responsible for relocating costs and finding replacement apartments. If the landlord can find replacement apartments in the same unit that are of the same value as the apartments the tenants were already having, that can potentially constitute the replacement value of that property.

On Saturday night, a spokesperson from Council District 10 told KTLA they are working on finding interim housing for the displaced tenants.

A GoFundMe page organized by the Los Angeles Tenants Union to help the affected tenants can be found here.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

KTLA has reached out to TDI Properties for a statement but has not heard back.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MILWAUKEE - A fire destroyed a home in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood on Saturday morning, Sept. 28.

Denise and Kevin Escher were sound asleep until about 6:30 a.m.

Behind the Airbnb they were staying at, a home on Hillcrest, near Ellen Street, was on fire.

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"Open the drapes and all of a sudden saw all these flames," said Denise Escher. "Saw this house engulfed in huge flames and the wind was blowing, and it was kind of scary."

The Milwaukee Fire Department says when crews got there, the fire was showing on all floors.

So firefighters fought it from outside the building due to the size of the fire, until 7 a.m. when the fire was brought under control.

Courtesy: Jan Cross

Later in the morning, around 10 a.m., firefighters returned when smoke started to pick up again.

Neighbors say the home was under construction, and no one was living there.

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"The outside was all done, it was just the windows, it was just a shell inside," said Richard Cling who lives nearby.

Crews working to extinguish the fire

The homes nearby weren't damaged, as some neighbors say the wind helped keep the flames from spreading to nearby houses.

"We just feel terrible that it happened. It was almost done," added Richard.

The fire department says no one was hurt in the fire. The cause is still under investigation.
ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. - Rockdale County has instated a nightly shelter-in-place order after officials say the overnight weather could cause exposure to the plume of smoke and chemicals released after a fire at the BioLab facility in Conyers over the weekend.

On Tuesday morning, Rockdale County said the "plume is banking down and moving throughout the county."

"If you don't have to be outside, if you don't have to be on the roadways, stay home," said Rockdale County Commission Chair OZ Nesbitt.

Nightly shelter-in-place order for Rockdale County

County officials are recommending a nightly outdoor curfew between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. to avoid direct exposure. The shelter-in-place is expected to be in place through Friday.

Residents should avoid having windows open and should turn off HVAC systems if they draw air from outside.

In addition, county officials are asking all residents who see or smell the gas cloud should shelter in place until the cloud moves.

"We are aware and are assessing the situation. The plume has consistently shifted throughout the night. We ask that you shelter in place if the plume moves over your vicinity or if there is a strong odor of chlorine," the Rockdale County government wrote on its website. "If you have respiratory issues, we encourage you to shelter in place. We will provide an update as quickly as possible."

EPA monitoring Rockdale County air, water quality

The Environmental Protection Agency is on scene and is monitoring air quality testing for the presence of chlorine and hydrochloric acid. Officials say the levels are low, and it's safe for most people, but the county says that air conditions will fluctuate throughout the day and evening. Being outdoors during daylight hours is generally safe, but those with pre-exisiting respiratory conditions should remain indoors. Those who need to conduct essential business or gather supplies, should do so during the day and remain vigilant about wind shifts. Due to evening atmospheric inversion, the plume is more likely to shift during nighttime hours. It is recommended that residents stay indoors after sundown and ensure emergency notifications are active on mobile devices.

"The level at which you can actually smell the chlorine in the air, which is what's happening right now, is actually below the level that actually causes a problem," said Dr. Lynn Paxton, interim director Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale Health District.

The county also says that Rockdale County's drinking water remains safe. Water samples are being tested three times daily, and all results have returned to safe levels. Streams downstream from the Biolab facility do not feed into the Hanes Watershed, a source of the countys drinking water.

"The new plan now is to bring in rolling containers to offload some of the product a little at a time it's a little slower process but much safer for the environment," said Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel.

Rockdale County government offices, including the courthouse and annexes, will be closed for the remainder of the week.

Newton County Schools will open on a two-hour delay for students and staff.

The county's animal services has moved its shelter to Walton County temporarily, but is looking for foster and forever homes to help ease the burden.

Rockdale County roads closed

Multiple roads near the BioLab facility remain closed indefinitely.

Here is a list as of Tuesday at 5 p.m. provided by Rockdale County:

Old Covington Highway at Rockdale Industrial

Kysor Crossing at Rockdale Industrial

Old Covington Highway at Blacklawn

Dogwood Drive at VFW

Veterans Drive at VFW

Chemical plume causes haze across metro Atlanta

The fire and ongoing chemical reactions at the BioLab plant caused a significant stir throughout the area on Sunday and Monday.

A plume of smoke continues to rise from chemical reactions in the burned sections of the plant, but the fire itself was extinguished on Sunday. The current plume is significantly smaller than the one seen over the weekend, which cast a shadow over much of the community.

The effects of the fire were felt beyond Rockdale County. Residents across Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, and other nearby counties reported seeing a haze and experiencing symptoms related to chemical irritants.

Abby Mutic, an assistant professor at Emory School of Nursing, noted, "The eyes, the nose, the respiratory tract, the throatsome have cough with tightness of lungs, and some are experiencing shortness of breath."

Air quality experts at Georgia Tech confirmed elevated levels of chlorine in the air. "We are indeed finding elevated levels of chlorine in the particulate matter," said Ted Russell, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the university.

Despite these findings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and county officials assured the public that the chlorine levels were not high enough to pose a serious threat to most people. "Were not seeing levels that exceed our action thresholds, even for sensitive groups," said Bryan Vasser, on-scene coordinator for the EPA.

"This morning, we were seeing from the various monitors a lot of values over 100 in terms of the Air Quality Index. And at this point, they're looking much more normal, sort of forties, fifties. So we've already seen it come down," Russell said.

There also have been no signs of contamination to the county's water supply, according to the EPA.

Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel explained that the large plume of smoke seen by residents was due to a chemical reaction. Officials still have not identified the chemical responsible for the reaction, but an update on Monday morning said that the irritant chlorine was detected in the air emitting from the incident location of BioLab. Air quality tests have not detected unsafe levels of chlorine or hydrochloric acid.

"We didn't see any concentrations of those chemicals in the air that would exceed an action level for us or that would seem unsafe to the public," Vasser said.

The fire, which reignited Sunday afternoon, was extinguished. The fire caused the roof and several walls of the building to collapse, according to officials. Fire officials are now focused on removing remaining chemicals from the plant, a process that Chief McDaniel acknowledged has been slow but necessary to stop the smoke. Some materials were safely removed on Monday.

"The primary area is the far end of the building where the product was stored," McDaniel said. "All walls, all areas around that have been knocked down, and we're working to get to the product so we can secure it and store it."

Approximately 17,000 residents were evacuated on Sunday.

"It's way too early for us to say and make an announcement that we're going to shut this corporate partner down. We are concerned the conversations are very serious and they're very high level," said Nesbitt.

RELATED: BioLab fire: What to know about chlorine

Residents remain concerned about chemical fire

Concerns remain high about the potential spread of harmful chemicals from the facility.

Sharon Banan, who lives about 10 miles from the site, described the uncertainty of the past few days as stressful.

"It's been a panic because it's been kind of touch and go," Banan said. "We've had the plume come over the house, we've had the fog settle. I do have a couple of options that would allow me to get [my horses] out if I need to."

Many locals are still uncertain about how long the situation will last. Juanita Woodson, another nearby resident, expressed frustration about the lack of information.

"We're just like waiting for updates, trying to see what's happening, how long do we have to stay inside, like what's really going on," Woodson said.

In Fulton County, officials say they are investigating numerous reports of haze and chemical smells they believe are connected to the fire. Officials say concerned residents should stay inside, keep windows and doors closed, and do not use air conditioners or other ventilation systems.

We are investigating the numerous reports of a haze and strong chemical smell across Fulton County.



We are investigating and will pass along any and all information we receive. If you have concerns, STAY INSIDE, CLOSE windows and doors, TURN OFF A/C & other ventilation system.  Atlanta-Fulton County EMA (@AFCEMA) September 30, 2024

BioLab facility's future

The Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency added that chlorine has a low odor threshold, meaning residents may continue to smell it even at safe levels. The chemical reaction responsible for the current plume will persist until crews can clear the collapsed building and remove the remaining chemicals.

"I live only a mile away from the place," said Michael LeBlanc.

As of Monday evening, air quality levels were continuing to decline, but the situation has raised long-term concerns. This is not the first time BioLab has faced scrutiny. Previous fires at the pool chemical company have also led to evacuations and health concerns. A petition with over 1,500 signatures is now circulating, calling for the plant to be shut down.

LeBlanc supports the effort, stating, "I would definitely be in favor of saying, you guys got to move your business somewhere elsemaybe where theres not so much public around in case something bad happens like this again."

He had to evacuate his home in Conyers Sunday after the fire at Biolab sent a plume of chemicals into the air. He stayed at a friends house but went back Monday to try and retrieve some possessions he needed.

"Going back there today and heading into the fog, the weird, yellowish, whitish fog, as we were heading in there, my head start playing games with me and I started to feel a cough. We even had masks on because we had to go pick up stuff. We didn't realize how long this was going to take. I'm feeling a tickle that's right here. You know, it hasn't really gone away," LeBlanc said.

He hopes its just his anxiety, but hes not the only one reporting symptoms from the smoke plume. This is not the first or even second time a fire at the pool chemical company has caused evacuations and health concerns. Most recently, the Chemical Safety Board says firefighters were exposed to dangerous fumes during a September 2020 incident.

Theres now a petition with at least 1,800 signatures calling for the plant to be shut down.

"I would definitely be in favor of saying, you guys got to move your business somewhere else. Maybe not where there's not so much public around in case something bad happens like this again," LeBlanc said.

FOX reached out to Biolab asking for an interview to answer important questions about the plant. They didnt respond to our request but did issue this statement Monday evening:

"Our top priority remains ensuring the communitys safety. We are grateful to the partnership with first responders and local and federal authorities as we together work non-stop to remediate the ongoing situation at our Conyers, Georgia facility. We have made significant progress throughout the day, assisted by the deployment of out-of-state specialist support, and note Rockdale Countys announcement tonight ending the shelter in place advisory effective immediately. Air emissions are being actively monitored at the site and in the community by state, local, and federal authorities and we are supporting the efforts of local authorities as part of the Unified Command response to the incident."

What happened at BioLab?

The fire initially started around 5 a.m. on Sunday when a sprinkler malfunction caused water to come into contact with a water-reactive chemical. BioLab employees and nearby residents were evacuated, and several roads were closed, including Interstate 20 in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill. The interstate remained closed until early Monday morning.

Residents north of I-20 between Sigman Road and I-20 were within the evacuation zone, while those south of I-20 were deemed safe. Local officials, including Conyers Mayor Vince Evans and Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett, urged residents not to enter the evacuation zone for safety reasons.

During a Sunday morning press conference, officials explained that the fire began when a malfunctioning sprinkler released water onto a reactive chemical, causing a small fire and a large plume of smoke. Though the initial fire was controlled around noon, it reignited as chemicals were being removed from the building. The fire was fully extinguished between 4 and 5 p.m.

Authorities are still working to determine when residents can safely return home.

Officials are also telling residents that this is not the time for sightseeing.

"If you choose not to evacuate, please do not get out and ride around and just take videos of what's going on!" said Conyers Mayor Vince Evans. "Stay in place. Stay put. Either leave or stay, but don't be wandering out in the city."

"This is not the time to do any type of sightseeing," said Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett. "We are strongly encouraging everyone, no matter where you're coming from, but especially Rockdale residents, to stay out of this area for the safety of yourself, and for the safety of all personnel that are out here already that have to work this type of incident."

Piedmont Rockdale Hospital evacuates patients

By late Sunday afternoon, Piedmont Rockdale Hospital began evacuating some patients due to the fire. Rockdale County District Attorney Alisha A. Johnson also announced the closure of the courthouse and her office on Monday.

Sheriff Levett noted that emergency response resources were stretched thin due to ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, with many agencies assisting in Augusta.

Authorities urged residents to avoid calling 911 for non-emergencies, as lines are overloaded. Rockdale County Animal Services also reminded evacuees not to leave pets behind.

Operations were allowed to resume and hospital officials say they continue to follow follow guidance from the Georgia Emergency Management, Georgia Department of Public Health and EPA.

Resources stretched thin

Sheriff Levett also noted on Sunday that many of the agencies that would typically offer large-scale assistance during this sort of event are already being stretched thin due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Many of them, according to the sheriff, are helping out in Augusta.

BioLab, a division of KIK Consumer Products, issued a statement confirming that all employees are safe and that the company is working with first responders to assess and contain the situation.

"Our top priority is ensuring the communitys safety, and our teams are working around-the-clock to respond to the ongoing situation at our facility in Conyers, Georgia. We continue to work collaboratively with first responders and local authorities and have deployed specialized teams from out of state to the site to bolster and support their efforts. We are all focused on remediating the situation as rapidly as possible."

History of incidents at BioLab

Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDonald said during a press conference on Sunday that this was the 3rd event of this magnitude in the 7 years that she has been with the county. She also said there have been several smaller incidents.

A fire broke out at the same location in 2020. That fire also shut down Interstate 20 for several hours.

RELATED: Major chemical fire shuts down parts of I-20, other roads

Before that, there was a major incident in 2016.

RELATED: Crews battle Covington Highway BioLab fire

This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
WHITE COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Members of multiple White County fire departments worked together Saturday to save a puppy stranded on a riverbank.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Sept. 28, the Central View Volunteer Fire Department said it was dispatched alongside the Doyle Volunteer Fire Department to a report of a dog stranded on the bank of the Calfkiller River south of Sparta.

3 injured after vehicle crashes into Jackson County creek

When crews arrived at the scene, they reportedly spotted a puppy in a small cave on the opposite riverbank.

(Courtesy: Central View Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Central View Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Central View Volunteer Fire Department)

According to officials, the two fire departments and the Sparta Rescue Squad came up with a coordinated plan to paddle a boat across the river and retrieve the dog. Approximately 90 minutes later, first responders removed the wet and cold puppy from the cave.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The Central View Volunteer Fire Department said the original complainants took custody of the dog, which  in coordination with the White County Sheriffs Office  will be taken to the Bluegrass Veterinary Clinic to be evaluated and scanned for a microchip.

No additional details have been released about this incident.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Fresnos downtown a sorry sight

As a first-time visitor, my recent drive through downtown Fresno was shocking. The term post-apocalyptic came to mind. If I were mayor, Id simply apologize, resign, and beg someone else to give the job a shot, please, for the sake of basic decency.

The Reagan revolution has hollowed out America. Yet many voters slavishly continue to vote for Republicans. That is the case in Fresno, I soon discovered. How on earth can anyone look at the downtown, and think, Boy, we should stay the course on this! Looking great!

Fresno needs to do something radically different. Just throw a giant plastic tarp over the whole thing, hang a Reopening in 2026 sign, and make that American city something worthy of the word. Forget the current plan of shuffling around the homeless like deck chairs on the Titanic. Build something there that the people can be proud of, that they will want to nurture and protect.

Opinion

Fresnos downtown core has incredible potential. Anyone with an ounce of vision can see what it could be under the right leadership: A busting, beautiful urban center with wonderful architecture and a vibrant cultural tapestry.

For goodness sake, try something anythingother than what youre doing.

Sean Shealy, San Luis Obispo

No farm workers left?

Fresno is my hometown and where I lived the majority of my adult life. I was surprised this summer, while attending a family reunion, to see a large billboard on Highway 99 between Visalia and Fresno with the message Farmers for Trump.

I couldnt help but think these farmers will have a large part of their farm worker crews decimated by Trumps policy of mass deportation.

I can imagine what catastrophic economic fallout that will cause for us, who buy the harvests of these crops for our families. Think!

Terry Dickey, Springfield

Social Security for law officers

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to Rep. David Valadao for signing the discharge petition for H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, forcing a vote of this historic bill on the House floor.

This crucial bill would finally repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which unfairly reduce the Social Security benefits of millions of public servants, including police officers like me.

During my 27 years of service in the Fresno County Sheriffs Department, Ive witnessed too many of my colleagues be forced into early retirement due to the physical and emotional toll of the job, only to be denied the full Social Security benefits they paid for throughout their careers. The WEP and GPO provisions rob us of hard-earned financial security when we need it most. Police officers and other public servants should not have to struggle to make ends meet in retirement.

Valadaos leadership in pushing this bipartisan legislation forward will have a lasting impact across California and the nation, ensuring officers receive the retirement security they deserve. We are grateful for his continued support in righting this decades-old wrong.

Eric Schmidt, Fresno

How to make pets unpalatable

After hearing about the dog and cat problem in Springfield, Ohio, I have come upon a cautionary method to help prevent the further spread of these gruesome feline and dog eating orgies.

Its really quite simple: Change zoning codes in all U.S. cities and counties to prevent Haitians from buying or renting homes or apartments within 2 miles of a zoo or public park. Require the dowsing of all pet cats and dogs that venture outside with cayenne pepper to make them unpalatable, even to Haitians. And last, when you take your cat or dog for a walk, put them on a leash!

Wait, you say that Trumps and vice presidential candidate JD Vances statements about Haitians eating dogs and cats in Springfield was all a lie to garner some free press? And that the bruhaha that those lies created that gave rise to bomb scares and death threats, and schools being closed, and hat panicked school children was all a cheap political lie?

You should be ashamed of yourselves if that is even possible.

David Hooper, Fresno
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

COVINGTON, La. (WGNO)  Five men have been arrested in connection with a major operation led by the Covington Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division.

Police say the operation also featured the involvement of the CPD Special Response Team, the Department of Homeland Security, the United State Secret Service, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office and the Franklinton Police Department.

One dead following Central City hit and run crash

The operation resulted in the following arrests and charges:

24-year-old Howard Pitre:

Attempted production of pornography involving juveniles.

Indecent behavior with juveniles.

Computer-aided solicitation of a minor for sexual purposes.

54-year-old David Dykes:

Indecent behavior with juveniles.

Computer-aided solicitation of a minor for sexual purposes.

35-year-old Ryan Honea:

Contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

Manufacture/distribution of schedule I CDS.

44-year-old Randy Hinton:

Computer-aided solicitation of a minor for sexual purposes.

Indecent behavior with juveniles.

Manufacture/distribution of schedule II CDS.

39-year-old Jose Escalante:

Indecent behavior with juveniles.

Computer-aided solicitation of a minor for sexual purposes.

Former New Orleans inspector tied to Mayor Cantrell indicted on 25 charges

The department also reported that 29-year-old Allen Tate Jr. was arrested the same week in a separate case that also involved crimes against children, including first-degree rape and molestation.

(Courtesy: Covington Police Department)

(Courtesy: Covington Police Department)

(Courtesy: Covington Police Department)

(Courtesy: Covington Police Department)

(Courtesy: Covington Police Department)

(Courtesy: Covington Police Department)

All of the suspects have been booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail while they await prosecution.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Latest Posts

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Rain, wind and big waves hit the seaside town of Dawlish in Devon on Sunday - nidpor/Alamy Live News

More flooding is expected in the coming week after a fresh deluge of rain.

The Environment Agency had 32 flood warnings in place on Sunday evening, which indicated that flooding is expected. It also had 98 live flood alerts in place where flooding was considered a possibility.

It comes after areas across England suffered heavy rain and localised flooding in recent days, with commuters facing widespread disruption on road and rail services.

Mark Garratt, a flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said heavy rain on Sunday night and into Monday would bring a risk of surface water flooding in large parts of the South West, the South of England and some of the Midlands.

Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire was inundated with water on Sunday - Emma Trimble/SWNS

It is especially important that people do not drive through flood-water  it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car, he said.

Across the country, Environment Agency teams have been out checking flood defences and clearing any debris from storm drains and are also supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.

The advice to the public [is] to keep checking their flood risk, and search check for flooding and to sign up for free flood warnings on the latest situation or follow @EnvAgency on X for the latest flood updates.

According to the Met Office, some counties in southern and central England have already had more than 250 per cent of their average September rainfall.

About 650 properties were flooded in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and the Home Counties, according to the Environment Agency, which estimated that around 8,200 properties had been protected.

The deluge prevented motorists from travelling along part of the A421 at Marston Moreteyne in Bedfordshire - Lee Elliot/PA

The Met Office issued two new weather warnings for heavy rain on Sunday afternoon, with high levels of precipitation expected in eastern England, North Wales and North-West England.

It said up to 3in could fall in the eastern England region, with 2.4in possible in the North West and parts of Wales.

Liam Eslick, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said pretty heavy persistent rain would be expected and that the downpour would be likely to cause some travel delays.

By Tuesday night, higher pressure would move in, meaning a drier, sunnier spell, the forecaster said.

Mr Eslick added: Come Tuesday night into Wednesday, were starting to see higher pressure, so turning a lot drier and plenty of sunny spells.

But the following weekend, it does look like theres a further low pressure coming in, but were still keeping an eye on that.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Southeast Asia is playing an ever-growing part in China's investment and diplomatic decisions, particularly as Beijing's rivalry with Washington heats up. In the final instalment of a four-part series on China's ties with Asean, Hayley Wong looks at Beijing's efforts to expand defence cooperation in the region.

China is looking to forge closer defence ties with its Southeast Asian neighbours as it engages in a "competition for partnerships" with the United States in the region.

It comes as tensions have been soaring in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, where run-ins between Chinese and Philippine coastguards have intensified near disputed islands.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

In Southeast Asia, China has traditionally maintained more in-depth military relations with Cambodia and Laos. But this year it has sought to deepen ties with countries like Indonesia, Singapore and East Timor.

Song Zhongping, a military commentator and former People's Liberation Army instructor, said Beijing saw a growing need to build political trust with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

He said the US was holding more joint exercises in the South China Sea targeting "island disputes and China", and that it had "persuaded regional countries to get into confrontations" - a move he said was aimed at "slowing down" China's development.

China has repeatedly accused the US of emboldening its treaty ally the Philippines to conduct resupply missions to navy outposts near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal and more recently Sabina Shoal.

The PLA has also stepped up patrols in the South China Sea, including in response to drills and other military activities by the US and its allies. Beijing claims almost all of the resource-rich waterway as its territory - claims that overlap with those of Asean members Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

There has been concern over the activities of Chinese military, coastguard and research vessels in the South China Sea - especially those within other countries' exclusive economic zones.

Meanwhile, Washington has sought to boost its defence cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies like Manila and Tokyo.

Six Asean members took part in the biennial US-led Rim of the Pacific maritime exercise in June and July, but China was excluded due to its "reluctance to adhere to international rules or norms and standards".

Story continues

Chad Sbragia, a researcher at the Institute for Defence Analyses and a former US deputy assistant secretary of defence for China, said the current atmosphere in the region was largely defined by competition between the two great powers.

"It's competition for partnerships, for alliances, and that's just going to intensify and could get pretty ugly," he said.

"I don't like characterising countries by leaning one way or the other ... but you are definitely seeing some leaning a little bit one way, and it's just going to naturally fall out," he said, giving the examples of China's relationships with Thailand and Cambodia.

China's joint exercises with Asean countries have tended to be about sending political signals and providing security support for less developed states. But the annual Falcon Strike exercise between China and Thailand, a US treaty ally, was in the spotlight this year because it included rare combat elements.

Meanwhile, China became the biggest exporter of arms to Thailand from 2019 to 2023, accounting for 44 per cent of its major weapons imports, according to data tracked by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). From 2014 to 2018, Thailand imported 18 per cent of its arms from China.

Alongside its economic influence in the region, China is hoping to "at least compel Southeast Asian countries to consider Beijing's interests when it comes to the South China Sea and Taiwan", according to Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

He said those interests, especially concerning key waterways, included whether or not to "provide access to US military forces or allied forces, or even provide overflight rights ... basing or logistic support".

While China's security partnerships are based on a no-alliance principle, which does not grant access to military bases, it has reportedly gained "exclusive access" to Cambodia's Ream naval base - which Beijing funded.

Other recent Chinese military engagements in the region include a joint exercise with Singapore earlier this month. It was the first time the drill has been held in a consecutive year and it is expected to become institutionalised.

China has also sought to expand its security partnership with the tiny underdeveloped island nation of East Timor, which is currently an Asean observer.

Southeast Asia is the only region where the number of China's joint military exercises has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with 14 such drills held last year, according to a report by the US Naval War College.

That compared to 13 joint drills between the PLA and Southeast Asian militaries in 2019.

In fact, most of China's joint military exercises last year were conducted with neighbours from Southeast Asia, followed by five with Russia and three with Middle Eastern nations.

The report said Chinese navy port calls in Southeast Asia - the most frequently visited region - had also recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Huang Chin-Hao, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said while engagement was growing, "in terms of increasing the level of sophistication of these kinds of military exercises, we haven't seen it quite yet".

"But that doesn't mean that that won't happen. It's just we have to kind of wait and see how China and regional counterparts actually decide to expand on their level of military-to-military cooperation."

He said it was "not so much about the quantity or the number of times, but more so the kind of engagement, the content, the substantive aspects of their cooperation, [and] how much intelligence and information are being shared between the different militaries in these sorts of exercises".

Huang said a hurdle for deeper security cooperation was that as China's military capabilities expand, "the intentions of what the PLA intends to do with those increasing capabilities is sort of in the unknown".

He said it would take time to build trust and for Asean members to push for a better idea of China's military intentions, but noted that Beijing had "a pretty good track record" in the Asean defence ministers' framework.

But Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow in the Southeast Asia programme at the Lowy Institute think tank in Sydney, pointed out that "most Southeast Asian countries conducted military exercises with China due to diplomatic reasons, not military ones ... so, these exercises are mostly a function of defence diplomacy".

Abdul Rahman said most of the recent drills were "superficial in nature and lack interoperability", but China's aerial exercises with Thailand were the exception.

"It seems the Chinese are drawing lessons from those air exercises to improve their tactics and air fighting capabilities," he added.

Chinese soldiers take part in a joint exercise in Laos in May last year. Photo: Xinhua alt=Chinese soldiers take part in a joint exercise in Laos in May last year. Photo: Xinhua>

Dong Jun, China's new defence minister, has also had to re-engage with the region after he replaced Li Shangfu in December.

Li - who was removed from his post last October after disappearing from public view for months - was expelled from the ruling Communist Party in June for corruption.

Just 16 senior-level military meetings were held between China and Southeast Asian members in 2023, compared to 25 in 2019 and 27 in 2018, according to the US Naval War College tally.

In talks with Vietnamese defence chief Phan Van Giang this month, Dong urged his counterpart to "seize the opportunity" by boosting military cooperation.

Beijing also held the first "2+2" ministerial dialogue with Jakarta last month, led by foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong and Zhang Baoqun, deputy director of the Central Military Commission's Office for International Military Cooperation.

Zhao Weihua, director of Fudan University's Centre for China's Relations with Neighbouring Countries, said the 2+2 dialogue would be conducive to "managing disagreement and preventing crises".

"As an overall trend, security cooperation between China and its neighbouring countries is strengthening," he said, adding that cooperation platforms and joint drills like the one between China and Singapore were likely to become "regularised".

He noted that communication between China and Southeast Asian nations was "very diverse" and not limited to the 2+2 framework, citing the party-to-party channel between Beijing and Hanoi as an example.

According to defence analyst Koh, while Beijing's security engagements were increasing in the region, some countries - especially those with territorial disputes with China - were maintaining cooperation in areas deemed to be "low hanging fruit".

"They are also concerned about the potential security ramifications of being close to China," he said.

Koh added that countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia were balancing new security initiatives with China with those with other partners, to "maintain some sort of equilibrium and not let this slide too much towards one particular camp".

When Vietnamese defence chief Phan met his Filipino counterpart Gilberto Teodoro last month - about a week after Phan's talks with Dong - the two sides pledged to strengthen defence and military cooperation. Both countries have claims in the South China Sea that overlap with Beijing's.

Koh also noted there were limitations on what kind of joint exercises countries in the region can conduct with China based on where their military hardware is from.

He gave the example of Thailand, which deployed its Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets instead of its American F-16s for the Falcon Strike drills with China. Koh said that would not have been possible for Singapore since its air force uses only US-made fighter jets.

China is a far smaller supplier of arms than the US, which exported 42 per cent of major arms globally from 2019 to 2023. Chinese arms exports accounted for just 5.8 per cent of the global trade in the past five years, after 5.9 per cent from 2014 to 2018, according to a report published this year by SIPRI.

Beijing has attempted to expand its cooperation with Asean members to the arms trade, but those efforts have had a lukewarm response.

Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher with the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme, said the lack of major arms sales to the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia in particular was because the three nations "see China more and more as a military threat and that deters them from buying most Chinese weapons".

China did receive more orders in the late 2010s - including the HQ-22 defence system and missiles, tanks and armoured personnel carriers - but Wezeman did not expect that trend to continue.

"US pressure on its allies and arms clients not to buy from China and Russia has also increased in recent years," he added.

The reputation of Chinese systems in terms of quality is another issue, according to Abdul Rahman from the Lowy Institute.

"I understand from a few sources the Chinese weapons or systems they received are not in a good working order," he said. "For example, a Chinese air defence system used by a Southeast Asian state could not operate properly, leading to the death of a few military personnel."

"The quality of rifles is another example. Another Southeast Asian official spoke about how he prefers to use the old American M-16 rifle as it is lighter and more accurate than the more modern Chinese ones."

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Justice Department revealed an indictment Friday charging a Florida man with threatening to kill his political opponent in 2021.

William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was charged with threatening two people, one of whom the DOJ said was his primary opponent in the 2022 election for Floridas 13th Congressional District. Braddock allegedly threatened to call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad and make the primary opponent disappear, according to the indictment.

The DOJ indictment did not name the alleged victims.

One of Braddocks primary opponents and the races eventual winner, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., contended in 2021 court documents that Braddock was stalking her and wanted her dead.

A Florida court in 2021 granted Luna and a conservative activist and friend of hers, Erin Olszewski, a temporary restraining order.

Braddock terminated his campaign in 2021 shortly after the judge granted the injunction.

NBC News could not immediately reach Braddock for comment on Saturday. It is unclear whether Braddock has entered a plea.

A spokesperson for Luna told NBC News her office could not comment on the case but said the congresswoman has faced a growing number of death threats in the last month, which the spokesperson said pointed to a "broader and more disturbing issue of violence in the political arena."

An attorney for Olszewski did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday afternoon.

Anna Paulina Luna in Wilmington, N.C., on Sept. 21.

Braddock told the Pinellas County judge in 2021 he opposed the injunction and wanted to obtain, review and validate evidence presented against him, saying he didnt know what they have.

After allegedly making the threats, Braddock fled the country and was later found to be residing in the Philippines, according to the DOJ. He was then deported to the U.S. and made his first court appearance Thursday in Los Angeles, per the DOJ news release.

Braddock is charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person, for which he could face a maximum of five years in prison if convicted, the DOJ said.

The case is part of the Justice Departments Election Threats Task Force, convened in 2021 to address threats targeting election workers. The FBIs Tampa field office is investigating the case with support from the St. Petersburg Police Department, the DOJ said.

Luna is up for re-election on Nov. 5. The Republican primary for her seat in August was canceled after Luna was the only candidate to qualify.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an unsealed indictment charging a Florida man with threatening to kill his primary opponent in the states 13th Congressional District, as well as a private citizen who was also an acquaintance of the opponent in 2021.

The Justice Departments press release did not name the two alleged victims.

William Robert Braddock III of St. Petersburg, Fla., was charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. He could face a maximum of five years in prison.

The DOJ said the indictment revealed Braddock made several threats to injure the two victims in a phone call to the victim who was a private citizen and acquaintance of the opponent.

Braddock ran against Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) during the 2022 primary, and she won the seat.

In 2021, NBC reported Luna had claimed in court documents that Braddock [was] stalking her and [wanted] her dead. She had filed a petition for a permanent restraining order, to which the judge granted a temporary one for her and a friend of hers following the allegations.

According to the DOJ, Braddock partly threatened to call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad and make his opponent disappear.

The release noted that following the threats, Braddock left the U.S. and was later found living in the Philippines. He was recently deported from the country and had his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The FBIs Tampa field office is investigating the case with support from the St. Petersburg Police Department, the DOJ said. NBC reported that it is unclear whether Braddock has entered a plea.

The Hill has contacted Lunas press office for comment. Braddock could not be immediately reached for comment.

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(NewsNation)  A Florida fishing community is reeling from the impact of Hurricane Helene, the latest in a series of storms to batter the region in recent months.

Capt. Kenny Mullins, a local charter boat operator, described the devastation in Keaton Beach, a small coastal town north of Gainesville.

We just had total devastation, Mullins said in a phone interview on NewsNation Now. Lots of us have lost our homes. I have three boats that are damaged. We dont know when were going to be able to get back out on the water.

Helene aftermath: At least 56 dead, severe flood risk remains

The community, which relies heavily on the fishing industry, was still recovering from Hurricane Idalia 13 months ago. Insurance costs for boat operators in the area are high, Mullins said, especially for those with multiple vessels. With the busy fishing season approaching, many captains are facing canceled bookings and requests for deposit refunds.

We were living on pennies, waiting for this busy season to come in, and then this hit right at that time, Mullins said. I dont know when Ill be able to work again.

Massive rains from powerful Hurricane Helene left people stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue Saturday, as the cleanup began from a tempest that killed at least 56 people, caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and left millions without power.

Fact-checking claims Harris and Trump have made about the border

Mullins said that one of his fellow captains houses was literally in a pile. He also said that entire houses have been swept into canals, compounding the damage.

Helene blew ashore in Floridas Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday with winds of 140 mph.

Despite the challenges, Mullins expressed hope that the community would come together. He and other local boat operators are considering alternative ways to generate income, including selling gift certificates for future charters.

Anything will help, Mullins said.

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.
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

Florida House Bill 433, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April and went into effect July 1, prohibits cities and counties from requiring employers to provide their workers with shade, water breaks and other protections from hot temperatures.

The laws sponsor, Tiffany Esposito (R-District 77) said the goal was to prevent counties from having differing regulations. However, there are currently no laws in Florida that require heat protection for outdoor workers.

Read: Orlandos Camping World, Inter&Co stadiums selected to host 2025 FIFA Club World Cup games

Before the passage of this law, it already was difficult for Florida employers in the agricultural industries to find employees who meet qualifications through E-verify and H-2A Visa programs, which allow U.S. employers to fill temporary agricultural jobs with foreign nationals. Employers in the construction and infrastructure industries face similar struggles.

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




The Department of Justice charged a former Florida congressional candidate for threatening to call up his Russian-Ukrainian hit squad to kill his Republican primary opponent in 2021.

According to the indictment, William Robert Braddock III repeatedly promised to harm and kill now-Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), identified as Victim 1, and another individual present, known as Victim 2, during a phone call. Victim 2 is described as a private citizen and acquaintance of Luna.

Braddock left the United States shortly after the reported menacing conversation and was ultimately found and arrested in the Philippines in 2023. He was deported from the Southeast Asian country ahead of his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Sept. 27.

On Thursday, he was charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Anna Paulina Luna won was endorsed by Donald Trump and ultimately won the seat for Floridas 13th congressional district in 2022. Leah Millis/Reuters

The current investigation into Braddock is a joint effort by the FBI and the St. Petersburg Police Department as part of the departments election threats task force.

Luna and Braddock both ran in the 2021 Republican primary election in Floridas 13th congressional district. She went on to win the seat and was endorsed by Donald Trump.

That year, Luna accused Braddock of stalking and threatening to kill her while filing for a permanent restraining order. She and a conservative activist friend of hers, Erin Olszewski, were previously granted a temporary order against the once-congressional hopeful after allegations of threats first surfaced.

During a conversation recorded by Olszewski, Braddock is heard telling her not to support Luna because he had access to assassins.

I really dont want to have to end anybodys life for the good of the people of the United States of America, he said in the tape obtained by Politico. That will break my heart. But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Luna is a f---ing speed bump in the road. Shes a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.

Braddock refused to discuss the call with the outlet, said he had not heard the recording, and suggested the recording may even be altered and edited.

Luna, however, was ultimately denied a permanent restraining order against her then-political rival.

My office has received a very serious shooting threat.



This division and hate campaign against Republicans is going to get someone killed. I will not be threatened, intimidated, or bow down to those using violence as a means to push their agenda. We will win.



America is the  Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) September 18, 2024

Aside from the ongoing case involving Braddock, the congresswoman, who is running for reelection in the district, recently claimed her office received a very serious shooting threat.

This division and hate campaign against Republicans is going to get someone killed, she posted to X on Sept. 18. I will not be threatened, intimidated, or bow down to those using violence as a means to push their agenda. We will win.

Luna, a staunch Trump ally, also alleged that she had been doxxed and received threatening packages at her Florida home after her Democratic opponent called her a threat to democracy.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis discussed Hurricane Helene recovery with residents of Hudson in Pasco County on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Screenshot/Florida Channel)

Update: The DeSantis administration has released details about the resources its sending to North Carolina and Tennessee, where the Helene storm system has caused widespread flood damage.

Therell be two airborne Florida State Guard search and rescue teams each comprising a pilot and eight crew, plus two similar units from Florida National Guard flying Chinook helicopters. Hes sending a hazard-management team from the Florida Division of Emergency Management with 42,550 gallons of water and 100 Starlink ground stations to restore communications in isolated areas.

A fixed-wing aircraft is being dispatched, plus law officers from the Florida Department of Department of Law Enforcement and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with high-water vehicles, airboats, shallow-draft boats, and 44 trucks.

Teams from the Florida Department of Transportation will assist in damage assessment, cleaning out damaged buildings, inspecting bridges and building temporary crossings, and assessing other damaged infrastructure.

The complete list for Operation Blue Ridge is here.

+++

Even as post-Helene cleanup continues in Florida, the DeSantis administration is sending state air assets and satellite earth stations to areas of North Carolina where the storm caused catastrophic damage that isolated communities.

You had major, major devastation. Fortunately, our rescue operations were conducted  and we dont have the demand for that right now, DeSantis said during a news conference mid-Sunday morning in Hudson, in Pasco County.

He noted that lots of Floridians spend their summers in the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains, where flooding has ripped out major highways and bridges.

You go there over the summer, half the people there are from Florida, the governor said. If any remain there and need evacuation, he offered to send state assets to help.

Florida state government performed similar missions during recent chaos in Haiti and following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

We stand by to do more, as we have resources that are not being used for our recovery efforts here in Florida, DeSantis said.

The assistance will include Starlink ground stations to aid in communication to communities cut off by torrential flooding. DeSantis didnt give precise numbers of the air and satellite equipment hes sending.

The governor spent much of Saturday reviewing storm damage in communities in Floridas Big Bend, where Helene barreled on shore Thursday night, wiping buildings from their foundations. On Sunday, he toured damaged Pasco County homes damaged by storm surge.

He noted that area suffered little wind damage but entire neighborhoods had been flooded.

At least seven deaths have been reported in Florida and 64 nationally.

State response

Ahead of the storm, DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 61 of Floridas 67 counties, allowing advance deployment of state resources to the threatened areas.

On Saturday, President Joe Biden declared a national emergency in Floridas Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla counties.

Federal and state assistance available includes temporary housing and home-repair grants and low-cost loans to individuals and business owners. Volunteers are available to help homeowners muck out their homes.

Additional details of the states response are available here.

DeSantis noted that the National Hurricane Center has identified a low-pressure system in the Caribbean that could organize into a tropical depression by midweek. The agency expects the system to move toward the northwest and said that interests in the northwestern Caribbean Sea and along the U.S. Gulf Coast should monitor its progress.

DeSantis noted that projections for its movement remain mixed. Know its out there. Understand that this is something that could potentially have some level of impacts in Florida, he said.

The thing is, here, if theres even moderate impacts, when youre already going through this, thats going to exacerbate cleanup in Florida, he added  making removal of debris all the more important.
Florida's Amendment 3 campaign warns of fentanyl-laced marijuana, but some call it a myth

A statewide ad blitz by the group pushing for legalized marijuana warns Floridians of the dangers of black-market pot: It may be laced with fentanyl, they say, a potent drug driving an epidemic of fatal drug overdoses.

Ive seen it firsthand, Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young said in a 30-second television spot running in prime time.

Legal pot will be regulated and lab-tested, he said, making his case for why voters should support Amendment 3 in November to authorize recreational marijuana in Florida.

But amid heightened concerns across the country about the synthetic opioid fentanyl, usually taken separately or mixed with heroin or other opioids, experts unaligned with the campaign cast serious doubt on the claim that fentanyl-tainted marijuana is an actual problem.

Several officials on the front lines of the opioid epidemic say they havent seen deaths caused by fentanyl-laced marijuana. Some groups have even called it a myth that the two drugs are combined and sold to unwitting users.

Though Amendment 3 supporters raise valid points that legal pot would be scrutinized if the measure passes, the chances of someone unknowingly buying fentanyl-dusted pot is extremely low, said Dr. Bruce Goldberger, a University of Florida forensic toxicologist who monitors drug overdose trends.

I am not aware of any definitive finding related to marijuana fortified with fentanyl, he said. There have been reports of that over the last five to 10 years. To my knowledge, none of these instances were verified.

Young has referenced a mass fentanyl poisoning blamed for at least six deaths in Gadsden County as being linked to fentanyl-laced marijuana, but his office declined to release records related to the case, citing an ongoing investigation. Medical examiner reports show cocaine was also found in the systems of the victims in those drug overdose deaths, which occurred over the Fourth of July weekend in 2022.

A 2022 article in the Journal of Emergency Medicine called fentanyl-laced marijuana a malevolent myth, largely based on hearsay.

Fentanyl is a real and deadly drug responsible for thousands of overdose deaths each year in Florida alone. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has warned of fake prescription drugs containing fentanyl and methamphetamine but hasnt issued any alerts about marijuana.

The Partnership to End Addiction found no solid evidence exists of fentanyl-laced marijuana and concluded it wouldnt make sense for drug dealers to secretly mix the pricier opioid with cheaper pot. Fentanyl would likely be burned up and rendered harmless if it were mixed with pot and then smoked, the nonprofit organization of drug researchers and clinicians said.

Legalization supporters, though, say there is no way of knowing what is in unregulated pot. If Amendment 3 passes in November with at least 60% of the vote, consumers would know how potent their pot is and that it is free of harmful additives, they say.

To make their case, the campaign provided a tour of one of the states nine medical pot labs to show off the rigorous testing that those products undergo.

The Lakeland lab operated by Modern Canna collects random samples  from gummies to marijuana flowers  and tests for pesticides, heavy metals, mold and other potentially health-harming contaminants. It also verifies that the potency of pot products matches what is advertised to consumers.

At the core, thats what Amendment 3 does, said Steve Vancore, a spokesman for Smart & Safe Florida, the group behind the legalization ballot initiative. It says, Lets take it off the streets and put it into a safer, regulated market, where it goes to places like this, where it can be lab tested for safety.

Amendment 3 doesnt explicitly include testing requirements, but supporters argue the Florida Legislature would treat recreational pot like medical pot, which is closely regulated by the state.

Florida would become the 25th state to legalize recreational marijuana if Amendment 3 passes. Several polls have shown it clearing the 60% threshold it needs to succeed, although a few have found it coming up just short.

Sheriff points to mass fentanyl poisoning

Vancore and other Amendment 3 supporters cite the Gadsden fentanyl poisonings as an example of the dangers of contaminated marijuana.

In a July op-ed in the Tallahassee Democrat supporting Amendment 3, Young, the Gadsden sheriff, wrote that some of those who died had been smoking marijuana laced with a fentanyl and methamphetamine mixture.

The Gadsden County Sheriffs Office did not respond to requests to interview Young, one of the few sheriffs in Florida to publicly support Amendment 3, or answer questions about those cases. Gadsden County is home to Trulieve, a medical marijuana company that has put more than $80 million into the legalization push since 2022.

Through Vancore, the Amendment 3 spokesman, Young declined to release any reports or discuss the case further, citing an ongoing investigation.

Medical examiner records, first obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat, showed five of the people who died had fentanyl in their system along with cocaine. Two of those five also tested positive for compounds found in marijuana. Fentanyl wasnt detected in one of the overdoses, which was attributed to sudden cardiac death due to cocaine abuse. That person had marijuana in his system.

The documents dont shed light, though, on whether victims ingested the combination of drugs because the marijuana had been mixed with fentanyl.

Locally, law enforcement officials say they havent seen people dying of marijuana-laced fentanyl.

The Seminole County Sheriffs Office has not had any verified cases of marijuana being laced with fentanyl or other dangerous drugs, said Kim Cannaday, an agency spokeswoman.

However, testing provides a hazy picture of whats in illicit pot, she said.

Field tests used by law enforcement officers are designed to identify certain primary substances, such as marijuanas active ingredient, but not other potentially harmful additives, Cannaday said. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement typically requires at least 50 grams of marijuana, just over 1 1/2 ounces, for comprehensive testing, she said, meaning small busts arent checked.

The FDLE did not respond to requests for comment on what their labs are finding.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina said in a television interview in 2023 that his agency had found fentanyl in cannabis, though he did not offer specifics. Agency spokeswoman Summer McCray said the office is aware of reports that marijuana could be laced with fentanyl, but deputies have not encountered a lot of that here and arent aware of any deaths caused by fentanyl-laced marijuana.

Orange County recorded one overdose death in 2021 that toxicology reports attributed to fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoid toxicity, she said. Known as K2 or spice, synthetic cannabinoids are lab-made products that are similar to chemicals found in the cannabis plant.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moodys issued a news release in August on National Fentanyl Prevention Day, warning that one pill can kill. Most of the release focused on the dangers of fentanyl mixed with cocaine and counterfeit pills, but one sentence said Moody was trying to raise awareness about illicit fentanyl being mixed with other illicit substances like cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines.

As Florida works to prevent fentanyl overdose deaths, the biggest concern is the potent drug being mixed with cocaine, heroin and pills  not marijuana, said Andrae Bailey, founder and CEO of Project Opioid, an Orlando-based advocacy group.

There are situations where weve heard of it happening, he said of fentanyl-laced pot. It is not in any way a meaningful part of the opioid crisis in Florida.  I think there are better cases to be made than the need to shield people from fentanyl in marijuana.

_____
A South Side woman accused of fatally shooting her young son during an apparent mental health emergency in 2021 was acquitted of murder charges by reason of insanity earlier this month, according to court documents.

Fallon C. Harris, 40, was acquitted of six counts of first-degree murder by Judge Thomas J. Byrne on Sept. 19 in connection to the death of her son Kaden Harris-Ingram, according to court records. A report of mental disability adjudication submitted to the court and signed by Byrne indicated that Harris was incompetent to stand trial in a criminal case.

The judge ordered the former city worker to be transferred to a secure Illinois Department of Human Services facility for inpatient evaluation and treatment, records show. Harris, formerly of the South Chicago neighborhood, remained housed at Cook County Jail as of Saturday evening.

Harris had been in custody since September 2021 and was charged the day after prosecutors said she confronted her 12-year-old son at gunpoint inside their home in the 8000 block of South Bennett Avenue.

Harris, formerly a $45.90-an-hour worker for the city Department of Transportation, allegedly demanded the boy tell her the location of a digital storage disc that she had removed from her vehicle the previous night and shot him when he didnt turn the item over.

After officers arrived at the home, Harris answered the front door and said she shot her son before leading them to the silver revolver shed used, prosecutors said during her bail hearing.

The womans family later told the Tribune that Harris had been suffering from mental health issues just before the shooting, displaying weird, erratic behaviors leading up to the shooting.

Her son was her best friend, Harris estranged husband Lavell Ingram told the Tribune at the time. She would never do anything to harm this baby. There was a lot of mental issues going on, and we failed to recognize it. And when we did recognize it, it was too late.
Former county commissioner accused of having affair with prosecutor sentenced in fraud case

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A former county commissioner who was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a former prosecutor received a sentence after pleading guilty to theft and fraud charges while holding public office.

Jessica Dicken, a former Hocking County commissioner, was ordered to pay more than $25,000 in restitution on criminal counts related to fraudulent credit card purchases made in 2022.

According to the Ohio Auditor of States office, Dickens pleaded guilty to felony counts of theft and telecommunications fraud and a misdemeanor count of soliciting or accepting improper compensation.

Dicken was under investigation after the Auditor of States Special Investigation Unit received a complaint alleging fraudulent use of Hocking County Agricultural Societys credit card during her time as the Societys secretary.

The SIU determined that Dicken made more than $19,000 in fraudulent purchases, including to help finance her 2022 campaign for Hocking County Commissioner, as well to pay for a rental vehicle during a family vacation to Florida.

She was indicted by a grand jury in September 2023 and was suspended from serving as Commissioner, a position she resigned from shortly thereafter.

Dicken was also named in an April lawsuit alleging misconduct by former Hocking County Prosecutor Ryan Black, with whom she allegedly had a sexual relationship with while serving as commissioner. The suit alleges that the relationship between Black and Dicken was inappropriate because the prosecutors office represents the commissioners office in legal matters. Black has denied the allegations in a response filed with the Ohio Supreme Court Board of Professional Conduct.

In August, she pleaded guilty to the fraud charges and was ordered to pay in total $25,090.69, portions of which went to the Society, the Vinton County National Bank, plus audit costs. Dicken must also complete 500 hours of community service and will be subject to community control for up to five years as part of her sentence, which she received Tuesday.

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Former Dallas police officer who shot man in his own apartment now eligible for parole

Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer convicted of murdering a man in his own apartment in 2018, became eligible for parole Sunday after serving half of a 10-year sentence.

Guyger shot and killed Botham Jean on Sept. 6, 2018, after entering his Dallas apartment.

Guyger, who is white, told authorities that she had entered Jeans apartment by mistake, thinking it was her own, and that her actions were justified under the assumption that she had to defend herself. She did not have her body camera turned on because she was off duty, she said.

Jeans killing sparked outrage and protests in Dallas, and garnered national attention amid ongoing controversies and conversations about police killings of Black men.

She was convicted of Jeans murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison in September 2019. An appeals court upheld that conviction in 2022.

It is unclear when the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles will decide whether to let Guyger out of prison five years early. Calls to the Parole Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice were not answered Sunday.

Jeans family reacts to the possibility of Guyger receiving parole

Jeans family strongly opposes Guygers possible release., the timing of which held added significance to his mother and sister. Sunday would have been Jeans 33rd birthday.

His sister, Allisa Charles-Findley, told The Dallas Morning News that Guyger receiving parole would be very traumatic for her and her family, and that having it happen on his birthday would be like losing Botham all over again.

Speaking to CBS News on Friday, Jeans mother, Allison Jean, said that Guyger had caused her family tremendous pain. She added that Guyger should remain in prison until her sentence is complete, noting that the term she was given is well below a sentence that one receives for murder.

A petition to the Pardons and Paroles board to deny Guyger parole on Change.org had accumulated almost 400 signatures as of Sunday afternoon.

Amber Guyger, 30, a four-year veteran officer for the Dallas Police Department, was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the Sept. 6 shooting death of Botham Jean in Dallas.

Other police officer parole cases

Guyger is one of just two Dallas police officers to have been convicted of murder. Darrell L. Cain was sentenced to five years in prison for the murder of Santos Rodriguez after forcing the 12-year-old to play Russian roulette in the back of a squad car in 1973. He served half of that sentence.

Former Wichita Falls police officer Teddie Lynn Whitefield served a quarter of the eight-year sentence he received for three counts of manslaughter after he killed two young women and an unborn baby in a June 2011 crash. A toxicology report revealed that he was under the influence of several prescription drugs at the time of the crash.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles approved just under 35% of parole requests in 2023, according to its annual report.
Chinese military conducts routine maritime, airspace training near Huangyan Dao

Xinhua) 13:37, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command on Saturday organized its navy and air forces to conduct routine training which includes reconnaissance and early warning, and maritime and airspace patrol near Huangyan Dao.

In a statement, the PLA Southern Theater Command said that certain countries from outside the region are stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, creating instability.

China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its surrounding waters, the PLA Southern Theater Command said, adding that its troops will remain on high alert, resolutely defend national sovereignty and maritime rights, and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
LIGNORELLES, France (AP)  On a brisk late September morning in the heart of Chablis wine country, grape pickers haul large and heavy buckets over their shoulders, drenched in sweat as they climb the very steep slope of the Vau de Vey vineyard.

It's the final day of the harvest at the Domaine Roland Lavantureux winery, and workers are handpicking the last of the prized Chardonnay grapes that will eventually be transformed into the bright and high-end Premier Cru that is bottled by the estate.

But wine lovers around the world may struggle to get their hands on the 2024 millesime  wine that comes from a single year's harvest. It will be available in smaller quantities than usual.

Much of Frances wine country faced one of the wettest years on record in 2024 so far amid a changing climate, after years of challenges to vineyards and wine quality caused by drought and heat. At the Lavantureux estate, the picking lasted just nine days  about half the usual time  after a year of unpredictably harsh weather marked by frost, hail, record rainfall and the spread of a dangerous fungus that has left Chablis growers on edge.

I have been working here since 2010. This is my most difficult year, says winemaker David Lavantureux, who follows in the footsteps of his father Roland, a winemaker himself. And all the old-timers will tell you the same thing. Its been a very difficult year because the weather has been so unpredictable. We have not been spared a single thing.

David Lavantureux, 39, co-owner of Domaine Lavantureux, is photographed at the property, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Chablis, Burgundy region, France, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The ordeal began in April with the frost. Then in May, a double hailstorm pummeled the region. Then came relentless rain, right up to the harvest. According to the Burgundy wine federation, some 1,000 hectares (nearly 2,500 acres) of vines in the Chablis country were affected by the May storm. And the excess moisture allowed a destructive mildew fungus to thrive.

Disease devastates the vineyard

Once entrenched, the disease causes huge crop losses and can also affect wine quality. Together with his brother Arnaud, David fought hard to try and control mildew with various treatments, which were washed away by the rain and didn't prove effective.

On our estate, were looking at losses of 60 to 65%, David Lavantureux said. Its going to be a low-yield year.

The weather impact wasn't confined to the Lavantureux estate. Wet conditions across France have wreaked havoc on many wine-growing regions this year. Mildew, combined with episodes of frost and hail, have reduced overall production. The French ministry of agriculture estimates that it will amount to 39.3 million hectoliters, below both 2023 levels (-18%) and the average for the past five years (-11%).

Story continues

Its been a very tough year, both physically and mentally, Arnaud says. Were relieved the harvest is over. I'm exhausted.

The challenges of this year will inevitably influence the wines produced at the family winery, resulting in a 2024 vintage with distinct characteristics.

Leaves of Chardonnay grapes with fungal disease, who causing major crop losses are photographed at Domaine Lavantureux, in Chablis, Burgundy region, France, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Balances are not at all the same, adds Arnaud. Theres more acidity. Maturity is less optimal. But the goal is to craft the wine so that, in the end, the balance is as perfect as possible."

Adapting to a changing climate

Located in the northern part of the Bourgogne region, the vineyards of Chablis have traditionally benefited from a favorable climate  cold winters, hot summers and annual rainfall between 650-700 millimeters (25-27 inches).

But climate change is altering those conditions, bringing unseasonably mild weather, more abundant rainfall, and recurrent spring frosts that were less common in the past.

The frost damage is particularly frustrating. A similar phenomenon hit French vineyards in recent years, leading to big financial losses. And scientists believe the damaging 2021 frost was made more likely by climate change.

There was a period when we thought that with global warming setting in, Chablis would be safe from frost, David Lavantureux says. And finally, over the last 15 years, its come back even stronger.

To adapt, winemakers have been adopting creative solutions. Cutting the wines later helps delay bud burst and reduce the vulnerability to late frost, while keeping a larger foliage above the fruit shields the grapes from the scorching sun in hot summers.

During frost threats, many growers use expensive methods such as lighting candles in the vineyards. They also install electric lines to warm the vines, or spray water on the buds to create a thin ice layer that ensures the blossoms temperature remains around freezing point but doesn't dip much lower.

Throughout the Burgundy region, anti-hail devices have also been deployed in a bid to lessen the intensity of hailstorms.

It helps reduce risk, but its never 100% protection, David Lavantureux says. We saw that again this year with several hailstorms, two of which were particularly severe.

Looking ahead

Fortunately for the Lavantureux family, two very good years in 2022 and 2023 should help mitigate the financial losses induced by the reduced 2024 harvest as international demand for Chablis remains solid, especially in the United States.

In June, the Burgundy wine association said that Chablis wine exports to the U.S. reached 3 million bottles, generating 368 million euros ($410 million), a 19% increase compared to the previous year.

Weve put this harvest behind us," says Arnaud Lavantureux Now it's time to think on the next one.

___

Marine Lesprit contributed to this report.
Tennessee Gov. Winfield Dunn (Photo: Tennessee Secretary of State)

(This story has been updated with additional information.)

Former Gov. Winfield Dunn, who in 1970 became the first Republican elected governor in more than 50 years, died Saturday at the age of 97.

Gov. Bill Lees office announced Dunns death in a statement.

Governor Winfield Dunn was, simply put, a genuine statesman, said Gov. Bill Lee. He was a true servant of the people of Tennessee. He led with principled integrity, a strong faith, and a gracious love for others. Our state is a better place because of his service and leadership. Maria and I join all Tennesseans in honoring Governor Dunns life, and we pray for Betty and the Dunn family in the days ahead.

Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn was a Mississippi native who graduated from the University of Tennessee Dental School in Memphis.

According to a biography on the Tennessee Secretary of States website, Dunns political views were influenced by Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwaters book, Conscience of a Conservative.

But Dunn had not run for office before when, with the encouragement of Sen. Bill Brock, a fellow Republican, he ran for governor in 1970. He defeated Democrat John Jay Hooker, and served one term in office: the Tennessee Constitution barred governors from serving consecutive terms.

While in office, Dunn established the Department of Economic and Community Development.and of the Department of General Services. He supported the ratification of the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21-18 and established kindergarten statewide in public schools.

In 1986, he ran for governor again, losing to Democratic Speaker of the House Ned McWherter.

Oscar Brock, a member of the Republican National Committee and son of the late Bill Brock, said Dunn was always the perfect gentleman, always with a kind word for you or a family member.

I remember running into Governor Dunn at a community picnic; I hadnt seen him in more than a decade, yet he strode across the field, ready to shake my hand, and remembering my name, said Brock. I have known few, if any, more considerate people in my life.

Tonight at the state capitol we heard the news of the passing of a personal hero, Gov. Winfield Dunn. His optimism was a great light when I ran the campaign of his campaign manager, @SenAlexander and in my own race, wrote former Nashville mayoral candidate Alice Rolli on X. My love to Betty and all the Dunn family.

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Four Minnesotans killed in chain-reaction crash in Utah

Five people  including four from Minnesota  were killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Utah Thursday.

According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred Thursday on Highway 6 near milepost 235 in Prince, and left two people from Brooklyn Center and two from St. Paul dead.

An SUV traveling east had reportedly attempted to pull into a passing lane but overshot, ending up in a lane occupied by a semi.

Utah Department of Public Safety

The semi then lost control and crashed into a Nissan SUV in a westbound lane, pushing it off the roadway, before both the semi and the Nissan struck an ATV.

The four occupants of the Nissan SUV, all hailing from Minnesota, were killed in the crash. They were identified as:

Sang Her, 56, of Brooklyn Center

Lee Thao, 38, of Brooklyn Center

Bee Moua, 26, of St. Paul

Mai Lor, 25, of St. Paul

The driver of the ATV, identified as 35-year-old Gustavo Mendoza of Utah, was also killed in the crash.

The driver of the other SUV was hospitalized with minor injuries.

Related: It's Minnesota's warmest, driest September on record and it's not even close
France's new government pledges hardline stance on migration as it cozies up to far right

PARIS (AP)  Frances new government is set to take a hardline approach to migration issues as key officials have pledged to significantly reduce the number of people entering and staying illegally in the country.

After calling for snap legislative elections in June, President Emmanuel Macron appointed Prime Minister Michel Barnier, a veteran conservative from The Republicans party, hoping the Brexit negotiator would work with the divided legislature to end the political turmoil that has upended French politics in recent months.

The Barnier government  dominated by conservatives and centrists does not have a majority in parliament and efforts to pass any new legislation are bound to be fought, and potentially blocked. The National Assembly is now split between three major political blocs: the left-wing New Popular Front leftist coalition, Macrons centrist allies  who made a deal with the conservatives  and the far-right National Rally party, the largest single party in the new assembly.

The new prime minister will outline his priorities in a general policy speech scheduled for Tuesday at the National Assembly.

In recent televised interviews, Barnier criticized French borders as sieves and expressed concern that migratory flows were not under control. He promised to limit immigration, citing measures taken by neighboring countries like Germany, which expanded controls at all land borders earlier this month.

Critics have denounced Barnier's government immigration stance as strongly influenced by the National Rally's proposals, as its survival depends on the party's goodwill.

Far-right and left-wing lawmakers can force the whole government to resign on condition they agree on a no-confidence vote.

Marine Le Pen, the National Rally's leading figure, said she would not seek to bring down the new government for now, waiting to see its initial acts. In a recent interview with La Tribune-Dimanche newspaper, she said: Its undeniable that Michel Barnier seems to have, on migration, the same assessment as ours.

A new interior minister to reign in immigration

Barniers hardline approach is reflected in the appointment of Bruno Retailleau, a fellow conservative known for his tough rhetoric on migrants, as the interior minister.

Retailleau shared this week his intention to reign in immigration. He said he would seek to reform Frances state medical assistance that covers health care expenses for undocumented migrants. He has argued for years that it should be strictly limited to minimum emergency care.

Eight former health ministers from the left, center and right signed a column in French newspaper Le Monde to call on the government to maintain the state medical assistance, saying limiting it would put Frances healthcare system under increased pressure because it would lead to taking care of people later when their condition is more serious and more expensive.

Retailleau also said he would try to toughen up random border controls, bring back a law that sanctioned with fines or prison sentences those caught entering French territory illegally, and seek deals with North African nations such as Morocco so that those countries retain migrants before they even set foot in France.

A shift to the right that worries civil society groups

Yann Manzi, who started working alongside migrants during the 2015 migration crisis when well over 1 million people swept into Europe, most fleeing war in Syria and Iraq, denounced France's long-coming shift to the right.

Manzis nonprofit, Utopia 56, currently runs a temporary shelter in Paris' suburbs and coordinates hundreds of voluntary workers daily in different French regions.

He said that decades ago when Frances National Rally was still on the fringes, it came up with the rhetoric that welcoming migrants would dramatically increase the number of foreigners coming into the country and wreak havoc in French society. This has slowly but steadily spread to other parties, including the left, Manzi said.

The nonprofit founder believes migrants have been met with increasingly harsh conditions in France and the rest of Europe.

The message sent to those seeking to come to the country is very clear: We no longer welcome you, said Manzi.

Some measures may not request a new law

Some proposals to stem migration could prove difficult to implement as they need to go through the already divided parliament while others, such as sanctioning migrants who have entered France illegally, appear to go against European rulings.

Barnier, suggested while campaigning, in vain, to be his partys presidential candidate in 2022 that France should find ways to bypass rulings from the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights.

Still, the prime minister and Retailleau argue they can still take action without passing new legislation, such as decrees and instructions to national and local administrations in charge of implementing migration policies.

Retailleau said he would convene next week a meeting with prefects of regions the most impacted by migrant issues to tell them to deport more and regularize less.

Critics say Frances hardline shift on migration has long been in the works.

Macron's former centrist governments passed since 2017 several bills meant to tighten immigration controls and accelerate asylum procedures. The latest immigration bill, adopted in January this year, intended to strengthen Frances ability to deport foreigners considered undesirable.

Conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy, in office from 2007 to 2012, also emphasized a more stringent immigration policy as he sought to siphon off voters from the far right.

In 2023, France received about 145,000 new asylum requests, up from 115,000 in 2022, according to statistics from the interior ministry. This is the highest number of applications recorded since 2016. France ranks third in the European Union behind Germany and Spain, which recorded over 351,000 and 160,000 applications.
Free, fair, secure and accessible: U.S. Attorney for Middle District of Tennessee speaks on elections

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee addressed Tennessees voters in a video message on Friday, stressing the importance of free and fair elections.

Henry Leventis explained the role that the Department of Justice (DOJ) plays on election day, including limiting foreign interference in elections and preventing voter suppression.

Free, fair, secure and accessible elections are the foundation of our democracy, Leventis said.

Sumner County political group ordered to register as political action committee

Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, Leventis said. We work to make sure that everyone who is entitled to vote gets to vote and those who seek to corrupt the election process are brought to justice.

Leventis gave viewers some steps to take on election day:

Make a plan: know when, where and how you will vote.

Seek out election information from trustworthy sources.

Report any potential election crimes to the FBI.

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

If someone is in imminent danger or at risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately, Leventis added. If you think you or someone elses voting rights have been violated, report that to the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division. If youre not sure whether something is a crime, report it to both the FBI and the Civil Rights Division.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
UN Security Council meeting on leadership for peace, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly

PARIS (Reuters) - French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will travel to Lebanon on Sunday, his office said, as Israel continued to strike multiple targets in the country.

"We confirm that the minister is going to Lebanon this weekend to talk with local authorities and provide French support, particularly humanitarian support," the foreign ministry said.

(Reporting by Michel Rose; Writing by Ingrid Melander)
Friend to everyone. Community mourns Charlotte father of four killed during Helene

Tony Taylor was a Charlotte father of four who treated everyone he met like family, his nephew, Stephen Barbour, said.

Uncle Tony was a friend to everyone, Barbour recalled on the GoFundMe he started for Taylors wife, Sandy Lucille Taylor, and the couples children.

Taylor, 62, died when a neighbors tree fell during Helene on his familys home on Brookway Drive, in northwest Charlottes historic Hoskins neighborhood.

A 4-year-old girl and a 58-year-old man died in wrecks on Helene-slickened Charlotte-area roads.

Although Taylors wife and four children survived, the loss of such a kind and loving man has left a profound void, Barbour said on the GoFundMe site.

For some time, we had been trying to get the tree removed, but since it wasnt on our property, there was little we could do, he said.

Now, we are left not only to mourn the loss of a man whose smile could light up any room but also to support his grieving family through this incredibly difficult time, Barbour said.

By Saturday night, 81 people had donated a total of $4,476.

The top donation was a mans $500 contribution. A woman donated $100 with this message to the family: I will be praying to Jehovah God our Heavenly Father to provide you comfort and peace in your time of grief and loss.

Barbour started the site Friday to help pay for his uncles funeral expenses and repairs to the home, and to replace the familys belongings.

Donations also would help pay for a temporary place for the family to stay and to assist with day-to-day expenses, Barbour said.

We are asking for any contribution to help support his wife and children as they rebuild their lives in the wake of this unimaginable loss, Barbour said.

Tony and Sandy Lucille Taylor

Your generosity means more than words can express, and we are deeply grateful for any support you can offer during this time, he said.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Officials with the Tooele County Sheriffs Office arrested a fugitive on Wednesday who was reportedly hiding several swords  along with drug paraphernalia  in his pants.

Chad Eugene Ginter, 51, was arrested on three counts of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, all third-degree felonies; one count of obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony; and one count of use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor.

Yes, there really is a sphinx in Utah with the face of the first LDS leader

According to arrest documents filed in Tooele County, Ginter had several warrants out for his arrest and was a fugitive from Adult Probation and Parole.

The officer who arrested Ginter knew of the warrants and, during the arrest, the officer located three Katana style swords he had concealed in his pants, documents said.

Each of the swords had sharp edges, which classified them as dangerous weapons, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

During the officers search, a glass pipe with burnt drug residue and a plastic tooter were also found  and arrest documents said the items were commonly used for the smoking of illegal substances.

After he was taken to a detention center, Ginter reportedly said that he knew officers were going to arrest him, and ingested three fentanyl pills after he saw officers. Arrest documents said Ginter destroyed evidence by ingesting the fentanyl.

Documents further clarified that Ginter was a restricted person because of his probation status, which meant he was not allowed to possess dangerous or deadly weapons such as the swords he had allegedly hidden in his pants.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
JESSUP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A garage fire is under investigation after a fire Sunday morning in Lackawanna County.

According to the Lackawanna County Center for Public Safety, crews responded to a garage fire on the 100 block of Hill Street just after 1:00 a.m.

Police investigating shots fired near Bloomsburg Fair

Officials say Jessup Hose Company responded to the scene, and called in for additional units due to the time of the fire.

Authorities state that no one was hurt, and the fire is under investigation by Jessup Hose Company.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Gavin Newsom just used a QR code to announce his decision to sign a bill

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill to add QR codes to student ID cards.

Then, he used a QR code to announce he had signed the bill into law.

The bill's author said it was the first time a QR code was used as a signing message.

You might be used to scanning a QR code to see a restaurant menu.

But California just brought QR codes  shortcuts that take users to a desired landing page by aiming their smartphone camera at it  into the state legislature.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Friday allowing student ID cards to include QR codes linking to local mental health resources. The bill applies to public and private school students in grades 7 through 12.

To announce he had signed the bill into law, Newsom let a QR code do the talking. Republican State Sen. Shannon Grove, who authored the bill, said it was the "first time in legislative history" that a QR code was used as a signing message.

The Governors response to SB 1063 was epic!



Not only did he sign my bill, but for the first time in legislative history he used a QR code for his signing message, highlighting how important it is to use modern technology to communicate. Take a look  pic.twitter.com/Bn44xbsv5M  Senator Shannon Grove (@ShannonGroveCA) September 27, 2024

A QR code emblematic of the state flag took up the better part of the memo to the state Senate.

The QR code led to a separate memo in which Newsom congratulated Ishmeet Singh, the high school student behind the bill. In a press release from Grove's office, Singh said the QR codes will make mental health resources easier to access for students facing mental health crises.

"I am thrilled that students across the state of California will now have essential mental health resources at their fingertips to combat their distress," he said. "With the concept of the QR code being ubiquitous in today's modern era, it was essential to incorporate this technology in Student IDs to make resources more user friendly."

In his personalized note to Singh, Newsom echoed the student's sentiments.

"Kudos to you for bringing this bill idea to Senator Grove. You recognized that by modernizing student ID cards with a QR code, students can have easier access to information about local mental health services," Newsom wrote, applauding Singh for "engaging civically, and making a change for the better."

Read the original article on Business Insider
California Governor Gavin Newsom Vetoes AI Safety Bill: I Do Not Believe This Is The Best Approach

Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a major AI safety bill today, saying that it applied stringent standards to even the most basic functions  so long as a large system deploys it.

I do not believe this is the best approach to protecting the public from real threats posed by the technology, Newsom said in his veto statement.

More from Deadline

S.B. 1047 would have required AI developers in the state to implement security precautions before training their models. OpenAI had warned of the impact of the bill on the industrys growth, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) came out against it.

Celebrities including Jane Fonda, Shonda Rhimes and Pedro Pascal had urged Newsom to sign it, and its lead author, State Sen. Scott Weiner, says that the bill is a light touch, commonsense measure that codifies commitments that the largest AI companies have already voluntarily made.

In a statement, Weiner said, This veto is a missed opportunity for California to once again lead on innovative tech regulation  just as we did around data privacy and net neutrality  and we are all less safe as a result.

Newsom said that he would continue to work with the legislature, federal partners, technology

experts, ethicists, and academia, to find the appropriate path forward, including legislation and regulation.

Safety protocols must be adopted, Newsom wrote. Proactive guardrails .should be implemented, and severe consequences for bad actors must be clear and enforceable. I do not agree, however, that to keep the public safe, we must settle for a solution that is not informed by an empirical trajectory analysis of Al systems and capabilities. Ultimately, any framework for effectively regulating Al needs to keep pace with the technology itself.

Earlier this month, Newsom signed a series of other AI bills, including ones that give performers more rights over their image and likeness, and others designed to curb the use of deepfakes in election campaigns.

Best of Deadline

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ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) has a gargantuan market cap of over $500 billion. It is a massive company by any measure, and also among the largest in the energy sector. The dividend yield, meanwhile, is a solid 3.3%, which is well above the S&P 500 Index's 1.2% and a hair higher than the 3.2% on offer from the average energy stock, using Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEMKT: XLE) as an industry proxy.

There are some good reasons to consider buying Exxon right now. And some reasons to hold off.

What does ExxonMobil do?

A simplistic view of Exxon is that it is an oil and natural gas company. That statement isn't wrong, it just doesn't cover the full spectrum of what Exxon does because it is an integrated energy company.

That means that it has operations in the upstream, which involves the production of oil and natural gas. It has operations in the midstream, which is where you'll find pipelines and other energy infrastructure that moves oil and natural gas. And it has operations in the downstream, which processes oil and natural gas into refined products and chemicals.

Image source: Getty Images.

Each segment of the broader energy industry operates a little differently. Upstream earnings and profits are highly dependent on the price of oil and natural gas. The midstream is largely a fee-based business, where assets generate reliable cash flows in good markets and bad because of a toll-taker model. And the downstream can benefit from low energy prices because oil and natural gas are key inputs, but many of the products produced (such as gasoline) are commodities and subject to their own price volatility.

Having such broad industry exposure diversifies Exxon's portfolio of businesses and helps to soften the peaks and valleys over time. Oil and natural gas prices are still the driving force, but the impact won't be quite as material as it would be for a pure-play upstream company that only produces oil and natural gas.

In short, Exxon is the type of energy company that you can hold onto for the long term, even with the fluctuations in the inherently volatile energy sector.

Is now the time to buy ExxonMobil?

So if you're looking to increase your exposure to the energy sector, Exxon is a solid option at just about any time. But that doesn't mean that Exxon is always an opportunistic investment to make. As noted, the company's stock price tends to wax and wane along with the price of oil and natural gas.

Right now, energy prices aren't exactly high or low. So it is a bit of a coin toss on whether you would want to buy Exxon's stock this very second. However, it isn't necessarily cheap, at least from the perspective of its dividend yield.

Story continues

The current 3.3% yield is reasonable, but during energy downturns it can spike toward 10% (which means the stock price has declined materially). Dividend yield is notable here because Exxon has designed its business to support its dividend through good energy markets and bad ones.

Management has largely accomplished this by having a low level of leverage on the balance sheet, as that provides the leeway to increase leverage during hard times to support the business and the dividend. When oil and gas prices recover (along with profits), management reduces leverage.

The proof of how successful this approach is shows up in the 42 year streak of annual dividend increases the company has racked up. So, if history is any guide, Exxon is cheapest when its yield is highest. And that's probably the best time to buy it.

Be strategic with ExxonMobil

Exxon is a great pick if you need to add some energy exposure to your portfolio for diversification purposes. Now isn't a terrible time to buy it, either, but the stock has most certainly been cheaper. Thus, if you can wait, you might want to keep Exxon on your wishlist for the next oil downturn, when the yield will be high and the stock price low.

It will take some serious fortitude to use such a contrarian investment approach, but that's likely to be when you get the best price on this industry leading energy company.

Should you invest $1,000 in ExxonMobil right now?

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Is ExxonMobil Stock a Buy? was originally published by The Motley Fool
SACRAMENTO, California  Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a sweeping California bill meant to impose safety vetting requirements for powerful AI models, siding with much of Silicon Valley and leading congressional Democrats in the most high-profile fight in the Legislature this year.

Newsom said in a veto message that the legislation does not take into account whether an AI system is deployed in high-risk environments, involves critical decision-making or the use of sensitive data.

Instead, the bill applies stringent standards to even the most basic functions  so long as a large system deploys it, Newsom said. I do not believe this is the best approach to protecting the public from real threats posed by the technology.

Californias battle took on outsize dimensions because the bill would have set a de facto national standard for the technology. Newsom has faced fierce lobbying from the states economic and political powers, including Hollywood actors, prominent tech companies and investors, as well as influential House members like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The tech-friendly governor has for months warned against stymying Californias burgeoning AI industry and undermining the states economic competitiveness, but he has also said California must lead on responsible regulation.

Newsom signed a less-sweeping bill that requires Californias emergency response agency to study AI risks. He paired his veto with a light-on-details commitment to formulate legislation that imposes guardrails on AI, working with academic luminaries like Dr. Fei-Fei Li, a Stanford professor who opposed the bill.

Newsom also said he would work with organized labor and private businesses to expand workplace applications for AI, building on a series of pilot projects with state agencies that have explored using AI to manage traffic management and streamline customer service for public benefits.

The bill from state Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, would have required the largest AI models to certify safety testing before deployment with the aim of protecting people from potential dangers like the creation of bioweapons.

Proponents argued it was Californias best chance to regulate the fast-moving technology  a field largely being driven by tech companies with California headquarters and global operations. State lawmakers have hoped to lead the way in the face of inaction from Congress, spurred in part by a widespread belief policymakers had waited too long to rein in social media.

Wiener, in a statement, said Newsom's veto means the companies creating the most powerful AI systems face no restrictions from policymakers.

"This veto is a missed opportunity to California to once again lead on innovative tech regulation... and we are all less safe as a result."

But the bill divided Silicon Valley. Leading researchers and Elon Musk supported the measure as a way to help mitigate potential risks to the public, while opponents such as Google and OpenAI argued its requirements would unduly burden developers, especially small startups. Influential venture capital firms hired Sacramento lobbyists as prominent investor Ron Conway rallied opponents.

Wiener also faced strong opposition from Democrats in Congress who represented areas in and around Silicon Valley, including Pelosi and Rep. Ro Khanna. One of his closest allies, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, warned the measure would undermine the citys economy. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the top Democrat on the House committee overseeing technology, came out in opposition and personally lobbied lawmakers.

Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor, has long maintained close ties with Silicon Valley. His office has taken steps in the last year to integrate AI into state government, including penning an agreement with chip developer Nvidia to create AI training programs and supporting the addition of an AI accelerator in a deal with Google to fund local journalism.

Concerns about AIs potentially negative fallout dominated Sacramentos legislative year, with lawmakers advancing dozens of bills to curb the technologys impact on elections, workers and public safety. Technology companies and business groups like the California Chamber of Commerce fought back, warning some of those proposals would unduly burden businesses and impinge on free speech.

Newsom has delivered some wins to advocates for tougher rules, signing bills backed by actors unions to limit the use of digital likenesses that could replace entertainers and enacting laws cracking down on deepfakes impersonating political candidates.
Chroming is the latest trend to gain traction among teens  and its claimed the lives of multiple children.

Similar to huffing, chroming refers to the practice of inhaling chemicals from common items like permanent markers, aerosol deodorant, nail polish, paints or hair spray for a short-lived high, according to CNN.

Most of these products are easy to find in homes and cheap to buy in stores, Dr. Betty Choi, an author and pediatrician told CNN. (Chroming) can become addictive when its done over and over again.

Chroming  a term derived from sniffing chrome-based paint products  has resulted in deaths and hospitalizations of children in recent months, and prompted concerned parents to speak out.

But the behavior isnt new  whippets and huffing substances have been around for years.

People have been inhaling fumes for centuries, Choi said. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, inhalant abuse peaked in the 1990s and was downtrending over the last two decades. But in recent years, experimentation rates among teens have risen again.

The number of American adolescents using inhalants declined from 684,000 in 2015 to 554,000 in 2022  but rose again last year to 564,000, according to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The chemicals in household items like hairspray, nail polish, paints and more can be used for chroming. pressmaster  stock.adobe.com

On a dark corner of TikTok, WhipTok users  a nod to the term whippets  used to upload content related to chroming, which the platform has tried to censor by barring creators from using the tag and instead highlights helplines and other resources for substance abuse.

But, unlike the more lighthearted TikTok trends, this online fad can prove fatal.

Chroming can cause slurred speech, hallucinations, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and other serious adverse side effects like heart attacks, seizures, suffocation or death. It can inflict damage to internal organs like the brain, heart, lungs and more.

According to the National Institute of Health, sudden sniffing death syndrome can happen after just one use.

Most of these products are easy to find in homes and cheap to buy in stores, Dr. Betty Choi told CNN. ireneromanova  stock.adobe.com

Theres often an underlying psychiatric component of these kids who are just looking to relax or self-medicate, Dr. Anthony Pizon, a professor of emergency medicine and the chief of the division of medical toxicology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, told CNN.

Meanwhile, reports about teens declining mental health have emerged in recent years.

Pizon cautioned that children who are engaging in this activity are likely at risk of seeking more potent drugs, and recommended that parents throw away or lock up items that could be used for chroming and potentially limit social media or monitor their online activity.

The best way to approach chroming is to approach it like other dangers  an ongoing conversation over time, Choi advised, adding that parents should educate their kids on the risks of inhalants.

It can permanently screw up your brain, heart and other organs. Some kids have even died the first time, Choi continued, noting that parents should reaffirm their love for their kids during these conversations to make them feel safe and supported.
Ukrainian forces struck the Kotluban military arsenal in Russia's Volgograd Oblast, the General Staff reported on Sept. 29.

The military arsenal was used to store and modernize missiles and artillery, according to the General Staff.

Iranian-made Shahed missiles had also been transported to the facility shortly before the attack took place.

"The military facility was heavily protected by electronic warfare and air defense systems. Nevertheless, our units successfully completed the combat mission," the General Staff wrote.

The Kyiv Independent couldn't independently verify the claim.

Earlier on Sept. 29, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 67 Ukrainian-launched drones were shot down over Volgograd Oblast and that 125 drones in total had been intercepted over seven Russian regions.

Kyiv has carried out a number of drone attacks against Russian infrastructure facilities and military installations throughout the full-scale war, hoping to undermine Russian invasion forces in Ukraine.

Russian officials often play down attacks and claim no significant damage was inflicted.

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 on Sept. 18.

On Sept. 21, 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."

Read also: Arms depot in Russias Tver Oblast built to withstand nuclear explosion heavily damaged by Ukrainian drones

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Georgia Powers restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene continued Sunday, with the company having restored service to approximately 690,000 customers since the start of the storm.

According to Georgia Power, the response has been possible through the implementation of new smart grid technologies and the work of pre-positioned response teams.

Crews continue to navigate treacherous conditions, Georgia Power says, including extensive tree and flooding damage, as well as road closures. As of midday Sunday, efforts are fully underway to restore power to approximately 425,000 customers who remain without power due to the storm. Additionally, there is the potential for further damage and power outages that could occur due to the saturated ground and weakened trees.

Georgia Power has determined Hurricane Helene was the most destructive hurricane in its history damaging infrastructure across the state. Initial damage estimates illustrating the extensive destruction of Hurricane Helene include:

5,000+ power poles that must be repaired or replaced

9,000+ spans of wire equivalent to an estimated 425 miles

500+ transformers

1,500+ trees on power lines that must be removed or addressed to restore power

Restoration efforts will take multiple days into this next week, according to Georgia Power, who says they will continue to post updated estimated restoration times (ERTs) for communities on its Outage Map.

As of Sunday, restoration efforts have been largely completed in areas such as Metro Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, Rome and Albany, while work continues in the hardest hit areas across the state.

The company says it will continue to post updated information throughout the remainder of the restoration process and will make every effort to return power to customers sooner than expected. Customers are encouraged to check the Outage Map often for the latest information and not rely on possibly inaccurate details they may see from non-company sources.

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks during an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Nazi-Fascist massacre of Marzabotto near Bologna. Between September 29 and October 1, 1944, members of an SS division and the Wehrmacht killed more than 770 civilians. Michele Nucci/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed concern at the rise of nationalist and right-wing extremist forces in his country during a visit to Italy to mark the 80th anniversary of the World War II Marzabotto massacre on Sunday.

"Forces that wish to weaken or undermine democracy - in my country, of all places. That worries me," Steinmeier said.

There was a greater responsibility than before to stand up and fight for the values of a united Europe and its democracies, he said.

Steinmeier described commemoration as a "responsibility for our history, especially for us Germans" so that what once took place could not happen again. This responsibility was without end, he said.

German Nazis murdered almost 800 people in Marzabotto, including numerous women and children, from September 29 to October 1, 1944, in retaliation for a partisan attack. It was among the worst massacres carried out by German soldiers on Italian soil during World War II.

During his speech, which he delivered in Italian, Steinmeier expressed sorrow and shame for the German crimes and asked the victims and their relatives for forgiveness.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella (L) and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrive to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Nazi-Fascist massacre of Marzabotto near Bologna. Between September 29 and October 1, 1944, members of an SS division and the Wehrmacht killed more than 770 civilians. Michele Nucci/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A woman was left with serious injuries after her husband allegedly ran over her leg by accident when picking up a group from dinner in Manchester.

According to Ontario County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded to West Main Street in Manchester around 7:49 p.m. and found a 74-year-old woman being aided by several good Samaritans who attempted to control her bleeding by utilizing a leather belt as a tourniquet.

OCSO says the woman suffered a serious laceration to her right leg which caused heavy bleeding. Ontario County Sheriffs Deputies and New York State Police attempted to control the bleeding until a Fingerlakes Ambulance arrived on scene to transport her to Strong Memorial Hospital.

During an investigation it was learned that a 74-year-old man was pulling his vehicle closer to a restaurant on West Main Street to pick up several passengers and family members after eating dinner.

OCSO says the man allegedly began to drive forward as his wife was getting into the back seat of the vehicle and the man thought everyone was already inside. This caused the back tire to drive over the womans leg causing serious injury. When the man realized he had mistakenly drove over his wifes leg he immediately put the vehicle back into reverse, removing the tire from over top of her leg.

OCSO notes that the man was not impaired or intoxicated at the time, and that the incident appears to be an accident due to lack of attention or distraction.

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The chair of the Connecticut Republican Party has accused the State Elections Enforcement Commission of interfering with State House and Senate races by delaying campaign finance grants through the Citizens Election Program.

In an interview with the Courant, State Republican Chairman Ben Proto said a number of candidates in his party have yet to receive CEP distributions despite applying for grants weeks ago. Proto also accused SEEC of unduly disqualifying or kicking back contributions by challenging the validity of donors, which candidates are required to amass in order to qualify for a CEP grant.

SEEC is interfering with elections, Proto said. Theyre putting their thumb on the scale on elections by withholding (CEP grants) and taking their time and kicking back (contributions).

SEEC representatives refuted Protos accusations.

In a statement to the Courant, SEEC Executive Director and General Counsel Michael Brandi said the commissions processes have not changed.

Our office is, and always has been, nonpartisan, Brandi said. To suggest otherwise is irresponsible.

Connecticut established CEP in 2005 to provide eligible candidates for statewide office and the General Assembly with public dollars to finance their campaigns. In recent years studies have heralded the program as a national model for clean elections.

To become eligible for a grant, which can reach up to $124,100 for Senate campaigns and $36,500 for House campaigns, candidates must raise $17,300 and $5,800 respectively from 150 to 300 residents in their district, in increments of $5 to $320. Lobbyists and current or prospective state contractors can not count as qualifying contributors.

Proto claimed that SEEC has kicked back contributions from annual donors who have lived at the same address, had the same job and used the same credit card for 10 years because SEEC is unsure about the donors card or zip code.

Proto said that there are candidates who applied for the grant six weeks ago to SEEC, who have still not gotten a response.

Without the grant, Proto said candidates lack the resources to purchase lawn signs and other campaign material in the leadup to the election.

Were coming into October, they havent gotten their money yet, Proto said.

Proto said CEP delays affect candidates on both sides of the aisle. However, Proto added, I will have people tell you its done more to Republicans than it is to Democrats.

I dont have statistical proof of that, but I hear more from Republicans that they havent gotten their money than I hear from Democrats (who) havent gotten their money, Proto said.

According to an analysis of CEP data by the Courant, there are currently 16 races for House and Senate seats where Republicans and Democrats have completed CEP applications but only one competitor has been approved for a grant.

In 13 of the races, the Democrat is the candidate with an SEEC-approved CEP disbursement. In each case, the Democratic candidate was the first to submit a CEP application and in all but one race SEEC approved the Democratic candidates for a grant before their Republican opponents even completed their application.

In total, SEEC has approved grant disbursements for approximately 92% of Democratic applicants and 88% of Republican applicants.

Among the 14 Democrats and 13 Republicans who are still waiting for SEEC to approve their grants, nine and 10 candidates, respectively, submitted their CEP application on or after the full-grant deadline on Aug. 26.

Of the candidates SEEC has approved for a grant, Democrats waited between five and 99 days for approval after completing their application. Republican candidates waited between 6 and 104 days. On average, the wait time was 25 days for Democrats and 23 days for Republicans.

The application and approval process does take time, Nancy DiNardo, the chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party, said. Should it go faster? I dont know. I guess it could, but  its not unusual for people to be getting (their CEP grant) once theyre into the campaign season.

DiNardo said that if Proto has proof of prejudice he should present it.

She added that from her perspective SEEC doesnt favor one side over the other.

The commission has five members that are appointed by the governor and the leaders of the four legislative caucuses. So, it is a bipartisan commission, DiNardo said.

DiNardo added that CEP has allowed more candidates to run in districts where we might not have had candidates.

They are running because they know that if they follow the rules they could get the money, DiNardo said. They dont have to be out there raising money, and I think that is certainly a plus and it has encouraged more people to run, which I think is very good.
The GOP deserves what it gets if Mark Robinson stays in the NC governors race | Opinion

While I agree that Mark Robinson is unqualified to serve as governor, I dont think he should quit the race. If the GOP voters who elected him as lieutenant governor in 2020, and as the GOP nominee for governor in 2024 were foolish enough to vote for him then, when there was ample evidence of his unfitness for public office, then they should live with the consequences. Maybe the voters and the party will exercise better judgment in the future.

Robert Harrison, Durham

Josh Stein ads

Josh Steins political advertising is misleading to the voters. Steins use of the Mark Robinson quote keep her skirt down alienates women voters but the full quote admonishes men to keep their pants up. The media has played along with this distortion ad nauseam.

The daycare ad, which tugs on your emotions, has Mark Robinson in an orange prison jumpsuit. This is dirty politics.

Jack Granger, Raleigh

Rural NC votes

The author is a former U.S. Representative, NC-01:

In rural North Carolina more than 3 million citizens are speaking up this election with a strong voice. It is imperative that Democrats not only hear but actively engage with issues essential to our communities: from access to health care, access to healthy food, and quality education, to sustainable economics through small businesses and farming.

Rural Communities are great places to live; quiet, clean environment, surrounded by nature, outdoor recreation, and good neighbors. However, our communities lack economic opportunities. Our young people are forced to leave for good-paying jobs. The urban and rural job opportunities are vastly different. Agriculture and energy projects offer possibilities.

We challenge all candidates to listen to our experiences, understand our aspirations, and visit our towns and counties. This is more than just winning our votes, it is about ensuring that the voices of rural North Carolina are being heard.

Eva Clayton, LIttleton

Organ harvesting

When youre a prisoner in a Chinese labor camp, subjected to abuse, why would blood samples be taken? Falun Gong practitioners, incarcerated for their beliefs, have learned the hard way.

When practitioners learn about forced organ harvesting after their release, they realize: The blood draw was for organ and tissue matching. China markets organ transplants worldwide and procures organs by force, largely from Falun Gong prisoners of conscience.

In June, the U.S. House unanimously passed H.R.4132, the Falun Gong Protection Act, which would impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons who are involved in forced organ harvesting in China. On July 31, the Senate introduced companion bill S. 4914. Thanks to Sen. Tillis for co-sponsoring. Please urge Sen. Budd to co-sponsor too.

Diana Lu, Wake Forest

School risks

I would like to thank Gov. Cooper for vetoing the bill that supplies a largess of tax dollars to the Opportunity Scholarship Program, which now offers vouchers for up to $7,500 to any family with K-12 kids, regardless of income level.

I am also surprised our self-described fiscally conservative NC General Assembly wants to invest heavily in risky investments like private schools. Private schools hire many unaccredited staff, cant always account for public monies received, many have religious affiliations (separation of church and state, anyone?) and data show student graduate achievements vary.

Our legislature has a fiduciary duty to spend our tax dollars wisely and conservatively. Investing more in private schools is a risky business.

Chrystal Bartlett, Raleigh

Robinson law firm

Regarding NCs Mark Robinson hires law firm to investigate what he calls CNNs salacious lies (Sept. 24):

Mark Robinson has hired Jesse Binnall to leave no stone unturned? The same Binnall that has been on Trumps election fraud team, and has been paid $1.8 million from Trumps PAC Save America? That gives me so much comfort. Given all the crap in Robinsons history, with all those stones turned up he may want to take the opportunity to crawl back under one and disappear.

Brad Bradshaw, Raleigh

-
I believe Matt Wylie misses important points on this presidential campaign in his recent column headlined Rhetoric is not a winning argument for Trump, GOP.

We need to hear and watch what the two major candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, say and do.

Harris would not be an unmitigated disaster as president, as Wylie wrote. She wants healthy food for elementary students, a $25,000 stipend for first-time home buyers, a tax cut for the middle class and a health-care system that is helping millions through the Affordable Care Act.

And she doesnt want to take your guns away. As a gun owner, she wants to improve gun safety.

Recently, more than 100 Republican former national security leaders endorsed Harris for president and cited facts in condemning Trump. As vice president, Harris has worked with our senior military and national security leaders alongside President Joe Biden. She knows and understands how to maintain a strong defense to deter potential enemies. She is a determined and respectful advocate for our veterans.

Where is the supposed Biden-Harris rhetoric that eggs on potential assassins?

Conversely, Trump demeans anyone he believes does not support him 100%. He hates Taylor Swift. He calls Harris comrade, crazy, stupid and worse, and a cable news commentator a dumb as a rock bimbo.

His former chief of staff, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, says Trump called veterans suckers and losers. Hes had love letters with Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea. He gave Russia a green light to attack NATO members who dont meet defense spending targets when he told one, No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.

These Trump statements and actions are infinitely more dangerous to our national security and national character.

Before you say, But I like his programs and what he does, not what he says, let me postulate that a persons character is one of the most important attributes any president of the United States can possess and demonstrate to our citizens and to the world. It does matter what a president says and obviously believes.

As a retired 26-year active duty Air Force officer and 13-year career civilian in the Defense Department, I do not believe my fellow veterans are suckers or losers. Nor do I believe that the late Sen. John McCain, who spent five years in a North Vietnamese prison, was any less than people who werent captured.

Wylie writes, Good Republican candidates are ... facing electoral headwinds because of Trump. Theyre facing headwinds because of their total allegiance to Trump.

In this election cycle, it is necessary and paramount that we oust the MAGA Republicans so that the once noble GOP can be reborn as the party it was in past times with such leaders as McCain, Mitt Romney, Bob Dole, George H.W. Bush and yes, even George W. Bush. These Republican leaders possessed character.

We need a right-of-center Republican Party to produce policies that the American people can consider and vote on just as they would those policies of a left-of-center Democratic Party. I believe the result would be policies, based on compromise and good will, that would be to the benefit of us all.

Lotz is a community activist, former chair of the Beaufort County Democratic Party and a 2024 Democratic National Convention delegate. Editors note: We have a policy not to publish unsolicited endorsements in contested South Carolina elections. We are publishing this to show we invite feedback and to encourage readers to respond to all of our opinion journalism to foster community conversation.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper spoke to CBS 17 Saturday evening as massive recovery efforts from Helene continued across the western part of the state. As of Saturday night, 10 people in North Carolina have died because of the storm.

Helene devastated the western part of the state, flooding roads and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power. Crews are still working to rescue people and the state is sending supplies west by air. On Saturday night, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funds available.

Gov. Cooper said emergency management agencies are working 24/7 to coordinate recovery efforts and get people the help they need.

Our priority has been to get people out and to get supplies in, he said.

The governor said over 30 swiftwater rescue teams are on the ground in the western part of the state. Since Thursday, swiftwater and helicopter rescue teams have rescued more than 200 people.

Governor Cooper also said the National Guard, FEMA and 19 other states are also helping with rescues and delivering supplies.

They need food, water mostly, particularly in the Asheville area where their water is cut off because of contamination, he said.

South Asheville on Saturday. Photo from NCDOT Division of Aviation.

Many areas have little to no cell service. The governor said 911 operations are working  counties outside of the flood area are helping route calls, and cell phone companies are working together to get service restored.

They have an agreement saying that if one of them can get up, then all of the cell phone services can use that one tower that they get up, Cooper said.

According to Duke Energys outage map Saturday, between 70 and 100 percent of customers in some counties are still without power.

Interstate 40 near the Tennessee border where the westbound lanes collapsed into the Pigeon River. NCDOT photo

Theres a lot of damage out there, physical damage, downed trees, down lines, broken poles. And weve got a force of about 10,000 line and tree workers here in the Carolinas that are working. Many of those are staged in western North Carolina, Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks said.

Brooks said it could take days to restore power in some areas.

The Lake Lure Dam. Photo from NCDOT Division of Aviation.

When you think about western North Carolina in particular, very remote areas, hard to access, he said. Weve got all hands on deck here in the Carolinas working to restore outages that we do have here.

Governor Cooper is also asking people to stay off the roads and not travel to the western part of the state.

We want people to stay off the roads to not only for safety reasons, but because oftentimes we can only use one lane. We want rescue and utility trucks and supplies to be able to be using those roads right now, he said.

The governor said the damage to roads will take significant rebuilding efforts when floodwaters recede. Right now, agencies are working to create temporary routes.

Images from the NC National Guard

Some of these roads just may be gone and so, yeah, we will work to rebuild those roads and get federal help for that. We already suspect that it will be a significant rebuild and repair effort that will have to go into this. We wont know the full extent of it until the water has receded, he said.

The governor acknowledged there is a lot of work yet to be done, s sending a message to everyone impacted.

Just know that the people of North Carolina care about western North Carolina. Theyre not only praying for them, but theyre taking action, he said.

Cooper also asked people not call 911 if they cannot get in touch with family and friends. To report missing loved ones, people can call NC 211 or 1-888-892-1162 if they are calling from out of state.

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(Bloomberg) -- London Metal Exchanges annual LME Week gathering is underway, bringing together traders and analysts amid coppers latest upswing. Sugar futures are on track for their best month since January. And US utilities are outshining other industry groups in the S&P 500, thanks in part to AI demand.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Here are five notable charts to consider in global commodity markets as the week gets underway.

Copper

Copper has been on a roller-coaster ride this year, with a surge of investment and a major short squeeze in New York driving prices to a record in May. Investors then pulled in their horns as doubts about the Chinese economy rose to the fore. The latest positioning data signals that theyre not chasing the rally as hard as they did last time around. LME copper futures fell in London on Monday.

Energy Investments

The US is mobilizing so much investment into clean energy that it now tops even the peak of Americas fracking revolution in the 2010s. The wave of spending triggered by Joe Bidens signature climate law is set to be the presidents biggest and most-enduring domestic achievement. His policies helped drive about $493 billion of new investment into the manufacturing and widespread deployment of solar panels, electric vehicles and other emission-cutting technology since mid-2022, according to data analyzed by the Massachusetts Institute for Technology and research firm Rhodium Group.

Natural Gas

Europe enters its heating season this week with a massive natural gas stockpile to shield itself from unexpected supply outages. The continents sites are about 94% full  above historic averages, but slightly below last years levels  enough to keep some traders watchful as they closely monitor continuing storage build-up before the freezing weather spreads. European natural gas futures headed for a fourth session of gains on Monday.

Power Providers

The utilities sector is outshining other industries on the S&P 500 Index in the last three months. Stocks of US power providers racked up big gains in the third quarter on market giddiness over prospects of surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence-focused data centers. Utilities are on pace to top the 11 industry groups of the S&P Index as the quarter draws to a close, with gains driven by plant operators Vistra Corp. and Constellation Energy Corp., which just inked a power supply deal with Microsoft Corp. Vistra is noteworthy because its also holding its ranking as the best performing stock in the broader S&P 500 for the year, after shares more than tripled.

Story continues

Sugar

Sugar has been on a tear in September due to a poor outlook from Brazil, the worlds top exporter. While promising production forecasts in India and Thailand cut short last weeks rally, sugar futures are still on pace for the biggest monthly gain since January. Severe drought in Brazil has been hurting sugar-cane yields, raising fears of further cuts to production estimates. Traders will be closely watching the flow of vessels shipping sugar from the South American nation in October, since any easing of exports means global buyers may struggle to find supplies in the final months of 2024. Sugar extended declines on Monday.

--With assistance from Geoffrey Morgan, Doug Alexander, Alex Tribou and Jennifer A. Dlouhy.

(Adds Monday market moves for copper, gas and sugar from third paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Gov. Newsom addresses Hurricane Helene: Our hearts are with all those impacted

(KRON)  Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed those affected by Hurricane Helene, now upgraded to a Category 2 Storm, on the social platform X.

PG&E: 4 Bay Area counties to experience possible power shutoffs

In the post published Saturday evening, Newsom expressed, Our hearts are with all those impacted by Hurricane Helene. California has deployed 166 firefighters and support personnel, including the California Swiftwater Task Force. We will continue to support the work of emergency responders in these hard-hit states.

A Category 2 storm features hazardous winds that range from 96 to 110 mph and has the potential to cause significant damage, according to the National Weather Service.

On Friday, Newsom announced the deployment of California Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) members to assist in the hurricane-stricken areas. He detailed that, in close coordination with FEMA, the California Governors Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is sending 151 firefighters and support personnel from California/FEMA US&R Task Forces 5, 6, and 8, comprising members from the Orange County Fire Authority, Riverside Fire Department, and San Diego Fire Department. This deployment also includes California Swiftwater Task Force 1 from the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Earlier this week, Newsom dispatched aid to Florida, following similar support for Texas in July and Georgia in August.

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(WFXR)  Governor Glenn Youngkin visited Damascus in Washington County Saturday after Hurricane Helene caused flooding and damage across southwest Virginia.

His office reports 70 rescues across the Commonwealth and says the Virginia Emergency Support Team established a Power Restoration Task Force, a Food and Water Distribution Force, and a Volunteer & Donations Management Task Force.

We are heartbroken for all Virginians and Americans who have suffered in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Were incredibly proud of our brave first responders from around the Commonwealth who have saved countless lives, and we are deeply grateful to those working tirelessly to restore electricity, communication, and food supplies, said Governor Glenn Youngkin in a statement. Weve immediately started the initial damage assessment process necessary to request a federal disaster relief declaration and I will immediately make that request once this work is completed. The grit, courage, and perseverance of Southwest Virginians will guide us through this difficult time. Theres a lot of work ahead, but together, I know Southwest Virginia will rebuild stronger than ever. May God continue to be with everyone affected, and may we continue to uplift and support one another in this time of need.

The Governors office also released a list of resources for Virginians impacted by Helene:

For tips on recovering from a disaster, please visit: www.ready.gov/recovering-disaster.

Additional information on the damage assessment process can be found at: www.fema.gov/disaster/how-declared.

For roadways, the public should report any concerns such as flooding, downed trees or road hazards to VDOTs 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

For those who need help with cleanup/debris management you can contact the cleanup hotline for Hurricane Helene at 1-844-965-1386.

Information on FEMAs public assistance can be found at www.fema.gov/assistance/public.

Contact your local emergency management office for details on local sheltering operations and supply needs at: https://lemd.vdem.virginia.gov/Public/.

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said the Biden administration is paralyzed by fear of Iran as attacks continue in the Middle East.

Graham joined CNNs State of the Union on Sunday to discuss the recent Israeli strikes on the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Top officials in the group were killed by the Israel Defense Forces over the weekend, and the group plans to retaliate. Graham argued if former President Trump were to win the election, the conflict would not escalate as fears of an all-out war continue.

The Biden administration is paralyzed by fear of Iran in the name of escalating. The world is on fire, Graham said. So, I promise you, if Trump does win [the election], were going to fix this pretty quick.

On Saturday, after the Israeli strike killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, President Biden released a statement saying his death was a measure of justice for his many victims.

Graham pointed to the upcoming presidential election and argued the Biden administration, which includes Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Harris, doesnt have a clue how to handle rising global tensions.

Theyre paralyzed by fear when it comes to Iran, he reiterated.

National security spokesperson John Kirby said earlier in the segment that the U.S. will be looking to see how Hezbollah rebuilds and will continue to push for a cease-fire.

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To Grayson Parents and Staff:

This is a lengthy post, so please read ALL of it. Our community has been hit with a devastating amount of rain, wind, and destruction from the Hurricane.

Please note the following:

Grayson Schools are closed for at least Monday and Tuesday. IF power returns, and roads are operable, we will try to open Wednesday. Right now all power is out at our 7 schools.

This closure will count as virtual days. NO assignments will be sent out by teachers. We are asking all students to contribute any community service they can to their family members, grand parents, and especially elderly neighbors. The clean up in our county will be a massive task. Math, reading, and test scores are the least of our worries right now! Our friends at the Virginia Department of education feel this is a great idea, and have been very supportive.

Some of our high school clubs and organizations will be out this week helping in those various civil service clean ups. We also have several repairs that need to be made by our maintenance department at all of our schools. This will take at least 2 to 3 days, or more, in some cases.

We will need at least 2 days to reconfigure some bus routes that will need to be altered due to roads being out or washed away. We will update that process as it developes with VDOT and contact parents if your childs bus route is altered.

If power comes back on at the schools, we plan to provide food pick up for students. We also have showers available for students to use if needed, after power is restored.

Lastly, communication is limited in our county. Towers are down in several areas . We plan to send out an email this morning to all staff and students. I need this post reposted on X and snap chat as well, please. Also, please take a picture of this and send it to family members who are not on social media, and who have children in the school system. Just pretend its the 80s and 90s and actually pick up the phone and speak to someone.

I will continue to send updates as needed. We wanted everyone to know ahead of time what we are dealing with, and give them an opportunity to plan ahead for next week.

Please repost!

#graysonstrong

God Bless,

Kelly
The nice stretch of weather continues through the next several days. This is due to the remnants of Helene giving us northwesterly flow and the main jet stream residing well to the north of us. The jet stream steers major weather systems in the northern hemisphere, so as long as this jet stream is displaced to the north, our weather will be mostly quiet. This also means we wont see any strong fronts, so temperatures look to remain hot through the next several afternoons.

Little to no rain chance is expected through mid-week, but instability and tropical moisture could both increase by Thursday and Friday, which will increase rain chances. Rain chances will be isolated on Thursday, but could increase into the 30-50% rain by Friday.

Tropics

Hurricane Isaac continues to move across the northern Atlantic. Isaac will remain an Atlantic system.

Tropical Storm Joyce continues to move across the open waters of the Atlantic and will also remain an Atlantic system.

Another storm could develop near the Cape Verde islands. This wave has a high chance of tropical development. However, its emerging off the coast of Africa at a higher latitude and should remain an Atlantic system.

Development still appears possible across the southwestern Caribbean by mid-week. Any system that does develop would move northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico by the end of the week. Its still too early to know what will become of this system and where any final landfall destination would be.

An actual developed system will go a long way in terms of the models gaining a handle on the situation. As it stands now, long-range models show a pattern that would allow any tropical system to turn northeastward across the central Gulf, hopefully moving comfortably east of Louisiana, but its way too early to be confident in this.

Well continue to analyze models through the next several days.

Latest news

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DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  The rain held off for dozens of runners Saturday morning in Lackawanna County.

More than 60 people participated in the Inaugural Greater Scranton YMCA 5k run and one-mile walk.

All of the proceeds will support the annual support campaign for the Dunmore-based YMCA.

Drawing up some fun at Chalkfest

At the Y we dont turn anyone away for the inability to pay, and in order to do that we subsidize or hand out scholarships, so everyone can come be a part of the y and the things that it offers. So this is just another way to raise money to help people who are less fortunate come enjoy the things that we offer here, explained Brandon Whipple a senior program director at the Greater Scranton YMCA.

Saturdays overall winner of the 5k was 38-year-old Tim Nowakowski of Factoryville.

He finished the 5k in 16 minutes and 27 seconds.

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GRPD: Man on bike hit by car, taken to hospital

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Police say a man was hit by a car Saturday afternoon in Grand Rapids.

It happened around 3:40 p.m. on the 1900 block of Bradford Street NE, east of Plymouth Avenue NE, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department.

Police told News 8 that the man was riding a bike when the crash happened.

He was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, according to GRPD.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Its not clear what led up to the crash.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Gunfire hits state police cruiser after shots were fired at troopers in Indiana County

Pennsylvania state troopers were shot at while responding to an incident in Indiana County.

Pennsylvania State Police were called to the 4800 block of Lucerne Road in White Township at 9:57 p.m. Saturday for a reported domestic dispute between a father and a son happening at an apartment building.

PSP rspnded to a domestic btwn Henry DAVINSKIY and his dad @Lucerne Rd DAVINSKIY Tprs stopped on Lucerne Rd & exited the patrol unit Apx. 20 rounds were shot from DIVINSKIY striking a PSP cruiser. Upon entering the home DIVINSKIY was deceased due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound  Troopers Steve Limani & Cliff Greenfield (@PSPTroopAPIO) September 29, 2024

The troopers were told that the son, Henry Divinskiy, 22, of New York had a semi-automatic rifle inside.

When police arrived, Divinskiys father was able to leave the building before around 20 shots were fired into the parking lot from the window of an upstairs bedroom.

A trooper who tackled the father to protect him was nearly hit but, ultimately, no one was injured.

The gunfire damaged a PSP cruiser.

The father and the trooper who tried to protect him took cover on the ground next to a rear wheel of the vehicle that was damaged.

State police did not fire back.

Pennsylvanias State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) was called to the scene for backup, along with additional troopers.

SERT tried to make contact with Divinskiy several times but was not successful.

A drone was used to look into the window where they saw him on the floor inside.

When teams made their way inside they found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

State Police were also helped by the Indiana County Emergency Management Agency/Indiana County 911, the Indiana County Coroners Office, the Indiana Fire Association, and the Homer City Volunteer Fire Department.

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The story about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, seems to be stuck (for good reasons) in our news cycle. What follows is a personal story that I find eerily similar to the one we have been encountering.

In 2011, the University of Texas Press published My Stone of Hope, a book by Haitian American Jean-Robert Cadet about his struggles with life in the U.S.  rife with racism  after he came here at age 16. Cadet (pronounced Ca-day) had been a child-slave in Haiti for those early years. I had the privilege of ghost-writing that book.

More: When RI's immigrants and refugees don't know where to turn, this nonprofit lifts them up

It was the classic story of a young immigrant, all but alone in a strange country, who pulled himself up by his own bootstraps. Homeless at times, Cadet made it through high school, then served honorably in the Army, then put himself through college. He went on to receive a master's degree and to become an international advocate against child slavery, even appearing on Oprah.

The following episode  from that book  occurred when Cadet was in his late twenties, in California. He had found a decent job and moved into a middle-class apartment complex. One day, driving in the countryside, he came upon a farm selling Guinea hens. In Haiti these black and white birds were something of a dining delicacy, representing a level of wealth and comfort that he had been denied.

Marlee Karissa Merzius, 10, left, her sister, Sephora Merzius, 9, and friend, Rose Anne Telusma, perform "Every Move I Make" during the homecoming service at First Baptist Church in Springfield, Ohio, earlier this month. The girls are originally from Haiti.

Cadet bought one. Almost giddy with joy, he brought it  feet tied  to his home. The following day, he took the hen outside. Several neighbors came up to him, curious about the tethered bird.

What are you going to do with it? one of the neighbors asked.

Its my dinner, he said, smiling. Four other neighbors gathered around to look at the Guinea hen, all of them white people. He figured they wanted to watch. A gasp went up as he pulled a long knife from a bag and, without hesitating, decapitated the prized hen, letting the blood spill on the grass. Of course, he had seen this in Haiti dozens of times. Then he noticed a profound silence.

'Oh my God, one of the neighbors screamed, as if I had killed her family pet.

He heard someone say that they should call the police. Someone did. Two cops, in dark sunglasses, came to his door. Cadet writes, I began to shake as if the Tonton Macoute had come for me. (The Macoute were Haitian dictator Papa Doc Duvaliers infamous bodyguards.)

Clearly, he had not done anything that was illegal, just culturally inappropriate. From then on, he wrote, my neighbors rolled their eyes and looked away each time they saw me.

There are numerous morals to Cadets story, as well as to the alleged dog-and-cat-eating story that, apparently, did not happen in Springfield  or anywhere.

(Wikipedia tells me that Americans eat around 2.5 million chickens a day. Clearly, none of us want to be reminded of the process that brought many of those birds to the deep fryers at Colonel Sanders. But the process involves all those birds being beheaded.)

More: Patinkin: Migrants who come to RI from Texas border find plenty of help and compassion

I spent three months in Haiti in 1999. I found Haitian people (the ones who had found work) to be smart, industrious, hardworking, and very friendly and open. I saw skinny dogs often and everywhere. Haiti is known as being the poorest country in our hemisphere. No doubt I would have learned if anyone had been eating dogs.

Ill give Mark Twain the last word as to the realities described here, words which also reflect on those who might be prone to demonize the dark-skinned immigrant population in the U.S.: Haitians, Hispanics, Africans, East Indians, etc. (American Indians were here first).

Twain: Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, and charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired in vegetating in one little corner of the earth all ones lifetime.

My suggestion: Take a trip to Springfield, Ohio. Meet some Haitians. Odds are you will find them to be very fine people.

Jim Luken is a retired freelance journalist and teacher. He lives in Peace Dale.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: This Haitian immigrant's story is one of perseverance and inspiration.
Herbert Kickl (front), leader of the Freedom Party of Austria, is a controversial figure - Getty/Alex Halada

The Freedom Party (FPO) secured the first far-Right national parliamentary election victory in post-World War II Austria on Sunday, finishing ahead of the governing conservatives after tapping into anxieties about immigration, inflation, Ukraine and other issues.

But the chances of Herbert Kickls anti-immigrant FPO governing were unclear.

Preliminary official results showed the Freedom Party finishing first with 29.2 per cent of the vote and the Austrian Peoples Party (OVP) led by chancellor Karl Nehammer was second with 26.5per cent.

The centre-left Social Democrats were in third place with 21 per cent. The outgoing government  a coalition of Mr Nehammers party and the environmentalist Greens  lost its majority in the lower house of parliament.

Tomorrow there will be a blue Monday and then we will set about turning that 29 per cent into a political reality in this country, Mr Kickl told supporters on Sunday evening, playing on the fact blue is the colour associated with his party.

The unprecedented win for Mr Kickls FPO could install him as the first far-Right chancellor in Austrias post-war history if he manages to build a coalition.

The triumph of the Eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPO on Sunday was another milestone in the recent rise of Europes hard-Right. But the party immediately suffered a stiff reality check, Reuters reported.

Facing Mr Kickl in a television studio after results came in, leaders of the other parties in parliament dismissed his overtures on forming a coalition.

An FPO-led government would cause a major headache for other EU leaders as they wrestle with growing populism across the bloc.

Earlier this month, the far-right Alternative for Germany won its first state elections in Thuringia.

In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders Freedom Party entered government in May, six months after coming first in parliamentary elections.

Mr Wilders hailed the FPO victory as evidence of a far-right surge across the continent.

The Netherlands, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, France, Spain, Czech Republic and today Austria! We are winning! Times are changing! he wrote on X.

And although Marine Le Pens National Rally narrowly lost a snap election in France in July, it gained enough seats to act as kingmaker in the resulting hung parliament.

The centre-Right Austrian Peoples Party, led by chancellor Karl Nehammer (pictured), came second with 26 per cent in the exit poll - AP/Heinz-Peter Bader

Meanwhile, Viktor Orban, the president of Hungary, has become a vocal opponent of military support for Ukraine.

The FPO will face an uphill struggle to form a coalition, however, as Austrias other parties consider Mr Kickl too toxic for high office.

He has been accused of flirting with fascism, including with a 2018 remark that the authorities should concentrate asylum seekers in one place in what was widely viewed as an allusion to Nazi death camps.

The far-Right party could try and lead a coalition with Mr Nehammers OVP, which came second. Mr Nehammer has already ruled this out unless Mr Kickl does not serve as chancellor.

Austrians have made history tonight you can clearly see that change has come, Michael Schnedlitz, the FPO general secretary, said on Austrian TV after the exit poll was released.

During the campaign, the FPO  a party with Nazi roots founded in 1956 by a former SS officer  pledged to turn the country into Fortress Austria and introduce a controversial remigration policy.

Remigration would involve deporting asylum seekers, particularly criminals, and blocking family reunification for migrants already based in Austria.

FPO party chiefs have also vowed to significantly tighten Austrian land border security, scrap Austrian involvement in the EU Sky Shield air-defence scheme, and remain strictly neutral on foreign conflicts.

Friendly towards Russia

The party is friendly towards Russia and has described EU leaders close support for Ukraine as madness.

In 2018, the partys nominee for the post of foreign minister danced a waltz with Vladimir Putin at her wedding.

Mr Kickl also agitated against lockdown rules during the pandemic, refusing to wear a face mask in parliament. The party has pledged to enshrine in Austrias constitution that there are only two genders.

The FPO and OVP parties have previously joined forces in short-lived coalitions where the FPO was the junior partner.

Their first coalition collapsed in 2002 amid FPO infighting, while the second coalition imploded in the wake of the 2019 Ibiza affair.

In that scandal, the FPOs Heinz-Christian Strache, then leader and vice-chancellor, resigned after he was filmed meeting a woman who was posing as the niece of a Russian media buyer, to discuss swapping government contracts for favourable coverage.

The OVPs Sebastian Kurz, the chancellor at the time, then lost a no-confidence vote in parliament that brought down the coalition.

Only option for voters

The FPO will support anti-immigration policies, but the fact that it will likely govern in coalition will prevent a radicalisation of policy, said Safa Sharif, a political analyst from the Economist Intelligence Unit.

In Vienna, supporters of Mr Kickls FPO said it was the only option for voters who wanted drastic action on slowing down the rate of migration and keeping Austria neutral.

My opinion is its the only serious party, said Nordika, 49. Ive voted for them before as well, because I think that closing the borders will work, it is the best solution for European security.

Also running this year was the anti-establishment Beer Party, which was initially founded as a joke in 2015 by Dominik Wlazny, a rock musician and medical doctor.

Since the Ibiza scandal, the party has vowed to clean up corruption in politics, with the candidates campaigning in leather jackets and hosting beer-hall sessions for potential voters.

[Our voters] are frustrated with how it is now, it cannot be like this in the future, said Viktoria Mullner, a Beer Party candidate in Vienna. Most of them saw our spirit on what we want to do, what we want to achieve, our core values of doing politics that are clean and for the people. Its not just because the FPO [is rising in the polls].

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Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a compelling investment choice for a rebound. The stock has been hammered due to higher warranty costs crushing quarterly results, along with mounting electric vehicle (EV) losses; though its dividend yield has reached 5.6%, it currently trades at a modest price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 11.

But one recent move could help Ford reverse those EV losses. Here are the details.

Hello again

Goodbyes don't always have to be forever, and after a three-year break Ford is planning to reopen its Chennai plant in India. Early in September, Ford officially submitted a letter of intent to the government of Tamil Nadu outlining its plans to restart the plant to manufacture for export; the rumor is that it will be utilized for exporting EVs.

That decision might come as a surprise to many investors, who have heard Ford news that includes its pulling back on $12 billion in EV investments and projects, minimizing a battery factory, canceling a line of EV SUVs, and replacing EV volume with Super Duty trucks in Canada. The idea was simple: curb the massive losses taking place within its Model e, as the division could lose up to $5.5 billion in 2024 alone.

This decision to reopen its Indian plant, apparently to serve global markets with EVs, is a case of Ford having its cake and eating it too.

Why it's a smart move

It's prudent for Ford to pull back on EV investments in the U.S., where the transition from internal combustion engine vehicles is going slower than anticipated. But it's also true that EV sales are booming in other parts of the world.

Ford should be able to make electric vehicles more affordably in India once the supply chain is established, then export them to countries with more quickly rising EV sales. To show how much further along some foreign markets are in the transition, China's EV share of new passenger cars in July was 51%. (Note that it's unlikely Ford will export to China, due to stiff competition from low-cost Chinese EVs.) EVs are still surging in markets such as Southeast Asia, parts of Europe, and South and Central America -- and Ford's Indian plant should be able to export to all the hot spots.

What Ford needs to be successful

While Ford still needs to confirm what it will export from India, it's clear that to be successful and competitive -- at least in terms of sales volume -- its "skunkworks" team will have to come through for the company. Years ago Ford made a quiet bet on a small team dedicated to working on a low-cost platform, with a target price of around $25,000. At the time this might have seemed drastic, but now it seems like the reality of competing with lower-priced Chinese EVs globally.

The problem is that some analysts question whether a $25,000 EV will ever be profitable. If not, that could become a huge problem for Ford: Electric trucks aren't as lucrative as internal combustion trucks, because the much larger batteries needed come at a high cost. The Detroit automaker can't currently rely on electric trucks to offset losses from a low-cost platform -- although thankfully it still makes high-profit traditional trucks.

Flexibility matters

This move shows that Ford is turning over every stone to try to curb EV losses in slow-growth markets such as the U.S., while also trying to rebound globally and compete in regions where EVs are growing at a more rapid clip.

Ford needs its low-cost platform to be a success. More importantly, it needs it to be at least slightly profitable. This is a development to keep an eye on, because a global export hub in India could help Ford rebound competitively in global EV sales.

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LAS VEGAS (AP)  Vice President Kamala Harris poked at Donald Trump over crowd sizes, his refusal to debate again and his privileged background on Sunday as she hauled in campaign cash in California and held a raucous rally at the same Nevada venue where the Republican nominee had appeared just two weeks ago.

During the presidential debate, Harris appeared to get under the former president's skin when she said people were leaving his rallies early because of his rambling speeches. And she's kept it up on the campaign trail.

The vice president told donors at a tony Los Angeles fundraiser that, as she campaigns around the country, her crowds are pretty big. And then before a roaring Las Vegas crowd estimated at 7,500, she renewed her jabs at Trump over being reluctant to debate again, saying, The American people have a right to hear us discuss the issues. And as you say here in Las Vegas, Im all in. Im all in.

Harris four-day West Coast trip had dual purposes: She opened and closed it with stops in Sun Belt battlegrounds  Arizona and Nevada  where the vice president is trying to shore up support as Trump pounds her relentlessly over illegal migration. And her mid-stay in California was devoted to hauling in campaign contributions from donors in her blue home state.

Harris also moved into what Trump considers his terrain  immigration  with a Friday visit to the border town of Douglas, Arizona. It was her first trip to the U.S.-Mexico border since taking over for President Joe Biden atop the Democratic presidential ticket.

Harris border visit in Arizona seemed to irk Trump. The GOP leader has spent two days railing about the vice president during his rallies, upping his personal attacks against her, claiming she was responsible for a border invasion, and stirring up unfounded fears that shed usher in lawlessness if elected.

Harris gave the same response she usually does to his insults, even despite Trump calling her mentally impaired.

We just see the same old tired show from the same old tired playbook, she told a Los Angeles crowd of donors on Sunday, some who shouted boring! in response.

Hours later in Las Vegas, she also revived her jabs at Trump for his silver platter background that nonetheless produced six bankruptcies, saying, "I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I come from.

Harris has warned the race is as close as it could possibly be, a margin-of-error race. But at the Los Angeles fundraiser, she added: The election is here and let me be clear. We are going to win.

That event was full of celebrities: Stevie Wonder, Keegan Michael-Key, Sterling K. Brown, Demi Lovato, Jessica Alba and Lily Tomlin attended and Halle Bailey and Alanis Morissette took the stage. It, and a fundraiser a day earlier in San Francisco, raised a combined $55 million for Harris' campaign.

Harris was spending Sunday night in Las Vegas and had planned campaign stops in the city on Monday. But her office announced that she'd instead head back to Washington earlier than expected and will attend a briefing on the damage caused by Hurricane Helene at the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Meanwhile, the vice president is continuing to notch Republican support. Former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake became the latest to endorse her. He credited Harris with a fine character and love of country and said he wants a president who does not treat political adversaries as enemies or try to subvert the will of voters.

Flake, a longtime critic of the former president, joins a list of anti-Trump Republicans who have said they will vote for the Democratic ticket, including Dick Cheney, the deeply conservative former vice president, and his daughter, Liz.

But Maryland Senate candidate Larry Hogan, a former Republican governor and a sharp critic of Trump, said Harris has yet to earn his vote, though Trump won't get it.

In Nevada, where Harris held her latest rally, all voters automatically receive ballots by mail unless they opt out  a pandemic-era change that was set in state law. That means most ballots could start going out in a matter of weeks.

Harris will be back in Las Vegas on Oct. 10 for a town hall with Hispanic voters. Both she and Trump have campaigned frequently in the city, highlighting the critical role that Nevada's six electoral votes could play in deciding an election expected to be exceedingly close.

Trump held his own Las Vegas rally on Sept. 13 at the Expo World Market Center, where Harris spoke Sunday. She's also held events at the same venues that Trump used in Milwaukee, Atlanta and suburban Phoenix.

During a campaign stop in Las Vegas in June, Trump promised to eliminate taxes on tips received by waiters, hotel workers and thousands of other service industry employees. Harris used her own Las Vegas rally in August to make the same promise.

Fully doing away with federal taxes on tips would probably require an act of Congress. Still, Nevada's Culinary Union, which represents 60,000 hospitality workers in Las Vegas and Reno, has endorsed Harris.

___

Long reported from Washington.
Hassan Nasrallah in 2005 in a speech marking the fifth anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon - Ramzi Haidar/AFP/Getty Images

Hassan Nasrallah, who has been assassinated by Israel aged 64, was a Lebanese cleric and the Secretary-General of Hezbollah (Party of God), the Shia militant group which forms part of the Lebanese government.

On Arab streets he was revered as a hero and liberator. Lines from his speeches were popular ringtones on mobile phones in Lebanon and taxis played his speeches on cassettes instead of music. Most Israeli and western observers, however, denounced him as a terrorist and a religious fanatic.

In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon in what would later become the First Lebanon War, aimed at destroying the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which was led by Yasser Arafat and based in Lebanon.

However, one unfortunate result of the war, at least from an Israeli perspective, was the birth of a new Shia organisation called Hezbollah, which vowed to fight and remove from Lebanese soil all foreign forces, notably Israel, which at the time maintained a Security Zone in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah militants kidnapped Western diplomats, academics, journalists, and even the Archbishop of Canterburys envoy, Terry Waite. They sent trucks loaded with explosives into buildings in Beirut, killing 241 US servicemen in the US Marine Corps barracks, 58 French soldiers at the French army barracks, and 63 people in the American embassy.

On February 16 1992, Israeli Apache helicopters fired missiles at the three-vehicle motorcade of Hezbollahs Secretary-General, the Shia cleric Abbas al-Musawi, killing him, his wife and their five-year-old son; a few guards were also hurt. Some Israeli military officials had opposed the assassination, warning the Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir that Hezbollah is not a one-man show, and Musawi is not the most extreme man in its leadership ... [al-Musawi] will be replaced, perhaps by someone more radical.

They were right. Musawis successor was more radical, a better organiser, and more charismatic: he was Hassan Nasrallah.

Nasrallah gives a speech in 2006 to mark the 14th anniversary of the assassination by Israel of his predecessor as leader of Hezbollah, Abbas al-Musawi - Abaca Press/Alamy

Born on August 31 1960, the ninth of 10 children in a Shia family, he grew up in the impoverished Karantina district of east Beirut, where his father ran a corner shop. Hassan Nasrallah attended the al-Janah school, and later a public school in Beirut, where he excelled in theological studies.

In 1975, because of the raging Lebanese civil war, the Nasrallahs moved to Tyre, where Hassan briefly joined Amal, a Lebanese Shia political group with ties to Iran and Syria, from which, in later years, activists would depart to set up Hezbollah.

Aged 16, after a stint in a Shia seminary in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, Nasrallah travelled to Iraq, where he was admitted into Ayatollah al-Sadrs seminary. Two years later, along with other Shiites, Nasrallah was expelled from Iraq and returned to Lebanon, becoming a teacher and preacher.

After the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, Nasrallah joined the nascent Hezbollah, which was a more radical force than Amal, heavily influenced by Ayatollah Khomeini and the 1979 Revolution in Iran.

In the 1980s Nasrallah rose through Hezbollahs military ranks, and in 1989 he travelled to Iran, where he obtained qualifications in religious law. Staunchly devout, he believed that Islam is not only prayers and praises, he said. Rather it is a divine message that was designed for humanity, and it can answer any question man might ask concerning his general and personal life...

Back in Lebanon, he was appointed head of Hezbollahs Central Military Command and a member of Hezbollahs politburo, its decision-making body.

If we are to expel the Israeli occupation from our country, how do we do this? Nasrallah asked. The only way that we have is to take up arms and fight the occupation forces - Iranian Supreme Leader's Office/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Under Nasrallahs leadership, after the 1992 assassination of his predecessor al-Masawi, Hezbollah acquired long-range rockets, which allowed it to strike at northern Israel despite the Israeli deployment in its Security Zone in southern Lebanon, where Nasrallahs Hezbollah also inflicted heavy losses on Israeli troops through an effective guerrilla war.

If we are to expel the Israeli occupation from our country, how do we do this? he asked. The only way that we have is to take up arms and fight the occupation forces.

On May 24 2000, after 18 years in Lebanon, Israeli forces withdrew in what came to be seen, both in Lebanon and in the Arab world as a whole, as a great victory. Nasrallah announced: I tell you: this Israel that owns nuclear weapons and the strongest air force in the region is more fragile than a spider web.

While fighting the Israelis in southern Lebanon, Nasrallah also invested in his political base, pouring great sums of money into projects in Lebanons deprived areas, particularly in the south of the country. His guns and butter approach was bankrolled by Iran, as well as Hezbollahs involvement in organised crime, such as diamond-smuggling in West Africa and drug-trafficking in South America.

Acknowledging the importance of media control, and looking for a tool to spread Hezbollahs message, Nasrallah opened a television channel, Al Manar, based in Beirut. The channel has an estimated global audience of 10 million.

Politically, Nasrallah had steered Hezbollah into the mainstream of Lebanese politics where, at one point, Hezbollah held 12 seats in the 128-seat Lebanese Parliament.

Hezbollah supporters in February 2024 listen to a speech given by Nasrallah during a ceremony held to honour Islamic Resistance fighters wounded or taken prisoner - Wael Hamzeh/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

On July 12 2006, Hezbollah guerrillas crossed the border into Israel, killed three soldiers and abducted two. The Israeli response was overwhelming, triggering the Second Lebanon War, which went on for 34 days and caused massive damage, especially in Dahieh, a predominantly Shia Muslim suburb in the south of Beirut and a Hezbollah stronghold.

In a frank TV interview, Nasrallah admitted that he would not have ordered the crossing into Israel and the killing and abduction of Israeli troops had he known it would lead to such a destructive war.

On October 7 2023, Hamas launched a vicious attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing 1,200 and abducting more than 200 Israelis into the Strip. Israel responded by invading Gaza with the aim of destroying Hamas and releasing its hostages.

When Israel attacked Hamas, Nasrallah opened fire along the Lebanese-Israeli border, vowing that Hezbollahs fire would not stop as long as the Israeli attack on Gaza continued. Hezbollahs attack on northern Israel, using drones, anti-tank missiles, and rockets, forced more than 60,000 Israelis to abandon their villages and move to temporary accommodation.

Nasrallah was a charismatic public speaker. His speeches, long and often repetitive, in which Nasrallah would appear dressed in his trademark traditional Shia clerical robes and black turban, were widely viewed and projected on massive screens in public squares in Beirut and elsewhere. They were usually pre-recorded in his Beirut bunker, where he was sheltering since the end of the Second Lebanon War, fearing an Israeli assassination.

Nasrallah was an avid reader, particularly of biographies. He once disclosed that he had read the autobiography of the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon and a book by Benjamin Netanyahu to get to know his enemies.

He lived in south Beirut and was married to Fatimah Yassin; they had five children. His eldest son, Muhammad Hadi, was killed by Israeli fire on September 12 1997. When the Israelis released photos of his sons body and offered to exchange it for body parts of Israelis killed by Hezbollah, Nasrallah responded: Keep it. We have many more men like Hadi ready to offer themselves to the struggle.

Hassan Nasrallah, born August 31 1960, died September 27 2024

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Former President Donald Trump on Saturday falsely called Vice President Kamala Harris mentally disabled after Democrats accused him of cognitive decline.

Trump attacked Harris over border security, calling her mentally impaired while blaming her for crimes committed by immigrants.

Kamala is mentally impaired. If a Republican did what she did, that Republican would be impeached and removed from office, and rightfully so, for high crimes and misdemeanors, he said during a speech in Prairie du Chien, Wis.

Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way. She was born that way. And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country, he continued.

Trump: Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way. She was born that way. And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country. pic.twitter.com/v6Yo6uINp5  Acyn (@Acyn) September 28, 2024

Maria Town, CEO and president of the American Association of People with Disabilities, said Trumps remarks say far more about him and his inaccurate, hateful biases against disabled people than it does about Vice President Harris, or any person with a disability.

Trump holds the ableist, false belief that if a person has a disability, they are less human and less worthy of dignity, she said in a statement to The Washington Post. These perceptions are incorrect, and are harmful to people with disabilities.
Helene aftermath: Where to go for help, how to report damage

Helene aftermath: Where to go for help, how to report damage

UPSTATE, S.C. (WSPA)  Thousands of people are cleaning up after Hurricane Helene left a path of destruction from Florida, through the Carolinas and into Tennessee.

There have been thousands of reported downed trees and damage to homes, vehicles and more in several states. If you evacuated, do not return home until local officials say it is safe to do so.

If you are in need of assistance, here is a list of shelters that are open:

Spartanburg County

Spartanburg Rescue Mission- 189 N. Forest Street, Spartanburg

G.B. Hodge Center- 365 Hodge Drive, Spartanburg

Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, North Church Street

Benjamin E Mays Family Center  850 Sunny Acres Road, Pacolet Open Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

School District 5 will be offering free meals at Byrnes High School on Monday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. 150 E Main Street, Duncan

School District 2 will offer free, hot meals at Shoally Creek Elementary from 12 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Monday. 3777 Parris Bridge Road, Boiling Springs

Spartanburg Regional announced that additional charging stations are open for individuals with medical conditions. Residents must bring their equipment, such as oxygen tanks Boiling Springs Fire Department, 186 Rainbow Lake Road, Boiling Springs Reidville Fire Department, 7450 Reidville Road, Reidville Inman City Fire Department, 6 Humphrey Street, Inman First Presbyterian Church, 393 E Main Street, Spartanburg Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Greer Relief Indigo Hope Neighborhood Impact Center, 113C Berry Avenue, Greer Open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Croft Fire Department, 370 Cedar Springs Road, Spartanburg Arkwright Fire Department, 1070 Southport Road, Spartanburg Roebuck Fire Department, 2639 Stone Station Road, Roebuck North Spartanburg Fire Department, 8767 Asheville Highway, Spartanburg



Anderson County

Medical Needs Shelter- For access and information call 1-855-472-3432

School District 4 will be accessible for those in need of resources on Monday. The facilities will be open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., and complimentary food will be provided from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. Pendleton High- 7324 SC-187, Anderson Mount Lebanon Elementary- 2850 Lebanon Road, Pendleton LaFrance Elementary- 550 Williams Street, Pendleton Townville Elementary- 105 State Road S-4-565, Townville

School District 3 will open Flat Rock and Iva Elementary Schools 10 a.m.  2 p.m. so families can charge any electronic devices. Free food will also be served from 11 a.m.  1 p.m. both days.

Cherokee County

Cherokee Co. Rescue Mission (men and women)- 227 Henderson Street, Gaffney

Hopewell Baptist Church- 511 Old Chester Road, Blacksburg Will offer food and showers on Monday. People are asked to bring their own towels and shower supplies.



Clemson

Clemson University- Open Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Littlejohn Coliseum- 219 Perimeter Road Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex- 250 Campus View Trail Hendrix Student Center  720 McMillan Road (open 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Sunday)



Greenwood County

Greenwood Family YMCA (pets not permitted)- 1760 Calhoun Road

Greenwood County Emergency Medical Services at 528 Monument Street is hosting T-Mobiles community support team which is providing free charging and Wi-Fi connectivity for anyone in the area that has communications needs.

Greenville County

Greenville Rescue Mission (men only)- 575 W Washington Street, Greenville

Shepherds Gate (women and mothers with children)- 11 Regency Hill Drive, Greenville

Hillcrest High School- 3665 S. Industrial Drive, Simpsonville

Bon Secours Wellness Arena- Medical needs shelter

Walmart #640 located on 1451 Woodruff Road has relief stations set up. Showers, portable potties, washers and dryers are on the premises for those who are in need of utilizing the services.

Pickens County

Glenwood Baptist Church- 325 Saco Lowell Rd, Easley

According to County Emergency Management, any oxygen-dependent residents can go to their closest fire station to charge portable oxygen concentrators, with the exception of Station 15-1 (Concord Church Road, Pickens) and 15-2 (Wilson Way, Pickens).

Buncombe County

AB Tech Conference Center- 16 Fernihurst Drive, Asheville (use Victoria Road entrance)

Medical Emergency Shelter- 10 Genevieve Circle, Asheville *This shelter is for individuals who are dependent on equipment requiring power

A-B Technical Community College, 340 Victoria Road, Asheville

First Baptist Church Swannanoa- 503 Park Street, Swannanoa

WNC Agricultural Center- 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher

Buncombe County has set up a Google form to report missing people: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCZbJHoOE5KREOtf22XQAIfevMzEYtpZVOsSlJNnzUP4Lvzw/viewform?pli=1

Haywood County

Haywood County Government Armory- 285 Armory Drive, Clyde

A water tanker is stationed at the Canton Plaza off New Clyde Highway for those in need of water from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, September 30. The limit is one gallon per person and individuals are asked to bring their own containers.

Henderson County

Henderson County Recreation Center- 708 S. Grove Street, Hendersonville

Henderson County is mobilizing six Resource Hub locations for water distribution and other supplies as they become available. Distribution will start at noon on Monday, September 30th. Etowah Elementary, 320 Etowah School Road Etowah, NC Rugby Middle, 3345 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville, NC East Henderson, 150 Eagle Pride Dr, East Flat Rock, NC North Henderson, 35 Fruitland Rd, Hendersonville, NC Mills River Town Hall, 124 Town Center Drive. Mills River, NC Fletcher Town Hall, 300 Old Cane Creek Rd Fletcher, NC

The Henderson County Transfer Station will be open Monday, September 30 at 7 am and will accept storm debris with the normal fees. Cash, check or established accounts only.

Jackson County

Cashiers Recreation Center- 355 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers

Jackson County Department of Aging- 100 County Services Park, Sylva

McDowell County

Glenwood Baptist Shelter- 155 Glenwood Baptist Church Road, Marion

McDowell County Senior Center- 155 Spaulding Road, Marion

First Baptist Church of Old Fort- 203 E Main Street, Old Fort

Glenwood Baptist Church- 1550 Old US 221 South, Marion

A donation drop off center has been established at Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center, 634 College Drive, Marion. Drop offs accepted 8 a.m.  6 p.m. Volunteers are accepting donations of bottled water, baby supplies including diapers and wipes and non-perishable food items.



Polk County

Polk County High School- 1681 NC 108 Highway East, Columbus

Transylvania County

Pisgah Forest Baptist Church- 494 Hendersonville Highway, Pisgah Forest

Yancey County

South Toe Elementary School- 139 South Toe School Road, Burnsville

West Yancey Volunteer Fire Department- 6557 US Highway 19, Burnsville

As national aid begins to pour into the area, FEMA is offering additional tips:

Get in Touch: Family and friends of those who have been affected by the storm are urged to check on your loved ones. With limited cell service, experts recommend checking activity on social media sites. The American Red Cross said for the best chance of getting through, its best to call during off-peak hours.

Text. Dont Call: Emergency Management is urging you to only call when necessary. Texting will leave the lines open and clear up cell space for emergencies.

Stay out of Floodwaters: Officials said people experiencing flooding should not wade through flood waters, which could contain debris, chemicals, waste, and wildlife, as well as downed powerlines that can electrically charge the water. There have already been several reported deaths during and after Hurricane Helene as a result of this.

Use Generators Safely: Experts urge you to keep generators outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and attached garages. Make sure to keep it dry and protected from rain or flooding.

Document Damage: For those who are beginning to clean up, be sure to document any property damage with photos or videos. Contact your insurance company for assistance and the next steps to take.

Cleanup Safety: EMS across several states are seeing high volumes of calls. Officials are urging you to use extreme caution when cleaning up storm damage, which includes operating chainsaws and removing debris. If you do not know how to properly operate equipment, leave it to the professionals.

South Carolina leaders are aware many people have sustained damage from Hurricane Helene. If your home or business has been impacted by damage, download the SC Emergency Manager App to report damage for damage assessment.

Download the App here:

App Store: https://apple.co/2jXnDNE

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2lAXrZI



Once the app is downloaded, follow these steps:

*Select Tools from the toolbar at the bottom.

*Select Damage Assessment and fill in your information.

*Please take photos of all the damage and debris you can before cleaning up.

Here are some additional organizations that are providing support for those impacted by the storm:

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Some public school districts across the Carolinas are still dealing with power outages and damage from Helene, which brought historic rain and flooding to the region.

Helene hit Florida as a Category 4 hurricane before dumping up to 29 inches of rain as a tropical storm on some North Carolina communities. On Sunday, more than 900,000 homes in South Carolina were still without power, with the majority of them in the Upstate region. More than 500,000 in North Carolina were without power.

Heres whats been announced and what hasnt in Charlotte-area districts:

 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were closed Monday as issues from Helene linger, the district said Sunday afternoon. Thats a change from Friday when the district said it expected to resume normal operations. Monday instead was an optional teacher workday, and there will be no after-school enrichment programs at any CMS schools. The decision does not affect the rest of the 2024-25 calendar year, CMS said.

UPDATE, 5:18 p.m.: CMS schools will be open on Tuesday.

 Cabarrus County Schools hasnt announced any closure plans. It rescheduled four varsity football games that wouldve been played Friday to Monday.

 Catawba County Schools canceled classes Monday. QUEST Childcare will also be closed, but teachers can come in for a workday.

UPDATE 5:48 p.m. Catawba schools remain closed Tuesday.

 Chester County School District in South Carolina canceled Monday classes but school resumes on Tuesday. It will have a weather-related make up day Nov. 25.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m. Chester County schools will be open on regular schedule Tuesday.

 Clover School District in South Carolina canceled Monday classes but opened Clover High Schools doors from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Monday to allow people to charge cell phones and fill up water bottles.

UPDATE 5:49 P.M.: Clover schools will be open Tuesday.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m. Clover schools will be open on regular schedule Tuesday.

 Fort Mill School District in South Carolina resumed classes Monday.

 Hickory City Schools canceled classes Monday and again Tuesday. Teachers can come in for an optional work day if it is safe... to do so.

 Iredell-Statesville Schools will have a two-hour delay for students and staff on Tuesday. This additional time will allow our bus drivers to have better visibility and our student drivers more time to use extra caution when driving to their school, the district said in a Facebook post.

 Kannapolis City Schools hasnt announced any closure plans

 Lancaster County School District resumed classes Monday.

 Mooresville Graded School District hasnt announced any closure plans.

 Lincoln County Schools: No school for students on Tuesday due to power outages and damage. Staff will operate on an optional workday. Check your email for updates from your principal. The county was also out of school on Monday.

 Rock Hill Schools canceled classes Monday. It also said it cannot provide food service because its cafeterias experienced losses after the extended power outage.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m. Rock Hill schools will be open on regular schedule Tuesday.

 Rowan-Salisbury Schools hasnt announced any closure plans.

 Union County Public Schools said it will operate on a normal schedule Monday.

 York School District 1 in South Carolina canceled Monday classes and announced a make up day Jan. 6.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m. York school district 1 in South Carolina schools will be closed on Tuesday, according to its Facebook social media. It will again provide lunch for its students families Tuesday in York Comprehensive High Schools band room, Jefferson Elementary Schools bus loop and Hickory Grove-Sharon Elementary Schools bus loop.
The following is a list of shelters and centers open in southeast Georgia after Helene.

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Camden County:

Faith-based organizations and the American Red Cross will support displaced residents in their efforts to return home, according to Camden County government.

Charlton County:

Ware County:

Glynn County:

Ballard Gymnasium at 30 Nimitz Drive in the days ahead from 10am - 6pm to serve as a cooling facility and provide phone charging services.

City of Brunswick is also opening a cooling and recharging station to the public at Howard Coffin Park, 1402 Sonny Miller Way. It will be open 10am - 4pm.

Marshes of Glynn Public Library will be open 2-6pm Sunday and 9am-6pm Monday as a cooling and charging station with public wi-fi services available.

Brantley County:

Pierce County:

Red Cross Shelter open 24/7 at 705 College Avenue in Blackshear.

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As Helene tore into Pinellas, a makeshift rescue crew rode into the storm

They hadnt heard from Gary.

The last thing Fred Craig knew, his kids grampy  their favorite person in the whole world  was planning to climb into the attic to escape Hurricane Helenes raging surge, still rising in Redington Shores.

Craigs older boy was crying. Erin, his partner, was worrying. And Craig, a 50-year-old Seminole man with a metal fabrication business, was hatching a plan.

For days, forecasters had warned about 5 to 8 feet of flooding across Tampa Bay. But when those predictions turned into a nightmarish reality, people still werent ready.

Residents became trapped. The water grew too high. Their homes caught fire. Their cars got tossed across roads.

Somehow, the flood kept coming.

First responders fielded hundreds of calls from people desperate for help. Authorities would ultimately rescue more than 1,000 across the region. But they couldnt get to everyone  not with the water several feet deep over the islands.

Gary Forbes was among the stranded. Seventy years old, a plumber, hed ridden out many a storm. Craig knew Forbes wouldve needed to be dragged out of his home once he decided to stay.

First the water rushed into Forbes yard. Then the house. It lapped at his calves while he sat on the couch.

Helene wouldnt relent.

Craig worried about how bad conditions could get on the island.

Who could help? Craig thought it had to be him. He sent messages to friends, asking if he could borrow a jet ski. They replied quickly: of course.

On the mainland, before he stepped into ankle-deep water filling his yard off a canal, Craig grabbed a permanent marker. Hed been riding jet skis for years and felt pretty confident hed make it  but not positive.

In big letters, he wrote his name on the top of his forearm.

  

Craigs first stop was up the road, at the home of a boy whod shadowed him at work for a high school project.

Hayden Flynn, 16, is a junior at Osceola High School. Craig had watched Hayden grow up, admiring the bravado of the kid who flew through the neighborhood on mini-bikes and go-karts.

Hayden had readily offered a jet ski. But when Craig pulled up, he had prepared two.

Are you coming? Craig asked.

Yes, Hayden replied.

Craig made him get permission from his mother first.

They raised the trailer hitch and strapped the jet skis down, making sure their rides wouldnt float away as Craig drove through Seminoles flooded roads.

They met up with more help: Daniel Demint, a friend of Craigs whod spent that afternoon near Johns Pass, jumping waves on his jet ski for fun.

As they set out to find Forbes, Helene continued pummeling Tampa Bay. Pinellas deputies blocked the bridges to the islands.

The trio pulled into a gas station to get their gear together.

  

Even with the lashing rain and wind, the station wasnt empty.

Mitchell Birchard rushed up to a pump with his new 21-foot boat, The Birchwood, trailered behind his truck. His two buddies whipped in behind him.

Less than an hour before, Birchard, a general contractor by trade, was scrolling through Facebook when he started to see panicked posts about people stuck on the islands.

My father-in-law is trapped in his home on Redington and the water is half way up to the roof, one read. Hes treading water on a box.

Another asked for someone to check on a 93-year-old woman, in an apartment on North Redington Beach.

The posts gnawed at Birchard, 35. He talked to his wife. Dont go, she said.

The Superman tattoo on his right arm had earned him the nickname Super Daddy with his four kids. It was a playful joke, but as he kissed his 2-year-old son, Crew, goodbye, he felt the urge to live up to it.

And he wasnt the only one. At the gas station, he saw three guys with jet skis on trailers.

What are yall doing? he asked.

The same thing you are, one of them replied.

They agreed to work together.

  

The makeshift group was eager, but they couldnt get past the deputies blocking the bridges. They began looking for a workaround.

Torin Fitzgibbon, Birchards friend, pulled up a map on his phone and pinpointed a small, private boat access.

But where the ramp was supposed to be, there was only water. They worried about running the new boat or jet skis over a submerged fire hydrant or a curb.

They launched from the road, weaving past a street lamp and palm trees. They wended their way out of a canal, sheltered by homes, and into the Intracoastal. They headed south, straight into the wind.

Aboard the Birchwood, no one spoke.

Forbes house was roughly 2 miles away. Craig, on a jet ski, had never reached it by water. But he knew he could find it, if he just followed the shore.

Sideways rain pelted their faces. The swells were a manageable foot or two, Demint said, but debris was everywhere  in the water and flying through the air. They dodged hunks of wood and bits of rope that could get sucked into the jet skis.

They smelled gas and saw the sheen of oil. The cloudy horizon glowed orange in places  buildings on fire. They saw boats smashed into houses and a floating Ford F-350.

The group pulled right up to Forbes back door. Demint, 50, and Hayden stayed outside with the jet skis. Down the street, alarm lights flashed in condo towers.

Craig waded inside through the back doors. He stepped over floating rugs and broken flooring. He called out:

Gary. Answer!

He yelled again.

Silence.

Craig steeled himself. Maybe he was too late.

Goddammit, he thought.

Answer me.

  

Forbes had climbed into the attic of his Redington Shores bungalow when the water inside reached his chest.

Come with us, his wife, Diane, had urged him at 6 p.m. when she drove off the island to stay with their daughter in Seminole.

But the neighbors had called on him  the mayor of Punkin Key  to seal up their doors and flip off their breakers. He was armed with a shop vac. Plus, hed promised to care for his wifes beloved parrot.

Half an hour later, surge ripped through his street, taking his last chance to get out with it.

Forbes spent the evening watching the water climb up his sliding doors. Each wave that beat against the glass shook the whole house. It was just a matter of time before the glass gave out.

By flashlight, he saw the water seep under the door, gurgle through his shower, and leak through his windows. Finally the sliding doors cracked. The storm flooded in.

He waded around the house, tugging at his handlebar mustache and trying to move what he could off the floor. This was beyond anything hed seen in his 25 years next to the water. Standing at 5 foot 6, Forbes tried to calculate if the surge could soon rise over his head.

Currents carried furniture and debris through his home. The parrots cage toppled from its perch atop a dresser. By the time Forbes pulled the bird from the murky water, it was limp.

With a jolt, his refrigerator lifted off the ground and toppled onto him, pinning him against the kitchen island.

Im not going out like this, he thought. Pancaked by an appliance in the pitch black.

He wriggled and pushed himself free.

He sent a final message to his wife around 9 p.m. and climbed a foldable ladder to the highest point in his home on 180th Avenue East. The attic.

Somehow, his phone got wet. The saltwater shorted the battery and the screen went black.

Forbes had been sending video updates to his family. Now, he had no way to tell them he was OK.

You dumbass, he said to himself, crouched in the dark.

Then, about four hours later, the call came over the storm: Gary! Gary!

  

When Forbes finally lowered himself down the ladder into the flood, Craigs worries lifted.

After pulling Forbes out of the house, the makeshift crew continued to search for others stuck in homes around Redington Shores. They steered their jet skis around the neighborhood, clocking the current as it ripped through narrow gaps between homes.

They shouted and banged on doors to see if anyone else was around. They shone headlamps into windows.

They found another man trapped with his dog up the road. Birchard had been livestreaming the rescue mission on Facebook, and someone who knew the man had commented, asking for help.

Opening the mans door through the flood took all their strength. It was like moving boulders, Hayden said.

When the door sprung loose, a cascade of possessions rushed out  shoes, shirts, carpet. Inside, the dog sat atop a floating couch. The man was in his boxers. He carried jean shorts and his phone as they loaded him onto a jet ski, then the boat. His hands shook.

There was nobody out there coming for them, Craig said.

By the time the group tried to leave the island, the boats battery was dead. They salvaged jumper cables from Forbes flooded van and used a jet ski to restart the battery  a fortunate break in a day when few things went right after nearly everything had gone wrong.

They delivered both men to deputies on the mainland before dawn.

Reflecting on it, theyd try the rescue again. But they hope they wont have to.

Just heed the warning, Demint said. Ive never evacuated when I was told to. Now, seeing this, I probably will.

Ive stayed through four big storms, Forbes said. There wont be a fifth.

The island where he lives remained closed for almost two full days after the hurricane, buried in sand, as authorities recovered survivors  broken and rattled. They also found several residents dead.

At least nine people were killed during Helene in Pinellas County. Most of them drowned.

One was a 55-year-old man found inside a home, surrounded by water and debris.

He was less than a mile away from Forbes as the storm rolled in.
Want to help East Tennessee flood victims? 14 places to donate or provide supplies

Here's how to help Tennessee flooding victims with donations of money and supplies.

Many Tennessee neighborhoods are without water and power, and some have lost their homes in the destructive floods.

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency director Patrick Sheehan encouraged the public to help by donating cash, to reputable organizations, Sheehan said, which allows flood survivors to get what they need when they need it.

With many roads still impassable, TEMA is discouraging some people from trying to access flood zones.

In this moment, people showing up is not helpful unless they're being asked for, or theyre affiliated with a volunteer organization that is part of this fight to get services restored, Sheehan said.

Check these donation sites in Knoxville and beyond, and online portals.

 Get weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about Hurricane Helene and other weather events now

EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION

East Tennessee Foundation's Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund is coordinating financial help.

"Exclusively aiding East Tennessee, this fund provides prompt and effective grants to empower local nonprofits and agencies to rescue and recover their own communities amid devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene," the nonprofit said.

Give online or make checks payable to East Tennessee Foundation with Neighbor to Neighbor in the memo line and mail to: East Tennessee Foundation, 520 W. Summit Hill Drive, Suite 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF EAST TENNESSEE

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee is accepting water drop-offs at its Maryville warehouse, 136 Harvest Lane, Maryville. Water will shared with neighbors in Cocke and Sevier counties.

Monetary donations to Second Harvest will be used to purchase food and water, depending on the changing need in the coming days.

SALVATION ARMY

Salvation Army crews are working in East Tennessee disaster areas with a base in Johnson City.

All disaster donations go directly toward providing relief to survivors, the nonprofit says. Donations can be made online at helpsalvationarmy.org or by phone at 800-SAL-ARMY.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

The American Red Cross is taking monetary donations to help victims of Hurricane Helene. Donate by texting HELENE to 90999, or go to redcross.org/donate/donation.html.

Blood donations by those in unaffected areas also are needed; find information and make an appointment at redcross.org/give-blood.html

PRESERVATION PUB

Drop off bottled water at Preservation Pub, 28 Market Square in Knoxville, through 3 p.m. Oct. 1.

YASSIN'S FALAFEL HOUSE

Yassin's staffers will be serving warm meals where needed, and are asking community members to donate items, which Yassin's will distribute in devastated communities. The collection starts Sept. 30 at all Yassin's Falafel House locations:

706 Walnut St. in Knoxville

159 N. Peters Road in Knoxville

212 Hamilton Crossing Drive in Alcoa

Items that will be collected:

Food: Water, healthy beverages, ready-to-eat meals, snacks

Hygiene: Toiletries, sanitation kits, feminine hygiene products

Pet food

Child care: Diapers, formula, baby wipes

Or donate online through the Yassin's campaign: LaunchGood.com/Hurricanecommunityhelp

YMCA OF EAST TENNESSEE

All YMCA of East Tennessee locations are accepting donations of water, flashlights, batteries and portable phone chargers for flooding victims, the agency announced on Facebook.

Donations can be dropped off at any Knoxville Y location by Oct. 2. Supplies will be delivered to the Unicoi YMCA on Oct. 3.

EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

ETSU in Johnson City is serving as a collection site and hosting a community blood drive in partnership with Marsh Regional Blood Center.

The blood drive is from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Culp Ballroom, third floor of ETSUs D.P. Culp Student Center.

The collection drive will take place at the same site.

Items requested for cleanup kits: 5-gallon round buckets with resealable lids that are filled with cleaning supplies such as clothespins, clotheslines, health-duty trash bags, N-95 masks, kitchen and work gloves, laundry detergent (32-64 oz.), household cleaner (16-40 oz.), dish soap (16-34 oz.), air fresheners (4-8 oz.), insect repellant, scrub brushes, reusable cleaning wipes and scouring pads.

Items requested for hygiene kits: Hand towels (no kitchen or microfiber), washcloths, sturdy combs with 4-7 inches of teeth (no pocket combs or picks), nail clippers (no nail files or emery boards), soap (no Ivory or Jergens and keep in packaging), toothbrushes (keep in packaging), bandages and one-gallon reusable bags.

For ongoing updates and ways to help, visit etsu.edu/response. Other opportunities to serve, including information about ETSU's expanded Stuff the Bus efforts, can be found at ETSU Serves.

THE BIRDHOUSE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER

The Birdhouse Neighborhood Center, 800 N. Fourth Ave., is having relief drives 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 2 and Oct. 4. Donations of bottled water, protein bars, dried fruit, jerky, medical supplies, battery packs and chargers for cell phones and generators (to give or loan) can be dropped off.

PIGEON FORGE

Pigeon Forge is collecting items throughout the week to help flood victims. Donations will be accepted 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Oct. 1-5 at the LeConte Centers front/events entrance, 2986 Teaster Lane. Signs are posted to direct traffic to the loading dock.

Items needed include buckets with lids, tarps, shovels, rakes, trash bags, work gloves, masks (including dust masks), disinfecting wipes, bottled water, baby formula, baby food, baby wipes, prepackaged snacks, diapers, can openers, first aid supplies, personal hygiene items, kitty litter, new socks and underwear, clean towels and blankets, laundry detergent, pet food, kitty litter and hand sanitizer.

Donations of used clothing are not requested at this time.

For information about donation efforts, visit mypigeonforge.com/travel-alerts.

FOOD CITY

Customers at all Food City stores can donate funds at checkout Oct. 1-12 to benefit the United Ways of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia disaster relief funds.

Food City and the Eastman Foundation each have pledged a $100,000 contribution to kick off the fundraising drive to benefit flood relief efforts in Tennessee and Virginia.

FACE AMUSEMENT

FACE Amusement is collecting donations of supplies for Western North Carolina and East Tennessee flood victims 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. 4 at 5034 Bobby Hicks Highway, Johnson City. Donors can ring the doorbell or leave items under the red awning.

Items being collected are baby formula, disposable bottles, diapers, toiletry products, wet wipes, non-perishable, nutrient-dense foods and hydration options such as Gatorade and similar beverages.

KNOX COUNTY FOOD DRIVE

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Mission of Hope and Knoxville Wholesale Furniture are hosting a food drive 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Knoxville Wholesale Furniture Clearance Center at 7428 Kingston Pike, Knoxville.

Bottled water, canned goods and non-perishable food items will be collected.

XUL BEER COMPANY

Xul Beer Company is taking water donations at its downtown location Oct. 1-11. The donations will be delivered Oct. 5 and Oct. 12.

Water jugs and water cases will be accepted at this donation location.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How to help Hurricane Helene flood victims in East Tennessee
KENTUCKY (FOX 56)  After Hurricane Helene cut her path through the American southeast, many have lost homes and even loved ones to the storm.

After a large-magnitude storm of Helenes scale, family members can lose contact with one another and loved ones can become separated due to emergencies.

Thousands without power in Lexington: What to know if youre still in the dark

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 4, which oversees disaster response and relief efforts for the southeastern states, has outlined resources for people attempting to contact those impacted by the storm, as well as groups organizing volunteer efforts to bring vital resources to those who need it after severe weather has taken its toll on Kentucky.

Check on your neighbors, family, and loved ones in Kentucky

In a news release on Saturday, FEMA suggested that family and friends of people in disaster-affected areas may check social network sites for information about loved ones. The American Red Crosss Contact Loved Ones program can also assist with emergency communication services.

Text, dont call

Emergency response officials said that texting leaves phone lines open for emergencies and first responders.

Volunteer

The Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (KVOAD), a network of non-profit Kentucky-based volunteer organizations have established long-term recovery groups (LTRGs) in various counties to bring resources across central, southern, and eastern Kentucky. These groups are made up of representatives from faith-based, non-profit, government, business, and other organizations working within a community to assist individuals and families as they recover from disaster, according to volunteer staff. To sign up to volunteer, visit the KVOAD website.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

For more information on disaster recovery resources and ways to help Kentuckians, as well as other southeastern states, visit the FEMA Region 4 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.
How to help people and volunteer in NC in Hurricane Helene aftermath

In Western North Carolina, many are dead, missing and cut off from the outside world  and help  in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The Category 4 hurricane made landfall in northern Florida and was still a raging tropical storm when it passed over the Carolinas. The storm flooded North Carolina towns, wiped neighborhoods away and killed at least 11 across the state.

President Joe Biden Saturday approved Gov. Roy Coopers request for FEMA help in 25 counties, and federal aid flocked to Asheville and Charlotte Sunday. Crews set up base camps, waiting for some of the 280 closed roads to reopen, as Red Cross planes and helicopters searched for people stranded in the towns near the Appalachian Mountains, said American Red Cross Vice President of Disaster Response Jennifer Pipa Sunday.

Floods severed towns from nearby roads, and emergency services struggled to reach those suffering without using aircraft.

How to help people affected by Helene

If your organization would like to be added to this list, please email news@charlotteobserver.com with the subject line How to Help NC.

Cash is best, according to FEMAs website. Its the most effective, flexible way to aid organizations. FEMA recommends donating to verified organizations directing money to on-the-ground groups that know what communities need. A list of organizations can be found on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website. Those same organizations accept volunteers, too.

FEMA cautions people to not self deploy to affected areas  especially any still-flooded areas.

How to volunteer to help

You can find more information about volunteer opportunities with VolunteerNC and meal assistance with local food banks.

Hurricane Helene GoFundMe

GoFundMe, a crowdfunding platform that allows individuals to create their own fundraisers, launched a Hurricane Helene Relief page with verified fundraisers Friday. As of Sunday, it had nearly 400 fundraisers on the verified landing page.

In Charlotte, a tree struck down during Helene fell onto a Hoskins home and killed a man inside. That man, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his nephew, was Anthony Tony Taylor. His wife and four children survived, but he did not.

Neighbors said half the tree fell onto another home months before. It should have been cut down already, they said.

For some time, we had been trying to get the tree removed, but since it wasnt on our property, there was little we could do, wrote Taylors nephew, Stephen Taylor, in the post.

Also in Charlotte, a group of pilots is asking for money to help air-drop supplies to those in communities surrounded now by water instead of roads.

We believe that small aircraft can deploy resources faster because we dont need to wait for roads to be cleared. Well use funds to purchase supplies like nonperishable foods, hygiene items, and baby supplies, wrote Benjamin Spells.

In Swannanoa, host to some of the states worst flood scenes, a couple and their children  ages 2 and 7  took refuge in their attic as orange floodwaters moved sludge and debris through their neighborhood. The Zara Family last frantically called family at 11 a.m. Friday, after hours without contact. A neighbor with a kayak rescued them and their home was destroyed.

Jessica Allred, the wifes sister, is asking for funds to help The Zara Family. Hundreds of more families with harrowing stories are listed on GoFundMe.

More ways to help

Weve put together more ways to help and send donations in this story.
By Ernest Scheyder

(Reuters) - Freeport-McMoRan is turbo-charging its copper output across three continents with no plans to join a buyout frenzy sweeping the mining industry, a strategy that analysts say positions the company well to capitalize on the clean energy transition's rising demand for the red metal.

Used widely across the global economy, copper is an ideal conductor of electricity and easily malleable, qualities that have made it widely popular for use in wiring, engines, construction equipment, electronics and other devices.

Global demand is poised to jump at least 60% by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency. Analysts at Jefferies expect prices for the red metal to rise more than 40% in the next two years.

Yet new copper mines are proving difficult to develop, due in part to opposition from Indigenous groups, conservationists, local communities and others.

The difficult backdrop has pushed BHP, Rio Tinto, Glencore and other diversified miners of iron ore, nickel and other critical minerals to hunt for deals to boost their copper output even while balancing shareholders' expectations for payouts.

Phoenix-based Freeport has long focused primarily on copper - it produces 9% of global supplies, more than any other company - and now finds itself in the rare position of being able to concentrate on expanding mines it already owns and avoiding the distraction of a buyout.

"We're really, really focused on creating value from the assets that we have," Kathleen Quirk, who became Freeport's CEO in June, told Reuters ahead of the LME Week conference in London, one of the world's largest annual gatherings of mining executives. "I don't see Freeport as having to aggressively go out and have to overpay for things."

Freeport expects to produce 800 million pounds (362,874 metric tons) of copper annually as soon as 2027 by leaching the metal from piles of old waste rock at its U.S. mines previously thought to be worthless.

Drones and helicopters have been installing irrigation lines atop miles-long waste piles that release an acid solution to tease out low concentrations of copper.

The leached copper will cost a third less to produce than Freeport's hard rock mines - already some of the cheapest in the industry, according to analysts - and will not require a smelter for processing. Freeport estimates it would need to spend at least $10 billion on a new mine to mimic output from leaching.

"It's a huge opportunity for us and one that we're pursuing aggressively," Quirk said.

Story continues

That leaching plan alone would produce nearly half the copper that Anglo American - which BHP tried unsuccessfully to buy earlier this year - mined across the entire globe in 2023.

'STICK TO THEIR KNITTING'

Freeport has four other expansion projects underway that could add more than 1 billion pounds (453,592 metric tons) of copper annually to its production in coming years, including more than 500 million pounds (226,796 metric tons) annually by 2025 in the United States.

Another is in Indonesia, where it is expanding Grasberg, the world's second-largest copper mine. Freeport is also hoping to negotiate an extension of its mining rights beyond 2041 with the new Indonesian president, who takes office next month.

The company is preparing its application now to extend the license and Chairman Richard Adkerson - who led the last round of negotiations when he was CEO - plans to join the discussions, Quirk said.

"Indonesia is part of the fabric of our company as we've been working hard to improve the livelihood of the people, provide benefits to the government, all while providing returns on investments for our shareholders," she said. "I want to continue that positive relationship."

In Chile, Quirk said the regulatory climate has improved under President Gabriel Boric after a period of uncertainty fueled by an unsuccessful attempt to change the country's constitution last year.

"Chile is a more stable environment for investors now," said Quirk. An application to expand the El Abra mine, which counts state-owned Codelco as a minority partner, should by filed next year, she said.

Freeport's stock has risen 30% the past year as investors have warmed to the company's plans to expand existing operations. Seventeen of the 24 analysts that track Freeport's stock recommend buying it and none recommend selling, according to LSEG Workspace.

"Freeport is a workhorse in my portfolio," said Derek Bone of the Optica Rare Earths & Critical Materials ETF, which holds shares of Freeport. "I want them to stick to their knitting."

Quirk, who had been Adkerson's deputy for more than 20 years, is facing a challenge recruiting workers in the United States, where the company has moved as a result to deploy autonomous trucks.

"I'm hoping that with everybody focused on our future economy and how it will require more use of metals, we'll get the best and brightest into our industry to help us," said Quirk.

That is top of mind for Freeport's customers, who are gobbling up more copper.

Nvidia, for example, said in March it would use copper cables for AI data centers - rather than fiber optic cables.

"That bodes well for copper demand over the longer term," said Steve Schoffstall of the Sprott Energy Transition Materials ETF, which holds Freeport shares. "Companies like Freeport are in a good spot."

(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Veronica Brown and Marguerita Choy)
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  The American Red Cross is responding to need after Hurricane Helene devastated communities across the Southeast of the United States.

A donation to the Red Cross helps provide shelter, food, and comfort to thousands.

Follow this QR code:

Or visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation. People can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to donate.

You can also give blood. Schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or using the Blood Donor App.

WFXR is working to support the American Red Cross as they respond to Helene.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
How to help Asheville, North Carolina storm and flood victims: Where to donate, what to do (and what not to)

Relief efforts are underway in hard-hit Western North Carolina including Asheville where there is a declared major disaster due to Tropical Storm Helene. Communities are devastated after rain caused catastrophic floods and washed out roads.

Hundreds of thousands of customers were without power Sunday morning.

Here's how you can pitch in.

Give money

The fastest way is, of course, to send money.

While there is often an urge to send water, blankets, food and other items, charity organizations aren't ready to handle the logistical nightmare of organizing, sorting, storing and distributing physical goods. Donating money to trusted charities means the money goes to what's needed right now in the places it's needed most.

Charities also often get bulk discounts and, if possible, will purchase items in the disaster area to help support local economic recovery.

There might be a time when items are needed, but in the early days it's money.

What national organizations are helping Tropical Storm Helene victims?

American Red Cross: Always one of the first groups in and probably the best-known aid organization in the world, the Red Cross offers food, shelter, supplies, and emotional support to victims of crisis. It already has hundreds of workers and volunteers in Florida and has opened dozens of shelters for evacuees. You can contribute to the national group's Helene relief efforts.

GoFundMe: GoFundMe fundraisers for people impacted by Hurricane Helene are already piling up in this popular crowdfunding site that connects you directly to people who need help. This can be a great way to help individuals in need and put a face on the person you're donating to, but it also can be an easy way to get scammed. Read the campaigns carefully. GoFundMe has set up a dedicated hub of Helene requests that have been vetted. The company also has its own Hurricane Relief Fund you can donate to, which provides cash grants to people who need help.

The Salvation Army: Another group quick to get on the ground when disaster strikes, the Salvation Army provides food, drinks, shelter, emotional and spiritual care and other emergency services to survivors and rescue workers. You can donate to Helene efforts online.

United Way: The United Way has launched a fund to help people impacted by Helene. Local United Way organizations are also accepting donations to help relief efforts for both short-term issues and to continue helping residents later. You can find your local chapter on the organization's website.

World Central Kitchen: When there is a disaster, Chef Jose Andres is there with his teams to set up kitchen facilities and start serving thousands of meals to victims and responders. You can help by donating on their website.

There are also many other organizations providing specialty care and assistance:

All Hands and Hearts: This volunteer-based organization works alongside local residents to help by rebuilding schools, homes and other community infrastructure. It has a Helene fund started.

Americares: Americares focuses on medical aid, helping communities recover from disasters with access to medicine and providing personal protective equipment and medical supplies. To help Hurricane Helene victims, Americares has set up a donation page.

CARE: Provides relief through emergency cash assistance to families in underserved communities. Donate to their Helene fund on their website.

The Community Foundation Tampa Bay: This local group maintains its own list of local charities that can use help providing critical needs, or you can donate to the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund which distributes money to nonprofits in the community that are addressing emergency needs.

Direct Relief: Direct Relief brings long-term medical aid specifically needed by local officials and agencies. The organization has just made more than $74 million in medicines and medical supplies available for healthcare providers in the path of Hurricane Helene, according to an email. You can donate to their general fund or choose Hurricane Helene Response in the dropdown at their donation page.

Global Giving: This disaster relief charity provides immediate aid after emergencies to people, animals, and front-line workers and helps displaced families, but also addresses long-term assistance with a focus on local organizations. Donate to its Helene Ida fund on their website.

International Medical Corps: This organization works with state agencies and local healthcare providers to offer critical care and medical supplies. Donate to their Helene fund detailed on their website.

Mutual Aid Disaster Relief: A grassroots disaster relief network dedicated to getting help directly to the underserved communities who are often left out. Donate at mutualaiddisasterrelief.org .

Operation Blessing: This group works with emergency management and local churches to bring clean water, food, medicine and more supplies to people with immediate needs in disaster areas. Donate to their Helene fund on their website.

Save the Children: This organization works to get child-focused supplies into the hands of families hardest-hit by the storm including hygiene kits, diapers and baby wipes as well as classroom cleaning kits to schools and assistance in restoring child care and early learning centers. Donate to the Children's Emergency Fund.

Should I head to the affected regions and volunteer to help Hurricane Helene victims?

Unless officially requested, no.

There are disaster response teams and trusted organizations doing that and random volunteers, while appreciated in theory, do not have the safety or medical training to help in disaster recovery and might take up resources needed for locals. There will be local health professionals, Red Cross volunteers and first responders heading to the area, check with them to see how you can help.

How can I make sure my money gets to Hurricane Helene victims?

Sadly, during the same devastating emergencies when so many people want to help, there always will be scammers seeking to take advantage, and your money. Before donating to an unfamiliar charity, check them out.

One easy method: search Google with the name of the charity and the words "scam" or "fraud." You also can research them at one of the organizations that rate charities: The Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (give.org), Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), Guidestar (guidestar.org), or CharityWatch (charitywatch.org).

The Florida Department of Agricultural Services has its own toll-free hotline where you can check charities, at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), or you can use its Check-A-Charity tool to verify registration and financial information.

Can I help pets hurt or stranded by Hurricane Helene?

There are a number of local organizations dedicated to helping animals in the affected regions.

Humane Society Disaster Relief: This group evacuates animals from shelters before and after hurricanes and other natural disasters. You can donate atsecured.humanesociety.org/page/81880.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC flooding victims: How to help Asheville NC, where to donate, avoid scams
Nabil Kaouk, Hezbollahs commander in south Lebanon, escaped death once but is believed to have been killed amid an ongoing exchange of strikes between the two sides - HUSSEIN MALLA/AP

A Hezbollah chief, tipped as one of Hassan Nasrallahs successors, has been killed in Lebanon, according to Israels military.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that it killed Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollahs central council, amid an ongoing exchange of strikes between the two sides.

Kaouk had been tipped as one of Nasrallahs potential successors after playing a pivotal role in military operations against Israel.

He was a veteran fighter since the 1980s and had previously served as Hezbollahs military commander in southern Lebanon.

Kaouk often appeared in local media, where he would comment on politics and security developments, and he gave eulogies at the funerals of senior militants. The United States had announced sanctions against him in 2020.

Hezbollah has not yet commented on Kaouk but supporters have been posting mourning messages for him online.

Another senior commander killed

Hezbollah did confirm on Sunday that another of its senior commanders, Ali Karaki, died in the Israeli airstrike that killed Nasrallah on Friday.

Karaki was a member of the groups Jihad council and the commander of the organisations southern front.

He had escaped death last Monday when Israel said it attempted to assassinate him in an airstrike on Dahiyeh.

Hezbollah read a statement announcing his death, saying: [Karaki] was directly and on the ground responsible for leading the southern front with all its axes and units in the support front from Oct 8 2023, until his blessed martyrdom.

Hezbollahs senior military leadership is now almost completely wiped out.

Several senior Hezbollah commanders have been killed in Israeli strikes in recent weeks, including the founding members of the group who had evaded death or detention for decades and were close to Nasrallah himself.

Hezbollah members were also targeted by Israel in a sophisticated attack on its pagers and walkie-talkies that was widely blamed on Israel.

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White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said Sunday that nobody is mourning the death of longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed Friday night in Beirut, Lebanon by the Israeli military.

This is a terrorist organization and he was the leader of it. And I think people are safer without him walking around, Kirby said on CNNs State of the Union to host Jake Tapper. But they'll try to recover. We're watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership vacuum. It's going to be tough that much of their command structure has now been wiped out."

Nasrallah had been the head of Hezbollah since 1992 and one of the most prominent leaders in the unofficial Iran-led military coalition referred to as the Axis of Resistance.

The Israeli airstrike that killed him was the latest in a series of explosions aimed to eliminate Hezbollah leaders and halt the firing of rockets into Israel. The strikes began with remote coordinated attacks that blew up pagers used by Hezbollah, killing and wounding those in possession of them as well as wrecking the organizations communications.

Kirby acknowledged the attacks have also taken out Lebanese civilians.

"I don't think we can quantify [the civilian death toll] right now, Kirby said when asked about an estimate of civilian deaths. We're in touch with our Israeli counterparts about that. Each single civilian death is a tragedy and while again, nobody is mourning Nasrallah's death, we certainly do mourn any loss of civilian life."

Estimates from Lebanons ministry of health say that more than 700 people have been killed in the recent attacks.

The escalation of rhetoric between Israel and Iran has been growing in the past months while U.S. officials have been trying to convince Israel to work on diplomatic deals. Nasrallahs death may be a setback to Iran and its backers, but Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that it shall not go unavenged.

When asked if President Joe Biden is concerned about the potential for direct military conflict between Israel and Iran, or between the U.S. and Iran, Kirby said that it has been a concern since the beginning.

That's why the president and the G7 leaders, just a few days ago, talked about calling for a 21-day ceasefire and everything else that the president's been doing, including adding force capability, military forces to the region, is designed to prevent that exact outcome, Kirby said.

He continued: We'll make sure that we have the capability to not only defend our troops and our facilities, diplomats and military, as well as Israel itself, if it comes to that. Hopefully it won't."

On ABCs This Week, Kirby was asked by Martha Raddatz if the U.S. is prepared to get Americans out of harms way if needed.

"We have contingency plans for evacuations in just about every corner of the world, Kirby said. Everything that we are doing, and everything that Secretary [of State Lloyd] Austin is doing at the Defense Department is to make sure that we have the requisite capability and the planning and preparation capability available to us.

He added that the State Department does not feel the need for that right now though. There are still commercial operations, commercial air traffic that is getting out of Beirut and are still available to those Americans that want to leave. We again, urge Americans, if you are in Lebanon and you want to go  go now while these options are available to you."

This week, the Israeli military said that it was preparing for potentialfighting in Lebanon and has started training two brigades for a potential ground invasion. Israel fought ground wars in Lebanon in 1982 and again in 2006.

Israel has a right to defend itself and a responsibility to do so, Kirby said, emphasizing that there should also be a de-escalation effort.

Hezbollah under Mr. Nasrallah was a lethal threat to the Israeli people. They want to get their families back to their homes and kibbutzes in the north, we want to see that too, he added. We believe and continue to believe that an all-out war with Hezbollah, certainly with Iran, is not the way to do that. If you want to get those folks back home safely and sustainably, we believe that a diplomatic path is the right course.
HI-EMA: Military sirens to blame for early morning wake up call

HONOLULU (KHON2)  Residents around multiple military bases received an early morning wake-up call.

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According to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, military sirens are to blame for the incident that woke up surrounding areas around 3:15 a.m. on Saturday.

Aiea hit-and-run leaves man, 71, in critical condition

HI-EMA reported receiving multiple calls regarding the sirens and said that neither the City and County nor HI-EMA were responsible for the operation of military sirens.

Officials also confirmed there was no emergency at the time.

An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the runaway sirens.

HI-EMA said more information will be released as it becomes available.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

Residents are advised to remain calm and stay tuned for further official communication. Any immediate concerns should be directed to the local authorities.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
A Utah Highway Patrol Sergeant is pictured at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on the last night of the legislative session, Friday, March 1, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Next time you see someone stranded on the side of the road with a broken down car, keep your guard up if you pull over to help. If they try to sell any jewelry or merchandise, its a good sign you might be getting scammed.

Thats according to the Utah Highway Patrol, which issued a warning this week to Utah motorists about a growing scam in the Beehive State  people posing as stranded motorists, only to attempt to sell fake gold for money to anyone that stops.

So far, most reports have occurred in Salt Lake County.

The Utah Department of Public Safety said in some cases, the scammers are using illegal tinted covers to hide their license plates. The department has received multiple reports, a spokesperson said on Friday, but no arrests have been made.

They are attempting to take advantage of the kindness that we value in our community, the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a social media post.

The department said if you encounter a similar situation, or experience a breakdown on a freeway, contact your local dispatch center or dial 911.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  A Wichita woman is asking for community help after a hit-and-run incident put her brother on life-support.

Amanda White said her brother, Richard Trask, was driving on southwest Wanamaker in Topeka when another driver failed to yield the right-of-way.

The driver of a car failed to yield at a stop sign, White said, pulled out in front of him and Richard hit him at almost a dead 90. The driver of the vehicle then took off and left my brother for dead.

White says her family moved to Wichita from Topeka and that Richard was back in town visiting friends.

She tells 27 News shes been in contact with Topeka police and that theyre still looking for the suspect. Fortunately, White said a good samaritan driving behind Richard stopped, called 911, and stayed with him until help arrived.

Thanks to that driver, she said, Richard was able to go into surgery within in hour of the accident which is why hes still here today.

Even still, the crash left Richard fighting for his life with a traumatic brain injury.

We are looking at months or years of recovery if Richard is ever the same again, White said.

She described her brother as a 21-year-old just trying to figure out life and said a lot of his world revolves around being an uncle.

(Photo courtesy of Amanda White) Richard Trask spending time with his nieces and nephew.

He has several nieces and a nephew, she said. I have 3 little ones and hes a part of their daily life. So when hes not working or working on his bike, hes spending a lot of time with them.

Richards sister said the bills have already started stacking up, so she setup a GoFundMe to help her brother.

I love him so much and I know that he knows Im always in his corner, White said. We talk pretty regularly, this has been pretty hard not to hear his voice and see him.

To donate to Richards GoFundMe, click here.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
HOLLAND  A pursuit that began in the city of Holland early Sunday, Sept. 29, ended with both suspects killed in a crash in southern Park Township.

According to a release from the Holland Department of Public Safety, deputies responded to a report of several people fighting by a gas station at 800 Washington Ave. around 2:24 a.m. When an officer arrived on-scene and began walking toward the gas station, he saw a silver-colored car leave the parking lot and head westbound on 33rd Street. The car was moving quickly, with the lights off.

Authorities respond to a single-vehicle crash following a shots fired pursuit in Holland on Sunday, Sept. 29.

The officer then heard multiple gunshots, believed to have come from inside the car. According to HDPS, the officer returned to his cruiser and attempted to follow the car, which turned onto Pioneer Avenue, then onto 32nd Street, heading west.

The driver of the car lost control west of the city limits, police said, just as 32nd begins to curve into South Shore Drive. The car left the road and crashed into a tree, killing both occupants, who were identified Monday as Alfredo Mojica Majin, 26, of Holland, and Bryan Mojica, 21, of Holland. The men were brothers, police said.

A pistol was located in the vehicle after the crash, police said Monday. Officers found four casings in the grass off the roadway on 33rd Street, all of which matched the pistol found in the car.

The crash investigation was turned over to the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office. Detectives from HDPS are also working on the case.

Authorities respond to a single-vehicle crash following a shots fired pursuit in Holland on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Anyone with information is asked to contact HDPS at 616-355-1150 or policetips@cityofholland.com. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Silent Observer at 1-877-887-4536 or visit mosotips.com.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

 Cassandra Lybrink is the local editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at clybrink@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @CassLybrink.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland PD: Suspects killed after police chase ends in crash
A Hollywood producer's vandalized mansions recall a landmark case when graffiti artists won $6.75 million after their work was destroyed, expert says

A Hollywood producer's vandalized mansions recall a landmark case when graffiti artists won $6.75 million after their work was destroyed, expert says

Two empty Hollywood Hills mansions were taken over by squatters and covered in graffiti.

Graffiti on the mansions is similar to tags on other empty luxury properties in Los Angeles.

A litigator told BI the incidents reminded him of a landmark Visual Artists Rights Act case.

Spray-painted tags similar to those on Los Angeles' iconic graffiti towers have appeared in another unlikely place in the City of Angels. Two Hollywood Hills mansions are the latest targets in a growing trend of turning empty luxury properties into works of illegal street art.

The empty pair of properties, purchased in 2012 for $4.7 million and in 2013 for nearly $7 million, respectively, are located just miles away from each other in the exclusive area, The Los Angeles Times reported.

The LA Times, citing neighbors of the estates, reports that the properties have sat abandoned and overrun by squatters and graffiti artists, who have covered the mansions in their tags.

The properties, purchased in 2012 for $4.7 million and 2013 for nearly $7 million, respectively, are located just miles apart in Los Angeles. David McNew/Getty Images

Both properties are owned by John Powers Middleton, who produced "The Lego Movie" and the TV series "Bates Motel." After the vandalism made national headlines, Middleton issued a public apology through a spokesperson.

"What's happened to the two properties I own is unacceptable, and no matter what caused it, I own the houses," The LA Times reported Middleton said in a statement. "Given the persistence of the numerous trespassers, it's a struggle."

The Los Angeles Times reported that the property owner has pledged to secure the mansions, clean the graffiti, and reimburse the city for any incurred costs. David McNew/Getty Images

The LA Times reported that it's unclear why the estates have sat empty for so long, but through his lawyer, Middleton pledged to secure the buildings, clean the graffiti, and pay the city for any costs incurred.

Middleton is the son of John S. Middleton, a billionaire businessman and owner of the Philadelphia Phillies who sold his family's tobacco business to Altria, Philip Morris' parent company, for $2.9 billion in 2007, CNBC reported.

The Phillies released a statement saying, "No other members of the Middleton family have ownership, investment, control or involvement in these properties," The LA Times reported.

A lawyer for John P. Middleton and representatives for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

In Bel Air, a few miles west, another property for sale at $21.5 million has also been turned into a canvas for graffiti artists  part of the growing local trend of vandals targeting affluent neighborhoods for their artwork, NBC Los Angeles reported.

Demolition could mean a payday for the artists

Andrew Lieb, a litigation attorney focusing on real estate legal issues, told Business Insider that the vandalism of the Hollywood Hills properties reminded him of a famous federal case in 2013 involving the Visual Artists Rights Act. The 1990 law gives artists legal rights over their publicly displayed work, regardless of ownership, and prevents the destruction or modification of the artwork in ways that could damage the artist's reputation for 50 years beyond their death.

In the 5 Pointz mural case, a group of street artists sued a real estate developer in New York when he painted over their graffiti murals. The artists ultimately won $6.75 million after their work was destroyed in a ruling affirmed by the US Appeals Court, The New York Times reported in 2020.

If Middleton were to leave the graffiti on his Hollywood Hills properties for an extended period, Lieb said he expected a similar legal challenge could arise.

"Don't let people graffiti your property was the message of that case  unless you intend to keep it there," Lieb told Business Insider.

The tags resemble graffiti on the Oceanwide Plaza towers, a mixed-use complex near the Crypto.com Arena  home of the Los Angeles Lakers  which has sat abandoned since its developer ran out of funds in 2019.

Tags on the Hollywood Hills properties bear a striking resemblance to graffiti on the Oceanwide Plaza towers, a complex abandoned in downtown Los Angeles since its developer ran out of funds. Mario Tama/Getty Images

The towers attracted scores of graffiti artists who tagged the property and BASE jumpers who used the 53-story buildings to jump from, prompting city officials to spend nearly $4 million to install a fence and clean up the development, Business Insider reported.

Bloomberg reported last month that the abandoned Oceanwide Plaza Towers development was headed for a bankruptcy auction. Though the unfinished project has drawn comparisons to the 5 Pointz mural demolition, it remains unclear whether the street artists who tagged the Los Angeles property plan to claim their graffiti, which could result in a legal battle over its destruction.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Western North Carolina residents wait in line for essentials after devastation from Helene

ASHEVILLE  Brandi Hayes, 37, stood in a long, snaking line of people outside the Ingles Markets grocery store on Haywood Road in West Asheville Sept. 29 hoping to buy water, bread and other essential food items after Tropical Storm Helene delivered a natural disaster of biblical proportions to Western North Carolina.

Hayes, who lives in Emma, ran out of water on the morning of Sept. 28 in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, she told the Citizen Times the next day. She said shes gathering water from a nearby creek to flush the toilet.

Asheville, NC floods live updates: Buncombe County details relief efforts

Just after 8 a.m., Hayes and four of her children ranging in age from 7 to 13, waited with more than 100 other Asheville residents and visitors trying to enter one of the only open grocery stores they could find.

Asheville residents wait in line to enter the Ingles Markets on Haywood Road in West Asheville Sunday morning, September 29, 2024.

Behind them stood Shannon Conway, 29, and Meg Worthington, 33, who had just moved to Asheville from Anchorage, Alaska, a month before Helene hit. They said they were hoping to buy water, but at the time, they were nearly the last people in line.

Shea Davis, the stores manager, told the Citizen a few minutes later, the store was nearly out of water, bread and charcoal. When the store opened at 7:30 a.m. dozens of people were already waiting in line, he said.

Cody and Carleigh Novotny of West Asheville load groceries in the back of their car at the Ingles Markets on Haywood Road on September 29, 2024.

But West Asheville residents Carleigh and Cody Novotny, both 30, were lucky. The couple got in early and stocked their cart with essentials to drive back to their nearby home.

Meanwhile, the Hayes family waited with a pretzel container filled with coins  the store was only accepting cash  hoping there would be water when they finally got inside.

As of 4 p.m. Sept. 28, Buncombe County had yet to announce more information about the status of distribution sites.

We expect to have that up and running by tomorrow, Avril Pinder, the county manager said during a Sept. 28 media briefing. We continue to be without water, for most, without power and without cell service.

Buncombe County Emergency Services Assistant Director Ryan Cole said N.C. State Highway Patrol is trying to escort needed supplies and resources into the area.

By 10 a.m. Sept. 29, no information about water distribution sites had been provided by the county.

Waiting in line at Ingles, Hayes tried to call her 18-year-old daughter, a student at Western Carolina University, in Cullowhee, hoping to get word that she was OK. There was no answer. She also said she has a 2-year-old nephew in Fairview suffering from seizures.

Breaking down in tears, her 12-year-old son tried to console her, but it didnt help. She acknowledged the mental toll the disaster is taking on them.

We keep talking about were thankful for, Hayes said. Some people dont have homes.

More: Epic flooding in North Carolina's 'own Hurricane Katrina'

More: Where to report missing loved ones, seek reunion in Western NC after Helene floods

Jacob Biba is the county watchdog reporter at the Asheville Citizen Times. Reach him at jbiba@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Western North Carolina residents wait for water, supplies after Helene
(Bloomberg) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed what would have become one of the most comprehensive policies governing the safety of artificial intelligence in the US.

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The bill wouldve been among the first to hold AI developers accountable for any severe harm caused by their technologies. It drew fierce criticism from some prominent Democrats and major tech firms, including ChatGPT creator OpenAI and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, who warned it could stall innovation in the state.

Newsom described the legislation as well-intentioned but said in a statement that it wouldve applied stringent standards to even the most basic functions. Regulation should be based on empirical evidence and science, he said, pointing to his own executive order on AI and other bills hes signed that regulate the technology around known risks such as deepfakes.

The debate around Californias SB 1047 bill highlights the challenge that lawmakers around the world are facing in controlling the risks of AI while also supporting the emerging technology. US policymakers have yet to pass any comprehensive legislation around the technology since the release of ChatGPT two years ago touched off a global generative AI boom.

Democratic California Senator Scott Wiener, who introduced the bill, called Newsoms veto a setback for everyone who believes in oversight of massive corporations. In a statement posted on X, Wiener said, We are all less safe as a result.

Reasonable Care

SB 1047 wouldve mandated that companies developing powerful AI models take reasonable care to ensure that their technologies wouldnt cause severe harm such as mass casualties or property damage above $500 million. Companies wouldve had to take specific precautions, including maintaining a kill switch that could turn off their technology. AI models wouldve also been subject to third-party testing to ensure they minimized grave risk.

The bill wouldve also created whistleblower protections for employees at AI companies that want to share safety concerns. Companies that werent in compliance with the bill could have been sued by the California attorney general.

Supporters of the legislation said it wouldve created common-sense legal standards. But VC investors, startup leaders and companies like OpenAI warned that it would slow innovation and drive AI companies out of the state.

Story continues

The AI revolution is only just beginning, and Californias unique status as the global leader in AI is fueling the states economic dynamism, Jason Kwon, chief strategy officer at OpenAI, wrote in a letter last month opposing the legislation. SB 1047 would threaten that growth, slow the pace of innovation, and lead Californias world-class engineers and entrepreneurs to leave the state in search of greater opportunity elsewhere.

Lawmakers Opposed

Lawmakers including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Representative Ro Khanna and San Francisco Mayor London Breed also voiced their opposition, echoing concerns from the tech industry that the bill could impede upon Californias leadership in AI innovation. Newsom recently said he was concerned the bill might have a chilling effect on AI development.

The bill had earned backing from some notable names in tech late last month in the days leading up to its passage by Californias legislature. Elon Musk unexpectedly voiced his support, even though he said its a tough call and will make some people upset. OpenAI rival Anthropic, which has a reputation for being safety-oriented, said the bills benefits likely outweigh its costs, though the company said some aspects remained concerning or ambiguous to us.

Wiener had defended the bill, stressing that its provisions only apply to companies that spend more than $100 million on training large models or $10 million fine-tuning models, limits that would exempt most smaller startups. The lawmaker had also noted that Congress has been historically slow to regulate tech itself.

In announcing his veto, Newsom said he will consult with outside experts, including AI scholar and entrepreneur Fei-Fei Li, to develop workable guardrails on the technology and continue working with state legislature on the topic.

The governor also signed a bill on Sunday, SB 896, that regulates how state agencies use AI.

(Updates with Wieners statement in fifth paragraph)

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Tetiana Nosova, who goes by the clown name of Zhuzha, a volunteer from the "Bureau of Smiles and Support" plays a ukulele as she stands with Michael Bilyk, who is held by his mother Antonina Malyshko, and Kira Vertetska, 8, at Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Anton Shtuka)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Their costumes are put on with surgical precision: Floppy hats, foam noses, bright clothes, and a ukulele with multicolored nylon strings.

Moments later, in a beige hospital ward normally filled with the beeping sounds of medical machinery, there are bursts of giggles and silly singing.

As Ukraines medical facilities come under pressure from intensifying attacks in the war against Russia's full-scale invasion, volunteer hospital clowns are duck-footing their way in to provide some badly needed moments of joy for hospitalized children.

The Bureau of Smiles and Support (BUP) is a hospital clowning initiative established in 2023 by Olha Bulkina, 35, and Maryna Berdar, 39, who already had more than five years of hospital clowning experience between them. Our mission is to let childhood continue regardless of the circumstances, Bulkina, told The Associated Press.

BUP took on new significance following a Russian missile strike on Okhmatdyt Childrens Hospital in Kyiv in July. The attack on Ukraines largest pediatric facility forced the evacuation of dozens of young patients, including those with cancer, to other hospitals in the capital  and the clowns did not stand aside.

Together with first responders, Berdar and Bulkina helped with clearing the rubble after the attack and attended to the children who were relocated to other medical facilities. But even for them, the real heroes there were young patients.

When the children were evacuated from Okhmatdyt after the missile attack, many of them were in extremely difficult medical conditions, but even in this situation they tried to support the adults, said Berdar, recalling the events after the strike.

The hospital clowns, who use traditional clown noses and bright costumes, are now visiting multiple hospitals in the Ukrainian capital region, including the National Cancer Institute, where patient numbers have surged after the Okhmatdyt attack.

Tetiana Nosova, 22, and Vladyslava Kulinich, 22, are volunteer hospital clowns who go by Zhuzha and Lala and joined BUP more than a year ago. For them, hospital clowning is as challenging as it is rewarding.

I volunteer so that children dont think about their illness, even for a short moment, so that laughter replaces tears, and joy replaces fear, especially during medical procedures, Kulinich said. In her practice, she stays together with children, sharing all their feelings, whether they are fear, pain, or joy.

For Nosova, the process itself is what made her start clowning. I am motivated by joy. I simply enjoy it. All my life I studied to be an actress, all my life I enjoyed making people laugh. Thats enough motivation for me," she said.

In a city grappling with nightly air raid alerts and power outages, overworked doctors say the presence of the volunteers brings a much-needed distraction, often helping children who had been undergoing painful medical treatment to feel happy again.

Clowns play a very important role in the treatment of children. They help distract the children, they help them forget about the pain, they help them not pay attention to the nurses or doctors who come to treat them, Valentyna Mariash, a senior nurse on the Okhmatdyt cancer ward, told AP.

The July attack complicated treatment plans for many families. Daria Vertetska, 34, was in Okhmatdyt with her 7-year-old daughter, Kira, when the missile exploded just outside their ward. Kira, who was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma of the nasopharynx, was asleep, medicated with morphine.

It saved her that she was covered with a blanket during the strike, but still, her head, legs, and arms were cut with small glass shards, said Vertetska. She and Kira returned to Okhmatdyt in less than a week after the attack.

Not all the children returned to the hospital. Some stayed in the medical facilities where they had been evacuated, while others were moved to apartments paid for by charity organizations and located in the hospitals vicinity.

Despite hospital clown initiatives like BUP across Ukraine, the need for their work grows exponentially. When I see how our work is needed in the large childrens hospitals located in Kyiv, I can only imagine what a great need there is in regional and district hospitals, where such (clown) activity, as for example in Okhmatdyt, to be honest, simply does not exist, Berdar said.

The World Health Organization, earlier this month, warned that the country faces a deepening public health crisis, largely due to devastating missile and drone strikes on the countrys electricity system as well as hospital infrastructure.

Since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, WHO has recorded nearly 2,000 attacks on Ukraines health care facilities and says they are having a severe impact.

Children are among the most vulnerable, but a mental health crisis affects the whole country. It means the clowns work has won broad support from medical professionals.

Parents are simply happy to see a smile return to their childrens faces.

With clowns, children learn to joke, they play with soap bubbles, their mood lifts. Today, Kira saw clowns playing the ukulele, now she wants one, too, said her mother, Daria.

___

Associated Press writer Derek Gatopoulos contributed to this report.

___

Follow AP's coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
This years Aloha Festivals Floral Parade is set to captivate attendees with a vibrant showcase of Hawaiis rich cultural traditions. The KHON2 parade broadcast will be hosted by Kamaka Pili and Parade Chair Makana McLellan, the event annually reflects the unique spirit of aloha. The hosts joined Kelly to share about this years exciting event.

Attendees can expect a vibrant display of Hawaiis culture, with beautifully decorated floats, pau riders on horseback, and performances from local marching bands and civic groups, Makana shared. The parade is a celebration that unites the islands diverse communities through shared traditions.

The theme for this year, Aa I Ka Hula, embodies courage and resilience in preserving cultural treasures like hula. Kamaka Pili explained how this theme will be incorporated into the parade, with many participants, including hula halau and cultural groups, honoring it through their floral-decorated floats and performances.

Reflecting on the diversity of Hawaiis community, the parade serves as a microcosm of the islands varied cultures. We have participants from all walks of lifecivic leaders, cultural practitioners, local businesses, and studentscoming together to celebrate, McLellan noted. Despite the diversity, the shared spirit of aloha is a unifying thread that runs through the event.

The Floral Parade is not just a celebration but also a vital platform for preserving Hawaiis cultural traditions. From pau riding to lei making and the intricate designs of the floats, the parade brings these traditions to life, educating younger generations and sharing them with visitors.

The parades message remains clear; an appreciation for the strength, beauty, and diversity of Hawaiis culture. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and honoring cultural heritage while celebrating the unique spirit that connects all who call Hawaii home.

The 76th Annual Floral Parade

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024

9 a.m.  12 p.m.

Kalakaua Avenue

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Advocates in Rochester called for better protections for those without a home. They came together Saturday to draw attention to what they said are complications to access care.

Various grassroots organizations were all in attendance, as well as some city councilmembers and county legislators. A Supreme Court decision over the summer, Grants Pass V. Johnson, was overturned. It stated that laws regulating camping on public property does not constitute as cruel and unusual punishment, allowing municipalities to arrest and fine individuals for sleeping outdoors, even if shelter is unavailable.

Those who have lived through these experiences shared their stories Saturday, highlighting the vast complications of barriers to accessing shelters in Rochester. Some of these include shelters with a lack of wheelchair accessible entrances, lack of trauma-informed staff and staff burnout.

Theres a lot of programs, organizations and very powerful programs and organizations in the county and in the city that claim to have all of this money and all of these resources and all of these services that they can provide to people who are homeless or potentially could become homeless, said Isabel Rosa, an organizer with Vocal NY  ROC chapter. Yet  the access and the ability to get those services seems impossible. Theres a lot of barriers to access services and it doesnt really make sense.

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HOUSTON - Houston police are investigating after a man was shot during an attempted robbery early Saturday morning in Houston.

Around 3:30 a.m. in the 2400 block of Southmore Boulevard, officers in the area were flagged down by a witness about a victim shot in the back.

According to the victim, he was meeting with a woman at the location when four men approached him and demanded money. When the victim attempted to run away, he was shot, officials say.

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Police provided help at the scene and the man was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The Houston Police Departments Robbery Division is investigating the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Houston police or Crime Stoppers.
The Government is poised to approve the extension of HS2 into Euston station, despite concerns it could saddle the taxpayer with billions of pounds in extra costs.

The move will ensure that the high-speed rail route runs into the centre of London rather than ending at Old Oak Common in the west of the capital.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will reportedly use her first Budget next month to approve funding for the project, which will also include a multi-billion-pound transformation of Euston.

A Government source told The Sunday Times: HS2 just wouldnt work if the terminus was not at Euston. The station is also well overdue for investment and has become a dystopian mess and a stain on London.

Further support from the Treasury for HS2 is expected despite the rail project already being 20bn over budget. And Ms Reeves is considering changing how the Governments fiscal rules are calculated to free up 50bn for large-scale infrastructure projects.

The spiralling costs of HS2 prompted Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister, to scale back the route last year, raising uncertainty over the 4.5-mile section between Old Oak and Euston. If HS2 does not run into Euston, passengers will have to change at Old Oak Common to reach central London.

The Government has not secured the funds for tunnelling in the 4.5-mile section between Old Oak and Euston - HS2

It is not yet clear whether Labour has made headway in attracting the private financing that the Conservatives had made a prerequisite for the Euston expansion, which is expected to cost billions of pounds.

However, a Government source said Ms Reeves was likely to approve the Euston extension without finalising the financing arrangements. Without private backing, it will be down to the taxpayer to foot the bill.

As part of any Euston expansion, the Government must also decide whether to retain Mr Sunaks slimmed-down plans for a six-platform HS2 terminus or reinstate the original blueprint for an 11-platform layout, with a new Tube station.

Labour has been under pressure to make a swift decision on the Euston leg after two 1,700-tonne boring machines were delivered from Germany last month. The company responsible for overseeing HS2 has warned that the machines cannot be left underground indefinitely and that drilling must begin early next year.

Louise Haigh, the Transport Secretary, earlier this month told the Evening Standard that HS2 would never have been built solely to link Birmingham with Old Oak Common.

She said: Clearly Euston is going to be part of the wider picture but we will be making a decision soon on the tunnelling and the development.

Separately, Ms Reeves is also thought to be preparing to approve a new rail link between Liverpool and Manchester that would run via Manchester airport.

A Government spokesman declined to comment.

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Hundreds of patients moved into new Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital

Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta is undertaking a massive move today.

Their new facility, the Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital, opened at 7 a.m. and Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston Hospital officially closed.

At 7:30 a.m., ambulances carrying hundreds of patients began taking all of the patients from the old hospital to the new one.

Just after 7 p.m., officials said they fully moved in all of their patients.

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We have planned that day literally minute by minute, Chief Nursing Officer Linda Cole said of the move.

The move is being orchestrated by 1,200 team members and another 1,000 support staff volunteers to help with patient and family needs.

They moved 202 patients from Egleston Hospital near Emory University to the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital on North Druid Hills Road.

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Using 65 ambulances, the move should take 10 to 12 hours.

We will have ambulances coming in from all our neighboring states, so truly been a lot of community involvement to make sure we can do this safely, Cole said.

The nearly four-mile route from Egleston will go out to Clairmont Road to the I-85 frontage road.

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PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD)  Giving people the chance at a healthy life. That is what a walk in Pekin Saturday was all about.

Held at Mineral Springs Park in Pekin, the 3rd annual Tri-County Hunger Walk is a lap around the lagoon which has signs all around speaking about food insecurity.

Rebecca Crumrine with Illinois SNAP Education says food insecurity impacts tens of thousands of people in central Illinois.

Across our tri-county area, we know that there are over 42,000 people that dont have access to enough food for an active and healthy life, she said. So that includes 13,000 children as well. What we want to make sure is that we have a future where everyone can have access to the food they need to really grow and thrive.

Nadine Coussens, who participated in the walk, spoke about how food insecurity affects people, particularly families.

It affects family life and relationships and children not knowing and not being happy and living a childhood that that would help them be a better adult, she said.

Each participant in the Hunger Walk was encouraged to bring a canned food item that would be donated to a local food pantry.

One food pantry each from Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties were represented at the walk. These included Grace in Pekin, Spring Bay Food Pantry and Clipped Wing Global Initiative.

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Proponents of the long-debated reopening of Midnight Pass cheered Hurricane Helene's abrupt restoration of a natural flow of water from Sarasota Bay to the Gulf of Mexico between Siesta and Casey keys.

Its wonderful, said Mike Evanoff, the president of the Midnight Pass Society II, a group that formed in 2021 with a goal of reopening the pass, which was closed in 1983 by two south Siesta Key residents who sought to protect their homes from beach erosion.

Ive gotten about 200 text messages on this, everyone is so excited, theyre happy, added Evanoff, who visited the beach after surveying damage at a house he owns on Blind Pass Road, just north of Palmer Point Beach Park, which is where the reopened Midnight Pass now flows.

The 20-foot dune that was there was completely gone, Evanoff said. All the trees are gone  all the trees around my house are gone.

Theres a huge beach down there right now. It's flat and really nice.

Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith  who was dealing with flooding at Smith Architects, P.A. on Siesta Key, learned the news from Mark Tush, one of the owners of CBs Saltwater Outfitters, who also visited the newly opened pass.

Smith said he wasn't surprised that the Helene reopened Midnight Pass.

Im just wondering why it took so long, he added.

County Commissioner Joe Neunder said he found out about it from a couple of his buddies, as well as social media posts.

Overnight Hurricane Helene restored a natural flow of water from Sarasota Bay to the Gulf of Mexico between Siesta and Casey Key.

Neunder also contacted David Tomasko, executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, who both visited the pass Friday and estimated that about 36 million gallons of water could flow through the newly reopened pass a day.

Tomasko based that estimate on a simplified version of the same way the U.S. Geological Survey would estimate flow.

He asked a bystander to walk across the new channel, which is roughly 20 feet across and averages out at three-feet deep.

He measured how long it took debris to span the 20-foot long channel and it took about 20 seconds  which, when the estimated size of the channel is factored in, means about 60 cubic feet of water is flowing through the pass every second.

Mathematically that projects to the 36 million gallons per day  an amount that can vary based on tide and other factors.

Helene creates experiment for Midnight Pass

Its got the capacity to flow at a pretty substantial rate right now, Tomasko said.

I think its a little bit of a natural experiment, Tomasko said. How long will it stay open?

Its really like an experiment: how long it stays open can help us make the case of whether or not a wild pass can stay open over time, he added.

Glenn Compton, chairman of Manasota-88, a local environmental advocacy group, said he doesnt think the pass opened by Helene will remain viable for long.

I dont think anybody should get too excited about having Midnight Pass open. It's most likely going to close up in a very short time, Compton said. Looking at the videos and seeing whats happened there, it doesnt appear that a tidal exchange has happened; it looks like a small hole has blown open and that hole will close in a short period of time.

How big was Midnight Pass before it closed?

In October 1921  before hurricanes were named  a hurricane opened what was then dubbed Musketeers Pass between Siesta and Casey keys. It was renamed Midnight Pass in 1924.

By 1955 Midnight Pass was more than 500 feet wide with a maximum depth of 13 feet.

The pass became shallower both because of the impacts of Hurricane Donna in 1960 and Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and the dredging of the Intracoastal Waterway in 1963-64 that changed circulation in the bay.

In 1983, contractors working for Siesta Key homeowners Syd Solomon and Pasco Carter Jr. filled in the pass because erosion threatened their homes.

Subsequent attempts to dredge a new pass failed and after the Florida Department of Environmental Protection denied the county's application to re-open the pass and the county withdrew its application.

A new push to reopen the pass

In 2023, Midnight Pass Society II and other proponents of reopening Midnight Pass pointed to the degradation of water quality in Little Sarasota Bay after the pass was closed as a reason to seek its reopening.

The nearest opportunity for water to flush out of Sarasota Bay to the Gulf of Mexico are at Big Pass  between Siesta and Lido keys  and the Venice Jetties  a hardened inlet between Casey Key and the island of Venice.

The Midnight Pass Society II proposed that a new pass be made and that a north channel and a south channel flow into it, which they believe would help keep the pass open. They feel that restoring the pass would improve the water quality of Little Sarasota Bay.

The state Legislature approved $1 million to design and permit a project that would reopen the pass but Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed that funding.

Later that year, the County Commission authorized a fresh study on the feasibility of reopening Midnight Pass, in part to try to gain more favor with state and federal regulators on a project that is projected to cost from $25 million to $40 million for construction and environmental mitigation  not counting design and permitting.

Earlier this month county commissioners expressed an intent to lobby the Legislature to enable that reopening to occur.

Compton, leery of what that would mean to the future of the estuary that has developed in the decades since the pass closed, also noted that decades of development has impacted the quality of water that runs from Sarasota into the bay.

If it does close up it certainly does indicate that there is no tidal exchange between the Bay and the Gulf, Compton said.

The history of Midnight Pass has been that tidal exchange has diminished to the point where it has disappeared  thats why its closed, he added. Well never have a 1970s Midnight Pass again because well never have a1970s watershed again.

Watching and waiting for mother nature

Tomasko noted that a recreated tidal connection between the Gulf and Sarasota Bay is something that many people thought would happen.

While Hurricane Idalia did not produce that connection, the force associated with Helene's storm surge  at least two feet higher than Idalias  increased exponentially.

I know that Helene put water all the way across Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Tomasko said. With Helene water was all the way across all of our barrier islands.

Now that the hurricane created the experiment, the next step, he said, is to see if it will remain open.

Neunder, who counts both south Siesta Key and Casey Key in his district, is taking a wait-and-see approach.

It is open, water is moving; we dont know how long it will last, Neunder said. Letting Mother Nature take its course is the best shot.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Hurricane Helene reopens Midnight Pass between Siesta and Casey keys
With many still unaccounted for, the devastation from Hurricane Helene continues to unfold by the hour.

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene is still unfolding across the Southeastern U.S., where more than 100 people have been reported dead, according to the Associated Press, and nearly 2 million were without power as of Monday afternoon.

The storm made landfall in Floridas Big Bend region on Thursday night as a Category 4 hurricane with winds reaching 140 mph. Now downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, Helene is still lingering over the Tennessee Valley, according to the National Hurricane Center.

In North Carolina, over 200 people have been rescued from floodwaters that washed away homes in several areas. Meanwhile, about 1,100 residents were staying in emergency shelters in North Carolina this weekend as the state deals with widespread damage.

In Atlanta, a partially submerged vehicle sits in flood water after Hurricane Helene passed the area on Sept. 27. (Jason Allen/AP Photo)

Search teams are reportedly still trying to find roughly 600 missing people across several states, President Biden said during a news conference on Monday.

Were not leaving until the job is done," Biden said, noting that he's committed to traveling to impacted areas "later this week," having been told that a visit could potentially be "disruptive" to rescue efforts at the present time.

In response to the crisis, Biden further announced the approval of emergency declarations for the governors of Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama. He also approved disaster declarations for North Carolina, Florida and South Carolina, allowing for federal funding to cover debris removal and provide direct financial assistance to affected residents.

"I will not rest until everyone is accounted for," he said.

Heres a look at the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene  and what to expect in the days ahead.

Death toll rising

As of Monday afternoon, more than 120 people have been killed across several states including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. According to the New York Times, the fatalities have reportedly been attributed to various causes, including flooding, falling trees and car accidents.

Emergency personnel are observed on a road as the Rocky Broad River merges into Lake Lure, carrying debris from Chimney Rock, N.C., after heavy rains caused by Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

In Florida, where Helene initially made landfall, 13 people have been confirmed dead, per the New York Times. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis described complete obliteration in parts of the state, with 90% of homes in communities like Keaton Beach on the west coast of Florida, still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in 2023, reportedly being washed away.

As of Monday, at least 25 people have been confirmed dead in South Carolina, prompting the states weather agency to call it the worst event in our offices history in a Facebook post Saturday evening. Over 20 people, including children, died in Georgia as a result of Helene.

An apartment building can be seen flooded after Hurricane Helene brought in heavy rains overnight on Sept. 27 in Atlanta. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)

North Carolina has had 37 weather-related deaths as of Monday, according to the New York Times, and over 1,000 people were unaccounted for in Buncombe County on Sunday. Over 70 people remain unaccounted for in east Tennessee, officials said in a news briefing Sunday morning, per NBC News.

Power outages by the numbers

As of 1:40 p.m. ET on Monday, just under 2 million homes and businesses across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia remain without power.

South Carolina was hit hardest, with over 720,000 residents still in the dark as of the latest update. Georgia follows with more than 560,000 customers without electricity, while North Carolina has just over 439,000 affected. In Florida, around 112,000 people remain without power, and over 94,000 are still impacted in Virginia.

Damages upward of $110 billion

AccuWeather estimates the total cost of Helene's damages and economic losses will be between $95 billion and $110 billion, positioning it as one of the costliest storms in U.S. history. For comparison, Hurricanes Katrina (2005) and Harvey (2017) each caused around $125 billion in damages, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Helene reportedly triggered the worst flooding North Carolina has seen in a century, with Yancey County hit hardest with 29.5 inches of rainfall.

Storm damage in Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28 in Asheville, N.C. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Atlanta also saw record-breaking rainfall, with 11.12 inches falling over 48 hours, the most the city has endured since the 1800s. On Saturday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said statewide damages may amount to more than the reported $1.2 billion the state incurred following Hurricane Michael in 2018.

In Florida alone, around 84 structures have reportedly been destroyed and over 4,000 have sustained water damage, according to Florida Urban Search and Rescue.

Rescue efforts

Over 800 FEMA staff are working around the clock to provide support and resources in the most affected areas, according to the agency. Evacuations have continued through the weekend as water overtopped several dams, including the Nolichucky Dam in Tennessee and the Lake Lure Dam in North Carolina.

As of Sunday morning, at least 190 people have been rescued in Florida, according to an update from DeSantis, and over 1,300 people are currently seeking refuge in 43 shelters across 21 counties in that state. More than 200 people have been rescued from flood waters in North Carolina.

A fallen tree on a home in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28 in Asheville, N.C. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Debris, downed trees and flooding led to more than 400 road closures in North Carolina, per the New York Times. Now, as of Sunday afternoon, there are at least 300 active road incidents, per the states Department of Transportation.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency is reportedly in 32 counties across the state of Georgia, as they help local agencies in their rescue efforts.

More rain is expected

The storm has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone and is now lingering over the Tennessee Valley, according to the National Hurricane Center. Parts of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee  including Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg  could see upward of 2 inches of rain through Monday.

While it's forecast to dissipate by Monday, the National Weather Service warns that heavy rain and flash flooding remain a threat for the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic regions, with a slight risk of excessive rainfall expected through Tuesday morning.

Additionally, an upper-level low over the Ohio Valley is predicted to gradually weaken as it moves east toward the Mid-Atlantic by Tuesday.
Hurricane Helene kills at least 90 in US; homes and memories washed away

By Alyssa Pointer, Maria Alejandra Cardona and Octavio Jones

FLAT ROCK, North Carolina (Reuters) -The Southeastern U.S. began a huge cleanup and recovery effort on Sunday and the death toll climbed towards 100 after Hurricane Helene knocked out power for millions, destroyed roads and bridges and caused dramatic flooding from Florida to Virginia.

The storm's winds, rain and storm surge killed at least 90 people in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia, according to a Reuters tally of state and local officials.

Officials feared more bodies would be discovered.

With cellphone towers down across the region, hundreds of people had yet to make contact with loved ones and were listed as unaccounted for.

Damage estimates ranged from $15 billion to more than $100 billion, insurers and forecasters said over the weekend, as water systems, communications and critical transportation routes were affected.

Property damage and lost economic output will become clearer as officials assess the destruction.

In North Carolina, nearly all the deaths were in Buncombe County, where 30 people died, Sheriff Quentin Miller told a video conference call with reporters.

County Manager Avril Pinder said she was asking the state for emergency food and drinking water. Streets in the picturesque city of Asheville were submerged in floodwater.

"This is a devastating catastrophe of historic proportions," Governor Roy Cooper told CNN. "People that I talk to in western North Carolina say they have never seen anything like this."

Search and rescue teams from 19 states and the U.S. government have converged on the state, Cooper said, adding that some roads could take months to repair.

In Flat Rock, North Carolina, there were widespread blackouts, and people waited hours in line for gas.

"Grocery stores are closed, cellphone service is out," Chip Frank, 62, said as he entered his third hour waiting in line. "It all depends on these gas stations. You're not going to be able to go nowhere, and it's just a scary feeling."

Roughly 2.7 million customers throughout the South were without power on Sunday, a U.S. Energy Department official said, down 40% from Friday after unprecedented storm surges, ferocious winds and perilous conditions extended hundreds of miles inland.

South Carolina reported 25 dead, Georgia 17 and Florida 11, according to the governors of those states.

CNN reported a total of 93 dead across the South, citing state and local officials.

President Joe Biden plans to visit affected areas this week, once he can do so without disrupting emergency services, the White House said.

"It's tragic," Biden told reporters on Sunday, pledging recovery assistance after declaring major disasters in Florida and North Carolina and emergencies for Florida, North Carolina Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. "You saw the photographs. It's stunning."

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris planned to cut short a campaign trip in Nevada on Monday to take part in briefings in Washington on the hurricane response and will visit the region when doing so won't impede the response, a White House official said.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will visit Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to receive a briefing on storm damage and "facilitate the distribution of relief supplies," his campaign said.

Helene slammed into Florida's Gulf Coast on Thursday night, triggering days of driving rain and destroying homes that had stood for decades.

In Horseshoe Beach, on Florida's Gulf Coast about 70 miles (120 km) west of Gainesville, Charlene Huggins surveyed the debris of her blown-out house, pulling a jacket out of the rubble on Saturday.

"Five generations lived in this house, from my grandmother, my father, myself, my daughter, son and my granddaughter," Huggins said, holding a chipped glass cake stand. "So there's a lot of memories here. It just breaks your heart."

Not far away, James Ellenburg stood on the property where his own family has lived for four generations. "I took my first step right here in this yard."

The roof of one home sat flat in the dirt, its walls blown away.

In coastal Steinhatchee, a storm surge  a wall of seawater pushed ashore by winds  of eight to 10 feet (2.4 to 3 meters) moved mobile homes, the weather service said.

Other areas saw a storm surge of 15 feet (4.5 meters).

In the nearby tiny community of Spring Warrior Fish Camp, people were surveying the damage on Saturday and still waiting for emergency or first responder aid.

"No one thinks of us back here," said David Hall, as he and his wife dug through seagrass and dead fish in the office of the hotel they owned. Many of the community's homes are built on stilts because of a local ordinance and survived heavy damage.

Kristin Macqueen was helping friends clean up after their house was destroyed in nearby Keaton Beach. "It's complete devastation," she said. "Houses have just been ripped off their slabs."

(Reporting by Alyssa Pointer in Hendersonville, North Carolina, Maria Alejandra Cardona in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, and Octavio Jones in Perry, Florida; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen, David Ljunggren, Doina Chiacu, Ted Hesson, Heather Timmons, Daniel Trotta and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Nick Zieminski, Leslie Adler, Lisa Shumaker and Marguerita Choy)
(Bloomberg) -- Floodwaters threaten more damage in Georgia and South Carolina as the US South reels in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a storm that killed at least 84 people, destroyed homes and left millions without power even as forecasters look to the tropics for the next storm.

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While Helene has been completely absorbed by a larger weather system and the worst of the rain has passed, floodwaters are still rolling out of the mountains. They have devastated towns along the way, including Asheville, North Carolina, and threaten South Carolinas capital, Columbia. The floods have also cut people off from supplies of fresh water, and the Greeneville Water Commission in Tennessee has told residents it isnt sure when the damage will be repaired.

We are still in a critical time especially with some of our points in South Carolina and Georgia, said Todd Hamill, a hydrologist with the US Southeast River Forecast Center. We are seeing some improvement but we still have 24 hours or so of critical spots especially in South Carolina.

The storm may be one of the costliest. Flooding and destruction wrought by Helene may total between $95 billion and $110 billion, commercial forecaster AccuWeather Inc. estimated. That would easily place it among the five worst hurricanes to hit the US.

Meanwhile, Chuck Watson, a disaster modeler, has released a lower estimate of as much as $35 billion in damages and losses, with $20 billion from flooding alone. He said these figures could rise as more information comes in.

Helene ripped ashore Sept. 26 in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale before driving north across Georgia into the Appalachian Mountains, where it touched off some of the worst flooding ever recorded. At least 84 people have died, according to the Associated Press. Many towns are cut off as roads washed out and phone service and power collapsed.

This is the worst event in our offices history, the National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg wrote in a statement. We are devastated by the horrific flooding and widespread wind damage that was caused by Hurricane Helene across our forecast area.

Similarly, Georgia Power has determined Hurricane Helene was the most destructive hurricane in its history, damaging infrastructure across the state, the utility said in a statement.

Story continues

A public health emergency has been declared in North Carolina, which now joins Georgia and Florida in receiving the federal designation, the US Health and Human Services department said in a statement. Teams will assess damage done to hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities.

Earlier, President Joe Biden approved disaster declarations in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, according to a statement. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent more than 800 staff members to the region.

Listen on Zero: Climate Change Is Loading the Weather Dice Against Us

In Columbia, the Congaree River is set to crest a foot above major flood stage Monday, the weather service said. Farther north, tornado warnings have broken out in southern Virginia and residents have been told to take cover.

Search and rescue teams from 19 other states have deployed to North Carolina, so far helping to rescue more than 200 people from Helenes floodwaters. Evacuations were ordered downstream from multiple dams in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Catastrophic Storm

This is a historic and catastrophic storm for western North Carolina and Im grateful to first responders working right now to save lives and evacuate residents, Governor Roy Cooper said in a statement. Efforts are also underway to get power and communications restored, and were bringing in needed supplies by air.

In Georgia, a large fire has reignited at a BioLab Inc. plant in Conyers closing roads and forcing residents in some neighborhoods in the city and surrounding area to flee, Rockdale County said on its Facebook page.

Along the Gulf, the US Coast Guard is working to open the ports of St. Petersburg in Florida and St. Joe in Alabama, which are among those still closed or with restricted hours.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has established a missing-person hotline to coordinate reports in flooded areas.

Hamill said the river forecast center is working with power companies throughout the area as the utilities release water behind dams to plot the flow downstream. Across the region 62 river gauges were at flood stage with about 1% at major levels.

Larger System

As for Helene itself, its been absorbed into a larger weather system moving across the central Appalachian Mountains thats bringing about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of rain to the region, said Bryan Jackson, a forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. The rain wont fall at the extreme levels seen last week.

In the western Caribbean, where Helene formed, a patch of thunderstorms has a 50% chance of spinning up into a tropical depression or storm in the coming week, the National Hurricane Center said.

Currently, the storm doesnt look to be as strong as Helene but it could bring rain across Florida and Georgia, said Alex Sosnowski, a meteorologist with AccuWeather. The downpours likely wont reach up into harder-hit portions of the Appalachian Mountains now reeling. However, this system needs to be watched.

We are thinking there is going to be some slow-brew development  we are not looking at a high-end tropical system like a major hurricane, Sosnowski said in an interview.

--With assistance from Gabriela Mello and Alicia Diaz.

(Updates with Georgia Power in eighth paragraph. A previous version corrected the death toll in the first deck headline.)

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We asked. You answered.

Saturday (Sept. 28) marked the second anniversary of Hurricane Ian, a devastating and powerful Category 4 storm that caused historic damage and killed more than 100 people.

Ironically, a commemorative ceremony scheduled for Saturday on Fort Myers Beach was called off because of what Hurricane Helene did this week to that community  storm surge, wind and flooding. Not nearly the same as Ian, but enough to be an unwanted reminder and enough to label this weekend as another "recovery."

Regarding the Hurricane Ian anniversary, a week ago we asked our audience: How did Hurricane Ian change your view about living in Southwest Florida?

Not surprisingly our email inbox was flooded with your replies this week. We also noticed a long list of comments on our Facebook pages for The News-Press and Naples Daily News. The answers ranged from deciding to move away or thinking about it, to insurance woes and the general storm high-anxiety this time of year.

There were some of you who said Hurricane Ian didn't change a thing.

Thanks to all who responded! Here are some of the responses we received by email and in the comments on Facebook.

Hurricane Ian: 'I moved or plan to move'

Doug and Meg Medick said: In Jamaica Bay, we started the Sunday before Ian. We packed the car with some treasured items such as an Antique lamp, computer, etc. We drove north to my niece's house in W. Rotunda. Their handy man was supposed to come and put up the shutters. He didn't show up. As Wednesday afternoon came, we decided to leave and drive 2 miles to our friend's home in Englewood. They have a generator that takes care of the whole house. Then it came, even though we were not in the eye, we had those outer bands with extreme winds. The next day we looked out the front window and saw canoes and boats going by. Yes, the area was flooded. We couldn't leave until Saturday. As we drove back to Ft. Myers, I've never seen so much destruction. Several trees down, streetlights on the sidewalk, homes missing their roofs, etc. As we arrived back at Jamaica Bay, there was so much debris piled on front lawns. Our home was damaged beyond repair. We didn't renew our insurance, Why? They had cancelled us. It was no fault of ours. It was "at random". We couldn't stay there so back to Rotunda West. We secured a truck to go back to Ft. Myers. We were able to salvage a great part of our contents. We had a truck and moved to outside of Atlanta, Georgia to be near our grandson and family. We have several trees, a lawn that I mow. We Rake leaves and have the 4 seasons. To think, we are 600 miles north of Jamaica Bay. I must say, I'm glad we did it. At this point, Hurricane Ian did us a favor. Now we are, I hope, away from Hurricanes.

Kristy Love Alvarez said: You did an interview with me I was a survivor 99 days without power...well two years later of constant struggling to try to remain here I am Leaving Florida. You can no longer afford to live on the Beach I am forced out after 35 years of pure Happiness on Fort Myers Beach. It's bittersweet I can't afford to live here anymore.

Matteo Cattani said: Sold our home in FM and moved out of state to Lexington, SC!

Cathy Yeaman said: We are gone. Will never be homeowners in Florida again

Bret W. Michael said: We got a phone call on Xmas day the year before. It's was the Daughter calling to tell us she was pregnant. PRAISE THE LORD. We decided immediately to move to Jacksonville So we could be with our grandbaby and daughter. We were in the process of packing when Ian came through. We have seen quite a few devastating hurricanes come through the Southwest Florida area. And Ian was the first one that had me scared. I think it's safe to say we won't ever live in Southwest Florida again.

Ginny Williams May said: My best friends lived in CC for about 15 years, and two months ago moved out of state because FL insurance rates became unaffordable.Benjamin David said: After living in SW Florida for many years we bailed on the area in 2007 for central Florida. Sebring in particular and love it here!! Over 140 above sea level in our community!!

Todd Eldridge said: Our house Flooded in a Neighborhood that Never flooded. We rebuilt and moved to the Sarasota area on much Higher ground.

Denise Ann said: I moved to Arizona instead

Pamela Rodriguez said: We moved from our dream home , Ian hit us badly in north port and it wasn't for the fear of being hit again but because of the insurance. They fought us all the way to the end even with 3 inspections proving the damages they wouldn't pay us and kept stalling. After a year and a half of living with the damages and mold we had to sell and move out of state which made them close our claim. The nerve they had to raise the cost of our insurance nearly double while we were waiting for them to work our claim was the final straw.

Lori Townsend said: We moved to Colorado after 37 years in Lee County. I couldnt stand the thought of doing that again.

Gina Bina said: It was the last straw for me. I am done with Florida. I am a life long Floridian and I have been through countless hurricanes on both coasts and this was traumatizing. The fact that we had to immediately face the reality that this 100% could happen again. I want out.

Emgan Kissinger said: We sold our property in Bokeelia after seeing what our friends on the barrier islands went through. Our dream of retiring on a tropical island no longer appeals to us. And we are redoubling our efforts to pay off our current mortgage so that we dont have the double hit of mortgage and insurance every month.

Barbara Snyder said: We moved to Lee Co Jan 1975 . We raised our 4 children in Lee County- the 1st 30 years we never experienced a hurricane - but then came Charlie - then Irma - then came Ian - each time we were in the path - lost our home each time - just lost so much financially- just to much - we relocated to Ocala area - Hugh adjustment as we love being near the beaches and the weather in S Fl .

Lori Leigh said: We lived through the hurricane in our home on Sanibel. Six months post Ian we sold our new home and moved to Pennsylvania. This summer we purchased a condo on the beach, but will never be there for hurricane season again. I will never forget it.

Jane Brownlow said: We are seriously considering moving out of state. Cant stand the stress of tracking storms every summer.

Marc Bellagamba said: Florida has a climate problem. We probably shouldnt live where insurance companies dont want to be. Our modest apartment in downtown Fort Myers was pretty much unscathed. My lovely wife and I lucked out. So many lost much more. We are considering relocating.

David French said: After Hurricane Irma, which flooded our community, my wife and I moved about 8 miles further inland. We are now about 12 miles east of the Gulf of Mexico along Corkscrew Road. Hurricane Ian was terrifying. Our 3-year-old well-built home sustained only minor exterior damage and no flooding. But, like so many others without power, it was miserable. Still, we were so much more fortunate than the thousands of others who suffered through that storm. My wife and I tried to do what we could to help feed those left homeless, huddling in make-shift tarp tents on Fort Myers Beach. I have thought about -- and, actually, am still thinking about -- moving back to Michigan (or perhaps somewhere else) after moving here 12 years ago. It has to do more with the aftermath of the storm rather than the storm itself. Costs have skyrocketed for home and auto insurance, HOA fees, etc. As a retired senior on a fixed-income with some chronic health issues, I am also extremely concerned about our increasingly hot climate. There are days it is difficult for me to be outside because of the frequent excessive heat warnings. This increasing heat is also fuel for worsening tropical storms.

A sea of cars can seen in a a lot operated by Copart in Hendry County on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. Cars flooded and affected by Hurricane Ian being transported to the lot from, Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. The plant operated by U.S. Sugar can be seen in the background.

Ken Maddox said: After my close friends announced they were selling and leaving Florida after Ian, I did a look to see if I wanted to follow them further north. Because my life's experience has involved living almost everywhere in our great country for at least a short time, I settled on staying in SW Florida. We have an abundance of problems, but so does each section of the country. Even though my loss was small by comparison, the anxiety felt during each hurricane season is significant. Business interest must always be considered as high priority, but I see a difference between business and profit interest. Environment must be kept in a higher priority position over the profit position of builders and development interest if our population is to prosper and reasonable people want to stay.

Hurricane Ian: 'I have beach and water anxiety'

Gail Mauldin said: I wont go near the beach unless its up near Venice . I dont know whats in the water! And I dont mean sharks.Debris from the hurricane

Marty Hagle-Mattson said: I no longer feel safe going in the waters where the devastation was the worst. Afraid I will be injured by some debris just under the surface.

Alexandra Bennett said: It happened days after my wedding. Had to come home from a trip wed put everything into. Destroyed my home, my soul cat couldnt handle the stress it exacerbated his kidney disease and he passed away. Lost our small business. I just keep goingbecause not going isnt an option. We still dont have a fully rebuilt home. I used to love tracking and studying hurricane, the science of them. Now I cant find any of that passion anymore. Theyre just awful.

Tammy Hodgson said: Ian was scary, stressful and traumatizing. It reinforced to take these storms and storm surge warnings seriously or in the matter of an hour you could find yourself clinging to a palm tree, or worse. BUT it also taught me that severe hurricanes are very specific. Every mile away from the epicenter makes a difference and widespread damage doesnt mean widespread destruction. Sometimes its amazing whats still standing after Irma and Ian have both rolled through here. It also definitely reinforced the adage hide from the wind, run from the water Lastly, it made it obvious that the code changes after Andrew worked. From a wind damage perspective, it seemed to be either pre-Andrew buildings, or probably Tornado damage. The structures otherwise generally withstood the winds for the most part. What now needs work is the infrastructure, which universally failed.

Stan Pentz walks out of a Iona neighborhood on Thursday Sept 29, 2022, A day after Hurricane Ian made landfall on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2022. He survived by swimming in an holding onto items around his home.

Hurricane Ian: Insurance woes

Jessica Rose said: I want out! Hurricanes , the insurance and sky rocketing cost of living.. Now there's another storm threat on ian anniversary

Kevin Irons said: It wouldn't be so bad if insurance companies would stand by the policies they wrote, or if permitting wasn't as slow as the DMV. The endless reminder of stop signs and normal signage not even attempted to be worked on is disappointing along with abandoned boats still leaking swill in marinas and waterways everywhere. Fort Myers is basically like a third World country at this point.

Sharon Hartman said: High rate of insurance rates even though you have never filed a claim and have I Hurricane Built home with hurricane glass windows and a Metal Roof.. totally unfair for my rate to almost double.

Sue George said: We werent there when the storm hit, but the damages were costly to our community. And ever since the insurance costs have been skyrocketing. We live within two miles of the coast on Vanderbilt Drive, south of Bonita Beach Road. Its getting to the point where if the insurance rates continue to rise and repairs that are required by the state continue to cost more and more, I feel we, among many others, will be leaving the area. Either move inland or to another state for retirement. Naples isnt the same place it was ten years ago. Its just gotten outrageously expensive and the developers continue to add more and more properties without contributing to resolutions for the ever-exploding traffic issues. When will it end? Between the cost and the bulging population, well soon be among the massive retreat of older people who will be leaving for more affordable area.

Sally Harrison-Pepper said: I have friends & neighbors who are still celebrating the ways in which they fraudulently got a new roof that they didn't actually need. They think they've "won" something, rather than bothering to think about the ways in which the rest of us are all paying for their deceit through increasing insurance costs.

Jean Farrell said: How has life changed? Well, that's the question of the hour. My husband and I are retired Lee co teachers who lived on Ft Myers Beach for over 40 years and were an integral part of the community. We raised three children there. We lost everything on that day. Our home washed away. At this point in our lives, we are lost . Financially, we are in a difficult situationpaying rent on the east coast and still paying our mortgage on our demolished house. Our lot is for sale, so are many others. We applied to Lee Cares for help but were denied because we were over the income. Really? Retired teachers? Lee County let us down. As usual the middle class is forgotten.

Crews with the Verdin Company and Kell]y General Contracting install the new clock in Times Square on Fort Myers Beach on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. The original clock was destroyed after Hurricane Ian decimated the island on Sept. 28, 2022 . The clock will be covered until it is unveiled during a ceremony on Sept. 28, 2023.

Hurricane Ian: General anxiety

Juanita Diane said: PTSD. Someone asks about Ian and I burst into tears to this day.

Gerald Osterhoudt said: Our plan was to move downtown and be to closer to the beach or on a canal with a view, NOW staying right where we are, 5 miles from the beach on a 17 ft elevation overlooking a lake

Jennifer Arnes said: The resources and warnings that are available now in 2024 should be taken seriously. The full time residents of SW Florida that have seen the greed, the absence of help and aid at critical points, have bared the brunt of selfishness and entitlement. Those people are gods people, they are not leaving. Those people have vested there entire lives, there childrens lives through thick and thin. Not by a gross display of development which has ruined the ecosystem. Those people are the most resilient of all. God knows about the souls that were taken by storm, he also knows the lives that were taken in the aftermath. Human behavior the saddest aspect. Still trying to control, forgetting you have only your actions and words to mind. Lesson.

Mark Gagliardi said: Hard to believe its been two years. I moved here from Chicago as Covid started in early 2020. So, two years pretty much in isolation in a new city, and then just as we were getting kinda normal, BAM! Ian. I recall pulling up the weather on my phone that day and the blue dot on the screen representing the location of my house was smack dab in the middle of Ians eye. I regret not taking a screen shot to this day. I remember being envious of my roommate Jims deafness for the first time. How lucky he was to not hear the wind blowing relentlessly for hours, days. But I saw the look on his face when he finally felt the power of the storm and we took cover in fear of not only losing the roof but the walls as well. I try not to look back, but I know I do not ever want to experience another storm like that again. Things are getting back to normal as normal can be and its good to see places coming back along with the new developments. I know we all take a deeper breath these days when we get the tropical update on the nightly news, but I suppose that goes with the territory of living in paradise.

Boats in the Fort Myers Yacht Basin have to be removed by Thursday, April 27, 2023. A new company is taking over management of the facility an all boats have to be removed. Most of the boats left have been damaged or destroyed in Hurricane Ian.

Hurricane Ian: Historic storm didn't change anything for me

Richard J. Sawicki said: I was impacted by Ian, my house flooded. I have lived in Naples for 24 years and have no plans to leave. I believe it still remains one of the best places to live. I fault myself for not being more prepared for flooding. My house is adequetly protected for wind but was not for flooding. That has changed, I now have sandbags and flood gates ready for the next storm, it is not much different than putting up shutters. There is no perfect place to live, whether its wildfires, tornadoes or earthquakes, you never know when disaster will strike. At least with a hurricane you have time to prepare. As buildings are updated and elevated storm damage will decrease. It remains paradise.

Ben Davidson said: Ive been here 27 years now and the hurricane didnt change my views in any way. Hurricanes are a part of life in Florida and a small price to pay for living in one of the most beautiful places in the US.

Sarah Connor said: It didnt change my view about living in SWFL.

Russell Finn said: Not at all.

Mark Kahle said: We lived thru nature's biggest and baddest monster....and we prevailed, continued forward and thrived. Florida is home, and forever will be.

Marci Hallock said: No Change due to Ian. Hurricanes have always been a given. My family has been in state over 200 years. The problem is due to the reactions from government and insurance after it.

Isabel M. LoPiccolo said: It doesn't matter where you live there is always some kind of disaster, wild fires, landslides, hurricanes, tornadoes and blizzards etc. At least with hurricanes we get a week's notice to evacuate. This didn't change my view on SW Florida.

Margie Jones said: Being born and raised in Ft. Myers, nothing has changed. We moved to Ocala about 15 yrs ago but given the chance, I'd move back because Ft. Myers is and always will be home. I remember all the storms since Donna, Sept 10 1960, and have survived every one of them.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Ian anniversary memories: Pain remains in variety of ways
Barry Crawford (middle) wanted to thank the paramedics who saved his life [SCAS]

A woman who was awoken by her husband in cardiac arrest said she thought the noise he was making was just "a very loud snore".

Alison Crawford from Basingstoke, Hampshire, woke up in the early hours of the morning on 7 November to find her husband Barry making a strange noise.

After dialling 999, she was instructed to carry out CPR until paramedics arrived.

Mr Crawford survived following several shocks with a defibrillator and later heart surgery.

An ambulance took Mr Crawford to hospital where he was stabilised [Getty Images]

"He was completely rigid when I nudged him," said Mrs Crawford.

I tried slapping his face to wake him up but that didnt work and he continued making this very strange noise.

Two ambulances were sent to the couple's home, where it was confirmed Mr Crawford was in cardiac arrest.

The sounds he had been making were agonal breathing, an abnormal pattern of breathing which can happen when a lack of oxygen causes a gasping effect, according to South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS).

'An emotional meeting'

Despite paramedics regaining a pulse, Mr Crawford remained in a critical condition, as he was also suffering a significant heart attack, and was taken to hospital.

In March, he underwent double heart bypass surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.

Once recovered, he said he wanted to visit the SCAS team that had saved his life.

It was a very special and emotional meeting for Alison and I," he said.

"To put it bluntly, I wouldnt be here today without them and we are both so grateful for what they did for us, and what they continue to do for others.

"They will all be in our hearts for ever.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

More on SCAS

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, one of the largest individual donors to Arizona campaigns, teamed up with Sen. Mark Kelly on Saturday to support Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz at a Democratic phone banking event in Maryvale.

"Arizona made the difference in 2020. It's razor thin in 2024," Pritzker told a crowd of about 100 people in a small campaign field office. "Everything we care about ... is under siege by a racist, misogynist, homophobic, xenophobic  I've got a few others words  former president of the United States and his MAGA extremists, including Kari Lake. And we cannot let them win in 2024."

Pritzker, a billionaire connected to the Hyatt fortune, is listed as the third-largest donor on the state's campaign finance site, having contributed $850,000 to the Think Big America-AZ PAC. The PAC then donated $512,000 to Arizona for Abortion Access, the coalition behind Proposition 139, which seeks to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution.

Some of his donations have also gone to Arizona List, which supports women candidates, and Save Our Schools, a public school advocacy organization. Pritzker's cousin, John A. Pritzker, has also contributed $500,000 to PAC for America's Future in Arizona, which funds Democratic candidates.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her husband, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, at a Democratic phone banking event to promote the Harris/Walz presidential campaign.

Harris and Walz want to "make sure that you not only have a right to an abortion, but protection for contraception and IVF," he said.

Pritzker touted Harris' notion of an "opportunity economy," saying success shouldn't just happen for "hedge fund tycoons." While it's true he's a billionaire, he continued, "I tried to raise taxes on myself and all the wealthy people" to help "working families."

"I believe that collectively we can win this election," he said. But the close margin with Trump is "why all of us have to get out and vote."

"This ain't rocket science. If it was, I could help," Kelly, a former space shuttle commander, told the crowd. "This is about one thing. Which side, which team, which campaign, works harder than the other one?"

Both Kelly, D-Ariz, and Pritzker were on Harris' shortlist for vice president before she picked Walz.

Democrats work to increase voter turnout

Pritzker's prediction that Harris and Walz would win Arizona this November was met with cheers from the crowd at the field office near 52nd Avenue and Thomas Road. However, with a recent poll indicating that Donald Trump may be widening his lead in the state, Democrats still face significant work ahead.

A poll by USA Today and Suffolk University showed Trump leading with 48% compared to Harris' 42%, with a margin of error of 4.4%. Fewer than half of Latino voters in the poll expressed support for Harris, while 35% backed Trump.

About half of the attendees at the event came to see Kelly and other officials, including his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was wounded in a 2011 mass shooting, New Mexico Congresswoman Teresa Fernandez, and Yassamin Ansari, the Democratic nominee for Arizona's 3rd Congressional District. A few dozen others were party volunteers who had planned a door-knocking event but opted for a phone campaign due to record heat. The goal was to boost Latino support for Harris and Walz.

Paty Bishop, a 55-year-old Phoenix resident and Army veteran, was among the phone volunteers and said she was voting for the first time this year.

"I have to support women," she said. "We already know what Donald Trump has to offer. I don't like what he's saying."

Aug 20, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Gov. J.B. Pritzker (Ill.) speaks during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

Immigration a top concern

The event took place a day after Harris toured the southern border in Douglas, where she pledged to continue President Joe Biden's relatively new policy preventing asylum seekers who enter the country illegally from staying in the United States. Harris aims to strengthen voter confidence in her ability to address border issues, following record numbers of migrants entering the country since 2021 under the Biden administration.

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent in Pritzker's home state of Illinois to cover the costs of tens of thousands of new arrivals, including thousands who were bused to the state as part of a program initiated by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

While Pritzker told The Arizona Republic he doesn't believe the migrants should have had to stay in Texas, the busing program was "inhumane," sending people to Chicago "in the middle of winter wearing sandals and T-shirts."

Harris did a "pretty good job" negotiating with Central and South American countries to slow migration, although "we still had a whole bunch of people coming to the border," he said.

Both he and Kelly criticized Trump for deliberately sabotaging a border bill in Congress for political gain. Kelly added that Trump would be far worse for Latinos.

"I would hope if you're a Latino voter that you would see Donald Trump wants to deport your family members, your friends and neighbors because of the color of their skin and where their ancestry is," Kelly said. "And Kamala Harris cares about people."

One attendee who came to see Kelly, 39-year-old Natividad Chavez from Phoenix, expressed concern that Trump "doesn't want too many immigrants here."

Chavez believes Harris will take the opposite route, allowing undocumented immigrants to work or perhaps even granting them amnesty, she said.

After the speakers finished, several pro-Palestinian supporters unfurled banners and began shouting, causing security personnel to escort them out roughly.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Illinois governor campaigns for Kamala Harris, Tim Walz in Arizona
Inside the Horrifying Story of a 13-Year-Old Who Was Stalked by Teacher's Aide Before Going Missing

Jessyca Mullenberg's 1995 kidnapping shook her local Eau Claire, Wis., community

Marisa Wojcik/The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram/AP Jessyca Christianson

Twenty-nine years ago this month, a Wisconsin 13-year-olds life changed forever when a teachers aide she had known for years tricked her into taking a one-on-one trip.

The purported trip turned into a three-month kidnapping, leaving her family and small-town community terrorized and wondering if she'd ever return home safe.

Jessyca Mullenbergs kidnapping took place on Sept. 16, 1995, when Steven Oliver, her one-time teachers aide-turned-creative writing instructor, kidnapped her under the guise of taking her on a trip to work on a writing project.

But the seeds of Olivers manipulation and abuse began years prior, according Jessyca, who was eventually rescued and has now become an advocate for sexual and physical abuse prevention.

Jessyca, who is now married with the surname Christianson, has said she hopes telling her story can help prevent other children from being similarly exploited and abused.

Marisa Wojcik/The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram/AP Jessyca Christianson

A Suspicious Mentor

Oliver had known Jessyca for years prior to the 1995 kidnapping, first meeting her when he was a teachers aide at her grade school, according to ABC News. Oliver began a creative writing club at the school and became a suspiciously close mentor to Jessyca, reportedly following her to two schools and eventually moving in across the street from her father.

The day she was kidnapped, Jessyca's parents both immediately knew who had taken their daughter, according to ABC News. That day, the 13-year-old had taken a trip with Oliver from their neighborhood in Eau Claire, Wis., to Madison, Wis., under the guise that Oliver was taking Jessyca to a meeting with a publisher who was interested in her work. But that purported meeting was all a ruse.

Joey McLeister/Star Tribune/Getty Mother Monica Bourget and stepfather Jake Bourget hold up a missing person's photo during their daughter Jessyca Mullenberg's disappearance

The Kidnapping

Jessyca fell asleep in the car with Oliver, suddenly waking up to realize she was in trouble. "I woke up, and  my hands were tied behind my back," Jessyca told ABC. "And then he had ropes, like, over my legs and then under the seats. He told me he was taking me and that there was nothing that I could do."

Oliver threatened Jessyca and her family if she said anything or asked for help. He drove to Kansas City before flying with her to Houston, where he registered them both as father and daughter and kept Jessyca chained up in hotel rooms for the next three and a half months, according to The Wausau Daily Herald.

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.

Oliver got a job painting at a hotel and continued to abuse Jessyca sexually and physically every day, according to the outlet. Then, three months into the ordeal, a hotel manager happened to catch a rerun episode of Americas Most Wanted, which provided a description of Oliver and Jessyca. He immediately recognizing both of them.

The manager called the FBI, who descended on the hotel, rescued Jessyca and reunited the teenager with her family, The Associated Press reported at the time.

Oliver was convicted of kidnapping and interstate transportation of a minor for illegal sexual purposes in June 1997 and sentenced to 40 years in prison.

A Survivor's Mission

As an adult and now with the surname Christianson, Jessyca has become an advocate for sexual abuse awareness, sharing her story on multiple occasions with students and their parents, and in the media, in hopes of shedding light on other potential abuse cases.

I wish I would have known what child abuse was, what grooming was, what is appropriate for an adult to touch and not to touch, she told a class of middle school students in 2017 during a speech about the warning signs of abuse, according to local WEAU. If I would have known that I think I would have been in a different place right now.

Nearly 30 years later, Jessyca is now married with two teenage children of her own, according to the local Leader-Telegram.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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Read the original article on People.
The Insider: Obtained documents drawn following Navalny's death omit acute stomach pain, hint at possible poisoning

According to The Insider, the Russian independent investigative outlet received access to "hundreds" of official documents that were drawn following the death of Alexei Navalny in a penal colony in Russia's Arctic.

The discrepancy between internal documents and the ones made public by the state suggests that officials have lied about the causes of death and forged documents meant for the public eye.

The initial documents detail moments before Navalny's death. According to papers signed by investigator Alexander Voropaev, Navalny felt sick, fell to the floor, and called for help, saying that he felt severe stomach pain and began to vomit.

In the final version of the same document, stomach pain and vomiting were omitted.

According to intensivist Alexander Polupan, who provided care for Navalny following his poisoning with Novichok nerve agent in 2020, all the symptoms in the initial documents hint at yet another poisoning.

"Such symptoms can hardly be explained by something other than poisoning," Polupan told The Insider.

Navalny was Russian President Vladimir Putin's main opponent, and the Kremlin had used all the tools at its disposal to shut him up.

He was sentenced in several criminal cases, and some of his allies have also been imprisoned.

Back in 2020, Navalny was poisoned in Russia and flown for treatment to Germany while in a coma.

German doctors, as well as several independent labs in Europe, said that he had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent  a chemical weapon produced by the Russian government.

A joint investigation by The Insider, Bellingcat, CNN, and Der Spiegel revealed that Navalny had been poisoned by agents of Russia's Federal Security Service. The media also identified the agents' names.

Read also: Alexei Navalnys life and death as main opponent to Putin regime

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Authorities are looking into the circumstances behind a death of a woman in Grafton County thats believed to be suspicious.

Investigators with the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office say they responded shortly before 2:00 p.m. Saturday to a home on North Peak Drive in Easton. A woman had reportedly been found dead on the property. Details were scarce Saturday night. There was no word on her name, when shed been found or what was believed to have happened to her.

Officials say they dont believe theres a public safety threat. They also expect to release more information as their investigation progresses.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
United Nations General Assembly holds a ceremonial tribute to Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi at the U.N. headquarters in New York

By Michelle Nichols

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iran on Saturday called for the United Nations Security Council to meet over Israel's actions in Lebanon and across the region, Iran's U.N. ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani wrote in a letter to the 15-member body after Israel killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly warns against any attack on its diplomatic premises and representatives in violation of the foundational principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and reiterates that it will not tolerate any repeat of such aggression," he wrote.

"Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent rights under international law to take every measure in defense of its vital national and security interests," Iravani said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols)
Irans new president, Massoud Pezeshkian, traveled to the U.S. last week to present a moderate, rational face of the regime to the world.

He claimed in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that Iran did not want to be a source of instability in the Middle East, and only wanted peace. The president spoke of a "new era of cooperation" with the West and made an overture to engage in nuclear talks.

He scored a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of UNGA.

His new government appears eager to improve its relations with European countries. U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi said after meeting with Iran's foreign minister that he saw an openness from Iran to have meaningful discussions on its nuclear program.

But is it all for show, or is Pezeshkian steering Iran on a path to peace?

Experts say Iran is sending Pezeshkian out to project a moderate front on the global stage  but behind the scenes he holds little power. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini pulls all the strings.

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Irans President Massoud Pezeshkian traveled to the U.S. to present a moderate, rational face of the regime to the world.

"[Pezeshkian] is a moderate by the standards of Iran... and the fact that the supreme leader let him run and win signals they want a different relationship with the West," Ambassador James Jeffrey, who led U.S. diplomacy in countries across the Middle East in the Bush, Obama and Trump administrations, told Fox News Digital.

Irans last president, Ebrahim Raisi, a member of the conservative popular Front party, died in a helicopter crash on May 19. Pezeshkian, an independent, was elected in July.

Netanyahu Calls Middle East Conflicts Choice Between A Blessing And A Curse

"Economically, theyre in dire straits, despite the fact were not enforcing our sanctions on exporting several millions of barrels of oil a day. Hes been tasked to fix this by calming things with Western states. The problem is hes not the real leader of Iran."

Pezeshkian's visit to the U.S. came as former President Trump revealed hed been briefed about Iranian plots to kill him after Iran hacked information from his campaign and tried to peddle it to Democrats and the media.

Earlier in the month it was confirmed that Iran shipped ballistic missiles to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini

While Iran has long looked to re-engage on a nuclear deal after Trump pulled out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), its now closer than ever to a nuclear weapon. The nation is enriching uranium at 60%  close to the 90% threshold it needs for a weapon  and reports suggest renewed activity at two nuclear weapon test sites  Sanjarian and Golab Dareh.

"Iran can't really reverse some of its knowledge that it's gained by working with advanced centrifuges and higher levels of enrichment," said Nicole Grajewski, Iran nuclear expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Still, Iran is sure to try to lure the U.S. into lifting sanctions and pursuing diplomatic negotiations.

"We went into this logic hook, line and sinker in the Obama, and to some degree in the Trump administration, until [Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo took over in mid-2018. We allow these guys to eat our lunch all over the region  in Yemen, in Lebanon and Iraq and Syria."

"A new president will be tempted in Harris or Trump to try to do a deal with the Iranians, because nobody wants them to get a nuclear weapon, and nobody wants to go to war," said Jeffrey, who now chairs the Middle East Program at the Wilson Center.

Iranians elected Pezeshkian, an independent, as president in July.

"Pezeshkian might be able to advance and put a smiley face on the Iranian offer, just like the 2015 offer, but it will be one-sided."

White House Declines To Say If Killing Trump Would Be An Act Of War

Vice President Kamala Harris was sharply critical of Trump for pulling out of the Iran deal in 2018. President Biden campaigned on returning to the deal, but failed to do so in office.

Its not clear how actively Trump would pursue a deal with Tehran. Just one day apart, Trump said he would threaten to blow Iran "to smithereens" and would be open to negotiating a nuclear deal.

"As you know, there have been two assassination attempts on my life that we know of, and they may or may not involve  but possibly do  Iran," Trump said at a campaign event in North Carolina on Wednesday.

"If I were the president, I would inform the threatening country, in this case Iran, that if you do anything to harm this person, we are going to blow your largest cities and the country itself to smithereens," he added.

But speaking to reporters Thursday in New York City, he said talks are necessary because of the threat of a nuclear Iran.

"Sure, I would do that," the former president said when asked if he would make a deal with Iran. "We have to make a deal, because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal."

"Trump certainly scares the Iranians more, because he's unpredictable, but I think one way Trump is predictable is he will not be able to pass up the opportunity to negotiate a deal. It's what he loves to do. It's sort of how he brands himself," said Jonathan Ruhe, director of Foreign Policy at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA).

"The same thing always happens  we come in and say, 'You know, Iran, you better negotiate in good faith this time. We really mean it.' And then Iran drags out the talks, continues to expand its nuclear program and basically buys time for them to get closer to the bomb."





Original article source: Is Irans new president presenting a moderating image to lure the West back into a nuclear deal?
Palestinians hold pictures of Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah during a protest in the center of the West Bank city of Nablus after the Lebanese Hezbollah group confirmed the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike in Beirut. Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Iran on Saturday called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council following the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.

Tehran's mission to the United Nations in New York called for the 15-member body to meet, according to a letter seen by dpa.

Israel had "perpetrated a flagrant act of terrorist aggression against residential areas in Beirut, using U.S.-supplied thousand-pound bunker busters," Iran's UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, wrote in the letter to the most powerful UN body.

The timing of the proposed meeting remains uncertain, with diplomatic sources suggesting that a session on Sunday appears unlikely.

Nasrallah was killed on Friday in an Israeli airstrike on a compound located beneath residential buildings in a suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut.

The Shiite Hezbollah militia is one of Iran's most important allies in the fight against their common enemy Israel.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is pictured on the sidelines of the 79th General Debate of the UN General Assembly. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Everything is possible in the Middle East, including war, following the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has told Iran's Fars news agency in New York.

"Everyone should be aware that the situation is extremely explosive, and that everything is possible ... even war," he told the agency, which is managed by the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Araghchi blamed Israel for causing an international crisis. Iran had for this reason called for an emergency special session of the UN Security Council, he said.

Nasrallah's blood had not been shed in vain, and Israel would regret its crime, he said in reference to Israel's strike on Beirut on Friday that claimed the Hezbollah leader's life.

Observers see the Iranian response thus far as restrained, as there has been no retaliation so far. Tehran is believed to prefer to discredit Israel internationally.
By Jaspreet Kalra

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The overseas arm of India's National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will build a digital payments system for Trinidad and Tobago, modelled after India's United Payments Interface (UPI), according to a statement on Friday.

The NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) said its deal with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Trinidad and Tobago is to build a payments platform for both person-to-person and person-to-merchant transactions.

The NPCI, a quasi-regulator under the central bank, is a public non-profit organisation that oversees India's retail payment systems, including UPI, the country's most popular mode of digital payments.

Earlier in the year, NIPL had agreed to develop digital payments systems for Peru and Namibia, using UPI as a blueprint.

The NPIL, carved out of the NPCI to promote the adoption of India's payment systems overseas, is also in talks with African and South American countries to help them build payments systems, Reuters reported earlier this week.

(Reporting by Jaspreet Kalra; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has moved into hiding and remains at a secure location within the country, sources told Reuters.



The decision came in response to Israel's strikes outside Beirut on Friday that killed the leader and founding member of the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.

Two sources also told Reuters that Iran reached out to Hezbollah and other proxy forces in the region to determine what action to take in response to Nasrallah's killing.

In a statement Saturday, Khamenei said, "The fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront."

Israeli Forces Say Head Of Hamas In Southern Syria Killed In Strike

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks after casting his ballot during the runoff presidential election in Tehran on July 5, 2024.

While announcing five days of public mourning, Khamenei called Nasrallah "the flag-bearer of resistance" in the region.

"The blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged," Khamenei said, according to Reuters.

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Iranian media reported on Saturday that the Israeli strikes outside Lebanon's capital also killed the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' deputy commander, Abbas Nilforoushan.

Israel has killed several other top Hezbollah commanders in Beirut, especially in the past two weeks, in addition to the attack that killed Nasrallah.

Earlier this month, thousands of explosives hidden in pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah detonated, killing at least a dozen people and injuring thousands, according to officials in Lebanon. Israel is widely believed to be behind the attack but has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

Reuters cited one Iranian security official as revealing that the Revolutionary Guards is carrying out a large scale operation to inspect all communications devices.

Most of the devices were made in Lebanon or imported from China and Russia, the official said, as Iran is conducting a thorough investigation centered on mid- and high-ranking members of the Revolutionary Guards.

Iran is considering the possibility of infiltration by Israeli agents, including Iranians paid by Israel, the official told Reuters.

A demonstrator raises a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during an anti-Israel protest in Tehran on Sept. 27, 2024.

In response to Nasrallah's death, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Tehran, waving Hezbollah flags and chanting, "Death to Israel," and, "Death to Netanyahu the murderer," the Associated Press reported.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian partially blamed the United States for Nasrallah's killing, given that Washington has been providing weapons to Israel.

"The Americans cannot deny their complicity with the Zionists," he said in a statement aired by state media, according to Reuters.

Israel Targets Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah In Strike On Beirut Headquarters

Hezbollah started firing rockets on Israel in support of Gaza on Oct. 8, a day after Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 as hostages.

Since then, the two sides have been engaged in escalating cross-border strikes. Iran's proxies include Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, as well as other forces operating in Iraq. The Houthis have been launching missiles at Israel and ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea along the Yemeni coast following the Oct. 7 attacks.

In his first public remarks since Nasrallah's killing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israels targeting of Nasrallah was "an essential condition to achieving the goals we set."

"He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist," Netanyahu said.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is depicted on a banner next to a ballistic missile in Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 26, 2024.

Netanyahu said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza. But with the threat of retaliation high, he warned the coming days would bring "significant challenges" and warned Iran against trying to strike.

Irans U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani wrote a letter to the heads of the United Nations and the Security Council on Saturday calling for an emergency council meeting over the attack that killed Nasrallah.

"Using U.S.-supplied thousand-pound bunker busters," he wrote, Israel killed Nasrallah and Nilforoushan, among others.

He warned Israel not to attack any of its diplomatic or consular premises, or its representatives, according to the AP.

"Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent rights under international law to take every measure in defense of its vital national and security interests," Iravani wrote.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in hiding with extra security following Hezbollah leader's death: report
DUBAI (Reuters) - Israel should not be allowed to attack countries in the Iran-aligned "Axis of Resistance" one after the other, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday.

Israel said it had bombed Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday, expanding its confrontation with Iran's allies in the region after killing the Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday in an escalating conflict in Lebanon.

Pezeshkian, in comments carried by state media, said Lebanon should be supported.

"Lebanese fighters should not be left alone in this battle so that the Zionist regime (Israel) does not attack Axis of Resistance countries one after the other," he said.

An Iranian Revolutionary Guards deputy commander, Abbas Nilforoushan, was also killed in the attack that killed the Hezbollah leader in Beirut.

"We cannot accept such actions and they will not be left unanswered. A decisive reaction is necessary," Pezeshkian said.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani condemned the Israeli strikes in Yemen, saying in a statement that they had targeted "civilian infrastructure" such as a power plant and fuel tanks.

"Iran once again warns about the consequences of the Zionist regime's (Israel) warmongering on regional and international peace and security," spokesperson Nasser Kanaani added.

In another Israeli attack on Yemen in July, fighter jets bombed "dual-use sites such as energy infrastructure" in Hodeidah, with Israel's military spokesperson saying the port was used by the Houthis to receive Iranian weapons shipments.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Frances Kerry)
Iran's president said "regional countries, Islamic countries" must stand together to confront Israel over its recent strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In a pre-recorded interview that aired Sunday on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS," President Masoud Pezeshkian placed the blame for the ongoing violence in that region squarely on Israel, as opposed to his own country or Hezbollah, the belligerent group it has sponsored for decades.

Hezbollah by herself cannot stand against a country that is armed to the teeth," he told Zakaria, "and has access to weapons systems that are far superior to anything else."

Speaking to Zakaria through an interpreter, Pezeshkian added: "Islamic countries must convene meeting in order to formulate a reaction to what is occurring. Now, if we're speaking of Hezbollah alone, what can Hezbollah do alone? The regional countries, Islamic countries must sit together."

A strike by Israel late Friday killed Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah; that action followed a remote attack by Israel in which it exploded pagers being carried by members of Hezbollah, killing dozens and also disrupting the group's communications. Israel has also launched airstrikes on Lebanon.

In the interview with Zakaria, which was conducted before the death of Nasrallah, Pezeshkian said Iran would find a way to penalize Israel for its conduct if no one else steps up and does so.

"If international organizations cannot make Israel sit down," he said, "and allow someone who has the means and power to do whatever they want, whenever they want, and no one stops them, then naturally we will give the appropriate response."

Hezbollah, for decades a thorn in Israel's side, began launching rockets at Israel after the lethal incursion last Oct. 7 by Hamas from Gaza into Israel. That Oct. 7 incursion led also to an Israeli invasion of Gaza that has so far resulted in the death of tens of thousands of residents of Gaza, as well as widespread destruction.

Those who strike at us, we will strike at them," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said about Israel's strike on Hezbollah. "There is nowhere in Iran or the Middle East beyond the reach of the long arm of Israel, and today you know how true that is.

As for Nasrallah, Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

Iran does not recognize Israel's right to exist and has consistently supported those who wish to do Israel harm; Iran is one of four nations along with Cuba, North Korea and Syria that the U.S. State Department labels a state sponsor of terrorism.

Pezeshkian defended the conduct of Hezbollah and of his nation in response to all of Zakaria's questions.

"The greatest existing terrorist in the world is the country of Israel," he told Zakaria. "Look at the figures on how many people Israel is terrorizing every day with missiles, drones, and their people."

When asked about potentially reaching a new nuclear agreement with Western nations, Pezeshkian blamed the United States for abandoning the previous deal ("America, since the beginning, tore up this accord") and said everything is up to American leadership to prove it wants an agreement.

"If the United States of America is seeking peace in the region, we seek peace," he said. "We have no eyes on any other people's territory. Iran has never invaded any other country. Look at the past two centuries in history. We are not seeking to invade any other country. If we produce weapons, if we produce missiles, it is to defend ourselves."
The Israeli Air Force announced on Sunday evening that it had carried out airstrikes on about 120 targets in Lebanon with dozens of fighter jets without giving details on casualties.

Earlier, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 53 deaths and 100 injuries from Israeli strikes in the south and east of the country. It did not specify whether the victims were civilians or Hezbollah fighters.

The Israeli army said that military targets of the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah militia had been attacked, mainly in southern Lebanon, but also deep inside Lebanese territory.

The strikes reportedly hit Hezbollah headquarters, military facilities, and infrastructure used for planning and executing attacks on Israel. The information has not been independently verified.

A Lebanese man walks among rubble, debris and smoke that is still billowing from the site of the massive Israeli air strike that killed pro-Iranian Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburb. Marwan Naamani/dpa

A huge crater is seen at the site of the massive Israeli air strike that killed pro-Iranian Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburb. Marwan Naamani/dpa
Israel appeared to use US-made 2,000-pound bombs in the strike that killed Hezbollah's chief

Israel killed longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike in Beirut on Friday.

The Israeli military shared imagery of F-15I fighter jets taking off for the high-stakes mission.

The aircraft were spotted carrying highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs.

The Israeli fighter jets that carried out the strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday appear to have used US-made 2,000-pound "bunker buster" bombs to get the job done, according to imagery and munitions experts.

The Israeli Air Force published footage Saturday showing an F-15I fighter jet taking off the day before to execute the airstrikes on Hezbollah's central headquarters in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.

"Air Force planes in the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah and the Hezbollah headquarters in Lebanon," the caption read.

The Israeli military also shared a still image of an F-15I taking off for the strike mission that shows the aircraft carrying BLU-109 bombs outfitted with Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, according to the Open Source Munitions Portal, a weapons identification site created by Airwars and Armament Research Services.

An Israeli fighter jet carrying multiple BLU-109 bombs. Israeli Air Force photo

The BLU-109 is a US-made air-to-ground munition that weighs 2,000 pounds. The hardened bomb is sometimes called a "bunker buster" because it is designed to penetrate fortified structures before exploding. The JDAM kit converts it from a simple dumb bomb into a precision-guided weapon known as a GBU-31.

General Dynamics manufactures the bombs, which cost $32,000 each in 2020, the most recent year their cost was listed in the US defense budget. General Dynamics reported an 18% increase in revenue year-over-year in the most recent quarter, and its stock price has climbed 34% in the past 12 months.

Boeing, meanwhile, manufactures the JDAM kits, which guide the bombs. The kits cost $54,000 each, according to the defense department's fiscal 2024 budget. Boeing's shares are down 34% in the past 12 months. Its revenue fell 15% in the most recent quarter year-over-year.

 



     :  -       pic.twitter.com/Hi4fXfPhL2  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) September 28, 2024

Some defense analysts on social media also pointed out the 2,000-pound bombs on the jets in the Israeli Air Force footage. Other media outlets, including The New York Times with the assistance of a former US Air Force targeting specialist, also identified the bombs as BLU-109 in the imagery. And experts told the Associated Press that the craters were consistent with bombs of this size.

The Biden administration paused a shipment of the controversial 2,000-pound bombs to Israel earlier this year in response to concerns over the safety of civilians in Gaza. Even with their precision kits, these munitions can still cause significant collateral damage.

The Israeli military said on Friday that it targeted Hezbollah's central headquarters located underneath residential buildings in a Beirut suburb. The devastating airstrikes obliterated several high-rise towers and caused immense destruction.

Amid questions about the fate of the group's leadership, Hezbollah later confirmed that the strikes killed Nasrallah, the longtime leader of the Iran-backed militant group. President Joe Biden called his death "a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians."

Nasrallah's assassination marks a significant escalation in a year-long Middle East conflict that has shown no sign of stopping and has heightened fears that the volatile region could descend even further into violence.

The Israeli military continued to carry out strikes against Hezbollah targets on Sunday and also bombed the Yemen-based Houthis, another Iranian proxy force.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has reported that a senior Hezbollah official, Nabil Qaouk, was killed in an airstrike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Saturday evening, 28 September.

Source: IDF

Details: The IDF stated that Qaouk served as the commander of Hezbollah's Preventative Security Unit and was a prominent figure in the terrorist group's central council.

Qaouk was considered close to Hezbollah's leadership and "directly engaged in terrorist attacks against the State of Israel and its citizens, even in recent days," the IDF explained.

Israeli fighter jets struck and killed Qaouk last night in the Beirut suburb of Dahieh, a well-known Hezbollah strong point.

The IDF reported that Israeli fighter jets bombarded dozens of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon overnight.

For reference: Qaouk joined Hezbollah in the 1980s.

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Israel kills another Hezbollah commander, destroying almost all of their leadership

Senior military commander Ali Karaki was killed amid extensive Israeli airstrikes on Dahiya, which also claimed the life of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as said in a statement released by Hezbollah.

Source: The Guardian

Details: Karaki was in charge of the southern front of Hezbollah. On 23 September, there was an unsuccessful attempt to kill him.

Hezbollah reported Karaki's death, adding that he was "directly and on the ground responsible for leading the southern front with all its axes and units in the support front from 8 October, 2023, until his blessed martyrdom".

According to The Guardian, Israel killed several military officers, including Karaki, "leaving Hezbollahs senior military leadership almost completely wiped out".

Background: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) officially announced the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as a result of yesterday's airstrike by the Israeli army on Beirut.

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By Emily Rose and Maya Gebeily

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT (Reuters) -Israel said it bombed Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday and mounted further airstrikes in Lebanon, expanding its confrontation with Iran's allies in the region two days after killing the Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

The airstrikes on Yemen's port of Hodeidah were a response to Houthi missile attacks on Israel in recent days, Israel said, amid fears that Middle East fighting could spin out of control and draw in Iran and the United States, Israel's main ally.

The Houthi-run health ministry said at least four people were killed and 29 wounded.

The strikes took place as Israel attacked more targets in Lebanon, where its intensifying bombardment over two weeks has killed a string of top Hezbollah leaders and driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said Israeli strikes on Sunday had killed at least 105 people, including 32 in Ain Deleb in the south and 33 people in Baalbek-Hermel in the northeast, and that 14 medics had been killed in air strikes over the past two days.

Israel on Sunday vowed to keep up its assault.

"We need to keep hitting Hezbollah hard," Israel's military chief of staff Herzi Halevi said.

Israeli drones hovered over Beirut overnight and for much of Sunday, with the loud blasts of new airstrikes echoing around the Lebanese capital.

Hezbollah and Israel have been trading fire across the border since the start of the war in Gaza, which was triggered by the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants. Yemen's Houthis have launched sporadic attacks on Israel throughout that time and disrupted Red Sea shipping.

Israel rapidly ramped up its attacks on Hezbollah two weeks ago, killing much of the group's leadership, as it aims to make its northern areas safe for residents to return to their homes. Israel's defense minister is now discussing widening the offensive.

Nasrallah's death dealt a particularly significant blow to the group he led for 32 years, and it was followed by new Hezbollah rocket fire on Israel. Iran said his death would be avenged.

The United States has urged a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Lebanon but has also authorised its military to reinforce in the region.

U.S. President Joe Biden, asked if an all-out war in the Middle East could be avoided, said It has to be." He said he will be talking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly said the bomb that Israel used to kill Nasrallah was an American-made 2,000-lb (900-kg) guided weapon.

In Iran, senior figures mourned the death of a senior Revolutionary Guards member killed alongside Nasrallah, and Tehran called for a U.N. Security Council meeting on Israel's actions.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was moved to a secure location in Iran after Nasrallah's killing, sources told Reuters.

LEBANESE DEATHS

Nasrallah's body was recovered intact from the site of Friday's strike, a medical source and a security source told Reuters. Hezbollah has not said when his funeral will be held.

Nasrallah made Hezbollah into a powerful domestic force in Lebanon and helped turn it into the linchpin of Iran's network of allied groups in the Arab world.

Some Lebanese mourned him on Sunday.

"We lost the leader who gave us all the strength and faith that we, this small country that we love, could turn it into a paradise," said Lebanese Christian woman Sophia Blanche Rouillard, carrying a black flag to work in Beirut.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said more than 1,000 Lebanese have been killed and 6,000 wounded in the past two weeks, without saying how many were civilians. The government said a million people - a fifth of the population - have fled their homes.

In Beirut, some displaced families spent the night on the benches at Zaitunay Bay, a string of restaurants and cafes on Beirut's waterfront. On Sunday morning, families with nothing more than a duffle bag of clothes had rolled out mats to sleep on and made tea for themselves.

"You won't be able to destroy us, whatever you do, however much you bomb, however much you displace people - we will stay here. We won't leave. This is our country and we're staying," said Francoise Azori, a Beirut resident jogging through the area.

The U.N. World Food Programme began an emergency operation to provide food for those affected by the conflict.

Saudi Arabia and France said they were sending medical aid.

ISRAEL MILITARY ACTION

Israel's military said it struck dozens of targets in Lebanon including launchers and weapons stores and had intercepted eight projectiles coming from the direction of Lebanon and one from the Red Sea.

It also said dozens of Israeli aircraft had attacked power plants and Ras Issa and Hodeidah ports in Yemen, accusing the Houthis of operating under Iran's direction and in cooperation with Iraqi militias.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: "Our message is clear - for us, no place is too far".

Nasrallah's death capped a traumatic fortnight for Hezbollah, starting with the detonation of thousands of communications devices used by its members. Israel was widely assumed to have carried out that action.

Hezbollah's arsenal has long been a point of contention in Lebanon, a country with a history of civil conflict. Hezbollah's Lebanese critics say the group has unilaterally pulled the country into conflicts and undermined the state.

However, Lebanon's top Christian cleric, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, said Nasrallah's killing had "opened a wound in the heart of the Lebanese". Rai has previously voiced criticism of the militia.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily, Timour Azhari, Laila Bassam, Abdelaziz Boumzar and Tom Perry in Beirut; James Mackenzie, Emily Rose and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Jana Choukeir, Nadine Awadalla, Adam Makary, Jaidaa Taha, Clauda Tanios and Tala Ramadan in Dubai; Michelle Nichols in New York; Andrea Shalal, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington; Alvise Armellini in RomeWriting by Tom Perry, Angus McDowall and Andy Sullivan;Editing by Angus MacSwan, Frances Kerry, William Maclean and Lisa Shumaker)
The News

Israel targeted Tehran-backed proxies across the Middle East and reportedly sent Irans supreme leader into hiding, an offensive that analysts said presaged a wider regional offensive.

On Monday, the Israeli Defense Forces declared a closed military zone near the Israel-Lebanon border. The US State Department said Israel informed it it would conduct limited ground operations targeting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group and Lebanons strongest political party.

The onslaught  including killing a Hamas leader in Lebanon and striking Houthi targets in Yemen  came after the weekend assassination of Hezbollahs leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut. Hezbollahs deputy chief said Monday that the group was prepared and ready to face Israel.

Nasrallahs killing prompted Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to vow revenge; he was later reportedly moved to a secure location, and Tehran has so far responded cautiously to Israels escalation.

SIGNALS

Iran may be trying to avoid wider conflict

Source: The New York Times

Nasrallahs killing abruptly wiped out a singular force in Ayatollah Khameneis hierarchy of close associates, and a relationship spanning four decades, The New York Times wrote. It may leave Tehran in a strategic bind, an expert told the Times, stuck between an inclination to retaliate and preserve its credibility, and the possibility that Israel could attack the country directly. Irans strategy of relying on an axis of resistance made up of its proxies to deter Israel seems to have failed: The so-called axis of resistance from its very beginning was more or less a propaganda fiction created to enhance the prestige of the Islamic Republic, a senior fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute told the Times.

Israel seems far from achieving its goals

Sources: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Chatham House

The damage that Israel has inflicted on Hezbollah so far may be a sign of what a full-scale conflict might look like, with Israel in control of calibrating and pacing combat operations, an expert wrote for the Carnegie Endowment think tank. Still, that control would not necessarily enable Israel to achieve its stated aims, including the return of displaced Israelis to the north of the country. [Israels] northern region is almost entirely depopulated, its international reputation is in tatters for the killing and suffering of so many civilians, its economy is in serious trouble, and its domestic politics is in turmoil, an analyst argued for UK-based think tank Chatham House.

Global oil prices hold steady as regional conflict concerns grow

Sources: Reuters, CNN

The escalating Middle East conflict has yet to significantly affect the oil market, with the price of Brent crude continuing to fall for the third consecutive month, Reuters reported, and oil prices remaining well below a high reached in the aftermath of last years Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Ultimately, Israels strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen do not materially affect global oil supplies, an investment strategist wrote, according to CNN. Striking Iran itself, however, could lead to a response from Tehran that disrupts the flow of oil and gas from the Middle East (leading) to much higher oil prices, the strategist added.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed Friday in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.

The region is now on edge as a broader conflict looms and Israel weighs a ground operation.

Israel continued to strike Hezbollah in Lebanon on Sunday.

A day after confirming that it killed longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike in Lebanon, stunning the world and instantly reshaping the Middle East conflict, Israel remains on the offensive.

The Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday it continued to strike targets in Lebanon it says are home to Hezbollah members. It also retaliated against attempted rocket attacks launched by the Houthis in Yemen, another Iran proxy, striking the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.

"The IDF will continue to strike and eliminate the commanders within the Hezbollah terrorist organization and will act against anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel," the Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday.

The IDF said it had also killed Nabil Qaouk, the commander of Hezbollah's Preventative Security Unit and a member of the group's Executive Council, in a seprate airstrike.

Both the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah had been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a neighborhood in Beirut.

It was a stunning development that some worry could draw Iran more directly into the conflict. Nasrallah was Iran's most important and well-armed proxy. He led the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon for more than three decades and is credited with expanding the group's military capabilities and stockpile of rockets and missiles.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the killing in a series of statements on Saturday but stopped short of threatening retaliation. Reuters reported on Sunday that Khamenei had been moved to a secure location, a sign of just how vulnerable the Iranian government feels after Israel's assassination of Nasrallah.

US officials confirmed to ABC News that Israeli troops may or may soon be conducting small-scale operations into Lebanon in an effort to take out Hezbollah positions on the border. Israel has not yet decided whether to launch a full-scale ground operation, but the country is preparing for the possibility, the officials told ABC.

Such an operation would be limited in scope, CNN reported, citing a senior administration official. Israel's goal is to return roughly 60,000 Israeli residents to their homes who fled Hezbollah rocket attacks in the northern border area.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told CNN this moment presents a "huge opportunity" for Israel to "remove this whole threat" of Hezbollah, calling on the people of Lebanon to "take back" their country from the Iran-backed militant group.

In response to the airstrikes that killed Nasrallah, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to address what he described as Israel's "terrorist aggression" in Lebanon.

President Joe Biden said Nasrallah and Hezbollah "were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror."

"His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians," Biden said in a statement on Saturday.

Air raid sirens have rung throughout Israel over the last 24 hours as the country girded for possible retaliatory attacks from the various factions in the region allied with Hezbollah and Iran. The IDF said Sunday that Hezbollah had launched rockets at Israel and said on Saturday it had intercepted a missile launched by the Houthis in Yemen.

Israel's airstrikes on Friday destroyed several high-rise apartment buildings in the residential neighborhood of Haret Hreik in south Beirut.

Smoke rises over destroyed buildings in Beirut after Israeli strikes on September 27. Photo by Ahmad Laila/Anadolu via Getty Images

Television footage from Beirut on Saturday morning showed plumes of smoke billowing from damaged buildings.

Israel has increasingly targeted top Hezbollah officials and operatives in recent weeks in strikes that have killed hundreds of people.

Hezbollah members were also targeted by a covert operation that involved detonating electronic communications devices. The sophisticated attack was attributed to Israel, though it hasn't claimed responsibility.

Tensions between the two sides have been on the rise since October 8, the day after the Hamas attack on Israel. Hezbollah launched projectiles into Israel in what it said was a show of solidarity with Hamas and the Palestinians affected by the conflict.

In his White House statement, Biden said he told his defense secretary to "further enhance the defense posture of U.S. military forces" in the region as a measure of deterrence, though he said the ultimate goal is conflict de-escalation "through diplomatic means."

Israel warns of challenging days ahead

The IDF said the attack that killed Nasrallah and some of his other top officials on Friday was part of a precision strike by Israel's air force on Hezbollah's central headquarters, which it said was located underground below a residential building.

In a televised press conference on Saturday, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that Israel was on peak alert and warned of challenging days ahead.

"Israel does not seek a wider escalation," Hagari said, adding that the army was seeking to bring home hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and to ensure its borders are safe.

Israel's government has ordered its citizens not to hold large gatherings of more than 1,000 people in the central area of the country from today amid fears of a retaliation.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pictured January 17, 2020. Official Khamenei website/Handout via REUTERS

In a series of posts on X, Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, condemned the Lebanon strikes and showed solidarity with Hezbollah.

"Lebanon will make the trangressing, malicious enemy regret its actions," a post on Khamenei's account reads.

Iran is a close ally of Hezbollah and has funded the group for decades. Iran's state news agency said Saturday that Iranian Brigadier Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan also died in the Israeli strike that killed Nasrallah.

A spokesperson for the Pentagon said on Friday it had received no forewarning of Israel's operation in the Lebanese capital this weekend. The US and allies  including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany  issued a joint statement earlier this week calling for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border.

Hezbollah is a US-designated foreign terrorist organization with fighters numbering between 40,000 and 50,000, according to the Congressional Research Service. The group also has close relationships with the government of Syria and Houthi militants in Yemen.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Haripriya Suresh and Praveen Paramasivam

BENGALURU (Reuters) - Indian authorities are set to begin a forensic investigation into the cause of a fire that broke out on Saturday at a Tata Electronics factory that makes components for Apple iPhones, a Tamil Nadu state official said on Sunday.

The factory, for which Sunday was a weekly holiday, is unlikely to receive state permission to resume production by Monday, said two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Neither Tata Electronics nor Apple responded to requests for comment outside of regular business hours. Tata Electronics previously said it was investigating the cause and would take steps to safeguard employees and other stakeholders.

The incident is the latest in recent years to affect Apple suppliers in India, where the U.S. firm is diversifying its supply chain beyond China and which it sees as a growth market.

The fire at the plant in the city of Hosur began in an area used to store chemicals, a fire official told Reuters.

It has been "completely put out" and fumes have stopped, said district administrative official K.M. Sarayu.

Two workers who were hospitalised are likely to be discharged on Sunday, she said.

"We can now go in to investigate," Sarayu said, adding that a forensic team from state capital Chennai has been dispatched.

It was not clear if the fire affected surrounding buildings, one of which is set to start assembling iPhones by year-end.

(Reporting by Haripriya Suresh, Praveen Paramasivam and Aditya Kalra; Writing by Dhwani Pandya; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
An Israeli airstrike hits central Beirut for the first time in nearly a year of conflict

A man walks on rubble at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

JERUSALEM (AP)  The first apparent Israeli airstrike on central Beirut in nearly a year of conflict struck an apartment building early Monday. It came after Israel hit targets across Lebanon and killed dozens of people, as Hezbollah sustained heavy blows to its command structure, including the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The strike hit one apartment in a multistory building, damaging the structure but not collapsing it, according to an Associated Press journalist at the scene. Videos showed ambulances and a crowd gathered near the building in a mainly Sunni district with a busy thoroughfare lined with shops.

A Palestinian leftist faction in Lebanon said three of its members were killed in the airstrike. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a statement early Monday that its military and security commanders in Lebanon, and a third member, were killed in the attack.

The group has not played a significant role in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Shiite militant group Hezbollah.

An official with Lebanon's Civil Defense had earlier said that a member of the al-Jamaa al-Islamiya was killed in the strike and that 16 other people were wounded, but the Sunni militant group, which fights alongside Hezbollah, has not confirmed the death of any of its members.

Also early Monday, another strike killed a commander with the militant group Hamas, which has a presence in Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps. Hamas said Fatah Sharif and his family were killed in an airstrike on the Al-Buss refugee camp in the southern port city of Tyre.

In the past week, Israel has frequently targeted Beiruts southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a strong presence  including a major strike on Friday that killed Nasrallah  but had not hit locations near the city center.

Israeli officials had no immediate comment.

Earlier, Hezbollah confirmed that Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of its Central Council, was killed Saturday, making him the seventh senior Hezbollah leader killed in Israeli strikes in a little over a week. They include the group's founding members who had evaded death or detention for decades.

Hezbollah also confirmed that Ali Karaki, another senior commander, died in the strike that killed Nasrallah. Israel says at least 20 other Hezbollah militants were killed, including one in charge of Nasrallah's security detail.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said at least 105 people were killed around the country in airstrikes Sunday. Two strikes near the southern city of Sidon, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Beirut, killed at least 32 people, the ministry said. Separately, Israeli strikes in the northern province of Baalbek Hermel killed 21 people and wounded at least 47.

Lebanese media reported dozens of strikes in the central, eastern and western Bekaa and in the south, besides strikes on Beirut. Israel says it targets militants, but the strikes have hit buildings where civilians were living and the death toll was expected to rise.

In a video of a strike in Sidon, verified by the AP, a building swayed before collapsing as neighbors filmed. One TV station called on viewers to pray for a family caught under the rubble, posting their pictures, as rescuers failed to reach them. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 14 medics were killed over two days in the south.

President Joe Biden said Sunday that he would speak soon with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and believes that an all-out war in the Middle East must be avoided. It has to be, Biden told reporters at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware as he boarded Air Force One for Washington.

Meanwhile, wreckage from Friday's strike that killed Nasrallah was still smoldering. Smoke rose over the rubble as people flocked to the site, some to check on what was left of their homes and others to pay respects, pray or simply to see the destruction.

In response to the dramatic escalation in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Hezbollah significantly increased its rocket attacks in the past week, from several dozen to several hundred daily, the Israeli military said. The attacks injured several people and caused damage, but most of the rockets and drones were intercepted by Israels air defense systems or fell in open areas.

The army says its strikes have degraded Hezbollahs capabilities and the number of launches would be much higher if Hezbollah had not been hit.

Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen

Also on Sunday, the Israeli military said dozens of its aircraft struck Houthi targets in Yemen in response to a recent attack. The military said it targeted power plants and sea port facilities in the city of Hodeida.

The Houthis launched a ballistic missile attack toward Israel's Ben Gurion airport on Saturday when Netanyahu was arriving. The Houthi media office said the Israeli strikes hit the Hodeida and Rass Issa ports, along with two power plants in Hodeida city, a stronghold for the Iranian-backed rebels. The Houthi-run Health Ministry said the strikes killed four people and wounded 40 others.

The Houthis claimed they took precautionary measures ahead of the strikes, emptying oil stored in the ports, according to Nasruddin Ammer, deputy director of the Houthi media office. He said in a post on X that the strikes wont stop the rebels attacks on shipping routes and on Israel.

U.S. warns Hezbollah will work quickly to rebuild

Meanwhile, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Israel's airstrikes in Lebanon had wiped out Hezbollahs command structure, but he warned the group will work quickly to rebuild it.

I think people are safer without him walking around, Kirby said of Nasrallah. But they will try to recover. Were watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership vacuum. Its going to be tough.  Much of their command structure has now been wiped out.

Speaking on CNNs State of the Union, Kirby sidestepped questions about whether the Biden administration agrees with how the Israelis are targeting Hezbollah leaders. The White House continues to call on Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a 21-day temporary cease-fire floated by the U.S., France and other countries during the U.N. General Assembly last week.

Airstrikes drive thousands from homes in Lebanon

A wave of Israeli airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon have killed more than 1,030 people  including 156 women and 87 children  in less than two weeks, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been driven from their homes. The government estimates around 250,000 are in shelters, with three to four times as many staying with friends or relatives, or camping out on the streets.

Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group and political party backed by Iran, Israels chief regional rival, rose to regional prominence after fighting a devastating monthlong war with Israel in 2006 that ended in a draw.

Kaouk was a veteran member of Hezbollah going back to the 1980s and served as Hezbollah's military commander in southern Lebanon during the 2006 war with Israel. The United States announced sanctions against him in 2020.

Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza triggered the war there. Hezbollah and Hamas are allies that consider themselves part of an Iran-backed Axis of Resistance against Israel.

The conflict has steadily ratcheted up to the brink of all-out war, raising fears of a region-wide conflagration.

Israel says it is determined to return some 60,000 of its citizens to communities in the north that were evacuated nearly a year ago. Hezbollah has said it will only halt its rocket fire if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, which has proven elusive despite months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.

___

Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv, Israel; Aamer Madhani in Washington; Samy Magdy in Cairo; Jack Jeffery in Jerusalem and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

___

This story correct the description of the damage in central Beirut.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Israel says it has killed another senior Hezbollah official

A sweepstake seller sits near newspaper kiosk with Lebanese dailies bearing pictures of killed pro-Iranian Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah with slogans that read: "Sayed Nasrallahon the road to Jerusalem" and "The master of resistance is a martyr". Marwan Naamani/dpa

Israel said on Sunday that it killed another high-ranking Hezbollah commander, as the army continued its attacks on Lebanon amid heightened fears that the region is on the brink of all-out war.

The head of Hezbollah's preventative security unit, Nabil Kaouk, was killed in a "precise" strike by Israeli forces, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a post on X. Hezbollah has confirmed his death.

Kaouk, a member of the Lebanese militia's executive council, had been close to Hezbollah's senior commanders and directly engaged in terrorist attacks on Israel since joining Hezbollah in the 1980s, the IDF said.

The IDF said it would continue to eliminate Hezbollah commanders. No details of the location of the strike were provided.

The claim comes one day after the Iran-backed militia confirmed that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Friday, further fuelling widespread concerns over a major escalation that could draw in proxy forces from across the region.

Hezbollah is allied with the regime in Tehran, which considers Israel its arch-enemy. While the Iranian leadership has strongly condemned Nasrallah's killing, it has so far not indicated that it might be willing to carry out a possible retaliatory response directly.

The Lebanese militia, considered a terrorist organization by the US, the European Union and Israel, has been launching attacks on northern Israel since the beginning of the Gaza war in support of Hamas.

Following almost a year of cross-border skirmishes, Israel launched a massive aerial campaign on targets across Lebanon earlier this week, with the stated aim of pushing back Hezbollah forces to enable the return of tens of thousands of residents evacuated from northern Israel amid the fighting.

Hundreds of people have been killed in the bombardment so far, and tens of thousands displaced.

Israel now appears poised to launch a ground incursion into Lebanon, as its army chief Herzi Halevi said on Saturday that his forces were prepared for what was to come and Lebanese residents were told to flee to safety.

The killing of Nasrallah, a cleric who led Hezbollah for more than 30 years and built the Lebanese militant group into a powerful force, is one of the heaviest blows ever dealt by Israel to Hezbollah.

Israeli bombardment continues

The Israeli Air Force attacked "dozens of terrorist targets" in Lebanon overnight, including launch pads aimed at Israeli territory, weapons depots and other infrastructure associated with the Shiite militia, the IDF said.

Israeli planes also pounded targets in the south and east of Lebanon later on Sunday, the country's NNA news agency and other outlets reported.

Warehouses, agricultural land and residential areas were reportedly hit.

At least 17 members of one family have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon, NNA reported.

The Hezbollah-affiliated television station Al-Manar reported 15 deaths, including women and children, in the attack in the north of the Bekaa Valley, a Hezbollah stronghold.

Rescue workers pulled at least six bodies from rubble in the Bekaa Valley. The local Annahar newspaper reported that nine members of a Syrian family were among the victims.

At least four deaths were reported in the south.

The death toll since the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began almost a year ago has risen to more than 1,600, including 100 children, according to official Lebanese figures. A further 8,400 have been injured.

The Lebanese Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and Hezbollah members in its figures.

Record number of people displaced

According to Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, up to 1 million people could end up being displaced by Israel's attacks.

The number of displaced people is already at a record level, he said in Beirut on Sunday.

Mikati said the only option to end the conflict with Lebanon was a diplomatic solution. "There's no choice for us but diplomacy."

According to the UN, more than 210,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since the beginning of the new confrontations between Israel's army and Hezbollah, including around 120,000 in the past week alone.

However, the number could be significantly higher, also based on experiences from the last war with Israel in 2006, the UN said.

Many people sleep in parks, on the streets or on the beach for fear of further attacks, especially in the south, east and in Beirut's suburbs. Some 50,000, many of them Syrian refugees, have also fled to neighbouring war-torn Syria.

Emergency food distribution launched

The World Food Programme (WFP) has begun an emergency food operation for up to 1 million people affected by the conflict in Lebanon, the UN agency said.

The WFP says it is distributing ready-to-eat food rations, bread, hot meals and food parcels to families and has been able to reach more than 66,000 people in shelters across the country.

Kitchens and hot meal operations have been set up in north and central Lebanon to prepare light meals.

"Lebanon is at a breaking point and cannot endure another war," WFP regional director Corinne Fleischer said. "WFP is on the ground, but we urgently need funds," she said.

The WFP says it needs $105 million up to the end of the year to be able to continue its efforts in Lebanon.

A Lebanese man stands among rubble, debris and smoke that is still billowing from the site of the massive Israeli air strike that killed pro-Iranian Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburb. Marwan Naamani/dpa
A huge crater is seen at the site of the massive Israeli air strike that killed pro-Iranian Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburb. Marwan Naamani/dpa

The Israeli Air Force announced on Sunday evening that it had carried out airstrikes on about 120 sites in Lebanon with dozens of fighter jets without giving details on casualties.

Earlier, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 53 deaths and 100 injuries from Israeli strikes in the south and east of the country. It did not specify whether the victims were civilians or Hezbollah fighters.

The Israeli army said that military targets of the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah militia had been attacked, mainly in southern Lebanon, but also deep inside Lebanese territory.

The strikes were said to hit Hezbollah headquarters, military facilities and infrastructure used for planning and executing attacks on Israel. The information has not been independently verified.

Following almost a year of cross-border skirmishes, Israel launched a massive aerial campaign on targets across Lebanon earlier this week, with the stated aim of pushing back the Lebanese Hezbollah militia to enable the return of tens of thousands of residents evacuated from northern Israel amid the fighting.

As the fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia continues, hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands of people displaced in Lebanon. The escalation has heightened fears that the region is on the brink of all-out war.

High-ranking Hezbollah commander killed

Israel said on Sunday that it killed another high-ranking Hezbollah commander. The head of Hezbollah's preventative security unit, Nabil Kaouk, was killed in a "precise" strike by Israeli forces, the Israeli military said in a post on X. Hezbollah confirmed his death.

Kaouk, a member of the Lebanese militia's executive council, had been close to Hezbollah's senior commanders and directly engaged in terrorist attacks on Israel since joining Hezbollah in the 1980s, the IDF said.

The claim comes one day after the Iran-backed militia confirmed that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Friday. Nasrallah's death is considered one of the heaviest blows ever dealt by Israel to Hezbollah.

Lebanon reports 14 medics killed in Israeli airstrikes

At least 14 paramedics have been killed in Israeli airstrikes over the past two days.

The Israeli military targeted areas near a hospital in the Bekaa Valley in the east, forcing its temporary closure, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported on Sunday.

The ministry condemned the strikes as a violation of international law, stating: "It is well known that paramedics do not engage in combat. They transport the dead to their final resting place and tend to the wounds of the injured until they arrive at the hospital. Does Israel want to spill blood without end?"

The death toll since the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began almost a year ago has risen to more than 1,600 and a further 8,400 have been injured, according to official Lebanese figures.

The Lebanese Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and Hezbollah members in its figures.

Record number of people displaced

According to Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, up to 1 million people could end up being displaced by Israel's attacks. The number of displaced people is already at a record level, he said in Beirut on Sunday.

Mikati said the only option to end the conflict with Lebanon was a diplomatic solution. "There's no choice for us but diplomacy."

According to the UN, more than 210,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since the beginning of the new confrontations between Israel's army and Hezbollah, including around 120,000 in the past week alone.

However, the number could be significantly higher, also based on experiences from the last war with Israel in 2006, the UN said.

Many people sleep in parks, on the streets or on the beach for fear of further attacks, especially in the south, the east and in Beirut's suburbs. Some 50,000, many of them Syrian refugees, have also fled to neighbouring war-torn Syria.

Emergency food distribution launched

The World Food Programme (WFP) has begun an emergency food operation for up to 1 million people affected by the conflict in Lebanon, the UN agency said.

The WFP says it is distributing ready-to-eat food rations, bread, hot meals and food parcels to families and has been able to reach more than 66,000 people in shelters across the country.

"Lebanon is at a breaking point and cannot endure another war," WFP regional director Corinne Fleischer said. "WFP is on the ground, but we urgently need funds." The WFP says it needs $105 million up to the end of the year to be able to continue its efforts in Lebanon.

Slim hope for ceasefire

The international community is urging de-escalation amidst continued Israeli strikes and Hezbollah retaliations, but efforts for a ceasefire have so far been rejected by both sides.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep hitting Hezbollah with "full force" as Hezbollah also said it would keep firing rockets towards Israel.

The Lebanese militia, considered a terrorist organization by the US, the European Union and Israel, has been launching attacks on northern Israel since the beginning of the Gaza war in support of Hamas.

Hezbollah is part of Irans so-called axis of resistance  a network of Iran-allied groups that includes the Palestinian Hamas organization, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen.

Lebanese inspect the huge crater caused by the massive Israeli air strike that killed pro-Iranian Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburb. Marwan Naamani/dpa
Israel opened up a war on three fronts with major airstrikes on Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen on Sunday.

Huge explosions rocked the Red Sea state as Israel took revenge for missile attacks launched by the Iran-backed group.

The explosions shook the city, said reports from Hodeidah, with social media posts showing major blasts and what appeared to be extensive damage.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, describing them as extensive, intelligence-based aerial operation involving dozens of aircraft.

The targets included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, which were used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in addition to military supplies and oil, said an IDF statement.

The Iranian-backed Houthis launched three ballistic missiles at southern and central Israel this month, together with several drones, at least two getting through air defences.

The terror group, who seized the Yemeni capital Sanaa in 2014 and is extensively funded and armed by Iran, has also harried shipping in the area for more than a year, all but closing the Suez Canal in what it calls a response to Israels war in Gaza.

Britain and the United States began an ongoing air campaign against Houthi targets in a bid to suppress attacks on shipping in January this year.

Israel struck Yemen directly for the first time in July in response to a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv.

The latest strike on Yemen comes as Israeli officials briefed that there had been a limited ground incursion into southern Lebanon, involving special forces troops.

Israeli media also reported that tanks were being gathered on the Israeli side of the border, indicating a wider ground incursion may be imminent.

Israels official war aims now include returning some 60,000 citizens in the north to their homes along the border, something most analysts believe will not be possible without troops on the ground in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah has continued to bombard Israeli border communities for nearly a year with over 8,000 projectiles launched since October 8, in allegiance with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza following its invasion of Israel on October 7.

Adding Yemen to Lebanon and Gaza brings a clear third front to Israels war with Iran-backed enemies.

On Saturday night, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, warned Iran and its proxies that it would respond to all future attacks on its territory

If someone rises up to kill you, kill him first, he said, adding: There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel cannot reach.

Yemen expert, Thomas Juneau, from the University of Ottawa, a former national defence analyst, said it is too early to assess the impact of the Israeli strikes on Houthi targets.

Israel seems to want to send a message to the Houthis that any strikes on Israel will be met with strong counter-strikes. Israel has far more firepower than the Houthis, so it wants to signal to the Houthis that they will suffer a much greater cost, he told The Telegraph.

The strikes in Yemen came as preparations were being made in Beirut for the burial of Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, killed by an Israeli airstrike Friday.

There are fears that the funeral will stoke sectarian tensions in the Lebanese capital and possible wider conflict.

05:08 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage. The latest developments from the day were:

The Israeli army targeted a power plant and ports in Yemen in revenge for Houthi missile attacks, marking a fresh exchange in another front of the regional conflict. In a statement, the IDF said it had conducted a large-scale air operation with dozens of air force aircraft, including fighter jets and intelligence planes.

The body of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was recovered from the site of an Israeli air attack on Beiruts southern suburbs, a day after his death was confirmed. The Israeli military said on Sunday the strike also eliminated more than 20 other members of the Lebanese armed group.

Hezbollah confirmed that Nabil Kaouk, another of its senior leaders who had been tipped as one of Nasrallahs successors, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. He is the seventh senior leader of the Lebanese militant group to be killed since Sept 20.

Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that the death of a senior Iranian general, killed alongside Nasrallah will not go unanswered.

Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, authorised the military to reinforce its presence in the Middle East with defensive air-support capabilities and put other forces on a heightened readiness status, the Pentagon said on Sunday.

Fourteen medics have been killed over the course of two days of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese health ministry said.

Lebanons prime minister Najib Mikati told reporters on Sunday that Israels intensifying attacks on the country may have displaced up to one million people.

The World Food Programme launched an emergency operation to provide meals for one million people affected by the escalating conflict in Lebanon.

04:58 PM BST

Israel likely used US-made 2,000-pound bombs in Nasrallah strike

Israel probably employed US-made 2,000-pound munitions in its strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah, according to a review of visuals released by the IDF.

Analysts who examined videos of the strike and its aftermath at The Washington Posts request said the damage was consistent with the use of multiple 2,000-pound bombs.

04:46 PM BST

US Centcom involved in strikes, says Israeli official

Axios reports an Israeli official saying that the Israeli strikes on Yemens Hodeidah port was carried out with US Central Command (Centcom).

04:06 PM BST

Israel army says striking Houthi rebel targets in Yemen

The Israeli military said on Sunday it was striking several Houthi rebel targets in Yemen using dozens of aircraft.

In a large-scale air operation today, dozens of Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets, refuelling planes, and reconnaissance aircraft, attacked military-use targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the Ras Issa and Hodeida areas of Yemen, military spokesman Captain David Avraham said in a statement to AFP.

03:53 PM BST

Pope Francis, asked about Israeli strikes, slams attacks that go beyond morality

Pope Francis, asked on Sunday about Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as well as non-combatants, criticized military attacks that he said go beyond morality.

On the flight back to Rome from Belgium, the pontiff said countries cannot go over the top in using their military forces. Even in war there is a morality to safeguard, he said. War is immoral. But the rules of war give it some morality.

03:40 PM BST

Airstrikes launched at Yemens Hodeidah port

Airstrikes were launched at Yemens Hodeidah port on Sunday, with targets including fuel tanks, two sources at the port told Reuters.

Asked whether the Israeli military was carrying out an attack in Yemen, a military spokesperson declined to comment.

03:32 PM BST

Israel says striking more Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

The Israeli military said it was carrying out fresh strikes on Sunday targeting Hezbollahs weapons storage facilities and infrastructure sites in Lebanon.

Over the last few hours, IDF (military) fighter jets struck Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, including launchers directed toward Israeli territory, weapons storage facilities, and terrorist infrastructure sites, the military said in a statement.

A separate statement later said it had hit approximately 45 Hezbollah targets in the area of Kafra in southern Lebanon.

Among those targets struck were weapons storage facilities and infrastructure sites belonging to the group, it said.

03:23 PM BST

Hezbollah says launched rocket salvo towards north Israeli town

Hezbollah said on Sunday that it had targeted two north Israel locations including the town of Safed, an area it has fired at several times over the past week.

The Iran-backed group, whose leader Israel killed in an air strike on Friday, said its fighters launched a rocket salvo at Safed and a smaller location in defence of Lebanon and its people and in response to Israeli attacks on cities, villages and civilians.

03:15 PM BST

Pictures of the day

Kashmiri Shia Muslim women protest against Israel in Srinagar - REUTERS/Sharafat Ali

The Israeli Air Force strikes southern Lebanon villages - REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Injured Palestinians are brought to al-Ahli Baptist Hospital after an Israeli attack on az-Zahra school in Gaza City - Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu via Getty Images

02:59 PM BST

Fourteen medics killed in two days of Israeli strikes, Lebanese ministry says

Fourteen medics have been killed over the course of two days of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese health ministry said in a statement.

02:53 PM BST

US boosts air support and hikes troops readiness to deploy for Middle East

Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, has authorised the military to reinforce its presence in the Middle East with defensive air-support capabilities and put other forces on a heightened readiness status, the Pentagon said on Sunday.

(Austin) increased the readiness of additional US forces to deploy, elevating our preparedness to respond to various contingencies, Pentagon spokesman Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement.

The statement did not detail what new aircraft would be deploying to the region.

Secretary Austin made clear that should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every necessary measure to defend our people, Maj Gen Ryder added.

02:09 PM BST

Israeli strike kills senior figure in Lebanons Jamaa Islamiya, sources say

An Israeli strike on Lebanons Bekaa Valley on Sunday killed a senior figure in the Sunni Jamaa Islamiya group, Mohammad Dahrouj, two security sources told Reuters.

The group has fired rockets on Israel over the past year and Israel has previously conducted strikes targeting other leading figures from the group.

01:57 PM BST

Hezbollah confirms death of seventh senior leader

Hezbollah has confirmed that Nabil Kaouk, another of its senior leaders, was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

The Israeli military said earlier Sunday that it had killed Kaouk in an airstrike the day before.

He is the seventh senior leader of the Lebanese militant group to be killed since Sept 20, including leader Hassan Nasrallah.

01:54 PM BST

Damage and rubble on site of Israeli strike that killed Hezbollahs Nasrallah

01:46 PM BST

More than 20 Hezbollah members killed alongside Nasrallah

The Israeli military said on Sunday the strike that killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah this week in Beirut also eliminated more than 20 other members of the Lebanese armed group.

More than 20 other terrorists of varying ranks, who were present at the underground headquarters in Beirut located beneath civilian buildings, and were managing Hezbollahs terrorist operations against the state of Israel, were also eliminated, the military said in a statement.

01:44 PM BST

US military says killed 37 militants in separate Syria strikes

US forces conducted two separate strikes in Syria, killing 37 terrorist operatives including members of the Islamic State group and Al Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din, the militarys Central Command (Centcom) said Sunday.

A September 24 strike in northwest Syria killed nine terrorist operatives, including senior Hurras al-Din leader Marwan Bassam Abd-al-Rauf, the US military said.

A September 16 strike in central Syria targeted an IS training camp and killed at least 28 people, including four senior leaders, the statement said. It did not identify the leaders.

The US military has around 900 troops in Syria as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group. The coalition was established in 2014 to help combat the armed group, which had taken over vast swaths of Iraq and Syria.

01:21 PM BST

Blasts heard in vicinity of Syrias Damascus, state news agency says

Blasts were heard in the vicinity of Syrian capital Damascus, state news agency SANA reported on Sunday, adding that an investigation was being conducted to establish the cause.

01:18 PM BST

IDF carries out precise strike in Dahiya

The IDF said it had carried out a precise strike in Dahiya, the densely populated area south of Beirut where it assassinated Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.

01:07 PM BST

Israel army carrying out more strikes in Lebanon

Smoke billows over Beiruts southern suburbs after a strike - REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

The Israeli military said it was carrying out fresh strikes Sunday targeting Hezbollahs weapons storage facilities and infrastructure sites in Lebanon.

Over the last few hours, IDF (military) fighter jets struck Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, including launchers directed toward Israeli territory, weapons storage facilities, and terrorist infrastructure sites, the military said in a statement.

12:49 PM BST

Hezbollah confirms senior leader Ali Karaki killed in Israeli strike

Hezbollah confirmed on Sunday that its senior leader Ali Karaki was killed in an Israeli strike that targeted some of the groups other senior figures including its chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon.

Karaki was a member of the groups Jihad Council and the commander of the organisations southern front.

[Karaki] was directly and on the ground responsible for leading the southern front with all its axes and units in the support front from 8 October, 2023, until his blessed martyrdom, a statement from Hezbollah read announcing his death.

Karaki was the latest in a series of military commanders to be killed by Israel, leaving Hezbollahs senior military leadership almost completely wiped out.

12:35 PM BST

Israeli military says it has dismantled a Hamas tunnel in central Gaza

The Israeli military says it has uncovered and dismantled a Hamas tunnel in central Gaza that was over a kilometer (0.6 miles) long.

It said Sunday that the tunnel ran near residential buildings, and that inside were several rooms and equipment used by militants for prolonged stays.

The military released footage showing the entrance to the tunnel, a long staircase leading down and what appeared to be an iron blast door.

Hamas is believed to have built hundreds of kilometers (miles) of tunnels across Gaza to evade Israeli airstrikes. The militants have also used the tunnels to hold hostages captured in the Oct 7 attack that triggered the war and to launch ambushes against Israeli forces.

12:17 PM BST

More on Iran vowing response to Israels killing of Guards general

Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Abbas Nilforushan - Elaheh Javan, Fars News Agency via A

Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that the death of a senior Iranian general, killed alongside Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli strike on Beirut, will not go unanswered.

Mr Araghchis remarks came two days after the Friday strike on Iran-backed Hezbollahs bastion in the Lebanese capital that killed General Abbas Nilforoushan, a top commander of the Quds Force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps foreign operations arm.

This horrible crime of the aggressor Zionist regime will not go unanswered, the top diplomat said, according to a foreign ministry statement.

The diplomatic apparatus will also use all its political, diplomatic, legal and international capacities to pursue the criminals and their supporters, he added.

Iranian officials have strongly condemned the killing of Hezbollah chief Nasrallah, whose powerful Lebanese movement has been armed and financed by the Islamic republic for years.

On Sunday, Irans vice president for strategic affairs, Javad Zarif, said a response will occur at the appropriate time and at Irans choice, and decisions will definitely be made at the leadership level, at the highest level of the state, official news agency IRNA reported.

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in all matters of state, has offered his condolences for Nasrallahs martyrdom and declared five days of public mourning.

Iranians on Sunday took to the streets of several cities across the country to express their anger at the killings of the Guards Nilforoushan as well as Hezbollahs Nasrallah.

The secretary of Irans guardian council, Ahmad Jannati, said Israel will receive a forceful answer, threatening with the destruction of the Zionist regime, according to Fars news agency.

12:05 PM BST

Body of Hezbollah leader has been recovered, sources say

The body of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has been recovered from the site of an Israeli air attack on Beiruts southern suburbs, a day after his death was confirmed.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise airstrike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.

Nasrallah had led the group for more than 30 years and was a hugely influential figure in the region. His body is intact, sources told Reuters on Sunday, and it appeared the cause of death was blunt trauma from the force of the blast. His funeral is expected to be held soon.

The recovery of Nasrallahs body came as Hezbollah confirmed the death of Ali Karaki, one of the armed groups remaining top military commanders, and as the IDF said it had also eliminated Nabil Kaouk, who had been tipped as one of Nasrallahs successors.

Hezbollahs senior military leadership has now been almost completely wiped out since Israel escalated its attacks on Lebanon earlier this month.

11:51 AM BST

Pictures of the day

A woman cares for her newborn girl, Fatima, in Beiruts Martyrs square after fleeing Israeli airstrikes - AP Photo/Bilal Hussein

Portraits of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah are hung in the southern suburbs of Beirut, one day after the announcement of his death - WAEL HAMZEH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Demonstrators burn an Israeli flag in front of the parliament building in Rabat - AFP via Getty Images

11:41 AM BST

Gaza death toll climbs to 41,595 Palestinians killed since Oct.7, ministry says

At least 41,595 Palestinians have been killed and 96,251 others injured in Israels military offensive in Gaza since Oct 7, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said on Sunday.

11:30 AM BST

Pope urges immediate ceasefire in martyred Lebanon

Pope Francis called for an immediate ceasefire in martyred Lebanon and the wider Middle East on Saturday as he ended a three-day visit to Belgium.

I call on all parties to immediately cease fire in Lebanon, Gaza, the rest of Palestine and Israel, the Argentinian pontiff, 87, told an open-air mass in Brussels, as Israel continued to target the Hezbollah armed group in Lebanon.

11:18 AM BST

Fears Nasrallahs death could tip Lebanon back into sectarian strife

There is a mood of grave apprehension in Beirut this morning. Not only is Lebanon still reeling from the ferocity of Israeli airstrikes, there is also concern that the death of Hassan Nasrallah could tip this deeply fragile country back into sectarian strife.

Streets in much of the Lebanese capital remain pretty deserted, with virtually all shops and cafes closed. Due to the current situation this establishment will be closed until further notice... Stay safe, reads one notice in a restaurant window in predominantly Christian eastern Beirut.

Lebanese soldiers took up positions yesterday on a bridge separating Christian districts from Shia Muslim ones, fearful that underlying tensions could spill over into violence. Shia Muslims were long marginalised in Lebanese society and they regarded Nasrallah not only as the leader of the resistance against Israel but as their domestic political champion.

Many are suspicious that Lebanons other sects  the Christians, the Druze and the Sunni Muslims  will somehow take advantage of Hezbollahs disarray to sideline the movement. Lebanese Shia men made their feelings clear yesterday when they fired their weapons into the air across the city.

Non-Shia Lebanese interpreted this not just as a display of raw emotion, but a warning to others as well. Little wonder that, as Lebanon awaits Nasrallahs funeral, the country feels so fraught. From 1975 to 1990, the country was mired in a vicious civil war fought on confessional lines and Lebanons traumatised people have always lived in fear of a repeat.

I cant remember the city feeling this on edge for years and years, says Georges Tannous, a Lebanese Christian man as he unloaded shopping from the boot of his car in eastern Beirut. Weve been to stock up on supplies  just in case of the worst.

11:06 AM BST

Lebanon says up to 1 million may be displaced by Israel attacks

Lebanons prime minister Najib Mikati told reporters on Sunday that Israels intensifying attacks on the country may have displaced up to one million people.

The number of displaced people... could reach a million. Lets not forget the large influx from the south and the Bekaa region in Lebanons east, Mr Mikati said following an emergency cabinet meeting.

10:56 AM BST

Israeli strikes kill at least 4 people in Gaza Strip

Palestinian officials say Israeli strikes have killed at least four people in the Gaza Strip.

Two people were killed in separate strikes early Sunday in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to the nearby Awda Hospital, which received the bodies. It said another six people were wounded.

In northern Gaza, first responders recovered two bodies after a strike on a house early Sunday, according to the Civil Defense, which operates under the Hamas-run government.

The Hamas-run health ministry says over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, more than half of them women and children.

10:49 AM BST

Pictured: Israeli tanks deployed near border with Lebanon

Israeli army tanks deployed in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Israel has raised the prospect of a ground operation against Hezbollah - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

10:44 AM BST

Killing of Irans Guards deputy commander in Lebanon will not go unanswered

Israels killing of Irans Revolutionary Guards deputy commander Abbas Nilforoushan in Lebanon will not go unanswered, Irans foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said in a statement on Sunday.

Nilforoushan was killed during a meeting with the Hezbollah leader in Beirut on Friday. His death marks Irans most significant loss since April, when his predecessor, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Damascus.

In response to Zahedis death, Iran launched around 300 suicide drones and missiles at Israel.

10:38 AM BST

Government has contingency plans in place for evacuating British nationals

The Government has contingency plans in place for evacuating British nationals from Lebanon, but citizens should still try to leave the country on commercial flights, Pat McFadden has said.

He told the BBC: This is a very serious situation right now.

Our advice for some time now to British citizens in Lebanon is to leave now. There are commercial flights available, the Foreign Office is working with commercial airlines to make sure more are available.

We will plan for every contingency but it is really important given the seriousness of the situation that British people in the area make what arrangements they can to leave now.

He urged those British nationals still in Lebanon to register their presence with the Foreign Office and repeated the Governments plea for a diplomatic solution to the conflict no matter how difficult that sounds in the light of whats happened in recent days.

10:27 AM BST

We dont know where to go, says Syrian refugee displaced in Beirut

10:19 AM BST

Israel strikes dozens of Hezbollah targets

Israel said it was carrying out new air raids against dozens of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday, pressing the Iran-backed group as it mourns its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The Israeli military said its air force had struck dozens of Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, including launchers that were aimed toward Israeli territory, structures in which weapons were stored and additional Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure.

10:13 AM BST

A missile falls in Jordan

Jordans military says a Grad missile fired from Lebanon fell in an open area without causing casualties or damage.

The missile was likely fired at Israel by Lebanons Hezbollah militant group, which has intensified its rocket attacks after its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday.

Jordan and Israel, which share borders, signed a peace treaty in 1994. The Western-allied Arab country also helped intercept missiles fired at Israel by Iran in April.

Jordan has been fiercely critical of Israels policies toward the Palestinians and has repeatedly called for a cease-fire in Gaza. It has also said it will not allow its territory to become a battlefield as tensions mount between Israel and Iran.

09:59 AM BST

Israeli airstrike kills 11 in northeast Lebanon

Lebanons state news agency says an Israeli airstrike early Sunday on a village in northeast Lebanon destroyed a home, killing 11 people.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble as the search continued for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, reported National News Agency.

In southern Lebanon, the Islamic Risala Scout Association said five of its members were killed while performing their duties. It said four of the men killed were from the southern village of Tayr Debba while the fifth was from nearby Kabrikha.

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since Sept. 23 when Israel intensified its airstrikes around the country forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

09:53 AM BST

Diplomatic efforts for ceasefire with Israel underway, Lebanese minister says

Lebanons Information Minister said during a cabinet session on Sunday that diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire with Israel were still underway.

09:47 AM BST

Pictured: People gather near assassination site of Hezbollah leader

A woman reads the Quran at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah - AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

People gather at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah - AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

09:40 AM BST

Potential Nasrallah successor killed by Israel

Sheik Nabil Kaouk, right, pictured in 2010 - AP Photo/Hussein Malla

A senior Hezbollah figure, tipped as one of Hassan Nasrallahs successors, has been killed in Lebanon, according to Israels military.

The Israeli military said on Sunday that it killed Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council, amid an ongoing exchange of strikes between the two sides.

Kaouk had been tipped as one of Nasrallahs potential successors after playing a pivotal role in military operations against Israel. He was a veteran member of Hezbollah going back to the 1980s and had previously served as Hezbollahs military commander in southern Lebanon. The United States had announced sanctions against him in 2020.

Hezbollah has not yet commented, but supporters have been posting mourning messages for him since Saturday

09:39 AM BST

Lebanese military calls for calm

In its first statement since the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Lebanons military called for calm among its people at this dangerous and delicate stage.

Government officials fear that the countrys deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence in the small Mediterranean country.

The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese, the military said.

Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital as thousands of displaced people continue moving from the south to Beirut.

09:37 AM BST

Israeli army says it strikes Hezbollah launchers, armouries and infrastructure in Lebanon

09:32 AM BST

Thousands gather across Iran

Thousands of people have gathered across Iran to protest the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities on Sunday. At Irans parliament, lawmakers chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

09:24 AM BST

UN sends emergency food aid for one million Lebanese

A woman watches over sleeping children at an outside shelter after being displaced by Israeli airstrikes in Beirut - Carl Court/Getty Images

The World Food Programme on Sunday said it had launched an emergency operation to provide meals for one million people affected by the escalating conflict in Lebanon.

A further acceleration of the conflict this weekend underscored the need for an immediate humanitarian response, the Rome-based agency said in a statement, announcing that it was distributing ready-to-eat food rations, bread, hot meals and food parcels to shelters across the country.

Ongoing bombing in Lebanon is compounding the fragility of a population burdened by accumulated crises, the WFP said.

In just a few days, WFP assistance has reached thousands of newly displaced people, the programmes country director for Lebanon, Matthew Hollingworth, said in the statement.

As the crisis deepens, we are preparing to assist up to one million people through a mix of cash and food support, he added, calling on the international community to mobilise $105 million to fund the operation through to the end of the year.

09:18 AM BST

Displaced families sleep on benches

In Beirut, displaced families spent the night on the benches at Zaitunay Bay, a high-end string of restaurants and cafes on Beiruts waterfront.

Families with nothing more than a duffle bag of clothes had rolled out mats to sleep on and were pouring tea for themselves.

You wont be able to destroy us, whatever you do, however much you bomb, however much you displace people - we will stay here. We wont leave. This is our country and were staying, said Francoise Azori, a Beirut resident jogging through the area.

09:16 AM BST

El-Sissi warns Israeli operations threaten the region

Egypts president warned that Israeli military operations in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon are pushing the region to the brink and called for international action.

Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, one of the mediators between Israel and Hamas, called for an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire in both Gaza and Lebanon amid an unprecedented escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. His remarks came after Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

El-Sissis comments came in a phone call late Saturday with Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidents office. He also gave orders to send medical and humanitarian aid to Lebanon immediately.

Along with the United States and Qatar, Egypt has for months spearheaded negotiations between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. But negotiations have repeatedly stalled amid mounting fear of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas. Diplomats see a cease-fire in Gaza as the best way to avert a regional war.

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US senator was not confirming US bomb used in Israel attack on Hezbollah, spokesman says

(Reuters) -U.S. Senator Mark Kelly was commenting on an NBC News report when he spoke about the weapon Israel used to kill Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon and not confirming it was made in the United States, his spokesperson said on Monday.

"We see more use of guided munitions, JDAMs, and we continue to provide those weapons," Kelly told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, using an abbreviation that stands for Joint Direct Attack Munitions.

"That 2,000-pound bomb that was used, that's a Mark 84 series bomb, to take out Nasrallah. That was a guided  I'm pretty confident that was a guided weapon that was used in that case," said Kelly, chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee.

In an earlier interview with Senator Marco Rubio, show host Kristen Welker said NBC had "confirmed just this morning that Israel used a U.S.-made 2,000-pound bomb in the strike."

Jacob Peters, communications director and senior adviser to Kelly, said on Monday: "He was not confirming one way or another what weapon Israel used. He was commenting on NBCs own reporting, which was referenced on the show, that the Nasrallah strike used a U.S.-made munition."

The Israeli military has declined to comment on the weapons used in the attack on Friday. Kelly has said it is appropriate for the U.S. to impose conditions on some of the aid it provides. JDAMs convert a standard unguided bomb using fins and a GPS guidance system into a guided weapon.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Heather Timmons and Lisa Shumaker)
Israel wants to change the balance of power in the Middle East. History has a warning

Killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was a step toward changing the balance of power in the region for years to come, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Saturday.

Israels leader sees an opportunity opening up for a fundamental reconfiguration of power in Middle East and he may assume that Hezbollah are mortally wounded. Total victory, however, is elusive, and those who get what they wish for often live to regret it.

Since Sept 17, Israel has dealt the Iran-backed militant group one body blow after another in Lebanon  first the pager and walkie talkie blasts, then a massive air strike on southern Beirut which killed senior commander Ibrahim Aqil (along with at least two dozen civilians), followed three days later by the start of a brutal bombing campaign. By Friday evening  when Nasrallah was killed in a bombing that flattened multiple buildings  Hizballahs senior leadership had been almost totally eliminated.

Yet recent history offers only bitter lessons for Israeli leaders  and others  who entertain grand ambitions for tectonic changes in Lebanon, and in the Middle East in general.

In June 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon with the goal of crushing the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. Beyond that, it hoped to establish a malleable Christian-dominated government in Beirut and to drive Syrian forces out of the country.

It failed at all three. Yes, Palestinian armed groups in Lebanon were compelled to leave the country under an American-brokered deal that sent them into exile in Tunisia, Yemen and elsewhere. But the goal of quashing Palestinian national aspirations along with the PLO failed. Five years later, the First Palestinian Intifada, or uprising,broke out in Gaza and spread to the West Bank. Today the Palestinians are as adamant and restive as theyve ever been in their rejection of Israeli occupation.

Two Lebanese women walk in a West Beirut street devastated by Israeli shelling during the "Operation Peace for Galilee" on July 24, 1982. - Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty Images

Israels main ally in Lebanon at the time of the invasion was Bashir Al-Gemayel, a Maronite Christian militia leader who was elected by parliament, but before he took office was assassinated in a massive blast in east Beirut. His brother, Amin, replaced him, and under his leadership and with active American involvement and encouragement in May 1983 Lebanon and Israel signed an agreement for the establishment of normal bilateral relations. In the face of intense opposition, the government fell the following February and soon the agreement was abrogated.

The US, which had deployed troops to Beirut after the September 1982 Sabra-Shatila massacres, pulled out after its embassy was twice bombed, along with the US marines and French army barracks in October 1983.

The Lebanese civil war re-erupted and raged on more than six years.

Syrian forces, which had entered Lebanon in 1976 as a deterrence force under an Arab League mandate, didnt leave until 2005 after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri.

Perhaps the most significant outcome of the 1982 Israeli invasion was the birth of Hezbollah, which went on to wage a relentless guerrilla war that compelled Israel to unilaterally withdraw from south Lebanon  significantly the first and only time an Arab military force successfully pushed Israel to retreat from Arab land. This new group, with Irans help, proved to be far more lethal and effective than the Palestinian militants Israel had successfully driven out.

Hezbollah went on to fight Israel to a standstill in the 2006 war, and in the following years grew only stronger, with significant Iranian help.

People gather near the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburbs, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. - Hassan Ammar/AP

Today Hezbollah is crippled and in disarray, and clearly infiltrated by Israeli intelligence  but still, it would be premature to write its epitaph.

Beyond Lebanon and Israel, there is the example of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, a lesson in the wages of unfettered hubris. As the Iraqi army crumbled and US troops raced to Baghdad, the George W. Bush administration entertained fantasies that the fall of Saddam Hussein would lead to the toppling of regimes in Tehran and Damascus, and ignite a flowering of liberal democracies across the region.

Instead the US occupation of Iraq descended into a blood bath of sectarian violence, in which the US paid dearly in blood and treasure, the people of Iraq even more. The killing of Saddam Hussain allowed Iran to spread its influence to the very heart of the political establishment in Baghdad. Al-Qaeda, shattered by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, was reborn in Iraqs Sunni triangle, and eventually morphed into the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

As I write this, I see smoke rising from across Beiruts battered southern suburbs and recall the words of then-US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who, during the 2006 Israel-Hizballah war, said all the bloodshed and destruction we were witnessing then were the birth pangs of the new Middle East.

Beware of those who promise a new dawn, the birth of a new Middle East, a new balance of power in the region. Lebanon is a microcosm of all that can go wrong. Its the land of unintended consequences.

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The Israeli Air Force is conducting strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed.

The IDF said in a statement that its air force struck Houthi targets in Yemen approximately 1,800 kilometers from Israel.

The Israeli military described "an extensive, intelligence-based aerial operation" involving dozens of IAF aircraft, including fighter jets, midair refueling aircraft, and intelligence aircraft, striking "military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in the Ras Isa and Hudaydah areas of Yemen."

The IDF said targets included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, "which were used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in addition to military supplies and oil."

The operation was conducted in response to recent attacks by the Houthis against Israel, the IDF said.

Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei In Hiding With Extra Security Following Hezbollah Leader's Death: Report

Read On The Fox News App

An Israeli F-15 Eagle fighter jet flies over the northern city of Haifa on Sept. 26, 2024.

"Over the past year, the Houthis have been operating under the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias in order to attack the State of Israel, undermine regional stability, and disrupt global freedom of navigation," the IDF said. "The IDF is determined to continue operating at any distance  near or far  against all threats to the citizens of the State of Israel."

The campaign against the Houthis in Yemen comes amid already heightened tensions in the region after Israeli strikes outside Beirut, Lebanon, killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Houthi leader Adul Malik al-Houthi vowed revenge for Nasrallah's killing, according to Tazpit Press Service (TPS), an international Israeli news agency.

"We will move toward escalation and developing our military performance," al-Houthi reportedly said.

As the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war approaches, Houthis have continued a campaign to target ships traveling through the Red Sea as U.S.-led airstrikes earlier this month pounded their positions in Yemen. That's imperiled a waterway that typically sees $1 trillion of trade pass through it, as well as crucial shipments of aid to war-torn Sudan and Yemen, according to The Associated Press.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who reportedly has gone into hiding in his country, has also warned of potential retaliation from Iran and its terrorist proxies in response to Nasrallah's killing.

Supporters of the Houthi movement during a rally held in Sana'a, Yemen, on Sept. 27, 2024.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday that Hezbollah's command structure "has been nearly decimated," after Israel destroyed thousands of the terror group's missiles and drones over the last few days. On Sunday, however, Israeli air defenses reported downing two drones coming from Lebanon.

TPS reported that the two unmanned aircraft "crossed from Lebanese territory into Israeli waters and were intercepted by a missile and an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) combat helicopter."

In a statement on Saturday, the Pentagon press secretary, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "stressed that the United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict."

Israeli Forces Say Head Of Hamas In Southern Syria Killed In Strike

"Secretary Austin made clear that should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every necessary measure to defend our people," Ryder added. "The United States retains the capability to deploy forces on short notice. The Department of Defense continues to maintain a significant amount of capability in the region and to dynamically adjust our force posture based on the evolving security situation."

Yemeni university staff and students burn an Israeli flag during a protest against Israel's attacks on Lebanon, on Sept. 25, 2024, in Sana'a, Yemen.

He said Austin "directed that the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) remain in the US Centcom theater and that the USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) will continue to operate in the Eastern Mediterranean." The afloat posture, Ryder said, "is complemented by DoDs elevated fighter and attack squadron presence, including F-22, F-15E, F-16, and A-10 aircraft, and we will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities in the coming days."

Fox News Yael Rotem-Kuriel and The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Israeli Air Force strikes Houthi targets in Yemen with 'extensive' operation
Smoke rises following a strike in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) - Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip have killed at least 11 Palestinians, health officials in the enclave said on Sunday, as Israeli planes bombarded several northern, central and southern areas.

A school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip was among buildings hit, killing four people and wounded several others, Gaza medics said.

The Israeli military said it struck Hamas militants operating from a command centre embedded in a compound that had previously served as Um Al-Fahm School. It accused Hamas of exploiting civilian facilities and its population for military purposes, which Hamas denies.

In another strike, three people were killed in a house in Gaza City, medics said. Four others were killed in three separate airstrikes in Nuseirat and Khan Younis in central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces pursued their operations in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, and in Gaza City's suburb of Zeitoun, where forces blew up several houses, according to residents and Hamas media.

On Sunday the Israeli military said forces continue the fight in a "multi-front war" and are operating in Gaza to bring Israeli and foreign hostages home and to "dismantle" Hamas.

It said troops discovered and dismantled an underground tunnel route that is approximately 1km long near residential buildings and civilian spaces in central Gaza, adding that they found several rooms and equipment used by Hamas for proonged periods.

Fighting and Israeli military activities in Gaza have declined in the past week as Israel escalated its military offensive against Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on Friday. The group announced Nasrallah's death on Saturday.

Most of Gaza's population of 2.3 million have been displaced by the war, in which 41,500 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health authorities.

Israel and Hamas have been fighting since gunmen from the Palestinian militant group stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing about 250 hostages, going by Israeli tallies.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by David Goodman)
Israeli military says it killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official

The Israeli military said Sunday it killed Nabil Kaouk, another high-ranking Hezbollah official, a day after the Lebanese militant group confirmed the death of multiple commanders, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah.

This also came hours after an Israeli airstrike on northeast Lebanon killed 11 people. Israel says its carrying out attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the number of those displaced by the conflict from southern Lebanon has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Hezbollah and Israel have traded near-daily strikes since the Israel-Hama s war started after the Palestinian militant group stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, sparking fears of regional war.




IVF will be covered by insurance for many Californians after Newsom signs bill

Doctors from the Alabama Fertility Clinic take photos of the votes as state lawmakers in Montgomery vote on an IVF bill in March. (Butch Dill / Associated Press)

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Sunday that requires large health insurance companies to cover in vitro fertilization  a win for reproductive health advocates amid nationwide concerns about the future of access to fertility treatments.

The bill also expands healthcare benefits to LGBTQ+ families seeking to have children, changing the definition of infertility for insurance purposes to include a persons inability to reproduce either as an individual or with their partner without medical intervention.

California is a proud reproductive freedom state  and that includes increasing access to fertility services that help those who want to start a family," Newsom said in a statement released Sunday. "As Republicans across the country continue to claw back rights and block access to IVF  all while calling themselves the party of families  we are proud to help every Californian make their own choices about the family they want.

The new California law comes as conservative groups have increasingly opposed IVF over ethical and religious concerns about the use of embryos  and when life really begins.

While Donald Trump recently vowed to cover the costs of IVF nationwide if elected president in November, reproductive rights activists quickly cast doubt on the announcement as an attempt to win favor in a close election, and have pointed to his flip-flopping record on abortion.

IVF is a common procedure for those facing infertility that involves collecting eggs from ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab and implanting them in a uterus.

During the IVF process, some embryos may not survive and can be discarded if no longer needed. That has driven groups such as the California Family Council, a conservative Christian organization, to oppose Senate Bill 729, signed into law Sunday, because they say human life begins at conception."

California currently does not require insurance companies to cover IVF. The procedure costs Californians an average of $24,000 out of pocket, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and can require multiple rounds before it is successful.

Today is a personal and emotional victory. And, it is a triumph for the many Californians who have been denied a path towards family-building because of the financial barriers that come with fertility treatment, their relationship status, or are blatantly discriminated against as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, said state Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-Panorama City), who authored the bill.

Newsom  a longtime advocate for reproductive rights  signed the bill despite opposition by health insurance companies, the California Chamber of Commerce and his own Department of Finance because of cost concerns as the state faces a multibillion-dollar budget deficit. A recent fiscal analysis of the bill projected it will cost the state at least $20 million in the first two years alone in premiums for public employees.

Reproductive rights advocates have warned that IVF is in danger after the Supreme Court ended a federal guarantee to abortion access in 2022 instead leaving it up to states  noting that Trump has taken credit for helping appoint the conservative majority of justices who made the decision.

Trump has since said that he would not impose a national abortion ban if elected and that he supports IVF, but mistrust remains after an Alabama court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children and that destroying them constitutes wrongful death, and more than a dozen states have introduced fetal personhood protection laws.

The bill was amended throughout the legislative process to address some cost concerns, and religious employers are exempt from the law.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In an address at the United Nations General Assembly, New Delhi's top diplomat on Saturday took the opportunity to criticise Pakistan and China for undermining the territorial integrity of their neighbours and made an urgent call for a "more representative" UN to solve the world's myriad problems.

In his speech, Jaishankar made an urgent call for a "more representative" UN. Photo: AP alt=In his speech, Jaishankar made an urgent call for a "more representative" UN. Photo: AP>

"Unviable projects raise debt levels. Any connectivity that clouds sovereignty and territorial integrity acquires strategic connotations, especially when it is not a shared endeavour," Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said in his UNGA address, referencing the contentious US$62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project that passes through the disputed Kashmir region.

CPEC was launched in 2015 as part of China's signature Belt and Road Initiative, aimed at bolstering regional connectivity through significant infrastructure development. India maintains that the project violates its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

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In his speech Saturday, Jaishankar attributed Pakistan's dismal economic situation to its "conscious choices" and neighbourhood "misdeeds".

"Countries get left behind due to circumstances beyond their control, but some make conscious choices with disastrous consequences," he said. "A premier example is our neighbour, Pakistan. Unfortunately, the misdeeds affect others as well, especially the neighbourhood".

The foreign minister taunted Islamabad saying "its GDP can only be measured in terms of radicalisation and its exports in the form of terrorism".

Jaishankar added that "dysfunctional" Pakistan's problems were "only karma", warning that "actions will certainly have consequences".

New Delhi has long accused Islamabad of perpetrating terrorism in Kashmir, a region claimed in its entirety by both nuclear powers.

Since Narendra Modi became India's prime minister in 2014, the country has sought to position itself as a leading global power and an alternative to China in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

In recent years, New Delhi has also intensified efforts to secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Founded in 1946, the council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security among the UN's 193 member states.

Story continues

"We see that vividly in every challenge and every crisis, reforming multilateralism is therefore an imperative," Jaishankar told the UNGA on Saturday.

He empahsized that "large parts of the world cannot be left behind when it comes to deciding the key issues of our times, an effective and efficient UN, a more representative UN, and a UN fit for purpose in the contemporary era, is essential".

Jaishankar claimed that reforming the UN was essential not as "a competition for influence or a squabble for positions, but because if we carry on like this, the state of the world is only going to get worse".

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday. Photo: Reuters alt=Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday. Photo: Reuters>

The council's five members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the US -- each have veto power to single-handedly block any measure.

Earlier this week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron publicly endorsed India's bid to join the powerful UN body.

"We want to see permanent African representation on the council, Brazil, India, Japan and Germany as permanent members, and more seats for elected members as well," Starmer said in his address to the UN General Assembly on Thursday.

Earlier Macron called for making the UN "more efficient" and said France sought to have the Security Council expanded.

"Germany, Japan, India and Brazil should be permanent members as well as two countries that Africa will decide to represent it," the French leader added.

When Modi visited the US last week to attend the US -led summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue alongside the leaders of Australia and Japan, US President Joe Biden said Washington recognised a need to reform global institutions to "reflect India's important voice".

However, Beijing has consistently voiced opposition to New Delhi's bid for permanent membership. The two countries have a long-running territorial dispute involving their Himalayan border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday. Photo: AFP via Ukrainian Presidential Press Service alt=Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday. Photo: AFP via Ukrainian Presidential Press Service>

China's rising global clout has pushed India towards Washington, evident in the two countries' deepening defence and diplomatic ties in recent years.

As a strategic partnership, the Quad seeks to counter China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. And last week's summit yielded a plan for India to lead maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

New Delhi of late has not shied away from crises around the world.

Modi visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv in August, offering to help bring peace to the war-torn country.

The two met again last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly despite Modi maintaining close economic ties with Moscow in defiance of the West.

Along with Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa, India is a founding member of Brics, an association of five major emerging national economies unaligned with the West.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's incoming prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, signalled continuity this weekend in his early decisions on key posts for his government, suggesting a desire for stability after an unpredictable leadership race.

His picks for finance, defence and foreign minister, as well as the pivotal post of chief cabinet secretary, appear to draw on seasoned veterans from his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, as he prepares to form a government on Tuesday.

Ishiba, 67, won the LDP leadership race on Friday, clinching a run-off win after a contest among an unprecedentedly large field of nine candidates.

In a televised interview on Sunday, Ishiba did not detail his cabinet plans but suggested he was willing to consider a snap election in the near future, perhaps as early as October. An election must be called within the next 13 months.

The Tokyo Shimbun daily later reported that Ishiba would dissolve the lower house of parliament on Oct. 9, with an election set for Oct. 27, citing LDP sources.

For his cabinet, Ishiba is set to name former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato as finance minister and bring Gen Nakatani back as defence minister, sources told Reuters.

Former Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya will assume the foreign minister post while Yoshimasa Hayashi will remain as chief cabinet secretary, a key post that includes the role of top government spokesperson, they said.

Ryosei Akazawa, the state minister of finance, will be minister of economic revitalisation.

Ishiba will tap former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga as vice president of the LDP, sources said, while Japanese media said he would name Shinjiro Koizumi, a rival in the LDP race, as LDP election chief.

In the television interview on Sunday, Ishiba said Japan's monetary policy must remain accommodative as a trend, signalling the need to keep borrowing costs low to underpin a fragile economic recovery.

It was not immediately clear whether Ishiba, who had been a vocal critic of the Bank of Japan's past aggressive monetary easing, was taking a more dovish line with his remarks.

Iwaya, defence chief from 2018 to 2019, helped Ishiba on strategy in his winning run to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Former soldier Nakatani, would return to the defence post he held from 2014 to 2016.

(Reporting by Yoshifumi Takemoto, Sakura Murakami and Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by William Mallard and Sharon Singleton)
MONROEVILLE, Pa.  JD Vance spoke at a festival of election denialism in a Pittsburgh suburb Saturday, lending the imprimatur of his position as the Republican nominee for vice president to a gathering of people who still falsely believe the 2020 presidential election was stolen from former President Donald Trump and who might be laying the groundwork to make the same bogus claim next month if Trump and Vance lose in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state.

Vance participated in an hour-long town hall at one of the final stops of the Courage tour, a neo-Charismatic Christian revival roadshow organized by Lance Wallnau, a Texas-based evangelical pastor and self-described apostle who claims to be able to speak with God, who told him Trump is prophesied to be the 47th president of the U.S. If Wallnaus name sounds familiar, it might be because he played a major role in fomenting disinformation about the last presidential election and was even set to speak at the Jan. 6, 2021, election denial rally in Washington that became the violent insurrection.

As Vance spoke from the stage at Wallnaus event Saturday to a few hundred mostly middle-aged and octogenarian white people, a familiar cast of election-denying organizations operated booths on the other side of the convention hall, encouraging people to join their mailing list or offering them candy. Their presence here demonstrated the ways Wallnaus brand of extreme Christian nationalism dovetails with election denial. After all, of what import are actually fair elections here on Earth if a candidate is predestined or prophesied from above to take office?

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), left, answers a question in a campaign town hall with Jason Howard, a pastor, at the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 28, 2024. via Associated Press

Manning one of the booths was Toni Shuppe, who said she would only speak to HuffPost on the condition that she got to write and edit this article with the reporter, allowing it to publish with her go-ahead. (HuffPost did not agree to those conditions, which Shuppe said she developed after a wave of negative media coverage over the last few years led her to receive threats.)

That negative media coverage detailed how Shuppe led a petition drive to nullify the results of the 2020 presidential election and how the organization she leads, Audit the Vote PA, shared data it collected with Pennsylvania news outlet LancasterOnline, claiming it showed widespread fraud and irregularities in Pennsylvania vote-counting procedures, only for the outlet to find that the groups work was rife with errors and speculation and that its methodology was deeply flawed with mistakes that undermine its conclusion and make its findings unreliable.

Those news stories also noted that Shuppe once falsely claimed that voting machines in Pennsylvania had been hacked by China; that she had pushed unhinged QAnon and Pizzagate conspiracy theories; that she once posted on Gab, the social media platform popular on the far right, that every state needs to secede from the Federal government; and that she once pushed the false, racist and Islamophobic claim that former President Barack Obama was a Muslim who was born in Kenya.

Still, Shuppe was welcomed this weekend at the Courage tour stop in Monroeville, standing among a bevy of other MAGA organizations devoted to election integrity. This included Turning Point USA, the far-right youth group founded over a decade ago now by 30-year-old Charlie Kirk, which has turned into a fundraising juggernaut in the MAGA universe and put a ton of money in Kirks pockets too, allowing him to buy a $5 million mansion in an Arizona country club, even as hes grown increasingly racist and antisemitic on his eponymous podcast, one of the most listened to in America.

Kirk used his massive platform in 2020 to become one of the biggest propagandists for the false claim that mail-in voting across the country was awash in fraud. And on Jan. 6, 2021, Kirk organized buses to take Trump supporters to the rally in Washington, writing on X, formerly called Twitter, that the event would likely be one of the largest and most consequential in American history. (Kirk deleted the post after Trump supporters at the rally stormed the Capitol.)

Earlier this year, the attorney general in Arizona indicted two Turning Point USA officials, Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer and state Sen. Jake Hoffman (a contractor for the group), for being among the 11 fake electors in the state  part of a nationwide effort by the Trump campaign to send alternate electors to Congress who would declare Trump the winner in states hed lost, handing him another term.

In the 2024 election, Turning Point USA has invested over $100 million to get out the vote, support far-right candidates with a history of election denial, and, as noted by The Guardian, likely oust some key Arizona election officials who disputed claims of election fraud in 2020.

The organization sent its offshoot, Turning Point USA Faith, on the Courage tour. Its booth Saturday included free candy for attendees and buckets of pins with slogans like PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU, COMMUNISM IS SATANS RELIGION, EVEN HEAVEN HAS SECURE BORDERS. REVELATION 21:19, and DISCIPLESHIP STARTS AT HOME, which featured an illustration of a 1950s white family reading a Bible in their living room.

At a stop on the "Courage" tour, a neo-Charismatic Christian revival in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 28, 2024, the far-right MAGA group Turning Point USA Faith passed out buttons. Christopher Mathias for HuffPost

A booth over was the America First Policy Institute, a MAGA think tank whose lawyers are currently representing a Republican Georgia election official  with a long history of election denialism  in her lawsuit thats asking for the discretion to refuse to certify election results.

AFPI has also filed one of the eight lawsuits this year coming from Trumpland, which baselessly alleges that next months election could be skewed by widespread voting by undocumented immigrants. The chair of AFPIs Center for Election Integrity, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, posted on social media last month that the Biden campaign was plotting to weaponize federal agencies into a leftwing election operation that opens the doors to non-citizen voting.

There is no basis for this claim, just as theres no basis for the claim that undocumented immigrants vote anywhere near the levels to sway the election. (A study of the 2016 election, during which Trump had also warned of noncitizens voting, found that out of 23.5 million ballots cast, there were only 30 incidents of undocumented people voting.) A recent investigation by Documented, an investigative watchdog and journalism project, detailed how conspiracy theories about noncitizens casting ballots in U.S. elections have become a centerpiece of MAGA messaging in advance of the 2024 election.

Yet it is a manufactured threat, pushed and platformed by a well-funded network of far-right groups, as part of an intentional and highly coordinated effort to misinform the public, advance longstanding right-wing policy goals, and cast doubt on the election results in November, Documented wrote.

And finally among the booths at the Courage tour stop was Joshua Standifer, founder of a group called Lion of Judah, which is devoted to signing up Christian Trump supporters (and by default election skeptics) as poll workers across the country before next months election. The groups website describes this mission as a Trojan horse strategy to get Christians in key positions of influence in government like Election Workers, which will help them spot incidents of fraud, and taking the first step on the path to victory this Fall, according to The Guardian.

Just after Vances appearance on stage at Saturdays Courage tour, Standifer recounted the story of how he decided to start Lion of Judah.

I heard the Lord tell me something just absolutely crazy, and he said, Start a group called Lion of Judah and bring the Holy Spirit to the place you were told to stay out of  the political square, Standifer said.

Related...
JD Vance eased tensions after the incident, telling supporters outside in the parking lot that the restaurant was blameless

A sandwich shop made a meal out of an unannounced visit by JD Vance, turning the vice-presidential candidate away during a campaign pitstop.

The senator attempted to gain entry into Primanti Bros in North Versailles, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but was denied by staff, alarmed at the sudden arrival of his entourage.

The 90-year-old business subsequently reversed course to serve Mr Vance and his team, avoiding threats of a boycott from customers inside the store who had wanted to meet Donald Trumps running mate.

Mr Vance told supporters outside in the parking lot afterwards that the outlet and its staff were blameless, calming down any tensions. Pennsylvania is a key swing state in the November election and the last thing Mr Vance  or the restaurant for that matter  will have wanted is a riot over a sandwich in a state where every vote will count.

He said: The manager just freaked out a little bit because there were a lot of people, and she didnt want to make her restaurant part of a campaign stop.

We went in there. We paid for everybodys food. We gave them a nice tip. And of course when I gave them a nice tip I said no taxes on top.

Pacifying his supporters, he added: Its alright. Dont hold it against her. She just got a little nervous. Its a great local business. Keep on supporting it.

Our doors are open to all

In a statement Primanti Bros said the restaurant prided itself on being a staple of the Pittsburgh community and a proud American business that has hosted sitting presidents, politicians, and political candidates from across the spectrum for over 90 years. Our doors are open to all patrons who wish to dine with us.

The statement added: Without any advance notice, todays campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property.

Senator Vances supportive comments that our manager got a little nervous given the Secret Service, police and crowd accurately reflect the nature of what occurred, and we are glad that it was resolved quickly.

The Pittsburgh sandwich shop

The momentary refusal to serve Mr Vance and his team had threatened to cause turmoil.

Before the situation was resolved, one customer posted a video online, suggesting that Primanti would be facing a boycott.

In the video the woman said: The kitchen crews running out because everyones cancelling their orders Were just paying for what we drink and then everyones leaving.

Unfortunately, Vance cannot come out of his car, cannot shake our hands because Primanti Brothers does not want him in here.

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John Deere has recalled a compact utility tractor due to brake failures and crash hazards.

Which models are included in the John Deere tractor recall?

This recall includes 1023E, 1025R and 2025R Compact Utility Tractors. Consumers can find the model number and John Deere printed on the hood.

The recalled tractors are green and yellow, and were sold with both opened and closed operator stations. About 148,000 of the tractors were sold in the United States from November 2017 until July 2024.

The serial numbers of tractors included in this recall can be found under "Parts and Service" at deere.com.

John Deere tractor recall issued over brake failures in Compact Utility Tractors

The John Deere 2025R tractor is one of three models of compact utility tractors being recalled for brake issues.

John Deere's recall comes after the Moline, Illinois-based company received four reports of the brake linkage failing.

One person was hospitalized and two people suffered impact injuries, John Deere said in a news release. Minor property damage has also been reported.

More: Donald Trump threatens 200% tariff if John Deere moves production to Mexico

When did John Deere issue a tractor recall?

John Deere's tractor recall was put into effect on Sept. 26.

More: As Deere backs off DEI, it's facing potential clash between federal and union mandates

What should I do if I have a John Deere 1023E, 1025R or 2025R Compact Utility Tractor?

Deere says users should immediately stop using the recalled tractors and contact an authorized John Deere dealer to schedule an appointment to bring the tractor into the dealer for a free repair.

If the owner is not able to transport the tractor to a dealers location, then the dealer will make arrangements to repair the unit at the owner's residence.

Deere said they are also contacting all known purchasers directly.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: John Deere tractor recall includes 3 compact utility tractor models
'It's just a mess' - Left in limbo by US student loan logjam

After nearly two decades of student loan payments, Angela Carpio, 40, thought the finishing line was in sight.

But now she's caught in the middle of a political tug of war over a $1.74tn (1.31tn) mountain of student debt held by 45 million Americans, most of it owed to the federal government.

For borrowers like Angela, a mother-of-two and software developer who lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota, the logjam has upended family budgets and made it difficult to plan.

November's election, in which two candidates with starkly different visions for handling the debt are running neck-and-neck, is only adding to the sense of insecurity.

Angela took out her first student loans in 2001, eventually borrowing about $25,000 as she attended the for-profit DeVry University in Florida before earning an associate degree at Valencia College.

Despite making steady payments, her balance is still stuck at more than $20,000 as interest racks up.

"I'm just in limbo," she says. "I don't know what's going to happen and it scares me.

Since the 1990s, the US has offered some borrowers the option to repay student loans using a process similar to the UK, where bills are based on a proportion of a borrower's income and the debt is written off after 25 years.

But participation in the US repayment plan remained low, partly because of limited awareness.

President Joe Biden, initially a sceptic of loan forgiveness, made it a signature policy for his administration, aiming to shore up support among younger voters, who are most likely to hold debts and rate the issue as important.

Vice-President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, has pledged to continue his efforts.

Under Biden, the government has wiped out more than $168bn in debt for over 4.7 million borrowers, over a million of them lower-income Americans. That's more loan forgiveness than any other president.

But the US Supreme Court last year struck down the White House's most sweeping proposal - to cancel $400bn in student loans for 16 million borrowers - ruling it was an illegal use of executive power.

[BBC]

A second Biden plan called Save (Saving on a Valuable Education) - which offered lower monthly loan payments - is on hold pending federal court review.

Republican officials have led the legal challenges, arguing the debt write-off is unfair to the vast majority of Americans who did not take out student loans.

But supporters of the White House policy say they are merely trying to fix problems that they argue have unfairly deprived borrowers of relief.

In the meantime, the court setbacks have caused head-spinning bureaucratic headaches for precisely those Biden was trying to help.

Angela had enrolled in Bidens Save payment plan, which promised to cut the $400 or so she owed each month roughly in half and cancel her debt after 20 years.

While the legal challenge has halted her payments - for now - she said the temporary reprieve has only stoked her worries about what comes next.

"It's just a mess," she said. "It's very confusing and very hard to plan when the most concrete things are no longer there."

The US put student loan payments on hold during the pandemic. As of January, a few months after payments resumed, only half of debtors were up to date on their bills.

Veronica Williams, a 32-year-old from Sacramento, California, has $127,000 in student debt after earning a college and a master's degree.

But the court battles have also left her loan up in the air, and she says she cannot even get answers about what she owes for her monthly payment.

Veronica, who works for the Department of Veterans Affairs, backed Biden in 2020, but said she was still waiting to decide if she would support Democrats again.

"There's no clear understanding on what we're supposed to do," she said of her loan situation.

"It's disheartening because it feels like it leaves me and my friends and colleagues confused on what the future... is going to be for us."

On the campaign trail, Harris, while promising support for forgiveness, has not spotlighted the issue.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, has argued that Democrats have "taunted" borrowers with hope while failing to deliver.

At the same time, the Republican presidential nominee has condemned student debt forgiveness as "vile".

For Republicans, who have seen college-educated and younger voters shift decisively to Democrats in recent years, the risks of opposing cancellation are minimal, said Anthony Fowler, a professor at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy.

For Democrats, it remains to be seen whether student loan forgiveness will help or hurt.

A June UChicago Harris/AP-NORC poll found just 30% of Americans approved of Biden's handling of the issue, though Republicans and the Supreme Court fared even worse.

Prof Fowler said he thought embracing debt forgiveness could backfire for Democrats, noting that less than 40% of US adults over age 25 hold college degrees and research has found sweeping forgiveness would benefit households with higher-than-average incomes.

"The politics of asking your plumber to pay for your kids' fancy liberal arts degree - this doesn't make a lot of sense," he said.

But Mallory SoRelle, professor at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, noted that an estimated one-third of Americans with student debt did not graduate and that polls indicate significant support among Democrats and independents for at least some relief.

"If [Biden's plans] actually had gone through in a timely manner, I think we would see a much bigger boost for Democrats, but this is an issue that voters still say they care about," she said.

Robert Henley, a 68-year-old public sector retiree from Tallahassee, Florida, voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020.

He said he opposed debt forgiveness as too costly to the government and unfair to taxpayers like him and his wife who had sacrificed to save for their children's education.

But he said he expected to vote for Harris in November anyway, citing other concerns - such as his mistrust of Trump.

"As a country, we cannot afford to be giving away money - but really more importantly from my point of view, it's unfair," he said. "Obviously as a voter you can't have every single issue fall out the way you want it."
For a while on Friday morning, it looked as if Chimney Rock and Lake Lure had been spared the worst of Hurricane Helene.

And then worse than the worst happened, as a wall of water came rushing down the Broad River, wiping out most of the structures along Main Street  and Main Street itself  in the Village of Chimney Rock, and straining the dam that holds back Lake Lure.

Ive never seen concentrated damage like weve seen here, said Chris Murray, an emergency manager in Pamlico County who came to help lead teams of rescuers as soon as Rutherford County could send an S.O.S. Theres nothing left.

The village? Theres just nothing left.

Not so bad at first

in Lake Lure, N.C. on Saturday, September 28, 2024.

For a couple of days, the wreckage left the two communities as isolated as they were a century ago.

Townspeople and visitors awoke Friday morning after a restless night to more of what they had seen the day before: tree branches falling in heavy rain and wind as the remains of what became Tropical Storm Helene cut through Western North Carolina. Power had been out since Thursday.

Tracy Stevens had left her house in Chimney Rock Thursday night and gotten a room at the Lake Lure Inn, which had a generator and was staying open through the storm. The two towns, both popular tourist destinations, are walking distance to one another, joined by a bridge across the Broad River in the mountains of Rutherford County.

I got up around 7 and went down to the lobby and got a cup of coffee, Stevens said. I was looking at the lake out the window of the inn, and I thought, Is that all? OK. This is not so bad.

But when she checked again, it looked like the lake had risen. The next time she looked, she was sure the water was coming up. And by 8:30 a.m., it was several feet higher, nearly covering the door of a small building next to the lake.

in Lake Lure, N.C. on Saturday, September 28, 2024.

The National Weather Service reported that in some places just west of the two communities, more than 19 inches of rain fell. And it kept falling, down the mountainsides and into the creeks and rivers.

Broad River rises

No official source has said yet how deep the water rose in the Broad River, normally so tame that bars and restaurants on that side of Main Street in Chimney Rock serve drinks and meals on patios overlooking the stream.

Two people and a dog are escorted to a rescue boat in Chimney Rock, N.C. on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Some of those buildings had stood since at least the 1950s. A few had gotten wet during historic floods such as one that followed a pair of hurricanes in 1996, but this is 10 times worse, said Patrick Bryant, a Lake Lure town commissioner who lives in Chimney Rock.

This is Katrina-level damage, Murray said.

With the help of teams from many other North Carolina counties and some from outside the state, Murray said rescuers had fetched more than 150 people by sundown Saturday who had been stranded by the rushing water.

Two people and a dog are escorted to a rescue boat in Chimney Rock, N.C. on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

As the water plowed through, it carried the buildings and their contents with it, slamming all that material against the concrete bridge between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure with such force that it exploded refrigerators and trees.

It took a day of heavy equipment and chainsaw work to make one lane of the bridge passable to emergency vehicles and residents who wanted to leave Chimney Rock.

Meanwhile, water completely took out another bridge across the Broad River, this one to Chimney Rock State Park. The park was closed.

Wall of water

On Lake Lure, the water relocated the marina docks and all the boats that had been moored on them. Sunday, the boats seemed to sit on top of a spilled box of toothpicks, some of the remains of the structures swept in from Chimney Rock.

Search-and-rescue teams Sunday were reaching more remote places, and were still finding survivors, including one woman and her dog who appeared to have been pulled from a collapsed home on the riverbank.

Officials have not said whether there were deaths or if anyone still was missing by midday Sunday. Across Western North Carolina, 11 people were reported dead and that number was likely to climb, Gov. Roy Cooper said.

While rescuers looked for people, the N.C. National Guard and local chainsaw-wielding volunteers began cutting trees to allow people to leave their homes and neighborhoods. Power was expected to be out in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure for several days at least, but with trees cleared to open at least one lane, residents whose cars werent too damaged to drive began making their way out.

Word spread quickly about spots outside of Lake Lure where there might be a cellphone signal, and people congregated in those, calling relieved relatives or reaching out to insurance adjusters with bad news.

Nick Stamper, who lives in Green River Cove, a few miles from Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, had to make some difficult phone calls Saturday night. His house was moved several feet off its foundation by what he estimated was a 20-foot wall of water that came down the Green River, normally more than 100 yards from his house.

He counted 13 other homes that disappeared in the flood.

Washed completely away, he said. Just, gone.

He was calling the owners to let them know.
Gov. Jim Justice said during his administrative briefing on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, that there is a draft of a bill to address homeschooling issues. (Screenshot from Gov. Jim Justices briefing)

Gov. Jim Justice said theres a draft of legislation to address shortfalls in state homeschool laws that allow students to go without check ins.

Multiple high-profile child abuse and neglect cases over the last year in West Virginia involved homeschool students.

While the governor expressed concern over the situation, he didnt include the bill on his call for a special session released Saturday evening. The special session will begin on Monday in Charleston.

We do have a draft, but heres the problem. We realize the tragedies that have happened. Its tough to pound a round peg in a square hole as far as bill. It doesnt seem like theres anything quite there that fits, Justice said Friday during a press briefing. Theres no question we need to do better.

Some lawmakers have pushed for urgent action on the issue, saying it couldnt wait until lawmakers gather for their next regular session in 2025.

At this point, the blood is on our hands because were watching our kids die and nothing is happening, said Del. Anitra Hamiton, D-Monongalia, who serves on the House Education Committee.

This year, lawmakers have considered pausing homeschool requests for families if a teacher reported suspected child abuse. Theyve also discussed stricter follow up on homeschool parents who hadnt turned in their students required assessments.

Boy, what a complex issue. This may be better in the general session than in a special session, to tell you the truth, Justice said.

In September 2023, a deputy found two teens in Sissonville locked in a shed with devastating conditions, including no access to running water or a toilet. The children were being homeschooled.

Then, in April, 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller, who was being homeschooled, was found deceased in a skeletal state on the bathroom floor of her Boone County home.

On Sept. 24, an 8-year-old girl escaped from her home in handcuffs and looked for help in a Charleston neighborhood. Television station WCHS reported that the girl and other children in her home were on homeschool status in the county.

The tragedies have led Justice and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to grapple with how to balance the Republican supermajoritys school choice push with beefing up homeschool regulations to prevent child abuse or deaths.

Its a complicated issue because it involves fundamental parental rights while also having the overlap of wanting to do whats right for the kids, said Del. JB Akers, R-Kanawha, who represents the area where the 8-year-old girl was found in handcuffs. I think we also have to start from a place where homeschooling parents arent treated differently just because they made the choice to homeschool.

Hamilton said that the governor should take leadership on the issue because division in the House, which includes several homeschool parents, made it difficult to have productive conversations about the issue despite the tragedies.

When you bring it up, people dont want to discuss anything stricter within the perimeter of homeschooling. Thats shocking to me when the majority of these people claim to be pro-life. For me, our ultimate goal is to protect children, she said. [Children] have a right to a productive education, but they also have a right to be protected. I do think we should put some parameters in place, and I also feel it should be a bipartisan conversation.

Public schools tasked with following up on homeschool students

Parents or legal guardians are required to submit to the county superintendent academic assessments of the homeschooled student at grade levels three, five, eight, and 11.

If documentation isnt submitted, state education law permits but does not require local school districts to take action against the family.

More than 30,000 children are homeschooled in West Virginia. State education data released this year showed that 57% of the homeschooled students submitted the required documentation by deadline. The number dropped to 37% for students presumed to be in 11th grade.

State schools Superintendent Michele Blatt previously suggested that requiring school personnel to follow up missing students could be a step in addressing the problem.

Akers noted that local school districts were likely already overwhelmed with keeping up truant public school students along with the status of homeschool students.

Its fair to ask our school board, Do you have the resources to follow through on the mandates that have been placed on you? he said.

Lawmakers could also revisit debating Raylees Law, which in its latest version would pause or potentially deny a parents request to homeschool if a teacher has reported suspected child abuse. The legislation was named for 8-year-old Raylee Browning, who died of abuse and neglect in 2018 in Fayette County after her parents withdrew her from school.

Akers supported Raylees Law, which was included in an amendment during the regular session. The House of Delegates passed the amendment with bipartisan support, but it wasnt taken up by the Senate.

I dont have this fear that we will have an epidemic of bad faith reports because [teachers] are out to get homeschoolers, he said, noting that it is a crime to falsely report child abuse.

The special session is expected to largely focus on Justices idea for a personal income tax cut, his Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, and supplemental appropriations of state dollars.

At the end of day, if I was told at the 11th hour were not going to vote for this  then, well, why waste our time? If all were going to do is bring people down and theyre going to spend state dollars and theyre not going to get anything done on that issue, then we dont need that issue, Justice said.

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Domestic violence is on the rise in the East of England [PA Media]

The head of a charity helping women who have been raped has described the criminal justice system as "broken".

Dawn Thomas, chief executive of Northamptonshire Rape Crisis, spoke to BBC Politics East after Home Office figures showed domestic violence has increased by more than 100% over the past seven years in the East of England.

Ms Thomas said the problem was such that when Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer talked about halving violence to women she said it seems like a sweeping statement.

The government said the criminal justice system was "in crisis" and said it was "committed to fast-tracking rape cases".

Latest statistics from the Home Office showed that domestic abuse-related crimes (which predominantly impact women) rose by 109% between 2015-16 and 2022-23 in the East of England.

In total, the number of domestic-related crimes rose from 59,213 to 124,082.

Norfolk saw a rise of 157%, while Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Thames Valley saw rises of about 130%. Bedfordshire saw a rise of about 70%, Hertfordshire 58% and Northamptonshire 53%.

According to the charity Refuge, 84% of the victims of domestic abuse cases are women.

Ms Thomas raised concerns about violence against women and the delays in the criminal justice system.

She said she hoped Sir Keir's talk of halving violence would help campaigning organisations.

Theres a shortage of barristers and delays from magistrates to Crown Court which should be within two years and it is taking longer than two years," she said.

"So to halve it I think is a sweeping statement."

Sir Keir Starmer met people supporting victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG) during a visit to The Arc centre in Scunthorpe before he became PM [PA Media]

She added: "If we are to halve the number of victims of violence, we have to have meaningful campaigns and the time taken to get to court and secure a conviction has to be looked at.

She continued: The criminal justice system is broken. The struggle to get your case heard, reviewed by the CPS through to court takes an incredibly long time.

"It takes a toll on survivors. We must remember that less that 15% of victims of sexual violence actually choose to report it.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the government recognised there was "more to be done" and was "committed to halving violence against women and girls within a decade".

The criminal justice system is in crisis  evidenced by the significant Crown Court backlog which is having a devastating impact on the wait for justice," they added.

"Addressing this is a priority for this government which is why we have committed to fast-tracking rape cases as a first step to reducing the number of outstanding cases.

BBC Politics East will be broadcast on Sunday, 29 September at 10:00 GMT on BBC One in the East of England, and will be available after broadcast on BBC iPlayer.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Kamala Harris must stop her incessant focus on Trump, says ex-aide

Kamala Harris has been told she has more work to do to convince floating voters - AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Kamala Harris should stop her incessant focus on Donald Trump and take more risks with her presidential campaign, a former senior aide has said.

Ashley Etienne, Ms Harriss first White House communications director, warned her former boss she had more work to do if she was to win over the undecided voters who will determine the fate of the race.

Ms Etienne set out her advice in an op-ed for The New York Times, in which she said Ms Harriss first priority should be to cut back on the incessant focus on Mr Trump.

By now, almost everyone who could be persuaded by the case against him has heard it, she wrote.

Ashley Etienne is a long-term Democratic adviser who has previously worked for Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi - Richard Chapin Downs Jr./Getty Images

The Harris campaign has relentlessly focused on her Republican rivals comments, frequently sharing clips of Trump speaking on social media.

In the last few days, the official social media accounts of the campaign have shared no fewer than a dozen clips of Trump, as well as a meme of him with a walking frame and the caption: Okay grandpa lets get you to bed.

The warning mirrors advice from Republican strategists to Trump to avoid his personal attacks on his rival amid fears it is alienating moderate swing voters.

Trump, 78, has not heeded the advice, once again ramping up his ad-hominem attacks on Ms Harris over the weekend by calling her mentally disabled.

Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way, he told a rally in Wisconsin. And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country.

He has previously made racially inflammatory comments about Ms Harriss dual heritage, claiming she only recently turned black, as well as calling her stupid, weak and dumb as a rock.

It has prompted unease among Republicans, including close allies of Trump who have urged him to focus on bread and butter issues rather than hurling insults.

Lindsey Graham, one of Trumps closest allies in the Senate, said: The better course to take is to prosecute the case that her policies are destroying the country.

In her New York Times op-ed, Ms Etienne said her second piece of advice to Ms Harris was to swap the large-scale rallies she has been holding on the campaign trail in favour of smaller, town-hall-style events in battleground states.

She acknowledged the political jeopardy of taking such an approach, adding: Town halls are a riskier format  and the campaign knows that.

However, she said, the town hall format plays to Ms Harriss strengths, describing how she had witnessed the US vice-presidents warmth and compassion first-hand.

The intimate setting of a town hall will expose voters to those qualities and add more dimensions to what already excites them about her, she said of the 59-year-old Ms Harris.

Unqualified praise

Ms Etienne, an experienced Democratic adviser who has previously worked for Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, served as the US vice-presidents communications director for much of her first year in office.

Her opinion piece represents a rare intervention into the Democratic presidential candidates campaign strategy by a former senior adviser.

Most senior figures within the party have offered unqualified praise for Ms Harriss approach to the race.

Her ascent to the top of the Democratic ticket following Joe Bidens withdrawal on July 21 has dramatically altered the partys fortunes. She leads Trump in most national polls and is locked in a virtual dead heat in many of the battleground states.

Ms Etienne acknowledged that it was a remarkable feat given her late entry into the race.

However, she warned Ms Harris needed to do more to further introduce herself to voters and explain why she was the right leader for this moment.

She argued Ms Harris needs to do more interviews to close voters knowledge gap about her after largely dodging the traditional stable of US media rounds to which most presidential candidates submit.

In Ms Harriss defence, she argued that the US national media often have a set narrative around her former boss and a penchant for revisiting her past missteps, but she said evading press scrutiny had left voters with unanswered questions about her.

She advised Ms Harris to bypass the traditional, national media landscape in favour of conducting interviews with small, local outlets in the critical swing states.

Ms Harris should also accept invitations from niche media that appeal to key demographics she needs to shore up, such as the dozens of podcasts targeted to suburban mothers and black men, she wrote.

To win control of the White House, Ms Etienne concluded, the Democrat does not need to give the public a reason to vote against the former president, but rather a reason to vote for the next one.

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.
Police are seeking the publics help in locating a missing Kansas City woman.

Anita Mitchell, 55, was last seen around 5 a.m. Saturday outside of the Regional Medical Center near the intersection of Meyer Boulevard and Prospect Avenue, according to Jake Becchina, spokesperson for the police department.

Mitchell is 5-foot-4 and 170 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue hospital gown, according to Becchina.

Her family is concerned for her welfare due to health issues. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the Missing Person Squad at 816-234-5043.
Xi encourages industrial workers to contribute to full revitalization of NE China

Xinhua) 08:02, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged industrial workers to further contribute wisdom and strength to building a country that is strong in manufacturing and promoting the full revitalization of northeast China.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a reply letter to representatives of workers from China First Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (CFHI), a leading equipment manufacturer headquartered in Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

In the letter, Xi said he had visited CFHI twice and was deeply impressed by the persistent pursuit of technological innovation and product quality by the workers.

Xi noted that in recent years, they have focused on tackling core technological challenges in major equipment manufacturing and made many new breakthroughs, which demonstrated the patriotism and creativity of Chinese industrial workers in the new era.

Manufacturing is the foundation of a country and the basis of a strong nation, he stressed, expressing his hope that the workers adhere to the original intention of serving the country with skills and promote the spirit of model workers and craftsmanship.

He said that centrally-administered enterprises should boost reform and innovation, enhance their core functions and competitiveness, and work hard to become bigger, better and stronger. Furthermore, they should contribute more to the endeavor to build a great country and move toward national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, Xi has inspected the manufacturing bases of the CFHI twice and made instructions on its reform and innovation as well as operation and management.

Representatives of the CFHI workers awarded the title of role model wrote a letter to Xi recently, reporting on their efforts to strengthen technological research and development following Xi's instructions, and expressing their determination to contribute to the full revitalization of northeast China and the cause of building China into a great country.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Peace is path to addressing global conflicts, says Chinese FM

Xinhua) 14:01, September 29, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday reiterated China's dedication to peace as the path to addressing global conflicts and crises, urging the international community to work together in the pursuit of peace.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as he elaborated on China's position on international and regional hotspot issues.

"Peace is the most precious thing in our world today. You may wonder if there is a path leading to peace. In fact, peace is the path," said Wang.

He stressed said without peace, development will not sustain; without peace, cooperation cannot happen. For the sake of peace, he urged the international community to embrace every opportunity, no matter how small, to work toward conflict resolution.

On the Ukraine crisis, Wang said an end to it remains elusive. He said the top priority is to commit to "no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting and no provocation by any party," and push for deescalation of the situation as soon as possible.

"China is committed to playing a constructive role, engaging in shuttle mediation and promoting talks for peace, not throwing oil on the fire or exploiting the situation for selfish gains," he said.

Wang also introduced the group of Friends for Peace jointly launched by China, Brazil and other Global South countries at this session of the General Assembly, noting its very purpose is to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, build consensus for a political settlement of the crisis and contribute to a prospect of peace.

Describing the question of Palestine as "the biggest wound to human conscience," Wang expressed concern over the ongoing violence in Gaza, which has resulted in a growing number of civilian casualties, and warned that the fighting has spread to Lebanon.

China has always been a staunch supporter of the just cause of the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate national rights, and a staunch supporter of Palestine's full UN membership, he said.

There must not be any delay in reaching a comprehensive ceasefire, and the fundamental way out lies in the two-State solution, he said. "The historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people should not be ignored any longer."

Wang noted China's recent efforts to facilitate intra-Palestine reconciliation, emphasizing that China will continue to work in concert with like-minded countries for a comprehensive and just settlement of the question of Palestine and durable peace and security in the Middle East.

On the issue of Afghanistan, Wang said it is important to help Afghanistan exercise prudent governance, fight terrorism effectively, improve people's life and reinvigorate the economy, to open up a better future for the Afghan people.

On the Korean Peninsula, the top Chinese diplomat said it should not experience war again.

He emphasized the importance of seeking solutions through dialogue and consultation, as well as realizing a transition from the armistice to a peace mechanism.

Wang said China is deeply aware that Asia needs stability and development and opposes division and conflict.

"Asia has the wisdom and capability to stabilize the situation through regional cooperation and handle differences properly through dialogue and consultation," said Wang. "We are firmly against the meddling by countries outside the region, and will resolutely resist attempts by any force to stoke trouble and confrontation in the region."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Key Insights

Ai-Media Technologies' significant retail investors ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

A total of 6 investors have a majority stake in the company with 52% ownership

Insiders have sold recently

If you want to know who really controls Ai-Media Technologies Limited (ASX:AIM), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. We can see that retail investors own the lion's share in the company with 34% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

And individual insiders on the other hand have a 28% ownership in the company. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Ai-Media Technologies.

See our latest analysis for Ai-Media Technologies

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Ai-Media Technologies?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Ai-Media Technologies. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Ai-Media Technologies' historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Ai-Media Technologies. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is the CEO Anthony Abrahams with 17% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 9.7% and 7.7% of the stock.

On further inspection, we found that more than half the company's shares are owned by the top 6 shareholders, suggesting that the interests of the larger shareholders are balanced out to an extent by the smaller ones.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There is some analyst coverage of the stock, but it could still become more well known, with time.

Story continues

Insider Ownership Of Ai-Media Technologies

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Ai-Media Technologies Limited. It has a market capitalization of just AU$148m, and insiders have AU$42m worth of shares in their own names. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

With a 34% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Ai-Media Technologies. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Private Company Ownership

We can see that Private Companies own 13%, of the shares on issue. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Ai-Media Technologies , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Today, September 29, is recognized as Gold Star Mothers and Families Day.

The Kansas City VA is acknowledging local Gold Star mothers and families today in honor of the sacrifices theyve made and are continuing to make. Gold Star families are those whove lost a loved one in service to our country.

The Kansas City VA Medical Center says that there is a Gold Star spouse working in the medical center daily, continuing to serve U.S. veterans.

Kansas City man accused of having devices that turned firearms into weapons of war

Additionally, a statement from the Executive Medical Director of the KC VA Medical Center, Paul F. Hopkins reads:

We will always be eternally grateful to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the spirit of our country and way of life.

The Gold Star symbol was originally used during World War I. Families would display banners with blue stars representing family members in service. When a family member died in combat, the family would replace that blue star with a gold star.

In 1936, President Roosevelt made the last Sunday of September National Gold Star Mothers Day. Now known as Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, its an important time of remembrance for all whove had a family member sacrifice their life for their country.

If you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran and are in need of services, visit the VA Kansas City Health Care 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 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake on Saturday belittled Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to the Arizona-Mexico border, saying she spent just 20 minutes at one of the key sources of nationwide crime and economic pain.

A day after Harris received national coverage of plans she outlined in Douglas to address border security and immigration reforms, Lake sought to use the occasion to revisit the central theme of her own campaign.

Lake, the Republican Senate nominee in Arizona, rejected every aspect of Harris' proposals, which included the bipartisan border security bill negotiated in part by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., and reiterated the need to complete the border wall favored by former President Donald Trump.

She came into town to stand beside the border that she has torn open to stand there and look down at her feet, I hope in embarrassment, Lake said at a news conference in Phoenix.

U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake blames serious crime and economic problems on those who entered the country illegally by Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego during a news conference on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, outside her Phoenix campaign office.

I hope she had some shame for what she has done not only to Arizona but this entire beautiful country. Kamala Harris has been an abject failure when it comes to the border.

Lake also hurled broadsides at her opponent, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., claiming he does not believe in securing our border and neither does Kamala Harris.

Hannah Goss, a spokeswoman for Gallegos campaign, called Lake a power-hungry liar who will do anything to gain power.

When there was a bipartisan deal to address the border crisis on the table, she opposed it, ignoring the wishes of the Border Patrol agents who supported the bill, Goss said. Meanwhile, Ruben Gallego is a Marine combat veteran whose number one priority is securing our border and keeping Arizonans safe, which is why he is fighting tirelessly to hire more Border Patrol agents, fix our broken asylum system, crack down on fentanyl trafficking, and invest in proven technology  all to increase our border security.

Lake went on to claim the job gains in the Biden administration have not benefited Americans.

Every job loss under these two buffoons has been a loss for American-born citizens, Lake said. And under these two buffoons, every job gain has gone to foreign-born citizens.

Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that foreign-born workers in the U.S. have gained about 6 million jobs during Bidens tenure, about the same number as native-born workers in that time.

The pandemic complicates similar comparisons for Trump, but at the peak of employment growth for the different groups before the nationwide quarantine, foreign-born workers grew by about 2 million and native-born workers grew by 7 million.

Lake blamed the spike in illegal immigration during the Biden administration for violent crime.

Kari Lake speaks to members of the media during a news conference in Phoenix on Sept. 28, 2024.

To underscore the stakes as she sees them, Lake cited figures provided to Congress this week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ICE claimed that 13,099 immigrants were convicted of homicides in the U.S. or abroad; 15,811 were convicted rapists and more than 425,000 were convicted criminals of some kind overall.

Asked whether she could estimate how many homicides involving illegal immigrants happened in metro Phoenix or Arizona, Lake said crime figures reported by the FBI are not reliable.

Those FBI crime stats, which in some ways would show some of the crime possibly going down, many  numerous, the majority of major cities  have just stopped reporting their crime stats to the FBI, so now the FBI crime stats mean nothing.

Harris visit Friday to Douglas addressed one of the biggest attack lines Trump and his Republican allies have used against her.

Kari Lake speaks to members of the media during a news conference in Phoenix on Sept. 28, 2024.

They derisively refer to her as the border czar, using a term the media used to describe an assignment from Biden for Harris to determine the root causes of migration largely from Central American countries.

During her Friday visit, Harris reiterated her support for measures such as the border security bill that died without a vote when Trump persuaded congressional Republicans to oppose the bill to avoid handing Biden an election year legislative triumph. Harris said Trump had shown no leadership or interest in solving the matter by letting that bill fail.

But she also went beyond that, saying she would effectively extend Bidens June executive order limiting asylum claims and she called for immigration reforms, such as providing a pathway to citizenship for those brought to America as minors.

For his part, Gallego has said he also supported passage of the border security bill and has reframed his rhetoric on conditions along the border since entering the Senate race in early 2023.

He now calls the situation a crisis. In a July 2023 interview with Washington Monthly, Gallego downplayed problems in border communities.

Just because a portion of this country has a problem, we dont call that whole area a mess, he said then.

The border has long seemed a political millstone for Democrats, a place where the party splinters on policy and the results are out of step with broad public opinion.

The nonpartisan Pew Research Center released new survey data Friday that found 96% of Trump supporters and 80% of Harris supporters want increased border security.

Nearly 90% of Trump supporters favor the kind of mass deportations for illegal immigrants that Trump is promising in a second term, as do 27% of Harris supporters.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ Senate race: Kari Lake rips Kamala Harris, Ruben Gallego on border
(This story has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

Carl Moyer, the Ankeny businessman who founded Karl Chevrolet, died Saturday.

Moyer, who grew up on Des Moines' east side and dropped out of East High School in the 10th grade, got his start in business while working at a gas station near Lincoln High School, where he sold cars on the side.

At 19, he worked as a sales manager at a dealership in Cedar Falls. He returned to central Iowa and worked for dealerships in Winterset and West Des Moines before starting his own in Ankeny.

In 1978, Moyer bought out his brother to start Karl Chevrolet, then a one-car showroom in Ankeny.

"I didn't have an employee," Moyer told the Register in 2003, when he received the prestigious Jack Smith Presidential Award from Chevrolet. "I didn't have a car (to sell). I had a building with a Chevrolet sign."

Karl Chevrolet moved to its current location at the intersection of Oralabor Road and Delaware Avenue in 1983.

Moyer was meticulous about the grounds of the dealership, ensuring that the grounds were carefully maintained and that cars were perfectly lined up, according to a news release from the dealership announcing his death.

He also prioritized the customer, trademarking the phrase "your dealer for life."

That approach has kept the dealership in the top 3% of Chevrolet dealers, the company said. Karl Chevrolet also holds the record for being named the top certified used car dealership in General Motors 13 times.

Moyer grew the business significantly in the last eight-plus years, according to the news release. His auto group includes 10 companies and more than 800 employees across Iowa.

He earned a reputation for community involvement and donations. In 2018, Moyer provided a $1 million donation to Des Moines Area Community College to renovate and expand what is now known as the Karl Automotive Technology Center.

Other donations have included sponsoring the Kiwanis Miracle Park Project in Ankeny, Ankeny YMCA, Ankeny SummerFest and Variety - The Children's Charity of Iowa.

Moyer, who was 83, is survived by his wife, Penny, sons Brad and Bret and a daughter, Pam. A cause of death was not shared. Funeral arrangements are pending.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article inaccurately described the location of Karl Chevrolet. It is at the intersection of Oralabor Road and Delaware Avenue.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Karl Chevrolet founder, Carl Moyer, leaves legacy of success in Ankeny
This Kemi row is shameless opportunism from those who should know better

Oh pull the other one. No, Kemi Badenoch does not want to abolish maternity pay or drag us back to the 1970s. Her comments earlier today do not, as the TUC have gleefully proclaimed, show the Tories are out of touch.

During a round of broadcast interviews, Badenoch said that maternity pay is a function of tax... we are taking from one group and giving to another. This is excessive, adding that the burden of regulation is too high.

The Twittersphere has, with wearying predictability, gone berserk. Labour Party chair Ellie Reeves, displaying less creative flair than a potato, declared that the Tories and their continuity candidates are completely unserious about the problems they inflicted on the country over 14 years of chaos and decline.

But among the cavalcade of those queuing up to skewer Badenoch, it is Stella Creasy who takes the crown after tweeting: this morning Kemi claimed that she would stand up to cultures where she thinks women are treated as second class citizens. Now shes doing it herself.

Based on what she actually said, and it was a slightly jumbled exchange, Badenoch does not want to scrap maternity pay. The leadership contender, a woman far brighter and more accomplished than many of those currently trying to tear her down, does not believe women should be chained to their kitchens for a life of servitude.

She was simply making, as a former Business Secretary, the observation that regulations are becoming excessive in Britain. Which they are.

Politicians can barely look at a market without wanting to regulate it. Employing anyone now comes with a bewildering array of obligations. Landlords must comply with over a hundred regulations to rent out a property.

Red tape is incurring significant costs, including stifling innovation, hindering economic growth and driving up prices. If this sounds hyperbolic, just look at the cost increases in sectors with the most regulatory interventions  electricity, housing, childcare.

Even if Badenoch were querying Statutory Maternity Pay, shed be within her rights. SMP costs the Department for Work and Pensions around 3 billion a year  could the money be used in a more targeted way? Most employers top it up, though the extra is ultimately paid by the employee in lower pay, as with all mandated benefits.

The UKs maternity system is one of the most generous in the world. Most mothers can take up to 39 weeks of guaranteed pay  nearly three times the EU minimum requirement of 14 weeks. It is not uncommon for a new mother to take 52 weeks of maternity leave, onto which she will add her accrued 20-plus days of annual leave.

The vested interests tirelessly clamouring for more never seem to consider whether this is helping women. Could long periods out of the workplace ultimately damage future career paths?

There are ways we can help mothers  stop treating women in labour like conduits to be ignored. Fix maternity services, around half of which are currently either inadequate or requiring improvement. Deregulate childcare, to bring down costs and broaden choice. Scrap gender pay gap reporting, which misleads women into believing that they will invariably face discrimination in the workplace.

Enough of the feigned outrage  including from Badenochs leadership rivals, who have wasted no time distancing themselves from these comments. Rather than attempt to present themselves as modern progressive males by pillorying their female opponent, perhaps they could start thinking now about how they will comprehensively reform social security. Otherwise voters might suspect they have no plans, nor the desire, to cut our exorbitant welfare bill.

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.
Killing of Nasrallah is a key prize for Israel, but its too early to write off Hezbollah

On Saturday, Hezbollah confirmed that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, is dead after Israel announced he was killed in an airstrike in Beirut on Friday.

His death marks a major moment in recent Middle East history, but the long-term consequences are uncertain. It raises a key question: Do decapitation strikes killing the leaders of terrorist groups cripple them? The short answer is not really.

Israel should know from its own history that such strikes dont always succeed in crippling a militant group. In 2008, Israel killed Hezbollahs military leader, Imad Mughniyeh, in Damascus, Syria, yet the group only gathered strength in the years that followed.

Four years earlier, Israel killed a founder of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, in an airstrike. Yet, the group did not collapse, and almost two decades later it still carried out the October 7 attacks in Israel, killing some 1,200 Israelis in a single day.

More recently, in July, Israel said it killed one of the October 7 masterminds, Mohammed Deif, a key Hamas military commander, yet the militant group fights on in Gaza.

The US has its own history of killing terrorist leaders in the hope that it will cripple its foes. When Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, was killed in a US bombing raid in 2006, it was treated as a major breakthrough because al Qaeda in Iraq was significantly contributing to the civil war that was then tearing the country apart.

Yet eight years later, al Qaeda in Iraq eventually morphed into ISIS, which took over territory the size of Portugal and presided over a population of some eight million people in Iraq and Syria. ISIS also carried out devastating terrorist attacks in the West, for instance, in Paris in 2015 that killed 130 people.

What actually ended ISISs geographical caliphate was not a strike on its leadership but a ground campaign against the terrorist army from 2014 to 2019 waged by the Iraqi military and Syrian Kurdish forces backed by thousands of US troops and significant American airpower. ISISs base, the second largest city in Iraq, Mosul, was largely destroyed during this war.

In May 2016, then-President Barack Obama authorized a drone strike in Pakistan that killed the overall leader of the Taliban, Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour. Yet, today, the Taliban control all of Afghanistan.

Then-President Donald Trump ordered a strike in Baghdad, Iraq, in early January 2020 that killed Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Quds Force who was crucial to Irans relationships with its proxy forces in the region such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis in Yemen and Shia militias in Iraq.

After Soleimani was killed, Trump said, Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him.

Yet, his death had no lasting impact on Irans regional power and ambitions, and Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis in Yemen have continued their attacks on Israeli targets and Shia militias continued their attacks on American targets in Iraq.

The United States has designated the Taliban, the Houthis, Hamas, ISIS and Hezbollah as terrorist groups.

What can disable a terrorist group?

What can cripple a terrorist group is a sustained campaign to take out as many of its leaders and middle managers as possible. A CIA drone campaign that was ramped up in 2008 in Pakistans tribal regions bordering Afghanistan killed many of al Qaedas leaders, according to New America, a research institution (where I am a vice president).

Documents recovered by the US Navy SEALs who killed Osama bin Laden in his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2011 show that al Qaedas leader regularly wrote to his followers living in the countrys tribal regions, urging them to move around only on cloudy days when the drones were less effective. As a result, bin Laden was planning to pull all his followers out of the tribal region and resettle them in other parts of Pakistan.

Bin Ladens death certainly significantly contributed to undercutting al Qaedas appeal to terrorists and its abilities to carry out attacks since it was bin Laden who had founded the group, had directed its most lethal operations, and members of the group had sworn a personal oath of allegiance to him.

Bin Ladens successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri, didnt have the charisma or the organizational skills to resuscitate al Qaeda, and Zawahiri himself was killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan two years ago. The UN estimates there are about four hundred members of al Qaeda living in Afghanistan today.

While al Qaeda is a relatively small terrorist group, Hezbollah has been in existence for four decades and is backed by Iran, which is a key player in the region and has an army of some 30,000 soldiers armed with an extensive arsenal, including some 150,000 rockets and missiles.

The killing of Nasrallah is a key prize for Israel as part of its larger wave of attacks on Hezbollah that intensified earlier this month with its covert action exploding thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies followed by massive airstrikes that have taken out infrastructure and other senior leaders.

But its too early to write the militant group off, though its clearly in disarray. History suggests it will reorganize and appoint other leaders to continue its long fight against Israel.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Queen Elizabeth II's love for her Scottish residence, Balmoral, was well known [PA Media]

King Charles III has reflected on his mother's final days in Scotland, saying it is a "uniquely special place" for the royal family.

The late Queens love for Balmoral Castle in Royal Deeside, was well known, and where she spent many summers - as a small child and in later life with Prince Philip.

The King suggested she "chose" to spend her last moments there in 2022, despite her previous concerns that if her death occurred in the Highlands it may be logistically difficult for others.

The comments were made in a speech by King Charles - dressed fittingly in a kilt - to mark 25 years of the Scottish Parliament.

He attended its opening in 1999 - when he was Prince Charles - and has visited several times since.

"Speaking from a personal perspective, Scotland has always had a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself," the King said, adding his "beloved grandmother was proudly Scottish."

Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022, aged 96, at her Scottish estate.

"My late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there, in the most beloved of places, where she chose to spend her final days," the King said.

The late Queen also spent much of Prince Philips last years with him on the estate, where they stayed together during the Covid-19 lockdown. In November 2020, the couple celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary there.

Princess Anne said her mother had spoken of her concerns over dying at Balmoral, feeling that it would be "more difficult" than if she died elsewhere, suggesting the monarch wanted to avoid causing issues to others at the end of her life.

"We did try and persuade her that that shouldn't be part of the decision-making process," the Princess Royal recalled in a BBC documentary last year.

"I hope she felt that that was right in the end, because I think we did."

Balmoral has been one of the royal familys residences since 1852, when the estate and its original castle were bought by Prince Albert, Queen Victorias husband. The current Balmoral Castle was commissioned after the house at the time was deemed too small.

It was private property belonging to the Queen and is not part of the Crown Estate.
Kirby says Israeli strike on Hezbollah good for the world, calls for cease-fire

National Security Spokesperson John Kirby joined CNNs State of the Union Sunday morning, where he said Israels recent strikes that killed Hezbollah leaders were good for the world and called for a cease-fire.

I think having decimated the command structure of Hezbollah certainly works to the Israelis advantage, Kirby said. Its actually good for the region, good for the world.

Kirbys appearance follows Israels recent attack on Hezbollah. The Lebanese militant group confirmed over the weekend that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and other top officials, were killed in strikes.

In statements online, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Nasrallah was killed in the suburb of the capital in a strike that targeted the command center used by the group. A day later, another leader, Nabil Kaouk, was also confirmed by the IDF to have been killed.

Kirby said Sunday he doesnt think anyone is mourning the death of Nasrallah but continued his calls for Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire before the tensions in the region expand to a regional war.

Hezbollah will likely rebuild after the deaths, and Kirby said the United States is watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership back in.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The kitten rescued from a busy highway by an Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper has been adopted.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

In August, OSHP Canton Post Trooper Justin Smith rescued an injured kitten of the side of Interstate 77 in Stark County.

TRENDING STORIES:

In Body cam footage shared on Facebook, Trooper Smith found the injured kitten by the concrete median and picked it up using a safety vest.

The kitten was treated at the Stark County Veterinary Emergency Clinic.

The OSHP shared an update on the kitten on Facebook, stating the kitten had been adopted from the Stark County Humane Society.

The kitten has been named Lola, according to the Facebook post.

 Kitten Rescue Update The kitten rescued last month by Trooper Justin Smith on I-77 has found a fur-ever home! She was adopted from the Stark County Humane Society and has been named Lola. Posted by Ohio State Highway Patrol on Friday, September 27, 2024

Watch as a trooper from our Canton Post recently located and rescued an injured kitten on the side of I-77. The kitten is currently at the Stark County Humane Society waiting to be adopted by it's fur-ever home!  Posted by Ohio State Highway Patrol on Friday, August 30, 2024

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What to know about former President Donald Trump's campaign stops in Wisconsin Tuesday

Former President Donald Trump is in Wisconsin this week visiting Democratic strongholds after visiting Prairie du Chien Saturday.

Trump has scheduled stops in Dane County and Milwaukee Tuesday.

Here's what you need to know.

Where will Donald Trump stop in Wisconsin Tuesday?

Trump will be at Dane Manufacturing in Waunakee at 1:30 p.m. He will then head to Discovery World along Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee at 5 p.m., where he will speak.

More: Donald Trump schedules campaign stops in Wisconsin Democratic strongholds

How can I attend Donald Trump events in Wisconsin?

In order to attend the Trump campaign stops, you must register for tickets at donaldjtrump.com/events. Only two tickets can be reserved per mobile number. Ticket are subject to first come, first serve basis.

Waunakee, Wisconsin: Doors open at 500 S Division St., Waunakee, at 10:30 a.m.

Milwaukee Stop: Doors open at 2 p.m. at 500 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know, how to get tickets for Trump's Wisconsin campaign stops
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Sunday that amendments to Russia's nuclear doctrine had been prepared and were about to be formalised, meaning the relevant documents setting out the circumstances in which nuclear arms can be used by Moscow will be updated.

President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday that under proposed changes to the doctrine Russia could use nuclear arms if it was struck with conventional missiles and would consider any assault on it supported by a nuclear power to be a joint attack.

The changes were widely seen as an attempt by Putin to draw a "red line" for the United States and its allies by signalling that Moscow will consider responding with nuclear weapons if they allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with long-range Western missiles.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin on Sunday:

"The amendments have been prepared, and will now be formalised."

Peskov cited the international situation, escalating tensions near Russia's borders and the growing proximity of NATO infrastructure to them, and what he called the deeper involvement of Western nuclear powers' in the Ukraine war on Kyiv's side, as the backfrop for the changes to the doctrine.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Andrew Osborn; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Intel's (NASDAQ: INTC) stock was cut in half this year as the chipmaker struggled with slowing sales, shrinking gross margins, and its inability to catch up to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Samsung in the high-end foundry market. Those challenges drove it to suspend its dividend, lay off more than 15% of its workforce, and even consider selling or spinning off its foundry and programmable chip divisions.

However, Intel's stock recently rallied amid rumors that Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) may be mulling a takeover of the troubled chipmaker. That deal would create a chipmaking titan by merging Intel's x86 CPUs, which lead the PC and server markets, with Qualcomm's mobile system on chips (SoCs), which rank second in the smartphone SoC market after MediaTek. That seems like a win-win situation for both chipmakers, but I don't think it will happen for four simple reasons.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. It would never be approved by antitrust regulators

Intel still controls 61.5% of the x86 CPU market, according to PassMark Software, while its main competitor Advanced Micro Devices holds a 35.8% share. Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips account for 31% of the mobile SoC market, according to Counterpoint Research, while MediaTek has a 32% share.

Qualcomm and MediaTek are also the world's two largest producers of Arm-based chips. Combining the x86 and Arm architectures under one roof would likely spark fierce objections from other chipmakers and antitrust regulators. Antitrust pressure also forced Nvidia to abandon its attempted takeover of Arm in 2022.

2. Their business models are mismatched

Qualcomm is a fabless chipmaker that outsources all of its manufacturing to third-party foundries like TSMC. Intel is an integrated device manufacturer (IDM) that manufactures most of its chips at its own first-party foundries.

Qualcomm also generates most of its profits from its higher-margin licensing business, which leverages its massive portfolio of wireless patents to squeeze royalties and licensing fees from every smartphone sold worldwide (including those that don't use Qualcomm's SoCs). That's why Qualcomm consistently generates much higher operating margins than Intel.

But if Qualcomm buys Intel in its current form, it would inherit its capital-intensive foundry business that remains far behind TSMC and Samsung in the "process race" to produce smaller, denser, and more power-efficient chips. Qualcomm would also likely need to start manufacturing its own chips at those struggling plants instead of outsourcing them to other foundries.

Therefore, it doesn't make any sense for Qualcomm to crush its own operating margins by absorbing Intel's slower-growing and less-profitable foundries. A takeover might be worthwhile if Intel divests the foundry unit or eventually sells itself off in pieces, but that messy process would still probably attract plenty of attention from antitrust regulators.

3. It wouldn't complement its long-term strategies

Qualcomm still generates more than three-quarters of its chipmaking revenue from smartphones, but that market is saturated, maturing, and highly cyclical. So to reduce its long-term dependence on smartphones, Qualcomm has been expanding its smaller automotive and Internet of Things (IoT) chip divisions. That's why it tried to acquire the automotive chip giant NXP Semiconductors six years ago.

Qualcomm's takeover of NXP was never approved, but it would make a lot more sense for the chipmaker to make a fresh bid for NXP instead of Intel. Intel actually shut down its wearables group in 2018, scaled back its other IoT efforts, and spun off its automotive subsidiary Mobileye in an IPO in 2022. In other words, buying Intel wouldn't meaningfully complement Qualcomm's expansion of its automotive and IoT businesses.

4. The price tag is too high

Intel still has an enterprise value of $124 billion. Even with a conservative acquisition premium of 20%, Intel would have a price tag of nearly $150 billion. Qualcomm ended its latest quarter with $13 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. It was also shouldering $13 billion in long-term debt with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.1.

Therefore, Qualcomm would need to fund most of that acquisition with its own stock. It has an enterprise value of nearly $190 billion with 1.1 billion outstanding shares, but over 80% of those shares are already owned by institutional investors.

So to fund a takeover of Intel, Qualcomm would need to issue a lot more shares -- but that would cancel out its billions of dollars in buybacks in recent years. It would also weaken its own balance sheet by inheriting Intel's $48 billion in debt.

Intel's investors shouldn't bet on a takeover

I doubt Qualcomm wants to buy Intel and throttle its own growth, crush its margins, and wreck its balance sheet. So instead of wondering if Intel will ever be saved by a buyout, investors should focus on the more likely scenario that it shrinks or breaks up its business. If it manages to right-size itself and shift gears, it might just become a worthy investment again.

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Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool recommends Intel, Mobileye Global, and NXP Semiconductors and recommends the following options: short November 2024 $24 calls on Intel. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Intel Investors: Don't Count on Qualcomm to Save the Day was originally published by The Motley Fool
President of Russia Vladimir Putin meets with permanent members of the Security Council of Russia via videoconference. -/Kremlin/dpa

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said on Sunday that Moscow's revised nuclear weapons doctrine is needed because NATO infrastructure is approaching Russia's borders ever more closely.

Peskov told Russian state television that Western powers are seeking victory over Russia through their arms deliveries to Ukraine.

On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin announced an updated policy on the use of nuclear weapons, citing tensions with Western powers over their support for Ukraine.

Responding to a question about who would make the decision to deploy nuclear weapons in the light of Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, Peskov said that this was for military experts.

"They keep a close watch on which weapons and how they will be deployed," he said.

Russian commentators have called in the past for nuclear weapons to be used to secure victory in the current war with Ukraine.

Moscow accuses Ukraine's Western allies of involvement in the war through their arms deliveries.

Ukraine has termed the revised Russian policy "nuclear blackmail" and appealed to the West not to be intimidated and is calling for its Western backers to revise their policies restricting the use of their weapons on Russian territory.

Speaking to Russia's security council on Wednesday, Putin said the updated document proposed that "aggression against Russia by a non-nuclear state, but with the involvement or support of a nuclear state, should be considered as a joint attack on the Russian Federation."

In the event of a massive conventional air attack threatening Russia's existence, Russia could respond with nuclear forces, he said.
The Sunday Express leads with an exclusive on Conservative leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch's vow to "crush" fellow contender and "favourite", Robert Jenrick. She tells the paper she will do "whatever is necessary" to "end illegal smuggling" and stop the migrant boats. [BBC]

The conflict in the Middle East features on many of today's front pages. "Iran threatens vengeance" over the the assassination of Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah, reads the front page of The Observer. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promises his death will "not go unavenged", as his country holds five days of official mourning. [BBC]

The Sunday Mirror leads with the families of the Nottingham stab victims official complaint following Panorama's show on the killer's family. "BBC made trauma a million times worse," reads the headline. Valdo Calocane stabbed two students and a school caretaker in 2023. It quotes a line from the BBC: Complaints will be looked at according to our procedure. [BBC]

The exclusive from the Sunday People claims UK police have joined the "probe" into US rapper P Diddy over fears women here were also sexually abused by him, as US investigators arrive in London. A US source tells the paper: "Outside the States, he enjoyed no place more than the UK." [BBC]

Labour MP Rosie Duffield quitting the Labour party over the "freebies" scandal dominates the front page of The Sunday Telegraph. The paper says she leaves after accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of "sleaze, nepotism and apparent avarice". [BBC]

Benjamin Netanyahu calls the killing of Hezbollah's leader a "historic turning point", The Sunday Times reads. But as Israel claims it has "settled the score", the threat of "revenge" and full-blown war in Lebanon looms, where 50,000 people have fled. [BBC]

Footballer Andy Carroll and Towie star Billi Mucklow's divorce leads the front page of The Sun. The paper says the couple split in July, with Carroll saying: "We are under way with divorce proceedings." [BBC]

The Daily Star warns people that used underwear might be "harbouring" spiders. "Beware" if you're planning on wearing them as the "beasties" could bite you, the paper says. [BBC]

[BBC]

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Lacey MakerSpace was recently burglarized. Some tools have been recovered, police say

Some of the tools and guns recovered from a search of an area residence last week, according to Lacey police. The tools were taken from a community workspace known as Lacey MakerSpace.

Half the tools that were stolen from a community workspace in Lacey earlier this month have been recovered, according to Lacey police.

Lacey MakerSpace, which is based on the campus of Saint Martins University, was burglarized the evening of Sept. 19. About $20,000 in tools were taken, according to police.

Lacey police recovered half the tools Wednesday night after they obtained a search warrant to check an area residence, Sgt. Jeremy Knight said Sunday.

The residence was unoccupied, according to police.

The two suspects are a man and a woman. Knight said the woman has been identified, but police are still looking for both of them.

In addition to the tools, several guns were found, one of which was confirmed stolen, according to police.

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call Lacey police at 360-459-4333.
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan will again not be voting for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, despite Trumps endorsement of Hogans bid for Senate in June.

I didn't vote for him in 2016 or 2020, Hogan said on CBS Face the Nation to guest host Robert Costa on Sunday, without saying who he would vote for.

Hogan didnt vote for Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden in those years either. In 2016, he wrote in his own father, former Maryland Rep. Lawrence Hogan. In 2020, he wrote in former President Ronald Reagan.

Im not running just for the Republican Party. It's not just about red versus blue, which is what my opponent wants it to be about. I'm concerned about the red, white, and blue and willing to put country over party, and I'm hoping that the voters will be willing to do the same thing, he continued.

Hogan, a Republican, is running against Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, the current county executive of Prince Georges County. If he were to win, he would be the first Maryland Republican to win a Senate race since Charles McC. Mathias in 1980. It is one of the few Senate races expected to determine power in Congress.

Costa also asked about Trumps recent statement calling Vice President Kamala Harris mentally disabled.

"I think all of that is outrageous and unacceptable and I've already called him out when he had the one interview where he was questioning her racial identity and now he's questioning her mental competence and I think that's insulting not only to the vice president, but to people that actually do have mental disabilities, Hogan said. I've said for years that Trump's divisive rhetoric is something that we could do without. I think he's his own worst enemy."

He added that he has been one of the leading voices of opposition to Trump and Republicans who support Trump for quite some time.

Trump has previously called Hogan a RINO  or Republican in name only  in 2022, pointing to the lockdowns Hogan implemented during the pandemic, among other things. Earlier this summer, Trumps team also lashed out against Hogan when the former governor refused to defend Trump after his criminal conviction.

Though he was previously connected to the third-party No Labels movement, Hogan emphasized his faith in the two-party system and his role in keeping it together.

"I really believe a healthy and competitive two-party system is important for our country, he said. I'm very concerned that I believe both parties are way off track from what their base core values used to be. I think the Democratic Party is moving too far to the left, the Republican Party has become more of a Trump party, but I'm not willing to give up and it's why I'm running and why I stepped up.

My whole emphasis has been about how we find consensus, how we find common ground for the common good, and that's what I based my whole career on, he added.
For four years in the 1980s, Roland Sanchez-Medina Jr. studied hard at the University of Miami. His Cuban immigrant family didnt have generational wealth, so he felt the pressure of making his college experience matter, graduating with a degree in finance and quickly finding work as a credit analyst at a bank.

But when he considered what it would look like to have a career he actually loved, he thought back to his time in civics class at his Miami high school, Belen Jesuit Preparatory.

I want to do something positive every day, he told the Miami Herald.

Sanchez-Medina took a risk and pivoted, going to law school and starting a new career as an attorney. This summer, the Coral Gables-based lawyer was named president of the Florida Bar Association.

In Florida, any attorney wanting to practice law has to be a member of the Florida Bar, and Sanchez-Medina aims to hold every one of the more than 112,000 members to a high standard. But in addition to enforcing discipline for indiscretions, he also wants members dealing with mental health stressors to feel supported.

In his new role, one of his top priorities is making sure the states lawyers are of good mental health. The well-being of lawyers can be overlooked, he said, and he wants to change that. A 2023 study published in the Healthcare journal cited research showing that in a sample of 13,000 lawyers, 28% experienced depression, 21% had alcohol abuse problems and 11% abused drugs.

We need to talk about it at some level, Sanchez-Medina said. Its something that gets swept under the rug because clients dont want their attorneys to have mental health or substance abuse issues.

Roland Sanchez-Medina, recently selected Florida Bar Association president, poses in the SMGQ Law office on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Coral Gables, Florida.

Sanchez-Medina was born in Havana in 1966. His father was an orthopedic surgeon and moved their family from Cuba for a job opening in the Republic of Congo. After living there for two years, the family found political asylum in South Africa and moved to Spain shortly thereafter. Sanchez-Medina was 9 when his family moved to Miami.

What I find to be amazing is how my parents had two young kids and left their country of being established, he said. Its the immigrant story you see so much in South Florida. This country was giving my parents the opportunity to succeed.

While his familys beginnings were humble, his father earned enough money working as a surgeon to send him to Belen. It was there that Sanchez-Medina became interested in civics and and the justice system.

After the University of Miami and his short stint at the bank, he attended law school at New York University and began his legal career in 1992.

Sanchez-Medina said he always wanted to do more than simply work in an office all day and bill hours to his clients with a focus on making money. The need to give back led him to joining the Cuban American Bar Association in 2001 as a board member, and in 2009, he was elected as the organizations president.

I just enjoyed my Cuban American Bar Association experience so much through the friendships I made, the differences you can see in assisting attorneys, he said.

Being of service to other lawyers and building relationships helped Sanchez-Medina find his purpose in an industry that he said can often be stressful and thankless.

Considering the stresses of working in law, Sanchez-Mendez is focused on improving the lifestyles of Florida Bar members. Members of the Florida Bar are recommended to pursue counseling with Florida Lawyers Assistance and, depending on the situation, are sometimes mandated to obtain counseling.

Outside of a demanding career in law, Sanchez-Medina and his wife, fellow lawyer Johanna Armengol, 57, are the parents to Mariana, a 26-year-old Harvard graduate, Alessandra, a graduate of Vanderbilt University, and Christian, a 17-year-old high school senior.

Ultimately, Sanchez-Medina sees his biggest responsibility as a lawyer as representing Americans of Cuban descent.

I want other Cuban Americans to know that its attainable, he said. I want to make sure Im making the Cuban-American community proud. The reason I work hard at it is because I want people to say when he leaves the Bar, its better than when he came in. Its important for me to not do a decent job, but a fantastic job.
Some of the 300 fourth-grade students and teachers from Inland Empire schools learn a traditional Native American song in a pre-celebration of the anticipated passage of Assembly Bill 1821 at the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference (CICAC) at the California State University campus in San Bernardino, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  For Johnny Hernandez Jr., vice chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in Southern California, it was difficult as a kid growing up around San Bernardino to hear two different accounts of the histories of Indigenous peoples in the state.

One account came from his elders and was based on their lived experiences, and another came from his teachers at school and glossed over decades of mistreatment Native American people faced.

You have your family, but then you have the people youre supposed to respect  teachers and the administration, he said. As a kid  Ill speak for myself  it is confusing to  know whos telling the truth.

Now a bill signed into law by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday requires public schools teaching elementary, middle or high school students about Spanish colonization and the California gold rush to include instruction on the mistreatment and contributions of Native Americans during during those periods. The state Department of Education must consult with tribes when it updates its history and social studies curriculum framework after Jan. 1, 2025, under the law.

This is a critical step to right some of the educational wrongs, Hernandez said before the bill was signed.

Newsom signed the measure Friday on California Native American Day, a holiday first designated in the 1990s to honor the culture and history of Indigenous peoples in the state. California is home to 109 federally recognized Indigenous tribes, the second-most in the nation behind Alaska.

Im proud of the progress California has made to reckon with the dark chapters of our past, and were committed to continuing this important work to promote equity, inclusion and accountability for Native peoples," Newsom said in statement. As we celebrate the many tribal communities in California today, we recommit to working with tribal partners to better address their unique needs and strengthen California for all.

Newsom, who issued a state apology in 2019 for the historical violence against and mistreatment of Native Americans, also signed another 10 measures Friday to further support tribal needs.

Democratic Assemblymember James C. Ramos, the first Native American state lawmaker in California who authored the curriculum bill, said it would build on legislation the state passed in 2022 encouraging school districts to work with tribes to incorporate their history into curricula.

For far too long Californias First People and their history have been ignored or misrepresented, he said in a statement last month. Classroom instruction about the Mission and Gold Rush periods fails to include the loss of life, enslavement, starvation, illness and violence inflicted upon California Native American people during those times. These historical omissions from the curriculum are misleading.

___

Sophie Austin is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on X: @sophieadanna
Lawyer for Sean Combs Accuser Claims She Saw 'High-Profile' Person Featured in Tape Allegedly Connected to Diddy

The attorney claimed the person allegedly didn't appear to be an "active participant in the videotaping"

Paras Griffin/Getty Images Sean "Diddy" Combs in August 2023

An attorney for one of Sean "Diddy" Combs' accusers claims someone contacted her regarding an alleged pornographic tape featuring Combs and someone more high-profile than the music mogul, who she said didn't appear to be an "active participant in the videotaping."

Ariel Mitchell-Kidd  a lawyer representing a woman who claims Combs, now 54, sexually assaulted her in 2018  revealed in a new interview with NewsNation that she was separately "contacted by someone who wanted me to essentially represent them" in the sale of a pornographic tape featuring Combs, which she "declined."

"There already have been tapes leaking around Hollywood, being shopped around to individuals in Hollywood, but one particular person contacted me to shop a particular video they were in possession of and to contact the person who was in the video to see if they were interested in purchasing the video before it became a public knowledge," Mitchell-Kidd said on Banfield on Friday, Sept. 27.

According to NewsNation, Mitchell-Kidd is representing a woman who claims Combs allegedly sexually assaulted her with an inanimate object and directed another man to sexually assault her before she escaped.

The attorney said she will be "filing that lawsuit within the week."

Kevin Winter/Getty Sean Combs in September 2022

Related: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Wants to Testify at His Prospective Federal Sex Crime Trial, His Attorney Claims

As for the alleged pornographic tape, after being asked to elaborate by correspondent Laura Ingle, the lawyer claimed it was a "catch and kill" situation and that she "can't explain" who the other person in the video was, describing the person as "more high-profile" than Combs.

"I've seen stills of the video, okay, so you can verify that it exists, that it's real, that the other person in the video is very visible," she said. "It's no question if it's that person in the video, and I can tell the video was pornographic in nature."

Mitchell-Kidd also claimed that the video was allegedly filmed in a former Atlanta home belonging to Combs.

"And it does seem that it's the person isn't, like, looking into the video," she said. "So, it's, to me, doesn't seem like that person knows they're being videotaped. It doesn't seem like they're [an] active participant in the videotaping, like they're being surreptitiously recorded."

PEOPLE has reached out to a lawyer for Combs for comment.

Related: Jailed Sean 'Diddy' Combs 'Is Being Treated Like Any Other Detainee Awaiting Trial': Source (Exclusive)

The Bad Boy Records founder was indicted on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution on Sept. 17 and has since pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In the indictment, prosecutors accuse Combs of arranging freak offs, which they describe as sex performances where women are allegedly coerced or forced into acts with male sex workers, sometimes for multiple days.

Federal raids of Combs Los Angeles and Miami homes in March led to investigators discovering 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant  items considered to be "freak off supplies."

Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Combs, revealed in a recent interview with TMZ that Combs wants to testify. I dont know that I could keep him off the stand, Agnifilo said. I think he is very eager to tell his story."

Combs, who is in custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, is due in court in early October.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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Read the original article on People.
UPDATE: Jazlyn Diaz, the 13-year-old Las Cruces girl reported missing on Saturday, September 28, has been located and is safe, Las Cruces Police said Sunday night.

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Las Cruces Police (LCPD) is asking for your help in finding a missing 13-year-old girl.

Jazlyn Diaz, 13, was last seen on Saturday, Sept. 28 near the 1700 block of Dogwood Street, according to LCPD.

Missing 13-year-old Jazlyn Diaz. Photo courtesy to Las Cruces Police Department.

According to LCPD, Jazlyn is 5 feet tall, weighs 76 pounds, has red hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing dark blue pants and white sandals.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact LCPD immediately at (575) 526-0795.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Mitsubishi Lancer that was struck by a Russian drone, killing Leonid Loboyko and injuring three women - Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office / Telegram

A Ukrainian Supreme Court judge on a food aid mission in Ukraines northern Kharkiv region has been killed by a Russian drone.

Leonid Loboyko was one of at least 15 civilians killed by Russian attacks on Ukraine over the weekend.

The 61-year-old had been travelling in a car to a village north of Kharkiv city when the Russian drone struck. Three women, also in the car, were injured during the attack.

In the hearts of all who knew Leonid Loboyko, he will always be remembered as a kind, wise and compassionate person, the Supreme Courts press office said in a statement.

Leonid Loboyko was described by the Supreme Court as a kind, wise and compassionate person

The largest death toll of the weekend came on Saturday from a drone attack on a hospital in Sumy, near the border with Russia, that killed 10 people.

A Russian missile attack also killed four people in a village in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine and Russian glide bombs, standard bombs fitted with fins and a basic GPS device, smashed into the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, injuring 15 people.

On the front lines, Russian military bloggers said Russian forces had been making progress but slowly, because of Ukraines heavy drone coverage.

The advance is extremely cautious because of the difficulties in supplying forward units under enemy drone fire, said Two Majors, a Russian military blog channel.

Victory plan

Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, has also travelled back to Ukraine from the United States, where he met with Joe Biden as well as with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the two presidential candidates, to present his victory plan.

Although US officials were reportedly unimpressed with his victory plan, and Mr Biden did not agree to allow Ukraine to fire Western-made missiles at Russia, Mr Zelensky was still upbeat about continued US support.

Many tasks have been accomplished during this visit, he said. October is the time for decisions.

Russia has also been ramping up its diplomatic efforts focused on a summit of the Brics, a group of wealthy developing nations, in central Russia next month.

Brics is an economic club set up in 2009 and named after its first members, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Russia is keen to expand the group into an anti-Western bloc.

In January this year, it admitted Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

It is expected formally to admit 12 more members in October, including Turkey, Azerbaijan and Libya.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The League of Women Voters of Southern New Mexico (LWVSNM) is inviting the community to its two public forums for local candidates who will be on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The forums will both begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 at the Las Cruces City Hall Council Chambers, located at 700 N. Main St.

In the Oct. 1 forum, candidates for the Dona Ana County Commission districts four and five will be in attendance, as well as candidates running for district attorney in the Third Judicial District, according to the LWVSNM.

No candidates for Dona Ana County Commission district two are available to attend, the League said.

The Oct. 8 forum will feature candidates running for New Mexico Senate, and the League hopes to also have candidates who are running for New Mexico House of Representatives, according to the LWVSNM.

These forums will give the community a chance to learn about the candidates and hear how they stand on the issues, LWVSNM President Jo Galvan Nash said. The League is a nonpartisan organization which means we dont endorse any candidate or party, and we want to provide an equal opportunity for candidates to address a variety of questions.

Both forums are co-sponsored by the Dona Ana County chapter of the NAACP and the American Association of University Women.

According to the LWVSNM, rules on how the forums will work will be provided to candidates and the audience before each event. The event will allow candidates to speak with the audience with short opening and closing statements.

At the end of each forum, audience members can meet with the candidates.

Voters can see more candidate questions and responses at www.Vote411.org, available starting Oct. 4, according to the LWVSNM.

In addition to the extra questions, the League will be providing Voter Guides, in English and Spanish, that will be distributed throughout Dona Ana County through the Las Cruces Bulletin and Camino Real Media.

Residents can view the electronic versions of the Voter Guides on the Leagues 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 KTSM 9 News.
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Credit: Intel

Another day, another rumour of an aborted Intel buyout. Earlier this week it was Qualcomm that was said to be sniffing around the injured, wheezing chip maker. Today, it's none other than Arm, in some ways Intel's biggest competitor.

Business outlet Bloomberg reckons that Arm knocked on Intel's door offering to buy the product half of the company. In other words, the bit of the company that designs the chips and not the foundry or manufacturing facilities.

Apparently, Intel told Arm to jog on. The company isn't for sale. Now, it's impossible to say if this actually happened. But it's not hard to understand why stories like this are emerging.

No question, Intel is in trouble. It's losing money hand over fist. Its foundry arm has been struggling for well over a decade. Intel has even suffered the ignominy of the crashing 13th and 14th Gen CPU debacle, calling into question basic competence over the company's core product line.

The question, then, is could a buyout happen? Our own Nick argued that if Nvidia wasn't allowed to buy Arm, then Qualcomm buying Intel is a non starter. And so from that it would follow that anti-trust in the US wouldn't allow Arm to buy Intel's product division.

In broad terms, I think that's only half correct. Arm probably wouldn't be allowed to by Intel. But Qualcomm might. How so? First, Intel is a US company of strategic importance. The US is very keen to have its own domestic cutting-edge chip design and manufacturing capabilities and Intel is the leading US player in that market, particularly on the manufacturing side. Second, Intel is currently experiencing an existential crisis. Even the company's own CEO says he has bet the company on the upcoming 18A process node.

Anyway, those two factors put a completely different spin on any acquisition of Intel, as opposed to an acquisition of Arm by, say, Nvidia. US anti-trust authorities will have to balance off the risk of allowing too much power and too large a product portfolio to accumulate in any new entity that contains Intel with the risk of Intel as we know it ceasing to exist.

Put another way, if the judgement is that Intel is at significant risk of going broke if it isn't acquired, then much more flexibility is likely to be shown by the relevant authorities when it comes to suitors knocking at the door. They'd much rather run the risk of creating something of a monopoly than see Intel go out of business. That would be a disaster.

The catch is that the same worries over Intel's future and its role as an important strategic asset for the US as a whole means the main concern in any buyout is likely to be nationality of any new owner rather than the risk of anti-trust.

Story continues

Would the US be happy with Arm buying half of Intel? Arm's majority shareholder is Japanese investment company Softbank. Japan is a close ally of the US. But it isn't the US. Arm is also headquartered in the UK. So, a bid by Arm may not be viewed positively. On the other hand, Qualcomm is a US company and so a Qualcomm buyout would keep Intel fully domesticated. Perfect.

Right now, Intel is a much larger company than Qualcomm, with around 2.5 times the employees and over 50% more revenue. On the other hand, Qualcomm's current total worth or market cap is $192 billion, while Intel's is just $102 billion, reflecting market fears over Intel's future prospects.

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Perhaps the greater doubt is whether Qualcomm would want to take on all of Intel, rather than just the product side. Perhaps a case could be made for Qualcomm buying the product business and pumping all that capital into the newly independent fabs. Maybe add in a clause that Qualcomm has to keep using Intel Foundry for x86 chips for a while to give that money a little time to work its magic.

Anyway, the overarching conclusion here is that it's hard to say for sure if anyone has actually taken a serious look at buying Intel. Moreover, Intel probably isn't at risk of failure in the short term.

But the company is already in sufficient trouble that the usual concerns over anti-trust will not fully apply. Instead, they'll be balanced against the medium term risk that Intel goes to the wall. My personal hunch is that Intel will in whole or substantial part be under new ownership inside a decade. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the name over the door at that point is Qualcomm. Watch this space.
A Lebanese woman takes pictures of the site of the massive Israeli air strike that killed pro-Iranian Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburb. Marwan Naamani/dpa

At least 14 paramedics have been killed in Israeli airstrikes over the past two days, Lebanese officials reported on Sunday.

The Israeli military targeted areas near a hospital in the Bekaa Valley in the east, forcing its temporary closure, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported.

The ministry condemned the strikes as a violation of international law, stating: "It is well known that paramedics do not engage in combat. They transport the dead to their final resting place and tend to the wounds of the injured until they arrive at the hospital. Does Israel want to spill blood without end?"

Following nearly a year of cross-border skirmishes, Israel launched a massive aerial campaign on targets across Lebanon earlier this week, with the stated aim of pushing back Hezbollah forces to enable the return of tens of thousands of residents evacuated from northern Israel amid the fighting.

The death toll since the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began almost a year ago has risen to more than 1,600 and a further 8,400 have been injured, according to official Lebanese figures.

Residents of a nearby building walk by the site of the massive Israeli air strike that killed pro-Iranian Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburb. Marwan Naamani/dpa

A Lebanese man walks among rubble, debris and smoke that is still billowing from the site of the massive Israeli air strike that killed pro-Iranian Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburb. Marwan Naamani/dpa
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  An attempted homicide suspect who was armed and allegedly kidnapped a child out of Lees Summit was caught following a chase where four different agencies in two counties tried to stop them, according to the Johnson County, Missouri, Sheriffs Office.

The sheriffs office says this happened on Saturday night around 11 p.m. when its deputies and the Missouri Highway Patrol tried to stop the suspect on U.S. 50 Highway as they drove eastbound into Johnson County from Jackson County. The sheriffs office says the suspect didnt pull over and kept driving toward Warrensburg.

Reports claimed a juvenile was in the vehicle and the suspect was armed with a handgun.

Who will the Royals face in the playoffs?

Deputies and the Warrensburg Police Department put down stop sticks, which the suspect hit and had their tires deflated, but they turned around and started driving westbound.

The sheriffs office says the suspect hit a patrol vehicle during the pursuit, and it requested help from the Cass County Sheriffs Office, which has a Grappler device.

The suspect was driving on rims in the 1800 block of NW U.S. 50 Highway, right at the Jackson/Johnson county line, when Cass County deployed the grappler, causing the suspect to lose control and stop.

Authorities rescued the child and arrested the suspect.

Community reacts to UMKC student death. It was heartbreaking

FOX4 has asked for more information about the initial incident in Lees Summit, and the timeline for the pursuit. Lees Summit police say they expect to release more information on Monday, and were awaiting answers from other agencies involved in this case.

While the suspect is in custody, they havent been charged or identified yet. FOX4 will update this story with more information when charges are filed and our questions are answered.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Jack Queen

(Reuters) - In Arizona, one of seven competitive U.S. states that are expected to decide the 2024 presidential election, an advocacy group founded by Donald Trump adviser Stephen Miller is advancing a bold legal theory: that judges can throw out election results over "failures or irregularities" by local officials.

The lawsuit by the America First Legal Foundation, a conservative advocacy group, says the court in such cases should be able to toss the election results and order new rounds of voting in two counties in Arizona, where Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris is leading Trump in the polls by a razor-thin margin.

Almost four years after former president Trump and his allies tried and failed to overturn his election defeat with a flurry of more than 60 hastily arranged lawsuits, Republicans have launched an aggressive legal campaign laying the groundwork to challenge potential losses.

The Republican National Committee says it is involved in more than 120 lawsuits across 26 states, in a strategy that some legal experts and voting rights groups say is meant to undercut faith in the system.

Republicans say the lawsuits are aimed at restoring faith in elections by ensuring people don't vote illegally. Trump and his allies have falsely claimed that his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden was tainted by widespread fraud.

While the Arizona case is likely a long shot, legal experts say it fits with a pattern of Republican-backed lawsuits that appear aimed at sowing doubts about the legitimacy of the election before it occurs and providing fodder for challenging the results after the fact.

This is part of creating the narrative that there will be irregularities that will require outside intervention," said Columbia Law School professor Richard Briffault.

America First Legal Foundation, its lawyers and Miller did not respond to inquiries.

A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee said the party's top priority is fixing what they say are problems with voting systems before Election Day to ensure no ballots are illegally cast.

"Our Election Integrity operation is fighting to secure the election, promoting transparency and fairness for every legal vote. This gives voters confidence that their ballot will be counted properly, and in turn, inspires voter turnout," said RNC spokesperson Claire Zunk.

Trump and Harris are locked in a tight battle ahead of the Nov. 5 election, fueling a wave of litigation by both Democrats and Republicans as they spar over the ground rules.

Republicans typically sue to enforce restrictions on voting that they say are necessary to prevent fraud, while Democrats generally ask courts to keep voting accessible.

The Harris campaign said in a statement that Republicans are "scheming to sow distrust in our elections and undermine our democracy so they can cry foul when they lose."

"Team Harris-Walz enters the home stretch of this campaign with a robust voter and election protection operation and the best lawyers in the country, ready for any challenge Republicans throw at us. We will give Americans the free and fair election they deserve so all eligible voters can vote and have that vote counted," the campaign said.

In Michigan, another closely contested state, Republicans are suing to prevent state agencies from expanding access to voter registration, restrict the use of mobile voting sites like vans and impose tighter verification rules for mail-in ballots.

In Nevada and other states, Trump allies are seeking to purge voter rolls of allegedly ineligible voters and noncitizens, though the deadline for systematically culling rolls in time for the election has passed.

And in Pennsylvania, Republicans are fighting to enforce strict mail-in voting rules and limit voters' ability to correct mistakes on their ballots. On Sept. 13, Republicans scored a victory when the state's highest court ruled mail ballots with incorrect dates will not be counted.

SOWING CONFUSION

Election litigation surged in 2020 as COVID-19 spurred changes to voting procedures wider use of mail-in ballots. Those fights were often reactions to granular, location-specific issues.

More than 60 lawsuits Republicans filed challenging Trump's loss in 2020 were rejected by courts.

This time, Republicans are filing legal challenges earlier and leveling allegations of widespread fraud that strike to the very core of the election process.

Trump's continued false claims that his 2020 defeat was the result of fraud has taken root in the Republican Party: 71% of Republican registered voters responding to an August Reuters/Ipsos poll said they believed voter fraud was a widespread problem, well above the 37% of independents and 16% of Democrats who held that view.

Theyre out front and early and are moving preemptively, whereas 2020 was kind of reactive. Here theyre getting ahead of it, Briffault said.

The Arizona lawsuit, filed in February in Yavapai County court, underscores the proactive approach by Trump's allies. It alleges a litany of "missteps and illegalities" by election officials in Maricopa, Yavapai and Coconino counties in past election and asserts that only court intervention can restore the public trust.

Maricopa County was dismissed from the case on procedural grounds.

The complaint asks a judge to impose a list of 24 orders enforcing the America First Legal Foundations interpretation of election laws and correcting errors by any means necessary, including nullifying results and ordering new rounds of voting.

Errors could include failure to staff ballot drop boxes at all times or failing to take certain steps to verify signatures on ballots.

That is a novel and sweeping request that a judge is unlikely to grant, according to legal experts and election attorneys. But a judge nullifying results in a crucial state could lead to chaos, confusion and delays, which some legal experts and voting rights group say is a central goal of the Republican legal strategy.

Uncertainty could give local officials and state legislatures the opportunity to meddle with the results, according to Sophia Lin Lakin, an attorney litigating voting rights cases on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union. For example, officials could try to throw out votes or refuse to certify the outcome.

Its about laying the groundwork for there to be enough doubt in the election process that a political maneuver could be brought to bear to impact the outcome, Lakin said.

(Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Alistair Bell)
This weeks Conservative Party conference in Birmingham was expected to be the launch platform for an election campaign to take place next month or in November. Instead, because of Rishi Sunaks almost unfathomable decision to go to the country in July, it is an inquest into the worst defeat suffered by the Tories in 200 years.

With just 121 MPs, fewer councillors following local election defeats and a continuing decline in membership, the party has a hollowed-out feel. These few days in the West Midlands are an opportunity for reflection on what went wrong but more importantly for a serious debate about where to go next.

Such is the volatility of the electorate that Sir Keir Starmers 160-plus-seat majority could disappear as quickly as the 80-seat cushion secured by Boris Johnson in 2019. The Tories must have a credible programme for government they can present to the electorate in four or five years time.

The four remaining leadership candidates must grapple with the issues that actually matter for the future of the country  the policies needed to make the UK a more entrepreneurial country, to tackle worklessness, to bring down levels of immigration and to preserve British values.

The Tories cannot rely on Labour making a mess of government, even if the signs are already there. They need a sense of direction and a set of policies that will stop voters weary of the shortcomings of yet another mainstream party switching to Reform, the Lib Dems or other alternatives. The Tories may be much diminished but they remain the official Opposition and need to act like it.

And what the candidates must avoid is engaging in synthetic outrage and petty squabbles over perfectly reasonable questions. Kemi Badenoch, discussing maternity leave, raised concerns about how excessive regulation can be counterproductive and hurt the very people it is seeking to protect. The shadow housing secretary may be right or wrong on this, but it is something it is perfectly fair to debate and for which she should not be traduced by her rivals.

These next few days will see the candidates put through their paces by party members. It is to be hoped that the stage-managed corporatism of recent conferences will be replaced by a proper, civilised clash of ideas and the cut and thrust of debate.

It may well have the appearance of a wake but this is the most important Conservative conference in a generation.

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.
To the editor: No, no, no! ("Why wait? Six weeks before the 2024 election, California is having a 2026 governors debate," Sept. 25)

Please spare us another election cycle, especially before the current one has concluded. Can the media please give us a break? Must it be all politics and elections all the time?

Who will join me in saying that anyone announcing they're running for a 2026 office before November 2025 loses my vote?

Norm Schneider, Los Angeles

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Letters to the Editor: Your 'protest vote' for Jill Stein is really a vote for Donald Trump

To the editor: The Times published a letter from a physician who expressed disgust at Vice President Kamala Harris's laughing over shooting a home intruder and proclaimed he will vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein in protest.

Does he simply not understand that a vote for Stein is essentially a vote for former President Trump, and the extent to which societys preoccupation with guns and gun violence would flourish under another Trump administration?

In 2016, close to 132,000 people in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania voted for Stein. Hillary Clinton lost these three states by a combined margin of about 80,000 votes. If those presumed principled and environmentally conscious Stein voters had cast their votes for Clinton, we would have avoided the divisiveness, incompetence and hatefulness of Trump over these last eight years.

Let's not allow that to happen again. Please use your views on guns and the gun lobby's misuse of the 2nd Amendment to petition Congress and state legislatures to work toward an end to America's epidemic of gun violence.

Please dont let perfection be the enemy of informed judgment.

Michael Schneider, Truckee, Calif.

..

To the editor: Whenever I read about someone casting a "protest vote" in the upcoming presidential election, I wonder what they are protesting.

Are they protesting the right of reproductive freedom for women? Are they protesting the right to vote in free and fair elections? Are they protesting democracy itself?

Any so-called protest vote is not a protest at all. It's a vote for the disgraced ex-president who wants to be king.

Rhys Thomas, Valley Glen

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LG&E restores power to most residents who lost it, but thousands in KY still have outages

Power has been restored for most Louisville residents, but thousands of northeast Kentucky residents remain without electricity two days after remnants of Tropical Storm Helene arrived in the state.

About 1,000 Jefferson County residents were without power Sunday morning, according to LG&E's outage tracker. At least 205,000 customers in Louisville and throughout the state lost power over the weekend.

In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, LG&E said power had been restored to 87% of customers in what was the fourth-largest outage event in the past 20 years.

"We continue to work around the clock repairing the nearly 1,500 downed wires and 101 poles that have been assessed so far," LG&E stated.

There were an estimated 57,380 outages in Kentucky Sunday morning, Gov. Andy Beshear said on X.

Is more rain expected in Louisville? Here's the forecast for the week ahead

Louisville residents might see some rain and fog through Monday, but the rest of the week is expected to feature mostly clear skies.

Here is the seven-day forecast from the National Weather Service.

Sunday night: A 20% chance of showers before 11 p.m. and patchy fog after 11 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64 and light northeast wind.

Monday: A 40% chance of showers, mainly after 11 a.m., and patchy fog between 10 a.m. and noon. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 76 and a calm wind.

Monday night: Patchy fog after 10 p.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 64 and calm wind.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.

Wednesday night: Clear, with a low around 51.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 77.

Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80.

Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@gannett.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville power outage, weather update: Where things stand after Helene
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Lincoln County will be hosting a food drive throughout the month of October.

In a post on Facebook, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office announced a food drive that will take place from October 1 to October 31.

Vishnu Bunny plans to re-open this week

Acceptable items are canned or jarred foods, boxed foods and personal care items. Items can be dropped off at the Lincoln County Courthouse in Canton.

If there are any questions, you are encouraged to call 605-764-6609 or email at HR@lincolncountysd.org.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Alex V. Cipolle

MPR News

On a September evening at the Turf Club in St. Paul, models weave through bar tables in upcycled designs.

Annie Humphrey, an artist and musician based on the Leech Lake Reservation, performs on the stage, followed by Minneapolis musician David Huckfelt. On a back table Shanai Matteson, an artist from Palisade leads printmaking demos with a stencil of a black aandeg (the Anishinaabe word for crow) and an orange-red sun.

Theres a story about the crow. Long ago, the crow had bright, beautiful, vibrant colored feathers, Humphrey recalls. But crow also saw that the people were suffering because they had no fire.

To bring fire to the people, crow flew close to the sun and scorched his feathers black.

He was able to grab the fire and bring it back down to the earth and bring fire to the people so that they could be warm, Humphrey continues. If you take a crow feather and hold it in the sun, its iridescent, and all these colors are still in that feather.

The stencil is the logo for the new arts and community-building collective Fire in the Village, started by Humphrey, Matteson and Huckfelt this year. (Fire in the Village is also the title of a book of Ojibwe stories by Humphreys mother, Anne Dunn.)

The Turf Club event is a kick-off for a fall tour that will take the collective to small towns across the Midwest over the next two months. The next stop is Sept. 20 at the Long Lake Conservation Center in Palisade for the Community Harvest Camp.

No politics involved at all

The trio all share a background in activism, specifically fighting the Line 3 oil pipeline. In 2022, Matteson was acquitted of a gross misdemeanor charge for aiding and abetting trespassing in relation to the pipeline.

But with Fire in the Village, the collective wants to do something untethered from any one cause.

If we were going to start something, I knew that it should center on art and the human spirit, the human condition, Humphrey says, and have no politics involved at all.

Through art, fashion, music and collaborative events with schools and local organizations, the collective is hoping to heal divides and put a dent in the loneliness epidemic in rural communities and on reservations.

I think a lot of people are feeling isolated, Matteson says. Theres a lot of divisiveness going on. Personally, Im not interested in continuing that. I dont want to be part of a cause where it feels like its putting another barrier between me and the people who live around me.

One of the inspirations for starting the collective is their mentor John Trudell, a poet and activist for the American Indian Movement who died in 2015. One of Humphreys songs, We Are Power, features Trudell.

Trudell had a healthy suspicion of leaders and people who called themselves leaders, Huckfelt says.

The first Fire in the Village fashion show in May at the MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids. (Courtesy of Lee Pelcher via MPR News)

We like the feeling of the collective and not pushing one person as a front for something, Huckfelt adds. So, were really working together with our skillset because we believe in music, we believe in art, we believe in community, and so thats whats being put forward here.

Making connections

For the St. Paul tour stop, Humphrey spoke to Macalester students, some of whom ended up walking in the fashion show at the Turf Club.

Fire in the Village is a way to connect with individuals and to smaller communities that youre a part of, says Meira Smit, one of the Macalester students who came to the Turf Club. A way to build messages and movements around the things that we deeply care about.

Haley Cherry, a producer for Minnesotas Native Roots Radio on AM950, also came out to walk in the fashion show after meeting Humphrey and Huckfelt this past year.

Its important to hear from both perspectives: issues of Indigenous identity, but also [from] David, as a white ally, I think its important to draw those bridges of community concerns, says Cherry, who is a descendant of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. A fire in the village is something that has to bring attention to everyone.

While the collective will travel around like art bards, they also have a base in Grand Rapids, where theyre doing an artist residency, Artists in the Attic at the historic Old Central School building, through the MacRostie Art Center and the city. They hosted their first upcycled fashion show at MacRostie in May.

Humphrey makes the designs from thrifted clothes and found textiles and Humphreys daughter Geezis directs the fashion shows, as well as doing art programming for Fire in the Village. Humphreys other daughter, Scout, helps with printing pop-ups.

In June, Humphrey also led a community mural with youth groups on the Leech Lake Reservation, the Boys & Girls Club in Deer River and the Long Lake Conservation Center. Soon, the mural will be installed at the powwow grounds in Ball Club, a village on the reservation. There are more murals to come, Humphrey says.

Community spaces and community building

The tour is also about revival, Huckfelt says, stopping at historic community buildings in small towns, such as the 210 Gallery and Art Center in Sandstone Oct. 19 and the Historic Chief Theater in Bemidji on Nov. 2.

A lot of these spaces are really beautiful old music and theater art spaces, Huckfelt says.

I think in a lot of these communities, people are reviving these spaces because they know how important it is, adds Matteson. We need more spaces like that because thats part of whats making us so lonely and isolated.

These community spaces set the scene for community-building.

The pride and the expression that comes through art and music  in the wake of that, theres all kinds of dialogue, conversations. Theres new connections, meeting people, town to town, Huckfelt says.

Weve been doing this work in our own ways for a long time, individually and together. Its a natural step to call it Fire in the Village  little fires that we can sustain and we can huddle around for good ideas and for community.

Humphrey says nothing can unite people and bring down walls like the arts.

Its a very gentle way to say really hard stuff, Humphrey says. I have played in front of people who dont agree with what I speak, but when I sing it?

Humphrey says people will come up to her after shows to chat about issues, even when they dont agree.

No one is throwing bad names at each other or anything like that, Humphrey says. Its just really quite civil when its done in a gentle way.

In October, the Fire in the Village tour will travel to Ashland, Wis., Sandstone and many other towns. It will return to the Twin Cities for the Decolonize Thanksgiving event Nov. 29 at the The Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge.

This article was first published by MPR News and republished with permission.
LIVE UPDATES: East Tennessee is devastated by Helene - get county-by-county updates

It's going to be a long cleanup.

Many communities across East Tennessee remain under water and are coping with crumbled roads, unsteady bridges and devastated utility systems. The remnants of Hurricane Helene brought rivers to record levels and forced evacuations.

As communities begin regrouping, they're focusing on finding people who are unaccounted for, reopening roads, ensuring there is safe drinking water and finding shelter for people whose homes are damaged.

Here's a look at how things stand, county by county.

Knox News is compiling need-to-know information on roads, water supplies and missing people. We will update this story on a rolling basis.

If you have something to share with your community, please reach out to sriley@knoxnews.com.

 Get weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about Hurricane Helene and other weather events now

Carter County

THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER

There are 5,500 customers without electricity in the county, said Ivan Sanders, spokesperson for Elizabethton and the county, told Knox News.

Crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible by restringing damaged lines, Sanders said.

ROADS AND BRIDGES DAMAGED, SUPPLIES ARE BEING AIRDROPPED

Sanders said authorities are working to airdrop food and supplies to areas cut off by road closures.

"Weve got 14 bridges and 16 roads out right now," he said, "so air drops are the only way to reach some residents."

BOIL WATER ALERT IN PLACE BUT WATER EXPECTED BACK BY 5 P.M. SEPT. 29

Sanders said water pressure is expected to be restored by 5 p.m. Sept. 29, although a boil water alert is in place and will be until further notice.

"Itll be a few days before the system is fully cleared," Sanders said.

COUNTY SCHOOLS CLOSED INDEFINITELY, CITY SCHOOLS LIKELY TO OPEN SOONER

Carter County Schools are probably be closed "for an indefinite period of time due to the ongoing disruptions," Sanders said.

The Elizabethton city school system will possibly be closed for only a day or two, Sanders said, but the superintendent has not made the decision public yet.

LOCAL HOSPITAL SHUT

Sycamore Shores Hospital in Elizabethton has shut down, Sanders said. Nearby hospitals, including in Johnson City, are up and running, he added.

SUPPLIES AVAILABLE AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Elizabethton Recreation Center will function as the countys donation center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 29 at 300 W. Mill Street.

The center will provide the following supplies to displaced neighbors:

Bottled water (one case per family)

Food

Cleaning supplies

Diapers

Baby formula

Emergency supplies to those in need

If youd like to help, the center is most in need of bottled water and first aid kits.

The Recreation Center is also in need of volunteers to help distribute supplies 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Cocke County

WHERE TO DONATE SUPPLIES

A supply collection and distribution center has been set up: Cocke County Water Distribution Point, 613 W. Broadway in Newport.

This is the old Ingles parking lot.

POWER IS COMING

Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis said the utility is "building a powerline across the Pigeon River at Hartford and at Greasy Cove."

They have six extra contract crews working to help, he wrote on Facebook.

SOME ROADS ARE OPEN

The mayor said all state roads are open. Other interior roads are blocked.

"The majority of county highway department vehicles were destroyed in the flood, according to our highway superintendent," Mathis wrote.

Greene County

WATER IS RUNNING OUT

Greeneville's water supply will run out today, Laura White, the Greeneville Water Commission superintendent, told Knox News.

"Most people will be without drinking water," White said.

She said they're hoping to be able to pump water by Oct. 4.

Until then, the agency is working on setting up drinking water distribution pods across the county.

The county's water intake system, responsible for pumping water from the river to the treatment plant, was "enveloped" by the Nolichuckey River, the Greeneville Water Commission posted in an update.

The agency is getting a supply of water pumps in two shipments - one today and one tomorrow, White said.

The staff is working on clearing debris to get to where they need to be to place the pumps, White said.

The agency supplies water to Greeneville and a majority of the county through five utility districts and the agency posted it was not sure how long it would take to fix the supply.

The intake structure "was totally submerged," the agency said. "After the water receded today. We discovered that there is not much, if anything salvageable at our pumping station."

The water in storage tanks available to the agency is a 24-hour supply under normal conditions.

SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED

Greeneville and Greene County schools will be closed Sept. 30-Oct. 4.

Greeneville schools will provide breakfast and lunch for students noon-2 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 2. The meals can be picked up curbside at Greeneville High School. Multiple breakfasts and lunches will be provided on pickup days.

Parents will receive an email with a link to register, which will also be available on the districts website.

POWER IS OUT

About 3,200 customers are without power, Greeneville Energy Authority spokesperson Drew Hall told Knox News on Sept. 29.

Sevier County

EVACUATIONS LIST CHANGES

The evacuations list has changed as Sevier County emergency management officials and the Tennessee Valley Authority work together to manage river flows.

Areas still closed:

Deerfield Mobile Home Park: Residents may come to pick up pets and necessities like medication and clothing until 6 p.m. The area is not accessible by vehicle. Must check in with a police officer at the entrance before entering. Some homes are flagged with yellow tape and should not be entered along these road: River Mist Lane, Deep River Drive, River Lane, River Dance Lane, Newsome Road, River Breeze Drive.

Homes can be entered on these roads: Binginham Island, Luther Catlett Circle, River Run Circle, River Island Boulevard, Tranquillity Lane, Gentlemens Way, River Vista Circle, River Bend Road, Indian Warpath, Twin Oaks Way, Betsy Court, Hodges Ferry Road, Rays Gap Road.

NO LONGER NEED TO CONSERVE WATER USAGE IN SOME AREAS

Sevier County Water Department customers on Jones Cove Road, Richardson Cove Road, Bogard Road, and Pearl Valley Road no longer need to conserve water, according to spokesperson Tyler Basler.

Unicoi County

73 REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR AS SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS CONTINUE

There are no confirmed deaths related to the floods at this time, Myron Hughes, Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency spokesperson, said at a press conference Sept. 29.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol, however, is looking for missing people, Hughes said.

While working through a debris field yesterday, the search and rescue team found a casket. Authorities are working with the William Jenkins Forensic Center to identify and notify the family, Hughes said.

Highway 81 is "totally washed out" and some areas remain impossible to get to, EMA Director Jimmy Erwin said.

FOOD, SHELTER AVAILABLE AT DESIGNATED SCHOOLS

Food distribution centers have been set up at Temple Hill School at 797 Old Highway Road in Erwin and at Flag Pond School at 917 Old Asheville Highway in Flag Pond.

A shelter has been set up at Unicoi High School, 700 S. Mohawk Drive in Erwin.

UTILITIES BEING REBUILT, WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT HIT

All areas outside of flood zones will have power restored by Oct. 2, said Lee Brown, president and CEO of Erwin Utilities. About 1,500 customers were without power the morning of Sept. 29.

Our power grid is stable and secure, Erwin said.

Rebuilding the power line along the hospital route is going to take two to three weeks, he said. The other big hurdle is to get power back to the industrial park, he added. Broadband restoration will follow electricity restoration.

We will continue to press forward, he said.

All water plants are back in operation, but a boil water notice remains in place.

The wastewater plant was hit and there is no wastewater treatment for the community, Brown said. Leaders are working to put together a temporary wastewater solution, but theres no timeframe for that.

About 533 customers in the flood-affected area remain without water and fewer than that have no wastewater service, he said.

POLICE DOG DIES IN FLOODS

Erwin police dog Scotty died in the floods after he went missing in the Bumpass Cove area. In a Facebook post, the police department described him as a friendly dog who loved playing with Kong balls. The department is asking for prayers for his handler and all who loved him.

Washington County

WHERE TO GET SUPPLIES

A supply distribution center has been set up at Grandview Elementary School, 2891 Highway 11E in Telford.

Areena Arora, data and investigative reporter for Knox News, can be reached by email at areena.arora@knoxnews.com. Follow her on X @AreenaArora and on Instagram @areena_news.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: East Tennessee floods from Helene devastate: Water supply and roads destroyed
It's not possible to invest over long periods without making some bad investments. But really bad investments should be rare. So consider, for a moment, the misfortune of Talga Group Ltd (ASX:TLG) investors who have held the stock for three years as it declined a whopping 74%. That would be a disturbing experience. And more recent buyers are having a tough time too, with a drop of 69% in the last year. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 35% in the last 90 days. We note that the company has reported results fairly recently; and the market is hardly delighted. You can check out the latest numbers in our company report.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

View our latest analysis for Talga Group

Talga Group recorded just AU$1,584,952 in revenue over the last twelve months, which isn't really enough for us to consider it to have a proven product. You have to wonder why venture capitalists aren't funding it. As a result, we think it's unlikely shareholders are paying much attention to current revenue, but rather speculating on growth in the years to come. For example, investors may be hoping that Talga Group finds some valuable resources, before it runs out of money.

As a general rule, if a company doesn't have much revenue, and it loses money, then it is a high risk investment. There was already a significant chance that they would need more money for business development, and indeed they recently put themselves at the mercy of capital markets and raised equity. So the share price itself impacts the value of the shares (as it determines the cost of capital). While some such companies do very well over the long term, others become hyped up by promoters before eventually falling back down to earth, and going bankrupt (or being recapitalized). It certainly is a dangerous place to invest, as Talga Group investors might realise.

When it last reported, Talga Group had minimal cash in excess of all liabilities. So it is a good thing that the company has looked to remedy the situation by raising more capital recently. The cash situation might not explain why the share price is down 20% per year, over 3 years. The image below shows how Talga Group's balance sheet has changed over time; if you want to see the precise values, simply click on the image.

Of course, the truth is that it is hard to value companies without much revenue or profit. Would it bother you if insiders were selling the stock? I would feel more nervous about the company if that were so. You can click here to see if there are insiders selling.

Story continues

A Different Perspective

Talga Group shareholders are down 69% for the year, but the market itself is up 21%. 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 3% 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. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Talga Group that you should be aware of.

Of course Talga Group may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Australian 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.
Helene damages at least 19,000 homes in Pinellas and other weekend updates

The Tampa Bay death toll from Hurricane Helene rose to at least 11 on Saturday, with nine Pinellas deaths and two in Hillsborough.

Barrier island reopened in Pinellas late Saturday and residents continued to be evacuated. Water service was restored in some places, while others wait for power and internet service to return. Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Pasco County on Sunday. FEMA money got approved for those hard hit in Florida.

Meanwhile, donations flooded in and helpers emerged. Check out a list of local relief efforts, from volunteer opportunities to supply drives.

Here updates from Sunday:

5:30 p.m.: Free rides aboard transit in St. Petersburg

Those riding transit within St. Petersburg city limits will ride for free the next two weeks.

The fare-free period will run Monday to Sunday, Oct. 13. Free fares will apply to regular bus trips that begin and end in St. Pete. Fares will be reinstated on Monday, Oct. 14.

The free rides are part of the citys Emergency Zero Fare program intended to help thousands of residents who lost their vehicles in the Helenes surge or are enduring additional financial burdens.

City officials said Sunday that they worked out the free rides with the countys transit provider, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority.

The city has made this arrangement to assist our residents with their essential transportation needs and as a small gesture to help everyone through this tough time, said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch.

Riders should be aware that the SunRunner is turning around at Pasadena due to westbound access limitations.

PSTA routes, schedules, and more can be found at psta.net.

4:35 p.m.: How one makeshift rescue crew saved a Pinellas man

Gary Forbes was one of many stranded residents across Tampa Bay as Hurricane Helene flooded the region. Seventy years old, a plumber, hed ridden out many storms. But this one was different. The surge burst into his Redington Shores home and kept rising. He retreated to the attic.

Then, late at night, a makeshift crew set out to rescue him on jet skis and a boat. They headed south, into the wind, not knowing what theyd find.

This is their story.

 Zachary T. Sampson, Max Chesnes and Ian Hodgson

3:54 p.m.: Internet service is coming back

More than 1,000 Spectrum technicians and engineering specialists are working to restore internet access around Tampa Bay. Over 93 percent of customers in the region now have service.

As commercial power comes back, and utility companies clear the harder hit areas, our teams can go in and identify and repair any physical damage to our network, said Spectrum spokesperson Mike Pedelty. There are still some areas, particularly along the coast and shoreline, that remain inaccessible. Our crews are fully prepared to begin repairs in these locations as soon as it is safe to do so.

 Gabrielle Calise

2:45 p.m.: 19,000 Pinellas County homes damaged and counting

Hurricane Helene rendered at least 11,675 Pinellas County homes uninhabitable, according to the countys post-disaster residential damage dashboard.

As of Sunday afternoon, the non-official tally listed 236 destroyed homes and another 11,439 with significant structural damage or flooding that will require major repairs before theyre deemed livable again.

Another 4,869 homes reported minor damage that included slight flooding or structural damage. This would include damaged siding or roofs or several broken windows that would require minor repairs.

There were, as of Sunday, another 2,872 homes that had cosmetic damage, such as missing shingles or siding, one or two broken windows, damaged non-living places such as garages or porches and some flooding that didnt enter the home.

Thats a total of 19,416 homes in Pinellas that reported at least being partly damaged by the storm.

The countys dashboard offers a very preliminary look at residential damage that has been assessed so far. The dashboard is updated based on field assessments, so numbers will change as time goes on.

If your home was damaged, its important to report it as soon as possible.

In Pinellas County, report damages for homes here and businesses here.

 Michael Van Sickler

1:45 p.m.: Spreading hope at Gulf High School

NEW PORT RICHEY  After watching Hurricane Helene devastate the community she serves, but experiencing little damage herself, Gulf High School student government advisor Diana Krupyak had just one thought.

She wanted to help others who lost so much.

And she was not alone.

Dozens of Pasco County school employees, students and residents turned out in force Sunday to support what turned into a massive clothing and supplies closet in Gulf Highs cafeteria. Krupyak initially put out four tables to sort the donations, but quickly realized the entire cafeteria space might not be enough as neighbors came loaded with boxes and bags of clothing, toiletries, bedding and more for anyone who needed them.

They can take what they need, get a hot meal, she said. We are trying to establish some normalcy for them.

Read the full story here.

 Jeffrey S. Solochek

1:05 p.m.: Debris removal begins

Days after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc around Tampa Bay, the water is gone but mounds of debris remain strewn across neighborhoods.

Heres more information on how to get rid of everything from tree branches to damaged furniture.

 Olivia George

12:36 p.m.: Food is available in Pasco County

Pasco County residents filled Gulf High School cafeteria with donations for families socked by Helene. Principal Jeff Morgenstein said the response went well beyond expectations.

The school will be open for families to come get what they need from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today.

 Jeffrey S. Solochek

11:57 a.m.: Tampa debris collections begin Monday

The city of Tampa will begin collecting storm debris Monday. Residents ready for collection can request service by calling the Solid Waste Call Center at (813) 274-8811.

Call-in requests will not be required after Oct. 7. From that date forward, crews will canvass city neighborhoods to collect debris from the curb.

Our top priority is ensuring that Tampas families and neighborhoods recover swiftly and safely, Mayor Jane Castor said in a statement Sunday morning. Were working hard to clean up the debris and help our community get back to normal as soon as possible.

Also, the McKay Bay Transfer Station is extending its operating hours, open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On weekends, the site will be open 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For more information, visit tampa.gov/solidwaste.

 Olivia George

11:50 a.m.: Updates on Pinellas barrier islands, power outages

Pinellas Countys coastal communities face a long road to recovery.

If you live a few miles from our coast, you may not even imagine whats going on on the barrier islands right now, said Cathie Perkins, director of Pinellas County Emergency Management, during a county news conference Sunday morning. I know coming off of the barrier islands and just moving just a short distance inland, its business as usual. All the stores were open. All the lights were on. People were moving around. Its not like that for everyone in our community. So please continue to think of those that have been impacted.

Treasure Island estimated every single structure in their jurisdiction had two to six feet of water inside of it, Perkins said. She urged people to sign up to volunteer at disaster.pinellas.gov.

Duke Energy has restored service to over 300,000 people in Pinellas County. Currently 74,428 people are still out of power. While Duke aims to restore power to 95 percent of its mainland customers by midnight, it has yet to complete damage assessment on the barrier islands due to damage on the roads.

Heres a summary of updates from the county.

The state of the barrier islands:

As of Saturday, rescue teams have searched 11,717 structures. They found 84 destroyed structures and over 4,000 others that sustained major damage.

St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island and Tierra Verde remain under boil water notice . Residents are advised to use bottled water or boil tap water before using it for cooking, drinking and personal hygiene.

Access to barrier islands is still limited to just residents and business owners with barrier island re-entry permits or proof of residency. Visitors are not allowed on the beaches. Contractors will be allowed for an existing work order for a home or business on the barrier islands.

Main roads are still closed on the barrier islands : The north and southbound lanes of Gulf Boulevard will remain closed from 150th Avenue (Tom Stuart Causeway) south to 140th Avenue in Madeira Beach. Gulf Boulevard, both north and southbound, from Park Boulevard Bridge to 196 Avenue (the Tiki Gardens County Park in Indian shores) is also still closed.

If you do enter the barrier islands, proceed with caution. Buildings have not yet been inspected for structural integrity. Because the power is out, traffic lights and signals are not functioning.

Cleanup instructions and safety precautions:

Document damages before removing debris . Take a ruler and show how high water marks are. Dont wash watermarks off on the outside. State and federal inspectors will be coming around. The more damages we report, the more assistance we could qualify for as a community, Perkins said.

Separate yard debris from household items or building debris. Check your citys website for upcoming pickup instructions.

Be cautious around floodwater. Floodwater may have carried sewage or chemicals into homes and businesses. This could expose people to mold, viruses, bacteria, disease carriers such as mosquitoes. Wear long sleeves, a respirator, and goggles before entering structures.

Electric vehicles , scooters and golf carts can catch on fire when lithium batteries are exposed to saltwater. Move these vehicles away from structures. Call a tow company to have vehicles taken to dealerships for a safety inspection.

Beware of scams, especially from contractors. Some are licensed and legitimate, and some are not. So make sure that you dont give money or write large checks to these contractors up front, Perkins said. Do not sign away your rights with your insurance Theres going to be an incredible demand for contractors, and you may feel pressure to just hire someone who you can think can get the job done quickly. We strongly recommend that you only hire a licensed contractor.

Limit water use. The sanitary sewer system currently has 30 wastewater pump stations without power, said Nory Hancock, deputy director of Pinellas County Utilities. Residents should limit running dishwashers, washing machines and flushing toilets. The sewer system is already overloaded and too much flushing could cause sewage backups in your homes.

For those seeking help:

Document everything so you can apply for FEMA disaster assistance. If youve had damage, call 800-621-3362 or go to disasterassistance.gov. If you apply, teams will go out and assess the damage.

Federal aid is now available at ready.gov or listo.gov.

Contact Pinellas County at (727) 464-4333 or disaster.pinellas.gov

Cooling stations are available around Pinellas County. Find a location here.

 Gabrielle Calise

11:45 a.m.: DeSantis discusses storm resources and federal assistance

At a news conference Sunday in Pasco County, Gov. Ron DeSantis provided updates on relief efforts after walking through a storm-ravaged neighborhood, where he spoke with to residents, including some who lost all of their belongings and homes to flooding.

If you go up and down these streets, it is obvious that these homes are going to need a lot of work to bring them back to the way they were, DeSantis said.

The state is setting up a temporary fire station in Pasco after one was innundated by storm surge.

DeSantis said recovery efforts will include a muck and gut of homes, a process in which debris is removed and dry wall is stripped from the interior of the home to start the rebuilding process.

The first round of travel trailers will be delivered to individuals starting this weekend so that they have a place to sleep and live while their homes are repaired, DeSantis said.

We think it is important if people need this temporary housing to give them the option to have that on their property as they are working to rehab their home and they dont have to go somewhere far away, DeSantis said.

The trailers can be requested through Hope Florida, a state initiative led by First Lady Casey DeSantis. Residents can call 833-GET-HOPE. The state will also help people rebuild homes by negotiating with businesses like Home Depot and Lowes to get supplies  sometimes donated and other times purchased by the state, DeSantis said.

The Florida Department of Commerce has also activated an emergency bridge loan program that will free up $50 million for businesses so that they can make critical repairs and keep people on payroll. Interest-free loans of up to $50,000 would be available to individuals who qualify, he said.

DeSantis said the state has also activated 34 distribution sites, including two in Pinellas County, where water, food, ice and other supplies will be made available.

Federal assistance will be available to those impacted in Florida, too. DeSantis said FEMA approved both individual assistance and public assistance to those in several counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties. All counties are also able to apply for hazard mitigation grants.

Through FEMAs individual assistance, residents can apply for up to two-weeks worth of displacement assistance for hotels and Airbnbs. When that is exhausted, individuals who continue to need housing can get rental assistance on a month-to-month basis for up to 18 months, Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said. Home repair assistance up to $42,500 is also available.

Florida is sending air assets to North Carolina, which is reeling from widespread devastation from floods and mudslides. Its unclear how many in North Carolina died in the storm and floods, but across the Southeast, Helene has claimed more than 60 lives. Desantis compared the efforts to how the state has assisted Israel and Haiti.

We are sending some help and we stand by to do more as we have resources that are not being used for our recovery efforts here in the state of Florida, he said

Desantis also said the state still has around 227,000 customers without power and said that Duke Energy, which impacts most Pinellas customers, expects to restore power to most by midnight.

 Divya Kumar and Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau staff writer Ana Ceballos

10:18 a.m.: Two Pinellas schools suffer severe damages

MADEIRA BEACH  When Pinellas County students return to school Monday, children from two schools swamped by Hurricane Helene wont be joining them.

Two of our schools suffered severe damages, schools superintendent Kevin Hendrick said Sunday during a news briefing outside Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8. Both schools will take months to repair.

Children attending Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 and Gulf Beaches Elementary, both of which sit right on the coastline, will have Monday and Tuesday off while their school leaders prepare alternate plans for their classes.

Read more here.

 Jeffrey S. Solochek

9:55 a.m.: Spectrum Internet continues to assess outages

Wondering why you have power back, but still no consistent internet access? Theres a few reasons for that, according to Spectrum spokesperson Mike Pedelty.

Physical damage caused by Helene is behind some service interruptions. Crews will continue to inspect lines across the area today.

The other reason for loss of service has to do with the way the power grid is set up, Pedelty explained.

You could have a power outage a couple of blocks away and the electronics that we need to pass our signal are impacted by that, he said.

 Gabrielle Calise

9:30 a.m.: Federal aid is coming to Florida

FEMA announced Sunday that federal disaster assistance is available for hard hit areas in Florida.

FEMA announced that along with Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, federal aid would be available for those affected by Hurricane Helene in the following counties: Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Sarasota, Taylor and Wakulla counties.

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, FEMA said in a statement.

 Michael Van Sickler

9:10 a.m.: Local gyms offer places to shower

Looking to get clean or charge your phone? Around Tampa Bay, gyms are welcoming people impacted by Helene.

Amped Fitness in Carrollwood, Crunch Fitness in Tyrone and the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg are all offering free showers and a place to rest in air conditioning. Membership isnt required  just check in at the front desk.

 Gabrielle Calise

Saturday

11 p.m.: Pinellas barrier islands survey Helenes damage

MADEIRA BEACH For a moment, the couple on the beach tried to enjoy the view in front of them: An orange sun slipping into the Gulf of Mexico, the water aglow with shimmer.

To remind ourselves why we live here, said Mercy Roberg, walking along the sand. Her partner nodded.

Behind them, their coastal community was in tatters Saturday evening, bludgeoned by Hurricane Helene. The storm walloped the Pinellas County barrier island they call home with historic surge.

The Sheriffs Office allowed residents back to their community Saturday  or, what remained of it.

This is what they found.

 Olivia George and Teghan Simonton

7:35 p.m. Most Pinellas schools to open Monday

Officials announced on Saturday that most Pinellas County schools and offices will re-open and resume normal operations on Monday. The only ones that wont are Gulf Beaches Elementary, Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 and Disston Academy.

School officials said people can visit www.pcsb.org/weather for more information.

Full story here.

 Chris Tisch

7 p.m.: Forecasters watch another system

Weather forecasters on Saturday were watching an area of low pressure that could form in the western Caribbean Sea and move into the Gulf of Mexico just days after Hurricane Helene devastated Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

Full story here.

 Chris Tisch

  

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RICHMOND, Ind. (WDTN)  Richmond Community Schools says there was a data breach after a ransomware attack on Friday.

Richmond Community Schools shared the news that their data services network was targeted by a ransomware attack on Friday, Sept. 27. The district says student and staff information house in PowerSchool was breached.

Tree falls on school bus with students aboard

There is currently no evidence of misuse, but the school district has shut down the data services network while they investigate the breach. Local, state and federal agencies are assisting in the investigation.

Richmond Community Schools says it could be several days before systems are back to normal.

Although we are working to restore all systems as soon as possible, please be aware that it may take several days to regain full functionality in all systems, RCS said in a social media post.

While the school district works to remedy the situation, they have announced a two-hour delay for Monday, Sept. 30. Buses will run two hours later and morning half-day preschool classes will be cancelled for Monday.

Teachers have also been asked to prepare low-tech lesson plans for the next few days.

RCS is taking this situation very seriously and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this issue, the school said. As soon as additional information becomes available, we will keep you informed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
Tall mounds of sand lined the sides of a broken Gulf Drive as residents and business owners returned to Anna Maria Island on Saturday morning for the first time since Hurricane Helene.

Manatee County estimates that 230,471 structures were affected by wind or storm surge produced by Helene countywide, with coastal areas taking the brunt of the damage. Residential damage is estimated at $153.1 million, and commercial damage at nearly $2 million.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an aggressive five-day timeline for constructing a temporary roadway on Anna Maria Island to replace Gulf Drive, which was broken and buried under feet of sand by Helene's storm surge. He made the announcement during a stop at Bradenton Beach on Saturday afternoon.

"I have not seen this much sand in any other part (of the state) that I've visited so far in the aftermath of this storm," DeSantis said.

Roads broken and covered in sand, AMI recovery "is going to take a long time"

Former Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore said that like many of her neighbors, she was devastated to see her ruined home on Saturday morning. She has lived on Anna Maria Island since 1969 and in her Holmes Beach house since 1997, but has never seen floodwaters inside her home.

Now, she is among many locals who are bracing for a long recovery process.

"It was surreal," Whitmore said. "It smelled and it was muddy. We took stuff that I've had my whole life and just put it on the side of the road. I was devastated and I kind of lost it a little bit this morning. I am used to helping people, not asking for help."

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said rapid completion of a temporary roadway will help residents, business owners and crews traverse the island as recovery efforts pick up steam.

"Its pretty difficult to do anything when we have this much sand on Gulf Drive, whats left of Gulf Drive, Chappie said.

Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown was among a number of local officials and staff members who surveyed Anna Maria Island on Saturday. He said the island sustained worse damage than the city of Bradenton, except for several communities with nearby waterways such as those on Riverview Boulevard and Riverside Drive East.

Pulling in here today I literally wanted to throw up, Brown said. You cant believe whats happened. You see houses that have actually floated off their foundations and are in the bay. People will recover, thank goodness nobody lost their life, but its going to take a long time.

Crews work to install a temporary roadway across AMI

The Florida Department of Transportation contracted with the de Moya Group, Inc. to clear feet of sand from much of Gulf Drive and install a temporary roadway that can be used during recovery efforts.

FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue said repairs include a temporary riding surface meant to allow the community to start recovery, but indicated that DOT crews will return later to rebuild the road to permanent standards. The sand will be hauled away and could potentially be used for beach re-nourishment.

"Still in shock": Anna Maria Island residents and business owners return home

Bamboo Island Bar Manager Licia Toledo said her family chased the American dream and opened a bar in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island four years ago. This was the first time she saw flood waters reach their business threshold.

She was thankful that the business fared well because it is on the second floor, and metal barricades installed on doorways helped limit the amount of flood water that washed into the building.

I am so sad for the island, Toledo said. I am glad that we are on the second floor, it is not as bad for us as a lot of places. I lost a lot of things, we lost the food, but we just need to clean, work hard and thank God.

I hope some help comes to us because we need to pay the employees, they need it to survive, we need to pay the rent and the taxes, she said. I believe that some help will come, I hope so, because I do not know how long we need to wait to reopen the business."

Downstairs a film of slippery mud, sand and water still lingered inside The Cheerful Coast Group's office space and other businesses that also share the building. Owners Jeff and Shandra Holbrook celebrated their one-year anniversary in the building last week. The couple also manages a condo and three other properties on the island but had not yet had an opportunity to assess the damage. They were "still in shock" from what they'd seen so far.

"It's devastating," Shandra said. "We'll get together as a community and help each other all week, two weeks, three weeks..."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: DeSantis sets aggressive timeline for temporary road on Anna Maria
Long Beach police on high alert after 4 separate dispute-related stabbings in less than 12 hours

The Long Beach Police Department is deploying extra resources Sunday after four separate stabbings were reported in a 12-hour period.

According to the LBPD, the first stabbing took place at 6:18 p.m. on Saturday in the 2000 block of East Pacific Coast Highway.

In that incident, a man was in a physical altercation with multiple suspects when he was stabbed multiple times in the upper body by one of them.

He was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition, LBPD stated.

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Hours later, at 2:03 a.m. Sunday, officers were dispatched to the 5100 block of 2nd Street on reports of another stabbing.

Like the previous incident, this stabbing also stemmed from an altercation and ended with a man being stabbed in the upper body, police stated. That victim was taken to a hospital and is said to be in critical but stable condition.

Approximately 17 minutes after the stabbing on 2nd Street, another incident was reported in the 200 block of Pine Street, this time involving three women.

The preliminary investigation indicates that two female adult victims were in a physical altercation with a female adult suspectthe altercation escalated when the suspect stabbed each victim in the upper body, LBPD said, adding that both women were hospitalized in stable condition.

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The fourth incident occurred around 3 a.m. in the 5100 block of 2nd Street, the same location as the second stabbing, police said; however, they learned of the incident nearly two hours later when the victim transported themself to a hospital.

The victim was outside in a dispute with a group of female adult suspects, authorities said. It escalated when one female suspect punched the victim, and a second female suspect stabbed the victim in the upper body.

This stabbing was found to be unrelated to the previous stabbing on 2nd Street hours prior, police confirmed.

No suspect descriptions or motives have been released regarding any of the four cases were immediately released.

Anyone with information on any of the stabbings is urged to contact the Long Beach Police Department.

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

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Im angry; Smyrna police chief says after two of his officers were shot overnight

It was just before midnight.

Police say a man broke into Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna. The GBI says an employee told Smyrna police officers that a man was inside the store.

They say officers tried to arrest the suspect, later identified as Emilio Aguilar, 21, after they asked him to walk outside.

The GBI says Aguilar got away from officers and began firing a rifle that was slung around his neck, hitting two Smyrna police officers in their legs.

Smyrna police say Cobb Police Department officers who were there as backup, shot and killed Aguilar.

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Saturday morning, we saw bullet holes in a truck parked in front of the store.

Its unclear who the truck belongs to.

Channel 2 Action News also saw evidence markers and shattered glass at two entrances of the store.

The owner told Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell this is the first time something like this has happened.

Allen Parham was shocked once he learned about what happened at this well-known store in his neighborhood.

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I heard the sirens go off and it made me wonder what had happened, Parham said. I never would have thought somebody was breaking in right here.

As for Parham, his respect for law enforcement officers has risen as a military vet.

Things are getting kind of bad out here, with these officers I have a lot of respect for them putting their life on the line because I am a military veteran, Allen said.

Smyrna Police Chief Keith Zgonc said the frequency at which these situations are occurring has him angry.

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Recently it has been happening all too often, I can tell you my feeling I will just be honest I am angry. It angers me that people want to do this that want to hurt officers, Zgonc said.

Cobb County Police Chief Stuart Van Hooser echoed Zgoncs sentiments.

We had two officers shot on this one, two years ago on Sept. 8 we lost two Cobb County deputies. There is going to be a lot of comrades who will come when one of their brothers in blue is hurt, he said.

Adventure Outdoors General Manager Eric Wallace released the following statement to Channel 2 Action News:

On behalf of the Wallace family and Adventure Outdoors, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the Smyrna and Cobb County Police Departments for their unwavering dedication and bravery during this tragic time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officers who were injured in the line of duty, as well as with their families and loved ones. We are profoundly grateful for the sacrifice and commitment shown by every member of your departments in keeping our community safe. Please know that the Wallace family and the entire Adventure Outdoors team stand with you, offering our full support as you navigate through these difficult moments.

IN OTHER NEWS:
MACON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA)  A well-respected security officer at the Macon County courthouse died on Friday after his truck reportedly went underwater.

According to Macon County Sheriffs Office, at around 11:30 a.m. Friday, a 911 call was made after someone observed a truck in the river on Fulton Road. The caller told 911 they saw someone in the truck before it went underwater.

Shortly after, staff at the courthouse realized security officer Jim Lau had not returned from a lunch break, and his truck matched the description of the one seen in the river.

Search and rescue teams working on foot, in the air and with a swift-water rescue team, but were unable to locate him before sundown. The search resumed on Saturday morning and teams were able to locate Laus body in the river.

Jim was very liked and respected within our department. He was known to be a hard worker, dependable, and he jumped in wherever help was needed. His absence will truly be felt in our agency, the sheriffs department said. We ask for prayers for this family and loved ones, and we ask for prayers for our department. Continue to pray for Western North Carolina as a whole; the tragedy that surrounds our mountain communities is unimaginable.

According to the NC Sheriffs Association, Lau is one of two officers to die during this weeks storm. A deputy from Madison was also killed this weekend.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
(Bloomberg) -- Malaysias ruling coalition scored a landslide victory in a by-election on Saturday, with party leaders hailing it as a sign of long-term political stability and public acceptance of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahims unity government.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Barisan Nasional, a key ally of Anwar, won 79% of the votes in a straight fight against the Perikatan Nasional opposition pact in Mahkota, a constituency in the southern state of Johor, according to the Election Commission. Its winning margin jumped four-fold compared to the last provincial vote, helped by a post-general-election tie-up with Anwars Pakatan Harapan alliance.

This shows that supporters of the countrys main parties are able to accept the cooperation in the unity government, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, secretary-general of BN lynchpin the United Malays National Organisation, wrote on Facebook late Saturday. The former long-time rivals had joined forces in November 2022 to back Anwar after the general election resulted in a hung parliament.

Saturdays result was the ruling pacts second straight victory in provincial polls, and reaffirms Anwars grip on power after the country saw a revolving door of leaders between 2018 to 2022. It comes on the back of a strengthening currency and economy, an opposition in disarray, and as Malaysia unveiled plans to attract more investment into Johor state, which borders Singapore. The government is counting on the wins to help convince foreign investors that Anwars administration is in it for the long haul.

The victory in Mahkota doesnt directly impact parliaments composition  where Anwar enjoys a supermajority  but may embolden the prime minister to undertake politically sensitive reforms that could strengthen the countrys finances, including ending blanket petrol subsidies. Anwar, who doubles as finance minister, is set to unveil the governments spending plan for 2025 on Oct. 18 with a view to reducing the fiscal deficit to 3% of gross domestic product in the medium term, from 5% last year.

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UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11)  A 29-year-old woman was raped after a suspect broke into her Upper East Side apartment Saturday morning, according to the NYPD.

The man entered a residence near Yorkville just before 4 a.m. Saturday morning, police said. He then raped the woman and ran, police said. The woman was taken to an area hospital.

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The victim did not know her suspected attacker, police said. Police have not made any arrests Sunday.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A man was arrested after allegedly trespassing on the Clark College campus in Vancouver and assaulting a female staff member early Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

Just after 1 p.m., Vancouver Police first responded to Clark College and met with campus security. They claimed that at around 7 a.m., a student reported a man had followed her when she got off the bus, asked for her age and made comments that made her feel uncomfortable and scared, officials said.

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After taking the students report, security checked surveillance video and allegedly saw the man masturbating in a common area of the campus, authorities said.

At around 4:30 p.m., Vancouver Police say they were once again dispatched to Clark College when they heard reports then man was back on campus and had slapped a female staff member on the backside.

Before officers arrived, campus security reportedly found the man in one of the bathrooms, but he managed to push past them and leave campus grounds.

On Saturday, police found, arrested, and booked the man, identified as Nolen P. Sanchez, into the Clark County Jail for assault charges relating to sexual motivation and indecent exposure.

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GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)  A man was arrested Sunday, accused of stabbing a man to death.

According to the Greenville County Sheriffs Office, deputies were called to Sulphur Springs Road shortly after 1:00 a.m. At the scene, Rodardric Dawkins, 50, was found with a stab wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Greenville County Sheriffs Office said 50-year-old Raymond McMichael Jr. was arrested for murder.

During the course of the investigation, investigators learned McMichael and the victim, who lived in the same apartment complex, got into an altercation that led to the fatal stabbing.

Deputies said McMichael Jr. was arrested following the incident and transported to the Greenville County Detention Center. He awaits a bond hearing for the charges of Murder and Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
iOS 18 has introduced many awesome new software features for the iPhone, particularly when it comes to productivity and privacy. Yet the best new software feature Apple has released this year isnt for the iPhone. Its for the Mac, and its called iPhone Mirroring. Heres why its so extraordinary. Plus, some tips on putting it to use.

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What is iPhone Mirroring?

iPhone Mirroring is a new feature in macOS Sequoia that allows you to use your iPhone on your Mac. When you launch the new iPhone Mirroring app on your Mac, your Mac will automatically connect to your iPhone and display a digital twin version of it on your desktop.

You can interact with this digital twin of your iPhone using your Macs keyboard, mouse, and trackpad. In other words, you can fully interact with your iPhone without even taking it out of your pocket.

[Photo: Apple]

What can I do with iPhone Mirroring?

Once your iPhones digital twin is displayed on your Macs desktop, you can do virtually anything with it that you can do on the iPhone itself. You can swipe through the iPhones home screens, launch any app on your iPhone, and then use that iPhone app right on your Macs desktop. This digital twin looks exactly like your real iPhonedown to the arrangement of its apps, widgets, and wallpaper background.

iPhone Mirroring feels like magic. It is fluid and responsive and now gives you a way to use apps that are exclusive to the iPhone right on your Mac. For example, if you have a favorite messenger app that doesnt have a Mac counterpart, you can launch the iPhone Mirroring app on your Mac, open the messaging app in your iPhones digital twin, and then use your Macs keyboard to type out a reply to the last message you received.

But iPhone Mirroring goes even further. When you get a notification on your iPhone, that notification will appear in the Notification Center on your Mac. This means that if you are working at your desk, you no longer need to check your iPhone to see your notificationstheyll appear instantly on your computer.

But why would I want to use it?

There are several situations in which iPhone Mirroring can come in handy. The first is when you are working at home and want to quickly use an app on your iPhone but you dont have it nearby. Instead of hunting down your iPhone (perhaps its in your bedroom, charging) you can just launch iPhone Mirroring and do what you need to do.

Story continues

Another great use case is when you are working in a public space like a coffee shop. Thieves love coffee shops because people often have their laptops and phones on the tabletop. Its relatively easy for an experienced thief to snatch our iPhone, especially when we are distracted by whatever we are working on on our MacBook. But now, you can now just leave your iPhone securely stored in your pocket the whole time, and if you do need to access information on it, you can simply launch its digital twin on your Mac.

And yet another great use case is coming later this year. In a future software update, iPhone Mirroring will allow you to drag and drop files like documents, movies, and photos between your Mac and iPhone. For example, say you want to save a PDF copy of your boarding pass to your iPhone. Now you can just launch iPhone Mirroring on your Mac and drag the PDF from your Macs desktop onto the digital twin of your iPhone and the file will instantly be added to your real iPhone. No more needing to email files to yourself.

iPhone Mirroring is one of those rare software features that makes you sit up and say wow when you use it for the first timeand its a feature that every Mac user should take advantage of.

iPhone Mirroring requires an Apple Silicon Mac or an Intel-based Mac with a T2 security chip running macOS Sequoia, as well as an iPhone running iOS 18.

This post originally appeared at fastcompany.com

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Low-angle view of a wooden pipe organ set to an arched wall in the circa 1905 Congregation Sherith Israel synagogue, with part of the dome and pendentives profusely decorated with Byzantine Revival motifs in San Francisco, California, October 30, 2022. Photo courtesy Sftm. (Photo by Gado/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO - A jury came back with guilty verdicts for the man accused of breaking into and vandalizing a synagogue, according to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office.

Jurors found Deon Vonzell Brimmer guilty of second-degree burglary and vandalism in this case.

Brimmer broke into Congregation Sherith Israel on California and Webster Streets the morning of Aug. 7, 2023, the SF DA's office said.

The 43-year-old tripped the audible alarm and tried to disable it, breaking multiple parts of the alarm equipment in the process.

"The jurys verdict holds Mr. Brimmer accountable for his crimes and sends a message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated in San Francisco," said SF DA Brooke Jenkins.

Low-angle view of a tripartite arched entrance facade to architect Albert Pissis circa 1905 Byzantine and Romanesque Revival style Sherith Israel synagogue, with compound piers, corinthian capitals, and a leaded glass rose window in San Francisco, California, October 30, 2022. Photo courtesy Sftm. (Photo by Gado/Getty Images)

Video from outside the synagogue showed Brimmer staking out the building looking for things to take, according to the DA's office. When someone interrupted him, he pretended to be a security guard by wearing a congregant's suit coat and the synagogue's identification tag he found in a closet.

While wearing the congregant outfit, he demanded payment for "security services" from a synagogue employee. Brimmer left the premises after he realized the employee wasn't going to pay, according to the DA's office.

Five days later, Brimmer was found about a mile away from the synagogue.

He remains out of custody pending his sentencing in October.
HARRISON TWP., Ohio (WDTN)  Crews responded to a reported stabbing on Saturday evening.

Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office were dispatched to the 4100 block of Keats Drive on Saturday on reports of a stabbing. This occurred around 9:40 p.m. on Sept. 28.

Crews on scene after semi jackknifes on I-75 NB

Upon arrival, deputies found a 50-year-old man with a stab wound to the stomach. He was transported to Miami Valley Hospital for his injuries.

Deputies investigated the scene, learning that an argument with the man injured and a woman had transpired, resulting in the woman reportedly stabbing the man.

The female suspect was located soon after and booked into Montgomery County Jail for felonious assault.

The incident remains under investigation by the MCSO Special Investigations Unit.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man is dead after shooting at a detective during a police pursuit in National City Friday afternoon, police report.

According to the San Diego Police Department, a man is dead after running from a traffic stop, hiding in a tow truck and shooting at police. He has not yet been identified by authorities.

At 1:22 p.m. Friday, sheriff deputies stopped a white car with two men and a woman inside in the 200 block of Mile of Cars Way in National City. The police department reports the man in the front passenger seat ran from the car on foot during the traffic stop.

Sheriffs deputy injured in National City shooting; one suspect dead

The other two passengers were detained while police searched for the suspect.

Police say they were able to find him with the help of a citizen who told a detective he saw the man run through a nearby Dodge dealership and get into a tow truck that was in the parking lot.

The detective and a National City motorcycle officer then approached the truck and gave the man commands. Police say the suspect fired at least one round toward the detective, which shattered the passenger window of the tow truck and injured the detective, who returned fire, hitting the man.

Man receives maximum sentence for selling ghost guns

First responders tried to save the suspect, but he died at the scene. A firearm was found nearby.

The detective involved was taken to the hospital for minor injuries from broken glass shards. He has not yet been identified, but police say he has been with the San Diego Sheriffs Office for 35 years and is assigned to the East County Regional Gang Task Force.

The San Diego County Homicide Unit is investigating the officer-involved shooting. Detectives are working gather evidence and interview witnesses as the investigation continues. The National City Police Department assisted 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The man shot and killed in Southeast Portland early Saturday morning has been identified, authorities said.

Just before 1 a.m., officers responded to the 7800 block of Southeast Aspen Summit Drive on a report that someone had been shot.

Acura boxed in on Burnside Bridge, 2 arrested

On arrival, they found the man, identified as 19-year-old Niyjiel Brown of Texas, dead in a common area outside of an apartment complex.

The medical examiner determined that Brown died of homicide by gunshot wound.

No further information has been released at this time.

If anyone has information about this case, they are encouraged to contact Portland police.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A 28-year-old man is facing eight years and six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to committing a hate crime, brandishing a rifle and shooting into a vehicle last year.

On the evening of Sept. 3 2023, Daniel Joseph Ferguson Jr. roamed the Alden Heights neighborhood carrying a fully-loaded AR-style rifle.

Court records show that Ferguson began rummaging through a vehicle that was parked in a neighbors driveway off Boxwood Circle. The neighbor went outside to confront Ferguson but backed away when Ferguson aimed his rifle at them.

A short time later, Ferguson, who is white, trespassed into a Brazilian familys backyard while they were holding an evening bible study class. With his rifle pointed in their direction Ferguson said, Get off my land and threatened to kill them. The family scrambled to hide from Ferguson as he went around to the front of the home and tapped on the windows with his rifle before leaving.

Not long after, a driver noticed Ferguson standing several feet away from a stop sign. As the vehicle drove off, Ferguson fired one round through its rear window. The bullet missed the driver and lodged in the passenger door, but the driver was injured by shattered glass.

The driver and several other neighbors called 911, and Ferguson was ultimately taken into custody by Norfolk Police.

As he was being transported to the Norfolk City Jail, patrol car video captured Ferguson using racial epithets in reference to minority groups as well as Ferguson asking the officers to let him go so he can hunt and kill those minority groups.

Ferguson was granted a secured bond in Norfolk General District Court, despite Commonwealths objection. However the Commonwealth was able to secure an emergency substantial risk order that temporarily barred Ferguson from possessing any firearm.

In another bond appeal hearing, the Commonwealth successfully argued for Fergusons bond to be revoked and his emergency substantial risk order be extended.

On Aug. 7, Ferguson pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor brandishing, one count of misdemeanor hate crime assault, one count of felony attempted malicious wounding, and one count of felony shooting into an occupied vehicle. In exchange for Mr. Fergusons plea, the Commonwealth agreed to dismiss an additional firearm charge.

During sentencing, the Commonwealth argued for Ferguson serve a longer sentence based on his motive of hate and random acts of violence. A judge sentenced Ferguson to serve eight years and six months in prison. An additional five years was suspended on the conditions that Ferguson complete 10 years of uniform good behavior and probation.

Neither racism, nor antisemitism, nor bias of any kind will get quarter from me in Norfolk, said Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi. Trying to shoot someone in and of itself is a serious felony deserving of a prison sentence. Daniel Ferguson shot at the victim for racial reasons and then said that he wanted to kill Blacks and Jews. He poses a danger to our community significantly higher than the average shooter, and our recommendation and the judges sentence reflect that reality. I will continue to promote public safety by focusing our resources on serious cases like this 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 WAVY.com.
A man who's visited over 100 McDonald's restaurants around the world shares 10 items he thinks should be on every US menu

Having visited more than 55 countries, the photojournalist Gary He has tried many McDonald's menus.

In his coming book, He has captured the cultural essence of McDonald's locations around the world.

Speaking with Business Insider, He shared the top 10 items he wishes were on American menus.

In 2019, while on a trip to Marrakech in Morocco, Gary He, a Brooklyn-based photojournalist, received an unexpected surprise with his regular McDonald's order.

A pack of dates paired with a chebakia  a Maghrebi sweet made using deep-fried dough that's shaped like a rose and drizzled with honey syrup  a tomato-and-legumes soup called harira soup, and a bottle of laban, or salted buttermilk, all packed in a tiny box.

Curious about the box and its significance, He turned to Google to find out more ... only to find there wasn't much information available online.

"When I began researching McDonald's specialties in other countries, there was very little information, and most of it was very scattered," He told Business Insider.

This is where the idea to document one of the largest restaurant chains in the world came about for He, who recalled, "There was an opportunity to play a journalist and documentarian while also tapping into that lifelong love of McDonald's and combining it into a single project."



Five years later, the James Beard Award-winning photojournalist has traveled to more than 55 countries across six continents and compiled a 420-page book, "McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches," which is scheduled for release in November. The book has more than 200 photographs of menu items and architectural wonders that showcase how this American chain has integrated across cultures.

Given that about 27,000 of the brand's 40,000 restaurants are outside the US, one way the company maintains its popularity and strives to drive its international sales is by introducing locally popular items with a McDonald's spin. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2023 that these local items contributed about 30% of the brand's food sales.

While some of these dishes were introduced to the American audience in 2018 as part of the brand's rotating menu at its international restaurant in Chicago, most others are still a plane ride away.

Even He  who has tried and tasted many of the brand's local offerings, from Iftar-special menus in the Middle East (like the one he was served in Marrakech during Ramadan) to celebrity-chef-inspired sandwiches in Europe  wishes he could get a slice of them without always having to travel across the ocean.

Here, we've rounded the 10 global items He wishes were on American menus.

The Filipino McSpaghetti is made using sweet marinara sauce. Gary He/McAtlas

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The macaroni soup from Hong Kong

The macaroni soup, or 'twisty soup' as it's called on McDonald's menus, was born out of mixing American and local flavor profiles at Cha Chaan Teng or local cafes. Gary He/McAtlas

This dish also has some colonial roots, given that it originated in cha chaan tengs  local cafes that served Western cuisine at affordable costs in the 1950s  and was made using cheap post-World War II eats like Campbell's cream of chicken and macaroni pasta.

"These restaurants," He told BI, "created a new flavor profile that, over time, became one of the defining Hong Kong foodways."

One of the most iconic dishes to emerge from these cafes was the macaroni soup.

The original recipe  which isn't far from what McDonald's serves today  features a hearty soup of pasta with ham, beef, or chicken broth and is usually served with breakfast alongside scrambled eggs.

On the McDonald's menu, it's called "twisty pasta" and can be paired with veggies and eggs, sausages and eggs, ham and eggs, or some grilled chicken.

For He, whose relatives are from southern China and Hong Kong and who grew up eating cha chaan dishes, relishing a bowl of macaroni soup is  as he puts it  "all nostalgia."

The corn pie from Thailand

According to Gary He, you can enjoy the corn pie a la mode in a bowl of soft serve in Thailand. Gary He/McAtlas

We won't blame you if you mistook this popular Thai dessert for its American equivalent: the apple pie. It's got the same crusty exterior, but replacing the crunchy apples is a soft, sweet, and salty creamy corn filling.

"A lot of countries have special pies, but it's what they do with them that matters the most," He said, adding that he loves that "Thailand sells theirs a la mode in a bowl of soft serve."

It's been a favorite among locals and tourists  especially South Koreans  which is why, in 2018, the brand introduced the dish at its South Korean outposts, too, for a limited time.

And though the corn pie tops most lists, Thailand McDonald's is also well known for other pies, including pineapple, curry crab, and carbonara.

But He puts the corn pie "definitely on the Mount Rushmore of McDonald's international menu items."

The McRib from Germany

In McAtlas, He reports that the American "McRib became McDonald's first recurring limited-time offering." Gary He/McAtlas

If you see this one and think, "I've seen the McRib on American menus," technically, you're right.

But the McRib is not a mainstay of US menus, and He thinks that's a marketing tool the brand employs to drum up excitement around the item.

McDonald's said in a press release that it likes to "change up our menu throughout the year by offering some limited-time-only items, like our Shamrock Shake in the spring," which is why the McRib makes only special appearances on US menus.

But what's so special about the German one?

For one, it's available year-round, and diners, including He, say the pork used in Germany is quite good and a popular protein choice.

The McAloo Tikki from India

The McAloo Tikki enjoys popularity not just in India but also in other nations with large populations of Indian expats, such as the UAE. Gary He/McAtlas

In Indian fast food, where Western outlets compete not only with one another but with food vendors on the streets, the McAloo Tikki was a game changer: The mashed-potatoes-and-peas cutlet, which is doused in Indian spices, had a familiarity that was relatable to Indian palates but also a foreignness that was appealing.

When the brand launched the burger, it was sold for 20 rupees, per a BBC report. This was on par with similar food items served on the streets, making it an affordable and convenient option for eating on the go.

"The McDonald's version of the Indian street snack is so good," He told BI, "that you can see why they've also sold it in other markets with large Indian expat populations."

The McAloo Tikki traveled across the Arabian Sea in the early 2000s, when the brand decided to launch a 5-dirham version in the UAE.

The only vegetarian and affordable offering on its menus then, this burger was a dinnertime favorite among the growing Indian and South Asian expats in the Emirates.

The McArabia from the Middle East

In the early 2000s, as people in the Middle East began boycotting Western brands, local McDonald's franchisees in the region introduced the McArabia to showcase their regional roots. Gary He/McAtlas

A McDonald's spin on the shawarma sandwich  a Middle Eastern wrap made using pita bread, sliced grilled chicken, garlic sauce, and pickles  the McArabia was the region's franchisees' answer to the boycott of Western brands in the Middle East in the early 2000s.

And thanks to its reinterpretation of local flavors, it still holds a place on the menus.

Part burger, part wrap, this crowd favorite uses two Halal grilled chicken patties topped with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and garlic sauce, all encased in Arabic flatbread.

While the wrap comes nowhere close to the real deal  He said "only a crazy person would say that these are better than a shawarma sandwich"  the locals have been enjoying it for over two decades, as did He on his trip to Saudi Arabia.

"The chicken patties used here are some of the most flavorful and juiciest that I've tried at McDonald's around the world," He said.

The McCafe coffee from Australia

A side of hot cross buns with a cup of McCafe coffee from Australia. Gary He/McAtlas

Americans love their coffee, and there's no lack of fine-tasting cups in the States.

Still, if you're visiting Australia, He suggests you get your morning coffee fix at a McCafe, simply because this is where the global fast-food giant first conceptualized the cafe concept.

"When you think of Australian coffee culture," He told BI, "McDonald's is usually not the first thing that comes to mind, but McCafe first started in Melbourne and went global from there, focusing on espresso-forward drinks that are far superior to the ones offered by competing chains."

From the classic cappuccino to the babyccino  a mini milk-only version for your little ones  there's a variety of drinks to pick from.

The cheese bowls from Brazil

McDonald's in Brazil serves a side of melted cheddar cheese bowl that you can pair with your McNuggets, fries, or even burgers. Gary He/McAtlas

Picture dipping crispy McNuggets or fries into a warm bowl of soft, melted cheddar cheese  that's what's being served up across Latin American McDonald's restaurants.

The product was first introduced in Brazil and came packed in 3.5-ounce cups.

And according to He, "It's as delicious as it sounds."

The McBaguette from France

The McBaguette derives inspiration from a French staple, the baguette and was introduced as a limited-time item in 2012. Gary He/McAtlas

The baguette is a French staple  it's even part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

The McBaguette, a McDonald's spin on the original, is another item that divides the internet. The sandwich was first introduced in 2012 and has since appeared and disappeared from the menu.

According to He, it is now occasionally reintroduced with new fillings, such as chicken and Bearnaise steak sauce, or during occasional promotional campaigns such as the one in the hit Netflix series "Emily in Paris."

He says he got to try his first McBaguette "long before Emily arrived in Paris."

His first thoughts were: "Is it a jambon beurre? No, of course not. But the crispy crust of the mini baguette, Emmental cheese, and whole-grain Dijon mustard were enough for me to deem it superior to any McDonald's sandwich we have in the States."

A traditional breakfast platter from Guatemala

A typical breakfast plate in Guatemala reimagined for the local McDonald's. Gary He/McAtlas

In Guatemala, you can expect to get a taste of local cuisine even at a McDonald's, given that the brand has incorporated regional elements within its fast-food menu.

For breakfast, which He indicated was his favorite, expect a large (or small, if you choose) spread of scrambled eggs, sausages, plantains, refried beans, salsas, and tortillas  "probably the best breakfast you can get at McDonald's worldwide," He told BI.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mass demonstrations have taken place in several capitals around the world to demand democracy in Venezuela and the recognition of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as president-elect.

That's something the United States, the Spanish Congress and Senate and the European Parliament have already done, refusing to recognise long-time president Nicolas Maduro's election win in July.

The global protest movement comes after in response to a call by the main opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, to put pressure on the Maduro government, despite widespread accusations of electoral fraud.

One of the main demonstrations took place in the Spanish capital Madrid, which is home to around 70,000 Venezuelans.

Many came to Puerta del Sol, in the heart of the city, to call for democracy and an end to repression and violence. Among those present were many exiled opposition leaders.

'A manhunt'.

The former mayor of Caracas, Antonio Ledezma, was among the first opposition leaders to arrive and assured the press gathered that, "the important thing is to think about what each Venezuelan can do wherever they are to resist the onslaught of the dictatorship that continues to carry out a manhunt."

Families of political prisoners also attended, such as the son of Maria Corina Machado's lawyer, Perkins Rocha.

In a statement given to the Colombian cable TV news channel NTN24, Santiago Rocha said that "in Venezuela there are recurring arrests, there are more than 1,800 political prisoners, not just my father."

Venezolanos protestan por la democracia en su pais en la Puerta del Sol de Madrid el 17 de agosto de 2024. - Manu Fernandez/Manu Fernandez

Shouting "se ve se siente, Edmundo presidente", thousands of people thronged Puerta del Sol with pro-democracy banners and Venezuelan flags.

The official proclamation of the protest said the aim is, "to commemorate and defend a unique deed in our history."

"Today, two months ago, we Venezuelans did what no one thought possible: with the overwhelming triumph of Edmundo Gonzalez, we defeated a tyranny at the ballot box, with its own rules. That victory was not built in a day. We overcame every obstacle for many months and had a first great achievement."

"On 22 October we held the primaries proposed by the Unitary Platform. On that day we voted, inside and outside the country, in a clean and transparent process, organised by the united political parties and civil society, where the CNE could not get its hand in. From then on, Venezuelans united around the vision of our leader Maria Corina Machado and we committed together to go all the way to liberate Venezuela," he continues.

Although the main demonstrations have taken place in Madrid and the South American capitals, there have been protests all over the world, including in countries like Japan and in the heart of Europe, Brussels.
Maternity pay has gone too far, suggests Kemi Badenoch

Tory leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch has suggested maternity pay has "gone too far" and the government needed to interfere less in people's lives.

Speaking to Times Radio, Badenoch said statutory maternity pay, set up to support mothers for 39 weeks after having a baby, is a "function of tax" which she called "excessive".

She added that "the exact amount of maternity pay in my view is neither here nor there", adding: We need to have more personal responsibility - there was a time when there wasnt any maternity pay and people were having more babies."

She later said she had been "misrepresented", and she was making a wider comment about cutting regulatory burdens on business.

In a social media post, Badenoch, who is shadow housing secretary, said: "Of course maternity pay isnt excessiveno mother of 3 kids thinks that."

In a video accompanying her post, she said she was interrupted with a question about maternity pay while she was discussing regulatory burdens on business.

Statutory maternity pay starts at 90% of average weekly earnings for six weeks - then falls to the lowest of either 184.03 or 90% of the mother's average salary for 33 weeks.

In the interview with Times Radio, Badenoch was asked if she thought maternity pay was at the right level.

She said: "Maternity pay varies, depending on who you work for - but statutory maternity pay is a function of tax, tax comes from people who are working.

"Were taking from one group of people and giving to another. This, in my view, is excessive.

"Businesses are closing, businesses are not starting in the UK, because they say that the burden of regulation is too high."

She was then asked if this meant "maternity pay is excessive".

Badenoch said: "I think it's gone too far - too far the other way in terms of general business regulation."

She added that "the exact amount of maternity pay in my view is neither here nor there."

"We need to make sure that we are creating an environment where people can work and people can have more freedom to make their individual decisions."

She added: "It has got to a point where government has become about technocratic micro policy management. That is not what is going to get this country growing."

Later, writing on X, Badenoch posted: "Contrary to what some have said, I clearly said the burden of regulation on businesses had gone too far of course I believe in maternity pay!"

According to Lord Michael Ashcroft's biography of Badenoch, she resigned instead of taking maternity leave as head of digital operations at the Spectator.

Fellow Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick said he did "not agree with Kemi on this one".

Speaking at the Conservative party conference, Jenrick said: "I am a father of three young daughters - I want to see them get the support that they need when they enter the workplace."

Our maternity pay is among the lowest in the OECD. I think the Conservative Party should be firmly on the side of parents and working mums who are trying to get by.

Nobody says it is easy having kids, why would we want to make it harder?"

Responding to Badenoch's comments, Tom Tugendhat said: "I'm not going to tell people how to run their lives and how to share different caring responsibilities."

Tugendhat, who is also running to be the next leader of the party, said: "I think maternity and paternity care are very important.

"One of the things I missed out on, years ago is we didn't have the same rights on paternity care and I think many of us, fathers would have loved to spend more time with our kids."

The fourth Tory leadership candidate, James Cleverly, also rejected Badenoch's claims.

He said: "When it comes to working mothers the cost of childcare is too expensive.

'Dog-whistle politics'

"It was government meddling that made it expensive.

"Let's make childcare cheaper so that mums who want to can go back to work and can afford to do so.

Joeli Brearley, founder of campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, said it was "absolute nonsense" to suggest businesses were closing because of statutory maternity pay, because they could recoup the cost from HMRC.

"Statutory maternity pay (SMP) is absolutely vital. Most families need two incomes to survive, and so without SMP, women would be forced to return to work almost immediately after giving birth.

"Conservatives are meant to be the party of family - this statement from Badenoch is yet another example of dog-whistle politics that would actively damage families, businesses and society as a whole," she added.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has rebuked fellow Republicans over their disturbing cult of personality around Hungarys illiberal ruler, Viktor Orban.

Led by Donald Trump, conservatives have spent years fawning over Orban, someone who has denounced mixed-race countries and whose political party has employed antidemocratic means to stay in power.

But tacit support for the Hungarian leaders bigotry and illiberalism wasnt why McConnell bashed his fellow conservatives from the Senate floor. Instead, the Kentucky Republican  who didnt mention Trumps name once  said he was taken aback by Republicans supporting Orban despite his apparent allegiance to Russia, China and Iran.

Ive spoken before about Hungarys decadelong drift into the orbit of the Wests most determined adversaries, McConnell said Wednesday. Its an alarming trend. And nobody  certainly not the American conservatives who increasingly form a cult of personality around Prime Minister Viktor Orban  can pretend not to see it.

Mitch McConnell rebuked Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and Republicans who "increasingly form a cult of personality" around the leader.



Full story  https://t.co/UZJ9uWLBLe pic.twitter.com/zRcIXVVY1Z  POLITICO (@politico) September 26, 2024

McConnell said Hungarys leaders are cozying up to Russia, China and Iran both publicly and in private. He cited cooperation agreements Hungary has made with China and Iran and noted Orbans praise for the Russian government, such as that the Kremlin has been hyper-rational with its invasion of Ukraine.

Hungarys leaders have made no secret of their conviction that the future is one of American decline, McConnell said.

Subservience to revanchist powers is not an American value, he added. But far more importantly, it is not in Americas interests.

It was a decent speech, even if cowardly for not mentioning Trump. But McConnell sounded like a man without a party. Because todays GOP is all in on Orban, and the Hungarian leaders love for authoritarians is certainly not a deterrent.

For the Trump-led Republican Party, thats not a bug  its a feature.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) said that a man was apprehended at Zuckerberg General Hospital for stealing equipment from an ambulance and breaking its windows.

Man shot to death in Redwood City, police say

The incident occurred Friday night at the public hospital, located at 1001 Potrero Avenue in the citys Mission District, while crews were offloading and attending to an emergency patient.

SFFD noted that one paramedic suffered minor injuries from the shattered glass. Officials confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody before they could hurt themselves and others by both SFFD and the San Francisco Sheriffs Office, Capt. Shore of SFFD told KRON4 News.

While authorities did not disclose the specific details of the stolen equipment, they described it as big and heavy, and confirmed that it was returned.

At the time of the incident, seven ambulances were on-site at Zuckerberg General, but thanks to the quick actions of the medics and EMTs, only one vehicle sustained damage, according to SFFD.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
BEIJING, Sept. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Journalists from 14 countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Fiji, concluded a six-day tour of China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Monday. The visit, co-hosted by the China Public Diplomacy Association and huanqiu.com, offered the journalists firsthand insights into the region's ecological preservation efforts and rich cultural heritage along the Yellow River. This tour was part of the Travelogue of China event, which took place from September 18 to 23.

This journey marked the second Travelogue of China tour this year, following an earlier visit to Jiangsu Province. During their time in Ningxia, the journalists explored various cities, including Yinchuan, Wuzhong, and Zhongwei, where they examined the regions environmental initiatives and visited significant cultural landmarks.

In Yinchuan, the journalists toured the Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio and the worlds first 10,000-ton-level casting 3D printing smart factory. In Zhongwei, they visited the Tengger Desert New Energy Base and the Shapotou National Nature Reserve. In Wuzhong, they observed traditional water management techniques in Qingtongxia, renowned as the "first of nine canals" and the most developed part of Ningxia's ancient irrigation system. The group also picked goji berries, visited Huangyang ancient village, and celebrated a local harvest festival in Zhongning County, part of Zhongwei City.

"Ningxia has left a lasting impression on me with its rich history and culture. I was amazed by the blend of ancient traditions and modern innovations," said Nicholas Mwai, a journalist with the Daily Post from Vanuatu.

"The region's efforts to adapt to sandstorms and prevent sand from encroaching on towns were impressive. The solar project (we visited) was an eye-opener for me as a Pacific islander confronted by climate change. China's steps to reduce emissions are inspiring; if Pacific Islands adopt similar measures, we can minimize environmental impacts," Mwai said.

"On behalf of my country, Vanuatu, I want to thank the Travelogue of China for the arrangements, care, and hospitality. My visit to Ningxia was a highlight of my time in China, an unforgettable experience. I hope the bond between China and the Pacific Island countries, especially Vanuatu, will grow stronger," Mwai added.

Company: Huanqiu

Contact Person: Shi Jierui

Email: shijierui@huanqiu.com

Website: https://www.huanqiu.com

Telephone: 13699220342

City: Beijing

Story continues

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8bcff288-67bf-4cf8-930c-17e7e8286a6e




Meet Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospitals first patient: Brithany!

The brand new Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital has officially been welcomed!

On Sunday morning, hospital employees and volunteers began moving patients from Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston Hospital, which is being closed, to the new location.

The first patient to be welcomed into the hospital was 8-year-old Brithany Morales.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The move is being orchestrated by 1,200 team members and another 1,000 support staff volunteers to help with patient and family needs.

Theyre driving about 340 patients from Egleston Hospital near Emory University to the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital on North Druid Hills Road.

Using 65 ambulances, they expect the move should take 10 to 12 hours.

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Hospital leaders are asking others to avoid the area to help the transition process go more smoothly.

There are no plans to block off streets, but police and Georgia State Patrol Troopers will be along the route to limit traffic.

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The moment Megan was pulled from the rubble and reunited with her owner

Video from the aftermath of a Russian glide bomb attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia showed the moment when one young woman was reunited with her missing cat.



The footage shows a weary rescue worker with his helmet sitting askew on his head, gingerly stepping over rubble as he holds the cat.



Wheres the owner? a rescue worker said before a young woman called Veronika rushed forward to grab and hug the traumatised animal.

The rescue worker then stroked the cats head and walked off.



Later, Veronika described how the walls of her apartment had collapsed after the attack and in the chaos she lost her dog and Megan, the three-year-old cat.

We quickly took a bag, some things, and started looking for the animals, she told a Ukrainian news website. The animals hid under the beds. The worst thing is that we were blocked and couldnt get out. There was simply no apartment.

More photos of the attack showed the destructive power of Russian glide bombs, a standard bomb fitted with fins and a basic GPS device.

Several low-slung residential houses have been left twisted and cracked, with their roofs blown off and walls shattered. Cars have been melted into charred lumps. At least 16 people were injured in the attack.

Anastasia, another resident, said that she had had a lucky escape from flying glass.



I heard a very terrible sound. I felt it was very close now and jumped up, she said. The windows and the frames flew all over the room.

Russian forces stepped up their attacks against Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine this week, firing glide bombs for the first time at the city.

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A local organization celebrates an important milestone in its history on Saturday.

The Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania is celebrating its 30th anniversary of serving the homeless and mentally ill community in Erie.

2nd annual Chicken Run 2024 kicks off at PennWest Edinboro

The association held an open house and celebration at their headquarters on Peach Street, inviting the community to celebrate their milestone.

Pat Stucke, the associations chief executive officer, said she is thankful for all the community support theyve received throughout the years.

Harding Elementary School marks its 100th year anniversary

We currently offer many peer support services, one is our daytime shelter, so we have over 100 plus people into our front doors who need a safe place to be. Also, we have peer support. We have a lot of different services, said Stucke.

The Mental Health Association is now working on renovating an outdoor space next to their building.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Amid the decline of nearly all U.S. Protestant denominations, both liberal and conservative, the new Global Methodist Church (GMC) has emerged and last week convened its first governing general conference in Costa Rica. Although about 80 percent of its 4,733 congregations are in the U.S., the approximately 350 delegates met outside the U.S. to stress the new churchs international identity and to facilitate visas by African delegates.

The GMCs creation in 2022 resulted from the schism of what was once Americas third largest religious body, the United Methodist Church. More than 7,900 congregations, with their property, have exited the denomination so far under a temporary process that officially ended in 2023, although several local regions allowed more exits this year (7,658 left by 2023, and 274 exited this year).

Of these exited U.S. United Methodist churches, roughly 3,700 so far have joined the new GMC. Why not more? Many churches, exhausted after the exit process, postponed any decisions about joining a new denomination. Another 1,000-2,000 U.S. churches ultimately will join the GMC. But hundreds of former United Methodist churches will stay independent or form informal networks.

Methodism historically is not congregationalist. Like Presbyterianism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism, among others, it has a connectional ecclesiology (theology of church organization and governance). In the system originally established by 18th century Church of England evangelist John Wesley, the churches are owned by the denomination. And Methodist congregations traditionally are governed collectively by regular conferences, often officiated by bishops.

After decades of contentious debates over sexuality, many of those who left the United Methodist Church were disenchanted by their captivity to a divided and shrinking denomination. One long besieged Maryland pastor told Christianity Today that after years of fighting and having  to go the microphone to fight. Its hard to let go of that.

But delegates at the GMC General Conference across six days seemed to feel joyful and hopeful.

First, they seemed to feel liberated. As clergy and laity, they had labored for decades in an increasingly theologically progressive denomination where traditionalists often felt stigmatized. Many had served as delegates to United Methodist general conferences. A Michigan pastor and counselor told Christianity Today that some of the GMC delegates evinced post-traumatic stress. The United Methodist Church this year removed bans on same-sex marriage and gay clergy. Global Methodisms official standard is that human sexuality is a gift of God that is to be affirmed as it is exercised within the legal and spiritual covenant of a loving and monogamous marriage between one man and one woman.

During the conference, delegates rejoiced in exuberant worship and praise music, often with arms uplifted. This somewhat charismatic worship style is not typical even for most evangelical or conservative Methodist congregations. Most such churches are still fairly sedate and liturgically Mainline Protestant, with organ music and often solemn silence. But Global Methodist leaders when they gather are more freewheeling, somewhat reminiscent of early Methodism in Britain and America, in which revivals often included dramatic emotions and outbursts. The delegates in Costa Rica were fully united with many overseas delegates, especially from Africa, whose own worship style is likewise exuberant. The name Global Methodist is no accident. United Methodisms global nature, with millions of church members in Africa, long kept it from liberalizing on sexuality issues, as other Mainline Protestant denominations did years ago. These battles built strong alliances and friendships between American evangelical United Methodists and their brethren in Africa.

United Methodist progressives resented the growing African influence in their denomination, which blocked their legislative agenda, especially on sexuality. When progressives lost at the 2019 United Methodist General Conference thanks to African votes, a bishop referred to the traditionalist agenda as a virus.

But Global Methodism sees Africa as central to its future. About 20 percent of Global Methodist churches are overseas, mostly in Africa but also including small numbers in Eastern Europe and the Philippines. There will be more.

In May the 1 million-member United Methodist church in the Ivory Coast quit the old denomination. In June, Nigeria Episcopal Area, with reportedly 600,000 members, also quit United Methodism, though dissenters pledged to remain in the old denomination. A smattering of other churches in Africa have quit the old denomination, with most others yet to decide. Many painful and divisive decisions lie ahead.

Ivory Coast had said it will remain independent, while Nigerias bishop has joined the Global Methodist denomination. Africas bishops are paid by the U.S. church and are inclined to stay in the old denomination. Clergy and laity, meanwhile, are overwhelmingly conservative, especially on sexuality.

The only real potential controversy at the Global Methodist General Conference was how to organize bishops. Some exited United Methodists, wary of some of the fights in the United Methodist Church, preferred no bishops. But GMC leadership preferred Methodist tradition, which dates to Americas first Methodist bishops in 1784, most notably the tireless circuit rider Francis Asbury. Under Asbury, Methodism became Americas largest religious movement in the early 19th century.

Two former U.S. United Methodist bishops were already full-time, overworked GMC bishops, and in July they were joined by the exiting Nigeria United Methodist bishop. To help these three bishops, the GMC at its general conference elected six part-time new interim bishops who will serve until the next general conference in 2026. They include two U.S. women, one black U.S. man, a white U.S. man, and two African men. The election of Kimba Everiste of the Democratic Republic of Congo was especially moving, as his friendship with U.S. evangelicals led to removal from ministry by his Congolese bishop, whos aligned with U.S. progressives.

The GMC general conference also chose a new way to handle bishops. United Methodist bishops, as in most denominations, preside over geographic regions. GMC bishops will not administer local areas but serve as itinerants for the whole church as teachers and guardians of Methodist doctrine, with each bishop focused on five or six regions.

Local conferences will be administered by superintendents. This somewhat replicates U.S. Methodism prior to the 1939 merger of the northern and southern churches, which split in the 1840s over slavery.

Under the reunification, the South had feared governance by northern bishops, and hence preferred its own bishops. But across decades, bishops with the power to appoint all clergy, sometimes with little say by local churches, often grew both theologically and politically progressive, occasionally at odds with more conservative laity and clergy who were in the minority. With bishops now specifically delegated to guard the churchs doctrine, the GMC hopes to avoid what it sees as Mainline Protestantisms decline into heterodox theology that deemphasized salvation and personal holiness, which were historic Methodist emphases, in favor of social reform.

As exited United Methodist churches and regions around the world make decisions, the GMC will continue to grow. The bishop of Russias 80 Methodist churches, which quit the old denomination this year, said they will decide on GMC affiliation in April. Churches in Cuba and Costa Rica, which are independent, will remain so but have relations with the GMC, which is theologically more aligned with them than the United Methodist Church.

The 2026 general conference will be in Africa. But the GMC still faces the challenge of arguing for a denomination and a particular theological tradition at a time when U.S. Christianity is becoming generically evangelical and increasingly nondenominational. If nondenominational churches were collectively a denomination, they would now be Americas largest, comprising, according to one estimate, 13 percent of American churchgoers.

So, founding a new denomination with traditional ecclesiology is a move against the headwinds of current American religious preferences. Why should Christians be specifically Wesleyan and submit to the accountability of a formal denomination with doctrine and rules?

Having to make these arguments will be healthy for the GMC, because Methodism occupies its own spiritual niche. Methodism has traditionally emphasized that salvation, personal holiness, and sanctification are available to each person; that prevenient grace guides people even before they become Christians; and that all good things, including social renewal, are possible through God. Unlike Baptists and most nondenominational churches, the Methodist church baptizes babies, esteems liturgy, recites creeds, and ordains women. Its open to, but does not mandate, charismatic worship. It tends to be egalitarian and optimistic.

Is there a significant place for Methodism in future U.S. Christianity? The GMC will help answer that question.

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Claudia Sheinbaum will be sworn in on Tuesday as Mexico's first woman president, taking charge of the violence-plagued Latin American nation at a time of mounting security, economic and diplomatic challenges.

The 62-year-old former Mexico City mayor and ruling party heavyweight will face immediate tests from cartel violence, frictions with key international allies and a backlash against controversial judicial reforms.

A scientist by training, Sheinbaum won a landslide election victory in June with a pledge to continue the left-wing reform agenda of outgoing leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a close ally.

Sheinbaum's relations with the United States, Mexico's main trading partner and a key ally in areas including security and migration, will depend to a large extent on who wins the US election on November 5.

Sheinbaum could probably develop "a quite good relationship with Kamala Harris because they're very much alike," said Pamela Starr, a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Southern California.

"They're both women who will be the first female president of their countries. So they're both interested in advancing women's issues and women's rights. They're both very much on the same page when it comes to climate change. And they're both very much progressives," she said.

Relations with Donald Trump, if he wins, would "be much more difficult, in part because he doesn't have as much respect for female leaders as he does for male leaders," Starr said.

And because Sheinbaum is not a populist, "he won't see a kindred soul in her like he saw in Lopez Obrador," she added.

Trump's vow to deport significant numbers of undocumented people would present a major challenge for Mexican-US relations, according to experts.

In that case, "passions on both sides of the border will become inflamed and the relationship could be put to a severe test," said Michael Shifter, an expert at the Inter-American Dialogue think tank in Washington.

Even before taking office, Sheinbaum has found herself engulfed in a diplomatic row with Spain, another key economic partner, after she refused to invite King Felipe VI to her inauguration, accusing him of failing to acknowledge harm caused by colonization.

-' More pragmatic' -

While Sheinbaum's presidency is unlikely to usher in a radical change of direction for the world's most populous Spanish-speaking country, home to 129 million people, she is expected to bring her own style of leadership, experts said.

"She's more pragmatic and less ideological than Lopez Obrador," Starr told AFP.

Lopez Obrador leaves office due to the country's single-term limit, enjoying an approval rating of around 70 percent.

He hands Sheinbaum the reins of a nation where murders and kidnappings occur daily and ultra-violent cartels involved in drug trafficking, people smuggling and other crimes control vast swaths of territory.

In the northwestern state of Sinaloa, cartel infighting has left dozens of people dead in recent weeks.

Gender-based violence is another major issue with around 10 women or girls murdered every day across the country.

"Sheinbaum's chief challenge will be tackling Mexico's deteriorating security situation," said Shifter.

"Lopez Obrador mainly relied on rhetoric to address spreading cartel activity, but Sheinbaum will likely be data-driven and technocratic in her approach to this vexing problem and will try to improve the effectiveness of the police," he added.

Lopez Obrador prioritized addressing the root causes of crime such as poverty and inequality -- a policy that he calls "hugs, not bullets."

In his final weeks in office, the self-proclaimed anti-corruption fighter pushed through controversial reforms including the election of all judges by popular vote.

Critics warned the changes would make it easier for politicians and organized crime to influence the courts.

The reforms upset foreign investors as well as key trade partners the United States and Canada.

Once in office, Sheinbaum is likely to seek ways to allay the concerns, Shifter said.

"By all accounts she is pragmatic and understands that Mexico cannot afford to antagonize both governments and alienate investors," he added.

dr/acb
Middletown laces up for the The Connecticut Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Run

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH)  Hundreds of runners laced up their shoes Sunday morning in Middletown to show their support for police and their families at the Connecticut Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Run.

Runners met at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown and were treated to an afterparty at the Stubborn Beauty Brewing Company.

The Memorial Run, a chip-timed and certified 5K, is celebrating its 14th year of contributing to the safety efforts of Connecticut police.

The CT LEO has raised more than $100,000 for the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum as well as to support families of the fallen. Anyone who missed out on this years race can learn more about the CT LEO and sign up for next year 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 WTNH.com.
A millennial mom takes separate trips with each daughter. One is left behind with her husband, but it helps her connect with the other.

Monet Hambrick is a full-time travel blogger who enjoys visiting new destinations with her kids.

Monet has two daughters, Jordyn, who is 10, and Kennedy, who is 8.

For eight years, she's taken each daughter on separate "Mommy and Me" trips and swears by it.

To some, children spell the end of certain freedoms, including travel wherever and whenever one pleases.

But that's never been a problem for Monet Hambrick, a travel blogger and mom of two.

The 36-year-old runs The Traveling Child, a blog about traveling with children, partly inspired by her adventures with her daughters, Jordyn, 10, and Kennedy, 8, and her husband James Hambrick.

The couple met at the University of Florida, where they bonded over their love of travel, Monet told Business Insider.

Monet and her husband James didn't want their passion for travel to end when they had kids. The Traveling Child

When Monet had their eldest, she recalls loved ones telling her and James their days of adventures abroad were over.

"We were like, "Have you met us?" This is the lifestyle that we, as husband and wife, created," she said. "We wanted to continue that lifestyle whether we had kids or not."

From taking Jordyn along with her on a girls' trip to Sydney when she was 8 months old to bringing Kennedy to Colombia when she was 10 weeks old, Monet made one thing clear from the outset of motherhood: her life wasn't changing in the slightest.

She started planning 'Mommy and Me' trips for each daughter

Shortly after the birth of her youngest, Monet started planning "Mommy and Me" trips. She books a trip for her and one of the daughters, leaving the other at home in Florida with her husband.

"I started it when Jordyn, who's my eldest, was two," she said. "When Kennedy was around three or four months old, I felt a little comfortable going away."

"I was spending so much time with Kennedy because I was nursing, and she's an infant," Monet added. "I just wanted Jordan to know: 'I did not forget about you!' So this is our special time; we're just going to spend it together."

For their inaugural Mommy and Me trip, Monet took Jordyn to Las Vegas, which she said has more to offer than its famous strip of clubs, bars, and casinos.

"Get off the Strip, guys!" Monet said jokingly. "It's beautiful amazing parks and so many fun things to do."

The girls pick the destination and get Mom's undivided attention

The Vegas Mommy and Me trip was such a success that Monet kept up the tradition for the last eight years. She started getting Kennedy involved when she was two.

The older the girls have gotten, the more they've been involved with planning their one-on-one trips, Monet said.

"They choose where they want to go," Monet said. "They let me know the things that they want to do there, and it's a time for us to have that undivided attention for them."

They may be sisters and close in age, but Jordyn and Kennedy aren't carbon copies of each other, Monet added.

James and Jordyn flew to Australia during a recent "Daddy and Daughter" trip. The Traveling Child

"They do not have the same personalities. They do not enjoy all the same things. So it's a time where they don't have to compromise what we're doing on the trips," she said. "It's catered specifically to them."

And while staying at home while your sister is on an adventure with your mom may sound rough, it's not all that bad, Monet said.

The daughter left behind gets undivided attention from James, who Monet said plans activities at home and occasionally organizes separate "Daddy and Daughter" trips.

"He and my eldest went to Australia last year," Monet said. "My youngest daughter is trying to convince him to take her to Japan for their Daddy and Daughter trip."

Whether it's with Mom, Dad, or the whole family, travel is shaping the girls' lives

Besides individual trips with her daughters, Monet and James also plan multiple family vacations throughout the year, most of which take place during the girls' school vacations.

Taking advantage of airline miles and following the best airfare deals, they've ticked over 35 countries off their girls' bucket lists.

James and Monet love seeing how travel is shaping their daughters' personalities. The Traveling Child

Along the way, they've also seen the impact travel has made on the children's lives from infancy.

"While they may not remember the trips when they were one year old or six months old, they're still being surrounded by that environment  learning patience, adaptability, flexibility," Monet said.

Equally valuable is how open-minded her kids have become through their experiences abroad.

"There's just so much that you can learn about the world, about yourself," Monet said. "You become appreciative for certain things that you have in your own life."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Moldova has blamed a recent spate of attacks on government and state buildings in the capital Chisinau on Moscow, saying Russia is trying to influence next month's election.

In just four weeks time Moldova will hold both a presidential election and a referendum on EU membership - on October 20th.

The government has repeatedly accused Russia of conducting a hybrid war against the country, meddling in local elections and running vast disinformation campaigns to try to topple the government and derail its path toward joining the EU.

Early on Friday morning the buildings of the Supreme Court and the state-run broadcaster were both sprayed with paint, and overnight on Thursday the Ministry for Labour and Social Protection was also spray-painted.

The police say they have made a number of arrests and are investigating leads that Moscow may have organised the attacks.

US support for Moldova

In May, US secretary of state Antony Blinken pledged 124 million in aid to Moldova for energy security and to counter Russian disinformation.

That in turn will bolster the ability of Moldovans to resist Russian interference, to hold free and fair elections, to continue down the path to the European Union and Western integration, to create more economic opportunity, Blinken said during his visit to Chisinau.

Moldova, with about 2.5 million people, used to be entirely dependent on Russia for its natural gas supplies. It faced an acute energy crisis after Moscow dramatically reduced supplies in the winter of 2022.

Moldova's energy woes worsened that year after it suffered temporary blackouts because its Soviet-era energy systems remained connected with Ukraine's, which were being hit hard by Russia's military.

Russia's influence in Transnistria

Since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, fears have risen in neighbouring Moldova that it could also be in Moscows crosshairs.

Like Ukraine, Moldova is a former Soviet republic that has aligned itself with the West and aspires to join the European Union.

Moldova gained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991 and after a short war in the early 1990s, Transnistria declared independence from Moldova.

Although Transnistrias independence isnt recognised by any U.N. member countries, including Russia, the Kremlin-friendly territory has become a source of tension during the war, especially since it is wedged between Moldova and Ukraine and is home to a military base with 1,500 Russian troops.
Moldova's state-owned broadcaster reported on Sept. 28 that vandals had splashed paint across the entrance of its building in the capital, Chisinau. This incident occurred a day after police attributed similar acts to a group trained in Moscow with the aim of destabilizing the upcoming elections.

"We are not afraid of this act of vandalism, as long as we are devoted to society and citizens," Andrei Zapsa, deputy director general of Teleradio-Moldova, was quoted as saying, according to Reuters. Zapsa noted that the station had always anticipated potential attacks from "radical groups."

Police also reported that vandals poured paint on the Supreme Court building overnight.

Moldovan authorities have connected these incidents to a group trained in Moscow to provoke instability ahead of next months presidential election, where pro-European incumbent President Maia Sandu is favored to win against 10 challengers.

Sandu's main opponents include Alexander Stoianoglo, who lost his position as prosecutor general and is supported by pro-Russian opposition parties, and Renato Usatii, who advocates for good relations with both the West and Moscow.

On Sept. 27, Moldovan law enforcement agencies detained two young men in connection with similar incidents that occurred overnight, where they splashed yellow paintthe color of Sandu's ruling pro-European partyon two other government buildings. Police apprehended a 21-year-old man in a park and his 20-year-old accomplice near the parliament.

According to police, the detainees said that they received 5,000 euros for one attack and underwent training in Russia. One of them admitted to recruiting young individuals who later traveled to Moscow and were paid 500 euros a month.

Read also: Moldovas ex-military chief charged with treason over alleged espionage for Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - A senior government minister urged Moldovans on Sunday to shun "thieves, fugitives and bandits" after an exiled pro-Russian business magnate pledged to pay voters to vote "no" in a referendum on joining the European Union.

Infrastructure Minister Andrei Spinu's call underscored the increasingly unruly campaign for the Oct. 20 presidential election in which pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu is seeking a second term.

Voters will also take part in a referendum on altering the constitution to enable ex-Soviet Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries, to press for membership of the 27-nation EU.

The most vocal opponent of EU membership, fugitive pro-Russian businessman Ilan Shor, offered in a weekend Telegram post to pay voters the equivalent of $29 if they registered for his campaign in the country lying between Ukraine and Romania.

Voters, he said, would get larger rewards if they cast "no" ballots in the referendum and if results showed they lived in electoral districts rejecting the proposal.

Shor was sentenced to 15 years in prison last year in absentia in connection with his role in the disappearance of $1 billion from Moldova's banking system.

Exiled in Russia, he now heads the "Victory" election bloc, barred from taking part in the campaign.

Andrei Spinu, infrastructure minister and head of Sandu's re-election campaign team, said opponents of the president's EU drive were "using money to buy votes and people".

"They are using propaganda to spread lies about the European Union and frighten people with all sorts of tall tales," he wrote on Telegram. "Let us not believe thieves, fugitives and bandits."

Sandu, who denounces Russia's invasion of Ukraine and views Moscow as one of the biggest threats facing Moldova, also told voters in a Saturday address to be on guard against fraud.

"The liars are now trying to intimidate us and oblige us to take decisions other than those that we want," she said. "We must not let them decide our own fate."

In recent days, paint has been daubed on buildings belonging to Moldova's state-owned broadcaster, the Supreme Court and two other state institutions. Police blame the incidents on a group trained in Moscow to destabilise the election.

Sandu is favoured to win the presidential vote against 10 challengers, with a recent poll crediting her with about 27% support. That poll put backing for EU membership at 56% among decided voters with 34% opposed.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Editing by Ron Popeski and Marguerita Choy)
Key Insights

Kim Loong Resources Berhad's estimated fair value is RM3.81 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Kim Loong Resources Berhad is estimated to be 36% undervalued based on current share price of RM2.44

Analyst price target for KMLOONG is RM2.35 which is 38% below our fair value estimate

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Kim Loong Resources Berhad (KLSE:KMLOONG) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

See our latest analysis for Kim Loong Resources Berhad

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM190.1m RM187.4m RM187.6m RM189.7m RM193.2m RM197.8m RM203.2m RM209.2m RM215.8m RM222.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -3.53% Est @ -1.40% Est @ 0.08% Est @ 1.12% Est @ 1.85% Est @ 2.36% Est @ 2.72% Est @ 2.97% Est @ 3.14% Est @ 3.26% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 8.0% RM176 RM161 RM149 RM139 RM131 RM125 RM118 RM113 RM108 RM103

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM1.3b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after 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 (3.6%) 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 8.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM223m (1 + 3.6%)  (8.0% 3.6%) = RM5.2b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM5.2b ( 1 + 8.0%)10= RM2.4b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM3.7b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM2.4, the company appears quite undervalued at a 36% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. 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 Kim Loong Resources Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. 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 Kim Loong Resources Berhad

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Food industry.

Opportunity

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Kim Loong Resources Berhad, we've put together three essential items you should explore:

Risks: Take risks, for example - Kim Loong Resources Berhad has 2 warning signs (and 1 which makes us a bit uncomfortable) we think you should know about. Future Earnings: How does KMLOONG's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Reality Check is a Fresno Bee series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email tips@fresnobee.com.

More than 10 years ago, the California High-Speed Rail Authority launched its effort to buy the property needed for the states planned bullet-train route through the central San Joaquin Valley. The first written purchase offers to Fresno-area landowners went out in spring 2013.

And while workers have been building overpasses, trenches, viaducts and other structures since 2014 on portions of a 119-mile stretch from north of Madera to Shafter in Kern County, there are still almost 50 pieces of property needed for construction that have yet to be acquired by the rail agency.

Whats taking so long?

Sometimes its sequencing; sometimes its resourcing, Daniel Horgan, program director for high-speed rail consultant AECOM, told The Fresno Bee after making a presentation Thursday to the rail authoritys board of directors in Sacramento.

You start by making an offer, and if its a willing seller, it takes maybe a year to close the deal and make the property available to the construction contractor to build upon.

But if theyre not a willing seller, then you have to go through a condemnation process and youre very much dependent on the courts, Horgan added. All the willing sellers have already sold.

As of the end of July, that left about 25 parcels of various sizes for which the state is going through eminent domain or condemnation in court.

Horgan said the authority also remains in negotiations to acquire 23 additional parcels owned by freight railroads whose tracks are along the high-speed rail route.

None of the still-to-be acquired parcels, Horgan reported, are in locations that would bring construction to a halt this time.

Right-of-way acquisitions for bullet train

Right-of-way acquisition in the Valley has been one of many thorns in the side of the rail agency.

As the authority and its contractors on three different construction contracts in the region tweak the designs for structures on the route, those changes have often forced the state to have to buy more property to accommodate the revisions.

In 2013, the authority estimated it needed to buy all or parts of about 1,330 pieces of property for its three construction segments in the Valley. As of this summer, that had ballooned to 2,290 parcels, as well as 176 railroad-owned parcels.

One of the complicating factors was a decision by the authoritys leaders to award construction contracts in the Valley before sufficient planning and land purchases had taken place  a decision driven by a 2017 deadline for project completion that was originally contained in a federal stimulus grant agreement between the state and the Federal Railroad Administration for construction in the Valley.

Using condemnation to acquire land

Eminent domain or condemnation typically is a last resort that government agencies can use to acquire property for public works or transportation projects when the agency and property owners cannot agree on the price and terms for the land.

Eminent domain law requires that owners receive just compensation for their condemned property, and if the sides remain in disagreement, a trial determines what the government must pay. A judge could allow the state to take possession of the property within months, long before a trial on compensation.

For the high-speed rail project, the first resolutions declaring a public need for condemnation of property were approved by the states Public Works Board in December 2013. By January 2016, 305 pieces of land up and down the route in Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties were subject to eminent domain resolutions  the first step in the condemnation process.

Hundreds more properties have been the subject of similar resolutions of necessity since 2016, including 126 since the start of 2022.

California High-Speed Rail real estate cost so far

Since the inception of the bullet-train project, the California High-Speed Rail Authority reports it has spent more than $1.5 billion on real estate acquisitions in the San Joaquin Valley:

$796,787,695 in Construction Package 1, a 32-mile stretch from Avenue 19 north of Madera to American Avenue at the south edge of Fresno.

$531,241,666 in Construction Package 2-3, which runs from American Avenue to the Tulare-Kern county line.

$185,650,664 in Construction Package 4, a 22-mile segment from the Tulare-Kern county line to the northern edge of Shafter, northwest of Bakersfield.

Horgan said the challenges the authority has faced in its real estate purchases for the first 119 miles under construction are not as likely for another 52 miles of the route extending the future tracks north into downtown Merced and south into downtown Bakersfield.

Agents for the authority have already begun doing appraisals of property along the route extensions, and I believe in the very near future well be making our first offers, Horgan told The Bee.

Authority leaders have previously said they plan on avoiding the mistakes of awarding construction contracts prematurely. Contracts for the Merced and Bakersfield extensions likely wont be awarded until they are sufficiently designed and engineered and a critical mass of property is in hand for construction.

Horgan reported to the authoritys board Thursday that engineers are working toward a 30% design benchmark for both the Merced and Bakersfield extensions.
AccuWeather meteorologists say the area from the western Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico will remain a potential tropical development zone into the first half of October. Over the next week, one to two tropical storms could be born in this zone and possibly steered across part of the southeastern United States that was hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

"A zone of low pressure will form across the western Caribbean, accompanied by clusters of tropical downpours and thunderstorms over the next several days," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glenny said, adding, "This feature will shift into a zone with decent prospects for tropical development with abnormally warm ocean waters and where pockets of limited disruptive breezes (wind shear) are currently low. Due to these factors, our team of expert meteorologists is highlighting a high risk for tropical development."

Wind shear will remain low initially but will tend to increase over the Gulf of Mexico later in the week. As these southwesterly breezes increase, they will tend to cause moisture and any tropical feature that has formed or is trying to form to be guided to the north or east later next week into the following weekend.

The exact strength and direction of the wind shear will tend to determine where downpours and gusty winds will be guided by any budding tropical feature(s).

Downpours will flourish in the vicinity around the western Caribbean and southern Gulf of Mexico this week.

Later on, the downpours can be strewn anywhere from Louisiana to Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas in the U.S.

Should steering breezes remain weak, then a track toward Louisiana could occur. Should strong steering breezes from the southwest occur, then a track toward Florida and perhaps the coastal areas of Georgia and the Carolinas would be more likely.

There will be significant differences between this new tropical threat and what was Helene.

"Helene was a large tropical disturbance that moved into a highly conducive environment for rapid strengthening. In addition to the very warm water, there was very little wind shear in front of Helene," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.

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A non-tropical storm also dove southward through the central U.S., providing additional energy to Helene and helping to send it northward into the southern Appalachians and then westward toward the mid-Mississippi Valley.

"This week's disturbance will likely be slow to develop as it expands northward, encountering more land masses and wind shear," Anderson explained, "There will also not be any storm diving southward through the central U.S. to provide that extra energy and northward pull."

The most likely scenario with this week's tropical feature is that it will get drawn northward to a point over the Gulf but then shunted northeastward this weekend.

Any tropical feature that grabs Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean moisture and brings it along has the potential to cause excessive rain and flooding. Perhaps the highest risk for significant and possibly excessive rainfall will be across Florida, but this is subject to change.

"The anticipated stiffening southwesterly wind shear may prevent this storm from rapidly strengthening and may even split it apart into two separate entities--the second one may follow the first one a few days later," Anderson said, "If this first tropical feature can fight off the wind shear, then it will have the potential to be a bigger, more compact storm and could prevent the formation of the second feature."

A strong and more compact storm would result in a risk of strong and potentially damaging winds across parts of the Southeast from Friday through next weekend.

Both scenarios--one strong storm or two weaker ones--can deliver excessive rainfall to part of the Southeast.

Isaac, which became a hurricane late this past week, became a post-tropical storm over the open waters of the North Atlantic south of Iceland and west of the United Kingdom on Monday. Although the storm is no longer tropical, it will remain a concern for cross-Atlantic shipping and cruise interests.

Thousands of miles farther to the south over the central Atlantic, a new tropical depression formed Sunday evening and became Tropical Storm Kirk on Monday morning.

Kirk will continue to move west over the open Atlantic and is expected to become a major hurricane by the end of week.

"High surf from the growing storm may reach Bermuda and the east coast of the United States this weekend and early next week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Renee Duff said.

Just behind Kirk, another area of low pressure has the potential to evolve into a tropical feature over the next several days.

It is possible that the next area of low pressure may wander close to the islands in the northeastern Caribbean toward the second week of October.

The next names on the list of tropical storms for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season are Leslie, Milton and Nadine.

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.
Mother Arrested and Charged After Her Abandoned Newborn Found Dead on Street

An incident like this can be difficult and evoke a wide range of emotions, the Lodi Police Department in California wrote

CBS News A memorial for a California newborn found dead on a street in Lodi

A woman in California was arrested and charged after police say her newborn infant was found on the street alone.

The Lodi Police Department wrote in a post on Facebook that police were dispatched on Thursday, Sept. 26, after they received a call about an infant found in the Lodi area around 11:40 a.m. Police said numerous patrol and investigative units located the infant, who was pronounced deceased.

Police added that its preliminary investigation found that 29-year-old Lodi native Kathryn Grace Copeland abandoned the deceased newborn.

Copeland was ultimately arrested and charged with the abandonment of the deceased newborn, said police, who worked closely with the San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office on the charges.

Related: Boy, 7, Nearly Loses Foot After Car Crashes into Home: 'He Went Face First Through a Wall,' Says Dad

An incident like this can be difficult and evoke a wide range of emotions, the Lodi Police Department said in its post. Not only does it affect our community but also our first responders, including our officers, dispatchers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.

Please remember that several organizations and resources are available to help those in need, the department added.

A bystander told CBS News the infant was found behind a mechanic shop.

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Another witness told KCRA-TV an employee found the child while on break.

[When the employee] tried to sit down on the floor, [they] turned around and [saw] the baby, Silvia Gonzales said, per KCRA-TV. I wanted to cry. When I [saw the baby], I just tried to see if it was moving or not, but I don't see [anything]."

Following the news, Lodi Fire Battalion Chief Michael Alegre issued a reminder to California residents that a safe surrender system was in place for people who were not able to care for an infant.

Related: Firefighter in Coma After Truck Crash Injured 7 Others on California Highway

"We give them a bracelet for the child and the mother. A serial number, if you will," he told CBS News. "They have 14 days to reclaim the child if they want it."

Please bring them to a safe surrender site and you can walk away, free and clear," he added.

According to Californias Safely Surrendered Baby Program, A parent or person with lawful custody can safely surrender a baby confidentially, and without fear of prosecution, within 72 hours of birth.

People can drop off the baby at a public or private hospital, designated fire station or other safe surrender site, according to the law, which was created in 2001.



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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The Michigan State University community will gather to celebrate the investiture of MSUs 22nd president, Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D, at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Wharton Centers Great Hall.

Presidential investitures are usually held in the presidents first year on the job to publicly and formally vest them with the authority of the office.

It will also formally acknowledge, and introduce Guskiewicz to the university community and general public.

The ceremony will begin with an academic procession and performance by the MSU Symphony Orchestra, followed by remarks from Board of Trustees Chair Dan Kelly, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, University of Southern California President Carol Folt, and University of Utah College of Health Dean Emeritus David Perrin.

The program also will include video greetings to the president from the presidents of the Associated Students of Michigan State University and the Council of Graduate Students as well as from several other campus leaders.

Following remarks, Guskiewicz will be formally installed in office and presented with the university mace.

He will then offer his address to the audience before closing remarks.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
EAST LANSING  Michigan State University has a new president, and now it's official.

On Sunday, Kevin Guskiewicz was formally installed as the university's president during an investiture ceremony at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts on MSU's campus that was interrupted by protesters. After nearly seven months in the role, the event was the first time Guskiewicz laid out his plans for the future of the school, which will include a heightened focus on research and academics.

Guskiewicz announced the launch of the next phase of the school's Global Impact Initiative with seven new research proposals to make "breakthroughs in vital areas," including space, electronics, computational biology and public health.

He also announced the creation of a "Michigan State University Ethics Institute," which will "address institutional transformation." The institute could begin its work in February 2025.

Michigan State President Kevin Guskiewicz speaks during his investiture ceremony Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, at the Wharton Center.

Guskiewicz explained his vision for the school includes being a "talent activator for the state of Michigan." He hopes to implement a merit-based scholarship to attract students who might not be able to attend college otherwise and expand the university's reach in Lansing.

"I'm proud to announce today a new merit-based undergraduate scholarship named after our first president and first lady," he said. "Their legacies speak to us today as we prepare students for lives of success and purpose. I look forward to working with our generous alums and donors as week seek to fund this prestigious, full cost of attendance scholarship."

He plans to have the university offer more opportunities for students in Lansing, through community service and internships with the school.

Protesters interrupt the investiture ceremony for MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.

The ceremony began with a performance by the MSU wind symphony, and featured short remarks from MSU alumna Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, an MSU alumnus, and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Also making remarks were University of Southern California President Carol Folt, who Guskiewicz succeeded as Chancellor of University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill after her resignation, and University of Utah College of Health Dean Emeritus David Perrin, who Guskiewicz worked with while studying the impacts of head injuries on athletes.

During the ceremony, protestors calling for the university to divest from Israel began chanting: "Kevin, Kevin you can't hide, you are funding genocide," and "How many kids have you killed today." Police eventually removed the protestors from the auditorium.

Investitures are among the most important ceremonies in the life of a modern university, MSU said on its website.

"Presidential investitures are typically held in a leaders first year in office to publicly and formally 'vest' them with the authority of the office and acknowledge, introduce and celebrate the new leader," the school said.

Guskiewicz, who took over from interim MSU President Teresa Woodruff on March 4, 2024, was member of the University of North Carolinas faculty since 1995, and founding director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center and the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes.

Guskiewicz was appointed UNCs Chancellor in 2019.

Contact Sarah Atwood at satwood@lsj.com, or follow her on X @sarahmatwood.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz investiture ceremony takes place
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  On Saturday, a legal clinic in North Nashville not only offered court services, but also community vendors, outreach groups, and nonprofits to help participants.

Davidson County General Sessions Judge Rachel Bell held court on Saturday, Sept. 28 as Music City Community Court was set up in North Nashville at New Covenant Christian Church.

GEODIS Park among 12 stadiums set to stage FIFA Club World Cup 2025

The annual Community Day provides assistance with resources such as food, housing, and jobs.

The casual atmosphere outside of the courtroom helps Davidson County residents take care of matters like outstanding charges, fines, license suspensions, and expungements.

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County

The restorative court, founded by Bell, is the first of its kind in Tennessee.

The program, which is in its 12th year, has some impressive stats. Overall, 50,000 people have benefitted from the program, with Bell saying 92 people received assistance on 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 WKRN News 2.
(The Hill)  Brazils Supreme Court said that the social platform X, owned by Elon Musk, owes a fine of 10 million reais, which is about $1.9 million, to end its ban in the country, building off a separate $3.3 million fine previously ordered by the court, Reuters reported on Friday.

X has been banned in Brazil since late August after a judge ruled that the social platform did not comply with orders related to restricting hate speech and naming a local legal representative.

The payment of the $1.9 million fine would allow X to immediately return to its activities in national territory, according to the countrys court.

The social platform told the court that it had blocked nine accounts probed for hate speech in compliance with orders to stop spreading misinformation, Reuters reported.

The judge ordered assets from X and Starlink to pay the $3.3 million fine earlier this month, and Reuters reported that X may challenge the $1.9 million fine.

Musk had labeled the orders as censorship and has called the judge a dictator, Reuters reported.

The Hill contacted X for comment.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The front page of The Tennessean captured a stunning array of events the day Nashville Electric Service took over as power provider in 1939 to a city then home to 167,000 people.

German Chancellor Adolf Hitler was making moves in the Polish city of Danzig, mere weeks before Germany invaded Poland and World War II began. A boost to wages was coming to Nashville through the Works Progress Administration, established as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's famed New Deal as The Great Depression lingered.

In the middle of it all, a group businessmen and public officials  and a few hundred onlookers  gathered in New York City to finalize a history-making deal made possible by a U.S. Supreme Court decision after a years-long battle. The Tennessee Valley Authority, or TVA, purchased the Tennessee Electric Power Company for a whopping $78,600,000. That would come out to around $1.8 billion today, adjusting for inflation.

The front page of The Tennessean from Aug. 16, 1939, documents the sale of the Tennessee Electrical Power Company to the Tennessee Valley Authority. The historic deal paved the way for Tennessee to become the first state offering public power.

From that point forward, TVA, also established under the New Deal, was in charge of electricity for dozens of municipalities and power companies across Middle Tennessee, including Nashville Electric Service. The transfer made Tennessee the first state in the nation to offer power through a public company. It also brought much-needed relief to customers through lower rates.

Since that day, Nashville Electric Service has celebrated countless milestones. The company outlined a few of those in a news release celebrating its 85th anniversary this summer. Here are just a few:

It saw the advent of major electrical advances like the metal conduit, flexible armored cable and watt-hour meter.

It was there to turn the lights on at iconic Nashville venues like the Nashville Symphony, Opryland USA and The Bluebird Cafe.

It has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars of dollars to organizations like the United Way of Greater Nashville and the PENCIL Foundation.

It has grown to serve more than 2.1 million customers in the greater Metro Nashville area.

In 1954, the Nashville Electric Service became a fixture in the Music City skyline when its domed building was christened at 1214 Church St.

The setting sun is lighting up the sign of the Nashville Electric Services building on a very warm night on June 3, 1988, in downtown Nashville.

Here are a few key numbers that illustrate the full reach of Nashville Electric Service today:

It is now one of the 12 largest public utilities in the United States.

It serves all of Davidson County and parts of six surrounding counties.

It is responsible for nearly 7,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines.

It covers 700 square miles across the Middle Tennessee region.

The company has also navigated numerous disasters affecting more and more customers as the region around it has grown, including severe floods, tornadoes, extreme high and low temperatures and even a bombing in downtown Nashville.

NES workers repair powers lines along Underwood Street in Nashville on March 9, 2020, after tornados ripped through the city on March 3.

In the news release, the company said it is committed to finding more ways to engage the community around it, provide cleaner electricity and keep residents connected to safe and reliable power.

"For more than eight decades, you have trusted us to power your businesses, homes and communities," the release said. "That is not something we take lightly."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Electric Service celebrates 85 storied years
Kashmiri Shia Muslims shout slogans during a protest against Israel following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah - Sharafat Ali

The body of the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was recovered from the rubble of an Israeli airstrike on Sunday, setting the stage for a dramatic funeral in the coming days.

Najib Mikati, the Lebanese prime minister, said the funeral would be marked by a national holiday, with three days of official mourning starting Monday despite growing fears of an Israeli ground invasion.

Nasrallahs body was removed intact from the blast scene on Saturday, his death caused by blunt trauma, Lebanese authorities claimed.

However it was reported in Israeli media that Nasrallah suffocated in an unventilated bunker and died a slow, painful death from toxic gas inhalation.

Although a Shia Muslim, he was revered across the Palestinian world and was regarded by many as a pan-Arab leader.

His funeral  like his many televised speeches  is likely to garner considerable attention across the region and may be exploited by anti-Israeli forces as a rallying point.

It could also ignite brewing secular tensions in Lebanon where Shia, Sunni, Druze, Christian and other sects live in fine balance cheek by jowl.

Najib Mikati, the Lebanese prime minister, said three days of official mourning will start on Monday despite growing fears of an Israeli ground invasion - Lebanese Prime Minister's Press Office/AFP via Getty Images

From 1975 to 1990, Lebanon was mired in a vicious civil war fought on sectarian lines and some fear a repeat.

It was also reported on Sunday the bombs used to destroy the subterranean compound he was hiding in were US-made bunker-busting bombs, each weighing 2000 pounds, something that may also increase tensions in and the threat to US assets and citizens in the region.

Fighting continued on at least three fronts across the region on Sunday.

Israeli airstrikes continued across Lebanon on Sunday and the streets in much of the Lebanese capital remained deserted, with most shops and cafes closed.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched a barrage of at least 35 rockets at northern Israel early on Sunday evening.

According to the IDF, 10 rockets were launched toward Western Galilee with several impacts identified.

Another 25 rockets were launched toward the Haifa Bay area, setting off sirens in Acre but falling only in open areas.

Israel was reported to have sent special forces troops into Southern Lebanon in a limited ground incursion, while IDF tanks were pictured gathering in the border area, suggesting a larger offensive could be imminent.

Israels official war aims now include returning some 60,000 citizens in the north to their homes along the border, something most analysts believe will not be possible without troops on the ground in southern Lebanon.

An Israeli official told The Telegraph that the special forces troops were targeting Hezbollah military infrastructure, including weapons sites and command and control centres, in a bid to push them away from the border.

They are targeting key sites which have been built across the border zone, the source said.

An Israeli intelligence source told The Telegraph that the IDF was moving quickly in the wake of the assassination of Nasrallah in a bid to leverage its advantage.

The question now is what the US will do, and I just hope the US doesnt get involved and pull us back, he said.

The source added: Until now, the US has done nothing but interfere, both with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, holding us back in a bid to seek a diplomatic solution when we need to push forward militarily if we stand any chance of defeating Hezbollah and returning the citizens of the north.

Sources in the Israeli defence establishment have become increasingly critical of the United States in recent weeks.

People gather at the site of Nasrallahs assassination in Beiruts southern suburbs - Hassan Ammar

The United States initially went out of its way to deny involvement in the killing of Nasrallah, angering many Israelis.

It has since said his killing would bring a measure of justice to his victims, including many US citizens.

While Israel remains tight-lipped about its ground operations, Andrew Fox, a former British army officer, said Israel likely targeting known Hezbollah positions and attempting to clear the area of munitions and missile launch sites.

But the operation comes with considerable risks.

The incursion is going to turn the neutral [Lebanese] population against them and cause a lot of damage and condemnation. But if you dont hold ground, Hezbollah will just re-infiltrate, Mr Fox told The Telegraph.

A senior IDF official told The Telegraph the operation was necessary because Hezbollah was flouting UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the last war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.

The whole freedom of movement for Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is gone. They are faced with roadblocks by Hezbollah, turned around, and they dont challenge this, the source said, referring to the United Nations peacekeeping mission there.

Resolution 1701 states that there should be no armed non-state groups between the UN-delineated line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel and the Litani River, which flows between three and 18 miles north of the Israeli border.

The resolution also called for Hezbollah and other armed in the area, such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, to disarm.

Israel accuses Hezbollah of effectively taking over multiple towns and villages in the demilitarised since 2006 and using the residents as human shields for its large weapon stockpiles.

A tit-for-tat war that broke out when Hezbollah rocketed Israel on October 8 last year has seen the worst violence on the border since the 2006 war.

Around 200,000 people have been displaced on both sides of the border, with hundreds of thousands more fleeing southern Lebanon in the wake of Israels accelerated campaign.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, warned Iran and its proxies on Saturday that Israel would respond forcibly to attacks on its territory.

If someone rises up to kill you, kill him first, he said, before adding: There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel cannot reach.

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Nations most competitive governors race tests the power of ticket-splitters in New Hampshire

The last time Kelly Ayotte was on the ballot with Donald Trump, she lost.

The former one-term Republican senator is giving it another go in New Hampshire this year, running in the most competitive governors race in the country.

But the shadow of the top of the ticket looms large, with some Republicans in the Granite State worrying how many Kamala Harris voters Ayotte can win over when Trump looks likely to lose here.

While Democrats attempt to nationalize the contest  attacking Ayotte on abortion and on Trump  Republicans are trying to localize it by zeroing in on Democratic nominee Joyce Craigs past tenure as the mayor of Manchester, tying her to the citys homelessness and drug problems.

Its not her fault, but it didnt seem like she did anything to help, Ray Lawrence, 73, said of Craig while finishing lunch on a recent drizzly Friday here in New Hampshires largest city. He likes Ayottes record as a senator and former state attorney general, and hes also voting for Trump.

Around the corner on Manchesters main drag, Claudette Laroche, 71, of Hooksett had a four-word response for why shes backing Craig: Shes advocating for women.

With political opinions as hardened as they are, the neck-and-neck race to succeed retiring Republican Gov. Chris Sununu will test the endurance of ticket-splitting in a state thats more prone to it than most but thats also been trending bluer at the federal level. Hillary Clinton carried New Hampshire by less than half a point in 2016; Joe Biden won it by 7 points four years later.

If voters decide theyre voting against Trump, I dont see evidence large numbers of them will draw a distinction between other Republicans and Trump, said former state GOP Chairman Fergus Cullen, an Ayotte supporter and self-described Never Trump Republican.

There is plenty of evidence that voters know how to split their ticket, but this is an open-seat race, he added, noting that Ayotte  who was last elected in 2010  doesnt have the same winning record as Sununu, who won four terms, including two while on the ballot with Trump.

Campaign signs are seen in Francestown, New Hampshire, on September 25, 2024. - CJ Gunther/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Abortion motivates Democratic voters

In her bid for reelection in 2016, Ayotte withdrew her backing for Trump after the emergence of the Access Hollywood tape a month before the election. The decision was widely thought to have contributed to her narrow loss to Democrat Maggie Hassan because it depressed support for her among Trumps base.

This year, shes backing the former president.

As you know, we had our differences in 16, Ayotte said in an interview with WMUR this spring while campaigning for the GOP nomination. But I think, as we look at where we are as a country right now, theres no question that hes the right choice.

Ayottes evolution on Trump has been a source of Democratic attacks  part of a broader narrative theyre trying to paint about her credibility.

Now that Kelly Ayottes running for a third time, shell say anything to win, the narrator in a New Hampshire Democratic Party ad says over footage of her 2016 comments about the former president.

Democrats are making the same argument about Ayottes stance on abortion, pointing to certain votes in the Senate, including several to defund Planned Parenthood, and her service as a guide or sherpa through the Senate confirmation process for Neil Gorsuch, one of the Trump-appointed Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Too much history with Kelly Ayotte, 40-year-old Arthur Lahey of Manchester said while walking down Elm Street.

Ayotte, who has previously called herself pro-life, is stressing that she will defend the law in New Hampshire, where abortion remains legal up to 24 weeks.

Im not going to change this law, and Id be happy to use the veto pen if someone sends me a law thats more restrictive on their rights, Ayotte says in one ad.

We all know what theyre doing, she says in another spot responding to her Democratic opponents attacks. Politicizing abortion to win votes. Its wrong, and its not New Hampshire.

Those assertions dont ring true to Bill Lonergan, 62, who was out in Manchester on a recent Friday during a pause in the rain. Im a little nervous about Ayotte on abortion, he said, holding his young granddaughter. I dont trust her, he added, arguing that her position on not signing abortion restrictions sounded too carefully worded to be genuine.

Ayottes campaign did not return CNNs requests for comment.

Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig participates in a Democratic debate on September 4, 2024. - Derek Stokely/WMUR-TV/AP

GOP pushes law and order

At the Puritan Backroom restaurant  a Manchester institution owned by Democratic US Rep. Chris Pappas family  two sisters at the bar, both Trump supporters, said they were voting for Ayotte.

Because shes a conservative, said 59-year-old Susan Berntsen, who lamented Craigs governance of Manchester, which now has a Republican mayor.

Homelessness and begging on the street were out of control, she and her sister said, making outdoor dining untenable.

I just cant trust her, Berntsen said, throwing at Craig the same phrase Democrats have used against Ayotte.

Now, Kelly Ayotte is not a favorite either, she added. We are pro-Trump people, and she came out against him last time, Bernsten said, alluding to Ayottes 2016 Senate race. However, we now have to think about whats best for the state.

Ayottes ads blame Craig for exacerbating the citys homelessness crisis  showing footage of an encampment dubbed by critics as Craigville. And theyve accused her of trying to raise the citys taxes six times. In a state known for not having an income tax, Republicans are trying to capitalize on fears of the state becoming Massachusetts, attempting to tie Craig to the commonwealths Democratic governor, Maura Healey.

Under Craig, Manchester aldermen approved budgets that overrode the citys tax cap  which limits the amount of money that can be raised from property taxes  although that was not part of the mayors own budget proposals. Craigs campaign contends that under her tenure, city spending increased to pay for services because of fewer resources from the state and that property taxes overall went down. She has said that as governor she would veto any effort to impose a sales or income tax but that she does support the tax on dividends, which she argues is supposed to affect the wealthiest residents.

In an interview in her Manchester campaign office, Craig touted her efforts to get people off the streets  including opening the first city-funded shelter  and to build affordable housing, while pointing to Ayottes service on the board of private equity giant Blackstone. A recent ad from Craig tries to paint a sunnier vision of Manchester, with Democratic former Gov. John Lynch lauding advanced manufacturing jobs there.

Some Manchester voters balked at the GOP ads casting their city in a negative light, and Ayottes campaign even had to take down an ad last month that inaccurately suggested a notorious murder had happened while Craig was mayor.

But Cullen, the former GOP chairman, said the broader hits on Manchesters management may be effective since most state voters dont live there. Its one of those reasons why mayors have a hard time moving up, he said.

Craig, however, benefits from support from the national party as well as a robust Democratic coordinated campaign in the state, whereas the lack of a competitive presidential race means Ayottes operation rests mostly on her. She has the backing of the Republican Governors Association, which has recently suggested it wont spend more in North Carolina  long seen as the only other highly competitive gubernatorial election of the cycle  in the wake of a CNN report about the GOP nominees inflammatory comments.

RGA is fully committed to keeping New Hampshire in Republican hands to ensure New Hampshires path to success continues, and theres no one better than Kelly Ayotte to do just that, RGA spokeswoman Courtney Alexander said in a statement. Joyce Craig failed Manchester and would do the same to the entire Granite State if given the opportunity.

A Granite State poll from the University of New Hampshire released earlier this month found no clear leader between Ayotte and Craig.

But if Harris wins New Hampshire, the biggest question is how wide of a margin would Ayotte need to overcome to keep the governorship in party hands.

If its in the low single digits, Cullen thinks Ayotte can prevail.

Mike Dennehy, a New Hampshire Republican strategist, agreed: You can peel off a couple percent. Maybe 3 or at most 4.

Beyond that, he said, its hard.

I think if Trump loses by 6 to 8 points, its likely Democrats will win the corner office. No doubt in my mind.

CNNs Steve Contorno contributed to this report.

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Anyone crafting a bull case for the pharmaceutical giant Merck (NYSE: MRK) should include Keytruda as the company's best asset. The cancer drug has been Merck's top-selling medicine and its biggest growth driver -- by a mile. And last year, it became the best-selling drug worldwide, taking over from the immunology superstar Humira. However, Keytruda won't hold that title forever. What will happen if Merck's most important cash cow runs into stiff competition?

Recent developments suggest that it might, and that's not to mention a fast-approaching patent cliff. Let's look further into the dangers threatening Merck's crown jewel and decide whether the company's shares are worth buying anyway.

Could this medicine unseat Keytruda?

To see how vital Keytruda is to Merck, it's important to look at the company's financial results. In the second quarter, the drugmaker reported revenue of $16.1 billion, up 7% year over year. Keytruda's sales came in at $7.3 billion, increasing 16% compared to the year-ago period. So, Keytruda made up about 45% of Merck's top line. While the medicine has earned scores of indications, it can be safely assumed that a high percentage of Keytruda's sales come from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Why? Three reasons. First, as of 2020, lung cancer was the second most common type of cancer in the world and the leading cause of cancer death. Second, NSCLC makes up roughly 85% of lung cancer cases. Third, advanced NSCLC that expresses the PD-L1 protein was Keytruda's second-approved indication in the U.S., in 2015. So Keytruda has had more time to make headway into this market than in almost any others where it is approved. Since then, it has earned about seven more indications in treating various types of NSCLC in the U.S.

Now, here's the problem. Summit Therapeutics is a mid-cap biotech that recently reported that its leading candidate, ivonescimab, bested Keytruda in a phase 3 study conducted in China in treating first-line advanced lung cancer that expresses the PD-L1 protein. Ivonescimab is the first therapy to do better than Keytruda in a phase 3 study for this indication. If ivonescimab goes on to earn approval, it could take some market share away from Keytruda. However, ivonescimab still has a long way to go before challenging Keytruda for all NSCLC indications in which the latter is approved.

It hasn't even earned this one yet. The recent ivonescimab study in China won't be the basis for approval in the U.S. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will demand a U.S.-based phase 3 study, possibly multiple such trials. That could take a couple more years -- or more. So in the immediate future, ivonescimab shouldn't be too much of a problem for Merck's Keytruda even if it earns approval in China for this indication.

Story continues

What about the patent cliff?

Here is another problem: Keytruda will lose patent exclusivity in the U.S., its most important market, in 2028. We can expect the medicine's sales to fall off a cliff once it does. Can Merck get around this obstacle? The company's plan to do so includes a subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda. This version won't cover all of the medicine's previous indications, but it will help smooth out its losses. According to some analysts, the subcutaneous version of Keytruda could generate as much as $8 billion in revenue by 2030.

That's only slightly more than what Keytruda brings in every quarter, so Merck will have to make up the difference. Some of the company's recent brand-new approvals will help. That includes Winrevair, a medicine for pulmonary arterial hypertension that earned the green light in March. Merck will launch other new medicines. It has more than 30 programs in phase 2 and over 80 in phase 3. Even a modest 20% success rate should allow it to improve its lineup in the next four years.

Expect Merck's revenue to grow at a good clip through 2028. It will likely lose steam once Keytruda's patent expires, but the pharmaceutical giant should recover eventually and deliver solid financial results long after. In my view, Merck's shares still look attractive for long-term investors.

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Damaged roadways, mudslides and unstable ground have made it difficult to get supplies to those in Western North Carolina. The above photo is a section of I-40 near the Buncombe County town of Black Mountain. (Photo: NCDOT)

Gov. Roy Cooper and the states top emergency management officials provided an update Sunday to the ongoing, massive response to Tropical Storm Helene.

Helene dropped from 10 to 29 inches of rain across the mountains on Friday, causing life-threatening floods and landslides. The storm initially claimed 11 lives in North Carolina, and officials said that number would likely rise. By Sunday evening, Buncombe Countys sheriff said they had confirmed 30 death in the county.

Cooper said the state is aware that people are desperate for help, and multiple agencies are actively pushing to get it to them.

Many people are cut off because roads are impassable, they dont have power or communications. Please know that we are sending resources and coordinating closely with local governments, first responders, state and federal partners, and volunteer organizations to help those impacted by this tragic storm, Cooper said.

Because its difficult to truck in the needed supplies over closed and damaged roads, the state has begun airlifting food and water into the region.

Gov. Roy Cooper

A 20-bed state medical support center is opening in Caldwell County on Sunday, and the state will be setting up more.

Nearly 464,000 customers remain without power. Thats down from a peak of more than a million customers at the height of the storm.

More than 500 North Carolina National Guard members have been deployed to work with local emergency responders conducting search and rescue missions, delivering needed supplies, and working to restore infrastructure.

President Joe Biden granted Coopers request for a federal major disaster declaration providing immediate federal help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Cell phone providers are working to fix the damage and get stopgap solutions in place.

N.C. Emergency Management Director Will Ray said conditions on the ground remain extremely dangerous.

We ask people not to venture into storm-affected areas, whether to check on property, loved ones, or just to sight see. Besides endangering yourself, you could also be interfering with emergency responders or repair crews, cautioned Ray. Please let the professionals do their jobs.

The state has over 730 responders conducting search and rescue efforts.

Telecommunications companies are working around the clock to restore cell phone service and mobile data to the mountains.

Ray said for those in western North Carolina, its recommended you turn your phones off and turn them back on periodically to allow the phone to connect to a network.

On Friday, North Carolinas telecommunications partners activated disaster roaming on all networks. This means that any phone on any carrier can access any network to place calls.

As of midday Sunday, 280 roads remained closed in Western North Carolina because of Helene. The majority of those are in Henderson, Ash, Buncombe, Lincoln, Cleveland, Jackson, Transylvania and Yancey counties.

Many of the closures are due to high water where the roadway is impassable or flooded. We also have several land and rockslides down power lines, pipe failures and fallen trees, said N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins.

One piece of good news, according to Hopkins, a previously closed section of Interstate 26 south of Asheville has reopened allowing responders their first major route into and out of the city.

Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins

Crews have also opened up a path through the slide near Old Fort on I-40 to allow some stranded vehicles and also emergency responders to pass through with assistance from the state highway patrol.

Hopkins said unnecessary travel is hindering NCDOT crews from doing the work to get the roads reopened.

Our main message is simple, consider all roads in western North Carolina to be closed until further notice, said the NCDOT Secretary.

One of the biggest concerns right now is the availability of clean water.

Ray said there are 93 systems that are on a boil water advisory with 33 awaiting test results to clear that advisory.

Loss of power is one contributing factor, but we also know that theres significant infrastructure damage from the amount of water that impacted a number of these communities, thats going to have significant rebuild impacts for these water systems to come online, Ray explained.

In the days ahead they will determine which water systems need simple repairs or whether an extensive overhaul of a jurisdictions water system is required.

Because those are significant lifts and challenges, we are preparing our operation to continue to move commodities into those impacted areas, particularly food and water for an extended duration of time, said Ray.

Those in need of shelter can find a list of open shelters here. As of Sunday afternoon, the one shelter is McDowell County at Glenwood Baptist Church was at full capacity.

For those who wish to donate to recovery efforts, the state will be activating North Carolinas Disaster Relief Fund, managed by the United Way of North Carolina.
A total of 926 people over three years have been struck down with gastrointestinal infections while staying at luxury hotels in Cape Verde - DIRK RENCKHOFF/ALAMY

Almost 1,000 British holidaymakers are taking legal action after being struck down with stomach bugs while on holiday in Cape Verde.

A total of 926 people over three years have been struck down with gastrointestinal infections while staying at luxury hotel resorts on the island.

Infections such as Shigella and Salmonella have been reported by holidaymakers with some unable to leave their room for several days.

Cordelia Plummer, 56, from Shard End, Birmingham, and partner Ian Waller, 56, from Kingston-Upon-Hull, are among a new group of holidaymakers to contact lawyers about their holiday.

They were both struck down with serious illness during a two-week stay at a 5-star hotel in Sal, Cape Verde in July this year.

The holiday was booked via tour operator Tui, and the couple paid almost 3,000 for their all-inclusive break.

Incredibly concerning

Jatinder Paul, a specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is representing the holidaymakers, said: The sheer volume of clients were continuing to see coming forward having fallen ill during stays in Cape Verde over the last three years is incredibly concerning.

The numbers involved show that these arent isolated incidents. The fact that significant numbers are still approaching us with similar first-hand accounts points towards a worrying picture of ongoing illness that shows no sign of ending.

Those we represent rightly have a number of concerns over how such illnesses have occurred over such a period of time, he said.

Gastric illness can result in long-term health problems or even death, and the fear is this could end in tragedy if something isnt done to address the underlying causes.

It is thought that several different groups fell sick with similar issues at the same time and the lawyers are calling for more people to come forward.

Tui was approached for comment.

Cordelia Plummer and her partner Ian Waller both fell ill one week into their trip - IRWIN MITCHELL/SWNS

Plummer, a customer service assistant, was taken ill a week into the break with severe gastric symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea.

She was confined to her room for four days and consulted her GP upon returning to the UK, who initially said her symptoms could be a sign of Shigella.

Waller was struck down a few days later with the same symptoms which continued for the remainder of the holiday and upon his return to the UK.

Ive never felt so ill

The couple said they were shocked to read negative reviews of the resort online after returning home and had noticed that food was often served uncovered and lukewarm.

Plummer said: What was meant to be a dream two weeks on a wonderful island turned into a holiday Ian and myself will now do our best to forget.

What started as headaches and a feeling of nausea, became the worst sickness and diarrhoea Ive ever known.

I think everyone has probably had an upset stomach at one time or another, but I have never felt so ill.

The couple are among a new group of ten holidaymakers who stayed at a five-star hotel this summer to instruct Irwin Mitchell.

Meanwhile, hundreds of other holidaymakers have instructed the firm following an illness at other Cape Verde hotels.

In 2022, a total of 806 people came forward followed by 65 in 2023 and 55 so far this year.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
From Gaza to Lebanon, Netanyahu  not Biden  is setting the agenda in the Middle East

Israels killing of Hezbollahs longtime leader has driven home how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set the agenda in the Middle East in recent months, with a frustrated Biden White House unable to shape events or defuse a spreading conflict in the region.

Officials in the Biden administration felt blindsided by Fridays Israeli airstrikes in southern Beirut that killed Hassan Nasrallah, and other senior Hezbollah figures, current and former officials say.

In the days before the Israeli attack, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had intensively shuttled between delegations in New York during the United Nations General Assembly session, trying to forge a 21-day cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Follow live updates here.

The Biden administration was so confident in the proposals success that a senior administration official briefing reporters after its public debut suggested both parties agreement was a foregone conclusion.

American and European officials believed they were moving closer to a possible deal, but then came the television images of a massive plume of smoke rising over southern Beirut.

President Joe Biden, Pentagon senior leaders and other senior officials across the administration were infuriated by the timing of the Israeli government operation, U.S. officials said.

Israels continued airstrikes in Lebanon, which have killed more than 1,000 people in two weeks, according to Lebanese health officials, have reinforced the administrations fears that Netanyahus aggressive approach could trigger a chain reaction, resulting in a wider regional war that could possibly draw in the United States.The White House said in a statement Saturday that the strike that killed Nasrallah brought a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.

But it also called for de-escalating the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means and said it was time for all sides to accept the proposed cease-fire deals on the table for Gaza and Lebanon.

Faced with another failed U.S.-led bid to lower the temperature, Blinken once again urged Israel to choose diplomacy, warning the alternative would lead to greater instability and insecurity, the ripples of which will be felt around the world.

The choices that all parties make in coming days will determine which path this region is on with profound consequences for its people now and possibly for years to come, Blinken said Friday in remarks after the strike that was later confirmed to have killed Nasrallah.

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beiruts southern suburbs on Saturday.

The decapitation strike in Lebanon was just the latest example of how Netanyahu and his far-right ruling coalition have followed their own course since Hamas militants in Gaza staged a surprise terrorist attack on Israel nearly a year ago, rejecting international criticism of the civilian death toll in Gaza.Since Israel launched an offensive in Gaza last year, more than 41,000 people have died, according to Palestinian health officials.

In the days after the Oct. 7 attack, Biden fervently embraced Netanyahu and Israel, literally and figuratively, calculating that unvarnished American support for the Jewish state would result in a willingness to accede to some American demands.

Instead, over the past year, Biden and his aides have appeared to have steadily less influence with Netanyahu.

As the civilian death toll in Gaza soared, U.S. officials repeatedly made private and public appeals to the Israeli government to change its tactics in Gaza and agree to a compromise to allow for a cease-fire deal.

But those appeals have failed to sway Washingtons closest ally in the region. Even vague threats that the administration might scale back or suspend weapons deliveries apparently had no concrete impact on Netanyahus decision-making.

For his part, Biden has been unwilling to halt military assistance for Israel, despite calls from some fellow Democrats in Congress, and the U.S. has continued to send 2,000-pound bombs and Hellfire missiles to Israel.

But even if the administration had taken the unprecedented step of cutting arms shipments, its not clear it would have shifted Israels stance, analysts say, as it has large weapons stockpiles.

Biden has been powerless to shift Netanyahu, partly because Israel has a different set of objectives and partly because the prime minister cannot afford to alienate far-right political voices that form part of his ruling coalition, Western officials and analysts say.

Smoke rises from a residential area after Israeli warplanes target the Dahiyeh district south of the Lebanese capital Beirut with a series of airstrikes on Saturday.

For Israel and Republican critics of Biden, the administrations concerns about escalation are misplaced. The Israeli prime minister and his supporters believe the best way to prevent a wider war is to strike back at Iran and its proxies, to raise the cost of any attack on Israel and force its adversaries to recalculate the benefits of attacking Israel.A senior Israeli official said they hoped the operation against Nasrallah would eliminate the need to stage a ground invasion of Lebanon, but added that Israel would take advantage of the momentum it had now that its adversary had been set back.

The senior Israeli official expressed gratitude for the support the United States has provided in defending Israel against rockets from Iran and its proxies, but said Israel was the only one actually fighting back against what it called the existential threat posed by those forces.

Not only has Washington struggled in its diplomacy with Israel, the administration has also found Arab allies and partners reluctant to throw their full weight behind efforts to weaken Hamas or Hezbollah or other measures that could spark anger among their Muslim populations, many of whom see Israel persecuting the Palestinian people.

Their publics are horrified by the destruction the Israelis have caused. They cant get too close, said author Aaron David Miller, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. They cant become the tip of the American spear against Hamas or Iran.

The conflicts now unfolding, between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel and Iran, are ongoing wars of attrition, Miller said. There are no stable end states, no transformative diplomatic efforts that could fundamentally end these wars of attrition, he said.

The only options are containing or deterring adversaries, and incremental transactional steps that do not address the underlying causes of the conflict, he said.

And those who will decide what next steps are taken are Netanyahu and the leaders of Iran, Hamas and the future head of Hezbollah, he added, not Biden.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Bloomberg) -- Israel had been looking for a chance to kill the leader of Hezbollah.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Its intelligence had long tracked Hassan Nasrallah and it recently learned he planned to move, which would have closed the window of opportunity, according to a senior official who asked not to be identified discussing confidential matters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the order Friday from his hotel room in New York, just before giving a fiery speech to the United Nations General Assembly that rejected a US-backed push for a cease-fire in Lebanon.

Washington, Israels closest ally, got only a last-minute heads up as its latest bid to stop the violence failed. Fridays strike in southern Beirut was another in a series of dramatic Israeli attacks  from exploding pagers to sweeping air raids  that have left Irans main proxy severely debilitated and now leaderless.

After a week of appeals from world leaders at the UN to avoid the risk of all-out war in the Middle East, Israel seems to be doing just the opposite, its warplanes demolishing what Iran and Hezbollah had long set as red lines.

Still, judging by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis first reaction, Iran is in no rush to escalate. President Masoud Pezeshkian also stopped short of pledging a direct and immediate attack on Israel  and in his international debut at the UN he struck a relatively restrained note.

The U.S. judges that Iran is unlikely to rush into a further escalation because its most valuable proxy  Hezbollah  has been weakened and its missiles and drones proved ineffective against Israel when it attacked directly in April, according to a person familiar with U.S. policy, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter. Both Hezbollah and Iran have been weakened by recent events and have few options, they said.

Netanyahu called Nasrallahs death necessary to his quest to return Israelis in the north who had fled Hezbollahs attacks over the last 11 months to their homes. But in a video address, he had a warning for his people: In the coming days, we will face significant challenges.

The US said its beefing up its already-substantial military presence in the region, a clear signal to Tehran about the risk of reacting too aggressively. If they were angry at Israel for the lack of warning of the strike, US officials werent sorry to see the death of Nasrallah and the setbacks for Hezbollah, which has killed hundreds of Americans in its four-decade history.

As Israel has pummeled Iranian proxies in Gaza and Lebanon since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed more than 1,000 Israelis, Tehrans reaction so far hasnt spiraled into a broader regional war. A major missile attack in the spring did little damage. Iran seems deterred for the moment by the superior militaries of Israel and its US ally.

Tehrans vaunted missile force was shown in April to be ineffective against U.S. and Israeli technology, said Michael Morell, the former acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency, in an interview. Now Irans second pillar of deterrence  Hezbollah  is being destroyed in front of its eyes. What does that leave them? Where does Iran find deterrence? Perhaps they will seek it in the acquisition of nuclear weapons.

Two Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Hezbollah still has military capabilities and missiles but with its leadership gone, its in crisis and may take time to retaliate. Still, Israels military is poised and expecting retaliation as early as Saturday night and preparing for a possible ground operation in Lebanon.

A person familiar with US thinking said its hard to predict just how a headless Hezbollah might try to respond, though the group will clearly seek vengeance. The person said the Israeli strikes obviously complicate Washingtons hopes for a cease-fire, with risks of miscalculation growing as each side tries to get in the final blows before any possible deal.

Jordan, Egypt and Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are happy to see groups like Hamas and now Hezbollah  both classified by the US and the European Union as terrorists  dealt big blows, according to a person who liaises with Arab and Western intelligence services and asked not to be identified to give a candid assessment. The goal, ultimately, is to push Shiite Iran back, regaining the initiative and shifting decision-making in the region to majority-Sunni states.

But Netanyahus open defiance of Washingtons calls for restraint has raised fears in some Arab capitals that Israel isnt accountable to anyone, not even the US, which is its chief arms supplier, the person said.

If Iran does something rash, the US may not be able to control Israels response, said one Arab official.

The mounting civilian death toll in the Gaza Strip  where Israel is trying to eradicate Hamas  and now in Lebanon  where Hezbollah is based  has put Arab leaders in a bind given where the sympathies of their populations lie.

The US renewed calls for a diplomatic solution Saturday. Just over a month from a razor-close presidential election, the worsening violence is a growing political challenge for Vice President Kamala Harris in her race against former President Donald Trump.

As Netanyahu made his way back on the Jewish Sabbath, his plane was escorted by two F-35 fighter jets  a sign of some of the heightened security measures the Israelis were taking. The US meanwhile has ordered back some of its diplomats and flights to Beirut have been suspended as the conflict escalates.

With the one-year mark of the Oct. 7 attack nearing, Netanyahu was under pressure both at home and abroad. Families of hostages taken by Hamas want them returned and press for a deal while his far-right coalition partners threaten to topple his government if he buckles.

Killing Nasrallah was essential to Israels goal of changing the balance of power in the region for years, Netanyahu said. In addition, he said, the more Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, still hiding in Gaza, sees that Hezbollah will no longer come to his rescue, the greater the chances of recovering our hostages.

--With assistance from Iain Marlow and Ethan Bronner.

(Adds analysis of Irans position in sixth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Iran faces a complex dilemma over whether to attack Israel directly or use its string of proxy armies  as weakened as some of those now appear  to retaliate for the assassination of the head of the Lebanese Hezbollah militant and political organization.

Diplomats, analysts and officials throughout the region and in the West agree that an all-out war between Iran and Israel would be devastating, quite likely more for the Islamic Republic than its archenemy.

The fragile state of its economy and domestic politics is another motivation for Iran to hold its fire.

But failure to forcefully avenge the decapitation of its most important proxy  its military and strategic "crown jewel" in the so-called Axis of Resistance that surrounds Israel  could suggest weakness and make followers in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and elsewhere question what Iranian support really means.

The conundrum appears to have created a schism between some of Iran's top leaders, who are proceeding with caution, and its biggest hard-liners, who are demanding swift and decisive action.

Israel's assassination Friday of Hassan Nasrallah, veteran leader of the powerful faction, came amid a steady onslaught of punishing attacks. Several top Hezbollah officials died alongside Nasrallah  along with Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Abbas Nilforushan. On Saturday, according to Israeli and Hezbollah officials, Israel killed Nabil Kaouk, deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council, the seventh senior Hezbollah leader slain in little over a week.

The setbacks suffered by both Iran and its proxies "underscore intelligence and operational inferiority coupled with Israel's willingness to move up the escalation ladder," said Ali Vaez, head of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group. "Iran and its allies have no real way of countering the former, and in Tehran's case, reluctance to match the latter."

"Iran has always tried to push conflict away from its borders and play the long game," he added.

In Tehran on Sunday, grief-stricken Lebanese demanded revenge. But there also was a strong sentiment that retribution should be the work of an alliance of Muslim and other sympathetic forces, not Iran alone or even at the fore. Iran, experts say, always worked more effectively from behind the scenes, and could do so once again to help rebuild Hezbollah as it struggles to install new leadership and seal off security breaches and infiltrations.

Read more: In Lebanon, a search for safety and sanity as half a million are displaced

"We must mobilize Islamic countries and the international community against Israel," Hamid Reza Teraqqi, deputy chair of the Islamic Coalition Party, the oldest Islamic party in Iran, said in an interview. "Negotiations with America will not help. Israeli must be confronted by forces, not by talks."

He and others said Iran needed to improve its flagging economy, battered by Western sanctions, as well as an arsenal, which is lacking in sufficient cyber technology, AI and other military know-how to position itself against Israel, which is armed by the United States.

In the days before Nasrallah's killing, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was at the United Nations, where he made conciliatory statements about a desire to renew negotiations with the West, possibly to renew talks aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Back in Tehran in the aftermath of Nasrallah's death, Pezeshkian on Sunday also seemed unwilling to escalate tensions, although he said that the U.S. was complicit in the attacks against Hezbollah because of its steady supply of weapons to Israel. He also said he was confident Hezbollah would secure new leadership.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, on social media, said Hezbollah "makes its own decision and is fully capable of defending itself, Lebanon and the people of Lebanon on its own."

That may be overly optimistic, but it reflects an enduring reluctance to proceed further down the warpath with Israel.

Iran might also decide to grant a greater role to the Houthi militants in Yemen as part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force strategy. The Houthis, fighting the Saudi-backed government of Yemen, have had success in recent months attacking and disrupting vessel traffic in the Red Sea as their way of expressing solidarity for Gazans. Iran might prioritize efforts to arm them with technologies that could increase the impact of those operations.

On Sunday, a day after Houthis said they fired a missile toward Israel's Ben Gurion airport, the Israeli military reported that its warplanes struck the Houthi strongholds of Ras Isa and Hudaydah in Yemen  hitting power plants and a seaport used to import oil.

The military was determined to continue operating at any distance  near or far  against all threats to the citizens of the State of Israel, it said in a statement.

Houthi broadcaster Al-Masirah said that four people were killed and at least 30 wounded in the attack. On X, senior Houthi official Nasruddin Amer described the attack as a failure and said that an emergency plan activated earlier meant oil tanks were emptied before the raid.

The Zionists will not stop our operations under any circumstances, he wrote. We will make them more qualitative.

What Iran does next will ultimately be decided by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who so far has appeared supportive of Pezeshkian, a relative moderate.

Read more: Hundreds of pagers mysteriously explode in Lebanon; Hezbollah blames Israel

Khamenei and Iran have reasons for avoiding a full-blown war with Israel. In addition to the struggling economy, many Iranians still suffer from the trauma of Iran's last major conflict, the war with Iraq in the 1980s that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Analysts say the aging ayatollah is sufficiently pragmatic to seek to avoid wider conflagration, as long as the proxies will be able to step up.

In April, after Israel killed senior Iranian commanders in Syria, Iran retaliated with its first-ever direct attack on Israel. But the airstrike was calculatingly limited: The rockets and missiles were intercepted, and damage was minimal.

Iran would probably suffer more than Israel in an all-out war between the two sides, especially if Hezbollah, Iran's first line of defense against Israel, is significantly degraded. And economic strife and political uncertainty would make it more difficult for the current government to rebuild.

"Regime survival is #1," Karim Sadjadpour, a Middle East analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said on X. "Khamenei is now in a dilemma of his own making. By not responding strongly, he keeps losing face. By responding too strongly, he could lose his head."

Still, another unknown component in any calculation of what Iran does next lies inside the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has shown little interest in easing his country's relentless bombardments on Lebanon and has rebuffed efforts by Washington and other powers to broker a cease-fire.

If Netanyahu reads muted reaction from Tehran as lack of resolve, he may be tempted to pound Lebanon harder, proceed with tentative plans to launch a ground invasion and even expand the offensive into other spheres of Iran's influence. That could in turn dial up anger among the proxies who would stoke pressure on Tehran.

Some groups like the Houthis in Yemen and pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria might begin to question what good Iran's backing serves if it does not defend its most important allies, said Trita Parsi, an analyst at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington.

"Some may conclude there were no redlines for Iran in Lebanon," he said. "But if Israel is so confident that it takes the war not just into Lebanon but to Iran, then Iran may conclude, whether they want it or not, war with Israel is at their doorstep."

Times staff writer Wilkinson reported from Washington and special correspondent Mostaghim from Tehran. Times staff writer Nabih Bulos in Beirut contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
An octopus at the Kanaloa Octopus Farm in Hawaii. California is now the second state to ban octopus farming, after Washington. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bipartisan bill Friday making it a crime to farm octopuses for human consumption in California.

The new law makes it illegal to raise and breed octopuses in state waters or in aquaculture tanks based on land within the state. It also prevents business owners and operators from knowingly participating in the sale of an octopus  regardless of its provenance  that has been raised to be eaten by people.

The text of the law recognizes that octopuses are "highly intelligent, curious, problem-solving animals" that are conscious, sentient and experience "pain, stress, and fear, as well as pleasure, equanimity, and social bonds." It goes on to note that in research studies, these eight-legged marine invertebrates have demonstrated long-term memory as well as the ability to recognize individual people.

In one experiment, eight giant Pacific octopuses were introduced to two people over a two-week period at the Seattle Aquarium. One of them always approached with food in hand, which they gave to the octopuses. The other carried a bristly stick, with which they used to scratch the cephalopods' sensitive skin.

At the end of two weeks, the octopuses' responses to the two people were significantly different. When the stick-carrier approached, the animals would move away and line up their water jets toward the offender so they could make a quick get-away if necessary. But when feeder came calling, they ambled up to the side of the tank and turned their jets away.

Proponents of the new law said it positions California as a leader in humane aquaculture. They point to a growing body of research that shows raising octopuses for food is cruel, inefficient and detrimental to the environment.

Read more: Farm-bred octopus: A benefit to the species or an act of cruelty?

California is now the second state  after Washington  to prohibit octopus farming. Similar legislation has also been introduced in the U.S. Senate and in Hawaii.

We know that what happens in California has an impact on what happens federally," Jennifer Jacquet, a professor of environmental science and policy at the University of Miami, said when the bill cleared the legislature. "Americans want to keep octopuses wild.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved five anti-crime measures this month, including two on Saturday. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed five more anti-crime bills sent to his desk by California lawmakers this month, enacting mostly modest increases in punishment and departing from a more liberal approach by state Democratic leaders in years past.

Highlighted by efforts to combat retail theft and fentanyl use, lawmakers passed tougher criminal penalties for crimes, some violent sex crimes and others more low-level, nonviolent property crimes, signaling a contentious moment in the states debate over balancing public safety with progressive criminal justice goals. They voted in favor of stiffer penalties for sex offenders, repeat shoplifters and car burglars, while they rejected bills to limit solitary confinement in prisons and expand eligibility for parole.

Newsom has until Monday to decide whether to veto bills or allow them to become law. Here are all of the significant crime bills he's signed so far, including a pair he signed Saturday:



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that aimed to make it easier for farmworkers to make a workers compensation claim for heat illness.

SB 1299 would have changed the burden of proof in workers compensation claims when a farmworker develops a heat-related injury after laboring outdoors for an employer who fails to comply with the state's heat safety standards. Instead of the farmworker having to prove the injury occurred on the job, as is typical in workers compensation cases, it would have been the employers responsibility to prove the illness was not work-related.

Under the bills provisions, if an employer failed to comply with the rules, any resulting heat-related injury to an employee would be presumed to arise out of and in the course of employment. It would have created a rebuttable presumption, which is more commonly used for law enforcement officers and firefighters who develop certain injuries that could arise from the risks inherent to their jobs.

In a veto message issued Saturday, Newsom said there is "no doubt" that California farmworkers need strong protections from the risk of heat-related illness, especially as climate change drives an increase in extreme temperatures.

"However, the creation of a heat-illness presumption in the workers' compensation system is not an effective way to accomplish this goal," he said. Newsom said heat safety rules are currently enforced by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, which is better equipped to enforce those worker protections.

Read more: Lawmakers take 'creative' approach to enforcing heat safety rules for California farmworkers

Newsom also noted that Cal/OSHA is establishing an agricultural unit that specializes in worker protections and hazards found at agricultural worksites, and opening new district offices in Fresno, Santa Barbara and Riverside.

"This dedicated unit will increase Cal/OSHA's reach to farmworker communities throughout the Central Valley, where the largest number of farmworkers and their families reside," Newsom said.

The legislation came as many farmworkers continue to labor in unsafe conditions and Cal/OSHA confronts a severe staffing shortage that is hampering its ability to enforce heat regulations for outdoor workers.

First enacted in 2005, the states heat illness prevention rules require employers to provide outdoor workers with fresh water, access to shade at 80 degrees and warmer, and cool-down breaks whenever a worker requests one. Employers must also maintain a heat illness prevention plan with training for supervisors to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat illness.

But nearly two decades after the rules were first enacted, ensuring compliance has remained challenging.

In 2009 and 2012, the United Farm Workers sued Cal/OSHA, accusing the agency of failing to enforce the regulations.

A 2022 study by the UC Merced Community and Labor Center found that many farmworkers were still laboring without the protections. Of more than 1,200 workers surveyed, 43% reported that their employers had not provided a heat illness prevention plan and 15% said they had not received heat illness prevention training.

The bills author, Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), previously described SB 1299 as a creative work-around that was taking the tools that we do have available and trying to cobble together an approach that will hopefully spur greater compliance.

Read more: California cuts back on safety enforcement as farmworkers toil in extreme heat

The employers hate the workers comp presumptions so much that it makes me feel like it might actually work, Cortese previously told The Times. The avoidance factor is so high with them that theyll say, My God, its actually easier for us to provide shade and water than to have to deal with a proliferation of expedited workers comp claims.

Were trying to take something that they view as kind of a thorn in their side and use it as a disincentive for the kind of behavior were seeing, he said.

The UFW backed the bill.

"Despite the Governor's veto of SB 1299, the UFW will continue to work to save farm worker lives," UFW President Teresa Romero said in a statement Saturday.

Opponents of the bill, including the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Farm Bureau, acknowledged the importance of protecting farmworkers from heat illness, but had argued the issue should not be addressed through the workers compensation system.

This article is part of The Times equity reporting initiative, funded by the James Irvine Foundation, exploring the challenges facing low-income workers and the efforts being made to address Californias economic divide.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Newsom vetoes bill that would have required speed-limit alert systems in new cars

The vetoed bill would have required vehicles to include a warning system for drivers going over the speed limit. (Maureen Sullivan / Moment Editorial/Getty Images)

Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have required new vehicles sold in California to be equipped with a warning system to alert drivers if they go over the speed limit by 10 mph.

Newsom announced his decision to reject the bill Saturday, writing in a message to legislators that although he appreciates the intent to improve traffic safety, the legislation presents several challenges.

The bill would have required that starting with 2030 models, every new car, truck or bus sold or leased in the state would need to have a so-called passive intelligent speed assistance system. The system would warn drivers with an audio and visual alert any time they go 10 mph over the speed limit.

The European Union already requires such systems in new vehicles.

Read more: Bill to alert drivers when they exceed speed limit heads to Newsom

Newsom said federal law already regulates vehicle safety standards, and adding California-specific requirements would create a patchwork of regulations that undermines this longstanding federal framework. He noted that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently evaluating speed assistance systems.

The governor said imposing state-level mandates at this time risks disrupting these ongoing federal assessments.

The legislation, which was authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), would have been the first of its kind in the country. Supporters said the bill was aimed at significantly reducing traffic fatalities and injuries caused by speeding drivers.

At a recent hearing, Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) said more than 4,000 Californians die every year in traffic collisions, and speeding is a major factor in one-third of these fatalities.

Those who opposed the bill included Republican legislators, who argued the legislation would restrict peoples freedom and said the technology could distract drivers and create problems.

Times staff writer Colleen Shalby contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NJ superintendent, school admin husband rake in $600K annually  but actually live in Florida, possibly violating state law

A photo of Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School in Newark, with an inset showing a graduation cap atop bundles of cash.

Two New Jersey educators who together make over $600,000 per year reportedly live 1,200 miles away in sunny Florida  which may be a violation of state law.

Teresa Segarra, the superintendent of Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School in Newark, and her husband, Jose Segarra, the schools business administrator, only make a few in-person visits to the school each year, anonymous sources told NJ.com.

The outlet reviewed voting and housing records showing the couples full-time address is actually Coral Gables, just outside of Miami.

The Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School serves nearly 600 students in kindergarten through 8th grade. google

The Segarras actually live in Coral Gables, Florida, according to records. jovannig  stock.adobe.com

The Segarras, both 79, rake in over $600,000 combined annually, making them two of the states highest paid educators.

Teresa Segarra is the states fourth highest paid superintendent, with a salary of $301,600. In 2023, though, she made a total of $323,636, according to NJ.com.

She is paid more than 600 other school district leaders statewide.

Jose Segarra earns $257,802 annually, which is more than all but 22 of the states school superintendents, NJ.com reported.

The Segarras could be violating a state law requiring all public employees live in state. Steve Cukrov  stock.adobe.com

The New Jersey First Act, which took effect in 2011, bars public employees from living out-of-state, and includes cops, public school teachers, and administrators.

Exemptions have been granted, but records showed the Segarras never filed for one.

The Post could not reach the couple for comment Saturday.
We recently compiled a list of 7 Best Uranium Stocks To Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we will look at where NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE) ranks among the best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

Uranium Market Outlook

According to a report by the World Nuclear Association, the uranium market is a complex and cyclical industry, with prices fluctuating based on demand and supply. In recent years, primary production from mines has supplied around 90% of the requirements of power utilities, with the remaining 10% coming from secondary sources such as ex-military material, recycling, and stockpiles. The demand for uranium is driven by the need for fuel to power nuclear reactors. There are currently around 440 reactors worldwide, with a combined capacity of around 390 GWe. These reactors require around 80,000 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate each year, which contains around 67,500 tonnes of uranium.

The uranium supply comes from various sources, including mines, stockpiles, and secondary sources, such as recycled uranium and plutonium. In 2022, mines supplied around 58,201 tonnes of uranium oxide concentrate containing around 49,355 tU, around 74% of the utilities annual requirements. Secondary sources of uranium include recycled uranium and plutonium from used fuel, re-enriched depleted uranium tails, ex-military weapons-grade uranium, and civil stockpiles. These sources, such as mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, can be converted into usable fuel.

The demand for Uranium is expected to grow over the next decade. The World Nuclear Associations Nuclear Fuel Report indicates a 28% increase in uranium demand over 2023-2033 and a 51% increase in uranium demand for 2031-2040. However, the uranium market faces several challenges, including the need for increased investment in new mines and infrastructure, as well as similar policies that give preferential to subsidized wind and solar sources. There are growth opportunities, particularly in nuclear energy, which is expected to play a key role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting increasing global energy demands.

Big Tech Investments in Nuclear Energy to Drive Sector Growth

In an interview on September 24 with CNBC, Amir Adnani, CEO of Uranium Energy, said that he is highly optimistic about the future of uranium investing. He believes that the uranium market is finally emerging from an 11-year bear market and is experiencing a renaissance. This newfound enthusiasm for uranium is driven by the growing recognition that nuclear power is crucial in the global effort to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the need to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and transition to cleaner forms of energy, nuclear power is being rediscovered as a vital part of the solution.

Adnani notes that public opinion polls are now at an all-time high in support of nuclear power, indicating a significant shift in the publics perception of this form of energy. Furthermore, big tech companies are beginning to take notice of the potential of nuclear energy and are starting to partner with nuclear energy companies to invest in new infrastructure. This influx of capital and expertise is expected to have a profound impact on the industry, driving innovation and growth in the sector. The demand for nuclear-generated electricity is increasing exponentially, driven by the development of data centers and cloud computing. This surge in demand is causing U.S. utilities to extend the life of reactors and bring back previously retired reactors, which in turn is driving up the market for uranium.

However, Adnani also acknowledges concerns about the potential for big tech companies to drive up prices for households using power. This is a valid concern, as the increasing demand for nuclear-generated electricity could potentially lead to a supply shortage, driving up prices for consumers. Nevertheless, Adnani believes that this is a manageable risk and that the benefits of investing in uranium far outweigh the potential drawbacks. He notes that the utilities need to invest upward of $50 billion to keep up with the growing demand for nuclear-generated electricity, which presents a significant opportunity for investors.

The uranium market is expected to experience significant growth over the next decade due to the growing demand for nuclear energy and an increasing need for low-carbon energy sources. The uranium market is poised to play a critical role in meeting global energy demands. With that in context, lets take a look at the 7 best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the 7 best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds, we used the Finviz and Yahoo stock screeners to find the 9 largest Uranium companies. We then narrowed our choices to 7 stocks according to their hedge fund sentiment, which was taken from our database of 912 elite hedge funds as of Q2 of 2024. The list is sorted in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment, as of the second quarter.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 33

NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE) is a Canadian uranium exploration and development company, primarily focused on the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. Its flagship Rook I project hosts the Arrow Deposit is one of the highest-grade uranium deposits in the world. NexGen Energys (NYSE:NXE) advanced-stage projects and significant high-grade uranium reserves position it as a key player in the uranium market, with the potential to become a major uranium producer in the near future.

NexGen Energys (NYSE:NXE) main project Rook I is centred around a large uranium deposit discovered in 2014 known as the Arrow Deposit, spans over 35,065 hectares and has 32 minerals. The high-grade uranium found at the Arrow Deposit is the type of uranium used in nuclear power plants to produce energy.

The recent legislation signed by Joe Biden, known as the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, will ban the import of Russian unirradiated low-enriched uranium (LEU) to the United States. The ban will begin 90 days post-signature, with phased reductions in allowable imports leading to a complete ban by January 1, 2028. This new legislation will gradually increase the demand for uranium from allied countries, such as Canada, in the next 4 years. In Q1, NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE) reported a 32% year-over-year increase in cash and liquid assets, primarily driven by financing activities.

The upcoming decision from the federal commission hearing can be a significant catalyst for the share price and NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE) can have a significant upside in the next 2-4 years. In the second quarter, the companys stock was held by 33 hedge funds with stakes worth $275.91 million. Moore Global Investments is the largest shareholder in the company with a stake worth $33.30 million as of June 30.

Overall NXE ranks 2nd on our list of the best uranium stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of NXE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NXE 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 on Insider Monkey.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.  The mother of a missing North Carolina girl was charged in connection with her disappearance, pleaded guilty, left jail and then fled the United States all within a two-year span.

Madalina Cojocari was last seen getting off a school bus in her hometown of Cornelius, just north of Charlotte, on Nov. 21, 2022, when she was 11 years old. Madalina's mother and stepfather did not report her missing until Dec. 15, 2022, despite telling police the last time they saw their daughter was at home the evening of Nov. 23, 2022.

"It never leaves my mind. And I feel comfortable saying it's the same way for all the detectives and everybody that's invested so much time in this case," Cornelius Police Department Chief David Baucom told Fox News Digital. "There were times at the onset of [the] investigation where some of us didn't go home for 48 hours because we were working the case that hard and chasing down leads and everything else. Of course, that's only sustainable for any person for so long. But  she never leaves our minds."

Madalina's mother, Diana Cojocari, and her stepfather, Christopher Palmiter, were arrested and charged with failing to report a missing child in 2022.

What Happens After Madalina Cojocari's Mom's Guilty Plea?

Madalina Cojocari was last seen in Cornelius, N.C., on Nov. 21, 2022.

Diana pleaded guilty in May and argued that the time she had spent in jail leading up to that point was enough time served.

Read On The Fox News App

A Mecklenburg County jury found Palmiter guilty of failure to report a missing child to law enforcement on May 31 after a weeklong trial, and he was sentenced to 30 months of supervised probation.

MADALINA COJOCARI Missing For 1 Year: Not Going To Stop Until We Find Her

Authorities released Diana from jail around that time, and neighbors reported seeing her back in her quiet, suburban neighborhood in early June. Baucom said she and Palmiter "were never actually living together" after their respective releases from jail, but Diana did appear at the home they formerly shared in the early days of June.

This poster shows Madalina Cojocari, who hasn't been seen since getting off a school bus in November 2022.

In late June, Cornelius police named Diana as the prime suspect in Madalina's disappearance, but she had already left the United States, likely for Moldova, by that point.

Missing North Carolina Girl's Mother Wanted To Smuggle 11-Year-old From Home: Warrant

"And then she eventually left the country. I do not know the exact date that she left the country," Baucom said, adding later that there were no restrictions that could have prevented her from fleeing America.

Madalina Cojocari was last seen in November 2022.

Baucom noted that when Diana was initially arrested in 2022, "[S]he was charged with and served time for the only charge that we could sustain during the initial part of the investigation."

Police were able to get in contact with Diana while she was still in Cornelius after her release, but officials have since lost track of her exact whereabouts and have reached out to federal authorities for help tracking her down overseas.

Madalina Cojocari: North Carolina Police Release New Photo Of 11-Year-old Missing Since November

Authorities arrested and charged Diana Cojocari and Christopher Palmiter with failure to report a missing child to law enforcement after Madalina Cojocari's disappearance from her hometown of Cornelius, N.C., in November 2022.

"We have made that request, but we have not heard back if it's been fulfilled yet," the police chief said of the Cornelius Police Department's request to federal officials.

Diana was in the U.S. on a green card. In May, Palmiter filed for a divorce against his estranged wife.

Missing Madalina Cojocari: Timeline Of North Carolina Girl's Disappearance That Went Unreported For Weeks

"It's unfortunate that she went back to Moldova, but our case here is still ongoing, and we're going to continue to investigate it," Baucom said when asked if Diana's decision to leave the country will impede efforts to find Madalina, who would be 13 years old today. "While this investigation has been complicated from the word go  from us being behind three weeks right off the start, it definitely doesn't make our investigation any easier with her not being here. But it doesn't change what we're doing. We'll continue to investigate."

Madalina Cojocari

Based on their investigation so far, Cornelius police do not believe Madalina ever left the United States, though they are not dismissing any possibilities.

"It's still a very active case. We still meet regularly on it. We have a detective assigned to it. So by no means is it a cold case, and I just want to make sure the community and really whoever else sees this  [knows] our goal is to find Madalina," Baucom said.

Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X

Cornelius, N.C., residents say they saw Diana Cojocari at the neighborhood pool and walking downtown before she left town.

Diana told school officials and Cornelius police she hadn't seen her daughter, a sixth-grader at Bailey Middle School who was born in Moldova, since she went to her bedroom on Nov. 23, 2022, around 10 p.m. after she and Palmiter got into an argument, court documents state.

Palmiter said that on Nov. 24, 2022, he drove to his relatives' home in Michigan "to recover some items" after an argument with his wife. Diana apparently went into her daughter's room around 11:30 that morning and discovered the 11-year-old was gone, according to an affidavit.

WATCH: MADALINA LAST SEEN GETTING OFF SCHOOL BUS IN 2022

When Palmiter returned home to Cornelius on Nov. 26, Diana apparently asked him where their daughter was. Palmiter asked her the same question in return, the affidavit states.

Police did not find out about Madalina's disappearance until a school truancy report from the 11-year-old's middle school.

Go Here For More True Crime From Fox News Digital

Bailey Middle School resource officers, along with a school counselor, attempted a home visit at the Cojocari address on Dec. 12 after Madalina had not shown up for school since Nov. 21. No one answered the door, and the school counselor left a truancy package at the home.

Search warrants unsealed last year suggest Diana and her mother contacted a distant relative asking if he would help in "smuggling" Diana and Madalina from their Cornelius home before Madalina disappeared, according to phone records obtained by the Cornelius Police Department.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about Madalina's whereabouts to contact the CPD at 704-892-7773.





Original article source: North Carolina police believe missing girl's mother fled to home country after jail release
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  More than 13,000 band students were marching to the beat of the music on Saturday at Morningside University. 17 regional marching bands gathered at Elwood-Olsen stadium for the Starfest marching band competition hosted by North High School.

High school band students from across Siouxland played for their chance to be named grand champion, but despite the competition all teams were practicing good sportsmanship.

Donation Depot fundraiser teams up two organizations hit hard by Big Sioux flood

Its absolutely amazing seeing the camaraderie from the band students from every school cheering each other on, North High School band director Pat Toben said. Youll see them along the pit row cheering each other on. Youll see the parent volunteers and the directors also high fiving each other. Its just a competitive activity, yet at the same point, were all in it for the art and for our kids.

This was the 26th year the North High band has hosted Starfest.

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North Korea claims that US military aid to Ukraine is 'incredible mistake'

North Korea, facing accusations of illegally supplying weapons to Russia, slammed the U.S. decision to send $8 billion in military aid to Ukraine, labeling it an "incredible mistake" and warning that it risks sparking nuclear conflict with Russia.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced the new aid package, which includes long-range weapons to strengthen Ukraine's ability to hit Russian targets from safer distances, during President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington.

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused the U.S. of intensifying the war in Ukraine and pushing Europe toward the edge of nuclear war, according to Reuters.

In a statement released by state news agency KCNA, Kim said: "The United States and the West should not dismiss or underestimate Russia's serious warning. Are they truly prepared to face the consequences of recklessly playing with fire against Russia, a nuclear superpower?"

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly cautioned that Russia may use nuclear weapons if attacked, and he views any assault on Russia supported by a nuclear-armed nation as a collective strike.

Kim also condemned the U.S. decision to provide further military aid to Zelensky, calling it a "dangerous and irresponsible gamble" and describing the move as "an incredible mistake and foolish act." Kim regularly issues statements on North Korea's political and security positions, which are widely believed to reflect the views of the country's supreme leader.

Read also: West should not fight to victory against nuclear state, Russian FM says at UN

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For an earlier report on this story view the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  An unsolved murder of a 15-year-old boy in northeast Columbus has reached four years and authorities are still searching for new leads.

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and Columbus police are seeking help in new information related to the death of Dawaun Lewis-Taylor, who was gunned down on Sept. 29, 2020, in the Forest Park East neighborhood.

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Officers responded to the 4800 block of Heatherton Drive, near Northtowne Park, where Lewis-Taylor was found with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead just before 4 p.m.

Dewaun Lewis Taylor (Courtesy/Central Ohio Crime Stoppers)

While the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unknown, police said that a silver Chrysler 300 was seen fleeing the scene shortly afterward, heading east on Trent Road toward Northtowne Boulevard.

Lewis-Taylor was one of 21 children in Columbus who were killed in shootings in 2020.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the person(s) responsible for this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
(FOX40.COM)  A 29-year-old woman was arrested in connection to a newborn baby who was found on the side of the road earlier this week.

On Thursday, the Lodi Police Department responded to a call about an infant near Tokay Street and Sacramento Street in San Joaquin County. Upon arrival at the scene, officers said they found an unresponsive infant. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene.

Baby found dead in Lodi, police say

An investigation led LPD to arrest 29-year-old Kathryn Grace Copeland on Saturday. She was booked into the San Joaquin County jail for alleged abandonment of a deceased newborn and other related charges.

An incident like this can be difficult and evoke a wide range of emotions, LPD said. Not only does it affect our community but also our first responders, including our officers, dispatchers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Please remember that several organizations and resources are available to help those in need.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Norway is considering building fence on border with Russia following Finland's example

The Norwegian government is considering building a fence along the border with Russia to improve the security situation in the country. The fence should help in the event of a refugee flow from Russia to Norway.

Source: Yle, citing NRK, European Pravda reports

Details: A similar situation reportedly occurred in Norway in 2015, when 5,000 Russian asylum seekers arrived on foot and bicycles through Storskog, the only border crossing between Norway and Russia.

Norwegian Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl said that the construction of a fence could be one way to improve the security situation.

The NRK reports that Mehl was inspired by the example of Finland, which continues to build fences on its border with Russia.

She stressed that the construction of barriers is an expensive process, so it is necessary to estimate the relevance of such investments.

In particular, the minister of justice believes that it is also possible to invest in the purchase of drones to patrol the territory, as well as in increasing the number of border guards in Storskog.

The NRK added that it is unclear whether the fence is to be built along the entire Norwegian-Russian border or only on a separate section of it. The land border between Norway and Russia is 200 km long.

Background:

Last year, Norway repeatedly declared its readiness to shut down the only checkpoint on the border with Russia if necessary.

Recently, it was reported that Norway is introducing enhanced border security measures in the east of Finnmark county, where it shares a common border with Russia, in view of possible threats.

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Not even worried: Bill Maher is sure Trump is definitely going to lose

HBO host Bill Maher on Friday predicted that former President Donald Trump would definitely lose.

Maher discussed the possibility of Trump winning the election with a panel including author Fran Lebowitz, commentator Ian Bremmer and Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari.

Give us a few weeks. You never know. We still dont know if we are going to repeat that mistake, Bremmer said.

Were not. Ive already put my marker down on that, Maher replied.

Youre not even worried about it? asked Lebowitz.

No, not at all, Maher replied. No, no, no. Hes definitely going to lose. You can just feel it.

I hope youre right, Lebowitz said.

Still, Maher predicted that the polls would continue to be even.

I promise you. Dont worry. Dont think about it. I dont think about it, he said. And then, even if he does win, well you wouldnt have gone through all that stress.
Former President Donald Trump expressed his frustration over a fly that approached his lectern in a bizarre moment during a rally speech.

Trump was on stage at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, making a point about a hat, when he appeared to get distracted by the creature.

Oh theres a fly, the former president said. I wonder where the fly came from?

One audience member shouted out Kamala.

Trump continued: See, two years ago, I wouldnt have had a fly up here. Youre changing rapidly. We cant take it any longer. It wasnt clear who or what the president was referring to before he changed the subject.

The internet was quick to react to Trumps unexpected outburst, with MSNBC host and legal analyst Katie Phang saying this is not normal.

Trump: Oh, there's a fly. Oh, I wonder where the fly came from. See, two years ago, I wouldn't have had a fly up here. Youre changing rapidly. We cant take it any longer pic.twitter.com/ZiLoNJfuTQ  Acyn (@Acyn) September 28, 2024

Meanwhile, American Bridge 21st Century, who describe themselves an a Republican accountability group, said: Trump is exhausted and struggling to stay on track. He begins a story about a hat, but gets distracted by a fly and never finishes. He starts a entirely new story and struggles with the word unique.

Many others drew the comparison between Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, after a fly landed on the latters head and remained there for almost two minutes during his 2020 debate with Kamala Harris.

Trump seemed to get distracted by a fly during a rally speech on Saturday (AP)

In separate remarks made during his speech, Trump again dialed up his rhetoric against Harris, calling her mentally disabled and mentally impaired. Harris visited the US-Mexico border earlier this week and most of Trumps speech took aim at migrants who have entered the US illegally.

Posters of migrants who have been charged with murder and other violent crimes surrounded Trump on stage. Some of them read: End Migrant Crime and Deport Illegals Now. He referred to those who had been charged as monsters, stone-cold killers and vile animals.

He continued to blame Harris and President Joe Biden for the influx of migrants coming into the country, and claimed some of them wanted to rape, pillage, thieve, plunder and kill the people of the United States of America. In fact, a 2024 study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University found immigrants have never been incarcerated at a greater rate than people born in the United States over an 150-year period.

While speaking at her own news conference from the border, Harris vowed to fix the countrys broken immigration system and accused the former president of fanning the flames of fear and division.
NEW YORK - Ingrid Lewis-Martin, chief adviser to the now indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams has joined a growing list of names who are being looked into by the feds.

Lewis-Martin was met at the airport on Friday by federal officials with a subpoena after her flight from Japan.

Mayor Eric Adams flanked by his Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright (L) and Ingrid Lewis-Martin are pictured during his weekly in person press conference at City Hall Blue Room Tuesday morning. During the press conference the Mayor discussed about New York City budget, spending cuts and mostly about the migrants crisis and was a bit angry when he spoke about the migrants that have been committing crimes and abusing the privilege to be in living in America. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Her home was searched, and her phone was seized by the Southern District of New York (SDNY).

This comes the same day Adams pleaded not guilty to federal bribery charges.

Lewis' attorney, Arthur Aidala, told FOX News that "She will cooperate fully with any and all investigations and [she] is not the target of any case of which we are aware."

It is unclear at this time why the feds might be looking into Ingrid Lewis-Martin, however she joins a long list of officials who have been approached by the feds.

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2022/06/24: Ingrid Lewis-Martin speaks during Mayor Eric Adams and city employees gathered on steps of City Hall on the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs. Wade effectively banning abortions in the US. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Adams is due back in court Wednesday for a conference before U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho, who will preside over the case going forward.

Who is Ingrid Lewis-Martin?

UNITED STATES -January 2: Mayor Eric Adams leaves an in-person media availability with Ingrid Lewis-Martin at city hall Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in Manhattan, New York. (Photo by Barry Williams for NY Daily News via Getty Images)

Chaplain Ingrid Lewis-Martin became chief advisor to the mayor in January 2022.

She most recently served as deputy Brooklyn borough president.

Prior to her role as deputy Brooklyn borough president, she served for more than five years as then-State Senator Adams senior advisor and for seven years as his chief of staff.

Here's a look at other aides and officials under investigation, what the inquiries involve, and how they all connect to Eric Adams:

Click on each name for more details.

Some of the people listed have been asked for information and have not necessarily been charged with a crime. The city's Department of Investigation is part of the four investigations.

Eric Adams: Indicted and official residence searched after devices seized and subpoenaed

Brianna Suggs: Former chief fund-raiser who reassigned after home search and devices seizure

Rana Abbasova: Aide to Adams who is reportedly on leave and cooperating with inquiry after home search

Cenk Ocal: Former Turkish Airlines executive whose home was reportedly searched

Reyhan Ozgur: According to the Times, Ozgur is a former Turkish consul general in New York who was named in a subpoena

Arda Sayiner: According to the Times, Sayiner is a brand adviser of sorts, who was named in a subpoena

Federal investigation into top City Hall aides, allies

Timothy Pearson: Senior adviser to the senior whose phone was seized

Philip Banks III: Deputy mayor for public safety whose phone was seized

Terence Banks: Philip Banks' brother and consultant whose home was searched and phone was seized

David C. Banks: Philip Banks' brother and schools chancellor who is resigning after phones were seized

Sheena Wright: First deputy mayor and partner of David Banks' partner whose phone was seized

Track live updates on Adams' indictment here .

Federal investigation into former police commissioner's twin brother

Edward A. Caban: Former police commissioner who resigned after phone was seized

James Caban: Former police officer and brother to Edward whose phone was seized

Raul Pintos: Chief of staff under Caban who reportedly retired after commissioner resignation and phone seizure

Other investigations, legal concerns

Others who have resigned, not implicated

Lisa Zornberg: Adams' chief counsel resigned on Sept. 15

Dr. Ashwi Vasan: Health Commissioner of New York City who submitted his resignation and will leave his position by the end of this year.

In a press conference detailing the indictment, NYC Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber said her office would seek to hold others accountable in the Adams investigation "no matter their role or title."
NEW YORK  Outgoing Schools Chancellor David Banks and his decade-plus partner First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright plan to finally tie the knot this weekend, as a federal corruption probe ensnares the Banks family, three sources familiar with their nuptial plans tell The New York Daily News.

The wedding ceremony between two of Mayor Eric Adams top aides, on Marthas Vineyard, was reportedly first scheduled for August 2023  but postponed until the most tumultuous week of the Adams administration as the mayor faces federal bribery and foreign campaign donation charges.

Its not clear at which venue the wedding was slated to take place or how many people were expected to attend. But the nuptials were believed to be a very small, tight-knit affair, one source said.

We have been talking about this for a while and now living in Harlem together, and I said its time, Banks said in an interview with New York Magazine in fall 2022, when the pair got engaged.

Their union comes as Banks earlier this month announced his retirement by the end of the year, and Wright is also rumored to be heading out the door. Earlier this week, Adams issued an unusual executive order that eases Wrights ability to delegate her duties.

Mayor Adams, who on Wednesday at Banks retirement news conference in the Bronx referred to the departing schools chancellor as his brother, did not plan to attend.

The mayors in town the whole weekend, Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy said Saturday. Levy declined to say if any taxpayer dollars are being spent on the wedding weekend, but said Wright does not have her own security detail and pays for her own personal travel.

Banks and Wright had their phones seized and Harlem apartment raided by the FBI on Sept. 4. Sources told the Daily News the feds are looking at Davids younger brother, Terence Banks, a government relations consultant who has clients with business before the Department of Education and also got his devices taken and home searched by the feds earlier this month.

Terence Banks clients also have business before agencies under the purview of a third Banks brother, Philip Banks, Adams deputy mayor for public safety whose home was raided and devices seized by the feds earlier this month, too.

None of the Banks brothers have been publicly accused of wrongdoing by the feds.

Adams, the only member of the administration criminally charged to date, pleaded not guilty in Manhattan Federal Court on Friday to charges that he solicited and accepted bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals and government officials in exchange for city government favors.

While theres no indication Banks and Wright are getting hitched for marital privilege, their union could provide them legal cover if prosecutors try to force husband and wife to testify against each other.

Folks can write whatever the hell they want to write. But I know  that is my beloved, Banks said at his retirement news conference at Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice in Concourse Village, where he planted three kisses on Wright. I know my truth. I know my truth.
(Reuters) -New Zealand's Fonterra said on Monday it had upgraded its dividend payout policy and will now pay shareholders 60%-80% of its earnings, up from the previous five years' average of 50%, sending its shares to a more than three-year high.

The dairy firm is also targeting a higher average return on capital, raising it to 10-12%, compared with 9-10% earlier.

"Fonterra is in a strong position, delivering results well above its five-year average, which puts it in a position to think about the next evolution of its strategic delivery," said CEO Miles Hurrell.

Shares rose nearly 3% to NZ$3.95 to their highest level since May 2021, as of 2259 GMT.

Last week, the Auckland-based company reported earnings from continuing operations for fiscal 2024 of 70 NZ cents per share, hitting the top end of its outlook range.

It declared a final dividend of 25 NZ cents per share as well as a special dividend of 15 NZ cents apiece.

The company said it intends to make a "significant" capital return to shareholders upon divestment of its consumer business.

Earlier this year, it had flagged a full or partial sale of its global consumer unit to free up capital.

Over the past few years, Fonterra has shifted its focus to its core business in New Zealand, after its 10,000 farmer shareholders protested rising costs and mounting debt tied to the co-op's offshore expansion.

(Reporting by Ayushman Ojha; Editing by William Maclean, Leslie Adler and Rashmi Aich)
An NYPD cop is charged in two separate indictments with assaulting a suspect with a police radio and lying about a patrol car striking and injuring a motorcyclist, according to the Bronx District Attorney's office.

An NYPD cop allegedly hit a suspect with a police radio and lied about a patrol car which struck and injured a motorist, according to the Bronx District Attorneys office.

Officer Kenny Victoria, 34, who was assigned to the 44th Precinct stationhouse in the South Bronx, was hit with two separate indictments, prosecutors said.

Victoria, a nine-year NYPD veteran, was a passenger in a patrol car that crashed in to a motorcyclist Dec. 16 near Monroe Avenue and East 173rd St., leaving the rider injured, authorities said.

The alleged rogue officer, Kenny Victoria, 34, was assigned to the 44th Precinct stationhouse in the South Bronx, prosecutors said. 50-a.org

Video surveillance showed the cop car accelerated and turned into the motorcyclist as he was entering an intersection, prosecutors said.

Victoria allegedly later filed a report claiming the motorcyclist, who was arrested on reckless endangerment and criminal mischief charges, was doing a wheelie and drove into the police vehicle.

On April 30, near 311 East 170th St., Victoria responded to a call of a man with a gun, and later slammed his police radio on the suspects head, the DA said.

The defendant allegedly lied about a police car accident that injured a motorist to cover up for the officer who was driving, and four months later the defendant allegedly struck a suspect on the head with his radio, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced Friday.

She called Victorias alleged actions a betrayal of public trust.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark called Victorias alleged actions a betrayal of public trust. LightRocket via Getty Images

Victoria was charged in one indictment with attempted offering a false instrument

in the first degree, second-degree offering a false Instrument for filing, second-degree falsifying

business Records, and official misconduct, prosecutors said.

In the second indictment, Victoria was charged with second-degree assault; third-degree assault and official misconduct, according to the investigation.

Victoria was released without bail following his arraignment on the two indictments Friday.

Police Officer Victoria has gone above and beyond in protecting the citizens of New York. We are confident that at trial, the truth will emerge and PO Victoria will be exonerated of any wrongdoing, Victorias lawyer, Todd Spodek, told The Post.

The NYPD said Victoria has been suspended without pay.
Appearing on MSNBCs All In With Chris Hayes on Friday, New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg had some advice for Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz ahead of the upcoming debate against JD Vance.

Walz, she said, should try to needle Donald Trump remotely by reminding viewers that Vance has frequently spoken ill of him.

The comment came during a discussion with host Chris Hayes about the extremist right wing politics Vance has espoused since becoming Trumps running mate. Of note, a big story published Friday by the Washington Post that revealed JD Vance continued to criticize Trump in extremely harsh terms as recently as 2020.

I think what JD Vance, some of what JD Vance is doing is not intentional, right? Like, a lot of the stuff that people dont like about him were things he was saying in right wing outlets when hes trying to win a very right wing primary for Ohio Senate. But since hes become the nominee, he hasnt changed, Hayes said. And I think of it basically a kamikaze mission, which is, people are not going to like me, and I dont care, Ill be like low on favorability, but Im going to deliver this kind of poison into the discourse every day.

I dont know if its effective or not, but how do you read it? Hayes asked Goldberg.

I think that that is certainly going to be his approach in the debate, right? Because people dont like him, so he can be mean, he can be vicious, and right now, Tim Walz is one of the most popular politicians in the country, right? Even after all sorts of smears about his military service, attacks on his family and the like. And so what JD Vance has to do is just drag Tim waltz down into the mud with him, and I think that he will probably be pretty vicious and pretty skillful in trying to do that, Golberg said.

What I hope Tim Walz does, she continued, I mean, you mentioned this Washington Post story. I think this is such a bombshell. And I really think that the political media and the political the political world is under reacting to this, because we all knew that. JD Vance, you know, said all these things about Donald Trump, compared him to Hitler, compared him to heroin, and his story for why hes now on the ticket is that Donald Trumps presidency changed his mind. Donald Trumps presidency proved him wrong.

So here he has, here he is saying that Donald Trump failed in the thing that Donald Trump supporters kind of point to as the central reason why he should be returned to office. I mean, this is just, I think this undoes the entire conversion narrative that JD Vance has tried to has tried to spin, Goldberg added.

And its so incumbent on Tim Walsh not just to make that clear to people, but just as Kamala Harris kind of needled Donald Trump when she was on stage with him, I think that Tim Walz can do this remotely. Because I dont think Donald Trump knew about these quotes, and hes not going to be happy to find out JD Vances verdict on him, she said.

Watch the whole segment below:

The post NYT Columnist Michelle Goldberg Hopes Tim Walz Baits Trump Remotely During VP Debate | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Officers shoot at suspect who rammed police cruisers with stolen vehicle, Irving PD says

IRVING, Texas - A suspect in a stolen truck is in the hospital after being shot at by Irving police on Saturday morning.

The Irving Police Department says the truck's owner called police shortly before 2 a.m. to tell them his vehicle was being stolen from his apartment complex on Meridian Drive.

The truck's owner witnessed the theft and hopped into his second vehicle to chase it. Officers located them and pursued the stolen vehicle into Grand Prairie.

The stolen vehicle eventually reached a dead end on Singleton Boulevard, near the TRA Wastewater Plant.

Police say the suspect attempted to escape by repeatedly ramming multiple police vehicles. Officers at the scene fired at the suspect.

Irving PD is not saying if the driver was hit by gunfire, only that he has minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.

"We havent seen any issues with theft or seen any broken glass or even heard any commotion so, definitely weird for this area," said Tristan Smits, who lives at the apartment complex where the truck was stolen with his wife.

FOX 4 spoke over the phone with the man whose truck was stolen.

He says while chasing the suspect he gave 911 dispatchers a rundown of every street and highway they were on until police caught up.

"Id do the same thing in that situation, just keep a distance just so you know where theyre going," said Smits.

Irving police say criminal and administrative investigations are underway, as per police policy.

Grand Prairie Police and the Dallas County Public Integrity Unit are conducting a separate investigation.

The name of the suspect has not yet been released.
OG&E crews arrive in Georgia to restore power after Hurricane Helene devastates the Southeast

ATLANTA, Ga. (KFOR)  Oklahoma Gas and Electric crews arrived to Georgia Friday to assist in restoring power following Hurricane Helene devastating parts of the Southeast.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday night, bringing damaging winds and rain to nearby states. The tropical cyclone has left 4 million residents without power.

RELATED STORY: OG&E crews leave for Georgia as Hurricane Helene slams the coast

OG&E crews arrived to Georgia to help restore power following Hurricane Helene

OG&E crews arrived to Georgia to help restore power following Hurricane Helene

OG&E crews arrived to Georgia to help restore power following Hurricane Helene

According to OG&E, crews arrived in Georgia on Friday and quickly began to assist in the east metro of Atlanta, in areas such as Lithonia, Collinsville, and Stonecrest.

OG&E workers have been working 16-hour shifts to bring power back on to customers, dealing with continuous flooding, road closures, and extensive tree damage.

The devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene make our crews work all the more critical, said Chad Guthrie, OG&E Director of Distribution Construction. With hundreds of thousands of people without power, it was important our crews restore power as soon as the conditions were safe to do so. As of Saturday mid-morning, approximately 540,000 customers remained impacted by the storm in Georgia.

OG&E crews arrived to Georgia to help restore power following Hurricane Helene

OG&E crews arrived to Georgia to help restore power following Hurricane Helene

Georgias biggest electric company, Georgia Power, asked for assistance before the arrival of Hurricane Helene. OG&E crews left from Oklahoma on Thursday with expectation of widespread outages in Georgia.

Mutual assistance crews can only be stationed for up to 14 days, but OG&E will rotate in additional crews if more assistance is needed.

Were grateful to our crews who stepped in swiftly to help restore power to the countless impacted by this powerful hurricane, said Andrea Dennis, OG&E Vice President of Transmission & Distribution Operations. They were prepared to provide their support and expertise, and I commend their willingness to help step in even in challenging conditions.

OG&E crews were last deployed out of state in mid-September to help assist in power restoration in Louisiana following Hurricane Francine. They were also stationed in south Texas following Hurricane Beryl in July.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The Omni New Haven Hotel and its employees agree on a new contract following strike

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Employees of the Omni New Haven Hotel reached an agreement on a new contract with the hotel Saturday afternoon following months of protests and negotiations.

The New contracts include a first-year wage increase up to 14.5% and and access to union healthcare and pension plan benefits.

We are thrilled that our members at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale stood together and secured a contract that respects their hard work and dedication, Josh Stanley, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 217UNITE HERE, said in a statement released to the press on Saturday.

The strike was a part of a national plan to apply pressure to the service industry over treatment of employees. Omni Hotel workers were among 10,000 workers across the U.S. who went on strike in September. Service industry negotiations in Baltimore, Boston, Honolulu and Seattle remain unresolved.

Omni Hotel workers striking in New Haven

Stanley went on to say,  We are seeing a wave of worker power in the hospitality industry, and these wins in Connecticut will inspire workers from coast to coast.

The contract for most workers at the Omni Hotel expired on March 31st of this year and many refused to resign citing rigorous workloads and salaries that couldnt meet the current cost of living as their reasons. Negotiations between the employees, who are members of Union Local 217 -UNITE HERE, and the hotel slowed over the summer, leading to the strike in September.

On the morning of September 12, a total of 122 employees, including housekeepers, cooks, servers, bartenders and bellmen, walked off their posts at the hotel for four days.

Now, on the other side of the strike, employees at the Omni are able to make plans for their future.

Kadiata Lam has been a Room Attendant at the Omni for the last seven years. Lam, who participated in the strike, said I can finally start saving for retirement and furnish the new apartment Im moving into with my daughter It is a huge step forward for all of us, and Im so proud of what weve achieved together.

News 8 has reached out to the Omni Hotel for a comment on the new contract.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
One hospitalized after serious motorcycle crash in Roxbury

Police are investigating after a person was seriously injured after a crash involving a motorcycle in Roxbury Saturday afternoon.

Boston police officers responded to the intersection of Northampton Street and Washington Street around 3:06 p.m. for a crash between a car and a motorcycle, a department spokesperson said.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries, Boston police say.

An investigation is active and ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
One injured, teen charged with attempted murder in Eunice shooting

EUNICE, La. (KLFY)  A 17-year-old suspect was charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting that left one person injured Sunday morning, according to the Eunice Police Department.

Police said Chrininski Voris, of Eunice, faces one count of attempted second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

Eunice police said in a news release on Sunday that three people were taken into custody for questioning regarding a shooting that was reported around 10 a.m. at a home on Fusilier Street.

A male victim had been shot in the abdomen while inside the residence, police said. The victim was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition.

The shooting remains under investigation.

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GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  One person was killed Sunday morning after a fight turned into a stabbing.

According to the Greenville County Sheriffs Office, at around 1:23 a.m. deputies were called to a scene on Sulphur Springs Road. At the scene, deputies found Rodardric Larrayle Dawkins, 50, with a stab wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriffs office said Dawkins and another individual had been in an altercation which led to the stabbing. One person has been detained, though no charges have been filed at this time.

The stabbing remains under investigation. We will update this story as more information becomes available.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A man was shot in leg near SW 15th Street and S Grand Boulevard Sunday afternoon.

| LOCAL NEWS > OG&E crews arrive in Georgia to restore power after Hurricane Helene devastates the Southeast >

Oklahoma City Police reported that here is no information on the shooter. The call for the shooting came in sometimes after 3 p.m.

The man who was shot is expected to survive.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
After ninety years of flickering films entertaining moviegoers in Santa Monica, The Santa Monica Daily Press reports that one of the citys last movie theaters closed this week. Most recently it was a multiplex run by AMC, but the buildings history dates back to 1934 when it opened as the Elmiro theater. Built in the midst of the Great Depression, when people thought of movies as a cheap way to escape the burdens of real life (some of us still do), the Elmiro was designed with an enthusiastic amalgam of jazzy styles dancing around the promenade.

The Santa Monica Conservancy describes it as a three-dimensional Art Deco design, combining both Art Deco (zig-zag -phase) and Streamline Moderne. Of course, a massive neon sign crowned the confection spelling out E-L-M-I-R-O in bright neon, which likely flashed through the night.

The brand new Elmiro theater in Santa Monica, 1934 Photo by Mott Studios/California State Library

The theater survived Third Street turning into a pedestrian mall in the 1960s. Operations were taken over by Loews and General Cinemas in the 1970s and it later became a Spanish-language house run by Metropolitan Theaters. Historian Bill Counter posts an exhaustive history here. At the end of its first life in 1987, developers sliced off the facade and demolished everything behind it to build a multistory mixed use project that would includea movie theater!

The Elmiro later became the Broadway, 2007 Photo by M.V. Jantzen

The restored facade boasted the new Broadway Cinemas which debuted around the same time as the newly remade Santa Monica Promenade, which became famous for street performers, dinosaur topiary, and an active street life. Backers keep trying to bring back shoppers, but the street has suffered in recent years with multiple vacancies, crime, and an absence of crowds.

The rebuilt Elmiro may have lacked architectural pizazz beyond the front doors, but it kept moviegoing alive as part of the bustling district. Cineplex Odeon took over operations, and later AMC, and blockbusters came and went until this week when the house went dark. The town where Robert Redford, Sean Penn, Anjelica Huston and countless show people were born and live today, there are three places to gather and see movies. There were once more than two dozen movie theaters in the city by the sea. Today, only the Aero, Laemmle, and AMC 7 remain.

The new Elmiro Theater in Santa Monica in 1934 Photo by Mott Studios/California State Library
Eight major leaps: Witnessing China's economic rise through the numbers

People's Daily Online) 14:04, September 29, 2024

In the 75 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), especially since the reform and opening-up launched in 1978, China has continuously explored its own path of opening to the outside world, actively participated in international economic cooperation and competition, and achieved a great historical transformation from being closed or semi-closed to all-round openness. Recently, the National Bureau of Statistics released a report on the 75 years of economic and social development achievements of New China, showcasing the leapfrog development in foreign economic and trade fields since the founding of the PRC.

What achievements has China made in foreign trade over these 75 years? Let's take a look at eight sets of data and eight major leaps.

Photo shows a view of the container terminal of the Rizhao Port in Rizhao city, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Leap One: From less than 1 percent to 1/8

The share of China's total import and export of goods in the global total increased from less than 1 percent to 1/8.

From muddy beaches, bustling ports have emerged; old narrow-gauge railways have transformed into electrified dual-track lines; and standard shipping containers now stand where once there were only rudimentary cargo yards... Over 75 years, the share of China's total import and export of goods in the global total has risen from less than 1 percent to 1/8, marking an extraordinary leap.

In 1950, China's total import and export of goods was only $1.1 billion, accounting for less than 1 percent of the world's total. Before the reform and opening-up, it was rare for foreigners to see products labeled "Made in China", and imported goods were scarce in the domestic market. Cuban sugar, Iraqi dates, and Albanian cigarettes... these are some of the few memories that the older generation of Chinese people have about imported goods back then.

Since 1978, particularly after joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, China has continuously improved its level of opening up, steadily expanding the scale of merchandise trade. In 2013, China became the world's largest merchandise trading nation for the first time. In 2023, China's total import and export of goods reached $5.9 trillion, with a global share rising to 12.4 percent, maintaining the top position for seven consecutive years.

Along the long coastline, mega-ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, and Guangzhou connect maritime arteries, supporting more than 30 percent of the world's maritime foreign trade, linking China's super-sized market with the global industrial and supply chains.

In a testament to China's growing trade prowess, the China-Europe freight train service has become a major international transportation artery connecting Asia and Europe. In the first eight months of this year, China-Europe freight trains made 13,000 trips and transported around 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of goods.

Globally, China's prominent position in the cross-border trade landscape has become increasingly evident. From 2013 to 2023, China's annual growth rate of import and export of goods averaged 4 percent, which is 1.6 percentage points higher than the global average during the same period. With a more proactive opening-up strategy, new competitive advantages in foreign trade have been continuously formed, and the status as a major trading nation has been further consolidated.

Leap Two: From less than 20 percent to 95.1 percent

The proportion of manufactured good exports in the total export value increased from less than 20 percent in the early days after the founding of the PRC to 95.1 percent in 2023.

At the beginning of the PRC, the main characteristic of the trade structure was the export of primary products such as agricultural and sideline products in exchange for foreign currency to import machinery and other manufactured goods.

After the reform and opening-up, with the improvement of China's industrial production capacity, the structure of import and export commodities underwent a fundamental change, with its exports shifting from mainly primary products to mainly manufactured goods.

Looking at exports, with the development of science and technology and the continuous progress of productivity, the technological content of China's foreign trade products has continued to increase. Looking at imports, the ratio of China's manufactured goods import value to the import value of primary products dropped from 4.5 times in the 1980s and 1990s to 1.4 times in 2023, with China's imported goods transitioning from a focus on manufactured goods to a balanced development of primary and manufactured goods.

Before, when talking about "Made in China" overseas, it referred to the "old three": home appliances, furniture, and clothing. In recent years, the export scale of the "new three" productsphotovoltaic products, electric vehicles, and lithium-ion batterieshas significantly increased. In the first eight months of this year, the export of mechanical and electrical products accounted for nearly 60 percent of the total export value, and the export advantages of cars and integrated circuits continue to be consolidated.

China's exported goods are climbing to the high end of the global industrial and value chains. High technology, high added value, and green low-carbon development have become the new labels of China's export products.

Leap Three: From over 40 countries and regions to more than 230

China's foreign trade partners have expanded from over 40 countries and regions at the beginning of the reform and opening-up to more than 230 countries and regions today.

Behind the smooth flow of cross-border trade is the continuously improving level of trade facilitation between China and more than 230 countries and regions worldwide.

In the early days of the PRC, the main foreign trade partners of China were the Soviet Union and Eastern European socialist countries. At the beginning of the reform and opening-up, China's foreign trade partners had grown to over 40 countries and regions. Since the reform and opening up, especially after joining the WTO, China has actively adapted to the international market situation, continuously deepening economic and trade exchanges with countries around the world, and diversifying its trade partners.

Entering the new era, China has implemented a more proactive and open strategy, continuously pushing for a broader, wider, and deeper level of opening up, making trade relations with various countries closer and expanding the scale of trade with emerging markets.

Today, China's foreign trade partners have expanded to more than 230 countries and regions, and China has become a major trading partner for over 140 countries and regions.

China's imports and exports with partner countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) hit 19.5 trillion yuan (about $2.78 trillion) in 2023, making up 46.6 percent of the country's total import and export volume, compared to 10.1 trillion yuan in 2013 when the BRI was first put forward.

Leap Four: From over 10 to 645,000

In 1978, there were only over 10 specialized general companies in China engaged in foreign trade business; by 2023, the number of foreign trade entities with actual import and export business reached 645,000.

Before the reform and opening up, China's foreign trade operators were primarily state-owned enterprises, and foreign trade was conducted according to national directive plans, with operating rights managed uniformly by the state. After the reform and opening up, as foreign trade operating rights were liberalized, foreign-invested and private enterprises entered the market.

In 2004, the revised "Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China" changed the management of foreign trade operating rights from an approval system to a registration system, removing the threshold restrictions on foreign trade operating rights, leading to a substantial increase in the number of foreign trade enterprises. In 2019, private enterprises became the main force in the development of China's foreign trade. By 2023, the share of imports and exports by private enterprises in the total import and export volume increased to 53.5 percent, maintaining the position as the largest foreign trade operating entity in China for five consecutive years.

With many ships vying to navigate the vast ocean of the international market, the dynamic Chinese foreign trade entities will continue to forge ahead through the waves.

A China-Europe freight train departs from the Tuanjiecun Station in the Chongqing International Logistics Hub Park in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

Leap Five: From almost zero to fourth in the world

The scale of China's service trade has grown from almost zero at the beginning of the founding of the PRC to $933.1 billion in 2023, ranking fourth in the world.

Service trade is an important component of international trade and a significant driver of economic globalization. At the beginning of the PRC, China's service trade was virtually non-existent; before the reform and opening up, China's service trade was limited to a small amount of technical assistance abroad and inbound tourism services.

In the early days of the reform and opening up, China's service trade was mainly focused on traditional services such as transportation and travel. In terms of scale, in 1982, China's total service trade import and export value was $4.69 billion, ranking 34th in the world. In terms of structure, in the 1980s, traditional services accounted for more than 80 percent of the total service trade import and export value on average.

From 1983 to 2023, the annual growth rate of China's total service trade imports and exports exceeded the global average by 6.5 percentage points, with its share in the global total service trade steadily increasing.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has actively carried out comprehensive pilot programs for expanding the opening up of the service sector, and the scale of service trade has continuously expanded, reaching $933.1 billion in 2023, ranking fourth in the world.

From nothing to something, from weak to strong, the quality of service trade development has been continuously improving.

Leap Six: From the Canton Fair to the CIIE

The first Canton Fair was attended by only over 10 countries and regions. Today, various exhibitions such as the Canton Fair, the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), the China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), and the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) have been driving the expansion of China's foreign trade "friend circle".

Large economic and trade fairs like CIFTIS are important channels for foreign trade companies to secure orders. "Reaping rich rewards" is a common sentiment shared by many participating enterprises.

When it comes to China's foreign trade exhibitions, one cannot overlook the Canton Fair. As the longest-running comprehensive international trade fair in China, the Canton Fair is known as "China's No. 1 exhibition". In the spring of 1957, the first Canton Fair attracted more than 1,200 buyers from 19 countries and regions, with a transaction volume exceeding $86 million. The Canton Fair has been held 135 times, establishing trade ties with 229 countries and regions worldwide. Throughout its history, the fair has facilitated approximately $1.5 trillion in export transactions and attracted more than 10 million international buyers, both in-person and online. This "golden brand" of the Canton Fair continues to shine with new era brilliance.

Various large-scale exhibitions continue to develop, becoming important platforms for China to expand its opening up and deepen international cooperation, promoting mutual benefits and win-win outcomes between China and the rest of the world.

According to data from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, in 2023, China hosted 3,923 economic and trade exhibitions, a year-on-year increase of 117.1 percent, and an increase of 10.6 percent compared to 2019. These exhibitions have been expanding China's foreign trade "friend circle" continuously.

Leap Seven: From one pilot zone to 22 "experimental fields"

In 2023, the combined import and export value of 22 pilot free trade zones (FTZs) amounted to 7.7 trillion yuan, accounting for 18.4 percent of China's total import and export value.

Establishing FTZs is a significant move in China's efforts to promote reform and opening up. This initiative began in 2013 and was first implemented in Shanghai.

Since the establishment of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in 2013, China has continuously optimized and improved the layout of FTZs, forming a pattern of reform, opening up, and innovation that covers the east, west, north, south, and central regions, integrating coastal, inland, and border areas:

Over 11 years, China has successively set up 22 pilot FTZs, proactively aligning with international rules in trade, investment, and finance, accumulating rich experience for advancing high-level opening up.

China has deployed over 3,400 reform pilot tasks in the "experimental fields" of FTZs, summarizing and refining seven batches of reform pilot experiences and four batches of best practice cases at the national level, and replicating and promoting over 300 institutional innovation achievements across the country.

A report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) noted that China's pilot FTZs adhere to local conditions, highlighting regional characteristics, adopting a phased and gradual approach to enhance the facilitation of investment and trade, promote innovation and technological development, and expand the opening up of key sectors such as services and digital industries, achieving positive results.

Leap Eight: From one framework agreement to 22 free trade agreements

On June 2 last year, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement took effect for all its 15 members.

China's total imports and exports with the other 14 RCEP members reached 12.6 trillion yuan in 2023, representing a 5.3 percent increase from 2021.

The 15 RCEP members account for around 30 percent of the global population, global GDP and global trade, and the full implementation of the RCEP marked the start of a new stage for the trade bloc with the world's largest population and trade volume as well as the greatest development potential, said an official with China's Ministry of Commerce.

By the end of 2023, China had signed 22 free trade agreements (FTAs) with 29 countries and regions.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Hongyu)
The only one who loves me is my dog  can I leave everything to him when I die?

Over the next 20 years, an astounding $84 trillion in assets is projected to change hands as older Americans pass down wealth to younger generations. But what if you dont want to leave your money behind to your spoiled child or ungrateful siblings?

You could choose a charitable organization as the beneficiary of your estate. But if you have a beloved pet, you may decide that they should be the recipient of your wealth upon your passing.

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At first, the idea of leaving an inheritance to an animal might seem ridiculous. But its actually perfectly legal. You just have to know how to pull it off. Here are some options to look at.

Name a guardian for your pet in your will

You can't leave your home behind to your pet because pets can't own real estate. Similarly, you can name a person as a beneficiary of an investment account you own, but pets can't own stocks and bonds.

Simply put, a pet cant own property because pets are generally considered property in the eyes of the law. But what you can do is name a guardian for your pet in your will and have them inherit these assets with explicit instructions to use them for your pet's care. In doing so, though, you run the risk that your pet's guardian won't follow your wishes.

You also might struggle to find an appropriate guardian. If you're leaving your assets to your pet instead of your adult children, that's unlikely to sit well. So naming one of them to care for your pet upon your passing could backfire.

You should also know that in this type of situation, your family members might contest your will. And they also might win.

In 2008, a New York probate court overruled real estate mogul Leona Helmsley's $12 million gift to her Maltese, reducing the dog's share to $2 million. That's still a lot of dog treats, though.

Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market  here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead

Set up a trust for your pet

An option for leaving your estate to your pet with a legally binding obligation to oversee its care is to set up a trust. You can transfer assets into the trust and designate a pet as beneficiary. But you'll need to designate a guardian through the trust as well.

Story continues

This option can be more foolproof than a will since trusts aren't subject to probate the way wills are. However, you'll need to make provisions for what might happen if your pet outlives its caregiver. Some turtles, for example, can live up to 150 years, so you'll need a detailed succession plan.

Youll also need to make arrangements in the event that your pet dies but theres still money left in your trust. In that situation, you have options. You may decide that upon your pets passing, your designated guardian will inherit your remaining assets. Or, you could decide to leave the rest of your money to a pet care organization, like an animal rescue.

If youre not comfortable designating a guardian for your pet  say, no one you know fits the bill  you can work with an animal rescue organization to be your backup. In the event of your passing, the rescue could take in your pet and find it a suitable home. Some rescues will do this for free, especially if you adopted your pet from them in the first place.

You may also decide to pay an animal sanctuary a sum of money in exchange for being willing to take in your pet upon your passing. Its best to document these arrangements with the help of an attorney to ensure that your pet is cared for properly once youre no longer around.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Recent false allegations against Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, have sparked a deeper reflection on Haitis plight.

Beyond the headlines, its clear that Haiti is struggling for survival, respect and dignity. The U.S. has a moral obligation to help Haitians rebuild their nation  a country not only close to Americas shores but deeply intertwined with our history.



A stable and thriving Haiti is not just about national security  its about doing whats right. Haitians deserve the freedom, dignity and respect that comes with a secure and prosperous nation. Haitis social, political and economic breakdown offers the U.S. a chance to lead a transformative effort reminiscent of the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild Europe after World War II.



The Marshall Plan was about more than just money; it was about hope. It gave millions of Europeans the tools to rebuild their shattered lives. It also bolstered U.S. interests by stabilizing allies and opening new economic opportunities. Haiti deserves the same chance  to rebuild, to thrive and to stand on its own with pride.



A Marshall Plan for Haiti could unlock the nations untapped potential. Starting with a geological survey to identify natural resources, such as gold and oil, this plan would invite global investment to fuel economic growth. Haiti has an estimated $20 billion in precious minerals, yet the country has been unable to fully tap into that wealth. The neighboring Dominican Republic has shown whats possible by successfully exporting billions in minerals each year. Haiti deserves that same opportunity to rise.



Haitis food insecurity is another critical piece. Chronic hunger drives unrest and political instability. By helping Haiti produce its own food, we can not only ease suffering but create jobs and restore self-reliance. Theres strong demand for American investment in Haitis agribusiness, and by fostering local production, we can ensure that Haitians can feed themselves, building a foundation for long-term stability.



Beyond agriculture, American support can fuel growth in Haitis garment sector and its rich exports of coffee and cacao. Light manufacturing and tech hubs could offer new jobs, especially for the youth, breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a future of possibility.



Haitis natural beauty and rich cultural heritage hold immense potential for tourism. With strategic investments in infrastructure and incentives for hotel developers, tourism could provide steady jobs and attract much-needed capital.



However, to ensure this plan succeeds, the U.S. must work alongside Canada, France and the

international community, investing not only in Haitis economy but in its people. This isnt just about profits or political interests  its about giving Haitians a chance to live with dignity and break free from the chains of poverty and corruption.



As a good neighbor, the U.S. must do more than watch from afar. Now is the time to act. We must offer our support not out of charity, but out of a shared belief that Haitians, like all people, deserve the chance to rebuild, thrive and hold their heads high.



Art Estopinan served as chief of staff to the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He has extensive expertise in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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

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Earlier this month, former President Trump was asked a revealing question at the Economic Club of New York: What would he do about child care?

Trumps bumbling response  saying  child care is child care  and then talking about tariffs  reflected how rarely men in the halls of power are asked to address this essential labor that has historically been assigned to women. A couple of weeks later, Vice President Kamala Harris proposed a plan to prevent families from spending more than 7% of their income on child care.

Hearing about child care as a front-and-center issue in a presidential election is not politics as usual. It is, in fact, the culmination of the work by generations of feminist activists.

Read more: Opinion: How California's high child-care costs wage war on families

Valuing care work may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think of feminism. U.S. schools often teach feminism as a fight for freedom from housework and caretaking, spearheaded by largely white, middle- and upper-class women such as Betty Friedan. Through this lens, feminisms success should be measured predominantly by the number of women pursuing careers.

But there were other kinds of feminism before, after and alongside this focus on paid work. In 1942, union organizer Kitty Ellickson wrote an influential essay on a term for a reality women are still living, the double day  doing the majority of care work while also working for pay is doing two jobs for the price of one.

The solution, Ellickson wrote, was for the womens movement to demand that employers adapt the mans world to women. In this view, real gender equality meant questioning the idea that mens work outside the home was more important than the labor done at home. It also meant shorter working days and access to affordable child care. Its not surprising these ideas grew out of the labor movement  women who worked in mines and factories were less likely to equate their jobs with liberation.

Work was also not an appealing feminist vision for those whose jobs outside the home were  in other peoples homes. Sometimes that work hadnt been paid at all: The first domestic workforce in this country was made up of enslaved women. Even today, women of color are often the ones who pick up the frequently underpaid, unprotected domestic work that remains when middle- or upper-class women leave for the office. More than half of domestic workers nationwide are women of color, according to one 2022 report, with Black and Latina women overrepresented.

Read more: LA Times Today: Child care is a textbook example of a broken market. Where do Harris, Trump go from here?

Dorothy Bolden, a Black domestic worker in Atlanta and a contemporary of Friedans, began washing diapers for her mothers employer at the age of 9. She fought the invisibility of care work, and of care workers, by organizing 10,000 domestic workers starting in the 1960s for higher wages and better working conditions. She told Georgia lawmakers that house cleaners and nannies had families, too: I have to clothe my children.

Through the 1970s, welfare rights activists went further and argued that moms deserved government subsidies: If care work was real work, society needed to recognize its value with pay. Leaders of the National Welfare Rights Organization, including Johnnie Tillmon, noted that while our culture idealized white housewives for caring for their children full time, leaders vilified Black mothers and portrayed them as welfare-dependent drains on the system. When mainstream feminist organizations came around to advocating for universal day-care centers, welfare rights organizers demanded justice for those who would staff the centers, cautioning against creating an army of institutionalized, partly self-employed mammies.

This combination of insights from Black women leaders  that familial care work needs financial support, and that professional care workers need fair labor conditions  speaks to a deep vision of racial, gender and economic equality that has often been lacking in mainstream feminism.

Harris, though sometimes criticized for shifting on issues, has long advocated for family care subsidies as well as justice for care workers. As a senator representing California, in 2019 she sponsored the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act, which would have guaranteed overtime pay, sick days, and meal and rest breaks, as well as initiated a study on how to make healthcare, retirement and other benefits more accessible. Her recent proposed 7% cap on child care expenses may fall short of the pensions for domestic workers and guaranteed incomes for single moms that earlier radicals imagined, but her choice to center this issue can shift our national consciousness toward progress.

Harris has supported care work without enshrining the traditional family, focusing on policies that will help a wide range of households such as paid family leave , affordable long-term care and an expanded child tax credit . This is consistent with the National Welfare Rights Organizations insistence that single-parent households deserve the same respect as other families and the organizations advocacy for policies to help caregivers regardless of their family structure.

Both Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, have voiced support for expanding the child tax credit . Yet Vance has attacked working and childless women, disparaged day care and suggested that bringing in Grandma or Grandpa is a solution to child care costs. In addition to targeting and shaming women, these statements make it hard to believe that a second Trump presidency would acknowledge that paid care work is an urgent need for many types of families and that care workers deserve equal rights.

Real equality for women  all of us, regardless of race and class  depends on supporting parents and fighting for the professional care workers, mostly women, who, in the words of the National Domestic Workers Alliance,  make all other work possible . Perhaps this kind of feminism is finally having its day.

Serene J. Khader, a professor of philosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center and Brooklyn College, is the author of the forthcoming Faux Feminism: Why We Fall for White Feminism and How We Can Stop.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
On Sept. 22, Israeli forces stormed Al Jazeeras Ramallah office and shut down its operations, effectively barring one of the few remaining windows into the realities of life under occupation in the West Bank. The incident, as alarming as it is, extends far beyond the closure of a newsroom and marks an escalation in Israels broader crackdown on press freedoms in Palestine. For those of us journalists who have reported from the ground, our work has never been just about reporting the news; its about making visible to the world a reality that shapes every aspect of our daily lives as Palestinians.

This isnt the first time Israel has taken aim at media workers in Palestine, where it attempts to control the narrative in tandem with efforts to control territory. Weve seen similar tactics since October of last year, and long before, when tens of Palestinian journalists were killed along with their family members, media offices bombed, and entire news organizations targeted. Ive lost colleagues who reported side by side with me from northern Gaza, like Ismail Al Ghoul. Together Ismail and I endured months of cold and hunger, and terrifying nights during Israels ground offensives. He and so many other dedicated colleagues were killed for speaking out, for doing their job.

I know this because I survived it. As a writer and reporter for Al Jazeera in Gaza during the war from October 2023 until last May, I experienced firsthand the dangers of reporting on the ground, and the scrutiny I was subjected to for being affiliated with Al Jazeera. The press badge on my chest, meant to ensure my safety, functioned as a target. In December 2023, my home was bombed with me and my family inside, as a direct result of my work, after I received multiple threats via phone calls and text messages from the Israeli military ordering me to stop reporting and cease writing.

My own experience in Gaza bears this out. The bombing of my home didnt just shake my personal life by burying me under the rubble for hours  it disrupted my sense of purpose as a writer and journalist. For days, I questioned whether I could continue reporting. Knowing the cost, my family lived in constant fear every time I went on assignment, while colleagues around me grew increasingly afraid to speak out, knowing that anyone could be a target at any moment.

What we witnessed daily, from drone surveillance and press tents being bombed to the direct shooting at journalists and targeting of their vehicles as they traveled for coverage, was not just an attack on the ones trying to report, but on the very idea of journalism. It is an attack on the notion that the world has a right to know what happens in places like Gaza and the West Bank. Still, we continued to report because we knew the world needed to see what was happening, and we knew that to stop reporting would mean to surrender to the very forces that sought to silence us.

Al Jazeera has been a crucial voice documenting not only the devastation in Gaza, especially as it produces exclusive access and footage to its viewers from the ground, but also the civil unrest and protests within Israel, the political discontent in Tel Aviv, and the deadly raids on refugee camps in the West Bank. Now, with its Ramallah bureau shut down, that voice is fraying. But this is only one episode in Israels ongoing campaign against the media in the occupied territories.

Whats striking is that it comes nearly one year into Israels war on Gaza, dimming any hope of renewed global attention as people near an anniversary of death and destruction. What concerns me most is that this is more than just about Al Jazeera. Its about the future of a young generation of journalists aspiring to speak out during times of terror and oppression. As someone who reported from right in front of Israeli tanks, I can say that journalists in Palestine are heartbreakingly treated as a threat.

Israels efforts to silence the free press represent a tragedy that cuts deep into the ongoing struggle for liberation and peace. Its a tragedy for anyone who values the role of the press in democratic societies. When journalists are attacked, the public is denied the information necessary to truly understand reality.

When the press is silenced, its not just a building that closes or stories that disappear. Its accountability itself that is lost. It cuts off a vital flow of information to the public. And the consequences ripple far beyond the journalists themselves. The world loses access to the ground truth  the kind of truth that challenges official government narratives, the kind that holds the powerful to account.

Palestinian cameraman Mujahed al-Saadi of Palestine Today TV weeps as he escorts the body of veteran Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead as she covered a raid on the West Banks Jenin refugee camp, on May 11, 2022, at the hospital in Jenin.

By attacking journalists, whether through the bombing of their homes, as in my case, or shutting down newsrooms, as we saw in Ramallah, Israel is sending a chilling message: Telling the truth is dangerous work with a steep price.

Thats why the closure of the Ramallah office isnt merely an Al Jazeera or local concern  its a global one. The erosion of press freedoms in Palestine reflects a disturbing trend, a concerted effort to undermine the institutions that safeguard truth and transparency. Its a pattern of slow, deliberate attempts to dismantle the free press entirely. Because if we allow press freedoms to be eroded in Palestine, whats to stop it from happening elsewhere?

In this critical moment, the world cant afford to look away. In defending journalism, we defend the truth. Its the means by which we fight against injustice. I know what happens when the press is attacked, and I fear weve reached a point where these attacks have become the norm, accepted even. The closure of the Ramallah office is an upsetting move, yes. But its also an urgent call to action, because it wont stop with Al Jazeera.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Imagine a mother on the brink of a fatal hemorrhage after childbirth. The medicine that could save her life is delayed  not because it isnt available but because of new bureaucratic hurdles that make that medicine more difficult to quickly obtain. Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1, doctors and nurses in Louisiana will be expected to navigate those unnecessary hurdles, and as an OB-GYN whose patients expect me to give the best care to them (and their babies), Im convinced that this new law endangers them.

Starting Tuesday, misoprostol and mifepristone will be categorized in Louisiana as Schedule IV medications, that is, categorized as drugs with a potential for abuse and risk of dependence. The new law was drafted by a lawmaker whose brother-in-law was convicted and sentenced to jail after secretly putting misoprostol in his wifes (the lawmakers sisters) water in a failed attempt to induce an abortion. As horrible as that crime was, it doesnt warrant a law that will make it more likely that women in Louisiana will bleed out after childbirth.

But thats what this new law will do. Health care providers and hospitals will be required to secure misoprostol and mifepristone the same way we secure opioids. On the surface, it might seem like a good idea to put such restrictions on medications used to induce abortions. However, misoprostol plays a crucial role in treating complications during childbirth, when every second counts. Though its not the first-line treatment, misoprostol is used to treat postpartum hemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality.

The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of all high-income countries, and those maternal mortality rates are highest in the Gulf South, a region that includes Louisiana. And, according to data on maternal deaths in the U.S. in 2020, hemorrhage was a leading cause of such deaths. Through state perinatal quality collaboratives, we have made strides in improving severe maternal outcomes, including maternal hemorrhage. Weve achieved this by implementing Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Patient Safety Bundles that ensure readiness, recognition, response and prevention for every patient, every unit, every time.

The law that goes into effect Tuesday threatens to derail that progress. Im one of nearly 300 doctors and medical students in Louisiana who expressed this concern to lawmakers during the legislative process and asked them not to pass this bill.

Because misoprostol will now be classified as a Schedule IV medication requiring multiple layers of security to access, the state health department, hospital administrators, attorneys and physicians are left to figure out how to comply with regulations for controlled substances and still keep their patients safe.

This new law is another example of a dangerous trend affecting the medical community  the creation of laws that impede physicians and other providers ability to provide medical care based on their own expertise, using evidence-based guidelines. Across the country, such laws are interrupting the provider-patient relationship  in ways that are potentially deadly. For example, 15 states have laws that require physicians to tell their patients they can reverse their induced abortion. Not only is there no science to support this claim, a clinical trial to determine the chances of reversal had to be stopped prematurely because so many patients were hemorrhaging.

Not only do laws like the one about to go into effect in Louisiana make childbirth more dangerous, they also accelerate doctor shortages. Public policies that affect physicians ability to practice medicine are leading to moral distress, fear of imprisonment and plans to stop practicing in specific states. Laws that make criminals of physicians who provide health care consistent with evidence-based practices further contribute to the stressors we physicians already feel. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, the number of medical students applying for residency programs of any specialty has decreased in the states with the strictest abortion laws. Fewer doctors, particularly fewer OB-GYNS, will further worsen the dismal maternal outcomes in states  and create more maternity care deserts.

In improving maternal and infant outcomes, there is a role for lawmakers to play. Specifically, we need legislative support for the processes and programs we know are reducing maternal mortality and infant mortality. We need lawmakers to expand perinatal quality collaboratives and encourage more hospitals to implement AIM Patient Safety Bundles. We need lawmakers to address the social factors  access to education, economic stability, child care and transportation  that are responsible for 80% of poor maternal outcomes for our patients.

The U.S. is the only high-income country that does not guarantee paid parental leave and the only one that does not provide home visits during the postpartum phase.

I believe that all of us  including physicians and lawmakers  want to improve the health of women and children. We will only get there if we work together. But if laws that undermine medical practice arent changed, and urgently, then the progress weve made reducing maternal mortality will be reversed. Lawmakers must engage with physicians to craft evidence-based policies that protect our patients, not increase their risk of death.

I have spent my career ensuring women have options for their care  obstetric and gynecologic  and guiding the implementation of evidence-based best practices. I care about the women of Louisiana and beyond who need doctors to treat them, care for them and speak up for them. I urge our legislators to listen to our expertise.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
During the pandemic and our recovery period, the federal government invested billions of dollars in industries that help keep our economy afloat. Rightfully, Oklahomas child care industry was one of the sectors considered critical. But the more than $1 billion in funds provided over the last three years runs out at the end of this month. These dollars expiring brings us to a pivotal moment as a state in which we either fully embrace the importance of child care to the growth of our economy or we take a big step backwards and stall out.

To understand the issue better, it's important to set forth a few facts. Oklahomans who are working or going to school and make less than $3,061 per month are eligible for a sliding scale of child care support from federal and state dollars depending on number of children. About three-fourths of the states child care providers take clients utilizing subsidies. If my family makes $3,000 per month and needs care for one child, I pay $170 per month and the state pays the rest. If our income were to decrease, so would the co-pay. Everybody with one child making more than that $37,000 per year pays the full freight of $10,000 to $12,000 per year. Thats a lot of money for most Oklahomans.

With those prices, youd think youd know some day care millionaires. But I havent met one yet, and I would be shocked if I did. Child care is a labor of love in communities across the state. Often it a family business passed from one generation to the next. These small business owners dont go into it for the money; they go into it because they love Oklahomas babies, and they know their communities need such businesses to succeed. Theirs is a highly regulated industry with its most important and costly regulation being the ratio of teachers to infants and toddlers. People cost money.

More: Opinion: Finally, Ethics Commission OKs candidates using campaign funds for child care

The expiring federal support helped an already difficult business model improve while also somewhat easing the cost burden for families. The relief dollars were used to relieve families of co-pays, provide child care businesses with additional $5 per child who receive subsidy, incentivize the child care workforce by offering no-cost child care for those parents working in licensed child care businesses and make grants to open and upgrade new child care businesses throughout the state. You can imagine the end of these funds will not only increase cost to families, often forcing a parent to leave the workforce, but also put our child care providers in a bind to run and grow their businesses and serve children with quality.

Many states have acted to blunt the force of these expiring funds, and Oklahoma can, too.

For example, for a small cost we could continue offering child care for child care teachers for a relatively low cost. Child care teachers in Oklahoma make an average of $12 per hour, so many who work in child care would already qualify for support. But we could cover the cost of their co-pays and extend the benefit to those who dont qualify for just $18 million. The return on that investment is huge. For every child care worker who leaves the early childhood classroom because they cannot afford care for their own children, the industry will lose anywhere from four to 24 spots in a day care. We need to incentivize this workforce, and this is a cost-friendly way to do it.

We can also think about new ways to strengthen our child care model. With the support of the State Chamber of Oklahoma, I recently authored a bill to bring our employers in as partners in child care funding. This policy would allow employers who share in the cost of child care with their employees to claim a tax credit and ease costs to families. Employers willing to help solve the problem of workforce challenges and child care affordability should absolutely get credit from the state.

For a long time, child care has been treated like something that would just happen, something that families would figure out. Multiple economic studies have calculated that Oklahoma loses over $1 billion in our states economy to child care challenges. That figure says plain as day that child care is a critical part of the economy  that child care is workforce infrastructure. Knowing that, our role as a state in partnering with parents and childcares to deliver for our economy is what seems to need some figuring out.

State Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa.

Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, is a former member of the Tulsa School Board.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Opinion: Child care doesn't just happen; it needs community support
Brazils leader, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has compared the conflict in Gaza, between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas, to Hitlers genocide. This was a harsh, shameful and totally unnecessary offense to the people of Israel and their government.

Despite this, Brazil has bought 36 self-propelled trucks from an Israeli firm for an amount of $200 million. The purchase of equipment from Elbit Systems would include modern simulators to train the Brazilian army.

Israeli artillery surpassed several international firms, from countries such as France and China, in the selection process. The Israeli company won the tender in good faith. But the ideological factor in Lulas government has hindered this purchase and divided opinions between those who support the army and those who defend the hard line of the Workers Party, such as the all-powerful minister Celso Amorim.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has an erratic and contradictory foreign policy. He called for repeat elections in Venezuela after Nicolas Maduros obvious fraud; he calls Israel genocidal and he supports Vladimir Putins brutality against Ukraine. These are all reprehensible positions, especially coming from the current president of the G20 and the largest democracy in Latin America.

Lula is on the side not of Gazans but of Hamas terrorists specifically. The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, one of the most wanted terrorists globally and a leader of Hamas. The pro-Hamas statement included a line, amusingly lacking in self-awareness, that acts of violence, under any motivation, do not contribute to the pursuit of lasting stability and peace in the Middle East.

Lula is a friend and defender of the regime in Iran. During the inauguration of its new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, the vice president of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, celebrated 120 years of bilateral relations with Tehran. The vice president sat smiling in the front row alongside representatives of Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Brazilian president has been declared persona non grata in Israel after comparing its self-defense efforts to Hitlers Holocaust. He has crossed a red line, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who noted that Israel is fighting to defend itself and ensure its future until total victory.

During his recent visit to Africa, the Brazilian head of state took the opportunity to compare the war in Gaza with the Holocaust suffered by 6 million Jews  an abhorrant and antisemitic analogy. The causes, numbers and lethality of both events are not even remotely comparable. This type of approach reinforces a dangerous anti-Jewish narrative and adds pain to the nation victimized by Hamass brutal attacks on its civilians.

Lula is also an admirer and defender of Putin, who has asked Ukraine to surrender its sovereignty and hand over its homeland to the Russian aggressor. The U.S. has criticized this position as a mere repetition of Russian propaganda, and Europe reproached Lula for putting the attacked and the aggressor on an equal footing.

Additionally, the Brazilian president has said that he would like to invite Putin to the G20 Summit in Rio, even though the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for his war crimes against Ukrainian children.

Brazil has disrespected the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people and called for fresh elections to bolster the dictatorial regime that oppresses them. Lula has asked that, despite the evident 30-point electoral defeat of Nicolas Maduro, the elections be repeated.

Israels technological superiority in defending its sovereignty has become clear. Although some nations condemn its legitimate right to defend itself, Israel has made it clear that it has the necessary capabilities to prevent further attacks by Hezbollah and Hamas.

This latest episode of Brazil and its interest in Israeli military technology showcase Lulas double standards and ideological fanaticism. He is not a defender of global peace, but of the interests of authoritarian, anti-democratic and terrorist regimes. In his carnival of lies, his mask has slipped once again.

Arturo McFields is an exiled journalist, former ambassador to the Organization of American States and former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In todays historically competitive rental market, it is challenging for almost anyone to find housing. But it is nearly impossible for those formerly incarcerated.

This is one of the more than 40,000 forms of collateral consequences that may pop up at some point in your life if a jury renders a guilty verdict against you, or you negotiate a plea with prosecutors.

Housing plays a vital role in economic mobility and stability, and a conviction is a massive obstacle to obtaining it. This is part of an informal national policy of life-long punishment of men and women who have already paid their debts to society.

I know firsthand about the lifetime punishments endured by those who have already served their time. At 18, I was sent to prison for dealing drugs in Milwaukee. In the 25 years since, I have built a very different life. I earned a degree from Princeton, opened a successful business, and maintained a stable home for my family. I became a landlord and president of Wisconsins largest apartment owners trade association.

But none of it mattered when we tried to rent a house in 2022. My accomplishments and financial stability were rendered worthless. A door was slammed in my face. Why? Because of the stain of conviction.

Congress has an opportunity to correct a decades-long injustice with the introduction of the Fair Future Act, HR 9694.

The bill would repeal the Thurmond Amendment and restore fair housing protections to millions of Americans with a drug distribution conviction. Introduced by Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), it would require landlords to evaluate the worthiness of potential tenants based on their income, credit history and rental record  not solely on a decades-old drug conviction.

The Thurmond Amendment is one of the last vestiges of the tough on crime ethos of the 1980s, the same era that gave us mandatory minimum sentences and the crack vs. powder cocaine sentencing disparity. In 1988, the late Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) stood on the Senate floor and declared that drug dealers deserved no federal protection; Congress agreed with a simple voice vote. This handed landlords throughout the U.S. discretion to deny housing for life, based on a single drug distribution conviction, regardless of the substance or quantity involved.

Drug dealers are the bad guys, and those who use their products are the victims, right? In reality, its not that straightforward.

People who sell drugs and people who use drugs are seen as two distinct groups, but they often overlap. Distinguishing between them can be very difficult. People living in poverty often become involved with selling or distribution because they are not able to access adequate economic opportunities in the formal economy, whether because of racial discrimination, discrimination based on past criminal involvement, or because of declining or changing job opportunities in the communities where they live.

In 2016, 43 percent of those sentenced for drug trafficking offenses at the federal level had not graduated from high school. Another 36 percent had graduated from high school but had no post-secondary education. In many cases, people who sell drugs also use drugs, and might be selling drugs to support their own use.

The Thurmond Amendment most acutely affects non-violent offenders like myself. Ironically, if I had been convicted of murder, I would face fewer housing barriers today.

In response to this, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued guidelines in 2016 requiring landlords to distinguish between criminal conduct that poses a safety risk and conduct that does not. These guidelines, however, do not apply to drug distribution convictions, because of the Thurmond Amendment.

For more than 35 years, this law has tethered millions of Americans to their past, denying them one of the most fundamental rights: the right to live where they choose. While a newly proposed rule would limit the application of the Thurmond Amendment in government-subsidized housing, this would still leave lifetime bans in place for people like me, who have achieved economic self-sufficiency and seek housing in the private market.

The Fair Future Act offers a pragmatic and much-needed solution. It would require landlords to make rental decisions based on what matters rather than relying solely on outdated drug convictions. This is more than just a policy correction. Its an acknowledgment that people can and do change. It is a step toward addressing inequalities that have persisted for decades under the Thurmond Amendment and the broader war on drugs.

Our nation must move beyond housing policies rooted in fear and embrace those based on facts. Until Congress rectifies this wrong, no matter how hard people work to rebuild their lives, the freedom to live where they choose will remain behind a locked door for them.

Yusuf Dahl is the past president of the Rental Property Association of Wisconsin and the founder of the Real Estate Lab in Allentown, Pa. He is currently leading the national effort to repeal the Thurmond Amendment.

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

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New U.S. visa and financial sanctions imposed this month against the Georgian government and representatives of the ruling party, Georgian Dream, fell short because they failed to include the man responsible for Georgias authoritarian and pro-Russian direction, the oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The new sanctions imposed by the Biden administration came on top of others implemented earlier this year for corruption, antidemocratic behavior and human rights abuses. The sanctions were well warranted, but they dont go far enough.

The U.S. should make clear it will use its financial leverage against Ivanishvili himself and his party should they continue on a path that would be disastrous for the Georgian people and the U.S.-Georgian relationship.

Ivanishvili made his fortune doing business in Russia before returning to his homeland and securing victory for his Georgian Dream party in 2012 parliamentary elections. Since 2012, he has been the power behind the throne, calling the shots despite holding an official position for only the first of those 12 years. During that time, he has sought to improve ties with Moscow, despite Russias continued occupation of 20 percent of Georgian territory after its invasion in 2008. Direct flights between Georgia and Russia have been restored, bringing thousands of Russians to Georgia, and trade between the two countries is booming.

His ruling party has also adopted Russian-style legislation  a law requiring domestic nongovernmental organizations receiving foreign funding to register as agents under foreign influence, despite huge protests against the law. It also enacted a Russian-style law banning same-sex marriages, adoptions by same-sex couples, and transgender medical treatments. Ivanishvili recently suggested that the previous government, led by former President (and now political prisoner) Mikheil Saakashvili, not Russia, was responsible for the bloodshed of 2008 and the Russian occupation that followed.

Ivanishvili announced his formal return to Georgian politics shortly after the European Union announced last December that it would grant candidacy status to Georgia  many months before critical elections in October.

On the campaign trail, his fire-breathing speeches promised dire antidemocratic and anti-Western consequences if the opposition wins the Oct. 26 parliamentary elections. He has claimed that the United States and Europe (the Global War Party) are funding the leaders of the opposition and directing them to reinstall Saakashvilis insane and sadistic regime and open a second front with Russia.

Ivanishvili asserted that the ruling party would prevent such an outcome at any cost, a not-so-veiled threat to resort to election manipulation.

Suggesting that the entire pro-Western opposition is aligned with Saakashvili, he promised a Georgian Nuremberg trial against it soon after the elections. He said he would impose on the pro-Western opposition the harsh political and legal judgment it deserves for Saakashvilis bloody rule. Asked who in particular would be banned and prevented from entering parliament, his prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, named names  all the main opposition parties.

Georgian Dream already controls all three branches of government. By promising to outlaw the opposition and cripple civil society and independent media, Ivanishvili and Kobakhidze are in essence describing an anti-Western totalitarian regime ruling a pro-Western population.

Instead, the U.S. must tell Ivanishvili that if he rigs the October election in his favor, or carries out his threat to ban the opposition, he and his billions will face the full brunt of Treasury Department financial sanctions.

In truth, sanctioning Ivanishvili is something that should have been done months ago, including back when he and his stooges in the government and parliament were launching nasty rhetorical attacks against the previous U.S. ambassador and members of Congress. If we convince him we will impose costly personal sanctions if he carries out his implicit threat to change the election results  and his explicit threat to ban all opposition and turn Georgia into an anti-Western dictatorship  we could deter him from doing so.

In addition, with concerns rampant about election rigging and with civil society under attack, international election observers will need to be vigilant in calling out any fraud and abuse. The United States and its allies must stand firm against legitimizing a fraudulent election.

Georgia Dream remains the leading vote getter but does not appear likely to win a majority of the vote, according to recent polls ahead of next months parliamentary elections. That could open the way for a coalition of opposition parties to unite and defeat Georgian Dream, although those parties are struggling to unite completely.

Polls consistently show that the people of Georgia remain very pro-American, pro-European Union, pro-NATO and pro-democracy. Georgia, once a vibrant democracy in a difficult neighborhood, has become a problem instead of a partner, but one over which the United States and the European Union both have considerable interests and influence  if they choose to exercise them.

Dangling the threat of painful, targeted sanctions now could save the people of Georgia from the pro-Russian, authoritarian future the oligarch has promised them.

Ambassador (ret.) Ian Kelly is Ambassador in Residence at Northwestern University and a former U.S. ambassador to Georgia and to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. David J. Kramer is executive director of the George W. Bush Institute and a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

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

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We are members of an exclusive club. No one would ever seek access to it, and everyone who joins wants to leave as soon as possible.

We were thrust into our roles because ruthless dictators imprisoned our spouses. Our journey began not as public figures but as supporters of our husbands courageous work. When they were unjustly jailed, we stepped into a new role: fighting for freedom and democracy, not only for our loved ones but for countless others suffering under oppressive regimes.

Sviatlanas husband, Syarhei Tsikhanouski, was imprisoned in 2020 after daring to challenge Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka. He is serving a 19-year sentence for exercising his right to free speech. Since early 2023, he has been held incommunicado. Even his family has no contact with him.

Having survived two assassination attempts in 2015 and 2017, Evgenias husband, Vladimir Kara-Murza, was arrested in 2022 after calling out Russian President Putins murderous war against Ukraine. He was subsequently accused of high treason and sentenced to 25 years of hard labor. After more than two years in appalling conditions in a Siberian penal colony, Vladimir was released in a groundbreaking prisoner exchange last month.

We share our husbands deep convictions about the urgent need for democratic change in Russia and Belarus. We supported their work and accepted the inherent risks that came from their political activity. But we were mostly behind the scenes.

The outrageous actions of these dictators forced us directly into the harsh glare of the spotlight. They left us no choice but to become advocates and leaders. Now that we have found ourselves here, we can never stop.

Vladimir is home  a fact that feels like a miracle, and one that we know many are not granted.

Syarhei remains behind bars, and we will never cease in calling for his release.

Thousands more remain imprisoned across Russia and Belarus. Lukashenka jails journalists, bloggers, businesspeople, political figures and ordinary citizens, occasionally pardoning some for public relations purposes. Putins regime, in violation of Russias own Constitution and international law, imprisons anyone who dares to speak out against him, his war in Ukraine, or any matter he deems dangerous.

Many of these prisoners are not well-known. Their stories dont make headlines. But their courage is no less heroic.

The human rights movement has a crucial role to play in securing their freedom. The release of Vladimir Kara-Murza demonstrates that coordinated international advocacy works. Pressure can force dictators like Lukashenka and Putin to face a hard truth: holding political prisoners is unsustainable when it becomes too costly.

But we cannot do this alone. We need the worlds most powerful democracies to act with determination. They must deploy every tool available, especially Global Magnitsky sanctions, to apply maximum pressure.

Unfortunately, Human Rights First has reported a steady decline in the use of these sanctions over the past three years, with both total and primary sanctions falling every year since 2020.

With so many people imprisoned for simply exercising their rights, now is not the time to ease off. We need more sanctions on those responsible for repression in Russia and Belarus.

We must also stand united with Ukraine. Putins war against Ukraine is not just an assault on one country but a war on freedom itself. Lukashenkas regime is complicit, having let Russia use Belarusian territory as a launching ground for this criminal war. The fates of Belarus and Ukraine are intertwined. The freedom of Ukraine will pave the way for the freedom of Belarus, just as the defeat of Putin will signal the end of Lukashenkas reign.

We call on the international community: do not forget the political prisoners. Do not ease the pressure on their captors. Support the people of Belarus and Russia who continue to resist, who still dare to dream of a future free from dictatorship.

This past week we jointly accepted the Lantos Human Rights Prize, which bears the name of the late Congressman Tom Lantos. He once said, The veneer of civilization is paper thin. We are its guardians, and we can never rest.

Sometimes people boldly stand as guardians and defenders of our human rights without any prompting  people like Vladimir, Syarhei and the late Alexei Navalny. Others find the courage to stand when they have been left with no other choice. No matter how we come to the decision, when we choose to stand against injustice and to stand as guardians of freedom, democracy and human rights  we make it impossible for the dictators of the world to win.

Freedom must triumph.

Evgenia Kara-Murza is a democracy activist and advocacy director of the Free Russia Foundation. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is the leader of Belarusian democratic forces and head of the United Transition Cabinet.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
For more than 20 years, an Orange County nonprofit has helped the homeless using a 15-passenger van, a trailer full of cots and a network of welcoming churches.

Family Promise of Greater Orlandos efforts reduce strain on the regions limited number of homeless shelters  and represent the smaller-scale, creative options Central Florida needs to help a growing number of people without homes, homeless advocates say.

The nonprofits work, they add, also helps the church congregants see that in many ways the homeless are just like us.

Family Promise uses a network of nine Orange churches and its own Winter Park offices to host four families, or up to 14 individuals, at a time. They are provided meals and a safe place to sleep, staying a week at each place.

Every Sunday, those needing shelter board the van, with the cots in tow, and move to another host site, limiting the burden or disruptions at any one of the churches.

The nonprofit also works to help the families secure permanent housing.

Family Promise helped nearly 300 people last year and had to refer more than 450 families to other agencies because it was at capacity.

Just last week, we had nine families coming to our door needing help, and its constant, said Kathie Southern, executive director of Family Promise.

Central Florida does not have enough homeless shelter beds, and officials worry it will need even more when a new state law takes effect next week banning camping in public places.

Most of the existing shelters are in downtown Orlando. They have limited capacity and cannot accommodate everyone who needs help.

We need units for families with young children, for seniors with chronic health challenges, for people struggling with addiction and mental illness, and for people with pets they wont leave behind, said Martha Are, CEO of the Homeless Services Network of Orange County.

There were 1,094 unsheltered people in the greater Orlando area, according to the 2024 count, nearly a 50% increase from the 2023 count that found 587 unsheltered people.

Family Promises efforts began in 2000 and are funded by more than $80,000 in grants from Orlando and Orange County. About 70% of the families that seek shelter at Family Promise are homeless for the first time, Southern said. On average, they stay for about 60 days, and 90% move on to permanent housing.

First United Methodist Church in Winter Park, a city that has no shelters, has been a partner for more than 20 years.

Victoria Vaden, the churchs program director, said about 60 volunteers help set up the cots in the churchs youth lounge, cook meals for the families and speed time with them in the evenings.

Vaden said the program helps families stay together, which they cannot always do in shelters as some adult shelters do not accept children and a family shelter may not admit a single father.

I get calls from people looking for housing and if I suggest a shelter model that separates families, theyll say, no, Id rather stay in my car than be separated, she said.

In July, the four shelter rooms in Family Promises offices were refurbished to make them more pleasant for the families that temporarily call them home. The rooms were painted and decorated and furniture, including a desk and armoire, were added.

The upgrades offer children and their families a more dignified and supportive environment, said Mia Poinsette, executive director of the Poinsette Foundation, which donated $6,000 for the project.

One woman now staying with Family Promise, along with her daughters, ages 3 and 12, said the upgrades make it feel more home-like.

My baby, she actually tells me, Mommy, I want to go home. She thinks this is her home, said Tabatha, who asked that her full name not be used.

Tabatha came to Family Promise about 90 days ago, after she broke up with a boyfriend and could no longer afford her rent. She took classes on resume building, dressing for success and making a budget. She now has a job at a Publix deli, and she signed a lease on an apartment, after Family Promise helped her secure a reduced payment.

She said she and her daughters are excited to move in at the end of the month.

Both Southern and Vaden said the programs reliance on the churches allows congregants to gain a new perspective on homelessness, which many blame solely on mental illness or addiction.

Its lost jobs, its illnesses, things happen, and unexpected expenses throw everything out of whack, and it snowballs from there, Southern said.

Vaden said members of her congregation are often uncertain on how to interact with the families staying in the church. But when they meet them, that uncertainty quickly fades.

Frequently, the words I hear after people host families for the first time is Oh, theyre just like us, Vaden said.
Some investors rely on dividends for growing their wealth, and if you're one of those dividend sleuths, you might be intrigued to know that Selangor Dredging Berhad (KLSE:SDRED) is about to go ex-dividend in just three days. The ex-dividend date occurs one day before the record date which is the day on which shareholders need to be on the company's books in order to receive a dividend. It is important to be aware of the ex-dividend date because any trade on the stock needs to have been settled on or before the record date. Therefore, if you purchase Selangor Dredging Berhad's shares on or after the 3rd of October, you won't be eligible to receive the dividend, when it is paid on the 14th of October.

The company's next dividend payment will be RM00.03 per share. Last year, in total, the company distributed RM0.03 to shareholders. Calculating the last year's worth of payments shows that Selangor Dredging Berhad has a trailing yield of 4.5% on the current share price of RM00.66. We love seeing companies pay a dividend, but it's also important to be sure that laying the golden eggs isn't going to kill our golden goose! We need to see whether the dividend is covered by earnings and if it's growing.

View our latest analysis for Selangor Dredging Berhad

Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. Fortunately Selangor Dredging Berhad's payout ratio is modest, at just 50% of profit. Yet cash flow is typically more important than profit for assessing dividend sustainability, so we should always check if the company generated enough cash to afford its dividend. What's good is that dividends were well covered by free cash flow, with the company paying out 20% of its cash flow last year.

It's positive to see that Selangor Dredging Berhad's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut.

Click here to see how much of its profit Selangor Dredging Berhad paid out over the last 12 months.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Companies that aren't growing their earnings can still be valuable, but it is even more important to assess the sustainability of the dividend if it looks like the company will struggle to grow. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. That explains why we're not overly excited about Selangor Dredging Berhad's flat earnings over the past five years. We'd take that over an earnings decline any day, but in the long run, the best dividend stocks all grow their earnings per share. Recent earnings growth has been limited. However, companies that see their growth slow can often choose to pay out a greater percentage of earnings to shareholders, which could see the dividend continue to rise.

The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. It looks like the Selangor Dredging Berhad dividends are largely the same as they were 10 years ago.

To Sum It Up

From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid Selangor Dredging Berhad? Earnings per share have been flat over this time, but we're intrigued to see that Selangor Dredging Berhad is paying out less than half its earnings and cash flow as dividends. This is interesting for a few reasons, as it suggests management may be reinvesting heavily in the business, but it also provides room to increase the dividend in time. Generally we like to see both low payout ratios and strong earnings per share growth, but Selangor Dredging Berhad is halfway there. There's a lot to like about Selangor Dredging Berhad, and we would prioritise taking a closer look at it.

In light of that, while Selangor Dredging Berhad has an appealing dividend, it's worth knowing the risks involved with this stock. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Selangor Dredging Berhad you should know about.

Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers.

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.
An outsider from the inside, Rick Scott seeks another six years in the U.S. Senate

By his own admission, Rick Scott isnt flashy. His allies acknowledge that he is neither a great orator nor the kind of politician who can fill an arena with loyal supporters, a la Donald Trump.

He likes getting into the minutiae of policy, he likes the details, said Florida state Rep. Alex Rizo, who campaigned with Scott in Hialeah last weekend. He thrives on that.

Its a reputation that Scott has cultivated carefully and methodically since he captured the Florida governors mansion 14 years ago in the midst of the Great Recession. As governor, he became known for his almost-obsessive focus on creating jobs and reining in government spending.

I learned every line of the budget. All 4,000 lines, Scott told the Miami Herald in a recent interview. We had a purpose for every line.

Now, as he seeks reelection to the U.S. Senate, Scott is betting that his wonkish attention to detail will help net him not only a second term in Washington, but the job of Senate Republican leader  a position that has been held for the better part of two decades by outgoing Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Sitting at a table near the back of the Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine in downtown Doral, Scott proclaimed that our government is in trouble, pointing to what he called a wide-open border, a woke military and the lack of any meaningful plan to balance the federal budget.

Florida U.S. Senator Rick Scott (left) talks to Rabbi Yossi Harlig, of the Chabad of Kendall as he arrives for the Floridians Against Anti-Semitism roundtable event at Florida International University, in Miami, on Friday September 20, 2024.

READ MORE: Confirmation of Gables lawyer to federal bench running out of time with Scott, Rubio in way

Every 90 days, he said, he sends out an economic report  usually about 30 pages  to his Republican colleagues in the U.S. House and Senate warning of the dire consequences of out-of-control government spending.

Ive been up there almost six years, he said. I cant tell you a significant issue thats been resolved, because the leadership doesnt want to fight over these things, because its not important enough to them to have the discussions that bring people along to come to a conclusion. Im willing to do that.

Scott has already been rejected from the leadership job once. He challenged McConnell for the role nearly two years ago and was soundly defeated.

And Scotts reelection to the Senate isnt a given. Recent public polls show his Democratic opponent in this years Senate race  former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell  closing in on him in the final weeks before Election Day, while his approval rating among Floridians remains well under the 50% mark.

He has repeatedly irked his own Republican colleagues in Washington, most notably in 2022, when he released a widely panned Plan to Rescue America that initially called for sunsetting all federal legislation after five years. Scott later revised that plan to clarify exemptions for programs like Social Security and Medicare.

(L) Catherine Cortez Masto, US Senator for Nevada Senate talks next to (R) candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell during a campaign event at Sanguich Coral Gables, on September 22nd., 2024.

RELATED CONTENT: Rick Scott says Florida Hispanics will choose him over a Latina. He may be right

Yet Scott has embraced the role of Republican antagonist in the Senate. In his interview with the Herald, he cast his bid for McConnells job as a challenge to what he described as a dysfunctional status quo in the upper chamber.

If you like the way the Senate operates, I wouldnt vote for me, because I dont like the way the Senate operates, Scott said. So if the majority likes the way the Senate operates, theyre not going to vote for me. If the majority doesnt like the way the Senate operates, then I have a shot.

Scotts politics

Democrats have also sought to revive a decades-old scandal centering on Scotts tenure as the CEO of a healthcare company that was slapped with the largest healthcare fraud fine in U.S. history. Scott resigned from the company, Columbia/HCA, amid a federal investigation, but has denied any wrongdoing and suggested that the probe was politically motivated.

Democrats also argue that abortion rights could present a particular challenge for Scott, who has said that, if he were still governor, he would have signed into law a six-week abortion ban that went into effect earlier this year. Scott has since said that he would be more comfortable with a 15-week ban on abortion.

Floridians are set to vote in November on a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee abortion access up until fetal viability, or when deemed medically necessary.

Still, Scott, who has never won an election by more than 1 percentage point, has never run a race for public office in such a favorable political environment. Nationally, Democrats are facing a tough fight to maintain their already-narrow Senate majority, and the party has focused most of its resources on winning in battleground states like Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Senator Rick Scott listens as Barbara Feingold speaks during the Floridians Against Anti-Semitism roundtable event at Florida International University, in Miami, on Friday September 20, 2024.

REALITY CHECK: Rick Scott tries to rewrite history on $1.7 billion Medicare fraud controversy

Florida has also moved increasingly to the right in recent years, as Republicans have amassed a nearly 1 million-voter advantage over Democrats. Scott also stands as the wealthiest member of the U.S. Senate and has already poured more than $13 million into his own reelection campaign.

He has already spent millions of dollars on ads, many of which seek to label Mucarsel-Powell as a socialist  a term that carries hefty political baggage in South Florida, where many residents fled after leaving countries with authoritarian, left-wing governments. And he has so far declined to commit to debating his Democratic opponent, telling the Herald simply that well see what happens.

Underestimated

Despite Scotts apparently blase attitude toward debates, Republicans said that the senator has a deep attentiveness when it comes to politics. His Senate office has won awards for its constituent services  essentially responding to voters requests and inquiries  and he has a reputation for giving out his cellphone number to state and local officials, telling them to call him with their concerns.

The one thing I think people dont understand is that hes so accessible, Rizo said. Hes probably the highest-level government official that I know personally that is the most accessible. He gives his cellphone number out to mayors, to council people, to state representatives and says please call me. 

During a recent campaign stop at a senior center in Miami Springs, Scott was pulled aside by the centers manager Tammy Key, who told him that she feared a lack of state funding and a growing number of people at the center meant that they would have to do more with less.

Scott then beckoned over an aide, whom he asked to make a note of Keys concern so he could look into it.

Thats an important issue for a lot of people, Scott told the Herald later. Its not just that center.

Justin Sayfie, a Florida-based Republican lobbyist who worked for former Gov. Jeb Bush, said that, if nothing else, Scott is focused as a candidate. In his roughly decade-and-a-half in public office, Sayfie said, Scott has repeatedly managed to home in on voters individual concerns.

Hes been underestimated over and over again politically going all the way back to 2010, Sayfie said. But the thing is, his campaigns are always focused. He focused not on the economy and jobs. And at this point, hes been a public servant for 14 years. Hes got 14 years of a record where hes defined himself to voters in Florida. They know who he is.
CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. (WNCT)  Pamlico County Special Operations Swiftwater Team spent Saturday in one of the hardest hit parts of Western North Carolina where the damage is described as unimaginable.

According to a Facebook post from Pamlico County Emergency Management, the team arrived in the area Friday, assisting with ongoing rescues and evacuations in flood-ravaged areas around Lake Lure and Chimney Rock in Rutherford County.

The group is part of Type II asset, equipped with communications equipment. Three of the teams rescue members reached Chimney Rock by abandoning their boat and swimming the rest of the way.

Photos: Pamlico County Emergency Management

The group rescued several people and successfully evacuated more than 100 people to safety Saturday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB)  The Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation Department welcomed fall with their 2nd annual Fall Fest on Saturday.

The free event was held at Aaron Bessant Park. Attendees enjoyed shopping at a variety of vendors, farmers markets, and food trucks.

From fresh produce and flowers to homemade T-shirts and tumblers, the festival had something for everyone. Kids even had their own play zone with inflatable slides, rock climbing, and other games.

Panama City Police deployed officers to Taylor County following hurricane

The first 300 guests also received a complimentary tote bag.

Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation officials say they hope everyone has fun and soaks up the fall vibes.

Load up with all of your fall goodies, check out our businesses, grab some food, and have a great time, Panama City Parks & Recreation Facility Special Event Coordinator Kylie Savage-Coffey said.

The Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation Departments Paws in the Park event is coming up. Bring your furry friend to Frank Brown Park on October 19 from 9 a.m. to noon and enjoy more vendors, games, and even a pet Halloween costume parade.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
(NewsNation)  A Pennsylvania bakery is dipping into politics, and voters are eating it up.

Lochels Bakery in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, is running a tongue-in-cheek cookie poll, which has correctly called the next president in three elections since 2008. The bakery sells candidate-themed cookies with Harris 2024 and Trump 2024 decorated in blue and red, respectively. The owners keep a tally of the cookie sales, which factors into their informal poll.

Currently, Trump is in the lead, owner Kathleen Lochel said. Their sales correctly predicted the 2008, 2012 and 2016 elections, but their 2020 cookie poll was off when Trump lost to President Joe Biden.

In Alabama, Trump goes from the dark rhetoric of his campaign to adulation of college football fans

I just think that it brought people together in 2020. We always had a line. They wanted to support a small business, Lochel said. Its not scientific. Its for fun  Whatever color cookie theyre coming in for, were happy to give them.

Lines have been out the door of the third-generation small business, and social media is buzzing after Trump posted his support of the cookies on his social media platform Truth Social. People are driving hours to buy the cookies in person, and theyve shipped orders to Alaska and Hawaii.

We had people from Rhode Island here yesterday and Connecticut because they can get it faster than I can ship it, Lochel said. Its amazing to see the support that we had for our small business.

Maya Rudolph as Harris and Dana Carvey as Biden open the 50th season of Saturday Night Live

So far, theyve noticed more red cookie customers than blue. Lochels Bakery will release an updated tally on Tuesday, which happens to be the first vice presidential debate between Democrat Gov. Tim Walz and Republican Sen. JD Vance.

Lochels Bakery in Pennsylvania has correctly called the presidential election three out of four times with its cookie poll in which they tally up the sales of their Trump and Harris election-themed cookies.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Residents of Pennsylvania know all too well that the state plays by its own rules when it comes to alcohol sales. Consider that Pennsylvania is one of just two states that prohibit alcohol sales at Costco, the other being Maryland. In fact, Pennsylvania's laws, originally conceived at the tail end of prohibition, were designed to make it harder to buy alcohol. For the most part, liquor can only be procured at state-run stores called Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores. That means Pennsylvanians are unlikely to partake in the many grocery store alcohol brands out there such as Aldi's Winking Owl wine or Sam's Club's Member's Mark liquors.

As for other types of alcohol, you can purchase beer at the usual places (grocery stores, gas stations, etc.), but you can only buy 192 fluid ounces at a time. You can also find wine at these locations as well as within the state-operated stores, albeit with similar limitations when it comes to how much you can buy at once  a maximum of three liters. Happy hours were also restricted by the state. However, a recent change in the law now allows establishments to offer happy hours for up to 24 hours per week. (The previous law restricted these event to just 14 hours per week.)

Read more: Popular Vodka Brands Ranked From Worst To Best

Are Things Changing In The Keystone State?

people drinking canned cocktails - Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

While Pennsylvania liquor laws are still a bit confounding, especially for those new to the state, a recent update offers a bit of hope. Canned cocktails can now be sold in places outside of the state's designated liquor stores, including gas stations and even grocery stores. Canned cocktails feature a variety of flavors and alcohol types, and Pennsylvania consumers appreciate the convenience of being able to buy these beverages at the same places they get their other groceries.

While promising, there are some restrictions consumers should be aware of. Sales of canned cocktails must cease at 11:00 p.m., and stores are only permitted to sell products measuring 16 ounces or less. While the updated law is a step in the right direction for Pennsylvania drinkers, there's still a long way to go. As expressed by a commenter in a Reddit thread announcing the availability of canned cocktails in the state, "[Pennsylvania] is still living in the dark ages when it comes to alcohol."

Read the original article on Mashed.
People for Portland reflect on influence after years of Schmidt Show billboards

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Three years ago, People for Portland was formed during a tough time in the city, putting up giant billboards that placed a spotlight on what they said was failed leadership in the City of Portland and Multnomah County.

But after announcing their intention to step down from their role that pushed leaders to take action, co-founders Dan Lavey and Kevin Looper joined KOIN 6 News Eye on Northwest Politics to discuss how they moved the needle on politics in Portland.

Oregon drivers are among the worst in the nation, Forbes says

Back in 2021, People for Portland was formed as a way to pierce the veil of denial on elected officials, according to Looper. It included showing elected officials that they were vastly out of step with 80% of the people in this city.

We wanted to first conduct a campaign that made them feel like, every day, they were being held accountable for actually doing something, not just saying something, Looper said.

The group was extremely critical of Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt  erecting billboards saying Portland is a Schmidt Show before Schmidt ended up losing to DA-elect Nathan Vasquez.

The DA has incredible power, incredible authority, particularly in public safety, Lavey said. But a lot of the times, district attorneys arent that well known, so we wanted to make people aware of who Mike Schmidt is and hold him accountable. By virtue of focusing on him, we also thought wed be sending a message to other elected officials about the priority of safety.

Oregon Sen. Wyden introduces sweeping Supreme Court reform bill

Later on, People for Portland added Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson to the roster. These campaigns were aggressive and pointed, voicing opinions that favored a camping ban and rolling back Measure 110 to recriminalize drugs in Oregon  both of which eventually happened.

Lavey said he believes People for Portland had a part in these changes, but as Portland evolves to a new structure of city government in 2025, the work isnt done.

We havent solved the problems yet in Portland. Big problems remain: homelessness, crime, drugs, garbage, trash, graffiti, Lavey said. But at least weve got people debating and fighting over pragmatic solutions to solve them now. If you look at the candidates running for office  youve got a choice. Voters have a choice now between a pragmatic option or a more ideological option. We think thats an accomplishment.

Watch the full interview in the video player above.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  With the General Election on Nov. 5, many names will be on the ballot. These include incumbent States Attorney Jodi Hoos and her opponent, Robert Boucher.

The two candidates for Peoria County States Attorney debated against each other on Peorias most pressing issues at Peoria Public Librarys north branch.

What Robert said

Boucher shared his want for a safer Peoria, mentioning his want to protect schools and neighborhoods in the city.

I believe that if you have a states attorney whos fully committed to being a 24/7 full time states attorney whos willing to lead an office of 55 plus, the citizens of Peoria County will feel safer, he said. Theyll have safer homes, safer schools and safer streets.

What Jodi said

Hoos shared her accomplishments during her time as Peoria States Attorney, and her goals for another term.

In my term, weve convicted 44 murderers, prosecuted 100 shootings and filed 2,500 gun charges, she said. Those are big numbers. Big numbers. And were going to continue to do that. The only way our can community can continue to move forward is if our violent offenders are being held accountable.

The event was hosted and moderated by the League of Women Voters.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
(FOX40.COM)  A group of juveniles drinking in public prompted intervention from the Sacramento Police Department Saturday night.

Around 9 p.m., SPD patrolled the area of Front Street and J Street in Old Sacramento when it encountered a group of juveniles drinking alcohol in public. During an investigation, officers said a large group of people circled them.

Sacramento police return stolen electric bike to child plus birthday cake

According to SPD, the situation was de-escalated when the officers transported multiple suspects to an alternate location to complete their citations or transport them to juvenile hall. Two juveniles were transported to juvenile hall. One adult and five other juveniles were cited.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Bot Crimes

A police department in the United Kingdom is testing an AI-powered system that could potentially help solve cold cases by condensing decades of detective work into mere hours, Sky News reports.

But there's no word yet on the accuracy rate of this Australia-developed platform, dubbed Soze, which is a major concern since AI models tend to spit out wildly incorrect results or hallucinate made up information.

The Avon and Somerset Police Department, which covers parts of South West England, is putting the program through its paces by having Soze scan and analyze emails, social media accounts, video, financial statements, and other documents.

Sky reports that the AI was able to scan evidence from 27 "complex" cases in about 30 hours  the equivalent of 81 years of human work, which is staggering. No wonder this police department is interested in using this program, because those numbers sound like a force multiplier on steroids  which makes it especially enticing to law enforcement that may be stretched thin in terms of personnel and budget constraints.

"You might have a cold case review that just looks impossible because of the amount of material there and feed it into a system like this which can just ingest it, then give you an assessment of it," the UK's National Police Chiefs' Council chairman Gavin Stephens told Sky. "I can see that being really, really helpful."

Minority Report

Another AI project Stephens referenced is putting together a database of knives and swords, which many suspects have used to attack and maim or kill victims in the United Kingdom.

Stephens seems optimistic about these AI tools being rolled out soon, but it'd make sense to validate that they're working properly first. AI, perhaps especially in law enforcement, is notoriously error prone and can lead to false positives.

One model which was used to predict a suspect's chances of committing another crime in the future was inaccurate and also biased against Black people  which sounds like something straight out of the Philip K. Dick novella "Minority Report," later adapted into the 2002 Steven Spielberg movie. AI facial recognition can also lead to false arrests, with minorities repeatedly being fingered for crimes they didn't commit.

These inaccuracies are so concerning that the US Commission on Civil Rights recently criticized the use of AI in policing.

There's a perception that because these are machines doing analysis, they'll be infallible and accurate. But they are built on data collected by humans, who can be biased and flat out wrong, so familiar issues are baked in from the start.

More on AI and police work: Cops Say Hallucinating AIs Are Ready to Write Police Reports That Could Send People to Prison
The animal rights group Peta has called for the use of police dogs to be phased out after animals were hit with bricks and burned during riots last month.

Staffordshire PD Vixen was one of several to be injured as disorder swept the UK in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

The charity called for "safer, modern policing technology" to replace dogs.

Police have yet to respond, but in introducing new standards in April, the National Police Chiefs Council said they "rightly place a significant emphasis on the welfare and care of police dogs".

It also paid tribute to the animals, which "dedicate a lifetime of service, working alongside police officers and staff to keeping our communities safe".

In addressing its call to the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) said "unlike human officers, they did not choose to enlist or put their lives on the line".

Like Vixen, Merseyside Police dogs Ike and Zoe were "hit by bricks thrown by the unruly crowd" in Southport, Peta wrote in the letter to Sir Mark Rowley.

"Over the years, we have also read reports of dogs who have been punched or kicked or whose eyes have been gouged during altercations," it said.

"The risk of injury while working, dogs used by the police are vulnerable because too often their wellbeing comes second to other priorities."

Peta's vice president of programmes, Elisa Allen, who sent the letter, said: "Dogs in Britain's police forces never signed up to risk their lives, but are being battered on the front lines of riots and left to bake to death in hot cars."

The group highlighted the case of West Mercia PD Ivy, who suffered heatstroke and died in 2018 after being left in the back of a police vehicle for more than two hours on a hot day.

A subsequent review found that although the handler had left the engine running to keep the air conditioning on, an extractor fan in the back of the vehicle had malfunctioned, and there was not enough awareness of how the system worked.

Temperatures reached 26C (78.8F) in Worcester on the day the Belgian Malinois cross was found unresponsive.

The police investigation into her death made 17 recommendations, including air conditioning checks on all force vehicles used to transport dogs and formal dog first aid training for West Mercia Police officers.

Hundreds of puppies are bred to be used by UK forces each year, with West Midlands Police alone holding 40 females and producing about 100 puppies annually, Peta claimed.

Police dogs perform a variety of roles, from law enforcement to tracking suspects, search and rescue, and uncovering weapons, drugs or other substances.

On Sunday, West Midlands Police paid tribute to three of its "digi dogs", spaniels which help search for devices such as mobile phones, SIM cars and memory sticks, which can often be important evidence.

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We recently published a list of the 8 Best Long Term Tech Stocks To Invest In Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE:STM) stands against the other best long term tech stocks to invest in.

The technology sector came to the markets rescue in 2023 after the disastrous macroeconomic conditions of 2022. Investments in advanced technologies like generative AI continue to show strong potential for future business growth.

According to CNBCs Q3 CFO Council survey, 48% of the CFOs said that the tech industrys growth will outperform all other sectors over the next six months. Moreover, in a September 23 interview with CNBC, Investment Management Partner at Callan Family Office, RaeAnn Mitrione highlighted that the tech sector has been a major beneficiary of the recent Fed rate cut. Lower interest rates are favorable for tech companies, which often thrive in such environments.

The ongoing AI theme has also been a key driver of techs strong performance. Additionally, she mentioned that mega-cap tech stocks were previously seen as a safe haven during economic uncertainty, but as the rate environment shifts, the focus may broaden to include smaller, more economically sensitive sectors. Nonetheless, techs strong momentum, fueled by AI, is likely to persist for some time.

Optimism in Global Tech Spending for 2024

According to Deloittes 2024 technology industry outlook, global tech spending slowed due to high interest rates, economic concerns, and geopolitical issues in 2023. However, optimism is growing for 2024, with projected global IT spending growth of 5.7% to 8%. Some of the growth areas include software, IT services, and AI investments, with AI spending potentially reaching $200 billion by 2025. Cloud computing and cybersecurity are also expected to see strong demand.

The report states that Gen AI is gaining traction but it is expected to grow modestly in 2024, yet more strongly in 2025, with its integration into software and business processes driving productivity and efficiency. AI hardware demand is set to exceed $50 billion next year, while companies continue exploring AI monetization strategies.

Harnessing AI for Greater Energy Efficiency

Additionally, the growing influence of big tech companies and the increasing reliance on AI have led to a significant rise in energy demand. We discussed this in our article about the 13 Best Big Tech Stocks To Buy Now. Here is an excerpt from the article:

A recent notable trend that people have begun to see because of the rise of big tech companies and the growing use of AI is a greater demand for power. Many major tech companies are beginning to require more energy, with the AWS-owner going as far as buying a nuclear-powered data center for $650 million recently. The primary driving force for this rising demand is the need to develop AI. Many energy-conscious investors may see this new trend as a red flag for big tech. However, Jensen Huang has noted that while AI takes a ton of energy to train, once developed and trained, it will also help save energy. He particularly noted that AI is going to become so advanced through this development that it will eventually end up offering solutions that can change the way we use energy, making our operations endlessly more energy efficient.

Story continues

While concerns about the electricity needed to power AI are justified, according to industry pioneers like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, the technology itself will help solve that problem.

Our Methodology

For this article, we used the Finviz stock screener to identify 27 tech stocks with market caps of above $10 billion, Buy or Buy-equivalent ratings from analysts, and over 20% average price target upside. We narrowed our list to 8 stocks with the highest average analyst price target upside as of September 26. The best long term tech stocks are listed in ascending order of their average analyst price target upside.

We also mentioned the hedge fund sentiment around each stock which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 900 elite hedge funds.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Is STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE:STM) the Best Long Term Tech Stock To Invest In Now?

Is STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE:STM) the Best Long Term Tech Stock To Invest In Now?

STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE:STM)

Average Analyst Price Target Upside: 39.93%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 16

STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE:STM) is a prominent global semiconductor manufacturer that designs, develops, and markets a diverse range of semiconductor integrated circuits and discrete devices.

It is among our best long term tech stocks to invest in now. The stock has a consensus Buy rating from 26 analysts and the average price target of $41.25 represents an upside of 39.93% from the present levels, as of September 26.

Its products are utilized in a wide range of applications, including automotive, telecommunications, industrial automation, and consumer electronics. With a customer base exceeding 200,000 and a network of thousands of partners, the company is dedicated to creating solutions that address the evolving challenges and opportunities within the microelectronics landscape.

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) product portfolio is extensive as it includes key components such as microcontrollers, advanced analog integrated circuits, sensors, and power management devices.

The diversification allows it to serve various sectors, including automotive, industrial, personal electronics, communications, and computing. A significant focus on sustainability is evident in the companys commitment to becoming carbon neutral in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2027, with partial efforts targeting scope 3 emissions.

Recently, on September 24, the company unveiled its fourth generation of STPOWER silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET technology. The latest development sets new standards in power efficiency, density, and strength, which cater specifically to the demands of both the automotive and industrial sectors.

The technology is especially well-suited for traction inverters, which are essential components in electric vehicle (EV) powertrains. The company plans to introduce further advancements in SiC technology through 2027, which is a sign of its dedication to innovation in the semiconductor field.

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) has taken significant steps to improve shareholder value. In the second quarter, the company distributed $73 million in cash dividends and executed an $88 million share buyback as part of a broader initiative that concluded a $1.040 billion repurchase program initiated in July 2021.

In June, the company announced an even more ambitious new share buyback plan with two programs totaling up to $1.1 billion to be implemented over the next three years. Such actions signal a strong commitment to returning capital to shareholders while maintaining a focus on growth.

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) was part of 16 hedge funds portfolios that are tracked by Insider Monkey in the second quarter with a total stake value of $231.780 million. D E Shaw is the biggest shareholder in the company and has a position worth $96.072 million as of Q2.

Overall, STM ranks 5th on our list of the best long term tech stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of STM as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than STM 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 store is secured with police cordon tape. 31 people were injured in several fires - two children are in mortal danger. Firefighters were deployed to three locations at the same time, according to the fire department. It is being investigated whether the operations at the store could be connected to the fires. The suspect was arrested after he allegedly drove a van into a store, a police spokesman said. ---/TV7news/dpa

Two separate fires in the western German city of Essen left some 30 people injured on Saturday, including two toddlers in critical condition due to smoke inhalation, according to local authorities.

Police said a 41-year-old Syrian man from Essen had been arrested as a suspect in connection with the fires.

The man was also linked to an incident involving a van that crashed into two shops, a police spokesman said, adding that no injuries were reported from that event.

The arrest took place near the two shops. Police said they could not provide details about the suspect's background or motives.

According to police, the fires occurred in quick succession in two houses, prompting a large-scale response from emergency services.

The injured had all received medical attention and some had been taken to hospital, the police spokesman said.

Among eight seriously injured children were two toddlers whose condition remains critical due to smoke inhalation, the fire brigade said.

The police spokesman declined to comment on reports that the man had also threatened someone with a knife and a machete. Videos circulating on social media were currently being evaluated by the authorities, he added.
2 men shot at for unknown reasons in Kalihi

HONOLULU (KHON2)  According to the Honolulu Police Department, a male victim sought medical attention at the Queens Medical Center early Sunday morning.

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The patient was treated for gunshot wounds.

EMS, HPD respond to apparent Nuuanu stabbing

According to police records, two men were shot at for unknown reasons.

The condition of the second victim was not provided.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

Police are investigating the incident as an attempted murder.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Authorities in Red Wing are urging residents to turn down the temperature amid a recent string of politically charged incidents, including a public disturbance at a local Trump merchandise store.

On Sept. 24, the Red Wing Police Department received a complaint of a man "screaming, swearing, yelling at staff, acting irate, and damaging property" at the Trump Store, located on the 1300 block of Old West Main St.

According to a news release, the suspect also damaged a flag and "threw a piece of metal from the flag in the parking lot" before leaving in his vehicle.

Police have identified the perpetrator as a local 31-year-old man, who they say is also a suspect in "an additional theft of signs." He was cited for misdemeanor property damage and will be issued a "formal trespass order from the store."

Wikimedia Commons

The city has also gotten complaints about "political signs containing profanity on private property," police say, adding that however offensive, such language is "most likely protected speech under the First Amendment."

In a public statement, Red Wing Police Chief Nick Sather lamented the division that comes with every national election and warned that acting out on it can bring legal consequences:

It is unfortunate that when the national election comes every four years, there is so much division that results from it. Many people display signs legally to show support of a candidate or sell merchandise. Every citizen should respect each other regardless of which candidate or person they support, as we are all American citizens and our country is built on democracy. Stealing a sign or vandalizing property is not going to change the election results. Criminal behavior will not be tolerated within the City of Red Wing, and any direct threats, thefts or damage in relation to people expressing their constitutional rights will result in criminal charges or an arrest. - Red Wing Police Chief Nick Sather

In response, two Republican state lawmakers, Rep.Pam Altendorf and Sen. Steve Drazkowski, condemned political violence in a public statement that also referenced the two recent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, the Rochester Post-Bulletin notes.

Such conflict is by no means limited to Red Wing. Dozens of Harris-Walz signs were reported stolen in Preston, Fillmore County, prompting the local Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) to warn supporters as well as would-be thieves.

"Make sure your camera batteries are charged and report all theft/damage to your local police," the organization said in a Saturday Facebook post. "Do not be deterred from supporting the best ticket ever because of these criminals!"

The party noted that stealing signs is an act of trespassing as well as theft, and vows to pursue "full charges" as well as to replace "replace every sign stolen as much as we can."

"The fact that you need to steal signs to win an election says more about you and your candidate than you realize," the post concludes.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Oklahoma City Police need your help finding two people who allegedly shoplifted from a store near Penn Square Mall.

Police said the two people were seen on camera taking $1,100 worth of perfume without paying at a business near Memorial/Penn.

If you know who they are, call police or crime stoppers at 405-235-7300.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WARSAW (Reuters) - A Polish non-government organisation said on Sunday that it has filed a lawsuit against President Andrzej Duda over comments he made in 2023 about the film "Green Border", which depicted the migrant crisis on the Belarus border.

The nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, of which Duda is an ally, condemned the award-winning film by director Agnieszka Holland, saying its portrayal of the treatment of migrants at the border by Polish security services insulted people who were protecting their country.

Duda said at the time that he was not surprised that critics of the film used the slogan "Only pigs sit in the cinema" to describe people who went to see it.

"We have filed a lawsuit against the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda for insulting citizens of his own country by calling them "pigs"," the Racist and Xenophobic Behaviour Monitoring Centre said in a post on social media.

Malgorzata Paprocka, the head of Duda's office, confirmed to Reuters by text message that there was such a case and said that the trial was scheduled for next year.

State news agency PAP quoted Paprocka as saying that the trial date was set for Oct. 24, 2025 and that Duda would be represented in court by his attorney.

"Green Border" was shot in black and white and showed a family from Syria and a woman from Afghanistan thrown backwards and forwards across the border by guards indifferent to their suffering, as activists struggled to try to bring them to safety.

Migrants, largely from North Africa and the Middle East, started flocking to the border in 2021 after Belarus, a Russian ally, opened travel agencies in the Middle East offering an unofficial route into Europe, a move Brussels and Warsaw said was designed to create a crisis.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
As response rates drop, pollsters are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to determine what voters are thinking ahead of Election Day, not only asking the questions but sometimes to help answer them. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Days after President Joe Biden announced he would not be seeking re-election, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, polling organization Siena College Research Institute sought to learn how persuadable voters were feeling about Harris.

In their survey, a 37-year-old Republican explained that they generally favored Trump for his ability to get [things] done one way or another.

Who do you think cares about people like you? How do they compare in terms of caring about people like you? the pollster asked.

Thats where I think Harris wins, I lost a lot of faith in Trump when he didnt even contact the family of the supporter who died at his rally, the 37-year-old said.

Pollsters pressed this participant and others across the political spectrum to further explain their stances, and examine the nuance behind choosing a candidate. The researchers saw in real time how voters may sway depending on the issue, and asked follow-up questions about their belief systems.

But the persuadable voters werent talking to a human pollster. They were conversing with an AI chatbot called Engage.

The speed in which election cycles move, coupled with a steep drop of people participating in regular phone or door-to-door polls, have caused pollsters to turn to artificial intelligence for insights, both asking the questions and sometimes even answering them

Why do we poll?

The history of polling voters in presidential races goes back 200 years, to the 1824 race which ultimately landed John Quincy Adams in the White House. White men began polling each other at events leading up to the election, and newspapers began reporting the results, though they didnt frame the results as predictive of the outcome of the election.

In modern times, polling for public opinion has become a business. Research centers, academic institutions and news conglomerates themselves have been conducting polls during election season for decades. Though their accuracy has limitations, the practice is one of the only ways to gauge how Americans may be thinking before they vote.

Polling plays a different role for different groups, said Rachel Cobb, an assistant professor of political science and legal studies at Suffolk University. For campaign workers, polling groups of voters helps provide insight into the issues people care about the most right now, and informs how candidates talk about those issues. Its why questions at a presidential debate usually arent a surprise to candidates  moderators tend to ask questions about the highest-polling topics that week.

For news outlets, polls help give context to current events and give anchors numbers to illustrate a story. Constant polling also helps keep a 24-hour news cycle going.

And for regular Americans, poll results help them gauge where the race is, and either activate or calm their nerves, depending on if their candidate is polling favorably.

But Cobb said she, like many of her political science colleagues, has observed a drop in responses to more traditional style of polling. Its much harder and more expensive for pollsters to do their job, because people arent answering their phones or their front doors.

The time invested in getting the appropriate kind of balance of people that you need in order to determine accuracy has gotten greater and so and theyve had to come up with more creative ways to get them, Cobb said. At the same time, our technological capacity has increased.

How AI is assisting in polling?

The speed of information has increased exponentially with social media and 24-hour news cycles, and polls have had to keep up, too. Though they bring value in showing insights for a certain group of people, their validity is fleeting because of that speed, Cobb said. Results are truly only representative of that moment in time, because one breaking news story could quickly change public opinion.

That means pollsters have to work quickly, or train artificial intelligence to keep up.

Leib Litman, co-CEO and chief research officer of CloudResearch, which created the chatbot tool Engage, said AI has allowed them to collect answers so much faster than before.

Were able to interview thousands of people within a matter of a couple hours, and then all of that data that we get, all those conversations, were also able to analyze it, and derive the insights very, very quickly, he said.

Engage was developed about a year ago and can be used in any industry where you need to conduct market research via interviews. But its become especially useful in this election cycle as campaigns attempt to learn how Americans are feeling at any given moment. The goal isnt to replace human responses with AI, rather to use AI to reach more people, Litman said.

But some polling companies are skipping interviewing and instead relying on something called sentiment analysis AI to analyze publically available data and opinions. Think tank Heartland Forward recently worked with AI-powered polling group Aaru to determine the public perception of artificial intelligence.

The prediction AI company uses geographical and demographic data of an area and scrapes publicly available information, like tweets or voting records, to simulate respondents of a poll. The algorithm uses all this information to make assertions about how a certain demographic group may vote or how they may answer questions about political issues.

This type of poll was a first for Heartland Forward, and its executive vice president Angie Cooper said they paired the AI-conducted poll with in-person gatherings where they conducted more traditional polls.

When we commissioned the poll, we didnt know what the results were going to yield, she said. What we heard in person closely mirrored the poll results.

Sentiment Analysis

The Aaru poll is an example of sentiment analysis AI, which uses machine learning and large language models to analyze the meaning and tone behind text. It includes training an algorithm to not just understand literally whats in a body of text, but also to seek out hidden messaging or context, like humans do in conversation.

The general public started interacting with this type of AI in about 2010, said Zohaib Ahmed, founder of Resemble AI, which specializes in voice generation AI. Sentiment analysis AI is the foundation behind search engines that can read a request and make recommendations, or to get your Alexa device to fulfill a command.

Between 2010 and 2020, though, the amount of information collected on the internet has increased exponentially. Theres so much more data for AI models to process and learn from, and technologists have taught it to process contextual, between-the-lines information.

The concept behind sentiment analysis is already well understood by pollsters, says Bruce Schneier, a security technologist and lecturer at Harvard Universitys Kennedy School. In June, Schneier and other researchers published a look into how AI was playing a role in political polling.

Most people think polling is just asking people questions and recording their answers, Schneier said, but theres a lot of math between the questions people answer and the poll results.

All of the work in polling is turning the answers that humans give into usable data, Schneier said.

You have to account for a few things: people lie to pollsters, certain groups may have been left out of a poll, and response rates are overall low. Youre also applying polling statistics to the answers to come up with consumable data. All of this is work that humans have had to do themselves before technology and computing helped speed up the process.

In the Harvard research, Schneier and the other authors say they believe AI will get better at anticipating human responses, and knowing when it needs human intervention for more accurate context. Currently, they said, humans are our primary respondents to polls, and computers fill in the gaps. In the future, though, well likely see AI filling out surveys and humans filling in the gaps.

I think AI should be another tool in the pollsters mathematical toolbox, which has been getting more complex for the past several decades, Schneier said.

Pros and cons of AI-assisted polling

AI polling methods bring pollsters more access and opportunity to gauge public reaction. Those who have begun using it in their methodology said that theyve struggled to get responses from humans organically, or they dont have the time and resources to conduct in-person or telephone polling.

Being interviewed by an anonymous chatbot may also provide more transparent answers for controversial political topics. Litman said personal, private issues such as health care or abortion access are where their chatbot really shines. Women, in particular, have reported that they feel more comfortable sharing their true feelings about these topics when talking to a chatbot, he said.

But, like all methodology around polling, its possible to build flaws into AI-assisted polling.

The Harvard researchers ran their own experiment asking ChatGPT 3.5 questions about the political climate, and found shortcomings when it asked about U.S. intervention in the Ukraine war. Because the AI model only had access to data up through 2021, the answers missed all of the current context about Russias invasion beginning in 2022.

Sentiment analysis AI may also struggle with text thats ambiguous, and it cant be counted on for reviewing developing information, Ahmed said. For example, the X timeline following one of the two assassination attempts of Trump probably included favorable or supportive messages from politicians across the aisle. An AI algorithm might read the situation and conclude that all of those people are very pro-Trump.

But it doesnt necessarily mean theyre navigating towards Donald Trump, Ahmed said. It just means, you know, theres sympathy towards an event thats happened, right? But that event is completely missed by the AI. It has no context of that event occurring, per se.

Just like phone-call polling, AI-assisted polling can also potentially leave whole groups of people out of surveys, Cobb said. Those who arent comfortable using a chatbot, or arent very active online will be excluded from public opinion polls if pollsters move most of their methods online.

Its very nuanced, Ahmed said of AI polling. I think it can give you a pretty decent, high-level look at whats happening, and I guarantee that its being used by election teams to understand their position in the race, but we have to remember we exist in bubbles, and it can be misleading.

Both the political and technology experts agreed that as with most other facets of our lives, AI has found its way into polling and we likely wont look back. Technologists should aim to further train AI models to understand human sentiment, they say, and pollsters should continue to pair it with human responses for a fuller scope of public opinion.

Science of polling is huge and complicated, Schneier said. And adding AI to the mix is another tiny step down a pathway weve been walking for a long time using, you know, fancy math combined with human data.
Francis's visit was the first by a pope to Belgium since 1995 (Alberto PIZZOLI) (Alberto PIZZOLI/AFP/AFP)

Pope Francis implored bishops not to cover up the sexual abuse of children, during an open-air mass on Sunday that capped a three-day visit to Belgium, which is still struggling with the legacy of past scandals.

Gathered in bright morning sunshine, about 40,000 faithful, some waving Belgian and Vatican flags, packed the King Baudouin stadium north of the capital to hear the 87-year-old pontiff.

"There is no place for abuse, there is no place for covering up abuse," Francis said during a homily.

"I ask everyone not to cover up abuse, I ask the bishops not to cover up abuse, to condemn the abusers and help them heal themselves of this disease of abuse."

During his stay, the pontiff was pressed by Belgian authorities and victims' advocates on the Catholic Church's handling of child sexual abuse, which was put back on the front pages by a hard-hitting documentary last year.

The Belgian documentary prompted around 200 more people to come forward with allegations that they were abused by members of the Church, adding to around 1,000 cases reported before then.

On Friday, Francis met with 17 victims. "I felt their suffering," he told the Sunday mass.

"Evil must not be hidden, evil must be brought out into the open, let it be known," he added, calling for all perpetrators to be judged.

- Women and values -

The programme of Sunday's mass had to be changed at the last minute after it emerged that the closing hymn was composed by a priest accused of sexual abuse.

The blunder prompted the head of the Belgian bishops' conference, Archbishop Luc Terlinden, to admit that the Church needed to better monitor cases and perpetrators.

While the question of abuse cast a shadow throughout his stay, the Argentine pontiff was given a rapturous welcome at Sunday's mass, where young people and families cheered as he toured the venue in his Popemobile.

"He transmits all kinds of values," Olivier Caillet, 44, from Brussels, said of the pope, praising his welcoming stance on migration.

"He's a bit like the pope of surprises, he's with the underprivileged... he's opening up new possibilities, trying to change people's consciences so that we don't close borders like barriers."

Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were also in attendance at the mass, which Francis used to appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and the wider Middle East.

"I call on all parties to immediately cease fire in Lebanon, Gaza, the rest of Palestine and Israel," the pontiff said, as Israel continued to target the Hezbollah armed group in Lebanon.

On the flight back to Rome, he slams the "immoral" use of force in the region.

"Defence must always be proportional to the attack. When this is not the case, a dominating tendency appears that goes beyond morality," he told reporters travelling with him when asked about the effects of Israel strikes on civilians.

"Even in war there is a morality to defend. War is immoral, but the rules of war indicate a form of morality."

Francis's visit, the first by a pope to Belgium since John Paul II in 1995, also highlighted the growing disconnect between the Vatican and some faithful in progressive, secular countries over issues such as gender inequality.

On Saturday, he was challenged during a frank exchange with students about the place of women in the Church -- after paying tribute to a former sovereign who took a public stance against abortion.

His response, describing women as daughters, sisters and mothers upset some, with the Catholic university hosting the meeting later expressing its "incomprehension and disapproval" at the reductive view.

"I don't understand why women can't become priests. It's something that was established because it was rooted in society at the time, but now we've moved on," Alice Vanwijnsberghe, an 18-year-old student, told AFP after attending a festival with 6,000 young Catholics.

During his traditional press conference on board the plane flying him back to Rome, the pontiff saluted former Belgian monarch King Baudouin's bravery for opposing a law in favour of abortion in 1990.

"The king was courageous because faced with this murderous law, he did not sign, and he resigned," the pope said. "That takes courage."

cmk-mad/ub/ec/ju/yad
By Joshua McElwee

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT (Reuters) - Pope Francis, asked on Sunday about Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as well as non-combatants, criticised military attacks that he said go "beyond morality".

On the flight back to Rome from Belgium, the pontiff said countries cannot go "over the top" in using their military forces. "Even in war there is a morality to safeguard," he said. "War is immoral. But the rules of war give it some morality."

Responding to a question during an in-flight press conference about Israel's latest strikes, the 87-year-old pope said: "Defence must always be proportionate to the attack. When there is something disproportionate, you see a tendency to dominate that goes beyond morality."

Francis, as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, often makes calls for an end to violent conflicts, but is usually cautious about appearing to determine the aggressors. He has spoken more openly in recent weeks about Israel's military actions in its nearly year-long war against Hamas.

Last week, the pope said Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon were "unacceptable" and urged the international community to do everything possible to halt the fighting. In a Sept. 28 press conference, he decried the deaths of Palestinian children in Israeli strikes in Gaza.

Francis said on Sunday he speaks on the phone with members of a Catholic parish in Gaza "every day". He said the parishioners tell him about conditions on the ground, and "also the cruelty that is happening there".

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Helen Popper)
Pope Francis concluded his multi-day visit to Belgium on Sunday by celebrating Mass at Brussels' King Baudouin Stadium and with a call to help victims of clerical sexual abuse.

"The cries of the afflicted cannot be ignored," said the pope in his homily to scattered applause, calling for transparency and support for victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

"I ask everyone, do not cover up abusers. I ask bishops, condemn the abusers," he added in his off-script remarks, sending a clear message to high-ranking church officials in Belgium.

Almost 40,000 believers from Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands, as well as the Belgian King Philippe, attended the ceremony on a bright, sunny morning.

Cheers punctuated the brisk autumn air when the pope entered the stadium. Music from an organ and a choir swirled as the pope toured the crowd, blessing the children and babies presented to him.

At the start of the Mass, the head of the Catholic Church beatified Anne of Jesus.

The native Spaniard, who died in Brussels in 1621, was involved in founding convents in Antwerp, Tournai, Mechelen and Ghent, among other places.

Anne of Jesus was an associate of Saint Teresa of Avila, who is also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus. The Church teacher is regarded as one of the most famous women in the Catholic Church. Teresa also critically examined the dominant role of men.

The Mass brought to an end what was at times a difficult trip for the pontiff. He received a bruising welcome from Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and the Belgian king.

The Belgian king told the pope that "it has taken far too long to begin looking for ways to repair the irreparable" as the details of abuse within the Belgian Catholic Church emerged over the years.

The Belgian prime minister meanwhile told the head of the Catholic Church that words are not enough and that "concrete steps must also be taken."

"The victims must be heard. They should be at the centre. They have a right to the truth," De Croo said in his speech to welcome the pope on Friday.

The head of the Catholic Church met in private with a large group of victims of clerical sexual abuse on Friday.

The meeting lasted two hours and was an "open, difficult and also emotional conversation," a participant told the Belgian news agency Belga afterwards.

A visit to mark the 600th anniversary of the Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve's foundation also resulted in a clear disagreement on the role of women in society and the Church.

The university's staff and students pressed the pope and the Church to recognize that the position of women has advanced beyond the role of a carer.

The pope in response to the university described the role of a woman as that of a "fruitful, welcome, nurturing and life-giving dedication."

A press release circulated by the university after the conversation noted the pope's view with "incomprehension and disapproval," describing his position as too conservative.

Pope Francis leads a holy mass at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Eric Lalmand/Belga/dpa
By Joshua McElwee

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Sunday victims of Catholic clergy sexual abuse in Belgium deserved more financial compensation, calling the amounts allocated to them so far "too small".

On the flight back to Rome from Belgium, where the pontiff was pressed by the country's political leaders for more concrete actions to address clergy abuse, Francis also reiterated the Catholic Church's commitment to helping survivors.

"We must take care of those who have been abused, and punish the abusers," he said.

Francis was urged in Belgium by both King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to do more to help abuse survivors in unusually forceful language for a papal foreign trip, always a carefully choreographed event.

In a two-hour meeting with survivors on Friday, the pope was also asked specifically to look at the issue of financial compensation.

"We didn't talk about amounts as such, but we are very clear on the fact ... that what has been achieved and obtained so far is totally insufficient," said Annesophie Cardinal, one of the survivors who attended the meeting at the Vatican's embassy in Brussels.

Francis said on Sunday the amounts given to survivors, which ranged from 2,500 euros ($2,800) to 25,000 euros ($28,000), depending on the severity of the abuse, did not provide "what was needed".

Belgian clergy abuse victims have received financial compensation through a Church-established mediation body following a 2010 investigation that uncovered widespread abuse over decades.

In total, the Arbitration Centre upheld 507 claims from victims of priests, awarding a total of 3 million euros ($3.4 million), a former member of the Centre's scientific committee told the Belgian Parliament in 2016.

Francis has made addressing abuse by clergy a priority of his papacy, and created the first papal commission on the issue. He also installed a global system for Catholics to report suspicions of abuse or cover-ups by bishops.

But survivors' groups have questioned the effectiveness of the commission and also urged the pontiff to require all Catholic clergy to report suspicions of abuse to authorities.

Francis said on Sunday he had met the victims in Belgium because he believes it is "a duty" for him as pope.

"We have the responsibility to help those who have been abused, and to take care of them," he said.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Additional reporting by Marta Fiorin; Editing by William Maclean and Helen Popper)
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, laid the foundation stone on Saturday, for the projects of Al Reeh Al Mursala Clinic and the drinking water network. These projects are sponsored by the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) in cooperation with the Sharjah Charity Intearnational (SCI) , located in the village of October in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Sultan bin Ahmed lays foundation stone for Al Reeh Al Mursala Clinic in Kyrgyzstan

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed stressed the value of humanitarian efforts and charitable initiatives aimed at providing support to the unwell and those in need worldwide, which leads to the launch of several philanthropic projects, such as establishing hospitals, providing care and support to patients, and setting up drinking water networks globally. He stated that the United Arab Emirates, particularly the Emirate of Sharjah, is committed to this duty through the guidance and vision of wise leadership, which aims to provide everyone with a stable, secure, and healthy life.

The Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council noted that the establishment of the clinic, which will feature a range of medical specializations, as well as repairs to the drinking water system in October Village, Kyrgyzstan, is part of the charitable initiatives that got underway in Aswan, Egypt, in July, which aims to help the greatest number of sick and destitute people worldwide. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed confirmed that the humanitarian medical campaigns would go on in other countries.

According to Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed, the purpose of these humanitarian medical campaigns is to offer healthcare and treatment services to those in need who are unable to pay the expenses and treatment costs. The initiatives also aim to use formal channels in the country to distribute donations and philanthropic aid from generous individuals to those in need.

The Chairman of Sharjah Media Council expressed his heartfelt thanks to the donors and contributors to the various charitable campaigns and programs, who are part of the medical support provided by hospitals to those in need through their generous donations via charitable initiatives such as "Pain and Hope" and " Al Reeh Al Mursala," which highlight humanitarian cases. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed prayed to God Almighty to accept their contributions, bless their work, and grant swift healing to every patient.

Upon his arrival, the Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council planted saplings at the site of the Al Reeh Al Mursala Clinic, laying the foundation stone for the clinic. He then visited the accompanying exhibition, which includes plans and information about the new building, covering a total area of 350 square meters. The clinic will include various specialties, such as general medicine, consulting physicians, and radiology, as well as maternity clinics and medical laboratories.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed listened to a detailed explanation about the steps involved in establishing the new clinic building, which will serve 14,000 beneficiaries from the local population and surrounding areas. He learned about the processes of renovation and expansion, as well as the increase in capacity and the number of departments and medical specialties, all aimed at providing healthcare, meeting the needs of the community, and offering various specialized medical services to save time and costs.

The Governor of October Village delivered a speech welcoming the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, expressing his gratitude and appreciation to the Emirate of Sharjah for its charitable efforts and support for those in need around the world. He explained that the residents of the area had to travel long distances to access medical services due to the limited capabilities of the clinic and the lack of specialized medical fields. He noted that with the establishment of the Al Reeh Al Mursala Clinic, it would be easier for all residents in nearby areas to receive medical services.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed then moved to the site of the drinking water network in October Village, which aims to cover the entire area, as well as reduce the spread of diseases caused by contaminated water and alleviate the residents' struggles in fetching drinking water from distant locations.

The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah laid the foundation stone for the new drinking water network, which includes a water distribution system with an artesian well spanning 15,000 meters and a water tank with a capacity of 21,000 gallons. Additionally, modern extensions will be established for 700 homes, benefiting 4,000 people, along with two distribution points serving those passing through the area.

The Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, received commemorative gifts from the delegation of the Kyrgyz October Village and took group photos with them.

The radio program " Al Reeh Al Mursala" is broadcast during the holy month of Ramadan each year, in collaboration with the Sharjah Charity International (SCI) . The program highlights various charitable and humanitarian projects and campaigns, aiming to encourage generous individuals to contribute to funding and providing a range of goodwill and benevolence in remote areas of the countries covered by the SCI's work and projects, which reach 110 countries worldwide.

The foundation stone was laid in the presence of the Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, along with Sheikh Saqr bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Charity International (SCI) ; Muhammad Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority; Tariq Saeed Allay, the Director General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau; Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council; Rashid Abdullah Al Obeid, Director of Sharjah Media City "Shams"; Salem Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority; Abdullah Sultan bin Khadim, Executive Director of the Sharjah Charity International ; and several directors and officials from the October Village in the Kyrgyz Republic.

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Sultan bin Ahmed lays foundation stone for Al Reeh Al Mursala Clinic in Kyrgyzstan

Sultan bin Ahmed lays foundation stone for Al Reeh Al Mursala Clinic in Kyrgyzstan

Sultan bin Ahmed lays foundation stone for Al Reeh Al Mursala Clinic in Kyrgyzstan

Sultan bin Ahmed lays foundation stone for Al Reeh Al Mursala Clinic in Kyrgyzstan

Cision

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SOURCE Sharjah Government Media Bureau
(NewsNation)  The number of women charged with pregnancy-related crimes hit a record high in the year following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled to remove the national right to an abortion in June 2022. Advocacy group Pregnancy Justice compiled pregnancy-related prosecutions between the ruling and June 2023.

That period yielded at least 210 prosecutions, with the majority of cases coming from Alabama (104) and Oklahoma (68). Ten came from South Carolina, seven from Ohio, six from Mississippi and another six from Texas.

Thats the highest number the group has identified over any 12-month period in research projects that have looked back as far as 1973.

DOJ accuses Alabama of clearing voter rolls too close to election

Researchers say the record-high total is actually an undercount, adding that the team continues to uncover additional cases initiated during this period and will add them to the dataset as part of a comprehensive three-year report published at the end of the study.

Heres how the roughly 220 prosecutions break down:

198 allege child abuse, neglect or endangerment

Nine charges of criminal homicide

Eight drug charges

One charge of abuse of corpse

One abortion-specific crime, under a now-repealed criminal abortion statute

Zenovia Earle, media and communications director for Pregnancy Justice, told The Guardian such prosecutions can be based on someones perceptions of risky behavior, however, they might define it, and its often based on stereotypes or outdated notions.

Prosecutors overwhelmingly charged pregnant people with offenses that allow them to obtain convictions without having to prove that the pregnant person harmed the fetus or infant, the study reads, citing that 191 of 220 total charges lacked a harm requirement.

One of the lead researchers, Wendy Bach, told the Associated Press that one of the cases involved a woman delivering a stillborn baby at her home roughly six months into pregnancy.

When that woman went to make funeral arrangements, the funeral home reported her and authorities charged her with homicide  one of 22 cases in the study involving the death of a fetus or infant.

A majority, 143, of the defendants are white, while thirty were Black, thirteen were Native American and nine were Latinx. Another 15 did not have demographic information available.

Trump posts, then deletes, fake image of Kamala Harris with Diddy

The researchers caution that the tally of cases from June 24, 2022, through June 23, 2023, is an undercount, as were earlier versions. As a result, they cant be positive there wasnt a stretch between 1973 and 2022 with as many cases as after the Dobbs ruling. During the earlier period, they found more than 1,800 cases  peaking at about 160 in 2015 and 2017.

Several states have laws that give fetuses at least some rights of people, and the concept received broad attention earlier this year when Alabama clinics suspended offering in vitro fertilization after a state Supreme Court ruling recognized embryos as extrauterine children in a wrongful death case brought by couples whose frozen embryos were destroyed in an accident.

Within weeks, the Republicans who control the state government adopted a law to protect IFV providers from legal liability.

We really need to separate health care from punishment, Rivera said. This just has tragic endings and does not properly address the problem. It creates more problems.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
A British woman who fled Lebanon after fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensified has said she feels "terrible and guilty" for leaving.

"I'm still in denial," Alla Ghalayini told the BBC. "I can't sleep. I still hear the bombs in my head."

The 28-year-old is nearly two months pregnant with her first child. She looked exhausted as she arrived at London's Heathrow Airport aboard a Middle East Airlines flight with two large suitcases on Sunday morning.

She says she left her husband behind - along with the life she loved.

There has been fighting between Israel and Hezbollah across the Lebanese border since the 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas. The Iran-backed militia, which is based in Lebanon, said it would continue until there was a ceasefire in Gaza.

In recent weeks, Israel has attacked areas it says are Hezbollah strongholds in different parts of Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut.

On Saturday, an Israeli strike in southern Beirut killed Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, with Israel saying 20 more of the group's senior members were killed in the attack.

Ms Ghalayini moved to Beirut from north London when she married in August last year.

She said she had no idea when she would see her husband again, or if she will be able to return to Lebanon before her baby is born.

Ms Ghalayini said the only commercial airline she could find leaving Beirut was Middle East Airlines - and she was only able to get a seat because her husband is a pilot for the company.

"I feel terrible and guilty that I have been able to leave," she said.

"I didnt want to leave my husband. My heart is with him."

She said Beirut Airport, where she departed from, was "chaotic" and "rammed with people", adding that the plane did not have an empty seat.

"[The flight] was obviously emotional - everyone had a story.

"Everyone on the plane felt at ease as soon as the airplane left Lebanese airspace. Thats because areas very close by to the airport were being bombed."

Ms Ghalayini left her life behind in Lebanon and does not know when she will be able to return [Supplied]

Ms Ghalayini said that, before she had left, the situation in the country felt "unbearable".

"I was seeing buildings bombed, buildings falling, huge fires. It wouldnt just be one bomb, it would be 20 explosions, one after the other," she added.

"We were screaming. Hiding in the bathroom. I live on the 23rd floor, so I was seeing my city burn. You feel helpless.

"You smell flesh, see people still stuck under rubble.

"Being born and raised in London, I've never experienced anything like this.

"No one should have to go through what we've gone through."

BBC News understands there are between 4,000 and 6,000 UK nationals including their dependents in Lebanon.

The Foreign Office told UK nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately on Saturday due to the escalating violence.

"We encourage you to book the next available flight, even if it is not a direct route," it said in its official advice.

In a post on X, it said it was working "to increase capacity and secure seats for British nationals to leave.

UK nationals in Lebanon have been told to register their presence to receive the latest information.

From her apartment on the 23rd floor, Alaa Ghalayini observed bombs falling on Beirut [Alaa Ghalayini]
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.2 rattled Southern California on Saturday, shaking homes and businesses across the region.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck around 2:38 p.m. approximately 5.5 miles west of Malibu.

As of 2:48 p.m., there were no reports of damage or injuries.

Saturdays tremor comes amid a recent barrage of quakes in the Malibu area, including a 4.7 magnitude earthquake just two weeks ago.

Seismologists, including Dr. Lucy Jones, say that there is no such thing as patterns for earthquakes and that an increase in movement is simply a coincidence.

Yes we are feeling [more quakes this year] but its not yet statistically significant, Jones said in a news conference Thursday. Seismologists look for patterns  everybody looks for patterns  thats why we have myths of earthquake weather and animals and all of these things are us trying to form a pattern of what is inherently a random distribution.

This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA 5 News for updates.

Latest California Earthquakes. Please wait a moment for map to load.

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, its crucial to know the proper steps to protect yourself and minimize injury. 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.

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 annually, but the vast majority are incredibly minor. Several hundred reach a magnitude of 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 reach a magnitude of 4.0 or greater, 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.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  President Biden ordered federal aid for several Florida counties for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene.

On Saturday evening, he declared that a major disaster exists in Florida, allowing funding for State, tribal, and local recovery efforts.

At least 64 dead and millions without power after Helenes deadly march across the Southeast

The funding is available for the following Tampa Bay counties:

Citrus

Hernando

Hillsborough

Manatee

Pasco

Pinellas

Sarasota

Other Florida counties included are Charlotte, Dixie, Franklin, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla.

Funding can be used for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs. Additional assistance may be designated following assessments, the White House said in the release.

A look at the damage: Anna Maria Island residents lost everything to Hurricane Helene

Residents and business owners can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA app.

President Biden also approved federal funding for North Carolina, as Helene tore through the state over the weekend.

For additional information and resources on FEMA, call 202-646-3272 or email FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Pritzker says it is natural for Harris to adapt immigration policies over time

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) said its natural that Vice President Harris has changed her immigration policies over time.

Pritzker joined CNNs State of the Union on Sunday after Harris campaigned in Arizona, visited the U.S.-Mexico border and called for tougher border security. Anchor Jake Tapper asked the governor why Harris walked back her previous stances on immigration reform.

Its natural, of course, that you adapt your policies to meet the moment, Pritzker said.

He pointed to mass migration globally that has begun to increase significantly over the last four years since Harriss first run for president.

Pritzker said Harris is showing she would stand behind the bipartisan immigration bill crafted in the Senate earlier this year, which he said former President Trump torpedoed.

We finally, under Joe Biden, got Senator Lankford and a total of 75 senators behind a border security bill, and you know who torpedoed that? Donald Trump, Pritzker said. So we got to pay attention to the fact that Kamala Harris is actually trying to solve problems.

Pritzker noted his city of Chicago has seen an influx of migrants in recent years. As Republicans look to criticize the Biden administration over its delay in immigration reform, the Democratic governor said they have been working behind the scenes and presented the bill earlier this year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Pro-Trump boat parade held in New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI)  Supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered for a boat parade in New Bedford Saturday morning.

The fleet left the New Bedford Harbor around 10 a.m. and came back to the State Pier around noon.

Similar events were held in the region recently, with supporters organizing a pro-Trump boat rally in Bristol and Warwick, Rhode Island during August.

NEXT: Nesis Notes: Sept. 28

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Consider the following hypothetical: You are jailed for two years as you await trial for murder. You are facing the death penalty. You have cancer, which had been in remission until you were incarcerated without proper treatment and monitoring. And, it turns out, you were charged based on a false witness statement, a fact that the local prosecutor allegedly encouraged the destruction of evidence to obscure.

Now imagine suing that prosecutor and being told you have no recourse because such government employees are entitled to absolute immunity.

That is, unfortunately, not a hypothetical. It describes the case surrounding Nickie Miller, a Kentucky man who was implicated in a bizarre murder plot by a woman to whom the government had offered a deal to avoid prison time. That witness, Natasha Martin, almost immediately sought to recant. Law enforcement wouldn't accept that. She testified before a grand jury, and then she tried to recant again, writing in jailhouse letters that her statement came in response to "coercive interrogation techniques, threats, and undisclosed promises of consideration."

The story will fly under the radar. It shouldn't. Nickie Miller was jailed for 2 years for a murder he didn't commitin part because a prosecutor reportedly ordered a witness to destroy evidence of Miller's innocence. Miller had cancer. It was in remission, but it relapsed https://t.co/UNFEKAPTc4  Billy Binion (@billybinion) July 3, 2024

When Miller's defense team caught wind of those letters, it obtained a court order for them. Martin asked Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Keith Craycraft how she should comply, to which he allegedly responded that she should destroy the correspondence. She did. (Craycraft acknowledges he spoke with Martin by phone after the court order but denies telling her to destroy evidence.)

The state eventually dropped the charges against Miller. His two years in jail, however, took a toll, according to his criminal defense attorney, who said Miller's cancer was in remission but recurred after the state locked him up, as he could not access his medication.

Following his release, Miller sued Craycraft. The district court concluded Craycraft was entitled to absolute immunity. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit subsequently noted that Craycraft's alleged chicanery was "difficult to justify and seemingly unbecoming of an official entrusted with enforcing the criminal law." But that court went ahead and ratified the grant of absolute immunity anywaya testament to the malfeasance the doctrine permits.

Core to the decision, and to similar rulings, is Imbler v. Pachtman (1976), the precedent in which the Supreme Court created the doctrine of absolute prosecutorial immunity. The Court ruled that a man who had spent years in prison for murder could not sue a prosecutor who allegedly withheld evidence that eventually exonerated him.

Plaintiffs' only way around this doctrine is proving that a prosecutor committed misconduct outside the scope of his prosecutorial duties. It's a difficult task. Louisiana woman Priscilla Lefebure sued local prosecutor Samuel C. D'Aquilla after he sabotaged her rape case against his colleague Barrett Boeker, then an assistant warden at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.

Rather than present the grand jury with the results of a medical exam that found bruises, redness, and irritation on Lefebure's legs, arms, and cervix, D'Aquilla offered a police report with his own handwritten notes, aiming to highlight discrepancies in her story. He also declined to call as witnesses the case's two investigators, the nurse who administered Lefebure's rape kit, or the coroner who stored it. He even refused to meet or speak with Lefebure at all, telling local news outlets doing so made him "uncomfortable."

Judge Shelly D. Dick of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana concluded that some of D'Aquilla's actions were more accurately classified as "investigative functions" as opposed to prosecutorial functions, so absolute immunity didn't apply. The unusual victory was short-lived. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit later overturned Dick's decision, ruling that Lefebure didn't have standing. The Supreme Court declined to hear her case.

Miller's case met a similar ending. "Craycraft's alleged misconduct of advising a witness to destroy evidence to thwart a court order is stunning," wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor. "If this is what absolute prosecutorial immunity protects, the Court may need to step in to ensure that the doctrine does not exceed its 'quite sparing' bounds." The Court rejected his petition.

It's possible Craycraft would have been vindicated by a jury. Miller will never get the chance to ask one, though, as he passed away during the litigation attempting to vindicate his rights against prosecutorial misconduct.

The post A Prosecutor Allegedly Told a Witness To Destroy Evidence. He Can't Be Sued for It. appeared first on Reason.com.
A public service was held for former Alexandria city councilman and Rapides Parish School Board member John E. Allen, Jr., Saturday at Zion Hill Family Church in Pineville, according to a press release.

Mr. Allens tremendous track record of servanthood spans more than six decades, starting as a Civil Rights advocate during his studies at The Tuskegee Institute, then returning to Alexandria to help lead the integration of Rapides Parish Schools, says the release.

Allen, 84, died Sept. 19 at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, according to his obituary on legacy.com.

Allen was the first Black councilman elected to the Alexandria City Council and went on to serve as the first Black city council president. He also served multiple terms on the Rapides Parish School Board representing District F and was a fierce fighter for educational equity and resources for the schools, communities, families, students, and teachers he represented, the release continues.

The release also states that Allen opened the Lee & Texas Walk-in Clinic to increase healthcare access in South Alexandria. To improve transportation throughout the city, he opened AAA Transportation.

The release concludes by stating that Mr. Allens accomplishments and service made a lasting impact on the city of Alexandria and across the state of Louisiana.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Public Service held for former councilman, school board member John Allen
The Government must honour its pledge to punish P&O Ferries and its chief executive over the mass sacking of 800 employees in 2022, the maritime officers union said.



Amid fears that an investigation into the companys actions has stalled, the Nautilus International union said Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, must ensure P&O is brought to justice as she prepares to unveil her Employment Rights Bill next month.



Mark Dickinson, Nautilus general secretary, called on the Government not to water down the seafarers charter promised by Ms Rayner in the wake of the P&O scandal, which sought to strengthen workers rights.

In the aftermath of the mass sacking, Ms Rayner vowed to provide minimum protections on pay, roster patterns, crewing levels, pensions, taxation and training.

Mr Dickinson said Labour must ignore any lobbying efforts to water down protections relating to maritime workers.

He said: Dont lose sight of the pledges. Nothing has changed. P&O happened and we have to make sure it doesnt happen again.

I dont doubt for a minute therell be others lobbying to try and row back from those commitments.

The union boss also called on the Government to increase pressure on the Insolvency Service, which is yet to punish P&O or its chief executive, Peter Hebblethwaite. That is despite launching its investigation into the company two years ago after Mr Hebblethwaite admitted to breaking the law by sacking 800 workers without consultation.

Mr Dickinson said: I dont know why its taking so long. We need to see that process completed. They need to be brought to justice and they need to account for their actions.



Were working with the Government with the officials and weve set out our expectations. At the very least, we need an update of where we are.



Ms Rayner was a vocal critic of P&O in the wake of the scandal, vowing last year to introduce a seafarers charter to prevent a repeat of the tactics used by the ferry company. At the time, she said the Insolvency Service probe had the power to disqualify Mr Hebblethwaite and other senior P&O personnel from serving as company directors. She also vowed to bring forward this investigation to ensure justice can be served.

The Insolvency Service has yet to punish Peter Hebblethwaite who admitted to breaking the law - House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA

Mr Dickinson said Nautilus and the RMT union, which represents more junior seafarers, held discussions with Mike Kane, the minister for aviation, maritime and security, soon after Labour came to power. Mr Kane said at the Labour conference last week that the Government would ensure that P&Os actions could never be repeated. However, when asked how work on the charter was progressing, he said that employment issues werent part of his remit.

A Government spokesman declined to comment on the likely content of the Employment Rights Bill prior to it being introduced in Parliament.

However, the spokesman said: The mass sackings by P&O Ferries were a national scandal which cannot be allowed to happen again. Thats why we are absolutely committed to improving protections for seafarers and to making work pay.

P&O said it always complies with relevant national and international laws and will continue to do so.

The company said its actions of March, 2022 were consistent with legislation on labour relations and saved the business and 2,000 jobs.

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'We will reach everyone': how Israel hunted Nasrallah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York just before the Nasrallah strike (Charly TRIBALLEAU) (Charly TRIBALLEAU/AFP/AFP)

Israel's killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an air strike on Friday was a feat of spycraft capping days of operations highlighting its deep infiltration of the Iran-backed group.

Here's what we know about how Israel marshalled its intelligence resources to pull off the attack:

- The buildup -

Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel the day after its ally Hamas staged the brutal October 7 attack on southern Israel, triggering the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israel's relatively low-level campaign against Hezbollah escalated dramatically on September 17 with sabotage attacks on pagers used by Hezbollah, followed the next day by explosions targeting the group's two-way radios.

Exploding devices, which Israel has not claimed, killed at least 39 people, wounded almost 3,000 and "threw Hezbollah's communications back to the stone-age", wrote Robert Satloff of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Analysts said the operation reflected huge strides by Israel's Unit 8200 signals intelligence group in penetrating Hezbollah's communications devices.

In February Nasrallah himself warned that "the cell phone that you hold in your hand is a spying device", prompting use of the pagers that were later weaponised.

Yet military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists the intelligence-gathering that led to Friday's Beirut strike on Nasrallah went back years.

"We had used the intelligence we've been working for years to gather, and we had real-time information, and we carried out this strike," he said.

Retired Colonel Miri Eisen, a senior fellow at Israel's International Institute for Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University, also said the strike was the product of extensive work.

"Israel's capabilities when it comes to Hezbollah show the depth of the intelligence infiltration into Hezbollah lines," she said, adding these were "not things that were invented in the last 11 months" after Hezbollah began striking the north.

- The strike -

Israeli officials have said Nasrallah and other Hezbollah leaders gathered on Friday for a meeting at the group's "central headquarters" in its main stronghold, located in Beirut's southern suburbs.

Warplanes had been pounding the area extensively as Israel ramped up operations against Hezbollah.

A military video showed F15 jets taking off from Hatzerim Airbase on Friday to carry out the operation.

Just before 6:30 pm (1530 GMT) the sound of powerful explosions was heard across the Lebanese capital.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel spent months planning how to use "a series of timed explosions" in the bunker beneath residential buildings where Nasrallah would be, "with each blast paving the way for the next one".

But the paper also cited Israeli officials as saying the strike's timing "was opportunistic, coming after Israeli intelligence learned about the meeting hours before it occurred".

It coincided with the UN General Assembly, meaning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was out of the country at the time.

His office would later publish a photograph it said showed him approving the strike, which The Times of Israel said was apparently taken "at his hotel in New York".

Israel has not specified the weaponry used in the strike.

However, the New York Times said analysis of a military video indicates the aircraft used had been "fitted with at least 15 2,000-pound bombs".

Senior officials told the paper that "more than 80 bombs were dropped over a period of several minutes to kill" Nasrallah. The Wall Street Journal said Israel hit the bunker with "80 tons of bombs".

- The aftermath -

The air strikes left craters up to five metres (16 feet) across, AFP photographers said.

Lebanon's health ministry gave a preliminary toll of six dead and 91 wounded in the raid.

Middle East expert James Dorsey said there was no question that the strike represented a "very sophisticated" intelligence coup.

"It demonstrates not only significant technological capacity but just how deeply Israel has penetrated Hezbollah," he said.

Heiko Wimmen of International Crisis Group said the long-term effects on Hezbollah's operations were unclear.

"While Hezbollah is too well-institutionalised to collapse by decapitation, the staggering loss of its human resources will inevitably have a degrading effect sooner rather than later," said Wimmen, the think tank's project director for Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

"Their extensive intelligence infiltration also makes it doubtful that they can launch a strategic response or keep up the rocket attacks on northern Israel for much longer."

For now, Israeli officials are celebrating Nasrallah's death while weighing whether to press on with ground operations intended to tackle the threat posed by Hezbollah along the northern border.

The military on Saturday distributed a transcript quoting the commander of the squadron that struck Nasrallah as saying "We will reach everyone, everywhere."

rcb/jd/srm
Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI) started the year off with a bang. The stock soared 188% in the first half, even surpassing the performance of market darling Nvidia, and was invited to join both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq-100. And for good reason. Earnings have soared at the equipment maker, thanks to demand from artificial intelligence (AI) customers.

The company sells workstations, servers, and other products essential for AI data centers. And considering forecasts for AI market growth -- today's $200 billion market is expected to reach $1 trillion by the end of the decade -- the future looks bright too. But a few pieces of news in recent times have weighed on the company, and the stock has dropped nearly 30% since late August.

From a short report alleging troubles at the company to an article in The Wall Street Journal about a possible Justice Department probe, Supermicro has faced headwinds in recent times. So, if you're a shareholder or potential shareholder, you may be wondering what to do. Before buying or selling, here's what you need to know.

Image source: Getty Images.

The Hindenburg report

The Hindenburg Research short report was published on Aug. 27. Hindenburg, following a three-month investigation, alleges "accounting red flags," "evidence of... export control failures," and other troubles at Supermicro.

It's important to note that Hindenburg has a short position in Supermicro stock, meaning it benefits from any declines in the share price. In short selling, an investor borrows shares of a particular company, sells them -- then ideally buys them back at a lower price to return to their original owner. Because of this position, Hindenburg has a bias toward the stock's decline, making it difficult to rely on the firm as a source of information.

Supermicro responded to the report, calling statements "false or inaccurate," and saying it would address them "in due course."

In unrelated news, but around the same time as the Hindenburg report, Supermicro informed the market that it was delaying the filing of its 10-K annual report -- a move that made some investors worry about potential changes to earnings figures. But Supermicro followed up by saying it didn't expect any significant adjustments to its fourth-quarter or full-year numbers.

A new element of uncertainty

The comments addressing both of these issues should ease investors' minds. But a third piece of news, just this past week, offered another element of uncertainty. The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported the Justice Department had launched a probe into Supermicro following the Hindenburg report.

The probe still is in the early stages, the WSJ reported, with a prosecutor from the U.S. attorney's office in San Francisco recently contacting people who may have "relevant information." Supermicro and the U.S. attorney's office declined to comment, the Journal said.

Following this newspaper report, Supermicro shares fell 12% in one trading session.

So, now you may be wondering if this top AI equipment maker is really in trouble -- and if you should stay away from the stock or sell. Or you may wonder, considering the recent decline in valuation, if this is an opportunity to get in on a recovery story at a good price.

Take a long-term view

Well, first, it's important to remember that a Justice Department probe hasn't been confirmed -- and even if it is confirmed, this doesn't mean Supermicro has done anything wrong. And, if we imagine a more difficult scenario, one in which a probe happens and potential problems are found, this wouldn't necessarily spell disaster over the long term. So, it's essential to follow the story and take a long-term view when considering any developments -- positive or negative.

And if you're a shareholder, avoid panic selling. Consider the facts, and again think of how they may impact the company over the coming five to 10 years. At the moment, from what we know, the future remains bright for Supermicro. The company has a solid track record of earnings growth, its products are in high demand, and growth of the AI market suggests Supermicro's earnings growth could continue for quite some time.

Now, if you're not yet a shareholder, should you buy the stock or wait? Very aggressive investors may see this as a good time to pick up a few shares of Supermicro, as it's trading for about 11x forward earnings estimates, which is very cheap for a growth stock.

Still, most investors would be better off staying on the sidelines -- temporarily -- until we know more about the current issues. After all, Supermicro did say it would further address the statements in the Hindenburg report, and those words could ease investors' minds.

All this means that, yes, there's reason to be optimistic about Supermicro over the long term, but with some uncertainty weighing on the shares right now, it may be best to wait for some of those clouds to lift before buying.

Should you invest $1,000 in Super Micro Computer right now?

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Super Micro Computer Stock Has Fallen 30%. Before Buying or Selling, Here's What You Need to Know. was originally published by The Motley Fool
Western North Carolina floods: How much rain fell in Asheville and can we expect more this week?

ASHEVILLE - Following the catastrophic flooding of Western North Carolina resulting from Tropical Storm Helene and a predecessor rainfall event, the National Weather Service is forecasting clearer skies as WNC works to repair affected communities.

As predicted by meteorologists, Helene brought widespread destruction to WNC, shattering records for rainfall and river levels over three days of driving rain and heavy winds. Many WNC residents were forced to evacuate to temporary shelters as landslides and flooding destroyed area homes.

Though the worst of the weather has passed, we may see more rain tonight. Here's what the NWS is predicting for the week, rainfall amounts WNC received and more.

Western North Carolina floods: 10 confirmed deaths in Buncombe County from Helene; still no water distribution sites

Flooding, weather forecast in WNC

After several days of devastating flooding in WNC, flood and flash flood warnings are beginning to end. In Asheville, one flood warning for the Swannanoa River at Biltmore affecting Buncombe County remains active until 1 p.m. Sept. 29.

Regardless of the status of warnings, a NWS hazardous weather outlook for Asheville issued at 3:28 a.m. the morning of Sept. 29 said that flooding continues to be a problem across portions of WNC. The alert advised residents to continue monitoring warnings and heeding all official instructions for evacuations and road closures.

'Completely destroyed': Helene floods wipe out Asheville River Arts District businesses

Some scattered showers are expected today into tonight - and while the rainfall amounts are expected to remain light this time - less than 1 inch in Asheville - the alert warned that isolated excessive runoff is possible for areas that received heavy rainfall and flooding from Helene.

Beginning tomorrow, Monday, Oct. 1, the NWS alert said that no further hazardous weather was expected for the week as WNC works to restore power and water, distribute supplies to those in need and slowly repair extensive damage to affected communities.

Record rainfall in Asheville

NWS Meteorologist Doug Outlaw told the Citizen Times that the rainfall WNC saw beat the previous record for September in only three days.

According to Outlaw, the former NWS record for rainfall during the month of September in Asheville was 13.71 inches in 2004. During the effects of Helene and the predecessor storm, Asheville saw 17.31 inches over the course of three days, Sept. 25-27. The total for the entire month so far is 17.88.

Additionally, individual dates saw records broken. Outlaw said the past record for a single day of rain on Sept. 26 was 1.71 inches, with the new record resting at 5.78 inches. Sept. 27 was a similar story, with a previous record of 1.98 inches and current record of 4.11 inches.

More: Western North Carolina residents wait in line for essentials after devastation from Helene

How much rain fell during Helene?

WNC rainfall amounts varied, with some of the most affected areas seeing over 20 inches in three days. Here are the rainfall amounts recorded for several WNC areas between Sept. 25-27 according to NWS records:

Spruce Pine - 24.12 inches

Hendersonville - 21.96 inches

Candler - 16.18 inches

Grandfather Mountain - 15.42 inches

Asheville - 17.31 inches

Woodfin - 6.17 inches

Bat Cave - 6.88 inches

Lake Lure - 7.24 inches

Mills River - 12.16 inches

Swannanoa - 13.21 inches

More: Western North Carolina roads closed, travel nearly impossible after Helene

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: How much rain fell in Western North Carolina? Next weather forecast
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Red Flag Warning covers most of western and central South Dakota Sunday.

In a post on Facebook, the South Dakota Department of Public Saftey issued a Red Flag Warning spanning from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

SiouxperCon supports non-profits and your inner child

A combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures contributed to increased fire risk.

Any fires that ignite would rapidly spread and become difficult to stop. People are advised not to burn anything outside or do anything that could light a fire.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
The red flags that were missed or dismissed when Harrods was bought

In 2010 the Gulf state of Qatar bought luxury department store Harrods for 1.5bn, via its sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority.

It should have been the jewel in the Qatari crown. However, Harrods now faces serious sexual abuse allegations over the actions of its former boss, Mohamed Al Fayed.

Many of these claims were uncovered in a recent BBC investigation, but multiple legal experts have said Qatar either missed or dismissed much of what was already known about Al Fayed at the time of the purchase.

This includes a 2008 police investigation into the alleged assault of a 15-year-old girl in a Harrods boardroom.

Harrods has told the BBC it is "utterly appalled" by the allegations and has apologised to the victims.

It now looks as if the scandal could cost the company and its owner millions.

So what, if anything, was known by Qatar about the allegations?

'Inadequate' due diligence

When a company buys another company, the process of looking to see if there are any skeletons in the cupboard is known as due diligence.

The buyers will hire advisers who will ask the seller's advisers questions about any issues they should know about. They may also do their own independent research.

When the owner is someone like Mohamed Al Fayed, who had several allegations surrounding him at the time of the deal, the buyer's due diligence process should be lengthy.

"I think it would be sensible to ask detailed questions about number of claims, number of complaints - informal or formal - even if not upheld, subject of the complaints even if they were not upheld, number and value of settlements, number of NDAs (non-disclosure agreements)," says Beth Hale, a partner at law firm CM Murray.

In "exceptional cases" this information might scupper a deal, though she believes it is more likely the buyer would ask the seller to compensate them for any losses that might come from the alleged behaviour.

This is what Ms Hale says a business should do if it were buying a company like Harrods in 2024, but she says that 2010 was a different time.

She says this pre-#MeToo era was a "world away in terms of attitudes and approaches to sexual harassment".

"Sexual harassment claims did not form as big a part of due diligence then as they do now."

She says it appears that either Qatar's due diligence was "not adequate" or that the process did bring up certain claims and it decided to continue in any event, perhaps imagining that they might not end up hurting the company too badly.

"Pre-#MeToo, with a couple of sexual harassment claims, a company might settle them, get an NDA, and move on."

Catriona Watt, partner at Fox & Partners, says it looks as if Qatar may have known about the allegations but went ahead anyway.

"It seems to me that it wasn't a complete secret. It was probably a calculated risk," she says, adding the due diligence process "depends on the questions you ask".

"You might say, 'I only want to know about this if it has a value of X,"' she says.

Virginia Albert, former marketing professor and current account director at advertising agency DeVito/Verdi, also believes the Qatari government's views on women's rights are relevant.

She questions whether it would have considered sexual abuse allegations as something sufficiently serious enough to warrant dropping the deal

"You could argue that brands align with brand values during mergers," she says, adding the Gulf state would have considered if its values "aligned with what they knew, if they knew, about the values of this department store".

Lazard, which represented the Al Fayed Trust during the deal, told the BBC: "We strongly condemn the behaviour these reports have brought to light."

Harrods and the Qatar Investment Authority did not reply to multiple requests for comment on the due diligence process when the company was bought. In its previous response to the BBC, Harrods said it had been settling claims "since new information came to light" last year.

Meanwhile, Harrods' managing director Michael Ward said on Thursday: While it is true that rumours of [Al Fayed's] behaviour circulated in the public domain, no charges or allegations were ever put to me by the police, the [Crown Prosecution Service], internal channels or others.

"Had they been, I would of course have acted immediately."

Credit Suisse, now owned by UBS, represented the Qatar Investment Authority in the deal and declined to comment.

Compensation and reputation

Whatever Qatar knew during the deal, the impact of the allegations is likely to be substantial.

First, there is the total cost of payments to the survivors of the alleged sexual abuse by Al Fayed, which multiple legal experts have told the BBC could be in the millions, with each individual claim likely to cost the firm a six-figure sum.

Harrods has accepted vicarious liability for some of the claims, a legal term meaning it accepts ultimate responsibility for Al Fayed's alleged actions.

It could potentially be liable for alleged failings as an employer, including for claims such as negligence or failing to provide a safe working environment, experts predicted.

Defending the legal case and hiring an independent investigator to look into the claims are also expected to be six-figure sums.

However, the real damage is expected to be reputational.

"People are going to be really, really pissed," says Ms Albert, adding that many will want to see Harrods dealing with the serious allegations from the survivors swiftly and thoroughly.

"There's so much more visibility now than there was."

What might save Harrods, she says, is the loyalty of its long-time shoppers, but the high-price point will make it much easier for casual customers who dislike the way the retailer is perceived to have treated women to go elsewhere.

She predicts boycotts and says the business may struggle to recover unless customers see action, rather than just words.

[BBC]

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.

[BBC]
LOUISIANA (KTAL/KMSS)A recent report stated that unauthorized immigrants made up 3.3% of the total U.S. population, and of the total, less than a quarter are foreign-born immigrants.

Unauthorized immigrants, anyone who is not a:

naturalized citizens,

children who derived citizenship from one or more parents,

persons granted lawful permanent residence,

persons granted asylum, persons admitted as refugees,

and persons admitted as resident nonimmigrants (i.e., students and temporary workers, as opposed to tourists) with unexpired authorized admission periods.

According to the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), an unauthorized immigrant is all foreign-born noncitizens who are not legal residents as defined above.

The USCIS notes, Most unauthorized immigrants either entered the U.S. without inspection or were admitted temporarily and remained past the date they were required to depart.

Only 1 in 3 Americans can pass the citizenship test. So, can you?

The report found that, as of 2022, most immigrants (77%) are legally in the country.

49% were naturalized U.S. citizens.

24% were lawful permanent residents.

4% were legal temporary residents.

23% were unauthorized immigrants.

The perception of the unauthorized is a polarizing topic. For the public, they are aliens working in the U.S. But to others, they are family working labor-intensive jobs like working in a chicken factory, cleaning someones home, or working in hospitality all to provide for themselves and/or their children.

They found that roughly 10.6 million immigrants in the U.S. are from Mexico, 2.8 million from India, 2.5 million from China, 2 million from the Philippines, and 1.4 million from El Salvador.

Pew Researchers noted that despite Mexico being the most significant country of origin for U.S. immigrants, the number has slowed since 2007, and the Mexican-born population in the U.S. has dropped.

9 million immigrants could become citizens ahead of Presidential election

Many unauthorized immigrants have permission to live and work in the U.S., and some are temporarily protected from deportation. These individuals can apply for permanent residency through their US citizen spouse or stepparent; however, most typically do not due to the risks.

However, as of September 11, the Keeping Families Together Parole in Place (KFT PIP) process is paused.

Those who enter the U.S. without permission and stay past their visa expiration must leave and remain in their home country for 10 years while their case is processed.

Unauthorized immigrants who have legal protections fall into several groups:

 Temporary Protected Status (TPS): As of July 2022, about 650,000 immigrants had TPS. TPS is offered to individuals who cannot safely return to their home country due to civil unrest, violence, natural disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA): Almost 600,000 immigrants are beneficiaries of DACA, which allows individuals brought to the U.S. as children before 2007 to remain in the U.S.

Asylum applicants: As of mid-2022, about 1.6 million immigrants had pending applications for asylum in the U.S. because of the dangers faced in their home country. These immigrants can stay in the U.S. legally while they wait for a decision on their case.

Other protections: Several hundred thousand individuals have applied for special visas to become lawful immigrants. These types of visas are offered to victims of trafficking and certain other criminal activities.

Many unauthorized immigrants are ineligible for federal programs/benefits such as SNAP and non-emergency Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, and housing assistance programs. There are exceptions; the law does not restrict access to public health programs such as immunization and treatment of infectious diseases.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Reports of aid to Russia undermine China's claimed neutrality on war in Ukraine  ISW

Media reports about Beijing's assistance to Moscow undermine China's attempts to portray itself as a "neutral mediator" in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Western officials are continuing to emphasise the efforts of the People's Republic of China to support Russia's military operations in Ukraine.

According to The Times, Western officials have uncovered that a Chinese company is sending military drones to Russia for testing and possible use by Russian forces against Ukraine.

A Western official noted that the Chinese company had entered into an agreement with Russia in 2023 and that there was "clear evidence that PRC companies are supplying Russia with deadly weapons for use in Ukraine".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted that China and Hong Kong account for nearly 70% of Russias machine tool imports and 90% of its microelectronics imports. These critical components are utilised by Russia in the production of missiles, armoured vehicles, and ammunition.

Blinken criticised China's contradictory stance, pointing out that while it claims to advocate for peace in Ukraine, it allows Chinese companies to engage in activities that bolster Russia's war effort.

Quote from ISW: "The PRC has repeatedly attempted to depict itself as a neutral mediator in the war in Ukraine, and continued reports of PRC aid to Russia's war effort undermine this claim."

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 28 September:

Western officials continue to highlight efforts by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to support the Russian war effort in Ukraine.

Ukrainian media reported on 28 September that unspecified Russian resistance movements, in coordination with the Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR), killed the Head of the Russian Ministry of Defence's (MoD) 924th State Centre for Unmanned Aviation Colonel Aleksei Kolomeystev in Kolomna, Moscow Oblast.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) strongly condemned on 28 September Israels "political assassination" of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Russian forces recently marginally advanced in Kursk Oblast.

Russian forces recently advanced near Kupiansk, Selydove, and Vuhledar.

Russia is reportedly implementing legislation that allows Russian authorities to release those accused of crimes from criminal liabilities if the accused signs a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD).

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Reports: Over 80 tons of bombs used in Israeli attack on Nasrallah

Palestinians hold pictures of Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah during a protest in the center of the West Bank city of Nablus after the Lebanese Hezbollah group confirmed the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike in Beirut. Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Bombs weighing more than a total of 80 tons were used in the Israeli airstrike that claimed the life of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Israeli media reported on Sunday.

The bombs, including "bunker buster" bombs capable of penetrating reinforced structures, were dropped by a formation of at least 10 combat jets on Hezbollah's underground headquarters in southern Beirut on Friday, it said.

There was no official confirmation of the reports.

Concerns of retaliation or all-out war in the Middle East are rising following the attack.
Kamala Harris on Sunday picked up the endorsement of another prominent opponent of Donald Trump within the Republican Party, a sign that the remaining #NeverTrump wing of the GOP is rallying behind her.

Jeff Flake, a former senator from Arizona who left Congress in 2019, issued his endorsement in a statement released on Twitter. He further explained his motivations in an interview Sunday on ABCs This Week.

Ill be supporting Kamala Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President, wrote Flake in the post accompanying his video message endorsement. Ive served with Kamala in the U.S Senate. Ive also served with Tim in the House of Representatives.

He added: I know them. I know first of hand of their fine character and love of country. I would encourage all Republicans who feel this way to do the same.

His endorsement follows those of several other prominent Republicans: former vice president Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz Cheney, an ex-congresswoman who co-chaired the January 6 investigation, as well as her committee colleague Adam Kinzinger. It wasnt a particularly surprising addition to the list, either; Flake supported Joe Biden publicly in 2020.

I think Republicans believe in the rule of law in particular, and it's difficult to support a candidate who, having lost an election, tries to use the powers of the presidency to overturn that election, said Flake on ABC. I know a lot of conservative Republicans feel the way I do.

That #NeverTrump coalition  which often materializes at events hosted by the center-right Bulwark publication  is not satisfied with those numbers, and has been publicly pressuring retiring GOP senator Mitt Romney, an avowed critic of Trumps, to join them in endorsing Harris.

But Romney has been particularly blunt about his reasoning for not doing so: political expediency.

My particular vote doesnt have a big impact: Im from Utah, Romney said in a recent interview on MSNBC, downplaying the effect his endorsment would likely have on some independents and Harris-curious Republicans around the country. In my case, having been the former nominee of the Republican Party, I want to make sure that Im in a position after this election to have some influence on the direction of our party in the future. So Im not going to go out and do something that would make that more difficult to occur.

Mitt Romney has been blunt about his reasoning for not endorsing Kamala Harris: despite declining to seek re-election this year, he wants a future in the Republican Party (AP)

Flake, meanwhile, is not likely to re-enter electoral politics any time soon, at least while Donald Trump remains essentially in control of the conservative movement. He declined to seek re-election in 2018, early on into the Trump presidency, after serving in the GOPs twin-chamber majority and voting with his party on Trumps tax plan and effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat who later left the party, became an independent, then dropped out of her own bid for re-election, replaced him in the seat.

Since leaving office, he has been a political expert for CBS News and currently serves as Bidens ambassador to Turkey.
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, in a close race for a US Senate seat against Democrat Angela Alsobrooks, was endorsed by former president Donald Trump in June. He wont be returning the favor.

Im not going to, Hogan told CBS Face the Nation Sunday when asked if there was a chance he would support Trump in this years presidential election. I didnt vote for him in 2016 or 2020 and Ive made that pretty clear.

Describing himself as one of the leading voices of opposition in the Republican Party, Hogan insisted he has a completely separate identity from Trump and noted he polls ahead of the GOP presidential nominee in Maryland by double digits. When Trump endorsed Hogan in June, the Senate hopeful said he wanted no part of it.

Hogan went on to condemn Trumps hateful outburst Saturdaywhere Trump called President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris mentally disabledas outrageous and unacceptable.

Kevin McCarthy Gets Defensive Addressing Trumps False Mentally Disabled Dig at Harris

Ive already called him out when he had the one interview where he was questioning her racial identity and now hes questioning her mental competence and I think thats insulting not only to the vice president, but to people that actually do have mental disabilities and Ive said for years that Trumps divisive rhetoric is something that we could do without, added Hogan.

I think hes his own worst enemy and Im very concerned about the toxic and divisive politics that seems to continue back and forth. Its what people are so fed up with. Its why they want to change Washington and its why Im running, he continued.

That doesnt mean Hogan will be supporting the Democratic ticket. Neither one of the two candidates has earned my vote, he said, during the CBS appearance. In 2016, Hogan wrote in his own father for president and, in 2020, he wrote in the deceased former President Ronald Reagan.

While Trump has previously attacked Hogan as a RINO, or Republican In Name Only, a well-funded super PAC with money pouring in from well-heeled MAGA Republicans and RINOs alike recently entered the Maryland senate race in support of Hogan, throwing over $18 million at booking airtime for campaign ads in the contests final six weeks, according to a Washington Post report.

Some polls have put Hogan within striking distance in the last month, but others have found him trailing by double digits.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Several Republicans have sought to distance themselves from insulting comments made by Donald Trump, in which he claimed Kamala Harris was mentally disabled.

Many have urged the former president to stick to the issues of his campaign, rather than reverting time and time again to personal attacks on Harris.

During a rally in Wisconsin on Saturday, Trump said Harris was "mentally disabled" and "mentally impaired.

Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala, was born that way, Trump told the audience, who erupted into laughter. She was born that way.

Many have urged the former president to stick to the issues of his campaign, rather than reverting time and time again to personal attacks on Harris (AP)

On Sunday, he doubled down on the dark comments, which have raised eyebrows within his own party, at a rally in Pennsylvania.

Perhaps the strongest rebuke came from former governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, who is in a tight race for the Senate. I think thats insulting not only to the vice president, but to people that actually do have mental disabilities, he said.

Trumps divisive rhetoric is something we can do without.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, also pushed back on the personal nature of Trumps attack. "I just think the better course to take is to prosecute the case that her policies are destroying the country," Graham told CNN.

Graham added that while he did not think Harris was crazy, he did think her policies were.

Representative Tom Emmer  a Minnesota Republican who has been helping Trumps running mate JD Vance get ready for his debate with Tim Walz, shared a similar sentiment. "I think we should stick to the issues," he told ABC News.

The comments also drew criticism from advocacy group the American Association of People with Disabilities. Maria Town, the president and CEO of AAPD said Trumps language was ableist.

"Donald Trumps ableist comments today say far more about him and his inaccurate, hateful biases against disabled people than it does about Vice President Harris, or any person with a disability, she said in a statement shared with The Independent.

Lindsey Graham was asked about Donald Trump recycling attacks he used against Joe Biden during his CNN appearance on Sunday (The Independent)

Trump holds the ableist, false belief that if a person has a disability, they are less human and less worthy of dignity. AAPD continues to call for the leadership of both parties in the 2024 election to condemn the use of ableist language like Trump used today [Saturday].

Others recalled Trumps previous, and similar, attacks on president Joe Bidens cognitive ability.

Trump made a great deal of the cognitive abilities of Joe Biden, said Eric Holder, the former attorney general who served in the Obama administration. Referring to the former presidents own cognitive state, he added: If this is where he is now, where is he going to be three and four years from now?

While campaigning against Biden, Trump called multiple times for the president to take cognitive ability tests, while boasting that he had aced one in 2018.

At a rally in June Trump suggested Biden should have to take a cognitive test," only to confuse the doctor administered the test to him in the next sentence.

The former president went on to refer to Texas Republican Representative Ronny Jackson, who was the White House physician for part of his presidency, as "Ronny Johnson.
ERIE, Pa. (AP)  Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump escalated his personal attacks on his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, on Sunday by repeating an insult that she was mentally impaired while also saying she should be impeached and prosecuted."

Trump's rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, took on similar themes as an event one day earlier that he himself described as a dark speech. He told a cheering crowd Sunday that Harris was responsible for an invasion at the U.S.-Mexico border and "she should be impeached and prosecuted for her actions.

Crooked Joe Biden became mentally impaired, he added. Sad. But lying Kamala Harris, honestly, I believe she was born that way. Theres something wrong with Kamala. And I just dont know what it is, but there is definitely something missing. And you know what, everybody knows it.

With just over a month until the election, Trump is intensifying his use of personal and offensive attacks, even as some Republicans say he'd be better off sticking to the issues.

His suggestions that political enemies be prosecuted are particularly notable for their departure from norms in the U.S. in which the justice system is supposed to be protected from political influence. In recent weeks, Trump has threatened prosecutions of Google for allegedly giving priority to good stories about Harris and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Trump has long threatened legal action against his rivals, including President Joe Biden and his 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton. This month he vowed to jail those involved in unscrupulous behavior this election, including election workers, lawyers, political operatives, donors, and voters, yet again attempting to sow doubt about the integrity of the election.

But he also has many legal problems of his own. He was convicted in May of falsifying business records in a hush money case in New York, with a sentencing scheduled for Nov. 26. Two other cases are pending  a federal case for his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and a state case in Georgia for his efforts to overturn his 2020 loss there to Biden. Prosecutors are appealing a federal judge's dismissal of a case involving his handling of classified documents.

Trump argues federal and state prosecutors are targeting him for political reasons, though there is no evidence to suggest that is true. If he wins the election, Trump could potentially pardon himself on the federal cases or order the Justice Department to shut down their investigations of him.

On Sunday, he acknowledged he might lose in November: If she wins, it's not going to be so pleasant for me, but I don't care.

Trump has derided Harris, the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent to lead a major party ticket, as stupid, weak, dumb as a rock and lazy. His allies have pushed him publicly and privately to talk instead about the economy, immigration and other issues.

I just think the better course to take is to prosecute the case that her policies are destroying the country, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on CNN's State of the Union" Sunday when asked about Trump's comments. Theyre crazy liberal.

When asked whether he approved of the personal attacks on Harris, Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., sidestepped during an interview on ABCs This Week.

I think Kamala Harris is the wrong choice for America, said Emmer, who is helping Trumps running mate JD Vance prepare for Tuesdays vice-presidential debate. I think Kamala Harris is actually as bad or worse as the administration that weve witnessed for the last four years.

When pressed, Emmer said: I think we should stick to the issues. The issues are, Donald Trump fixed it once. They broke it. Hes going to fix it again. Those are the issues.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, running for the Senate as a moderate Republican, brought up Trump's false claims that Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, had previously played down her Black heritage. Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black institution, and has identified as both Black and South Asian consistently throughout her political career.

Ive already called him out when he had the one interview where he was questioning her racial identity, and now hes questioning her mental competence," Hogan told CBS' Face the Nation. And I think thats insulting not only to the vice president but to people who actually do have mental disabilities.

Harris has not commented on Trumps recent attacks but has said when asked about other comments that it was the  same old show. The same tired playbook weve heard for years with no plan on on how he would address the needs of the American people.

Ahead of the rally on Sunday, some of Trump's supporters said he often makes offensive remarks. Still, they support his proposals to restrict immigration and said he would have a better handle on the economy.

He says whats on his mind, and again, sometimes how he says it isnt appropriate, said Jeffrey Balogh, 56, who attended the rally with two friends. But he did the job. He did very well at it.

Tamara Molnar said she thinks Trump is very strong on immigration. As for his insults, Molnar said: I think everybody has to have some decorum when speaking about other candidates, and I dont think either side is necessarily innocent on that. Theres a lot of slinging both ways.

At the rally in Erie, Trump said the invasion would end and deportations would begin if he took office.

Thousands of migrants from the most dangerous countries are destroying the character of small towns and leaving local communities in anguish and in despair, he said, talking about communities in the battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Last month, the GOP leader said he was entitled to personal attacks against Harris.

As far as the personal attacks, Im very angry at her because of what shes done to the country," he told a news conference then. Im very angry at her that she would weaponize the justice system against me and other people, very angry at her. I think Im entitled to personal attacks.

___

Long reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
New Survey Finds 75% Of Americans Support Cuts For Higher-Income Retirees To Cover Social Security Shortfall

The countdown for a depleted Social Security fund is on. The Social Security Administration has stated that taxes funding the program will only be enough to pay for 75% of benefits starting in 2025. While coming up with solutions to fund the additional 25% has been a hot topic lately, one survey found that 75% of Americans would support a reduction in benefits for higher-income retirees to help fund the difference.

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Social Security is a critical source of income for millions of retired and disabled Americans. People are concerned about its looming depletion if no policy changes are made. Several causes contribute to the issue: a declining birthrate has reduced the number of workers paying into the system, Americans are living longer, and wages for middle and lower-income earners have stagnated.

Plus, the influx of Baby Boomers retiring paired with these other challenges is putting a strain on funds.

See Also: IRS Finalizes 10-Year Rule For Retirement Withdrawals, Making Things Even More Insanely Complicated

The University of Maryland's School of Public Policy recently surveyed 4,677 adults nationwide. The majority of those surveyed were aware of the shortfall and an overwhelming 75% supported the idea of reducing benefits for higher-income earners to even the gap between their benefits and what lower-income earners receive. Beyond that, 53% of those surveyed agreed that benefits should be reduced for the top 40% of earners.

According to the survey, reducing benefits for the top 40% of earners could reduce the shortfall by 23%, offering a significant improvement and a better financial outlook for many Americans, particularly those in lower-income brackets.

Trending: Founder of Personal Capital and ex-CEO of PayPal re-engineers traditional banking with this new high-yield account  start saving better today.

While the survey highlights one approach to the solvency crisis, not everyone agrees with it. Critics argue that reducing benefits for higher-income earners is unfair  they contributed the same percentage of their wages as other workers.

While its always tempting to solve financial problems with a program by cutting costs, lowering benefits for any Social Security recipients  even higher-income ones  is a bad decision, Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee, told Newsweek. Not only is it unfair to those recipients who also paid in, but it does distrust among those unaffected that eventually their benefits will be slashed as well.

Story continues

Trending: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you.

While the proposal to cut benefits for higher-income retirees could help ease the Social Security shortfall, it's unlikely to fully resolve the crisis. Many experts believe that a combination of solutions will be necessary, including increasing revenue through higher payroll taxes or raising the retirement age.

Reducing benefits for a small group of retirees might be a first step, but without further action, it may not be enough to save the program in the long run. Any cuts to benefits could also erode confidence in Social Security, as more Americans worry that their own payments could be at risk.

As Congress and policymakers explore potential reforms, individuals must stay informed about how these changes could affect their retirement plans. Consulting with a financial advisor can help ensure you are prepared for any potential impacts on your future benefits.

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This article New Survey Finds 75% Of Americans Support Cuts For Higher-Income Retirees To Cover Social Security Shortfall originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Residents in key North Carolina district reveal how they think their county will vote in November

Wake County, N.C.  Residents in a key North Carolina district revealed what they are hearing on the ground in the battleground state from both Republican and Democratic parties just weeks before the 2024 presidential election.

Fox News Digital spoke with residents in Wake County, North Carolina, a highly populated district that could decide how the state votes in the presidential election. The district voted for the Democratic nominee in the past four presidential elections, but voted Republican in both 2004 and 2000.

Upon speaking with voters, it appeared they were approached through phone calls and text messages more by whichever party they were registered with, but overall, each resident recalled receiving some form of outreach from a political campaign this cycle.

Cameron Wilson, a senior at North Carolina State University, said he believes the Harris campaign has a stronger presence in Raleigh, North Carolina, but added that "among the college students, Trump is definitely kicking her a--."

North Carolina Gop Focusing On Hand To Hand Political Combat' To Ramp Up Ground Game In Battleground State

Evan, a senior at North Carolina State University, spoke with Fox News Digital about the 2024 election.

Asked how they think their district will vote in November, the residents were torn, but most said they expect it to vote for the Democratic candidate.

Read On The Fox News App

"I'm gonna go leans blue, but definitely not the same margin as the last election," Wilson said of the district's vote.

"I think around here, with Chapel Hill, Duke, and NC State, not as liberal. But I'd say its probably leaning more one way than the other," Zack Karagias told Fox News Digital. "I think Kamala is gonna tax the hell out of us. I think Trump's gonna try and help us."

Nc Rallygoers Praying That Trump Wins, Slam Dem Rhetoric Calling Him A Threat After Assassination Attempts

Another individual, Julia, said that "based on all my friends and all my peers, definitely Democratic, but it is hard."

Resident Zack Karagias revealed whether he thought Wake County, North Carolina, would vote Democratic or Republican in the 2024 presidential election.

Republicans and Democrats have been campaigning heavily to get out the vote in North Carolina, a historical battleground state. Fox News Digital interviewed the Republican and Democratic parties in North Carolina, with both saying that they expect to reach over a million voters through get-out-the-vote efforts such as canvassing, phone calls and text messaging.

"I've been getting a ton of texts on a daily basis, automated messages to vote for Trump," a resident, Evan Davis, said. "It's nonstop."

"I've signed up for some emails for Trump, but that's about it," Karagias said.

"I saw a bunch of Mark Robinson signs all up through here the other day, but then I saw a few Kamala ones." Wilson added. He said most messages are from the Trump campaign, but that he still gets "some of the left-leaning stuff."

Fox News Digital spoke with residents in Wake County, North Carolina.

"I've been getting some text messaging from Kamala Harris herself. And I haven't gotten any more phone calls yet," Julia Smith told Fox.

"It's hard to say," she said when asked about which campaign appears to have a stronger presence in the district. "What I consume is more Democratic."

Most residents who spoke with Fox News Digital could not name a specific policy proposal by Harris since she became vice president.





Original article source: Residents in key North Carolina district reveal how they think their county will vote in November
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)-Georgia Power said Saturday that restoration times are now available for more areas, including Savannah, Brunswick and Statesboro.

Savannahs estimated restoration time (ERT) on the Georgia Power outage map is Oct. Oct 1 at 10:00 p.m. as of 8 p.m. Sept. 28.

Statesboro ERT is listed as Oct. 3 at 10:00 p.m. The Brunswick area, including Saint Simons and Jekyll Island, ERT is listed as Sep. 30 at 10:00 p.m.

Savannahs ERT as of Sept. 28 at 8 p.m.

Brunswick areas ERT as of Sept. 28 at 8 p.m.

Statesboros ERT as of Sept. 28 at 8 p.m.

Read Georgia Powers full statement below:



ATLANTA  September 28, 2024  As of Saturday evening, Georgia Power has restored power to 520,000+ customers following the devasting impact of Hurricane Helene. This rapid response has been possible through the implementation of new smart grid technologies and the quick work of pre-positioned teams who were ready to respond as soon as conditions were safe to do so on Friday.

Crews continue to navigate treacherous conditions including extensive tree damage, persisting flooding conditions and many road closures. As the first full day of restoration progressed today, the company determined that Hurricane Helene was the most destructive hurricane in its history damaging infrastructure across the state. Additionally, there is the potential for additional damage and power outages that could occur due to the saturated ground and weakened trees.

Friday afternoon, just hours after the end of the storm in Georgia, the company published estimated restoration times (ERTs) for multiple communities (read more). On Saturday, as damage assessment activities provided valuable insight into damage and resources needed, the company posted new ERTs for additional communities across the state including Athens, Augusta, Brunswick, Clayton, Cornelia, Dublin, Gainesville, Hartwell, Hinesville, Macon, Madison, Milledgeville, Savannah, Springfield, Statesboro, Thomson, Tifton, Valdosta, Vidalia, Waycross and Waynesboro. ERTs represent the companys expectation for 95% power restoration in the specified area. As the company anticipated and announced before the arrival of the storm, restoration efforts will take multiple days into next week. The latest ERTs for these areas, and others, are available on the companys Outage Map.

Georgia Power appreciates the importance of accurate information for customers as they make plans for their families following this historic storm. The company is committed to publishing up to date information throughout the remainder of the restoration process and will make every effort to return power to customers sooner than expected. Customers are encouraged to check the Outage Map often for the latest information and not rely on possibly inaccurate details they may see from non-company sources.

The company continues to utilize additional resources from outside of its system and currently has 14,000+ personnel engaged in response, including support from Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and dozens of other companies. The response force currently engaged is larger than the companys response to other major hurricanes including Michael, Irma and Zeta.

Preparation, Industry Support Key to Response

Georgia Power monitored the path of Hurricane Helene for more than a week prior to the storm entering Georgia. As part of its preparations, Georgia Power mobilized additional staff from across the industry to respond to Hurricane Helene. Mobilized crews across the state pre-positioned restoration workers, equipment, and supplies near areas of anticipated impact including extra transformers, poles, cable and other equipment. All this is part of advance planning and strategy to allow the company to restore power more quickly and efficiently for its customers as soon as weather conditions allow.

Georgia Power is also a member of a nationwide mutual assistance network, which consists of hundreds of utilities from around the country. Georgia Power has proactively mobilized crews from over 35 companies from states as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The company continues to acquire additional off-system resources to aid in response.

As always, the company encourages customers to keep safety first following Hurricane Helene:

Watch for Georgia Power crews working across the state. If driving, move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road  its the law in Georgia.

Watch for downed wires. Downed power lines may be hidden by debris or fallen trees.

Never touch any downed wire or attempt to remove tree branches from power lines  it can kill.

Dont step in standing water or saturated ground where downed lines may be present. They could be electrified.

Avoid chain link fences. They may be electrified by a downed line out of sight and conduct electricity over great distances.

Never attempt repairs to electric service connections. Customers should also note that if their home, including the meter box or mast/connection point, is severely damaged by the storm repairs may need to be made by an electrician before Georgia Power can reconnect power.

Tools You Can Use to Stay Connected & Informed

Outage Alerts  Customers subscribed to our free Georgia Power Outage Alert service will receive personalized notifications and updates via text message. Check that your contact number is up to date to receive the latest information.

Outage & Storm Center  Available at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Storm, customers can visit this site to check their contact information is updated to receive Outage Alerts, report and check the status of outages, and access useful safety tips and information. Customers can also report and check the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power at 888-891-0938.

Outage Map  Housed within the Outage & Storm Center, Georgia Powers interactive Outage Map provides near real-time information, allowing users to see where outages are occurring across the state and track estimated restoration times.

Georgia Power Mobile App  Download the Georgia Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices to access storm and outage information on the go.

@GeorgiaPower on X (Twitter)  Follow @GeorgiaPower on X for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
This administration has a hands-off approach to Iran, Keane said in an interview with John Catsimatidis on the radio show Cats Roundtable. If we continue down this path where we are not willing to confront our adversaries, they are just going to keep coming for us.

Thats the reality were facing, Keane added.

In the Sunday interview with Catsimatidis, Keane, who served as the Armys vice chief of staff from 1999 to 2003, stressed the 2021 shut down of the Suez Canal, increased tensions in the Middle East, and, the U.S. warship that came under attack after Yemens Houthi rebels launched a missile at it in January, as areas of concern that occurred during the Biden administration.

When asked why Biden wont use the U.S. military to reopen the Red Sea, a key shipping route the Houthi rebels have effectively shut down due to attacks on merchant vessels, Keane said Biden and his administration fear escalation.

This administration gets paralyzed by the fear of adverse consequences. They advocate diplomacy, but they dont back it up with hard power. They dont realize that the consequences of doing nothing also produces negative results. They fear escalation, Keane said.

On Saturday, Biden told reporters the country is responding to a missile barrage from the Iranian-backed group in the Red Sea.

During the interview, Keane said the U.S. is in a pre-war era and its adversaries see it as an opportune time.

We are in a pre-war era  China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are collaborating and cooperating together, he said. They have become considerably more aggressive in the last 3-plus years because they believe the United States is politically weak.

They can take advantage of our vulnerabilities, Keane added. And they see this as an opportune time.

This is not the first time Keane has critiqued the The White Houses foreign policy, specifically regarding Iran.

Keane appeared on Fox News only a few days after Hamass attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year, expressing concern that the administration wasnt focusing enough attention on Iran.

The president gave heartfelt support certainly of the suffering that has taken place and the need to support Israel to see this operation that theyre going to conduct through to its completion, Keane said at the time. But he never mentioned Iran, who is directing their proxies to attack Israel.

But, on Sunday, Keane did emphasize his belief the Biden administration will continue to back Israel.

I cannot imagine the Biden Administration or a successor administration to them saying no. They are obligated to respond if [Israel] needs assistance, he said.

The Hill reached out to The White House for comment.
RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WSAV)  The City of Richmond Hill, in partnership with the Salvation Army, will be providing food boxes and water on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., while supplies last, at The Community House.

Those who need to charge their phones, cool off, or fill some water jugs can do so at The Community House as well, just brink your own jugs as their buckets are limited.

The Community House is located at 10512 Ford Avenue.

Ice distribution in Chatham County

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
(FOX40.COM)  A man was stabbed to death after a road rage incident in Northern California, according to the Turlock Police Department.

Around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, the TPD was dispatched to the 2400 block of West Monte Vista Avenue for reports of a stabbing. When officers arrived at the scene, they said they found 49-year-old Enrique Gomez from Turlock, on the ground. Despite life-saving measures from police and paramedics, Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Northern California woman arrested in connection to dead infant found near road

According to TPD, the incident stemmed from a brief verbal altercation related to road rage at a nearby apartment complex. The confrontation escalated to a physical altercation and the fatal. stabbing.

TPD, the Modesto Police Department, witness statements, and other evidence help them identify the suspect as 28-year-old Ahmad Abweny. He was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center for alleged murder.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
NORTH CAROLINA (WGHP)  The North Carolina Department of Transportation is considering all roads in western North Carolina closed to the public as they provide emergency assistance.

According to a post on X, there is an Interstate 40 washout near the Tennesee line.

Travel in this area for non-emergency purposes is hindering needed emergency response, and non-emergency travel is prohibited, the post says.

I-40 is impassable in multiple locations. I-26 is closed at the Tennessee state line.

On Saturday, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety announced search and rescue operations in the area remain underway, and needed supplies are being delivered by air.

More information available at drivenc.gov.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
When it comes to the difference between a statesman and your run-of-the-mill politician, the political philosopher Harry Truman said a statesman is a politician whos been dead 10 or 15 years. I thought of that bit of Truman humor last week when I heard that former Republican Governor of Washington Dan Evans passed away at age 98. I might quibble with Harry a bit and suggest that if a politician waits too long to pass from this earth, there wont be many folks around to remember him and speak to his statesman-like qualities.

In Evans case, thats where the Seattle Times comes in. For anyone who wants to know the measure of the man, the Times did an excellent job recently of summing up a storied life and career in the service of his fellow citizens that now appears more like a memory from yesteryear rather than a reflection of Republicans in politics today. Of course, there are some good ones out there at every level of government, but over the course of my lifetime I have seen the overall quality of Republicans elected to state and national office decline.

And just to be clear. My take on things comes from personal experience, not polls, not research, not biographies of those who have served. No science here, just a gut feeling from my experience working for a Republican United States senator in the second half of the 20th century and watching the U.S. Senate legislate in those days. The qualities of intellect, integrity and a willingness to craft public policy in a spirit of bipartisanship seem to have declined on the Republican side of the aisle.

Whos missing in todays lineup of Republican officeholders? It is the likes of Sen. Jacob Javits of New York, Sen. John Chafee of Rhode Island, Sen. Mark Hatfield of Oregon, Sen. Margaret Chase Smith of Maine, Sens. Lamar Alexander and James Baker of Tennessee, Sen. John C. Danforth of Missouri, who seem to be missing. A list longer than my arm could fill the rest of this column and if this list looks top heavy with men, as the years passed, more women would be elected to the Senate from both sides of the aisle.

These Republican senators were not known just for their intellect and integrity. They were exemplars of bipartisanship who knew how to cross the aisle and compromise with Democrats in their lawmaking. Michigan Republican Sen. Arthur Vandenberg, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, may have summed it up best when in support of Trumans foreign policy initiatives of NATO and the Marshall Plan, he urged his Republican colleagues to stop partisan politics at the waters edge. Its hard to fathom how some of todays Republicans have strayed so far from their Partys commitment to freedom and democracy across the globe as they bow to Putin and refuse to support Ukraine in its fight for peace and security. Vandenberg must be spinning in his grave.

So many of the strategies employed by House and Senate Republicans are designed to obstruct, to delay, to kill any idea that is not in keeping with the tenets of its infamous Project 2025, produced by ultra conservatives at the Heritage Foundation. After praising it early in his campaign, Trump is making every effort to distance himself from it now that it has been revealed as a radical strategy to undermine the quality of life for millions of Americans.

Perhaps the best example of Republican obstruction recently is the legislation to address issues at our southern border, a rare concession by Republicans at bipartisan lawmaking. It was eventually held up for a vote on the specific instruction of Donald Trump and I have yet to hear any Republican call that what it is  a bald-faced effort by Trump to use the border as a campaign issue this election year.

Evans took a much different approach to welcoming folks to America. After the Vietnam War, Vietnam refugees arrived on California shores. Evans sent a staffer to California to let the refugees know they were welcome in the state of Washington.

On just how far bipartisanship traveled in those days, heres a shocker from my days working as a U.S. Senate staffer. In todays hyper-partisan world, I doubt you will hear many tales like I remember, hearing staff to Republican Sen. Charles H. Percy of Illinois talk about how they would load up his schedule with events he could not rearrange so he would have an excuse for declining a request to campaign for a fellow Republican who was running to unseat one of his Democratic friends in the Senate.

Percy was labeled a RINO for his moderate voting record  Republican In Name Only  a fault-finding label the Republican right-wing of today still uses to stigmatize any Republican who doesnt buy into the entirety of the Trump agenda. I can only imagine how long Evans would have lasted in todays political climate. He certainly would not have escaped the RINO appellation.

Evans signed a bill in 1967 creating Evergreen State College, a public liberal arts and sciences college with an interdisciplinarity emphasis. Evans would later serve as its president when Evergreen was faced with an enrollment decline that he would reverse during his tenure. And a Democratic governor whom Evans defeated in his Senate run ten years earlier would appoint Republican Evans to the Board of Trustees of the University of Washington. Now thats Bipartisanship 101.

Evans commitment to public education is a far cry from the agenda of todays Republicans in state legislatures who seem more focused on how to send taxpayer dollars to private schools as they threaten, and sometimes succeed, in defunding our public universities and colleges.

While Trump has captured the Republican Party with such disdain for civility and decorum, Republicans stand idly by as he devalues and demeans anyone who differs with them. Can there be any doubt that many students watching the violence and the mayhem in the public square, often incited by Trumps uncouth and insolent behavior, will opt for a career far from the public sector?

If they do consider running for public office, who would be their role models in the Republican Party? The Seattle Times reminds its readers that a breed of Dan Evans Republicans in Washington were known to be those who combined a social commitment and environmental ethic with a strong sense of fiscal responsibility. Good luck finding any of those in the Republican ranks today, especially in Idaho. Neighboring Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney may qualify, but he is headed for retirement after occupying a lonely space in Senate caucus in recent years.

Trumps ruinous impact on the Republican Party will not be reversed overnight. His dictatorial control over who can emerge from Republican primaries is life threatening to the party of Lincoln. In my next column, I will explore how Idaho voters can have more say in the selection process by voting for Idahos Open Primaries Initiative which gives voters the ability to choose the very best candidates for public office.

Bob Kustra served as president of Boise State University from 2003 to 2018. He is host of Readers Corner on Boise State Public Radio and is a regular columnist for the Idaho Statesman. He served two terms as Illinois lieutenant governor and 10 years as a state legislator.
The Scottish government's health secretary has said he wants to "get back around the table" with councils regarding plans for a national care service - despite local authorities voting to withdraw their support from it.

Neil Gray told BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show that he felt Cosla, the local council umbrella body, had made a "pre-emptive" decision regarding the scheme.

He said there was still "room for negotiation" regarding the plan, which has been hit by a series of setbacks since it was first proposed in August 2021.

The plan would see social care responsibility transferred from councils to a new national service, benefitting elderly, disabled and homeless people, among others.

'A need for reform'

Cosla stated last week that it had concerns about the proposed legislation and that organisations within the care sector had also expressed doubts about the changes, while the GMB and Unison unions also pulled their support recently.

However, Gray told BBC Scotland he believed the bill could still go ahead.

He said: "I want [the national care service] brought into being as quickly as possible because I can understand the need that is out there, I can see it from the service users that I speak to - that's why I want to get back around the table with local government and find a way forward."

Gray added: "We are all in agreement I believe that there is a need for reform, a need for change and that is what I am determined we can deliver."

The health secretary said the proposals were "not about centralisation" but focused on ensuring there were "consistent standards" across the country.

Cosla has previously expressed concerns that the bill did not represent the work councils had contributed to the scheme.

The decision to withdraw support was then criticised by social care minister Maree Todd as showing "total disregard" for people in the sector.

However, Gray took a more conciliatory tone.

He said: "I had paused elements of the amendments that were to come forward over the summer at the request of Cosla, so that they could focus on reducing the delayed discharge figures that we are wrestling with at the moment.

"So I think it's slightly pre-emptive for leaders to have taken this decision, but I am still open to discussion because we both need to see reform coming through."

He added he understood Cosla members had "strongly held views" and there was a "growing need for social care services" in Scotland.

The bill was first introduced when Michael Matheson was the health secretary [PA Media]

The Scottish government described the bill as being the "biggest public service reform in Scotland since devolution", and said it would streamline the care process for elderly, disabled or homeless people, as well as those with addictions, families and unpaid carers.

The system would let people switch between different types of care as their needs changed.

Originally the bill was planned to have been introduced by the end of the 2026 parliamentary term. But in December 2023, the then-health secretary, Michael Matheson, said it was delayed until 2028/29.

Earlier this month, unions withdrew their support - with GMB Scotland's senior organiser Keir Greenaway telling the BBC that the scheme would only add more bureaucracy to the sector.
SHERWOOD, Ark.  Saturday the Rotary Club of Sherwood conquered the climb with their 5k race where many families, pets and teachers in the community came out for a great cause.

All the proceeds from the race go towards the Rotary Clubs community service projects that include youth programs such as summer readings and their healthy smiles event where they teach kids about dental hygiene.

The race also helps with scholarships that benefit local students.

Race director Kyle Blakely said this is the 12th year for the race.

I think everyone should put forth some effort to help their community. We live in our communities, work in our communities, we want our communities to thrive and the only way to do that is together, Blakely said.

Blakely said this year had the most 5k runners there has been.

Runner and Sylvan Hills teacher Tim Sisk said that support from the Rotary Club helps transcend what teachers are able to create in the classroom.

Being able to support them and actually have them support me creates a relationship that transcends what we can create in the classroom, Sisk 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 KARK.
One of Doug Stanton's nonfiction historical works showed up last year on a list of books being considered for banning, and all he could do was wonder why  a question that still isn't answered, although the single word "Florida" provides a hint.

Jodi Picoult's novels get banned with distressing regularity, and she can do something more forceful.

After the Martin County, Florida, school district yanked 20 of her books from the shelves of high school libraries last year, Picoult set a ground rule for her current book tour, which brought her to Traverse City on Sept. 10.

Rock stars might demand a certain brand of whiskey. Yul Brynner insisted that his dressing room be painted brown, and he toured so often in "The King and I" that a lot of theaters simply left it that way.

Author Jodi Picoult

Picoult, with the clout that comes with dozens of successful books and the recent No. 1 bestseller, "By Any Other Name," is asking for an opening act. Find a librarian, she says, to spend a few minutes talking about the perils of censorship and book bans.

After that, she'll wax poetic about her prose.

Changes in challenges

In Michigan, where the National Writers Series brought Picoult to the City Opera House, the guest expert was Larry Neal, director of the Clinton-Macomb Public Library.

Neal, 59, spent his formative years at what's now the Rochester Hills Public Library. He graduated from Hardy Boys mysteries to travel books, and he wound up touring the world and making libraries his career.

From the podium in Traverse City, he offered some alarming numbers about words: a 65% jump in challenges to unique titles in 2023, according to the American Library Association. More than 4,200 specific titles are in the crosshairs. One threat from the Lapeer County prosecutor to lock up a library director for stocking an autobiography in comic panels called "Gender Queer: A Memoir," tucked away in the adult nonfiction section.

From his office a few days ago, he outlined the difference between complaints early in his career and today.

Clinton-Macomb Public Library director Larry Neal, outlined against the Aegean Sea in Santorini, Greece, credits the public libraries of his youth with launching both his career and his love of exploring new places.

It used to be, Neal said, that a child might check out a book inappropriate for his or her age or comprehension level, and a parent would call to discuss it.

"I'd explain that we try to serve all facets of the community," he said, and the child would pick out something more suitable next time.

More: It's an extraordinary time to be Traverse City author Doug Stanton

Now, he said, "we're seeing coordinated efforts on a national level," typically about books with LGBTQ+ characters or by writers of color. Someone will catch an alert online, seek out a book at the library, turn to the third paragraph on page 105, and complain.

"There's no context to it. No idea what the book is about," Neal said.

Or maybe, as with Picoult, they'll complain about a stack of books at a time.

"In response to the book banning throughout our country and Martin County, I have created this quilt to remind all of us that these few of so many more books that are banned or targeted, need to be proudly displayed and protected," said Grace Linn, 100, of Jensen Beach, while addressing the Martin County School Board during public comment, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 500 SE Ocean Blvd. in Stuart. Pulitzer Prize winner Toni Morrison and bestselling young-adult novelist Jodi Picoult are some of the writers whose works were removed from the Martin County School District's middle and high schools last month.

History in harm's way

Florida and a few other states have made it so easy to challenge books that an illiterate could do it.

According to Picoult, the woman in Martin County who targeted the 20 books acknowledged in her complaint that she hadn't read them. She said they were adult romance, which Picoult doesn't write, and half of them don't include so much as a kiss.

Also vexing, Picoult has said, is that her 2007 novel "19 Minutes" has been banned by districts in 35 states. It's a before-and-after look at a school shooting, written for adults but with abundant lessons for high schoolers, and she told the BBC that the problem isn't with the scenes of violence.

The issue, rather, "is that on page 313, I use the term erection. 

Stanton, one of the founders of the Writers Series, was perplexed when a letter from a group called We Need Diverse Books informed him last October that his first bestseller was among 87 books flagged in Pinellas County, Florida.

"In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors," was published in 2001. It's about the heavy cruiser that delivered plutonium-235 and other components of the Hiroshima atomic bomb to a staging area in July 1945, and was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine days later in the Philippine Sea.

Author Doug Stanton

Stanton was one of several authors who signed a letter of protest. In January, he learned that "In Harm's Way" was out of dry dock.

He'll probably never know why it was there in the first place, but had Elissa Petruzzi of the diverse books group not raised the issue, an important story of history and heroism might still be in limbo.

There are already meticulous procedures in place to make sure the books on shelves meet state standards, Petruzzi pointed out.

Protests and attempted bans, she said, even when theyre unsuccessful, put a strain on teachers, librarians and budgets.

Thats by intent, Neal said.

Siding with libraries

Neal remembers catching grief about the DVD of "Fifty Shades of Grey" being available for adult checkout, and then seeing the same item the next day at child's-eye-level on a rack near the entrance to Target.

"We're called groomers and worse," he said, for acknowledging that worthy books cover endless subjects, and that there's a value for kids in seeing people like themselves in print.

Meantime, most every middle schooler owns a phone that can access the most salacious content on the planet in seconds.

"We're not here to serve one end of the spectrum or the other," Neal said, politically or otherwise. "You can find what you want here. We want to meet your needs and preferences."

Maybe, despite the attacks on books and the people who shelve them, there's hope. In Alpena County, voters approved a library millage in August, even after a campaign that featured "Vote no on library grooming" yard signs with a man handing an X-rated book to a little girl.

Or maybe there isn't. The Alpena County Board of Commissioners voted to fire all five members of the unpaid library board, after librarians followed Library of Michigan guidelines regarding the placement of some books written to help teens and adolescents understand their bodies.

The Michigan Library Association conducted a poll and found that 75% of respondents want to protect access to books, especially for young people learning about perspectives. An even larger number, 83%, supported fending off bans.

"If a book isn't right for you or your family," Neal said, there's an easy solution.

Close it, and bring it back.

Reach Neal Rubin at NARubin@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Author Jodi Picoult battles book banners across the US
A long-standing feud between Google (GOOG, GOOGL) and Microsoft (MSFT) is spilling into public view once again.

The latest shot from Google came in a complaint filed with the European Commission Wednesday, accusing Microsoft of violating the European Unions antitrust law.

Google said in a document provided to Yahoo Finance that Microsoft illegally leveraged its dominant enterprise server software Windows Server licenses to force customers to stick with Microsoft for cloud computing.

Microsoft predicted Google would "fail" in this instance, saying it had already settled similar concerns raised by European cloud providers.

"Having failed to persuade European companies, we expect Google similarly will fail to persuade the European Commission," a Microsoft spokesperson said.

The new dispute demonstrates "this is a cold war that's gone hot," Adam Kovacevich, CEO and Founder of the tech policy advocacy group Chamber of Progress, told Yahoo Finance.

Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai departs federal court last October after testifying in the largest antitrust case since the 1990s. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (Drew Angerer via Getty Images)

'Scroogled'

The two tech giants have spent the last two decades battling for supremacy in technologies ranging from online search and cloud computing to the markets for operating systems, gaming software, online advertising  and now artificial intelligence, or AI.

The feud began in the first decade after Microsoft settled a landmark antitrust case brought by the US Justice Department alleging it boxed out rivals by making its browser free and the default on its dominant Windows operating system.

A 2002 settlement opened the door to broader competition in the internet browser software market and created an opportunity for Google, then a startup formed by Stanford students Sergey Brin and Larry Page, to begin its period of meteoric growth in the 2000s.

Microsoft defended its reestablished territory in a series of videos first released in 2011, in which Microsoft skewered Google with parodies suggesting that Googles competing Gmail service, Chrome browser, and accompanying software lacked quality and privacy.

A video titled Gmail Man questioned Google's ethics by accusing it of mining every word within its Gmail customers' private emails in order to target them with advertisements.

In other videos titled "Scroogled" and "Googlighting"  a spoof on the 1980s hit television series "Moonlighting"  Microsoft questioned whether consumers should trust Google with handling their private information.

In 2016, the companies entered into a ceasefire with an agreement to end regulatory complaints against each other globally as two new CEOs  Google's Sundar Pichai and Microsoft's Satya Nadella  took over.

Story continues

The pact came to an end in 2021 as regulators in the US and EU stepped up pressure on both companies, and Microsoft complained that Google used unfair tactics to compete in online search and advertising.

'You brush your teeth, and you search on Google'

Things really got uncomfortable last year during a high-profile antitrust trial that pitted Google against the US Justice Department  a case that alleged Google illegally monopolized the online search engine market and had echoes of the case the DOJ filed against Microsoft in the 1990s.

The most prominent witness to testify against Google was Nadella, who did not hesitate to take a shot at his rival while on the stand.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (R) arrives at federal court last October to testify in Google's antitrust trial. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (Drew Angerer via Getty Images)

You get up in the morning, you brush your teeth, and you search on Google, Nadella said, emphasizing Googles overwhelming dominance in the search engine market.

Nadella said Microsofts own search engine, Bing, failed to gain traction because Google had negotiated for Google Search to get default placement on browsers, desktops, and mobile devices like Apple's iPhones and iPads and Android-based smartphones made by Samsung and others.

Nadella went on to describe the imbalance as a vicious cycle that he worried would intensify with the development of AI.

Google lost the case in a judges ruling that labeled its search business an illegal monopoly. The resolution is now pending a remedies phase that could result in a breakup of Googles empire.

Microsoft certainly had a lot to gain from a Google defeat, Kovacevich said.

They were probably the main instigator of the US Justice Department's antitrust suit over Google, Kovacevich said. And the guilty verdict against Google probably stands to benefit Microsoft's Bing most of anyone.

Microsoft is taking a similar approach in yet another antitrust lawsuit against Google that is still in its initial trial phase. It argues there that Googles control of online advertising technologies has harmed the success of its Bing browser.

New feud before the EU

It's unknown if the EU will take up Google's most recent attack against Microsoft's cloud computing rules.

Google is arguing that Microsoft imposed a 400% markup on customers to migrate their Windows Server licenses to a competing cloud service, while customers who chose Microsoft's cloud services, Azure, could migrate for essentially nothing.

In making its case, Google is using the same sort of "bundling" or "tying" claims used in the 1998 case against Microsoft brought by the DOJ.

Back then, US prosecutors alleged that Microsoft illegally monopolized the market for personal computing operating systems by using its Windows operating system to give away its browser, Internet Explorer, for free.

The move bundled the browser along with Windows, eventually putting rival browser Netscape Navigator out of business.

Then-Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates in 2002 with his then-wife Melinda at the US District Courthouse in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO /Stephen JAFFE (Photo credit should read STEPHEN JAFFE/AFP via Getty Images) (STEPHEN JAFFE via Getty Images)

Microsoft was eventually required to open up Windows to third party software, which paved the way for companies including Google to "interoperate" or run their browser and search software using Microsoft-powered computers.

Now, in the market for cloud computing, Google is arguing that Microsoft leveraged "dominance in one market to prevent competition on the merits in a separate, unrelated market," according to the document shared with Yahoo Finance.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on X @alexiskweed.

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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) defended GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump saying the Russia-Ukraine war must end through negotiation in an interview Sunday rather than counting on a Ukrainian victory.

I'm not on Russia's side  but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement, Rubio said in an interview with Kristen Welker on NBCs Meet the Press. And I want, and we want, and, I believe Donald Trump wants, for Ukraine to have more leverage in that negotiation.

Rubio, vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he didnt know why we cant just say that in regards to Trumps proposed negotiated deal.

On Wednesday, Trump gave one of his strongest signals so far that he will not fully back Ukraine's aims, saying Ukraine should have given up a little bit at a campaign event in North Carolina. On Friday, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump supported a negotiated deal, saying, "It takes two to tango, and we will." And when asked directly, the former president denied two opportunities to say he wanted Ukraine to win during the last presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris.

Zelenskyy and Ukraine's supporters have insisted that all of Ukraine's occupied territory must be restored. But Rubio added that the Biden administration, if pressed on what victory looks like for Ukraine, would also agree that a negotiation is the end result.

We hope that when that time comes there is more leverage on the Ukrainian side than on the Russian side. That really is the goal here in my mind, Rubio said. And I think that's what Donald Trump is trying to say, but he's going to say it like a businessman. But Biden won't even tell us what victory is.

The Florida senator also danced around supporting Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance for saying that a peaceful settlement could look like the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine, that becomes like a demilitarized zone on a podcast recently.

I think what the deal looks like will be up to the parties when they negotiate it. Obviously, Zelenskyy is not going to come out there and say, from a negotiating standpoint is not going to go out there and predetermine what it looks like, Rubio said. So I understand why he wouldn't want to go out there and define what it looks like at the front end.

He added, But I think we, as Americans, the reality of it is we are investing billions of dollars into this effort, and it's important that as we invest this money into this effort that we tell the American taxpayer, This is what the money's going toward. Ultimately, it's not endless war, right?

When pressed on whether he would be comfortable with accepting the demarcation agreement Vance proposed, Rubio dodged, saying he would be comfortable with a negotiated deal that ends hostilities and favors Ukraine, meaning that they have their own sovereignty. He reiterated that he would not prejudge any agreement when asked if that means he did not support Vances claims.

The most important thing here is that these hostilities end and that Ukraine can go back to rebuilding its economy and people can move back. Millions of people have had to leave that country, Rubio said. It's been devastating to them. But that negotiation is going to be up to them. I just want them to have more leverage than Putin.
The Russian Ministry of Defence said that 125 Ukrainian UAVs attacked Russian oblasts on Sunday night.

Source: Russian Ministry of Defence

Details: The Russian ministry says that its air defence systems destroyed 125 Ukrainian aircraft-type UAVs that attacked targets on Russian territory.

Quote: "A total of 67 UAVs were intercepted and destroyed over the territory of Volgograd Oblast, 17 over the territory of Belgorod Oblast, 17 over the territory of Voronezh Oblast, 18 over the territory of Rostov Oblast, one over the territory of Bryansk and Kursk Oblasts and Krasnodar Krai, and 3 UAVs over the waters of the Azov Sea."

Background: Russian Telegram channels reported that explosions rang out near a military camp in Yeysk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia. In addition to Krasnodar Krai, explosions were reported in Rostov, Voronezh, and Volgograd oblasts.

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One hundred twenty-five Ukrainian drones launched overnight were intercepted over seven Russian regions, Russian state-controlled media TASS claimed on Sept. 29.

The drones targeted Volgograd, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, Bryansk, and Kursk oblasts, as well as Krasnodar Krai, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The Ministry also claims three drones were shot down over the Sea of Azov.

The aforementioned regions are located at various distances along Ukraine's eastern border.

The ministry claims 67 drones were shot down over Volgograd Oblast, 17 over Belgorod Oblast, 17 over Voronezh Oblast, 18 over Rostov Oblast, and one each over Bryansk and Kursk oblasts.

There has been no comment on the attacks from Kyiv.

Kyiv has carried out a number of drone attacks against Russian infrastructure facilities and military installations throughout the full-scale war, hoping to undermine Russian invasion forces in Ukraine.

No casualties resulted from the drones targeting Voronezh Oblast, Governor Alexander Gusev claimed.

The drone attack inflicted property damage in the city and the surrounding region, including one residential building that was "significantly damaged," but somehow "none of the residents need temporary housing," he added.

Read also: Ukrainian drones are burning Russias oil refineries, but not its economy

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KYIV (Reuters) - Russia hit the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia with multiple guided bombs on Sunday, wounding at least 16 people, and damaging railways, infrastructure, and residential and commercial buildings, Ukrainian officials said.

Ivan Fedorov, the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, said that Russian forces hit three city districts with a total of 13 guided bombs between 5 a.m. (0200 GMT) and 7 a.m. (0400 GMT). The strikes injured at least 16 people, including two children aged 8 and 17 years old, he said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a post on the Telegram messaging app that several residential buildings, the city's infrastructure, and railways were damaged in the strikes.

He posted pictures from the sites of the attacks, showing charred cars, a hole blown through a residential building, and rescuers battling fires. Local officials said trains were delayed and diverted while rescuers cleared up the debris.

There was no immediate comment from Moscow on Sunday's strikes.

The highly destructive guided bombs are difficult for Ukrainian air defences to intercept.

The southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, an important logistical and industrial hub located about 50 km (30 miles) from the frontline, has been the target of intensified Russian-guided bomb strikes in recent weeks. Moscow's troops partially occupy the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, which is also home to Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

Zelenskiy said that during the past week Russian forces used nearly 900 guided bombs, more than 300 Shahed drones, and over 40 missiles to strike Ukrainian urban centres, towns, and villages.

"This Russian terror knows no pause, and it can be stopped only by the unity of the world  unity to support Ukraine and unity to put pressure on Russia for the war," Zelenskiy said on Telegram.

Zelenskiy, who was in the United States last week to attend the U.N. General Assembly and to present his plan for victory in the 2-1/2 year war to key officials, is pressing allies for more air defences.

Moscow denies targeting civilians, although it has killed thousands since its February 2022 invasion, according to United Nations data.

The Russian defence ministry said on Sunday its air defences downed 125 Ukrainian drones overnight, while a residential apartment was hit in the western city of Voronezh, according to the local governor.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Russian forces attacked 14 communities on Sept. 29, injuring 10 people throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

In the town of Esman, five people were injured after a Russian KAB guided aerial bomb struck the community. Another KAB guided bomb attack on the village of Hlukiv injured a further two people.

According to the Sumy Oblast Prosecutor's Office, the attack on Esman injured a total of five women between the ages of 38 and 77, while in Hlukhiv a 53-year-old woman and her 50-year-old husband were injured.

Elsewhere in Sumy Oblast, drone attacks targeted various communities resulting in civillian casualties. In Yampil, one person was injured as a result of a Russian drone attack, while in the village of Druzhba two others were injured.

According to investigators, the drone attack in the village of Druzhba targeted a passenger train at the railway station. The train conductor and an employee of the railway station were injured in the attacks.

No details were provided on the attack on the community of Yampil.

Residents in Sumy Oblast are subjected to daily attacks on the region, with Russia intensifying the use of KAB guided aerial bombs in the area.

On Sept. 28, Russian forces launched a double-tap strike on a hospital in the northeastern city of Sumy, killing 10 people and injuring 22. Moscow initially attacked with an airstrike and Shahed-type drones, followed by a powerful KAB guided bomb strike, the Air Force confirmed.

The security situation in Sumy Oblast became more tense with the start of Ukraine's cross-border incursion into neighboring Kursk Oblast in Russia, which began on Aug. 6.

Commander-in-Chief of Ukraines Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with CNN, published on Sept. 5, that Russia was planning an offensive from Russia's Kursk Oblast onto Sumy Oblast before Ukrainian forces launched operations there.

In late August, amid ongoing attacks on the region, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko told reporters that authorities are planning to evacuate a total of 45,000 residents from Sumy Oblast.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Zelensky says Putin afraid to use nuclear weapons because he loves his life

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(Reuters) - The management of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station said on Sunday that Ukrainian forces had launched a new attack on a nearby electricity substation, destroying a transformer.

The Zaporizhzhia station, Europe's largest with six reactors, was seized by Russian forces in the early days of Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Each side regularly accuses the other of attacking or plotting to attack the plant.

The plant's management, writing on Telegram, said an artillery strike had hit the transformer at the "Raduga" substation in the town of Enerhodar in southeastern Ukraine.

It described the incident as "yet another terrorist act aimed at destabilising the situation in the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant's satellite city".

Also posted was a photograph showing smoke billowing from the top of a building. It said power supplies to Enerhodar had not been interrupted.

The plant's management accused the Ukrainian military on September 20 of attacking a second substation in Enerhodar.

The following day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha accused Russia of planning strikes on Ukrainian nuclear facilities before the winter. He provided no detailed explanation.

Power lines to the Zaporizhzia plant have been cut on several occasions, increasing the chance of a blackout that could cause a nuclear accident.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has stationed monitors permanently at the plant and urged both sides to refrain from all attacks on it.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
Aftermath of the attack. Photo: Ministry of Internal Affairs

A total of 11 civilians have been injured as a result of a nighttime Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia with guided aerial bombs.

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs; Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration (OMA)

Details: It has been confirmed that the Russians dropped 13 aerial bombs on Zaporizhzhia.

The number of casualties has increased to 11.

Search and rescue operations have been completed.

The OMA reported two men and nine women had been injured, the oldest of whom is 83 years old.

Updated: A few hours later it was reported that search and rescue operations were completed in Zaporozhzhia.

As a result of Russian airstrikes, 16 people were injured.

Nine women, five men, and two childrena 17-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girlwere hurt, according to the authorities.

Two injured women remain in the hospital.

Three people are currently in hospital, while eight refused hospitalisation.

Update: A few hours later it was reported that search and rescue operations were completed in Zaporizhzhia.

As a result of Russian airstrikes, 16 people were injured.

Nine women, five men, and two children  a 17-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl  were hurt, according to the authorities.

Two injured women have been hospitalised.

Background: On Sunday morning, a large-scale Russian attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia destroyed an apartment block and caused fires.

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The Insider states that its journalists have gained access to hundreds of official documents confirming that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who was imprisoned in the Polar Wolf penal colony could have been poisoned.

Source: The Insider

Details: Specifically, The Insider obtained two versions of the regulation refusing to initiate a criminal proceeding, signed by Major of Justice Alexander Varapaev. The earlier version describes Navalny's symptoms as follows:

"On 16 February 2024, convict A.A. Navalny felt a sharp deterioration of his health condition while in exercise yard No. 2 of the EPKT [unified cell-type housing unit], about which he informed the duty officer of the institution, who took the latter out of the premises of the exercise yard to the premises of section No. 4 of the EPKT.

"There, convict A.A. Navalny lay down on the floor and began to complain of sharp pain in the abdominal area; he started reflexive ejection of his stomach contents, had convulsions, and lost consciousness, which was immediately reported to the medical staff of the correctional facility."

In a later version of the same regulation (which became the final one), there was no information about abdominal pain, vomiting or seizures. But The Insider also has another document  an inventory of "seized objects" taken from the scene of Navalnys death. The list includes "samples of vomit," which the document indicates were submitted for examination. However, neither the fact of the examination nor Navalnys vomit were ever officially reported.

"The documents confirm the words of Yulia Navalnaya, who stated that in the last minutes before his death, [Alexei] complained of acute pain in his stomach," The Insider reports.

The Insider cites ER doctor Alexander Polupan, who treated Navalny in Omsk City Hospital No. 1 after the Novichok poisoning in 2020, who says that the symptoms described in the documents do not correspond to the official version.

"The official cause of death  a heart rhythm disorder  would in no way explain the symptoms described in the resolution: sharp abdominal pain, vomiting, or seizures. These symptoms can hardly be explained by anything other than poisoning. The short interval between the abdominal pain and the convulsions suggests the possibility of exposure to an organophosphorus agent, for instance  the same class of substances as Novichok, but in this case it may have been applied internally rather than topically," Polupan says.

Other medics of different specialties interviewed by The Insider agree with Polupans conclusions.

Other facts also point to the application of a poisonous substance: the authorities did not release Navalnys body for a long time and did not allow conducting an alternative examination of biological material. It is only now that the fact of poisoning was confirmed by official documents.

Background:

On the afternoon of 16 February, Russias Federal Penitentiary Service reported the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at Correctional Facility No. 3 in Kharp, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, in northwestern Siberia. Representatives of the correctional facility where Navalny had been held told the politician's mother that he had died of sudden death syndrome.

On 24 February, Russias prison employees finally handed over the body of Alexei Navalny to his mother.

On 1 March, the funeral service for Alexei Navalny took place in Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison a "sad event" and claimed he had been prepared to exchange him.

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The Russian State Duma introduced five bills that would tighten migration policy in the country, Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced on Sept. 29.

There has been an uptick in anti-migration sentiment in Russia in recent months, especially toward migrants from Central Asia, after several gunmen opened fire at a venue in the Moscow suburbs at the end of March.

The bills propose harsher punishments for illegal immigrants who commit crimes given their migration status, increased penalties for "organizing" illegal migration, increased liability for forged documents, blocking internet services that offer illegal services to migrants, and banning intermediary organizations involved in administering exams - such as Russian language proficiency - for migrants.

Volodin claimed that over 4,500 cases of document forgery were registered by the Russian Internal Affairs Ministry this year.

The proposed bills would "contribute to establishing order in the area of migration policy," he added.

Following the terrorist attack on Moscow in late March, Russia began conducting raids on dormitories and apartments known to house Central Asian migrants and carrying out mass deportations.

A branch of the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack shortly thereafter, and Russia detained four men from Tajikistan, the alleged perpetrators of the attack. In total, over a dozen people were arrested under suspicion of having a connection to the attack.

Central Asian migrants make up a large number of Russia's workforce.

At the end of March, Tajikistan's Labor, Employment, and Migration Ministry reported that more Tajik migrants in Russia were returning home than usual.

Read also: In Putins Russia, state violence is on full display

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Members of the new Russian government hold a meeting in Moscow

Members of the new Russian government hold a meeting in Moscow

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will visit Iran on Monday and meet Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Russian government said on Sunday.

"Special attention" will be paid to implementation of large-scale joint projects in the sphere of transport, energy, industry, agriculture and other areas, it said in a statement.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Frances Kerry)
Shearer's Foods employees and their families watch during a drawing to choose the winners of three new vehicles during an end-of-summer celebration at the facility in Massillon. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.

MASSILLON  Three employees of Shearer's Foods will get to choose a new truck or SUV after winning a raffle at the company's end-of-summer celebration Saturday at its plant on Millennium Boulevard.

The vehicle giveaway was part of an incentive program the company made to recognize their Ohio employees for working well during their busy summer season.

"Thank you, everyone, so much for your ... performance this past summer, said Eric Krizay, vice president of operations. "We turned in a record year for the Shearer's company."

Shearers, a manufacturer of salty snacks, cookies and crackers, provided incentives to employees in Massillon and Brewster. It offered prizes to those with weekly perfect attendance or those who volunteered to work extra shifts. Employees were given raffle tickets with prizes that grew larger throughout the summer. The prizes included iPads, grills, coolers and barbeque sets.

The company held its first fall festival last year, said Lauren Lab, human resources manager of the Brewster plant.

"This year, we thought, 'Let's give them a truck,'" she said. The event included food and bounce houses.

Eric Krizay, vice president of operations for Shearer's Foods, picked the names of three employees who won vehicles during an end-of-summer celebration at the facility in Massillon. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.

Her husband Michael Lab, site leader at the company's Stark warehouse, said about 1,000 employees were invited to the celebration.

"We're giving away a car today. That's really fun. It's exciting," he said.

More: 'There's no reason to leave.' Shearer's Foods CEO says company is committed to Massillon

Saturday's final raffle included additional prizes after the drawing for the new vehicles, which winners will get to choose at Progressive Chevrolet.

"We pay for everything - tax, title," said Carlos Smith, human resource manager.

Winners did not need to be present to claim their prizes. None were in attendance when managers pulled the winning tickets shortly before 4 p.m.

Spectators who held cellphones at the ready to photograph the winners' reactions left without capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments.

"That was a little bit anticlimactic, Krizay said.

More: Massillon-based Shearer's Foods gets state tax credit as it eyes new facility near Dayton

Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Shearer's Foods gives choice of truck or SUV to employees as incentive
(Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will attend a meeting in Armenia on Tuesday of the Eurasian Economic Forum, the government said on Sunday, referring to a body within the framework of a grouping of former Soviet states.

The government statement on Telegram followed an earlier announcement that Mishustin would visit Iran on Monday and meet President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The statement said the meeting would discuss digitalisation, market operations and cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union, made up of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

Russia often presents the Eurasian Economic Union as an alternative to Western political and economic groupings.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Russians drop guided aerial bombs on Bohuslavka in Kharkiv Oblast, injuring two residents  photos

Russians attacked the village of Bohuslavka in Izium district, Kharkiv Oblast, with guided aerial bombs (GABs), injuring a man and a woman.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: Russian troops dropped GABs on the village at around 15:30.

A farmhouse and at least six houses were damaged.

Two people were also injured: a 25-year-old man and an 85-year-old woman.

Prosecutors and police investigators are taking all appropriate measures to record the war crimes committed by the Russian military.

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Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest casualty numbers.

Russia attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia with guided bombs overnight on Sept. 29, injuring at least 16 civilians, local authorities reported.

As of 1:58 p.m. local time, the number of injured stands at 16, according to regional police. Among the wounded include a 17-year-old boy.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov said via his official Telegram channel that the city was targeted at least 10 times. Several buildings caught fire following the attack which also destroyed a high-rise and several residential homes. More people may be trapped under the rubble, Fedorov added.

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.

On Sept. 23, Russia's strike against the city killed one man and injured seven other civilians, including a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, according to local authorities.

Russian troops also appear to be preparing for assault operations in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where "the enemy is amassing personnel," the Ukrainian military's Southern Command spokesman Vladyslav Voloshyn said on Sept. 28.

Read also: Russian double-tap attack on Sumy hospital kills 10, injures 22, officials say









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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)-Salvation Army of Savannah and Chatham County Emergency Management (CEMA) will be providing hot meals, hydration and food boxes to those affected by Helene.

Salvation Army canteens are mobile, feeding kitchen units that are stationed throughout the county providing services to the hardest hit areas within our county, Major Jason Smith of Salvation Army Savannah told WSAV.

Smith said that additional resources will be forthcoming as products come available.

Ice distribution in Chatham County

The Salvation Army through Jenners donors, as well as food, has been donated by catering companies and restaurants within our community to ensure that our residents are properly fed, Smith said.

Salvation Army is currently serving throughout the state of Georgia including Valdosta, Vidalia, Bainbridge and Douglas.

The Salvation Army is also providing hot meals to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Chatham County.

Smith said that they are requesting volunteers to help service and deliver meals. They are currently taking volunteers through United Way and you can find more information on how to volunteer in Savannah on their website.

Salvation Army volunteers and employees are working around the clock to ensure that individuals who have experienced extended power outages are fed and provided hydration, Smith said.

On Monday, in collaboration with CEMA, The Salvation Armys Emergency Disaster Services teams began providing meals, snacks, drinks, and clean-up kits to the following cooling stations:

The Empowerment Center  4704 Augusta Rd. (Garden City)

Tompkins Regional Center  2333 Ogeechee Rd. (Savannah)

Life Bridge Ministry  8511 Waters Ave. (Savannah)

Tybee Island YMCA  204 5th St. (Tybee Island)

Compassion Christian Church  50 A1 Henderson Blvd. (Savannah)

Mighty 8th Air Force Museum  175 Bourne Ave. (Pooler)

Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship  425 W. Montgomery Cross Rd. (Savannah)

You can also visit Salvation Armys website to provide financial contributions to support their efforts.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Sarah Ferguson praised Kate Middleton and King Charles III for their transparency about their cancer journeys.

The Duchess of York, 64, who has publicly battled two types of cancer, expressed her admiration for the 42-year-old Princess of Wales and the 75-year-old monarch, both of whom revealed their cancer diagnoses earlier this year. In February, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer and was undergoing treatment.

In March, Middleton disclosed her own cancer diagnosis and shared that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. In a heartfelt video shared earlier this month, the royal revealed that she was cancer-free after completing her treatment. The mother of three acknowledged it had been an "incredibly tough" year for her family, but said her cancer battle had reminded her to "be grateful for the simple yet important things in life" such as "loving and being loved."

Middleton also thanked supporters for their kindness and compassion and told those fighting cancer that she remains by their sides.

"I think they are an example to all families going through their own journeys of health," Ferguson told People Magazine. "I think both the King and the Princess of Wales have spoken openly about their journey, and I love that the Princess says, 'Im always there for you.' I love that video. It was a beautiful video with beautiful words."

Sarah Ferguson praised Kate Middleton and King Charles III for their transparency about their cancer journeys.

"The King, you know, became the patron of the Cancer Research UK, which is such a big organization, and he actually went out to meet the patients," she noted.

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Sarah Ferguson, Duchess Of York, Admits 'Shock' From 2Nd Cancer Diagnosis Within A Year: 'Be Diligent'

On April 30, Charles and his wife Queen Camilla visited the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre where he met with medical specialists and patients. The visit marked the first time that the monarch returned to public-facing royal duties after taking a three-month break while he received treatment and recuperated following his diagnosis. On the same day, it was announced that Charles had become the patron of Cancer Research UK, the world's largest independent cancer research organization.

"That was very brave too, very courageous, and [he] spoke openly, which was very important to help people and give hope," Ferguson said.

Ferguson said Middleton's video in which she announced that she was cancer-free was "beautiful."

Ferguson has also been open about her own health struggles after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and skin cancer within the same year. In June 2023, Ferguson's representative announced that the duchess had been diagnosed with an "early form of breast cancer" during a routine mammogram. Ferguson subsequently underwent a single mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

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The duchess spoke candidly about her diagnosis on social media and in episodes of her "Tea Talks" podcast and urged her followers to be vigilant about their health.

In January, Ferguson revealed that after overcoming breast cancer, she had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma. During the reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, Ferguson had moles removed which were then tested. One of the moles was determined to be cancerous.

Charles is pictured meeting with a patient during a visit at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre on April 30, 2024, in London, England.

"Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but Im in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support," Ferguson wrote the caption of an Instagram post. "I believe my experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, color and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma and urge anyone who is reading this to be diligent."

In May, Ferguson's daughter Princess Beatrice shared a positive update on her mother's health. The duchess shares Beatrice, 36, and Princess Eugenie, 34, with her ex-husband Prince Andrew of York.

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"She's doing really well," Beatrice said on ITV's "This Morning," per The DailyMail . "She's had a bumpy health scare last year, but [she's] all clear now I think at 64, she's thriving. She's been through so much. I think really now she's sort of coming into her own."

The Duchess of York, was diagnosed with breast cancer and skin cancer within the same year.

During her interview with People Magazine, Ferguson opened up about the current state of her health and how her back-to-back health scares have affected her.

"I think that you never really get rid of the worry about health. For every sort of melanoma, you never really know where it is. You look at everything and youre certainly more aware," she said. "Its been an extraordinary journey to have gone through a mastectomy, and then you have to keep having checks, and then you think youre going to get it again. Its a lot of very fragile mind work."

"I think that also gives me empathy to understand the fragility of the mind," Ferguson added. "A lot of young people have fragile, vulnerable times, with cyberbullying and chronic cruelty from other people. I think thats something I address, I am adamant about cruelty through social media."

"My health is really good now, but you have to be a bit more cognitive and not push yourself too much, which I do."





Original article source: Sarah Ferguson praises 'brave' Kate Middleton, King Charles for speaking 'openly' about cancer journeys
Sarah Ferguson recently praised King Charles and the Princess of Wales for their openness about their cancer battles during an interview at New York Climate Week.

The Duchess of York, who has faced breast cancer and melanoma, commended their bravery, especially Kate's emotional video discussing her recovery post-chemotherapy.

Sarah Ferguson also admires King Charles' public appearance amid his cancer treatment, noting how "brave" and "courageous" the monarch is for carrying on with his duties.

Sarah Ferguson Commends King Charles And Princess Kate For Being 'Open' About Their Cancer Journeys

MEGA

In a conversation with People Magazine, Sarah commended King Charles and the Princess of Wales for openly sharing their experiences with cancer while attending the launch of the Youth Council at New York Climate Week alongside her daughter, Princess Beatrice.

The Duchess of York, 64, who had a single mastectomy for breast cancer in 2023 and was later diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2024, praised their transparency.

Sarah expressed her admiration for Charles and Kate, highlighting how "they are an example to all families going through their own journeys of health."

She specifically mentioned a heartfelt video where Kate discussed completing chemotherapy, saying, "I love how the Princess reassured everyone, saying, I'm always there for you. I love that video. It was a beautiful video with beautiful words."

Sarah also reflected on Charles' visit to the Macmillan Cancer Centre at University College Hospital in London this past April, which marked his first public appearance after revealing his cancer diagnosis.

"That was very brave too, very courageous," she said, adding, "[he] spoke openly, which was very important to help people and give hope."

Sarah Ferguson And The King Reportedly Bonded Over Their Cancer Battles

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After news broke of Sarah's skin cancer diagnosis, King Charles reportedly sent a letter to her expressing his good wishes and support as she received treatment.

Sarah returned the heartfelt treatment after news broke to the public of the King's cancer diagnosis.

At the time, a source revealed to the Daily Mail that the two royals had supported each other with heartfelt letters, which strengthened their bond.

The source said, "The King and Sarah are incredibly fond of one another, and now they have bonded over their respective cancer diagnosis with an exchange of letters."

They added, "Cancer is a wicked disease that affects so many individuals and their families, and it's clear that extra support from loved ones and the extended cancer community can help immeasurably."

Sarah Ferguson And Her Daughter Princess Beatrice Attended New York Climate Week Events

MEGA

Last week, Sarah and her daughter Beatrice participated in a "truly inspiring" panel on climate solidarity in the Commonwealth during New York's annual climate event.

Both were seen at various events throughout the week, which focused on environmental advocacy and initiatives.

The Duchess of York, an author and member of the royal family, attended the Global Citizen NOW: Health and Climate Financing Sessions and discussed the pressing need for action at Guastavino's.

Later, Beatrice joined her for the Youth Impact Council Launch in Manhattan. Sarah took to Instagram to express her excitement over the "fantastic second day" at New York Climate Week.

Kate Middleton Reflects On Life And Family After Completing Chemotherapy In Heartfelt Video

MEGA

Sarah referenced Kate's emotional three-minute video, released on September 9, during her interview.

In the video, the Princess of Wales opened up about her "renewed sense of hope and appreciation for life" after completing chemotherapy amid a challenging health journey this year.

The footage featured Kate celebrating her recovery with Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

While Kate's message was one of hope and triumph, she also emphasized that her new priority is "staying cancer-free," acknowledging the past nine months as a "scary and unpredictable" period for her family.

In her video, Kate shared how the experience reminded her and William to "reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved."

Kate Middleton To Focus On Recovery And Family Amid Lightened Public Schedule

MEGA

At the time of the video's release, a palace insider highlighted that while Kate is eager to participate in a "handful" number of public engagements in the coming months, her main priority is staying "cancer-free" and continuing her long recovery journey.

According to the Daily Mail, a source revealed that her upcoming schedule will be "light," including events like Remembrance Sunday, but she won't join William at the Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town this November.

Kate will focus on supporting her family and working from home on projects like her early childhood initiative.

The insider added that the family is "immensely grateful for the kind and thoughtful wishes they have received over the past nine months" and the media's respect for their privacy during this time.
VIRGINIA - The Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office has arrested a school bus aide for alleged sex offenses in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

The suspect is 22-year-old Miguel Velasquez Velasco of Fredericksburg. Velascoon was arrested on the evening of September 26.

Spotsylvania bus aide arrested

School authorities alerted police after suspicion of inappropriate touching of a student had occurred on a school bus. It was determined through an investigation that Velasquez Velasco assaulted three separate children on the school bus on September 26. The victims' ages range from four to five years of age, and those who are students with disabilities.

Velasquez Velasco was arrested and charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child, two counts of indecent liberties of a child while in a custodial role, and one count of attempted sodomy of a child. He is being held without bond.

This remains an ongoing investigation.
Schools still out for some Tampa Bay students thanks to Helene

MADEIRA BEACH  When Pinellas County students return to school Monday, children from two schools swamped by Hurricane Helene wont be joining them.

Two of our schools suffered severe damages, schools superintendent Kevin Hendrick said Sunday during a news briefing outside Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8. Both schools will take months to repair.

Children attending Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 and Gulf Beaches Elementary, both of which sit right on the coastline, will have Monday and Tuesday off while their school leaders prepare alternate plans for their classes.

Students at one Pasco County school  West Pasco Education Academy in Hudson  also wont be in their campus, which was hit by flooding. District officials said they would contact each family to discuss plans for the alternative school.

All Hillsborough County schools are reopening Monday, spokesperson Tanya Arja said. They experienced only minor damages during the storm.

The plans quickly shaped up for the shift to accommodate the Pinellas students displaced by Helene.

Starting Wednesday, the nearly 1,400 students who attend Madeira Beach Fundamental will be split between two different campuses. The elementary-aged children will take classes at Walsingham Elementary, about 7 miles to the north of their usual campus. The middle-school-aged students will take classes at Osceola Fundamental High, about 2 miles south of Walsingham.

About half the students at Osceola previously attended Madeira Beach, and district officials said it was a goal while considering options to keep families as close together as possible during this period.

To handle the influx, both Osceola and Walsingham will move to modified double sessions, with the Madeira Beach students beginning around noon, after the other students leave for the day.

The approximately 300 Gulf Beaches Elementary students also will move, but will not see their schedule disrupted in the same way. They will attend school at Disston Academy, about 4 miles away on the mainland side of Gulfport. The 70 children who go to Disston will instead travel to Lealman Innovation Academy, a similar alternative school about 6 miles to the north.

The district will provide child care services for affected families from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Tyrone Middle School. Families do not have to register in advance, but must sign in at the site.

The major problem with the two damaged schools came in the form of electrical systems overcome with sea water, Hendrick said. A team from Duke Energy was already onsite Sunday, but Hendrick said he expected the repairs to take months.

The schools also had water rise 3 to 4 feet inside classrooms. Despite sitting on the water, Hendrick said, it never got into the classrooms in the last couple of decades. This is unprecedented.

The principals of both schools said they would be ready when everyone returns.

Were ready to reunite our families and begin the restoration of community, said Gulf Beaches principal Bob Kalach.

Madeira Beach principal Chris Ateek said the schools recognize the struggles many families have experienced. He said he hoped getting back to the routine of school, as families are able, will help them all.

Students will remain with their teachers and classmates, both said, noting that is a critical piece of the recovery.

If everything is an emergency, nothing is an emergency, Ateek said. So were going to treat everything with ease.

Hendrick said he understood that many families are being disrupted, particularly at Osceola High which will start classes before 7 a.m. It could be problematic, he acknowledged.

Of course Im concerned. But its temporary, Hendrick said. Look at the big picture. Small sacrifice for a couple of months is all we are asking.

More details are available on individual school websites.

  

Tampa Bay Times hurricane coverage 2024

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Checklists for building all kinds of storm kits.
While most of us take the ground beneath our feet for granted, written within its complex layers, like the pages of a book, is Earth's history. Our history.

Research shows there are little-known chapters in that history, deep within Earth's past. In fact, Earth's inner core appears to have another even more inner core within it.

"Traditionally we've been taught the Earth has four main layers: the crust, the mantle, the outer core and the inner core," Australian National University geophysicist Joanne Stephenson explained in 2021.

Our knowledge of what lies beneath Earth's crust has been inferred mostly from what volcanoes have divulged and what seismic waves have whispered.

From these indirect observations, scientists have calculated that the scorchingly hot inner core, with temperatures surpassing 5,000 degrees Celsius (9,000 Fahrenheit), makes up only 1 percent of Earth's total volume.

But a few years ago, Stephenson and colleagues found evidence Earth's inner core may actually have two distinct layers.

"It's very exciting  and might mean we have to re-write the textbooks!" Stephenson explained at the time.

The team used a search algorithm to trawl through and match thousands of models of the inner core with observed data across many decades about how long seismic waves take to travel through Earth, gathered by the International Seismological Centre.

Differences in seismic wave paths through layers of Earth. (Stephenson xxxxxx)

Differences in seismic wave paths through layers of Earth. (Stephenson et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2021)

So what's down there? The team looked at some models of the inner core's anisotropy  how differences in the make-up of its material alters the properties of seismic waves  and found some were more likely than others.

While some models suggest the material of the inner core channels seismic waves faster parallel to the equator, others indicate the mix of materials allows for faster waves more parallel to Earth's rotational axis. Even then, there are arguments about the exact degree of difference at certain angles.

The study here didn't show much variation with depth in the inner core, but it did find there was a change in the slow direction to a 54-degree angle, with the faster direction of waves running parallel to the axis.

"We found evidence that may indicate a change in the structure of iron, which suggests perhaps two separate cooling events in Earth's history," Stephenson said.

"The details of this big event are still a bit of a mystery, but we've added another piece of the puzzle when it comes to our knowledge of the Earth's inner core."

These findings may explain why some experimental evidence has been inconsistent with our current models of Earth's structure.

The presence of an innermost layer has been suspected before, with hints that iron crystals that compose the inner core have different structural alignments.

"We are limited by the distribution of global earthquakes and receivers, especially at polar antipodes," the team wrote in their paper, explaining the missing data decreases the certainty of their conclusions.

But their conclusions align with other studies on the anisotropy of the innermost inner core.

Future research may fill in some of these data gaps and allow scientists to corroborate or contradict their findings, and hopefully translate more stories written within this early layer of Earth's history.

This research was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.

An earlier version of this article was published in March 2021.

Related News
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Is No Longer on Suicide Watch, Has Visited with Family in Prison: Sources (Exclusive)

A lawyer for the music mogul tells PEOPLE that Combs is "focused and very strong" as he awaits trial in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center

John Shearer/Getty Sean 'Diddy' Combs

Sean "Diddy" Combs is no longer on suicide watch and has been visited by his family while awaiting trial in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, sources tell PEOPLE.

A law enforcement source says the 54-year-old music mogul  who has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution following his Sept. 16 arrest  is no longer on suicide watch.

A source also says Combs has visited with family while at the detention facility, where he is currently in custody before his court appearance in early October.

He is focused and very strong," a lawyer for Combs tells PEOPLE. "He is concentrating on his defense and preparing for his trial.

Earlier this month, sources told PEOPLE that Combs had been placed on suicide watch for preventative measures following his arrest, given that he was in shock and his mental state was unclear. At the time, it was not known if he was suicidal or how long he was on suicide watch.

Suicide watch is the "supervisory precautions taken for suicidal inmates that require frequent observation," according to the U.S Department of Justice National Institute of Corrections.

On Sept. 24, sources also said that Combs and disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried are in custody in the same area of the Brooklyn detention facility, which houses 1,600 inmates. The facility, as previously reported, is known for being dangerous and understaffed.



Related: Jailed Sean 'Diddy' Combs 'Is Being Treated Like Any Other Detainee Awaiting Trial': Source (Exclusive)

Scott Dudelson/Getty Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 2019

Combs' indictment is centered on allegations that he forced victims to have "freak offs," described by prosecutors as "elaborate and produced sex performances" arranged by the mogul. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Related: Feds Allege Diddy Had 1,000 Bottles of Baby Oil. But Despite Lawyer's Quip, Costco Says He Didnt Buy Them There

Per the indictment, women were allegedly forced or coerced into participating with male sex workers, sometimes for multiple days, as Combs is accused of using his influences  and drugs such as cocaine, ketamine and oxycodone  to intimidate them to join. The "freak offs" were sometimes captured on camera without the knowledge of victims, per the indictment, which also notes that federal investigators seized three AR-15 rifles and 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant during raids at Combs' Los Angeles and Miami homes in March.

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.

Following his arrest, Combs' attorneys had proposed a $50 million bail package, which was denied by a judge, with the denial being upheld on appeal. Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo shared in a recent interview with TMZ that the Bad Boy Records founder wants to testify at his pending federal trial and "is very eager to tell his story."

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Japans stock markets have recently shown strong performance, with the Nikkei 225 Index rising by 5.6% and the broader TOPIX Index up 3.7%, bolstered by optimism following China's stimulus announcements and dovish commentary from the Bank of Japan. This favorable backdrop presents an opportune moment to explore lesser-known small-cap stocks that could offer significant growth potential within a dynamic economic environment. In this context, identifying stocks with robust fundamentals and unique market positions can be particularly rewarding for investors looking to diversify their portfolios in Japan's evolving market landscape.

Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In Japan

Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating Toho 69.52% 2.84% 55.65%  Tokyo Tekko 10.81% 7.30% 7.30%  Kanda HoldingsLtd 30.47% 4.35% 18.02%  ITOCHU-SHOKUHIN NA -0.08% 12.04%  Toukei Computer NA 5.46% 12.14%  Uoriki NA 3.90% 6.15%  Yashima Denki 2.93% -2.38% 13.99%  AJIS 0.69% 0.07% -12.44%  Pharma Foods International 145.80% 30.07% 22.61%  YagiLtd 32.86% -9.57% -0.12% 

Click here to see the full list of 752 stocks from our Japanese Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener.

Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener.

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: Techno Ryowa Ltd. specializes in the design, construction, and maintenance of environmental control systems primarily in Japan with a market cap of 40.27 billion.

Operations: Techno Ryowa Ltd. generates revenue primarily from its Air Conditioning Hygiene Equipment Construction Business, which accounts for 47.04 billion, and General Building Equipment Work, contributing 24.41 billion. The Electrical Equipment Construction Business and Cooling and Heating Equipment Sales Segment add 2.64 billion and 1.16 billion respectively to the total revenue stream.

Techno Ryowa, a small cap in Japan's construction sector, has seen its earnings grow by 99% over the past year, significantly outpacing the industry average of 26.6%. The companys debt to equity ratio has improved from 2.7 to 1.8 over five years, and it currently trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.8x compared to the JP market's 13.7x. Recently added to the S&P Global BMI Index and with high-quality earnings reported, Techno Ryowa shows promising potential despite some volatility in share price.

Story continues

TSE:1965 Debt to Equity as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: Micronics Japan Co., Ltd. develops, manufactures, and sells testing and measurement equipment for semiconductors and LCD testing systems worldwide, with a market cap of 167.48 billion.

Operations: Micronics Japan generates revenue primarily from its Probe Card Business, which contributed 45.29 billion, and its TE Business, which added 2.19 billion. The company focuses on these two segments for its income streams.

Micronics Japan, a small cap semiconductor player, has been making waves with impressive financial metrics. Over the past five years, its debt-to-equity ratio improved from 8.3 to 1.9, reflecting stronger financial health. Earnings grew by 15% last year and are forecasted to grow at an annual rate of 31.53%. Additionally, it trades at 55.8% below estimated fair value and boasts high-quality earnings that outpace the industry average of -3.8%.

TSE:6871 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings Inc. offers satellite-based multichannel pay TV and satellite communications services mainly in Asia, with a market cap of 268.34 billion.

Operations: SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings generates revenue from satellite-based multichannel pay TV and satellite communications services, primarily in Asia. The company has a market cap of 268.34 billion.

SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings, a smaller player in Japan's satellite and media industry, has shown solid performance with earnings growth of 6.1% over the past year, outpacing the industry average of 3.8%. The companys debt-to-equity ratio improved from 46.9% to 23% over five years, indicating better financial health. Recently, they projected operating revenues of 123.30 billion and an operating profit of 25.80 billion for fiscal year ending March 2025 while increasing their dividend to 11 per share from last year's 10 per share.

TSE:9412 Debt to Equity as at Sep 2024

Turning Ideas Into Actions

Embark on your investment journey to our 752 Japanese Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals selection here.

Shareholder in one or more of these companies? Ensure you're never caught off-guard by adding your portfolio in Simply Wall St for timely alerts on significant stock developments.

Join a community of smart investors by using Simply Wall St. It's free and delivers expert-level analysis on worldwide markets.

Contemplating Other Strategies?

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 TSE:1965 TSE:6871 and TSE:9412.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
CHICAGO - The search for a missing 15-year-old boy on Chicago's South Side is ongoing and Chicago police are asking for the public's help.

John Curney was last seen Sept. 10 in the 7400 block of South Union Avenue, in the Englewood neighborhood, according to Chicago PD.

He's described as being 5-foot-7 with brown eyes and black hair.

Anyone with more information on his whereabouts is urged to contact CPD's Area One Detective Division at 312-747-8380, or call 911.
A man who escaped while on a day out from a mental health facility in north-west London is being sought by police.

Trevor St Martins, 56, absconded on 14 September while on an escorted visit to shops from the mental health facility in Kingsbury, the Met Police said.

Officers were called to the area at about 15:00 BST and detectives have since made extensive efforts to find him.

The force has now issued as appeal for the public's help to try and find him.

Members of the public are advised not to approach him, said the Met said in a statement.

For an immediate sighting, call 999.

An appeal was initially issued by Met Police officers in Harrow on 21 September.

Mr St Martins has been described as 6ft tall (1.8m) and of medium build.

When last seen, he was wearing a black top, black jeans and a black hat.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk

Related links
A Civil Guard officer watches a rescue boat searching for possible survivors after the sinking of a wooden boat with migrants near the port of La Restinga

By Borja Suarez and Graham Keeley

EL HIERRO, Spain (Reuters) - Hopes of finding any of the 48 migrants missing since their boat sank near the Spanish island of El Hierro are diminishing, authorities said on Sunday, in what threatens to be the deadliest such incident in 30 years of crossings from Africa to the Canary Islands.

Nine people, one of them a child, had earlier been confirmed as dead after the boat sank in the early hours of Saturday morning, emergency and rescue services said.

Rescuers were able to pick up 27 of 84 migrants who were trying to reach Spanish shores on Saturday. Three patrol boats and three helicopters were taking part in a renewed search for the others on Sunday, a Spanish coastguard spokesman said.

"Unfortunately we presume the worst. The search goes on but it seems that the chances of finding someone alive are slim," a spokeswoman for the Canary Islands government told Reuters on Sunday.

The migrants were from Mali, Mauritania and Senegal, Spanish authorities said.

The number of migrants crossing from West Africa to the Canary Islands increased by 154% from January to July, totalling 21,620 in the first seven months, data from the European Union's border agency Frontex showed, while numbers fell on routes in the central and western Mediterranean during the same time.

Crossings from Turkey to Greece rose by 57% and over the English Channel to Britain by 22%.

Shortly after midnight on Saturday, Spanish emergency services received a call from the boat, which was located around four miles east of El Hierro. It sank during the rescue attempt, they said. Wind and poor visibility made the rescue extremely difficult.

"After what happened yesterday and if the forecast for the arrival of the migrant boats happens, then it will be the biggest humanitarian crisis to happen to the Canary Islands in 30 years," Candelaria Delgado of the Canary Islands government, told reporters on Sunday.

Three of those rescued suffered from hypothermia and dehydration, rescue services said on Sunday.

The nine migrants who died will be buried on Monday and Tuesday. Among the dead was a child aged between 12-15, according to the NGO Walking Borders, which helps migrants.

As hopes of finding more survivors ebbed, police set up a morgue on El Hierro, authorities said.

Three other boats reached the Canary Islands during the night, carrying 208 migrants.

Calm seas and gentle winds associated with late summer in the Atlantic Ocean off West Africa have prompted a renewed surge of migrants, local authorities said this month.

In some 30 years of migrant crossings to the islands the deadliest shipwreck recorded to date occurred in 2009 off the island of Lanzarote when 25 people died.

(Reporting by Graham Keeley, Borja Suarez, Ana Cantero, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
HALEIWA, Hawaii (KHON2)  As coastal erosion threatens homes on Ke Nui Road, the DLNR and the City and County of Honolulu warn homeowners and the community about potential risks to their properties.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

The announcement comes after officials announced a second beachfront home to be scheduled for demolition. One multi-million dollar home began the demolition process on Thursday after pieces of it started falling into the ocean.

Officials said they are concerned with the unpredictable situation and aim to raise awareness and encourage homeowners to take proactive measures.

North Shore sand erosion history and whats next

While the circumstances are unfortunate, debris on the public beach or falling into the ocean endangering the community and marine life is unacceptable and we will take all appropriate action to protect the public and our natural and cultural resources, DLNR Chair Dawn Chang said.

It felt like I was leading a generation: HTA students transform Waipahu

As waves are generated, sand shifts and undercuts the properties, compromising the structural integrity of a home.

For safety, signs have been posted along Ke Nui Road to inform beachgoers that the beach is closed. Community members and visitors are also advised to avoid the area.

Pride month brings bears into the spotlight

Understanding the gravity of the situation for beachfront property owners along this stretch, we urge them to heed this warning, for their own benefit and the safety of the community. Dawn Takeuchi Apuna, DPP Director

Property owners are urged to take the proper precautions to avoid damage to their homes. If they fail to take action, the DLNR and DPP warn they may take administrative or legal action for the health and safety of 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 KHON2.
Senate Democrats think risk of nixing filibuster for abortion is worth the reward

Senate Democrats concede there is considerable risk to doing away with the filibuster to codify abortion rights, but also suggest they are likely to try to do so if they get the chance in 2025.

The risk is that once an exception is made for abortion rights, exceptions will be made by a future Republican Senate on a host of issues.

But Democrats say codifying abortion rights and other key legislative priorities is worth the risk.

Theres real risk anytime theres debate about rules and procedures in the Senate. It becomes very bitter, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said. So yes, there is risk.

The other problem is theres risk in having a Senate thats more dedicated to rules and procedures than it is to getting things done, Welch continued. Its very dangerous for the Senate as an institution to simply not address extraordinarily important issues like reproductive freedom, like voting rights.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) agreed on the potential long-term danger but stressed that Democrats have no choice given how the chamber has been operating.

As far as Im concerned, we should be discussing the rules going forward. Were now in a dystopian situation in the Senate where we do very little, if any, legislating, he said.

Vice President Harriss call to do away with the 60-vote threshold to codify Roe v. Wade brought the issue back to the forefront for Democrats.

But to do so, Democrats will have to have Harris defeat President Trump, win back the House and retain the Senate majority.

None of those steps are easy, and the last might be the biggest hurdle. Democrats face a tough Senate map that has them defending seats in states where Trump is expected to win easily. According to The Hill and Decision Desk HQs latest forecast, Republicans have a 70 percent chance of winning back the majority.

Nevertheless, Democrats are peeking ahead at what could be if they strike electoral gold and with Sens. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who have thwarted previous attempts to alter the filibuster, set to depart office.

We would have Roe v. Wade as law of the land, comprehensive immigration reform, better gun safety laws, said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), one of the foremost proponents of nixing the filibuster. And wed just be warming up.

Those are things a majority of the American people want and the majority of people in the Senate want, but we never get there because the 60-vote threshold means that a minority controls the votes that make it through, she continued. So why keep this hanger-oner?

Harriss comments also lit a fuse under Senate Republicans, who Democrats believe would not hesitate to change the rules if they win the White House and the entire Congress themselves.

GOP lawmakers are quick to note former President Trump urged them to do so numerous times during his first term in office and was rebuffed at every turn by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

The outgoing GOP leader this week heaped criticism on Harris and Democrats for their planned maneuver, saying in an interview that such a change would turn American into California.

A Senate that can steamroll a legislative minority to codify Roe v. Wade or enshrine the lunacy of the Green New Deal into law is a Senate that will drive a stake through liberal hopes as soon as the political winds change, McConnell said on the Senate floor Wednesday, pointing to Harriss calls in past years to nix the 60-vote threshold for those proposals.

McConnell has vowed in recent years a scorched earth response from the GOP that would allow for zero input from Democrats if they nix the filibuster. Among the issues he has name-checked are nationwide right-to-work, defunding Planned Parenthood and sanctuary cities, new energy legislation and sweeping new protections on abortion.

The probability of this type of boomerang from one side to the other gives some Democrats pause, especially after then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) lowered the threshold for lower-court nominees. That ultimately helped transform the Supreme Court in a matter of years after Republicans changed the rules for the high court.

I think it would be good to have a national abortion [law] to protect the reproductive freedom of women, and I think we should try to get it, but I dont think the first procedure would be to change the rules of the Senate, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said.

But it still has not dissuaded many.

Im not that concerned about it, Sen. Tim Kaine (D) said, pointing to his time as governor of Virginia where both legislative houses operated by simple majorities. It worked fine. Sometimes could you make a mistake? Sure.  But the current way the filibuster is abused leads to inaction and gridlock and I think that sends a message about sort of national inaction and gridlock and the inability to deal with problems of the day.

As Ive weighed the perverted version that we now follow versus the version that the country followed for 200-plus years, I think the old way was better, he added.

The biggest question is how far Democrats could even go if they keep hold of the chamber, which is predicated on Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) keeping his seat in the ruby red state.

The Montana Democrat told Semafor recently he supports what Kaine pointed to: a talking filibuster that requires senators to hold the floor, which was popularized in the 1941 movie, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. He also indicated he is not supportive of scrapping the filibuster entirely.

My stance is this: We need to change the filibuster into a talking filibuster, he said. We should not eliminate the filibuster.

This, however, is not calming the nerves of Republicans, who hope to stop Democrats in their tracks at the ballot box.

Theyve made it abundantly clear, said Sen. John Thune (S.D.), a leading contender to replace McConnell as GOP leader next year. Once you go down that path, theres no turning back.

Theyll rue the day they do it, and hopefully they wont have that opportunity  at least not for a while, he added.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Shazam! star Zachary Levi has endorsed Republican candidate Donald Trump for president after his first choice, Robert F Kennedy Jr, dropped out of the race last month.

The DC actor appeared at a Donald Trump rally in Michigan on Saturday to throw his support behind the former president.

Im not gonna take too much time, but I did just wanna just give you a little context about why Shazam is sitting here talking to you about these various things, said Levi, referencing his superhero character.

I grew up in my family that was Christian conservative, that was pretty much the lane that we were in. My parents were Kennedy Democrats that then turned into Reagan Republicans, and they taught me to have a healthy level of distrust for the government and a healthy level of distrust for industry that runs amok.

And for a long time, I was like, Man, I really want to find a politician that represents all of the things that I want and I want to see in a presidential candidate. And this year, I found Bobby Kennedy, and I thought, Man, this guy is it. Hes the real deal. And in a perfect world, whatever that would look like, perhaps I would have voted for Bobby. But we dont live in a perfect world. In fact, we live in a very broken one, we live in a country that has been hijacked by a lot of people who want to take this place way off the cliff. And we want to stop that, right?

Levi continued: Were here to make sure that we are going to take back this country, we are going to make it great again, we are going to make it healthy again. And so, I stand with Bobby, and I stand with Tulsi, and I stand with everyone else who is standing with President Trump. Because I do believe, of the two choices that we have, and we only have two, Donald Trump, President Trump is the man that can get us there. And hes gonna get us there because hes gonna have the backing and the support and the wisdom and the knowledge and the fight that exists in Robert Kennedy Jr and former representative Tulsi Gabbard.

Zachary Levi said his first choice in the 2024 US presidential election was Robert F Kennedy Jr (Getty Images)

Kennedy suspended his campaign last month, endorsing Trump and his running mate JD Vance.

Kennedy, who infamously revealed during his campaign that a parasitic worm had embedded itself in his brain and died there, blew through millions in cash to get to his present five percent share of the expected national vote in November. Polls showed that figure continuing to drop, and the rest of his own family fully disavowed his candidacy.

In January 2023, two months before the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Levi shocked fans with his response to a tweet asking if Covid-19 vaccine maker Pfizer was a real danger to the world.

Hardcore agree, he wrote.

While the first Shazam! (2019) film was warmly received, the second was such a critical and financial bomb that the films director David F Sandberg has vowed to leave the world of superheroes behind.

Levi subsequently made a number of public statements decrying the treatment Fury of the Gods received from critics.
'She had dreams and aspirations.' A mother speaks of her daughter killed by a hit-and-run driver

Talise Dunmore's goal was to not be mediocre  to exceed expectations.

"She had dreams and aspirations," said her mother, Martha Dunmore, during a vigil at North 76th Street and West Clinton Avenue  near the spot where Talise Dunmore was killed in a Sept. 21 hit-and-run crash.

Talise Dunmore, 20, loved to travel and was planning a trip to the Dominican Republic. Her dream was to open a full-service beauty salon, Martha Dunmore told the Saturday gathering of nearly 200 people.

Martha Dunmore (left) says her daughter Talise's dreams were snatched from her by a hit-and-run driver.

"But that was snatched from her," Martha Dunmore said. "It's not fair."

A criminal complaint filed against Stephanie Sykes alleges she drove while drunk, and hit and killed Talise Dunmore and injured her sister, De-Lisha, while they attempted to cross North 76th Street.

Sykes, 34, was charged with three felonies: homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration, and hit-and-run resulting in death.

Records from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner estimated the car that hit the sisters was traveling about 80 miles per hour.

"We will never forget," Martha Dunmore said. "And we will never stop fighting.

"Eighty miles an hour is ridiculous."

Dunmore asked people to slow down and "think before you get behind the wheel of a car."

There also were calls for justice from speakers, including community activist Tracey Dent and Ald. Larresa Taylor, whose district includes the site where Talise Dunmore was killed.

At least 66 people have died in Milwaukee County car crashes as of Sept. 22, the most recent figure provided at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's website. The average annual total from 2019 through 2023 is 92 deaths, according to WisDOT.

The vigil featured hymns, as well as prayers  including a prayer for Sykes to get the help she needs.

Martha Dunsmore said she's trying not to be angry.

"I will get past my anger and I will forgive," she said.

After playing Talise Dunmore's favorite song  "Ooo La La La," by Teena Marie  balloons were released in her memory. Many in the crowd said in unison, "Goodbye Talise," as some wept.

"Listen to the tears," Dent said as the balloons rose into a crystal blue sky. "This is the pain the family is suffering."

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'It's not fair' says Milwaukee mom of daughter killed in hit-and-run
Single-vehicle crash in Fowler claims one life

Single-vehicle crash in Fowler claims one life

FOWLER, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A vehicles driver died Saturday following a single-vehicle crash in the City of Fowler, police say.

The collision was reported just after 12:30 p.m. at Tuolumne and 4th Streets.

IDENTIFIED: Woman killed in vintage truck crash in Fowler

Officers say they arrived to find community members performing CPR on the sole occupant of the vintage pickup truck that had collided with a tree.

Image courtesy @JRMedia559

Image courtesy @JRMedia559



Image courtesy @JRMedia559

Image courtesy @JRMedia559

Image courtesy @JRMedia559

Image courtesy @JRMedia559

First responders say despite life-saving efforts, the driver died at the scene.

Fowler police will continue to work with the California Highway Patrol to investigate the incident.

The Fresno County Coroners Office publicly released the drivers identity on Monday.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS47 and KSEE24 | YourCentralValley.com.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  SiouxperCon is all about celebrating fan culture.

Video games, board games, cosplay RPG, comic books, food trucks, progress scene. We kind of throw it all underneath one roof, SiouxperCon director Shane Gerlach said.

But its also about giving back to the community.

Just a big fan convention that raises money for Make-A-Wish, GI Six and Reach Literacy. So, its going towards a positive cause, Gerlach said.

Happily Ever After at SiouxperCon in Sioux Falls

And with over 5,000 tickets pre-sold, organizers hope they can beat last years record-breaking attendance of over 10,000 people. Those who attend can take advantage of a number of activities.

One of those is a video game lounge.

We want to just be able to provide an area where people who maybe havent played games that they enjoyed in their childhood can come back and play a few rounds. We got games that are newer, so if people havent able to play new releases, they can give that try here instead of having to play it at home, Zachary Waltman said.

The three-day event is run entirely by volunteers, all with a similar goal of supporting non-profits through a positive atmosphere.

We all have an inner child. We all have something we love and theres so much out there that we try to filter and ignore. You dont have to worry about that in here, Gerlach 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 KELOLAND.com.
Two sniffer dogs trained to detect the smell of dinghy rubber have helped intercept more than 120 small boats bound for the Channel.

The two German short-haired pointers, Anya and Adele, have been stationed at the worlds second-busiest land crossing point between Bulgaria and Turkey to detect the rubber boats which trafficking gangs try to smuggle into Europe in lorries.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) commissioned chemists to distil the chemicals from dinghy rubber on which to train the dogs to smell them out rather than their normal targets of explosives, drugs or guns.

Their deployment to the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing point in southern Bulgaria has helped the NCA and Bulgarian border force carry out 33 separate interceptions of maritime equipment destined for the criminal gangs organising Channel crossings.

The NCA said they had seized 125 inflatable boats each of which would have been used to take up to 80 migrants across the Channel, equivalent to up to 10,000 people. Also intercepted were 128 outboard engines, more than 700 pumps, and 300 rubber rings.

Smugglers continuously think of creative ways to transport people and contraband - National Crime Agency

NCA analysts estimated the seizures would have denied the crime networks around 16.6 million in profit they would have made from crossings using the equipment.

Dame Angela Eagle, the Border Security Minister, said lives would have been potentially saved by intercepting the dinghies. By seizing the equipment used for dangerous and flimsy boats, we are also striking a major blow to the smugglers operations and cutting off millions in profits, she said.

The two dogs are operated by Bulgarian border guards after being trained by the NCA. Dogs can only be trained to smell up to five scents. Eau de small boats, as it has been dubbed jokingly by officers, is one of them. The UK is also paying for high-tech scanners to detect equipment hidden inside lorries.

Turkey is a key source of the boats, which are constructed in backstreet factories with materials and engines imported from China before being transported by lorries and vans to Germany where they are stored ready for use by the people smuggling gangs operating in northern France.

Until recently, they were openly transported into Europe as ostensibly legitimate boats but border force and law enforcement agencies across the continent have started to take a tougher approach and started seizing the dinghies on the basis that they are so flimsy they breach health and safety regulations.

With the help of sniffer dogs, officers have been able to intercept many smugglers - National Crime Agency

It has forced the gangs to try to hide them in cargo holds of lorries. As a result, Bulgaria has not only introduced new regulations allowing it to seize and impound unseaworthy boats but also deploy Anya and Adele as well as the scanning technology.

NCA Director of Intelligence Adrian Matthews said: Bulgaria is a key location on the supply route for the criminal people smuggling networks involved in organising dangerous Channel boat crossings.

Taking this equipment out before it can reach them not only disrupts their activities and hits their profits, but it also prevents these lethal boats and under-powered engines being used at sea where lives are at risk.

As close partners and allies, the UK and Bulgaria work together to tackle organised crime and illegal migration, strengthening the border security of both countries. Together we are determined to continue doing all we can to disrupt and dismantle the people smuggling networks profiting from misery, wherever and however they operate.

Georgi Gospodinov, head of customs at Kapitan Andreevo BCP, said: The joint exercises with partners from the UK law-enforcement authorities are extremely important for us. Sharing good practices is a guarantee for good results in tackling efficiently the contraband and illegal human trafficking channels.

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The Australian market has recently seen notable movements, with the ASX200 closing up 0.1% at 8,212 points. The Materials sector led gains driven by a higher iron ore price following China's latest stimulus announcement, while Financials and Health Care lagged behind. In this dynamic environment, identifying robust dividend stocks can provide stability and consistent income for investors amidst fluctuating market conditions.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Australia

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Perenti (ASX:PRN) 7.44%  Fortescue (ASX:FMG) 9.45%  Super Retail Group (ASX:SUL) 6.62%  Nick Scali (ASX:NCK) 3.98%  Collins Foods (ASX:CKF) 3.22%  Fiducian Group (ASX:FID) 4.75%  MFF Capital Investments (ASX:MFF) 3.60%  National Storage REIT (ASX:NSR) 4.33%  GrainCorp (ASX:GNC) 5.99%  Premier Investments (ASX:PMV) 4.54% 

Click here to see the full list of 39 stocks from our Top ASX Dividend Stocks screener.

Let's review some notable picks from our screened stocks.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Computershare Limited (ASX:CPU) offers issuer services, employee share plans, communication solutions, technology services, and mortgage and property rental management with a market cap of A$14.72 billion.

Operations: Computershare Limited's revenue segments include Issuer Services ($1.21 billion), Global Corporate Trust ($936.33 million), Technology Services & Operations ($18.73 million), Communication Services & Utilities ($340.20 million), Employee Share Plans & Voucher Services ($458.48 million), and Mortgage Services & Property Rental Services ($499.68 million).

Dividend Yield: 3.3%

Computershare's dividend payments have been volatile and unreliable over the past decade, despite a reasonable payout ratio of 66.5% and cash flow coverage of 55.3%. Recent earnings growth was modest at 2%, with future earnings expected to increase by 7.5%. The company announced a dividend increase to A$0.42 per share for June 2024 and continues share buybacks, repurchasing shares worth A$321 million in the first half of 2024.

ASX:CPU Dividend History as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Ridley Corporation Limited (ASX:RIC) provides animal nutrition solutions in Australia and has a market cap of A$815.18 million.

Operations: Ridley Corporation Limited generates revenue from two main segments: Bulk Stockfeeds, which contributes A$886.59 million, and Packaged/Ingredients, accounting for A$376.31 million.

Story continues

Dividend Yield: 3.6%

Ridley Corporation's dividend yield of 3.63% is below the top quartile in Australia, and its dividend history has been volatile over the past decade. However, recent financials show stable earnings with A$1.26 billion in sales and net income of A$39.85 million for FY2024. The company announced a share buyback program worth A$20 million and increased its semi-annual dividend to A$0.0465 per share, covered by both earnings (71.7%) and cash flows (41.2%).

ASX:RIC Dividend History as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Waterco Limited (ASX:WAT) manufactures, wholesales, and exports equipment and accessories for swimming pools, spa pools, spa baths, rural pumps, and water treatment across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, North America, and Europe with a market cap of A$186.73 million.

Operations: Waterco Limited generates revenue primarily from its Building Products segment, amounting to A$244.85 million.

Dividend Yield: 3%

Waterco's dividend yield of 3.01% is lower than the top quartile in Australia, and its dividend history has been volatile over the past decade. Despite this, recent financials show strong earnings growth with A$244.85 million in sales and net income of A$13.85 million for FY2024. The company announced a final dividend of A$0.08 per share, well-covered by earnings (38.1%) and cash flows (25.4%). Additionally, Waterco initiated a share buyback program valid until June 2025.

ASX:WAT Dividend History as at Sep 2024

Turning Ideas Into Actions

Unlock more gems! Our Top ASX Dividend Stocks screener has unearthed 36 more companies for you to explore.Click here to unveil our expertly curated list of 39 Top ASX Dividend Stocks.

Have a stake in these businesses? Integrate your holdings into Simply Wall St's portfolio for notifications and detailed stock reports.

Elevate your portfolio with Simply Wall St, the ultimate app for investors seeking global market coverage.

Ready For A Different Approach?

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include ASX:CPU ASX:RIC and ASX:WAT.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Protect him

The reports of the several investigations into the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania are beginning to reveal an utter abysmal mishandling of his protection by the Secret Service. The Mar-a-Lago attempt protection was only slightly better. Trump is also the known target of Iran for assassination. The negligence, ineptitude and nonchalance by the senior levels of the agency border on criminal. Theirs is a no-fail mission but we dont have months and years to resolve the many issues. This is decrepit government bureaucracy on display with catastrophe waiting in the wings.

One or the other

Should I vote for someone who climbed their way up from fast-food worker, to lawyer, to legislator, and then vice president, or should I vote for someone with multiple past and ongoing business failures and myriad other unflattering actions.

Say the words

It is outrageous that journalists keep blaming bad things on climate change. Change can be good, bad, or indifferent. What is causing these terrible meteorological events, and more, is global warming. Thats the change thats responsible for increasingly powerful and frequent storms, heat waves, forest fires, infectious diseases, etc. Say it.

Priorities

Isnt it odd that Congress passed a last-minute stop-gap spending bill, just before it was time for them to break for vacation? Seems they have their priorities straight; its more important to take a vacation break than it is to stay in session and work on a long-term solution. So thats the secret to get the do-nothing partisan Congress to function  wait until its time for recess, then introduce the bill. They will do anything to ensure their vacations are not disrupted.

No outrage

All the outrage over people getting welfare, but none for the theft of welfare money by politicians and their cronies. Seems like our moral values need examining.

Pay us back

Are we supposed to feel sorry for Bret Favre because he has Parkinsons disease? He needs to pay us back first. He is still making excuses for stealing welfare money.

Youll be OK

Dont worry, Florida, you are a red state and surely the House will quickly send aid. Not to mention Donald Trump. Hell be there to throw you some paper towels and do some photo ops.

Say it right

Why are people calling this hurricane huh-LEEEN? The name is French, and its pronounced huh-LANE.

Voter ID

Requiring a voter ID is not the issue. Requiring additional proof of citizenship at the polls is the issue. Some of yall deliberately try to mislead an issue by changing the the topic. This only works on the cognitively impaired.

Dont go

The First Amendment allows for different opinions. You may not agree with the movie about former President Donald Trump but Mr DSousa has the right to produce and distribute the movie. Simple solution, dont go see it if you disagree. Banning such movies reeks of totalitarianism.

One-issue candidate

Vice President Harris is a one issue candidate. She is running on the issue of abortion. She has no public comment or policy statement about the economy, Illegal immigration, foreign policy, crime. She has flip-flopped on fracking and other crucial issues. Just what does she stand for and what will be her position on these issues?

Homelessness

The homelessness article helped to shine the light on our local problem. The problem, unfortunately has become one that virtually every city on the country has to address. For some, like those out west and larger cities all over the country, it is almost epidemic. For many of those, especially the larger and sanctuary cities, the additional influx of millions of illegals has taken limited resources away from the homeless problem, where those with mental or drug problems as well as many veterans, most likely with PTSD, have a dire need for those resources that are now stretched too thin. Fortunately here on the coast, that is not yet adding to the homeless situation.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.
When Byrnes Guillaume first heard that JD Vance, a U.S. senator from Ohio and Donald Trump's vice presidential running mate, had posted on social media that Haitian illegal immigrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, the absurdity of the claim pushed it beyond credulity.

"I thought it was fake news," said Guillaume, an attorney in West Palm Beach.

But the words that came from Vance's social-media account had been posted for the world to see. And now, three weeks after the Vance tweet  which was amplified to more than 67 million viewers when Trump repeated the claim during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris  its malignancy has metastasized, angering Haitians and Haitian-Americans in Palm Beach County and across South Florida, which has the nation's largest Haitian-American population.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., center, with Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., right, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, speak out against hate speech and misinformation about Haitian immigrants, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

Haitians in Springfield, most of whom are legal immigrants, have endured bomb threats to the schools that their children attend and bomb threats to local hospitals. The town, just northeast of Dayton, has canceled cultural events, and there was a bomb threat to its city hall. Springfield's Republican mayor and the state's Republican governor have pleaded for the lies to stop. Many Haitians have kept their children home from school, fearful that a Trump supporter, believing the lies repeated over and over by Vance and the former president, will make good on one of those threats.

On Wednesday, a Republican congressman from Louisiana, Clay Higgins, added to the drumbeat of racism.

"These Haitians are wild, Higgings, unhappy that a group in Springfield had filed suit in a bid to stop Trump and Vance from continuing to tar and endanger their community, posted on social media. "Eating pets, vudu, nastiest country in the western hemisphere, cults, slapstick gangsters  but damned if they dont feel all sophisticated now, filing charges against our President and VP. All these thugs better get their mind right and their ass out of our country before January 20th.

The post captured in a single paragraph so many of the tropes tossed at immigrants in general and Haitian immigrants in particular, which hold that they are subhuman criminals who have forgotten their place.

Higgins took down the post, but he has since doubled down on his claim, arguing that he has a First Amendment right to "say what I want."

Republicans in the U.S. House have resisted Democratic calls for Higgins to be censured. The Republican Speaker of the House, Higgins' fellow Louisianan, Mike Johnson, reacted to those calls with little more than smirking bemusement.

I just talked to him about it, Johnson said. He said he went to the back, and he prayed about it and he regretted it, and he pulled the post down. Thats what you want the gentleman to do.

In Palm Beach County, many Haitians 'feel betrayed'

Meanwhile, Haitians and Haitian-Americans in Florida look on with pain and dismay as their countrymen in Ohio are castigated.

"I've heard from many Haitians in Palm Beach County, in Florida and across south Florida," said Mack Bernard, a Haitian-American who serves on the Palm Beach County Commission. "They feel betrayed. They're mad about the comments that were made. Their belief is that it shows that they do not have the temperament to ever get near the White House."

Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard.

Bernard's commission district includes Mar-a-Lago, Trump's residence in Palm Beach County. He said there should be no confusion about the unvarnished racism of the comments made by Trump and Vance.

"I'm disgusted by the comments that were made by the former president and by J.D. Vance," he said, adding that the comments were "racist, xenophobic and dangerous."

U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who is Haitian-American and represents parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties, joined with other House members to denounce the comments. They've introduced a resolution condemning them.

Immigrants, including Haitians, came to the United States in pursuit of the American dream," Cherfilus-McCormick said. "When family-owned businesses in Springfield, Ohio, were struggling to fill positions and keep production running, Haitian immigrants stepped up. These are hardworking people who have greatly contributed to the economy and have revived Springfield after decades of turmoil."

She added: Politics should not divide our communities. It is our responsibility to protect our communities from hateful rhetoric and work to provide them with the resources they need to thrive.

Hundreds of thousands of Haitians in Springfield and across the U.S. are in this country legally through temporary protected status, a designation the U.S. government can make when conditions in a nation make it difficult or unsafe for its citizens to return. Residents with TPS can legally live and work in the U.S., and some are eligible for government assistance.

Haiti has dealt with turmoil and disasters in recent years

Haiti has experienced political instability in the years after the 2021 assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moise, and gang violence has exploded there, making daily life hellish.

In addition to the political instability, the country has coped with natural disasters, including a 7.0 earthquake in 2010 that the Haitian government reported killed an estimated 220,000 to 316,000 people.

Haiti's travails  it is among the poorest nations in the world  are acutely felt in South Florida. The nation's capital of Port-au-Prince is about 700 miles southeast of Miami and about 750 miles from West Palm Beach.

Guillaume moved to the U.S. from Haiti with his family when he was 5 years old. He went on to get a bachelor's degree in marketing from Florida State University, an MBA from Howard University and his law degree from Western New England University School of Law.

Guillaume's success in the U.S. is mirrored by many other Haitian-Americans, who have leadership positions in a wide variety of fields throughout South Florida. That success makes the Trump-Vance attacks on Haitians in Springfield all the more painful, Guillaume said.

"We've accomplished so much," he said. "We've managed to break some stereotypes. We thought we've come way too far to have to deal with innuendos and silliness."

Tearing down immigrant communities: A political tactic, while questionable, often works

Immigrant and minority communities have often been held up for scorn for political benefit. That tactic has been tried frequently because it often works.

Richard Nixon's calls for "law and order" were broadly seen as an attack on majority-Black cities where poverty and crime proliferated. Nixon won in 1968 and was re-elected four years later.

Ronald Reagan ripped an unnamed "welfare queen"  a term that grew to describe poor Black women, despite the fact that most of those receiving benefits were then and are now white. Reagan won in 1980 and was re-elected four years later.

OPINION: Trump is going after Haitian immigrants. He should be thanking them instead.

George H.W. Bush didn't pay a price for the infamous "Willie Horton" ad, which sought to tap into white fear of Black criminals by noting that a Black man in Massachusetts, where Bush's 1988 opponent was governor, committed a series of horrific crimes while on a furlough from prison. Bush won.

Trump announced his presidential candidacy in 2015 by saying Mexico was "sending" people into the U.S. who are rapists and who bring drugs and crime. Trump won in 2016.

Guillaume said all people of color should sit up and take notice when a candidate attacks a minority group for political gain.

RELATED: The American Dream is alive in Greenacres, Palm Springs. Its Hispanic businesses prove it.

"When he was calling Mexicans rapists and drug dealers, he wasn't talking about us," Guillaume said. "Now, he's talking about us. Tomorrow, it could be African-Americans. Your group could be next."

Trump has not spared African-Americans from racist political attack. The former president questioned the heritage of the nation's first Black and Indian vice president during an interview with Black journalists. He questioned whether the nation's first Black president, Barack Obama, was born in the U.S. and hounded him for "proof" that he was a citizen and eligible for serve as president.

The attack on Haitians in Springfield gives the Trump-Vance ticket something of a twofer  holding up for scorn a group that is both Black and immigrant and hoping the move galvanizes white voters.

Bernard said Haitian-Americans see the tactics for what they are and are determined to make the Trump-Vance ticket pay a price.

"Donald Trump and JD Vance and those who are peddling those comments will get a response from the Haitian community on Nov. 5," he said. "I'm going to churches, talking to people. We do not feel helpless. We will vote."

Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: South Florida Haitian community angered by Trump's 'eating pets' claim
Southern California mother of 5 killed by boyfriend in front of her children

Southern California mother of 5 killed by boyfriend in front of her children

In a horrifying scene on Friday evening, a woman in Southern California was stabbed to death by her boyfriend in front of her children, according to police.

In a news release issued Sunday morning, the Simi Valley Police Department said they received a call at 6:04 p.m. Friday from the womans daughter. The daughter reported that her mother was being stabbed by her live-in boyfriend.

Police said Raymond Rivas, 34 of Simi Valley, was quickly arrested without incident at the scene, Simi Valley PD Commander Wedemeyer said.

The woman, Jessica Tinoco, also 34 of Simi Valley, was found inside a residence with stab wounds to the face, chest and abdomen.

October will start with some heat in Southern California

Tinoco was transported to a local hospital, where she later died, police said.

SImi Valley stabbing

KTLA spoke to a family member of Tinoco on Sunday, who said she was a mother of five. Tinoco was involved in a romantic relationship with Rivas for a little less than two years, the family member said.

They added that Rivas stabbed Tinoco multiple times in front of all of her children.

According to police, Rivas was booked into Ventura County Main Jail on suspicion of murder. He was on Post Release Community Supervision at the time of the incident meaning he also violated probation in the alleged act.

No additional details were immediately made available.

Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla.  Its not a rescue mission, but the two astronauts left behind by Boeings Starliner at the International Space Station will soon welcome their new ride home with the arrival of a SpaceX Crew Dragon that made a historic launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base on Saturday.

A Falcon 9 topped with the Crew Dragon Freedom launched from Canaverals Space Launch Complex 40 at 1:17 p.m. marking the first human spaceflight from the pad, a feat accomplished after SpaceX spent nearly two years building out a new crew tower at the site. All previous SpaceX Crew Dragon launches have been from KSCs Launch Pad 39-A.

The pads first two space travelers were NASA astronaut and Space Force Col. Nick Hague flying with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

It was a sweet ride, Hague said after Dragon made it into orbit. Im pretty sure my youngest son would say it was sigma.

The mission flew with just two instead of four so that NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who arrived to the ISS on board Starliner back on June 6, could have a ride back to Earth when the Crew-9 mission ends in February 2025.

NASA opted to send Starliner home without crew because of thruster and helium leak concerns on that spacecrafts propulsion system during its flight up to the station.

That decision meant two of Crew-9s original members, who had been training for 18 months for the flight, had to be left behind. Zena Cardman, who would have been flying for the first time, had originally been tapped as commander while Hague trained as pilot. Veteran NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson was supposed to fly as mission specialist.

With the need to drop two crew members, NASA opted to drop rookie Cardman and give the command to Hague, a veteran of two previous launches and one long-term stay on board the ISS.

Cardman and Wilson, though, joined NASAs mission commentary ahead of launch from KSC.

Its bittersweet, but its a really beautiful thing, Cardman said ahead of liftoff. I think any launch is a testament to the power of collaboration, and this launch maybe even more so than usual. I think, from my perspective, its a privilege and a choice to take part in something thats larger than yourself, and thats a choice that I make today and the next day and the next day.

Wilson, one of NASAs oldest active astronauts who had flown three times on the space shuttle, echoed the emotions of Cardman.

Were always excited for our colleagues to have an opportunity to launch into space. Of course, we wish we could be with them. We have trained with them, for this time. We, of course, wanted to be together. We have built friendship and camaraderie, and learned for the roles for the Crew Dragon and for the International Space Station. But Im very excited for them, looking forward to hearing their stories from space.

The rocket took off through hazy, cloud-covered skies in a break from dicey rainstorms that had dumped torrents on the pad just hours before liftoff. Hurricane Helene had forced a delay of the original planned launch that had been targeting Thursday.

The first-stage booster made its second flight, and returned for a landing at Canaverals Landing Zone 1 sending a sonic boom across the Space Coast.

Upon reaching orbit, Hague revealed the traditional zero-G indicator, a small stuffed baby falcon named Aurora that had actually flown with Hague on his last flight to space in 2019.

The Crew Dragon now has about a 28-hour ride to rendezvous with the ISS and join the nine people already on the station. Wilmore and Williams have another five months on board before they can take their saved seats for the ride back home.

Hague and Gorbunov had donned their spacesuits by 9 a.m. before leaving KSCs Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building where they had been in quarantine since arriving last Saturday. The duo said goodbye to family and NASA officials including Administrator Bill Nelson. They then climbed into the traditional ride provided for SpaceX launches, this time a black Tesla sporting the mission-specific custom license plate that read READY4IT.

The ride to the pad, though, drove through KSC but didnt stop at the normal destination, but instead the caravan of support vehicles continued pas Launch Complex 39-A and traveled over the bridge to the nearby Cape Canaveral.

They got to christen the white room at the top of the new launch tower, becoming the first to write their names on the wall under a SpaceX logo. KSCs white room in comparison, is getting crowded, now with 54 signatures from the 14 previous Crew Dragon missions flown with humans since May 2000.

With two empty seats, Dragon flew up with mass simulators to equal the normal flight weight.

As we have modified this mission to save two seats for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on the downhill, we removed the names from the patch, Cardman said. This was a gesture too. Its not just the people on the rocket who are a part of this mission. It takes an entire team too, including my crewmate, Stephanie Wilson, myself, and all of the people who have gotten Nick and Alexander ready for this launch today.

Wilson was supposed to have been the ISS commander, which would have made her the first Black woman to hold the role.

Instead command of the ISS went to Williams who took on the duties during a ceremony last week that marked the end of Expedition 71 and beginning of Expedition 72 aboard the station that has had continuous human presence for nearly 24 years.

The Starliner flight marked Williams third visit to the ISS for what was supposed to be an eight-day stay, but will end up being more than eight months.

Weve got a ride home, and you know, were looking forward to the next couple months, and doing a lot of stuff for the International Space Station, she said in a recent interview.

Crew-9s arrival will grow the stations population to 11, but just for a short time. The four members of Crew-8, who have been on board since March, will remain on the station during a handover period of five to seven days before they ride their Crew Dragon Endeavour home for a splashdown return off the coast of Florida.

Cardman gave her thoughts about being left behind.

Its complex, but so is spaceflight, Cardman said about the loss of her ride to space, but shes happy NASA made the call to keep Starliners astronauts safe. I personally think its a good decision to always prioritize safety of the crew members.

Hague earlier this week praised his two crewmates that will have to wait for their next flight.

This mission is bigger than any one crew. Its bigger than any one person, and so weve got a dynamic challenge ahead of us, Hague said. Ive never felt closer to my crewmates. You know that bond that youve built, you know that we built for the better part of a year and a half with Zena and Stephanie is as strong as ever, as theyre working side by side with us, helping, getting us ready.

The mission is slated to work through more than 200 science, technology and research experiments during the remaining five months before the flight home.

Crew Dragon Freedom made its fourth trip to space having flown first on the Crew-4 mission in 2022 followed by the Axiom Space Ax-2 and Ax-3 commercial missions, all having docked to the ISS.

SpaceX remains the only certified provider for ferry service to the International Space Station from the U.S. as Boeings Starliner has faced years of hurdles to complete its first crewed flight test.

This is only the second time Dragon has flown with just two crew. Hague this week said breaking up those responsibilities has been a challenge.

Some of that is how you respond to emergencies, he said. A lot of that we practice over and over. How do I respond to a potential fire? How would I respond to a potential depressurization event?

He said the crew has to respond reflexively, and everyone already understands their role and responsibility.

So weve in the past three weeks had to adapt that response and ingrain that response so that were ready, he said. If you know something unfortunately like that would happen, were going to be able to keep ourselves safe.

Hague said hes anxious to introduce Williams and Wilmore to their ride home.

Thats going to be top priority when we get there, and while we have a period of handover the first week or so is having that dedicated time to help them understand what theyre going to need to do to operate as part of the Crew-9 crew, he said.

Even though they were trained on Starliner, the fact they are test pilots and his previous opportunities to work alongside them at NASA gives his confidence.

We know each other and were professionals, and we step up and do whats asked of us, so Im looking forward to working with them, and I think were going to pull together without a problem, he said.
A day after launching from the Kennedy Space Center, a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft caught up with the International Space Station and moved in for docking Sunday, bringing a NASA astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut to the outpost to join two Starliner astronauts for a five-month tour of duty.

The rendezvous came amid word from SpaceX that it's suspending Falcon 9 launches while engineers work to figure out what caused the crew's Falcon 9 upper stage to misfire Saturday, after the Crew Dragon was released to fly on its own, resulting in an off-target re-entry over the Pacific Ocean.

A new privately financed camera recently mounted on the International Space Station to bring high-resolution space scenes to the public captured spectacular views of the Crew Dragon after it docked at the station's forward port. / Credit: Sen

SpaceX said in a post on the social media platform X that the second stage "experienced an off-nominal deorbit burn. As a result, the second stage safely landed in the ocean, but outside of the targeted area. We will resume launching after we better understand root cause."

It was the second Falcon 9 upper stage anomaly in less than three months and the third failure counting a first stage landing mishap. It's not yet known what impact, if any, the latest problem might have on downstream flights, including two high-priority October launches to send NASA and European Space Agency probes on voyages to Jupiter and an asteroid.

After todays successful launch of Crew-9, Falcon 9s second stage was disposed in the ocean as planned, but experienced an off-nominal deorbit burn. As a result, the second stage safely landed in the ocean, but outside of the targeted area.



We will resume launching after we  SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 29, 2024

But the anomaly had no impact on the Crew Dragon's 28-hour rendezvous with the space station, and the ferry ship, carrying commander Nick Hague and cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, docked at the lab's forward port at 5:30 p.m. EDT as the two spacecraft sailed 265 miles above southern Africa. Hatches were opened an hour and a half later after flight controllers verified an airtight structural seal.

Welcoming Hague and Gorbunov aboard the station were Starliner commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore and pilot Sunita Williams, now serving as commander of the space station, along with Soyuz MS-26/72S commander Aleksey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner and NASA astronaut Don Pettit.

Hague, Gorbunov, Wilmore and Williams will replace Crew 8 commander Matthew Dominick, Mike Barratt, Jeanette Epps and cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin when they return to Earth around Oct. 7 to wrap up a 217-day stay in space.

Wilmore and Williams took off on the Starliner's first piloted test flight, a mission expected to last a little more than a week, on June 5. During rendezvous with the space station the day after launch, multiple helium leaks in the ship's propulsion system were detected and five maneuvering jets failed to operate properly.

The Crew Dragon fliers were welcomed aboard the space station but its nine-member crew. Black shirts (left to right): Starliner commander Butch Wilmore, Jeanette Epps, cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin and NASA astronauts Mike Barratt, Matthew Dominick and Starliner pilot Sunita Williams; red shirts (left to right): Soyuz cosmonaut Ivan Vagner, crewmate Don Pettit and Soyuz commander Aleksey Ovchinin; blue suits (left to right) Crew Dragon commander Nick Hague and cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov. / Credit: NASA

NASA and Boeing spent the next three months carrying out tests and analyses to determine if the Starliner could safely bring its crew back to Earth. In the end, NASA managers decided to keep Wilmore and Williams aboard the station and to bring the Starliner down without its crew.

They made that decision knowing the two astronauts could come home aboard the Crew Dragon launched Saturday. Two Crew 9 astronauts -- Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson -- were removed from the crew to provide seats for Wilmore and Williams when Hague and Gorbunov return to Earth in February.

When they finally get home, Wilmore and Williams will have logged 262 days in space compared to five months for Hague and Gorbunov.

The Crew 9 flight was SpaceX's 95th launch so far this year. And it was the company's third flight in less than three months to run into problems.

The Crew Dragon on final approach to the International Space Station. / Credit: NASA

SpaceX recovers, refurbishes and relaunches Falcon 9 first stage boosters, which can land in California, Florida or aboard off-shore droneships. The second stages are not recovered.

Instead, SpaceX commands upper stage engine firings to drive the stages back into the atmosphere for a destructive breakup, making sure any debris falls into an ocean well away from shipping lanes or populated areas.

By taking Falcon 9 upper stages out of orbit after their missions, SpaceX ensures they will never pose a collision risk with other spacecraft or add to the space debris already in low-Earth orbit.

During launch of 20 Starlink internet satellites on July 11, the Falcon 9's second stage malfunctioned and failed to complete a "burn" needed to reach the proper orbit. Stuck in a lower-than-planned orbit, all 20 satellites fell back into the atmosphere and burned up.

SpaceX briefly suspended flights at the direction of the Federal Aviation Administration, but the problem was quickly identified and fixed, and the company was allowed to resume flights while the investigation continued.

Then, during another Starlink launch on Aug. 28, a Falcon 9 first stage descending to toward landing crashed onto the deck of an off-shore drone ship. SpaceX has not provided any information about what went wrong or what, if any, corrective actions were required, but flights resumed three days later.

SpaceX provided no details about the off-target re-entry of the Crew Dragon's upper stage other than the post late Saturday on X.

The nozzle of the Falcon 9's second stage Merlin engine glows red while boosting the Crew 9 spacecraft to the planned orbit for a rendezvous with the International Space Station. The firing went well and the Crew Dragon capsule was safely sent on its way. But the second stage malfunctioned during a subsequent engine firing to drive the rocket into the atmosphere. / Credit: SpaceX

Going into Saturday's launch, SpaceX was planning to launch 20 OneWeb broadband satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California this week, followed by a Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral. Both flights are now on hold.

More important, a Falcon 9 will be used to launch the European Space Agency's $390 million Hera asteroid probe from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station around Oct. 7, followed by launch of NASA's $5.2 billion Europa Clipper Jupiter probe from the Kennedy Space Center on Oct. 10.

Hera is bound for the asteroid Didymos and its moon Dimorphos, a small body that NASA's DART probe crashed into in 2022. Hera will study the system in detail to determine how the moon's structure and orbit were changed by the impact. A primary goal is to learn more about how an asteroid threatening Earth some day might be safely diverted.

The Europa Clipper is a "flagship" mission to explore Jupiter's ice-covered moon Europa and to determine the habitability of a vast sub-surface ocean. It is the largest planetary probe ever built, requiring a powerful Falcon Heavy rocket, made up of three strapped-together Falcon 9 first stages and a single upper stage, to send it on its way.

Both missions must get off the ground during relatively short "planetary" launch windows defined by the positions of Earth, Mars, Jupiter and the asteroids. Hera's window opens on Oct. 7 and closes on Oct. 25. The Europa Clipper launch window opens on Oct. 10 and runs through Nov. 6.

Missing a planetary window can result in long, costly delays while while Earth, Jupiter, the asteroids and Mars, needed for gravity assist flybys, return to favorable orbital positions enabling launch.

Armando Piloto, a senior manager with the Launch Services Program at the Kennedy Space Center, said the Falcon Heavy stages used for the Europa Clipper mission will not be recovered. Instead, they will consume all of their propellants to achieve the velocity needed to send the probe on a five-year voyage to Jupiter.

"I'll point out that during the burn of the second stage, the vehicle with the spacecraft, will be traveling approximately 25,000 miles per hour, which will be the fastest speed for a Falcon second stage ever for Europa Clipper," he said during a recent briefing.

Given SpaceX's rapid recoveries after the July and August malfunctions, the upper stage re-entry anomaly Saturday presumably will be resolved in time to get the Europa Clipper and Hera missions off the ground within their launch windows. But that will depend on the results of the latest failure investigation.

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Credit: NASA/Keegan Barber

A unique SpaceX mission is underway.

A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex-40 (SLC-40) at Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station today (Sept. 28) at 1:17 p.m. EDT (1717 GMT), kicking off the Crew-9 astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA.

"That was a sweet ride," NASA astronaut Nick Hague, Crew-9's commander, radioed SpaceX's launch control after reaching orbit with crewmate Alexandr Gorbunov of Russia. The astronauts are will arrive at the ISS on Sunday, Sept. 29. You can follow the mission with our SpaceX mission live update page.

A SpaceX black and white rocket launches the Crew-9 astronaut mission for NASA.

It was the first-ever astronaut launch from SLC-40  SpaceX's first Florida launch pad, which has seen many uncrewed launches over the years. SpaceX and NASA spent two years upgrading the pad with a new crew launch tower, access arm and emergency escape slide to prepare it for astronaut flights.

The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule on the Crew-9 flight, however, weren't new. SpaceX previously used the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage to launch an uncrewed Starlink mission. ABout 8 minutes after launch, the booster returned to Earth to land smoothly at SpaceX's Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Dragon capsule has flown three other missions to the ISS: NASA's Crew-4 flight and two commercial trips for Axiom Space, Ax-2 and Ax-3.

The new launch pad isn't the only novelty to Crew-9. The mission's Dragon capsule, named Freedom, is ferrying just two people to the ISS instead of the usual four. Freedom is saving two seats for Crew-9's trip back down to Earth in February, because two NASA astronauts already up there need a ride home.

Crew-9 astronauts in white aand black spacesuits wave as they head to their launch pad.

Those two spaceflyers are Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who arrived at the ISS in June on the first crewed mission of Boeing's Starliner capsule. Their groundbreaking flight was supposed to last just 10 days or so; however, Starliner suffered thruster issues in orbit, so NASA kept extending the mission to figure out how to deal with the anomaly.

Eventually, the agency decided to bring Starliner home uncrewed, which occurred without incident on Sept. 7.

Related: SpaceX's Crew-9 astronaut flight for NASA: How it turned into a rescue mission

Williams and Wilmore thus remained aboard the ISS, and Crew-9 was modified to make room for them on the trip back: NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson were taken off the mission, leaving only Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov on the launch manifest.

"I think it was hard not to watch that rocket lift off without thinking, that's my rocket and that's my crew, but I also know that I'm not the only person who can think that," Cardman, Crew-9's original commander, said after watching the launch, her voice breaking at times. "There are many people who made this mission happen, and there are people on orbit who will be taking this capsule home, and it makes me very proud to know that I am one of many people who can say that's my crew."

NASA officials said they will work to reassign Cardman and Wilson to a new mission in the future.

"A crew change is not a small thing," NASA's Deputy Adminstrator Pam Melroy, a former space shuttle commander, said in a post-launch briefing. "It's very hard for Nick and Alex. It's also hard for Zena and Stephanie. But I think it's a reflection of the fact that human spaceflight is complicated and dynamic, and we need to be agile and focus on the mission."

Mission specialist Gorbunov works for Russia's space agency, Roscosmos. Hague, Crew-9's commander, is a veteran NASA astronaut and a colonel in the U.S. Space Force. In fact, that marks another first for Crew-9: No active member of the Space Force, which was established in December 2019, had launched on a space mission before, although NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins switched from the U.S. Air Force to the Space Force while aboard the ISS in 2020.

Crew-9 had been scheduled to launch on Thursday (Sept. 26), but the liftoff was pushed back two days due to Hurricane Helene. If all goes according to plan from here on out, Freedom will dock with the ISS on Sunday (Sept. 29) at 5:30 p.m. EDT (2230 GMT), and the hatches between the two spacecraft will open about an hour and 45 minutes later. You'll be able to watch both of those milestones live via NASA and here at Space.com if, as expected, the agency makes its stream available.

A SpaceX Dragon space capsule above the Earth with the black of space in the background for Crew-9 launch.

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As its name suggests, Crew-9 is the ninth long-duration astronaut mission to the ISS that SpaceX has launched for NASA.

Elon Musk's company also has six other orbital crewed flights under its belt  the Demo-2 test mission to the ISS in 2020, three flights to the orbiting lab for Houston company Axiom Space and two free-flying efforts funded and commanded by tech billionaire Jared Isaacman. The more recent of the Isaacman-led flights, Polaris Dawn, occurred just last month.

Like SpaceX, Boeing holds a multibillion-dollar deal to ferry NASA astronauts to and from the ISS. But it's unclear when Starliner will be cleared to start flying operational crewed missions, given the problems it experienced on the recent test flight.

Mission extensions and manifest shuffling aren't unheard of on ISS astronaut flights, by the way. For example, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin launched to the ISS aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft for a supposed six-month stay in September 2022. Their Soyuz sprang a leak a few months later, however, and the trio didn't end up coming back to Earth until September 2023, on a replacement Soyuz that Russia launched empty to accommodate their homecoming.

Editor's note: This story was updated to include post-launch comments from NASA' Pam Melroy. SpaceX's Crew-9 astronauts will arrive at the International Space Station on Sunday, Sept. 29, starting at 3:30 p.m. EDT (1930 GMT). Docking is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. EDT (2130 GMT). Follow our SpaceX missions update page to watch the Crew-9 docking live.
SpaceX celebrated the first human spaceflight from its Cape Canaveral launch site on Saturday, and while the two humans aboard the Crew Dragon Freedom are safely on their way to the International Space Station, a problem arose with the rockets second stage that prompted the company to shut down future launches for now.

After todays successful launch of Crew-9, Falcon 9s second stage was disposed in the ocean as planned, but experienced an off-nominal deorbit burn, SpaceX posted on X. As a result, the second stage safely landed in the ocean, but outside of the targeted area. We will resume launching after we better understand root cause.

SpaceX and Boeing Starliner saga continues with Crew-9 launch to ISS

The first victim of the shutdown was a planned launch Sunday from California of a Falcon 9 with a plan to send up the OneWeb Launch 20 mission for EutelsatGroup.

The Federal Aviation Administration still has that launch on its operations plan advisory for as early as Oct. 1, but the last two times SpaceX had an off-nominal issue with a Falcon 9 launch, the FAA had grounded the rocket.

The most recent was a fiery landing of a Falcon 9s first-stage booster last month during a Starlink mission.

The FAA investigates commercial space incidents to determine the root cause and identify corrective actions so they wont happen again, the FAA said in a statement after that incident.

FAA grounds Falcon 9 after fiery end to SpaceX booster; Polaris Dawn could face further delays

After that launch, SpaceX led an investigation and submitted a final report to the FAA, which was approved. That turnaround was quick with the failed booster landing happening on Aug. 28, the report filed and submitted with a request to return to flight on Aug. 29 and approval on Aug. 30.

But a third incident this year in July, which also involved the second stage, took longer to investigate.

In that incident, the FAA grounded Falcon 9 for two weeks when the video feed of a launch from California on July 11 showed the second stages engine freezing over in space. It resulted in SpaceX not being able to put its payloads into a correct orbit.

SpaceX cleared to launch Falcon 9 again after submitting mishap report to FAA

Any significant delay in launches could affect the upcoming Falcon Heavy launch of NASAs Europa Clipper mission to send a massive satellite to Jupiters icy moon Europa.

That flight is slated to fly as early as Oct. 10 from Kennedy Space Centers Launch Complex 39-A.

SpaceX had seen an unprecedented years-long run of launches and landings of its rockets before the July incident.

SpaceX has been forthright about issues found during its launches with seeming transparency identifying the issues found and fixes planned while working with the FAA.

Safety and reliability are at the core of SpaceXs operations. It would not have been possible to achieve our current cadence without this focus, and thanks to the pace weve been able to launch, were able to gather unprecedented levels of flight data and are poised to rapidly return to flight, safely and with increased reliability, SpaceX had posted after the first July incident.

For the year, SpaceX has launched 93 Falcon 9 rockets and one Falcon Heavy from its three facilities in Florida and California, just three shy of its annual record set in 2023 when it launched 91 Falcon 9 and five Falcon Heavy rockets.

Since 2010, SpaceX has launched its Falcon 9 successfully 377 times with the only in-flight explosion happening in June 2015. Its launched its Falcon Heavy, first flown in 2018, 10 times with no issues.

Its also had 351 successful booster landings that have allowed for 320 reflights of those boosters. Before Augusts failure, it had not lost a booster during a landing attempt since February 2021, although high winds caused another to topple over on its way back to Cape Canaveral in December 2023.
The pictures of my birthday are dark. Lit by candle and oil lamp 15 years ago. Far from home, my dear friends made me feel like family. The occupation army had destroyed the electrical lines. My friends taught me to live, study, learn and dance in the darkness. They taught me to see joy in the darkness.

My friends are in darkness once more. Electricity and water are again cut off. They have kids of their own, as I do. When I ask how they are, they send videos of their children playing, laughing, dancing. They taught me then, and teach me now, that joy and living life are acts of resistance.

As a pediatrician, my professional obligation is to all children. A 16-year-old high school girl, Lujain, was shot in Jenin, a city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, when she looked out her window. A 13-year-old girl, Banah, was shot inside her own home.

By March of this year, more children had been killed in a number of months in Palestine than were killed globally over the last four years combined. The majority killed are women and children. Over 500 healthcare workers have been killed. Amid the polio epidemic, Dr Mahmoud Al-Manama, the director of the Central Laboratory at the Palestinian Ministry of Health, was killed in a direct airstrike on his home.

As we witness Israels systematic targeting of the health system, the destruction of hospitals, and the torture of doctors and nurses, the Lancet medical journal estimates that 186,000 people have been killed in Gaza.

The equivalent of three nuclear bombs have been dropped in an area fitting between Olympia and Tacoma. The methods used to kill are targeting children. Children die first from dehydration. They do not withstand starvation; at least 38 children have starved to death.

I sent my child back to school, and I remembered seeing a child in Gaza crying when school was dismissed back in October. Her teacher, to comfort her, said, Its the last day of school for now, not the last day of school forever. I wondered if that child intuited the coming reality. For the second year, schools are used as shelters for families; 70% of these school shelters have been bombed. One school was bombed exactly at the time of the dawn prayer, killing those who were praying.

Physicians and nurses who have been courageous enough to go to Gaza penned a letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and a total arms embargo. They bear witness to the targeting of children: Children are universally considered innocents in armed conflict. However, every single signatory to this letter treated children in Gaza who suffered violence that must have been deliberately directed at them. Specifically, every one of us on a daily basis treated preteen children who were shot in the head and chest.

Violence supported by our leaders increases violence in our community. Palestinian children and families in the US feel afraid and with good reason: 3- and 6-year-old children have been nearly drowned, and 6-year-old Wadea Fayoumi was stabbed to death. Students have been shot, and run over by cars for being Palestinian. All our children are affected by witnessing violence and racism against Palestinians and others who support human rights.

Children have a deep sense of fairness. They are looking for adults who will raise their voice to say when something is wrong. Just one adult speaking up is protective for children, even if they dont change the trauma a child is experiencing at the time. Speaking up, raising our voices, and doing something, however small, is protective for ourselves, for our children, and for our community.

Dr. Emily Antoon-Walsh is an Olympia pediatrician who has studied and worked in Palestine/Israel and is a founding member of the Institute for the Understanding of Anti-Palestinian Racism.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  This week on The Spectrum:

Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno facing widespread backlash this week over his comments about women and abortion access.

Especially for women that are, like, past 50, Moreno said during a fundraiser. Im thinking to myself, I dont think thats an issue for you.

Why Democrats said the issue is about more than reproductive rights.

Citizen charges have been filed against Donald Trump and JD Vance after they amplified unfounded rumors about Haitian immigrants in Springfield.

We have a patriotic duty to ensure that the rule of law and accountability are applied to Donald Trump and JD Vance the same way they would be to anybody else, Subodh Chandra, the lead attorney representing the Haitian Bridge Alliance, said.

Why Chandra said the duo must be held accountable.

A new bill at the Ohio Statehouse would strip funding from so-called sanctuary cities.

Open border policies make every single state in the union a border state, Ohio Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) said.

Hear what local governments would be required to do if the bill becomes law.

Congress has passed a stop-gap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown for now. Republican strategist Ryan Stubenrauch and Democratic strategist Derrick Clay join the roundtable to discuss.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
A St. Johns County jury has convicted Aaron Dixon of 29 felonies and one misdemeanor related to a series of catalytic converter thefts from local businesses in early January.

READ: Two men facing 67 felonies after stealing catalytic converters in St. Johns County

After a two-day trial, Dixon was found guilty of nine counts of Grand Theft with Damage over $1,000, eight counts of Criminal Mischief over $1,000, nine counts of Possession/Purchase/Sell Stolen Catalytic Converters, three counts of Possession of Burglary Tools, and Resisting an Officer Without Violence.

In January 2024, Dixon and a co-defendant traveled from South Florida to St. Johns County to steal catalytic converters. On the morning of January 28, deputies responded to a burglary at a flooring store on U.S. 1. Dixon and his co-defendant attempted to flee the scene in a vehicle but were blocked by a patrol car and fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. They were apprehended after a brief chase.

Authorities found eight fleet vehicles at the store with catalytic converters cut out. The stolen converters and burglary tools were recovered from the defendants vehicle.

Catalytic converters are a hot ticket item for thieves, its part of the exhaust system located underneath cars.

The defendant came up from Miami and committed numerous property crimes, State Attorney R.J. Larizza said. He will soon get a taste of justice St. Johns County style.

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Profile: Wang Yongzhi, visionary rocket designer and manned spaceflight planner

Xinhua) 14:23, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yongzhi, a visionary rocket expert and pioneer of China's manned space program, was recently awarded the Medal of the Republic, about three months after his passing away.

Wang was one of the 15 individuals honored with national medals and honorary titles on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

In 1932, he was born to a poor rural family in northeast China's Liaoning Province. During his time in middle school, he aspired to become an agronomist.

However, after the outbreak of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, frequent incursions by American warplanes in eastern Liaoning Province transformed this young man's dreams. He decided to devote himself to national defense.

In 1952, he was admitted to Tsinghua University, majoring in aircraft design. In 1955, he was sent to study in the department of aeronautics at the Moscow Aviation Institute.

After returning to China, he started working on rocket design and development.

ROCKET DEVELOPMENT IN 18 MONTHS

In 1986, the U. S. Challenger space shuttle, Titan rocket and Delta rocket all suffered launch failures, leading to a shortage of launch capabilities in the international market.

At that time, Wang, who was head of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), found this market opportunity and immediately proposed the development of a Long March strap-on rocket to provide international launch services.

In November 1988, China signed a contract for the launch service of an Australian satellite with Hughes Aircraft of the United States. This was the first commercial launch contract signed between China and a foreign company. The CALT was responsible for the design and development of the launch vehicle.

The challenges Wang faced extended beyond the fact that the rocket was still in the blueprint phase. He also had to contend with the fact that time was extremely limited. The design and development had to be completed within 18 months.

Some foreign peers thought he was crazy. In their view, it would usually take several years or even a decade to complete the design and development of a new rocket.

Wang and his colleagues took the challenge head on. They worked around the clock, finished more than 440,000 design drawings, over 120 technical research and development projects, and hundreds of thousands of parts. They also carried out over 300 large-scale ground tests, and overcame 20 technical challenges.

On June 29, 1990, the Long March-2E, China's first carrier rocket with strap-on boosters, finally stood at the launch site of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center one day ahead of the contract deadline, and made its successful maiden flight on July 16, 1990.

Developing a new carrier rocket model in 18 months, Wang and his colleagues set a world record at that time.

PIONEER OF MANNED SPACE PROGRAM

In 1992, Wang proposed a three-step plan of developing spacecraft, space lab and space station for the country's manned space program. After the plan was approved the same year, he was appointed as the program's chief designer.

At the age of 60, he took on one of the most challenging tasks in space exploration. From the very beginning of the program, he aimed for the world's third-generation manned spacecraft and led the team to adopt the mainstream three-person, three-module design scheme.

During the design and manufacturing of the launch vehicle for manned space program, his team made nearly one thousand technical breakthroughs, making the Long March-2F rocket the most reliable rocket in China.

China's manned space program has developed rapidly, and Wang has been awarded numerous honors. In 2010, an asteroid numbered 46669 was named after him for his contributions to the development of the space industry.

Every time he received an honor, he would say that the honor belongs to all the people who have contributed to China's space endeavors.

After retirement, Wang still cared about the manned space program and continued to provide suggestions for the building of China's space station and manned lunar landing program.

His wife Wang Danyang said that in the last months of his life, he could no longer move his body freely, and almost lost his eyesight, "but he still kept talking about things in space, about lunar landing."

Wang Yongzhi passed away on June 11, 2024. What he left to his family were only hundreds of notebooks and more than a dozen pieces of oral histories about his work.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Assured Information Technology Engineering President Jason Eddy said his company was founded on a people-driven growth model that provides value to the burgeoning information technology industry through its engineering talent.

Eddys foundational principles have paid off as AIT Engineering is the Orlando Sentinels 2024 Top Workplaces in Central Florida winner in small company category for the second consecutive year.

AIT Engineering, founded in 2010 by Eddy, works to create database and software development solutions for clients like the federal government  primarily the Department of Defense.

Eddy said placing the companys focus on the quality of engineering talent coming in and work being done helped boost the morale of employees seeking a well-respected team.

Weve been able to grow as fast as we can recruit and retain top engineering talent, he said. Having our engineers know that theyre working with some of the best in their field has been the thing, at least in my perspective, that kind of keeps everybody happy.

To keep things interesting, Eddy said AIT has employees work on various challenging projects rather than performing a static action or task that can be done in a monotonous routine each day.

In traditional company roles, you have a job and then you do that job until youre tired of doing that job, he said. We try to change that as the job changes several times a year where we rotate to new customers, new technologies, new growth opportunities.

Feedback on employee satisfaction is welcome and encouraged at AIT Engineering, Eddy said, with multiple opportunities for employees to express their ideas about the positives and negatives of working for the company.

According to Eddy, AIT changes its benefits structure each year to better match the feedback it receives from its engineers.

Outside of changes at work, AIT helps cultivate an environment of community at the workplace by hosting quarterly company events in the form of a happy hour social or other outings to allow employees family and friends to meet each other.

The company also has access to suite tickets at Kia Center for employees to hang out with coworkers, friends or families and attend any of hundreds of events at the arena each year.

About half of the AIT Engineerings 100 employees are veterans, according to Eddy, generating massive support for veterans-based organizations from within the company.

We support a couple of major charities every year in the Boys & Girls Club and then a charity called Kick Off for Kids that feeds underprivileged school-age kids, Eddy said. Those are our two big charities that we support and then a large number of veteran-based organizations because we are a heavily veteran-based company.

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Eddy said AIT has a standard to maintain as a smaller company  building an environment of creative problem-solvers and enterprising engineers  but is always hiring and willing to turn ambition into excellence, especially within the workplace.

The biggest thing for us is that were always looking for the right engineers, he said. Our growth is always limited by refusing to hire folks that arent good at their jobs. So thats our marketing plug, but were always hiring.
The Airport fire, currently threatening Santiago Peak, has charred more than 9,000 acres in September. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

On a scorching September afternoon, an Orange County public works crew moving boulders with heavy machinery sparked a brush fire. The blaze ignited less than two miles from the U.S. Forest Services Trabuco Station, but the station was unstaffed by federal firefighters. The only crew there was the Orange County Fire Authoritys Engine 18.

When that engine arrived on scene, the fire was just half an acre, burning in medium brush with a moderate rate of spread, according to radio communications provided by Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. The crew also encountered two people who required treatment for smoke inhalation, he said.

Fennessy wonders whether, had a Forest Service engine responded with them, the firefighters could have contained the flames to the grassy flats. Instead, the fire raced up steep slopes into forested areas, growing into a 23,000-acre behemoth that destroyed 160 structures and injured 22 people.

"Theres no question in my mind that two engines would have made a difference, he said.

The Airport fire turned a property into a graveyard of scorched vintage vehicles next to a destroyed home off Ortega Highway, in the Riverside County town of Lake Elsinore. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The Airport fire was the latest example of how Forest Service staffing shortages have hindered firefighting efforts, putting public safety at risk, according to Fennessy and other Southern California fire chiefs. They say that many of the regions Forest Service stations have gone unstaffed in recent years, putting more pressure on state and municipal firefighting agencies to fill in gaps.

The Southern California fire chiefs do believe strongly that this is affecting our local communities, said San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey, who together with Fennessy and other fire chiefs took their concerns to Forest Service Region 5 Director Jaime Gamboa at a meeting in Lake Arrowhead in July. The issues remain unresolved, they said.

Five U.S. congressional representatives from Southern California recently sent a letter to the Cleveland National Forest demanding answers about how officials are dealing with its staffing challenges, saying they believe those shortages likely contributed to the outcome of the Airport fire.

Read more: Read the congressional letter on Cleveland National Forest staffing

The Forest Service disputed claims by the county fire chiefs, saying the agency is meeting its obligations to respond to emergencies and protect lives and properties.

Adrienne Freeman, a spokesperson for the agency, acknowledged that the Trabuco Station wasn't staffed by federal firefighters when the fire broke out, but said other engines were positioned nearby to backfill that gap.

The Forest Service has regularly maintained full staffing levels in Southern California this summer by bringing in resources from other regions and out of state to fill in for engine companies that are unavailable, and daily reports cited by the fire chiefs that list Forest Service stations as unstaffed dont necessarily reflect those surge resources, she said.

She also noted that the Airport fire was the third large blaze to break out within a 40-mile radius in Southern California in four days, on the heels of the Line fire near the San Bernardino National Forest and the Bridge fire in the Angeles National Forest.

With three major fires starting in that close time frame and a finite number of firefighters across the board, youre going to have a lot of unavailable engines, she said.

The out-of-control Line fire burns in the San Bernardino National Forest above homes off Lugonia Avenue, in Redlands. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Still, she said, the Forest Services response to the Airport fire was robust and appropriate. Computer-aided dispatch records show the agency sent three engines, one water tender, a fire patrol, a chief officer and aircraft within minutes of receiving the request for mutual aid, she said. And modeling from the California Office of Emergency Services illustrated that the conditions were conducive to rapid fire spread, she added.

It's highly speculative to say that one engine would have made a difference, she said.

Read more: Orange County braces for potential flood of litigation from Airport fire victims

Tactical disputes between the Forest Service and local firefighting agencies are nothing new. In the wake of the 2009 Station fire, then the largest in Los Angeles County, the Forest Service was found to have been slow to order reinforcements from other agencies in a bid to control costs. That drew finger-pointing from federal officials, who said they did everything they could to get aircraft to the scene as soon as possible, and state and local agencies, who said they had aircraft at the ready that were never ordered.

During Californias devastating 2021 fire season, several state and local fire officials spoke out against a Forest Service policy of allowing some fires to burn naturally in certain areas before suppressing them.

The staffing shortages are the latest issue to bring these long-simmering tensions to the forefront. Federal firefighters face grueling conditions that have grown more harrowing in part due to climate change. They are generally much lower paid than their counterparts at state and municipal agencies, utilities and private companies. The Forest Service has suffered an exodus of firefighters in recent years, many of them mid-career professionals such as captains and engine bosses who took with them decades of institutional knowledge that cant easily be replaced.

Firefighters can do little to save an engulfed home as the Line fire spreads to a tree-lined neighborhood on Sept. 10, 2024, in Running Springs, in San Bernardino County. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The problem is particularly acute in Southern California, where fires tend to be extraordinarily complex and the cost of living high, especially in and around national forests that typically house resort communities. Unionized employees at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection are currently considering a new labor contract that would reduce their workweek from 72 to 66 hours, which is expected to touch off a fresh hiring spree that may result in even more attrition from the Forest Service.

Advocates have for years been warning that this hemorrhaging of skilled federal firefighters, who remain the nations premier experts on battling wildland fires, threatens to compromise public safety. They have long been pushing for Congress to pass comprehensive reform, including permanent salary increases, housing stipends and expanded mental health programs.

Since 2021, legislators have passed a series of measures temporarily boosting wildland firefighter pay, but those bonuses have not counted toward overtime, hazard pay and retirement benefits.

Meanwhile, we have our federal wildland fire workforce losing faith in Congress and the federal government and the agency, and they're walking, said Max Alonzo, national business representative for the National Federation of Federal Employees. They are going pretty much anywhere else. So its a bad situation on the ground.

Read more: Hellish fires, low pay, trauma: California's Forest Service firefighters face a morale crisis

The shortages have resulted in Forest Service stations in Southern California sitting empty because there is no one to supervise them, according to the fire chiefs. Fennessy shared a staffing report from the morning of Sept. 9, when the Airport fire started, that listed 14 of the Cleveland National Forests 28 engines as unavailable and another report showing the Trabuco Station was unstaffed by federal firefighters for the first two weeks of the month. He described those staffing levels as typical.

Of the roughly 25 Forest Service stations in San Bernardino County, only 11 or so are staffed at any given time, at best, Munsey said.

My belief is they are no longer adequately covering their fire stations on a daily basis," he said. They are losing the experience that is required to manage large incidents. Because of this, theyre putting a greater burden on local taxpayers, and on city and county fire engines who must now pick up the slack to protect our communities.

One exception is the Angeles National Forest, which has robust year-round staffing, officials said. "I havent had those challenges that the other municipal fire chiefs have had to deal with, like, 'Hey, wheres the Forest Service?'" said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.

Still, Forest Service firefighters typically deal only with wildfires and related land management activities. Local firefighting agencies have long handled other types of emergencies on federal lands, including traffic accidents, medical calls and structure fires. Over the last five years, the fire agencies of Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties have together responded to, on average, 11,263 incidents on federal lands each year, according to figures compiled by Munsey.

The majority of those calls have been handled by San Bernardino County Fire, which has responded to federal lands an average of 8,529 times a year over the last five years, he said. These services come at an annual cost to county taxpayers of roughly $14 million, and the Fire Department receives no reimbursement from the federal government, he said.

A San Bernardino County fire captain looks over the landscape charred by the Bridge fire burning in Wrightwood on Sept. 11, 2024. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Although wildland fires are a relatively small share of those incidents, they represent a growing burden that has resulted in more and longer responses in federal jurisdictions, Munsey said. Because many Forest Service stations are staffed only during the day and during fire season, local agencies that share borders with national forests are often the first to respond to wildland fires at night and during the offseason.

For instance, when a fire ignited atop Santiago Peak in the Cleveland National Forest one night in August 2023, it took the first Forest Service engine nearly three hours to arrive, leaving the initial response to Orange and Riverside counties, Fennessy said.

Local government is the largest provider of mutual aid resources in the state of California, he said. So when an agency like the Forest Service is not able to staff fully statewide in this region, the resources to put out these fires, even if its a Forest Service fire in the federal responsibility area, defaults to local government.

Read more: Heavy gear, unforgiving terrain, backbreaking work. Now firefighters contend with extreme heat too

That has also at times meant that fewer local firefighters were available to respond to other emergencies. The events earlier this month, when the Line, Bridge and Airport fires raged simultaneously, represented a nightmare scenario.

There was nobody in the mutual aid system, Munsey said. So on the Bridge fire, as it approached Mt. Baldy and Wrightwood, that forced me to make the decision to empty almost every single one of our fire stations into those communities to stop the fire.

We literally had nobody covering our fire stations, he added. That is not a position that a fire chief should ever be in.

Both Munsey and Fennessy were critical of the Forest Services practice of bringing in firefighters from out of state to backfill unstaffed positions, saying they lack experience with Californias terrain, interagency agreements and operating procedures.

They believe that, if the Forest Service is unable to hire enough California firefighters to staff its stations, the agency should contract them out to local fire authorities instead. Twice this year, Fennessy met with Cleveland National Forest Supervisor Scott Tangenberg offering to assist, at one point saying that hed staff the stations at no cost to the Forest Service.

Read more: 'Again?': From blizzards to fires, mountain folk adapt to a life of chaos

Freeman, of the Forest Service, said that everybody was strapped when the three large fires hit  the mutual aid system was strained by their geographical proximity, complexity and sheer size, not federal staffing shortages.

She defended the practice of bringing in firefighters from out of state, saying that it allows the agency to avoid depleting local resources by pulling them from places with less fire activity.

Munsey has been pressing the need to address the federal staffing shortages during meetings with members of Congress for several years. He and other Southern California fire chiefs also met in April with representatives of the U.S. Fire Administration. He said that athough federal lawmakers who represent California are supportive, its hard to get a coalition to take up the issue because its not affecting the entire country.

He said that one recent anecdote brings the problem into sharp relief: During the Line fire, the Forest Services initial attack incident commander had to turn over his duties and position to someone else. He had to go take a medical exam because he was leaving the agency to work for Cal Fire.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  The state is stepping up efforts to help combat air pollution in the South Bay caused by the Tijuana sewage crisis.

County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas said she has secured support from the California Air Resources Board  or CARB. The leadership there is going to help us with significant opportunities to help us in terms of additional dollars for air purifiers, stated Vargas.

Parts of Imperial Beach coastline reopens after years of closures

She added that the county needs about $2 million to purchase roughly 10,000 filters and air purifiers. They are also asking scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct a survey and determine the long-term impacts of the air and water pollution.

Imperial Beach resident Joe Zenteno said he has noticed the air quality has improved in the last week, which is normally not the case. Its just a very toxic, gaseous, disturbing smell that goes and its like wow, stated Zenteno. He also said the ocean water nearby has been more clear.

Imperial Beach sewage crisis causing fears of long-term illnesses

Most of the Imperial Beach shoreline remains open after environmental health officials from the county deemed it safe, but that excludes a portion from the Mexico border to South Seaside Drive.

Supervisor Vargas said improvements will happen through collaboration between local, state, and federal partners. Vargas also noted that the International Boundary and Water Commission will officially break ground on Monday on an infrastructure improvement project critical to the rehabilitation, expansion, and permit compliance of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
State trooper stationed in Odessa dies after being hit by car during traffic investigation

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A Texas Highway Patrol trooper based in Odessa was killed after he was struck by a vehicle while investigating a crash in Ector County, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Sunday morning, Sept. 29.

Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez Vasquez, 25, was investigating a crash at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17 along State Highway 302 when he was struck by a vehicle, according to DPS.

Ramirez Vasquez suffered serious injuries and was taken to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. He was then airlifted to a Lubbock-area hospital where he died from his injuries on Saturday, Sept. 28, DPS said.

There are no words to ease the loss of one of our brothers in uniform, DPS Director Steven McCraw said. Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez Vasquez served this state honorably to his very last breath. His commitment to keeping the roads safe, protecting the people of Texas and the sacrifice he made will never be forgotten. Today, I ask that you keep his family, friends and colleagues in your prayers during the difficult days ahead.

Ramirez Vasquez began his law enforcement career when he joined DPS in 2023. He was stationed in Odessa.

DPS did not say where his hometown was.

Prior to becoming a state trooper, Ramirez Vasquez served in the U.S. Army and was serving in the National Guard at the time of his death.

He is the 241st DPS officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, according to the department.

Ramirez Vasquez is survived by his parents and three siblings.

Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Humanity cannot  now  avoid troubled and turbulent times. Extreme events will powerfully influence the course ahead, the shape of things to come after the turmoil. They could help or hinder: provide the moral force for urgent action or preoccupy us with crisis management.

Writers like Rebecca Solnit and Junot Diaz have described the revelatory, and potentially revolutionary, nature of disasters. Not only can they bring out the best in us, and connect and empower us, but they also lay bare the social conditions and choices that often cause or contribute to disasters, delivering a societal shock that makes change possible.

In the process of causing things to fall apart, Diaz says, apocalyptic catastrophes also give us a chance to see aspects of our world that we as a society seek to run from, that we hide behind veils of denial." Apocalypses are also opportunities: chances for us to see ourselves, to take responsibility for what we see, to change.

The next 20 years will settle this issue. We will know by then the extent to which we are locked into global crises, and if so, what we can do to minimize their impacts and to shape the world that lies on the far side.

I made these comments in a 2012 essay entitled Whatever happened to Western civilization? in the Futurist, the magazine of the U.S.-based World Future Society. The essay was itself a reflection on a 1993 Futurist essay, The Wests deepening cultural crisis.

So are disasters, piling one upon another, providing the moral force for urgent action? Well, we havent had to wait 20 years to see the choice we have made between deep systemic change and the management of specific calamities. As I feared, governments have become shockingly irrelevant in failing to match their responses to the magnitude of the challenges facing us (what I call a "scale anomaly" or "scale discrepancy").

This is despite the growing evidence and the insistent warnings by experts that we risk societal and civilizational collapse  and even evidence that collapse has already begun. Governments have, instead, become ever more preoccupied with trying to deal with a growing cascade of natural, social and political upheavals, some of their own making, others the result of intensifying global trends.

Running out of time to save the world

This situation has made me reconsider what we should do about our predicament. One theme of my work has been culture and its importance to human well-being and futures. (My 1993 Futurist essay focused on how modern Western culture is failing us, including arguing that the many serious problems we faced  seemingly intractable economic difficulties, a widening social gulf, worsening environmental degradation  were fundamentally problems of culture, of beliefs and moral priorities.)

Cultures define and describe how we see the world and our place in it  and so how we live and behave. In a sense, cultures "permit," and so limit, what we can do. As I outlined in an earlier Salon essay, we need to remake Western culture if we are to meet the challenges confronting us. The magnitude of this transformation is akin to that from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment, from the medieval mind to the modern mind. We face another rupture in our view of ourselves that will change profoundly how we live.

I now accept, however, that that window has closed, at least for now. The shift in political consciousness to focus on dealing with specific disasters and calamities  fires, floods, wars, economic upheavals  means there is no longer the scope for a deep dialogue about cultural transformation. We need a new emphasis.

I feel the same way about the recommendations of the recent roundtable report A World Call to Action, by the Club of Rome and the Council for the Human Future. It states, Humanity is facing its greatest emergency, a crisis consisting of many, interlinked, catastrophic risks; adds, The crisis is already here, and will get worse; and concludes, Together, these risks endanger our ability to maintain a civilization, possibly even to survive as a species.

The report says the crisis is vast, complex and interconnected. It will affect everyone on Earth for generations to come. There is at present no plan of action to resolve it, nor even a concerted effort to develop one:

This "polycrisis" is an interconnected web of challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, global poisoning, food insecurity, resource depletion, retreat from democracy, nuclear proliferation, spread of war, uncontrolled use of AI, misinformation, economic, social and gender inequality, rising inequity, failing healthcare systems and geopolitical instability.

The reports recommendations include a World Plan of Action, a U.N. Peoples Assembly, an Earth System Council, an Earth System Treaty and an Alliance of Partners for the Planet, People and Peace.

However, the times are no longer conducive to such actions. And even if these structures were established, they would not be effective enough to avert our fate. Witness the current impotence of the United Nations in the face of the many global challenges, and the despair of its secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, who has said that with climate change, Humanity has opened the gates of hell.

As one of the roundtable participants, Jem Bendell, a sustainability expert and author of "Breaking Together," puts it: "Convening elite collaboration accentuates the illegitimate and ill-informed agendas of corporate and bureaucratic officials. Calling for action to prevent collapse requires ignoring or downplaying the last eight years of data, which indicate modern societies worldwide are already at various stages of fracture and there is a momentum in their trajectories."

Corporate crimes against humanity

The times now demand a much sharper, simpler, more radical focus: an all-out revolt against the power of corporations. Of course, many activists already see themselves doing this. But it is not the way debate and action are framed in mainstream politics, the media or science. For example, debate about climate change focuses on the science of global warming and international and national efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide.

A greater awareness of corporate power and its abuse has advantages: This awareness is already in the public mind and the structures and procedures of action already exist; they just need to be massively scaled up. The attention to corporate harm also brings into focus the wide range of societal changes that we need to improve and sustain the quality of human life, not just, for example, climate change. It allows us to target specific wrongdoing, while drawing attention to their common roots.

Many Industries have worked relentlessly and ruthlessly to defend themselves against evidence of harm by sowing scientific doubt about the evidence, buying influence and shifting blame. They use the tactics and strategies developed by tobacco companies in countering smoking restrictions.

Writer George Monbiot warns that we face the greatest predicament humankind has ever confronted: the erosion and possible collapse of our life support systems, the speed and scale of which have taken even scientists by surprise. Yet the effort to persuade people of the need for action is not working. One reason, he says, is those who job it is to do this are "massively outgunned":

For every pound or dollar spent on persuasion by an environmental charity or newspaper, the oil, chemicals, automotive, livestock and mining sectors will spend a thousand. They snap up the cleverest and most devious communicators to craft their messages, offering salaries no one else can afford.

Monbiot says that after retreating over the last decade or so, climate and environmental science denial is back with a vengeance, fueled by corporate and political campaigns  many of which operate below the radar  and amplified by social media. Governments sit and watch, he says, as tiny warriors flail in the face of the corporate army. We cannot build social consensus without the state. Where is it?

The fossil fuel industry knew about the contribution of fossil fuels to global warming decades ago but chose to spread lies so it could continue to make massive profits. It also opposed the introduction of unleaded gasoline (or "petrol," in much of the English-speaking world), causing untold harm to children in particular. (As a science journalist, I was involved in the campaign to remove lead from petrol in Australia in the 1980s.) The evidence that fossil fuel companies have been working behind the scenes to delay the transition to renewable energy, including spreading false stories about electric vehicles, is just the latest example of the subterfuge.

The arms industry, through the military-industrial complex, promotes and profits hugely from war, including in Ukraine and Gaza. Chandran Nair, the founder and CEO of the Global Institute for Tomorrow, says the world needs to wake up to the fact that the global military-industrial complex poses a grave threat to civilization:

We have failed to keep in check an industry that needs wars, death, and destruction to grow. It poses an existential threat to world peace because it has captured  at least partially  the political economy of the most powerful country on the planet: the United States, the modern-day military state.

On a matter I dont fully understand, the big banks (whose practices caused the global financial crisis of 2008, and which were bailed out by governments and largely escaped punishment) are contributing to what banking expert Ellen Brown has described as a ticking time bomb or casino based on financial derivatives valued as high as several quadrillion dollars. (A quadrillion is one thousand trillion.) This far exceeds global GDP, which amounted to about $100 trillion in 2022. Investor Warren Buffett famously labeled derivatives as financial weapons of mass destruction.

More broadly, a massive and growing media marketing complex culturally "manufactures" modern high-consumption lifestyles, which are inimical to the environment and to human health and well-being. Increasingly, the mainstream media have become agents of propaganda for failed government, corporate excess and unhealthy, unsustainable lifestyles. There is increasing surveillance, censorship (including self-censorship) and suppression of dissent.

The growing influence of social media and the tech billionaires who own them is another concern that is testing government power. As media scholars Matthew Ricketson and Andrew Dodd warn:

Is the world better off with tech bros like [Elon] Musk who demand unlimited freedom and assert their influence brazenly, or old-style media moguls who spin fine-sounding rhetoric about freedom of the press and exert influence under the cover of journalism? Thats a question for our times that we should probably begin grappling with.

Nothing here is new. Corporate greed and ruthlessness have been around for centuries, including their role in colonization and the building of empires. The shocking history of the East India Company, which transformed itself from an international trading company into an aggressive colonial power between 1600 and 1874, is a classic example. And activists, journalists and academics have long worked to expose these corporate crimes.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

To cite one recent example, in Silent Coup: How Corporations Overthrew Democracy, investigative journalists Claire Provost and Matt Kennard reveal how transnational companies have been able to challenge and even overrule various state actions  and threaten our ability to respond to existential threats like climate change and nuclear war.

They explore the international investment treaties that protect corporate profits; the foreign aid and global welfare system that nourishes corporations and helps them expand; the special economic zones that exploit poor workers, especially women; and corporations use of private armies and security forces to get their way.

The critical need to tackle corporate power

We must, then, use every nonviolent means  legislation, legal action, protest, civil disobedience, public humiliation  to reduce or even eliminate the political power of corporations, especially the huge global corporations which hold so much sway over democracy, government and our lives, and so often act against our common interests.

Some of their actions should be considered crimes against humanity, in that the term has been used to condemn acts that shock the conscience of mankind." These acts include human-made environmental disasters, with the intention behind such a definition being either to register moral outrage or to suggest that they be recognized formally as legal offenses.

The link between my interest in culture and corporate malfeasance is through ideology. Culture has been said to exert a pervasive but diffuse influence on actions, providing the underlying assumptions of an entire way of life. In unsettled times, cultural change can become focused into an ideological contest, in which ideologies exert a powerful, clearly articulated but more restricted basis for social action. Today we are dealing, in the West, with the dominant influence of neoliberalism (a form of capitalism), which has captured government in the interests of those with money and power.

My aim in this essay is to strengthen the message that the destructive behavior of global corporations, set within the context of this ideological dominance and the threat to human civilization, needs to become the focus of political debate and action. If I have been slow to come to this position it is because my background is in science, not politics, and I chose to focus my own work on the less discussed, more fundamental drivers of humanitys predicament.

I watched the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. For me, the most striking feature was that neither candidate showed any awareness of the need for fundamental changes in American society and Western civilization (although Trump did mention Americas decline and the peril of nuclear war). Harris affirmed her support for the military several times, contrasting her position with Trump's. As a retired general has reportedly said, "Shes more hard-line than most people think."

No matter who the president or presidential aspirant, and no matter their politics, gender or race, American politics remains captured by the status quo, dominated by corporate interests. Corporations are so deeply embedded in all our lives, and we depend so much on them for jobs and consumer goods and services, it is nigh impossible to draw back far enough to see how much we are controlled, even enslaved, by them. Explanations for the growing institutional mistrust and political alienation dwell on specifics such as cost of living, not on this deep dependency.

Yet the dependency runs both ways, and is a means for challenging corporate abuses of power. A study of nonviolent action by Dalilah Shemia-Goeke finds that multinational corporations are deeply entangled with states in reciprocal relationships of dependence. While this puts constraints on the ability of states to regulate corporations, power imbalances between business and society can be redressed when people withdraw the support on which corporate entities depend.

Shemia-Goeke reports that corporations depend on workers, consumers, investors, insurers, legislators and others: When these constituencies withdraw their consent and support  their ability to pursue their goals and their power erodes. Her case studies show how civil society campaigns have tackled the dependence of corporations on people and activated the latent power of people.

In "Silent Coup," Provost and Kennard conclude:

Overall what we uncovered was dark, and suggested that much less is up for grabs in national political debates and elections than were led to believe  and that many of the scandals that occupy our media may actually be quite small in comparison to the silent coup that has been enacted against our democracies. But we also saw light. Around the world  as well as in historical archives  we had met and learned about people resisting these trends, and pushing for safer, healthier and more democratic futures.

In a 2022 Salon essay, I argued that a deep and dangerous divide exists in liberal democracies between peoples concerns about their lives, their country and their future, and the proclivities and preoccupations of mainstream politics and news media. The cultures of politics and journalism are too short-sighted and narrow-minded to face up to our predicament. They cant see it, or if they can see it, they cant imagine what it takes to address it. The same can be said for corporate culture.

For all my working life of over 50 years, scientists and others have declared each decade to be a time of reckoning for human civilization and our planet. As each decade passes without the necessary action, we declare the next decade to be the decisive one; we are still doing it. Now it is the 2020s that we claim to be the last chance to avert catastrophic consequences, with climate change uppermost in our minds.

In my 2012 essay in the Futurist, I concluded that we might no longer be able to get out of the mess we were creating for ourselves, but we could get through it. There was still plenty to dream of, and to strive for.

Today, hope remains, unreasonable, hanging by a thread.
Still without power? Here is what you should keep, throw out in your refrigerator

Thousands are still without power in the Miami Valley, and some food in your refrigerator could be dangerous if eaten.

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Before you throw out everything in your fridge, the Center for Disease Control and our news partners at WCPO offer these tips:

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors shut, if you limit the number of times that cold air escapes the fridge, youll probably be able to keep it longer

Your food in the refrigerator is more at risk of spoiling than freezer food

Perishable food in the fridge like milk, eggs, uncooked meats, and cooked vegetables will be safe for 4-6 hours, according to the CDC

Never taste food to determine its safety

The Cincinnati Health Department says that you should worry once perishable foods have been kept at 41 degrees or warmer; 41 to 140 degrees is the danger zone for thawed, perishable foods

Frozen foods, however, can stay safe for up to 48 hours in a closed, full freezer (a half-full freezer will keep food safe for 24 hours), according to the CDC, if the foods contain ice crystals, they can be refrozen or cooked

The health department suggests adding bags of ice or dry ice to the freezer if it appears the power will be off for an extended time

If the color, odor or texture of a food is suspect, throw it out or as the CDC states When in doubt, throw it out

Some foods may be sub-par after being stored at room temperature, but they will not be dangerous to eat  butter or margarine, cheeses, condiments (excluding mayonnaise), vinegar-based salad dressings, fresh, uncut fruits, raw vegetables, pastries and fruit juices all fall into this category

If you are still without power, you can contact AES Ohio at 877-468-8243, Duke Energy to report your outage at 800-543-5599 or Ohio Edison 888-544-4877.




Can you stop the inflow of campaign fliers to your mailbox?

(NEXSTAR)  Election season is upon us once again, and with it: a plethora of campaign yard signs and TV ads, political text messages, and fliers of varying sizes stuffed in your mailbox.

You can overlook the yard placards, mute the commercials, and stop the texts (at least most of them), but can you do anything about the handful of campaign mailers filling your mailbox?

Its not a far-fetched question, considering you can stop other forms of junk mail.

The Federal Trade Commission says you can decide what types you would like to receive from marketers by registering with the Direct Marketing Association. That organization warns, however, that it does not apply when it comes to mail from political organizations.

Do campaign yard signs even make a difference?

The U.S. Postal Service has no guidance, either. It did, however, recently report that the volume of political mail increased between the 2018 and 2022 midterms, from 2.9 billion pieces to 3.9 billion pieces. With it, political mail spending rose from $575 million to $826 million over the same time period.

The USPS predicts the current election cycle will be even bigger.

The truth is, regardless of how digitally focused society becomes, Political Mail works exceptionally well in raising awareness about candidates, persuading on public policy issues and motivating voters to vote  and does so with high credibility, reach and targeting. This is why spending on Political Mail is expected to rise again in 2024 and remain a vital part of any successful campaign communication strategy, the USPS said in a recent article in The Eagle magazine, which is dedicated to postal employees.

Data from the USPS shows why campaigns may not want to give up on sending the fliers. Across surveyed voters, 57% said they felt direct mail was harder to ignore than ads online or on TV; 68% said they felt less overwhelmed by direct mail than other political advertisements; 55% said they viewed direct mail as a more memorable form of political advertising; and 56% said they felt they received the amount of campaign mail pieces they received during the last cycle was just right.

Kamala, but not Harris: Why people use female politicians first names

They can also help to highlight the candidate, Dr. Patricia Crouse, a professor of Public Administration and Political Science at the University of New Haven, told Nexstar.

While campaigns may be required to follow certain guidelines when it comes to sending you a flyer in the mail, there is no rule prohibiting it. According to the Georgia Secretary of State, political campaigns and candidates have a legal right to free speech, which includes being able to contact you.

That doesnt mean youre stuck receiving political mailers until November 6.

There are a couple of methods voters have found to stop, or at least slow, the flow of campaign mailers.

One is to vote early, a campaign strategist told the Los Angeles Times in 2022. This may not, however, kick in right away. A county will have to update its voter list, and the mailing list vendor has to receive said update.

Another campaign advisor recommended reaching out to the campaign itself to have your name removed from their list.

Campaigns contacted by Nexstar regarding this process did not immediately respond or declined to provide a comment.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Staff at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford celebrate the opening of a new Hyper Acute Stroke unit. [BBC]

A new Acute Stroke Unit (ASU) and Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) has opened in Kent.

The new HASU at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford is the second of three specialist units to open in Kent and Medway.

It will offer care for more than 800 stroke patients a year, serving the population of Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and parts of Medway and Bexley.

The hospital's clinical lead, Prasanna Aghoram said patients "will receive consistently high-quality care, regardless of where they live in the region, or what time of the day or night their stroke occurs".

The new unit will provide capacity for up to 14 HASU beds and 22 ASU beds

It has six neuro inpatients and four beds dedicated to a planned Stroke Assessment Bay, where 90% of suspected stroke admissions will be directly brought in on arrival at the hospital.

The NHS said: "This means patients receive their critical diagnostics within the golden hour and can quickly receive the care they need in the right place at the right time."

The unit also has new and improved dedicated rehabilitation areas to support patient recovery through physiotherapy and activities.

The Stroke Unit activity at Dartford has increased from 482 strokes in 2017 to 637 strokes in 2022.

Once the HASU officially opens, it is expected a further 200 strokes will attend via London Ambulance Service.
In this image made from a NASA livestream, the two astronauts stuck at the International Space Station since June 2024, Butch Wilmore, far left, and Suni Williams, far right, welcome two new residents who flew up on SpaceX, NASA's Nick Hague, front left in blue, and the Russian Space Agency's Alexander Gorbunov, front right in blue, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. Behind them, from left in black, are NASA's Jeanette Epps, Russia's Alexander Grebenkin, NASA's Mike Barratt and NASA's Matthew Dominick. From left, wearing red, are Russia's Ivan Vagner, NASA's Don Pettit and Russia's Alexei Ovchinin. (NASA via AP)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  The two astronauts stuck at the International Space Station since June welcomed their new ride home with Sundays arrival of a SpaceX capsule.

SpaceX launched the rescue mission on Saturday with a downsized crew of two astronauts and two empty seats reserved for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who will return next year. The Dragon capsule docked in darkness as the two craft soared 265 miles (426 kilometers) above Botswana.

NASA switched Wilmore and Williams to SpaceX following concerns over the safety of their Boeing Starliner capsule. It was the first Starliner test flight with a crew, and NASA decided the thruster failures and helium leaks that cropped up after liftoff were too serious and poorly understood to risk the test pilots return. So Starliner returned to Earth empty earlier this month.

The Dragon carrying NASAs Nick Hague and the Russian Space Agencys Alexander Gorbunov will remain at the space station until February, turning what should have been a weeklong trip for Wilmore and Williams into a mission lasting more than eight months.

Two NASA astronauts were pulled from the mission to make room for Wilmore and Williams on the return leg.

I just want to say welcome to our new compadres, Williams, the space station commander, said once Hague and Gorbunov floated inside and were embraced by the nine astronauts awaiting them.

Hague said it was a smooth flight up. Coming through the hatch and seeing all the smiles, and as much as I've laughed and cried in the last 10 minutes, I know it's going to be an amazing expedition," he said.

NASA likes to replace its station crews every six months or so. SpaceX has provided the taxi service since the companys first astronaut flight in 2020. NASA also hired Boeing for ferry flights after the space shuttles were retired, but flawed software and other Starliner issues led to years of delays and more than $1 billion in repairs.

Starliner inspections are underway at NASAs Kennedy Space Center, with post-flight reviews of data set to begin this week.

Were a long way from saying, Hey, were writing off Boeing, NASAs associate administrator Jim Free said at a pre-launch briefing.

The arrival of two fresh astronauts means the four who have been up there since March can now return to Earth in their own SpaceX capsule in just over a week, bringing the station's crew size back down to the normal seven. Their stay was extended a month because of the Starliner turmoil.

Although Saturdays liftoff went well, SpaceX said the rockets spent upper stage ended up outside its targeted impact zone in the Pacific because of a bad engine firing. The company has halted all Falcon launches until it figures out what went wrong.was extended a month because of the Starliner turmoil.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Student arrested after threat to shoot up Kansas high school homecoming dance

A 16-year-old high school student was arrested Saturday night after a threat to shoot up a schools homecoming dance was made, officials said.

The Salina Police Department learned of the shooting threat through social media. Investigators found that the student had made comments online about shooting everyone at this dance, a Salina PD news release said.

The Central High School homecoming dance was held Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m. at the school, according to Centrals academic calendar.

Salina school district and CHS officials were notified of the threat; officers located the teen and took them into custody.

Salina police did not immediately respond to an inquiry for details on the incident. The teen was not arrested at the high school.

The student was arrested on suspicion of criminal threat and booked into the Saline County Jail and will be transferred to the juvenile center in Junction City.

Salina is a city of 46,231 and is roughly a 90-minute drive north of Wichita in central Kansas.
A group of politicans visited Highlands College to speak to students and take their questions [BBC]

Students in Jersey have been learning about how politics works in the island as part of Democracy Week.

Politicians have been visiting schools across the island to speak to young people and answer their questions.

A group of deputies visited Highlands College on Thursday to help students there understand how they can become involved in politics and have their voices heard.

Students asked them about the future of the hospital and support for apprentices trying to find work in the construction industry.

Safia wanted to know how politicans would define democracy [BBC]

Safia, 16, was one of the students who asked the politicians a question and wanted to know what democracy meant to them.

She said everyone thinks differently and wanted to hear what they think democracy is and should be in Jersey.

I think young people often don't get to have their say enough so I think this is really helpful to learn that you shouldn't be afraid to get involved and that your vote will be taken into account, Safia added.

Highlands College hosted two visits from Jersey politicians as part of Democracy Week.

Deputy Mezec wants politicans to engage as much as possible with younger generations [BBC]

Deputies Sam Mezec, David Warr, Carina Alves, and Mary Le Hegerat attended the school during the visit.

Housing Minister Deputy Mezec said: It's really important that politicians are constantly engaging with young people.

"Initiatives like democracy week means theres more opportunities for students to meet directly with politicians and ask tough questions.

He added: We absolutely need to be engaging with young people at places like Highlands because there's a great diversity of courses and young people so we're more likely to get a great perspective of how young people feel about issues.

It is the fifth time Jersey has run the Democracy Week campaign, which involved several different events across the island.

Follow BBC Jersey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.

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Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE: TD), one of the largest banks in North America, has stumbled. There is no way around that fact. But the reaction on Wall Street has left the dividend yield at 4.7%, well above the 2.5% yield of the average bank, using the SPDR S&P Bank ETF as an industry proxy. Is this Canadian banking giant a buy, sell, or hold today?

Buy Toronto-Dominion Bank

The big reason to buy Toronto-Dominion Bank, usually just referred to as TD Bank, is its well above-average dividend yield. In other words, this is an income investor stock. Notably, TD Bank has paid a dividend each year since 1857, well over 100 years. You can most likely count on TD Bank to keep paying you. It also has an investment-grade-rated balance sheet, so it remains a rock-solid company.

Image source: Getty Images.

The foundation backing that dividend story is pretty compelling, too. TD Bank is the second-largest bank in Canada by assets and the sixth-largest in North America. Canadian banking regulations effectively protect that country's largest banks from competition, giving TD Bank a rock-solid core. Within the U.S. market, TD Bank operates largely on the East Coast, so it also has material geographic expansion potential over the long term.

As for its actual business, TD Bank operates across multiple segments of the finance industry. That includes, but is not limited to, traditional banking, insurance, personal investments, and corporate finance. And it has room to grow in each segment. TD Bank is rarely exciting to own (more on this in a second) but has long been a reliable, slow-growing banking giant -- which, when you add in the high yield, is a great reason to buy the stock.

Sell Toronto-Dominion Bank

Unfortunately, the last couple of years have actually been fairly "exciting" for TD Bank. That's because it tried to buy a regional competitor in the U.S. market but had to call it off because of regulatory scrutiny. There was an information void around this decision for a long time until the company explained that its internal controls around money laundering had failed. There will be sizable fines related to this issue, with the bank already having set aside around $3 billion. And its U.S. growth plans will probably be on hold until it regains regulator trust.

TD Chart

To TD Bank's credit, it has addressed this issue head-on. That not only included setting aside a huge sum of money for the legal and regulatory hit but also a swift effort to upgrade its internal controls. Still, it is a bad look for a bank to have problems of this nature. Some investors might want to avoid TD Bank for this reason alone. Those looking for growth, meanwhile, probably won't find it interesting, either, since it will likely take time for TD Bank to get back on a stronger growth track.

Story continues

Hold Toronto-Dominion Bank

Here's the thing: TD Bank believes the money-laundering issue will be largely resolved by the end of 2024. That doesn't mean growth will resume immediately. Management will still need to regain regulator trust for that to happen in a meaningful way. But it seems highly likely that the biggest risks are behind the company.

In other words, you can collect what appears to be a secure and well-above-average yield while you wait for TD Bank to start growing again. Selling now would be getting out after the worst had passed, which doesn't seem to make much sense if you are an income investor.

Toronto-Dominion Bank offers a good risk/reward balance

Given the money-laundering issue, TD Bank is best viewed as a turnaround story. But it is a decidedly low-risk turnaround that even conservative income investors should be able to handle owning. Sure, there won't be much growth for a little while, but considering its relatively high yield, you are getting paid well to wait for better days.

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Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond should wake up and realise their independence dream is dead, the new Scottish Tory leader has said as he mocked the Scottish National Party for being out of touch with voters and reality.

Russell Findlay noted that Scottish politics had been dominated by the bitterly divisive argument about breaking up the UK in the decade since the 2014 independence referendum.

Speaking at a Scottish fringe event at the UK Tory conference in Birmingham, he said the SNP are still at it as he poured scorn on interventions by four former and current first ministers to mark the events 10th anniversary.

Mr Findlay noted that John Swinney, the First Minister, had said he had never been more convinced of the case for separation, while Ms Sturgeon said she was absolutely certain Scotland will become independent within her lifetime.

Humza Yousaf called for international mediators to help secure independence, he said, before adding: For goodness sake, this is Scotland, not Sudan.

He also noted that Mr Salmond, who is now leader of the Alba Party, had said that the dream will never die.

But Mr Findlay concluded: Well let me tell you Salmond, Sturgeon, Swinney and Yousaf  the dream is dead. The SNP can talk about it all they like, but they will be talking to themselves.

The Scottish Tory leader said the Nationalists misunderstand the people of Scotland, with the majority displaying a quiet patriotism that did not include the need to wave a flag from motorway bridges.

Under his leadership, Mr Findlay said his party would leave the SNP to look backwards and instead look to Scotlands future as he attempts to revive its electoral fortunes.

Russell Findlay has accused the SNP of being out of touch with reality - Jacob King/PA

Mr Findlay, a former investigative journalist, was speaking two days after he won the contest to succeed Douglas Ross as Scottish Tory leader. He comfortably beat Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallacher.

He acknowledged that the party had a mountain to climb after its share of the popular vote almost halved to 12.7 per cent in Julys general election, a figure he described as far too low.

But Mr Findlay said the SNP and Labour were co-conspirators in socialist conformity as he argued the Tories could win back support in the 2026 Holyrood election with an alternative agenda.

He noted that Labour had voted with the SNP 101 times in the current parliamentary term on issues such as gender self-ID, hate crime, rent controls and banning new North Sea exploration.

It leaves us  the Scottish Conservatives  as the sole voice in the Scottish Parliament speaking up for the common-sense views of mainstream Scotland, he said.

Thats where we have such an exciting opportunity in the months and years ahead. Scotland has seen through the SNPs pathetic posturing, feeble excuses and catastrophic failures. And the new UK Labour government is already on the slide as voters remorse bites hard.

In a direct challenge to Mr Swinney, he said the First Minister should show some guts and resolve on public sector reform, adding: Dont just run the clock out on your career.

Mr Findlay said the entire structure of Scotlands education sector needs overhauled, even if it upsets the unions, to address the slide in school standards.

But he said that John Swinney is so afraid of losing that he doesnt even bother to try. The cost of NHS red tape must also be cut, he said, along with the number of health boards.

The Scottish Tory leader also argued that the high-tax, high-spend agenda favoured by the Holyrood consensus needed to be scrapped, with personal taxes cut to help businesses recruit and retain talented people.

Findlay said Scottish politics needs to move on from the obsession with nationalism - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty

Speaking earlier on BBC Scotlands Sunday Show, he also argued that free prescriptions for those who could afford to pay should also be reviewed.

Mr Findlay later appeared on the main conference stage during a panel session about the Union with Andrew RT Davies, the Welsh Tory leader.

He said the SNP was in a very bad way politically but warned against complacency that the Nationalists would lose power at Holyrood in 2026.

Referring to the troubled early weeks of Sir Keir Starmers government, including the furores over the winter fuel payment and freebie gifts, he expressed concern that Labour incompetence would give the SNP another term in office.

An SNP spokesman said: Russell Findlay and the Tories have no ambition for Scotland, as these comments demonstrate. Findlay was elected as Tory leader in Holyrood by a party membership of less than 7,000.

Around 50 per cent of people already support independence. Findlays naive comments and his partys lack of vision for Scotland will only work to increase the numbers of those backing Yes.

Chris McEleny, Alba Party general secretary, said: Russell Findlay is living in dreamland if he thinks that people in Scotland want to go back to the nightmare of the last 14 years of Tory government.

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.
(WSPA)  Efforts to restore power to more than 1 million people who lost service during Tropical Storm Helene are continuing on Sunday.

Work crews were back out Sunday morning removing trees and repairing damaged power lines and transmission stations.

Efforts to get public infrastructure back to normal have been exhaustive across the Upstate and Western North Carolina.

According to the Gaffney Board of Public Works, crews were able to able to resolve a water outage in Blacksburg after 36 hours of work. The board said there are still isolated outages on Gaffney Ferry Road and Pumping Station Road, which should be resolved sometime Sunday.

Greer Public Works said it was able to meet a goal of restoring backbone feeders on Saturday, which has allowed and so far more roughly 17,000 people have had their power turned back on. Crews will be back out Sunday morning continuing to work on areas without power.

Broad River Electric said on Sunday it managed to restore power to 700 more people overnight, but 17,000 are still waiting to get power back. More than 100 additional workers arrived to the area Saturday night to bolster restoration efforts.

The cooperate said 150 poles have been confirmed to be damaged by the storm, and the number is expected to rise as crews continue to do assessments. Eight substations are also still without power, and Broad River Electric is waiting on Duke Energy to get them back online, at which point many customers will likely see power restored.

Laurens Electrical Cooperative said crews worked through the night Saturday replacing poles and transformers and cutting trees off of power lines. The cooperative said another substation was also brought back online last night, giving the cooperative power from 12 of its 34 substations.

Despite the progress, and more work crews coming from Florida, Ohio and Arkansas arriving to help tackle the work, Laurens Electrical said there is still no estimated time table for full service restoration. Crews will be required to rebuild much of the cooperatives infrastructure before people start to see power returned, and it could be next week before some homes have power again.

Hart Electrical Membership Corporation said as of 8:30 a.m. Sunday about 4,916 people were still without power, a notable drop from the 24,000 people who lost power on Friday. Crews were back to work Sunday morning replacing more than 60 broken poles and attempting to restore power to those still affected by storm damage.

Duke Energy said on Saturday nearly all customers outside of the westernmost parts of the Carolinas should expect to have power restored sometime Sunday. The company said on Saturday most outages should be resolved before 11:59 p.m. today.

Debris cleanup begins

State and local agencies have begun announcing plans to help clean and remove debris caused by Tropical Storm Helene.

Spartanburg County has partnered with DRC Emergency Services which will begin removing storm debris this week. Residents are asked to place any vegetative debris within the right-of-way away from mailboxes and utilities for pickup.

The county said residents should not place material in black bags, as crews cannot collect any bagged materials.

Spartanburg County is also reopening its landfill on Monday with some restrictions. The county We will accept storm debris and household waste only.

The collection center at the Wellford Landfill will take household waste. All storm debris/vegetation will go to the landfill.

No other collection centers are open at this time, as the county is waiting for power to be restored.

South Carolina Emergency Management Division has established a cleanup hotline. Anyone who needs help cleaning storm damage can call 844-965-1386 to request assistance.

Volunteers with the hotline can help with mucking out, tree cleanup, taring roof and cleaning storm debris.

Road safety

Motorists are encouraged not to travel except in an emergency situation. Many roads are still lined with downed trees or power lines.

Greenville County reported road washouts at Chick Springs Road and Mountain Creek Church Road on Sunday.

If you must go out, police departments are reminding drivers intersections without working stop lights are to be treated as four-way stops.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
In November, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (herein FDR) won a large electoral victory. Shortly thereafter, on February 5, 1937, he introduced a court packing plan for the Supreme Court (herein the Court). FDR had been frustrated by cases like Schechter Poultry Corporation v. United States (1935), where part of his New Deal was struck down as being beyond Congresss interstate commerce power; there was an insufficient effect on that commerce. Most of the product of the Schechters intrastate plant did not reenter interstate commerce.

FDRs court packing plan would have allowed the President to appoint an additional Justice for every Justice on the Court who was over 70 years, yielding a total of 15. He no doubt wanted to add Justices to the Court for support.

But FDR tried to sell the idea by a less political motive. He said he wanted to help the Court. On March 9, 1937, FDR spoke to the nation in a Fireside Chat. His argument was that the old men on the Court were having trouble keeping up with their work. They needed some help. The more hands-on deck, the more efficient the Court, FDR argued.

The Court, of course, did not directly engage in politics. As Justice Sandra Day OConnor wrote in her book, The Majesty of the Law, 2003, [we] might never have known what the Justices thought about the plan if a woman hadnt driven across the Potomac to play with a new baby. It was Mrs. Brandeis, wife of the Justice Louis Brandeis. She was visiting Senator Burton K. Wheelers grandchild. She said to Mrs. Wheeler that her husband was right about the Court bill. He was against court packing. Subsequently, Senator Wheeler asked the Justice whether he would testify at the Senate Judiciary Committees hearings. He declined but suggested that the Chief Justice, Charles Evans Hughes, could write a letter. Wheeler contacted the Chief Justice. He agreed to write the letter over the weekend for the Monday morning hearing. Wheeler recalled that you could hear a comma drop in the Caucus Room as he read the letter aloud that Monday morning. (OConnor, Ibid).

The letter destroyed the logic of FDRs proposal. He assured that the Court was current with its work. He concluded: An increase in the number of Justices of the Supreme Courtwould not promote the efficiency of the Court. It is believed it would impair that efficiency so long as the Court acts as a unit. There would be more judges to hear, more judges to confer, more judges to discuss, more judges to be convinced and to decide. The present number of Justices is thought to be large enough so far as the prompt, adequate, and efficient conduct of the work of the Court is concerned. This was counterintuitive logic; you might think more members would make the workload easier, like loading pipes into a large truck. But everything has to be seen by all Justices when they act as a unit, except as OConnor once said, her grocery list. The more people involved would mean more time spent on a given task; the amount of work is inversely related to the number of Justices involvedadding more hands would make things even worse. (OConnor, Ibid.). Ultimately, FDRs plan failed in the Senate, even though he was at the height of political power.

As it turned out, FDR just had to wait. On April 12, 1937, the Court decided NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation. Unlike Schechter, Jones & Laughlin was a large steel plant, taking iron ore shipped from the upper Great Lakes area, converting it into steel, and distributing it throughout the nation. Its intrastate affairs would clearly have a direct effect on interstate commerce. Chief Justice Hughes famously wrote: It is idle to say that the effect would be indirect or remote. It is obvious that (a work stoppage) would be immediate and might be catastrophic. The Court upheld FDRs law.

Finally, FDR got his turn to appoint Justices beginning with Hugo Black, the great liberal, August 12, 1937, three more by 1939. Statistically, the Court will not be out of line with the political organs for long. But Congresss deference to the Courts independence will maintain separation of powers and judicial efficiency.

 James W. Pfister, J.D. University of Toledo, Ph.D. University of Michigan (political science), retired after 46 years in the Political Science Department at Eastern Michigan University. He lives at Devils Lake and can be reached atjpfister@emich.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Supreme Court Packing: Its Counterintuitive Logic
PHELPS COUNTY, Mo.  Phelps County law enforcement is investigating an incident involving multiple structure fires and an assault on Saturday, September 28 after a male suspect was shot by law enforcement after displaying a gun.

According to the Phelps County Sheriffs Department (PCSD), someone contacted Central Communications about a residential structure fire in the southwestern part of the county at 2:20 p.m. Saturday. The caller told law enforcement the suspect set several structures and vehicles on fire and assaulted multiple people, including a juvenile.

Greenfield man dies after car falls off bridge in Dade County

Deputies searched the area and found the suspect close by on a Forest Service Road just before 4 p.m. PCSD says the suspect displayed a firearm, leading a deputy to shoot him. Deputies and Missouri State Highway Patrol personnel then began lifesaving measures on the suspect before he was airlifted to the hospital for further treatment. The suspect is still hospitalized.

Law enforcement is currently investigating the situation. No further details are being released 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV)  The Beaufort County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) says one person is dead and another in custody after a fatal shooting that occurred at Fiddlers Cove on Hilton Head Island on Saturday.

According to the BCSO, when deputies arrived at the scene, they found a 25-year-old man who had been shot and was deceased.

The Beaufort County Coroners Office identified the victim as 25-year-old Cory Devon McKie, Jr. of Bluffton.

BCSO says 25-year-old Charles Quincy Barron of Bluffton was arrested on the charges of Murder and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. Barron is in custody at the Beaufort County Detention Center.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is assisting with the investigation, which is ongoing at this time.

Beaufort County Sheriffs Office

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Corporal Ray at 843-255-3423 or the BCSO non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777. Information can also be submitted online at BCSO.NET.

Hampton PD investigates shooting at Elm Street bar

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
A 48-year-old man has been arrested in a fatal Columbus shooting, according to the Columbus Police Department.

Marcus Harris was arrested in the death of Derrick Jordan, 39. Jordan was found shot in the 300 block of 12th Street in May, police said. Jordan was taken to a hospital but later died. Harris was identified as the suspect through investigation, and was apprehended in Dallas on Sept. 17, police said.

Harris was charged with murder and possessing a gun during the commission of a crime. He was extradited to Columbus Friday and is expected to appear in court Wednesday, police said.

The case was still under investigation this weekend and anyone with information was encouraged to contact Cpl. Bobby Jackson at 706-225-4409.
A suspicious package that led to the evacuation of the Minnesota Secretary of States office contained a nonhazardous powder, officials say.

On Friday, the office of Secretary of State Steve Simon was evacuated after a package addressed to "election admin" was delivered. The packages return address was listed as the "United States Traitor Elimination Army."

According to a Saturday update from Simons office, the package was found to contain a nonhazardous white powdered substance.

We are thankful for the quick response by our law enforcement partners to ensure the staff members working in our office were safe. We are also grateful to the Minnesota Department of Health, which completed the initial analysis late into the evening on September 27, Simon said in a statement.

Simon also noted that several other Secretaries of State and state election officials received similar packages earlier this month, as tensions grow ahead of this year's presidential elections.

A law enacted in Minnesota last year increased protections for election workers, including by making it illegal to intimidate them or to interfere with the administration of an election.

The FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Minnesota State Patrol are continuing to investigate the incident.
A man walks past mugs featuring pictures of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday, at a souvenir shop during national mourning for Nasrallah, in Damascus

A man walks past mugs featuring pictures of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday, at a souvenir shop during national mourning for Nasrallah, in Damascus

By Kinda Makieh and Firas Makdesi

DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Flags flew at half-mast in Damascus on Sunday and residents said they were still shocked after the killing of Hezbollah's chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, whose fighters helped Syria's army reclaim large parts of the country during its brutal civil war.

Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday, amid a significant escalation in the hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli military playing out in parallel with the Gaza war.

Syria announced three days of national mourning, with President Bashar al-Assad saying on Sunday that Nasrallah would "remain in the memory of Syrians".

In Damascus, residents expressed disbelief over Israel's killing of Nasrallah.

"He can't die. He always dreamed of martyrdom, and while this is fitting, it's still so hard to accept," said Marwa Barkouka. "He remains alive, not just as a martyr but because he lives inside us. We grew up with him here."

Syria's conflict erupted in 2011 with protests against Assad. Nasrallah in 2012 called for reform in the country, but by the next year said that Hezbollah would fight alongside Assad to prevent Syria falling to Sunni jihadi radicals, the United States and Israel.

Many credit Hezbollah's intervention for key victories, first along Syria's border with Lebanon and later on in other cities.

"For us, this man was like an entire nation. We had dignity, and now it's gone," said Ibrahim Al-Ahmad, another resident of Damascus.

But the armed group's intervention in Syria - alongside Assad's state allies Iran and Russia - also further strained relationships with the Sunni Arab world and deepened sectarian ties across the region.

Assad was shunned by the broader Arab world for a decade but Syria was welcomed back into the Arab League last year. The Arab League said last year it would cease calling Hezbollah a "terrorist organization," but ties with the Gulf remained strained.

"For someone of his stature, the entire Arab nation didn't defend him; they left him," said Baker Haidar Al-Wasiti, another Damascus resident. "We grew up hearing his voice. We always looked to him to lift our spirits," he said.

(Writing by Adam Makary; Editing by Maya Gebeily, William Maclean)
Taiwan on alert over 'multiple waves' of missile firing in inland China

FILE PHOTO: A person stands in a cafe as a news broadcast shows China announcing new military drills around Taiwan, in Keelung

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's Defence Ministry said on Sunday it was on alert after detecting "multiple waves" of missile firing deep in inland China, days after Beijing said it had carried out a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, keeps a close watch on Chinese military drills given Beijing's regular activities around the island, but only rarely releases details of what it sees taking place inside China.

The ministry said that starting from 6:50 a.m. (2250 GMT on Saturday) it had detected "multiple waves of firing" by China's Rocket Force and army in the provinces and regions of Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang, which all lie at least 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Taiwan.

Taiwan's forces are "continuously monitoring relevant developments, and air defence forces have maintained a high level of vigilance and strengthened their alert", the ministry added in a statement.

China's Defence Ministry did not answer calls seeking comment outside of office hours. The Rocket Force is in charge of China's conventional and nuclear missile arsenal.

On Thursday, Taiwan's Defence Ministry raised the alarm over a renewed surge of Chinese military activity around the island and live fire drills, accusing Beijing of policy instability.

China's military responded by saying its activities around Taiwan were "legitimate" and its drills would continue.

A day earlier, China said it had successfully conducted a rare launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, into the Pacific Ocean.

In August 2022, China fired missiles into the waters around Taiwan during war games to express anger at a visit to Taipei by then-Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

Taiwan operates powerful radar stations on some of the peaks of its central mountain range that can look far into China, according to security sources.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Helen Popper)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Substance use and abuse have had a devastating effect on the United States.

Talk Business & Politics host Roby Brock talked with award-winning author and journalist Sam Quinones about an upcoming event at Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock from 8-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, where he will talk about his insights on the drug trade epidemic.

The event is free to the public, but pre-registration for seating is required at UAMS.edu.

Roby then talks with Lexicon Inc. CEO Patrick Schueck to discuss the uptick in the construction industry and development in Arkansas.

Talk Business & Politics airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on FOX 16. For more coverage, head to TalkBusiness.net.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com.
We recently published a list of Jim Cramers Latest Portfolio: Top 9 Stocks to Buy and Sell. Since Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) ranks 4th on the list, it deserves a deeper look.

Jim Cramer is exuberant about the Federal Reserves aggressive rate cut.

Believe me, there are few things more friendly than a 50 basis point rate cut, Cramer said in a recent program.

The CNBC host said that he has reminded his viewers repeatedly that when the Fed is your enemy you should stick to recession-proof stocks that can produce consistent earnings despite market slowdowns.

Once the Fed is done tightening and we start seeing signs of impending rate cuts you need to load up on the cyclicals, the companies that see massive earnings growth when the economy accelerates, Cramer reminded his viewers about his advice on how to play the interest-rate game.

Jim Cramer has been talking about all sorts of stocks during his latest programs. In this article we picked 9 important stocks hes bearish/bullish on and analyzed these companies in detail. With each stock we have mentioned its hedge fund sentiment. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Is Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) Top Stock to Buy and Sell Jim Cramers Latest Portfolio?

Photo by Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash

Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 41

Experiential travel and cruise company Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer is recommending. When a caller asked him about the stock in a latest program, he said:

This is a really fine company and will do well for multiple years because they have many ships coming in. Buy Viking.

Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) operates about 85 vessels and offers unique cruise experiences on major rivers, such as in Europe and the Mississippi, alongside global ocean and expedition voyages. Its primary revenue sources are cruise and land (93%) and onboard & other (7%).

VIKs demand strength stands out within the travel and leisure industry, driven by both capacity expansion and favorable pricing. In the second quarter, the company saw a 9.1% year-over-year revenue growth, supported by a 6.6% increase in net yields (cruise revenue per passenger cruise day) and an occupancy rate of 94.3%, indicating strong demand despite growing capacity.

Story continues

Relative to its competitors, such as Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), Royal Caribbean (RCL), and Carnival Corporation (CCL), Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) is expected to grow faster, with a projected growth rate of ~14% over the next 24 months. In comparison, RCL is expected to grow at ~11%, NCLH at ~9%, and CCL at ~7%.

All of this justifies the companys forward EBITDA multiple of 10.6x, compared to 8.9x for its competitors.

Overall, Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) ranks 4th on Insider Monkeys list titled Jim Cramers Latest Portfolio: Top 9 Stocks to Buy and Sell. While we acknowledge the potential of Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK), 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 VIK 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.
Autumn Cordellione is already allowed to use panties, make-up, and form-fitting clothing

Taxpayers must fund sex reassignment surgery for an inmate who murdered an 11-month-old baby, a judge in Indiana has ruled.

Born Jonathan C Richardson, the inmate now known as Autumn Cordellione is serving a 55-year prison sentence after being convicted of murder by strangulation in 2001. The victim was Cordelliones stepdaughter.

The inmate has sought sex reassignment surgery, including an orchiectomy and vaginoplasty, arguing it is the only remedy to treat persistent gender dysphoria.

The state of Indiana prohibits its prison service from funding gender reassignment surgeries for its inmates.

But the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the Indiana Department of Corrections on Cordelliones behalf, arguing the state law violated the Eighth Amendments prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.

The lawsuit, first brought in 2023, said Cordellione has identified as a woman since the age of six but was only diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2020 and has been prescribed female hormones and testosterone blockers.

Cordellione has consistently taken the hormone medications ever since and has been receiving other accommodations behind bars in an all-male facility, including womens panties, make-up, and form-fitting clothing, the lawsuit said.

Attempted castration

Court filings revealed Cordellione has a history of self-harm, including an attempted castration.

The ACLU argued the next step of receiving sex reassignment surgery, or gender-affirming surgery, was a medical necessity.

She believes that the only remedy for her persistent gender dysphoria, and the serious harm it causes her, is to receive gender-affirming surgery, specifically an orchiectomy and vaginoplasty, it said in court filings.

A federal judge in Indiana has now agreed that denying the surgery would be unconstitutional.

Specifically, Ms Cordellione has shown that her gender dysphoria is a serious medical need, and that, despite other treatments  provided her to treat her gender dysphoria, she requires gender-affirming surgery to prevent a risk of serious bodily and psychological harm, Judge Richard Young said in his ruling.

He ordered Indianas Department of Corrections to take all reasonable actions to ensure the killer receives the sex reassignment surgery.

The states attorney-general vowed to fight the ruling. Todd Rokita, a Republican, told Fox News: Taxpayers do not want to pay for these kinds of surgeries.

The science is not at all settled that this is a proper procedure or that not doing this procedure amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

You can undoubtedly expect our office to appeal this decision, he added in a post on X.

Ken Falk, the ACLU of Indianas legal director, said the ruling marked a significant victory for transgender individuals in the states prisons.

Denying evidence-based medical care to incarcerated people simply because they are transgender is unconstitutional. We are pleased that the court agreed, he said.

Cordellione was convicted of strangling the 11-month-old baby while her mother  the murderers then wife  was out at work on Sept 12, 2001.

According to Fox News, Cordellione filed a separate lawsuit last year against a prison chaplain for allegedly preventing the inmate from wearing a hijab outside of a cell despite identifying as a Muslim woman.

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.
TDOT provides update on roadway conditions in Tennessee

TENNESSEE (WJHL)  The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) provided an update on roadway conditions in the state Sunday after devastating flooding tore through the northeast region.

TDOT Deputy Commissioner & Chief Engineer Will Reid and TDOT Region 1 Communications Officer Mark Nagi hosted the briefing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Teachers and support staff at a south Lincolnshire secondary school are set to strike for two days over concerns about pupil behaviour and excessive workload.

Staff at The Deepings School, a mixed 11-18 comprehensive in Deeping St James, will walk out on Tuesday and Wednesday, The National Education Union (NEU) said.

The union said staff were left with no choice but to take action after receiving no response from management to an offer of further talks to attempt to resolve issues.

The Anthems School Trust, which runs the school, said the site would be open to all year groups on strike days and it was "fully committed to working with the unions".

The NEU said meetings were held with the trust in June and July, with a further meeting last Wednesday, but it had since had no further communication.

Both the NEU and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) that represent teachers and support staff at the school said they had made a significant effort to reach a resolution over summer.

Their members said pupil behaviour had led to safety issues, with communication with management over the problems described as "poor".

'Chaotic new year'

They accused management of constantly changing practices without consultation, leading to a high turnover of staff and recruitment difficulties.

Anthems School Trust runs 16 non-selective primary and secondary schools across the East Midlands, London and the Thames Valley.

The Deepings School was inspected by Ofsted in September 2023, with an overall rating of "requires improvement" recorded.

Gareth Jones, from the NEU, said: Education staff only take strike action as a last resort.

"Teachers at the school said the beginning of the new year had been chaotic, with timetables swapped and changed and provision for students cancelled."

A spokesperson for Anthem Schools Trust said: We understand the concerns of both the NEU and NASUWT and we continue to engage in constructive discussions with them.

We remain fully committed to working with the unions and we are striving to find a resolution that supports both staff and the leadership team, while maintaining our focus on raising educational standards for our students."

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.
Yahya Sinwar, head of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement Hamas, waves as he attends a rally in Gaza City In December 2022, marking the 35th anniversary of the group's foundation. File Photo by Hamas Movement Press Office /UPI

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Telegram has apparently further limited access to accounts affiliated with the Palestinian militia Hamas.

Accounts for Hamas in Arabic and English, and an account for Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades, all previously accessed by UPI for news reporting purposes, appear to have been restricted in recent weeks. It was not clear when the change went into effect.

"This channel can't be displayed because it violated local laws," a message reads when attempting to access each channel from the United States, even when using a virtual private network proxy to attempt to bypass the restriction.

In recent years, Telegram has seemingly tried to appease concerns from Apple and Google by restricting channels on app-store-downloaded software -- but has not restricted the same channels when the app has been downloaded directly from Telegram's website.

However, Telegram chief executive Pavel Durov was arrested in France last month on a warrant tied to the app's alleged lack of moderation in violation of the country's laws.

Since then, Durov said Telegram agreed to turn over the internet protocol addresses and phone numbers for users facing search warrants or other legal actions against them.

Other changes being made by Telegram include tasking moderators and artificial intelligence to help find and remove "problem content" from public search features.

"Search on Telegram is more powerful than in other messaging apps because it allows users to find public channels and bots," Durov said. "Unfortunately, this feature has been abused by people who violated our Terms of Service to sell illegal goods."

He did not appear to discuss any geopolitical conflicts in his reasoning, focusing his message on criminal groups.

But with the restrictions on Hamas accounts, authorities in the West allied to Israel have functionally snipped off public access to information and statements from the Hamas militia allowing Israel increased control over messaging around its war effort.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton lived the most productive years of her political life as a resident of Highwood Avenue in Tenafly from 1868 to 1887.

TENAFLY  Borough officials celebrated the approval of sister-city status with Seneca Falls, New York, honoring longtime resident and women's activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton on Sunday with a reading of proclamations that were approved by their governing bodies last month.

Councilwoman Julie O'Connor joined Kathy Jans-Duffy, town judge of Tyre, near Seneca Falls, in reading the resolutions during the Celebration of Women's Voting Rights at Borough Hall.

"Stanton, once a resident of Tenafly, was a pioneering force in the women's suffrage movement and worked closely with Susan B. Anthony to advocate for the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote," O'Connor read during the ceremony.

Present was Stanton's great-great-granddaughter, Coline Jenkins, co-founder and president of the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Trust.

"Elizabeth's interest was in the law," Jenkins told some 200 audience members in the council chamber. "The most fundamental right for her was the right for women to vote."

The proclamations contain no specific duties or commitments other than "an opportunity to honor and promote the legacy of Elizabeth Cady Stanton." Jenkins encouraged a "new vision of working toward Tenafly becoming part of the National Park for Women's Rights," now headquartered in Seneca Falls.

Stanton was living in Seneca Falls when she presented a Declaration of Rights and Sentiments for women at a two-day convention there in 1848. The most controversial resolution was the "sacred right of the elective franchise," which the convention hesitated to approve until abolitionist Frederick Douglass voiced his support.

Three years later, Stanton was introduced to Susan B. Anthony, initiating a 51-year partnership working toward women's rights. As Stanton put it, "I forged the thunderbolts. She fired them."

From then on, Anthony spent much of her time living with Stanton, including from 1868 to 1887 in her home at 135 Highwood Ave., named a national monument in 1975. Tenafly's train station was renamed in Stanton's honor in May.

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote, was not ratified until August 1920, 18 years after Stanton's death.

Assemblywoman Shama Haider credited Elizabeth Cady Stanton for her election as a "Pakistani woman of color." She spoke at an event in Tenafly on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, to recognize Stanton and her years living in the borough.

Other speakers Sunday included Kristi Currie, who read Sojourner Truth's poem "Ain't I a Woman?" Tomasina Schwarz, president of the Northern Valley League of Women Voters, praised Stanton for her "courage and audacity." Assemblywoman Shama Haider credited Stanton's efforts for her election as "a Pakistani woman of color."

Kristi Currie read Sojourner Truth's poem "Ain't I a Woman?" at the gathering in Tenafly to celebrate the work of Elizabeth Cady Stanton on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. Marsha Stoltz/NorthJersey.com

Former State Sen. Loretta Weinberg hailed Stanton for raising issues that "still resound with us today."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Tenafly NJ, Seneca Falls celebrate sister city link on women's rights
Tenn. Woman's Death Was Initially Ruled a Suicide. Then Her Mom Allegedly Got Killer to Confess

Jamie Dickerson spent a year asking questions and seeking evidence in her quest for justice for her daughter, April Holt

Courtesy Jamie Dickerson Jamie Dickerson and her daughter, April Holt, and Dickerson holding the book she wrote about grieving

 Mother of two April Holt, 29, of Tennessee, was found dead in her bathroom with a bag over her face in July 2023, police said

 Authorities said Holt died by suicide, but her mother, Jamie Dickerson, insisted she'd been the victim of a homicide.

 Dickerson began investigating on her own



The moment Jamie Dickerson saw her daughter in the hospital on life support  with bruises on her neck and ankles and broken blood vessels on her cheeks  she says she knew the 29-year-old had been victimized by another person.

I knew it was foul play, Dickerson tells PEOPLE about her daughter, April Holt, a mother of two from Antioch, Tenn.

Dickerson, however, had been told that her daughter had tried to take her own life on July 29, 2023, after Aprils husband said he found her unresponsive in the shower with a bag taped to her head.

Dickerson didnt believe it then and she didnt believe it in the weeks and months after April died from her injuries July 31, 2023.

Shed requested a divorce two weeks prior, says Dickerson.

April had previously tried to leave her husband, Donovan Holt, 33, she says, but she'd never gone through with it.

But in her latest attempt, says Dickerson, April was serious."

Insisting that her daughter did not die by suicide, Dickerson, 45, of Bell Buckle, embarked on a year-long investigation that included bringing important evidence to light and in June, allegedly drawing out a confession from Donovan herself.

In July, Metro Nashville Police Department Cold Case Unit detectives allegedly obtained an official confession from Donovan, who, authorities claim, admitted he was responsible for strangling his wife, according to a statement from the department.

Indicted by a grand jury on charges of reckless homicide, evidence tampering and false reporting, Donovan was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, on Thursday, Sept. 19, according to the MNPD. It's not immediately clear if he has entered a plea and PEOPLE was unable to reach an attorney for him.

He was extradited back to Nashville, where he is being held on $75,000 bond in Davidson County Jail awaiting his Oct. 23 arraignment, according to online court records. It is unclear whether he has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Donovan Holt

Dickerson, who first spoke to local outlet Fox 17, News, says she worked relentlessly, two to three hours a day for months and months" in her quest for justice for April.

I had to fight for her," she says.

When it comes to protecting their children, she adds, Moms have superpowers.

Solving Her Daughter's Homicide

April, who owned her own lash studio in Nashville, loved being a mother to her daughter, 12, from another relationship, and son, 8, whom she had with Donovan, and was looking forward to the future, Dickerson says.

So when Dickerson saw her daughters battered body, she immediately told police she believed April was the victim of a homicide. I knew my baby, she says. But they didnt believe me."

Courtesy Jamie Dickerson Jamie Dickerson and her daughter, April Holt

In November 2023, the Medical Examiners Office ruled her death a suicide due to complications of suffocation, the MNPD said.

Still, Dickerson followed her gut and persisted.

I had to keep calling for meetings with the DA and the police department, she says, claiming that police largely "disregarded" her questions.

Determined to find answers, she turned for help to the Community Review Board, a police advisory and review committee for the city of Nashville.

Four months later, the board sent her a 47-page report with one glaring piece of alleged evidence: that the only fingerprints on the bag and tape found around Aprils neck were Donovans.

Despite that, They said they still didn't have enough evidence to convict him, Dickerson says.

So she kept going. She sent Donovan a screenshot of the report. I told him he had a choice, she says. He could tell me what happened, or I was going to go to the cold case department.

Donovan subsequently called her and allegedly said he had strangled April, dragged her to the shower and taped a bag over her face to make it seem like she died by suicide, says Dickerson, who recorded the conversation.

She notified the MNPD, who began investigating anew.

The MNPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs questions about why the department didnt initially pursue the case as a homicide.

Helping Others

To help others who have lost loved ones, Dickerson is working on starting the Grieve With Me Center in honor of Aprils memory.

Courtesy Jamie Dickerson April Holt

In a GoFundMe she created to raise money for the center, she wrote that she is starting the center because there were few resources for her and her grandchildren when April died. Her aim is to create "a place to just sit and be, enjoy a cup of coffee, a place of grief resource classes, youth grief groups, grieving through art classes, and future grief camps.

She also wants to create a new state law to make it easier for families to seek justice for their loved ones.

I want to keep Aprils light on, she says. I'm going to keep doing things that let her shine.



If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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Read the original article on People.
On Saturday, the Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association confirmed the death of a state trooper injured in a crash earlier this month in Ector County.

A Texas state trooper was airlifted to a Lubbock hospital with serious injuries after he was hit by a car on duty on Sept. 17 in Ector County, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal previously reported.

Texas DPS Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez, U.S. Army veteran and a 2023 DPS graduate, died from his injuries received during a Sept. 17 crash in Ector County.

At the time, the trooper's name was not released; however, the Texas DPS Officers Association has identified the trooper as Kevin Ramirez Vasquez.

DPSOA Regional Director released a statement Saturday afternoon, saying, "Vasquez acceded to his injuries with his loving family by his side."

Vazquez was a 2023 DPS graduate stationed in Odessa and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. DPSOA asked the public to keep Vasquez's family in their thoughts and prayers during this time.

"Trooper Ramirez Vasquez is a man of valor, honor, purpose, and a true servant leader, he will never be forgotten," reads the statement. "Today, in his final lifesaving act, Trooper Ramirez Vasquezs organs were donated to save others."

To help the family of Vazquez, DPSOA asked the public to make donations to Help A Hero, which has a campaign under the name of Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas state trooper dies from injuries in West Texas crash
Early morning  clink, clink!  champagne bottles are delivered by Tugendhat supporters, all barely old enough to drink them. Toms winning the battle for T-shirts at the Tory conference in Birmingham.

After hearing that James Cleverly was holding a drinks party called Bevs with Clevs, I texted Team Tuggers to suggest they advertise Dom with Tom, as in Perignon. There was some confusion. His staff thought I was suggesting Tom put on high heels and spank the delegates. Well, I said, its his best shot at winning.

This is a party in need of a good smack. Some members think the election went well (better than we feared), others that Labours implosion guarantees a return to power if we pick the right leader.

In reality, Starmers poll numbers could hit historic lows and it would make no difference. His Commons majority is enormous. So long as the centre-Right is divided, hell keep it. The only issue that matters, the one question leadership contenders should be discussing, is how to heal the rift with Reform. Till thats fixed, the attention given to this conference is pointless, and the hundreds of policemen patrolling it are redundant  except to protect journalists from Kemi Badenoch.

I thought Kemi was going to thump Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday-morning TV. Not all cultures are equally valid, she had written for The Telegraph. Who do you mean? asked Laura. I know what youre trying to do, replied Kemi, You want me to say Muslims, but Im not going to do that  although the eagle-eared noticed she had done that very thing.

Vote Kemi to keep the party in the headlines; Cleverly to reunite it; Tom to woo the Centre; Jenrick to woo the Right. The range of candidate pitches illustrates just how screwed the Tories are: they actually have to do all of the above, without being accused of contradiction.

Implicit within Kemis culture war rhetoric and Jenricks focus on immigration is an admission that minus Reforms share of the vote, they can never re-enter office.

But Cleverlys emphasis upon experience reflects the perception that theyve chased populism over competence, while the preference of the media for Tom  you could hold a vote in the press lobby and hed win by a landslide  is a reminder that theyve shed as many wet votes as dry ones since Brexit. His activists wear Tugend-hats, and he addressed a rally atop a crate labelled the Tugend-box.

The spirit of Toms campaign recalls Quintin Hogg at the Blackpool Tory conference in 1963, the first modern Tory leader beauty pageant. Hogg handed out badges with a Q on them and was photographed feeding his baby in the foyer of the hotel, gimmicks with which were now very familiar.

At the time, delegates judged it vulgar. They preferred the urbane Alec Douglas-Home, who, in the opinion of Reggie Maudling, was everything they wanted to be: A good athlete; not brilliant but intelligent, a man of charm, integrity and balance.

Post-war Toryism was a club either for gentlemen or people who aspired to be gentlemen, and the loss of that patrician spirit is as damaging to the partys fortunes as its U-turns on tax or borders. Just as Labour looks ridiculous claiming to be a working-class party while destroying industry and utilising personal shoppers, the Conservative claim to be the natural party of government  the guardian of the constitution  is absurd given its abdication of moral authority, its loss of duty and purpose.

The Tories crow at Labours donorgate crisis. Have they forgotten the Covid contracts? The No 10 parties? The sex scandals? Because the voters havent. The one solid perception they had of Rishi Sunak during the general election was that hes an insanely rich man using politics to burnish his CV for a career in America  and this hasnt gone away just because they now judge Starmer to be equally venal.

Polls suggest Labour has slipped, yes, but the Tories havent gained  for the brand is ruined. The best hope might not be to court Reform but amalgamate with it, to create a new party  a conservative alliance  united around a handful of core principles.

Beyond a true reckoning and reconstruction, what am I watching here in Brum but an audition to lose? Some say the next Tory prime minister isnt in parliament yet. I suspect they are yet to be born.

Dressing for conference

I overdressed for the Labour conference, in a blazer and chinos, and have now dressed down for the Tories, in a big yellow jumper and jeans. Within this sea of business suits, I give the impression of Tony Benns ghost  minus the pipe.

For Sunday Mass, I went to the Birmingham Oratory, where they dress as they like, but always well. At one end of my pew was a family who had put their little boy in a seersucker jacket. On the other, a devout lady who wore a mantilla and knelt on the wooden floor, yet between her mortifications slipped on a pair of slippers: purple and fluffy.

I miss my home and my dog. His winter coat is coming through, which causes him to itch, and the only way to relieve it is to put him on your lap and scratch his back. My mothers doing it while Im away. Lucky woman.

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Thousands of people protested and joined funeral prayers across Pakistan for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli air strike in Lebanon (Aamir QURESHI) (Aamir QURESHI/AFP/AFP)

Thousands of people protested in Pakistan cities on Sunday after the Iran-backed group Hezbollah confirmed that its longtime chief had been killed by an Israeli air strike in Lebanon.

Hezbollah said on Saturday Hassan Nasrallah was killed in the strike on Beirut's southern suburbs a day earlier, dealing a massive blow to the group he had led for decades.

Around 4,000 people gathered in the Pakistan capital Islamabad and 3,000 thousand in the southern port city of Karachi during rallies and funeral prayers for Nasrallah led by Shiite Muslim groups.

"We stand against what Israel is doing in Palestine and Lebanon, this is why we are here today," 27-year-old Taskeen Zafar said during the rally in Islamabad.

The killing of Nasrallah marked a sharp escalation in nearly a year of tit-for-tat cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israel, and risks plunging the wider region into war.

"Pakistan strongly condemns the growing Israeli adventurism in the Middle East," Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.

"Yesterday's reckless act of killing the Secretary General of Hezbollah in Lebanon constitutes a major escalation in an already volatile region."

Hezbollah began low-intensity cross-border strikes on Israeli troops a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, triggering war in the Gaza Strip.

Nearly a year later, Israel announced a shift in focus to battling Hezbollah on its northern front.

Hamas's 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 41,595 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The UN has described the figures as reliable.

stm/pbt
Thousands of protesters waving Portuguese flags and roaring the national anthem rallied in Lisbon on Sunday to express their anger at "illegal" and "uncontrolled" immigration.

The demonstrators marched behind banners demanding the "end of mass immigration" and the expulsion of immigrants guilty of crimes at the protest called by the far-right Chega party, the country's third-largest political force.

Immigration is "very good" but "rules are needed," said Cecilia Guimaraes, a 66-year-old teacher whose parents emigrated to Canada.

"We emigrated legally. That's how it should happen in a developed country," she told AFP, complaining of a rise in insecurity she fears is linked to foreign arrivals.

Chega lawmaker Rui Afonso said Portugal and other European countries were unable to control entries, which generated a "feeling of insecurity" because "we don't know their past".

Afonso added that European nations were ill-equipped to "decently" take in immigrants who were sometimes "forced to live on the street and fall into crime".

Among the protesters was Chega leader Andre Ventura, whose party more than quadrupled its seats at this year's election.

Tensions surfaced as the march approached working-class neighbourhoods with large immigrant populations. Some protesters engaged in a standoff with pro-immigration activists in favour of a Portugal open to foreigners.

Posters reading "No Portugal without immigrants" also covered walls and bus stops along the route of the march.

The number of foreigners living in Portugal jumped by 33.6 percent last year to reach more than one million, about one-tenth of the total population, according to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum.

The centre-right government toughened migration policy in June. It scrapped a measure allowing immigrants to apply for regularisation if they could prove they had been working for at least one year even if they had entered the country illegally.

lf/imm/jj
Waiting for a Harris or Trump victory before buying US stocks? Here's why it could cost you $1.6 million

With just a few weeks left until the 60th U.S. presidential election, many investors are bracing for a change in administration either way.

The S&P 500 has delivered an annualized return of 11.8% since President Joe Biden took office in 2021, according to Forbes. However, since the incumbent isnt running for re-election, Wall Street has been focused on the economic policies of Vice President Kamala Harris and former-President Donald Trump.

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These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024  and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how

Which of these contenders is better for the stock market? According to professional investors, that question is irrelevant. Heres why.

Forget politics

Paul Hickey, the co-founder of Bespoke Investment Group, assembled stock market data over the past 70 years to figure out how changes in the executive branch impacted stocks.

Based on his analysis, an investor who placed $1,000 in the stock market in 1953 and held it only under Republican presidents would have managed to accumulate $27,400 by 2023. Meanwhile, an investor who placed $1,000 in the market and held it only under Democratic presidents would have managed to accumulate $61,800 over the same period.

Does this mean investors do better under Democratic regimes and investors should sell their stocks if Trump wins? Not exactly. Hickey attributes this result to there being more Democratic presidents during this time period, and thus allowing for more time in the market.

Going one step further, he analyzed the returns of an investor who placed $1,000 in the stock market in 1953 and held it throughout the 70-year period, regardless of who was in the White House during that time. This investor managed to accumulate a whopping $1,690,000.

Simply put, investors who couldnt set aside their politics managed to miss out on over $1.6 million in total wealth accumulation.

Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market  here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead

Other experts agree

Financial services giant BNY Mellon conducted a similar but broader study recently. Its analysis of the S&P 500s average returns from 1933 to 2023 found that investors can enjoy steady returns regardless of which combination of Democrats and Republicans held the presidency, congress and senate.

Story continues

We advise investors not to mix politics with investing, says the report. This view is also echoed by legendary investor Warren Buffett.

All my life Ive been hearing half the country say that if the person favored by the other half wins things are going to go to hell, he told CNBCs Becky Quick in 2019. Ive lived under 15 presidents, 14 of them Ive invested under. I didnt invest under Hoover, I was a little young then. But seven were Republicans, seven were Democrats.

Buffetts exceptional track record highlights the fact that time in the market is more important than timing the market, even when it comes to political events.

A 2023 study by Wealthfront found that investors could reduce their risk of losing money in the stock market from 25.2% down to just 4.8% by extending their time horizon from one year to eight years. In other words, your performance is likely to be better if you simply ignore the next two elections and stay committed regardless of who wins the White House in November.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
This undated photo provided by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria shows an exterior view of The Graton Resort and Casino in Rohnert Park, Calif. (Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria via AP)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  For decades a small, landless tribe in Northern California has been on a mission to get land, open a casino and tap into the gaming market enjoyed by so many other tribes that earn millions of dollars annually.

The Koi Nation's chances of owning a Las Vegas-style casino seemed impossible until a federal court ruling in 2019 cleared the way for the tiny tribe to find a financial partner to buy land and place it into a trust to make it eligible for a casino.

Now the tribe of 96 members has teamed up with the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, which owns the biggest casino in the world, and is waiting for U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to decide whether the 68-acre (27-hectare) parcel the tribe bought for $12.3 million in Sonoma County in 2021 is put into trust.

Placing the land into trust would allow the Koi to move closer to building a $600 million casino and resort on prime real estate in the heart of Northern Californias wine country.

The decision comes as the U.S. government tries to atone for its history of dispossessing Indigenous people of their land, in part through a federal legal process that goes beyond reinstating ancestral lands and allows a tribe to put land under trust if it can prove a significant historical connection to the land.

The Koi Nation, a Southeastern Pomo tribe whose ancestors lived in Northern California for thousands of years, faces mounting opposition from other tribes and even California Gov. Gavin Newsom over its plans for the Shiloh Resort and Casino, which would include a 2,500-slot machine casino and 400-room hotel with spa and pool.

If approved, the casino would be built near Windsor, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of San Francisco, near two other Native American casinos a few miles away: Graton Resort and Casino in Rohnert Park and River Rock Casino in Geyserville.

The money generated would allow tribal members a better life in one of the country's most expensive regions, including educational opportunities for young tribe members, said Dino Beltran, Vice Chairman of the Koi Nations Tribal Council.

It has taken us years to be on the same playing field as every other tribe in the United States and now the same tribes that have established themselves are against us. Its a very sad thing, Beltran said.

Among the most vocal critics of the Koi Nations project is Greg Sarris, chairman of Graton Rancheria, a federation of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo people with more than 1,500 members. The tribe's casino is the biggest in the Bay Area and is undergoing a $1 billion expansion.

Sarris, who last year was appointed by Newsom to the University of California Board of Regents, said the Koi Nation are Southeastern Pomo people whose ancestral home is in Lake County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of the project site.

The tribe, Sarris said, is not linguistically, culturally or historically connected to Sonoma County and he accused the tribe of cherry-picking land that already draws tourists.

They are claiming that part of their deep historical connection is they had a family member in the early 20th century who lived in Sonoma County, Sarris scoffed.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, enacted by Congress in 1988, sets rules for how and where Native American tribes can operate casinos, and generally limits them to ancestral lands that have been returned to the tribe.

But the law also makes a restored lands exception for federally recognized tribes that do not have a reservation  or rancheria, as they are called in California  to build a casino outside their ancestral land if the tribe can show historical and modern connections to the area where the gambling facility will be located. The land also has to be near where a significant number of tribal members reside.

Generally speaking, tribes cannot game on any land that is taken into trust after 1988 but there are important exceptions to that general prohibition that are meant to be fair to tribes that did not have land in 1988, said Kathryn Rand, an expert on tribal gaming law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegass International Center for Gaming Regulation.

Before white colonizers arrived in California, Koi Nations ancestors lived on an island in Lake County and traded with other tribes in Northern California, according to the tribes website.

In 1916, the U.S. government approved land in Lake County for Koi Nation's rancheria about 28 miles (45 kilometers) north of the proposed casino site. The land was eventually declared uninhabitable by the Bureau of Indian Affairs because of its rocky terrain and many Koi families moved south to neighboring Sonoma County, mainly to Sebastopol and Santa Rosa, where the tribe is now headquartered.

Four decades later, the federal government took that land and sold it for an airport, leaving the tribe landless. After a lengthy court battle, a federal judge in 2019 ruled the Koi Nation had the right to pursue buying land for a casino.

Michael Anderson, a Koi Nation attorney, said a historic trail used by the tribe from the Clear Lake basin to Bodega Bay, on Sonoma Countys Pacific Coast, runs through a portion of the property, which supports the legal requirement of having a "significant historical connection to the land.

Anderson said their legal case is strong. But, the politics is a whole different thing, he added.

Sarris, whose casino gives millions to small, non-gaming tribes and has become a major donor to California politicians, said the Koi Nation has previously tried to get land under trust to open a casino in Solano and Alameda Counties  both in the San Francisco Bay Area  and accused the tribe of reservation shopping.

Anderson said the term was offensive and Sarris is simply trying to protect his lucrative casino from competition.

This is about market protection, thats the heart of it, Anderson said.

Newsom and local politicians also oppose the project along with the Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians, which operates River Rock Casino.

Newsoms office sent a letter last month to Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Bryan Newland urging him not to move forward with the Shiloh casino project and another proposed casino in the Bay Area, saying the governor is concerned the department is not considering other sites for the casinos and approving them would stretch the limits of the restored lands exception."

The department is weighing three other land trust applications under the restored lands exception, including one by the Scotts Valley Tribe that wants to build a casino in Solano County. In Oregon, the Coquille Indian Tribe wants to open a casino in Medford, about 170 miles (273 kilometers) south of its tribal headquarters and closer to the California border.

Casino-owning tribes are pushing back on both. The Guidiville Rancheria tribe in Northern California has applied but has not yet identified land for their project, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Haaland will consider several factors in making her decision, including opposition to the casinos, said Steve Light, an expert on tribal gaming policy at the UNLV International Center for Gaming Regulation.

But the secretary also will take into account whether the casino will help with "tribal self-determination, tribal self-governance, and tribal economic development, job creation and resources for the tribe, he said.

Of the 574 federally recognized tribes, 110 are in California. According to the American Gaming Association, there are 87 tribal casinos in the state, making California the largest tribal gaming market in the country.

With 40 million people in California, this is presumably still an untapped market, but one that is increasingly competitive, Light said.

__

This story has been updated to correct the name of the law that regulates tribal casinos. It is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Tories must change or die, says Andrew RT Davies

Andrew RT Davies addressed the Tory conference in Birmingham on Sunday [Reuters]

The Conservative Party must change quickly or "die", the party's leader in the Senedd has said.

Andrew RT Davies added that colleagues should apologise for not keeping immigration promises.

Davies addressed the Birmingham conference on Sunday, the first gathering of Tory politicians and activists since July's election defeat.

The party lost power at Westminster and was reduced to 121 MPs.

The Conservatives were wiped out in Wales.

As well as failings on immigration, voters were turned off by the party's "dogmatic" stance on the economy, Davies said.

He said there needed to be a "zero tolerance" approach to immigration, with those in the UK illegally removed swiftly.

Davies said: "The Conservative Party must change. No party has a God-given right to govern. We failed to keep our promises and we must say sorry.

"By proudly reflecting our conservative values, we will persuade them [voters] to back the Welsh Conservatives.

"But we must also change how we are perceived on the economy. We must be seen as pragmatists, not ideologues."

Davies believed his party's take on things like nationalisation must change.

The Conservative conference is taking place at Birmingham's International Convention Centre [NEC Group]

"Welsh industries and communities have paid the price of globalisation and our party must do more to protect them," he said.

"We must show that we care, and defend their sense of community, togetherness, and local pride.

"If our party changes, we'll recover quickly, and we'll succeed in 2026 and 2029.

"But if we don't, well die. That's the choice."

The Labour Welsh government was dominated by an "extreme metropolitan worldview, combined with soft nationalism," he added.

This, he believed, had led to 20mph speed limits and the expansion of the Senedd rather than improving public services.

Meanwhile, Byron Davies, the shadow Welsh Secretary, suggested criticising the Welsh Labour government was not enough to woo voters at the next Senedd elections in 2026.

"Yes, while we do not agree with the 20 mile an hour limits everywhere. Yes, we understand that there is an issue with the National Health Service and waiting lists in Wales, but we've got to be able to offer something," Lord Davies told BBC Politics Wales.

"We've got to be able to say, 'look, these are our policies'.

"'This is what you can turn to, these are the opportunities that we can give you', and we need to develop that."
Homeland Security agents in Texas successfully apprehended two Venezuelan nationals who were members of the bloodthirsty gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), which has established operations throughout the U.S.

In a release Friday, the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio announced that special agents arrested the two Venezuelan nationals in San Antonio during an enforcement operation targeting the violent gang on Sept. 19.

The agency said that they received information that these individuals were allegedly involved in a conspiracy to illegally transport firearms.

Following their apprehension, both individuals were transferred into ICE custody based on their immigration violations, HSI said. The San Antonio Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) were also involved in the arrests.

Texas Offers Reward For Info On Tren De Aragua Members That Spread Terror And Carnage,' Gov Abbott Says

These images from a CBP intelligence bulletin, show tattoos and identifiers for Tren De Aragua (TdA). Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of known or suspected TdA members.

The TdA is a violent street gang believed to have originated in Venezuelan prisons and moved north over the last decade.

Read On The Fox News App

Suspected Tren De Aragua Gang Members In Aurora, Colorado, Released On $1,000 Bond

However, its reputation within the U.S. has grown this year, in part, due to a number of high-profile crimes linked to the gang, with many believed to have arrived by coming across the southern border as part of the sharp increase in migration in recent years.

The suspected Tren de Aragua gang members engaged in illegal activity including illegal dumping and drug use, according to the El Paso County Attorney's Office in Texas.

The gang made headlines recently in Aurora, Colorado, where there have been a number of arrests and reports that the gang has taken over entire apartment buildings  something local authorities have pushed back against.

Tren De Aragua Gang Members Arrested In Aurora, Colorado In Connection To Apartment Building Takeover: Police

The apprehension of the two gang members in San Antonio came after Gov. Greg Abbot declared the gang a "foreign terrorist organization" last week while announcing that the state was taking a more aggressive approach to targeting its members.

"Tren de Aragua has spread terror and carnage in every country they've been in, and Texas will not allow them to gain a foothold in our state," Abbott said in a statement. "Texas will not let these thugs use our state as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott makes an announcement on the future of the space industry in the state.

Abbott has directed DPS to elevate the gang to a Tier 1 gang and to create a TdA Strike Team that will identify and arrest its members.

Tipsters can provide information to authorities via the Texas Department of Public Safety's website by calling 1-800-252-TIPS (8477).

Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano and Adam Shaw contributed to this report.





Original article source: Tren de Aragua members of violent Venezuelan migrant gang arrested in Texas: HSI
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  This week features a trio of candidate conversations, with Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce leading off. Kunce, seeking to upset incumbent GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, weighs in on abortion and the senate filibuster, as well as immigration, energy, and other issues. And will he vote for Kamala Harris?

Then, Missouri GOP Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe shares his thoughts on abortion, the states role in the stadium competition with Kansas over the Chiefs and Royals, and on what he would do with the Eric DeValkenaere petition for a pardon or clemency.

Hes the Kansas City detective in prison for the 2019 shooting of Cameron Lamb.

Read more Politics stories from FOX4

Finally, on the Kansas side, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe talks about his leadership of the office as he seeks a fifth term, including a restructuring that has been criticized by his opponent.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A tropical depression is expected to form sometime this week in the western Caribbean Sea, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The area of low pressure resembles a similar path to Hurricane Helene, which charged rapidly through Florida and the southern region of the U.S., leaving at least 64 dead as of Saturday night.

Hurricane Helene: 11 killed in storm-related incidents across Tampa Bay

Over the next few days, gradual development of this potential disturbance is expected, and a tropical depression could form around the middle part of the week, NHC said on Sunday. As of the 6 p.m. update, it has a 50% chance of development over the next seven days.

There are two other areas we are watching. One area of low pressure in the south-central Caribbean will slowly develop. This has a 50% chance of development in the next seven days, but models strengthen this slowly over the western Gulf of Mexico. A tropical depression is expected to develop by the middle of next week. We will closely monitor this system, but it appears as though this will be a much weaker system, Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Eric Stone said.

As it is forecasted to move northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane center advises the U.S. Gulf Coast to monitor its progress.

New wave off the African coast

A brand new wave has emerged off the African coast, with a 50% chance of development over the next week as it moves west-northwest.

Theres a brand new wave that just emerged off the African coast and right now has a 50% chance of development as it moves to the west and northwest. Some gradual development is possible later next week, Stone said.

Out in the Eastern Atlantic are Hurricane Isaac and Tropical Storm Joyce. Both systems will not impact the U.S. and are gradually weakening over open water.

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.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A tropical depression is expected to form sometime this week in the western Caribbean Sea, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The area of low pressure resembles a similar path to Hurricane Helene, which charged rapidly through Florida and the southern region of the U.S., leaving at least 64 dead as of Saturday night.

(WFLA)

Over the next few days, gradual development of this potential disturbance is expected, and a tropical depression could form around the middle part of the week, NHC said on Sunday. As of the 8 a.m. ET update, it has a 50% chance of development over the next seven days. You can see its projected path in the bottom left corner of the map above.

It appears as though this will stay well to the west of the Bay Area, but of course, we will continue to monitor this system, said meteorologist Eric Stone of Nexstars WFLA.

As it is forecasted to move northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane center advises the U.S. Gulf Coast to monitor its progress.

President Biden approves federal aid for Floridians affected by Hurricane Helene

Another potential disturbance, located in the Eastern and Central Tropical Atlantic, is gradually developing and is likely to become a tropical depression in the upcoming days. NHC forecasts a 60% chance of development in 48 hours, and 80% within seven days.

Out in the Eastern Atlantic are Hurricane Isaac and Tropical Storm Joyce. Both systems will not impact the U.S. and are gradually weakening over open water.

A brand new wave has emerged off the African coast, with a 20% chance of development over the next week as it moves west-northwest.

It appears as though it will move to the northwest sooner than later and follow Joyces path and stay well away from the United States, Eric Stone added.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Former President Donald Trump announced hed be visiting Valdosta on Monday in the wake of Helenes damage to Georgia.

According to a release from the former presidents presidential campaign, Trump will receive a briefing on the devastation of Hurricane Helene and give remarks during the visit.

While in Valdosta, the former president will help distribute relief supplies.

Ahead of the storms arrival, Gov. Brian Kemp issued a disaster declaration for parts of Georgia that were expected to be impacted by Helene. President Joe Biden upgraded a federal major disaster declaration to a full emergency declaration as the storm bore down on the state after making landfall in Florida.

In the days following Helenes path through the southeast United States, the toll of lives lost and damage dealt has grown, with 64 now confirmed dead across several states and damages measured as much as $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage according to Moodys Analytics.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Hurricane Helene: GA Power shares damage estimates, how much is left to repair after storm

As it works to restore power to the Georgians impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, Georgia Power said the company had so far gotten the lights back on for about 690,000 customers.

Still, Georgia Power said that Helene, the most destructive hurricane in [the] companys history had made some of the repairs difficult due to extensive tree and flooding damage, as well as road closures.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

However, their current rapid response was made possible through what Georgia Power called its new smart grid technology and the fast work of pre-positioned teams.

In terms of the current state of affairs, Georgia Power said that as of midday Sunday, they were working to restore power to about 425,000 customers who still dont have electricity.

TRENDING STORIES:

Heres the current tally of damage and infrastructure from Helene that Georgia Power still has in the works:

5,000+ power poles that must be repaired or replaced

9,000+ spans of wire equivalent to an estimated 425 miles

500+ transformers

1,500+ trees on power lines that must be removed or addressed to restore power

To make sure they can address power restoration as fast as they can, Georgia Power said they are continuing to use additional resources from outside of its system and currently has more than 15,000 personnel engaged in response, including support from Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and dozens of other companies. The response force currently engaged is larger than the companys response to other major hurricanes including Michael, Irma and Zeta.

In the metro Atlanta area, Columbus, Macon, Rome and Albany, Georgia Power said restoration efforts were mostly finished, though theyre still working on the states hardest hit areas.

Georgia Power said there was still the potential for further damage and power outages that could occur due to the saturated ground and weakened trees while they worked on repairs across the state.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
State leaders are touring storm damage across the state left behind by Hurricane Helene earlier this week.

Across the Southeast, officials have confirmed that at least 64 people have died. Of those, at least 17 are Georgians, according to state leaders.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Saturday, Governor Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp surveyed the damage in Valdosta and met with local leaders and emergency management officials.

On Monday, the Kemps will tour the damage and meet with local leaders in Augusta. WJBF-TV reports that at least 23 people in the Augusta area, which also includes parts of South Carolina, have died as a result of Helene.

After surveying the damage, the governor will hold a press briefing with Georgia Emergency Management Agency officials for an update on the states response and cleanup efforts.

RELATED STORIES:

Senator Raphael Warnock will also visit Augusta on Monday. The exact details of his visit are unclear.

At the same time, former President Donald Trump will survey storm damage in Valdosta. According to his campaign, the former president will distribute relief supplies while there.

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Former President Trump ratcheted up his attacks against Vice President Harris over immigration, calling for her to be impeached over the weekend.

Kamalas Illegal Migrants. Its the biggest crime story of our time. She should resign or be IMPEACHED! Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.

He reiterated a similar sentiment while campaigning in Erie, Pa., on Sunday, saying at one point hundreds of people have been murdered because of her action at the border, and thousands more will follow in rapid succession. She should be impeached and prosecuted for her actions.

Both remarks were made only days after Harris visited the U.S. southern border in Arizona on Friday.

Trumps attacks against the vice president on the issue of immigration are not new. Ahead of her Arizona visit, Trump said at a separate event at Trump Tower that for nearly four years, we have been living through the worst border crisis in the history of the world, and he called her the architect of this destruction.

Harris has sought to position herself as tough on the border and has criticized Trump for the collapse of the bipartisan border bill.

But Donald Trump doesnt want to fix this problem. He talks a big game about a lot of things, Harris said at a Nevada rally in August. But he talks a big game about border security, but he does not walk the walk.

Earlier this year, we had a chance to pass the toughest bipartisan border security bill in decades, but Donald Trump tanked the bill because he thought it would help him win an election, she added, vowing to sign that legislation into law if given the chance as president.

When reached for comment, the Harris campaign pointed to her remarks on immigration while in Douglas, Ariz., where she reiterated some of the same sentiment about Trump and border legislation as she did during the Nevada event.

In the four years that Donald Trump was president, he did nothing to fix our broken immigration system. He did not solve the shortage of immigration judges, Harris said in Arizona. He did not solve the shortage of border agents. He did not create lawful pathways into our nation. He did nothing to address an outdated asylum system, and did not work with other governments in our hemisphere to deal with what clearly is also a regional challenge.

Updated at 8:24 pm EDT.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Big banks and private equity giants are joining forces to create new Wall Street super groups, with the goal of capturing a bigger slice of the $1.7 trillion private credit market.

The newest team to emerge is an alliance between Citigroup (C) and Apollo Global Management (APO), which on Thursday announced a $25 billion private credit fund focused on direct lending. It is the biggest lending partnership yet between a private financial institution and a big bank.

This is a win-win arrangement, Apollo Co-President Jim Zelter said in a press release. (Note: Apollo is the parent company of Yahoo Finance).

Citigroups head of banking and executive vice chair, Viswas Raghavan, said the bank and private equity giant will provide clients with a range of options to meet their evolving financing needs.

The joint venture lets Citis dealmakers and capital markets pros keep their client relationships and fees while offering private financing options. And crucially, it wont require the bank to lug resulting debt from those deals onto its balance sheet.

Private credit  which accounts for all debt that is not issued or traded publicly  is a loosely defined market that mushroomed over the past decade due in large part to higher interest rates and regulation that forced banks to retrench from their own leveraged lending.

The market is now roughly $1.7 trillion compared with $41 billion in 2000, according to data provider Preqin. The sum is still small compared to the total loans held by US banks  over $12 trillion.

'An arrangement'

Citigroup is far from the only major bank that is hooking up with a private lender to chase this market.

Earlier this month, French multinational bank BNP Paribas (BNP.PA) committed $5 billion to a "strategic collaboration" with Apollo subsidiary Atlas focusing on asset-backed institutional grade credit. In that alliance, BNP brings the capital while Apollo originates the loans.

This past May, Pittsburgh regional bank PNC (PNC) clinched its own agreement with asset manager TCW.

Last November, another big French bank, Societe Generale, struck an alliance with money manager Brookfield (BAM) to launch a private debt fund set to raise 10 billion ($11.2b) over the next four years that will supply credit to infrastructure providers and other private market funds.

San Francisco bank Wells Fargo (WFC) took a similar approach a year ago, striking an agreement to pass client financing opportunities to a business development company launched by money manager Centerbridge Partners.

A Wells Fargo Bank branch n New York City. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo (Reuters / Reuters)

With a minimum target of $5 billion in capital, the fund will get at least two-thirds of its capital from a British Columbia pension fund and another Abu Dhabi-owned sovereign wealth fund.

Story continues

What that does is give us an opportunity to still be relevant for clients where it's not something we're going to put on our balance sheet, but we can offer them a solution, Wells Fargo CFO Mike Santomassimo said at a UBS conference in February.

Partnership may be the wrong word, but we have an arrangement, he added.

'Frenemies'

Despite these new alliances, the relationship dynamic between regulated banking and lending by nonbank financial firms is far from simple, according to Ju-Hon Kwek, a senior partner for McKinsey.

Banks and private credit funds have been sort of frenemies for a long, long time, said Kwek, who sits in a leading role for both McKinseys North American asset management and private equity practices.

Banks can compete with private credit groups to finance deals. They also sometimes sell tranches of broadly syndicated loans to those same private credit groups. And in many cases, the countrys biggest banks are also providing credit to those same groups.

Highlighting both the increased regulatory restraint banks have on deploying their own capital and the lower leverage private funds use when lending to borrowers, Kwek pointed out that these formal partnerships demonstrate that the private credit space is indeed expected to continue growing and banks are now seeing it as another revenue streams.

The loans in that space are also likely to continue mushrooming beyond traditional financing for corporate buyouts. Over the next decade, Kwek and his collaborators expect an additional $5 to $6 trillion in loans to shift from banks to private credit, involving everything from infrastructure project financing to aircraft leasing, student loans, residential mortgages, and loans tied to higher risk commercial real estate projects.

'There could be hell to pay'

Some banks are still choosing to go it alone in the private credit world even as others join Wall Street super teams. Goldman Sachs (GS) has its own private credit platform within its asset management division that can source private financing deals from its investment bank.

Goldman asset management raised more than $20 billion for a private credit fund in late May.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) hasn't announced any formal partnerships though it was in discussions as far back as late last year. A few years ago, it set $10 billion aside from its balance sheet for direct lending.

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Tom Williams via Getty Images)

JPMorgans CEO Jamie Dimon is among those who have raised some concerns about private credit's growth, arguing that it creates more opportunities to let risks outside the regulated banking system go unmonitored.

"I do expect there to be problems," Dimon said at a Bernstein industry conference at the end of May, adding that "there could be hell to pay" if retail investors in such funds experience deep losses.

David Hollerith is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance covering banking, crypto, and other areas in finance.

Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices.

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PRAIRIE DU CHIEN  Former President Donald Trump returned to Wisconsin Saturday to give remarks in Prairie du Chien, a city of about 5,500 people along the Mississippi River that has gotten big attention from Republicans as they continue messaging to voters on immigration.

The campaign stop was held indoors at the Prairie du Chien Area Arts Center, though the campaign initially planned an outdoor event before the Secret Service raised concerns about its ability to secure the event due to staffing shortages. The auditorium sat around 300 people, but a few hundred more people waited outside to get into the venue than were let in.

Trump spent much of his speech criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris over immigration. Harris visited the U.S.-Mexico border Friday for the first time since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee and the second time as vice president.

What shes done is a total disqualifier, Trump said. We had four years of incompetence. We cant have another four years of incompetence.

Trump said illegal immigration is more important than anything having to do with the economy  this is something bigger, in a sense, because this is the fabric of our country.

Trump at one point acknowledged his hour and 15 minute speech was dark, saying hed get to celebratory Make America Great Again cheers later in the speech. In characteristically rambling and sometimes disconnected remarks, Trump railed on President Joe Biden's trips to the beach and labeled Harris "a very dumb person" and "mentally impaired."

If Kamala is reelected, your town and every town just like it all across Wisconsin and all across our country, the heartland, the coast, it doesnt matter  will be transformed into a third-world hell hole, Trump said.

Trump's visit came 37 days until Election Day. Both Trump's and Harris' campaigns have been crisscrossing the state with candidates and surrogates. Trump will be back in the state Tuesday to visit the Democratic strongholds of Milwaukee and Dane County, while second gentleman Doug Emhoff will campaign in Milwaukee the same day.

Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who is from Prairie du Chien, said he wished the former presidents visit was under better circumstances.

But leaders show up where they need to be, Van Orden said.

More: Trump, Harris are ramping up their travel in Wisconsin. See all the places they've been

Republicans focus on case involving suspected Venezuelan gang member

In the past few weeks, Trump and Republicans running for Congress in Wisconsin have circulated a case in which Prairie du Chien police say a man with ties to Tren De Aragua, a Venezuela-based transnational criminal organization, sexually assaulted a woman and attacked her daughter earlier this month.

Unlike widely debunked claims from Trump and running mate Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance about Haitian migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, most of Republicans' claims about Prairie du Chien have been accurate.

Police have said the victim and suspect knew each other, which is common in sexual assault cases, and that they have not come into contact with other members of the gang. According to the criminal complaint, the suspect and victim had been living together and dating for three weeks.

But Republicans have also made distortions about the case, including claims that police in Madison arrested and released the suspect in 2023. Both the Madison Police Department and Dane County Sheriff's Office confirmed he was never in their custody.

Madison Chief of Police Shon Barnes said officers tried to arrest him before he fled to Minnesota, where he was arrested and later released. Madison detectives continued working with federal law enforcement partners to apprehend him, Barnes said.

More: Was a Venezuelan gang member arrested in Prairie du Chien? Here's what's accurate and not.

Prairie du Chien Chief of Police Kyle Teynor, part of a panel of speakers before Trump appeared on stage, reiterated the department has not had contact with any other members of the gang before or after the incident.

Violence knows no nationality, it knows no immigration status, it knows no race and it knows no political affiliation, Teynor said, ending his speech by encouraging attendees to use your voices in November.

Teynor and Crawford County Sheriff Dale McCullick also spoke of fentanyl posing a challenge to the community, with McCullick endorsing Trumps border policies.

State Rep. Travis Tranel, left, and Prairie du Chien Chief of Police Kyle Teynor listen to former president Donald Trump at a campaign event Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

William Garcia, the state Democratic Party chair of the 3rd Congressional District, told the Journal Sentinel it was sad that (Republicans) chose to exploit a terrible incident to really divide a community."

"For Trump and Van Orden's visit to come try and turn Prairie du Chien as a place filled with crime and violence is completely false. It's a totally false narrative," Garcia said.

Sexual assault is pervasive; immigrants not more likely to commit crime

Ian Henderson from the nonpartisan Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault noted that sexual violence is a pervasive problem and that survivors and perpetrators "come from all walks of life."

"Narratives that might lead people to believe that immigrants, for example, are more likely to commit sexual violence are not helpful," Henderson said. "Anything that reinforces myths or biases that aren't grounded in what we know to be true about sexual violence, those are not helpful."

Neither are narratives that promote the "stranger myth," when in fact "most victims know the person who harmed them," he said.

About one in three women and one in five men in Wisconsin have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the state Department of Health Services.

A recent study funded by the National Institute of Justice using data from Texas  the only state that documents immigration status in criminal records  found that undocumented immigrants are arrested at less than half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens for violent and drug crimes. That includes lower rates for assault and sexual assault.

More: What we found when we reviewed 178 recent homicides related to domestic violence in Milwaukee

Democrats see opportunity in competitive western congressional race

Crawford County, where Prairie du Chien is located, voted about 53% for Trump and 46% for Biden in 2020. The western part of the state is home to the competitive 3rd Congressional District, where Van Orden faces Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke.

The Midwest has been so powerful for us. This area has been so powerful for us, Trump said, encouraging people to vote early.

The district is "where a lot of our moderate and swing voters live, it's where you can actually change minds, is here in western Wisconsin," said Garcia.

Cooke recently released an ad positioning herself as moderate and saying in part that she will "stand up to Democrats to fight for a secure border."

More: National Democrats shift Derrick Van Orden race onto priority 'Red to Blue' list

Garcia said he does hear from voters who are concerned about immigration, but it's mixed with concerns about the potential loss of undocumented workers supporting Wisconsin's dairy and agricultural sectors.

"It's very odd when you have this talk of just closing the border completely and deporting every undocumented person. That would destroy the Wisconsin economy," he said. "And Republicans don't seem capable of giving us a plan that addresses both things at once."

(This story was updated to change or add a photo or video.)

More: Farmers, factories, at the center of the immigration debate. Trump has vowed mass deportations.

Where to find help for sexual assault and domestic violence

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722.

The Womens Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at 262-542-3828.

We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org.

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump falsely calls Harris 'mentally impaired' in immigration speech
Trump to hold town hall in Fayetteville, as latest polls show race is tied in NC

Former President Donald Trump is maintaining a busy campaign schedule in North Carolina, returning to the state in what will be his third visit in two weeks.

Trump will travel to Fayetteville on Friday to hold a town hall with voters and supporters, during which, the Trump campaign said in a news release, hell take questions directly from voters, listen to their concerns, and share why his policies will put the working men and women of North Carolina first.

The town hall will mark Trumps seventh visit to North Carolina since Vice President Kamala Harris ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket and started her campaign.

Polls have shown an increasingly close race between Trump and Harris in North Carolina, which last voted for a Democratic nominee for president in 2008, when former President Barack Obama won the state.

Averages of several recent polls maintained by 538 and RealClearPolitics show Trump leading Harris in the state by 0.4 and 1.4 percentage points, respectively, both of which are well within the margins of error of most polls.

A new CNN poll of likely voters in North Carolina, conducted earlier in the week, showed the race tied, with both candidates getting 48%. Another poll released by Bloomberg and Morning Consult on Friday showed Harris leading by 2 percentage points among likely voters.

Trump won North Carolina in 2016 and 2020, but by only 1.3 percentage points the second time. His regular visits to the battleground state, a likely must-win state for him, underscore how seriously the Trump campaign has taken the state, as Harris attempts to put it back in the Democratic column.

Trump on Robinson: I dont know the situation

In a statement on Saturday, the Harris campaign criticized Trumps economic agenda and said his visits to the state have only reminded voters that hes too extreme for North Carolina.

Its time to turn the page on Trumps extremism and elect Vice President Harris to lower costs for North Carolinians, protect our fundamental freedoms, and keep our communities safe, said Michael Zhadanovsky, director of rapid response for the North Carolina Democratic Coordinated Campaign.

Trump addressed supporters in Charlotte on Wednesday, and held a rally with supporters in Wilmington a week ago. Harris was last in the state on Sept. 12, when she held back-to-back rallies in Charlotte and Greensboro.

On both occasions, Trump avoided mentioning Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor whose campaign was rocked by scandal after CNN reported that he allegedly made a number of lewd and racist comments on a pornography website several years ago.

Trump had previously endorsed Robinson and embraced his candidacy, but has kept his distance since the CNN report broke on Sept. 19. The Harris campaign, meanwhile, has sought to capitalize on Trumps support for Robinson with a campaign ad it launched the next day.

When he was asked by a reporter on Thursday if he would pull his endorsement of Robinson, Trump said, I dont know the situation.

Robinson has had to effectively rebuild his campaign during the fallout over the CNN report, with nearly all of his campaign staff resigning, and half of his staff in the lieutenant governors office also quitting.

The town hall with Trump will take place on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. at the Crown Complex in Fayetteville. Tickets can be found on his campaign website.

Under the Dome

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Republican Donald Trump said himself that his speech in Wisconsin, filled with racially charged lines about illegal immigrants, was 'dark' (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI) (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP/AFP)

Donald Trump on Saturday called Democrat Kamala Harris "mentally impaired" and said illegal immigrants are out to cut the throats of ordinary Americans in their own homes as he doubled down on the racially charged rhetoric fueling his unprecedented bid to regain the US presidency.

Trump was seeking to strike back at Harris after she visited the US-Mexico border on Friday and vowed to do more to control asylum claims and undocumented migrant crossings.

The issue is one of the Democratic vice presidents weakest in polling, as she runs neck-and-neck against Trump in the November 5 election.

Trump dismissed Harriss speech at the border, swearing and telling supporters in the small town of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, that President Joe Biden and Harris are responsible for an "invasion" of violent criminals.

Anti-immigrant sentiment has been at the core of Trump's appeal in economically depressed, majority-white parts of the country ever since his 2016 presidential victory, but the rhetoric is turning ever more extreme as election day nears.

The 78-year-old businessman -- the first major presidential candidate in US history to be a convicted felon and subject of multiple ongoing court cases -- said former California prosecutor Harris, 59, is "dumb."

"Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way. She was born that way. And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country," he said.

Harris, meanwhile, spent Saturday at a fundraiser in San Francisco, California, where she said Trump was using "the same tired playbook we've heard for years."

"This election is about two very different visions for our nation and we see that contrast on the campaign trail," she said.

Trump spoke in Wisconsin while flanked on stage by large mugshots of migrants accused of crimes, painting a hellish picture of an America under violent assault -- despite a plunge this year in illegal border crossings and what the FBI says is a steep decline in crime overall, particularly murder.

"They will walk into your kitchen, they'll cut your throat," Trump said of illegal immigrants.

"Small towns in America are terrified of migrants coming in and, even when they haven't arrived, theyre terrified," he said. They will "rape, pillage, thieve, plunder and kill the people of the United States of America."

The illegal migrants, whom he called "animals," will take the jobs of minorities and of union workers, he added.

Apparently rankled by Harriss bid Friday to deliver a tough message on the Mexican border, Trump cursed on the nationally streamed event and branded her "a liar."

He complained that Fox News, the conservative network which has provided him with a loyal platform throughout his White House career, had covered Harris's speech.

"They shouldnt be allowed to put it on," he said.

Evidently, Trump was aware that his speech was unlike what Americans have been used to in presidential campaigns over the years.

He paused at one point to say: "Isnt this a wonderful and inspiring speech? Ive got people sitting in the front row -- theyre going 'oh my God.'"

"This is a dark, this is a dark speech," he said.

sms/jgc
Donald Trump said Sunday hes tired of flipping on Fox News to find Democrats like Pete Buttigieg on the air.

In what was part of a volley of rage posts he shared on Truth Social, the former president called on Fox to stop inviting liberals onto its shows to argue against what Republican guestsand the networks own right-wing hostshave to say.

CNN will not put on a Republican Conservative, nor will MSDNC (sic), Trump wrote. But Fox is constantly putting on Liberal Democrats to counter previous guests from the Right, thereby nullifying any message they may happen to give - The Fake News is already unfair enough to Republicans, we dont need it from Fox, also.

Fox News Host Calls Donald Trump the Hold-up Standing Between a Second Debate

Buttigieg has a knack for going on the typically pro-Trump network and dismantling hosts arguments, but its unclear which appearance from a Democrat was the final straw that prompted Trump to speak out.

Earlier that day, the network had invited Democratic Sen. Chris Coons on to Fox News Sunday to discuss Trump's recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Coons said that he was glad they met but noted there was an awkward moment where Trump bragged that he was a very good friend of Russian President Vladimir Putins.

Trump Brags About Very Good Relationship With Putin While Hosting Zelensky

And you could see Zelensky sort of stiffen up and go, Well, I hope youre a better friend of Ukraine than you are a friend of Russia under Putin, Coons said. So, it was a strikingly awkward moment.

We should not have a president of the United States saying that he is seeking to be a better friend of Vladimir Putin, Coons added.

In other posts Sunday, the ex-president raged Sunday against negative ads, which he also runs, and bizarrely declared, Theres something wrong with Kamala, I just dont know what it isbut there is something missing, and everybody knows it!

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Former President Trump slammed Fox News in front of a crowd of supporters at a rally in Wisconsin on Saturday, ripping the news outlet for airing Vice President Harriss remarks after visiting part of the southern border in Arizona on Friday.

I have to sit there and listen to her bulls last night. And who puts it on? Fox News, and they shouldnt be allowed to put it on, Trump said, adding that everything Harris said is a lie.

Harris said that she would secure the border and stop illegal drugs from crossing into the U.S. in her remarks on Friday.

Trump has tried to keep the border a top issue for voters as Election Day nears, consistently hitting the Biden-Harris administration on their immigration policies. Polling also shows that immigration, alongside the economy, are top issues for voters.

Since Harris entered the race in July, Republicans have dubbed her President Bidens border czar, a word some media outlets used after the president asked her to lead our efforts with Mexico and the Northern Triangle and help with stemming the migration to our southern border in 2021.

The Trump campaigns first ad against Harris, after she claimed the top spot on the Democratic ticket in July, bashed her for her role in addressing migration at the U.S. border.

Harris, however, has touted her record on immigration policy, arguing in a recent ad that shes tougher than Trump on the issue.

Earlier this week, Trump criticized Harris for the planned trip to Arizona, saying she was only visiting the border for political reasons.

After almost four years, Border Czar Kamala Harris has decided, for political reasons, that its time for her to go to our broken Southern Border, Trump posted on Truth Social. What a disgrace that she waited so long, allowing millions of people to enter our Country from prisons, mental institutions, and criminal cells all over the World, not just South America, many of those coming are terrorists, and at a level never seen before!

At the end of 2023, migrant encounters on the border hit a record high, but border patrol apprehensions this past summer were down by almost half compared to the previous year, as the Biden administration imposed stricter immigration measures. July border encounters were at the lowest in the last four years.

The Hill has contacted Fox News for comment.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Trump slams Harris for handling of immigration, fracking reversal in Erie campaign stop

Former President Donald Trump painted a grim picture of America's immigration crisis at his nearly two-hour speech in critical bellwether Erie County, saying Vice President Kamala Harris will "overwhelm" Pennsylvania cities and towns with undocumented immigrants if she wins the Nov. 5 election.

"She should be impeached and prosecuted for her actions," Trump said of Harris's handling on the southern border. "These criminals are stone cold killers and they have no heart."

But if he wins, he said, "the invasion ends and the deportation begins."

Speaking in front of roughly 2,500 people at the Bayfront Convention Center Sunday afternoon, Trump pointed to newly released data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the number of criminals that have crossed the border.

"These are certified numbers," he said. "This isn't with her bullshit."

Trump spent more than an hour addressing immigration, saying the issue has impacted the entire country, including the small town of Charleroi, Pennsylvania, which has added more than 2,000 immigrants in recent years, many of them from Haiti, to its previous population of 4,200. As he and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, did with Springfield, Ohio, Trump has fanned the flames of the immigration debate in the small Pennsylvania community.

Former U.S. President and current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks to more than 2,000 supporters inside the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie on Sunday.

Trump's speech in the northwest Pennsylvania county was his second since launching his re-election bid. He spoke at the Erie Insurance Arena in July 2023. Erie County is one of 25 "boomerang" counties in the country. It voted twice for Democrat Barack Obama before backing Trump in 2016. It returned to its blue roots in 2020, handing President Joe Biden an ever narrower victory.

"You know, Erie County was known as a Democrat area until Trump came along," he said of himself. "They said, 'what the hell happened to Erie County?'"

Return to Butler next weekend

Trump also discussed his upcoming return to Butler, Pa. As a graphic titled "Illegal immigration into the U.S.," many supporters in the audience began to cheer, recognizing its signficance.

Trump had turned his head toward the graphic during the opening minutes of his speech in Butler when a gunman opened fire. A bullet grazed Trump's ear and he said he owed his life to it.

"Without that document I wouldn't be here." he said. "That document saved my life."

Former U.S. President and current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump watches a video shown to supporters inside the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie on Sunday.

Trump will return to the same Butler venue on Saturday.

Energy, taxes and getting out the vote

Trump also focused on previous statements Harris made in which she said she would ban fracking, a form of oil and gas drilling that has helped make the Keystone State the top exporter of natural gas in the country. Harris, however, has sworn off any past support for a ban.

Trump said he would increase domestic energy production, terminate a natural gas export ban, repeal an electric vehicle mandate and slash energy and electricity costs in half within the first year of a second term.

He also promised to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security benefits.

There was also a heavy focus Sunday on get-out-the-vote efforts.

Former U.S. President and current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks to more than 2,000 supporters inside the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie on Sunday.

Volunteers outside the Convention Center canvassed the crowd that waited to get inside in search of anyone who was not registered to vote, while speakers on the main stage urged people to vote by mail, an attempt to cut into the massive advantage Democrats held in the mail vote in 2020.

"We cannot allow the other team to fix another election," said Brian Learn Jr., the CEO of the Meadville-based company ChipsCo., who was the first of many opening speakers to push a Trump website where people can request a mail ballot, check their voter registration status and pledge to vote in person.

There is no evidence the 2020 election was "fixed."

DNC response ahead of Trump visit

Ahead of Trump's Erie rally, the Democratic National Committee unveiled a billboard in the 1500 block of Peach Street.

DNC spokesperson Addy Toevs said 270,000 jobs were lost, including 23,000 manufacturing jobs, in Pennsylvania when Trump was president.

Now he thinks he can fool Pennsylvanians with his Project 2025 plan to hike taxes on middle-class families by nearly $4,000 a year," Toevs said in a statement. "Pennsylvanians arent buying it. They know Vice President Kamala Harris has a plan to lower costs, build an opportunity economy, and invest in American innovation."

Trump has sought distance from controversial Project 2025 and has disavowed it.

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

Matthew Rink can be reached at mrink@timesnews.com or on X at @ETNRink.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Donald Trump focuses on illegal immigration, fracking at Erie rally
Shortly after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election, I contacted Alastair Smith and Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, the two NYU political scientists who, several years before that, co-authored a book entitled "The Dictator's Handbook," which outlines a novel theory of how political leaders  whether they are democratically elected politicians, unelected autocrats, or somewhere in between  acquire and hold onto power. I wanted to explore the question of what a Trump presidency might mean for the future of American democracy, which seems even more urgent eight years later.

My interview with Smith and de Mesquita, published in early 2017 by Salon, was surprisingly hopeful in tone. De Mesquita expressed the view that the United States is a mature democracy, and mature democracies dont become authoritarian. Even though Trump had clear authoritarian and even fascist tendencies, the authors reassured me that our democratic institutions would survive  and in large part, they were right. Despite Trumps Big Lie about the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 insurrection, Joe Biden took his seat in the Oval Office and reversed some of Trumps anti-democratic policies, such as the Schedule F executive order aimed at turning the entire executive branch into a political instrument. While countries like ours may oscillate a bit and become more or less democratic, de Mesquita said, there has never in history been a mature democracy that has slid into authoritarianism, dictatorship or autocracy. It just doesnt happen.

Well, OK. But what about this time around? What if Trump gets elected again? As many have noted, Trump entered the White House in 2017 completely unprepared for the job. That wont be the case if he moves back in next January: Despite his disavowal of Project 2025, he will immediately begin to implement many of its proposals, most notably by replacing much of the deep state (i.e., nonpartisan federal employees who are hired and promoted based on competence and expertise) with MAGA loyalists. Trump has also threatened to punish political opponents, journalists and other voices of dissent, whom he has called vermin and scum. In July, he reposted an image on Truth Social calling for a televised military tribunal of former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, who voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6 insurrection and then helped lead the resulting congressional investigation.

Worse yet, the Supreme Courts recent ruling on presidential immunity removes many barriers to potential presidential misconduct. If Trump returns to office, he could  according to some interpretations of that decision  literally order the assassination or imprisonment of his rivals with zero legal consequences. He could get away with almost everything hes fantasized about doing since he was first elected. So there seems to be a significant and realistic chance that Trump could become an autocrat who rigs future elections, locks up dissidents and pursues vicious retribution against his perceived enemies.

Faced with mounting anxiety about the future of our democracy, I contacted Smith and de Mesquita once again to get their take on a possible Trump 2.0 administration. Since a second Trump term would almost certainly be much worse than the first, I was curious as to whether they had changed any of their views. Are they still hopeful, or do they now believe that Trump and his MAGA cronies could actually destroy our democracy and replace it with an autocratic state headed by Dear Leader?

As with our first interview, the conversation was fascinating, insightful, unsettling and, yes, ultimately optimistic. They told me that, on the one hand, theres virtually no chance that America will lose its democracy, even if Trump is elected and acts on his most destructive instincts, unconstrained by the law. Mature democracies just dont collapse into authoritarianism, they insist, and that remains true today no less than it did in 2016. On the other hand, Smith and de Mesquita told me, one of the biggest reasons that our democracy will survive is because Trumps policies will likely cause so much damage that theyll ignite massive protests, uprisings and unrest across the U.S., ultimately leading to his downfall.

As Smith told me when we spoke last month, people should have concerns about what Trump will do if he regains power. But its precisely because of those concerns," he continued, "that Trump destroying our democracy isnt going to happen. He added: I envision the number of people who would be demonstrating if Trump wins the election, if the Republicans were to win both houses, making Tahrir Square in Egypt  the 'Arab Spring' demonstrations in 2011  look small. And those protests succeeded in bringing down the autocratic Mubarak government. If Trump tries to restrict voting, as he probably will, that will only further energize the pro-democracy opposition. Ultimately, Trump's efforts to seize and hold power will fail, de Mesquita told me, for the same reason that public pressure during the 1960s ended the Jim Crow laws and ended legal segregation.

Perhaps surprisingly, the authors don't believe that only those on the political left will protest a future Trump administration. Even among his supporters, de Mesquita said, they would quickly see how bad another Trump presidency was for them.  Theyd see their welfare diminished, and will be on the streets with everyone else. In other words, Trump 2.0 will likely be so disastrous that Trump will lose some of his base. They might still support his alleged policies, to some extent, but they will be so negatively impacted by the broader decline of our country that theyll turn against the man they voted for. This has already happened to some extent, as Smith notes:

I remember, four years ago, biking around up in the Catskills where I love to go, and there are some neighborhoods that are clearly Trump neighborhoods. There were some spectacularly good displays of Trump flags and melt the snowflakes, etc.  displays on the side of the street, very creative stuff. I mean, not that I agree with it! But it was spectacularly well done. Things hanging from cranes with Go Trump, everything. This year, Ive noticed those neighborhoods  there are very few signs up. Just a lot of people who backed Trump and probably still sort of like the policies he had. Its just like, they dont want to erode the democracy that they have.

I asked Smith and de Mesquita to elaborate on why they feel so confident that U.S. democracy would survive a second Trump term. Couldnt the democratic backsliding that weve seen in Hungary and Poland  or, heck, the backsliding seen in Germany during the Weimar Republic  happen here, too? Why exactly has no mature democracy ever collapsed into autocracy, and why couldn't that change?

A key part of their explanation comes from the swoosh graph below, which Smith and de Mesquita present in the 2022 edition of "The Dictators Handbook." (I present a modified version here, with their approval.) This graph is deceptively insightful, and once you understand what it means, you might come to share their confidence as well.

On the up-down axis is the welfare of two groups: the "coalition," meaning those who support the political leader in power, and the "outsiders," meaning those who oppose the leader. On the left-right axis is the size of this coalition of supporters.

Welfare of Coalition and Outsiders GRAPH

In an autocracy, all thats required for the leader to stay in power is for him or her to keep a small group of cronies happy  think of the oligarchs and military leaders in Vladimir Putins Russia, or the inner circle of Kim Jong-uns North Korea. The leader secures the loyalty of this tiny coalition through corrupt practices, often heavily taxing the outsiders (in other words, most of the society) and then redistributing this wealth to cronies in the form of private goods for them. Hence, the essential supporters of these autocrats are given special access to expensive cars, luxury apartments, the best schools for their children, family vacations on the beach and so on. For the cronies, life is pretty darn good, while everyone else in society struggles to get by.

If this coalition expands, the number of people the leader would need to keep happy will also increase. As a result, the welfare of the leaders cronies begins to decline. Why? Because theres only so much money for the leader to throw around, and the more people there are on the gravy train, the less there is for each individual insider. People in the coalition, therefore, oppose such an expansion: They dont want to share the private goods theyve become accustomed to receiving. Its a kind of local minimum in which autocratic societies sometimes get stuck, although its not impossible to escape that trap, and in fact the number of autocratic countries has declined over the past century and a half while the number of democratic countries has risen. (Nearly everyone lived in autocratic states in 1850, while just over 50% of countries today are more or less democratic.)

So moving from the left side of the graph to the right side is painful for the leaders supporters, who will likely resist this transition. Its clearly not in their interest to share their private goods with a new group of folks. But if the coalitions size keeps expanding long enough, past that big dip in the graph, living conditions will start to improve  not just for the supporters, but for the opposition as well. Why? Because, if the political leader wants to stay in power, he or she will have to keep an ever-larger number of people happy. The best way to do that is to implement policies that provide public goods that benefit society in general, in contrast to private goods that go to only a few people in particular. If youre Kim Jong-un, you only have to please a few hundred people or so. But if youre president of the United States, you have to please, at a bare minimum, many millions of people to keep your job.

To put this a different way, it would be far too expensive to give out special benefits and private goods to all your supporters, because there are just too many of them. Instead, you begin to implement policies that make everyone (or at least a majority) better off, which by definition also benefits your supporters. If this works, it keeps your supporters happy enough to vote for you again the next time around, and might also lead some non-supporters to flip sides. As Smith told me during our conversation, such public goods include a wide range of things, including national defense and a clean environment and law and order and efficient highway systems and those kinds of communications and  freedoms. Society becomes more productive, in other words, and everyone wins.

The shift from the left side to the right side of the graph corresponds to the political process of democratization, meaning that more people get a say in whether the leader stays in power and, in turn, that whether they remain in power largely depends on the type and amount of public goods they provide the people. Such goods are the only feasible way to improve the lives of your supporters, while also  by virtue of these being public goods  benefiting members of the opposition. Thats why everyone wins: Democracies are good for most people in society, whereas autocracies, by and large, are only good for a small group of elites.

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This leads us to one of the most important parts of Smith and de Mesquitas graph: the inconspicuous gray line on the right. Look at where it intersects with the welfare lines of the coalition and outsiders. Then follow the horizontal pinkish line to the far left side of the graph. Notice that the welfare of everyone in society, to the right of the gray line, is better than the welfare of even the most privileged supporters in an autocracy, on the far left. In other words, the average person is overall better off in a highly democratized state than even the most privileged cronies in a dictatorship.

Smith and de Mesquita classify any country that falls to the right of that gray line as a mature democracy, and their surprising claim is that it has never happened that a country in that position on the graph has slid all the way to the far left  no mature democracy has ever become an autocracy.

The reasoning behind this makes sense as they lay it out: As the coalition supporting a would-be autocrat becomes smaller and the society becomes less democratic, money collected by the government is increasingly diverted from funding public goods to the pet projects or secret bank accounts of the leader, to quote Smith and de Mesquita in "The Dictators Handbook." As de Mesquita told me during our recent conversation, When youre past that point where the gray line intersects with the other two lines  you cant make the coalition better off by shrinking it. You cant even make a few of its members better off by shrinking it, and you cant make the people better off, either. Only the leader can get better off. So that kind of shift is likely to produce significant resistance from everyone, including, eventually, the leaders own supporters.

So Smith and de Mesquita believe that the probability that our democracy will collapse during a possible Trump 2.0 presidency is virtually zero. Yes, Trump will almost certainly try to force the U.S. from the right of the graph to the left  and he may succeed to some unpleasant extent. But his policies will hurt so many people that even folks in the MAGA movement, they believe, will start to defect. His autocratic efforts will ultimately fail as tens of millions of people protest in the streets every month. And if you don't believe that such protests can be effective, Smith would point out, once again, that the mass protests in 2011 in Egypt did take down the autocratic regime of longtime president Hosni Mubarak. He summarized this point in our conversation:

Just think about the level of accountability. If we made the president accountable to fewer people, then the president's policies take on a "private goods" flavor. There are more corruption opportunities for cronies and less work and fewer resources are directed to rewarding the people. So you have to make this trade-off. Imagine being a Trump supporter: If you let Trump have a smaller coalition, hes going to produce fewer public goods. Now, you might get more private goods, but fewer of the resources are going to reward you, and more are going to reward Trump and his private agenda. So the way the trade-off goes, particularly in a productive society, is that you would be better off getting no private goods but getting the public goods under the opposition leader, rather than taking this mix [of slightly more private goods but much fewer public goods]. So you might like the policies under Trump, but Trumps not working very hard  as opposed to, under Biden or Harris you might not like the policies, but theyre working hard to produce public goods for you.

The fact that mature democracies dont collapse into authoritarianism, even under the leadership of wannabe dictators like Donald Trump, points to a crucial asymmetry in the graph: While autocracies can and do become democracies, and while some democracies can become autocracies, mature democracies never cross from the far right of the graph to the far left. This should give progressives and liberals, who fear Trumps threat to our country, reason for hope  although, as Smith and de Mesquita made clear during our conversation, a Trump 2.0 presidency would self-destruct precisely because of all the terrible harm it would cause. So buckle up.

Even if our democracy can survive another Trump electoral victory, there are plenty of other reasons one might worry about Americas future. The most obvious of those concerns climate change: If Trump returns to the White House, he will almost certainly dismantle most or all climate mitigation efforts, as expressly advocated by Project 2025. Perhaps, then, he could cause the collapse of democracy after all  not because the U.S. will slide into authoritarianism with Trump on a golden throne, but because modern civilization as a whole will crumble amid the climate catastrophe. In either case, the authors of "The Dictator's Handbook" argue that even Trump supporters will lose if he wins. Let's hope enough of them figure that out.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's rhetoric is getting darker as the election approaches, with a call for police to make a 'violent' crackdown on crime (DUSTIN FRANZ) (DUSTIN FRANZ/AFP/AFP)

Donald Trump on Sunday used a speech in key swing state Pennsylvania to urge a "violent" police crackdown on crime in the United States, while his White House rival Kamala Harris emphasized the need for immigration reform at a rally in Nevada.

Pennsylvania is considered the most important of the seven toss-up states that will likely decide the November 5 presidential election, but Nevada is also one of the key battlegrounds.

The Republican former president and current candidate, who held a similar rally in swing state Wisconsin on Saturday, reprised his dark, racially charged message about an America crumbling under "invasion" by violent migrants and other criminals.

Recounting isolated -- but widely publicized -- incidents of thieves staging brazen daylight robberies of shops in major cities, Trump got a loud cheer when he said police should become "extraordinarily rough."

Criminals, he said, "have to be taught" and this could be done "if you had one really violent day."

"One rough hour -- and I mean real rough -- the word would get out and it would end immediately," Trump said.

"The police aren't allowed to do their job" because "the liberal left won't let them."

Harris, the vice president and Democratic candidate, addressed the "serious problems" of border security at a rally in Las Vegas later in the day, where she reeled off her usual stump speech, emphasizing the economy, health care and the need for immigration reform.

"As president, I will double the resources for the Department of Justice to go after the transnational cartels," Harris said.

"We know Donald Trump won't solve them. When he was president, he did nothing to fix our immigration system," she added, calling for comprehensive reform but without offering details.

As on Saturday in Wisconsin, Trump spent much of his speech painting a picture of a failing United States, inundated by what he said was the "massive number of savage criminal aliens that Kamala Harris has allowed to invade."

He claimed "terrorists are pouring into our country" and cited "a big prison in the Congo, in Africa," as the source of "a lot of people" last week.

- Insults -

Anti-immigrant sentiment has been at the core of Trump's appeal in economically depressed, majority-white parts of the country ever since his 2016 presidential victory, but the rhetoric is turning ever more extreme as election day nears.

Following record numbers of illegal border crossings earlier in President Joe Biden's administration, a tightening of rules -- to the consternation of immigrant rights and civil liberties groups -- led to a plunge in numbers this year.

Crime, including murder, is also in steep decline nationwide, the FBI says.

Trump has long prided himself on his ability to coin insulting nicknames or slurs for his opponents and on Sunday, he repeated one that he aired on Saturday, calling Harris -- a former top California prosecutor and US senator -- "mentally impaired."

"Crooked Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Sad. But lying Kamala Harris, honestly, I believe she was born that way," Trump said to loud laughter from the crowd.

Harris did not address Trump's comments during her rally in Vegas, instead focusing on her usual bread-and-butter issues -- protecting access to abortion services and putting more money in the pockets of everyday Americans.

"When Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law," she told supporters.

sms-jgc/sst
Former President Trump campaigned in the Wisconsin town of Prairie du Chien on Saturday, making migrant crime a core part of his speech after a rape suspect was arrested in the small, rural community.

The rally, which was supposed to take place outside, but was moved indoors due to a Secret Service staffing shortage, focused on migrant crime. During the speech, Trump referenced the arrest of assault suspect Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, 26, who is an alleged member of Venezuela's violent Tren de Aragua migrant gang.

Earlier this month, Zarate was charged with sexual assault, battery, strangulation and suffocation, in addition to false imprisonment, child abuse and disorderly conduct, according to WXOW.

The suspect, who is accused of sexually assaulting a mother and abusing her daughter "under particularly brutal circumstances," was arrested in Prairie du Chien on Sept. 6.

White House Mum Amid Outrage Over Data Showing How Many Illegal Immigrant Criminals Are In Us

Trump discussed the arrest of Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate at his rally in Wisconsin.

"Just this month, right here in this beautiful town, police arrested an illegal alien member of a savage Venezuelan prison gang known as Tren de Agua," Trump described. "These are really bad ones. This vile monster was charged with holding a mother and daughter captive against their will and sexually assaulting them again and again and again."

Read On The Fox News App

The Republican presidential candidate also took aim at his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been criticized for her border policies.

"This animal crossed Kamala's wide open border, along with hundreds of thousands of others that are worse than him, that are worse than him," Trump continued. "He was arrested and released in the sanctuary city of Minneapolis."

Walz Roasted After Declaring 'We Can't Afford Four More Years Of This' At Rally

Former President Republican presidential candidate Trump delivers remarks at the Prairie du Chien Area Arts Center in Prairie du Chien, Wis., Saturday.

"And by the way, I'm going to end all sanctuary cities immediately upon taking over," he added.

Last week, Rep. Derrick Van Orden, RWis., told Fox News Digital that the community of Prairie du Chien was shaken by the arrest. Van Orden's grandchildren live less than a mile away from the house where the mother and daughter were abused.

"Why should a town of 5,500 people be afraid of letting their kids play in their front yard?" the politician said. "It wasn't like this three years ago."

Van Orden noted that Wisconsin's farming industries rely on migrant labor, but stressed the need to enact immigration reform for the sake of public safety.

People wait in line at sunrise ahead of former President Trump's campaign event at the Prairie Du Chien Area Arts Center in Prairie du Chien, Wis., Saturday.

"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," the Republican congressman said incredulously.

Fox News Digital's Christina Coulter contributed to this report.





Original article source: Trump visits Wisconsin town shaken by migrant crime: 'Crossed Kamala's wide-open border'
An app by the Centers for Disease Control shows ways to help providers and doctors treat sexually-transmitted infection. The new app offers quick and easy access to streamlined STI prevention, diagnostic, and treatment recommendations. The user-friendly interface includes more clinical care guidance, sexual history resources, patient materials, and other features to assist with patient management. (Photo via CDC website).

In March, health technology startup HeHealth debuted Calmara AI, an app proclaiming to be your intimacy bestie for safer sex. The app was heavily marketed to women, who were told they could upload a picture of their partners penis for Calmara to scan for evidence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Users would get an emoji-laden Clear! or Hold!!! verdict  with a disclaimer saying the penis in question wasnt necessarily free of all STIs.

The reaction Ella Dawson, sex and culture critic, had when she first saw Calmara AIs claim to provide AI-powered scans (that) give you clear, science-backed answers about your partners sexual health status can be easily summed up: Big yikes. She raised the alarm on social media, voicing her concerns about privacy and accuracy. The attention prompted a deluge of negative press and a Los Angeles Times investigation.

The Federal Trade Commission was also concerned. The agency notified HeHealth, the parent company of Calmara AI, that it was opening an investigation into possibly fraudulent advertising claims and privacy concerns. Within days, HeHealth pulled its apps off the market.

About this article

Originally published by The 19th

HeHealth CEO Yudara Kularathne emphasized that the FTC found no wrongdoing and said that no penalties were imposed.

The HeHealth consumer app was incurring significant losses, so we decided to close it to focus on profitability as a startup, he wrote over email, saying that the company is now focused on business-to-business projects with governments and NGOs mostly outside the United States.

More and more AI-powered sexual health apps have been cropping up, and theres no sign of stopping. Some of the new consumer-focused apps are targeted toward women and queer people, who often have difficulties getting culturally sensitive and gender-informed care. Venture capitalists and funders see opportunities in underserved populations  but can prioritize growth over privacy and security.

The 19th spoke with sexual health educators and computer science researchers on how best to evaluate claims about AI, especially when it comes to sensitive health applications. They pointed to three main areas  marketing, medical claims and privacy policies.

Health technology has boomed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when telehealth laws were relaxed to allow remote care. Some companies used that opportunity to innovate, Dawson said, but some turned out to be profit grabs that dont prioritize privacy concerns the way real doctors do.

Sexual health is a topic few people are fluent in, and there is a large societal stigma around STIs. People who are looking for STI tests are a vulnerable, underserved population that is often in an emotional state and not able to make clear decisions, Dawson said.

Services that substitute machine learning for human interaction are attractive because they allow people to take care of their concerns in the privacy of their own homes, Dawson said. People, especially young people, may not want to talk to someone  even a doctor  due to the shame of a potential STI exposure.

And that is a very dangerous dynamic to exploit for the startups that see an opportunity, she said.

Dylan Baker, lead research engineer at the Distributed AI Institute, approaches claims about artificial intelligence  more accurately called machine learning systems in most cases  with skepticism.

In medical settings, doctors and researchers have utilized machine learning for a long time, Baker said. For example, a 2012 study in the American Journal of Roentgenology demonstrated how automated image detention systems could help radiologists diagnose lung nodules more efficiently. But those applications work because medical staff are trained in all the nuances of the models they are working with and know the limits of computation. That knowledge doesnt extend to patients.

One of the first things to consider is whether an AI app can actually do what it claims. Be wary of technology that oversimplifies the problem, experts said. For example, many STIs are asymptomatic and can be confirmed only through lab tests.

Sexual health in particular requires specialized knowledge that even many doctors lack, said Emily L. Depasse, a trained sex therapist and sex educator. AI is usually marketed to be smarter than humans, but thats not necessarily the case, Baker said. Any app promising clear results is something to be suspicious of.

Thats why its important to identify what knowledge a machine learning model powering an app has been trained on. Many companies have research papers available on their websites detailing the model they are using. You want to make sure that the data that your model is trained on matches your use case as effectively as possible, Baker said. If app developers dont use real pictures with a variety of lighting conditions, angles and skin tones to train their model, it may lead to inaccurate results.

Training data is one of the aspects HeHealth was criticized for. In addition to training their model on actual photographs of penises with STIs, the engineers trained it on fabricated images created by layering pictures of infections over those of healthy penises.

Companies making commercially available AI products should audit their models for potential biases, because the relationship between training data itself and bias in the outcomes isnt always completely clear, Baker said. Ideally this information would be accessible on a companys website, or within linked research papers, for potential customers to peruse.

The limits of an application should be communicated clearly in its instructions. Gender inclusivity can be an issue in health applications, said Maggie Delano, professor of engineering at Swarthmore College. For instance, Delano has done research on a weight-tracking app that asks users to choose a binary gender. It may seem like a small choice, but that information is used to calculate body fat percentage.

If an application has multiple inputs, Delano recommends trans folks try different options and go with what works best for their body.

One of the things I would love to see, that I have never seen, is an actual discussion of, Hey, if youre trans, this is the value you should use when you input into this algorithm, they said.

Delano also cited the adage that if you arent paying for a product, that typically means you are the product  in the form of personal data being sold or your attention being used for ads. Thats also why its important to thoroughly scan the privacy policy of any application, as many AI models train on user input. There should be clear information about how personal health information is stored and used by the company after interfacing with their product.

Consumer health applications arent necessarily covered by HIPAA, the most famous health privacy law that generally applies to health care entities, but there are many overlapping regulations that could apply. The FTC recommends reviewing what information will be gathered and how it will be shared by the app.

Try to identify in the applications terms what recourse there is if privacy promises are broken by the company, Baker said.

Marketing claims can be boastful and, in some cases, against the law. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates medical devices, so its important to check if a given application has the agencys approval. Dawson said this information is usually at the bottom of a webpage, and might include a disclaimer about how the service does not offer diagnosis. If so, its important to see if the marketing reflects that. A lot of advertising tries to anthropomorphize AI, Baker said, making it seem like it could replace a trained doctor when that is not the case.

Sexual health is serious, Depasse said, and she is personally wary of any infantilizing language in marketing copy. Using euphemisms or cutesy language  like seggs instead of sex to get around social media filters  reinforces stigma and can cover up a lack of expertise about the subject.

Tech founders should be collaborating with sexual health professionals, OBGYNs, sex educators and people in reproductive health, Depasse said. Dawson recommended looking into the background of the founders: Are they fresh out of business school? Are they focused on raising capital? Is their team devoid of medical professionals? If so, theyre indicators that a team is more concerned about sales than creating a secure, accurate health product.

The educators and researchers interviewed by The 19th expressed disappointment and anger about how AI is marketed toward people with limited health care options.

As an AI ethics researcher, seeing predatory apps on the market also gets Baker a little fired up.

Because I know people are struggling, they said. Health care can be hard to access and this is trying to fill a very real void.
The legendary head of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B), Warren Buffett, is nearly unmatched in his investing acumen. You don't get a nickname like "Oracle of Omaha" by being a slouch. Although it sometimes seems like it, his success isn't from divining the future; it's from sticking to a clear, disciplined strategy and philosophy that guide his every move.

Buffett has his eyes on the horizon at all times. He believes in finding businesses with fundamental competitive advantages -- "moats" -- and backing them for the long term. As he put it in a letter to shareholders in 2023, "When you find a truly wonderful business, stick with it. Patience pays."

Berkshire Hathaway is surely a wonderful business, and patience has definitely paid. Just a $1,000 investment in Berkshire in 1980 would be worth $2.3 million today. Is that true moving forward though? What do the next five years hold for the company? Let's take a look.

Berkshire's own businesses are humming, especially insurance

Berkshire is a conglomerate that owns a portfolio of subsidiaries as well as a portfolio of investments in outside companies, like its stake in Apple. Although the latter often gets more media attention, the businesses that Berkshire controls are a huge part of its bottom line.

Berkshire's subsidiaries span a diverse set of industries, from energy to manufacturing. Most of these businesses look strong and critically, they provide quite a bit of cash, which enables Buffett to be successful on the investment side of the business.

Insurance has long been the backbone of Berkshire and as of late, Berkshire's insurance segment has been growing rapidly. Its first-quarter 2024 net-underwriting earnings nearly tripled year over year and nearly doubled year over year in Q2 2024. Geico, likely the most well-known of these, is a major part of this growth.

Geico has been outpaced lately by Progressive, which has grown even faster. Berkshire's Vice Chairman of Insurance Operations, Ajit Jain, pointed to Geico falling behind in its use of technology as the main culprit. Progressive has better utilized new tech to manage risk.

The good news here is leadership is aware of this and pushing to catch up. Geico has delivered stellar growth despite this handicap; if it can improve its use of new technology, the business will be that much stronger. Considering Geico has some of the lowest costs of any major insurer, I think this is a recipe for success over the coming years.

It's been a big year for Berkshire's investments

Some major shakeups came this year to Berkshire's core portfolio. The biggest were the sales of nearly half of its stake in Apple followed closely by the sale of a significant portion of its Bank of America position. There have been some purchases as well, but they've been completely overshadowed by Berkshire's shedding of major chunks of core holdings. The company is sitting on a mountain of cash at the moment (and much of it held in relatively liquid assets like short-term U.S. Treasuries). Take a look at the wild upswing in this reserve over the last year.

Story continues

BRK.A Cash and Short Term Investments (Quarterly) Chart

What does Buffett have up his sleeve? While it's impossible to know for sure, I think there's a good chance Buffett is concerned that the market is a bit too hot at the moment, but he won't sit on this much cash for too long. I think it's safe to say he and his company have something in mind and are gearing up to make a major investment or two. I think that he believes that he can find other businesses that will outperform Apple and Bank of America in the years to come.

Buffett's age is the elephant in the room

Warren Buffett is 94 years old. I think it's safe to say that he won't be in the driver's seat for too much longer. It's possible his departure could come in the five-year time frame being considered. This will inevitably impact the company as he is one of a kind. However, what he does isn't magic. His vision and philosophy are so ingrained in the company that his departure will be more seamless than some investors fear.

He has never been the sole guiding hand, especially in recent years. He built the company in tandem with the late Charlie Munger, and the two of them groomed a team of managers for years, many of whom have had independent control of parts of the Berkshire portfolio for some time.

I believe that the continued strength of Berkshire's subsidiaries, with the likely major investments that will come from its current pile of cash, means that the next five years will continue to be successful for the company. Even if Buffett departs Berkshire in the near future, the company's stock will outperform the market.

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Anna V. Smith and Maria Parazo Rose

Grist

This story is a collaboration between Grist and High Country News.

On a wet spring day in June, fog shrouded the Mission Mountains on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana. Silver beads of rain clung to blades of grass and purple lupine. On a ridge overlooking St. Marys Lake in the southeastern corner of the reservation, the land was mostly cleared of trees after state-managed logging operations. Some trees remained, mainly firs and pines, spindly things that once grew in close quarters but now looked exposed without their neighbors.

Viewed from the sky, the logged parcel was strikingly square despite the mountainous terrain. It stood in contrast to the adjacent, tribally managed forest, where timber operations followed the topographic contours of watersheds and ridgelines or imitated fire scars from lightning strikes. Its not that theyre mismanaging everything, but their management philosophy and scheme do not align with ours, said Tony Incashola Jr., the director of tribal resources for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, or CSKT, as he looked out the window of his Jeep at the landscape. Their tactics sometimes dont align with ours, which in turn affects our capability of managing our land.

This nearly clear-cut, 640-acre parcel is state trust land and is a small part of the 108,886 state-owned acres, above- and belowground, scattered across the reservation  this despite the tribal nations sovereign status.

The Douglas fir and ponderosa pine trees that remained in the square would thrive on the occasional fire and controlled burn after logging operations, benefiting the next generation of trees. Instead, the area was unburned, and shrubs crowded the ground. I see this stand right here looking the exact same in 20 years, said Incashola. Its his first time being on this land, despite a lifetime on the reservation  because its state land, the gate has always been locked.

State trust lands, on and off Indian reservations, make up millions of acres across the Western United States and generate revenue for public schools, universities, jails, hospitals, and other public institutions by leasing them for oil and gas extraction, grazing, rights of way, timber, and more. The state of Montana, for example, manages 5.2 million surface acres and 6.2 million subsurface acres, a term pertaining to oil, gas, minerals, and other underground resources, which distributed $62 million to public institutions in 2023. The majority of that money went to K-12 schools  institutions serving primarily non-Indigenous people.

States received many of these trust lands upon achieving statehood, but more were taken from tribal nations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries through a federal policy of allotment, in which reservations were forcibly cut up into small parcels in an effort to make Indigenous peoples farmers and landowners. The policy allowed for about 90 million acres of reservation lands nationwide to move to non-Indigenous ownership. On the Flathead Reservation, allotment dispossessed the CSKT of a million acres, more than 60,000 of which were taken to fund schools.

But the Flathead Reservation is just one reservation checkerboarded by state trust lands.

To understand how land and resources taken from Indigenous peoples and nations continue to enrich non-Indigenous citizens, Grist and High Country News used publicly available data to identify which reservations have been impacted by state trust land laws and policies; researched the state institutions benefiting from these lands; and compiled data on many of the companies and individuals leasing the land on those reservations. Altogether, we located more than 2 million surface and subsurface acres of land on 79 reservations in 15 states that are used to support public institutions and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers. In at least four states, five tribal nations themselves are the lessees  paying the state for access to, collectively, more than 57,700 acres of land within their own reservation borders.

A clear line divides forest managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe and recently harvested state-owned land. (Tailyr Irvine, Grist/High Country News)

However, due to instances of outdated and inconsistent data from federal, state, and tribal cartographic sources, our analysis may include lands that do not neatly align with some borders and ownership claims. As a result, our analysis may be off by a few hundred acres. In consultation with tribal and state officials, we have filtered, clipped, expanded, and otherwise standardized multiple data sets with the recognition that in many cases, more accurate land surveying is necessary.

The state trust lands that came from sanctioned land grabs of the early 20th century helped bolster state economies and continue to underwrite non-Indian institutions while infringing on tribal sovereignty. The justification for them is very old. It goes back to, really, the founding of the U.S., said Miriam Jorgensen, research director for the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development. The goal, she said, was to help settlers and their families gain a firmer foothold in the Western U.S. by funding schools and hospitals for them. Theres definitely a colonial imperative in the existence of those lands.

Although tribal citizens are a part of the public those institutions are supposed to serve, their services often fall short. On the Flathead Reservation, for example, Indigenous youth attend public schools funded in part by state trust lands inside the nations boundaries. However, the state is currently being sued by the CSKT, as well as five other tribes, over the states failure over decades to adequately teach Indigenous curriculum despite a state mandate to do so.

Since 2022, the CSKT and the state of Montana have been negotiating a land exchange in which the tribe will see some 29,200 acres of state trust lands on the reservation returned, which could include the logged, 640-acre parcel near St. Marys Lake. In the trade, Montana will receive federal lands from the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, or potentially both, elsewhere in the state. Such a return has been the want of our ancestors and the want of our tribal leaders since they were taken, Incashola said. Its not a want for ownership, its a want for protection of resources, for making us whole again to manage our forests again the way we want to manage them.

Tribal nations and states have struggled with state and federal governments over jurisdiction and land since the inception of the United States, says Alex Pearl, who is Chickasaw and a professor of law at the University of Oklahoma. But the potential return of state trust lands represents an opportunity for LandBack on a broad scale: an actionable step toward reckoning with the ongoing dispossession of territories meant to be reserved for tribes. The LandBack movement that started as protests has become a viable policy, legally, Pearl said.

The Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation is one of the largest reservations in the U.S., stretching 4.5 million acres across the northeastern corner of Utah. But on closer look, the reservation is checkerboarded, thanks to allotment, with multiple land claims on the reservation by individuals, corporations, and the state of Utah. Altogether, the Ute Tribe oversees about a quarter of its reservation.

The state of Utah owns more than 511,000 surface and subsurface acres of trust lands within the reservations borders. And of those acres, the Ute Tribe is leasing 47,000  nearly 20 percent of all surface trust land acreage on the reservation  for grazing purposes, paying the state to use land well within its own territorial boundaries. According to Utahs Trust Lands Administration, the agency responsible for managing state trust lands, a grazing permit for a 640-acre plot runs around $300. In the last year alone, the Utes have paid the state more than $25,000 to graze on trust lands on the reservation.

Of all the Indigenous nations in the U.S. that pay states to utilize their own lands, the Ute Tribe leases back the highest number of acres. And while not all states have publicly accessible lessee information with land-use records, of the ones that did, Grist and High Country News found that at least four other tribes also lease nearly 11,000 acres, combined, on their own reservations: the Southern Ute Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Laguna, and Zuni Tribe. According to state records, almost all of these tribally leased lands  99.5 percent  are used for agriculture and grazing.

The Pueblo of Laguna, Zuni, part of the Navajo Reservation, and Ramah Navajo, a chapter of Navajo Nation, are located in the state of New Mexico, which owns nearly 143,000 surface and subsurface acres of state trust lands across a total of 13 reservations. The Navajo Nation leases all 218 acres of New Mexico state trust lands on its reservation, while the Ramah Navajo leases 17 percent of the 24,600 surface state trust land acres within its reservations borders. The Pueblo of Laguna leases more than half of the 11,200 surface trust land acres in its territory, while the Zuni Tribe leases 37 of the 60 surface trust land acres located on its reservation. The nations did not comment by press time.

Cris Stainbrook, president of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation, said that for tribes, the cost of leasing state trust lands on their reservations for grazing and agriculture is likely lower than what it would cost to fight for ownership of those lands. But, he added, those lands never should have been taken from tribal ownership in the first place.

Is it wrong? Is it fundamentally wrong to have to lease what should be your own land? Yes, said Stainbrook. But the reality of the situation is, the chances of having the federal or state governments return it is low.

In theory, tribal nations share access to public resources funded by state trust lands, but that isnt always the case. For example, Native students tend to fare worse in U.S. public schools, and some dont attend state-run schools at all. Instead, they enroll in Bureau of Indian Education schools, a system of nearly 200 institutions on 64 reservations that receive funding from the federal government, not state trust lands.

Beneficiaries, including public schools, get revenue generated from a variety of activities, including leases for roads and infrastructure, solar panel installations, and commercial projects. Fossil fuel infrastructure or activity is present on roughly a sixth of on-reservation trust lands nationwide.

While state agencies can exchange trust lands on reservations for federal lands off-reservation, the process is complicated by the states legal obligation to produce as much money as possible from trust lands for its beneficiaries. Still, some states are attempting to create statewide systematic processes for returning trust lands.

At the forefront are Washington, which is currently implementing legislation to return lands, and North Dakota, which is moving new legislation through Congress for the same purpose. But because of the lands value and the states financial obligations, its difficult to transfer complete jurisdiction back to Indigenous nations. Trust lands must be swapped for land of equal or greater value, which tends to mean that a transfer is only possible if the land in question doesnt produce much revenue.

Thats the case with Washingtons Trust Land Transfer program, which facilitates exchanges of land that the states Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, deems unproductive. Those lands are designated as unproductive because they might not generate enough revenue to cover maintenance costs, have limited or unsustainable resource extraction, or have resources that are physically inaccessible. A 540-acre plot of land that was transferred to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife in a 2022 pilot program was considered financially unproductive because the parcel is too sparsely forested for timber harvest, its soils and topography are not suitable for agriculture, it offers low potential for grazing revenue, it is too small for industrial-scale solar power generation, and it is located too close to the 20,000-acre Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge for wind power generation.

Currently, Washingtons state constitution does not allow for the exchange of subsurface acreage; the DNR retains mineral rights to state trust lands even after exchange. Transfers are funded by the state, with the Legislature paying the DNR the value of the land to be exchanged so the agency can then purchase new land. The value of all the lands that can be exchanged is capped at $30 million every two years.

Even that money isnt guaranteed: The legislature isnt obligated to approve the funding for transfers. Additionally, the program is not focused solely on exchanges with Indigenous nations; any public entity can apply for a land transfer. Through the pilot program in 2022, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, and Kitsap County received a total of 4,425 acres of federal land valued at more than $17 million in exchange for unproductive trust lands. All three entities proposed using the land to establish fish and wildlife habitat, natural areas, and open space and recreation. None of the proposed projects in the pilot program had tribes listed as receiving agencies for land transfer. However, six of the eight proposals up for funding between 2025 and 2027 would be transferred to tribal nations.

In North Dakota, the Trust Lands Completion Act would allow the state to exchange surface state trust lands on reservations for more accessible federal land or mineral rights elsewhere. The legislation made it through committee in the U.S. Senate last year and, this fall, state officials hope to couple it with bigger land-use bills to pass through the Senate and then the House.

But one of the legislations main caveats is that it, like Washington, excludes subsurface acres: North Dakotas constitution also prohibits ceding mineral rights. North Dakota currently owns 31,000 surface and 200,000 subsurface acres of trust lands on reservations. State Commissioner of University and School Lands Joe Heringer said that returning state trust lands with mineral development would be complicated because of existing development projects and financial agreements.

Right now, the only mineral development happening on reservation-bound state trust lands is on the Fort Berthold Reservation in the states northwestern corner, with the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes.

Initial oil and gas leases are about five years, but they can stay in place for decades if they start producing within that time. Theres already all sorts of leases and contracts in place that could get really, really messy, Heringer said.

By design, subsurface rights are superior to surface rights. If land ownership is split  if a tribe, for instance, owns the surface rights while an oil company owns the subsurface rights  the subsurface owner can access its resources, even though the process might be complicated, regardless of what the surface owner wants.

Its not worthless, but its close to it, Stainbrook said of returning surface rights without subsurface rights.

Still, Stainbrook acknowledges that programs to return state trust lands are meaningful because they consolidate surface ownership and jurisdiction and allow tribes to decide surface land use. Plus, he said, theres a lot of land without subsurface resources to extract, meaning it would be left intact. But split ownership, with tribes owning surface rights and non-tribal entities holding subsurface rights, prevents tribes from fully making their own choices about resource use and management on their lands. And states are not required to consult with tribes on how these lands are used.

In the sense of tribal sovereignty, it has not increased tribal sovereignty, Stainbrook said. In fact, I mean, its pretty much the status quo.

Of the 79 reservations that have state trust lands within their boundaries, tribal governments of 49 of them have received federal Tribal Climate Resilience awards since 2011. These awards are designed to fund and assist tribes in creating adaptation plans and conducting vulnerability and risk assessments as climate change increasingly threatens their homes. But with the existence of state trust lands inside reservation boundaries, coupled with state-driven resource extraction, many tribal governments face hard limits when trying to enact climate mitigation policies  regardless of how much money the federal government puts toward the problem.

In 2023, a wildfire swept the Flathead Reservation, just west of Flathead Lake. Afterwards, the CSKT and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, which manages the states trust lands, discussed salvage timber operations  in which marketable logs are taken from wildfire-burned forests  on two affected state trust land parcels, both inside the reservation. The tribe approved a road permit for the state to access and salvage logs on one parcel, but not the other, since it wasnt as impacted by the fire. Later, the tribe found out that the state had gone ahead with salvage operations on the second parcel, bypassing the need for a tribal road permit by accessing it through an adjacent private property.

That lack of communication and difference in management strategies is evident on other state trust lands on the reservation: One logged state parcel is adjacent to a sensitive elk calving ground, while another parcel, logged in 2020, sits atop a ridgeline and impacts multiple streams with bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout. The uniformity and scale of the state logging  and the prioritization of profit and yield  do not align with the tribes forestry plans, which are tied to cultural values and use of land, Incashola said. Sometimes the placement of (trust lands) affects cultural practices, or precludes cultural practices from happening on those tracts, he said. We cant do anything about it, because they have the right to manage their land.

Montanas Department of Natural Resources and Conservation did not make anyone available to interview for this story, but answered some questions by email and said in a statement that the department has worked with our Tribal Nations to ensure these lands are stewarded to provide the trust land beneficiaries the full market value for use as required by the State of Montanas Constitution and the enabling legislation from Congress that created these trust lands.

Since the 1930s, the CSKT has prioritized reclaiming land, buying private and state trust lands back at market value. Today, the tribe owns more than 60 percent of its reservation.

While logging used to be the tribes main income source, it has diversified its income streams since the 1990s. Now, the tribes long-term goal is for its forests to return to pre-settler conditions and to build climate resiliency by actively managing them with fire. The states Montana Climate Solutions Plan from 2020 acknowledged the CSKT as a leader on climate and recommended that the state support tribal nations in climate resilience adaptation. However, that suggestion remains at odds with the states management of, and profit from, reservation lands. The 640-acre parcel near the Mission Mountains that Incashola had never been able to visit because of the locked gate, for example, abuts tribal wilderness and is considered a sensitive area. Since 2015, the state has made $775,387.82 from logging that area.

The legislation that included the Montana-CSKT land exchange passed in 2020, but progress has been slow. The exchange doesnt include all the state trust land on the reservation, which means the selection process of those acres is ongoing. The lands within the tribally protected areas, as well as those near the Mission Mountain Wilderness, are of high priority for the CSKT. There are some state lands that are ineligible, such as those that do not border tribal land. But the state has also interpreted the legislation to exclude subsurface acres that could be used for mining or other extractive activities. The tribe is steadfast that subsurface acres are included in the legislation. The impasse has complicated negotiations.

Its out-and-out land theft, said Minnesota State Senator Mary Kunesh of state trust lands on reservations. Kunesh, a descendant of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, has authored two bills that returned state land to tribes, each with a decade or more of advocacy behind it.

On the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwes reservation in Minnesota, for example, the tribe owns only about 5 percent of the reservation, although federal legislation recently returned more than 11,000 acres of illegally taken national forest. Meanwhile, the state owns about 17 percent. That ownership has an impact. Tribes in Minnesota do not receive revenue from state trust lands on their reservations, nor do tribal schools, Kunesh says. Hundreds of thousands of millions of dollars that could have perhaps been used to educate, to create housing, to create economic opportunity have been lost to the tribes, Kunesh said. Still, its not that the tribes want money. They want the land.

Land return is contentious, but Kunesh has seen support for it from people of all backgrounds while working to pass legislation. We do need our non-Native communities to stand up and speak the truth as they see it when it comes to returning the lands, and any kind of compensation, back to the tribes.

But those land returns will also require political support from senators and representatives at both the state and federal level. Ultimately, it is up to Congress to work with States and other affected interests to find solutions to these land management issues, the National Association of State Trust Lands executive committee said in an email.

In some states, legislators have indicated strong resistance. Utah lawmakers passed a law this year that allows the states Trust Land Administration to avoid advertising state land sales. The law gives Utahs Department of Natural Resources the ability to buy trust land at fair market value, ultimately avoiding possible bidding wars with other entities, like tribes. The legislation came after the Ute Indian Tribe outbid the Department of Natural Resources when trying to buy back almost 30,000 acres of state trust land on their reservation.

Its going to have to take the general public to get up in arms over it and say, This is just morally wrong,' said Stainbrook of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation. We havent gotten to that point where enough people are standing up and saying that.

Near the southeast edge of the Flathead Reservation is a place called Jocko Prairie  though it hasnt looked like a prairie for some time  with stands of large ponderosa pines and other trees crowding in, a result of federal fire-suppression practices on tribal lands. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have worked to restore the prairie by keeping out cattle, removing smaller trees, and reintroducing fire. Land that was once crowded with thickets of brush is now opening up, and as more sunlight reaches the ground, grasses and flowers have come back.

This year in early June, a sea of blue-purple camas spread out on the ground under the trees, reactivated by fire after decades of lying dormant. It was a return.

This article was first published by Grist.
Tulsa Public Schools officials walked out of the Oklahoma State Department of Education to rounds of applause on Thursday, as a yearlong effort to prevent a district takeover appeared to have reached a conclusion.

Superintendent Ebony Johnson waved goodbye to agency employees and members of the public who filled the departments hallways for an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting.

Johnson and other TPS leaders had become regular fixtures in the building, returning every month for the past year to present to the board about their districts progress. Their presentation Thursday will be their last monthly report at a state board meeting, marking the end of a turbulent chapter that began more than a year ago.

It feels like an affirmation that weve been doing the right thing for our young people and our families, our teachers and our staff, Johnson said while walking to her car before the hour-and-a-half drive back to Tulsa.

Her remarks to the board made it clear the job of improving Tulsa schools isnt finished yet, as she outlined plans to combat chronic absenteeism, secure financial procedures, accelerate student learning and improve struggling schools.

More: 13 Oklahoma school districts receive low accreditation marks, but are making improvements

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters talks with Ebony Johnson, Tulsa Public Schools superintendent, during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

But, the tone of the meeting was a night-and-day difference from the existential crisis Tulsa faced 12 months ago.

At that time, the state Department of Education threatened a takeover of Tulsa, the states largest school district, in light of poor academic performance and a financial scandal.

Former Tulsa Superintendent Deborah Gist resigned in hopes of preventing such a drastic outcome. Johnson, the districts chief academic officer, stepped into the superintendent role in the interim before she was later hired permanently.

The state Board of Education at the time approved Tulsas accreditation status, which defines its ability to operate as an independent district, on the condition that the districts reading scores improve by at least 5%, that its failing schools show improvement in state evaluations, that all teaching staff be trained in the science of reading and that it improve its internal financial controls.

The board also required a presentation every month from district leaders for an update on their progress.

The school district has indicated it could meet all of the state boards demands. Tulsa completed science of reading training for all teachers and administrators. It hired an internal auditor to its staff to review financial procedures.

New state report cards with grades for each public school havent come out yet, but the district announced 16 of its schools already have shown necessary progress to shed a federal low-performing label.

This summer, Tulsa announced it achieved an overall 5% improvement in reading scores on spring state tests.

Relieving district administrators of the monthly trek to Oklahoma City would seem a final check mark on the list.

However, questions hover around the true extent of reading improvement, not only in Tulsa but statewide. State officials quietly lowered the bar for students to reach a proficient score on reading and math tests this year, creating the illusion of dramatic academic growth statewide. Internal agency documents, which Oklahoma Voice obtained, indicate actual progress across the state has been stagnant.

Regardless, state Superintendent Ryan Walters said he is confident Tulsa is in a better place with Johnson at the helm. He recommended that Thursdays meeting be her final monthly presentation.

State and Tulsa officials have been in touch weekly, he said, and the district provides everything that we ask of them. That communication will continue, Walters said, but he suggested their attendance at board meetings is no longer necessary. The board agreed with a unanimous vote.

I have got tremendous confidence in the leadership team there, the direction there, Walters told the board members on Thursday. I think we can move into a stage thats much more informal.

The board then approved accreditation for Tulsa and all other districts in the state.

This year, Tulsa will maintain its status of accredited with deficiencies, which is defined as failing to meet one or more school requirements in a way that doesnt seriously detract from the quality of its educational program. Another 420 schools and districts have the same designation, and 1,981 others have no deficiencies, state officials said.

Nine school districts were accredited with warning, indicating they have deficiencies that seriously detract from their educational quality.

Four districts  Billings, Optima, Straight and Western Heights  have been placed on probation, the lowest possible designation short of being shut down. Education Department documents show all four districts had financial reporting issues, among other concerns.

State officials noted that Western Heights Public Schools is correcting IRS filing challenges and has significantly improved since it first landed on probation in 2021.

Tulsas accreditation status is consistent with its label last year  this time without any stipulations or storm clouds.

Johnson said she imagined no other outcome than to reach this more-stable point.

Absolutely it was not going to be anything other than this. Its the way I lead, she said. My priority is to make sure that our students get all the resources that they need, our teachers are supported (and) our support staff, and then my team continues to lead in the most awesome way. And so, absolutely, we were going to get here.

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: Tulsa schools accreditation affirmed; Superintendent says job not done
Twitter Under "Free Speech Absolutist" Elon Musk Is Actually Suspending Way More People Than Before

Trigger Happy

X-formerly-Twitter has just released the first transparency report to come out under its new ownership, which includes internal figures on how it's been enforcing its content moderation policies. And some of the data suggests that its overlord Elon Musk isn't quite the "free speech absolutist" he makes himself out to be.

Musk took over Twitter in the second half of 2022. Since then, suspensions of non-spam accounts have actually increased. In the first six months of this year, the platform has suspended 5.3 million users  which is more than three times as many as the 1.6 million that were suspended in the first half of 2022, Fortune reported.

It's also striking that these numbers are climbing in spite of the fact that Twitter's user base appears to be dwindling. This could suggest an even more pronounced escalation in cracking down on users that break the site's rules  and it could also be a sign of the uptick in hate speech on the platform that many critics have blamed on Musk, who often boosts far-right rhetoric and conspiracy theories himself.

Needless to say, none of this evinces the laissez-faire, censorship-free paradise that Musk has often promised.

Spooky Stats

How frequently Twitter cooperates with government requests under Musk's stewardship is perhaps what contradicts this vision the most.

As The Washington Post noted, the site complied with 71 percent of the thousands of legal requests it received to take down posts on its platform in the first half of this year. The highest it had been before that was just over 50 percent in 2021, with most pre-Musk years falling even lower.

The majority came from a repeat handful of countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Turkey, the president of which Musk has personal ties to.

But the most high profile instance came from Brazil, after a high court judge threatened to block Twitter in its borders if the site didn't ban several accounts that were deemed to be spreading misinformation. Musk initially resisted, clinging to his free speech values, but eventually gave into the demands.

Rules for Fools

Any big social media site will require some moderation, but Musk's track record has shown that he doesn't apply his rules equally.

In addition to personally reinstating the accounts of people he liked  often prominent right wingers  including Donald Trump, he has also banned journalists that were vocal critics of him and his allies.

Just this week, the platform suspended the account of a journalist for sharing a link to a hacked dossier on JD Vance, Trump's pick for Vice President. Musk has endorsed Trump and is reportedly bankrolling his campaign.

By now, it's no surprise that Musk has some major caveats around his concept of "free speech"  but the sheer uptick in suspensions is astounding.

More on Twitter: Gullible Elon Musk Got Fooled Into Sharing Putin-Backed Propaganda Meme
Two measures affecting immigrants are being considered next week by the Bellingham City Council, including a move to disband the Immigration Advisory Board, whose meetings have been on hold since the first of the year.

Both measures are scheduled for discussion when the councils Committee of the Whole meets at 1 p.m. Monday in City Hall, 210 Lottie St. Votes are scheduled when the City Council meets at 7 p.m. and no public hearings are on the agenda. Both meetings will be streamed live on YouTube.

 One measure is a resolution to create a temporary advisory work group on the Keep Washington Working Act to study and advise the city on policy and compliance.

Keep Washington Working is a 2019 law that prohibits law enforcement officials from detaining or arresting someone just to determine their immigration status, because being undocumented in the United States is not a crime under local, state, or federal law.

 A second measure would disband the citys Immigration Advisory Board, whose meetings have been on hiatus since a Jan. 29 City Council vote.

Councilwoman Hannah Stone, an immigration lawyer who proposed creating the board in 2019, cited tensions within the groups membership and asked for a reboot, according to previous Bellingham Herald reporting.

The Immigration Advisory Board was formed by the council to review and evaluate existing policies and make specific recommendations to the mayor and City Council regarding city policy related to immigration matters, according to the citys website.

Its most recent efforts had included planning for an immigrant resource center.

Members are appointed by the mayor, and the 12-member board has four vacancies.

According to supporting documents on the agenda, Immigration Advisory Board members are being encourage to apply for the committee examining the Keep Washington Working Act.

This action would provide definitive clarity about the status of the Immigration Advisory Board, especially for current members, rather than leaving the Immigration Advisory Board on pause until 2026. This allows members to apply to participate on the Keep Washington Working working group, another city advisory group, or lend their support to the community in other ways, the council agenda states.
Two Myrtle Beach area bars are facing a wrongful death lawsuit after a Longs man was shot and killed last year.

The suit names former Barfields Bar and Grille and Klockers Tavern. It also includes Big Beach Bouncers, which provided security for Barfields, according to the suit.

A call to Klockers went unanswered and a message could not be left. A phone number for Big Beach Bouncers could not be found.

Starquan Washington, 23, died from injuries he received in a shooting outside Barfields at 4803 Highway 17 Bypass on Oct. 18, 2023, police said. He was one of two people shot.

Barfields and Klockers were at the time located next door to each other and shared a parking lot. After the shooting, Barfields closed after the South Carolina Department of Revenue filed a motion Oct. 25, 2023, for an emergency suspension and expedited hearing to revoke the bars alcohol permits.

A Myrtle Beach man, Kvon Tyrese Lawhorn was charged in Washingtons death. The case against Lawhorn was dismissed earlier this year, according to the Public Index.

The suit claims that while Washington was at Barfields, Lawhorn was carrying a concealed firearm and gave the concealed firearm to an agent or employee of Barfields. The employee kept Lawhorns firearm behind the bar until Lawhorn was ready to leave the establishment. When Lawhorn was ready to leave, he retrieved the firearm from the employee, according to the suit.

Lawhorn then left Barfields and went to Klockers, the suit said. Eventually, both Washington and Lawhorn were outside the bar where Lawhorn is accused of shooting Washington.

The suit claims that due to previous violence and other criminal activity at both Barfields and Klockers, both places had a duty to protect, screen, warn and provide security for those who came onto the premises.

Horry County Police reported to the Department of Revenue that it has responded to numerous calls for service, including noise complaints, assaults, shots fired, narcotic violations, weapon violations, fights, as well as Washingtons death on Oct. 18, 2023.

Both Barfields and Klockers was negligent in failing to screen and following security measures and laws to prevent the shooting, according to the suit.
Robert Jenrick is the front-runner to take over from Rishi Sunak as Tory leader (HENRY NICHOLLS) (HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP/AFP)

Former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak on Sunday urged his Conservative Party to "learn the lessons" of their crushing election defeat as it gathered to begin electing a new leader.

The four-day meeting in Birmingham, central England, comes three months after the Tories were ousted from power by Labour, with Keir Starmer taking over as prime minister.

"This is our first conference in opposition since 2009," Sunak wrote in parliament's The House magazine.

"We need to learn the lessons of our defeat: we did not get everything right in government - no government ever does - and we do now need to reflect on that," he wrote.

The party last met in opposition 15 years ago -- a year before David Cameron set them on their way to 14 years of consecutive but chaotic rule, marked by austerity, Brexit, the Covid pandemic and infighting.

The get-together will see four candidates audition in front of parliamentary colleagues and grassroots members as they bid to replace Sunak as the next Tory leader.

Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat will all make pitches from the stage as well as face questions from the floor in the main hall at the International Convention Centre in Britain's second-largest city.

Immigration will be one of the policy areas they will be grilled on.

- Immigration -

The subject was a major election issue in the July ballot, when the Conservatives lost critical votes to Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK party.

Setting out his stall, front-runner and former immigration minister Jenrick pledged a cap "cast in iron" on immigration.

"The age of mass migration must end. It's placing immense pressure on housing, on public services and on community cohesion," he told Sky News's Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.

Jenrick's nearest rival, Badenoch, said immigration was something the country needed to "get right".

"Numbers matter... culture matters. If we want to have a well-integrated society, we need to make sure that we have a shared culture and a shared identity," she told Sky.

Conservative MPs will vote next week to determine the final two candidates. Party members will then select the winner in a ballot that closes at the end of October.

Britain's new opposition leader -- and the person tasked with reuniting the party before the next elections -- will be announced on November 2.

Whoever is chosen will determine whether the party tacks further to the right or seeks to regain the centre ground following the Conservatives' worst-ever general election result on July 4.

Labour won a whopping 174-seat majority in the 650-seat UK parliament. The Tories lost 251 seats to return just 121 MPs, the lowest number in their history.

That capped a stunning downfall from the previous election in 2019, when the Tories won an 80-seat majority under Boris Johnson, mainly on a promise to "get Brexit done".

- Conundrum -

The party unravelled in spectacular fashion. Several scandals, not least Downing Street staff partying during coronavirus lockdowns, forced Johnson from office.

His successor, Liz Truss, then lasted just 49 days due to her mini-budget, which tanked the pound and spooked markets.

Sunak, brought in to steady the ship, was unable to reverse the slide and his 20 months in office were marred by factional infighting.

After the election, he announced he would step down once a successor had been chosen.

The party faces a dilemma: should it focus on winning back voters who defected to Farage's hard-right party, or aim to regain the support of those who switched to the centrist Liberal Democrats?

The party as a whole has drifted rightwards in recent years, but Badenoch and Jenrick are seen as the more right-wing of the candidates, with Cleverly and Tugendhat nearer the centre.

The conference ends on Wednesday.

pdh-har/jhb
Ukraine commemorated the 83rd anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy on Sept. 29, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying that it is a "terrifying symbol" of what can happen when the world "lacks the determination to stand up against evil."

The Babyn Yar tragedy was a mass murder of nearly 34,000 Jews by Nazi forces over two days in September 1941, near Kyiv, as part of the Holocaust.

Estimates put the total death toll, which also includes Soviet prisoners of war and the Romani people, at over 100,000.

"Babyn Yar is a vivid proof of the savagery that regimes led by leaders who rely on intimidation and violence are capable of," Zelensky said, evidently drawing parallels between the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II and Russia's current full-scale war against Ukraine.

"They have remained unchanged throughout history. But the world's reaction must be different. This is what the world should have learned. We must stand guard over humanity, life, and justice."

Last year, Zelensky commemorated the anniversary at the site of the massacre in Kyiv with members of the Jewish community.

Zelensky emphasized how the Nazis indiscriminately targeted men, women, and children, forcing them to walk down what was later called "the Road of Death" to the Babyn Yar ravine.

"The scale of this evil is still hard to perceive," he added.

"When the eyes of the world are closed, humanity loses. We must defend ourselves against evil."

Read also: Opinion: Life, death, and social solidarity in dark times

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Artillery exchanges and drone attacks have become a regular feature of the conflict (Genya SAVILOV) (Genya SAVILOV/AFP/AFP)

Ukraine on Sunday said it sent more than 100 drones deep inside Russia to hit a major weapons depot, as it stepped up attacks further inside Russian territory.

Also Sunday Denmark announced it was providing 1.3 billion kroner ($194 million) to help Ukraine bolster its under-pressure arsenal against Russia's invasion.

"Defence forces struck the Kotluban military depot" in the Volgograd region, hundreds of kilometres from the Ukrainian border, a day after a shipment of Iranian weapons reportedly arrived at the site, Ukraine's military general staff wrote on Telegram.

"A fire and ammunition detonation were observed on the depot's territory," said the post, adding that the facility was being used for storage and the modernisation of missiles and artillery.

Russia did not confirm the strike, reporting only that it had destroyed 67 drones overnight over the Volgograd region.

But a Ukrainian defence sector source told media that 120 drones had flown more than 600 kilometres (370 miles) to target the depot early Sunday.

"As a result of the hit, ammunition and missile storage sites were damaged, which will lead to a shortage of ammunition for units of Russia's occupation army," the source said.

Western governments have accused Iran of supplying both drones and missiles to Moscow for its war on Ukraine, a charge Tehran has repeatedly denied.

"Several explosions were recorded in the area of Kotluban, the location of a depot of the defence ministry's main missile and artillery directorate," Russian military blogger Rybar wrote, adding that "serious destruction" had been avoided.

Volgograd governor Andrei Bocharov said falling debris from the drones had sparked grass fires but had not caused casualties or damage.

- Two-hour drone attack -

Volgograd news sites cited locals as saying the drone attack lasted around two hours, prompted some residents to flee their homes, and that it was not the first time the area had been targeted in this way.

Russia's defence ministry on Sunday said its air defences had destroyed and intercepted a total of 125 Ukrainian drones over its territory overnight.

This was the largest Ukrainian drone attack since President Vladimir Putin last week announced changes to the country's nuclear doctrine to allow a nuclear response to a massive cross-border drone attack.

The governors in the Russian regions of Voronezh and Rostov reported some damage but no casualties from the attack.

The defence ministry said unmanned aerial vehicles had also been intercepted over the Bryansk and Kursk regions, the Krasnodar region close to Crimea and over the Sea of Azov.

Moscow recently announced it had been shooting down Ukrainian drones almost daily in response to what Kyiv says are retaliatory strikes for the offensive Russia launched in February 2022.

Denmark's announcement of extra funding specified that it would go towards arms and equipment produced in Ukraine but financed by Danish money and frozen Russian assets.

"Wars are not only won on the battlefield, but also in industry," Trade and Industry Minister Morten Bodskov said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelensky on Sunday marked the 83rd anniversary of a Nazi massacre of more than 30,000 Jewish people at the Babyn Yar ravine near Kyiv in 1941.

It was the largest massacre by the Germans and their local collaborators of Jewish people in Ukraine during World War II.

"Babyn Yar is a terrifying symbol, showing that the most heinous crimes occur when the world chooses to ignore, remain silent, stay indifferent, and lacks the determination to stand up against evil," Zelensky, who is himself Jewish, said on social media site X.

bur-bur/jj/dw
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky says Putin 'afraid' to use nuclear weapons because he 'loves his life'

Key developments on Sept. 29:

Zelensky says Putin 'afraid' to use nuclear weapons because he 'loves his life'

Russia's attack on Zaporizhzhia destroys apartment building, injures 16

Ukraine strikes Russian military arsenal storing missiles and drones in Volgograd Oblast

Russia claims 125 Ukrainian drones intercepted across 7 regions

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism in an interview with Fox News over Russian President Vladimir Putin's continued nuclear threats throughout the full-scale war, saying that Putin "loves his life" and is, therefore, likely afraid to use nuclear weapons.

"Nobody knows what's in his head," Zelensky said in the interview, which was posted to the president's official Youtube channel on Sept. 29. "He could use nuclear (weapons) on any country at any time  or not. (But) I don't think that he will."

Since the launch of the full-scale invasion, Russia has repeatedly invoked the threat of its nuclear arsenal to deter Western military support for Ukraine.

The Russian military will be able to "determine the conditions" for the use of nuclear weapons, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Russian state-controlled television on Sept. 29.

"(The military) closely monitors what weapons are used and how. They are the ones who record the direct involvement of the countries of the collective West in the (war in) Ukraine, and they will not diminish their focus," Peskov said.

Peskov went on to blame NATO member states for aiding Ukraine in its war effort against Russia, claiming that it "made it necessary to make adjustments both to the nuclear doctrine and to the foundations of state policy in the area of nuclear deterrence."

In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Ukraine and its Western allies should not try "to fight to victory with a nuclear power."

Lavrov's remarks come days after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed revisions to Moscow's nuclear doctrine at a U.N. Security Council meeting. Putin announced that Russia could respond to conventional missile strikes with nuclear weapons, and indicated that Moscow would treat any attack backed by a nuclear-armed country as a coordinated assault.

Read also: Kremlin says recent adjustments to Russias nuclear policy intended as a message to Western nations

Russia's attack on Zaporizhzhia destroys apartment building, injures 16

Russia attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia with guided bombs overnight on Sept. 29, injuring at least 16 civilians, local authorities reported.

As of 1:58 p.m. local time, the number of injured stands at 16, according to regional police. Among the wounded include a 17-year-old boy.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov said via his official Telegram channel that the city was targeted at least 10 times. Several buildings caught fire following the attack which also destroyed a high-rise and several residential homes. More people may be trapped under the rubble, Fedorov added.

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.

On Sept. 23, Russia's strike against the city killed one man and injured seven other civilians, including a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, according to local authorities.

Russian troops also appear to be preparing for assault operations in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where "the enemy is amassing personnel," the Ukrainian military's Southern Command spokesman Vladyslav Voloshyn said on Sept. 28.

Read also: Russian double-tap attack on Sumy hospital kills 10, injures 22, officials say

General Staff: Ukraine strikes Russian military arsenal storing missiles, drones in Volgograd Oblast

Ukrainian forces struck the Kotluban military arsenal in Russia's Volgograd Oblast, the General Staff reported on Sept. 29.

The military arsenal was used to store and modernize missiles and artillery, according to the General Staff.

Iranian-made Shahed missiles had also been transported to the facility shortly before the attack took place.

"The military facility was heavily protected by electronic warfare and air defense systems. Nevertheless, our units successfully completed the combat mission," the General Staff wrote.

The Kyiv Independent couldn't independently verify the claim.

Earlier on Sept. 29, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 67 Ukrainian-launched drones were shot down over Volgograd Oblast and that 125 drones in total had been intercepted over seven Russian regions.

Kyiv has carried out a number of drone attacks against Russian infrastructure facilities and military installations throughout the full-scale war, hoping to undermine Russian invasion forces in Ukraine.

Russian officials often play down attacks and claim no significant damage was inflicted.

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 on Sept. 18.

On Sept. 21, 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."

Russia claims 125 Ukrainian drones intercepted across 7 regions

One hundred twenty-five Ukrainian drones launched overnight were intercepted over seven Russian regions, Russian state-controlled media TASS claimed on Sept. 29.

The drones targeted Volgograd, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, Bryansk, and Kursk oblasts, as well as Krasnodar Krai, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The Ministry also claims three drones were shot down over the Sea of Azov.

The aforementioned regions are located at various distances along Ukraine's eastern border.

The ministry claims 67 drones were shot down over Volgograd Oblast, 17 over Belgorod Oblast, 17 over Voronezh Oblast, 18 over Rostov Oblast, and one each over Bryansk and Kursk oblasts.

There has been no comment on the attacks from Kyiv.

Kyiv has carried out a number of drone attacks against Russian infrastructure facilities and military installations throughout the full-scale war, hoping to undermine Russian invasion forces in Ukraine.

No casualties resulted from the drones targeting Voronezh Oblast, Governor Alexander Gusev claimed.

The drone attack inflicted property damage in the city and the surrounding region, including one residential building that was "significantly damaged," but somehow "none of the residents need temporary housing," he added.

Read also: Ukrainian drones are burning Russias oil refineries, but not its economy







Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed disappointment at Switzerland's support for the Sino-Brazilian "peace initiative" on Ukraine and called on all countries that support international law and the UN Charter to avoid participating in such initiatives.

Source: Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Quote: "The Ukrainian side is disappointed with the information about the Swiss side's support for the so-called Sino-Brazilian "peace initiative".

We cannot understand the logic of this decision. After all, together with the Swiss Confederation, we organised the first global Peace Summit on 15-16 June in Burgenstock, attended by representatives of one hundred countries and international institutions. Our countries continue to actively cooperate to increase the number of signatories to the Summit Communique. Switzerland is participating in thematic conferences on specific points of the Peace Formula which aim to prepare a common peace framework for restoring a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for Ukraine."

Details: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that all ideas, discussions and plans to restore peace for Ukraine should be based on two principles: "First, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Secondly, these proposals must be based on the UN Charter and include respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders."

The ministry called the Ukrainian Peace Formula the only way to a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace and stated there was no need to create additional formats and platforms to discuss ways to achieve peace for Ukraine.

Quote: "Any initiatives that do not contain a clear reference to the UN Charter and do not guarantee the full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity are unacceptable. Such peace initiatives only create the illusion of dialogue while the aggressor continues its criminal actions.

We call on the Swiss Confederation and all countries supporting international law and the UN Charter to avoid participating in so-called peace initiatives that can only complicate achieving a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace for Ukraine.

Any initiatives that do not recognise Russia's unprovoked armed aggression against Ukraine, equate the victim and the aggressor, and propose de-escalation at the expense of Ukraine's sovereignty and territories cannot be supported by Ukraine."

Background: On Saturday, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said that the country supported China and Brazil's so-called "peace initiative" regarding the war in Ukraine. At the same time, a spokesman for the Swiss Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of referring to the UN Charter in any peace initiatives regarding Ukraine.

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We recently published a list of Jim Cramer Stock Portfolio for Q4: Top 11 Stocks to Buy and Sell. Since Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) ranks 10th on the list, it deserves a deeper look.

Jim Cramer in a latest program on CNBC talked about the importance of using short-term rallies to your advantage. He said that investors should know when to take the chips off the table.

The idea that you should buy and hold through both the best of times and worst of times is probably incredibly foolish, with only very few exceptions, Cramer said.

Cramer said that if the stock you bought is going higher and higher and you keep resisting the urge to take some profits, you wont make any actual money from these gains if the stock comes down later paring all these profits. This seems straightforward but the idea of buying low and selling high is easier said than done, Cramer said.

Dont get carried away by the optimism. Instead, keep your head on straight, check your emotions, focus on long term and think about ringing the register, especially on stocks that might be getting too high, Cramer added.

For this article we watched several latest programs of Jim Cramer aired on CNBC and picked 10 stocks hes talking about. We also picked an interesting prediction Cramer made back in 2021 about a stock and saw how it turned out. 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 Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) Top Stock to Buy and Sell According to Jim Cramer?

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Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 32

Jim Cramer recently said in a program on CNBC that Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) has a great yield and the stock can project itself higher.

While Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) dividend yield is low when compared to other utilities, its regulated natural gas and electric utilities are expected to keep generating stable, recurring income despite the challenging regulatory environment. The 2023 settlement for ConEds New York City operations raised its return on equity (ROE) to 9.25%, an improvement from the previous 8.8%, which was the lowest among its utility peers. Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED), with a BBB+/A- credit rating and a market cap of over $31 billion, reported steady first-quarter earnings driven by its strong rate base, and the company continues to push toward its goal of providing 100% clean energy.

Story continues

The company is decreasing risk by selling off non-core assets, such as clean energy and gas pipelines. For example, the company sold its clean energy assets to RWE.

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) is projecting a 6.4% annual growth in its rate base through 2028, driven by continued investments in cleaner energy.

Overall, Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED) ranks 10th on Insider Monkeys list titled Jim Cramer Stock Portfolio for Q4: Top 11 Stocks to Buy and Sell. While we acknowledge the potential of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED), 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 ED 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.
Ukrainian who fled alone at 16 focuses on degree

Yulianna Skakun has begun a law degree at the University of Northampton [BBC]

A Ukrainian refugee who came to the UK on her own, aged 16, has said she was now "focussed" on getting a law degree.

Yulianna Skakun moved from the war-torn country to Rugby, Warwickshire before starting her course this week at the University of Northampton.

Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with the country still under regular bombardment from Russia.

The student said her journey to the UK was "very stressful but I had a purpose... to get an education".

Since the outbreak of the war more than 200,000 Ukrainian refugees have moved to the UK.

Ms Skakun said she had first travelled from her home in western Ukraine to Poland before heading to England which she said was a "tough way".

The 18-year-old described how living in the UK was a "cultural shock - generally everything is different".

'Life totally changed'

After arriving in Rugby she took A-levels in politics, business, and English and also completed her final exams in Ukraine online.

"My parents invested a lot in to my education and my English," she said.

The University of Northampton's Waterside campus opened in September 2018 [BBC]

The refugee said she decided on a law degree as she enjoyed politics and her mother was a lawyer.

She also completed a placement at the High Court in June, helping her realise it was what she wanted to do.

Ms Skakun revealed her news life at university meant she no longer had to rely on her host family and could "be quite independent and focus on my law degree".

She described the university as "a multicultural community and we all get on".

"It was good weather the first week and the process [of starting university] was really smooth organised and structured," she said.

The student said she "can't predict" what she would do after she finishes her degree "because my life had totally changed".

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story

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An underground fire Sunday morning in downtown Baltimore left thousands without power, closed roads and businesses, damaged a bookstore and injured a firefighter.

It was the third underground fire within a couple of blocks of North Charles Street this year.

Shortly after 5 a.m., the Baltimore City Fire Department responded to the 300 block of North Charles Street for reports of an underground fire with multiple maintenance holes emitting smoke and a possible maintenance hole explosion, according to the Baltimore Department of Emergency Services.

When fire crews arrived, they observed smoke coming from numerous maintenance holes releasing and one emitting flames, officials said. The fire was extinguished around 9 a.m., the fire department said on the X social media site.

Crews assessing the scene later pieced together fragments of an exploded maintenance hole cover at the intersection of North Charles and East Pleasant streets. Inside the holes under the street, tangles of electrical wires and other infrastructure were scorched by the fire.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. shut off power across several downtown blocks so Baltimore City firefighters could safely extinguish the blaze, the cause of which is still under investigation, according to city fire officials.

One firefighter was injured and transported for treatment, Baltimore Police spokesperson Freddie Talbert said, and the fires threat to the public has been mitigated. Talbert did not offer any details about how the firefighter was injured or their condition.

The 300 blocks of North Charles and St. Paul streets will be shut down for a prolonged period of time, Talbert said.

North Charles Street is closed from Lexington Street to Mulberry Street, and Saratoga Street is shut down from St. Paul Street to Sharp Street, Talbert said Sunday afternoon.

According to BGE, about 2,200 customers were without power in the area as of 6 p.m., according to BGEs outage map. The outages affect the area of Lexington, Mulberry, Saratoga, Calvert and Sharp streets.

All of the traffic lights spanning from City Hall to Charles Plaza and the Washington Monument also were out into the afternoon Sunday, with some cars blowing through intersections. Closed road were blocked by traffic cones, as well as vehicles from Baltimore Police, the Department of Public Works and the Maryland Department of Transportation.

In and around Charles Plaza, the majority of businesses, such as Streets Market & Cafe and the Charles Street 7-Eleven, were dark much of the day. Foot traffic was light in the normally busy area, with some people walking in the middle of the street. BGE crews were posted along the side of the road.

Debris and singed books from Viva Books littered the sidewalk of North Charles Street as crews continued to operate within the interior of two charred maintenance holes in the street. The floor of the bookseller was ripped open and damaged by fire.

Viva Stowell, who owns the shop, said she didnt want to talk as she stood outside looking at the damage.

BGE is assessing the fires impact on underground electric infrastructure to carry out necessary repairs, the company said in a statement.

The 300 block of North Charles Street is no stranger to underground fires, as crews responded to a similar blaze, which included an explosion, in late January.

BGE confirmed that a January incident that occurred outside the Rod Dee Thai restaurant on that block resulted from an electrical fire, which did not cause injuries. The fire left 1,700 customers without power for a time and led to road closures and conditions similar to Sundays fire.

In June, crews responded to the area again for a high-voltage fire in the 200 block of North Charles Street. Similarly, power needed to be shut down in the area by BGE, and crews worked to address the underground electrical infrastructure. A building was evacuated, and that fire did not result in any injuries.

Underground fire affects Baltimore City | PHOTOS

When asked why underground fires in the area continue to occur and what is being done to prevent them, a BGE spokesperson said the company is focused on restoring customers who are currently out of service.

Last week, another Sunday fire downtown in a handful of businesses and a residence two blocks from Camden Yards drew a response of over 240 personnel from numerous agencies. No injuries were reported.

Baltimore Sun photographer Amy Davis contributed to this article.
Numerous roads in downtown Baltimore are closed and power to some businesses and residences is shut off due to an underground fire, according to a news release from the Baltimore Department of Emergency Services. The fire has been extinguished.

Early Sunday crews responded to the 300 block of North Charles Street for reports of an underground fire with multiple manholes emitting smoke and a possible manhole explosion, according to the release. Crew observed numerous manholes releasing smoke from their covers and one emitting fire.

Power was shut off by Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. to allow Baltimore City firefighters to safely extinguish the blaze, the cause of which is still under investigation, according to city fire officials. Threats to the public have been mitigated.

According to BGE around noon, about 2,200 customers are still without power.

The outage affects the area of Lexington, Mulberry, Saratoga, Calvert and Sharp streets. The Baltimore City Fire Department posted on the social platform X around noon that road closures include Charles Street north of Fayette Street and south of Franklin Street, as well as Saratoga and Lexington streets east of Liberty Street and west of St. Paul Street.

All of the traffic lights in the area were out Sunday around 11:30 a.m., with some cars blowing through intersections. Road closures were blocked by cones, as well as vehicles from Baltimore Police, the Department of Public Works and the Maryland Department of Transportation.

A gaping hole enveloped the floor of Viva Books, a new and used bookseller on North Charles Street. Debris and books were strewn about the interior.

In the commercial area commonly known as Charles Plaza, the majority of businesses, such as Streets Market & Cafe and the Charles Street 7-Eleven, were dark around 11:30 a.m., even if they had signs illuminated. Foot traffic was light in the normally busy area, with some people walking in the middle of the street. BGE crews were posted along the side of the road.

BGE is currently assessing the impact the fire had on underground electric infrastructure to carry out necessary repairs.

Crews assessing the scene pieced together four fragments of an exploded manhole cover at the intersection of North Charles and East Pleasant streets.

Last week, another Sunday fire downtown drew a response of over 240 personnel from numerous agencies. No injuries were reported.

_____

(Baltimore Sun photographer Amy Davis contributed to this article.)

_____
UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  News Channel 11 was at Unicoi County High School on Sunday afternoon to attend a press conference after devastating flooding throughout the county.

The press conference was streamed live and can be watched above.

During the briefing, Myron Hughes with the Incident Management Team said two weather-related deaths have been confirmed by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH). One of those deaths occurred in Johnson County and the other in Unicoi County.

We have a specific process for investigating and reporting weather-related fatalities, and the Tennessee Department of Health is involved, confirms and reports those, Hughes said. As of 4:30 [Sunday] afternoon, the Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed two weather-related deaths: one in Johnson County and one in Unicoi County. They are working with the William B. Jenkins Forensics Center on making notifications to family.

Sheriff: No confirmed deaths in Carter County, two missing

Hughes said the total number of weather-related deaths is expected to change.

Regarding the most current and accurate number of missing persons, the TBI and TEMA are continuing to work jointly to compile that list. They will be issuing a press release sometime this afternoon containing that information, and we will also be sharing that information to the sites that we have when that information is available.

TEMA and TBI later issued a report stating the current number of missing people in Unicoi County sat at 47. The agencies said it is likely many of those people are, in fact, safe but do not have means of communicating that they are not in danger.

Hughes said every agency and affected community is grateful for the outpouring of responses and donations made.

Going forward, Hughes said the new site collecting donations for those impacted in Unicoi County will be the Evergreen Freewill Baptist Church at 910 Hoback Street in Erwin. The donation center will be open every day from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily.

Pickup sites for those in need of items are available at the Southside Freewill Baptist Church at 1313 Chestoa Pike in Erwin, Temple Hill Elementary School at 797 Old Highway Road in Erwin and Flag Pond School at 917 Old Asheville Highway in Flag Pond. All three sites will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Hughes said donation items needed include trash bags, flashlights, batteries, medical and work gloves, soap, deodorant, unopened medications like Tylenol, shampoo, body wash, rubbing alcohol, bandages, Wet Wipes, small propane gas tanks, charcoal, blankets, candles and unopened toys and board games for children.

Absolutely no clothing is being accepted as of Sunday.

Unicoi County EMA Director and Incident Commander Jim Erwin, County Mayor Garland Bubba Evely, Director of Schools John English, Erwin Mayor Glenn White, Tennessee Highway Patrol Sergeant Matt Blankenship and other leaders were present along with Hughes on Sunday.

Unicoi County leaders will address the public again at 10 a.m. on Monday.

This is a developing story. More information will be available shortly.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This week the UN General Assembly met in New York. Born out of the Second World War, and the determination to prevent another all-consuming catastrophe, for almost 80 years the UN has carried the hopes of the world.

With its avowed good intentions for the 193 member states, to the ordinary man in the street it enjoys a virtuous cachet reserved in earlier generations only for saints.

Sadly, the reality is a deeply corrupt and irrevocably flawed organisation, defined at every turn by the lowest moral common denominator, thanks to the very worst of those member states being given a platform and authority.

Far from preventing war, the United Nations has become an enabler of conflict that empowers autocracies and allows its various subsidiary bodies to foment hate. Nothing embodies this failure more than the long sorry saga of the UN and Israel.

It is almost impossible to comprehend the perversity of the General Assemblys repeated attempt to deny the right of the state of Israel to exist, in the 80 years since the holocaust.

In 2001, the World Conference Against Racism was held under UN auspices in Durban, South Africa.

It quickly descended into nothing more than a thinly veiled hate-fest, with delegates banding together to brand Israel a racist apartheid state that committed war crimes, acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing.

Outside the conference, copies of the notorious antisemitic screed the Protocols of the Elders of Zion were distributed. Placards read: If only Hitler had won. Thus was proclaimed the utter moral turpitude of an organisation founded in the ashes of the war that vanquished the Nazis.

The decades since have confirmed this hatred of Israel has become institutionally systemic  not a bug but a feature of the UN.

In 2022, as war in Ukraine raged, and while the people of Iran, Myanmar, Syria and Venezuela suffered untold oppression and human rights violations, the UN General Assembly targeted 15 resolutions at Israel, while there were just 13 resolutions for the entire rest of the world.

And that was before the war against Hamas in Gaza.

The genocidal massacre committed against the people of Israel on October 7 saw barely a pause in the legitimisation of hate by the UN.

With scant lip service to condemn the slaughter of more than 1,200 men, women and children, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was still unable to recognise Israels right to defend itself.

In Gaza itself, evidence has shown that hundreds of staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) took part in the October 7 massacre.

The evidence was too strong even for the UN officials to entirely deny, even if only a paltry nine workers were eventually sacked.

Now, as conflict escalates against Hezbollah following many months of the terror militia launching unprovoked attacks against Israel, once again the UN has betrayed its peacekeeping role.

In 2006 UN Security Council Resolution 1701 called for the withdrawal of forces threatening Israel to the north of the Litani River, and demanded that Hezbollah disarm.

Needless to say, the resolution has been entirely ignored. Instead, a vast Hezbollah arsenal menaces the people of northern Israel from that territory.

It is even reported that the blue-helmeted UN peacekeeping troops are used effectively as human shields by Hezbollah, which places their launch sites close to the UN camps.

This year the United Kingdom gave more than 100m to the United Nations budget. The good intentions of the founders in 1945 have been irreparably betrayed. British taxpayers and the people of the world deserve a better deal.

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Unsolved double murder in Ohio to be featured on Netflix series

An unsolved double murder in Ohio will be featured on a Netflix documentary series this week, according to our CBS affiliates WOIO-19 TV and WKYC-3 TV.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Five years ago, longtime friends Carnell Sledge and Kate Brown were shot and killed while sitting on a bench at the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation.

TRENDING STORIES:

Cleveland Metroparks Police Department and the Cleveland Division of the FBI said the shooting happened on June 4, 2019, sometime between 5:08 and 5:15 p.m., WKYC-TV reported.

Family and community members have worked to raise awareness for the pair as the story has gained national attention, WOIO-19 reported.

This weekend families passed out yard signs to people throughout the community.

The case will premiere on Netflixs Unsolved Mysteries on Oct. 2.

A $100,000 reward is available for information leading to an arrest and successful prosecution in this case, both stations reported.

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Editor's Note: This story will be continuously updated.

In the wake of severe flooding and damage from Tropical Storm Helene throughout the Upstate, schools and colleges are making decisions about cancellations and e-learning.

Here's what we know so far:

Clemson University reopening several facilities Sunday

According to a post on the college's Facebook page, Clemson University will be opening three facilities to campus members and the public on Sunday.

"Clemson University will open Littlejohn Coliseum and the Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex on Sunday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., for community members and city residents in need of respite following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. Additionally, the Hendrix Student Center will be open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. for community access to find a cool space, recharge electronics and have access to public WiFi," the post reads.

The Littlejohn Coliseum has power stations, WiFi, limited food and drinks, and six showers available for members of the community.

The Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex will have 4 showers available for family use. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Limestone University has canceled classes for Monday

According to a post on the college's Facebook page, Limestone University has canceled classes for Monday.

"Due to fuel shortages and continued power outages in surrounding areas, as well as campus, Limestone University will not have classes and observe remote operations (for staff) on Monday, September 30," the post reads. "Our main concern is the safety of everyone. We will make a day-to-day assessment moving forward."

Anderson University cancels classes, activities through Tuesday

According to a Saturday press release, Anderson University classes, activities are canceled through Tuesday for all campus facilities, including the University Center Greenville.

"The campus continues to be without power. We still dont have a clear indication of when power will be restored. Once again, students who can safely return home are encouraged to do so," the release reads. "The Student Center remains open for all students, including the Culinary Center."

Furman University closed through Wednesday

According to a Saturday press release, Furman University's campus will be closed through Wednesday.

"Campus is still without electricity. Duke Power has notified Furman that their crews will not be able to address Furmans outage until (Sunday) at the earliest, and power might not be restored until Tuesday. The lack of power and full access to the internet greatly impacts students living conditions, classrooms, dining and activities," the release reads. "Moreover, the vast majority of Furmans faculty and staff do not have power at home, and many are dealing with storm damage and the potential need for immediate childcare next week if the local school system closes."

Classes and all activities are canceled for the same period. No online or asynchronous learning is planned for Monday-Wednesday due to the power and internet outages.

Wofford College cancels classes through Tuesday

According to a post on the college's Facebook page, Wofford College has canceled classes through Tuesday.

All Spartanburg Community College campuses closed through Monday

According to a Saturday press release, all Spartanburg Community College campuses will be closed through Monday.

Spartanburg Methodist College canceling week of classes

Spartanburg Methodist College is canceling classes for the week; their fall break starts Thursday, according to Director of Marketing Communications Jeremy Handel.

USC Upstate cancels classes for Tuesday

USC Upstate is closed through Monday and classes are canceled through Tuesday. The campus will be running on a remote schedule during that time for non-essential employees, according to Communications Director Emily Gillespie.

The university is encouraging students to return home if safe to do so. The university lost power and it estimated to be restored sometime between Sunday and Wednesday, according to messages from the campus alert system.

Converse University cancels classes through Monday

Converse University has canceled classes and activities through Monday, according to the college's website.

"Due to the severe weather, lack of power, and other challenges on campus and throughout Spartanburg County due to Hurricane Helene, Converse has suspended all classes, events and campus activities through and including Monday, September 30," a Friday release states.

The university was still without power Saturday.

Anderson County schools announce e-learning day

All Anderson County Districts will observe an e-Learning Day on Monday, September 30.

"Our schools will provide flexibility in meeting eLearning Day requirements, as we understand many families still do not have access to power or the internet," according to District 3 Chief Communications Officer Dylan McCullough. "We will provide an update on Monday regarding Tuesday, October 1, school operations."

Greenville County schools closed on Monday, Tuesday

Greenville County Schools will be closed on Monday, September 30, and Tuesday, October 1. With widespread power and Internet outages, eLearning is not possible. Once we have better estimates of when power and Internet will be restored, we will announce plans for Wednesday.

Terry Benjamin

10 inches of rain to Greenville: Hurricane Helene could bring up to 10 inches of rain to Greenville: Worst effects Thursday

Spartanburg County schools closed Monday, Tuesday

All Spartanburg County school districts have announced that they will be closed Monday and Tuesday. The majority included in their announcements that e-learning is not expected due to power outages.

Travis Rose, reporter for the Anderson Independent-Mail contributed to this article.

Terry Benjamin, reporter for the Greenville News contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Which Upstate South Carolina schools, colleges are open, closed?
US News names 9 Missouri universities among best in Midwest for 2025

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  With the 2024-25 school year underway throughout the country, US News decided to release its list of the best national universities and the best regional universities in each U.S. region for 2025.

For regional universities in the Midwest, Missouri saw nine universities in the state crack the top 100, including two in the top 10.

The highest-ranked university per US News was awarded to Truman State University, which placed fifth overall in the Midwest. Not far behind Truman State is Rockhurst University in Kansas City at seventh overall.

US News best colleges in 2025: 4 Arkansas universities among best in south

Two universities in Springfield also placed in the top 100. Drury University came in 24th place, followed by Evangel University in 91st place.

The other Missouri universities that made the list include Webster University (31st), Northwest Missouri State University (tied for 67th), Stephens College (tied for 67th), Central Missouri (73rd) and Southeast Missouri State University (82nd).

U.S. News says their rankings are based on graduation and student retention rates, class size, student-to-faculty ratio, SAT and ACT scores, alumni giving rate, and peer assessment.

For the full rankings, visit U.S. News and World Reports 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
US says all-out war not the way to return people to homes in northern Israel

(Reuters) -Israel will not be able to safely get people back into their homes in the north of the country by waging an all-out war with Hezbollah or Iran, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday.

Israel struck more targets in Lebanon on Sunday, pressing Hezbollah with new attacks after killing the Iran-backed group's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Israel's stated goal is to make its northern areas safe from Hezbollah rocket fire and allow thousands of displaced residents to return.

"An all-out war with Hezbollah, certainly with Iran, is not the way to do that. If you want to get those folks back home safely and sustainably, we believe that a diplomatic path is the right course," Kirby told CNN. The U.S. is Israel's longtime ally and biggest arms supplier.

The United States is watching to see what Hezbollah does to try to fill its leadership vacuum "and is continuing to talk to the Israelis about what the right next steps are", he said.

Lebanon's Health Ministry says more than 1,000 Lebanese were killed and 6,000 wounded in the past two weeks. The government said a million people - a fifth of the population - had fled their homes.

"We have made no bones about the fact that we don't necessarily see the tactical execution the same way that they do in terms of protection (of civilians)," said Kirby, adding that U.S. support for Israel's security was iron clad.

Iran said on Saturday it would defend its national and security interests but gave no details. It called for the United Nations Security Council to meet over Israel's actions.

"We've seen the rhetoric coming out of Tehran. We'll watch and see what they do," said Kirby.

(Reporting by David LjunggrenEditing by Nick Zieminski and Lisa Shumaker)
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Washington was concerned about a widening of the conflict, but also asserted Israel's right to defend itself (Jim WATSON) (Jim WATSON/AFP/AFP)

The United States said Sunday that it had a strong military presence in the Middle East after deploying reinforcements amid Israel's widening of the war to include hundreds of targets in Lebanon.

With Israel pressing on with a bombing campaign against Hezbollah and with its campaign in Gaza, White House national security spokesman John Kirby characterized the US deployment as "robust," without providing details.

"There is already a very robust military capability to defend ourselves and to help defend Israel," Kirby said on US broadcaster ABC, adding that more forces had been sent since Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel in April.

In a statement, the Pentagon on Sunday said an aircraft carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit have been ordered to keep operating in the eastern Mediterranean and that these forces were backed by an "elevated presence" of warplanes.

The United States "will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities in the coming days," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said.

Kirby reiterated that the United States was concerned about a widening of the conflict in the Middle East, but also asserted Israel's right to "eliminate this threat to their people and to their land," referring to Hezbollah.

"We've been concerned, almost since the beginning of this conflict, about it broadening, widening, becoming a regional war," Kirby said.

Fears are growing that Israel might launch ground operations in Lebanon, capitalizing on its momentum and US support after killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top figures in the armed group.

Despite the atmosphere of acute and growing crisis, Kirby said the United States had no imminent plans to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon, but urged its people to get out while they can.

He said it was too early to say who would assume the leadership of Hezbollah after Israel killed Nasrallah in an air strike in Beirut on Friday.

dw/aha
Shares of New York Community Bancorp (NYSE: NYCB) have lost roughly two-thirds of their value over the past year. Meanwhile, the average bank stock, using the SPDR S&P Bank ETF as an industry proxy, is up over 40% over that same timeframe. This is not a stock that will be a good fit for most investors. But that doesn't mean all investors will want to avoid it.

Here's a look at the buy, sell, and hold arguments for New York Community Bancorp stock today.

A little background on New York Community Bancorp

In late 2022 New York Community Bancorp bought Flagstar Bank as it sought to become a larger bank. Then a short-lived banking crisis hit in early 2023, but New York Community Bancorp was largely unscathed by the industry turmoil. However, management, still looking to grow its business, saw a potential opportunity in the crisis. It ended up buying parts of Signature Bank, one of the banks that failed during the bank runs.

Image source: Getty Images.

That's when the trouble began. New York Community Bancorp wasn't prepared for the swift growth in its business. Larger banks are subject to greater regulatory scrutiny and New York Community Bancorp's internal controls weren't ready for the added requirements and added scrutiny. A sign of that fact arrived fairly quickly when the company announced that some large loans it made were in trouble. To shore up its balance sheet the company cut its dividend twice, with it now sitting at just $0.01 per share per quarter.

That, however, wasn't enough. New York Community Bancorp had to seek outside help. That arrived in the form of a $1 billion bailout from a private investor group. While that's a sign of the turnaround potential here, it still isn't a good sign concerning the hole the company dug for itself. This explains why New York Community Bancorp basically revamped its management team, too. Simply put, New York Community Bancorp is a troubled financial institution in an industry filled with competitors that are performing at a much higher level.

The case to sell New York Community Bancorp

For most investors, the sell decision (or the choice to not buy in the first place) should be simple. Why invest in a bank that is struggling when you can own better-positioned banks? Even if you like turnaround stories, there are better options out there (such as Toronto-Dominion Bank).

The big warning sign here is that New York Community Bancorp's problems were largely self-inflicted. Sure, there's a new management team in place, but it has to clean up the mess left behind by the previous crew. Only after that is taken care of can the bank start to think about growth again. If you are a risk-averse investor, this just isn't a particularly compelling story.

Story continues

The case to hold New York Community Bancorp

The hold call is pretty tough. After the dividend cut, the yield is a tiny 0.4% or so. That compares to the broader banking sector's 2.5% yield. You aren't getting paid very well to wait for better days. And, according to the new management team, New York Community Bancorp won't be back in line with its peers profitability-wise until at least the end of 2026.

In other words, it looks like New York Community Bancorp could be dead money for a while. If you've got paper losses in the stock you might want to capture the loss to offset gains elsewhere in your portfolio. But if you don't mind sitting around waiting, or just can't stomach taking a loss, the bank does appear to be moving in the right direction. Just know that you could be stuck holding it for several years before you are back to breakeven.

NYCB Chart

The case for buying New York Community Bancorp stock

If you like a good turnaround story, though, there could be a reason to buy New York Community Bancorp. The $1 billion cash infusion will likely give the troubled financial institution the support it needs to climb out of the hole it is in. As noted, the process won't be quick or easy. However, at this juncture, it seems unlikely that New York Community Bancorp will fail anytime soon.

And if it does get back on track, well, there's material upside potential given the huge stock price decline shareholders have suffered through. In some ways, a huge amount of the risk here has been priced into the stock. There are much better bank stories you could invest in, but if you don't mind living on the edge (and waiting a long time), New York Community Bancorp could be the turnaround stock for you.

It just won't be worth it for most investors

There are investors who like to find cigar butts, which are basically companies that are beaten up but still have just a little puff of life left in them. That's what New York Community Bancorp is right now. That type of turnaround investing is high-risk and not the type of thing that most investors will want to sign up for. All in, there are better choices out there in the banking industry today, even for those investors who like turnaround stocks.

Should you invest $1,000 in New York Community Bancorp right now?

Before you buy stock in New York Community Bancorp, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and New York Community Bancorp wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $743,952!*

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Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Toronto-Dominion Bank. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

New York Community Bancorp Stock: Buy, Sell, or Hold? was originally published by The Motley Fool
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (USF)  Cougar Volleyball (8-4, 3-1 NSIC) closed out the weekend with a 3-0 sweep over Minot State (1-10, 0-4 NSIC).

MATCH DETAILS

Final Score: USF 3, MiSU 0 (25-18, 28-26, 25-14)

Team Records: USF 8-4, UMARY 1-10

Attendance: 151

MATCH RECAP

USF was led by junior Courtney Holsteen in a career-high night with 20 kills, four digs and three blocks. Grace Hanel added to the offensive game with 13 kills on the day.

Sioux Falls landed 54 kills on the day while recording a .358 attacking percentage on 109 attacks compared to the Beavers .202 percent on 109 attacks.

Elise Gillen recorded 23 assists while Lizz Kopp added 15 for The Coo.

Defensively, Gillen led the Cougars with 11 digs followed by Faith Van Eck and Kyleigh Tangen each with eight and Tatum Godinez with seven. USF was led by Jordan Kuper with two solo blocks on the day and Jordyn Hamm with three assisted blocks.

Offensively, USF opened the match with a .630 attacking percentage landing 18 kills on 27 attacks and boasted six service aces on the day.

UP NEXT

Sioux Falls will hit the road this coming week to take on #12 St. Cloud State and #15 Minnesota Duluth this upcoming Friday and Saturday. USF will open the weekend in St. Cloud, Minnesota against the Huskies at 6pm Friday night followed by a trip to Duluth where they will take on the Bulldogs at 2pm.

The Coo will return home October 8 for the annual Avera Breast Cancer Awareness match against #9 Concordia-St. Paul at 6pm inside the Stewart Center.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Youre correct if you sense a change in the air in Tacoma. But it has nothing to do with the weather. All of us at the University of Washington Tacoma are excited about starting a new academic year. And weve got a lot to be excited about.

U-Dub T is a diverse campus that has welcomed students to the heart of downtown Tacoma since 1990. Then, approximately 400 students were enrolled. Now, we are welcoming 1,700 new first-year and transfer students for the Autumn 2024 quarter  a class size we havent seen since before the pandemic.

Our campus is vibrant, enrolling traditional and non-traditional-aged students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Some have overcome significant challenges to be here. Our focus is on providing access and ensuring student success, regardless of where students come from or what theyve been through. Indeed, our goal is to make higher education accessible for all.

Our students come to us for various reasons, but they all share the belief that their degree will open doors. Faculty, staff and alumni are committed to helping them achieve their goals and realize career and social mobility. Its worth the investment, too; with undergraduate tuition ringing in at just under $13,000, and nearly $57 million in financial aid disbursed, U. S. World News and Reports recently rated the UW Tacoma as the number-one regional institution for social mobility in Washington with an abundance of resources to help students stay successful in and out of the classroom.

Now, while some of the benefits of UW Tacoma are more obvious, some bragging points are a bit less so. In the more than money category, students rank the university high regarding a sense of belonging and having a supportive network. And for those of you who live in Tacoma, work in Tacoma, worship here or serve the community here, you deserve a share of the thanks. Perhaps you didnt know, but students may have served beside you as volunteers and interns. And because of you, they understand the impact of being part of an engaged community.

So, as we welcome new and returning Huskies to campus, stay close Tacoma. These students are bright, talented, determined and committed.

They are our students.

I invite you to keep extending your hand, offering advice, looking for ways to be engaged and offering your support to university students via time or money. And go ahead and stick out your chest a little  you too, can be proud of the purple and gold. As we welcome students to campus, you usher a welcome to the city  this city of destiny. It is a place where every Husky can find theirs.

Mentha Hynes-Wilson is the vice chancellor for student affairs, and has been for more than six years. The Division of Student Affairs is a collection of programs and services designed to assist students in their academic endeavors and extend learning beyond the classroom. More than a dozen units support student access, student success and social mobility.
Opposition protesters shout slogans at a small gathering in Caracas on September 28, 2024 (Federico PARRA) (Federico PARRA/AFP/AFP)

Small groups of opposition protesters rallied Saturday in Venezuela, joined by supporters outside the country, marking two months since the country's disputed election that President Nicolas Maduro claimed to have won.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in hiding after denouncing the proclaimed results as fraudulent, called for smaller gatherings to avoid security crackdowns seen at earlier protests.

About 30 people shouted slogans at a Caracas plaza, including Leida Brito, known as "Red Helmet Grandmother" from her years of anti-government activism.

"Nicolas Maduro should leave because he lost," she said, holding a sign which read: "To defend the vote is a right."

"The freedom of Venezuela is in danger," Hidalgo Valero, a retired colonel, told AFP.

"Today our people are afraid to be in the streets because there is tremendous repression," he added.

Machado addressed supporters in a voice note released by her team: "Here we are standing firm, advancing every day with more strength and enthusiasm, gathered here as the brave and good Venezuela."

Dozens of opposition leaders have been arrested since the contested poll, along with more than 2,400 other Venezuelans accused of "terrorism" for allegedly taking part in protests.

Twenty-seven people were killed in the post-election clashes.

The opposition says its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won the July 28 election with 67 percent of the vote, releasing its own tally of polling station-level results.

Maduro, however, was declared the winner with 52 percent of the vote by the pro-government National Electoral Council (CNE), which has yet to release detailed voting results, as required by law.

Gonzalez Urrutia, a 75-year-old retired diplomat, left Venezuela this month for asylum in Spain after spending weeks in hiding.

Larger protests also took place outside Venezuela, including in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Panama City and Montevideo. In Madrid, Gonzalez Urrutia greeted supporters who were waving the Venezuelan flag.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Maduro supporters marched in Caracas to proclaim victory in the election.

Maduro told the crowd the "supposed queen bee," in reference to Machado, "is beginning to pack her Gucci suitcases... she is preparing to leave too."

"We are not in Madrid, we are not hiding, we are in the street," he declared.

On Thursday, some 30 countries led by the United States and Argentina urged Maduro to engage in dialogue with the opposition.

In a joint statement, the countries called for "constructive and inclusive discussions" on a democratic transition and to immediately release Venezuelans detained in the election aftermath.

mbj/jt/val/jgc/acb
Maria Corina Machado had been prevented from running in the presidential election by institutions seen as loyal to the government of Nicolas Maduro (Pedro Rances Mattey) (Pedro Rances Mattey/AFP/AFP)

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in hiding since July presidential elections she claims strongman Nicolas Maduro stole, said Sunday her security chief and another staff member had been arrested.

It is the second time Machado's security chief Milciades Avila has been detained; the first was two weeks before the July 28 vote the opposition says it can prove its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, won by a landslide.

The arrests of Avila and Edwin Moya are the latest in what the opposition says has been a wave of repression following Maduro's questioned reelection to a third six-year term, rejected by much of the international community.

"Maduro and his regime committed yet another crime. They have kidnapped two honest men, fathers... whose job it is to ensure our security," Machado said on social media.

"Both have fulfilled their responsibilities in an exemplary manner, always aware of the risk that this entailed in the face of a tyranny that today the world qualifies as a corrupt and criminal system," she added.

The Foro Penal watchdog had reported 149 "arbitrary arrests," including 135 members of Machado's entourage, in the runup to the vote.

Many more have been detained since, and Foro Penal says Venezuela now has the highest number of "political prisoners" in almost 25 years.

Venezuela's CNE electoral authority, seen as loyal to the regime, declared a victory for Maduro within hours of polls closing, with 52 percent of votes cast.

But most of the international community has refused to accept his win without a detailed vote breakdown, which has not been forthcoming.

The opposition published its own tally of polling station-level results, which it says proves Gonzalez Urrutia won two-thirds of the votes cast.

The United States says there was "overwhelming evidence" Gonzalez Urrutia, a 75-year-old retired diplomat, had won.

He has since taken asylum in Spain after spending weeks in hiding in Venezuela after the vote.

Machado, for her part, has come out in public only a handful of times to lead anti-Maduro protests.

Twenty-seven people were killed in post-election clashes and more than 2,400 arrested for taking part in protests, charged with "terrorism."

mbj/jt/mlr/nro
When is the vice presidential debate? How to watch Vance v Walz

Mr Walz is taking part in his own mock rehearsals for the debate - RONDA CHURCHILL

Tim Walz and JD Vance will face off in the first vice-presidential debate of the campaign season.

It comes after the head-to-head between their running mates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, earlier in September, which the Democrat was widely perceived to have won.

The debate provides an opportunity for Mr Vance, the Ohio senator, to reverse negative public perceptions, having faced months of damaging headlines since he was unveiled at the Republican National Convention in July.

He is reported to be preparing with practice sessions where Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer is attempting to replicate Mr Walzs folksy demeanour.

Mr Vance, the Ohio senator, is trying to reverse negative public perceptions during the face off - Karl B DeBlaker

Mr Walz, the Minnesota governor, is taking part in his own mock rehearsals, where transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg is facing off against him as Mr Vance.

In a break from tradition, the prospective vice presidents will debate standing up  the first time this has happened since 2008.

When is the vice presidential debate?

The vice presidential debate will take place on Oct 1 in New York City at CBS Broadcast Centre and is expected to last 90 minutes.

It will be moderated by Norah ODonnell, the host of CBS Evening News, and Margaret Brennan, the CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent.

What time is the vice presidential debate?

The vice presidential debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance will be at 9pm EST.

Where can you watch the debate?

The debate will be broadcast on all platforms where CBS News 24/7 and Paramount+ are available. Other television networks will carry a simulcast of the event.

Who is leading in the election polls?

Tim Walz has consistently enjoyed higher favourability ratings over JD Vance since his Republican rival was engulfed in controversy after referring to senior Democrats as childless cat ladies.

According to ratings from polling aggregator FiveThirtyEight, the Minnesota governor has a rating of 40.1 per cent favourable and 36.3 per cent unfavourable. His polls are significantly higher than those of his running mate, Ms Harris.

Mr Vance, by contrast, has just a 34.4 per cent favourable rating, which is dwarfed by the 45.7 per cent of Americans who view him unfavourably.

Will there be a second vice presidential debate?

A second vice presidential debate has not yet been announced. Just one vice-presidential debate took place in the 2020 election, although that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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.
Virginia man charged after semi crashes into Campton building with 3-year-old child inside

CAMPTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Virginia man has been arrested after a semi-truck reportedly carrying a three-year-old passenger crashed into a newly renovated business in Campton on Thursday night.

According to the Wolfe County Sheriffs Department (WCSD), deputies were dispatched on Thursday in response to a crash on Main Street in Campton.

Thousands without power in Lexington: What to know if youre still in the dark

Authorities said 50-year-old David Dugas of Virginia was driving down Main Street when he allegedly collided with the building, causing major damage.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Deputies said the sheriffs department was assisted in the investigation by the Kentucky State Police Department (KSP) and the Wolfe County Volunteer Fire Department.

Deputies with the Wolfe County Sheriffs Department told FOX 56 that a newly remodeled building had been majorly damaged by a semi reportedly crashing into it on Thursday. (Wolfe County Sheriffs Department)

A semi truck reportedly crashed into a building on Main Street in Campton on Thursday. (Wolfe County Sheriffs Department)

The Wolfe County Sheriffs Department posted images on Facebook of a truck that had crashed into a Campton, Kentucky building on Thursday. (Wolfe County Sheriffs Department)

Witnesses gathered in Campton on Thursday after a truck crashed into a newly remodeled building. (Wolfe County Sheriffs Department)

A three-year-old child and a woman were also reportedly found in the vehicle during the crash investigation, according to law enforcement. The child was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries before being released.

David Dugas, 50, was lodged in the Three Forks Regional Jail on Thursday. (Wolfe County Sheriffs Department)

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Dugas was charged with:

Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance  first offense

Possession of methamphetamine  first offense

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Second-degree wanton endangerment

Dugas was lodged in the Three Forks Regional Jail on Thursday.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
DEBARY, Fla. - A 16-year-old girl who disappeared while swimming with friends late Saturday night in the St. Johns River was found safe hours later  and has been reunited with her family, according to authorities.

Laura Williams, a spokesperson for VSO, told FOX 35 in an email that first responders located the girl in the river around 3 a.m. after hearing her yells for help. Other than a few scratches, the girl was relatively unharmed, VSO said.

Deputies responded to the St. Johns River shortly before 9 p.m. after the girl was reported missing. The main focus of the search was near mile marker 35, between the Riviera Bella boat ramp and the Highbanks boat ramp, VSO said.

According to VSO, a group of teenagers  all apparently 16 and 17  were hanging out by the river near a rope swing and allegedly drinking before two of them decided to swim across the river. While swimming back, the girl's friend lost sight of her and was unable to find her.

Several agencies responded to help with the search, including Florida Fish and Wildlife, Orange City Fire Department, and the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

FOX 35 cameras captured first responders searching the river on boats, drone, helicopter, and sonar.

About six hours after their search, the girl was heard calling for help. She was found about 50 yards away, VSO said. A rescue boat picked her up and brought her back.

Deputies said she had superficial scratches, but nothing more serious. She was cleared at the scene and released back to her family.
In 1998 over 64% of Florida voters agreed to make school board elections nonpartisan. The Constitution Revision Commission, the group that referred the question to the voters that year, stated: There is no place for partisan politics in education. Florida joined 40 other states that provided for nonpartisan elections.

In 2023, politicians in the Florida Legislature decided that school board elections should be partisan. By majority vote, they decided to bring politics back into the schoolhouse by adding party designations on the ballot. We think this is a bad idea.

Bill Korson

The Coalition for Quality Public Education (C4QPE) believes that the education of our youth needs to be free of political rhetoric. In the selection process for Collier County superintendent, we witnessed the influence of politicians attempting to support a candidate who was clearly a political crony and not an experienced educator. Only by a 3-2 vote were we able to hire a resident, lifelong educator who has done a remarkable job for the district, allowing it to continue to be A rated.

Why do politicians want to take over? One only has to look at the University of Florida and the short-lived presidential reign of politician Ben Sasse. Sasse immediately created remote positions for his political cronies and hacks at a cost of millions of dollars to the State of Florida. Not only did students not see these people on campus but they complained that they didnt see much of Sasse. And were told that, even though he resigned as president, he still commands the presidential salary.

With a Collier School District budget of $1.65 billion, do you really want to see politicians in charge?

The second reason that we object to partisan school board elections reflects on the election process. In Florida, we have a closed primary. Only voters of the specific party may vote in that partys primary. Voters with No Political Affiliation (NPA) cannot, by law, vote in any partisan primary.

In Collier County, we have 67,523 NPAs. Those voters would likely be eliminated from voting for school board members in a primary election. If all of the candidates for school board were Republican as in past elections, the 53,072 registered Democrats would also likely be disenfranchised. In total, it is possible that over 120,000 registered voters would not be able to vote for the school board. This is the very definition of voter suppression! Public education is for all of the people and all of the voters should have the opportunity to select school board members!

It is essential that we defeat Amendment 1.

Bill Korson of Naples is a former history teacher, coach, advisor, supervisor and administrator with 38 years of experience in public education in New Jersey. He is an officer and director of the Coalition for Quality Public Education (C4QPE.com)

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Vote no on Amendment 1: Keep politicians out of our schools
(WTAJ)  Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance, at no fault of his own, caused controversy when he was kicked out of Primanti Bros. in Pennsylvania.

Vance, who was in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, was reportedly asked to leave Primanti Bros. when he popped up on Saturday. According to a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Vance showed up unannounced at the eatery in North Versailles and was asked by management to leave or they would call the cops.

The company later put out a statement, claiming confusion as management and workers were unaware he would be arriving.

Over 100 charged with public assistance fraud in Pennsylvania Primantis prides itself on being a staple of the Pittsburgh community and a proud American business that has hosted sitting presidents, politicians, and political candidates from across the spectrum for over 90 years. Our doors are open to all patrons who wish to dine with us. Without any advance notice, todays campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff. However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property. Senator Vances supportive comments that our manager got a little nervous given the Secret Service, police and crowd accurately reflect the nature of what occurred and we are glad that it was resolved quickly. Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

Sam Demarco, an Allegheny County councilman, disputed the statement Primanti Bros. put out, saying that Vance and his team were NOT welcomed to the eatery. He said in a post on X that Vances team reached out to Primanti Bros. ahead of time and they even had a sandwich waiting for him. The only entry Vance made, Demarco said, was to pay for everyones meal.

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.

Recently, current vice president and presidential candidate Kamala Harris stopped by Primanti Bros. in the Pittsburgh area. Social media users were quick to claim that customers were asked to move and leave so actors could take their place, likely for a campaign video.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LAMAR, Tenn. (WJHL)The Washington County Tennessee Sheriffs Office and EMS set up a command post at Lamar Elementary School to begin clean-up work and search-and-rescue efforts.

We had multiple teams in the affected area already, so they were able to affect rescues and have been there since yesterday, said Dan Wheeley, Washington County EMS Chief. They spent the night down there. We were able to fly some supplies and stuff into them last night.

Different departments worked to clear and open roadways for those stranded.

We know theres houses that have been washed away, roadways have been washed away, we know theres bridges that have collapsed, said Wheeley. Its really been very difficult to access these areas because we cant we cant get across the river; as it recedes with boats and things, we can start getting across it if needed.

Wheeley told News Channel 11 that he had worked with EMS since 1995, and he had never seen a storm this bad and with this much destruction.

Weve had several floods over the time and some tornadoes, but Ive never seen the damage from any of those events to the level that it is now, said Wheeley. Not just with potential loss of life and damage to structures, but damage to infrastructure, power lines, water systems, bridges, things like that. It truly is a catastrophic event for our community.

The search for missing people will continue.

As theyre doing their their search and rescue efforts, they will be giving us reports on road conditions, areas that we need to go focus on throughout the day, said Wheeley.

Lamar Elementary has also become a shelter and resource hub for those in need.

Were collecting clothing, were collecting bedding, were collecting nonperishable food items and were also collecting hygiene items, said Mark Merriman, Principal of Lamar Elementary School. We have a massive need to support the community thats been devastated along the Nolichucky River.

Merriman said they are accepting donations that can be dropped off at the school.

If the school and if our county can be a small part of providing that support, getting people what they need, connecting them again, helping them with anything from water to basic nutrition, were here to do that, and were here to support them, said Merriman.

The number of evacuations or lives lost has not been determined.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
As the state and nation continue to deal with a shortage of nurses, Mary Washington Healthcare has sweetened the pot by offering new RNs a sign-on bonus as high as $7,500.

The financial incentive was added in December to keep MWHC competitive, said Tonja Thigpen, senior vice president and chief nursing officer.

New grads have options and so we want them to pick us first, she said. The newer generations, they see the ads and whats happening  and (the bonus) was just another strategy to attract new grads.

The pandemic worsened shortages across the health-care field, but even without measuring the full impact of COVID-19, the situation looked dire. The Health Resources and Services Commission in 2022 projected a national shortage of 78,610 full-time equivalent RNs by 2025.

In response, health-care systems near and far started offering sign-on bonuses as another recruitment tool. ZipRecruiter, a job-posting site, shows 541 jobs within 50 miles of Fredericksburg that offer RNs $4,000 to $15,000 in incentives.

Some medical companies also offer additional funds for moving expenses. One Arlington-based hospital system advertises a $20,000 bonus for those interested in relocating to Delaware and 20% more in pay for RNs willing to work from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

In the midst of the money being offered, officials with MWHCs New Graduate RN Residency Program  and those enrolled in or graduated from it  agree the bonus is part of changing times. And nobody knows better than nurses about the constant need to evolve and keep up with medical advancements, said Sara Acors, MWHCs New Graduate Nurse program coordinator.

But she and others profess the Fredericksburg-based health-care systems offer goes beyond bucks, that it gives new nurses a chance to find their niche in the beginning of their medical career  and throughout it.

When they feel supported and they feel like they belong, they want to grow in the organization, Acors said. They dont want to leave.

Some good numbers

The New Graduate RN Residency Program isnt new to MWHC. More than 600 newly graduated RNs have been through the program since it was formalized in 2011 by Mary Jane Bowles, who retired in May.

MWHC tracks how many nurses remain in their jobs a year after they complete the program, and the retention rate is 85%, said Nancy Tighe, director of nursing professional practice.

Those are some good numbers, she said.

Initially, MWHC held two sessions a year, but thats doubled to four. The program brings in more than 100 RNs annually who can specify if theyd like to work at Mary Washington Hospital, Stafford Hospital, the Emergency and Outpatient Center at Lees Hill or Snowden at Fredericksburg.

Even with the program, vacancies remain. As of Friday, MWHCs website at mwhccareers.com showed 106 openings for nursing positions at its various locations.

As part of the residency program, new RNs have orientation in their selected areas for 12-16 weeks. Theyve already done clinical work and earned their licenses, but all involved realize hospital conditions arent like classroom settings.

Its a brand new world, going from school to actually doing the job, said Garrett John, who joined the NICU Department at Mary Washington Hospital in February 2023.

Shared experience

New RNs are paired elbow to elbow, Acors said, with preceptors, other nurses who will provide feedback and teach hospital protocols.

Also during the orientation, the new grads attend five core classes that build on skills touched upon during their two- or four-year college programs. When those are completed, the program participants will continue to meet once a month through the rest of the yearlong program, both for support and to share information.

Thats been crucial for John, a former teacher who changed careers after the pandemic. Acors said he was the first new grad in years to be assigned to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Theres little turnover in the department, which offers such specialized care, John was told it takes newcomers several years to feel like youve got your feet under you.

Many skills he learned at Germanna Community College apply to adults, not the tiny babies in his care. Likewise, classes in the New Graduate RN Residency Program didnt really pertain to his department.

But the chance to be with people who were going through similar experiences was incredibly beneficial, he said.

A lot of what I got out of the new grad program was getting to speak to other new grads and how their first, second, third month were going, John said. The things they were struggling with, their successes, just being able to kind of have that shared experience was helpful.

Winning partnership

MWHC and Germanna work closely together, and during the pandemic, the two came up with the Earn While You Learn program to help address the nursing shortage.

Mary Washington Hospital needed bedside nurses, and Germanna nursing students needed clinical experience so the program solved both problems by putting students in hospital units alongside experienced nurses.

The program has been hailed as a success in national medical publications and piloted in other colleges for its potential to transform Virginias nursing pipeline, according to the On Board Virginia website.

MWHCs New Graduate RN Residency Program also works with four-year colleges. Madison Herndon earned her nursing degree from Longwood University in May and started work at Mary Washington Hospital within two months.

The 2020 graduate of Riverbend High School in Spotsylvania County was still in college when she did a 2.5-month internship at the hospital in the orthopedics department.

Thats where shes currently assigned, working with the same preceptor as during her internship.

Shes enjoyed the ability to shadow other units, especially those where she could be called to help such as general surgery and observation.

Its definitely an experience, she said. I personally enjoy being able to float around because every unit functions a little differently.

She and John, who were interviewed by The Free LanceStar together, said they appreciate the support from other members of the New Graduate RN Residency Program as well as from preceptors, nurse educators, charge nurses and every other provider on their floors.

Ive never been scared to ask anybody any questions, Herndon said. My unit manager says if you stop asking questions, youre not willing to learn.

Always in demand

Felicia Smith, a 38-year-old from Stafford County, agrees with the ongoing need to learn.

She realized after working in business management and administration that she wasnt fulfilled, and two experiences demonstrated that nurses are incredible human beings, she said. She saw their kindness as her cousin was treated for cancer and experienced it herself, while being cared by the kindest soul she ever met after having a horrific Caesarean-section delivery.

Smith enrolled in Germannas nursing program in January 2021, became a nursing assistant at the end of her first semester and got to float among various hospital units. She knew she wanted to work in critical care, and thats where she ended up.

After one year on the job, Smith said she continues to learn and grow, and like Herndon, expects that to continue, as well as the security that comes with working in the medical field.

Nurses are always in demand and will always be needed by the community, she said.
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA (WJET/WFXP)  Former President Donald Trump continues his campaign tour with another visit to the Keystone State, this time in the northwest corner.

The Republican presidential candidate will be stopping in Erie on Sept. 29 with a rally at the Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. According to Trumps website, doors open at 10 a.m. with the event kicking off at 2 p.m.

Donald Trump planning Erie visit this upcoming weekend

Watch the stream of Trumps speech at the convention center in the video player below:

Editors Note: Some parts of the steam have been edited to piece clips together

Trumps website states his next rally in Pennsylvania is slated for Oct. 5 in Butler, approximately 100 miles south of Erie, returning to the area after the attempted assassination attempt in July.

Erie Democrats held a rally of their own on Saturday ahead of Trumps visit at the convention center talking about important womens issues, such as reproductive rights, as well as building support for the upcoming November election.

Trumps running mate JD Vance previously held a rally at Team Hardinger Transporation warehouse on Aug. 28 talking to voters about the economy and trucking industry.

Vice President Kamala Harris running mate Gov. Tim Walz also made a stop to Erie back on September 5 to rally his supporters.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
(WHTM)  On This Week in Pennsylvania, Dennis Owens is joined by former Republican Congressman and State Co-Chair of RightCount Lou Barletta and former Republican Congressman James Greenwood, who Co-Chairs the Pennsylvania group Republicans for Harris.

Analysts Brittany Crampsie of Brit Crampsie Communications and Christopher Nicholas of Eagle Consulting Group join Dennis to discuss the upcoming Pennsylvania U.S. Senate debate and the presidential election.

Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the weeks biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories.

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Weekend Warriors Get Same Benefits as Those Who Exercise Daily, New Study Finds

"Weekend warriors" and regular exercisers had a lower risk of 264 medical conditions compared with those people classified as inactive

Getty People working out with rowing machines (stock image)

Those who are "weekend warriors" and get in their exercise in just a couple of days are still getting the same benefits as those who exercise daily, according to a new study.

The study  published on Sept. 26 in the journal Circulation  analyzed nearly 90,000 people in the United Kingdom who wore an accelerometer to track their exercise patterns for a week.

Those who did fewer than 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week were classified as inactive. Regular exercisers completed 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity spread evenly throughout the week. Weekend warriors did the same, but their 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity was crammed into just one or two days.

The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.

Researchers found that in the years after wearing the monitors, weekend warriors had a lower risk of 264 medical conditions compared with those classified as inactive. Regular exercisers had similar results. The strongest associations were for cardiometabolic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity and sleep apnea.

Related: Mark Wahlberg Takes His 4 A.M. Workouts to the Next Level with a 2 A.M. Training Session: 'Get a Head Start'

Getty Two people running (stock image)

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I think this is empowering, said study author Dr. Shaan Khurshid, cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, per The Guardian. It shows that, in terms of health benefits, its really the volume of physical activity rather than the pattern that matters. The key is, however you are going to get that volume, do it in the way that works for you.

Related: Women Are Not Getting Enough Exercise  and It's Harming Their Mental Health

For people seeking to incorporate a more active lifestyle, these findings offer encouraging insights, Dr. Rigved Tadwalkar  a cardiologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., who was not involved in the study  told Medical News Today.

While regular and evenly spread physical activity is still beneficial, the study suggests that even if people find it challenging to exercise daily, they can still achieve health benefits by exercising just a couple of days per week," Tadwalkar added.

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FILE - Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, speaks to the crowd in a rare public appearance during Ashura, that marks the death of Shiite Islam's Imam Hussein, in the suburbs of Beirut, Nov. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)

BEIRUT (AP)  In just over a week, intensified Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed seven high-ranking commanders and officials from the powerful Hezbollah militant group, including the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The move left Lebanon and much of the Mideast in shock as Israeli officials celebrated major military and intelligence breakthroughs.

Hezbollah had opened a front to support its ally Hamas in the Gaza Strip a day after the Palestinian group's surprise attack into southern Israel.

The recent strikes in Lebanon and the assassination of Nasrallah are a significant escalation in the war in the Middle East, this time between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanon's most powerful military and political force now finds itself trying to recuperate from severe blows, having lost key members who have been part of Hezbollah since its establishment in the early 1980s.

Chief among them was Nasrallah, who was killed in a series of airstrikes that leveled several buildings in southern Beirut. Others were lesser-known in the outside world, but still key to Hezbollahs operations.

Hassan Nasrallah

Since 1992, Nasrallah had led the group through several wars with Israel, and oversaw the party's transformation into a powerful player in Lebanon. Hezbollah entered Lebanon's political arena while also taking part in regional conflicts that made it the most powerful paramilitary force. After Syria's uprising in 2011 spiraled into civil war, Hezbollah played a pivotal role in keeping Syrian President Bashar Assad in power. Under Nasrallah, Hezbollah also helped develop the capabilities of fellow Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq and Yemen.

Nasrallah is a divisive figure in Lebanon, with his supporters hailing him for ending Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon in 2000, and his opponents decrying him for the group's weapons stockpile and making unilateral decisions that they say serves an agenda for Tehran and allies.

Nabil Kaouk

Kaouk, who was killed in an airstrike Saturday, was the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council. He joined the militant group in its early days in the 1980s. Kaouk also served as Hezbollahs military commander in south Lebanon from 1995 until 2010. He made several media appearances and gave speeches to supporters, including in funerals for killed Hezbollah militants. He had been seen as a potential successor to Nasrallah.

Ibrahim Akil

Akil was a top commander and led Hezbollah's elite Radwan Forces, which Israel has been trying to push further away from its border with Lebanon. He was also a member of its highest military body, the Jihad Council, and for years had been on the United States' wanted list. The U.S. State Department says Akil was part of the group that carried out the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and orchestrated the taking of German and American hostages.

Ahmad Wehbe

Wehbe was a commander of the Radwan Forces and played a crucial role in developing the group since its formation almost two decades ago. He was killed alongside Akil in an airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs that struck and leveled a building.

Ali Karaki

Karaki led Hezbollah's southern front, playing a key role in the ongoing conflict. The U.S. described him as a significant figure in the militant group's leadership. Little is known about Karaki, who was killed alongside Nasrallah.

Mohammad Surour

Surour was the head of Hezbollah's drone unit, which was used for the first time in this current conflict with Israel. Under his leadership, Hezbollah launched exploding and reconnaissance drones deep into Israel, penetrating its defense systems which had mostly focused on the group's rockets and missiles.

Ibrahim Kobeissi

Kobeissi led Hezbollah's missile unit. The Israeli military says Kobeissi planned the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli soldiers at the northern border in 2000, whose bodies were returned in a prisoner swap with Hezbollah four years later.

Other senior commanders killed in action

Even in the months before the recent escalation of the war with Hezbollah, Israel's military had targeted top commanders, most notably Fuad Shukur in late July, hours before an explosion in Iran widely blamed on Israel killed the leader of the Palestinian Hamas militant group Ismail Haniyeh. The U.S. accuses Fuad Shukur of orchestrating the 1983 bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American servicemen.

Leaders of key units in the south, Jawad Tawil, Taleb Abdullah, and Mohammad Nasser, who over several decades became instrumental members of Hezbollahs military activity were all assassinated.

Who is left?

Nasrallahs second-in-command Naim Kassem is the most senior member of the organization. Kassem has been Hezbollahs deputy leader since 1991, and is among its founding members. On several occasions, local news networks were quick to assume that an Israeli strike in southern Beirut may have targeted Kassem.

Kassem is the only top official of the militant group who has conducted interviews with local and international media in the ongoing conflict.

The deputy leader appears to be involved in various aspects of the militant group, both in top political and security matters, but also in matters related to Hezbollahs theocratic and charity initiatives to the Shia Muslim community in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hashim Safieddine who heads Hezbollahs central council, is tipped to be Nasrallahs successor. Safieddine is a cousin of the late Hezbollah leader, and his son is married to the daughter of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was slain in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. Like Nasrallah, Safieddine joined Hezbollah early on and similarly wears a black turban.

Talal Hamieh and Abu Ali Reda are the two remaining top commanders from Hezbollah who are alive and apparently on the Israeli militarys crosshairs.

___

Jeffery reported from Jerusalem.
The West is falling behind China in developing quantum supercomputers that have the potential to infiltrate security systems and develop new materials, the head of one of the industrys leading companies has said.

Rajeeb Hazra, the chief executive of the Anglo-American tech company Quantinuum, warned that China was outspending Western countries two to one on quantum computing.

I do remain concerned that for those countries that are underestimating it, they will fall behind, Mr Hazra said, who added that China was already using the powerful technology to generate results.

Quantum computing involves deploying the peculiar mechanics of quantum physics to develop computers that are significantly more powerful than todays most advanced, classical supercomputers. The technology has been an academic pursuit for decades, although it has recently led to increased national security concerns because of its potential to infiltrate encryption systems used to protect sensitive data.

Britain and other countries have already cracked down on the export of technologies related to quantum computing amid growing fears that China will gain an advantage, while Beijing is throwing billions in public funds at developing the technology.

What is a little worrisome is not everybody has that same view of underestimation, Mr Hazra said.

Rajeeb Hazra, Quantinuum chief, claims disparity in countries investments in quantum technology risks national security - Paul Grover

There are nation states that are saying this is the way to go in the future and there are some that are ignoring it or underestimating it, to the point that there is a disparity of investments across nation states.

When you put a geopolitical kind of covering on that, there is a real chance of this underestimation hurting national security and even industrial security.

China is out-investing the West, as we would call it, by almost two to one in quantum technology. And so I do remain concerned for those countries that are underestimating it. Any country that has not built an ability to have quantum computing as an essential part of its computing arsenal is going to fall behind.

Quantinuum was formed in 2021 from a merger between Cambridge Quantum and the quantum division of the US industrial giant Honeywell.

The company was valued at $5bn (3.7bn) earlier this year in an investment round led by JP Morgan and is considering an initial public offering that could value it at around $10bn.

Quantinuum is aiming for a machine that can carry out functions such as fully simulating chemical reactions by 2029, at which point quantum computers are expected to significantly speed up scientific research.

Last week, a G7 cyber expert group, which is chaired by the US Treasury and the Bank of England, warned the financial industry to prepare for the impending threat of quantum computing, saying they could bypass the cryptographic algorithms that secure financial transactions.

It said that while it may take a decade for quantum computing to be able to crack advanced encryption, companies need to start preparing now, and that adversaries may be harvesting data now so they can read it in the future.

The UK introduced new restrictions on quantum computing exports in March, adding the technology to a list of dual-use products that had military potential. The Biden administration is expected to follow soon.

Mr Hazra said the controls had not made it more difficult to develop quantum systems. We take that as a sign that this technology is important, he said. We just have to be very cognisant of the constraints put on us.

Mr Hazra indicated that the recent boom in artificial intelligence risked driving investment away from quantum. There should be more thought put into how these two interact and get funded, so that one doesnt become lopsided, he said.

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West Virginia kids take to the skies at Young Eagles flight event

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. (WBOY)  Kids from Buckhannon and the surrounding area took to the skies Saturday afternoon thanks to a free flight event hosted by Young Eagles.

Young Eagles, part of the Experimental Aviation Association, provides free flights for kids who have often never flown in personal aircraft to spark their interest in aviation, with pilots volunteering their time and aircraft to make it possible.

Saturdays flights began at 10 a.m. at the Upshur County Regional Airport and continued until 4 p.m.. 12 News spoke with Richard Judy, a coordinator for Young Eagles, who was kind enough to pair our reporter with a pilot for his own first flight experience in a small aircraft.

Well a lot of kids are very nervous when they get to the aircraft, theyve probably never been on a small airplane before, they probably have never experienced something like this before, so theyre very nervous, lot of I dont know if I want to do this, Judy said. But, when they get back they are all smiles and a lot of them ask if they can go again right then and there.

12 News reporter Sam Gorski was flown by pilot George Melnik in his 1968 Cherokee 80-D

Pilot George Melnik flew 12 News reporter Sam Gorski in his 1968 Cherokee 80-D, a small 4-seater aircraft pictured above. Aerial pictures from the flight and video of the takeoff and landing can be seen below.

Girls in Aviation Day held at the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center

Young Eagles holds several flight events throughout the year; you can register for flights through its website here.

Aerial pictures of Buckhannon during a Young Eagles flight on Saturday, Sept. 28 2024 (WBOY image)

Aerial pictures of the Buckhannon area during a Young Eagles flight on Saturday, Sept. 28 2024 (WBOY image)

Aerial pictures of the Buckhannon area during a Young Eagles flight on Saturday, Sept. 28 2024 (WBOY image)

Young Eagles pilot George Melnik and his young copilot (WBOYA image)

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
In the Western North Carolina town of Canton, Mayor Zeb Smathers has never seen anything like it.

It is truly the worst storm we have faced, and not just us, but our friends across the mountains, Smathers said. The word I keep coming back to ... is apocalyptic.

Across North Carolina, many residents are voicing similar sentiments about the devastation left by Tropical Storm Helene, a disaster that has left thousands without power, safe roads, cellphone service or potable water.

A rescue team paddles down the Swannanoa River on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina.

At least 30 people have died in Buncombe County alone, Sheriff Quentin Miller announced in an afternoon press briefing.

Tragically, we know there will be more, Gov. Roy Cooper said at an earlier news conference Sunday, in which 11 deaths were announced.

Many people are cut off because roads are impassable. They dont have power or communications.

A search and rescue team out of Atlantic Beach, N.C. examines a van swept into the river in Swannanoa, N.C. by flooding from Helene. They were assisting in the community, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.

President Joe Biden has agreed to provide immediate federal help to 25 western North Carolina counties battered by Helene, the White House announced Saturday night.

The major disaster declaration, approved at Coopers request, means FEMA will be able to provide quicker additional help to those who need it. The federal government says it will also reimburse local governments, state agencies and nonprofits for repairing facilities, roads and other infrastructure.

The counties in the declaration are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is also included.

Two people and a dog are escorted to a rescue boat in Chimney Rock, N.C. on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Cooper had requested a disaster declaration for 38 North Carolina counties. It was not immediately clear why 13 of those counties werent included, but Coopers office said more counties may be added.

The tropical storm that was once Category 4 Hurricane Helene made it to North Carolina Friday and touched all parts of the state. It led to flash flooding in the Triangle, a tornado in Rocky Mount and historic levels of devastation throughout the Western North Carolina mountains.

The full extent of the damage in Western North Carolina continues to unfold. By midday Sunday, nearly 464,000 customers still lacked power, Cooper said. More than 500,000 in South Carolina remained without electricity, according to Duke Energys outage map.

The bridge that connects Lake Lure and Chimney Rock in Lake Lure, N.C. on Saturday, September 29, 2024.

On Sunday morning, Duke Energy said that nearly all of its customers outside of western North Carolina should have their power restored by midnight. Many will have power before then, Duke said.

Floodwaters on Friday wiped out bridges, remote highways and sections of interstates  not only cutting off travel to and through the region, but isolating those sheltering in place during the storm.

Swannanoa residents walk through devastating flood damage from the Swannanoa River on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina.

In Asheville, residents were stunned to see houses and businesses swept into the Swannanoa River.

As of Sunday morning, about 1,000 people in Buncombe County were unaccounted for, according to Miller, the sheriff. But county officials expect that number will drop once cell and internet service are restored.

Two sheriffs officers are among those whove died, the North Carolina Sheriffs Association said in a Facebook post. The deputies, from the Macon and Madison county sheriffs offices, were tragically killed in raging flood waters, the post said.

The people in western North Carolina are hurting from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as fast as we can, Cooper said in a news release Sunday. We have deployed rescue teams, transportation crews, water, mobile kitchens and more. This is going to be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.

Many in Western North Carolina remained without fresh water, internet or cell service. Seven water plants in Avery, Burke, Haywood, Jackson, Rutherford, Watauga and Yancey counties are closed, according to a news release issued by Coopers office Saturday night. That affects nearly 70,000 households.

More than 50 water plants have no power, state Emergency Management Director Will Ray said at a news conference Sunday. Those who rely on water from 93 other systems have been advised to boil water before using it, he said.

Flooding damages infrastructure and wells with contaminants, Ray said. Only use bottled, boiled or treated water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene in impacted areas. For more information, please visit your local health department, social media platforms or websites.

See photos and video from Helenes devastation in the mountains of western NC

Stay clear of western NC roads, officials say

More than 200 people were rescued from flood waters, Coopers office said. The governor has deployed the North Carolina National Guard  with about 550 troops, more than 100 vehicles and 11 aircraft  to help with rescues, transport patients to medical care, and deliver personnel and equipment to where theyre needed.

On Saturday, emergency workers rescued 117 people, including a baby, according to Todd Hunt, adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard. They also brought 11 pets to safety.

A man crosses a narrow section of flood damaged bridge in Swannanoa on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina.

Twenty-four shelters, with room for 1,000 people, have also opened. Information about shelters, road conditions, power outages and evacuation routes can be found at readync.gov.

State transportation officials urged people to avoid travel anywhere in Western North Carolina. About 280 roads and dozens of main highways remained closed Sunday due to flooding, downed trees, landslides or storm damage. Parts of Interstate 40, a major thoroughfare into and out of the region, were closed Sunday, though a closed section of Interstate 26 was reopened.

Swannanoa residents walk through devastating flood damage from the Swannanoa River on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina.

One section of the eastbound lanes of I-40, three miles from the Tennessee border, washed out and fell into the Pigeon River.

It will take a long time to fix that, Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins said at Sundays news conference. Were probably talking months at best.

Images from newsrooms and social media showed submerged cars, houses floating down a muddied French Broad River, and the town of Chimney Rock seemingly erased by a mudslide.

The images and reports were getting from Western North Carolina are heartbreaking and devastating, North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger said in a news release Sunday afternoon. Entire towns have been flooded beyond recognition and roadways have been washed out.

Swannanoa residents walk through devastating flood damage from the Swannanoa River on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina.

More than 30 inches of rain fell in parts of Western North Carolina. Adding to the devastation: winds that gusted up to hurricane strength.

At the Asheville station, the French Broad peaked at 24.67 feet Friday evening, a level surpassing the Great Flood of 1916, which the city says crested at 21 feet and killed 80 people.

The rain also gathered in the Catawba River Basin. Lake James, northwest of Charlotte, was 10 feet over its full-pond level. Duke Energy starting Friday moved water from Lake Norman to Lake Wylie to ease flooding. That movement, though, worsened flooding around Mountain Island Lake. As of Sunday, the weather service still declared emergencies in Lake James, Mountain Island Lake and the Catawba River.

Asheville residents residents line up for gasoline at a gas station on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina.

Cell phone blackout, long waits for gas

In many Western North Carolina towns, people have waited in long lines for gas, only to find that the stations only took cash.

Bobby Thompson, whos lived in Clyde for 57 years, was able to gas up at a BP station after about an hour of waiting.

This is by far the biggest water event (Ive seen), he said.

Asheville residents residents line up for gasoline at a gas station on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina.

And in Canton, Mayor Smathers said the town faces massive flooding, building collapses, and probable loss of life. On Saturday, a cellular service blackout there left people unable to communicate with one another and with first responders.

Ive had tears fill my eyes from random people reaching out to me, looking for their loved ones, because they cannot communicate, Smathers said. It is unacceptable and disgusting that in our time of need, cellular service for the entire region is blocked out. Theres no excuse for that. I mean, we knew the storm was coming. I cant believe this is a normalcy.

Ray, the state emergency management director, urged residents in Western North Carolina to turn their cellphones off and on periodically to allow them to connect to a network. On Friday, telecommunications partners activated disaster roaming on all networks, meaning that any any carrier can access any network to place calls, Ray said.

But Smathers said the lack of cellphone service remained widespread Saturday. The road to recovery will be long, he said.

We need prayers, he said. This is not a Canton issue alone. We share it with every community, town, city in west North Carolina. This is a regional apocalypse.

Editors note: Those in 25 western North Carolina counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Tropical Storm Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. How to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily.
Western NC school, college closures after Helene flooding: What we know so far

ASHEVILLE - Though information on school closures in Western North Carolina is still sparse, several schools and universities have now issued alerts in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.

Here's what we know so far from area educational institutions including WNC public school districts and colleges.

More: Asheville, NC floods live updates: Delta, United Airlines to resume flights Monday

WNC school closures

Asheville City Schools will be closed on Monday, Sept. 30, through Friday, Oct. 4.

Buncombe County Schools will be closed for the entire week, Monday, Sept. 30-Friday, Oct. 4. These will be annual leave days for staff. Previously, BCS called for closures only Monday-Tuesday. In a recent statement, BCS officials cited the "tremendous impacts to our families and neighborhoods" in the decision to prolong closures.

Also:

Avery County Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday.

Cherokee County Schools will be closed Monday, with an optional teacher workday.

Haywood County Schools will be closed all week, Monday through Friday, with Wednesday through Friday as optional teacher workdays.

Henderson County Schools will be closed until further notice.

Jackson County Schools will be closed for students Monday, Sept. 30-Wednesday, Oct. 2. Oct. 2 is a planned staff development day.

Macon County Schools - Franklin, Highlands & Nantahala - was closed for students Monday, Sept. 30, and will remain closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 1-2

McDowell County Schools will be closed all week.

Polk County Schools officials say there is no timeline for reopening.

Rutherford County Schools will have remote learning days and optional teacher workdays Monday and Tuesday.

Swain County Schools was closed for students Monday. A Sept. 30 update from the district said that, due to continued connectivity issues, schools will not be in session for students Tuesday or Wednesday. Tuesday will be an annual leave day for staff and Wednesday will be an optional teacher workday.

Transylvania County Schools will be closed all week, Monday through Friday. Additional information will be sent out on Friday, Oct. 4.

Watagua County Schools are closed for students and teachers all week.

WNC college closures

UNC Asheville will be fully closed until at least Oct. 28, according to an Oct. 1 update. News releases have advised visiting bulldogalert.unca.edu for updates.

Western Carolina University will be fully closed through Friday, Oct. 4.

Appalachian State University will be fully closed through Friday, Oct. 4.

Warren Wilson College classes are cancelled for the next two weeks, Sept. 30-Oct. 13.

Montreat College is closed through Sunday, Oct. 6.

A-B Tech is closed until further notice.

Lenoir-Rhyne University Asheville is closed until at least Wednesday, Oct. 9.

South College Asheville is currently closed. Virtual classes begin Wednesday, Oct. 9 for undergraduate students and Monday, Oct. 7 for PA Didactic students. PA Clinical students who started rotations Sept. 30 will continue, with communications extended to students who couldn't travel safely.

More: Western North Carolina roads closed, travel nearly impossible after Helene

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Which Western NC schools, colleges are closed? Here's what we know
Homes are heavily damaged around buildings levelled by Israeli strikes that targeted and killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in the Haret Hreik neighbourhood of Beirut's southern suburbs (-) (-/AFP/AFP)

An eerie calm on Sunday engulfed the rubble-strewn Beirut site where an Israeli air strike killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, flattening buildings in the Iran-backed group's stronghold.

An AFP photographer in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital saw a few men silently walking around the massive crater caused by the Friday strike, where plumes of smoke still billowed.

After Hezbollah on Saturday formally announced Nasrallah's death, there were no longer any rescuers at the site on Sunday.

One man crouched on the edge of the rubble, reading from the Koran while, beside him, his wife wept.

A preliminary toll issued by Lebanon's health ministry said at least six people were killed in the strike, but that figure is expected to rise, given the massive destruction.

The Israeli military said more than 20 other Hezbollah members were killed.

The deaths confirmed by Hezbollah include its top commander in south Lebanon, Ali Karake. Iran said a senior general from its Revolutionary Guards was also killed.

Elsewhere in southern Beirut, pounded by Israeli strikes over the past week, the normally bustling streets were quiet, AFP journalists said.

Many shops were closed and roads empty.

The charred remains of vehicles and rubble of destroyed buildings lay where Israeli jets had struck.

Thousands of residents of the Hezbollah bastion have left since Friday for parts of Beirut considered safer, with many families spending the night on Beirut's streets.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that up to a million Lebanese may have been displaced by the intense Israeli strikes since earlier this month in Beirut but also in other parts of the tiny country, including the southern border areas abutting Israel.

"It is the largest displacement movement that may have happened... in Lebanon," he said on Sunday.

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While the United States has made considerable progress fighting the HIV/AIDS crisis since its peak in the 1980s, headway has not been equal among racial/ethnic groups.

Overall, HIV rates have declined in the U.S. and the number of new infections over the last five years has dropped among Black Americans and white Americans. However, Hispanic and Latino Americans have not seen the same gains.

Between 2018 and 2022, estimated HIV infections among gay and bisexual men fell 16% for Black Americans and 20% for white Americans, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, Hispanic Americans saw rates held steady, the CDC said.

MORE: Patients sue hospital system after thousands possibly exposed to HIV, hepatitis

There may be several reasons for the lack of decline, including Hispanic Americans facing health care discrimination, experts told ABC News. Some may also face the stigma that prevents patients from accessing services or makes them feel ashamed to do so. There is also a lack of material that is available in their native language or is culturally congruent, experts said.

"Where we are in the HIV epidemic is that we have better tools than ever for both treatment and for prevention, and we have seen a modest slowing in the rate of new infections, but we have seen a relative increase in the rate of new infections among Latino individuals, particularly Latino men who have sex with men," Dr. Kenneth Mayer, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and medical research director at Fenway Health in Boston, told ABC News.

"So, the trends are subtle, but they're concerning because it does speak to increased health disparities in that population," he continued.

PHOTO: Declines in estimated HIV infections, 2018-2022 (CDC)

Hispanic Americans make up more cases and more deaths

Although Hispanic and Latino Americans make up 18% of the U.S. population, they accounted for 33% of estimated new HIV infections in 2022, according to HIV.gov, a website run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This is in comparison with white Americans, who make up 61% of the U.S. population but just 23% of HIV infections.

Hispanic and Latino gay men currently represent the highest number of new HIV cases in the U.S.

What's more, Hispanic males were four times likely to have HIV or AIDS compared to white males in 2022 and Hispanic females were about three times more likely than white females to have HIV over the same period, according to the federal Office of Minority Health (OMH).

Additionally, Hispanics males were nearly twice as likely to die of HIV Infection as white males and Hispanic females to die of HIV Infection in 2022, the OMH said.

MORE: People with HIV at higher risk of COVID reinfection: CDC

Erick Suarez, a nurse practitioner and chief medical officer of Pineapple Healthcare, a primary care and HIV/AIDS specialist located in Orlando, Florida, told ABC News that watching the lack of progress made in the HIV/AIDS crisis for the Hispanic and Latino population is like "traveling back in time."

"When I say traveling back in time for the Hispanic/Latino population with HIV, I mean [it's like] they are living before 2000," he said, "Their understanding of treatment and how to access it is in that pre-2000 world.  The state of HIV and AIDS in the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States right now is a few steps back from the general American population."

He said many Hispanic/Latino HIV patients come to the United States unaware of their HIV status. If they are aware of their status, they come from countries where prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is hard to find or doesn't exist.

PHOTO: Estimated new HIV infections by race and ethnicity in U.S., 2022 (CDC)

When they get to the United States, they be afraid or unsure of where or how to access health care. Even Hispanic/Latino Americans whose families have been here for generations, have trouble accessing health care due to racial and ethnic disparities, Suarez said.

Previous research has shown Hispanic/Latino Americans with HIV reported experiencing health care discrimination, which could be a barrier to accessing care.

Facing discrimination, stigma

Hispanic and Latino patients with HIV report facing discrimination in health care, experts told ABC News. A CDC report published in 2022 found between 2018 and 2020, nearly 1 in 4 Hispanic patients with HIV said they experienced health care discrimination.

Hispanic men were more likely to face discrimination than Hispanic women and Black or African American Hispanic patients were more likely than white Hispanic patients to face discrimination, according to the report.

There may also be stigma -- both within the general population and within their own communities -- associated with HIV infection that could prevent patients from accessing services, according to the experts.

Suarez said one of his most recent patients, who is Cuban, traveled two hours to a clinic outside of their city to make sure no one in their familial and social circles would know their status.

PHOTO: Prevalence of HIV health care discrimination reported by Hispanic and Latino adults in U.S. (CDC)

"The interesting part is that even though I speak with them like, 'You understand that everything that happens within these walls is federally protected, that it is private information. No one will ever know your information, and our goal is for you to get access healthcare. You can do this in your own city,'" Suarez said.

"Now, because of the stigma, they will travel long distances to avoid contact with anyone and make sure that no one knows their status. So, stigma is a huge factor," he continued.

Rodriguez said this stigma and mistrust has led to many Hispanic and Latino Americans to not seek medical care unless something is seriously wrong, which may result in missed HIV diagnoses or a missed opportunity to receive post-exposure prophylaxis, which can reduce the risk of HIV when taken within 72 hours after a possible HIV exposure.

Making resources 'available, attainable and achievable'

Experts said one way to lower rates is to make information on how to reduce risk as well as how to get tested and treated available in other languages, such as Spanish, and making sure it is culturally congruent.

However, Rodriguez says translating documents is not enough. In the early 2010s, when the CDC was disseminating its national strategy to reduce HIV infection, the agency began to circulate materials on how to reduce HIV incidence, reducing stigma and increasing use of condoms for sex, Rodriguez said.

He said that of a compendium of 30 interventions, maybe one was in Spanish. When he took the materials back to his native Puerto Rico, many were having trouble understanding the materials because it has been translated by someone who is of Mexican heritage.

Secondly, rather than the materials being written in Spanish, they had been translated from English to Spanish, which doesn't always translate well, Rodriguez said.

"When we talk about Hispanics, we have to talk about, first of all, the culture. Our culture is very complex. Not one Spanish language can speak to all of the Hispanic communities," he said. "And then we also have to look at the generations of Hispanics. Are you first generation, second generation, third generation? "

MORE: HIV tests dropped by one-third during COVID-19 pandemic: CDC

He added that the key is making resources "available, attainable and achievable."

This month, the White House convened a summit to discuss raising awareness of HIV among Hispanic and Latino Americans and to discuss strengthening efforts to address HIV in Hispanic and Latino communities.

Mayer said it's also important to make sure information is disseminated on social media that is culturally tailored for Hispanic and Latino experiences.

"It's important for social media to seem culturally relevant, to make sure that they understand that HIV is not just a disease of old white guys, and that they may have a substantial risk," he said. "Make sure that they're educated by what they can do to protect themselves since we have highly effective pre-exposure prophylaxis, and we have ways to decrease STIs with a doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis.

The experts added that having more Hispanics and Latinos represented in medicine, research and public health may encourage more Hispanic and Latino Americans with HIV or at risk of HIV to seek care or treatment.

"Seeing and being able to recognize that your healthcare provider looks like you, sounds like you, in some way it represents you, is a key aspect of getting people on treatment and access,' Suarez said. "And not only that, but keeping them in treatment and having them come back and stay and keep that going, that's a key issue."

Why progress against HIV/AIDS has stalled among Hispanic and Latino Americans originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
This combination of photos shows Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, left, on Aug. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia, and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Aug. 9, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Tim Walz and JD Vance might have the chance to reshape the political landscape Tuesday in their first and only debate.

Vice presidential picks have traditionally taken on the role of political attack dog, laying into opponents so that their running mate can appear above the political fray. That's generally been less true since former President Donald Trump scrambled political norms.

But Walz, the Democratic governor of Minnesota, made it to national prominence by labeling rival Republicans weird. Vance, the Republican junior senator from Ohio, has torn into Vice President Kamala Harris ' party on immigration, notably by spreading a false story about Haitian immigrants in his home state that Trump then cited during his own debate with Harris.

Here's a look at past vice presidential debates  and the larger role of the office Walz and Vance are both seeking.

What is the vice president's job?

The vice president presides over the Senate and is empowered to break ties, as Harris has done a record 33 times. She exceeded the previous high mark last year, which had held since John C. Calhoun was vice president from 1825 to 1832. The officeholder also presides ceremonially in Congress over the certification of electoral results, which Vice President Mike Pence did even after a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a bid to halt the process and transition of power, with some chanting, Hang Mike Pence!

But the vice president's main job is to be ready to take over if something happens to the president. Nine have done so following a presidents death or departure from office  the last being Gerald Ford, who became president when Richard Nixon resigned in 1974.

The Constitutions 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, spelled out the succession rules, stating that the vice president becomes president in case of the removal of the president from office or of his death or resignation. It also allowed the president and Congress to nominate and approve a new vice president if that office is vacated.

Vice presidential historian Joel K. Goldstein said two recent assassination attempts against Trump raise "the saliency of succession. But he added that many voters view vice presidential nominees as appendages of the candidates who selected them, not necessarily as potential future presidents themselves.

People do look at somebody as, are they ready to be a heartbeat away? Goldstein said. But it is also a question of how good a decisionmaker is the person who chose them.

Memorable vice presidential debates featured Palin, Bentsen  and Harris

In 1992, Adm. James Stockdale, running mate of third-party candidate Ross Perot, was going for breezy but seemed befuddled when he opened the debate by saying, Who am I? Why am I here? His later response to a question, I didnt have my hearing aid turned up, only reinforced that perception.

The debate between No. 2s was highly anticipated in 2008 after Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain selected Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate and saw a bump in the polls. But her showdown with then-Delaware Sen. Joe Biden is best remembered for Palin approaching him before the start and saying, Can I call you Joe? That was Palin attempting to keep from mistakenly calling her opponent OBiden, conflating Bidens name with that of his running mate, then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

The vice presidential nominee and Texas Democratic senator, Lloyd Bentsen, offered a stinging rejoinder against his opponent, Republican Sen. Dan Quayle of Indiana, in 1988. After Quayle compared himself to John F. Kennedy, Bentsen replied, Youre no Jack Kennedy, senator. But it was one of the Democratic ticket's few high points in a race it lost handily.

In 2020, Harris faced off with Republican Vice President Mike Pence and declared when he tried to interrupt her, Im speaking, a line shes reprised in this campaign. But both candidates might have been overshadowed by a fly that perched on Pence's hair for what felt like an eternity.

Will the debate affect the campaign?

A nominees choice of No. 2 has historically made little Election Day difference. This year could be different.

Historical analysis by Mark P. Jones, a political science professor at Rice University in Houston, suggests that voters arent really swayed by a candidates running mate. Even the idea of using a pick to balance a ticket  like pairing the first major party nominee who is a woman of color with a white male in the case of Harris selecting Walz  may also be overstated.

The evidence we have is that theyre really voting for the presidential nominee, Jones said of Americans through the decades.

A key caveat might be that, given just how close the current race is looking to be in swing states, Its always possible that, at the margins, it may matter, Jones said.

One reason why the Walz-Vance debate might shift more opinions this year is that Harris and Trump shared a stage only once, in early September. That means Tuesday may be the last chance before Election Day for voters to see the two tickets square off directly.

But, more likely, both Walz and Vance will simply need to avoid memorable unforced errors that can be endlessly replayed. Jones said such a race-shifting gaffe is unlikely  but not impossible.

Theyre disciplined, Jones said. But all it takes is one.
Like a lot of people who grow up in big families with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins, Jason Washington has fond childhood memories of family gatherings at grandmas house.

Just driving by the house at 1531 N. Green brings a flood of memories for Washington. The single-family bungalow built in 1930 sits vacant and needs repair.

Washington, who now lives a couple of streets over, grew up in the same neighborhood. He picks up the mail, pays the taxes, and does his best to keep the grass cut and trash picked up at his grandparents house. He knows it needs a new roof and a stabilized foundation. He lacks the legal right to do the work.

In June, Washington, 43, opened a letter from the city of Wichita code enforcement notifying him that repairs need to be made by the end of September or further action could be taken.

I really, really want to save it, he said. My grandfather had a construction company, Washington Construction, and he and my uncles and my dad built that house.

Despite what city officials termed as numerous housing violations, the house isnt in imminent danger of being torn down. But Washington knows all too well that the clock can eventually run out on vacant homes deemed dangerous and structurally unsound.

Washington worked for a year and a half to sell a late uncles house, at 1523 N. Green, which sat next door to his grandparents house. He wanted to use the proceeds to fix up his grandmas place. But after several twists and turns, the city council condemned and demolished his uncles house last year.

Jason Washington stands in the empty lot of 1523 N. Green. The home was demolished in July 2023. Hes working to save his grandmothers house in the background from the same fate.

A decade of demolitions in Wichita

In a written statement, city of Wichita spokeswoman Megan Lovely characterized 1523 N. Green as no ones home, as it was not habitable.

The last water consumption at 1523 N. Green was on March 14, 2008, Lovely stated, so the house had been vacant for more than 15 years when it was demolished.

Washingtons uncles house was a part of a cluster of neighborhoods sitting in one of the states poorest ZIP codes, 67214, one that has been receiving increased attention from the community in recent years. Redevelopment efforts underway include the construction of 110 homes over the past decade by Wichita Habitat for Humanity.

With the adoption of the Places for People Plan as an element of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Comprehensive Plan five years ago, urban infill in areas of the city experiencing the greatest decline became an explicit strategy to spur reinvestment. The plan established a land bank, more resources for ridding neighborhoods of dangerous and unsafe structures, a $5 million affordable housing fund and a two-year pilot program of 20-year special assessments.

Demolition is just one aspect of ridding neighborhoods of dangerous and unsafe structures, Lovely wrote on behalf of the city. Unsightly homes with deferred maintenance needs, but that are structurally sound, she stated, are generally repaired and returned to useful service.

When a blighted, dilapidated and dangerous structure is removed and a new, safe and properly constructed structure is built to replace it, Lovely stated, that is a huge benefit to the neighborhood and spurs further redevelopment and revitalization in that area.

The land bank, first established in 2021, doesnt appear destined to be around for much longer. The city now plans to disband it due to lack of funding and a tax foreclosure process that does not provide the opportunity to acquire properties like other land banks in Kansas, Lovelys response said.

Despite that, the city did indicate that Washington might have the option of donating the lot where his uncles house sat to the land bank to avoid having to reimburse the city for demolition costs since the land bank has not yet been dissolved.

At the same time, housing in 67214 is being removed at a higher rate than in other parts of the city. A Wichita Journalism Collaborative analysis of demolition permits by ZIP code in Sedgwick County shows that over the past decade, 166 single-family homes were demolished in the area, compared to fewer than 100 in each of the other ZIP codes in Sedgwick County.

Most of those demolitions, Lovely indicated, are not initiated by city officials and that the city obviously could not speak to private demolitions and the driver behind those.

For a structure to be considered for removal, it has to be vacant. Occupied structures are not considered for formal condemnation, Lovely said. The city considers the condemnation process a last resort for a dilapidated and dangerous property, necessitating a lengthy procedure.

Over the past six years, the city has formally condemned 53 structures and used emergency demolition for another 67, according to figures supplied by Lovely. Emergency demolitions can be used for properties that have been catastrophically damaged by incidents such as fires.

But a Wichita Journalism Collaborative review of removal of dangerous or unsafe structure hearings over two years reveals that the lack of a clear title can also play a role in the progression toward demolition. Since only an owner or contractor hired by the owner can get a building permit, repairs cant be made and the house continues to deteriorate.

With removals occurring more frequently than the construction of new housing on the whole, the effect is that some streets have been left with gaps from vacant lots.

Aujanae Bennett has been association president for the Northeast Millair neighborhood, which adjoins the 67214 ZIP code, for years. She says boarded up, dilapidated houses devalue everything around them, but empty lots full of weeds and trash are just as bad.

Furthermore, with housing in increasingly short supply in Wichita, there have been advocates for saving more houses like 1523 N. Green.

Eugene Anderson lived in 67214 and was interviewed for this story prior to his death on July 2. He considered the number of absentee owners the biggest contributor to demolition in the area and elevated the need for more affordable housing.

You collect a lot more taxes on higher-priced housing, he said. But the reality is we need lower-cost housing. There are a lot of people who work hard all their lives and never have the means to buy those more expensive houses. And anything you build brand new is going to cost a lot more than an existing structure you rehab.

Real estate investor William Vann is senior pastor at the Iasis Christian Center, located in 67214. Vann owns more than 40 rental properties in the area that he has rehabbed. He was one of the people interested in buying Washingtons uncles house before it was razed.

I looked it over. It needed some foundation work but almost all concrete block foundations of that age do. It needed a new roof but the basic structure was sound. I could have made it into a nice little starter home, he said.

Retired realtor John Todd regularly appears before the appeals board and the city council to advocate for homeowners facing condemnation.

He argues that at a time when affordable housing is in critically short supply, too often homes are demolished that could be rehabbed into lower-priced homes. Instead, he says the city needs to develop a system to identify and treat differently homes that can be affordably rehabilitated.

Not just a matter of age or condition

If city officials hold to demolishing houses through a rare, drawn-out process, they also face countervailing pressures to more quickly remove dangerous and unsafe structures. In years past, some neighborhood leaders have advocated for demolishing blighted homes quicker because they believe such structures bring down property values and attract crime.

Perceptions that the city wasnt acting as fast as it could prompted officials, in part, to present a shift in their process to the city council in February 2021, which called for situations involving dangerous and unsafe structures  the worst of the worst  to be resolved through the condemnation process, rather than being first treated as housing code violations.

Fifty percent of condemnation cases at the time were being resolved without removal of the structure, said KaLyn Nethercot, neighborhood inspection administrator at the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department. She told council members a shift would allow for a more efficient reduction of dangerous and dilapidated structures throughout the city without in any way diminishing a citizens due process opportunities.

The condemnation process in Wichita unfolds over a series of milestones. It involves a minimum of two hearings, one before the Board of Code of Standards and Appeals and a final hearing before the Wichita City Council. Homeowners are often given multiple extensions to complete repairs. From 2016 through 2020, it took an average of 353 days to remove a dangerous or neglected house, according to a city of Wichita presentation on removal of dangerous and unsafe structures.

While the age of housing stock can have an impact on its condition, an analysis of public data indicates that the disproportionate number of demolitions in northeast Wichita may not be only a matter of age or condition.

At least three other ZIP codes in the urban core have more older homes, according to an analysis of Sedgwick County Appraiser parcel data. And in a span of five years, four ZIP codes in Wichitas urban core, including 67214, accounted for 40% of all code violations.

Brandon Johnson, District 1 city council member, attributes the number of demolitions in 67214, which is in his district, to more complaints being made because more homes are vacant and become an issue for neighborhoods. The ZIP code has a vacancy rate between 24% and 27%, according to the most recent Census data  the highest vacancy rate of all Wichita ZIP codes.

Homes may become vacant because a homeowner dies or relocates to assisted living. Too often, homeowners do not understand the importance of making it easy for an heir to sell or rehab their home when they must move into a nursing home or when they die, according to Tim Holt, a real estate agent with Golden, Inc.

You dont need a lengthy probate process if you give your heirs joint ownership, he said. If you have a mortgage on the property, the lienholder may have to sign off on the addition to the title, but that is not generally a problem either. But how are people supposed to know that if nobody tells them?

Issues with clear titles are prevalent, Holt said. Unpaid taxes and deceased owners are the most common causes of encumbered titles.

I do think we lose homes that could be saved because we dont allow a presumptive heir to get a permit to make needed repairs, he said.

He is also concerned that too many people dont know where to turn for help. There ought to be a course you can take when you buy a home, said Holt. The city process can be really hard to follow and communication is often lacking.

Attempts to save Washingtons Uncles House

Despite a year of trying, Washington wasnt able to save the house he inherited from his uncle, Kenneth Washington, who died in December 2021. He began working with an attorney to obtain the title in his name so he could sell the house and use the funds to repair his grandparents house.

The estate was still in probate in April of 2022, when he found a notice of housing code violations on the front porch of the property. At the May 2, 2022, monthly meeting of the Board of Code Standards and Appeals, the case came up for decision. Washington did not appear at that hearing  he said he wasnt aware he could speak for the property at the meeting  and the board voted to recommend condemnation of the house to the Wichita City Council.

That recommendation made the council agenda on Aug. 2, 2022. Washington did appear at that hearing and told the council that he was working with an attorney to clear probate. The council gave him until Oct. 11 to get a clear title so he could sell the house.

After obtaining title, Washington deeded the house to another uncle, Gregory Turentine, who said he wanted to fix it up for his daughter to live in. This way, the house would stay in the family, with the hopes of eventually selling it. At the Oct. 11 council meeting, KaLyn Nethercot, neighborhood inspection administrator at the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department, recommended a six-month extension to work with the new owner. Washington said he and a cousin attended that hearing but did not speak because Nethercot recommended the extension. In that six-month period, the city said through Lovely that it did not receive any communication with the new owner or anyone else regarding the property. The council delayed the case until April 4, 2023.

The title change proved to be a costly error. Turentines rehab plans fell through and Washington had to start over to get the property deeded back to him so he could again seek a buyer. He was working with two realtors, with at least one offer, but had to wait on the title to finalize a sale. The title still was not in Washingtons name by April 4, 2023, so he did not receive notice in advance of a hearing before the city council. The council voted at that meeting to bulldoze the house.

When he received a tax refund in June, he paid any past-due property taxes and assessments, a total of more than $1,400.

When Washington finally did get a clear title in July, it was too late. The city had already demolished the house. Now as the title holder, he is the owner of a lot valued at between $5,000 and $6,000 with a lien of more than $13,500 on it for the cost of bulldozing the house he had worked so hard to keep in the family.

Johnson said that if a property owner engages with the building department or if he is made aware someone is trying to clear a title or faces other obstacles to making the repairs, its possible to get them an extension. But the latest information he had was that the house had been sold in October 2022 and there had been no contact with the new owner. He said he wasnt aware that Washington was working to again clear the title. He encourages anyone in this situation to contact building officials or himself.

Washington got the house back in his name on July 29, 2023, just days after the city confirmed the house was bulldozed.

Now, Washington hopes the situation with his grandmothers house will lead to a different outcome. He still has hurdles to clear.

The notification from city code enforcement gave him until Sept. 26 to make needed repairs.

But right now thats impossible. Until he clears the title for the house, city code prohibits him from either working on it or hiring anyone else to do so. Almost three years since Washington first began the process of trying to renovate his grandmothers house, he still cant get started.

In its statement, the city indicated it would not pursue the housing code violations case at this time, because the owner of record is deceased. But it did not say whether Washington would face additional action if he becomes the owner.

Washington cant access programs from the city and Wichita Habitat for Humanity that help homeowners pay for repairs because they require the owner to occupy the house for six months to a year before they can apply.

He still holds out hope that he will be able to resolve the situation with the house and keep it standing for good. Its important, not only for helping him preserve some of his familys intergenerational wealth, but also keeping family history alive.

All the happiest memories of my childhood happened under that roof  Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas gift exchanges, summer picnics and birthday parties. Me and all my siblings and cousins learned to ride a bike in that driveway. My dad had 11 siblings and when I was a kid, most of them had a house in the neighborhood, Washington said.

This story was produced by the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, a coalition of 11 newsrooms and community groups, including The Wichita Eagle. The WJC is embarking on 18 months of dedicated coverage to shed light on the pressing issue of affordable housing in Wichita.

P.J. Griekspoor is a semi-retired journalist now working as a freelancer. She has a 57-year history as a newspaper reporter, editor and magazine editor, including 18 years at the Wichita Eagle and most recently, 13 years at Kansas Farmer. Her recent work has appeared in The Community Voice and the Kansas Leadership Center Journal.

Janelle ODea is an investigative data journalist based in St. Louis. She previously worked for the Center for Public Integrity, and after the Center laid off all staff earlier this year, ODea opted to finish the project with the Wichita Journalism Collaborative as a freelancer. She now works as an investigative reporter for the Illinois Answers project, the nonprofit newsroom arm of the Better Government Association. ODeas data work was funded by the Wichita Foundation, which also funds the Wichita Journalism Collaborative.

Selena Favela is a freelance photographer in Wichita. Favela enjoys channeling her natural curiosity into telling stories through photojournalism. She regularly finds herself learning something new and unexpected while on assignment. In her free time Favela loves to garden and listen to crime podcasts.
Winfield Dunn, former governor and stalwart of the Tennessee GOP, dies at 97.

Winfield Dunn, who in 1971 became the state's first Republican governor in half a century, died on Saturday. He was 97.

Though Dunn only served one term, he remained a stalwart of the Tennessee GOP over his lifetime, ushering in an era of increasing Republican success after decades of Democratic control in the state.

At the request of the Dunn family, Gov. Bill Lee's office announced Dunn's death late Saturday.

Governor Winfield Dunn was, simply put, a genuine statesman, Lee said in a statement. He was a true servant of the people of Tennessee. He led with principled integrity, a strong faith, and a gracious love for others. Our state is a better place because of his service and leadership. Maria and I join all Tennesseans in honoring Governor Dunns life, and we pray for Betty and the Dunn family in the days ahead."

Trained as a dentist, Dunn dove into Tennessee politics as relative novice among a slate of Republicans testing the waters in the early and mid-1960s as state political winds shifted. He first won the Shelby County Republican Party chairmanship, and later launched his gubernatorial campaign after failing to recruit a GOP candidate from West Tennessee.

Dunn rose through the primary despite relative statewide obscurity  media reports at the time sometimes referred to him as "Winfield Who"  but capitalized on his personality and public speaking talent in the 1970 general election, where more than one-third of his total votes came from Shelby County.

Gov. Winfield Dunn, center, delivers his budget address to a joint session of the General Assembly Jan. 11, 1973, under the watchful eyes of Lt. Gov. John Wilder, left, and House Speaker Ned McWherter. Democratic legislative leaders reacted with caution to his plea for a record $1.87 billion budget financed in part by continuation of sales taxes at the current level.

"We hoped to gain a foothold," Dunn said in a 2017 Inside Politics interview. "We had no control in the legislature. Suddenly becoming a governor of the state, a Republican found himself in a peculiar position."

During his time in office, Dunn was often thwarted by the opposition party, as the state House was controlled by Democrats.

Notably, Dunn crafted a bipartisan administration, filling positions with people aligned with both political parties, harkening back to a promise of an "era of partnership, not partisanship" he made in his 1971 inauguration speech.

Dunn reshaped some of Tennessee government into what it is today, including creating the Department of General Services and the Department of Banking.

He signed into law the Natural Area Preservation Act in 1971, which established legal protections for areas like Radnor Lake and Fall Creek Falls and continues to protect more than 100,000 acres in more than 80 state natural areas.

Establishing a statewide kindergarten system and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency were also highlights of his term, Dunn later said in a 2016 interview with the Secretary of State's office.

"I'm extremely proud of having fought, very tenaciously, and won the opportunity to create the Department of Economic and Community Develoment in our state, which is responsible for so much of the beautiful growth that has taken place in Tennessee," Dunn said.

Gov.-elect Winfield Dunn, right, shares a moment with master of ceremony and sax Boots Randolph during the Republican Gala at the Municipal Auditorium Jan. 15, 1971.

He frequently sparred with the Democratic legislative majority over his veto power, which he exercised dozens of times, including nixing funding for a medical school at East Tennessee State University. It was a decision that would come back to haunt his future political prospects.

Dunn later expressed regret for not exercising that veto power over the so-called "Tennessee Plan," which allowed a governor to appoint appellate court judges. The system was later expanded to include the Tennessee Supreme Court. Dunn later called the plan, which he signed off on, unconstitutional, arguing Tennesseans should be allowed to choose their judges by popular vote.

His gubernatorial legacy will likely be noted for ushering in decades of two-party politics in a state after years of single-party control.

"I would say that during my administration, we demonstrated to the people of Tennessee that the Republican Party could be a constructive, productive political element and the Republican party has fared very well in the years since my term," Dunn said in a 2016 interview with the Secretary of State's office.

As news broke Saturday of Dunn's death, many of Tennessee's leading politicians paid tribute to his legacy.

"He was a favorite son of West Tennessee who, through his service, inspired so many people all across the state of Tennessee. We are especially thinking about Betty, his favorite first lady and best girl, whom you rarely saw without him, and whose life exemplified a life well-lived," said U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tennessee, in a statement. "I was honored to travel, campaign, and work with Governor Dunn on many occasions, and I always came away understanding that public service done right has the ability to change the lives of so many people."

Dunn's early life

Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn was born on July 1, 1927 to Aubert and Dorothy Dunn in Meridian, Mississippi. Aubert Dunn served as the county district attorney and, later, was elected to U.S. Congress.

Dunn later described his father as an "extraodinarily talented" man, a natural politician, though the Aubert Dunn's drinking habits sometimes led to "turbulent" times for the family.

Trailing along with his father in town was the beginning of his political education, Dunn said, when his father would push the young man to make conversation with his professional acquaintances.

At 17, Dunn volunteered for service in World War II, enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He also later served in the Air Force Reserve.

After the war, Dunn attended the University of Mississippi, where he met his future wife, Betty Prichard, on a blind date. With a degree in banking, he first considered law school but decided he wanted to get married instead. Dunn sold insurance in Mississippi for a time before enrolling in dental school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

As he grew his business and family in Memphis, he became interested in Republican politics, particularly catalyzed by Barry Goldwater's conservative political philosophy.

One of Dunn's Memphis dental patients was Dan Kuykendall, according to 1970 media reports, who would become the first Republican in years to win election in the district. Kuykendall began to bend Dunn's ear further about politics.

Dunn's first foray into the political arena came in an unsuccessful run for state House of Representatives, which he would lose in the Republican primary.

In 1964, he became chair of the Shelby County Republican Party. As the tides began to shift for Tennessee Republcians, he would campaign for Goldwater, his friend and patient Kuykendall and future U.S. Sen. Howard Baker.

Dunn also served as a delegate to the 1968 Republican National Convention.

'Winfield who?'

After serving as the chair of the Shelby County Republican Party, Dunn began to think that a Republican could be elected governor if enough people from West Tennessee united behind a candidate.

Dunn in 2016 said he at first sought someone else for the job, but people kept turning it down.

At the encouragement of others, he began touring the state in 1969 on an unofficial listening tour, waiting until the following April to launch his official bid  a mere four months before the primary election.

The little known Memphis-based dentist faced a significant uphill battle, squaring off against four other Republican candidates, including House Speaker Bill Jenkins, former state party chairman Claude Robertson and Hubert Patty, who had been the partys nominee in 1962.

By the time Dunn ran for governor in 1970, Democrats' once-long established hold on the state had begun to loosen. In 1966, Howard Baker became the first Tennessee Republican to be elected to the U.S. Senate since Reconstruction, after defeating Gov. Frank Clement. Two years later, Republicans gained control of the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Dunn's campaign was a proving ground for up-and-coming Republican political talent, led by future Gov. and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally.

"Winfield Dunn showed Tennesseans who had never seen a Republican governor what one looked like and could do," Alexander said in a statement. "And he did it remarkably well. He was a pioneer in building the statewide Republican Party. Winfield, Betty and their family brought credit to our state. He was a great friend to all us Alexanders. We admire his life and we will miss him."

Though he was referred to as "Winfield Who?" through the primary and took flak from his opponents over his relative political inexperience, Dunn's campaign developed a shrewd strategy for local Republicans to blanket Shelby County while Dunn courted more reticent voters in East Tennessee.

His popularity at home paid off. Though he trailed in second place across the state, a landslide victory in Shelby County pushed him to the front of the pack.

Dunn received 90% of the primary vote in Shelby County, more than one-third of his vote total statewide, which secured him a narrow win with 33% of the vote.

In the general election, Dunn squared off against the charismatic John Jay Hooker, who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1966. By today's standards, Dunn was a moderate Republican, with an eye on investing in things like public education and affordable housing, but he saw and capitalized on an appetite for more conservatives in political office.

"I came along and offered an alternative to a candidate who was close to the Kennedy wing of the national political spectrum," Dunn said in a 2008 Tennessean interview. "Down through the years, Tennesseans have shown that moderation and that conservative bent."

Dunn's life after office

By the time Dunn left office, Republicans gained control of five of the states nine Congressional seats. But the party didnt see all successes, in part due to the Watergate scandal of President Richard Nixon.

At the time, the state Constitution prevented Dunn from running for a successive term.

Upon leaving office, Dunn moved to Nashville permanently and returned to the private sector, serving as vice president of Hospital Corporation of America.

In 1986, Dunn attempted to run for a second term as governor but lost in a close race to Democrat Ned McWherter, who was House Speaker during Dunn's first term.

Dunn and his wife became active with the American Heart Association and other local charities.

Though he never sought office again, he remained closely involved in Republican politics. He served on the presidential steering committee for George H. W. Bush and as Mitt Romney's Tennessee campaign chair.

Dunn is survived by his wife, Betty, and their three children, Chuck, Gayle and Julie.

Former Tennessean reporter Joel Ebert contributed to this report.

This story has been updated to add additional photos and information.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Winfield Dunn, former Tennessee governor, dies at 97
UPDATE 9/30  Officials have released the name of the woman who died in the crash on Sept. 29.

Emma Gordhammer, 25, was identified as the driver of the vehicle that rolled after a high-speed pursuit on I-15.

ORIGINAL STORY:

DAVIS COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A woman is dead and a child in the hospital after a vehicle pursuit ended in a rollover crash and two people ejected in Davis County on Sunday, according to the Utah Dept. of Public Safety.

On Sept. 29, Utah Highway Patrol troopers intercepted an attempt to locate on a vehicle that was traveling at a high rate of speed from Salt Lake County into Davis County.

Utah mother diagnosed with Stage 4 small cell lung cancer, given 3 months to live

Courtesy of Utah Dept. of Public Safety

Troopers pursued on I-15, but the driver failed to stop and took an exit at milepost 332. When the driver took the exit, troopers reportedly stopped pursuing.

After getting on the off-ramp, the vehicle crashed and rolled, ejecting the two people inside, police said.

The female driver was pronounced dead on scene. Troopers gave life-saving aid to a child before medical personnel could take them to the hospital.

The condition of the child has not been released at this time.

No further information is currently 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 ABC4 Utah.
Authorities have identified a woman who died last week after entering an underground fuel tank while attempting to rescue an animal in Merced County.

According to the Merced County Sheriffs Office, Mayra Minchaca Torres, 32, of Delhi, died after entering the fuel tank with another woman at a property in the 15000 block of Oak Street in Delhi. According to the Sheriffs Office, investigators believe the women were overcome by hazardous fumes and a lack of oxygen in the confined space, when they entered the tank in an attempt to rescue a calf that had fallen in.

Authorities said the other woman who was found unconscious in the fuel tank is in critical condition after being transported to a hospital.

Merced County deputies responded to a report of two people inside the fuel tank about 3:15 p.m. Sept. 23. Cal Fire crews responded to the scene and extracted the women from the tank. Authorities said the women successfully rescued the calf which was ultimately euthanized on scene due to its condition.

Merced County Animal Services seized two other calves from the property that were found to be malnourished.

Authorities said the incident remains under investigation and an autopsy is pending to determine the womans cause of death. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Merced County Sheriff Office Detective Daniel Ramirez at 209-385-4983.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A woman was killed and another person was injured after crashing into a house, Memphis Police say.

At 8:34 p.m. on Saturday, investigators arrived at the scene of a fatal crash on Jackson Avenue & Dickinson Street.

A Nissan Armada was traveling eastbound on Jackson Avenue when it swerved over a median, struck a fence in front of 1629 Jackson Avenue and then continued east striking the residence at 1643 Jackson Avenue.

Woman fatally struck by bus on Union; man hit by SUV trying to help her

The driver was transported to Regional One where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

The passenger was transported to Regional One Hospital in non-critical condition.

Neighbors said the best way to describe the damage now is to explain how the house looked before the accident.

One neighbor told WREG that the house had an outdoor sitting area made mostly of brick. Whats left now is mostly rubble and a trail of destruction.

Oh yeah, this is Jackson Avenue. This is a speedway, resident Ms. Perlie said. She (the driver) started right here when she came up on the curb and took out my fence straight over into that house. It sounded like someone dropped a bomb.

1 man dead, 2 injured in Farm Road car crash

Ms. Perlie who lives near the site of last nights deadly crash, said the Nissan Armada said the driver first struck her property before slamming into the neighboring house.

And all that debris came all the way to my porch, Ms. Perlie said. If any of those flying things here had hit me it wouldve killed me.

Another neighbor, Jabari Williams, told WREG that wrecks like this Saturdays happen all the time.

He said right before the crash, he thought to himself how fortunate it was that he didnt live closer to the street.

I had a vision. I said to myself, I wouldnt want to have a house on this particular street only because the cars can run into it, Williams said. Then later when I got home, I found out from a neighbor that actually, a car ran into someones house. It was a little spooky but it happens.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a woman was shot in Southeast D.C. on Saturday night.

WATCH: Arlington County crews make rescue in Southwest Virginia after Hurricane Helene sparks flooding

MPD that at about 11 p.m., it was at the scene of a shooting in the unit block of Potomac Avenue.

When officers arrived, they found a woman with non-life-threatening gunshot wound injuries.

The woman was transported to the hospital, conscious and breathing.

Nearby cameras captured a photo of the suspect, as seen below.

(Courtesy: The Metropolitan Police Department)

Police encourage anyone who can identify the suspect or has information on the shooting to call them at (202) 727-9099 or text a tip to 50411.

MPD currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District of Columbia.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  An off-duty Hillsborough County deputy was hospitalized with serious injuries after a drunk, wrong-way driver struck them nearly head-on on the Skyway Bridge, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

On Wednesday evening, 25-year-old Yosman Alexander Ixpata Xitumul, of Brandon, was driving north in the southbound lanes of I-275 across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge for an unknown reason.

24-year-old seriously injured after crashing into truck hauling logs in Hernando: FHP

A trooper attempted to stop his Dodge Ram pickup but was unsuccessful. As the trooper tried to overtake the high-speed vehicle, Xitumul collided nearly head-on with the 33-year-old deputy in a Ford F150 at milepost 17.

Xitumul fled on foot and was later apprehended by St. Pete police.

Florida Highway Patrol

FHP said both the deputy and the suspect were seriously injured in the crash and were taken to nearby hospitals.

Xitumul was found to be impaired more than three times the legal limit.

Florida Highway Patrol

He was charged with DUI with serious injury, DUI with property damage, aggravated fleeing to elude with serious injury, reckless driving with injury and damage, leaving the scene with injury, leaving the scene with property damage, driving with a suspended license and no proof of insurance in a crash.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
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.
In the hills of the Bekaa Valley - as in swathes of Lebanon - death can come from the sky these days, at any moment.

Israel has been bombing the area through the day, with more 30 air strikes in just an hour.

Forty-six people are confirmed dead - and that toll is expected to rise.

Others are in critical condition in hospital, after Israeli attacks earlier this week.

Noor Mossawi is among them. The six-year-old is lying unconscious in a paediatric intensive care unit, in Rayak Hospital, with bandages wrapped around her fractured skull.

Her mother Rima is sitting by her bedside, holding a copy of the Quran and praying.

She tells us her daughter is very bright and very sociable.

"She creates such a fun atmosphere at home. The house feels empty when she's not around. She loves meeting new people."

All that changed last Monday, with an Israeli strike.

She shows us another video of her daughter - this time praying, shortly before the attack.

"I was soothing her, telling her not to be afraid, that nothing would happen. She was calling on God and the prophets for help," Rima says.

As the bombing was getting closer, Rima was hunkering by her front door with Noor and her twin brother Mohammed.

"We werent brave enough to go inside," she says, "because we thought the building would collapse on us if it was hit.

"When it got more intense, I picked up Noor and her brother and was about to take them in, but the missile was much faster than I was."

That missile left Mohammed lightly wounded, and Noor fighting for her life.

As her daughter Noor is now fighting for her life, Abdallah accuses Israel of terrorising civilians [Goktay Koraltan / BBC]

As we speak, suddenly there is danger overhead. We hear a plane, and then an explosion which rattles the windows and knocks out the power for a few seconds.

Its another air strike. Rima barely reacts.

Noors father Abdallah comes to visit, and is burning with rage.

"Please film my child," he says.

"She doesn't know what weapons are. She doesn't know how to fight. She was playing at home when the bombing started. They [Israel] wanted to terrorise the people and get them to flee."

Israel says its strikes are targeting Hezbollah sites, including weapons stores and ammunition dumps.

Abdallah begs to differ.

"We have nothing to do with weapons. I am not involved with the resistance [Hezbollah]. But now I wish I was so that I could protect my children," he tells us.

Minutes later, a few floors down, sirens wail as an ambulance brings in wounded from the latest strike.

Medical staff are rushing back and forward. The emergency department fills with tension. There are angry shouts, and shocked friends and relatives. We are asked to stop filming.

Dr Basil Abdallah says "most of the nurses and the doctors are depressed" at his hospital [Goktay Koraltan / BBC]

The hospital has admitted 400 casualties of Israeli strikes since Monday - all civilians - according to Dr Basil Abdallah, the medical director.

Of those, more than 100 have died, and several families had lost more than one person.

Dr Abdallah tells us there is trauma among the staff, as well as the patients.

"Seeing children bombed, seeing elderly patients and women bombed, it's difficult," he says. "Most of the nurses and the doctors are depressed. We have emotions. We are human."

Most of the staff remain at the hospital around the clock as it is too dangerous to risk the journey home.

Israel is striking far and wide in Lebanon. Theres no-one to stop it.

For now, Hezbollah is putting up a limited fight, firing rockets across the border.

Its backer, Iran, is remaining on the sidelines.

Dr Abdallah is already worried about running out of drugs and essential supplies.

He fears this will be a long war.
Global start-ups, incubators seek business opportunities in Chinese market

Xinhua) 14:33, September 29, 2024

SHANGHAI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Global incubators and start-up entrepreneurs have praised the opportunities bred by the vast Chinese market and incubation soil for technology start-ups at the World Top-Performing Incubator Conference 2024.

The conference, held in Shanghai Municipality from Sept. 26 to 28, attracted nearly 300 innovation projects in cutting-edge fields such biomedicine, integrated circuits and artificial intelligence. It saw the attendance of top incubators from more than 10 countries, including China, the United States, Canada and the Netherlands.

Sejun Oh, CEO of Huespine, a digital healthcare rehabilitation platform, brought their AI-based nursing equipment to China. He hopes to establish contact with Chinese hospitals, enterprises and consumers and is optimistic about the Chinese market.

Jorg Kop, managing director of UtrechtInc, a university-linked start-up incubator, said he hopes to further their cooperation network in China and help European start-ups enter the Chinese market.

Kop said China is crucial to the development of the world economy and Shanghai has economic vitality as well as fantastic ideas. He added that the Lin-gang special area of Pudong district in the municipality can be a convenient entrance for its start-ups to enter the Chinese market.

According to Zhai Jinguo, deputy director of the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai will continue to establish an innovative incubation ecosystem, cultivate new quality productivity forces, and provide support and guarantee for scientific and technological innovation projects and teams in Shanghai.

China has more than 700,000 incubated enterprises and teams. The revenues of incubated enterprises have exceeded 1 trillion yuan (about 143 billion U.S. dollars).

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Death toll rises from Helene while supplies are rushed to North Carolina and Florida digs out

Authorities are struggling to get supplies to isolated areas across the U.S. Southeast in the wake of Hurricane Helene and the death toll from the storm is rising
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  A new study has identified which age group most feels that social media is affecting their mental health, and it might surprise you to learn that the generation of Americans who were born between 1965 and 1980 are in the generation most vulnerable to toxicity found on social media.

The study, which was conducted by the Texas addiction treatment center Origins Texas Recovery, analyzed data from YouGov perception polls to determine that older generations are impacted the most by toxic social media. They also used data from Pew Research Center.

The study found that Generation X is the most likely to report that social media negatively impacts their mental health.

Surreal photos: Red River in Northwest Louisiana is gorgeous

Younger people report that social media helps to improve their well-being.

People who participated in the study were asked questions like, Do you think social media has a broadly positive or broadly negative effect on your mental health?

More than 1/3 of Generation X believes their mental health has been negatively impacted by social media. More than  of Baby Boomers feel the same way.

Almost 40% of Generation Z, which includes babies that were born between 1997 and 2012, believe theyve experienced positive mental health results from using social media. The same was true of Millennials.

Why is Generation X having difficulty with social media?

The study analyzed the social media habits of older users and found that older users tend to use older social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook that allow content to be filtered and edited. This behavior changes a persons ability to judge their unedited appearance and can cause body image issues and erode at a persons self-worth.

Younger generations, however, use apps that encourage the use of unfiltered photos and do not feel pressured to look certain ways.

Get a free ride to Shreveport Regional Airport next time you fly; heres how

Professionals at Origins Texas Recovery suggest that if you feel negatively affected by what youre seeing online, change your social media habits. Set screen time limits and select the not interested functions on posts to help social media platforms alter your algorithm. It will take a little while to work, but if you continue selecting not interested on posts you do not want you will stop seeing the types of posts that upset you.

OTR also suggests silencing notifications on some apps, deactivating accounts that frequently bother you, and stepping away from your phone for a little while every day.

If you believe your mental health is suffering because of social media, talk to your loved ones and, if necessary, seek the advice of a professional.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Zachary Levi endorsed Donald Trump at a rally in Michigan on Saturday before introducing former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to the stage. The Shazam! actor was at the Team Trumps Reclaim America Tour event to moderate a conversation with Kennedy and Gabbard.

Were here to make sure that we are going to take back this country. We are going to make it great again. We are going to make it healthy again, Levi said on stage. And so, I stand with Bobby, and I stand with Tulsi, and I stand with everyone else who is standing with President Trump. Because I do believe, of the two choices that we have, and we only have two, Donald Trump, President Trump is the man that can get us there. And hes gonna get us there because hes gonna have the backing and the support and the wisdom and the knowledge and the fight that exists in Robert Kennedy Jr. and former representative Tulsi Gabbard.

More from Variety

In his speech, the actor discussed his background as a factor of his decision. I grew up in a family that was Christian conservative, that was pretty much the lane that we were in, he said. My parents were Kennedy Democrats who then turned into Reagan Republicans, and they taught me to have a healthy level of distrust for the government and a healthy level of distrust for industry that runs amok.

Levi explained that his ideal candidate was Kennedy, but in the absence of that option, the next best choice, in his opinion, was Trump.

For a long time, I was like, Man, I really want to find a politician that represents all of the things that I want and I want to see in a presidential candidate. And this year, I found Bobby Kennedy, and I thought, Man, this guy is it. Hes the real deal. And in a perfect world, whatever that would look like, perhaps I would have voted for Bobby, Levi said at the Michigan rally. But we dont live in a perfect world. In fact, we live in a very broken one, we live in a country that has been hijacked by a lot of people who want to take this place way off the cliff. And we want to stop that, right?

Kennedy suspended his presidential campaign in August, announcing that he was instead backing Trump for president.

In my heart, I no longer believe that I have a realistic path to electoral victory in the face of this relentless, systematic censorship and media control, Kennedy said at the time. He added, Three great causes drove me to enter this race in the first place, primarily, and these are the principal causes that persuaded me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, and now to throw my support to President Trump.

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Zachary Levi endorsed Donald Trump for president on Saturday. The Shazam actor had previously declared support for RFK Jr.

Im not gonna take too much time, but I did just wanna just give you a little context about why Shazam is sitting here talking to you about these various things, he said onstage at a Trump rally in Michigan. I grew up in my family that was Christian conservative, that was pretty much the lane that we were in. My parents were Kennedy Democrats that then turned into Reagan Republicans, and they taught me to have a healthy level of distrust for the government and a healthy level of distrust for industry that runs amok.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Levi supported RFK Jr.s presidential bid throughout the summer, writing at one point that the politician was the best weve had in a long time. The Kennedy candidate dropped out of the race at the end of last month.

Levi spoke about his RFK support on Saturday. For a long time, I was like, Man, I really want to find a politician that represents all of the things that I want and I want to see in a presidential candidate. And this year, I found Bobby Kennedy, and I thought, Man, this guy is it. Hes the real deal. And in a perfect world, whatever that would look like, perhaps I would have voted for Bobby, Levi said. But we dont live in a perfect world. In fact, we live in a very broken one, we live in a country that has been hijacked by a lot of people who want to take this place way off the cliff. And we want to stop that, right?

He continued, Were here to make sure that we are going to take back this country, we are going to make it great again, we are going to make it healthy again. And so, I stand with Bobby, and I stand with Tulsi [Gabbard], and I stand with everyone else who is standing with President Trump. Because I do believe, of the two choices that we have, and we only have two, Donald Trump, President Trump is the man that can get us there. And hes gonna get us there because hes gonna have the backing and the support and the wisdom and the knowledge and the fight that exists in Robert Kennedy Jr. and former Representative Tulsi Gabbard.

In addition to the titular hero of Shazam! and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Levi also voiced Flynn Ryder in 2010s Tangled and appeared in the live-action Harold and the Purple Crayon, which hit theaters in early August.

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Zelensky: Putin 'afraid' to use nuclear weapons because he 'loves his life'

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism in an interview with Fox News over Russian President Vladimir Putin's continued nuclear threats since the full-scale war, saying that Putin "loves his life" and is, therefore, likely afraid to use nuclear weapons.

"Nobody knows what's in his head," Zelensky said in the interview, which was posted to the president's official Youtube channel on Sept. 29. "He could use nuclear (weapons) on any country at any time  or not. (But) I don't think that he will."

Since the launch of the full-scale invasion, Russia has repeatedly invoked the threat of its nuclear arsenal to deter Western military support for Ukraine.

The Russian military will be able to "determine the conditions" for the use of nuclear weapons, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Russian state-controlled television on Sept. 29.

"(The military) closely monitors what weapons are used and how. They are the ones who record the direct involvement of the countries of the collective West in the (war in) Ukraine, and they will not diminish their focus," Peskov said.

Peskov went on to blame NATO member states for aiding Ukraine in its war effort against Russia, claiming that it "made it necessary to make adjustments both to the nuclear doctrine and to the foundations of state policy in the area of nuclear deterrence."

In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Ukraine and its Western allies should not try "to fight to victory with a nuclear power."

Lavrov's remarks come days after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed revisions to Moscow's nuclear doctrine at a U.N. Security Council meeting. Putin announced that Russia could respond to conventional missile strikes with nuclear weapons, and indicated that Moscow would treat any attack backed by a nuclear-armed country as a coordinated assault.

Read also: Kremlin says recent adjustments to Russias nuclear policy intended as a message to Western nations

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Zelenskyy is feeling more positive about US authorisation for strikes deep into Russia

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is "more positive" about obtaining authorisation for long-range weapons strikes on Russian territory but that the decision does not depend on the Ukrainian side.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with Fox News following a meeting with US presidential candidate Donald Trump, European Pravda

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I'm more positive, but we'll see, you know, today it doesn't depend on our side."

Details: The president said that it is important for Americans to know that Ukraine wants to use the weapons in question only for military purposes.

Background:

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Zelenskyy refuses to discuss demands for dismissal of Ukraine's ambassador to US

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that he can only discuss the issue of dismissing ambassadors with the speaker of the Ukrainian parliament.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with Fox News

Details: Zelenskyy was responding to House Speaker Mike Johnson's ultimatum to dismiss Ukraine's Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova.

"I am the president of Ukraine and I can discuss our ambassadors only with the speaker [of the parliament] of my country. That's the Constitution. I can't discuss this with Speaker Johnson, with all due respect," he said.

Background:

Earlier this week, Johnson released a letter addressed to President Zelenskyy with categorical demands for Ukraine.

Johnson attributed his ultimatum to an incident during Zelenskyys visit to the United States, specifically his trip to an ammunition factory in Pennsylvania.

He claimed that Ambassador Markarova had organised the event, which "failed to include a single Republican".

Therefore, Johnson noted that the incident had caused "the Republicans to lose trust in Ambassador Markarova's ability to fairly and effectively serve as a diplomat in this country," and repeated the demand to Zelenskyy that the Ambassador of Ukraine should "be removed from her post immediately".

Zelenskyy stressed that presidential candidate Donald Trump did not raise the issue of his visit to Pennsylvania during their meeting. "I was in Utah ... I was in Pennsylvania. It was [at] different times, but it was not about the election. I don't want to involve us [in] the election period of the United States," he said.

He highlighted the importance of bipartisan support and mentioned that he had met with representatives from both parties, expressing gratitude to ordinary Americans for their backing.



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Zelenskyy: Russia deployed over 300 Shahed UAVs and 900 aerial bombs in past week  video

Throughout the week, the Russian army employed nearly 900 aerial bombs, over 300 Shaheds, and 40 missiles to attack Ukraine.

Source: President Volodymyr Zelensky

Details: Zelenskyy reacted to the Russian strike on the city of Zaporizhzhia on 29 September.

According to him, 13 people were hurt and 2 were rescued from the rubble.

Quote: "This week alone, the Russian army used about 900 aerial bombs, more than 300 Shahed drones, and over 40 missiles.

This Russian terror knows no bounds, and it can only be halted by global unity, both in supporting Ukraine and in putting pressure on Russia for waging war."

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Zelenskyy says he received "direct information" from Trump on support for Ukraine

Zelenskyy and Trump during a meeting in the US. Photo: Ukrainian President's Office

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he received "very direct information" from US presidential candidate Donald Trump about his support for Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with Fox News recorded during a trip to the US

Quote: "I've got from Donald Trump very direct information that he will be on our side, that he will support Ukraine. There are so many details, I think, which he was very interested to hear."

Details: When asked by a journalist if Trump had asked him anything, Zelenskyy said: "Yes, of course, a lot."

Among the questions Trump asked him, the Ukrainian president named the following: "What is the real current situation on the battlefield?", "How do you see the support from the United States?" and "Why do you think Putin began this invasion?".

Zelenskyy noted that Trump did not mention his visit to Pennsylvania, which had prompted US House Speaker Mike Johnson to demand that Zelenskyy recall Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova.

Asked if he had plans to recall Markarova after Johnson's demand, Zelenskyy said: "I am the president of Ukraine and I can discuss our ambassadors only with the speaker [of the parliament] of my country. That's the Constitution. I can't discuss this with Speaker Johnson, with all due respect."

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Zookeeper mauled to death by lion in Nigeria

The lion has since been put down [Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library]

A zookeeper has been mauled to death by a lion in south-western Nigeria after he failed to secure the locks on its enclosure when he went to feed it, police say.

The victim, a 35-year-old man, worked at the Presidential Library Wildlife Park, owned by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun state.

Local police spokesperson Omolola Odutola said in a statement that "the lion inflicted serious fatal injuries to the mans neck".

He said the lion was then shot to "release its grip on the handler".

According to a statement from the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the zookeeper had taken some guests to see the lion's feeding routine after hours on Saturday evening.

The zookeeper, apparently, feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety protection gate open and proceeded to feed the animal. He was mauled by the animal and died on the spot.

To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park.

The victim has been named as Babaji Daule, described by police as a trained lion handler.

It comes less than a year after another zookeeper was attacked and killed by a lion at the Obafemi Awolowo University, also in south-western Nigeria.

The incident has triggered concerns with people raising questions about the countrys regulations and management of zoos and handling of wild animals.

More Nigeria stories from the BBC:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

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Apple Ring: all the rumors so far and what we want to see

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The Galaxy Ring could soon get a new competitor. | Credit: Samsung

The smart ring category is hot right now, but is Apple set to leap into the fray with its own effort?

In recent months we've seen the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the RingConn Smart Ring, while the long-term leader of the best smart rings race is the Oura Ring (now up to its third generation). Rumors that Apple might be tempted to join the party have been swirling for several years now, and it seems that there's at least something on the drawing board at Apple around this form factor.

Here, we've pulled together everything we know and think we know about the so-called Apple Ring: the leaks and rumors that have emerged, the predicted price, the possible release date and more. We've also added some of the features and specs we want to see from the Apple Ring.

Apple Ring: cut to the chase

What is it? A rumored smart ring, made by Apple

When could it release? TBC, but not before 2025

How much could it cost? Expect $399 / 399 / AU$750 or above

Apple Ring: price and release date predictions

Oura Ring 3 on a finger

We don't have too many clues about how much the Apple Ring could cost, but we can look at some of the other options on the market. The Samsung Galaxy Ring can be yours for $399 / 399 and up (with Australia prices to be confirmed), while the Oura Ring 3 is available for $299 / 299 and up (and isn't currently available in Australia).

That gives you some idea of the price points we're talking about. Apple will want to stay competitive, but (as the best iPhones show) isn't afraid to whack a price premium on its products. If we had to make a guess, we'd say the Apple Ring will be a little more expensive than its Samsung and Oura rivals.

It's also worth bearing in mind that the best Oura Ring features need a monthly subscription ($5.99 / 5.99 per month). Apple already has its Fitness Plus program you can sign up to if you have an Apple Watch ($9.99 / 9.99 / AU$14.99 per month), so it's entirely possible that this would also be an optional extra for its smart ring.

When it comes to a release date, 2024 and even 2025 seem unlikely, given the cadence of the leaks and rumors we've seen so far; it doesn't appear that a launch is imminent. We didn't see an Apple Ring alongside the Apple Watch 10 at the September 2024 It's Glowtime event, but there's an outside chance it might accompany the Apple Watch 11 in September 2025, assuming that device turns up as expected.

Apple Ring: leaks and rumors

Someone holding the Ringconn smart ring against a concrete background.

The Apple Ring rumors stretch back a long way, to at least 2020. A patent Apple filed that year showed a smart ring being used to control other devices  with the idea being that you could maybe change channels on your Apple TV with a tap on your ring. Of course, patents aren't always guarantees of future products, but they show what companies are thinking about and exploring.

Fast forward to 2023, and Apple was once again filing smart ring patents that positioned its possible device as some kind of controller for other gadgets. It seems that any Apple Ring that shows up won't just be focused on health and fitness  it will also give you new ways to control functions on your other Apple devices.

It would seem Apple isn't limiting itself to wearables around your fingers, either. Yet another 2023 patent revealed plans for some kind of Apple Anklet you could wear around your ankle or around your neck. The success of the Apple Watch clearly has Apple thinking about how to get you tracking more fitness metrics.

Meanwhile, an industry report out of South Korea early in 2024 suggested an Apple smart ring was on the way, to take on Samsung and Oura. However, as nothing has emerged in the months since, either the sources of the report got it wrong or Apple changed its mind about its future product launch schedule.

We've seen one further sign that an Apple Ring might be on the way: an Apple survey sent to Apple Watch owners, asking how many of them currently wear a smart ring alongside their smartwatch. It might be a bit of a stretch to use this as evidence of an Apple Ring, but it's not nothing.

And that's it for Apple Ring rumors  no hint of prices, specs, design, or anything specific like that. The lack of particulars in the rumors imply a launch might still be some way off in the future, though there's been enough noise at this point to suggest it's at least being considered.

Apple Ring: what we want to see

Apple Watch Series 10

In the event that an Apple Ring is indeed on the way, what will it be like  and how could it beat existing models? If any Apple engineers are reading this, here's what we want to see from an Apple smart ring.

1. Stellar battery life

This shows up in every wishlist for every device, of course, but decent battery life is a must  especially as the standard Apple Watch can't go more than a day or two without a recharge. In fact, that could be a key selling point for the Apple Ring: keep tracking your steps and other activities while your Apple Watch is on charge.

2. Top-tier sleep tracking

Speaking of Apple Watch recharging, many users charge theirs overnight. This means the smartwatch often can't be used for sleep tracking, and we're hoping this means the Apple Ring will be very good at it. Besides, the smaller size and lighter weight of a smart ring makes it more suitable for tracking the tosses and turns of your sleep anyway.

3. Lots of software features without subscription

We've already mentioned Apple Fitness Plus, but we'd hope many of the features of an Apple Ring would be available without a subscription  as they are with Apple Watch. And for those who wanted extra functionality such as fitness videos, customizations around workout plans, in-session metrics and more, there could be an extra subscription option.

4. A superior design

There really are only so many ways you can design a smart ring, but we're hoping Apple brings the same aesthetic tastefulness to the Apple Ring as it's shown with the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. We're thinking a super-slim and super-light form factor, a choice of different colors, and a smart ring that's one of the most comfortable on the market.

5. Seamless Apple ecosystem integration

Apple usually manages this perfectly, with iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches getting new integrations and connections all the time  so we hope that extends to the Apple Ring. It's unlikely that Apple will want the smart ring to replace the Apple Watch, and in fact it could be a useful screen for it (bear in mind Oura has an Apple Watch app, too).

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This undated image from a court document provided by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana shows golden eagle feet recovered by law enforcement officers from a Washington state man's vehicle.
By David Shepardson and Anna Tong

WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday vetoed a hotly contested artificial intelligence safety bill after the tech industry raised objections, saying it could drive AI companies from the state and hinder innovation.

Newsom said the bill "does not take into account whether an AI system is deployed in high-risk environments, involves critical decision-making or the use of sensitive data" and would apply "stringent standards to even the most basic functions  so long as a large system deploys it."

Newsom said he had asked leading experts on generative AI to help California "develop workable guardrails" that focus "on developing an empirical, science-based trajectory analysis." He also ordered state agencies to expand their assessment of the risks from potential catastrophic events tied to AI use.

Generative AI - which can create text, photos and videos in response to open-ended prompts - has spurred excitement as well as fears it could make some jobs obsolete, upend elections and potentially overpower humans and have catastrophic effects.

The bills author, Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener, said legislation was necessary to protect the public before advances in AI become either unwieldy or uncontrollable. The AI industry is growing fast in California and some leaders questioned the future of these companies in the state if the bill became law.

Wiener said Sunday the veto makes California less safe and means "companies aiming to create an extremely powerful technology face no binding restrictions." He added "voluntary commitments from industry are not enforceable and rarely work out well for the public."

"We cannot afford to wait for a major catastrophe to occur before taking action to protect the public," Newsom said, but added he did not agree "we must settle for a solution that is not informed by an empirical trajectory analysis of AI systems and capabilities."

Newsom said he will work with the legislature on AI legislation during its next session. It comes as legislation in U.S. Congress to set safeguards has stalled and the Biden administration is advancing regulatory AI oversight proposals.

Newsom said "a California-only approach may well be warranted - especially absent federal action by Congress."

Chamber of Progress, a tech industry coalition, praised Newsom's veto saying "the California tech economy has always thrived on competition and openness."

Among other things, the measure would have mandated safety testing for many of the most advanced AI models that cost more than $100 million to develop or those that require a defined amount of computing power. Developers of AI software operating in the state would have also needed to outline methods for turning off the AI models, effectively a kill switch.

The bill would have established a state entity to oversee the development of so-called "Frontier Models" that exceed the capabilities present in the most advanced existing models.

The bill faced strong opposition from a wide range of groups. Alphabet's Google, Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Meta Platforms, all of which are developing generative AI models, had expressed their concerns about the proposal.

Some Democrats in U.S. Congress, including Representative Nancy Pelosi, also opposed it. Proponents included Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also runs an AI firm called xAI. Amazon-backed Anthropic said the benefits to the bill likely outweigh the costs, though it added there were still some aspects that seem concerning or ambiguous.

Newsom separately signed legislation requiring the state to assess potential threats posed by Generative AI to Californias critical infrastructure.

The state is analyzing energy infrastructure risks and previously convened power sector providers and will undertake the same risk assessment with water infrastructure providers in the coming year and later the communications sector, Newsom said.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Anna Tong; Editing by Leslie Adler and Marguerita Choy)
As interest in Intels faltering business grows, the chip pioneer is reportedly set to finalize billions of dollars in direct funding from the U.S. government.

The chipmaker and the U.S. Department of Commerce are expecting to finalize its $8.5 billion Chips Act award before the years end, the Financial Times reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.

Negotiations between Intel (INTC) and the Commerce Department are at the advanced stage, two people told the Financial Times. However, there is a possibility the funding wont be finalized by the end of the year, and a takeover of part of or all of Intels business could disrupt discussions, the people added.

Still, an unnamed person close to Intel told the Financial Times they wouldnt be surprised to see the deal finalized before the elections.

Qualcomm (QCOM) has looked into buying parts of Intels business for months, with most of its interest in Intels client PC design unit, Reuters reported, also citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. The company, which designs chips for smartphones, has not brought its plans to Intel, an Intel spokesperson told Reuters. The spokesperson added that Intel is deeply committed to our PC business. Meanwhile, alternative asset manager Apollo Global Management (APO) has offered an equity-like investment that could be worth as much as $5 billion, according to Bloomberg.

British chip designer Arm (SFTBY) inquired about buying Intels products business, but was told it isnt for sale, Bloomberg reported, citing an unnamed person familiar with the matter. Arm was reportedly interested in the side of Intels business that sells chips used in equipment such as PCs and servers.

Intel declined a request for comment. Neither the Commerce Department nor Arm immediately responded to a request for comment.

In March, the Commerce Department announced Intel was eligible for up to $8.5 billion in direct funding from the Chips Act, and up to $11 billion in federal loans. The funding will support the chipmakers plans to invest more than $100 billion in its U.S. operations during the next five years. Intel plans to expand its U.S. semiconductor industry footprint with chipmaking sites in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon.

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Credit: Future

After spending nearly a year with the Pixel 8 Pro, I was excited for its spiritual successor with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, mainly for its new AI features and upgraded cameras. But now that the iPhone 16 Pro Max is finally official after being the last flagship announcement for 2024, Im really curious to see how these juggernauts stack up.

Thats why an iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL face-off is necessary to definitely say which is worth your money. In my Pixel 9 Pro XL review, I mention how it sets a new record with one part of Toms Guides benchmark testing  while in our iPhone 16 Pro Max review, we saw how much more battery life it gets over last years model.

Not only are they similar in size and features, but they also prove how AI is increasingly becoming an integral part in how theyre being used. In fact, Id argue that theyre reshaping our routines by saving us time. Both phones are strong contenders in our best phones list, but my iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL comparison will determine a winner.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL:

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: Price

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Despite costing more than its predecessor, the $1,099 starting cost of the Pixel 9 Pro XL still comes out to be cheaper than the $1,199 priced iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, youre only getting 128GB of storage with the Pixel 9 Pro XL versus 256GB with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. In order to match its rivals storage capacity, youd have to shell out the same $1,199 cost for 256GB of storage with the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

This is a stark change compared to prior years because Googles flagship has often been priced for much less. But thats not the case anymore, which I think puts the Pixel 9 Pro XL in awkward position.

Winner: Tie

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: Design

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Pixel 9 Pro XL laid flat on a surface.

This ones tough because theres a lot I like about each phone design. For starters, they radiate with premium materials and construction that make them every bit worthy of their flagship statuses.

These two couldnt be any similar with their designs, like how they feature flat edges and rounded corners, along with their metal meets glass constructions. However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max features a more sturdy titanium alloy frame than the polished aluminum of the Pixel 9 Pro XL. But since Ive kept both phones in a case most of the time, this doesnt have as much of an impact for me.

What stands out for me is how the Pixel 9 Pro XL is slightly lighter and compact of the two. Its still a big phone, but its not as heavy or tall as the iPhone. And what finally makes the Pixel 9 Pro XLs design better is how there are a couple of bolder color options to choose from (like the rose quartz color of my review unit), rather than having to settle for the iPhone 16 Pro Maxs neutral tones.

Winner: Pixel 9 Pro XL

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: Display

For those with an affinity for big phones, theyll like what these two offer. Apple fashions a larger 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display into the iPhone 16 Pro Max, while somehow being able to chip away at the bezels. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 Pro XL packs a 6.8-inch Super Actua display with a tiny pinhole for its front-facing camera.

I will say that the two displays are perfect for watching videos and playing games, thanks in part to how their OLED panels have a strong contrast look with colors that pop. However, our testing reveals how the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the brighter screen with a peak output of 2,469 nits  making it the brightest screen weve ever recorded on a phone to date.

By comparison, it blows away the iPhone 16 Pro Maxs meager reach of 1,553 nits. While I didnt find much disparity between the displays indoors, theres a big difference when its outside with the sun shining down on them. Thats where the Pixel 9 Pro XLs display goes into overdrive by radiating more brightness to make it more visible.

Winner: Pixel 9 Pro XL

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: Cameras

Taking photos is such a breeze with both phones, which also helps when they capture some outstanding shots. Plus, I like how they offer extra utility in being able to capture just about any shot because their triple cameras cover a huge spread. It's no wonder why they're two of the best camera phones around.

Apple arms the iPhone 16 Pro Max with a 48MP main shooter, refreshed 48MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto with 5x zoom. Its a good matchup against the Pixel 9 Pro XLs setup, which includes a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto with 5x zoom.

There are things I love about both camera phones, like how the iPhones new Capture Control button gives me a few controls at the tip of my finger, or like how the Pixel 9 Pro XL can auto track subjects to lock in the focus on them even when they move around.

But of course, it comes down to how their cameras perform to deliver the best results. I actually took over 200 photos between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pixel 9 Pro XL to determine which is the better one for photography, so Ill summarize my favorites shots from it.

When the conditions are right, both phones take excellent shots that are worthy of sharing on social media. I took these shots down by the beach and when I look closely into the images, they do capture a fair amount of the textures with the Adirondack chairs. However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's warmer color temperature and brighter image takes my vote here.

Both phones get refreshed ultrawide cameras, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the wider 123-degree field of view to get more of the church and surrounding area in frame over the iPhones 120-degree FOV. Beyond that, I still prefer how the colors pop out more with the Pixel's shot, along with how it captures more of the fine details in the stained glass windows.

It's really unbelievable what kind of images they're able to pull off with macro photography. Between them, however, my eyes gravitate more on the iPhone's snapshot because of the amount of detail it uncovers, like the pollen around the petals and the hidden spiker right smack in the middle. In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's shot still has plenty of detail, but it doesn't quite have the same level of definition  and its more aggressive with the color saturation.

Not only does it capture more of me in the shot with its wider field of view, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL's 42MP selfie captures sharper details around my face  like my hairline and all of my wrinkles. I'll give it to the the iPhone 16 Pro Max for doing a decent job with its 12MP selfie camera, but the Pixel's better overall.

I'm surprised by how close they match up against each other in the zoom department. I captured the shots above at 5x zoom, and while they both appear very similar with their clarity and detail. The letters around the sign and giant eye in the middle prove this, but the only difference I can make out is how the iPhone 16 Prop Max slightly boosts the exposure in the shadowed areas of the tree's branches in the lower left side.

Image 1 of 2

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max low light sample.

Image 2 of 2

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL low light sample.

And lastly, I want to talk about low light because the iPhone 16 Pro Max's main camera does a swell job at brightening the pitch black conditions of my backyard above. Not only is the iPhone's image brighter, but it also manages to capture more detail with the tree and its branches.

Even though the iPhone 16 Pro Max ultimately wins in this category, the Pixel 9 Pro XL isn't too far off from what it delivers.

Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: Performance

Without taking into account the results from various synthetic benchmark tests that were run on both phones, the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pixel 9 Pro XL both match each other in terms of responsiveness. For example, theyre both accompanied by fluid animations and actions navigating around their interface  so I dont see one better than the other when it comes to basic everyday functions.

However, benchmark scores tell a different story. Thats because the A18 Pro puts up the better scores. For starters, it easily pushed past the Tensor G4 in Geekbech 6 with its single and multicore scores of 3,400 and 8,341 respectively. In comparison, the Tensor G4 delivers scores of 1,929 and 4,747 running the same tests.

It doesnt stop there because in 3DMarks Wild Life Unlimited test, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a champ at delivering the faster 107.53 fps frame rate rendering graphics, which is nearly double the Pixel 9 Pro XLs 55.63 fps frame rate. I know very well that the two are more than capable of running any gaming title without much lag, but the iPhone 16 Pro Maxs faster frame rates is more suitable here.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: Battery life

Closeup of USB-C ports on iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Phone makers are continually packing on bigger batteries, but this face-off proves that a chipsets power efficiency can make all the difference. Just by looking at their battery sizes, one could easily think that the Pixel 9 Pro XL would be better in the battery life department because the iPhone 16 Pro Maxs 4,685 mAh battery isnt close to matching the 5,060 mAh battery in the Pixel.

Yet, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is able to deliver incredibly longer battery life with its remarkable time of 18 hours and 6 minutes. Thats almost 4 hours longer than the Pixel 9 Pro XLs time of 14 hours and 37 minutes. This shows the superior power efficiency of the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is made more impressive given how its also working with a larger screen.

Over on the recharge side, the Pixel 9 Pro XLs faster 37W wired speed allows it to charge faster  reaching 63% in 30 minutes, versus the iPhones 55% capacity. I personally favor battery life over recharge time because it means Ill be able to get more out of a phone before needing to charge it.

Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: Software and AI

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL running Pixel Studio.

This is where it gets interesting because their software plays more of a critical role to establish how much value they offer. You have iOS 18 on the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Android 14 with the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

While Google oddly enough decided to launch its phone with Android 14 out of the gate, it shouldnt be long now before it sees Android 15, which will add even more features to the experience that arent found in my review. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with iOS 18, but Apple Intelligence will come in a future update.

On the surface, they both offer a lot to offer with their software  like deeper customization with their home and lock screens, while also focusing on privacy at the same time. The Android versus iPhone conversation has long been around, and for the most part, they serve a wide audience well.

What makes them different (and more important) than past comparisons is how their AI features redefine their experience. Ive said previously how the Pixel 9 Pro XL is still the AI phone to beat, and that doesnt change at all after Ive tested some Apple Intelligence features with the iOS 18 beta release.

A timelapse GIF of Clean Up in iOS 18.1

Part of it is because Apple Intelligence is just getting caught up to what Google has been doing now for years with its Pixel phones. Both share commonalities like being able to summarize web pages and articles, easy photo editing with the help of generative AI, and as well as giving me unique grammar and writing styles that are written with the help of AI. Yet, its the Pixel 9 Pro XL that has a deeper, more robust offering with its AI features.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL AI weather app.

For example, I cannot tell you how frequently I use Circle to Search to look up information with the camera  like finding shopping deals on gadgets I want, or figuring out the type of weed I come across on my lawn and how best to eradicate it. Theres also how Gemini Live feels more like Im talking to a real human being, in addition to its ability to research stuff on my behalf. Im still impressed by how it forecasted the true cost of owning an electric vehicle versus a gas-powered one.

Gemini Live running on Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max cant do this yet, but it could very well match it when ChatGPT integration is rolled out with the software. Either way, it feels like the iPhone 16 Pro Max is playing catchup to what the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers.

Winner: Pixel 9 Pro XL

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: Verdict

This one turned out to be a lot closer, but its still the iPhone 16 Pro Max that pulls slightly ahead in this face-off. Most notably, it earns high marks in areas like its outstanding battery life, processing performance and exceptional cameras. Obviously, itll only get better once Apple Intelligence is released.

As for the Pixel 9 Pro XL? It makes more of a statement around its software and AI features, which are currently a giant step ahead of what its rival offers. The only downside is how Google increases its price, so it doesnt have the same level of savings compared to its predecessors. Usually that wouldve been enough to give people reason to buy it, but thats not the case anymore.

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For model year 2025, Can-Ams highly anticipated electric motorcycles will finally hit the market. Dubbed the Pulse and the Origin, these two bikes represent the companys first two-wheeled products since 1987, but each runs counter to current trends in the e-motorcycle industry. Rather than trying to max out range or power, Can-Am decided to keep the bikes light enough to maneuver through traffic, making them perfect for beginner riders.

Can-Am projects that the potential market for electric motorcycles could number 95 million customers globallya seemingly unrealistic number given todays almost nonexistent sales. However, Can-Am is hoping that the Pulse and Origin set the industry standard in the same way that Tesla established a new EV market a decade or so ago.

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The Can-Am Origin (left) and Pulse (right) electric motorcycles.

The Pulse slots in as the more approachable model, with a low 30.86-inch seat height and comfortable ergonomics to go with a curb weight of 390 pounds. The design trends toward popular futurist themes, with stylistic paneling that resembles a mix of the Husqvarna Svartpilen and Ryvid Anthem. An electric motor rated at 47 hp allows for a claimed zero-to 60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, while the liquid-cooled 8.9 kWh battery should be good for 100 miles of city riding, or 80 miles of combined city and highway.

Yet as our time testing it in and around Austin, Tex., showed, that output figure shouldnt be taken at face value. Instead, instantaneously available torque matters moreallowing the Pulse to almost, but not quite, power a wheelie at full throttle in the Sport+ ride mode. Throttle response dulls down noticeably in Normal mode, though, so after the first few minutes, we spent the entire ride in Sport+. Of course, doing so eats into range quickly, but we also spent most of our time on long, straight stretches of two-lane highway, exactly where electric motorcycles perform the worst due to aerodynamic inefficiency.

Saddle time with the 390-pound, 47 hp Can-Am Pulse.

The design and engineering decisions made for both models cater more to the urban electric-motorcycle buyer. The top speed is electronically limited to 80 mph, which maximizes those claimed range figures. Yet the ability to accelerate (for example, when needing to avoid sketchy situations) could be improved, and would help make the ride not only more enjoyable, but likely safer, as well.

Meanwhile, the 10.25-inch touchscreen allows for Apple CarPlay via a USB port in the 1.7-liter storage cubby atop the tank. Activating CarPlay requires connecting a Bluetooth communication device to use Siri, however, such as a Cardo Packtalk Edge. The gauge cluster itself is configurable and easy to read, but in the name of safety turns off its touchscreen capability while the bike is in motion, so switchgear on the left grip also allows for switching between ride modes and readouts.

The liquid-cooled 8.9 kWh battery in the Pulse should be good for 100 miles of city riding, or 80 miles of combined city and highway.

Both bikes share many of the same components. The e-motor lives within the swingarm, directly near the hinge point, and powers the rear wheel via an enclosed chain system borrowed from Can-Ams snow machines. The system is almost entirely silent, and the use of chain versus the more typical belt employed by other companies allowed Can-Am to program two regenerative braking systems, one active and one passive. Both allow for the selection of three settings: Off, Min, or Max. The passive regen activates by rolling off throttle, almost akin to engine braking or regen in most EVs, while the active-regen system represents more of an innovation, allowing the rider to then twist the throttle forward to engage more braking power.

Using different wrist muscles requires a bit of an adjustment period, but active regen works quite wellother than the fact that it turns off when the speed drops to around 2 mph, meaning that we couldnt come to a complete stop without using the traditional brakes too. It actually works even better on the Origin, the dual-sport model. While testing the increased 10.8 inches of ground clearance in the dirt, the regen allowed us to easily slow down the rear tire by hand, instead of the foot lever as on a more typical motorcycle.

Taking the Can-Am Origin out for off-road exploration.

Still, the taller Origin, with styling almost akin to a Dakar Rally race bike, nonetheless weighs more than the Pulse thanks to longer-travel KYB suspension components, bigger wheels ( 21-inch front and 18-inch rear) shod in knobby tires, and additional body cladding. And in off-road applications, the somewhat unrefined suspension and top-heavy nature of the bike make it a little unwieldy.

Surprisingly, we actually preferred the Origin for on-road riding rather than the lower and lighter Pulse. The knobby tires and additional suspension travel communicate more to the rider, whereas the Pulse is smooth enough to feel somewhat anaesthetized. Neither bike creaked nor rattled very much, part of Can-Ams goal to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness.

As with the Pulse, the e-motor of the Origin lives within the swingarm and powers the rear wheel via an enclosed chain system borrowed from Can-Ams snow machines.

The Pulse and Origin are clearly well-thought-out models, but they dont excel in any one area. Over the course of a full day in the 106-degree Texas heat, the temperature resulted in the regen capabilities dropping out at times, and adversely impacted range, necessitating multiple charging stops. Liquid cooling can only do so much, though Can-Am claims that the battery can manage replenishing from 20 percent to 80 percent in only 50 minutes at a max rate of 6.6 kw using a Level 1 or Level 2 charger.

Starting prices for the Pulse and Origin are $13,999 and $14,499, respectively, which deliberately slots in below the entry-level EV models from Zero Motorcycles and LiveWire. The range and performance, however, seem a little harder to justify versus similarly priced, conventionally powered bikes. And the fact that the encased chain requires fluid changes also adds a level of maintenance and potential messiness that most other electric bikes do away with.

Starting prices for the Pulse and Origin are $13,999 and $14,499, respectively.

At the very least, in the bumper-to-bumper Austin traffic, no gasoline engine radiated excessive heat into our thighs. Even if not quite as exciting as the hype originally suggested, both the Pulse and Origin do represent solid options for city commuters and new riders alike.

Click below to see more photos of the Can-Am Pulse and Origin electric motorcycles.

The Can-Am Pulse (left) and Origin (right) electric motorcycles.

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Credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central

Things are kind of heating up in the Android tablet space, as were seeing more and more players get into the mix. However, the only true competition that Samsung has seen, comes from a little company out in Cupertino, California, aka Apple. Samsung is hopeful that with its pending launch of the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and S10 Ultra, it will be able to pull ahead of Apple and maintain its dominance on the Android side.

Before getting into the nitty gritty, the first major surprise is that Samsung is opting to forgo the 11-inch model. That leaves us with the 12.4-inch Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, and the massive 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. Although we dont know the explicit reason behind this decision, we can surmise that it has something to do with the Tab S9 FE and Tab A9 Plus.

Galaxy AI features on Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and S10 Ultra

Basically what it seems to boil down to is that if you want a smaller tablet, then the FE is the way to go. Otherwise, youll need to spring for the larger and more premium options.

With that out of the way, Samsung spent a good amount of time emphasizing a couple of things. The first of which was how Galaxy Tablets help to provide an all-encompassing ecosystem while being able to do much more than just act as a media playback device. No, we arent talking about any Pixel Tablet-like experiences, although the idea of a tablet that doubles as a SmartThings hub is rather intriguing.

Take all of the Galaxy AI you can handle

Sketch to Image results on Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

Instead, we were inundated with an almost constant barrage of Galaxy AI comments and blurbs. According to Samsung, 75% of its customers have engaged with AI features and there were 18 million uses of Galaxy AI in one week. Those numbers are downright impressive, especially when considering that they only apply to Samsungs U.S. market.

Meanwhile, Samsung also stated that there are already more than 100 million Galaxy AI-enabled devices available. More importantly, the company hopes to double that number by the end of this year. Its a lofty goal, for sure, but if theres one company that could follow through, its Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Circle to Search bottom bar

In order to do so, that means getting Galaxy AI into the hands of more people, whether it be through software updates or releasing new devices. Samsung is opting for both, which started with One UI 6.1.1 on the software side, and the push is continuing with the four devices announced.

So just where does the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and S10 Ultra fit into the equation? Well, think about all of the features that launched with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and imagine them on much larger screens. Circle to Search is here, along with Sketch to Image, Smart Select, and even AI-based Dialogue Boost.

New year, (mostly) same design

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra S Pen and Cameras

When looking at the hardware, you would be hard-pressed to be able to tell the difference between last years models and these new ones. The dimensions arent exactly identical, but they are pretty darn close.

The first semi-noticeable difference comes in the form of the Anti-Reflective display, which was first introduced with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Unfortunately, its something thats rather difficult to capture on camera when youre in a room surrounded by overhead key lights. However, I did notice that depending on the angle, the glare coming off of the screen wasnt as bad compared to looking at the Galaxy S24 FE or my own Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Its not like this should really come as much of a surprise, but Samsung still makes some of the most vibrant displays that Ive ever laid eyes on. That trend continues with the Tab S10 Ultra, and I can only presume this will also be the case with the Tab S10 Plus. Unfortunately, I wasnt able to see or use the smaller of the two, leaving me wondering if Samsung simply cares more about the Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra using Generative Edit

Besides that, we have the same array of buttons around the frame, along with the quad-speaker array, and USB-C charging port on the bottom. On the back, both the Tab S10 Plus and S10 Ultra offer dual rear cameras, with the magnetic S Pen strip placed just to the left.

While its definitely possible, its also a bit comical when you pick up the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra with one hand. Its really not designed for this, but chances are you wont be standing in the middle of a crowded room trying to hold it with one hand while using the S Pen with the other.

Then again, if youre using a 14.6-inch tablet, chances are that you wont be trying to use it with just one hand. This brings us to the keyboard case, which is an area of some disappointment.

New, but old, keyboard case

Galaxy AI key on Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Book Cover Keyboard

As I mentioned before, Samsung is serious about trying to get everyone and anyone using Galaxy AI. Seemingly following in the footsteps of Microsoft with the Windows Copilot button, theres a new Galaxy AI button on the keyboard. Im not sure if it was the intended function, but when pressed, the Google Gemini app would appear.

Its possible this was just for todays demonstration, but Im also curious as to where Bixby plays a role in all of this. Nevertheless, its not all that surprising to see, especially considering that the Copilot has been implemented on practically every Windows laptop released this year.

One thing I did notice when looking at the Tab S10 Plus and Ultra product page is that it seems that the new Book Cover Keyboard might actually be compatible with the Tab S9 Plus and S9 Ultra. This was one of my big gripes when going from the Tab S8 Ultra to the Tab S9 Ultra, so maybe Samsung is actually listening.

Side profile view of Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

If the Book Cover Keyboard is backward compatible, thats great for Tab S9 Plus and Ultra owners. What isnt great is that it didnt feel like much else had been done to improve the overall design. The last two iterations have been great when using them on a desk or a rigid surface, but things immediately begin to fall apart when using the Book Cover Keyboard on your lap.

I didnt have the opportunity to sit back on a couch and use the Keyboard, so its something Im looking forward to testing out when its time for a review. At this point, Im not sure what other direction Samsung could go in, save for just borrowing Apples iPad Pro Smart Keyboard design.

A big surprise

MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus on the Galaxy Tab S10 series

Another surprise was that Samsung opted against using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in its flagship tablet lineup. Instead, we have the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus, paired with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of expandable storage. Speaking of which, kudos to Samsung for continuing to include a microSD card slot with its tablets, even if I still believe it shouldve never been removed from Galaxy phones.

Anyways, Samsung claims the Dimensity 9300 Plus SoC provides an 18% boost in CPU performance, 28% better GPU performance, and 14% improved NPU performance. All of that is paired with a Larger Vapor Chamber, in an effort to cut on the potential for overheating.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Using Classic DeX Mode

I wasnt able to really put this to the test in my brief time with the Tab S10 Ultra, but everything felt as snappy as I expected. If anything, I did notice that loading into the classic Samsung DeX mode seemed faster than I thought, something that was echoed by others at the event.

The decision to move from Qualcomm to MediaTek for its flagship tablets had to have been for a good reason. But, it was interesting to see three new Samsung Galaxy devices announced, none of which are being powered by a Snapdragon chip.

Conclusion

HDR VIdeo Playback on Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

All-in-all, Im not really disappointed that Samsung stuck to a slightly tweaked design, and even saying that surprises me. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is the poster child for premium Android tablets, and theres really not much that can compete in this price bracket.

With hardware thats already refined, Samsung is doing exactly what I expected, as its putting more of a focus on software. More importantly, its all about Galaxy AI and Samsung looking to find ways for its customers to actually make use of these features.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

The Galaxy AI tablet

If you've been waiting for a new flagship Samsung tablet packed with AI, the wait is over. With the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, you get a massive 14.6-inch display, an included S Pen, and all of the great Galaxy AI features to enjoy.



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The Army reached its recruiting goal for the 2024 fiscal year after dropping its requirement by 10,000 people compared to last year and launch
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced that starting Monday, she and her cabinet ministers will hit the streets to inspect the capitals roads. This comes after AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal sent her a letter urging immediate repairs for the damaged roads. Government engineers and local MLAs will join the ministers during these inspections, and they plan to kick off repair work right after assessing the situation.

The decision to inspect the roads came out of a meeting on Sunday at the Delhi Secretariat, where Atishi chaired discussions with all the ministers, along with the Delhi Chief Secretary and officials from the Public Works Department (PWD). They conducted a thorough review of 1,400 kilometers of PWD roads.

During the meeting, they identified which roads need a complete rebuild, which sections require 100-200 meters of repair, and where potholes need to be fixed. Weve decided that the Delhi government will deliver pothole-free roads to the people before Diwali, Atishi stated confidently.

She noted that rain has created potholes all over the city. Agencies like the Delhi Jal Board, Tata Power, and BSES dug up roads but left them unrepaired after their work. This has really hurt the condition of Delhi's roads, she added.

Atishi revealed that Kejriwal had handed her the letter in the Assembly on Friday, emphasizing the need to tackle road repairs urgently. She will oversee inspections in South and South East Delhi, while Saurabh Bhardwaj will check out East Delhi.

Gopal Rai is set to inspect North East Delhi, Kailash Gehlot will cover West and South West Delhi, and Imran Hussain will take care of Central and New Delhi. Newly appointed minister Mukesh Ahlawat will look into the roads in North and North-West Delhi.

According to Atishi, the inspections will begin at 6 a.m. on Monday, with local MLAs and PWD engineers, including the Chief Engineer, joining the ministers. They plan to complete the inspections within a week. Once they wrap up, repair work on these 1,400 kilometers of PWD roads will start immediately, with plans to assign repair jobs by October.
New Delhi: The Congress hit out at the BJP on Sunday after a case was lodged in Karnataka against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others on a complaint relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme, demanding her resignation and seeking an objective probe under the supervision of courts.

Addressing a press conference here along with Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh, AICC spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said his party hopes that that through the judicial process, those involved in this "corruption" will be summoned, their statements recorded and on that basis, they will be arrested.

"All the agencies, all the official organs know very well how to proceed because they have been proceeding against a large number of political opponents (of the BJP) in the last 11 years. They do not have to be told how to proceed.... We would certainly demand an objective probe under the courts' control but more importantly, ultimately supervised either by the Supreme Court or an SIT of the Supreme Court," Singhvi said.

"The first need of the hour is for the legal process started by this court order to take its course and to be supervised by courts -- both the high court and ultimately, the Supreme Court -- to prevent any interference or distortion or subordination," he said.

The opposition party reiterated its demand for a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry through a special investigation team (SIT) into the electoral bonds scheme.

Ramesh alleged that four ways were used to extort money through the "conspiracy of electoral bonds -- prepaid bribery, postpaid bribery, post-raid bribery and through shell companies".

He said the finance minister should immediately resign on political, legal and moral grounds as she is "guilty".

Ramesh said the FIR was lodged following court orders and the Congress has nothing to do with it.

He said his party has been demanding a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry through an SIT into the electoral bonds scheme and it reiterates that demand.

Singhvi also accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre of "undermining democracy".

"The finance minister cannot do this on her own. We know who is number one and number two (in the government) and this was done on whose directions," he said.

"The larger issue is the level-playing field, which is necessary for free and fair polls. Free and fair polls are critical for democracy. This is an attack on our democratic system," Singhvi said while terming it "EBS -- Extortionist BJP Scheme".

A case was registered against Sitharaman and others on Saturday on the directions of a court in Bengaluru, following a complaint relating to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme.

According to police, the FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 384 (punishment for extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention) against Sitharaman, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and office-bearers of the BJP at the state and national levels, based on the order of the special court.

Karnataka BJP chief B Y Vijayendra and party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel have also been named in the FIR.

The complaint was submitted to police by Adarsh R Iyer, co-president of the Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath (JSP), alleging that the accused "committed extortion under the guise and garb of electoral bonds" and benefitted to the tune of more than Rs 8,000 crore.

The complainant has further alleged that Sitharaman, through the clandestine aid and support of ED officials, facilitated the extortion of thousands of crores of rupees for the benefit of others both at the state and national levels.

"The entire extortion racket under the garb of electoral bonds has been orchestrated hand in glove with officials of the BJP at various levels," the complaint has said.

The Supreme Court struck down the electoral bonds scheme in February, saying it violates the right to information and the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution.
Delhi News: A Delhi police constable was allegedly killed in a road rage incident on Saturday night when he was run over by a car in the Nagaloi area of the national capital. According to the Delhi Police, the incident occurred on Saturday night when the constable asked the driver to move the car.

Following this, the constable was hit by the car and reportedly dragged for about 10 meters before colliding with another car.

#WATCH | Delhi | A Delhi Police constable was killed as he was crushed by a car in a road rage incident in the Nagaloi area last night after he asked the car driver to move the car. The constable was allegedly dragged for 10 meters and hit another car. The police have seized the pic.twitter.com/Bvs7HL9Jn6  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024

The driver of the car has fled from the spot after the incident, and the car has been recovered by the police. The deceased constable was identified as Sandeep, 30. The incident occurred around 2.15 am near Veena Enclave when Sandeep was going towards Railway Road from Nangloi Police station during duty hours dressed in civilian clothes, they said, news agency PTI reported.

Upon noticing a car being driven recklessly, Sandeep told the driver not to do so, the Delhi Police said in a statement. Suddenly, the vehicle increased its speed and hit the constable's motorcycle from behind and dragged him for about 10 metres before hitting another car, it said.

Sandeep was immediately taken to Sonia Hospital and later shifted to Balaji Hospital in Paschim Vihar where he was declared dead.

According to the statement, CCTV footage have shown that Sandeep took a left turn in the street and indicated the vehicle to slow down.

"On this, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit his motorcycle and dragged him along with his bike. The vehicle halted after hitting a parked car. Sandeep received head injuries that led to death," read the statement, as quoted by PTI.

Police said a case under Section 103 (murder) of BNS is registered and an investigation has been taken up. "Two persons who are absconding. Sandeep is survived by his mother, wife and a five-year-old son. Delhi Police is saddened by the departure of a family member in such tragic circumstance," the statement said.

Meanwhile, in another incident in Maharashtra's Thane, an attempt to murder case was registered against a 42-year-old man at Ulhasnagar for allegedly attacking a woman constable inside a police station, an official said on Friday.

Babasaheb Janglu Sonawane, the accused, had inflicted injuries on himself before going to Vitthalwadi police station on Thursday morning, the official claimed, as reported by PTI.

Sonawane had an attempt to murder case registered against him at the same police station in 2012, the official said. He walked into the police station around 9 AM on Thursday having already slashed his neck, the official claimed.

After going to the desk officer and talking to him briefly, he barged into the room where the woman constable and other police personnel were working, locked it from inside, and attacked her with a blade, the official said. He was overpowered by others and pinned down. Both the injured constable and accused were then rushed to the hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.

An FIR was registered against Sonawane under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 109 (attempt to murder), 121(2) (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty), and 351(3) (criminal intimidation), the official said, adding that the probe was on.

(With agencies inputs)
Tonight, while most of India sleeps, the Earth will welcome a temporary 'mini moon' with a celestial twist linked to India's Mahabharata. Dubbed "2024 PT5", this newly discovered space rock is about 10 meters in diameter and will orbit Earth for the next 53 days before returning to the far reaches of our solar system.

From September 29 to November 25, "2024 PT5" will make its brief visit, capturing the attention of stargazers and space enthusiasts alike. But dont expect to spot it with the naked eyethis tiny, dull rock requires specialized equipment for viewing.

Why Cant We See It?

"2024 PT5" is 350,000 times smaller than our Moon, whose diameter is 3,476 kilometers. Its small size means it wont be visible without a telescope of at least 30 inches in diameter and advanced detection tools, according to astronomers. Simple binoculars or home telescopes wont suffice for this cosmic visitor. Special telescopes will detect the mini moon after 1:30 AM, though the dimness makes it a challenge even for seasoned stargazers.

Is Earth in Danger?

No need to worry! Experts at ISRO, Indias space agency, are monitoring the mini moon through their Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis (NETRA), ensuring it wont collide with Earth. Dr. Anil Kumar, head of NETRA, reassures that "2024 PT5" is part of a safe orbit and poses no threat.

The Story Behind Mini Moons

Objects like "2024 PT5" that temporarily orbit Earth are not entirely rare. Astronomers Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raul de la Fuente Marcos explain that Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) often pass close to our planet, sometimes entering temporary orbits. Known as 'mini moons,' these objects stay for a few days or months before continuing their journey through space. Past mini moons were observed in 1997, 2013, and 2018.

The Arjuna Connection

What makes "2024 PT5" even more fascinating is its connection to the Arjuna Asteroid Group, a unique group of near-Earth asteroids with resonant orbits. These asteroids are named after the legendary warrior Arjuna from the epic Mahabharata, known for his bravery, wisdom, and swift arrowsreflecting the swift and unpredictable nature of these celestial objects.

The "Arjuna" group was first identified when astronomer Robert H. McNaught discovered the asteroid "1991 VG" in Australia. Inspired by Arjunas character, McNaught named the group after the hero, and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially approved the name.

How to Catch a Glimpse

To see this mini moon, youll need professional-grade equipment. According to Marcos, "2024 PT5" can be spotted with telescopes featuring a 30-inch diameter or larger, equipped with CCD or CMOS detectors. Without such tools, catching a glimpse of this fleeting visitor will be nearly impossible.

Looking Ahead

The "2024 PT5" was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), funded by NASA, on August 7, 2024. Since then, both NASA and ISRO have been tracking its orbit. This mini moon will complete its journey and disappear by November 25, 2024, after its brief yet fascinating visit to our planets orbit.

Whether youre a professional astronomer or simply curious about the wonders of space, "2024 PT5" offers a unique opportunity to marvel at the mysteries of the cosmoseven if its from a distance. So, set your alarms and aim your telescopes skyward, because this mini moon wont be sticking around for long!
Chandigarh: Former Haryana minister Ranjit Singh Chautala and seven other leaders were expelled by the BJP for six years on Sunday, after they decided to contest the October 5 state Assembly polls as independent candidates. The Haryana BJP said its chief Mohan Lal Badoli has expelled these leaders for a period of six years with immediate effect.

Besides Chautala, Sandeep Garg (contesting the polls from Ladwa), Zile Ram Sharma (Assandh), Devender Kadian (Ganaur), Bachan Singh Arya (Safidon), Radha Ahlawat (Meham), Naveen Goel (Gurugram) and Kehar Singh Rawat (Hathin) have been expelled from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Chautala decided to quit the saffron party after he was denied the poll ticket from Rania, the seat he represented in the Assembly when he was an independent MLA.

Chautala quit the membership of the Assembly before joining the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls held earlier in the year. He had unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary polls from Hisar.

The 90-member Haryana Assembly is scheduled to go to polls on October 5 and the counting of votes will be taken up on October 8. The BJP is eyeing to return to power in the state for a third consecutive term.

The Haryana Congress expelled 13 leaders on Friday for "anti-party activities" over their decision to contest the polls as independent candidates.

Several leaders of both the BJP and the Congress were upset over being denied tickets to contest the Assembly polls, but the parties have managed to pacify most of them.
People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti suspended her election campaign on Sunday, following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce her decision. Showing solidarity with the people of Lebanon and Palestine, Mufti's post stated:

"Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance."

Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon & Gaza especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine & Lebanon in this hour of immense grief & exemplary resistance. September 28, 2024

Hezbollah Leader's Death and the Israeli Airstrike

Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, was reportedly killed on Friday in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Hezbollah stronghold in the Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut. The attack, which also claimed the life of Nasrallah's daughter, Zainab, and six other individuals, was part of a series of strikes by Israeli forces.

According to reports, the airstrike was aimed at Nasrallah and other high-ranking Hezbollah operatives. Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the attack, stating that the Hezbollah leaders were coordinating terror activities from their headquarters during the strike. An IDF post on X declared, *"Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world."*

Alongside Nasrallah, several prominent Hezbollah members were also killed, including Ali Karaki, Muhammad Ali Ismail, and Hossein Ahmed Ismail. The airstrikes continued into late Saturday, causing further casualties in the densely populated suburb.

Protests in Jammu and Kashmir

In response to Nasrallahs death, protests erupted in Jammu and Kashmir, with demonstrations held in regions such as Budgam and Srinagar. Large crowds gathered in support of the Hezbollah leader, carrying photographs of Nasrallah as they marched through the streets, expressing their discontent with the Israeli airstrikes.
PATTAN, Jammu and Kashmir  Prominent Shia leader and sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from the National Conference, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, made headlines while campaigning in the Pattan area, asserting that he would oppose his party if it fails to meet the expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

As a key campaigner for the National Conference across all three phases of the Kashmir elections, Ruhullah has emerged as a leading voice for the party in the region. "What people give us, it's mandatory for the party to reciprocate in the same way," he said, emphasizing the party's commitment to developmental work and public interest initiatives.

Ruhullah was actively supporting National Conference candidate Riyqz Baedaar in the Pattan constituency, which has a significant Shia population in Baramulla district. Following his recent electoral success in the Srinagar constituency, where he won by a substantial margin, he reiterated his role as the main advocate for the Shia community in Kashmir.

In his address, he promised to fight for the restoration of Article 370 and the revocation of the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Ruhullah committed to being a vocal representative in Parliament for the release of political prisoners currently incarcerated in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere in India.

During his campaign, Ruhullah criticized the central governments decision to revoke laws protecting the interests of the people in August 2019. "Article 370 was a safeguard for our land, honor, and employment," he declared, likening the struggle for its restoration to the plight of the Palestinians. "Today, our vote is an answer to them. While they acted against our wishes, tomorrow we may have to sacrifice our lives for it."

He pledged that the National Conference would continue to advocate for the dignity and pride of the Kashmiri people, as well as better governance and development, ensuring that residents can lead free, safe, and secure lives.

Ruhullah made it clear that he is committed to holding his party accountable. "It's our party agenda that I am presenting to the people, and I am confident that the party will uphold these promises. If they try to stray from this agenda in the future, I will be the first to raise my voice against them."

In closing, he called on the electorate to unite and support the National Conference, urging them to fight against forces that threaten their interests. "We must join hands and show them that they cannot act unilaterally; they have to consider what the common people of Jammu and Kashmir desire. Our vote is our power, and we can shape our future democratically," he asserted.
Kerala Lottery Results Sunday 29-09-2024 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "AKSHAYA AK-670" Lucky Draw Result today Akshaya AK-670, September 29, 2024. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2024 for "Akshaya AK-670" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Akshaya AK-670 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 70 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Akshaya AK-670 results today.

Kerala Lottery Result 29-09-2024 September: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR AKSHAYA AK-670 Draw

LUCKY NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS: AV 681579

LUCKY NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKHS IS: AY 109468

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: AN 349488 AO 357040 AP 709705 AR 164901 AS 868450 AT 391883 AU 241621 AV 208873 AW 993057 AX 496561 AY 393644 AZ 238246

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: AN 681579 AO 681579 AP 681579 AR 681579 AS 681579 AT 681579 AU 681579 AW 681579 AX 681579 AY 681579 AZ 681579

(For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below)

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LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: 0057 0945 1183 2498 3688 4336 4601

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0242 0492 0529 0999 1888 1963 2307 2728 4826 5800 6014 6114 6339 6979 7485 7605 8015 8179 8221 8313 8497 8525 9233 9757 9860 9966

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0006 0023 0213 0418 0464 0914 1234 1277 1348 1425 1448 1475 1532 1579 1766 1899 2630 2791 2799 3058 3358 3659 3823 4215 4218 4258 4266 4373 4634 4715 4943 4974 5147 5458 5490 5535 5700 5895 5915 6062 6220 6382 6636 6708 6806 6966 6970 7043 7464 7565 7697 7729 7965 7990 8066 8163 8323 8851 8856 9030 9048 9068 9091 9203 9246 9269 9359 9500 9630 9829 9854 9875

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 8443 1264 3695 9771 1490 4569 6732 2526 7056 7370 9528 4219 3159 9079 3353 4395 4560 0436 5725 0537 0561 2271 3786 2892 1561 2124 5056 5900 2589 8462 1842 9047 1934 5049 0543 9591 0522 9372 5761 4648 4833 6400 2722 3311 0098 4343 5953 4074 8058 4691 2286 8027 3260 6721 6909 5668 9013 8320 9953 6335 9043 3131 5984 8678 9342 1549 4889 9102 4357 8405 4490 8297 5021 3258 1060 5165 6459 3634 5974 8259 6998 5869 2361 8735 8280 8299 0538 0439 9155 3387 0635 7729 7981 7813 7534 7747 9816 6342 7406 2884 5470 5728 8688 8339 0358 4859 6379 0545 4491 1177 4046 5797 1346 8706 2504 6017 0437 1540 2765 3952

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 29-09-2024 September TODAY: AKSHAYA AK-670 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS

1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs

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3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh

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6th Prize: Rs. 1,000

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8th Prize: Rs. 100

Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000

(NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.)
Editor's note: Reporter Kyla Pearce wrote this before starting the Colorado Trail hike on Aug. 4.

This summer, Ill spend about 40 days living in a tent with only what I can carry on my back, re-wearing the same un-washed outfit, walking about 20 miles every day and using the woods as my bathroom. And Im excited to do it.

You might call me crazy, and Id agree with you.

Theres got to be something a little crazy in everyone who sets out to be a thru-hiker on the Colorado Trail  a chosen quest that defies any reasonable idea of fun or enjoyment.

Carrying everything I need on my back and walking every day has a way of simplifying an otherwise not-so-simple life, stripping away all the complexities that come with existing in the modern world and leaving me with one single task: to survive.

VIDEO: Hiking the Colorado Trail, 'the most difficult, rewarding thing I've ever done'

Maybe this is why Ive always been drawn to thru hiking, or maybe its the empowering feeling of testing my bodys limits, figuring out exactly what Im capable of. Most likely, its the sense of connection to the natural world, to other people and to my own body and self that one can only get by walking 500 miles through the wilderness.

Whatever the driving force is, Ive had my heart set on long trails for a good portion of my life.

I moved to Colorado from Arizona without much of a plan, knowing two things with certainty: that I wanted to spend more time outside and that I wanted to be a writer.

Ive spent the last few years doing exactly that: climbing Colorados tallest peaks, camping next to the most dazzling lakes Ive ever seen, wandering along trails that meander through fields of wildflowers, and exploring my own passions and limits as an outdoorswoman.

Choosing the Colorado Trail as my first thru-hike was a duh moment. Of course, I want to walk across the beautiful state Ive forged a life of outdoor adventure in. Of course, I want to write about it.

The trail

On its meandering, approximately 500-mile route through forests and mountains, the trail passes through several historic towns and below numerous towering 14,000-plus foot peaks. It crosses creeks, valleys and mountain passes. The average trail elevation is above 10,000 feet.

A walk along the Colorado Trail really is a walk through the states history, a way to dig deeper into everything that makes Colorado the unique outdoor destination it is for so many.

People from around the world come to Colorado to thru-hike the Colorado Trail, and I feel lucky to have the northern terminus right in my backyard, just south of Denver at Waterton Canyon.

From home, Ill walk for about six weeks to Durango.

Whats in my backpack?

Packing for a thru-hike is no small feat. Rather, its a challenge in balancing comfortable hiking with comfortable living. The big question: How light can I make my backpack without sacrificing my comfort at camp?

The answer for me is a base weight of about 20 pounds  with base weight being before I add my consumables.

Here are some of the core items that go in my pack (including weight and cost).

Sleep system



Tent  Nemo Hornet, 2 pounds, 41.6 ounces, $429.95

Sleeping pad  Thermarest Neoair XTherm NXT, 15.5 ounces, $239.95

Sleeping bag  Marmot Phase 20 (no longer sold), 26 ounces, $486

Featured Local Savings

Pillow  Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight, 2.1 ounces, $49.95

Food/water

Stove  Jetboil MightyMo, 3.4 ounces, $59.99

Water filter  Katadyn BeFree 0.6 liters, 2.1 ounces, $39.95

Cooking pot  TOAKS 750-milliliter Titanium, 3.6 ounces, $26

Bear bag  Ursack Major, 7.6 ounces $109.95

Clothing

Camp shoes Bedrock Evo C Sandals, 9 ounces, $135

Raincoat  Frogg Toggs Ultra-light Rain Suit, 7 ounces, $30

Mid-layer  Melanzana Micro Grid Hoodie V2, 9 ounces, $86

Outer layer  Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket, 10 ounces, $239

Technology

Satellite communicator  Garmin InReach Mini 2, 3.5 ounces, $400

Charging bank  Goal Zero Flip 36, 6.9 ounces, $39.95

Draw to thru-hiking

I had a unique childhood. Raised by national park rangers in one of the worlds most famous parks, I was no stranger to playing outside as a kid.

The natural world has always been my safe place, and a place where I feel comfortable growing and learning and changing. As an adult, feeling comfortable and at peace with myself in the outdoors feels like a priceless gift.

I have my parents to thank for all of it. They had me on trails in a backpack from the moment I could be on a trail in a backpack.

In their retirement, both of my parents are on quests to individually thru-hike the Arizona Trail  an objectively more difficult hike than the one Im doing  that stretches 800 miles through the deserts and mountains from the border of Utah to the border of Mexico.

Nobody is shocked to hear about my endeavors when the people who raised me will forever be cooler than Ill ever be. Ive learned everything I need to know for the trail from them  how to take it all in and soak up the joy of the moment, how to power through the tough stuff and still look ahead with hope, when to stop and soak your feet in the creek (always), and how to stubbornly believe in myself all the time.

I know in advance that this trail will be the hardest thing Ive ever done, and Im taking the little girl my parents raised, the one who keeps hiking even when the trail gets tough, with me.

Colorado Trail Lengths Collegiate East is 486 miles, according to the Colorado Trail Foundation. The Collegiate West route is 491 miles. The Colorado Trail thru-bike trail system is 549 miles, according to Mountain Bike Project
Jaishankar At UNGA: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday gave a clarion call for reform of the United Nations and said that it cannot remain anachronistic and it is "essential" for the world body to be more representative and fit for purpose in the contemporary era.

While addressing the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar underscored that reforming multilateralism is an imperative.

The global order is inherently pluralistic and diverse. The UN began with 51 members. We are now 193. The world has changed profoundly, and so have its concerns and its opportunities, Jaishankar said in his address to the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

"The urgency of this call is highlighted by the theme of this session. Leaving no one behind means advancing peace, ensuring sustainable development, and strengthening human dignity. This cannot be delivered by a UN paralyzed when faced with division, conflict, terrorism, and violence. Nor can it be advanced if access to food, fuel, and fertilizer is jeopardized," he said.

The Union Minister said when capturing markets lacks restraint, it damages the livelihood and social fabric of others. Evasion of climate action responsibilities by the developed undermines the growth prospects of the developing.

"If the world is in such a state, this body must ask itself: how has this come to pass? The problems arise from a combination of structural shortcomings, political calculations, naked self-interest, and yes, disregard for those left behind," he said.

Speaking at the UNGA, the EAM said that the world stands fractious, polarized, and frustrated, and conversations have become difficult. "In truth, the world stands fractious, polarized, and frustrated. Conversations have become difficult, agreements even more so. This is surely not what the founders of the United Nations would have wanted of us...Today, we find both peace and prosperity equally endangered. And that is because trust has eroded and processes have broken down," he said.

The EAM said that for the UN to address both the concerns and challenges of the world, and to strengthen the order itself, it is essential that the UN be the central platform for finding common ground.

Jaishankar, however, cautioned that the UN certainly cannot be such a platform by remaining anachronistic".

Large parts of the world cannot be left behind when it comes to deciding the key issues of our times. An effective and efficient UN, a more representative UN, and a UN fit for purpose in the contemporary era are essential, he said.

During his address, Jaishankar called on the international community to send out a clear message from the UN General Assembly session that we are determined not to be left behind. By coming together, sharing experiences, pooling resources, and strengthening our resolve, we can change the world for the better.
West Bengal Chief Minister on Sunday charged Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government for denying flood relief help to West Bengal, describing the flood situation as alarming. Banerjee was en route to north Bengal for assessment of the ongoing flood crisis when she stated that her administration is tackling the disaster with a war-footing approach.

Accusing the Centre of neglecting its responsibilities, Banerjee stated that despite multiple reminders, the Centre has not carried out maintenance on the Farakka barrage, leading to a significant reduction in its water-holding capacity. "Only Bengal is being deprived of flood grants", Banerjee claimed.

She alleged that BJP leaders "only visit West Bengal during polls but forget about the state when it matters most."

"North Bengal is reeling under flood. Districts like Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar have been affected. Due to heavy rain in catchment areas of Koshi river, places in Bihar and Malda and Dakshin Dinajpur districts of Bengal will be affected soon, she said on her way to Siliguri.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the chief secretary has been dispatched to north Bengal, with an administrative meeting scheduled at 5 pm at Uttarkanya in Siliguri, which she will preside over.

Responding to a query, Banerjee confirmed that the Darjeeling Hills have been severely impacted by landslides, and the state administration, in coordination with the army, is actively working to restore road connectivity in the affected areas.

(With PTI inputs)
In a heated political exchange, senior BJP leader and six-time MLA from Ranchi, CP Singh, has come out in support of Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairva amidst growing criticism from the opposition. Singh accused opposition parties, particularly the Congress, of making personal attacks on Bairva to tarnish his image and alleged that their main target was to discredit a Dalit leader who has risen to a high position in government.

"Premchand Bairva is known as an efficient administrator and a respected minister. Now, they are targeting his family, dragging his child into the controversy. Just because his son was out with a friend, the opposition is raising baseless allegations. This shows that they have no real issue to criticize him on. The opposition doesn't want to see Dalits and tribals in high positions, so they resort to personal attacks," said CP Singh during a public statement.

The controversy stems from an incident where Bairva's son was seen driving an open jeep, allegedly violating traffic rules, while being escorted by a police vehicle. Opposition leaders have been quick to point fingers, accusing the Deputy CM of misusing state resources and ignoring legal norms for personal gains.

However, Deputy CM Premchand Bairva dismissed the accusations, stating that no traffic rules were violated and that the police escort was provided for security purposes. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for appointing him to the prestigious position of Deputy CM, saying, "I thank the Prime Minister for giving someone like me this opportunity. My son was merely travelling in a vehicle, which has now been blown out of proportion."

Bairva defended his son, emphasizing that children often make mistakes, but in this case, the criticism is unjustified. "I dont blame my son. There's nothing major here to criticize. Children make errors, but it's unfair to use this incident as an attack on me or my family," he added.

Congress leader Pushpendra Bhardwaj, whose son was also allegedly present during the incident, downplayed the matter, calling it a trivial issue. "Both children are responsible and come from good families. They were on their way to a religious site. This is not something that warrants such a huge controversy," Bhardwaj said.

Despite these clarifications, the opposition continues to press the matter, accusing the ruling party of hypocrisy and shielding the elite. Critics argue that had the children not been from influential families, the police would have taken action rather than providing them with an escort.
A terrorist, believed to be linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, was killed in a remote village of Kathua district on Sunday, officials reported. This development follows a separate encounter that erupted in the Thanamandi area of Rajouri district the same evening, where security forces initiated a cordon and search operation after receiving intelligence about the presence of two terrorists.

Based on specific intelligence regarding the terrorists whereabouts, a joint search operation was launched at Manial Gali in Thanamandi. Contact has been established, and both sides have exchanged fire, a police official confirmed. Earlier in the day, authorities discovered a live hand grenade on the banks of a stream in the region, which was subsequently detonated by experts in a controlled explosion.

In Kathua, the body of an unidentified terrorist was recovered from the site of a Saturday evening encounter at Kog-Mandli in Billawar tehsil, raising the death toll from the two-day operation to two. Security forces recovered a grenade launcher, several grenades, and other materials from the deceased terrorist, and a significant search operation is ongoing to locate additional foreign terrorists in the area.

Head Constable Bashir Ahmad was killed during the terrorist attack on a joint security search party on Saturday evening. Two officers, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations) Sukhbir Singh and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Niaz Ahmad, sustained injuries but are reported to be stable.

Director General of Police (DGP) R.R. Swain paid tribute to the fallen head constable, stating, Bashir did not fear death when it came to protecting his community and countrymen.

Additional Director General of Police for the Jammu zone, Anand Jain, noted that the search operation commenced after intelligence indicated the presence of three to four foreign terrorists in a specific house in the village. He assured reporters that the area is under tight security, with operations continuing to neutralize the hiding terrorists.

In response to inquiries about the timing of the terrorist activities ahead of the third phase of polling on October 1, the police official emphasized that operations against terrorists would persist. We are receiving continuous intelligence on terrorists and are conducting operations to neutralize them as quickly as possible, he said.

Security measures have been bolstered across all polling areas to prevent any terror-related incidents. The upcoming third phase of elections will cover Jammu, Udhampur, and Samba districts, as well as north Kashmirs Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts.

The DGP expressed condolences over the loss of Head Constable Bashir, stating that the entire police force stands behind his family. While the J&K police cannot bring back HC Bashir, we are committed to providing every possible support to his family and avenging the martyrdom of this courageous officer, he said. The DGP also prayed for the swift recovery of the other injured personnel.
NEW DELHI  Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday to inquire about his health following an incident at a poll rally in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district, where Kharge experienced dizziness while addressing a large crowd. "PM Modi spoke to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Ji and enquired about his health," the Prime Ministers Office confirmed.

The incident occurred on the final day of campaigning for the third and last phase of the state Assembly elections, set for October 1. Kharge was speaking to supporters when he suddenly felt unwell, prompting several party leaders to rush to his aid. After the rally, Kharge underwent a preliminary medical examination to determine the cause of his dizziness.

Despite the health scare, Kharge did not hold back in his criticism of PM Modi during his speech in Kathua, vowing that the Congress party would fight to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. We will fight to restore statehood. I am 83 years old; I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed from power, Kharge declared.

In a pointed critique of the Modi administration, Kharge alleged that the Prime Minister has failed to provide opportunities for the countrys youth over the past decade. Can you believe in a person who cannot bring back your prosperity in 10 years? If a BJP leader comes in front of you, ask them if they brought prosperity or not, he stated.

The campaigning period for the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections concluded on Sunday evening, setting the stage for voters to make their choices in the upcoming polls.
KOLKATA  Junior doctors from various government hospitals, along with community members, took to the streets on Sunday, holding torch rallies across the city to demand justice for a doctor murdered at R G Kar Hospital. The demonstrations that also called for improved security measures for medical staff in state-run facilities, came a day before the Supreme Court hearing on the case.

The rallies were organized from multiple key locations, including R G Kar Hospital, Sagore Dutta Hospital, SSKM Hospital, Calcutta Medical College, and Jadavpur in South Kolkata. Participants stressed the urgent need for justice for the victim, a postgraduate trainee, while advocating for enhanced safety protocols for healthcare workers.

On September 27, junior doctors had called on the public to participate in protests statewide, expressing solidarity ahead of the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for Monday. After a month-long agitation, these doctors returned to work but indicated a potential return to a total cease work if the state government fails to guarantee their safety during the court proceedings.

The rallies converged at significant city intersections, including Esplanade, Shyambazar, Park Circus, and Gariahat. Organized by the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front, an umbrella organization representing medics from various medical college hospitals, the events highlighted the need to eliminate a "threat culture" in medical institutions, where students reportedly face intimidation.

At Sagore Dutta Hospital, junior doctors conducted a torch and candle march following an incident on Friday night, in which outsiders allegedly assaulted medical staff after a patients death. This incident prompted the medics to strike, demanding better security measures.

As participants marched from Sagore Dutta Hospital to Dunlop Crossing on the outskirts of Kolkata, they carried candles and torches, illustrating their demand for safety and justice. The protests were ignited by the alleged assault on three doctors and three nurses at the hospital, which the medics claimed underscored the government's failure to fulfill promises of security.

In response to the escalating situation, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma visited R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on Sunday afternoon to review security arrangements ahead of the Supreme Court hearing. He interacted with police personnel and conducted a tour of the hospital's emergency department.

The backdrop of the protests includes a troubling incident on August 15, when a mob vandalized the hospital's emergency department, following a Calcutta High Court order to transfer the rape-murder investigation from Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The city police are currently investigating this incident.

The Calcutta High Court, addressing allegations of a threatening environment in medical colleges, directed the state government on September 26 to file an affidavit responding to claims made in a public interest litigation (PIL). The petitioners have alleged multiple issues, including intimidation, sale of answer keys for examinations, bribery, corruption, and sexual harassment within state-run medical institutions.
SpaceX, the private space exploration company led by billionaire Elon Musk, successfully launched a mission today to bring back NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for months.

The mission, which lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, left two seats empty to accommodate the returning astronauts.

The Falcon 9 utilized a new launch pad, marking its first use for a crewed mission. On board were NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov.

NASA chief Bill Nelson praised the successful launch on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Congrats to @NASA and @SpaceX on a successful launch. We live in an exciting period of exploration and innovation in the stars."

Crew-9 is on their way to the @Space_Station!



Congrats to @NASA and @SpaceX on a successful launch. We live in an exciting period of exploration and innovation in the stars.



Looking forward to all the discoveries #Crew9 will make aboard the Station. pic.twitter.com/XQ7lqnUIe6  Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) September 28, 2024

Williams and Wilmore were initially transported to the ISS in June aboard Boeings newly developed Starliner spacecraft for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission.

However, complications with the Starliners propulsion system extended their stay on the ISS. The astronauts are expected to return to Earth in February, marking the end of their prolonged mission.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge experienced dizziness while addressing a public rally on Sunday in the Jasrota region of Kathua district. Party leaders confirmed that he is currently stable and receiving medical attention. Kharge was delivering a tribute to a head constable who lost his life during an ongoing operation against terrorists in the area. The operation has also left two police personnel injured, with one terrorist reported killed.

"I would like to apologise as I suddenly felt dizzy..." said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge earlier today after he fell ill during his speech in Jammu and Kashmir's Jasrota.

Kharge later resumed his speech, assuring the audience that he was in good health. "I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early," he told me. The Congress chief also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, "I will remain alive until PM Modi is removed from power."

VIDEO | Jammu and Kashmir elections 2024: "...I am 83-year-old, but I am not going to die till PM Modi is removed (from power)," said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) at a public gathering in Jammu and Kashmir's Jasrota.#JammuKashmirElections2024



(Source: Third pic.twitter.com/sGdox0xTbx September 29, 2024

He was addressing a public rally in Jasrota when he felt uneasy and dizzy. His colleagues assisted him into a chair, stated Congress General Secretary Gulam Ahmed Mir in comments to PTI. He reassured the public that Kharge is now stable.

The Congress leader had traveled to Jasrota to rally support for his party candidates ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Following the incident, he is still scheduled to address another rally in Ramnagar, Udhampur district.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress Vice President Ravindra Sharma provided further details, indicating that Kharge was taken to a nearby room where doctors were summoned for a check-up. They will advise whether he can attend the second rally or not, he said.
UP News: In a bid to check and evaluate the situation of women's safety in Uttar Pradesh's Agra, a senior woman police officer travelled alone in an auto late at night in the city disguised as a tourist. Dressed in plain clothes, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sukanya Sharma, 33, also called 112 to assess the emergency response support system number in the city.

According to media reports, the police officer stood outside the Agra Cantt Railway Station and called the police for help. She told the cops that she required their help as it was late at night and that she was really scared because of the deserted road.

The helpline operator asked the police officer to stand at a safe place and took all the information pertaining to her whereabouts. After giving the required information, she then received a call from the women's patrolling team, who said that they are on their way and reaching the location to pick her up.

However, Sharma then told them that she was checking the emergency response system and that they had passed the test. She then took an auto to check the safety of women in the city that houses Taj Mahal. She told the driver her drop-off location and boarded the auto after he told her the fare.

ACP Sharma did not reveal her identity. She also spoke to the driver about the woman's safety. In response to Sharma's query, the driver said that the police had verified him and soon he would begin driving the auto in a uniform. He then dropped the police officer off at her location safely and passed the safety test.

For her initiative, Sharma received praise from activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj. She said that this is actually the "first right step towards women's safety." "Police in every city should do this. Become a common man and experience the city yourself to know the problems people face at night. Good Job by Dr. Sukanya Sharma," Bhardwaj said in a post X.
New Delhi: The latest promo from The Great Indian Kapil Show: Season 2 has been released in which actress Janhvi Kapoor is seen sharing a story about her best friend who had a breakup and how she decided to help her to make her ex feel jealous.

The makers took to their Instagram account and shared the new clip from the show as Kapil hosted team Devara: Part 1, including Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan.

The makers captioned the post, ''Where do you get friends like these? Asking for myself.''

The video starts with Janhvi describing an incident related to her friend which goes like this, So, basically I had a friend who had a breakup, and she was trying to make her ex-boyfriend jealous. So, as a true friend and a sister, I thought Id wear a sweatshirt so she could click a backshot of me and post it on Instagram, then her ex-boyfriend could be curious to find out about who the guy is that shes holidaying with, in the Swiss Alps just one week after the breakup. Unfortunately, her ex-boyfriend didnt care, and he didnt even send a message after she posted the photograph.Janhvi concluded.

The Great Indian Kapil Show: Season 2 is currently streaming on Netflix. On the work front, Janhvis latest action thriller Devara: Part 1 hit the big screens on September 27, 2024 and features Jr NTR in a double role.

The film, helmed by Koratala Siva also features Saif Ali Khan, Shruti Marathe, Prakash Raj, Srikanth, Shine Tom Chacko, and Narain in pivotal roles.

The thriller film is bankrolled by Kosaraju Harikrishna and Nandamuri Kalyan Ram under the banner of Yuvasudha Arts and NTR Arts.

Janhvi is currently prepping for her next film titled Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari helmed by Shashank Khaitan which also features Varun Dhawan, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul, Akshay Oberoi, Manoj Joshi and Nishigandha Wad in pivotal roles.

The film is slated to be released theatrically on April 18, 2025.
Editor's note: This story was updated with a new link to a copy of an Academy School District 20 video that was no longer made available after the original publishing of this article.

The Colorado Secretary of State's Office has begun an investigation into Academy School District 20 after a complaint it received about the upcoming bond vote in November.

The complaint, which the office received Sept. 9, alleges that Academy D-20 violated the Fair Campaign Practices Act in the Colorado Constitution by presenting the bond favorably rather than neutrally and entirely factually.

On Nov. 5, during the general election, D-20 voters will approve or reject an $83.14 million bond measure that would allow the district to completely rebuild Air Academy High School, update facilities throughout its schools, and fund capital projects for its charter schools. Eighty percent of the funding for Air Academy High would not come from the bond, if approved, but rather from the Department of Defense through its Funding for Public Schools on Military Installations program.

A parent who lives in D-20 alleges in the complaint that the district omitted "critical information" and used "advocacy language" regarding the bond proposal, including a "bond benefits section and a "reason for an ask section" on its official bond information webpage.

Phrases like "a once in a generation opportunity for growth" and without increasing taxes are used to sway voters, without addressing deferred maintenance or alternative funding options, the complaint said.

Omitted information mentioned include that the Department of Defense's funding wouldn't expire if the bond were to fail and that a comprehensive needs assessment was not conducted for all the schools, the complaint also said.

It goes on to allege that the district's "Benefits" section of the webpage further violates the Fair Campaign Practices Act by using public resources to advocate for ballot measures.

The complainant states they became aware of the alleged violations when visiting the district's webpage Aug. 15.

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On Sept. 27, D-20 released a response to the complaint, stating that it was in the process of submitting requested information to the Secretary of State's Office. The district went on to say that it has already begun reviewing the information on its website and "making efforts to cure potential issues."

We take our responsibility of sharing balanced and educational information very seriously, D-20 Chief Communication Officer Mark Belcher said in the release.

Upon being made aware of this complaint, the district took swift action to gather relevant materials, further review information, and implement appropriate changes to the districts platforms, including the website.

As of Saturday, mentions of a "once in a generation opportunity" along with the "District-Wide Benefits" section and a link to a video to their YouTube page using similar phrasing were no longer featured on the bond information page.

"In collaboration with the Secretary of States Office, Academy District 20 is committed to adhering to all legal requirements and resolving any issues raised by the complaint. We appreciate the continued support and trust of our students, parents, staff, and friends as we strive for continuous improvement as a District," the release read.

Colorado ballots for the general election will begin to be mailed out to voters Oct. 11.
Chennai: As Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, was appointed the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, he has been showered with congratulatory messages from all corners, including warm wishes from the film industry.

Actor Dhanush took to his X account to congratulate Udhayanidhi as he wrote, "Hearty congratulations to @Udhaystalin brother on becoming the Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu."

Hearty congratulations to @Udhaystalin brother on becoming the Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu.  Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) September 29, 2024

Kamal Hassan also took to X to congratulate Udhayanidhi, sharing a message that read, "Congratulations @Udhaystalin on your elevation as Dy. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Today, you undertake a solemn oath both to the Constitution of India and the people of Tamil Nadu. I'm confident you will faithfully serve them both."

Congratulations @Udhaystalin on your elevation as Dy. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Today, you undertake a solemn oath both to the Constitution of India and the people of Tamil Nadu. Im confident you will faithfully serve them both. pic.twitter.com/y36GFN13jD September 29, 2024

Earlier, several BJP leaders, including Shehzad Poonawalla, Tamilisai Soundararajan, ANS Prasad, and Narayanan Thirupathy, criticised the DMK for indulging in nepotism by putting the family first instead of the state's welfare.

"One thing is very clear. These parties are of the family, for the family, and by the family. They focus on only family first, and not nation first. They are a Pvt Ltd 'parivarik company.' The entire INDI alliance is like that. They have two pillars, 'bhrashtachar' and 'parivaar'," said Shehzad Poonawalla.

Udhayanidhi Stalin was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday. He will also take on the portfolio of Planning and Development in addition to his existing responsibilities.

The announcement comes as part of a major cabinet reshuffle in the state government. The reshuffle also sees Senthil Balaji being re-inducted into the Tamil Nadu cabinet.
WhatsApp Message Without Saving Contact: WhatsApp has become the go-to messaging app for billions of users worldwide, offering a seamless way to send texts, photos, videos, and documents on iPhone and Android. There are some instances when you might need to message someone without saving their number. Usually, WhatsApp requires you to save a contact before sending a message. However, there's a way to skip this step. This handy technique can save you time and prevent unnecessary contacts from cluttering your list.

How To Send WhatsApp Messages Without Saving Contacts on iPhone, Android

Step 1: Open the WhatsApp application on your Android or iOS device.

Step 2: Copy the mobile number you wish to message.

Step 3: Tap the New Chat button at the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Step 4: Select your own contact under WhatsApp Contacts to open a new chat with yourself.

Step 5: Paste the copied number into the message text box and click Send.

Step 6: Tap on the mobile number in the chat, and if the person uses WhatsApp, tap Chat to send them a message directly.

Users can send WhatsApp messages without saving contacts through various methods, including Google Assistant on Android, third-party apps, WhatsApp QR codes, or the Shortcut app on iPhone. These options provide flexible, time-saving solutions for communication, eliminating the need to save contacts before messaging.

Hence, these methods simplify the process of sending WhatsApp messages without the hassle of saving numbers, making it more convenient for casual and temporary communications.

Moreover, WhatsApp is also introducing a significant update in its latest Android beta version 2.24.20.28, aimed at boosting user safety and enhancing interactions with unknown contacts.

A key feature of this update is a safety screen that appears when users receive a message from an unknown sender. The screen offers helpful guidance on managing these interactions, including options to block or report the sender.
As Hezbollah mourns the loss of two senior commanders, U.S. National Security Spokesperson John Kirby warned on Sunday of a potential Iranian retaliation against Israel for strikes on Hezbollah. Kirby added that the US must be prepared for such a scenario, according to a Reuters report.

In a precise attack on Friday over Hezbollah bunker HQ in Beirut, Lebanon, Israel neutralised the organisations chief, Hassan Nasrallah and in another offensive reportedly killed senior commander Nabil Kaouk. In this situation the United States is closely monitoring how Hezbollah will attempt to address its leadership gap.

U.S. National Security Spokesperson John Kirby told CNN that pursuing "an all-out war with Hezbollah, certainly with Iran, is not the way" to secure the safe return of hostages, stressing that "a diplomatic path is the right course." The United States, a longstanding ally of Israel and its largest arms supplier, has been urging caution in the conflict.

During an interview with ABC's Martha Raddatz, Kirby further added, "There's no question that the Hezbollah of today is not the Hezbollah that was even just a week ago." However, he cautioned that Hezbollah is expected to reorganize, adding that "somebody will be anointed" to succeed Nasrallah as the leader of the group.

Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that over 1,000 people have been killed and 6,000 injured in the past two weeks. The government also said that one million people, about 20% of the country's population, have been displaced from their homes.

On Saturday, Iran vowed to protect its national and security interests, though it did not provide specifics. Iran also called for a United Nations Security Council meeting to address Israel's actions.
Hezbollah Top Commander Killed: The Israeli military on Sunday said that it had killed Hezbollah commander Nabil Kaouk, reported news agency Reuters. However, the Hezbollah is yet to confirm the demise, supporters have been sharing mourning messages since this morning, the report further said.

On Saturday, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah declared that its leader, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, was "martyred in a criminal attack" in the southern suburbs of Beirut late Friday night. Nabil Kaouk, who was the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council, made the announcement.

ELIMINATED: The Commander of Hezbollah's Preventative Security Unit and a member of their Executive Council, Nabil Qaouk, was eliminated in a precise IDF strike.



Qaouk was close to Hezbollah's senior commanders and was directly engaged in terrorist attacks against the State of pic.twitter.com/dcvKLRkMbf  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 29, 2024

(This is a developing story.)

Who Was Nabil Kaouk?

Nabil Kaouk was a senior Hezbollah commander, who joined the organisation in 1980s. The United States had imposed numerous sanctions on him for his involvement in Hezbollahs 2020 military operations in southern Lebanon.

According to Israel Defence Force (IDF), Nabil Kaouk was a key figure in Hezbollah. He maintained close ties with the group's senior leadership and played an active role in orchestrating terrorist attacks against Israel and its civilians. after joining Hezbollah, Kaouk quickly became a pivotal operative, renowned for his expertise.

He held several critical positions, including Deputy Commander of the southern region, Commander of the southern front, and Deputy Commander of the Operational Council, cementing his influence within the militant organization.
Iran has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to convene in response to recent Israeli actions in Lebanon. This comes after the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. On Friday, Hezbollah confirmed that its leader Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Iran's UN Ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, sent a formal letter urging the council to address Israel's activities in the region.

Here are the 10 key developments in the Lebanon-Israel Conflict:

1. In the letter to the UNSC, Ambassador Iravani emphasized the importance of respecting diplomatic premises and representatives. He warned that Iran would not tolerate any attacks on its diplomatic missions and would take necessary measures to protect its interests.

2. Hezbollah confirmed the death of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, its leader of 32 years, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut. The region is considered a stronghold of Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran.

3. The Israeli military described Nasrallah as "one of the greatest enemies of the State of Israel of all time," stating that his elimination would contribute to regional safety.

4. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Nasrallah's death was a part of Israel's effort to "settle the score" for the deaths of both Israelis and foreign nationals, including Americans.

5. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared public mourning following Nasrallah's assassination and vowed that Hezbollah would not be weakened by the loss of its leader. Iran has warned that it will not hesitate to defend its national and security interests under international law.

6. US President Joe Biden, whose administration continues to supply Israel with arms, described the killing of Nasrallah as 'a measure of justice.' The US has long supported Israel in its fight against Hezbollah, an organization it also deems a terrorist group.

7. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has alleged that the United States supported the operation that led to the deaths of Nasrallah and many others.

8. In response to the escalating violence, the Indian Embassy in Beirut issued a travel advisory, urging Indian nationals to exercise caution and avoid traveling to Lebanon. The advisory reflects the growing concern over the safety of foreign nationals in the region as the conflict intensifies.

9. According to Lebanon's health minister, Israeli airstrikes over the past two weeks have killed 1,030 people, including 156 women and 87 children.

10. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified after the Gaza war, has now reached new heights following Nasrallah's death. Hezbollah has retaliated against Israeli forces, and the possibility of further escalations remains high as regional powers, including Iran, remain deeply involved in the conflict.
Mohammad Dahrouj, a member of the Islamic Group, was killed on Sunday in an Israel airstrike on a residential apartment in eastern Lebanon's Joub Jannine area, according to Lebanese military sources. The sources, who spoke anonymously, said an Israeli warplane targeted the apartment with two air-to-ground missiles, killing Dahrouj. The Lebanese Red Cross personnel had transferred his body to a hospital in Joub Jannine, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Lebanese Civil Defence also confirmed that one person was killed as a result of an Israeli airstrike in Joub Jannine. "Elements of the Civil Defence extinguished a fire that broke out as a result of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a residential apartment in Joub Jannine," it said in a statement.

The Islamic Group is an Islamic political organisation with a military wing called the al-Fajr Forces, which has recently carried out military operations against the Israeli army. The Islamic Group has not yet issued any comment on the incident.

The Israeli military said on Sunday that it killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike as the terrorist group in Lebanon reels from a string of devastating blows and the killing of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The Israel Defense Forces said it killed Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central County, in an airstrike on Saturday. Hezbollah confirmed his death, making him the seventh senior Hezbollah leader slain in Israeli strikes in a little over a week. They include founding members who had evaded death or detention for decades.
Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah has been killed in a targeted airstrike by the Israeli Air Force on Friday. The precision operation, which involved coordination with multiple intelligence agencies, took place as Nasrallah and other top leaders of the Iran-backed group were gathered in a Command HQ in Beirut, Lebanon.

The attack came barely a week after Israel's deadly detonation of hundreds of booby-trapped pagers and radios. In a series of rapid strikes, Israel has wiped out half of Hezbollah's leadership council and crushed its top military command. This latest operation marks a major blow to the Iran-backed group's leadership. But how Israel infiltrated so deep into the Hezbollah bunker.

How Israel Killed Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah Hiding In A Bunker

Israel had been aware of the Hezbollah leader Nasrallahs whereabouts for months before launching the strike, reported The New York Times citing three senior Israeli defense officials.

In a statement released after the strike, Chief of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Herzi Helevi said that a precise strike was carried out, resulting in the elimination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. He added that the operation took place at Hezbollahs underground headquarters in the heart of Beirut, along with other senior officials of the organisation.

The bunker where the leaders were meeting was over 60 feet underground in a busy neighborhood in southern Beirut, reported the Wall Street Journal. The leaders had come together to talk about how to act against Israel, as Iran was holding them back from responding aggressively.

Just a day before the strike, a source familiar with Israel's strategy had told news agency Reuters, that Israel has spent 20 years gathering intelligence on Hezbollah and could target Nasrallah whenever they chose, even in his headquarters. The report also mentioned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his close circle authorized the attack on Wednesday, prompting the attack to happen while Netanyahu was in New York addressing the UN General Assembly.

80 Tons of Bombs Hit 60-Foot-Deep Bunker

In one of the largest urban bombings in recent history, around 80 tons of explosives were used to target a heavily fortified bunker located over 60 feet underground. The attack also dismantled the terror group's electronic devices along with the arsenal of missiles. The specific strategies devised to breach the underground defences took months of planning.

Israeli forces employed a series of timed explosions to penetrate the bunkers underground defenses. "We had real-time intelligence that Nasrallah was meeting with several senior militants," Israeli military spokesman Nadav Shoshani said to the WSJ.

According to sources involved in the operation, news agency Reuters reported that the body of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has been located along with the wreckage from an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

Benjamin Netanyahu's Bold Address At UN

PM Netanyahu was attending the UN General Assembly in New York when he authorised the killing orders for Hezbollah chief. Netanyahu was condemning terrorism during his UN speech.

The timing of the incident has raised concerns as the US officials were not aware about this bold plan as this complicates the ongoing ceasefire efforts in the region.

Hassan Nasrallah, whom Israel has long blamed for deadly attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been on their kill list for decades. His assassination marks Israels most significant targeted killing in years, dramatically escalating the conflict in the Middle East.

In his first public statement since the strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted that eliminating Nasrallah was necessary for achieving our goals, describing him as not just another terrorist, but the terrorist.
Following the assassination of Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Saturday that he had personally authorized a high-stakes military operation. The strike was part of a broader offensive against Hezbollah sites in eastern and southern Lebanon following a series of rocket attacks launched by the militant group into northern Israel.

A Stern Warning To Iran

Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Iran, Hezbollah's primary backer. He made it clear that Israel's military reach extends far beyond its borders, including into Iran, and cautioned Tehran against further provocations. He said, "There is nowhere in Iran or the Middle East beyond the reach of the long arm of Israel, and today you know how true that is. I say to the Ayatollah's regime: whoever beat us, we will beat them.

Netanyahu described the operation and its aftermath as a "historic turning point" for Israel. He expressed confidence in the country's military capabilities and reaffirmed his commitment to the safe return of displaced residents and the recovery of hostages held by Hamas.

"We are determined to continue striking our enemies, returning our people to their homes, and ensuring the safe return of all those who were abducted. We will not forget them for a moment," Netanyahu stated. He closed with a message of unity and strength: "We will fight together, and with God's help, we will win together."

Military Achievement

Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for decades, was a key figure behind several attacks on Israeli and foreign targets, including major bombings in the 1980s. His death marks a significant victory for Israel's military and intelligence agencies. Addressing the nation, Netanyahu termed the killing of Nasrallah as a pivotal moment in Israel's efforts to restore security along its northern borders.

"This is a critical achievement for Israel's military strategy," Netanyahu declared. "Nasrallah was the mastermind behind numerous terror attacks against Israelis and foreign nationals. His elimination weakens Hezbollahs capabilities significantly, and as long as he was alive, the group could recover from the blows we dealt them."
Nepal Floods: In the latest updates pertaining to the floods in Nepal, the death toll has risen to 112, according to the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police database. Dozens of people are still missing in the landslide and flooding triggered by torrential rainfall in the country.

Large swathes of eastern and central Nepal have been inundated since Friday, with flash floods reported in parts of the country.

Nepal Floods | Death toll rises to 112 after torrential rainfall-induced landslide and flooding sweeps across the country, dozens missing: Armed Police Force and Nepal Police database  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024

According to the Armed Police Force sources, 64 people are missing in floods, landslides and inundation, while 45 people have been injured.

The Kathmandu Valley saw the maximum number of 48 deaths. At least 195 houses and eight bridges were damaged. The security personnel have rescued nearly 3,100 people.

Earlier on Saturday, officials said that at least 66 people were killed and injured and 60 others in Nepal. Parts of Nepal have been inundated with rainfall since Thursday, prompting disaster authorities to warn of flash floods.

On Saturday, Nepal Police Deputy Spokesperson Bishwo Adhikari said that out of the 66 people who lost their lives in the Himalayan nation due to the continuous rainfall, 34 were killed in the Kathmandu valley. As many as 60 people were also injured in the floods.

A total of 79 people remained missing countrywide on Saturday, with 16 unaccounted for in Kathmandu Valley. More than 3,000 people have also been rescued. Adhikari said the main highways have been blocked in 63 locations across the country.

Meanwhile, in a bid to step up search and rescue operations, acting Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh called an emergency meeting involving various ministers, including the Home Minister, Home Secretary, and chiefs of security agencies. The government has ordered the closure of all schools across Nepal for three days and the halting of all ongoing exams.

Kathmandu was out of power the entire day as the main transmission line was obstructed due to the floods, but power resumed in the evening. All entry points to Kathmandu have also been obstructed due to landslides triggered by rains.

Police reported that 226 houses have been submerged in Kathmandu, and a rescue team of around 3,000 security personnel has been deployed from the Nepal Police in the affected areas.

(With agencies inputs)
Stan Zislis has a vision for Nov. 6.

He's banking on Colorado Springs voters to authorize the sale of recreational marijuana in city limits during the general election on Nov. 5  two years after the community last rejected the question 54% to 46%.

If that happens, Zislis, co-chief executive officer and chief of business development at Silver Stem Fine Cannabis, says the company won't wait. He will prepare the applications the next day to opt into recreational marijuana sales at two of Silver Stem's Colorado Springs stores, both located on the city's west side.

"Then we will see how the city reacts," he said.

It's a wait-and-see game because there could be one big hiccup. His stores, one on South 8th Street and the other on Centennial Boulevard, near Mountain Shadows, could be prevented from selling recreational marijuana by a new zoning ordinance the Colorado Springs City Council affirmed last week.

Recreational marijuana sales are not currently allowed in Colorado Springs. The new ordinance preemptively requires that retail marijuana stores, if they are ever allowed in the city, cannot operate within 1 mile of K-12 schools, child care centers or drug or alcohol rehabilitation facilities.

Pro campaign officials, marijuana industry leaders and city leaders who opposed the 1-mile buffer have said the ordinance de facto bans retail marijuana sales because it effectively limits them mainly to the city's eastern side.

Zislis said the current locations of his stores do not meet the requirements of the ordinance.

It was unclear Friday, however, if the ordinance's 1-mile buffer requirement would supersede the setback requirements proposed in the resident-backed question to authorize recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs.

The Citizens for Responsible Marijuana Regulation campaign instead proposes prohibiting recreational marijuana businesses from operating within 1,000 feet of daycares, preschools or K-12 schools.

Councilwoman Lynette Crow-Iverson has said the council-passed 1-mile buffer ordinance will prevent retail marijuana shops from operating within 1 mile of certain facilities, even if voters permit recreational sales this November and reject a competing council-backed ballot question that would ban recreational marijuana stores in the city's charter.

Discussion at recent planning commission and council meetings operated under the understanding that the 1-mile buffer will take precedence over the zoning requirements in the resident-backed retail sales ballot question.

But pro-campaign officials, marijuana industry leaders and shops like Silver Stem and Native Roots say they aren't sure which setback requirements would prevail.

The City Attorney's Office on Friday could not provide a clear answer.

"The Planning Department would need to evaluate each request for a new license to ensure compliance with zoning and licensing requirements in the city code," city spokesman Max D'Onofrio said by email.

Marijuana proponents believe the ordinance has created confusion for voters and will negatively impact Colorado Springs marijuana businesses.

"I do think it's cumbersome, if not impossible, for existing owners to make the switch (to retail marijuana sales) and keep the locations they have," said Jason Warf, executive director of the Southern Colorado Cannabis Council.

The 1-mile buffer hasn't deterred proponents, though. Advocates remain focused on their immediate goal  rallying the community to vote yes for retail marijuana sales and to defeat the proposed charter ban, Citizens for Responsible Marijuana Regulation campaign spokesperson Meghan Graf said in a Friday email.

"We have tremendous support. The (pro) campaign is proceeding forward. The reason these two attempts by the City Council are even in development is because they know how much support there is," Zislis said.

He believes this year residents will champion the proposal to allow retail marijuana sales in Colorado Springs because voter demographics and attitudes about recreational marijuana have changed since 2022, he said.

Zislis plans to become a dual retailer, selling recreational and medical marijuana at both of his Colorado Springs locations. The stores previously sold medical marijuana products, but have temporarily closed.

Featured Local Savings

"We closed them down because it's not economically feasible to keep the stores open" if they are only selling medical marijuana products, Zislis said.

The marijuana industry has experienced a prolonged downturn in sales over the last two years. As of early August, industrywide sales were down 30% overall and down 60% for medical marijuana, Marijuana Industry Group Executive Director Truman Bradley told The Gazette last month.

"Prices have dropped due to a lack of tourism on the demand side and businesses are struggling to make ends meet due to high compliance and regulatory burdens," he said.

Allowing recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs would be an economic boon for marijuana businesses, consumers and for Colorado Springs itself, proponents said.

Retail marijuana sales would expand the variety of products available for purchase and encourage more competitive pricing, among other benefits. They would also bring in jobs and an estimated $10 million to $15 million in added annual revenues dedicated to support public safety, mental health services and the post-traumatic stress disorder treatment programs for veterans in Colorado Springs, they said.

If Zislis cannot sell retail marijuana out of his Colorado Springs shops in their current locations, he isn't sure if he would relocate to another area of the city where he can.

"Everything is a possibility, but I can't speak to that just at this point. I think it's premature," he said.

Native Roots also wants to opt into recreational sales locally, but has the same problem as Silver Stem: its four Colorado Springs medical marijuana dispensaries don't comply with the 1-mile buffer requirement.

Native Roots is not interested in moving shop.

"We're not looking at trying to move our locations. Our focus, right now, is on getting the word out to voters about ballot question 300 and making sure they understand they still have a voice and a choice to vote to allow recreational sales," Native Roots spokeswoman Liz Zukowski said.

If dispensaries do have to move locations, it's not as easy as it sounds, marijuana industry experts said.

Not all of the land identified as being in compliance with the 1-mile buffer is viable for marijuana shops, Zukowski and Zislis said. Shops won't be able to operate in residential areas or on federal land, and a lot of land is still undeveloped on the east side of town, they said.

Moving costs could burden smaller stores already struggling financially, there isn't any guarantee the city will approve the needed permits, and commercial sellers and landlords could choose not to sell or rent their spaces to marijuana businesses, Zukowski and Zislis said.

Crow-Iverson and other councilmembers who backed the 1-mile ordinance maintain it is intended to keep marijuana out of the hands of underage users, who are a vulnerable population.

Crow-Iverson said she has received communications from several residents who support the 1-mile buffer.

"It wasn't done lightly," she said of the process to bring the ordinance forward for a council vote. "We did our due diligence and it passed (council) with a 7-2 vote. That's based on information we heard from many organizations. We had lots of discussion about what this would mean for our city, how this would look for our city, and what is the right thing for our city?"

At recent council and planning commission meetings, supporters of the 1-mile buffer 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, Crow-Iverson and One Chance to Grow Up agents have said.

Those opposed to the ordinance have pushed back against these claims. Dr. Bryon Adinoff, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Doctors for Drug Policy Reform, wrote in an Aug. 28 letter to the City Council and Planning Commission there has been no evidence marijuana leads to long-term brain changes associated with altered behaviors.

The drug is tightly regulated in Colorado, there are already well-regulated marijuana stores in Colorado Springs, and the resident-backed campaign has protections in place to keep the drug from children and schools, Marijuana Industry Group's Bradley has said.

Crow-Iverson said the social cost of recreational marijuana sales would outweigh the revenues it expects to bring in for public safety and other programs.

"It isn't worth it. We would not actually make more money in the end. We would spend more on the unintended consequences, based on other cities that have allowed recreational marijuana," she said.

Zislis said much is still yet to be determined by the upcoming Nov. 5 election.

"How will this affect us? It remains to be seen," he said.
By Alyssa Pointer, Maria Alejandra Cardona and Octavio Jones

FLAT ROCK, North Carolina (Reuters) -The Southeastern U.S. began a huge cleanup and recovery effort on Sunday and the death toll climbed towards 100 after Hurricane Helene knocked out power for millions, destroyed roads and bridges and caused dramatic flooding from Florida to Virginia.

The storm's winds, rain and storm surge killed at least 90 people in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia, according to a Reuters tally of state and local officials.

Officials feared more bodies would be discovered.

With cellphone towers down across the region, hundreds of people had yet to make contact with loved ones and were listed as unaccounted for.

Damage estimates ranged from $15 billion to more than $100 billion, insurers and forecasters said over the weekend, as water systems, communications and critical transportation routes were affected.

Property damage and lost economic output will become clearer as officials assess the destruction.

In North Carolina, nearly all the deaths were in Buncombe County, where 30 people died, Sheriff Quentin Miller told a video conference call with reporters.

County Manager Avril Pinder said she was asking the state for emergency food and drinking water. Streets in the picturesque city of Asheville were submerged in floodwater.

"This is a devastating catastrophe of historic proportions," Governor Roy Cooper told CNN. "People that I talk to in western North Carolina say they have never seen anything like this."

Search and rescue teams from 19 states and the U.S. government have converged on the state, Cooper said, adding that some roads could take months to repair.

In Flat Rock, North Carolina, there were widespread blackouts, and people waited hours in line for gas.

"Grocery stores are closed, cellphone service is out," Chip Frank, 62, said as he entered his third hour waiting in line. "It all depends on these gas stations. You're not going to be able to go nowhere, and it's just a scary feeling."

Roughly 2.7 million customers throughout the South were without power on Sunday, a U.S. Energy Department official said, down 40% from Friday after unprecedented storm surges, ferocious winds and perilous conditions extended hundreds of miles inland.

South Carolina reported 25 dead, Georgia 17 and Florida 11, according to the governors of those states.

CNN reported a total of 93 dead across the South, citing state and local officials.

President Joe Biden plans to visit affected areas this week, once he can do so without disrupting emergency services, the White House said.

"It's tragic," Biden told reporters on Sunday, pledging recovery assistance after declaring major disasters in Florida and North Carolina and emergencies for Florida, North Carolina Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. "You saw the photographs. It's stunning."

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris planned to cut short a campaign trip in Nevada on Monday to take part in briefings in Washington on the hurricane response and will visit the region when doing so won't impede the response, a White House official said.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will visit Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to receive a briefing on storm damage and "facilitate the distribution of relief supplies," his campaign said.

Helene slammed into Florida's Gulf Coast on Thursday night, triggering days of driving rain and destroying homes that had stood for decades.

In Horseshoe Beach, on Florida's Gulf Coast about 70 miles (120 km) west of Gainesville, Charlene Huggins surveyed the debris of her blown-out house, pulling a jacket out of the rubble on Saturday.

"Five generations lived in this house, from my grandmother, my father, myself, my daughter, son and my granddaughter," Huggins said, holding a chipped glass cake stand. "So there's a lot of memories here. It just breaks your heart."

Not far away, James Ellenburg stood on the property where his own family has lived for four generations. "I took my first step right here in this yard."

The roof of one home sat flat in the dirt, its walls blown away.

In coastal Steinhatchee, a storm surge  a wall of seawater pushed ashore by winds  of eight to 10 feet (2.4 to 3 meters) moved mobile homes, the weather service said.

Other areas saw a storm surge of 15 feet (4.5 meters).

In the nearby tiny community of Spring Warrior Fish Camp, people were surveying the damage on Saturday and still waiting for emergency or first responder aid.

"No one thinks of us back here," said David Hall, as he and his wife dug through seagrass and dead fish in the office of the hotel they owned. Many of the community's homes are built on stilts because of a local ordinance and survived heavy damage.

Kristin Macqueen was helping friends clean up after their house was destroyed in nearby Keaton Beach. "It's complete devastation," she said. "Houses have just been ripped off their slabs."

(Reporting by Alyssa Pointer in Hendersonville, North Carolina, Maria Alejandra Cardona in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, and Octavio Jones in Perry, Florida; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen, David Ljunggren, Doina Chiacu, Ted Hesson, Heather Timmons, Daniel Trotta and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Nick Zieminski, Leslie Adler, Lisa Shumaker and Marguerita Choy)
By Tim Reid

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump on Saturday deployed some of his harshest rhetoric against immigrants who have crossed the border illegally and committed crimes, especially against young women, while he also escalated his personal insults against Kamala Harris.

In the battleground state of Wisconsin, Trump called Democratic Vice President Harris, who on Friday visited the U.S.-Mexico border for the first time in her 2024 presidential campaign, "mentally impaired" and "mentally disabled".

The Republican presidential candidate was flanked by posters of immigrants in the U.S. illegally who have been arrested for murder and other violent crimes, and banners saying "End Migrant Crime" and "Deport Illegals Now."

His speech was unusually devoted almost entirely to undocumented immigrants. He called those who had committed violent crime "monsters," "stone-cold killers" and "vile animals".

Trump is locked in a close race with Harris ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Immigration and the southern border are one of the top issues for voters, according to opinion polls.

Sarafina Chitika, a Harris spokesperson, said after Trump's speech: "He's got nothing 'inspiring' to offer the American people, just darkness."

The former president blamed Harris and Democratic President Joe Biden for allowing undocumented immigrants into the U.S., accusing some migrants of wanting to "rape, pillage, thieve, plunder and kill the people of the United States of America."

At one point Trump admitted: "This is a dark speech".

Trump's speech was in the small Wisconsin city of Prairie du Chien, where a Venezuelan in the U.S. illegally was detained in September for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and attacking her daughter.

Some 7 million migrants have been arrested crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally during Biden's administration, according to government data, a record high number that has fueled criticism of Harris and Biden from Trump and fellow Republicans.

In her visit to the border on Friday, Harris outlined her plans to fix "our broken immigration system" while accusing Trump of "fanning the flames of fear and division" over the impact of immigrants on American life.

Harris also called for tighter asylum restrictions and vowed to make a "top priority" of stopping fentanyl from entering the U.S.

Trump also repeated his false claim that his 2020 election defeat to Biden was fraudulent. If reelected, and "if allowed", Trump said he would prosecute people he blames for his loss then.

Studies generally find there is no evidence immigrants commit crimes at a higher rate than native-born Americans and critics say Trump's rhetoric reinforces racist tropes.

Trump typically focuses on young women allegedly killed by Hispanic assailants to drive home that message, eschewing cases that involve male victims.

Trump's opponents accuse him of cynically exploiting grieving families to fuel his narrative that foreign-born, often Hispanic, arrivals are part of an invading army.

But some of the families of the victims have welcomed Trump's focus on the issue of violent crime and the death toll of teenagers caused by the opioid drug fentanyl, much of which crosses into the U.S. over the southern border.

Several parents who had lost children to attacks by immigrants in the U.S. illegally, or to fentanyl, spoke in support of him before Trump's remarks on Saturday.

(Reporting by Tim Reid in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Sunday it was increasing its air support capabilities in the Middle East and putting troops on a heightened readiness to deploy to the region as it warned Iran against expanding the ongoing conflict.

The announcement came two days after President Joe Biden directed the Pentagon to adjust U.S. force posture in the Middle East amid intensifying concern that Israel's killing of the leader of Iran-backed Hezbollah could prompt Tehran to retaliate.

"The United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict," Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement.

He also cautioned that if Iran or groups Tehran backs "use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every necessary measure to defend our people."

The Pentagon statement offered few clues as to the size or scope of the new air deployment, saying only that "we will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities in the coming days."

Israel struck more targets in Lebanon on Sunday, pressing Hezbollah with new attacks after killing the group's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and a string of its other top commanders in an escalating military campaign.

The strikes have dealt a stunning succession of blows to Hezbollah after almost a year of cross-border fire, killing much of its leadership and revealing gaping security holes. But it has also raised questions about Washington's publicly declared goals of containing the conflict and safeguarding U.S. personnel throughout the Middle East.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday that the United States is watching to see what Hezbollah does to try to fill its leadership vacuum, "and is continuing to talk to the Israelis about what the right next steps are."

The U.S. State Department has yet to order an evacuation from Lebanon. But last week, U.S. officials told Reuters the Pentagon was sending a few dozen additional troops to Cyprus to help the military prepare for scenarios including an evacuation of Americans from Lebanon.

The Pentagon said U.S. forces were being made ready to deploy, if needed.

"(Austin) increased the readiness of additional U.S. forces to deploy, elevating our preparedness to respond to various contingencies," Ryder said in a statement.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
Commentary: Anti-China hysteria could prove self-defeating for U.S.

Xinhua) 14:34, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- "True nobility is being superior to your former self." This famous quote from Ernest Hemingway might serve as a wake-up call and precious advice for politicians in Washington today.

Fervent anti-China rhetoric was highlighted by the so-called "China Week" in the U.S. Congress earlier this month. House of Representatives lawmakers oversaw the mass passage of 25 bills, targeting Chinese biotechnology, drones, electric vehicles, batteries and more.

It is quite obvious that these lawmakers have noticed the fact that China is catching up with or even overtaking the United States in certain fields, and as a result feel a heightened sense of anxiety. Unfortunately, in their desperate attempt to maintain "American superiority," they have not tried anything concrete to turn America into a "better self," but instead opted for relentless efforts to slow down and even stifle China's progress.

Proposing anti-China bills and pushing for their passage seems to have become a popular trend in U.S. Congress in recent years. The numbers of China-related bills introduced by the 116th and 117th Congresses were both more than double that introduced by the 115th Congress. The breadth of these bills is also unprecedented, covering economy, trade and investment, politics, technology and security.

But can these legislative moves really work and serve their initiators' purposes? Facts and realities have repeatedly provided a negative answer.

Take electric vehicles (EVs) as an example. A latest bill passed by the House of Representatives tightens rules limiting Chinese content in vehicles qualifying for U.S. EV tax credits, showing a clear intention to cut China from America's EV supply chain. However, according to industry experts, China's lead in EV batteries and some other technologies is so big that any attempt to build a China-free supply chain will have a cost "beyond the limits" and significantly slow down America's auto industry upgrading and green transformation.

In fact, despite pressure and threats from politicians, Ford Motor and some other U.S. companies are seeking cooperation with China's leading battery maker, CATL, on battery production in the United States.

Apart from inflicting harm on its own industries and economy, U.S. moves to erect barriers to trade and cooperation with China in an insensible or even hysterical manner, could also result in self-isolation.

Among the latest cluster of China-related legislation, the Biosecure Act aims to ban contracts with major Chinese biotechnology companies. However, U.S. researchers and executives believe that this law could hurt both the industry and scientific research, and warn that the United States also risks falling behind and being isolated from international cooperation in this field.

Amid rapid and drastic changes in the global economic and technological landscape, some U.S. industries and sectors, such as iron and steel, automobiles and new energy, really face tough challenges and are in dire need of assistance and support. But by always pointing the finger at China or resorting to trade protectionism and tech isolationism, politicians in Washington are not helping, but making things worse.

If such politicians are really taking China so seriously, they should take a serious look at the "secret recipe" of China's success -- a government dedicated to the pursuit of high-quality development based on reform and innovation, a huge and vibrant domestic market allowing enterprises to fully compete and grow strong, as well as an open attitude that attracts global capital and businesses, and facilitates win-win cooperation.

But can these politicians learn from China and effectively assist struggling U.S. industries? Do they have the motivation, determination and wisdom needed to achieve such progress? There is plenty of room for doubt, particularly in a period when the only bipartisan consensus on Capitol Hill is said to be the one targeting China as a threat.

After all, China has made it very clear that its innovation and modernization efforts are never aimed at defeating or supplanting the United States. China has also emphasized that it will not yield to any external pressure and relinquish its legitimate right to development. All this means that maneuvers like "China Week" will inevitably be exposed as no more than political stunts, which serve only to induce self-deceit and boost baseless fear-mongering.

So the time has probably come for these politicians to take heed of Hemingway's words of wisdom, which means they should do what the American people truly need them to do -- to focus on fixing America's own problems, rather than look for external scapegoats to cover up their incompetence and inaction.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States has dropped a push for the U.N. Security Council to ask for a plan to transform a security mission helping fight armed gangs in Haiti into a formal U.N. peacekeeping operation, a move some diplomats said was made to appease Russia and China.

A senior U.S. administration official, however, pushed back against that assessment, saying Washington changed its strategy to support a call last week by the head of Haiti's transition council, Edgard Leblanc, for a U.N. peacekeeping mission.

"It is not at all that we are bowing to those who might not have the best interests of the Haitian people at heart," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We are being strategic about how we're going about this and building on the shot of momentum that we heard from the Haitian president."

The 15-member Security Council will vote on Monday on a draft resolution to extend the mandate for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission until Oct. 2, 2025. The U.N. first approved the mission a year ago after the Caribbean country asked for assistance.

Diplomats say Russia and China did not want the council to ask for a plan to transition the U.N.-backed security force to a formal U.N. peacekeeping operation, so the U.S. removed that language from the draft resolution, seen by Reuters.

Russia wants to allow more time for the security force to establish itself, Deputy Russian U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said on Sunday, adding: "We don't want to prejudge MSS's outcome. Too early to make conclusions."

'FULL SUCCESS'

Haitian leaders speaking at the United Nations General Assembly last week warned of worsening insecurity in the country despite the partial deployment of the security force.

Powerful gangs, armed with weapons largely trafficked from the United States, have united in the capital under a common alliance and now control most of the city and are expanding to nearby areas.

Leblanc told the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday: "I am convinced that this change of status, whilst recognizing that the errors of the past cannot be repeated, would guarantee the full success of the mission in Haiti."

The senior U.S. official said Washington would "work with partners over the coming weeks to support that call." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised the issue of transforming the security force into a U.N. peacekeeping operation during a visit to Haiti earlier this month.

Many Haitians are wary of an armed U.N. presence after previous missions left behind a devastating cholera epidemic and sex abuse scandals.

The current Kenyan-led international security mission, while authorized by the U.N. Security Council, is not a United Nations operation. Countries voluntarily provide money and personnel.

The mission has made little progress toward helping Haiti restore order with only 400 Kenyan police officers on the ground so far and a shortfall in funding.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said earlier this month that establishing a U.N. peacekeeping force would not be the best solution for Haiti, which faces a humanitarian crisis with mass displacements, sexual violence and widespread hunger.

Gang violence has displaced more than 700,000 people in Haiti, according to U.N. estimates. (This story has been refiled to fix a spelling error in the headline)

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Nick Zieminski)
Actor Zachary Levi called former President Donald Trump the best choice voters have ahead of the 2024 election, citing how Trump has been backed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Levi explained that he grew up in a Christian conservative household with parents who evolved from Kennedy Democrats" to "Reagan Republicans, and he was raised to have a healthy level of distrust for the government. He added that he believed Kennedy was the type of presidential candidate he was looking for. Kennedy suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Trump last month.

BREAKING: Hollywood Superstar Zachary Levi just came out in full support of Trump, saying he initially supported RFK Jr. He just gave a beautiful speech in Michigan

"I stand with Bobby and I stand with everyone else who is standing with President Trump."

"My parents were pic.twitter.com/YE5NsQG5rJ

 George (@BehizyTweets)

And so I stand with Bobby, and I stand with Tulsi, and I stand with everyone else who is standing with President Trump, Levi said at a political event he was moderating in Dearborn, Michigan. Because I do believe that of the two choices that we have, and we only have two, Donald Trump, President Trump, is the man that can get us there, and hes going to get us there because hes going to have the backing and the support and the wisdom and the knowledge and the fight that exists in Robert Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

Kennedy and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard then joined Levi onstage for a live discussion, during which the actor said that poeple are being inundated every single day with poison, both by the food they purchase and the media they consume. He added voters who support Vice President Kamala Harris are being lied to, and encouraged the events attendees to reach out and engage in debate with these voters without getting baited into their attacks.

BREAKING: Actor Zachary Levi just finished his remarks in support of Trump by saying the people supporting Kamala are being lied to by the media and that all Americans are being poisoned through the food we eat, the news we consume, and Big Pharma's drugs

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"Not just in the foods pic.twitter.com/Imju76jyAu

 George (@BehizyTweets)

Levis comments on engaging in healthy debate received praise from former Star Wars actress Gina Carano, who shared footage of his speech on X. Carano was fired from her role in The Mandalorian Disney+ series shortly after she shared a post on social media stating that Jews in the Holocaust were beaten up simply for their religious beliefs, and questioned how this was any different from hating someone for their political views.

Good man Zach, well said.  @ZacharyLevi https://t.co/MO3QTQ2El1

 Gina Carano  (@ginacarano)

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Levi is best known for his role in the TV series Chuck. He is also known for starring in the film Shazam! and voicing Flynn Rider in Disneys Tangled.

Shortly after endorsing Trump last month, Kennedy previewed what his role in a hypothetical second Trump presidency would look like, which included repurposing the $42 billion budget of the National Institutes of Health and finding the root causes of chronic diseases. Kennedy also starred in an ad voicing his support for Trump, in which he said he wants to clean up the United Statess various health agencies that have become sock puppets of the industries theyre supposed to regulate.
Former Saturday Night Live star Rob Schneider contended that the recent indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams is an example of what happens to Democrats going against the partys politburo.

Last week, federal prosecutors charged Adams in a five-count indictment, which included conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bribery. Schneider suggested the Big Apples mayor made the mistake of opposing the Democratic Party, specifically over funding the citys housing of migrants.

POLITICAL TIMING OF BIDEN DOJ INDICTMENT OF ERIC ADAMS QUESTIONED BY CRITICS

But the fact that they spent a year and thats all they came up with, I think you have to look to what was happening exactly a year ago, and thats when he was saying, Hey, New York City cannot afford to be spending $5 billion, which is more than what theyre spending on police, for these migrants that theyre flying and busing in, Schneider said on Fox Newss One Nation with Brian Kilmeade. Ten thousand dollars a month. But if you do stand up and say something, youre going up against the Democratic politburo and youre going to get smacked, and thats what happened to Adams.

Schneider then stated he hoped Adams stands up for himself and told both the press and the public that his own party was going against me because he opposed it.

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The comedian was on the show to promote his new book, You Can Do It!: Speak Your Mind, America, which was released on Tuesday. The book is both a memoir of Schneider while also calling readers to exercise their free speech.

Saturday nights episode of SNL featured a skit poking fun at Adamss indictment, during which the mayor, portrayed by Devon Walker, called himself an innocent man. Upon asking a news anchor if he looks guilty, the anchor stated, I mean, kind of.

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Adams pleaded not guilty on Friday to the corruption and bribery charges as calls for his resignation from office have grown. The mayor has insisted that he will not resign.

In the event that Adams steps down, the next in line to succeed him would be New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who declined to say if Adams should resign but called the indictment incredibly serious.
When Vice President Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate in August, the choice was seen as a move to balance out her presidential ticket and help broaden her appeal to working-class voters.

Democrats bet his bonafides as a former high school teacher, veteran, and gun owner with folksy charm would help Harris, who has been criticized for being inauthentic and a flip-flopper on policy.

But for all of Walz's midwestern "dad energy," his record and penchant for tall tales will be in the spotlight on Oct. 1 when he faces Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) in a vice presidential debate. In what is undoubtedly the largest stage of his political career, Walz risks undermining Harris even further at a time when her campaign is desperate to capitalize on another inflection point.

Walz's likability makes it difficult to land blows

Since becoming her running mate, Walz has been praised for his down-to-earth, "aw shucks" approach that has played well to Democrats. His ability to connect to everyday voters in a party that has traditionally come off as elitist was an early boon for the Harris ticket. Of the four candidates on the two-party tickets, Walz is consistently the only one whose favorability rating outstripped his unfavorability rating.

David McLaughlin, a Democratic strategist, told the Washington Examiner that he believes Walz's amiable personality stems from being a career educator.

"When you have to lead groups of 25-30 teenagers throughout a school day you learn to connect with ALL types of people very quickly or you don't make it in the classroom," he said.

Republicans in Minnesota, where Walz won two terms as governor, have said his likability made it difficult to land punches on him even after some of his biggest political blunders. In March 2023, he signed a bill allowing illegal immigrants to get drivers licenses. He also supported making his states low-income health insurance program accessible for all residents, regardless of immigration status. And, he's supported sanctuary laws that prohibit local law enforcement from telling federal authorities the immigration status of people they encounter.

Walz's unforced errors sow doubts

While Walz has moved crowds at rallies, there are a growing number of examples that show the Democratic governor has either exaggerated or outright lied about his past.

These unforced errors have sowed doubt in voters' minds about whether they can trust what he's saying. This comes at a time when Harris herself has been criticized for flip-flopping on several major policy items, including immigration, fracking, the Green New Deal, and the Zero Emissions Vehicle Act. Thus, Walzs lack of credibility could exacerbate a key Harris weakness.

Republicans have charged that Harris's reversals are evidence she can't be trusted. Walz was supposed to be a stabilizing, reassuring factor, but his missteps have worked in the opposite direction.

Walz and Vance will make their pitches to undecided voters in battleground states on everything from immigration, to abortion, and the economy. Their face-to-face will come just weeks after the first, and likely only, debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump.

National polls swing back and forth to indicate which candidate is ahead in the tight race. The RealClearPolitics national average has Harris on 49.1% and Trump at 47.1%.

During the vice presidential debate, it will be up to Walz and Vance to provide the next, and perhaps last, big campaign jolt. That could be hard for both of them. Vance has been bashed for being inauthentic and stiff, while Walz has racked up skepticism about his truthfulness.

Kathleen Parker, a Washington Post columnist, wrote, "Theres no reason to believe Harris picked Walz because of his avuncular antics or his image as a great father, the latter of which should be assumed as normal, not celebrated as something rare. As Harriss repackaging team tweaked her record to make her seem like a moderate, she studiously selected as her running mate the countrys most liberal governor  a man who just happens to fudge reality, exaggerate his accomplishments and invent half-truths to burnish his resume."

'Stolen valor' claims will be at forefront of debate

Walz has been accused by Vance of "stolen valor," a term for military imposters who lie about serving or padding their achievements.

His flirtation with the truth began in 2016 when he participated in a CSPAN discussion about then-President Barack Obama's push to reduce troop levels overseas. He was incorrectly introduced by the host who said Walz "enlisted in the Army National Guard at 17 and retired 24 years later as Command Sergeant Major" and "served with his battalion in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan."

Despite Walz nodding in agreement, he served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Italy, not Afghanistan.

These types of inaccuracies, which at times went uncorrected, include Walz not denying the statement that he served in Afghanistan, and saying that he retired with a rank he achieved but did not retire with.

Harriss campaign has referred to Walz as a retired Command Sergeant Major, one of the top ranks for an enlisted soldier. While Walz achieved that rank, personnel files show he was reduced in rank months after retiring. That left him as a master sergeant for benefits purposes.

There was also an incident in 2018 where Walz claimed he carried weapons of war "in war."

The clip, which the Harris campaign circulated on X, was of Walz speaking out against gun violence, saying, "We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at.

The statement suggests that Walz portrayed himself as someone who spent time in a combat zone.

During a joint interview with Harris on CNN, Walz said he misspoke and that his "grammar is not always correct."

I wear my emotions on my sleeve; I speak especially passionately about our children being shot in schools and around guns," he said. "So I think people know me. They know who I am. They know where my heart is, and again, my record has been out there for over 40 years to speak for itself."

Despite Walz brushing off the incident as him having spoken inartfully, others, like Amy Koch, former Republican Minnesota senate majority leader, said his words cut deep.

"I am a veteran," Koch told the Washington Examiner. "I've got a medal from the Gulf War because I was in the military at the time. And I never say that because it implies that I was in the theater of war. And I don't even say that, even though it's absolutely true, because I think it diminishes in some ways those that were in the theater of war, that faced down the enemy in war. I'm very careful about how I speak of that, and I think all veterans should be because there is a difference."

Koch cautioned that "when speaking about what you did, you must never step on those that served and suffered and have sacrificed in going into the theater of war because those that do come back with psychological and physical wounds."

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"They face death and that was not my experience in the Air Force," she added. "That's not to say I'm not proud of my experience. I am very proud of it. And 24 years for Gov. Walz. That's a big deal. But using those terms ... it's not inartful. It's wrong, and it should be apologized for and moved on from."

'Weird' IVF issue 'sticks in voters' minds'

Walz also blurred the lines when it came to his struggles starting a family. He alluded to a journey through infertility with his wife, Gwen, and warned that conservatives wanted to restrict in vitro fertilization.

"Mind your own damn business," he said during a rally with Harris in Philadelphia. "Look, that includes IVF. And this gets personal for me and my family."

In April, before Walz was tapped to be Harris's running mate, his gubernatorial campaign mailed out a fundraising letter in an envelope that read: "My wife and I used IVF. to start a family."

The problem was, they didn't. The Walzes used another fertility procedure called intrauterine insemination, or IUI. The procedure is a less-invasive route, which is also less controversial because no embryos are created outside the womb like with IVF.

Koch, who has known and worked with Walz for the past two decades, called the governor's comments a glaring error and one that makes voters question his motives.

"The struggle that he and Gwen had around starting their family... you can tell that story without also calling it IVF which is not correct," she said. "And then it's like, are you trying to tie it into that so people understand it? Just talk about the struggle you had trying to start a family."

GOP strategist Matt Wolking called the IVF controversy "the kind of lie that sticks in voters' minds."

"Its weird, and makes people think they cant trust anything Walz says, especially after his misrepresentations of his military service have drawn so much attention," he said. "You can't just make things up about your life story because its better for your political narrative, but thats exactly what Walz has done in multiple instances.

Interview: 'Mixed-up mess'

Walz didn't get high marks for his joint interview with Harris on CNN earlier this month.

He came under scrutiny for wavering on his answers, with Parker calling him "a mixed-up mess."

"He answered none of the four questions he was asked, including whether he had misspoken when he said he had carried a gun 'in war' when he never was deployed to a combat zone," she said. "A simple 'yes' might have sufficed, but instead he sputtered evasive nonsense and, to be rhetorically accurate, gobbledygook."

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at University of Mary Washington, told the Washington Examiner that Walz doesn't have to exaggerate his past to make inroads with voters.

"I don't think inconsistency or false information hurt candidates the way dishonesty or inconsistencies might have hurt them in the past," he said. "In these highly partisan times, it seems like most voters will forgive any shortcomings on their side and view everything done by the other side as an abomination.''

He added that evolution on topics could actually benefit politicians.

"They should be able to change their mind in the face of new evidence or subsequent developments," he said. "If a candidate's policy position changes as a result of new information about what is working or not working now, that can be a good thing. Sticking with something that has turned out to be a bad idea simply because one does not want to be accused of flip-flopping doesn't reduce the nature of a problem."

'Attack dog' Vance miscast

Walz's vulnerabilities will be on full display Tuesday during the first vice presidential debate. Koch believes that in order to be successful, Walz must "be his authentic self."

"He needs to have good answers to [military, IVF] questions because I don't buy the 'inartful' excuse," she said. "I don't. I think people will say 'politicians say things a million times a day and will say something inaccurate' but I just think it's important to own that and not try to present yourself as something else."

Vance is also facing an uphill struggle.

He has been repeatedly knocked for being too aggressive and awkward and has done little to balance the Trump ticket.

"It's kind of like a marriage," Koch said. "If you're too much alike, you don't make up for the other's deficiencies."

Conservative strategist Sarah Longwell agrees. She told MSNBC's Inside with Jen Psaki that the overwhelming response by undecided voters is that Vance has an authenticity problem.

The thing that is killing J.D. Vance is that voters, and I have listened to tons of swing voters since he was picked, and they dont like him at all," she said. "They think he seems like a phony... Voters can smell inauthenticity, and thats what J.D. Vance reeks of to them.

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Instead of trying to come off as an uber-aggressive Alpha-male, Koch said Vance should take a more natural approach.

"He has got this beautiful young family, he's got this decorated military career, where he has served in the theater of war, he has got this rags to riches story that is incredibly impressive," she said. "Let him be that. But instead, he always has to be on the attack. Why do you need an attack dog? You have Trump. He's the ultimate attack dog."
The vice presidential debate, a traditional undercard matchup in each White House election, could have an outsize influence in 2024.

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Tim Walz (D-MN) face off on Tuesday in New York, a matchup that may draw a few more eyeballs than unusual in a very closely contested race.

For one, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have only debated once rather than the typical three times, giving voters less opportunity to see the candidates meet face to face.

But Harris is also a relative unknown who became a candidate in July and has run a highly choreographed campaign since, thus raising curiosity for Walz's appearance. Vance, 40, could represent the future of the MAGA movement since Trump, 78, would be term-limited even if he wins.

"Generally, vice president debates aren't consequential. Usually you just hope they don't say anything wrong," David Schultz, a political professor at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, said. "But given the closeness of this race, the fact that a lot of voters don't really know who Harris is, who Walz is, or who Vance is, I think that makes this one a little bit more consequential."

A final factor is that this may be the last debate of any kind before Election Day. The vice president debate is usually sandwiched between three presidential showdowns, but that doesn't appear to be the case this year as Trump has said he's done, leaving fewer unscripted data points for voters to draw from.

"A few people may be saying, 'Trump is getting kind of old, what if something happens to him? Whats Vance like?' or 'I dont know much about Harris. Let me find out if Walz says something about who she is," Schultz said. "In a race where its so close, a few thousand votes here or there could impact the outcome of the election."

The 2020 vice presidential debate between Harris and then-Vice President Mike Pence drew an audience of more than 50 million people, according to Nielsen Media Research, a figure that may have been boosted by the pandemic lockdowns that kept people indoors.

The 2020 ratings easily surpassed those seen in 2016, when Pence faced Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) before an audience of 35 million.

Brad Bannon, a Democratic strategist, said Walz's job will not be to attack Vance. Rather, it will be to attack Trump, the leader on the opposition party's ticket. Similarly, he says Vance's job will be to attack Harris rather than Walz.

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"That's what you do in the vice presidential debate," he said. "You use it as an opportunity to go after the top-of-the-ticket candidates."

Bannon expects Vance will aggressively attack Walz, but he thinks the key for Walz will not be to strike back but to "restrain himself enough so he doesn't interfere with Vance saying incendiary and stupid things."

Both Vance and Walz got into heated exchanges during their most recent debates. Vance tussled with his 2022 opponent, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), over topics such as immigration and abortion, while Walz stared down his reelection challenger, Scott Jensen, over COVID-19 lockdowns and energy policy, among other things.

Things could turn ugly this time around too, even if neither candidate goes into the debate looking to strike a knockout blow.

John Feehery, a Republican strategist, says the key for Vance will be trying to paint Walz, and by extension Harris, as someone who can't be trusted, while Walz will try to convince voters that Vance is "weird" and extreme.

"The big issue will be Walz lying about Vance and Trumps record," he said. "Walz, like Harris, is an exceptionally good liar, and I dont know if Vance will be ready for it. And most likely, the moderators will be tipping the scales in the Walz direction."

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Set for 9 p.m. Eastern time next Tuesday on CBS, the vice presidential debate could sway just enough voters in this deadlocked presidential contest to change the outcome. Or, per Republican strategist Doug Heye, it may not.

"The race is all about Trump vs. Harris. The undercard just isn't registering for voters," Heye said. "Though that won't stop DCers from overanalyzing it."
Jason Gaulden is a Denver-based partner at Oak Rose Group, a strategy consulting rm specializing in education, workforce development and economic mobility. He also serves as education fellow at the Common Sense Institute. Gaulden holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
DES MOINES  With the next legislative session roughly four months away  but the next election just more than four weeks away  Democrats in the Iowa House on Thursday unveiled their top lawmaking priorities for 2025.

Democrats have been the minority party in the Iowa House since 2011.

Since 2017, Iowa Republicans have set the state lawmaking agenda with their majorities in both the Iowa House and Senate alongside Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Iowa Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, a Democrat from Windsor Heights and leader of the House Democrats, said during a virtual news conference Thursday that the caucus chose to publicly highlight their top legislative priorities to show Iowa voters what lawmaking actions they will take in the 2025 session.

The reason were putting forward these four issues with 40 days to go is that we believe strongly that Iowans deserve to know what we stand for before they go to the ballot box, Konfrst said. Youre going to see a lot of information out there on TV and mailboxes, etc., but we want to speak directly to voters and tell you, If were given the opportunity to lead, were going to listen to you.

The four issues House Democrats say they plan to address: lowering costs of health care, food, child care and utility bills; loosening recently enacted restrictions on abortion; investing more state money in public schools; and legalizing marijuana.

Konfrst said all four issues have the support of a majority of Iowans in public polling.

The bills that we pass, the priorities that we have will be the priorities of Iowans, Konfrst said. And thats whats driving our message here. Thats whats driving our policy: Iowans are. So we think its important that we put forward what we stand for. Were proud of what we stand for.

House Democrats said they would accomplish their four legislative goals by:

 Capping health care costs, expanding access to mental health care, focusing tax cuts on working families rather than large businesses, creating more affordable housing options and access to affordable child care. The Democrats did not point to specific legislation or actions that would accomplish these goals.

 Overturning the recently enacted state law that bans abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, which typically is at the sixth week of pregnancy, usually before the parent is aware of the pregnancy. By repealing the ban, state law would return to a ban on abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy, House Democrats said. Also by adding a guaranteed right to abortion access in the Iowa Constitution by starting a constitutional amendment, and protecting access to infertility treatments like in vitro fertilization and birth control.

 Increasing state general funding to public schools to keep up with rising costs, raise pay for all educators, end bans on certain books in public schools, and repeal the states new taxpayer-funded assistance for families of private school students.

 Legalizing and regulating marijuana for recreational use.

These are issues that are reflected and supported by more than 50 percent of Iowans  not just Democrats, but all Iowans  who want the Legislature to focus on things that matter to them, Konfrst said. Theyre tired of seeing special interests run the day. They want to be heard as people. So House Democrats are proud to put people over politics and advance a proactive agenda that will do just that.

Republican spokeswoman responds

A spokeswoman for Iowa House Republicans pointed out that state funding to public schools remains the largest slice of the state budget pie. In the 2023 state budget year, the most recent available from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, state aid to public schools comprised 43.4 percent of the state budget.

In response to Iowa House Republicans record of improving educational opportunities, maintaining safe communities, and letting Iowans keep more of their hard-earned money, Iowans have only grown our majority, Iowa House Republicans spokeswoman Melissa Saitz said in a statement.

Seeing the massive election success our agenda has had, its not surprising to see Democrats taking some cues out of our book. Its great to hear Democrats will now join us in our work to support public education and make Iowa more affordable, Saitz said. Though most recently, their voting record shows votes against historic tax cuts for all Iowans and against public school teacher pay raises.

Democratic lawmakers voted against the 2024 bill that contained teacher pay raises because they objected to the part of the bill that changed the funding and operations of the states nine Area Education Agencies, which provide special education and other supports to public schools. Iowa Statehouse Democrats annually propose higher general state funding to public schools  the funding stream most directly responsible for teacher salaries  than Republicans.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting starts Oct. 16.

The 2025 session of the Iowa Legislature begins on Jan. 13.
Official Solution:





A major film studio announced the release date of a movie based on a novel that was a bestseller when it was first published but that has been out of print for nearly fifteen years. Hoping to capitalize on the anticipated success of the movie, the publisher who owns the copyright on the novel plans to print a new edition that will be released the same week the film premieres.



Each of the following, if true, supports the soundness of the publishers plan to capitalize on the success of the film EXCEPT:





A. Books with the words "now a major motion picture" printed on the cover generally sell better than books without those words printed on the cover.

B. Twenty years ago, the publisher created a limited edition of the novel, consisting of 5,000 copies each personally signed by the now-deceased author, and all 5,000 copies were sold in less than 6 months after the books were printed.

C. Multiple novels by the same author experienced a brief spike in sales after major film studios released movies based on those novels.

D. Existing copies of the novel are hard to find and are often sold for prices up to 10 times higher than the price at which the publisher plans to sell copies of the new edition.

E. Many of the trailer advertisements for the new movie will state the name and author of the bestselling novel on which the movie is based.





Currently, the book is out of print, so there are no novels to sell. The publisher believes that, if the movie is successful, people will want to buy the novel on which it is based. Thus, the publisher hopes to capitalize on the anticipated success of the movie by printing a new edition of the novel



We are looking for an answer choice that does NOT support the soundness of the publisher's plan, so we should cross out anything that DOES support the soundness of the plan



(A) Books with the words "now a major motion picture" printed on the cover generally sell better than books without those words printed on the cover



The publisher hopes that the success of the movie will boost sales of the novel. This statement suggests that the new novel will likely sell better than other books without those words printed on the cover. This evidence supports the soundness of the publisher's plan, so (A) can be eliminated



(B) Twenty years ago, the publisher created a limited edition of the novel, consisting of 5,000 copies each personally signed by the now-deceased author, and all 5,000 copies were sold in less than 6 months after the books were printed



This statement suggests that sales of the novel could be boosted by creating a limited-edition version signed by the author. Since the author is deceased, this is no longer possible. This statement does not provide any evidence to support that the release of a successful movie will boost sales of the novel on which it is based. Although it does not suggest that the publisher's plan will fail, this statement does not support the soundness of the plan. (B) looks good



"(C) Multiple novels by the same author experienced a brief spike in sales after major film studios released movies based on those novels.



This statement suggests that the release of a movie will boost sales of a novel on which the movie is based. This supports the soundness of the publisher's plan, so eliminate (C)



(D) Existing copies of the novel are hard to find and are often sold for prices up to 10 times higher than the price at which the publisher plans to sell copies of the new edition



If, despite the success of the movie, nobody wants to buy the book, the publisher's plan will fail. This statement suggests that there is demand for the novel. This, in turn, suggests that people will want to buy new editions of the novel, contributing to the success of the publisher's plan. Eliminate (D)



(E) Many of the trailer advertisements for the new movie will state the name and author of the bestselling novel on which the movie is based



If nobody knows about the novel, the success of the movie will not boost sales of the novel. This statement tells us that the novel WILL be publicized, supporting the publisher's plan. Eliminate (E)



Choice (B) is the best because it is the only choice that does NOT support the soundness of the publishers plan to capitalize on the success of the film





Answer: B
East Chinas Zhejiang issues guidelines for AI-powered digital humans in livestreaming for the first time

Global Times) 14:35, September 29, 2024

The market regulatory authority in East Chinas Zhejiang Province has issued new guidelines for the standardization of online livestreaming marketing behavior, which outline 30 items. For the first time, the guidelines also regulate issues related to AI-powered digital humans in livestreaming, aiming to further promote the healthy and regulated development of the industry.

According to the guidelines released by the Zhejiang market regulator, online livestreaming marketing operators cant use or fabricate voices or images belonging to others through AI deep synthesis technology or other methods to create promotional short-video advertisements for livestreaming rooms without authorization.

The guidelines also state that livestreamers are prohibited from inducing consumers to click into the livestreaming room through misleading short videos or other deceptive tactics.

According to the guidelines, the use of AI-powered digital humans through deep synthesis services that could cause public confusion must be clearly identified in visible and prominent locations. These digital entities should be clearly distinguishable from real humans at all times. Moreover, using technical means to delete, alter, or conceal the identification of AI-powered digital humans is strictly prohibited.

The guidelines also address core issues within the online livestreaming industry related to false advertising, misleading information, fake experts, deceptive promotional activities, counterfeit testing and certifications, and other issues.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released a draft regulation that aims to standardize the labeling of AI-generated synthetic content to protect national security and public interests on September 14. The draft regulation is titled Measures for identifying AI-generated synthetic content, which is open for public feedback until October 14, according to the CAC.

Under the draft regulation, internet information service providers must adhere to mandatory national standards when labeling such content. Providers offering functions like downloading, copying, or exporting AI-generated materials must ensure that explicit labels are embedded in the files, according to Xinhua News Agency.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Before the type classes of World Dairy Expo get underway, junior exhibitors have the opportunity to put their fitting and showmanship skills to the test. The fitting competition was the first of Expos contests to be completed when it wrapped up Saturday morning.

There were 41 youth who took to the Sale Pavilion with clippers in hand, and when the buzz died down, Kyle Welk of Peach Bottom, Pa., took home the Michael Heath Overall Fitter Award. That distinction comes with a $1,000 prize, plaque, and custom embroidered jacket.

Welk first ascended to the top of the senior male division of the contest, where he earned a set of clippers and a $50 prize. Second in the division was Pennsylvanias Kolby Stoltzfus, third was Payton Calvert of Wisconsin, fourth went to Wesley Brantner from Pennsylvania, and fifth was Evan Cooper from Massachusetts.



Dawson Nickels of Wisconsin evaluated the senior contestants, youth members between the ages of 17 and 21. Among the senior females, Alexis Blankenberg of Wisconsin rose to the top; she also earned a pair of clippers and a $50 prize. Jamie Gibbs of Minnesota was second, Wisconsins Olivia Jennrich was third, Hannah Gingerich of Pennsylvania was fourth, and Minnesotas Kayla Visser rounded out the top five.

Youth between the ages of 13 and 17 participated in the intermediate divisions. Josh Karn of Ontario placed these contestants.

Kayla Trustem of Wisconsin repeated her victory from last year as the intermediate female winner; she received a $50 cash prize. Kamrie Mauer of Minnesota was second, Jazlynn Olson of Wisconsin earned third, and Emma Roeben from Rhode Island finished fourth.

Jayse Pudwill of Illinois earned first place and a $50 cash prize among the intermediate males. Second went to Braden Bechel from Wisconsin, third was Ontario native Devin Coleman, fourth was Wisconsins Benny Uhe, and fifth went to Ethan Staudinger from Wisconsin.



In the fitting contest, youth have one hour to fit an animal to be showring ready; only the legs and head may be clipped prior. Contestants are evaluated on proper topline grooming, body clipping technique, ease of handling equipment, proper use of adhesives and sprays, hair blending, and completing the job in the timeframe. Judges observe the participants while they are working, and then animals are led out for a final inspection.




KANNAPOLIS  The City of Kannapolis has a host of family friendly activities planned for the coming week.

Join the Kannapolis Police Department, from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Veterans Park, 119 N. Main St., to celebrate National Night Out. The police and fire department staff as well as other community partners look forward to meeting and interacting with everyone. Bring your lawn chair to stay and enjoy the evenings festivities.

The city will celebrate with free food, limited number of free school supplies, live music, childrens games, and much more. There will also be special activities and prizes for senior residents of the city. Nonprofit organizations will also be on hand if you need information on community services or if you would like to learn more about volunteering with an organization.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes a true sense of community and provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. The goal of National Night Out is to have police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safe and caring places to live.

Officers with the Kannapolis Police Department will be collecting new coats for area school children at the event. Just find the police department tent to drop off your donation.

Annual Fire Truck Parade

The Kannapolis Fire Department will host a Fire Truck Parade, food drive and bloodmobile event next Friday, Oct. 4. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. Bring a chair and enjoy seeing fire trucks, old and new from departments throughout the region. There is a new fire truck parade route this year.

The parade will begin at Biotechnology Lane and Laureate Way, travel Laureate Way to Northeast Research Campus Drive, back onto Laureate Way. The parade will end at the intersection of Watson Creek Drive and Laureate Way. Bring a chair and cheer on our firefighters and their trucks.

Meet the firefighters as you drop off a canned food donation from noon to 6 p.m. Firefighters will be located at the intersection of Laureate Way and Watson Creek Drive. Items needed are canned meats, peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti noodles, canned fruit, pork-n-beans, and pudding cups. All donations will be given to Cooperative Christian Mission to distribute locally to those in need.

A blood drive

One Blood will have the Big Red Bus at the intersection of Laureate Way and Watson Creek Drive, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for anyone who would like to give a blood donation. To make an appointment to give blood register at https://www.oneblood.org/donate-now.html

The Wonder Run

The Kannapolis Run Series continues with the Wonder Run 5K, next Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7:45 a.m.

The Wonder Run 5K invites runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to participate. The run will begin at the North Carolina Research Campus. The Wonder Run 5K is hosted by the Kannapolis Education Foundation.

For more information and to register, visit: www.runkannapolis.com.

Be sure to stick around after the Wonder 5K for the citys very first Bark in the Park at the North Carolina Research Campus! The event is from 9 a.m. to noon next Saturday, Oct. 5. Bring your furry friends to run in the Wonder Run 5K with you, then enjoy the Bark in the Park event.

Searching for a new four-legged friend? The Rowan Humane Society, Cabarrus Humane Society, Cabarrus Animal Shelter and Dunkin Doodles will be present to assist potential owners in finding a furry friend. Other organizations present include dog boutiques, vets, groomers, trainers, and boarders. Pet owners will receive free doggie goodies.

Roundabout closing

Please remember the roundabout in front of City Hall will be closed starting Monday, Sept. 30, but both City Hall parking lots are open. For more parking information visit www.kannapolisnc.gov.
American multinational company Dell announced Dell AI for Telecom to help drive AI deployments for communications service providers (CSPs).

Dell is implementing the program as a recent MeriTalk study, commissioned by the company, found that 48% of telecom executives see AI as the industrys most transformative technology in the next five years.

However, 68% feel their organisation is struggling to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies and customer needs.

The Dell AI for Telecom program, part of the Dell AI Factory, provides AI expertise, infrastructure, and services with software and silicon across the AI ecosystem.

The program will develop and deploy on-premises AI solutions that CSPs can use to enhance network performance, improve customer service, and provide greater value at the enterprise edge.

The program will also see Dell collaborate with tech giant Nvidia to transform networks with AI solutions.

According to Dell, here are the main points:

Co-create and validate telecom AI solutions for CSPs, built upon and validated with the Dell AI Factory with Nvidia. Using Dell PowerEdge servers, Nvidia GPUs, and AI software, the solutions help CSPs use AI to:

- Enhance customer care and improve network maintenance with the Amdocs amAIz platform.

- Automate call centre scripts and customer care operations with Iternal.

- Conduct network troubleshooting and analysis with Kinetica SQL-GPT.

- Develop digital twins for networks and perform predictive network maintenance with Synthefy.

Facilitate AI deployments at the edge of the telecom network with the PowerEdge XR8000 server, now available with Nvidia L4 Tensor Core GPUs.

Help CSPs design and deploy GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) offerings, so they can provide Nvidia GPU capacity for enterprise customers.

Dell Professional Services helps CSPs with their strategy, implementation, and operation of AI solutions for telecom use cases.

Partnerships

Dell also announced it partnered with CSPs in the Dell Telecom Open Ecosystem Labs to develop AI solutions with Dell AI Factory infrastructure and partners to enhance customer experience and improve network performance.

Here are the CSPs and telcos collaborating with Dell:

Lintasarta, an Indonesian information and communication technology solutions company, is offering GPU Merdeka, a GPUaaS, to provide AI infrastructure, including Nvidia GPUs with Dell PowerEdge XE9680 servers, for national businesses.

As part of our collaboration with Dell Technologies and Nvidia, Lintasarta will provide GPU-as-a-Service (Deka GPU) with Dell AI infrastructure and NVIDIA GPUs for national businesses, providing them access to the latest AI capabilities tailored for high-demand computing tasks, said Lintasarta chief cloud officer Gidion Suranta Barus.

SK Telecom, Dell, and other partners are collaborating to develop a mobile network operator (MNO) AI Platform for communications service providers.

Through our collaboration with Dell Technologies, we aim to accelerate AI adoption and innovation to deliver superior service and value to our customers, said SK Telecom head of MNO AI platforms Haisung Kwon.
(Live Japan)

During your trip, don't miss out on Japan's amazing variety of sweets, from KitKat and Hi-Chew to unique chocolates and candies. If you're on the hunt for the perfect souvenir, look no further! Our editors have carefully curated a list of some of the finest confections to consider buying in 2023.

Join us at MEGA Don Quijote Shibuyaone of the Tokyo area's top stores. There, we've handpicked must-try treats, featuring both Japan-exclusive sweets and unique Don Quijote items, perfect for everyone on your gifting list.

MEGA Donki Shibuya - Great Selection of Japanese Sweets & Snacks!

Shibuya is a popular spot for international visitors in Tokyo, and stands as one of the city's premier tourist attractions. MEGA Donki Shibuya is just a short 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station.

Spanning eight floors, from the basement to seven floors above ground, this store has everything you need, from fresh food and snacks to home appliances, medicines, clothing, and travel goods. Conveniently nestled in the heart of Shibuya, it is also open 24 hours a day, making it ideal for tourists. This means that visitors can easily find anything they may need during their trip, including daily necessities and Japan-exclusive souvenirs, at any time of the day or night!

Mega Donki Shibuya is especially well-stocked with a selection of products tailored to the needs of international tourists. This includes boxed snacks, which make great souvenirs, and Japanese sweets have gained acclaim on various social media platforms.

Theres also a tax-free counter on the 7th floor, offering tax-free shopping. Staff members can also speak English as well as other foreign languages, allowing travelers to browse with ease and confidence.

Don Quijote Must-Buys! Top 10 New Recommended Snacks

1) KitKat: Flavors You'll Only Find in Japan!

KitKat is a familiar name all around the world. However, in Japan, this treat it stands out for its extensive range of unique flavors.

This wide variety of flavors includes many which youll only find in Japan, such as Matcha Green Tea, and seasonal fruits like Peach, Strawberry, and Melon. There are also flavors that cater to more adult preferences, with a less sweet and slightly more bitter profile (called 'Otona no Amasa').

There are also local varieties featuring ingredients unique to each specific region of Japan. Don Quijote has a large selection of regional products, including Aomori Apple, Kyoto Matcha, and Hakata Amaou Strawberry.

Particularly popular souvenirs include the Wasabi and Sake flavors, which are also exclusive Japan. For added Japanese charm, there are even some varieties that come in packaging shaped like Mount Fuji!

For those who want to share the joy, we recommend the generously-sized Special Assortment, which contains about 50 mini KitKats in five different flavors in a single box! The flavors include Classic, Otona no Amasa, Whole Grain Biscuit, Strawberry, and Chocolate Orange.

2) Baked Creamy Cheese Cake: Tastes Just Like A Real Cheese Cake!

BAKE is a beloved cheesecake snack that tastes just like the real thing, and Bakes Creamy Cheese is a limited-edition flavor collaboration between Morinaga Seika and Don Quijote, exclusively available at Don Quijote.

Bake Creamy Cheese Uji Green Tea is one of their limited-edition collaboration products. Each baked chocolate treat is crafted to prevent melting in your hand, making it a safe choice as a souvenir to take home, especially during the hot summer months.

3) Hi-Chew: Delicious Soft Candies in All Kinds of Flavors

Hi-Chew is a longtime favorite soft candy from Japan.

This assortment, featuring three different flavors in a Mt. Fuji-shaped packaging, is a popular souvenir choice amongst tourists. Each candy is individually wrapped, making it ideal for sharing with friends and family.

The Suppai Chew brings a fun and novel twist to the classic Hi-Chew, with a crisp texture and a tart, lemony center.

Amongst the many different types are the Fanta-flavored Hi-Chew and the Hi-Chew Punishari, which offer two other textures to tryplump and crunchy. Be sure to give them all a try! (Hi-Chew Punishari is available in a limited quantity while supplies last.)

4) Alfort: A Perfectly Balanced Chocolate Biscuit

Since its introduction in 1994, Alfort has remained a long-time favorite. Known for its perfect balance of chocolate and biscuit flavors, this satisfying treat has become a staple in Japanese households.

Alforts selection includes not only standard flavor, but Strawberry, Matcha, Vanilla, and more, offering an extensive variety that sets it apart from what youd typically find in most supermarkets or convenience stores.

This Mt. Fuji package is a special kind of treat, with the sweets themselves embellished with designs of Mount Fuji. A real must-have Japanese souvenir!

This pack of six featuring an adorable Mickey Mouse design is just the right size for a souvenir!

5) Konjac Jelly: A Sweet, Healthy Treat!

When it comes to konjac jellies, Orihiros Purunto Konjac Jelly series is a stand-out favorite, with its firm, chewy texture and addictively delightful taste. The assortment, featuring three flavors in one bag, is a particularly popular choice.

What makes this konjac jelly even more appealing is that it contains zero calories, making it a top choice for health-conscious individuals and those watching their calorie intake. Its also a convenient snack option for those moments of hunger!

We also recommend the konjac jellies from Don Quijote's original brand, Jonetz Kakaku. Available in a generous 1kg packaging, its a great value for your money!

6) Chokotto Pucchin Pudding: A Treat for Any Time and Place

Pucchin Pudding is a classic childhood snack in Japan. Combining condensed milk, unpasteurized milk, butter, and cream from Hokkaido, this pudding treat continues to enjoy widespread popularity, even 50 years after its debut!

Chokotto Pucchin Pudding is the bite-sized version of the same favorite treat. But while the original Pucchin Pudding requires refrigeration, Chokotto Pucchin Pudding is safe to store at room temperature. This means you can enjoy them anytime and anywhere, whether out and about, or for snacking at home.

Upon opening the package, youll notice that despite being bite-sized, they look just like the original Pucchin Pudding! It's a fun, easy way to treat yourself to a Japanese snack, so be sure to add these to your souvenir selection.

7) Kororo Fruit Juice Gummy: A Fantastic, Fruity Texture

Gummies are some of the most popular Japanese snacks, especially overseas. Amongst the most highly recommended are Kororo Fruit Juice Gummies, a unique gummy candy with a fresh, fruity texture enveloped in collagen. Its distinctive texture, bursting with fruit flavor, has drawn considerable attention, earning widespread popularity worldwide.

In addition to Muscat and Grape flavors, they also have Sato Nishiki, a brand of cherries regarded as some of the finest in Japan.

To meet the needs of overseas customers, Don Quijote also offers a six-piece box, a rare purchase option you wont usually find elsewhere. This makes them a great souvenir choice, as they can be bought in bulk and easily handed out as gifts.

8) Chiiku Kashi: DIY Treats Just Like the Real Thing!

Another interesting and attention-grabbing Japanese souvenir are these educational DIY candies you can put together yourself. But these kits aren't just for kids. With all the kneading, rolling, and overall crafting you get to do, adults will also find them fun and engaging! They come in various themes, including "Whip Cake Shop" and "Fun Sushi Shop."

The hamburger set is another excellent choice for something more familiar to the international crowd! Not only can you make burgers, double burgers, fries, and Cola, but they all taste just like the real thing!

9) Japan & Shibuya-Exclusive Sweets featuring Popular Characters!

Don Quijote also boasts an extensive selection of boxed souvenir sweets. Our first recommendation is the Hello Kitty Cream Daifuku, an adorable treat imprinted with an illustration of Hello Kitty. Sanrio characters, beloved by fans worldwide, are amongst the top souvenirs from Japan!

You'll also find an array of other character sweets, featuring not only Sanrio characters, but Doraemon and Hachiko, too.

For souvenirs exclusive to Shibuya, we recommend Puri-cakes, tiramisu cakes, and chocolate mochi, all adorned in special Shibuya-themed packaging for an added touch. Sesame Dango is another recommended Japanese sweet, as are those featuring illustrations of Hachiko, Shibuyas beloved loyal pup.

Shibuya no Koibito is another chocolatey crunchy treat that, as the name suggests, is exclusive to Shibuya. It's also a great conversation starter for when you return back home!

10) Jonetz Kakaku Sweets: Don Quijote's Own Private Brand

Products bearing the prominent katakana "Do ()" character are all part of Don Quijote's in-house brand, Jonetz Kakaku. In recent years, these products have become a hot topic in Japanese media for their uniqueness, intriguing (and often lengthy) product names, budget-friendly prices, and delectable flavors. Some favorites include Beni-shoga Sen, Shiso Sen, Hitokuchi Yaki-imo, and Imo-kenpi.

Delicious, just like a candy! Even those who dont consider themselves fans of shiitake mushrooms will be pleasantly surprised by these recently trending Shiitake mushroom snacks. Theyre definitely worth trying at least once.

So head to Don Quijote Shibuya and discover the vast array of Jonetz products that await!

LIVE JAPAN Exclusive! Shop Smarter with Our Discount Coupons!

LIVE JAPAN is currently offering a special coupon for up to 10% tax-free rate + 5% off on purchases of tax-free items of 10,000 yen (excluding tax) or more at Don Quijote. Simply tap the coupon below and present it to the cashier.

In Japan, it is customary to share small souvenirs like snacks acquired during trips with friends and family. And MEGA Donki Shibuya boasts a particularly extensive selection of great gift ideas that international visitors will love, including bulk bags perfect for sharing that you wont find anywhere else! So, if you've been curious about trying or buying specific sweets, Don Quijote Shibuya might be your one-stop shop!

MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Main Store. MEGA

Address28-6 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0042 View Map

Nearest Station: Shibuya Station (JR Shonan Shinjuku Line / JR Yamanote Line / JR Saikyo Line / Tokyo Metro Ginza Line / Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line / Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line / Tokyu Toyoko Line / Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line / Keio Inokashira Line), 5 minutes on foot

Phone Number: 0570-076-311

Interview location: MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Main Store Information in article as of August 2023. Please see official website for the latest updates & information.

English translation by: Krys Suzuki

Via Live Japan
DWIGHT  For the past six months, the roughly 3,500 motorists who traverse Mazon Avenue through the heart of Dwight on any given day have passed an unassuming, once-vacant storefront featuring an unlikely political message: Kennedy: Independent for president.

In the window of the small, red brick building  previously a flower shop  is a yard sign with a picture of the man himself, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the black sheep scion of the famed Democratic political family who spent about a year running a renegade campaign for U.S. president.

Inside are yard signs, leaflets and other campaign materials for the Democrat-turned-independent, who suspended his campaign in August and threw his support to Republican former President Donald Trump, again the GOP nominee.

The campaign may be over. But the Dwight outpost remains.

It's all the handiwork of one man: Calvin Coleman, a 48-year-old married father of one who lives in town and owns Coleman & Son Garage directly next door to the makeshift campaign headquarters.

Coleman, a self-described "outsider looking in" new to politics, said he found himself earlier this year gravitating towards Kennedy's maverick campaign. And, like an evangelist, wanted to do what he could to get the word out.

"And I thought, 'Man, I'm right here on this busy stretch and we've got this vacant building," Coleman told The Pantagraph in an interview. "Let's see here, I can spend a couple $100 and have a sign made and do everything.'"

In March, the sign went up.

"It's not like I've gotten any money or anything," Coleman explained. "This was just strictly a guy that believed in RFK enough to stand up and try to put something together and give a centralized location for people if they wanted a yard sign or some materials or anything like that. And ultimately, that's kind of what it really is."

It is true. Coleman is not a paid campaign staffer. His office was never an official Kennedy campaign office. It was a grassroots effort in the truest sense. And it's one that continues even as the campaign halts.

"I understand that he's not going to be the president, at least not for 2024," Coleman said in an interview earlier this month. "I'm not going to try to paint some false narrative around that. "However, it is still important to show that his movement did grow large enough to where former President Trump noticed  people noticed."

'Fed up'

Coleman was never heavily involved in a political campaign before this year. He once considered himself a Democrat, but could not recall the last time he voted for the party's presidential candidate.

He has an anti-establishment streak. And, like a lot of Americans, he's fed up with the dominance of the Democratic and Republicans parties in national politics.

He said this discontent is what fueled "a diversity of people" toward Kennedy, even if they do not agree on every single issue  with the candidate or among themselves.

"That's one of the really deep things about us: It's really, really this big mixture," Coleman said.

This past year, Coleman has proven to be one of Kennedy's most loyal Illinois foot soldiers.

He gathered signatures to get the candidate on the ballot and later took time off from work at his auto repair shop to appear before the Illinois Board of Elections when the candidate's petitions were unsuccessfully challenged.

And he was also among a cohort of Kennedy supporters who protested outside of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month. They were upset Kennedy was not to be included in the Sept. 10 debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Kennedy dropped out and endorsed Trump days later.

Even now, with Kennedy's campaign all but over, Coleman still wears his Kennedy swag nearly every day. And, while hundreds of Kennedy volunteers still hop on weekly Zoom calls, Coleman is among the few still hosting events, which appear on Kennedys campaign website, now rebranded mahanow.org, which is short for Make America Healthy Again.

"For the most part, we all rally kind of around common sense," he said. "It's just, here's the things that are important to us, here's the things that are important to Bobby (and) here's the policies. And it's a lot of people that are just fed up with the two-party system."

Indeed, the path for an independent candidate in American politics to win a state or federal election outside the two-party system is next-to-impossible.

In Illinois, for instance, Democratic and Republican presidential candidates only need to gather 3,000 signatures to get on the primary ballot. But an independent candidate must attain at least 25,000 signatures.

"The Democratic and Republican parties, they write the rules and they make it easy for established political parties to pass petitions and get on the ballot, and they make it hard for third party candidates and independent candidates," said Kent Redfield, a retired professor of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield.

The petition process is "complex" and "easy to screw up," Redfield said. And, even if the candidate survives a petition challenge as Kennedy did, it often comes at a significant cost in the former of legal bills.

"They want to eliminate competition and they want to eliminate uncertainty," Redfield said of the major parties.

Its this disillusionment with the political system that drove Coleman and those like him to Kennedy.

He specifically mentioned Kennedy's stance against an interventionist foreign policy, pledge to reign in corporate influence on government and his focus on addressing chronic health issues as reasons for his support. These positions are not necessarily reflected in either party, he said.

Besides being the namesake of one of the country's most beloved political figures, Kennedy is most known for his anti-vaccine positions. This was turbocharged during the pandemic, when the candidate spread misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Coleman said he knows "people want to jump on Bobby about the vaccine thing," but he personally doesn't think Kennedy is anti-vaccine.

Kennedy has also been at the center of several bizarre stories. In August, for instance, he acknowledged a 2014 incident in which he picked up a dead bear from the side of the road and dumped it in Central Park in New York. He described it as a "prank."

"I mean, not the best judgment, probably, but it's not like he killed the thing to do it, you know what I mean?" Coleman said, adding that he feels some of the criticism of Kennedy is "a grasping of straws to try to find something to make the guy look bad."

If anything, Coleman said this makes his candidate look like someone who "has made mistakes and acknowledges the mistakes."

"If he did something, he seems to own it, just like with the bear thing," Coleman said.

What next?

There is a certain incongruity to the campaign office Coleman set up in Dwight, a town of about 4,000 is on the northern edge of Livingston County.

By every metric, it is Trump country, with the county giving the former president 71% of its vote in 2020. Every county office is held by Republicans. And it has not voted for another party's presidential nominee since Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1932 landslide over incumbent Herbert Hoover.

When Kennedy's uncle, former President John F. Kennedy, was on the ballot in 1960, Livingston County voted for Republican Richard Nixon by a 2-to-1 margin.

In that sense, the Kennedy presence appeared out of place.

And some in the county say that, even if it is visible, it is not a large presence.

"I haven't really heard much about him, honestly," said Dan Hobart, the chairman of the Livingston County Democratic Party.

"Maybe I should reach out to him," he added.

Dave Rice, the chair of the Livingston County Republican Party, also said he is not familiar with Coleman or any RFK-related activities in Dwight. But he said it was a signal for the party not to take anything for granted or to "assume everyone thinks like us."

"I like competition," Rice said. "I think competition is healthy. I think it also starts discussion for what do we do and believe that's different from what you do and believe? I feel confident that we'll come out on the other side of that conversation better and stronger having had it."

And now, with Kennedys support of Trump, they are on the same team. And Kennedy perhaps doesnt look so out-of-place in Trump country.

At this point, Coleman said he is not sure whether he will vote for Kennedy or for Trump, as Kennedy has told his supporters, even in safe blue and red states, to do.

It goes back to his general frustration with the two-party structure.

But the plan is to keep moving the Kennedy message forward.

"And if we have to do that through Donald Trump, then I guess we have to, because at this point, I would rather settle for any portions of his policies... as opposed to zero," Coleman said.

Trump has said he would consider appointing Kennedy to a role in his administration if he wins. Kennedy said this week that he is helping identify candidates to lead key agencies like the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health.

Still, the future of the movement is in question. Kennedy is 70, so running again is not a given. And since he ran as an independent instead of creating a new political party, it can be difficult to sustain, especially one stitched together by a specific candidate's personal appeal.

"I think that the jury's still out on that," Coleman said. "I think that a lot of that's going to be left up to us  to see if we can carry the message without him being the leader of it, to an extent, to see if there's enough like-minded people that agree with it to where, if another person four years down the road wants to run for president, and just adopt his policies, whether we'll be able to get behind it or not."

But, at least for now, there's still an ember of the movement in Dwight.
China expects 175 million railway trips in National Day holiday travel rush

Xinhua) 14:39, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's railway network is expected to handle 175 million passenger trips during the upcoming 10-day National Day holiday travel rush, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. said Sunday.

The peak is expected on Tuesday, with over 21 million trips projected, according to the company.

The railway travel rush from Sunday to Oct. 8 is expected to see a mix of tourists, family visits and student travels, the company said.

In response to the surge in passenger demand, measures will be taken to boost transportation capacity, enhance services, and ensure safe, orderly and enjoyable trips, it said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Gov. Roy Cooper has requested a major disaster declaration from President Joe Biden for 38 counties in North Carolina to help residents recover from the massive flooding and countless damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

The extreme weather event has been blamed for at least 52 deaths in states ranging from Florida to North Carolina, where two perished from storm-related incidents.

In his letter Friday night to Biden, Cooper included Forsyth, Yadkin, Surry, Wilkes, Watauga, Alleghany and Ashe counties as part of his request.

I have determined that this incident is such unusual severity and magnitude that effective recovery is beyond the capabilities of state and affected local governments and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary, Cooper wrote.

All across the Southeast, the massive deluge has left many stranded and millions without power.

Helene blew ashore in Floridas Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday packing winds of 140 mph and then quickly moved through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, splintering homes and sending creeks and rivers over their banks, churning up tornadoes and straining dams.

It looks like a bomb went off, said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp after surveying the damage from the air.

More than 700,000 customers were without power across North Carolina, including 160,000 in Buncombe County. Interstate 40 was impassible in multiple locations, and a state transportation department map showed that most routes into Asheville and across much of the mountains were snarled.

All told, western North Carolina was essentially cut off because of landslides and flooding.

State officials say roughly 30 swift water teams have conducted more than 100 rescues so far in flooding that hasnt been this bad in a century.

In fact, there have been hundreds of water rescues, none more dramatic than in rural Unicoi County in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked by helicopter from a hospital rooftop Friday.

And the rescues continued into Saturday in Buncombe County, where part of Asheville is literally under water.

To say this caught us off-guard would be an understatement, said Quentin Miller, the county sheriff.

Among the desperate family members waiting for news was Francine Cavanaugh, whose sister told her she was going to check on guests at a vacation cabin as the storm began hitting Asheville. Cavanaugh, who lives in Atlanta, said she hasnt been able to reach her since then.

I think that people are just completely stuck, wherever they are, with no cell service, no electricity, she said.

The storm, now a post-tropical cyclone, was expected to hover over the Tennessee Valley on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Meanwhile, the western part of the state is trying to gather itself after the historic flooding. Power. Communication. Lives. Its all been lost.

That much, at least, is known. What isnt  yet  is how bad things really are. And that may take days, maybe even weeks, before officials fully have a grasp.

The storm produced widespread flooding Friday in Boone and at Appalachian State University, prompting Watauga County officials to declare a countywide state of emergency.

Appalachian State suspended its operations until 5 p.m. Sunday. The floodwater began to recede on Friday in Boone as the rain slackened, the university said in a statement.

Officials with Rutherford County Emergency Management said Friday night that engineers evaluated the Lake Lure dam and determined that it was no longer at imminent risk of failure. Still, as a precaution, residents who live below the dam were ordered to evacuate to higher ground.

In Asheville, floodwaters pushed by the remnants of Hurricane Helene left North Carolinas largest mountain city largely cut off Saturday by damaged roads and a lack of power and cellphone service, part of a swath of destruction across southern Appalachia that left an unknown number dead and countless worried relatives unable to reach loved ones.

More than 400 roads remained closed as floodwaters began to recede and reveal the extent of damage. Cooper said that supplies were being airlifted to that part of the state.

Among those rescued from rising waters was nurse Janetta Barfield, whose car was swamped on Friday morning as she left an overnight shift at Ashevilles Mission Hospital. She said she watched a car in front of her drive through standing water and thought it was safe to proceed. But her car stalled, and within minutes water had filled her front seat up to her chest. A nearby police officer helped her to safety.

It was unbelievable how fast that creek got just in like five minutes, Barfield said.

Early on Saturday morning, many Ashevillle gas stations were closed because they didnt have electricity, and the few that were open had hourlong lines wrapped around the block.

The hub of tourism and arts, home to about 94,000 people, was unusually still after floodwaters swamped neighborhoods known for drawing visitors including Biltmore Village and the River Arts District, which is home to numerous galleries, shops and breweries.

There was no cellular service and no timeline for when it would be restored. Residents were also directed to boil their water.

While there have been deaths in the county, Emergency Services Director Van Taylor Jones said Saturday that he wasnt ready to report specifics, partially because the communication outages hindered efforts to contact next of kin.

We have had some loss of life, he said.

GALLERY: Morganton, Burke County flooded by remnants of Hurricane Helene
A jury found Jason Jones guilty of shooting four Laurel residents and setting fires in their homes. The 12 jurors reached their decision on Thursday, Sept. 26 after about six and a half hours of discussions that began Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Jones was found guilty of four counts each of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony and two counts of second-degree arson for the Aug. 4, 2022, shooting deaths of Michele Ebeling, 53, in her home and Gene Twiford, 86, his wife, Janet Twiford, 85, and their daughter Dana Twiford, 55, in their home.

RECOMMENDATION: Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said Wednesday, Sept. 25 he recommended Officer Adam Vail be terminated for violating the department's policies in the shooting death of Cameron Ford. Vail shot and killed Ford, 37, during the execution of a no-knock search warrant at Ford's home in Omaha on Aug. 28. Ford was unarmed.

CARE: An Omaha senator is asking her fellow lawmakers to review potential legal and constitutional violations in a set of restrictions on gender-affirming care imposed by the state health department earlier this year. In a letter to the chair of the Nebraska Legislature's Executive Board, Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha argued that the restrictions violate the Nebraska Constitution's Bill of Rights and the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Efforts to use technology to let motorists know when trains will be crossing busy intersections isnt new  and local officials want to enlist the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to renew work to find a solution.

Roger Figard, executive director of the Railroad Transportation Safety District, a political subdivision that provides funding for railroad safety projects in Lincoln and Lancaster County, recently told the board he thinks using UNL is a better option than investing in technology developed at Texas A&M University.

Andrew Foust, state director for a transportation labor union, has appealed to both the City Council and RTSD board to invest in Texas A&M's technology.

Two state senators also appealed to local officials to look into it because of increased rail traffic since BNSF Railway resumed service along the rail line that heads east from Hobson Yard to the southwest along Nebraska Parkway.

The RTSD recently abandoned efforts to establish a quiet zone along the area. The long, expensive process requires various safety equipment that would allow trains not to blow their horns as they approach the crossings as federal law requires.

Figard and a Lincoln Transportation and Utilities employee recently went to Fremont to check out the Texas A&M system used there.

They told the RTSD board they saw a number of issues with the system, so they called in local experts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

We werent overly impressed with the Texas A&M System in Fremont, Figard said. It seemed only appropriate that we ought to be using the opportunity to work with our own university rather than someone in Texas.

Aemal Khattak, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor and director of the UNL Mid-America Transportation Center, told the RTSD board there have been previous efforts to deploy a similar type of technology.

Twenty years ago, UNL worked on an advance notice system for an intersection in South Sioux City, but railroad officials wouldnt allow sensors in the railroad right of way.

The city of Lincoln created an advance notice system for the crossing near 27th Street and Nebraska Parkway, but Khattak didnt think it was ever put into use, and UNL made strides to develop a system several years ago until they ran out of resources.

They did a short test of the system before research ended that indicated motorists would take alternative routes if they had advance warning, Khattak said. And hed like to take up the research again.

New technology is now available to update work they did earlier, he said, and theyd like to work with the city, RTSD and the Nebraska Department of Roads, which has research grants available.

Figard said theyd like to apply for the research dollars and would include local emergency responders in the work. If they got the funding, Khattak said, theyd be ready to start the research next spring.

Foust said he worries about the time and cost involved in having UNL develop a system and said the Texas A&M system has been improved since Fremont installed the one there.

But it appears the RTSD will work with UNL to apply for the research money and go from there.

Historic preservation

A loss for the beleaguered Nebraska State Historical Society is a gain for the city of Lincoln.

Jill Dolberg, who spent 24 years at the Nebraska State Historical Society, is the citys new historic preservation planner. She replaces Stephanie Rouse, who recently moved to the citys Urban Development Department.

Dolberg is among a number of employees who recently left the state agency, which has been mired in controversy in recent years.

Shed taken over as interim director after former director Trevor Jones left and resigned just before Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Cindy Drake as the interim director.

Drakes appointment was one of Pillens first major steps since the Legislature rewrote state law to put the agency under the governors control instead of running under an independent board.

Legislators changed the law after a state audit questioned how the former director used $270,000 in private funds intended to help the agency offset pandemic losses. Jones now faces a felony theft charge of misappropriating the money into a new foundation account rather than using it for pandemic relief.

The agency, which Jones renamed History Nebraska, has reclaimed its old name: the Nebraska State Historical Society.

And Dolberg, who spent most of her time at the agency working in the historical preservation office, is now with the city, where it all started for her.

When she was a student at Nebraska Wesleyan, she had an internship with Ed Zimmer, the citys longtime historic preservation officer.

I had a wonderful summer researching Wyuka Cemetery, prominent people in Lincolns history and developing a love of local history, she said.

That internship set her on a career path in historic preservation. She went to graduate school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and then landed a job with the Nebraska State Historical Society.

It felt good to be working in my home state, she said. Now it feels good to be working in my own city.

Downed trees, more claims

The 80-90 mph winds that blew through Lincoln earlier this summer left hundreds of damaged trees in its wake, along with a bunch of claims filed by residents wanting to recoup damage from city-owned trees.

The city has 90 pending claims, according to the latest report filed with the City Council, 45 of those filed in August and the first half of September. Fifteen of those  42%  are related to trees damaged during the July 31 storm.

Just what will happen to those claims remains to be seen, though city officials recently discussed the issue with the City Council in an executive session, which means the discussion wasnt open to the public.

One of the reasons state law allows officials to close a public meeting is for strategy sessions with respect to . . . pending litigation, or litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body.

Before suing a political subdivision, a person must first file a claim. If the claim is denied, they can (but dont always) file a lawsuit.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2024
The Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department hosted the Wild Fall Festival and Tree Giveaway on Saturday, offering a solution to tree loss in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in the city and Lancaster County.

The free event was created in partnership with Pioneers Park, where the festival was hosted. The department gave out 250 young trees of various locally grown species on a first-come-first serve basis with planting and care instructions.

The giveaway is part of an ongoing move by the Parks and Recreation Department to replace trees that have been damaged or destroyed by storms and by an invasive species of beetle, the Emerald ash Borer.

In other communities, it devastates the ash tree population, essentially zero survival rate on that, said Mike Comstock, the parks operations coordinator for the department.

According to the departments website, the problem with the Emerald Ash Borer lies not in the metallic-green, adult beetles, but with their larvae, which feed on the inside of ash trees and disrupt their ability to transport water and nutrients.

Comstock said ash trees in Lincoln are being removed as part of a response plan the department has for preventing the beetles from spreading, save for 5000 of them around the city that are being treated with an insecticide.

According to the plan, which was adopted by the City Council in 2018, a survey of all public trees in Lincoln done in July 2017 revealed that about 12% of them were ash trees.

The Nebraska Forest Service estimated that there could be another 40,000 to 50,000 ash trees on private property.

Amy and Troy Burgess, who own 40 acres of land outside of Malcolm, have removed about 20 trees from their property this year because of the Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch elm disease, they said, leaving them with no shade and no windbreak around their house.

Amy Burgess said while waiting in line for a tree that Troy Burgess has been treating the remaining trees with insecticides.

That right there is really pricey, just to try to save some of our trees, Amy Burgess said. So having a free tree giveaway where we can actually monitor them, its really beneficial for us.

As part of the established response plan, the department has created the Adopt-an-Ash Program, in which Lincoln residents can apply for a no-cost permit to adopt ash street trees by their property and pay for ongoing treatment.

The park offered several activities for the festival, including wagon rides touring the prairie, guided woodland explorations, tours of historic buildings on the property and presentations on plants, animals and insects.

"100% we love Pioneers Park," said Claire Bridge, who attended the festival with her husband, Aaron and their 7-month-old daughter Jane.

They got a Princeton American elm tree for their yard, Claire Bridge said, to replace the 70-foot tall oak tree they had to remove after a large storm hit Lincoln in late July.

While there, Jane got to do art activities sponsored by the LUX Center for the Arts and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.

Comstock said tree giveaways have been happening for the past five years, but this is the first time the department has partnered with Pioneers Park to have one during a park event.

Its always nice to have a way to add more trees into our community, said Jamie Kelley, the Nature Center Coordinator for Pioneers Park. Trees not only add shade and help with energy saving in homes, they're also a part of our natural environment, and provide habitat for lots of different animals and birds and insects too.

Kelley hopes that people that came to the event walked away with more curiosity and willingness to explore the outdoors.

That doesnt have to be here at the Pioneers Park Nature Center, that can be in their own backyard, neighborhood park, Kelley said. Anywhere that they can find little pieces of wild wherever they might go.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2024
Amid the proliferation of blue dot signs in Omaha yards in support of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, the Republican response backing Donald Trump is now popping up around the city, too: yard signs with an outline of the state of Nebraska all in red.

The message is simple, said Theresa Thibodeau, one of the local Republicans behind the new signs: Nebraska is and will continue to be a Republican state.

We are a red state, she said. I really dont see the 2nd District as a blue dot.

For those keeping score, there are currently many more blue dot signs than Republican signs  roughly 7,500 blue dots compared to about 1,000 red Nebraskas.

Thats an indicator of both the head start Democrats got with their signs and the enthusiasm that has greeted Vice President Harris since she replaced President Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket.

And while a recent poll showed Harris with a substantial lead in the district, Thibodeau is convinced former President Trump will fare better than he did in 2020 and again carry the Omaha-area 2nd District, like he did in 2016.

We feel really confident its going to go red again, she said of the district.

The dueling signs and narratives are another example of how Nebraskas unique system of awarding three of its five presidential electoral votes by congressional district has turned the Omaha area into a 2024 election battleground.

Nebraska and Maine are the only states to split electoral votes in that way, the other 48 states all awarding their electoral votes on a winner-take-all basis.

The Harris and Trump campaigns are competing this fall for the single Electoral College vote in the 2nd District, traditionally a political swing district made up of Douglas County, western Sarpy County and Saunders County. There are even scenarios, should the presidential election be super close, in which the 2nd District could become the electoral vote that decides the 2024 election.

Since 2008, Democrats and Republicans have split the 2nd Districts electoral vote, each winning it twice. The Democratic wins by Barack Obama in 2008 and Biden in 2020 led some to dub the 2nd District the Blue Dot on the national map.

Despite a recent effort by Trump and his allies just weeks before the election to get Nebraska to change back to the winner-take-all system it used until 1992, the 2nd District remains up for grabs.

A CNN poll released Friday suggests Harris has a solid shot of again making Omaha a blue dot. The survey, conducted by the SSRS polling firm, showed Harris leading Trump 53% to 42% among likely voters. The poll, which was in the field from Sept. 20 to Sept. 25, has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The same poll also showed Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas with a 6 percentage point lead over incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (50% to 44%) for the 2nd District seat in the House.

In late August, Dundee neighborhood residents Jason Brown and Ruth Huebner-Brown decided to turn the blue dot into a political symbol by creating a simple yard sign with a big blue dot. Soon, neighbors started requesting the signs, and the couple began using blue spray paint to churn out thousands of them.

Thibodeau admits she was a little irked to see the blue dots spreading around the city. An Omaha native, former Nebraska state senator and former Douglas County Republican Party chair, she sees Nebraska as a Republican state.

Not only do Republicans make up Nebraskas entire congressional delegation and hold every statewide office in the state Capitol, she said, all the 2nd Districts mayors and sheriffs are Republican.

In July, Thibodeau, former state Republican chair Dan Welch and former Douglas County Republican chair Chris Routhe had formed the Red State Nebraska political committee to organize voter outreach to elect Republicans up and down the ballot.

In the past, thats been a role performed by the state Republican Party. But in 2022, hardline conservatives aligned with Trump ousted Welch and other establishment GOP leaders and took over the state party.

Since then, the party has been in disarray. Its leadership during the May primary declined to endorse the partys incumbents in Congress, and the party has struggled to raise money.

Thibodeau said she and the other former party leaders formed the new committee to address a void they saw in the GOPs get-out-the-vote efforts. She declined to detail where the committee is drawing its funds, only saying donors both large and small will be revealed in required disclosure filings next month.

Given Red State Nebraskas purpose of electing Republicans from Trump on down, Thibodeau, who is coordinating the committee, saw the red state signs as an appropriate response to the blue dots. The fact they had weeks earlier named their committee Red State Nebraska was a complete coincidence.

The committee ordered 500 signs and sent texts and emails to Republicans offering them up.

There are no blue dots in Nebraska, we are a red state, the message said.

After those first signs were taken up, they ordered 500 more, Thibodeau said, and she was preparing Thursday to place another order of 500.

About 1,200 signs have been spoken for, she said. The committee is making the signs available through its redstatenebraska.com website.

Brown and Huebner-Brown continue to distribute hundreds of blue dot signs and their effort is becoming more organized. Not only do they make them available through their bluedotnebraska.com website and Blue Dot Nebraska Facebook page, 50 neighborhood captains have signed on to spread them through their areas.

The couple said theyve noticed a few of the red state outline signs in their neighborhood and are glad to see people participating in the political process.

But given how the two parties have evenly split the 2nd District electoral vote since 2008, Brown said he thought the GOP signs should at least color the Omaha area purple.

That would make it more accurate, he said.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2024
Nebraska needs immigration to meet its workforce needs, a critical issue for the states future that can only be solved with government policy changes to reform the system and support legal immigrants

That is the message the Nebraska Alliance for Thinking Communities  a diverse coalition of more than 60 business, agricultural, labor, faith and refugee advocacy groups  carries to state leaders and Nebraskas all-Republican congressional delegation.

The states workforce issue is perhaps paradoxically rooted in the fact that Nebraska has, for decades, had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country  in August, the states 2.7% rate was the fifth lowest behind South Dakotas 2% rate.

But because the state gets relatively few move-ins from within the U.S., it is relying on an aging workforce that is shrinking due to the retirement of baby boomers, which will peak in the next few years.

And the states declining birth rate shows that there wont be enough native Nebraskans to replace the retirees, much less add to the workforce of a growing economy.

"If nothing else happens, this workforce issue may get considerably worse," said Nebraska Chamber of Commerce president Bryan Slone. "And in this context, unfortunately, our federal immigration laws are long out of date, need repair, and, frankly, changes need to be made soon to sustain our thriving communities."

Among the alliances rightfully designated commonsense federal policy change proposals are: creating a way for longtime community members to apply for permanent residency; creating a way for Dreamers" and refugees who have temporary protected status to apply for permanent residency, increasing and streamlining family- and employment-based visas and expanding work authorization for those on student visas.

On the state level, the alliance is encouraging policy changes to increase the availability of affordable housing, child care and transportation in Nebraska.

The state also needs to make its communities more welcoming, through investments in New Nebraskans Centers and the removal of red tape surrounding the transfer of professional licenses. More fundamentally, Nebraskans and their leaders need to embrace immigration as a solution, not a problem.

The alliances proposals, the implementation of which would clearly benefit the state and its future, would on the surface appear to be widely supported.

But they fly in the face of ongoing anti-immigration efforts and positions of the states leadership, which has joined lawsuits aimed at ending the DACA program and reducing access of undocumented immigrants to the Affordable Care Act and sending Nebraska State Patrol troopers to Texas.

There, Gov. Jim Pillen told would-be immigrants to stay on your side of the river. The states congressional delegation, led by Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts, says that no action on immigration reform can occur until the southern border is secured but voted against or did not vote on a tough border security measure that the GOP killed at Donald Trumps behest in May.

We can only hope that the seemingly intractable logjam can be broken after the upcoming election and that Congress, the White House and the state Legislature will each do its part to secure the border and improve the process. The future of Nebraska depends on getting this right.
Profile: A Chinese doctor's ground-breaking battle against leukemia

Xinhua) 15:14, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The year 2024 is meant to be an important year for Chinese doctor Wang Zhenyi. Turning 100 this year, the celebrated medical scientist has been conferred the Medal of the Republic, China's highest national honor, for his outstanding achievements.

Wang has loved being a doctor since the first day he put on a white coat, enjoying the sense of accomplishment that comes from curing patients' illnesses.

However, in his encounters with leukemia over several decades he had been defeated time after time, becoming overwhelmed by frustration, until one day he was able to claim victory in the battle against his fiercest enemy, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a most rare and fatal disease.

In 1948, Wang graduated from the medical school of the former Aurora University in Shanghai. He then began his medical career at the Guangci Hospital, now known as the prestigious Ruijin Hospital, affiliated to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University's school of medicine. Back then, Wang had already set himself the ambitious goal of conquering leukemia.

The goal was a difficult one, as leukemia, also known as blood cancer, had long been regarded as a tough opponent for doctors.

Wang repeatedly experienced the formidable power of this disease. In the middle of the last century, he witnessed about 60 patients dying of the disease in a single year.

"As a doctor, it pains me most to see a patient being tortured by illness when there is nothing I can do," Wang said.

However, this did not deter Wang, but made him all the more determined to succeed.

Each day, after finishing his routine work, Wang spent almost all his spare time in libraries, archive rooms and laboratories, doing research. After years of tireless work and countless trials and errors, an element called all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) came into the picture as a hopeful cure for APL, the most dangerous form of leukemia.

At the time, the five-year survival rate for APL was only about 10 percent, and many patients died within just a week of diagnosis, leaving little opportunity for doctors to do anything.

In 1986, Wang received a five-year-old girl who was diagnosed with APL and was expected to face the same fate. However, Wang decided to try something different this time, prescribing ATRA therapy.

Although Wang and his colleagues had been working on the therapy for about eight years, it was still at the experimental stage, and some felt the move was too bold. But Wang insisted, saying, "I believe in science, and I am confident."

Seven days after the treatment, a "miracle" happened. The girl's symptoms improved significantly, and a month later they were completely relieved.

That year, Wang and his team treated 24 patients suffering from the disease and 23 of them saw their symptoms effectively alleviated by the treatment without having to resort to chemotherapy.

The results did not only mean that the patients were given a new lease of life, but also meant that for the first time in medical history, APL patients and their doctors had an effective weapon in their fight against the disease.

Though overjoyed by the results, Wang was not content. He and his students decided to take an even bolder step -- to further develop the therapy by introducing arsenic trioxide (ATO), a well-known toxic element, into the treatment to deal with the relapse of symptoms in some cases.

At first, the use of the toxic compound was met with much suspicion. "Some said we were poisoning patients, placing us under great pressure," recalled Chen Zhu, one of Wang's students, who is now an established medical expert and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Nevertheless, the new therapy was proved effective. "After a fourth patient suffering from relapsing symptoms was successfully treated, we knew the therapy worked and were as happy as could be," said Chen.

With the new ATRA-ATO combination therapy, the five-year survival rate for APL rose from 10 percent to more than 97 percent, making the dreadful APL essentially a curable form of leukemia.

The ground-breaking therapy also won global recognition, offering the promise of considerable financial reward if it resulted in a patented pharmaceutical product.

But Wang has decided not to apply for a patent, either for the procedure or its medical composition, in the hope that it will be more broadly available and save more patients.

Today in China, a box of 10 ATRA capsules can be purchased at a reasonable price of about 300 yuan (about 43 U.S. dollars), and the expenditure is covered by the country's medical insurance system.

"A doctor should put the welfare of patients first," said Wang. "Maybe I could have made a fortune or built up my reputation, but those were of no interest to me. I only wish my patients well."

The beneficiaries of the therapy are not limited to China.

In 2015, Bernadette Giandomenico, a former APL patient from the United States, wrote to Wang to express her gratitude.

"There simply are no words that are sufficient to convey how very grateful I am to you," wrote Giandomenico, a mother of two. "I could say 'thank you' a million times over and I don't believe it would be enough."

Over the years, Wang has received a series of honors for his contributions to medicine, including his membership to the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the national science and technology award, China's top award in the sector.

Recently, ahead of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the veteran doctor received an early gift for his 100th birthday: the Medal of the Republic, the highest honor one can receive for contributions to the country.

However, speaking of his career, Wang made just a brief and modest comment: "I have achieved only one thing in my life -- being responsible for my patients."

He said the special work of doctors forces their souls to undergo the test of life and death every day, constantly purifying and elevating them.

The tests are still ongoing. After his retirement in 2003, he asked his students to give him "weekly exams" -- submitting difficult cases they encountered each week, after which he searched for solutions and discussed his findings with the students. These discussions were later compiled into several volumes of books, providing valuable learning materials for clinicians.

To this day, Wang can still recite the oaths he took when graduating from medical school: "I will treat patients with all my power, be they rich or poor. I will devote myself to scientific research and continue learning as science develops, so as to do greater good for the human race."

From Wang's perspective, these words still ring true today.

"We must carry on with learning. That's what we're doing right now, and we have never stopped," he said.

In 2011, Wang heard from the then five-year-old patient he first treated successfully in 1986. Twenty-five years after her treatment, she was still in good health and about to be a bride.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them.

2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound.

3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes.

4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic.

Vote

View Results
Chinese, Russian coast guards jointly inspect North Pacific high sea vessels

Xinhua) 15:45, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Russian coast guard vessels have conducted joint drills and patrols in the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean, the China Coast Guard (CCG) announced on Sunday.

The coast guards carried out law enforcement inspections on fishing vessels operating in the region, in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46/215 and the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean.

The operation aimed to maintain order in high-seas fisheries. During the mission, the vessels also conducted joint exercises in search and rescue, damage control and locating illegal vessels, demonstrating the strong collaborative capabilities of the two coast guards.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Former President Donald Trump will visit Dane County next week for his first-ever campaign stop in the liberal bastion. The former president is set to hold a "messaging event" at Dane Manufacturing, a metal fabricator in Waunakee, at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to his campaign.

The event will have limited public availability and will mainly be open to media, the Trump campaign said. Campaign staff did not offer further details.

Waunakee is one of the more conservative areas of the liberal county. In 2020, Trump won nearly 36% of the vote in Waunakee, compared with just under 23% countywide.

Trump is already due to be in Wisconsin this weekend for a campaign stop in Prairie du Chien on Saturday. The Dane County visit comes as GOP strategists are urging Trump to court the pivotal conservative voting bloc in the Democratic stronghold.

Despite the liberal majority in Dane County, the area is home to the third-largest share of Republican voters in the battleground state, making it crucial for the party to rally voters here.

A Trump visit to Dane County would show voters that the former president is "not afraid" of entering the Democratic "lion's den," Wisconsin Republican Party chair Brian Schimming told the Wisconsin State Journal last week.

Dane County GOP chair Brandon Maly said Republicans need to pick up at least 23% of the vote in Dane County in order to give Republicans on the statewide ballot a fighting chance.

Democrats, meanwhile, are looking to squeeze even more votes out of Dane County, known for its unusually high voter turnout.

Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris rallied more than 10,000 people at the Dane County Coliseum in Madison, her fourth time in the battleground state since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee in August.

In a statement Saturday, the Harris campaign castigated Trump's presidency as "a disaster for Wisconsin" that resulted in jobs being shipped overseas and tax cuts for the wealthy.

"If Trump is reelected, his extreme Project 2025 agenda would give him virtually unchecked power to do whatever he wants, including his plans to enact a Trump Sales Tax that would spike costs for families by nearly $4,000 a year," spokesperson Kristi Johnston said, referring to one estimate of the average increase in the cost of goods under Trump's proposed blanket tariffs on imports.

The vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz is set for Tuesday evening, the same day as Trump's visit to Waunakee.

Recent polling shows that the Democratic ticket is holding onto a narrow lead in the state. A Marquette Law School poll found that among likely voters and registered voters, 48% preferred Trump while 52% preferred Harris, although the results are within the margin of error for both groups.
Beloved panda pair returns to China after 13 years in Tokyo

Xinhua) 16:40, September 29, 2024

Giant panda Ri Ri is pictured at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua)

TOKYO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns.

Despite the pre-dawn hour, panda enthusiasts gathered outside the zoo to bid them farewell, with many shedding tears.

The two pandas were scheduled to fly from Narita Airport to China, where they will be housed at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.

In the days leading up to their departure, Ueno Zoo saw an influx of visitors. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes.

Ri Ri and Shin Shin have brought warmth and joy to the Japanese during their stay in Tokyo, like a ray of light in the time of hardships, says Yasumasa Tomita, deputy director of Ueno zoo.

Some fans, like Sumida from Aichi Prefecture, even camped overnight to catch a final glimpse of the pandas. "I fell in love with them at first sight and discovered how lively pandas really are," Sumida said, expressing her gratitude for the fond memories.

The two pandas arrived in Japan in February 2011, shortly before the 9.0-magnitude earthquake. Their public appearances provided comfort and joy to the Japanese people during a difficult time.

"It has been 13 years since the earthquake, and I'm grateful for the healing they've brought us," said Tokyo resident Yoshihara Mutsuko, who missed the chance to see the pandas but planned to visit them in China in the future.

Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in 2011 under a leasing agreement.

They gave birth to the celebrity giant panda Xiang Xiang in 2017, which was returned to China last year, as well as twin cubs Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei in 2021. All the three pandas, born and raised at the zoo, attracted crowds of panda lovers from both home and abroad.

According to Ueno Zoo, both pandas, now 19 years old, have developed health issues such as high blood pressure due to their advanced age.

Japanese and Chinese experts have maintained close communication and conducted joint consultations to provide appropriate medical treatments. Upon discussions between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, it was decided they should be sent back to China for better care and treatment.

Following their departure, Ueno Zoo will be home to two pandas, the twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei.

Giant panda Ri Ri is loaded into a special container at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 29, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua)

Giant panda Shin Shin is loaded into a special container at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 29, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua)

Giant panda Shin Shin is pictured at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua)

Visitors line up at the gate of Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Visitors take photos of giant pandas Ri Ri (L) and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Visitors take photos of giant panda Ri Ri at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A truck carrying giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin leaves Ueno Zoo for Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 29, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua)

Visitors take photos of giant panda Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Visitors bid farewell to giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Visitors bid farewell to giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 28, 2024. Beloved giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin left Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the early hours of Sunday to fly back to their home country China due to age-related health concerns. On Saturday, the final public viewing day for the panda pair, more than 2,000 fans lined up before opening to say their goodbyes, with many in tears. Giant panda Ri Ri, a male, and female giant panda Shin Shin, both from southwest China's Sichuan Province, arrived at Ueno Zoo in February 2011 under a leasing agreement. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Chinese, European EV professionals call for cooperation, oppose trade protectionism

Xinhua) 08:08, September 29, 2024

This photo taken on Sept. 27, 2024 shows a scene at the 2024 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

HAIKOU, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Both Chinese and European electric vehicle (EV) makers and experts are calling for global cooperation and opposing trade protectionism at the ongoing 2024 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC).

With the deep development of advanced technologies, collaborative research and global industrial chain cooperation have become more important to the automotive industry, Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), said Saturday on the congress.

"However, in 2024, we observe a rise in protectionist sentiments globally. An example is the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into EVs imported from China," Mueller said.

"For EU, imposing anti-subsidy tariffs is not yet an answer to the challenges facing the European automotive industry. Rather, it could easily escalate into a new trade conflict, sparking a spiral of protectionism," Mueller said.

She believed that for any country and region, any market, any industry, what's needed is simply an active industrial strategy, adding that Europe in particular must ensure that the conditions for business are improved.

She noted that the German automotive industry stands firm on the principles of free and fair trade. "We at the VDA will continue to advocate for open markets, globalization, international trade and investment and, above all, cooperation and continued dialogue," she added.

Gan Jiayue, CEO of Geely Auto Group, also called on the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry to strengthen its collaboration to achieve mutual benefits.

Some countries and regions are trying to restrict the application of China's NEVs by imposing additional tariffs and setting technical standards, Gan said on Saturday's congress, adding that if imposing additional tariffs, the EU will not only hamper China's economic development but also harm its own interests.

The automobile industry is an industry of global cooperation, and Geely always adheres to free trade and fair competition, Gan said.

Jochen Goller, member of the board of management of BMW AG, also addressed the conference, sharing insights on low-carbon transition and global cooperation, and expressing optimism about China's NEV market.

"BMW Group strongly believes technology openness is the only sustainable path towards a carbon-neutral future, as we need to cater to the diverse needs of customers worldwide, and to advance individual mobility towards a green future," Goller said in his speech.

BMW firmly believes that cooperation fosters prosperity and growth, he said, adding that to continue the unique automotive success story, key challenges have to be tackled and resolved jointly.

Themed with "Low Carbon Evolution and Global Cooperation," the 2024 WNEVC is taking place in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, running from Sept. 27 to 29.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Global business community including US companies not willing to decouple from China as cooperation is still the mainstream: CCPIT

Global Times) 16:52, September 29, 2024

For the global business community, including US companies, no one wants to "decouple" from China, as cooperation remains the mainstream, and mutual benefit is the goal, Wang Linjie, a spokesperson from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) told a press conference on Sunday.

Wang's remarks were in response to recent restrictive measures taken by the US against China, including raising the Section 301 tariffs on certain Chinese goods and strengthening export restrictions on technologies such as quantum computing and semiconductor manufacturing.

Wang said that the US has continuously outstretched the concept of national security, violating the principles of the market economy by politicizing and weaponizing economic, trade, and technological issues.

The WTO has already ruled that the US Section 301 tariffs violate WTO rules. The US tariff measures are typical examples of unilateralism and protectionism. These actions have disrupted the stability and smooth functioning of global supply chains, including those in the semiconductor and other technology manufacturing industries, and have seriously harmed the legitimate rights and interests of relevant countries and enterprises, Wang noted.

During the recent third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council for 2024, representatives from the Chinese and the US business communities emphasized the importance of keeping supply chains open, cooperative, and non-discriminatory, while ensuring supply chain policies comply with WTO rules and avoiding distorting trade and investment, according to Wang.

Recently, the US-China Business Council released a survey on China's 2024 business environment, with participation from 140 member companies. 77 percent of the surveyed companies have been operating in China for over 20 years, with 40 percent reporting revenues exceeding $1 billion in China in 2023.

The survey revealed that American companies in China have stabilized their revenues over the past year, with 80 percent of respondents achieving profitability. These companies plan to reinvest profits generated in China this year, indicating a continued commitment to the Chinese market. The general consensus among the surveyed US businesses is that the Chinese market is a crucial component of their global strategy, according to Wang.

"This reflects that for the global business community, including American companies, no one wants to 'decouple' from China, as cooperation remains the mainstream, and mutual benefit is the goal," Wang noted.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
The Wisconsin State Journal invited legislative candidates from across south-central Wisconsin to meet with our editorial board in recent weeks to discuss their qualifications and priorities. More seats are open because of new voting districts. The following dozen leaders earned our endorsement in the Nov. 5 election.

SENATE

District 14

Sarah Keyeski of Lodi is making a spirited bid for this highly competitive Senate seat stretching from Madisons airport north into Columbia, Sauk, Richland and parts of Adams and Juneau counties. She grew up on a dairy farm, works as a mental health counselor and raises a family in Lodi. Shes an active volunteer and organizer for community causes. A Democrat, Keyeski gained political experience by initially running for the Assembly. Shes knowledgeable and makes a compelling case for more state funding for rural schools, roads and broadband. Unlike her opponent, she will protect abortion rights. Sen. Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan, who has opposed abortion even in cases of rape and incest, is technically the District 14 incumbent. But her home is no longer in the district. So she has to move if she wins. Ballweg, a former teacher with 20 years in the Legislature, didnt meet with our editorial board. In a letter to our board, she touted her service on the Legislatures budget and building committees while highlighting bipartisan bills shes supported. Were recommending Keyeski as a better fit for the district. Keyeski is pledging to represent everyone and bringing an open mind and fresh perspective to Wisconsins challenges.

ASSEMBLY

District 37

LaToya Bates of Mayville is the underdog in this conservative-leaning district long held by Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, who co-leads the Legislatures budget committee. Weve endorsed Born in the past. This time, he didnt respond to our requests for an interview to learn more about his record and priorities. Bates is impressive, saying shes running to give voters a choice as a former educator, probation and parole agent, faith leader and events manager. A Democrat, she wants to raise the minimum wage, encourage apprenticeships, improve access to health care and protect abortion rights. She faults Born for rejecting broadband money and for the closure of a Planned Parenthood office in Beaver Dam. Bates shows more independence and openness. We hope she can draw out Born to community functions to engage more about the districts future.

District 40

Karen DeSanto of Baraboo is the clear choice for this district that includes Portage, Sauk City, Prairie du Sac and Spring Green. Shes led the Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Wisconsin for a dozen years, giving her a magnified lens on the challenges faced by area children and families. She doubled the organizations sites to four and makes a compelling case for preventing juvenile crime through engagement. Shell support greater funding for public schools and wants to invigorate UW-Baraboo so it stays open. DeSanto, a Democrat, has deep ties to the district  even performing as a professional clown with the Baraboo circus. Her opponent, Jerry Helmer of Prairie du Sac, doesnt seem to be running an active campaign and declined to meet with our board.

District 41

Julia Henley, a Democrat from Blue River, wants to protect the beauty of the Driftless Area while encouraging rural development in sustainable ways. Her background in construction and design, as well as flood relief, will bring knowledge and ideas to state debates over regulation. Henley faults state leaders for starving schools in the district, which includes Wisconsin Dells, Reedsburg and Richland Center. She also faults Republicans who control the Legislature for failing to take federal Medicaid dollars, which she says could help keep more rural hospitals open. Henley favors abortion rights, unlike her opponent, Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, who didnt meet with our editorial board. She also favors legalizing small amounts of marijuana, just as surrounding states have, while being sure to educate young people about the risks. Henley pledged to be a bridge-builder in the Legislature if elected. She said she learned how to pull people together while leading a nonprofit. She would be a more independent advocate for her constituents.

District 42

This is a rematch of the two candidates who sought a DeForest seat on the Dane County Board last spring. Maureen McCarville won that race over Rebecca Witherspoon. Now both women are seeking this redrawn Assembly seat that includes part of Madisons North Side, Windsor and much of Columbia County. McCarville has a longer and proven track record in public service, more detailed agenda and deserves voters support. A Democrat, McCarville wants to protect abortion rights. She also will encourage more housing while protecting the natural environment, having spearheaded cleanups of the Yahara River. Witherspoon, a DeForest Village Board member, says shell be more careful with tax dollars. We like Witherspoons attention to child care access and affordability. Witherspoon faults McCarville for insufficient support of police. But McCarvilles decade in the National Guard and service on the DeForest Police Commission suggest otherwise. McCarville is better prepared and deserves the nod.

District 43

Brienne Brown of Whitewater wants to prioritize more state investment in public schools  both K-12 education and UW-Whitewater, where she has taught. A Democrat, she says shes seen talented instructors poached by other schools because of stagnant state funding. Brown knows a lot about local government, having served on the Whitewater City Council. As a former journalist, shes well-informed. Brown wants to protect abortion rights and increase funding for child care. She makes a convincing case that shell be able to cooperate at the statehouse. Many in her family are Republicans, she says, who have served in the military and like to hunt. So she understands that perspective and can look for common ground. We like her opponent, Rep. Scott Johnson, R-Jefferson, too. But his farm is no longer in this reshaped district, so he has to move if reelected. Hes working to rewrite formulas for state aid to schools and local government. Johnson is a fine public servant. But Brown better fits the districts needs and views.

District 44

Janesville has two solid candidates running for this open seat. Were backing Ann Roe because of her broader community involvement, business experience and strong attention to redevelopment and public schools. A Democrat, Roe has taught business classes at UW-Whitewater and runs her own small business, helping young people pursue their dreams. She wants to protect abortion rights and encourage lawmakers to better fund local governments. Despite more aid in the last state budget, Janesville got hammered on shared revenue, she said. She supports medical marijuana as a bare minimum, given all the traffic along Interstate 90 going to and from a legal dispensary in nearby South Beloit, Illinois. Bruce Danielson, a local police officer running as a Republican, comes off as level-headed and interested in results. Hes right that the statehouse has become too politicized. He says hell prioritize jobs, education and public safety. Roe seems more connected and a better choice for voters.

District 46

Jenifer Quimby brings broader experience and a fresh perspective to this race for an open seat representing eastern Dane and western Jefferson counties. Shes served in city government, on the school board and now as the first female mayor of Waterloo. Shes also owned a small business and worked for a nursery. She comes off as pragmatic and willing to work hard with others to get things done, regardless of political party. A Republican, she wants the Legislature to increase state aid to local governments. Waterloo and other communities are struggling to pay for roads and emergency services, she says. She would encourage more housing, partly by making sure state regulations dont needlessly hamper construction. Quimby doesnt like gerrymandering and wants a consistent and fair process for drawing voting districts. She is a trailblazer in her party by supporting the legalization of small amounts of marijuana. Joan Fitzgerald of Fort Atkinson, her Democratic challenger, is a retired school teacher who has served on the Jefferson County Board. She is prioritizing schools and would do a fine job, too. But Quimby seems more likely to have an immediate impact by finding agreement across party lines.

District 48

Two Sun Prairie area residents are seeking this open seat that stretches from Madisons East Side to Dodge County. Were endorsing Andrew Hysell over Lisa Rubrich because of his in-depth knowledge on a host of important issues, including veterans health, child literacy and sensible cannabis laws. Hysell has worked at the statehouse and in Washington, as well as with a host of nonprofits. A Democrat and local attorney, Hysell pledges to advance the interests of privacy at the state Capitol to protect abortion rights, birth control and gay marriage. He wants greater funding of schools and more housing. Rubrich, a moderate Republican who has served on a town board, understands this new district leans Democratic. She wants to give voters a choice and pledges to dig into the housing shortage, help schools and address crime if elected. Rubrich is smart and capable, but Hysell makes the better case to voters.

District 50

Rep. Jenna Jacobson, D-Oregon, is off to a fine start serving two years in the Legislature. Voters should let her build on that experience by reelecting her Nov. 5. She understands the regions housing crunch well because of her work as a county housing specialist. During her time on the Oregon Village Board, she helped advance several projects, including units for adults with disabilities. She also sees unnecessary roadblocks to development in state stormwater rules. A mom of three kids, she wants to increase state aid for public schools. To her credit, Jacobson was part of a bipartisan group of first-time lawmakers who met for coffee and donuts to build cooperative relationships. Shes also good with numbers, having worked as a financial analyst. Her Republican opponent, Rich Johnson of New Glarus, is a good guy who wants to steer more people into the workforce, improve the economy and control taxes. But Jacobson offers more specifics and deserves a second term.

District 51

Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville, has been a leader in the Legislature on fair maps, bucking his own party to do the right thing and building momentum for a lasting fix to gerrymandering. After years of siding with Democrats in support of the Iowa model for nonpartisan redistricting, he succeeded at steering the plan through the GOP-controlled Assembly, only for Democrats to object. Novak has been a champion of open government, so the public knows how its money is being spent and what its elected officials are doing on their behalf. Novak keeps getting reelected to this district that leans Democratic because of his no-nonsense approach to public service. He also is a knowledgeable and effective advocate for farmers, local governments and rural schools. His Democratic opponent, Elizabeth Grabe of Mount Horeb, didnt meet with our editorial board and doesnt offer many specifics on her website.

District 80

Rep. Mike Bare, D-Verona, deserves another term representing voters west and southwest of Madison. His disarming personality and strong priorities fit this district well. I tend to want to listen more than I want to talk, he says, which is somewhat unusual in the Legislature. Its also something the Legislature could use more of to reach consensus. Bare pledges to oppose barriers to voting. He wants to encourage and invest more in workforce housing. Bare favors legalizing small amounts of marijuana. The revenue can help pay for schools, he says, and provide medicinal benefits for sick people. He favors a small regional sales tax to pay for transportation, which could help our growing region avoid gridlock. Bare co-owns a small business and is working on a bipartisan plan to let more workers contribute to retirement plans. His Republican opponent, Bob Relph, didnt meet with our editorial board. Hes a former firefighter who offers few specifics on his website.

Editor's note: Jenny Price, a community member on the editorial board, did not participate in these endorsement decisions because of a fellowship through the state Division of Medicaid Services.

Wisconsin State Journal editorial board The views expressed in the editorials are shaped by the board, independent of news coverage decisions elsewhere in the newspaper. STAFF MEMBERS KELLY LECKER, Executive editor SCOTT MILFRED, Editorial page editor PHIL HANDS, Editorial cartoonist COMMUNITY MEMBERS JAMES L. HOWARD JENNY PRICE
The Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manilas exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend.

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Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijings statement was meant only for its internal audience.

Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed, Trinidad said.

Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. It was not threatening, just normal, according to the spokesperson.

Despite the warship sighting, Trinidad said China acted professional enough during the MMCA exercises.

Trinidad, however, said that despite the sighting of Chinese warships in MMCA, China acted professionally during the said exercises.

We could see that they were monitoring visually and by other means They acted in a professional manner. So, this adds [to the theory] that if we have MMCA, they behave accordingly, he noted.

Bajo de Masinloc, a fish-rich reef, is about 240 kilometers west of the Philippines main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from Hainan, the nearest major Chinese land mass.

China claims almost the entire WPS or South China Sea. In 2016, the Philippines won an arbitration case against China. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China has no legal basis for claiming the maritime zones in its entirety.

China can easily deploy its navy, coast guard, and militia vessels because of the seven artificial islands it has reclaimed in the South China Sea  Fiery Cross Reef (Kagitingan Reef), Johnson South Reef (Mabini Reef), Gaven Reef, Cuarteron (Calderon Reef) Reef, McKennan Reef (Chigua/Hughes Reef), Mischief Reef (Panganiban Reef), and Subi Reef (Zamora Reef). Within the Philippine EEZ China occupies Mabini, Chingua and Panganiban Reefs.

In the tracking done by Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), at Mischief Reef, two of the four structures have been completed, with covers already placed over the systems installed there.

Satellite images of the reef from AMTI show that there were already air strips, a couple of base camps and even docking ports for ships.

AMTI said that China modified its blueprint for their facility on Johnson Reef. The said reef is a rock located in the Kalayaan Island Group which China took possession of in 1988.

Satellite images from AMTI also show that the reclaimed reef already has ports and military camps.

McKenna Reef (Hughes/Chigua Reef) meanwhile has already a -storey building, a port facility with one jetty and one pier that can cater to a 130 meter ship, according to Carpio.

China has built nearly identical headquarters buildings at each of its four smaller artificial islands. The two smallest of the islets, Hughes and Gaven Reefs, feature four arms built off of these central structures. The end of each of these arms sports a hexagonal platform, approximately 30 feet wide. AMTI said.

Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: No military drills by China in Bajo de Masinloc
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, Mali Abdoulaye Diop, Niger Bakary Yaou Sangare, and Chad Abderaman Koulamallah welcomed the progress made in the operationalization of the International Initiative launched in 2023 by King Mohammed VI to promote access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean.

This came in a joint communique released at the end of a coordination meeting on the operationalization of the royal initiative, held on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly, that was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the four Sahel countries and their Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

The meeting provided an opportunity to agree on the necessary next steps, mainly to leverage the human and financial resources required for the various phases of implementation of the initiative, said the joint communique, adding that the Sahel states welcomed the concrete projects proposed by Morocco as part of the Royal Initiative, which are in line with the national development plans currently being implemented in each of the countries.

The participating Sahel officials also commended the work done by the National Task Forces of Morocco, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad during their 1st meeting held in Rabat on June 5-6, 2024.

The ministers welcomed the project proposals selected by the National Task Forces as part of the operationalization of this International Initiative, the joint communique said.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger highlighted the steps undertaken within the framework of the Confederation of Sahel States. In line with the guidelines of the President of the Confederation, they underlined that the adhesion, involvement, and support of their countries to the operationalization of the Royal Initiative will henceforth be carried out within the framework of the said Confederation.

King Mohammed VI launched the initiative to promote access for the Sahel States to the Atlantic Ocean during the speech he delivered on November 6, 2023, on the celebration of the 48th anniversary of the Green March.
A letter between two titans of American Literature will soon be on display at Richmond, Virginia's, The Poe Museum.

The 1914 E. Main St. center recently received a letter written by poet Edgar Allan Poe to Washington Irving, author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

At the time Poe penned it, Irving was one of the most popular authors in America, and Poe was a struggling younger writer. Poe wrote to Irving asking him to read one of his short stories and to share his opinion of it.

The letter was gifted to the museum from Susan Jaffe Tane, a literary collector and friend of the Poe Museum.

It is my favorite piece, and it shows Poe was humble enough to ask for advice from one of the greatest writers of his generation, said Tane.

Tanes gift to the Poe Museum also included three more Edgar Allan Poe letters, one of his manuscripts, a first edition of his last book "Eureka," and a book that Poe inscribed as a gift to a young admirer, which was featured on an episode of the PBS series "Antiques Roadshow" before Tane acquired it.

"Susans gift to the Poe Museum illuminates not only a fascinating stage in Poes career, but a relationship between two great American authors of the 19th century. We look forward to displaying and interpreting the letter for the public, and are excited to include the letter in our renovated exhibit spaces opening in early 2025," said Maeve Jones, executive director of the Poe Museum.

Poe began his journalism career in Richmond at the Southern Literary Messenger. He wanted to be a teacher, but his application was rejected by two different schools. After the Richmond Academy turned him down, he went to work full-time for the Messenger and spent the rest of his life writing for magazines.

One of his most popular stories, "The Tell-Tale Heart," was rejected by the first magazine he tried to sell it to. He eventually persuaded another magazine to pay him $10 for the story. His most popular poem, "The Raven," was rejected twice by magazine editors before he finally persuaded a political journal called the American Review to buy it for $15. The poem was an immediate hit, and Poe started performing it to sold-out theaters in major U.S. cities.

Poe died in 1849 and is buried in Baltimore. His mother Eliza Poe is buried at St John's Church in Richmond's Church Hill neighborhood.

From the archives: Edgar Allan Poe
Tyre manufacturers are grappling with soaring natural rubber prices, which have surged by over 33 per cent in last five months of fiscal 2025, Crisil said in its recent report.Stretched supply and rising costs of natural rubber have created a challenging environment for tyre makers, it said.Natural rubber constitutes 20-40 per cent of weightage in the tyre manufacturing process, depending on the category. The tyre industry accounts for around 80 per cent of natural rubber consumption in the country.Natural rubber prices, which have remained subdued for much of the past decade, has now breached the Rs 200 per kilogramme mark. The situation recalls the price surge last seen in 2011, when prices hit all-time highs after the global financial crisis."Since the end of 2023, however, skyrocketing prices have again breached the Rs 200/kg mark amid a raft of challenges -- and tight supplies of natural rubber have cast a long shadow on the industry even as steady expansion of the automobile industry and other major consuming industries keeps demand healthy," the report said.This latest spike is attributed to a fundamental imbalance in supply and demand, rather than short-term disruptions, report adds.According to the report, the current surge in natural rubber prices is primarily driven by demand outstripping global production capacity. Between fiscals 2011 and 2023, global natural rubber production grew by 35 per cent, while demand surged by 40 per cent.This widening gap has left the market struggling to meet the needs of tyre manufacturers. The tyre manufacturer has been the largest consumer of natural rubber, as per the report.Unlike previous price surges caused by factors such as labour shortages or one-time shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic, this recent increase reflects deeper, structural issues within the natural rubber market, as per the report. Despite steady expansion in the automobile sector and other key industries, rubber supplies have failed to keep pace.The current price resurgence reflects a more entrenched mismatch between supply and demand. According to the report, in response to the spiralling prices, tyre manufacturers are faced with difficult choices. Many are attempting to pass on costs to consumers by increasing the price of tyres, but the extent to which this can be done is limited by competitive pressures in the market.Additionally, the elevated costs of raw materials are squeezing profitability, creating a challenging landscape for the industry, the report mentions. (ANI)
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will interact with leading American and Indian CEOs and discuss investment avenues during his visit to the US starting Monday, according to an official statement. At the invitation of the United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Goyal will undertake a visit to the United States of America from September 30 - October 3, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in the statement on Sunday. Goyal will co-chair with Secretary Raimondo the India-USA CEO Forum on October 2, and the 6th India-USA Commercial Dialogue on October 3, to be held in Washington D.C., during which both sides will discuss ways to generate sustainable economic growth, improving the business and investment climate and to deepen ties between the Indian and the American business communities, the statement said. Goyal and Secretary Raimondo will also discuss steps to Expand and Diversify Critical Minerals Supply Chains between India and the USA. The Union Minister will also attend the 6th India-USA Commercial Dialogue on October 3 to be held in Washington D.C, During the visit, Goyal will interact with leading American and Indian CEOs and industry leaders and to highlight the vast opportunities for investment in India. His interactions with business and industry leaders in a roundtable organized by US-India Strategic Partnership Forum will stress upon ways to further leverage the complementary strengths and synergies between the economies of India and USA. He will also chair a Young Business Leaders Roundtable and India-USA Gems and Jewellery Trade Roundtable. The two sides are negotiating a MoU which intends to enhance bilateral collaboration to increase and diversify essential critical mineral supply chains and leverage their complementary strengths. Minister Goyal will also meet the USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai at Washington DC to discuss the ongoing collaboration under the Trade Policy Forum and ways to further add to two way trade between the two countries. The Minister's visit will add further impetus to the strong and growing trade and investment ties between India and the USA, as per the ministry. The visit will encourage business-to-business engagement, and promote strategic partnerships across sectors of priority to both sides, including critical minerals, building Supply Chain Resilience, facilitating Climate and Clean Technology Cooperation, Inclusive Digital Growth, Standards and Conformance Cooperation, Travel and Tourism etc. (ANI)
Honoring role models, Xi makes rallying call for making China stronger

Xinhua) 16:55, September 29, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. Xi presented medals to recipients of national medals and honorary titles at the ceremony. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded the highest state honors on Sunday ahead of the National Day, urging the nation to learn from heroes and role models to pool strength for building a strong China.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presented medals to recipients of national medals and honorary titles at a ceremony held ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, which falls on Oct. 1.

Four people, including veteran war hero Huang Zongde and medical scientist Wang Zhenyi, were awarded the Medal of the Republic. Ten individuals, including border patrolman Bayika Kalidibek, technician Xu Zhenchao, and acclaimed actress Tian Hua, were awarded national honorary titles.

Dilma Rousseff, former Brazilian president and president of the New Development Bank, received the Friendship Medal.

Addressing the ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, Xi said the CPC has led the Chinese people in creating the twin miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.

The country is now in a crucial period for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, he said.

"All Party members and people of all ethnic groups should take heroes and role models as examples, unite and strive forward to form a mighty force to build a strong China," Xi stated.

Xi emphasized the need to bear in mind the ambition of making the country greater. "We should be loyal to the country, love the country, integrate personal development goals into the overall national development, and realize personal value in fulfilling duties for the country and serving the people," he said.

He encouraged the Chinese people to hone their skills and contribute to building a strong China.

He urged them to strive for extraordinary achievements in ordinary job posts, and contribute to overcoming challenges related to development and reform while safeguarding social harmony and stability.

"A great era calls for heroes and fosters heroes. A galaxy of heroes emerging generation after generation will ensure the lasting success of the Party and the people's cause," Xi remarked.

Lauding Rousseff as an outstanding representative of China's old and good friends, Xi said the Chinese people will never forget international friends who have made significant contributions to the country's development and the friendship between the Chinese and foreign peoples.

The Chinese people stand ready to work together with people from various countries to safeguard world peace and promote common development, he added.

Speaking at the ceremony, Huang Zongde, 93, said that the honor belongs to every member of the people's armed forces and all the heroes who sacrificed their lives for China's national independence, the liberation of the people, and the endeavor to make China prosperous and strong.

In her address, Rousseff said the medal fills her with immense honor, pledging continued efforts to help strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation between Brazil and China.

About 1,000 people, including senior leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng, attended the ceremony, which was presided over by Cai Qi.

Xi and other leaders had group photos taken with the award recipients after the ceremony.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. Xi presented medals to recipients of national medals and honorary titles at the ceremony. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other leaders have group photos taken with the recipients of national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. Xi presented medals to recipients of national medals and honorary titles at the ceremony. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Educator to Zhang Jinfan in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Educator to Zhang Jinfan in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of Outstanding Contributor to Economic Research to Zhang Zhuoyuan in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of Outstanding Contributor to Economic Research to Zhang Zhuoyuan in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Craftsman to Xu Zhenchao in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Craftsman to Xu Zhenchao in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Artist to Tian Hua in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Artist to Tian Hua in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Guard to Bayika Kalidibek in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Guard to Bayika Kalidibek in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the Friendship Medal to Dilma Rousseff in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the Friendship Medal to Dilma Rousseff in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the Medal of the Republic to Huang Zongde in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the Medal of the Republic to Huang Zongde in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Health Worker to Lu Shengmei in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Health Worker to Lu Shengmei in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Scientist to Zhao Zhongxian in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of People's Scientist to Zhao Zhongxian in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of Outstanding Contributor to Sports to Zhang Xielin in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents the medal for the title of Outstanding Contributor to Sports to Zhang Xielin in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, walks into the venue of a presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China with the recipients at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. A presentation ceremony for national medals and national honorary titles of the People's Republic of China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Xi Jinping walks into the venue of the presentation ceremony of the national medals and honorary titles of the People's Republic of China with the recipients at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. China held a high-profile ceremony on Sunday morning to award the highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Xi Jinping walks into the venue of the presentation ceremony of the national medals and honorary titles of the People's Republic of China with the recipients at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. China held a high-profile ceremony on Sunday morning to award the highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Xi Jinping walks into the venue of the presentation ceremony of the national medals and honorary titles of the People's Republic of China with the recipients at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2024. China held a high-profile ceremony on Sunday morning to award the highest state honors ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan)
According to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence, HDFC Bank Ltd, reported the largest increase in loan-to-deposit ratios, which jumped 19 basis points to 107.26 per cent in the quarter from 87.91 per cent a year ago.

State Bank of India, the largest bank by assets, reported a ratio of 77.33 per cent in the first quarter, up from 72.21 per cent in the prior-year period, data compiled by financial information and analytics firm S&P Global Market Intelligence showed.

The debate on loan-to-deposit ratio imbalance and its potential risks to financial stability has been raised by even the finance minister and the RBI governor recently.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had also urged state-run banks to enhance deposit mobilization through attractive offers, particularly focusing on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Customers who earlier used to park their hard-earned savings at banks are presumably opting for high-yielding, booming investment assets, including stock markets and mutual funds.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her meeting with heads of public sector banks last month, suggested that while the credit growth has picked up, the mobilization of deposits could further be improved to fund the credit growth sustainably.

She had asked banks to make concerted efforts to garner deposits by conducting special drives.

"Either the loan growth has to come down or the deposit rates have to go up," Hemindra Hazari, a veteran analyst who has specialisation in banking and the macro-economy told ANI over phone.

Providing lucrative schemes to depositors may also solve the problem, he added. (ANI)
Marking a decade of the Make in India initiative, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal urged the Indian industry to prioritise the production of high-quality goods to promote Brand India through sustainable practices. Goyal engaged with the CEOs of over 140 PLI beneficiary companies in an interactive session on Sunday, celebrating their achievements under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. Addressing the gathering, Goyal praised the efforts of PLI beneficiary companies, which have played a crucial role in driving growth across key sectors, creating jobs, and positioning India as a global manufacturing leader. He further encouraged the CEOs to focus on increasing domestic value addition in their products to make India self-reliant and called on the industry to support local manufacturers in this effort. During the three-hour-long interaction, the CEOs shared their perspectives on the PLI schemes, providing valuable insights into their experiences, success stories, and suggestions for improving the schemes' effectiveness and streamlining implementation. The discussion offered a productive platform for open communication between industry stakeholders and the government. Goyal also sought feedback from industry leaders on the decriminalisation and liberalisation of laws to promote ease of doing business. An actual investment of Rs1.46 lakh crore has been realised (as of August 2024) and is expected to reach Rs2 lakh crore in the next year. This has resulted in production and sales worth Rs12.50 lakh crore and the generation of around 9.5 lakh jobs (direct and indirect), a figure expected to rise to 12 lakh soon. Exports have surpassed Rs4 lakh crore, with substantial contributions from sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. In the electronics sector, mobile phone manufacturing now accounts for half of India's total output, with a threefold increase in exports since FY 2020-21. The pharmaceutical industry has revitalised domestic production of bulk drugs and complex generics, reducing import dependence. In the automobile sector, global champions have rolled out electric vehicles, backed by significant investment in the country. The medical devices industry has seen technology transfers for critical equipment like CT scanners, promoting local production. Similarly, the food processing sector has contributed to sustainable agricultural practices and the production of millet and organic products. Emerging sectors like drones have experienced a sevenfold increase in turnover, driven by MSMEs and startups. The solar PV module and speciality steel industries are also witnessing robust growth, with significant investments and localised production. (ANI)
Director Kabir Khan, best known for his hit film 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan,' starring superstar Salman Khan expressed his desire to see the movie return to theatres. While speaking to ANI during a group media interaction, Kabir shared his excitement about the possibility of re-releasing the film next year, which marks its 10th anniversary. Kabir said, "If we get, you know, if the audience sort of reaches out to us and says, you know, re-release Bajrangi Bhaijaan, it's only 10 years next year, we probably might end up doing that." When asked about his favourite memory with Salman Khan, Kabir said, "Do you know, I've done three films with Salman, so to pick out one moment with him is extremely difficult. There have been just so many moments. Such a lovely journey with Salman that I've had, starting from the Tiger series to Bajrangi Bhaijaan. So it's really impossible for me to pick out one moment." The film, which tells the story of a man's journey to reunite a lost Pakistani girl with her family, has touched the hearts of many. The second day of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2024 was a star-studded affair, held in Abu Dhabi. Bollywood's biggest celebrities graced the event, including icons like Hema Malini, Rekha, superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Vicky Kaushal, Shahid Kapoor, and Kriti Sanon. The three-day celebration kick-started on September 27 with IIFA Utsavam, an event dedicated to the southern film industries--Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. IIFA 2024 will be concluded on September 29 with the exclusive, invitation-only IIFA Rocks. Artists such as Honey Singh, Shilpa Rao and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy will perform live for the audience. (ANI)
As Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, was appointed the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, he has been showered with congratulatory messages from all corners, including warm wishes from the film industry. Actor Dhanush took to his X account to congratulate Udhayanidhi as he wrote, "Hearty congratulations to @Udhaystalin brother on becoming the Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu." https://x.com/dhanushkraja/status/1840228493197562228 Kamal Hassan also took to X to congratulate Udhayanidhi, sharing a message that read, "Congratulations @Udhaystalin on your elevation as Dy. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Today, you undertake a solemn oath both to the Constitution of India and the people of Tamil Nadu. I'm confident you will faithfully serve them both." https://x.com/ikamalhaasan/status/1840232303349379457 Earlier, several BJP leaders, including Shehzad Poonawalla, Tamilisai Soundararajan, ANS Prasad, and Narayanan Thirupathy, criticised the DMK for indulging in nepotism by putting the family first instead of the state's welfare. "One thing is very clear. These parties are of the family, for the family, and by the family. They focus on only family first, and not nation first. They are a Pvt Ltd 'parivarik company.' The entire INDI alliance is like that. They have two pillars, 'bhrashtachar' and 'parivaar'," said Shehzad Poonawalla. Udhayanidhi Stalin was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday. He will also take on the portfolio of Planning and Development in addition to his existing responsibilities. The announcement comes as part of a major cabinet reshuffle in the state government. The reshuffle also sees Senthil Balaji being re-inducted into the Tamil Nadu cabinet. (ANI)
As Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, was appointed the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, superstar Rajinikanth wished him via phone call for elevation as Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, according to a press release from DIPR. Celebrities like actor Karthi, Santhanam, Dhanush and many others have congratulated Udhayanidhi for his elevation as Deputy Chief Minister. Yesterday Governor accepted the recommendations of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, where Udhayanidhi was designated as Deputy Chief Minister. Earlier today, he was showered with congratulatory messages from all corners, including warm wishes from the film industry. Actor Dhanush took to his X account to congratulate Udhayanidhi, as he wrote, "Hearty congratulations to @Udhaystalin brother on becoming the Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu." Kamal Hassan also took to X to congratulate Udhayanidhi, sharing a message that read, "Congratulations @Udhaystalin on your elevation as Dy. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Today, you undertake a solemn oath both to the Constitution of India and the people of Tamil Nadu. I'm confident you will faithfully serve them both." Earlier, several BJP leaders, including Shehzad Poonawalla, Tamilisai Soundararajan, ANS Prasad, and Narayanan Thirupathy, criticised the DMK for indulging in nepotism by putting the family first instead of the state's welfare. "One thing is very clear. These parties are of the family, for the family, and by the family. They focus on only family first, and not nation first. They are a Pvt Ltd 'parivarik company.' The entire INDI alliance is like that. They have two pillars, 'bhrashtachar' and 'parivaar'," said Shehzad Poonawalla. Udhayanidhi Stalin was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday. He will also take on the portfolio of Planning and Development in addition to his existing responsibilities. The announcement comes as part of a major cabinet reshuffle in the state government. The reshuffle also sees Senthil Balaji being re-inducted into the Tamil Nadu cabinet. (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday expressed that a time will come when there will be no substitute for the BJP in the country. Dr Saha further informed that the state government would reopen all the murder cases that occurred during the regimes of CPI (M) and Congress in the state. He said this while addressing a blood donation camp organised by BJP 7 Ramnagar Mandal. "Blood has no religion. Blood donation has no substitute, and a time will come when there will be no substitute for BJP in this country because people have understood that this is the only party that works for them. What the Prime Minister says, he delivers," he said. Dr Saha also mentioned that, following the birthday celebrations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mahatma Gandhi, the BJP had arranged many social initiatives. "Every year, we carry out such social work under 'Seva Hi Dharma,' and through these efforts, we maintain our connection with the people. Meanwhile, the opposition parties have no significant work and only claim that there is no law and order. They have lost the support of the people. Their only rhetoric is that elections are a farce. They have some routine claims, but people are tired of seeing such things. On the other hand, the BJP government is working for the people and their development. Starting from Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to distributing clothes and other essentials, we stand with the people," he added. He also pointed out that the opposition parties seem to have forgotten how many people were killed during their rule. "They have forgotten their own weaknesses. People now realise that the current government is working for the development of the country and the state. During the flood situation, our government and party karyakartas were on the ground helping the people. Now that the situation has improved, the opposition parties have come out and are blaming us. They claim there is no democracy in Tripura. We have seen their version of democracy during their regime and how many murders took place. We will reopen all the murder cases after consulting with experts. We didn't close these cases; we will reopen them," he said. Dr. Saha also attended another blood donation camp at Vivekananda Byamagar at Gangail Road in Agartala. "This gym is very old and has completed 75 years. Since childhood, I have known this gym. I was also a member and used to come here for fitness. Many people from this gym have won medals not just at the state level but also at the national level. I also want to see its development and will look into how we can improve it further. The blood donation programme is truly commendable. I want to thank everyone for organising it, and I encourage every club and social organisation to come forward and arrange such events," he added. During the programme, Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, BJP Vice President Papia Datta, BJP Spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya, and gymnast Dipa Karmakar were present. (ANI)
SP West Tripura said that 45 packets of cannabis, weighing approximately 355 kilogrammes, were seized. The haul is valued at around Rs 7 million. The truck driver, identified as Mithun Karmakar (35) from Ramnagar, was immediately taken into custody.

After alerting the East Police Station, officers stopped the vehicle and conducted an initial inspection. While the truck appeared empty at first, a hidden false chamber was soon discovered.

Dr Kiran Kumar, SP, West Tripura said, "Today, based on information received, we intercepted a 12-wheeler truck at Chandrapur ISBT after alerting the East Police Station about some prohibited items. Initially, we found the truck empty, but then discovered a false chamber. After calling a mechanic to open the false chamber, we recovered 45 packets of cannabis weighing approximately 355 kilograms, valued at around 7 million. We arrested a driver named Mithun Karmakar, (35), from Ramnagar."

He further said that three others were detained for further questioning.

"Despite questioning, he claimed he was heading to Meghalaya. Three others have also been detained for further questioning. The interrogation is ongoing, and Mithun is currently in police custody as we try to ascertain where the cargo was loaded and its intended destination," he further said. (ANI)
The Syro-Malabar Church and the Kerala Catholic Bishop Council have sent a letter to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill requesting suggestions to amend the Waqf Act of 1995. In his letter dated September 10, Archbishop Andrews Thazath, chairman of the Syro-Malabar Public Affairs Commission, claimed that multiple properties belonging to Christian families from Cherai and Munambam in Ernakulam have been unlawfully claimed by the Waqf Board. Archbishop Andrews Thazath said, "In Ernakulum District of Kerala, numerous properties that have belonged to Christian families for generations in the villages of 'Cherai & Munambam' have been unlawfully claimed by the Waqf Board, leading to protracted legal battles and the displacement of rightful owners. Around 600 families are under threat. These people belong to the impoverished fishermen community. One Catholic Parish Church, Convent and dispensary are under threat of evacuation by the Waqf Board." The Syro-Malabar Public Affairs Commission requested the JPC to consider the tragic situation of the people in these villages and many other parts of India who are under the threat of losing their lands. "The Syro-Malabar Public Affairs Commission requests the JPC to consider the tragic situation of the people in these villages and many other parts of India who are under the threat of losing their household by the totally unjust and inhuman claims made by the Waqf borad. We request the committee to make suggestions to amend the Waqf Act 1995, on the basis of humanitarian and constitutional principles," the letter further added. The Church has requested the JPC to look into this situation of the people who might lose their homes due to the unlawful claims made by the Waqf Board. Meanwhile, in the letter by Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC), the council has urged the commission to take immediate action to ensure that such claims on lawfully owned properties are not taken by the Waqf . They have requested the JPC to consider amending the laws in the Waqf Act to prevent similar incidents. In a letter dated September 10 Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos President, KCBC, said, "I respectfully submit this petition to bring to your attention a grave issue affecting more than 600 families residing in Munanbam Beach, Ernakulam District, Kerala State. Since 2022, the enforcement of the Waqf Law has caused considerable hardship for these families, who are enduring immense distress and uncertainty due to unjust claims on their properties by the Waqf Board." The letter requested that the Commission thoroughly review the provisions of the Waqf Law and said that this has led to this situation and consider amending or repealing those provisions to prevent similar occurrences across India in the future. "It is deeply concerning that the Waqf Board's claims are being made against a large number of citizens who legally purchased and developed their lands. These claims are unjust, unconstitutional, and a clear violation of the rights guaranteed by our Constitution.I urge the Commission to take immediate and decisive action to resolve this issue and to ensure that such claims on lawfully owned properties of Indian citizens are not repeated in the future. It is the Commission's responsibility to guarantee that the law is enforced fairly and justly, without infringing upon the constitutional rights of citizens to live with dignity and to own property," the letter added. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Aug 8 and was then referred to a JPC after a heated debate. The JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is holding a series of informal discussions with various stakeholders till 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. 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. 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)
The arrested accused were identified as Anil Bhosale, Ankush Shankar Mali, and Laxman Shankar Patil.

According to the police, the crime branch had received information that the accused were trying to smuggle ambergris from Pipeline Road to Badlapur in a car. Acting on information, a search operation was launched, and the accused were apprehended, leading to the seizure.

The three accused have been sent to police custody till Tuesday, they said.

Further investigation into the matter is underway, they added. (ANI)
During the meeting, the Lulu Group Chairman discussed exploring opportunities to invest in regions including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati.

Yusuf Ali met the Chief Minister at his residence in Undavalli, during which CM Naidu discussed the avenues for investment in the state with Lulu Group.

During the meeting, discussions were held on developing a mall along with a multiplex in Visakhapatnam, as well as a hypermarket and multiplex in Vijayawada and Tirupati. The Lulu Group further expressed their interest in investing in the food processing industry within the state.

CM Naidu detailed various aspects related to investments with the Lulu Group Chairman and emphasised the state government's commitment to supporting the ease and speed of doing business in the state. The Chief Minister further appreciated Lulu Group's renewed interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh.

The Chief Minister also shared details about new policies being introduced to promote investments in the state and also expressed his gratitude towards the Lulu Group Chairman for showing interest in investing in three regions of the state.

Earlier, during the tenure of the Telugu Desam Party, the Lulu Group had entered into an agreement with the government for investments in Visakhapatnam. However, the subsequent government policies led to the Lulu Group retracting its investments from the state. (ANI)
Convention aims to foster creativity in China's broadcasting, TV industry

Xinhua) 16:56, September 29, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A national convention aimed at fostering creativity in China's broadcasting and television industry will be held from Oct. 11 to 13 in Beijing, according to the National Radio and Television Administration.

The event, the first of its kind, will focus on promoting creativity across the industry, covering not only TV dramas, web series and online films but also news, documentaries, animation and micro-dramas, the administration announced.

It added that the convention will serve as a comprehensive platform for sharing insights, nurturing talent and encouraging industry collaboration.

The event will feature a main forum, centered on boosting the quality and reach of broadcasting and television works, alongside 12 parallel forums, which will focus on specific topics and explore the quality development of the industry.

China has witnessed remarkable growth in the broadcasting, television and online audio-visual service industry, with its total revenue in the first half of 2024 reaching 668.3 billion yuan (about 95.3 billion U.S. dollars), representing a 7 percent year-on-year increase.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held the 'Janta Darshan' program in Gorakhpur on Sunday. A long queue of citizens was spotted at the program, which especially comprised women. CM Yogi interacted with the public and listened to their grievances during the 'Janta Darshan' program. The Chief Minister also directed the official to resolve the issues on priority. "Dedicated to the service, security, and prosperity of the people, UP CM Yogi Adityanath today heard the problems of people from different districts in 'Janta Darshan' at Gorakhnath Mandir in Gorakhpur. He directed the officers to resolve the public problems on priority basis," Chief Minister's office said in a statement. https://x.com/CMOfficeUP/status/1840243418213109789 After the Janta Darshan program, CM Yogi inaugurated four rooms in Mewalal Gupta Gurukul Vidyalaya Campus in Gorakhpur. Earlier on Saturday, Yogi Adityanath highlighted the law and order system of Uttar Pradesh while addressing a public meeting in the Yamuna Nagar area of Haryana, saying that there have been "no riots" in the state in the last seven and a half years during his tenure and the rioters are "either in jail or have gone to hell." "On the other side of Yamuna, there is Uttar Pradesh - what was the situation there before seven and a half years ago? Riots used to happen every three days. Curfew used to be there at places for months. Neither the businessmen nor the daughters were safe. But in these seven and half years, there have been no riots in the state. 'Dangaai ya to jail ke andar hain ya jahannum ki yatra par ja chuke hain'," CM Yogi said. He targeted the Congress and said that on one side there is the Congress, which gives problems, and on the other side, there is the BJP, which provides solutions. "Congress ruled for 60 years after independence and gave only problems to the country like terrorism, naxalism, corruption, and casteism. When the country is moving forward with 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,' we should not accept Congress, which is the inventor of problems," Yogi Adityanath said. Further targeting Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi, he said, "Rahul Gandhi comes to Uttar Pradesh, he will criticize Haryana; if he goes to Kerala, he will criticize Uttar Pradesh. And when he goes abroad, he criticizes India." Haryana goes to the polls on October 5 to elect a 90-member state legislative assembly, with the counting set to take place on October 8. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled his recent visit to the United States and appreciated the return of around 300 Indian artefacts that were stolen or trafficked from India. Addressing the 114th episode of his monthly radio program, 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi said that there was a lot of discussion about the return of the ancient artefacts and that the US had returned around 300 ancient Indian artefacts and many of them were even 4000 years old. He said that many of the artefacts were taken out of the country through smuggling and other illegal means and that it was like "destroying India's heritage." PM Modi appreciated the fact that in the last decade, many such artefacts were brought back to the country. "During my visit to the US, the US government has returned around 300 ancient artefacts to India. US President Biden, very affectionately, showed me some of these artefacts in his private residence in Delaware. Returned artefacts are made of materials such as terracotta, stone, ivory, wood, copper and bronze. Many of these are four thousand years old," he said. "Many of these artefacts were taken out of the country through smuggling and other illegal means. This is a serious crime. In a way, it is like destroying our heritage. But I am very happy that in the last decade, many such artefacts and many of our ancient heritages, have been brought back home," PM Modi added. PM Modi said that among the returned artefacts, there were vases, terracotta plaques of gods and goddesses, statues of Jain Tirthankaras, as well as statues of Buddha and Krishna and several animal statuettes. There were terracotta tiles from Jammu and Kashmir, bronze idols of Lord Ganesha from Southern India, and images of Lord Vishnu mainly from Northern and Southern India, which were also returned by the US, he said. "Vases, terracotta plaques of gods and goddesses, statues of Jain Tirthankaras, as well as statues of Bhagwan Buddha and Bhagwan Shri Krishna, are among the returned artefacts. Several animal statuettes are also among the returned items. From Jammu and Kashmir, terracotta tiles bearing male and female figures are very interesting. These include bronze idols of Bhagwan Ganesha from Southern India as well. A large number of images of Bhagwan Vishnu are also among the returned artefacts. These are mainly from Northern and Southern India," PM Modi added. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit earlier this month, the US formally handed over 297 antiquities that were stolen or trafficked from India. As per an official statement, some of the returned antiquities include terracotta vase from Eastern India, Buddha sculpture made of sandstone from UP, Vishnu idol made of bronze from Eastern India, an anthropomorphic figure made of copper from North India, Jain Tirthankara idol made of bronze from South India, apsara sculpture made of sandstone from Central India, stone sculpture made of lime stone from South India, a terracotta conical vase from Eastern India, a terracotta rattle from Eastern India, around 178 terracotta figures from Eastern India, around 47 antiquities from North India and sculptures from Jammu and Kashmir among others. (ANI)
Dravidar Kazhagam President K Veeramani on Sunday praised the elevation of Udhayanidhi Stalin as the deputy chief minister in Tamil Nadu government. He said that Udhayanidhi Stalin had proven his worth as an MLA, and an election leader. "As an MLA, as a propagandist, in the election he has scored. By showing a single stone, he was able to muster more votes than all these things. This shows the youth's innovative thinking. We used to explain half an hour, one hour how it all happens. But this guy is a very wise guy, he took a stone and said this is a medical college. This kind of innovation is very good, because youths are ahead of ours. So you will have to accept it," he said while speaking to ANI. Dismissing allegations of "dynasty politics" and nepotism in the government, he said that he expects his son and grandson to follow his same principles, so that is not a disqualifying factor but rather an addition. "This is a self-respect movement. These families are following the same principle because I expect my son to follow the same philosophy, so my grandson. That is not a disqualification, that is an addition qualification. Power may come and power may go. The basic philosophy of the Dravidian party is not power. They could lead the people without power, but it was added because then they could bring new legislation. If public opinion marches forward, law comes limping behind," he added. Speaking further on the allegation of dynastic politics, he said, "If my son and grandson shoulder my responsibility in carrying the message to the people and translate those philosophy through the action, through the laws and legislation and all other means, that is more of a plus point than a minus point." He further criticised the opposition in the state government, saying that they do not have anything else to criticise, that is why this point has been taken up. He said, "The opposition is doing this because they are the opposition, blindly they want to find anything. They have no idea or matter to charge with except this one. He cannot be charged, the only thing is dynasty, dynasty. But what about BJP? Are they out of it? Or any party?" Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday. He will also take on the portfolio of Planning and Development in addition to his existing responsibilities. The announcement comes as part of a major cabinet reshuffle in the state government. The reshuffle also sees Senthil Balaji being re-inducted into the Tamil Nadu cabinet. (ANI)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has condoled the demise of Communist Party of India (Marxist) activist and survivor of the 1994 Koothuparamba police firing, Pushpan, who passed away at a private hospital in Kozhikode on September 28. The former Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader who was injured in the Kuthuparamba firing incident on November 25, 1994, passed away after being bedridden for the last three decades. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode. His cremation is set to take place in Kannur tomorrow. "Comrade Pushpan has left us at the end of his sufferings of three decades. The heart of every communist, who used to get excited hearing that name, is saddened at this moment. Another unforgettable chapter in the history of the party is burning within us like a fire with Comrade," the Chief Minister said. The CPI (M) member also hailed the DYFI leader as a symbol of "resilience" via a social media post on his X account. "Comrade Pushpan, a symbol of resilience and unwavering resolve, has left us. Bedridden for three decades after the brutal Kuthuparamba firing, he stood tall in spirit. His life of sacrifice will forever inspire us in the fight for a just, egalitarian society. His legacy lives on in our struggle" the CM added. Vijayan recalling the events of 1994, said, "This country will never forget. Comrade Pushpan bravely faced the then United Democratic Front (UDF) UDF terror, which took the lives of five DYFI activists, namely KV Roshan, Shibulal, Babu, and Madhu, but lost his own life. The Koothuparamba firing made the comrade bedridden forever." The Chief Minister also praised Pushpan's commitment to his ideals. "Comrade Pushpan's communist nucleus has not been shaken despite the fact that he had to fight with his ill health, which brought disaster for the rest of his life. He has no regrets about the tragedy he faced. He was not driven by selfish ambitions, but by the courage to sacrifice himself for the country and firm communist convictions. It was an unusual loyalty to the party" Vijayan added. The Kerala Chief Minister concluded, "Comrade's martyrdom is both an unquenchable pain and an unquenchable thrill for the Party. Comrade Pushpan is the answer to the question of what a communist is for every comrade in this country. Therefore, the death of a comrade has created deep sorrow for everyone. Comrade Pushpan's life made us realise the greatness of a revolutionary. Tributes to Comrade Pushpan, an immortal symbol of philanthropy and sacrifice. I share in the pain of my friends and family." (ANI)
The closing ceremony of the 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 is scheduled for tomorrow, September 30, 2024, at Shaurya Sabhagaar in Ranchi.The event will feature distinguished guests, including Santosh Gangwar, Governor of Jharkhand; Smt. Annpurna Devi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development; Smt. Baby Devi, Minister for Women, Child Development & Social Security, Jharkhand; Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence, Government of India; the Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development; and various officials from both the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Jharkhand state government.Running from September 1 to 30, 2024, the 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah focused on issues such as anaemia, growth monitoring, complementary feeding, and the initiative "Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi," while also integrating technology for improved governance. The campaign highlighted environmental sustainability through the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative, promoting tree planting across all Anganwadi centers. So far, approximately 12 crore activities have been conducted during this Poshan Maah by various states and union territories. More than 11 thousand Saksham Anganwadi Centres located across India will be inaugurated virtually during the Poshan Maah closing ceremony.Saksham Anganwadis are strengthened, upgraded and rejuvenated Anganwadis for improved nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Education delivery (ECCE). Some of the special features of a Saksham Anganwadi Centre include- improved infrastructure including LED screens, water filtration system for clean drinking water; material for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), BALA (Building as a Learning Aid) Paintings; and Poshan Vatika that gives access to diverse food plants and herbs that help the mission to fight malnutrition. An exhibition showcasing aspects of Mission Poshan 2.0 will also be organised by the State Govt of Jharkhand at the venue.The closing event of Poshan Maah 2024 celebrates the collective efforts towards a healthier and nourished India. It not only recognises the dedication of all participating states, but also underscores the vital role of stakeholders' collaboration, strengthening the grassroots movements through continued Jan Andolans while ensuring enhanced participation of beneficiaries and communities through Saksham Anganwadi Centres. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday praised the 'Laghu Udyog Bharati' for its contribution towards MSMEs in the country, saying that the organisation is working to "increase production and employment in the country." While speaking at the 'Laghu Udyog Bharati' meeting of the Gujarat region at Vadodara, Bhupendra Patel said, "Under the leadership of PM Modi, India has become the fifth-largest economic power in the world. This organization (Laghu Udyog Bharati) is working to increase production and employment in the country." "The Prime Minister initiated the Ease of Doing Business and Make in India campaigns, which have made us self-reliant. Today, we are the largest manufacturers of mobile phones. It provides guidance to small industries," the Gujarat CM said. Laghu Udyog Bharati is a registered all-India organisation of Micro and Small Industries in India since 1994 and a Section 8 Company with a presence in more than 575 districts in 27 States of India with more than 51000 members, a government release earlier said. Further highlighting the significance of innovation and technology, he said, "Through innovation and encouragement, new technologies are being developed in the country, benefiting small industries. We are moving forward in the direction of Make for the World." He termed the Micro, Small, & Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector as the backbone of the country, adding that the MSMEs have gained momentum. "With increased investment in Gujarat, MSMEs have gained momentum. The budget also places special emphasis on MSMEs. MSMEs are the backbone of the country's development. I urge that this organisation communicate the state government's policies to the people," he said. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the 114th episode of Mann Ki Baat, stated that the MSMEs benefitted from the 'Make in India' campaign. "Today, it gives me immense joy to see that the poor, the middle class, and MSMEs are getting a lot of benefit from the 'Make in India' campaign. This campaign has provided an opportunity for people of every class to showcase their talent. Today, India has become a manufacturing powerhouse, and it is because of the youth power of the country that the whole world is looking up to us," PM Modi said. "Be it automobiles, textiles, aviation, electronics, or defence, every sector in the country's exports is constantly on the rise. The continual rise of FDI in the country is narrating the success saga of Make in India," he added. (ANI)
"In a major breakthrough against the trans-border narcotic network, SSOC Amritsar has busted a cross-border heroin smuggling racket and recovered 6 kg of heroin, 67 live cartridges, 2 magazines, and 6 mobile phones," DGP Punjab Police Gaurav Yadav wrote in a post on X.

An FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

An investigation is ongoing to establish backward and forward linkages to apprehend the accused.

"The Punjab Police is committed to making #Punjab drug-free, as per the vision of Hon'ble CM Bhagwant Mann," DGP Punjab wrote on X.

Earlier this month, five packets of suspected heroin, weighing over 2.8 kg, along with a motorcycle, were seized by the Border Security Force and Punjab Police near Dal village in Punjab's Tarn Taran district.

According to a release, BSF troops were on duty at a checkpoint near Dal village in Tarn Taran district on Friday when they observed suspicious movement of two individuals on a motorcycle.

As the BSF troops signalled them to stop, the individuals fled the scene, abandoning the motorcycle. The BSF immediately seized the vehicle and, in collaboration with the Punjab Police, conducted a search operation in the surrounding area, it added. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kavinder Gupta lashed out at the People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, questioning her 'empathy' over the killing of the top Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and termed it "crocodile tears". This came following Mufti cancelling her election campaign on Sunday for the third phase of the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir in "solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah." The former J-K Deputy Chief Minister further questioned the PDP chief on her silence on the "attacks and killings" of Hindus in Bangladesh and said that one should speak on the "lines of humanity." "Why does Hassan Nasarullah's death pain Mehbooba Mufti? When Hindus in Bangladesh are attacked and killed, they are tight-lipped. Today, when the commander of Hezbollah gets killed, they cancel the campaigning for one day. These are crocodile tears and people understand the intent behind this. This kind of conspiracy will lead to nothing; we should speak on the lines of humanity," he said. Earlier, BJP leader and spokesperson Altaf Thakur also attacked Mufti over the issue and said she was playing her "religious card" and an "election stunt" for doing appeasement. "Nowhere in the world should there be wars...Mehbooba Mufti is playing a religious card. It is an election stunt. I also condemn any kind of war in the world. There is a style of how Mufti Ji does appeasement," Thakur said. Earlier on Saturday, PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had decided to cancel her election campaign for Sunday, stating that she stands with "the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief" following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. "Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance," Mehbooba Mufti said in a post on X. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the killing stating, "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world." The ongoing conflict in Gaza has spiralled in the region with repeated strikes between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. The escalating situation in the Middle East has raised concerns, following which many players have called for a ceasefire. (ANI)
National Conference (JKNC) Vice President Omar Abdullah said that there was a "cloud of war" visible in the Middle East following the death of the Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday. Speaking to reporters on Sunday about People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti cancelling her campaign in "solidarity with the those killed in Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah", Abdullah said that he has nothing to say about Mufti's decision and that they had opposed the bombing done by Israel since last year. He further called for the end of the killings and injuries of "innocent people" in Gaza and Lebanon and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders should also pressure Israel to establish peace in the region. "I will not say anything about it today. We have always opposed the bombing and use of force by Israel for the past year and have repeatedly demanded that it should not be stopped. The series of killings and injuring innocent people should be stopped, whether it is in Gaza, Lebanon or anywhere else. After what happened yesterday, it seems as if the clouds of war are now visible in the entire region. GoI, PM Modi, the leaders of other countries should put pressure on Israel to establish peace there again," Abdullah said. Earlier on Saturday, PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had decided to cancel her election campaign for Sunday stating that she stands with "the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief" following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. "Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance," Mehbooba Mufti said in a post on X. Earlier on Saturday, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the killing of Hassan Nasrallah in the airstrikes carried out by the Israeli military in Beirut. In a statement, IDF said, "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world." A protest march was also held in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam region today against the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah by the Israel Defence Force (IDF). (ANI)
After the Bengaluru Court ordered to file an FIR against Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others for allegedly extorting money through electoral bonds, Karnataka Minister Congress leader Priyank Kharge slammed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over electoral bonds, accusing her of 'architecture' of that bill. Speaking to ANI, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said, "The Supreme Court has already told that the electoral bonds are illegal and unconstitutional. The same has been filed here in Karnataka. There are instances where they have forced companies into Quid pro quo and the architect of all this is the finance minister and that's what the complaint has said." "The court has upheld for the complaint. Let the investigation happen, What are they so scared of?..." he questioned BJP. This came after a Bengaluru court had ordered the filing of an FIR against Nirmala Sitharaman and others for allegedly extorting money through electoral bonds. Earlier, a petition filed by Adarsh Iyer of Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad (JSP) to the Special Court of People's Representatives seeking a direction to take action against the Union Minister. Following the hearing, the court ordered the Tilak Nagar police station in Bengaluru to register an FIR for the crime of extortion through electoral bonds against the Minister. Earlier on Saturday, complainant Adarsh Iyer of Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad (JSP) alleged that by misusing the powers they made the companies pay huge amounts of money--like 'extortion'. Meanwhile, Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Saturday that the FIR pertaining to the case against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah and the FIR filed against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman were "incomparable". Speaking to ANI, Joshi said what was done by the Finance Minister was done as per law and according to the law passed by the parliament.The Union Minister has called for the resignation of the Karnataka Chief Minister and said that there was no other option after an FIR was filed by Lokayukta Police on Friday against him and others in connection with the alleged MUDA land allotment 'scam'. (ANI)
Changji in NW China's Xinjiang develops complete tomato industrial chain

People's Daily Online) 10:17, September 29, 2024

Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has developed a complete tomato industrial chain in recent years.

This year, tomato planting areas for processed tomato products in China span 1.6 million mu (106,666.67 hectares), including 1.35 million mu in Xinjiang, according to Yu Chunshan, vice president of the Xinjiang Tomato Industry Association and general manager of Xinjiang Xiaochu Food Co., Ltd.

A harvester collects processing tomatoes in Siyuan village, Daxiqu township, Changji city, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo/He Long)

Changji is one of the main tomato-producing areas for processing tomatoes in Xinjiang. Currently, the planting areas of processing tomatoes in the prefecture remain steady at over 250,000 mu, most of which are under a business model that features cooperation among companies and farmers. The average annual output value of the tomato industry in the prefecture exceeds 3 billion yuan (about $425.13 million).

Xu Bin, a tomato farmer from a village in Changji, grew four varieties of processing tomatoes on 2,200 mu of land this year. Xu has recently started harvesting this year's batch, with a yield per mu reaching about 8.5 tonnes.

As Xu signed a contract with a processing company, which is responsible for varieties, transplanting, and mechanization of tomato production, he only hired 12 employees.

"In the past, I bought tomato seeds by myself and the yield per mu was about 4 to 5 tonnes. Now, with quality seeds and planting techniques from the company, the per-mu yield surged," Xu said.

Most importantly, the contract with the company provides Xu with stability with guaranteed orders. Xu explained the contract model allows farmers to focus solely on boosting production. In addition, smoother logistics have resulted in Xu's net income per mu surpassing 800 yuan.

The tomato processing companies themselves are also growing.

At the production workshop of COFCO Tunhe Changji Tomato Product Co., Ltd., four production lines operate 24/7.

This year, COFCO Tunhe Changji Tomato Product Co., Ltd. signed contracts with farmers to purchase tomatoes on 40,000 mu of land. The company has formed an industrial chain from seeds to processing.

An intelligent tomato processing plant of Xinjiang Xiaochu Food Co., Ltd., another tomato processing company in Changji, was put into operation in August.

"We plan to purchase 400,000 tonnes of processing tomatoes this year, directly helping about 100 households growing processing tomatoes increase incomes," said Yu.

According to statistics, Changji has nurtured 25 tomato processing companies. They produce an average of more than 400,000 tonnes of tomato products annually, accounting for 35 percent of Xinjiang's total output.

There are over 90 tomato processing companies in Xinjiang, with more than 90 percent primarily producing large-barrel tomato paste. As consumer demands change, many companies have started developing new products for the domestic market and expanding online sales channels.

"Now, many consumers in China pay more attention to nutrition and health, so there is a need for new products to meet these demands," said Yu. "In response, we have developed products such as diced tomatoes, tomato chunks, and peeled tomatoes."

Data from Taobao shows that recently, the search volume for Xinjiang canned tomatoes on Taogongchang (a part of Alibaba Group) has increased significantly, with a rise of over 1,000 percent compared to the beginning of the year. The daily sales volume has also seen growth.

Through the expansion of online sales channels, companies have obtained data-driven feedback on consumer demands and trends in the tomato industry, which is used to assist in the development of new products. According to consumer feedback, the company has developed products with smaller packaging, which are currently more popular on the Tmall platform.

With the participation of domestic retail e-commerce platforms like Taogongchang, the production of ready-to-eat tomato products continues to increase. The small-package diced tomatoes and canned tomatoes produced by COFCO Tunhe Changji Tomato Product Co., Ltd. have increased by about five times compared to last year.

"The market share of such products will continue to expand, and subsequently, more growers and companies may join this industry," said Yu.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
A massive fire broke out at a Masala factory in Uttar Pradesh's Agra on Sunday, police said. On information, two fire tenders rushed to the spot, and efforts to douse the fire are underway. More information awaited. (ANI)
Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav hit out at Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that his politics has now been "exposed," while adding that throughout his tenure, he only blamed others and ignored the development of Delhi. Stating that Kejriwal's politics have now been "exposed", Yadav added that the people of Delhi have no expectations from him. He added that the Congress party will form the government in Haryana. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav said, "Kejriwal and his politics are now completely exposed. He has been in power for the last 12 years. He has only fought with everyone. He has only blamed the neighbouring states, LG or the central government for the work he could not do. He did not pay attention to the development of Delhi." "All he (Kejriwal) has developed is himself, his family and the AAP because the corruption has been at its peak...Delhi people have no expectations from him. Congress will form an independent and strong government in Haryana," he added. Haryana goes to the polls on October 5 to elect a 90-member state legislative assembly to form its next government, with the counting set to take place on October 8. In 2019, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 40 seats. Congress won 30 seats. Earlier, Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel said that the people of Haryana have decided to vote the BJP out of power, which has "misruled" the state for 10 years. "There is a terrific electoral atmosphere in Haryana. The people of Haryana have decided to vote the BJP out of power, which has misruled the state for 10 years. The nation is aware of the farmers' protest which has been going on for a long time, the betrayal of the youth through the agniveer scheme and finally people have seen wrestlers' protest. People are deeply troubled by corruption, bureaucracy, and incapability of the government and they want a change," Baghel said. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during a public rally, launched a scathing attack on the Congress and its alliance partners, claiming that Congress, through its policies, is 'trying to divide the country'. Sarma was campaigning for the BJP with the Haryana elections just around the corner. He praised the people of Haryana for their contributions to the nation, especially in protecting India's borders, and targeted Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family. "I come from Assam, and our state is within the borders of India, but the work of protecting the Indian border is done by Haryana. Haryana always sacrifices its lives to protect the nation," said Sarma. He stressed the importance of the upcoming elections, calling it "the election of the golden path." Sarma thanked the people of Haryana for supporting the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections, even though the party lost the Sonipat seat. "Although we lost, you people voted for the BJP with a huge margin and also blessed Modi ji," he said. He then criticised Congress leaders for trying to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi by misleading people. "Our Congress leaders tried to defeat Modi ji by spreading lies, saying things like 'the Constitution will be changed,' or 'farmers will lose their rights' if Modi ji wins. But the people of India refused to believe these lies, and once again, Prime Minister Modi was victorious," Sarma added. Sarma then took a swipe at the Gandhi family, particularly Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. He said, "Sonia and Rahul, this mother-son duo, had dreams of forming a government, but those dreams were dashed again. Just like their shop didn't succeed in the Lok Sabha elections, I believe it won't in Haryana either--the mother-son duo's shop will flop." The Assam CM didn't mince words, adding, "Congress has two names for Sonia ji. When she is in India, she is Sonia Gandhi, but when she goes to Italy, she becomes Antonio Maino. Similarly, their candidate Surendra Pawar also has two names." He further added, "Don't let these two-named candidates win. If they win anywhere, they will turn the area into a mini Bangladesh, a mini Pakistan." Sarma drew attention to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, comparing it to the situation in Kashmir. "Right now, there is a war going on between Israel and Palestine. The Israeli army killed Hezbollah commander Hasan Nasrullah. That is their country's business. But today, in Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti says she will not campaign because she is sad that Hasan Nasrullah has been killed. I want to ask Mehbooba, Farooq Abdullah, and Rahul Gandhi: When terrorists kill Hindu soldiers, do you feel sad or not?" He also criticised Rahul Gandhi's stance on constitutional issues. The CM said, "During the Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi carried the Constitution and promised to protect it. But he recently went to America and said that one day, reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes would end. I want to tell Rahul that this reservation was given by Baba Saheb, and even if you are born 10 times, you won't be able to end it." Haryana goes to polls on October 5 to elect a 90-member state legislative assembly to form its next government, with the counting set to take place on October 8.(ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government over the flood situation in the state, accusing them of neglecting it and doing nothing to alleviate the problem. Speaking to reporters before departing for north Bengal to assess the flood situation there, CM Mamata stated, "Nothing has been done, the entire north Bengal is submerged. Everyone makes grand promises during elections and then disappears." She further said that 5 lakh cusecs of Koshi river water was released from Nepal which has affected a lot of areas in the state. "I am going to North Bengal. I have visited about seven districts (flood-affected) of South Bengal. DVC released water towards South Bengal. 5 lakh cusecs of Koshi river water was released from Nepal in North Bengal, due to which that water is flowing into the Ganga river through Bihar, Bengal...Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurdwar are affected by this and there is a possibility of flood in some areas of Malda, Murshidabad, and South Dinajpur," the Chief Minister added. Giving details about the rescue effort in the flood-hit areas, Chief Minister Banerjee said that everyone has been taken to safe places and rescue and assistance work is going on by police and state administration. "Chief Secretary has also been sent to North Bengal. All the people were taken to safe places last night. Rescue and assistance work is going on by the police and the state administration. I will hold a meeting after reaching there and then will give an update on further information," CM Banerjee said. Earlier, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari 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. CM Mamata had accused the BJP-led Central government earlier too, calling them as the "main reason" behind flooding in the state. "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. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the floods had affected five million people and urging 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. Chief Minister Banerjee urged Prime Minister Modi to seriously consider her concerns and requested the release of funds for flood management efforts to help the affected population. (ANI)
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav unleashed an attack on the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government on Sunday over the installation of smart meters. He claimed that the Nitish-BJP government is oppressing the people of Bihar and that every Bihari is disturbed by the government's looting done in the name of smart meters. "NDA government should answer our questions on smart meters! By installing smart meters in the state with the lowest per capita income in the country, doubling the electricity rates and selling the most expensive electricity, the Nitish-BJP government is oppressing the people of Bihar. Every Bihari is troubled by the government looting in the name of smart meters," Yadav posted on X. "Complaints are coming from all over Bihar that the electricity bill has doubled. The government should explain why this is happening? If it is assumed that due to the glitch in the smart meter, only Rs 100 is being defrauded from each household, then the Nitish government is illegally collecting thousands of crores of rupees every month from consumers across Bihar. The smart meter issue is related to every household and voices are coming from every household against smart meters. The collusion between power companies, officials and ruling leaders in the name of smart meters should be ended immediately. There is no compulsion to install smart meters in the gazette of Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission and Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, then for whose benefit is the government doing this? Bihar's electricity infrastructure is outdated. The consumer says that the meter is fast, the government is saying that the meter is not fast, then who will decide whether the meter is fast or not? The department that is doing the wrong thing is itself saying that everything is fine. Our demand is that there should be an impartial committee to resolve this issue," Yadav pointed out. Lashing out further Yadav stated that there are 2 crore electricity consumers in Bihar, out of which only 50 lakh consumers have installed smart meters. Before installing new meters, the government should first clear the doubts and doubts of the current 50 lakh consumers and satisfy them. Adding to this he asked, "What is the collusion of the government with the electricity companies? Can the calibration of the meter not be wrong? Is there a smart meter in the Supaul house of the power minister? If yes, then when was it installed? How many honourables and officers have smart meters installed in their government and personal residences? The meter has been changed thrice in the last 20 years, why was there a need to change the meter every time? Is there any commercial relationship between the meter companies, bill collection agencies, ruling JDU leaders and officials? The electricity companies collect the charge for the installation of smart meters from the consumers in the first two or three months but why do they not tell it? What is the total cost of the meter collected from the consumers on a meter of Rs 200?" Questioing over the credibility of the smart meters, Yadav stated, "If the so-called smart meter is really smart then why is its user interface and system so slow and faulty that there is confusion, trouble, lack of information and money getting wasted everywhere? And this trouble leads to more extortion and corruption. Why is there so much confusion and glitch in the interface and system of prepaid smart meters that the public does not know where their money has gone? How much money is left? Electricity consumers do not even know where their money is being deducted, why it is being deducted and at what rate? "Consumers get messages for money but when money is deposited, there is no message whether the money has been received or not. There is no message about when the electricity connection is going to be cut or how little amount is left. There is no message about the money being received and electricity will be restored soon. Whether new recharge has been done or not, if yes, then why does it take hours for electricity to be restored? Nothing is updated in real time and on enquiring, no one tells this and neither is this clearly mentioned in anyone's bill. Due to all these reasons, the consumer is always troubled," he added. (ANI)
Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda on Sunday criticized the Congress, saying that "the party means bad governance, corruption, and criminalization." Nadda also accused the party of engaging in vote bank politics and claimed that under the previous Congress government, large industrialists exploited poor farmers, unemployment was rampant, and jobs were given based on a 'Kharchi, Parchi' system. Addressing a public rally in Rohtak, Haryana, Nadda emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India is progressing strongly and emerging as a "bright spot" on the global stage. "When Congress was in power in Haryana, there were land scams. Rich people would grab the lands of poor farmers. Jobs were given on 'Kharchi, Parchi,' and intelligent students were left standing in the queue of unemployment," Nadda said. "Congress means bad governance, corruption, and criminalization. Congress means to make brothers fight with brothers, fight between castes, fight between society, and do vote bank politics. This is the religion of Congress and the way they operate," said Nadda. Earlier on Saturday, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticized both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for not fulfilling the manifesto promises. He said that wherever Congress has been in power in Haryana, the state's condition has "worsened." He also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of consistently insulting the nations on foreign soil and urged people not to trust either the Congress or AAP. He noted that India has become the fifth-largest economy under the BJP's governance and aims to become a developed nation by 2047. "Bharat in 2014 was 11th in terms of economy, and in the last ten years, it has become the 5th largest economy. In the next few years, it will become the third-largest economy and a developed nation by 2047," Singh said. Earlier, the Union Cabinet approved the government's 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, which proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, with urban body and panchayat polls to be held within 100 days. 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)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting on Sunday to address the flood situation in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, South Dinajpur, North Dinajpur, Malda, and Murshidabad. Speaking at a press conference in Siliguri, Chief Minister Mamata said, "Today I held an important meeting regarding the flood situation in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, South Dinajpur, North Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad... Everyone is requested to vacate dilapidated houses and also stay away from electric wires... Instructions have been given to rebuild the six shops in Vidhan Market, which have been completely damaged due to the flood. Disaster Management will give Rs 1 lakh each to these six shops. Shops that have suffered less damage will be given Rs 50,000." Chief Minister Banerjee also said that all district magistrates, district councils, panchayats, and municipal corporations have been alerted in view of the possibility of impending floods. "All DMs, District Councils, Panchayats, and Municipal Corporations have been alerted. DPRs have been prepared," she said. Earlier today, Chief Minister Mamata launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government over the flood situation in the state, accusing them of neglecting it and doing nothing to alleviate the problem. Speaking to reporters before departing for north Bengal to assess the flood situation there, CM Mamata stated, "Nothing has been done; the entire north Bengal is submerged. Everyone makes grand promises during elections and then disappears." Giving details about the rescue effort in the flood-hit areas, Chief Minister Banerjee said that everyone has been taken to safe places and rescue and assistance work is going on by police and state administration. "Chief Secretary has also been sent to North Bengal. All the people were taken to safe places last night. Rescue and assistance work is going on by the police and the state administration. I will hold a meeting after reaching there and then will give an update on further information," CM Banerjee said. Earlier, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari 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. CM Mamata had accused the BJP-led Central government earlier too, calling them as the "main reason" behind flooding in the state. "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. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the floods had affected five million people and urging 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. Chief Minister Banerjee urged Prime Minister Modi to seriously consider her concerns and requested the release of funds for flood management efforts to help the affected population. (ANI)
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's rally at Raja Ram Singh Stadium in the Ramnagar Constituency of Udhampur District, Jammu and Kashmir, was cancelled after he felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Kathua. On Sunday, Kharge became unwell while speaking at a rally in the Jasrota area of Kathua district. However, party leaders confirmed that his condition is now stable. Kharge was discharged from a hospital in Kathua after experiencing mild discomfort during the public meeting. He was there to pay tribute to a head constable who was killed in an anti-terror operation in the district. Congress leader Amit Kumar Tunna explained that Kharge felt unwell during the rally in Jasrota and was subsequently taken to the hospital. Mool Raj, the Congress candidate from Ramnagar, stated that Kharge had intended to visit Ramnagar, but his health condition prevented him from doing so. Kharge has promised to visit Ramnagar after October 8. Earlier, Congress leader Thakur Balbir Singh said that the Congress President felt suffocated due to the extreme heat. Despite this, Kharge completed his speech. "He felt suffocated because of the extreme heat, yet he still completed his speech. He will rest and then proceed to his next event in Ramnagar," Singh said. After resting, Kharge resumed his speech, reassuring the crowd that he was fine, stating, "I am not going to die so early." "We will fight to restore statehood. I am 83 years old, and I am not going to die so soon. I will live until PM Modi is removed from power," Kharge added. During his address in Jasrota, Kharge criticised the BJP-led central government, accusing them of running a remote-controlled administration through the Lieutenant Governor. "These people (the central government) never intended to hold elections. If they had wanted to, they would have done so within a couple of years. They only started preparing after the Supreme Court's order. PM Modi has done nothing for the youth of India in the past 10 years. Ask BJP leaders if they have brought prosperity in the last decade," he remarked. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, son of Mallikarjun Kharge, also shared a post on X, stating that his father was doing well despite experiencing low blood pressure. "Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jasrota, Jammu & Kashmir. He has been checked by his medical team and, apart from slightly low blood pressure, he is doing well. His resolve and the goodwill of the people keep him strong," Priyank posted. The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are being held in three phases. The first phase took place on 18 September, and the second on 25 September in six districts: Ganderbal, Budgam, Srinagar, Rajouri, Reasi, and Poonch. The third and final phase of polling is scheduled for 1 October, with vote counting to take place on 8 October. These are the first Assembly elections in the Union Territory since the abrogation of Article 370, and after a decade-long gap. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a jibe at the Congress party, saying that just Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi failed to secure victory in the Lok Sabha elections, the father-son duo of Bhupinder Hooda and Deepender Hooda will also face a drubbing in the upcoming Haryana elections. "Jaise Lok Sabha elections mein Maa-Bete ka Dukaan nahi chala, mera vishwas hai Haryana elections mein Baap-Bete ka Dukaan bhi band ho jaega," CM Sarma said at a rally in Sonipat. BJP will be forming the government (in Haryana), and Baap-Bete (Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Deepender Singh Hooda) will go for a pilgrimage to the Char Dhams, and here BJP's Nayab Singh Saini will become the Chief Minister of Haryana again," he added. The Assam Chief Minister accused the Congress party of deceiving people with their claims that BJP will change the Constitution if returns to power in the Lok Sabha elections. "The Congress party, along with a particular section of our society, said that if the BJP wins, it will change the Constitution during the Lok Sabha elections. In every state, they (Congress) said things that were only wrong but deceiving," the Assam CM 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. In 2019, the BJP was the single-largest party with 40 seats and the Congress party came second with 30 seats. Meanwhile, ahead of the assembly elections, Haryana Congress chief Chief Udai Bhan sought stern action against nine party rebels who are contesting against the party's official nominees or supporting candidates of other parties. In a letter to Manoj Chauhan, AICC secretary and co-incharge of Haryana, Udai Bhan said the party rebels have indulged in "anti-party activities. Bhan said these persons should be expelled for six years in order to "curb the indiscipline in the party." The Congress Party on Saturday released its manifesto ahead of the Haryana assembly elections, with major promises ranging from free electricity, free medical treatment, financial assistance to women, MSP guarantee to the farmers and conducting caste census in the state. In the major highlights of the manifesto, the Congress party has promised to provide 300 units of free electricity and free medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakhs to every family in Haryana. On similar lines as Madhya Pradesh's 'Ladli Behen Yojana' and Maharashtra's 'Ladki Behen Yojana', the Congress has also promised to provide Rs 2000 per month to women, aged 18-60 in the state. The manifesto also promises to provide Rs 500 for Gas cylinders. (ANI)
Century-old pomegranate trees in SW China's Yunnan well protected, yield juicy, sweet fruits

People's Daily Online) 13:18, September 29, 2024

An ancient pomegranate tree in an orchard in Mengzi city, southwest China's Yunnan Province turned 200 years old on Sept. 16, 2024. Despite its age, the tree produces pomegranates with thin peels, plump seeds, soft cores, and a juicy, sweet taste.

Photo shows the 200-year-old pomegranate tree at an ancient pomegranate tree orchard in Mengzi city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/He Xinwen)

Photo shows pomegranates on the branches of a pomegranate tree at an ancient pomegranate tree orchard in Mengzi city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/People's Daily App)

The orchard, covering an area of about 200 mu (about 13.33 hectares), is home to pomegranate trees that are more than 125 years old.

Photo shows seeds of a pomegranate harvested at an ancient pomegranate tree orchard in Mengzi city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/People's Daily App)

The vibrant growth of the pomegranate trees is inseparable from sci-tech innovation, protection efforts and ecological farming.

According to Zhang Xian, head of the Mengsheng Pomegranate Production and Marketing Cooperative, the cooperative and China Agricultural University jointly established a pomegranate science and technology courtyard. The courtyard is dedicated to advancing the organic cultivation of pomegranates, steering clear of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. This promotes healthier and greener growth of the ancient pomegranate trees, thus leading to high-quality fruits.

Some of the pomegranates will be delivered to the hands of 20 centenarians in Mengzi by community workers, allowing these elders to savor the sweet fruits from the century-old trees.

A centenarian holds a pomegranate. (Photo/Chen Huaying)

Pomegranate planting has a history of over 800 years in Mengzi. Beyond preserving ancient pomegranate trees, Mengzi has established a mechanism involving farmers, companies, and cooperatives with shared interests, built an expert workstation, established a nursery that currently preserves the germplasm resources of 308 pomegranate varieties worldwide, nurtured 21 hybrid pomegranate varieties, and introduced four patent pomegranate varieties for trial planting. These efforts have driven the transformation and upgrade of the local pomegranate industry.

Researchers of a pomegranate science and technology courtyard work at an ancient pomegranate tree orchard in Mengzi city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Zhang Jue)

Workers sort and pack pomegranates from ancient trees in Mengzi city, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Zhang Jue)

Currently, there are 62 professional pomegranate cooperatives in Mengzi, with a total pomegranate planting area spanning 120,000 mu and pomegranate production of 340,600 tonnes. The total output value of the pomegranate cooperatives surpasses 1.2 billion yuan (about $171 million).

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann chaired a meeting on paddy procurement on Sunday. "Chairing a meeting to review the ensuing procurement of paddy, the Chief Minister said that the state government is expected to procure 185 LMT paddy to be brought into mandis by farmers during the procurement Season commencing October 1," as per an official release. Chief Minister Mann said that the state government is fully ready for the upcoming Khareef Marketing Season (KMS). He said that 32 lakh hectares of area was currently under paddy cultivation in the state, adding that Punjab is targeting procurement of 185 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that CCL to the tune of Rs. 41,378 crore for KMS 2024-25 has already been released by the RBI, as per the release. "The Chief Minister said that the Government of India has fixed Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2320 per quintal for grade 'A' paddy this season. He said that the State procurement agencies, viz Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup, PSWC, along with FCI, will procure paddy on Minimum Support Price as per specification laid down by the Government of India," the release stated. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that entire preparations for the smooth and hassle free procurement of the paddy has been made adding that the state government is committed for smooth and hassle free procurement and lifting of paddy. "The Chief Minister said that the state government has already made elaborate arrangements for purchasing the harvest of farmers as soon as it arrives in the Mandis. He said that a viable mechanism has been evolved to ensure on the spot payment to the farmers in their bank accounts," as per the release. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that smooth and hassle free procurement of grains is being ensured in the market so that farmers don't face any sort of inconvenience. "The Chief Minister said that all out efforts have been made to ensure smooth, hassle free and quick procurement of Paddy on one hand and facilitate the farmers in getting timely payment of their produce on the other," as per the release. He categorically said that farmers of the state should not be put to any inconvenience for the sale of their produce in the mandis. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is duty bound to ensure that every golden grain of the farmers is procured and lifted immediately, the release stated. "The Chief Minister also asked the Deputy Commissioners to ensure a smooth process of procurement of the paddy crop in the mandis along with ensuring its prompt lifting in their respective districts. He categorically said that any sort of laxity in performing this duty was totally unwarranted and undesirable adding that the produce of farmers' need to be purchased and lifted at the earliest to facilitate them," as per the release. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is firmly committed to the smooth and hassle free procurement of paddy and officers are duty-bound to make every effort to ensure that the government's decision is duly implemented. "The Chief Minister also asked the Deputy Commissioners to visit 7-8 mandis daily to take stock of the entire operations at ground level. He said that the officers must undertake regular visits in the grain markets under their jurisdiction and submit the daily report for regular monitoring. Bhagwant Singh Mann also asked them to minutely observe the procurement operations so as to ensure that the stocks of grains do not pile up in the market and its prompt lifting was ensured at the earliest," as per the release. The Chief Minister said that, in a big relief to rice millers, the first 750 millers of the state who will apply for allotment of custom milling for procurement season 2024-25 will be allotted 25 per cent more paddy than their entitlement as per the policy, as per the release. (ANI)
Attacking the Congress party in Haryana, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the state was plagued by scams, murders, corruption, land scams, hooliganism and the rule of dealers under the Congress rule. The Chief Minister participated in a public meeting organised in favour of BJP candidate Mukesh Sharma in Haryana's Gurugram. He further added that the Bharatiya Janata Party's double-engine government has strengthened the law and order in Haryana in the last 10 years and brought transparency in the state. "Haryana was plagued by scams, murder of daughters, corruption, land scams, hooliganism and the rule of dealers. The double-engine government has strengthened the law and order in Haryana in the last 10 years, transparency has come in the state. The Congress candidate claims that if his government is formed in Haryana, he will first give jobs to his family members," he said while participating in a public meeting organised in favour of BJP candidate Mukesh Sharma in Haryana's Gurugram. CM Dhami said that in the last few years, work has been done to connect every district of Haryana with national highways and the railway budget in Haryana has been increased 10 times, while adding that the work of expanding the metro is going on in Gurugram. He said that on one hand, our Prime Minister wants to take Haryana forward in every field, and on the other hand Congress wants to push Haryana into the quagmire of corruption. Corruption is in every nook and cranny of the Congress party. He said that everyone has to take the pledge to form a BJP government in Haryana again. The Chief Minister said that in all the states where Congress is in power, they have emptied the government Treasury. Congress is not worried about the soldiers but about grabbing power. Greedy, opportunist, corrupt and nepotistic party Congress has to be uprooted from Haryana. Congress has neither policy nor intention to solve the problems of Haryana. Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CM said, "PM Modi has a special attachment to the state of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand resides in his heart. On every occasion, he works to take the state of Uttarakhand forward. He said that even today in the Mann Ki Baat programme, the Prime Minister mentioned Uttarakashi district. The number of pilgrims is continuously increasing in the Char Dham Yatra." "The Prime Minister described every border village of the country from Mana village as the first village of the country. Prime Minister Modi is the first Prime Minister of the country to come to Adi Kailash. The construction of All Weather Road in Uttarakhand has made the Char Dham Yatra easy and simple. One can reach Dehradun from Delhi in just 2 hours from the Delhi-Dehradun elevated road," he added. "All-round development is taking place in Uttarakhand under the leadership of the Prime Minister. Development of tourist places, expansion of airports, and many other works have been done. He said that BJP candidate Mukesh Sharma has been continuously serving the public. Every vote cast for the lotus will change the fate and picture of Haryana," said Dhami, urging the public to vote in favour of the BJP in the polls. Haryana goes to the polls on October 5 to elect a 90-member state legislative assembly to form its next government, with the counting set to take place on October 8. In 2019, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 40 seats. Congress won 30 seats. (ANI)
Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam took a jibe at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, saying he is very "sad and distressed" due to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah and Hamas. In a sarcastic tone, he also urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to refrain from criticising the LoP, citing Gandhi's "emotional distress". Speaking to ANI, Krishnam said, "Amit Shah should not attack Rahul Gandhi at this time because Rahul Gandhi is very sad due to the attack on Hezbollah. He is very sad about the destruction of Hamas at this time. Rahul Gandhi is hurt by the attack on Hezbollah; it is not right to attack him." "It has been Indian tradition that when a person is sad. One gets the news of the destruction of his close ones, feels sad and the sad person is not attacked," he added. Notably, the Congress party has been critical of Israeli actions in Gaza, which have led to massive civilian casualties after Israel launched massive operations following the terror attacks by Hamas on October 7. Recently, during his US visit, Rahul Gandhi acknowledged that what happened on October 7 was "absolutely wrong", but added that Israel's action of "bombing innocent civilians, and killing women and children", is absolutely wrong and "should not be allowed to continue." Earlier, in the party manifesto for Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party criticised the BJP government's position on the Gaza conflict and pledged to restore "India's global reputation as a voice of peace and moderation in world affairs." Attacking Rahul Gandhi further, the former Congress leader said that if the LoP goes to Haryana, he will leave no stone unturned to "ruin" Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda's hard work. "I have full faith that the blessings of Maa Bhagwati will remain on the people of Haryana during Navratri...Congress's election campaign is going very well because of Hooda ji; a few days are left. If Rahul Gandhi goes there, he will leave no stone unturned to ruin Hooda's hard work. There is an election in Navratri; voting is in Navratri and the election results will come in Navratri. Those who talk of eradicating Sanatan, oppose Ram and oppose Bhagwati's power, I don't think Maa's blessings will be on them," he said. Earlier, Shah, while addressing a rally in Gurugram, asked the people to cast their vote on October 5, during the Navratri festival, as a response to Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party's alleged insult to 'Shakti'. "On October 3, Navratri is going to begin, and you have to vote on October 5. You have to answer to Congress and Rahul Gandhi. While casting your vote, you have to give an answer to Rahul Gandhi and his Congress, who insulted Shakti. They have got blind for appeasement," Shah said. Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi, he asked the Lok Sabha LoP why his party leaders are raising such slogans and why he is quiet on this matter. "I want to ask Rahul Gandhi that when the leaders and workers of your party are raising the slogans of 'Pakistan Zindabad', why are you quiet? The Congress is blinded by appeasement. Tell me, people of Badhsapur, Is Kashmir ours or not? Should Article 370 have been removed or not? Congress and Rahul Baba say that they will bring Article 370 back," he said. Haryana goes to the polls on October 5 to elect a 90-member state legislative assembly to form its next government, with the counting set to take place on October 8. In 2019, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 40 seats. Congress won 30 seats. (ANI)
Based on information provided by a combine harvester operator about a drone in a farming field, BSF troops rushed to the spot and carried out an extensive search operation, said BSF in a press release.

The search culminated at about 11:40 am with the recovery of one drone from a farming field nearby village-CB Chand in district Tarn Taran, added the statement.

The recovered drone has been identified as a China-made DJI Mavic 3 classic, informed officials.

Earlier on Monday, BSF and the Punjab police, in a joint operation, recovered a drone in a farming field adjacent to Mahwa village in Amritsar district, said BSF in a press release.

As per an official release, on September 23, acting on information from the BSF intelligence wing regarding the presence of a drone in the border area of district Amritsar, BSF troops, in collaboration with Punjab Police, carried out an extensive search in the suspected area.

Earlier on September 12, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, in a joint operation, recovered a drone with 6.230 kg of suspected heroin in the Tarn Taran district of Punjab.

On September 9, the Border Security Force (BSF) troops recovered 1.180 kilogrammes of suspected heroin in the border area of Amritsar district. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, requesting him to ensure the release of 17 fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka along with the seizure of their boats. The fishermen, who ventured for fishing from the Rameswaram fish landing centre on September 28, were apprehended near Neduntheevu on Sunday by Lankan authorities, CM Stalin said in his letter. In the letter, the Tamil Nadu CM said, "I want to bring to your attention yet another incident involving the apprehension of 17 fishermen and their fishing boats near Neduntheevu on September 29, 2024, by the Sri Lankan navy. These fishermen had ventured for fishing from the Rameswaram fish landing centre on September 28." He further said that the detention of fishermen and confiscation of their boats cause "serious distress and uncertainty" among the coastal communities. "The detention of our fishermen and the confiscation of their boats cause serious distress and uncertainty among the coastal communities. I have repeatedly reiterated that concrete and proactive steps must be taken to resolve this festering issue diplomatically," he added. Adding further, he said, "Considering the gravity of the situation, I have also submitted this as one of the requests in the memorandum submitted to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on September 27." The Chief Minister further urged the Foreign Minister to initiate strong and effective diplomatic measures to prevent the arrest of our fishermen. "I, therefore, request you to initiate strong and effective diplomatic measures to prevent the arrest of our fishermen and to secure the immediate release of all the arrested fishermen and their fishing boats from the Sri Lankan authorities," he stated in the letter. CM MK Stalin on Thursday also urged External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to take immediate diplomatic initiatives to ensure consular access and legal assistance to secure an early release of 28 fishermen from the Idinthakarai fishing village of Tirunelveli district apprehended by the Bahrain Coast Guard on September 11. Earlier on Saturday, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar requesting him to ensure the release of 37 Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities. In the letter, the Congress leader has requested Jaishankar to take up this matter with the Sri Lankan authorities and ensure the early release of the fishermen and their seized boats. Notably, the arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have been a concerning issue for both the Tamil Nadu government as well as the BJP-led central government. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has written to EAM Jaishankar multiple times. Responding to one of his letters, Jaishankar assured him of pro-active action by the Centre on the issue and said that the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna have been expeditiously and consistently taking up such cases for the early release of those detained. The issue was also discussed during the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the latter's visit to India in July last year. (ANI)
The high-stakes campaigning for the third and final phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded on Sunday evening with voting set to take place for 40 constituencies in the third phase. Of the 40 constituencies, 24 fall under the Jammu division and the remaining in Kashmir. This election marks the first one in a decade and the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The three-phase election is witnessing a multi-cornered fight for the 90 seats across the erstwhile state. While the National Conference and the Congress are fighting the elections in an alliance, the People's Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the two other major players. Major political parties, especially the BJP, Congress, NC, and PDP, have been involved in heated debates over key issues including Pakistan, Article 370, terrorism, and reservation, all through the days of campaigning. High-profile leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah (BJP), Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and former J-K chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abudullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, were on the ground for weeks. Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are not just any ordinary election but a demonstration of India's democracy and its strength. Targeting Pakistan, the Defence Minister said that whenever the agencies investigated terrorist activities in Kashmir, Pakistan has always been found to be involved in that. He also highlighted the Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP), launched by PM Modi in 2015 for Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a public rally in Gurez at Bandipore area today, Rajnath Singh asserted that if there had been a better relationship, India would have given more money to Pakistan than what they have asked from the International Monetary Fund. Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out against the Congress in his election rally in Jammu and spoke of the 2016 surgical strikes and the "robust response" of his government against those trying to create trouble in the country. Addressing a rally in Jammu, PM Modi referred to the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army in 2016 on terror launch pads across the Line of Control after a terrorist strike in Uri and said that the action gave out a message about "new India." Meanwhile, Nasrallah's killing has created another political row, with People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, cancelling her election campaign on Sunday for the third phase of the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir in "solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah." "Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance," Mehbooba Mufti said in a post on X on Saturday. Bharatiya Janata Party has slammed Mufti for showing solidarity with Nasrallah and accused her of supporting terrorists. Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that parties like the National Conference, People's Democratic Party and Congress support terrorism and not democracy. He further said that these parties are aware of the situation in Gaza but are unable to see what's happening with the Hindus in Dhaka. BJP leader Kavinder Gupta termed Mufti's empathy as "crocodile tears" and questioned the PDP chief on her silence on the "attacks and killings" of Hindus in Bangladesh and said that one should speak on the "lines of humanity." BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur also attacked Mufti over the issue and said she was playing her "religious card" and an "election stunt" for doing appeasement. Voting for this crucial phase covers 40 Assembly segments across seven districts--Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, and Kathua in the Jammu region and Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara in north Kashmir. Earlier, polling parties were dispatched for Bani Assembly constituency ahead of the 3rd phase of J-K Assembly Elections. Speaking about the polls, Kathua Dy Election Officer, Nagesh Singh, said, "Elections for the third phase of J-K Assembly elections will be held in our district. The polling party for Bani Assembly Constituency has been dispatched." "Later, they will leave for their respective polling stations. There are a total of 704 polling stations in the Kathua district. In Bani, there are 94 polling stations. Flying Squad Teams (FST) and Static Surveillance Teams (SST) have been deployed to ensure free and fair elections," he informed. In another development, the BJP suspended three of its leaders on Saturday after they were found involved in 'anti-party activities' ahead of the third phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir. The names of the leaders are Amit Sharma, DDC Majalta, Prakshit Singh, DDC Jaganu, and Swarn Singh Rathore, District Vice President, Udhampur. Following the encounter with terrorists in village Kog (Mandli), in the Kathua district on Saturday, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Jammu Anand Jain said that all the required arrangements have been made for the third phase of the assembly polls in the Union Territory. Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday became unwell while addressing a rally in the Jasrota area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. Kharge was discharged from a hospital in Kathua after he felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jasrota. The Congress president was paying tribute to a head constable killed in an anti-terror operation in Kathua. Congress leader Thakur Balbir Singh said that the Congress President felt suffocated due to the extreme heat. After taking a rest, Kharge resumed his speech, reassuring the crowd that his health was fine and saying that he was not going to die so early. "We will fight to restore statehood. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive till PM Modi is removed from power," the Congress leader said. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Kashmir Zone, VK Birdi, chaired a meeting on Sunday to review the law and order situation in Srinagar, officials said. According to an official statement, the meeting began with the participating officers briefing the IGP Kashmir on the overall security scenario and providing insights into the existing security challenges. The discussions encompassed various facets, including intelligence gathering and response to various emergent situations. The district SSsP also briefed the IGP Kashmir regarding the preparedness and the issues related to the current law and order situation of their respective districts. IGP Kashmir directed the officers to meticulously prepare, plan, and monitor their respective areas of responsibility to prevent any untoward law and order outbreak. He directed district SSsP, cyber cell, IT and social media cells to monitor social media and identify the rumour mongers and those who post incriminating material. He emphasised strict adherence to SOPs and stressed conducting coordination meetings with the public to ensure peace and calm in the valley. The first phase of Assembly polls was held on September 18, while the second phase of polling was held on September 25, in the six districts of Ganderbal, Budgam, Srinagar, and Jammu regions: Rajouri, Reasi, and Poonch. The third and final phase of polling is scheduled for October 1, while the counting of votes will take place on October 8. Voter turnouts of 61 per cent and 57.31 per cent was recorded in the first and second phases of polling respectively in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission of India said on Friday. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mondal on Sunday arrived at his residence in Chinar Park after being released on bail. Notably, Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi has granted regular bail to TMC leader Anubrata Mondal in the money laundering case related to the West Bengal cattle smuggling scam. Mondal was accused of involvement in illegal activities linked to the smuggling of cattle across the India-Bangladesh border. Advocate Ahmad Ibrahim appeared for the accused. The court has recently sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the bail plea of Anubrata Mondal, who is one of the accused in the cattle smuggling case. He has been granted bail by the Supreme Court in the CBI case. His bail plea submitted that the applicant has been in continued incarceration for almost 2 years. He was arrested on November 17, 2022, and there is no likelihood of the trial even getting started in the near future. "The prosecuting agency has been delaying the trial by not providing the accused persons with the complete set of documents along with the chargesheet, which is making it impossible for the counsel for the accused persons to prepare and argue on the point of charge," the plea said. The counsels also said that even if the arguments on charge are heard and the charges are framed, it will take a very long time to complete the trial as there are a total of 85 witnesses mentioned in the prosecution complaints, which will inevitably take a very long time to complete. It was also submitted that the accused is 65 years old and has age-related ailments. Apart from the various illnesses he had, he has now developed radiculopathy and severe pain in the lower limb, making it extremely difficult for him to move without assistance. It was further submitted that the applicant was advised MRI but the same could not be done because he was taken to a hospital where only a closed MRI facility was available and the applicant has a history of getting panic attacks and being claustrophobic. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised that large parts of the world cannot be left behind while addressing key issues and highlighted the need for a United Nations that is effective, efficient, and representative. The remarks by Jaishankar came during his address at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday. He said, "The global order is inherently pluralistic and diverse. The UN began with 51 members; we are now 193. The world has changed profoundly and so have its concerns and opportunities. But to address both and indeed to strengthen the order itself, it is essential that the UN be the central platform for finding common ground. And that it certainly cannot be, by remaining anachronistic. He added, "Large parts of the world cannot be left behind when it comes to deciding the key issues of our times. An effective and efficient UN, a more representative UN and a UN fit for purpose in the contemporary era is essential." Highlighting the importance of global cooperation, the EAM noted that through sharing experiences, and pooling resources, the world can be transformed. "Let us therefore send out a clear message from this UNGA Session: we are determined not to be left behind. By coming together, sharing experiences, pooling resources and strengthening our resolve, we can change the world for the better," Jaishankar said. Jaishankar during his address, also highlighted the concerns of the Global South, and said that development plans and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets are drifting away. He said, "We are gathered here at a difficult time. The world is yet to recover from the ravages of the Covid pandemic. A war in Ukraine is well into its third year. The conflict in Gaza is acquiring wider ramifications. Across the Global South, development plans have gone off rails and SDG targets are receding. But there is more." He highlighted the threats facing the region -- unfair trade practices, devastating climate events, and food security concerns. He said, "Unfair trade practices threaten jobs, just as unviable projects raise debt levels... Technology advancements, which have long been a source of hope, are now equally a factor of anxiety. Climate events occur with greater intensity and frequency. Food security is as worrisome as health security." He further said, "As the world contemplates these concerns, India has sought to respond in a variety of ways." Elaborating on the measures, Jaishankar added, "First, by focusing on the issues of the vulnerable, women, farmers and youth. And fashioning targeted policies and initiatives for their betterment. Assured access to piped water, to electricity, to cooking gas and new homes are changing millions of lives. The gender gap has started to close, be it in health, in education or in the work place. Our food producers, thrice a year, get financial support at the click of a button. And a third-term government has made skilling of the youth its key priority." Jaishankar further asserted that India has made significant strides in expanding opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. "Second, by expanding opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, including through stronger training and large-scale financial incentives. 495 million Mudra loans have been given to small businesses in the last decade. 67 per cent of them are women. Equally telling, 6.56 million street vendors have availed 8.85 million Svanidhi loans. This is just in the last 4 years. 45 per cent of the beneficiaries are again women." He added, "Third, by creating templates that are replicable elsewhere. It could be digital delivery or enhancing the quality of governance and public services. As indeed, making medicines and health facilities accessible and affordable..." The EAM stressed the importance of empowering the Global South to share its collective concerns. "Fourth, by encouraging the Global South to voice its shared concerns and come together. To that end, we have convened three Global South Summits, the most recent in August of 2024." He further said, "And fifth, by contributing to the well-being of the global commons and responding to the pressing needs of those in distress. This has ranged from undertaking projects in 78 nations, providing resources to neighbours and responding to HADR situations, to supplying medicines and ensuring maritime safety and security." (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in the launch of the PanIIT Alumni Foundation in New York, alongside the 79th United Nations General Assembly session on Saturday. During the event, he appreciated the efforts and contributions of India's diaspora community in developing the Viksit Bharat. Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Pleased to participate in the launch of PanIIT Alumni Foundation in New York. A good chat with Dr. Purnendu Chatterjee on developing a technology and manufacturing ecosystem in India." He added, "Appreciate the efforts and contributions of our diaspora in developing a Viksit Bharat." Meanwhile, Jaishankar also met his counterparts from Mexico and Algeria on the sidelines of UNGA. Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "After the speech at UNGA79. With FM Alicia Barcena of Mexico." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1840136940093354393 In another post, he said, "A warm meeting with FM Ahmed Attaf of Algeria today on the sideline of UNGA79. Useful exchange on taking forward our long-standing partnership. Also discussed advancing our multilateral cooperation." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1840106736096817492 Jaishankar on Saturday also emphasised that large parts of the world cannot be left behind while addressing key issues and highlighted the need for a United Nations that is effective, efficient, and representative. The remarks by Jaishankar came during his address at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday. He said, "The global order is inherently pluralistic and diverse. The UN began with 51 members; we are now 193. The world has changed profoundly and so have its concerns and opportunities. But to address both and indeed to strengthen the order itself, it is essential that the UN be the central platform for finding common ground. And that it certainly cannot be, by remaining anachronistic. He added, "Large parts of the world cannot be left behind when it comes to deciding the key issues of our times. An effective and efficient UN, a more representative UN and a UN fit for purpose in the contemporary era are essential." Highlighting the importance of global cooperation, the EAM noted that through sharing experiences, and pooling resources, the world can be transformed. "Let us therefore send out a clear message from this UNGA Session: we are determined not to be left behind. By coming together, sharing experiences, pooling resources and strengthening our resolve, we can change the world for the better," Jaishankar said. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday at the United Nations General Assembly that when India lands on the moon or rolls out its own 5G stack, it provides hope and rekindles optimism. Jaishankar said that overconcentration of production has hollowed out many economies. "In these troubled times, it is necessary to provide hope and rekindle optimism. We have to demonstrate that big changes are possible...When India lands on the moon, rolls out its own 5G stack, dispatches vaccines worldwide, embraces fintech, or houses so many global capability centres, there is a message here. Our quest for a Viksit Bharat or a developed India will understandably be followed closely. An important cause of many getting left behind has been the unfairness of the current globalisation model. Overconcentration of production has hollowed out many economies, impacting their employment and social stability," he said. Jaishankar said that several countries have extracted more from these international systems than what they have contributed, which has made it feeble. "Countries have extracted more from the international system than they have put into it, enfeebling it in the process. We see that vividly in every challenge and every crisis. Reforming multilateralism is therefore an imperative. The urgency of this call is highlighted by the theme of this session," he said. Jaishankar said that the UN should not leave anyone behind. This can be ensured by being undivided. "Leaving no one behind means advancing peace, ensuring sustainable development, and strengthening human dignity. This cannot be delivered by a UN paralysed when faced with division, conflict, terrorism and violence. Nor can it be advanced if access to food, fuel and fertiliser is jeopardised. When capturing markets lacks restraint, it damages the livelihood and social fabric of others," he said. The EAM said that the developed countries' evasion of climate action responsibilities undermines the growth of developing countries. "Evasion of climate action responsibilities by the developed undermines the growth prospect of the developing. Indeed, when resource crunch limits the very pursuit of SDG targets, it is not just economies, but human dignity itself that is embedded. If the world is in such a state, this body must ask itself, how has this come to pass? The problems arise from a combination of structural shortcomings, political calculations, naked self-interest, and, yes, disregard for those left behind," he said. He also said that it is natural to feel overwhelmed by the changing landscape, but the countries must address themselves to the task. "It is natural to feel overwhelmed by what we confront now. After all, there are so many dimensions, different moving parts, issues of the day, and the changing landscape. But every change must begin somewhere, and there is no better place than where it all started. We, the members of the United Nations, must now seriously and purposefully address ourselves to that task. Not because it is a competition for influence or a squabble for positions, but because if we carry on like this, the state of the world is only going to get worse. And that could mean that more of us are going to be left behind," he said. Jaishankar stated that the world today is polarised and conversations are difficult. "In truth, the world stands fractious, polarised, and frustrated. Conversations have become difficult, agreements even more so. This is surely not what the founders of the United Nations would have wanted of us...Today, we find both peace and prosperity equally endangered. And that is because trust has eroded and processes have broken down." Jaishankar reiterated his support for the theme of UNGA- 'Leaving No-one Behind'. "We strongly support the 79th UNGA theme - 'Leaving No-one Behind'. We are gathered here at a difficult time. The world is yet to recover from the ravages of the COVID pandemic. A war in Ukraine is well into its third year, and the conflict in Gaza is acquiring wider ramifications." (ANI)
Fashion toys from S China's Dongguan win hearts overseas

People's Daily Online) 13:33, September 29, 2024

A wall showcasing a variety of mech armors infused with traditional Chinese cultural elements catches the eye at Dongguan Dongxiu Culture Communication Co., Ltd. in Dongguan city, south China's Guangdong Province. These products are created by Motor Nuclear, a subsidiary of the company.

"There is a vast consumer market for mech armors both domestically and internationally, characterized by robust purchasing power. However, the supply of Chinese original mech armor IPs and products remains insufficient," said Liang Zhanming, product manager at Motor Nuclear.

Fashion toys produced in Dongguan are shown at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, the United States. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Dongguan municipal committee)

By drawing inspiration from historical and mythological figures and infusing them with Chinese elements, Motor Nuclear has created modern model toys featuring mech armors that boast exceptional design and quality. This has garnered a significant following overseas and opened up new business prospects for the company through the promotion of traditional Chinese culture.

"Our products consistently become popular upon entering the market, leading to a significant increase in overseas sales. In the first half of the year, our overseas sales volume grew by over 70 percent. Currently, orders are scheduled until December," said Liang.

In recent years, Dongguan has become a leading hub for fashion toys in China, thanks to its industrial foundation, policy support, innovation, and geographical advantages. Statistics show that 25 percent of animation derivative products globally and nearly 85 percent of fashion toys in China are manufactured in Dongguan.

Many fashion toy companies in Dongguan have successfully transitioned to digital and intelligent production and management, moving from being original equipment manufacturers to actively engaging in the research and development (R&D) and manufacturing of IPs.

Dongguan Weishi Culture Technology Co., Ltd. is one of these companies. According to Xiong Mao, the company's head, it was originally an equipment manufacturer for cellphone companies, producing keypads. The profit from this model was low. After numerous experiments with materials, structure, and craftsmanship, the company eventually developed its own assembled metal models. Today, its proprietary brand "Piececool" is popular in the market.

In recent years, fashion toys showcasing traditional culture have been rapidly entering the global market, providing a new boost for company growth. According to customs data, Dongguan exported over 12 billion yuan (approximately $1.72 billion) worth of toys to more than 100 countries and regions worldwide in the first seven months of 2024.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the situation in Afghanistan, likening it to some of the most egregious systems of oppression in recent history. Sharing a post on X, Guterres said, "What is happening in Afghanistan can be compared with some of the most egregious systems of oppression in recent history." He added, "I join all countries and organisations demanding that the de facto authorities remove all discriminatory restrictions against women and girls immediately." Last month, the Taliban announced that a new law on the "Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice," will be in force in the country. Issued on August 21 by Afghanistan's Ministry for Promoting Virtue and Preventing Vice, the new law orders women to cover their bodies and faces entirely and not speak or sing loud enough for non-family members to hear them. The document of the law published in the official gazette imposes its interpretation of the Islamic Sharia law. Women's voices, it says, are now considered as 'awrah', or intimate parts, and may only be experienced in cases of necessity. The orders related to hijab are described, and it is said that it is essential to cover the whole body of the woman and it is necessary to cover the face due to the fear of temptation. In addition, the law states that the ombudsmen are responsible to prevent the drivers from playing music, using drugs, transporting women without hijab, providing a place for women to sit and mingle with men who are not mahrams, and from being wise and mature. "It is haram for unrelated men to look at the bodies or faces of unrelated women, and it is haram for unrelated women to look at unrelated men," the law ratified by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada states. Punishment for these "crimes" will be carried out by the Taliban's Muhtaseebs or morality police who have the authority to detain individuals for up to three days. Notably, the Taliban have attempted to partially defend their new laws by claiming they are intended to safeguard women. The regime has recently begun tightening down on men, with morality police visiting mosques and inspecting for those who haven't grown beards. Long before the Taliban came to power, Afghanistan granted women the right to vote in 1919, a year before the United States. It opened its first schools for girls in 1921, according to The Washington Post. (ANI)
United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the rising violence in the Middle East, urging all sides to halt the cycle of violence immediately. The remarks by Guterres follow Israeli airstrikes in Beirut that led to the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Sharing a post on X, Guterres said, "I'm gravely concerned by the dramatic escalation of events in Beirut in the last 24 hours. This cycle of violence must stop now. All sides must step back from the brink." He added, "The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, as well as the wider region, cannot afford an all-out war." Meanwhile, UNICEF has sounded the alarm over the strikes in Beirut, condemning the recent escalation that has claimed thousands of lives. Sharing a post on X, UNICEF said, "Tragedy upon tragedy in Lebanon. The recent escalation has killed and injured thousands and instilled an unimaginable fear in people. The children of Lebanon need an immediate de-escalation." The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) also eliminated senior Hezbollah intelligence array terrorist Hassan Khalil Yassin in a precision strike in the Dahieh district in Beirut on Saturday, the military reported, according to a report by Jerusalem Post. "Yassin stood at the head of a department responsible for the identification of civilian and military targets, on the northern border and deep within Israeli territory," the IDF said. It added, "As part of his role, Yassin collaborated intensely with all of Hezbollah's offensive units, was personally involved in the planning of terror attacks that were executed during the war against Israeli civilians and soldiers, and planned additional attacks to be carried out in the coming days." Meanwhile, Hezbollah has officially acknowledged the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, following Israeli strikes on Beirut, according to a report by CNN. Hezbollah said on Saturday that its leader, Nasrallah, "has joined his fellow martyrs." The group also vowed that it would "continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine," Al Jazeera reported. The Israeli Defence Forces launched precision strikes on the Lebanese capital in Beirut on Friday, which led to the death of Nasrallah. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that the airstrikes targeting Hassan Nasrallah resulted in civilian casualties, with at least six people killed and dozens injured. Also, Lebanon launched an attack on Israeli territory following the assassination of its leader, Nasrallah. In a post on X, IDF said, "Sirens sounded in the area of Jerusalem following a launch from Lebanon into Israeli territory." Also, following the death of Nasrallah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran's Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face consequences and that no location in Iran or the Middle East is beyond Israel's reach. Netanyahu called Nasrallah as "main engine of Iran's axis of evil" and added, "Nasrallah was not just another terrorist, he was the terrorist. He was the axis of the axis, the main engine of Iran's axis of evil. He and his people were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not only operated by Iran, he also frequently operated Iran." He further said, "All those who oppose the axis of evil, all those who are fighting under the violent dictatorship of Iran and its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Iran itself and other places, they are all filled with hope today. I say to the citizens of those countries: Israel stands with you. And to the ayatollahs' regime, I say: Those who strike us, we strike them. There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel cannot reach. Today, you already know that this is correct." (ANI)
Javed Beigh, a political activist from Jammu and Kashmir, raised concerns about the ongoing persecution of religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan during an event at the Geneva Press Club. In his speech, Beigh shed light on the systematic oppression and violent mistreatment of minority communities, including Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians, many of whom belong to marginalised communities. Beigh also provided historical context to these abuses, noting that since Pakistan's inception in 1947, the country has witnessed widespread and institutionalised discrimination against its minority populations. "These communities continue to face atrocities at the hands of religious extremist groups, and the Pakistani state remains either silent or complicit in these violations," Beigh stated. The activist detailed the range of human rights violations faced by minorities in Pakistan. Hindus and Sikhs, in particular, endure forced conversions, abductions, and targeted killings. Young girls from these communities are often forcibly married and converted to Islam, while their families face immense pressure to migrate, often seeking refuge in India. Beigh also highlighted the desecration of Hindu temples, pointing out that thousands have been destroyed since 1947, with no accountability for those responsible. Expressing deep concern, Beigh emphasised the dramatic decline in Pakistan's Hindu population, which has shrunk from over 15 per cent at the time of partition to less than 2 per cent today. He also condemned Pakistan's educational curricula, which promote intolerance towards Hindus, fostering a culture of exclusion and suspicion. Christians, who represent around 1.6 per cent of Pakistan's population, face similar challenges. Beigh noted that many Christians had converted from Dalit backgrounds before partition, seeking to escape caste-based oppression, only to continue facing both religious persecution and caste discrimination in Pakistan. Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws, frequently used to target Christians, were another focal point of Beigh's speech. "Pakistan's nationalist identity, framed in opposition to a perceived 'Hindu India,' has worsened the plight of religious minorities," Beigh explained. He argued that this narrative not only exacerbates religious persecution but also fosters cultural and political discrimination against Hindus, who are often unfairly seen as agents of India. Beigh called on the international community to intervene, stressing that Pakistan's treatment of its minorities demands urgent attention. He urged the UNHRC to press Pakistan to uphold its commitments to protect all citizens, regardless of their religious background, as part of its international human rights obligations. Beigh also emphasised the important role the Indian diaspora can play in advocating for the protection of marginalised groups in Pakistan. "The world must take a stand to ensure that Pakistan is held accountable for its human rights violations. This is not just about safeguarding human dignity but also ensuring that the values of tolerance and pluralism are respected globally," Beigh concluded. His address comes as international scrutiny over Pakistan's human rights record, particularly regarding its treatment of minority communities, continues to grow. (ANI)
Seven labourers from Multan were killed late Saturday night in a terrorist attack in the Khuda-i-Abadan area of Panjgur town in Balochistan, Dawn reported on Sunday. The victims were identified as Sajid, Shafiq, Fayyaz, Iftikhar, Salman, Khalid, and Allah Wasia. As per Dawn's report, the labourers were attacked while sleeping in the same room of the house where they were working. According to the police, armed men stormed the site and opened fire with automatic weapons, indiscriminately targeting the workers. "Seven labourers were killed on the spot and another was injured in the firing," Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari, Dawn reported. Police and other law enforcement agencies rushed to the scene and transported the victims to the district hospital for immediate care, reported Dawn. "All the labourers who lost their lives in the firing belong to the Shujabad area of Multan and Abu Bakr brought them to Panjgur for the construction of his house," Panjgur SSP Fazil Shah Bokhari confirmed. "It is a terrorist attack," he added, noting that investigations into the incident are ongoing. All of the deceased sustained multiple gunshot wounds and the injured worker, who also sustained bullet wounds, was admitted to the hospital for treatment, Dawn reported. The bodies are currently kept at the district hospital in Panjgur. Some sources indicated that nine labourers were present at the construction site, but one had been absent at the time of the attack and remained unharmed. The attack drew immediate condemnation from President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Prime Minister has sought a report from Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and reiterated the government's commitment to fighting terrorism. "The government remains resolute in taking all possible measures to root out terrorism from the motherland," PM Sharif stated. (ANI)
According to the MND, of the eight People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country's southwestern and southeastern air defence identification zone (ADIZ).

In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships to monitor PLA activity.

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1840194787858698386

"8 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and western ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," Taiwan MND said in a post on X.

On Saturday, China sent 15 military aircraft and seven naval vessels towards Taiwan. According to the MND, of the 15 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 10 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country's northern, central, southwestern, and eastern air defence identification zone (ADIZ).

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1839832397765906477

This latest Chinese military activity adds to a series of similar provocations by Beijing in recent months.

China has increased its military activities near Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ and military exercises near the island.

So far this month, Taiwan has tracked 407 Chinese military aircraft and 206 ships. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan.

Gray zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force."

Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. (ANI)
The members of Tibetan parliament in-exile and ministers of Tibetan government in-exile have strongly condemned the Chinese style colonial boarding schools in Tibet. All of them have expressed their great concern and appealed international community to pressurise China over this issue. Speaking to ANI, an MP in-exile Dorjee Tseten, said, "We have been receiving very critical information where Tibetan traditional monasteries and traditional school has been shut down and children are forcefully put in these colonial boarding schools where they are treated in a very inhuman way and students try to run away in that process. We recently hear those concerning reports that is because China's grand policy in terms of assimilating Tibetan culture and identity into the larger Chinese society and the Communist regime with their objectives. We have categorically objected those policies and have appealed to the international governments. Many governments have make statements in terms of the abolition of these colonial boarding school so we are responding to that, we object and we further amplifying our voice for the Tibetans inside Tibet." Thubten Wangchen, another Tibetan parliamentarian told ANI that the Chinese government is trying to diminish the language, political view and Tibetan identity. He said, "This is a very important point to be discussed and to find out a solution and to have international support on that because of what the Chinese government is doing, the political view on that is to diminish the language and Tibetan identity. The Chinese government says that Tibet has been a part of China always and we say that this is a historical view that has no sense and no reason that Tibet is a part of China. Tibet is Tibet from thousands of years and China is our neighbour country and now the Chinese government took our land Tibet. But our culture, identity and Buddhist philosophy is also present outside than inside Tibet because of his Holiness' message of peace and non-violence. It has spread out in the whole world and they support us." The Security minister of the Tibetan government in-exile, Dolma Gyari said that the Chinese government is committing a cultural genocide. She said, "As we all know that there is an ongoing genocide. In a way we can also term it as a cultural genocide... Genocide policies are being carried on by the People's Republic of China on the Tibetan people with an intent to eliminate the Tibetan race, the Tibetan identity and the Tibetan culture. Even now what they are trying doing is because they have not been able to occupy the mind and the life of the Tibetan people that they have taken under their control. Though the concept of boarding school is not new... the one in the Tibet particularly is a matter of great concern because this is in direct contravention of basic human rights also. Because this policy is not only a for handful of us in-exile, it is largely the Tibetans in the Tibet who are not able to speak. We have seen video clips of young children crying... and that was an institute actually which was turning into a centre of Tibetan language and Tibetan learning." She added, "A huge nation and the sinicization of Tibetan people is being carried out and now we're not able to speak up. Children from a tender age of four are being forcefully picked up, separated from the families and culture. It is a matter of great concern for all of us. It's not a question of whether China would listen to us or not... Revolutions have happened around the world in the past and it is important for us to be able to voice for justice, freedom and human rights. And whenever something is not right and we in-exile being the representative of those who are voices inside Tibet, we should continue to make our voice heard." (ANI)
Sources indicate that the Mi-8 helicopter crashed near an oilfield in the Shewa tehsil shortly after takeoff. Reports suggest that the pilots attempted to land the helicopter safely; however, the tail rotor hit the ground, causing the crash, Dawn reported.

The helicopter was carrying a total of 21 people, including two foreign pilots. Initial investigations have confirmed that the crash was due to a technical fault, with no indications of sabotage detected.

Mari Petroleum operates in the Waziristan Block, previously known as Bannu West, located in the North Waziristan district. In June 2022, the company made a notable gas and condensate discovery at the Shewa-1 exploratory well, marking the largest hydrocarbon find in the country in the past 12 years.

The company recently celebrated another achievement at the Shewa-2 appraisal-cum-exploratory well, which commenced on June 12, 2023, reported Dawn.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) released a statement indicating that the Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter (registration mark: RA-24537 MSN 97518) took off from Islamabad at 11:15 AM for Shewa, later departing for Bannu at 1:15 PM after a passenger change.

However, due to engine failure, the helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing at Shewa. During the landing, the tail rotor struck the ground, causing the helicopter to overturn.

There were 21 individuals on board, comprising six crew members, a safety officer, and 14 passengers. Search and rescue operations, assisted by a military helicopter, were launched from Peshawar to evacuate the injured. Reports indicate that the injured were airlifted to CMH.

The helicopter, leased from Russia's PANH Helicopters, was engaged in supporting Mari Petroleum's operations in remote regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. It was operating under a wet lease agreement facilitated by Princely Jets, with the PCAA granting permission for six months, Dawn reported.

This lease was set to expire on September 28, 2024, the same day as the crash.

The Bureau of Safety Investigation will carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. (ANI)
ARY News stated that the passengers have been transferred to the Sindh Government Hospital in NIPA area for further evaluation. Airport authorities disinfected the immigration area and walkways with spray as a precautionary measure, the sources added.

On September 20, a new suspected case of Mpox was reported at Jinnah International Airport morning when a passenger was admitted to a hospital for further evaluation.

Sources indicate that the patient, a 26-year-old man from Abbottabad who arrived from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was flagged for suspected M-Pox during a health screening upon his arrival at the airport, Dawn reported.

A doctor from the Sindh Infectious Disease Hospital and Research Centre reported, "He has presented with rashes and some lesions on his skin. He is stable," confirming that the patient is currently being monitored under medical supervision.

Earlier this month, on September 15, authorities at Jinnah International Airport reported another suspected case of monkeypox. A traveller arriving on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Jeddah exhibited symptoms indicative of the infection.

He was promptly taken to a government-run isolation ward in Sindh for additional assessment and treatment, reported Dawn.

Adding to the concern, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confirmed a fifth case of monkeypox earlier this week. A 33-year-old resident of Peshawar, who returned from Saudi Arabia on September 7, was diagnosed with the virus at Khyber Teaching Hospital.

The patient is currently isolated at his home in Lower Dir, monitored by health officials.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued an urgent alert regarding an unprecedented outbreak of monkeypox affecting multiple countries. With the number of cases steadily rising, recent reports indicate at least nine confirmed cases across Pakistan, highlighting the urgent need for public health measures to combat the spread of the M-Pox virus, Dawn reported. (ANI)
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that the party finalised its own draft for constitutional amendments and will consult with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), ARY News reported. Speaking at ARY News programme 'Sawaal Ye Hai', Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that a detailed discussion took place with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in their meeting. "We (PPP and JUI-F) decided to hold another meeting (to consult on the constitutional amendments)," PPP Secretary General told ARY News. He said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Maulana Fazlur Rehman will be meeting in the next few days during which he said that the new draft is likely to be approved. "PPP's proposals for constitutional amendments have been shared with Maulana Fazlur Rehman and we are very close to JUI on this draft," Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said. Bukhari said that not just the PPP, but the government also has to play a role to get the constitutional amendments passed, ARY News reported. Earlier, Zardari stated that passing constitutional amendments without taking JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman into confidence is impossible. Talking to ARY News, Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party, Bilawal Bhutto, said that JUI-F is also preparing its own constitutional amendments draft. "Our effort is to create consensus, and it is important to engage with Maulana Fazlur Rehman and if he agrees, it won't take more than a month or two to proceed," he said. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that in order to bring Maulana Fazlur Rehman on board, they have to incorporate his suggestions. On September 4, PPP's Zardari encouraged the political parties to join forces for a "New Democratic Charter," reported ARY News. Bilawal said, "Our aim is not merely to stay in government but to address the basic issues affecting the people," adding that if governance fails to solve these problems, its purpose is lost. (ANI)
The Ministry of National Defence in Taiwan reported that it had tracked 15 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around the island between 6 am Friday (Sept. 27) and the same time Saturday. Of the 15 aircraft, ten crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern air defence identification zones (ADIZ), the ministry stated, as per the report by Taiwan News. In response to these manoeuvres, Taiwan dispatched aircraft, naval ships, and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor the situation closely. The ministry emphasised that the response was in line with ongoing measures to safeguard Taiwan's airspace and maritime boundaries. This activity is part of a broader pattern of increased military presence by China in the region. Throughout the month of September alone, Taiwan has tracked 422 Chinese military aircraft and 213 naval vessels. Since September 2020, China has ramped up the use of what are described as "gray zone" tactics--operations designed to exert pressure and achieve strategic objectives without direct military confrontation, reported Taiwan News. Gray zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force." By steadily increasing the number of aircraft and naval incursions, China has maintained pressure on Taiwan while avoiding direct conflict. This latest round of Chinese military activity is consistent with several similar provocations in recent months, which have seen Beijing regularly conducting air and naval operations near Taiwan, including exercises near the island's territorial waters. Taiwan's President, Lai Ching-te, has previously condemned these actions, accusing China of misinterpreting international agreements to justify its actions. China, however, continues to insist on its claim over Taiwan, considering the island part of its territory. Beijing has long sought eventual reunification, by force if necessary, and has maintained that the United Nations' One China resolution supports its position. Taiwan has been governed separately since 1949, following the Chinese Civil War. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], September 29 (ANI/WAM): Abu Dhabi Airports has announced that Zayed International Airport's Northern Runway (13L/31R) has reopened earlier than expected and is now fully operational for arrivals and departures after a successful rehabilitation project. The Northern Runway Rehabilitation project resulted in several key upgrades. These included reinforcing and resurfacing the runway with 210,000 tonnes of asphalt to enhance durability and resilience. Additionally, major technological improvements were made, such as a new redundant ground visibility monitoring system to boost safety, a state-of-the-art Instrument Landing System (ILS) for greater precision, and the replacement of over 1,200 halogen airfield lights with energy-efficient LED alternatives. By transitioning to LED lighting, Abu Dhabi Airports demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Upgrades to critical navigational systems, like the ILS and Runway Visual Range (RVR) systems, ensure both safety and efficiency for aircraft operations, particularly in challenging weather conditions. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, praised the project, saying, "The successful completion of the North Runway Rehabilitation Project at Zayed International Airport reflects not only the strategic foresight of Abu Dhabi Airports but also the UAE's dedication to innovation and sustainable growth in the aviation sector. This project reaffirms our commitment to enhancing the global standing of UAE airports, in line with both the GCAA and national vision for long-term prosperity." Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said, "The successful completion of the Northern Runway Rehabilitation Project ahead of schedule is a direct result of meticulous planning, effective stakeholder collaboration, and a steadfast dedication to operational excellence. This enhanced infrastructure will enable us to effectively manage continuous increases in air traffic demand and optimise airport throughput at AUH." The return to dual-runway operations will enable the airport to better meet the growing demand from airlines. While the Northern Runway was closed, Abu Dhabi Airports maintained operations at AUH using the Southern Runway alone, ensuring the increase in air traffic was managed effectively. Daily operations continued without disruption, maintaining both continuity and safety. This achievement highlights Abu Dhabi Airports' commitment to building aviation infrastructure that upholds the highest standards of safety and operations, further strengthening Zayed International Airport's reputation as a major global aviation hub. (ANI/WAM)
New York [US], September 29 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, recently held a significant meeting with Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), at the UN headquarters in New York. During their discussion, Sheikh Abdullah and Guterres focused on strengthening the cooperation between the UAE and the UN, particularly in the areas of humanitarian aid and developmental initiatives. The dialogue emphasised the importance of collaboration to address pressing global challenges, especially in light of the current humanitarian crises affecting various regions. Additionally, the meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to delve into a range of topics pertinent to the recent United Nations General Assembly session. Among the key issues discussed were the outcomes of the Summit of the Future and its role in enhancing multilateral efforts designed to tackle global challenges. This summit is seen as pivotal in reinforcing international collaboration. The exchange also covered the latest regional and international developments and their implications for global peace and security. A particular focus was placed on the urgent need for a united global response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, underscoring the UAE's active engagement in international humanitarian efforts. Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to enhancing its cooperation and partnership with the UN and its various programmes. He emphasised the importance of supporting sustainable development pathways within communities and advocated for the adoption of innovative, flexible, and effective solutions to confront the array of global challenges that lie ahead. Attending the meeting alongside Sheikh Abdullah were Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, and Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, the Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, indicating the significance of this diplomatic engagement at the highest levels of international governance. (ANI/WAM)
Over 12 labourers of a private construction company were abducted and their firm was set ablaze by a group of armed men in the Musa Khel area of Quetta in Pakistan, ARY News reported. According to district administration officials, the abducted workers include drivers and labourers. The incident occurred in the Taiser Isot area of Musa Khel. However, the Deputy Commissioner has refuted such reports, claiming that the workers rushed to nearby areas to save their lives and later returned to the company site. Earlier, some unidentified gunmen gunned down seven labourers in Khudabadan - a locality in Panjgur District - Balochistan. The labourers, originally from Punjab, were staying in a workers' quarter when some unidentified armed men stormed the quarter and opened fire, killing them on the spot, as reported by ARY News. Earlier, seven labourers from Multan were killed late Saturday night in a terrorist attack in the Khuda-i-Abadan area of Panjgur town in Balochistan, as reported by Dawn. The victims were identified as Sajid, Shafiq, Fayyaz, Iftikhar, Salman, Khalid, and Allah Wasia. They labourers were attacked while sleeping in the same room of the house where they were working. According to the police, armed men stormed the site and opened fire with automatic weapons, indiscriminately targeting the workers. "Seven labourers were killed on the spot and another was injured in the firing," Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari said. Police and other law enforcement agencies reached the spot and the victims were transported to the district hospital for immediate care, as reported by Dawn. "All the labourers who lost their lives in the firing belong to the Shujabad area of Multan and Abu Bakr brought them to Panjgur for the construction of his house," Panjgur SSP Fazil Shah Bokhari confirmed. "It is a terrorist attack," he added, noting that investigations into the incident are ongoing. (ANI)
Tashkent [Uzbekistan] September 29 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, met with Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as part of his official visit at the head of a high-level UAE delegation aiming for deeper ties and expanded bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, Prime Minister Aripov welcomed Sheikh Hamdan, highlighting the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and the success they have achieved thanks to the leadership of both countries working closely to advance bilateral cooperation across various vital sectors. Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the importance of deepening the bilateral partnership and expanding cooperation in keeping with the strong strategic ties binding the two countries. He added that under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE remains a steadfast partner committed to strengthening bilateral relations so that they meet the developmental aspirations of both peoples. Sheikh Hamdan noted that Uzbekistan is a key partner for the UAE in Central Asia, reflecting the UAE's commitment to closely collaborate in various sectors that offer promising future opportunities. The meeting touched upon various issues and topics of mutual interest, reflecting the strong growth of bilateral cooperation and positive partnerships in numerous areas, particularly in terms of promoting excellence in government services, besides expanding political and economic ties. The meeting was attended by Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange; and Dr. Saeed Matar Al Qemzi, Ambassador of the UAE to Uzbekistan. (ANI/WAM)
Dubai [UAE], September 29 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, along with Saida Mirziyoyeva, Assistant to the President of Uzbekistan, and Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, attended the UAE-Uzbekistan Government Knowledge Exchange Retreat held in Tashkent on Friday. Organised during his official visit to Uzbekistan, the retreat focused on enhancing knowledge exchange and expanding the strategic partnership between the two nations. Sheikh Hamdan said the UAE has always been keen to build effective partnerships with nations around the world. He noted that under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE remains committed to fostering cooperation that drives development and empowers societies to build a more prosperous future for generations to come. Sheikh Hamdan added that the strategic partnership with Uzbekistan has led to exceptional results across sectors, and serves as a unique model for international collaboration. "The cooperation is focused on advancing sustainable development, knowledge-sharing, and enhancing government systems to boost efficiency, flexibility, and future-readiness, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of the people of both countries." He further said the Government Knowledge Exchange Retreat provides a unique platform for ministers and senior officials from both countries to share ideas and experiences, and discuss ambitious initiatives and transformative projects. The discussions at the event were aimed at driving excellence in government administration, accelerating digital transformation, and boosting economic opportunities, bringing a range of benefits to the people of both countries. In his address at the retreat, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, highlighted the evolution of the UAE-Uzbekistan strategic partnership since its inception in 2019. Over the past five years, this collaboration has led to notable achievements in 41 sectors. Al Gergawi emphasised the retreat's significance in generating new ideas and solutions to advance key sectors vital to sustainable development. He outlined the successes of the UAE-Uzbekistan partnership, calling it a globally distinctive model of cooperation that benefits communities and fosters a brighter future. The UAE-Uzbekistan Government Knowledge Exchange Retreat discussed transformative projects and strategic initiatives that will foster new pathways of collaboration between the UAE and Uzbekistan. It discussed fresh approaches to exchanging expertise, adopting best practices, and generating ideas to accelerate progress in key national sectors. The retreat covered eight key areas including: investment and economic growth, energy and infrastructure development, digital transformation, education and community development, environment, health, tourism, and government development. (ANI/WAM)
Probes conducted by US intelligence agencies have found that countries like China, Russia, and Iran are among external forces orchestrating moves to influence and manipulate the upcoming US presidential elections in November this year, Voice of America (VOA) News reported. A joint statement of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a statement claiming that anti-US forces have become active and are using artificial intelligence, fake accounts and fabricated images to promote narratives favourable to Donald Trump's candidacy. Citing the findings of a joint investigation by VOA and a Taiwanese social media analytics firm Doublethink Lab, the news report claimed that the organisations have tracked 201 China-related accounts on the social media platform X aimed at amplifying controversial domestic issues of the US. Chinese operatives use both genuine and AI-generated images and videos to intensify social issues like LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, immigration, race, gun control and crime rates. Notably, these acts are aimed at deepening polarization and distrust within the US voters, the report stated. One such prominent account titled 'CongCong' creates posts that are shared by other accounts. In a post, CongCong described herself as "a sweet and salty little girl who takes life seriously and shares positive energy." One of her posts quoted in the report featured a provocative image of a gun pointed at Gaza with a caption of claims of genocide showing Israel as the gunman, the US as the weapon, and the EU as the silencer. The post was shared by around 40 accounts within the network of China-related accounts tracked by VOA. In another case, a seeder account, Little Sister Muxi shares a graphic highlighting and comparing burdens faced by US citizens like student loans and health care costs in contrast to the benefits enjoyed by Israelis. Notably, the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to be a major polarizing issue within the US as some American voters are in support of Israel's right to self-defence, meanwhile, others have expressed strong discontent with what they call as excessive violence. The report also highlighted a pattern in the China-related network aimed at amplifying discussions over Intel's recent announcement of a 15 per cent workforce reduction. The seeder account CongCong on the matter posted, "This is the decline of the United States, a recession created by the United States itself." Notably, this message was shared by 36 accounts within the network under observation. Other suspicious activities within the network include sharing cartoons made by China's state-owned news platform Global Times which mocks the US for its financial support of Ukraine. Additionally, AI-generated images show homeless Americans, intending to narrate that citizens of the US remain neglected whereas the government spends billions on overseas conflicts, VOA reported. Fake videos showing America's drug epidemic are also common. These posts are pushed by the Spamouflage network, which according to the report is a much larger state-sponsored operation aiming to support the Chinese government all while undermining critics. The report claimed to have uncovered two "MAGAflage" networks consisting of 25 suspicious accounts posing as supporters of Republican candidate Trump, seeking to engage with real American voters. A network labelled 'MAGAflage 1' which consisted of 10 accounts had begun sharing pro-Trump material extensively following a July 13 assassination attempt on the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. These accounts use stolen bios and sourced photos for their social accounts focused on pro-China content to polarize the US issues while promoting Trump as the saviour of America, as reported by VOA. However, after the release of the report, X suspended these accounts for "violating X's rules." (ANI)
Activists around the globe continue to remain concerned over the rising atrocities within the Balochistan province in Pakistan. Razzak Baloch, a member of the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC), in a recent statement highlighted the nexus of Pakistan and China involved in looting Balochistan's resources. Razzak Baloch's remarks came while participating in a protest outside the UN office in Geneva's Broken Chair Monument. While referring to the exploitation incurred by Pakistan and China, the leader stated, "This is a failed state, Pakistan is already a failed state. They want to live with the wealth of Balochistan, with the wealth of Sindh, with the wealth of Pashtunistan, and with the wealth of PoJK. Another robber, which is China, entered the scene." "Now China is dictating to the Pakistani army how to kill. And they are training the Pakistani army because they are masters of killing," he said. Blasting at China and Pakistan, Razzak Baloch said that he wants their interference out of Balochistan. "Chinese have killed Uyghur Muslims, put them in jail, and nobody in the world is raising their voice against China. We want China and the Pakistani army to be kicked out of Balochistan. We don't need them. We want our resources to be used for the people of Balochistan, for the people of Sindh," he added. Razzak Baloch further demanded that Pakistan must be dismantled so that the citizens of Sindh, Balochistan and the Pashtun community can live peacefully. The BHRC leader stated, "We want Pakistan must be dismantled so that the people of Sindh, people of Balochistan, people of Pashtunistan, people of Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) can live in peace. Because this barbarian army has controlled everything. All these dummy political parties of Pakistan are under the occupation of Punjabi armies." "They cannot talk, they cannot do anything. Look at the parliament, look at the political parties, look at the judiciary, look at the media. They have no shame. They say this is Pakistan, this is a failed state," he underlined. (ANI)
Taiwan's government has condemned Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's recent address at the United Nations General Assembly, accusing Beijing of 'distorting' the 1971 UN Resolution 2758 to falsely claim Taiwan as part of China, Central News Agency of Taiwan reported. The address by Yi, delivered on Saturday, supported China's longstanding position that Taiwan will "eventually return to the embrace of the motherland," an assertion that Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly rejected. In his speech, Yi claimed that the resolution, passed by an "overwhelming majority," resolved "once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan." He insisted that there is "no gray zone" in the matter, stating, "There is no such thing as two Chinas or one China-one Taiwan." Contending the same statement, Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs (MoFA ) clarified on Sunday that Resolution 2758 "only addressed China's representation in the UN and did not, in any way, determine Taiwan's status." The resolution, passed during the 26th UN General Assembly, led to the People's Republic of China (PRC) taking over the UN seat previously held by the Republic of China (ROC), which governs Taiwan. Crucially, the resolution did not mention Taiwan or the ROC by name, leaving Taiwan's political status unresolved, according to CNA. "Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation," MOFA stated, adding that "neither Taiwan nor the PRC is subordinate to the other." The ministry accused Beijing of misleading the international community to further its territorial ambitions, including a potential armed invasion of Taiwan. According to the report, MOFA urged global powers to stand against China's ongoing attempts to distort historical facts and warned of Beijing's growing influence within international bodies like the UN, which Taiwan has been excluded from since 1971. Backing Taiwan, Belize's Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca also spoke at the General Assembly, calling for Taiwan's immediate inclusion in the UN system. "Taiwan is a nation that espouses democracy, development, and innovation," Fonseca said, highlighting Taiwan's vital role in addressing global challenges. Taiwan continues to rally international support against China's aggressive posturing, calling for timely rebuttals to Beijing's legal and political manoeuvres aimed at isolating Taiwan from the global stage. (ANI)
In a ruling, two former editors of the now-defunct Stand News, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, along with the media outlet's parent company, were convicted of conspiring to publish "seditious" content, marking a chilling blow to press freedom in Hong Kong after China implemented National Security Law. The verdict has sparked international condemnation, with human rights groups accusing the Chinese government of using Hong Kong's repressive sedition laws to suppress dissent and muzzle free speech. Amnesty International was quick to denounce the conviction, calling it a dangerous precedent for future crackdowns on the media. Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International's China Director, stated: "This dismaying verdict is one more nail in the coffin for press freedom in Hong Kong. Stand News and its editors have been targeted simply for doing their legitimate journalistic work." This case, which involved the prosecution of 17 articles published by Stand News, is the first trial for sedition related to a media company since Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China in 1997. The court ruled that 11 of the articles--ranging from news reports to opinion pieces--were seditious, effectively criminalizing journalism in the city. The editors now face up to two years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for September 26, 2024. Under Hong Kong's new national security law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), such offences could carry up to 10 years in prison in the future. Critics argue that this verdict sends a clear message to journalists in Hong Kong: self-censor or face dire consequences. "This ruling will force journalists to think twice about what they write, deepening the climate of fear and repression in the city," Brooks added. Amnesty International has called for an immediate repeal of Hong Kong's sedition laws and demanded that the convictions of Stand News' editors be overturned. Since the Chinese government imposed sweeping national security laws in 2020, Hong Kong's press landscape has been systematically dismantled. Stand News, once a respected non-profit digital news outlet, was forced to cease operations in December 2021 after a raid by over 200 national security police officers. The outlet's website was deleted, and its journalists were arrested, marking the start of an era where journalism is increasingly treated as a criminal act. This conviction is another troubling indicator of China's tightening grip on Hong Kong, where freedom of expression is being steadily eroded under the guise of national security. As the global community watches in alarm, there is growing concern that the space for independent journalism in Hong Kong is disappearing--quickly and irrevocably. (ANI)
A day after he failed to join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in Rawalpindi, Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, has called for a revolution, saying that there is no other option, adding that from now on, "sticks will be met with sticks, bullets will be met with bullets", according to The Express Tribune. Gandapur, notably got stuck at the Burhan Interchange, where he later announced the end of the protest and instructed workers to retreat. In response to a call from party leader Imran Khan, PTI demonstrators took to the streets on Saturday in Rawalpindi, setting up fierce altercations with police that transformed the city into a battlefield. The besieged party was getting ready for a demonstration in Rawalpindi with Section 144 in effect, replicating recent skirmishes that ruined its power shows amid rising impediments. A sense of foreboding and tension hung in the air in the garrison city, according to The Express Tribune. After a chaotic and turbulent day, the PTI scheduled other protest dates, ending its Rawalpindi demonstrations in the wake of the run-ins with the authorities. The chief minister said that they have been "wronged, their privacy violated" in a late-night video message that was made public in the wake of the protests in Rawalpindi, but they have refrained from speaking out for the good of the nation. He added that they were attacked with batons, fired upon, and had shells thrown at them during the protests. Gandapur further claimed that the Punjab police were still firing shells and bullets every three km. Over 50 sustained injuries by shells, and three of their employees were struck by bullets, he added. (ANI)
Sheikh Hamad made the remarks while attending a ceremony for graduating 374 male and female students from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) - Fujairah.Campus.

The graduation ceremony for the 2024 cohort was held under the slogan "Empowering inds...Creating the Future", and attended by Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Body Building and Fitness Federation; and Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Faisal Alayyan, President & CEO, Higher Colleges of Technology, commended the country's leadership for its continuous support for the educational sector. (ANI/WAM)
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) recently launched airstrikes on military targets in Yemen, specifically targeting Houthi-controlled sites, including power plants and a seaport. Sharing a post on X, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said, "The IAF struck military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in Yemen in response to their recent attacks against Israel." It added, "The targets included power plants and a seaport, which were used by the Houthis to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in addition to military supplies and oil." Reiterating its commitment to ensuring the safety of the Israeli citizens, the IDF said, "Over the past year, the Houthis have been operating under the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias, in order to attack the State of Israel, undermine regional stability, and disrupt global freedom of navigation. The IDF is determined to continue operating at any distance--near or far--against all threats to the citizens of the State of Israel." The Houthi-run health ministry said in a statement that Israeli strikes led to the death of four people while 29 others were injured. Following the IAF operation against Houthi forces in Yemen, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi reaffirmed Israel's ability to target enemies at farther distances, according to a report by Times of Israel. "This isn't a message, it's an action," the IDF chief said after strikes on Houthis in Yemen He added, "We know how to reach very far, we know how to reach even farther, and we know how to strike there accurately," Halevi said. Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant following the strikes by the IAF on Yemen said, "I visited the IAF command and control center, where I followed the strike conducted today against the Houthi terrorist organization. Our message is clear - for us, no place is too far." https://x.com/yoavgallant/status/1840429564448682180 Meanwhile, tensions also escalated in the Middle East after Hezbollah launched missile strikes targeting Haifa and northern Israel. Sharing a post on X, the IDF said, "Once again, more than a million Israelis are running for shelter after Hezbollah fired missiles at Haifa and northern Israel." https://x.com/IDF/status/1840456928368984207 Notably, the strikes by Israel came after the IDF launched precision strikes on the Lebanese capital in Beirut on Friday, which led to the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Following the death of Nasrallah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran's Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face 'consequences' and that "no location" in Iran or the Middle East is "beyond Israel's reach." Netanyahu called Nasrallah the "main engine of Iran's axis of evil" and added, "Nasrallah was not just another terrorist, he was the terrorist. He was the axis of the axis, the main engine of Iran's axis of evil. He and his people were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not only operated by Iran, he also frequently operated Iran." (ANI)
US President Joe Biden is set to engage in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking their first conversation since Israel's targeted killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, according to a report by Times of Israel. Notably, the precision strike by Israeli Defence Forces in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday killed Nasrallah. Asked whether an all-out war can be avoided, Biden said, "It has to be." The US backed the operation, saying that Hassan Nasrallah's death "is a measure of justice for his many victims." In a statement, Biden had said, "Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians." The statement further said, "The strike that killed Nasrallah took place in the broader context of the conflict that began with Hamas's massacre on October 7, 2023. Nasrallah, the next day, made the fateful decision to join hands with Hamas and open what he called a "northern front" against Israel." Following Nasrallah's death, Netanyahu had issued a warning to Iran's Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face consequences and that no location in Iran or the Middle East is beyond Israel's reach. He called Nasrallah as "main engine of Iran's axis of evil" and added, "Nasrallah was not just another terrorist, he was the terrorist. He was the axis of the axis, the main engine of Iran's axis of evil. He and his people were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not only operated by Iran, he also frequently operated Iran." He further said, "All those who oppose the axis of evil, all those who are fighting under the violent dictatorship of Iran and its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Iran itself and other places, they are all filled with hope today. I say to the citizens of those countries: Israel stands with you. And to the ayatollahs' regime I say: Those who strike us, we strike them. There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel cannot reach. Today, you already know that this is correct." Meanwhile, violent protests erupted in Pakistan's Karachi on Sunday as demonstrators clashed with police while attempting to march towards the US consulate following Nasrallah's death, ARY News reported. (ANI)
In a statement, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said, "CENTCOM Forces conducted two targeted strikes in Syria, killing 37 terrorist operatives, including multiple senior leaders of the terrorist organisations of ISIS and Hurras al-Din, an Al Qaeda affiliate."

The statement further said, "The airstrikes are part of CENTCOM's ongoing commitment, along with partners in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organise, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel from the US, our allies, and our partners throughout the region and beyond."

Notably, earlier on September 24, CENTCOM Forces had conducted a targeted strike in northwest Syria, that led to the death of nine terrorist operatives, including Marwan Bassam 'Abd-al-Ra'uf, a senior Hurras al-Din leader responsible for overseeing military operations from Syria.

"Hurras al-Din is an Al Qaeda-affiliated organisation based in Syria with global aspirations to conduct attacks against US and Western interests. The successful strike against Marwan Bassam 'Abd-al-Ra'uf comes a month after a successful strike that killed another Hurras al-Din senior leader, Abu-'Abd al-Rahman al Makki," the CENTCOM said.

CENTCOM in its statement, also informed of a strike conducted on an ISIS training camp on September 16, which resulted in death of 28 ISIS operatives. It said, "Additionally, on the early morning of September 16, CENTCOM forces conducted a large-scale airstrike on a remote ISIS training camp in central Syria, killing at least 28 ISIS operatives, including at least four senior leaders..."

It added, "These strikes against leadership and operatives of ISIS and the Al Qaeda affiliate, Hurras al-Din, represent CENTCOM's commitment to the enduring defeat of terrorist organisations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility and our support to regional stability," said Gen Michael Erik Kurilla, commander, US Central Command."

CENTCOM also confirmed that the strikes in Syria resulted in no civilian casualties. (ANI)
4 RI men charged in multistate theft ring targeting luxury vehicles. What to know.

PROVIDENCE  Four young men from Rhode Island have been named in an indictment that accuses them of stealing about 120 high-end vehicles, worth about $5 million, from 12 dealerships in other states last year.

The four conspirators, including two Providence men, a Cranston man and a North Providence man, targeted auto and motorcycle dealerships across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha said in a news release.

The men took Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Land Rover and other vehicles in a conspiracy that was investigated by the FBI with help from numerous local police departments, federal prosecutors say.

Law enforcement has recovered 41 stolen vehicles and 11 dirt bikes, securing most of the vehicles in either Rhode Island or Massachusetts, they say.

This surveillance image that shows a $96,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk parked in a Providence driveway is relevant to the case of four Rhode Island men accused of stealing high-end automobiles from dealerships, federal prosecutors say.

A $96,000 Jeep

A surveillance video obtained by Providence police shows two men, who look like two of the conspirators, putting a cover over a vehicle valued at $96,000, prosecutors say.

The scene, which involved a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, unfolded in a Providence driveway last year, prosecutors say.

Chilling footage before domestic murder-suicide sparks debate: Should the public watch?

The Jeep and three other vehicles, they say, had been taken from a dealership in Hempstead, New Hampshire, two days before.

Another SUV stolen by the group, a Range Rover, was found in a shipping container in Elizabeth, New Jersey, prosecutors say. The container was bound for Africa.

Stolen motorcycles in a North Providence garage

In another case, the conspirators stole 19 premium Husqvarna motorcycles from a dealership in Phillipston, Massachusetts, according to prosecutors. The motorcycles were found in the garage of a conspirator who lives in North Providence, the release said.

Rhode Island men accused of leading roles in multi-million dollar theft ring. What we know.

The same 28-year-old defendant brokered stolen vehicles to a network of associates, including some people who lived in Rhode Island, prosecutors say.

Seven Rhode Island police agencies provided substantial assistance to the FBI, according to the release.

Six Massachusetts police organizations as well as criminal investigators from the Internal Revenue Service and the National Insurance Crime Bureau also assisted in the investigation, prosecutors say.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI men accused of stealing 120 luxury vehicles in multiple states
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Six undercover Abilene police officers who assisted in rescuing a kidnapped baby earlier this year have been recognized for their heroic actions.

FBI Dallas agents came to Abilene Friday to present the officers with FBI Director Certificates in connection to the arrest of a homicide suspect and successful rescue of a kidnapped infant in Abilene.

The FBI contacted Abilene PD the evening of May 5 after learning murder suspect Alek Collins may have been hiding inside an Abilene home after fleeing the scene of a double homicide and kidnapping in Clovis, New Mexico.

Abilene police take New Mexico double homicide suspect into custody, recover abducted baby

Officers immediately jumped into action, helping with surveillance overnight before completing a successful but risky rescue and arrest after Collins left the residence with the kidnapped baby and attempted to flee.

At great risk to themselves, the officers converged on the suspect and placed him under arrest. The infant was rescued from the vehicle and reunited with family members, a press release from the FBI explains.

All officers involved in the rescue were awarded during a private ceremony at APD headquarters.

Congratulations to each officer for their tremendous accomplishments during this difficult and dangerous investigation and the work you do each day to uphold your oaths of office, Assistant Special Agent in Charge McGuire proclaimed.

Read more about the double homicide and kidnapping here.

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Far from her home in Nevada, the first and only Latina to serve in the U.S. Senate shuffled into a Cuban restaurant in Coral Gables on a recent Sunday to talk about finally finding some company.

As waiters passed around Cuban sandwiches and croquetas, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto made the case to a small crowd of Democrats that it was time for Florida to elect a second Latina to the upper chamber of Congress  and why that candidate should be Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.

If youre not in the room where the policy is being made, youre going to be left out, Cortez Masto said. And thats why this is so important that we have that representation.

If Mucarsel-Powell defeats U.S. Sen. Rick Scott in November  and Democrats say her odds are improving  she would become the first Latina from the Sunshine State to serve in the U.S. Senate. Its a distinction that would add to Mucarsel-Powells already-notable list of firsts: in 2018, she became the first South American-born member of Congress, and she is now the first Latina to run on a major partys Senate ticket in Florida.

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto(L), talks next to Florida Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell during a campaign event at Sanguich Coral Gables, on Sept. 22., 2024.

READ MORE: What you need to know about the six constitutional amendments on Floridas 2024 ballot

The race could have ramifications far beyond Florida. Democrats are trying to hold onto an ultra-narrow majority in the Senate in an already-difficult election cycle for the party, but Mucarsel-Powell is an underdog against the wealthiest member of the Senate, who has already put more than $13 million of his own money into winning an increasingly conservative-leaning Florida.

Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Mucarsel-Powell immigrated to Miami as a teenager along with her mother and three sisters. Speaking with the Miami Herald on Sunday, she recalled those early years in the U.S.  going with her mother to clean houses, sharing a mattress on the floor of an apartment, working a minimum wage job when she was 15 years old.

It was hard, she said, but still better than life in Ecuador.

I remember feeling secure and safe in the sense that we could make it  that if you worked here in the United States and you worked really hard, you could make it. And I started seeing that progress, Mucarsel-Powell said.

Freedom is the central message of Mucarsel-Powells Senate bid. As she enters the final weeks of her campaign to defeat Scott, Mucarsel-Powell is telling voters that Republican policies, like Floridas six-week abortion ban, are an affront to the fundamental liberties that immigrants like her came to the U.S. for in the first place.

REALITY CHECK: Rick Scotts opponent blames him for Florida property insurance crisis. Is she right?

Mucarsel-Powell argues that decades of Republican control in Florida have created an affordability crisis in the state and denied a growing number of Floridians the chance to live with dignity and security. She says the GOPs lax attitude on gun control has made the state and country less safe, recounting how her father was gunned down in Ecuador nearly 30 years ago. She hopes the message will resonate in Florida, where tragedies like the Pulse Club and Parkland massacres have forever scarred communities and torn families apart.

When you come here and you see what you have, you are so patriotic, she told the Herald. Like, youll do anything to protect that freedom. Youll do anything to make sure that people dont lose sight of what we have and whats at stake.

(From L to R) Lili Mucarsel, Nigel Neale, Siena Mucarsel-Powell and Sonia Neale hold signs for Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell during a campaign event at Sanguich Coral Gables, on Sept. 22., 2024.

A unique approach

Mucarsel-Powell has come a long way since her teenage years as a new arrival in Miami. Formerly associate dean at Florida International University  a job that involved a lot of fundraising  she won a South Florida congressional seat in 2018, defeating former two-term U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo by less than one percentage point in an election year that saw Democrats win back control of the U.S. House.

But her stint in Washington was short-lived. She lost reelection just two years later to former Miami-Dade County Mayor and current U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez  a defeat that Scott and his allies like to point to as evidence that voters have already rejected Mucarsel-Powell once before.

Its unclear if shell fare much better this time around than she did four years ago. Floridas shifting political dynamic has favored Republicans in recent years, GOP voters now vastly outnumber registered Democrats and Mucarsel-Powell has only raised a fraction of the money that former U.S. Rep. Val Demings had at this point in her unsuccessful bid against U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio in 2022.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee  the partys Senate campaign arm  has yet to make the kind of investment in Mucarsel-Powells race that would signal that the party is serious about unseating Scott.

A spokesperson for the DSCC did not respond to the Heralds request for comment, though the committees chairman, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, held out the possibility last week that the party could begin to pump more money into the race. Two national Democrats familiar with the partys plans said they expect the DSCC to make a late investment in Florida in the coming weeks.

Democrats see in Mucarsel-Powell a chance to right the political ship after a rough run of elections in Florida. The 2018 midterms saw the ouster of longtime Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and the rise of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. In 2020, former President Donald Trump carried Florida for a second time in a row, while Democrats lost two key South Florida U.S. House seats  including the one held by Mucarsel-Powell.

The 2022 elections were even more alarming for Democrats, with DeSantis and Rubio winning reelection by double-digit margins and carrying Miami-Dade  a left-leaning, majority-Hispanic county of roughly 2.7 million people that Democrats have long relied on to help deliver statewide wins in Florida.

Joshua Karp, a Democratic consultant who has worked on campaigns in Florida for more than a decade, said that having Mucarsel-Powell  a Miamian and Latina  on the ballot could help Democrats bounce back in South Florida after their recent political drubbings in the state.

Debbie represents a totally unique approach, said Karp, who worked on Mucarsel-Powells losing reelection campaign in 2020. The idea is: lets go solve the problem with Latino voters in South Florida first and lets have a South Florida-first campaign. This is a very different kind of candidacy and a different kind of campaign.

American Dream

Speaking on Sunday at Sanguich in Coral Gables, Nevada Sen. Cortez Masto urged Democrats to run through the tape in the Senate election, telling them that they can sleep after the election.

Its much bigger than just your community, she said.

Jose Parra, a Democratic strategist and former aide to the late-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said that Mucarsel-Powell represents the new generation of Florida Democrats  a Latina and an immigrant who understands the Hispanic electorate and can speak effectively to key issues like reproductive rights and gun control.

She understands very well what it means to come to this country and forge her own future. Her story is that of the American Dream, said Parra.

Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (right) received a book from Eric Rappaport, councilman at the Town of Bay Harbor Islands, as he arrives for the Floridians Against Anti-Semitism roundtable event at Florida International University, in Miami, on Friday Sept. 20, 2024.

On paper, Scott looks to many Democrats like an easy opponent to beat. He only narrowly won his Senate seat six years ago, defeating Nelson by 10,033 votes. Public polls show his favorability among Floridians deep underwater, and he has managed to irk even members of his own party on multiple occasions.

Yet both Democrats and Republicans say that Scott is more likely than not to prevail. Some polls show Mucarsel-Powell coming within striking distance of Scott, though the former governor maintains a consistent lead.

While Mucarsel-Powell has outpaced Scott in fundraising, Scott has more than made up for it by either loaning or giving his own campaign more than $13.5 million since last year. Hes used that money to air months worth of TV and digital ads, in both English and Spanish, accusing Mucarsel-Powell of being a socialist and proclaiming that he is a bulwark against encroaching radical leftism.

While Mucarsel-Powell has repeatedly rejected the socialist moniker, it can be hard to shake off in South Florida, where many residents have fled left-wing governments in Latin America. And Democrats are aware of just how difficult Scotts ability to blanket the airwaves can be to overcome.

The Achilles heel for anyone running against Rick Scott is the almost-unlimited funds he can raise to finance his campaigns, Parra said. Scott has been spending a lot more on political advertisements.

Democrats say there are still reasons for them to be optimistic. Unlike 2018, when Scott first won his Senate seat, this years contest aligns with a presidential election, which tends to mean higher Democratic voter turnout. Floridians are also poised to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would override the states six-week abortion ban and guarantee abortion access up until fetal viability or when deemed medically necessary.

RELATED CONTENT: DeSantis leans on the power of state government to defeat abortion on the ballot

Democrats are hoping that proposal could help boost their candidates  including Mucarsel-Powell  in November. Scott has said that he would have signed Floridas six-week abortion ban into law if he were still governor, though he has also expressed support for easing the states current restrictions and capping abortion access at 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Parra said that Scotts position on abortion rights could work out in Mucarsel-Powells favor.

When it comes to reproductive rights, she has much more credibility than Rick Scott, he said.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Saturday, Sept. 28 marked two weeks since unionized nurses at Kapiolani Medical Center were locked out of their jobs.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

Negotiations continue and the Hawaii Nurses Association said it agreed to federal mediators to help both sides come to an agreement. In the meantime, the community is offering support.

A food drive was held for affected Kapiolani nurses and families on Saturday. Those in attendance said times have been especially tough since the lockout.

Negotiations continue between locked-out nurses and Kapiolani Medical Center

Oh, we even got chicken, man. Right on! So we know whats happening for dinner tonight, said Ryan Tamboa, husband of a nurse at Kapiolani. I think its going to help out a lot, actually. After this, I was going to head out to, like, Sams area, but then maybe I dont need to anymore.

Nurses forwarded KHON2 an email from Friday, Sept. 27 that said their medical, dental and vision coverage was ending on Sept. 30. HNA said the hospital CEO promised extended coverage beyond that date on Saturday, Sept. 30, but issues remain.

We havent gotten paid for a few weeks now and theres no end in sight as to when were going to go back, said Kapiolani chief steward Paulette Vasu. And its scary because I dont know when Im going to go back to work.

Organizers of the food drive said Saturdays event was a labor of love  and well worth it.

Were able to get people registered, drive through, give them the goods that weve got, that the {Hawaii} Food Bank provided, and then roll them out, said AFL-CIO Local 152 executive director Randy Perreira.

Just to know that its going to provide for, you know, at least a good week or so! If we stretch it out, dinner or lunch on the table, its going to help out a lot, Tamboa said.

Iwamoto, Hussey included in those arrested at Kapiolani nurses protest

Everyone gets two onions, one produce, two chickens, a sweet, a sandwich bread, a bagel, and then bigger families also get like tortilla or chips or something else, said Alex Kahn, wife of a nurse at Straub.

About 100 Kapiolani nurses and their families signed up and came out to pick up food. Organizers said Saturdays event will not be the last if negotiations remain stalled.

And in the coming weeks, if necessary, well continue to offer this help both to these nurses. both to these nurses and weve also offered to the striking hotel workers to be able to do the same if in fact things are prolonged there, Perreira said.

Just after 8 p.m. on Saturday, Kapiolani Medical Center issued the following statement:

We have agreed to extend medical, dental and vision benefits for our nurses after Sept. 30 based on the Hawaii Nurses Associations acceptance today of the terms Kapiolani outlined in our letter to the governor. Gidget Ruscetta, COO of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children

Shes still holding up on the whole on, going back to Kapiolani learning because, you know, she feels like her heart is there still. Yeah. But, you know, she can only wait so long, Tamboa said.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

Im hoping we get a resolution as soon as possible, Vasu said.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  There have been 11 named storms thus far this year, and the National Hurricane Center has been uncannily accurate in predicting their paths and strengths.

Tropical Storm Alberto spun up west of the Yucatan Peninsula and made landfall three days later in Tampico, Mexico, nearly exactly where the Hurricane Center said it would.

When Hurricane Beryl churned south of the Dominican Republic, its five-day cone of probability included Matagorda, Texas, 2,000 miles away. Six days later, Beryl made landfall in Matagorda, Texas.

Most of the other storms that made landfall, such as Francine, had similarly accurate forecasts.

Steering for most of the storms this year has been pretty straightforward, said University of Miamis Andrew Todd Hazelton, a hurricane researcher who works with the NHC, and had been flying on hurricane hunter airplanes within Helene.

That is something that varies from year to year, he said, and noted that last year, Tropical Storm Philippe wandered all over the place east of the Caribbean before shooting up to Bermuda.

Forecasts for Hurricane Helene formed before the system even had a name, and they were right on target. Meteorologists accurately predicted the path, correctly projecting that it would shoot the gap between Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula, then strengthen into a hurricane and steer to the right, directly to Floridas Big Bend.

Three days later, the storm made landfall almost exactly where they said it would, in Apalachee Bay south of Tallahassee.

Hazelton said as part of his work at the NHC theyve been using a new Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) and weaving it into their models. It did well for this storm  the rapid intensification that it was showing did end up happening.

AccuWeather, too, was very confident in Helenes path, even five days out before it formed. The idea was that there was always going to be this dip in the jet stream across the Mississippi Valley, and we knew that was going to favor the storm coming up into Florida, said chief AccuWeather meteorologist Jonathan Porter. The steering flow was very accurate. We were confident about the storm heading to the Big Bend region.

In this case, the steering factors were set, Hazelton said. There was a trough over the central U.S. Our models did a good job of handling the position of that. The NHC uses averages of good models, and tends to average out the errors.

He said high pressure in the western Atlantic also kept the storm aimed at the Big Bend, instead of drifting east to Tampa, Orlando or Miami.

Predicting size and surge

One of Helenes most startling factors was its size. Its tropical storm-force wind field grew to reach 345 miles from the center, a 690-mile-wide storm.

The wind field predictions, which drive storm surge predictions, were also uncannily accurate.

How did forecasters know it was going to be big and wide before it even formed?

AccuWeathers Porter said that he and his team were able to predict the size of the storm because of two factors with strong historical trends.

Firstly, Helene formed in relation to the Central American Gyre, an area of low pressure with lots of loosely organized showers and thunderstorms. When storms come of the gyre, they tend to have a broad circulation, he said.

Secondly, as Helene drew closer to the Gulf coast it interacted with another storm in the Mississippi Valley. When that happens, storms often intensify, and the wind field gets broader.

At this time of year, the Central American Gyre offers lots of moisture, Hazelton said. There was so much moisture available for Helene that it resembled a typhoon in the Western Pacific, he said.

That size allowed for very accurate storm surge forecasts on the west coast. This was gonna be a big surge producer, being such a large storm, Porter said.

A broad storm with hundreds of miles of ocean to push up into land is going to affect a much more vast area than a narrow storm, and its going to pile the water up higher.

The Hurricane Center was calling for 10 to 15 feet of storm surge in the Big Bend region while Helene was still just a tropical storm south of Cuba. They projected that surge, though smaller, to extend nearly the entire length of Floridas west coast. Thats exactly what happened.

Cedar Key south of the Big Bend was projected to get 10 to 15 feet of surge. The NOAA tide gauge there showed water levels there 10 feet higher than the normal tide during the storm.

When I was flying last night (Thursday), I was amazed at how far out away from the center we were seeing flight-level winds of 90 to 100 mph, Hazelton said. Not all of those made it down to the surface, but enough did that we knew there would be huge storm-surge problems all the way to Tampa, and sure enough, thats what happened.

The Tampa area was forecast to get 5 to 8 feet of surge. Various tide gauges there broke records with 6 to 8 feet of surge.

Also the way the Gulf coast is shaped adds to surge, as does the underwater slope, Hazelton said. Its very shallow in the Gulf, and allows water to get pushed up pretty easily.  Its a recipe for that kind of thing.

Porter said his team blends 190 weather models to come up with their forecasts.

But a bit of time in the field doesnt hurt. When we see that set-up going on, there are certain characteristics about how storms are going to behave. We know that from our experience.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Two Buffalo men have been arrested after an AR-15-style rifle, which had been stolen from a Greece Police officers personal vehicle, was recovered in Buffalo.

According to GPD, the rifle was stolen on July 9 from the officers vehicle between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. when it was parked at an ESPORTA on West Ridge Road in Greece.

Stolen Greece Police rifle found in Buffalo

Officers say 41-year-old Pierre McCullen and 53-year-old Christopher McCullen have been charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the third degree, Grand Larceny in the third degree, and Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree.

Photos curtesy of GPD

Greece Police say both men had prior criminal convictions. The arrests were made as a result of an ongoing investigation by Greece Criminal Investigation Division Detectives with assistance from the Buffalo Police Department.

News 8 has reached out to Greece Police Department to determine whether or not any disciplinary actions will be taken against the officer who had the weapon stolen from his vehicle and have not yet received a response.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Israel has claimed to have wiped out much of Hezbollahs leadership in recent airstrikes, as Lebanon said the bombing campaign has now forced a fifth of the countrys population to flee their homes.

The Lebanese militant group has now confirmed the deaths of seven senior officials slain by Israel in just over a week, including its leader of 32 years, Hassan Nasrallah, in a strike Israel claimed also killed 20 other Hezbollah members in southern Beirut on Friday.

Those include founding members of the group first established by Irans Revolutionary Guard in 1982, who had previously evaded death or detention at Israels hands for decades until Israels decision this month to launch its heaviest bombing campaign against Lebanon since the 2006 war.

A Hezbollah flag was hung at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburbs of Beirut (AP)

After Hezbollah confirmed the death of Nabil Kaouk  who led the groups forces in southern Lebanon during the 2006 war  in another strike on Saturday, the United States warned its ally Israel that an all-out war with Hezbollah, certainly with Iran, is not the way to make Israels own citizens safer.

As Iran vowed to retaliate and warned that the US is complicit in all of these crimes, spokesperson John Kirby said the White House was watching to see what Hezbollah would do to try and fill its leadership vacuum, adding: Its going to be tough  much of their command structure has now been wiped out.

While Israel and Hezbollah had been trading frequent cross-border fire since Hamass attack on Israel on 7 October last year sparked the war in Gaza, Israel said this month that it was shifting its focus from Gaza to Lebanon, after launching two shock attacks in which it remotely detonated walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah.

According to Lebanons health ministry, more than 1,000 people  including 87 children and 14 medics  have been killed in the ensuing bombardment, and a further 6,000 wounded, as Unicef warned that the pre-existing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is rapidly escalating into a catastrophe.

Environment minister Nasser Yassin said that around a million people  amounting to a fifth of the population  have fled their homes, with some 250,000 now living in shelters and three to four times as many staying with friends and relatives or camping in the streets.

Rescuers at the scene of an Israeli airstrike in Beiruts suburb of Ghobeiri on Sunday (AP)

Israel said on Sunday that it had hit dozens more targets in Lebanon, including key weapons-manufacturing sites. State media in Lebanon reported that at least 17 people from the same family had been killed in Israeli strikes in the Bekka Valley, with at least four others killed when two homes were hit.

The health ministry said 24 people had also been killed and dozens more injured in a strike on Ain al-Delb, near to Lebanons third-largest city Sidon.

And a day after the Houthis claimed to have fired a missile at Tel Aviv, the Israeli military said it had used dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets, to attack power plants and a sea port in Yemen, which it claimed were being used to transport Iranian weapons.

Hostilities have continued in Gaza, where health authorities said at least 11 Palestinians were killed in strikes, including at a school sheltering displaced people in the northern city of Beit Lahia. Israel said it had hit Hamas militants, whom it accused of exploiting civilian facilities.

Israels escalation of the conflict has been met with alarm and condemnation elsewhere in the region, with Iraq accusing Israel of crossing all red lines in Lebanon.

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrike locations on Sunday in Beiruts southern suburbs (Getty)

Israels allies, including the US, Britain, Germany and other European nations, all repeated their pleas on Sunday for a diplomatic solution and ultimately a ceasefire with Hezbollah, with France urging restraint following a report that Israeli military leaders were pushing to launch a limited ground offensive.

Wreckage from the strike that killed Nasrallah and levelled six buildings in Beirut on Friday was still smouldering more than two days later, with smoke hanging over the rubble as people flocked to the site, some to check on what was left of their homes and others to pay their respects.

Nasrallahs body was recovered intact from the site, and it appeared he had been killed by blunt trauma from the force of the blast, a medical source and a security source told reporters on Sunday.

Iranian military commander Abbas Nilforoushan was also killed in the blast, and Tehran insisted on Sunday that this horrible crime would not go unanswered.

We will not hesitate to go to any level in order to help the resistance, said Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, referring to the groups the country supports, including Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah and various Shia groups in Iraq and Syria.

Mr Araghchi also warned that the US is complicit in all of these crimes and ... has to accept the repercussions.

The Pentagon said US defence secretary Lloyd Austin had authorised the military to reinforce its presence in the Middle East with defensive air-support capabilities, and to put other forces on a heightened readiness status.

The US is determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict, spokesperson Patrick Ryder said, warning those groups against targeting American personnel or interests in the region.

Britain has urged its 5,000 or so citizens in Lebanon to leave the country. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said on Sunday that the government has prepared plans for every contingency and will evacuate British nationals if necessary.
CALUMET CITY, Ill. (WGN)  A family is pleading for answers after a young man was shot and killed and his sister was injured while out together on a pizza delivery Thursday night in Calumet City, Illinois.

The family of 23-year-old Steven Cotner said he loved his sisters and would do anything to protect them. Thats exactly what he was doing when his life was ripped away.

Thursday he had the biggest smile ever, Stevens sister, Allison Cotner, told Nexstars WGN. He was just so sweet.

Allison explained that her brother had been coming with her on some pizza deliveries over the last month to learn more about the job in hopes of doing his own deliveries soon, and to keep her company. They were delivering for Windy City Pizza when someone put in an order just before 8 p.m.

Woman has miracle baby after husbands tragic death on honeymoon

When they arrived at the address, Allison explained that she spoke to a male on the phone, believing he was the paying customer. In several back-and-forth calls, he allegedly changed the delivery instructions several times before asking her what kind of car they were in.

Eventually, Steven got out of the car to deliver the pizza. As he walked away, Allison explained that everything changed in an instant.

A male suddenly approached her and pointed a gun at her.

He goes, Give me the money. I said, I dont have no money. Please dont shoot,' Allison recounted.

Steven heard the commotion and ran back to help his sister, Allison explained. Thats when a second suspect reportedly came up on his side of the car.

Both guns are pointed at me, said Allison.

The suspect at her door didnt stop, she said. He allegedly continued to demand money while holding her by the shirt. When she didnt hand any over, she said he pistol-whipped her, leaving her bruised and bloodied.

Thats when blood started dripping and my brother, he sees me hurt, and I think thats what made him want to fight, Allison said.

According to Allison, Steven tried to wrestle the gun away and even elbowed one of the suspects. One suspect started to run away while the other stayed near the car.

Thats when she heard two gunshots and frantically called 911.

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I just wanted them to go help my brother first. I dont care about me, Allison said. I just feel like I failed him because I couldnt protect him. I know people keep telling me its not my fault, but I feel like its my fault.

Steven was rushed to an area hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The Cook County Medical Examiners Office said his cause of death was a gunshot wound to his back.

Allison also was taken to the hospital, where she received two stitches in her eye. She said the pain from her injuries are nothing compared to the heartbreak her family is experiencing.

Authorities have not publicly said whether they believe the crime was a set-up or random.

Allison told WGN the customer did not pay with a card and she was instructed to bring cash to provide change during the delivery. She described the suspects as two young males dressed in dark clothing and wearing ski masks.

The suspects didnt get away with any money but they took something far more irreplaceable. Martina Lohrbach lost her only son.

Boy abducted from California in 1951 found alive more than 70 years later

He was always happy. He had a big grin on his face, Lohrbach said. I just want justice for my baby. I just want them to be found.

The Calumet City Police Department and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force are investigating the shooting and the circumstances surrounding it. No arrests have been announced.

I just want my baby back. Thats all I want, Lohrbach said.

Anyone with information should call Calumet police at 708-868-2500 or the anonymous tip line at 708-891-STOP (7867). In the meantime, a GoFundMe has been set up to help with funeral expenses for Stevens family.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  A Pearl River man was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, William Henry, 52, possessed 400 pornographic images of children that were under the age of 12. Henry was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2020, and pled guilty in October 2023.

Vicksburg man convicted of sexual battery

In addition to his term of imprisonment, Henry was ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to victims and a $9,000 assessment pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

The Choctaw Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

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Pope Francis has pledged to root out the scourge of clerical sexual abuse after Belgiums prime minster urged him in unusually frank terms to take concrete action.

Francis was addressing political leaders on Friday at the official residence of the King of Belgium, a country where devastating clerical abuse scandals have erupted in recent years.

Before he spoke, both the Belgian king and Prime Minister Alexander de Croo raised the issue in their speeches, the latter speaking directly to the pope, in remarks that underline how the abuse crisis has come to dominate Belgian national attention.

You are committed to a fair and equitable approach. But the road is still long, the prime minister told Francis. If something goes wrong, we cant accept cover-ups. It harms the precious work done by everyone. And thats why words are not enough today. Concrete steps are needed. The victims must be heard. They must occupy a central place. They have the right to the truth.

He added: In order to look forward, the Church must clarify its past.

In his remarks, Francis compared the churchs abuse crisis to the biblical story of King Herods order that all male children aged two and under be executed.

This is the shame, the shame that we must all take in hand today and ask for forgiveness and solve the problem, the shame of abuse, of child abuse, the pope said. We think of the time of the Holy Innocents and say what a tragedy. What did King Herod do? But today, in the Church itself there is this crime.

He said that the Church must be ashamed and ask for forgiveness and try to resolve this situation with Christian humility and put all the possibilities in places so that this doesnt happen again.

The 87-year-old pontiff, who is on a three-day visit to Belgium after spending a day in Luxembourg, insisted that abuse is a scourge that the church is firmly and decisively addressing by listening to and accompanying those who have been wounded, and by implementing a prevention program throughout the world.

Appalling revelations of clerical sexual abuse have emerged in Belgium over the last 30 years including the case of a former bishop who abused two of his nephews. The scandal has loomed large over the popes trip, during which Francis was also expected to meet 15 abuse survivors.

Meanwhile, the Belgian church has also been caught up in a forced adoption scandal with an investigation by a Flemish newspaper indicating that Belgian nuns had been involved in an estimated 30,000 cases where newborns were taken from their mothers between 1945 and 1980. Most of the cases involved young, unmarried women whose parents wanted the pregnancies kept under wraps.

Francis also addressed this scandal in his remarks, saying: I was saddened to learn about the practice of forced adoptions that also took place here in Belgium between the 1950s and the 1970s. In those poignant stories, we see how the bitter fruit of wrongdoing and criminality was mixed in with what was unfortunately the prevailing view in all parts of society at that time.

The pope said these cases occurred because the family and other actors in society, including within the church thought giving up children for adoption was a way to avoid the unfortunate stigma which fell on unmarried mothers.

He said the lesson from the adoption scandal is for the church never [to] conform to the predominant culture even if that culture superficially aligns with the churchs values. This, he said, can happen in a manipulative way and cause suffering and exclusion.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to change the ages of children whom King Herod wanted to execute.

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NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI)  Where Quidnessett Country Club meets Narragansett Bay stands a roughly 600-foot sea wall, and it has put the country club in the crosshairs of the Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office.

Jan Companies, which manages the country club, told 12 News the sea wall was built to protect the property from erosion.

The last 30 years weve lost over 47 feet, said Janice Mathews, the vice president of Jan Companies. And every time we lose more, we have to move the 14th fairway to the point where we cant move it anywhere else.

But the Attorney Generals Office and Save the Bay have called on the country club to take down the wall, saying it was illegally built.

You cant have individual property owners building walls that are poorly engineered, that arent permitted, said Jed Thorp, the director of advocacy at Save the Bay. Allowing them to keep the wall in place would set a terrible precedent for the rest of the state.

Mathews said the Jan Companies have spent millions trying to combat the erosion in ways that the Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC) suggested, but none of them worked. So after a bad storm in December 2022, she said, they decided to build the wall.

But Thorp said the sea wall actually makes erosion worse for the clubs neighbors.

ALSO READ: RI beaches are eroding faster, putting Newport drinking water at risk

They have buried a section of coastal habitat under the rock wall, Thorp said. Theyve also cut off public access along that stretch of shoreline, which is a violation of state law.

Now the country club is asking the CRMC to change its water type so the club can keep the wall.

The ocean has changed so much over 40 years, and its the same laws today that it was 40 years ago, Mathews said. We need to keep up with this. We need to modernize everything.

But the Attorney Generals Office pushed back. Spokesperson Brian Hodge wrote in a statement, This is the classic case of knowingly violating the law and seeking forgiveness after the fact.

Last week the CRMCs staff recommended the clubs petition be denied, noting the potential negative impacts to the public shoreline.

This week the proposal went before the Planning and Procedures Subcommittee, where they decided they needed to hear more from the country club before making a decision.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 22 at 3 p.m.

NEXT: Boaters urged to avoid Charlestown Breachway if possible

Kate Wilkinson (kwilkinson@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

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Ocean, Bay & Beach Report

Ocean, Bay & Beach // A look at the conditions at the coast 

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
The Southeast is grappling with widespread devastation after Helene made landfall Thursday as the strongest hurricane on record to slam into Floridas Big Bend region and tore through multiple states, killing at least 95 people, knocking out power to millions and trapping families in floodwaters. In hard-hit North Carolina, days of unrelenting flooding have turned roads into waterways, left many without basic necessities and strained state resources. Heres the latest:

 At least 95 dead across 6 states: Deaths have been reported in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. At least 36 people are dead in North Carolina, according to county and state officials. At least 25 are dead in South Carolina, including two firefighters in Saluda County, authorities said. In Georgia, at least 17 people have died, two of them killed by a tornado in Alamo, according to a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp. In Florida, at least 11 people have died, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Saturday, including several people who drowned in Pinellas County. Two people have died in Virginia, officials said Sunday, and four deaths have been reported in Tennessee.

 Scores of missing persons reports filed amid communication outages: Officials in Buncombe County, North Carolina  where at least 30 people have died  have received about 600 missing persons reports through an online form, County Manager Avril Pinder said Sunday. Former FEMA administrator Craig Fugate encouraged people not to lose hope. Communications being out and loved ones being unreachable doesnt necessarily mean the worst has happened, he told CNN on Sunday, adding people will be reunited once cell phone reception and internet are restored. The states telecommunications partners activated disaster roaming on all networks, meaning any phone on any carrier can access any network to place calls, state Emergency Management Director William Ray said.

Although we know we have lost lives, we generally see more people that are missing or unaccounted for because of communication, Fugate said.

 Hundreds of roads closed in the Carolinas, hampering water delivery: About 300 roads are closed in North Carolina and another 150 are closed in South Carolina, acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White of the US Department of Transportation said Sunday. North Carolina officials on Sunday acknowledged those closures have hampered delivery of water supplies to communities in need, like the city of Weaverville in Buncombe County, which is without both power and water, Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons said.

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 Millions without power in Southeast: About 2.1 million power customers are in the dark in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Virginia, according to PowerOutage.us. On Sunday, Michael Callahan, president of Duke Energys utility operations in South Carolina, said infrastructure repairs need to precede power restoration efforts. Still, the utility hoped to have most of its customers in that state back up by Friday, he said.

 President to visit disaster areas: President Joe Biden was briefed by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall on recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene and will visit impacted communities from the storm later this week as soon as it will not disrupt emergency response operations, the White House said Sunday evening. On Sunday, Biden spoke with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper as well as other officials across North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina. Former President Donald Trump on Sunday sent his condolences to those affected by Helene, which was the strongest hurricane on record to slam into Floridas Big Bend region.

 It looks like a bomb went off in Georgia: Helene spared no one, Gov. Brian Kemp said Saturday. Among the 17 people who died in Georgia were a mother and her 1-month-old twin boys, a 7-year-old boy and 4-year-old girl, and a 58-year-old man, according to Kemp. It looks like a tornado went off, it looks like a bomb went off, Kemp said.

 Complete obliteration along Florida coast: Days after Helene slammed Florida on Thursday night as a Category 4 hurricane, countless residents are displaced, boil water notices are in place in multiple counties and power is out for over 147,000 customers. You see some just complete obliteration for homes, DeSantis said Saturday, noting Helene impacted some of the same communities affected by hurricanes Idalia last year and Debby last month.

 Federal government declares public health emergency in NC: North Carolina on Sunday joined Florida and Georgia as states where the federal government has declared a public health emergency. We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as with our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said. The government has deployed 200 people who are assessing how hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities were affected, as well as sending medical care task forces. The announcement comes as President Joe Biden has approved federal disaster declarations for Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and, on Sunday, Virginia.

 Additional rain expected: Helene dumped staggering amounts of rain, including 12 to 14 inches in South Carolina, 12 to 16 inches in Florida and 12 to 14 inches in Georgia, said Ken Graham, the director of the National Weather Service. The storm became a post-tropical cyclone on Friday, but rainfall is expected to continue this weekend across parts of the southern Appalachian region: Additional totals of half an inch are expected for areas of western North Carolina, including Asheville, and eastern Tennessee, including Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Up to 2 inches is possible for portions of Virginia and West Virginia through Monday. Additional rainfall is not expected to exacerbate ongoing flooding but may lead to excessive runoff due to saturated soils, the weather service said Sunday morning.

A person looks at storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. - Sean Rayford/Getty Images

We all really need help here

Since Helene started swamping the region, its turned neighborhoods into lakes, lifted cars like toys, snapped trees like twigs and left businesses underwater. Piles of thick mud and floating debris blocked streets as torrential rains collapsed roadways and washed out bridges. Its left hundreds of people in North Carolina stranded in homes, hospitals or transportation systems, awaiting rescue.

The priority is getting people out, North Carolina Gov. Cooper told CNN affiliate Spectrum News. And getting supplies in.

But officials face a major hurdle: Everything is flooded. It is very difficult for them to see exactly what the problems are, Cooper said.

On Friday, Stevie Hollander watched as floodwaters inundated his Asheville apartment complex, where he lives on the second floor with his sister and her fiance.

The water almost reached us but thankfully went down, he told CNN. Most residents on the first floor left before their units were submerged, while other relocated to stay with residents on higher floors.

We all really need help here. We need water, power of sorts, food, gas. Anything. he said, We just dont really know what to do.

Hollander and his family attempted to drive north Saturday, but road closures forced them to return to the apartment. The family only has four water bottles left and little nonperishable food, Hollander said.

In Black Mountain, North Carolina, Sofia Grace Kunst contended with another problem: a landslide she said tore through the window and wall of a dining hall where she was playing Uno with six friends while on a weeklong trip.

It was exactly 9:10 a.m. Friday when mud and debris shattered a window and poured into the room, she said.

Landslide! Everybody run, someone yelled.

I see this giant wave of like mud and trees and rocks just coming towards us, Kunst told CNN, estimating it was 5 or 6 feet high.

She ran into the main room of the dining hall, only to see the wall completely cave in. The group fled to the porch, where many of her peers were crying. Kunst sat in shock, barefoot.

It was only then she realized she still had her Uno cards in hand.

The group eventually trekked through muddy water, seeking refuge in a parking lot on higher ground. They were stranded there for some time, but eventually reached a shelter.

Thats when it hit most people. There were a lot of tears, Kunst said. For me, it really didnt hit me emotionally, but my body started reacting. I started shaking like crazy. I felt like I had to, like, scream or let off energy, Kunst said.

A van sits in floodwaters near the Biltmore Village in Asheville, North Carolina, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024. - Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Amid cleanup efforts, a Buncombe County resident told CNN she has no power, running water or cell phone reception.

Clutching firewood in her hands, Meredith Keisler, a school nurse, said: Were collecting wood because we have a grill to make fire, to cook food, she said.

While Keisler says she considers herself lucky with resources at her home, she plans to work at a shelter to help others.

Its incredible  the destruction. Its really sad, she noted when asked about her surroundings.

In McDowell County, Krista Cortright said her boyfriends grandmother had no way of getting out of Black Mountain due to flooding. Cortright told CNN the couple had to get to her since she had limited supplies and she is diabetic.

It typically takes the couple 25 minutes to travel from Marion to the grandmothers house. On Sunday, due to road closures, it took them 2.5 hours.

Things are even more devastating in person, Cortright said. (Western North Carolina) is going to take a very long time to recover, but I am so grateful that we are here and doing OK. My heart is broken for our people here.

CNNs Sarah Dewberry, Rafael Romo, Jade Gordon, Ashley R. Williams, DJ Judd, Sunlen Serfaty, Lauren Mascarenhas, Eric Levenson, Isabel Rosales, Taylor Galgano, Sara Smart, Conor Powell, Caroll Alvarado, Caroline Jaime, Emma Tucker, Artemis Moshtaghian, Paradise Afshar and Raja Razek contributed to this report.

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A U.N. Security Council vote scheduled for Monday on the armed international mission trying to rescue Haiti from the grip of armed gangs is critical to the fate of the operation and for the troubled nations fight for stability, a senior State Department official told the Miami Herald.

Some countries cannot make contributions to this effort under their own constitution unless the Security Council authorizes it, the official said about the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, currently being led by Kenya.

The vote on the extension of the missions mandate is also critical for tapping an $85.3 million U.N. trust fund.

The U.S. and Ecuador are asking the Security Council to extend the mandate for the armed mission for another year ahead of its Oct. 2 expiration date. The mission was first approved by the Security Council in October 2023 for a year, but Kenyan police did not begin deploying until late June.

Though it is supposed to have a force of as many as 2,500 people, the operation remains understaffed, underfunded and ill-equipped, with 382 Kenyan policemen and 25 security personnel from Jamaica and Belize.

The missions money challenges have led Washington to push for it to be transformed into a formal U.N. peacekeeping operation, a move first reported by the Herald which has since been endorsed by the head of Haitis Transitional Presidential Council and Kenyas president. Earlier this month, the U.S. floated a draft resolution asking for the one-year extension of the mission and for the Security Council to transition the operation into a U.N. peacekeeping force. As a U.N. operation, the global entity would pay for the mission, relieving the U.S. of the financial load.

As of Sunday, the draft language on peacekeeping had been changed to declare the U.Ss intentions to have the mission transformed in order to achieve progress on security in Haiti. However, the new language is presented in a way as to not sacrifice the renewal of the Kenya-led missions mandate by having Russia and China vote the resolution down, a source said.The two nations, permanent members of the Security Council, have veto power and have been critical of past U.N. interventions in Haiti.

We need a resolution and we need to move this mission onto a more sustainable financial path that people can plan against, the U.S. official said on Friday when the language was still asking for preparations to be made to transition the MSS into a peacekeeping operation.

He added that many countries with a relationship with either Russia or China said they would push for the nations support on the U.S. request.

Crisis worsens

Haitis former government first requested an armed international mission to help its beleaguered police force take on the gangs two years ago. At the time, the gangs had taken over a private port, preventing the distribution of fuel and exacerbating an already worsening humanitarian crisis.

Today, the crisis has worsened. Gangs have escalated the violence and have tightened their grip on the capital. The U.N.s independent expert on human rights, William ONeill, said the violence has led to more than 700,000 having to flee their homes.

Efforts must be redoubled immediately, ONeil said last week as he concluded a visit to Haiti on the same day that Kenyan President William Ruto arrived in Port-au-Prince to check on the progress of his troops before heading to the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York.

The U.N. Human Rights Office said Friday that Haitians continue to experience extremely serious human rights violations and abuses, including gang executions, mutilations and rapes.

The latest U.N report, which covers the period up to June, noted that between March and June, at least 22 public institutions and 16 police stations and substations were attacked, set on fire or ransacked by gangs in the capital and the nearby Artibonite region. Two gang-orchestrated prison breaks led to the escape of 4,600 inmates.

At least 2,652 people have been killed and 1,280 injured as of June 30th, the U.N. said. Another 893 people had been kidnapped and held for ransom by gangs.

Money is utmost priority

The alarming level of violence should be the international missions utmost priority, Volker Turk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said after the reports release. The mission, he added, needs sufficient equipment and personnel to counter the criminal gangs effectively and sustainably, and stop them spreading further and wreaking havoc on peoples lives.

The administration official doesnt disagree. He said while there were initially doubts about the international mission, there has been progress on the ground.

There was skepticism that a force would ever be deployed; there was skepticism that the force would ever be equipped, be welcomed by the Haitian people, that it would actually carry out operations. Those were all things people pointed to last year, the official told the Herald.

But a year after the U.S. began lobbying to support the mission and four months after the first contingent of specialized Kenyan police officers began deploying to Haiti  opinions have changed, he said.

This year... there were numerous people who came out and said We overcame all of the issues that made people skeptical in the past and there should be no excuse for not supporting this effort more robustly now and going forward,  the official added.

Despite the dozens of conflicts unfolding around the world, Haiti got a fair share of mentions during the first week of the U.N.s high-level debate last week. A number of world leaders raised the need for security and humanitarian funding.

On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on nations to do their part. He co-chaired, with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille, a high-level meeting of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti of the Economic and Social Council. Trudeau announced an additional $12.2 million in new commitments to Haiti.

In his speech at the general assembly, Ruto, the Kenyan president, appealed for all member states to stand in solidarity with the Haitian people.

Our support for the Haitian national police has significantly advanced the pacification of cities and towns, protected critical infrastructure, and relieved many communities previously held captive by criminal gangs, he said.

Latin American nations

The State Department official said staffing the mission, which also received an offer of 150 military police officers from Guatemala and 50 from Suriname, isnt the problem. Its finding the money to pay for it.

We have enough countries that are willing to send people. The issue is we have to house them, train them, we have to equip them and that all costs money, he said.

He welcomes the support especially from several Latin American nations that had remained on the sidelines.

Chile has said it will help, but hasnt provided specifics. Argentina has offered to provide troops to help run a military hospital and a water purification system in conjunction with Uruguay.

The water purification offer is important, the official said, because it would assist with the operating bases the mission is trying to build to maintain control of areas where they have pushed out the gangs. The Dominican Republic is providing $10 million in support through a cooperation with El Salvador, which is providing helicopters for a Medivac operation.

There are some very concrete things people put out there, said the U.S. official.

In other instances, he said, the pledges were not well defined: Its hard to say exactly what they are going to be providing. Some noted that pledges they made in the past were actually in the process of depositing in the U.N. Trust Fund this week or in the coming weeks.

The U.S. has provided the bulk of the funds for the mission, at over $300 million, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the U.S. will contributed an additional $160 million. The official said a little more than $100 million will go toward development aid and the rest toward paying for equipment and training for the mission members.

He said training and vetting for some of the additional forces, including contingents from the Caribbean, continues.

The number of police officers and other forces are not the issue, the official stressed. Our issue is the financial resources, not people.

Theres just not enough money, he said. Weve got to raise more money.

The official said a number of other nations also pledged financial support on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly, including France which will add to the U.N. trust fund. But the amounts of the new pledges, which fall somewhere between $15 million and $20 million, still fall short of whats needed.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Tigard mother and daughter were arraigned in federal court Friday for allegedly forcing three Haitian immigrants  including a minor  to work for little to no pay in an adult care foster home.

According to court documents, 66-year-old Marie Valmont and 30-year-old Yolandita Andrew owned and operated of Velidas Care Home in Tigard. In early 2023, they allegedly convinced two adults and a child from Haiti to come work for them.

Former St. Helens cheer coach indicted on additional charges of sexual abuse

When all three arrived in Portland in September 2023, they were taken to Velidas and reportedly forced to work long hours for little pay. Both Valmont and Andre also allegedly took the victims immigration paperwork and forbade them to leave the area.

The documents further state Valmont threw items at the victims, threatened to send them back to Haiti and have them killed. She also allegedly threatened to call police and make false allegations against them.

After the child reportedly disclosed her situation to her pediatrician in summer 2023, the Oregon Department of Justice intervened and placed her in foster care.

Husband and wife identified in Astoria murder-suicide

Both Valmont and Andre were arrested by the FBI on Thursday.

Both women were arraigned in federal court Friday on charges of conspiring with one another to commit forced labor, committing forced labor and benefitting from forced labor.

They plead not guilty and were released. However, officials say there will be further court dates in the future.

Officials say Valmont and Andre could each face up to 20 years in federal prison per count.

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

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
More federal disaster relief funding is on its way to Vermonters in Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced late Thursday, Sept. 26.

The Green Mountain State's fourth major disaster declaration in 2024 will cover damage from the severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides that occurred from July 29-31.

Vermonters in the three qualifying counties are eligible for grants compensating home repairs and temporary housing, low-cost loans toward uninsured property losses and other recovery programs for impacted individuals and business owners.

A double wide mobile home that was swept away in the flash flood lies by the side of a road on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Lyndon, Vermont. The residents were reported to be uninjured. Heavy rains the previous day caused flooding and other damage in the region.

State, tribal, qualifying local governments and specific private non-profits are also eligible for federal funding on a cost-sharing basis for the replacement or repair of facilities ravaged by the severe weather events in late July.

Federal funding also can be used on a cost-sharing basis for statewide hazard mitigation measures.

To apply for aid, individuals and business owners in eligible counties can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, call 1-800-621-3362, or use the FEMA App.

What is a major disaster declaration?

A major disaster declaration can be announced for any "natural event"  from a drought to an explosion  that has caused more damage than a state or local government can address on its own, according to FEMA. Under such a declaration, FEMA may funnel money toward impacted individuals and public infrastructure (including emergency and permanent work) or statewide hazard mitigation projects, depending on the needs of an eligible community.

Vermont has received four major disaster declarations this year, including the winter storm in early January, two flooding events in July and another flooding event in late August.

The other type of federal declaration is an emergency declaration, which compensates state and locals governments for "emergency protective measures"  such as sandbagging or setting up road closure signs  taken in preparation for a catastrophic event, according to FEMA spokesperson Dave Mace. For instance, Vermont received an emergency declaration right before Tropical Storm Debby touched in early August.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont receives federal funding for late July floods
Businesses need stability to thrive. Unfortunately for anyone in Sudan, stability has been hard to come by for the past year and a half as the country quakes amidst a raging civil war. More than 20,000 people have been killed, and about 7.7 million people have been displaced just within the country; millions have had to flee across international borders as refugees.

But pockets of safety can still be found. And in the relatively safer provinces of Port Sudan and Kassala in the eastern part of the country, one startup incubator has resumed operations after a six-month forced hiatus, when war broke out in the country last April.

On the Saturday when the war broke out, we had staff members in the office, and after three days, the RSF militia knocked on the door and said, You guys got to leave, and if you don't leave, there will be some bullets in the air, Yousif Yahya, the founder of Savannah Innovation Labs, told TechCrunch.

Shortly after the warning, the conflict intensified, and as the gunfire grew louder and more frequent, basic utilities such as water and electricity were cut off. For Yahya, his family, and many others, fleeing to neighboring Egypt, a 12-hour journey over some 550 miles, became imperative for survival.

Building in times of war

Asylum is never great, but for Yahya, the respite and safety enabled him to carry on with his plans to set up and run a startup incubator in Sudan. Operating out of Cairo  Egypt's capital and one of the largest startup hubs in Africa  Savannah was able to establish operations in the eastern region of Sudan, which was relatively safer.

Yousif Yahya is the founder of Savannah Innovation Labs. He co-founded the incubator in 2018 to drive innovation in Sudan.

The first edition of Savannah's "We-Rise" bootcamp, financed by the European Union and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, aimed to foster entrepreneurship. The program took in entrepreneurs who were building a company or even just ideating, and gave them a launchpad  over 300 businesses participated for a year. The 100 finalists of the bootcamps pitch competition are set to receive grant funding ranging from 2,500 ($2,783) to 7,500 ($8,313).

Before the war, the program had intended to give the finalists equity funding, but Yahya explained that grant funding made it easier for them to keep the program running.

The main idea was that we should continue to do the work," he said. "One, because there are still young people in the country who are eager to go ahead and build businesses and learn and so forth. They do not have the means to leave the country. Secondly, if and when the war stops, we don't want to go back to square zero [and start] explaining to people what term sheets are or what equity is and what company formation should look like.

The war is chaotic. The war is ugly. But at the same time, we now have a clean slate, he added.

In pursuit of talent

Savannah has now reached out beyond Sudans borders to establish networks in neighboring Uganda, Kenya, and Egypt, aiming to bring together dispersed members of the Sudanese startup community. The aim is to resume building what Yahya set out to do in 2018: establish the talent pool that would power the countrys tech transformation.

Savannah was conceptualized when Yahya was studying international relations at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. And after he set it up in Sudan, the incubator started helping university students get experience working with tech companies so they could get a taste of how startups function.

Yahya maintains that talent precedes the investments needed for national transformation.

Rulership contest between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has persisted to date, making business hubs like Sudan's capital Khartoum inaccessible.

The whole idea is that you develop the talent pool that is needed  to go ahead and start their own companies. I never tell people that this is an overnight success story or anything like that. But the seeds that are being sown right now will take some time to be seen, he said.

Today, Savannah has enabled thousands of people to enter Sudans startup ecosystem. It has also fostered a number of startups, including Sudan's first YC-backed startup, Bloom (now Elevate).

Not saying no to risk

Yahya, who is also a partner at venture firm Africa Renaissance Partners, says he is keen to bridge capital gaps in untapped markets like Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, and especially those considered risky due to conflict, like Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

DRC, a country ravaged by armed conflict, continues to be among the top emerging startup markets.

If you need the markets of scale, you need to look at places like the Sudan, the Central African Republic, the DRC. Even though these places are war-torn, the work being done on the ground right now is going to rewrite the framework of what new economies are going to look like, he said.

Yahya and family, like many Sudanese, embarked on a 12-hour journey to Egypt's border to flee the war. Six months later, and from Egypt, he steered Savannah back into operation.

We are not waiting for anything to stop in order to continue building the stuff that we want to. Nobody's going to come and do this work for us.  A lot of people are speaking about the war, famine, and all these ugly things that are happening, which they rightfully need to be speaking about. But on the other side, we need to start having the conversation of what that next day is going to look like. What values do we want? What kind of society do we need to lead? What kind of businesses are going to be running the country?

Sudans startup ecosystem is still in its infancy, but there are several players, such as 249Startups and Impact Hub, working to foster it. The community got somewhat of a boost after some sanctions were eased back in 2017, and Yahya remains optimistic.

I want to bet that after the war, Sudan is going to be a very ripe VC market, because a lot of the big family businesses have either been destroyed or bled a lot of cash," he said. "A lot of these businesses, and many of the patriarchs that built them, no longer have the stamina to go back. The new generation is going to want to come in, and they're going to set up funds and advisory firms in the sectors that their family businesses have historically been.
Rudy Straub stood in the shadow of the Virginia 10 Miler starting line briefly after 8 a.m. Saturday morning. It was the same spot he stood in almost exactly 50 years ago when the race he helped create held its inaugural running.

This time, he had a couple of first-time guests who had never, in all of the previous 49 versions of the race, seen the race's start.

Straub was joined by his daughters, Suzzette Fromkin and Dawn Lynn, both who were so preoccupied with their job on race days that they've never had the chance to see the runners plunge through the starting gate on Langhorne Drive.

"I was always on Farm Basket Hill, I ran the water stop on Farm Basket with my sister, Dawn," Fromkin said. "I've never seen the start, never been at the finish."

Straub was also joined by Linda Jones, his longtime assistant in getting the race off without a problem. She always had her role too, she said.

"I was always with the lead truck, so I would just look back and see this sea of humanity following after me," Jones said.

The Virginia 10 Miler and all its races that have grown out of Straub's idea bring people together. On Saturday, it brought together 4,000-plus to the front of E.C. Glass yet again, this time for the 50th such running of Lynchburg's race.

The four couldn't help but notice how drastically things have changed since they took registrations from a landline in their home.

"Imagine being in your home, connected to a wall phone, having it ring off the hook and they'd say, 'I want to sign up for the Virginia 10 Miler,'" Fromkin said. "And then you'd have to say, 'Hold on, let me get my pencil and everything."

"It was a family affair," she later said.

The race is a complete outfit now. But it still does the same thing: bring people together.

'Homecoming race'

Angelo Cosentino had never even heard of the Virginia 10 Miler before he came to Lynchburg as a Liberty student several years ago. The Pennsylvania native, now an LU grad, wants to make the event a "homecoming race."

"For me, the big thing about running is the community. I love it," said Cosentino. "I did a lot with the [Liberty] Run Club and spent a lot of time with those people, so today gives me a chance to come back and see my old friends. It's like a homecoming."

He was well on his way to starting his tradition of making it a homecoming race Saturday.

Cosentino finished his third time ever running the 10 Miler, and was celebrating with a friend, Collin Rose, who he met through the Liberty Run Club and convinced to finally lace up and compete in his first-ever road race.

Quite the daunting course for a first road race.

"It was super exciting," Rose said. "I went out fast, I stayed fast. It was a great time."

Rose finished his first road race in 1:16.15, but the usual cross-country runner did smash an individual goal of his Saturday.

"I was about 30 seconds faster per mile than I wanted to be," he said. "So that's a positive for me."

Cosentino "squeaked out" a personal best at 1:13.53.

"It feels good to be around likeminded people who just want to come out here, for some reason, early on a Saturday morning," he said. "We'll all do hard things together."

'A wild two days'

Dwayne Lillie, a former Appalachian State cross country runner, had to overcome obstacles on his journey to Lynchburg to run in his first ever 10 Miler.

The Asheville, North Carolina, native left for the Hill City at 7 a.m. Friday morning, but his expected four-and-a-half hour drive turned into seven-plus as Hurricane Helene moved into western North Carolina and southwest Virginia.

"We went through Damascus and along the way we had to move about five trees out of the road, and we had gotten stuck between trees," he said. "So I was actually helping move trees out of the road on the way up here ... and crossing two flooded roads."

Lillie said his family was safe from the impact of the storm that battered communities in the mountains of North Carolina, southwest Virginia and eastern Tennessee.

"It's been a wild two days," he said.

Millie ran on the Mountaineers' cross country team from 2020 to 2024. He said he got bit by the "running bug" in seventh grade.

"I really fell in love with that feeling of when you're in the middle of the race and you just kind of push yourself really hard," he said. "And then that kind of stuck around and I've loved it ever since."

He also loved the 10 Miler, and wants to work the trip from Asheville into his schedule on a regular basis.

"It was a great event all around, just the meet organizers, the crowd along the course, the water stops," he said.

He posted an official 52:29.81, good for a 14th overall finish in the race.

"Happy with it," he said. "I tweaked my foot a couple of Sundays ago, so I've run three times between now and then ... I wanted to be under 52 but given the setbacks, I'm happy."

'A bucket list race'

Phil Stewart had a 40-year hiatus from the Virginia 10 Miler. But when he heard Saturday's was the 50th, "I thought for that I'd come back and give it another shot," he said.

Stewart's first 10 Miler came during the second running of it, in the 70s. A Washington, D.C., native and race director of the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in the nation's capital, he knows the status the race has held in the past.

"It was a bucket list race," he said. "I mean all the world-class runners were here. I was a decent runner back then and you always wanted to come down here and run against the big boys."

Stewart said Straub had a way of convincing the biggest names to come take on his race.

"He would just go out there and talk to anybody," he said. "And he talked some of the best runners in the world to come run the hills of Lynchburg."

"It takes a lot of charisma," he added.

Stewart finished with a better time than he'd had in mind.

"I wanted to break 1:50," he said. "I ran 1:42:07, so I'll feel great for the rest of the day."

The course was as challenging as it was when he ran it 40 years ago, but the memories were enough to bring him back.

"I wanted to come back, and then the hills," he said, "the hills haven't changed. They're still demanding."

'It's the spirit'

Back in the shadow of the start line, Straub said he couldn't have imagined that the race would be as big as it is today.

"I woke up this morning thinking about it," Straub said, "and cheering in my mind, 'Go, Rudy, go!'"

It was the 50th time the little race he started in 1974, that had 225 participants in its first edition, brought together people from all around  from Pennsylvania, Appalachia, the nation's capital and even Lynchburg.

And he was soaking it in with family, and Jones, who was there from the start, as well.

"Like our former mayor Jimmie Bryan used to say, 'It's a great day to be alive in Lynchburg,'" Jones said. "And everybody feels that. It's the spirit."
TOKYO, Sep 30 (NHK) - The new leader of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party has officially announced his executive lineup. LDP President Ishiba Shigeru is set to become prime minister on Tuesday.

Ishiba has named former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide as the LDP's vice-president.

Aso Taro, who was vice-president, has become the party's top advisor.

Ishiba has appointed Moriyama Hiroshi, the former chairperson of the General Council, as the LDP's secretary-general. Finance Minister Suzuki Shunichi will become the new General Council chairperson.

Former Defense Minister Onodera Itsunori has been appointed chairperson of the Policy Research Council and former Environment Minister Koizumi Shinjiro has become chairperson of the Election Strategy Committee.

Agriculture Minister Sakamoto Tetsushi is the new Diet Affairs Committee chairperson. Former General Council chairperson Fukuda Tatsuo has become the executive acting secretary-general.

Obuchi Yuko, who served as the Election Strategy Committee chairperson, has been appointed the chairperson of the Party Organization and Campaign Headquarters.

Former Digital Minister Hirai Takuya has been retained as the chairperson of the Public Relations Headquarters.

Ishiba said on Monday that as LDP president he believes in the people and will speak the truth with courage and sincerity. He said he will dedicate himself to making Japan a safe and secure country once again, a place where everyone can live with a smile.

Ishiba will form his new cabinet after being elected as Japan's 102nd prime minister in both chambers of the Diet on Tuesday. The lineup of his Cabinet ministers has mostly been decided.

Ishiba will call a snap election for October 27. Official campaigning will begin on October 15.

Source: ANN
PARIS, Sep 29 (News On Japan) - Three men broke into the Paris home of renowned chef Kei Kobayashi, 47, who has earned three Michelin stars, on September 26th, assaulting Kobayashi's wife who suffered severe injuries. Kobayashi commented, saying, 'This is unforgivable.'

Around 9:30 a.m. on September 26th in Paris, three black men in their 20s to 30s forced their way into the apartment of acclaimed chef Kei Kobayashi. They assaulted his wife, punching her in the face, resulting in a broken nose and other serious injuries before fleeing the scene.

The men, carrying tools and adhesive tape, reportedly told Kobayashi's wife through the front door, 'There was a problem with the construction work in the room upstairs, and we need to inspect the inside of your apartment.' When she opened the door, they forced their way inside.

Construction work had indeed been taking place on the floor above the apartment for about a month. It is believed the men posed as construction workers to bypass the building's automatic lock and gain access to the front door. Kobayashi was on a business trip at the time and was not present.

Kobayashi, the first Asian to receive three Michelin stars in France, owns and serves as the head chef of 'Restaurant KEI,' located in Paris's 1st arrondissement. The restaurant has held its three-star rating for five consecutive years since 2020.

In an interview with ANN, Kobayashi stated, 'I'm relieved that my wife is alive, but her life was in danger. It's unforgivable to beat my wife until her face was swollen while she was alone at home. I can't understand why this happened. The police informed me that it was likely a premeditated crime. I urge them to conduct a thorough investigation and arrest the perpetrators.'

Source: ANN
TOKYO, Sep 29 (News On Japan) - In a broadcast on September 28, 2024, titled 'AI Quantifies Speaking Skills: Improving Communication for Over 5,000 People,' Chiba, the representative of the training organization 'Kaeka,' discussed the nuances of effective speaking.

The long version of this original broadcast covers three key points on speaking techniques that can be implemented immediately, along with tips for emphasizing important messages.

The conversation began with Mayama, a writer who is a pioneer in the field of general speaking education, expressing a desire to delve deeper into the topic. He encouraged the participants to approach the discussion with a learner's mindset. Chiba emphasized the importance of clearly defining the purpose of speaking, analyzing the target audience, and refining the delivery of content.

Chiba explained that it is essential for speakers to consider why they are communicating and what feelings they wish to evoke in their audience. Many clients, when asked to introduce themselves, admitted they had never contemplated the emotional impact of their words. This lack of awareness often leads to ineffective communication.

He further noted that a common pitfall in public speaking is the tendency to use overly complex terminology. Its crucial for speakers to assess their audience's familiarity with the subject matter to ensure clarity. Misjudging the audience can result in misunderstandings, as speakers may assume that their listeners share the same knowledge.

Finally, Chiba highlighted the significance of effective delivery, urging participants to balance simplicity with the need to convey essential details. By doing so, speakers can engage both knowledgeable listeners and those less familiar with the topic.

Through these discussions, the aim is to make the training engaging and insightful, encouraging participants to reflect on their speaking skills and the overall effectiveness of their communication.

Source: BIZ
GUNMA, Sep 30 (News On Japan) - A large dog was caught on camera running down a road in Yoshioka, Gunma Prefecture, with police officers wielding nets in hot pusuit.

Several police officers were dispatched on September 25th to search for the dog following reports, from residents stating, "It looks like a neighbor's dog has escaped."

The runaway dog was identified as an Akita, known for its generally gentle nature but also for being wary of strangers. Due to this, the normally quiet residential area was thrown into a temporary state of commotion.

"Its scary, you know," one local resident remarked. "The dog ran from the south side to the north."

Around 15 minutes into the news crews coverage, there was movement at the scene. The Akita was finally spotted.

Despite the police officers' desperate chase, the dog slipped away, evading capture once again.

Unwilling to give up, the officers continued their search, relying on further eyewitness reports from residents. Soon enough, they spotted the Akita hiding between two parked cars.

As the standoff appeared to drag on, the situation took a sudden turn when the dog was finally captured.

After roughly 40 minutes of the tense pursuit, the Akita was safely apprehended. When the owner arrived, the dog showed signs of affection.

But why did the dog escape in the first place?

When asked, the owner explained, "Im really sorry. It seems the clasp on its collar came loose. It was early in the morning, so I didnt notice right away."

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in this incident.

Source: FNN
Investing in real estate can be a challenge, especially with fluctuating market conditions. The risks associated with debt are a common concern for many investors. This is where debt-free Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) provide a unique advantage. These investment vehicles not only offer tax deferral through a 1031 exchange but also eliminate the need for direct management and reduce the risk of lender foreclosure.

Key Benefits of Debt-Free DSTs

Debt-free DSTs present numerous advantages, including:

No lender foreclosure risk: Protect your investment from debt-related foreclosure.

Protect your investment from debt-related foreclosure. 1031 exchange tax deferral: Enjoy significant tax benefits while reinvesting.

Enjoy significant tax benefits while reinvesting. Hands-off ownership: Gain real estate exposure without direct management.

Gain real estate exposure without direct management. Enhanced flexibility for sponsors: Decisions can be made quickly without needing lender approval.

The Role of Debt in Real Estate Investments

Debt has traditionally been a powerful tool in real estate investing, amplifying potential gains. However, it also increases risk. During economic downturns, this risk can become a reality, leading to property value loss or even foreclosure.

Understanding Leverage in Real Estate

Leverage allows investors to use borrowed funds to purchase larger properties. While this can lead to substantial gains in rising markets, it can also amplify losses if property values drop. A 20% decrease in property value could lead to a complete loss of equity for leveraged investors, as the debt magnifies the financial damage.

During economic downturns, properties may lose value quickly, warns Chay Lapin, President of Kay Properties & Investments. Investors should be aware of the risks associated with debt, particularly in 1031 exchanges involving leveraged DSTs.

Black Swan Events and Market Vulnerability

Unexpected economic shifts, often referred to as Black Swan events, can significantly impact real estate investments, especially those reliant on debt. These unpredictable events illustrate the risk debt introduces into a portfolio.

By investing in debt-free DSTs, investors can avoid these risks. With no loans to repay, investors arent exposed to the potential for lender foreclosure. Additionally, without the constraints of debt, DST sponsors can make faster, more strategic decisions regarding asset management.

Protection Against Black Swan Events

Investors who allocate a portion of their portfolio to debt-free DSTs can lower their exposure to risk compared to leveraged investments. This can be particularly beneficial in volatile market conditions, providing an extra layer of security.

Advantages of Debt-Free Delaware Statutory Trusts

Chay Lapin highlights several key advantages of debt-free DSTs for investors:

No Foreclosure Risk

One of the primary benefits of debt-free DSTs is the elimination of lender foreclosure risk. Without loans tied to the investment, theres no danger of property loss due to missed payments. This provides peace of mind for investors, especially in uncertain markets.

Greater Flexibility for DST Sponsors

Sponsors managing debt-free DSTs have the flexibility to respond to market changes more swiftly. Without monthly debt obligations, sponsors can make strategic decisions like repositioning properties or renegotiating leases without needing lender approval. This agility leads to more effective responses to market realities.

Increased Cash Flow Potential

Debt-free DSTs also offer the potential for higher returns. Without the need to service debt, there is often greater free cash flow to distribute to investors. This can result in more substantial returns, especially in a strong market.

Portfolio Diversification and Risk Mitigation

Investing in debt-free DSTs also offers the opportunity for portfolio diversification. By spreading investments across different asset classes and geographic locations, all without debt, investors can protect themselves from total loss due to foreclosure.

The Importance of Diversification

Diversifying into debt-free DSTs can help shield investors from:

Tenant credit issues that may lead to cash flow disruptions

Foreclosure risks tied to debt

Volatile market fluctuations and Black Swan events

While diversification does not guarantee returns, it is a crucial strategy for minimizing risk.

Why Debt-Free DSTs Are Ideal for 1031 Exchanges

In todays market, debt-free Delaware Statutory Trusts offer a safer and more flexible option for 1031 exchange investments. By eliminating debt, these trusts reduce foreclosure risk, enhance flexibility, and offer higher cash flow potential. This makes them an excellent choice for investors looking to protect their assets during times of economic uncertainty.

Investing in debt-free DSTs creates a buffer for your portfolio against lenders, explains Chay Lapin. With properties that are debt-free, theres no risk of losing your investment to a lender, giving investors peace of mind.

Conclusion: Risk Mitigation with Debt-Free DSTs

For 1031 exchange investors, debt-free DSTs offer an attractive, risk-mitigating solution. They provide the flexibility to respond to market changes, eliminate the threat of foreclosure, and offer higher cash flow potential. In an unpredictable economic landscape, these trusts present a solid option for minimizing risk while maximizing returns.

For more information on how debt-free DSTs can help you achieve your investment goals, visit Kay Properties & Investments.

About Kay Properties and www.kpi1031.com

Kay Properties helps investors choose 1031 exchange investments that help them focus on what they truly love in life, whether that be their children, grandkids, travel, hobbies, or other endeavors (NO MORE 3 Ts  Tenants, Toilets, and Trash!). We have helped 1031 exchange investors for nearly two decades exchange into over 9,100  1031 exchange investments. Please visit www.kpi1031.com for access to our teams experience, educational library, and our full 1031 exchange investment menu.

Diversification does not guarantee profits or protect against losses. All real estate investments provide no guarantees for cash flow, distributions or appreciation as well as could result in a full loss of invested principal. Please read the entire Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) prior to making an investment. Please speak with your attorney and CPA before considering an investment. All offerings discussed, if any, are Regulation D, Rule 506c offerings. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Securities are offered through FNEX Capital, member FINRA, SIPC.
By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY  THE Edo State Government late Saturday, raised an alarm that the reinstated deputy governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu has perfected plans to invade the Edo State Government House on Monday, September 30, to enforce his purported reinstatement.

It said this planned action is even though a stay of execution appeal has been filed challenging Justice J. K. Omotoshos ruling.

All efforts to reach Shaibu Saturday night were unsuccessful as his known three mobile lines were either switched off or not reachable.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Edo State Government, Crusoe Osagie, called on the Inspector General of Police and all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on Shaibu to refrain from his devious plot as it is a clear recipe for chaos, given the fact that a policeman was killed the last time he attempted such action.

According to him, We want to draw the attention of the Inspector General of Police to the intelligence we have gathered regarding a planned move by the erstwhile Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu to forcefully enter the Edo State Government House to purportedly enforce the ruling of Justice J. K. Omotosho.

The stay of execution is still pending at the court of appeal and we appeal to the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the state does not descend to anarchy because of the ambition of one man. The last time Shaibu attempted to do this, it led to the death of a police officer. We believe that is one death too many and it is only wise for us to prevent a repeat of such.

Osagie added that the government lawyers have written to the IGP and other stakeholders, highlighting the fact that all actions relating to the Enforcement and/or execution of the judgement of Honourable Justice J. K. Omotosho in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 be stayed pending the hearing and determination of the Motion for Stay of Execution/Injunction Pending Appeal so as not to foist a situation of helplessness on the Court of Appeal and render the Order nugatory in the case that the application is granted.

He added that the appeal case raises special circumstances and substantial arguable grounds in respect of which the Court ought to grant the application as this will ensure that the plaintiff/respondent (Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu) does nothing to cause a breach of the peace or break down of law and order in Benin City and Edo State.
The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) says four Nigerian professors have been selected to hold key positions in the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) in The Gambia.

Dr Yusuf Yakub, the Director-General (D-G) of NTAC, said this on Saturday in Abuja.

Yakub spoke when the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology of The Gambia, Prof. Gomez Pierre, paid him a courtesy visit.

The D-G said that the professional prowess of the four Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers led to the set up of a task force by the ministrys Governing Council.

He said that this development followed the submission of a report by a task force to request for the four professors to man key positions in the institution.

According to him, the task force was set up to validate the current serving TAC volunteers in that country to fill in the vacant position in USET to ensure a smooth running of the university.

The report of the task force says that the Gambian ministry has requested the endorsement from the Nigerian authorities for their appointment.

The letter requesting endorsement, addressed to the Nigerian Mission in Kanifing and copied to the NTAC D-G, was received on Friday in Abuja.

The Volunteer professors were selected following openings created by the imminent end of the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof.Samuel Owusu-Ofori, whose tenure comes to an end on September 30.

The Professors and their positions include: Prof. Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde -Vice Chancellor, and Prof. Yusuf Abdulfatah  Vice-Chancellor (Academics)

Others are Prof. Akinlabi Oyetunji  Director, Research and Grants, and Prof. David Gundu  Director of academic Planning and Quality Assurance, he said.

The NTAC D-G said that the deployment of the crop of volunteers by NTAC to The Gambia earlier in the year was part of the 24-month Nigerias TAC scheme.

He said that it was aimed at providing technical assistance to that country.

He said that the move by the Gambian authorities remained significant, as it highlighted the strong partnership between the country and Nigeria in the areas of education and technical cooperation.

`The Gambia remains one of the first and highest country subscribers to the TAC Scheme, and it has at the last count, received over 12,000 Nigerians as Volunteers since the establishment of TAC in 1987

`They include engineers, lawyers and medical professionals, he said
Nigerian social media personality and cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has filed a lawsuit against internet activist and influencer, VeryDarkMan, seeking N1 billion in damages.

The legal battle stems from VDM sharing a voice recording, which he alleged was that of Bobrisky claiming to have bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with N15 million to drop the money laundering charge against him.

Bobrisky, however, has denied the claims, stating that the voice recordings purportedly implicating him in any wrongdoing were artificially generated using AI technology.

Sharing a letter from her lawyers via her social media account, Bobrisky sued VDM for N1 billion as damages and gave him 24 hours to publish a written and video recording apology.

Bobrisky, VeryDarkMan: Reps probe bribery allegations against EFCC, NCS

The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into bribery allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).

The allegations, made by VeryDarkMan, claimed that the EFCC dropped money laundering charges against Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, after receiving N15 million.

Rep Patrick Umoh, representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, sponsored the motion during Thursdays plenary, expressing concern over the damaging allegations.

He emphasized the negative image of Nigeria as a corrupt nation and the need for urgent action.

Addressing his colleagues, Umoh expressed concern over the widely circulated publication by VeryDarkMan against the EFCC and the NCS.

He said, The publication alleges that the EFCC dropped money laundering charges against Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky upon collection of the sum of N15,000, 000.

The publication alleges that Idris Okuneye, upon conviction for abuse and defacing of the Naira, by the court, did not serve his time at the Nigeria Correctional Service, but was lodged outside the confines of the service.

We are disturbed about the damning allegations against Nigerian critical law enforcement agencies-the EFCC and the NCS established by this hallowed chambers to fight correction and incarcerate persons convicted of a crime for correctional purposes respectively.

He also added that the negative image and portrayal of Nigeria as a corrupt nation in the publication should not be swept under the carpet.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the plenary session, referred it to the Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions.
Hezbollah confirms leader Nasrallah killed in Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs

Xinhua) 08:10, September 29, 2024

Photo taken on Sept. 19, 2024 shows Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a televised speech in Beirut, Lebanon. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT/GAZA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed in the Israeli airstrikes targeting the militant group's command headquarters a day earlier in Dahieh, Beirut's southern suburbs.

In a statement, the group mourned Nasrallah, describing him as "a great martyr" and "a heroic, bold, brave, wise, insightful, and faithful leader" for nearly 30 years, who lately led in "the battle for Palestine, Gaza, and the oppressed Palestinian people."

Shortly after Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah's death, Hamas issued a statement offering its "sincere condolences, sympathy, and solidarity to the brotherly Lebanese people" and its "brothers in Hezbollah and the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon."

It also condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Dahieh as "a cowardly terrorist act, a massacre and a heinous crime" that proves once again Israel's "bloodiness and brutality."

Hamas held Israel fully responsible for "this heinous crime and its serious repercussions on the security and stability of the region," and condemned the U.S. administration's "continued support" for Israel.

On Friday evening, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Hezbollah's main headquarters in Dahieh, which, according to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces earlier on Saturday, killed Nasrallah and some other commanders of the armed group.

The raids flattened several residential buildings, resulting in at least six deaths, 91 injuries, and significant infrastructure damage in the neighborhood, according to Lebanon's MTV TV channel.

Israel has intensified its airstrikes across Lebanon since Monday, marking the most extensive Israeli military action in the country since 2006.

This marks the latest escalation of the ongoing clashes that began on Oct. 8, 2023, when Hezbollah started launching rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel's retaliatory artillery fire and airstrikes in southeastern Lebanon.

This photo shows a damaged building after Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Smokes rise following Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon, on Sept. 28, 2024. Israel launched fresh attacks on targets in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahieh early Saturday, saying it was targeting Hezbollah weapons stored under civilian buildings. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

This photo taken on Sept. 28, 2024 shows the damage buildings after Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon. Israel launched fresh attacks on targets in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahieh early Saturday, saying it was targeting Hezbollah weapons stored under civilian buildings. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

This photo taken on Sept. 28, 2024 shows the damage buildings after Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon. Israel launched fresh attacks on targets in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahieh early Saturday, saying it was targeting Hezbollah weapons stored under civilian buildings. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
HAIKOU, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Both Chinese and European electric vehicle (EV) makers and experts are calling for global cooperation and opposing trade protectionism at the ongoing 2024 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC). With the deep development of advanced technologies, collaborative research and global industrial chain cooperation have become more important to the automotive industry, Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), said Saturday on the congress. "However, in 2024, we observe a rise in protectionist sentiments globally. An example is the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into EVs imported from China," Mueller said. "For EU, imposing anti-subsidy tariffs is not yet an answer to the challenges facing the European automotive industry. Rather, it could easily escalate into a new trade conflict, sparking a spiral of protectionism," Mueller said. She believed that for any country and region, any market, any industry, what's needed is simply an active industrial strategy, adding that Europe in particular must ensure that the conditions for business are improved. She noted that the German automotive industry stands firm on the principles of free and fair trade. "We at the VDA will continue to advocate for open markets, globalization, international trade and investment and, above all, cooperation and continued dialogue," she added. Gan Jiayue, CEO of Geely Auto Group, also called on the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry to strengthen its collaboration to achieve mutual benefits. Some countries and regions are trying to restrict the application of China's NEVs by imposing additional tariffs and setting technical standards, Gan said on Saturday's congress, adding that if imposing additional tariffs, the EU will not only hamper China's economic development but also harm its own interests. The automobile industry is an industry of global cooperation, and Geely always adheres to free trade and fair competition, Gan said. Jochen Goller, member of the board of management of BMW AG, also addressed the conference, sharing insights on low-carbon transition and global cooperation, and expressing optimism about China's NEV market. "BMW Group strongly believes technology openness is the only sustainable path towards a carbon-neutral future, as we need to cater to the diverse needs of customers worldwide, and to advance individual mobility towards a green future," Goller said in his speech. BMW firmly believes that cooperation fosters prosperity and growth, he said, adding that to continue the unique automotive success story, key challenges have to be tackled and resolved jointly. Themed with "Low Carbon Evolution and Global Cooperation," the 2024 WNEVC is taking place in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, running from Sept. 27 to 29.
By Enioluwa Adeniyi

A notorious Boko Haram terrorist, Bochu Abacha, has surrendered to troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) stationed in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

A statement released on Saturday by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the Information Officer of the MNJTF, confirmed that Abacha has admitted to his involvement in various operations linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) along the MongunuBaga axis of the state.

The statement read, In a significant development in the ongoing battle against terrorism in the Lake Chad region, a notorious Boko Haram terrorist identified as Bochu Abacha has surrendered to troops of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)

Bochu, a key figure in several terrorist operations, admitted to be a notorious Boko Haram terrorist who has participated in several Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist operations along the Mongunu  Baga axis.

According to the statement, Bochu confessed to having surrendered due to the intense operation of the MNJTF and lack of interest.

The statement said Bochu escaped from a Boko Haram camp in Mussaram with his weapon.

Items recovered from Bochu include one AK 47 rifle and a magazine loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, one mobile phone, an Airtel SIM card and the sum of N32,500. He is presently providing valuable intelligence to the authority, the statement revealed.

In another development, Olaniyi said troops deployed in Gubio, in conjunction with intelligence operatives, successfully ambushed Boko Haram terrorists conveying a large logistics supply in three Toyota vehicles under the cover of darkness.

He said, The troops who moved into an ambush position for the terrorists following an intelligence report on the terrorists crossing point, engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle.

One terrorist was killed while others fled into the nearby forest due to the superior fire power of troops abandoning a large logistics supply.

Items recovered include 3 Toyota vehicles loaded with assorted foodstuffs, other sundry items and the sum of N2,000.
By Enioluwa Adeniyi

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on Saturday, confirmed that his appointment was facilitated by the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Lokpobiri spoke on Saturday at an event organised in honour of Wike by the Ijaw Peoples Congress (IPC) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

He said, It is important to tell you my brothers and sisters that me that is standing before you today as the minister of state for petroleum resources was also made possible by Nyesom Wike.

You also heard the account of the MD of the NDDC who said that the minister of the FCT played a direct role in his appointment.

My own case could have been a more direct role. Some of you may not know. It all started in Wikes house in Port Harcourt and it all got concluded in his house in Abuja.

My second journey of becoming a minister started at the house of the minister in Port Harcourt and it was concluded in his house in Abuja. It is important for me to complete this history.

Because when I was looking at the welcome address, our names were not included among those who have benefitted from his benevolence. I thought that my name, Heineken Lokpobiri, would have been included amongst those that he has helped.

But since my name is not included, I have to complete it. I want you Ijaw people to know that we have a brother, we have a friend.

It is always better to have a good friend than to have a bad brother. Of what use is a bad brother? It is of no use. But if you have a good friend in the case of the FCT minister, you are already blessed.

Your excellency, the FCT minister, let me on behalf of the Ijaw people all over the world, express our gratitude to you for your show of love to Ijaw people.

We Ijaw people are very grateful people. If you do us good, we will not pay you back with evil. So, we will always be grateful to you for what you have done for our Ijaw people. We are looking forward to you to do more for our Ijaw people.

Lokpobiri, who hails from Bayelsa, served as minister of state for agriculture and rural development between 2015 to 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He was appointed minister of state for petroleum resources by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023  the same time Wike was named FCT minister.
Kenya is seeking a financing of $1.5 billion from the UAE to bolster its public finances, Reuters and Bloomberg reported, citing sources.

Kenya has sought to curb its widening fiscal deficit and growing debt servicing by tax hikes which triggered the most violent protests in the countrys history.

A delay in reaching a financing deal with the IMF has worsened Kenyas financial outlook, with the deficit expected to widen to 4.3% this year, compared with a planned pre-protest target of 3.3%.

Facing public calls to resign, Ruto has said the government will turn to slashing a $2.7 billion budget deficit by half and borrowing the rest, without saying from where.

Ruto has become deeply unpopular in his two years in office over his quest to introduce taxes meant to enable Kenya to repay its $80 billion public debt to lenders including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and China.

The public debt makes up about 70% of Kenyas gross domestic product, the highest in 20 years.
Sahel States have lauded King Mohammed VIs initiative aiming to facilitate their access to the Atlantic Ocean, as a highly important strategy for co-development and prosperity in the region and as a move that will help the Sahel states diversify their sources of access to the Atlantic.

This came in a joint communique released following a coordination meeting on the operationalization of the royal initiative, held in New York on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly

The meeting gathered the Foreign Ministers of Mali Abdoulaye Diop, Burkina Faso Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, Niger Bakary Yaou Sangare and Chad Abderaman Koulamallah and their Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

The meeting provided an opportunity to convene on the necessary next steps, mainly to leverage the human and financial resources required for the various phases of implementation of the initiative.

The Sahel states welcomed the concrete projects proposed by Morocco as part of the Royal Initiative, which are in line with the national development plans currently being implemented in each of the countries.

The officials of the Sahel countries also commended the work done by the National Task Forces of Morocco, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad since their first meeting held in Rabat last June 5-6.

They welcomed in this vein the project proposals selected by the National Task Forces as part of the operationalization of this International Initiative, the joint communique said.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger highlighted the steps undertaken within the framework of the recently set-up Confederation of Sahel States. In line with the guidelines of the President of the Confederation, they underlined that the adhesion, involvement, and support of their countries to the operationalization of the International Initiative of King Mohammed VI will henceforth be carried out within the framework of the said Confederation.

We would like to congratulate the Kingdom of Morocco on this initiative, and also for the solidarity shown towards our countries, head of Malian diplomacy told the media after the coordination meeting, welcoming the action taken with Morocco in a spirit of fraternity, solidarity and mutual respect.

Our alliance with Morocco is part of a political framework in which we work with mutual respect and consideration, Abdoulaye Diop added.

The Malian official who welcomed the steps taken to operationalize the Royal Initiative said that the concerned countries are coordinating actions to involve all stakeholders in this initiative, in particular the various ministerial departments in charge of trade and infrastructure.

Mohammed VI launched the Initiative to promote access to the Atlantic Ocean for the Sahel States in a speech he delivered on the 48th anniversary of the Green March, celebrated on November 6, 2023.
Algerias health ministry said Malaria and Diphtheria are spreading in its south on the borders with Mali.

The spread highlights the level of marginalization suffered by the Algerian south for decades after the countrys independence.

The ministry, however, blamed the spread of the disease on migrants, underscoring a long tradition of blame game by the central government.

A Carnegei report in 2021 by Dalia Ghanem stated that there was twice as much poverty among people living in the Sahara desert as among those in the coastal region.
French president Emmanuel Macron is expected to pay a visit to Morocco by the end of October, according to the Presidential palace, the Elysee.

The visit would take place on October 29-30, sources told le360, as the two countries build on the momentum created by Paris support for Moroccos territorial integrity, ending a period of diplomatic frost.

The Elysee said King Mohammed VI sent an invitation letter to Macron highlighting the positive horizons for the two countries.

The visit will give impetus to our exceptional partnership in different strategic fields, the Elysee quoted the Royal letter as saying.

The letter recalled the clear French support for Moroccos autonomy plan as the only basis for a solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara.

In July, Macron had sent a letter to the King stating that France considers the Sahara as part of Moroccos past, present and future sovereignty and that his country will act accordingly.
One of the game-changing events of this presidential election that didnt change much. Photo-Illustration: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

By most conventional standards, the 2024 presidential contest has been wild and crazy. What began as a likely ho-hum rematch of the 2020 nominees went sideways pretty early on when Donald Trump, originally facing 12 primary opponents, started getting indicted for criminal offenses in multiple venues. Despite constant claims that he was finally losing his magic, he crushed his intraparty opposition almost effortlessly, and his legal problems  which included multiple reminders of what he was up to on January 6, 2021, and how he has treated women for many years  seemed to help him politically.

The day he clinched the GOP nomination (March 12), he led Joe Biden in the RealClearPolitics polling averages by 2.1 percent. The day after Bidens terrible debate performance on June 27, Trumps lead was actually smaller, at 1.9 percent. His lead over Biden peaked at 3.4 percent on July 6 and ended at 3.1 percent on July 21 when the president dropped out of the race. Thats not a great deal of variation.

The midsummer replacement of Biden by Kamala Harris, an epochal event with no precedent in U.S. history (much like Trumps criminal charges), at first didnt shift the polls much at all; Trump maintained a lead in the RCP averages until August 4. Harris then built a modest lead that hasnt changed in any significant way despite the novelty of her campaign, a clear debate victory on September 10, and two attempted Trump assassinations. She led Trump by 1.5 percent the day after the debate and leads him by 2 percent now. Yes, there are some shifts in support under the surface that have made the seven battleground states as close as or even closer than the national race, but all in all, the picture we have is of two big coalitions of equal size that neither grow nor shrink enough to change the equation. Even another historic development  the emergence and then the eclipse of the largest non-major-party presidential candidacy since 1992  really didnt change the balance of power between the two major-party candidates.

To get a sense of how impervious this race has been to the wild dynamics underlying it, lets compare this years polling variation to that of other recent presidential cycles. In 2020, Biden led by 4.4 percent on May 11, by 10.2 percent on June 22, by 5.8 percent on September 16, by 10.3 percent on October 10, and by 7.2 percent in the final averages (he won the national popular vote by 4.5 percent). Thats a pretty good amount of bouncing around. But there was even more in 2016. Hillary Clinton led Trump by 11.2 percent on March 23, Trump led by 0.2 percent on May 23, Clinton rebuilt a 6.8 percent lead on June 26, but Trump regained the lead by 1.1 percent a month later. In the home stretch, Clinton led by 7.1 percent on October 17, but her lead dropped to 1.3 percent by November 2 and her final polling margin was 3.2 percent. She actually won the national popular vote by 2.1 percent. Thats a lot of volatility.

Going further back, we tend to remember the Obama-Romney contest of 2012 as a long, hard slog without that much movement. To some extent, thats accurate, but Barack Obama led by 4.7 percent on August 11, the two candidates were tied on September 4, and Mitt Romney was up by 1.5 percent on October 9 and by 1 percent on October 26. Obama led in the final averages by 0.7 percent, and he actually won the national popular vote by 3.9 percent. In 2008, Obama led John McCain by 7.5 percent on June 23, McCain led Obama by 2.9 percent on September 7, but then Obama led by 7.6 percent in the final averages (very close to his actual 7.3 percent national popular-vote margin). And going all the way back to 2004, John Kerry led George W. Bush by 2.5 percent on August 11, but by September 8, Bush was up by 7.6 percent. In the final averages, Bush led by only 1.5 percent, a bit short of his actual margin of 2.4 percent. Election Night 2004 saw some bonus volatility as the exit polls were badly flawed and Team Kerry thought it had won.

So with all the volatility of the 2024 contest  its indictments, its candidate switch, its decisive debates, and whatever surprises lie ahead  the race has been a testament to fairly stable public sentiment and, most likely, partisan polarization. Its so very close that its tempting to look ahead to the next development (e.g., next weeks vice-presidential debate) as a potential game changer, but we probably wont know what most influenced the outcome until its all over. With luck, that will be long before the presidential electors meet on December 17.
Zachary Levi Endorses Trump Following RFK Jr. Exit: "He's Going to Get Us There" https://t.co/zAV5Ya6yn0  The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 29, 2024

The Dlister to Trump supporter pipeline proves to be strong this election year as former ONTD fave (don't even deny it!) Zachary Pugh (Levi) endorses trump. From what OP gathers, he gave a speech at a Donald Trump rally on Saturday in Michigan, the actor name-dropped his DC role in Shazam! (2019) while making a surprise appearance to endorse Trump, after his first pick, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., dropped out of the race last month.Im not gonna take too much time, but I did just wanna just give you a little context about why Shazam is sitting here talking to you about these various things, he prefaced. I grew up in my family that was Christian conservative, that was pretty much the lane that we were in. My parents were Kennedy Democrats that then turned into Reagan Republicans, and they taught me to have a healthy level of distrust for the government and a healthy level of distrust for industry that runs amok." And for a long time, I was like, Man, I really want to find a politician that represents all of the things that I want and I want to see in a presidential candidate. And this year, I found Bobby Kennedy, and I thought, Man, this guy is it. Hes the real deal. And in a perfect world, whatever that would look like, perhaps I would have voted for Bobby. But we dont live in a perfect world. In fact, we live in a very broken one, we live in a country that has been hijacked by a lot of people who want to take this place way off the cliff. And we want to stop that, right?Levi continued, Were here to make sure that we are going to take back this country, we are going to make it great again, we are going to make it healthy again. And so, I stand with Bobby, and I stand with Tulsi, and I stand with everyone else who is standing with President Trump. Because I do believe, of the two choices that we have, and we only have two, Donald Trump, President Trump is the man that can get us there. And hes gonna get us there because hes gonna have the backing and the support and the wisdom and the knowledge and the fight that exists in Robert Kennedy Jr. and former representative Tulsi Gabbard. Zachary Pugh was previously seen on a star studded cruise with RFK Jr and an "Influential Substack Writer"His former bestie YNB was tweeted her disappointment but quickly deleted it, luckily the internet is forever (well, sometimes... RIP MTV News Archives).Some fans with long memories remembered Zachary previously claiming he wasn't a Trump-supporting conservative
Solar-powered heating systems are becoming more popular as governments encourage a transition away from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives and consumers look for ways to reduce their utility bills. Just like residential solar panels that provide consumers with electricity, solar heaters are being installed in homes around the globe as part of government initiatives as well as privately.

Solar water heating systems include a storage tank and a solar collector. There are two types of systems available: active, which have circulating pumps and controls, and passive, which do not. There are two types of active solar water heating systems: direct circulation systems, which have pumps that circulate household water through the collectors and into the home and indirect circulation systems, which have pumps that circulate non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger, heating the water that flows into the home. The latter works more effectively in cold climates than the former.

Passive solar water heating systems are generally less expensive than active systems, although not as efficient. However, they can be more reliable and last longer. There are also two basic types of passive systems. The Integral collector-storage passive system has a storage tank covered with a transparent material, which allows the sun to heat the water before delivering it to the plumbing system. Thermosyphon systems work by heating water in a collector on the roof before transporting it to the plumbing system when a hot water faucet is opened. Most of these systems have a 40-gallon capacity.

As they rely on solar power, these systems typically require a backup system for cloudy days and times of high demand. Backups can come in the form of conventional storage water heaters or as part of the solar collector, such as rooftop tanks with thermosyphon systems. Solar water heaters need to be maintained every three to five years and some parts may need replacing every two to 10 years. Once installed, they can massively reduce consumer utility bills, particularly in regions with greater solar irradiance.

In Europe, Cyprus has the largest proportion of solar-powered water heaters. The island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea is embracing solar heaters to take advantage of its favourable weather conditions, support a green transition, and help reduce consumer energy bills. Around 93.5 percent of households now use solar water heaters, which has helped Cypris to exceed its renewable energy targets for the heating and cooling of buildings.

Cypruss environment commissioner Charalampos Theopemptou stated, There are many areas where Cyprus has not achieved greenhouse gas emission goals But in terms of renewable energy resources being used for the sustainable heating and cooling of buildings, weve met the target easily, precisely because of such extensive utilisation of solar water heaters for so many years.

Cyprus has been using solar water heaters since the 1960s, putting it way ahead of most other countries. The technology became popular as it requires just solar panels, a tank and copper pipes  as well as the right weather conditions. On average, Cyprus enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year, making it the perfect environment for the technology. The rollout of solar heaters has led to the development of a domestic manufacturing industry and the creation of many jobs. Although installation costs have risen over the years, there are EU-funded grants for households looking to install solar heaters.

In the Middle East and North Africa region, solar-powered water heaters have also grown in popularity in recent years. In Jordan this September, the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Saleh Kharabsheh launched phase two of the governments solar heater subsidy programme, which covers 30 percent of the cost. The scheme will support the installation of 5,000 solar systems at a cost of up to $4.2 million. The previous phase saw the installation of 3,500 solar water heaters.

In Egypt, three out of four households relied on butane cylinders just a decade ago, as there was little access to a grid-connected supply of natural gas. In 2023, Egyptians consumed around 800,000 butane cylinders a day, many of which were subsidised by the government. This has encouraged many households to invest in solar-powered water heaters in recent years. In 2024, Egypts solar water heater market is estimated at over $100 million, as it deploys its UNIDO-backed Solar Heating in Industrial Process (SHIP) programme. There are now 11 solar heater manufacturing operations in Egypt and the government is looking to strengthen ties with Tunisia and Jordan to grow the market further.

The solar water heater market value is expected to increase from $4.26 billion in 2023 to around $6.18 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4 percent. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region for solar water heaters in this period. Industry growth will be supported by technological innovation, as companies introduce predictive analytics and artificial intelligence into their heaters to improve performance. The market will largely be driven by government policies to transition away from fossil fuels to green alternatives, national and regional grants for disadvantaged communities, and the increased consumer demand to reduce their energy bills.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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While the likelihood of a nuclear war remains low, experts warn of potential escalation steps and the importance of vigilance.

The impact of a nuclear strike would be catastrophic, with little to no time for civilians to reach safety.

In the latest grim uptick of Russia's nuclear weapons policy, President Vladimir Putin suggested on September 25 that the Kremlin could use nuclear weapons against any state attacking Russia if that country was supported by a nuclear power.

If Russia were to launch a massive nuclear strike on Ukraine or Western Europe, there is not much the continent could do to stop it.

Pavel Podvig, a senior researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), is widely considered to be the worlds leading Western expert on Russia's nuclear weapons. He says there is no indication such a catastrophe is anywhere close to becoming a reality, but he paints a bleak picture of how a nuclear strike on Europe would unfold.

If there were to be some kind of a massive launch -- or several [Russian] missiles have been launched -- then its pretty much impossible to guarantee that everything will be intercepted, he says.

NATOs internal calculations reportedly predict that in the event of an all-out attack from Russia, the military bloc has less than 5 percent of the air defenses needed.

Russia is believed to hold some 1,700 nuclear warheads inside more than 500 missiles able to be launched within minutes from silos, mobile launchers, submarines, and aircraft. The United States would probably be the primary target, but many of those missiles are known to be intended for Europe.

But if missile barrages are effectively unstoppable, what should civilians do in the event of a nuclear strike?

Some European capitals maintain Cold War-era nuclear shelters that are quietly being refreshed. In Kyiv, a nuclear bunker was recently reopened and made available for use.

In Prague, a network of Cold War bunkers has seen a spike in interest from locals since Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The bunkers are still functional since the fall of socialism and can be activated if necessary, Jan Mikes, the head of the mayors crisis management department in the district of Prague 2, confirmed to RFE/RL.

A spokeswoman from the Czech Republic's Fire Rescue Service told RFE/RL that, beginning in 2023, the service began updating requirements for the shelter system and the shelters themselves, without elaborating further.

In Germanys Ahr Valley, near Bonn, Heike Hollunder, the director of a nuclear bomb shelter that now operates as a museum, reported a significant recent jump in visitors.

The interest increased, especially from younger people, because of the war in Ukraine, he told RFE/RL. Could the bunker still be used? Is there a nuclear bunker for the government in Berlin? These are the main questions.

But such drastic precautions are probably futile. Podvig says a Russian nuclear strike would offer precious little time to escape to a hardened shelter. From launch to impact over a target in Central Europe, Podvig estimates, would be in the order of 10 minutes or so.

The United States maintains a network of satellites able to instantly spot the plume of a rocket being launched, but that system would probably be useless to countries close to Russia.

The United States has all these sorts of warning systems -- the satellites and all that. But I would doubt that this information could be shared very quickly or at all with U.S. allies in the European states, Podvig says.

Models of what modern nuclear weapons would do to cities make for bleak reading. A single Russian Topol-M missile would explode into a kilometer-wide ball of fire that would incinerate every living thing it touched. Within a 7 kilometer radius, countless civilians would die from severe burns and be crushed under the rubble of buildings destroyed by the shock wave. Then would come radiation that would saturate the blast site and poison air and water.

British military historian Basil Liddel Hart was witness to a 1955 war game in which NATO ran through a scenario of full-scale nuclear war with the Soviet Union. NATO won the exchange, but as the hypothetical dust settled, nearly every treasure of the Western world lay in ruins. Hart later described the experience as "very disturbing."

Victory, he wrote, "had lost its point."

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev is reported to have said that after all-out nuclear war, the living will envy the dead.

UNIDIR's Podvig is cautious about revealing his own calculations.

I just try not to think about it because I know some catastrophic scenarios that are pretty bad, he says.

As at the height of the Cold War, the only hard deterrent today is the mutually assured destruction that the Wests own stockpiles of hundreds of nuclear missiles ensures, along with a controversial policy of launch on warning (LOW).

The LOW posture allows for the United States to launch retaliatory strikes if incoming missiles are detected, before any impact on U.S. soil. The policy would prevent Americas own nuclear weapons from being destroyed in situ, but leaves open the possibility of a civilization-ending error.

Despite the steadily rising tensions between Russia and the West, Podvig says a nuclear apocalypse remains only a distant prospect.

I do believe that before it would come to that, to the real possibility, we'll see quite a few kind of further escalation steps, he says.

Along with specific rhetoric, Podvig predicts, we would see some movements of weapons and things like that.

He says he's confident that it remains very unlikely that this could be something out of the blue.

By RFE/RL

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In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Papio NRD), received official approval on the Papillion Creek Watershed Project Improvement Plan.

The plan, an extension of an effort that began in 1966, promises to deliver significant environmental and safety benefits to residents across Washington, Douglas, and Sarpy counties.

The original planning effort led to the construction of 30 grade control structures, which have been instrumental in reducing flooding and stream channel erosion within the watershed. Building on this foundation, a local group, the Papillion Creek Watershed Partnership (PCWP), was formed in 2001 to identify future projects to further protect and enhance the watershed.

In 2019, the Papio NRD utilized the NRCS Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) program, which has been critical in advancing the latest supplemental plan, which identifies 40 new watershed protection projects aimed at stabilizing degrading streams, reducing erosion and sediment, mitigating flood damage, and improving public safety.

NRCS contributed $560,000 toward the completion of the plan, enabling the Papio NRD to qualify for additional NRCS financial assistance for developing detailed project designs, anticipated to begin in 2025.

NRCS is proud to provide both technical and financial support to the Papio-Missouri River NRD, said Nebraska State Conservationist Rob Lawson. Our top priority is to help local sponsors identify and complete watershed projects that enhance natural resources and ensure public safety.

The Papillion Creek Watershed, spanning 245,800 acres in eastern Nebraska, includes a large portion of Omaha and the surrounding communities of Papillion, Elkhorn, Millard, and Ralston. The projects outlined in the Supplemental Plan are designed to address the pressing environmental challenges faced by these rapidly growing areas.

The Papio NRD appreciates our strong working relationship and strategic partnership with the NRCS, said Papio NRD General Manager John Winkler. This is just one more textbook example of how partnerships maximize public safety and the wise management of our natural resources while simultaneously reducing the reliance on local property taxes and other scarce local resources. Nebraska has the very best natural resource management system in the country, and arguably the world, and this type of project makes us that much better.

The Natural Resources Conservation Services Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) program provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments and tribes to plan and implement authorized project plans for completing numerous watershed enhancements.
Nebraska Public Media Productions Earn National Public Media Awards

Nebraska Public Media recently won two Public Media Awards from the National Educational Telecommunications Association.

The network's "What If" television series was honored for episodes in the "Topical Feature" category. "What If" explores innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, while the crew and host pull back the curtain on the television production process.

The episode "D-Wayne, Surgical Robot & Nerd Creativity" features vocal entrepreneur D-Wayne Taylor; a first-of-its-kind miniature surgical robot that is transforming abdominal surgery; and "nerd" creativity displayed at the O-CON pop culture event in Omaha. Portions of the episode were recorded at Nebraska Wesleyan University's Elder Theatre Center in Lincoln, including in its extensive costume library.

Another award-winning "What If" episode, "Fast Forward, Tri Faith, Little Church & MIND Mobile," includes stories about a start-up company using thermal imaging to detect power line problems; a first-of-its-kind interfaith campus in Omaha; one tiny historic church serving two faiths; and a youth development experiment offering haircuts, mentoring and counseling, all on a bus. Parts of this episode were recorded using a robot server at JoJo's Gelato and Grill in Aurora.

A Nebraska Public Media News radio story about an Indigenous, intergenerational sewing group that empowers and heals through fashion was honored in the public media association's "Radio Society/Culture" category.

The story explored how generations of Native Americans have experienced historical trauma due to centuries of mistreatment. Intertribal women from Nebraska and Iowa who are taking steps to heal through a new creative outlet were featured, along with the Healing Ribbons fashion show where women modeled their self-made garments and accessories.

The National Educational Telecommunications Association recognized achievements at its 56th Annual Public Media Awards Gala during the 2024 NETA Conference and CPB Public Media Thought Leader Forum Sept. 15 in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Public Media Awards, presented by NETA, honor station members' work in the highest caliber of community engagement, content, education, marketing and communications.

NETA is a professional association representing 303 member stations in 49 states, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.
A man fatally shot Saturday by an Omaha police officer while allegedly running from a traffic stop has been identified as Steven L. Phipps Jr.

The shooting occurred following the traffic stop near 31st Avenue and Taylor Street at 5:45 p.m. It is being investigated by the Omaha Police Department with the assistance of the Nebraska State Patrol and Douglas County Sheriffs Office.

Police have said two officers from the northeast precinct conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The driver of the Chevrolet, later identified as Phipps, 22, of Omaha, immediately got out of the car after stopping and stood outside his open drivers side door.

Officers gave multiple verbal commands from near their marked police cruiser for Mr. Phipps to stay in the car before he ran south through the lot, according to a statement from police. Both officers ran after Mr. Phipps. Mr. Phipps is seen on body-worn camera footage pulling out a handgun from the front of his person as he climbed over a fence on the south side of the lot near the Metro Area Transit Center.

One officer fired his service weapon striking Phipps, police said. Medical aid was provided as an ambulance was called to respond, but Phipps was pronounced dead at the Nebraska Medical Center.

A front-seat passenger in the Chevrolet walked away from the scene after officers chased Phipps and has since been located. Police also released the photograph of a handgun on Sunday that is said to have been found next to Phipps.

An autopsy of Phipps is scheduled to take place Monday. The officers involved, who were not injured, will be identified after their interviews are completed in the coming days.

The officer who shot Phipps has been placed on paid critical incident review leave per department policy. Various aspects of the incident were captured on the officers body-worn camera, cruiser camera, and area surveillance footage, police said.
Nebraskans have a lot to think about in deciding how to vote this fall.

There's the presidential race, two U.S. Senate races, U.S. House races, 25 legislative races, local races, ballot measures and more.

But casting your vote? That's pretty simple, if you think about it.

The World-Herald is making that part even simpler.

Our interactive tool shows step-by-step how to make your voice heard in the manner you choose for the 2024 election:

Can't get the interactive tool to work? Scroll down for the graphic version!

As you vote, you should note: There is one major difference in 2024 from past years. Nebraskans must now have photo ID to vote, with limited exceptions. That requirement went smoothly in its debut, the May primary. Election officials are optimistic it will go well this fall, too.

You don't need a separate, special voter ID, just one of the forms accepted under the state law. For most voters, that will be a Nebraska driver's license or Nebraska state ID. There's a full list of accepted IDs and voter ID FAQs on the Nebraska secretary of state's web site.

Election officials are urging Nebraskans to research and make voting plans in advance.

"This is an unprecedented ballot," Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said. "Its a long ballot, and you need to inform yourself before you begin to vote, especially if youre headed to the polling place on Election Day."

People in Douglas County can see exactly what will be on their particular ballots by using the "Find Your Voting Information" feature on the Douglas County Election Commission website beginning Sept. 29. Voters can see state-level sample ballots on the secretary of state's website.

All Nebraskans' ballots will include the presidential contest, the rarity of two U.S. Senate races, a U.S. House race and six statewide ballot issues.

"And then if you live in the City of Omaha, you're also going to have nine different issues to vote on for the city: two charter amendments, a good life district and six bond issues," Kruse said.

That'll make for a two-page ballot, front and back on both pages.

If you're one of the projected 50% of local voters who are voting early by drop box or mail, you'll have your ballot at home to study. If you vote in person and haven't researched, it could take 15 minutes to read everything and vote, Kruse said.

Kruse expects a turnout of about 73% in Douglas County, but thinks 75% is possible. That will be a lot of voters; more than 360,000 people are registered so far. Kruse says the election office is prepared.

Are you?

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of September 2024
An asteroid that could have destroyed an entire city passed by Earth earlier this weekand scientists didnt notice until it was just a day away from closely passing Earth.

The rocknamed Asteroid 2019 OKwas 187 to 427 feet (or 57 to 130 meters) wide. It wasnt big enough to cause dinosaur-level extinction, but scientists have referred to it as a city killer that could have leveled an entire city.

At its closest, it flew 45,000 miles (73,000 kilometers) from Earth. To put that into perspective, thats less than one-fifth the distance to the moon, according to The Washington Post.

The asteroid caught scientists by surprise, with astronomy teams in Brazil and the U.S. only detecting the asteroid on Wednesday, just a day before it flew close to Earth.

Professor at Monash University in Australia, noted that just three days before that it passed Earth, Asteroid 2019 OK was 1,000 times fainter, making it harder to spot.

NASA is already detecting larger asteroids than Asteroid 2019 OK. In 2005, Congress directed the space agency to find at least 90% of potentially dangerous asteroids larger than 140 meters by the end of 2020 (Asteroid 2019 OK was only 130 meters wide). But it has only identified about a third of those so far, according to Gizmodo.

Asteroid 2019 has already passed Earth, so it isnt a threat right now, but others like it could be.

Source: Forbes
The trial of the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, Agba Jalingo charged for treasonable felony, terrorism and attempt to topple the Cross River State government suffered set back as the prosecutor sought witness protection and amendment of charges.

Mr. Dennis Tarhemba, the prosecution counsel in the case against the journalist has asked the Court on Wednesday to grant leave to amend the charges and an order to protect its witnesses.

Tarhemba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police in his opening statement at the Federal High Court in Calabar presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda said though the matter was adjourned to today and tomorrow (Thursday) for accelerated hearing, the prosecution has filed for amendment of charges and sought an order to protect its witnesses.

The lead counsel to the defendant, Mr. Attah Ochinke told the Court that despite the prosecution filing the amendment on October 11th, they were served hours to when the Court sat. and, Justice Amobeda adjourned the matter to tomorrow (Thursday) to entertain the plea of the prosecution and commencement of trial.

The defense counsel shall file and serve his reaction before trial tomorrow, Justice Amobeda said. The defence counsel declined to speak to the press. But, the prosecution counsel told journalists to wait till the next adjourned date to get details on the amended charges.

They are matters before the Court and it (was) not taken today, it is tomorrow. So if you come to the Court tomorrow, you will now know the type of charge we intend to amend, Tarhemba said.

When pressed for the reason behind approaching the Court for an order to protect its witness, he averred: You know such application is not yet heard. We cannot in any way give any information on what the Court is yet to pronounce. You wait till tomorrow.

Mr. Jalingo arrived the court premises at about 9:26am in a green-coloured van marked Calabar Prisons He was in company of another inmate and four correction officers. Two were armed and the other two unarmed. Decked in a black tee shirt with the inscription, Dictators Perpetually Fear Our Pens, Jalingo also wore a blue jeans and grey coloured shoes.
The restaurant has been sealed

The PUNCH reports that the Federal Government has closed Haufei Restaurant and Mall, a Chinese eatery in Lagos State, for refusing to serve Nigerians.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, in a tweet on Saturday, said the staff of the restaurant, located on 33 Aboyade Close, Victoria Island, admitted that it was the business policy of the owners.



Today, FCCPC closed Haufei restaurant and Mall 33 Aboyade Cole, VI, based on credible intelligence and surveillance that the business declines service to Nigerians. Staff of the business admitted this is the policy and our operatives experienced same. Both now closed for further regulatory action, the tweet read.

The tweet was accompanied by photos of the sealed restaurant.

Some Nigerians had earlier shared their experiences on social media, wondering why workers at the restaurant refused to serve them food.

One Folabomi had shared a video of herself in front of the eatery.

She said, So, my friends and I have been asked to leave this Chinese establishment, a restaurant o, simply because we are blacks. In Nigeria!

Our only option is to take out, but we cannot physically sit down and eat at the restaurant. As you can see, this has turned me to a crazy person. I dont joke with my food, she also wrote.

An Instagram user, @coco_nutter, said, I dont understand how this is even possible. It is a recent policy made by the proprietor and the chef (who only spoke Mandarin) could not give us a reason why we could not sit and have a meal. In Nigeria, yu wont serve non-Chinese customers? Are you mad? But you have Nigerian staff?
A group calling itself Alliance for Restoration of Civil Rights says the arrest of Oliver Barker-Vormawor, leader of the #PreOccupyJulorbiHouse is unfair and must be condemned by all.



A statement from the said "The inspector general of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare is not only a blatant abuse

of power but also an attack on the democratic rights of Ghanaians to express their dissent and demand accountability from those in power."



Oliver Barker-Vormawor together with other protestors are facing legal action after their violent protest some days ago.







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A former Deputy Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, has condemned the recent clashes between protesters and the police, describing the physical altercations as unacceptable and counterproductive.



His comments come after reports surfaced of protesters engaging in fisticuffs with law enforcement during a demonstration organised by the Democracy Hub, leading to arrests and subsequent detention.



Speaking in an interview with TV3 on Saturday, September, 28, Dr Ayine emphasised that while the right to protest is protected under the constitution, violence should never be a part of such activities.



He stressed that peaceful demonstrations are an essential part of democracy, but the actions of some protesters who resorted to violence undermine the cause they are advocating for.



According to him, such behaviour only escalates tensions and complicates the relationship between citizens and law enforcement.



The clashes occurred during a three-day protest aimed at pressuring the government to address concerns about corruption, mismanagement, and illegal mining.



The event, which saw the arrest of 53 protesters, quickly turned confrontational, leading to physical confrontations between some demonstrators and police officers. Dr Ayine expressed regret over the incident and called for more constructive ways of expressing grievances.



"The blocking of traffic is condemnable, the attempt to engage in fisticuffs with police is something that we should condemn. Having said that, I do not think that the activities they engaged in are sufficient reasons you say they should be detained without bail. That is where my concern is.

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Beach chairs are piled up after Hurricane Helene hit Treasure Island with high surge waters.

Michael Wardwho has lived on Treasure Island, off Florida's Gulf coast, for 33 yearsdecided to ride out Hurricane Helene despite an order to evacuate. It was a decision he quickly regretted.

Instead of going with his wife to a friend's home inland, the 67-year-old Ward stayed put. As torrential rains led to flooding, he feared he would be electrocuted in his one-story home, but the storm surge prevented him from even opening his door.

Ultimately, he climbed out of a window to escape. Waist-deep in murky water, he walked about half a mile to a neighbor's two-story home, where he spent the night.

"I can't believe that it happened. I have lived in Florida for 44 years, and too many times, the news reports about these storms turn out to be wrong," Ward told AFP.

"I guess we ran out of luck."

Treasure Island is one of a series of barrier islands across from Saint Petersburg.

Late Thursday, Helene claimed one life in this city of 6,500 residents, mainly home to retirees and wealthy professionals. Overall, dozens were killed in the storm in the United States.

The storm surge reached nearly seven feet (2.1 meters). Sidewalks are covered in mud, and random objects unmoored by the floodingcouches, beds, refrigerators and doorsare scattered in front of homes.

Boats are stacked up in front of homes after Hurricane Helene hit the area as it passed offshore on September 28, 2024 in Treasure Island, Florida.

'Devastating'

Arthur Czyszczon, 42, walks in and out of Page Terrace, the beachfront hotel he operates with his family.

Mattresses, nightstands and lamps are piled up outside. Like many others, Czyszczon evacuated the island ahead of Helene, and is now taking stock of the damage.

"It's devastating to see your community go through this. The saltwater does just massive damage," Czyszczon said, wondering aloud how his neighbors might recover from the storm.

Most of the one-story homes in the area are uninhabitable, and many residents do not have flood insurance because it is too costly.

"It's going to take some time to get the restaurants back, to get homes and hotels repaired. It will take the community to come together and work together better than before the storm," the hotelier said.

For Czyszczon and the other residents of Treasure Island, the long road to recovery has begun, with myriad worries and doubts. Ward said those issues kept him awake on the night the storm hit.

"I was just thinking about all the work coming that I would have to do," he said.

Local officials in Treasure Island have barred vehicles from coming onto the island while they proceed with clean-up efforts.

'Nightmare'

Next to the bridge that leads to Saint Petersburg, Ross Sanchez says he does not want to contemplate the future. Like dozens of others seen in Treasure Island, he is carrying plastic bags full of items and clothes he recovered from his home.

Local officials have barred vehicles from coming onto the island so they can finish their clean-up work. That means Sanchez and other residents must walk about 1.25 miles (two kilometers) in high heat to get to the mainland.

"I've lived here for close to 40 years and never seen something like this," says Sanchez.

"I just feel too many emotions. Just utter shock. My four-year-old's toys are gone, his cribeverything is gone."

Nearby, 74-year-old Gary Potenziano struggles to push a cart loaded with everything he was able to salvage from his house.

"This is a nightmare," said his 68-year-old wife, Patty.

"Hopefully we're going to come back tomorrow morning to our place to work, because we've got so much to do. Everything in our house is totaled."

 2024 AFP
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It's almost two years since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022. Since then, educators worldwide have been grappling with what generative artificial intelligence might mean for classrooms and learning.

ChatGPT has been met with both anxiety and a sense of optimism. While there has been a lot of discussion about what is happening in universities, there has been less attention given to schools.

We have been looking at trials of AI in schools in South Australia. Here's what we found.

What has happened so far in Australia?

Most Australian states initially banned ChatGPT and other generative AI tools in government schools (many private schools have been using the technology).

In a different approach, the SA government began a trial of AI in schools in 2023 with its own tool, EdChat.

Other jurisdictions have since reconsidered their stance. For example, at the start of 2024, New South Wales began trialing its own AI tool.

In November 2023, the federal government also published a framework for generative AI in schools, which said AI has "great potential" to help teachers and students, and to reduce administrative workloads.

Last month, a federal parliamentary inquiry recommended generative AI in schools should be a "national priority," finding the benefits of AI outweigh its significant risks and challenges.

What happened in South Australia?

EdChat is a generative AI tool owned by the SA Department for Education, which was designed with Microsoft. It can be used in classrooms and at home. According to the department, it has "extra safety features" to protect students' privacy and stop them accessing inappropriate content.

In the first phase of the trial, EdChat was used in eight SA government high schools for eight weeks. In the second phase, a further eight schools were included.

We have been evaluating the trial using survey data from about 90 teachers and 700 students. A journal article on this work is currently under review. In this article, we speak about our results from teachers.

'It reduces time pressure'

Teachers told us they felt safer using EdChat than other tools such as ChatGPT, because student data is not being used to train generative AI models.

However, teachers still wanted to know more about how the student data is stored and who can access EdChat records.

Teachers also reported significant benefits of the tool. They said it helped save time developing lesson plans and learning materialsallowing for more time with students in the classroom.

One teacher told us how the tool had been adopted by the class. "We nicknamed it Eddy as a class and Eddy is now embedded as part of our class culture."

Teachers also used EdChat to provide personalized learning activities to students and "reduce time pressure and brain power required to create [teaching examples] and plan fun activities." EdChat also allowed students to get personalized feedback or support when teachers were not around.

'We need to be careful'

Teachers noted issues with hallucinations (when the AI comes up with nonsense) and incorrect information. This means students need to have the skills to recognize this.

As one teacher told us: "I think we need to be careful since students can treat AI like how they treat anything on the internet, without any critical thinking and taking it at face value."

They also said students need to learn to write better prompts and develop their critical thinking skills for working with AI.

They said content filters could also be challenging. While designed to keep students safe, they sometimes interfered with learning, especially for sensitive topics such as history, reproductive health or politics. For example, one history teacher said the "censorship was difficult to get around."

Teachers also said it was more difficult to work out whether students' work was plagiarized or not.

What happens now?

The SA government is looking at ways to expand the use of EdChat in schools.

Our research suggests we need to do more work in several areas.

The first is specific education for students around how to use AI critically and effectively.

We also need more research now about how AI is being used in different schools. There are no large-scale studies yet in Australia but there is growing evidence from other parts of the world, such as Estonia, the United States and United Kingdom, which show AI is significantly changing the way teachers are teaching. This includes spending more time on students' critical thinking skills and using AI to generate ideas.

We also need to make sure all students can gain access to AI (not just those who can afford the technology) and that the AI itself it not biased against minorities.

Meanwhile, teachers need more support and professional development, and schools need help to plan and make changes. This includes a wider community awareness of the profound effects these new technologies are having and will have on the teaching profession and student learning.

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

Growing up in Aberdeen, Scotland, the shadow of the Piper Alpha disaster loomed large over our community. The tragic explosion of the oil rig platform in 1988 claimed the lives of 167 people. Back then, I was blissfully unaware of the ecological ramifications of that disaster. But the spill of 670 tons of oil wreaked havoc on marine life and had a lasting impact on the marine environment that I love to explore.

In recent decades, there has been a gradual decline in the number of oil spills and the volume of oil discharged from tankers, rigs, wells and offshore platforms. While incidents continue to occur globallyoften in less scrutinized regions than the North Seathe UK has, thankfully, not experienced another disaster of Piper Alpha's magnitude since.

Does this mean that the UK's oil and gas sector have cleaned up their act? They would certainly like you to think so. But ocean pollution isn't just about large oil slicks that spread across the water's surface.

As a new report, Sea Slick, from marine conservation charity Oceana explains, the extent of frequent, small-scale spills are still being grossly underestimated, even though big oil spills are less frequent.

The report reveals what it claims is the true scale and impact of chronic oil pollution in the UK, showing that for many years the North Sea has been subjected to hundreds of unaccounted for "chronic oiling events." These are where oil is frequently released in lower volumes than those associated with large spills. This issue stems from a poorly regulated oil and gas sector and a lack of transparency in reporting, allowing oil and gas companies to mark their own homework.

Currently, a certain amount of oil pollution is permitted as part of routine operations for oil and gas developments. Companies can apply for oil discharge permits, which allow them to release a set volume or concentration of oil or chemicals into the ocean. This waste output is referred to as "produced water." Produced water is a by-product of the oil and gas sector, which returns to the surface of the ocean as wastewater during oil and gas production. Produced water may be treated before release but still contains finely dispersed oil and toxic heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic.

Oil and gas companies are regularly breaching their legal produced water permit allowances, Oceana's report claims. Yet, in line with official government reporting requirements, these breaches are not registered as accidental oil spills. Indeed, Sea Slick counts a total of 723 permit breaching incidents in the last three-and-a-half yearsthat's equivalent to 17 oil or chemical spills each month.

Currently these permit breaches aren't counted as accidents. They're not really counted as anythingother than permit breaches. If these unaccounted-for permit breaches are factored into official government data for accidental oil spills, Oceana estimates that the volume of oil spilling into UK seas increases by at least 43%.

The oil and gas sector are keen to reassure the public that chronic oil pollution can be quickly dispersed and poses a low risk to marine life or human health. Certainly, if incidents were rare, this might be a more persuasive argument. But they aren't. Over time, the incremental release of toxic chemicals has a negative environmental effect. An estimated 248 spills from permit breaches took place within the UK's network of marine protected areas between January 2021 and May 2024.

Why does this matter? Marine protected areas are regions of the ocean which have been given special designations to help preserve marine life and habitats. They have been created to protect rare, threatened and important habitats or species.

The release of produced water into areas, which have been singled out as especially important for protection, is shocking. Contaminants associated with chronic oiling have been shown to have a range of effects on marine life. The list is long: damaging cells and cell membranes, DNA damage (a common cause of cancer), the changing of gene expression and the disruption of reproductive functions. The steady leaching of toxic oil and chemical byproducts poses risks to human health too as toxic chemicals enter the food chain through farmed and wild-caught fish.

Getting serious about sanctions

Oceana's research highlights that oil and gas companies have only been fined on two occasions in the last five years. One was for just 7,000.

The new government's water (special measures) bill will force water companies to clean up the UK's rivers and oceans. A failure to cooperate or any attempts to cover up data around sewage spills could see bosses jailed for up to two years. Water company bosses are finally being held to account. Will the UK government apply the same rules to the bosses of oil and gas companies who are also polluting our seas?

As the Sea Slick report notes, there is overwhelming public support for polluters to be held to account. By regulating and fining oil companies properly for chronically polluting UK seas, the government could enact and make permanent their commitment to end new oil and gas licenses. It's time to take action.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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This photo provided by The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management shows California condors inside a pen before being released on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 from Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Credit: The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management via AP

By all accounts, Milagra the "miracle" California condor shouldn't be alive today.

But now at nearly 17 months old, she is one of three of the giant endangered birds who got to stretch their wings in the wild as part of a release this weekend near the Grand Canyon.

Even after the door was opened Saturday, the birds didn't immediately leave their pen. After 20 minutes, one condor left the pen, followed 20 minutes later by another condor.

Then, after sitting in the pen for an hour and 20 minutes, Milagra exited the enclosure and took flight. When a livestream of the wildlife release ended, a fourth condor remained in the pen, not ready to leave. For Milagra, there is no more appropriate name for a young bird that has managed to survive against all odds. Her mother died from the worst outbreak of avian flu in U.S. history soon after she laid her egg, and her father nearly succumbed to the same fate while struggling to incubate the egg alone.

Milagra, which means miracle in Spanish, was rescued from her nest and hatched in captivity thanks to the care of her foster condor parents.

The emergency operation was part of a program established about 40 years ago to help bring the birds back from the brink of extinction when their numbers had plummeted to fewer than two dozen.

The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management streamed the release of Milagra and the others online Saturday from Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the Grand Canyon's North Rim.

Condors have been released there since 1996. But the annual practice was put on hold last year due to what is known as the "bird flu." Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza killed 21 condors in the Utah-Arizona flock.

"This year's condor release will be especially impactful given the losses we experienced in 2023 from HPAI and lead poisoning," said Tim Hauck, The Peregrine Fund's California Condor program director.

Today, as many as 360 of the birds are estimated to be living in the wild, with some in the Baja of Mexico and most in California, where similar releases continue. More than 200 others live in captivity.

This Dec. 23, 2023 image provided by The Peregrine Fund shows a young condor named Milagra while at the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. Credit: Kelsey Tatton/The Peregrine Fund via AP

The largest land bird in North America with a wing-span of 9.5 feet (2.9 meters), condors have been protected in the U.S. as an endangered species since 1967. Many conservationists consider it a miracle any still exist at all.

Robert Bate, manager of the Vermilion Cliffs monument, said the release was being shared online in real time "so that the scope and reach of this incredible and successful collaborative recovery effort can continue to inspire people worldwide."

California condors mate for life with a lifespan up to 60 years and can travel up to 200 miles (322 kilometers) a day, which they have been known to do as they move back and forth between the Grand Canyon and Zion national parks.

The Peregrine Fund started breeding condors in cooperation with federal wildlife managers in 1993. The first was released into the wild in 1995, and it would be another eight years before the first chick was hatched out of captivity.

The fund's biologists typically don't name the birds they help raise in captivity, identifying them instead with numbers to avoid giving them human characteristics out of respect for the species.

They made an exception in the case of #1221, aka Milagra. They saw her journey as emblematic of the captive breeding program coming full circle.

Milagra's foster father, #27, was hatched in the wild in California in 1983. He was one of the first brought into the program as a nestling when fewer than two dozen were known to still exist worldwide.

Convinced it was the species' only hope for survival, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made an unprecedented, risky decision back then to capture the remaining 22 known to exist to launch the breeding program. Over time, it has grown with assistance from the Oregon Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

"Once they realized California condors were great parents in captivity, they started allowing them to raise their own species," said Leah Esquivel, propagation manager at the fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho.

Like all California condors in the wild today, Milagra's biological parents were products of the program.

This photo provided by The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management shows a California condor is released from a pen on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 from Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Credit: The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management via AP

Milagra's mother, #316, laid her softball-sized egg in a cave on the edge of an Arizona cliff in April 2023one of her last acts before she succumbed to avian flu. Sick himself, her biological father, #680, did his best to tend to the egg, but prospects for survival dwindled. So, when he made a rare departure from the nest, biologists who had been monitoring sick condors swooped in and snatched the lone egg.

"(He) was so focused on incubating the egg that he was not leaving to find food and water for himself, risking his own life," Peregrine Fund spokesperson Jessica Schlarbaum said.

They stashed the fragile egg in a field incubator and raced 300 miles (480 kilometers) back to Phoenix, not unlike a human transplant team carrying a heart in an ice chest.

To the amazement of all, the egg hatched.

Milagra tested negative for the avian flu and spent about a week at the Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Mesa, Arizona, before she was taken to fund's breeding facility in Idaho, where the foster parents took her under their wings.

Esquivel, the propagation manager, said Milagra's foster mother, #59, has raised eight nestlings in her lifetime.

Esquivel described #59 as unique. While the bird never mates, she goes through all the other breeding motions each year and lays an egg.

"Her eggs are obviously infertile, but since she is a great mother, we use her and her mate to raise young," Esquivel said. "We just swap the infertile egg out with a dummy egg, then place a hatching egg in the nest when we have one available for her."

Milagra's foster dad has sired about 30 young and helped raise nestlings in captivity for years.

After spending about seven months with foster parents, the youngsters head off to "condor school" in California to learn the basics: eating communally, strengthening muscles for flight and learning to get along with fellow condors.

For the biologists, recovery partners, volunteers and others who have persevered over the last year, Hauck summed up Saturday's release of the birds from this year's graduating class as "a moment of triumph."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Richmond police on Sunday asked for tips about a fatal shooting Saturday night in an apartment complex.

Police said officers were called to the 2200 block of Ruffin Road in South Richmond at about 10 p.m. for a report of a shooting.

Malcolm Coleman, 29, of Richmond, was found in a parking lot with an apparent gunshot wound. He wasnt responsive, police said.

If money talks, Virginia's not in play this November Neither former president Donald Trump nor Vice President Kamala Harris is putting big bucks on a spin of the wheel here.

Coleman was pronounced dead at a hospital. The Medical Examiners Office will determine the cause and manner of death.

Police said a second man was wounded in the shooting at the same apartment complex. His injury is considered not life-threatening, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (804) 646-6739 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
Richmonds Office of Emergency Communications is rolling out an automated 911 callback feature that will cut back on emergency dispatchers call volume, department director Stephen Willoughby said Friday.

The tool will process 911 calls that are abandoned, Willoughby said. Rather than having a dispatcher return the call, the departments automated system will call the number back.

Willoughby said the purpose of the feature is to safeguard the valuable time of emergency dispatchers  upon whom Richmond residents rely to work quickly and efficiently.

The department fields hundreds of thousands of calls every year. But many of those calls are accidental, Willoughby explained  the result of a misdial or a pocket dial.

In 2023, the department received 266,442 calls, according to data provided to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. But in 36,215 (around 14%) of those cases, the caller hung up or was disconnected.

That can be disruptive to dispatchers and cost emergency first responders critical seconds, Willoughby said.

Many if not most of the 911 calls where the caller hangs up is because they accidentally called 911, Willoughby said. And prior to the introduction of automated callback technology, the department had to assign an operator to return every call  even if the call was likely unintentional.

The point is not tying up a 911 dispatcher by having them call somebody back, Willoughby said. Instead, that dispatcher is now available to answer another 911 call.

The feature will make two attempts to contact the initiator of a dropped call, Willoughby said. If the caller picks up, the system will offer him or her the opportunity to be reconnected with the dispatch center.

The technology has just now become available for us to be able to do this, Willoughby said. With this new feature, we aim to reduce the risk of missed calls and ensure that every caller receives the help they need when they need it most.

Richmond now joins Kansas City and Honolulu, among U.S. cities that have introduced automation to their 911 callback processes.

From the Archives: Richmond Fire Department
About this series This story is the latest installment of RVA100, our series that highlights the people, places and objects that define the Richmond region. Were exploring hidden histories and colorful backstories. Some will be familiar. Others you may learn about for the first time. For 100 days, well showcase a different quintessential Richmond icon in the newspaper and at richmond.com.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story had the incorrect address for the Egyptian Building. This version has been corrected.

While the University of Virginia has the Rotunda and William & Mary has the Wren Building, the Medical College of Virginia has the Egyptian Building.

Thats how historian Dr. Wyndham Blanton described one of the citys most intricate  albeit unusual  buildings nearly a century ago. It is an observation that has withstood the years. Its beloved significance to Virginia Commonwealth University is most notable in its logo; which features the buildings iconic facade.

The 1301 E. Marshall St. building, constructed in 1845 for the medical department of Hampden-Sydney College, is one of the last remaining Egyptian Revival architectural styles in the country. In 1969, the National Register of Historic Places recognized it as the oldest medical college building in the South.

The site, which includes the building as well as the brick pathway that encircles the structure, sits nestled between the universitys north and west hospital wings, cradled by an I-95 on-ramp. It resembles that of an ancient Egyptian temple with images depicting Egyptian mythology showcased throughout the interior and exterior of the building. Architect Thomas Steward designed the building in honor of Imhotep, the Egyptian physician credited with the origins of medicine.

For centuries, the building housed all of the medical colleges classes. It featured lecture halls, an infirmary and hospital beds for medical and surgical cases. The Egyptian Building was also where the majority of student autopsies took place, both inside and outside on the veranda.

During the late-1800s, like many medical colleges across the globe, MCVs medical students and staff participated in grave robbings to supplement its dissections. At its height, bodies became a regular part of required class materials and students later recalled their trips to cemeteries as a rite of passage. These bodies, often stolen from Richmonds Black cemeteries, were brought to the Egyptian Building for dissection.

RVA 100: 100 people, places, things that you should know about Richmond The RVA 100 are the people, places, things that make Richmond so special. The Times-Dispatch will be highlighting 100 quintessential Richmond
IN THE NEWS

Orange Co. man arrested after 6-year-old found with loaded gun at school

Drakar Lee Rawlings, a 31-year-old resident of the town of Orange, has been arrested after a loaded firearm was found in the possession of a 6-year-old at Orange Elementary School last week.

Rawlings has been taken into custody and charged with multiple gun crimes after what the Orange County Sheriffs Office described as a very convoluted and complicated investigation.

Orange Elementary School staff contacted the sheriffs office on Sept. 16 after an instructional assistant reported finding a loaded gun in a 6-year-olds backpack.

The sheriffs office said Tuesday that investigators do not believe that the child knowingly carried the loaded gun to school, nor do they believe the child had any intention of using it.

RETURNED: The remains of World War II U.S. Marine Pfc. Morris Everett Canady, who grew up in the Goode area of Bedford County, will be returned to family members for burial in the county 82 years after his death on the island of Guadalcanal in the South Pacific.

The burial was scheduled for Saturday, according to an announcement from Bedfords Board Canady American Legion Post 54. Canady volunteered for the Marines shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors and Bedford Town Council issued a joint proclamation that recognizes Canadys supreme sacrifice.

On Sept. 24, 1942, at age 21, Canady was killed by gunfire in action against the Japanese. He had joined the Marines only eight months before and landed on Guadalcanal only six days earlier.

THEY SAID IT

"To me its just outrageous that (it costs) $3 million for an 1,800-foot sidewalk, no matter where the moneys coming from. Its a hard pill for me to swallow.

 Jacob Lane, chairman of the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors, after the board approved funding for a 10-foot-wide shared-use path that would fill a gap along Smith Station Road. The project estimate is $2.8 million, with the state and county splitting the bill.

I had never heard the term second gentleman until about last week. I never met the first one.

 Best-selling author John Grisham, joking as he introduced Doug Emhoff - the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris - during a campaign stop at a Charlottesville winery on Wednesday.

BY THE NUMBERS

$33.3B

Visitor spending in Virginia in 2023, an increase of nearly 10% from 2022, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 14.7%. All five categories of visitor spending in the commonwealth - recreation, transportation, lodging, food & beverage, and retail - have fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels and beyond.

ODDS AND ENDS

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE: A study from lake management firm Princeton Hydro provides a detailed analysis of contributing factors to Smith Mountain Lake's explosion of harmful algal blooms in June 2023. The report, released last week, focused on the watershed of the Blackwater River, one of the two main tributaries of the lake. A watershed is land that drains into a body of water or its tributaries. Officials said algae are present in all lakes, but the introduction of large amounts of watershed nutrients can lead to the growth of harmful algal blooms. By knowing more about the watershed, the Smith Mountain Lake Association can better understand where they need to focus their attention for remediation efforts.

IN THE NEWS

Virginia ABC lays off 4 directors

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has laid off four directors to cut costs in the face of sales revenues that continue to decline and threaten profits that the state expects to receive from its liquor monopoly.

Layoffs on Sept. 10 hit the directors of real estate, procurement, program management and digital services, as ABC reduced the number of directors from 16 to 12. The authority made the reductions two months after laying off 25 employees, primarily in management jobs at its headquarters in Hanover County. The affected employees will receive severance benefits.

The layoffs reflect a continuing decline in sales revenue at ABCs 403 stores across Virginia in July and August, the first two months of the fiscal year.

MEAT PLANT: A 10th person has died in the listeria outbreak that shuttered a Boars Head deli meat plant, federal health officials said Wednesday.

At least 59 people in 19 states have been sickened by the bacteria first detected in liverwurst made at the Jarratt plant. Illnesses were reported between late May and late August, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The latest fatality was reported in New York.

The Sarasota, Florida-based company announced on Sept. 13 that it was closing the Jarratt plant and discontinuing production of liverwurst. The moves came after inspection reports revealed problems including mold, insects, dripping water and meat and fat residue on walls, floors and equipment dating back at least two years.

From the Archives: The Virginia state Capitol building
At the heart of the Three of Pentacles lies the notion of teamwork and shared vision. This card depicts a young apprentice, a priest, and an aristocrat, each contributing their unique expertise and knowledge to the construction of a grand cathedral. Their collective efforts, guided by mutual respect and a shared commitment, are what bring this ambitious project to life. The Three of Pentacles reminds us that the most remarkable accomplishments often arise when we transcend individual limitations and embrace the synergy of collective intelligence.

Harnessing Diverse Talents

The Three of Pentacles celebrates the diversity of skills and perspectives that each individual brings to the table. The apprentice, with his specialized knowledge and hands-on expertise, is valued and listened to by the more experienced architects, who in turn share their wisdom and guidance. This interplay of complementary talents is what allows the cathedral to take shape, with each contributor playing an essential role in the grand scheme.

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The Power of Collaboration

When we open ourselves to collaboration, we unlock a realm of possibilities that would be inaccessible through solo efforts. The Three of Pentacles encourages us to seek out opportunities to work with others, whether as mentors, apprentices, or equal partners. By combining our unique strengths and perspectives, we can achieve far more than we could ever accomplish alone. The key lies in fostering an environment of mutual respect, active listening, and a willingness to learn from one another.

Meticulous Planning and Preparation

Alongside the emphasis on teamwork, the Three of Pentacles also highlights the importance of meticulous planning and preparation. The architects in the card's imagery are shown carefully reviewing the plans and designs, ensuring that every detail is accounted for before the construction begins. This attention to detail and foresight is crucial for the successful completion of any ambitious undertaking.
An ethics complaint seeking an investigation into Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks voting address may make handy campaign fodder for Democrats heading into the November election, but little may actually come of the complaint, based on history.

A LeClaire resident has asked the federal Office of Congressional Ethics to investigate the GOP incumbents voting address. The story was first reported by the Quad-City Times.

After the 2020 census, Miller-Meeks home in Wapello Countys Ottumwa was redistricted into Iowas 3rd District, which includes the Des Moines metro and rural south central Iowa. Miller-Meeks said at the time she would not sell her house in Ottumwa but would take up residence in Iowas newly drawn 1st District, which mostly overlapped with the district she represented before the 2020 redistricting.

In her complaint, LeClaire resident Joyce Kuehl alleges Miller-Meeks has violated state law and voted illegally in multiple elections. Miller-Meeks has repeatedly registered to vote and voted in Scott County  but multiple public records, including tax records and Miller-Meeks own campaign forms, indicate her primary address is in Wapello County.

Miller-Meeks campaign has not publicly responded to the allegations.

In August, The Gazette sent Miller-Meeks congressional office spokesperson a list of detailed questions about her voting address and where she primarily resides. Miller-Meeks spokesperson responded to The Gazette, The congresswomans residence is in Davenport but did not answer other questions.

Kuehl did not return a message seeking comment.

The Gazette looked into how the Office of Congressional Ethics operates and reviews alleged misconduct by House members, and how it has handled similar complaints in the past.

Background

In late October 2022, Miller-Meeks changed her voter registration from her longtime Ottumwa address to the address of the home of Republican state Sen. Chris Cournoyer in LeClaire.

According to Scott County voting records, Miller-Meeks voted in the 2022 general election in Scott County. Just before the June 4 primary election this year, Miller-Meeks changed her registered voting address to a Davenport apartment on Jersey Ridge Road and voted in the primary.

According to property records, Miller-Meeks and her husband, Curtis Meeks, have owned 33 acres in Ottumwa since March 2003 and constructed a home in 2004. The most recent property tax statement lists that Miller-Meeks and her husband received a homestead credit for the property in the past two tax periods. Miller-Meeks also reported in congressional disclosure reports in 2022 and 2023 that she has a mortgage on her personal residence in Ottumwa, and campaign contributions list her Ottumwa address as her mailing address.

Federal rules don't require members of Congress to live in the district they represent, just in the same state. Iowa law, though, requires voters to register to vote at their primary address and vote in the county where they primarily reside.

Kuehl alleges that if Miller-Meeks provided an incorrect address for voting purposes, she violated U.S. House rules that require members to conduct (themselves) at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditability on the House.

Iowa law permits residents to bring challenges to voter registration at the county level, though no challenges had been brought forward about Miller-Meeks address, Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins said in an email to The Gazette.

Whats happened since

The complaint is being reviewed by the Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent, non-partisan entity charged with investigating alleged misconduct against members, officers and employees of the House. It refers matters to the House Committee on Ethics when its eight-member board of private citizens believes it is appropriate. The board must authorize each stage of the investigative process.

The board includes six voting members and two alternates. The House speaker and minority leader each appoint three members and an alternate.

Office staff consists primarily of lawyers and other professionals with expertise in ethics law and investigations. It has jurisdiction to investigate any alleged violation of a law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct committed by House member  including state law.

There are two stages in the investigative review process that require board approval: a preliminary review, and a second-phase review. The preliminary review is limited to 30 days, during which the staff investigates whether a violation may have occurred. A second-phase review is limited to 45 days, with the option for the board to extend it by 14 days. At any point during the preliminary review, four members of the board may vote to terminate a review.

Except in limited circumstances, the House Committee on Ethics must eventually release the report and findings. Public release is required within 45 days, unless the committee votes to extend by another 45 days. The release of the report and findings also can be delayed if the committee decides to create a subcommittee to investigate the matter. In that case, the report must still be released within a year.

But if the board recommends dismissal and the committee also votes to dismiss the complaint, the report does not have to be made public. Release of a report also may be delayed if there is a related ongoing law enforcement investigation.

The Office of Congressional Ethics has investigated related complaints in the past, though little has come of them.

In November 2009, the office found former California U.S. Rep. Fortney Pete Stark listed his Washington, D.C.-area home as his principal residence on Maryland tax forms. By doing so, Stark received state and county homestead tax credits. And any annual increase in his home assessments were capped at 10 percent.

In order to qualify for the tax credit, Maryland law requires the home be used as the owners principal residence  where the homeowner regularly resides and is designated for voting, obtaining a drivers license and filing income tax returns. Stark, though, paid California resident taxes, had a California drivers license and was registered to vote in California.

While his conduct may have violated Maryland law and the House ethics rules for misrepresenting information to obtain the tax credit, the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct  which the Ethic Committee was then called  issued a report finding no further action was warranted.

In 2018, the Office of Congressional Ethics referred allegations to the House Ethics Committee that Republican former Iowa U.S. Rep. Rod Blum violated House rules. In February, the Associated Press reported Blum failed to disclose his ownership role in a Dubuque firm. The AP reported the firm, Tin Moon, helped companies cited for federal food and drug safety violations bury their Food and Drug Administration warning letters below positive internet search results, and that Blums top congressional staffer was featured in a false video testimonial promoting the companys services.

The House ethics panel launched an inquiry in July of that year and extended the inquiry in early September. In December, the office released its report and findings  as well as Blums response  while the House Ethics Committee announced it would further review the allegations of the lame duck congressman. Blum lost re-election in 2018 to Democrat Abby Finkenauer, and the committees jurisdiction expired when he left office.

The board said there was substantial reason to believe that Rep. Blums private company utilized deceptive, false, or unsubstantiated endorsements and other marketing materials. After being questioned, the company removed Blums official House photo and testimonial from its website, and changed his title from chief executive officer to majority shareholder.

Blum called the omission of his Tin Moon holdings an administrative oversight and later amended his financial disclosure report. He called the inquiry a crusade of personal destruction against him by the radical left.

Because members of Congress police themselves and are loath to punish one of their own, the likelihood of anything coming about from the Miller-Meeks complaint seems remote, according to ethics experts.

However, should the Office of Congressional Ethics issue a report, it could be used as ammunition by Democrats and other political challengers, should Miller-Meeks run again.

Sarah Watson of the Quad-City Times contributed to this report.
Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here.

Dear Care and Feeding,

I have two children with my ex-husband. Clyde is 10 and Danielle is 8. Though the marriage didnt work out, my ex is a good guy, and we co-parent well, with split custody and no fights over it. However, two years ago, he remarried, and his wife brought her daughter from a previous relationship, Monica, age 8, into the picture. My kids adore Monica. To them, shes a sister, full stop. Even using the term step to refer to her makes them bristle. And thats great, right? Certainly better than them being stuck with another kid they cant stand. But its causing me all sorts of problems that I dont know how to navigate.

I cant take Danielle shopping for clothes anymore because she insists she needs Monica along so they can coordinate their outfits. Clyde wont answer calls on weekdays anymore because he has two younger sisters now who he wants to help with their homework. And neither Clyde nor Monica want to come to my place anymore when its time to do the handover. Or rather, theyre fine with being with me, but they dont want to leave Monica behind. Clyde in particular has been wondering aloud if he can stay more often with his father and his new wife, and it breaks my heart. My kids have repeatedly asked if Monica can just come over with them, and I havent even really considered it, because I just dont want her. Im sure shes a nice enough child, but even if her parents would be OK with it (and I havent checked), I just dont want to be raising a child who isnt mine. But the situation is making my own children miserable, which in turn is making me miserable. How do I sort this out?

Getting Sucked In

Dear Getting,

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Im going to tell you what I would do, and why. But I want to preface this by saying that I think I do understand where youre coming from, and that I am not without sympathy. Its hard to share your children with an exs second wifei.e., your kids stepmotherno matter how well you and the ex are managing shared custody. Even though you havent mentioned this, I believe it plays a part in how you feel about the daughter of your kids stepmom. And I am not without sympathy for your reluctance to raise a child who isnt your own.

But no one is asking you to raise her. What your own two kids are asking you to do is include her in your family. This would be very generous of you, yes. Is it too much to ask (assuming her parents would be OK if she spent some time at your house with her two siblings)? I dont think so. Take a few minutes to think about not only how your kids feel when they leave their sister behind to spend time (Im guessing custody is 50/50?) at your house, but about how 8-year-old Monica feels, left alone at her mom and stepdads? Youre right: Shes not your child. But that doesnt mean its OK to write off her feelings. And, Ill add, please do not refer to her as your kids stepsister. Thats not how they think of her, and thank goodness. Since she and Danielle were 6 years old, and Clyde was 8 (and, Im guessing, well before this, since your ex and his wife didnt get married as soon as they met), Monica has been a part of their lives. If youre resentful about thiswhich I imagine the kids may pick up on, even if you havent said it outrightyou are putting your still quite young kids in the position of choosing between their mother and their sister. Dont do that. Even if you win, they will never forgive you for it.

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What I would do, first, is talk to Monicas mom and your ex (and, if Monicas dad is in the picture, ask her mom to talk to him or put you in touch). The adults need a confab. Whats best for the kids?thats the subject and the priority. See if you all can come up with something that works for everyone. Possibilities include everything from letting Monica come over for playdates (and homework sessions?) and/or inviting her to join you for outings when you have Clyde and Danielle, to having her all-out join them, as your kids have requested, when theyre with you. And everything in between. Maybe she joins them half the timei.e., every other time theyre with youor for half the time theyre with you; or any other arrangement youre up for trying, for the sake of the kids.

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I confess that my inclination would beif the other parents are willingto see the three kids as a unit, siblings who love each other and dont want to be apart, and have all three of them with me during the periods I had custody. Im guessing their resistance is about something deeper than its more fun when were together, since all three of these kids have experienced the dissolution of a family; they have created their own little sibling family that they are reluctant to regularly break apart, no matter how temporarily. Id think of Monica as my bonus kid. Id think: I have plenty of love to spread around, and any child who wants some of it is welcome to it.

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If you can bring yourself to see it this way, the bonus for you is not only the joy youll be able to take in your kids happiness, and the discovery that your heart is infinitely expandable, but also that the bitter feelings youve been nurturing toward this little girl will dissipate. And when bitterness, resentfulness, frustration, andwild guess hereanger begin to evaporate, you will feel lighter, happier, and better all around. Even though youre sharing your kids with others. Even though you have to set another place at the table.

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Want Advice on Parenting, Kids, or Family Life?

Submit your questions to Care and Feeding here. Its anonymous! (Questions may be edited for publication.)

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Dear Care and Feeding,

Even though I dont share my parents politics, I always felt that we shared important values. Theyre Christian and brought us up with the Golden Rule. My mom is the churchgoer more than my dad, but when I was growing up we donated together at the church food pantry and did summer volunteer projects through the church for Habitat for Humanity as a family. My dad owned a small business and was a George Bush Republican, more concerned about taxes than social issues. He was generous with his neighbors and in the community.

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They stayed home for the 2016 electionthey hated Clinton but felt that Trump wasnt presidentialbut by 2020 both of them, especially my dad, had fully bought into conspiracy theories, COVID misinformation, and outright racism. I know the national conversation had changed, but also they both retired during that time, started watching more TV, and had a new pastor who was much more right wing. I tried countering info, exposing them to other ideas, and reminded them about love thy neighbor. Nothing worked. My sister cut them off; my brother started drifting closer, buying into the same noxious stuff. I kept everything shallow, kept my visits short, and hoped theyd snap out of it.

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They have not. This election, the whole thing has spun fully out of control. My parents are both buying weird online supplements and rations for a projected race war. I feel like the parents I grew up with are dead, and my brother is dying too. I dont know where or how to grieve. My husband and I have agreed that they should no longer have access to our kids. My grief seems like an extreme reaction, and everyone I know says to just cut them out of my life altogether, but theyre aging, and they will die for real one of these days. I am just so sad. I miss the parents I grew up with so much. I wish my husband and our kids could meet those people. Is there anything I can do?

Grieving the Living

Dear Grieving,

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I am sorry for your loss. I dont think your grief is extremeI think its completely understandable. The parents you had growing upthe people they were, or who you thought they were (I have no idea which)are gone. Your husband and kids will never be able to meet them.

Your situation involves a drastic change in your parents, I know. They are virtually unrecognizable to you now. But it may help to ease your pain about this one aspect of whats happening to be reminded that none of us gets to introduce our spouse and children to the parents we had when we were children. Everybody changes over the years. Our own perceptions of our loved ones do too. I understand why youre keeping the people your parents have become (or revealed themselves to be) away from your children. I also understand why this makes you so sad. Anyone who dismisses your struggle, who blithely advises that you just cut your parents out of your lifewho says this is easy, obvious, or has to be done no matter how you feelis trying hard for their own sake to avoid the messy, complicated, deep and heartbreaking nature of human relationships. Especially those between children and parents.

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You do not have to excise your parents from your life. You may eventually decide that you want to, or need to, for your own sake. You may feel torn: You dont know the people theyve become; you cant abide the people theyve become. But you remember and love the people they were, and that is keeping you from doing what everybody says you should. Screw everybody. Theyre not the boss of you. You are. You may be holding on to the tiniest glimmer of hope that hangs by the slenderest of threads. You may simply be living by that Golden Rule, refusing to abandon them, as you see it, even though they have become unhinged. You may not want to cut them off simply because you love them, no matter what they say, think, or do. And while there is nothing you can do to drag them back to reality, and nothing you can do short of time-travel to arrange a meeting between your kids and their grandparents when they were the parents you remember them being, what you can do is what your heart tells you to do. Whatever that is.

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Catch Up on Care and Feeding

 Missed earlier columns this week? Read them here.

 Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group!

Dear Care and Feeding,

Im 15, and although I have ADHD and anxiety, I have a pretty good social circlenot a ton of friends, but my best friends and I are close. My problem is that there are two things about me that new people notice right away. Anytime somebody meets me (or even just sees me!) for the first time, they will say something about one or both of these things, and it really bothers me. The trouble is my strong prescription glasses and that I have a deep scar running down my leg from a childhood accident and subsequent surgeries. Other kids, teens, adults, old people, waiters at restaurants, and people in line at the grocery store will comment or make a joke about one of these things. Im sick of it. The stuff about my scar stops in the fall, when I wear pants or leggings (I suppose I could cover up in summer too, but how is that fair? Why shouldnt I be able to wear what I want to wear?), but the stuff about my glasses I dont know what to do about. Ive tried contacts but I hated them. Is there any way to stop people from commenting on how I look? Or to redirect them at least to talk about something Ive actually worked on, like my hair, or made a choice about, like my clothes/shoes?

Fed Up with People

Dear Fed Up,

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Im fed up too. I wish everyone would stop once and for all making comments or asking questions about other peoples bodies. Its rude. Its gross. Its wrong.

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But people being what they are, they just keep on keepin on. You cant get them to stop: There is no one-and-done thing you can say or do to keep people you dont know, or hardly know, or have just met, to keep their mouths shut. (Ill even begrudgingly give some of them the benefit of the doubt and speculate that perhaps they mean no harmthey somehow never learned, never even heard, that talking about peoples bodies does not fall into the category of polite conversation.) The trick here is for you to work on ways to deal with and respond to this stupidity, lack of manners, cluelessness, or meanness and cruelty.

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My personal favorite response is a cold stare and silenceor a slow, silent nod. Not everyone can pull this off, though (it takes chutzpah). Another thing Ive enjoyed saying over the years, which you might try when someone remarks on or questions you about your scar, is, Its so kind/nice/sweet of you to take an interest! I like to say it earnestly, and with a smile. This tends to confuse peopleespecially when they press, repeating their question as if I hadnt heard it. Then I say, Oh, yes, it is so kind of you until they get tired and drop it. Perhaps, when it comes to those pointless comments about your glasses, you might just say, Yup or I know, right? But you can also simply speak the plain truth: I dont like to talk about that, or Id rather not talk about that orif you want to take this to the limitIt pains me to talk about that. Anyone who is boorish enough to pursue the topic after that should be walked away from.

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But whatever you decide to say, making a plan for how to handle these intrusions, and then dealing with them in the moment with your prepared rejoinder will start to work magic on your internal response to this nonsense. I suppose we could call it faking it till you make itor working from the outside in. Whatever you call it, youll feel stronger and better every time you take the power away from these folks who have no business getting up in your business. Eventually, the things insensitive strangers and new acquaintances say wont bother you at all.

Michelle

More Advice From Slate

My mom is on a fixed and limited income, so to help her cover expenses my husband and I supplement her income in exchange for childcare. Our kid gets to spend time with his grandmother while we work, and she gets compensated financially. We have a clear schedule that we all agreed on (five hours/weekday). In exchange, we cover a large portion of her expenses. If my husband and I had to pay for alternative childcare, we couldnt also afford to supplement her income, so we are offering the best solution we can. However, there seems to be some resentment at times on both sides.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240928/biden-says-us-will-respond-to-recent-houthi-attack-on-naval-ships-in-red-sea-1120338170.html

Biden Says US Will Respond to Recent Houthi Attack on Naval Ships in Red Sea

Biden Says US Will Respond to Recent Houthi Attack on Naval Ships in Red Sea

Sputnik International

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that the US will respond to a recent missile and drone attack against US Navy ships in the Red Sea earlier this week.

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"We're responding," Biden said on Saturday when asked if he would respond to missile attacks on US warships in the Red Sea. US media reported that three US Navy warships had shot down nearly two dozen incoming missiles and drones launched by the Houthis while transiting the Red Sea. No Navy vessels were hit and no US service members were injured during the attack. Earlier on Saturday, the White House said Biden convened a call with his national security team to receive an update on the situation in the Middle East, review the status of US military force posture in the region, and direct continued diplomatic efforts to coordinate with allies and partners to deescalate the ongoing conflicts. The State Department also announced that non-essential US personnel in the American Embassy in Beirut had been ordered to leave Lebanon given the spike in violence in the region. Biden convened his national security team following confirmation that Israeli strikes on Friday had killed Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. The US president called it a "measure of justice," claiming the movement's leader was responsible for killing hundreds of Americans. Biden's goal is de-escalation in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon through diplomacy, the White House said. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei also reportedly called an emergency meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council in light of the latest escalation of fighting in the region.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240928/nasrallahs-death-devastating-blow-that-will-trigger-escalation-of-violence--lebanese-scholar-1120333561.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240928/israel-vows-to-prevent-ground-operation-in-lebanon-by-killing-nasrallah---reports-1120338348.html

Israel 'Hopes' to Prevent Ground Operation in Lebanon by Killing Nasrallah - Reports

Israel 'Hopes' to Prevent Ground Operation in Lebanon by Killing Nasrallah - Reports

Sputnik International

An unnamed Israeli official told the Wall Street Journal that Israel hopes that by killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah they can avoid a ground operation in Lebanon

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beirut

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According to the publication, Israel hoped Nasrallah's death to "significantly degrade" Hezbollah, eliminating the need for a ground invasion to prevent the Lebanese movement's cross-border rocket, missile and drone attacks. An unnamed senior Israeli official also confirmed to the newspaper that Israel would prefer not to conduct a ground operation in Lebanon. Earlier, Hezbollah confirmed the death of its Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburb of Beirut. Since last week, the Israeli Air Force has been carrying out massive strikes on Hezbollah targets in various parts of Lebanon. Several precision airstrikes were also recorded on Beirut, killing high-ranking Hezbollah commanders. To date, the Israeli army has reported strikes on several thousand Hezbollah targets. Observers note that Israel has not attacked Hezbollah with such intensity since the Second Lebanon War in 2006. More than 90,000 people have already been forced to leave their homes in southern Lebanon due to the escalation of the conflict with Israel, according to a report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Hezbollah has responded with rocket fire primarily at northern Israel, but the range of rocket attacks has increased significantly in recent days. Israeli settlements see dozens of strikes daily, during which residential buildings are sometimes hit, resulting in injuries. In particular, a missile was launched at the Tel Aviv area, which was shot down by air defense systems. Tensions are growing amid statements by the Israeli military about preparations for a ground operation in Lebanon. Following the 2006 Israeli-Lebanese war, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1701, which provided for support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon, the simultaneous withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon and the deployment of forces there by the Lebanese government and the UN. According to this resolution, the presence of any paramilitary formations, except those belonging to the Lebanese army or UN forces, is prohibited south of the Litani River. Nevertheless, over these 18 years, Hezbollah has restored its infrastructure in southern Lebanon and has been shelling northern Israel daily for 11 months. The situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border has escalated since the start of Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240928/what-is-hezbollah-and-how-is-it-organized-1120336556.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240928/pyongyang-says-us-military-aid-to-kiev-pushing-world-toward-nuclear-catastrophe-1120338534.html

Pyongyang Says US Military Aid to Kiev Pushing World Toward Nuclear Catastrophe

Pyongyang Says US Military Aid to Kiev Pushing World Toward Nuclear Catastrophe

Sputnik International

US military aid to Ukraine is pushing the world towards a nuclear catastrophe, the deputy department head of the Central Committee of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party Kim Yo Jong said.

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"Recently, the United States announced another round of military aid to the neo-Nazi puppet government of Ukraine in the amount of more than $8 billion  this is a gross mistake," Kim, who is also the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said. The United States cannot ignore Russia's warning about the consequences of potentially providing long-range weapons to Kiev, she stressed. North Korea believes that the West should abandon Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who demands weapons for strikes deep into Russia, in order to prevent a major disaster. The world has begun to tire of Zelenskyy's penny game; he should step down for the sake of global peace and stability, Kim Yo Jong concluded. Earlier, US President Joe Biden instructed the Pentagon to allocate the remaining funds under military aid programs to Ukraine until the end of his term.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240928/nuclear-doctrine-update-reflects-response-to-russias-adversaries---kremlin-1120332837.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/act-of-mercy-or-legalized-murder-who-supports-and-promotes-assisted-dying-and-why-1120345582.html

Act of Mercy or Legalized Murder: Who Supports and Promotes Assisted Dying and Why?

Act of Mercy or Legalized Murder: Who Supports and Promotes Assisted Dying and Why?

Sputnik International

Assisted dying has been heating up over the past twenty years as a growing number of countries have passed legislation legalizing or even providing state support for the practice.

2024-09-29T17:12+0000

2024-09-29T17:12+0000

2024-09-29T17:25+0000

world

george soros

canada

belgium

united kingdom (uk)

world economic forum

euthanasia

pfizer

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The origins of the modern right-to-die movement can be traced back to the 1970s, when scholars influenced by the Club of Romes liberal humanist agenda and concerns about overpopulation and climate change began presenting assisted dying as a humane way to end suffering, while expanding the individuals rights over their life and body. More recently, the World Economic Forum has taken up the euthanasia agenda, actively discussing it since at least 2009.Which Countries Allow Euthanasia?In 2002, the Netherlands and Belgium became the first countries in the world to legalize euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, followed by Luxembourg, Colombia, Canada, Spain, New Zealand, most of Australias states, Austria, and most recently, Portugal and Ecuador. Switzerland has allowed passive assisted suicide since the 1940s, although active, doctor-assisted euthanasia is illegal.Assisted dying is not to be confused with passive euthanasia (i.e. refusal of treatment or withdrawal from life support), which is legal in most of Europe, North and South America, and a sprinkling of countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In Russia, Belarus, Belize and Kenya, all forms of euthanasia are prohibited by law.Do Assisted Dying Laws Threaten to Open Pandoras Box?In many of dozen countries where assisted suicide has been legalized, the original legislation governing the procedures set out strict restrictions. In Belgium, for example, the 2002 Euthanasia Act allowed adults aged 18 or older to undergo assisted suicide if they experienced constant and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be alleviated.But in 2013, legislators extended the law to include terminally ill children of any age, pending parental approval and they are deemed to understand the concept of euthanasia. In 2014, authorities approved convicted serial rapist, murderer and right-to-die campaigner Frank Van Den Bleekens request to be euthanized, but reversed course in 2016 after the case garnered international attention.In Colombia, the decriminalization of euthanasia for adults of sound mind in 2014 led to the practice being approved for children as young as six  and without parental consent after age 14, in 2018. In 2022, Bogota decriminalized assisted suicide for non-terminally ill people suffering from severe health conditions deemed a threat to dignity.In Canada, Justin Trudeaus Liberals spearheaded legislation in 2016 to approve doctor-assisted suicide, but only for mentally competent adults suffering from a terminal illness and close to death. In 2021, the legislation was expanded to include incurable but not terminal illnesses, and in 2023, lawmakers contemplated including people suffering from mental illness. Those plans were shelved in February until 2027, with Health Minister Mark Holland saying it was a question of readiness and training of medical staff.Assisted Dying as Population Control?Euthanasia legislation has had other dark outcomes. In Switzerland and Belgium, for example, assisted dying has apparently become a lucrative business, with foreigners traveling to the countries in droves. By 2020, Dignitas, a non-profit running Swiss assisted-dying clinics, counted 3,248 assisted suicide cases, most of them foreigners. Belgium, where assisted dying can only be performed by doctors, was dubbed the worlds euthanasia capital by Forbes in 2019, and allows qualified applicants to be euthanized for about $3,500.In Canada, lobbying promoting assisted dying has taken an ugly turn, with a 2017 Canadian Medical Association Journal report touting how up to $136.8 million CAD could be saved annually on health care costs through euthanasia. Not bad for a country that has sent over $10.8 billion CAD in weapons and economic aid to Ukraine. The passage of the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program has also resulted in a dramatic surge in assisted suicide deaths, from 1,018 in 2016 to 13,241 in 2022  accounting for over 4% of all deaths in Canada that year.Canadas MAiD laws have also led to some extreme cases, like that of Amir Farsoud, a disabled St. Catherines, Ontario man in his 50s struggling from chronic back pain who applied for assisted suicide after losing his rented housing and being put at risk of homelessness. Farsoud was saved after his story went viral, with a GoFundMe page raising over $60,000 for his rent. Alan Nichols, another Canadian, was not so lucky. The 61-year-old, who lost his hearing at age 12 and suffered a stroke in his later years, applied for physician-assisted suicide in 2019, with a nurse practitioners assessment citing his hearing and vision loss, seizures, frailty and failure to thrive as reasons why he qualified to die. His relatives were not informed of the decision, and he was euthanized by lethal injection. Alan was basically put to death, his brother told the Associated Press in 2022.In 2021, a story in New Zealand revealed that COVID-19 patients deemed terminally ill qualified for euthanasia under the 2019 End of Life Choice Act. Local anti-euthanasia campaigners said the story highlighted the lax nature of the already existing qualifying criteria for assisted suicide procedures.Proponents of assisted dying rarely open up on the motives for supporting the controversial practice besides compassion and bodily autonomy, but there have been exceptions. In 2009, for example, British psychotherapist and author Colin Feltham penned an eye-opening op-ed in The Guardian where he argued that there are good reasons for arguing that a stabilization or gradual reduction in population would be the best way to address the carbon emissions problem, and that assisted dying programs were one possible way to do so.Whos Funding Pro-Euthanasia Propaganda?Searching for the funders of pro-euthanasia lobbying groups, both in countries where assisted dying has already been adopted, and places where debates are still underway (including the US, the UK and France) is like searching for a needle in a haystack, with donations often coming from private foundations and unknown individual donors. But sometimes riveting details do break through.In 1998, George Soros Open Society Foundations published a Project on Death in America report, detailing hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to Dartmouth College, Stanford, Staten Island University Hospital and other academic, medical and cultural institutions for research, education and public policy discussions about death, including physician-assisted suicide, which Soros hoped might influence the culture of dying in America. After shelling out $45 million in grants, the project closed in 2003 after being deemed to have completed all grantmaking.In March 2024, US lawmakers grilled Pfizer after discovering links between the pharmaceuticals giant and Dying with Dignity Canada, the lobbying group owning the conversation around assisted deaths in the country, with media discovering that Pfizer makes three of the lethal drugs recommended by the MAiD program for assisted deaths. Other donors include Google, United Way, and the San Diego chapter of the Hemlock Society  a right-to-die advocacy group that George Soros mother Elizabeth was a member of.In the UK, the pro-euthanasia lobby has reportedly received a sympathetic ear from the publicly-funded BBC, and consists of a series of partisan nonprofits funded by little-known groups like the AB Charitable Trust  created in 1990 by former hedge fund manager Yves Bonavero and his wife, which seems to be involved in backing an array of assisted dying lobbying groups, including the Citizens Jury, Humanists UK and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240728/canadas-trudeau-part-of-globalist-managerial-class-does-not-have-final-say---brother-1119548625.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/austrian-chancellor-admits-his-ovp-party-loses-to-freedom-party-in-parliament-elections-1120350581.html

Austrian Chancellor Admits His OVP Party Loses to Freedom Party in Parliament Elections

Austrian Chancellor Admits His OVP Party Loses to Freedom Party in Parliament Elections

Sputnik International

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer acknowledged that his People's Party (OVP) had lost the parliamentary elections to the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPO).

2024-09-29T18:22+0000

2024-09-29T18:22+0000

2024-09-29T18:22+0000

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austria

russia

freedom party of austria (fpo)

austrian people's party (ovp)

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"Yes, it was an elimination race, and yes, we did not come in first. There was a noticeable movement, and now our job is to figure out why radicalized people are getting more votes than those of us who represent centrist strength and reason," Nehammer said at a press conference after the polls closed.The chancellor added, however, that his party's pre-election promises would be fulfilled after the election. Asked if he was considering forming a coalition government with the FPO, which is led by Herbert Kickl, Nehammer dodged the question, suggesting to wait for the final vote count.The Freedom Party of Austria, which opposes the EU's policy of sanctions against Russia, has achieved its best result so far in the parliamentary elections with 29.1% of the vote, the party's press service said. The election results will show the future composition of the Austrian National Council for the next five years, the next ruling coalition and whether incumbent Austrian Chancellor Nehammer would retain his post or would be replaced by a new candidate. Based on the results, the FPO will provisionally receive 57 seats in the new edition of the Austrian parliament, which is 26 seats more than in the current one, while the OVP will lose 20 seats, securing 51, media reported. The Social Democrats party (SPO) will reportedly secure 41, the Greens will lose nine seats to secure 17, while the New Austria and Liberal Forum party (NEOS) will also get 17 seats, gaining two.No party has secured an absolute majority so far, which opens the door to coalition talks.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/what-would-election-win-for-austrias-right-wing-fpo-mean-1120349636.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/austrian-president-urges-parties-to-agree-on-govt-coalition-after-parliamentary-elections-1120352307.html

Austrian President Urges Parties to Agree on Gov't Coalition After Parliamentary Elections

Austrian President Urges Parties to Agree on Gov't Coalition After Parliamentary Elections

Sputnik International

Austrian PResident Alexander Van der Bellen called on political parties in his country to form a coalition government after no party won a full majority in the parliamentary elections.

2024-09-29T20:41+0000

2024-09-29T20:41+0000

2024-09-29T20:42+0000

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europe

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freedom party

austria

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"As you know, no party has gained more than 50% [of the votes], so we need to negotiate with each other," Van der Bellen said, as quoted by Austrian broadcaster Puls 24. The Austrian president also said that the future federal government should ensure a good future for the country regardless of its composition. The election results will show the future composition of the Austrian National Council for the next five years, the next ruling coalition and whether incumbent Austrian Chancellor Nehammer would retain his post or would be replaced by a new candidate. Based on the results, the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) will provisionally receive 57 seats in the new edition of the Austrian parliament, which is 26 seats more than in the current one, while Nehammer's People's Party (OVP) will lose 20 seats, securing 51, media reported. The Social Democrats party (SPO) will reportedly secure 41, the Greens will lose nine seats to secure 17, while the New Austria and Liberal Forum party (NEOS) will also get 17 seats, gaining two.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/what-would-election-win-for-austrias-right-wing-fpo-mean-1120349636.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/china-says-opposes-actions-escalating-regional-tensions-commenting-nasrallahs-death-1120342435.html

China Says Opposes Actions Escalating Regional Tensions, Commenting Nasrallahs Death

China Says Opposes Actions Escalating Regional Tensions, Commenting Nasrallahs Death

Sputnik International

Beijing stands against actions violating sovereignty and security of Lebanon as well as against those actions leading to escalation of regional tensions, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Sunday, commenting on the death of Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah.

2024-09-29T07:21+0000

2024-09-29T07:21+0000

2024-09-29T08:03+0000

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israel-lebanon tensions

lebanon

hassan nasrallah

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On Saturday, Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah confirmed that Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Friday. Beijing is deeply concerned by the escalation of the situation in the region, the ministry said, adding it continues to closely monitor the developments. Israel began a massive bombing campaign, codenamed Northern Arrows, in southern and eastern parts of Lebanon on Monday. The Lebanese Health Ministry put the death toll at over 1,500. Hezbollah retaliated by firing dozens of rockets toward northern Israel. The escalation was preceded by a series of explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies that rocked Lebanon from September 17-18, killing about 40 people and injuring nearly 3,500 others.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240928/nasrallahs-death-devastating-blow-that-will-trigger-escalation-of-violence--lebanese-scholar-1120333561.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/georgia-welcomes-moscows-pledge-to-help-restore-s-ossetia-abkhazia-ties---ruling-party-1120352707.html

Georgia Welcomes Moscow's Pledge to Help Restore S. Ossetia, Abkhazia Ties - Ruling Party

Georgia Welcomes Moscow's Pledge to Help Restore S. Ossetia, Abkhazia Ties - Ruling Party

Sputnik International

The ruling party of Georgia said on Sunday that it positively assessed the statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about Russia being ready to help Tbilisi restore normal relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

2024-09-29T21:24+0000

2024-09-29T21:24+0000

2024-09-29T21:24+0000

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south ossetia

georgia

abkhazia

sergey lavrov

kakha kaladze

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Earlier, Lavrov said that Moscow was ready to help Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the process of normalizing relations if the countries themselves are interested in this, including ensuring non-aggression agreements. According to the politician, the fact that Russia welcomes and supports reconciliation is certainly positive. At the same time, Kaladze added that "after these statements, it would be good to take some practical steps," for example, "the withdrawal of Russian troops" from the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Earlier, the founder of the Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, said that after the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26, "the instigators of the war will be condemned," and Georgia will find the strength to apologize to the Ossetians for the military conflict of 2008, which was unleashed by former President Mikheil Saakashvili and his United National Movement party. Early on August 8, 2008, Georgia shelled South Ossetia from Grad multiple launch rocket systems; Georgian troops attacked the republic and destroyed part of its capital, Tskhinval. Russia, protecting residents of South Ossetia, many of whom had Russian citizenship, sent troops into the republic and, after five days of hostilities, ousted the Georgian military from the region. On August 26, 2008 Russia recognized the sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Russian leadership has repeatedly stated that this recognition reflects existing realities and is not subject to revision. Georgia still does not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia and considers them its regions. Based on the Agreement on the Joint Russian Military Base on the territory of South Ossetia, the 4th Joint Russian Military Base has been deployed in the republic, the task of which is to protect the sovereignty and security of Russia and South Ossetia. According to the Agreement on Joint Efforts to Protect the State Border of April 30, 2009, South Ossetia delegated to the Russian side the authority to protect its border with Georgia. In 2017, Moscow and Tskhinval signed an interstate agreement on the inclusion of part of the South Ossetian troops in the Russian army; Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law on its ratification in 2018.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240317/south-ossetia-discussing-with-russia-possible-incorporation---parliament-chairman-1117376535.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/guinea-bissau-backs-trade-in-national-currencies-supports-brics---foreign-minister-1120339814.html

Guinea-Bissau Backs Trade in National Currencies, Supports BRICS - Foreign Minister

Guinea-Bissau Backs Trade in National Currencies, Supports BRICS - Foreign Minister

Sputnik International

The Foreign Minister of Guinea-Bissau said the country supports trade in national currencies and the economic bloc BRICS.

2024-09-29T03:34+0000

2024-09-29T03:34+0000

2024-09-29T03:34+0000

world

russia

brics

guinea-bissau

kazan

un general assembly

sputnik

dedollarisation

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"We think that the initiative from BRICS, we support it because we intend to join it," Pereira said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. When asked whether Guinea-Bissau would be interested in engaging in bilateral trade using national currencies, Pereira said: "Absolutely." The minister added that despite years of efforts to restructure the international financial system without success, Guinea-Bissau planned to explore new approaches and saw BRICS as an alternative solution. When asked whether Guinea-Bissau had received an invitation to the upcoming BRICS Summit in Kazan, Pereira said "yes."Pereira added that the country would be represented at the event, though it was not yet decided at what level."I don't know, I cannot say it at the moment at what level, but we shall be present," he said.The summit of the association will be held in Kazan from October 22-24.On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia's trade partners are interested in switching to national currencies to pay for Russian exports. The president added that Russia and other BRICS countries were working to create their own payment system for independent servicing of trade.BRICS is an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Russia took the rotating presidency of the BRICS group in 2024. Russia is chairing BRICS under the motto "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/guinea-bissau-leader-may-conduct-state-visit-to-russia-this-year---foreign-minister-1120338926.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/idf-confirms-airstrikes-on-power-plants-port-in-yemens-al-hudaydah-1120350058.html

IDF Confirms Airstrikes on Power Plants, Port in Yemen's Al Hudaydah

IDF Confirms Airstrikes on Power Plants, Port in Yemen's Al Hudaydah

Sputnik International

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the Israeli air force had carried out strikes on the city of Al Hudaydah in the Houthi-controlled western Yemen, hitting several power plants and the local seaport.

2024-09-29T16:44+0000

2024-09-29T16:44+0000

2024-09-29T18:41+0000

world

israel

yemen

lebanon

israel-lebanon tensions

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Earlier in the day, a source in the provincial administration told Sputnik that Israeli fighter jets had launched a series of strikes on Al Hudaydah. The strikes were launched in response to the recent attacks by the Houthis against Israel, the IDF said.At the same time Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah confirmed that Nabil Kauk, a member of the Hezbollah's central council and Ali Karaki, commander of the movements southern front, have been killed in Israeli strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut.The statement also said that Kauk was killed in the Chiyah neighborhood located in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital on September 28.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/pentagon-chief-blew-up-as-israel-shortly-notified-us-of-strike-on-nasrallah---reports-1120340403.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/israel-planned-to-kill-nasrallah-in-october-2023-us-asked-to-cancel-attack---reportsa-1120351927.html

Israel Planned to Kill Nasrallah in October 2023, US Asked to Cancel Attack - Reports

Israel Planned to Kill Nasrallah in October 2023, US Asked to Cancel Attack - Reports

Sputnik International

The Israeli air force was ready to strike the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah shortly after the Hamas October 7 attack, but the operation was called off at the request of the US, the Financial Times newspaper reported.

2024-09-29T19:33+0000

2024-09-29T19:33+0000

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The Israeli attack did not take place in October 2023, since the White House asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recall the air force, the report said.On Saturday, Hezbollah confirmed that Nasrallah had been killed in the Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Friday.Israel began a massive bombing campaign, codenamed Northern Arrows, in southern and eastern parts of Lebanon on Monday. The Lebanese Health Ministry put the death toll at over 1,500. Hezbollah retaliated by firing dozens of rockets toward northern Israel.The escalation was preceded by a series of explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies that rocked Lebanon from September 17-18, killing about 40 people and injuring nearly 3,500 others.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240928/how-hassan-nasrallah-transformed-hezbollah-into-a-political-and-military-powerhouse-1120331734.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/mishustin-to-visit-iran-hold-talks-with-countrys-leadership-1120352845.html

Russian Prime Minister to Visit Iran, Hold Talks With Country's Leadership

Russian Prime Minister to Visit Iran, Hold Talks With Country's Leadership

Sputnik International

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will pay a visit to Iran on Monday where he will speak to Iran's leadership.

2024-09-29T21:54+0000

2024-09-29T21:54+0000

2024-09-30T04:23+0000

world

mikhail mishustin

masoud pezeshkian

iran

russia

brics

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During the talks, the parties plan to discuss the entire range of Russian-Iranian cooperation in trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas. Particular attention will be paid to the implementation of major joint projects in transport, energy, industry, agriculture and other areas. RUSSIA AND IRAN: COOPERATION Russian-Iranian relations are developing in all key areas. Over the past two years, more than two dozen intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents have been concluded in various sectors. Both countries have almost completed internal procedures necessary for signing a new fundamental interstate Treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran, which will replace and significantly supplement the current Treaty on the Fundamentals of Relations and Principles of Cooperation between the two countries. Priority attention is given to building economic ties. Large joint projects are being implemented in the field of transport infrastructure, nuclear and thermal energy, and the extraction and transportation of hydrocarbons. In a speech at a meeting of BRICS energy ministers, which was held as part of the Russian Energy Week, Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said that the republic intended to develop trade and transit of electricity, and in this regard proposed to connect the energy networks of Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia through it. According to the minister, Tehran has long been studying this issue. In addition, Iran and Russia plan to begin implementing the North-South International Transport Corridor (ITC) project. The ITC is a multimodal route from Russia's St. Petersburg to the Indian port of Mumbai with a length of 7,200 kilometers. There are three routes of the ITC: trans-Caspian (using railways and ports), as well as western and eastern (by land). In May 2023, Russia and Iran signed documents to complete the last necessary section of the railway of the western route  Rasht-Astara in Iran. As part of the development of the western route of the corridor, Russia will allocate a state export loan for the construction of a section of the Rasht-Astara railway in Iran, which will ensure "seamless" logistics from the Baltic to the southern Iranian ports. A continuous railway network along its eastern route already exists and is successfully operated. Interaction in the cultural, humanitarian and scientific-educational spheres between Russia and Iran is expanding as well. The number of Iranian citizens receiving education in Russian universities is increasing, including on a budgetary basis under a quota allocated by the Russian government. In addition, in July of this year, Iran completed the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the intergovernmental agreement on the establishment and conditions of operation of cultural centers. Thus, a legal basis was created for opening a Russian cultural center there. Mutual tourist flow between Russia and Iran has increased significantly due to the implementation of the Agreement on visa-free group tourist trips for citizens of the two countries; in 2024, more than 30,000 Iranian tourists visited Russia and more than 500 Russian tourists visited Iran.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240926/irans-energy-minister-proposes-linking-russia-uae-saudi-arabia-power-grids-through-iran-1120298770.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/thousands-of-iraqis-protest-nasrallah-assassination-near-us-embassy-in-baghdad-1120339335.html

Thousands of Iraqis Protest Nasrallah Assassination Near US Embassy in Baghdad

Thousands of Iraqis Protest Nasrallah Assassination Near US Embassy in Baghdad

Sputnik International

Thousands of Iraqis holding signs of deceased Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah flags protested against his killing by an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon by marching towards the US embassy.

2024-09-29T01:56+0000

2024-09-29T01:56+0000

2024-09-29T01:56+0000

world

middle east

hassan nasrallah

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https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0b/07/1090549420_0:156:3001:1844_1920x0_80_0_0_4e49ba073694cdb0980ff2bb4ef57cb6.jpg

The protesters, seen holding signs with Nasrallahs picture and the Hezbollah flag, were seemingly stopped by police and security forces at the 14th of July Bridge, which crosses the Tigris River and into the so-called Green Zone where the US and several other embassies are located.Earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned the Israeli airstrike that killed Nasrallah, calling it a crime that shows the Zionist entity has crossed all red lines. Al-Sudani declared three days of mourning across Iraq for Nasrallah and his companions.There appeared to be pushing and shoving between protesters and security forces. However, no arrests or serious clashes were reported.An Israeli airstrike killed Nasrallah in a densely populated neighborhood of southern Beirut on Friday evening. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least eleven people were killed and 108 wounded in the wave of Israeli bombings in the area on Friday night.According to Israeli media, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) used around 85 bunker-buster bombs in the attack, which burrow deep into the ground before detonating and can weigh up to 4,000 pounds (1,800kg). Their use and other heavy-duty bombs are banned in populated areas by the Geneva Conventions due to the potential for mass casualties. Several residential buildings were flattened in the attack.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240927/us-iraq-agree-on-two-phase-transition-plan-to-end-military-ops-in-iraq--senior-official-1120322340.html

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us embassy in baghdad, protests against israel in iraq, protest against the us in iraq
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/ukraine-loses-up-to-1965-soldiers-in-battles-over-past-24-hours---mod-1120344265.html

Russian Forces Take Control of Makeevka in Lugansk Region - Defense Ministry - MoD

Russian Forces Take Control of Makeevka in Lugansk Region - Defense Ministry - MoD

Sputnik International

The Ukrainian armed forces have lost up to 1,965 soldiers over the past 24 hours in battles with Russian forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

2024-09-29T10:04+0000

2024-09-29T10:04+0000

2024-09-29T12:12+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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ukraine

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The Ukrainian armed forces have lost up to 1,965 soldiers over the past 24 hours in battles with Russian forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said.Kiev has lost up to 620 soldiers, one tank and one weapon's depot in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr, the ministry said in a statement, adding that Russia's Battlegroup Yug eliminated up to 610 Ukrainian servicepeople. Russias Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated up to 450 Ukrainian soldiers and three weapons depots, the ministry said, adding that Kiev has lost up to 135 soldiers in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Vostok. Ukraine has also lost up to 70 soldiers in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Sever and up to 80 soldiers, one tank and three ammunition depots in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Dnepr, the defense ministry said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240924/ukraine-loses-over-16700-soldiers-during-operation-in-kursk-area---mod-1120271330.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/ukraine-preparing-to-use-chemical-biological-weapons-in-kherson-region---governor-1120345330.html

Ukraine Preparing to Use Chemical, Biological Weapons in Kherson Region - Governor

Ukraine Preparing to Use Chemical, Biological Weapons in Kherson Region - Governor

Sputnik International

Ukrainian prisoners of war say that Kiev is preparing to use chemical and bacteriological weapons to infect the water bodies in the Kherson Region, the governor of the Russian-controlled part of the region, Vladimir Saldo, told Sputnik on Sunday.

2024-09-29T12:15+0000

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"They [the Ukrainian authorities] are preparing for it, unfortunately. That's what prisoners say. They are preparing to use chemical weapons to potentially infect water bodies, which will then be a biological weapon," Saldo said. In light of this, the governor proposed introducing civil defense lessons in local schools. In February 2022, the Russian Defense Ministry discovered the existence of 30 US-funded military biological laboratories in Ukraine. According to Moscow, Washington has spent over $200 million to develop biological weapons at the facilities. Russia also said that the labs discovered in Ukraine constituted only a small part of a global network of over 300 similar facilities. Washington has denied the allegations.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240827/ukraine-mulling-dirty-bomb-use-false-flag-chemical-provocations-with-us-help---russias-mod-1119926381.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/underground-city-for-russian-military-built-in-kherson-area-1120340531.html

Underground City for Russian Military Built in Kherson Area

Underground City for Russian Military Built in Kherson Area

Sputnik International

The Russian Armed Forces has created an "underground city" in Kherson area for accommodation and recovery of personnel of Battlegroup Dnepr.

2024-09-29T07:22+0000

2024-09-29T07:22+0000

2024-09-29T07:22+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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The underground city has living quarters, a kitchen, canteen, bathhouse, gym, laundry room, dryer, clothing repair shop, and hairdresser, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.According to the Defense Ministry, the shelters are spacious, equipped with stoves, external and internal communications, electricity, a central warning system, and water. There is also a classroom for the preparation and delivery of lectures on military disciplines.The total length of the city's passageways and trenches is more than four kilometers, with a depth of more than four meters. The aim was to create conditions that would allow the soldiers to get away from the military routine for a while. After resting, units are sent back to the front line to carry out their duties.Earlier, Vladimir Saldo, governor of the Kherson region, said that the transfer of some Ukrainian units to Donbass and the Kursk region had weakened Kiev's forces in the Kherson area. He explained that Ukrainian activity on the left bank of the river had decreased, and that Ukrainian militants are trying to defend themselves. Saldo added that Ukrainian troops aren't trying to cross the river or build powerful fortifications.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240515/exceeds-all-expectations-russian-servicemen-praise-terminator-tank-support-vehicle-1118438370.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/up-to-1mln-people-internally-displaced-in-lebanon-amid-israeli-attacks---authorities-1120346083.html

Up to 1Mln People Internally Displaced in Lebanon Amid Israeli Attacks - Authorities

Up to 1Mln People Internally Displaced in Lebanon Amid Israeli Attacks - Authorities

Sputnik International

Nearly 1 million people have been internally displaced in Lebanon amid Israeli attacks, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Sunday, adding that the country's priority is to stop the ongoing aggression against Lebanon.

2024-09-29T12:23+0000

2024-09-29T12:23+0000

2024-09-29T12:23+0000

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"The number of internally displaced people in Lebanon has reached almost 1 million people, the largest exodus from places of residence in Lebanon's history," Mikati told a press conference. The Lebanese government will ask donor countries to help Beirut under these circumstances and will cooperate with prominent donors to avoid the penetration of suspicious assistance, the prime minister said. Mikati expressed his country's readiness to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 on the cessation of hostilities between Lebanese movement Hezbollah and Israel, provided that the relevant circumstances exist, including a ceasefire on all front lines, including the Gaza Strip. The country will mobilize all its capacities at the political and diplomatic levels to show that stopping the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon is Beiruts top priority, Mikati added. Israel began a massive bombing campaign, codenamed Northern Arrows, in southern and eastern parts of Lebanon on Monday. The Lebanese Health Ministry put the death toll at over 1,500. Hezbollah retaliated by firing dozens of rockets toward northern Israel. The escalation was preceded by a series of explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies that rocked Lebanon from September 17-18, killing about 40 people and injuring nearly 3,500 others. The situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border worsened after the start of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240927/raging-houthis-target-tel-aviv-launch-largest-attack-on-us-warships-to-date-amid-lebanon-escalation-1120320669.html

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lebanese prime minister najib mikati, amid israeli attacks, aggression against lebanon
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/us-considering-more-troops-in-middle-east-after-nasrallah-assassination---reports-1120339136.html

US Considering More Troops in Middle East After Nasrallah Assassination - Reports

US Considering More Troops in Middle East After Nasrallah Assassination - Reports

Sputnik International

Washington is considering sending more troops to the Middle East to prepare for a possible Iranian or Lebanese response to the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

2024-09-29T01:47+0000

2024-09-29T01:47+0000

2024-09-29T01:47+0000

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Various options for increasing the US contingent in the region were presented to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who discussed some of them with US President Joe Biden and national security officials, but no final decision has been made yet, the channel noted. The United States currently has about 40,000 soldiers stationed in the Middle East. According to the broadcaster, the Pentagon, in particular, is considering strengthening the air defense of its contingent in the region. Earlier, the Hezbollah movement confirmed the death of its Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburb of Beirut. Since last week, the Israeli Air Force has been carrying out massive strikes on Hezbollah targets in different areas of Lebanon. Several pinpoint airstrikes were also recorded on Beirut, as a result of which high-ranking Hezbollah commanders were eliminated. To date, the Israeli army has reported strikes on several thousand Hezbollah targets. Observers note that Israel has not attacked Hezbollah with such intensity since the Second Lebanon War in 2006.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240928/live-updates-israeli-lebanese-tensions-soar-as-hezbollah-leader-nasrallah-killed-in-idf-bombing-1120330572.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/us-finds-hard-to-predict-irans-hezbollahs-reaction-to-killing-nasrallah---reports-1120342590.html

US Finds Hard to Predict Iran's, Hezbollah's Reaction to Killing Nasrallah - Reports

US Finds Hard to Predict Iran's, Hezbollah's Reaction to Killing Nasrallah - Reports

Sputnik International

The US President Joe Biden administration finds it difficult to predict possible retaliatory measures of Iran and Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah amid the death of the latter's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in the Israeli strike, The Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing sources in the White House.

2024-09-29T07:25+0000

2024-09-29T07:25+0000

2024-09-29T07:25+0000

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hassan nasrallah

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On Saturday, the Biden administration officials said they were still examining the situation in Lebanon and next potential steps, adding it was hard to forecast developments in the nearest days, the newspaper said. Washington is currently getting ready for a number of possible scenarios, including a direct retaliatory attack from Hezbollah, attacks from other Iranian proxies, such as Yemeni Houthis, Iranian attacks on US troops deployed in the region or a direct Iranian missile attack on Israel, the media reported, citing one senior administration official. US officials continue to advise Israel against a ground invasion of Lebanon, the senior official told the newspaper. On Saturday, Hezbollah confirmed that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Friday. Israel began a massive bombing campaign, codenamed Northern Arrows, in southern and eastern parts of Lebanon on Monday. The Lebanese Health Ministry put the death toll at over 1,500. Hezbollah retaliated by firing dozens of rockets toward northern Israel. The escalation was preceded by a series of explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies that rocked Lebanon from September 17-18, killing about 40 people and injuring nearly 3,500 others.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240928/what-is-hezbollah-and-how-is-it-organized-1120336556.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240929/what-would-election-win-for-austrias-right-wing-fpo-mean-1120349636.html

What Would Election Win for Austrias Right-Wing FPO Mean?

What Would Election Win for Austrias Right-Wing FPO Mean?

Sputnik International

The right-wing Freedom Party's potential first win in Austrias parliamentary elections would follow a string of successes for right-wing parties across Europe.

2024-09-29T15:20+0000

2024-09-29T15:20+0000

2024-09-29T15:21+0000

world

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The FPO, led by former interior minister Herbert Kickl, was at around 27% in pre-election polls, with the governing center-right Austrian Peoples Party (OVP) on 25% and the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) on 21%, according to European aggregator PolitPro.In June, the FPO came top for the first time in European Parliament elections, which also saw gains by other European right-wing parties.Kickl has campaigned on pledges to push back against the EUs forced multiculturalism, globalization and mass immigration, and has called for re-migration of unwanted strangers to their country of origin.On the Ukraine conflict, the FPO has criticized Western military aid to Ukraine, slammed the "madness of anti-Russia sanctions that are destroying the well-being of Austria and opposed Ukraine's accession to the EU. FPO MPs walked out of parliament during an address by Ukrainian lead Volodymyr Zelensky in March 2023, arguing his speech violated Austria's neutrality.The FPO calls for a two-gender constitutional determination to promote family as a partnership between a man and a woman with common children.Since it is not projected to win outright, the FPO would need to seek coalition partners to form a government. But Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the governing OVP has ruled out teaming up with Kickl.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240630/hungarian-prime-minister-announces-new-right-wing-bloc-in-european-parliament-1119188767.html

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In the first two legs of the MSSBA Golden Boy Stakes, sophomore Looinlikeamillion prevailed as the public choice. He repeated that success in the $11,954 final on Saturday, Sept. 28 at The Loop.

One aspect of the victory that was different for Lookinlikeamillion: the trip. This week  and for the first time this year  Lookinlikeamillion set all the fractions for driver Richard Remillard. After setting stanzas of :29.3, 1:00.2 and 1:31.2 on top, Lookinlikeamillion powered home in a half minute for the facile 5-1/4 length score in 2:01.2. Cartoon Kid (Marc Fillion) was next best, with Tough Crowd (Darryl Mason) the show finisher.

Tara Isman trains the son of Armbro Baylor - Untold Millions, now a seven-time winner with $38,251 in earnings. Tara also co-owns with Dr. Valerie Isman & George Isman of Gladstone, Man. and Garett Isman of Calgary, Alta. He paid $3.50 to win.

Choozetocruise ($5.90) made every call a winning one to capture the $11,406 MSSBA Silk Lace final for three-year-old pacing fillies.

Sent to the front from post two by driver Don Howlett, second choice Choozetocruise chopped out fractions of :29.2, 1:00.3 and 1:31.3 before pacing home in :29 to trip the timer in 2:00.3. Grit N Grace (Dean Rey) chased from the pocket to no avail, staying for second, with favoured Chasin Rainbows recovering from an early break to finish third for driver Richard Remillard.

Trevor Williams of Landmark, Man. owns Choozetocruise (Lambretta - Kilo Dream), now a seven-time winner in 10 starts this season with $32,383 in seasonal earnings. He's handed the training over to Mathew Howlett.

The win with Choozetocruise kicked off a training natural hat trick for Howlett, who came right back to the winner's circle in the third race with Voodoo Blue Chip (2:02.1; $5.10) and then scored with Litizor ($8.00) in the $8,000 Open Pace for driver/co-owner Don Howlett and co-owner Dwayne Taylor of Minto, Man. Don guided the six-year-old gelded son of Vertical Horizon - Mothers Melody to a gate-to-wire seasonal best 1:59.2 score over favoured Armycaptin Hanover (Michel Rey) and Mach Jacobs (Dean Rey). He's now a 18-time winner with $88,374 in earnings.

Howlett's three training tallies lift him into the local lead with 17 wins this season, two better than Richard Rey, and his seasonal totals are stellar: 21-9- 4 from 46 starts with a 0.594 UTRS and $75,494 in earnings.

Shady Roan ($6.70) scored his first career win with a confident 2:04.3 effort in the MSSBA Juvenile Stake for two-year-olds. Clayton Braybrook engineered the winning effort, a wire-to-wire tally where he was more than four lengths better than stablemate Wood Morning (Michel Rey) and Van Goghing Fast (Fillion).

Breeder Aurel Vodon of Virden, Man. co-owns Shady Roan (Mr Rock - Simply Awesome) with Katie MacLennan of Winnipeg.

Trainer Sherri Mason also tripled on the card, bookending the 11-race program with wins courtesy Treasure Horizon (1:59.1; $14.70) in the first and Aime Hanover (2:01; $3.30) in the finale while also connecting with Hurry Home (2:00.1; $2.70) in the ninth.

For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results - The Loop

(Standardbred Canada)
The Maine Sire Stakes two-year-old finals featured a pair of unbeaten youngsters with a few surprises in the other divisions on Saturday, Sept. 28, the closing day of the 152nd Cumberland Fair.

Whatawonder cruised to an easy victory in the $102,369 Maine Sire Stakes final for freshman male trotters to maintain his perfect rookie record.

Leaving from the outer most post position six, driver Ken Watson wasted no time to get his talented charge to the top. Dropping a :29.4 opening panel, which was his fastest ever, the gelding proceeded to carry his four-length advantage through the remaining splits of 1:01.3 and 1:31.3. Looking stronger with every stride, the son of Whataworkout strode home in 2:02.4, a new lifetime best and a divisional track record. Libertys Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second and the winner's stablemate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) was third.

Owned and bred by Barbara Lawson, Whatawonder earned his 10th straight victory while paying $3.40 to win. He is trained by Lisa Watson.

In the $102,734 Maine Sire Stakes final for two-year-old male pacers, the undefeated Massive Speed did not disappoint as the heavy 2-5 favourite.

Thrusting out from behind the starting car, Massive Speed and driver Walter Case Jr. smartly let early speedster Race Me Celtic (Drew Campbell) assume command, albeit briefly. A give-and-go release gave Massive Speed the top again just past the :27.4 swift opening panel.

At the :58.4 half-mile marker, a cavalry charge of side-steppers were stacked up three-high as they passed the stands the second time, with Jax Attack (Aaron Hall) first-over and Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) applying pressure alongside three-wide. While Massive Speed was on top by three at the 1:28 third stanza, Race Me Celtic was gapping his cover in the pocket with Gracies Tough Guy first-over and looking to duck to the pylons.

As the field turned for home, Massive Speed had gained considerable separation on the rest of the field. Only Gracies Tough Guy had stayed within two lengths of the son of Dudes The Man, as Case held his whip high while crossing the wire and broke the divisional track record with the 1:58.2 triumph. Race Me Celtic finished third.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, Massive Speed also earned his 10th consecutive victory and paid $2.80 to win. The colt was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

Little Shot took a big shot and prevailed in the $102,589 final for two-year-old trotting fillies. Driven by conditioner and co-owner Ivan Davies, the daughter of Noble Venture was sent right out for the lead from their pylon position at the start and proceeded to make every call a winning one, tripping the timer in 2:04.1. Barbella (Bruce Ranger) finished second and Race Me Bombshell (Drew Campbell) was third.

Little Shot was the second choice on the board and paid $7.40 to win while improving her record to 2-3-0 in 10 starts. Also co-owned by Shirley Hutchins, she was bred by Dr. Douglass Hutchins and Paul Kinnear.

In the $102,461 Maine Sire Stakes final for freshman pacing fillies, Leanne Marie crossed the wire first for driver Mike Cushing. However, the judges determined that Leanne Marie interfered with Chasing Dudes and Nick Graffam in mid-stretch, therefore the latter filly was declared the winner, with the former being placed second. Audry (Steve Wilson) finished third.

Chasing Dudes, a daughter of Dudes The Man with a record now reading 4-3-1 in 10 starts, is trained by Mike Graffam for owner/breeder Bob Marston. She paid $7.80 to win.

The days fastest race was the $13,514 Winners Over class and Lifes A Puzzle triumphed for driver Kevin Switzer Jr. in 1:54.4. Trained by Alison Hynes for owner Richard Humphrey, the four-year-old son of Lazarus N is another successful graduate of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition.

The day also included a plethora of $13,514 Pop-Up Series finals, which were well received by the large crowd of fans and bettors on hand for the final day of the fair.

(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)
Workinitonbroadway strutted his stuff for an encore in the Preferred 4 Handicap Trot at Leamington Raceway, taking Sunday's feature on Harness The Hope Day.

Overcoming his outside post assignment in the $5,000 Preferred, Workinitonbroadway crossed to the command into the first turn ahead of 6-5 favourite Toscano Girl and never looked back as he extended his lead through the stretch to win by nearly three lengths in 2:02.4 over the 'good' track for trainer/driver Donnie Rankin Jr. Toscano Girl won the battle for second over Duke Deo, who journeyed first-over through the final lap.

Let go at 6-1 odds despite a victory from the trailing tier in last week's top trot, Workinitonbroadway returned $15.50 to his backers for the mild upset.

Going over the $400,000 mark in career earnings, the eight-year-old Broadway Hall gelding has proven time and again he knows how to win, with 51 successful starts on his resume. He's earned eight of those wins this year from 35 starts for Rankin and co-owner Chris Hadrian.

Sunday was Harness The Hope Day at Leamington Raceway, benefitting breast cancer support programs, awareness and research within Canada.

Driver Natasha Day, a supporter of Harness The Hope for more than five years at events held across Canadian racetracks, was named the charitable organization's first ambassador and pledged to donate all of her driver earnings from the day to the cause.

"Harness The Hope have been great at sponsoring me to fly all over Ontario, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia. We're going to Alberta next month and doing their first Harness The Hope out there," Day announced during the Sunday program. "It's great to represent Harness The Hope and women drivers all under the one banner."

To view Sunday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Leamington Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 40,030,000 shares, a growth of 92.8% from the August 31st total of 20,760,000 shares. Approximately 3.1% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 15,200,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.6 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Argus raised Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $26.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, June 7th. UBS Group raised their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, September 5th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $18.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $21.00 to $24.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. Finally, Loop Capital boosted their target price on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $16.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $21.31.

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Trading Down 1.0 %

HPE stock traded down $0.21 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $20.14. 10,396,804 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 15,995,072. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.70, a P/E/G ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.94. The business has a 50 day moving average of $18.56 and a 200-day moving average of $18.67. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 52-week low of $14.47 and a 52-week high of $22.82.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, September 4th. The technology company reported $0.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $7.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.67 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 6.39% and a return on equity of 8.94%. The businesss revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.35 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 19th will be paid a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.58%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 19th. Hewlett Packard Enterprises dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.96%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Neil B. Macdonald sold 29,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.00, for a total value of $493,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 82,061 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,395,037. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Antonio F. Neri sold 83,334 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.72, for a total value of $1,643,346.48. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,758,641 shares in the company, valued at approximately $34,680,400.52. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Neil B. Macdonald sold 29,000 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction on Friday, September 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.00, for a total value of $493,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 82,061 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,395,037. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Rise Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 253.9% during the first quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 1,465 shares of the technology companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,051 shares during the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 571.5% during the second quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 1,343 shares of the technology companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 1,143 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the second quarter valued at $28,000. American National Bank raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 89.4% in the 1st quarter. American National Bank now owns 1,949 shares of the technology companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 920 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ORG Partners LLC lifted its position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 224.5% during the 2nd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,853 shares of the technology companys stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,282 shares during the period. 80.78% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other.

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Restaurant Brands New Zealand Limited (OTCMKTS:RTBRF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,500 shares, a decrease of 44.4% from the August 31st total of 2,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Restaurant Brands New Zealand Stock Performance

RTBRF stock remained flat at $2.15 during trading on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $1.85 and its 200 day moving average is $1.93. Restaurant Brands New Zealand has a 52 week low of $1.56 and a 52 week high of $2.40.

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Restaurant Brands New Zealand Company Profile

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Restaurant Brands New Zealand Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates quick service and takeaway restaurants in New Zealand, Australia, California, Hawaii, Saipan, and Guam. The company operates through KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl's Jr., and Taco Bell brand names. Restaurant Brands New Zealand Limited was incorporated in 1997 and is based in Penrose, New Zealand.

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China CITIC Bank Co. Limited (OTCMKTS:CHCJY  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 200 shares, an increase of 100.0% from the August 31st total of 100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days.

China CITIC Bank Stock Performance

CHCJY stock remained flat at $14.02 during trading on Friday. The company had a trading volume of 28 shares, compared to its average volume of 887. The company has a market capitalization of $34.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.29 and a beta of 0.05. The companys 50 day moving average price is $12.02 and its 200 day moving average price is $11.61. China CITIC Bank has a 12 month low of $8.63 and a 12 month high of $14.02. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52.

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About China CITIC Bank

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China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited provides various banking products and services in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company operates in segments, such as Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, and Financial Market business. It accepts deposits; offers corporate and personal loans; and provides securities agency, remittance and settlement, and guarantee services, as well as investment banking and international services.

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Societe BIC SA (OTCMKTS:BICEY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 100 shares, a decrease of 50.0% from the August 31st total of 200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 6,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Societe BIC Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:BICEY traded up $0.20 on Friday, hitting $34.19. 2,352 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,422. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $32.79 and a 200-day moving average of $33.76. Societe BIC has a fifty-two week low of $29.07 and a fifty-two week high of $39.57.

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Societe BIC Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.7924 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th.

About Societe BIC

Societe BIC SA manufactures and sells stationery, lighter, shaver, and other products worldwide. It offers ball and coloring felt pens, glitter pens, markers, graphic and coloring pencils, shavers, mechanical pencils, sticky notes, printing products, stationery dyes, leads, white boards, correction tapes; pocket, utility, and decorated lighters; paints, gouache, watercolor, gels, highlighters, and various other products.

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BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MYN  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 30,400 shares, an increase of 55.9% from the August 31st total of 19,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 79,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. TIAA Trust National Association increased its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 20.7% in the second quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 12,821 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $134,000 after buying an additional 2,200 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 3.1% in the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 103,876 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,088,000 after purchasing an additional 3,140 shares in the last quarter. Breakwater Capital Group lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 46.0% in the second quarter. Breakwater Capital Group now owns 37,502 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $393,000 after purchasing an additional 11,809 shares in the last quarter. Joseph P. Lucia & Associates LLC bought a new stake in BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund during the second quarter worth $121,000. Finally, Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund by 0.6% during the second quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 681,556 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $7,136,000 after acquiring an additional 4,020 shares during the period. 29.32% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund Stock Up 0.1 %

BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund stock traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $10.77. The stock had a trading volume of 58,086 shares, compared to its average volume of 75,054. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $10.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $10.44. BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund has a 1-year low of $8.47 and a 1-year high of $10.86.

BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund Increases Dividend

BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund Company Profile

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.0512 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 15th. This is a positive change from BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Funds previous monthly dividend of $0.04. This represents a $0.61 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.70%.

(Get Free Report)

BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in a portfolio of long-term investment grade municipal bonds exempt from federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes.

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Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (NYSE:BXSL  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, August 7th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of 0.77 per share on Friday, October 25th. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.20%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th.

Blackstone Secured Lending Fund has a dividend payout ratio of 94.8% meaning its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the companys earnings decline. Analysts expect Blackstone Secured Lending Fund to earn $3.36 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $3.08 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 91.7%.

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Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Price Performance

Blackstone Secured Lending Fund stock opened at $30.20 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $6.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.05 and a beta of 0.44. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $30.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $30.77. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund has a 1 year low of $25.83 and a 1 year high of $32.67.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Blackstone Secured Lending Fund ( NYSE:BXSL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $327.06 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $310.23 million. Blackstone Secured Lending Fund had a net margin of 58.08% and a return on equity of 13.36%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.06 EPS. Research analysts expect that Blackstone Secured Lending Fund will post 3.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Several equities analysts have recently commented on BXSL shares. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $33.00 price target on shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from $31.50 to $32.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Blackstone Secured Lending Fund from $32.00 to $31.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $31.80.

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Blackstone Secured Lending Fund Company Profile

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Blackstone Secured Lending Fund is business development company and a Delaware statutory trust formed on March 26, 2018, and structured as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end investment Fund. On October 26, 2018, the fund elected to be regulated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).

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Shares of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (NYSE:TPH  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the five ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, two have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong 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 $46.75.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on TPH shares. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of Tri Pointe Homes from $46.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Tri Pointe Homes from $42.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Zelman & Associates upgraded shares of Tri Pointe Homes from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $43.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 17th. Wedbush restated a neutral rating and issued a $42.00 price target on shares of Tri Pointe Homes in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Tri Pointe Homes to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Trading of Tri Pointe Homes

In other Tri Pointe Homes news, General Counsel David Ch Lee sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.28, for a total value of $221,400.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 85,792 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,798,869.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . In other Tri Pointe Homes news, General Counsel David Ch Lee sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.28, for a total value of $221,400.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 85,792 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,798,869.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, CFO Glenn J. Keeler sold 24,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.16, for a total transaction of $1,117,072.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 149,108 shares in the company, valued at $6,882,825.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock.

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new stake in shares of Tri Pointe Homes in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,135,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 132.8% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 122,337 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $4,730,000 after acquiring an additional 69,789 shares during the period. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd bought a new stake in Tri Pointe Homes during the 1st quarter worth approximately $834,000. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System increased its stake in Tri Pointe Homes by 64.7% during the 1st quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 83,261 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,219,000 after purchasing an additional 32,717 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC increased its stake in Tri Pointe Homes by 3,110.4% during the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 107,710 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,012,000 after purchasing an additional 104,355 shares in the last quarter. 97.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Tri Pointe Homes Stock Performance

NYSE:TPH opened at $45.01 on Friday. Tri Pointe Homes has a 1 year low of $24.18 and a 1 year high of $47.78. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $43.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $39.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.21 billion, a PE ratio of 12.00, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.59.

Tri Pointe Homes (NYSE:TPH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.09 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $1.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.07 billion. Tri Pointe Homes had a net margin of 10.28% and a return on equity of 14.03%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 38.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.60 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Tri Pointe Homes will post 4.68 EPS for the current year.

About Tri Pointe Homes

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Tri Pointe Homes, Inc engages in the design, construction, and sale of single-family attached and detached homes in the United States. The company operates through a portfolio of six regional home building brands comprising Maracay in Arizona; Pardee Homes in California and Nevada; Quadrant Homes in Washington; Trendmaker Homes in Texas; TRI Pointe Homes in California, Colorado, and the Carolinas; and Winchester Homes in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

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Sylvania Platinum Limited (LON:SLP  Get Free Report) insider Lewanne Carminati sold 19,350 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 50 ($0.67), for a total transaction of 9,675 ($12,955.28).

Sylvania Platinum Price Performance

LON:SLP opened at GBX 49 ($0.66) on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 53.46 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 60.35. Sylvania Platinum Limited has a 1-year low of GBX 41 ($0.55) and a 1-year high of GBX 87 ($1.16). The stock has a market capitalization of 128.18 million, a PE ratio of 2,450.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.05 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a current ratio of 9.94, a quick ratio of 15.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41.

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Sylvania Platinum Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 31st will be issued a dividend of GBX 1 ($0.01) per share. This represents a yield of 1.92%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 31st. Sylvania Platinums dividend payout ratio is 10,000.00%.

About Sylvania Platinum

Sylvania Platinum Limited primarily engages in the retreatment of platinum group metals (PGM) bearing chrome tailings materials in South Africa and Mauritius. The company produces PGMs, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. It holds interests in the Sylvania dump operations that comprise six chrome beneficiation and PGM processing plants located in the Eastern and Western Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex; and various mineral asset development projects, including Volspruit and Northern Limb projects located on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex located in South Africa.

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Olympus Co. (OTCMKTS:OLYMY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 9,300 shares, a decline of 18.4% from the August 31st total of 11,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 48,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Olympus Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:OLYMY traded up $0.34 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $19.04. 20,824 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 42,247. Olympus has a 1 year low of $12.36 and a 1 year high of $19.26. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $17.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.13.

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About Olympus

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Olympus Corporation manufactures and sells precision machineries and instruments worldwide. It operates through: Endoscopic Solutions Business, Therapeutic Solutions Business, Scientific Solutions Business, and Others segments. The Endoscopic Solutions Business segment offers gastrointestinal and surgical endoscopy systems, surgical microscopes, endoscope reprocessors, and maintenance services.

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Ecolab (NYSE:ECL  Free Report) had its target price raised by Piper Sandler from $270.00 to $305.00 in a report issued on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the basic materials companys stock.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on ECL. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Ecolab from $243.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Ecolab from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $233.00 to $283.00 in a research report on Monday, July 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Ecolab from $225.00 to $228.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Bank of America upgraded Ecolab from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $251.00 to $272.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Ecolab to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ecolab has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $265.43.

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Ecolab Stock Down 0.5 %

Ecolab stock opened at $254.59 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $72.70 billion, a PE ratio of 47.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.50. Ecolab has a one year low of $156.72 and a one year high of $256.59. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $245.50 and a 200 day moving average of $237.02.

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The basic materials company reported $1.68 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $3.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.03 billion. Ecolab had a return on equity of 21.65% and a net margin of 10.95%. Ecolabs revenue for the quarter was up 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.24 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Ecolab will post 6.65 EPS for the current year.

Ecolab Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 17th. Ecolabs payout ratio is presently 42.22%.

Insider Activity at Ecolab

In other news, Director David Maclennan purchased 650 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 2nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $240.41 per share, with a total value of $156,266.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 17,967 shares in the company, valued at $4,319,446.47. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Director Victoria Reich sold 393 shares of Ecolab stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $98,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 24,041 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,010,250. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director David Maclennan bought 650 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $240.41 per share, with a total value of $156,266.50. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 17,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,319,446.47. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.04% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ecolab

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Ecolab by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,486,858 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $5,423,116,000 after purchasing an additional 304,402 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its holdings in Ecolab by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 2,558,198 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $608,851,000 after acquiring an additional 122,715 shares during the period. Mirova US LLC boosted its holdings in Ecolab by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Mirova US LLC now owns 1,975,415 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $470,149,000 after acquiring an additional 43,553 shares during the period. Swedbank AB purchased a new position in Ecolab during the 1st quarter valued at $390,687,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Ecolab by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,372,379 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $326,626,000 after acquiring an additional 24,648 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.91% of the companys stock.

Ecolab Company Profile

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Ecolab Inc provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Global Industrial; Global Institutional & Specialty; and Global Healthcare & Life Sciences. The Global Industrial segment offers water treatment and process applications, and cleaning and sanitizing solutions to manufacturing, food and beverage processing, transportation, chemical, metals and mining, power generation, pulp and paper, commercial laundry, petroleum, refining, and petrochemical industries.

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Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB  Get Free Report) and Albina Community Bancorp (OTCMKTS:ACBCQ  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, risk and earnings.

Risk & Volatility

Prosperity Bancshares has a beta of 0.9, meaning that its stock price is 10% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Albina Community Bancorp has a beta of 4.41, meaning that its stock price is 341% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Institutional & Insider Ownership

80.7% of Prosperity Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.3% of Prosperity Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Prosperity Bancshares $1.60 billion 4.22 $419.32 million $4.34 16.31 Albina Community Bancorp N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

This table compares Prosperity Bancshares and Albina Community Bancorps gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Prosperity Bancshares has higher revenue and earnings than Albina Community Bancorp.

Profitability

This table compares Prosperity Bancshares and Albina Community Bancorps net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Prosperity Bancshares 25.10% 6.32% 1.15% Albina Community Bancorp N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Prosperity Bancshares and Albina Community Bancorp, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Prosperity Bancshares 0 3 10 0 2.77 Albina Community Bancorp 0 0 0 0 N/A

Prosperity Bancshares presently has a consensus target price of $77.58, suggesting a potential upside of 9.57%. Given Prosperity Bancshares higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Prosperity Bancshares is more favorable than Albina Community Bancorp.

Summary

Prosperity Bancshares beats Albina Community Bancorp on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Prosperity Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; term loans and lines of credit; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery. In addition, it provides internet banking, mobile banking, trust and wealth management, retail brokerage, mortgage services, and treasury management, as well as debit and credit cards. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

About Albina Community Bancorp

(Get Free Report)

Albina Community Bancorp operates as a bank holding company for Albina Community Bank that provides various banking products and services in Portland. The company offers checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposits and individual retirement accounts. It also provides personal loans, home equity lines of credit, operating lines of credit, term loans, and commercial real estate loans; government guaranteed lending and accounts receivable financing; and credit cards. In addition, the company offers online banking and cash management, merchant, wire transfer, online bill payment, business payroll, deposit courier, night depository, automated customer, free cash withdrawals, and workplace banking services, as well as overdraft protection products. Albina Community Bancorp was incorporated in 1993 and is based in Portland, Oregon. On September 17, 2014, Albina Community Bancorp filed a voluntary petition for liquidation under Chapter 7 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon.

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Sampo Oyj (OTCMKTS:SAXPF  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,370,500 shares, a drop of 27.3% from the August 31st total of 3,260,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 11,852.5 days.

Sampo Oyj Price Performance

Shares of SAXPF stock remained flat at $45.25 during trading on Friday. Sampo Oyj has a one year low of $38.03 and a one year high of $45.25. The businesss 50 day moving average is $44.00 and its 200 day moving average is $43.05.

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Sampo Oyj Company Profile

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Sampo Oyj, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of non-life insurance products and services in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and the United Kingdom. The company operates through If, Topdanmark, Hastings, Mandatum, and Holding segments. It offers property, casualty, liability, accident, sickness, household, homeowner, motor, travel, marine, aviation, transport, forest, livestock, health, workers compensation, car, van, and bike insurance services, as well as reinsurance services.

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Splash Beverage Group, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:SBEV  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 173,400 shares, a decrease of 20.6% from the August 31st total of 218,300 shares. Currently, 0.4% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 666,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. HC Wainwright reiterated a buy rating and set a $1.00 target price on shares of Splash Beverage Group in a report on Monday, August 26th. Roth Mkm reiterated a buy rating and issued a $1.00 price objective on shares of Splash Beverage Group in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Splash Beverage Group

Splash Beverage Group Trading Up 2.0 %

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Splash Beverage Group stock. Sanibel Captiva Trust Company Inc. acquired a new position in Splash Beverage Group, Inc. ( NYSEAMERICAN:SBEV Free Report ) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 60,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,000. Sanibel Captiva Trust Company Inc. owned 0.13% of Splash Beverage Group as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 5.77% of the companys stock.

NYSEAMERICAN SBEV traded up $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $0.25. The company had a trading volume of 233,515 shares, compared to its average volume of 474,089. Splash Beverage Group has a one year low of $0.20 and a one year high of $0.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.31 million, a PE ratio of -0.50 and a beta of -1.28.

Splash Beverage Group (NYSEAMERICAN:SBEV  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 14th. The company reported ($0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09). Splash Beverage Group had a negative net margin of 207.89% and a negative return on equity of 1,659.09%. The company had revenue of $1.05 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.61 million. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Splash Beverage Group will post -0.34 earnings per share for the current year.

About Splash Beverage Group

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Splash Beverage Group, Inc engages in the manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and sale of various beverages in the United States. It is involved in the manufacture and distribution of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages; and retail sale of beverages and groceries online through qplash.com. The company's products include flavored tequilas under the SALT Naturally Flavored Tequila name; hydration and energy products under the TapouT Performance name; wine under the Copa DI Vino name; and Pulpoloco Sangria.

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Vietnams top leader to visit Mongolia, Ireland, France after US, Cuba tour

By Quang Minh Sun, September 29, 2024 | 10:49 am GMT+7

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam will pay state visits to Mongolia and Ireland, attend the 19th Francophonie Summit, and make an official visit to France from September 30-October 7.

Vietnam's Party chief and State President To Lam. Photo courtesy of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Lam will make the visits at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Irish President Michael D. Higgins, and French President Emmanuel Macron, respectively.

Ahead of the visits, Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son stated that the leaders upcoming overseas tour affirms Vietnams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification.

The trip also shows that Vietnam treasures its relations with the three countries and wishes to further elevate the cooperation with them, Son added.

The visit to Mongolia comes as the two countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the bilateral relationship is at its best, Son said.

Lams trip to Ireland will be the first state visit since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1996.

Vietnam and France celebrated 50 years of relations and the 10th anniversary of a strategic partnership in 2023.

Vietnams Party chief has wrapped up a working trip to the U.S. to attend the United Nations Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) and pay a state visit to Cuba from September 21-27.

On August 18-20, Lam paid a state visit to China and met with the highest leaders of the neighboring nation. This was his first trip abroad after becoming the Party chief in early August.
(TBTCO) - Trong thang 9/2024, So Giao dich Chung khoan Ha Noi a to chuc 18 ot au thau trai phieu Chinh phu do Kho bac Nha nuoc phat hanh, huy ong uoc 33.374 ty ong, trong o ky han 10 nam van giu ty trong cao nhat voi 66% tong khoi luong phat hanh.
Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Mena region, has signed a first-of-its kind sustainability-linked loan agreement with Dubais Landmark Retail, a top value conglomerate in the retail sector in the Middle East.

The signing of an environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-linked working capital facility in Riyadh marks the first time a private sector company has signed a bilateral sustainability-linked loan in Saudi Arabia.

The partnership underlines both parties long-standing commitment to Vision 2030 and the kingdoms sustainability goals.

The collaboration is fully aligned with Landmark Retails ongoing efforts to achieve net-zero and extends its efforts to provide even greater access to a comprehensive suite of leading-edge sustainable financial solutions.

The agreement was signed in the presence of leading officials and representatives from both companies. Rajesh Garg, Group Chief Financial Officer, Landmark Group, was joined at the event by the omnichannel Retail conglomerates Head of Treasury, Shabbir Ahmad; and Deputy General Manager of Finance, Ravi Chandran.

Emirates NBD was represented at the signing ceremony by the banks Group Co-Head of Corporate Coverage, Corporate and Institutional Banking, Pri McNair; and its Country Head, Corporate and Institutional Banking, Ahmed Alghamdi.

The agreement builds on Emirates NBDs previous partnerships with Landmark Retail, strengthening the ties between both entities and consolidating their relationship.

It marks the launch of the second ESG-linked facility between Emirates NBD and Landmark Retail, following the leading conglomerates decision to transition from its working capital facility to a sustainability-linked loan in 2022.

The ESG-linked objectives are increasing the contribution of renewables in Landmarks energy utilisation and increasing the composition of sustainable materials in its retail products.

The KPIs under this loan fit well within Landmarks journey of becoming circular and climate positive via a holistic framework encompassing sustainable products, sustainable operations and sustainable customer journeys.

Pri Mcnair, Group Co-Head of Corporate Coverage, Emirates NBD, said: We are proud to be playing a key role in promoting sustainable financing in Saudi Arabia by supporting our long-standing partner Landmark Retail.

This milestone agreement underscores our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and driving meaningful change through ESG-linked solutions.

By partnering with leaders like Landmark to formulate bespoke sustainability-focused structures, we are paving the way for sustainable transition and reinforcing our role as a leader in steering impact on business models contributing to a greener future in the kingdom.

This speaks to our latest agreement with Landmark Retail: a company that has demonstrated its commitment to being a leading proponent of regional retail and sustainable service excellence. We look forward to working even more closely with the group to realize its potential and implement its ESG strategy.

Rajesh Garg, Group Chief Financial Officer, Landmark Retail, said: We are committed to conducting our business responsibly, by driving positive changes to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.

We understand the important role we play in our industry and take it upon ourselves to act as flagbearers of responsible business, working as ethically and conscientiously as possible to protect people and planet.

Our agreement with Emirates NBD is fully geared towards accomplishing just that, marking another important milestone in our and the Kingdoms journey towards greater sustainability.
Emirates Electrical & Instrumentation Company (EEIC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MediSun Energy, a company specialising in osmotic (blue) energy to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of water desalination.

The MoU was officially endorsed by Hagop Dermosessian, General Manager of EEIC and GCG Engineering Services, and Dusun Kim, Co-Founder and CEO of MediSun Energy, during the World Utilities Congress 2024. Through this collaboration, EEIC will leverage MediSun Energys innovative WEGen technology to advance energy efficiency in desalination processes and brine management. This collaboration is aligned with EEICs strategic goal to expand its presence in the renewable energy sector.

The collaboration addresses pressing water and energy challenges while supporting the UAEs sustainability and innovation goals. Traditional reverse osmosis (RO) systems are energy-intensive and produce brine as a byproduct, leading to significant environmental and economic issues. In contrast, MediSun Energys pioneering WEGen technology offers a transformative solution by enhancing energy efficiency through the use of osmotic power. This cutting-edge technology not only generates electricity but also significantly reduces overall energy consumption in desalination.

Osmotic power

Kim stated: Our collaboration with EEIC represents a significant advancement in sustainable water management. By integrating our WEGen technology, which utilises osmotic power, we can improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption by up to 30% compared to traditional RO systems. This collaboration is pivotal for achieving our vision of Blue Energy and delivering sustainable solutions in the UAE.

Dermosessian said: Our collaborative efforts will importantly help to stimulate the future of sustainable water brine management in the UAE. Leveraging our core competencies to deliver innovative and efficient solutions is an exciting step to protect the wider environment and mitigate the effects of costly RO systems.

Our collaboration with MediSun Energy as the exclusive distributor for the UAE and our expertise spanning over two decades reflect our dedication to delivering comprehensive solutions in the renewable energy field.--TradeArabia News Service
China unveils moon-landing spacesuit for the first time

Xinhua) 08:15, September 29, 2024

This image shows the exterior design of China's moon-landing spacesuit unveiled by the China Manned Space Agency. The China Manned Space Agency unveiled the exterior design of the country's moon-landing spacesuit for the first time on Saturday, soliciting its name from the public. (Xinhua)

CHONGQING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) unveiled the exterior design of the country's moon-landing spacesuit for the first time on Saturday, soliciting its name from the public.

Displayed on the third Spacesuit Technology Forum hosted by the China Astronaut Research and Training Center in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, the white moon-landing spacesuit is decorated with red stripes.

The red stripes on its upper limbs are inspired by ribbons from the famous "flying apsaras" of Dunhuang art, while those on its lower limbs resemble rocket launch flames.

According to a video released by the CMSA, the spacesuit is made from protective materials that can effectively shield astronauts from the lunar thermal environment and lunar dust. It is equipped with a multifunctional integrated control panel that is easy to operate, as well as cameras for recording close-up and long-distance scenes.

The spacesuit also features flexible and reliable gloves, a panoramic glare-proof helmet visor, and joints adapted for low-gravity environments. The overall design of the spacesuit is lightweight, suitable for activities on the lunar surface.

Astronauts Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping serve as models for the new lunar suit in the video. Clad in the lunar gear, they perform a variety of movements, including walking, squatting, bending over, kneeling on one knee, and climbing a ladder.

According to Li Meng from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, the development of the moon-landing spacesuit was started in 2020, aiming to produce lightweight, compact, highly reliable and safe lunar suits. The development has made many key technological breakthroughs.

China's first and second generations of Feitian extravehicular spacesuits have supported 17 astronauts in completing 17 extravehicular activities, ensuring the construction and efficient operation of the country's space station, according to Liu Dongyue from the center.

Zhai made history in the Shenzhou-7 mission as China's first person to conduct a spacewalk. He is also a crew member for the Shenzhou-13 mission.

Wang is a crew member for the Shenzhou-10 and the Shenzhou-13 missions and the first woman astronaut who has entered China's space station.

China has initiated the lunar landing phase of its manned lunar exploration program, with a plan of manned lunar landing by 2030. The unveiling of the moon-landing spacesuit marks the achievement of the program, and signifies the new stage of the country's spacesuit technology.

Yang Liwei, deputy chief designer of China's manned space program and China's first taikonaut, speaks at the launching ceremony of an activity to solicit the name of China's moon-landing spacesuit in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Sept. 28, 2024. The China Manned Space Agency unveiled the exterior design of the country's moon-landing spacesuit for the first time on Saturday, soliciting its name from the public. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

This photo shows the launching ceremony of an activity to solicit the name of China's moon-landing spacesuit in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Sept. 28, 2024. The China Manned Space Agency unveiled the exterior design of the country's moon-landing spacesuit for the first time on Saturday, soliciting its name from the public. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

This photo shows the exterior design of China's moon-landing spacesuit during the third Spacesuit Technology Forum in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Sept. 28, 2024. The China Manned Space Agency unveiled the exterior design of the country's moon-landing spacesuit for the first time on Saturday, soliciting its name from the public. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

This photo shows the exterior design of China's moon-landing spacesuit during the third Spacesuit Technology Forum in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Sept. 28, 2024. The China Manned Space Agency unveiled the exterior design of the country's moon-landing spacesuit for the first time on Saturday, soliciting its name from the public. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

This photo shows the launching ceremony of an activity to solicit the name of China's moon-landing spacesuit in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Sept. 28, 2024. The China Manned Space Agency unveiled the exterior design of the country's moon-landing spacesuit for the first time on Saturday, soliciting its name from the public. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The seventh International Maintenance, Reliability, and Asset Management Conference (Maintcon 2024) is set to take place next month (October 13 to 16) in Bahrain, promising to be a landmark event for those involved in these sectors.

To be held at the Exhibition World Bahrain, the event is organised by the Gulf Society for Maintenance & Reliability (GSMR) in collaboration with the Bahrain Society of Engineers (BSE). Maintcon 2024 promises a dynamic line-up of activities and keynote sessions, featuring industry leaders and experts that will share their insights on the latest trends and challenges.

The conference aims to bring together more than 3,000 participants from around the world, and includes an exhibition that will showcase 80+ sponsors and exhibitors, along with a technical programme featuring insightful keynote sessions from prominent speakers representing leading global organisations.

The exhibition will showcase cutting-edge technologies and solutions from leading companies, while providing ample opportunities for attendees to connect and collaborate. Moreover, workshops and panel discussions provide in-depth discussions and hands-on learning opportunities to professionals.

One of the standout features of Maintcon 2024 is the Youth Hall, a vibrant space dedicated to young professionals in the maintenance and reliability sectors. This hall will host discussions on industry challenges specific to youth, a Future Leaders Mentorship Program (GSMR-FLMP) connecting young talents with seasoned experts, and career development workshops focusing on essential skills, providing an opportunity for young professionals to network, learn, and grow.

The conference will also feature a Hackathon, where participants will tackle real-world problems in maintenance and reliability. This event encourages innovative thinking and collaboration, providing a platform for participants to showcase their problem-solving skills and potentially develop groundbreaking solutions.

The event also include the Women in Industry and Asset Management (WIAM) Awards, which will recognise talented professionals, who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in industry and asset management organisations.

With three award categories such as Emerging Professional, Women in Excellence and Women Empowerment, WIAM is committed to promote inclusive growth and gender equality among professionals, said the organiser.

In addition, the GSMR Excellence Awards, which aim to inspire continued excellence and innovation within the industry, will honour the achievements of individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the field of maintenance and reliability.

Maintcon 2024 (www.maintcon.org) is more than just a conference; it is a movement towards building a resilient and sustainable future, said the organisers.

By bringing together professionals, experts, and enthusiasts from around the world, the event aims to drive the global transition towards sustainability and resilience in asset management, they added.

-TradeArabia News Service
The Integrated Transport Centre Abu Dhabi Mobility of the Department of Municipalities and Transport has launched a new taxi booking service in partnership with an international ride-hailing service Yango, through its smart app.

This initiative aims to revolutionise public transport in Abu Dhabi by providing efficient and advanced services.

Yango is a part of the global tech company Yango Group focused on creating daily services as well as transport and logistics ones.

Abdulla Al Marzouqi, Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said that offering the service through international apps enhances the overall efficiency of taxi operations.

It facilitates the process of locating vehicles and booking rides electronically for all members of the community.

This initiative connects public and private taxis, as well as licenced private vehicles, with passengers in the emirate through secure, approved electronic communication platforms and smart apps.

It also supports the emirate's goals of reducing its carbon footprint by improving the operational efficiency of taxis and transport systems overall.

H Al Marzouqi said: "Abu Dhabi Mobility aims to enhance and develop transport services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi by providing digital connectivity between passengers and transport service operators. The goal is to offer users safe, fast, and convenient services."

Islam Abdul Karim, General Manager, Yango GCC, said: "Were honoured to launch Yango in Abu Dhabi, partnering with Abu Dhabi Mobility.

This collaboration brings together innovative technology and advanced world-class infrastructure, promising enhanced urban mobility and a seamless transportation experience for residents and tourists.

We look forward to driving progress in the vibrant Emirate of Abu Dhabi, building on the strong foundations laid by Abu Dhabi Mobility."

The trial phase of the launch saw more than 300 taxis operating within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, with over 8,000 trips completed through the Yango app in the last five months.

Now with more than 1,500 taxis registered, Yango mobile app for iOS and Android is available for free download in Arabic, English and many other languages.

To order a car, users download the app, open it and specify where they want to go. When geolocation is enabled, the service pinpoints where the user is and finds the nearby driver who will arrive the fastest.

In addition, the service focuses on providing a secure system designed to protect personal belongings (lost items) found in taxis during any ride conducted through the service.

It encourages drivers to return these items either to their owners or to the nearest police station. Drivers are responsible for documenting all information related to these belongings in collaboration with the franchise companies and providing it to Abu Dhabi Mobility upon request.  TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air has announced the expansion of its longstanding partnership with Thai Airways, further strengthening its commitment to providing passengers with seamless travel options across their combined networks.

This enhanced agreement will significantly increase the number of destinations available to travellers of both airlines.

As per the deal, Gulf Air will add 10 new destinations to its network via Thai Airways, bringing the total number of codeshare routes to 14, while Thai Airways will add 6 new destinations to its network via Gulf Air, thus bringing the total number of codeshare routes to 8, said a statement from Gulf Air.

The expanded partnership will provide Gulf Air passengers with greater access to domestic points within Thailand, as well as key cities across Asia and Australia served by Thai Airways.

The codeshare flights will offer seamless connectivity and a more convenient travel experience for passengers of both airlines, it stated.

"Gulf Air customers will be able to book travel to additional cities in Thailand such as Chiang Mai, and Phuket, as well as destinations in countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia," said a Gulf Air spokesperson.

This latest development underscores Gulf Air and Thai Airways' commitment to continuously strengthen their collaboration and enhance the travel options available to their customers.

The two airlines will work closely together to implement the expanded codeshare agreement and provide passengers with a superior level of service.

"Our expanded partnership with Thai Airways reaffirms our commitment to providing seamless and enriching travel experiences," said the spokesperson.

"This strategic move not only enhances operational efficiency across our networks, but also provides our passengers with even greater choice and convenience, connecting them to even more exciting destinations across Asia and Australia via Bangkok," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
King Fahd International Airport in Dammam has been granted the prestigious Level 3 Customer Experience Accreditation by the Airports Council International (ACI), for its commitment to increasing passenger satisfaction by providing a seamless, safe, innovative, and sustainable customer experience.

The certificate was presented to Vice President for Projects and Technical Affairs at Dammam Airports Company Engineer Hisham Hakimi during the US Customer Experience Summit and Exhibition held in Atlanta, US, between September 23 and 26.

Dammam Airports CEO Engineer Mohammed Al-Hassany said this achievement underlines the airport's dedication to meeting global standards in improving customer services, which is part of its broader goal of reaching operational excellence.

Al Hassany noted that this milestone is a significant step in the airport's endeavor to further improve customer experience, with aspirations to reach Level 4 and 5, the highest customer experience certification levels.

Achieving these levels, he said, will reinforce King Fahd International Airport's status as one of the leading airports in the region.
The Casper College Werner Wildlife Museum is seeking entries for its annual fall juried fine arts and crafts show. The title for this years show is Wind Walkers.

Wyoming artists and artisans working in any medium are welcome to submit work. According to Dalene Hodnett, director of museums, the yearly show is designed to celebrate Wyomings wildlife and wild places.

Work submitted must reflect the theme of wilderness. Because of that, artwork is limited to that which can be found in the wild and excludes humans, domestic or feral animals, and any trappings of civilization.

The deadline for entries is Friday, Nov. 8, at 4 p.m. The show begins with an open house from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14. The exhibit will run through Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.

The juried show is open to all residents of Wyoming, Casper College students, faculty, and staff. For more information, guidelines or entry forms, stop by the Werner at 405 East 15th, call 307-235-2108, or email wernerwildlifemuseum@caspercollege.edu

The Werner Wildlife Museum is free to the public and open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called on Finance Minister Colm Imbert to provide a comprehensive report on Colonial Life Insurance Company Ltd (CLICO), stressing that there should be no more secrecy surrounding the matter.

Persad-Bissessar made the statements in Parliament on Friday as she kicked off the debate on the 2025 national budget, which was presented by Imbert on Monday.
THE theme for this years World Sight Day: Love your eyes, kids, is a call to action, says co-founder of the Trinidad Eye Hospital (TEH) and Hummingbird Medal Gold recipient, Dr Ronnie Bhola.

One of the main problems affecting our young population that is causing concern among health care professionals like Bhola is myopia  a condition in which people can see close objects clearly but objects farther away appear blurred.
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.
WASHINGTON  Seven states that rely on the Colorado River each got a cut of its water under a deal struck over a century ago  a deal that excluded the Hopi, the Navajo and other tribal nations.

After years of pressure and negotiation, Congress is moving to rectify what the tribes have long seen as an injustice that has caused enormous hardship.

Were closer than weve ever been before in reaching a final settlement, Bryan Newland, assistant secretary for Indian Affairs with the Department of the Interior, told a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

Representatives from four Arizona tribes  the Yavapai-Apache Nation, Hopi, San Juan Southern Paiute and the Navajo Nation  said the settlements, once approved by Congress, will secure their long-standing claims and provide more accessible water for their people.

Almost a third of members of the Hopi, Navajo and other tribes have no running water, and leaders say the water currently available isnt sufficient for growing populations.

Congress must act to end the water crisis on the Navajo Nation, said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, who recalled that he didnt have running water until he went off to college at Arizona State University.

The water insecurity crisis has been felt for generations, he said.

Navajo people sometimes have to haul water for over 30 miles, a costly and time-consuming exercise.

The Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 and the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 would provide funds for pipelines and other infrastructure. The bills would also impose pumping restrictions to ensure that groundwater is not depleted.

The process has been slow. The Gila River Adjudication process started over 50 years ago.

Disputes over the Colorado River stem from a 1922 compact between Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Without the settlement, a cloud of uncertainty will remain over tribal water claims in the Colorado River basin and tens of thousands of tribal members will continue to struggle to meet their basic needs, said Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat who introduced the settlement bills with fellow Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent.

The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 would address claims to water from major stems of the Colorado River and Colorado River basin, providing running water to many Navajo and Hopi people.

It also sets aside 5,100 acres near Tuba City and another 300 acres in Utah to create a reservation for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.

The mental-emotional impact of being a landless, homeless tribe is something I wouldnt wish upon anyone, said Johnny Lehi Jr., the tribes vice president.

The infrastructure funding would provide the water we need to make our nation a true homeland.

The other Arizona bill ensures access to the Verde River in the Verde Valley for the Yavapai-Apache people. The bill would also provide over $1 billion for water infrastructure, pipelines and filtration systems.

Tanya Lewis, chairwoman of the Yavapai-Apache, said the upgrades are overdue, as are the federal efforts to ensure access to water.

The legislation will finally grant us what the United States promised us in the 1852 Apache treaty, she said, referring to a pact in which the United States assured tribal sovereignty, including protection of water rights, while requiring the Apache to end their incursions into Mexico.

According to Lewis, the tribes water rights were never explicitly taken away. Instead, she said, the reservation was opened to other settlers whose water usage left too little for the rest of the residents.
Felix Clary Tulsa World Indigenous Affairs Reporter Follow Felix Clary Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

With the expiration of the Farm Bill on Monday, tribal leaders and advocates are giving Congress a countdown until the end of the year to extend the legislation that many Native communities rely upon to address food insecurity.

Officially titled the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Farm Bill was extended last year through Sept. 30. In a Sept. 10 letter to Congress co-signed by Oklahomas tribal nations, the Native Farm Bill coalition points out the legislation could offer a long-term solution to a crisis: delays in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

Those FDPIR delivery delays are a failure on the USDAs part to listen to tribal concerns, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, said in a Sept. 11 meeting of the House Committee on Agriculture.

There is a treaty and trust responsibility to provide this product, and it wasnt provided, Cole said of the FDIRP changes. I am extremely disturbed by these failures that we have learned were completely preventable.

The USDA said in February that the three national USDA warehouses serving the FDPIR would be consolidated into one location in Kansas City, Missouri. Tribal leaders expressed concern were told to just stock up on food items in April as delivery delays were possible the following month.

The USDA knew there were concerns; ... nevertheless, they did it anyway, causing the situation at hand, Cole said during the Sept. 11 hearing. Its more than a mistake, its gross negligence.

Food delivery delays continued into the fall, according to tribal representatives at the hearing, including Marty Wafford of the Chickasaw Nation Department of Health.

Wafford said at the hearing that, like most Oklahoma tribes, the Chickasaw Nations solution to the delays has been to fill the gap for FDPIR participants. She said individual citizens, employees, other tribal nations and local vendors have stepped in to provide food, with some driving long distances to ensure the warehouses wouldnt be empty.

Another program that could be addressed in a new Farm Bill, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), is a food-distributional program that provides supplemental nutrition to qualifying seniors. CSFP is also utilized by many tribal communities.

In 2018, the FDPIR and CSFP programs were remodeled as 638 programs, meaning they now adhere to the Indian Self-Determination, Education and Assistance Act, allowing tribes who use the two programs to source their food products locally through regional vendors, individual tribal citizens, or other tribal nations.

These 638 programs were originally intended to serve as a temporary test model, according to the Intertribal Agriculture Council, but advocates say it needs to be made permanent via a newly enacted Farm Bill.

We know tribes can administer these programs far more reliably, efficiently and cost effectively than USDA, advocates wrote in the Sept. 10 letter.

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Vietnams Party General Secretary and State President To Lam will pay state visits to Mongolia and Ireland, as well as attend the 19th Francophonie Summit and visit France from September 30 to October 7, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The top Vietnamese leader will make the visits at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Irish President Michael D. Higgins, and French President Emmanuel Macron, respectively.

Vietnam and Mongolia established diplomatic relations on November 17, 1954. The two nations have deepened their traditional friendship and boosted mutual support since the establishment of the ties.

In 1996, the two countries signed a bilateral trade cooperation agreement and saw two-way trade reach over US$6 million in 2008.

The figure surpassed $120 million in 2023.

As of November 2019, Mongolia had got involved in three projects in Vietnam, ranking it 96th among 126 nations and territories investing in the Southeast Asian country, with a total pledged capital of $1.1 million.

Vietnam and Ireland set up their diplomatic ties on April 5, 1996, and since then the two sides have made great strides in their trade, investment, and economic partnership.

As of July last year, Ireland became Vietnams 55th-largest investor among 147 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian nation, with 41 active projects totaling $60.8 million in registered capital, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Vietnam joined the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation, currently known as the International Organization of La Francophonie, in 1979.

Since then Vietnam has always strengthened its cooperation with the community of French-speaking peoples, becoming a proactive and responsible member of the organization.

Vietnam is considered a key developing member of the organization, actively participating in priority issues such as planning cooperation strategies and enhancing administrative reforms, and plays a crucial role in both planning and implementing these strategies.

The 19th Francophonie Summit is set to take place on October 4 and 5 in Villers-Cotterets and Paris, under the theme Create, Innovate, and Do Business in French.

The summit will bring together around 100 delegations from states and governments.

Vietnam and France established diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level on April 12, 1973.

France is Vietnams fifth-largest European trade partner.

Bilateral trade in 2022 totaled $5.3 billion, up 10 percent year on year.

France is Vietnam's leading bilateral donor of official development assistance (ODA) in Europe. In Asia, Vietnam ranks second among the recipients of French ODA.

France has provided Vietnam with ODA and preferential loans worth three billion euros ($3.35 billion).

The European nation offers ODA loans of at least 200 million euros ($223.4 million) each year, focusing on three priority fields, namely climate change, energy transition, and green growth.

France ranks as the third-largest destination for Vietnamese students globally, with over 10,000 young Vietnamese currently studying there -- an increase of nearly 40% over the past decade.

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A resident in Ho Chi Minh City handed over an eight-kilogram water monitor to the Forest Protection Department on Friday, after a foreigner discovered the lizard in a swimming pool in Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City the previous day, the department said on Saturday.

Nguyen Van Hieu, a Thu Duc resident who handed over the water monitor to rangers, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that he manages the customer service unit at a company in Thao Dien Ward.

A foreigner renting an apartment in the area reported finding an unknown animal in the swimming pool to a local security guard on Friday.

The guard then used a racket and a rope to catch it.

The 8kg water monitor that the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department received from a local resident. Photo: Supplied

Hieu later handed over the reptile to the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department.

He expected local rangers to take care of the animal and release it back to nature.

Rangers said the lizard is a female water monitor and some 1.3 meters long.

It belongs to group IIB in the list of rare and endangered forest animals.

A foreigner discovers a water monitor in a swimming pool in Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City, under Ho Chi Minh City.

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Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnams Party General Secretary and State President To Lam will pay a visit to Mongolia and Ireland, as well as attend the 19th Francophonie Summit and visit France from September 30 to October 7, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

-- Fifty-one officers and staff members of Vietnam's Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 5 returned home on Saturday evening after completing their UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

Society

-- Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has signed a decision approving the extension of the pilot operation of submarine services in Nha Trang Bay in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam until March 30, 2025.

-- Saigon Port Joint Stock Company has proposed developing a wharf for international passenger ships at a cost of VND624.9 billion (US$25.4 million) at the Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi Port in District 4.

-- A resident in Ho Chi Minh City handed over an eight-kilogram water monitor to the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department on Friday. A foreigner discovered the lizard in a swimming pool in a residential area in Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City the previous day, the department said on Saturday.

-- A teacher at an elementary school in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City has been suspended after asking students' parents for contributions to buy a new laptop, a local official said on Saturday.

-- The Department of Construction in Dong Nai Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, has proposed suspending a road project along the Dong Nai River to await for solutions to preserve a 100-year-old villa that is located within the planned site.

Lifestyle

-- Hundreds of young people and foreigners took part in a parade on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday afternoon to celebrate this years VietPride Ho Chi Minh City, an annual event to appeal for equality for the LGBTI+ community.

World News

-- Residents in south-western Mexico on Saturday evacuated from homes flooded by the remnants of Hurricane John that ravaged the Pacific coastline for a week, bringing deadly floods and landslides that left 22 people reported dead, Reuters reported

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The European Union (EU) is releasing an additional 150,000 (US$200,700) as further humanitarian assistance for people in some of the northern Vietnamese provinces that have been most affected by the recent typhoon Yagi.

Accordingly, this latest relief is aimed at benefiting about 130,000 people in Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Cao Bang, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, and Lang Son Provinces, the EU said in a statement on its official website on Friday.

The additional funding will support the Vietnam Red Cross Society to continue aiding people that have lost their homes and livelihoods due to the typhoon, which made landfall in northern Vietnam on September 7.

Support will include providing food and essential household items, as well as cash grants for different purposes, including house rebuilding.

Emergency health services, activities to ensure hygiene and prevent waterborne diseases, and support for schoolchildren are also covered in the humanitarian assistance.

This amount comes in addition to the 650,000 [$869,600] in humanitarian aid that was already approved last week, in response to this disaster in the country, according to the statement.

This first aid was meant to help Vietnam address the most pressing needs, such as food, water and sanitation, and healthcare.

To support Vietnam's emergency response, the EU also activated the Copernicus Emergency Satellite Mapping Service on September 11.

The EU said it has so far approved over 2.3 million ($3.08 million) to address the aftermath of Yagi in four Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and the Philippines.

The funding is part of the EUs overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), according to the statement.

Typhoon Yagi, Asia's strongest storm this year, caused damage estimated at over VND81 trillion ($3.29 billion) across northern Vietnam, or twice as much as previous estimates, the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment reported on Saturday.

Countries and international organizations have pledged to provide over $22 million for Vietnam to overcome the impact of natural disasters, the ministry said the same day.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also reported it has received over 220 tonnes of relief goods worth around $3 million from the governments of Australia, Switzerland, India, Russia, and Singapore, as well as from international organizations.

All the goods have been immediately delivered to the provinces of Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lang Son, and Bac Kan to support Yagi victims there.

As of Friday, Yagi and the subsequent flood and landslides left 318 deaths, injured 1,967 people, and caused 26 to go missing, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The disaster ravaged about 282,000 houses and 3,755 schools, flooded or ruined 285,000 hectares of crops and fruit trees, devastated or swept away 189,982 hectares of forest and 11,832 aquaculture cages, and killed some 5.6 million livestock and poultry.

The catastrophe also damaged 796 dykes and 3,517 irrigation and water supply systems, triggering deadly floods and landslides in many northern regions.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development noted that the devastating storm has inflicted severe psychological trauma, particularly on children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups in the affected areas.

At a conference in Hanoi on September 15, the ministry warned that the typhoons impact could reduce Vietnams 2024 GDP growth by 0.15 percentage points from the previously forecast rate of 6.8-7 percent.

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Hundreds of people from the LGBTI+ community and their friends, along with foreigners, have joined a parade in downtown Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate this years VietPride, an annual event aimed at appealing for equality and respect for LGBTI+ members in Vietnam.

The parade took place on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1 on Saturday afternoon as part of a series of activities within the VietPride Week Ho Chi Minh City 2024, slated for September 21-29.

A diverse crowd of young people and tourists, including many foreigners, participated in the parade which began at 4:00 pm, waving rainbow flags to promote positive energy within the LGBTI+ community.

The event was intended to support people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and other gender identities.

Lewis, an American traveler who joined the parade, expressed his enjoyment in conversing with members of the LGBTI+ community.

He shared his happiness for them, noting that they lead fulfilling lives and have opportunities to shine and develop themselves in Vietnam.

The foreigner also commented that all the young Vietnamese people he met at the event were open-minded.

Minh Hanh, a young member of the LGBTI+ community, shared that she has felt happy and confident, striving to improve herself with the support and encouragement from both the community and society.

Da Toi Luc (Its Time for Inclusion) was chosen as this years VietPride to express the aspirations and amplify the voice of the LGBTI+ community, according to the Facebook page of VietPride.

As the draft gender affirmation law is to be presented to the National Assembly in October 2024 and social support for same-sex marriage has never been higher, we believe that there is no better time than now for Vietnamese society to become a part of LGBTI+ rights progress taking place in the country and the region, the events organizer said on the page.

The organizer emphasized that it is time for LGBTI+ individuals to be seen, heard, and respected, with guaranteed equal rights.

They called for Vietnamese society and law to recognize the contributions of the LGBTI+ community to the local economy and culture, and to continue efforts to ensure their inclusion in all aspects of life.

A foreign woman, in a white T-shirt, cheerfully hugs a participant in the parade of the LGBTI+ community on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 28, 2024. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

This photo shows Lewis (C), an American man, and his family members at the parade of the LGBTI+ community on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 28, 2024. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

A participant proudly holds up a banner during the LGBTI+ community parade on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 28, 2024. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

Employees of a foreign-invested enterprise in Vietnam, wave rainbow flags at the parade of the LGBTI+ community on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 28, 2024. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

A huge rainbow flag is held by participants in the parade of the LGBTI+ community on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 28, 2024. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

Two young people pose for a photo at the parade of the LGBTI+ community on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 28, 2024. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

Foreign and Vietnamese participants are captured at the parade of the LGBTI+ community on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 28, 2024. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

A foreign man poses for a photo with other participants in the parade of the LGBTI+ community on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, September 28, 2024. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre

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With just a handful of sand, 36-year-old Phan Quang Dung brings Vietnams everyday life to vivid reality.

Over the past 15 years, Dung has honed his craft, creating stunningly realistic sand art that captures pastoral landscapes and lifelike portraits of the nation's heroes.

From his workshop in Son Tra District, Da Nang, central Vietnam, Dung begins each new work of art by selecting a container and meticulusly filling it bit by bit with colorful grains of sand using a bamboo stick and specilized spoon.

According to Dung, the key to a successful piece of sand art lies in patiently arranging each grain of sand.

Once the container has been filled and Dung is happy with the finished work, he seals it off, ensuring that the sand is unable to be shaken out of position.

From start to finish, each piece takes anywhere from two to seven days to complete.

Some of Dungs most famous works include depictions of the Rong Bridge, the Song Han Bridge, late President Ho Chi Minh, and even Cuban revolutionist Che Guevara.

"Creating sand paintings demands dexterity and intense focus," Dung explained.

"A small mistake that disrupts the colors can ruin the entire artwork."

Both adults and children are eager to try their hands at making sand paintings at Phan Quang Dung's home in Son Tra District, Da Nang. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre

Dung's pursuit of sand art mastery has not been without its challenges.

At times, the extensive time investment and meager financial returns have led him to contemplate abandoning his artistic endeavor.

In addition to the hours spent crafting his intricate sand sculptures, Dung embarks on lengthy journeys, covering over 500 kilometers between Da Nang and Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan Provinces, to procure the essential raw material for his art.

Only in the last few years has Dung's work become popular, earning his recognition at exhibitions and fairs.

His works are increasingly sought after as souvenirs and birthday gifts, providing him with a more stable income.

Prices for his sand paintings range from several hundred thousand to several million Vietnamese dong, depending on their complexity and size. (VND100,000 = US$4)

Aside from making art, Dung trains a small cohort of young people, hoping that the popularity of sand as a medium will continue to grow.

Here are some other unique sand paintings created by Phan Quang Dung. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre

Crafting sand paintings demands intense concentration and focus. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre

Phan Quang Dung recreates the image of the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang using an array of colorful grains of sand. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre

The sand painting portrait of Uncle Ho, the way Vietnamese people fondly address late President Ho Chi Minh, with children is one of Phan Quang Dung's proudest creations. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre

Phan Quang Dung skillfully arranges colorful grains of sand into a container using a bamboo stick and specialized spoon. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre

To collect colorful sand for his art, Phan Quang Dung travels over 500 kilometers to Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan Provinces from Da Nang. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre

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HCM CITY  On September 26, AEON Vietnam Co., Ltd. (AEON Vietnam) officially opened AEON Ta Quang Buu, its eighth General Merchandise Store (GMS) in Vietnam.

A representative from AEON Vietnam stated at a press conference on the opening day that the event is part of AEONs strategy to expand its multi-retail format in Vietnam to meet the needs of Vietnamese customers.

Furusawa Yasuyuki, AEON Vietnam's General Director, said: Our priority is to accelerate the new store opening and business category development to increase customer touch points. Through our expansion, we are not only contributing to Vietnams commercial infrastructure development, but also promoting the consumption of Vietnamese products through our store chain.

As for the company's expansion strategy, Yasuyuki said: We will continue opening large-scale shopping malls. However, to meet changing customer behaviours in the post-pandemic era, in which convenience is preferred, we will develop multi-formats with flexible sizes that are appropriate for the needs of local communities and the conditions of local areas."

A new experience for customers

AEON Ta Quang Buu is the eighth GMS of AEON Vietnam, and the first outside of AEON Shopping Malls. It aims to be a one-stop-shopping destination for new families and Gen Z, and is located in the Parc Mall in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City.

The GMS focuses on high-quality products at competitive prices through various promotions, making shopping more enjoyable for a wider range of customers.

Supermarket area

The supermarket at AEON Ta Quang Buu offers diverse products to meet daily essentials, from groceries to household items. Known for its Japanese-style supermarket experience, AEON ensures high-quality products at reasonable prices, maintaining strict food safety and hygiene standards. Shoppers can find a variety of seasonal fruits and groceries, including fresh produce certified by VietGap and Global Gap, ensuring high quality. The supermarket also prides itself on offering fresh meat, fish and organic products.

AEON Ta Quang Buu also provides a range of ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC) products, making meal preparation quick and easy for a more modern and convenient lifestyle. Key products include healthy oils as well as a variety of sauces that are perfect for a ready-to-cook lifestyle.

Delica area

The Delica area at AEON Ta Quang Buu spans a total area of 612sq.m with 160 seats and is designed to meet the needs of customers of all generations. There are a variety of new products, including KUSHIYAKI skewers and a diverse menu of sauces such as Shio, Teriyaki and BBQ as well as new assortments of sushi, including inari, aburi and fresh sashimi. AEON Bakery introduces new cuisine trends for customers featuring flat croissants, cream puffs (choux), and a variety of tarts including cheese, egg, tiramisu and fruit tarts.

Products from private brands and specialty stores only at AEON

The store will offer over 1,000 items from AEONs private brand 'TOPVALU.' This selection includes imported products from Japan as well as items developed and designed by AEON Vietnam, which have been well received across ASEAN countries. We offer groceries such as beverages, chocolate and instant noodles as well as health and beauty care products such as cleaners and tissues.

HOME COORDY is AEONs lifestyle brand, which aims to offer customers a comfortable and enriched life through a diverse selection of furniture and interior products, including items for bedding, towels, dining, kitchen and laundry. With an area of 450sq.m, the HOME COORDY area at AEON Ta Quang Buu is designed to provide a wide range of high-quality products characterised by their trusted quality and timeless, yet simple design, making them versatile enough to harmonise with any home decor.

Glam Beautique is a health and beauty haven offering a wide range of products and services. With a focus on 'Kawaii' aesthetics, the store provides genuine Japanese and natural skincare, branded cosmetics and accessories. Beyond products, Glam Beautique offers personalised skin analysis, rejuvenating spa treatments (open from Nov 2024) and health check stations.

Meanwhile, at MY CLOSET, customers can find a wide range of trendy and affordable women's clothing to make their own unique style. MY CLOSET offers diverse styles, including feminine, street style and urban casual, all designed to cater to the evolving fashion needs of young individuals.

The store incorporates digital services and facilities to enhance customers shopping experiences. In the Delica area, customers can easily buy and make payments with self-ordering kiosks. Semi self-checkout cashiers for customers using non-cash payment methods are also on offer at the supermarket area. Other services such as free dry ice and smart lockers provide convenience and efficiency for customers.

According to Yasuyuki, in their long-term strategy, AEON Group will accelerate their investment in Vietnam  the second of the group's hubs  contributing to a prosperous and sustainable lifestyle everywhere AEON goes.
HCM CITY  Businesses are urging the government to adopt more stringent measures to expedite value-added tax (VAT) refunds due to prolonged delays in invoice verification and compliance challenges.

Speaking at the Tax Dialogue 2024 held last Friday, Nguyen Thanh Phuong, deputy general director of Fococev Vietnam, said the company has been awaiting a total VAT refund amounting to VN529 billion (US$21.5 million) since 2018, despite having submitted all requisite documentation comprehensively.

The HCM City Tax Department has retroactively collected VN36.7 billion, indicating that VN127 billion cannot be refunded or offset. As of June 2020, the unresolved VAT amount has surged to VN366 billion.

Fococev has initiated legal action against the Tax Department, with the HCM City Peoples Court ruling to annul the tax recovery decisions and mandating the refund of the collected taxes.

While the Tax Department has refunded VN36 billion, an additional VN700 million is also set for refund; however, the VN127 billion remains subject to an official court ruling.

The HCM City Tax Department has requested that Fococev submit complete documentation to facilitate the resolution of the outstanding VN366 billion.

In addition, a representative from Sigma Co., Ltd. also expressed concerns regarding the delays in VAT refunds affecting foreign enterprises.

Experts have warned delays in VAT refunds are driving numerous Vietnamese timber companies towards bankruptcy, with refunds exceeding VN6 trillion ($255 million) by 2023.

A representative from the Association of Vietnam Timber and Forest Products attributed the delays to the complex proof of origin (P/O) requirements, which may require up to 15 years for law enforcement to trace.

A representative of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) said that P/O requirements impose significant burdens on firms that source from multiple suppliers.

A government survey revealed that over 50 per cent of respondents are grappling with cash flow issues, while 45 per cent are impeded by bureaucratic processes, with some firms awaiting refunds for nearly three years.

Recommendations

Experts have recommended permitting tax reimbursement upon contract signing and prioritising firms with commendable records, with refunds reviewed post-issuance.

A representative from Sigma Co., Ltd. proposed that the tax agency categorise refund applications and expedite the pre-refund process to assist businesses in sustaining their operations.

The National Private Economic Development Research Board has urged tax authorities to expedite refunds, proposing a three-month turnaround for exporters.

A VCCI representative warned that prolonged delays could result in business closures.

Senior economist Tran inh Thien recommended that streamlined procedures be implemented to facilitate access to tax refunds.

Mai Son, deputy director of the General Department of Taxation, said the Tax Dialogue 2024 serves as a critical forum for the tax authority to gather feedback on current tax policies and propose necessary amendments.

The dialogue aimed to address challenges and solicit recommendations from citizens and businesses regarding the implementation of tax laws, with a focus on invoicing, VAT policies, corporate income tax, tax incentives, personal income tax, and land-related levies.

The event targeted taxpayers from five southern provinces and cities, including HCM City, Binh Duong, ong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Long An.  VNS
HA NOI  The fourth Viet Nam Card Day 2024 is set to take place in Ha Noi between October 5 and 6 with the theme Open Banking, aiming to reach students and young people aged 15 to 40 who require convenient digital payment solutions and online transaction options.

The annual event is jointly organised by Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper and the National Payment Corporation of Viet Nam (NAPAS) under the instruction of the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV).

At the Viet Nam Card Day 2024 event, the concept of Open Banking will be highlighted amid the banking industrys comprehensive digital revolution. This approach involves banks sharing data with third parties to enhance customer experiences significantly. Open Banking is emerging as a key trend and catalyst for transformation, promising to revolutionise the delivery of banking products and services.

The event specifically targets students and young people aged 15 to 40 who are looking to use digital payment methods and online banking services. This includes internet banking, mobile banking and integrated services offered through third-party platforms, such as online public services, e-commerce and travel bookings.

As of now, approximately 77.41 per cent of Vietnamese adults have bank accounts, with over 35 million active payment accounts and around 14.9 million cards issued using the eKYC electronic method.

The future of banking is firmly rooted in digital technology, featuring innovative payment methods such as Tap to Pay, Tap to Phone, QR code payments, e-wallets and mobile payments. Advancements like eKYC are also paving the way for a more streamlined banking experience.

Viet Nam Card Day 2024 will highlight the commitment of young people to embrace new technologies and foster a spirit of development and adaptability.

Speaking at a press conference in Ha Noi held last week, Pham Anh Tuan, SBVs Director of the Payment Department, said: "Credit institutions are increasingly transitioning from traditional banking models to open banking frameworks. This shift enhances connectivity and technology integration across various sectors, positioning banks as vital conduits for information exchange between financial institutions and businesses. As a result, we are making significant strides in promoting non-cash payments among consumers and enterprises alike."

To foster the digitalisation of banking and promote non-cash payment methods, including card payments, financial education and communication play a crucial role. Recently, the banking sector has continually innovated its communication strategies, producing engaging content and utilising diverse formats. By leveraging modern technology, these efforts aim to enhance outreach and ensure that the information is easily understood, memorable, and actionable for the public.

Nguyen Quang Hung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NAPAS said that Viet Nam Card Day 2024 will provide a platform for the banking industry to showcase the latest trends in digital banking, along with modern banking products and services. This event offers young people an opportunity to explore and learn about these innovations while also enhancing their skills in using banking services safely and effectively.

Viet Nam Card Day 2024 will feature six key activities: a press conference announcing the series of events; a Megasale Online Campaign from September 30 to October 26; a seminar on October 2; a career orientation seminar at the National Economics University on October 4; and the Viet Nam Card Day 2024 Song Festival at Bach Khoa Stadium from October 5 to 6.

The event will also feature the participation of 26 commercial banks and merchants.  VNS
HA NOI  Nearly 200 original archival images and documents related to the historic moment of the liberation of Ha Noi from French reoccupation 70 years ago are being exhibited at the National Archives Centre III.

The exhibition introduces national archival documents on the Ho Chi Minh resistance government's takeover of Ha Noi, as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the capital city free from the French (October 10, 1954  October 10, 2024).

These documents feature the heroic historical moments since the signing of the Geneva Agreement in July 1954 ending the war in Indochina.

Among them are several documents about the ien Bien Phu battle victory.

According to Nguyen Thi Nga, deputy director of the Department of State Records and Archives, the exhibition is also highly meaningful, reflecting the responsibility and role of archival agencies in publicising and promoting the value of archival documents.

This initiative aims to facilitate widespread public access to important, authentic and reliable historical sources regarding a significant event in the capital's history.

Nearly 200 archival documents and images have revived memories from 70 years ago, when the local residents joyfully welcomed the the victorious Viet Nam People's Army taking control of the city, she said.

Through the display, one can see the resilience and indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people and their army during the war of resistance against French colonialism, she added.

Immediately after the Geneva Agreement was signed, the resistance government held several meetings in August and September 1954 to discuss the implementation of the agreement, including the takeover of the capital ciity.

On the morning of October 10, 1954, military units under the Military Committee of the city and the 308th Army Division, commanded by Major General Vuong Thua Vu, conducted a march to liberate the capital.

Many significant reports and images related to the takeover were published on this occasion, including a report on the welcom of Vietnamese troops and government officials on October 10, 1954; photos of French soldiers withdrawing from various places in the capital; Vietnamese troops taking over the Ha Noi Flagpole; and the Golden-star flag-raising ceremony on the afternoon of October 10.

The exhibition also displayed documents from renowned songwriters whose archives are preserved at the National Archives Centre III, such as Van Cao, Huy Du and Nguyen uc Toan.

These documents and images will continue to be displayed at another exhibition, which is scheduled to open on October 2 at the Exhibition House at 61 Trang Tien Street.

The exhibition is organised by the National Archives Centre III in collaboration with the Department of State Records and Archives and the Information Centre of the Ha Noi Department of Culture and Sports.  VNS
HA NOI  The state visit to Cuba from September 25-27 by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam marks a very important milestone of transitioning the relationship between the two countries to a new phase with more substantive and sustainable development, according to a Party official.

Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung told the press that this is one of Lam's first state-level foreign visits in his new positions.

He said that the visit comes at a time when both countries are preparing to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960 - 2025), and underscores the high regard that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people hold for the bilateral traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation.

During his stay, the Vietnamese leader held talks, meetings and high-level interactions with leaders of the Party, State, Government, and National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba. He, his spouse and the high-ranking delegation from Viet Nam also engaged in several activities to strengthen the solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between the Parties, States and people of Viet Nam and Cuba.

During their talks, Lam and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez expressed their delight at the fruitful development of the bilateral ties at all levels and in all sectors.

They shared the view that the relationship between the two Parties serves as the political foundation that strategically orients the bilateral relations in other spheres. They also concurred to strengthen cooperation and exchanges between the advisory bodies of the two Parties in the sharing of experience and theory on socialism and Party building.

The two leaders agreed to continue actively assisting and supporting each other at international organisations and forums. They highlighted the significance of maintaining peace, stability and development; agreed that international disputes must be settled through peaceful measures based on respect for international law and the UN Charter.

The leader of the Vietnamese Party and State reaffirmed the countrys consistent stance, calling on the US to lift and end its blockade and sanctions against Cuba, as stated in various resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly.

The visit also provided an opportunity for both sides to review and assess the effectiveness of cooperation projects and programmes, solve any obstacles in bilateral collaboration and discuss new methods and models of cooperation, particularly in investment, trade and agriculture.

The two sides agreed to continue implementing existing agreements on defence and security, enhancing the effectiveness of current cooperation mechanisms between the two governments and parliaments, and expanding collaboration in areas with significant potential, such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, biotechnology and tourism, in line with each side's conditions.

The leaders of Cuba welcomed and highly appreciated the contributions of Vietnamese investors in the country, affirming their commitment to continue supporting and creating favourable conditions for them to operate sustainably and long-term in Cuba.

The two sides designated 2025 as the Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Year and planned to hold various commemorative activities.

On behalf of leaders of the Party and State of Cuba, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel chaired a ceremony presenting the Order of Jose Marti - the highest honour of the Cuban Party and State - to Party General Secretary and President Lam.

The outcomes of the visit, along with other diplomatic activities undertaken by the Party General Secretary and President and other key leaders of the Party and State recently and in the future, will significantly contribute to the active, harmonious, and effective implementation of the countrys foreign policy, serve its development goals, and positively contribute to the advancement of socialism and the global leftist movement, Trung affirmed.

According to the official, the visit also reaffirms the significance of the special relationship and traditional friendship between the two countries, as well as the progress made in promoting cooperation across various fields. In the coming time, it is essential for ministries, sectors, and localities of both countries to swiftly and effectively implement the agreements reached during the trip.

Looking ahead to the Year of Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship in 2025, the two sides should enhance coordination and organise practical and effective commemorative activities so as to strengthen information dissemination and education, particularly among the youth, about the special relationship between Viet Nam and Cuba, the similarities in history and the shared spirit of the two nations in their struggles for independence and the construction of socialism, he stressed.

He also emphasised the need to promote cooperation to research and propose new methods and models of collaboration and investment, particularly in areas such as agriculture, energy, and healthcare.

The results of this bilateral cooperation will continue to yield practical and effective benefits, helping reinforce the traditional and exemplary relationship between the Parties, States and people of Viet Nam and Cuba, added Trung.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on Sunday held a working session with the General Department of Defence Intelligence, highlighting the agencys critical role and future priorities for development.

Also known as General Department II (under the Ministry of National Defence), the intelligence agency holds a pivotal role in collecting, assessing and advising the Party, the state, the Central Military Commission and the defence ministry in issuing directions and policies and ensuring proactive responses in strategic matters.

Addressing the departments officials during the working session, the top leader underlined the vital role of the defence intelligence agency as a loyal and trusted force for the Party, State and the countrys military.

In nearly 80 years since its establishment, the department has made significant progress, fulfilling the tasks entrusted to it, and contributing to the nations liberation and unification in the past, as well as to the process of building and protecting the socialist state of Viet Nam today.

In addition to their effective advising to the national leadership, the department has consistently strengthened its apparatus, with a focus on Party building and rectification among its members to ensure a strong and transparent local Party Committee, thereby fulfilling its asigned political tasks.

Noting the possible impacts of complex and unpredictable global developments on Viet Nam, the top leader said that this context places an increasingly heavy responsibility on defence intelligence, requiring greater effort and determination to complete its assigned missions and contribute alongside the entire Party, people and army in building and protecting the country.

Regarding the directions and tasks for the near future, Lam noted that General Department II must continuously enhance and effectively fulfil its role as the strategic intelligence agency of the Party and state, and as the military intelligence agency under the Central Military Commission and the defence ministry.

The department must improve and diligently exercise its advisory function to the states leadership, the military and the local authorities in assessing situations, determining policies and strategies, and enhancing the quality of its operations.

The top leader also required that the department must conduct regular reviews of its apparatus to maintain a streamlined and effective organisational structure, ensuring alignment between tasks, functions and scale, quality, capacity, and long-term personnel development.

It must also build a solid and flexible intelligence network that can maximise the combined strengths of various forces and methodologies.

The defence intelligence agency must prioritise building a revolutionary intelligence force, developing a generation of officials with solid political will, sharp perspectives and professional insights, thereby improving the policies and guidelines to meet both immediate and long-term missions.  VNS
HA NOI  The upcoming visits of Party General Secretary and President To Lam to Mongolia, Ireland and France, and his attendance at the 19th Francophonie Summit once more affirm Viet Nams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of relations, proactive international integration, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

The Party and State leader and a high-ranking delegation will pay state visits to Mongolia and Ireland, attend the 19th Francophonie Summit and make an official visit to France from September 30-October 7, at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Irish President Michael D. Higgins and French President Emmanuel Macron, respectively.

The trip also reflects the importance that the Vietnamese Party and State attach to the traditional friendship with Mongolia, the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Ireland and the strategic partnership with France, as well as Viet Nams wish to upgrade and deepen cooperative frameworks in alignment with the new situations in and interests of those countries, deputy PM and foreign minister Son told the press in an interview on the eve of the leaders trip.

Son added that through the trip, Viet Nam hopes to enhance coordination with countries in addressing regional and world issues, and seek the countries continued support for the overseas Vietnamese community.

The Deputy PM said the top leaders state visit to Mongolia holds special significance when the two countries are marking the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship and their ties are at the best stage of development. The Party General Secretary and President of Viet Nam will discuss with Mongolian leaders major orientations and measures to further enhance political trust and promote cooperation in fields of priority, particularly in politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, tourism and people to people exchange.

He noted that Mongolia has given Viet Nam strong support both materially and spiritually during Viet Nams struggle for national liberation. The two countries now also support each other in national construction and maintain close cooperation through Party, State, Government and people-people channels.

With regard to Ireland, Son noted that this is the first state visit since the two countries established diplomatic relationship. He said leaders of the two countries will talk about measures to promote cooperation in areas where Viet Nam has demand and Ireland has advantages, such as high-quality investment, science-technology, innovation, digital transformation, energy transition, education-training, especially tertiary education.

The deputy PM highlighted that Ireland is currently the sixth largest trade partner of Viet Nam in the EU, and has made Viet Nam a priority recipient of its development assistance, which focuses on education, gender equality, climate change adaptation, support for ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities, and mine clearance.

Ireland has granted 250 scholarships for Vietnam under the Irish Aid programme launched in 2009. The two countries are also actively implementing an MoU on cooperation between Viet Nams Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Irelands Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

As for France, based on the special ties and the outcomes of the strategic partnership over the past more than 10 years, the two sides will seek ways to elevate the strategic partnership to a new height with more practical benefits commensurate with the potential and the position of both countries in their respective regions and the world as a whole, according to Son.

He said that the two sides will work to intensify trade and investment ties, deepen joint work in traditional fields like culture, education, science-technology and local cooperation, while expanding the partnership to new and potential domains such as aerospace, renewable energy, high-tech and digital economy.

He underlined that the political trust between Viet Nam and France has been increasingly strengthened, noting that for the first time ever, a French defence minister had attended the 70-year commemoration of the ien Bien Phu Victory and affirmed the wish to together with Viet Nam shelf the past and look toward the future for peace, cooperation and development.

Son also highlighted that France is one of the leading European partners of Viet Nam in tourism, trade, investment and ODA (official development assistance), while carrying out many projects that contribute to Viet Nams development, modernisation and improvement of living conditions.

He went on to say that Party General Secretary and President Lam will deliver an important speech at the 19th Francophonie Summit, wishing to further spread the message about a proactive and responsible Viet Nam that is always ready to join hands with the international community to respond to challenges, contributing to a future of peace, friendship, solidarity and sustainable development as targeted by the Francophonie Summit.

The deputy PM said the cooperation between Viet Nam and the Francophone community continues to develop, with the Francophone community viewing Viet Nam as a model in socio-economic development and the centre of Francophone activities in the region. He affirmed that Viet Nam is among members that are pushing for economic cooperation, particularly in digital economy, in the Francophone space.

According to Son, there remains ample room for Viet Nam to boost collaboration with the Francophone economic space, especially in economics, trade, investment, education-training, agriculture, sustainable development and science-technology.

The deputy PM and foreign minister expressed his belief that the working trip of the Party General Secretary and President will be a success and produce important outcomes, contributing to solidifying the foundations of the relationships between Viet Nam and Mongolia, Ireland, France and the Francophone community, and at the same time opening up new room and potential in the cooperation with each country, thus developing the relationships in alignment with the new situation.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on Sunday attended the second mock session of the "Childrens National Assembly" initiative, which brought together 306 young delegates from 63 provinces and cities across the country.

Before the session began at the National Assembly (NA) Hall in Ha Noi, participants observed a minute of silence to commemorate people, including children, who lost their lives due to storms and floods.

They then listened to a report about the response to children's petitions submitted at the first mock session.

During the question-and-answer part of the event, the child delegates voiced the concerns and aspirations of young voters in their localities, focusing on two pressing issues, namely preventing school violence and combating the harmful effects of tobacco and stimulants especially in schools.

Following the Q&A session, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son and Minister of Health ao Hong Lan engaged in discussion with the child delegates on these topics.

In his address, NA Chairman Man highlighted the role of the "Childrens National Assembly" initiative in encouraging early participation of children in political and social activities.

He expressed his hope that the event will inspire in children a strong desire to contribute to society, continuously improve themselves, and acquire knowledge to become responsible citizens.

Man affirmed that the Party and State prioritise the protection, care, and education of children and noted that Viet Nams comprehensive achievements in child welfare have been recognised and praised by the United Nations. In addition to government resources, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union has raised an estimated VN123.5 billion (US$5 million) for childcare activities in 2023 and 2024.

Impressed by the performance of the child delegates, the top legislator held that many of their questions and proposals were close and relevant to reality. He assured that the NA, Government, and relevant ministries and agencies would consider these insights during the policymaking process to address issues affecting children.  VNA/VNS
BEIJING  Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao co-chaired the 13th session of the Viet Nam-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee in China on September 29.

At the session, Minister Dien said Viet Nam and China should promote cooperation in investment and supply chains, with priority given to digital economy and green economy.

He also informed the Chinese side that the Vietnamese government has issued policies and mechanisms to develop electric vehicles. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is also compiling a development strategy for the Vietnamese automobile industry to 2030 with a vision to 2045, which will include vehicles fuelled by electricity and green energy.

In particular, the minister appreciated the Chinese sides proposal on promoting cooperation on industrial parks, saying that Viet Nam pays great attention to this issue, with the aim of enhancing connectivity and mutual complementariness between the two countries.

Minister Dien also called for close collaboration to ensure smooth trade through border gates and further investment in border gate infrastructure as the cross-border movement of people, vehicles and goods is surging.

He asked China to open the market for more farm produce from Viet Nam such as citrus fruits, avocado, custard apple, wax apple and black cardamom, and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce to push for the removal of Viet Nams rock lobster from the list of wildlife banned from transport and trade in China.

He proposed that the two sides direct their relevant agencies to guide enterprises in using the Viet Nam-China container transporting railway route and accelerate the establishment of a Viet Nam trade promotion office in China.

Minister Wang suggested that Viet Nam has policies to encourage energy projects, and continue negotiations for the signing of an MoU on cooperation in production and supply chains.

He also put forward solutions to boost trade, including holding negotiations and signing cooperation documents in farm produce trade, and urged stronger cooperation in e-commerce.

Minister Wang affirmed that he will assist the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade in setting up partnerships with Chinese localities and enhancing ties between the localities of the two countries.

The outcomes of the session will be reported to the Prime Ministers of their respective countries for the upcoming external activities of the two countries Parties and States.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Luong Tam Quang held talks with visiting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) Cho Ji-ho in Ha Noi on Sunday.

Quang expressed his delight at the success of the second Viet Nam-Republic of Korea (RoK) police cultural and sport exchange programme, affirming that this is a meaningful activity aimed at fostering understanding, trust, and closer ties between the two police forces through cultural, artistic, and sport exchanges.

He thanked the KNPA for inviting his ministry to attend the 6th Viet Nam-RoK Police Cooperation Conference, and confirmed that he will send representatives to this important event.

For his part, Cho expressed confidence that the cooperation between the two police forces will continue to develop in a closer and more effective manner, contributing to elevating the RoK-Viet Nam comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.

He also affirmed to do his utmost to further develop the cooperation between the KNPA and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security to contribute to ensuring national security and social order and safety of both countries.

The two sides agreed to continue mutual support at regional and international forums, maintain delegation exchanges at various levels, and participate in signing international agreements on crime and drug-related crime prevention and control.

They also pledged to enhance cooperation in combating transnational, high-tech, and drug trafficking crimes, intellectual property violations, and crime related to e-commerce, particularly through collaboration in crime prevention and the capture of wanted criminals via the Korea Desk and the Viet Nam Desk.

Joint efforts will be made to implement the projects on enhancing criminal science capacity in the third phase, and improving the capacity of traffic policemen for the Vietnamese ministry from 2025 to 2028; and continue to organise training courses in the RoK to improve language skills, law enforcement, and investigation of high-tech crimes, telecommunications fraud, and internet crimes; as well as analysis and recovery of electronic data and evidence for Vietnamese police officers.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate in ensuring security and safety, and create conditions for each other's citizens to live, study and work in the other country; while enhancing cultural and sport exchanges and promoting collaboration between police agencies of Vietnamese and Korean localities.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The upcoming state visit to Mongolia by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam will be of historic significance, elevating the bilateral relationship to a new level, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Mongolia Nguyen Tuan Thanh.

The trip, starting Monday and made at an invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, will play a significant role in orienting and opening up new prospects for bilateral cooperation, and create fresh momentum in various fields, particularly in trade, agriculture, and transportation, Thanh told the Vietnam News Agency.

He said that bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, and investment will be promoted in a more substantive, effective, and comprehensive manner, with trade promotion activities and efforts to connect businesses to be enhanced, and policies on improving the investment environment, and investment encouragement and protection strengthened to attract investment from both countries.

Collaboration in key areas such as transportation, labour, tourism, culture and education will be stepped up in a meaningful and comprehensive way. The scholarship programmes offered by both governments will also be expanded to meet the needs of their students.

Additionally, joint work in other fields such as science, clean energy, renewable energy, and climate change adaptation will be intensified and promoted, Thanh highlighted.

Looking back at the bilateral relations, the ambassador stated that Viet Nam and Mongolia established their diplomatic relations on November 17, 1954. Mongolia was one of the first countries to establish its diplomatic ties with Viet Nam, and Viet Nam was the first country in Southeast Asia with which Mongolia formed such a relationship.

Over the past 70 years, the traditional friendship has continuously developed and achieved numerous accomplishments. Currently, based on mutual understanding and respect, this relationship is increasingly being strengthened, particularly in the areas of security, defence, economics, and trade.

The two countries have achieved a high level of political understanding and trust, considering each other as important partners, as reflected through the regular exchange of high-level delegations, the sharing of views on maintaining regional peace and stability, and the signing of various documents that establish frameworks for bilateral cooperation.

The two nations have actively cooperated in areas such as deploying peacekeeping forces for the United Nations (UN) and military medicine; and enhanced coordination and supported each other at various international forums, including the UN, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and other regional organisations.

Economic and trade cooperation is continually being expanded, with bilateral trade reaching over US$130 million USD in 2023.

Although bilateral trade remains modest, it holds significant potential for robust growth, particularly in the export of agricultural products, food, and consumer goods from Viet Nam, said the Vietnamese ambassador, adding that Viet Nam can become a market for Mongolian agricultural products and raw materials, such as coal, beef, goat meat, sheep meat, and livestock products.

According to the diplomat, there remains ample room for the two countries to further develop their relations in various fields, particularly in economics, trade, and agriculture.

In the economic sphere, both sides can focus on their strengths in areas such as mining, steel production, agricultural import and export, processed food, and livestock products.

In terms of tourism, the differences in climate and geography between the two countries offer attractive travel products for each other's visitors.

Both nations are aiming to develop their tourism sectors and have waived visa requirements for tourists, opened direct flights, and created favourable conditions for the promotion and development of tourism in the coming time. This will help enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Thanh said.

The ambassador also proposed the two sides collaborate in exchanging technology, experience, and agricultural products; and enhance cooperation in education and training, telecommunications, food processing, animal feed production, pharmaceuticals, and mining.  VNA/VNS
Pham Tuan Ngoc, a visionary artist and photographer in HCM City, is renowned among photography enthusiasts at home and abroad. His artworks have been showcased at numerous exhibitions and featured across various media platforms.

Ngoc holds the record for creating the largest hand-printed black and white photo in Viet Nam. Additionally, he is the founder of Noirfoto Darkroom-Studio-Gallery, recognised as a leader in organising art exhibitions that bring together photography aficionados.

Viet Nam News interviewed Ngoc about his journey into photography, Noirfoto's coming plans, and strategy for enhancing the quality of photography.

Inner Sanctum: Would you please introduce yourself and your journey into the art of photography?

My love for photography blossomed at a young age. In first grade, when my grandmother asked me what gift I wanted from her business trip abroad, my response was clear: a camera.

However, it was during my study for a master's in Europe in 2008 that my passion for photography truly flourished.

To cover expenses during my time abroad, I delivered sushi on a motorcycle, an experience that may not seem joyful to many but was a source of genuine happiness for me.

Riding through the streets of Paris on my motorcycle provided me with a unique perspective of the poetic city.

This experience culminated in a collection of black and white photos of Paris, which was showcased at my inaugural solo exhibition - 9 (Neuf) - Paris in Black & White in HCM City and Ha Noi in 2019. Subsequently, I published an art photo book titled Paris 9.

Following the 9 (Neuf) - Paris in Black & White exhibition, I gained recognition for personally hand-printing an entire collection of black and white photos, acclaimed for their quality being equivalent to preserved artwork in museums.

Also in 2019, two photographers had a collection of black and white photos on a very special theme, the SOS Children's Village in Viet Nam. They sought the help of top hand printers in the US to complete the collection and only one piece remained unfinished.

They, however, did not have enough time to send the negative version to the US. They came to me with a task to hand-print their collection with dimensions, quality, and finishing equivalent to the largest and top photo printing company in the US - Griffin Editions.

Luckily, I was able to do it. This event unexpectedly made me the record holder of the largest hand-printed black and white photo in Viet Nam.

The journey continued as I delved into experimenting with techniques such as lumen printing, resulting in the "Chloris" exhibition, the first collection in Viet Nam created using this method. Exploring cyanotype printing on silk gave rise to the collections Five Elements and Eternal Flow.

Throughout my journey, I have received strong support from Noirfoto - the organisation I founded in 2017 upon recognising a significant unmet need in the art community.

One of Noirfoto's core missions from the beginning has been to support artist development. Through the "Artist Nurturing Programme", we select artists, provide them with theoretical knowledge, elevate their practical skills, showcase their works in group exhibitions, and ultimately organise solo exhibitions for them.

Inner Sanctum: Photography in Viet Nam has in recent years seen a surge in both the number of photographers and the audience. In your opinion, what is the reason for this trend and how can it evolve in terms of quality?

With higher living standards in recent years many individuals could afford time and resources to pursue hobbies, with photography emerging as a prevalent choice.

The ubiquity of smartphones equipped with advanced imaging technology, coupled with the popularity of social media platforms, has inundated us with imagery. A common observation, however, reveals a lack of innovative perspectives and stagnation in the quality of photography despite the increase in quantity.

To propel the field forward in terms of quality, proactive educational initiatives focused on fostering expertise should be prioritised to augment critical thinking and creativity among photography enthusiasts serious about their work.

Engaging in contemporary competitions tailored to the intimate photography community can offer participants an accurate gauge of their skills and talents.

Inner Sanctum: Noirfoto has established itself as a prominent figure in organising successful art exhibitions. What strategy does Noirfoto employ in selecting artists for exhibitions, and who is the target audience that Noirfoto seeks to engage with through its art exhibition services?

Noirfoto's artist selection criteria hinge primarily on the quality of the artwork, alongside an assessment of the artists' commitment, professionalism, finances, attitude, and determination in pursuing expertise. These considerations collectively inform decisions regarding exhibition participation.

While this forms the foundation of our strategy, the current cultural landscape in Viet Nam presents challenges in fully executing these criteria concerning expertise and professionalism. Moving forward, we aim to expand the pool of talented artists to align with these standards. The target audience Noirfoto aims to engage with includes individuals possessing artwork that they aspire to exhibit.

Inner Sanctum: In your opinion, what criteria does an art exhibition need to meet in order to be considered successful?

Success in the context of an art exhibition varies among stakeholders.

For artists, success may be gauged by public recognition, reputation, and acknowledgement of their talent and proficiency. Organisers may define success by audience engagement, artwork sales, and positive media coverage.

Viewers often perceive the success of an art exhibition through the lens of a well-curated space, captivating artworks, and emotionally evocative experiences.

While stakeholders may have divergent measures of success, Noirfoto believes that high-quality artwork professionally displayed, coupled with effective public outreach to collectors and the media, leave an enduringly positive impression on all parties involved.

Despite encountering objective and subjective challenges since its inception, Noirfoto is resolute in its commitment to progress and anticipates continued growth in its activities, focusing on exhibitions, artistic endeavours, and artist support.

Inner Sanctum: As a seasoned photographer, what advice do you have for aspiring photography enthusiasts aiming for success?

The realm of photography presents an expansive and whimsical landscape, best explored by diving deep into its depths to truly appreciate its magnitude. To achieve success in photography, aspiring enthusiasts can embark on two principal factors: commercial and artistic.

The commercial factor necessitates a dedicated focus, continuous skill refinement, and the development of expertise through engagement with agencies, brands, and partners such as studios and equipment rental agencies, and the establishment of a personal branding strategy.

Conversely, aspiring photographers choosing the artistic path should cultivate depth and sensitivity, enrich their life experiences, and nurture a distinct perspective of the photography world to hone their direction, material choices, and techniques. VNS
PERRY, Fla. (AP)  Authorities struggled to get water and other supplies to isolated, flood-stricken areas across the U.S. Southeast in the wake of Hurricane Helene as the death toll from the storm rose to nearly 100.

A North Carolina county that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported 30 people killed due to the storm, and several other fatalities reported in North Carolina Sunday pushed the overall death toll to at least 91 people across several states.

Supplies were being airlifted to the region around the isolated city. Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder pledged that she would have food and water into Ashville  which is known for its arts, culture and natural attractions  by Monday.

We hear you. We need food and we need water, Pinder said on a Sunday call with reporters. My staff has been making every request possible to the state for support and weve been working with every single organization that has reached out. What I promise you is that we are very close.

Officials warned that rebuilding from the widespread loss of homes and property would be lengthy and difficult. The storm upended life throughout the Southeast. Deaths also were reported in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

North Carolina governor predicts the death toll will rise as rescuers reach isolated areas

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper predicted the toll would rise as rescuers and other emergency workers reached areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure and widespread flooding.

He implored residents in western North Carolina to avoid travel, both for their own safety and to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. More than 50 search teams spread throughout the region in search of stranded people.

One rescue effort involved saving 41 people north of Asheville. Another mission focused on saving a single infant. The teams found people through both 911 calls and social media messages, North Carolina National Guard Adjutant General Todd Hunt said.

President Joe Biden described the impact of the storm as stunning and said he would visit the area this week as long as it does not disrupt rescues or recovery work.

Hurricane Helene roared ashore late Thursday in Floridas Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph (225 kph) winds. A weakened Helene quickly moved through Georgia, then soaked the Carolinas and Tennessee with torrential rains that flooded creeks and rivers and strained dams.

There have been hundreds of water rescues, including in rural Unicoi County in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked by helicopter from a hospital rooftop Friday.

More than 2 million homeowners and other utility customers were still without power Sunday night. South Carolina had the most outages and Gov. Henry McMaster asked for patience as crews dealt with widespread snapped power poles.

We want people to remain calm. Help is on the way, it is just going to take time, McMaster told reporters outside the airport in Aiken County.

Begging for help in North Carolina as that help is slow to arrive

The storm unleashed the worst flooding in a century in North Carolina. One community, Spruce Pine, was doused with over 2 feet (61 centimeters) of rain from Tuesday through Saturday.

Jessica Drye Turner in Texas had begged for someone to rescue her family members stranded on their rooftop in Asheville amid rising floodwaters. They are watching 18-wheelers and cars floating by, Turner wrote in an urgent Facebook post on Friday.

But in a follow-up message Saturday, Turner said help had not arrived in time to save her parents, both in their 70s, and her 6-year-old nephew. The roof collapsed and the three drowned.

I cannot convey in words the sorrow, heartbreak and devastation my sisters and I are going through, she wrote.

The state was sending water supplies and other items toward Buncombe County and Asheville, but mudslides blocking Interstate 40 and other highways prevented supplies from making it. The countys own water supplies were on the other side of the Swannanoa River, away from where most of the 270,000 people in Buncombe County live, officials said.

Law enforcement was making plans to send officers to places that still had water, food or gas because of reports of arguments and threats of violence, the county sheriff said.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell toured south Georgia on Sunday and planned to be in North Carolina Monday.

Its still very much an active search and rescue mission in western North Carolina, Criswell said. And we know that theres many communities that are cut off just because of the geography of the mountains, where damage to roads and bridges have cut off certain areas.

Biden on Saturday pledged federal government help for Helene's overwhelming devastation. He also approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funding available for affected individuals.

Storm-battered Florida digs out, residents gather for church

In Florida's Big Bend, some lost nearly everything they own. With sanctuaries still darkened as of Sunday morning, some churches canceled regular services while others like Faith Baptist Church in Perry opted to worship outside.

Standing water and tree debris still covers the grounds of Faith Baptist Church. The church called on parishioners to come pray for our community in a message posted to the congregations Facebook page.

We have power. We dont have electricity, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church parishioner Marie Ruttinger said. Our God has power. Thats for sure.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Saturday that it looked like a bomb went off after viewing splintered homes and debris-covered highways from the air.

In eastern Georgia near the border with South Carolina, officials notified Augusta residents Sunday morning that water service would be shut off for 24 to 48 hours in the city and surrounding Richmond County.

A news release said trash and debris from the storm blocked our ability to pump water. Officials were distributing bottled water.

With at least 25 killed in South Carolina, Helene was the deadliest tropical cyclone for the state since Hurricane Hugo made landfall north of Charleston in 1989, killing 35 people.

Moodys Analytics said it expects $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage.

Climate change has exacerbated conditions that allow such storms to thrive, rapidly intensifying in warming waters and turning into powerful cyclones sometimes within hours.

New tropical depression in Atlantic could become strong hurricane, forecasters say

A new tropical depression in the eastern Atlantic Ocean could become a formidable hurricane later this week, the National Hurricane Center said Sunday. The depression had sustained 35 mph (55kph) winds and was located about 585 miles (945 kilometers) west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, the center said. It could become a hurricane by Wednesday.

Whittle reported from Portland, Maine, and Collins reported from Columbia, South Carolina. Haya Panjwani in Washington, Kate Brumback in Atlanta and Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed.
The conflict with Russia did not begin in 2014, and neither did the project to take control of Ukraine. Georgia was part of it all in 2008, and before that, the muddled Western hands were in Chechnya

Since the disillusionment of European great powers, there has been no real idea enacted in the relationship between Russia and the West for some time. Hate has always been predominant against Russia. After the brief illusory period following the dissolution of the USSR, I believe that Russia is once more aware of it and now understands that while children can actually be reasoned with, the West is far from even a child mentality, it is Satanic in its encompass

Russian is the ultimate colonizers dream frontier, especially for the resource poor West, and their elites have always had a history of hatred for Russia and an obsession with its riches. Keep in mind that Russia and the Soviet Union played and now still play a significant role in the anticolonial movement against the West. Those memories of being attacked are still fresh

Therefore, Russia is again effectively rising from the ashes (like the Phoenix) against what appeared to the West to be its inevitable demise (remember all of the articles that were so prevalent a decade ago about Russians inexorable decline?) Russia has and had and did begin retaliating

Russias strategy aligns with the BRICS and the establishment of a potential anti-neocolonial financial system, which would undoubtedly be yet another blow in this ongoing conflict

It is unreasonable, in my opinion, to believe that Germany is the focus of this war. Germany was already defeated and occupied a long time ago by the USA and UK, and at some point Germany was already equipped with weapons to destroy Russia itself, as Ukraine is now. I do believe that the West did not anticipate Russian rising from the dead, which explains the intense animosity toward Putin and the decision to throw everything at Russia now before it grows even more powerful

It didnt work, and I think this will cause problems for the West for a long time to come. Never go full retard and always have Plans B and C, yet With no Plan B even in sight, much less a Plan C, who will send the next message? The Baltic states and Finland? The situation for the neocolonizers will only get worse as Russia consolidates its power and the EU and USA continue to rapidly decline as power shifts. Power is shifting, even as you read this

After all, it isnt the end of history, is it?

Wt
ERIE, Pa. (AP)  Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump escalated his personal attacks on his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, on Sunday by repeating an insult that she was mentally impaired while also saying she should be impeached and prosecuted."

Trump's rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, took on similar themes as an event one day earlier that he himself described as a dark speech. He told a cheering crowd Sunday that Harris was responsible for an invasion at the U.S.-Mexico border and "she should be impeached and prosecuted for her actions.

Crooked Joe Biden became mentally impaired, he added. Sad. But lying Kamala Harris, honestly, I believe she was born that way. Theres something wrong with Kamala. And I just dont know what it is, but there is definitely something missing. And you know what, everybody knows it.

With just over a month until the election, Trump is intensifying his use of personal and offensive attacks, even as some Republicans say he'd be better off sticking to the issues.

His suggestions that political enemies be prosecuted are particularly notable for their departure from norms in the U.S. in which the justice system is supposed to be protected from political influence. In recent weeks, Trump has threatened prosecutions of Google for allegedly giving priority to good stories about Harris and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Trump has long threatened legal action against his rivals, including President Joe Biden and his 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton. This month he vowed to jail those involved in unscrupulous behavior this election, including election workers, lawyers, political operatives, donors, and voters, yet again attempting to sow doubt about the integrity of the election.

But he also has many legal problems of his own. He was convicted in May of falsifying business records in a hush money case in New York, with a sentencing scheduled for Nov. 26. Two other cases are pending  a federal case for his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and a state case in Georgia for his efforts to overturn his 2020 loss there to Biden. Prosecutors are appealing a federal judge's dismissal of a case involving his handling of classified documents.

Trump argues federal and state prosecutors are targeting him for political reasons, though there is no evidence to suggest that is true. If he wins the election, Trump could potentially pardon himself on the federal cases or order the Justice Department to shut down their investigations of him.

On Sunday, he acknowledged he might lose in November: If she wins, it's not going to be so pleasant for me, but I don't care.

Trump has derided Harris, the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent to lead a major party ticket, as stupid, weak, dumb as a rock and lazy. His allies have pushed him publicly and privately to talk instead about the economy, immigration and other issues.

I just think the better course to take is to prosecute the case that her policies are destroying the country, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on CNN's State of the Union" Sunday when asked about Trump's comments. Theyre crazy liberal.

When asked whether he approved of the personal attacks on Harris, Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., sidestepped during an interview on ABCs This Week.

I think Kamala Harris is the wrong choice for America, said Emmer, who is helping Trumps running mate JD Vance prepare for Tuesdays vice-presidential debate. I think Kamala Harris is actually as bad or worse as the administration that weve witnessed for the last four years.

When pressed, Emmer said: I think we should stick to the issues. The issues are, Donald Trump fixed it once. They broke it. Hes going to fix it again. Those are the issues.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, running for the Senate as a moderate Republican, brought up Trump's false claims that Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, had previously played down her Black heritage. Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black institution, and has identified as both Black and South Asian consistently throughout her political career.

Ive already called him out when he had the one interview where he was questioning her racial identity, and now hes questioning her mental competence," Hogan told CBS' Face the Nation. And I think thats insulting not only to the vice president but to people who actually do have mental disabilities.

Harris has not commented on Trumps recent attacks but has said when asked about other comments that it was the  same old show. The same tired playbook weve heard for years with no plan on on how he would address the needs of the American people.

Ahead of the rally on Sunday, some of Trump's supporters said he often makes offensive remarks. Still, they support his proposals to restrict immigration and said he would have a better handle on the economy.

He says whats on his mind, and again, sometimes how he says it isnt appropriate, said Jeffrey Balogh, 56, who attended the rally with two friends. But he did the job. He did very well at it.

Tamara Molnar said she thinks Trump is very strong on immigration. As for his insults, Molnar said: I think everybody has to have some decorum when speaking about other candidates, and I dont think either side is necessarily innocent on that. Theres a lot of slinging both ways.

At the rally in Erie, Trump said the invasion would end and deportations would begin if he took office.

Thousands of migrants from the most dangerous countries are destroying the character of small towns and leaving local communities in anguish and in despair, he said, talking about communities in the battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Last month, the GOP leader said he was entitled to personal attacks against Harris.

As far as the personal attacks, Im very angry at her because of what shes done to the country," he told a news conference then. Im very angry at her that she would weaponize the justice system against me and other people, very angry at her. I think Im entitled to personal attacks.

Long reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
The 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival kicks off on Friday night in Qufu, Shandong province, the birthplace of Confucius. [Photo by Yang Guoqing/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Three educational programs were honored with this year's UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy on Friday night in Qufu, Shandong province, the birthplace of Confucius, during the opening ceremony of 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival.

Sokola literacy education for indigenous Indonesians is awarded for combining first-language instruction with ethnographic methods and integrating syllables and phonetics to strengthen students' native languages.

It extends beyond basic skills to include digital literacy, media literacy, education for sustainable development, global citizenship and job-specific skills. Between 2021 and 2023, 200 participants benefited from the program.

The "FastTrack" program from Nigeria includes a bilingual method of language instruction, teaching both the national language and the learners' first language.

Since 2021, more than 19,000 refugees who has been displaced and out-of-school children across seven Nigerian states have completed literacy and life skills training.

Illiteracy Eradication Project in Egypt expands literacy initiatives to include non-Arabic speakers, digitalizes its adult education curriculum, promotes digital literacy skills and creates educational videos for all ages.

The project has graduated over 130,000 learners and aimed to address gender disparities in literacy and education access.

Confucius Prize focuses on functional literacy, leveraging technological environments in support of adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth, Stefania Giannini, assistant director-general for education at UNESCO, said in her speech delivered online for the awards ceremony.

"Once again, it's about putting an inclusion at the very core of our initiatives," she said.

Confucius (551-479 BC) was a Chinese educator and philosopher credited as the first to set up a private school to enroll students from different social classes. His thoughts and ideas have had a deep influence in China and beyond.

With the theme of Dialogue with Confucius: Mutual Learning among Civilizations, the 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival celebrates 2,575 years since the birth of the Chinese philosopher.


As death tolls continue to rise and cleanup efforts commence following Hurricane Helene, Alabama first responders have offered their assistance in North Carolina.

The Prattville Fire Department announced on Facebook that its crew along with Swift Water Rescue Technicians from Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Calera and Mobile made it to their destination in North Carolina late last night to help with search and rescue efforts as the state saw extensive damage from the category 4 hurricane over the weekend.

Today, [the crew members] were transported via helicopter to an area that was only described as annihilated. Our crews just wrapped up their searches and surveys for the day and are extremely tired and sore but they are in good spirits. Please continue to pray for our crew but most importantly for those in this area that have lost family members and all their belongings, the Facebook post states.

More than 50 teams have spread throughout the region in search of stranded people.

Our crew, along with Swift Water Rescue Technicians from Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Calera, Birmingham, and... Posted by Prattville Fire Department on Saturday, September 28, 2024

RELATED: At least 52 dead, millions without power after Helenes deadly march across southeastern US

According to reports from The Associated Press, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Sunday that the toll of 11 dead in his state was expected to rise as rescuers and other emergency workers reached areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure and widespread flooding.

One rescue effort involved saving 41 people north of Asheville, while another mission focused on saving a single infant. The teams were finding people through both 911 calls and social media messages, North Carolina Adjutant General Todd Hunt said.

According to an AP tally, deaths from the storm occurred in not only North Carolina, but also Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Following the recent closure of a rural hospital, health care advocates are renewing calls for Gov. Kay Ivey to expand Medicaid access in Alabama but the governor still says her worry is how to pay for the expansion long-term.

Ensuring Alabamians all across the state have access to quality health care is important to the governor, said Gina Maiola, Communications Director for the governor. However, on the question of expanding Medicaid, she remains concerned for how the state would pay for it long-term.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network of Alabama and Alabama Arise have called on Ivey to expand Medicaid access following the closure of Thomasville Regional Medical Center in Clarke County and worsening health care issues. Jane Adams, Government Relations Director for ACSCAN, said Iveys refusal to expand Medicaid would threaten more hospital closures and suffering for Alabamians especially in rural areas.

Rural Alabamians who need immediate care will face potentially grave consequences of this predictable outcome. This is a result of the healthcare issues long present in Alabama, which Gov. Kay Ivey can easily change with one stroke of her pen. It is time for Gov. Ivey to allow Alabama to join 40 other states and enact Medicaid expansion, Adams said in a statement.

Arise said we are in a health care crisis, while referencing the closure of four labor and delivery units in Alabama since last October.

AL.com reported that rural areas have been losing pediatricians and part of the problem is because of issues with Medicaid. Alabama Hospital Association officials said expanding Medicaid could help boost rural hospitals financially.

In an interview, Adams told AL.com that Ivey citing concern for long-term costs as the reason for not expanding Medicaid yet is a lie.

Thats a lie, Adams said.

We have plans that weve showed her administration that pay for Medicaid expansion for 10 years, the amount in federal funding that we receive is equal to the amount we got during the covid stimulus.

If we expanded Medicaid, we would get that equal amount of money just to invest into health insurance. There are plenty of ways to expand Medicaid and be fiscally responsible. 40 other states have figured it out, including Republican states...So, this lie of how we are going to pay for it long term is an excuse.

Alabama is one of only 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid access offered by the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare.

Republican lawmakers have historically been reluctant to support the expansion because it is tied to Obamacare. However, during a meeting in April Alabama legislators expressed openness to the idea after being briefed by lawmakers from North Carolina and Arkansas on the benefits of Medicaid expansion.

But Medicaid expansion was not approved during the 2024 legislative session despite Republican House Speaker Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Jasper, stating support for a private-public option. Despite legislative action Adams stated that Ivey did not have to wait for the legislature and could enact Medicaid expansion herself through executive action but refuses.

The idea that partisan politics is why thousands of Alabamians are left without health insurance upsets Martha Raulerson, a pediatrician and former president of The Medical Association of the state of Alabama. According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 174,000 individuals would gain coverage through Medicaid expansion.

Raulerson said that if it was called Trumpcare instead of Obamacare Medicaid expansion would have already occurred. Raulerson also lives in Escambia County where concerns for the hospitals are growing following the closure of TRMC. The Escambia County Commission is exploring the possibility of an ad valorem tax to generate an addition $1.6 million for the hospital system.

Raulerson said that expanding Medicaid is the number one thing that would help healthcare crises many areas are facing while benefitting the state overall.

Our citizens are suffering because of that [no Medicaid expansion], Raulerson said. It would actually bring more money into the state. It would also give us a healthier population.
By Farman Aydin, AzerNEWS

A year has passed since Garabagh was cleared of the separatist regime. This date is also marked by the full implementation of international laws and UN resolutions that have been disrespected in the past three decades.

However, some international organizations that serve separatism and terrorism, and even those who call themselves human rights defenders, ignore these laws.

Francois Zimeray and Catalina de la Sota, who called themselves lawyers and overstepped their bounds against the territorial integrity of another state, launched another biased campaign to show solidarity with the separatist remnants.

According to their absurd claims, France must appeal to the International Court for the crimes committed in Nagorno-Karabakh. These two idiots, who have zero information about the situation in Garabagh, claim that "100,000 Armenians" have been deported from Garabagh  but without mentioning the Garabagh region of which country. Although the claim is unchanged, the numbers are cynically distorted again.

We remind you that after the anti-terror operation measures in Garabagh, different versions were invented regarding the number of Armenians who voluntarily left the Garabagh region. Looking back to previous vesrions issued in 2023, Yerevan talked about 200,000 Armenians in ambitious statements. Later, 150,000 was mentioned in the baseless statements of Armenian lobby organizations. Now there is talk of granting refugee status to 100,000 Armenians. It seems that as Armenia comes to terms with the facts, the numbers also change towards the truth.

Francois Zimeray and Catalina de la Sota call France to judge the Garabagh territory of Azerbaijan, while neither France nor organizations have the right to interfere in the internal affairs of the region today. What were they thinking when Armenia occupied more than 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory until 2020.

It would be good if France gave shelter to "100 thousand Armenians" in the cities of Marseille or Bourbon. There is no doubt that if France does this, the numbers will be slightly smaller and more realistic.

Francois Zimeray and Catalina de la Sota shed tears for 100,000 Armenians, but they grossly violate their human rights. It should be recalled that about 30 years ago, more than 1 million internally displaced persons settled in temporary tents in different places of Azerbaijan. Although international organizations saw this, their attitude was not reflected in any statement. Today, the remains of Azerbaijanis who were mass-murdered in Khojaly, Meshali, Baganis Ayrym, and Kalbajar are found under the soil. Innocent civilians were killed by special torture. Families and civilians who were brutally killed do not interest the so-called lawyers like Francois Zimeray and Catalina de la Sota. Because their concern is not human rights, their goal is to serve criminals and cover up Armenian crimes.
A man was killed, and another is in custody following a shooting and standoff in Fairfield.

Jefferson County sheriffs deputies were dispatched just before 11:30 a.m. Saturday to Budgetel Inns & Suites on Kelco Place on a report of a person shot.

A 35-year-old man was dead at the scene.

Deputies arrived and made contact with the suspect who was holed up in one of the rooms, said sheriffs spokesman Henry Irby. The alleged shooter surrendered a short time later without further incident.

Irby did not release any details.

The victim is Fairfields fourth homicide this year and the second in less than a week. A 17-year-old boy was killed in a Monday shooting in the city.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 161 homicides in 2024, including the four in Fairfield.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
This is another installment in Birmingham Times/AL.com/CBS42 joint series Beyond the Violence. This project is grant- and donor-supported. Contribute to support the project here.

With just a single student, one table and four chairs, Donna Dukes opened Maranathan Academy in 1991 to help Birminghams young people.

Maranathan, a nonprofit, private alternative school, serves critically at-risk students from sixth grade to adulthood.

Many Maranathan students have experienced violence, hunger or poverty. Dukes founded the school with the hope that the program would give students and their families an opportunity to succeed and thrive.

In the wake of rising violence across Birmingham, including the mass shooting in Birmingham that left four people dead and 17 injured, Dukes says its important for local youth, especially those who might struggle or feel unsafe in a traditional school setting, to have options.

So many of our kids come to us exhibiting signs of PTSD because of the crime in their neighborhoods and the fact that they have never known a life that doesnt have daily gunfire in it, Dukes said.

Some go to Maranthan in search of better opportunities and a safe haven.

The most amazing kids

Dukes planned to become an attorney that specialized in juvenile offenders. However, after spending time volunteering at the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center, she felt a calling to help them in another way.

It only took three days to meet the most amazing kids, who had done not so amazing things. All of them had been expelled. They didnt have anywhere to goSomeone needed to start a school for these kids, Dukes said

With her mother, Jacquelyn Bates Dukes, who taught science, math and French, and her father, Rev. Frank Dukes, who taught African American history , by her side, Dukes opened Maranathan in her grandparents small house with a red painted porch and white banisters in Kingston.

It was that hominess that helped a lot, in the beginning, with our students who had been so broken downto actually feel like they had some place to go, and a safe haven and a second chance, Dukes said.

Over the years, Maranathan has graduated more than 400 students.

Today, Maranathan Academy is based in a suite in a large glass paneled multi-use office building.

Classes are small, with no more than five students per grade level.

Most students attend Maranathan through scholarships. It costs $10,000 to teach a Maranthan student for a year, which includes textbooks, uniforms, food, field trips, bus passes, haircuts and personal hygiene products.

Our dream is to have our own free standing building where we can have more students, more consistent, multi-year, committed fundraising or funding, Dukes said. Here, theyre free to laugh, and to dream and to be children.

Maranathan has an 85% graduation rate, similar to Alabama schools 2022-23 88% graduation rate, according to reports from the Alabama Department of Education .

Over the years, Dukes worked with the Birmingham Public School System and the Birmingham Police Department to take on more students.

Devin Bridges is valedictorian of Maranathan AcademySpecial

Devin Bridges entered Maranathan as a ninth grader after spotty internet access during COVID made remote learning at his former school difficult.

Bridges said he often went to class feeling ill, suffering from migraines, stomach pains and body aches. Dukes and his teachers took notice and connected him to resources that could help. His teachers were always understanding and helped him to catch up on his work.

They connected me with doctors. They helped me out with getting medicine, Bridges said. It was just like a family. Whenever I needed help there was always someone there to help me. It was the best school environment I had ever been in.

Bridges took writing classes at Maranathan from Birmingham author T.K. Thorne, who encouraged him to use his voice.

In the spring, Bridges graduated from Marananthan as valedictorian. And earlier this month, he recited his own poem about unity in front of 600 people at a fundraiser at Samford University .

Bridges said Maranathan helped him to find his voice.

Everyone at Maranathan Academy pushed me to do more. They made me a lot more comfortable with just getting out there and doing more, Bridges said.

Becoming welders, lawyers, teachers

Many Maranathan students face unimaginable hardships.

Critically at risk students have challenges that far exceed socioeconomic hardships, crime in neighborhoods or familial composition. I actually have students whose parents try to get them to quit school every day so they can deal drugs, [engage in prostitution], have babies, just to not go to school, Dukes said.

The primary goal of Maranathan Academy, Dukes said, is to break cycles of dependency on government assistance and give students and their families opportunities to thrive through education.

Maranathan students have gone on to become members of the military, welders, HVAC technicians and teachers, she said. Two former students have graduated from law school. Some own their own homes and businesses.

Maranathan also serves adults of any age through a diploma completion program at Campus of Hope in Gate City . The program is also available online through Zoom.

Dukes said a majority of the students are single mothers who live in public housing. The adult students go to prom, get caps and gowns and cross the stage alongside the high school seniors.

The oldest graduate from Campus of Hope was a 95-year-old woman.

Many of the women who got their diplomas through Campus of Hope became certified contractors, nursing assistants and phlebotomists, according to Dukes.

Dukes said the commonality between all of her students over the years was that they all simply wanted a second chance at education.

An alumnis story: Life changing

Donna Dukes (right) opened Maranathan Academy in 1991 to help at-risk youth succeed through education, resources and mentorship. Robyn Levert (left) said Maranathan made her feel safe.Alaina Bookman

In high school, Robyn Levert witnessed and experienced bullying. She transferred to Maranathan to be in an environment where she felt comfortable learning.

I can remember that first day. I felt safe. All the teachers were super sweet. They actually took their time with actually teaching youMs. Dukes was the one person who would have gone beyond the beyond to make sure I was okay. She was one of the greatest people Ive ever met in my life, Levert said.

Today, 24-year-old Levert is in the final stages of becoming a registered nurse and attends Lawson State Community College.

Maranathan set us up for success. It set us up for the world, Levert said. I would not have made it this far if it wasnt for me going to Maranathan Academy.

Ladazia Brown transferred to Maranathan Academy in search of a better learning environment when she was 16 years old. Brown said many of her peers made it hard for her to learn, so she found Maranathan and begged her mother to transfer.

My experience at Maranathan was wonderful. It was life changing, Brown said. It felt like home.

Brown, who as a child did not believe college was for her, said Dukes convinced her to attend Miles College where she joined a sorority, became cheer captain and graduated with honors with her bachelors in science and child development.

Today, Brown, who is 22, works as a kindergarten aide in San Diego. She plans to go to graduate school for her masters degree.

To this day, Brown still trusts and confides in Dukes. Brown said she became a Kindergarten teacher in hopes of making a similar impact on another childs life.

The staff really wanted to help you and the students are really ready to learn. Truly, all those students just wanted a second chance at life. They want to be heard. They want to do good. They just fell short in life and the school system counted them out, Brown said.

During their time at Maranathan, Brown and Levert said they remember attending prom and graduation, participating in extracurriculars, community events, taking etiquette and communication classes and listening to powerful speakers who talked about careers and goal setting.

Most of all, Brown and Levert said they remember the impact Dukes and Maranathan made on their lives.

For the students that attend Maranathan, I just want to tell them to, just keep going, keep pushing. Theres definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. Im living proof of it, Brown said.
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Birmingham booster struggles with mass shooting.

Well, you guessed it.

Im that Birmingham booster.

Im that guy that who writes columns and gives speeches promising a better future for Birmingham.

But after the mass shooting in Five Points South, where am I?

Where are you?

Ive walked the streets of Five Points South hundreds of times.

Ive been there with my wife,

Ive been there with my children and grandchildren.

Many of you have done the same.

So how do we stay safe?

How do we keep our families safe?

Avoiding Five South is not going to guarantee our safety.

Avoiding the City of Birmingham is not going to guarantee our safety.

Criminals with guns dont exclaim, Im about to leave the city limits of Birmingham, I better turn around.

I live in Vestavia Hills, but I cant live my life never leaving my city.

But staying in my city may not be safe either. Its been two years since the mass shooting at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills that resulted in three deaths.

When Im out-of-state, and people ask me where Im from, I dont say Im from Vestavia Hills. I say Im from Birmingham.

You do the same.

You dont say youre from Mountain Brook.

You dont say youre from Homewood.

You dont say youre from Hoover.

Youre from Birmingham.

To the rest of the world, we are all from Birmingham.

Whether we like it or not, people judge us for living in Birmingham.

This makes it difficult for us to recruit thriving companies.

This makes it difficult for our businesses to recruit talented employees.

I gave a speech last week at The Club about the future of Birmingham.

There were about forty people in the audience from our Birmingham region, but only one lived in the City of Birmingham.

Only 17% of the population of our Birmingham-Hoover metro area live in the City of Birmingham.

Birminghams population is shrinking.

It would not be good if everyone moved out of the city of Birmingham.

It would not be good if everyone quit going into Birmingham.

Some folks may say Im being hypocritical for not living in Birmingham. But for everyone to move into Birmingham is not the solution.

We must understand that we are in this together and that what happens in Birmingham has a major impact on our lives.

We all chose to live outside the city limits of Birmingham so we get no vote and no say so.

This does not absolve us of the consequences.

This is not just a Birmingham problem.

This is an all of us problem.

David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. Hes past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).

Click here to sign up for our newsletter. (Opt out at any time)

Invite David to speak for free to your group about how we can have a more prosperous metro Birmingham. dsher@comebacktown.com .
Reuters reports, Israel rejects US-backed Lebanon ceasefire plan, hits Beirut again and adds that France also supports a ceasefire. It is easily understandable, given that the last time France won a major war on its own was during Napoleons reign, that this country wants Israel to stop battering the same terrorists who murdered 53 French troops in 1983. French president Emmanuel Macron said of Benjamin Netanyahu, It would be a mistake by the prime minister to refuse it because he would be taking responsibility for regional escalation, as if there were not an all-out war already in progress. It would not surprise me if Vichy collaborators like Marshal Petain, Pierre Laval, and Admiral Darlan made similar comments about Winston Churchills regional escalation circa 1941. Churchill is credited, and rightly so, with saving civilization from the Axis, and Netanyahu looks like the right person to save civilization from Iranian-backed terrorism.

Less understandable is why our country also wants Israel to accept a ceasefire with Hezballah. Israel, in fact, did the United States work for it by killing Ibrahim Aqil, a terrorist responsible for murdering 241 U.S. Marines and other service personnel in 1983. Whether Israel is going to claim the $7-million reward for taking out our trash is yet to be seen, but the bottom line is that Israel did what we should have done ourselves.

Hezballahs Acts of Mass Destruction

Lets remember how we got here, even if Biden and Macron do not. First, Hezballah has no right to be in Lebanon at all. Second, Hezballah amassed more than a hundred thousand rockets, whose sole purpose is to murder Israeli civilians. Its to be remembered that, when Cuba began to amass missiles in 1963, we risked nuclear war with Russia to get them removed. Third, Hezballah has fired more than ten thousand of these missiles at Israel. One missile constitutes an act of war and a de facto declaration of war. If we assume half-ton warheads, with each having the explosive power of 1,000 pounds of TNT, ten thousand of them come to 63.3 equivalent kilotons, or more than eight Hiroshima-class bombs, aimed primarily at civilians. That rates a nuclear response, and Hezballah would have probably gotten one from any nuclear-armed country except Israel.

Hezballah is now losing the war it started, and losing it badly. The government of Israel would be grossly negligent were it to fail to pursue the advantage it has gained by battering Hezballah into the dirt so it will be unable to cause further trouble for Israel or the people of Lebanon. The fact that the government of the United States, as led by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, has given Israel irresponsible, reckless, and incompetent advice of this nature speaks for itself. It is the same mentality, to the effect that it is possible to be just a little bit at war, that squandered the lives of more than 58,000 of our soldiers in Vietnam and lost the region to the communists, who then perpetrated numerous crimes against humanity.

One Cannot Be a Little Bit at War

Lets make something clear: one is either at peace or at war. When Hezballah fired the first rocket, not to mention thousands more like it, at Israel, it was clearly no longer at peace with Israel, which means it is at war. When one is at war, one uses against the enemy whatever level of violence is necessary to terminate the conflict. Admiral John Fisher, the architect of the Dreadnought program, stated accurately, The essence of war is violence. Moderation in war is imbecility. Readers can judge for themselves the mental capacities of Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron according to Fishers standards.

White House National Security Communications adviser John Kirby said, We still believe an all-out war is not the best way to get people back in their homes. If thats the goal, we dont believe an all-out war is the right way to do that. If he does not recognize an all-out war when he sees one  namely, terrorists launching roughly one third as many rockets at Israel as Germany fired at the United Kingdom during the Second World War  then he should be in a different job. The people can return safely to their homes only after Hezballahs rockets are destroyed or otherwise removed totally. A New York Post opinion piece meanwhile adds, Hezballah cease-fire plan proves Joe Biden, Kamala Harris are both naive AND heartless and states the U.S. is withholding intelligence information from Israel that would help Israel destroy Hezballah.

Make no mistake: the sole effect of a three-week ceasefire would be to give Hezballah a respite during which it can bring in more weapons, and relocate and hide its current assets, so as to be in a better position to resume its attacks in October. A diplomatic solution that leaves Hezballah and its weapons in Lebanon, right on Israels doorstep, makes as much sense as stopping a surgical operation for cancer to leave most of the tumor inside the patient. We should have learned from the events of 1938 that diplomacy with terrorists and dictators is worse than futile. Diplomacy under these conditions is like an opiate that conceals the symptoms of a deadly disease while it allows the disease in question to progress.

If Biden and Macron do not know this, then the reader is free to apply Admiral Fishers statement and form his own conclusions. Israel will meanwhile do the civilized world a favor by breaking the backs of Irans Hezballah and also Hamas proxies, and it should be encouraged to get the job done for good.

Civis Americanus is the pen name of an American Thinker contributor who remembers the lessons of history and wants to ensure that our country never needs to learn those lessons again the hard way.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
The message in Lee Smiths brilliant article in Tablet Magazine this week is that the U.S. must stop losing wars. We create and fund and staff our military to protect us and its time to do that:

Only a fool could be blind to the fact that the Pentagon way of war, three decades into the 21st century and a world away from the United States last conclusive victory, means death for all who pursue it. If Washington and the Europeans are appalled by Israels campaign over the last two weeks, its because the Israelis have resurfaced the ugly truth that no modish theories of war, international organizations, or even American presidents could long obscure. Wars are won by killing the enemy, above all, those who inspire their people to kill yours. Killing Nasrallah not only anchors Israels victory in Lebanon but reestablishes the old paradigm for any Western leaders who take seriously their duty to protect their countrymen and civilization: Kill your enemies.

Before I discuss any more about this, Id like to briefly summarize this weeks astonishing news, news which puts paid to the idiotic Obama, Biden/Harris notion that appeasing and paying off the master of Middle East terrorism, Iran, and forcing Israel to ever more concessions with Irans proxies, is the pathway to peace. Indeed, the consequence of Israels continued audacious dismantling of Hamas and Hezballah -- the very opposite of what the angels of death -- the U.S. and Western European diplomatic establishment -- advance is the only way to bring peace and prosperity to that long-embattled part of the world.

On Friday, Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations. Countless delegates walked out before he spoke and the U.S. Ambassador to the UN did not attend, signaling once again the administration turning its back on our ally.

There is only one majority Moslem country in Europe, Albania. Its prime minister Edi Rama showed more solidarity with Israel than did the U.S. He pointedly wore a yellow ribbon in his lapel, the symbol of those wanting the hostages in Gaza returned. (Albania, by the way, was one of the very few places where Jews fleeing the Nazi death squads found safe shelter.)

Little did the performative actors who walked out -- or in our case, never showed up -- know, but in a sense Netanyahus appearance was a feint to let Nasrallah feel safe enough to come out of hiding. Before Netanyahu left for New York, his cabinet authorized a strike against Nasrallah as soon as there was operational feasibility. Shortly before his speech he was advised that opportunity had arisen and he approved the strike, which was carried out minutes after the speech ended. At least one observer (Elliot Steinmetz) likened this to the baptism scene in The Godfather. Certainly, it is the stuff of movies, if Hollywood ever gets off animations and Star Wars rip-offs.

His speech should become as classic and historic an address as Haile Selassies 1936 speech to the League of Nations. He openly attacked the UN, which, in truth, needs to be extinguished and replaced by a community of real, democratic nations, not a corrupt, richly-endowed anti-Western, anti-democratic, antisemitic chowder society. Here are some highlights:

In this swamp of antisemitic bile, theres an automatic majority willing to demonize Israel on anything, he noted, calling it an anti-Israel flat-earth society.

In Lebanon, he noted, Hezbollah had violated United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, dragging the country into war. He appealed to the Lebanese people, telling them Israel was not at war with them, and not to let Hezballah drag them into the abyss. He added that Israel will never again allow Hezb'allah to return to the border, where it could carry out an October 7-style attack. We wont rest until our citizens can return safely to their homes, he said.

He added that Hezballah was a global threat, reminding the nations in the chamber -- many of whom had condemned Israel -- that Hezballah had killed their citizens, and was responsible for more American and French deaths than any other terror group except Osama bin Ladens Al Qaeda.

Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Israel had only delayed it thus far, but would stop Iran for the sake and security of all your countries, for the sake and security of the entire world.

He returned to a vision of peace: To truly realize the blessing of the Middle East means achieving a historic peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, he insisted.

Indeed, the history of Hezballahs terrorism around the world is unmatched. And even this list is incomplete, because it fails to list the kidnapping, 15-months torture, and murder of our CIA station chief in Beirut William Francis Buckley, whose agony was taped by his tormentors and given to us by them.

Eliminated in the massive airstrike in a deep underground lair on Beirut were Nasrallah, his entire remaining leadership (apparently the replacements of the replacements, people who had not been entrusted with the pagers). Also eliminated in this strike were officers and commanders with Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG), including Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, the Deputy Commander of Operations for the IRGC as well as the Acting Commander of Quds Force Operations in Syria and Lebanon.

Irans leader Ali Khamenei called an emergency meeting of his National Security Council and is reportedly in hiding. A cargo plane used by the IRGC attempted to land in Beirut after Friday, but Israel apparently commandeered the communications of the airport tower, warning them that if they attempted to land, the plane would be blown up, and the plane returned to Tehran.

The ubiquitous availability of mobile phones with their photographic and video-capable features means that one can see the joy in the Middle East among Sunni Moslems, Christians, Druzes, and Israelis at the destruction of Hezballah and the gelding of Iran, whose people hate the theocratic monsters who rule them: videos from Azaz and Idlib in Syria and Christian and Sunni areas of Lebanon show the joy. Elsewhere in Lebanon, people are beating up fleeing Hezballah operatives trying to escape into their neighborhoods or fire missiles from them.

At the same time, Irans weaker proxy, the Houthis, fired missiles and drones at our Navy destroyers, damaging three Navy warships, and we, who have far greater resources than does Israel, seem satisfied with only defensive measures, when in a couple of hours this threat to our Navy and international navigation could be resolved.

As Lee Smith notes, Israel acted and demolished Hezballah as an international terrorist threat after it turned a deaf ear to their superpower patron for more than half a century. But at this stage, heeding Washingtons advice is like taking counsel from the angel of death.

This Administration not only wont fight, but wont even let our allies do it, and he details the extreme measures Biden-Harris has taken to prevent the Israelis from taking down those who repeatedly and savagely have attacked them.

By ordering the strike on Nasrallah while attending the U.N. General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored the Jewish states independence from the global consensus that has resolved not to confront terrorists but rather to appease them, whether theyre plotting in the Middle East or living among the local populations of Western nations, including the United States. Israels attack also shows that almost everything U.S. and other Western civilian and military leaders have believed about the Middle East for the last 20 years was simply a collection of excuses for losing wars. The questions that senior policymakers and Pentagon officials, think-tank experts and journalists have deliberated over since the invasion of Iraq -- questions about the nature of modern warfare and the proper conduct of international relations in a multipolar world, etc. -- can now be set aside for good because they have been resolved definitively. The answers are as they ever were -- at least before the start of the global war on terror. Contrary to the convictions of George W. Bush-era neoconservatives and the pro-Iran progressives in Barack Obamas camp, securing a nations peace has nothing to do with winning narratives, or nation-building, or balancing U.S. allies against your mutual enemies for the sake of regional equilibrium, or any of the other academic theories generated to mask a generations worth of failure. Rather, it means killing your enemies, above all those who advocate and embody the causes that inspire others to exhaust their murderous energies against you. Thus, killing Nasrallah was essential.

Youre probably thinking, thats just common sense. Because it is just common sense, but unfortunately common sense seems to be absent in the leaders of our country and most of Western Europe.
We are in the middle of a war, and the globalists (this hyperlink is a must-watch), who want to destroy America for a one-world dystopian government, are using Fifth Generation Warfare (5GW) on the people of America and citizens around the globe. 5GW is a war for minds, using narratives and psychological manipulation, assisted by technology to sway peoples behaviors and actions.

The American people and global citizens, if provided the truth, will do the right thing. Therein lies the problem: the American people and global citizens are not getting the truth. They are getting well crafted and propagandized narratives by these one-world government motivated globalists, from the blatant lies of Kamala Harris to the globalist-owned and operated corporate media outlets.

We have learned this week that George Soros was approved to purchase Audacy, the second-largest chain of radio stations in the U.S, owning 220 American radio stations in 40 markets and reaching 165 million listeners monthly. To demonstrate how rotten our federal government is, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fast-tracked the purchase approval, which should not have been allowed.

Soros is a key globalist player and is aggressive in using his money to bring on his desired one-world government by controlling narratives and destroying common sense and free speech. This most recent acquisition, weeks before the election, will likely be used to shut down conservative talk radio, ensuring that the crafted propaganda found on corporate media reaches and influences voters during the election process.

Examples of Soross use of funds to push the globalist agenda and suppress the truth are many. Soros is one of the largest donors to the World Economic Forum (WEF) and to district and states attorneys using lawfare on conservatives, most notably President Trump. He also funded Fact Checkers to benefit his radical rhetoric and has been linked with the funding of anti-Israel protests.

It is not a coincidence that Bill Gates, a leading globalist technocrat, has given hundreds of millions of dollars to mainstream media in order to control the narrative. This is especially true regarding his despotic pandemic response and scandalous personal life. Here he is, an unelected software billionaire, telling the government what it should be doing.

Lets not forget that six corporations own 90% of the media reaching the people. Only 10% comes from podcasters, social media, and other media outlets committed to the truth.

You can tell that the news outlets are pushing propaganda to make you feel as though everything is okay, when you see them all smiling addressing many irrelevant stories or using deliberate slants that leave viewers with the feeling they are listening to a time-share salesperson.

These paid-off talking heads (not journalist watchdogs for the people by any stretch) are feeding the people sugarcoated talking points so they wont question our collapsing economy. They ignore the severity of the invasion taking place at the southern border. They give falsehoods to support provoked wars and are silent on how close we are to a nuclear conflict.

People with discernment and critical thinking skills who have sharpened their facts by seeking the truth outside the propaganda know that these mainstream talking heads are not being honest and are in fact pushing dangerous and polarizing narratives.

Lets not forget about the Twitter Files, where we learned Twitter, Facebook, Google, and other companies developed a formal system for taking in moderation requests from every corner of government: the FBI, DHS, HHS, DOD, the Global Engagement Center at State, even the CIA.

Just this past month, Mark Zuckerberg confirmed that his platform was pressured by the government to suppress articles, including the one from The New York Post on the Hunter Biden laptop story.

Again, please seek the truth by listening to those canceled, attacked, or censored, many of whom can be found on Rumble, podcasts, and X. More importantly, understand that the TV is the globalists most powerful weapon. Avoid watching programs and corporate news outlets unless to you are doing it to monitor the globalists intentions.

The evil globalists cannot survive the truth, so please seek it, share it, and make sure everyone knows it.

As Immanuel Kant made clear, If the truth shall kill them, let them die.

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Image via Pixnio.
Approximately five years ago, American Thinker published my article: American Yidiots.

At that time, the intent was rather tongue in cheek -- a gentle mocking at the majority Jewish vote, that I, and about 20% of the Jewish-American voters deemed blatantly against self interest.

But that was then.

In the ensuing five years, and especially since Hamas's stealth, bestial, attacks against Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, being a Yidiot is no longer a gentle, mocking matter.

Many Jews have been shocked by the incomprehensible Jew-hatred that erupted globally, and specifically in the United States of America after Hamass vicious attack. Instead of an American and global sense of shock and empathy for Israel, their dead and maimed victims, and the hostages brutally taken by Hamas, there was only contempt for Israel and Jews, and approbation for Hamass inhumane actions.

To date in America, the antisemitic outbursts have been disruptive -- mostly on college campuses -- and in the streets.

However, the intensity, frequency and size of the individual protest sites that proliferated on campuses have now subsided. Mostly, Jewish students and civilians have not been physically harmed, but altercations between protestors and police have at times been violent. Moreover, the antagonism and harassment has been so intense that many Jewish students are afraid to remain on or even enter college campuses.

Since the horror of the Oct. 7 attacks, Jewish existence in America has changed. Those of us who were born and lived through the golden age of Jews in America arrogantly thought that nothing could happen here. But it has.

High school seniors now scan books that focus on safe colleges for Jews and those that list the unsafe colleges and universities. Many Jews have taken off all clothing and jewelry that identify them. It is unthinkable.

And what is far worse, and more disheartening is that over 60% of our brethren either refuse to confront or even admit to the current danger, and worse, some even stand with the Jew-haters.

A Yidiot is a person who supports the billions the United States Gives to Ukraine because it was attacked by Russia, but doesnt object when the Biden-Harris administration slow walks military aid to Israel which has been attacked by three terrorist groups: Hamas in the south in Gaza, and Hezbollah in the north from Lebanon, and the Houthies in Yemen from farther away.

A Yidiot is a person who doesnt call Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskys astonishing campaigning in the U.S as the international political interference that it is, but are quick to so accuse Bibi Netanyahu of that for addressing Congress by invitation.

A Yidiot is a person who believed years of the Democrat partys purchased Russian disinformation blather against Trump, while accepting that all the records of debauchery and corruption on Hunter Bidens own laptop were just propaganda and lies.

A Yidiot is a person who believes all of Israels problems would be solved if only the country would agree to a cessation of the war that was foisted upon it, totally forgetting that the Hamas attack from Gaza broke an extant peace agreement.

A Yidiot is a person who argues for a two-state solution between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, refusing to accept historical fact that Hamas does not want peace, it wants Israel obliterated.

A Yidiot is a person who wants to support every social issue that emerges, but is silent on the issue of Israels survival.

A Yidiot is a person who still wants the reflected glory of their child attending a prestigious college or university where Arab money has corrupted the administration of it and its professors, instead of going to a university that does not accept or promote Jew-hatred and affirmatively opposes it.

A Yidiot is a person who does not realize and/or accept that Israel is not only fighting for it own survival, but is fighting by extension for the survival of the United States as well against Americas enemies. Who are they? They deem Israel the little Satan and America the great Satan.

A Yidiot is a person who does not howl and ferociously object at the billions of tax payer money Biden and Harris have continued to send to Iran -- when they know full well Iran turns around and funds Hezb'allah, Hamas, and now the Houthies.

A Yidiot is a person who believes New York City Democrat Mayor Eric Adams -- the first U.S. mayor ever to be be federally indicted for corruption -- is corrupt, rather than acknowledging it is the system that is corrupt -- and little more than Democrats odious lawfare revenge for Adams blaming the Biden/Harris open border policy for all the increased crime in New York City.

A Yidiot is a person who believes Mayor, Eric Adams is indeed corrupt -- rather than acknowledging it is the Democrats odious lawfare revenge for Adams unwaveringly support for Israel.

A Yidiot is a person who does not understand that Israel is a Jewish state which stands as a beacon of light for persecuted Jews globally, but is also a Democratic state which has rule of law and is a hospitable place for the Arab Muslims, Christians, and Druze among its population -- who have since demonstrated their loyalty to Israel as it comes under attack.

A Yidiot is a person who does not acknowledge the aid and medical care Israel has afforded the people of Gaza. What other country so treats people whose aim is to destroy it?

A Yidiot is a person who does not question why all the 50 or so majority Arab countries dont help Gazans, or help them emigrate into their own countries.

A Yidiot is a person who calls Bibi Netanyahu a monster, and fails to acknowledge that in both Gaza and Lebanon, the Israeli government dropped thousands upon thousands of posters and emails and made as many calls, warning the civilian populations of danger ahead and urging them to get out of the way.

A Yidiot is a person who believes the Democrat party generically, and presidential candidate Kamala Harris specifically, want the U.S. Southern border closed because Harris visited the border just now for the first time in three years.

A Yidiot is a person who believes Kamala Harriss sudden trip to the U.S. Southern border indicates she cares about the consequences of the 425,431 illegally present rapists, murderers and other criminals who are now roaming our city streets unfettered.

A Yidiot is also a person who believes Harris and the Democrat party give a damn about the fate of more than 300,000 illegally present unaccompanied minors, for which they have no record and not an iota of a clue as to their whereabouts.

A Yidiot is a person that believes all the media hype that Trump is a monster and destroyer of democracy without acknowledging that when Trump was president -- he moved the American Embassy to Jerusalem (that his many predecessors had promised to do but didnt) recognized the northern territories as part of Israel and reversed Obamas odious policy that Jews born in Jerusalem were not Israelis.

A Yidiot is someone whom the rest of us cannot be proud of.

Hat tip: My brother-in-law, Dario Lechter, who many years ago, sent me a one word message: Yidiot. Grateful to him.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
Events regarding Israels war on Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran are happening with such speed that its difficult to take it all in. This is a quick overview, with help from appropriate tweets. (The tweets have the advantage of compressing vast amounts of information from other people, things that we have neither time nor space to write.)

First, if you havent read it, I recommend Clarice Feldmans analysis, which looks at Benjamin Netanyahus important UN speech. It includes a reference to Lee Smiths essay about the fact that Israel has finally decided to win a war instead of fighting to a UN- and American-forced stalemate. Both essays are essential reading if you want to understand the new dynamics in the Middle East.

One of the things that Elon Musks now-essential X makes clear (and that we wouldnt know without X) is that Israelis are not the only ones celebrating Nasrallahs death. In any country under a tyrants control, the ordinary people, the ones who arent actively complicit, suffer greatly, too. They dont push back because doing so is too dangerous (most peopleand Ill include myself in that numberare sheep when pushed), but a tyrants end is a blessing for all.

For that reason, X is awash of posts showing Arabs and Muslims celebrating. That Israelis and exiled Iranians would celebrate is to be expected (and Ive included the posts because of the joy within them, real joy, not Kamalas Joy).

For those who may have forgotten, Hezbollah is an Iranian subsidiary, so those who oppose the Mullahs oppose Hezbollah. And when it comes to Israel, in addition to the more than 8,000 rockets fired at Israel in the year alone, Hezbollah has been a major sponsor of anti-Israel terrorismindeed, of anti-every Western nation terrorism:

Israelis pour into the Bazaar, following the Sabbath, celebrate & sing The Jewish People Are Eternal/The Jewish People Live On For Eternity

pic.twitter.com/uvKwt6QTlv  Ellie Cohanim (@EllieCohanim) September 28, 2024

Saturday night in Jerusalem's Machane Yehuda Market (the Shuk), Israelis celebrate the news of the elimination of #Hezbollah chief, Hassan #Nasrallah.



As the @IDF strike occured as Shabbat came in, many did not know or have the chance to celebrate until last night. pic.twitter.com/GFFfrwheNk  Jewish News Syndicate (@JNS_org) September 29, 2024

Celebrations in a Tel Aviv pub 



They are singing:

Yalla ya Nasrallah,

We will f*ck you Inshallah,

We will return you to Allah,

With the entire Hezbollah 

pic.twitter.com/aoVTTLh7lz  Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) September 27, 2024

An Iranian: I can't contain my joy seeing how Israel is annihilating Hezbollah. These are the same terrorists who killed and blinded our women and children in Iran. Today the Iranian people know that the Jewish people are their closest allies.

pic.twitter.com/75ToZrEXHm  Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) September 28, 2024

 HAPPENING NOW 



Amazing to see!



Iranians gathered outside the Israeli embassy in London to thank the Israeli army for taking out Nasrallah



Singing of the Iranian Monarchy anthem 



Makes a difference to Anti-Israel Hate Marches we see in Londonpic.twitter.com/lwRdkDXDj7  Kosher (@K0sher_C0ckney) September 28, 2024

However, what many people may find surprising is the number of others across the Arab world celebrating. Nasrallah was a terrible, vile man (no matter how the leftist media try to disguise that), and these hopeful people see his death as the harbinger of many more tyrant deaths to come. (Maybe Bashar al-Assad should be worried.)

To appreciate the celebrations in Lebanon, remember that after Israel cleared out the PLO in 1982 (a war that triggered mass antisemitism in Europe, which I know because I was therebut not in America because it was still Reagan-sane), and before Hezbollah moved in, Lebanon had a renaissance. Suddenly, it was a safe, thriving country. Hezbollah changed that, returning Lebanon to its 1970s civil war status. No wonder the people celebrate:

A crowd in tripoli Lebanon gather to celebrate the death (not confirmed) of Hassan Nasrallah hizbullah's leader pic.twitter.com/uxgq3pvT2z   (@Hanniba3il) September 27, 2024

Syrians are celebrating in NW #Syria, amid news that #Hezbollah leader #Nasrallah is likely dead.#Hezbollah was responsible for countless months & years-long sieges, in which 1000s died & others were forced to eat grass & animal feed to survive. pic.twitter.com/vDY7wBDudE  Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) September 27, 2024

While some mourn Nasrallah's death. This is an opportunity for Lebanon to regain its sovereignty.



Meanwhile in Syria: Arabs CELEBRATE Nasrallah's death.

His troops murdered and pillaged their way through Syria as part of Irans help to President Assad. pic.twitter.com/uSHBIms4hq  Kilkenny Friends of Israel  (@KilkennyOf) September 28, 2024

The only ones who arent celebrating are fanatic Muslims...and Western leftists:

Same. Imagine weeping for Hezbollah. pic.twitter.com/NVvi7mhqUD  Graham Linehan (@Glinner) September 28, 2024

Queer leftists on tiktok are mourning the d*ath of a t*rr*rist leader who was responsible for the m*rder of hundreds of Americans pic.twitter.com/LgCQL7YXfd  Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 29, 2024

Whats spectacular, too, about what Israel is doing is that there is no one left to lead Hezbollah. Indeed, at this point, the lifespan of Hezbollahs leaders is counted in hours, not days:

ELIMINATED

Just a day after killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah, a precision strike killed Hezbollah's Nabil Qaouk, who reportedly served as deputy to the man most likely to succeed Nasrallah.



REPORT https://t.co/7JL0mqF4xz pic.twitter.com/xYfl1txhnp  Jewish News Syndicate (@JNS_org) September 29, 2024

One more thing. The American people should be celebrating, too. Indeed, even the Biden White House managed to gin up some support for Nasrallahs death:

Statement from President Joe Biden on the Death of Hassan Nasrallah



Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice pic.twitter.com/d4sTyppHCp  John Spencer (@SpencerGuard) September 28, 2024

However, this same misguided (evil?) White House is still trying to broker a ceasefire. Lee Smiths essay, which I linked at the top of this post, shows that this is the classic leftist way to fight wars against the Wests existential enemies: surrender.

Bidens desire to bow down to Hezbollah is especially disgusting given that his anodyne statement disguises the scope of Hezbollahs depredations against Americans:

Eight reasons Americans should thank Israel for their response to Hezbollah:



1. 1983 Beirut Barracks Bombings: Hezbollah killed 241 U.S. servicemen in a suicide bombing (pictured).



2. 1983 U.S. Embassy Bombing: 17 Americans died in a Hezbollah-led attack (pictured).



3. 1984 pic.twitter.com/2CnllTQ8aw  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) September 27, 2024

If you want to understand just how vile Hezbollah has been to Americans, read the story of Robert Stethem, who was on Flight 847 in 1985. He was one of the bravest Americans ever to live or, as so tragically happened, to die...at the hands of Hezbollah sadists.

Thankfully, Bibi isnt surrendering anymore.

But of course, its not just Hezbollah thats in Israels crosshairs. I urge you to read Jared Kushners long, fact-packed, analytical post about what Israels actions mean to Iran:

September 27th is the most important day in the Middle East since the Abraham Accords breakthrough.



I have spent countless hours studying Hezbollah and there is not an expert on earth who thought that what Israel has done to decapitate and degrade them was possible.



This is  Jared Kushner (@jaredkushner) September 29, 2024

No wonder Irans Supreme Leader has gone into hiding after asking others to die for his cause. (Youve noticed, Im sure, how many terrorist leaders are personal cowards.)

RELATED: After threatening Israel, Reuters reports that Iran's Supreme Leader has gone into hiding. pic.twitter.com/1Kj8DZnDxv  Jewish News Syndicate (@JNS_org) September 28, 2024

The Houthis (another Iranian proxy) are also an Israel target. To date, Israel has decimated the port in Yemen, which was a Houthi stronghold.

The targets of the #Houthis who were attacked in #Yemen:



- Hudaydah port

- Power plant

- Targets in the port of Ras Issa

- Hudaydah airport

- Oil tanks



video of explosions in the port, just like last time. https://t.co/lEwbgc1v0W pic.twitter.com/Sqag8u8GBM  Ori Miller (@orielishamiller) September 29, 2024

Whats kind of nice is that this specific port was one of the infrastructure jobs that China was working on as part of its Belt and Road initiative. Poof!

Most people also believe that Israel is behind a helicopter crash carrying Senior IRGC and Houthi leaders:



The Air-Strikes in Hodeida are no coincidence..



It was reported earlier today that Mohammed Abdusalam Houthis Spokesman who recently threatened to join the war against Israel died in a mysterious helicopter crash.

Abdusalam reportedly was on his way to Teheran to meet with pic.twitter.com/oMBk4MVwoe  Voice From The East (@EastVoiceSpeaks) September 29, 2024

The Houthis, of course, have been attacking America, too, but Biden has been passive in the face of this aggression. He will be forced to act soon, though, not because its threatening America (Biden doesnt seem to care) but because its impairing Suez shipping.

What all of this means is that Israel is rewriting the rules for the Middle East. Its erasing the tyrants who are threatening it with actions that are the equivalent of some of the greatest battle cries ever. Damn the torpedoes; full speed ahead! I have not yet begun to fight. Give me liberty or give me death. Come and take them. Now, we have Check your pager. Works for me.

Ultimately, Israel is embracing the wisdom of Osama bin Laden. No, thats not a typo. It was bin Laden who said, When people see a strong horse and a weak horse, by nature, they will like the strong horse. Or, as the British said of the Germans during WWI, The Hun is either at your throat or at your feet. Or as Kenny Rogers sang, Sometimes youve gotta fight when youre a man.

Israel is the fighting strong horse who is forcing the world to let go of its throat, even though it is too decent to demand obeisance at its feet. Israels stance will benefit the entire world.

Image by an anonymous AI creator.
Ashville, North Carolina, was exceptionally battered by Hurricane Helene. Joe Biden has authorized FEMA funds for the flood-stricken regions that the hurricane hit, and he and Kamala both issued generic were so sad statements. But thats it. Indeed, the whole Democrat establishment is missing. I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that the land underwater is in Republican territory. And what does it say to America that we have an administration that cares for only those Americans who give it their votes?

First, in case you missed it, heres some footage showing the devastation just in Asheville, along with queries about Kamalas absence:

I dont think many people realize how badly Asheville was hit by Hurricane Helene. Where is Kamala? pic.twitter.com/Pn9949qqcc  Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) September 29, 2024

The entire city of Asheville, North Carolina is under water.



The people are using starlink to let their loved ones know they're alive.



Why isn't the media talking about this?



Where is Biden and Kamala?pic.twitter.com/4fda6Df0KG  Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 29, 2024

Asheville is devastated.



Maybe Ukraine can return some of the money and we can rebuild for the American people. pic.twitter.com/wfbGI8Wiiy  Amy Kremer (@AmyKremer) September 28, 2024

Chris Martz helpfully explains that, no, this is not because of climate change, both because the same thing happened a little over one hundred years ago and because of the effect of geography meeting weather:

Hi Brandon. 



If climate change is to blame for the Asheville, North Carolina flooding from the remnants of Helene, then was it also climate change when Asheville was wiped out on July 16, 1916 by the remnants of the Charleston Hurricane?



How'd that happen 108-years ago when https://t.co/0S6C9ySLz1 pic.twitter.com/VkRwTlwnzI  Chris Martz (@ChrisMartzWX) September 29, 2024

Okay, instead of spreading climate doomer doctrine, I will take a moment to explain the meteorology behind the floods in North Carolina [and Tennessee].



The precipitation analysis for the last two-days [from 12z today] reveals that over a foot of rain has fallen in the pic.twitter.com/PA3sZnZg2E  Chris Martz (@ChrisMartzWX) September 29, 2024

Whats happened isnt merely inconvenient. Over sixty people have died in the hurricanes path. Hundreds more are missing. However, the MSM are disinterested. As of this writing, this is the full ABC News homepage coverage (marked in red):

On NBC, it doesnt even make the top half of the home page screen:

CBS is also mostly disinterested in this domestic story (marked in red):

Same goes for CNN and MSNBC (marked in red):

(Although you might have noticed with MSNBC that, while the outlet doesnt care about the hurricane, its viewers do, making it the most watched video of the moment.)

The Biden administration did release FEMA money to the various states hit hard by Helene, including Florida and North Carolina. Note, though, that this is a rote bureaucratic action. Theres nothing personal about it.

Bidens staff also issued a rote statement about the hurricane. After boasting about the FEMA funds and the administration's bureaucratic work, his staff added a supposedly personal note:

Were not going to walk away. Were not going to give up. As we turn toward recovery efforts, we will make certain that no resource is spared to ensure that families, businesses, schools, hospitals, and entire communities can quickly begin their road to rebuilding. Jill and I are praying for those who lost loved ones from Hurricane Helene, and for those whose homes, businesses, and communities were impacted by this terrible storm.

Kamalas staff did the same, only this time it opened with Kamalas little emotional statement and closed with the administrative response:

My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene. Doug and I are thinking of those who tragically lost their lives and we are keeping all those who loved them in our prayers during the difficult days ahead.

And thats it. Neither Biden nor Kamala have appeared before a crowd or a camera to say anything about the devastation. Neither has planned a visit. As the tweets at the top of this post show, people have noticed. Moreover, theyve also noticed a pattern to Bidens and Kamalas invisibility:

Asheville, North Carolina.



East Palestine, Ohio.



Lahaina, Hawaii.



The list is endless.



When disaster strikes, Kamala and Biden are nowhere to be found. pic.twitter.com/aEXFJZptcd  Real Mac Report (@RealMacReport) September 29, 2024

I wonder if North Carolinas pro-Trump polling has affected Kamalas invisibility.

Meanwhile, Trump has openly spoken to the people of Ashville. This is a personal statement, not writing a check with taxpayers money or having his staff write a generic note:

Western North Carolina is currently under water.



Kamala is at a fundraiser in San Francisco.



Biden is once again sleeping at the beach.



America's "leaders" are absent. pic.twitter.com/pV63bl7ENs  Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 29, 2024

Trump has also scheduled to go to Asheville in a few days when the community can sustain the burden of a visiting politician (although some think he should go even sooner).

The clear impression that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris leave is that they dont represent America. They only represent the Americans who vote for them (and, of course, illegal aliens).

Its one thing to effectuate policies that some Americans dont like. Thats politics. Its another thing entirely to ignore completely those people who dont support you. That reeks of tyranny, not the traditional system of these United States of America.

UPDATE: After I published my post, reporters asked Biden about the floods. His answer makes my point:

"Do you have any words to the victims of the hurricane?"



BIDEN: "We've given everything that we have."



"Are there any more resources the federal government could be giving them?"



BIDEN: "No." pic.twitter.com/jDMNGhpjOz  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 30, 2024

And this tweet sums it up in case the message was not sufficiently clear (although I would add to the blank check category taxpayer monies for illegal aliens):

Do you get it yet? pic.twitter.com/clkrGm7S4y  One Bad Dude (@OneBadDude_) September 29, 2024

Image: X screen grab.
Here I am, in deep blue Oakland, Californiawalking around my neighborhood while wearing a camo-MAGA-Trump ball cap. Pepper spray at the ready, just in case I wind up in a situation. Instead, however, I receive mostly sincere compliments.

Just the other day a guy noticed my ball cap and just went rhapsodic over Trump while also thanking me for my effort. Turns out hes a Teamster. Not only that, hes also a shop steward. He firmly confirmed that Trump is immensely popular among the rank-and-file.

Then I came upon a city public works crew that was setting up a job site. After satisfying my curiosity over what they were going to do, I began to walk awayand the fellow I was talking to just blurted out I really like your hat.

Meanwhile there are many Harris/Walz yard signsand zero Trump/Vance signs. Being conspicuous can lead to slashed tires and/or broken windowsthanks to the alleged tolerance of woke progressives. Thus, people like me are inclined to keep our opinions to ourselves. Yet we persist. This may also explain why Trump has outperformed his polling numbers in his previous campaigns.

And just now, while I was walking along, a guy in a bucket truck, working on the telecom lines, yelled down at me I like your hat, more people should wear them! Then I passed a church where a while ago, on a Sunday afternoon, the minister who told me he was Nigerian, went overboard to say how much he liked Trump.

One lasting effect of the Trump phenomenon is the exposure of willful deceit on the part of the corrupt media. Recently notable is the erroneous characterization of Trumps use of the expression bloodbath to describe the negative impact a Harris victory would have on domestic automobile manufacturers. The news twisted this into an out-of-context reference to spilling-over violence, a la January 6th, should he lose this years election.

Compare this to Kamala Harris. She is such an empty vessel that she is doomed to continue to wither under the scrutiny that comes with being at the top of a national ticket. What kind of trick will they pull to offset this damage? Answer: Theyve already used them all.

In participating in his legal defense, Trump has already put the children of many lawyers through collegeor paid off their mortgagesor both. Thus far, would-be assassins have failed. That the Ayatollahs have also allegedly put a price on his head can only boost his ratings.

And, as this process continues, defections are starting to pile up. Some higher-ups at I.C.E. just released shocking figures on the various villains Biden/Harris have let slip across the borderjust as Kamala squeezed out a photo-op where Arizona meets Mexico.

Im expecting that, as Harris continues to shrink and Trump expands, I may no longer be the only MAGA hat wearer wandering the streets of a place the Dems have long taken for granted. There are, of course, always going to be devoted Kool-Aid drinkers who must cling to obsolete dogmalike the old lefties just down the street who reflexively point to Hoover Dam as proof that government is a force for good. Kamala Harris is a product of the same mold. Her ideology is not the result of years of analytical study. It was just there to fill her empty head.

Image: Johnny Silvercloud, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr, unaltered.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Azernews reports.

The sides discussed the multiple facets of the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Belarus.

Both ministers conveyed their satisfaction with the current state of cooperation and stressed the necessity of maintaining high-level meetings and political dialogue to explore new cooperation opportunities and enhance the partnership.

They underscored the important role of dialogue between the leaders of both nations in furthering Azerbaijan-Belarus relations, and positively reflected on the historic visit of the President of Belarus to Azerbaijan's liberated territories. Such interactions were deemed vital for assessing the future of their friendship and collaboration.

The conversation also highlighted the potential for cooperation across various economic sectors, especially in trade and investment, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on these opportunities.
A huge story hit late Friday showing how many illegals ICE knows are roaming the American streets and it's lot of them.

Yet most of the mainstream media just ignores the story.

More than 13,000 murderers, more than 15,000 dangerous sexual offenders, and more than 425,000 dangerous criminals were let into America after crossing in illegally and somehow the story is mostly buried.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. These are the ones they know about. What about all the known (and unknown) 'gotaways'?

The head of Department of Homeland Security didn't come out to talk about it to the public.

Kamala and Joe didn't say a word. Attorney General Merrick Garland hasn't commented.

Kamala was down at the border saying how tough she is at the border ... but not a word about this!

Jessica Tarlov, one of the Democrat shills who shows up on Fox News's show, The Five, clearly had the Democrat talking points when she talked about the issue. She said that this also includes people who came before Biden and Kamala opened the border. That is probably true, but people have to have their head deep in the sand to not know that the vast majority have come in after Biden and Harris intentionally opened the border.

Why don't we get a breakdown of the numbers from the Justice Department who seem to care little about the rampant crime at the border?

Why haven't they focused on finding the more than 300,000 known children who have disappeared through the immigration system? Why haven't Kamala, Joe, and other Democrats said anything about the children who are probably being exploited? The answer is that they clearly don't care!

If these known criminals came in before Biden and Harris, why didn't Garland catch them and send them back? Was he too busy concentrating on parents, Catholics, pro-life people and the fictional insurrection where they targeted a lot of people who were peacefully protesting a questionable election?

We rarely hear much from the media and other Democrats when illegals rape, murder, or injure people, because they don't care. They pretend that these illegals are just here to work and pretend that they don't commit as many crimes as other Americans.

They don't care when Haitians or any other race are overrunning cities because they are being flown in by Biden and Harris. They pretend that they all get jobs that Americans wouldn't take.

Last night, Colin Jost, on the Saturday Night Live news segment brought up that Trump called Kamala mentally disabled. Somehow he forgot the context. Trump said anyone who knowingly lets in all these criminals is clearly mentally deficient, just like Joe has been for years.

What should people be called who let in terrorists and criminals to roam and terrorize America? Isn't 'mentally deficient' an appropriate description?

What should people be called who continually fund Iran, which funds terrorism and pledges death to America and death to Israel? Isn't 'mentally deficient' appropriate?

What should people be called who continually spread the lie that Trump is an antisemite who loves white supremacists and Nazis? Liars and mentally deficient seem to be appropriate.

And the media and other Democrats should stop pretending that they are empathetic. The only thing they care about is power. They sure don't care about the poor or middle class no matter how much they intentionally lie.
January 6. To hear those suffering from terminal Trump Derangement Syndrome, it was an insurrectioncaused by Trump--worse than the Civil War, worse than Pearl Harbor, a horrendous, nation-shattering event. Poor Kamala Harris barely escaped with her life, despite being at DNC Headquarters at the time, where the surely fake bomb threat was unfolding. Even AOC was in mortal danger, despite being in an entirely different building. It was the insurrection where no insurrectionists brought guns, and the only deaths were protestors killed by the Capitol Police. It was an insurrection where the insurrectionists were invited inside and escorted by Capitol Police, where they comfortably chatted, took in the sights, took selfies and willingly left a few hours later and Congress completed its business. Even so, on January 6, our democracy hung by a thread.

We know that because the report of the January 6 Committee said it was all Trumps fault. They could have issued that report before their first meeting, but what would have been the fun in that? Besides, all the on-air, Hollywood-scripted posturing was essential to Liz Cheneys election efforts, which resulted in one of the most epic defeats in American electoral history. Wyomingites are still chuckling about that.

Donald Trump had the temerity to point out the insurrection began long before he stopped speaking at a venue a half-hour walk1.6 miles--from the Capitol. He also incited those present by telling them to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard, and after the riot began, he issued statements telling everyone to stay peaceful, and to go home, which they soon did.

Unsurprisingly, the J6 Committee ignored these facts.

Graphic: X Screenshot

They also ignored that on January 3, Trump authorized up to 10,000 National Guard troops to guard the capital. Generals Kellogg, Milley and SecDef Miller were present. Kellogg confirmed Trumps order. Trump also offered the same to Nancy Pelosi, who refused. Others present at the time such as Stephen Miller confirmed the offer and her refusal. Pelosi and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser reportedly refused because they thought the optics would be bad. Since then, the usual fact checkers have claimed no such meeting/offers took place.

In the meantime, the Orange Man Bad narrative has suffered damage. A House subcommittee chaired by Barry Loudermilk (R, GA) recently released video obtained from HBO. It was filmed by Nancy Pelosis daughter on Jan. 6, 2021, but the J6 Committee destroyed it, along with much else it was required to retain.

The bulk of these new videos show then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi repeatedly saying I take full responsibility. Additionally, she discusses the firing of U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund and House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving, still, she stresses that blaming anyone besides Trump would be a "diversionary tactic." We have totally failed. We have to take some responsibility for not holding the security accountable for what could have happened.



Oh my god, I cannot believe the stupidity of this. And I take the full responsibility.

For Pelosi, taking full responsibility has consisted of blaming Trump.

On September 23, the narrative caved in. Just The News reported:

Graphic: X Screenshot

Then-President Donald Trump gave clear instructions to Pentagon brass days before the Jan. 6 riots to do whatever it takes to keep the U.S. Capitol safe, including deploying National Guard or active-duty troops, but top officials did not comply because of political concerns, according to transcripts of bombshell interviews conducted by the Defense Department's chief watchdog that shine new light on government disfunction ahead of the historic tragedy.

Among the revelations:

*Trump told General Mark Milley to have enough soldiers or Guard present to ensure a safe event on Jan. 6.

*SecDef Mark Miller assured Trump they had a plan and everything was covered.

But Miller lied:

There was absolutely -- there is absolutely no way I was putting U.S. military forces at the Capitol, period, Miller told the inspector general during his March 2021 interview.

He didnt like the optics of armed troops at the Capitol, and intended to use a small number only for traffic and similar duties. He admitted his disobedience of Trumps order was political:

"...I hate to use the word optics because its been used and so prejudicially and negatively. It wasnt the optics. It was like there was would have been huge political consequences that, because thats what I got paid to do. If I had the factor in the politics of this and that was my concern is the situation does not warrant at this time U.S. military forces.

Contrast their concern for optics with the optics of thousands of troops ringing the Capitol after Jan. 6.

If your opinion of the Harris/Biden Administrations persecution of Donald Trump was already low, now you know its not nearly low enough.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
After years of woke harassment, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has finally issued sanctions against law professor Amy Wax. Her crimes? Making unquestionably accurate statements and constitutionally protected opinions, which happen to be what Normal Americans actually say and think. Cant have that in a major American university. UPenn is one of the primary centers of leftist scandal in American academia. Her punishment?

After more than two years of disciplinary proceedings, the University of Pennsylvania will sanction outspoken conservative law professor Amy Wax for a major infraction of the universitys behavioral standards, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The paper received advance notice of the sanctions against Wax, which will include one year at half pay, loss of her named chair, and public reprimandthough she will not be fired or lose tenure.

What sort of reprehensible manic is Wax? What did she say? She asserted societies with traditional values are happy and successful, and the lack of those values causes many problems. She was, unsurprisingly, called a racist for this mild opinion. Then she dared say that black students seldom finish in the top half of graduating law school classes. Despite voluminous empirical evidence to support that contention, the full weight of the DEI/Woke establishment descended on her.

Well. There must be more than enough evidence of Waxs horrible and illegal treatment of others, right? Not so much:

Since then, critics have derided further statements of opinion by Wax, including statements made entirely outside the university context, as racist. Yet up to and including Rugers recent letter requesting major sanctions, Wax has never even been accusedstill less, found culpableof any discriminatory action taken against a student or colleague. To the contrary, according to an anonymous source with personal knowledge of the internal university process, an independent investigator found no evidence of bias in Waxs dealings with students, and instead suggested that there is reason to believe that students have mischaracterized or reported faulty recollections of statements Wax allegedly made.

The usual charges of Waxs words causing harm to students and to the University have been bandied about, but in two years, those expected and nonsensical charges have never been substantiated. One would think a law school would be among those disciplines most interested in upholding free speech and due process. One would think wrong. It seems law schools these days are among the wokest on campus, and the most likely to egregiously violate the constitutional rights of anyone daring to oppose their orthodoxy. Prior to announcing her punishment, UPenn tried to silence Wax behind the scenes.

They came up with a settlement that would keep Wax on base salary during her suspension and would have given her $50,000 to offset her loss of summer pay if shed shut up about UPenns unconstitutional abuses, and waive her right to sue:

Wax refused to sign the non-disparagement clause, she told the Free Beacon. The result was a breakdown in settlement talks and the imposition of the harsher sanctions originally approved by former Penn president Liz Magill, who signed off on the pay cuts for Wax one month before she defended the rights of professors and students to call for the annihilation of the Jewish state.

As one might suspect, university administrators and professors are not short on arrogance, and have double standards for causing harm:

Graphic: X Screenshot

Going after Wax is not terribly bright:

Graphic: X Screenshot

Attacking someone with Waxs experience and accomplishments on such ludicrously political grounds calls into question the sanity, intellects and decency of UPenn Administration and much of its faculty. However, for a university that obviously rejects objective reality and substitutes its own, while trying to force everyone else to live in and praise it, its par for the course.

Its yet another example of the utter corruption of academia, which for a very long time has not stood for free inquiry, academic excellence or the Constitution. How a free society can long endure when the graduates of such institutions have no appreciation of the legal and cultural foundations of our republic remains an open question.

It took the Gibson family years to finally force Oberlin College, another notoriously leftist institution, to pay up for their egregious and false abuse of the Gibson family and business. It will likely take additional years for Wax to prevail against UPenn, but prevail she surely will, and sane Americans can only hope shell make them pay, individually and as an institution, so dearly even the wokest of the woke will have to at least pretend to be decent, honest people in the future.

It's a start, but one that should never had been necessary.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Irish contemporary artist Brian Maguire said he hopes visitors to his upcoming exhibition at the Hugh Lane Gallery will identify with the dead.

Entitled La Grande Illusion, the exhibition spans nearly two decades of work from a prolific period of the artists career (2007-2024) and highlights the artists interest in conflict and injustices around the world.

Co-curated by the museums head of exhibitions Michael Dempsey, and director Barbara Dawson, La Grande Illusion displays themes of war, the drug trade, and damage to the environment.

The Clearcut Amazon, 2023. Image courtesy of the Kerlin Gallery. (Brian Maguire/PA)

Maguire frequently embeds himself in the communities he paints, from the streets of Juarez in Mexico to warn-torn neighbourhoods of Aleppo, with the artist using his canvas as testimony to the silenced and forgotten.

Maguire told the PA news agency his works seek to tell previously untold stories and highlight injustices, citing his paintings focusing on the disappearance of people in Juarez as an example of this.

He said: Ive worked with dead women and men from murder where theres no investigation, both in North America and in Mexico, and thats about bringing whats hidden to the fore.

Perhaps thats what its all about, this show. Its taking the unspoken and presenting it.

The issue of aesthetics comes in, in that the work needs to be really damn attractive, given its harsh message, in order to survive, to not just be, get that out of here.

Asked what he wants viewers to take away from the exhibition, the artist said: I would just hope they would identify with the dead.

Nature Morte (4), 2014. Imagery courtesy of the Kerlin Gallery, Dublin (Brian Maguire/PA)

Born in County Wicklow in 1951, Maguire said the conflict that erupted in Northern Ireland when he was a teenager greatly impacted him.

When the North exploded at that time, it interested me. I was aware of it and I would think about it. It was just timing, location and age that made me familiar with violence, he said.

I didnt face the war in Ireland head on, because to make work about the place youre from is a very difficult thing, because you know everything, and you know the consequences of every intonation that you make.

Whereas when you go abroad, the distance simplifies everything. You can see whats wrong without having all the ifs and buts and ands, you just see it.

He talked about the importance of travelling to the areas he wishes to paint and embedding himself in the community.

Its obvious to go, and also that if you go, you get to talk to the people who are there, who are living with the situation and its important to capture their voice, if they want you to, he said.

Mr William Earle, Sudan, 1880, 2018. Imagery courtesy of Kerlin Gallery, Dublin (Brian Maguire/PA)

On the relevance of his work in the context of escalation in the Middle East, Maguire said: We have two new addresses for war.

Weve had wars in Gaza before and in Lebanon and, God forbid, the West Bank.

Its not something Im pleased about. Its terrible, but its relevant today. War does change its address. Thats all it does. Its a constant presence.

Mr Dempsey said: In the exhibition, Maguire presents an expanded view of war seen as a constant cycle of corrupted power and death  it encompasses capital, class, gender, and post-colonial legacies.

Intimate and uncompromising, his paintings form a demand for social justice and are an act of solidarity with families and communities.

Brian Maguire: La Grande Illusion opens on October 3 2024 at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin and runs until March 23 2025.
A British fashion designer said she is over the moon that one of her long-lost designs was found in an Oxfam charity shop nearly 40 years after it went missing from the designers warehouse.

When designer Jean Pallant was told her one-of-a-kind coat had turned up in a donation bag at the Oxfam shop in Mill Hill, London, she was very excited, she told the PA news agency.

I was absolutely over the moon, really. It was very sweet of the person who discovered it to believe that it was something important, she said.

Its like seeing a child. Its lovely. I know every single square inch of it, and Im absolutely amazed that it looks so new, and it feels new. Everything about it looks exactly as it did when it went missing.

A Pallant coat and shoes ready backstage at the Style for Change, Oxfam x Vinted Fashion Show (Gabi Torres/Oxfam/PA)

Oxfams Mill Hill shop manager Marina Ikey-Botchway said she could tell the coat was a priceless item when the donation came in.

She made the discovery among a donation of high street fast fashion clothes.

The very first second I saw the coat I knew this was something special, so I checked the label and after a quick Google found Jeans email, she said.

Ms Pallant, who was part of the 1960s cultural revolution and one half of a husband-and-wife team, made the orange coat with large buttons on her kitchen table in 1988 and it featured in a Sunday Telegraph article that year.

When she went to retrieve some pieces from her warehouse nearly four decades ago, she felt sick to discover that the coat had gone missing along with five other pieces she had designed with her husband Martin, which still have not been found.

When we retrieved them all, there were these pieces which I remember, of course, because theyre all my babies. These pieces were missing, and theres nothing I can do about it, she said.

Now that the coat has been found, Ms Pallant said it was extraordinary that the item looks absolutely brand new.

It doesnt look as if its ever been worn, so Im thrilled about that as well. It doesnt look like a rag. It doesnt even smell of must, which is weird. I dont know where its been for those years, but its obviously been well cared for, she said.

Oxfams Mill Hill shop manager Marina Ikey-Botchway said she could tell the coat was a priceless item when the donation came in (Gabi Torres/Oxfam/PA)

The coat was chosen by sixties fashion model Penelope Tree to walk in Oxfams Style for Change fashion show, in partnership with Vinted, as part of its Second Hand September campaign.

Reuniting with her long-lost coat has renewed hope for Ms Pallant that she may still find her other missing pieces.

She said: Id love those to turn up. There are some really special pieces that Id like back in our collection for our archive. Maybe theyll turn up, who knows?

One of them was a piece which is so important to us, which was made in 1972 I think. It was worn by me in a TV fashion show to celebrate Britain joining the common market and it was a beautiful white jumpsuit and jacket with little mink spots on it.

Id pay anything to get it back.

Ms Pallant, whose husband recently died, is restoring and curating a Pallant collection to give to the V&A Museum in London.

Ms Pallant said: I think its very important that this collection is in the V&A since we were part of the group of designers, which were part of the cultural revolution of Britain, the generation that made a difference in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

I want our collection to be there with the other names that you will be familiar with of that era, which are names like Jean Muir or Ossie Clark or Bill Gibb or Zandra Rhodes, all of those British designers who started in the same era that we did.
The last blast furnace at one of the biggest steelworks in the world is shutting down, leaving it unable to make its own virgin steel.

Nearly 2,000 jobs will be lost at Tata Steel UKs Port Talbot plant as blast furnace number four ceases production.

The ironworks will enter a transition phase until 2027 when steelmaking will resume through a 1.25 billion electric arc furnace.

The new furnace uses electric current to melt scrap steel or iron to produce steel, whereas blast furnaces use coke, a carbon-intensive fuel made from coal to produce steel.

Moving to electric arc steel production will reduce the UKs overall CO2 emissions by around 1.5%.

In its heyday during the 1960s, more than 18,000 people were employed at Port Talbots Abbey steelworks.

But the site has gone through many periods of change, which has sometimes resulted in strikes and job cuts.

The Port Talbot area has been producing steel for more than 100 years (Ben Birchall/PA)

Indian conglomerate Tata purchased the steelworks in 2007.

Dean Cartwright, the works manager for coke, sinter and iron, said local residents will see larger plumes as steam coming from the furnace as production is wound down, as well as prolonged whooshing sounds.

We have started to change the burden  the raw materials we put in the top of the furnace  to make sure the slag formed on top of the iron is the right type for this process, and reducing the amount of coal we inject into the furnace, he said.

Over the next four days, we will stop adding new raw materials and bring the burden down to low levels within the furnace.

Please remember that we have our experts monitoring every single aspect of this process as it progresses, to ensure we bring the furnace to a close safely and calmly.

As the second of its two blast furnaces ceases production, businesses in the supply chain impacted by the closure can seek funding to overcome short-term challenges.

They can apply to the supply chain transition flexible fund, which is part of an overall 80 million package provided by the UK Government.

The fund will be delivered through a partnership between Neath Port Talbot Council and the Welsh Governments Business Wales.

Trade unions and workers have campaigned for many years to keep the Port Talbot plant open (Ben Birchall/PA)

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, who is chairwoman of the Port Talbot transition board, said: Businesses and workers that supply Tata have been feeling the impact of the changes at Port Talbot for months.

Thats why I announced this 13.5 million fund within weeks of the new UK Government coming into office, and have worked at pace with partners in Welsh Government and the council to get applications open.

I encourage affected businesses to come forward and check their eligibility for this financial support, as part of the wider support package we are putting in place. This Government will back workers and businesses whatever happens.

Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Governments Economy, Energy and Planning Secretary, said: The closure of the blast furnaces at Tata Steel UK have caused concern and uncertainty for many, both currently working at the steelworks and amongst its significant local supply chain.

This fund is focused exclusively on supporting those businesses substantially reliant on Tata Steel UK, which will be impacted by the blast furnace closures to help mitigate the impact and plan for a positive future.

I would encourage any supply chain business affected by the transition to use the eligibility checker to access support through Business Wales.

Earlier this month, the UK Government announced a 500 million package to help the Port Talbot plant transition to greener, low carbon steel production.

It has also improved the redundancy package on offer to workers  with full-time staff getting a minimum of 15,000, plus a 5,000 retention payment and paid-for training.

Under the deal, the Government can claw back some of the 500 million invested if Tata does not fulfil its commitments, which includes retaining 5,000 jobs across its UK businesses post-transformation.

Tata will also be releasing 385 acres of the Port Talbot site for industrial redevelopment.

Around 500 jobs are expected to be created during the construction of the electric arc furnace.

Community union general secretary Roy Rickhuss said: Today marks an incredibly sad and poignant day for the British steel industry and for the communities in and around Port Talbot which are so intricately connected to blast furnace steelmaking.

Its also a moment of huge frustration  it simply didnt have to be this way. Last year Community and GMB published a credible alternative plan for Port Talbot which would have ensured a fair transition to green steelmaking and prevented compulsory redundancies. Tatas decision to reject that plan will go down as an historic missed opportunity.

Through months of intense and challenging negotiations, we secured firm commitments from Tata on future investment in the businesses. The deal we negotiated, which has been strengthened by the intervention of the Labour Government, is a significant improvement on the dreadful deal between Tata and the Tories.

However, this will be of little consolation to those who are losing their jobs. We will support those workers in every way we can, including through the employment and skills support centre we have opened in the heart of Port Talbot, in partnership with the Welsh Government.

The skills and retention scheme we negotiated with Tata is going to be vital. The scheme gives workers up to an additional year of employment to gain new skills to find new employment, and importantly participants will be prioritised where there are vacancies in the company.

The closure of blast furnace four marks the end of an era, but this is not the end for Port Talbot. We will never stop fighting for our steel industry and our communities in South Wales.

The Conservatives and Labour share the blame for the lack of an industrial strategy, according to Plaid Cymru.

Economy spokesman Luke Fletcher MS said: During the general election, Labour promised a better deal for the Port Talbot steelworks.

Today the second of its two blast furnaces shuts down. This is more than just a factory closing, its the end of Welsh steelmaking and the livelihoods of countless workers and families.

The decline of our steel industry is a direct consequence of successive governments failing to develop an industrial strategy.

They neglected to acknowledge that without a strong steel sector, the car industry, shipbuilding, and heavy manufacturing are all doomed to fail.

While other nations recognised the vital importance of domestic steel production and actively subsidised it, the UK chose to privatise and sell our steel assets to foreign entities, making us reliant on imports.
Hollywood star Damian Lewis has been photographed driving sheep over the River Thames in an eccentric tradition dating back hundreds of years.

More than a thousand Freemen of the City ushered their sheep along a historic trading route on Sunday, to celebrate their medieval right to bring produce to market over the Thames without paying tolls.

Shepherd-for-the-day Mr Lewis, 53, wore his grandfathers wool coat and carried a crook as he herded the animals over Southwark Bridge in what he described as an eccentric, very British, day.

The Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning actor, who is himself a Freeman of the City, was photographed keeping the animals in check ahead of other freemen dressed in black hats and red and fur cloaks at the London Sheep Drive.

Damian Lewis drives sheep over Southwark Bridge, London (James Manning/PA)

Mr Lewis said: It was fabulous, Im down here on this eccentric, very British day, honouring an old tradition where Freemen of the City of London can drive their sheep toll free, free of charge, across the bridge  London Bridge as it was in the day  into the City of London in order to sell their produce.

I was asked to do it today representing the Woolmen Company, the Worshipful Company of Woolmen I believe, to give it its full title, and I just played shepherd, shepherd Lewis, and it was very fun.

The Worshipful Company of Woolmen is one of the oldest livery companies in the city and dates back to 1180.

Mr Lewis added: Thank you for asking (me), I enjoyed it, enormously.

He added that his coat was his grandfathers from the First World War.

Damien Lewis (centre) poses with Freeman of the City and the Lord Mayor of London, Michael Mainelli (left of Lewis) ahead of driving sheep over Southwark Bridge, London (James Manning/PA)

Mr Lewis won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his portrayal of Nicholas Brody in the television show Homeland, and is also known for playing Major Richard Dick Winters in HBOs Band Of Brothers miniseries, and Henry VIII in Wolf Hall.

Master Woolman at the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, Manny Cohen, told reporters that, as a Freeman of the City of London, Mr Lewis is actually one of the celebrities that should be here.

He said Mr Lewis great grandfather, grandfathers, and his brother were all Lord Mayors of London, who are elected annually and run the governing body of the Square Mile, the City of London Corporation.

Mr Cohen added that the actor studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has a really close link to the City of London, and its great to see him here today at the quirky event.

As a Freeman of the City of London Damian Lewis has the historic entitlement to drive their sheep over the River Thames toll free, retracing the steps of Londons ancient trading routes (James Manning/PA)

The tradition of taking sheep over London Bridge was resurrected around 15 years ago and the event is sometimes held on Southwark Bridge, depending on traffic plans, Mr Cohen said.

Weve just started with a few sheep and its sort of taken a life of its own now, and its a huge event  its the second largest outdoor event of the City of London, other than the Lord Mayors Show, he added.

Damian Lewis retracing the steps of Londons ancient trading routes (James Manning/PA)

The fundraiser also has stalls and is expected to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the Woolmen Charity, which supports the wool trade, and the Lord Mayors Appeal that works to improve Londons most pressing societal issues.
Hundreds of people have been caught drink-driving at least four times, sparking calls for ministers to consider forcing reoffenders to have breathalysers fitted to their cars.

A total of 27,837 British drivers were convicted of the offence multiple times in the 11 years to July 20, official figures obtained by the PA news agency revealed.

Some 372 were caught at least four times, including four who were prosecuted on seven occasions.

The figures relate to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency statistics released in response to a freedom of information request.

They are a snapshot of the number of DR10 endorsements on driving records on July 20.

The endorsements  which last for 11 years from the date of the offence  are given to motorists convicted of driving or attempting to drive with alcohol above legal limits.

Motoring organisations said the figures demonstrate the need for the Government to consider introducing a requirement for alcolocks to be used in the UK.

The devices  which prevent a vehicles ignition from starting unless a person passes a breath test  are used in several European nations  such as France, Belgium, Italy and Denmark  as a possible alternative to driving bans.

RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said: Its chilling to see a proportion of the driving public remain intent on taking charge of a car while intoxicated, even after theyve already been caught by the police on at least one occasion.

The rate of fatalities caused by people drinking and driving is now at a similar level to where it was in the late 1980s, so its clear something needs to change.

Drivers need to be prevented from drinking and driving in the first place, so theres a good argument for mandating alcolocks be fitted to vehicles driven by anyone previously convicted.

William Porter, policy and communications manager at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said: The sheer scale of reoffending is deeply troubling and demonstrates the need to re-evaluate our approach to reducing drink-driving.

Measures should include an expansion of drink-drive rehabilitation courses which lower the rate of reoffending among those who take them against those who do not.

Additionally, serious consideration should be given to require repeat offenders to have alcolocks fitted to their vehicle.

Mr Porter added: Increasing the number of roadside breathalyser tests carried out by police would also provide a visual deterrent for those thinking about risking it.

Police forces in England and Wales conducted around 229,000 breath tests in 2022, according to Home Office figures.

That was 11% more than the previous year, but 16% below 274,000 in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.

Department for Transport (DfT) figures show an estimated 300 people were killed in crashes on Britains roads involving at least one driver over the legal alcohol limit in 2022.

That was up from 260 the previous year and was the highest total since 2009 when 380 were recorded.

The drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

Nowhere else in Europe has a limit above 50mg/100ml.

The Scottish Government reduced its limit to that level in 2014.

A DfT spokesperson said: The safety of our roads is an absolute priority for this Government. Thats why we have committed to delivering a new Road Safety Strategy  the first in over a decade.

We will set out next steps on this in due course.

 This is the number of DR10 endorsements on driving records as of July 20:

One  354,097

Two  25,210

Three  2,255

Four  304

Five  50

Six  14

Seven  Four
The appointed President of COP29, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mukhtar Babayev, met with Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and "net zero" emissions of Great Britain, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the parties emphasized the importance of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement on decarbonization.

The sides discussed strategies to accelerate the global energy transition, strengthen international cooperation, and ensure equal access to sustainable technologies to achieve climate goals.
Luxury cruise passengers who have been marooned in Belfast for four months are hoping to hit the seas this week.

The worldwide voyage of the Villa Vie Odyssey has been long set back, leaving its guests stuck exploring Northern Ireland instead.

Cruisegoers could avail of offered rental segments varying from 35 to 120 days, or purchase villas ranging from 90,000 to 260,000.

Owning a villa on board guarantees the room for a minimum of 15 years, but the ownership stays valid for the entire operation of the ship.

However, the start of the dream stay boasting an ever changing backyard has been delayed for four months due to unexpected repair works, meaning the cruise ship has been stranded in Belfast.

The ships eventual passengers hope to board on Monday, beginning their life at sea soon thereafter.

In the meantime, the would-be voyagers have fallen in love with Belfast, and each other.

Villa Vie Residences Odyssey cruise ship at Belfast Port (Liam McBurney/PA)

Gian Perroni, from Vancouver in Canada, and Angie Harsanyi, from Colorado in the US, first met in Belfast four months ago having bought cabins on the ship.

Both were looking forward to an adventure at sea but were not looking for a relationship.

The pair started walking through Belfast on their way to and back from the ship, before realising how compatible they were.

Mr Perroni said the two are made for each other, adding: We found our soulmates.

With love blossoming in Northern Ireland, the pair recently announced their engagement following a proposal on the Lagan Weir Bridge under a supermoon.

Ms Harsanyi, who says she loves Mr Perroni from the bottom of her heart, added: I cant imagine spending another day of my life without him.

On being unexpected waylaid in Northern Ireland, Mr Perroni quipped: I dont think wed consider it stranded as much as  marooned?

He said the Villa Vie Residences company has been great and diligent in making sure the vessel is safe and ready, as well as covering their expenses during the extended shore excursion.

Angela Harsanyi and Gian Perroni show off their matching Trinity tattoos (Liam McBurney/PA)

Weve all had the opportunity to travel and go home as needed. So weve learned patience and perseverance  and learned how wonderful the people of Belfast have been.

Ms Harsanyi said visiting Belfast for the first time has been absolutely lovely, with the pair, who got matching tattoos to commemorate their time in the city, almost ready to start giving their own tours after soaking up the central area.

We enjoy the people, the pubs, the architecture, and a lot of the nature around here.

She adds: The hospitality and the kindness has been awesome.

Mr Perroni, who is half Irish, said they have been able to travel around Northern Ireland to destinations like the Giants Causeway: I dont think we could have picked a better place to end up. It is always going to be close to our heart.

However, he admits: Weve enjoyed the pubs  my liver is crying a little bit.

Ms Harsanyi, who is also travelling with her sister, is looking forward to the cruises community outreach programme around the world.

Mr Perroni, who has spent the last six years in Costa Rica, said the idea of the cruise really struck a chord with him.

He is able to continue his work on board while seeing the world.

The ships captain will marry the new couple as part of a gigantic wedding on board in April, between Costa Rica and Panama.

Villa Vie Residences Odyssey cruise ship at Belfast Port (Liam McBurney/PA)

Also waiting to board, Florida native Holly Hennessy said passengers were informed over the weekend that the ship has passed all certifications.

It was an arduous four-month process but we get to board on Monday and then we get to perpetually sail around the world.

She reflects fondly on her time in Belfast: What you lack in warmth of temperature, the people make up for.

It has been a remarkable experience.

As for the delay, she believes the cruise will be worth the wait.

She paid 329,000 US dollars (275,000) for her balcony mini-suite: Im going to be incredibly comfortable.

She added: When I see her (the Odyssey), my heart goes pitter-patter. I have a genuine affection for this ship.

Holly Hennessy with her Siamese cat Captain at the Europa Hotel in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms Hennessy said the experience on board will be an actual community.

At Ms Hennessys side is her yachting companion, Captain the cruising kitty.

The Siamese cat is used to life on deck, having spent every winter of his eight-year life on a boat.

However, Ms Hennessy knows that hotels are not always accommodating of pets.

Therefore, as part of what she describes as a generosity of spirit in the city, she said the Europa Hotel and others have been heroes by creating exceptions for Captain.

Im abundantly grateful for what could have been a much worse situation for me  and Captain!

The cat has made friends all over Belfast, even being invited to the Lord Mayors office.

Ms Hennessy, who said Belfast was her favourite part of the island when she last toured Ireland five years, said her shipmates are renting out three beer bikes as part of their last full day in the city.

We are going to make a grand statement saying goodbye to Belfast!
Conservative leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch face off over immigration policy ahead of party vote - JEFF OVERS/AFP

Kemi Badenoch accused Robert Jenrick of misrepresenting her views as the pair clashed over immigration policy.

The row came after Ms Badenoch wrote a piece for The Telegraph in which she stressed the importance of culture in deciding who should be able to come to the UK.

But Mr Jenrick, who has committed to capping net migration in the tens of thousands or below, said he disagreed with her approach because numbers also matter.

Ms Badenoch hit back saying he had misrepresented her views because she also believes in cutting numbers.

The clash between the two frontrunners for the Tory leadership came on the first morning of the party conference in Birmingham.

In the article, Ms Badenoch said not all cultures are equally valid when it comes to immigration, and failing to recognise that is naive.

She said most politicians shy away from talking about immigration in terms of culture as opposed to economics as they fear it is too controversial, adding that many people who came here have customs which may be at odds with British values.

Ms Badenoch says numbers do matter, but culture matters more - BENOIT TESSIER/REUTERS

Ms Badenoch wrote: We cannot be naive and assume immigrants will automatically abandon ancestral ethnic hostilities at the border, or that all cultures are equally valid. They are not.

On Sunday morning, Mr Jenrick was asked by the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg whether he agreed that not all cultures were equally valid.

He declined to answer directly, but said: Culture matters for integration, before reiterating his call for a cap on immigration figures.

Criticising Ms Badenochs failure to commit to a limit, he said: Just saying Ill have a plan in a few years time is a recipe for in-fighting and for losing the publics trust.

I have a plan. I want us to get on and start to implement that when were lucky enough to be in government again.

Speaking on the same programme minutes later, Ms Badenoch said: I was quite surprised that Rob actually misrepresented what Ive been saying. Numbers do matter.

Culture matters even more. Who comes into the country is absolutely critical, and leadership. You need to start from the top.

We are not a dormitory

Pressed on this, Ms Badenoch said: We are not a dormitory. This is our home. People from all around the world just living here in their little bubbles and little groups is a recipe for disaster.

I have seen it I grew up in a country with 300 ethnic groups. This is a recipe for conflict, and the government needs to work hard on integration.

Asked which groups she believed were not equally valid, Ms Badenoch said: I know what youre trying to do. Laura, you want me to say Muslims, but it isnt all Muslims. So Im not going to do that. Im not going to play this game.

I should be able to say that I have made an observation without you trying to portray it as me attacking a particular groupI talked about people ripping down posters. We saw who was doing it. We read about cases.

Mr Jenrick said he did not believe that cutting immigration would lower economic growth.

He said: I dont agree that the age of mass migration has made our country richer.

In the 25 years since Tony Blair became prime minister, weve had 5.9 million people coming into our country legally.

He added: It was 59,000 in the 25 years prior to that, and this has not been a period of record growth, record productivity for rate. In fact, far from it.
Fashion designer Jean Pallant was delighted to be reunited with one of her creations - Jean-Sebastien Durocher/Oxfam/PA

A fashion designer has said she is over the moon after being reunited with a coat she designed which disappeared 36 years ago.

Jean Pallant made the orange coat with large buttons on her kitchen table in 1988 and it featured in a Sunday Telegraph article that year.

The designer, who was part of the 1960s cultural revolution and one half of a husband-and-wife team, was very excited after being told it had turned up in a donation bag at the Oxfam shop in Mill Hill, London.

When she went to retrieve some pieces from her warehouse nearly four decades ago, she felt sick to discover that the coat had gone missing along with five other pieces she had designed with her husband Martin, which still have not been found.

The coat, in remarkably good condition, found its way to an Oxfam charity shop - Gabi Torres/Oxfam/PA

She said: When we retrieved them all, there were these pieces which I remember, of course, because theyre all my babies. These pieces were missing, and theres nothing I can do about it.

She said she was absolutely over the moon on being told it had been found. She added: It was very sweet of the person who discovered it to believe that it was something important.

Its like seeing a child. Its lovely. I know every single square inch of it, and Im absolutely amazed that it looks so new, and it feels new. Everything about it looks exactly as it did when it went missing.

Oxfams Mill Hill shop manager Marina Ikey-Botchway said she could tell the coat was a priceless item when the donation came in.

The coat was featured in a 1988 Sunday Telegraph article - The Sunday Telegraph

She made the discovery among a donation of high street fast-fashion clothes. She said: The very first second I saw the coat I knew this was something special, so I checked the label and after a quick Google found Jeans email.

Now that the coat has been found, Ms Pallant said it was extraordinary that the item looks absolutely brand new.

She said: It doesnt look as if its ever been worn, so Im thrilled about that as well. It doesnt look like a rag. It doesnt even smell of must, which is weird. I dont know where its been for those years, but its obviously been well cared for.

Reuniting with her long-lost coat has renewed hope for Ms Pallant that she may still find her other missing pieces.

She said: Id love those to turn up. There are some really special pieces that Id like back in our collection for our archive. Maybe theyll turn up, who knows?

One of them was a piece which is so important to us, which was made in 1972, I think. It was worn by me in a TV fashion show to celebrate Britain joining the common market and it was a beautiful white jumpsuit and jacket with little mink spots on it. Id pay anything to get it back.
Experts say it costs five times more to bury power cables than string them from pylons - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Sir Keir Starmer has warned that opposition to the Governments plans to build more pylons across the countryside would force him to put taxes up.

The Prime Minister said burying new electricity cables underground costs much more money which would have to be raised from taxpayers.

Speaking during a trip to New York he said that voters would have to accept trade-offs including more development in return for better services.

Sir Keir made the remarks after using his Labour conference speech earlier this week to say he was willing to take unpopular decisions in the pursuit of growth.

He has backed plans to construct a massive new line of pylons across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to connect North Sea wind farms to the grid.

The Prime Minister was asked whether campaigners against the scheme were right to accuse him of throwing rural communities under the bus.

Wind turbines off the coast of Norfolk, seen from Great Yarmouth - James D Morgan/Getty

He said: No theyre not. That section of my speech was intended to be an honest levelling with the country, which is to say: If you want XYZ, then weve got to face up to the fact that there are a number of consequences for that.

If you want lower energy bills, were going to have to have pylons above the ground. Yes, there is the option to put them below the ground [but] it costs much more money.

He added that most people feel theyre already paying too much tax, and I dont think many would put their hand up to pay more.

A report by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) previously found that it is five times more expensive to use underground cabling.

Sir Keirs remarks come amid another major row over a proposed East Anglia pylon project which has caused significant controversy over the years.

Many of the constituencies it passes through were previously Tory strongholds but flipped to Labour in Julys landslide election.

That means the Prime Minister is now facing opposition from his own backbenchers to the scheme, which locals have warned would ruin the areas it passes through.

Areas of considerable natural beauty

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, the new MP for Suffolk Coastal, has attended anti-pylon protests in her constituency and Ben Godsborough, for South Norfolk, has also expressed opposition.

Weeks before the election, Dame Nia Griffith, now a minister in the Wales Office, said in Parliament that there was huge concern that enormous pylon projects will spoil areas of considerable natural beauty.

She also warned that pylons take up space on agricultural land and said she wanted to take our communities with us in the transition to renewable energy.

Before the election, Tory ministers were considering plans to introduce incentives, such as money off energy bills, for communities near new pylons.

They were an attempt to address local opposition which has often seen energy projects snagged in the planning process for years or even decades.

It is not yet clear whether Labour will press ahead with the plans or simply change planning laws so that it can override local objections.

Sir Keir said that as well as pylons, some neighbourhoods would also have to accept living near new housing developments and prisons.

The Prime Minister insisted that increased building was the only way to address the lack of capacity in the justice system and the housing crisis.

He added: Of course, we will consult with people, there are always options. But I do want to be clear  these are serious trade-offs that were going to have to make and were going to have to take those decisions.

I think we just shied away from these trade-offs for too long. Weve got to be serious about it.
In the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan in Mexico, a single latecomer joins the others for the night. Photograph:  Jaime Rojo, Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Jaime Rojo has been following the fate of the monarch butterfly for more than 20 years. In the process the Spanish photographer has watched one of the planets most colourful, flamboyant insect species succumb to the combined onslaught of habitat destruction, climate change, pesticides, drought and wildfires. Its population has crashed in the process.

It is a dramatic, disturbing story that will be recognised next month when Rojo is given a highly commended award for his photojournalism at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London.

The glories of the monarch  and human responses to them  are revealed in his startling images and could be critical in helping efforts by conservationists, scientists and local people who are now trying to overcome the threat facing these remarkable winged migrants.

When I first visited the monarch sanctuary in Mexico, there were so many of them, the forest floor would be a carpet of dead monarchs up to half a metre thick and every tree was blanketed with them, Rojo told the Observer. It was extraordinary.

However, things have changed. Monarchs are now very thin on the ground and on branches and their numbers have declined dramatically. It has become very noticeable and worrying.

Most estimates suggest there were once several hundred million monarch butterflies  possibly up to a billion  which used to sweep over the US and Mexico on their vast, Technicolor voyages. Today, conservationists believe the continents population of Danaus plexippus has dropped by 90% since the 1990s.

This crisis stems, in part, from the extraordinarily complex life cycle of the monarch, which makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat and climate changes. The butterfly  which has two sets of deep orange wings with black borders and a wingspan of seven to 10 centimetres  breeds for several generations in spring and summer in the north-east of America. Females use milkweed plants to lay the eggs from which caterpillars emerge, before they develop into chrysalises and then adult butterflies.

In autumn, a final generation of butterflies emerges from this process and flies in vast clouds on a 3,000-mile migration to Mexico and California, where the butterflies overwinter in the relative warmth of the south. A new generation then starts heading back to the north the following spring, explains Dr Blanca Huertas, principal curator of Lepidoptera at the Natural History Museum.

The vision of hundreds of millions of bright orange butterflies in flight is one of the most stunning spectacles in nature  one that Barbara Kingsolver describes vividly in her 2012 novel Flight Behaviour.

In it, she likens the mass migration of bright orange insects to a forest fire. The flames appeared to lift from individual treetops in showers of orange sparks, exploding the way a pine log does in a camp fire when it is poked. The sparks spiralled upward in swirls like funnel clouds. Twisters of brightness against grey sky.

But that spectacle is now being devastated. Initially conservationists thought deforestation was the sole cause of the monarchs decline. We tried to put that right, only to discover there were other reasons, said Rojo.

It was found that the common milkweed  the wildflower upon which monarch caterpillars depend for food  was being wiped out by powerful new pesticides. In addition, climate change was bringing intense heatwaves and droughts in autumn. As a result, monarchs had no flowering plants to feed on while they migrated.

They got very weak and could not store enough energy and so they never made it to Mexico, said Rojo. In a sense it was a little bit of everything that combined to do them down.

There is little that can be done to halt climate change in the foreseeable future, but some actions can be taken, conservationists argue. Planting milkweed where they can provide food for monarch caterpillars and limiting pesticide use is now being promoted by US and Mexican environment groups.

Education programmes for schools are raising awareness about the monarch and that is also crucial, said Huertas.

Many of these projects are recorded in Rojos award-winning portfolio, which will be displayed at the museum from 11 October. These include images of drones monitoring milkweed prevalence in the US; the tagging of monarch butterflies as part of research aimed at understanding how they navigate on their 3,000-mile odysseys; and classroom conservation lessons for children whose families live on the butterflies flight route.

I still believe this is a story of hope, insists Rojo. We can actually save the monarchs. This is one of the rare cases in conservation in which the citizens have something to do and that will make all the difference.
Wimbledon magistrates court - PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

An academic disguised a camera in a vape to intimately record women, a court has been told.

Visiting PhD researcher Dr David Cloarec, 34, concealed it within a bag to secretly capture images in Kingston-upon-Thames town centre.

Wimbledon magistrates court was told that the University of Surrey academic had used the camera to observe their bottoms as he walked around behind them.

Jack Williams, for the prosecution, told the court: This defendant concealed a camera in a bag as he walked around Kingstons shopping area and spent some time following young women.

He was using the camera to observe their bottoms as he walked around behind them.

He was detected by members of the public and the police were called and there was an attempt to escape, but that was not successful.

Images were recorded. There was a substantial amount of footage that was taken at the time.

I am ashamed of my behaviour, he told the court following his conviction after a trial.

I came to the UK in 2020 to complete my PhD and I have betrayed my professors with this behaviour, which was disgraceful.

Cloarec, of Aldershot, in Hants, was found guilty of attempting to operate equipment beneath the clothing of another, without their consent on June 10 last year, contrary to the Sexual Offences Act.

He was convicted of operating a camera in a bag disguised as a vape beneath the clothing of another person, with the intention of enabling him to observe their buttocks, underwear and between their legs in circumstances where they would not otherwise be visible for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.

Law degree

Cloarec is a graduate of the University of Bordeaux, in France, where he obtained degrees in social and human sciences, plus law and economy management.

Since obtaining his doctorate around the time of his arrest, Cloarec has set himself up as an independent expert supporting destinations and businesses to achieve their projects and declares himself open to opportunities.

He has no previous convictions and told the court police found no suspicious images on his phone or computer, which were also checked.

I am sorry for what I have done. It was a one-time event and it was out of curiosity that I did it.

There was no continuous upskirting, but I understand why it violates females and I will not do it again.

I had to pay legal fees and these significantly impacted my finances and there was emotional stress and impact on my wellbeing.

Things have not worked well for me in England and I would like to move on and return to France.

For now, I will remain in the UK until this case is completed. I should be able to work in this country as I work remotely from my office.

I know I have to be registered on the sex offenders [register].

District Judge David Bolton sentenced Dr Cloarec to a 12-month community order, which includes 120 hours community service work.

He must also complete 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement; pay 650 costs, plus a 114 victim surcharge and sign the sex offenders register.
Celebrations in Gadaref, Sudan, on Saturday following reports of advancement by the Sudanese army

The Sudanese armys offensive across the Nile in the capital, Khartoum, was heralded by a sudden thunder of shelling and air strikes that reverberated through the darkness.

Troops charged across two bridges from the sister city of Omdurman, reportedly wearing green martyrdom headbands in expectation of death as the assault was so perilous.

The cacophony marked the armys largest Khartoum offensive so far against their UAE-backed paramilitary adversaries, in a city divided by front lines and where the remaining residents are unable to leave their homes.



Soldiers led by the de facto president lost much of the city to the Rapid Support Force (RSF) at the start of the countrys catastrophic 18-month-long civil war, and had been on the defensive there ever since.

The noise was so intense it felt as if the ground were shaking, said one resident called Tariq Ali who spoke to The Telegraph by telephone.

We havent slept and have been hearing loud missile sounds and shelling and bombs that began around 2am on Thursday morning.

The attack over the Medical Corps and Fatehab bridges took place in the historic heart of the city at the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile.

It was here at the same point that 139 years ago a Mahdist army overran and killed Gen Charles Gordon after a 10-month siege.

RSF defenders scrambled to deploy reinforcements and repel the armys dawn assault.

Everybody was terrified and there was no way to move out of your house, unless you wanted to participate, said another resident, called Mohammed Ahmed.



We saw RSF forces moving and running.

No one had expected this attack. The Sudanese army had been on the defensive, but suddenly the RSF was now defending and turning houses into military strong points, forcibly evicting citizens and looting.

The citys Petrodar Tower and Hilton were both in flames as the RSF tried to stop the army pushing through the Mogran neighbourhood towards the Arab market area.



After the first few days of fighting, the armys bridgehead into Khartoum seemed to stretch no more than a mile, according to Sudan War Monitor, a collective of journalists and researchers tracking the war.

Then on Saturday, the Sudanese army captured another Nile crossing, the Halfaya bridge a few miles north, effectively ending the siege of a military base, before turning to push south.

Hours after the assault began, the two warring generals who have tipped the country into disaster sparred at the United Nations general assembly as their men fought. Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief, said the RSF was seeking to take over power by force and later blamed the United Arab Emirates for backing the RSF.

Abu Dhabi denies supporting the RSF.

Abdel-Fattah Burhan has blamed the UAE for backing the RSF - AP

Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, who leads the RSF, responded that there was no legitimate government and there is a complete constitutional collapse. The escalation in Khartoum and the failure of all diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting will worsen what is already one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters, aid agencies fear.

An estimated 150,000 are dead in the war so far and more than 10 million have fled their homes. Millions are on the brink of famine as the warring parties block aid convoys into their opponents territory.

Both sides are accused of atrocities, sexual violence is rife and RSF massacres in the Darfur region have echoed the countrys genocide 20 years ago.

The economy and healthcare have largely collapsed and food prices have jumped three or four-fold.

The situation of the people in Khartoum is unbelievable, said Mr Ahmed.

My family and I dont have any income to rely on, we depend on our extended family abroad to send us money and food donations from charity groups.

He said those who remain have nowhere to go and also do not want to lose their property to the RSF.

Mass displacement

Waseem Ahmad, chief executive of the Islamic Relief Worldwide aid agency, said the Khartoum offensive would further escalate violence, that will trigger mass displacement.

While visiting aid operations in Port Sudan on the Red Sea earlier this week, he said he had seen a stream of refugees arriving from Khartoum.

He said: They say it was a ghost town where no one would dare to go out. They said it was very hard for us to leave our beloved homes and move away.

This war will leave a lot of scars on the society of Sudan and on the peoples minds, what they will go through. I think the healing process will take decades.

A forgotten crisis

Beatrice Butsana-Sita, chief executive of the British Red Cross, who has recently returned from Chad where hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have taken refuge, said the scale of the disaster was horrific.

She said she had seen large numbers cross the border, starving, exhausted and with no possessions, adding: Its just a stream, they are coming, coming, with nothing.

At one point I thought, you cant fall lower than that, because the only thing they have really is their memories and their minds.

Its tragic, its a forgotten crisis. The need is so big, its overwhelming.
Mohamed Fayed, the late Harrods owner, has been accused of sexual abuse by more than 100 women - Paul Ellis/AFP

Victims of Mohamed Fayed who signed non-disclosure agreements will not have them enforced, Harrods has said.

More than 100 women have accused the former Harrods owner, who died last year aged 94, of sexual abuse, in the wake of a BBC documentary about his alleged attacks.

Lawyers acting on behalf of women who claim they were attacked by Fayed had called on Harrods to reveal how many people have been silenced by the legally binding contracts, which prevent them from sharing specified sensitive information.

However, the luxury department store has now said it will not seek to enforce any non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that are related to alleged abuse by Fayed.

In a statement, Harrods said: There are no NDAs attached to settlements made under the current ownership and Harrods would not seek to enforce any NDAs that relate to alleged historical sexual abuse by Fayed that were entered into during the period of his, Fayeds, ownership.

The statement came after new claims that Fayed made an indecent proposal to Princess Diana before she began her relationship with his son, Dodi.

Diana, Princess of Wales, with Mohamed Fayed at a charity dinner in 1996 - Dominic O'Neill

According to her former butler Paul Burrell, who wrote about serving Diana in his book A Royal Duty, the late Princess of Wales called Fayed a creep following an inappropriate encounter.

Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris with Fayeds son Dodi in 1997, was said to have been left shaking after the encounter, which allegedly happened before she began a relationship with Dodi.

Mr Burrell, who worked for the Princess for ten years, told The Sun that Fayed said to Diana: I want you to marry my son because in Egyptian tradition, the father goes first. Im going to sleep with you.

Mr Burrell, 66, also claimed that Diana referred to Fayed as Yoda  and as God because of his ego. She was also said to have claimed: Hes always putting his hands on me.

Mr Burrell said Diana met Fayed at a polo match sponsored by Harrods in the late 1980s.

Diana with Paul Burrell in August 1997, days before her death - Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Regarding the comments, which were allegedly made in 1995, Mr Burrell said: I was in the car when she came running out from his office shaking and told me, and these are her exact words, that he said: I want you to marry my son because, in Egyptian tradition, the father goes first.

He said: Im going to sleep with you. She then said in shock: Can you imagine making love to Yoda? Thats what she called him. I was disgusted by his behaviour.

Mr Burrell claimed: He thought that was his right and that it would actually happen  that he would actually sleep with the Princess of Wales. And that was always in her mind all through her romance with Dodi.
Pots with firm lids are better for stacking in the refrigerator and the contents keep better. Photograph: PR Company Handout

What a storm in a hummus pot (Open sesame? Sainsburys and Tesco drop lids from pots of hummus, 25 September). There is no need to cover it with clingfilm or similar. A saucer rested on top or a clean tea towel will suffice.

Catherine Roome

Staplehurst, Kent

 I have already stopped buying hummus that does not have a single-use plastic lid. Pots with firm lids are better for stacking in the refrigerator and the contents keep better. They can also be used for storing small amounts of food. In addition, they are useful for food banks, so sadly are still needed. It is shortsighted of supermarkets to give them up.

Barbara Bain

London

 Another unknown cost of the two-child benefit cap (Letters, 26 September) is the health of the mother, who will feed her children as best she can but not herself. I know this, having been a single parent. This will impact on the NHS in the future.

Jenny Moir

Chelmsford

 Re your article (Weekend warrior workouts may be as effective as daily exercise, study shows, 26 September), I will stick to the advice of a wise old GP when I was recovering from a serious illness decades ago: Walking a mile a day is better than running 10 miles once a week. Cant run, jump or dance any more, but Im still here!

Rita Gallard

Norwich

 Elon Musk has told his followers on X not to visit this country (Report, 26 September). At last, some good news.

Tim Langton

Chiswick, London
Robert Mueller at the House judiciary committee hearing on his report on Russian election interference in 2019. Interference book cover. Photograph: AP Photo; Simon and Schuster

The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion, said the Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election, AKA the Mueller Report. A Russian entity carried out a social media campaign that favored presidential candidate Donald J Trump and disparaged presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Robert Mueller, the special counsel, did not criminally charge Trump but did not give him a clean bill of health, contrary to misleading claims made by Bill Barr, Trumps attorney general, in a 24 March 2019 letter  AKA the Barr Report.

Barrs bad-faith action angered Mueller and members of his team, among them prosecutors Aaron Zebley, James Quarles and Andrew Goldstein. So much so, the three have now written a book of their time at what was once the central maelstrom of American politics.

The purpose of appointing a special counsel was to shield the investigation from political interference so there would be public confidence in the outcome, the three men now write in Interference, their look back at their time in the special counsels office. That required the public to see our actual analysis and conclusions, not those of a politically appointed attorney general.

Related: US still unprepared for Russian election interference, Robert Mueller says

Under the subtitle The Inside Story of Trump, Russia, and the Mueller Investigation, Zebley, Quarles and Goldstein shed new light on the decisions not to subpoena or indict Trump, who Mueller nonetheless saw as a subject  someone whose conduct is within the scope of the investigation.

The tenor of Interference is sober, not breathy. Its prose is dry. This is a book by establishmentarian lawyers. Their boss, an ex-US marine and FBI director, earned the sobriquet Bobby Three-Sticks, a reference to his name and the three-fingered Boy Scout salute.

Justice department protocols barred federal prosecutors from charging an incumbent president, yet doubts lingered. The department had twice taken the position, in writing, that a sitting president could not be indicted, the authors acknowledge. But if the special counsels office had evidence proving Trump truly was a Manchurian candidate, a puppet who was being directed by Russia in a way that was an immediate and ongoing threat, then the public interest in an indictment might be so great as to warrant pushing the department to revisit the [Office of Legal Counsel] opinion in order to safeguard the nation.

Also, Rod Rosenstein, the Janus-faced deputy attorney general who oversaw Mueller after Jeff Sessions, Trumps first attorney general, recused himself, reportedly instructed Mueller to limit his investigation to criminal conduct connected with Russias election interference.

This is a criminal investigation, Rosenstein purportedly told Mueller. Do your job, and then shut it down.

Examination of Trumps prior ties to Russia was outside Muellers remit. Furthermore, a 2 August 2017 scope memo between Rosenstein and the special counsel gave the deputy attorney general the power to veto new lines of investigation, Zebley, Quarles and Goldstein now disclose.

We know how the story ends. Trump was not charged. Associates were convicted, only to be pardoned. Roger Stone and Paul Manafort remain in Trumpworld. Zebley, Quarles and Goldstein portray Rudy Giuliani, Trumps personal attorney, as untrustworthy. By the end, Mueller decided he would never again meet or speak with Giuliani  and he never did. Giuliani is now under indictment in Arizona and Georgia, for his role in Trumps attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

Not everyone who worked for Mueller was thrilled with Zebley, Quarles and Goldstein. Andrew Weissmann, a Mueller deputy, now a New York University law professor and MSNBC commentator, has strafed Zebley for being overly cautious, adhering to a narrow reading of the special counsels mandate.

In Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation, his 2020 memoir, Weissmann hearkened back to the generals who served Abraham Lincoln, comparing Zebley to the timorous George McClellan, reluctant to fight the Confederates, while presenting himself as a hero, an approximation of Philip Sheridan and Ulysses S Grant. In turn, Zebley, Quarles and Goldstein see Weissmann as a zealot. Mueller and Zebley knew him but the decision to bring him on board engendered discussion.

He had a reputation for being unduly harsh with some defendants, the authors write. In addition, Weissmann was already collecting information on Manafort, almost as though it had been a hobby. Maybe that should have caused us to consider whether he was too interested in the investigation.

Later, the authors describe Weissmanns failed efforts to have the Manhattan district attorney resurrect the federal case against Manafort, after he had received a Trump pardon.

As Interference arrives, the US is embroiled in another brutal election. Again, the Kremlin is in the mix. Earlier this month, the justice department indicted two employees of RT, the Russian propaganda machine, as part of a $10m scheme to create and distribute content to US audiences. Pro-Trump American lackeys purportedly benefited from such largesse.

Trump continues to brag about his relationship with the Russian leader and his ilk. I know Putin very well, he announced at the September debate. I have a good relationship.

Also in September, federal prosecutors charged Dimitri and Anastasia Simes in a scheme to evade sanctions and launder money at the behest of Channel One Russia. Dimitri Simes previously led a thinktank with ties to the Kremlin and Trumpworld. His name appeared dozens of times in the Mueller Report, earning a whole subsection, Dimitri Simes and the Center for the National Interest.

As he seeks a second presidency, Trump is unhinged and unrestrained. I am your retribution, he tells supporters. Im being indicted for you.

We were not prepared then, Mueller writes in his introduction to Interference, and, despite many efforts of dedicated people across the government, we are not prepared now. This threat deserves the attention of every American. Russia attacked us before and will do so again.
US should discard its double-face approach to China

08:26, September 29, 2024 By Li Yang ( Chinadaily.com.cn

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a meeting on the margins of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. The divided world body, as exposed by the general debate over the Middle East and Ukraine crises at the UN, meant the two sides went straight to the point in their discussions on a range of issues of common concerns.

Although both sides agree that the discussions were "candid, substantive and productive" as before, the news brief they released respectively after the meeting clearly indicates this was perhaps another chicken-and-duck dialogue.

Yet, despite their divergences on a wide range of issues, they still think it is necessary to maintain communication on them.

This momentum has gradually been consolidated through the joint efforts of the two sides to stabilize the Sino-US relationship since US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's visit to China in August  perhaps an expedient of the Joe Biden administration before the election  with the unfolding of bilateral exchanges on climate change, drug control, technology, commerce, trade, finance, and security.

There is no doubt that China and the US need to find a way to live alongside one another in peace. To that end, the two sides should continue to implement the important common understandings of the two presidents in San Francisco, engage in dialogue and cooperation, and properly manage differences to work toward stable, healthy, and sustainable development of bilateral relations. These efforts should never become a makeshift to the US administration but its long-term pursuit.

Notably, Blinken and Wang agreed on opening a new round of consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs in due course, which, if implemented well with the good faith of both sides, will be conducive to helping cool down the situations in the region.

The US' regional allies in the Asia-Pacific that play an important role in doing the US' bidding to provoke China on the front are expected to closely follow these talks, which can provide them with a good opportunity to understand that the focus of the US' China policy is to seek peaceful coexistence. That can help prevent the US' proxies from going too far in playing their assigned role.

That, as Blinken emphasized, Washington recognizes the importance of using diplomacy to responsibly manage competition, to candidly discuss areas of difference, and to make progress on areas of cooperation that matter to the world should prompt these US proxies to reflect on their one-sided pro-US diplomacy.

The division of the US, as exposed by the approaching US presidential election, should also remind them of the inevitability of reviewing their all-in approach to bet the future of their countries on merely one wing of the US' China policy.

In his meeting with the top US diplomat, Wang hit the nail on the head in noting that whether the positive momentum in the two sides' joints efforts to repair ties can be sustained will depend on whether the US side can stop approaching China with two faces: On the one hand encircling and suppressing China brazenly, and on the other hand, having dialogue and cooperation with China as if nothing is wrong.

The latest move in that vein is that US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday that the US' economic ties with China are closer now despite recent tariff hikes and ongoing trade tensions, ignoring how these irresponsible tariffs have been hurting both sides' common interest.

China is firmly opposed to US suppression of trade and technology. National security should not be politicized, and "small yard, high fence" should not become "big yard, iron curtain".

That double-face approach is also attributable to the US' regional allies' misjudgment of the US' China policy. With the rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific, Washington now has enough reasons to worry that, if that misjudgment is continued to be allowed to exist and being acted upon accordingly, the tail will wag the dog.

Since the US has expressed multiple times that it has no intention to have conflict with China, then fundamentally, it needs to establish a rational perception of China, and find the right way to get along with it. Washington needs to carry out dialogue with respect, advance cooperation in the spirit of reciprocity, and address differences with great prudence, rather than act willfully as it sees fit from a position of strength or use previous mistakes as excuses to make more mistakes.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
The United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has released the 17th edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII), which ranks 133 economies based on approximately 80 indicators related to innovation activity.

According to Azernews, Azerbaijan ranked 95th in the GII 2024, reflecting both the progress and areas for improvement in the countrys innovation ecosystem.

The GII is based on two main sub-indices: "innovation resources" (inputs) and "innovation results" (outputs). Azerbaijan performed well in certain areas, particularly in government efficiency, business development, and industry-university collaboration.

Key highlights include:

Institutions: Azerbaijan ranked 51st in government efficiency, regulation quality, and political stability.

Azerbaijan ranked 51st in government efficiency, regulation quality, and political stability. Business Environment: The country rose to 15th place, reflecting an increasingly favorable climate for innovation and business development. Azerbaijan also advanced in business policy stability, securing 19th place.

The country rose to 15th place, reflecting an increasingly favorable climate for innovation and business development. Azerbaijan also advanced in business policy stability, securing 19th place. Business Development: Ranked 67th, Azerbaijans performance in this area highlights ongoing improvements in economic infrastructure and market conditions.

Ranked 67th, Azerbaijans performance in this area highlights ongoing improvements in economic infrastructure and market conditions. Scientific Research and Cluster Development: Azerbaijan leads the South Caucasus in research and cluster development, ranking 30th and 29th respectively, indicating strong collaboration between academia and the private sector. This is aligned with Azerbaijan's 2030 development agenda, emphasizing industrial clusters and R&D cooperation.

Azerbaijan made notable strides in patent activity, rising to 50th place in "Knowledge and Technological Results" and leading the South Caucasus in this category. The country also improved in labor productivity, climbing 34 spots to 28th place, thanks to the adoption of advanced technologies and improved workforce skills.

In terms of human capital and science, Azerbaijan ranked 94th, but significant progress was observed in areas like student-teacher ratio (20th) and government investment in education (53rd). The countrys 45th-place ranking for science and engineering graduates highlights its growing technical talent base, which is essential for innovation in key sectors like technology and engineering.

However, experts emphasize the need for more venture capital, increased high-tech exports, and greater access to private sector credit. These steps, along with stronger collaboration between education and industry, will be crucial for further boosting Azerbaijans innovation capacity.

For more in-depth analysis, you can explore the full WIPO Global Innovation Index report or research papers on innovation ecosystems and the role of education in economic development. I also recommend reading about Azerbaijan's 2030 innovation agenda, which provides insights into the country's strategic goals for R&D and industrial growth.
Fire and smoke billows above Yemens rebel-held Hodeida port city following Israeli strikes

Israel opened up a war on three fronts with major airstrikes on Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen on Sunday.

Huge explosions rocked the Red Sea state as Israel took revenge for missile attacks launched by the Iran-backed group.

The explosions shook the city, said reports from Hodeidah, with social media posts showing major blasts and what appeared to be extensive damage.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, describing them as extensive, intelligence-based aerial operation involving dozens of aircraft.

The targets included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, which were used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in addition to military supplies and oil, said an IDF statement.

The Iranian-backed Houthis launched three ballistic missiles at southern and central Israel this month, together with several drones, at least two getting through air defences.

The terror group, who seized the Yemeni capital Sanaa in 2014 and is extensively funded and armed by Iran, has also harried shipping in the area for more than a year, all but closing the Suez Canal in what it calls a response to Israels war in Gaza.

Britain and the United States began an ongoing air campaign against Houthi targets in a bid to suppress attacks on shipping in January this year.

Israel struck Yemen directly for the first time in July in response to a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv.

The latest strike on Yemen comes as Israeli officials briefed that there had been a limited ground incursion into southern Lebanon, involving special forces troops.

Israeli media also reported that tanks were being gathered on the Israeli side of the border, indicating a wider ground incursion may be imminent.

Israels official war aims now include returning some 60,000 citizens in the north to their homes along the border, something most analysts believe will not be possible without troops on the ground in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah has continued to bombard Israeli border communities for nearly a year with over 8,000 projectiles launched since October 8, in allegiance with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza following its invasion of Israel on October 7.

Adding Yemen to Lebanon and Gaza brings a clear third front to Israels war with Iran-backed enemies.

On Saturday night, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, warned Iran and its proxies that it would respond to all future attacks on its territory

If someone rises up to kill you, kill him first, he said, adding: There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel cannot reach.

Yemen expert, Thomas Juneau, from the University of Ottawa, a former national defence analyst, said it is too early to assess the impact of the Israeli strikes on Houthi targets.

Israel seems to want to send a message to the Houthis that any strikes on Israel will be met with strong counter-strikes. Israel has far more firepower than the Houthis, so it wants to signal to the Houthis that they will suffer a much greater cost, he told The Telegraph.

The strikes in Yemen came as preparations were being made in Beirut for the burial of Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, killed by an Israeli airstrike Friday.

There are fears that the funeral will stoke sectarian tensions in the Lebanese capital and possible wider conflict.

05:08 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage. The latest developments from the day were:

The Israeli army targeted a power plant and ports in Yemen in revenge for Houthi missile attacks, marking a fresh exchange in another front of the regional conflict. In a statement, the IDF said it had conducted a large-scale air operation with dozens of air force aircraft, including fighter jets and intelligence planes.

The body of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was recovered from the site of an Israeli air attack on Beiruts southern suburbs, a day after his death was confirmed. The Israeli military said on Sunday the strike also eliminated more than 20 other members of the Lebanese armed group.

Hezbollah confirmed that Nabil Kaouk, another of its senior leaders who had been tipped as one of Nasrallahs successors, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. He is the seventh senior leader of the Lebanese militant group to be killed since Sept 20.

Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that the death of a senior Iranian general, killed alongside Nasrallah will not go unanswered.

Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, authorised the military to reinforce its presence in the Middle East with defensive air-support capabilities and put other forces on a heightened readiness status, the Pentagon said on Sunday.

Fourteen medics have been killed over the course of two days of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese health ministry said.

Lebanons prime minister Najib Mikati told reporters on Sunday that Israels intensifying attacks on the country may have displaced up to one million people.

The World Food Programme launched an emergency operation to provide meals for one million people affected by the escalating conflict in Lebanon.

04:58 PM BST

Israel likely used US-made 2,000-pound bombs in Nasrallah strike

Israel probably employed US-made 2,000-pound munitions in its strike that killed Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah, according to a review of visuals released by the IDF.

Analysts who examined videos of the strike and its aftermath at The Washington Posts request said the damage was consistent with the use of multiple 2,000-pound bombs.

04:46 PM BST

US Centcom involved in strikes, says Israeli official

Axios reports an Israeli official saying that the Israeli strikes on Yemens Hodeidah port was carried out with US Central Command (Centcom).

04:06 PM BST

Israel army says striking Houthi rebel targets in Yemen

The Israeli military said on Sunday it was striking several Houthi rebel targets in Yemen using dozens of aircraft.

In a large-scale air operation today, dozens of Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets, refuelling planes, and reconnaissance aircraft, attacked military-use targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the Ras Issa and Hodeida areas of Yemen, military spokesman Captain David Avraham said in a statement to AFP.

03:53 PM BST

Pope Francis, asked about Israeli strikes, slams attacks that go beyond morality

Pope Francis, asked on Sunday about Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as well as non-combatants, criticized military attacks that he said go beyond morality.

On the flight back to Rome from Belgium, the pontiff said countries cannot go over the top in using their military forces. Even in war there is a morality to safeguard, he said. War is immoral. But the rules of war give it some morality.

03:40 PM BST

Airstrikes launched at Yemens Hodeidah port

Airstrikes were launched at Yemens Hodeidah port on Sunday, with targets including fuel tanks, two sources at the port told Reuters.

Asked whether the Israeli military was carrying out an attack in Yemen, a military spokesperson declined to comment.

03:32 PM BST

Israel says striking more Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

The Israeli military said it was carrying out fresh strikes on Sunday targeting Hezbollahs weapons storage facilities and infrastructure sites in Lebanon.

Over the last few hours, IDF (military) fighter jets struck Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, including launchers directed toward Israeli territory, weapons storage facilities, and terrorist infrastructure sites, the military said in a statement.

A separate statement later said it had hit approximately 45 Hezbollah targets in the area of Kafra in southern Lebanon.

Among those targets struck were weapons storage facilities and infrastructure sites belonging to the group, it said.

03:23 PM BST

Hezbollah says launched rocket salvo towards north Israeli town

Hezbollah said on Sunday that it had targeted two north Israel locations including the town of Safed, an area it has fired at several times over the past week.

The Iran-backed group, whose leader Israel killed in an air strike on Friday, said its fighters launched a rocket salvo at Safed and a smaller location in defence of Lebanon and its people and in response to Israeli attacks on cities, villages and civilians.

03:15 PM BST

Pictures of the day

Kashmiri Shia Muslim women protest against Israel in Srinagar - REUTERS/Sharafat Ali

The Israeli Air Force strikes southern Lebanon villages - REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

Injured Palestinians are brought to al-Ahli Baptist Hospital after an Israeli attack on az-Zahra school in Gaza City - Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu via Getty Images

02:59 PM BST

Fourteen medics killed in two days of Israeli strikes, Lebanese ministry says

Fourteen medics have been killed over the course of two days of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese health ministry said in a statement.

02:53 PM BST

US boosts air support and hikes troops readiness to deploy for Middle East

Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, has authorised the military to reinforce its presence in the Middle East with defensive air-support capabilities and put other forces on a heightened readiness status, the Pentagon said on Sunday.

(Austin) increased the readiness of additional US forces to deploy, elevating our preparedness to respond to various contingencies, Pentagon spokesman Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement.

The statement did not detail what new aircraft would be deploying to the region.

Secretary Austin made clear that should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every necessary measure to defend our people, Maj Gen Ryder added.

02:09 PM BST

Israeli strike kills senior figure in Lebanons Jamaa Islamiya, sources say

An Israeli strike on Lebanons Bekaa Valley on Sunday killed a senior figure in the Sunni Jamaa Islamiya group, Mohammad Dahrouj, two security sources told Reuters.

The group has fired rockets on Israel over the past year and Israel has previously conducted strikes targeting other leading figures from the group.

01:57 PM BST

Hezbollah confirms death of seventh senior leader

Hezbollah has confirmed that Nabil Kaouk, another of its senior leaders, was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

The Israeli military said earlier Sunday that it had killed Kaouk in an airstrike the day before.

He is the seventh senior leader of the Lebanese militant group to be killed since Sept 20, including leader Hassan Nasrallah.

01:54 PM BST

Damage and rubble on site of Israeli strike that killed Hezbollahs Nasrallah

01:46 PM BST

More than 20 Hezbollah members killed alongside Nasrallah

The Israeli military said on Sunday the strike that killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah this week in Beirut also eliminated more than 20 other members of the Lebanese armed group.

More than 20 other terrorists of varying ranks, who were present at the underground headquarters in Beirut located beneath civilian buildings, and were managing Hezbollahs terrorist operations against the state of Israel, were also eliminated, the military said in a statement.

01:44 PM BST

US military says killed 37 militants in separate Syria strikes

US forces conducted two separate strikes in Syria, killing 37 terrorist operatives including members of the Islamic State group and Al Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din, the militarys Central Command (Centcom) said Sunday.

A September 24 strike in northwest Syria killed nine terrorist operatives, including senior Hurras al-Din leader Marwan Bassam Abd-al-Rauf, the US military said.

A September 16 strike in central Syria targeted an IS training camp and killed at least 28 people, including four senior leaders, the statement said. It did not identify the leaders.

The US military has around 900 troops in Syria as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group. The coalition was established in 2014 to help combat the armed group, which had taken over vast swaths of Iraq and Syria.

01:21 PM BST

Blasts heard in vicinity of Syrias Damascus, state news agency says

Blasts were heard in the vicinity of Syrian capital Damascus, state news agency SANA reported on Sunday, adding that an investigation was being conducted to establish the cause.

01:18 PM BST

IDF carries out precise strike in Dahiya

The IDF said it had carried out a precise strike in Dahiya, the densely populated area south of Beirut where it assassinated Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.

01:07 PM BST

Israel army carrying out more strikes in Lebanon

Smoke billows over Beiruts southern suburbs after a strike - REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

The Israeli military said it was carrying out fresh strikes Sunday targeting Hezbollahs weapons storage facilities and infrastructure sites in Lebanon.

Over the last few hours, IDF (military) fighter jets struck Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, including launchers directed toward Israeli territory, weapons storage facilities, and terrorist infrastructure sites, the military said in a statement.

12:49 PM BST

Hezbollah confirms senior leader Ali Karaki killed in Israeli strike

Hezbollah confirmed on Sunday that its senior leader Ali Karaki was killed in an Israeli strike that targeted some of the groups other senior figures including its chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon.

Karaki was a member of the groups Jihad Council and the commander of the organisations southern front.

[Karaki] was directly and on the ground responsible for leading the southern front with all its axes and units in the support front from 8 October, 2023, until his blessed martyrdom, a statement from Hezbollah read announcing his death.

Karaki was the latest in a series of military commanders to be killed by Israel, leaving Hezbollahs senior military leadership almost completely wiped out.

12:35 PM BST

Israeli military says it has dismantled a Hamas tunnel in central Gaza

The Israeli military says it has uncovered and dismantled a Hamas tunnel in central Gaza that was over a kilometer (0.6 miles) long.

It said Sunday that the tunnel ran near residential buildings, and that inside were several rooms and equipment used by militants for prolonged stays.

The military released footage showing the entrance to the tunnel, a long staircase leading down and what appeared to be an iron blast door.

Hamas is believed to have built hundreds of kilometers (miles) of tunnels across Gaza to evade Israeli airstrikes. The militants have also used the tunnels to hold hostages captured in the Oct 7 attack that triggered the war and to launch ambushes against Israeli forces.

12:17 PM BST

More on Iran vowing response to Israels killing of Guards general

Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Abbas Nilforushan - Elaheh Javan, Fars News Agency via A

Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that the death of a senior Iranian general, killed alongside Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli strike on Beirut, will not go unanswered.

Mr Araghchis remarks came two days after the Friday strike on Iran-backed Hezbollahs bastion in the Lebanese capital that killed General Abbas Nilforoushan, a top commander of the Quds Force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps foreign operations arm.

This horrible crime of the aggressor Zionist regime will not go unanswered, the top diplomat said, according to a foreign ministry statement.

The diplomatic apparatus will also use all its political, diplomatic, legal and international capacities to pursue the criminals and their supporters, he added.

Iranian officials have strongly condemned the killing of Hezbollah chief Nasrallah, whose powerful Lebanese movement has been armed and financed by the Islamic republic for years.

On Sunday, Irans vice president for strategic affairs, Javad Zarif, said a response will occur at the appropriate time and at Irans choice, and decisions will definitely be made at the leadership level, at the highest level of the state, official news agency IRNA reported.

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in all matters of state, has offered his condolences for Nasrallahs martyrdom and declared five days of public mourning.

Iranians on Sunday took to the streets of several cities across the country to express their anger at the killings of the Guards Nilforoushan as well as Hezbollahs Nasrallah.

The secretary of Irans guardian council, Ahmad Jannati, said Israel will receive a forceful answer, threatening with the destruction of the Zionist regime, according to Fars news agency.

12:05 PM BST

Body of Hezbollah leader has been recovered, sources say

The body of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has been recovered from the site of an Israeli air attack on Beiruts southern suburbs, a day after his death was confirmed.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise airstrike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.

Nasrallah had led the group for more than 30 years and was a hugely influential figure in the region. His body is intact, sources told Reuters on Sunday, and it appeared the cause of death was blunt trauma from the force of the blast. His funeral is expected to be held soon.

The recovery of Nasrallahs body came as Hezbollah confirmed the death of Ali Karaki, one of the armed groups remaining top military commanders, and as the IDF said it had also eliminated Nabil Kaouk, who had been tipped as one of Nasrallahs successors.

Hezbollahs senior military leadership has now been almost completely wiped out since Israel escalated its attacks on Lebanon earlier this month.

11:51 AM BST

Pictures of the day

A woman cares for her newborn girl, Fatima, in Beiruts Martyrs square after fleeing Israeli airstrikes - AP Photo/Bilal Hussein

Portraits of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah are hung in the southern suburbs of Beirut, one day after the announcement of his death - WAEL HAMZEH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Demonstrators burn an Israeli flag in front of the parliament building in Rabat - AFP via Getty Images

11:41 AM BST

Gaza death toll climbs to 41,595 Palestinians killed since Oct.7, ministry says

At least 41,595 Palestinians have been killed and 96,251 others injured in Israels military offensive in Gaza since Oct 7, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said on Sunday.

11:30 AM BST

Pope urges immediate ceasefire in martyred Lebanon

Pope Francis called for an immediate ceasefire in martyred Lebanon and the wider Middle East on Saturday as he ended a three-day visit to Belgium.

I call on all parties to immediately cease fire in Lebanon, Gaza, the rest of Palestine and Israel, the Argentinian pontiff, 87, told an open-air mass in Brussels, as Israel continued to target the Hezbollah armed group in Lebanon.

11:18 AM BST

Fears Nasrallahs death could tip Lebanon back into sectarian strife

There is a mood of grave apprehension in Beirut this morning. Not only is Lebanon still reeling from the ferocity of Israeli airstrikes, there is also concern that the death of Hassan Nasrallah could tip this deeply fragile country back into sectarian strife.

Streets in much of the Lebanese capital remain pretty deserted, with virtually all shops and cafes closed. Due to the current situation this establishment will be closed until further notice... Stay safe, reads one notice in a restaurant window in predominantly Christian eastern Beirut.

Lebanese soldiers took up positions yesterday on a bridge separating Christian districts from Shia Muslim ones, fearful that underlying tensions could spill over into violence. Shia Muslims were long marginalised in Lebanese society and they regarded Nasrallah not only as the leader of the resistance against Israel but as their domestic political champion.

Many are suspicious that Lebanons other sects  the Christians, the Druze and the Sunni Muslims  will somehow take advantage of Hezbollahs disarray to sideline the movement. Lebanese Shia men made their feelings clear yesterday when they fired their weapons into the air across the city.

Non-Shia Lebanese interpreted this not just as a display of raw emotion, but a warning to others as well. Little wonder that, as Lebanon awaits Nasrallahs funeral, the country feels so fraught. From 1975 to 1990, the country was mired in a vicious civil war fought on confessional lines and Lebanons traumatised people have always lived in fear of a repeat.

I cant remember the city feeling this on edge for years and years, says Georges Tannous, a Lebanese Christian man as he unloaded shopping from the boot of his car in eastern Beirut. Weve been to stock up on supplies  just in case of the worst.

11:06 AM BST

Lebanon says up to 1 million may be displaced by Israel attacks

Lebanons prime minister Najib Mikati told reporters on Sunday that Israels intensifying attacks on the country may have displaced up to one million people.

The number of displaced people... could reach a million. Lets not forget the large influx from the south and the Bekaa region in Lebanons east, Mr Mikati said following an emergency cabinet meeting.

10:56 AM BST

Israeli strikes kill at least 4 people in Gaza Strip

Palestinian officials say Israeli strikes have killed at least four people in the Gaza Strip.

Two people were killed in separate strikes early Sunday in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to the nearby Awda Hospital, which received the bodies. It said another six people were wounded.

In northern Gaza, first responders recovered two bodies after a strike on a house early Sunday, according to the Civil Defense, which operates under the Hamas-run government.

The Hamas-run health ministry says over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, more than half of them women and children.

10:49 AM BST

Pictured: Israeli tanks deployed near border with Lebanon

Israeli army tanks deployed in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Israel has raised the prospect of a ground operation against Hezbollah - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

10:44 AM BST

Killing of Irans Guards deputy commander in Lebanon will not go unanswered

Israels killing of Irans Revolutionary Guards deputy commander Abbas Nilforoushan in Lebanon will not go unanswered, Irans foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said in a statement on Sunday.

Nilforoushan was killed during a meeting with the Hezbollah leader in Beirut on Friday. His death marks Irans most significant loss since April, when his predecessor, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Damascus.

In response to Zahedis death, Iran launched around 300 suicide drones and missiles at Israel.

10:38 AM BST

Government has contingency plans in place for evacuating British nationals

The Government has contingency plans in place for evacuating British nationals from Lebanon, but citizens should still try to leave the country on commercial flights, Pat McFadden has said.

He told the BBC: This is a very serious situation right now.

Our advice for some time now to British citizens in Lebanon is to leave now. There are commercial flights available, the Foreign Office is working with commercial airlines to make sure more are available.

We will plan for every contingency but it is really important given the seriousness of the situation that British people in the area make what arrangements they can to leave now.

He urged those British nationals still in Lebanon to register their presence with the Foreign Office and repeated the Governments plea for a diplomatic solution to the conflict no matter how difficult that sounds in the light of whats happened in recent days.

10:27 AM BST

We dont know where to go, says Syrian refugee displaced in Beirut

10:19 AM BST

Israel strikes dozens of Hezbollah targets

Israel said it was carrying out new air raids against dozens of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday, pressing the Iran-backed group as it mourns its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The Israeli military said its air force had struck dozens of Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, including launchers that were aimed toward Israeli territory, structures in which weapons were stored and additional Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure.

10:13 AM BST

A missile falls in Jordan

Jordans military says a Grad missile fired from Lebanon fell in an open area without causing casualties or damage.

The missile was likely fired at Israel by Lebanons Hezbollah militant group, which has intensified its rocket attacks after its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday.

Jordan and Israel, which share borders, signed a peace treaty in 1994. The Western-allied Arab country also helped intercept missiles fired at Israel by Iran in April.

Jordan has been fiercely critical of Israels policies toward the Palestinians and has repeatedly called for a cease-fire in Gaza. It has also said it will not allow its territory to become a battlefield as tensions mount between Israel and Iran.

09:59 AM BST

Israeli airstrike kills 11 in northeast Lebanon

Lebanons state news agency says an Israeli airstrike early Sunday on a village in northeast Lebanon destroyed a home, killing 11 people.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble as the search continued for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, reported National News Agency.

In southern Lebanon, the Islamic Risala Scout Association said five of its members were killed while performing their duties. It said four of the men killed were from the southern village of Tayr Debba while the fifth was from nearby Kabrikha.

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since Sept. 23 when Israel intensified its airstrikes around the country forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

09:53 AM BST

Diplomatic efforts for ceasefire with Israel underway, Lebanese minister says

Lebanons Information Minister said during a cabinet session on Sunday that diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire with Israel were still underway.

09:47 AM BST

Pictured: People gather near assassination site of Hezbollah leader

A woman reads the Quran at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah - AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

People gather at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah - AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

09:40 AM BST

Potential Nasrallah successor killed by Israel

Sheik Nabil Kaouk, right, pictured in 2010 - AP Photo/Hussein Malla

A senior Hezbollah figure, tipped as one of Hassan Nasrallahs successors, has been killed in Lebanon, according to Israels military.

The Israeli military said on Sunday that it killed Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council, amid an ongoing exchange of strikes between the two sides.

Kaouk had been tipped as one of Nasrallahs potential successors after playing a pivotal role in military operations against Israel. He was a veteran member of Hezbollah going back to the 1980s and had previously served as Hezbollahs military commander in southern Lebanon. The United States had announced sanctions against him in 2020.

Hezbollah has not yet commented, but supporters have been posting mourning messages for him since Saturday

09:39 AM BST

Lebanese military calls for calm

In its first statement since the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Lebanons military called for calm among its people at this dangerous and delicate stage.

Government officials fear that the countrys deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence in the small Mediterranean country.

The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese, the military said.

Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital as thousands of displaced people continue moving from the south to Beirut.

09:37 AM BST

Israeli army says it strikes Hezbollah launchers, armouries and infrastructure in Lebanon

09:32 AM BST

Thousands gather across Iran

Thousands of people have gathered across Iran to protest the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities on Sunday. At Irans parliament, lawmakers chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

09:24 AM BST

UN sends emergency food aid for one million Lebanese

A woman watches over sleeping children at an outside shelter after being displaced by Israeli airstrikes in Beirut - Carl Court/Getty Images

The World Food Programme on Sunday said it had launched an emergency operation to provide meals for one million people affected by the escalating conflict in Lebanon.

A further acceleration of the conflict this weekend underscored the need for an immediate humanitarian response, the Rome-based agency said in a statement, announcing that it was distributing ready-to-eat food rations, bread, hot meals and food parcels to shelters across the country.

Ongoing bombing in Lebanon is compounding the fragility of a population burdened by accumulated crises, the WFP said.

In just a few days, WFP assistance has reached thousands of newly displaced people, the programmes country director for Lebanon, Matthew Hollingworth, said in the statement.

As the crisis deepens, we are preparing to assist up to one million people through a mix of cash and food support, he added, calling on the international community to mobilise $105 million to fund the operation through to the end of the year.

09:18 AM BST

Displaced families sleep on benches

In Beirut, displaced families spent the night on the benches at Zaitunay Bay, a high-end string of restaurants and cafes on Beiruts waterfront.

Families with nothing more than a duffle bag of clothes had rolled out mats to sleep on and were pouring tea for themselves.

You wont be able to destroy us, whatever you do, however much you bomb, however much you displace people - we will stay here. We wont leave. This is our country and were staying, said Francoise Azori, a Beirut resident jogging through the area.

09:16 AM BST

El-Sissi warns Israeli operations threaten the region

Egypts president warned that Israeli military operations in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon are pushing the region to the brink and called for international action.

Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, one of the mediators between Israel and Hamas, called for an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire in both Gaza and Lebanon amid an unprecedented escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. His remarks came after Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

El-Sissis comments came in a phone call late Saturday with Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidents office. He also gave orders to send medical and humanitarian aid to Lebanon immediately.

Along with the United States and Qatar, Egypt has for months spearheaded negotiations between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. But negotiations have repeatedly stalled amid mounting fear of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas. Diplomats see a cease-fire in Gaza as the best way to avert a regional war.
Australias future prime minister Malcolm Turnbull (left) in 1986 with Peter Wright, a former MI5 agent and author of Spycatcher. Photograph: Fairfax Media Archives/Fairfax Media/Getty Images

The former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has accused the UK government of hypocrisy and concealment over the way it continues to block the release of secret files about the Spycatcher affair.

Before entering politics, Turnbull was a barrister for Peter Wright, a retired senior MI5 intelligence officer who revealed a series of illegal activities by the British security services in his memoir Spycatcher.

British officials have repeatedly refused to disclose 32 files concerning the Spycatcher affair. There is something that they are still trying to hide, Turnbull said. He added: Whats the public interest in keeping them suppressed?

Spycatcher detailed how MI5 bugged embassies, plotted against the former prime minister Harold Wilson, and was run for almost a decade by a suspected Soviet agent, Roger Hollis.

Related: Thatcher utterly shattered by MI5 revelations in Spycatcher, files reveal

Turnbull represented Wright in a 1986 court battle in Australia that caused Margaret Thatcher global humiliation over her governments failure to stop publication of the book.

During the trial Turnbull forced Thatchers cabinet secretary Robert Armstrong to admit he had been economical with the truth. Previously classified prime ministerial papers released last year revealed just how brazenly Armstrong had lied to the Australian court and how Thatcher had misled parliament.

The damning memos were released after a long campaign by the journalist and author Tim Tate for his book To Catch a Spy: how the Spycatcher affair brought MI5 in from the cold.

Speaking at an event to mark the books publication at the Chelsea history festival in London, Turnbull said: Armstrongs perjury was really extraordinary.

Cross-examining Armstrong during the 1986 trial, Turnbull asked Armstrong whether No 10 and MI5 had agreed to cooperate with the right-leaning writer Chapman Pincher in a book about Hollis in the hope of securing a safely conservative account of Holliss suspected treachery. Armstrong dismissed this as a very ingenious conspiracy theory and totally untrue.

But the memos released last year showed Armstrong had in fact instructed how Pincher should be briefed because he believed he would write a sympathetic presentation. The memos were signed off with Thatchers initials. The former prime minister later told parliament that a secret investigation into Hollis found no evidence that he was a Soviet agent, when it fact it had warned there was a 20% chance that he was a traitor.

Turnbull said: Armstrongs perjury was really extraordinary. Since then Ive obviously had a lot of experience as a prime minister in government. To me, it is still mind boggling that the cabinet secretary of the United Kingdom feels so entitled that he could go into a witness box and tell a dead set 100% lie.

Not a fudge, a dead set lie, knowing that what he described as totally untrue was, in fact, totally true, and evidenced by a memo signed by him sitting in a filing cabinet in Downing Street. The fact that he felt so invulnerable, really staggers me.

Turnbull also pointed out that years before those memos were declassified they were made available to Thatchers biographer Charles Moore.

He said: Interestingly Charles Moore was able to read them, for his official biography of Maggie Thatcher, and even Charles, who is a very sympathetic biographer, was unable to defend Armstrong.

He said giving Moore access to secret memos had echoes of how Thatchers government tried to brief Pincher in the hope of securing a sympathetic account. He said: Of course its hypocritical, its the same old thing all over again. If it has been made available to Charles Moore it should be made available to everyone.

Turnbull said he had been discussing the Spycatcher affair recently, and Armstrongs perjury, with the former Australian politician Kim Beazley. He said: We could not imagine an Australian civil servant doing that. But maybe Armstrong was unique. It was a shocking act of perjury, Armstrong was bang to rights.

Referring to the Spycatcher trial, Turnbull added: I accused Armstrong of lying on several occasions, and it turns out I was right on several occasions.

Most government documents are released after 30 years, but officials have cited various exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act to block publication of the 32 Spycatcher files.

Armstrong died in 2020. Wright died in 1995.
Annalisa Barbieris DIY chocs from Melt. Lots of other places also offer workshops Photograph: PR

If you like chocolate, a wonderful thing to do, for yourself, for someone else or, maybe all together, is a chocolate course. Lots of places now run them, where you learn all about chocolate, how to temper it and then usually make various incarnations of the stuff.

The session was meant to last three hours but, four and a half hours later, we were still there, laughing and learning

I went with my two bambine to Melt just off Westbourne Grove in London, up the road from where I grew up, to attend one of its chocolate courses. It was meant to last three hours but, four and a half hours later, we were all still there, laughing and learning.

First we learned to temper chocolate, mixing it with praline and feuilletine, then spreading it out on the marble worktop before putting it into a chunky bar mould. Everyones bar set except for mine (ahem), but thats OK because Paul, the excellent and fabulous chocolatier, donated me his. Then we made ganache and piped it into bonbons before, later, rolling them by hand in melted chocolate, which was a super messy experience (it was so good not to have to worry about clearing up after ourselves). Finally, we made mini bars of chocolate with various inclusions from slivers of nuts to cornflower petals. When they were set, we wrapped them in waxed paper and fancy sleeves.

In between all this we learned about the provenance of chocolate and lay in the tipi in the back yard and did a wonderful chocolate tasting. Everything you make you get to take home. (The bonbons were a huge favourite.) This is such fun and would make a great present for that person whos really hard to buy for. Lots of other places also offer workshops so Google for nearer to you.

Prices at Melt start at 55 (meltchocolates.com)

Follow Annalisa on X @AnnalisaB
Robert Jenrick with his wife Michal Berkner - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph

The Conservative Party will die unless it proposes pulling Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Robert Jenrick will claim on Monday.

In a speech at a rally at the Tory conference in Birmingham, Mr Jenrick, the front-runner in the partys leadership race, will further harden his rhetoric on immigration.

He will warn that Nigel Farages Reform party will grow and grow and condemn us to obscurity unless the Tories somehow regain trust on bringing down numbers.

The warning is Mr Jenricks latest attempt to put the UKs membership of the ECHR at the centre of the leadership contest.

Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat, the other three candidates vying to replace Rishi Sunak, have declined to explicitly call to leave the convention.

Instead, they have argued that the UK immigration system needs to be overhauled first.

The ECHR, which defends universal human rights and was shaped in part by Winston Churchill, has been increasingly debated amid the Channel migrant crisis.

Restoring our credibility

Mr Jenrick, who quit as Mr Sunaks immigration minister last year, argues the convention is too limiting on the UKs ability to deport those who arrive by such crossings.

In a speech today, Mr Jenrick will point to both his promise to cap annual net migration at 100,000 and to leave the ECHR, warning of the consequences of not pursuing the two policies.

Mr Jenrick will say: Our partys survival rests on restoring our credibility on immigration. If we continue to duck and dance around this question our party has no future.

Despite what others might falsely claim, weve never had a legal cap on legal migration. Unless we introduce one  where no visas will be issued unless net migration is in the tens of thousands or lower  we will be powerless to end the cycle of broken promises. Anyone who is not prepared to commit to a specific cap just doesnt understand the depth of public anger.

I am not prepared to gamble the house on some five-year review process that may or may not see us doing what is obviously necessary. I have a plan ready now: leave the ECHR and introduce a legally binding cap on legal migration.

The choice is clear, its leave or remain. In fact its more than that  it is leave or die. If we dont do this now, well never restore the publics trust and theres every chance that Reform will grow and grow and condemn us to obscurity.

The leave or remain phrase appears to be a deliberate attempt to echo the rhetoric of the Brexit referendum. Most Tory members voted to leave the EU back in the 2016 vote, according to polling analysis.

Not out of conviction

On Sunday, Mr Farage took a swipe at Mr Jenrick, saying: Formerly a man that believed in nothing, Robert Jenrick now pitches himself as the great hardliner. This is almost certainly done for political gain and not out of conviction.

Mr Jenrick topped the last round of Tory MP voting, with Ms Badenoch in second place. Tory MPs will whittle the list down to two next month before party members pick the winner.

Ms Badenoch, the former business secretary, countered Mr Jenricks position in an article for The Telegraph this weekend.

Ms Badenoch wrote: We will end illegal migration by proper enforcement and inserting whatever deterrent is necessary into the system. And, yes: if necessary, we will leave international frameworks like the ECHR which were built for another age and are being bent out of shape by legal activism.

But that will be part of a full plan, not just a throwaway promise to win a leadership contest. Reducing immigration is our objective. We lost sight of that in government.

Ms Badenoch, appearing on BBC Ones Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, was also made to defend another aspect of her article.

She was questioned on her remark that numbers matter, culture matters even more when it comes to immigration.

Pressed on this, Ms Badenoch said: We are not a dormitory. This is our home. People from all around the world just living here in their little bubbles and little groups is a recipe for disaster.

I have seen it I grew up in a country with 300 ethnic groups. This is a recipe for conflict, and the government needs to work hard on integration.

But Mr Jenrick, who has committed to capping net migration in the tens of thousands or below, said he disagreed with her approach because numbers also matter.
People stand on the rubble at the site of the Israeli airstrike that killed the Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut's southern suburbs on Sunday. Photograph: Reuters

The White House said on Sunday it had not been warned in advance of the airstrike that killed Hezbollahs leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a Beirut suburb and assumed it had caused civilian casualties, while reaffirming its ironclad support to Israel.

John Kirby, the national security spokesperson, said the US had not been informed of the airstrike, and that the president, Joe Biden, only found out about it once Israeli planes were already in the air.

Speaking to CNN, Kirby also said there was no question that civilians had been killed in the attack. We certainly assume there have been civilian casualties. I dont think we can quantify it right now but we are in touch with our Israeli counterparts, Kirby said.

Related: Impact of Hezbollah assassinations may take months to emerge

Iran has said the US is complicit in Israels action and promised retaliation for Fridays massive airstrike in Beirut, which killed Nasrallah and raised fears that the conflict in the Middle East could spin out of control.

Stepping off a plane at Dover air force base on Sunday, Joe Biden said: We really have to avoid an all-out war in the Middle East and he would speak with the Israeli leader, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Weve been concerned from the beginning that this could widen to become a regional war, Kirby said. Well watched the rhetoric coming out of Iran and well watch what they do. We have capability to defend our troops and our facilities as well as Israel itself if it comes to that.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, is reported to have learned about the strike only when he landed in Washington from speaking in New York. He said he believed diplomacy was the best path forward as Israels bombing of Lebanon continues.

Speaking to reporters in New York on Friday afternoon, Blinken said the Middle East and the world faced a precarious moment.

On Saturday the US secretary of defense, Lloyd Austin, spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, to discuss the situation in Lebanon. According to the defense department, Austin reiterated that Israel had a right to defend itself and that the US is committed to deterring Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from taking advantage of the situation or expanding the conflict.

Kirby said on Sunday: Our support for Israels security remains ironclad and thats not going to change.

But, he added, that did not mean Biden and Netanyahu arent capable of having tough conversations with one another, and President Biden will continue to stand for the right to protect civilian people.

Kirby said: I dont think anyone is mourning the loss of Mr Nasrallah, a known terrorist with American and Israeli blood on his hands. While we dont mourn his death, we certainly mourn the loss of any civilian life.

But he refused to be drawn into criticism of Israels tactic of dropping bombs, which appeared to be US-made, according to reports, into a densely packed Beirut neighborhood. Having decimated the command structure of Hezbollah certainly works to Israelis advantage and is good for the region and good for the world.

We are continuing to talk to Israelis about what the right next steps are  and the president believes there needs to be time and space for diplomacy. That means wed like to see a ceasefire in place for diplomacy to breathe.

Senior political figures also spoke out Sunday on Israels strike in Beirut.

The IDF sent a powerful message to Hezbollah, the Arizona senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat, told NBC.

Its good Nasrallah is dead. Hes a terrorist. Hes killed so many innocent people, and that needs to be addressed. It has been addressed.

Kelly said Israel had made progress on concerns over civilian casualties.

Ive seen some positive responses, he said. We see more use of guided munitions, JDAMs, and we continue to provide those weapons. That 2000-pound bomb that was used  to take out Nasrallah  Im pretty confident that was a guided weapon that was used in that case.

The Republican senator Marco Rubio, a Republican, was asked if he thought Iran would retaliate. That will be Irans decision to make, Rubio said. Anytime the Iranian regime is on defense, its good for the world, good for America and good for Israel.
Senior judges are to hear a school workers appeal against her dismissal after she claimed she was sacked because of her Christian beliefs.

Kristie Higgs, 47, was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmors School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, in 2019 after sharing Facebook posts criticising plans to teach LGBT+ relationships in primary schools.

Mrs Higgs, from Fairford, shared and commented on posts which raised concerns about relationship education at her sons Church of England primary school.

Kristie Higgs is continuing her legal fight at the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Christian Legal Centre/PA)

Pupils were to learn about the No Outsiders In Our School programme, which is a series of books teaching the Equality Act in primary schools.

Mrs Higgs, who was posting on Facebook under her maiden name, shared two posts in October 2018 to about 100 friends.

One of the posts referred to brainwashing our children.

An anonymous complaint was made to the school and Mrs Higgs was suspended and, after a disciplinary hearing, dismissed for gross misconduct.

Mrs Higgs, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, took the school to an employment tribunal, arguing she had been unlawfully discriminated against because of her Christian beliefs.

The school had denied dismissing the mother-of-two because of her religious beliefs and said she was sacked because of the language used in the posts.

In its ruling in 2020, the tribunal concluded her religion is a protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act, but the school lawfully dismissed her.

Mrs Higgs appealed against that judgment to the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London, which ruled in her favour and remitted the case back to an employment tribunal for a fresh determination.

This was one of the Facebook posts made by Mrs Higgs, which saw her dismissed for gross misconduct (Christian Legal Centre/PA)

Mrs Higgss lawyers appealed against the decision to order a fresh employment tribunal hearing and have now won the right to have her case heard by Court of Appeal judges.

The hearing is due to begin at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday.

The court has given permission for the Association of Christian Teachers, Free Speech Union, Sex Matters, the Church of England Archbishops Council and Commission for Equality and Human Rights to intervene.

Ahead of the hearing, Mrs Higgs said: I wouldnt want any parent to go through what I have over the past five years. Nobody should be sacked for raising the concerns that I did in the way that I did.

My posts were a warning and so much of what has happened in the debate over the past five years has vindicated me.

I pray now that the Court of Appeal will make the right judgment and will make a ruling that protects Christian employees and parents freedom to express their beliefs without fear of being silenced.

The second Facebook post made by Mrs Higgs using her maiden name (Christian Legal Centre/PA)

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: This case is profoundly important for free speech and Christian freedom. Its outcome will set an important legal precedent for many years to come.

This case has exposed at every stage systemic prejudice against the Christian faith and its teachings. First at her school and then in the courts. Now is the time to put things right.

The outcome of this case will be huge and has been a long five-year journey.

We pray now for justice for Kristie and that there will be a ruling that not only protects Christian freedoms, but also protects freedom for everyone in the UK.
Sophie Turner has said it is such a struggle being a single mother as she reflected on how her latest role gave her strength.

The British actress, 28, portrays notorious jewel thief Joan Hannington in the new ITV drama Joan, which follows her multifaceted life in the 1980s as a criminal and mother trying to get her daughter back from social services.

During filming for the series, Turner and pop star Joe Jonas announced they were splitting after four years of marriage.

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner split after four years of marriage (Doug Peters/PA)

It was reported earlier this month that they had finalised their divorce, bringing an end to a split that briefly became acrimonious.

Turner told the Sunday Times Culture magazine that she does not know if she could have brought the same energy to the role of Hannington if she was not a mother.

She said: Its such a struggle being a single mother. Joan doesnt go about it in the best way  but it is amazing to see her really fighting for her daughter.

Its also really important for kids to see just how hard parents work for them.

The actress, who rose to fame as a teenager playing Sansa Stark in HBOs hit fantasy series Game Of Thrones, also reflected on the judgment mothers face.

Theres so much shame that comes with motherhood, she said.

You go to work, youre shamed. If you dont go to work, youre shamed.

Turner and Jonas, who have two daughters, tied the knot in May 2019 in Las Vegas following the Billboard Music Awards.

According to papers obtained by the Associated Press news agency, Jonas filed for divorce in Floridas Miami-Dade County Court citing the marriage being irretrievably broken.

Turner also sued Jonas to get hold of their childrens passports, but later reportedly reached a temporary custody agreement.

During a stint when her children were apart from her while she was filming, a member of the crew who had become a friend stayed with her.

She ended up staying with me at mine, because I didnt want to be alone, she said.

The crew really held me through it, and I didnt ever come home alone at the end of the day.

The six-part series was written by Anna Symon from Hanningtons memoirs and the thief was consulted during the writing process.

Nicknamed The Godmother, Hannington was one of Britains most notorious criminals who got away with millions of pounds in diamonds.

Turner said portraying Hannington changed her quite a lot as a person.

She added: From utter desperation comes so much will and ambition.

The series came around at a time in my life where I had to be ambitious and I had to have such strong will and fight against the forces.

She gave me a lot of strength.

Turner, who is from Northampton, also starred as Jean Grey in 2016s X-Men: Apocalypse and 2019s Dark Phoenix.

Arizona-born Jonas came to fame with brothers Nick and Kevin in the band The Jonas Brothers which started in 2005, and a subsequent Disney Channel series.

Joan episode one is out on ITV1 on Sunday.
A train drivers union has called on the Scottish Government to think again over its decision to restore peak time fares on Scotlands railways.

The Aslef union described the governments decision to end a nearly year-long trial scrapping peak time fares as a tax on workers.

The change has seen the price of an anytime return ticket between Glasgow and Edinburgh rise from 16.20 to 31.40.

The union added that it was a short-sighted decision that would damage local economies and make it harder to meet climate targets, and called on the government to reverse it in the next budget.

Aslef Scottish organiser Kevin Lindsay said: The flawed decision by First Minister John Swinney and transport minister Fiona Hyslop to restore peak fares will fleece passengers and is a huge mistake that must be rectified in the next Scottish budget.

Peak fares are no more than a tax on workers and removing them was a step in the right direction to make rail fares more affordable. It put more money in the pockets of rail passengers.

In Fiona Hyslops own constituency, the impact will be severe.

If a worker now has to get an on-peak return fare from Linlithgow to Glasgow five days a week for four weeks in a month, they will be 166 per month worse off.

That is a shocking indictment of the decision she has made and the level of these rises in fares will impact local economies all across Scotland as people see their disposable income reduced.

Mr Lindsay added that the decision would only force more people off the railways and back into their cars.

Rail travel must be made accessible, attractive and affordable if Scotland is to shift people from road to rail travel and meet its climate targets.

But this short-sighted decision flies in the face of our ambition to develop world-class rail services and will undermine rail travel by pushing people back into their cars.

The Scottish Government did not give people enough time to make the shift from road to rail. Removing peak fares was shown to work and will work even better if given the time to do so.

The Scottish Government must think again. In the next Scottish Budget, they have a chance to change their mind, rectify this disastrous decision and remove peak fares on behalf of passengers, the wider economy and the environment.

Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: A lot of commuters will have an unpleasant surprise when they pay for their tickets this morning and see that prices are higher than ever.

Peak rail fares are fundamentally unfair. They disproportionately impact people who have no say over when they need to travel for work or study.

Bringing them back will do nothing to help workers or students or to encourage people out of their cars.

Many regular commuters have saved hundreds of pounds on their fares over the last year, and some of the rises they will now face are staggering.

Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Daniel OMalley said: For more than two years, SNP ministers have been responsible for the railways. In that time, they have produced a service that is as erratic as it is expensive.

From Monday fares from Edinburgh to Glasgow increases from 15.20 to 31.40 for a return. This will stop people using @ScotRail and encourage them back into cars. Poor decision by @FionaHyslop & @scotgov https://t.co/Ri1vp38Z7w  ASLEF Scotland (@ASLEF_Scotland) September 27, 2024

This SNP Government are completely out of touch. Even when Parliament voted for the Government to reverse their decision to hike fares, the SNP simply chose to ignore it.

Scottish Liberal Democrats want a reliable rail service which everyone can afford to travel on. Its a win-win that would bring down costs and help tackle the climate crisis.

A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: The peak fares removal pilot was a welcome incentive over the last 12 months, saving many passengers hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds during the cost-of-living crisis.

The Scottish Government would be open to consider future subsidy to remove peak fares should UK budget allocations improve in future years.

Ministers understand this will be disappointing for many rail users, particularly for those who cannot choose when they travel to and from work.

That is why a 12-month discount on all ScotRail season tickets has been introduced, available weekly, monthly and annually.
Two candidates for the Tory leadership are to set out their stall on the main stage of the Tory conference, as former prime minister Liz Truss also makes her headline appearance.

Tom Tugendhat and Kemi Badenoch will face questions from party members in Birmingham, while Ms Truss is expected at a fringe in-conversation event on the second day of the four-day gathering.

The Conservatives last conference in Birmingham in 2022 was dominated by Tory infighting over Ms Trusss ill-fated mini budget.

Liz Truss (Jacob King/PA)

The contest to replace Rishi Sunak as leader has taken centre stage at the partys first conference since their general election defeat.

James Cleverly and Robert Jenrick, the other two candidates, will face questions on Tuesday, before all four contenders make speeches on Wednesday before the close of the conference.

All four candidates spoke at a reception for the Conservative Friends of Israel on Sunday evening, setting out their support for the nation.

Ms Badenoch claimed a group of independent MPs who stood on pro-Gaza tickets are a new threat, telling the fringe event: We must not pretend that these people are a minority.

We have to fight this ideology that has no business in our country.

Kemi Badenoch (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA)

Mr Jenrick said he would move Britains embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem if he were in power, while Mr Cleverly, the former foreign secretary, said Israel has his personal support in the defence of your democracy.

Mr Tugendhat said the Conservatives should be absolutely clear that we will always stand with democracies defending themselves and hit out against Labours partial arms embargo on Israel.

Their appearances at the late-night event came at the end a day in which Ms Badenoch faced criticism from other candidates after she appeared to criticise maternity pay as excessive.

On Times Radio, the shadow communities secretary described statutory maternity pay as a function of tax, and said: Tax comes from people who are working, were taking from one group of people and giving to another. This, in my view, is excessive.

Although Mr Sunaks successor is not set to be determined until the start of November, he has kept a low profile at the conference.

Tom Tugendhat (Jacob King/PA)

However, he addressed members at a reception on Sunday evening, where he warned that the Tories would face further defeats if they did not unite after the election to choose the next leader.

He said: We must end the division, the backbiting, the squabbling. We must not nurse old grudges but build new friendships.

We must always remember what unites us rather than obsess over where we might differ, because when we turn in on ourselves we lose and the country ends up with a Labour Government.

Although the loss was just months ago, the Tories are already striving to win back voters lost to Labour, Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats.

Elections expert Sir John Curtice told a fringe event on Sunday that the party must command from both sides.

In other words, there is no enemy to its right, quote unquote, or the more socially conservative end of the spectrum, but its got to be able to command from both sides, Sir John said.

He said the UK is moving closer to multi-party politics and that strategists need to work out how to deal with competing parties on either side.
Unai Emery acknowledged Aston Villas 2-2 draw at Ipswich was a fair result, but had hoped they would end the day joint-top of the Premier League.

Villa looked set to warm up for Wednesdays visit of Bayern Munich in the Champions League with another comeback victory after first-half efforts by Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins cancelled out Delaps opener.

Kieran McKennas newly-promoted team had other ideas with Delaps superb 72nd-minute solo effort enough to ensure the spoils were shared at Portman Road.

It denied Villa the chance to go level on points with Liverpool at the summit, but Emery gave his team some leeway.

He said: I think the result was fair and even we could lose the match at the end.

I am not accepting the result, the point in my idea how I want to raise our level and our demands, but I accept it in our process.

Overall we have 13 points, but we were optimistic about the possibility to be with Liverpool with 15 points.

We can accept how difficult it is in this league to play against teams like Ipswich. After they are promoted, they are excited, they are motivated and they are playing with confidence.

This is the difficulty we face in 90 minutes, but the first half we played even better than I planned before in stopping their game-plan, in stopping their capacity to push us.

But in the second half, they play like I was planning in the first half. In this moment of course we needed to be stronger than we were.

Emery had banned talk of Villas midweek clash with Bayern  a repeat of the clubs successful 1982 European Cup final  in the build-up to Sundays clash.

Quizzed about the Bundesliga giants being able to have 24 hours extra preparation, the Spaniard bristled at suggestions his players would be physically drained after an exhilarating draw in Suffolk.

We are going to suspend the match on Wednesday, Emery joked.

What do we want? We want to play in Europe? We want to play matches on Sunday and Wednesday? We want to try to get to the same level they have on other teams like (Manchester) City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, Tottenham? We want it.

If we dont want? OK, we are not playing in Europe and we are resting all the week. Fantastic for everybody, but it is the challenge we have; the players, myself, the supporters, even the journalist!

We are going to be tired, but this is the level.

Kieran McKenna watched Ipswich take the lead in the eighth minute when full debutant Jack Clarke cut back for Delap to fire in the opener.

Villa responded after 15 minutes when Jacob Greaves poor clearance was controlled by Rogers, who exchanged passes with Watkins and slammed home.

It was 2-1 in the 32nd minute when Leon Bailey produced a wonderful delivery for Watkins to head in, but Ipswich responded with Emi Martinez forced to deny Kalvin Phillips and Delap before the latter levelled in the second half.

Delap collected Omari Hutchinsons pass by the halfway and raced past Diego Carlos before he drilled into the bottom corner to earn newly promoted Town a fourth consecutive draw.

I thought it was a really good game, McKenna reflected.

Were a team that is building and rebuilding, so to be as competitive as we were (against Aston Villa) is a big, big positive.

Another point, another game unbeaten and we move on.

On two-goal hero Delap, McKenna added: A good day for him and he should be proud. I am sure his family are proud.
The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Malaysia saw a significant rise in January-August 2024, increasing by 59.8% compared to the same period last year, surpassing $47.2 million, Azernews reports.

According to the State Customs Committee, Azerbaijan exported $1.5 million worth of goods to Malaysia, marking a 38.7% increase.

Meanwhile, imports from Malaysia to Azerbaijan soared by 60.6 times, reaching $45.7 million.

In the first eight months of 2024, trade with Malaysia accounted for 0.15% of Azerbaijan's total trade turnover.
NEW YORK  Adrien Brody is back with a career-best performance.

Twenty-two years after his Oscar-winning turn in The Pianist, the 51-year-old actor could very well pick up a second golden statue for his towering work in The Brutalist, which bowed at New York Film Festival on Saturday. The haunting historical epic clocks in at 3 hours long (with a 15-minute intermission), as it traces a Hungarian Jewish architect named Laszlo Toth (Brody) who flees to America after World War II and lands in rural Pennsylvania. He struggles to find work thats worthy of his singular talent, until he meets a wealthy tycoon (Guy Pearce) who commissions him to design and build a lavish community center.

The film is an astonishing excavation of the dark heart of America, showing how people leech off the creativity and cultures of immigrants, but rarely love them in return. Speaking to reporters after an early morning screening, Brody opened up about his personal connection to the material: His mom, photographer Sylvia Plachy, is also a Hungarian immigrant.

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Alessandro Nivola, left, and Adrien Brody in "The Brutalist."

The journey of my grandparents was not dissimilar to this, Brody explained. As a girl, Plachy and her family fled Budapest during the Hungarian Revolution and took refuge in Austria, before moving to New York in 1958. Like Laszlo, her parents had wonderful jobs and a beautiful home back in Hungary, but were starting fresh and essentially impoverished when they arrived in the U.S.

Its a sacrifice that Ive never taken for granted, Brody said. To be honored with the opportunity to embody that journey that does not only reflect something personal to my ancestors, but to so many people, and the complexity of coming to America as an immigrant  all of these things are so meaningful. I just feel very fortunate to be here.

Brutalist is directed by Brady Corbet (Vox Lux) and co-written by Mona Fastvold (The World to Come), who drew from a variety of real-life architects such as Marcel Breuer, Louis Kahn and Paul Rudolph as they crafted the character of Laszlo. Corbet wasnt interested in making a biopic of any one person.

Its a way of accessing the past without having to pay tribute to someones life rights, the filmmaker said. Theres a way of evoking the era where youre less of a slave to those details. And I also think for viewers, it just gets them out of their head, so theyre not going, Is this how it really went down?

Felicity Jones, pictured with Adrien Brody, describes her character as "an absolute pragmatist" guided by love.

Although the story is massive in scope  spanning multiple decades and continents  the ambitious film was made for a shockingly thrifty $10 million. During the post-screening Q&A, Corbet discussed how he balanced minimalism and maximalism through Daniel Blumbergs arresting score and Judy Beckers lofty yet severe set designs. Brody and Felicity Jones, who plays Laszlos wife, also shared how they mastered Hungarian accents and dialogue.

My grandparents had very thick accents, not dissimilar to my characters, Brody said. I was steeped in it through my whole childhood.  I remember very clearly the sound and rhythm of speaking beyond the dialect, and I think it was very helpful for me.

Following the movie's critically lauded debut at Venice Film Festival, where it won best director, Brutalist is now shaping up to be a major awards season player in categories such as best picture, actor and supporting actor (Pearce, a deliciously funny yet terrifying scene-stealer).

The film will be released in theaters Dec. 20.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adrien Brody could win second Oscar for 'The Brutalist' movie
By Jaidaa Taha

CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel's killing of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was met with silence by many Sunni-led states across the region, showcasing the split between populations outraged at Israel and authorities who normalised ties with Israel or are opposed to Hezbollah's patron Iran.

Nasrallah, who led the powerful Shi'ite armed group for 32 years, made regional enemies beyond Israel and the West. Gulf countries and the broader Arab League designated his group a "terrorist organization" in 2016, although the League retracted the designation earlier this year.

Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia said in a statement late on Sunday that it is following the developments in Lebanon with "grave concern", and urged the preservation of the sovereignty and regional security of Lebanon. But it made no mention of Nasrallah.

And Sunni-ruled states Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have stayed completely quiet on Nasrallah's killing. The UAE and Bahrain normalised ties with Israel in 2020, and Bahrain quashed a sizeable pro-democracy uprising by its Shi'ite community in 2011.

The Bahraini pro-Iran LuaLua TV, however, broadcast videos showing modestly sized marches which it said were in mourning for Nasrallah. The channel said the Bahraini regime "attacked" demonstrators and detained some of them.

The Bahraini opposition website Bahrain Mirror reported the kingdom detained a Shi'ite cleric for expressing his condolences on Nasrallah. Reuters was unable to verify the Bahraini media reports.

According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke to Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati by phone and said Cairo rejected any violation of Lebanon's sovereignty - without mentioning Nasrallah.

Egypt has been critical of Iran and its proxies in the past, though it has maintained informal contacts with Iran and Egypts foreign minister has held official meetings with Iranian officials over the past year.

In the first televised speech since the killing of Nasrallah on Sunday, Sisi said the region is going through difficult circumstances, and said that Egypt "manages its issues in a way that preserves it and the region as possible, without being dragged in issues that can impact its stability and security." He also made no mention of Nasrallah in the speech.

Other states like Syria and Iraq have declared a three-day mourning period.

GRIEF AND CRITICISM

Hassan Nasrallah's name has been trending online in many Arab states since Saturday, with many grieving his loss.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Hamad al-Khalili, the grand mufti of the Gulf state of Oman, said in a post on X that his country was "saddened by the passing of the secretary general of Hezbollah, after he had been a thorn in the throat of the Zionist project for more than three decades."

But other users criticised Nasrallah, particularly over Hezbollah's intervention in the Syrian civil war. Along with support from Iran and Russia, that intervention ultimately helped President Bashar al-Assad regain control over much of the country from anti-government rebels.

"The victims of Nasrallah in Syria are hundreds of thousands, does he deserve mercy from Muslims?" Iraqi-based journalist Omar AlJmmal said on X.

UAE-based journalist Saif alDareei shared in a post on X a video he said depicted the "joy" of residents in Syria's Idlib province after news of Nasrallah's killing.

"Hezbollah did what the Jews did not do against our brothers in Syria," he said.

Saudi Arabian poet Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh said on X: "Gloating [over Nasrallah's killing] is not just random hostility, but a natural reaction to a series of dirty policies and actions that have aroused widespread resentment."

Others tried to balance criticism of Nasrallah and Israel, whose military operations in Gaza and recent escalation in Lebanon have triggered widespread outrage.

"Joy and gloating now is achieving victory for the enemy, fragmenting the (Arab) nation and betraying the people of Lebanon and Gaza," said Egyptian TV host Lamis Elhadidi on X.

"Put your differences aside and forget about Iran, as there is an Arab country that is being bombed every hour."

(Reporting by Jaidaa Taha, Editing by Maya Gebeily, Andrew Mills,)
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said he was glad former President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met but noted there was a strikingly awkward moment when Trump mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Im glad they met. Its important that there are conversations between President Zelensky and both Republican and Democratic leaders of our nation and candidates to be the next president of our nation, Coons said Sunday on Fox News Sunday.

Trump and Zelensky met Friday during the Ukrainian presidents most recent visit to the United States. Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, lauded his relationship with Putin and said he plans to work with both parties to work out something thats good for both sides.

Coons said Sunday there is a clip of Trump and Zelensky meeting in which the former president told the Ukrainian leader he is a very good friend of Putins.

And you could see Zelensky sort of stiffen up and go, Well, I hope youre a better friend of Ukraine than you are a friend of Russia under Putin, Coons said. So, it was a strikingly awkward moment.

The Delaware senator called Putin a war criminal who has carried out horrific attacks against Kyiv.

We should not have a president of the United States saying that he is seeking to be a better friend of Vladimir Putin, Coons said.

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

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Born almost a decade before the first Miss Universe contest was held in 1952, 80-year-old Choi Soon-hwa could now make history as the pageants oldest ever participant.

Earlier this month, she was unveiled as a finalist in the annual Miss Universe Korea competition. On Monday, Choi will go head-to-head with 31 other contestants for the tiara  and a chance to represent South Korea at the Miss Universe final in Mexico this November.

I want to stun the world, like, How is an 80-year-old lady so healthy? How did she maintain that body? Whats your diet? she told CNN on the phone ahead of the pageant. When you get old, you gain weight So, I want to show that we can live healthily even when we get old.

For decades, the Miss Universe Organization enforced strict age restrictions limiting participation to women aged 18 to 28. But from 2024, amid growing calls to modernize, the upper age limit has been lifted. Last year, the organization also updated eligibility criteria to remove a longstanding ban on pregnant women or mothers, and women who were  or ever had been  married.

Choi surrounded by fellow Miss Universe Korea contestants at a pageant rehearsal on Friday. - Charlie Miller/CNN

National-level Miss Universe pageants, although not all directly administered by the Miss Universe Organization, were obliged to follow suit. This year, 58-year-old Lorraine Peters and 60-year-old Alejandra Marisa Rodriguez took part in Miss Universe Canada and Miss Universe Argentina, respectively, though neither advanced to Novembers final.

Now that the age restriction has been lifted, I said, I should give it a try, Choi said, adding: Whether I get through or not, I was determined to try and get this opportunity.

Set to be the oldest person ever to participate in a national Miss Universe pageant, Choi  should she take the title and advance to Mexico  would be more than twice the age of the next oldest finalist (40-year-old Beatrice Njoya of Malta is currently the oldest confirmed participant, and the mother of three children, although a handful of countries are yet to select their entrant).

Evolving world of pageantry

Organizers of Miss Universe Korea announced this years competition by claiming in promotional materials that age doesnt matter when it comes to dreaming. They also removed its swimsuit segment.

Mondays pageant will see Choi take part in a singing contest, with other finalists performing dances or walking in traditional Korean clothing known as hanbok. The winner of Miss Universe Korea will be decided through a scoring system that considers online voting and judges assessments, which Choi said valued both outer and inner beauty.

Looking beautiful on the outside is important, but I think you need to be at ease in your mind as well, and know how to respect others, she said, adding: Also, you need to be a positive thinker. So many people are negative these days.

Korean pageants have been criticized in recent years for promoting a singular idea of beauty  one that detractors say is reinforced by some participants use of cosmetic surgery, which is typically not restricted by organizers. But Choi is unfazed by the development.

Its hard to find people who havent done any touch-ups or plastic surgery, and I think its time we just embrace it, she said. A lot of people do their eyes or raise their nose Back in the day, it used to be something others spoke ill of, but its not like that now. Its not just Koreans  a lot of women around the world are undergoing plastic surgery.

Late career change

While Mondays contest marks Chois pageant debut, she has already made a name for herself in the Korean fashion world. After leaving retirement amid financial difficulties to work as a hospital carer in her 50s, Choi began modeling aged 72 to help pay off debts.

One of my patients told me to try modeling, recalled Choi, adding: I thought it was nonsense but at the same time, it awoke my old dream of becoming a model, wearing pretty clothes and doing photo shoots. So, I said, Yes, I used to dream of that before, I should try it.

Choi at a modeling academy class in Seoul, South Korea, in 2019. - Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty Images/File

Choi took weekly classes at a modeling academy, practicing her runway walks down the hospital hallways during shifts. She signed to her teachers agency in 2017 before making her Seoul Fashion Week debut, aged 74, the next year. She has since appeared in the Korean editions of magazines including Harpers Bazaar and Elle, as well shooting commercial campaigns for brands including the popular South Korean beer, Cass.

Becoming a model was like opening a door to a new path for me, so I planned in my mind. I said, I will be successful and work hard When my dream came true, I thanked God and kept working hard. Its so fun and I love it.

More opportunities

With a rapidly declining birth rate, South Korea is among the worlds fastest-aging countries. Earlier this year, the number of South Koreans aged 65 or above exceeded 10 million for the first time, representing almost 20% of the population. This figure is predicted to rise to 36.7%  higher than any other country  by 2044, according to government forecasts.

In turn, the opportunities for  and attitudes towards  older models are improving, according to Choi.

There are a lot of senior models these days, she said. But maybe (only a fraction of them) get to work and get paid. It is different for sure, compared to 10, 20 years ago though. Ten years ago, no one really looked for senior models. Elder models were just working as a hobby for fun, not as a paid job.

Choi believes her modeling experience will prove useful in the pageant world: Walking a runway is a collaboration of shoulders, knees and hips. All the Miss Universe contestants are really good at walking like models. Some are even better than actual models.

Choi photographed outside a show during Seoul Fashion Week's Fall-Winter 2024 edition earlier this year. - Jean Chung/Getty Images/File

The grandmother of three, who turns 81 next month, told CNN that she is excited by the prospect of representing her country overseas: I always dreamed of going on stage abroad, so my mindset is prepared. Japan is the only other country Ive been to, and I believe (pageant organizers) would teach the winner everything, so Im ready!

She has the support, too, of her children and grandchildren. They say theyre really proud of me like, My granny is amazing! My son said hes proud of me, and to enjoy it regardless of the outcome.

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If longshore workers at East and Gulf Coast ports go on strike Tuesday, as now appears likely, it could choke off the supplies of many popular products that flow over those docks. But not necessarily right away.

Businesses have been nervously watching the 12:01 am Tuesday strike deadline approaching with little sign of progress toward a deal to avoid a strike of tens of thousands longshore workers. Many have been doing what they can to prepare for the shutdown  but there are limits.

It doesnt make economic  or logistical  sense to ship many of the goods that come into East Coast ports by alternative ports of entry  or by plane.

That means America could see some shortages of chocolate, alcohol, popular fruit, including bananas and cherries, and even certain cars if the strike lasts a long time. That could mean higher prices for the goods that are available.

Holiday shopping in good shape

First the good news: Your holiday shopping might not be affected as much as you might fear. Typically 70% of goods that retailers stock up for the holidays is already shipped through the ports by this time of year. And because of the strike threat, that percentage is much greater this time.

Typical the peak shipping season runs from July through early November. They certainly moved up their timing this year, to start in late May or early June, Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and custom policy for the National Retail Federation, told CNN.

In an aerial view, shipping containers are seen at the Port of Houston Authority earlier this month. A potential strike at this and other ports on the Gulf and East costs could start early Tuesday. - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Gold said he cant say all the goods that retailers plan to offer to holiday shoppers has already arrived, though. There are limitations you can bring in on any point in time, he said. And the federation and its members are concerned with how long it will take to recover from even a short strike.

A one-day shutdown takes three to five days to recover from, he said. The longer it goes, the worse it gets.

He said the last major port labor dispute, an 11-day lockout of the union workers at West Coast ports in 2002, meant that it took six months before things were back to normal.

Yes, we have no bananas

But most of those holiday goods can sit in warehouses, or even in shipping containers, for months at a time. Thats not the case with perishable goods that flow through the ports, such as fruits and vegetables. And maybe the best example of that is Americans most popular fruit, the banana.

Virtually all bananas eaten in the United States are imported, and 1.2 million metric tons of bananas flow through the ILA-represented ports, with Port Wilmington in Delaware declaring itself Americas largest banana port. Banana imports through those ports represent 25% of US banana consumption, according to figures from the American Farm Bureau.

But there are plenty of other imports as well, including 90% of imported cherries, that move through those ports, and a significant portions of berries and other fruits. While there are domestic sources of those products, such as cherries from Michigan and West Coast states, theres more demand for the product than US growers can provide.

And specialty food items, like imported chocolate and meats from Europe are also at risk of quickly being in short supply, said Danny Munch, economist American Farm Bureau.

Consumers who like foreign sourced things would be impacted, he said. Itll be more expensive to buy those items at the very least.

And raw materials used by US food producers such as cocoa and sugar, also come in through the ports at risk of being struck.

The ingredients for chocolate for Halloween has already arrived, Munch said, and it might not affect production for Christmas. But production for early next year could be affected, depending on the length of the strike, so candy for Valentines Day could be more difficult to find.

Drink up - while you can

Americans have plenty of domestic sources if they want to have a drink. But many prefer imports from Europe, South America or the Caribbean, products such as German beer, French wine, Scotch and Irish whiskey, or rum and tequila.

Theres enough demand for those products that beverages and spirits are among the major products handled at the Port of New York and New Jersey, the largest port that could be shut by this strike and the third largest in the nation.

This potential strike comes at the worst time, Chris Swonger, CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, told CNN. Were leaning into the big selling time of the year for spirits, leading into the holidays. Even a day strike could have significant repercussion.

While Swonger said his members were also making efforts to move up shipments ahead of the Tuesday strike deadline, he said they havent been able to get in everything they need through the end of the year.

You could see impact at the liquor store within the month, depending upon the inventory, he said.

In addition, 18% of the beer consumed in the United States is imported, as is 25% to 33% of wine, as well as 90% of rum. And many of those imports come in through East and Gulf coast ports.

Finding the car you want

The good news is US new-vehicle supply has returned to near-pre-pandemic levels, according to Cox Automotive, increasing significantly from the historic lows seen in 2022, with most of the European brands having inventories above industry average.

In the near term, consumers and dealers would little feel little impact from an ILA strike, said Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox.

But even a healthy inventory is only two to three months worth a vehicles, with hotter vehicles having a shorter supply. A long-term strike could eat into that inventory.

European automakers said they cant say how much theyll be impacted at the moment.

Its very difficult for us to anticipate the impact, Volkswagen spokesperson Mark Gillies told CNN. Ultimately even if the strike is a day or two its going to back things up.

Audi imported vehicles sit parked in a storage lot at the Port of Houston in a 2019 file photo. Auto imports could be impacted by a strike along the East and Gulf coasts set for Tuesday. - Loren Elliott/Bloomberg/Getty Images/File

The low inventories of new cars a few years ago, and the record rise in prices that accompanied that tight supply, occurred due to shortages of parts needed to manufacture them. The bad news is the strike could bring some of those production issues back into play, as auto parts coming from Europe and even Asia could be halted. Even if an automaker gets relatively few of the parts it needs through these ports, it cant finish a car with only 99% of its parts.

Plants across the Midwest are likely to experience ripple effects depending on their manufacturing strategies  whether they rely on just-in-time delivery or maintain stock, said Chris Frey, senior manager of business intelligence for Cox. For the most part, auto manufacturing is reliant on a massive, carefully coordinated supply chain. When that complex chain is gummed up, the ripple effect can be immediate and painful.

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(This story was updated to add new information.)

They're in nearly all candies and fruit-flavored snacks sold in conventional American grocery stores. They're on the ingredient list of hundreds of thousands of branded food items, from Fruit Loops and Trix Cereal to Gatorade and Skittles. And they'll soon be banned in California public schools.

Artificial food dyes are the target of a growing number of state bills that would crack down on the chemicals in response to scientific studies that found a possible link between them and hyperactivity in children.

In this photo illustration, packages of Skittles sit on a table on May 30, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. California lawmakers are considering a law banning five chemical food additives because of health concerns, including the coloring agent used in Skittles candy.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday signed into law a "first-in-the-nation" measure barring schools from serving foods containing the chemicals. Beginning on Dec. 31, 2027, when the legislation goes into effect, AB 2316, or the California School Food Safety Act, will keep schools from serving six artificial food dyes that appear up and down the grocery aisle  Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6.

"Today, we are refusing to accept the status quo, and making it possible for everyone, including school kids, to access nutritious, delicious food without harmful, and often addictive additives," Newsom said in a news release on Saturday.

And similar legislation is taking off in at least 10 other states. A bill introduced in Pennsylvania's legislature in March seeks to classify the same six additives as "poisonous and deleterious substances."

"I'm constantly flipping labels over. It takes me four hours to grocery shop. It shouldn't have to," Pennsylvania State Rep. Natalie Mihalek, who introduced the bill, told USA TODAY.

More: Dye in Doritos used in experiment that, like a 'magic trick,' created see-through mice

Do food dyes cause ADHD?

The California bill was prompted by a 2021 report from the state's Environmental Protection Agency that linked consumption of the dyes with "hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems."

"There's a strong suggestion that there is a relationship between intake of these materials and changes in behavior... particularly in children that are susceptible, that already have ADHD, or related behaviors," said Asa Bradman, a professor and chair of University of California Merced's public health department who worked on the California review. "Exposure to the dyes seems to exacerbate the symptom."

American kids consume artificial dyes more than ever before. Their per-capita use has increased more than five times since 1955, to more than 17 million pounds of dyes certified for use in 2015, according to a report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit research and advocacy group. Food dye opponents point to a concurrent jump in ADHD diagnoses  from 6.1% in 1997 to 10.2% a decade later, one study found.

Bradman said some foods containing the dyes aren't eaten as frequently, like ice cream or candy. But the chemicals have made their way into other products that kids eat and drink daily, like juice and sodas.

"The reality is these have no nutritional or other benefits. They're totally aesthetic," Bradman said.

The Food and Drug Administration said in a written statement to USA TODAY that it has "reviewed the research on the effects of color additives on childrens behavior including the literature review cited by the Bill. The totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives, but some evidence suggests that certain children may be sensitive to them."

Scientists can't say for certain that there is a proven link. According to Bradman and the report, some children were likely to be more affected than others.

Although more studies are needed to produce a definitive answer, "the state of the science really shows that, yes, there probably is some kind of link or effect," said Sarah Karalunas, an associate professor at Purdue University's department of psychological sciences.

"The better the study is, the larger the effect," she said, but even in well-controlled studies, the effect appears "very small," she said.

Karalunas noted that foods containing the dyes are also loaded with other additives, making it difficult to discern what negative health impacts can be solely traced back to them.

Bradman echoed that products with high levels of food dyes are often those that "we think of as junk food" and contain higher levels of refined carbohydrates, fats, and other additives.

More: Need after-school snack ideas? Healthiest options to add into your kid's routine.

State lawmakers go after food dye banned in cosmetics

Some legislation on the horizon takes specific aim at Red 3. Karalunas said, among color additives, red dyes, including Red 40, show a "particularly" strong link with hyperactivity in scientific research.

Red 3 has also been linked to cancer by some animal studies. The FDA banned the chemical's use in cosmetic products in 1990 in response to those concerns, but it remains in food products.

In the years since, advocates have launched numerous campaigns to regulate the chemical  last year, research nonprofit Consumer Reports sent a letter urging the maker of Peeps candies to stop using the dye, and launched a petition when the company did not respond.

California was also first out of the gate to ban the chemical. Last year, the state enacted a law dubbed the "Skittles ban" that gives manufacturers until 2027 to cut Red 3 out of their recipes.

Mihalek, whose bill targets Red 3, among other chemicals, called regulating the chemical "low-hanging fruit."

"We're talking about making something a pretty red color, with the risk of cancer and a whole other list of health risks associated with it," she said. "It doesn't make any sense."

More state lawmakers have introduced similar bills. The Illinois State Senate in April passed a bill that would ban Red 3, along with three other chemical additives, sending it next to the state House for consideration.

"The FDA doesnt allow you to put it on your face for makeup. But yet kids are eating this in candy, Illinois State Sen. Steve McClure told the Senate, according to local news reports.

Illinois State Sen. Willie Preston, who introduced the bill, said lawmakers have "a short window" to get the bill through a veto and lame duck session before the end of the year.

If they are successful, the bill will pass before Thanksgiving. If not, "I intend to refile that bill and continue to work that product through the process to make sure that we protect the food supply here in Illinois," he said.

Legislative efforts to restrict the chemicals have drawn the ire of food manufacturers and industry groups, who argue that they aren't science-based.

The National Confectioners' Association said in a news release responding to the Illinois bill, "Its time to stop pretending that Illinois state legislators have the scientific expertise to make these very important regulatory decisions. Usurping FDAs authority does nothing but create a patchwork of inconsistent requirements that increase food costs, create confusion around food safety, and erode consumer confidence. The association did not return USA TODAY's request for comment.

Lawmakers pledge to reintroduce bills next year

In the last decade, bills targeting Red 3 and the six food dyes in the recent California bill have been introduced in Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, and West Virginia, according to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit.

Some lawmakers say they'll keep pushing, even if the clock runs out to pass legislation this year.

With just a few months left in Pennsylvania's legislative session, Mihalek likely won't see her bill become law this year. If she is re-elected in November, she plans to reintroduce it next year, she said.

"First and foremost, the bill is creating awareness," she said.

The current regulatory framework, she said, puts it "on the consumer to stop buying these products that contain ingredients that have decades of evidence of cancer, behavioral issues," she said.

At least one bill for a nationwide ban is already on the table in Congress  in June, U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who represents Florida's 13th congressional district, unveiled the "Do or Dye Act," which would deem "unsafe" any foods containing Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and "substantially similar" additives.

"We knew that they were banned already in foreign countries because of the known health risks," Luna told USA TODAY. If the bill passes, she hopes producers "have to use alternatives, or just make it healthy, just not add it at all."

The legislation is important to Luna, who hopes to mirror it in amendments she's introducing to the farm bill, which has until the end of the month to pass Congress.

'Superficial way to make food appealing'

Thomas Galligan, principal scientist for food additives and supplements at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said he anticipates California's movement on the issue will spur other states to act, although many advocates believe federal action is needed.

The center petitioned the FDA in 2008 to ban eight approved food dyes, force manufacturers to put a warning label on products containing the chemicals, and require new testing. The agency convened a meeting to revisit the issue in 2011, but determined that the link had not been established, and recommended further research.

Federal regulators have sometimes forced recalls of products that fail to disclose dyes. Two drink products were recalled earlier this summer for containing an undeclared amount of Yellow 5 and Red 40.

Galligan now hopes the California bill will force manufacturers to replace color additives with natural substances in products sold nationwide. "It's more challenging for them to produce a California-specific product than just to change their entire production line," he said.

European regulations produced a similar effect years ago. After two British government-funded studies in 2004 and 2007 reached similar conclusions to the California review, the European Union set stricter limits on the chemicals, including requiring producers to label foods with some dyes. In response, some food producers switched to using natural colors. Nestle, for instance, adopted annatto, made from the seeds of the achiote tree, to color the gooey centers of Butterfinger candy bars sold in Europe, according to the government of the Netherlands.

"The food industry clearly found them to be effective marketing tools, and that's really what they are," Galligan said. "It's really just there as a cosmetic, superficial way to make food appealing so that we spend our money on them."

The FDA completed its last exposure assessment of the six chemicals banned in the recent California bill in 2016, the agency told USA TODAY. The FDA will host a public meeting to take "a fresh look at the process" of assessing chemicals in food products after they hit the market.

Galligan believes new state-level bills, including California's, may have spurred the upcoming meeting.

"In some ways, the state action seems to be motivating both industry and FDA to act where, previously, they hadn't," he said. "You have a situation where evidence of harm emerges after approval, and nothing gets done for decades."

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at cmayesosterman@usatoday.com. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are food dyes linked to ADHD? More states consider food coloring bans
Former Sen. Jeff Flake Flake has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump.

Former GOP Sen. Jeff Flake endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president on Sunday, writing in a statement that he wanted to support a presidential candidate who represents a new generation of leadership based not on grievances of the past, but hope for the future.

Ive served with Kamala in the U.S. Senate. Ive also served with [Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz] in the House of Representatives. I know them. I know first hand of their fine character and love of country, the former senator from Arizona added in his statement posted on X.

Flake previously endorsed Joe Biden for president in 2020 and served as the ambassador to Turkey under Biden before stepping down earlier this month.

The Republican mentioned that experience in his endorsement, writing that having spent the past three years overseas as a U.S. Ambassador, Ive seen close up that we have very real enemies abroad. We also have vital and indispensable allies. I want to support a president who understands and appreciates the difference.

Even before the 2020 presidential election, Flake had long sparred with Donald Trump.

In 2016, he was a vocal critic of the then-Republican presidential nominee and said he would write in a candidate rather than vote for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or Trump.

After he announced in 2017 that he wouldnt seek re-election to the Senate the following year, Flake continued to be outspoken in his opposition to Trump, saying at the time that there may not be a place for a Republican like me in the current Republican climate or the current Republican Party.

His endorsement of Harris comes as her campaign has for months reached out to prominent anti-Trump Republicans seeking endorsements.

In August, the campaign unveiled more than two dozen Republican endorsements for the vice president. And in September, former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, another high-profile anti-Trump Republican, endorsed Harris. Days later, her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, also said he would vote for Harris.

The Democratic National Convention in August also featured prominent Republican speakers backing Harris and Walz, including former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and former Trump White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham.

In a statement, Austin Weatherford, the Harris campaign's national Republican outreach director, highlighted the campaign's Republicans for Harris program, which seeks to deploy the Republicans who are backing Harris to battleground states to persuade other traditionally GOP voters to back Harris at the polls.

"Our Republicans for Harris program is taking that unifying, inspiring message to anti-Trump Republicans, moderates, and independents. While were seeing a surge in support, we arent taking anyone for granted, Weatherford said.

Flake said later Sunday on ABC News' "This Week" that many conservative Republicans feel the same way about Trump.

"I think Republicans believe in the rule of law in particular," he said. "It's difficult to support a candidate who, having lost an election, tries to use the powers of the presidency to overturn that election. That is anything but respect for the rule of law. So I know that a lot of conservative Republicans feel the way I do, that you just can't support a candidate like that."
The leader of the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his underground headquarters in Beirut on Friday, Israel and Hezbollah confirmed.

Nasrallah, who had led the powerful group for more than 30 years and was a hugely influential figure in the region, died when Israeli fighter jets struck in an area of the capitals southern suburbs known as Dahiyeh.

The killing of Nasrallah marks a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has intensified in recent weeks, prompting fears that it could spill over into a regional war.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Nasrallah had been operating from the headquarters and advancing terrorist activities against the citizens of the State of Israel.

Hezbollah described Nasrallah as a sacred martyr and vowed to continue its fight against Israel. He was among several Hezbollah fighters  and a senior Iranian commander  killed in the strike on Friday.

The leadership of Hezbollah pledges to the most supreme, sacred, and dearest martyr in our journey, filled with sacrifices and martyrs, that it will continue its fight to confront the enemy, in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defense of Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people, the group said in a statement.

The Hezbollah-owned Al-Manar TV channel switched to Quranic recitations  an Islamic gesture declaring mourning. Hamas issued a statement mourning Nasrallah, as did other regional allies. In Lebanon, Prime Minister Najib Mikati declared three days of mourning. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning and warned that Israel faces crushing blows to come. The powerful Iraqi cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr also announced three days of mourning in Iraq, referring to Nasrallah as a companion in the path of resistance.

Nasrallah turned Hezbollah into the most robustly armed non-state group in the region  commanding a dedicated following across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. It is the most dominant political force in crisis-ridden Lebanon. Much of the Western world has designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization.

Fears of an all-out war peaked earlier this month, after Israel unleashed a wave of lethal explosions of communications devices, targeting Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. Some of those killed were civilian bystanders.

Then on Monday, Israel launched an intensive aerial campaign in southern and eastern Lebanon, in what was the deadliest day for the country in nearly two decades. Hezbollah has fired multiple rocket barrages into northern Israel in response to the attacks.

Israeli bombs in Lebanon have since killed at least 700 people, and thousands more have been injured, the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Friday.

Nearly 120,000 others have been displaced, according to OCHA, in a country where both Lebanese and refugees from other countries were already facing sharp poverty, economic instability and limited access to healthcare. Estimates in Lebanon suggest that number could be much higher.

An Israeli military official said they did not yet know how many civilians were killed in Israels strike on southern Beirut that killed Nasrallah.

A man rides his motorbike through a neighborhood levelled by Israeli strikes, in the Hadath district, of Beirut's southern suburbs, on Saturday. - AFP/Getty Images

Questions have swirled over how the Iran-backed group will respond to Israels persistent bombing campaign, and now the killing of its leader. Hezbollahs response has so far been relatively contained. Israeli officials cited two key reasons for this: Nearly all of Hezbollahs senior commanders have been killed, leaving its command-and-control structure in disarray, and Israeli airstrikes have debilitated much of the operational infrastructure Hezbollah would use to carry out significant retaliation.

But one Israeli official acknowledged that Israel knows it has not taken out Hezbollahs entire capabilities and that its senior commanders are replaceable. How Hezbollah regroups and what direction it receives from Iran also remain to be seen.

A senior member of Irans powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC), was also killed in the Israeli attack, according to Iranian state media. Abbas Nilforoshan, who served as a military adviser during the Syrian civil war, was likely meeting Nasrallah when Israel struck.

The commander was sanctioned by the US treasury for his role in suppressing protests during the 2022 Iranian demonstration after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in custody of Irans morality police.

Israel expands war on multiple fronts

For most of the past year, Israel and Hezbollah have traded skirmishes at the border, following Israels bombing campaign in Gaza after the Hamas-led October 7 attacks into southern Israel. Hamas killed 1,200 in the attacks and abducted more than 250 others, according to Israeli authorities.

Hezbollah says it has been firing on Israel in solidarity with Hamas, and Palestinians trying to survive Israeli attacks in Gaza, which have killed 41,586 people and injured another 96,210, according to the Ministry of Health there.

Around 60,000 Israeli civilians have been forced from their homes by Hezbollah rocket fire that began on October 8.

The Lebanese militant group is part of a larger Iran-led axis across the region  spanning Yemen, Syria, Gaza and Iraq  that says it will continue striking Israeli targets as long as the war in Gaza rages on.

People survey the damage from an Israeli strike in Choueifat, south east of Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday. Western leaders have warned of devastating consequences, as Israel intensifies attacks in the region. - Hussein Malla/AP

As the Israeli military intensifies its war on multiple fronts in the region, Western allies have warned of catastrophic consequences in Lebanon  which they say could even exceed the irrevocable destruction and human devastation in Gaza.

The strike that killed Nasrallah was also a clear signal that Israel was not close to accepting a ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah, backed by the US, according to Mick Mulroy, a former top Middle East official at the Defense Department. Hezbollah is also now unlikely to be interested in the negotiations.

On Saturday, US President Joe Biden called Nasrallahs killing a measure of justice for his many victims, including Americans, but called for de-escalation.

The US fully supports Israels right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups, Biden said in a statement. Ultimately, our aim is to de-escalate the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means, he added.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces renewed their attacks in the densely populated Dahiyeh neighborhood into Saturday. Israeli strikes razed buildings to rubble. At least 33 people were killed and 195 others injured in Saturdays attacks, according to Lebanons health ministry. Since Monday, Israels attacks in Lebanon have left around one million people displaced, according to Nasser Yassin, the minister in charge of Lebanons crisis management center.

A CNN team on the ground reported large flashes and thuds of impacting Israeli missiles echoed across the capital Saturday. Officials announced that hospitals in Dahiyeh would be evacuated due to developments in the aggression.

The IDF said it was targeting what it alleges are buildings used by Hezbollah as command centers, weapons productions and storage sites. Hezbollah has denied that its weapons are being stored in civilian buildings targeted by Israeli strikes.

The IDF said a senior Hezbollah intelligence leader, Hassan Khalil Yassin, was killed in a Saturday airstrike in the Dahiyeh area. The IDF said Yassin worked with Hezbollahs offensive units to personally plan terror attacks against Israeli civilians on the northern border and deep within Israeli territory.

Biggest crisis of all

Gunfire erupted in Beirut on Saturday afternoon  a gesture to mark martyrdom, believed by Muslims to be one of the highest honors in Islam.

Many Hezbollah supporters were initially skeptical after Israel said it believed Nasrallah had been killed. Moments before Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallahs death, a woman and a man said they expected the groups leader to surprise us all with an appearance.

Hes not in Lebanon. I know in my heart he isnt, said one elderly Shia woman in a black chador, smiling. Less than five minutes later, the announcement of his death came. He was martyred, she kept repeating.

This is the biggest crisis of all, she added. A man trying to console her said: Martyrdom was what he wanted  And its what he received.

Another woman broke down crying as she recited verses from the Quran with tears streaming down her face.

In the Dahiyeh neighborhood, where Nasrallah was killed, loud chants of: We submit to you Nasrallah, and We will never accept humiliation, were heard.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

CNNs Mohammed Tawfeeq, Jomana Karadsheh, Hamdi Alkhshali and Kara Fox contributed reporting.

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How to know when it's gone bad, plus two tricks for keeping butter fresher for longer.

Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

With a slew of unspoilable basics in your pantry like sugar, salt, and vinegar, its easy to assume that butter falls into the same category. Its best-by date always seems so far in the future, and even the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says its OK to leave it out at room temperature for two days, a fact that clearly separates it from other forms of dairy.

Does butter go bad? And if it does, how can you tell? If youve discovered a months-old, half-wrapped piece in your fridge and spread it on your morning toast, you probably already know the answer. Here's what I found out.

Read More: No One Should Be Using Cold Butter

Simply Recipes / Alison Conklin

Does Butter Go Bad?

Unfortunately, butter does eventually go bad. I spoke to a representative at Kates Butter (my favorite brand of butter) who told me that butters best-by date is one you should really pay attention to.

Your butter will indeed begin to decrease in quality after the best-by date. The rep noted that it usually indicates the fats are beginning to turn rancid.

Rancid butter has an unmistakable off flavor that you may have encountered tasting old oil, old nuts or seeds, or any other food with a high-fat content that is long past its prime.

Kate's rep explained that its best to go by the best-by date because (depending on the brand) theres no guarantee that the butter was recently made. Larger producers will often buy cream in bulk in the spring when its most available, hold it in cold storage for a long period of time, and eventually soften and repackage it for times of the year when butter is in higher demand, like the holidays.

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

How You Tell Your Butter Has Gone Bad

With the help of your senses, it should be fairly clear when your butter has gone rancid. Spoiled butter will have a sour, bitter taste, and may also change in color and give off a subtle, unpleasant odor.

It may also taste like the other foods in your refrigerator, as it quickly absorbs the flavors of any strong-smelling ingredients in its vicinity. The rep from Kates told me, If you put it near an onion, its gonna taste like an onion.

Simply Recipes / Andy Christensen

2 Tricks for Keeping Butter Fresher for Longer

1. Refrigerate the Butter

The best way to keep your butter fresh and extend its quality is to keep it in the refrigerator, softening it to room temperature only when needed.

2. Buy Butter Wrapped in Foil

The Kates rep also suggested looking for butter brands like Kates, who package their butter sticks in foil instead of parchment. Parchment allows odors to absorb into butter with very little protection, while aluminum foil provides a strong barrier from outside environments, be it your grocery stores dairy case or your own refrigerator.

Because aluminum is more expensive than parchment, most brands tend to go with the less expensive material, but its a little change that makes a big difference.



Read More: I Asked 7 Pro Bakers To Name the Best Butter, They All Said the Same Brand

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.
Elnur Enveroglu

When reviewing the steps taken and the results achieved in the direction of the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the signing of a peace agreement in the last six months alone, only one question arises: what is the main force that hinders or delays the peace process?

On January 23, 2023, the EU Council approved the dispatch of a long-term civilian mission to Armenia. The mission aimed to promote stability on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, build confidence on the ground, and provide an environment conducive to EU-supported efforts to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

However, the arrival of the mission group to the South Caucasus territory did not seem to be good-willed at all. Especially when talking about the border areas of Armenia with Azerbaijan, the arrival of the EU Mission should have been agreed with Azerbaijan. But they did not do what was necessary.

In the early days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan reacted with a statement to the start of activities of EUMA out of the blue on the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The ministry stated that such an engagement must not be exploited to derail the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including in the context of the border delimitation process that should be carried out exclusively on a bilateral basis.

It must be ensured that the deployment of the EU mission in Armenia duly takes into account the legitimate interests of Azerbaijan, and such an undertaking by the EU takes place in a manner that does not undermine mutual trust and confidence, the ministry said in its statement.

In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan was right in its statement, and the remark in its appeal was that the EU mission group was placed directly on the borders without Azerbaijan's consent. This arbitrary decision of the European Union had a direct impact on relations with Azerbaijan in the literal sense of the word. Because the EU's bilateral agreement with the occupying state and its operation in the region without the opinion of a third party undermined its credibility.

During the first period of activity of the EU Mission, Azerbaijan thought that Armenia would be emboldened by this and resort to provocations on the border - and this assumption was reflected in reality.

If we look at the situation on the border in the last few months, we can note that Armenia has caused many provocations and at best fired at the positions of the Azerbaijani army.

As for the result, it is clear once again that the EU Mission in Armenia plays an important role in encouraging Armenia in provocations rather than monitoring. The mission team, without weapons, seems to be the architect of a game that is actually more dangerous than weapons.

The European Union has begun to expand the Mission's mandate a bit further without any basic or necessary circumstances. Peter Stano, the Spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Union, known for his biased claims, said this in his recent statement. At the same time, his statement did not escape the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. Peter Stano's unfounded opinions about the mandate of the EUMA and the militarization of Armenia were strongly criticized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the question of Armenia's "Armenpress" news agency. In his statement, the EU official interpreted the views of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan incorrectly and with obvious bias.

Today, the state of Azerbaijan is concerned about the activities of the EUMA and has reasons for its concern. The mission supposedly promotes peace with its activities, but in reality, it supports the provocative activities of Armenia and, when appropriate, makes biased accusations against Azerbaijan with its non-objective approach. The head of the EU Mission has repeatedly voiced opinions that Azerbaijan is preparing for any attack, based on the false and slanderous claims of the Armenian side. While drawing conclusions from today's observations, it is once again clear that the Mission's main task is to undermine the normalization process by comprehensively supporting Armenia against Azerbaijan.

Standing by a state that has occupied Azerbaijani territories for 30 years, defending it in its provocative activities against Azerbaijan, and presenting itself as a neutral organization exposes the hypocritical activity of the EU under the guise of peace. Considering that the military support of the European Union and the West to Armenia has been steadily increasing in the last year, we should not be surprised that the European Union Mission in Armenia hinders peace that is needed in the South Caucasus.
Jay Hawkins (left) reckons he has travelled about 20,000 miles (32,186 km) since he began gathering the stories and signatures of World War Two veterans four years ago [Jay Hawkins]

A woman who worked for "Churchill's secret army" and a Normandy veteran were among the latest World War Two forces personnel to sign a history enthusiast's Lee-Enfield rifle.

Jay Hawkins, 27, from St Ives, Cambridgeshire, was inspired to travel the country to hear the wartime experiences of RAF, Army and Royal Navy personnel after he acquired the 1939 weapon.

Since starting the project four years ago, the painter and decorator has gathered about 130 stories and signatures.

"My feeling on meeting each veteran is still the same as when I first started - it's a feeling of honour to be sitting in the same room and shaking their hands," he said.

He recently met Joyce Wilding, who was a Special Operations Executive (SOE) veteran [Jay Hawkins]

He added: "It's also a bit of a race against time as a 'young' World War Two veteran is now 97 or 98-years-old, but it's never been a numbers game.

"If I only ever met 10 of them, it's 10 I got to shake hands with and it's an honour."

Recently he met Joyce Wilding, who was the first Special Operations Executive (SOE) veteran to have signed the rifle.

SOE has been nicknamed Winston Churchill's secret army, after he ordered the volunteer force to "set Europe ablaze".

Its agents were mainly tasked with sabotage and subversion having been parachuted into occupied Europe.

She worked in a transmitter hut in Oxfordshire, receiving Morse code messages from agents in the field [Jay Hawkins]

Ms Wilding, 100, from Sussex, started as an ambulance drive in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) before joining the Auxiliary Transport Service (ATS), the women's branch of the Army.

Mr Hawkins said: "She was later attached to the SOE in the transmitter huts in Oxfordshire, where she received messages in Morse code from secret agents overseas - the life expectancy of agents was about six weeks.

"She never knew the identities of the agents she was speaking to, but while transmitting the messages she thinks she may have spoken to Violette Szabo."

Violette Szabo was captured in 1944 during her second mission in France, brutally tortured and executed in early 1945.

Roy Hayward went from basic training at Bovington Camp in Dorset to landing in Normandy [Roy Hayward]

Roy Hayward lost both his legs in Normandy, a couple of weeks after he arrived in France on the evening of D-Day, 6 June 1944.

The 18-year-old was a Sherwood Yeomanry Rangers gunner and loader when his Sherman tank came under attack from a German Tiger tank on 25 June.

"He told me, all of a sudden an explosive round penetrated the tank, setting it alight," said Mr Hawkins.

"When Roy got out he looked down to find both his legs below the knee had gone."

After treatment in a field hospital, he was shipped back to Portsmouth and when his dressings were removed, "his legs were covered in maggots to his horror and the nurse's delight as they had cleaned up his wound".

Like most of the veterans, Roy Hayward was surprised by the weight of the weapon [Jay Hawkins]

Mr Hayward, 99, who lives in the Isle of Wight, was the first double-amputee to sign the rifle.

"He doesn't see himself as someone who lost this legs but instead as someone who came home and lived a long and full life, unlike so many comrades," said Mr Hawkins.

The history buff is in talks with a museum about eventually displaying the rifle, alongside each veterans' story.

Mr Hawkins is continuing to collect signatures and is in talks with seven or eight veterans and their families about interviewing them next [Jay Hawkins]

Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson at a campaign event for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump inside Harrahs Cherokee Center in Asheville, N.C., on Aug. 14.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson is currently being treated for burns, his communications director confirmed to NBC News on Friday night.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is currently being treated for burns following an incident at a campaign event in Mt. Airy. He is in good spirits, said Mike Lonergan, the Robinson campaigns communications director.

Lonergan was responding to an NBC News question about a NewsNation report saying that the North Carolina candidate was hospitalized.

On Saturday, Lonergan sent NBC News a video posted to X showing Robinson telling supporters that he laid his hand on a tailpipe when getting out of a vehicle at a truck show on Friday. He said he sustained a "minor second degree burn," emphasizing that he was "fine."

Robinson was previously set to speak during a North Carolina Faith & Freedom event on Saturday, but an organizer for the event said Friday night that the event had to be canceled, noting that the venue did not have power. Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in parts of North Carolina, especially the western region of the state, where the event was going to be held.

Robinson posted pictures of himself on social media campaigning at other events on Saturday.

Friday's incident came just days after a bombshell CNN report that alleged that the lieutenant governor made antisemitic and racist comments on a porn website years ago.

In the days after the story broke, four top staff members of the embattled Republicans campaign stepped down, though the campaign did not link the departures to the report.

Robinson has remained defiant in the face of the allegations, despite some Republicans expressing concern over the report. Robinson has denied the allegations.

The Harris campaign has sought to tie Robinson to former President Donald Trump, who endorsed him prior to the release of the CNN report, in hopes that the controversy surrounding Robinsons candidacy helps Democrats flip the state blue. Trump won North Carolina by a narrow margin in 2020, and Republicans have acknowledged that it would be difficult for them to win the White House without the state.
[Getty Images]

Cracking down on illegal immigration has been Donald Trumps signature issue - but now Democrats are trying to address an election weakness by also talking tough about securing the US border with Mexico.

The Republican presidential nominee has repeatedly criticised the government's record on the border, saying "Kamala Harris has allowed 21 million illegals to pour in from all over the world.

Crossings did reach record levels under President Biden, but numbers have dropped significantly in recent months. Now Harris says she will make it even harder for migrants to seek asylum in the US.

Six out of 10 Americans rate immigration as very important in determining how they will vote, according to the Pew Research Center. Other polling suggests voters trust Trump to handle the issue more effectively than Harris.

So how have both administrations dealt with the influx of migrants and what do we know about the people crossing this border illegally?

How many migrants have crossed the US southern border?

US border officials record "encounters" with migrants - these include people who attempted to cross illegally and people who tried to enter legally but were deemed inadmissible.

These encounters have risen to record highs under the Biden administration but not to the level Trump - who has not provided a source for his claim - maintains.

Since January 2021, when Joe Biden came to office, there have been more than 10 million encounters - about 8 million came over the southwest land border with Mexico.

Under the Trump administration, there were 2.4 million encounters on this border.

Encounters fell at the start of 2020 as arrivals slowed because of the pandemic.

The number of encounters is not a count of individuals who stay in the US as some migrants will be returned and the same person can be recorded trying to enter multiple times.

These figures don't include people who may have crossed the border undetected.

The US Department of Homeland Security has estimated there were 11 million illegal migrants living in the US as of January 2022.

It says about a fifth of them arrived in 2010 or later but the majority arrived before this time, some as early as the 1980s.

How have government policies affected border crossings?

Both the Trump and Biden administrations used a Covid-19 public health measure to quickly return migrants at the border.

Between its start in March 2020 and its end in May 2023, migrants were expelled nearly three million times under this policy.

Despite this, encounters continued to increase, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

The factors driving this included a post-lockdown surge in crossings and political and economic instability in countries such as Venezuela.

Republicans say Bidens weak policies on immigration also encouraged migrants to travel to the US - and some Democrats in border states criticised the administration for not acting quickly enough to address the crisis.

An attempt to pass a cross-party bill to tighten border security failed in May 2024, with Harris saying that Trump "tanked it".

Biden issued an executive order the following month to quickly deport migrants at the border.

This means migrants can be sent back without having their asylum claims processed, if the average number of weekly encounters exceeded a certain threshold.

A month after the order was introduced, encounters at the southern border fell by a fifth.

Efforts by the Mexican government have also brought crossings down, including setting up new checkpoints and increasing patrols.

In May, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that the number of migrants at the US southern border had halved from a peak of 12,000 a day to 6,000 a day.

Where are the migrants coming from?

The vast majority of people who cross the US southern border are citizens of nearby countries in the Americas.

Recent figures show that in the current financial year (October 2023 - September 2024), the most common nationality encountered at the southern border were Mexicans (617,770).

This was followed by nearly a quarter of a million Venezuelans and almost 200,000 Guatemalans.

There have also been 36,920 encounters of Chinese citizens this financial year to date.

That's 10,000 higher than for the whole of the previous financial year.

[BBC]

How many border migrants have criminal records?

Trump has repeatedly said about illegal migrants that "many of them that are coming in are from prisons and jails and mental institutions, insane asylums".

There are no publicly available figures on how many migrants have spent time in prison or in mental institutions but there is data on how many have previous criminal convictions.

Of the 1.5 million apprehensions of people crossing the border illegally so far this financial year - and where Border Patrol was able to check against law enforcement databases - about 15,608 were of people with previous criminal convictions.

The most common conviction was for illegal entry into another country (9,545), followed by driving under the influence (2,577), and drug possession and trafficking offences (1,414).

On 27 September, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released figures showing it had recorded 662,566 "noncitizens with criminal histories" - which includes those currently detained by the agency and those not detained.

It says 435,719 of them are convicted criminals and 226,847 have pending criminal charges.

The figures go up to July 2024 but ICE does not say when the cases date back to or when these people arrived in the US.

Trump has also linked border crossings with fuelling violent crime in the US. At campaign events he has spoken about alleged killings of American women by undocumented migrants.

But crime and migration trends have travelled in opposite directions in recent years.

Department of Justice figures show a long-term decline in violent crime, with rates of victimisation in 2023 broadly similar to five years ago. Recent FBI data also indicates a downward trend in violence.

[Getty Images]

Is Venezuela emptying its prisons into the US?

Trump also claims that Venezuela has been sending its prisoners into the US.

In July he said: Next year well meet in Venezuela because it will be safe. Their crime has gone down 72% because theyve sent all of their drug dealers, their criminals and most of their prisoners into our country.

BBC Verify spoke to the independent Venezuelan Observatory of Violence.

It said it had seen no evidence that the Venezuelan government has been systematically sending its prisoners to the US or to any other country.

The Observatory's figures show crime has fallen in Venezuela in the past few years, but not to the extent Trump has claimed and for other reasons.

"Crime is reduced in Venezuela by a reduction in crime opportunities: bank robberies disappear because there is no money to steal; kidnappings are reduced because there is no cash to pay ransoms; robberies on public transport cease because travellers have no money in their pockets and old, worthless cell phones," a spokesperson from the Observatory said.

Donald Trump has accused Venezuela of sending criminals into the US. [Getty Images]

[BBC]

What do you want BBC Verify to investigate?
Fifty "exceptionally well-preserved" Viking skeletons have been unearthed in Denmark by archaeologists from the Museum Odense, west of Copenhagen, along with five cremated graves.

"It is truly unusual to find so many well-preserved skeletons at once, like those discovered in Asum," museum curator Michael Borre Lund said in a statement.

"This discovery offers extraordinary opportunities to perform a wide range of scientific analyses, which can reveal more about the general health, diet, and origins of those buried. The analyses might even reveal whether the buried vikings were related, which would be particularly significant, as this has never been examined in similar graves."

1,000-Year-old Viking Treasure Found Hidden In Dirt: Unique Find

The skeletons were found in the Danish village of Asum not far from Odense, Denmark, over the past six months and were buried with artifacts from outside the country, proving that they traveled internationally for trade, according to the museum.

Fifty "exceptionally well-preserved" Viking skeletons have been unearthed in Denmark by archaeologists from the Museum Odense, west of Copenhagen, along with five cremated graves.

"The graves in Asum are so well-preserved that it may be possible, for the first time, to conduct special aDNA analyses on most of the skeletons  meaning DNA analyses on ancient material," Sarah Croix, associate professor and PhD from the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Aarhus University, said in a statement.

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"It will be incredibly exciting to learn where these people came from and whether the same families were buried here across multiple generations."

High water levels and good soil conditions kept the skeletons from decomposing, Lund said.

A conservator at Museum Odense displays a brooch found in a Viking-age burial site.

"Normally when we excavate Viking graves, we'd be lucky if there were two teeth left in the grave besides the grave goods," he explained, "but here we have the skeletons fully preserved. The skeletons are so amazing. They are so well preserved. There are five fingers, five toes. And that opens up a whole new set of possibilities for discoveries."

Some of the skeletons were buried with items such as knives, brooches, glass pearls and even a wagon.

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"The woman was buried in the wagon she likely traveled in," Lund said.

"We must imagine that she was buried with her finest clothes and belongings. She was given a beautiful glass bead necklace, an iron key, a knife with a silver-threaded handle, and, most notably, a small shard of glass that may have served as an amulet. At the foot of the wagon, there was a finely decorated wooden chest, the contents of which we still do not know."

A drone view shows archaeologists working on excavations in the Viking-age burial site found in the village of Aasum, Denmark, September 25, 2024.

Another grave next to the womans contained a bronze three-lobed brooch, a red glass, an iron knife, and a small piece of rock crystal, which Lund noted isnt natural to Denmark. He said it was likely imported from Norway.

Experts Stunned After Corpse Of Medieval Catholic Saint Is Uncovered, Found In Remarkable Condition

"Several items from the many graves in Asum indicate that the buried Vikings were connected to international trade networks that developed during the Viking Age," he said.

An archaeologist excavates skeletons in a pit at the Viking-age burial site in the village of Aasum, Denmark.

The excavation took place in preparation for renovating an electrical grid.

While those graves were for high status individuals, the majority of skeletons belonged to a community of farmers, the museum said.

The burial ground covers around 2,000 square meters east of Odense and is believed to be from the 9th and 10th centuries.

Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: Dozens of exceptionally well-preserved Viking skeletons unearthed in Denmark: Truly unusual
By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's state-owned broadcaster said on Saturday that vandals had poured paint across an entrance to its building in the capital, Chisinau, a day after police blamed similar incidents on a group trained in Moscow to destabilise upcoming elections.

"We are not afraid of this act of vandalism, as long as we are devoted to society and citizens," Teleradio-Moldova's deputy director general, Andrei Zapsa, said, adding that the station had always known it could be targeted by "radical groups."

Paint was also poured on the Supreme Court building overnight, police said.

Moldovan authorities have linked such incidents to a group trained in Moscow to provoke instability ahead of a presidential poll next month, in which pro-European incumbent, President Maia Sandu, is favored to beat a field of 10 challengers.

Sandu's opponents are led by Alexander Stoianoglo, who was dismissed from his position as prosecutor general and is backed by pro-Russian opposition parties, and Renato Usatii, who favours good links with both the West and Moscow.

Moldovan law enforcement agencies said on Friday they had detained two young men following similar incidents overnight in which yellow paint - the color of Sandu's ruling pro-European party - was poured on two other government buildings.

A 21-year-old man, caught in a park, and his 20-year-old accomplice, apprehended near the parliament, said they were part of a group of 20 who were recruited to commit acts of vandalism to destabilise Moldovan government institutions, police said.

The detainees said they were paid 5,000 euros for one attack and trained in Moscow, police said. One detainee said he was responsible for recruiting young people who were then sent to study in Moscow and paid 500 euros a month, police added.

The group of 20 flew to Istanbul, where they were met by a Russian citizen, police said. The next day, they received cash and phones at a training ground near Moscow where they learned how to spark and destabilise protests and protect provocateurs, police added.

From there, they returned to Moldova via Antalya, Turkey, police said, adding that authorities had identified 13 members of the group and searched the homes of four of them on Friday, seizing paint, gloves, and bank and ID cards that proved they had traveled to Russia.

(Additional reporting by Elaine Monaghan; Editing by Paul Simao)
By Alkis Konstantinidis

ATHENS (Reuters) - Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark, the youngest daughter of the late King of Greece Constantine II, married her fiance in an Orthodox ceremony in Athens on Saturday.

Royals from both countries joined the service at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens where the funeral service for Constantine II, Greece's last king and second cousin of Britain's King Charles III, was held in January 2023.

Dozens of onlookers and enthusiastic admirers of the Greek royal family lined the streets outside the cathedral to watch Theodora, 41, in a white embroidered dress with a long veil attached to a tiara, walk down the aisle escorted by her older brother Pavlos, to marry Matthew Kumar, a Los Angeles-based lawyer.

Among the guests was Spain's former Queen Sofia, paternal aunt of Theodora.

"The couple's desire to have their wedding in Athens reflects their love for Greece, the strong ties they maintain with the country and their desire to share Greek culture and hospitality and identity with their guests," the Greek royal family said in a statement published on its website on Friday.

Constantine II was 27 and had been king for three years when he was forced into exile in 1967. The junta who seized power that year abolished the monarchy in 1973 and a referendum in 1974 rejected the monarchy again.

Born in London and holder of a bachelor degree in theatre arts, Theodora moved to Los Angeles in 2010 to become an actress. She made her debut in the TV soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful a year later.

(Writing by Angeliki Koutantou; editing by Jason Neely)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Kuroe Grays first step Friday morning was straight into ankle-deep water.

The high school freshman woke up around 8 a.m. to the sound of her father yelling for her to get dressed because their home was flooding. Kuroe, 14, didnt even have time to grab a pair of shoes before boarding a rescue boat, she told the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network.

By the time she evacuated, water was halfway up the family's front door.

Earlier this week, Western North Carolina saw a "predecessor" rainfall event that brought up to 8 inches in many areas. And then on Thursday and Friday, the hurricane-turned-tropical-storm Helene delivered even more rain to the already swollen French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. The storm also brought high winds that knocked down trees and electrical lines across Buncombe County, leaving more than 100,000 Duke Energy customers without power that morning.

On Friday, the French Broad River in Ashevilles River Arts District covered Lyman Street, flooding the greenway and partially submerging surrounding buildings. That morning, area residents stood on the bridge that spans the river, watching debris float away atop the rushing water. A flock of pigeons tried to brave the wind but were pushed back to a roost beneath the bridge.

At River Ridge Apartments in East Asheville, where Kuroe lives with her father, David Gray, 58, and next door to her grandmother, Sharon Gray, 83, the Swannanoa River forced the family members from their homes.

Sharon Gray told the Citizen Times the water that flooded her apartment washed away her wheelchair and walker. When the rescue crew moved her, it was so painful she thought she might die.

The French Broad River reached over 16 feet by 11 am on Sept. 27, flooding most of the River Arts District, seen here from the Haywood Road bridge.

I havent walked for over a year, she said. So, there I was, walking, actually walking so that I could get to the boat.

Her son, David, said the family lost almost everything. All he could save was the family guinea pig, Brown, his mothers cat, Ellie, and medications.

And its not like the Gray family wasnt ready for the storm.

I prepped for losing power and for being able to flush the toilet  filling up the tubs, stocking up on water and food, David Gray said. I had portable battery packs and camping gear for cooking.

But how much can a family really prepare for what one county official described as a "500-year-flood?"

This morning, when the water was coming up closer and closer, I was like, this looks worse than I thought, he said. And before you know it, I guess they opened up the dam and water started coming in.

FEMA, National Guard step aiding in flooding devastation

In the early morning hours on Friday, Buncombe County ordered a mandatory evacuation order from the North Fork Reservoir, where water breached the spillway, to Biltmore Village along the Swannanoa River.

Crews working in the area have conducted more than 40 swift-water rescues, according to county spokesperson Lillian Govus. Additional teams from Illinois, New Jersey and other locations in North Carolina have arrived to support the effort, she said.

More: River levels in WNC: Flooding recorded at French Broad, Swannanoa; rivers still rising

The French Broad River rages in downtown Marshall Thursday afternoon as Hurricane Helene approaches Western North Carolina.

An 82-person urban search and rescue team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was also assisting with rescue efforts, the City of Asheville said in a news release. The National Guard was also providing support.

Evacuated from River Ridge, the Gray family was at Harrahs Cherokee Center, where the city set up an emergency shelter in the early morning hours.

By the time the Gray family arrived, the rain and wind had ended. Tourists strolled Haywood Street surveying damage, snapping photographs of broken tree limbs covering sidewalks and streets.

Soon, the sun came out.

More: Tropical Storm Helene evacuees head to Harrah's Cherokee downtown Asheville for shelter

Meanwhile, the Gray family stood inside the lobby of Harrahs, where more than 400 people evacuated by the late afternoon, assuming they had lost everything and wondering what they would do next.

Brown, the guinea pig, was in the familys Toyota across the street, which David feared would be towed. Harrahs parking garage didnt offer enough clearance for him to enter.

For a moment, Ellie, the cat, appeared to be missing. Fortunately, they discovered she was still resting in her carrier next to her owner.

And Kuroe was still in her bare feet.

Jacob Biba is the county watchdog reporter at the Asheville Citizen Times. Reach him at jbiba@citizentimes.com.

New videos were added to this story.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville family flees, fearing all was lost to Helene flooding
The family of an Ohio woman who died of sepsis after she developed a pressure wound at a nursing home is calling for justice for their matriarch.

Lucy Garcia was 72 years old when she died on July 2. She had previously been a resident at Arbors at Oregon, a nursing home about 4 miles southeast of Toledo.

Arbors at Oregon did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday but Matt Mooney, an attorney representing the Garcia family, said the family wants to file a wrongful death suit against the facility.

In Ohio, wrongful death  is any death that's caused by neglect, negligence, recklessness, willful conduct like an intentional homicide, that would all fall within a wrongful death case, Mooney told USA TODAY.

The family has argued that the system running the nursing home set policies and procedures for their staff to abide by that led to Garcias death, Mooney said.

Mooney said the family wants accountability from the Arbors of Oregon.

The family feels this is not an isolated incident at the Arbors, he said. The facility is being run by management and administration and the corporate parent of the Arbors directing the staff to do the impossible, to work harder, longer hours, to take more patients, do more with less. We think that was a recipe for disaster.

Lucy Garcia (center) with her family.

Mooney and his team filed for records from the nursing home on Sept. 16 and are waiting for them to be delivered. Only then can the civil suit be filed.

The familys case is based largely on the autopsy report after Garcias death, Mooney said.

The report, obtained by USA TODAY, says that her death was the result of caretaker neglect resulting in complications of a sacral pressure wound. The coroner ruled her manner of death homicide.

Mooney said this is a first for him.

I've been practicing law in Ohio for nine years, primarily in medical malpractice cases and nursing home neglect cases, and I've never seen a coroner that unequivocal about the cause of a person's death being medical neglect under any circumstances, Mooney said.

Elderly man dies: His dad died from listeria tied to Boars Head meat. He needed to share his story.

Woman wasnt being turned or moved at nursing home, family alleges

Mooney said Garcia once lived independently but had a stroke that left her with weakness in the left side of her body.

She lived with her son for a bit but the 24-hour care she needed became too much for the family to handle, so she was taken to Arbors of Oregon in October 2019. The Arbors of Oregon assured the family they could provide the care Garcia needed, Mooney said.

For the most part, he did not have any major concerns with her care but began to notice beginning in early 2024 that when they came to visit their mom, the facility was no longer getting her up and out of bed, Mooney said, adding that she was in bed most of the time and wasnt put in her chair or up and moving, which prevents bed sores.

Her family also didnt see anyone visiting her room to help her, Mooney recalled.

She soon complained about back pain and was rushed to St. Charles Hospital on June 19, where doctors learned she had a Stage 4 pressure ulcer on her backside.

The nursing home hadnt told her family about the wound and kept it covered up with bandages, Mooney said, adding that Garcia died on July 2 from sepsis.

Her wound had gotten infected and spread to her bloodstream, he said.

Mooney said there was a similar case before Garcias at the facility where a care provider was charged with manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and two counts of neglect and abuse.

A care provider was charged and convicted of those charges of involuntary manslaughter and patient abuse related to that treatment, he said.

Ohio woman was a great-grandmother who was the nucleus of her family, lawyer says

Mooney said Garcia was part of a large family. She raised four sons on her own and was a motherly figure to all the kids in the neighborhood.

Everyone knew they could come to the Garcia home with open arms, he said.

If their friends needed a place to stay for the night or needed a meal, Lucy was glad to get that and she was very adamant about her sons being raised right and being self-sufficient, Mooney said.

Lucy Garcia, a 72-year-old Ohio woman whose family says a nursing home is responsible for the pressure wound and sepsis that killed her in July 2024.

Her family really viewed her as the center of their family unit, and she was included in just about every single one of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren's births, Mooney said.

She leaves behind nine great-grandchildren, 17 grandchildren and four sons.

Lawyer calls womans death a tragedy

I think it's important to understand that certainly what happened to Lucy is a tragedy, Mooney said. We've already spoken with other folks who had loved ones at the Arbors of Oregon and have described very similar outcomes. We're going to find out why that is, and what the systems and policies and procedures were at Arbors that led to these kinds of outcomes for Lucy and other residents.

Lucy Garcia, a 72-year-old Ohio woman who died due to a pressure wound and sepsis.

He said Garcias family doesnt want this to happen to anyone else, and they hope the attention her case is getting will prevent it from happening to another family.

No one deserves to be treated the way that Lucy was treated, Mooney said. No one deserves to suffer from a Stage 4 pressure ulcer. That's a complete tissue loss all the way down to her bone. They don't want to see that ever happen again.

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the victim's name.

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: Death of Arbors at Oregon nursing home patient ruled a homicide
Welcome in the new month with our picks for the best fiction, nonfiction and celebrity memoirs

PEOPLE's picks for the best books of Oct. 2024

From novels about an immigrant family in turmoil, a time-worn sibling story and a widow whose misdeeds haunt her  plus new celebrity memoirs  here are PEOPLE's picks for the best books of October 2024, so far.

'Be Ready When the Luck Happens' by Ina Garten

'Be Ready When the Luck Happens' by Ina Garten

The celebrity cook's long-anticipated memoir reveals a new side to the Food Network star. Writing of her difficult and "very lonely childhood," meeting her husband Jeffrey and the journey that led her to becoming the beloved TV personality and cookbook author she is today, Garten presents her story with warmth, honesty and heart.



See at Amazon

Related: Ina Garten Couldnt Understand Why People Had Kids' After Her Own Horrible Childhood (Exclusive)

'Love Can't Feed You' by Cherry Lou Sy

'Love Can't Feed You' by Cherry Lou Sy

In this gorgeously written, shattering debut, teenager Queenie arrives in New York City with her brother and her elderly Chinese dad to join her Filipina mom and be a family. But intergenerational trauma, her parents rigid expectations and insurmountable odds tear apart the household and bankrupt their American dream. As her brother acts out, Queenie finds herself struggling to eke out a living all her own. Deeply compassionate and devastating.  Caroline Leavitt

See at Amazon

'Shred Sisters' by Betsy Lerner

'Shred Sisters' by Betsy Lerner

Beautiful daredevil Olivia is the star of the Shred family, but as she goes off the rails, her parents and younger sister Amy struggle for balance. As told by Amy  the smart, quiet one  over two decades, this heartfelt novel reveals the power of the sibling bond to shape our lives.  Marion Winik

See at Amazon

'The Sequel' by Jean Hanff Korelitz

'The Sequel' by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Anna got away with killing her author husband in 2021s The Plot, and now shes relishing his royalties and writing bestsellers of her own. But the past, as they say, is never really dead. When Annas history resurfaces, theres hell to pay. Korelitz fans will eat up this satirical, bookish suspense.  Kim Hubbard

See at Amazon

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Six in ten people in South Korea undergo regular medical check-ups, according to a survey of 21 countries, conducted by Statista Consumer Insights between July 2023 and June 2024. Of those polled, South Koreans were the most likely to regularly visit the doctor and more than twice as likely as UK respondents, who - despite having a free healthcare service - were one of the countries at the bottom of the list. Only Sweden and the Netherlands had a lower turnout, albeit marginally, at 29 percent and 27 percent of respondents picking the option, respectively.





From this data alone, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why there are such large differences between some countries and others. Most likely, it is a result of a number of factors. For example, it could be a case of a lack of public awareness around the importance of such checks. According to an NIH report, this was the case in the UK, where there was also a widespread misunderstanding among patients of the purpose of the National Health Services Health Check program. Other barriers to attending health checks regularly included time constraints and difficulties with access to general practices.

Statista

Meanwhile, in some countries, regulations may be in place by employers or even the government that encourage visits to the doctor. In South Korea, for instance, it is mandatory for every citizen who is paying into the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) to have a health check every two years. In Poland, employers are required by law to arrange a medical assessment for their new hires in order to prevent work-related injuries.





This article originally appeared on Statista.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.



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Azerbaijan Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov has delivered a speech during the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Azernews reports.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I congratulate His Excellency Mr. Philemon Yang on assuming the Presidency of the 79th session of the General Assembly and thank the outgoing President, His Excellency Mr. Dennis Francis, for his outstanding efforts in leading the previous session.

I also thank His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, for his continuous efforts to achieve the noble objectives of the UN.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The world continues to grapple with a wide range of challenges that no single country can overcome alone. The worsening global climate crisis, rising inequalities, emerging divides, and heightened tensions affect us all, irrespective of background or location. It is high time to demonstrate that multilateralism works and can deliver with a unified voice, leaving no one behind.

The current state of international politics is divisive, with universally accepted fundamental norms and principles of international law being disregarded and misinterpreted.

In the face of continued erosion of multilateralism, it is paramount that the United Nations continues to foster international solidarity and cooperation.

The UN Charter principles and purposes constitute the foundational normative framework in international relations, and must be applied consistently, not selectively.

The UN is mandated to ensure that every nation has an equal voice and is treated on the same footing.

In this regard, Azerbaijan advocates for a reinvigorated and reformed multilateral system, with the UN at its core, underpinned by strict adherence to and non-selective application of the universally accepted norms and principles of international law.

Urgent progress is needed on the UN Security Council reforms, based on the work done and the gains achieved in good faith and a spirit of flexibility, constructiveness, and cooperation.

We view the pivotal Summit of the Future, held a week ago, as a renewal of our common commitment to international law, the UN Charter, multilateralism, and international cooperation. The Pact for the Future, its negotiated outcome, is a blueprint for building a better, more sustainable, and prosperous world for everyone.

It is time for our collective commitments to turn into real and decisive action.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The global climate crisis threatens decades of progress, imperils humanity's future, and disproportionally affects vulnerable countries. Growing divisions in international relations shouldnt distract us from the imperative to address climate change, the greatest transnational challenge of the century.

What has been done so far remains insufficient to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C. For the sake of the future, the time has come for urgent, concerted, and sustained efforts to give effect to our commitments to a global vision for sustainable development.

November 2024, Azerbaijan will host the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Guided by the call In Solidarity for a Green World, Azerbaijan will spare no effort to bridge developed and developing countries and foster a collaborative spirit to tackle climate challenges as a common commitment and moral duty.

The confidence placed in us by the international community to host and preside over COP29 this year is a testament and recognition to Azerbaijan's readiness to lead the climate agenda and contribute to global climate action. As the Incoming Presidency, Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitment to delivering COP29 in a transparent, impartial, inclusive, and party-driven manner.

We have presented our vision based on two parallel pillars to enhance ambition and enable action, with climate finance as our top priority this year. These pillars are mutually reinforcing  progress on each sends a strong signal supporting the other.

The primary expectation for the COP29 Presidency is an agreement on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

This will be the first major climate finance goal after adopting the Paris Agreement, and we have been working tirelessly to support the Parties in landing a deal.

The COP29 Presidency made it clear that agreeing on a fair and ambitious NCQG that is adequate to the urgency and scale of the problem and takes into account the needs and priorities of developing countries is the ultimate test of the Parties' commitment to the Paris Agreement and climate action in the years ahead.

We need to continue to work constructively on the NCQG and steer the process to a successful outcome at COP29.

COP 29 Presidency also works with the Parties to deliver an outcome on carbon markets this year. Fully functioning carbon markets will be a significant step in implementing nationally determined contributions (NDCs) cost-effectively and bolstering ambition in mitigation.

Moreover, we have put forward 14 initiatives covering topics such as the link between climate action and sustainable development goals, green energy zones and corridors, energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, agriculture, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, green digital action, and more. One of the initiatives under COP29 Action Agenda includes the establishment of the Climate Finance Action Fund, an innovative source for climate finance to be voluntarily supported by fossil fuel-producing countries and companies.

COP29 will also be an opportunity to set differences aside and contribute to global peace and the climate agenda. Given the intersection of conflicts and the increasingly challenging climate crisis, Azerbaijan introduced a flagship COP29 Truce Initiative embedded in the Joint Solemn Appeal announced a few days ago.

More than thousand NGOs, Faith Leaders and prominent personalities, as well as many parties have already joined this Appeal. We call on everyone to transcend political divergences, stand in unity, and respect the Truce during the month of COP29.

Excellencies,

Azerbaijan has always been at the forefront of promoting international peace, and security, inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue, contributing to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and fostering global solidarity and multilateralism.

Azerbaijani Chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement in 2019-2023 has marked by the Movements enhanced role and increased contributions to a collaborative spirit in international relations. Under visionary leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, decisive steps were taken to enhance international solidarity and galvanize collective response to global challenges at a time of erosion of multilateralism.

Guided by a noble call to leave no one behind, Azerbaijan continues to lend its support to developing countries in need. Since 2020, we have provided humanitarian, economic, and technical assistance worth USD 330 million to over 140 nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we past the halfway mark of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we observe stagnation in its implementation. With only 17% of SDG targets on track, we need an urgent and accelerated progress.

At a national level, we are taking necessary measures to implement the SDGs and setting an example for others to follow. We have fully embraced the SDGs nationally, prioritizing 17 goals, 88 targets, and 119 indicators. This has been achieved through collaborative and inclusive process involving civil society, the business community, youth, and other key stakeholders.

Azerbaijans GDP has risen four times in less than two-decade span. Poverty has gone down from 49% to 5%. The external public debt is expected to be some 7% of the GDP for 2024, one of the lowest globally.

Clean environment and green growth became one of the five priority areas of our new national development strategy. In line with this, Azerbaijan is looking into ways of further Greenhouse Gas Emission reductions and working on its 1.5C aligned NDC. A few months ago, we have joined the 2030 Global Methane Pledge.

We will also establish green energy zones and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in the Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur regions.

Azerbaijan will continue to play an essential role in global energy security, contributing to sustainable development, eradication of poverty and helping millions to transition to clean energy in the region and beyond. Share of renewables in the total installed electrical capacity in Azerbaijan will reach 30% by 2030. This high target is established, primarily, to improve energy efficiency and introduce innovative solutions in urban environment, transport systems, and industry.

The projected increase in renewable electricity production in the coming years will allow Azerbaijan to become an exporter of green electricity to European countries through the landmark trans-regional Black Sea Submarine Cable Project.

Mr. President,

In the face of increasing challenges, coming together in unity and solidarity and fostering dialogue and mutual understanding is an absolute necessity.

With a centuries-long tradition of diversity and multiculturalism, Azerbaijan firmly believes in a dialogue and collaborative spirit, mutual understanding, and respect among different cultures and religions. Azerbaijan put particular focus to the promotion of a culture of peace and encouraging intercultural and interreligious dialogue worldwide, including through the Baku Process and Peace4Culture initiatives.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The end of armed conflict with Armenia and restoration of Azerbaijans sovereignty and territorial integrity created substantially new environment in the South Caucasus. For the first time since decades, stability has been achieved on the ground, de-facto peace is established.

By putting an end to military occupation, it is Azerbaijan that created conditions, for both parties to eventually turn the page of enmity and embark on good-neighbourly relations.

This process was launched by Azerbaijan in the immediate aftermath of its victory in the 44-Day Patriotic War.

This offer was made despite unhealed wounds of the conflict still persist to date in the form of razing to the ground of dozens of cities and hundreds of towns and villages, destruction and desecration of each and every piece of historical and cultural heritage and barbaric pillage of natural resources.

Azerbaijan demonstrated political wisdom and will by offering Armenia peace on equal terms, fully in line with norms and principles of international law, on the basis of mutual recognition of and respect for each others sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Over the past year, Azerbaijan and Armenia have registered significant progress in the normalization process through direct bilateral negotiations, in particular with respect to drafting a bilateral agreement, delimitation and demarcation of state border, as well as elaboration of a set of confidence-building measures.

Azerbaijan will continue to take this process forward acting with strong sense of responsibility for not only its national security and well-being, but also for ensuring a better future for entire region. Our commitment and determination remain intact to bring this process to its logical conclusion.

For the finalization of the normalization process, Armenia has yet to legally abandon territorial claims against Azerbaijan once and for all through implementing constitutional amendments. Armenias negligence with respect to implementation of constitutional amendments combined with dramatic increase in military budget, acquisition of large amount of offensive weaponry from both traditional and new suppliers and attempts to maintain obsolete conflict-driven narratives and structures, derails the normalization process.

Establishment of peace and good-neighbourly relations cannot be sustainable and irreversible if recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan remains in legal limbo, is contingent on domestic legal or political scenarios. Partial peace is not an option after so much pain and sufferings inflicted by irredentism and territorial claims against neighbours.

At this critical moment Azerbaijan calls for expeditious steps to address remaining impediments for finalization of the normalization process with full sense of responsibility.

Along with Armenias responsibility to honour its international obligations and previously undertaken commitments, it is also incumbent on entire international community to encourage the sides for the establishment of genuine, sustainable and irreversible peace. Such a peace should outweigh any dividend that might be expected by manipulating one side against other or building dividing lines between them. Practices that brought devastations in other parts of the globe must be ceased to be projected to the South Caucasus by feeding revanchism.

Excellencies,

Ensuring justice with respect to serious war crimes and crimes against humanity is of vital importance in terms of healing the wounds of the past conflict.

While accountability and redress serve to ensure the rights and interests of the victims, they are also key prerequisites on the path to genuine post-conflict normalization and reconciliation.

In this regard, it is of paramount importance to shed light to the fate of about 4000 Azerbaijanis who went missing due to the conflict.

Resolving this issue is essential not only in terms of accountability, and the rights of the victims and their families, but also for post-conflict reconciliation and normalization.

Around 300,000 Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia continue to be deprived of their ancestral homeland in blatant violation of international law. Despite repeated calls by the Western Azerbaijan Community to launch a dialogue and ensure a safe and dignified return to the homeland, the Government of Armenia denies them exercising the fundamental right of return enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and other important international acts.

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Along with inter-state process of normalization, Azerbaijan has, internally, embarked on large-scale post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. This aims at ensuring the right of hundred thousands of Azerbaijanis to eventually exercise their violated right to safe and dignified return to their homes.

Thanks to the tireless efforts taken by the Government, life now returns to the territories that have witnessed unprecedented destruction during military occupation.

Regrettably, the massive contamination of territories of Azerbaijan with landmines and other explosive devices remains a significant obstacle to the smooth progress of rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. Since the end of the conflict in 2020, 377 individuals, among them civilians have fallen victim to landmines.

With this in mind, Azerbaijan has introduced a national goal, SDG18, focusing on mine action.

Given the scale of the problem, there is an urgent need for increased international support to strengthen Azerbaijan's humanitarian mine action capacity.

Taking this opportunity, I thank all countries and other stakeholders who have generously contributed to humanitarian de-mining in Azerbaijan and reiterate our call for increased international support and solidarity.

Mr. President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm Azerbaijans commitment to further contribute to international peace and security through promoting respect for international law and investing in international solidarity and cooperation.

We remain to be strong proponent of combined efforts to overcome challenges and pave the way for a brighter future for ourselves and the generations to come.

I thank you.
Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., shared details of how he is helping GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance prepare for his upcoming debate on Tuesday with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Majority Whip Emmer, the third-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, was invited to stand in for Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, to help Vance prepare to take on the governor's "folksy" personality.

Speaking exclusively to "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz on Sunday, Emmer said he's spent the last month analyzing Walz's previous debate performances.

MORE: CBS News says mics won't be muted for VP debate

"I've known Tim probably since he was first elected almost 20 years ago, and I worked with him directly for four years, I spent the last month just going back, all of his old stuff, to get his phrases down, his mannerisms, that sort of thing," Emmer said. "My job was to be able to play Tim Walz so JD Vance knows what he's going to see."

PHOTO: Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer appears on 'This Week,' Sept. 29, 2024. (ABC News)

Asked by Raddatz if he has participated in any mock debates yet and has officially played Walz, Emmer said he didn't want to get ahead of Vance in sharing those details.

"The debate is on Tuesday night, so I'll let your viewers decide that, I'm not going to get ahead of JD and the team," Emmer told Raddatz. "If they want to talk about exactly what we did when we did it. How many times they can do that. For me, I did my job or have been doing my job in helping JD see what it is he's going to be dealing with on Tuesday night."

Emmer praised Vance, saying the Ohio senator will do a "great job" on Tuesday night and that "he's got the issues on his side."

"Vance could talk about the economy that Donald Trump fixed and that Harris and Biden broke. He can talk about the border that Trump fixed and they broke. He can talk about peace and stability around the world, which they don't even have a clue [about]; they've caused all of this disruption," Emmer said. "Once he understands that Tim Walz is just going to try and deflect and go into this folksy whatever, he'll hold him accountable."

MORE: Vance preparing for VP debate with Tom Emmer playing Walz

As Vance heads into Tuesday night's debate, he continues to struggle with his favorability numbers in national and state polling.

A recent AP-NORC poll found that Walz is viewed more favorably among registered voters than Vance.

In the poll, Walz has a 42% favorability rating among registered voters while Vance is at 27%. Along partisan lines, Walz also has better numbers -- he has a 72% favorability rating among Democrats while Vance is at 51% among Republicans.

Pressed by Raddatz about what Vance needs to do to change Americans' perception of him, Emmer rejected the polling.

"I think JD is very likable, and I think he's well-liked, and I don't buy into these snapshot polls that are being done for a specific reason," Emmer said. "Once people get to know who [Walz] is and they know what his policies are, he's more radical than Kamala Harris, people do not like him once they get to know him and JD will expose that on Tuesday."

MORE: Trump, Harris lean on outside factors to sway stubbornly competitive race

At his rally Saturday night in Prairie du Chien, Wis., Trump disparaged Harris' mental acuity.

While attacking Harris over the situation at the southern border, Trump said: "Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way. She was born that way. And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country."

Asked if he agrees with or approves of that language, Emmer did not answer directly.

"I think Kamala Harris is the wrong choice for America. I think Kamala Harris is actually as bad or worse as the administration, that we've witnessed for the last four years, Martha," he said.

MORE: NC Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson suffers second-degree burns at campaign event

Pressed again by Raddatz if he agrees with Trump's description, Emmer said, "I think we should stick to the issues."

"The issues are, Donald Trump fixed it once. They broke it. He's going to fix it again. That  those are the issues," he said.

On Friday, Harris visited the southern border for the first time in more than three years, where she announced several border policies she would pursue as president, including barring migrants who illegally cross the border from reentering the country for five years and enacting stricter criminal penalties for repeat offenders.

When asked if he opposes these policies that Harris is proposing, Emmer argued that Harris has had several years to act on the border issue and is only taking action now because of how critical the issue is for voters heading into the election.

"This is too little too late. Nobody can believe her because her actions have said something completely different for four years."

Rep. Tom Emmer says Vance will hold Walz 'accountable' during VP debate originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Long before it became the go-to borough for hipsters and commuters, Brooklyn was once Americas third largest city, independent and separate from Manhattan and the City of New York, explains Prithi Kanakamedala in Brooklynites: The Remarkable Story of the Free Black Communities that Shaped a Borough (NYU Press).

But it was also a place where, at the end of the American Revolution, one in three black inhabitants were enslaved, a statistic that, inevitably, drove a wave of activism in the years to come.

Brooklyn was a slaveholding capital, writes Kanakamedala. And it was within this context that a free Black community at the towns most northwestern tip would begin to contour the landscape and imbue the land with the radical possibilities of freedom.

Prithi Kanakamedalas new book Brooklynites reveals that the borough was once a full one-third black.

Told through the stories of four ordinary families from Brooklyns nineteenth-century Black community  the Crogers, the Hodges, the Wilsons, and the Gloucesters  it reveals not just of their extraordinary lives but also how neighborhoods like Fort Greene, Williamsburg and DUMBO became hotbeds for social justice movements, laser-focused on a new emancipated future.

As Bronx Community College professor Kanakamedala writes, these urban villages were pivotal in the fight for emancipation being part of a sophisticated Northern anti-slavery space rooted in, and integral to, Brooklyns own steady growth.

In Brooklynites, Kanakamedala reveals the systemic and structural racism these families encountered as they fought for freedom in the face of intimidating odds.

Even after the Revolution, it took three decades for New York to formally end slavery  Kanakamedala calls it a gradual emancipation  with members of the Black community still limited to manual labor.

Their lives offer valuable lessons on freedom, democracy, and family  both the ones were born with and the ones we choose, she writes. Their powerful stories continue to resonate today.

Brooklynites also considers the long-lasting impact of families like these on New Yorks most populous borough.

This is a story of land, home, labor, of New Yorkers past, and the legacy they left us, writes Kanakamedala.

This is the story of Brooklyn.
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Von Willebrand disease in dogs is the most common inherited blood disorder our canine friends suffer with, and it also happens in humans and many other species. Its a bleeding disorder  a failure of the blood to clot  with symptoms that can vary from mild to severe.

Luckily, von Willebrand Disease is rare enough that I havent had to deal with many dogs with the disorder in my eight years of being a vet, but I still keep a close lookout for it.

In this article, Ill explain what von Willebrand Disease is and  if your dog is unlucky enough to have it  what the likely outcome will be. Just to reassure you though, that the most common form of von Willebrand disease in dogs is mild and has a near-normal life expectancy.

What is Von Willebrand disease in dogs?

Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is an inherited blood clotting disorder, similar (but different to) hemophilia. It is known to affect dogs, humans, and many other species, but its not contagious  its genetic, with the type of inheritance pattern determined by the gene mutation that causes the problem.

When theres an injury thats bleeding, platelets gather at the site of the injury, forming a mesh to reduce the blood flow. Von Willebrands factor is a protein complex made up of several small and large proteins that together act like glue to hold the platelets together.

Dogs with von Willebrands Disease have a von Willebrand factor (vWF) deficiency. They dont have enough of the proteins to hold their platelets together when theyre bleeding. The type of deficiency they have determines the type of vWD they have  and therefore how serious the disease is.

Golden retriever being assessed at the vets

Type 1 von Willebrand Disease in dogs

Type 1 von Willebrand Disease is the most common type, and also the mildest. It occurs when dogs have a mild deficiency in all the proteins making up their von Willebrand factor, but the proteins have a normal structure. These dogs may have no symptoms or have slow clotting that doesnt cause major issues.

Type 2 von Willebrand Disease in dogs

Type 2 von Willebrand Disease happens when dogs have no large vWF proteins and have low levels of the smaller proteins. This can slow down clotting a lot, meaning these dogs can have severe bleeding episodes.

Type 3 von Willebrand Disease in dogs

Type 3 von Willebrand disease is when dogs have low or no von Willebrand factor at all  less than 1% of normal. This slows clotting significantly, meaning this is the most severe form of von Willebrand disease in dogs.

What dog breed is most affected by von Willebrand's disease?

Because von Willebrand Disease is a genetic defect, its inherited. However, inheritance patterns are complicated in vWD, with different genes mutations possible and different inheritance patterns for each. Its thought that Type 1 vWD is incompletely dominant, while Type 2 and 3 vWD are recessive.

In terms of actual proportions, the dog breed most affected by von Willebrand Disease is the Doberman Pinscher, which tend to get Type I disease. Other dog breeds affected by von Willebrand include:

Shetland Sheepdog (Type 1 and Type 3)

German Shepherd Dog (Type 1)

Standard Poodle (Type 1)

Airedale (Type 1)

Bernese Mountain Dog (Type 1)

Golden Retriever (Type 1)

Corgi (Type 1)

Greyhound (Type 1)

Schnauzer (Type 1)

German Short-Haired Pointer (Type 2)

German Wire-Haired Pointer (Type 2)

Scottish Terrier (Type 3)

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers (Type 3)

Other breeds have also been recorded to have von Willebrand disease, but these are usually sporadic and/or isolated cases.

Schnauzer being held by a vet

What are the symptoms of von Willebrand disease in dogs?

Dogs with von Willebrand Disease can have a range of symptoms. Some dogs with the mild form of the disease can be asymptomatic for much of their lives until another disease pushes them into clinical symptoms. This is especially true if they arent neutered and havent had any injuries that would bleed. Most dogs, however, have symptoms in the first year or two of life, including:

Bruising after surgery

Slow to stop bleeding after an injury

Excessive bleeding when the puppy teeth are lost

Excessive bleeding during heats (seasons) or birth

Spontaneous bleeding from the nose or mouth

Bloody urine

Bloody stool (see our blood in dog stool article for more information)

Unexplained bruising

Spotty dog gums (see our dog gums article for more information on what unhealthy gums look like)

Uncontrollable bleeding during surgery or after injury, which may be fatal

How is von Willebrand disease in dogs diagnosed?

If your dog has any of the symptoms above, its sensible to talk to your vet, especially if your dog is listed in the susceptible breeds.

Your vet will have a suspicion of von Willebrand disease from your dogs symptoms and history. A Buccal Mucosal Bleeding Time test can help to confirm slow clotting  a standardized tool makes a small incision in your dogs gums, and your vet times how long it takes to stop bleeding.

If this test confirms that clotting time is abnormal in your dog, your vet may recommend a von Willebrand factor assay  a test to measure the amount of von Willebrand factor your dog has in their blood. The result is given as a percentage of normal. Less than 70% is considered affected, and less than 50% is likely to cause symptoms. Dogs with Type 3 vWD have values of 1% or less.

Doberman having his gums assessed by a male vet

DNA tests can also tell whether your dog has vWD, whether theyre unaffected, or whether theyre a carrier somewhere in the middle  unaffected but able to pass on dodgy genes. However, its important to remember that the relationship between genes and disease is complicated  testing your dogs percentage of von Willebrand factor helps to determine if your dog is likely to be symptomatic for the disease.

Before breeding, owners of affected breeds should consider a the best DNA dog test to determine whether either parent carries a von Willebrand gene. The same von Willebrand factor assay above can also give an indication of how affected a dog is, and how likely they are to pass on a bad gene.

What is the best treatment for von Willebrand disease in dogs?

Canine von Willebrand Disease cant be treated as it is a genetic disorder, but we can help manage the risk of a bleed, and treat that bleed aggressively if it happens. This means avoiding rough play, being careful clipping nails, and monitoring your dog closely for bruising or bleeding. Injuries will need to be treated rapidly, with skin glue and bandages used to help staunch the flow of blood, and plasma transfusions if the bleeding isnt stopping.

Its also important to let your veterinary practice know if your dog has von Willebrand Disease. If dogs are known to have vWD, it may limit their options for treatment of other conditions, as there are several medications that dogs may not be able to have if theyve got vWD, for example:

Aspirin

Heparin

Some antibiotics

NSAIDS

Having von Willebrand Disease also means that surgery is a lot more risky, and it should be avoided in any dogs with symptoms. If surgery is needed, dogs will need to be transfused with plasma products, which contain the proteins necessary to help stop bleeding. This can be very effective, but the effect only lasts about four hours before wearing off, so it isnt a long-term option.

You might see a hormone called desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) mentioned when reading about treating von Willebrand Disease in dogs. DDAVP is only a temporary solution, as it only lasts for about two hours and long-term use of this hormone causes side effects.

Female vet assessing a brown sheepdog

Whats the prognosis for dogs with von Willebrand disease?

Despite the lack of good treatment options, most dogs with Type 1 vWD will have a normal life expectancy, unless theyre unlucky enough to have a severe injury or a disease that requires risky surgical treatment. Dogs with Type 2 and Type 3 vWD may also make it to old age, but the more severe their disease the less likely they can be kept safe enough to prevent bleeds.

At-home dog DNA tests mean that more people are aware of their dogs vWD status than before. While its sensible to limit risky activities for these dogs, they may never be clinically affected and it may never impact their quality of life or life expectancy.

Von Willebrand Disease is thankfully fairly rare, and many dogs will have the mildest form of the disease. If your dog has symptoms suggesting slow clotting or spontaneous bleeding, they will need investigations. Dogs found to have abnormal concentrations of von Willebrand factor are at risk of symptoms and steps should be taken to avoid surgery and keep them safe.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty Friday in federal court to five corruption charges of taking bribes and campaign contributions from foreigners.

"I am not guilty, your honor," Adams, 64, told U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker when she asked for his plea.

His lawyer, Alex Spiro, said he would file a motion to dismiss the charges next week. Adams is next due in court on Oct. 2.

The mayor was released without having to post any bail on the condition that he not have contact with witnesses or people named in the indictment. Parker said there would be exceptions for staff and family members, so long as he does not discuss the details of the indictment with them.

Adams, whose administration has suffered numerous investigations, had denied wrongdoing and had said he would fight the charges in court.

"I will continue to do my job as mayor," Adams told reporters Thursday before the indictment was unsealed.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrives at federal court for his arraignment after he was charged with bribery and illegally soliciting a campaign contribution from a foreign national, in New York City, on Sept. 27, 2024.

Adams faces five charges: conspiracy to committee wire fraud, wire fraud, bribery and two counts of solicitation of campaign contribution from a foreign national.

A grand jury indicted Adams on Tuesday, and the charges were unsealed on Thursday. Federal prosecutors said Turkish diplomats and businesspeople illegally funneled money to Adams campaign and showered him with luxury travel perks, including rooms at opulent hotels and meals at high-end restaurants.

More: Eric Adams' administration rife with scandalous allegations: What to know after indictment

New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrives at federal court for his arraignment after he was charged with bribery and illegally soliciting a campaign contribution from a foreign national, in New York City, on Sept. 27, 2024.

Adams is accused of bilking the city's public campaign finance program of $10 million as a result of illegal contributions and receiving $100,000 in free travel to France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary and Turkey, according to the indictment.

In exchange, Adams in 2021 pressured city officials to allow Turkey's new 36-story consulate to open despite safety concerns, according to prosecutors.

The alleged scheme dates back to 2014, when Adams became Brooklyn borough president, prosecutors said. The illegal campaign contributions helped finance his 2021 campaign for mayor, prosecutors said.

"As Adams' prominence and power grew, his foreign-national benefactors sought to cash in on their corrupt relationships with him," the indictment said. "Adams agreed, providing favorable treatment in exchange for the illicit benefits he received."

Adams, a former police officer who rose to the rank of captain, is the first of the city's 110 mayors to be charged with a federal crime while in office.

New York Police Commissioner Eric Caban resigned Sept. 12 after FBI agents seized his phone. Days later, Adams' top legal adviser, Lisa Zornberg, stepped down.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NYC Mayor Adams pleads not guilty to federal public corruption charges
by Gianni Criveller

A conference in the hometown of the friar martyred in India in 1321 while he was on his way to Beijing focused on the contribution to evangelisation of the Franciscan spiritualist current linked to the theology of Joachim of Fiore. For Father Criveller, these movements were the most attentive to missionary openings because they believed that history is guided by God and had anticipated what the magisterium and theologians teach today.

A conference titled "Diplomats of the Gospel" centred on Franciscan friar Br Thomas of Tolentino was held on 25 September in his native town of Tolentino, in the Italian region of Marche. The missionary, who was sent to China by Pope Clement V, was martyred in India in 1321. His fellow countryman, Jesuit Matteo Ricci, had him in mind when he left for China (more than two centuries later). Father Gianni Criveller, AsiaNews editorial director, spoke at the conference about the importance of Thomas of Tolentino and the Franciscan missions in China in the 13th and 14th centuries. We publish below large excerpts of his address.

The first Christians who arrived in China in the 7th century (AD 635) following the Silk Roads were East Syriac Christians from the metropolis of Seleucia-Ctesophon (near present-day Baghdad), led by a monk-bishop known by the Chinese name of Alopen. This mission is eloquently illustrated by the well-known stele of Xi'an, where Christianity is defined as the Teaching of Light.

Starting in the second half of the 13th century, Franciscan missionaries took to the Silk Roads with a double mandate as evangelisers and diplomats. On 24 July 1246, the friars John of Pian del Carpine (1182-1252) and Benedict of Poland arrived at the court of the Mongol Khan Guyuk, in the city of Karakorum, bearers of a letter from Pope Innocent IV.

During the Council of Lyons (1245), the pope put on the agenda a remedium contra Tartaros, sending emissaries to stop the Mongol expansion then threatening Europe. Innocent IVs letter contained an invitation to the Khan to convert to Christianity and stop the westward conquest of Christian territories. In response, the khan asked the pope and all the other rulers to submit to him.

A few years after Innocent's initiative, French King Saint Louis sent Belgian William de Rubruck (1252-1253), accompanied by Br Bartholomew of Cremona, on a mission with the same purpose. In the winter of 1253, the two friars reached the court of Kublai Khan. Bartholomew remained in Kambaliq (today's Beijing) where, in 1265, the Kublai Khan gave Marco Polo a letter in which he asks the pope for six "wise men. Marco Polo  whose travels are said to have taken place between 1271 and 1291  delivered the missive to Cardinal Visconti, the future Gregory X. Meanwhile, the Mongols founded the Yuan  dynasty in 1279, picking Khanbaliq as the capital of what was the largest contiguous empire in human history.

Brother John of Montecorvino (1247-1328) led the third Franciscan mission to China. Montecorvino, who belonged to the orders spiritual current, began his mission in the East in 1279, first as a diplomatic envoy to Armenia, whose monarch gave him a letter for Nicholas IV, the first Franciscan pope. After delivering the letter, Giovanni da Montecorvino left for China in 1289, reaching Khanbaliq in 1293. Two of his letters have survived. He writes that he built churches (the first in Beijing in 1299), baptised several people, and translated the Psalms and the New Testament into Mongolian. Montecorvino learnt the Mongolian language and was in contact with ethnic Mongolians from Central Asia.

In the summer of 1307, Br Thomas of Tolentino (c. 1245 - 1321) delivered two letters to Pope Clement V. Thomas was active among spiritual Franciscans, even going to prison for this, like many reformers and those who advocated a vow of poverty, following the doctrines of Joachim of Fiore (1130-1202). In 1294 Thomas joined the pauperes eremitae domini Celestini, i.e. the group of Celestine V, which was shut down after the latters abdication and the accession to the papal throne of his adversary, Benedetto Caetani, as Boniface VIII.

Strong spiritualistic sentiments permeated the Marche region. Thomass companions in fortune and misfortune included friars originally from this area: Angelo Clareno (or da Cingoli), Pietro da Macerata, Angelo da Tolentino, and Marco da Montelupone. With them he shared not only prison but also the mission in 1290, sent to Cilicia, i.e. the kingdom of Armenia in modern southern Turkey.

As is well known, the story of the spirituals is very complex. Persecuted by Boniface VIII and in disagreement with the conventuals, they were in turn divided between the most intransigent (among them Angelo Clareno, Thomas's fellow prisoner and missionary) and those, like Thomas of Tolentino, who were more open to mediation with Church authorities.

The first contact between Thomas and the mission in China goes back to June-July 1307, when the friar from Tolentino delivered the last two letters of his missionary confrere in Beijing, John of Montecorvino, to Clement V, an Avignon pope who was in the region of Gascony at that time. After this, the pope sent seven new Franciscan bishops to the East to consecrate John. According to some sources, Thomas himself may have been among them, but this is not very likely.

Only three friar bishops, Gerardo Albuini, Pellegrino da Castello, and Andrea da Perugia, arrived in Beijing in 1309 for ordination. In 1313 the Diocese of Citing (Quanzhou, today's Xiamen, Fujian) was also established, where all three friars, in succession, served as bishops.

We know that in 1320, Br Thomas of Tolentino was on the island of Hormuz (Persian Gulf) coming from Tabriz, Persia, together with his confreres James of Padua, Peter of Siena, Demetrius of Tbilisi, and the Dominican Jordan Catala of Severac, bound for China. After they embarked for southern India, Thomas and his companions ended up in Thane, on the central-western coast of India, where he and his Franciscan confreres were summoned by the authorities to illustrate their faith, an act that included, in the minds of Thomas and his companions, the condemnation of Muhammad with the prospect of martyrdom.

The friars were in fact arrested, tortured, and sentenced to be burnt at the stake. Since he was 80 years old by then, Thomas was spared, and only the youngest, Brother James, was burnt at the stake. On 9 April 1321, the citys court had Thomas and his surviving brothers seized and killed. Some monks contemporaries of Thomas drafted a report on his martyrdom as did Odoric of Pordenone, who was also in China from 1320 to 1330 (in Beijing from 1325 to 1328), a keen traveller, explorer and observer of life in the Chinese empire, its customs, family life, as well as social and military organisations.

Thomas was buried together with his confreres by the Dominican Jordan. The relics were transferred in 1326 by Odoric of Pordenone to one of the two Franciscan convents in Quanzhou (now Xiamen) in China. Thomas's head was later moved to Tolentino, but under unknown circumstances. He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1894.

Thomass story reflects well the idea of mission as the action of the Trinity in history, like that of Joachim of Fiore, the first narrative theologian. In his view, the three states of human history correspond to the age of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They narrate God's relationship with humanity: the first state is spent in slavery, the second is characterised by sonship, the third will take place under the banner of freedom. The first is marked by fear, the second by faith, the third by love. The first is the time of the old, the second is that of the young, the third is that of the children. The first period is that of slaves, the second is that of children, the third is that of friends. Joachim of Fiore seems to echo the words of Jesus himself: "I no longer call you servants, but friends".

The medieval spiritual movements, to which Thomas of Tolentino belonged, were the most attentive to missionary openings because they believed that history is guided by God. The Holy Trinity is the subject, the main player of history. They had anticipated what the magisterium and theologians teach today, namely that history and mission are the work of the Trinity. The great Franciscan missions in the Middle Ages and the early modern period, among the Arabs, in the Holy Land, in Asia and later (after geographical expansion) in the Americas, were influenced by a great aspiration for evangelical renewal.

This is made clear in Franciss recommendations to missionaries who live among Muslims. Chapter 16 of the unconfirmed rule of 1221 reads: whoever of the brothers may wish, by divine inspiration, to go among the Saracens and other infidels, may conduct themselves in two ways spiritually among them. One way is not to make disputes or contentions; but let them be subject to every human creature for God's sake, Ancorayet confessing themselves to be Christians. The other way is that when they see it is pleasing to God, they announce the Word of God, that they may believe in Almighty God, Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost [. . .].

Joachims visionary prophecies, Francis of Assisis enthusiasm showing that it was possible to live the Gospel to the letter and without comment, and the expectations aroused by the papacy of Celestine V were the sources of the spiritual and other movements, who sought alternatives to the institutional Church, which was perceived by many as no longer corresponding to the apostolic form.

With respect to the mission, this vision had God or rather the Holy Trinity as the main player, author of the mission. Believers and missionaries participate in a symbolic way in a mission fully realised by the Trinity. Some events attest that the mission was being accomplished: Jerusalem reconquered, reaching the ends of the earth, and the evangelical reform of the Church that had the opportunity to return to the evangelical genuineness, to the apostolic form of its origins, to the primacy of the Spirit, abandoning all forms of power and wealth.

By reaching the ends of the earth, the utopian design seemed to be fulfilled. True Christianity would not be that of the church of temporal power, but the renewed church of the age of the Spirit. After far distant borderlands were finally reached, the new Church could be reborn according in its apostolic form. Here, the main activity of the mission, according to this spiritual and utopian vision, was not the conversion of individual pagans otherwise destined to eternal damnation, but collaboration in a symbolic-spiritual form in realising God's plan for humanity.

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Baku has hosted the 58th Executive Committee meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP), Azernews reports.

The event took place alongside the IAP's29th Annual Conference and General Gathering, which is set to occur in the capital of Azerbaijan from September 29 to October 2.

During the meeting, Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev discussed ongoing reforms within the country's prosecutor system, following the guidance of President Ilham Aliyev. He also mentioned how the Azerbaijani prosecutor authorities contribute to the IAP's work.

Kamran Aliyev highlighted that Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP29), calling it a sign of the international community's trust in Azerbaijan and its rising influence globally.

He said that holding the IAPs Annual Conference in Azerbaijan is a significant achievement, and the country will continue to support the association's efforts.

The meeting included discussions on future strategies for the IAP, strengthening international relations, leadership selection, new member admissions, and the scheduling of upcoming meetings.

Participants decided that the IAPs 30th and 31st Annual Conferences will be held in Singapore and Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, respectively.

The International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) is a global organization for prosecutors, founded in 1995, with over 183 members from more than 177 countries across all continents.
Shadow And Bone actor Jack Wolfe has followed in the footsteps of Jodie Comer and Rose Ayling-Ellis by picking up a top gong at the Stage Debut Awards.

The actor won the best West End debut performer prize for his Olivier-nominated role as Gabe in Next To Normal at Wyndhams Theatre.

EastEnders star Ayling-Ellis won the award last year for her performance in As You Like It at Soho Place, while Comer picked it up in 2022 for her one-person role in Prima Facie at the Harold Pinter.

Wolfe was presented with the prize, which is decided by public vote, at an event in London on Sunday hosted by drag queen Divina De Campo.

Ellie-May Sheridan at the Stage Debuts Awards (James Manning/PA)

The best performer in a play was awarded to two actors  Ellie-May Sheridan for her turn in London Tide at the National Theatre, and Louis McCartney, who was recognised for his performance in Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre.

The best performer in a musical award was shared between Jeevan Braich, for his vocals and rollerskating skills in Starlight Express at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, and Grace Hodgett Young, for her performance in Jamie Lloyds hit revival Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre.

Sophie Drake won the best director award for The Bleeding Tree at Southwark Playhouse Borough, while two upcoming stars took home the best writer award.

Sophie Drake won the best director award (James Manning/PA)

Sam Grabiner secured it for Boys On The Verge Of Tears at Soho Theatre, and Azuka Oforka took home the prize for The Women Of Llanrumney at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff.

The awards show aims to highlight breakthrough actors, writers, directors, designers, composers or lyricists in the industry.

The Stage editor Alistair Smith said: The judges were in complete awe of the talent on display from all our winners.

In many cases, it felt almost inconceivable these could be their professional debuts such was the level of skill on show.

At a time when there has been much talk about how difficult it is for new playwrights to break through, the judges were particularly pleased to be able to recognise two superb winners in the best writer category for the first time, such was the quality of the shortlist.
The chosen suppliers will create prototypes

Blue-green algae sludge on the shores of Lough Neagh last August. Pic: Aodhan Roberts.

Funding worth 450,000 has been awarded to five organisations to develop solutions to the problem of blue green algae in Lough Neagh.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has awarded the money as part of its small business research initiative (SBRI) to improve the health of the lough.

Blooms of blue-green algae in the summer of 2023 caused widespread public concern over the condition of Northern Irelands largest body of fresh water.

The five selected suppliers will develop prototypes to try and aid the Loughs recovery, including the use of ultrasonics, mechanical treatment and biological treatment.

The chosen suppliers are Clear Water Systems Ltd, Helix8 Ltd, Queens University Belfast, Varicon Aqua Solutions Ltd, Wholeschool Software Ltd (Biild).

Some 200,000 of the money came from DAERA, and the departments minister Andrew Muir said: I am pleased to welcome the five successful suppliers for phase one of the Lough Neagh: Blue Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), which is supported by funding from both my Department and the Department for the Economy.

"This first phase of the initiative is intended to demonstrate the technical feasibility of a proposed concept and its viability as a solution to help tackle blue green algae in Lough Neagh and can hopefully be applied to any area that has been affected by the bacteria.

However, we must remember, this alone will not solve the blue green algae crisis.

"This initiative is only one action outlined in my 37-point Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan, which paves the way forward for improved water quality and reduced blue green algae.

"There is a significant amount of work to do to restore the lough and enhance water quality throughout Northern Ireland. This will take both time and resources.

"Water quality issues at Lough Neagh and elsewhere were decades in the making and will take decades to fix.

It is my vision to have a healthy, resilient environment with high water quality status and I am firmly committed to take the necessary action to make a difference to our waterways.

The other 250,000 for the scheme were supplied by the Department for the Economy through its SBRI challenge fund.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy said: My Departments SBRI Challenge Fund supports innovative solutions to complex challenges such as that at Lough Neagh. I welcome DAERAs appointment of five suppliers to move this research project to the next phase, where potential solutions can be explored and developed.
The diocese claims tests have been carried out to ensure the work, which has also included the construction of new paths, does not disturb any unmarked graves.

Toni Maguire, and Siubhainin Ni Chutnneagan (right) pictured in Milltown Cemetery in Belfast

Campaigners claim work at Belfasts best-known graveyard is disturbing the unmarked graves of countless forgotten people.

The Catholic diocese in charge of Milltown Cemetery  the final resting place of an estimated 100,000 people  say the work is needed to upgrade the drainage system in the graveyard.

The diocese claims tests have been carried out to ensure the work, which has also included the construction of new paths, does not disturb any unmarked graves.

However, an archaeologist who has carried out extensive research into the history of the cemetery disagrees.

Toni Maguire fears the work being carried at the cemetery has already destroyed many graves.

She said it was important to protect areas of the cemetery where forgotten people are buried.

Milltown

They were the poorest of the poor, nine times out of ten. They didnt have much in life and they had less in death, she said.

Ms Maguire and fellow campaigner, Siubhainin Ni Chutnneagam, want the work stopped immediately and a detailed map created of all the graves in the cemetery, where the first burial took place in 1869.

The cemetery is owned by the Catholic Churchs Diocese of Down and Connor and managed on its behalf by a board of trustees.

The area where the current work is being carried out is at the lower end of the graveyard, known as the Bog Meadows.

Toni Maguire, and Siubhainin Ni Chutnneagan (right) pictured in Milltown Cemetery in Belfast

Around six acres of this land was sold by the church to the Ulster Wildlife Trust (UWT) in 2000, but reclaimed nine years later after it emerged there were unmarked burial plots on the site.

The then Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor publicly apologised for the land having been sold.

It has been claimed that up to 11,000 people could be buried without recognition in the lower section of the cemetery.

This includes stillborn babies who were buried in this previously unconsecrated section of the cemetery because they had died before being christened.

Others buried in this section included people who took their own lives or could not afford their own burial plot.

In relation to the current dispute, Fr Eddie McGee, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Down and Connor, said the work at Milltown Cemetery included the upgrading of pathways and the drainage system.

Before commencing this essential upgrading of drainage and pathways, it was necessary for the trustees to establish if this area of the cemetery had previously been used for burials including baby burials, said Fr McGee.

Toni Maguire, pictured in Milltown Cemetery in Belfast

In November 2023, the trustees therefore secured the professional services of Northern Archaeological Consultancy Ltd to investigate this section of the cemetery along the line of paths requiring extension and to investigate potential existing drains or paths long overgrown.

Having obtained a licence from the Department for Communities (DfC), a number of test excavations were undertaken to provide clarity on the location and extent of unmarked and unlocated burials within this greenfield area of the cemetery.

DfC confirmed on 3rd April 2024 that all of the Historic Environment Divisions conditions associated with the licence had been met.

Milltown Cemetery baby burial concerns raised as work continues at the site.

Fr McGee said the archaeological investigation was carried out between November 2023 and February 2024 and its results were compiled in a report publicly available on the diocesan website.

Informed by these professional archaeological investigations to identify and clearly define the location of all burial sites, including baby burials, within this section of the cemetery, the diocese can therefore provide the assurance that these necessary works will be undertaken with the complete confidence that they will not be located in proximity to or affect known burial sites, added Fr McGee.

The professional archaeological investigation undertaken between November 2023 and February 2024 was carried out precisely to ensure that there would be no burials in proximity to pathways and drainage.

The diocese gives an assurance that no burial sites will be disturbed by these essential works within Milltown Cemetery.

In 2008, Ms Maguire was asked by Down and Connor diocese to examine the land previously sold to the UWT.

Her work played a key role in the land being reclaimed.

Ms Maguire said she agreed to do the work for no payment on the basis the reclaimed land would never be used again for reburials.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nuala McAllister

However, my experiences in dealing with the Catholic Church and religious groups over the past 16 years has proved that their promises dont always hold water, she said.

Media reports from 1980 show Milltown Cemetery was then at capacity and nearing closure.

Despite this, Ms Maguire said the church has continued to sell new burial plots.

I thought this land was safe, it was protected and the church was going to honour the promises they had made.

Late last year I spoke to someone who happened to mention just casually that their parents had bought a grave in Milltown Cemetery.

I thought but there are no new graves, there is no ground in Milltown Cemetery for sale.

The cemetery was actually closed in 1980 because there were no new graves.

But what happens is the cemetery seems to close and maybe a decade or so it will open again and there will be an announcement we have found new land.

There is no new land in Milltown Cemetery, added Ms Maguire.

She recently outlined her concerns around the disturbing of unmarked graves at Milltown to members of the Committee for the Executive at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

I have dealt now since 2008 with Milltown Cemetery, she told the committee.

Because I came into that particular research on behalf of the diocese I had access to the records for roughly about six weeks.

When the diocese suddenly realised just how big the issue of marginalised burials in mass graves in Milltown Cemetery was, the records were withdrawn.

I had to then resort to finding records and information elsewhere.

PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland) was my main source, but there are still major issues with this idea of marginalised infant burials.

In Milltown, for instance, there is a grave that is recorded in the registers, LM59.

LM59 was opened in 1957 and contains nine individuals, three women and six babies.

According to the graded system in Milltown Cemetery as it stands today, LM59 does not exist.

Where is LM59? Where are all the other graves that gravediggers have said to us there were loads of graves at the section where LM59 is?

There are far too many questions and far too few answers.

Fr McGee said the diocese would also welcome the opportunity to speak to the Stormont committee.

It is clear from the Hansard transcript that the presentation in relation to works being undertaken within Milltown Cemetery to the NI Assembly committee on 19th June 2024 was informed exclusively by third party sources, he said.

The Trustees and Administration of Milltown Cemetery, informed by professional archaeological investigations and accurate cemetery records, would therefore welcome an opportunity to engage with the Assembly committee to bring clarification to the issues discussed around Milltown Cemetery.

Ms Ni Chutnneagam, who has relatives buried in the lower section of Milltown Cemetery, is also appealing for the current work to be halted.

She said the cemetery belongs to the people of Belfast and unmarked graves need to be protected and recognised.

They have never produced a map of the burial plots in that land. The only records available to the public are from 1937 up to the 1990s. Anything before that has disappeared.

There are maps but we dont know go to where to find them.

For the 37 acres at the bottom of the cemetery, a map has never been produced showing where the individual graves are located.

We have no doubt the location of the ongoing work is on the site of unmarked graves.

Earlier this year, Alliance MLA Nuala McAlister said she believed three of her siblings are buried in unmarked graves in Milltown Cemetery.

The North Belfast MLA said her mother lost a baby boy at birth and twins during pregnancy, with the remains of all three children being taken to Milltown.

Ms McAlister said her family cannot be certain where her siblings are buried, but believe they could be buried in the lower section of the graveyard.

She also has called for the drainage work to stop and has submitted a Private Members Bill proposal at Stormont which would ensure privately-run cemeteries such as Milltown are subject to the same regulations as council-owned cemeteries.
Azerbaijan Minister of Justice Farid Ahmadov has received his Ethiopian counterpart Tesfaye Wakjira, who is currently visiting Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

During their discussions, Minister Ahmadov stressed the robust cooperation that exists between Azerbaijan and Ethiopia across various sectors, both bilaterally and within the framework of international organizations.

He pointed out the significant progress Azerbaijan has made in the digitalization of its judicial system and the ongoing training initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial process.

The Azerbaijani minister also mentioned the establishment of cooperation agreements with the Ministries of Justice in 34 countries, highlighting the potential avenues for further developing legal cooperation specifically with Ethiopia.

In response, Tesfaye Wakjira described Addis Ababa as the political capital of Africa and expressed Ethiopia's keen interest in the judicial reforms being implemented in Azerbaijan.

He proposed the drafting of a mutual document to facilitate cooperation in the legal sphere between the two nations. Minister Wakjira also conveyed Ethiopia's desire to learn from Azerbaijan's model of delivering public services, which he views as a potential framework to improve judicial processes in his own country.

The meeting continued with a productive discussion on the future prospects for judicial cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ethiopia, as well as addressing other issues of shared interest.

Both ministers expressed optimism about enhancing their bilateral relationship and working together more closely in the judicial realm.
Video

"There will be people who die over this": Pensioners gather at Stormont to protest removal of winter fuel payment
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said campaign increased awareness that sharing, or threatening to share, intimate images is a crime

Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee is at the centre of another bomb threat at her Co Meath home this afternoon.

The threat was made by a man claiming to be imprisoned at Mountjoy jail and was issued through the Samaritans helpline.

Local detectives attended the scene of Ms McEntees home shortly after 1pm and the Special Detective Unit (SDU) is also en-route.

Gardai were also in the process of enlisting the services of an explosives dog to assist with a sweep of the ministers home.

Garda headquarters said: Gardai are investigating a potential threat against an elected representative in the east of the country.

The Irish Independent understands that the caller to the Samaritans claimed to be phoning from Mountjoy prison.

A separate source said the threat was more circumspect that previous bomb threats made to the justice minister through the Samaritans with the caller claiming another inmate said there were explosives left at the ministers Meath home.

This is the second recent bomb threat to the minister. Earlier this year, convicted rapist Michael Murray was given an additional two years in prison for phoning in a hoax bomb threat against McEntee.

Murray, formerly of Seafield Road, Killiney, Co Dublin, is already serving a 19-year-sentence for rape.

It has since emerged that he is also the prime suspect behind the hoax bomb threat on Taoiseach Simon Harriss home last June 26.

An investigation is underway by the Garda Special Detective Unit, which is the States counter-terrorism branch, into this threat against the Taoiseach.

The rapist has had his in-cell telephone recently removed at the Midlands Prison over allegations he made a hoax phone call to the Samaritans, saying there was a bomb at the home of the Taoiseach.

However, he is still allowed to use a phone on the landing, positioned under a video camera, and can still call the Samaritans, as all prisoners are entitled to ring the helpline.

It is understood prison bosses recently considered removing that entitlement from Murray (53), through the Samaritans.

But after consideration, it was decided it would not be possible to remove his right to phone the Samaritans, because if he was genuinely in need of the crisis helpline and it had been removed, it could be viewed as a breach of his human rights and he could potentially take a legal action.

Prisoners in Irish jails benefit from in-cell phones. Each inmate has a log-in number and several pre-agreed numbers they are allowed to call.

These generally are parents, partners, children, other relatives and their solicitor. The Samaritans number is also available for all prisoners to call.

Murray brought a High Court case against sanctions imposed by the prison authorities. The court heard he rejected a finding that he breached prison rules by making a threatening phone call on June 26, but the governor found he had engaged in misconduct.

After finding that such behaviour contravenes the 2007 Prison Rules, the governor imposed a sanction of 40 days loss of ordinary privileges within the prison and the loss of 12 days remission from his sentence.

The governors finding and the sanctions were upheld on an appeal to the Irish Prison Operations Directorate.

Through his lawyers, Murray has brought High Court judicial review proceedings, claiming the sanctions are unlawful and should be set aside.

He says that after denying the claim against him, he was not given a proper opportunity to respond.

He claims that during the disciplinary hearing, he asked to be provided with the information supporting the allegation against him.

He says that request was declined on the grounds that the material was confidential. He further claims he was not informed of the nature of the evidence against him.

In his action against the governor of the Midlands Prison, Murray seeks a declaration from the court that the disciplining of a prisoner under the 2007 rules for misconduct is subject to the principals of natural justice and fair procedures.

The case was adjourned.

Murray was jailed for 19 years in 2013 for the rape of a woman whose child he abducted.

In 2021, he was convicted and jailed for an additional 16 years on charges including threatening to kill and harassing lawyers who had prosecuted him. He is not expected to be released from prison until 2037.
Gardai worked with the PSNI on the arrest (Brian Lawless/PA)

A 25-year-old man has been arrested in the Republic of Ireland following a search for a car which was stolen in Belfast with a woman inside.

Police in Northern Ireland received a report on Saturday that a vehicle which had been parked in the Botanic Avenue area of South Belfast had been stolen with a female passenger still in the car.

Detective Sergeant McVeagh said: The car stopped on the Saintfield Road, Lisburn, where the girl escaped from the vehicle.

The car was observed a short time later driving at speeds in excess of 100mph on the A1 and officers made contact with our colleagues in An Garda Siochana (AGS) to inform them the vehicle was driving towards the border.

The car was later located in the Newry Road in Dundalk and gardai arrested a 25-year-old man nearby.

Det Sgt McVeagh added: At around 2.20am on Saturday, we received a report from AGS to say they had located the stolen car and had arrested a 25-year-old man in Dundalk, he remains in custody at this stage.

The victim was not injured but left shaken by her ordeal. Thankfully, we are not dealing with any casualties after some very dangerous and reckless behaviour by the suspect involved.

Excellent co-operative work between ourselves and our colleagues in the An Garda Siochana have ensured this vehicle was recovered and the suspect was arrested.

A spokesman for An Garda Siochana said the man is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a garda station in Co Louth.

The vehicle was seized by Gardai and removed for technical examination. Investigations are ongoing.
Conservative Party leadership contenders Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch, waiting to appear on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA)

Conservative leadership candidates have laid out their plans on immigration ahead of the party conference where they will be vying to replace Rishi Sunak as leader.

The first conference since their election defeat in July begins in Birmingham on Sunday  and Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly will be drumming up support in the contest.

Mr Jenrick said he wanted a cap on immigration cast in iron, while Ms Badenoch said that the UK needs to make sure we uphold our values in this country.

Immigration has been one of the much-discussed issues in the contest, which is due to declare a winner at the start of November.

Ms Badenoch suggested that cultures where women have fewer rights than men are among those she deems less valid than Britain.

Conservative Party leadership contender Kemi Badenoch, appearing on the BBC1 current affairs programme, Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA)

In a piece in the Sunday Telegraph, Ms Badenoch had said on immigration that we cannot be naive and assume immigrants will automatically abandon ancestral ethnic hostilities at the border, or that all cultures are equally valid.

In the same piece she called for an integration strategy.

Asked about her remarks on the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: she said that it is not about labelling cultures.

Ms Badenoch went on: I think that cultures where women are told that they should not work, I would knock on doors and you would see somebody at the door who says I cant speak to you I will get my husband.

I dont think that is as equally valid as our culture.

Robert Jenrick with his wife Michal Berkner arriving in Birmingham (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Jenrick, who has finished top of the MP ballots held so far, has said that he wants Parliament to set a legally binding cap on migration, and told Sky News that he wants to set that in the tens of thousands or lower.

Mr Jenrick, who resigned as immigration minister in Rishi Sunaks government in December over the Rwanda plan, said that the reason the policy had not worked was  because it was not strong enough.

I resigned from the cabinet at the turn of the year because unfortunately I was not able to persuade the then prime minister and the cabinet that we needed to strengthen the policy, he added.

The leadership election was triggered by Rishi Sunak announcing his intention to stand down after the Conservatives secured 121 seats in July, down hundreds on their 2019 election results.

Mr Cleverly would not point to one of his partys former prime ministers as being responsible for their summer election defeat, but said that the public didnt like the constant infighting or the bickering among their numbers.

James Cleverly with wife Susie after appearing on the Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips show (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

They didnt like the fact that as soon as someone became prime minister, there were people within the party who set about removing them as prime minister, he told Sky News Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.

We didnt do that just once or twice. We did it over and over again.

The British people told us that they wanted us to think about them, not to think about ourselves.

Mr Tugendhat pointed to his record in the military and other public service to demonstrate his character.

When asked on the same Sky News programme if the Tories needed another posh boy leader from a great public school, he said I think the Conservative Party needs a leader who can lead, and you can judge me on the decisions my parents made 35 years ago or you can judge me on the decisions I have made for the last 35 years.

I think that decisions I have made for the last 35 years demonstrate the character that you are looking at.

I have chosen consistently to serve our country. I have put myself on the frontline in Iraq and Afghanistan.

New data from YouGov released on Sunday suggested that nearly seven in 10 Britons hold an unfavourable view of the Conservative Party.

Tom Tugendhat looking at one of his T-shirts during the Conservative Party Conference (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Among the general population, 44% have a very unfavourable view of the party, while 25% have a somewhat unfavourable view.

This compares to 4% who have a very favourable view and 18% who have a somewhat favourable.

In addition, 56% of people said that they thought the Conservatives are only interested in themselves while 50% described them as dishonest.

Mr Sunak called the conference an important moment for our party, when they need to learn lessons. It is their first in opposition since 2009.

In an op-ed for The House magazine, the former prime minister said: Of course, we need to learn the lessons of our defeat: we did not get everything right in government  no government ever does  and we do now need to reflect on that.

But we should not forget what we have achieved since 2010.

Interim party chairman Richard Fuller is expected to apologise to the membership for the general election loss when he addresses delegates on Sunday afternoon.

He will tell members that the parliamentary party needs to learn and has to change.

Mr Fuller is expected to say: is expected to say: I am profoundly sorry to you, the members of the Conservative Party.

To our activists.

To our current and former councillors, police and crime commissioners and mayors who found their strong local records of service were dominated by negative national headlines.

To Conservative voters and to the country at large for the consequence: a reckless, ideological socialist government with a huge majority based on a paltry share of the electorate.

I am deeply sorry.
The UK is braced for heavy rain and strong winds just days after homes and businesses were flooded.

Two fresh weather warnings come into force on Sunday for wind and rain which will hit areas already saturated by downpours earlier in the week.

A yellow rain warning has been issued by the Met Office  meaning further heavy rain is likely to cause some travel delays and flooding  covering much of southern England and South Wales between 4pm on Sunday and 9am on Monday.

Between 20mm and 30mm of rain could be seen within the warning area across nine to 12 hours on Sunday, and 50mm to 80mm could fall in some localised places on higher ground, the Met Office said.

Flood water on the A421 in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire a week ago (Joe Giddens/PA)

Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said it was not a huge amount of rain but because of the recent weather river levels are quite high and grounds are quite saturated, so more flooding could develop.

The Environment Agency had 44 flood warnings, indicating flooding is expected, and 84 flood alerts, where flooding is possible, in place across England on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, a yellow warning for wind is also predicted to cause disruption across south-west England and Wales between 9am on Sunday until the end of the day.

Gusts of between 50mph and 60mph could be seen, with large waves, trees brought down, travel disruption and some power cuts, Miss Mitchell said.

There could potentially be further rain warnings issued for Monday, but it is forecast to be drier later in the week, she added.

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The Met Office said temperatures on Sunday will be 3C-4C below average, in the low double figures.

Craig Snell, Met Office meteorologist, advised people travelling on Sunday to plan ahead.

He said: Check rail conditions before setting off, check buses are running on time, and allow extra time for your journeys. If youre driving allow extra braking distances.

For the areas affected under the yellow rain warning, if you are concerned about flooding, for people in England the main advice is to check the Environment Agency website or Floodline, if you live in Wales it will be Natural Resources Wales.

It comes after areas across England suffered heavy rain and localised flooding in recent days, with commuters facing widespread disruption on road and rail services.

According to the Met Office, some counties in southern and central England have already had more than 250% of their average September rainfall.

The warning comes after heavy rain caused flooding in parts of England (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Parts of the country had more than the monthly average rainfall on Monday and there were further downpours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

About 650 properties were flooded in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and the home counties, according to the Environment Agency, which estimated around 8,200 properties had been protected.

Rail services between Shrewsbury in Shropshire and Wolverhampton in the West Midlands were cancelled on Friday after severe flooding at Wellington station and a tree on the line earlier.

The pitch at the SEAH Stadium in Wellington, home to Telford United FC, was completely flooded on Thursday evening.

The Marston Vale line in Bedfordshire, which operates services between Bedford and Bletchley, is suspended until Monday because of standing water on the track.
The assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was confirmed on Saturday (Hassan Ammar/AP)

An Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon has killed 11 people a day after the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah confirmed the death of multiple commanders, including long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Lebanons state news agency said the attack early on Sunday on a village destroyed a home, killing all 11 people inside.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

The Israeli army says it is carrying out attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.

Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

He said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days will bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach, he said. Today you know how much that is true.

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.

The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.

In its first statement since the killing of Nasrallah, Lebanons military called for calm among the Lebanese at this dangerous and delicate stage.

Government officials fear the countrys deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence.

The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese, the military said.

Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital Beirut as thousands of displaced people continue moving there from the south of the country.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered across Iran on Sunday to protest against the killing of Nasrallah.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities, while at the parliament, politicians chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

The air strike that killed Nasrallah on Friday also killed Abbas Nilforushan, a senior officer in Irans Revolutionary Guard.
French wine makers have warned the 2024 millesime  wine from a single years harvest  will be in short supply after one of the wettest years on record.

Severe conditions across much of Frances wine country amid a changing climate in 2024 came after years of challenges to vineyards and wine quality caused by drought and heat.

The harvest at the Domaine Roland Lavantureux winery, which produces prized Chardonnay grapes that are eventually transformed into the bright and high-end Premier Cru, lasted just nine days  about half the usual time  meaning 2024 bottles will be available in smaller quantities than normal.

A year of unpredictably harsh weather marked by frost, hail, record rainfall and the spread of a dangerous fungus has left Chablis growers on edge.

Winemaker David Lavantureux, who followed in the footsteps of his father Roland in the industry, said: I have been working here since 2010. This is my most difficult year.

All the old-timers will tell you the same thing. Its been a very difficult year because the weather has been so unpredictable. We have not been spared a single thing.

The harvests at Domaine Lavantureux lasted far fewer days than usual due to severe weather conditions earlier in the year (Aurelien Morissard/AP)

The ordeal began in April with the frost, then a double hailstorm pummelled the region in May. Relentless rain followed, right up to the harvest.

According to the Burgundy wine federation, nearly 2,500 acres of vines in the Chablis country were affected by the May storm, and the excess moisture allowed a destructive mildew fungus to thrive.

Once entrenched, the disease causes huge crop losses and can also affect wine quality.

Together with his brother Arnaud, David Lavantureux fought hard to try and control mildew with various treatments, but they were washed away by the rain and did not prove effective.

On our estate, were looking at losses of 60 to 65%, David Lavantureux said. Its a low-yield year.

Overall production in wine growing regions is estimated to be 39.3 million hectolitres, 18% down on 2023 and 11% behind the average for the past five years.

Arnaud Lavantureux said: Its been a very tough year, both physically and mentally. Were relieved the harvest is over. Im exhausted.

The challenges of this year will inevitably influence the wines produced at the family winery, resulting in a 2024 vintage with distinct characteristics.

Arnaud Lavantureux, co-owner of Domaine Lavantureux, said he and his family are already looking ahead to next years harvest (Aurelien Morissard/AP)

Balances are not at all the same, adds Arnaud. Theres more acidity. Maturity is less optimal. But the goal is to craft the wine so that, in the end, the balance is as perfect as possible.

Located in the northern part of the Bourgogne region, the vineyards of Chablis have traditionally benefited from a favourable climate  cold winters, hot summers and annual rainfall between 650-700mm.

But climate change is altering those conditions, bringing unseasonably mild weather, more abundant rainfall, and recurrent spring frosts that were less common in the past.

The frost damage is particularly frustrating. A similar phenomenon hit French vineyards in recent years, leading to big financial losses. Scientists believe the damaging 2021 frost was made more likely by climate change.

David Lavantureux said: There was a period when we thought that with global warming setting in, Chablis would be safe from frost. Finally, over the last 15 years, its come back even stronger.

To adapt, winemakers have been adopting creative solutions. Cutting the wines later helps delay bud burst and reduce the vulnerability to late frost, while keeping a larger foliage above the fruit shields the grapes from the scorching sun in hot summers.

Many of the Chardonnay grapes have been attacked and destroyed by a fungal disease (Aurelien Morissard/AP)

During frost threats, many growers use expensive methods such as lighting candles in the vineyards. They also install electric lines to warm the vines, or spray water on the buds to create a thin ice layer that ensures the blossoms temperature remains around freezing point but doesnt dip much lower.

Throughout the Burgundy region, anti-hail devices have also been deployed in a bid to lessen the intensity of hailstorms.

It helps reduce risk, but its never 100% protection, David Lavantureux said. We saw that again this year with several hailstorms, two of which were particularly severe.

Fortunately for the Lavantureux family, two very good years in 2022 and 2023 should help mitigate the financial losses induced by the reduced 2024 harvest as international demand for Chablis remains solid, especially in the United States.

In June, the Burgundy wine association said Chablis wine exports to the US reached three million bottles, generating 368 million euros (307 million)  a 19% increase compared to the previous year.

Weve put this harvest behind us, Arnaud Lavantureux said. Now its time to think on the next one.
Boats rest beside a restaurant after being pushed up by floodwaters from Hurricane Helene in St Petersburg, Florida (Mike Carlson/AP)

Massive rains from Hurricane Helene left people stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue after the storm which killed at least 64 people, caused widespread destruction across the southeast of the US and knocked out power to millions of people.

Helene blew ashore in Floridas Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late on Thursday with winds of 140mph.

It quickly moved through Georgia, where Governor Brian Kemp said on Saturday it looks like a bomb went off after viewing splintered homes and debris-covered highways from the air.

Weakened, Helene then soaked the Carolinas and Tennessee with torrential rains, sending creeks and rivers over their banks and straining dams.

An aerial view of flood damage left by Hurricane Helene along the Nolichucky River in Greene County, Tennessee (George Walker IV/AP)

Western North Carolina was isolated because of landslides and flooding that forced the closure of Interstate 40 and other roads.

There have been hundreds of water rescues, none more dramatic than in rural Unicoi County in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked by helicopter from a hospital rooftop on Friday.

The rescues continued into the following day in Buncombe County, North Carolina, where part of Asheville was under water.

To say this caught us off guard would be an understatement, said Quentin Miller, the county sheriff.

Asheville resident Mario Moraga said it was heartbreaking to see the damage in the Biltmore Village neighbourhood and neighbours have been going house to house to check on each other and offer support.

Theres no cell service here. Theres no electricity, he said.

While there have been deaths in the county, emergency services director Van Taylor Jones said he was not ready to report specifics, partially because downed phone towers hindered efforts to contact next of kin. Relatives put out desperate pleas for help on Facebook.

The remains of a home on Davis Island that burned during Hurricane Helene in Tampa, Florida (Mike Carlson/AP)

The storm, now a post-tropical cyclone, was expected to hover over the Tennessee Valley on Saturday and Sunday, the National Hurricane Centre said.

It unleashed the worst flooding in a century in North Carolina with one community, Spruce Pine, doused with more than two feet (60cm) of rain from Tuesday through to Saturday.

In Atlanta, 11.12 inches (28.24cm) of rain fell over 48 hours, the most the city has seen over two days since record keeping began in 1878.

President Joe Biden said on Saturday that Helenes devastation has been overwhelming and pledged to send help. He also approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funding available for affected individuals.

With at least 25 killed in South Carolina, Helene is the deadliest tropical cyclone for the state since Hurricane Hugo killed 35 people when it came ashore just north of Charleston in 1989.

Deaths also have been reported in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

Moodys Analytics said it expects 15 billion dollars to 26 billion dollars in property damage. AccuWeathers preliminary estimate of the total damage and economic loss from Helene in the US is between 95 billion dollars and 110 billion dollars.

Frankie Johnson, left, talks with fellow resident Charlene Huggins, whose home was destroyed, amid the destruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Horseshoe Beach, Florida (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Evacuations began before the storm hit and continued as lakes overtopped dams, including one in North Carolina that forms a lake featured in the movie Dirty Dancing. Helicopters were used to rescue some people from flooded homes.

Among the 11 confirmed deaths in Florida were nine people who drowned in their homes in a mandatory evacuation area on the Gulf Coast in Pinellas County, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said.

None of the victims were from Taylor County, which is where the storm made landfall. It came ashore near the mouth of the Aucilla River, about 20 miles northwest of where Hurricane Idalia hit last year at nearly the same ferocity.

Taylor County in Floridas Big Bend went years without taking a direct hit from a hurricane. But after Idalia and two other storms in a little more than a year, the area is beginning to feel like a hurricane superhighway.

Its bringing everybody to reality about what this is now with disasters, said John Berg, 76, a resident of Steinhatchee, a small fishing town and weekend getaway.

Climate change has exacerbated conditions that allow such storms to thrive, rapidly intensifying in warming waters and turning into powerful cyclones sometimes in a matter of hours.

Helene was the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average season this year because of record-warm ocean temperatures.
Palestinian protesters carry Hezbollah flags and posters with a picture of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during a rally in support of Hezbollah, in the West Bank city of Ramallah (Nasser Nasser/AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that one of its founding members, who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an airstrike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise airstrike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, south of Beirut.

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

He said Mr Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he warned the coming days would bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach. And today you know how much that is true, he said.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said six people were killed and 91 injured in the strikes which hit six apartment buildings.

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Mr Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.

The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.

Irans supreme leader announced five days of public mourning and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Mr Nasrallah the flag-bearer of resistance in the region.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Tehran, waving Hezbollah flags and chanting Death to Israel and Death to Netanyahu the murderer.

Irans UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to the heads of the United Nations and the Security Council on Saturday calling for an emergency council meeting over the attack.

He warned Israel not to attack any of its diplomatic or consular premises, or its representatives.

Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent rights under international law to take every measure in defense of its vital national and security interests, Mr Iravani wrote.

Israels Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said on Saturday that the killing was not the end of our toolbox, indicating that more strikes were planned.

Defence minister Yoav Gallant called it the most important targeted strike since the founding of the State of Israel.

Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

Late on Saturday, Mr Gallants office said he was meeting with top army commanders to discuss the expansion of military activities along Israels northern front.

The military said it was mobilising three more battalions of reserve soldiers to serve across the country. It already sent two brigades to northern Israel to prepare for a possible ground invasion.

Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Cololnel Nadav Shoshani said Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollahs capabilities over the past week by targeting immediate threats and strategic weapons, such as larger, guided missiles.

But he said much of Hezbollahs arsenal remains intact and that Israel would continue to target the group.

Air raid sirens sounded across central Israel on Saturday afternoon, including at the Tel Aviv international airport, shortly after Mr Netanyahu returned from a trip to the US.

People check a damaged building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Choueifat, south east of Beirut (Hussein Malla/AP)

The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. Houthi rebels based in Yemen later said they were behind the attack targeting Ben Gurion Airport.

The Israeli military updated guidelines for Israeli citizens, cancelling gatherings of more than 1,000 people due to the threat.

On Saturday morning, the Israeli military carried out more than 140 airstrikes in southern Beirut and eastern Lebanons Bekaa Valley, including targeting a storage facility for anti-ship missiles in Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh.

Israel said the missiles were stored beneath civilian apartment buildings. Hezbollah launched dozens of projectiles across northern and central Israel and deep into the Israel-occupied West Bank, damaging some buildings in the northern town of Safed.

The Israeli army again warned Lebanese residents to stay away from Hezbollah combat equipment and facilities, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon. The US State Department issued an alert urging American citizens to leave the country.

A total of 1,030 people  including 156 women and 87 children  have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon in less than two weeks, the countrys health minister said on Saturday.
A man walks on rubble at the site of an Israeli air strike in Beiruts southern suburbs (Hassan Ammar/AP)

By Bassem Mroue and Melanie Lidman, Associated Press

By Bassem Mroue and Melanie Lidman, Associated Press

The Israeli military has killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an air strike.

It said on Sunday that Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council, was killed in an attack the day before. Hezbollah later confirmed Kaouks death.

Several senior Hezbollah commanders have been killed in Israeli strikes in recent weeks, including the groups overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut on Friday.

Meanwhile, an Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon killed 11 people on Sunday.

Lebanons state news agency said the early morning attack destroyed a home, killing all 11 people inside.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.

Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

He said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days will bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach, he said. Today you know how much that is true.

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.

The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.

In its first statement since the killing of Nasrallah, Lebanons military called for calm among the Lebanese at this dangerous and delicate stage.

Government officials fear the countrys deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence.

The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese, the military said.

Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital Beirut as thousands of displaced people continue moving there from the south of the country.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered across Iran on Sunday to protest against the killing of Nasrallah.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities, while at the parliament, politicians chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

The air strike that killed Nasrallah on Friday also killed Abbas Nilforushan, a senior officer in Irans Revolutionary Guard.
Armenian Armed Forces have fired at the positions of the Azerbaijani Army in the direction of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azernews reports citing the Azerbajan Defense Ministry.

On September 28, at around 23:20, Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the direction of Almali settlement of Keshishkand region using small arms subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of Yukhari Buzgov settlement of Babak region of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

The Azerbaijani Army took adequate response measures in the mentioned direction.
Hezbollahs leaders were targeted in an air strike in Beiruts southern suburbs on Friday (Hassan Ammar/AP)

The militant group Hezbollah has confirmed one of its senior commanders died in the Israeli air strike that also killed its top leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

In a statement on Sunday, the group said Ali Karaki died in the same attack in Beirut on Friday.

Israel has killed several top commanders in the Lebanese militant group in recent weeks in a series of strikes.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel said it killed another senior commander, Nabil Kaouk, on Saturday. It is not known where the strike took place, and Hezbollah has not yet confirmed his death.

Meanwhile, an Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon killed 11 people on Sunday.

Lebanons state news agency said the early morning attack destroyed a home, killing all 11 people inside.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.

Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

He said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days will bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach, he said. Today you know how much that is true.

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.

The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.

In its first statement since the killing of Nasrallah, Lebanons military called for calm among the Lebanese at this dangerous and delicate stage.

Government officials fear the countrys deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence.

The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese, the military said.

Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital Beirut as thousands of displaced people continue moving there from the south of the country.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered across Iran on Sunday to protest against the killing of Nasrallah.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities, while at the parliament, politicians chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

The air strike that killed Nasrallah on Friday also killed Abbas Nilforushan, a senior officer in Irans Revolutionary Guard.
Absurd for Paul Givan to meet LCC over Irish school  imagine outrage if Sinn Fein met with Saoradh to talk policy

In any normal society, a group like the Loyalist Communities Council wouldnt be entertained by those in power. If they somehow managed to wangle their way into a room, theyd be swiftly shown the door once it was established who they were. But, hey-ho, this is Northern Ireland, and we do things differently here.
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I should have wore more velvet!: Llewelyn-Bowen wowed as restored east Belfast home is third House of the Year finalist
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The question, Why does God allow suffering? has been asked throughout the centuries. The force of the question arises from God's very nature. After all, how can an all-loving, all-good, and all-powerful God allow evil and suffering?

There are two common responses to this question.

First, there is the assertion that human suffering results from humanitys misuse of freedom. Suffering, in other words, is humanitys fault. God allows suffering because He honors humanitys freedom.

Second, it is noted that God will restore His creation so that there will be no more suffering (Revelation 21:4).

Consequently, though humanity suffers in the present, those who have faith in Christ will experience the ultimate redemption. It is hope for a world with no suffering that helps humanity endure the present.

Is This Explanation Enough?

Although these claims are valid, one wonders if they are completely sufficient. What if the answer is not so simple? After all, do these answers account for why some suffer more than others? And what if these responses undermine the biblical story?

One of the potential dangers of too overly simplistic an approach to human suffering is that it may undermine the Christian call to compassion. After all, the conviction that human suffering derives simply from the misuse of freedom, though true, may create a sense of callousness concerning the suffering of others.

For example, one might look down upon the homeless person since surely their plight is the result of poor choices. Others might be dismissive of the massive death toll in wars, because this is what happens when the people elect bad leaders.

The question arises as to where the biblical call to Weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) comes in?

In addition, an answer that is too simplistic may fail to account for the totality of suffering.

For, how does this explanation account for the 25,000 people who die every day from hunger? Or the person who was born with a disability? Or the child that died at, before, or shortly after birth.

The Role of Sin and God's Nature

Sure, all persons are indeed sinners and worthy of death (For the wages of sin is death; Romans 6:23), and the effect of human sin is that people die from starvation. But is there more?

Furthermore, there is a concern that such an approach may undermine God's nature, the biblical story, and the call of Gods people.

Jesus and Suffering

The Gospel of John relays the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46). Lazarus sisters send word to Jesus that he is sick. From the beginning of the story, Jesus appears to have known that He would raise Lazarus. He even informs His disciples, This sickness is not to end in death (John 11:4).

By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, Lazarus had already died. Nonetheless, Jesus assures Martha that her brother will rise again (John 11:23).

Yet even though Jesus knows what He is about to do when He arrives at Lazarus tomb, He weeps (John 11:35).

Why Did Jesus Weep?

Why does Jesus weep?

He knew that He was about to raise Lazarus. He even prayed, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me (John 11:41-42).

Could it be that Jesus wept because death was not supposed to be a part of this creation?

Could it be that God grieves at the suffering in this world? Could it be that there is more to the violence and suffering in the world?

The Nature of Violence and Suffering

What if those in power have weaponized violence and suffering for their own gain? But what if war is humanitys way of ruling? If this is so, then there may very well be a disproportionate amount of suffering among the poor and the marginalized.

The biblical story relays that God desires peace, unity, and justice for all. This is not simply something the people of God are to await. It is something that God desires for His people to begin working towards in the present.

Creation and the Role of Violence

Notice that in Genesis, God creates by speaking, And God said (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29).

This stands in marked contrast to other Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) creation accounts. In other ANE accounts, order was established through violence.

For example, in the Babylonian account of the Enuma Elish, the Babylonian god Marduk establishes order by slaying the great dragon goddess Tiamat (his mother). Marduk then cuts her in half to create the heavens and the earth.

God's Kingdom vs. The Kingdoms of the World

In Genesis, however, God doesnt use violence. After all, He has no enemy that must be defeated. God creates by speaking. Then He declares, It was good (Genesis 1:10).

Violence, in other words, is the way the world operates. Certainly, there is truth that human suffering is the result of sin and the fallen world in which humanity dwells. And there is the hope that God will bring about His new creation in which sin, suffering, and death will be no more.

In the present, however, there must also be the realization that Gods kingdom stands radically opposed to the kingdoms of the world. Much of the suffering in this world derives from the abuse of power and violence. And because of this abuse of power, suffering is often disproportionately experienced by the poor and the marginalized.

God's People Called to Act

Gods people, then, are called not to be resigned to the presence of suffering and violence but to live in accord with Gods kingdom in which love manifests itself in suffering violence (think of Jesus on the cross) so that violence and death can be overcome.

Suffering is not only not the way it is supposed to be, it grieves God. Violence and suffering are what Christ came to destroy.

The biblical story then accounts for the presence of evil and suffering. Humanity chose to rule based on its own wisdom instead of seeking wisdom from God, resulting in conflict. Disunity enters the story: Adam and Eve realize they are naked because they are no longer one. Family strife enters the story: Cain murders his brother. Violence ensues.

But what if instead of resigning oneself to conclude that this is just the way it is, the people of God are called to be the agents of bringing about the solution?

Following Jesus' Example

Imagine Jesus on the cross. Do you suspect that as He hung there, He resigned Himself to the fact that not all would believe in Him, and they would have to suffer the consequences of their sins? Or did He have both contentment and grief? Content that some would believe and grief that others did not?

The difference between these two ways of looking at the world is massive. One creates a sense of apathy and potentially callousness.

The other encourages us to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) and work towards the restoration that will come only fully when Christ returns.

Rob Dalrymple, PhD has been a professor, dean, and lead pastor for over 34 years at colleges, seminaries, and the local church. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Determinetruth Ministries, which is a non-profit parachurch organization focusing on teaching and equipping pastors and leaders around the world. He is the host of the determinetruth podcast and writes a weekly blog on Patheos. Rob also teaches Biblical Interpretation, New Testament Studies, and Philosophy at Grand Canyon University and the Flourish Institute of Theology. He serves on the Leadership team for NEME (Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East) and is a board member for Evangelicals4Justice. He is also on the Editorial Board of the theological journal Sacrum Testamentum. Rob is the co-chairman for the Research group Scripture, Hermeneutics, and the Middle East at the Institute of Biblical Research.
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Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov has held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha, during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Azernews reports.

The sides discussed the ongoing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the OIC, exploring current initiatives and potential partnership opportunities.

Minister Bayramov expressed Azerbaijan's commitment to fostering and prioritizing relationships with both brotherly and friendly nations. He reaffirmed Azerbaijan's willingness to further enhance cooperation within the framework of the OIC, highlighting the country's active role in supporting and promoting the activities of the organization.

During the meeting, he also shared comprehensive insights about Azerbaijan's preparations and objectives related to its presidency of the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

His discussion emphasized the importance of attracting sufficient financial resources to effectively tackle issues related to climate change.

Minister Bayramov pointed out Azerbaijan's readiness to engage in collaborative efforts within COP29, especially given the critical nature of addressing climate change challenges that are particularly relevant for OIC member states.

The meeting concluded with both parties exchanging views on a variety of other issues that are mutually important to them.
These two upcoming meetings will cover the risk posed by airborne PCBs in the Rest of River cleanup
Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
Where should you go? Budget planning plays an important role for many people in the run-up to a trip. Picture: Unsplash/agent_illustrateur

Depending on which destination travelers decide on, vacation spending varies. A comparison shows: In Switzerland, an average vacation day costs 225, in Laos 11.

Vanessa Buchel

No time? blue News summarizes for you Depending on your destination, you need a different budget.

A new analysis shows how much travel costs per day vary between countries.

In an international comparison, Switzerland ranks sixth, but is the European country with the highest costs per day of travel.

The study takes into account expenses for accommodation, food and transportation within the country.

Laos is the cheapest place to travel - at eleven francs per day. Show more

Your next vacation is probably just around the corner. Where you travel will have a direct impact - because depending on the destination, the expenses for your time abroad will vary.

It's no secret that you need to plan a larger budget for a trip through Switzerland. But the comparison portal HelloSafe uses figures to show how far ahead we actually are: With an average daily budget of 225 francs, Switzerland even takes first place in a European comparison. It is followed immediately by Liechtenstein with 196 francs and Monaco with 179 francs.

If you put this into an international context, Switzerland is in sixth place, Liechtenstein is in eleventh place and Monaco is in 14th place.

Daily travel budget can vary depending on the person

But what does the daily budget actually consist of? According to the authors of the study, expenses incurred by travelers for accommodation, food and transport within the country were taken into account. The journey to the destination country itself, i.e. the flight, train tickets or fuel costs, were not included.

HelloSafe emphasizes that the study was "conducted on the basis of several sources", but that it is nevertheless an "estimate of the daily budget".

After all, spending ultimately varies from person to person, as everyone plans different amounts of excursions, perhaps prefers cabs as a means of transportation or prefers to dine in fancier restaurants. Depending on this, the bill at the end of the trip will be different.

The highest budget is needed for Barbados

The question remains: If Switzerland snatches sixth place on a global level, who takes the top spots?

It is the Caribbean islands and the Maldives that require a bigger wallet when traveling. Barbados leads with 293 francs per day, followed by Antigua and Barbuda with 275 francs, St. Kitts and Nevis with 241 francs, the Maldives with 233 francs and Grenada with 230 francs.

Gehen Sie auf Gehen Sie auf HelloSafe Schweiz fur weitere Tools.

A look at the other end of the list shows which countries are the cheapest to travel to. In Laos, a budget of eleven francs per day is sufficient. HelloSafe then lists Kazakhstan at 16 francs, Rwanda at 18 francs, Ghana also at 18 francs and Mongolia at 20 francs.

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"COP 29 Presidency also works with the Parties to deliver an outcome on carbon markets this year. Fully functioning carbon markets will be a significant step in implementing nationally determined contributions (NDCs) cost-effectively and bolstering ambition in mitigation," said Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov as he addressed the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Azernews reports.

"Moreover, we have put forward 14 initiatives covering topics such as the link between climate action and sustainable development goals, green energy zones and corridors, energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, agriculture, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, green digital action, and more. One of the initiatives under COP29 Action Agenda includes the establishment of the Climate Finance Action Fund, an innovative source for climate finance to be voluntarily supported by fossil fuel-producing countries and companies.

COP29 will also be an opportunity to set differences aside and contribute to global peace and the climate agenda. Given the intersection of conflicts and the increasingly challenging climate crisis, Azerbaijan introduced a flagship COP29 Truce Initiative embedded in the Joint Solemn Appeal announced a few days ago. More than thousand NGOs, Faith Leaders and prominent personalities, as well as many parties have already joined this Appeal. We call on everyone to transcend political divergences, stand in unity, and respect the Truce during the month of COP29," the minister said.
Phillip Schofield says that he learned about allegations of toxicity on This Morning following his departure from the daytime programme  and took aim at three people he was aware of.

Schofield departed ITV in May 2023 in the wake of his secret affair revelations, after leaving This Morning that same month.

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After the furore over Schofields admission of an unwise, but not illegal relationship with a younger male colleague, former This Morning doctor Ranj Singh hit out at a toxic culture on the programme.

Phillip Schofield on an island off the coast of Madagascar, on Channel 5s Cast Away. Photo: Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited/Burning Bright Productions.

Dr Ranj claimed he raised concerns about bullying and discrimination while working at ITV  and afterwards felt like he was managed out for whistleblowing.

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Schofield said there was no toxicity on the programme at the time, and his allegations were about the same handful of people with a grudge against me or the show who seem to have the loudest voice.

On the second episode of Channel 5s Phillip Schofield: Cast Away, where the 62-year-old spends 10 days alone on a small island off the coast of Madagascar in his first return to a TV series since leaving ITV, he addressed the claims again, saying at first it was utter bollocks, before saying that there wasnt (toxicity) when I was there.

I found out after I left that there are a few people in there that might be a little bit toxic, he added.

I never saw it  when (youre) on the telly, you dont see stuff like that, youre protected from it, people dont tell you, so I had no clue.

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Schofield also said that morning TV has a lot of amazing people, before taking aim at what he called three shits.

He called two of them cowards  one for not defending him over queuegate, and the second for not stepping up over another matter, which he did not clarify.

The final person, he said, was just brand-orientated.

Along with his then co-host Holly Willoughby, Schofield faced a backlash over claims the pair skipped the queue for the late Queen Elizabeth IIs lying in state. They were defended by the chief executive of ITV, Dame Carolyn McCall, who stressed the pair had been attending as members of the media to film a segment for This Morning.

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Schofield was also upset that there was absolutely no loyalty shown to him during the furore over his affair, despite his 20-plus years on This Morning, and added: I know what I did was unwise, not sensible, but is it enough to absolutely destroy someone, literally destroy someone?

When he was dropped by his talent agency YMU on the same day he resigned from ITV after more than three decades with the company, he says he was suicidal.

Dr Ranj Singh made claims about a toxic culture on This Morning. Photo: Ian West/PA.

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Schofield added: They sent me what looked like a cut and pasted text, (saying) this time well have to let you go.

The presenter says he knows people will claim he is having a mad rant, but he does not care any more as he has nothing to lose.

He added: Theyve taken pretty much everything  reputation, dignity, legacy, everything  anyway. Im not bleating, Im just getting it off my chest.

An external review, carried out by Jane Mulcahy KC on behalf of ITV found the channel made considerable efforts to find out the truth about an alleged affair between Schofield and a runner in 2019, but was not able to find evidence about the rumours.

Schofield reluctantly declined to take part in the probe because of the risk to his health, the report in December 2023 said.

Ms Mulcahy said that for the period she reviewed, she could not find evidence of a toxic culture, and urged ITV to help junior employees who think speaking out will have a detrimental impact on their careers.

ITV and YMU have been contacted for a response.

 The Samaritans can be contacted on 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

Phillip Schofield: Cast Away airs at 9pm on Monday on Channel 5, and will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday at the same time.
A new Just Transition project is seeking expressions of interest from local individuals and groups to identify wetland sites to be restored.

Tochar is a three-year wetlands restoration project, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme.

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Taking its name from the hundreds of ancient paths or toghers laid across the bogs by Irish ancestors, the project will serve the community, bringing participants on a nature restoration journey. Overall, the project will spend 12 million during its lifetime.

In order to start the process, Tochar has opened an expression of interest call to landowners, communities and groups to become actively involved in nature restoration for wetlands across the EU Just Transition area.

The EU Just Transition Area includes municipal districts in the counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon and the Municipal Districts of Ballinasloe (Co Galway), Athy, Clane-Maynooth, (Co Kildare) and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co Tipperary).

Welcoming the launch of the call for Expressions of Interest, Minister for Nature Malcolm Noonan, said: The restoration of wetlands is part of the just transition journey towards climate neutrality, a journey where nature can play its part in the provision of a wide range of ecosystem services including nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

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"But nature also provides solace, health and recreational benefits, particularly for those who live in the vicinity of nature and wetland sites that are in good condition. Restoring wetlands as part of the Just Transition is essential and community participation in this type of activity has numerous benefits.

"I am delighted to announce the call for Expressions of Interest for the Tochar Wetlands Restoration scheme and I look forward to its outcomes over the next number of years.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly said: This call for expressions of interest is a great opportunity for individuals, landowners, and communities to play an active role in making a difference.

"By restoring nature and our peatlands together, we can build climate resilience and a more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come."

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Tochar Project Manager, Shirley Clerkin, said: We hope that people will get involved in Tochar, so that we can co-operate and build relationships together with the land and its wetlands.

"Restoration of nature goes hand in hand with improving the resilience of communities, particularly important during this time of climate change.

"We need to care for the land and its keepers, and this includes the wetlands and their users in the EU Just Transition area.

Project Administrator of the Tochar project team, Monica Byrne, said: The author Robin Wall Kimmer once wrote We restore the land, and the land restores us, and this project takes inspiration from the idea that ecological restoration is inseparable from reconnecting people and the landscape.

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"We believe hope and positivity comes from action, and we wish for many communities in the Just Transition areas to get involved in meaningful action on the ground.

She indicated the first step any interested community should take is to contact Tochar.

We ask interested groups (or individuals) to get in touch with us, fill out the expression of interest form, give us whatever information you have, so that we can start connecting and co-operating, she said.
Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Budget 2025

Budget 2025 will be announced on Tuesday, so the nation will be keeping a keen eye to see what impact, if any, it will have on them.

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A cost-of-living package worth 1.5 billion is said to be in the works for the budget, less than last years 2.3 billion.

Lump sum social welfare payments, as well as energy credits, are also expected.

Child benefit and childcare supports are planned, as the Government looks to target child poverty.

There will be tax cuts, with Minister for Finance Jack Chambers pledging the average worker will be 1,000 better off.

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The recent ruling that ordered Ireland to collect 13 billion in back taxes from Apple will not impact on the upcoming budget, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe have said.

Sinn Fein, as part of its alternative budget, has pledged to abolish the universal social charge (USC) for average workers, reduce childcare costs to 10 per day, and abolish the TV licence.

The party said it will undo the damage of previous governments, while ramping up public spending.

The document, published on Thursday, set outs the partys budget plans, with a lot of focus on measures for families in an attempt to reduce everyday costs.

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Pearse Doherty, the partys finance spokesman, said it is a budget package of 12.4 billion, including 7.3 billion of new measures.

For an in-depth look at what to expect in Budget 2025, click here.

What are you hoping for in Budget 2025? Tax cuts

Increased child benefit

Inheritance tax reform

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General election announcement looming?

Speculation about the date of the next general election has reached fever pitch, and Taoiseach Simon Harris surely can't leave it much longer.

He had been continually insistent that the Government would serve its full term to March 2025, but appears to have softened his stance now.

Sources say Mr Harris' coalition colleagues are eager to go to the polls before Christmas, with opinion polls showing Fine Gael in a strong position while Sinn Fein are struggling.

Mr Harris' personal popularity has also soared in recent polls.

He has ruled out November 15th, which had widely been speculated as the most likely general election date for months.

During the week, the Irish Examiner reported Mr Harris is considering surprising everyone and calling an election even earlier, for October 25th.

An announcement could well come this week after the budget is out of the way, and coalition leaders may want to strike while the iron is hot as controversy has surrounded the Government recently.

We'll get to that next...

1.4 million security hut

There was widespread outrage after it was revealed that work to build a bike shed on the grounds of Leinster House cost 336,000, while it has since emerged a security hut near Government Buildings cost 1.4 million.

The roof of the hut cost 60,000 alone.

The price of the noteworthy feature, which has been likened to former US president Donald Trumps hairstyle, was published in new documents from the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Taoiseach's comments linking immigration and homelessness

Taoiseach Simon Harris 'scapegoated' asylum seekers with his comment linking homelessness and migration, according to migrant charity Nasc.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr Harris said: People understand the fact that homelessness numbers are heavily impacted by the fact we are seeing many people seek protection in our country, seek asylum in our country and many people come from abroad hoping to have a new future in Ireland and immigration, it has many, many pluses, but it has had a challenge there.

Mr Harris' comments prompted criticism from charities that work with asylum seekers and a number of opposition politicians.

Nasc chief executive Fiona Hurley told BreakingNews.ie: "Having our Taoiseach make statements that scapegoat people who seek protection, instead of acknowledging the extent of successive governments' failures in relation to homelessness is beyond disappointing.

"In light of the rise of far-right violence, the Taoiseach should be showing political leadership and not deflecting blame for successive government failures to deliver on housing commitments."

Ms Hurley added: "Many people are already terrified of being targeted by the violent anti-immigrant perpetrators that we've seen committing arson attacks in our communities all over the country.

"Children in Direct Provision and other emergency accommodation centres already face significant stigma. Hearing their political leaders talk about them as if they're a problem rather than a person can only add to that stigma."

She also expressed concern about "what kind of commentary" the Taoiseach's comments could encourage in the run-up to the next general election.

"It's a deeply concerning indication of what is being deemed acceptable in public discourse, and we are worried about the kind of commentary this will encourage in the run-up to the general election."

Abroad

In the US, the November 5th presidential election is fast approaching.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris holds a narrow lead over Republican rival Donald Trump in six US swing states and is tied in a seventh state, according to a Bloomberg poll of likely voters released on Friday.

Her leads in individual states are within the poll's statistical margin of error, underscoring that the November 5th contest could be decided by the narrowest of margins, it said.

The Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows Ms Harris leading by 7 percentage points in Nevada, 5 points in Pennsylvania, 3 points in Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin, and 2 points in North Carolina. The two are tied in Georgia.

In the UK, prime minister Keir Starmer is attempting to recover from controversy over undeclared clothing donations to his wife Victoria.

Mr Starmer was in New York this week along with other world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.

He met Mr Trump there, and will head to Brussels next week for talks with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Mr Starmer has admitted a "reset" in UK-EU relations will not be easy.
Mary Lou McDonald has defended a remark in which she said former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had discovered his inner Shinner.

Mr Varadkar, the former leader of Fine Gael, recently called for politicians in the Republic to back the establishment of a forum to set out plans for Irish unity.

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In response, the Sinn Fein leader described the comments as welcome but belated, adding: Im glad that as hes exited the position of taoiseach, that hes found his inner Shinner and his appetite for reunification.

SDLP politicians have described the comments as petty, with Stormont Opposition leader Matthew OToole posting on social media: Sinn Fein does not own the aspiration to Irish unity and this kind of stuff is frankly pathetic and offensive.

On Sunday, Ms McDonald described her comment as simply a quip.

Speaking on BBCs Sunday Politics Northern Ireland, she added: I imagine Leo would have enjoyed that, actually.

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Anybody listening to that would understand that when Leo was in office as Taoiseach, he didnt adopt this position.

Im really pleased that he was and, of course, the issue of the future of our country belongs to all of us.

Narrow Water Point and Warrenpoint Port including the Irish border. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

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Ms McDonald said she hoped public discourse would always have room for levity, irony and even a bit of fun between public figures.

Leo and I know each other very well and I imagine that he laughed when he heard that.

Pressed on whether Alliance voters in Northern Ireland would have found the comments funny, Ms McDonald said: I imagine that Alliance voters have a sense of humour too.

Certainly, any of them that I have met at election counts and so on have been of really broad mind and open for conversation  and also to have a bit of craic.

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She dismissed criticism of the comment as making a mountain out of a molehill.

She said the conversation on unification will involve republicans, unionists and people who fall somewhere in between.

This conversation and project belongs to all of us and along the way were going to challenge each other and come with our own ideas.

We can also have, at times, moments of levity. We dont have to have our sense of humour taken from the entire conversation.
An Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon has killed 11 people a day after the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah confirmed the death of multiple commanders, including long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Lebanons state news agency said the attack early on Sunday on a village destroyed a home, killing all 11 people inside.

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Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

The Israeli army says it is carrying out attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.



Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

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More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

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The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.



Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

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He said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days will bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach, he said. Today you know how much that is true.

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

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A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.





The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.

In its first statement since the killing of Nasrallah, Lebanons military called for calm among the Lebanese at this dangerous and delicate stage.

Government officials fear the countrys deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence.

The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese, the military said.

Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital Beirut as thousands of displaced people continue moving there from the south of the country.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered across Iran on Sunday to protest against the killing of Nasrallah.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities, while at the parliament, politicians chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

The air strike that killed Nasrallah on Friday also killed Abbas Nilforushan, a senior officer in Irans Revolutionary Guard.
The militant group Hezbollah has confirmed another of its senior leaders has been killed in an Israeli air strike.

The Israeli military said earlier on Sunday that it had killed Nabil Kaouk in an attack the day before.

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He is the seventh senior leader of the Lebanese militant group to be killed since September 20, including Hassan Nasrallah, who was Hezbollahs top leader for more than three decades.

Hezbollah also confirmed on Sunday that Ali Karaki died in the same attack as Nasrallah in Beirut on Friday.



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Meanwhile, an Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon killed 11 people on Sunday.

Lebanons state news agency said the early morning attack destroyed a home, killing all 11 people inside.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

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More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.



Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.



Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

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In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

He said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days will bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach, he said. Today you know how much that is true.

A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.





The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered across Iran on Sunday to protest against the killing of Nasrallah.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities, while at the parliament, politicians chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

The air strike that killed Nasrallah on Friday also killed Abbas Nilforushan, a senior officer in Irans Revolutionary Guard.
The Israeli military said on Sunday it had killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike as the Lebanese militant group was reeling from a string of devastating blows and the killing of its overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The military said Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council, was killed on Saturday.

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Hezbollah confirmed his death, making him the seventh senior Hezbollah leader killed in Israeli strikes in a little over a week. They include founding members who had evaded death or detention for decades.

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Hezbollah had earlier confirmed that Ali Karaki, another senior commander, died in Fridays strike that killed Mr Nasrallah.

The Israeli military said earlier that Mr Karaki was killed in the airstrike, which targeted an underground compound in Beirut where Mr Nasrallah and other senior Hezbollah figures were meeting.

Israel says at least 20 other Hezbollah militants were killed in the strike, including two close associates of Mr Nasrallah, one of whom was in charge of his security detail.

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes and drones carried out deadly strikes across Lebanon on Sunday.

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Hezbollah leader Nabil Kaouk died in an air strike (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The Lebanese health ministry documented at least 105 people killed around the country in airstrikes on Sunday.

The ministry said two consecutive strikes near the southern city of Sidon, about 28 miles south of Beirut, killed at least 24 people.

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Separately, in Israeli strikes in the northern province of Baalbek Hermel, 21 people were killed and at least 47 injured.

The Israeli military said it carried out another targeted strike on Beirut on Sunday, but did not immediately provide details.

Lebanese media reported dozens of strikes in the central, eastern and western Bekaa, the south, besides strikes in Beirut.

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A man walks on rubble at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beiruts southern suburbs (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

The strikes have targeted buildings where civilians were living.

Two consecutive strikes near the southern city of Sidon, about 28 miles south of Beirut, killed at least 32 people, the Lebanese health ministry said.

In a widely circulated video verified by the Associated Press, a building in a neighbourhood in Sidon swayed before collapsing as neighbours filmed the strike.

On one TV station, the broadcaster called on viewers to pray for a family caught under the rubble, posting their pictures, as rescuers failed to reach them.

The Lebanese health ministry reported Sunday that at least 14 medics were killed in two days in the south.

Meanwhile, wreckage from the strike on Friday that killed Mr Nasrallah was still smouldering more than two days later.

AP journalists saw smoke over the rubble as people flocked to the site, some to check on what was left of their homes and others to pay respects, pray or simply to see the destruction.

Meanwhile, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Israels airstrikes in Lebanon had wiped out Hezbollahs command structure, but he warned the group will work quickly to rebuild it.

I think people are safer without him walking around, Kirby said of Mr Nasrallah. But they will try to recover. Were watching to see what they do to try to fill this leadership vacuum. Its going to be tough. He added: Much of their command structure has now been wiped out.

Mr Kirby, who spoke during an appearance on CNNs State of the Union, sidestepped questions about whether the Biden administration agrees with how the Israelis are targeting Hezbollah leaders.

The White House continues to call on Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a 21-day temporary cease-fire that was floated by the US, France and other countries last week as world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly.

Also on Sunday, the Israeli military said dozens of aircraft struck Houthi targets in Yemen in response to a recent attack on Israel. The military said it targeted power plants and sea port facilities in the city of Hodeida.

The Houthis launched a ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion airport on Saturday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arriving.

The Houthi media office said the Israelis strikes hit the Hodeida and Rass Issa ports along with two power plants in Hodeida city, which is a stronghold for the Iranian-backed rebels.

Four people were killed and 33 wounded, Houthi-run media reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that one of its founding members, who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an airstrike in southern Beirut.

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The Israeli military said it carried out a precise airstrike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, south of Beirut.

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.



Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

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He said Mr Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he warned the coming days would bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach. And today you know how much that is true, he said.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said six people were killed and 91 injured in the strikes which hit six apartment buildings.

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Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Mr Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.

The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.





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Irans supreme leader announced five days of public mourning and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Mr Nasrallah the flag-bearer of resistance in the region.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Tehran, waving Hezbollah flags and chanting Death to Israel and Death to Netanyahu the murderer.

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Irans UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to the heads of the United Nations and the Security Council on Saturday calling for an emergency council meeting over the attack.

He warned Israel not to attack any of its diplomatic or consular premises, or its representatives.

Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent rights under international law to take every measure in defense of its vital national and security interests, Mr Iravani wrote.

Israels Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said on Saturday that the killing was not the end of our toolbox, indicating that more strikes were planned.

Defence minister Yoav Gallant called it the most important targeted strike since the founding of the State of Israel.



Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

Late on Saturday, Mr Gallants office said he was meeting with top army commanders to discuss the expansion of military activities along Israels northern front.

The military said it was mobilising three more battalions of reserve soldiers to serve across the country. It already sent two brigades to northern Israel to prepare for a possible ground invasion.

Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Cololnel Nadav Shoshani said Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollahs capabilities over the past week by targeting immediate threats and strategic weapons, such as larger, guided missiles.

But he said much of Hezbollahs arsenal remains intact and that Israel would continue to target the group.

Air raid sirens sounded across central Israel on Saturday afternoon, including at the Tel Aviv international airport, shortly after Mr Netanyahu returned from a trip to the US.



People check a damaged building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Choueifat, south east of Beirut (Hussein Malla/AP)

The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. Houthi rebels based in Yemen later said they were behind the attack targeting Ben Gurion Airport.

The Israeli military updated guidelines for Israeli citizens, cancelling gatherings of more than 1,000 people due to the threat.

On Saturday morning, the Israeli military carried out more than 140 airstrikes in southern Beirut and eastern Lebanons Bekaa Valley, including targeting a storage facility for anti-ship missiles in Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh.

Israel said the missiles were stored beneath civilian apartment buildings. Hezbollah launched dozens of projectiles across northern and central Israel and deep into the Israel-occupied West Bank, damaging some buildings in the northern town of Safed.

The Israeli army again warned Lebanese residents to stay away from Hezbollah combat equipment and facilities, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon. The US State Department issued an alert urging American citizens to leave the country.

A total of 1,030 people  including 156 women and 87 children  have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon in less than two weeks, the countrys health minister said on Saturday.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has held a meeting with Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly's General Debate, Azernews reports.

During their talks, both parties praised the strengthening of ties between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia. They discussed collaboration based on mutual respect for each country's legitimate interests within international organizations, including the UN and the OIC.

Minister Bayramov expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's ongoing support of Azerbaijan's just causes.

He highlighted Saudi Arabia's engagement in Azerbaijan's renewable energy sector, and noted that Azerbaijan's hosting of the 29th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change this year could open up further avenues for cooperation in green energy between the two nations.

The ministers acknowledged the importance of leveraging the Intergovernmental Joint Economic Commission as a means to enhance cooperation and maximize development opportunities in trade, investment, and the economy for both countries.

Their discussions also covered various other bilateral and regional issues of shared interest.

The ministers also signed a "Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the exemption of holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports from visa requirements for short-term visits."
The Israeli military has killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an air strike.

It said on Sunday that Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollahs Central Council, was killed in an attack the day before. Hezbollah later confirmed Kaouks death.

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Several senior Hezbollah commanders have been killed in Israeli strikes in recent weeks, including the groups overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut on Friday.





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Meanwhile, an Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon killed 11 people on Sunday.

Lebanons state news agency said the early morning attack destroyed a home, killing all 11 people inside.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.

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Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Advertisement

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.



Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

Advertisement

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

He said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days will bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach, he said. Today you know how much that is true.

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.





The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.

In its first statement since the killing of Nasrallah, Lebanons military called for calm among the Lebanese at this dangerous and delicate stage.

Government officials fear the countrys deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence.

The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese, the military said.

Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital Beirut as thousands of displaced people continue moving there from the south of the country.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered across Iran on Sunday to protest against the killing of Nasrallah.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities, while at the parliament, politicians chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

The air strike that killed Nasrallah on Friday also killed Abbas Nilforushan, a senior officer in Irans Revolutionary Guard.
The militant group Hezbollah has confirmed one of its senior commanders died in the Israeli air strike that also killed its top leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

In a statement on Sunday, the group said Ali Karaki died in the same attack in Beirut on Friday.

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Israel has killed several top commanders in the Lebanese militant group in recent weeks in a series of strikes.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel said it killed another senior commander, Nabil Kaouk, on Saturday. It is not known where the strike took place, and Hezbollah has not yet confirmed his death.



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Meanwhile, an Israeli air strike on north-east Lebanon killed 11 people on Sunday.

Lebanons state news agency said the early morning attack destroyed a home, killing all 11 people inside.

Six of the bodies were recovered from under the rubble and the search continues for the remaining five in the village of al-Ain, the National News Agency said.

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More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since September 23 when Israel intensified its air strikes around the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes in south Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beiruts southern suburb known as Dahiyeh.



Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Richard Drew/AP)

The number of those displaced has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.

Advertisement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeting Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was an essential condition to achieving the goals we set.

Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that Nasrallah, one of its founding members who has been linked by Israel to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, had been killed in an air strike in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise air strike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh.



Lebanese and Palestinian men hold portraits of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as they shout slogans during a protest in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

Advertisement

In his first public remarks since the killing, Mr Netanyahu said: He wasnt another terrorist. He was the terrorist.

He said Nasrallahs killing would help bring displaced Israelis back to their homes in the north and would pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

But with the threat of retaliation high, he said the coming days will bring significant challenges and warned Iran against trying to strike.

There is no place in Iran or in the Middle East that Israels long arm cannot reach, he said. Today you know how much that is true.

Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.

A statement from Hezbollah said Nasrallah  who led the group for more than three decades  has joined his fellow martyrs.





The group vowed to continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.

In its first statement since the killing of Nasrallah, Lebanons military called for calm among the Lebanese at this dangerous and delicate stage.

Government officials fear the countrys deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence.

The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese, the military said.

Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital Beirut as thousands of displaced people continue moving there from the south of the country.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered across Iran on Sunday to protest against the killing of Nasrallah.

State TV aired footage of protests in several major cities, while at the parliament, politicians chanted Death to America and Death to Israel.

Iran helped establish Hezbollah in the 1980s and has provided the Lebanese militant group with sophisticated weaponry and training.

The air strike that killed Nasrallah on Friday also killed Abbas Nilforushan, a senior officer in Irans Revolutionary Guard.
The problem isnt globalisation (London is in the same boat in struggling to expand its sharemarket)  its Americanisation. The US dominates more than 60 per cent of the global sharemarkets  an increase of about 20 per cent since 2008. Cambridge-founded chipmaker Arm and Germanys Birkenstock are the most recent home-grown success stories to snub their national exchanges for the premium and prestige of listing in New York. However, it doesnt seem unreasonable that major companies founded in Australia should still call Australia home and list locally. It just requires concerted effort. The recent success of Guzman y Gomez, might tempt prospective IPOs away from the private markets, where all the fun is being had, but there remains a task to convince prospective IPOs who are considering US listings to stay on the home team. The ASX says there is no shortage of demand from companies mulling floats. However, like a mirage, this demand seems to move further away the closer we get. But with the rate-cutting cycle under way, increased certainty on the economic front means this time might be different.

As a capital markets system, we need to do more work on selling the advantages of listing on the ASX over other exchanges, says James Posnett, head of listings at the ASX. There is an opportunity for us to do more and target the companies that dont meet the threshold for the S&P 500 to list here instead. There is no shortage of successful Australian companies that asset managers and retail investors would jump at the opportunity to buy, and thanks to our superannuation system, there is no shortage of institutional capital looking for places to deploy its cash. Guzman y Gomez floated on the ASX in in June. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer An IPO is only tapping into the market once. The ability to raise further funds quickly and easily once listed is very appealing if a companys wishing to pursue expansion and growth opportunities, points out Posnett. Tom Cowan, of TDM Growth Partners, the firm that brought Guzman y Gomez to the public markets, is also a true patriot. History would suggest that the ASX is a wonderful place to list fast-growing businesses, and while there is always an enticing aspect to the US, the benefits of a local ASX listing far outweighs this, says Cowan.

The co-founders of Atlassian, which listed in the US in 2015, cited the size and maturity of the US markets as the main reasons the company listed offshore instead of in Australia. Cowan points to a range of perceived advantages to listing on the ASX over the US exchanges, such as a potential valuation premium, relatively greater media coverage, lower costs, a faster listing process and what he calls the opportunity to be a big fish in a small pond. A vibrant and expanding public capital market is the foundation of a good Western democracy. If Canva chose to list on the ASX, it would immediately take the title of Australias largest technology company and fill the hearts of Australian investors with pride, and in doing so, would no doubt inspire others to follow. However, money talks, and Canvas valuation is too high, its liquidity needs too great, and the investor base for tech stocks in the US is more sophisticated. Quoting shares in US dollars instead of Australian makes it much easier to attract talent with equity.

But there are a few tweaks that could make the ASX more attractive. The reality is that we cant compete with Americas tech dominance. We should be playing to our strengths in mining and healthcare and rebuild out the lost utilities sector for those juicy dividends. A quick whip-round of my industry contacts produced an IPO Christmas list of iconic Australian companies investors would jump at, including Bunnings, Kmart, Cotton On, Visy, Hancock Prospecting, Snowy Hydro and Sydney Metro. The retail investors and the liquidity you get from a listed stock is incredibly powerful, and theres still a deep pool of capital available for that, David Di Pilla, managing director of HMC Capital, told The Australian Financial Review. The London Stock Exchange is facing a similar shrinkage problem. In the past 20 years, UK-listed equities have gone from accounting for 11 per cent of the global equity market to less than 4 per cent (Australias is 2 per cent). The British financial regulator has been tinkering with regulations including introducing dual-class structures, where founders shares represent greater voting power, in an attempt to lure back companies as there has been a significant increase in the number and proportion of IPOs that feature a dual-class shares structure.

Australias is one of the few markets which ban dual-class listings; perhaps its a manifestation of our iconic tall-poppy syndrome, shunning the entrepreneurship of the founder-led business. We know were an outlier globally in not permitting dual-class listings, and it is something we could consider in close consultation with ASIC and the market, says Posnett. Canva is a high-profile example of an Australian company choosing to list internationally. Of course, there is always the opportunity to cut more red tape and make listing cheaper and even faster. The social credibility and eclat of being public needs to outweigh the burden of the extra paperwork and governance requirements. The chairman of Harvey Norman is the latest in a string of founders to bemoan some of the disproportionate requirements and red tape required by the ASX to remain listed.
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 NSWs COVID-19 public health orders were a one-size-fits-all approach forced upon the police, who struggled to decipher the ever-changing rules they did not request nor want, the states former top officer has told a panel of business and community leaders. The former NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller, who led the force throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, said updates to the health orders  which dictated what people could and could not do as NSW Health tried to stem the spread of the virus  often made little sense and were not always enforceable. The orders made under the Public Health Act covered a range of restrictions at different stages of the pandemic, from how many guests could attend a wedding or funeral, to patron numbers in cafes and restaurants, trading rules and social distancing. Even who could take to a dance floor was at one stage determined by a health order. A panel of six experts  which included Fuller  convened by The Sydney Morning Herald to interrogate NSWs approach to lockdowns and policing agreed that the health orders lacked clarity, should have been more localised and continued for too long once COVID-19 vaccines were available. The health orders also risked creating serious social division. Fuller said the health orders were fast-moving and did not pass the usual parliamentary scrutiny of any other legislation. For the first three months of the 2020 lockdown, NSW Police did not have a legal representative at the table as the orders were drafted. Nationals MP and former deputy premier Paul Toole; Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue chief executive Adam Leto; Tourism and Transport Forums Margy Osmond; former president of Local Government NSW and City of Sydney councillor Linda Scott; and former NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller  along with mental health expert Professor Patrick McGorry who participated via Zoom  formed the Heralds expert panel on lockdowns and policing. Credit: Dylan Coker There was a light-level approval process. Brad Hazzard, minister of health at the time, would sign off and ultimately that would empower those orders. Then police had to operationalise those as best as possible, Fuller said.

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Fuller said he did not know how many health orders were enacted  I would hate to think  but he only ever requested one. That was a $5000 on-the-spot fine for people who cough or spit on health workers, police, pharmacists, paramedics or other public officials. COVID ROUNDTABLE Its been more than four years since Chinas COVID-19 outbreak was deemed a public health emergency of international concern, heralding the start of a traumatic period many of us would prefer to forget. While a federal government inquiry is examining some national responses to the crisis, key decisions made by states will not be properly scrutinised. The Herald is concerned our political leaders have not adequately studied the lessons  good and bad  of our most recent experience, and we asked tough questions about the pandemics impact on education, health and lockdowns and policing. This is the last in our three-part series with six expert panellists looking at the impacts of border closures, lockdowns and policing during this period. In November 2022, 33,121 of the 62,138 fines handed out since the start of the pandemic were withdrawn after Revenue NSW conceded in court that they were not valid. Fuller said police did the best they could, bar one incident on March 31, 2020, when a convoy of five patrol cars drove through Rushcutters Bay Park, in Sydneys east, directing people to comply with the latest social distancing orders. At the time, the eastern suburbs had been identified as a COVID hotspot. Fuller conceded it was a terrible look for police. The cops should have been out of the cars and talking to people and just explaining it, he said. However, beyond that incident, Fuller said the police were just carrying out their job, albeit one they did not relish. It was a challenging time. I dont feel as though we over-policed, but I totally understand the community disliked the health orders, and police didnt like them either, to be honest, Fuller said. One of the toughest things about the orders were the exemptions that would follow the next day.

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A city divided While the image of police officers descending on Rushcutters Bay played on Fullers mind for months after, Adam Leto, the chief executive of think-tank Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, has an equally powerful recollection. Two months into what would become the 107-day Delta lockdown in 2021, south-western and western Sydney  home to the most ethnically diverse communities in the city  had far tighter restrictions imposed on them than the rest of NSW. Twelve council areas were declared areas of concern as virus case numbers climbed. NSW mounted police patrol the streets of a locked-down Fairfield in July 2021. Credit: Kate Geraghty By late August, those 12 hotspots were slapped with a 9pm to 5am curfew and outdoor exercise was limited to one hour a day. The rationale was that too many people were moving around western Sydney, taking the virus with them. The result was that Sydney became a city divided. I think there was a failure to really understand that that movement wasnt residents spiting the government or spiting the system, it was born out of necessity, Leto said. People couldnt work at home. Some didnt have digital connectivity. Their work required them to move. Their life required them to move. They had care responsibilities. They had extended families. So there was a lot of movement.

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Former president of Local Government NSW and City of Sydney councillor Linda Scott said she vividly recalls driving to south-western Sydney when the announcement was made, passing military personnel on the way. It was a stark difference to much of the city. Scott said the risk of serious social unrest in western Sydney was very real. On August 20, 2021  the day 12 areas of concern were declared  she held a press conference in her capacity as Local Government NSW president with then mayor of Canterbury-Bankstown Khal Asfour, whose council was one of the dozen affected. There was a dangerous vacuum of information, Scott said. Linda Scott, president of Local Government NSW during the pandemic, addresses the Heralds roundtable. Credit: Dylan Coker Nobody, none of the mayors, none of the local leaders, could tell their community what it meant for them. We couldnt tell them why. We couldnt tell them what it meant. None of us were clear on what people were allowed to do or not, Scott said. It was a very dangerous point for social cohesion, where communities did not understand and did not accept why they had been chosen. Leto said western Sydney residents were watching vision of people picnicking at Bondi Beach while they were only allowed out for an hour a day for exercise. The panel agreed that far better communication was needed, involving community members and religious leaders, before the poorest areas of the city were plunged into a stricter lockdown.

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The panel concurred that stay-at-home orders and restrictions needed to be place-based. Not all western Sydney is the same so your methods and your approach to Penrith are going to be different to what your message is and how you communicate that to Fairfield, Leto said. It needed to be nuanced. It needed to be considered, and it needed to be consulted with local councils, with [community] leaders. Leto said the south-western Sydney lockdowns took him back to the Cronulla race riots of 2005. It had a mood and a tone to it that I could see that if it wasnt handled appropriately, that there were enough ingredients to spark something. East versus west was real, and tensions were high. It didnt get to that point, thankfully, and thats a credit to the government and Mick [Fuller]. Whiplash responses Nationals MP and former deputy premier Paul Toole was a member of the Coalition governments crisis cabinet, which met daily for much of the pandemic.

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The LNP has promised to keep patient fees down in Queensland by permanently abolishing payroll tax for GPs if elected to government next month.

Medical practices have always paid payroll tax on their employees, such as receptionists and nurses, but it never applied to general practitioners because they worked independently.

But legal proceedings in NSW and Victoria changed the interpretation of payroll tax and considered GPs to be employees, making them subject to the impost.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli announces the LNPs GP payroll tax policy at a Windsor surgery on Sunday. Credit: Cameron Atfield

The Queensland government announced an amnesty last September that was due to run out on June 30 next year.
Lehrmann has maintained his innocence since his 2022 criminal trial was aborted due to juror misconduct, and is appealing against a civil ruling that found, on the balance of probabilities, that he raped Higgins.

It wasnt until the release of a pre-interview briefing between The Projects co-host Lisa Wilkinson, Higgins and her now-husband David Sharaz as part of accused rapist Bruce Lehrmanns defamation trial that Reynolds realised, she claims, she was the victim of a premeditated and personal attack that led to her public breakdown and professional downfall.

But Reynolds was still ill-prepared for the gulf between her recollection of what unfolded in the weeks after the former staffers alleged rape and Higgins.

It was something the WA Liberal senator had warned then-prime minister Scott Morrisons office and her closest friends was imminent.

Reynolds lawyer accused Higgins of casting the senator as the villain in a fairytale plot to bring down a government. But what does the evidence say? Credit: Composite image: Marija Ercegovac.

Among them was then-defence minister Linda Reynolds  who didnt know it at the time, but was witnessing the beginning of her own political demise from the Canberra ministerial office in which the alleged crime had taken place two years earlier.

When Brittany Higgins tearful tell-all interview over her alleged rape at Parliament House aired on The Project on February 15, 2021, more than half-a-million people nationwide watched her indicate she believed her alleged rape was the subject of a political cover-up.

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But what does the evidence say about the tale that divides them?

On the first day of a trial over which both women mortgaged their homes, Reynolds lawyer, Martin Bennett, accused Higgins and Sharaz as co-conspirators who had cast the senator as the villain in their fairytale plot to bring down the Morrison government.

She also rubbished the premeditated conspiracy claims of Reynolds lawsuit, insisting Reynolds reputation was of her own making and already baked in when she published the posts.

Higgins vigorously defended the claim on the basis her posts were substantially true.

The former minister accused Higgins and Sharaz of planning an unprovoked attack underpinned by visceral hatred, handpicking journalists, curating story timing and aiding her political opponents.

Reynolds subsequently sued Higgins for defamation in a five-week trial, with hearings recently concluded, demanding damages over several social media posts which she characterised as carefully curated press releases accusing her of mishandling the rape, and engaging in a campaign of harassment.

By Wednesday, the prime ministers office was briefed and Reynolds had a sealed incident report.

Lehrmann packed his desk and left for the day; Higgins was handed an employee assistance brochure.

Brown informed the senator before meeting with Higgins and Lehrmann separately to get their version.

It wasnt until just before midday the following Tuesday that the Department of Finance told Reynolds then-chief of staff, Fiona Brown, that Higgins and Lehrmann had been in the office intoxicated, and that Higgins had been found undressed and had declined an ambulance or medical assistance.

CCTV footage from Parliament House showing a barefoot and intoxicated Brittany Higgins staring at the ceiling. Credit: Federal Court of Australia

Lehrmann left alone around 2.30am. Higgins, then 24 years old, was discovered by a guard, naked, at 4.15am before departing around 10am.

Shortly before 1.40am on Saturday, March 23, 2019, Lehrmann and Higgins entered Parliament House after a night out. The security guard noted they appeared intoxicated, but they were still led to Reynolds suite.

Brown checked in with Higgins again in the hours before their next meeting.

She claimed Higgins had told her she did not want to file a report and would talk to her father, who was visiting Canberra from Queensland.

Later that day, Brown claims, she called Higgins and scheduled a meeting with the then-minister, assuring her that Reynolds was supportive and wanted the staffer to know the options available.

Carlson told the court Reynolds was adamant they should, but Brown resisted doing so without Higgins permission.

Tensions over how to handle what had hitherto been treated as a security breach reached fever pitch by Friday, March 29, according to former staffer Dean Carlson, who told the WA court Reynolds and Brown had a heated call over whether to go to police.

It wasnt until Thursday Higgins told Brown she had accessed the counselling, before revealing she remembered Lehrmann on top of her, a comment the chief of staff did not take as an allegation of sexual assault.

Brown claims she met Higgins again to tell her she was always available to talk and Higgins could make a complaint.

Just 72 hours later, Brown and Reynolds were back in the ministerial office  this time, with Assistant AFP Commissioner Leanne Close, who later told the WA court it wasnt until she arrived that she became aware that was where the alleged incident had occurred.

Reynolds told Brown she believed Lehrmanns employment should be terminated based on two security breaches, saying he was untrustworthy.

Afterwards, Brown took Higgins to internal Australian Federal Police officers before elevating a request that would let Higgins work from her Queensland hometown.

Higgins would later tell the press it was a blur she could barely recall, distracted by being just metres from the couch on which the alleged rape occurred.

Reynolds claims she spent that meeting reassuring Higgins, insisting they would support her in filing a complaint or seeking help, and her job would be safe.

On April 1, 2019, Reynolds and Browns private meeting with Higgins would become a focal point of the former staffers claim the rape was dealt with insensitively.

Reynolds rejects Closes recollection, maintaining there was no allegation of assault at that stage, and if there was, she would not have held the meeting there.

Reynolds maintains she thought then that she was dealing with a young staffer who had too much to drink and was having trouble remembering what followed.

When Reynolds lawyer Bennett grilled her, Close conceded it was unlikely there would have been anything of real forensic value remaining by this time.

The following day, Lehrmanns employment was terminated.

Higgins informed the AFP she no longer intended to proceed with a complaint just over a week later, on April 13, before boarding a flight to Perth where she would spend six weeks on the re-election campaign for Reynolds.

Higgins claimed her former boss kept her at arms length and that she spent the work stint ostracised and shut in a hotel room seven days a week.

But Reynolds lawyer claims the evidence suggested otherwise, with photographs, social media posts and correspondence tendered showing the young, vivacious staffer door-knocking, dining out, and rubbing shoulders with senior party figures, including Scott Morrison.

Higgins lawyers highlighted text messages showing that beneath the surface, she was processing what had happened  including several messages revealing frustration with the Liberal Party and fear that she could lose her job if she filed a police report.

Reynolds told the court she asked Higgins whether she should brief WA senator Michaelia Cash about the incident before Higgins began a new role with Cashs office, but Higgins declined in favour of a fresh start.

Reynolds lawyer Bennett decried Higgins claims of mishandling and lack of support, claiming she was offered support on more than 20 occasions following the incident.

But Higgins barrister told the court Reynolds had failed to offer a basic human response, which she used to justify the social media posts at the centre of the row.

Justice Paul Tottle highlighted the complexity in examining Reynolds handling of the allegation given Higgins had made her desire for power and control over the situation known.

One of the things that comes through quite clearly ... is Ms Higgins desire not to be defined by the events  As she puts it, she doesnt want to be known as the woman who was raped in Parliament House, he told the court.

The perfect storm or a conspiracy to create a f---ing scoop?

The incident largely escaped the medias attention until January 11, 2021, when Higgins then-boyfriend, press gallery journalist David Sharaz, texted News Corp print journalist Samantha Maiden indicating he had a big story, the court heard.

Less than a fortnight later, Sharaz pitched that story to high-profile TV journalist Lisa Wilkinson.

MeToo, Liberal Party, Project Pitch, the subject line read. It was a story Sharaz stressed needed to be done right because going after the so-called Liberal Party machine was no easy feat.

Meanwhile, Maiden was hosting Higgins at her home for an hour-long interview, with a recording played to the court.

Higgins told Maiden she believed Reynolds kept her at arms length for fear the incident might cost her the portfolio she had worked her entire life for.

On January 27, 2021, Higgins and Sharaz flew to Sydney to join Wilkinson and producer Angus Llewellyn for a five-hour meeting.

In an audio recording of that meeting tendered as evidence, Sharaz claimed Higgins wanted Lehrmann to forever have trouble getting a job, as she felt she was going to, and for Reynolds to experience the same. Higgins did not refute this characterisation.

In a later conversation with Maiden, Sharaz said Higgins motive was pure and she was ultimately determined to ensure something of this nature did not happen to anyone else.

Reynolds said the first she knew of the scandal headed her way was February 2, 2021, when she claims late Victorian Labor senator Kimberley Kitching approached her and revealed Labor intended to use the incident to rain hell on her and the government.

She also claimed Kitching said her party were furious with her for forwarding an anonymous letter about the alleged rape to the AFP instead of letting the opposition weaponise it, prompting Reynolds to schedule an urgent meeting with Morrisons office.

Kitching denied this interaction occurred.

Text messages tendered as evidence indicate Sharaz contacted now-Finance Minister Katy Gallagher about the story as early as February 11, 2021.

The first round of questions from Maiden entered Reynolds inbox 48 hours later.

On February 15, Maidens story broke: Young staffer Brittany Higgins says she was raped at Parliament House, an article Sharaz hailed a f---ing scoop.

Sharaz texted Llewellyn, the TV producer, claiming to have pointed every journalist in the country to The Project, set to broadcast Higgins interview that evening.

Reynolds was overheard uttering the words lying cow during the screening in her office, a comment she apologised for after it became public and spurred a defamation action.

She later told her defamation hearing she felt sick, angry and hurt.

I was very angry at what I knew to be lies [about the political cover-up], she said.

On February 16, 2021, Sharaz texted Llewellyn pointing to a snippet of the interview concerning Reynolds that would feed this beast if needed, meaning keep the story going.

Reynolds subsequently faced grillings in parliament and in the media, which her lawyer Bennett told the WA court was the product of questions Higgins and Sharaz fed her opponents and a dossier they had distributed with a timeline and list of contacts.

The former minister told the court that by February 23, days of intense scrutiny had taken their toll, culminating in her near-collapse in the Senate, admission to hospital, and cancelling her National Press Club appearance.

A message thread tendered as evidence showed Sharaz mocking reports the then-defence minister delayed her return to work after being hospitalised with a cardiac condition.

Text messages obtained from David Sharazs mobile phone and tendered as evidence, between him (blue text) and Brittany Higgins.

The following day, Reynolds was stripped of the defence portfolio and dumped from the frontbench.

High-profile witnesses in the WA court spoke to the impact of the furore on Reynolds health and career, from Morrison and former foreign minister Marise Payne to Reynolds family.

The impact on her wellbeing has become a key issue in the defamation row.

Why Higgins is defending her posts

Higgins has vehemently defended her posts accusing the senator of mishandling her alleged rape, aiding her alleged rapist during his criminal trial and using the media to harass her.

Higgins barrister, Rachael Young, SC, claimed the posts were protected by qualified privilege and were justified as fair comment and honest opinion.

Higgins claims that harassment began in December 2022, when Reynolds leaked confidential emails concerning Higgins top-secret personal injury claim (against the federal government, Reynolds and Cash) to journalist Janet Albrechtsen.

Evidence tendered shows Reynolds fired off three emails in quick succession from her personal address on December 12 after taking issue with the Commonwealths plan to conduct her defence and leave her muzzled.

The contents were later published in an article by The Australian.

Young put it to Reynolds that she sent the emails from her personal address to avoid them becoming public, which she denied.

Higgins lawyers were also quick to point to Reynolds conduct during Lehrmanns 2022 criminal trial, including messages the senator exchanged with Lehrmanns barrister, Steve Whybrow, SC.

Reynolds was quizzed at length about her decision to volunteer the details of staff members who might assist Whybrow, a decision she insisted was made in consultation with her lawyer.

She conceded texts she had sent Whybrow that accused Higgins of a predilection for expensive clothes and of trying to imitate Princess of Wales Kate Middleton were catty.

Brittany Higgins outside the ACT Supreme Court the day the trial was aborted. Credit: Rhett Wyman

The settlement

The government paid Higgins $2.4 million compensation for lost earnings, medical expenses, legal fees and the humiliation she experienced.

While Reynolds says she does not take issue with Higgins pursuit of compensation, Bennett has sought the courts approval to forward the documents underpinning the settlement to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, including two psychological assessments he claimed were materially different.

Reynolds claims the saga is never-ending, with Higgins posts perpetuating the political storm that led to her demise.

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But the trial over those posts has spawned fresh evidence that Reynolds intends to use as a key weapon in her fight to have Higgins compensation claim considered by the corruption watchdog.

In the dying hours of the latest trial to stem from the saga, a date has not been set for a decision and the outcome is far from clear. What is clear is that even more than five years on from that night in Parliament House and with cultural reforms in place, defining the right way someone should behave when it all falls apart, without the benefit of hindsight, remains as thorny and complex as ever.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.

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Following Israels use of exploding pagers to attack Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon, Joyce said the penny dropped for so many people that there is a capacity remotely to create massive pain, massive hurt. Alastair MacGibbon is calling on Australia to follow the US and ban Chinese-made vehicle technology. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer People have got to start asking the questions like, if you can update the software, if you can track these vehicles, if theyre made in China, if there was a malevolent purpose behind it from a totalitarian state, what might be the consequences of that? he said on Sky News on Sunday morning. God forbid there was ever a war, but if there was, it would start basically online and in space. Within those two things, you could create complete and utter chaos, he said. However, opposition transport spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie said we wont be banning EVs.

The US proposal would ban Chinese software in 2027 and then hardware in 2029. Beijing has responded by urging the US to stop overstretching the concept of national security, stop its discriminatory suppression of Chinese companies and uphold an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment. The Australian government has banned Huawei on multiple occasions over national security concerns. Credit: AP This is an issue that may affect nearly all new Chinese car models sold in Australia: most released now are considered connected with onboard network hardware for internet access, which shares data with devices inside and outside the vehicle. The Albanese government is watching closely, and Alastair MacGibbon, co-founder of Australias largest cybersecurity firm CyberCX, is urging our government to quickly follow suit. When you strip back the concerns of the US government this is not about whether something is manufactured in China, but whether it requires a constant connection with China to function, MacGibbon says.

China is a surveillance state that conducts information gathering on people and organisations outside of China to advance its own interests. China has form in this area  last year the UK government discovered a tracking device in a Chinese-made component of a government vehicle. Such a move to ban an entire countrys technological infrastructure wouldnt be unprecedented in Australia. The Gillard government banned Huawei from building infrastructure underpinning the National Broadband Network in 2012, and the Turnbull government in 2018 barred the company from constructing Australias 5G network. MacGibbon served as Turnbulls cybersecurity adviser at the time. He says the decision to ban Huawei from Australias 5G hinged on whether a government in a place such as China could direct information to be gathered  or could shut down devices remotely  in a time of conflict. Any form of continuous connectivity would notionally allow this, he says. The Australian government has been more forward-leaning on technology in critical infrastructure and used by government, but we havent had a mature conversation about threats in consumer devices.

Chinas dominance in connected consumer technology like electric vehicles will only grow, and we will be on the wrong side of history as a country if we dont act now. Tilla Hoja, a China analyst with defence think tank the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), agrees, and says the Australian government should never relinquish control of its governing power to foreign actors on something as important as roads. Loading The Chinese government rapidly accelerated their sensor manufacturing business in recent years to decouple from Western supply chains. Such technologies often have dual-use capabilities, and have been reported to be feeding Chinese surveillance capabilities, Hoja says. By allowing Chinese-made smart vehicles, you effectively would be allowing Chinese cross-border surveillance capabilities into your country, which might pose a serious national security issue. It would be an extension of the Chinese authoritarian state into Australia, which would threaten our democracy.

Imagine the situation if the Chinese government could identify a cohort of people based on personal information collected, and then disable them strategically and remotely to cause a national crisis. Not everyone is as convinced that a fast blanket ban would be the right option, however. The Albanese government is right to be concerned about such threats but what to do with them is more complicated when talking about one of Australias most important trading partners, according to Gabby Fredkin, head of data and insights at Australian research firm ADAPT. While banning certain technology sounds convenient, its a blunt instrument with huge economic and political consequences, Fredkin says.

The worst-case scenario [cars being disabled remotely] is an extremely remote possibility, though threats to the security of Australian drivers data deserve our full attention. David Smitherman, chief executive of Australian BYD distributor EVDirect, said in a statement that data was not collected from Australian BYD owners on how they drove or used their vehicle. You can drive your BYD independently without the use of the app, he said. We want to be really clear about this: BYD does not have the ability to take control of any vehicles sold in Australia, remotely. In light of the US viewpoint on Chinese hardware and software in connected vehicles, we echo the general managers view insofar that we respect local regulations in every region, but does not detract from our other market growth plans. For Fredkin, there are no perfect answers, and our government is in a tough spot.
Ratcliffe-on-Soar: In many ways, coal was the commodity that made Britain. It drove politics, an empire and trade. It powered the Industrial Revolution and created the worlds first coal-fired economy.

It was the industry that made almost all others possible. And culturally, the 1980s miners strike  the biggest industrial dispute in the post-war period and a turning point in the history of British coal mining  still casts a long shadow over the UK.

Narrow boats waiting for renovation stand in a marina yard next to the eight giant cooling towers of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire. The power station, operated by German-owned Uniper, is the last coal-fired station in the UK. Credit: Getty Images

On Monday, the UKs last remaining coal-fired power station will be turned off for good, drawing to a close Britains 142-year reliance on the fossil fuel to produce electricity. It will be done with surprisingly little fanfare nor sentimentality.

Home to the worlds first coal-fired power station, the Holborn Viaduct power station in London in 1882, the UK will be the first G7 country to stop using coal for power generation, one year earlier than first set out by the previous Conservative government in 2015.
Attacks on Hezbollah targets by fighter jets continued on Saturday after the army said it told residents to evacuate three buildings it was targeting, as Israel braced for Hezbollahs response. Irans parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, commenting on the killing of Nasrallah, said on Sunday that what Iran terms resistance groups will continue to confront Israel with the help of Iran, according to Iranian state media. The tally of people who have been killed in Lebanon since the conflict escalated less than two weeks ago ranges from 700 to 1000, according to Lebanons Health Ministry. A woman watches over sleeping children sheltering outside after being displaced by Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon. Credit: Getty Images Hezbollah gave no immediate indication of who might succeed Nasrallah. Senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine has long been regarded as heir apparent. The group has not issued any statement on Safieddines status or that of any other Hezbollah leaders  apart from Nasrallah  since the attack.

Smoke was still rising from Beiruts southern suburbs on Saturday morning, visible to many of the families who had fled their homes there the night before to escape Israels massive bombardment. Many looked in vain for space in one of the overflowing schools-turned-shelters. By the morning, hundreds of families were sleeping in public squares, on beaches or in cars around Beirut. Lines of people trudged up to the mountains above the Lebanese capital, holding infants and a few belongings. The people escaping Friday nights mayhem joined tens of thousands who have fled to Beirut and other areas of southern Lebanon in the past week to escape Israels bombardment. Foreign Minister Penny Wong is representing Australia at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Credit: AP

The United Nations says the number of those displaced by the conflict from southern Lebanon has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000. At least 20 primary healthcare centres have shut down in hard-hit areas of Lebanon, the UN Office for Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia had joined the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and many other countries to call for a ceasefire in Lebanon and urged Israel to listen to the international community. It is true that Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation. It is true that they have not been complying with UN Security Council resolutions, but we see the horrific loss of life in Gaza, we see 11,000 children killed. The world does not want to see more civilian deaths, she told Sky News on Sunday morning. Wong said the endgame for the current conflict in the Middle East had to include a two-state solution to ensure peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. What the international community is saying is that civilians must be protected, aid workers must be protected.

Wong once again urged any Australians still in Lebanon to leave by whatever means are available, amid fears the conflict will escalate further. US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that the Israeli strike that killed Nasrallah was a measure of justice for victims of a four-decade reign of terror. US Vice President Kamala Harris earlier called Nasrallah a terrorist with American blood on his hands, while urging a diplomatic solution to stem the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Smoke rises from a building following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Credit: Getty Images In Iraq, on Saturday, hundreds of protesters tried to cross into the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, where the US embassy is based, in anger over Nasrallahs assassination in the Israeli airstrike.

Iran-backed Iraqi militias have periodically launched drone attacks on bases housing US troops in protest over Washingtons support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. A protest in Karachi, Pakistan, against the killing of Nasrallah Credit: AP Late on Wednesday (US time), the US, France and other allies jointly called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to allow for negotiations. Loading Hezbollah began striking Israel a day after Hamas October 7 attack in an act of solidarity with the Palestinians.

Israels campaign in Gaza has killed more than 41,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 96,000 others, according to the latest figures released on Thursday by the Health Ministry. The ministry, part of Gazas Hamas government, does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but more than half the dead have been women and children, including about 1300 children under the age of two. Loading Israel has maintained that its military operations are justified and necessary to defend itself. This war can come to an end now. All that has to happen is for Hamas to surrender, lay down its arms and release all the hostages, Netanyahu told the UN on Saturday. But if they dont, if they dont, we will fight until we achieve total victory. Total victory. There is no substitute for it.
Rodin-themed art center to open in Shanghai, featuring iconic works of legendary French sculptor

08:41, September 29, 2024 By Huang Lanlan ( Global Times

Visitors take photos of an original size version of The Thinker, an emblematic work of Auguste Rodin, at a preview of the exhibition Rodin: A Hinge Figure towards Modernity in Shanghai on September 27, 2024. (Photo: Chen Xia/GT)

In soft, ambient lighting, The Thinker rests his fist against his chin, lost in profound contemplation. Just a few steps away, Balzac stands tall, head held high. These masterpieces, crafted by the legendary French artist Auguste Rodin, are quietly placed at an exhibition hall in Shanghai, inviting local visitors on a journey through the splendor of 19th-century French art.

The exhibition Rodin: A Hinge Figure towards Modernity will kick off on Saturday as the opening exhibition of the much-anticipated Centre d Art Rodin, or Rodin art center in Shanghai, a key cultural exchange project under the theme of the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties this year.

The exhibition showcases more than 100 authentic artworks, including sculptures, paintings, and porcelain pieces, collector and the centers president Wu Jing said at the opening ceremony on Friday.

Some of the most emblematic works on display include Age of Bronze (large model), Monument to Balzac, and The Thinker (medium model), which are precious French national cultural properties deposited in the collection of Paris-based Rodin Museum that have been loaned to the center, Wu introduced.

For example, Age of Bronze (large model), is considered Rodins first truly personal work. The sensitive and vibrant modeling of the statue, which a young Belgian soldier named Auguste Ney posed for, was the result of a close study of all the profiles of the model, said a booklet of the exhibition.

The medium model of the world-renowned The Thinker on display, was an original size version of The Thinker that Rodin made in 1880. Years later, Rodin created the monumental version of The Thinker in 1903, which then became an iconic work in the history of world sculpture.

Notably, most exhibits are displayed openly without glass covers. Its a bold move, but we want to offer a perfect visiting experience, Wu told the Global Times.

Born in Paris in 1840, Rodin is hailed as the father of modern sculpture. In addition to being a great sculptor, he was also a collector deeply interested in Chinese art. The exhibition also features 16 Chinese artworks and objects collected by Rodin during his lifetime, including terracotta figurines from the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907), bronzes, and porcelain pieces from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The venue of the center, located by Shanghais iconic Huangpu River, was transformed from the former French Pavilion of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

Amelie Simier, director of the centers partner Rodin Museum, said it is an ideal location for the center. And its also an ideal time to open the center in Shanghai, showcasing our best sculptures and culture to Chinese visitors, to mark the 60 years anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between France and China, Simier told the Global Times.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Meetings are being held with delegations from international organizations and foreign states attending the 29th Annual Conference of the International Prosecutors Association (IPA) in Baku, Azernews reports citing Prosecutor General's Office.

Azerbaijan Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev met with the delegation led by Mongolian Prosecutor Jargalsaikhan Banzragch.

Kamran Aliyev emphasized that the existing mutual trust and friendly relations between the two countries serve as a platform for further developing political, economic, and cultural ties, which are rooted in deep historical connections between the two peoples. He provided detailed information about the measures being implemented in Azerbaijan to combat crime.

Highlighting the historical significance of holding the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in the country, Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev informed the guests that during COP29, the Office of the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), will hold a high-level plenary session titled "Mobilizing Law Enforcement for Enhanced Climate Action" on November 15, and presented the invitation letter to the guests.

Reflecting on the strong ties established with Mongolia's prosecutorial authorities, Kamran Aliyev spoke about the importance of experience exchange and bilateral visits of prosecutors.

The Prosecutor General of Mongolia highly appreciated the reforms being implemented within the prosecutorial authorities as well as the existing relations between the prosecutorial bodies of the two countries.

He also congratulated Kamran Aliyev on the occasion of October 1, the professional holiday of the Republic of Azerbaijan's prosecutorial staff, and the 106th anniversary of the establishment of the prosecutorial authorities.

The delegation's business visit to Azerbaijan continues.
Theres no cell service here. Theres no electricity, he said. Acknowledging there had been deaths in the county, Emergency Services director Van Taylor Jones said he wasnt ready to report specifics, partially because downed mobile phone towers had hindered efforts to contact next of kin. A tree rests on an abandoned car on the Interstate 20 in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Credit: AP Relatives put out desperate pleas for help on Facebook. Among those waiting for news was Francine Cavanaugh, whose sister told her she was going to check on guests at a vacation cabin as the storm began hitting Asheville. Cavanaugh, who lives in Atlanta, hasnt been able to reach her. I think that people are just completely stuck, she said.

The storm, now a post-tropical cyclone, was expected to hover over the Tennessee Valley over the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said. Catastrophic flooding It unleashed the worst flooding in a century in North Carolina, where Governor Roy Cooper described it as catastrophic as search and rescue teams from 19 states and the federal government came to help. One community, Spruce Pine, was doused with more than 600 millimetres of rain in five days. And in Atlanta, more than 280 millimetres fell over 48 hours, the most rain the city has seen over two days since record keeping began in 1878.

President Joe Biden said on Saturday that Helenes devastation had been overwhelming and pledged to send help. He also approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funding available for affected individuals. Having killed at least 25 in South Carolina, Helene is the deadliest tropical cyclone for the state since Hurricane Hugo killed 35 people when it came ashore just north of Charleston in 1989. Deaths also have been reported in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Loading Moodys Analytics said it expected $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage. AccuWeathers preliminary estimate of the total damage and economic loss from Helene in the United States is $U95 billion ($137.5 billion) to $US110 billion. Climate change has exacerbated conditions that allow such storms to thrive, rapidly intensifying in warming waters and turning into powerful cyclones sometimes in a matter of hours.

Evacuations and overtopped dams Evacuations began before the storm hit and continued as lakes overtopped dams, including one in North Carolina that forms a lake featured in the movie Dirty Dancing. Helicopters were used to rescue some people from flooded homes. And in Newport, Tennessee, Jonah Wark waited so long to evacuate by car that a boat came to his rescue. Definitely a scary moment, Wark said. After touring the damage by helicopter, a stunned congresswoman Diana Harshbarger said: Who would have thought a hurricane would do this much damage in East Tennessee? Among the 11 confirmed deaths in Florida were nine people who drowned in their homes in a mandatory evacuation area on the Gulf Coast in Pinellas County, where St Petersburg is located, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said.

None of the victims were from Taylor County, which is where the storm made landfall. It came ashore near the mouth of the Aucilla River, about 30 kilometres north-west of where Hurricane Idalia hit last year with nearly the same ferocity. If you had told me there was going to be storm surge [of four to five metres], even with the best efforts, I would have assumed we would have had multiple fatalities, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Saturday. Loading Taylor County in Big Bend went years without taking a direct hit from a hurricane. But after Idalia and two other storms in a little over a year, the area is beginning to feel like a hurricane superhighway. Its bringing everybody to reality about what this is now with disasters, said John Berg, 76, a resident of Steinhatchee, a small fishing town and weekend getaway.

Timmy Futch, of Horseshoe Beach, stayed put for the hurricane before driving to high ground when the water reached his house. Many homes in the town, which his grandfather helped found, were reduced to piles of timber. We watched our town get tore to pieces, Futch said. The aftermath About 100 kilometres to the north, cars lined up before dawn on Saturday at a free food distribution site in Perry, Florida, amid widespread power outages. Were making it one day at a time, said Sierra Land, who lost everything in her fridge, as she arrived at the site with her five- and 10-year-old sons and her grandmother.

Thousands of utility crew workers descended upon Florida in advance of the hurricane, and by Saturday power was restored to more than 1.9 million homes and businesses. But hundreds of thousands remained without electricity there and in Georgia. Chris Stallings, director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, said crews were focused on opening routes to hospitals and making sure supplies could be delivered to damaged communities. Loading Helene was the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average season this year because of record warm ocean temperatures. AP
SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft successfully reached orbit on Sunday (AEST) with an unusually small crew heading to the International Space Station (ISS).

The capsule, named Freedom, carried just one NASA astronaut and one Russian cosmonaut rather than the usual four crew members, leaving two seats open for Sunita Suni Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore, who have been stuck on the space station since Boeings Starliner was deemed unfit to return them to Earth.

Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov (left) and NASA astronaut Nick Hague wave as they leave the Operations and Checkout Building at Cape Canaveral, Florida, as they prepare for their mission to the International Space Station. Credit: AP

If the mission is successful, it will be a triumphant moment for SpaceX, whose Dragon capsule has become NASAs sole means of delivering astronauts to the ISS.

The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the capsule took off on Saturday (US time) from Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA and SpaceX were cleared for launch after a Tuesday test, although the launch was delayed by two days when Hurricane Helene reached the Gulf of Mexico.
Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Azernews reports citing the ministry's "X" social network.

The sides discussed a wide range of topics, including the Sustainable Development Goals, COP29, demining, reconstruction of liberated territories, post-conflict normalization, and the peace agenda.
A meeting has been held in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, aimed at strengthening the activities of the Azerbaijani Diaspora, Azernews reports.

A the beginning of the event, the National Anthem of Azerbaijan was played, and a moment of silence was held to honor the memory of the Azerbaijani martyrs.

In their remarks, the participants underlined that the unification of various organizations would contribute to strengthening the diaspora. The necessity of establishing an organizing committee for better coordination of the activities of the Swedish-Azerbaijan Federation (SAF) was highlighted.

By a majority vote, the organizing committee was created. It was noted that during the next congress of the federation, scheduled for early 2025, the organizing committee would be responsible for selecting the executive board of the federation.

At the end of the event, the importance of establishing an Azerbaijani House was mentioned, and an initial project related to this was presented.

Established in 2020, Swedish-Azerbaijan Federation, was not very active during the pandemic. However, the organizations represented within it carried out several events in collaboration with both the Azerbaijani and Swedish communities.
The government has offered manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs), mobile phones, solar panels, and other renewable-energy equipment significant incentives and subsidies. Critical to the operations of such manufacturers is an uninterrupted and robust supply chain of critical minerals that power these industries  lithium, nickel, cobalt, tungsten and graphite, cadmium, chromium, and so on. Building domestic sources of these minerals, then, is essential not only to ensure that climate-change goals are met but that India can build a degree of security and competitive advantage in manufacturing these products of the future. Set against these objectives, which involve
Azerbaijan Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev has received a delegation headed by Director of the State Prosecutor's Office of Kenya Renson Mulele Inqonqa, Azernews reports.

The meeting was organized in the framework of the 29th Annual Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) held in Baku.

Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev noted that cooperation with Kenya within the Non-Aligned Movement has reached a high level and highlighted the strong political ties between the two countries.

He emphasized the historical significance of holding the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in our country and pointed out Kenya's substantial contribution to global efforts in addressing climate issues.

Recalling the Kenyan delegation's first visit to Azerbaijan in February of this year and the establishment of solid connections among prosecutorial bodies, Kamran Aliyev discussed the importance of experience exchange and bilateral visits of prosecutorial staff.

Renson Mulele Inqonqa appreciated the reforms being implemented in Azerbaijans prosecutorial bodies and the existing relations between the prosecutorial agencies of the two countries.

Subsequently, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to strengthen legal cooperation between our countries and to develop the existing relations for further intensification in the future.

The business trip of the delegation to Azerbaijan country continues.
Fiinovation, Indias leading CSR consulting firm, celebrated its Foundation Day today, marking another year of impactful work in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Since its inception, Fiinovation has been committed to driving meaningful change by connecting corporates and NGOs for sustainable development initiatives. The Foundation Day celebration, held at the company's headquarters in New Delhi, brought together team members, partners, and stakeholders to reflect on the journey so far and the milestones achieved over the years. The theme of this years event was Empowering Communities, Strengthening Partnerships, highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving social development goals.

Talking about the event, Dr. Soumitro Chakraborty said, Our clients, partners, and especially the members of the Fiinovation family, this day wouldnt have become a reality, if you werent around. Today is the occasion that we express our sincere gratitude to each one of you, and your families for everyone who has ever been associated with our company. I must assure you at this moment that each one of you have played a significant role in creating a story for the last 16 years. A long way ahead, is there for us to go. Certainly, we should realize that this company was not set up with a short-term vision and we were certainly not created to create a short-term impact. For a long-term impact and sustainable model of business functioning, it requires support from each and everyone associated with the company. Together, we will not only strive ahead at a much faster pace, but we will ensure that our motto to create positive impact stays alive and a positive impact is created in every micro-step that we take in the coming future.

On this special occasion, Dr. Soumitro Chakraborty, CEO of Fiinovation, unveiled the companys first-ever Anthem, a powerful reflection of its core ethos, culture, and diversity. The Anthem embodies Fiinovation's dedication and perseverance in serving society and driving positive change.

The celebration continued with the companys annual award ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions across the team. This was followed by the monthly employee recognition program, celebrating the hard work and dedication of individuals. Additionally, the team gathered to celebrate the birthdays of employees born in September, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. A lunch was organized, where employees, clients, and stakeholders joined together in a spirit of unity. The event concluded with Dr. Chakraborty addressing the company, its clients, and all stakeholders, reinforcing Fiinovations unwavering commitment to creating lasting social impact and expressing his gratitude for the continued support and collaboration.

Over the years, Fiinovation has carved a niche in the CSR domain, offering end-to-end CSR consulting firm services including project design, implementation, and impact assessment. With a focus on key areas like health, education, livelihood, and environment, the company has collaborated with numerous corporate clients to drive initiatives that create lasting social impact.

The day was also marked by a series of activities, including a panel discussion featuring thought leaders in the CSR and sustainability sectors. The discussion delved into the evolving landscape of CSR in India, emphasizing the role of innovation and collaboration in addressing pressing social challenges. Attendees also participated in community engagement activities, reinforcing Fiinovations commitment to direct social action.

Fiinovations Foundation Day concluded with a pledge by the team to continue its efforts toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative CSR strategies. As Fiinovation moves forward, the organization remains focused on its vision of creating socially responsible organizations that contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.
We are delighted with the current level of Azerbaijan-China interstate relations, which are rooted in friendship and mutual respect and are continuously enriched with new substance each day, said President Ilham Aliyev as he sent a congratulatory letter to President Xi Jinping on the occasion of 75th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, Azernews reports.

The President touched upon the meeting in Astana this July, held in an atmosphere of sincerity and mutual trust, and the exchange of views on the broad spectrum of bilateral ties and the prospects for cooperation.

I consider the adoption of the Joint Declaration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Peoples Republic of China on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership at the meeting to be a significant historic step and a testament to our mutual determination to further broaden and solidify our cooperation.

The current level of our political ties and active dialogue provides ample ground for broadening the scope of our mutually beneficial engagement in the areas of economy, trade, transportation and logistics, telecommunications, humanitarian field and other sectors. I wish to highlight our productive collaboration within the Belt and Road and the Middle Corridor projects.

In the meantime, we are committed to deepening our joint efforts with China in addressing climate change, including cooperation on green energy, green and low-carbon technologies, as well as seeking closer interaction with your countrys companies that have advanced experience. I believe that Chinas active participation in COP29, to be hosted by Azerbaijan in November, will contribute to advancing the global climate action agenda and achieving the goal of leaving a cleaner and more sustainable world for future generations, the letter reads.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that through joint efforts, the traditionally friendly Azerbaijan-China relations and mutually beneficial cooperation will develop both bilaterally and multilaterally in line with the interests of the two friendly peoples, while strategic partnership deepens further.
On September 28, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to improve the extraction, processing, and supply of Naftalan oil, expand the use of Naftalan oil and its derived products, and promote the city of Naftalan worldwide as a wellness tourism destination, according to Azernews.

To be updated...
Sean McCarthaigh

Irish people are the 6th biggest wasters of food among EU citizens with an average of 145kg of food waste being generated annually per inhabitant in the Republic.

New figures published by the European Commission show food wastage levels in Ireland on a per capita basis were 10 per cent above the EU average of 132kg per inhabitant in 2022.

However, food businesses rather than householders are mostly responsible for the scale of the problem in the Republic.

Overall, the EU generated 59.2 million tonnes of food waste in 2022, including edible and inedible parts, with almost 750,000 tonnes accounted for by Ireland.

The latest figures show the annual amount of food waste among Irish people has been falling in recent years  down from an average of 154kg per head of population in 2020 to 145kg last year.

They also reveal that ordinary householders in Ireland are relatively very good at limiting the amount of food they waste compared to most other EU citizens.

Instead, they show that the level of food waste generated by manufacturers of food products in the Republic as well as restaurants and other food outlets are disproportionately high compared to their counterparts in other EU member states.

The figures highlight how the average householder in Ireland generated an average of just 43kg of food waste in 2022  the third lowest level after Slovenia and Bulgaria with the EU average at 72kg per person.

Ordinary members of the public in Ireland account for just 30 per cent of all food waste generated in the country compared to the EU average of 55 per cent.

Unlike most other EU countries where householders are responsible for the largest share of food waste, the latest figures show food manufacturers in Ireland account for the biggest share of the problem at 31 per cent - representing an average of 45kg of food waste per inhabitant.

The rate of food waste by food companies in the Republic is the 5th highest in the EU.

Restaurants and other food outlets in Ireland accounted for 21 per cent of all food waste in the country in 2022, generating an annual average of 30kg per inhabitant.

It is the third highest rate for restaurants among the 27 EU member states after Malta and Cyprus but is down from 38kg per capita in 2021.

On average, restaurants are responsible for just 11 per cent of all food waste in the EU, or an average of 15kg per inhabitant.

The figures were released to coincide with International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on September 29th.

The European Commission pointed out that household food waste is slightly more than twice the amount of food waste generated by the combined sectors of primary production and manufactures of food products and beverages where strategies exist for reducing food waste.

Officials in Brussels claimed the impact of the end of the Covid-19 lockdowns on the contribution of restaurants and food outlets as well as retailers to food waste, at 11% and 8% respectively of the EU average, was still being analysed.

In Ireland, waste collection companies are obliged to provide a bio-waste or brown bin to all customers regardless of where in the country they live since January 1st 2024 as a result of the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2023 coming into effect.

In July, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Eamon Ryan, said the expansion of the brown bin was being supported by a comprehensive education and awareness campaign.

Household and commercial waste is one of the National Waste Enforcement Priorities for 2024. Therefore local authority waste enforcement efforts will be targeted towards ensuring that waste collectors are providing the service as required, said Mr Ryan.
The Unity Group is issuing an urgent appeal to the community concerning the upcoming November presidential election. There is less than a week left to register for the upcoming election.

You may verify your voter information through visiting the Secretary of State's website online, or through contacting the Hamilton County Election Commission.

It is important to have accurate knowledge of voting status prior to going to the polls because this might have been altered following the last redistricting process. In some cases, precincts and polling places may have been merged or closed altogether. Many may have been purged from the polls.

Less than 15 percent of registered voters participated in the last election in August, a woefully low turnout compared to the number of eligible voters. We should caution all of us to remember, there is great truth in an old political adage, that all politics is local.

We vote for the state representatives; the sheriffs, judges and district attorneys; the council persons and school board members; the mayors and the governor.

These are the public officials who directly impact and influence our lives on a daily basis, from the courthouse to the school house. Lack of participation equates to lack of influence of public officials who affect your vestige interest.

A message that has greatly resonated with us during this election season hails from YelloPain, the Ohio based rapper who has lent his voice and platform to advocate for us all, especially younger voters and millennials, to exercise their right to vote in order to influence progress and change in their respective communities.

A few of the lyrics of his much heralded song, My Vote Don't Count, espouses:

Every time you stay one someone is making a decision about you

Making decisions about the air you breath, the water you drink, the food your kids eat, and how much money you bring home very twice weeks.

So every time you sit out an election, every time you dont show up because you think it doesnt matter, someone else is happy that you didnt show up. So they can make that decision for you. Vote!

As the late U.S. Congressman and Civil Rights icon John Lewis, who was brutally assaulted marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday for the sake of voting rights often said to us, The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy.

We urge all who are able, to register and vote during the upcoming election season in what very well may turn out to be the most consequential election of our time.

Eric Atkins

Unity Group of Chattanooga






Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov delivered a speech at an informal ministerial dialogue on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly on September 27, Azernews reports.

Organized under Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency, the event featured participation from Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology Mukhtar Babayev, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, and high-level representatives from various nations and COP29 negotiation groups.

In his speech, Bayramov outlined Azerbaijan's priorities for COP29, emphasizing inclusivity, collaboration, and the importance of mobilizing financial resources, especially from the private sector and multilateral institutions, to support global climate action, particularly in the Global South.

He also highlighted the need for an agreement on the NCQG for climate finance as a critical step in addressing the global climate crisis, calling for a constructive approach in negotiations. Bayramov reiterated Azerbaijan's commitment to ensuring the necessary tools for achieving climate goals, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The dialogue continued with further discussions on the New Collective Quantified Goal for climate finance.




In 1971, George Harrison reached out across the rift separating the former members of The Beatles by inviting Paul McCartney to play in his Concert for Bangladesh. The benefit concert was among the first of its kind and raised money for refugees. McCartney admitted that when Harrison asked him to participate, he felt irritated.

Paul McCartney shared why he wouldnt play George Harrisons Concert for Bangladesh

After The Beatles broke up, Harrison and John Lennon publicly aired their grievances with McCartney. Still, Harrison asked him to take part in the benefit concert. McCartney declined, not wanting to reunite the band so soon after breaking up.

George invited me, and I must say [my reason for declining] was more than just visa problems, McCartney told Rolling Stone. At the time there was the whole Apple thing. When the Beatles broke up, at first I thought, Right, broken up, no more messing with any of that. George came up and asked if I wanted to play Bangla Desh and I thought, blimey, whats the point? Were just broken up and were joining up again? It just seemed a bit crazy.

George Harrison | Icon and Image/Getty Images

He admitted he felt irritated that Harrison invited him. At the time, the former Beatles were enmired in a legal battle over their contracts. He felt it was unfair for Harrison to ask him a favor when he was trapped in their partnership agreement.

There were a lot of things that went down then, most of which Ive forgotten now. I really felt annoyed  Im not going to do that if he wont bloody let me out of my contract. Something like that, he said. For years there had been problems as to why the other three felt they couldnt just rip up our partnership agreement.

He admitted that much of his behavior at the time was out of bitterness

McCartney admitted that much of his behavior in the immediate aftermath of the bands split drew fuel from his frustration.

There was an awful lot of that, and a lot of what I did around about then was just out of bitterness at all that, he said. I thought, This is crazy, no one likes me enough to just let me go, give me my little bit of the proceeds and let me split off. It was a little tit-for-tat, if youre not going to do this for me, Im not going to do that for you.

Like Paul McCartney, John Lennon did not perform at George Harrisons benefit concert

Lennon also refused to participate in the concert, though for different reasons. He initially agreed to do it but backed out when Harrison said Yoko Ono could not perform with him. He later rolled his eyes at the idea of a benefit concert.

John Lennon and George Harrison | Keystone Features/Getty Images

I am just going to do it privately, he told Playboy in 1980. I am not going to get locked into that business of saving the world onstage. The show is always a mess and the artist always comes off badly.

Ringo Starr was the only one of Harrisons former bandmates to get onstage at the concert.
Home News Christian groups provide disaster relief to Helene victims as death toll climbs past 60

Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region before sweeping through Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and Tennessee, has left over 60 people dead and millions without power. In response, Christian organizations such as Samaritan's Purse and The Salvation Army swiftly mobilized to deliver critical disaster relief across the southeastern United States.

The hurricane, which initially made landfall as a Category 4 storm, brought devastating winds, heavy rainfall and widespread flooding, particularly impacting Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. The damage has been catastrophic.

Helene had left at least 63 people dead in five states, as of early Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

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State officials reported that at least 20 people have died in South Carolina, including two firefighters in Saluda County. In Georgia, the death toll has reached at least 17, with two fatalities caused by a tornado in Alamo. The number of confirmed deaths in Florida has risen to 11, including several drownings in Pinellas County. In Virginia, one person died in Craig County due to a storm-related tree fall and building collapse.

Franklin Graham, leading both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritans Purse, stated on social media, This storm is huge. Pray for the safety of all of those in [its] path.

His organizations are offering both physical aid and spiritual support to the affected communities.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team has deployed chaplains to the hardest-hit areas, including Tampa and Perry in Florida, Valdosta in Georgia and the High Country in North Carolina, the group said in a statement.

These chaplains are providing a ministry of presence at shelters such as the one in Fletcher, North Carolina, as well as offering support at hospitals overwhelmed by the disaster, like the Watauga County Hospital in Boone.

Josh Holland, international director of BG-RRT, described the scenes across the states as almost unfathomable.

We often brace for storms, and we watched as Hurricane Helene came ashore. Even still, the impact of this disaster caught many by surprise. The scenes were witnessing across multiple states are almost unfathomable, Holland said.

Similarly, Samaritans Purse said it has initiated responses in five key locations across the Southeast. The group's efforts are concentrated around their base in Perry, Florida, where the hurricane first made landfall with 140-mph winds. Additional bases have been set up in Valdosta, Georgia, and in the High Country of North Carolina, including Boone, where Samaritans Purse is headquartered.

Samaritans Purse responds to help with storms and crises around the world every day, but now the storm has hit in our own backyard, Graham said, noting the personal connection to the storms impact.

The organization is also assisting in the Asheville area in North Carolina, where rivers overflowed, causing significant damage.

Volunteers from across the country are being rallied to assist with the recovery efforts, including mudding out homes, cutting down trees, and other vital activities to help affected homeowners, it said.

Convoy of Hope is another Christian group making significant contributions, particularly in Perry, Florida, which has suffered from multiple hurricanes over the past year. According to an update on its website, they have initiated a drive-thru distribution of groceries, water and hygiene kits.

The group quoted a resident of Perry as saying, It was like an earthquake.

Were so grateful for you being here, Pastor Dave of Perrys First Assembly of God Church said. I told my friends, Help is here. You people are incredible.

The Salvation Army has also been active, deploying 10 mobile feeding units immediately as the storm approached and putting an additional 35 on standby. These units are serving up to 1,500 meals per day to those affected, the group said in a statement sent to The Christian Post.

In times of crisis, we stand united with communities facing hardship, Kenneth G. Hodder, national commander of The Salvation Army, said.

As of late Saturday, the Salvation Armys efforts included meal provision in several emergency shelters across Georgia and support for local disaster workforce meals.

Moodys Analytics estimates that Helene caused between $15 to $26 billion in property damage across affected states, with more than 3 million people still without power.
Home News Fewer churches offering support to those struggling with opioid addiction, survey finds

The percentage of churches that provide support to those fighting opioid addiction has declined compared to what it was five years ago, according to a new poll of pastors from Lifeway Research.

Lifeway released a new survey of 1,004 Protestant pastors this month, which looks at how the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States is impacting their congregations and what they are doing about it.

The research was conducted from Aug. 29-Sept. 20, 2023, with a margin of sampling error of +/-3.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. This was compared to a similar phone survey conducted in 2018 of 1,000 Protestant pastors.

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Among those surveyed, 64% of pastors said that at least one family member of someone belonging to their congregation had been personally affected by opioid abuse, while 45% said that a member of our congregation was personally affected.

Only about a quarter (24%) reported not knowing anyone tied to their church who was impacted by opioid abuse.

Despite this, Lifeway found that, compared to 2018, support among congregations for those experiencing opioid addiction had declined on multiple fronts.

Churches providing spiritual support including prayer or discipleship for addicts went from 82% in 2018 to 72% in 2023. Additionally, churches that were providing a 12-step program or other support group declined from 40% in 2018 to 32% in 2023.

Pastors who reported that their churches were not providing spiritual support or other support for those experiencing opioid abuse increased from 13% in 2018 to 21% in 2023.

Lifeway Research Executive Director Scott McConnell said in a statement that if churches are not expressing compassion for those who face these challenges, they likely wont become aware of needs until the abuse is chronic.

Spiritual, physical and recovery help can all be ongoing ministries of a church or offered as needed, stated McConnell. When these are ongoing support ministries, there are naturally more opportunities to encounter and help those impacted by opioid abuse.

In recent years, there has been a sharp uptick in deaths connected to the abuse of opioids, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reporting that over 81,000 Americans suffered opioid-related deaths in 2023, a sharp increase from the 46,802 opioid-involved deaths reported in 2018.

Many churches and ministries have responded to the crisis over the years. For example, the American Association of Christian Counselors hosted a one-day gathering in 2018 to help train people to combat the problem.

AACC President Tim Clinton told The Christian Post at the time that the opioid epidemic is a problem that is impacting communities, churches, and families throughout the nation.

No one entity can stem the tide. ... We must work together to help people recover from opioid addiction, said Clinton in the 2018 interview.

We are determined to help eradicate this horrible scourge from devastating our society. This event showcases a model of community, civic, and church collaboration that should be reproduced nationwide to help those ensnared by opiates and other substance use disorders.

In May, the CDCs National Center for Health Statistics announced that there were approximately 107,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023, which marked a 3% decrease compared to the estimated 111,000 deaths in 2022. This was the first reported annual decrease in overdose deaths since 2018.
Home News Michael Oh closes out Lausanne 4 with call to 'collective responsibility' for the Great Commission

INCHEON, South Carolina  "The Great Commission is everyone's responsibility," Michael Oh told thousands of Christians at the end of the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization on Saturday.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of Lausanne 4, Oh warned against dismissing the Great Commission as "not my business," and said that it must be seen as the Church's "collective responsibility" and "everyone's business."

"The Great Commission is everyone's responsibility. The aggregate result of Christians doing their own thing in their own place  even faithfully  has left us with the trajectory that, year after year, there are more people in the world who have never heard the Gospel than the year before," he said.

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In his final keynote address to the Congress on Saturday, Oh said that "anything short of a massive realignment of Christian presence and coordination and intentionality" would result in billions of people never hearing the Gospel.

He said he wanted to see more Christians entering different spheres of society to reach people with the Gospel.

"With 3.4 billion people who live among 7,400 unreached people groups in the world and will likely never hear the Good News of Jesus before they die; with 86 percent of all the world's Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus not knowing a single Christian ... this is not just the responsibility of missionaries and ministers, but of artists, engineers, students, professors, CFOs, CEOs and more," he said.

He continued, "May none of us find comfort in imagining ourselves standing before God one day and giving excuses for our lack of intentionality and collective responsibility by pleading ignorance and saying, sorry, I didn't know."

Collaborative action has been stressed throughout Lausanne 4. On the final day, participants were asked to sign a 'Collaborative Action Commitment' to inspire them to continue seeking ways to work together beyond the Congress in sharing the Gospel.

Oh said that no Christian could say they did not need each other. "What impact and greater effectiveness might there be if the ministry of all God's people were to [be] less like the Christian version of 'do random acts of kindness' and more like a coordinated and healthy Body of Jesus Christ?" he said.

Lausanne 4 brought together over 5,000 Christians from over 200 countries to South Korea for a week of collaborating and strategizing for world mission.

Discussions were supposed to be underpinned by the Seoul Statement, a 20-page document intended to complement and build upon previous Lausanne theological statements. However, publishing the Seoul Statement prior to the Congress proved controversial and created confusion and frustration among many participants who had expected to deliberate over it during the gathering in order to provide feedback before its release.

The strength of feeling led Lausanne leaders to open a feedback mechanism for Congress participants to share their reflections on the Seoul Statement's content.

Lausanne spokesperson Michael du Toit acknowledged the confusion in an email to participants inviting their responses to the Seoul Statement: "We recognize that in introducing the Seoul Statement, we should have been clearer in explaining its purpose and the way in which participants are invited to engage with it."

The feedback will be considered in the coming weeks by the Theology Working Group, who together with Lausanne senior leaders will determine any next steps to be taken.

The Seoul Statement was not the only controversy at the congress after some participants were upset by comments from guest speaker Ruth Padilla DeBorst criticizing Israel and dispensational eschatology.

The comments during her Monday night presentation on justice prompted an apology by congress director David Bennett.

Others were angered by the apology. Valdir Steuernagel, a Brazilian theologian and senior executive adviser to the Lausanne Movement, said it was "problematic" that Lausanne had "distanced itself from one of the most impactful presentations of the event."

Addressing the controversy on Friday, Chris Wright, who serves on Lausanne's board of directors, told reporters that the movement "doesn't claim to be the voice of the whole Christian community," and suggested that members must find a way to live with their differences that does not seek to "pin blame or come up with easy solutions."

"What was said on Monday night was bound to be hurtful for some, and the apology on her behalf hurtful for others. It's very hard to simply say that one side's right or the other side's wrong," he said.

Lausanne 4 was held over seven days at the Songdo Convensia in Incheon, just outside the Korean capital of Seoul. Sessions explored key topics relating to world mission, including leadership, intergenerational discipleship, urban mission, sexuality, faith in the workplace, justice, climate change and persecution.

The Congress coincided with the Lausanne Movement's 50th anniversary, marking half a century since the late evangelist Billy Graham, John Stott and other Evangelical leaders came together in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974 to found the mission-focused movement.

In his keynote address during the anniversary celebrations on Wednesday, Oh said it was imperative that the Church engage digitally with the world or else "lose the future."

Lausanne 4 was held around the theme of "Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together." It was supported by hundreds of Korean churches and thousands of individual Korean Christians who signed up to pray for the event throughout the week, although a few local Christians protested outside the gathering, claiming that Lausanne was failing to speak out against homosexuality. A Lausanne spokesperson said that the movement had decided not to engage with the protesters.

Originally published on Christian Today U.K.
Home News Rick Warren lists 10 action steps through the book of Acts to help church leaders finish their race There's a direct connection between prayer and power

INCHEON, South Korea  In his 54th year in ministry, Rick Warren, founder of Saddleback Church, declared at the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization that he would spend the next 10 years of his life continuing to help church leaders finish their race and fulfill the Great Commission in their lifetime.

Following an in-depth group discussion with delegates at Lausanne 4 earlier last week in which he detailed how pastors and church leaders can witness the exponential growth of believers like that seen by the first century Church simply by modeling Jesus, he shared with the thousands of delegates on Saturday 10 action steps from Acts Chapters 1 and 2 to evangelize the lost.

Warren, who attended his first Lausanne when he was 20 years old, told those younger than 40 to look to those around them who are 40 and older because theyre going to need those individuals with experience to help them as mentors, models, partners and friends in order to finish their God-given assignments.

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Heres the list of the 10 action steps Warren shared at Lausanne 4:
Home Opinion The conflation of race and sexuality  why it matters for Evangelical America

Youre on the wrong side of history. Your views are no better than that of religious bigots who used the Bible to oppose interracial marriage.

Sentiments like these are among the biggest talking points LGBT activists use today. They try to convince folks that conservative Christian doctrine on marriage, sexuality, and gender is evil and bigoted. LGBT activists attempt to conflate Christians theological beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman, and that gender is immutably determined by biology, with those of racists from the past who promoted Jim Crow and white supremacy.

These sentiments are very persuasive, and no small amount of Christians have been won over by LGBT-affirming arguments on the basis of that analogy. I know this very well, because I was very close to buying into this analogy myself for several years. When I was attending Oklahoma Baptist University  a Southern Baptist college  some events in my personal life caused me to dive headfirst into a large spiritual crisis surrounding this issue, and I was scared to death that my views on sexuality and gender made me as bad as a racist.

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The argument we often hear is that just like conservative Evangelicals were wrong about slavery and segregation, theyre also wrong about homosexuality and transgenderism today. To the world, both are cases of bigotry and prejudice, without exception.



I wasnt so much worried about how secular leftists viewed me  I have no problem standing for unpopular truths  I was worried that they were objectively right, and I was objectively wrong. If they were right, then Id be causing undue harm to my LGBT neighbors and misrepresenting the love of God, and the idea of doing either of those things scared me to death.

However, a survey of Christian Church history over the past 2,000 years does ultimately dispel this conflation, however rhetorically attractive it may be in modern America. For one, the Catholic Church, which has been around for two millennia, has always defined marriage as being between a man and a woman, and as racist as some bishops throughout history may have been, there was never an explicit doctrine in the Catholic Church that taught that interracial marriage was wrong. For Evangelical Protestants, especially Reformed folks, the evidence is even more glaring. The most prominent Reformed confessions of faith like the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, the 1689 Baptist Confession, the Savoy Declaration, as well as the earlier Second Helvetic Confession, all have explicit teachings on marriage, and all but the last one touch on gender too. All of these confessions explicitly teach that marriage is between a man and a woman, but not a single one says anything about race or ethnicity.



In the chapter on creation in the former three, it also explicitly teaches that God created us male and female, but theres nothing remotely similar to what Judge Leon Bazile infamously said about how Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, Malay, and red to deny the interracial loving couple in Loving v. Virginia the right to marry anywhere in these confessions. The Westminster Catechisms also go further, with sodomy being condemned under the seventh commandment alongside bestiality, incest, and fornication  but remains silent on the issue of miscegenation.



The fact that even later iterations of the Westminster Standards didnt include an injunction against interracial marriage proves that the Bible does not condemn interracial marriage like fundamentalists and Evangelicals of the past thought it did. Very importantly, these are not obscure confessions or doctrinal statements; these are some of the most revered and influential Christian confessions in Protestant history. These confessions are anything but obscure sectarian documents  they are easily within the mainstream tradition of Evangelical Protestantism.

Having said that, there are still things Christians need to be mindful of. Some churches in the past have shamefully deployed the Bible to justify their ethnic bigotry, which has been used, in turn, by the LGBT crowd to wield that history against us when we defend biblical sexuality. This history and my two yearlong spiritual crisis surrounding it was enough for me to change the way I think about race and racism in America, as I describe here. If American Evangelical Christians want any moral legs to stand on in the sexuality debate, we must own up to our sordid racial past.

We must be the most radically ethnically/racially united part of America instead of being the most segregated part. Our witness to a hostile world is priceless for the sake of Christs Kingdom. We cant afford to tarnish it.
The opinions expressed by Peter Stano, Spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Union (EU) in response to the question of the Armenian news agency "Armenpress" about the mandate of the European Union Mission in Armenia and the militarization of Armenia, are completely groundless and unacceptable.

Aykhan Hajizada, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told this in his commentary on the claims of Peter Stano, European Union (EU) Spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Azernews reports, citing MFA.

We resolutely reject the false and biased interpretation of the views of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan by the official of the European Union.

The expansion without any basis, of the mandate of the Mission created with the consent of Azerbaijan, and the idea that it is supposed to play a role in supporting peace in the region and the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia demonstrates how this Mission has been misused.

This Mission, which is actively exploited as an anti-Azerbaijani propaganda tool, cannot have any role in Azerbaijan's normalization process with Armenia.

Despite various promises since the establishment of the EU Mission, they ignored the legitimate interests of Azerbaijan, and the Missions activities did not ensure mutual trust and confidence.

It is known to everyone that the Head of the EU Mission has repeatedly voiced opinions that Azerbaijan is preparing for any attack based on the false and slanderous claims of the Armenian side, and that the main task of the EU Mission is presented as "protecting Armenia from Azerbaijan, thereby undermining the normalization process. In this environment, the Armenian side is abusing the presence of the EU Mission.

Moreover, the campaign aimed at the militarization of Armenia, which is known throughout the world for its policy of aggression, nearly 30 years of military occupation against Azerbaijan, and new promises of greater military supplies (including lethal and offensive weapons) is a threat to Azerbaijan's national security. The European Union Spokesperson's justification of this process is a source of concern.

Non-termination of massive militarization policy, including the acquisition of strategic offensive weapons by Armenia that does not give up its territorial claims against its neighbors, can be considered as efforts to create further tension in the region.

Azerbaijan is a supporter of sustainable peace, stability, and security in the region based on the basic norms and principles of international law. It is necessary to resolutely prevent steps that threaten peace.
Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev has received Deputy Prosecutor General of Uzbekistan Sherzod Tukhtaboyev on the sidelines of the 29th Annual Conference of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) held in Baku, Azernews reports.

Kamran Aliyev emphasized that the longstanding ties between our nations have developed successfully across various sectors, including political, economic, and cultural areas. He specifically mentioned that significant strategic initiatives, driven by the political will of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, have further consolidated the relationship between the two countries, benefiting their peoples.

He pointed out that the construction and opening of the school named after Mirzo Ulugbek by Uzbekistan in the recently liberated city of Fuzuli, as well as Uzbekistan's active role in the reconstruction of Karabakh, exemplify the strong bonds of brotherhood between the two nations.

Aliyev also noted the active collaboration between the two countries on the international stage, particularly within key organizations such as the UN, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

In discussing the extensive reforms taking place in Azerbaijan's prosecution system, Aliyev highlighted the prosecution's role in fighting crime and the importance of international cooperation in this area. He stressed the value of exchanging experiences and facilitating bilateral visits among prosecution staff.

Kamran Aliyev underlined the historical significance of Azerbaijan hosting COP29, the 29th Annual Conference of the IAP, and the General Assembly, stating that these international events create a favorable environment for enhancing intergovernmental relations.

He then invited his Uzbek counterpart, Nigmatulla Yuldashev, to participate in the High-Level Plenary Session on "Mobilizing Law Enforcement in the Fight Against Climate Change," organized by the Prosecutor General's Office and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, scheduled for November 15 in Baku.

Deputy Prosecutor General Yuldashev, while emphasizing the strong cooperation between the prosecution offices of both nations, acknowledged the importance of maintaining these relations in the future. He also congratulated Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev on October 1, Azerbaijan's Prosecutors' Day, and the 106th anniversary of the establishment of the prosecution office.
We highly appreciate our longstanding relationship with the International Association of Prosecutors and believe it is important to strengthen efforts to further solidify this partnership, President Ilham Aliyev said this in his message to the participants of the 29th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors.

Azerbaijans prosecutorial bodies have undergone progressive reforms, ensuring the rule of law and the full protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. Our countrys law enforcement agencies contribute significantly at the international level to the fight against transnational crime, terrorism, separatism, trafficking, money laundering, illicit drug trade, cybercrime, illegal migration, and more, while supporting international cooperation toward that end.

The emergence of new forms and manifestations of transborder crime, including new types of cybercrime, the use of social media platforms, and the exploitation of opportunities offered by artificial intelligence to commit crimes and engage in terrorist activities, present new and complex challenges for prosecutorial bodies.

In the meantime, we are concerned about the growing trends of ethnic and religious hatred and discrimination around the world.

I am confident that the four-day conference themed Role of the Prosecutor in Upholding the Rule of Law will contribute to achieving shared objectives and pave the way for enhanced cooperation, the President noted.
 


When Warren Buffett, the ultimate buy-and-hold investor, sells a stock, it often sends a negative signal about the underlying business and maybe even the entire industry. The Sage of Omaha, whose preferred holding period is forever, is usually only motivated to exit a big position when he judges that the competitive edge of a business has eroded. "We're more reluctant to sell them than most people," Buffett said of his large positions at Berkshire's annual meeting in 2009. "If we made the right decision going in, we like to ride that a very long time, and we've owned some stocks for decades. But if the competitive advantage disappears, if we really lose faith in the management, if we were wrong in the original analysis  and that happens  we sell." For example, when Buffett invested in newspapers like the Omaha World-Herald and Buffalo News in the 1970s, he thought their franchises were impregnable. But by the early 2000s his view on the industry soured as declining advertising revenue and the transition to digital platforms destroyed profits. He eventually sold his 30-odd newspapers in early 2020. Bank of America sales Many top holdings in Berkshire Hathaway's equity portfolio are decades old  Buffett has held Coca-Cola shares since 1988 and American Express since 1991. Maybe that's why the 94-year-old investment legend recently raised eyebrows as he dumped about $9 billion of Bank of America shares in a selling spree starting in mid-July. Buffett famously bought $5 billion of BofA preferred stock and warrants in 2011 to shore up confidence in the embattled lender struggling with losses tied to subprime mortgages. He converted the warrants to common stock in 2017, making Berkshire the largest shareholder in BofA. The "Oracle of Omaha" then added 300 million more shares to his bet in 2018 and 2019. The recent BofA sales came after Buffett spent the past few years dumping a variety of longtime holdings in the banking industry, including JPMorgan , Goldman Sachs , Wells Fargo and U.S. Bancorp . Berkshire still holds a 10.3% stake in Bank of America. If the selling continues and the holding drops below the 10% reporting threshold, we won't know how far Buffett has reduced the position until the quarterly 13-F updates. 'We're very cautious' So, does Buffett think BofA and others have lost their competitive advantage? Maybe. Last year, shortly after the regional banking crisis that drove Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic into the arms of saviors , the Berkshire CEO hinted at nascent problems in the banking industry. "We don't know where the shareholders of the big banks, necessarily, or the regional banks or any bank, are heading now," Buffett said in 2023. "The American public is probably as confused about banking as ever. And that has consequences. Nobody knows what the consequences are because every event starts recreating a different dynamic." Buffett said bank failures in 2008 during the Global Financial Crisis , and again in 2023, lessened confidence in the system, made worse by poor messaging by regulators and politicians. Meanwhile, digitalization and fintech made bank runs a simple matter at times of crisis. The collapse of Silicon Valley and Signature Bank early last year , two of the largest bank failures ever, prompted extraordinary rescues from regulators, who backstopped all deposits in the failed lenders and provided an additional funding facility for other troubled banks. "You don't know what has happened to the stickiness of deposits at all," Buffett said. "It got changed by 2008. It's gotten changed by this. And that changes everything. We're very cautious in a situation like that about ownership of banks." At the time, Buffett foresaw more bank failures down the road , but stuck with his Bank of America investment, partly because he personally negotiated the original deal and admired CEO Brian Moynihan. "But do I know how to project out what's going to happen from here?," Buffett asked at the time of last year's failures. "The answer is I don't." Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrike locations on September 29, 2024 in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon.

Israel struck multiple targets in Lebanon on Sunday, pressing Iran-backed Hezbollah with more attacks after it struck a huge blow by killing the group's leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

The Israeli military said the air force had "struck dozens of Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, including launchers that were aimed toward Israeli territory, structures in which weapons were stored and additional Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure".

The navy had intercepted a projectile approaching Israel from the area of the Red Sea and another eight projectiles coming from Lebanon had fallen in open areas, it said in a statement.

Nasrallah was killed in a massive Israeli air attack on Friday on the group's headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs. It was a major blow to Hezbollah and to Iran, removing an influential ally who helped build Hezbollah into the linchpin of Tehran's network of allied groups in the Arab world.

Israel announced his killing on Saturday and Hezbollah later confirmed his death.

In its announcement, Hezbollah said it would keep fighting Israel and has continued to fire rockets at it, including a salvo on Sunday morning.

Nasrallah's death capped a traumatic fortnight for Hezbollah, starting with the detonation of thousands of communications devices used by its members.

Israel was widely assumed to have carried out that action but has not confirmed or denied it did.
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban cautioned Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Sunday against forming an alliance with former President Donald Trump, because, he said, the Republican presidential nominee may not ultimately repay his political debts.

"Elon, there will come a time when you need something from Donald Trump," Cuban wrote in an X post to his fellow billionaire. "You will think you will have earned the right to ask and receive. You have been a loyal, faithful soldier for him."

"At the point you need him the most," Cuban continued. "You will find out what so many before you have learned, his loyalty is only to himself.

Cuban's message came in response to an earlier X post from Musk in which the SpaceX CEO amplified a variety of conspiracy theories about Democrats encouraging immigration into battleground states as "a surefire way to win every election."

"If Trump is NOT elected, this will be the last election," Musk wrote.

Musk's endorsement of Trump is a stark reversal from 2022 when he would openly sling insults at the former president on social media.

Cuban's warning to Musk, one billionaire to another, hinted at the implicit bid for governmental favor that wealthy political supporters make when they hitch their wagon to a presidential candidate.

The two billionaires are on opposing sides of the presidential race this election cycle. But both business leaders have their eyes on some level of regulatory control.

Trump, Cuban believes, might not follow through on that exchange for Musk.

Cuban has become an outspoken surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris and her economic agenda. In recent weeks, he has regularly championed Harris as "better for business," even amid some skepticism about her plan to raise corporate tax rates.

As Cuban ramps up his public support, he is also keeping tabs on a potential new job opportunity at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"I told her team, put my name in for the SEC, it needs to change," Cuban said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Musk is chasing a new job of his own. Musk has repeatedly floated the creation of a so-called government efficiency commission to crack down on federal spending if Trump wins a second term in the White House. And he has raised his hand to helm such an agency.

Earlier this month, Trump endorsed the government efficiency commission idea and suggested Musk could be a "good one" to lead it.

But the Republican nominee hedged that Musk, a busy CEO of multiple companies, might not have the time for the job, but that he could "consult."
Profile: Valor and devotion: a war hero's life story

Xinhua) 08:43, September 29, 2024

Huang Zongde tells his story during the wars in an interview on Sept. 10, 2024. (Photo by Jin Xianbin/Xinhua)

TIANJIN, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- In the quiet of his modest home in north China's Tianjin Municipality, 93-year-old Huang Zongde, a veteran of China's revolutionary wars, sits surrounded by mementos of a life spent in service.

His weathered hands, once steady on a submachine gun, now gently trace the outlines of medals that tell a story of valor and devotion.

During a ceremony to be held on Sunday in Beijing, national medals and national honorary titles will be conferred on 15 individuals, with Huang named among the recipients of the Medal of the Republic.

This recognition comes as the People's Republic of China prepares to mark the 75th anniversary of its founding, which falls on Oct. 1.

Huang was born in 1931 to an impoverished farmer's family in Rongcheng, east China's Shandong Province, and his journey to becoming a war hero began during the pivotal years of China's revolutionary era.

Inspired by his sister and brother-in-law, both underground members of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Huang joined the youth vanguard for resistance against Japanese aggression, helping with message delivery and guard duties.

At 17, Huang enlisted in the People's Liberation Army, marking the beginning of a decades-long military career. His first experience in combat came during the Crossing-the-Yangtze Campaign in 1949, a 42-day battle which, as part of the War of Liberation, led to the liberation of the major cities of Nanjing, Shanghai and Wuhan, the whole provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui, and parts of the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and Fujian. "I couldn't swim," Huang recalls, "but I had one belief: I couldn't die here, and we had to liberate all of China."

The young soldier's resolve was further tested during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. In August 1952, at the age of 21, Huang was deployed to the Korean battlefield. In July 1953, during the battle in Kumsong, Huang's company was assigned to attack a heavily fortified enemy position.

Despite suffering from dysentery and high fever, Huang insisted on joining the assault on July 13. "Even if I die, I want to die on the battlefield!" he declared. Leading his squad through a harrowing nightlong battle, Huang breached seven rows of barbed wire and overwhelmed the enemy's outpost, before joining another mission to destroy multiple enemy strongpoints.

The next day, Huang encountered enemy soldiers hiding in a trench. Facing them alone, his submachine gun damaged and suffering from a chest wound, Huang did not retreat. Determined to fight to the death, he used his remaining grenades and explosives to blast open the trench. The overwhelmed enemy soldiers quickly surrendered.

"My gun had stopped working," Huang recalls. "To keep the enemy on edge, I shouted, 'Squad Five, Squad Six, move in!' But in reality, it was just me. There were no other squads."

In that battle, Huang single-handedly destroyed three enemy bunkers, killed seven enemy soldiers and captured 22.

For his bravery, Huang was awarded the title of "Second-Class Combat Hero" by the headquarters of the Chinese People's Volunteers and received a first-class merit citation.

More than 70 years later, Huang's voice still breaks with emotion when he recalls his fallen comrades. "They are the true heroes," he says, his eyes filling with tears. "I accepted these honors on their behalf."

After returning from the battlefield, Huang continued to serve, rising through the ranks to become a deputy division commander-level official. His devotion to the CPC, which he joined in June 1949, has remained steadfast. "It was the Party that transformed me from a poor boy into a revolutionary soldier," he reflects.

This loyalty, however, never became a tool for personal gain. When his son sought his help in finding post-military employment, Huang firmly responded, "CPC members have no special rights. You must handle this on your own."

Even in retirement, Huang's commitment to his ideals never wavered. He became a passionate advocate for patriotic education, serving as an out-of-school counsellor for multiple primary and secondary schools, and delivering dozens of talks at government organizations, enterprises and communities.

Now in his 90s, Huang still closely follows national affairs, watching TV news and reading newspapers daily.

"A strong military guarantees national peace," he says.

This file photo taken on Feb. 15, 1954 shows Huang Zongde (1st R) posing with his comrades in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the 29th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors held in Baku.

Today.az presents the President's address:

Dear event participants,

I cordially welcome you to the 29th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors held in Baku.

For us, hosting such a distinguished event that brings together representatives from over one hundred nations and international organizations, including UN specialized agencies, as well as prosecutors, judges, lawyers, experts, and other prominent individuals, is a significant occasion and a testament to the esteem shown towards our country.

Azerbaijans hosting of important international events has already become a tradition. As you are aware, by the unanimous decision of the nations of the world, Azerbaijan has the honor of being chosen to host the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

In the fight against climate change, which has been a concern for all of humanity, our country, along with other nations and international organizations, will strive to contribute to improving the global environmental system. It is no coincidence that, in collaboration with international organizations, an event themed Mobilizing Law Enforcement for Enhanced Climate Action is scheduled on the sidelines of COP29.

For many years, Azerbaijan endured occupation and military aggression from neighboring Armenia. Throughout the occupation, our people were subjected to a policy of ethnic cleansing, and numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed against us. Finally, our countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty were fully restored in the aftermath of the Patriotic War of 2020 and the anti-terrorist operation of 2023.

Nearly four thousand Azerbaijanis went missing during the occupation. They were tortured by the Armenians, then murdered and buried in mass graves. To this day, Armenia refuses to provide information on the fate of those missing persons and the locations of their mass graves.

Furthermore, tangible and cultural sites, as well as places of worship belonging to the Azerbaijani people, 9 cities and hundreds of towns and villages were razed to the ground during the occupation. Armenia, as an occupying and aggressor country, is accountable for those acts of crime at the state level. Instead of apologizing to the Azerbaijani people for all the crimes committed, Armenia levels baseless accusations against our country. Regardless, Azerbaijan continues its efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region today.

Dear guests,

We highly appreciate our longstanding relationship with the International Association of Prosecutors and believe it is important to strengthen efforts to further solidify this partnership.

Azerbaijans prosecutorial bodies have undergone progressive reforms, ensuring the rule of law and the full protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. Our countrys law enforcement agencies contribute significantly at the international level to the fight against transnational crime, terrorism, separatism, trafficking, money laundering, illicit drug trade, cybercrime, illegal migration, and more, while supporting international cooperation toward that end.

The emergence of new forms and manifestations of transborder crime, including new types of cybercrime, the use of social media platforms, and the exploitation of opportunities offered by artificial intelligence to commit crimes and engage in terrorist activities, present new and complex challenges for prosecutorial bodies.

In the meantime, we are concerned about the growing trends of ethnic and religious hatred and discrimination around the world.

I am confident that the four-day conference themed Role of the Prosecutor in Upholding the Rule of Law will contribute to achieving shared objectives and pave the way for enhanced cooperation.

I once again welcome you to Azerbaijan, extend my best wishes, and wish the conference success.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 28 September 2024
China's surging stock market after the government outlined plans to boost the economy has suddenly tipped hedge funds and strategists to what would have recently been seen as one of the most contrarian trades around. The CSI 300, an index of stocks traded in Shanghai and Shenzhen, rallied more than 15% last week, its best week since 2008 . Earlier this year, the CSI 300 fell to six-year-lows. "There is no question that shares of quality businesses will bottom well ahead of final index bottoms," a team led by JPMorgan chief China equity strategist Wendy Liu wrote in a report Friday. Until the government's measures pan out, investment strategists are recommending a handful of oversold stocks in China. JPMorgan highlighted three stock picks for near-term upside: Shanghai-listed beer company Tsingtao , U.S.-listed retailer Miniso and machinery company Zhejiang Dingli, also traded in Shanghai. "Our focus here and over the next several quarters will be on finding quality businesses that trade at undemanding valuation[s]," the report said. Adding exposure That newfound enthusiasm was contagious. "We believe it is a good time to add back China exposure," said Rupal Agarwal, Asia quantitative strategist at Bernstein, in a note Friday. "We would wait to see clear signs of inflection on property/consumer sentiment and earnings growth to become more positive over the medium-term," she said. "For now, we believe tactically, the rally has legs." Two stocks Bernstein analysts found that have triple-digit six-month earnings momentum are U.S.-listed after-school operator Tal Education and Shanghai-listed Seres , which manufactures cars for the Aito EV brand developed with Huawei. The stocks appeared on a screen searching for beneficiaries of domestic demand that was confined to companies trading at least 20% below peak levels reached in May and with positive 12-month earnings forecasts. U.S. hedge fund billionaire David Tepper said Thursday on CNBC's " Squawk Box " that he bought more Chinese stocks after the change in China policy. Asked about the potential impact of increased U.S. tariffs, which former President Donald Trump has promised to extend if elected in November, Tepper said he didn't care. Instead, Tepper stressed how Beijing's latest policy focuses on "internal stimulus," and said Chinese stocks are cheaper than those in the U.S. "You're sitting there with single multiple P/Es with double-digit growth rate s for the big stocks that trade over here," Tepper said. That's versus, "you know, the 20-plus on the S & P." Shifting sentiment Sentiment toward Chinese stocks shifted after the People's Bank of China (PBOC) Governor Pan Gongsheng on Tuesday announced rate cuts at a rare press conference held alongside the head of securities regulation and other officials. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday then led a high-level meeting that affirmed those policy moves. The leaders also called for a halt in the real estate slump and for strengthening fiscal and monetary policy. In reaction to the brightened prospects, short-term traders have bought Chinese stocks for eight straight days, Scott Rubner, managing director for global markets and tactical specialist at Goldman Sachs, said in a trading note Thursday. "Re-Emerging Markets have quickly become a favored post-U.S. election trade for November and December," Rubner said, noting, "I have done more Zoom calls on China in the past 48 hours than all of 2024." Global mutual funds in aggregate allocated 5.1% of their portfolios to Chinese stocks as of the end of August, near the lowest levels of the past decade, while hedge funds were around a five-year low of less than 7%, according to data collected by Goldman. That hedge fund allocation rose to 7.3% on Tuesday, which saw the largest single day purchases by hedge funds since March 2021, Rubner said. .SZSC 1Y mountain Shenzhen Stock Exchange Composite Index over the past 12 months. The renewed interest in Chinese stocks comes after institutions had cut their exposure there due to sluggish growth prospects, mounting debt woes and an alarming slump in the property market . Some international investors have also steered clear over concerns about U.S.-China tensions. To be sure, few are betting on an unimpeded, all-out rally from here, especially since China hasn't formalized the details of fiscal policy. Chinese companies trade primarily in the U.S., Hong Kong and the mainland. Retail investors account for the majority of trading activity in mainland Chinese stocks, also known as A shares. "Trading sentiment has always been affected by policies and has fluctuated greatly," Li Dongfang, a Beijing-based finance blogger, said in Chinese, translated by CNBC. He bought some A shares and Hong Kong-traded exchange traded funds, and is optimistic on liquor, new energy vehicle and photovoltaic stocks. "The A share market has always had a market bottom after the policy" starts to turn supportive, Li said, noting he expects it will take time for the market to consolidate after the latest gains followed earlier losses. The PBOC's policy announcements support further flows into the stock market, allowing ETFs to be used as collateral for institutional loans, and allowing major shareholders to borrow from banks for stock repurchases, Li said. "Ongoing short squeeze likely further fueled the strong market performance [Friday], with property, consumer staples, and consumer discretionary outperforming in the HK market, and property, consumer staples, and financials outperforming in the A-share market," JPMorgan said. Mainland Chinese stock exchanges are scheduled to close from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7 for a holiday, which this year commemorates the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
The chatter in my office and on CNBC has been focused on one essential question: What sector is cheap? Not just cheap because the stocks have dramatically underperformed for several years, but attractive because these equities have the potential to outperform the S & P 500 over the next two to three years. My nominee for a group likely to move up the sector rankings is biopharmaceuticals, particularly the large drug and biotech stocks, including Merck , Pfizer , Bristol Myers , Amgen , and Biogen . The two largest names in the sector, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, are excluded because they have skyrocketed thanks to their GLP-1 obesity drugs, which are among the most successful pharmaceuticals in the world. The Novo obesity franchise is expected to generate sales of over $100 Billion in 2025 (JPMorgan estimates), while Lilly, newer to the field, has sales that look skinny at a mere $20 billion forecast in 2025 for Mounjaro and Zepbound. As the table below illustrates, the rest of the gang has been out of favor. Many smart investors, among them, several of my colleagues, cannot warm up to these stocks because of such obvious detractions as the lack of new products, patent expirations, and price controls. Valuations and fundamentals So, what's there to love? Now that we know why investors don't like the group, let's look at why they might be attractive. The table and chart below illustrate some characteristics of the biopharma stocks. To start with, these companies are very profitable. Drug stocks have always been notable for their lofty profit margins, and now is no exception. The average 2024 EBITDA margin, which takes all operating earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation, is 38%, compared to an average of 31% for the S & P companies. The average net profit margin for this subsector is 24% versus 17.2% for the index, which is among the highest in the economy. Next is valuation. The average price/earnings multiple for the group, using 2025 estimates, is 12.7 times versus 20.6 times for the S & P 500. While a low multiple can be a misleading indicator, we must utilize it along with many other pieces of market data. We also looked at the other valuation ratios, such as total enterprise value, which is market cap plus net debt divided by EBITDA, and those numbers, in the table below, are also attractive. How about fundamentals? A major knock on the biopharma group is the limited productivity from their extremely expensive research efforts, other than obesity drugs, over the past twenty-five years. During the 1990s when I followed the group as an analyst and fund manager, the industry was wildly innovative, with new therapies for cholesterol, oncology, HIV, depression, and, of course, the Viagra boom. What happened? Many experts cite one explanation: All the "easy" or "low-hanging fruit" targets have been addressed, and the big untapped conditions, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and spinal cord injuries, are too complex. The pipelines of each company on this list are full of compounds aimed at these and other disease states, but the investment community has grown impatient. AI impact? This brings me to the two letters we love associating with winning today: A and I. Can AI be the necessary catalyst for an industry whose well-evolved research tools are not good enough anymore? It takes ten years and billions to bring a compound to market, the exception being Covid-19 vaccines, which were developed at warp-speed, with enormous federal funding. Surprisingly, 90% of drugs entering the first human trials fail, the same as thirty years ago. The technology using AI might not be ready yet, particularly related to the complex biology of the human body. However, given the potential power of data mining and machine learning models, this is not an impossible task. In fact, Pfizer successfully used AI analysis in its Covid vaccine development process. PFE YTD mountain Pfizer, year-to-date Success for the biopharma industry is constrained by time, cost, and quality of usable data, which AI can help address. Both scientists and computer engineers have told me that the holy grail is to characterize cellular signal transmissions in known disease states and mine data for helpful interventions. From that point, AI can help design the best molecules to block or stimulate biological activity. Complex programs exist already, such as AlphaFold, which predicts the structure of three-dimensional compounds using data on protein sequences. In terms of human studies, the inability to enroll the appropriate patients accounts for an estimated 86% of clinical trial failures. AI can eventually identify the best patients for studies by analyzing their cellular composition for matches with the intended compound remedies before the trials begin. We know that biopharma names such as Merck, Pfizer, Bristol, Amgen, and Johnson & Johnson have attractive fundamental and valuation metrics. Combined with an option on the benefit of AI in faster and more effective drug development, there is a strong argument that including a basket of these stocks in an equity portfolio is an intelligent move.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2024.

The U.S. military said on Sunday it was increasing its air support capabilities in the Middle East and putting troops on a heightened readiness to deploy to the region as it warned Iran against expanding the ongoing conflict.

The announcement came two days after President Joe Biden directed the Pentagon to adjust U.S. force posture in the Middle East amid intensifying concern that Israel's killing of the leader of Iran-backed Hezbollah could prompt Tehran to retaliate.

"The United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict," Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement.

He also cautioned that if Iran or groups Tehran backs "use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every necessary measure to defend our people."

The Pentagon statement offered few clues as to the size or scope of the new air deployment, saying only that "we will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities in the coming days."

Israel struck more targets in Lebanon on Sunday, pressing Hezbollah with new attacks after killing the group's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and a string of its other top commanders in an escalating military campaign.

The strikes have dealt a stunning succession of blows to Hezbollah after almost a year of cross-border fire, killing much of its leadership and revealing gaping security holes. But it has also raised questions about Washington's publicly declared goals of containing the conflict and safeguarding U.S. personnel throughout the Middle East.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday that the United States is watching to see what Hezbollah does to try to fill its leadership vacuum, "and is continuing to talk to the Israelis about what the right next steps are."

The U.S. State Department has yet to order an evacuation from Lebanon. But l ast week, U.S. officials told Reuters the Pentagon was sending a few dozen additional troops to Cyprus to help the military prepare for scenarios including an evacuation of Americans from Lebanon.

The Pentagon said U.S. forces were being made ready to deploy, if needed.

"[Austin] increased the readiness of additional U.S. forces to deploy, elevating our preparedness to respond to various contingencies," Ryder said in a statement.
Malaysia's prime minister Anwar Ibrahim during a news conference in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Eradicating corruption in Malaysia continues to be a difficult hurdle Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim needs to overcome if he wants to attract more foreign direct investments into the country. As Anwar draws closer to the second anniversary since being sworn in as prime minister, he remains strongly committed to this crackdown, and has taken a no-nonsense approach in dealing with the problem, he said. "We have to save the country. To my mind ... the major problem is poor governance and endemic corruption," he told CNBC's JP Ong. Anwar explained that both domestic and foreign investors will garner more confidence when they see consistency in transparent processes and a stronger commitment to put an end to corruption. "Without that trust [and] confidence, nobody will invest in a big way. Unless those people who have some corrupt arrangements  they will still continue. But that has to stop. And fortunately, it has stopped," he said.

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"Although, we are still carrying on this mission, because I had strongly suggested that when, in terms of corruption, it is almost systemic. When it comes to systemic, which means the mission, the crusade against corruption, has got to be full force," he added.

'I would just go after them without mercy'
Investors have been watching tech stocks keenly in the past year, amid a significant bout of volatility in the sector. Morningstar's top strategist, however, has an underweight on the sector and is staying clear of several Big Tech names. "The technology sector in and of itself is really priced to perfection," the firm's U.S. Markets Strategist David Sekera said. Tech stocks are now trading at a 6% premium to fair value and are now "getting into an area that I can consider to be overvalued overall from a sector wide basis," he told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Sep. 27. Sekera's current position on tech is a reversal from the optimism he had  particularly on small and mid-cap names  earlier this year. It also comes despite the strong gains in U.S. stocks more recently, led by strong performances in key tech firms, as well as solid economic indicators which collectively lifted overall sentiment. Overvalued plays For now, Sekera is staying clear of headline grabbers like iPhone maker Apple , database software maker Oracle and IBM whose valuations have "just run up too fast," he said. Morningstar has a two-star rating on Apple. The financial services firm gives stocks a rating of between one and five stars, with a five-star rating indicating that the shares are undervalued. "I would say we weren't necessarily all that impressed by their AI rollout," Sekera explained. "We're seeing some relatively sluggish sales in China, and the purchasing for the iPhone 16 maybe is on the slow side as well. So that's one where I think it's a good time to take some profits off the table," he added. On Oracle, Sekera believes the market is "overestimating the long-term growth for their cloud business." The stock has a one-star rating from Morningstar. The firm's caution on the stock is in stark contrast to the optimism of other veteran industry watchers . Oracle recently raised its fiscal 2026 revenue forecast to at least $66 billion, more than the $64.5 billion LSEG analysts were expecting. Morningstar's concern is that "they will end up losing market share over time to other database types," Sekera explained. Oracle is another company "that's really been pulled up by the AI story, but more than it should have been," he added. As for IBM, Sekera noted that "a lot of its businesses have just been a melting ice cube over the past decade." Morningstar has a one star rating on the the stock. Sekera's pessimism comes even as IBM's second-quarter earnings surpassed Wall Street's expectations . The company  which provides hardware, software and consulting services  expects 2024 free cash flow to come in above $12 billion. "Yes, it will benefit, to some degree, from artificial intelligence, but we don't think there's going to be enough AI here in order to cover up for a lot of the other business there," Sekera explained. 'Hitting on all cylinders' There is one Big Tech stock that Sekera still likes: Microsoft . "I'd be looking to swap out of some of these other overvalued companies, like Apple, Oracle, IBM, moving into someone like Microsoft that's really still doing extremely well today," he said. "Microsoft just hitting on all cylinders ... [it's] cloud business is accelerating going into the second half." Morningstar has a four star rating on the stock. Elsewhere in the market, Sekera is watching "undervalued" American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) closely. These include Chinese tech giants like Baidu , Pinduoduo , JD.com , Tencent and Yum China . Morningstar has five star ratings on Baidu and Yum China and four star ratings on PDD and JD.com.  CNBC's Jordan Novet contributed to this report.
MONTANA

Ring accused of killing at least 118 eagles

BILLINGS  A man helped kill at least 118 eagles to sell their feathers and body parts on the black market as part of a long-running wildlife trafficking ring in the western U.S. that authorities allege killed thousands of birds, court filings show.

Travis John Branson was scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on Sept. 18 for his role in the trafficking ring that operated on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana and elsewhere.

Prosecutors say the Cusick, Washington man made between $180,000 and $360,000 from 2009 to 2021 selling bald and golden eagle parts illegally.

"Not only did Branson kill eagles, but he hacked them into pieces to sell for future profits, said prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Montana in a court filing.

Prosecutors asked Judge Dana Christensen to sentence Branson to "significant imprisonment" and restitution totaling $777,250.

Branson's attorney disputed the prosecutors' claims and said they overstated the number of birds killed. He asked for a sentence of probation.

Bald and golden eagles are sacred to many Native Americans. U.S. law prohibits anyone without a permit from killing, wounding or disturbing eagles, or taking their nests or eggs.

Members of federally recognized tribes can get feathers and other bird parts legally through from the National Eagle Repository in Colorado and non-government repositories in Oklahoma and Phoenix. There's a yearslong backlog of requests at the national repository.

NORTH DAKOTA

Judge strikes down states abortion ban

BISMARCK  A state judge struck down North Dakota's abortion ban on Sept. 12, declaring that broad guarantees of personal liberty in the constitution of his conservative, Republican-dominated state create a fundamental right to abortion before a fetus is viable.

The state's GOP attorney general promised to appeal the decision, which would take effect within a few weeks. North Dakota no longer has any abortion clinics, but legalizing abortion again would affect doctors in hospitals who believe an abortion is necessary when a pregnant patient faces a medical emergency.

Besides ruling that the state constitution protects abortion access, District Judge Bruce Romanick also said that the law is unconstitutional because it is too vague to be enforced fairly. He agreed with critics who said the law wasn't clear how its limited exceptions applied  allowing doctors to be prosecuted if other colleagues later disagreed with their medical decisions.

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said in a statement that the judge's decision contained "flaws in his analysis."

North Dakota's only abortion provider had been the Red River Women's Clinic in Fargo, but it moved a few miles to Moorhead, Minnesota, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022, when a state "trigger" law banning abortion took effect. The clinic sued, as did several doctors in obstetrics, gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine.

In 2023, North Dakota's Republican-controlled Legislature revised the state's abortion laws, making abortion legal in pregnancies caused by rape or incest, but only in the first six weeks of pregnancy. Under the revised law, abortion was allowed later in pregnancy only in specific medical emergencies.

NEW MEXICO

Lawsuit says Snapchat allows child sex extortion

New Mexico's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the company behind Snapchat, alleging that site's design and policies foster the sharing of child sexual abuse material and facilitate child sexual exploitation.

Attorney General Raul Torrez filed the lawsuit against Snap Inc. on Sept. 5 in state court in Santa Fe. In addition to sexual abuse, the lawsuit claims the company also openly promotes child trafficking, drugs and guns.

Last December, Torrez filed a similar lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, saying it allows predators to trade child sexual abuse material and solicit minors for sex on its platforms. That suit is still pending.

"Snap has misled users into believing that photos and videos sent on their platform will disappear, but predators can permanently capture this content and they have created a virtual yearbook of child sexual images that are traded, sold, and stored indefinitely," Torrez said.

In a statement, Snap said it shares Torrez's and the public's concerns about the online safety of young people and has invested heavily in online safety features.

Prior to the lawsuit, New Mexico conducted a monthslong undercover investigation into child sexual abuse images on Snapchat. According to Torrez's statement, the investigation revealed a "vast network of dark web sites dedicated to sharing stolen, non-consensual sexual images from Snap," finding more than 10,000 records related to Snap and child sexual abuse material in the last year.

WYOMING

Bills would let localities invest in stock market

CHEYENNE  State lawmakers are considering two bill drafts that would allow local cities, counties and towns to invest a portion of their reserve funds in stock markets and local equities.

The Wyoming Legislature's Select Committee on Capital Financing and Investments reviewed two draft bills during their Sept. 6 meeting in Casper. Each bill proposes different structures that would let local municipalities invest funds, such as reserves, in stocks.

One draft bill would allow local governments to autonomously invest directly into stocks and equities within specified conditions set forth in the bill, said Legislative Service Office senior attorney Brian Fuller.

The other draft bill would allow local governments to pool their funds for the purpose of investment in stocks and equities, Fuller said.

The two draft bills originally contained language that would allow local governments to establish their own investment advisory committees to "establish and review the local government's investment policies and procedures" and report to the local governing body on these policies.

State Treasurer Curt Meier advised lawmakers not to "get prescriptive" if they consider an investment pool structure.

"I think a great deal of education has to be put in place, especially in the area of liquidity," Meier said. "If you put everything in equities, and you have a severe downturn, you don't have any dry powder to actually buy in when the market's low."

It's difficult to legislate the construction of an investment portfolio, Meier said, but "you can put sideboards around it."

Both bills were forwarded for further discussion during the committee's next meeting in Cheyenne on Oct. 30.
The United States wants to monopolize mediation efforts in the Middle East, Azernews reports, citing Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as he told in his statement on the results of his participation in the high-level week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

"The Americans have closed all the mechanisms for assistance in the Middle East processes, primarily the quartet of international mediators, which includes Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union. Now you can see that the Americans want to monopolize the mediation efforts, sometimes they organize different formats with our Jordanian colleagues, sometimes with our Egyptian colleagues, sometimes with our Qatari colleagues, but they still try to lead all this themselves," he said.
Weve all been dismayed to find we left a twenty in a pants pocket before doing the laundry, and the length of time we cried afterward depended on how broke we were. Well, multiply the despair you felt by the appropriate factor to understand how these people felt when they lost

5 A $1 Million Lottery Ticket In 2005, 82-year-old Edward St. John was digging through a convenience store trash can for lottery tickets, as he regularly (and alarmingly) did, when it finally paid off. He found a $1 million Hold em Poker scratch-off that had been purchased earlier that day by Kevin Donovan, who had bought the whole roll and then thrown them away in an apparent and stunning display of performance art. Donovan soon died and his family sued St. John for the winnings, but they ended up settling for only about one-tenth of the prize, so he made out pretty good.

4 $5 Million in Diamonds In 2015, while helping their boss move to a new floor of the New York jewelry store where they worked, some flunkies threw out three beaten-up wooden boxes that turned out to contain $5 million in diamonds. They were found by a building security guard, who turned around and sold several of them to another store in the same building. It turns out this is a crime, but he had to shoot his shot.

3 An Entire Art Installation In 2015, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Bolzano staged an exhibit by a pair of Milanese artists intended as a commentary on Italys decadent (and corrupt) age of plenty and the mess it left for the Italian public to clean up  which is exactly what happened. When museum cleaners came upon the display, an arrangement of empty champagne bottles and confetti, they assumed someone had a sweet-ass party and threw it all in the trash. Its unclear how much it was worth, but it was enough that someone had to go dig out every bottle, hoping no one saw them and mistook them for a raging alcoholic.

2 A Kidney Advertisement Advertisement In 2012, an Ohio nurse returned from her lunch break to clean up an operating room where a young man had recently had his kidney removed to donate to his sister. Assuming the kidney had already been taken to its destination, she emptied the receptacle where the kidney had been stored  along with the kidney. This wouldnt be even a little bit funny if the woman hadnt eventually found another donor and won $650,000 in a lawsuit against the hospital, so while the new kidney is a poorer match and of poorer quality, we hope she at least got to buy herself a nice jet ski.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program during their meeting at the United Nations General Assembly, Azernews reports.

The parties "confirmed the immutability of the line on building strategic partnership relations between Russia and Iran and the commitment to implement all previously agreed joint projects," the Russian Foreign Ministry shared.

Lavrov and Araghachi also discussed the ongoing Israel and Palestine region. Overnight, the Iranian military raised its highest state of alert amid current Lebanon attacks.




NISKAYUNA  Decisions, decisions. Visit the new Meat & Company in St. James Plaza on Saturday for a barbecue-only menu, or during the week for everything else?

Turns out you cant go wrong either way. I tested the Saturday menu with some of their daily sides, the result being that Im going back to try their other stuff.

I decided on the Saturday menu to test the basics. The porchetta sandwich on weekdays looked killer, but how was their straight-up brisket?

So husband Eric and I put together an order to bring home one Saturday night and I drove over to pick it up.

I found Meat & Company tucked in the middle of St. James Plaza. There was a sandwich board out front that helped me locate it.

Inside, the counter takes up a lot of real estate. You can wait for your food on a comfy sofa in a sitting area and theres a row of tables along one wall if youre in a hurry to dig in. Everything gets packed to go.

The daily menu looks fantastic. Its mostly badass sandwiches, like warm brined and smoked turkey breast on sourdough or a Cuban with cola-braised pork, house-cured and smoked ham and Swiss on toasted, pressed bread (both $15.95). Thursdays is pastrami ($16.95).

Theres a Reuben; crisp-skinned porchetta; steak and cheese (all $16.95); and a kid-sized grilled cheese. ($4.95).

Points to them for the grilled Japanese eggplant sandwich, made with miso- and sake-marinated eggplant with kimchi coleslaw ($14.95)  no meat.

Meats are hand-sliced to order and sandwiches are served with potato chips. Saturday sides are pit beans and black-eyed peas. Cornbread with honey butter ($4.95) is available Friday nights and Saturdays. The daily sides are available Saturday.

When we went to order around 4 p.m. the website showed most of the selections sold out. Panicked, I picked out whatever was left and flew over to Niskayuna to pick it up.

Turns out I shouldnt have worried: My order was packed and I was able to add the most important thing: brisket.

If you encounter problems ordering online just call the restaurant, I was told.

It was fun to watch the slabs of brisket being sliced and packed for me. I left with a very big bag.

They comped the brisket ($11.95 for 8 ounces) and apologized for any inconvenience. The tab shown here doesnt include the brisket.

Eric had the table set and was nursing a martini. Theres enough for six people here, he said as I unpacked.

We started with the chicken wings. You get a full dozen, all big pieces ($19.95). The meat had a pink hue from smoking and the skin was blackened in places. Charred chicken skin has its own distinct flavor, rubs and smoke notwithstanding.

The meat was moist enough, though I wish Id gotten more of their excellent barbecue sauce to slather on. There was smoky flavor all the way through to the bone.

Mmm, boy, said Eric, eating a wing.

I prefer the flat wingettes with their lower meat-to-skin ratio. Meat & Companys drumettes were so large they were edging into drumstick territory.

Next up, the half rack of St. Louis ribs ($18.95). The half rack is a large serving, the ribs not being so thick as the kind I buy but the rack seems to go on forever.

Big points for the rub, which, after cooking, became a kind of paste, salt-forward but with a lot else going on. Paprika? Yes. Garlic powder? Yes. Worth lingering over? Yes.

Whatever is on the ribs is slightly sweet, said Eric. Theres a lot of flavor in that rub, he added.

Parts of the exterior got a bit hard from cooking but the layer of pink just underneath was spot on. It was even better the next day; the meat fell off the bone.

The best part, not unexpectedly, was the beef: Brisket is the jewel in the barbecue crown. Its the most expensive meat, the tastiest, often the fattiest. It sucks up the smoke flavor while the long, low heat breaks down all the connective tissue, rendering it fork-tender.

Melts in your mouth, said Eric.

The thicker pieces and the fattier parts presented the best, the fat amping up the beef flavor and creating an unctuous mouthfeel. Beyond the blackened bits at the edges, which offered crisper contrast and salt and seasoning, the fork-tender interior and rich mouthfeel of the fat was completely satisfying.

The smoke doesnt dominate the beefiness, nor does ther sauce. Meat & Company makes you think about the flavors equally.

When I took out our usual barbecue sauce at home to supplement, by contrast it was too sweet, cloying. Meat & Companys superior sauce had a complex flavor and no overpowering sweetness. Vinegary, judged Eric.

My favorite, in order, is: first brisket, then ribs, then wings, Eric said, dabbing the corners of his mouth with the one napkin hed used. Id been through all three hed set out and needed more. How does he do that?

Ill be walking off their mac and cheese ($6.95) all week, and boy was it worth it. Large, beefy pasta shells were somehow stuffed with creamy, cheesy sauce while simultaneously slathered in it. Some shells cozied up, nesting together for a starchier bite with more cheese in between.

It had buttered bread crumbs and tasted of smoke. I dont know the last time I had such good mac and cheese; mine certainly doesnt come close to this.

Out of this world, said Eric.

Even leftover, their mac and cheese killed. The sauce separated, but it was no less delicious.

Lastly, the kimchi coleslaw, technicolor with carrot and purple cabbage, had a bit of heat. Lovely, Eric decided.

We waited until the next morning to try the honey-butter cornbread ($4.95). A serving was too big, thick squares neatly wrapped in butter-soaked paper. I halved them into more manageable sizes.

Quite good, slightly sweet, but one of the nice things is that its easy to eat, not at all crumbly, said Eric, who hates crumbly. It just disintegrates in your mouth, in a good way, he explained further. Subtly sweet, he said.

I tried a piece. The top was sticky, honey-flavored and delicious. There are bits of cornmeal in there but its dense and cake-like, and we decided it tasted best with pats of cold salted butter. If possible, insert into mouth butter-side down for best effect and hold it there a second. Save the top for last.

Excellent cornbread  on its own worth a trip to the restaurant.

After our breakfast of cornbread and leftover smoked meat, the fluffy cat was demanding some. I took a slice off a meaty chicken drumette and cut it in cat-sized bits. While she happily dug in, I looked at the pink-tinged meat and thought: This would be even better sliced.

I looked at the leftover wings with new eyes and sliced away. Those big drumettes made beautiful slices. The meat was pink-tinged, with charred, smoky skin still on. Woof.

I imagined these slices stacked on a soft roll for a terrific sandwich, not so much work as on the bone.

Turns out the chicken didnt make it to a sandwich: We picked at it until it was gone.

So that sort of sums up our assessment of Meat & Companys barbecue: You eat it until its gone.

The tab for our takeout, not including the brisket, came to $60.23.

Meat & Company

WHERE: 2321 Nott Street E., Niskayuna, (St. James Plaza); 518-344-6119; meatandcompanynisky.com

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday; closed Sunday

HOW MUCH: $60.23, before tip

MORE INFO: All major credit cards. ADA compliant. Childrens menu. Lots of parking in shopping center lot.

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BALLSTON SPA  Friction between Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo and the unions representing the county's corrections officers and sheriff's deputies has led to increased tension, a lack of morale and the filing of grievances, according to union officials.

Zurlo said he doesnt think there are any issues with either union.

The latest incident leaving the unions fuming was the use of corrections officers and sheriffs department captains to supervise an inmate at Albany Medical Center during the Sept. 14 weekend.

Zurlo has defended the action in a letter to the deputies' police benevolent association. He also attached PBA President Ryan Mahan's initial letter to him, as well as one from the corrections officers union spokesperson Paul Iachetta, who is both unions representative in the United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU). The PBA subsequently published Zurlo's and Mahan's letters on the PBA's Facebook page.

"What frustrates me most about this letter is that he attached not only his response to us but also my original letter and one from the jail," Mahan said in an email to The Daily Gazette. "To claim this wasnt an attack on the unions is ridiculous. Its clear his intent was to sow division, making both unions angry and turning union members against their own leadership. Thats no way to do business."

The sheriff said the personnel decision was made so that deputies wouldnt have to be mandated to work a weekend.

I'm not going to get into a battle in the media between the unions, he said. Like I said, I run the department, and I responded to their email. I did what I thought was the best I could do for that weekend, what they're talking about. I saved 16 members from being mandated that weekend.

Mahan said in his initial letter to the sheriff that assigning the work to non-bargaining unit employees violated New York State Taylor Law. The PBA asked him to not to assign work that belongs to its members to someone else again.

Mahan told the Gazette the union was never contacted about hospital detail overtime, but that the union would have been open to others covering the shifts if it was discussed first.

The sheriff emphasized that captains volunteered for hospital shifts to help us out, but of course they did  its easy overtime, Mahan told the Gazette. Its telling that when the road is short for patrol and we mandate deputies, no captain rushes to put on a uniform, hop in a marked car, and work a zone answering calls. So, were they really trying to help, or just after the easy overtime?

Mahan said he recognizes the sheriff meant well in his assignment decisions, but that the PBA simply doesn't want its duties assigned to others without discussion first.

In his letter to Zurlo, Iachetta told the sheriff the officers did work "out of their title" and should be compensated at the rate a PBA member would be. They also raised concerns over officers wearing potentially "used" body armor.

Zurlo said he would never do anything to make his officers in the field less safe.

The corrections officers union is contemplating whether to file a grievance regarding the matter. Mahan said the PBA has a handful of grievances still pending after resolving five of them.

Mahan said many could have been avoided if there had just been better communication on the sheriffs part.

We've asked to have a better relationship and they're always going to blame us and say, well, you guys always want it your way, Mahan said. Every grievance we've ever had, we've been able to settle because we found a middle road, because most of our grievances are issues that, had we talked prior to the issue, would have been solved. But no one wants to have a big boy conversation.

Iachetta said the relationship between the corrections officers union and the sheriff was even worse years ago, but agreed lack of communication is a key issue.

The sheriff, personally, is not involved in labor-management meetings with us either, but there are representatives from the sheriff's department, Iachetta said. Our issues were worse years ago. We won a lot of battles in regards to procedural grievances and that type of thing, but, yeah, it doesn't seem like we have the support of the sheriff in regards to the jail.

As for communication, Zurlo said his door is always open for people to come talk to him.

I'm always available, he said. They can come in and see me, call me, whatever they want. It's always been a practice for the last 11 years, as I've been sheriff, and that will continue to be that way.

Neither union has held any sort of vote of no confidence regarding the sheriff. Zurlo said he does plan to seek re-election next year.

READ ALL 3 LETTERS:

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Profiles in clean energy: Former Shell VP helps create a new way of making clean electricity

At oil and gas giant Shell, Cindy Taff was in charge of drilling wells that are considered unconventional because the oil or natural gas is difficult to access
CANAJOHARIE  Volunteers convened at the Van Alstyne Tavern in Canajoharie Saturday to take part in a reenactment of the 16th meeting of the Committee of Safety for Tryon County, which originally began in the summer of 1775.

Witnesses testified as part of an investigation in allegations that county Sheriff Alexander White was a loyalist to the British Empire.

Reenactors represented different historical figures  General Nicholas Herkimer, John and Jellis Fonda, Jacob Klock, William Wallace  who were present at the original meeting during the early months of the American Revolution.

Visitors Saturday were treated to dinner and drink of the 18th century following the reenactment.

Tryon County, which was formed out of Albany County just a few years earlier, held half of its Committee of Safety's 32 meetings at the Van Alstyne Homestead, according to historian Rita Pinero. The committee served as the county's de facto government at the time. Canajoharie was one of five districts in the county which covered large portions of New York state west of Albany.

Tryon County is a huge swath of land, so each little part of Tryon County would have their own committee of safety, she said. This happened all over the 13 Colonies. Landowners would gather at different taverns and go over rules and regulations.

Pinero said the committee of safety addressed any crime and, if it found an individual guilty, would transport them in chains to Albany.

Saturdays proceedings investigated allegations made by the public against the county sheriff which began on Aug. 25, 1775.

So when all these men get together, they found out that Sheriff White was accosting many of these people who were not loyal to the Crown, Pinero said.

She said it is important to remember the history of the Mohawk Valley.

It was a little microcosm of the world in the Mohawk Valley, she said. You had Dutch people, Scottish people, even Native Americans that were on the Patriot side. They were making their own community, and it was a melting pot.

It was a hotbed of politics and revolution here, and it was very interesting how our descendants actually made this little microcosm of democracy, which is so important to keep.

On Sunday, the 10th annual Van Alstyne Family Reunion and General Membership Appreciation Picnic and Community Open House was held.

The Van Alstyne Museum ended its season with this event so that members and descendants could meet and mingle.

Author, trustee, and descendant Robert Van Alstine presented his latest book on the history of the Van Alstynes to the New World on Sunday. Terry McMaster also presented on the refugees from the Cherry Valley Massacre in 1778 who were housed at the Van Alstyne Homestead.

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Former U.S. President and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has announced his intention to sue Google, claiming the tech giant manipulated search results to harm his 2024 campaign.

According to Azernews, Trump accused Google of prioritizing negative content about him while promoting positive materials about Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. In a post on his "Truth Social" platform, Trump threatened to call for U.S. Department of Justice action against Google if elected, alleging the company "obviously interfered" in the election process.

Trump did not provide specific evidence for his claims but argued that Google's search engine favored articles from left-leaning outlets, such as The New York Times and Politico, over his campaign's own content.

Google has denied the allegations. A company representative, speaking anonymously, explained that search results are based on available online content and are constantly evolving. They further cited a Media Research Center study which found that both Trump and Harris campaign sites were featured prominently in search results.
READ MORE: Steve Martin and Martin Short are still wowing viewers 40 years on as Only Murders in the Building becomes a hit with young people

He has been making film fans laugh for decades with fine comic timing and a charismatic personality to boot - and he's continuing to win over younger audiences today as one of Disney Plus's biggest stars.

But the bubbly and charming Hollywood titan Martin Short, 74, who has been part of a comedy double act with Steve Martin for decades, has battled unimaginable grief and tragedy in his personal life from a very young age.

As he dazzles fans as a washed-up theatre executive on Only Murders in the Building alongside his comedy partner and a new member of the gang, Selena Gomez, many of the younger viewers who have become followers of Short's comedic style may be unaware of the tragic childhood he overcame in order to reach stardom.

Short, who is originally from Hamilton, Canada, was orphaned at the young age of 20 and has suffered further loss in his adult life, too.

Despite experiencing more grief than many have in a lifetime by adolescence, Short has recently insisted he isn't 'screwed up' by the tragedy that beset his earlier years; instead arguing it made him stronger.

Martin Short is Hollywood's favourite funny man; currently dazzling audiences in Disney Plus hit Only Murders in the Building, which has seen him pick up a new generation of fans. But Short, 74, has suffered great tragedy in his life

Short was born in March 1950 as the youngest of five children to Irish and English immigrants Olive Grace and Charles Patrick Short in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Speaking about his childhood with four older siblings in conversation with the Guardian, Short said being the youngest was 'the greatest position in the world' because people fawned over him - and joked it was impossible for him to have had low self esteem growing up.

He had three brothers, David, Michael and Brian, and a sister, Nora. However, in 1962 when Short was just 12 years old, David, the oldest brother, died in a car accident in Montreal.

When Short was just 12 years old his brother David passed away after he was involved in a car accident. Short, second from left, pictured with his siblings David, Michael, Brian and Nora

Short's parents (pictured) Olive Grace and Charles Patrick Short were British-Irish immigrants who settled in the Canadian province of Ontario

Speaking when his memoir was published in 2014, he discussed writing about his brother's death.

'What you don't know when you start is how open you're going to be: what you're going to tell, what you're not going to tell, what you feel comfortable telling,' he told CBC News.

He added that writing the memoir wasn't necessarily the 'cathartic' experience people may assume it might be.

Six years after David's sudden death, Martin also lost his mother Olive, who had been battling cancer for several years. He was 17 years old at the time.

Two years later, his father died following complications from a stroke.

Despite being orphaned and having lost a sibling before he reached 20 years old, Short has long insisted the tragedy he endured in his younger years shaped him as he learnt to live with his grief.

In 1972, Short met his wife, fellow actress Nancy Dolman, and the pair were married five years later

'At 20, I knew things about life and death and tragedy and loss that none of my friends knew about. I don't know why this didn't screw me up,' he told the Hollywood Reporter last month.

'The only thing I can think of is that these kind of life stresses either empower you or defeat you.'

He added the losses had helped him develop 'muscles' to deal with more challenging things later in life.

As he spends his days making people laugh with witty, avant-garde performances including the flamboyant wedding planner Franck Eggelhoffer in Father of the Bride or eccentric villain Jack Frost in The Santa Clause film franchise alongside Tim Allen, Emmy and Tony award-winning Short has also suggested that his performances have become more adventurous as a result of his experiences.

He said: 'I do think, in a weird way, it did make me braver as a performer, braver onstage' and explained he had fewer inhibitions when performing as a young and rising star because he didn't care what others thought of him.

And his outlook appears to have paid off. During his career, Short has triumphed on stage and screen; and most recently has teamed up with his comedy partner Steve Martin to dazzle audiences with Only Murders in the Building; one of the biggest hits on the Disney Plus streaming platform.

In 1972, Short met Nancy Dolman, a fellow actress, and the pair were married by 1980.

After the couple met, Dolman gave up acting to be a stay-at-home mother to their three adopted children

Short and Dolman, pictured in 1989 with their children Oliver and Katherine. They would go on to also adopt Henry

When Dolman passed away in 2010, Short told his youngest son Henry that his mother's death would make him 'stronger'

Five years after the couple tied the knot, Nancy retired from showbusiness to become a stay-at-home mother, and the couple adopted three children; Henry, Katherine and Oliver.

However, in 2010 tragedy struck once again in Short's life when Nancy, by then his wife of 30 years, passed away after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

At the time, Short's comedy partner Steve Martin dedicated a musical elegy for Nancy, called The Great Remember (For Nancy) on one of his albums.

Speaking in 2019 about Nancy, Short described his marriage to the actress as a 'triumph'. He admitted he still 'talks' to his late wife all the time and still feels her presence around him.

In an interview with AARP magazine, he said: 'With real tragedy, you become a little more daring. It's the yin to the yang: the positive part of life's dark side.'

He also previously told CBC his attitude to grief is: 'We go on.'

In his memoir, released in 2014, he described Nancy's death as 'by far the most awful thing I've been through.'

And as he supported his children through the grief of losing their mother, Short drew from his own experiences.

Speaking to youngest son Henry the night before Nancy died, he told him: 'This will make you stronger. This will make you more determined.'

As Short and his children continue, 14 years on, to process their grief over Nancy, the actor has previously revealed the George Eliot quote that he holds dear when thinking about her.

'Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them,' he told the Hollywood reporter, before adding: 'We were together for 36 years. I didnt want to forget Nancy.'
Offered a packet of prawn cocktail crisps in 2024 and you'd barely bat an eyelid - but there was a time when today's popular flavours were not only a talking point but a topic fit for national television.

A resurfaced clip from a 1981 episode of BBC consumer right's programme 'That's Life!' shows just how novel - and newsworthy - flavoured crisps were in the UK in the early 80s.

The segment begins with presenter Esther Rantzen asking the question: 'Have you noticed how exotic the humble crisp has become?'

'Once it was plain and then it was salted. And now they have the most extraordinary flavours,' she continues.

In the hilarious clip - which went viral when it was reposted by X account 'No Context Brits' on Monday - That's Life! journalist Paul Heiney goes to a northern town with different crisps and asks passers-by if they can identify the new flavours.

A resurfaced clip from a 1981 episode of BBC consumer right's programme 'That's Life!' shows just how novel - and newsworthy - flavoured crisps were in the UK in the early 80s. The segment segment is presented by a young Esther Rantzen (pictured)

While the first flavoured crisp was released in the late 1950s, it would be another decade before salt and vinegar crisps were available throughout the UK.

The blind taste test, which includes prawn cocktail, chicken and pickled onion varieties, proves challenging for the interviewees - but the best bit comes when the flavours are revealed.

Their gobsmacked expressions, sheer disbelief and funny quips have both the gathered crowds and the studio audience in fits of laughter.

Viewed 1,100,000 times in just three days, the clip has prompted more than 250 responses on X, with many people voicing their nostalgia for the postwar generation and others likening the segment to a Monty Python sketch.

X users have also pointed out that the clip appears much older than it is - with one person suggesting it could be from the 1950s.

Unfazed by the camera, the first woman asked to take part in the tasting insists she 'can't tell' the flavour of the crisps she's just sampled.

When pressed by the interviewer, the woman, who is wearing a knitted hat and an overcoat, admits: 'They just taste like the ordinary the ordinary they're a bit fishy.'

Seconds later, when she finds out that the crisps she'd tasted were in fact bacon flavour, the woman is left reeling. 'Never,' she exclaims.

Even funnier, however, is her reaction to the second taste test.

That's Life! journalist Paul Heiney goes to a northern town with different crisps and asks passers-by if they can identify the new flavours

'It's very difficult,' she says when the interviewer asks her what flavour the crisps are.

When she's told they are chicken flavour, the woman is noticeably baffled and again exclaims, 'never'.

Turning to a member of the crowd, she adds confidently: ' 'They're chicken? But they don't taste like the chicken I do. It's not coq au vin is it?'

The third variety provokes a similarly hilarious response from the woman. Believing the crisps to be salt and vinegar flavour, she is audibly and visibly shocked when she discovers that they are prawn cocktail.

With her eyes wide open, she looks down at the crisps and shouts, 'Oh, oh prawn cocktail,' as though nothing could be stranger.

Next, the interviewer turns to an old man wearing a flat cap and offers him some crisps to taste.

Asked if it's 'a bit difficult' to tell the flavour, the smiling man replies, 'If you tell me what it is, I'll confirm it.'

The encounter becomes even funnier when the interviewer offers the man a clue.

The blind taste test, which includes prawn cocktail, chicken and pickled onion varieties, proves challenging for the interviewees

'It's got two legs,' he says. The man then quips: 'It's not a frog, is it?'

The interviewer adds, 'flaps its wings,' to which the man absurdly responds, 'butterfly'.

Confused by the man's response, the journalist questions, 'butterfly crisps?'. Finally, he reveals the flavour: 'Chicken crisps they are.'

The exchange descends into laughter when the man is offered a second variety with the clue, 'That one hasn't got any legs at all.'

Enjoying his five minutes of fame, the man asks: 'It's not snake, is it?'

The third and final woman who takes part in the taste test gets the most laughs thanks to her suspicious attitude and unwillingness to accept the truth when it's revealed.

Elderly and wearing a patterned headscarf, the woman believes she is being tricked when the interviewer offers her some crisps and asks what flavour they are.

Quick as a flash, she asks: 'What muck have you got in them?'.

The interviewees' gobsmacked expressions, sheer disbelief and funny quips have both the gathered crowds and the studio audience in fits of laughter

Encouraged to try them, she takes one and eats it slowly and deliberately before reaching the conclusion that they are cheese and onion flavour.

So sure is she that she's got the flavour right, the woman appears almost offended when the interviewer replies: 'No. Why does it taste like cheese and onion?'

Unwavering, she insists: 'Because they are cheese and onion.'

When the interviewer again tells her she's wrong, the woman replies with certainty: 'I know what I'm eating love. They're cheese and onion.'

Eventually, she's told that the crisps she's just tasted are pickled onion flavour - and she's not impressed.

Her expression changes and she half rolls her eyes. Before she can get away, the interviewer asks her to try another variety.

This time she is more cautious, taking just a small bite of one crisp.

Convinced that 'they're the same bloody things,' she doesn't believe the interviewer when he tells her they're plain. 'Who are you kidding?', she snaps.

One male interviewee was cautious about taking part in the blind taste test. He suggested the interviewer should tell him what the flavours were so he could simply confirm it

When asked to try a third variety, the woman turns to the interviewer and says: 'I'm a Geordie man. You English can't kid me.'

She takes two cautious bites and quickly decides that they're salt and vinegar.

Told she's wrong, the woman becomes visibly aggravated. 'Hee, don't kid us man,' she tells the interviewer.

Gently goading her, he asks: 'Can Geordies always tell what flavour crisps are?'

'Yeah,' the woman replies defiantly.

Asked to try a fourth variety, the woman again gets the flavour wrong. Believing the crisps to be plain - when in fact they're chicken - she quips: 'It's like your bleedin' bat soup innit?'

The clip, which was originally posted on X by BBC Archive last year, found a new audience when it was posted by the No Context Brits account earlier this week.

With 1,100,000 million views, the clip appears to have appealed to viewers' nostalgia for the 'quaint uniqueness' of 1980s Britain.

Viewed 1,100,000 times in just three days, the clip has prompted over 250 responses on X

One person commented: 'The country has gone a bit vanilla hasn't it - it used to have distinct regions and characters, now it's all the damn same. Shame.'

Another person celebrated the individuals who appear in the clip, writing: 'My nan's generation - the greatest generation. All individuals, and all terribly missed.'

A third, who was keen to understand why those interviewed failed the taste test, reflected: 'People had just endured years of rationing so to them everything tasted like spam or baked beans.'

Another person - an American - appeared to relate to the interviewees' failure to identify the flavours.

'We have the same issue here in the States with Lays. Every one of their flavoured crisps ends up tasting like mayonnaise,' they wrote.

A fifth person enthused patriotically: 'When people try to be clever and ask what traditional British culture is. THIS. ABSOLUTELY THIS.

'It's a state of mind. It's the quaint uniqueness of our people. It's the unassuming demeanour hiding a backbone of steel. Rule Britannia.'

People also likened the encounters in the clip to famous comedy sketches, with one person posting: 'The first woman sounds like a Monty Python character.'

Many people on X voiced their nostalgia for the postwar generation while others likened the segment to a Monty Python sketch

Referring to popular British comedy Fawlty Towers, another said: 'Close your eyes and listen to the first woman. Sounds like Sybil Fawlty.'

Someone else couldn't believe that the clip was from the 1980s, believing it to be much older.

They wrote: 'Why does so much footage from the UK from that period look like it's from about 30 years earlier than it actually was? Like this looks like it's 1950.'

Another person simply enthused: 'One of the best things I've seen on Twitter. Absolutely hilarious.'
An economics major has used her experience in sex work to predict the next recession.

OnlyFans model Amelia Lynne, who calls herself the 'bimbo in business,' told DailyMail.com that she believes the US is headed for another recession because of how much the sex work industry has slowed down.

'From the signs of what we're looking at right now, I think it is possible there's a recession,' the 20-year-old explained.

'I would say my biggest [reason] is the lack of consumer spending with sex work in general. There's a lot of escort forums where you can see people asking if it's slow,' she continued.

'I have a lot of escort friends too and they say similar things regarding it being slow.'

Amelia Lynne, who calls herself the 'bimbo in business,' believes the US is headed for another recession because of how much the sex work industry has slowed down

Amelia also explained that it'll be middle and lower class people affected by another recession, while ultra-wealthy one-percenters will remain largely unaffected.

'The high-end sex workers are always saying it's busy - they're always going,' she said.

'So say the millionaires or maybe even billionaires who are spending money on an OnlyFans girl or an escort, they can still afford things even if we go into a recession.'

Amelia, who is a Kamala Harris supporter, said she believes that a Harris presidency will be better for the economy - but warned that the former attorney general could pose a risk to sex workers.

'Kamala in the past has supported FOSTA-SESTA, which actually took sites like Eros and Backpage off [the internet], and that actually led to an increase in trafficking rates because a lot of girls who were on these online sites escorting, like posting their ads, they couldn't post online anymore,' she explained.

'And so a lot of them went back to the streets, which puts them in more dangerous situations.

'Like they can't screen with their ID and even get a feel for the person or who they are,' she continued.

'They have to be working on the street and it's a lot more dangerous. And when people start working on the street, that's when more sex trafficking comes in, like pimps and stuff.'

Amelia believes that a Kamala Harris presidency will be better for the economy - but warned that the former attorney general could pose a risk to sex workers.

FOSTA-SESTA is a law that combines the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) and the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA).

It was signed into law in 2018 and aims to make it illegal to assist in sex trafficking, but has been widely criticized by many in the pro-sex work community.

Despite this, Amelia still believes that a Harris presidency will be better for both women and the economy in the long run.

'Trump, with Project 2025 coming out, that could just be worse for women in general and spark more misogyny,' she explained.

'But Kamala is socially liberal and that looks a lot better for us sex workers,' she continued.

'The actions that Trump did in his last term did not help us as much as he preaches and a lot of the policies he's pushing out don't necessarily make sense.'

Amelia said that Trump's last tax cut only helped the upper class but not the lower and middle class, while Kamala's tax relief proposal could help millions.
It seems the Earl of Snowdon, 62, is still enamoured with his French girlfriend, Isabelle de la Bruyere, 53.

Princess Margarets son was seen in a passionate clinch with the art expert on Tuesday outside A-listers hangout Chiltern Firehouse.

The couple dined al fresco with Isabelle tenderly stroking her beaus face and Snowdon planting kisses on her cheeks, as she clutched her vape.

Two empty champagne flutes could be seen on their table, but what could they be toasting?

Their romance began in 2022 and there is still no ring on Isabelles left hand. It is the Earls first known romance since he split from Serena Stanhope, 52, in 2020, after 27 years of marriage.

The second Earl of Snowdon, David Armstrong-Jones, giving his French girlfriend Isabelle de La Bruyere a passionate peck on the cheek

The earl and his French art expert girlfriend pack on the PDA outside of the Chiltern Firehouse in London

The couple also lovingly embraced as they dined al fresco style in the chilly London weather

It is the Earls first known romance since he split from Serena Stanhope, 52, in 2020 (Pictured: Isabelle and the Earl gazing lovingly at one another)

The happy couple strolled through the streets of London arms intertwined

Lord Snowdon with his ex-wife Serena Armstrong-Jones as they prepared to depart to Zimbabwe for their honeymoon in 1993

This comes shortly after King Charles's cousin was spotted kissing his French girlfriend in Mayfair earlier this year.

Earlier in Marhc, David, 62-year-old son of the late Princess Margaret, was seen smooching up a storm with Isabelle de La Bruyere.

The carpenter, who established the home furnishings shop Linley, kissed her on the cheek outside George private members' club, before he made off into the night on his bicycle.

When Lord Snowdon announced his separation from his wife, Serena, in 2020, after 27 years of marriage, friends blamed the amount of time that he had to spend working abroad.

French-born Isabelle, who's believed to be in her 50s, was a director of Christie's, while he's the honorary chair-man of the auction house.
Princess Theodora of Greece and her LA-based lawyer husband Matthew Kumar appeared overjoyed as they commemorated their marriage by slicing into a delectable looking wedding cake.

The 41-year-old actress, who was born in London and played secretary Alison Montgomery in The Bold and the Beautiful, beamed with delight as her and her new husband cut into their four-tiered cake on Saturday.

While celebrating their wedding reception, the couple took to the stage to take part in the ceremonial cutting of the cake - during which, the song This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole played.

The merry looking groom then sliced off a mouthful of the delicious looking cake, spooning it into his new bride's mouth as guests whooped in celebration at the One and Only Aesthesis Hotel in Athens.

Theodora then had her turn, spooning a tasty morsel of cake to her husband, who quickly took off dancing to the music.

Princess Theodora of Greece and her LA-based lawyer husband Matthew Kumar (pictured) appeared overjoyed as they concluded their marriage by slicing into their wedding cake yesterday

The 41-year-old actress, who was born in London and played secretary Alison Montgomery in The Bold and the Beautiful, beamed with delight as her and her new husband sliced into their four-tiered cake on Saturday

As guests howled with delight, someone waiting in the wings swiftly swooped on stage to open a bottle of champagne to commemorate the traditional moment in the celebrations.

The happy couple - who were married earlier that day at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens - then sealed the ceremonious moment with an affectionate kiss.

Theodora and her new groom, Matthew, finally cemented their marriage vows with a kiss after two attempts and a four-year delay.

Wearing a bespoke off-the-shoulder wedding gown from Greek designer Celia Kritharioti, the bride put on a dazzling display in the Cartier-made Khedive of Egypt Tiara, which has long been worn by women in Theodora's family on their big days.

Mr Kumar and his glowing bride shared a loving kiss as they stood at the steps of the Cathedral, solidifying their matrimonial vows whilst proving third times a charm after their nuptials were postponed in 2020 and 2023.

The loving couple were in wedding bliss, with the groom kissing Princess Theodora's hand as well as her cheek as she mesmerised the crowd with a euphoric smile.

The glowing newlyweds waved with glee to the reams of supporters waiting outside the stunning cathedral as they began their lives as husband and wife.

Their lavish wedding ceremony comes shortly after their initial wedding was scheduled to be held on the Greek island of Spetses in 2020, but had to be put on hold because of the Covid pandemic.

A second attempt was postponed after the death of Theodora's father King Constantine II of Greece in 2023.

The merry looking groom sliced off a mouthful of the delicious looking cake, spooning it into his new bride's mouth as guests whooped in celebration

Princess Theodora and Mathew Kumar lovingly share a smooch as they leave the Cathedral

The newlyweds look lovingly into each others eyes as they begin their lives as husband and wife

The blushing bride and her dashing groom wave to the hoards of supporters outside the cathedral

The gleaming newlyweds walk behind cathedral officials as they prepare to greet the public

Ex-Queen Anne-Marie adjust her daughter Princess Theodora's dress as they stand on the steps of the cathedral

Princess Theodora of Greece and American lawyer Matthew Kumar, along with their relatives following the lavish ceremony



As the daughter of the late Greek King and his wife Queen Anne-Marie, the bride - who was also the late Queen Elizabeth II's goddaughter - is related to a host of glam European royals - many of whom attended her big day, including Queen Sofia of Spain and model Princess Olympia of Greece.

Although Theodora did not have her father to walk her down the aisle as she showcased her stunning wedding dress for the first time, her oldest brother Crown Prince Pavlos performed the role of 'giving away' his younger sister.

Both were seen walking from a car towards the Cathedral, with Pavlos supporting his younger sister while she made her way up the stairs, before her niece Olympia helped sort out her beautiful gown.

Sporting a traditional white frock, Theodora's strapless dress featured a fold-over neckline, an A-line shaped skirt and a fabric covered in shimmering white beads.

The bride's dress - which she picked out ahead of the original wedding date in 2020 - was created by Celia Kritharioti.

Celia is Greece's foremost fashion designer, whose elegant creations are worn by the likes of Beyonce, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Taylor Swift.

She is the owner of the oldest Greek fashion house, which was established in Athens in 1906, and features at Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture and at London's Harrods.

Princess Theodora of Greece pictured arriving at her wedding to LA-based lawyer Matthew Kumar. She stands next to her older brother Crown Prince Pavlos

Although Theodora did not have her father to walk her down the aisle as she showcased her stunning wedding dress for the first time, her oldest brother Crown Prince Pavlos performed the role of 'giving away' his younger sister

Wearing a bespoke off-the-shoulder wedding gown from Greek designer Celia Kritharioti, the bride put on a dazzling display in the Cartier-made Khedive of Egypt Tiara, which has long been worn by women in Theodora's family on their big days

Meanwhile, the Khedive of Egypt Tiara has long been worn by women in Theodora's family on their wedding days, including by her mother Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, and her aunts Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Princess Benedikte of Denmark.

It was given to Princess Margaret of Connaught - who married the future King of Sweden, Gustaf VI Adolf - as a wedding present in 1905 by the Khedive, reported Royal Central.

The tiara was created by Cartier and features a laurel wreath-inspired design, which includes diamonds and platinum.

Princess Margaret often wore the tiara before her death in 1920. The tiara then left Sweden when her daughter Princess Ingrid, married Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.

The bride and groom's wedding date on Saturday was said to be picked due to it being close to the wedding anniversary of Theodora's parents, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie, who were married on September 18, 1964, in Athens.

Initially, Princess Theodora and her fiance, who announced their engagement in November 2018 after two years of dating, were scheduled to wed on the Greek island of Spetses in 2020.

But the couple were forced to put the May 26 event on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite not walking down the aisle on the day, Theodora still celebrated with her husband-to-be and she shared a snap of herself with Matthew on Instagram as they dined on Greek salad, olives, bread and cheese and shared a tipple.

The wedding was initially scheduled to be held on the Greek island of Spetses in 2020, but had to be put on hold because of the Covid pandemic. A second attempt was postponed after the death of Theodora's father King Constantine II of Greece in 2023

Princess Theodora of Greece stands at the foot of the cathedral as her dress is delicately repositioned

Sporting a traditional white frock, Theodora's strapless dress featured a fold-over neckline, an A-line shaped skirt and a fabric covered in shimmering white beads

Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Theodora prepare to head into the church as she stuns with a stunning floral wedding gown and an equally gorgeous smile

The bride's dress - which she picked out ahead of the original wedding date in 2020 - was created by Celia Kritharioti

Love is in the air as Princess Theodora arrives to the cathedral in a land rover flooded with a gorgeous floral display

Pavlos supported his younger sister while she made her way up the stairs, before her niece Olympia (pictured right) helped sort out the bride's beautiful gown

Queen Anne-Marie of Greece (pictured right) was accompanied to her daughter's wedding by her son Prince Nikolaos (pictured left)

For her daughter's big day, Queen Anne-Marie sported a striking blue striped gown and matching accessories

Bridesmaids Arrietta Morales y de Grecia and Princess Olympia pose for a photo before the wedding begins

The bridesmaids sported elegant blue silk numbers for the bride's big day in the Greek capital

Arrietta Morales y de Grecia and Princess Maria-Olympia stun in their silk blue gowns as they prepare to enter the church

Queen Sofia of Spain attends the wedding of her niece in Athens, sporting a glamorous red frock for the glitzy occasion

Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, is joined by her sons for the wedding, whilst their father walked the bride down the aisle

Anna-Maria Morales y de Grecia, Carlos Morales y de Grecia, Amelia Morales y de Grecia, Princess Alexia, Carlos Morales at the weeding of Princess Theodora of Greece

Thomas Flohr, Prince Philippos, Princess Nina, Wedding of Princess Theodora of Greece and Matthew Kumar at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Athens

Anna-Maria Morales y de Grecia, Carlos Morales y de Grecia, Amelia Morales y de Grecia and Princess Alexia, Carlos Morale

Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia and Princess Catherine of Serbia arrive at the wedding putting on a glamorous display donning different shades of blue

Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia waves to the crowd whilst donning a a dark navy suit

As she posted the photo, the Princess wrote: 'On what should have been our wedding weekend - the love and support from friends and family have been so appreciated. We cant wait to celebrate with all of you in Greece once its safe.'

When the pandemic finally came to an end, Theodora and Matthew set another wedding date - 'early summer' in 2023, in Porto Heli, Greece.

However, just a month after the Greek Royal Household announced the second wedding date, actress Theodora's father, King Constantine of Greece, passed away.

King Constantine, the last King of Greece who was exiled in 1973 when the monarchy was abolished, had five children; Crown Prince Pavlos, Prince Philippos, Princess Alexia, Princess Theodora and Prince Nikolaos.

The exiled king died at the age of 82 in January 2023. As Theodora mourned her father, she postponed her wedding to Matthew for the second time.

The bride and groom were spotted side-by-side at the memorial service for King Constantine at St George's Chapel in Windsor in February 2024, which saw royals from across Europe in attendance including Queen Camilla, King Felipe of Spain and Queen Letizia.

Two months after her father's death, the princess posted a tribute to him on Instagram which read: 'Its been two months since you left us. Miss you everyday Papa. Love you.'

The beautiful bride enjoys close ties to both the British, Danish and Spanish royal families.

Princess Benedikte and Princess Alexandra at the wedding strike a pose as they prepare to attend the wedding

Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille, Princess Benedikte and Princess Alexandra at the wedding

Irene Urdanagarin, Infanta Elena and Infanta Cristina arrive at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of St. Mary

Alexia of Greece arrives at the Annunciation Cathedral of St. Mary to attend the wedding of Theodora of Greece

Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, opted for a stylish cream frock, featuring cinched waist detailing and a statement neckline

The bride's maternal aunt Princess Benedikte of Denmark stunned in a red and pink gown

Thomas Flohr, Prince Philippos and Princess Nina posed for a photo before attending the wedding

The three were all smiles before they headed into the lavish royal wedding

Matthew Kumar and his wedding party at the wedding of Mathew Kumar and Theodora of Greece

A wider view of the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Athens, Greece

Her father King Constantine - who retained his royal title after the abolition of the Greek monarchy in 1973 - was a second cousin of King Charles, and Prince Williams godfather.

Meanwhile, her mother, Queen Anne-Marie is the younger sister of Denmark's Queen Margrethe, making King Frederik her first cousin.

Elsewhere, Theodora's paternal aunt is Queen Sofia, who was Queen of Spain from 1975 to 2014 as the wife of King Juan Carlos I.

King Constantine's son Crown Prince Pavlos and the Greek Royal Family have no official remit, but are still active participants in royal life around Europe.

At the time of her engagement, Theodora announced the happy news on Instagram, saying: 'Words can't express our happiness and excitement. I can't wait to marry this wonderful man. I love you, Matt.'

On Friday night, Theodora proved to be the epitome of a beautiful bride-to-be as she stepped out for her pre-wedding dinner on Friday night.

The 41-year-old appeared radiant in a white midi dress from Celia Kritharioti as she hosted an array of royals from the Greek, Spanish and Danish households in Athens - with glitzy guests including her glamorous model niece Princess Olympia, 28.

As every bride should, Theodora commanded attention in her chic backless dress, which featured a stylish square neckline with thick straps, a billowing skirt, cinched waist detailing and a statement bow.

Looking effortlessly elegant, the bride teamed her dress with a pair of matching white heels and the $373 Elos Box Clutch in Pearl from Los-Angeles based brand Cult Gaia.

She couldn't keep the smile from her face as she stepped out at the glamorous occasion with her husband-to-be Matthew, who looked equally smart in a navy blazer teamed with black trousers and a white shirt.

Princess Theodora of Greece (pictured left, with her husband-to-be) proved to be the epitome of a beautiful bride-to-be as she stepped out for her pre-wedding dinner on Friday night

The 41-year-old actress, who was born in London and played secretary Alison Montgomery in The Bold and the Beautiful, appeared radiant in a white midi dress from Greek designer Celia Kritharioti, who is also creating her wedding gown

The bride and groom hosted an array of royals from the Greek, Spanish and Danish households at their pre-wedding dinner in the capital - with glitzy guests including her glamorous model niece Princess Olympia (pictured left), 28, and Queen Sofia of Spain (pictured right)

Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, and Theodora's brother Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, at the pre-wedding dinner

Guests at the event, held at the Byzantine and Christian Museum, included Theodora's paternal aunt is Queen Sofia, as well as the bride's maternal aunt Princess Benedikte of Denmark.

They were joined by members of the Greek Royal Family, including Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, who is wed to Theodora's brother Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, Queen Anne-Marie and Olympia.

Olympia was dressed to impress in a strappy silver dress, featuring a pleated skirt and teamed with metallic accessories.

Her mother, Marie-Chantal, looked just as stunning in a navy frock, paired with golden heels and a matching clutch bag.

Earlier on Friday, the bride and groom visited the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens, with preparations in the works ahead of Saturday's nuptials.

Theodora paid a nod to her upcoming bridal weekend with a white linen dress from ALEMAIS, retailing online for 405. The summery design featured quirky illustrations of fish, flowers and palm trees and was teamed with chic sliders.

She wore her platinum blonde tresses down in relaxed waves and sported a natural, dewy make-up look as she walked hand-in-hand with Matthew and held onto a bouquet of flowers.

The groom-to-be, meanwhile, looked dapper in a striped shirt which he wore with a smart black blazer and navy trousers.

Also present at the Cathedral was Theodora's mother, Queen Anna Maria of Greece, 78, who grinned as she chatted with others in a green linen summer dress.

Her siblings, Nikolaos, 54, and Alexia, 59, of Greece, were also seen at the event. Alexia was effortlessly elegant in a white and navy frock, accessorised with a pair of sunglasses and a matching blue handbag.

She channelled glamour as she styled her brunette tresses in relaxed waves. Nikolaos appeared to be in good spirits as he donned a navy suit and chatted with his mother.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium was joined by Princess Delphine today as the two attended Sunday mass held by Pope Francis in Belgium.

Mathilde, 51, looked regal in an all white ensemble while Delphine, 53, wore a typically bold pink suit, to the Holy Mass headed by the Pope at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.

The notable appearance of the artist Princess Delphine - formerly known as Delphine Boel - marks an important progression in her journey to gain recognition for her royal heritage.

The royals were pictured look animated as they greeted each other at the service, their face lit up in smiles as they shared an affection hold.

Also joining for the service was Mathilde's husband, King Philippe, along with their eldest son, Prince Gabriel.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium (pictured left) was joined by Princess Delphine (right) today as the two attending Sunday mass directed by Pope Francis

The notable appearance of the artist Princess Delphine, 53 - formerly known as Delphine Boel - marks an important progression in her journey to gain recognition for her royal heritage

Mathilde donned an all white ensemble, similar to the snow white suit she wore on Friday on the second day of the Pope's weekend visit to Belgium.

Today's frock featured a long sleeved blazer buttoned up to the neck, and a long pleated skirt worn below the knee.

Protecting her eyes from the early morning weekend sunshine, Mathilde sported a pair of stylish sunglasses.

She wore her blow dried blonde tresses in soft waves and donned a typically subtle makeup look, with natural glowing skin and pink lips.

Meanwhile, Delphine wore an outfit relatively tame compared to her usual adventurous ensembles.

On this occasion, the Belgium royal wore a smart pink suit with a love heart embossed on the back, and a plain high neck t-shirt underneath.

She accessorised with a chunky red bracelet, stylish sunglasses and a necklace which featured a gold love heart with the word 'love' written in the middle of it.

She appeared makeup free and wore her golden locks down, combed neatly out of her face.

Also in attendance was Queen Mathilde's husband, King Philippe (right of the queen) of Belgium, who complemented his wife's all white ensemble by wearing an all black suit and tie

Mathilde donned an all white ensemble, similar to the snow white suit she wore on Friday on the second day of the Pope's weekend visit to Belgium

The Belgium royals were also joined by their eldest son, Prince Gabriel of Belgium, 21, who wore a blue overcoat along with a smart suit and gold patterned tie

Queen Mathilde and King Philippe looked smart and stylish as they arrived to attend Holy Mass directed by Pope Francis in Brussels

The royal has become known for her statement looks in the past.

Delphine has previously donned a number of bright and colourful ensembles, including one statement outfit she wore in July featuring a tailored suit coloured with bold shades of pink and red.

Also in attendance was Queen Mathilde's husband, King Philippe of Belgium, who complemented his wife's all white ensemble by wearing an all black suit and tie.

He finished the look with a thick black overcoat and neatly combed his hair back for the occasion.

The Belgium royals were also joined by their eldest son, Prince Gabriel of Belgium, 21, who wore a blue overcoat along with a smart suit and gold patterned tie.

Today marks the end of the visit from the Pope, 87, who has been staying in Belgium as part of a trip to 'the heart of Europe' to discuss the continent's role in the world.

Meanwhile, Delphine (pictured in pink) wore an outfit relatively tame compared to her usual adventurous ensembles

Delphine has previously donned a number of bright and colourful ensembles, including one statement outfit she wore in July featuring a tailored suit coloured with bold shades of pink and red

Princess Delphine has had a rocky road to recognition as the love child of her country's former monarch.

She is thought to be the result of an 18-year affair between former monarch, King Albert II, 89, who abdicated in 2013 in favour of his son King Philippe, 63, and Belgian aristocrat Sybille de Selys Longchamps, 82, that began in the 1960s.

Now, Delphine has attended royal engagements and says her relationship with her father has healed after years of bitterness.

She was legally named as King Albert II of Belgium's daughter three years ago - but in 2023 she reportedly penned a legal letter to the government asking to be invited to official events like her half-siblings, Princess Astrid, 61, and Prince Laurent, 60.

Speaking after a court officially acknowledged her as the love child of Belgium's former king in October 2020, Delphine said her battle to be recognised as a royal was not about money or status, but rather to be treated with the same 'respect' as her half-siblings.

For decades, the former King distanced himself from Princess Delphine and her mother to preserve his marriage.

Mathilde wore her blow dried blonde tresses in soft waves and donned a typically subtle makeup look, with natural glowing skin and pink lips

Protecting her eyes from the early morning weekend sunshine, Mathilde sported a pair of stylish sunglasses

Today marks the end of the visit from the Pope, 87, who has been staying in Belgium as part of a trip to 'the heart of Europe' to discuss the continent's role in the world

During the pastoral visit to Brussels, Pope Francis has visited the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium to celebrate their 600th anniversary

After Princess Delphine was born in 1968, the King initially remained in frequent contact with his child and her mother. But when Delphine reached her 16th birthday, the King began to distance himself.

In 2013, the same year King Albert abdicated the throne due to health reasons and was succeeded by his son King Philippe, Princess Delphine launched a legal bid to be officially recognised as Albert's daughter - which she won in October 2020.

Now Delphine has the right to bear the royal name de Saxe-Cobourg and is formally recognised as a member of the Belgian royal family as are her two children Princess Josephine of Belgium, 19, and Prince Oscar of Belgium, 14, who she shares with partner James O'Hare.
Channel 4 is reportedly set to air a documentary about Queen Camilla - which paints the royal in a negative light.

According to the Sun, the film - said to be titled Camilla: Harrys Wicked Stepmother? - will portray the 77-year-old as the 'wicked mother' of Prince Harry, 40.

In addition, the outlet reports, it will claim that not only did Camilla spend some three-decades creating a positive image, but that the late Queen Elizabeth II never wanted her to sit on the throne.

According to unnamed sources, the documentary's broadcast was delayed after King Charles revealed his cancer diagnosis.

Because of his illness, it was feared the anti-Camilla documentary could have caused a backlash, the sources are reported as saying.

According to reports, a Channel 4 documentary which portrays Queen Camilla (pictured, left) as Prince Harry's (pictured, right) 'wicked stepmother' will 'air within weeks' (both pictured at Buckingham Palace in June 2012)

Now, it is set to be broadcast 'within weeks'.

According to one of the sources: 'This is very much a pro-Harry, anti-Camilla documentary.

'It presents him and Meghan as victims of the familys unkindness.'

They added that Channel 4 is aware that the documentary is 'going to cause serious waves', and that many people, particularly at Buckingham Palace, 'arent going to like it'.

Reports claim that documentary producers reached out to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to contribute.

MailOnline has reached out to representatives of the couple for comment.

A Channel 4 spokesperson told MailOnline that the documentary 'will be looking at Camillas biography and background as she is now the queen'.

They added: 'It is yet to be scheduled.'

A Channel 4 spokesperson told told MailOnline that the documentary 'will be looking at Camillas biography and background as she is now the queen' (pictured: Queen Camilla in Edinburgh in September 2024)

The documentary follows Prince Harry's memoir Spare, in which he claimed he and his brother Prince William begged their father not to marry Camilla, adding that he wondered whether she would become his 'wicked stepmother'.

Speaking in an interview with Anderson Cooper, in January 2023, promoting the book, Prince Harry described Camilla as 'dangerous' and a 'villain'.

He said: 'She was the villain, she was a third person in the marriage, she needed to rehabilitate her image.

'That made her dangerous because of the connections that she was forging within the British Press. And there was open willingness on both sides to trade information and with a family built on hierarchy, and with her on the way to being Queen Consort, there was going to be people or bodies left in the street because of that.'

However, hours later, Prince Harry told Good Morning America that he does not view Queen Camilla as an 'evil stepmother'.

Prince Harry took aim at his father's wife Camilla in a TV interview to promote his memoir Spare, with CBS' 60 Minutes in the US in January 2023

In his third television interview, he said: 'I have a huge amount of compassion for her, you know, being the third person within my parents' marriage. She had a reputation, or an image, to rehabilitate.

'Whatever conversations happened, whatever deals or trading was made right at the beginning, she was led to believe that that would be the best way of doing it.'

Asked about what his relationship with Camilla is like now, Harry said: 'We haven't spoken for a long time. I love every member of my family, despite the differences, so when I see her we're perfectly pleasant with each other.

'She's my stepmother. I don't look at her as an evil stepmother. I see someone who married into this institution and has done everything that she can to improve her own reputation and her own image for her own sake.'

MailOnline has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment on the upcoming documentary.
The shift in seasons is often when skin goes awry. Like a sap-filled leaf thats suddenly shrivelled and died, my face actually hurts.

Friends complexions are also suffering: their skin tight, irritated and itchy; wrinkles they were perfectly content with suddenly looking stark.

Whats happening? Its not even that cold, Instagram-messages a flaky-faced reader.

First, transitional temperatures are erratic  25 degrees one day, 8 the next, with blasts of artificial heat  confusing our skins moisture barrier, and resulting in hydration loss, inflammation and redness.

Second, humidity levels plummet in autumn, leaving cells starved of hydration.

So heres my five-point, face-saving plan.

The shift in seasons is often when skin goes awry. Beauty expert Hannah Betts shares her five-point, face-saving plan for the cooler months (stock image)

TRY INSIDE-OUT AID

Oil up, inside and out. Supplements are your friend. A balance of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids is vital for human health; the former combatting inflammation in the skin and supporting its lipid barrier. Flaxseed oil is an excellent source. Two Solgar Cold Pressed Flaxseed Oil softgels (now 13.74 for 100, hollandandbarrett.com) should do the trick.

Great British brand Bare Biology Pure Omega-3 Liquid (49.95, barebiology.com) has shown impressive results in addressing eczema, rosacea and acne. Made from sustainably sourced Norwegian fish oil, it contains 2,000mg of EPA and 1,000mg of DHA per teaspoon  the two most important types of omega 3.

CLEANSE AND CALM

Ditch exfoliants until matters have stabilised in favour of a good old-fashioned flannel. If your chemists are too rough, seek out a soft, microfibre Make-up Eraser (7.98 on amazon.co.uk).

Hot water may feel soothing but will strip natural oils, making tautness and sensitivity worse. Keep temperatures tepid and moisturise when damp to lock in nourishment.

Celebrating its 15th birthday, Emma Hardies Moringa Cleansing Balm (now 37.50 rather than 75, shop.emmahardie.com) is a joy.

Or try The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm (now 9.60, sephora.co.uk) for a budget alternative.

MOISTURE LAYERS

Effective as they may be, now is not the time for spurs to cell-turnover such as retinols. Instead, think barrier-building and cushioning in the form of vitamins C and E. As with autumn style, layering is your friend.

As my base layer, Sisleys Ecological Compound Advanced Formula (now 115.20 from 128, libertylondon.com) is the climate-control solution I buy if feeling flush. Theres a reason why this biome-bolstering classic has been a bestseller since 1980, a bottle selling every five seconds.

Otherwise, any decent face oil will do. I also rate Simples new 10% Ceramide Boosters & Omega Complex Serum (7.95, superdrug.com).

As a topcoat, I have fallen in love with Kate Somervilles new Goat Milk Moisturising Cream (now 58.50, libertylondon.com), a creamy, but in no way greasy milk, honey and vitamin E hydrator that is a salve to sensitive faces.

Hannah Betts (pictured) warns that transitional temperatures are erratic  25 degrees one day, 8 the next, with blasts of artificial heat  confuse our skins moisture barrier, resulting in hydration loss, inflammation and redness

YOU STILL NEED SPF

Dont expose an irritated complexion to yet more damage. It may be miserable outside, but you do still need a sunscreen.

Go for a light, but hydrating shield such as cold-weather godsend Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Cream SPF50 (22, boots.com).

CRISIS CONTROL

A friend with rosacea is teary with gratitude over my gift of Rosalique 3-in-1 Anti Redness Miracle Formula SPF50 (29.99, victoriahealth.com): a multitasking wonder that treats, conceals and protects.

Ingredients such as antioxidant Alpha-Bisabolol, shea butter and urea heal flare-ups, while ultra-fine colour pigments mask blotchiness.

RACE YOU TO IT!

Hermes Barenia Eau De Parfum Perfumer Christine Nagel has created her first chypre (citrus, then flowers, on a woody, mossy base) for Hermes: Hermes Barenia Eau De Parfum (from 70, boots.com). The result is clean, elegant and youthful  fans find it captivating. Shop

MY STYLE ICON OF THE WEEK

Alison Hammond

Alison Hammond (pictured) is a fan of Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Hot Chocolit

Bringing glamour to TVs Great British Bake Off, judge Alison Hammond, 49, is a Fenty fan.

Reapplied between bites is Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Hot Chocolit (19, boots.com).

Her complexion is augmented by Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr Mattifying Primer True Matte (28, boots.com) and Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Concealer (20.80, boots.com).

METALLIC EYE SHADES

COSMETIC CRAVING
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that Washington must abandon its "two-faced" approach toward Beijing, which involves simultaneously suppressing China while also engaging in dialogue and cooperation, Azernews reports.

"Stopping the deterioration of relations between the two countries and stabilizing them meets the interests of the peoples of the two states and meets the expectations of the international community," the Chinese foreign minister said during the meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Wang also called on the United States to to stop arming Taiwan and oppose its independence.
In fashion, nothing arouses curiosity quite as much as the debut collection of a well-known designer at an even more illustrious house.

Which is why all eyes were on Paris for the Valentino show - the first to be designed by Alessandro Michele, the former Gucci designer who transformed that brand from ok to outstanding, tripling profits and attracting a celebrity fanbase including Salma Hayek, Jared Leto, Florence Welch, Harry Styles and Sir Elton John.

All were on hand to watch Micheles Valentino debut, Hayek in a lilac lace dress and matching turban, and Styles in an orange jumper and a ruffled shirt. They were joined by the models Carla Bruni and Karen Elson and the actors Andrew Garfield and Hari Nef.

If these guests tricked the eye into thinking that we were witnessing a Gucci show, so too did the clothes. But only superficially. For those who know their fashion, it was clear that the collection was full of classic Valentino trademarks.

Popstar Harry Styles (right) wore an orange jumper and a ruffled shirt while Carla Bruni (left) wore a white Valentino coat

Sir Elton John (left) and David Furnish (right) also attended the Valentino show in Paris

Wide brimmed hats, polka dots, pantaloons, lace, bows and frills were just a few of the many nods to Valentino Garavani, the 92 year-old Italian who founded the house in Rome in 1959, dressing the worlds most beautiful women - including Princess Diana, Jacqueline Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor - in his day.

Micheles skill lies in his presentation of these references, and the way he brings them together to form a collection whose surfeit of strong colours, bold prints and beautiful fabrics works as well on social media as it does on the red carpet.

For those who like the romanticism of ruffles and lace, or the prettiness of bows and baubles, Valentino will be a hit.

As will the handbags. They are so important to a luxury brands profits that some of the models carried two, to emphasise the point. Structured leather bags with gilt chains competed with slouchier suede totes for customers favour.

The collection was Very Valentino, but also very Alessandro Michele.
Tamlyn Gresser was 33 when she was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer

A fit and healthy pilot has revealed how she was diagnosed with cancer at 33 after finding a lump in her breast 'by chance' while watching TV.

Tamlyn Gresser, from New South Wales, said she had an itch and just happened to brush over the hard pea-sized bump as she went to scratch it.

'It felt like a hard pea. But I didn't think for a second it was going to be anything serious,' she told FEMAIL.

Tamlyn took herself to the doctor who didn't appear too concerned by the lump.

She had an ultrasound and mammogram just in case, and they both came back clear.

Tamlyn had been planning trip to Morocco so pushed the lump to the back of her mind and weeks later was jetting overseas.

'At that point I got over it and thought "I don't need to be dealing with this right now. I want to go enjoy my holiday". Then I got complacent, life got busy,' she said.

Twelve months later, she noticed the lump had become larger and started panicking.

Tamlyn Gresser (pictured) was diagnosed with stage one hormone receptor-positive invasive breast cancer in May 2024

The young pilot noticed a pea-sized lump on her breast in May 2023 but doctors weren't concerned so she forgot about it. Twelve months later she received the devastating news

That's when life as she knew it turned upside down, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33 after a biopsy.

The lump was a 2cm tumour and Tamlyn was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in May 2024 - a year after first noticing the lump.

'I was in total shock and had thousands of thoughts and emotions running through my mind,' she said, recalling the day she was diagnosed.

'I felt like life as I knew it had been ripped from underneath me in an instant. The first thing I thought was, "Why didn't I act sooner? I've had this lump for 12 months, it must be all through me".'

Tamlyn started blaming herself and regretted not pushing for more tests.

'I was thinking to myself, "I should have pushed for a biopsy, why did I not do that?"' she said.

'Before I was diagnosed doctors weren't worried so I thought I shouldn't be worried, I just took the easy option.'

The pea-sized lump was Tamlyn's only symptom and she doesn't have a family history of the disease, so she was completely stunned by the news.

'I felt like life as I knew it had been ripped from underneath me in an instant,' she said

'I felt sick at the thought of having to call my mum and tell her that I had cancer. I felt so much guilt for letting it get to that, and heartbroken that I had to now break the news to my loved ones,' Tamlyn said.

'I kept flipping between this terrifying panic and then pulling myself back to being rational and telling myself to take one step at a time. I spent most of the night praying to God and asking him to let me live.'

Having been told the news on a Friday, Tamlyn had to wait until Monday to see a doctor, which she described as 'the most horrendous' feeling.

A lumpectomy was recommended by surgeons to remove the tumour and surrounding tissue.

Thankfully 'hundreds of tests' confirmed the cancer hadn't spread but she still had chemotherapy as a precaution.

Tamlyn had surgery to remove the lump four weeks after being diagnosed. Tests confirmed it hadn't spread but she still had chemotherapy as a precaution. Tamlyn hopes sharing her story will inspire other women to check their breasts regularly

Tamlyn also wants children in the future and luckily decided to freeze some of her eggs last year before the cancer ordeal occurred.

'I've always thought at some point in my life I would be a mum. Freezing my eggs last year was a blessing. Definitely keeping my options open it important to me,' she said.

A month later Tamlyn had surgery to remove the cancer followed by treatment, which will conclude around Christmas. The surgery went well but she will require regular check-ups for the next few years.

Tamlyn hopes sharing her story will inspire other women to check their breasts regularly.

She's also sharing her story to raise money for Breast Cancer Trials and Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation.

'I never thought this would happen to me but I'm lucky it wasn't worse,' she said.

Every day in Australia, approximately 57 women receive a breast cancer diagnosis and among them, three are women under the age of 40.

This September, as Tamlyn continues to undergo chemotherapy she, her mum and closest friends will be hand delivering a Breast Check Shower Card into 57 letterboxes every day throughout the month on random streets across Sydney.

The '57 PINK POST DROPs' project will reach a total of 1710 households and aims to spread awareness and encourage women of all ages to check their breasts.

'Having a project, turning my pain into something positive, along with the proven benefits of daily exercise during treatment are all great motivators for me. My hope is that I reach somebody who really needs to check their breasts or book that screening, which is the best motivator of all,' Tamlyn said.
Danica Bunch will never forget the day doctors told her she had two years to live.

Just days before Christmas in 2022, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She felt perfectly fine.

Weeks earlier, the fit and healthy mum-of-two from Orange, New South Wales, had noticed an 'indentation' on her right breast and knew she had to get it checked right away.

'It was almost like my clothes had been a little too tight. It was so minor but was there from the morning into the evening so I thought, "Oh, hang on, this doesn't seem right",' the former ballerina turned PR specialist told FEMAIL.

'I couldn't feel a lump but I immediately wanted to get checked.'

A doctor referred her to get a mammogram which 'didn't show much' so she asked to have an ultrasound which found a small lump hidden in her breast.

Then her worst fears came true - a biopsy confirmed it was cancer.

A diagnosis wasn't immediate and it took several stressful weeks for doctors to give her any clear answers or treatment program.

'The surgeon told me it had spread but she didn't elaborate and referred me down to the oncology team,' Danica recalled.

Danica Bunch was fit and healthy when she was diagnosed with breast cancer after noticing an 'indentation' on her right breast

A diagnosis wasn't immediate and it took several stressful weeks for doctors to give her any clear answers or treatment program

'It was there where we were greeted by the nurse who was very upset for me. She gave me the diagnosis and told me I had less than two years to live. [She said] it was untreatable. I was devastated but it just didn't make sense.'

In that moment she instantly thought of her two children, now 12 and 15, and couldn't bear the thought of not being around to see them grow up.

'It was complete and utter disbelief. It was like the rug had been pulled from under me,' Danica, now 43, said.

'I thought, "How am I going to do life? How am I going to support my kids?" My life had all of a sudden been taken away from me.'

The diagnosis came as a complete shock as she experienced no other symptoms.

'It was complete and utter disbelief. It was like the rug had been pulled from under me,' Danica, now 43, said

In that moment she instantly thought of her two children, now 12 and 15, and couldn't bear the thought of not being around to see them grow up

During Covid, Danica's mum had also been diagnosed with breast cancer which made her extra vigilant and eager to get checked after turning 40.

But because she had no symptoms healthcare workers were prioritising other patients and she couldn't get checked.

Since then she's had genetic testing which confirmed there's 'no link' between her mum's cancer and her own. The cause is unknown.

'With mum and I, it's like lightening striking our family twice,' Danica said.

Rather than relying on the in-demand doctors in her regional hometown, Danica decided to contact a Sydney treatment clinic.

It was weeks of back and forth to have a biopsy followed by an MRI then more discussion about the results until she received the diagnosis and devastating prognosis.

Then things took a turn.

During the holiday rush, doctors had mixed up her results with another patient.

While she did indeed have metastatic breast cancer, it was in fact treatable and her prognosis of two years was incorrect.

She had a chance of fighting it, and winning.

'It was a rush of relief, but we still knew it was metastatic. So the concern that was running through my head was, how am I going to get a doctor or an oncologist that is going to help me live?' Danica said.

While she did indeed have metastatic breast cancer, it was in fact treatable and her prognosis of two years was incorrect

Danica was determined to take control of her illness and find a doctor who would treat her as a person, not just a number.

'I met this amazing oncologist and one of the first things she wanted to know was who I am as a person - my job, how many kids I've got, and what I love doing in my spare time. She said, "I just want to know the life you want to live, because I want to keep you alive and I want to keep you well",' Danica recalled.

'Every woman deserves that attitude and that treatment, because women are just so essential to life.'

To cope with the chaos, Danica also sought help through a psychologist and had support from close friends and family.

She also journalled regularly and utilised the Cancer Council support line.

One of the most challenging aspects was telling her kids she had cancer.

Danica was able to avoid surgery and instead was treated with immunotherapy from January 2023, which she takes in the form of daily tablets. Danica hopes sharing her experience will prompt other women to get checked and to self-examine regularly

'I told them points of the story in age-appropriate ways as it was unravelling. It was important to give them the information. I think too often we underestimate how much kids can see what's going on,' she said.

Danica explained factually how cancer is treated, that there's many different types, and that it could happen to anyone.

'We've prioritised one-on-one and group adventures together - whether it's beach walks, park visits, we even went on our first roller coaster together, she said.

Danica was able to avoid surgery and instead was treated with immunotherapy from January 2023, which she takes in the form of daily tablets.

The treatment has been effective in shrinking and eliminating her metastatic breast cancer without the need for surgery.

'I will remain on the treatment for a very long time. As long as it's working, I'll be taking it,' she said.

Danica hopes sharing her experience will prompt other women to get checked and to self-examine regularly.

She also urges women to always seek a second opinion.

'If you need support, reach out for it,' she said.

'If someone is going through cancer I would encourage them to strongly reach out to the Cancer Council because they really did help me so much,' she said.
It's the blockbuster drug that's thought to be the secret behind the rapid weight loss of countless Hollywood stars  and UK politicians.

But, although studies show weight loss jabs like Ozempic can help people shed up to fifteen per cent of their body weight in weeks, it doesn't work for everyone.

The latest high-profile so-called 'non-responder' is James Corden, who admitted that he turned to the drug in an attempt to shed pounds.

The 46-year-old said: 'I tried Ozempic, and it won't be surprising to you when you look at me now, that it didn't really work.

'I tried it for a bit and then what I realised was I was like, 'Oh no, nothing about my eating has anything to do with being hungry.

James Corden has become the latest high profile non responder after admitting trying the weight loss drug

Model Lottie Moss was rushed to hospital last week after taking a high dose and vows to never take the drug again

Lottie, half-sister of supermodel Kate Moss, suffered a seizure and severe dehydration after taking the drug when she weighed around 60kg  just nine stone. Pictured, Kate, left, with daughter Lila, centre, and Lottie

Comedian Amy Schumer, 43, had a similarly negative experience saying that she became so ill from using the weight loss jab she had to stop

'All it does is make you feel not hungry. But I am very rarely eating [just because I'm hungry].'

Others who have had similarly disastrous experiences on the drug include model Lottie Moss.

The half-sister of supermodel Kate Moss last month admitted she was rushed to hospital after she took high doses of Ozempic

Lottie, 26, was violently ill, suffering a seizure and severe dehydration after taking the drug when she weighed just nine stone.

She said she would rather 'die' than use Ozempic again.

Comedian Amy Schumer, 43, had a similarly negative experience saying that she became so ill from using the weight loss jab she had to stop.

She said: 'I was one of those people that felt so sick and couldn't play with my son.'

Revealing that she opted for liposuction surgery to lose weight instead.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 60, also admitted to trying to slim down with Ozempic  but gave up after it made him feel nauseous.

'I must have been losing four or five pounds a week  maybe more  when all at once it started to go wrong,' he wrote in his Daily Mail column last year.

'One minute I would be fine, and the next minute I would be talking to Ralph on the big white phone; and I am afraid that I decided that I couldn't go on.'

Sharon Osbourne, 71, revealed she took Ozempic but said she lost 'too much weight' on the drug and struggled to put it back on.

Asked if her experience on the drug was positive the former X Factor judge and wife of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne said: 'Yes and no.

'I can't put on weight now, and I don't know what it's done to my metabolism, but I just can't seem to put any on, because I think I went too far.'

Reality star Scott Disick, 41, also admitted to seek help having lost so much weight he looked gaunt and unwell, prompting a public outcry.

Oprah Winfrey, and former Weight Watchers board member, also confessed to the drug being behind her staggering weight loss. And Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson, 44, revealed she used the drug to help her shed more than five stone during her 'year of health' back in 2020.

There are celebrities who have benefited from weight loss jabs.

One of the world's richest men, Elon Musk, 53, said the drug helped him lose two stone, making him feel 'fit, ripped and healthy'.

Chat show legend Oprah Winfrey, a former Weight Watchers ambassador, confessed the drug was behind her staggering weight loss at the end of 2023.

And Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson, 44, revealed she used the drug to help her shed more than five stone during her 'year of health' back in 2020.

Yet there are those, like James Cordon, who doctors know don't respond to the treatment.

Some lose weight but quickly plateau, while others barely shift anything.

One of the world's richest men, Elon Musk, 53, said the drug helped him lose two stone, making him feel 'fit, ripped and healthy'

Sharon Osbourne, 71, revealed she took Ozempic but said she lost 'too much weight' on the drug and struggled to put it back on

Doctors working in the field believe a combination of genetics, thyroid problems and bad food choices can all work to render the medication useless.

Clinical trials of Ozempic and similar medicines Zepbound and Mounjaro, which contain the drug tirzepatide show that about 15 percent of patients are 'non-responders'.

This means they lose less than five percent of their body weight over about 68 weeks.

'There are a lot of factors going on including probably very strong genetics that are at play,' Dr Gitanjali Srivastava, an obesity specialist at Vanderbilt University

Pre-existing health conditions have also been shown to stop the drug being effective.

'Having polycystic ovarian syndrome and type two diabetes, make patients less responsive,' says Dr Rekha Kumar, an obesity expert at Cornell University.

'I wouldn't say that they're necessarily are non responders, but we know across all clinical trials for anti-obesity medicines that people with insulin resistance do respond slower and tend to lose weight slower.'

Doctors say emotional eating, or using food to cope with stress could also be a factor.

Even if semaglutide suppresses someone's appetite, they may still experience cravings or a need for food as a coping mechanism.

Appetite can rebound after about a year of steady weight loss, too. The body finds a way to counteract the drop in calories a person takes in.

In a recent study, by the National Institutes of Health who specialises in measuring metabolism and weight change, found that people's weight loss tends to halt at about 12 months.

Outside clinical trials experts have suggested one reason why the blockbuster drug may not be performing as expected.

Simply, you might not be storing the medication properly, dampening its potency and efficacy.

While it's common to keep prescriptions in the bathroom medicine cabinet, providers say Ozempic should be stored in the refrigerator instead, kept at a cool 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

Doctors also warned that the medication should never be frozen or stored somewhere in direct sunlight, because this can cause the medication to break down.

Dr Mir Ali, a bariatric surgeon, said: 'If Ozempic is not refrigerated, it will likely lose its efficacy over time. In some cases, it may cause more side effects.'
A teen's eye 'exploded like a grape' in a car crash when the sun blocked her vision just feet from her school.

High schooler Kylie Dean was driving to a marching band performance in September, but her mom, Kelly Dean, said Kylie was 'dazzled' by the sun, causing her to gently 'roll' into the car in front of her at a stop sign.

While the crash was at a low speed - under 10mph - and the impact was light, Kylie was seated very close to the steering wheel because of her small stature - barely 5ft tall.

This caused her to hit her head on the steering wheel, which 'shattered' her right eye socket into pieces.

Doctors said her eye exploded 'like a grape thrown at the wall.'

Kylie Dean was taken to the hospital following her crash, which 'shattered' her right eye socket

The teen arrived at the hospital covered in blood with a bruised right eye

The collision caused the 18-year-old to suffer damage to her iris - the colored part of the eye - and rip her tear duct.

Kyle also had a broken nose, broken teeth and facial wounds.

Kelly said she was alerted to her daughter's crash by an alarm on her phone and immediately rushed to the scene.

When she found her daughter, the mom-of-four said both she and the white Chevrolet Trax she was driving were covered in blood and she feared her daughter would die.

Kelly said: 'She had just left the house and was just down the street. Where we live it is on top of a valley so you have to go through the valley to get to school. There's not a lot blocking the sun and she was blinded by it.

'She was stopped at a stop light and there were cars in front and behind her. She got a bit disorientated because of the sun and thought the lights had turned green and rolled into the car in front. She was barely going at 10mph.

'It was such a low speed so there was minimal damage to the car. It was a fender bender. She had her seatbelt on but because she is only five feet tall, she sits very close to the wheel.

'Even though the crash was such a low speed, the impact when her head went forward, her right eye socket almost aligned perfectly with the steering wheel. It was a freak accident.'

Kelly added: '[When I approached the scene], she was covered in blood. Her face was covered, her arms, pants and it was inside the car.

'At that moment, I one hundred percent thought she was going to die. Even though I know she's fine now, when I close my eyes, when I close my eyes, I still see her covered in blood.'

Kylie was rushed to Akron General Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio via an ambulance and quickly underwent an emergency surgery to have her eye closed.

Despite Kylie being discharged from the hospital five days later, she was still unable to see out of her right eye.

The soon-to-be college student will need to have prosthetic eye parts made by a specialist company in Germany and have dental implants fitted to get her sight and smile back.

Kelly has now set up a GoFundMe page to help raise the estimated $30,000 needed for Kylie's plastic surgery. She said not all of the procedures are covered by their insurance as some, such as dental implants, are classed as cosmetic.

Because the crash was at such a low speed, there wasn't a lot of damage done to Kylie's car

Kylie was rushed to Akron General Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio and underwent an emergency surgery to have her eye closed

Before undergoing surgery, Kylie had an MRI and ultrasound where doctors confirmed her right eye had 'ruptured.'

They said her injuries were 'one in a million' due to the low impact of the crash and suspected her facial trauma was caused by her hitting the steering wheel.

Kelly said: 'They said all the bones in her orbital socket [in her right eye] were shattered.

'[The doctor] couldn't even tell me the number of breaks. It was completely shattered. Her nose was broken and she had a gash down her face from the inner corner of her eye.

'They said it was a one in a million freak rare accident.

'In surgery, the eye doctor said her eye was like if you took a grape and threw it against a wall, it was almost like it imploded.'

After her operation, Kylie spent five days in hospital in 'excruciating' pain and will have to undergo two more surgeries to check her eye is healing correctly.

Kylie also had injuries to her cheek and teeth and will need to have dental implants

Kylie is still unable to see out of her right eye, but doctors did not see any evidence the retina - the part of the eye that sends vision signals to the brain - had been torn.

If this is still attached, doctors may be able to restore her vision, but her mom said the teen will have to have prosthetics implanted because the iris and the lens are 'gone.'

A prosthetic iris is an artificial substitute surgically implanted to replace a damaged or missing iris. And a prosthetic lens is meant to color or mask an eye that has been damaged or disfigured.

Kelly said getting Kylie the money to go ahead with the plastic surgery would mean 'everything' to her daughter and give her a brighter future.

She said: 'She is only 18. This is the beginning of her life and she needs to have her teeth. She is a music player and she needs the structure in her mouth.

'We have good insurance but they won't cover dental implants at all as it is classed as a cosmetic surgery and not a necessity. This is going to cost at least $20,000 in dental payments.

'After that she will be able to have the good eye on the left measured. These measurements can then be sent off to a company in Germany who make prosthetic eye parts.

'Her right eye and her muscles would have to learn how to see again and how to use them but there's hope.'

Kylie will have to undergo two more surgeries to check her eye is healing correctly and have prosthetic eye parts implanted

The teen is hoping to raise funds to undergo dental implants so she can continue to play music

The teen's mom added: 'It would mean everything to her to get enough funds to go ahead with the surgery.

'[Music] is everything she is and everything she has worked to become and without [the plastic surgery], she loses that.'

'I just want to give this back to her and her future.'

Kylie had only passed her driving test a month-and-a-half before the collision happened and it has significantly disrupted her senior year.

The avid musician said she never thought she would suffer such traumatic injuries from the low impact crash and raising the funds for surgery would help her get her life back.

Kylie said: 'When I first crashed, I didn't even know I was injured. I'm super shocked that it was this severe of an injury.

'Having the GoFundMe and getting the money for the procedures would allow me to go back to the way I was before the accident.

'I have lost so much because of it. I just want to be able to do everything I was doing again.'

Kylie added: 'If I don't get the implants and plastic surgery, I won't be able to play instruments again, or go back to acting or be able to drive.

'It's really important for my future and life right now. It's everything I do and will be everything I will do.'
Long Covid clinics across the country are closing their doors, leaving desperate patients without vital treatment and feeling 'abandoned', they have claimed.

Dedicated clinics set up to support long Covid patients in Surrey, Croydon, Hertfordshire and Lanarkshire have been shuttered, The Mail on Sunday has learned.

A service in Devon will close in the New Year, patients have told this newspaper, and we have learned that clinics in Frimley may also be facing the axe.

Now, campaigners and doctors speaking to this newspaper say this winding down of long Covid provisions will have a devastating impact on the millions suffering from the condition.

'It shows that the NHS and Government are not interested in long Covid,' said Kent-based GP Dr Stephanie De Giorgio.

Rachel Hext was forced to give up work as a nurse in 2022 after never recovering from Covid

'They genuinely don't consider this a priority despite the vast amount of people who currently need treatment  and the many more who may need treatment in the future. This isn't a niche service  the NHS needs to accept long Covid as a real and far-reaching problem.'

While most people recover from Covid within days or weeks and make a full recovery within three months, for some the symptoms last longer. An estimated 1.9 million people in the UK were suffering with persisting issues after Covid, as of March 2023.

Patients report fatigue, shortness of breath, problems with memory and concentration  so-called 'brain fog'  muscle aches and joint pain, dizziness and palpitations among other things.

For some, these can be so severe it prevent them working, going to school or carrying out even basic daily tasks.

This was the case for 36-year-old Rachel Hext, who was forced to give up work as a nurse two years ago after catching Covid and never recovering.

The mother-of-two first became ill while working on a Covid ward in her hospital, just after returning from maternity leave. Later on, Rachel regularly had treatment at her closest long Covid clinic in Torbay, Devon  having been referred by her GP.

These services, launched in November 2020 with a special 10million ring-fenced fund, were designed to be a one-stop-shop staffed by a range of specialists who could help tackle the variety of complaints that hit long Covid patients.

But Rachel says her local clinic is soon to close. 'In spring, my doctor called to tell me that the clinic would be closing in the summer,' she said.

'He said that I would still be able to get treatment by specialists for whatever conditions had already been diagnosed with.

But he couldn't answer what would happen with new referrals, or how I would get help for any new problems that might crop up.' Rachel said she was later informed that the facility had been granted an extension but would be closing in the New Year.

When contacted by The Mail on Sunday, NHS Devon denied there were plans to decommission their long Covid service, although e-mails from clinicians working at the clinic contradict this.

The 36-year-old first became ill while working on a Covid ward in her hospital

The mother-of-two, pictured with her children, says her local clinic in Devon has closed

Rachel says she fears for others in her area with the condition if this crucial support is pulled.

'There are some people who have a huge number of issues and they won't be able to get proper treatment without dedicated long Covid clinics,' she said.

Long Covid campaigners say the closures are due to funding issues and the fact that fewer people are seeking care from them.

Originally run by NHS England, responsibility for the clinics was handed to integrated care boards (ICBs)  the 42 bodies in England which allocate funding to local health services  earlier this year.

In Scotland, 14 NHS Boards have a similar role. Support groups say that since this shift, patients and staff have reported closures and a scaling back of services. They say that key personnel are being redeployed or leaving the NHS altogether.

'NHS England de-prioritised long Covid by not mandating that ICBs keep running the clinics,' said Manchester-based lung expert Dr Binita Kane.

'They may claim that fewer people are using the services, but I suspect what's actually happening is that fewer people are testing for Covid now, making it harder to get a long Covid diagnosis further down the line.

'Long Covid patients who have had it for a while may have improved or are ironically considered too severe for treatment. This may make it seem like the clinics are less necessary  but there are many more long Covid patients still in need of help.'

The challenge if clinics all close down, Dr Kane added, is that these patients will now have to be absorbed into existing services that aren't set up to deal with their complex symptoms.

An NHS spokesperson said: 'The NHS in England has invested significantly in supporting people with long covid since 2020, including setting up over 90 specialist clinics, which have helped over 100,000 people with the long-term physical, cognitive and psychological effects of covid.

'Since April, local leaders have been responsible for commissioning these services based on local need and supported by ongoing funding, and national guidance is clear that dedicated services should continue to be offered to support people with long COVID  if you are concerned about ongoing symptoms following COVID-19, please speak to your GP team.'
Vaping could trigger the same cancer-causing changes to DNA as tobacco, new research suggests.

In the most comprehensive study of its kind, experts from the Keck School of Medicine in southern California discovered that young adults who vaped had the same genetic mutations in cells in their mouths as those found in many cigarette smokers.

When they go awry, these cellular changes can lead to cancer and other diseases.

The findings add urgency to Government plans to crack down on the rise of young people getting hooked on vaping  after the Royal College of Paediatrics called youth vaping an 'epidemic'.

Research shows a record one in ten adults vape  roughly 5.6million people  while nearly a million under-18s have tried it.

In the most comprehensive study of its kind, experts discovered young adults who vaped had the same genetic mutations in cells in their mouths as those found in many cigarette smokers

As Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak planned to ban single-use vapes

Shockingly, children as young as four have been hospitalised by vaping, and NHS England said doctors have seen a 276 per cent surge in patients of all ages being admitted for vaping-related disorders since 2020.

While in opposition, Sir Keir Starmer promised to support former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's ban on single-use vapes and Labour ministers were said earlier this month to be drawing up plans to curb sales to children.

The new study, supported by America's National Institutes of Health, is the latest in a growing body of research demonstrating the health risks of vaping.

Dividing a group of 30 young people into vapers, smokers and non-nicotine users, researchers looked at DNA methylation in the mouth cells of each group.

DNA methylation is a normal cellular process essential for growth and repair. But it can begin to occur in an abnormal way, damaging the cell.

This may increase the risk of various diseases, depending on where the cells are  including cancer, heart disease and reduced immune function. Smoking has long been known to damage DNA through this methylation process.

And now, scientists have found that vaping may have a very similar effect. In the cheek cells of the vaping group, researchers found extensive overlap in the type of DNA methylation with that of the smoking group.

Sir Keir Starmer's Labour backed Tory plans to tackle vaping while in opposition and ministers were said earlier this month to be drawing up plans to curb sales to children

'Our findings indicate that the changes in DNA methylation observed in vapers may contribute to the development of disease, including cancer,' said Dr Stella Tommasi, associate professor of research population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine.

'Electronic cigarettes are not as safe as some people claim they are, even if the level of most toxicants and carcinogens present in e-liquid and vapour is generally much lower than that found in cigarette smoke.

'These findings have significant implications for public health and tobacco regulation that aim to keep vaping products away from young people, who are a particularly vulnerable population.'

The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, also found a number of genetic changes in the vapers that were not found in the smokers  likely due to the wide range of potentially harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes.
A debilitating skin condition that plagues more than a million Britons could be due to 'too much' of the nutrient iron, scientists have found.

Psoriasis leaves sufferers covered in disfiguring red, scaly patches and affects one in every 50 people in the UK.

Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, 43, and model Cara Delevingne, 32, have spoken about their struggle with the incurable disease.

Though doctors are unsure what causes flare-ups, those with psoriasis are believed to have too many skin cells, which build up to create itchy rashes across the body.

But now University of Bath research suggests the condition may be triggered by a fault in the hormone responsible for regulating iron levels.

University of Bath research suggests psoriasis may be triggered by a fault in the hormone responsible for regulating iron levels

Iron is essential for transporting oxygen through the body's circulatory system as well as for maintaining healthy skin

Psoriasis leaves sufferers covered in disfiguring red, scaly patches and affects one in every 50 people in the UK

Iron is essential for transporting oxygen through the body's circulatory system as well as for maintaining healthy skin.

When too much is produced in the skin, however, the nutrient can be harmful  amplifying the effects of UV sunlight and causing diseases, such as psoriasis, where cells multiply more than normal.

The study, published in Nature Communications, claims the key to understanding over-production lies in the hormone hepcidin, which controls how much iron is absorbed from food and released into the body.

In healthy individuals, the hormone is exclusively produced in the liver but in patients with psoriasis, it is also produced in the skin.

Scientists used mice to show mammals develop psoriasis on being exposed to high levels of hepcidin.

Dr Charareh Pourzand, from University of Bath, said: 'Psoriasis is a life-changing disease. A new treatment targeting iron hormone imbalance in the skin offers hope.

'This innovative approach could significantly enhance the quality of life, restoring confidence and wellbeing.'
Investment fund T. Rowe Price US Structured Research Equity might have a rather unwieldy name, but investors looking for exposure to the US stock market shouldn't be put off.

It's a 1.4billion fund that was launched 25 years ago and has weathered rather well.

Available to UK investors since December, the fund is run out of Baltimore by a company that has $1.5trillion (1.1trillion) of assets under its wing.

The investment strategy, as with many actively managed funds, is to outperform a specific stock market benchmark  in this case it's the Standard & Poor's 500, a barometer of the market fortunes of the US's 500 largest listed companies.

US-based: Available to UK investors since December, T. Rowe Price US Structured Research Equity is run out of Baltimore by a company that has $1.5 trillion of assets under its wing

Yet what makes it stand apart from the madding crowd is the investment process that sits under the fund's bonnet  there is no single manager responsible for running the portfolio.

Instead, 30 of the company's top analysts are given 'sleeves' of the fund's assets to manage, according to their specific sector specialism (for example, healthcare).

Their job is to pick the best stocks with the amount of money under their wing determined in part by the importance of their sector to the S&P500. In some of the big sectors, such as IT, there are multiple analysts.

Above these stock pickers sits a six-strong 'oversight' team whose role is to monitor performance and ensure they are abiding by the fund's risk-control rules.

All rather formulaic, but it works. Analysis of quarterly rolling one-year periods since the fund launched in 1999 indicates that it has outperformed the S&P500 85 per cent of the time.

Alexa Gagliardi is part of the oversight team. Her role, she says, is to scrutinise the portfolio daily  'the eyes and ears'  ensuring everything is ship shape.

She adds: 'The idea is to deliver a fund that has the same look and feel as the S&P500 while offering investors the chance of a higher return.

'What has made the fund successful is our ability to pick up the nickels and dimes along the way from across the breadth of the stock market. We don't bet big on one stock.'

The fund currently has nearly 300 holdings, with the biggest positions being in big-branded tech stocks such as Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia. But these are broadly in line with their representation in the S&P500.

This is because the oversight team ensures no benchmark holding is more than 100 basis points larger or smaller than its contribution to the index.

So, for example, a 7.7 per cent fund stake in Apple compares to the company's 6.8 per cent index weighting.

Although most of the fund's stakes are in S&P500 companies, analysts are allowed to invest outside the index ('off benchmark'), but individual positions can represent no more than 0.5 per cent of the fund's assets.

Gagliardi says that 49 'off benchmark' stocks are currently held, comprising a mix of US and overseas companies.

These include US financial companies Renaissancere Holdings and Corebridge Financial  as well as AstraZeneca in the UK and Swiss pharma giant Novartis.

T. Rowe Price's success in managing assets on a 'US structured research strategy' basis is reflected in the $83 billion of clients' money in has now invested this way.

It has also resulted in interest outside the US  hence the fund being made available in the UK and Gagliardi visiting Hong Kong and South Korea in recent days to market it.

'We see it as a better alternative to a fund that tracks the S&P500,' she says. Ongoing annual charges are 0.42 per cent.
You might argue that there are plenty of reasons to up sticks and flee the country right now  crumbling public services, higher living costs and steep increases in school fees to name but three.

Labour is already considering ending the 225-year-old non-dom tax concession that allows wealthy people whose main home is overseas to live in the UK and not pay tax on their foreign income.

And capital gains, inheritances and pensions are tipped as prime targets for tax rises in next month's Budget.

With both high-net-worth individuals and members of the squeezed middle feeling that the UK is becoming a significantly less attractive place to live, they are weighing up the alternatives.

Dubai is a favourite destination for millionaires leaving the UK - there are estimated to be around 240,000 British citizens living in the UAE where the average salary is 39,262

While the most tax-efficient places may include the British Virgin Islands, Jersey and Gibraltar, the cost of living, lifestyle and employment opportunities make other locations more popular.

The top destinations for millionaires leaving the UK this year are projected to be the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the US, Italy, Greece and Portugal, according to the migration consultancy Henley & Partners.

These are the most popular investment migration routes, but not everyone has the funds or the inclination to gain residency or citizenship rights this way.

So can you afford to make the move abroad, and, if so, where else might you look?

Dubai is a favourite, and not just with the uber-wealthy. There are estimated to be around 240,000 British citizens living in the UAE, where the average salary is 39,262.

Its zero-income tax and ten-year automatically renewable Golden Visa programme (which affords you residency and the ability to own property) make it attractive and relatively easy to move to.

High housing prices and expensive groceries are not a deal-breaker for Michael and his wife Sarah. They have done the maths and plan to move to Dubai from their rented property in Suffolk.

He says: 'We sold up last year when we saw this coming over the horizon. We both work for government departments, so knew what was going to happen. At some point the continuous beating of the middle class has to stop.

'The policies and tax regime do not advocate for doing better in life. The VAT policy on private schools is the final straw. Yet again, those that make sacrifices to better the chances of their children are being victimised.'

The couple have worked out that their outgoings in Dubai will be 6,480 a month, including rent or a mortgage of 3,700 (for a three-bedroom property), school fees for their two children, utility bills, and car and health insurance. The move itself  removals, flights and visas  will cost between 15,000 and 30,000.

Since the new UK government announced the end of the non-dom tax regime we've had a spike of enquiries from UK citizens looking for a second citizenship to secure their mobility and assets. Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions

Michael adds: 'The obvious benefits are that there is no income tax and a rate of 5 per cent for corporation tax. Between us, we pay 6,800 tax a month, adding in another 20 per cent of VAT on private school fees takes this to around 7,200 in tax alone. But non-existent crime rates, good work opportunities, great weather, central location in the world make Dubai an ideal place to live.'

For anyone who spends more than 183 days in each year in the UAE there are no UAE taxes on their assets outside the region, Philippe Amarante, the head of legal consultancy H&P Dubai, says.

He adds that in addition to the investment-based Golden Visas, or other long-term residence options, a very popular route is setting up a company in Dubai: 'It provides a cost-effective pathway to gain the right to work and the right to reside,' he says. 'The cost can be from 1,037 for a two-year residence permit.'

For accessibility, Europe might be the first choice for a move, but Britons without a work visa need a certain level of pension or investment income, or relatively liquid assets (such as bank accounts or stocks and shares) to qualify for the visa in the first place.

Each country has a different minimum level, which needs to be proved each time you renew the residency permit (normally two to three times during the first five years of living abroad).

You will also need to budget for private healthcare in most cases (unless you are a UK state pensioner in Spain, for example).

Portugal remains a popular choice, despite closing some doors to entry or tax breaks such as the real-estate element of the golden visa scheme that offered residency to those that purchased property costing over 500,000 (416,842).

Its relatively low cost of living is a major pull. A couple should expect to spend between 1,969 and 2,362 a month in Portugal outside the main cities, according to Global Citizen Solutions, a residency consultancy that has helped more 100 UK families move to Portugal since Brexit.

With more people feeling that the UK is becoming a less attractive place to live, the cost of living, lifestyle and employment opportunities make other locations more popular, such as the Charente in France

The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Lisbon is 1,036 a month, according to the agent Goldcrest Advisers, around two-thirds the cost of the equivalent in London. You can rent a two-bedroom apartment on the Algarve from 540 to 1,250 a month, depending on season, according to estate agent Ideal Homes International.

What's more, under-35s are now exempt from stamp duty (IMT) when buying their principal home. The most popular route to residency there is the D7, which works as a retirement or passive-income visa, according to Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions.

'Since the new UK government announced the end of the non-dom tax regime we've had a spike of enquiries from UK citizens looking for a second citizenship to secure their mobility and assets.' The D7 requires a relatively low income of 9,840 (8,309) per year for a single person, or 14,760 (12,464) for a married couple.

Portugal has historically offered tax breaks for new residents, but while its old NHR scheme has now closed, there is a new version called the Tax Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation, informally known as NHR 2.

Under this tax regime, foreign sources of income  such as dividends, interest and rents  may be exempt (but not pensions) and a flat rate of 20 per cent will apply on employment and self-employment income.

These benefits last for a ten-year period for those residing in Portugal for at least 183 days a year and meeting the criteria.

For those not on this regime, investment income (interest, dividends, rental income, capital gains and ISAs) are taxed at a flat rate of 28 per cent, according to the financial advice firm Blevins Franks.

With lower living costs than the UAE, Cyprus was another consideration for Michael and Sarah, but it offers far fewer international schools and has restrictions on working. The fast-track visa (Category F) is currently suspended, and a visitor's permit to legally reside there requires proof of funds of at least 8,442.

But if you aren't in a rush to move there can be tax benefits. You are only liable to local capital gains tax (at 20 per cent) on gains arising on the sale of property in Cyprus  property in the UK or elsewhere is exempt.

Gains made on the sale of shares are generally not taxed in Cyprus, including company shares; Cypriot residents are taxable on worldwide income (at 20-35 per cent), but if you have lived there fewer than 17 years there is no tax on interest and dividends.

There is no inheritance or succession tax in Cyprus, but beware that British expats there  as per other countries  don't necessarily escape death taxes completely.

'If you remain UK-domiciled, as many do in spite of living abroad for years, you remain liable for UK inheritance tax,' says Jason Porter of Blevins Franks, pointing out that UK inheritance tax is assessed on your domicile (long-term home) not where you reside.

These rules are set to change under domicile regulations yet to be finalised by the UK government, but beware  you could be liable for tax in both the UK and your new country.

Also be aware that other countries have different inheritance rules, which may mean you cannot pass your assets to who you wish and you may face higher local estate taxes than in the UK.

Spain is top of many people's list to move to right now but is a bit of a minefield when it comes to working out whether you'll be better off financially because it has 17 autonomous regions that impose different tax rules.

Income-tax brackets are generally 19 to 47 per cent, yet when different regional inheritance, wealth taxes and income are considered, Madrid, Andalusia and Murcia are among the most competitive regions  according to the Tax Foundation  as well as being popular British destinations. Valencia and Catalonia are the least tax friendly.

The moderately wealthy are still attracted to Andalusia  home to the ever-popular Costa del Sol  where inheritance tax bands are attractive. There's an 833,000 allowance and then 99 per cent tax relief for anything above that, and there's no regional Wealth Tax.

But for those with more than 2.5 million, a new Solidarity Tax for high-net-worth individuals payable across Spain  though supposedly temporary  is a big deterrent, according to advisers.

'It effectively replaces Wealth Tax so for ultra-high-net-worth individuals it makes Spain expensive, whereas for mere high-net-worths it might still be attractive,' says Peter Ferrigno, director of tax services at Henley & Partners. 'That capital gains are taxed at the same level as other investment income also makes it less attractive for relocating millionaires.'

A cost-effective life in the sun can be possible if you know the tax rules  especially for company owners. Quentin, 44, who has moved with his wife Lucy from Aberdeen to the Costa Blanca, says: 'I own an online business, which means I can work abroad, but fired myself from my own company and now take dividends. I pay 10 per cent tax  the rate is 19 per cent, minus some allowances I get for living with a family in Spain.'

Based on individual circumstances, people can receive 'allowances'  or tax credits  for being resident in Spain with dependents. In his case this means he pays 14 per cent, not 19 per cent tax on dividends.

He's legally there via the Non-Lucrative Visa, the most popular visa with Britons right now, according to relocation agents, which does not permit working but allows passive income  such as taking dividends. The minimum income requirement for this visa is 24,000 per year, plus 500 per family member.

A four-bedroom villa with a pool bought for 338,000, and private school fees of 337 a month for his son and just 126 a month in bills makes it well worth the move to Denia from Scotland.

Three years on, life is good and he has no plans to return home, which is just as well as if he comes back to the UK within five years he may be liable for tax on income and gains received while he was not resident in the UK. 'You will need to remain non-UK resident for five complete UK tax years to avoid it,' says Jason Porter.

Another reason to make sure you do your sums first.

La Belle France is still attractive

France is often assumed to be a high-tax country for those working, yet for those living off capital, such as retirees or early retirees, it can be a very low-tax place to live  if you plan carefully before leaving the UK.

Christopher Davenport, of Kentingtons, which offers financial advice to Britons moving to France or living there, says: 'Property outside France is exempt from property wealth tax for the first five years of residency.

'To be liable to property wealth tax you would need to have property assets valued over 1.09 million.

He says that social charges of 9.1 per cent may be due. These are payable on taxable income towards social security, healthcare retirement benefits and social welfare.

Vilma Arlauskaite, 42, is in south-west France looking for her dream home and, as an estate agent owner, knows how much further her money will go in rural Gascony

The lure of having the space for a new enterprise with her family is why Vilma Arlauskaite is in south-west France looking for her dream home. As someone who runs her own estate agency in Beckenham, south-east London, where the average property sells for 596,743, she knows how much further her money will go in rural Gascony.

Vilma, 42, who has spent the day viewing properties at around their 167,000 budget, says: 'The high cost of living here in the UK is a big motivation for us to leave.

'We want more sunshine, a cheaper property and to live in a place where we can live a healthy and fulfilling life.'

Her favourite is a six-bedroom detached house with 17 acres, a lake and outbuildings that her partner Nigel, a builder, can renovate. Vilma says: 'Our daughter Teya is nine, so it's the ideal time. She wants a horse and we want to grow organic produce, have a yoga retreat, run it as a business.'
As part of ongoing efforts to safeguard Azerbaijans state borders and combat illegal migration, the Border Troops of the State Border Service have apprehended 22 individuals attempting to illegally cross the border in the areas served by the "Shamkir," "Khudat," and "Zagatala" border detachments, Azernews reports.

According to the State Border Service Press Center, on September 24, a citizen of Algeria, 2002-born Abdulkader Ben Bahi, was detained while trying to cross from Azerbaijan into Georgia in the "Shamkir" border detachments service area. Two additional Algerian nationals, 1998-born Sarra Benuoali and 1995-born Rabi Seif Elnaser, were detained on September 26 as they attempted to cross into Russia from the "Khudat" border area.

The "Zagatala" border detachment reported the detention of six individuals on September 26, including 1992-born Hussain Sayed Shahid and several minors. On the following day, 12 more individuals were apprehended, including Pakistani nationals such as 1990-born Virk Asif Ali, 1988-born Raza Ali, and others. A total of 19 Pakistani citizens were detained attempting to cross from Azerbaijan into Georgia.

Investigations revealed that the detained individuals had entered Azerbaijan legally but intended to illegally migrate to Europe by crossing the state borders. The investigation into this illegal migration channel is ongoing.
Insiders say that Government officials admitted last week to being rattled by the scale of the fury caused by Labour's decision to slash winter fuel payments. According to a Treasury source, ministers 'hadn't factored in just how angry people would be'.

Faced with a furious army of pensioners, industry insiders expect the Chancellor to be more alert to the strong emotions that come from tinkering with people's retirements.

But that won't stop Rachel Reeves from touching pensions entirely. The consensus among the pensions industry is that they are too rich to leave untouched in the first Labour Budget. Half a dozen of Britain's leading pension experts who are in regular talks with Government and Treasury officials ahead of the Budget all agree  pensions are in the crosshairs.

Rumours are running wild that Chancellor Rachel Reeves could target pensions tax relief in next months Budget

But although rumours are running wild that the Chancellor could target pensions tax relief, a number of industry insiders in the know tell us that such a move is looking increasingly unlikely.

They tell us that the complexity involved would make it prohibitively complicated, raise less money for the Treasury than it might appear  and simply would not be worth it for the fury it would create.

Wealth investigates why experts think pensions tax relief may live to see another day, and what could face the axe instead.

How does pensions tax relief work?

Currently, you receive tax relief on any money you contribute into a pension at your marginal rate of income tax. This means, for example, that a basic-rate taxpayer gets 20 per cent tax relief on any money that goes into their pension, a higher-rate taxpayer receives 40 per cent and an additional-rate taxpayer 45 per cent.

The total cost of tax relief to the Treasury last year was 48.7 billion  so you can see why some believe it's an obvious target for a Chancellor looking to save cash.

The simplest way to water-down tax relief would be to introduce a flat rate for all. Reeves has indicated she would consider a flat rate of relief at 30 per cent. That would mean that higher- and additional-rate taxpayers would receive less. But to raise substantial amounts of cash, it would need to be set at 25 per cent or as low as 20 per cent, experts say.

Think-tank Tax Policy Associates lists a watering-down of pensions tax relief as the single most likely tax target in next month's Budget, while the Institute of Fiscal Studies estimates a move to a flat rate could raise up to 15 billion a year.

Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates, says: 'I'd say this is streets ahead of all other tax-raising candidates given the large amounts that can be raised, and the ease of implementation.'

Why changes to tax relief may not happen

But ask any pensions expert worth their salt and they will tell you that a flat rate of pensions tax relief would be far too complicated to implement.

Any change to pension tax relief would take years to implement so the Government would not see any savings for a long time Steve Webb

Tom Selby, director of public policy at stockbroker AJ Bell, says: 'It's a political and practical nightmare.' Lizzy Holliday, director of public affairs and policy at workplace pension firm NOW: Pensions, agrees: 'There would be so many unintended consequences.'

A flat rate of tax relief would be easy to apply to defined contributions paid into by most private sector workers.

But for public sector workers it would be much more complicated  and could land them with income tax increases. That is because these workers are promised a certain income in retirement based on their salary and the length of their service. The Government has to honour this promise.

But if these workers receive less every month in pension tax relief, that will create a shortfall in the amount saved towards their pensions every year.

Pension industry leaders we have spoken to agree that the only way to bridge the gap between the amount saved and the amount promised would be for workers to pay more income tax during their working lives.

Millions of doctors, teachers, nurses and police officers would see a fall in their take-home pay as a result. These are the same workers that Labour has so desperately thrown money at through pay rises in recent weeks. The political capital Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have won thanks to their expensive and generous pay deals could be lost by such a move.

Pension industry leaders agree the only way to bridge the gap between the amount saved and the amount promised would be for workers to pay more income tax during their working lives

Selby says: 'We are talking about levying a huge tax charge on millions of workers. I can't see a world where that wouldn't lead to walkouts and strikes from those in the NHS, the police force and teachers, especially.'

Neidle admits this is a big 'catch' and would complicate any reform.

Steve Webb, a former pensions minister and now partner at consultancy LCP, agrees: 'Any change to pension tax relief would take years to implement so the Government would not see any savings for a long time. Public sector workers is the group that the Government obviously cares about and they are the workers that would be hit by any reform.'

One option would be for Reeves to exclude public sector pensions. But that would defeat the point  the majority of the money the Government stands to save by cutting tax relief would come from the public sector, says Selby.

Public sector pensions already have a reputation for providing a far more generous income in retirement than private sector workers can dream of. Any further special treatment would simply serve to widen this gulf.

One source who until recently worked on policy at the Department for Work and Pensions says they would be shocked to see any radical changes to tax relief without fully consulting the industry.

However, if you are a higher- or additional-rate taxpayer and are still concerned about the outlook for tax relief and other allowances, one option is to make the most of them now ahead of any potential changes. But it is worth being sure that acting now would make sense to your own circumstances whether or not the Chancellor makes changes to pensions in the Budget  so you don't suffer remorse if she does not go ahead.

What else could she do?

There are still plenty of other reliefs that experts say would be far easier for Reeves to go after.

One frontrunner is making pension pots liable to inheritance tax  a change experts say could be brought in overnight. Steven Cameron, of pensions firm Aegon, says one option would be to say the first 100,000 of pension savings is free from inheritance tax but anything above this would trigger a 40 per cent tax bill.

Cutting the 25 per cent tax-free pensions lump sum could also be on the cards. The tax-free cash is one of the most appealing features of saving into a private pension. Currently, anyone over the age of 55 can cash out the first 25 per cent of their pot without incurring any tax liabilities.

Left-wing think-tank the Fabian Society says the Government could raise large amounts of revenue by capping the amount you can take out, tax-free, at 100,000. However, experts say this wouldn't raise much money relative to the backlash it would spark.

Another change looking likely is a National Insurance levy on the contributions employers pay into workers' pensions. At the moment, employers pay National Insurance on just wages. Not charging employers National Insurance on pension contributions cost about 23.8 billion last year.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies says this 'should be reformed'.

Robert Salter, of tax firm Blick Rothenberg, says: 'This appears to me to be the most likely change.'

But he cautions that it could lead to employers cutting the amount they pay into their workers' pensions, or affect future pay rises.
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

S.M. writes: The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) laid down enforcement rules for whisky investment companies some months ago.

However, Riverside Whisky Partners Limited is still blatantly breaching those rules. Why will no one hold them to account?

Dram Riverside Whisky Partners Limited has been accused of breaching new rules for whisky investment companies

Tony Hetherington replies: Selling casks of whisky as an investment needs no vetting, authorisation or regulation and has no compensation scheme if anything goes wrong.

A growing number of companies have moved into this sector, and the City of London Police has urged investors to be cautious, quoting the Trading Standards advice: 'Casks are being sold as a long-term investment because whisky takes time to mature in the cask.

'This means it could be several years before investors realise their investments aren't performing.'

They were not referring specifically to Riverside Whisky Partners (RWP). However, RWP did clash with the ASA over claims that investors could expect 'annual returns of 13 per cent to 20 per cent tax free'.

The ASA's Enforcement Notice, issued to all whisky investment firms, made clear that any such claims needed documentary evidence.

When the ASA stepped in, RWP withdrew its forecast. But other claims remained.

When I looked at RWP's website, it displayed the names and logos of the Forces charity SSAFA, Dementia UK and the King's College Hospital Charity, with the claim that RWP sponsored them.

Dementia UK told me: 'Riverside Whisky Partners has never been a sponsor of Dementia UK. We have followed up with the firm to request our logo is removed.'

A manager at the hospital charity said: 'I can confirm that Riverside Whisky Partners is not a sponsor of King's College Hospital Charity.'

And a spokesman for SSAFA told me: 'There is no record of SSAFA ever having a relationship with Riverside Whisky Partners.'

RWP's website also had a section headed 'Awards', displaying the names and logos of three whisky industry bodies.

The organisers of the World Whiskies Awards told me that RWP had not won any such honour, adding: 'We have written to RWP asking for the logo to be removed, and have been ignored on several occasions.'

Roy Duff, co-founder of the Online Scotch Whisky Awards, told me RWP had won no award and did not have permission to use its logo. He described RWP's promotion as 'misleading and a misuse of our brand'.

And the Scottish Whisky Awards told me they have made no awards to RWP, saying: 'We first requested our logo be removed from this website in November 2022.'

The ASA has also warned whisky investment firms not to claim they have featured in the Press unless those articles are genuine, saying: 'If you have paid to be featured, that is likely to be considered misleading.'

Under the heading 'Recently in the Press', RWP provides links to three publications. Two are dead while the third leads to an article written by RWP, described as 'sponsored', meaning it is simply an advertisement.

I put all this to RWP boss Neil Cahillane, who insisted that donations had been made to the charities but may have been from him personally or a connected company.

He said the logos would be removed, adding: 'I must personally apologise, as a director, for this mistake.'

He accepted that the Press coverage consisted of 'advertorials', but told me this had been approved by a marketing company.

He did not mention the ASA warning on the subject and offered no comment on the misuse of the whisky industry awards logos.

None of this has anything to do with the price at which Cahillane's company sells its casks. And it certainly does not touch on whether the value of that whisky will rise or fall over the many years before it is bottled and sold.

But it does raise the question of whether I would rely on RWP's sales pitch. The answer is no.

Account's wake-up call

D.A. writes: I am getting in touch on behalf of a local transport history society which allowed its Santander account to become dormant after being advised that reviving it would be simple. This has turned out not to be the case, now that the society wishes to use its funds again. I wonder if you can help?

Tony Hetherington replies: The society had three trustees, however one died and the other two are elderly. None was replaced and the society became dormant. Some of its supporters, yourself included, want to revive it and merge with a similar local history organisation. I asked Santander to help and it told me it needed proof of identity from the remaining trustees.

This was no problem with one trustee, but the other is 87 and has no passport or driving licence. His travel pass was accepted when he voted in the recent elections but was not acceptable to Santander.

I suggested he apply for a driving licence  even though he wouldn't use it  as this would be acceptable.

However, I am pleased to say Santander accepted a letter from HMRC as ID proof. The account is now unblocked and the two trustees can use it and approve the merger.
Labour will abandon plans to build support ships for the Royal Navy in Northern Ireland, with the loss of 500 jobs, and transfer the work to Cadiz in Spain, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Belfast-based Harland & Wolff, which built the Titanic, was hired last year alongside Navantia, a Spanish state-owned shipbuilding giant, to build three Navy vessels in a 1.6 billion deal.

Anger that some of the work went to Spain was assuaged by the promise that much of it would go to Northern Ireland.

Under the original plans, H&W and Navantia would each have constructed various sections of the ships, known as blocks, in their respective yards.

On the brink: Belfast-based shipbuilder Harland & Wolff has called in administrators with Whitehall making it clear it will not provide support

These blocks would then have been taken to Belfast for final assembly, with the first vessels entering service in 2031 and the last by 2033.

But Harland's decision to call in administrators on Friday has plunged the project into crisis and could result in all the work being moved to Cadiz.

The plans are being drawn up by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Defence Secretary John Healey.

H&W has appointed restructuring specialist Teneo to find buyers for the dockyard and other operations.

Hopes are a UK company with deep pockets such as Babcock International  which runs the naval yards at Devonport in Plymouth and Rosyth in Scotland  can still save H&W and the project.

But Whitehall has made it clear it will not provide support for H&W. Earlier this year the company revealed its financial plans were built on the assumption that it would receive a state guarantee for a 200 million loan that would tide it over until the money started to flow in from support ships and other contracts.

After lengthy negotiations, the company finally admitted in July that the Government had turned it down.

That triggered the exit of boss John Wood and the appointment of caretaker managers, including restructuring expert Russell Downs. The support ships are urgently needed for the Royal Navy to make best use of its new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales.

The only support ship still afloat, RFA Fort Victoria, built by H&W in 1990, is undergoing a lengthy refit. A senior Downing Street source said this was yet another problem that Labour had inherited from the Tories. He said: 'There are several options which include UK companies buying the company, but they will want to re-negotiate the work which will cost the UK taxpayer and likely delay production and delivery of the ships.

'The preferred option is for Navantia, who have the contract to now fabricate, assemble and deliver the ships on time and within budget.'
Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake has called for his party to re-think its position on non-dom status  in an apparent swipe at Jeremy Hunt.

As Chancellor, Hunt announced earlier this year that the status of 'non-domiciled' UK resident  with its tax advantages  would be abolished.

But speaking ahead of the Conservative Party conference, Hollinrake said: 'I'm not sure we got it right.'

The comments are likely to be well received in the City, where many are worried about wealth creators fleeing the UK.

Re-think: Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake has called for his party to re-think its position on non-dom status

But the remarks may be seized on by Labour  which has long called for the status to be abolished  as evidence that the Tories are in hock to the super-rich.

It comes amid speculation that Chancellor Rachel Reeves may be ready to abandon an even tougher crackdown on non-doms.

Hollinrake told The Mail on Sunday: 'I think it's something we should look at. We don't want people deterred from coming here and investing in the UK.'

Non-dom status is a concession for those who are tax residents of the UK but whose main 'domicile'  the place they regard as their permanent home  is abroad.

It enables them to avoid paying UK tax on income or capital gains they have made overseas for 15 years, provided that that money is not brought into the country.

It is due to be abolished in April next year.

Former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane said last week that a crackdown risked deterring 'the flow of finance we need to get growth going'.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's charity Archewell was gifted two grants of more than $6million over the last two years - but both are missing from the charity's latest 990 form tax return, MailOnline can reveal.

The discovery has prompted speculation over what has happened to the Sussexes' missing millions, although it is understood Archewell believes its records that only declared $2,000,911 are correct and MailOnline can confirm it is legal and possible the money will appear on the next return.

The apparent discrepancy couldn't have come at a worse time for the Duke and Duchess's beleaguered foundation as it was only given the green light to spend and raise money again earlier this year after charity officials branded it as 'delinquent' and 'not in good standing'.

Now Archewell could be facing another few tense months as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) waits for the charity's next tax return - which may well explain the 'missing' millions donated to the couple's foundation.

Even so, this latest revelation will add to speculation that Meghan and Harry's charity is being propped up by a handful of wealthy donors.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's charity Archewell was gifted two grants of more than $6million over the last two years - but both are missing from the charity's latest tax return, MailOnline can reveal

The two latest grants were made in the 2022/23 financial year. One totalling $6million was from Fidelity Charitable (pictured)

Another worth $10,050 was from Tisbest Philanthropy (pictured), as both their 990 forms revealed

However, Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation only declared $2,000,911 from grants in 2022

It could spell more trouble for Archewell, which was briefly branded 'delinquent' earlier this year

The two latest grants were made in the 2022/23 financial year - one totalling $6million from Fidelity Charitable and another of $10,050 from Tisbest Philanthropy, both their 990 forms revealed.

It is likely that individual donors could have used the companies to donate the money anonymously, as was previously the case with large donations to Archewell.

In 2021, an anonymous $10million donation was made through the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a mega-rich non-profit and a vehicle for extremely wealthy philanthropists to give out tax-free grants anonymously.

In 2022, Archewell said it received just two grants of $1million each from anonymous donors.

Fidelity Charitable could be the vessel that was used by one or both of those donors.

Both Fidelity and Tisbest declare grants made across the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023.

This latest revelation will add to speculation that Meghan and Harry's charity is being propped up by a handful of wealthy donors

Archewell was revealed to have received a $10million grant from another mystery donor through the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (pictured)

It means Fidelity's $6million could have been split over two years and appear as two seperate donations for Archewell while only a single one for Fidelity.

The same could be the case for Tisbest's cash.

Even so, all eyes will be on Archewell's next return on November 15, 2024.

Archewell bosses will be hoping not to have a repeat of its problems with charity officials from the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.

The registry is part of the Department of Justice in California, the state where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live in a $12million mansion and operate the charity.

In May, it said Archewell failed to properly submit its annual report or renewal fees and had banned it from either fundraising or distributing charitable funds.

Sussex sources claimed that the 'delinquency notice' was actually issued because Attorney General Rob Bonta's office did not process a $200 cheque.

That was a different explanation to the one offered by the same Sussex sources the night before, who claimed that the paperwork was filed on time but the discrepancy was down to a cheque that accompanied the documents going missing in the post.

Sussex sources previously told MailOnline that the Archewell Foundation's tax filings for 2022 were submitted in full in accordance with all regulations in the US.

By mid-May the attorney general's office confirmed Archwell had regained its active charity status but alarm bells will be ringing if the charity gets in hot water again.
A prominent YouTube gaming couple known for their popularity in the online 'zombie' community is at war over wild allegations of sexual assault and grooming in the wake of their ugly split.

MrTLexify - whose real name is Lex Iwan - has amassed 1.56 million followers since he joined the platform in 2013.

While streaming on the platform Twitch, watching his romance with Reagan McNulty - known as puresoftie - delighted mutual fans, until the two seemingly broke up two years ago after McNulty stopped appearing in his streams.

Now, the relationship has turned sour, with McNulty airing explosive claims that Iwan 'groomed' her to become his girlfriend while she was underage.

He has hit back by insisting the relationship began when both of them were under 18. He denies all claims of impropriety and has not faced any kind of criminal investigation.

But the scandal has sent shockwaves through their once-shared fanbase.

McNulty, 23, said she started talking with Zombie YouTuber Iwan, 26, when she was 15 and he was 18

One X user said: Chat Lex has been cooked, unsubscribing after being a sub for almost ten years  prayers to this lady. I hope you find peace.

Another wrote: 'Stay strong Lex, life long fan of yours, hate to see you dealing with so much in the background. Take care man.'

Iwan is a part of whats called the zombie gaming community, who play and post videos of themselves playing Call of Duty (COD) zombies mode a popular survival mode featured in several COD titles, particularly the Black Ops series.

The allegations of Iwans inappropriate behavior surfaced in July after some members of the community began to speculate on the timeline of the two-and-a-half-year age-gap relationship with his ex-girlfriend 23-year-old Reagan McNulty, known as 'puresoftie' or Wren on her social media.

Iwan, who did not respond to the DailyMail.coms request for comment, hit back at speculation by saying his relationship with McNulty had started when they were both minors and accused McNulty of extortion.

Iwan, who did not respond to the DailyMail.coms request for comment, hit back at speculation by saying his relationship with McNulty (pictured) had started when they were both minors and accused McNulty of extortion

McNulty is a self-described e-girl, a subculture influenced heavily by emo, scene and mall goth culture combined with Japanese and Korean street fashion.

Following the questions that surfaced about their relationship and Iwan's X post, McNulty posted on July 28: All because he was lying on my name, to direct the hate he was getting onto me. I have lost the most important and formative years of my life to Lex Adrian Iwan, and I refuse to continue to lose more years.

McNulty claimed the two had met at a ZHouse, a collective that gets together to play COD zombies mode, meet and greet in Santa Monica on January 24, 2016.

'Lex and I met in 2016 and started speaking when I was 15 years old and he was 18 years old. We formed an online relationship before we met in person with the intention of dating in 2017, she said in a statement.

A year later on July 4, 2017, McNulty said the two met in person. That night, they allegedly had their first kiss while staying in the same hotel room.

This screenshot was from McNulty's Instagram account, she said she's had this profile since high school when she took it from another user after they deactivated their account. She said this exchange was about how Iwan 'appreciated her female presence in his life because he never really had one when he was younger' and happened when she was 15 and he was 18

The two would allegedly meet again on July 10, 2017, when Lex brought her to Disneyland. McNulty alleged that one night, Lex groped her breasts.

McNulty said as the relationship continued, the sexual advances ramped up. She said that Iwan lied about her being 18 to his gaming friends and would try to get her intoxicated so shed sleep with him.

Lex even changed my birth year on a passport for an escape room that he, all his friends, and I did together so that no one would catch on, she claimed.

She said their sexual relationship escalated further on August 31, 2017, when McNulty alleged that they had sex in a hotel room when she was 16 and he was 19.

This photo was taken at Disneyland when they met for the second time on July 10, 2017. McNulty said Iwan rented a hotel in Oceanside for the weekend, but she left early due to feeling uncomfortable after he groped her breast

McNulty, who sells explicit photos of herself on the subscription platform Passes, didnt provide pictures of the hotel room, but did include Snapchat photos of the two showing them together in Los Angeles, California.

He begged me to have sex with him since that was our last night together and he was going back home to Canada, she said of the alleged incident.

The whole experience was awful. I did not want to have sex with him.

We made up the next morning and said our goodbyes to each other. He made plans to come back and see me.

Responding to these claims, Iwan posted a video titled My Ex on YouTube, in which he addressed the allegations of sexual assault and grooming, but did not make it clear when their relationship started.

Theres proof of her lying saying that she wanted to turn 18, how the only way for us to work was for her to lie also about her age, he said.

He included screenshots of X direct messages from McNulty where she described herself as a virgin in 2020 and instances where she allegedly lied about her age to his friends and him. He also alleged that the passport with the fake age was her idea.

This text exchange between McNulty and Iwan was featured in Iwan's 'My Ex' video to show the alleged verbal abuse and extortion he says he experienced

Iwan also alleged in that document that McNulty physically assaulted him and caused property damage

Iwan said that every encounter between them was consensual, and there was no proof otherwise'. But in a separate document he shared, he also seemingly did not dispute his romantic relationship with then-underage McNulty.

In California, the age of consent is 18, and there are no Romeo and Juliet laws  this means under California law having sex with a minor is statutory rape, even if they are close in age or a minor themselves. If the minor were to claim to be of age, the adult would still be at fault.

Iwan also alleged in that document that McNulty physically assaulted him, caused property damage and extorted him.

Iwan said that McNulty began extorting him from August 2021 to July 2023 in exchange for his silence or shed go public with her allegations. He showed PayPal transactions to McNultys account totaling $38,325.

He also provided text messages where McNulty allegedly demanded money from him and threatened to out him as an alleged groomer and pedophile.

Iwan (pictured) said that McNulty began extorting him from August 2021 to July 2023 in exchange for his silence or shed go public with her allegations. He showed PayPal transactions to McNultys account totaling $38,325

Based on the text messages he shared, it is unclear if McNulty was demanding money in exchange for her silence.

He said this stopped when Iwan sent a cease-and-desist letter on August 25, 2023. He also filed a police report in Canada on July 23, 2024 about the grooming allegations McNulty was spreading on X.

McNulty uploaded a two-hour response video to YouTube on September 2. But the video was removed for violating YouTube's terms of service agreement because she included nude photos of Iwan and her that were taken when she was a minor.

Since then, her X profile has been banned.

Under Section 2260 of Title 18 of the United States Code prohibits the production, transportation, possession and distribution of child pornography and is considered a felony offense.

Revenge porn is a misdemeanor crime in California.

McNulty could not immediately be reached for comment by DailyMail.com.
For centuries, boys around the world have had to endure agonising initiation rituals to prove themselves as men in their communities.

Tribes in the Pacific still employ graphic hazing traditions to test the will of men rising through the social hierarchy, from having their penis split open with a stone knife to daring jumps from terrifying heights with only vine leaves supporting them.

In the Philippines, schools host spectacular mass circumcisions in an annual drive funded by the government - but unlicensed doctors in rural communities often deliver excruciating procedures under limited anaesthetic.

And in the depths of the Amazon rainforest, boys bide through the world's most painful insect sting, wearing gloves filled with venomous bullet ants to show they have reached sexual maturity. Bites, they say, feel like a gun shot.

Others inject themselves with frog poison as bitter juice is dropped in their eyes, causing temporary blindness, and elders beat and rub them with poisonous leaves.

In parts of West Africa, tribal children are cut with razor blades and glass to imbue them with scars supposed to represent adulthood and identity.

Initiation rituals continue to thrive around the world, everywhere from frat-houses to lost corners of the jungle, as boys dare to become men. MailOnline looks at some of the most gruesome rites of passage still practiced today.

Young Filippino boys are traditionally circumcised during their school summer break

The Taiwanese military inducts marines in a brutal ten week programme

Children in Benin are scarred with sharp razors as they come of age

Men prove themselves by leaping from an ancient tower in Pentecost attached to vines

Penis split open with a knife

The Aborigines were the first people to arrive in Australia, and have developed unique customs apart from all the world over the last 65,000 years.

Some tribes practice gory coming-of-age rituals with young men to mark the occasion in a way nobody would be quick to forget.

The ritual consists of a young man being seated on a rock while his penis is split open with a stone knife, as he grits his teeth and howls in pain.

The procedure is unique to the Aboriginies, according to a 1983 medical review, and involves cutting through the urethra lengthwise.

Once slashed, the penis is pressed flat against the rock on which the young adult is sitting against, drastically altering its appearance.

This is supposed to make it 'lighter' and 'more beautiful'.

This is to be repeated through adult life, and the subincised penis can be 'used as a site for ritual bloodletting'.

When the ascended man walks into a strange camp, he can show he has gone through the process with a 'ritual of penis holding'.

Young men are also scarred on their scars on their chests, shoulders, arms and backsides using a sharp rock throughout the ritual.

The wounds are then filled with sand to produce larger scars, which they embrace as a sign of bravery prowess.

As they await subincision, the boys' bodies are painted with sacred symbols and decorated with bracelets as their guardians spit white clay on their faces.

Aboriginal teenager Jazmin painted up with his sacred dreaming 'Milmildjarrk' for his initiation ceremony into manhood at Yathalamarra, Arnhem Land

Teenager Jazmin being sprayed with white clay by his uncle for his initiation ceremony, Arnhem Land. The white clay is chewed in order to then spay it by spitting onto the boys face

Stung by ants with a sting like a gunshot

One of the most agonising rituals is practiced in the depths of the Amazon by one of Brazil's oldest tribal group - the Satere-Mawe.

Teenage boys who have become sexually mature go through a unique transformation to manhood by daring ants with stings that feel like gunshots to pinch them.

Young men try to find mental calm as they hold up gloves packed with hundreds of crawling bullet ants inside.

The ants are not particularly dangerous to humans, but pack a punch with venom that can cause hallucinations, violent tremors and numbness around the body.

Dr Sam Robinson of the Institute for Molecular Bioscience said the bites each cause a 'deep drilling pain you feel in your bones with sweating and goosebumps, quite unlike the 10-minute impact of a typical bee sting'.

The pain is said to last 12 to 24 hours after contact. Entomologists judge it the most painful insect sting known to man.

Men prepare themselves by dancing in a circle as a group as a Satere elder blows smoke into the gloves.

Someone has to be first. The boys each take turns to plunge their hands into the gloves, stirring up the agitated ants.

Participants have been seen throwing themselves on the ground in agony as the ants inject poison into their central nervous system.

The 'Waumat' ritual finds the tribe its next leaders, people capable of suffering through hardship and coming out the other side.

As Amazonian tribes face existential threats from loggers, the practice has become all the more important to its communities.

One of the most agonising rituals is practiced in the depths of the Amazon by one of Brazil's oldest tribal group - the Satere-Mawe - by which they have teenage boys who have become sexually mature to endure the the excruciating sting of bullet ants

The bizarre ritual consists of males willingly getting stung by the ferocious insects thousands of times during a ceremony that sees the boys place their hands in gloves that are densely packed with hundreds of ants crawling inside

Annual circumcision rituals

In the Philippines, boys traditionally get circumcised when they are just about to enter their teenage years.

Uncircumcised teens often end up being teased by their peers, but the price of social acceptance is a painful one.

'Tuli' is considered a rite of passage into manhood. Its origins are unclear, but has been linked to an old Islamic custom brought over before the Spanish arrived.

Today, the Philippines government funds annual circumcisions for young boys to ensure the practice is carried out hygienically.

Schools will host mass circumcision events to mark the rite of passage, which involves the cutting of the foreskin with a very sharp knife under local anaesthetic.

Usually, this extends only to cutting a dorsal slit, rather than removing the foreskin.

Most of these children are between the ages of eight and 12.

Groups wait in line as they see their classmates writhing around in pain under the knife, knowing it will soon be their turn.

Pain can be managed with drugs these days, though things can go wrong - and younger people tend to experience more discomfort.

But in rural areas the surgery is sometimes performed by non-doctors using crude methods.

Traditionally, village folk would anchor wood into the ground and place the foreskin over the sharp point at the other end.

The circumciser then would then place his knife lengthwise across the foreskin and bash down on the knife with a stick, severing it.

Images have long documented the agonising procedure, and the looks on the little boys' faces say it all

A young boy whimpers while being circumcised. Uncircumcised teens often end up being teased by their peers, but the price of social acceptance is a painful one

Today, the Philippines government funds annual circumcisions for young boys to ensure the practice is carried out hygienically

Injected with frog poison and blinded

Brazil's Matis Indians have to undergo a complex four-stage test to prove they are ready to grow up, exposing themselves to great danger and succumb to searing to agony.

WHAT IS KAMBO? - Kambo is a poison used as a traditional medicine in purging or cleansing rituals - It is a waxy substance collected by scraping the skin of an Amazonian tree frog - The skin is blistered in several places with a hot stick and small amounts of kambo are applied to open wounds - Symptoms after kambo are strong and immediate and can include severe vomiting, dizziness, fainting, swollen lips or face - Participants are also at risk of serious adverse side effects including seizures and death, especially if it enters the bloodstream Advertisement

Members of the tribe will inject themselves with 'kambo' frog poison and have painful bitter juice dropped into their eyes, occasionally causing temporary blindness.

This frog poison is seen as a curative substance and a purgative - that by purging it and going through its effects one becomes stronger and more alert.

Indeed, it does seem to have some anti-bacterial properties.

To acquire the toxin , tribesmen stretch the frog over a fire and scrape its secretions from its back before releasing it into the wild.

The participant then has his skin burned, the blister popped and the toxin - mixed with spit - applied.

Elders meanwhile brutally beat them with harsh stems of a rattan plant and will rub them with poisonous and powerfully irritating leaves.

The substance briefly calms the person, but within seconds the sensation turns to suffering as the poison seeps into the man's bloodstream.

The poison results in a full purging of the stomach.

Today, Americans travel into the Peruvian Amazon to undergo the procedure as part of a wellness trend under the guidance of part-time practitioners.

A Matses man receives frog poison. His arms and chest show scars from where the poison has been applied previously

A man undergoes the application of Kambo frog venom in Iquitos, Peru

Scarred with razors and glass

For centuries, body-marking has been used to show tribal association, proving association with a community or proud lineage.

These marks can be made on the skin using stones, razors, glass or knives to permanently etch decoration and drawings onto the skin as ancient African 'tattoos'.

In Benin, several tribes use razor blades and glass to mark children as they come of age, identifying them with long family lineages.

Controversially, children as young as eight-years-old can be subjected to the practice in some tribes.

Each ethnic group has its own distinct scarring patterns and can identify each other based on the intricate lines and marks etched into the face and head.

Some cuts are on the tribe member's face, others have cuts on their backs and stomachs when they reach puberty to show their courage.

After razor blades carve designs into their skin, children are given new names and have their hair shaved off, before being taken to a convent where an oracle will try to communicate with previous generations.

Scarification is becoming less common as neighbouring countries outlaw the practice - but some tribal members still want to carry the marks of their ancestors and keep the tradition alive.

Similar practices have also emerged independently in other parts of the world.

In Papua New Guinea some men cut their skin to look like crocodiles to represent their 'crocodile spirit', creating a rippled scarring to resemble the reptile's scaly skin.

Well-decorated spirit houses welcome initiates to undergo a gory cutting process, usually carried out by their uncles over a period of an hour or two.

Once, lesions were carved out with sharpened bamboo.

Some today still pass out from the pain - but begin the process of a transformation that will forever change their lives.

In these huts, boys may spend months learning key survival skills from elders - raising a family, catching food and understanding of the local religion.

The Houeda ethnic group is one of a number of tribes in Benin, West Africa, which believes that scarring children, usually on their faces, will connect them with their ancestors

Some tribesman are now not letting their children be cut over fears for HIV and AIDS. Medical advice has warned sterile surgical instruments should be used but tribal chiefs often refuse

Slashed with blades before journeying for a month through a forest

In an initiation ritual like no other, young men in Senegal risk their lives to be inducted as adults in society.

In the remote village in the Ziguinchor region of Senegal, men can spend up to a month in the depths of a sacred forest, testing their prowess and endurance.

Preparation for the 'Boukout' is a lengthy process, with men forbidden from seeing or touching women from the point their heads are shaved en masse.

Organised by elders, the event and the ceremony draws families from all over the region to host the village - which changes location each time.

Some put themselves through unimaginable pain before entering the forest, going so far as to press nails through their noses to show their strength.

Others demonstrate their physical and spiritual force by making deep cuts into their bodies, or mouths, with knives.

A special root and amulets (Gris-gris) are used to provide protection to the wearer during the acts.

While inside the forest, only little girls are allowed to break the vow by bringing them little gifts of food.

And during the pilgrimage, families come together to live and work as a single community until the men return.

Those who survive the arduous journey return heroes, considered blessed - though not all make it back.

A man cuts himself to show his strength before venturing into the forest

Some put themselves through unimaginable pain before going on the spiritual journey

Gruelling military training camps

The island nation of Taiwan has a much shorter history than the tribes of the south Pacific, but has built its strong military culture to fend off invaders on strict traditions of gruelling rites of passage.

Just 15 men of a group of 31 passed a 10-week intensive training programme to become members of an elite team of AFP marines in 2022 after being subjected to intense physical and mental stress.

Trainees are allowed to sleep in stints of just five minutes, huddled together on a concrete floor before undergoing arduous physical tasks under constant abuse from their instructors - tests that will help graduates deal with the unparalleled stressors of war.

The trainers, all graduates of the same course, say the intention of the week of hell is not cruelty but to simulate the hardship of war, like extreme sleep deprivation, to see who has the stamina and guts to make it.

The days are spent marching through sewage-contaminated water, with one hours' break every six to stop and chew down garlic, supposed to buffer the immune system.

Much of the training is spent at sea or in swimming pools, drilling trainees in how to hold their breath and stay afloat while in full equipment.

And should they bide through the exhaustion of all ten weeks, the journey ends with a 100 metre belly crawl over sharp rocks in the 'road to heaven'.

'I'm not scared of death,' recruit Fu Yu, 30, told Reuters after completing the long road home in 2022.

The 'road to heaven', is the final obstacle course consisting of a stretch of rocks some 100 metres long over which the trainees have to scramble on their bellies

Much of the training is spent at sea or in swimming pools, drilling trainees in how to hold their breath and stay afloat while in full equipment

Daring dives supported by vines

In the South Pacific island of Pentecost, teens go through a very different rite of passage - with as much at stake if something goes wrong.

In the heart of the jungle, young men practice the daring tradition of Naghol land diving, often considered as the original bungee jumping.

But in this practice, boys fling themselves from wooden towers with nothing but tree vines to stop their fall.

The idea is to jump the highest, and land as close to the ground as possible.

They have no nets and no safety equipment, no water or cushions to soften the impact.

But the ancient practice is rich in in ritualistic importance, marking the transition from boyhood to manhood as one proves their courage.

The ritual starts with the construction of a wooden tower, usually 20 to 30 metres in height, which takes several weeks to build.

Once completed, those who have been selected to jump have vines tied to their ankles, which are designed to protect the boys from hitting the ground after their fearless leap.

Despite being secured by the barely-elastic vines that viciously tug on their legs on their way down to the ground, the ritual is extremely dangerous, and can sometimes even result in death if not done properly.

The death-defying is such a spectacle in itself that it has attracted hundreds of visitors from around the world to witness the ritual - including Queen Elizabeth II, who visited the island in 1974, with the daredevil divers performing their jumps in front of her majesty.

In the heart of the south pacific and deep in the jungle of Pentecost Island, young men practice the daring tradition of Naghol land diving
The last time anyone accessed Amber Haigh's bank account was to make a $500 withdrawal from an ATM at Campbelltown in Sydney's south-west on June 5, 2002 at 8.49pm.

The last confirmed sighting of the 19-year-old mother was three days earlier and 300km away at Young in the NSW South Western Slopes region.

What happened between those two dates and whether Amber was the person who used the ATM might forever remain unknown after the husband and wife accused of killing her were cleared.

Amber, whose body has never been found, had been living with Robert and Anne Geeves at their Kingsvale property, near Young, before she went missing.

When Amber was seen for the final time by an independent witness she was with Robert Geeves, an orchard worker who the court heard was previously acquitted of murder and had recently fathered her baby.

After a coronial inquest, two major police investigations and the offer of a million-dollar reward, the Geeveses were charged with Amber's murder in May 2022 and spent more than two years in prison.

Police alleged the couple, both aged in their early 40s when Amber disappeared, killed her so they could take custody of her five-month-old boy.

Both denied having any such motive or killing Amber, insisting they had driven her to Campbelltown train station the day of the ATM transaction so she could visit her dying father.

The last confirmed sighting of 19-yaer-old Amber Haigh was at Young in rural NSW in June 2002. Married couple Robert and Anne Geeves claimed they drove Amber to a Sydney train station three days later and she was never seen again

The Geeveses, now both 64, stood trial for 28 days earlier this year in the NSW Supreme Court before Justice Julia Lonergan.

They had chosen not to face a jury, as was their right, and the hearing did not attract widespread media coverage because it took place in Wagga Wagga, midway between Sydney and Melbourne.

Again, as was their right, the Geeves did not call witnesses in their defence or give sworn testimony.

Justice Lonergan handed down her judgment on September 16, finding the couple not guilty of Amber's alleged murder and leaving the intellectually disabled teenager's fate a mystery.

Justice Lonergan ruled Amber was dead but found it could not be shown beyond a reasonable doubt she was killed by the Geeveses.

The judge rejected the Crown's proposition the couple used Amber as a 'surrogate' so they could take her son and accepted it was possible their version of her last movements was true.

'The account of this given by the accused is not inherently implausible and is supported by other independent evidence,' Justice Lonergan said.

Robert and Anne Geeves (above) were charged in May 2022 with murdering Amber Haigh in June 2002. They pleaded not guilty and were acquitted on September 16

The Crown had also said the Geeveses controlled Amber's banking and spending but Justice Lonergan said those claims were not supported by the evidence.

Amber, who had a disrupted childhood in Sydney and also suffered from epilepsy, went to live with an aunt in Kingsvale as a teenager.

She moved in with the Geeveses, who lived next door to her aunt, in 2000, then found her own flat at Young in October the next year.

The court heard that Amber, who at 18 was assessed as having the mental age of a 12 or 13-year-old, shifted between her aunt's place, the Young flat, and the Geeves farm up until she disappeared.

Justice Lonergan described Amber as a 'disadvantaged young woman with poor family support' who had endured a 'jagged, abusive childhood'.

'There was little sign in the sea of evidence led in this case that Amber was ever shown the unconditional love and support she needed and deserved,' she said.

'Amber went back and forth between places and people looking for love and solace. She never found it. She was still looking for it when she disappeared.'

In 2001, Amber began having sex with Robert Geeves.

Their son was born in January 2002 and Amber proved a devoted parent, if lacking the basic skills of motherhood.

Amber began having sex with Robert Geeves (both pictured) after moving into the property he shared with wife Anne. She later gave birth to their son

Crown prosecutor Paul Kerr had contended 'it was always the intention of the Geeveses to assume custody and care' of the boy, who was given the pseudonym Ben.

'So, the Crown asserts, they killed her,' Mr Kerr said in his opening address.

The couple, who had their own son, maintained they drove Amber to Campbelltown on June 5, 2002 to visit her father at Mount Druitt Hospital and she had willingly left her boy in their care.

Amber, who had previously travelled by train when she wanted to go to Sydney, did not visit her father in hospital and the Geeveses said they never saw her again.

The couple reported Amber missing at Young police station on June 19, two weeks after they said they had dropped her at the train station, by which time any useful CCTV footage could not be retrieved.

Robert Geeves told police six days after making that report he had not come to them earlier because Amber 'wasn't the most reliable person' and 'didn't like police'.

Mr Kerr submitted Anne Geeves had 'desperately wanted' another child after three miscarriages and a stillbirth but it was her husband's past which drew detectives' attention.

Police alleged Robert and Anne Geeves, both aged in their 40s when Amber disappeared, killed her so they could take custody of her five-month-old boy

The court heard that in 2006, Robert Geeves had been cleared of the 1993 shooting murder of his pregnant girlfriend Janelle Goodwin, having maintained a .22 rifle discharged accidentally.

In 1987, he was found not guilty of sexual assault after two missing schoolgirls were found on his property a year earlier and one of them made false allegations him.

Barrister Michael King, acting for Anne Geeves, told Justice Lonergan from the time the couple reported Amber missing they had come under a cloud of suspicion.

'People in the community around Young have thought that Robert Geeves has been guilty of many things going back into the 1980s,' Mr King said in his closing submissions.

'Everyone who would meet him would presume him to be guilty.'

Referring to Amber, Mr King said it had been a 'very poor decision' for Robert Geeves to have sex with an intellectually disabled teenager and that led to more community derision.

'Everything the Geeveses have done has been viewed by everyone who has come across them with this haze of mistrust and suspicion,' Mr King said.

'Amber went back and forth between places and people looking for love and solace,' Justice Lonergan said. 'She never found it'. Amber Haigh is pictured

Police investigating Amber's disappearance placed listening devices in the Geeveses' house and car and there was no incriminating material found on the recordings.

In one taped conversation which took place two days after detectives raided the couple's farm Anne Geeves said to her husband, 'This is her fault'.

'I don't care anymore, if she comes back, she can pack her stuff and go,' she told Robert Geeves.

A coronial inquest in 2011 found Amber died as a result of homicide or other misadventure in June 2002.

In 2020, a formal review of the case was conducted under the homicide squad's unsolved homicide protocols and Strike Force Villamar II began a fresh investigation.

NSW Police announced a reward for information about the cold case had been increased from $100,000 to $1million in April 2022.

A month later, on May 4, Robert and Anne Geeves were arrested.

Robert Geeves is pictured being arrested by homicide squad detectives in May 2022

At the time, a statement from Amber's mother Rosalind Wright and sister Melissa Millar-Hodder was released by police.

'I know in my heart that she would never have left her son,' Ms Wright said.

Ms Millar-Hodder said her family felt 'incomplete and lost' not knowing what had happened to her sister.

'Amber, she had a kind, warm, loving soul. She would help anyone in any way,' Ms Millar-Hodder said.

'Not able to lay her to rest, not able to pick up the phone or give her hugs one last time; that has been taken away from us.'

Justice Lonergan delivered her judgment in the Supreme Court at Darlinghurst, more than 22 years after Amber disappeared.

She said the early phase of the police investigation had focused on 'disproving the Geeveses' version of events rather than investigating in an objective way Amber's disappearance'.

Anne Geeves is pictured being arrested by homicide squad detectives in the NSW Riverina

As for Robert Geeves having been charged and cleared of serious offences previously, the judge said that was irrelevant.

'As Mr Geeves was acquitted of both sets of offences, this evidence cannot be used to prove any type of bad character, or tendency to act in any way,' she said.

'Mr Geeves must be given the full effect of his acquittals.'

Justice Lonergan found the couple's explanation of having last seen Amber when they dropped her off at Campbelltown 'may be true'.

'In those circumstances, I must acquit,' she said.

Now that Justice Lonergan has found the Geeveses not guilty of murdering Amber, who did?

'If Amber Haigh was not killed by the Geeveses - and there is no direct evidence that she was - this is the greatest tragedy in this case,' Mr King had said in their defence.

'That she met someone at the station, or on a train, who lured her and her money away, and then caused her death, and that that person or persons have escaped justice for their actions, escaped even any investigative scrutiny.'
Venture capitalist Bradley Tusk has a novel - but extremely controversial - solution to America's stark political divisions.

He told the DailyMail.com that getting more people to vote would shake up the primary elections that at present put hardliners in office.

The way to achieve that, he says, is to allow voting on a device that nearly every US adult has in their pocket  a cell phone.

He's spent $10 million on building a secure app to let people do just that.

It would doubtless make voting more convenient  no more lines at polling stations or awkward rules for mail-in ballots. But the idea is hotly contested.

Bradley Tusk has spent $10 million building an app to make it possible to vote by cell phone

Lines at polling stations are a turn-off for many would-be voters, especially in primary races, says Tusk

Critics say the system could easily fail, that Russian and Chinese hackers could upend US elections, and that it would disproportionately drive turnout among Democratic voters and thus hurt the Republican Party.

Poll Do you trust voting by cell phones? Yes No Not sure Do you trust voting by cell phones? Yes 3 votes

No 50 votes

Not sure 6 votes Now share your opinion





But for Tusk, it's a do-or-die moment for the world's top democracy.

'American politics is wildly broken,' he told the DailyMail.com.

'The net result is that we can't solve real-world problems, whether it's mass shootings, immigration, affordable housing, climate, healthcare, or education.'

Tusk is not focused on big-name elections, such as the looming presidential face-off between Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and former President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Plenty of Americans will show up for that vote, he says.

He's interested in the earlier, primary races that decide which candidate represents the main parties in state and local elections.

Thanks to gerrymandered districts, the ultimate winner of these contests is often decided at the primary.

Currently, just 10-15 percent of voters turn out in primaries  and they tend to be either the most progressive of Democrats or the oldest and most conservative of Republicans.

They're often single-issue voters, who favor candidates with trenchant views, whether that be on defunding the police or unfettered gun ownership.

In the 2024 primaries that secured Trump and President Joe Biden their nominations, just one in 10 eligible voters took part, according to a Washington Post analysis.

Cell phone voting would make it easier for everyday voters to join in, and could raise turnout to as high as 40 percent, says Tusk.

Tusk laid out his plans for cell phone voting in his 299-page manifesto this week

New York City-based student Gabby Carlos, 19, wants to vote this year, but is registered far away in her native Texas

That would mean more centrist voters, and yield more pragmatic politicians who were open to compromise, he adds.

It's the 'only way to move things back to the middle and give politicians the reason to get things done again,' he said.

The biggest gains would be among Gen Zers, who are typically glued to their cell phones but seldom see inside a polling station.

Tusk's software, developed by his nonprofit Tusk Philanthropies, is on its way to being certified by the National Institute of Science and Technology, he says.

It will be free and open source to anyone who wants to use it, says his new manifesto, Vote With Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting Is Our Final Shot at Saving Democracy.

The app features end-to-end-verification, air gapping, multifactor authentication, and other safeguards.

Tusk draws from his experience in tech startups and politics  he was a spokesman for Senator Chuck Schumer and ran Mike Bloomberg's 2009 campaign for mayor of New York.

In the early 2010s, he helped run the successful bid to legalize Uber in the US, through the digital lobbying of politicians.

He aims for a comparable win for cell phone voting, which at first sounds like a no-brainer.

We already trade stocks, find romance and manage our bank accounts on phones  so why not also use them to pick a congressman?

The technology has already been deployed in seven U.S. states, where it helped military service members and people with disabilities cast ballots.

In those cases, turnout doubled, says Tusk. Those who took part said it was better than in-person or mail-in voting.

It's also working overseas. Estonians have voted online from their homes since 2005.

Jeremy Lugo, 21, a student in New York City, says he might not be able to get back to his family in Poughkeepsie to vote before the November election

Only about 10 percent of eligible voters turn out for primary elections, in which many office-holders are chosen

In 2023, for the first time, more Estonians voted electronically than cast paper votes.

Next year, the Baltic nation is set to allow cell phone voting.

But many experts firmly reject Tusk's plan, and their opinions carry a lot of weight.

Ronald Rivest, a cryptographer and computer scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told the DailyMail.com simply that 'cell phone voting is not safe.'

In recent testimony to Congress, he likened online balloting to asking a 'kid to go play in traffic'.

Voting is a complicated process, especially in the US, where states and counties set their own rules about where and how voters can cast ballots.

It's also a unique task for software to try to solve, because you only get one chance to do it right.

A dodgy bank transaction can be reversed when fraud or some other problem is discovered.

But when it comes to voting, there's no going back.

A widespread manipulation of cell phone votes might not be uncovered until several weeks after polling day  and by then, the wrong candidate could have already been sworn in.

Rivest's latest research in the Journal of Cybersecurity warned that it would 'greatly increase the risk of undetectable, nation-scale election failures.'

Hackers from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran have already shown an interest in swaying American elections.

A single app processing mass voting data would be a desirable target for a US foe seeking to upend its democratic process.

Rivest also casts doubt on the upsides of cell phone voting.

He says it would do little to boost turnout, and would instead lead to more people being disenfranchised.

Critics of cell phone voting say paper ballots in polling stations are much more secure

Nearly every young adult in America has a cell phone that could be used as a means of voting

While nearly every young adult has a cell phone, only about three quarters of those ages 65 and above own a device.

The DailyMail.com spoke with some of the young voters who Tusk says could cast their first-ever ballots on a cell phone.

Gabby Carlos, 19, a New York City-based engineering student, has never voted.

She's registered in her native Texas, but says it was 'too difficult' to get a mail-in ballot this year because the 'deadlines are really early'.

'In like a perfect world, I think [phone voting] would be nice, but I think it would be an issue with, like, cybersecurity.'

Another New York City-based student, Jeremy Lugo, 21, aims to cast his first-ever ballot, but may not get back to his family upstate in Poughkeepsie for early, in-person voting before November.

Tusk's app 'would get a lot more people to vote,' says Lugo.

'But even if it is done right, it could be hacked.'

Tusk comes up against these concerns repeatedly.

He insists that his system is secure, but admits he's got his work cut out convincing election chiefs to approve it.

Republicans are increasingly wary of voting security, thanks to Trump rejecting his defeat in 2020 and alleging widespread fraud at voting terminals, mail-in ballots and other systems.

Tusk says he'll start small and build incrementally  cell-phone voting in municipal and school board elections next year, before rollouts at state-wide races and even congressional seats.

The stakes are too high to sit on our hands, he says.

'In 25 years, if we don't fix these problems, we might not even be one country anymore,' he told the DailyMail.com.
Families in northern India are falling victim to scammers who take advantage of their eagerness to send their children to live in Australia.

Many families borrow money they can ill afford or scrape together years of meagre savings to employ a local agent who promises to arrange student visas, however many are left financially destitute when the application fails or the money is simply taken.

Even the legitimate visa agents are having increasing difficulty securing the golden tickets as the Australian government cuts back on the number of visas to curb spiralling population growth and its associated housing crisis.

From next year, only 270,000 foreign students will be allowed into the country to gain student visas, which will also allow holders to work under a set of conditions.

The federal government has also more than doubled the student visa application fee to $1,600, which, even if denied, is non-refundable.

Applicants must also pass higher English proficiency requirements and stricter criteria to determine a student's genuine status.

One of the reasons cited for tightening visa requirements is to address widespread fraud.

In northern India the decision to send children abroad to study is a celebrated by families

An ABC investigation in northern India has uncovered fraudulent visa agents in that country but has also raised questions about the legitimacy of Australian colleges that overseas students nominate as their place of study.

Prinjal, a 19-year-old from Seedpur in Haryana, intended to study a business diploma at the Willows Institute, a private college in Adelaide, starting this July.

All the paperwork was being prepared by migration agency World Visa Advisors, which was located in the northern city of Chandigarh.

However, when the promised visa failed to materialise Prinjal's brother visited the World Visa Advisors office, only to find it empty for two weeks.

Prinjal came to the terrible realisation that she was a victim of fraud, with her farmer father in danger of losing his farm because he borrowed $13,000 against it to send his daughter to Australia.

'I just thought, 'How can this happen to me?' I felt like all my dreams had been shattered,' Prinjal told the ABC.

In July, police reported they had arrested World Visa Advisors staff on suspicion of defrauding $1.2million from families with the false promise of student visas.

Prinjal, 19, who lives in village in northern India said all her dreams had been shattered by scammers who falsely promised a student visa to Australia

Prinjal was trying to study a business diploma at Adelaide's the Willows Institute but the private education provider had its registration to teach suspended earlier this year

One Chandigarh police station alone said they had identified 400 families that have fallen victim to visa fraud, netting scammers $4.5 million in the first half of 2024.

The ABC also investigated the Willows Institute in Adelaide but on three occasions they sent reporters there it was closed.

Willows also had a minimal online presence, with a website, a Facebook page with 20 followers and an Instagram account with no posts.

Vocational training watchdog the Australian Skills Quality Authority told the ABC was under audit after receiving a referral from the Department of Home Affairs in May last year.

Its registration to teach was cancelled in June this year 'due to the seriousness of the issues identified and in order to mitigate the risk of any further harm'.

The regulator received a complaint indicating that Willows Institute 'may not be genuine'.

The director of Willows Institute, Dilpreet Singh, insisted to the ABC in an email that Willows Institute was 'legitimate'.

He said the company will fight to get registration reinstated at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

International student enrolments have jumped from just over 520,000 to more than 810,000 in the past two years which has resulted in shonky education providers trying to 'make a quick buck' by gaming the system, Jason Clare said.

'That growth ... has lured people who really are here to work, not study,' Mr Clare told the Australian Financial Review's higher education summit.

'It's put the reputation of this industry under pressure, that's a fact,' Mr Clare said.

Almost 150 tertiary colleges have already been shut down for failing to show proof they were offering any training to students, while warnings had been given to a further 140 so-called 'ghost colleges'.

In one instance, a college had not delivered any training or assessments for students since 2020.

Skills Minister Andrew Giles said colleges that had not been operating for the purposes of providing quality education had been weeded out and shut down.

'The Albanese government is calling time on the rorts and loopholes that have plagued the VET sector for far too long,' he said.

'Under our government, there is no place for anyone who seeks to undermine the sector and exploit students.'
The Military Administration Institute of Azerbaijans National Defense University recently held a graduation ceremony for brigade commanders, their deputies, and chiefs of operational and combat training branches. The event took place at the Azerbaijan Army's Training and Educational Center, Azernews reports, citing the Defense Ministry.

The ceremony was attended by Colonel General Karim Valiyev, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, alongside other senior ministry officials.

The event began with a tribute to the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, and the Martyrs who gave their lives for Azerbaijans territorial integrity. A minute of silence was observed, followed by the performance of the National Anthem.

Colonel General Valiyev, speaking on behalf of Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, congratulated the graduates and stressed the importance of ongoing reforms in the Azerbaijan Army under the directives of President Ilham Aliyev. He emphasized the critical role of training professional officers to meet modern military standards.

Additionally, Valiyev highlighted the significance of the presentation of JF-17C (Block-III) multirole fighter jets to President Aliyev and Azerbaijans participation in the International Defense Exhibition ADEX in Baku.

The session concluded with the awarding of certificates to the personnel who successfully completed the training.
Notorious fraudster Melissa Caddick's custom-made diamond engagement ring hasn't found a buyer nearly two years after surfacing in a small antique shop in Sydney's Blue Mountains.

The solitaire diamond ring, custom made by Sydney-based jeweller Stefano Canturi for her engagement to hairdresser and DJ Anthony Koletti, is in the Jewellery Library in the village of Blackheath.

Caddick, 49, vanished on November 12, 2020, after she fleeced $30million from investors, including her family and friends, while working as a financial adviser.

Months later, her severed foot washed up on a beach 500km south of Sydney, prompting police to close the case. A coroner officially declared her dead in May 2023.

Antique dealer Jonathon James acquired the ring from a Sydney barrister who needed help selling it just weeks after buying it at auction for $7,000.

The ring features a large rare 1.83 carat white diamond surrounded by side diamonds weighing a combined 1.2 carats and two brilliant cut black sapphires weighing 0.04 carats.

The barrister's partner pressured him to sell it because she felt uneasy owning something that once belonged to Caddick.

'It was bought by a Sydney barrister who bought a lot of her items that went up for auction.

The engagement ring of missing fraudster Melissa Caddick (pictured, left) is yet to be sold by a vintage jeweller who claims a vast majority of customers feel it has a 'bad ju-ju'

The custom-made ring was acquired by the Jewellery Library in Blackheath village in the Blue Mountains and valued at over $70K at the end of 2022

'His wife didn't want it and he gave the ring to us to help him sell.'

Interest in Caddick's case has drawn visitors from all over Australia to see the infamous ring, but most are deterred by its reputation for 'bad luck,' with some even describing the ring as being 'cursed'.

'A lot of people who visit the store make comments about why she wasn't wearing the ring when she vanished,' Mr James said.

Others are put off by the small size-J band or the hefty $70,200 price tag.

Mr James told Daily Mail Australia that the ring's listed price reflects only the value of its jewels, metals, and craftsmanship  not its notorious history as Caddick's engagement ring.

He explained that he valued the ring, originally worth $39,200, at $70,200 due to the rising value of precious metals following the Covid pandemic.

He explained that only one person had seriously considered purchasing the ring, while another, who collects macabre memorabilia, had also shown some interest.

'We're looking to reduce the price to $40,000, with a significant portion, possibly $10,000 to $20,000, going to charity,' he explained.

The fraudster vanished hours after ASIC officers raided her Dover Heights mansion in November 2020, with police believing she jumped from nearby cliffs to her death

The ring, along with other items from Caddick's estate, was auctioned off in late 2022 to help recover the $30million she defrauded from investors.

Most of her jewellery was sold during the auction, fetching over $800,000, which went toward compensating her victims.

Subsequent auctions of her designer clothes, art, and luxury penthouse also helped raise millions.

Police believe Caddick took her own life by jumping off cliffs near her Dover Heights mansion shortly after her home was raided by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in November 2020.

However, Mr James is among those who speculate that Caddick might have escaped or met a different fate, possibly at the hands of those she owed money to.

'I don't think she killed herself, she's pretty clever, she would know that that would take years to come to court, it's a white collar crime,' he said.

'If you look at the footage of her being raided, she looks very calm and could have put something away for an escape.'

Mr James believes she could have become embroiled with 'shady characters' who used her desperation for personal gain before killing her.

The store's owner said people had come from 'all across Australia' to see Caddick's ring, but had been dissuaded from purchasing due to the price and it being a small finger

Other theories persist including that she had her foot amputated and had money stashed away to run off to rural NSW or overseas.

Behavioural expert Hayden Brown said Caddick's extravagant engagement ring symbolises her determination to 'get what she wanted' without considering anyone else.

He said people have an innate curiosity about items tied to criminals because it reflects the 'darker side' of their humanity.

'We all demonstrate all human character traits, this means we are all considerate and inconsiderate, honest and dishonest, for example,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'Despite being often unwilling to acknowledge these parts, we all have what is known as a "shadow" side.'

Mr Brown said that while people don't want to mimic the crimes, acquiring or even just seeing the items of a criminal help them 'get close' to their darker side.
A migrant who set up a furniture removals business now making $10,000 a week says it's unfair to blame people like him for Australia's housing crisis.

Francisco Bonifaz, 32, moved to Australia from Chile in early 2022 and established a furniture removal business in Sydney before relocating to the Gold Coast and employing people.

The university graduate was drawn to the Aussie lifestyle, having worked in marketing and sales with global food giant Unilever in Chile.

The Gold Coast reminded him of his coastal home city of Vina del Mar, north-west of the capital Santiago.

'It's similar - regular sunny days, good summer, good waves, good beaches, very beautiful,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Bonifaz was attracted to Australia's laidback lifestyle, and he decided to take the plunge and get a working holiday visa affter Covid restrictions were lifted.

'Chile's very traditional and conservative so I always wanted to travel,' he said.

'I heard a lot of good things about Australia and I took a decision to come and see how it was, not with an idea what to do here.

'It was fantastic and I'm really happy here - I started looking more opportunities.'

A working holiday visa holder who set up a furniture removals business making $10,000 a week says it's unfair to blame migrants like him for Australia's housing crisis

Francisco Bonifaz, 32, moved to Australia from Chile in 2021 and established a furniture removal business in Sydney before relocating to the Gold Coast

He initially rented a Ford Transit van in January 2023 and established a furniture removals business at Bondi in Sydney's east, doing that for 11 months, before relocating to the Gold Coast earlier this year.

In between, he worked as a coffee barista as hospitality businesses struggled to recruit staff with unemployment still at low levels.

The Goat Removals Services now focuses on south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales, moving furniture from the Sunshine Coast down to Byron Bay.

After getting good reviews on Airtasker and Google, his business is now able to charge $150 an hour plus GST, making $7,000 to $10,000 a week in revenue.

The business became so successful he was able to buy a Hino and a Mitsubishi Fuso truck, and employ six people; four full-time.

While high immigration has been identified as causing a severe shortage of rental properties and increased competition for real estate - pushing the prices of both to sky-high levels - Mr Bonifaz said long-term migrants like him also contributed to the economy.

'A lot of immigrants, being good for the country because they have their knowledge and they can show here they are prepared to make Australia grow,' he said.

While high immigration has been linked to Australia's rental crisis, Mr Bonifaz (left with business partner Sergio Arze) said long-term migrants like him contributed to the economy

Mr Bonifaz did a degree in business administration at the Adolfo Ibanez University, where he met Sergio Arze, 33, who now also runs the removals business with him, taking care to wrap big items properly with blankets and straps

'They want to come here and do a good thing.

'The good thing in Australia is it's a country with opportunities - if you can see that, you can do something good.'

Mr Bonifaz did a degree in business administration at the Adolfo Ibanez University in Santiago, where he met Sergio Arze, 33, who now also runs the removals business with him.

'We know the importance of taking care of your clients,' Mr Bonifaz said.

'We know the business of removals is very, very, very stressing when it's about moving your stuff.'

The business partners are hoping their good work will lead them to eventually becoming permanent residents.

'I'd love to but the thing with the visa is it's not so easy,' he said.

Long-term arrivals make up the bulk of Australia's immigration intake with the permanent component now capped at 185,000.

In the year to July, 432,150 migrants on a net basis moved to Australia, with international students and working holidaymakers classified as long-term arrivals of at least 12 months.
I remember when this country was great.

It was a time when women pierced their belly buttons and men refused to talk about their feelings.

It was when there were no mobile phones, influencers or the option to work from home.

It was when property prices were low, disgruntled teenagers smoked cigarettes instead of vaping and footy players staggered around the field all game completely concussed with no medical intervention.

This simpler time - before everyone went woke - was the 1990s.

And one of the highlights of the decade was stuffing your face at Pizza Hut's all-you-can-eat buffet.

But like Mel Gibson - another 90s icon - I thought they'd all been cancelled by now.

It turns out one still remains in Windsor, on the north-western outskirts of Sydney and it only costs $24.95 for all the pizza, pasta, salad and jelly-covered desert you can eat. It's even cheaper for kids, on weekends and for lunch.

Pizza Hut's last-standing all-you-can eat buffet in Windsor is pictured

The pizzeria was built in the 1980s and has barely changed since

Like stepping back in time: The restaurant still has the original lino tiles

Behold... Pizza Hut's last all-you-can eat buffet station

The old-fashion booths spark warm feelings of nostalgia

I stepped through the doors and was immediately struck by warm feelings of comfort and nostalgia.

It's exactly how I remember it - with staff bustling through the dining room slapping down pizza's straight from the oven onto the heated buffet station.

The decor - which includes the original signage, seating booths and lino tiles from decades earlier - is so out of style it makes Velcro shoes and hypercolour t-shirts look cool.

But to me, it's perfect!

Franchise owner Santnam Ahuia, who took over the pizzeria with his wife Jenny in 2006, told Daily Mail Australia he wanted to keep the retro relic just like it was in its heyday.

'I've kept much of this Pizza Hut like it was when it was built in the 1980s because it just gives you that old feeling in your heart,' the 66-year-old Indian who moved to Australia in 1989 said.

'I think that's what people really like about it.'

While smorgasbord dining has largely gone out of vogue in Australia - particularly in the wake of the Covid pandemic - Mr Ahuia's Pizza Hut restaurant not only continues to survive, but thrive.

Freshly baked pizzas are pictured on the heated buffet station

Franchise owner Santnam Ahuia (pictured), who took over the pizzeria with his wife Jenny in 2006, told Daily Mail Australia he wanted to keep the retro relic just like it was in its heyday

Diners often line-up for over an hour on Saturday nights to get a table

While smorgasbord dining has largely gone out of vogue in Australia, Mr Ahuia's Pizza Hut restaurant not only continues to survive, but thrive

Some pizza lovers travel from hundreds of kilometres away to get a slice

Pizza Hut's old-fashion soft drink machine is pictured in action

'I have people coming from hundreds of kilometres away to dine in,' Mr Ahuia said.

'From Katoomba to the Northern Beaches, the Central Coast - and we even had buses roll in from Newcastle.'

'People line up outside for an hour on Saturday night to dine here and during school holidays it's madness. We are so busy.'

It's easy to see why. The tucker is excellent.

And I should know because I had four plates loaded with meat lovers, pepperoni, Hawaiian, supreme and hot and spicy.

'How many slices have you had?' my photographer asked.

'Mate, I stopped counting after the second plate,' I told him.

This reporter is pictured taking a trip down memory lane

Pizza Hut's dessert station is captured in all its glory

A dessert is topped off with Pizza Hut's iconic jelly cubes

Mr Ahuia recommends apple crumble with ice cream and caramel sauce - and so do I

Although I was struggling, it is all-you-can eat venue and I wanted to find out if Mr Ahuia's dessert station is how I remember it when I was an equally glutinous child.

I cranked on the soft-serve ice-cream machine, topped it off with fudge, Pizza Hut's iconic jelly cubes, marshmallows, sprinkles and chocolate sauce.

Then I went back for apple crumble and sat in the car feeling ashamed but satisfied.

The truth is Australia's last-surviving dine-in Pizza Hut is unlikely to ever be a hit with the Ozempic-dependent celebrities of today - or the plague of trendy Instagrammers looking for the next inner-city hotspot - but I rate the experience five stars.

And if you want to make Australia great again, you should definitely check it out.

The eight remaining locations are Windsor, Minto and Orange in NSW, Gympie, Browns Plains and Toowoomba in Queensland, Ballarat in Victoria and New Town in Tasmania.
Residents whose homes have been slammed as 'soulless' by critics online have admitted their house do look like 'prisoner of war camp' but they love them.

The estate in Caernarfon, North Wales, has been called 'depressingly bleak' and likened to a desolate Eastern European housing estate by trolls on X.

While locals and neighbours joked it is like living on the set of the iconic 1963 film The Great Escape.

The development, which was completed in January, was mocked on online with one urban planning account posting 'when cars and f****** bin lorries are your primary design consideration' alongside of a picture of the estate.

Others were quick to jump on the back of the post describing the estate as 'desolate wasteland', 'lifeless' and a 'desert of Tarmac'.

But locals could not care less about the comments with one woman telling MailOnline: 'It is like a TV set or a prison camp when you look out on the box houses. Like The Great Escape film.

'But they are great council houses which are very warm. I feel very lucky to live here.'

The estate in Caernarfon, North Wales, has been slammed as being 'depressingly bleak' and likened to a desolate Eastern European housing estate

Others were quick to jump on the back of the criticism describing the estate as 'desolate wasteland' and 'lifeless'

Hospital porter Gary Julio, 36, pays 640-a-month rent for his three-bed home on the new estate

One user wrote: 'The houses don't look bad but the street is f****** soulless. Not a dig at anyone who works on a bin lorry btw. I'm glad you're doing your job.'

Another added: 'A 'nice' wide street, but a characterless, tarmac dessert. Why can't developers plant just a few trees?'

While one user said: 'A desolate wasteland. What must these people's daily lives be like? So sad'

However, residents all praised their new, smart council homes and revealed they were all on a waiting list to get them.

Mother-of-two Michelle Evans, 56, said: 'I love it here and my house

'It's fantastic place to live and a good community.

'I must admit it does look a bit soulless. It does remind me of a prison at times with little individual boxes.

Drone footage of Rhandir Mwyn the new council run housing estate in Caernarfon, where all of the houses have solar panels

Residents of the housing estate have admitted they live in prisoner of war-style homes. Pictured: A Polish prisoner-of-war camp in 1943

Michelle Evans, moved into the elderly bungalows on the estate in January, and said she liked the area as it was quiet

The development was blasted on X (formerly Twitter ) in a post that said 'when cars and f****** bin lorries are your primary design consideration'

Neighbour Rhys Hughes, 63, said: 'The houses look really smart but they haven't put much thought into the design of the place.

'It looks like a PoW camp you see in old films. It reminds me of the place they kept Steve McQueen locked up in The Great Escape.

'However the houses do look a lot nicer than mine and others round here.

'I'd like to live in one.'

The 17 houses on Rhandir Mwyn in Caernarfon  which has a famous castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as views of Snowdonia  all have solar panels and electric car sockets.

They were built on empty land and the name translates from Welsh as 'valley of the minerals'.

Hospital porter Gary Julio, 36, pays 640-a-month rent for his three-bed home, said: 'It's a great place to live.

'The homes are great and affordable and it is safe for the kids to play out after school.

The estate was slammed as being 'soulless' by users on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Others described it as a 'desolate wasteland' in responding to the original post that hit out at the development

The estate, that was finished in January, was criticised for having no trees planted on it

Mother-of-five Cheryl Hughes, 43, who has a four-bed home, said: 'I couldn't really care about the design of the houses because they are so great inside'

The 17 houses on Rhandir Mwyn in Caernarfon  which has a famous castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as views of Snowdonia  all have solar panels and electric car sockets

'There's no cars that drive through here fast as it's not a rat run.

'It's just people who live here so they know to be careful of children.

'I love it here and so does my family.

'The primary is five minutes down the road which we can walk to and when the kids are old enough to go to high school, it is just over the road.'

The father-of-two added: 'The design is a bit bleak but it's not soulless.

'It's a great community and we had to be on a waiting list to get them.

'The only shame is that there's an electric car socket but I don't use it as I can't afford an electric car.'

Mother-of-five Cheryl Hughes, 43, who has a four-bed home, said: 'I couldn't really care about the design of the houses because they are so great inside.

The homes were built on empty land and the road name translates from Welsh as 'valley of the minerals'

'They are amazing houses but outside could have been done a bit better.

'But we love living here.'

The homes were built by Adra which is North Wales' largest housing association.

Elliw Owen, Adra's senior development project manager, said: 'We are extremely proud to be able to provide quality homes for local people, there is so much demand for affordable housing in the area, which reflects the national picture.

'All the houses on the development will have an energy performance certificate (EPC) of A, with solar panels and heated by Air Source Heat Pumps.

'In addition, all properties will have a EV charger as part of a pilot scheme by Adra, in order to see if they would be of benefit to the residents.'
For decades, Samuel Smith pubs have been run with an iron fist by reclusive beer baron Humphrey Smith.

He is famous for his notorious rules banning phones, laptops, dogs, children, foul language and even motorcyclists were reportedly dismissed as 'undesirable' at one pub.

The beer baron is also known for turning up unannounced to check his landlords are following his exacting standards.

But in January, his brewery, which owns more than 200 pubs across the land, is set to have a new boss at the helm.

Landlords across his estate have been told that Mr Smith, 79, plans to retire at the end of the year, when he turns 80 in December.

MailOnline understands that letters were posted to pub managers outlining the formidable businessman's intention to call last orders on his 40-year chairmanship of the multi-million pound brewing dynasty.

Pictured: Humphrey Smith, the reclusive owner of the Samuel Smith's brewery, going for a lunchtime swim in Tadcaster this week

Pictured: The Princess Louise pub on High Holborn in Central London - a Samuel Smith's pub

Pictured: A coaster in one of the Sam Smith pub's which encourages people to talk - and bans devices

Likely to be installed in his place is Smith's son Samuel, 36, who already successfully oversees the brewery's pubs in London and has long been spoken of as heir apparent.

Insiders believe a fresh dawn may herald a slow move into the 21st century for Smith's 'uncompromisingly Victorian' pubs with an end to rules banning TVs, music and muddy boots.

Others suspect little change to Mr Smith's uncompromising and divisive ideals - said to have been inspired by a George Orwell essay describing the perfect pub as being 'quiet enough to talk'.

Chris Metcalfe, a councillor who knows Smith in his home town of Tadcaster, North Yorks, said: 'I personally would wish him a long and enjoyable retirement.

'He has steered the company through some turbulent periods in recent times. Not only the banking crisis but also the challenges that Covid brought.

'The assumption that it will be young Sam who takes over - there's no doubt it will be him.

'If he takes over, we will have a new generation at the helm. Sam will have his own views and outlook.

'Whether much changes will remain to be seen. There's probably going to be a balance.

'He has had great success with the pubs in London and if part of that success is the company policy of no phones, then I can't see them moving away from that model.

'But some of the other strict conditions that they have - because he's a much younger man - he may relax.

'Sam is a young man who has grown up in the brewing and hospitality business and he will have his own views on how the 21st century pub needs to move forwards to survive.

Pictured: Punters enjoy a drink in the Princess Louise pub, run by the Samuel Smith brewery in Holborn, central London

Pictured: Samuel Smith has become notorious for its strict rules and banned digital devices in all of its 200 pubs, in a bid to keep the art of conversation alive

'No doubt he will be brought up in the Smith heritage that there's a dynasty to preserve. And that means a successful brewery and successful brewery estate.'

Mr Smith is renowned for turning up at his pubs unannounced to check managers are maintaining his standards - and closing them if they fail to comply.

He made headlines in 2019 after overhearing a drinker at his Fox & Goose pub in Droitwich Spa, Worcs, telling his wife a joke that contained a swear word.

Landlords Eric and Tracey Lowery, who had managed the pub for just seven weeks, quickly found themselves out of work and out of the flat above.

At the Cow and Calf in Sheffield, South Yorks, Smith was said to be unimpressed when his favourite dessert was unavailable.

In Tadcaster, as MailOnline last week revealed, the brewery owns dozens of shops, houses and other properties, many of which now stand empty or derelict.

There has been rising anger from locals accusing Mr Smith of overseeing the town's decay.

A brewery expert told MailOnline that he suspect's Mr Smith will continue to be involved in the brewery, despite standing down as chairman.

They said: 'I think Hump will keep a close eye on things - it's not in his nature to take a back seat.

'Unless of course there's a family revolt and they put him in an old people's home.

'In short, I don't expect much or any change.'

Mr Smith (pictured) is renowned for turning up at his pubs unannounced to check managers are maintaining his standards - and closing them if they fail to comply

Mr Smithmade headlines in 2019 after overhearing a drinker at his Fox & Goose pub in Droitwich Spa, Worcs, telling his wife a joke that contained a swear word. Landlords Eric and Tracey Lowery, who had managed the pub for just seven weeks, quickly found themselves out of work and out of the flat above

Describing Mr Smith as 'a hard-faced modern Scrooge', the expert said: 'I would say Humphrey is a great contradiction: an unpleasant man who makes wonderful beer.

'He has closed pubs at a moment's notice when customers have been heard swearing or using mobile phones.

'Bikers are banned as "undesirables".

'Staff have been sacked if they serve slightly more than a pint of beer. When a pub is closed, the publican loses his job and, if they live on the premises, their home as well.

'He buys up empty properties in Tadcaster and leaves them to rot to stop other people running them as businesses.

'So behind the traditional image of beer from the wood, with casks built by coopers, and deliveries by horse-drawn drays, there is a hard-faced modern Scrooge.

'Sam will take over. He may be biding his time to change attitudes and policies but I doubt it.'

Mr Smith's daughter Maude, 38, is another possible successor to the family dynasty.

She lives in south London Victorian townhouse, running a homeware label selling tea towels, tiles, mugs and fabrics.

But Sam is the certain frontrunner and is seen to run the brewery's London pubs in more modern ways.

They were the first to accept credit and debit card payments - allowing customers to use their phone to buy a round with ApplePay.

Some of the capital's pubs are also seen as being more relaxed on mobile use.

Pictured is the Samuel Smith brewery in Tadcaster where Mr Smith runs his 200-pub strong chain

Pictured: The back of the Samuel Smith's brewery in Tadcaster. When Costa Coffee opened directly opposite, in a building not owned by the businessman, Mr Smith was reported to be furious

A landlord who spoke to Mail Online anonymously said he hoped the new brewery boss would make few changes.

He said: 'I've no qualms with Humphrey, I've worked for him for years and he has always been fair to me. He paid me in full during lockdown even when the pub was closed for months.

'It is his company, so it's his rules. You can't argue with that.

'A lot of the charm of a Sam Smith's pub is that there are no mod-cons, that you have conversations with strangers because you're not distracted by phones or the TV.

'I would hate for that tradition and heritage to be lost. I wouldn't want too much to change.'

The company's website insists: 'We keep our pubs well maintained, being keen on conservation, and we don't close them down for other uses, even in the most deprived areas.

'It is the job of the managers to build up the trade by creating a friendly, social atmosphere with conversation, pub games and consistent high standards.

'We do not have music, TVs or fruit machines in any of our pubs, we do not allow swearing and have negligible trouble.

'We close all our pubs at 11 pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30 pm on a Sunday.'
Seven creative motor enthusiasts are battling it out to win the overall eBay Van Conversion of the Year Awards 2024 with entries including a mobile DJ booth, pop-up coffee shop and ingenious school bus camper van.

The awards celebrate the most beautifully executed, space efficient and intelligent Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) conversions in the UK across a range of categories.

This year's shortlist includes recognition for Best Electric Vehicle, Best Bespoke Build, Most Creative, Weekend Wanderer, Best-Budget Friendly Conversion, Best Enterprise Conversion, plus a Special Recognition prize.

Each category winner secured a 250 coupon, valid for eBay parts and accessories.

The judging panel was led by TV presenter and architect, George Clarke, and included Peter Stevens, the designer of the exterior of the iconic McLaren F1 supercar and eBay Category Lead for Vehicle Parts and Accessories, Laura Richards.

Seven category winners were selected by the panel from an impressive array of entries from across the UK. The overall winner will walk away with a 10,000 cash prize.

Seven creative motor enthusiasts are battling it out to win the overall eBay Van Conversion of the Year Awards 2024

eBay has announced the shortlist for its overall Van Conversion of the Year Awards 2024, with seven exceptional entries selected for different categories, all shortlisted for the overall prize of 10,000. Pictured: Josie Rose's camper van won the Most Creative award

Joe Edwards' Nissan conversion won the Best Electric Vehicle Award

Head judge Mr Clarke said: 'This year's eBay Van Conversion of the Year Awards has presented an even more diverse line-up of conversions for us to judge.

'Entries include everything from cleverly customised mobile-business vans to weekend getaway campers and full-time van lifer homes-on-wheels. Choosing an overall winner will be a challenge, but I'm very impressed with the creativity and DIY skills showcased by this year's entrants.'

Laura Richards, eBay Vehicle Parts and Accessories Category Lead, said: 'It's been wonderful to review all the entries and see how each applicant has creatively used eBay's parts and accessories to bring their dream vehicle to life. Every submission evokes the DIY spirit that eBay encourages, each with its own unique style and story.'

Peter Stevens, car designer, said: 'I was thoroughly impressed by both the variety and the standard of entries this year, as many displayed distinctive personalities and a keen eye for design. This year's winner will certainly deserve its status as the eBay Van Conversion of the Year and I hope they inspire others to have a go at personalising their van or car.'

The Shortlist

Best Electric Vehicle Award: Joe Edwards, Wiltshire, Nissan E-NV20

Joe Edwards converted a camper van using a 40kWh battery underneath the van to recharge the leisure battery and an eBay-purchased 3000w inverter for powering off-grid camping.

His eco-conscious installation is stacked with eBay parts, including an induction hob - to avoid the use of fossil fuels for cooking - and a 250w solar panel. The van is also fitted with woodwork drawers and an artistic mountain-inspired lamp.

'Our conversion was inspired by the electric camper we set out to transform, leading us to create a vehicle free of fossil fuels and infused with our love for natural materials', Joe said.

'My favourite feature is the mountain light, which integrates various woods to form a mountain range that casts a warm glow, ideal for a cosy evening.'

Joe Edwards electric camper van has been shortllisted for the Best Electric Vehicle Award

The eco-conscious installation includes an induction hob and a 250w solar panel, to avoid any use of fossil fuels

Best Bespoke Build Award: Jack Lydon, Essex , Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

This Mercedes-Benz Sprinter campervan has been meticulously transformed into a fully liveable space with a professional DJ booth.

Jack Lydon's campervan showcases a combination of high-quality craftsmanship and a collection of eBay parts and accessories.

The bespoke installation reflects Jack's passion for music, as he travels through Europe, capturing each destination with its own unique mix.

He said: 'Using eBay's parts and accessories, I've created a professional music studio on wheels that will take me across the UK and Europe while recording mixes that capture the essence of each destination.

'This conversion has allowed me to blend my passion for music and travel and I hope it inspires others to think creatively and pursue their passions'.

A Mercedes Benz Sprinter campervan has been turned into a liveable space complete with a professional DJ booth

Most Creative Award: Josie Rose, Kent, Mercedes-Benz Vario

With any prior DIY experience, Josie Rose transformed her Mercedes-Benz Vario minibus into 'a charming cottage on wheels'.

The whimsical details and boho charm reflect Josie's personal style, which she hopes will inspire other female 'Van Lifers' to embrace their 'Girlie' side and confidently tackle their own DIY projects.

Discussing her entry, Josie said: 'I've loved every moment of creating my charming cottage on wheels, using eBay's parts and accessories to combine my creativity with the practicality of converting a minibus.

'The Vario now embodies my personal style, and I hope it encourages other female van lifers to embark on their own builds with confidence.'

Josie Rose transformed her Mercedes Vario minibus into a 'charming cottage on wheels'

The kitchen on board. The van's style reflects Josie's boho charm style, which she hopes will inspire other 'Van Lifers' to tackle their own DIY projects

Weekend Wanderer Award: Tom and Emma Coy, North Lincolnshire, 2017 LWB Volkswagen Crafter

Instead of having a big wedding last year, Tom and Emma Coy bought a Volkswagen Crafter van and embarked on transforming it into a liveable space for travelling through Europe and wild camping.

With the high cost of off-the-peg camper vans, the couple used eBay parts to create a van equipped with a hidden toilet, full shower room, fixed bed and a fully off-grid electrical system.

Emma said: 'Opting to buy a van and convert it ourselves instead of having a big wedding was certainly unconventional, but it's a decision we'd make again in a heartbeat!

'With the cost of prebuilt vans just too expensive, we used eBay's parts and accessories to get all our supplies and did it ourselves  and now it's taken us 3,000 miles around France.'

Tom and Emma Coy bought this Volkswagen Crafter van instead of having a large wedding, and converted it into a space for travelling around Europe and wild camping. It has now taken them 3,000 miles around France

Best Budget-Friendly Conversion: Tom Maisey, Sheffield, 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Created with the aim of breaking free from the nine-to-five grind, this van conversion was crafted to enhance weekend getaways.

Fully custom-built, the design addresses all the practical needs for short trips while also considering the 'feng shui' of the space. Tom meticulously handled the conversion himself, using various eBay parts to achieve a sophisticated and smartly-designed living area.

He said: 'I've always been intrigued by the challenge of living large in small spaces and the creativity required to design a space that maximises both functionality and experience. By using parts and accessories from eBay, I've turned this fascination into reality, allowing me to enjoy weekends away.'

Tom Maisey from Sheffield designed this living space in a Mercedes Sprinter, which won the Best Budget-Friendly Conversion

Best Enterprise Conversion Award: Trevor and Tracy Hatten, Gloucestershire, Bedford CA

After dedicating 20 years of life as a dementia care assistant, Tracy Hatten decided to shift her career to follow her passion for baking. Her husband Trevor also wanted a change, so together hatched a plan to transform a 60-year-old 'rust bucket' Bedford CA into a vintage mobile bakery.

The conversion includes unique touches, such as a custom-modified side panel that opens to allow them to operate the coffee machine from outside the van.

Trevor said: 'We were quite apprehensive about changing our careers, launching the Baking Bird, and converting Betty, our rusted Bedford CA, into a functional mobile bakery.

'However, this conversion has allowed Tracy to pursue her passion after years of hard work, tested my DIY skills and has truly changed our lives. It's a risk I'll never regret taking.'

Trevor and Tracy Hatten converted this Bedford CA into a mobile vintage bakery

The Baking Bird has allowed Tracy to pursue her passion, and includes a custom-modified side panel that opens to allow them to operate the coffee machine from outside the van

Special Recognition Award: Niall Seymour, Kent, US school bus conversion

The special recognition award went not to a van, but to an American school bus imported from Texas.

While not eligible for the overall Van Conversion of the Year Award, judges collectively agreed Niall Seymour's bus deserved an honourable mention on the shortlist.

Niall undertook the project, without any prior building experience, to create a holiday vehicle for his family and incorporated custom-built elements and eBay-purchased items throughout.

Speaking about the bus, he said: 'Everyone turns their heads when we come past in our old American school bus conversion. It's really an honour to be shortlisted, I had such fun converting the bus and my family have loved taking it on trips to Kent and Devon  it will certainly be enjoyed by us all for years to come.'

Niall Seymour converted this American school bus from Texas into a holiday vehicle for his family
Human body parts and blood from Scotlands hospitals were stored unlawfully at a depot in Scottish health secretary Neil Grays constituency, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Trucks and containers used to store surgically removed organs, tumours and dressings soaked in body fluids, have been held at a site in Shotts, Lanarkshire - in contravention of environmental regulations.

The lorries have been stationed at the Hassockrigg Ecopark, situated just ten miles from Mr Grays constituency office, because Scotland no longer has the equipment to process the most hazardous clinical waste.

As a result, it has to be taken hundreds of miles to England and Wales by NHS Scotland contractor Tradebe Healthcare to be incinerated alongside the rest of the UKs hospital waste.

Since 2019, the companys trucks are estimated to have made around one million miles worth of journeys south of the border carrying Scotlands body parts, tumours and surgical offcuts  the equivalent to 40 trips around the world.

A lorry with a Tradebe container at the site in January

Now, owing to a backlog of waste needing to be incinerated at Tradebe Healthcares English and Welsh plants, the MoS can reveal the facility, first opened by the Princess Royal, had been used as an emergency storage site - despite the company not having a licence to use it in such a way.

It is the same site that six years ago was at the centre of a national emergency, even sparking a COBRA meeting, after it was revealed hundreds of tons of rotting human waste had been abandoned there.

Last night, experts said the revelations proved that Scotlands waste industry was on the brink of collapse.

Veteran waste management chief David Wightwick, who was called in by UK Government ministers to help clean up the Shotts site after it was left abandoned in 2018, said: The NHS is heading towards another clinical waste catastrophe as we last witnessed in 2018.

It was not appropriate for clinical waste to be kept at Shotts, even in the car park, as another company held the licences to do that.

Meanwhile, highly hazardous clinical waste is being ferried hundreds of miles down to England and Wales to be disposed of because Scotland no longer has the capacity to dispose of our own yellow bag waste.

The system is teetering on the edge, there is simply no resilience in Scotland if something goes wrong. I fear we are headed towards another disaster.

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labours deputy leader and health spokeswoman, added: The idea that clinical waste, including Scots body parts, may have been kept in the same notorious site where rats ran riot amid human remains six years ago is an affront to patient dignity.

Lessons should have been learned after the scandal in 2018.

This SNP government must act urgently to get to the bottom of this activity before the horrific scenes of 2018 are repeated.

The crisis surrounding Scotlands clinical waste management first came to a head in 2018 when waste disposal company Healthcare Environmental Services Ltd (HES), which was based out of the Shotts plant and incinerated the majority of Scotlands waste, went into administration, leaving debris piled up.

Hundreds of tons of human and animal surgical waste had been left to rot in unrefrigerated conditions for around a year, insiders claim, prompting rat and ant infestations as well as a noxious and foul smell.

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock was so concerned he called a COBRA meeting to address the situation, while NHS England, which also used HES, told hospitals to start holding a backlog of waste.

In 2019, David Wightwick and his team were hauled in on behalf of HES liquidators to clear the debris, and were forced to ship the waste to a plant in Sweden at the cost of almost 2million.

Insiders who helped with the clear up describe being hit by a foul smell, as they navigated through shipping container sized freezers which had been turned off for around 12 months, holding limbs and human body parts.

The site is within a few miles of Health Secretary Neil Gray's office

Human and animal surgical waste had been left to rot in unrefrigerated conditions

A decomposing penguin from Edinburgh Zoo was also found, as maggots feasted on its slimy remains.

That same year, NHS Scotland employed Tradebe Healthcare - a Spanish firm - to take over all 14 Scottish health boards clinical waste disposal - even though the firm had been embroiled in a series of environmental scandals.

Despite the NHS instructing Tradebe five years ago, it has still failed to install a High Temperature Incineration (HTI) facility that is able to dispose of Scotlands most dangerous waste - yellow bag waste - north of the border.

It means the company must move all highly hazardous waste, collected from every hospital in Scotland - some of which do not have any of their own waste storage capacity - to other plants including in Swindon, England, and Wrexham in Wales.

Waste experts say that it is likely around 25,000 tons have been transported by Tradebe during the lifetime of its contract, requiring around 2,500 lorry journeys, or around one million miles of travel.

In leaked NHS documents, the health service has admitted that continuing to move waste down to England and Wales in this way does not align with the Scottish Government Sustainability Strategy and Net Zero targets.

Now, owing to waits for specialist incineration machines south of the border, an MoS investigation has found Tradebe has unlawfully used the old Shotts site as a holding bay for hazardous waste.

Although the NHS bought the out-of-use Hassockrigg Ecopark in 2023 for around 5million, in order to create resilience if something went wrong in the disposal chain, it currently does not hold the relevant licences to keep waste there, and nor does Tradebe.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) require companies to have an expert on site holding a Certificate of Technical Competence or a Technically Competent Manager in order to comply with environment laws, but up until September 18, the person who held both of these certifications no longer works there.

Despite that, trucks and shipping containers of waste have been held in the car park of the site since early last year.

The NHS and Tradebe said that SEPA had given them a temporary allowance to use the ecopark to station their vehicles before driving them onto England and Wales, however a SEPA spokesman said that although they were given temporary permission to use it from March 2023, the allowance was withdrawn in November 2023.

The regulator confirmed the contractor had been using the site from November 2023 until July 16, 2024 without the proper licence, however it claimed this was due to a breakdown in communication.

The facility has been used for emergency storage of hazardous waste

The spokesman said: In March 2023...SEPA confirmed an interim enforcement position to Tradebe to allow the company to use the site for the storage and transfer of waste, along with limited treatment of waste to maintain the heat treatment units at operational readiness level, and to carry out monthly efficacy testing as required.

They went on to say that the SEPA enforcement position was deemed withdrawn in November 2023, however: On review, it has become evident that the effect of withdrawing the transfer application was not clearly communicated to Tradebe, who continued to operate in compliance with the previous position.

They added: We accept that Tradebe and NHS National Services Scotland were operating under the reasonable expectation that there was no change to the enforcement position issued in March 2023, and said: SEPA remain satisfied with the actions of Tradebe and the appropriate and responsible management of healthcare waste in Scotland.

Gordon Beattie, Director of National Procurement, NHS National Services Scotland, said, The safe disposal of clinical waste is paramount to protecting critical patient services and ensuring the continued safe operations of Scotlands health and care services.

Over 85 per cent of Scotlands clinical waste is processed in Scotland by our contractor. We are confident our clinical waste contract requires our supplier to adhere to regulatory requirements as part of their contract.

'These requirements include regular updates on how clinical waste services are being provided and we remain confident that Scotlands clinical waste processing and transfer is being adhered to in line with Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) requirements, ensuring a good level of service.

Tradebe said that it did not act illegally and added that SEPA are satisfied with the actions of Tradebe and the appropriate and responsible management of healthcare waste in Scotland.

A spokeswoman added: We continued to provide reports during that period to SEPA in accordance with our obligations. We therefore did not act illegally.
A frustrated dog owner has lashed out after she was hit with a huge fine for not properly holding her dog's leash.

Robyn, who owns fashion boutique Whit and Watt at Moffat Beach on the Sunshine Coast, was having a coffee break with her dog outside her store.

Council workers claimed her Blue Heeler, Violet, was not under effective control in a public place because the dog's lead was dangling on Robyn's foot and not her hand.

Despite Violet sitting quietly by her owner's feet, council officers still felt the need to approach the shop owner.

Days later, Robyn was shocked when she received an $806 fine, Yahoo reported.

'I've got a small business and I'm struggling with that, and the council hits you with this,' she said.

'Violet was on lead, had a collar on, she was underneath my foot.'

Posting to TikTok about the incident, Robyn said the council workers were wearing black, which upset her dog.

Retailer Robyn had briefly stepped outside her shop for a coffee break and her dog was by her feet and wearing a collar and a lead. But because the lead was resting on Robyn's foot and not in her hand, she was fined a staggering $806 (pictured shop owner Robyn and her deaf dog violet.

'Dark hats, dark sunglasses, my dog is deaf and she actually got a bit frightened by them,' she said.

Violet barked at the council workers who told the store owner they had to talk to their supervisor to work out what action needed to take place.

Robyn maintains she was on her rented premises - and not public space - and called the council the next day to see what they had decided.

The shop owner was told she would not be getting a fine - just a warning.

But only days later she was slapped with the fine.

The struggling retailer, who is working seven days a week because she can't afford staff, called the council in tears and even contacted her local mayor.

'I explained to her (the council worker) we are lucky to keep our doors open in such tough times,' she said.

When Robyn explained the council workers had previously told her she would just get a warning.

However, she claims the person on the other end of the line responded: 'Sorry about that'.

The shop owner said she will not pay the fine and will take Violet to court with her.

'I've been going through a lot of financial stress so it's easy for me to break down and ball my eyes out because I'm trying to keep my shop afloat,' she said.

Robyn believes dog owners need 'clear clarification' around the rules because ' a lot of people' also put the lead under their foot.

And many locals are also in support of the shop owner, calling the fine 'ridiculous'.

'This is dog owner bullying,' one wrote online.

The owner of the boutique on the Sunshine Coast is struggling to keep her business going and now she has been slapped with a $806 fine. She is currently working seven days a week because she cannot afford staff (pictured shop owner Robyn)

'Had a similar experience - the council is a brick wall for these matters but happy to charge through the roof for rates,' another said.

A third added: 'Unbelievable! Will absolutely go in and complain on behalf of you.'

The Queensland Government started a stronger crackdown on dog-owners on July 31, including steeper penalties - and even prison for the owner of a dog who demonstrates bad behaviour.

On the Sunshine Coast Council website the new state-wide laws are outlined.

'The Queensland Government has updated the penalty for not effectively controlling your dog in a public place.' it said.

'An on-the-spot fine will increase to $806. This includes having a dog off-leash in an on-leash area.

'Or, if the dog is in an off-leash area, the owner must be able to control the dog using voice command.'

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they take 'community concerns seriously'.

'(Council) is available to meet with the customer to discuss their concerns and explain the reasoning behind our actions,' they said.

'Sunshine Coast Council is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and community safety.'

The spokesperson also noted that the Queensland Government's new penalty is 'part of a broader effort to reduce dog attacks and improve community safety'.

'Sunshine Coast Council has undertaken an extensive community education campaign, including an education first approach, prior to issuing a fine, to make dog owners aware of their responsibilities under the new law,' the spokesperson said.

'Council will continue to partner with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to enforce these new regulations.'
NSW premier Chris Minns has been slammed for forging ahead with treaty consultations with Indigenous Australians despite the defeat of the Voice last year.

Warren Mundine, an Indigenous leader who opposed the referendum, urged Mr Minns to 'stop wasting money', saying a treaty would not solve problems within the Aboriginal community.

'It's not going to  help anyone, it's just a total waste of time,' he said. 'Stop with these stupid, stupid conversations.'

Mr Mundine, who started out as a Labor political operative before later running for a seat as a Liberal, said NSW should instead 'start looking at the crime rate'.

'Let's start getting education, let's start getting jobs and dealing with those government issues that need to be done,' he told Sky News.

On Friday, the state government appointed three commissioners to conduct a one-year 'listening tour' across the state.

This tour will look at whether the state's Indigenous communities want a treaty and how that should work if they did.

But Mr Mundine dismissed the plan as a waste of money and time.

NSW premier Chris Minns has been slammed for forging ahead with treaty consultations with Indigenous Australians despite the defeat of the Voice last year

'If we take their track record so far it shows like in the Voice campaign they went out on a "listening" tour, and they didn't listen because they got flogged in that vote,' he said.

'My advice to Chris (Minns) is, come on mate, stop wasting money. We know what the issues are within Aboriginal communities.

'We know how to fix things and get things better. Setting out these talkfests (is) just a waste of time, and even if you go ahead with it, it has to be a vote for the people of NSW.'

Victoria was the first to introduce legal frameworks for an Indigenous treaty in 2018, with Queensland, Tasmania, the ACT and Northern Territory also looking at establishing their own treaties.

South Australia legislated for a state-based Voice in March 2023.

But Mr Mundine said state treaties would not help solve the problems experienced by Indigenous communities.

Victoria was the first state to introduce legal frameworks for an Indigenous treaty in 2018

'None of them (states pursuing treaties) are going to fix anything, I can tell you that now,' he said.

'All it is going to do is fix the hip pocket of the people who are sitting on those communities.'

He pointed out that in Australia's First Nations Voice to Parliament election in South Australia in March, more than 90 per cent of eligible Indigenous voters did not vote.

'We saw in South Australia only 10 per cent of Aboriginals actually voted in that election, 90 per cent didn't. That's a big... "no we dont want this,"' he said.

In Victoria, the First Peoples' Assembly held elections in 2019 and 2023.

But the Assembly, which is supposed to negotiate a treaty with the state government, has had very low voter turnouts, with just 7 per cent of eligible voters doing so in 2019 and 10 per cent in 2023.

Mr Mundine told Sky News host Danica di Giorgio that it's pointless to try to find other ways of getting a treaty after the referendum was so comprehensively defeated, with 60.06 per cent of people voting no.

'It divides the community. They community has already voted. They voted on the Voice and it was quite clear, treaty was in that Voice,' he said.

'They made it quite clear, "No, we want to come together as a nation, we don't want to be divided."'

The three people appointed to work on the NSW treaty process are former senator Aden Ridgeway, academic Dr Todd Fernando and Naomi Moran, editor of the Koori Mail newspaper.

The NSW Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty Minister David Harris said 'The NSW Government is delivering on its election commitment to consult with Aboriginal people about whether they want to embark on any future treaty process.

'This is the first step in work that could eventually drive improved outcomes for Aboriginal people, and all NSW taxpayers,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
A tenant who was given just hours to leave his home after complaining for years that the property was 'sinking' has won $5,000 after taking the matter to court.

Malcolm, who did not want to use his real name, had been living in the rental home in Moreton Bay, north of Brisbane, for seven years.

However, in 2019, he noticed the bath in the home appeared to be sinking and emailed the property agent at Ray White Woody Point pictures of the buckling internal timber and rotting wood.

The home continued to pass property inspections until June 4 this year, when the home was deemed 'unliveable'.

Malcolm was handed an eviction notice the following day and was given just 16 hours to vacate the home.

He decided to take his agent to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for failing to meet minimum housing standards, The ABC reported.

Minimum housing standards, which was brought in last September - just a month before the tenant signed a new lease on the home - requires agents to ensure a property is in good repair, weatherproof and structurally sound.

In submissions made to the state's civil tribunal, the home was described as being propped up in places with bricks and rocks where stumps had rotted away.

Malcolm was given 16 hours to vacate his rental home in Moreton Bay, north of Brisbane, after years of complaining the property was 'sinking'

Tribunal adjudicator Peter Eardley found late last month that the 'structural integrity' of the home had 'substantial issues' and that the agent had refused responsibility.

Within weeks of the eviction notice, the agent listed the property for sale and described it as being in need of 'some TLC (or a bulldozer)'.

Mr Eardley said the agent opted to sell the property instead of carrying out basic repairs to make the home liveable.

'Clearly, the lessor had no intention whatsoever of attending to do anything to put the property in a state where it could be habitable for a tenant,' Mr Eardley said.

Representative for Ray White Woody Point Jeffrey Brown told the tribunal he had looked after the property for 'many, many years' and it was not until June when he noticed an issue with the property.

Mr Brown explained during an inspection in May or June he noticed Malcolm had propped screwdrivers and wrenches under the house stumps.

The agent asked the carpenter - who inspected and cleared the property six months prior - to have a look at the structural integrity of the home.

The carpenter assessed the stumps and said, 'Hey, that's not safe', Mr Brown relayed to the Tribunal.

Mr Brown submitted a five-paragraph statement from the carpenter to the tribunal which explained the house had met minimum standards until the June 4 inspection.

The carpenter wrote the bathroom and shower had always been 'usable' despite numerous emails from Malcolm claiming it was 'sinking'.

Mr Eardley told Mr Brown he 'cannot be serious' after challenging the timeline he presented to the tribunal.

Tribunal adjudicator Peter Eardley found late last month that the 'structural integrity' of the home had 'substantial issues' and that the agent had refused responsibility

He claimed the stumps had been in a state of disarray far longer than June 4 after examining pictures showing one stump propped up with six bricks and another with rocks.

'This state of affairs just does not appear to me to be in any way a true statement of the lessor's knowledge of the state of these premises,' Mr Early said in his decision.

Malcolm requested $17,359.50 in compensation to cover his moving costs, lost income and back-paid rent to last September.

Mr Early awarded the tenant $5,000 and explained his enjoyment of the property was 'disadvantaged' because the agent refused to fix the property's problems.

However, he rejected several of the Malcolm's claims including that the state of the home had affected his cats.

The property was sold for $590,000 within weeks of it going to market, but has since been knocked down.
Multinational Command and Staff Exercise Eternity 2024 held in Georgia with the participation of Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Georgian servicemen has ended, Azernews reports, citing MoD.

The military personnel from all 3 countries and the representatives of the relevant state institutions accomplished the tasks on organizing the protection of strategically important regional economic projects in the Vaziani training district.

The participants demonstrated high professionalism in the exercise, held in order to strengthen mutual cooperation and ensure reconciliation between the armed forces of the participating countries.
Hundreds of baby emperor penguins have miraculously survived after a breakaway iceberg caused thousands of chicks to be cut off from their mothers.

An Antarctic ice shelf as big as the Isle of Wight fractured to form a new berg four months ago, separating the newborn penguins from their parents, who were off hunting for fish at the time.

Scientists believed the chicks had met an unfortunate end, but satellite images have confirmed many of them have pulled through.

Peter Fretwell of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) told The Mail on Sunday that the baby penguins had 'dodged a bullet'.

'We don't know how they've done it,' he said. 'They'd been extremely unlucky, so I was very relieved when they turned up on the satellite image and looked reasonably healthy.'

Hundreds of baby emperor penguins have miraculously survived after a breakaway iceberg caused thousands of chicks to be cut off from their mothers

An Antarctic ice shelf as big as the Isle of Wight fractured to form a new berg four months ago, separating the newborn penguins from their parents

Before now, his team could not confirm whether the colony  either adults or chicks  had survived the breaking up of the ice, but satellite images have confirmed many of them have pulled through

In 2019, British Antarctic Survey scientists discovered a three-year 'catastrophic' decline in breeding within the once significant penguin colony which already posed a threat to its future

Before now, his team could not confirm whether the colony  either adults or chicks  had survived the breaking up of the ice, with image quality reduced due to the six months of darkness that occur during Antarctic winters.

But the images show the chicks teetering on the edge of the ice shelf and Mr Fretwell warned that they were 'not out of the woods yet'.

'Twenty years ago, a similar ice shelf caused a lot of problems,' he said. 'We cannot say for sure if they will survive. The adults should do, but it's not hopeful for the chicks as one big storm would take out the rest.'

In 2019, BAS scientists discovered a three-year 'catastrophic' decline in breeding within the once significant colony  which already posed a threat to its future.

Now, said Mr Fretwell, 'with the ice sheet broken off, the chicks are exposed to the ocean meaning they're in a tenuous position. Sea ice breaking up early is happening more and more each year but for now this is an ongoing story.'

Having endured many close-calls and near fatalities, the surviving emperor penguin chicks now need to cling on to the remaining sea ice until December when they will be strong enough to swim away.
Lloyds has embarked on a controversial revamp of the banks famous black horse logo by turning the steeds head around.

The much-loved horse is one of the worlds most recognisable corporate brands  dating back to at least 1677  and has been used in Lloyds advertisements since 1979.

Britains biggest bank first looked at taking what one former insider called the monumental decision to make the horses head face forward in 2011. But the idea was quickly dismissed for lots of very sensible reasons, including cost, said Matt Young, head of corporate affairs at the time.

Now Lloyds, under chief executive Charlie Nunn, has quietly resurrected the idea, in the belief that the new emblem will appeal to younger customers. The redesign has a more contemporary take, an insider said.

But critics fear the change sends the wrong message, as well as being a waste of money.

Lloyds has embarked on a controversial revamp of its iconic horse logo. Pictured: The new logo, with the black horse facing forward

A forward-facing horse is wild and unconstrained, which maybe isnt what many people are looking for in a trusted financial institution, Mr Young wrote on the jobs site LinkedIn.

'The original horse is in a regardant position, a heraldic term for the animal looking back over its shoulder.

That position is akin to a horse being vigilant, Mr Young said. A quality you might want in a bank.

This is not the first time Lloyds has been embroiled in a row about updating its image.

The bank, whose brands include the Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), was accused of a nanny state approach after The Mail on Sunday revealed its long list of terms for its 57,000 workers to avoid in case they caused offence.

Among them was widow  even though its Scottish Widows subsidiary is one of the worlds most recognised brands  because the word might trigger trauma.

The old Lloyds Bank logo, which shows the horse looking back over its shoulder, which some have said represents vigilance

Lloyds also said that use of the term guinea pig might upset vegans because it was associated with experimentation on non-human animals.

Lloyds declined to reveal the cost of the rebrand, which is starting on its app, and will spread to new credit and debit cards. Signage on the dwindling network of branches will change gradually.

A spokesman said: Our iconic black horse remains at the heart of the brand, which, after customer feedback, we first refreshed in April with a more contemporary style that also works better for our recently relaunched digital app.

But Mark Brown of the BTU trade union, representing the banks employees, said: This is another example of Lloyds trying to be trendy.

It would be better off spending the money on higher pay for staff.
Pope Francis has been slammed over his stance on women's role in society, after he claimed it is 'bad when the woman wants to be the man'.

Students at a Belgium catholic university, where the 87-year-old made a speech yesterday afternoon, distributed a statement afterwards in which they expressed their 'incomprehension and disapproval' at his views.

'UCLouvain  deplores the conservative positions expressed by Pope Francis on the role of women in society,' said the statement.

He had been at the educational institute, which has around 38,000 students studying across 20 faculties, to celebrate its upcoming 600th anniversary.

His speech largely called for global action on climate change, but he also responded to a letter to him from students and professors that had asked about the Catholic Church's teaching on women.

Pope Francis has been slammed over his stance on women's role in society, after he claimed it is 'bad when the woman wants to be the man'

Students at a Belgium catholic university, where the 87-year-old made a speech yesterday afternoon, distributed a statement afterwards in which they expressed their 'incomprehension and disapproval' at his views

He had been at the educational institute, which has around 38,000 students studying across 20 faculties, to celebrate its upcoming 600th anniversary

'UCLouvain  deplores the conservative positions expressed by Pope Francis on the role of women in society,' said the statement

The Pope said: 'We must remember that women are at the very heart of salvation history. It is thanks to the 'yes' of Mary that God himself came into the world.

'The woman is a fertile welcome, care, vital dedication. That is why the woman is more important than the man. But it is bad when the woman wants to be the man.

'No, it is the woman. And this is heavy, it is important. Let us open our eyes to the many daily examples of love, friendship, work, study, social and ecclesial responsibility, from marriage to motherhood, to virginity for the Kingdom of God and for service.'

In response the catholic university of Louvain rector said: 'We cannot agree on this position for sure. We are fighting against discrimination for women, and we would like women to have another role in the society and in the church also.

'We are happy that he agrees on other points of our brief, but, regarding the place of the woman in the society, we cannot agree with his position.'

'It's very conservative, and it's not the way we want to do in Louvain. We want to be open that everybody can develop in our university; women, men, whatever their sexuality or their sexual orientation.

'It's really not our position. So we we are we are not agreeing with him on this point.'

Pope Francis greets the public as he meets with students and members of the Catholic University of Louvain within the his 3-day visit in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Pope Francis attends a private meeting with Jesuit brothers during a visit at the Collage Saint-Michel, a Jesuit school on September 28, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium

In response the catholic university of Louvain's rector said: 'We cannot agree on this position for sure. We are fighting against discrimination for women, and we would like women to have another role in the society and in the church also'

Pope Francis kisses a child during the Hope Happening youth festival at the Brussels Expo, Belgium yesterday

The Catholic Church has an all-male clergy and although Pope Francis created two commissions to consider whether women could serve as deacons, but this issue has still not yet moved forward.

However, during his 11 years as pontiff, Francis has also changed the Vatican's primary governing document to allow women to lead departments, and has also allowed women to vote at major global meetings of bishops, known as synods, for the first time.

Victoria Coppin, a 21-year-old civil engineering student said: 'I am quite disappointed and deeply shocked by the statements of the Pope on the place of women.

'We can see that he is separating the roles of women and men in society by reducing women to their roles of motherhood, being wives and 'fertile welcome.'

'For me, that's extremely problematic right now, especially when we here that just a couple of hours ago, he deemed the position on abortions as a deadly position.

'When we hear him talk about dignity, the dignity that is in the flesh, in his speech, for me, this (comments on women) is a direct attack on the dignity of women to have this discourse on abortions because their bodies are directly being seen as instruments, and that's quite shocking to me.'
US detectives investigating Sean 'Diddy' Combs' have arrived in London following concerns the embattled rapper may have abused women in the UK.

The musician, 54, real name Sean Love Combs, is currently awaiting trial at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.

He has pleaded not guilty to all three charges and was denied bail.

It is alleged that the rapper would coerce and manipulate victims into taking part in days-long sexual performances, which he dubbed 'freak offs'.

Diddy's associates would allegedly ply victims with drugs to keep them compliant and would make threats against anyone refusing to engage, in claims similar to those made in a civil lawsuit brought by Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie last year.

US detectives investigating Sean ' Diddy ' Combs' have arrived in London following concerns the embattled rapper may have abused women in the UK

The rapper was in Britain in 2008 and 2010 to film and promote Get Him to the Greek, in which he appeared in a supporting role alongside Russell Brand. Pictured: Combs with the British comedian in 2009

In 2007 Combs performed at the Concert for Diana at Wembley, where he was pictured with William and Harry backstage. It's not thought William or Harry attended any of the parties allegedly staged by Combs which are being investigated

Combs has been a regular visitor to Britain over the last 30 years, prompting fears there may be victims of the hip hop star's alleged activities in the UK.

The successful billionaire rapper has rubbed shoulders with British celebrities, royalties and socialites over the decades.

He was a guest at Sir Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball held at his Windsor mansion in 2001, while in 2007 he performed at the Concert for Diana at Wembley, where he was pictured with William and Harry backstage.

It's not thought William or Harry have attended any of the parties allegedly staged by Combs which are now being investigated by the authorities.

The rapper was again in Britain in 2008 and 2010 to film and promote Get Him to the Greek, in which he appeared in a supporting role alongside Russell Brand and Jonah Hill.

Combs returned to London in June 2010 to launch his fashion brand Sean John and again in May 2017 with former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who would later launch a civil lawsuit against him over sexual and physical abuse claims.

The rapper made additional trips to the British shores over this time.

A source told The Mirror: 'Outside of the States, he enjoyed no place more than the UK.

'Given the huge amount of time he spent in London, there are concerns that the alleged offending was not confined to America's shores.

'Prosecutors are imploring anyone in the UK who may have information they feel could help the investigation to get in touch.'

The team of American detectives are led by Damian Williams, the prosecutor who built a successful case against Ghislaine Maxwell for her part in procuring girls for paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

On Friday, Combs' attorney Marc Agnifilo revealed the rapper has no plans to take a plea bargain.

Combs insists that he is innocent and plans to fight in the trial until the end, Agnifilo told TMZ for the outlet's new documentary on the case.

The musician, 54, real name Sean Love Combs, is currently awaiting trial at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution

His attorney also shared that Combs strongly believes that this is a 'racially motivated prosecution' and that he is being targeted because he is a 'successful Black man.'

This comes after his attorney previously told the outlet that Combs 'can't wait' to testify in court.

Agnifilo, a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney, told the outlet that Combs plans to 'fight this case not just for himself, but for others in a similar position,' who are also facing government persecution.

His attorney also said that Combs has his family on his mind and wants to prove to them that he is 'the same man they've always known.'

Agnifolo previously said that the Bad Boy Records founder is 'eager' to testify.

'I don't know that I could keep him off the stand,' he said. 'I think he is very eager to tell his story. And I think he will tell every part of his story.'

He shared that Combs also wants to tell his side of the story in regards to the 2016 hotel security footage of him attacking his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

'He has his story and he has a story that I think only he can tell in the way he can tell it in real-time,' Agnifilo told the outlet. 'And it's a human story. It's a story of love. It's a story of hurt. It's a story of heartbreak.'

His comments came after Agnifilo explained the alleged reason behind the '1,000 bottles' of baby oil and lubricant authorities found in Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles.

'I don't think it was 1,000. I think it was a lot. I mean, there is a Costco right down the street. I think Americans buy in bulk, as we know,' he told the New York Post.

Costco slammed the allegations in a statement to TMZ, saying they do not carry baby oil in any of their U.S. retail locations.
A progressive journalist has been mocked online after making a public post criticizing a flight attendant who wished her and other passengers a 'blessed night'.

Mother Jones Editor-in-Chief, Clara Jeffery, posted to X that she found the Alaska Air flight attendant's language akin to 'creeping Christian nationalism' after landing in San Francisco.

Jeffrey wrote that replacement words such as 'great' or 'fantastic' would have worked just as well, adding that someone sat in her row said:' This ain't Montgomery, sweetie.' That was an apparent reference to the Alabama city frequently associated with anti-black racism.

But her post triggered many to hit back and stand up for what they described as 'kindness'.

The Mother Jones Editor-in-Chief, Clara Jeffery, received backlash after a post on X about a flight attendant telling her to have a 'blessed day'

The post drew attention from all users, liberal or Republican, who called her complaint 'petty' and 'miserable', while some took the opportunity dig up old posts where she herself had used the word 'blessed.'

Washington Post columnist Marc Thiessen wrote: 'How sad and impoverished is your life that you're offended by someone blessing you? Get a grip.'

One user, J Valentine, responded saying: 'Editor of Mother Jones providing another great example of why normies hate progressives.

'Being 'progressive' is often just an excuse for being an insufferable jerk.'

'Respectfully, I'm a pretty left leaning guy and I wish folks a blessed day fairly often. It's just a nice thing to say,' wrote Armand Domalewski.

Jeffery criticized the Alaska Air flight attendant's language and likened it to 'creeping Christian nationalism'

Jeffery responded saying: 'Eh. It's a matter of respect for the audience before you.

'Respecting their space and norms and wishes. Dominant cultures always feel they have a right to enforce their norms and intents. And... way off @AlaskaAir's brand.'

Domalewski further rebutted her point saying: 'As a practicing Catholic, I don't feel like being publicly Christian is really the dominant culture here in SF lol.'

Jeffrey didn't respond.

Canadian conservative activist Billboard Chris went as far as to link old posts where Jeffrey used phrases such as 'God Bless' and other similar language.

American political consultant, Frank Luntz, chimed in to ask if she would get alarmed when people say 'bless you' when she sneezes.

One user turned the tables and wished Jeffery ' a most hellish, torturous evening'.

'It's not offensive. It's not a demand for religious conversion,' the Washington Examiner's Kimberly Ross said.

'The issue here is you processed it as a problem that requires a public complaint while tagging the airline. Time to grow up.'
Some pregnant women could be banned from having an abortion in South Australia under a controversial proposal by an Opposition MP.

When the Liberal Party was last in power, from 2018-2022, it decriminalised abortion and legalised late-term terminations after assessment by two medical professionals.

But upper house Liberal member Ben Hood has reopened the divisive debate with a private member's bill on the issue.

Mr Hood, who was elected in the March 2022 election after the existing legislation was passed, said his proposed changes 'offers an alternative approach' to how late-term abortions are handled.

The conservative MP's amendments would mean women who want to have an abortion from 27 weeks and six days will instead deliver the baby alive rather than it being stillborn.

'What we are doing is trying to balance the rights of the woman to be able to choose the termination of pregnancy, but also the rights of the child,' Mr Hood told the ABC.

The Liberals' recently installed Vincent Tarzia said Mr Hood's proposed changes were not party policy, but another of his colleagues has slammed the plan.

Michelle Lensink, who also sits in the SA upper chamber, said it was 'one of the worst pieces of legislation that I've seen drafted'.

Some pregnant women could be banned from having an abortion in South Australia under a controversial proposal by an Opposition MP (stock image)

Ms Lensink, who is from the moderate wing of the party, was a minister in the previous Liberal government that introduced the abortion changes to parliament.

But the conservative wing of the party is resurgent in South Australia, as seen by Mr Tarzia taking over as leader after the more centrist David Speirs resigned, declaring that he'd 'had a gutful' of internal party machinations.

Though the right does not have overall control of the party in the state, it had enough influence to ensure that Mr Tarzia replaced Mr Speirs.

Liberal conservatives were unhappy with how the abortion legislation changes were handled under the previous administration led by Steven Marshall.

The timing of Mr Hood's bill, so soon after the Liberals changed to a conservative leader, has been questioned, though he reportedly had been working on it for some time.

'He's engaging in the sort of internal party politics designed presumably for pre-selections (for the 2026 election) that are going on right now, rather than genuine reform,' Labor's Deputy Premier Susan Close said.

But Mr Hood said her claim was 'quite offensive' to him and was 'something that I've been passionate about for a number of years, even prior to getting into politics'.

Earlier this month, video and photos emerged that appeared to show Mr Speirs snorting white powder from a plate.

Despite the footage being from inside his home and the pictured person bearing a strong resemblance to Mr Speirs, he said it is not him, and suggested the footage could be a 'deep fake'.

The conservative MP's amendments would mean women who want to have an abortion from 27 weeks and six days will instead deliver the baby alive rather than it being stillborn (stock image)

The video's metadata revealed it was taken at 4.12am on June 30 when Mr Speirs was still the Liberal leader.

A second still image timestamped two hours later showed the same man at the kitchen bench with seven lines of white powder on the plate and a plastic bank card on show.

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Mr Speirs has done anything illegal.

Mr Hood has been contacted for comment.
Never mind nuclear Armageddon  West End audiences are being warned a new production of Dr Strangelove includes cigarette smoking and bad language.

Critics attacked the warnings, saying smoking and swearing alerts were ridiculous given the play is about nuclear doomsday.

The new production, which stars Steve Coogan, is the first official adaptation of Stanley Kubricks acclaimed anti-war film, Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.

In the 1964 satire, a deranged US Air Force general orders a nuclear assault on the Soviet Union, and the film ends with a bomb heading towards Russia.

Audience members for the new production  which opens next month at the Noel Coward Theatre in London  are warned: The performance contains some flashing lights and gunshots, use of replica guns, haze, bad language and smoking onstage. In contrast, the apocalyptic premise of the play does not appear worthy of a trigger warning.

West End audiences are being warned that a new production of Dr Strangelove contains cigarette smoking and bad language. Pictured: Steve Coogan

Critics last night accused producers of infantilising audiences.

Steve Bennett, editor of the Chortle website, said: Given the plays about the build-up to nuclear Armageddon, Id absolutely hope there would be some bad language.

John Sutherland, author of Triggered Literature, added: Given the play will climax with fictional doomsday, it might be worth recommending a gasper or two to the audience.

The play opens next month at the Noel Coward Theatre in London. Critics said the warnings 'infantilised' audiences

And Frank Furedi, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent, said: This warning is performance within a performance. It is an infantilised performance of virtue that aims to

protect sensitive souls from being ambushed by the sight of smoking and bad language.

A spokesman for Delfont Mackintosh, which owns the Noel Coward Theatre, said the warning was a matter for producers and declined to comment further. The producers were unavailable for comment.
Antoinette Lattouf has taken a swipe at the ABC after the broadcaster called for Aussies to come forward if their boss had controlled their political expression.

The national broadcaster shared a message to its Instagram story on Saturday asking Australians to come forward confidentially with their experiences.

'Has your boss tried to control your political expression - either at work or out-of-hours,' the ABC wrote.

'We'd love to (confidentially) hear from you for a story we're working on'.

Lattouf shared a screenshot of the story with the caption: 'Ummm... **coughs nervously**'.

It comes after Lattouf was dumped by the broadcaster over her posts on the war in Gaza just three days into her week-long stint as a fill-in host on Radio Sydney's morning show.

The 40-year-old was axed on December 20 within minutes of her Wednesday show ending after she reposted a Human Rights Watch video about starvation being used as a tool of war in Gaza.

The former fill-in radio host launched legal action against the ABC at the Fair Work Commission claiming the decision was political, based on her stance on Palestine and her Lebanese heritage.

Antoinette Lattouf has taken a swipe at the ABC after the broadcaster called for Aussies to come forward if their boss had controlled their political expression

The national broadcaster shared a message to its Instagram story on Saturday asking Australians to come forward confidentially with their experiences

Lattouf's legal team has argued the ABC breached its disciplinary policies in its enterprise agreement by sacking the journalist.

The ABC claimed she breached the organisation's social media policy around impartiality and she was not actually sacked because she was paid for the full week.

The Fair Work Commission ruled in June that Lattouf was indeed sacked by the national broadcaster, with the matter to be taken up in the federal court next year.

The ABC has since rejected Lattouf's settlement request, which includes a public apology, reinstatement as a fill-in radio presenter and $85,000.

The national broadcaster has defended itself against the unfair dismissal claim and is understood to have put forward an undisclosed counter-offer.

In August, the ABC's national union house committee said staff at the broadcaster were disappointed management had rejected Lattouf's settlement offer.

The union members claimed the offer was 'modest' and called on chair Kim Williams and the board to step in if ABC management continue with the case.

'Arguing Ms Lattouf was not sacked, and then rejecting a modest early settlement offer does not look to us like model litigant behaviour,' the house committee told The Age.

The Fair Work Commission ruled in June that Lattouf was indeed sacked by the national broadcaster, with the matter to be taken up in the federal court next year (pictured, Lattouf with lawyers in January)

The committee argued continuing the defence would run the 'risk of compounding costs, which will reduce operational and staff budgets'.

Members urged the ABC to settle with the former radio fill-in 'rather than continuing to rack up these costs and fight a staff member who did nothing wrong', prior to the February 27 Federal Court hearing.

The ABC's house committee also slammed management for not revealing its legal fees and for hiring big-shot US law firm Seyfarth Shaw to handle the dispute.

The ABC's total legal expenses in the case against Lattouf are still unknown, despite managing director David Anderson taking questions on notice in May during Senate estimates.

It is understood the government is processing the question on notice in relation to ABC's legal expenditures to date and will provide a response when available.
Many states and territories will put their clocks forward by one hour on Sunday morning. Here's a rundown of everything you need to know.

Do I put clocks forward an hour or back?

Clocks will go forward an hour in NSW, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania and South Australia at 2am on Sunday, October 6 - the first Sunday in October.

Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not have daylight savings time.

The warmer weather and longer days will soon usher in another spring staple when many states and territories put their clocks forward by one hour

Daylight saving is set to finish at 3am on Sunday April 6, 2025, when when we turn clocks backwards by one hour.

Who invented daylight saving - and why?

It was a New Zealand man, George Hudson, who came up with the idea in 1895 - but for just a two hour time difference, Radio New Zealand reported.

A bug collector, Mr Hudson wanted to collect insects after work and needed more daylight hours to do it.

After presenting his idea to the Wellington Philosophy Society he eventually garnered support from MP Sir Thomas Kay Sidey.

But it wasn't until 1927, when Mr Hudson was 60 that his country passed a law allowing clocks to be moved forward an hour from the first Sunday in November until the first Sunday in March.

Elsewhere, similar ideas were also being discussed by other people.

British builder William Willett self-published a pamphlet in 1907 which called for people to move time time forward in summer so there was more time for outdoor activities - as well as lower lighting costs, the BBC reported.

Why don't some Australian states have daylight saving?

Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not have daylight saving.

But has become a hotly debated issue in Queensland and Western Australia over the years.

Tasmania was the first Australian state to start moving clocks forward in 1916, 7 News reported.

Throughout the 1900s different states and territories trialled daylight saving, reintroduced it and removed it.

The current four states and one territory have participated in the annual time change since at least 1971, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

And for Australians who don't like the extra hour of sunshine, it is set to finish at 3am on Sunday April 6 2025, when when we turn clocks backwards by one hour

Even in the parts that do participate each year, daylight saving it still questioned.

Aussies against it have multiple reasons to abolish it, including it clashes with Year 12 exams, it results in lack of sleep and that farmers have to get up in the dark during daylight saving.

North Queensland MP Robbie Katter commented in 2019 daylight saving time would be 'an enormous burden on the liveability and practicality' for residents in his region - as it could mean them working an extra hour in temperatures over 40C.

In 1992, Queensland completed a referendum after a three-day trial and the result was 54.5 per cent of residents against its permanent introduction.

Western Australia has had four referendums and its last one in 2009 also returned a negative result - with 54.6 per cent of people against putting their clocks forward.

What are the health and sleep impacts of daylight savings time?

Australasian Chronobiology Society president Professor Sean Cain studies how circadian rhythms are affected by changes like the annual time-change and believes it is not beneficial for peoples' health.

'We evolved over millions of years to get used to very bright days and very dark nights,' he said.

'So, our bodies are expecting these bright days and dark nights  its how we function best.'

Professor Cain is against daylight saving as it has a negative impact on people - which can make Aussies feel like they are jetlagged.

The professor said the worst part of daylight saving is when the times are switched over because it happens in one day and people are expected to adjust straight away.

'It is quite disruptive and it leads to more accidents, trips to the emergency room for heart attacks, things like that,' he said.

Research shows people who live where there is no daylight saving each year live longer, experience less illness and are more productive.
Tech and car companies are ditching touch screens and bringing back physical buttons to their products.

Despite a surge of touch screens being incorporated into devices for years, some of the world's biggest tech companies are going back to basics.

Many that converted to the touch screen may have had their transformation perceived as their assimilation into modern technology.

Experts, however, have hinted the embrace of touch screens was more cost related than any other factor.

Companies such as BMW and Volkswagen are taking to implementing buttons instead of having touch screens that divert the driver's attention

Tesla are one of the main manufacturers that continue to have full controls through the touchscreen interface, which experts have said are a 'major distraction'

Chief executive for Copper, Sam Calisch, sad: 'Now that touch screens are the cheapest option, they're being deployed everywhere, even in places they don't belong,' reported the Wall Street Journal.

The touch screen, while holding many versatile uses, does often find itself in places where it can easily malfunction such as induction stoves with touch-based controls.

The design change to touch screens, also brought on the 'sleek' designs we see with high-tech items such as with Apple.

Apple is well known for their sleek design; the iPhone has multiple buttons that are almost as flat as the phone's side

Touchscreen stovetops saw users found the process difficult after the touch buttons malfunctioned, often from pots that boiled over

This also brought on its own issues even when buttons were present on a device, they were often as flat and unobtrusive as possible. Meaning while they were again cheaper to produce, these buttons often didn't recognize well-enough that it was being pressed or became easily stuck.

This switch, however, wasn't driven only from malfunction errors but also safety concerns. Touch screens in cars, while versatile, require much more attention than buttons and knobs.

Cars such as Tesla's adopted a complete touch screen experience, with all controls functioning through the screen interface.

An abundance of customer complaints, according to the WSJ, has driven companies to reconsider their designs.

The European New Car Assessment Program even declared, for a vehicle to be rated at the highest five-star level of safety, it must be equipped with buttons.

Their director of strategic development, Matthew Avery, told The Verge: 'The overuse of touchscreens is an industry-wide problem, with almost every vehicle-maker moving key controls onto central touchscreens, obliging drivers to take their eyes off the road and raising the risk of distraction crashes.'

Companies like Volkswagen have said they are bringing back physical controls to features such as climate control following customer complaints.

In 2022 a New York Times opinion piece by Jay Capsian Kang, Touch Screens in Cars Solve a Problem We Didn't Have, said: 'I can think of no better way of describing the frustration of the modern consumer than buying a car with a feature that makes you less safe, doesn't improve your driving experience in any meaningful way, saves the manufacturer money and gets sold to you as some necessary advance in connectivity.'

BMW are also working with physical controls for their MINI's, with a goal of complete control without the driver having to take their eyes off the road.

Their head of product and marketing at MINI USA, Patrick McKenna, has said these features include a scroll wheel on the steering wheel and access to controls through a voice assistant.

The new 'action' button and camera controls are Apple moving away from 'do-it-all' touch screens. Their new controls are intended to improve user experience with controls on the side of the phone

Apple switched their touch bar back to functional keys on MacBook Pro's in 2021

Among these companies switching back to old-fashioned features is Apple, who in their latest iPhone 16 release declared a new 'action' button as well as a touch bar for camera controls.

Apple also gave their MacBook Pro's back old physical function keys in 2021, after upgrading to a touch bar, reported the WSJ.

The company said the physical keys 'brought back the familiar, tactical feel of mechanical keys that pro users love.'
The families of the victims killed in the Nottingham knife rampage have called the BBC's Panorama show focusing on the tragic event 'shameful' and said made their trauma 'a million times worse'.

Valdo Calocane, a 32-year-old paranoid schizophrenic, went on a rampage in the city in June last year killing 19-year-old student's Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber before fatally stabbing Ian Coates, 65. He then stole Ian's van and crashed it into three people causing them serious injuries.

The families of the victims were further traumatised when they learnt that police did not detain Calocane after he attacked a police officer a year before. They were devastated to find out prosecutors dropped murder charges and Calocane instead admitted manslaughter and received a hospital order because of his mental condition.

Calocane was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020 and was sectioned four times in under two years. He was told in court that he would 'very probably' be detained for life after five psychiatrists said mental illness caused him to stab his victims.

The BBC's Panorama show, The Nottingham Attacks: A Search for Answers, aired on August 12 and relatives of Grace, Barnaby and Ian have since made formal complaints. They claim they were refused a preview screening and that it contains inaccuracies and was too sympathetic towards the killers family.

Calocane, 32, admitted three charges of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility at Nottingham Crown Court

The 19-year-old university students were killed while walking home from a night out in the city

Calocane went on to kill school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, later that same morning

The family of Barnaby Webber, second left, with his father David Webber, left, mother Emma and brother Charlie

Victim Grace O'Malley-Kumar, left, pictured with father Dr Sanjoy Kumar, who has criticised 'gaps' in Valdo Calocane's treatment, alongside Grace's mother Sinead and brother James

Barnaby's mum Emma, who spoke on behalf of all three families, told The Mirror: 'We believe what the produced is a very imbalanced documentary  it's shameful, cold, ill-judged, arrogant and thoughtless.'

She said watching the BBC's treatment of the case had made their trauma even worse. The BBC only informed them about the show after they had already filmed it and a fortnight before it was due to be broadcast. Emma also claims that none of the victims families were considered or consulted at any point to be told the show was being made.

She said the BBC told them 'people would be talking on camera for the first time' but refused their requests for more information on the programme. They only found out the killers family were being interviewed on camera when they watched the show.

Emma said that none of the families had seen or heard the voices of Calocane's family and that 'to even know their names is trauma'. Seeing pictures of the killer as a child 'made it a million times worse' for them.

The families are also concerned over claims from Calocane's family that they did not know of his mental health issues until after the stabbings and are demanding to know why BBC Panorama editors chose not to mention the fact that his mother was an NHS nurse.

Emma said: 'There were a wide number of inaccuracies and clearly curated editing to make it an attack on the NHS failures and a sympathetic piece towards the family. Emma said.

'We utterly dispute that the family did not know of his diagnosis until after the attacks. We have seen evidence that they knew years ago.'

Emma said watching the BBC's treatment of the case had made their trauma even worse (file image)

Calocane's mother and brother (pictured) are calling for urgent reform of mental health services in the UK and want a public inquiry. They spoke to BBC Panorama

Dr Sinead O'Malley and Dr Sanjoy Kumar, parents of Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Ian Coates's son James Coates and Emma and David Webber, parents of Barnaby Webber, are pictured speaking to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice

The families tried to reach out to the show's editors to express their concerns but say the responses they got were 'cold' and 'dismissive', forcing them to lodge a formal complaint which has been escalated to the corporation's highest 'stage two' level and they are now awaiting a response.

The BBC may have to issue an apology, publish a correction or simply provide 'a considered reply'. If the families are unhappy with how the BBC react to their complaint then they will have to escalate it to TV regulator Ofcom.

The families lawyer, Neil Hudgell, said the families were told about the show as a 'fait accompli' - a thing that has already happened or been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept it.

He added that the families could have pointed out 'obvious factual errors' if they had been involved but were not given the opportunity.

Mr Hudgell said that the families believe they were excluded from the production process so that 'the programme could promote the narrative that the Calocane family were victims too'.

The lawyer said they have 'no interest in compensation' and are more concerned with 'proper accountability based on fair, proper and accurate reporting' and 'setting the record straight'.

Emma said the families have 'nothing to hide, embellish or defend' but instead 'insist on getting answers and uncovering the truth'.

A spokesperson for the BBC told MailOnline: 'We have the deepest sympathy for the families, and the Panorama team has been extremely mindful of the sensitivities in handling this programme. Ahead of broadcast of the programme the team were in touch with the bereaved families to give them an outline of the editorial focus of the programme and the families were informed it would include interviews with the Calocane family.

'This investigation was very much in the public interest, with important revelations about failings and unheeded warnings in the mental health care and treatment of Valdo Calocane over a period of several years leading up to the tragic events in Nottingham.

'The documentary has been produced in accordance with the BBC's editorial guidelines.'
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

A well-known Pittsburgh sandwich store is now facing calls for a boycott after it turned vice presidential candidate Senator JD Vance away from its doors.

On Saturday afternoon, Senator Vance tried to make a campaign stop at Primanti Bros in North Versailles, but he was rebuffed by staff who said they had not been given advanced notice.

Store bosses did so even as multiple paying customers inside the store asked for Vance to be allowed inside so they could chat with him.

A restaurant worker informed the press that cameras were not allowed inside and that they did not want a 'campaign event.'

After being denied entry, Vance reportedly ended up speaking with people in the parking lot outside.

On Saturday afternoon, Senator Vance tried to make a campaign stop at the beloved sandwich shop in North Versailles, but he was rebuffed by staff who said they had not been given advanced notice

Primanti Bros, a historic Pittsburgh restaurant, is now facing calls for a boycott after it turned away vice presidential candidate Senator JD Vance away from its doors

But the Vance supporters who filled Primanti Bros were furious with the way the restaurant had treated the vice presidential candidate.

Footage taken inside the 90-year-old business showed many of Vance's supporters apparently calling for a boycott.

In one video, a woman said that a manager had told the senator and his team that they would 'call the police if [Vance] comes out [of his car].'

'The kitchen crew's running out because everyone's cancelling their orders,' she said.

The video showed frustrated supporters standing with their arms crossed.

'We're just paying for what we drink and then everyone's leaving,' the woman said.

'Unfortunately, Vance cannot come out of his car, cannot shake our hands because Primanti Brothers does not want him in here.'

Vance supporters can then be seen swarming the restaurant's doors, eager to leave.

Happening now: Primanti brothers in North Versailles PA just threatened to call the police on JD Vance if he got out of the car to spend time with about 50 people who came out to see him. The video is from a friend of mine who was there.



Not only did he spend time in the pic.twitter.com/1HkK9Co6r2  Karen Taylor (@NOTURTYPCLKAREN) September 28, 2024

Another Vance supporter filmed herself leaving the sandwich shop because of the way it treated the vice presidential candidate

Another Vance supporter filmed herself leaving the sandwich shop because of the way it treated the vice presidential candidate.

'So we are here at Primanti Brothers...to see JD Vance and Promantis hates money,' she yelled.

The irate Vance supporter then said that the restaurant lost about 'two grand worth of money because they said if Vance gets out of the vehicle that he's in...then they will call the police.'

In a statement posted on social media, Primanti Bros said that the situation was later resolved.

'Without any advance notice, today's campaign stop caused some momentary confusion for our staff,' they wrote.

'However, Senator Vance and his team were welcomed into our restaurant shortly after and engaged with our guests inside and on the property.'

Before Vance left, he addressed his supporters in the parking lot and made it clear he bore no ill will toward the sandwich shop.

In a statement posted on social media, Primanti Bros said that the situation was later resolved

'The manager just freaked out a little bit because there were a lot of people, and she didn't want to make her restaurant part of a campaign stop,' Vance said.

'We went in there. We paid for everybody's food. We gave them a nice tip,' he said, before adding: 'And of course when I gave them a nice tip I said "no taxes on top."'

Vance then tried to pacify his outraged supporters.

'It's alright. Don't hold it against her. She just got a little nervous.

'But it's a great local business. Keep on supporting it. And most importantly, on November 5th go vote. Let's go win this thing.'
A four year-old boy was seen on police bodycam footage with black eyes and bones protruding from his tiny body weeks before he died of starvation.

Benjamin Cevera looked hungry and frightened in a July 2021 clip shown to jurors at his father Brandon Cevera's child abuse trial in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday.

The little boy - known as Benji - died less than a month later, weighing just 28 pounds. He is said to have been forced to drink hand sanitizer by his family and eat breadcrumbs off the floor of his family's bathroom without using his hands.

In the footage, shared by KSAT, Benji's dad and stepmom Miranda Casarez, 25, can be seen claiming to cops making a welfare call that the youngster self-harmed and caused the visible injuries.

Benjamin Cevera was seen looking hungry and frightened in a July 2021 clip shown to jurors

His father Brandon Cevera, is seen in police bodycam footage standing next to his child in 2021

'He pokes his eyes and he pokes his ear,' Brandon Cevera is filmed telling police.

Casarez, who was sentenced to 25 years prison earlier this year for abusing Benji, also piped up.

'He has behavioral issues,' she began. 'He gets up at night and he goes into the kitchen and eats.'

A gauze is also seen stuck to one of Benji's ears. Harrowingly, the little boy is filmed repeatedly asking his father for food, only to be refused.

Benji was the only member of his family who did not have a bed. He was made to sleep on a mattress with a urine-soaked blanket.

The youngster was locked in his room, with the house's refrigerator and kitchen cabinets also padlocked to stop him getting food, the San Antonio-Express News reported.

Footage shown to the court then showed Benjamin being interviewed on his own by two San Antonio Police officers.

Benji was the only member of his family who did not have a bed. He was made to sleep on a mattress with a urine-soaked blanket

Brandon Cevera denies causing injury to a child and faces life in prison if convicted

Ex-wife Miranda Casarez has already been sentenced to 25 years behind bars

Shown his black eyes in the mirror and asked what happened to him, Benji says: 'I poked them.'

Heartbreakingly, the trusting youngster was also filmed smiling at the two police officers dispatched to check on him.

Officer Omar Perez, one of the two cops who made the welfare call, told the court that Benji 'had visible injuries.'

Perez added: 'He had bruises on his eyes and torso and he was skinny ... able to see his bones.'

EMS called to the scene checked Benji's vitals and said they were normal.

Perez told the court he was told to call child protective services and fill out a report.

He said he'd been told that would lead to an investigation of what was happening to Benji at a later date.

But 25 days later Benji was dead, two months shy of his fifth birthday. Cops and social services face questions over why Benji was left to die.

Brandon Cevera denies causing injury to a child and faces life in prison if convicted.

In early 2022, San Antonio cops obtained cellphone footage said to show Benji saying 'I want food' to his dad and begging for food and water.

The trial is set to resume on Monday.
Saturday Night Live kicked off its 50th season with a series of dry gags, only gently poking fun at both Kamala Harris' and Donald Trump's 2024 election campaigns.

The famously Democratic-leaning show has long been soft on the Biden Administration, and true to form saved its strongest punches for Donald Trump.

The skit hardly had to do any heavy lifting of its own as it reenacted the former president's recent comments about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs.

The beginning of the broadcast saw Andrew Dismukes as news anchor David Muir cracking a joke about the ABC News debate being 'biased toward the Democrats, which  duh.'

SNL alumni Maya Rudolph rejoined the cast as Kamala Harris, bringing back her 'fun aunt' aka the 'Funt' persona as the Democratic presidential candidate.

SNL alumni Maya Rudolph rejoined the cast as Kamala Harris bringing back her 'fun aunt' aka the 'Funt' persona as the Democratic presidential candidate

But the biggest jabs were reserved to James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump who at a rally claimed he noticed people were heading for the exits

'The Funt has been rebooted,' Rudolph's Harris said. '2 Funt, 2 Furious.'

Harris said she was campaigning in 'WisconsinaPennsylvaGeorgia' - referring to the crucial swing states necessary for a Democratic victory.

'I am so happy to be campaigning in whatever swing state I'm in, which I will just refer to as Wisconsin-Pennsylv-Georgia because I am going to protect your Va-Georgia', referring to Harris' promise to protect women's rights to an abortion.

'You see, my campaign is like the Sabrina Carpenter song 'Espresso,' Rudolph's Harris joked. 'The lyrics are vague but the vibe slaps.'

She added: 'Now this election is about moving forward. You see, Donald Trump is stuck in the past, but it's like I say to my husband Doug when he leaves his phone at the Chili's, "We are not going back."'

Jim Gaffigan was introduced next as Minnsota Governor Tim Walz with Gaffigan quipping: 'In Minnesota we have a saying: "Mind your damn business."

'We also have another saying in Minnesota: "My nuts froze to the park bench.'''

Jim Gaffigan was introduced next as Minnsota Governor Tim Walz

The broadcast saw Andrew Dismukes as news anchor David Muir cracking a joke about the ABC News debate being 'biased toward the Democrats , which  duh.'

Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, was portrayed by Andy Samberg who decreed himself to be the 'Second Gentlemensch'

Gaffigan's Walz boasted about his 'BDE big dad energy' before showing off his Costo branded suit.

'It's personal for me. I love this country. And as a former teacher, I need the money,' he cracked.

'I haven't been this excited since I got a 10 percent rebate on a leaf blower for Menards,' Gaffigan's Walz joked. 'Can I say, I got that B.D.E. Big Dad Energy. You see what I did there?

'I got it. I didn't want it, but I got it,' Rudolph's Harris said before bringing out her husband.

'Tim is not the only white dude for Harris here today,' she teased.

Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, was portrayed by Andy Samberg who decreed himself to be the 'Second Gentlemensch' as he made a joke about decorating the White House for Christmas: 'The theme is Hanukkah.'

'I've heard what the right says about me just because I'm unapologetic about being a man supporting his wife: "Oh, he's a beta, a wife guy, a trad husband, a little spoon."

'You know what, if helping Kamala  who we call Mamala in my family  become president means being a little spoon, then you can cut my little butt,' Samberg's Emhoff said.

But the biggest jabs were reserved to James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump who at a rally claimed he noticed people were heading for the exits.

'I see you trying to leave, but the doors are locked!' Johnson's Trump said before noting how he was sad that he is no longer running against Biden.

'What we wouldn't give to have him stand next to me and be old! We had this in the bag, but then they did a switcheroo and they swapped out Biden with "skubala",' he lamented.

'They say that me blaming the Democrats for inciting violence is the pot calling the kettle black, but frankly I didn't know the kettle was black until very recently. I thought the kettle was Indian. Then it decided to turn black,' he said, in another jibe about Harris' ethnicity.

Fellow cast member Bowen Yang appeared on stage as Trump's VP JD Vance with Trump staffers rolling away the bulletproof glass as he came up to the podium

The spoof broadcast then returned to the Harris rally with Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden, squinting and wandering aimlessly about the stage

Johnson's Trump then reiterated his claims about immigrants eating people's pets.

'They're doing freak-offs with the dogs, and they're making the geese watch They're doing a Diddy,' he said, referring to the rapper's recent arrest.

Fellow cast member Bowen Yang appeared on stage as Trump's VP JD Vance with Trump staffers rolling away the protective bulletproof glass as he came up.

'Just this afternoon, he [Trump] told me, J.D., you're like a son to me because I don't want you and I'm stuck with you. People are saying I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo, what the hell am I doing here? I'll tell you what I'm doing here, getting this crowd hot. You guys are awesome. I want to talk platform. It's called project 2025, and...'

The spoof broadcast then returned to the Harris rally with Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden, squinting and wandering aimlessly about the stage before getting confused as he jumbled his words and began to talk in circles.

Biden began getting confused as he jumbled his words and began to talk in circles

'A lot of people forget I'm president. Even me!' Carvey's Biden, right, said

'A lot of people forget I'm president. Even me!' Carvey's Biden said.

Rudolph's Harris thanked 'J Biden' for 'putting the country first and for handing over the reins.'

'I didn't want to! They made me,' Carvey said as Biden, seemingly blurting out the truth.

'I think I did a pretty good job. I passed more bills than any president in history. Folks, we still got work to do, no joke. I'm being serious right now. Come on. Guess what, and by the way. The fact of the matter is,' Carvey's Biden said as he became increasingly confused jumbling up his words.

Rudolph's Harris interrupted him: 'We can end the drama-la, and the trauma-la, and go relax in our pajama-las,' she said before Biden interrupted her once again as he got too close to her.
Former President Trump, 78, told supporters at a rally in Wisconsin that if he weren't running for office, he would be on a beach with his 'beautiful' body.

At rallies, Trump often discusses the appearance of his opponents, but this time he took the opportunity to speak highly of his own looks.

The strange comments arose when he was discussing the kind of life he could be leading if he weren't campaigning for president.

'I could have been sunbathing on the beach,' Trump said.

Former President Trump, 78, told supporters at a rally in Wisconsin that if he weren't running for office, he would be 'sunbathing on a beach' with his 'beautiful' body

'You have never seen a body so beautiful,' he continued.

Attendees laughed in response to his boast, while some people cheered and clapped.

Then Trump went on to say that his body was 'much better than Sleepy Joe's.'

This wasn't the first time Trump has compared his looks with his an opponent's.

In August, he claimed at a Pennsylvania rally that he was 'better looking' than Kamala Harris.

He began by musing on Harris's appearance on the cover of Time magazine, which he had previously compared to his wife Melania.

Then Trump went on to say that his body was 'much better than Sleepy Joe's'

Trump commented on the picture's resemblance to classic Hollywood icons Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor and then took issue with a Wall Street Journal columnist remarking earlier this month on Harris' beauty.

'I am much better looking than her,' Trump said, drawing laughs from the crowd. 'I'm a better looking person than Kamala.'

One MAGA supporter saw humor in Trump's comments, writing on social media: 'Comedians all over the world will be studying this man's brain for years. They work years to be funny and don't get anywhere close to him'.

However, many others attacked the president for the riff on his and Harris' looks, with one noting the previous comparison he made between Harris and Melania.

Donald Trump remarked on Kamala Harris ' Time Magazine cover, saying he thought the vice president resembled his wife and former First Lady Melania during his interview with Elon Musk

'Trump literally said the picture of Kamala on Time magazine was so beautiful that she reminded him of Melania. Now Trump's saying he's better looking than his wife?'

Trump had previously spoken about Harris's appearance on the magazine, which was an illustration, with Musk during their conversation on X spaces.

'She looked very much like our great first lady, Melania,' Trump told Musk.

'She didn't look like Kamala, but of course, she's a beautiful woman, so we'll leave it at that,' he said.

'Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way,' Trump said at his Wisconsin rally

At his rally on Saturday, he called Harris 'mentally impaired' as he complained about the situation on the border

In recent weeks, though, Trump's remarks about his opponent have grown more vitriolic.

At his rally on Saturday, he called Harris 'mentally impaired' as he complained about the situation on the border.

'Kamala is mentally impaired. If a Republican did what she did that Republican would be impeached and removed from office and rightfully so for high crimes and misdemeanors,' Trump said.

The former president alleged that Harris was at fault for the crimes committed by migrants who have entered the country illegally.

In recent weeks, though, Trump's remarks about his opponent have grown more vitriolic

'Think of it - 13,099 convicted murderers. They're all our country now. And I've been saying this for three years. She let in rapists, gang members, drug dealers, child predators and traffickers in women,' Trump fumed.

'Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way. She was born that way,' Trump insisted to his supporters.

'And if you think about it only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country.'
Daily commuting times will double from tomorrow, when a very busy Sydney train line closes for upgrades - and won't reopen for at least 12 months.

The conversion of the 130-year-old T3 Bankstown line to a metro will force thousands of commuters onto buses and lengthen their trips into the city's CBD.

A fleet of pink buses, known as the South West Link, will replace trains across south-west Sydney and the inner west for the duration of the upgrades.

The difficulty involved in the conversion could see the upgrade take even longer than its scheduled year, too.

Wearing pink as she spoke on Sunday, NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen acknowledged the closure will be tough for affected commuters.

'The line's closure marks the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one,' she said.

'This T3 transformation will see the line continue to serve our city throughout the century to come.'

Ms Haylen added: 'There's no sugar-coating it  this closure will be an incredibly tough time for these communities, and we've been upfront that it could take longer than a year.'

'Please allow plenty of extra travel time, check your trip planner apps, or transportnsw.info,' she said.

Daily commuting times will double from tomorrow, when a very busy Sydney train line closes for upgrades - and won't reopen for at least 12 months (stock image)

The final T3 service will run out of Circular Quay at 12.06am and be replaced by free bus services.

The carriages are expected to be packed with hundreds of train enthusiasts to mark the final journey.

The SW1 all stops service will cover Sydenham, Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Canterbury, Campsie, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl and Bankstown.

The SW2 limited stops service will cover Sydenham, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl and Bankstown.

And the SW3 limited stops service will cover Sydenham, Canterbury and Campsie.

Travel will take longer, especially in peak hour  doubling journey times in some cases, according to modelling.

When it's finished, the Metro service will be known as the M1 Northwest & Bankstown Line, connecting 30km between Bankstown and Tallawong.

Ms Haylen said 'The Bankstown line has been a stalwart of NSW railways  faithfully serving communities for over a century.

'Today we want to honour the past, as we look to our city's bright public transport future.

'We've seen this line move from steam trains, to electrification  now it's time for its latest upgrade to allow for modern metro trains.

But the conversion of the 130-year-old T3 Bankstown line to a metro involves difficult upgrades, meaning it could be closed for even more than the scheduled one year (stock image)

The conversion of the T3 Bankstown line (coloured orange) to a metro will see all stops between Bankstown and Sydenham closed for at least 12 months

'T3 deserves a fitting farewell and we know many Sydneysiders will be taking one last heavy rail ride today.'

Though the Transport Minister is upbeat about the changes, some commuters are very unhappy at how long it's going to take, with one suggesting Sydney Trains employees spend too much time on social media.

'How long is the Bankstown line closing for again? 2 years, is it? Stop meming and do your jobs,' they wrote.

While the exact cost of the free replacement bus service has not been revealed, when unions previously threatened to delay the plans, Ms Haylen said that would cost an estimated $100million per month, or roughly $3.6million a day.
Mohamed Al Fayed made an 'indecent proposal' to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, her ex-butler Paul Burrell has revealed.

The disgraced ex-Harrods owner is said to have told Diana he wanted to sleep with her, leaving her 'shaking' in disgust, it was reported today.

Diana, who died in a Paris car crash with Al Fayed's son Dodi in August 1997, dubbed the older man a 'creep' and also 'Yoda', after the Star Wars character, Mr Burrell said.

The former butler. who worked for Diana between 1987 and 1997, told of being 'disgusted' by Al Fayed's behaviour - and said that, if still alive, she would support the women now accusing the late tycoon of sexual assault.

A BBC investigation last week revealed five female ex-employees have accused Al Fayed of raping them - and MailOnline revealed yesterday another 23 women have come forward with allegations about him.

Mohamed Al Fayed, pictured with Princess Diana at a charity dinner at Harrods in February 1996, has been accused of making an 'indecent proposal' towards her

The late tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed (right) is seen here with the then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana at a Harrods-sponsored polo event in Windsor, Berkshire, in July 1987

Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell has been speaking about how she was left 'shaking' after Al Fayed's comments towards her

The Egyptian-born businessman - who died in London aged 94 in August last year - is alleged to have carried out the attacks during his time in charge of the outlet between 1984 and its sale in 2010.

The corporation says more than 20 female former workers at Harrods have come forward to accuse him of sexual abuse and presiding over a 'culture of fear' at the department store.

Some of those involved claim they were coerced into undergoing invasive medical exams in which they were tested for sexually transmitted diseases, with the results being sent directly to Al Fayed himself.

Harrowing details of the accusations, including vivid descriptions of the alleged rapes by the women, were shown on a new programme called Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods.

The store's current owners have now told of being 'utterly appalled' by the accusations and have apologised to the women affected.

The alleged attacks are said to have happened not only in London including at his Mayfair flat in the capital but also in Paris, at the Ritz hotel which he owned, and St Tropez in France as well as Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Now Mr Burrell has shared details about what he says Diana told him of her encounters with Al Fayed, who she first met at a Harrods-sponsored polo match in 1986 when she was married to then-Prince Charles.

The ex-royal butler told the Sun On Sunday: 'I was in the car when she came running out from his office shaking and told me, and these are her exact words, that he said, "I want you to marry my son because in Egyptian tradition, the father goes first".

'He said, "I'm going to sleep with you". She then said in shock, "Can you imagine making love to Yoda?" That's what she called him. I was disgusted by his behaviour.

Mohamed Al Fayed, who died in August last year, has been accused in a new BBC investigation of raping and sexually assaulting female employees

Former royal butler Paul Burrell says the late Princess Diana (pictured) called Mohamed Al Fayed 'creepy' and 'slimy'

Diana also likened Al Fayed to Star Wars character Yoda (pictured), according to Mr Burrell

'Diana was repulsed by the thought of having to surrender to him. By making that comment, he was setting the stage for that encounter and he was serious.

'He thought that was his right and that it would actually happen - that he would actually sleep with the Princess of Wales. And that was always in her mind all through her romance with Dodi.'

Mr Burrell described how Al Fayed lavished Diana with gifts including gadgets and computer games arriving at Kensington Palace only for her to send them back.

He also allowed her to use a secret entrance to his Harrods store in Knightsbridge, west London.

Diana and movie producer Dodi started dating after Al Fayed invited her and her sons William and Harry to his 30-bedroom mansion in 1997.

The couple were photographed kissing that summer on board the luxury yacht owned by Dodi's father, the Jonikal.

Mr Burrell last night said: 'We all concentrated on Dodi and the Princess. But, really, the puppet-master was Fayed.

'What he wanted above everything else was to be related to the Royal Family. Fayed bought the boat before that holiday for Dodi to be able to entertain her in private.

'He spent millions trying to court her and his son was just a pawn in his game.'

Princess Diana and Mohamed Al Fayed's son Dodi are pictured in the French Riviera resort of St Tropez on August 22 1997, nine days before both died in a Paris car crash

Mohamed Al Fayed (right) with son Dodi at a party for the film Hook in 1992

Mohamed Al Fayed with the Queen in 1997. His business connections and charity work saw him mixing with high society despite his complaints about what he saw as establishment bias

Mr Burrell also said he witnessed Al Fayed touching women inappropriately, adding: 'His hands would wander. He would literally put his hands on ladies without asking.

'With Diana, he couldnt go too far. She always had the upper hand because he could not afford to lose her. Unfortunately, most of the ladies that worked for him didnt.

'She would say how Fayed was always putting his hands on her. People dont touch members of the Royal Family but I saw him stroke her arm and linger too long, kiss her hand almost like a pet, and put his arm around her waist.'

Mr Burrell added: 'I dont think she would be surprised by these allegations because she knew he was creepy towards women.

'If Princess Diana was here, shed have stood with them, united, and said: "Well, it could have happened to me. It didn't. Thank God. But Ill be with you all the way."'

In the new BBC documentary some women claim they were coerced into undergoing invasive medical exams, in which they were tested for sexually transmitted diseases with the results sent to Al Fayed himself.

The corporation said it heard testimony from 13 women who say they were sexually assaulted at Al Fayed's 60 Park Lane property in London, four of whom allege they were raped there.

Harrods began settling claims with women who came forward alleging to have been sexually abused at his hands in July last year.

Harrods said in a statement to the BBC: 'The Harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010.

A BBC documentary says the Egyptian-born businessman - who died in London aged 94 in August last year - carried out attacks while Harrods boss between 1984 and its sale in 2010

The corporation says more than 20 female former workers at Harrods have come forward to accuse Al Fayed (pictured) of sexual abuse

Current owners of the Harrods department store (pictured) in Knightsbridge, west London, have been settling claims made by women alleging they were assaulted by Al Fayed

'It is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.

'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. This process is still available for any current or former Harrods employees.

'While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organisation, driven by the values we hold today, while ensuring that such behaviour can never be repeated in the future.'

The Ritz hotel in Paris, formerly owned by Fayed, told the BBC it 'strongly condemns all forms of behaviour that do not align with the values of the establishment'.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on Mr Burrell's claims.
An expert witness in the trial of serial killer nurse Lucy Letby reported 25 further suspicious incidents to police, it has been revealed.

Dr Dewi Evans described finding more cases of concern after going back over all 82 medical files he had been provided, following her murder convictions.

The paediatrician, 75, told the Telegraph he had now stopped working on the Operation Hummingbird probe into Letby and did not know why no follow-up action was taken because he no longer had a licence to practise - having retired in 2009.

Letby, 34, was convicted of seven counts of murder and seven of attempted murder relating to 13 victims  having tried to kill one of the babies twice  at Manchester Crown Court in August last year.

She was sentenced to 14 whole life tariffs for each guilty count, meaning she will die in jail and has no prospect of parole.

Dr Dewi Evans described finding more cases of concern after going back over all 82 medical files he had been provided, following Lucy Letby's murder convictions

Lucy Letby, 34, was convicted of seven counts of murder and seven of attempted murder at Manchester Crown Court in August last year

Trial judge Mr Justice Goss said she had been responsible for a 'cruel, calculated and cynical campaign of child murder' between June 2015 and June 2016.

A jury at a retrial in July convicted Letby of the attempted murder of another child, known as Baby K.

A public inquiry is ongoing, examining how she was able to kill the babies while on duty at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire.

It is also looking at how the NHS handled the case and its response to doctors who raised concerns.

Medics at the Countess say that they repeatedly flagged concerns about a spike in deaths on the neo-natal unit to hospital bosses but their concerns were dismissed and not acted upon.

The inquiry has been told executives will dispute exactly when they were told specifically that Letby was being linked to any foul play.

Dr Evans was the clinician who originally evaluated babies' medical files from the hospital after concerns were raised by consultants about deaths under Letbys care.

He has now told the Telegraph: 'Following the verdict, I wrote to Cheshire Police last September and said, "Look, I've only done preliminary reports on these, but I think they need to be looked at in more detail".

'And I just listed 25 cases of mine, and it might be that nothing comes of any of them - for instance, I found one baby where there was a displaced breathing tube.

'Well, you cant prove anything without one displaced breathing tube, but if that breathing tube was displaced and there was no obvious reason for it, then you might become a bit worried.

Trial judge Mr Justice Goss said Lucy Letby (pictured) had been responsible for a 'cruel, calculated and cynical campaign of child murder' between June 2015 and June 2016

Body-worn cameras captured the moment Letby was arrested at her home in July 2018

A court artist's picture of Letby giving evidence at Manchester Crown Court in June this year

'And then there are other babies who suddenly became seriously ill with an infection. Okay, premature babies are always at risk of infection. So, there were other concerning cases.'

He also said 10 deaths were not put before the criminal trial jury due to lacking the 'key consistencies' that suggested foul play.

Some doubts have been raised in recent months about Letby's guilt - with some members of the Royal Statistical Society expressing concerns over the use of statistics to secure a conviction on the basis of probabilities.

But Dr Evans today said: 'There were issues with all of those seven (babies) that were suspicious. Why has this baby collapsed? That's suspicious. Babies don't do that suddenly.

'Why have these babies not responded to resuscitation? That in itself is suspicious.

'What is most surprising was the comments from neonatologists who should know better, because they were commenting on cases where theyve not seen the clinical records, theyve not been in court.'

The criminal trial was told that after Letby was removed from frontline nursing, in July 2016, she launched a grievance against the hospital.

It was upheld and managers ordered consultants to write a letter of apology to Letby, who was advised preparations would be made for her to return to the unit.

It was only because consultants continued to object and insisted police were called in that this never happened.

Following Letby's sentencing in August last year, the Countess of Chester Hospital's medical director Dr Nigel Scawn said: 'I speak for the whole trust when I say how deeply saddened and appalled we are at Lucy Letby's crimes.

A public inquiry is ongoing, examining how Letby (pictured) was able to kill the babies while on duty at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire

Medics at the Countess of Chester Hospital (pictured) say that they repeatedly flagged concerns about a spike in deaths on the neo-natal unit to hospital bosses

Police officers stand guard outside Liverpool Town Hall on September 10 - the building is hosting the ongoing Thirlwall Inquiry into the Lucy Letby case

'We are extremely sorry that these crimes were committed at our hospital and our thoughts continue to be with all the families and loved ones of the babies who came to harm or died. We cannot begin to understand what they have been through.

'This case has had a profound impact on our patients and our local community and also our staff, who come to work every day determined to provide safe and high quality care for all of our patients.

'Our staff are devastated by what has happened and we are committed to ensuring that lessons continue to be learned.

'We are grateful for the co-operation of our staff, especially those that have maintained the utmost professionalism while giving evidence in this trial.'
Huw Edwards showed 'no remorse' for his behaviour and needs to take responsibility, journalist Mariella Frostrup has scathingly declared.

The disgraced former News at Ten presenter, 63, pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by a convicted paedophile.

Edwards' career now lies in tatters after the sex offender was handed a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Presenter and campaigner Frostrup, 61, said that his 'horrible story' was exacerbated by his 'reaction'.

She said that the fact the Welshman blamed 'everyone else' for his problems - his family for not noticing he was taking medicine, his toxic father and being rejected from Oxford University 46 years ago.

Presenter and campaigner Mariella Frostrup, 61, said that Huw Edwards's 'horrible story' was exacerbated by his 'reaction'

The police mugshot of Huw Edwards after he was given a suspended sentence for child abuse images on September 16

But before Edwards was charged former BBC News North America editor Sopel, 65, was one of Edwards' biggest defenders and went out on the airwaves several times to back him, claiming he had a 'complicated private life'

Jon Sopel's July 12, 2023, tweet which claimed his former colleague had a 'complicated private life'

Speaking to The Telegraph, she said: 'He's a middle-aged man, he needs to take some responsibility for his actions. It's clear he has no remorse, he doesn't understand that HE is responsible.'

The 63-year-old, who is staying in residential care due to his mental health, claimed he had low self-esteem because he didn't go to Oxford University so felt like an 'outsider' at the BBC.

Detailed reports by psychiatrists gave an insight into how the veteran anchorman's life spiralled out of control and he ended up chatting with a child sex offender over WhatsApp as his marriage to Vicky Flind faltered.

Edwards claimed that his relationship with his famous father marked his life - and led to disgrace decades later.

Huw Edwards leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court after being spared jail on September 16

Edwards held his hands together and steadied himself as the Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring spared him jail earlier this month

One report highlighted how Edwards had been psychologically damaged by his upbringing with a 'monstrous' father, and how he felt like an 'outsider in the BBC' after failing to get into Oxford or Cambridge university and ended up 'at Cardiff instead'.

Hywel Teifi Edwards, his Welsh nationalist father who died of cancer in 2010, made his life 'particularly challenging and probably damaging psychologically', the court heard.

An insider told MailOnline that Hywel Teifi Edwards was an 'alpha-male'.

And after reading these opinions and the current under-fire child porn sentencing guidelines, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring allowed Edwards to leave Westminster Magistrates' Court a free man

Frostrup has previously appeared on and presented BBC series' such as The Truth About The Menopause and Bringing Up Britain.

Edwards at the pinnacle of his career picking up a television award for Best Live Event for covering the late Queen's funeral in June 2023

Huw Edwards shaking hands with Queen Elizabeth II during a royal visit to BBC Studios in London in June 2013. He enjoyed a glittering career until the scandal came to light

She joins the outpouring of rage and disappointment expressed by the corporation's staff.

Jon Sopel branded his crimes 'absolutely abhorrent' a year after he appeared in the media defending him.

Before the fallen star was charged, former BBC News North America editor Sopel, 65, was one of Edwards' biggest defenders after he went out on the airwaves several times to back him, claiming he had a 'complicated private life'.

He led the fury against tabloid journalism, blasting The Sun's claim that Edwards paid a teenager 35,000 for 'sordid images' as 'nonsense' and describing the decision to publish as 'half-cooked'.

But he has now turned on his convicted criminal ex-colleague, claiming the two 'weren't mates' and saying he is not going to 'defend anything that he's done'.

In an interview to promote his new book with the Guardian, Sopel responded to a question asking if he had been asked by Edwards to defend him.

Edwards made his way through the media melee before being driven away in a black Mercedes when at court on July 31

Sopel, who left the BBC in 2022 after nearly 40 years, replied: 'No, he didn't ask me to do anything. I've known Huw a long time, but we weren't mates, hadn't seen each other socially.

'The police came out and said there was nothing to it. I thought, if there's nothing to it and he sent a couple of inappropriate texts, he's just got a complicated private life.'

'You do what you do for the right reasons.

'I'm not going to defend anything that he's done. It's absolutely abhorrent.'

The ex-newsreader was spared jail after admitting three charges of 'making' indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp.

The 63-year-old sent hundreds of pounds to Williams, who sent him porn, some of which he called 'amazing'. The disgraced broadcaster had also told the convicted paedophile 'go on' when asked if he wanted 'naughty pics and vids' of somebody described as young.

Edwards also wrote 'yes xxx' when he was asked by Williams if he wanted sexual images. He was also sent two pornographic videos of a child aged between seven and nine-years-old.

He made no comment as he walked into the modern courthouse

A BBC spokesperson said after its former broadcaster Huw Edwards was sentenced: 'We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him.'

Director General Tim Davie is yet to comment but one former colleague told MailOnline today: 'He should be in prison. He was chatting with a paedo for four years who then sent him child porn. And he didn't go to the police. Yet he's in court trying to suggest he is a victim. It would be laughable if it wasn't so abhorrent'.

Another insider said that Edwards' crimes were 'so sick'.

A well-placed source with links to the BBC and ITV has said that the evidence that emerged in court against Edwards is so shocking he will never work again.

'He is over', he said, adding: 'The BBC must be broken up' due to the way bosses handled the scandal and his suspension.

He said that yet another abuse scandal after Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris is 'killing its legacy'.

Edwards, who resigned from the BBC in April, has been asked to repay the 200,000 salary he has received since his arrest.

He has so far refused. And will also keep his pension.

BBC staff have described being 'warned' about 'thin-skinned' Edwards when they started working there - and said that he should be put in prison for what he has done.

Culture and Media Editor Katie Razzall said that when she joined the corporation, she was given specific advice about how to handle the disgraced newsreader.

'You can be funny', they said. 'But don't be funnier than Huw',', adding: 'You can be clever, but don't be too clever',' Ms Razzall revealed.

MailOnline can reveal there is great animosity towards him at the Beeb, who have been rocked by yet another child sex scandal after Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris.

One BBC staffer said: 'He still hasn't repaid his salary and dragged us through the mud again.

'Many at the BBC want him to pay for what he has done. He has played the system'.

A former colleague said: 'Huw had huge talent and presence but has always been very prickly and thin-skinned'.
Israel had been tracking the movements of Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah for months before Benjamin Netanyahu this week gave the green light to launch an attack to kill the terror boss.

The mission was years in the making and culminated with the Israeli prime minister's visit to New York, designed to 'trick' Nasrallah into thinking he was safe.

The intense bombing of Beirut began just three hours after Mr Netanyahu gave a speech at the United Nations on Friday afternoon in which he vowed to continue the fight against the 'terror organisation'.

Israeli's prime minister gave the go-ahead to the IDF's 'unprecedented' heavy bombardment of the Lebanese capital during a call to defence minister Yoav Gallant, who remained in Tel Aviv.

Shortly after 5pm, several missiles rained down on the Hezbollah HQ, located under residential buildings in Beirut, where Nasrallah was thought to be located.

This is the moment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the green light to 'unprecedented' strikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut, Lebanon

Israel have killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah (pictured in 2015) in strikes on Beirut

Israel released a graphic showing the Hezbollah senior figures who had so far been 'eliminated' - adding that they had 'dismantled' the group

Yesterday it was confirmed Israel had got their man; Nasrallah was dead in what one expert said would cause 'irreversible damage for Hezbollah' of which they would 'never recover from'.

Mr Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel had 'settled the score' with the killing of the Nasrallah.

For the previous 11 days, Israel had steadily implemented its mission to kill Nasrallah with a meticulous attack on the terror group.

Last Friday, senior Hezbollah leaders were killed in an Israeli airstrike with the IDF claiming they were meeting to plot another October 7-style attack on Israel.

Isaac Herzog said: 'All of these leaders came together in order to launch the same horrific, horrendous attack that we had on October 7 by Hamas, by burning Israelis, by butchering them, raping their women, abducting and taking hostage people and little babies.'

Two of Hezbollah's top leaders were killed and at least 14 others as they met in the basement of a Beirut residential building.

Speaking after Nasrallah's killing, Mr Netanyahu said: 'We settled the score with the one responsible for the murder of countless Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French,' he said, adding that Israel had reached 'what appears to be a historic turning point' in the fight against its 'enemies'.

Hassan Nasrallah spoke to the world in front of a red screen last Thursday, insisting that the deadly attacks 'deserve a response' before launching salvoes of rockets towards Israel

Footage emerging on social media show the intensity of the bombardment over Beirut

Hellscape: The night sky in Beirut turned orange and red amid intense strikes from the IDF

Netanyahu said he had not intended to come to New York to address the UN assembly this year, but felt compelled to do so 'to set the record straight'

'The more (Hamas leader Yahya) Sinwar sees that Hezbollah will no longer come to his aid, the greater the chances of returning our captives,' he said, adding that Israel was 'determined to continue striking our enemies'.

But Israel has ominously warned there is more to come as Israel's top army geenral Lt Gen Herzi Halevi warned: 'This is not the end of our toolbox.'

'We have more capacity going forward,' he told reporters. 'Anyone who threatens the state of Israel, we will know how to reach them.'

Hezbollah's Nasrallah: powerful leader living in hiding Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah is the only man in Lebanon with the power to wage war or make peace, but he leads a life in hiding to avoid assassination by his movement's arch-enemy, Israel. A wave of Israeli strikes on Friday hit Hezbollah's main bastion in south Beirut, and Israeli broadcasters said Nasrallah was the target. A source close to Hezbollah denied the reports, saying that he was 'fine'. Nasrallah enjoys cult status among his Shiite Muslim supporters, is equipped with a formidable arsenal far bigger and more modern than the national army's, and holds sway over Lebanon's institutions. Nasrallah has rarely been seen in public since his movement fought a devastating 2006 war with Israel. In 2011, the leader showed up at a religious procession in Beirut's southern suburbs and briefly greeting supporters before addressing the crowd on video from an undisclosed location. In a 2014 interview with Lebanon's pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al-Akhbar, Nasrallah said that 'the Israelis are pushing the idea... that I live far from people, that I don't see them or communicate with them.' He said that he regularly switched sleeping places, but denied that he lived in a bunker. 'The point of security measures is that movement be kept secret, but that doesn't stop me from moving around and seeing what is happening,' he said. Nasrallah is still occasionally photographed alongside other leaders of Iran-backed armed groups in the Middle East. Very few people are believed to know where he lives. Officials and journalists who met Nasrallah in recent years described tight security measures that prevented them from knowing where they were being taken. The vast majority of his speeches in the past two decades have been recorded and broadcast from a secret location. Advertisement

Lina Khatib, an associate fellow at Chatham House, the international affairs think tank, said 'Nasrallah's killing is going to cause irreversible damage for Hezbollah and I don't think it will be able to recover from it'.

'I think we are seeing both a historic shift in Hezbollah's power and a historic shift in the trajectory of Iran's influence in the Middle East,' she said.

In a televised address, Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the military's strike on Hezbollah's central command on Friday was 'very precise'.

'In the last few days, we revealed who Hezbollah is hiding in southern Lebanon, and now we will reveal how it is planting strategic weapons and means of warfare in the heart of Beirut's Dahieh - so that buildings will serve as a shield,' he said.

The strikes came shortly after Netanyahu vowed to continue the fight against Hezbollah in his UN General Assembly address, insisting: 'My country is at war, fighting for its life.'

'We must defend ourselves against these savage murderers. Our enemies seek not only to destroy us, they seek to destroy our common civilization and return all of us to a dark age of tyranny and terror,' he told delegates.

In a message he addressed to 'the tyrants of Tehran', he said: 'If you strike us, we will strike you... There is no place in Iran where the long arm of Israel cannot reach. And that is true for the entire Middle East.'

Mr Netanyahu left Israel for New York to trick Hezbollah's leader into thinking he was safe, a senior Israeli official has told the Telegraph.

His address to the UN 'was part of a diversion' intended to make Hezbollah's leader believe that they would not take action while Mr Netanyahu was physically in the US.

'Netanyahu approved the strike before delivering his speech at the UN,' the official said.

It comes as the IDF released a graphic on social media showing the Hezbollah senior figures who had so far been 'eliminated' - adding that they had 'dismantled' the group.

At least six have been killed as the Israeli air force targeted Hezbollah production sites they claimed were under civilian housing, although this number is expected to rise today and charities say the country is facing the prospect of a humanitarian 'catastrophe'.

A source close to Hezbollah told AFP on condition of anonymity that contact with Nasrallah had been lost since Friday evening.

He had been rumoured killed during Israel's last war with Hezbollah in 2006, the source said, adding that he later re-emerged unscathed.

A military statement said the strikes also killed Ali Karake, who the statement identified as commander of Hezbollah's southern front, and an unspecified number of other Hezbollah commanders.

'During Hassan Nasrallah's 32-year reign as the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, he was responsible for the murder of many Israeli civilians and soldiers, and the planning and execution of thousands of terrorist activities,' the statement said.

Flames rise after an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon this morning

Iran's Supreme Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) called on Muslims to confront and 'assist' the 'wicked regime' of Israel 'with whatever means they have'

People check a damaged building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Choueifat, south east of Beirut

'He was responsible for directing and executing terrorist attacks around the world in which civilians of various nationalities were murdered.

'Nasrallah was the central decision-maker and the strategic leader of the organisation.'

The IDF further claimed to have eliminated the head of the Palestinian Hamas's network in southern Syria, whom it referred to as Ahmad Muhammad Fahd.

In a statement, they said that he had been killed 'while planning an imminent terror attack' and had previously carried out multiple attacks, including rocket fire on the Golan Heights.

And in Lebanon, they said strikes had killed the commander of Hezbollah's missile unit in the south of the country, Muhammad Ali Ismail, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail, who they claimed had taken part in 'numerous' attacks on Israel.

Terrified families have been pictured fleeing the country - many of whom are Syrian refugees who have already had to leave due to fighting in their homeland.

More than 50,000 have now crossed into Syria fleeing airstrikes, with 'well over 200,000' displaced within Lebanon, the UN high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, has said.

Nasrallah had become a shadowy figure, seldom making public appearances in spite of his reputation in Lebanon.

He came to the world's attention last week when he vowed swift retaliation for a series of explosions across the country.

Lebanon is still reeling from the detonations of thousands of mobile paging devices and walkie talkies last Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, killing dozens and injuring thousands.

The government held Israel accountable for the attack, but notably it was Hezbollah that threatened direct action. For its part, Israel denies any involvement in the explosions.
The King has been urged to ditch the suit and embrace an 'island vibe' when he attends a Commonwealth meeting in Samoa next month.

It comes as Samoa's Prime Minister, Fiame Naomia Mata'afa, has asked all delegates attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on October 21, to dress down.

The King may even return to the UK as an island chief, after a local mayor revealed plans to bestow an honorary title on the monarch.

It is understood the PM has been especially 'frank' with Charles, who is known for his well-cut, bespoke suits, as she sought to prepare her royal visitors for the occasion.

She told The Telegraph: 'October's very hot in Samoa. We're not really keen for people to wear suits and be hot and uncomfortable.'

The PM wants people to be 'comfortable' in what they wear so that delegates may have a 'good meeting', the newspaper reported.

The King has been urged to ditch the suit and embrace an 'island vibe' when he attends a Commonwealth meeting in Samoa next month. Pictured: King Charles during a visit to the Iworkrama Rainforest in South America in 2000

Pictured: Prince Charles during a visit to Papua New Guinea, wearing traditional costume

King Charles opts for double-breasted and wide-lapelled suits in a navy or dark grey, often crafted by fashion industry experts including Anderson & Sheppard and Gieves & Hawkes.

In the summer months, the King typically switches to cream or beige tones and is rarely seen in anything but a suit and tie.

He once said it was his royal duty on royal tours abroad to showcase British craftsmanship and tailoring.

He is expected to stick with the suit for his upcoming visit to Australia and Samoa.

However, the King has been known to embrace the local culture of his host country  and has even, on occasion, ditched the tie.

In 2000, Charles was pictured wearing a head dress of hawk feathers and palm leaves during a visit to the Iworkrama Rainforest in South America.

In 1977, the then Prince of Wales was pictured in a full head-dress when he became Indian Chief Red Crow of the Blackfeet nation during a visit to Alberta, Canada.

Pictured: Prince Charles in Guyana, South America, wearing garlands and a head-dress of feathers and palm leaves

Pictured: Prince Charles being presented with a traditional wedding robe of blue velvet embroidered with gold during a trip to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan in 1996

Pictured: Charles becomes Indian Chief Red Crow of the Blackfeet nation during a visit to Canada on July 1, 1977

The King wore a colourful tribal robe to honour the Ashanti tribe in 1977 during a visit to Kumasi, Ghana.

And, he was presented with a traditional wedding robe of blue velvet embroidered with gold during a trip to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan in 1996.

Meanwhile, local mayor Tofaeono Atuaia Kitiona, revealed that the monarch could be leaving Samoa with a new title.

He told the Samoan Observer: 'Given the King's imminent arrival, it is only fitting that we confer upon him a chiefly title that befits his stature.'

He said the area where the King and Queen will be staying has its own traditional kings with 'matai' family chieftain titles handed down through generations.

Mr Kitiona said his village were 'deeply honoured' to be hosting the King and Queen.
Israeli tanks have gathered near the Lebanon border as the IDF carries out raids on Hezbollah targets, two days after the death of the group's chief Hassan Nasrallah.

The Israel Defence Forces 'attacked dozens of terrorist targets in the territory of Lebanon in the last few hours,' the army said in a statement on Telegram today.

The statement said the strikes targeted 'buildings where weapons and military structures of the organisation were stored'.

Israel attacked 'hundreds' of Hezbollah targets in the last day, it added, as it aims to disable the group.

This weekend, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant held talks over the possibility of expanding Israel's military offensive.

Tanks and troops were pictured on the border with Lebanon yesterday, and thwe IDF said three more battalions of reserve soldiers are being mobilised on top of the two brigades already sent to northern Israel.

It comes just a few days after Israeli strikes killed Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for more than three decades. Israeli media reported that the military used 85 'bunker-buster' bombs in the attack.

Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, the Iranian elite forces' deputy commander for operations, was in the bunker with the Hezbollah chief when the Israeli bombs hit and levelled several buildings, killing six and injuring nearly 100 people.

Israeli tanks have gathered near the Lebanon border as the IDF carries out raids on Hezbollah targets. Pictured: Israeli soldiers man tanks at a gathering point in northern Israel, yesterday

Netanyahu, pictured at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday, said that Nasrallah he was the main engine of Iran's axis of evil

Israel killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah (pictured in 2015) in strikes on Beirut

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the Shiyah neighbourhood of Beirut's southern suburbs on September 28

Israeli army soldiers stand next to a mechanised vehicle while deployed in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel on September 28

Israeli soldiers stand next to and on their tanks at a gathering point in northern Israel as military forces continue to strike infrastructure sites of the Hezbollah organisation in Lebanon. Pictured yesterday

Smoke billows over Khiam, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, pictured yesterday

On Friday, an Israeli air strike on a suburb of Beirut killed Hezbollah's longtime leader Nasrallah, sparking fears of an all-out war in the region.

More than 700 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, according to health ministry figures, since the bombardment of Hezbollah strongholds began earlier this month.

Hezbollah began low-intensity cross-border strikes on Israeli troops a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged its unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, triggering war in the Gaza Strip.

Just two days ago, a series of devastating airstrikes on Beirut resulted in the death of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

And a few hours later, Houthi rebels claimed they fired a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv airport as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was landing back in Israel.

Netanyahu was swift to shrug off the near-miss with an address to the nation shortly afterwards in which he justified Israel's actions and said they had 'settled the score' with the death of Nasrallah, a man he described as 'the arc murderer'.

He also remained unrepentant after a series of IDF strikes on Friday and Saturday left Beirut a smouldering city and said Israel will 'continue to strike our enemies' while continuing to press for the release of the more than 100 hostages remaining in Gaza.

Warning there would be more to come, Netanyahu defiantly said: 'There is no place in Iran nor the Middle East where the long arm of Israel cannot reach.'

Flames rise after an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon yesterday

Israel launched fresh strikes again yesterday after confirming the death of Hezbollah boss Hassan Nasrallah. Pictured: Large explosions witnessed over Khiam, Lebanon

Smoke pictured over the site of an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs yesterday

Houthi rebels claim they fired a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv airport as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was landing back in Israel after a short visit to New York

Yemen's Houthi militants shared a message on X that they fired a ballistic missile at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, just at the moment that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was landing

His comments came as air raid sirens sounded across central Israel on Saturday afternoon, including in Tel Aviv, in the aftermath of the Houthi attempt.

Large explosions were heard after a missile was fired from Yemen and intercepted, the Israeli military said.

Yemen's Houthi militants confirmed later that they had fired a ballistic missile at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.

They said the attack was timed to coincide with the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who returned to the country on Saturday after addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

There has been no news of damage or casualties caused by the missile.

Shortly after 8pm on Saturday, sirens also sounded in the Jerusalem region following reports of a missile launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

It is understood a missile hit an area in the West Bank, sparking a fire near the Mitzpe Hagit outpost and causing power outages, Times of Israel reports.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei chillingly vowed the killing of Hezbollah boss Hassan Nasrallah and a senior Iranian commander 'shall not go unavenged'

Netanyahu had been in the United States on Friday to address the UN General Assembly.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement: 'The operation was carried out with a Palestine 2 ballistic missile.

'The Yemeni armed forces  along with all the honourable and free people of the nation  continue to respond to the crimes of the Israeli enemy, and will not hesitate to raise the level of escalation in response to the requirements of the stage and participate in the defence of Gaza and Lebanon.

'These operations will cease only after the cessation of the aggression against Gaza and Lebanon.'

The action came as Iran's supreme leader chillingly vowed the killing of Hezbollah boss Hassan Nasrallah and a senior Iranian commander 'shall not go unavenged'.

The IDF issued a statement on Saturday explaining that the strikes had targeted weapons manufacturing sites and routes being used to smuggle weapons into Lebanon from Syria

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is thought to have been moved to a secure location, said on Saturday that Nasrallah would be avenged and his path in fighting Israel would be continued by other militants, as he announced five days of mourning in Iran.

'(Nasrallah) was not an individual. He was a path and a school of thought and the path will be continued,' Ayatollah Khamenei said in a statement read on state television.'The blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged,' he said.

Details that emerged on Saturday night suggested the IDF bombarded Nasrallah's command bunker with more than 80 bombs in an operation organised at the last minute.

It is understood the IDF had a 'use it or lose it moment' in which to kill Nasrallah, who was in a bunker 50 metres underground, after intelligence reported he would soon move to a different location.

The IDF unrelentingly pounded the Hezbollah headquarters in Dahieh with a barrage of explosives over just a few minutes on Friday.

Nasrallah was killed in the strikes alongside the commander of Hezbollah's missile unit in the south of the country, Muhammad Ali Ismail, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail.

Analysts believe Hashem Safieddine, a cousin of Nasrallah, will become Hezbollah's next leader.

On Saturday night, Netanyahu gave an address in which he stood by Israel's action in Lebanon, adding 'we are at a historic turning point'.

He also described Nasrallah as 'the arc murderer' and 'the main engine of Iran's axis of evil'.

This is the moment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the green light to 'unprecedented' strikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut, Lebanon, while still in New York

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, pictured at the UN Security Council meeting in New York this week, said he had spoken with Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Saturday

Netanyahu said: 'If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first. The state of Israel killed yesterday Hassan Nasrallah, the arc murderer.

'We settled the score with the person who is responsible for the killing and assassination of so many Israelis and people of other nationalities, including dozens of Americans and French people.

'He wasn't just another terrorist - he was 'the' terrorist; he was the main engine of Iran's axis of evil.

'Him and his people were the architects of a plan to destroy Israel.

'He wasn't only operated by Iran, in many case he operated Iran.'

The Israeli premier went on to say that the devastating blows levelled at Hezbollah by the IDF' proved not to be 'enough' and that taking out Nasrallah became a necessity.

'The elimination of Nasrallah is a necessary condition for the fulfilment of our goals and bringing an equilibrium to our regions,' he said.

'I gave the instruction, and he is no longer with us. All those who oppose [Iran], all these people today have hope. There is no place in Iran nor the middle east where the long arm of Israel cannot reach.'

Elsewhere, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy repeated a plea for calm in the Middle East and said he had spoken with Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Saturday, following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut which killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

'We agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the bloodshed.

'A diplomatic solution is the only way to restore security and stability for the Lebanese and Israeli people,' Lammy said.

Lammy twice called for a ceasefire earlier this week.
Barnaby Joyce said on Sunday that Australia should follow the US and consider banning Chinese-made electric vehicles due to safety and privacy fears, questioning whether they could be weaponised for a 'malevolent purpose'.

Both Labor and the Coalition have ruled out a ban, which the US is considering out of fears the technology in these cars posed risks to national security and privacy.

But Nationals MP Mr Joyce said Australia should exercise caution after Israel secretly embedded explosives in hundreds of pagers carried by Hezbollah members, before detonating the wireless devices and killing 12 people and injuring thousands.

'After the pager issue  the penny dropped for so many people that there is a capacity remotely to create massive pain, massive hurt, maybe at the least to create complete breakdown and chaos,' he told Sky News Sunday Agenda.

'People have got to start asking the questions like if you can update the software, if you can track these vehicles, if they're made in China, if there's a malevolent purpose behind it from a totalitarian state, what might be the consequences of that?'

He also said the government should reconsider allowing households to use Chinese-made solar rooftop panels, stoking fears the inverters could be weaponised to cause rolling blackouts.

'Also, I might add, there are 200,000 Chinese made solar heaters sitting on roofs around Sydney, Brisbane and the rest of the countryside and we've had people who are expert in that field saying "you should have a closer look at what you've done there".

'God forbid there was ever a war, it would start online and in space and within those two things you can create complete and utter chaos,' the Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs said.

Barnaby Joyce (pictured) said Chinese-made electric vehicles could be weaponised for a 'malevolent purpose'

More than 80 per cent of electric vehicles sold in Australia are manufactured in China, including popular Chinese-owned brands BYD, MG and Geely.

Tesla, which is owned by US billionaire Elon Musk is also manufactured in China.

Earlier this week, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said the US would move to ban the electric vehicles out of fears the technology in these cars, including internet-operated cameras, microphones and GPS tracking, posed risks to national security and privacy.

'It doesn't 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 citizens,' she said.

'In an extreme situation, foreign adversaries could shut down or take control of all their vehicles operating in the United States all at the same time.'

However, both Labor and the Coalition have ruled out a ban.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said he wanted Australians to have the 'maximum range of choice' of cars.

More than 80 per cent of electric vehicles sold in Australia are manufactured in China, including popular Chinese-owned brands BYD, MG and Geely

'We won't be banning vehicles made in any particular country. We'll continue to work with all the relevant agencies to ensure that all are necessary arrangements in place but I want Australians have more choice of vehicles to buy, not less, more choice,' he said.

The impact and escalation of cyber threats in the energy sector has been noted by Mr Bowen and state energy ministers, with ministers getting briefings from public servants.

On Sunday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia would continue discussions with the US, and 'take advice from our security agencies'.

Nationals senator and Opposition spokeswoman for transport and infrastructure Bridget McKenzie also said a ban was not Coalition policy.
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has brought in psychologists in a bid to boost the number of female recruits after the recent sex abuse scandal.

The Army has implemented a new Critical Mass trial at the military academy to try and increase the number of women in a platoon from 10 percent to 30 percent, reported the Telegraph.

The trial is based on Harvard Business School Rosabeth Moss Kanter's critical mass theory.

It theorised that when an organisational minority assumes a presence of one third or more of a group, it can influence or 'tilt' the culture of the overall group.

Occupational psychologists are collecting and analysing data with areas being looked at including psychological safety and job satisfaction.

Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers stand easy in the College Square ahead of the Sovereign's Parade at the old college of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April

Officer Cadets parade during the Sovereign's Parade on August 9. Sandhurst is the training centre for prospective Army officers, with cadets typically training there for 44 weeks

An Army source told the Telegraph: 'It understands it needs to keep working in a safe, supportive and positive environment for all officers, men and women.'

Officer Cadet Kira Dent of 5 Platoon told Forces News that the the programme is helping the Army improve its leadership training.

'I think a lot of people from... my dad's era will always say that the Army's gone soft.

'But I think it hasn't. It's just prioritised what actually makes people better leaders.'

Officer Cadet Bradley Rigby added: 'There are some lads that very much don't want females in the Army, but I don't have an issue.

'I think if as long as they pass all the tests that are put in front of them, then there's no reason they can't do just as good a job as a male.'

It comes two years after charity Salute Her UK urged Army chiefs and the Ministry of Defence to confront predatory behaviour at the Royal Military Academy.

The charity, which represents female military personnel who have experienced sexual abuse, claimed there is an 'epidemic' of rape culture in the military.

Over two decades, 177 women had sought help after suffering abuse at officer training site Sandhurst, it said. The charity's boss Paula Edwards said that of 3,170 women on its database, over half were raped while in the Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, a damning report in 2022 found that 19 sexual relationships had been taking place between instructors and cadets before a trainee took her own life.

The report highlighted the number of forbidden relationships at Sandhurst as a factor in the suicide of Olivia Perks in 2019.

The 21-year-old had been in a secret relationship with an Army gym instructor in the months before her death.

Olivia Perks, 21, took her own life at Sandhurst in 2019, with a report highlighting the number of forbidden relationships as a factor in her suicide

After her inquest ended, Sandhurst commandant Major-General Zac Stenning acknowledged the 'systemic and individual failings which led to the tragic death'

At the end of a three-week inquest, the coroner recorded a verdict of suicide and highlighted a string of failures and missed opportunities before her death, which came just days after a drunken ball when she had ended the night in a senior male member of staff's room.

After the inquest ended, Sandhurst commandant Major-General Zac Stenning acknowledged the 'systemic and individual failings which led to the tragic death'.

Most poignantly, the coroner ruled that it was possible measures could have been put in place 'which would have prevented Liv's death'.

Sandhurst is the training centre for prospective Army officers, with cadets typically training there for 44 weeks.

An Army Spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The Royal Military Academy is constantly seeking to optimise the training it delivers to Britain's next generations of Army leaders.

'The Critical Mass trial is looking at options to improve the living and working environment at Sandhurst, particularly for female Officer Cadets, to ensure they are all able to achieve success on their Commissioning Course.'
A childcare guru has claimed that babies under the age of one are better off being looked after at home rather than in nurseries.

Former Labour government advisor and Sure Start director Naomi Eisenstadt recommended that parents consider one-to-one care for the first year of their child's life.

She told the Times: 'For under-ones, in my view, care in the home is better than a nursery.'

Eisenstadt clarified that nurseries have social benefits for children over two and that one-on-one care for younger babies does not necessarily have to be carried out by a parent but could also be a grandparent, or 'a good childminder or nanny.'

As well as suggesting one-on-one care for a child's first year, Eisenstadt has urged the government, who are looking to expand the childcare sector, to consider giving one year's paid parental leave which can be shared between both parents.

Her advice comes shortly after the tragic death of a baby at a nursery in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Leading childcare expert Noami Eisenstadt (pictured) has recommended that babies under the age of one are cared for at home rather than at nursery

Genevieve Meehan was nine-months old when she died on the afternoon of May 9, 2022 at a nursery in Stockport

Genevieve Meehan was just nine months old when she was killed at the Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme by its deputy manager Kate Roughley.

The baby girl suffocated as a result of being strapped face down to a beanbag in the playroom for one hour and 37 minutes.

Roughley was found guilty of manslaughter in May and sentenced to 14 years in prison.

On the day of Genevieve's death, she was one of two childcare workers looking after 11 babies.

Under the government's ratios, a nursery staff member should only care for three babies under the age of one at any given time.

As the government look to expand the childcare sector, Genevieve's grieving parents urged politicians to consider safety.

Katie Wheeler and John Meehan, who are both lawyers, said: 'It is imperative that nurseries are caring, nurturing and safe environments for children. The provision of safe childcare is vital for a functioning society.

'We urgently await the outcome of the health and safety investigation and the coronial process.

'Genevieve is loved and cherished and remains an integral part of our family. She is desperately missed.'

Kate Roughley had placed the Genevieve (pictured) face down in a beanbag for more than an hour and a half

Emergency services raced to Tiny Toes Day Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport

Police trawled through hours of CCTV footage leading up to the child's death and saw Roughley (right) telling Genevieve to 'stop whinging'

Roughley (pictured arriving at Manchester Crown Court) was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 14 years as a result of Genevieve's death

Genevieve's parents John Meehan (left) and Katie Wheeler (right) have called for the government to consider safety when expanding the childcare sector

Last week the government announced plans for 3,000 nurseries while more than 65 existing nurseries were rated inadequate or requiring improvement by Ofsted in 2023.

The inspectors also found that 45 nurseries were following government guidelines for staff-to-children ratios.

Since September last year, the government allowed nurseries up and down the country to change childcare ratios from 1:4 to 1:5.

The ratio of one adult to three babies under the age of one has stayed the same.

Lewis and Zoe Steeper, the parents of Oliver Steeper who died after choking on pasta bolognese at the Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Ashford, Kent, said this change has allowed for nurseries to be dangerously under-staffed.

Lewis, 39, a drone surveyor said: 'This is so close to our hears because obviously ratios were a factor in Oliver's death.'

Oliver was being fed at nursery by a worker feeding three other children at the same time.

The nine-month-old went into cardiac arrest and died in hospital six days later.

Oliver Steeper (pictured) was nine-months-old when he died after a choking incident

The incident occurred at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Ashford, Kent, when a worker was feeding three children at once

Oliver began choking on pasta bolognese and went into cardiac arrest in September 2021

His parents Lewis (left) and Zoe Steeper (right) said the change to staff-to-children ratios has allowed for nurseries to be dangerously under-staffed

Lewis continued: 'When he began choking the nursery worker was too busy with someone else and she didn't even realise he was choking.

'My concern is the government is not going to change staff ratios until it is too late, and there is another death and there is another family destroyed.'

At present many parents cannot afford to take a full year off work to look after their child one-on-one - despite some companies offering generous parental leave options.
Protesters have marched through Australian capital cities waving Hezbollah flags and carrying photos of the organisation's recently killed leader.

Thousands took to the streets in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday to walk in support of Palestine and Lebanon, amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Small groups of young men, many masked, were seen at the rallies in each city waving the red and green flags of Hezbollah, a militant and political group hailing from Lebanon, which has been listed as a terrorist organisation in Australia.

Others, including both adults and children, held framed photos of Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli air raid overnight.

Liberal Senator James Patterson said the sight of Hezbollah flags at rallies in Melbourne and Sydney were 'disturbing' given it is designated by Australia as a terrorist organisation.

'This is a clear contravention of 80.2HA of the Commonwealth Criminal Code. It's time for police to enforce the law,' he tweeted. Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia they were 'aware prohibited flags were seen at a demonstration in the Melbourne CBD' on Sunday. 'Victoria Police supports the right to protest peacefully and had a visible presence at the protest to ensure public safety,' a spokesperson said. Melbourne protesters were seen holding aloft framed photos of recently killed Hezbollah boss Hassan Nasrallah The yellow and green flag of Hezbollah (pictured centre) could also be seen being waved by the Melbourne protesters The protesters holding up symbols of Hezbollah were part of a larger rally being held in Melbourne Rally organisers in Melbourne told AAP the group carrying Hezbollah flags was not affiliated with those running the demonstration 'An estimated 600 people attended the demonstration and there were no arrests. 'Appropriate referrals will be made to Australian Federal Police as the lead agency concerning prohibited symbols.' Further comment has been sought from the AFP. The group supporting Hezbollah were also heard chanting 'labayka ya Nasrallah' in Arabic, which translates roughly to 'at your service, Nasrallah'. Rally organisers in Melbourne told AAP the group carrying Hezbollah flags was not affiliated with those running the demonstration.

The rally called for the end of Israeli actions against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon

Islamic community leaders also said this group was not representative of the Muslim community in Australia or the protest, which was calling for Israel to stop military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, where they are fighting Hezbollah.

'They are definitely a minority. An absolute, tiny minority,' Islamic Council of Victoria's president Adel Salman told The Australian.

'For my own experience, my knowledge of the community, there is no support of Hezbollah, no love of Hezbollah, right now, this is all about support for the Lebanese people.

'The community is concerned about the escalating violence, but our concern primarily is about what's happening in Palestine, in Gaza, that's still the main focus in the community.

'And we have to be careful we don't reduce the battle to one between Hezbollah and Israel, effectively this is an attack on Lebanon that is a sovereign country  and people are outraged.'

Some those waving showing support for Hezbollah, which is a designated terrorist group in Australia, wore masks

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke blasted those showing 'any indication of support' for a terrorist organisation, and threatened to cancel their visas.

'It draws the immediate attention of our security agencies. There is a higher level of scrutiny if anyone is on a visa. I have made clear from day one, that I will consider refusing and cancelling visas for anyone who seeks to incite discord in Australia,' he said.

Overnight, Israeli forces said Nasrallah had been killed during a massive air strike on Beirut, reportedly using 5,000-pound bunker-busting bombs.

Israel is currently fighting on two fronts, with the Hamas fighters in Gaza and the Iranian backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Sunday reiterated her call for Australians to flee Lebanon as soon as they can and said she was concerned about escalating violence.

An Islamic community spokesperson said the support for Hezbollah only represented a tiny minority of the protesters

Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission Dr Dvir Abramovich told Daily Mail Australia the protest was a 'deeply troubling display of hate'.

'Hezbollah, responsible for countless civilian deaths has no place in "peaceful" protest,' he said.

'The display of their flag at this demonstration is a glorification of violence and terror that undermines the values of our diverse and democratic society.

'This is not who we are as a nation and let's not confuse freedom with the promotion of terror.'

'We call on all community leaders and elected officials to unequivocally denounce this act.'

He also urged law enforcement to investigate the incident and 'take appropriate action'.
A Tory beauty parade kicked off today as would-be leaders make their pitches to activists.

Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat are laying out their cases at the party's annual conference in Birmingham.

A survey of grass roots by ConservativeHome has underlined that Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are the favourites to take the crown from Rishi Sunak after his humiliating defeat at the election. But there are signs Mr Jenrick is whittling away his opponent's advantage.

They have both been focusing their fire on immigration - with Ms Badenoch claiming too many people with anti-Israel views have been allowed to migrate to Britain. She insisted that 'not all cultures are equal', suggesting child marriage and women's rights as topics that were non-negotiable.

'When you go to other countries they demand that you believe in it,' she told Sky News.

Her combative stance was underlined in a separate interview with the BBC, where she accused Laura Kuenssberg of 'trying to get me to say' that the problem was Muslims coming to the UK.

Ms Badenoch also said she would 'congratulate' Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on strikes that killed the Hezbollah leadership in Beirut, and the country was showing 'moral clarity' in taking out 'terrorists'.

And she warned critics such as Doctor Who star David Tennant - with whom she rowed about trans rights: 'If you swing at me I will punch back.'

Describing her appeal to voters, Ms Badenoch said: 'I am something that is just different and unique.'

As the candidates mount their charm offensive today:

Ms Badenoch questioned whether statutory maternity benefits were too generous, suggesting businesses should have more freedom to decide;

Mr Jenrick said the immigration system was at the top of his list to address if he wins the contest;

Mr Cleverly blamed 'constant infighting' and 'bickering' for the Tories' defeat and argued he had been a 'team player' in government;

Mr Tugendhat insisted his public school background was not a drawback to him being the next Tory leader;

Contenders have all weighed in behind Rosie Duffield after she quit Labour and slammed Keir Starmer over sleaze.

Ms Badenoch and rival Robert Jenrick were both interviewed on the BBC this morning

A survey of grass roots by ConservativeHome has underlined that Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick are the favourites to take the crown from Rishi Sunak after his humiliating defeat at the election . But there are signs Mr Jenrick is whittling away his opponent's advantage

Presenter Laura Kuenssberg tossed a coin on air to decide who was questioned first

Ms Badenoch accused Kuenssberg of 'trying to get me to say' that the problem was Muslims coming to the UK

Mr Jenrick said the immigration system was at the top of his list to address if he wins the Tory contest

Kemi Badenoch (pictured) and Mr Jenrick are the favourites to take the crown from Rishi Sunak after his humiliating defeat at the election

James Cleverly (pictured holding merchandise at conference today) blamed 'constant infighting' and 'bickering' for the Tories' defeat and argued he had been a 'team player' in government

Ahead of several days of events, the interim chair of the Tories, Richard Fuller will tell the membership this afternoon that he is 'profoundly sorry' for the election loss.

The candidates will all have an opportunity to address the conference on Wednesday before parliamentarians pick the final two on October 10.

Members will choose between those two, with the result declared on November 2 - although there is speculation that could be brought forward so the new leader can respond to the Budget on October 30.

Mr Sunak will not stick around to see the conference develop - as he is expected to leave this evening.

In a piece in the Sunday Telegraph Ms Badenoch said that 'if necessary' the UK should leave 'international frameworks like the ECHR'.

Tugendhat says being a 'posh boy' should nto rule him out of leadership Tom Tugendhat has insisted being a 'posh boy' should not rule him out of the Tory leadership. He pleaded for activists to judge him on his own record rather than his public school background. Asked by Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips if the Tories needed another 'posh boy leader from a great public school', the Tory leadership hopeful said: 'I think the Conservative Party needs a leader who can lead, and you can judge me on the decisions my parents made 35 years ago or you can judge me on the decisions I have made for the last 35 years. 'I think that decisions I have made for the last 35 years demonstrate the character that you are looking at. 'I have chosen consistently to serve our country. I have put myself on the frontline in Iraq and Afghanistan.' Asked about his lower level public profile than other leadership candidates, Mr Tugendhat said his government role as security minister had been to 'keep the King's secrets'. He added: 'You may not have see the jobs but that doesn't mean I haven't done them.' Advertisement

She pledged to 'end illegal migration by proper enforcement and inserting whatever deterrent is necessary into the system'.

But in her most striking position Ms Badenoch called for an 'integration strategy' and said that 'we cannot be naive and assume immigrants will automatically abandon ancestral ethnic hostilities at the border, or that all cultures are equally valid.'

She added: 'I am struck for example, by the number of recent immigrants to the UK who hate Israel. That sentiment has no place here.'

Ms Badenoch told the BBC: 'It is not about labelling cultures. Culture includes a lot of things. I am not talking about cuisine, I am talking about customs.

'I think that cultures where women are told that they should not work, I would knock on doors and you would see somebody at the door who says I can't speak to you I will get my husband.

'I don't think that is as equally valid as our culture.

'The point I was making in the op-ed was about immigration, that immigration is something which we need to make sure we get right.'

She later added: 'I am making an observation that we need to make sure we uphold our values in this country and we don't allow it to turn into the place that millions of people around the world are running from.'

Pressed on Sky New why she had not explictly said Muslim immigrants, Ms Badenoch insisted: 'Because it is not all Muslim immigrants. And this is what I don't do, I am very careful when I speak.'

She said: 'There are some, those who buy into Islamist ideology, political Islam, they do not like Israel and we need to be able to distinguish between the two. That is why I don't just use a word that brings so many people into the group.'

Ms Badenoch also denied she deliberately sought out public spats, such as with actor Tennant over trans rights.

'What is interesting about all those three people is there I was being nice, minding my own business, and then they came after me,' she said.

The North West Essex MP added: 'Why is it that people worry about someone who talks back? They don't like it when women talk back, they don't like it when politicians talk back.

'I will talk back, I will not stand there and let people punch me. If you swing at me I will swing back but I don't look for fights.'

Asked if her childhood years in Nigeria meant she was 'too Nigerian' for British politics, Ms Badenoch replied: 'I doubt that. Nigerians tell me that I am too British. I am just Kemi, really. I am something that is just different and unique and that is why I stand out in this contest.'

On the BBC, Mr Jenrick said immigration would be his main issue - highlighting that unlike his rivals he is committed to leaving the ECHR.

And he repeated his vow of a cap 'cast in iron' on legal migration to the UK.

'I want to reclaim the mantle for the Conservative Party of low tax and pro growth, but I don't agree that the age of mass migration has made our country richer,' he said.

Businesses should be free to decide on maternity benefits, says Badenoch Kemi Badenoch has suggested that businesses should have more control over maternity benefits. The shadow housing secretary told Times Radio that the burden on regulation on firms was too high. 'Tax comes from people who are working, we're taking from one group of people and giving to another. This, in my view, is excessive,' she said. 'Businesses are closing. Businesses are not starting in the UK, because they say that the burden of regulation is too high.' Put to her that she is saying maternity pay is 'excessive', Ms Badenoch said: 'I think it's gone too far, too far the other way, in terms of general business regulation, we need to allow businesses, especially small businesses, to make more of their own decisions. 'The exact amount of maternity pay, in my view, is neither here nor there. We need to make sure that we are creating an environment where people can work and people can have more freedom to make their individual decisions.' She added: 'We need to have more personal responsibility. There was a time when there wasn't any maternity pay and people were having more babies.' Advertisement

Mr Jenrick also said: 'There are multiple failures that we need to acknowledge as a party, whilst obviously defending everything we've got right in government, and then we've got to listen to the public and set out serious answers to those challenges.

'I've spent the last few months thinking very deeply about how we do that, and I don't want to waste the next five years debating those things, that's a recipe for more infighting and for further loss of public trust.

'I want to use this leadership contest for us to settle those things and have a clear plan as to how we take our party and our country forward, and I have that, in particular on immigration.'

He said he would roll back UK participation in human rights conventions. 'Unless we leave the jurisdiction of the European Court, we will never get to grips with this problem, and the British public want us, they expect us to do that,' he said.

The former immigration minister said: 'What I want to do is to have Parliament set a legally binding cap on migration, so that we can look the public in the eye and be confident that we're going to deliver on our promises this time.

'I want to set that in the tens of thousands or lower.'

Meanwhile, in The Sun on Sunday, Mr Jenrick said the country needs 'a tax system that rewards risk-takers' and should 'take advantage of our Brexit freedoms and change VAT thresholds' for small businesses'.

In a pitch to 'White Van Man' he argued that 'we should increase the thresholds to 100,000, as recommended by the Federation of Small Businesses, which would allow tens of thousands of businesses to have an additional untaxed turnover of 10,000'.

The Conservatives secured 121 seats at the general election in the summer, down hundreds of seats on Boris Johnson's landslide in 2019.

Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Tugendhat said that the party were 'rejected at the ballot box' and people want 'leadership that puts the country first.'

Mr Tugendhat has said that the conference offers the party 'a chance to change course'.

In a piece for the Telegraph released on Saturday afternoon, he said that the gathering is 'an opportunity to rebuild our party  not as a vehicle of opposition, but as a future government'.

Interim chair Mr Fuller will tell delegates in Birmingham that the parliamentary party 'needs to learn and has to change' when he makes his speech to conference on Sunday.

Mr Fuller is expected to say: 'I am profoundly sorry to you, the members of the Conservative Party.

'To our activists. To our current and former councillors, police and crime commissioners and mayors who found their strong local records of service were dominated by negative national headlines.

'To Conservative voters and to the country at large for the consequence: a reckless, ideological socialist government with a huge majority based on a paltry share of the electorate.

'I am deeply sorry.'

Tom Tugendhat (pictured arriving last night) is one of the other contenders

Shadow home secretary James Cleverly arriving at conference with his wife last night

Ms Badenoch was greeted by supporters as she arrived at conference last night

Mr Jenrick arriving for the Tory conference in Birmingham last night

As well as pledging that the parliamentary party 'will change', Mr Fuller is also expected to touch on the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK, who both took seats from the Tories at the general election.

'The Liberal Democrats have already said they will cosy up to Labour whenever they can,' he will say.

'And what of Reform? Well, we gave them oxygen. We gave them space. We will take both back.'
Hundreds of Albanian migrants who reached Britain on small boats across the Channel are now believed to have taken control of the country's cannabis trade.

Many have been snapped up to work on illegal cannabis 'farms' - with contacts shared via a secret channel on messaging service Telegram, it has been reported.

The drug production bases are said to often be set up in rented homes as well as industrial buildings which have fallen into disuse.

Conversations on the app reportedly cover topics such as the best chemicals to boost cannabis plant growth - and even recommendations to use crossbows rather than guns to fend off rival drug-dealing gangs.

The revelations which suggest more than 700 Albanians are using the service to bolster their UK drug trade operations follow an undercover probe by the Telegraph.

Videos shared online have shown how cannabis 'farms' have been set up at UK properties - with Albanian migrants recruited to work in them but facing attacks by rival gangs

Video adverts on social media have been used to recruit potential cannabis farm workers

A British Border Force vessel is pictured picking up an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants in front of the white cliffs of Dover in Kent in the English Channel in May this year

It has been suggested that the teams produce cannabis crops worth 2million per time - grown and harvested in just three months.

Yet there have also reportedly been discussions shared about robberies in which cannabis 'farm' workers have had their fingers chopped off by rival intruders.

And landlords of properties are said to have demanded profit shares running into five-figure sums.

National Crime Agency officials say Albanian gangs have increasingly turned to dealing in 'very very low-risk' cannabis after previously prioritising cocaine.

People in the UK are said to consume 240 tonnes of cannabis each year, encouraging a market now worth an estimated annual 2.4billion - and all the more valued for being homegrown rather than running risks involved with importation.

And a swell in the number of Albanians crossing the channel has provided a ready workforce, with a total 12,685 coming to Britain on small boats in 2022.

The Albanians' 703-member channel on Telegram now under scrutiny is called 'Kusho', meaning 'cousin' and often used as a fond nickname between friends.

Posts shared on the messaging service have now been revealed by an Albanian reporter who got into the group and found one of the organisers telling members: 'Everyone, you need to know how to grow "roses".

One Albanian contributing to the conversations recommended spending 337 on a crossbow rather than a gun due to lesser sentences if caught, the Telegraph said.

The drug production bases are said to often be set up in rented homes as well as industrial buildings which have fallen into disuse

Earlier this month Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Rome and said he would look at Italy's plan to 'offshore' some asylum processing to Albania

Crime investigators say Albanian gangs have increasingly turned to dealing in 'very very low-risk' cannabis after previously prioritising cocaine

Another poster was quoted on how attacks by rival gangs were more of a concern than being caught by the police, saying: 'Most robberies in the cannabis houses are happening in Leicester. They cut off the fingers of an Albanian worker.'

And London-based Albanian reportedly wrote: 'Police are not the big problem. The main problem is robbers who are now using drones to identify the houses. They detect the heat from the plants through the roofs of the houses.'

The new details come after it was revealed earlier this month how Albanian criminal gangs are openly recruiting cannabis farmers on TikTok after previously turning to social media to advertise people smuggling routes.

Gang bosses have been seeking live-in labourers and offering them up to 30 percent of the profit from street sales amid a steep decline in the number of Albanians crossing the Channel to the UK.

One TikTok video advert said: 'I am the owner of a cannabis house. I chatted to my worker then all things went wrong. Now I am giving this employee 30 per cent of the profit made in that house without living expenses.'

TikTok told MailOnline the video was taken down several weeks ago and added its community guidelines state the platform was committed to ensuring it was not used to take advantage of vulnerable people or to promote content facilitating or coordinating human smuggling acts and services.

Gangs had used similar tactics to advertise illegal smuggling routes to the UK for fellow Albanians, including via lorries, ferries and boats.

It is believed the open recruitment drive - with potentially large cash rewards - was stepped up due to a sharp increase in deportations since the Conservative former government reached a deal with Albania at the end of 2022.

The number of Albanians arrested in the UK for cannabis offences has also risen, the Telegraph reported.

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) scrapped the previous Tory government's scheme to send migrants to Rwanda

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel on August 5 this year

Some 29 Albanians received jail sentences between eight months and two years in July, and a further 24 were convicted last month.

After the arrival of more than 12,000 Albanians entering the UK illegally in 2022, only 150 are thought to have come using such routes this year.

Previously, the gangs had been using TikTok and Instagram to advertise people smuggling services to fellow Albanians.

Many promised a '100 percent safe passage' on 'top of the range' inflatable boats and life jackets.

Some of the adverts said charges began at 3,000 for an adult and 2,500 for a child - while others quoted far higher rates.

Working in conjunction with Kurdish gangs, Albanians were publicising the routes and taking money from would be travellers  while offering those that don't have the cash the option of working for criminal gangs in the UK to pay the money back.

A source in the Albanian capital Tirana told MailOnline at the time: 'The gangs are making thousands from people who want to cross and it's all because in Albania wages and work are very low and non-existent.

'An Albanian guy in a small village knows his prospects are poor if he stays in his country but he knows if he goes to the UK he can make a lot of money and send it back to his family.'

Border Security Minister Angela Eagle said earlier this month: 'It's shocking that criminal gangs use social media to prey on vulnerable people, luring them into working in abhorrent conditions and cultivating drugs such as cannabis with false promises of profit.

Figures show how small boat crossings across the Channel have been surging in recent years

A Border Force vessel is seen bringing ashore in Kent migrants who had been attempying a small boat crossing of the Channel from France

More than 18,000 migrants have been detected making the crossing so far in 2024. Pictured are migrants making their way towards England in a dinghy on August 6 this year

'Whether online or on our streets, there must be no hiding place for those who break the law.

'We are surging enforcement activity to make more arrests, increasing prosecutions not just in the UK but with partners across Europe, and ensuring all of our relevant partners are working hand-in-glove under our new border security command.'

Earlier this month Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Rome, where he said he wanted to look at Italy's plan to 'offshore' some asylum processing to Albania.

The government is also considering paying countries such as Vietnam to help stem the flow of migrants to Europe.
Kemi Badenoch today 'congratulated' Israel on strikes killing Hezbollah's leader saying Benjamin Netanyahu was showing 'moral clarity'.

The Tory leader hopeful said the attacks were 'extraordinary', insisting that wiping out the terrorist leader would help 'create peace' in the Middle East.

The comments came as the situation in the region remained on a knife-edge, with Houthi rebels claim they fired a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv airport as Mr Netanyahu was landing back in Israel.

Netanyahu was swift to shrug off the near-miss with an address to the nation shortly afterwards in which he justified Israel's actions and said they had 'settled the score' with the death of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, a man he described as 'the arch murderer'.

Kemi Badenoch today 'congratulated' Israel on strikes killing Hezbollah's leader saying Benjamin Netanyahu was showing 'moral clarity'

Houthi rebels claim they fired a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv airport as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was landing back in Israel after a short visit to New York

Mr Netanyahu said Israel had 'settled the score' with the death of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (pictured), a man he described as 'the arch murderer'

He also remained unrepentant after a series of IDF strikes on Friday and yesterday left Beirut a smouldering city and said Israel will 'continue to strike our enemies' while continuing to press for the release of the more than 100 hostages remaining in Gaza.

Warning there would be more to come, Netanyahu defiantly said: 'There is no place in Iran nor the Middle East where the long arm of Israel cannot reach.'

His comments came as air raid sirens sounded across central Israel on Saturday afternoon, including in Tel Aviv, in the aftermath of the Houthi attempt.

Large explosions were heard after a missile was fired from Yemen and intercepted, the Israeli military said.

Asked on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips what she would be saying to Israel if she were Tory leader, Ms Badenoch said: 'I would be congratulating Prime Minister Netanyahu. I think what they did was extraordinary.

'Israel is showing that it has moral clarity in dealing with its enemies and the enemies of the West as well.

'Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation and I think that being able to remove the leader of Hezbollah as they did will create more peace in the Middle East.'

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei chillingly vowed the killing of Hezbollah boss Hassan Nasrallah and a senior Iranian commander 'shall not go unavenged'

Fellow Tory leader hopeful and former foreign secretary James Cleverly has said Israel must act with 'professionalism' and 'restraint'.

Asked what message he would send to the Israelis, Mr Cleverly replied: 'I would say to them what I've said to them already, when I was foreign secretary, when I met with president (Isaac) Herzog, when I met with prime minister Netanyahu, defence minister (Yoav) Gallant, I've said that you do have the right to defend yourself, absolutely.

'They are surrounded by people who would do them harm, but when they do so, they have to abide by international law. They have to be conscious of civilian casualties. They have to act with professionalism and restraint. So I will be consistent, I'm always consistent.'

He told Sky News: 'I am no longer, because we're in opposition, I am no longer able to access the detailed reporting that I did when I was foreign secretary, when I was home secretary.'

The shadow home secretary added: 'It's easy to have a view, everyone has a view. But when you are in a position of leadership, the kind of positions that I have held and I aspire to hold in the future, you have to make your comments based on fact, not just on TV reporting, not just on social media, not just on gut instinct. Any idiot can do that.'
A man and a woman have been arrested after another man was allegedly shot in the leg in a suburban home in the middle of the day.

Police were called to a house on Ferricks Street, in the northern Brisbane suburb of Stafford, at about 2pm on Sunday, where they found a man in his 40s with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg.

CCTV footage obtained by Nine News showed a man with an apparent leg injury hobbling into the home just moments before a gunshot was heard going off.

A red Volkswagen with three people inside was then seen leaving the premises.

Police, using Polair, tracked the vehicle which shortly after returned to the home. A man and woman were then arrested.

The shooting victim was stretchered to an ambulance.

It's understood police are looking for at least one more person believed to have been involved.

A police spokesperson said there was no threat to public safety and the pair arrested are believed to be known to the victim.

A man with an apparent leg injury was seen entering the north Brisbane home shortly before the shot was fired